You find yourself in E1M1

[MadGypsy]

>get the lens that you "tossed aside" and put it in the lightspark rifle. No point in losing an entire weapon just because it is less powerful now.

[H1CC]

Bold Move Time

->Head over to the central arena in the Nameless City with the elevator platform in the middle.
->Have Phoenix jury-rig the platform to raise/lower on signal
->Have Ray wear the pristine void armor (it's still sitting in inventory! ) all over his body
->Have everyone else in your party hoister up to the sidelines and hide behind the wall in the middle
waiting for the 'secret signal' to pop out from behind and ready weapons at Protos
but then, at this time, use the elevator trips Phoenix Jury-rigged to lower back down and quick...
->Have Ray do this dance

on top of the platform, in raised position, to grab Protos' attention while it's raised up
->and then Ray was giving Protos The Finger with his free left hand clearly showing the others peeking around his general direction
->Slam elevator down on Protos while Ray is still on top of it.
Because Protos is all amorphous tentacley now it's not unlikely he'll try to slime through the S-curve shrugging off the 'shooting nail traps' on either side only to find this surprise by contrast.
Because this is such a highly... ballsy... dance he'll probably be right beneath the platform crawling up its edges in this form now by the time Ray's 'secret signal' is fully outstreched to Protos coming through the doorway.
->Have Ray rush off of the elevator platform as soon as it comes down on top of Protos
->Have Ray keep low to the inside edges of the arena's floor, agaisnt the sides, so he's out of the range of angularity of the others in his party's ranged weapon attacks to Protos
->rain down lightspark rifle fire, other energy weapon fire, and any other weapon fire in that order of priority on Protos all at once.
->Keep in mind that back teleporter as it may serve as an emergency exit...
->Don't go through the 'emergency exit' unless the party is all together.

[Shadowswift]

>heal up whoever needs it also check ammunitions
>Have Ray wear the pristine void armor all over his body

You have Velen tend to Phoenix's minor injuries while you tend to your own. You take out the remaining Pristine Void Armor from Phoenix's satchel and meld it with your Reaper's Cloak, mending it completely.

Phoenix is now at 250h/145ra/125sa
You are now at 250h/96ra/150sa
Everyone else is at maximum

Your ammo supply at the moment is not optimum, but it'll do as long as you don't go balls-out before figuring out how to take Protos down.

>get the lens that you "tossed aside" and put it in the lightspark rifle. No point in losing an entire weapon just because it is less powerful now.

Alrighty.

You create the Shadowpulse Rifle

Not any use to you now, but you never know about the future. You still have this Master to deal with, and hey...he may not be a Shadow at all. Who knows? None of the rest of this story makes any sense...

Two minutes left.

>Head over to the central arena in the Nameless City with the elevator platform in the middle.
>Have Phoenix jury-rig the platform to raise/lower on signal
>Have everyone else in your party hoister up to the sidelines and hide behind the wall in the middle
waiting for the 'secret signal' to pop out from behind and ready weapons at Protos
but then, at this time, use the elevator trips Phoenix Jury-rigged to lower back down and quick...

You sprint to the back atrium, leaping over the lava pit and snaking around the spike traps. You enter the atrium and inspect the lift. Um.....hm. This thing has no electric parts to it what-so-ever. There are no gears or moving parts. It's just a huge plank of wood on four skinny metal pillars. Now, between you and Phoenix, there's quite a bit of mechanical and technical jury-rigging knowhow...but this?! What the hell are you supposed to do with this? How does this even work???
"What'd I tell you, sir? This dimension is, forgive my language, completely fucked up." You nod your head in agreement.

...but you have an idea. Despite its apparent defiance of physical laws, the lift does respond to your presence and lifts when you stand on it. You also note that it doesn't lower until you jump off. You order your party to hide behind the wall by the portal. Phoenix grapples up, Velen follows behind him. SFX floats behind, and Darkscythe leaps up on his own (he can jump really well, remember?)

One minute.

"Sir...Sir!! Look! Look, I found it!" Huh? You turn your attention toward your lieutenant's shouting. "It's your Console, sir! It was just laying here on the ground!" Sweet!! You have him toss it to you. You slap it back onto your wrist. Ahh.....much better. You feel complete again.

Your Console is ON.

Time's up. You wait. You doubt this plan will work, but it's worth a try. You hear the sound of dimensional ripping in the distance. You know it's him. He's coming.

RAY!!! PHOENIX!!! You're in my home, now. I know this city better than you know yourself. You dare to make a stand against me here?!? Heh. You didn't think of that, did you? It'll be the last mistake you ever make, human. You are not getting away from me again. You are not leaving this city. You know where this is going...


YOU ARE NOT PREPARED!!!

[[Continued]]

[foq]

But most elevators in Quake only do 1 damage...

I suggest Ray uses the Chromaspark Prismabolt Rifle to punch a hole through Protos's defenses, while Phoenix affixes the unused shadow crystal to his grappling hook. Phoenix then hooks the crystal into Protos. It will most likely be nowhere near enough to nullify him, but it will get rid of some bit of that nasty power. There's a chance Protos may attempt to absorb the crystals we have which are already brimming with shadow energy... try to prevent this from happening.

Of course, there's still that going even further beyond thing. Just a thought. Phoenix may not be a Saiyan but he was revived from death using a magical wishing well and a quarter, and, well, this dimension is completely fucked up, after all. Maybe there's a chance...

[H1CC]

((In leiu of foq's recent suggestions... I'm makin'... some more of what he said recently. ))
((I don't take credit for these ideas but I'm puttin' them into impulse form for him. ))


->Have Ray and Phoenix apply unused Shadow Energy container crystals to the end of grappling hooks to thwick-thwack at Protos while they are shooting at him
->Have Phoenix push to see if he has any 'hidden powers' as a result of his... highly unusual... having been entirely restored from being dead.
Most 'undead' in Quake are zombies...
Phoenix was less 'still dead' after being 'brought back' than Christ himself.
You normally can't bring someone back from the dead without adverse effects, permanently changing the individual 'brought back' after they are, from what you had to do to do so...
Because here in Quake it didn't there may be some more significance to how that works...


((I'd ask you to remind foq for me that, as you said in Page One here when explaining the 'game rules', while you CAN give impulses in the middle of multi-part story passages from the impulses given, it's better if you save them for in between, as indicated by when the 'console prompt' appears after that next part is finished. ))
((I was looking forward to see what you had in mind for my 'dance' by Ray... I know most others seem to think it's a bad idea... It just doesn't seem to me like something he wouldn't actually do. ))

[MadGypsy]

>Everyone kicks ray in the nuts and tells him he can't even think about doing the crush-mangle my balls dance.

>Ray loses 4 health and any desire to even think of the crush-mangle my balls dance

>Ted leers at Ray unconvinced and waves a soft, harmless foot while gesturing he will plant it in Ray's nuts again. Ray feigns fear to boost Teds morale. Ted gains some morale.

yes?

[Shadowswift]

[[Let's not make impulses that contradict or take away from other players' impulses, please, less it lead to needless fighting.

Also, before I continue, keep in mind your Lieutenant's nickname and how ties in with how and why he is here standing with you. He'll get his Super Saiyan somehow or another. Don't worry.]]

[MadGypsy]

[[ I didn't even consider that or intend to let it become that (it takes 2 to fight), but ok ]]

>None of these guys have shat in ?months?. Everyone should stop and take a crap. Maybe ask Protos if he can conjur up a book with some women-folk in it for "reading" during the colon cleanse. Protos is positive he is gonna kill you, so he should have no problem giving you a potty break. In the case of sfx and Ted (or anyone else that cant shit) - join in a round of the Harlem Shake, you can even ask Protos if he wants to join and teach him how if he doesn't know.

Of course when everyone is finished with nature's business they should join in the Harlem Shake and Ray should definitely do the kick-me-in-the-fukkin-nuts dance.

[metchsteekle]

>bitch don't kill my vibe

[MadGypsy]

[[RE: Let's not make impulses that contradict or take away from other players' impulses, please, lest(sic) it lead to needless fighting.

In other words, I completely agree with you metchskeetle and I already said that, just much differently]]

[H1CC]

((Meanwhile Death Knight is managing the storytelling and players that are conflicting over impulses (rather than just giving different ones) for the first time AT THE SAME TIME. ))
((So... ummm... Keep up the good work Death Knight... I'm waiting to see what you cook up... Though I dunno about your other 'most avid players' heheheee...))

[Shadowswift]

[[Since I don't have the Protos fight cleanly mapped out in my head yet, time for some silly stuff. Gypsy's last impulse fits the bill brilliantly.]]

>None of these guys have shat in ?months?. Everyone should stop and take a crap. Maybe ask Protos if he can conjur up a book with some women-folk in it for "reading" during the colon cleanse. Protos is positive he is gonna kill you, so he should have no problem giving you a potty break. In the case of sfx and Ted (or anyone else that cant shit) - join in a round of the Harlem Shake, you can even ask Protos if he wants to join and teach him how if he doesn't know.

Of course when everyone is finished with nature's business they should join in the Harlem Shake and Ray should definitely do the kick-me-in-the-fukkin-nuts dance.

As Protos rounds the corner in his serpentine form, you jump off of the lift and wave your arms in a halt motion.
What? Do you wish to beg for your life, human? Very well. You may use your last breath to grovel at my feet.
"Let me explain the situation, Captain. I know you don't like to waste words." You allow Phoenix to take center stage. "Look, Protos. We all hate you here, and quite rightly. You seem to harbor a seething hatred for us, as well...though we aren't sure why. Here's the situation. You're pretty much assured victory here, since none of us can even seem to break your barrier, let alone hurt you. How about granting us one last request? You've been nothing if not an honorable opponent thus far." Protos's seething begins to subside as he melts back down into his human ranger form.
Oh...very well. What is it? You step forward.
"I gotta take a shit. Desperately." Protos eyeballs you.
...that's it? That's your last request? You nod. Protos sighs. Very well...I'm a compassionate man, even though I seem like a megalomaniacal power-hungry psychopath. I will cater to your mortal needs. With that, Protos conjures up an out-house in the corner of the upper ring of the courtyard.
"Thank you, sonny boy. I appreciate it." You grapple up and enter the portapotty. Seconds later, you exit and re-confront Protos. "Say, young feller, I hate to bother you again, but maybe I could have something in there to read, a paper or something? Sometimes it takes me a while and I like to have something to read while it's 'going on'?
...yeah, sure. Go ahead. Protos conjures you a magazine.
"No no, not this one. Gimme one of the magazines from the back of the rack."
The porno mags??
"Yeah! I like the cartoons, they make me laugh! They draw some of the biggest titties you ever saw!" Protos conjures a Playboy magazine. "No, not this one, maybe the one you got underneath this one. They have bigger titties in that one!" Protos conjures you a Hustler magazine.
Here, now leave me alone...
"Haha, thank you sonny boy! You're a life saver."

While you're in the portajohn doing your business, you hear some up-beat, fast tempo music. You peak your head out and see your whole party dancing something that looks like a crystal meth-induced seizure. You clean yourself up and quickly exit the stall.
"No, no, no! This will NOT happen on my watch, damn it!" You approach SFX and flip through his MP3s. "Aha...now here's something we can dance to." Jackson's 'Thriller' starts to play as DKC begins to move his large body in rhythmic dance. Phoenix follows suit, followed by Darkscythe and Ted. You join in and take the lead. Very shortly afterward, you notice Protos moving in rhythm too!

Achievement unlocked: "Dance of Death"
Charm your foe into dancing with you.

>

[[Remember when I said that Ray is a hella good dancer? ]]

[MadGypsy]

Woah, this guy can just create stuff...anything?

We're screwed. Protos is basically God. How the hell are you going to beat an invincible creator? No matter what you do, he can simply create something to destroy it or render it useless.

>Give up and join the dark side, maybe they have cookies or some other perk that will make it worth it.

[Shadowswift]

After the song ends, you remind yourself that you are in the middle of the fight of your life here. The silliness in the air vanishes without a trace and the seriousness of the situation falls upon you and your followers like an anvil. Protos jumps back, away from you and retakes his serpentine form. You and your followers fall in line and take your individual battle stances.

>Have Ray and Phoenix apply unused Shadow Energy container crystals to the end of grappling hooks to thwick-thwack at Protos while they are shooting at him

You only have one at the moment. It might work, but you have to remember that these crystals are Protos's creation. They may not have any affect on him at all. You affix the crystal to your hook and charge into battle with the large skinny flying snake. Just as you prepare to take a swipe with your scythe, and right when Protos prepares to dodge that swipe, you shift your attack to a jump. As Protos dodges, you switch to your new Chromaspark cannon. You aim at Protos's midsection and fire. The intensity of the light that flows from the muzzle of the gun is blinding, so much so that you have to squint your eyes. The bolt of pure radiance crashes into Protos's barrier. You hear an ethereal crackling sound. As the brilliant light subsides, you open your eyes back up. Protos still stands...and his barrier is still there. The Chromaspark cannon is not enough...
"Shit. I was so sure that was going to work..." Protos smirks at you.
So, you took my rifle and refit it, did you? I had a sneaking suspicion you would when you zipped back here in the midst of our fight. Don't be down on yourself, Captain. It was a good plan...and it might have worked if I was still as weak as I was when we first met. The Shadowpulse Plasmabolt Rifle...one of my finest technological creations, no doubt. It dealt a lot of damage in my hands and, indeed, I figured it was the true source of my strength...until I created that. He points to the crystal attached to your hook. That little battery was a shining achievement in furthering my own success. Once I put those little bundles of chaos into play, I changed radically. I was no longer just a soldier...I was a mastermind. I became a demigod when I created the Corrupted. My master thought his Shadows were a stroke of pure brilliance, but when he saw my Corrupted, I immediately became his right-hand...no. Something more...I became his equal...his rival. You raise an eyebrow. Yes...I no longer serve my master unquestioningly. With the army of Corrupted I have at my disposal and the crystals to drain the essence from his Shadows, I can overthrow him. I can rule this realm and all adjacent realms at my leisure. Once I am rid of you and your pestilent friends, I will be free to wreak havoc upon the Shadows and bend them to my will. Protos begin to cackle insanely. You stow your cannon and retake your scythe. You prepare for Protos's onslaught when you begin to feel a faint rumble. The rumble grows until the very realm of Quake begins to...well, quake. You hear a low, guttural, rumbling growl. Protos's laughter halts abruptly. He begins to look around nervously. Ma....master? You hear the guttural growl again. It is so low, you can't understand it. You retreat from the battlefield and rejoin your party on the sidelines. Protos seems to have another battle of his own on his hands at the moment. N-no, my lord, of course I didn't mean it! No, please! I beg of you, please spare me!! The growl retorts. It is displeased...you witness as Protos is assailed by dark forces. He tries desperately to fend them off, but even with his might, he is unsuccessful. The Encroaching Darkness, the same stuff that you've seen sliming across the walls of the castles and bases of Quake begins to cloud Protos. Various geists and shades enter the fight as they swirl around the hapless serpent. So thick is the darkness that you can no longer see Protos. You hear a shattering sound. Protos's barrier has been destroyed. You hear ripping and shredding. The Shadowy cloud begins to abate. Protos still stands, though he is no longer in his serpentine form. He has retaken is human ranger form. As the Shadows leave him, you can see that this is no disguise. He really is a human ranger. He, himself, was a Corrupted. You and your party jump down and approach him cautiously.
"BACK! Stay back..." He shouts in a very human voice. "I...have paid for my arrogance. I have suffered the complete loss of my master's favor for my attempted betrayal. Heed this lesson well, dear Captain. My master is not one to take lightly." He continues to look down at the ground. His spirit is crushed. "I was nearly indestructible, even to your combined might...yet he has stripped me of all of that which I had with but a breath." You approach him slowly.
"Who are you?" You ask in a quiet voice.
"I a...I was Lieutenant Major Dalton Kirk, United States Marine Corps Ranger." Your blood runs cold. "Like you were once, Captain, I was tempted by the forces of Darkness. I left the Rangers and pursued the Dark voices in my head around the same time you first entered the realm of Quake." Phoenix steps forward.
"Major Kirk! I remember you! You were Ray's commanding officer before the Slipgate Wars!" Protos slumps forward.
"How right you are, Stockton. I cherished you, Captain. You were my prime protege. Even after I succumbed to the Darkness, I still needed you by my side...so I devised a way to bring you into the fold the same way I was brought in. I apologize if I ever seemed cruel or harsh when you were in my control. The Master does not tolerate failure. I needed you to be unstoppable, so that you would not fail."
"Major..." You utter in a low voice. "How could you do this? How could you incite all of this war and chaos? Because of you, hundreds of good Rangers and soldiers are dead or turned to Darkness! Many of them won't be as fortunate as us, they can't be turned back!" Protos turns to face you.
"I won't ask you to forgive me. I won't even hope for forgiveness. I know I am beyond it, beyond any redemption. That being said, Captain, I believe we have a fight to finish." Your eyes widen. "You didn't think I was going to join you, did you? Sorry. Dalton Kirk is dead, Captain. I am still Protos. I can never be redeemed as a human...so I will strive to be redeemed by the Darkness. I will make up for my treasonous thoughts by delivering your corpses to my Master. Surely then, he will forgive me." Protos takes out his swordstaff and prepares for battle. "Even without dark powers, Ray...you know you are no match for me. I can still take you all on by myself! I will not be defeated again! I will prevail...I...will...CONQUER THIS REALM!! Shadowy fire erupts around Protos. Yes!! My master has given me another chance!! A chance to bring victory to his name. I will not be defeated by you! Protos lunges at you. The final battle has begun.

[[Continued]]

[MadGypsy]

[[ Real good addition DK! I was on the edge of my seat for a moment. I wish it wasn't continued.. ie that there was more, now. ]]