Log:Finale Part II, Regent Reborn

The Regent Legacy 2014/08/06 Abigail Chen Jennifer Paragon Porter Quinn Regent Shoro

15

Prologue 1: At Starguard...

Arion seems agitated, "I must leave...I must go, I feel him drawing upon me.." he says pacing in his cell.

"Drawing... upon?" offers Abigail. She narrows her eyes as she mutters, "If that's the case, then that's an even better reason to -keep- you safe." She's in costume and all, just... because her superiors in the Marines want the PR. Plus.. apparently, focus groups have determined that cleavage helps with PR.

However, she is not truly in charge here. She's commed and lifts a hand to her left ear as she listens to the people in charge of Starguard. She's just a reservist but a Marine first. The General in charge tells her, "We cannot afford another eruption like we had in the other cell. If he wants to leave... take a contingent with you, but don't make him explode again."

She presses her lips together, shaking her head before she replies, "With respect sir. I disagree. But, those are your orders. I will follow them... but please note my objections." And she sighs, before saying to Arion, "Okay. So where are -we- going?" She stresses the term -we- as she gestures towards herself and Q and whomever is on guard duty.

Arion points to a corner of the room, "Over there..to the Consecrated Ground."

Quinn looks to Abigail, arching an eyebrow behind his faceplate. "Consecrated ground?" he asks, peering at the corner.

"Well, it's not far at least." remarks Abby. "Quinn, do me a favor. Keep your sensors tuned up to max. Tell me that's your ... see them coming a mile away ... suit. If not, maybe you should change."

She shrugs and turns towards the cell. "I have my orders. I go where you go son." she says to Arion as she disengages the security field in front.

Quinn shakes his head to Abigail. "I don't really have one of those," he says, "though that's not a bad idea. The exploration suit's got more sensors but they're primarily meant for short range work. This one's got the radar and the thermographics. The radar probably won't be that great for detecting shadow creatures but the thermographics should do pretty well, I think."

Arion Floats out of the cell, and begins to make his way out of the SGG when he realizes he doesn't know the way out..."How do we leave this prison?"

"This is just a holding area in a compound. It's not a ... oh skip it." remarks Abigail. Sure, she can fly, but she's walking. "You know, walking out might make the agents feel a bit less awkward." She glances to Q and nods, "Keep your sensors on then at least." she remarks as she moves from behind Arion to lead him out. "Follow me kid." she remarks.

Arion nods, and follows Abigail. "I am an Air Elemental, I do not like to be shackled to the ground."

"I thought you had powers from all of the elements." suggests Abby. She shrugs and leads and all that.

Quinn follows along with Abigail and Arion, keeping his eyes peeled for whatever these Shadow Assassins are suppose to be.

Arion says, "I am a child of the Regent, but I am a denizen of the Realm of Air.." he says as he finally sees the exit and passes Abigail in his need to leave.

"So I see." mutters Abby as she moves to follow. In Mandarin, she mutters a curse involving things like... the heavens, the storm... she has a part of the Storm within her and has yet to -truly- discover it. "Fine." she adds in English as she opens the doors for everyone.

Arion says, "Your words are very ugly ma'am." he says and then takes off into the air.

"That's for a reason." remarks Abigail in response. She can do diplomacy, but not at the same time as she's trying to do security and all that. She keeps roving her eyes about... and simply waits.

Quinn steps outside, following Arion. "Yeah, well, she's a marine," he says. "They kind of pride themselves in being able to strip the paint of a wall." His boot jets flare and he lifts off into the air after the elemental.

And.. Abbi rolls her eyes as she follows into the air.

Prologue 2: At Steel's Gym, Workout Room...

The return trip home was not difficult and while the amazing experience of Asgard was an indelible memory, it was tainted by loss, and the understanding also that Himinglaeva may never recover fully from her role in the battle. You have been home for a few days, when Paragon gets a call on her PDA.

Paragon is in the Workout Room with a holo-force punching bag geared up to her level to practice on. She drives her fist into it over and over again, straining the gym's systems as she grits her teeth in frustration. With one final slam of fist to bag, she sighs and holds her fist there. This isn't helping. None of it is. She hasn't taken the armor down in days, either. Just...walled herself up from the world.

A call alert sounds off in her helm. With a mental thought, the call picks up. "Paragon speaking," she intones hollowly.

Shoro calls. "I can't help, but I just saw Your friend leave SGG. He was flying north west."

Chen hasn't left Paragon's side since the fight and the loss of Porter and Himingleava except for essentials. She's tried to comfort Paragon but is almost despairing as Paragon keeps suited up and seemingly shuts out everything.

"What!?" Paragon almost growls in frustration. Her eyes narrow into thin lines of light. Northwest...that calling he felt. She has an idea where he's going. As for -why- on God's good earth he's being allowed to go when he was left in the care of others is beyond her. She lets out a heavy sigh. "Thank you, Shoro. Keep me posted if you find out more. And I would sincerely like to know how that's even possible." Her voice barely contains her anger, but she forces it down as best she can. Her hand, still extended against the punching bag, lowers. Her head pans to Chen with mechanical precision as she temporarily mutes her mic. "We need to go."

Shoro says through the com, "I do not know how he was allowed to go, but I can tell you he flew out ahead of 2 other SGG people, he lead them as they flew off."

Chen nods. No asking where, no questions. "Okay."

Paragon's microphone unmutes again so Shoro can here her. "Thank you again, Shoro. I appreciate the heads up. Is there anything else?" her mind is set on her duty again and her tone becomes more neutral. Business-like.

On the way up, Abigail says through her Starguard comm, "Please send a message to Paragon for me. Record for transmission now..... Paragon, Colonel Hearns here. My superiors have ordered me to allow Arion to leave under his own power. He started behaving oddly again, and they were worried that he might cause further damage to the facilities. I am following my orders, under protest. Quinn and I are escorting him.. wherever he is going..... end message. And send that to her please." she tells her comm person. Moments later, said message is sent to Paragon's voicemail and an alert to note that there is a message waiting dings in her ear.

Shoro says "Negative. I'll keep an eye out. Shoro out."

"Bye, Shoro." Paragon hangs up on the call as she turns her back on the punching bag. Another alert comes up and she listens to the message from Abigail. Paragon's eyes remain narrowed as she hears about Abigail's superiors. Just...following orders? Is that all it takes? Her arm swings back and out, slamming the punching bag hard. "This can't be happening," she says as her eyes dim. The failing is hers. She didn't foresee Abigail being forced to follow orders that would put their charge at risk. She heads for the gym exit at a brisk pace. "They let Arion leave," she says in clipped tones. "He's out in the open. I think he's heading to the clearing. We need to get there. FAST."

Chen nods, "Leap and run. My flight isn't fast and by the time we contacted someone with better movement we could be half way there. Let's go. Paragon, why on Earth did they let Aroin out. And without even consulting you?"

Chen tries to work with Paragon, timing her bursts of speed running with Paragon's leaps so they cover as much distance as possible, with Chen flying only when needed to clear a maze of streets that would add distance if not passed over at the crow flies.

Paragon releases a tired, weary sigh, then leaps off with Chen and answers her question. Her eyes are focused in the direction of the clearing. "They were following orders to let him out so he wouldn't damage their facilities," she says with disappointment clear across her mechanized voice. "Just...following orders. After all we've lost...that's all it took to risk throwing away what our...what our friends gave to protect him. When they weren't even the ones who made the pact with the elementals to do it." Her synthesized voice crackles a little as her voice breaks up, ridden with guilt and frustration.

Chen nods to Paragon. "They're sitting in an office making the decision. They haven't suffered. They have no commitment. What can you expect. You, me, the other heroes. We are the line that must not break."

Paragon's narrowed eyes ease up a bit. "We won't," she says with resolve.

The Finale: At the Clearing...

It is as it always is, well tended, the eye of the storm, Arion Flies in, he and his escort are visible at Chen and Paragon are approaching..

With the storm overhead, Abigail feels the urge to drift up above Arion. But he is an air elemental as well but... oh what the hell. What's the worst lightning can do... give her a jump start? She floats up and overhead to try to provide -some- measure of aerial cover for the guy, "You -sure- this is where you need to be kid?" she calls down.

Arion nods, "This is where I need to be." he floats down and touches the marker.

Chen hangs onto Paragon for the last leap into the clearing.

Quinn on the other hand assumes that the air elemental knows what he is doing relative to the storm, so he doesn't worry about the lightning striking Arion. Besides, he's not grounded so he doesn't even form a good path to ground. Unlike Abigail, however, his jets aren't the best for hovering so when Arion lands he drops down to the ground as well.

With one final leap, Paragon thuds down into the clearing heavily, spotting Arion and the others as she comes in for a landing. Her eyes flick to green and red as she looks around for any other signatures or signs of things that do not belong, rising to her feet with Chen clinging to her back. She doesn't flex her knees much in the landing, making it a jarring (but maybe fun) ride for Chen. Striding towards Arion, her voice finally softens. "Arion, what are you doing out here? It's not safe being out in the open. Ariel's still out there somewhere." There is another flash of light above, followed by a concussion through the air. It's not nearly bright enough to be lightning, though, and not loud or sharp enough to be thunder. There seems to be some precipitation nonetheless, as it's raining... men? women?

It looks to be a bit of both as an entwined pair fall from a few meters off the ground. They impact with a limp, wet, yet slightly crunchy sounding *THUMP*. He has his arms tightly around her waist, and she hers around his neck. There's a fair amount of skin showing. It's...electrified. Hot. Steamy. Smoking.

No, seriously. A fading, crackling aura of electricity dissipates from her metallic armor which still glows hot in spots. Superheated steam wafts from them, but not fast enough to make them instantly dry. Tendrils of smoke join the steam, most coming from his flash-charred clothing. Some comes from blackened flesh exposed where clothing was burnt away.

Neither appears to be moving, nor complain about the landing. They come to rest pretty much how they fell, with her sprawled half atop him. Now that they're not falling, they're both mostly recognizable as somewhat recent, hasty evacuees from the water realm.

Ariel is far more easily recognized, due to less charring. But she's a demi-goddess-elental-immortal-heir, after all. And him, he's just ...Porter?.

That Z-axis still gives him trouble, and gravity still hates him. On the other hand, he wasn't too picky other than 'not here, not now.' And he somehow succeeded in changing both, simultaneously. That they happen to arrive here and now is just ...yeah, that would be Porter.

"Ok, well, there's something you don't see every day," Quinn comments.

From above the cosmic disruption of time and space, the conversion of destiny and coincidence, and the total Porterism that happens creates an implosion of elemental energies..a cacophony of sound and light converge...

"If it was anyone other than Porter, I might say that this was surprising but... nothing that happens that he's involved with really surprises me anymore." says Abigail as she drops out of the sky between the woman she doesn't know, and Arion. "Do we have a medic on hand?" she asks as she gestures towards Porter.

Paragon's eyes flicker to white. They dim. Then they burn bright and wide in surprise as she can imagine her still heart would skip a beat at this moment, if it could or would. "Porter!" she exclaims in shock and dismay at his condition. Then a bright flash leaves her completely blinded, causing the lights in her helm to shrink to pinpoints.

The energy washes over Abigail, and she absorbs it all... but the problem is, there is so much that it feeds back into her body and the feedback release overloads her ability to deal with the stuff. She shakes her head, unaccustomed to being blinded and deafened.

"Ah, crap," Quinn says as he spies the sudden blips that have appeared on his radar. Of course no one can hear him say that. He can't even hear it himself. Jets roar and he takes back into the air, moving to position himself between Arion and everyone else and the blips that have suddenly appeared.

Chen reaches out blinding with an extending arm for where Ariel and Porter landed. If she can feel either she'll grow a third arm to stretch out and gently lift Porter away from the elemental and draw him back. Then she'll englobe both Porter and Paragon in herself and armor her skin as much as she can to protect them.

Chen so wants to grow another arm and unleash a hammer blow on Ariel. But she needs her body mass to englobe and protect her friend... and more than friend, her 'big sister.'.

As visions clear there are phantoms fighting, continued explosions and flashes of flames, sparking as phantom fireballs streak above heads, and crash into phantom bodies showering the clearing with fiery ash, lances of pure light blaze across striking the same form, and 7 phantom figures fight in a strange battle both here and not here. 6 target one, but the one still stands, despite the odds.

Porter isn't too hard to tell from Ariel. He's the less metallic and more crispy-feeling one.

On the ground, Ariel steams and lays sprawled out on the grass, hurt, perhaps dead..

Chen unglobes from Paragon when she can see and hear, assuming that Paragon has recovered likewise. She still englobes Porter though. If he isn't dead yet she'll not let anything else have a shot at him.

Arion rubs his eyes, and holds his ears, but as his vision returns he looks above, "Gods!" he exclaims, "The gods battle!"

Quinn balances on a column of actinic blue flame between the seven giants and the group. As his visual sensors finally come back on line and his ears begin to clear he calls out, "Can anyone tell me what it is that I'm seeing here?" The marker begins to glow a brighter hue, the iridescence growing...

Oh, her eyes are clearing up. Abigail shakes her head and stares at the battling giants. Uh.. "That's not normal." she remarks simply as she moves into a defensive stance near Arion.

Paragon blinks as her vision starts to return. But she could smell the burnt flesh and feel something close while she was globed, and it made her heart sink. And suddenly, she's free again, catching a small glimpse of Porter before Chen wraps him up again. The fingers on her right hand twitch. Her eyes dim to half luminosity. She doesn't really register the battle going on. "Keep...keep him safe, Chen," she asks. No. Begs. She gazes up over head at the fighting. That high in the sky, she may be able to do nothing.

Chen calls out as she's currently fully engaged in protecting Porter, "Hey, guys. Can someone get around to battering Ariel into the ground *before* she wakes up and kills us all?"

Ariel begins to stir, it is not much, but fingers start to twitch slowly....

Chen says softly and confidently to Paragon, "I will, Sis. I'll protect him with my life."

"Okay, I recognize Porter.. barely. Anyone know who -she- is?" Abigail asks as she strides closer to Ariel, but she remains closer to Arion than to Ariel...

Paragon frowns as she juggles priorities. "Somebody else, make sure SHE doesn't get back up," she casts a pointed finger towards Ariel. Then Paragon turns to Chen. Turns her back on the battle and her duty. "Chen, let me...let me see him. He needs medical attention."

Chen switches to a voice stolen from a war film, General Patton's command voice, "Take him down hard, marine. Do it now!" she barks at Abigail. Reflex should do the rest she hopes.

The Chaos that continues to ensue in your midst, rises as more and more power is used to defeat the one male phantom that defends himself from all other attacks, The lone defender seems to summon some kind of wave of force which strikes one of the female figures...as it does, the figure becomes solid, and falls from the sky to land in a kneeling position, on one knee and one fist, her green flesh bruised and cut in many places, she looks around, stunned, then coming to her senses, "Earth?" she says, "What is the meaning of this?" she says suddenly as she looks back at the fight. She seems to gather power and jumps to rejoin...but..nothing. She tries again, and nothing again, "What is this!?" she says in frustration.

The iridescence grows, becoming more solid, a figure begins to grow from the strange stone marker.

As the command voice barks out, Abigail releases a pulse of plasma towards Ariel. It's a golden plasma blast that isn't all that powerful compared to what's going on up above, but.. it's there." Okay, why did I shoot her?" she asks.


 * FWUMP* *FWUMP* FWUMP* *FWUMP* *FWUMP* *FWUMP* The 6 remaining phantoms take physical form and fall from the sky as well, all of them disoriented, seemingly dazed and unsure of where they are...First it was Gaia, then quickly the rest, Pele, Thrym, Apollo, Persephone, Garuda, and Neptune..

"She's the one trying to kill Arion. She hurt Porter. She's deadly. What else do you need to know except to keep her -down-?" Paragon snaps as she repeats her order to make sure Ariel doesn't get up, her emotions running high.

Chen chuckles at the success of her ploy. Then answers Abigail in her normal voice, "Because she's a killer who beat a half dozen of us and will kill more if she's allowed to recover. Good enough reason?"

The pulse of plasma burns Ariel even more, her vibrant hair burns away, somehow the hairless, charred look of her makes her look more human, more like a child...especially now that she is not angry...

Quinn isn't planning on shooting anyone just yet. He's still trying to figure out what's going on with the people dropping out of the sky. He's not sure who is fighting who and why and so at the moment he decides that instigating more violence probably isn't in anyone's best interest.

Arion begins to glow a bright golden glow, his eyes flash with anger, and his fists turn into molten lava, he seems to be building power...

Paragon kneels down and examines Porter carefully as Chen allows her access. "Please, keep us shielded, Chen," she says softly as she looks over Porter. Her helm retracts and flicks back so she can get a better look, worry written across her face. The plating armor around her hands retracts as well as she goes to work trying to stabilize Porter and tend to his wounds. "I'm...I'm sorry, Porter...please be okay..." she murmurs. "Please..." she begs as she tries to do her best in combat conditions. But she remains focused on her task, trusting in her friends to handle the rest for now.

The Gods begin to come to their senses, Apollo is the first to recover, he postures as if he is throwing a javalin, but there is nothing in his hand, and like a greek athlete of old he goes through the motion of throwing something at Neptune...but nothing comes from his hands.

The Iridescence of the stone grows more, in its corner of the clearing.

One by one the gods begin to realize they are powerless, anger suffuses their body language and Pele, the angriest of the all rushes at Neptune with bare hands, to try to tear him apart.

A little luck never hurt anybody. But a lot can kill you. Fortunately for Porter, it's not in a killing mood. Paragon's work is enough to patch him up enough so that nothing else oozes, drips, or falls out, at least. It also rouses him, slightly. With a quiet groan. He can't really see, but he did hear a familiar voice. "Safe. Now. Citizen?" Porter manages to rasp out before he quiets again. Still breathing, though.

"Anyone know what is up with the electric rock?" Quinn asks, nodding toward the iridescent stone, "and anyone know why it doesn't seem to be affecting Arion?"

Jennifer nudges Matthew as they approach the clearing. . o O(This is crazy. I should be dragging Matthew away as fast as we can run.) she is thinking as the compulsion to advance overwhelms her. "Armor up, Son. We have company." she tells him, and activates her own force armor. Reaching into a pocket she takes out her energy whip. Then, side by side, hand in hand, Matthew and Jennifer step past the last line of trees and enter the clearing.

The Fire Goddess and the King of the Sea have ever been at odds, Neptune flinches, and tries to erect a water barrier, out of reflex, and does. Pele is stopped cold, and bounces off the barrier. Neptune realizes he still has his power..and begins to laugh with power ridden malevolence.

Iridescence of stone.. Abigail narrows her eyes and raises a brow. "Okay. I should be able to absorb whatever..." she steps over towards Arion to basically be a human shield should the need arise. "Guys, I think the enemy general needs to be a target." she remarks.

Regent nods, "Do you feel it Mother?" he asks, turning on the force armor. In his hand a retractable blade comes forth...

Jennifer nods to Matthew. "Yes. Are you ready?"

Arion's body begins to Arch backwards as power continues to build within him, a low moan escapes him which begins to build into a scream...

Paragon lets out a choked sob as Porter speaks. As safely as she can, she pulls him into an embrace and cries. "I'm safe. We're safe....you did it, Hero," she says softly. As he quiets again, she lightly presses her forehead against his. He's...alive. It's more than she could've hoped for. She gently eases him to the ground again. "Now let us handle the rest," she says tenderly, a few tears trickling down her cheeks. Her helm snaps up and encases her head again as she rises up and takes a step back. Her voice intones heroically once again. "Keep him safe, Chen. Whatever happens." She finally turns to see where the battle is at.

Regent nods, "Yes...combat ready..." he says releasing his mother's hand...

"Who the Hell is their General?" Quinn asks Abigail. "For that matter who is the enemy? They all seem intent on braining each other.

Chen englobes Porter again when Paragon finishes giving paramedics to him.

Neptune raises his hands above him, "So many eons you looked down upon me, Refused me from your circle of power! Then the Regent bid you to find me respite, I shall have my revenge!" a gigantic ball of water, easily large enough to envelope the entire clearing forms over Neptune's head "I shall destroy you all..." he gloats looking down on the gathering in the clearing, first he see's Arion, "the Last Heir! My daughter shall have her birthright!"

"I'd say that about sums it up. He's the enemy general, as indicated." says Abigail as she holds her defensive posture near Arion....

Jennifer speaks as she steps into the clearing and takes in the scene before her. She isn't shouting but her voice is loud enough to be heard by all, mortals and gods alike. "You shame the Regent's memory with this strife. Neptune, you were a friend to the Regent. He saved your realm from destruction. And now you are killing his soul-children?" Then she turns to Matt, her Matt. "Matt, my love, I have brought your son to meet you."

The iridescence begins to coalesce into a form, the colors begin to bleed into each other, giving birth into the figure of a man in resplendent robes. He seems to be in his mid fourties, not 400, with dark hair, arched eyebrows, high cheekbones, and gray eyes. Matthew, Arion, and Ariel could be siblings..and in a sense they are.

Regent

Physically, Matthew Regent is a very handsome young man in his mid teens. He wears clothes that match his age: a pair of cargo linen pants, a V-neck t-shirt that tapers and hugs his torso before being tucked in, a simple brown belt and brown leather shoes.

He stands at a height of 6'0", with a golden tan, and brown hair with natural blonde highlights. His looks seem Eurasian but with arched eyebrows, gray eyes, and high cheekbones. His looks are very exotic.

He seems to walk with a confidence that belies his age, and there is a certain feline grace to all of his movements.

This is Matthew Regent. His father gave him power, his mother made him dangerous. Who or what he will become is yet to be understood.

Arion

A young man, perhaps in his late teens. He is considered, by human standards to be very handsome in an exotic way. Arched eyebrows, and oval asian gray eyes that are penetrating look upon his surroundings with a sense of keen observation. His Hair is dark, and hangs to his shoulders, in natural waves. His body is lithe, but powerfully built, he wears leggings of blue, and a matching sky blue tunic. At his waist is a leather belt, which holds a holstered baton like item. It looks to be made of some kind of metallic composite material, both seeming to have metallic and stone like properties.

Ariel

A beautiful woman, looks to be in her late teens, or perhaps early 20s. She is an immortal, so she is likely much older than that, Her dark hair floats around her head as if she is in water, but is long, perhaps to the middle of her back if it ever actually fell there. Her features are fine, with high arching brows, and high cheekbones, gray eyes, and and a long slim neck lead to a lithe body, covered in a golden scaled armor that follows her form, somehow making her seem more feminine than less. Her legs are long, and are in the same scaled armor, but to some, she might seem to be considered fair of ankle. (2d6striking appearance exotically beautiful.)

"Ok, so I think we can put him in the bad guy column," Quinn says. He points a fist at Neptune, the disk emitter on the back of his hand glowing brightly for a moment before he unleashes a force bolt in the hopes of knocking the angry god off his feet before he can unleash the giant ball of water.

The emitter whines loudly for a moment before the blue bolt flies free, roaring across the intervening space and striking the God squarely in the chest. However it seems to have no effect whatsoever on him.

Neptune's laughter continues as the bolt strikes him square, he looks across the space and in that time many things happen...

The Regent, Matt Regent I, looks around and says simply, "NO."

Arion's body shudders, the power that was growing begins to subside..

Neptune see's Ariel, and a look of shock crosses his face...

Matthew Regent II says, "Mother...is that him?" softly

A strange silence falls upon the clearing, and the large ball of water that Neptune has created loses cohesion, and falls upon the clearing soaking everyone there, except for Mathew Regent I.

Jennifer nods, "Yes, Matthew, yes it is. Go meet your father."

The water splashes harmlessly off of Matt and his mother's force armors, "Are you certain?" he asks hesitantly..

Paragon composes an instantaneous text message to Shoro from her in her HUD. <> The message is sent, and Paragon looks to Chen. Her voice is calm and determined. "Please, get Porter out of here and to the CBSU hospital, Chen. As fast as you can. I'll try to have my friend Shoro there to help heal Porter." She looks to the gathering as water rains down on them.

Jennifer takes Matthew's hand and walks with him across the space to Regent I. "Yes, Matthew. I am certain."

Well, that didn't go as planned, but at least there's no tidal waves trying to drown everyone, so Quinn is satisfied. Fortunately for him his armor is waterproof so the inundation is nothing more than an inconvenience.

Chen bobs up and down, "It's done." she tells Paragon and speeds away taking Porter to the hospital.

"Well, that's annoying." remarks Abigail as she basically plasma steams the water off of her... "Seriously, that's it? Rain?" she mutters.

A message is almost as quickly received to Paragon. "I am on the way."

The Regent smiles at his son but says to Jennifer, "Not yet..." and then float turns to the Gods.

"Did I die so you may wage war with each other again?" he says to them and seems to inhale deeply.

As he does, motes of light are drawn from them, one color in correspondence with each godly being. Green, Icy Blue, Angry Red, Gold, Blackness, and and a Gray Swirling mote float towards the Regent.

Neptune sees Ariel, his thoughts of power forgotten as he launches himself at Ariel, and lands with an earth shaking crash beside her, He takes her in his arms, and begins to sob.

The Regent turns towards Arion and says, "I free you." and from Arion 5 motes of light are drawn from him, but the golden mote floats towards Paragon.

Turning to Ariel, he simply has a sad look on his face, and he takes another deep inhale, and the motes are drawn from her as well, but the golden mote floats towards Paragon as well.

The two small motes of golden light come together and form a beacon of light that is difficult to look upon and they pass through Paragon's armor and Chest.

"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?" asks Abby as she strides towards Neptune in his crash landing. The motes of golden light give her that... jump in the way and absorb.. reflex again, it's what she does. It's her style.. But, it's not coming from an enemy... so... "Paragon. What is this?" she asks.

The motes enter Paragon and she is brought to the golden fields of grain, the same place Arania died, but she is not dead, or at least she doesn't seem to be. She sits across from you in the field, "I know you are saddened. I know we hurt when we died. But do you see, we did not die, we do not live as we once did, but we did not die. We are sorry, sorry we hurt you so much. You are so much good. When we shared you, we learned much about you. We need you to carry on for us." She smiles, "We love you, and we need you to remember us as we were. Alive, and happy. We want that for you too." they say they reach up and hold you for many moments, "Thank you," they whisper in her ear, "For being our hero." The image fades...

The motes seem to pass through Paragon in the span of a heartbeat, and float towards The Regent.

Regent watches this and says softly, "Mother..?" being about all he can muster right now.

Jennifer has absolute faith and trust in Regent, but this is a new side to him. She loved him at the beginning of his life. This Regent had another four hundred years in which to grow in strength and power after that.

Jennifer says, "Trust your father and yourself, Matthew."

Paragon inhales sharply as the light passes through her. Even though they only pass for a heartbeat, Paragon stays still for several moments afterwards as she's frozen in place. And then she exhales slowly. Her eyes blinking off and on a few times.

As the motes of light escape from the Gods, they all fall to one knee, as they leave the two soul heirs, something extraordinary happens, Arion transforms into a giant flying serpent, resplendent in iridescent colored wings, Ariel transforms into a young mermaid. Apparently it was the legacy of the Regent that formed them, changed them from what they should have been, to what they were. Absent of his soul fragment, they have become what they always should have been...

The Regent says softly, "Old Friend..I call upon thee, a final favor."

A ripple in space, like a stone thrown into a pond seems occur in the ether, and a face known to some in the clearing forms from the ripples, "Regent..so the rumor is true, you did have your magnificent death.", I is Aegir, Old man of the Sea.

The Regent smiles, "Indeed old friend..." he motions towards Neptune. "Neptune has crimes to pay for...although I think he paid a dear price today already. Can you bring him to justice?"

Aegir nods, "I can...would you seek his punishment?"

The Regent shakes his head, "Not for me, but I shall leave that in the hands of you and yours."

Aegir nods once more, "I shall take care of this matter Regent." he says then chuckles, "I always told you a good death was worth more than a good life." the water ripples, and the 3 denizens of the plane of water seem to sink out of existence.

"Well, that was anticlimactic." mutters Abigail as she just.. stands there, not accustomed to being nothing but a witness when it comes to military style action. She -hates- being a bystander. It's not her..

The Regent begins to gather the motes, like fragile precious gems he plucks them one by one, and puts them in his palm, fusing them together, as he does, they form an iridescent gem, the same iridescence that has been imbued in the stone. "Come forward my son.." he says to Matthew.

Jennifer smiles and gives Matthew a gently shove in his back, "That's your cue." she tells him.

Regent stumbles forward, and gives his mother a dirty look, before gulping and looking upon his father. In the background the Gods seem to collect themselves standing up, regaining their godly powers. "Yes Father?" he says, having heard many stories about this man, but never knowing who he was.

The Regent smiles at him, "You have much of your Mother in you. That is good." he says softly, "This is my legacy to you." he says putting the gem in Matt's hand. "It is all I have left." he looks over Matt's head to Jennifer, "You have raised our son well."

The Regent looks then to Paragon, his spirit still tied to the marker, "Witness, you, the other witness, and your friends are heroes of many realms this day. Ever has it been that the power of men has been tethered to the folly of the gods." Turning to the Lords of the Realms, "My friends...why did it come to this?"

Jennifer smiles and nods to the Regent.

Paragon turns her faceplate to regard Jennifer at the news of this boy her son. Her eyes dim slightly. "All those children at risk...while you hid this from us? While...my -friends- put their lives on the line while in the dark?" she says in a low voice. Her anger is gone. There's only disappointment.

Regent grips the jewel in his hand, Yes, this is his father, yes, his mother has spoken about him like he was some kind of great man, but the pain she's been put through, the reasons for his hidden birth, and raising, and the deaths of those associated with his name are too much, "Why did it come to this??" he says with angry tones, "It came to this because you did not love my mother enough to marry her, to take her with you, to be a real father! You created this, you and your soul children. Your legacy!" he grips it with more strength, "It came to this because of you!"

The Lords of the realms remain silent, there is truth to this statement, but moreso there is simple destiny, they have seen it before, and all are pawns in the greater symphony that no one can hear, but still dance to without thought.

Jennifer steps closer so she can converse with Paragon quietly, "Those events had happened before I became pregnant, Paragon. I could not change them. Not without the undoing of this world's timeline. I traveled in time to bring a grown son of the Regent here to this place this day. To be the heir and remove the cause for the Lords and Ladies of the Elemental Realms to contest against each other. I've spent seventeen years cut off from half of me. Cut off from contact with my daughters. Do not condemn me, Paragon. I have given much so this moment can occur."

"Looks like even gods can be blinded by ambition and basic pettiness." remarks Abigail as she moves towards Paragon. "I don't know if this worked out for the best, or if the worst is yet to come. You did good work here today though and kept your friends safe. I'm sorry that I was essentially useless as a combatant and as a guard for your friend." She takes a deep breath, sighing softly. "But, I wonder, is this over, or only just begun?"

"You gambled," Paragon states quietly, none too happy. Then she looks on to the younger Regent. "And you got lucky," her voice softens. "You spent seventeen years with a son that you raised and loved. My friends were hurt. I watched children die. Himinglaeva is comatose and we don't know if she'll recover. Chen suffered pain for this. And someone...very dear to me almost died to protect us due to Regent's legacy." Her right hand curls into a fist momentarily before relaxing. "A simple word would have been appreciated. Your secret would've been safe."

The Regent hears Jennifer's story and seems visibly shaken, by the words of his love and the words of his son, "You speak the truth son." he says solemnly. "...Let my soul be one..." he then says in a strangely formal tone. He takes a deep breath, as he Gods say, "Long Live the Regent." in unison. The Gem flies from Matthew's hand and breaks into the individual motes, as they join with his essence, swirling and growing, but as they do, the form of the Regent slowly dissolves, until it is an amorphous mix of energies, "Long live the Regent." the iridescent swirl of colors say hollowly before they dive into Matthew Regent.

Regent is blown off his feet, landing hard on his back, holding his chest as if he were just punched there by someone of Paragon's strength.

"Sounds like the sort of scenario that could only be dreamed up by a desk jockey." mutters Abby. "Any field officer wouldn't have dreamt of trying anything so complicated." She folds her arms over her upper abdomen and just.. glares at folks.

Paragon looks to Abigail. "Thanks. It's been a long road. I can't really say that I've done a good job. But I maintained," she responds solemnly. However the legacy is resolved, Paragon did come away with something she wanted, which soothes her earlier anger. She replies softly, "Apology accepted. And I have a feeling this is only the beginning." Her head suddenly snaps to Regent as he's knocked off his feet.

Jennifer looks at Paragon, and a touch of the steel that lies at the core of her surfaces. "Yes, I put the continued existence of this world above comforting you. Telling anyone I didn't absolutely need to was an added security risk. I'm sorry for your loss, for the pain you and your friends endured. If I could have prevented it I would have done. I know about pain and loss. I've fought in my own wars and lost friends and more than friends. This was the earliest day I could return. Nothing I did would have, could have, prevented what happened."

Regent struggles on the ground still holding his chest. Gritting his teeth, he grunts out a garbled, "..G..get..out..this..is..no...not my legacy."

Paragon's head pans back to Jennifer and regards her cooly, as only her helm and those cold white lights can. There's a full menu of responses Paragon could make. None of them would keep the peace. So she holds her tongue and her opinions and pans her head back to the fallen Matthew. "I'm sorry for your losses," she says apologetically, speaking nothing else of her own. She starts to take steps towards the fallen boy.

Raising a brow, Abigail remarks, "Oh, so he doesn't -want- this. Anything we can do to prevent it then if it's not his choice?"

Jennifer reaches out an arm to Paragon. "No. I've trained him for this day. This is his fight to win or lose. Don't interfere." she tells the armored heroine.

Paragon stops and looks back at Jennifer. "So -now- you tell me to stand back and do nothing?" she intones neutrally. "He's still a boy. However much you've trained him. Prepared him. He's a kid. He shouldn't have to do this alone. No one should."

Jennifer says, "He has to. There is no other way. Part of the legacy of the Regent is... it's hard to explain.... Matthew has to control that part of the legacy that would cause him to be possessed, taken over, by the Lords and Ladies, when he uses his abilities. It was that which turned the man I loved into someone alien to me. Matthew knows what he has to do. Father and I have trained him well. He can do it."

Paragon lets out a soft sigh and looks back at the struggling Matthew. But she stands still and waits.

As in days of old, Matt begins to float...he has never been able to fly...and glow...like his father. his body stiffens and his arms shoot out akimbo. Between gritted teeth, he says with a growl, "your powers..errgh...they come with a price.." and power begins to wash off of Matt in palpable waves. He floats into a standing position, as if fighting an invisible fight, he seems to spend his whole strength, fighting against bonds that hold him, "I will not.." his voice becoming more commanding, "be...a Slave to your legacy." the waves of power are know seen..the form bonds that seem to encase his body, he struggles against the bonds both mentally and physically, the harder her fights the stronger the bonds grow...then suddenly, Matt seems to come to a realization...."I am me." he says with clarity..."And you are me." his eyes flash with power as the constricting bonds stretch, then break as he physically flexes to break the bonds.

Having seen soldiers do something that they just NEED to do, Abigail may be less inclined to interfere than others, but... it seems that the kid doesn't even WANT to be doing this, which is why only thing that kept her ready to do something entirely stupid. "So.. these gods, they are trying to control him? Or is he trying to control them? Because... if he's above them then... this whole hierarchy thing is... kinda going up in smoke."

The palpable waves of power swell suddenly then implode into Matthew, but instead of being crushed by its energies, it seems to fill him, up, course through him until he absorbs it all. He is sweating heavily when it subsides, and he floats to the ground, without the strength even to stand. He eventually ends up on hands and knees breathing hard, sweat dripping off of him.

Jennifer dashes over and drops to her knees to hug Matthew. She has no words but her face is filled with relief.

"It is done." Says Gaia. The other Lords of the realms nod. "The bonds exist, but changed. Our time here is over." They look to each other, and one by one, they disappear, all but Garuda.

Paragon observes quietly as Jennifer rushes to her son. And with the announcement from Gaia, it seems her duty is at last done. She half turns and looks back towards the city, her eyes searching out and settling in the direction of the hospital.

Arion flexes his new wings and flies over to Garuda. "My Father..what is his fate?"

"It is in the hands of the Tribunal. The soul hired to be destroyed no longer exists..not as it was contracted for, your father is released from his fate with the Shadow assassins, but he is still guilty of the crimes pledged against him."

Arion nods, "I understand My lord."

Garuda nods in return..."A moment Arion, before we leave.." he says as he walks over to Matthew.

"Paragon, it seems that you are focused elsewhere. Shall we get you -there-?" Abigail asks. "I'm pretty fast in the air and a bit stronger than I look." she says with a smirk.

"Regent," he says then corrects himself, "Matthew, many died in your name, in the name of the Legacy. Never forget that." he places a gentle hand on Matthew's shoulder, "But you still have friends amongst the gods." he says, and spreads his wings. "Come Arion! let us away."

Arion looks at Garuda and says, "One moment my lord." he flies over to Paragon, "I want to thank you. You are very noble and good. I will strive to live in your honor."

Paragon turns to look at Abigail, about to answer when Arion comes to her. She looks to him and nods once approvingly. "You're welcome, Arion. I hope for the best for your father. And I'm sure you will do good things. Just live your life honorably and be happy. That's all I ask."

She's a bit confused, a bit frustrated, so Abigail just kinda stands there silently. Her involvement here was guarding the kid who doesn't need guarding, and she even wasn't able to do that properly. At least she can get Paragon to the hospital. "Take your time, but when you're ready... we can go."

Jennifer stands and looks around. Then she goes over to the stone and kneels again, laying her hand on the stone. "Goodbye, my love." she says softly with tears running down her cheeks.

Arion bows his serpentine head "Honor and Happiness to you too Paragon." he spreads his wings and wraps them around her, "Honor and Happiness to you too." he releases her and flies backwards, "Let us go Lord Garuda!" he says flying at speed then arcing up to the sky to disappear in a green flash with Garuda.

Paragon's eyes dim slightly at Arion's last words to her. She raises a hand in farewell as Arion flies off to join Garuda. As her hand lowers, she lets out a slow, relieved sigh and stands there for a moment to let the events sink in. "Is it over at last?" she asks mostly to herself.

Regent gets slowly to his feet. He is filled with new power and old knowledge. The elements are his to command, he knows that now. The past 400 years of learning are not all his yet to command, but he will, one day.

"You are the one they called the Witness...one of them at least." he says as he walks up to Paragon. "I can feel some things, some memories, Arage is here.." his hand becomes consumed by fire, and he smiles. "I do not know exactly what you went though, but thank you. I am sorry, very sorry for your losses."

Jennifer stands and turns to Matthew. She stays quiet as he speaks to Paragon.

Paragon's glowing eyes settle on Regent. She's surprised he doesn't even know her name. "I don't think I'm a Witness anymore. The name's Paragon." She pauses for a moment as he apologizes. She responds solemnly as she puts a hand on his shoulder, "You're welcome. And thank you. Just be sure to remember those who died so you could live. I expect great things from you. -Earn- this."

How many ways can one phrase 'waiting patiently'? Well, here's another! Abigail stands aside. It's not her group. She's really only got any sense of attachment to Paragon right now. Oh, she knows Jennifer too but not all that well. They're of... different generations almost. She respects her sure, just doesn't KNOW her. So she waits.

Regent nods, "I will try." at the end of the day, he is still a 16 year old kid, but he feels older now. Different. He says once more..."I will."

Jennifer glances at Abigail and smiles knowingly. Hurry up and wait. It's the military way. "Paragon, you have someone waiting at the hospital don't you?" she reminds the heroine. Then she looks at Matthew, "Matthew, do you want some time to yourself? Time to explore what you have gained? I'm going back to Undermoon. Come to me when you are ready."

Regent blinks surprised, "Um..you're going to leave me?" he says "Uh...where am I going to stay?"

Jennifer says, "At first in my room at the Gym, Matthew. I'll be back after I've caught up with Jessica and seen my daughters. Then we'll look for a home here."

Regent frowns, but nods.."Ok...uh..will I have to go to school?"

Paragon nods once and drops her hand from Matthew's shoulder, then looks back to Jennifer. "Yes. Someone important," she says with a soft smile behind her faceplate. She hadn't forgotten for even a moment. Paragon takes a few striding steps towards Abigail. "I think I'm ready to go. CBSU Hospital Burn Ward, please," she requests her destination and offers a salute to Abigail out of respect.

"I could recommend a great place, they give three meals, teach young men and women how to grow up and take responsibility. It's called Basic Training." offers Abigail with a bit of a grin. She holds a hand out towards Paragon then and smirks, "I think the Gym manager has been trying to get ahold of you for a while Jennifer. Something she muttered the other day about wanting to expand on the basement or some such."

Jennifer smiles, "That's Colonel Steel, not me. I just have a room there. The Colonel owns the Gym.

Regent winces when Abigail says basic training, "..not basic..again..." his face blanches..

And when Paragon says she's ready. Abigail nods, reaches a hand out to take one of hers, and begins glowing with her golden plasma field. "Then away we go." she remarks to Paragon as she starts what looks like running on the air. "Well, pass the message along, will you?!" she calls back to Jennifer before she just.. accelerates away, taking Paragon to the Burn Ward.

Jennifer grins, "Of course you'll be going to school. You don't know everything yet, Matt. You could continue at Lord Markham's but I think it's better if you transferred to Colonial Heights here. You need to be in an environment that isn't all metas."

Regent sighs, "Damn Mother..." he says and then looks like he's suddenly knows he's about to get a whooping for swearing in front of his mother..

Jennifer gives Matt the LOOK. "Do you want to re-word that, Matthew?"

Regent says, "Uh...Yes...I meant, I do not look forward to advanced Calculus again....Mother.." he drones out the last word.."

Jennifer laughs, "Just do your best. How I graduated from high school is a miracle known only to the Gods. I won't get onto you for your grades provided you are trying."

Jennifer says, "Anyway, fortunately you have your father's smarts, not mine."

Regent purses his lips, "Ok..well...fine. But, if I find anyone tries anything, I'm not going to hold back."

Jennifer turns serious, "You need to. Matthew, you have now and untested abilities. Until you are fully in control of them you have to hold back and be very very careful. I don't want to have to go to the JD centre to visit you.

Regent groans, "You know how I hate bullies Mom. I'm not going to stand for it. I don't care what happens."

Jennifer says, "I care. Are we going to find out whether I can still put you across my knees and apply some behavior correction. Or are you going to listen to your mother? Unless the bully is a meta they won't be able to harm you. I know you've been in Lord Markham's where everyone is a meta. That's not the case in the school you'll be going to. You can just stand there and let a bully bounce fists and kicks off you. Ideally in front of what passes as his friends. Humiliate him instead of hospitalizing him."

Jennifer thinks. o O (Gym workout sessions. Matt needs to learn how to use his abilities safely.)

Regent nods, "I mean I won't let any one bully anyone else. I'm not worried about me." he grins, "And I don't need any of Fathers gifts for most bullies, Lord Markhams gifts are enough for me."

Jennifer smiles, "That's my boy." she says happily.

Regent sighs, "You really are going to leave me here..."

Jennifer says, "Silly. What have I told you about the time rate difference on Undermoon? I'll be back on Earth before night. You don't need me to hold your hand."

Regent nods Sheepishly, "I know...and You're right, I forgot about the time difference, you still have 160 years for you to catch up with my...sisters." he says trying the words out. "I will do my best Mom.."

Regent sighs, "You better go..I need to try to figure out...me."

Jennifer gives Matt and hug and a kiss on his cheek. "Go fly. Enjoy yourself. Just be back at the Gym by sunset. Have you got enough credit on your card for something to eat?"

Regent searches his memories..and picks up a stray small stone..he looks at the rock for a few seconds and wrinkles his nose in concentration, and the stone turns into a diamond. "I don't think I will ever have to worry again.." and he gives the stone to his mother

Jennifer lifts an eyebrow or two at the gift. "Mmm... That's something you want to keep quiet about, Matt. Too many people could have ideas about using you for that."