Pueltown - The Twenty-Ninth day of the Eighth month of the year Twenty-Thousand Fourteen

Rasp Cavern

-Another blip, and the Frogadier themed ninja is here with a Natu on his shoulder-

Peril Cliffs - That we can agree on.

-Titan's expression darkens.-

Titan: Do you honestly believe that Lucius would be responsive to any attempt I made to communicate with him? Such a conversation would be a waste of breath. He has chosen his path, just as I have chosen mine. I have no wish to harm him, but any consequences that may befall him as a result of his actions are his to bear. Such is the way of things in the world we inhabit. If you believed that harsh words alone would be enough to sway me into walking a different path, then the only fool here is you.

Rasp Cavern - 29/8/14 (Bah, there's only about three centuries or so separating an American from a Brit.)

-The Auric Avenger rolls his eyes at the use of the word "moi".-

The Auric Avenger: You're right about them being bad news, at least. They're specially trained to deal with superheroes like us, and if I say so myself they do a damn good job of it. Aura Jammers and teleporters make them nearly impossible to pin down.

-He glances over at Gekkobi as he teleports in before looking back at the Emperor.-

The Auric Avenger: Ah, there's one of our resident froggers. Ask him if you want to know what an Excubitor attack feels like. Luckily, I have a way to turn the tables on them.

Peril Cliffs

Jacob: Oh I already know you cannot be dissuaded with words. Or possibly at all, nor do I aim to try. You have chosen your path, because you believe in the end it will lead to a better future. The future you walk towards however conflicts with the future I aim for, and so we are brought into conflict. There is nothing wrong with two men trying to do what they believe is best for the world, but it is what brings us to each other like this, time and time again.

-He shakes his head-

Jacob: What gives you the right, as a single human, to determine what is best for all humanity? All life?

Wherever she used to be

-Crewe receives the text, frowns, then sends one of her own-

-she then shifts to Sneasel form-

!!! Rasp Cavern

-and she's here now! Specifically, on the Avenger's shoulder. She gives Gekkobi a small salute-

Shieldmaiden: <I haven't changed, so I'll just hang out like this. Though I'm pretty sure most if not all of you either know who I am or are smart enough to figure it out on your own.>

Peril Cliffs - In a Time Before The Thing Happened That is Happening

Jacob: But you are a man in a world of them! How can you possibly know that just because you're willing to makes it right!? The will to make the hard choices doesn't make those the right choices! You sound exactly like Zachary did! Like Verax did! You're all willing to destroy the world because of your own singular reasons! Two have you have killed for it! What about their world? Their future, huh? Ever stop to think about that? Have you thought about how other people will react to it and if it will make their lives better? Does your determination make you right or a zealot, trapped in the belief everything they've done must have been worth something?

Rasp Cavern

-as she is in Sneasel form right now, Shieldmaiden is unable to receive the text-

Shieldmaiden: <Yeah, yeah, whatever. That takes too long.>

-she raises her paw as the Avenger questions Gekkobi-

Shieldmaiden: <I got that information from Titan himself. Also, Crow found out from his whole... whatever the hell he was doing. I never know with Crow. Um... also I think some other people might have figured it out when stuff started happening that was uncharacteristic for Titan, while Titan also happened to be not totally at 100%, and those Admins are pretty nasty, so it makes sense that they'd take advantage of any weakness and seize control of the organization.>

-she turns her head to glare at him-

Shieldmaiden: <So don't you dare let your grudge get us all killed because we're not going in prepared. The real enemy here is the Admins. They control Neo-Galactic. You messing up Titan isn't gonna take it down. If anything, it'll make it worse, because he's not there to exert any influence he does still have to work against them.>

Shieldmaiden: <Oh, and I have to change, so gimme a minute. If you leave before I get back, I will claw your face off. Maul! Don't let him leave.>

-she hops off his shoulder and scurries away to her room-

Peril Cliffs - In a period of time that shall remain ambiguous until the end of time.

Titan: Do not compare me to a man like Verax! I am not some mere sadist forcing suffering upon the world for the sake of my own personal satisfaction - no, I have a purpose, and I abhor the actions I have to undertake to fulfil it. History will judge whether or not the ends justify my means. Epsilon, put an end to this meaningless blather. I do not need to explain myself any further.

-Epsilon looks vaguely uneasy, but lumbers forwards regardless.-

Rasp Cavern - 29/8/14 (How very rebellious of you.)

Diglett: <Aww...>

-The Auric Avenger shoots a look at the Blue Emperor.-

The Auric Avenger: That's funny, because moi is getting the impression that you're a thoroughgoing idiot. At least providing a distraction should easily be within your capabilities.

-He sighs as Shieldmaiden runs off, but doesn't bother replying to her in absentia and simply turns back to the other two heroes in the room.-

The Auric Avenger: Look, I know I'm asking for a lot here, but I just need you to trust me. For one day only, if nothing else. We can do this as long as we work together as a team. If we start fighting amongst ourselves, then we might as well hand Titan a "Get Out Of Jail Free" card in the process.

Peril Cliffs - So Long Ago The Original Metaphor For How Long Ago Died Already

Jacob: But you are both men who have spilt blood over your own personal agendas! I don't care how you try and justify it, that's the short and the long of it. For a goal that no one but yourselves can see.

-Looks over Epsilon-

Jacob: Very well then. We do this my way. Which reminds me, it was... a couple of weeks from now. A year ago, when you started this with me. I believe there's someone who'd like to speak with you.

-He pulls out a Pokéball and tosses it, and out of it comes a very familiar Gardevoir-

Regina: -Stretches a little, wearing a necklace with a peculiar gem embedded in it-

Jacob: If you intend to take the world by force, to reject the will of every living being but yourself, then we will choose to fight. Let me show you, the human spirit's strength to resist.

Rasp Cavern

-Shieldmaiden returns after a few minutes in human form. She hasn't bothered with her cape, going right to attack mode with the cape retracted and claws out-

-she has elected to ignore Titan's message for the time being-

Shieldmaiden: 'Kay, I'm good.

Rasp Cavern

Gekkobi:  So teamwork.  Keep the Canceler and Diglett safe.  The Emperor makes a distraction while we all rush to take out the leadership.  Is that it?  And do you have two of those things, or does that have enough range to let both of you use your Auras?

Peril Cliffs - I'm a writer, of course I like metaphors.

-Epsilon tanks the hit, though it takes her down to just above half-health.-

Titan: You oppose me simply out of spite, Iridis. What future are you fighting for? One which continues to create men such as myself? Your goals are inherently self-defeating. There will come a day when you are eventually overcome - either at my hands, or at those of another - and when that happens you will finally come to realise the necessity of my actions. Earthquake!

-Grunting, Epsilon slams her body into the ground, causing the entire cliff to shake.-

Rasp Cavern - 29/8/14

-The Auric Avenger gives the Blue Emperor a departing nod, then turns to Gekkobi.-

The Auric Avenger: Not quite. It's a little bit more complicated than that. If everything goes to plan, then everybody with an Aura Jammer will be focusing on the Emperor rather than my group. Of course, that's not necessarily a given... which is why we'll need your help. I want you and your boyfriend to try and funnel the guards towards the distraction. You're ninjas, masters of misdirection and subterfuge, so I'll let you decide how you go about doing that.

-He looks over at Shieldmaiden and gives a small sigh.-

The Auric Avenger: Look, doesn't it strike you as a little too convenient that Titan claims to be no longer responsible for Neo-Galactic right as we're getting ready to go after him? It's in his best interests to try and make us focus our attention on the Admins whilst he slips away and tries to restart his operations elsewhere. He's manipulated you before, C- Shieldmaiden. Even if he is telling the truth, that doesn't change the fact that he still needs to be brought to justice for everything he's done. Even if you don't like it, tearing him a new one is the morally correct course of action here.