Egon stood next to the eastern hall, guiding familiar faces into the meeting room. Attendants who should be working make their way in as well, curious to see what happened to their boss. Oboyo and Elenor could be seen next to the podium discussing something while waiting for other members of the Paranormal Deliverance Force to arrive.

Hastur heads into the toom, taking up his usual seat at the middle of the table, unstrapping several leather straps that contain weights from around his arms. He offers a smile and a nod to Oboyo, glad to see his boss back safe and sound. He puts the weights back into his backpack, careful to set them in place rather than drop them.

Mekis entered the meeting room and climbed his way onto the table, as he always did. Esteban waddled behind, happy as a clam. He had been fed recently, you see.

Hastur then pulls out his usual after-training snack of a bag of assorted berries, large enough for his giganto appetite.

Roche entered the meeting hall Joseph in hand he stood against the wall inspecting the weapon one final time before hopefully field testing it.

Calmly, after rousing Julexa from her sleep and waiting for her to climb onto her back, Twilight Sparkle trots down to the meeting room from the second floor, wings fully extended as pseudo-cushions for the small Pichu. She's smiling, however, and turning her head to playfully nuzzle the Pokemon along the way.

Carmichael sighed as he entered the meeting room, between the Nakajima incedent and now, he had been travelling Fa'Diel in an effort to become stronger, he and Anders both. Speaking of which the golem himself was nowhere in sight to the others in the room.

Julexa giggles as Twilight nuzzles her, and gently grips onto the Unicorbrarian's neck as she rides down to the meeting room, wondering what everyone has been up to as they head downstairs. Entering the room, the Pichu slides down one of Twilight's legs and climbs onto a small stool that was placed at the table for her convenience.

A portal opens up nearby, dumping out Helios onto the floor. However, once the little mechon started to hover back up into the air the portal started pouring sand onto him. It closed with a strangely smug sounding pop once Helios was completly buried in the stuff.

Trixie trotted in, making her way straight for Oboyo, paying no heed to protocal or rank "By Luna, do you have any idea how difficult it is to get to talk to you, even when you're not being abducted?" the mare flicked her mane in agitation, before looking at Elanor, smiling gently "Hello to you too Elanor."

Kent entered the room, surprisingly calmly. He was wearing none of his armor, but still wearing his tunic and sword. In his hands, he's still skimming through the bible that Roche gave him. "...Who the hell is this Jesus guy and why doesn't he stone the adulteress...?"

Demonicor wandered over toward Helios with a grin as he heard/felt the telltale signs of space tearing assunder "Hah, guess I was a bit of a bad influence on you after all." he reached into the sand to swiftly tug Helios up out of it "could probably work on the landings."

Oboyo let a chuckle and looked like he was about say something to Trixie, but Elenor beat him to it. "Take a seat, Trixie. You can chat later. We're almost ready to make the announcement."

Hastur smiles and waves to Twilight and Trixie, then pops another berry into his mouth, leaning back in his chair a bit.

Roche was about to explain the story to Kent, however, when he heard Elanor speak he held his position, awaiting the announcement
.
With a quick nod, and a small smile at Trixie and Hastur, Twilight Sparkle takes a seat near Julexa, wings flicking a few times before folding close to her body as she rests her forehooves on the table and leans forward.

"Well, it wasn't our fault that we tried to open a portal on the beach and it vaccumed up a ton of sand too." Helios hovered out of Demonicor's grasp and shook himself off, scattering a bit of sand that had become lodged in between his armor plating. "But yes, your portal was the basis of our work. But there's no fancy magic involved, just... Science!" Helios seemed to grimace a little bit. "Er, yes. You get our drift."

Julexa glanced over to Oboyo, to listen...when her nose lifted into the air, giving a few quick whiffs: Berries! Seeing as the announcement hasn't started yet, she quickly hefts herself up onto the table and scampers over to Hastur's giant bag of berries, giving it a few pokes as she glances up at Hastur, arms outstretched as if asking to have one.

Hastur smiles and leans the bag over to allow the Pichu free access to the berries. "Help yourself!"

Trixie opened her mouth to speak, before giving a small hmpf and turning "Sure, why not, Trixie has waited this long, a little more is bound to matter little." she made her way to the table and gracefully climbed into a chair near

As the room quieted down, Oboyo approached the podium and began.

"Hey, everyone. I want to start by apologizing. I went with Launchpad to see to some personal business in Gold City without telling anyone, and as a result..Launchpad and I were held captive for a while. To that end, I believe that Lionel's blood is on my hands. And Lionel's not the only one..Steve too has given people hope and paved the way forward for them. Elenor would have me say that casualties can't be avoided, but this isn't a war, nor are any of you an army."

"Fate has guided us all here under a single common purpose..one that will be arriving in nine weeks." Oboyo couldn't help but pause at the mention of the day of the invasion, when several of the attendants began to gasp and whisper among themselves.
"We've come a long ways together. Thanks to everyone's efforts, we've got support from Lady Bow and Queen Antoinette, but we need more. And that's why I'm going to go back to Gold City..my family has a lot to offer if we can convince them to help. It could be dangerous, so I could use some backup."

Hastur nods, his face suddenly serious. He thinks for a moment, then raises his hand. "I'll go with you. And, just something to think on, my masters and fellow students from my martial arts school would probably be willing to help. I just need to make contact with them."

Mekis heard this anouncement and became rather giddy. "Finally, a time line. Something shorter would be preferable, but oh well. If this gathering of help involves further combat, I shall join you. If not, I suppose I shall stay here and train for the upcoming battle. Right Esteban?" Esteban mearly poked his head up, not sure what was being talked about.

"Count me in, Oboyo. You've earned my trust, and my respect. And I also don't turn my back on my friends." Twilight Sparkle pushes away from the table, staying still long enough to let Julexa get on her back again before taking flight.

Julexa wanted to dive right in, but she resisted. Instead, in a manner most unlike her, she takes two in her stubby hands, and one in her mouth as she scampered back to her stool just in time to hear Oboyo's speech. As she takes small bites on the big berry, the small pichu raised her hand and waved it lots. "Pichu, pi-pichu-chu-chu-pi, PI~!(I want to come this time. I wasn't able to come along the last few times because you said I shouldn't for my best interest. This time, I'm coming, and nothing you say is going to deter me!)" Julexa says, as she hops onto Twilight's back, enjoying the berry in her mouth.

Roche pondered the question, "Might as well, if I'm lucky I can test out Joseph." Roche raised his hand in support of the mission.

Kent winced a bit at the mention of Steve's death. The poor cursed bastard cared about Kent, and he was never able to accept his offer to go camping with him. He couldn't help but feel partially responsible for it. "Yeah, I'll go. I think... I think that it'd be responsible of me." He put his book down and crossed his arms. "[yI'm in."

"We may as well accompany you. We haven't visited Gold City very often and we need to get an updated map of the area." Helios nods and looks around. "So, when do we leave?"

Carmichael shook his head, "Sorry Miss Elanor, I need to find stay here and train with Anders." He looked to Mekis, "Could you perhaps use a training partner?"

Demonicor stepped forward, holding out his hand "I feel somewhat... responsible for part of that. As such, I will go along with you. If you need a quick way out, I can provide that, as well as a small army of inconspicuous creatures." he grinned widely for a moment before dropping his hand "Of course, it has been some time since I've had to do any battling."

Oboyo nodded towards the volunteers, assuming Julexa's outburst indicated the desire to go. "Hastur, Helios, Mekis, Twilight, Roche, Julexa, Demonicor, and.." Oboyo paused and glanced at Kent with a confused look on his face. Elenor whispered something into his ear and his continued on, "And Kent..thank you. My father and I have not been on good terms for some time, but this is something we have to do."

"Everyone else, we now know when the ghost ship will arrive. Spread the word, but don't create a panic. We're going to turn this thing back, together." With that, Oboyo gave a final nod towards the crowd as he beckoned the volunteers to follow him outside to the ascendalator.

Julexa bounces a little on Twilight's back as she is allowed to go. Scooting a little close to Twilight's neck, she peeks around and up at Twilight's face. "Pichu?("Berry?")" She asks the Pegacorn before they get moving to the ascendalator.

"If you guys need to do anything, go on ahead. I'll be in the MK II."

Carmichael sighed, "Oh well Guess Ill just have Anders punch a tree." Carmichael walked into a side room exiting the meeting hall.

Mekis rose from his sit and left for the MKII, Esteban waddling behind him.

Kent nodded to Oboyo and walked out the door. It didn't take long for him to reach the forge with his armor. It was surprisingly shinier than it used to be, many of the dents being buffed out and the scratches repaired. He strapped his shield onto his back and walked out, representing the paladin he was aspiring to be, rather than the outcast that he had come as.

local> Trixie trotted up to Oboyo, standing before him "Ah, you haven't given Trixie any answers yet. If I can get what trixie needs today, theres more reason to stay behind than to come along..."

Roche made his way to the MK II, Holstering Joseph in the process.

Hastur stands up, grabbing his bag of berries and heading for the MK II, smirking. "Boss, you have no idea when it comes to family issues..."

Helios called for another portal and flew through it once it ripped open near him. He reappeared in the engine room of the Mk. II, courtesy of the beacon he had set up when he was last down there so that he could open up a portal while the sub was underway. He quickly moved forward to the control room and waited there.

Julexa eventually makes it to the MKII with the others, riding on Twilight's back as she takes her position in a small seat near the front. She can't wait to get out of the manor--it's been a while since she's gotten out to see the world.

Julexa bounces a little on Twilight's back as she is allowed to go. Scooting a little close to Twilight's neck, she peeks around and up at Twilight's face. "Pichu?("Berry?")" She asks the Pegacorn before they get moving to the ascendalator. (Repost)

Carefully, even as she flies for the ascendalator, Twilight Sparkle levitates a few from her saddlebags, holding them aloft with her magic as she gives Julexa a warm smile. "Of course, and here you go."

"As owner of this manor, Trixie wishes for your blessing on finding and acquiring a possibly unstable magical artifact and bringing it into the the manor for the sake of introducing a rare botanical specimen into the cleft." Trixie took a deep breath and gave a sigh "... I had awhile to prepare that, so if -that- doesn't get your approval... Trixie is going to be most displeased." the mare stood in Oboyo's way a moment longer, before cautiously stepping aside.

Hastur heads into the MK II and takes a seat, closing his bag of berries and putting them away in his backpack. He pulls out his MP3 player and puts his headphones around his ears, beginning to listen to techno music.

Demonicor simply followed the crowd to the MK II, not quite used to the manor yet. He wandered over to the mechon on arrival "Y'know, Helios, with a few tweaks those portals can probably be just as stable, but with a bit more control... for instance, sending you out sideways, instead of dropping you on the ground."

Oboyo shook his head towards Trixie. "Now's not the best time for this, I'll talk to you more about it when we get back." With that, he pressed forward and entered the ascendalator, heading down towards the underground dock.
Aly .

With everyone on board the Gitmidur MK II, the submarine set off for Gold City. Some time later, the vessel arrived at the dock and the hatch opened up, allowing for deboarding. "Alright, we're here." said Oboyo as he stepped off the sub and onto the lustrous golden surface of Gold City.

"Been some time since I was last here..have you guys ever heard the story about how this city turned gold?" asked Oboyo, glancing towards everyone who tagged along while advancing forward.

Trixie grumbled and, rather than following Oboyo, turned qnd made her way to her room, muttering to herself the whole way.

Hastur got up from his seat and stepped out of the MK II, looking around and whistling. "I think I read about it once. Don't remember it all, though."

Roche looked up chuckling at an inner joke, "Something to do with King Midas perhaps?" he broke out into full laughter afterwards.

WIth Julexa still on her back, Twilight Sparkle slowly flies out of the Gitmidur II, going wide-eyed as she catches sight of the gilded town before whistling. "And I thought CANTERLOT was opulent... This is just..."

Kent nudged Roche. "I think I like this guy's idea." The knight smirked. "Finally, a man who understands mythology."

Helios shakes his core. "No, do tell. We are rather curious." He began to make a map of the area as he looked around.

Julexa blinks at the city. Shiny..so shiny. Maybe if she just got one l--no, Julexa, you promised not to go running off and get yourself in trouble again...she sits where she is, resisting the urge to run off and stare at all of the shiny things. "Pichu-pi..?("Is that...real?")" She asks, as her eyes dart from side to side as she can't help but stare.

Mekis heard the question and realized he didn't know it. Nor did he really care that much. "As Intersting as it is, I'd rather get along with this. Forward we go, yes?" Esteban waddled behind, actually rather curious about the story, but unable to properly voice this. The poor mallard.

Demonicor strode from the sub, chuckling quietly at the amount of awe the city inspired to those around him "Anything can be bought here... so long as you have the money." he smirked as he drew a small razor blade from his pocket, gently slicing open his finger and creating a small creature from it, whispering instructions to the insect before it flew off "Oh, just to note, I really don't like the guard here." there was a shout from a ways north as Demonicor gave a laugh.

"King Mammon, actually. It's because the mana stone of light was moved here a long time ago. You see.." Oboyo began to ramble on about common cleft history until the group arrived at the gates of the other Jinsaka Manor. The home Oboyo was exiled from. A pair of guards at the gates nervously scrutinized Oboyo and his big group. "I'm here to see my old man. Let us pass." The guards glanced at each other then back at the crowd. "That won't be necessary." came a voice from beyond the gate. The pair of guards then took up a combat stance and held their spears out. "Come on guys..don't do this to yourselves." pleaded Oboyo before getting interrupted by a kunai landing into the golden surface next to his foot. Four figures wearing shrouded garbs with separate colors hopped up from the other side of the gate and stood on the brick wall, glancing down at the crowd. Oboyo would not recognize these figures at all, but perhaps some members of the group behind him would.

Hastur raises an eyebrow at the guards, cracking his knuckles. "I suggest you two get the hell out of the way." As soon as the kunai lands into the golden sufrace near Oboyo, he growls and looks at the figures. "I...hate...ninjas..."

Roche was caught off guard with the kunai, but as soon as he realized what had happened, he nonchalantly reached for the Crossbow. Taking it off his back he readied a bolt.

"And we run into a potential roadblock... Julexa, you might want to get somewhere safe if I can't convince these people to step aside peacefully." With a sigh, the pegacorn trots up, eyes set in determination as she faces the guards. "We really do need to get in and see people here in town. I am a Princess, and my name is Twilight Sparkle. I order you to lower your weapons, and stand aside to let us pass." At almost the same time, though, her horn begins to spark as the kunai impacts near Oboyo.

Mekis retrieves his bow and prepared an arrow to be fired at a moments notice. "I'll fire on your command, Oboyo." At the landing of the kunai, Mekis aimed upward and fired at the first bit of movement he could see. "On second thought, I think I'll just wing it." Esteban stood behind Mekis, prepared for flight.

Julexa blinks and sidles behind a nearby golden pot at the kunai hits. Right now, she's less scared and more of not wanting to leap into something she might not win. Standing from back here, she occasionally glances around the pot to see what she has to work with and what she's up against--instead of finding out first-hand like most of the others will.

Helios looks at all the PDF members around him, ready to kill and or maim should killing not work out as well as it should. He decided to let all of them handle those poor ninjas and went to continue mapping out the square.

Kent crossed his arms and eyes the cloaked figures. He rarely saw people that hid their faces unless they had something to hide. "I've worn my fair share of hoods, but is there a reason you're blocking out path?" He asked. He didn't wish to start a fight, but he didn't feel like he wanted to back down either. Being diplomatic was hard.

Demonicor just chuckled and cracked his knuckles, grinning widely "Alright, I always wanted to see if this would work." he slashed his hand open, throwing the blood up into the air above the ninjas as he muttered, the blood starting to fall for a moment before stopping in a circle in midair, a crackling rip occurs as the air between the droplets is torn asunder,
local> a few average looking rabites falling out of the tear before it cracks out of existence "Ah, damn, I was hoping for more of them..." he began to wrap up his hand, watching his opponents closely as the rabites hissed and prepared to attack.

"I'm pleased to see that you're alive, Oboyo." came the same voice from behind the gate as a man stepped out into view. Oboyo grit his teeth, reaching into his jacket for his custom staff. "..Graham? Why are you.." Before he could finish, the once called 'Merchant of Death' unsheathed his sword and opened the gate. "I'm going to make this offer only once. Leave. Your father will not support you. We need not be fighting each other, don't you agree?"

Oboyo glared at the Graham and his shrouded followers for moment before sighing and putting his staff away. "It seems he's made his choice..why did you do it, Graham? Do you have any idea what we went through to silence that rune?!" Graham shook his head without care. "That matters little. But if you really wish to silence it again, you're welcome to challenge me for it." Oboyo glanced back at his crowd VS Graham's. It would be a fierce fight, but...

No. No more Lionels or Steves. "..You just hold on to that rune for now, Graham. We're done here. Seems this trip was a waste of time..as was trusting you." Oboyo turned his back and began to head back towards the MK II. "We're leaving, everyone." he said simply.

Helios shrugs and starts heading back to the sub. He had gotten an adequate map of the area for now and could return with the M85 later if need be.

As she turns away from the guards, Twilight Sparkle stops in front of Graham long enough to snort derisively and fix him with a fierce glare. "I hope you're proud of how you've affected the PDF. I honestly hope we never cross paths again, because I'LL be the first enemy you face if we do, and I won't lose." With that, the pegacorn mare picks Julexa up and takes flight again after a few flaps of her wings.

Hastur looks at Oboyo, then Graham. He walks a bit closer to the traitor. "Listen here. Oboyo's my boss, so I'm going to do what he says. But after we deal with this invasion, I'm coming back here, and I'm going to pummel you until you give us back that rune. These men you have around you might be willing to kill for you, but they need to ask themselves this. Are they willing to die for you?" With that, he turned and headed back to the MK II.

Mekis looked at the man, but not much came to his mind in the sense of negative. Mekis knew not what rune his leader spoke, and the man seemed to only be doing his job. Still, the man would probably make a better adventurer than guard. Mekis sheathed his bow and left, nothing to really say. Esteban glared at the man, aware of what he had done. At least, to a degree greater than his master. He turned and waddled away, bill upturned.

Roche, who had had his Corssbow pointed at the one named Graham slowly lowered it not breaking eye contat with the man. He backed away slowly, placing the crossbow back on his back as he turned toward the Gitmidur.

Julexa peeks around the barrewl, just in time for Twilight to heft her up onto her back, with a sharp squeak of alarm. She mamages to calm down before shocking the Pegacorn out of the air, but her fur bristles and she gets a nasty bout of the hiccups! Hard to believe something this cute could ever be fierce.