11-17-2005, 02:04 AM
Something was not right about the angels that filled the grounds outside the watchtower. Only a sparse number of them had actually positively greeted the android. Several of them were simply ignoring him, and others seemed like they were trying to damn him with merely their eyes. Seventeen was becoming rather agitated at how the celestial soldiers were treating him, and he was not one to take being ignored calmly. Taking in a deep gulp of air, the machine-hybrid walked over and confronted one of the tallest, most-intimidating angels he could find. The seraph smiled unemotionally and flexed his large, elegant wings in a display of his magnificence and stature. There was a nerve-racking silence from both Seventeen and the tall angel for what seemed like an eternity. Android Seventeen could not tell whether or not the armored divinity was trying to threaten him or simply get the point across that he was an important figure.
?Why are you guys trying to exile me?? the cybernetic warrior asked, ?since I arrived here there have been few of your kind that has even acknowledged my presence,? with a mighty sigh, the handsome figure smiled for a second before responding.
?You wear the armor of our kind, and you wield the sword of one of our messengers,? he said, the seraph?s voice echoed in the android?s mind long after it escaped the angel?s lips, ?the fact remains that you are still a marked man, the lower choirs are always more liberal in their views of sinners, but my kind and I are not to easy to forget your crimes.
You may have got back on the straight path, but your soul is still stained by your past decisions,? the machine-hybrid was stunned by the news. He had literally gone through hell, and still these beings would not let him forget the damage Byrk and Brim had indirectly pushed him to create. Would these celestials never let him be forgiven? Seventeen knew what had to be done, and he was willing to do it all costs.
?So what do I have to do to purify my soul in your eyes?? Android Seventeen asked. The seraph chuckled and crossed his arms. His heartfelt expression was lost to a hard scowl as he pondered what to tell the cybernetic mortal.
?If you truly are ready to repent for your sins, you must undergo one challenge young hybrid. If you succeed in your task no longer will we look down upon you, but if you fail, your life will be null and void. Your soul will be banished to the fires of hell for the rest of your existence?there will be no escape for you,? Seventeen nodded, it wasn?t the first time had to risk his existence. The android had come too far to fail now, and if completing the seraph?s task meant a clean conscious, he was ready. With a snap of his fingers, the divinity caused everything to vanish in the blink of an eye. Seventeen looked around and immediately realized that he was no longer on Kala. Gone were the watchtower, the army of angels, and the endless wastelands of Friend or Foe. The asteroid had been replaced by literally nothing. In fact, as far as the eye could see, the machine-hybrid was surrounding by a sea of white.
?The Room of Spirit and Time?? the android said, his voice echoing in all directions.
?Not exactly,? an identical voice echoed back. Seventeen spun around and gasped at the cybernetic being walking towards him. As the apparent clone neared him, the landscape around the android began to shift and alter. By the time the doppelganger was within striking distance, both warriors were standing in the middle of an active city block. All around them, pedestrians were rushing down the sidewalk, cars were buzzing past them, beeping their horns madly as drivers swerved to avoid the machine-hybrids.
?What the hell is this?? Android Seventeen asked, eying up the clone. His replica wore his old outfit, but the resemblance stopped there. This Seventeen was covered in a plethora of scars and by his grin alone, the machine-hybrid could detect the overwhelming malice that emanated from this duplicate.
?Your?challenge, Seventeen,? even the copy?s raspy voice reflected his rugged appearance, ?all the evil, hate, rage, and frustration within you is what created me. The question is will you actually be able to kill the darkness that consumes you? Can you kill yourself?? Android Seventeen had never really expected his quest to be fighting himself, but it didn?t matter in the end. Rushing forward, the machine-hybrid was tripped up by his malevolent copy. The replica proved somehow more experienced, and he managed to easily flip over the strike. The real Seventeen gawked in horror as his doppelganger gracefully leapt over him and sent him flying forward with two heels to the spine. The cybernetic warrior was struck by an oncoming car. Yelping in terror, the driver started to swerve, his vision blinding by the groaning android that was stuck halfway through his windshield.
Seventeen closed his eyes against the pain of broken glass that was shredding his skin like a cheese grater. Adding further insult to injury, the windshield wipers were smacking him in the sides repeatedly. Evil Android Seventeen was cackling the entire time, cackles very reminiscent of when Seventeen had been maiming Piccolo Daimaou. The machine-hybrid felt an excruciating heat overwhelm him when the engine below him struck the side of a building. Onlookers tried to flee the carnage, but evil Seventeen was not content with just eradicating his better half, he needed more. Creating a red saber of ki in both hands, the malignant machine-hybrid began mowing down the panicking bystanders. Screams eclipsed the hum of ki as limbs and blood were splattered everywhere. A bright flash of ki finally ended the massacre, but in the time it took the true Seventeen to regain his bearings, the road was already drenched in the blood and leftovers of dozens of innocents.
?Don?t you see?? the replica spoke, ?do I appear repressed at all? If you would have embraced what I embody you would have never needed to inhibit yourself! It is a shame to see you sacrifice freewill for the respect of a bunch of self-absorbed angels?? Android Seventeen had heard enough of the babble, yet he knew that he had sacrificed something when he chose to repent. Although the armor had impaired a large amount of possible burns, the machine-hybrid still felt his life escaping him. If he couldn?t defeat this opponent, he would never be able to avenge his fallen compatriots. He would never be able to prevent Byrk from escaping Hell, and most importantly, he would never see Paige again. Focusing his energy, the cybernetic warrior created a blue ki saber and dashed forward. The two androids clashed, and the evil representation quickly gained the obvious upper hand. Yet the melee continued as the clone flaunted his skill. Screaming and darting forward, the real Seventeen blocked his opponent?s blades up high, and then kicked his clone in the gut. The hateful replica stumbled backwards, more surprised at the sudden blow then actually hurt.
However, just as the machine-hybrid was moving to disembowel his replica, the cybernetic copy swung both his energy sabers down. Like a pair of scissors, the shimmering blades chopped off Seventeen?s remaining organic arm. With an earsplitting cry, the android clutched his severed forearm and bite his lip. At least for the cybernetic warrior, the heat of the ki had cauterized the limb, so he would not die from the river of blood that would have cascaded from the multitude of severed veins. Android Seventeen had never expected this asteroid to claim both of his arms, but apparently he had been gravely wrong. The machine-hybrid was beginning to wonder why he had even bothered to continue being a part of Brim?s little game. Why didn?t he just refuse so long ago? He could have at least escaped without having his soul banished to hellfire for all eternity.
?Now what?? the cold words of the doppelganger taunted, ?without any way to channel energy of even fight how are you supposed to deal with a foe as powerful as you assume yourself to be?? the replica dashed forward once again, his boot connecting with the android?s temple, triggering new pain and almost knocking the android into unconsciousness. Seventeen skidded over the road, splitting the asphalt each time he bounced off the road. The cybernetic warrior finally came to rest with his last hope in plain sight?the avatar?s blade. Android Seventeen had forgotten it completely when he got teleported into this realm, but it was lying right where it had fallen when his clone had kicked him into the car. Ignoring the crippling pain that was consuming him, the wounded machine-hybrid scampered across the concrete and scooped up the sword in his remaining, synthetic hand.
?Do you really have it in you to kill me?? the emotionless clone asked. Seventeen raised the long sword and charged forward like a maniac. The replica swung low, but the android had anticipated that he would have done the same thing in this kind of situation and leaped into the air. Unleashing a battle cry, the android turned the blade down and went to thrust it through his twin?s brain. Maybe Seventeen should have anticipated what came next, but in the midst of battle, thoughts and perception can start to blur. The manifestation of his hatred simply leapt back and swung forward; however, luckily for the android, the blades were too high to eviscerate his pelvis. Instead, the armor around his chest and abdomen took the bulk of the force and fell apart. Android Seventeen jumped backwards to prevent another strike, and the ornate plating crumbled, silently striking the concrete between the two androids.
?Face it, I?m afraid victory for you is hopeless, accept us before you are completely eradicated,? the rhetoric was ignored by Seventeen, because he had another idea that he hoped would at least give him an edge. The desperate android darted into the air and plucked one of the grenades from the Storage Facility off his belt. Android Seventeen was glad they had accompanied him to this void. By the time he heaved the triggered grenade, the clone was close on his tail, but the blast that followed completely ended evil Seventeen?s momentum. There was initially just an absence of all sound and a flash of white, but only a few seconds more passed before the explosion completely shattered the absence of noise. With the heat and intensity of the sun, the detonating grenade unleashed a flurry of deadly shrapnel as well. Android Seventeen, even though he had passed the skyscrapers and clouds, was still peppered by the painful shards of metal.
Swallowing down the agony from the wounds in his bare legs and back, the cybernetic warrior slowly returned to the ground. On his way back to the streets, he viewed the damage from the blast?shattered windows, destroyed buildings, and the familiar stench of smoke and death. However, the twitching body on the ground triggered a slight feeling of euphoria to overtake the debilitated machine-hybrid. Landing in front of the clone, Seventeen raised the avatar?s sword and prepared for the final blow. Below him, the manifestation of his evil choked on his blood and tried to lash out.
?So this is how you cleanse your soul?? the dying, cybernetic copy asked, ?don?t you find it ironic that the only way they will allow you back into their graces is for you to commit the same crime they condemned you for. The only difference is they are making you kill yourself! You can?t silence who you are, Seventeen!? Hearing enough, Android Seventeen swung the sword down. Vibrant images escaped through the wound in his copy?s head, images that quickly overtook the android and returned him to Kala. The machine-hybrid fell to his knees in sheer pain. His adrenaline rush had left him a bloodied, broken man. Just as he was ready to accept his fate, a fresh wave of life exploded through his veins, reinvigorating him. The pain suddenly vanished, replaced by a new feeling of strength and power.
?Rise, Seventeen,? the seraph said, ?Your trials are completed, and the taint has left your soul. My kin and I would like to apologize for doubting your capabilities, but do remember that here on Kala you are near the bottom of the barrel when it comes to sheer might. Your odds of survival are microscopic, if they even exist at all,? Seventeen quickly stood up and looked at his restored hands?both of them! The android picked the avatar?s sword from the ground and clenched it in both of his new, organic hands. His outfit had been restored to the angelic plating and dirty blue jeans, but more importantly, the cybernetic warrior felt reinvigorated. He had emerged from the seraph?s challenge a stronger person, and he was prepared for the trials that were quickly coming.
OOC: Sorry if the whole, two Seventeen's thing my have been difficult to follow, but hey, i found something to rp and ran with it.
?Why are you guys trying to exile me?? the cybernetic warrior asked, ?since I arrived here there have been few of your kind that has even acknowledged my presence,? with a mighty sigh, the handsome figure smiled for a second before responding.
?You wear the armor of our kind, and you wield the sword of one of our messengers,? he said, the seraph?s voice echoed in the android?s mind long after it escaped the angel?s lips, ?the fact remains that you are still a marked man, the lower choirs are always more liberal in their views of sinners, but my kind and I are not to easy to forget your crimes.
You may have got back on the straight path, but your soul is still stained by your past decisions,? the machine-hybrid was stunned by the news. He had literally gone through hell, and still these beings would not let him forget the damage Byrk and Brim had indirectly pushed him to create. Would these celestials never let him be forgiven? Seventeen knew what had to be done, and he was willing to do it all costs.
?So what do I have to do to purify my soul in your eyes?? Android Seventeen asked. The seraph chuckled and crossed his arms. His heartfelt expression was lost to a hard scowl as he pondered what to tell the cybernetic mortal.
?If you truly are ready to repent for your sins, you must undergo one challenge young hybrid. If you succeed in your task no longer will we look down upon you, but if you fail, your life will be null and void. Your soul will be banished to the fires of hell for the rest of your existence?there will be no escape for you,? Seventeen nodded, it wasn?t the first time had to risk his existence. The android had come too far to fail now, and if completing the seraph?s task meant a clean conscious, he was ready. With a snap of his fingers, the divinity caused everything to vanish in the blink of an eye. Seventeen looked around and immediately realized that he was no longer on Kala. Gone were the watchtower, the army of angels, and the endless wastelands of Friend or Foe. The asteroid had been replaced by literally nothing. In fact, as far as the eye could see, the machine-hybrid was surrounding by a sea of white.
?The Room of Spirit and Time?? the android said, his voice echoing in all directions.
?Not exactly,? an identical voice echoed back. Seventeen spun around and gasped at the cybernetic being walking towards him. As the apparent clone neared him, the landscape around the android began to shift and alter. By the time the doppelganger was within striking distance, both warriors were standing in the middle of an active city block. All around them, pedestrians were rushing down the sidewalk, cars were buzzing past them, beeping their horns madly as drivers swerved to avoid the machine-hybrids.
?What the hell is this?? Android Seventeen asked, eying up the clone. His replica wore his old outfit, but the resemblance stopped there. This Seventeen was covered in a plethora of scars and by his grin alone, the machine-hybrid could detect the overwhelming malice that emanated from this duplicate.
?Your?challenge, Seventeen,? even the copy?s raspy voice reflected his rugged appearance, ?all the evil, hate, rage, and frustration within you is what created me. The question is will you actually be able to kill the darkness that consumes you? Can you kill yourself?? Android Seventeen had never really expected his quest to be fighting himself, but it didn?t matter in the end. Rushing forward, the machine-hybrid was tripped up by his malevolent copy. The replica proved somehow more experienced, and he managed to easily flip over the strike. The real Seventeen gawked in horror as his doppelganger gracefully leapt over him and sent him flying forward with two heels to the spine. The cybernetic warrior was struck by an oncoming car. Yelping in terror, the driver started to swerve, his vision blinding by the groaning android that was stuck halfway through his windshield.
Seventeen closed his eyes against the pain of broken glass that was shredding his skin like a cheese grater. Adding further insult to injury, the windshield wipers were smacking him in the sides repeatedly. Evil Android Seventeen was cackling the entire time, cackles very reminiscent of when Seventeen had been maiming Piccolo Daimaou. The machine-hybrid felt an excruciating heat overwhelm him when the engine below him struck the side of a building. Onlookers tried to flee the carnage, but evil Seventeen was not content with just eradicating his better half, he needed more. Creating a red saber of ki in both hands, the malignant machine-hybrid began mowing down the panicking bystanders. Screams eclipsed the hum of ki as limbs and blood were splattered everywhere. A bright flash of ki finally ended the massacre, but in the time it took the true Seventeen to regain his bearings, the road was already drenched in the blood and leftovers of dozens of innocents.
?Don?t you see?? the replica spoke, ?do I appear repressed at all? If you would have embraced what I embody you would have never needed to inhibit yourself! It is a shame to see you sacrifice freewill for the respect of a bunch of self-absorbed angels?? Android Seventeen had heard enough of the babble, yet he knew that he had sacrificed something when he chose to repent. Although the armor had impaired a large amount of possible burns, the machine-hybrid still felt his life escaping him. If he couldn?t defeat this opponent, he would never be able to avenge his fallen compatriots. He would never be able to prevent Byrk from escaping Hell, and most importantly, he would never see Paige again. Focusing his energy, the cybernetic warrior created a blue ki saber and dashed forward. The two androids clashed, and the evil representation quickly gained the obvious upper hand. Yet the melee continued as the clone flaunted his skill. Screaming and darting forward, the real Seventeen blocked his opponent?s blades up high, and then kicked his clone in the gut. The hateful replica stumbled backwards, more surprised at the sudden blow then actually hurt.
However, just as the machine-hybrid was moving to disembowel his replica, the cybernetic copy swung both his energy sabers down. Like a pair of scissors, the shimmering blades chopped off Seventeen?s remaining organic arm. With an earsplitting cry, the android clutched his severed forearm and bite his lip. At least for the cybernetic warrior, the heat of the ki had cauterized the limb, so he would not die from the river of blood that would have cascaded from the multitude of severed veins. Android Seventeen had never expected this asteroid to claim both of his arms, but apparently he had been gravely wrong. The machine-hybrid was beginning to wonder why he had even bothered to continue being a part of Brim?s little game. Why didn?t he just refuse so long ago? He could have at least escaped without having his soul banished to hellfire for all eternity.
?Now what?? the cold words of the doppelganger taunted, ?without any way to channel energy of even fight how are you supposed to deal with a foe as powerful as you assume yourself to be?? the replica dashed forward once again, his boot connecting with the android?s temple, triggering new pain and almost knocking the android into unconsciousness. Seventeen skidded over the road, splitting the asphalt each time he bounced off the road. The cybernetic warrior finally came to rest with his last hope in plain sight?the avatar?s blade. Android Seventeen had forgotten it completely when he got teleported into this realm, but it was lying right where it had fallen when his clone had kicked him into the car. Ignoring the crippling pain that was consuming him, the wounded machine-hybrid scampered across the concrete and scooped up the sword in his remaining, synthetic hand.
?Do you really have it in you to kill me?? the emotionless clone asked. Seventeen raised the long sword and charged forward like a maniac. The replica swung low, but the android had anticipated that he would have done the same thing in this kind of situation and leaped into the air. Unleashing a battle cry, the android turned the blade down and went to thrust it through his twin?s brain. Maybe Seventeen should have anticipated what came next, but in the midst of battle, thoughts and perception can start to blur. The manifestation of his hatred simply leapt back and swung forward; however, luckily for the android, the blades were too high to eviscerate his pelvis. Instead, the armor around his chest and abdomen took the bulk of the force and fell apart. Android Seventeen jumped backwards to prevent another strike, and the ornate plating crumbled, silently striking the concrete between the two androids.
?Face it, I?m afraid victory for you is hopeless, accept us before you are completely eradicated,? the rhetoric was ignored by Seventeen, because he had another idea that he hoped would at least give him an edge. The desperate android darted into the air and plucked one of the grenades from the Storage Facility off his belt. Android Seventeen was glad they had accompanied him to this void. By the time he heaved the triggered grenade, the clone was close on his tail, but the blast that followed completely ended evil Seventeen?s momentum. There was initially just an absence of all sound and a flash of white, but only a few seconds more passed before the explosion completely shattered the absence of noise. With the heat and intensity of the sun, the detonating grenade unleashed a flurry of deadly shrapnel as well. Android Seventeen, even though he had passed the skyscrapers and clouds, was still peppered by the painful shards of metal.
Swallowing down the agony from the wounds in his bare legs and back, the cybernetic warrior slowly returned to the ground. On his way back to the streets, he viewed the damage from the blast?shattered windows, destroyed buildings, and the familiar stench of smoke and death. However, the twitching body on the ground triggered a slight feeling of euphoria to overtake the debilitated machine-hybrid. Landing in front of the clone, Seventeen raised the avatar?s sword and prepared for the final blow. Below him, the manifestation of his evil choked on his blood and tried to lash out.
?So this is how you cleanse your soul?? the dying, cybernetic copy asked, ?don?t you find it ironic that the only way they will allow you back into their graces is for you to commit the same crime they condemned you for. The only difference is they are making you kill yourself! You can?t silence who you are, Seventeen!? Hearing enough, Android Seventeen swung the sword down. Vibrant images escaped through the wound in his copy?s head, images that quickly overtook the android and returned him to Kala. The machine-hybrid fell to his knees in sheer pain. His adrenaline rush had left him a bloodied, broken man. Just as he was ready to accept his fate, a fresh wave of life exploded through his veins, reinvigorating him. The pain suddenly vanished, replaced by a new feeling of strength and power.
?Rise, Seventeen,? the seraph said, ?Your trials are completed, and the taint has left your soul. My kin and I would like to apologize for doubting your capabilities, but do remember that here on Kala you are near the bottom of the barrel when it comes to sheer might. Your odds of survival are microscopic, if they even exist at all,? Seventeen quickly stood up and looked at his restored hands?both of them! The android picked the avatar?s sword from the ground and clenched it in both of his new, organic hands. His outfit had been restored to the angelic plating and dirty blue jeans, but more importantly, the cybernetic warrior felt reinvigorated. He had emerged from the seraph?s challenge a stronger person, and he was prepared for the trials that were quickly coming.
OOC: Sorry if the whole, two Seventeen's thing my have been difficult to follow, but hey, i found something to rp and ran with it.
![[Image: A17June08.jpg]](http://frozendust.com/sig/A17/A17June08.jpg)