Waging a Holy War

[Stealth Greyblade]

Stealth groaned as he picked himself off the ground. Time after time agian, he found out he never realy did like teleportaion. Stealth sighed as he stood up. "heh one moment Im actualy gettign to speak to someone I can talk too, and now Im stuck here with the overgrown flashli.....wow."He said glanci9ng up at the temple before him. He shook his head in wonder but a small chill ran up his spine for inside he knew was a peice of the boogey man and that lemur who sent those swarms of shadow beasts after them the last time. He glanced and smirked at Luminus as he drew out his guns slapping the last clips he had int oeach of them and flicking off the safteys ."Time for a little payback dread head. Lets go show that shadow chick a thing or too."he siad running up the steps his eyes ears and nose contatly searching for trouble as he delved into the darkness of the temple.

Legion delved deep into the Azure Island forrest, following his scanners unaware that he was now not alone on the forrest, but then agian if he did know he probably still wouldnt deviate from his path. What mattered most was getting to that gem. Si he kept forward, using one of his plasma swords to cut through the under growth till he burst through a clearing and gazed up at the temple that rested in the center of the island."hehe perfect."he said to himslef.

[CC]

CC barely had time to think or say anything before being sent via teleportation to a baren wasteland of a place with the blue quilled hedgehog by her side, for some reason she was comforted that the Goddess had seen fit to put her together with Amon. She took only a few seconds to regain her balance before her keen eyes set themselves upon a demonic figure directly in front of her, well, the Goddess certainly does not waste any time the black cat thought to herself as she looked towards Andre. His shoulders were slumped and there was a feeling about him that exhumed deep and utter sadness and loathing for the area and the world that he was in and if it was not for the pressing issue at hand, the feline perhaps would have felt pity for the creature. Instead she sets her feet in a fighting stance and has her arms raised just above her waist - her paws are unclenched but she is ready to fight as soon as it is needed.

Before the psionic can do anything CC calls out in a loud and clear voice towards the demon in front of her, "Andre, it would be wise for you to stop now - why don't we have a nice little chat? You have a choice, you can stop in your quest for the Shard and perhaps see the light side of things or you will be stopped by force. I am game for either one, but I would hate to have it lead to a fight if we can solve this peacefully." She grins cheerfully but her eys glint dangerously as she watches his every move ready to spring into action if needed.

___

There was a subtle change to the energy in the area and the lemur frowned, unsure whether or not it was her imagination of perhaps the trap that she had set off by mistake. The Harbinger had stopped on its way towards the entrance they had originally come through and soon it began chittering wildly, Tala shushed with a quick glare and concentrated more fully, sending a bit of her energy out through the area until she found what she was looking for - two sources of light energy were travelling her way. Their auras were strong and she cursed mentally that Aurora had finally seen fit to send some minions to retrieve the shards. "What wonderful timing..." The lemur nods towards the arachnid and it continues on its way to more steady ground and searching around with quick yellow eyes she spots a few rocks and vines off to one side - the leaves wither in the heat of the random gouts of flame but they would do.

With ease she calls upon the Shadow Creatures once more, this time calling forth three Shadow Wraiths from various rocks and vines - the items in question seem to melt down and like a phoenix born of shadow rather than flame three large demonic falcons shoot straight out of the ground and high into the air above. "Keep your eyes open for two intruders and warn of their presence immediately before attacking." With their instructions given she turns towards the Harbinger and also bids it to stand on gaurd, but gives it instructions to attack on sight. That job done she turns her attention once more to leaping across the large unsteady rocks, her tail out to be used as a counter balance. She hears a hiss and pulls all of her limbs in tight just before a large gout of flame shoots before her into the air, singing parts of her fur. She only flinches slightly before moving on, getting ever closer to the Island.

[Stealth Greyblade]

Stealth frowned wondering if leaving the blind enchida outside was such a good idea. Still though he shakes his head and sighs. It was too late for second guessing. he probably would be more of a hinderance anyway. So with a sigh he charged deeper into the temple his weapons up and at the ready. his eyes peering through the darkness.

The temptation to unleash his weapon of light to bashish the darkness, but he also pushed that thought away, why show his trump card too soon? he rather keep it as a surprise for the wench once he found her. The gem was a secondary target, stealth wanted to make sure the boogeymans grunt was taken care of first.

Slowly he arpouached a stair way going down. He pointed his weapons down the stairwell the lazer sights finding nothing. Then with a grunt he headed down the stariwell, he could swear he heard flames deep below.

[Psychosis]

As quickly as he'd arrived, Amon disappeared again, using his psionic teleportation to appear a great deistance behind the massive Shadow Walker. He let Ci Ci serve as a distraction, though keanly paying close eye on her should the danger be more than she could bear. While the creature moved ever slowly towards Ci Ci, Amon was probing his mind.. nothing but pain.. misery.. shame..

He now shared sentiments with the feline, under different circumstances, he too would feel pity towards this misshapen creature. But now was not such a time, now was a time of urgency. He gave a simple nod in Ci Ci's direction and then started gathering in a swirl of psionic energy. Far to the East, Spade found himself back in the lush forest home he cherished so.

"Tlassa.. it feels good to be on home soil.."

He said, taking a deep breath of the fresh wafting air. The sweet smells of the village herbalists and the natural essence of the forest titilating his olfactory receptors. He looked over to the Dhole and smiled, resting his axe on his shoulder.

"Well Kuri, welcome to that place which I call home.. the temple we seek is to the West, it is known to my people to be a place of great fear.. but we are representitives of our Mother.. and we shall do fine.. TO THE SCORCHING SANDS!!"

There was an unusual bounce in the Koalla's step, he was excited. Many times as a child he often dreamed of the Temple grounds, the curiosity surrounding it, the daring nature of his being. He was always up for an adventurous romp through his homeland, and now he did so with a purpose. A plume of dust blew behind Spade as he ran through the village and out to the Desert, hoping Kuri was not too far behind him.

[Shae the Bat]

Aries closed his eyes, and upon opening them again, he could see the flowing green waters of the Emerald Sea. Said to be the place that the Chaos Emeralds were first born before their long journey to Angel Island to be with the Master Emerald. He remembered this place well, and fondly. The days of yore when he and Shae were among the best in their class of Druid. Studying under the watchful eye of Magnus.. who would later be the betrayer and one who cursed Shae with the darkness that now flowed inside.

The green and white hedgehog glanced over at Paladin. Who was dusting off his new robes and fiddling with his weapon-shaft. It felt weird, knowing that before him stood the carnate rebirth of he who was the son of Death itself. A new form, new purpose, new life, but still a strong resemblence of his former shell.

"My guess is that Shae arrived in the Kingdom, providing he doesn't gain access to the Celestial Transporter.. he'll be heading straight through the sea tunnel and then blaring across the water surface from that small island.." said Aries "Our best bet is to wait here.. as much as I hate to say that.."

However, Shae was going to gain access to the Celestial Transporter. Unfortuneately, much to the failure of his disguise, it would be through means of violence. It would seem that the chiroptera was recognized and guards surrounded him, he quickly and ruthlessly dispatched them and moved to the transport. His form dematerialised and rematerialised inside the Temple's main chamber.

The great carbon statue of a Mercian hero, Nemeath, stood on the pedostal. Shae couldn't help but smirk, as a youth just entering the trials of the Druids, he took pride in aspiring to be like Nemeath, a StarChild who stayed in Mercia and founded thr Druid order he followed. Shae placed his hand on the statue and it shattered, the SoulGem floating in the air. He reached out, grabbed it and pocketted it.

"Pity, I was hoping this would have been more of a chal-" said Shae, pausing, he'd caught wind of Aries and Paladin's arrival. "Oh-ho.. perhaps I will have a challenge.. could it be? Aries and.. ah so he's been reborn.. how very interesting."

He dawned the robe again, covering his form. He walked out through the Temple hall, passing all the traps and leaving them unset. He boldly walked through the main entrance and with a change in voice and energy, he began to speak to the Vanguards.

"May I help you, warriors of our Lady?" he said, smugly, in the guise of an elder Druid, his true identity well hidden.

[Spynmaster]

Behold, Thunder was to go on a mission for the the goddess...alone. Despite having no other Vanguards to assist, he felt truly depended on, like he could be trusted. Thunder couldn't tell if it was fear, anxiety, or confidence that he was feeling. At any rate, such a responsibility couldn't be taken lightly, and if this Legion was a vicious as Aurora described, he would have to show no mercy for him, especially where the SoulGem was concerned. As Thunder went through, he gave a polite salute to her.

Landing just as Aurora directed, Thunder immediately put on his visor and started searching. This was like the time when he went to search for Synestro with his friends, Flash and Indigo. Flash was a hedgehog swordsman with power over fire, and Indigo was a moderate engineer of a hedgehog who could swing a mean laser sword and stop time for a short while, giving her an edge with her blaster. The three of them together made serious trouble for Synestro and his followers. He wondered where they were now. Flash and Indigo went their own way after that final battle. Though he still misssed them, he knew that they'd meet again in the future.

[Tonixion]

The colossi halted, somewhat expecting visitors. Andre made no move as they set up their encounter, and he was not deaf the the felines words. It would have been appropriate for him to laugh at her statement, at the offer he was refused long before this one had suggested it. He held out his arms in a sort of hug-offering way, his cloak lifting to the sides before him to reveal his charcoal black body and long razor claws. Psychosis no doubt was recieving a large wave of surging emotion at the time the demon began to speak. "It is not my intention to harm either of you, but it is not my will that I am in control of. The Gods are fickle in this game they play, for you see dear feline that I have already offered my services to Aurora only to be shirked. I must repay my debt to The Prophet before I sway from the darkness. But for now, and for me... there is only that. Darkness. So it is my offer to you that you step down, for I cannot."

Andre's words were spoken in a soft demeanor, at least as soft as a dying fire could sound. His voice occasionally cackled like fire would, yet it gave that cold feeling in the back of the mind, the one that was like a shovel graverobbing your good memories and only leaving the bad ones. This so-called evil was rightfully regretful. He knew he had no alternative, and that the chosen ones would not simply step aside. There was no leeway.

There was only bloodshed.

[Tsubasa]

It took Kuri a moment after being teleported for her stomach to stop sloshing around, and she wearily wondered why she was feeling worse everytime the Goddess did so. But it was a small price to pay to see her beloved continent once more, but the dhole could not take a good enough look at her comrade's home village, as she was already chasing him through the streets. She knew that at least some of the more observant villagers must have been wondering why some mysterious dhole was chasing one of their own, but she didn't think to hard about it, seeing the Desert was before her. With a sudden burst of speed, Kuri ran up right behind Spade, trying to match her pace to his.

"Wow, Spade... I'm glad that you at least know where we have to head to..."

[CC]

The cat listened patiently to Andre's words, they chilled her to the very core of her soul and seemed to hold all of the pain that he felt inside as well as the darkness that overwhelmed his entire aura. When he had finished speaking it was clear to the feline that the choice had been made, for all three, and she shrugged nonchalantly, "Okay, have it your way!" she chimed before digging her back right foot into the ground behind her to giver herself a tiny bit of momentum for the charge to come.

She had been slightly put off by his words, even though the Goddess had already mentioned that Andre believed that there was no other way but to complete his task for Syntaru, still, she did not like getting two separate stories. These thoughts were mere milliseconds in her mind after her short sentence and she rushed towards the demon with her claws out, energy already forming at the very tips. A light emerald green, the same colour of her eyes, formed around her as she ran closer and her eyes glinted with her own fighting spirit. Before she reaches the demon though she slashes downwards with her paws, sending out a large wave of energy that hurtles towards Andre while she lets herself fall into a tumble off to the right hand side, coming to her feet close to Andre, but far enough away so that she will not be hit by the blast the Psychosis was preparing.

The feline understood that Andre knew both her and Amon were there, that was not the point, the point was to act fast enough so that he would not be able to dodge both blasts and she hoped that the attack would be executed well enough to do some damage to the very imposing creature. She did not relish being hit with those claws of his!

[Luminous]

"Next time, warn me before you go running off into such a shadow infested place, Stealth." Right behind him, Luminous slowed to a stop, both fists gripped tightly as his fur gave a soft glow, illuminated the way around them. It was apparant that he could tell somewhat what was around him, but looking about, he sighed. "I can see a darkness much darker than whats around us down there....it may be Syntaru's shard....."

[Lucian]

After teleporting, a loathed form of transportation that the deathog agreed with Stealth upon, Paladin straightened his articles only to be hailed by a druid. An odd occurance indeed, for while Twilight knew little of the Mercian religon one would think that witnessing two of their most holy creator's personal assistants materializing in their home would cause more of a ruckus. Having never been an overly secular sort in spite of being a member of the pantheon, the vanguard simply kept his wits about him and explained the situation.

"Greetings and Salutations: this is Vanguard Aries the Gate Keeper and I am Vangard Twilight the Judicator. We're in search of a certain ex-vanguard dispatched here to aquire an artifact of power for the Dark One.

I should caution you, he is a bat not unlike yourself and one that will do anything or destroy anyone to get what he aims for. He was a member her before becoming a member of Lady Aurora's court so he would know the lay of the land and his way around. . . ."

[Shae the Bat]

Shae grinned vaguely, his disguise was working. He made a gesture, that to those before him would appears though he were sratching a long, thin beard. He coughed and wheezed a bit before speaking.

"A young lad.. about the height of myself.. black hair with red front.. black furred with a tuft of red.. he that was shamed here ages ago? I haven't seen him around here.. but I know of his exploits.. You're saying he became a Vanguard? Most curious.." said Shae "It might be better if you two came inside, grab this.. artifact of which you speak before your ex-Vanguard does.."

Shae lead the two Vanguards inside the Temple, Aries was studying the old man intently. Something about him didn't seem right, he couldn't quite place a finger on it. Normally the Druids stayed clear of the Temple, 'less it was the annual Day of Atonement, and the day was months away from now. Still, he did not falter in following the elder Druid. They happened upon a perfectly flat section of the temple hall. Shae of course knew where all the trap switches were, and he made it a point to have the Vanguards go first so he could set them off.

"Please, those of our Lady's court, go first, I will attend to the safties on the temple's traps.." said the old bat.

[Lucian]

Perhaps it was that a bit of Paladin's core personality remained from his Syth beginings but the deathog was growing impatient. Secretly agreeing with some that chatting around the dinner table was a poor useage of time the Judicator was anxious to get to work. So he foolishly strode forward ahead of Aries and into the awaiting mayhem.

The polished marble walls with high vaulted ceilings complete with skylights allowed the natural sun's rays to drift into the hallway keeping things fairly well lit in spite of there being no torches or other light sources obvious to the observers eyes. His soft boots making light padding noises on the well kempt floors it was with a brief moment of trepidation that Twilight stepped on a rather non-descript tile and the air was suddenly abuz with deadly tarts tipped with poison.

The live ending projectiles small and many thunked into Paladin like some sort of reverse porcupine. The many feathered largely ornemental missles mostly poison instead of actual puncture as it was the first of many inlaid deturants build by the druids to protect their most sacred of shrines. His cowel kept low prevented any of the darts from permeating his face and more importantly his eyes but his arms, legs, and torso were peppered with the normally fatal darts.

Thankfully, Paladin Twilight was already dead.

But not immune to pain, falling to he knees mercifully not driving any of the darts in deeper he begun the slow process of removing the some odd 20 poisoned quills from his body. Wordlessly, soundlessly save for the dull thunk of each missle hitting the ground upon removal there was no blood on the dart's tips. After brushing some errant poison off his robes noting the many holes in his brand new uniform the deathog calmed down and spoke in a serious if resonating voice.

"I'm guessing that THESE are one of those traps you were talking about?"