Command Chambers - Skull Haven

Well if you've seen one command center, you've more than likely seen them all. This is the hub of Africa, the very brain center that runs the entire continent. Mass conspiracy to subvert the citizens? You betcha, it probably gets run right here. The room itself is filled with monitors and consoles and control panels, precisely what you'd expect in a command center. There are swivel chairs, leather chairs, padded chairs and stools. And desks, let's not forget the desks. Past the large holographic display showing Africa, sliding plexiglass doors lead out to the balcony, where the splendor of Robot Master controlled Africa may be witnessed.

Teleporter to H.O.B. <H> leads to Asteroid B - Corridor.
Balcony Door <S> leads to Tower Heights - Skull Haven.
Tube <T> leads to Upper Hall - Skull Haven.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Knight Man transmits, "<Not Knight Man, but a random Security Joe> Errm... if anyone's interested... Zeta CO Knight Man seems to be having a bit of an... episode in the Command Chambers of Skull Haven."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "Clarify?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Knight Man transmits, "<Joe again> Clarify? He's gone off his nut I think."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "Like, how, stupid?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Theta Squad CO Sword Man transmits, "Hnn...."

Sword Man arrives from the Upper Hall - Skull Haven.

Sword Man has arrived.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Knight Man transmits, "<Security Joe> Like shouting at no one and arguing with himself."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "Oh."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Theta Squad CO Sword Man transmits, "I shall examine the situation..."

Shadow Man arrives from the Upper Hall - Skull Haven.

Shadow Man has arrived.

Flash Man arrives from the Upper Hall - Skull Haven.

Flash Man has arrived.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man chuckles quietly.

Knight Man paces around the floor of the Command Chambers, muttering to himself. If he was shouting, he's stopped for the moment, but he doesn't stop muttering to himself. "Fool... utter simpleton... he can't changeth nothing now... why hast he bothered to emergeth now... bah..." Pace pace pace pace... he seems to have been walking in circles. Thankfully there's no sign of any destruction or damage having been done, so any episodes of lunacy he is experiencing are non-violent, it seems.

As Knight paces about, a hurried clomp of boots can be heard coming from the express tube to the lower area of the Haven. "Sir Knight?" Obviously, this would be the OTHER Medieval master, Sword. He's dealt with his brothers going insane...but he hopes unlike Tengu, he can actually do something about this one. Of course...at the moment, he just stands befuddled at Knight's behavior.

Flash Man enters, not really sure what to expect. As he looks on, he decides to see if Knight's responding at all to this particular reality by seeing how he reacts to Sword Man's entrance.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...Um... ...something up?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Dr. Wily transmits, "Whats going on now?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man sighs.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...I just got word... whats this about Knight?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "He secretly loves you."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "..."

Knight Man continues to pace around in a circle. Then Sword enters, though he doesn't regard him directly at first. "Beep beep... there it is again. Wilt thou leaveth me alone! ...oh wait... it wasn't thee, it was thou..." He gazes at Sword Man "I mistook you for someone else... very much alike thou art... yes..." He continues pacing, then for no reason, breaks out into laughter.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Theta Squad CO Sword Man transmits, "Sir Knight seems to be suffering from some sort of dementia, M'Lord, Lady Bonne."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "Go -fix- him, Tron."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Guts Man transmits, "Fix him pink!"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man is a bit acidic, "Isn't that what you -do-?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...Riiight... ...umm... ...Be right there."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Dr. Wily transmits, "Wonderful...."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Knight Man transmits, "<It's Knight Man this time, but he doesn't sound quite like himself> Yes, fix... fix fix.. just like last time, gwah ha ha... fix me right up and add to the hate! Because that's what this is all abouteth, right? That tis what it hast ALWAYS been about!"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "...hn!"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Guts Man transmits, "Hi pops! I'm playing mind games with the different factions of the world!"

Sword Man blinks as Knight regards him...but then goes back to his ranting and rambling. "Sir Knight...who are you referring to. There is no one else here aside from thyself and mineself..." Then Flash comes in. "And Sir Flash, as well." He turns to the time Master and shrugs, obviously confused. However, from the radio, it seems rather obvious at least part of it has something to do with Tron's 'changes' to him in the past.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...There are people there already, right? ...I don't like the sound of this..."

Dr. Wily arrives from the Upper Hall - Skull Haven.

Dr. Wily has arrived.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Knight Man transmits, "Hate... she doeseth one thing, and hate grows... I doeth something back, and hate grows more... yet all the while, I thoughteth that twas all it wouldst involve..."

Tron Bonne arrives from the Upper Hall - Skull Haven.

Tron Bonne has arrived.

Tengu Man sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Don't TELL me you just NOW figured this out."

Crash Man arrives from the Upper Hall - Skull Haven.

Crash Man has arrived.

Gemini Man arrives from the Upper Hall - Skull Haven.

Gemini Man has arrived.

Flash Man is simply looking on at Knight's 'nervous breakdown', staying clear of him. (Coo-r! He's gone stark raving MAD! I hope that doesn't happen to me,) he thinks, looking on keenly.

Knight Man stops his pacing abruptly, and gazes at Sword Man, chuckling darkly, almost unsettling. "Oh but there is... see... I thought he was gone, that cretin... banished to nothingness a year ago... yes..." He folds his arms and gazes up at the ceiling for no reason "Yes... over a month ago... that blasted cretin... I had to go and discovereth one last remenant of his presence..." HE starts laughing again "And telleth me brother Flash, thou who art so keen on time, telleth me why the past can not stayeth buried?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Pirate Princess Tron Bonne transmits, "...What... ...What are you talking about, Knight?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Guts Man transmits, "Who cares, it's just Knight Man."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "Iiiii know, but see, no one cares about MY opinion."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Guts Man transmits, "I care about your Rubber Nose!"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "But you don't care about my opinion."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Knight Man transmits, "Oh don't act so innocent... don't acteth so surprised... this tis all thine doing!"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "See! See! I knew it!"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Guts Man transmits, "Sure I do!"

Oh, yes. This DEFINITELY has Tron's fingerprints on it. Anyways, the blade Master simply hangs his head at Knight. "The past shall not stay buried because we are meant to learn from it, Sir Knight. If you are referring to what I believe you are referring to, then perhaps you are not meant to eradicate it, but evolve, adapt from it." He tilts his head, wondering if the Bonne Pirate Princess will get here soon.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "No, no. You just want to punch me in the face."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Red Leader! Crash Man transmits, "He got you there, Guts Man."

Who knows when the Pirate girl will arrive, but Dr. Wily has wasted no time in showing up. The Doctor strides through the doors, looking rather agitated. This hasn't been a good day and Wily isn't happy to have even more things going wrong. Casting a worried glance at Knight, he looks the ohters over then adddresses Knight. "Whats goin on, Knight?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Guts Man transmits, "Rubber Nose couldn't get me there if he had glue on his hands."

Flash Man hedges a bit. (Bloody hell, as if I want to answer any of his barmy questions,) he thinks. "The past works on its own schedule, lad." He's no philosopher, but he's at least trying.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "..."

The Grav-tube to the Command Chambers of the Skull Haven has seen quite a bit of business tonight... several Robot Masters having ascended... and so now does the one known as the Pirate Princess.

Gliding up into the Command Center, her face wary... her body tensed. Slowly she steps forward and into the Command Chamber as the lift tube stops... and slowly does 'She' stride out of the tube and into the Command Center propper... her emerald eyed gaze intent as she looks about the room, her gaze immediately falling on the group around Knight Man that includes Dr. Wily himself.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "I'm so glad I'm confused, because I get the feeling that if I knew what you meant, I'd be disgusted."

Into the room with ninja stealth skulks... a petakay! *Squip* *Squop* *Squip* *Squop* The drone literally hangs out on the cieling, turning its single eye to Knight Man with the most sarcastic blink you ever saw.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Guts Man transmits, "That you would be. Now come steal Greek treasures with me. I found 20 tons of this old mineral 'marble'."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "Uh, no."

Knight Man just shakes his head slowly, and looks at Sword Man "Ah, but you see... this twas something that was MEANT to be banished! And it twas... for awhile..... But it couldn't stayeth gone! It tis nothing but an intruder! Something that never should haveth come to pass! And something that shouldst not have survived... yet..." He shakes his head slowly. Then suddenly his voice changes, to the smarmy voice of his hated human disguise "...but the cat came back, so to speak, eh buckethead?" Knight gazes at Tron for a moment as she enters, then turns to Wily, his voice back to normal "Ahh, Milord! Mayhap thou couldst expel this foul demon from me... tis nothing more than an entity that needs to be expelled.... yes..." He chuckles "I could not do-eth it on mine own... foul thing..." His voice changes yet again "And thou wouldst really thinketh he'd choose to expel me? What if it tis I he chose to save and THOU he chose to expel?" He paces, growling in his original voice "Gr... don't acteth to smug... thou art a foriegn entity... thou don't belongeth here any more..." Yeah, this is going to get REAL confusing...

Tron just /blinks/ at what is going on in front of her eyes. She shakes her head slowly, staring at Knight... "...The voices..."

Tron just stares from the other side of the room, witnessing something she had put behind her take place all over ahead. The noble, strong voice. The angry, hateful voice. Tron just stares, clearly shocked at what is taking place in front of her.

Magic Man arrives from the Upper Hall - Skull Haven.

Magic Man has arrived.

Sword Man narrows his eyes at Knight, before completely closing them and rubbing the bridge of his nose. . o O (First Sir Tengu, now Sir Knight. Next thing, I'll likely be the one cursed with voices...) Anyways, he turns toward Tron, eyes open and stony at the moment. "Apparently, his dementia stems from thy tinkering. Perhaps you wouldst be the one to relieve him of this?"

Dr. Wily stares at Knight as well, then casts a sharp glance at Tron. "Tinkering?" The doctor crosses his arms over his chest, and peers back and forth betweeen Knight and the other Masters. "What is this thing that you think must be expelled?" Wily takes a few steps closer to Knight peering at the Master curiously.

Flash Man's eyes widen. (That lass is never, EVER messing with my head, not while I still function in this life,) he thinks with dread. (She probably gave him a bloody psychosis.) These thoughts linger in his head as he looks on silently, not interrupting.

Magic Man appears near the back of the chambers. Merely one moment he is there, and the next he is standing around along with the other Masters. It's difficult to tell whether he merely appeared out of thin air, or if he merely strolled in while nobody was looking. Arms crossed in a very relaxed manner, Magic Man leans against one of the walls as he watches the proceedings. He just arrived, so is a tad unsure of what the issue is. He has every intention of hanging around and finding out, however.

Knight Man just mumbles inconprehensibly for a few minutes, then regards Dr. Wily "That blasted... other... that cretin that came abouteth a year ago... whom I had banished, but now... shows it's ugly head once more..." He turns then to Sword Man "Tinkering? Oh, twas more than that, MUCH more, and thou dost knoweth it! Hast thou forgotten what happened?" <<They have all puteth it behind them, yet thou hasn't, which is why I twas able to resurface..>> comes Knight Man's other voice (Whom I'll be denoting in <<>> instead of quotes to avoid having to state whenever which one is speaking) <<Thou art the one who could not leteth go... thou heldeth on to hatred, so thou heldeth on to me...>> "Bah!! I hadeth no desire to retaineth any memory of thee! Thou'rt nothing more than a glitch! A side effect! An ERROR! Brought about by a fluke, and made worse because of her!!" He glares at Tron "Because this is all thine fault, thou know..." <<It is as much thine fault as hers, and thou dost knoweth that...>>

Tron blinks, taken back by the sharp glance from Dr. Wily. Tron raises a pink gloved hand, gently coughing into a pink gloved fist. Raising her eyes, she looks at Knight intently... sadness in them, "...I really don't think it was my... my... 'Tinkering' as you call it, Sword, that really did this. I never changed his personality when I made him Paladin Man."

Tron slowly walks forward, looking at Wily, "...Doctor... ...I haven't done anything... ...recently."

Tron then looks at Knight intently, and sighs, "...Maybe." Tron just /blinks/ at Knight then as he begins to ramble on once more, stepping back in shock for the briefest moment, each voice recognized as Knight seemingly speaks to himself. "...Knight... It'll be okay... ...We're here. Don't be afraid... ...It'll be all right... The Doctor is here..."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Hey, Doc."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man murmurs, "Stupid Sigma and his stupid dog..."

Dr. Wily listens intently to Tron, but his eyes are on Knight. "An error? The other is back?" He thinks back to past events and blinks suddenly. Oh...that. Wonderful. Wily glances back at Tron. "Recently? Well, that doesn't mean this is an effect of something recent." Back to Knight. "Just stay calm Knight, we'll take you back to my lab and we can figure out whats going on." Wily winces as Knight talks to himself.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Dr. Wily transmits, "Ahh, Gemini."

Magic Man raises a metallic eyebrow at Knight Man's apparent dementia, but that's the only hint of emotion he reveals. Although the magician has no clue what is happening to his fellow Robot Master, he emits a look of pure confidence and calm, as if this was all something to be expected. "Looks like someone requires a full mental overhaul," he murmers softly to himself so only he can hear. Unfolding his arms, Magic Man gives his staff a quick impressive twirl before setting it back down on the ground, as if using it for support. He offers a thin smile of support as Tron attempts to calm down the powerful warrior. The magician glances at Tron, trying to find any hint of guilt on he face that might betray whether she might be responsible for Knight's little situation.

Sword Man keeps his eyes on Tron, save a few glances out of the corner of his eye back to Knight. "Nay...not only that." Sword really has little recollection of the Paladin Man incident. "Remember the ordeal of the pendants, Lady Bonne?" The pendants are not something Sword particularly likes to remember, especially after what ended up following. However, it must be brought up.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Is there some particular reason we're being blamed for you know what that happened? We didn't have any part in it."

Knight Man wildly waves his mace in Tron's direction "Keepeth away from me! Don't thou dare try to covereth up thine mess with those crocodile tears! Twas more than just the rebuilding! Twas even more than the effects of the pendents! One moment thou acts like mine blood enemy, then next thou can pretendeth to be a dear friend, all for whatever needs dost suiteth thee!" <<And thou are not one to talk! Thou haveth no sense of honor of any sort! Thou art black, hollow and empty! Thou art fueled on nothing but hatred! Which is why thou dost REFUSE to even consider forgiving her! Neverending hatred for her helped fuel thine own desires, yet it also fueled me, since thou refused to leteth go of the past! But now I art here to puteth an end to that!!>> Knight Man sort of spins around in place, like he were going back and forth between an arguement "Oh art thou? Thou art here to puteth an end to mine hatred? And how pray tell?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "Is Knight finished yet?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Magic Man transmits, "He appears to be just getting started."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Guts Man transmits, "What's that idiot doing now?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Magic Man transmits, "Arguing with himself. Spinning around. Yelling at Tron. That sort of nonsense."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "Oh, come -on-."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Does Knight Man have multiple personalities now?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man mutters something completely unintelligible for various reasons.

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Flash Man transmits, "It seems to be the case."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "..."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Freak."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "Gemini."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "Just shut up!"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Magic Man transmits, "Well, he's keeping a running discussion with himself, so that could be it."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "I don't care what you're about to say, just shut up!"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Gamma CO Gemini Man transmits, "Doc. We think it's going around." "Yeah. About Sting then?"

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "Rrr..."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Dr. Wily transmits, "We'll discuss that privately."

Tron /snaps/ a glare at Sword as he speaks, her emerald eyes flashing, "...Do you think I could /forget/?! Of /course/ it is!" Tron is... touchy when it comes to that subject. Her face suddenly calms, an apologetic look coming to her features, "...Sorry, Sword... I didn't mean to snap." Tron then looks to Knight then...

And yes. There is guilt on her face now... terrible guilt... and also a great deal of sadness.

Tron Bonne, like it or not, /is/ responsible for what is going on here... ...though, the one who was responsible for /her/ actions... is totally up in the air.

And Tron can only stare in shocked horror at the wildly flailing Knight Man... stepping back from him even as Knight Man and... all she can think up a name for is... 'Paladin Man'... argue.

"...It... must be..."

Crocodile tears? No. Real tears are forming in Tron's eyes. Tears of sadness, grief, and guilt. Tron looks to Wily, speaking with no small amount of fear and worry in her voice, clearing seeking help from her Mentor, "Doctor?!"

Magic Man takes a deep mechanical breath as Knight Man continues to rant on. The breath isn't from sadness at his brother's plight, but merely from deciding for sure that, yes, Knight Man is completely psycho at this point and that tinkering around with his brain is the only way to solve this. As he idly relays the series of events to Tengu Man and Guts Man over the radio, Magic Man leans heavily on his wand. He ponders opening his mouth to say something to calm down the warrior, but decides there's nothing much to be said that Wily couldn't say better. If Knight will listen to anyone, it'll be the good Doctor. He gives Tron another look, since she seems to be one possible explanation for what's giving Knight Man these troubles. He notices the guilt on Tron's face - Magic is good at reading other people, but doesn't mention it. The magician has already formulated his own opinion of what's happened, whether right or wrong. Despite the tense situation, Magic Man calmly leans his staff against the wall and begins shuffling a pair of decks from hand to hand in an impressive manner as if merely looking for something to keep himself occupied with.

Dr. Wily receives a radio transmission.

Gemini Man steps into the room from the entrance tube...and...not saying anything, just yet, watches this display going on, with great and increasing interest. Oooo look, Twon is cwying.

Dr. Wily , for his part, is growing a bit irritated with the whole situation, not to mention worried. He raises his hands into the air and roars. "ENOUGH!" Pinning everyone down with his glare, he stalks to Knight and peers into the Master's optics, then whirls and looks at the others. "The only way we're going to figure any of this out is if everybody just calms down." He fixes Sword with a frown as well. "Now then Tron, what are they talking about?"

Flash Man isn't sure what's happened, but he knows that Tron is somehow responsible for it, and that makes him fairly uneasy. He makes his way over toward Magic Man quietly, trying to get a gander at his deck of cards. Catching a card trick, of course, is just a matter of good timing.

Dr. Wily sends a radio transmission.

Sword Man sighs. "It is of no matter now, Lady Bonne...let us focus on the matter at hand now..." He turns back to Knight, watching carefully at his growing discontent and his continued inner conflict.

Magic Man notices Flash approaching him. One of the more respectable Robot Masters, in Magic's humble opinion. With a snap, the deck of cards fly into his right hand, whereupon he closes his fist. Opening it again, the deck of cards has vanished. Keeping one optic on Knight Man and company, and the other on Flash, he leans over to whisper something. Alas, he gets interrupted by Wily's shout, which causes the magician to pause for a good five seconds of respect before continuing, "How long has this been going on?" he asks Flash Man discreetly.

Ahh yes, hatred. A powerful force indeed, something that fules many darker warriors. Knight Man would continue ranting, but is abruptly silenced at Wily's command, because let's face it, insane or not, Wilycode is Wilycode. As Wily demands an explanation, Knight tries to wrestle with 'Paladin Man' in order speak for two minutes without being interupted. "Milord..." He starts off "The explanation for this tis simple... yet tricky. One year ago, when the world twas throwneth into madness by the hunt for the various Pendents, as thou art well aware, mine own personality was briefly altered through some fluke altercation with HER." He glares at Tron for a moment <<Of courseth, twas a tad more than just a personality fluke, and yet, not quite as great. I remainedeth inherently mineself, just finally able to leteth go of hate. For the month I twas affected, hate twas nothing I experienced, thus it seemed to promoted a radical change in me...>> Knight Man growls "But that all ENDED! I became mineself again! I buried thee! And I basked in mine own hatred... yes. But I madeth one fatal mistake..." <<And that was not letting go. I continued to dwelleth on what had happened... and what had became of me during that scenario...>> "And then, when those blasted Stardroids returned AGAIN, and I twas sent to keepeth an eye on that girl..." <<Sensations of what happened began to flood back. And gradually...>> "I beganeth to hear his voice in mine head..."

Gemini Man claps his hands. It's not a sarcastic clap, either...it's the applause of a delighted child. "Wee! Knight Man's gone NUTS. Another one bites the dust!"

"Quite some time, apparently," Flash Man asides to Magic Man. "There's a lesson to be learned here: keep your wits about you."

Magic Man smiles thinly at the reply and nods, "Oh I agree with that." He eyes Knight Man once more, and nods as some semblence of an explanation finally starts to pour out. He hears Gemini Man, and is forced to agree. To Flash he whispers, "I think we'll both agree that a total brain-circuitry overhaul is required?"

Tron blinks, taken aback by the Doctor's roar for the briefest moment. Tron stares up at him with wide emerald eyes for a moment, then looks back to Knight, and pauses, listening to him as he explains. Tron sighs softly... and speaks her part.

"...When... I was possessed... I escaped from the Island as it was sinking. Knight Man was ordered to stop me and I... used the powers I had been given. The Spark Chaser /did/ something to him, ontop of everything else... altered his personality... ...as you all know. ...When I lost the power, before the final event... .../That/ Knight man left me a message. He was my friend, and my support through all of that. He really was a Knight during that time."

Tron sighs softly, "...When Old Knight Man returned, that other Knight was completely erased... I thought. I know that other knight erased the memory of leaving the message, so his 'Evil' self wouldn't destroy it before I saw it. It seems, when the Stardroids came back... As Knight has said..."

Tron shakes her head slowly, continuing on, "...Well... ...It seems... that... ...well. I made Knight Man into Paladin Man once... the only way I can describe him as he was... Paladin Man must be having a resurgence in his head."

Tron looks at Knight for a long moment, and gently she sighs, closing her eyes... opening the tear-filled emerald pools once more, "I'm sorry, Knight... I'm so sorry."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man transmits, "..."

[Radio: (A) RMBroadband] Peon Tengu Man can be heard facepalming loudly.

Flash Man nods sadly, speaking quietly with Magic Man. "Yeah, lad, that's what it's looking like." It's not a good thing when one of the Wily boys has to get mindwiped...at least, it's a procedure that's always bothered Flash. He can't imagine losing all of those perfectly-preserved memories, which are catolouged to the second. "It's just too bad."

Dr. Wily strokes his chin thoughtfully as Knight speaks, nodding every so often. He then turns to Tron and raises a brow in a simple, eloquent question. Wily's eyes narrow, then widen again, softening as the Doctor sees Tron's concern and obvious sorrow. Wily may be a madman and leader of a ruthless army. But he isn't beyond human compassion. Sighing deeply, he nods to both of them. "So, we're looking at multiple personalities. A 'good' and 'bad' on from the shounds of things. Knight, just what exactly do you think we should do about this?" As he awaits an answer, Wily casts his gaze about the room, pausing to glower at Gemini and a lingering look at Flash and Magic. No doubt Wily wonders what they're talking about.

Sword Man watches on between Knight's rant, and Tron's explaination and apology. Folding his arms, he levels his gaze back toward his fellow Medieval Master. "I still say there is reason for this sudden...resurgence of this 'Paladin Man' essence. Again, I say there must be something to be learned from it all. We must all learn from the past, no matter how...troubling it is..."

Magic Man watches Tron Bonne's emotional speech coldly, and hardly gives much of a response. Might as well be talking about what's for lunch. Still, this all has major impacts on Knight Man. As for the disturbing nature of being mind-wiped... Magic Man doesn't mind at all when it happens to other people. Just so long as he's kept out of the picture. "Indeed it is too bad," he asides to Flash Man, "But better that than allow a loose cannon to destroy what we've worked so hard for." As Wily looks in his and Flash's direction, Magic Man offers a slight bow out of respect. If Wily really wants to know, he need only ask. But the good Doctor probably has more important things on his mind right now.

Flash Man isn't trying to keep any secrets, either...he's only talking low so as not to disturb Tron, or disturb Knight Man any -more- than he's already disturbed. As Wily looks over, he gives a sad glance over at Knight. "Aye, that's the truth," he replies to Magic.

Knight Man pauses, sort of staring off into space. "I suggesteth, Milord..." <<That thou...>> "Deleteth..." "<<Him!!>>" That last word seemed to be spoke by both at once, a concept that is nevertheless somewhat unnerving to both Knight Men, he grabs at the forehead are of his helmet and mutters "Thou shalt be the one do be erased, not me!!" <<Thou art nothing but a fool and a hate-monger! Thou shalt never evolve beyond what thou art if thou dost continue to holdeth on to thine hate!!>> "Hatred tis part of who I am!! It is thou that do not belong! I was never MEANT to befriendeth anyone like that! It twas not my place! Maybe I don't /WANT/ to evolveth beyond just this! I art perfectly happy serving Lord Wily in mine current capacity!" <<Oh art thou? We enjoyed ourselves when we were freed from that hate, and we enjoyedeth friendship for the first time. That tis something that thine endless grasp onto hatred has denied thee! And thou art afraid to admiteth it, or accepteth it!>> Knight Man pauses... could it be that maybe the other has a point?

He is silent for a few moments... and then... laughter. Yes... laughter. But not happy fun laughter... no, it is the evil cackle, the evil chilling laugh which Knight Man has not used in quite some time. "No..... thou ART a fool!!" <<...what?>> "Hatred... tis part of who I am! Tis how I twas created, how I was born unto this world! And thou wouldst try to taketh that from me? Bwa ha ha ha ha!" <<...what art thou talking about?>> "Thou can no more changeth mine nature... than thou can stop night from coming! You beliefeth that thou has arisen to show me the way that lies when I abandon hate? No... I see it now..... thou hast arisen one last time.... so I can smiteth thee for good!!" Things just got a whole lot hairyer... Knight Man vs Paladin Man?

Flash Man says, "You can't be bloody serious, lad...that's mad, how can you fight your own self?"

Gemini Man shrugs. "We do it all the time."

Flash Man says, "Aye, but you've got separate -bodies-, at the very least."

Dr. Wily seems completely taken aback as he stares at Knight Man. "What madness is this Knight?" He takes several steps back from the Master and stares at him. "We need to get you to the lab and run diagnostics. Not watch you have some fight with your insanity." Wily's voice has taken on a pleading tone, he's practically begging Knight to calm down and comeback to the lab."

Magic Man watches Knight Man without revealing any sort of compassion for the poor Master's plight. More of a 'ah well, that's a shame'. Jerry Seinfeld would be proud of this reaction. A part of him idly wonders who would win. Knight Man or whoever it is that's speaking to him in his head. Seems like there's quite a war going on in there. Finally Magic Man stops leaning on his staff and takes a step forward, finally speaking up. "As amusing as it would be to watch yourself fight yourself, Knight Man, either way," he smiles and pauses. "You'll end up losing. Listen to Flash Man on this." He smirks at Gemini Man but doesn't reply. He nods at the Doctor's reply, apparently agreeing with it. "Go with the Doctor. He shall help you win against your little personal demon."

Tron slowly steps back, watching with shock in her eyes as she stares at Knight.

At the laugh... Tron steps back, moving half-behind the Doctor, staring at Knight Man with eyes filled with many mixed up emotions. Sadness. Guilt. Grief. Pain. Fear.

Tron closes her eyes, inhaling deeply at the words shared between Knight Man and Paladin Man, opening her eyes and standing half-behind Wily as she is.

There is nothing she can do now, even if she caused all this. There is nothing she is capable of doing to stop or hinder what is taking place. It is all her fault, and there is nothing she can do to help /EITHER/ Knight Man.

Sword Man raises his hand to his forehead, as things become infinitely more complicated. "That is not what I meant by mine words, Sir...." He then gives up. Knight is far gone at the moment, and more than likely, only Wily, Tron, or Knight himself will be able to will him out of this, either by speech, or more...authoritative means.

Guts Man arrives from the Upper Hall - Skull Haven.

Guts Man has arrived.

Guts Man walks in, dragging an old pirate style cannon behind him, "Hi gang!"

Knight Man is still laughing, as he dryly comments "Oh... I don't needeth help to defeateth this now... I see it now... I see that thou art nothing more than a shadow now! A shadow of the past I shalt verily thwart!" <<..h-hold, don't do-eth something stupid...>> Knight Man chuckles darkly once more "Stupid? Thou art the only fool here... a remanent... thou art nothing more than an error." <<Thou shalt never be anything more than what thou art! Thou shalt never be able to release thineself from thine hatred! Thou art...>> "I LIKETH what I am! Mine hatred fuels me, and it fuels Lord Wily's grand image! I am the dark knight under Lord Wily's service... I am his loyal knight... I am Knight Man!!" I am the terror that flaps in the night.. wait, wrong schtick... <<...thou shalt never be... anything more...>> "I art all I need to be... and..." He pauses "...I win." Though it seemed like he was merely talking to himself, in reality, Knight's neural net was under one heck of a struggle. Two things clashing that just shouldn't be clashing. A conflict in the code? In personality? Whatever errors that may exists in Knight Man's personality are up to Wily to flesh out, which he'll get the chance to do soon enough. Either from exhaustion, or total burn-out, Knight Man collapses on the spot. It's over.

Magic Man takes another glance in Tron's direction. Yep, that grief, remorse and sadness is all genuine. If not, then Magic Man is fooled by it. Still, more immediate concerns have to take priority, such as a ranting and raving Knight Man. As Sword Man trails off and essentially admits they can't do much here, Magic Man only silently agrees. Returning his attention to Knight Man, Magic Man watches carefully. "Now see here, Knight Man. Just go with the good Doctor and-" Magic Man pauses and watches Knight fall the ground. He smiles thinly and says, "That'll do nicely. Shall we drag him to the lab, Doctor?"

Gemini Man applauds at Knight Man again. This is a bit more sarcastic than the first time.

...That's just who they need. Guts Man. He'll save us!

Tron just stares at him. And the Cannon.

The Surreality Meter is going into overdrive.

Turning back, Tron stares at what takes place. The conflict between Shadow Knight and Paladin even more increasing the surreality of this moment... and as Knight collapses, Tron gasps, and rushes forward to his side as he falls with a gigantic clang!!!

"KNIGHT!!!!"

Skiding down on her knees, she kneels beside him, reaching out to Knight, gently reaching out and cradling his helmeted head to her. "...Oh Knight... ...I'm sorry... I'm so... Sorry..."

Dr. Wily watches Knight fearfully until the Master collapses. He goes to his knees by the fallen Master, then sighs after a moment. Knight is down and out, no doubt about it. Rising, Wily places a comforting hand on Tron's shoulder. It lingers for just a moment, and then the Doctor turns to the others. "Take him to my lab. Now." With that, he strides out of the room.

Magic Man glances towards Guts and the cannon, but doesn't ask. Chances are, Guts'll tell everyone all about it anyway. And if not, Magic probably doesn't want to know. As Tron rushes to Knight's side and cradles him, the magician tilts his head and takes a step back as if to give them room for whatever is decided. He starts leaning on his staff once again, gripping the crystal blue sphere-hilt tightly. He nods to Wily, but waits to see if anyone else'll drag him to the lab so he won't have to.

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<Text only report, from a drone in Wily's lab>

DWN-44, Knight Man will be offline for an undetermined amount of time, as Dr. Wily examines the errors that seem to have arisen in his neural net. He was brought to the lab yesterday evening, after a scene in the Command Chamber of Skull Haven where Knight Man seemed to be arguing with himself. The scene reached a head, and he collapsed. Upon initial examination, his neural net seems to have been under extreme stress for some time, and will need to be examined and reconfigured before he can function again. Whether or not his memories and personality subroutines will remain has yet to be seen, and won't be determined until after examinations by Dr. Wily.

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