Alone the Time Bender stood; unmoving, breaths shallow and controlled. Not another soul accompanied his presence, save several containers of all shapes and sizes. Some were partially opened, their contents having been removed for some time, then replaced after their purpose had been served. It was that common purpose that the objects all shared that had caused Havering to order his men out, and also why he had keyed in the combination to lock the two exits to air-tight lengths.
Though the lighted tiles around the circumferance of the rounded chamber provided only little light, the entire room was nearly pulsing with radiance. It's source seemed to be the demon himself; eyes closed, fists clenched palms up, boots hovering near a full foot off the ground. His breathing slowly changed, becoming long, deep inhalations, followed by short and quiet exhalations. It sounded almost as if some scent of great value lingered in the air, and the demon was trying to draw it in it's entirety into himself.
After a passage of a long period of time, Sir Pseudo Havering's eyes slowly opened, and a smile spread accross his face. His gaze traveling downward to his left hand, his fingers unfolded and let the gold pendant with the large, green stone fall to the metalic floor. With a harsh echo, it bounced once, then shook for a time until finally settling in it's new resting place. A hideous, deep crack ran from top to bottom of the once lovely stone, which was now faded to a sickening pea green; quite a contrast to the beauty it held moments ago.
With what started as a throated chortle, then escaladed into a full out laugh, Pseudo slowly settled to the floor. A deft kick sent the ruined jewelry clattering against the far wall, alongside what appeared to be a faded and raveled cape, and a corroded, double edged sword. "Well, that certainly took it's time! So much raw, untapped power in such trivial relics! It's all as I suspected: The foolish lizard gods are so wrapped up in their own strengths, that they fail to realize how much potential their very posessions accumulate! As they grow in their strengths, so do those objects they keep upon their person...simply astounding how ignorant immortality can make oneself." he laughed.
"To think...now, of my own reflexive abilities I can control the very lunar orbit of the moon, and the grounds of the multiverse will now follow my beckoning without resistance! The art of war is now among my numerous fortes, and I have the commanding presence of the god of warriors himself. The darkness is now not only mine to order about, but it's essence, it's creatures, and it's presence are now mine by nature's law. And that's only my accomplishments in the past hour!" Havering laughed. With a sly smile the demon returned to the comfort of the large chair. "To think..it's all under way now. The goal is in sight; all I need to do is follow the path. And the best part is that none of those meddlers have a clue in the faintest what's coming their way!! They've foolishly accepted that my only goal is to gather relics and drain their power...idiotic mortals. All the better for me as the fruits of my labor ripen. Soon, the wine of victory I'll savor as this all comes to a conclusion. My conclusion.."
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"Gee-zus...Now I'm seeing ghosts.." Multex murmured, putting a hand over his face. Vaurix, apparently moving at a relaxed pace now, slowly let go of the Agent's sleeve. "Hey, you ok up there? Sounded like you were talking to yourself!"
Groaning, Multex forced himself to a sitting position, boots proped on Vaurix's left wing. A second glance upward revealed no sign of the etherial visitor. Rubbing a hand over his Diamond eye, Multex shook his head. "Yeah..I'm alright. Musta been my radio catching a frequency." "Yeah..coulda been that." For awhile neither of the two spoke. Multex idly glanced at the ground far below. He could barely see the sanctuary over the horizon behind them. Only forest lay below, once more.
Trees, lakes, rivers and small huts passed below. Slowly, the scenery began to shift to the grassy plains. The Agent could see numerous deer and other animals below, though he was much to high to clearly make out any of them. Turning his gaze back to the nose cone of the flying robot he sat upon, he tapped upon the nosecone shieling covering what would be Vaurix's head.
"What? You feeling alright?" "Yes, though it feels like I've nearly caved in from the front, I think I'll be fine. I just was wondering if we had any destination now?" Multex swore he heard low laughter from under that shield. "Yes, we do have a place to go." The agent blinked. "Where's that?"
"The end of the line.."
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Pseudo's eyes flew open; his smile long gone. Something was frighteningly going wrong. Practically leaping from his chair, he stode out the door and down the hall. He nearly walked straight into Ratch's side as the robot was leaving one of the numerous rooms along the corridor. "Havoc, just who I needed to speak with." Havering declared, readjusting his helmet. Ratch turned and looked down at the TIme Bender, arms crossed. "What do you want me for? No treasure hunting I hope."
Pseudo shook his head hastily. "No, nothing of the sort. I was just wondering if you knew something about that green plated flying robot from the Sanctuary." Ratch slowly frowned, trying to review what he could remember of the speeding airborne fighter. "he was a unique model..one of an outdated series If i recall right. Saw a few back home in 1999..why?"
Havering held up a silencing hand as he pressed the fingers of the other to his temple in thought. After a moment's silence, he nodded slowly. "Would their be any signifigance if I told you his name was Vaurix Delezzah?" The change of expression on the face of Commander Ratch Havoc was anything but subtle. "WHAT? Vaurix 'No Prisioners' Delezzah? HERE? Where is he?!" Ratch bellowed, already in his Mode 2 form; fists clenched so tightly the metal groaned.
"He's currently on a flight path towards the Laventha canyons..who gave him the moniker 'No Prisoners'?" "The Bounty Hunter's Coalition; gave it to him when they found out he was a screwloose who was cash obsessed. He even offed the organization's current president when someone added his name to the roster for a joke. I've been wanting to rub that little psycho out for some time now, so kindly cough up his location so I can scrap that malfunct!" This time, it was Pseudo who noticeably lost his cool.
"Damn! Havoc, we have to work fast if all is to go according to plan!" "What? What's that nut done that's so bad??" Ratch inquired, looking puzzled. "He has the AGENT!!" "WHAT?! Sh**!! Now that little p****'s gone and moved in on MY kill! That twisted little S.O.B!, we gotta get movin!"
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"..What?"
"The end of the line. The buck stops here. You only paid enough to get a one way ticket, jack. The figures on your head may not be much, but it'll at least afford me a new prototype engine!" Vaurix cackled. Multex could hardly believe what was happening as one realization lead to another. "You helped me..so you could kill me when Havering wasn't expecting it to collect>?! You're directly going against his little plans to off me for the diamond? You're Insane!!"
More laughter from under the face shield. "So the technicians say, but who trusts the professionals now-a-days?! Oh look, the scenic gorges below! Hey kids, who wants to drop some things off the edge and hear 'em hit bottom? I SURE DO!" The Agent was in shock as yet another realization hit in the form of what lay below. Holy hell..he's got us over the son of the Kazi Canyon! Damnit! He's planning to give me a first hand view of the rocks, and take out as many of my systems as he can...Damn. If nothing else, I'm going to be handicapped somehow by the end of this! Only one thing to do.."
Moving fast, Multex half threw himself on his front, gritting his teeth against the pain. In little less than a moment he had the robot in a reverse headlock, his boots propped against either wing. "Think you're gonna take out the Agent With Attitude? Give it your best, ya winged scrapbucket!!" With yet another laugh from below, Multex felt Vaurix beginning to turn upwards and away from the ground. He could also hear the low drone of the robot's internal systems beginning to increase in volume. "You want my best, hotshot?! One Homocide Dive commin up!"
With a sudden flare of his boot thrusters, the jetlike robot blazed through the sky above, slowly arching over backwards. As the two hit an upsidedown vertical position, Vaurix slowly tilted his right wing downwards and his left up. Ever so slowly, the two began a constant roll which then rapidly began to pick up speed until the roar of the wind was almost deafening to the Agent's ears. There was no way of telling what was up and what was down now; there was only holding on or the canyon.
Suddenly, everything seemed to pause for a moment in time. The air, the spinning, the laughter. All were frozen for that instant. Then, the thrusters fired with a vengance, and downward they went. Multex could hear the wind screeching over Vaurix's streamlined form, and biting fericiously at his face. To make matters worse, from the way things felt, he was currently back to the ground, which would mean gravity would be doing a number on him if the robot suddenly stopped. His mind raced, trying to find some way to divert the current flight path. He was nearly ready to try and kick one of the wings off, when the rememberance of how wind traveling at such speeds has a tendancy to rip off and/or dislocate limbs tended to be very possible.
Then, over the the rushing air the bounty hunter's voice laughed. "Get ready for a new definiton of pain! Everybody...OFF!" And with those words, the thrusters abruptly died off. Multex could feel his weight being thrown forward, his boots falling down to meet him, and his grip on Vaurix's neck sliding. Velocity taking it's toll, the Agent half screamed out in pain as his arms were sliced deeply by the sleek edges of the robot's face shield, causing him to involintarily release his grip. There was only one possible result now.
But, once more, the undefined force known only as the "Multexian Luck" had it's say..

As the ground rapidly approached, an odd, whiplike 'CRACK!' echoed throughout the air. Almost instantly, something cold and solid had coiled itself around his left leg, and instantly the decent began to slow. Then, quite abruptly, whatever had hold of him gave a sudden jerk and reversed his path; pulling him upward quite rapidly. As he tried to make sense of things, a deafening clash of two metal surfaces drew his attention as the plummeting figured of Vaurix and Ratch in elbow drop position fell by.
Havering frowned slightly as the Noch Talht raised Multex to his eye level at half it's length. "Do not grow used to such favored treatment, Agent. There are more pressing matters than you to deal with. Do busy yourself with my next diversion until I am ready to retrieve you. So, as they say, PULL!"
With a sudden and deliberate thrust of his hand, Pseudo's clenched fist flew open and a cloud of black smoke errupted from thin air. With a sound akin to gunfire, the figure of Multex suddenly vanished from sight. Inhaling deeply the odd smell resemblant to discharged gun powder, the Time Bender dabbed at his brow with a kerchief.
"My 'Shotgun' technique seems to have signifigantly increased in power...I can't sense him in this hemisphere anymore..ah..wait...he's landed. ...I didn't want him to be near that reigion yet..but..it will do. I'll just have to work a tad faster now.
Having mentally resolved his course of action, Sir Pseudo Havering drifted to a rock ledge running along one of the canyon's walls. Clearing his throat, he called down into the depths of the crevasse. "Havoc, would you kindly stop beating around that body and get up here? ...Wait", pseudo paused, an idea coming to mind, "Bring him up with you if you would." Havering smirked and shook his head as Ratch's muttering resounded from below, and the sound of one last, extremely good shot, presumably a right cross to the face, wafted up as well. With a roar of wind, The form of Ratch Havoc made it's way up to the ledge his boss was residing upon, another form in tow.
"There!" Ratch declared as he threw the body of the bounty hunter to the ground. Havering simply stared at the heap of metal lying at his feet for a time. Then, glancing up to the smirking face of the robot, he rolled his eyes. "Thank you. Now, we shall be taking him back to base for a little...rewiring. After which, I believe we'll be ready for the next stage of my plan." Pseudo stated with a confident nod. Ratch begrudgingly returned the gesture before hefting Vaurix's body over one shoulder. Turning, both proceeded for the Rip Hole which had just opened behind them.
"Oh, and Havoc.." "What?" "Kindly turn his head around..and remove that arm from his chest. And I don't believe his legs went there either.." Ratch frowned. "When'd you become so choosy?"
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The snow fell gently in a blanket over the fallen body. The night sky was lit by the moon, and the glorious Aurora Borealis.

"..Cold..

A deep trail ran from the snow blanketed body for many miles behind it, ending in a deep impact crater in the snow.

"..Always...loved snow.."

The stars shone brilliantly above, adding only more beauty to one of nature's natural wonders. No sound dared interrupt the spectacle in it's silent majesty.

"..Mom...Dad...I'm sorry...I..left. I..want to come..home.."

The lone figure crossed the frigid landscape, adding his own footsteps to the canvas of snow, only to have his marks rubed away by the new fallen's jelous hands.


"I..hate..fighting...I want..to stop..Please? Can I...give..in? Can...I...live my life?...I..I want it...back...Tell them to..give it..back..."

Stopping at the deep trail at his feet, the being slowly turned from his path and followed it's course to the end.

"..I..just want..to sleep...here..in the snow..and watch...the..lights...my eyes don't..want to open...my legs don't..feel...my arms...sting...my mind...exhausted.
...my..heart...aches..

Crouching, the man brushes off the body. Wonder fills his face, then joy fills his eyes. "Tony??...Tony, stay awake for just a bit longer." he says gently, lifting the body in his arms.

"...I want..to go...home..

Slowly, hands under the limp form's arms, the round bodied man walks. He heads for the mountains on the horizon.
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It was the third time in two months that they had all gathered in the room. But, once again, Pseudo Havering, Baron Holograntis, Ratch Havoc, Anubarik, and Necronimus stood, watching the ominous machine labor in it's task.
This time had been different for it. All the materials were already provided. But they were inferior for the most part, so it had set about to the task of replacing them. True, the engine was up to standards, so that remained. As did the capacity for flight...but there was something lacking there as well. A thorough scan revealed the problem, which was immediately rectified. And it seemed far from the standards set for the end result, so that too was worked upon.
"Well now..who gets the honor of it this time?" Havering grinned, glancing between the Infects. Necronimus chuckled. "Well, I would, but I do not wish to deprive our old new member of that opportunity." he grinned, glancing to Anubarik who returned the grin in full.
"This one's mine." Ratch flatly stated, getting into position. Pseudo, Necronimus and Holograntis exchanged a slight grin before turning their gazes to Anubarik. The Jackal was apparently very displeased. "Oh, be my guest Havoc; I'd love to see a display of your strength sans wit to match." Anu stated icily. Ratch turned a fed up expression his way in response. "Stick to the kissing up, because you're no where near being able to back those words up." A silent snicker ran through the room as Anubarik promptly glared, then turned for the door. Ratch's attention snaped from the grin on his face back to the dual metalic doors as the loud warning buzzer sounded.
Flexing his claws, Ratch sneered. "Come on, rookie. Meet your senior." As if on cue, the doors slid open and from the interior depths of the release chamber, a blur of green and blue shot forth, it's thrusters going at full steam. In a counter-action that was almost as quick as the blur, Ratch Havoc caught the machine's latest product by it's face shield and deftly slammed it's back against the wall.
"Though overly rough as usual, thank you Havoc."Pseudo hurriedly stated, crossing over to the pinned robot. "Now, for the coup de gras.." Flexing his fingers in a loosening fashion, Havering proceeded to spread his fingers to their limit, then slowly commence to bring them back into a fist. Green waves of energy pulsed from his wrist to the tip of each gloved digit, flowing into his palm and condensing into what appeared to be solid crystal. After a moment more of concentration, the ritual had concluded, yielding a bright, extremely solid jem which now rested within his grasp.
"Now, with the Torent's completion, so my New Infect, The Apocalyptic Storm, shall be as well!"
And, as had happened twice before, there was a shriek of utter agony, a blinding light, and at last, the fourth Infect stood at attention. And at it's conclusion, once more, A grin spread accross the Time Bender's face. "All according to plan.."
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It was the dream again.

A grassy plain, blue sky, sun shining brightly, the warm rays soaking into his skin. Only the sounds of nature we heard for miles around, yet Multex had been through this many a time before, and knew where to find the other. Crossing the beautiful fields, he slowly followed the placid river upstream to it's source. As always, the ornate fountain stood, the eyes of a face he had seen before smiling down upon him. Though he could not fully make out the face, Multex knew the anger he felt towards the kindly smile was all to real.
The anger, the pent up rage built inside of him, and once more the red aura formed. His fist drew back, and, with a leap, the marble statue shattered to the ground in a rain of shards. Breathing hard, fists clenched until his knuckles remained white, the agent stared at the remains. After a time, he slowly turned around to face the other, and once more their eyes locked. As usual, it was someone only a bit taller than the top of his golden M, draped in an extensively long cloak that covered all but the upper face.
The eyes alone were enough to tell that the person was both male, and definately not human. "There's no doubt...you have a greater potential.." the stranger remarked, not straying his gaze for a moment. Multex's eyes narrowed. "Then why do I keep getting trounced by them all?..the lizards, the robots, Havering? You keep saying the same thing each time! Keep saying I have a 'greater potential'. Then why the hell do I always..come out weaker..?" But, instead of the usual silence before waking, Multex was surprised to hear the voice once more.
"You have it. You have the gift. All who you've engaged in battle may see it, but they fail to recognize it in entirity." Multex raised an eyebrow, slowly untensing his muscles. "You mean Rage Force?" The stranger shook his head almost instantly. "You give what lies too deep for such a name. You lose because you have yet to recognize what it is. It isn't simply the ability to use your anger to attack stronger; you're only slowing your progress down believeing so full heartedly in that."
The agent's heart nearly skipped a beat. Reflexively he raised a hand, taking a half step towards the man. "You..you know what it is?? C...can you tell me? I feel there's..more to it than what I've done, but..I need to know what.." Multex trailed off. From behind the cloth covering all below the eyeline, he thought he could see traces of the strange man smiling. "You're on the path to finding out what you wish to know. Though, I cannot answer them all at the present. You'll be shown the truth through one closer to you than you could hope to realize. There will be a price to pay for the truth, I shall warn you, but that is for you to decide." the man paused, closing his eyes and crossing his arms beneath the cloth. "However, I can start you down the road. You wish to know what it is that you have, do you?"
Multex nearly shouted his response in desperation, clinging upon every word now. "Yes! Tell me! Please...I have to know! If I don't..I may just..loose all sanity I have left." The stranger's eyes opened once more, their gazes connecting. "You possess a skill for which your enemy needs you so desperately. Though it does grant you the skill to execute uncanny feats in the heat of combat, it runs much deeper as well. The gift has a nearly limitless potential. It has the potential to save those you wish to save, and destroy those you wish to destroy. However...it is far grander in the same sense. If you stray down the path you're currently on, you will grow rapidly in the strengths you already know. But, it will not be for the best. It is the gift which as kept all away from your true self for as long as you have posessed it, because it will ensure you travel the path you have chosen to the end with no hinderances. If you continue upon this troubled path you follow, you will have the potential to grow to be the greatest evil creation has known."
"..Greatest...evil?..But..why?.." Multex questioned, feeling the chill seep into the far recesses of his spine. "You only posess the knoweldge of how to use the gift to defeat those you wish in direct combat. Such is far to shallow for the grand intent of being instilled with it. You will grow to be the greatest fighter in existance, but that will be your undoing. With every passing battle, you will want to experience a greater taste of the power, you will push yourself above and beyond all concieved limits for the craving of one of your calibur. With every victory you will grow frustrated, and unleash your displeasure on all who are near, slowly turning your heart until the bloodshed leaves not even a lingering twinge of regret in your being."
Multex's body trembled involuntarily as each word made a deeper impact in his soul. "But...what..isn't..there's a way to stop that from happening, isn't there??" he questioned, his breath stopping, his spine tingling. The stranger slowly turned, looking down upon the remenants of the statue. He slowly crossed over and knelt by the shattered fragments of it's face, his clawlike fingers gently coming to rest upon them.
"If left to your own hands, there is no hope for changing what will happen. You may only delay it for a time, but eventually, these feelings will arise, and you will become lost within yourself. However, you will be offered but once chance...a single opportunity nearing fast to save yourself from hell." Then, slowly, the man rose to his feet once again, turning to look once more into the Agent's anguish showing eyes. Looking back, Multex could only describe the feelings in the eyes of the stranger as true compassion.
"Multex...nobody can do it all alone. None shall be perfect, no matter how hard they strive. If one was to reach perfection, there would be no reason for life.. Sometimes, the weakest will possess a strength that will falter to none, and the Strongest shall fall without a blow, but by their own hand. Take it to heart, Multex, and ready yourself. You'll only get one chance, and I pray you see it clearly. I..can do no more. Live, Multex...Live.."
He couldn't move, couldn't force the words to come out, nor extend a gesture to delay the dream a moment more. And, within the moment, he was once more as he always had been. Alone..the darkness his only friend..