Sunflash comes back, one hand on his raiper. He seemed calm enough, altho his eyes were abit wide. He spoke, voice calm: "So, what did I miss?"

You tell Lumine '*sits back in nothingness, sipping... tea? o_O* ...Oh crap, are we back on? >_>'

Lumine tells you 'I do believe we are! *puts down tea* Now, where were we?'

You tell Lumine 'Uh... I think I was starting to own you. Like, -really- own you. *tries to look sincere*'

Lumine tells you 'Riiiight then. *dramatic battle stance!*'

The Nakajima Robotics salesman looks up from behind the counter. He's not the same guy as last time, instead being a bearded, gangly man in his early 20s. "Oh hey. You're the guys that were in here a while back right? Boss told me about you."

Spider lets out a low whimper, clearly getting worse (if that's even possible). "...Sure noone here has booze?"

Aile sighs. 'I have plenty, and you're not getting it. We need to solve the problem, not numb out the symptoms.'

Spider says 'But until you solve the problem can you numb it?'

Aile sighs again, harder. 'Of course, Spider.' BRRRZZZT. 'This is getting to be a habit.'

Lumine tells you '*Lumine (whose mun has no idea either) slams one hand into the ground, sending a wave of flame towards Axl...*'

Spider twitches violently, then slumps. "I hate you, Aile."

Milo says 'That many taser shots can't be healthy...'

Aile shrugs. 'And all the booze he drinks is?'

Milo says 'Well, no.'

The Nakajima Robotics salesman taps his soldering iron against the workbench. "Well, if we power them down before we yank the chip out, there ought not to be any permanent damage.."

Milo looks around at the assembled people. "Sounds good. Any objections?"

Spider nods weakly. "Whatever it takes."

You tell Lumine '*Axl expertly dives off to one side and quickly whips out the Blast Launcher, aiming slightly up and firing off a particularly large round* I'll make it... I'll beat you down and get you out, no matter what.'

Sunflash shrugs. "You guys know more about it than I do." He looks around, still on edge.

Lumine tells you '*Lumine manages to jump away from the blast in time, grinning faintly at Axl.* Such confidence, little brother... *He floats back, grabbing Red's scythe off the ground and switching it on.* Let's shatter that, shall we~?'

The Nakajima Robotics salesman nods. "Um. I'm going to manually power them down before I start. You're gonna have to get him off your back, too."

Milo nods. "Do it."

You tell Lumine '...No. No, don't you DARE! *lunges at Lumine, suddenly having lost all regard for his own safety* YOU CAN'T TAKE HIM!'

Lumine tells you '*Lumine swings at Axl with the scythe in question, grinning.* And why shouldn't I? It's my mind now.'

The Nakajima Robotics salesman expends the next two hours and three cans of Karma Jolt popping open Spider and, in this order only: Cutting a very large wire with a pair of pliers, de-soldering some small black chip deep inside Spider's chest cavity, sweating a lot, and using a screwdriver to pry something out.

You tell Lumine '*Axl takes the violently curved plasma blade hard to his midsection, letting out a shary cry and falling at Lumine's feet.* ...never. *he reaches up slowly, trying to take hold of Lumine's chestplate wherever he can*'

Sunflash motions Milo over about midway through those hours. "Milo, can you spare a moment?"

Lumine tells you '*Lumine ignores the hand on his chestplate, pressing the energy blade to Axl's throat.* I could so easily just end it here and take over permanently~...'

The Nakajima Robotics salesman wipes his brow, and re-connects the aforementioned large wire, causing Spider's limbs to jerk. A small black IC with a chip missing from the top lies on the bench beside him.

the Nakajima Robotics salesman says 'Phew.. I think I chipped the casing on the chip, but it's out. And *looks down at Spider*, I thiiiink he'll be okay.'

Sunflash says '...Uh-huh. Pardon me if I take my own defense measures, m'kay?'

Aile readies the taser just in case, turning up the power.

Sunflash concentrates, and snaps a finger. White shimmering globe commences!

Milo trusts he will be able to duck into his shell if something bad happens.

You tell Lumine '*Axl merely kneels there, panting... and then he lets a toothy smirk rise as he presses the barrel of one of his Axl Bullets to Lumine's stomach with his other hand* I'd like to see you try. *trigger = pulled!*'

The Nakajima Robotics salesman peers down into Spider's face. "He's got power, he should be able to wake up.. I think."

Milo says 'Somehow, that doesn't sound very reassuring.'

Lumine tells you '*The lavender-haired falls backwards against the wall, more... dissolving around the hole than bleeding.* But... but... *The scythe slips from his hands...*'

Spider slowly opens red eyes, looking groggy and confused.

Aile says 'Hey boozeface, you'll be late for the poker tourney. How ya feelin'?'

You tell Lumine '*Axl stands, however shakily, and walks over to Lumine, not even bothering to keep a hand over his own 'dissolved' wound. He takes up Red's scythe, lifting up Lumine's chin with the part just before the blade.*'

Sunflash simply stands there, arms crossed, waiting...

Spider looks up at Aile, a strange look crossing his features for a moment. "...I'm... not certain. I drink with you or something, don't I?"

Aile says 'More than you should, yeah.'

Lumine tells you '*Lumine looks up at Axl, fear and anger fighting for dominance of his expression.* This isn't happening! I'm stronger!'

Sunflash raises a hand. "I'm no expert, but memory loss for a reploid is a bad thing, no?"

Aile elbows Sunflash in the side.

Spider puts a hand to his head. "...I remember things, but it's all... fuzzy. And I can't remember anything before a few months ago, but I think I was built before then, because I recognized you, Ai... Aile? Is that right?"

Sunflash shuts up.

Aile nods. 'Good to have you back with us, Spider.'

Milo looks over at the mechanic. "I assume this was an unexpected side effect?"

Spider says '...And I'm not sure why I apologized so many bloody times. Did I do something?'

Milo is letting Aile handle Spider, BTW.

the Nakajima Robotics salesman coughs, looking towards Axl. "Ah, yeah. It was pretty hard to get out."

Aile still hasn't put away the taser. 'Let's just say you tried a particular drink you -really- shouldn't have. Don't let it worry you too much.'

Aile says 'You know you're a rowdy drunk sometimes.'

The Nakajima Robotics salesman coughs, looking towards Axl. "Ah, yeah. It was pretty hard to get out."

Spider nods. "But whatever was happening is gone. Mostly I just want a drink."

Aile busts out a bottle of tequila. 'Your favorite. Don't chug it too fast or you might damage soomething, eh? Take it slow.'

You tell Lumine 'It doesn't matter. When you messed with Red, you messed with -me-. *he brings the blade ever closer to Lumine's neck* You could have taken Zero. You could've even taken X from me.. But nothing, -no one- is taking Red away.'

Milo says 'Umm... is this gonna be permanent?'

Aile nods to Milo. 'I more or less hope so.'

Sunflash says 'What, the drinking? I get the feeling the answer is yes.'

Aile says 'He actually -has- been on longer benders, believe it or not.'

Milo giggles at Sunflash's comment and returns his attention to the matter at hand.

Lumine tells you '*Lumine starts to laugh, with a slightly insane edge to it.* I won for so long... And my downfall comes because of a bloody nonexistent scythe. *He looks at Axl, grinning defiantly.* Fine, then. End it.'

Spider grabs the bottle and begins to taste it. "...Apparently part of what I forgot was how good this is." He drinks more.

You tell Lumine '*The blade comes back, reared high over the Prototype's head... and, although barely, the vestigal shadow of Red can be seen behind him, gaze dim and scorning, holding Axl's hands in his own...* (yay stalling XD)'

"So..." Milo looks over you as well. "We either make him lose his memory too, or let him stay corrupted. I don't think it's a very hard choice..." He seems depressed about it, though.

Lumine tells you '*Lumine just grins up at Axl, the look of a truly insane man...*'

Aile shrugs helplessly.

Aile says 'He was begging us to help him.'

Spider sits up, folding his arms over his knees, clearly actually thinking for once.

Milo passes the mechanic some more of the fished-from-Spider's-wallet gold coins and instructs the mechanic to proceed.

The Nakajima Robotics salesman shrugs and gets busy. He starts off the same as Spider, but remarks under his breath that this one is completely different on the inside.

The Nakajima Robotics salesman performs a similar operation as the one done on Spider, since the chip itself is superficially similar. With a bit of prying and tugging he takes the chip out, and reconnects Axl's power core.

You tell Lumine '*Axl stands there for a moment, letting vengeful tears well and spill over... An anguished cry escapes and reverberates as the blade comes down with every ounce of strength he has... and then all goes black.*'

Axl lies still for several moments, the only sign of activity being concealed by his facing the floor. His hands close slightly and a soft whimper escapes him, but he ultimately awakens.

The Nakajima Robotics salesman looks hesitant, waiting to see what Axl does.

Milo is a turtle. They're known for being patient.

You say 'Anyone... get the number of that bus?'

Sunflash looks puzzled: "Bus? Oh! You mean 01010011 01010000 01001001 01000100 01000101

Axl makes another noncommital groan, squinting his eyes shut and grasping the side of his helmet.

Sunflash makes sure his sheild is still working...Yup. Okay, back to watching.

Milo says 'Axl appears to be taking this worse than Spider.'

Aile says 'You alright, boy?'

Axl finally decides to stand with surprisingly little trouble, save for a bit of wavering before straightening himself out. "Yeah, I think..."

Aile says 'I'd offer you a drink to steady you, but you're a bit young.'

The Nakajima Robotics salesman leans back, nodding approvingly. :D

Axl turns around ever so slowly, muddled green eyes passing from one person to the next, passing the counter and those curious chips on it... He suddenly stops, regarding the chips again. "Hey... what're those?" It comes out almost slurred...

Spider shrugs, speaking ina far more slurred voice as the tequila settles in. "I think it's what was causing all the problems. Could be wrong."

Sunflash winces, and holds out his hand. A small beam of light dashes out, engulfing both chips. He moves his hand up, and up goes the chips. "Sooo, any idea where to put these, before something stuipd happens?"

Aile says 'I suggest an incinerator. I heard there was one in some new building around here...'

Milo says 'Sunny, put it far away from us and cast Lava Wave.'

Milo says 'No need to bother someone else for an incinerator :3'

Axl lets his gaze drift to the floor for several moments in which he quiets down and stills almost eerily... "Wait a second..." He suddenly snaps out of his reverie, vaguely patting around his chestplate and looking to those chips again.

Aile says 'Quickly, please.'

Milo subtly moves to be able to intercept Axl if he attempts to go after the chips.

Aile says 'Axl, stand down.'

Sunflash grins. "Thatta boy." Chips move up and over, floating towards the next room. Placed on the floor, Sunny nods, and makes a few quiet mutters. Any Mets in that room would run screaming.

Sunflash grins as he blasts the area again, just for good measure. He then pokes his head in the room, and notes the stroch spot. "YYyyyeah, I don't think they'll be bothering us again." Whistles on his way back.

"Stand down..? That... that isn't...?!" Axl's eyes suddenly snap wide open, just as said Metools run for their little Metool lives. "No... no, no, don't even tell me that was..." He's almost completely stopped breathing from the shock...

Aile says 'Before you freak out, Axl, I have a little story to tell you.'

Aile says 'Just calm down and listen.'

Milo says 'Your copy chip, if you remember what that is.'

Aile says 'Wow, thanks, Milo. That'll calm him down REAL fast.'

Axl suddenly whips around to face Aile, glaring incredulously. "Calm down? Calm DOWN?! You took my Copy Chip and VAPORIZED it and you want me to calm down?!"

Sunflash double, then -triple- checks his manasheild. Things might get really ugly, really quick. Yup, he was right!

Aile says 'First off, I didn't vaporize it, yell at the flame wizard.'

Sunflash coughs. "Actually, I think I'm classed as a moon wizard, but whatever."

Aile shrugs in response to Sunflash's remark.

Axl just shakes his head, first at Aile, then at nothing... /No... no, this can't be happening. It can't be.../ Gloved hands clench into tight fists, moving to push past whoever gets in his way on the way out...

Milo is difficult to push past. Try if you dare.

Aile quickly tones the taser a notch or two and zaps Axl with it. 'I said STAND DOWN.'

Sunflash happens to be blocking the doorway as well, equipped with a mansheild sphere. "I think I'll need to look into getting me one of those taser things." Headnod as he continues to block the door.

Spider drinks some more tequila. "Not sure why these things are so important anyways. I mean, I could just turn into some guy with a stupid hat, right? Big whoop."
You are thirsty.

Milo says 'I find wrestling people to the ground usually works well enough.'

Aile says 'This requires less effort.'

Aile says 'If you wanna sit on him for me though, by all means, feel free.'

Milo says 'I'd call you lazy, but I'm a turtle, so...'

Aile says 'In fact.'

Axl doesn't get the chance to restrain a short yelp before he drops to his knees, still staring at the ground at what can only be called the verge of tears. Only his desperate, restricted breathing can be heard from him now. /Red... you're.../

Aile places a few legs on Axl to keep him in place.

Sunflash utters the words, 'waiagpuzre'.
A sphere of white mana surrounds Sunflash!

Aile says 'I'm sorry we had to do this to you, Axl, but the Copy Chip was infected. We're not sure how, but it was. It may have been a slow flaw in the chip itself.'

Aile says 'But for whatever reason, it was harming you, and those around you.'

Axl doesn't bother with a direct reply, opting for vague, cryptic mutterings instead. "he was gone... I got him and... and for what?"

Aile sighs. 'Are you ready to listen to me yet?'

Spider has finished the bottle, swaying quite badly. "...Why is the room spinning?"

Sunflash points at Spider accusingly.

Aile says 'Because you're drunk off your ass, Spider. Again.'

Aile says 'Someone take that bottle off him before he does something silly with it.'

Milo says 'It would be my pleasure.'

You say '...Fine. Not like it'll make a difference anyway.'

Sunflash suggests breaking it over Spider's head.[]

Axl settles into a less stressful sitting position, still refusing to make eye contact with anyone in the room.

Aile says 'Now. There's a little story I've heard with a deep moral. You need to hear it. You do too, Spider, though I could hope for a more appreciative audience.'

Spider says 'Go ahead, creepy spider person who I know and don't know!'

Milo walks over to Spider and simply attempts to grab the bottle.

Aile says 'It's in a rather odd metaphor, but it loses the charm when adapted. So, without further ado.'

Sunflash seriuosly considers beating Spider till he shuts up. But decides against it for the time being.

Aile says 'A panda and a rabbit are walking along in the woods.'

Sunflash listens to Aile as well.

Spider lets the bottle go, watching Aile.

Milo takes the bottle away and casts a Purify spell, expunging poisonous chemicals from Spider's body. This includes alcohol.

Sunflash agrees with Milo.

Aile says 'Thank you, Milo, for sobering him up. Hopefully we can make it last a bit longer this time.'

Aile says 'Anyway.'

Aile says 'A panda and a rabbit are walking along in the woods.'

Aile says 'Suddenly, the panda's stomach begins to churn... he needs to go to the bathroom! He asks the rabbit to help him find a restroom in the woods.'

Milo settles near Aile and mumbles something about rabbits being cute. And decides not to make a smartass comment about doing it in the bushes.

Aile says 'As they walk, the panda worriedly asks the rabbit: "When you use the toilet, are you afraid of getting poop on your fur?"'

Spider is annoyed about the alchohol but continues to listen.

Aile says 'The rabbit replies: "I've never really had a problem with it. I'm not scared."'

Aile says 'After a few more minutes of walking, the panda looks down at the rabbit and asks again: "Are you SURE you're not afraid?"'

Aile says 'The rabbit says, "Of course I'm not afraid."'

Aile says 'Finally, they arrive at the door to the restroom. The panda looks down at the rabbit and says, "In all seriousness, I must ask. Are you really not afraid of getting poop on your fur?"'

Aile says 'The rabbit replies: "I've already told you twice, I'm not bothered by it. I'm absolutely not afraid!"'

Axl keeps his gaze firmly locked on the floor, but his anguish slowly turns into confusion. /What...?/

Milo obviously shares Axl's opinion.

Aile says 'So the panda uses the bathroom.'

Aile says 'And afterwards, grabs the rabbit and uses it to wipe his bottom.'

Sunflash says '...And the 'moral' of this is WHAT, again?'

Aile pulls out another bottle of tequila. "Hell if I know. Let's get wasted again, Spider."

Milo walks up and SLAPS Aile.

Spider grins. "Sounds good to me. Even if you make no sense even while sober."

Axl takes a moment to let that sink in... and suddenly looks very, -very- ill-at-ease, turning such expression to Aile. "What is -wrong- with you?"

Sunflash says '...Right. I'm suddenly feeling like beating the living the crap out of people. Any voutleers?" Glare about the room.'

Aile says 'I'm sober, what does it look like? But you're not ragingly violent anymore, kid.'

Milo says 'He just volunteered himself. Do what you need to.'

"Yeah, sure." Axl stands, again looking decisively upset and looking at no one in particular, though not nearly to the degree as only a few minutes before. "But that doesn't mean I'm doing anything like forgiving you. You don't even -know- what was on that."

Aile says 'Enlighten me.'

Milo says 'I'm not entirely sure I want to know.'

Sunflash says '...I'm entirely sure I still need to beat people. So make it quick, before I render a ra----"'

Sunflash's eyes light up as a Met bumps into his sheild while trying to get by.

Milo says 'NO! Leave the cute Met alone!'

You tell Aile 'Well, I meant normal as in 'no real special abilities', but he's pretty whiny for the moment, yes. XD;'

Aile says 'Heh... Met souffle...'

Aile says 'I wonder if that hat makes 'em cook like turtles on the halfshell...'

Milo glares at Aile.

Axl pauses, sorting out a brief mental dispute, then just shakes his head. "I... just need some time alone. But if it makes you feel any better, at least Lumine got torched with everything else in there."

Aile says '.....Who's Lumine?'

Axl unconsciously tenses again. "...The thing that you were trying to get rid of, alright?"

Sunflash says '...'

Sunflash is quite obviously torn between listening to Axl, or finding out how hard it is to get one of those awsome hats off of a Met.

Axl tries to get through Milo again, only this time it's a much more composed attempt. Not that it has to mean anything, that is.

Milo is quite obviously torn between listening to Axl, or preventing Sunflash from harassing the Mets.

Axl therefore finds himself facing Milo's shell.

You say 'Just let me go already. It's not like you could do anything -worse- to me.'

Aile says 'Oh yes we can.'

Aile says 'But we won't.'

Sunflash raises an eyebrow. "Tell me. Is that a challange?" Broad grin. He shrugs. "But I'm not moving till I'm told too, sooo. Tough luck."

Spider shrugs. "I say we let the kid go. He'll be fine,"


Milo says 'Would you rather still be manipulated into hurting your friends?'

Axl suddenly gains a fair amount of vigor, giving Milo a stern glare tinged with clear conviction. "I never make the same mistake twice. I won't -let- it happen again!"

Sunflash chuckles politely.

Aile rolls his eyes.

Sunflash says 'How many times have I heard that from various people?...Seikou said that often, as I recall. Admittly I didn't have much involvement with him, but I heard enough.'

Milo says 'Having a copy chip is a mistake. Two chips, two corruptions.'

Spider leans back. "I say we let the kid go. I feel fine now, if a little confused, so..."

Axl just stands there, knowing that trying to sidestep or any other evasion probably wouldn't help things.

Milo says 'I'm not sure... it feels wrong to let him run free, but rationally thinking, the problem should be solved now.'

Milo says 'First, however, I must ask a question.'

Milo says 'Does this mean you're leaving the Militia?'

You say '...I don't know. I just... have to sort things out.'

Milo says 'What about you, Spider?'

Aile says 'Spider's staying whether he likes it or not. You don't pay me enough alone to buy booze for both of us.'

Spider says 'I'll stay. See no reason to leave.'

Milo says 'I am willing to let you back in. However, I hope you will understand if I do not immediately trust you with a position of command again.'

Spider says 'I understand completley. Besides, with Redips gone, not sure of my skills.'

Milo says 'You will be in Aile's unit.'

"Well." Milo bends down to pet and comfort one of the Mets Sunflash abused, incidentally giving you ample opportunity to pass by.

Milo says 'I guess we can return to Truce now?'

Aile steps aside.

Axl leaps on the opportunity and strides by Milo, steadily speeding up from a stiff walk to a full-on desperate sprint...

Milo thanks the Nakajima Robotics salesman heartily.

Sunflash makes a whistling sound as he kicks an odd looking bowl-shaped object away from near the doorway, narrowly avoiding Axl. "..."

Sunflash says 'Shall we head back then?'

Milo nods.

Spider nods. "Sounds good."

The Nakajima Robotics salesman blinks, stunned by exactly what he's done. Then he remembers his now nicely-stuffed wallet. "Er, no problem."

Milo heads off and boards a ferry.