File: Liang Tao03.jpg (170 KB, 850x1202)

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“What a load of crap!”

Crooks snaps as he stands face to face with his strange copy, a hole in his shoulder where his clone shot a bone bullet through him. “Screw this, Matt! I'm gonna show this cheap imitation who the real captain is! Stand back, I'm going to blast through him and call it a day!”

Liang Tao smirks. “I really wouldn't advise that.”

It's too late, as Crooks fires at the copy. He's so worked up, he doesn't even notice... but you do. Crooks is already missing a finger joint despite not firing until now... and there's a hole in the copy's shoulder just like Crooks'. That can only mean one thing...

The bone bullet hits the copy, and Crooks himself flies back in pain, another bullet hole piercing his abdomen. “W-what happened...?”

You rush to your captain's aid before explaining. “Look. All damage taken by your or the copy are mirrored in the other. So... we can't just kill it, without also killing you.”

“That's right!” Liang Tao announces from the rooftop, his bow still in hand. “That's the power of my Biochip, Heart-Break Kid! The negative emotions within yourself, your inner darkness cannot to willed away with brute force. It is a piece of you, always! It's about time you faced your darkness!”

Dot shakes her head. “Do you really have to do this? We sympathise with your dream, but these actions...”

Liang Tao shakes his head. “Make no mistake, I truly believe in the cause with all my heart, and I will fight to the death to achieve our goals... but that is my brother's dream. Not mine. My dream is different.”

“And what's that?” you ask.

Liang Tao smiles proudly. “To become a galaxy famous musician!”

… What?

“Excuse me?” Connery mutters.

“I want to write music that will touch the hearts of the people, to bring out their true emotions!” Liang explains as he mimes an air guitar with his bow. “I can just imagine it now... but that can't be possible while the people suffer! They'll have no time for my music, they won't be able to relate if they're so downtrodden, they'll never have the chance to be their true selves! Me and my brothers will change than... and soon, from Athens to Shinto will know my name as a modern day poet!”

Okay... not the answer you expected. Regardless, Liang Tao jumps across the rooftops, making his escape, as the dark Crooks fires upon you and the group. You pull Crooks behind a wall as you let out a sigh. “What a weirdo...” you mutter. “I wish we could fight just one random person. Have your Bone Soldier at the ready, Crooks.”

“Can't exactly do that, Matt...” Crooks mutters as he holds up his hand, missing his joints. The copycat fired upon you, and has been using up all his ammo. Even getting a quick heal from Dot will only result in healing the copy.

“Welp, we've got one option in this fight, then...” Crooks points out.

“And what's that?” Archie asks.

>Stupidly charge head on.
>Run away, what else?

>>2827891
>>Run away, what else?
Preferably in Liang's direction.

>“To become a galaxy famous musician!”
>Liang explains as he mimes an air guitar with his bow.
Is this Kaz?

>>2827891
>>Stupidly charge head on.

Time to face the music.

>>2827891
>>Run away, what else?
If we have Krista imbue Crooks with say the feeling of being very sleepy and he falls asleep would NegaCrooks also fall asleep? making escape that much easier?

>>2827891
>Run away, what else?
Might as well completely rip off Jojo.

>>2827891
>>Run away, what else?

>“To become a galaxy famous musician!”
What is this JoJo or One Piece!

Honestly they aren't that different actually.

Calling for
>Run away, what else?

Writing now.

File: Crooks01.jpg (144 KB, 850x1169)

144 KB JPG

>Run away, what else?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy-QmgdUVTI

"Wait, what?"

"It's the smuggler way!" you exclaim as you and Crooks dash off in the opposite direction of the copy and in the direction of Liang.

"Hey, wait!" Archie exclaims as he tries to keep up with you. The rest of the group follow suit, with Connery, the oldest among you, grumbling behind the rest.

Krista grabs a rock and throws it at the copy. "This'll slow him down!"

As the tiny stone bounces off the copy it, and the real Crooks, begin to sneeze uncontrollably. "I... hate you..." Crooks mutters between sneezes.

You run forward. More of the rebels are up ahead, so you take a sharp turn into an alley while running. You quickly climb a fence, and the others follow suit, while the copy of Crooks is right behind you. Seems the sensation from Krista's ability is doing nothing to slow his pursuit.

"Matthew..." the copy mutters. "It's all gone downhill for me since you came into the picture..."

"What's it doing?" Dot asks.

"Negative emotions..." Archie points out. "It's what Tao said about his power. He brings out the darkness in your heart or something..."

"So these are the dark thoughts in Crooks' heart," Connery points out.

The copy continues to stare at you with a snarl. "What was I thinking? I wasn't ready to take care of a child? I wasted all of my good years protecting your weak ass and what do I have to show for it? You've brought me nothing but trouble, I should have left you to die."

You take a step back, turning to Crooks. "You... you don't really think that stuff, right?"

"Of course not!" Crooks snaps. "Quick, slow it down and let's put a beating on Tao!"

>Create vines to block the path of the copy.
>Produce a spore to slow down the copy.

>>2827963
>>Create vines to block the path of the copy.

>>2827963
>Create vines to block the path of the copy.
Our biochip evolves into THE WALL

>>2827963
>>Create vines to block the path of the copy.
>>2827971
THE WALL
THE WALL
THE WALL

>>2827963
>Create vines to block the path of the copy.

Calling for
>Create vines to block the path of the copy.

Roll 1d20, best of 1.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>2827985

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>2827985

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>2827985
Woosh.

File: Matt Millar01.png (1.19 MB, 850x951)

1.19 MB PNG

>11 [MODERATE SUCCESS]

You don't listen to the copy, it's just trying to get under your skin and distract you. You summon some vines in the alley to block the path of the dark Crooks, and hurry on your way to catch up with Liang Tao.

As you make your way through the battlefield, you see Camelot soldiers up ahead, fighting with copies of themselves and being overwhelmed. Damn, looks like he got to them too.

“What a power...” Dot mutters. “Let's hope he's the strongest of the Tao brothers. I'd hate to go against two men even more powerful than him...”

“We need to stop him,” Crooks points out. “Before he catches any heavy hitters with that thing. If he hits a fleet leader like Sun Boros... we're screwed.”

“Right...” Connery notes as he summons a butterfly. “Archimedes and I will shoot on ahead, head him off at the pass. Catch up to us if you can make it.”

Connery's butterfly lock attaches to him and a far away rooftop. Archie grabs onto the back of Connery as the two are pulled forward through the air at rapid speed.

“Matthew...” the voice of the copy continues. “I sacrificed so much for you... I could have had it all... but I threw every opportunity away out of a misplaced sense of responsibility. And I never received the proper gratitude... no more. I'm not sacrificing myself for you any more! You've brought me nothing but trouble!”

Dammit, you have to incapacitate this thing somehow... but how can you do that without seriously hurting Crooks?

>If you tightly bind it, it shouldn't hurt Crooks too badly. [POWER: C]
>Dot could try to contain it in her forcefield, though that's a longshot. [POWER: E]
>Knocking Crooks out will do the same to the copy. Better unconscious than dead, he'd understand. [POWER: C]

>>2828054
>If you tightly bind it, it shouldn't hurt Crooks too badly. [POWER: C]

>>2828054
>>Knocking Crooks out will do the same to the copy. Better unconscious than dead, he'd understand. [POWER: C]
sorry Dad

>>2828054
>>Knocking Crooks out will do the same to the copy. Better unconscious than dead, he'd understand. [POWER: C]

>>2828054
>>If you tightly bind it, it shouldn't hurt Crooks too badly. [POWER: C]
.....
Hentai

>>2828054
>>Knocking Crooks out will do the same to the copy. Better unconscious than dead, he'd understand. [POWER: C]

Calling for

>Knocking Crooks out will do the same to the copy. Better unconscious than dead, he'd understand. [POWER: C]

Roll 1d20, Best of 1.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>2828070

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>2828070

File: Matt Millar04.jpg (45 KB, 450x561)

45 KB JPG

>3 [DEFINITE FAILURE]

It seems the only real option is to halt the progress of this thing is to knock Crooks out cold. A difficult decision, but one that needs to be made. As the copy approaches, you turn around and throw your fist into Crook's face.

… You don't really knock him out as you hoped, instead Crooks' head throws back as blood splatters from his nose. “Matt, what the hell?! Why'd you do that?!”

“I was trying to-”

“Is this because of what that thing said?” Crooks shouts. “Agh... dick!”

You shake your head. “No, I just thought knocking you out would, you know, take out the copy.”

“And you thought you could knock me out with a punch?!” Crooks exclaims. “Did you forget how weak your arms are? I-shit, move!”

You duck to the side, but it's too late, as a bone bullet pierces through your leg, taking you down.

“Matt-Matt!” Krista exclaims as you fall back onto the ground, the copy readying up another shot for your head. Crap... you don't have time to react, this could be it.

“GAAAAAAAAAH!”

The copy's aim goes all off and it writhes in pain, as you look to Crooks, who is doing much of the same... oh god, you can see bone sticking out of the skin by his elbow.

“Did... did you just break your own arm to save me?” you ask.

“Don't say I don't do anything for you...” Crooks mutters, before tackling the copy and wrestling it to the ground in a chokehold with his good arm. He gags as he feels the choking around his own neck before addressing you. “G-Go ahead... I'll hold this thing off! Go!”

“Crooks-”

“GO!”

You shake your head and run on with Krista and Dot by your side. “Do you really think... is that really what the cap'n thinks?” Krista ponders. “It can't be, right?”

>Not at all. You saw it. Crooks would do anything for me.
>No, they're real... we all have dark thoughts like that sometimes...
>It doesn't matter. Let's just keep moving.

>>2828096
>>No, they're real... we all have dark thoughts like that sometimes...

>>2828096
>>No, they're real... we all have dark thoughts like that sometimes...
>>But that doesnt mean they mean jack shit

>>2828096
>>No, they're real... we all have dark thoughts like that sometimes...

>>2828096
>No, they're real... we all have dark thoughts like that sometimes...
Krista's worried in case her clone reveals her plan to backstab us and sell us to Dong.

>>2828096
>No, they're real... we all have dark thoughts like that sometimes...
I've been wondering, but I'm pretty sure this whole dealio with the darkness within is a Persona reference.

Calling for
>No, they're real... we all have dark thoughts like that sometimes...

Writing now.

File: Liang Tao.jpg (880 KB, 850x1195)

880 KB JPG

>No, they're real... we all have dark thoughts like that sometimes...

"O-oh..." Krista mutters.

You shake your head. "Yeah... but it doesn't mean they're his truest thoughts. Just the doubts that creep in, that we all have... back there he showed how much those dark thoughts really matter."

"Will... Crooks be okay?" Dot asks.

"I-I don't know..." you sniffle. "Let's just move."

You run with your two crewmates, before coming to a crossroads. There stands Connery and Archie, facing off with Liang Tao, his bow still in hand.

“Do you mind moving out of the way?” Liang asks. “You see, I know Marco Shao is right behind you... separated from his bodyguard. His ability is a real mystery, apparently nobody has ever seen it. I'd be interested to pull it out of him.”

Liang pretends to tune up his bow like it was a guitar while Connery stands his ground. “No chance of that, you curr!”

“I'm sorry old man,” Liang replies. “I've already locked a target onto Shao, and I never miss my targets. I always hit it perfect, note for note. But if you continue to stand in my way... then I'll just have to use you as well.”

Liang fires his bow at Connery, who is well prepared. His butterfly lock pulls a chunk of armour lying on the street to his hand, which he uses to block the spirit arrow. “What was that about always hitting your target?”

“Note. For. Note!” Liang celebrates... as you both notice the arrow fazing through the shield, burrowing into Connery's arm, before eventually htting his heart. So, that thing can phase through solid objects on the way to the heart, huh? That's bad news...

The arrow expels itself from Connery, forming into a grimacing version of the elder gentleman. “Oh sweet Veronica...” he mutters. “Your death... your blood is on my hands...”

Connery shakes his head in despair while a triumphant Liang mimes a solo before getting to bolt. “Stop this...”

>Connery, lock yourself to your copy. It'll keep you both in place! [DURABILITY: A]
>Forget about the copy, it's not your problem. Focus on catching Liang before he reaches Marco. [SPEED: B]

>>2828143
>>Forget about the copy, it's not your problem. Focus on catching Liang before he reaches Marco. [SPEED: B]
Im willing to bet this works on "Knock him out and the power goes out with him" rules

>>2828143
>>Forget about the copy, it's not your problem. Focus on catching Liang before he reaches Marco. [SPEED: B]

>>2828143
>>Forget about the copy, it's not your problem. Focus on catching Liang before he reaches Marco. [SPEED: B]

>>2828143
>>Forget about the copy, it's not your problem. Focus on catching Liang before he reaches Marco. [SPEED: B]

>>2828143
>Forget about the copy, it's not your problem. Focus on catching Liang before he reaches Marco. [SPEED: B]

inb4 Marco's clone reveals that he actually got off on Dot running off and getting into ships with strange guys.

Calling for

>Forget about the copy, it's not your problem. Focus on catching Liang before he reaches Marco.

Roll 1d20, Best of 2.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>2828166
Rollan

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>2828166
FUCK

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>2828166

File: Liang Tao02.jpg (284 KB, 500x701)

284 KB JPG

>15 [DEFINITE SUCCESS]

You summon your vines and snag them on a nearby rooftop, using them to pull you forward and swing around, while the others tend to Connery's copy. You have to focus on Liang Tao. If he's after Marco, then that can mean really bad things for all of you going forward.

As Liang runs down the pathway, you swing behind him, catching him with two boots to the back of his head as you land. You roll to your feet and kick aside his bow, standing before him. “Got you now, Tao. I don't think you're so useful without that bow to back you up.”

Liang lets out a cocky laugh. “You think so? A true genius is worth more than his simple instruments. You think my ability is reliant on that bow. It's a biochip, it's built into me! And you're right within my range!”

What is he talking about? Without the bow, how could he possibly fire his arrow at this range?

It's then that you notice Liang opening his mouth wide, and a blue glow coming from deep in his throat. Dammit, he's about to spit the arrow! And you don't have time to move out of the way!

“Got you now!” Liang exclaims as the arrow appears to hit your chest. “Pitch perfect, as always! The song of a young malnourished boy in the stars! What poetry lies in the dark part of his heart?”

You smirk. “You'll never know, because you didn't hit me. I grew a plant on my chest to take the hit!”

“And didn't you just see what happened to the old man?” Liang points out. “My arrow will phase through any inanimate object!”

“But a plant isn't inanimate, is it?” you point out. “It was a risky move, but I had to test it out. Your arrow will go through the body of whatever it hits until it reaches the heart, right? Well, that must be a designated command of your chip... meaning it must have a distinct classification for what constitutes a heart. While plants don't have a heart in the human sense, they do have a circulatory system operated by molecular pumps. If a circulatory system is what your power is commanded to target... it was a long shot, but considering I'm not shooting out a clone of myself, looks like your arrow stuck with the target it hit.”

“What?!” Liang exclaims.

You put a finger to your chin. “Huh...” you ponder. “This plant didn't receive a copy either. I guess that solves a question I've had for a long time. Plants don't think... or at least, they don't have dark thoughts.”

“B-But you were my target!” Liang exclaims. “I didn't hit you... you messed it up! You ruined it! You made me miss my target! I'll kill you! I'll end you right here!”

Liang charges at you and you prepare yourself.

>Create a piece of wood to bash him back with. [POWER: C]
>Leap aside and catch him with your vines. [SPEED: B]

>>2828216
>>Leap aside and catch him with your vines. [SPEED: B]

>>2828216
>>Leap aside and catch him with your vines. [SPEED: B]
Basically Spiderman

>>2828216
>Leap aside and catch him with your vines.

>>2828216
>Create a piece of wood to bash him back with. [POWER: C]

Calling for
>Leap aside and catch him with your vines. [SPEED: B]

Roll 1d20, Best of 2.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>2828251

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>2828251

>>2828255
>>2828260
GREAT SCOTT!

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>2828251

File: Liang Tao05.png (1.19 MB, 839x1191)

1.19 MB PNG

>8 [MODERATE FAILURE]

You leap to the side, but Liang moves to quick, catching you by the leg and tossing you into a nearby wall. You grimace in pain, but there's no much he can do to beat you. In these close quarters, your power beats his. You create vines sprouting from your arm and launch them at Liang Tao... only for your attack to be interrupted. A crash during the battle, two soldiers on motor vehicles fly into scene, crashing and burning before you, a cloud of dust and smoke covering your vision. Dammit...

By the time your eyes are open again, you see Liang Tao speeding off on one of the motorcycles. “What fortune!” he exclaims. “I escape defeat, and I'm blessed with a fast route to Marco Shao! Fate sides with the Tao brothers once more!”

Liang speeds off, and you're quick to continue you pursuit. Moving to the other motorcycle in the crash, kicking the driver aside and placing it upwards, you sit by the controls. You've... never ridden anything like this before, but... it can't be too hard, right? Plus... you'll look cool doing it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy-QmgdUVTI

You start up the vehicle, and you don't have time to start finding your bearings. You just speed on ahead down the street to catch up with Liang. He sees you from behind, and smirks.

“I have to hand it to you,” he replies. “You're persistent. I believe that copy earlier said your name is Matthew?”

“Matt,” you clarify, tailing behind him, ducking and weaving at high speed through the battle. “Matt Millar.”

“Well, Millar...” Liang explains. “There's no way I'll let you stop me from reaching Shao! To unveil the dark secrets in his heart... that's my masterpiece! My crescendo! My biggest hit!”

Liang rams into you with his motorcycle, but you remain steady. In the distance, you can see him... Marco. He's got no one to back him up, and he's a unsuspecting sitting duck for Tao. To reach him first... you gotta be a little crazy.

You turn away from Liang, aiming instead for the wreckage of a building. Using it as a ramp, you fly up, your bike overtaking Liang through your air-time. You fly over Marco, and unleash your vines. As the leader of the NOAH is only beginning to process what's happening, you pull him up in mid-air, plopping him behind you on the bike seat, before landing an zooming ahead of Liang.

“Matt?” Marco asks. “What is-”

“The guy behind us is one of the Yellow Turban leaders,” you explain. “And he's targeting you with his biochip.”

“Don't deny me my music!” Liang shouts after you, as he opens his mouth once more. “My dream is within reach!”

Liang launches another arrow from his mouth, as you avoid it on your bike... you're not gonna able to control this much longer with the weight two men on it...

“What's your plan?” Marco asks, holding tight to stay on the bike.

>This might sound crazy, but my plan is to crash.
>If you've got any hidden ability, now's the time.

>>2828287
>>This might sound crazy, but my plan is to crash.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

>>2828287
>>This might sound crazy, but my plan is to crash.

>>2828287
>>This might sound crazy, but my plan is to crash.
NO SURVIVORS

>>2828287
>If you've got any hidden ability, now's the time.
The Dice God's have been shitting over us because of you so you better have something good

>>2828287
>>This might sound crazy, but my plan is to crash.
That makes perfect sense.

>>2828287
>This might sound crazy, but my plan is to crash.
Why not?

Calling for
>This might sound crazy, but my plan is to crash.

Roll 1d20, Best of 3.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>2828309

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>2828309
WACKY RACERS

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>2828309

File: Marco Shao02.jpg (974 KB, 806x1146)

974 KB JPG

>13 [MODERATE SUCCESS]

“Okay...” Marco mutters. “I trust you, cousin.”

“You really shouldn't, this is pretty nuts...” you reply. “On the count of three, you have to jump. 1... 2... now!”

You and Marco leap from the motorcycle, as you summon a small twig and place it in the spokes of the rides wheel while pulling yourself and Marco towards the nearest rooftop. The bike flips and flies back... right towards Liang. “WHAT?!” he exclaims, but he can't stop his bike in time before the two collide, exploding in the middle of the street. All that remains is a cloud of smoke as you and Marco drop down.

“Damn, that guy was a pain in the ass...” you mutter.

Marco nods. “Seems that way. That was some very... interesting thinking from you, Matt. But thank you. I'm glad you were here to look out for me, cousin.”

“You're too important to be on the battlefield,” you point out. “Why did you come here?”

Marco shakes his head. “How could I allow people to fight in my name, if I didn't fight by their side?”

“Well said, but an empty platitude...” a voice from the wreckage calls out, prompting you to quickly pick up a blaster from a nearby body. No way...

The dust settles, and Liang Tao steps out, bloody and beaten, but still standing. “I'll never fall...” he mutters. “Not when I have a dream to achieve, and Marco is my magnum opus. It's almost complete!”

“Don't think about it!” you reply, pointing the blaster at him. “You can't fire that arrow faster than I can pull this trigger.”

“Who... who said I'd fire it?” Liang points out with heavy breaths. “It can move through objects, remember? I can store them as well.”

What is he... wait, the exhaust pipe of the bike begins to shake, and from it shoots the arrow! It's too late for you to move... as it pierces Marco straight through the heart.

“MARCO!” you call out, as he takes a shocked step back.

“YES!” Liang screams in victory. “IT'S TIME TO REVEAL YOUR TRUE SELF! ALL YOUR TRUE THOUGHTS! THIS IS MY MASTERPIECE! I'M VIVALDI, I'M MOZART, I AM GOD DAMN FREDDIE MERCURY~!”

You look with shocked eyes, as Liang celebrates like a madman, and Marco... simply looks confused.

“I'm sorry, was something supposed to happen?” he asks.

“His ability unveils a you made from your dark secrets,” you explain.

“Right...” Marco notes. “Well, nothing happened.”

… Huh?

Liang stares with his mouth agape. “I... I don't understand?! Where's your true self?”

“Right here,” Marco points to himself innocently. “I'm terribly sorry, but I don't seem to have any dark secrets.”

“N-no way...” you mutter. “You... you're legit... and you're so virtous his power doesn't even work on you?!”

“I.... I guess so,” Marco replies. “Is... is that an issue.”

>Not at all... I'm just impressed.
>No... but it does make me a little sick to look at you.

>>2828336
>>Not at all... I'm just impressed.
FUCKING WEW WHAT A PURE BOI

>>2828336
>Not at all... I'm just impressed.
Marco a gud boi

>>2828336
>You're seriously telling me you've never secretly been angry at someone even once?

>>2828336
>>Not at all... I'm just impressed.
>You're seriously telling me you've never secretly been angry at someone even once?

>>2828336
>Not at all... I'm just impressed.
>Shoot Liang while he is in disbelief

Calling for
>Not at all... I'm just impressed.

Writing now.

File: Marco Shao07.png (919 KB, 900x1211)

919 KB PNG

>Not at all... I'm just impressed.

"Really?" Marco asks. "Is it really so remarkable?"

"Yeah!" you reply. "You're seriously telling me you've never secretly been angry at someone even once?"

Marco shrugs. "Can't say that I have. Is that unusual?"

"More than a little..." you admit.

Liang, meanwhile, continues to stare in complete disbelief. "I... I don't understand! My masterpiece! You... you lead the NOAH! The people have suffered down here while you..."

"Oh yeah, you're still here," you mutter while you point the gun. "Let's take care of that."

The blaster clicks... but nothing. Must be out of rounds. "Rats..." you mutter, as you throw it aside. Teaches you to trust in any blaster you find on the floor.

"I understand why you think that I don't care for the people," Marco explains kindly to Liang. "But I promise you, more than anything, I want all of this fighting and suffering to end. I sympathise with your plight, I truly do-"

"NO!" Liang panics, as he runs back. "This is all wrong! You can't... my masterpiece... my dream! I... I..."

Liang reaches for another blaster and frantically waves it around with complete disregard. "When all else fails... I'll just kill you. The people will be free! They will prosper!"

"I don't think so."

Kilroy appears behind the youngest Tao brother, opening up one of his black holes just by the arm waving the gun. Liang screams out in pain and terror as everything from the elbow down it pulled into the black hole, tearing from his flesh and bone. Liang falls to his knees and stares at his new stump arm and lets out a scream. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHH! THAT WAS MY PLAYING ARM, YOU BASTAAAAAAAAAARD! YOU JUST TOOK MY DREAM FROM ME! G-GIVE IT BACK! GIVE IT BAAAAAAAAACK!"

"I couldn't even if I wanted to," a smug Kilroy tells the crying Liang with a smirk. "When it's gone, it's gone. There's no bringing it back."

"T-then I'll kill you!"

Liang lunges at Kilroy once more... only to be sucked into the Black Mass ability entirely. "There really is no reasoning with someone like that," Kilroy notes. "I hate to end his life, but there's only so much I could do in self-defence."

"Kilroy, that was unnecessary," Marco reprimands him.

"My job is to keep you safe," Kilroy replies. "If I'm not mistaken, had I not stepped in, the two of you would be lined with fresh blaster fire."

>True... thanks. You're still a dick, though.
>That man you killed was one of the Tao brothers. I doubt the Yellow Turbans will take his death well.
>I could have handled him. He was in a panic, he was little threat by that point.

>>2828387
>>True... thanks. You're still a dick, though.
Too bad we don't have a blaster with ammo to shoot this tool tho

>>2828387
>That man you killed was one of the Tao brothers. I doubt the Yellow Turbans will take his death well.

>Marco doesn't have any dark thoughts
So is he the AI companion then?

>>2828387
>>That man you killed was one of the Tao brothers. I doubt the Yellow Turbans will take his death well.

>>2828387
>That man you killed was one of the Tao brothers. I doubt the Yellow Turbans will take his death well.
So no Golden ending here.

Calling for
>That man you killed was one of the Tao brothers. I doubt the Yellow Turbans will take his death well.

Writing now.

>>2828387
>>.... That was fucked up man

File: Kilroy12.jpg (87 KB, 1280x720)

87 KB JPG

>That man you killed was one of the Tao brothers. I doubt the Yellow Turbans will take his death well.

"Well, one down, two to go," Kilroy smirks. "Though I do have some bad news regarding Shaman Tao and his other brother.”

“What's that?” Marco asks.

Kilroy places a hand on his hip. “Put simply, they aren't here. They escaped.”

“What?!” you grimace.

“We stormed the embassy building after learning it was their location, but instead we found nobody. Only two empty slot for escape ship... and one slot that still had an escape ship, likely intended for their poor brother.” Kilroy flicks his hair back as he looks around. “So it seems the ultimate fight against the Yellow Turban Rebels is not today.”

“Damn it...” you mutter.

Marco lets out a heavy sigh, his face deep in thought. This must be crushing to him. He wanted to end the suffering as quickly and as peacefully as possible, but nothing of the sort happened. The fight rages on, and you only take a step back in progress.

“Matt-Matt!”

Krista's voice calls out as the rest of the crew catch up to you. Even an injured Crooks being tended to by Dot is present. “Looks like you beat that guy, yep-yep!”

“Actually, it was I, the magnificent Kilroy who saved the day!” Kilroy boasts, winking at Krista.

Marco shakes his head. “While I appreciate the help Kilroy, that's not entirely true. I also owe my life entirely to the actions of my cousin. He came swooping in on a steel horse to rescue me from the clutches of Liang Tao.”

“Wow, that's so cool!” Krista notes, with bright eyes. “I bet you looked all cool and heroic!”

“Didn't really have time to think about how cool it looked,” you reply. That is a lie. You thought heavily about it, and played music in your head and everything. “Uhh, thanks for bigging me up, Marco.”

Marco tilts his head. “I am only telling the exact truth, cousin. You were a hero today.”

“Huh... guess I was,” you reply.

“I'm glad you're both okay...” Dot adds.

Kilroy flicks his hair. “I really do hate to interrupt your good vibes, but I should point out that the current battle seems rather... well, hopeless.”

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“It's true...” Connery admits. “We're still completely outnumbered, we've taken a lot of damage, and our ships were destroyed before we call in any reinforcements... the situation is pretty dire, Master Shao.”

“I know...” Marco mutters. “But we can't lose faith. I know that as long as we walk the right path, we will be victorious! Even if we are to receive a gift from the sky...”

“Oh, like that one?” you point out, pointing up to the air above you.

The rest of the crew look up and see what you've just laid your eyes on... a ton of reinforcement ship. Some have already landed and begun to take on the Yellow Turbans, so you can tell that they're on your side. And there's so many of them... right from the sky, the winning numbers come to you. You don't know how... but, maybe Marco is right about all this fate crap.

“It's a miracle...” Connery mutters. “We're saved.”

“Some help in the nick of time... what were the chances?” Archie laughs.

Krista's eyes simply widen as she stares at the ships. “Oh no... oh no... I know those ships... no, no, no....”

“Krista, what's wrong?” you ask. “It's reinforcements, why are you worried?”

“No...” Marco grimaces. “I know who that is... I don't know why they've decided to help, but we can't accept. Not from them...”

“What's wrong?” you asks.

Crooks sits up, barking at you. “Dammit, Matty! Don't you recognise who that is?!”

“Not from here,” you reply. “Where are they from? Shinto? Athens?”

“Dammit, Matt! It's... it's Kingpin Dong.”

“Matt-Matt...” Krista mutters, squirming in fear.

… Oh.

END OF CHAPTER 10

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>Ending Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRcPA7Fzebw

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>Player Question
What did you think of Liang Tao and the battle with him? And why do you think Kingpin Dong is getting involved, and allying with the fleets?

>>2828472
Thanks for running Booker.
The battle was pretty good with lots of intense moments and Matt again fighting smart but also doing crazy things.
Dong will probably try to recruit Matt first nicely, after that fails, not that nicely.

>>2828472
Thanks for running Booker
>And why do you think Kingpin Dong is getting involved
Don Dong's Dong hungers for new women