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Post by Kuroboom on Dec 3, 2010 11:50:42 GMT -5
"I'm sorry, you guys," he gurgled as he teleported away. Kuro could only think of one being who could save his life now. He just hoped there was enough kindness in their heart to do it. ----- Every few miles, Kuro would phase in to being, splattering blood everywhere. He couldn't teleport properly in this state; it was all he could do just to move. The Darkness trapped in his body had poisoned his very DNA. Wounds were constantly being torn open and healed at the same time and blood regenerated to replace the fluid pouring from every part of his body. After what seemed like an eternity, Kuro finally made it to Whelkshore. He phased in and out teleporting in spurts until he reached the doorstep of the man he hoped could save his life. Kuro collapsed onto all fours, vomiting up more blood. He raised his red arm up and banged on the door as hard as he could. "Please be home," he whispered raggedly. OOC: This is kind of a closed topic, but if you live in Whelkshore I'm sure you could slip in later if you find an opening.
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Post by Hamuu on Dec 14, 2010 16:08:30 GMT -5
Merlin looked up from the couch at the door. He shrugged then went back to flipping through the channels. A few seconds passed followed by more banging. Merlin sighed. “Is anyone going to get that?” He called through the house. “Jonas, Sly! Come on.” “Yer closer ta da door den eider of us.” Jonas shouted from the kitchen. “I sweur, da more I get ta know ya da lazier ya get.” Jonas squeezed through the door way into the living room and glared at Merlin. The magician folded his arms and stared down his towering oppressor. For a moment it seemed a fight might break out before another round of banging on the door interrupted them. “Yer so difficult!” Jonas slammed his foot down nearly causing the floor to buckle. “Sly lets us live here free a charge an you take nothin’ but advantage a it.” Merlin shrugged before returning his attention to the TV. He listened as Jonas stomped across the living room to the door. Fat oaf. Merlin thought to himself. Don’t even try to understand me or the reason why Sly lets us stay here. You’re too stupid, just-. The door had only been open for a second but a wave of nausea rushed over Merlin. The wards Rick and himself had placed on the house had kept the presence out before but with door open there was a break in the seal. “Merlin!” Jonas shouted as he fell to his knees to inspect the man. The magician had already leapt from the couch, “I know I can feel it. For God sakes don’t touch him.” Merlin lifted his hand, grabbed at the air, and then jerked his arm back. “Uff!” Jonas shouted in surprise as he was yanked backwards by an unseen force. Merlin appeared in from of him in a kneeling position. “He’s injured.” “Dat’s an understatement. Look at da marks-” “Why are you still here?!” Merlin rounded on Jonas. “Go. Get. Sly.” Jonas nodded and stumbled getting up. The house shook as the giant man opened the side door and rushed down into the lab. Merlin returned his focus to the man on the step. With a gesture of his hand he raised the man from the steps and placed him on the couch. No doubt this wasn’t the first time a bloodied person had been placed on these cushions. The stranger continued to writhe in pain as Merlin observed him coldly. There was something familiar about him. < Kuro?> Sly has suddenly appeared in the room, the dial on his watch still spinning rapidly. < Kuro, what happened?> -It still amazed me that we’ve really gone this long with a real meeting between Sly and Kuro since the war. I can’t recall any specific topic where they have actually been like “Hey Sly” <Hey Kuro> I think they have always skirted the edges around each other. But I think they still know the other is around obviously. I though can seriously not recal any topic where they have been together… any help?
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Post by Kuroboom on Dec 15, 2010 0:20:43 GMT -5
OOC: I think there actually hasn't been one. Kuro isn't very proud of the work he did so he's tried to avoid his past. That's part of why he's been living alone on an island the past few years. There was a bang and then some heavy footsteps approached the door. " Thank God," Kuro thought. He couldn't see very well with the blood in his eyes, but the door opened and a towering figure loomed over him. The man knelt down to inspect Kuro before being ripped away after another voice screamed at him not to touch him. "I'm not a stray," Kuro croaked out with a ragged laugh. He might be dying, but there's no reason not to try an enjoy himself as much as he could, even if it was a corny joke. Kuro was lifted in to the air, but he didn't resist. He really couldn't do that anymore as it was taking all of his physical strength just to hang in there. He was set down on something soft; a couch? He made a mental note to buy Sly a new one if he lived through this. <Kuro?> There he is. <Kuro, what happened?> Kuro tilted his head in the direction of the voice. "Hey, Sly," came Kuro's raspy reply. "Vincent. He shot pure darkness into my body and..." Kuro writhed around some more and shot a hand up to his mouth. His stomach muscles contracted against his will, but he kept the blood inside. He was already being enough of a burden without vomiting all over his host's furniture. Crisis averted, Kuro continued, "My regeneration sealed it in. I can feel it, Sly, it's everywhere. It's eating away at me and I'm pretty sure it's corrupted my genes. I can feel it growing slowly and I don't know how much time I have left. I hate to put this on you since it's been a long time since we even saw each other, but you're the only one I know who could possibly hel-" Before Kuro could finish the last word, he was overcome by convulsions. It only lasted a few seconds, but it felt an eternity to Kuro.
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Post by Hamuu on Dec 21, 2010 18:07:44 GMT -5
Sly listened to Kuro’s explanation as he ran a small scanning device over the saiyan. A holographic display appeared over his watch; data and images streaming across it. Images that ran across the display showed cells literally being ripped apart by invisible forces before restoring themselves. If it was localized the pain and damage wouldn’t be so bad, but literally every cell in his body was going through a death and rebirth process at different rates and intervals. < Access coded file Gengar#94.> Sly used the psychic interface to bring up Kuro’s medical files from TR. The holographic screen expanded and split in two. On the left were the current vitals and cellular decay readings and on the other side were files based on a healthy Kuro. Several portions of his body were circled and flashing red, showing areas there were close to failing entirely. < This isn’t favorable, both hemispheres of his brain have already suffered near irreversible damage.> Sly switched off his watch. < Jonas. Call Rick, either he or Mia might be able to provide assistance.> “Aye.” Jonas nodded before lumbering off towards the kitchen. “What about this Vincent he mentioned?” Merlin asked. “Find out where Kuro was when this happened, I’ll see if that guy is still there.” < No. I recall Yoshimitsu mentioning him at the mage festival before the portals opened. If this is the same Vincent then I image there is more going on than we know about. Find out if Zebedee is home, if he isn’t he may already be helping Yoshimitsu.> Merlin grumbled before disappearing. The andailte turned back toward Kuro who had started another round of convulsions. His teleportation field was wide enough it would pick up Kuro without having to be adjusted. Sly spun the dial on his watch immediately causing the saiyan and himself to disappear. They appeared in the lab together, near a large glass cylinder. Sly took a bottle of phoenix tears and forced him to drink most of it. < I imagine this substance brings back some memories.> Sly said half joking. < It won’t cure you, not dark magic this potent, but it will buy some time.> A high pitch beep alerted Sly to an incoming message at his computer terminal. Jonas’s face appeared as a floating hologram. “Sly?” Jonas questioned looking around with limited view the interface provided him. < I’m here Jonas, but I’m too busy to link with the holopad at my terminal.> Sly said as he took a few different syringes and took samples from different parts of Kuro’s body. < What did you find out.> “Rick ‘ad already left by da time Mia woke up. She ‘dinks he may ‘ad felt Vincent’s power or someding cause he took his sword wid him.” Jonas relayed back. “She is gettin’ dressed and gonna use da door ya fellas enchanted ta come help.” Sly stripped the clothes from Kuro’s body as he placed small electrical devices on his ankles, wrists, and neck. < Good. Has Merlin returned yet?> “Ya, he said Zeb wasn’t home. Den he went upstairs and said dat if he couldn’t help with da offense he was gonna put a few more enchants on da house just incase.” < That’s a wise decision on his part.> Sly finally approached his terminal. < Thank you Jonas. Once Mia has arrived please escort her here, she has only been in my lab once before and I would prefer she not get lost.> Jonas nodded before his face disappeared. The moment Sly touched the terminal the monitors came to life. His watch began transmitting the data it had collected early as the andalite began activating programs. Glass cylinder near Kuro opened as a few mechanical arms reached out from its center. The carefully scooped the saiyin up and placed him in the bottom of the cylinder as it sealed itself shut. Cords snaked down from the roof of the cylinder, six in all, and wound their way toward Kuro. One cord connected to each of the devices Sly had placed on his body except for the neck which two of the cords connected with. Finally a larger cord was lowered that seemed to have a sort of bowl shaped end. It continued down until it came in contact with Kuro’s head, at which point it clamped on tightly. Once that process was complete the cylinder was flooded with a green fluid that steadily rose to the top of the container. Kuro’s body was lifted toward the center of the tank and held there by the cords. The instrument that had connected to his head lit up and the body jerked violently for a moment. “Upload complete.” The voice was digital, coming from the main terminal. < Kuro? Can you hear me? You may be disoriented right now. I’ve essentially made a copy of your mind. Portions of your brain were becoming serious and I feared if you were to remain inside your head, you would lose portions of yourself that couldn’t be brought back.> Sly retrieved the syringes and approached one of the smaller terminals near the cylinder. < This digital copy of you will allow us to replace any potentially lost memories and, should retardation occur, will keep your higher functions safe until we can repair the damage to your brain.> Then Sly stopped and laughed. < You’d think the war would have taught us relics to stop risking our lives all the time. Though if you’ve spent your time since then like I have, I think we both know a small thing like death isn’t going to impede either of us.> OMG Long post is long. Summary – Sly stripped your clothes (bow chicka) and put you in the rejuvenation chamber, then made a digital copy of you. You can talk, through the speakers and hear just fine, so have a little fun with it. Your vision is the cameras Sly has set up, but you also have limited access of what and where you can go in his system.
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Post by Kuroboom on Dec 22, 2010 0:54:49 GMT -5
As Sly forced Kuro to drink the potion, the convulsions immediately lessened. At this point he was only twitching constantly with a violent jerk every few seconds. The blood still flowed out of him, but the rate slowed to where it was oozing out like venous bleeding. "I always liked Phoenixes," he whipsered hoarsely with a slight smirk.
If Sly hadn't been something of a doctor and if Kuro weren't dying, he'd have felt rather awkward at having his clothes removed. The Saiyan had an odd sense of foreboding as the Andalite attached devices to his naked, bloody body. Sly turned and spoke to someone, Kuro couldn't see clearly still. He was struggling to focus, despite the Phoenix Tears in his veins now. He could feel his mind was slipping, but he was using his psychic ability to force some of the Tears to stay in the bloodstream flowing through his brain.
He received a bit of a shock as he was lifted into the air into some sort of container. He knew it had to be from the sound of it sealing shut and the echoes of his ragged breath. Kuro felt a strange sensation as the various cables snaked down and attached to him and as the dome clamped down on his head. As the tube filled up, Kuro's eyes were rinsed of the blood and he could see the lab. If he had been in better shape, he would have loved to play around in there. Kuro was overcome with a wave of nostalgia of days long since past. It was at this point there was a feeling of ripping and then it felt like he was torn in two again, only without actually losing anything. Kuro couldn't see; couldn't hear. Suddenly, there was light but it seemed off somehow.
Sly explained the situation to Kuro and he realized that his vision was from a camera--Kuro was in Sly's computer. Needless to say, it was only the second weirdest thing to happen to him today so Kuro was able to overlook it. He was free of pain for the moment, though it was exceedingly strange to see himself in the tube. As Sly picked up a syringe, Kuro decided to have a little fun. "Just what do you think you're doing, Dave?" he asked in a monotone voice.
"Relics? Us? Nah, we're not even in our primes yet, Sly. I do know what you mean though. When I went out into battle, there was that voice in my head asking me what the hell I was doing here. I passed on the torch to the next generation, but I can't help but fight. My brother is dead or missing, even I'm not clear on what happened and I was there. My home planet was destroyed, and I'm positive my parents died there from what my brother told me. This planet is my home; it's all I've ever known and all I have left."
Kuro was getting accustomed to his new format and realized that as data he could explore the insides of Sly's computer. He was sure Sly had safeguards up on important or sensitive data, but he still told Sly he was gonna poke around in his system as a courtesy. Sly had collected data on countless people, presumeably for his morphing and general knowledge. As data, Kuro could process the information as fast as Sly's computer allowed. Kuro perused through the files, mostly ones of people he knew.
"Hey, Sly, I know I was pretty bad about keeping in touch after the war. I'm sorry about that, I'm just still ashamed for my part in it. If you have the time, I'd love to catch up later."
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Post by Hamuu on Dec 22, 2010 18:08:44 GMT -5
Sly injected the syringe into a small container which he deposited into a slot on the side of the smaller terminal. As he listened to Kuro’s reasoning for continuing to fight he noticed the similarities between his own past.
<I know all too well.> Sly began as he repeated the process with the second syringe at another terminal. <The difference is I killed my brother, destroyed my planet, and not once but twice brought my entire race to the edge of extinction.>
The third terminal was slightly different than the previous two. Around this one, on the floor, was a large, alchemic like diagram and runes had been etched into the metal on all four side of the machine. Sly’s process however was no different here than at the other machines.
With all three machines running separate analyses on the samples, Sly returned to the main terminal. <My parental nurtures were on the planet when I activated the ion cannon that tore it asunder. The entirety of the andalite race had been recalled. It was the only way to device the Yeerks into sending their full armada. Half the solar system and an entire race were destroyed just to ensure the Yeerks defeat. We only escaped because we knew what would happen and were prepared for the outcome.>
<Just when we finally ascertained the location of a suitable planet to rebuild upon I was caught in an explosion that should have ended my life. Instead I was brought here, to this dimension, to this world.> Sly shook his head. <I’ve resided on this world longer than I did on my own. I married here, had offspring here, and risked my life on numerous occasions to save this planet.>
Sly stared at the glass cylinder where Kuro floated. <And on more than one occasion I have died trying to protect it.>
Silence followed for a few minutes. Both of them knew the other had been through a lot; there would be no pity party or whose-life-has-been-worse contest. Instead they did what all men of any race do in this situation – respectful silence. There was no need to say anything beyond that, they both had their reasons and they both wanted to protect this world. When the silence was finally broken, Sly was reading through some results on the first terminal.
“Hey, Sly, I know I was pretty bad about keeping in touch after the war. I’m sorry about that; I’m just still ashamed for my part in it. If you have the time, I’d love to catch up later.”
<Well it appears as though neither of us shall be going anywhere for some time.> Sly inspected the sample before replacing it. <All of us who turned after the war appear to have lost touch; most likely out of some conscious, or possibly subconscious, way of distancing ourselves from the guilt. However, I took it upon myself to guard the main headquarters as well as all the other abandon TR facilities around the world. I also kept extensive files on all known members of the Alliance, TR, and the Rebels that I could track down. No doubt you’ve probably discovered those files by now. You have as much right to them as I do. Jessie, Coldwater, Rio, V101, JulieDacta, Chan, Misty, Patra, and all the others are there and their current whereabouts. Some of them weren’t as fortunate as you and I.>
<We all had our reasons for joining TR.> Sly lied, knowing he never really had a reason, only a strange loss of morality.
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Post by Kuroboom on Dec 22, 2010 23:53:15 GMT -5
"I don't know exactly how you must feel to have had to do all of that, but I'm sure you did what had to be done for the greater good. From what your system tells me, the Yeerks were a rather aggressive parasite. I don't like the idea of a genocide, but I know as well as you do that when two opposing forces meet, one of them has to give. This is especially true when it's a battle for survival," Kuro replied with sympathy in his voice.
Kuro took in Sly's words and marinated in them. It was strange just how many aliens had come here willingly or unwillingly, stranger still just how attached they all had become. Kuro felt a pang of longing when Sly mentioned his wife and son, though he wouldn't say anything on the matter. He knew about Sly's wife and vaguely about his son. He remembered the name "Rick," but next to nothing else. The Saiyan was pretty sure Rick had been an important part of the festival the Mages of Shin-Ra had hosted not too long ago, but he didn't want to pry into Sly's personal life so out of respect for the Andalite, he left those files alone.
"Yeah, I was already poking through those," Kuro replied. All of those people were great warriors and most had been great friends. The world was a better and worse place for the loss of the fallen. "And what were your reasons, Sly? I certainly didn't have a good one. They offered to take me in and I accepted; I was tired of being alone. I became a part of a family, but I still can't justify the consequences that came afterward."
Kuro waited for the reply, before asking something that had been bothering him. "Am I still alive in the tube? Like, was I truly copied or was I removed from my body?" If he were dead, this would mark the 3rd time he'd died. His regeneration is what allowed him to be so reckless in battle though, and it was just completely bewildering to have his most important function used against him.
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Post by Hamuu on Jan 10, 2011 17:43:26 GMT -5
"And what were your reasons, Sly? I certainly didn't have a good one. They offered to take me in and I accepted; I was tired of being alone. I became a part of a family, but I still can't justify the consequences that came afterward."
<I really cannot explain. Before the war, when it was still simple skirmishes between Coldwater’s syndicate and the PRPP, Amiila said something changed about me. I was becoming hateful, rude, and careless. At times, she said, there was a glimmer of who I used to be, but those instances were few and far between. I left in the night, I knew TR had an outpost in the Viridian Forest so I allowed myself to be captured and taken there.>
Sly began searching his lab for medical instruments which seemed to have become scatter over time. <When Coldwater found out the new prisoner had hacked the system to unlock his cell but had remained inside, he took it as an application. At first Coldwater only saw me as a brain, but when he saw what I could do to our enemies on my own I became a tool. He used me to assassinate people, all while bringing up his level of technology beyond anything anyone had ever seen on this world. In the end, it’s hard to describe. I was aware of my actions, they seemed right to me. When I look back though, it was like I was a passenger in my own body driven by impulses I couldn’t explain. When I died the first time I began to notices difference, pangs of guilt here and there. My second death brought back my conscious entirely. My third death freed me entirely, but it still took one more mission before I left entirely…>
The andalite trailed off as visions of his nightmares played in his head accompanied by the sad eyes of young little girl. Sly took a moment to regain his composure.
<I’ve died twice since then. No more morality switches, whatever it was that caused me to seek out the destruction TR was inflicting left me in that third death.>
"Am I still alive in the tube? Like, was I truly copied or was I removed from my body?"
Sly was happy for the change in subject. <Yes, you were copied. At this moment there are two Kuro’s. One conscious, that’s you, and one unconscious, that’s him. As of this moment you are still alive. When we clear this up, your memories from now will be added to the original Kuro so he can know what transpired and remember our conversations. Also it will restore any memories that might have been lost due to brain deterioration. Unfortunately, we will have to delete you, the digital copy, when that time comes.>
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Post by Kuroboom on Jan 11, 2011 13:22:49 GMT -5
Kuro listened, for lack of a better term, to Sly's tale. The same pang of guilt and remorse echoed in his heart. (Well, it would of had it still been attached, but the principle remained) Kuro and Sly were both remnants of a vicious, chaotic past. Both had done things that they were not proud of and yet both had survived. The two of them had taken a higher path and turned their lives around, and now here the two aliens were. One-time brothers in arms, fellow immigrants, and utterly isolated from their species. They weren't exactly close, but Kuro felt a steely bond between himself and Sly. Learning the specifics of his story made him see the Andalite as a brother more than merely a comrade and Kuro would die for his brothers.
"So I'm still alive," he thought to himself. He could swear he saw himself twitch. Kuro wasn't sure how to feel about the entire process. It was an extremely existential and yet horrifying at the same time. Kuro made a note to himself to beat the shit out of Vincent if both parties survived the ordeal.
A mental spark interrupted his thought process. Yes he was alive, but what if Sly couldn't repair the damage? What would become of his body and would his mind simply be unceremoniously deleted from the system? Kuro decided to voice this concern, "Hey, Sly, what will happen if you can't fix my body? Not to underplay your abilities or anything, I'm just worried to say the least."
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Post by Hamuu on Feb 15, 2011 3:45:09 GMT -5
< If that should occur, then what happens next will be up to you.> "Sly!" The andalite turned to see Mia, her hair was messy and her clothes looked like what she had been wearing the day before. Jonas was right behind her but his attention was immediately overtaken by the rejuvenation chamber. He looked at the tank with a mixture of fascination and concern. < Thank you for coming Mia. I know that you, as well as the other white mages, are hard pressed in Shin-Ra since the festival, I imagine there is still many who need help. Hopefully you still have power enough to help us tonight.> "We worked on healing the worst cases first, since then it's been getting progressively easier on us..." Mia's curiosity finally got the better of her and she chanced a glance at the tank to see who was inside. "Who, who is that?" < An old friend. His name is Kuro. If you wish to speak with him, he can currently hear and see everything going through the computer system in the lab. However, I suggest you first see what you can ascertain with your powers.> Sly led her over to the tank. "Sly?" Jonas sounded worried as he looked over the different printouts. "Are dese right? If dey are, I dun see how we can help ad all-" < We won't worry about what those say until we know what extent Mia can help...> "Of course." Mia nodded and placed her hand on the side of the tank. "This might take a bit." Mia closed her eyes as the glass around her hand began to glow white. All through the chamber ripples began forming and seeking out Kuros body. Jonas continued to look through the printouts, trying to find some way to help. Sly approached the second machine hoping the readout would give him something less bleak then it had been. Ugh oh, I think we just found out Sly hasn't been entirely truthful to Kuro about how bad it is... lol sneaky alien.
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Post by Kuroboom on Feb 24, 2011 12:37:39 GMT -5
Kuro's heart sank at Jonas' remarks. Sly probably didn't want Kuro to panic, but Kuro would appreciate honesty on the matter. The camera couldn't quite see the documents and he seemed to be locked out of the portion of the computer system that held his current information.
Breaking his momentary silence, Kuro decided to ask what the primary analysis had determined. "Sly, I know that I could die here. I may not have lived as long as I would've liked, but I think I've had a decent enough life. You don't need to protect me from the truth; we're both adults."
Kuro paused for a moment before turning his attention to Mia and asking, "You're Rick's wife, right? What's the damage? You can be honest with me, it's not like I can do anything from here even if I was the type to freak out."
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Post by Hamuu on Feb 25, 2011 16:53:07 GMT -5
<Don’t misconstrue my attempts to withhold information. I didn’t mean any disrespect to you Kuro. In my time I have seen what grand effects the simple act of positive thinking can have. I thought if you had hope, there would be a miniscule chance of recovery.> Sly put the readout down as he finally came clean. <You’re body is healing fine, perfectly in fact. The magic that infected you was so pure that it was able to make itself a part of you. Magic like this is meant to kill; any lesser being would be dead by now. When your cells deteriorate the magic diminishes and the cell is able to begin its renewal process, however due to the extent of the infection, the cell also regenerates the dark magic.>
<All of this on it’s own is manageable. What is keeping us from helping you is an anomaly, an infection that feeds on magic. Your regeneration abilities are among the most advanced I have seen; advanced enough that if any form of a mutation were to occur during the regenerative process something entirely new would be created. That’s what happened, near the base of your spine a single cell, infected with the dark magic, mutated; perfectly combining with the magic to create something both natural and magical. It acts like an infection, slowly growing and taking over new cells, but it’s also feeding on the dark magic in your body from the renewal process. Essentially you’re body not only created this infection, it became the ideal incubator.>
Silence fell over the lab, save for the draining sound of the tank as old fluid was flushed out and new fluid introduced. Jonas sat on the ground near the tank leaning against it as Sly continued to run different test on the samples looking for away around the anomaly.
Mia finally pulled her hand away from the tank. “It’s bad.” She answered Kuro. “I could only probe your body so much before taint pushed me out. I’m not sure if healing your body would even be feasible at this point…”
“Aye.” Jonas added. “An’ whas ta say da whi’e magics won’ jus feed da infecshun.”
<Jonas brings up a valid hypothesis, we don’t know what extra effects the healing would have on the mutation. It’s possible any attempt to heal you would inadvertently kill you.>
“But if the infection does feed on my magic and it kills him, then the killing magic will cleanse itself having met its condition. Then you can use technology to bring him back.”
“Yer nah dinkin abou’ da infecshun d’ough. It could vury well mutate a’gain.”
“It could also purify the infection.”
“Or id jus geh worse.”
“So we just sit and wait for him to die? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Naw at all. I jus sayin we don’no wha could happen.”
<It’s Kuro’s decision to make, not either of yours. Neither waiting nor acting will change his chances at this point. More importantly, it’s his life and he should have a say in it.>
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Post by Kuroboom on Mar 19, 2011 4:37:58 GMT -5
The decision weighed heavily on Kuro's mind. He was seriously looking death in the face for the first time in his entire life; he was somewhat shocked to be honest. During all of his battles, he had been beaten, broken, dismantled, you name it. But... he had never been truly dead.
"You know, even if the mutation gets worse from the attempt, I can still be 'alive' until some other method is developed. If it works though, I can be re-implanted in my body. Really, what alternative is there? I understand the concerns of both sides, but I'd rather roll the dice than sit around." Focusing a camera on the woman, Kuro spoke, "Mia, please try to heal it." Deep in his mind, Kuro felt the embers of fear stir but they were quickly extinguished; a warrior of his caliber didn't fear death or the unknown. He would meet his next obstacle head on, like he had so many opponents in the past.
OOC: Short, but better than nothing.
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Post by Hamuu on Mar 21, 2011 16:27:18 GMT -5
Sly nodded to Mia who placed both her hands on the glass again and closed her eyes.
<Jonas help me move this.>
The large man ambled over and helped his current employer move what appeared to be a large table. It was long enough to fit a man on, but had strange arcs of metal hanging over it.
“Sly, wha’ is dis?” Jonas asked taking one end as the two lifted it between them.
<It is not unlike a defibrillator. However it boasts a higher success rate and is of a slightly more advanced design.>
They brought it near the cylinder and sat it down carefully. Sly brushed his hand over one of the panels, the edges lit up with a dull glow.
<Alright, we’re ready Mia.> Sly said moving towards the console. <Begin now.>
Light immediately enveloped her fingertips. It was slow, inching down her hands to her wrists where it stopped. Inside the tank a few ripples could be seen speeding through the water. Kuro’s body began twitching as the ripples struck him in slow steady waves. Mia grimaced as she pushed more magic into the water.
“His body is trying to reject me.” Mia said as a pained look etched itself across her face.
<Stopping at this point could do more harm than good.> Sly watched the monitor with his main eyes while his right stalk-eyes carefully examined the rejuvenation chamber, watching for any change in the fluid or the body. <Continue and don’t stop unless Kuro or I instruct you to.>
Mia nodded, her hands glowing brighter as she pushed more of the healing magic into the tank. Kuro shook violently, the dark magic infecting his body unwilling to surrender. A few parts of his body had begun to glow, emitting the same golden light that Mia’s hands were. Her expression, while still pained, seemed hopeful.
“I’d it workin’?” Jonas asked, leaning over Sly’s console.
<I’m not sure, some of the levels have improved but so far I haven’t seen anything concerning the magical infection. It concerns me that-> Sly was interrupted by a high pitch electrical squeal and flashing red lights around the chamber.
Mia stumbled backward. “I’m not sure if I purged it or not but his heart stopped!”
The cylinder was already dumping the fluid down the emergency drain as Jonas opened the door. A little fluid spilled out but he managed to fit himself through the small doorway and began unhooking Kuro from the wires manually.
“I- I’m sorry. I didn’t-” Mia began stuttering.
<Calm yourself. This was expected, you said yourself that if he died it would cleanse the killing magic. From this point the magical infection can’t feed in anything as long as he doesn’t come in contact with any more magic.> Sly reassured her as joined Jonas in the tank.
Together they carried him out quickly and placed him on the machine Sly and Jonas had moved earlier. The metal arcs retracted until they were resting on the dead body.
<Get clear of the machine.> Sly commanded as he brushed his hand over the panel once more.
Kuro’s body jerked in rhythm as the metal arcs began to crackle with electricity. The entire process lasted only a few seconds. Sly checked Kuro for a moment before stepping back and activating the machine again. He repeated this several times, more than he would have for any normal person. When he stepped back the last time he didn’t watch as the body jerked.
“Sly…” Jonas said as he checked for a pulse.
<I know.> Sly turned off the electrical siren and switched off the red flashing lights.
Kuro’s body laid there motionless on the table. Jonas took off his jacket and placed it over the body to cover it. He carefully closed the eyes before covering the head and face. Mia, reached a hand toward the body.
<No.> Sly blocked her hand with his tail-blade. <The magic feeding infection is still in his body. You did what you could, we all did. But it just wasn’t enough.>
The andalite looked over at the covered body before shifting his gaze toward the nearest camera.
<I am sorry Kuro. I am so sorry>
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Post by Kuroboom on Mar 21, 2011 17:34:07 GMT -5
Kuro was silent; he was in shock. He had just witnessed his own death and the mental stress had finally gotten to him. He seemed to have lost the ability to focus the camera and everything was blurry.
It was well over a minute of staring at his own diseased corpse that Kuro finally spoke. Referencing his earlier dice analogy the digital copy said, "Guess I crapped out..." More silence, but he seemed able to focus again. Looking at the forlorn faces before him, Kuro felt the need to speak again. "Thank you. All of you. I know you did your best," even though he wasn't a corporeal being his voice was cracking.
Slightly regaining his composure the warrior reflected, "You know, the hardest thing I've done in my entire life wasn't fighting gods or monsters, it wasn't growing up alone, and it wasn't dying. The hardest thing I've ever had to do was saying goodbye to the fallen. Friends and foes alike, there's always some difficulty saying goodbye, knowing that you'll never see them on this side of existence again. It was especially true when my brother left us; he just vanished. To this day I'm unsure of whether he died or simply moved on and I was standing right there when he left. The difference between those times and now though is that then I was the one saying goodbye to those departing. I always thought it would be the easier thing to be the one dying since they would know they wouldn't live with the pain of loss for much longer. I was wrong though; it's just as hard if not harder. I don't have much in the way of personal relationships, but there are so many people I could have protected..." Kuro trailed off again before his voice steeled. "And I'm not ready to die yet. There's still more that I can do in this world and if there's anyone smart enough to figure out a solution it's you, Sly."
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