The Mana Wars

[Maha1930]

Name: Vex Mitchell
Age: 21
Sex: Male
Orientation: Gay


Background:

Growing up in the slums of York city in the country of Averture, has taught the while seemingly arrogant Vex, the will to survive. After the incidents of A.D. 7075, Vex's parent's were killed, leaving him to fend for himself, an only child at the age of a mere Eight years old. Vex had to roam the streets from day to day, begging passerby's for food and money, which he often got little to none. It was hard enough to nourish his growling stomach, and parched lips from day to day relying solely on the kindness of strangers. But, Vex had other problems as well. Where was he to sleep? He answered this query himself by finding a small abandoned house near his town. There, he met something that would change his life...a fire hound. Fire hounds were dog creatures genetically engineered to be proficient in the fighting styles and use in the Mana Wars of 7072. The dogs, once brought unto the battle field ended up turning on the troops and killing their own. Scientists later analyzed the dogs had been infected with a genetically engineered virus, seeing as how the dogs were dangerous they were put down. All 800 that were commissioned. Well apparently 799, considering there was one that Vex found. This Fire hound however had waited out this disease. Turns out it only lasted the duration of about two cycles (or years) just enough so that the enemy could win the war. So, Vex's new companion was completely disease-free. Vex and the hound both being orphans, found each other comforting and bounded very quickly. He was the only one Vex could confide in as Vex hit puberty, with all his hormones running amuck Vex became extremely attracted to boys, which he thought was odd, considering most of the male population had girlfriends and wives. His only other friend he had acquired over the years, Li seemed to like boys too. They got along, seemingly well and grew to love each other. But, when the boys reached the age of 17 there was a new government established. It prohibited homosexual relationships and since, the boys didn't really care, the government found out about their relationship. So, one night while Vex was out shopping he came home to find Li, dead, lying in a pool of blood and Lucius (that's what he had come to call his Fire Hound) hurt, with a slash from a blade over his left eye. This left the two of them both scarred, so Vex, swearing revenge over Li's death vowed to train himself in the arts of swords and combat. So that when he was old enough, he could face up to the Empire and defeat them. By the age of 21 he was finally ready, and oddly enough, the New Emperor was paying a special visit to the upper part of York city. What Vex didn't anticipate, was the events that were about to unfold, that were to shape his life even more...

 

[Ashley_Winston]

Jessie grew up on a planet named Magistereum. Jessie is 20 years old and has been training in the art of swords since she was 8. When she turned 16 and needed her master the most to help her to advance to the next stage, a tragic plague started spreading over their planet and people were dying. The current Emperor thought the disease was caused by their sister planet Zamasterum, which resulted in the Mana Wars of 7072. Her master was of one to catch the plague and die. She had given up her training for a few years after persuading herself that she couldn't go any further. Seeing the power and destruction that her planet's empire wrought on their sister planet she knew what she had to do. She had to train even harder. She couldn't bare to see so much death on either planet. She had to stop the Empire, even if she couldn't bring it down, just to cripple it would be a feat alone. When Emperor Augustus the 3rd died in 7074, the newly crowned emperor was then to take charge the following year. He was even more vile and evil then all the past emperor's combined. Jessie, using her cunning skills got hold of a secret organization bent on destroying the empire. Jessie then stows away on his ship as he leaves the space dock. She hated to have to leave her home planet but she also knew that this plan was her only chance to go through with the assassination. Little did she know that on the planet the emperor was planning to conquer next there was a guy of 21 named Vex that was also planning to assassinate the emperor.




Name: Jessie
Sex:Female
Age: 20
Orientation: Straight  

[Maha1930]

The rain sprinkled Vex's soft cheeks as he ran through the streets, pressing his back up against each corner, peeking around to see if the coast was clear. Lucius ran next to him, a dagger firmly gripped in his mouth. Vex cocked a sly grin. "Yo, Lu, don't get too overzealous, I'm sure they'll be some goons to fight soon. Put the dagger away for now okay?" Lucius's ears drooped and he reluctantly sheathed his tiny dagger in the little pouch adorned to his side. Vex could see the town square, once a place of commerce and trade, the empire had turned it into a place of poverty and corruption. The villagers just went about their business, not caring about anyone but themselves. They had to down here, the slums were no cake walk.

In the center of the town square there was a large pillar looking structure that ran all the way up to the upper city of York. It was guarded by two measly guards. "Tch, peace o'cake, Lu, go play puppy dog. The usual routine alright?" Lu nodded in approval and ran up to the guards.

One of the guards kicked at the dog. Lu fell to the ground whimpering, which caused the other guard to fall to his knees helping the dog back up.

"You heartless b*****d! It was a poor defenseless dog! Look how cute he is!" The guard turned Lu's head to the angry guard, squsihing his face in.

The other guard sighed, "Oh come on, don't tell me you've gone soft on that ugly thing. It's a stray, it should be put down."

Vex, surveying the whole scene from behind a barrel whistled at once. Lu then sprung into action, unsheathing his dagger and slicing the throat of the compassionate guard, then leaping at the angry one, stabbing him in the chest. Down he fell, and Vex came out of his hiding place, petting Lu as he came over, dagger dripping in fresh blood.

"Eh, maybe a little too graphic man, but, it still got the job done well enough." Lu barked in approval sheathing his dagger again.

Vex and the dog then boarded the lift to the upper city. Kicking the bodies out of the doorway. "Buddy, we got some work to do. The parade's gonna be a hard place not to stand out. Better get some costumes. Sound like a good idea?" Lu growled shaking his head. "Oh come on, I think you'd look sexy in soldier slacks," he said sticking his tongue out at him. The lift stopped after awhile and the two got out. Two more guards were stationed at the upper city elevator lift.

"Oh s**t, forgot about these guys," Vex said rubbing his head laughing. Then he whipped around knocking the guard to his right with a swift punch, while Lu gnawed the throat of the guard to his left. "Dude!" Vex shouted at Lucius. "I said less graphic!" Lu whimpered and then stepped backwards lightly tapping the guards leg with his own. "Better," Vex sighed. "Now, let's get these guys into a nearby bathroom and change. Don't worry Lu, I'll help you get dressed."

After about an hour (and a few nips on the hand from Lucius) the two looked like proper guards. Well Vex did, Lucius was having some trouble walking on hind legs.

Vex looked over and gasped at Lucius's helmet, his nose was sticking out. He tried closing it but it pinched Lucius's nose and he yelped. "Shh! We can't have anyone seeing your giant snoz! It'll blow our whole operation!" Lucius growled as they made their way to the crowd forming at the City center. Now, York city was no poor looking place, no sir-e. York city was the most advanced city in the planet (technologically speaking of course) filled with mostly bridges scattering the city. Putting the richer, wealthier people above the not-so fortunate. York also had a huge space port where ships from other planets and other cities scattered across Zamasterum docked.

It had always been Vex's dream to live up here, on the upper city of York. He had only been up here once before with Li. Vex stopped walking as he thought of his dead friend. Lu whimpered, sensing Vex's discomfort. He laughed. "Lu, your whimper sounds so weird in that hunk of metal." He bopped him on the head which made him lose balance, stumbling back and forth on this legs trying to regain his footing. There was a load roar overheard and the two looked skyward. A colossal sized ship was approaching, docking into the spaceport.

"Hmph," Vex grunted, "Must be the new Emperor here for his coronation. Why he couldn't do this she-bang on his own planet puzzles me." Lu grumbled a reply. "What's that? Oh yeah you're right.....Politics. Tch, whatever, let's just mingle with the crowd for now and let's see where we can make our move."  

[Ashley_Winston]

Jessie was sitting on a large brown box in the very bottom of the ship looking out a 12x12 window. She looked around and saw a whole city much like hers back home. Bright lights, decorations, high class stores and buildings. Then she looked down and frowned at the sight. What looked like a run down dump. She thought to herself, " Wouldn't wanna know what's down there..." Jessie slid off the box and her sword clanked loudly on the floor as it fell from the storage rack attached to the ceiling. "s**t!" She grabbed it and put it in the sheath, then quickly ran to the doors.

She heard murmuring coming from a few feet on the outside of the doors.

Man#1: No no, that's not it at all. They said he was planning to stay at the very top of this planet. And from there the invasion will begin.

Man#2: Oh. But how is he planning to take over Zamasterum by starting from all the way up there? By the looks of this place, I'd start with what ever is down there. *Points out the window to the city in what is now ruins*

Man#1: Don't ask me these questions. It's what he wants to do and if anyone gets in his way, you know what he will do to them. Snap out of it! Let's get moving, we need to get all this cargo out!

Jessie quickly ran to the closest open luggage, got in and closed it tightly. The two men came in and started taking everything out. Then Jessie felt the luggage she was in come off the ground. "Ok, Jessie. Once you are placed on the ground again, peep out and if no one is there get the hell outta here and find out where exactly "up" the emperor is going!" Jessie whispered super softly to herself.

Just then a loud horn sounded. The two men dropped everything they were holding and ran down the hall and out. Jessie's box met the ground with a hard thump. "Ah, damn! Of all things right now, I don't need any pain that'll immobilize me till the battle begins." She opened the box and jumped out, rubbing her arm that hit the ground. Looking around, Jessie sees nothing but at least six different hallways. "Perfect. Just what I need, a maze," she said thinking back to when the horn sounded and the men ran off. As she replayed the memory she listened for which way they went.

Left.

Jessie started running down the left hall, meanwhile other chaos is occuring outside the dock.  

[Maha1930]

Vex tried hopping up over the crowd to get a better look at what was going on. It seemed to him that the soldiers were gathering to escort the new emperor to the Crest palace for the coronation. "Tch, Lu, I see "His Holiness," and what a dreadful sight it is. Okay, so, the plan is, when the soldiers come our way, we just dart in with them and march accordingly. That way we won't get caught! Foolproof plan eh?" Lu grumbled to himself. "Hey! It is! Oh, whaddaya you know ya mutt!" Lu growled and nudged Vex bumping him into a nearby crowd watcher.

He stumbled then whispered in Vex's ear. "Shouldn't all the soldiers be escorting his Holiness? I wouldn't want you to get the punishment of execution. Go!" He said pushing him into the crowd of the oncoming soldiers. Vex waved Lu to follow and he clumsily bustled through the crowd to my side. The soldiers were coming their way anyways so the two of them just had to look that we knew what we were doing. So they just copied the movements of the soldiers behind them, walking very slowly until they caught up with them.

"Lu!" Vex whispered. "Try and keep a good balance! If you screw up now we'll get caught for sure!" Lu whimpered a reply.

One of the soldiers heard Lu's whimper, and mistook it for the case of food poisoning. "I'm guessing your friend had the friend pork at last nights feast. Man was that stuff nasty, I'm sure he can tough it out until the ceremony is over. He'll have to, or the Emperor will have his head. Well, the soon-to-be Emperor that is."

"Yeah," Vex replied. "Sure...come on Lucius, you can tough it out!" He patted the hound on the back but in doing so, his tail came loose, jutting out of the armor. The soldier that had talked with them gasped in horror. Vex scrambled for a good cover, "Uhhh..uhh...genetic defect, his mother has it the worst. Poor dear as to hold it up while she pees as so it doesn't get wet." The soldier just gave a disgusted look.

"That was a close one," Vex whispered stuffing Lucius's tail back in his trousers. The two them mimicked the soldier's strut until they had reached the Crest Palace. Here, the coronation would take place, away form the crowds. Everyone who wanted to watch it, could, through the projection the crowd outside the palace could see. Once the two of them reached the palace however it was...

"Show-time," Vex said nudging Lu. They had entered the Palace. It was time to disband from this rabble of soldiers. The two creeped out of line and spotting stairs to a lower level walked down and into the nearest door. It was thankfully empty. And oddly enough, another bathroom. "Great, why do we always get stuck with the s**t." Lu laughed in reply. "Hey, not funny. Now undress, you're better when you're naked. Which, now that I think of it, you are most of the time." Lu replied by sticking out his tongue at Vex.  

[Ashley_Winston]

Jessie finally reached an unlocked door leading to the space dock outside. Opening the door, she peered around looking for any guards. Seeing only one other ship docked, which is noticeably much smaller in size, she ran to the elevator leading down towards a palace. " I must be one with the crowd. Blend and act like you live here and know what to do." Jessie was coaxing herself while thinking of how to get into the palace.

The elevator jerked to a stop, almost making Jessie topple over. She walked out of the elevator over to a wall to make sure no one saw where she came from. "Damn." Everyone was wearing all sorts of different costumes. " Ok is this a coronation or Halloween?" Jessie chuckled to herself. "Well one thing for sure is that I can't just start walking through them. Maybe..." Jessie looked up and saw the buildings here were tall enough to hide someone on top. Perfect! She smile and looked around seeing a ladder leading to the top of the building she was hiding behind. Running over to the ladder she climbed to the top and watched everyone walking to the palace. "Maybe it's both."

Jessie jumped over the large area between her and the next building, just making it to the edge. She kept jumping from building to building till she was out of buildings to jump onto. Luckily the building she is on now lead her right to the closed gates to the palace. "Well that's a little convenient.."

Jessie got into a crouching position and waited for the people to look more towards the right so she could jump over the gates. Then another horn sounded and everyone looked at the projection as the coronation began. Oh no. She jumped as quickly as she could over that gates and grabbed a column and slid down the rest of the way. She let go and dropped to the ground then ran up the the large palace doors thinking that if she opened them, surely someone would notice. So Jessie looked for window. "Awesome, I'm starting to like all this convenience!" She said, walking over to a massive window that had no glass to keep it closed.

She climbed up onto the window seal, crouched and quietly jumped down. The only down part is that when her shoes hit the marble floor, it echoed loudly. "Just super," she complained and looked around for a quick area to hide at. Seeing a staircase she didn't think twice and ran over to them. Jessie went down a few steps and crouched waiting for any oncoming guards to walk in, feel silly for hearing something and then go back to the coronation.

A bunch of guards came in and started looking behind everything. "s**t!" Jessie quietly went further down the stairs and waited ten steps from the bottom for all guards to leave.  

[Maha1930]

Vex gasped for air as he took off his rather heavy helmet and adorning armor. "Ah! Fresh air at last! That thing smelled like a field of Armpits!" Lu shook his head in disgust, agreeing with Vex as he helped him take of the rest of his armor. Vex adjusted his gloves and turned to Lucius. "Ready Lu? This is the biggest day of our lives! Now, let's go assassinate some Emperor's!" Lu barked a friendly reply.

"But first, grab me that pouch on your back." Lu cocked his head in confusion. "Lu, don't play dumb with me...it's time, gimme the pouch." Lucius reluctantly reached behind his back, snagging the pouch around his neck in his teeth and placed it in Vex's hands. Vex opened the pouch taking out the contents and throwing the bag on the floor. He then took of the gloves that he had on, replacing them with crimson, velvet gloves that were embroided with a golden flame insignia on them. "A memento from my father," Vex said softly. Then he laughed, "I'm sure if he was still here he wouldn't approve of me killing the emperor with his Ember gloves. But let's go Lu, time to act." As vex walked out of the door he immediately toppled over hitting his head into the stone wall on the other side of the hall.

"What the-" He rubbed his head looking up. He saw a girl with a rather unique outfit on, she looked like a warrior, but not the regular ones that were of the emperor's army. "Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Vex shouted at the girl and hearing this, Lucius started growling at her.  

[Ashley_Winston]

Jessie spun around "Be quiet! There are guards up there searching for me. I take full blame for making that echo. I'll explain things later when we aren't in this situation." She looked from Vex to Lucius. "And you might want to tell your dog to stop growling. I mean, unless you want to be found. By the looks of it I know I can trust you not to kill me. You do not look anything like one of those guards."

"I'll be right back. Stay here." Jessie motioned for them to stay low and quiet. Still in a crouch, she walked up the stairs to see if the coast was clear yet. No, they're still searching. She went back down to the guy and his dog.

"They're still there so we will need to find another way around here," Jessie paused," Want to know what the hell I'm doing? I'm here to assassinate the "emperor". And now I'll ask the same to you, what the hell are YOU doing?"  

[Maha1930]

"Dude, you're acting like you already assassinated the Emperor the way your acting. Okay, queen bee, you wanna know what me and my dog are doing here? Same as you. And you're kind of a bad assassin, too, I mean...just look at you. Where's your weapons? Lame." Lucius chuckled a reply. "See? He agrees with you too. Now...just who are you?"  

[Ashley_Winston]

Jessie looks at him in disgust. "First of all, I am NOT a queen bee. Second, I do have a weapon," Jessie pulls out her sword in anger and frustration," Thirdly, my name is Jessie and I am from your sister planet. The Emperor had already taken Magistereum over years ago. I decided I couldn't take it any longer and joined a renegade then stowed away on his ship with this assassination plan." She finishes still holding her sword for defense in case he decides to try and attack her.

She then asks, "And who are you?"  

[Maha1930]

Vex cocks a sly grin and laughs. "Tch, nice life story, uh, Jessie was it? Yeah, you can put the sword away, I'm not gonna attack you. And your from Magesterum? Sweet. I've never met an off-worlder before. So, Jessie. My name's Vex Mitchell, hottest guy on Zamasterum, in case you couldn't figure that out. And, this little houndrel is my pal Lucius, a Fire Hound."  

[Ashley_Winston]

Jessie sighs at his remark and puts her sword away. "A Fire Hound, huh? I heard they were all put down in 7012 because they killed there side of the war?" Jessie examines the Fire Hound very impressed with this one. "Never seen one before."

Just as Jessie was going to continue, they heard clapping and hollering from outside and footsteps running down the stairs that Jessie, Vex, and Lucius were.

"No time to chit chat, we've got company!" Jessie said quickly.  

[Maha1930]

"s**t!" Exclaimed Vex and the three of them had become face to face with three soldiers, who withdrew their swords immediately upon seeing them. "Again, s**t!" Vex yelled. He held up both his fists, the gloves flame insignia's glowed and flames erupted, covering both his gloves in fire. "So Jessie, let's how see how good you are at fighting," he said sarcastically lunging at the guard closest to him, delivering a swift punch which melted the guards helmet, signing his skin as he went sailing into the staircase behind him.  

[Ashley_Winston]

A guard ran at Jessie as she ducked and tripped him with her foot to the ground. She back flipped away and drew her sword as the guard came at her again. With the hand the sword was in she tossed the sword in the air as it turn into what looked like the sword still, but had a gun part. She shot at him taking of his helmet so she could shoot his brains out.

The guard got to close and nailed her to the ground, her sword skimming away from her. She pushed him off with all her might and kicked him into the wall. Jessie reached out to her sword and it flew through the air into her hand as she faced the guard and shot his head multiple times, killing him.  

[Maha1930]

Vex just stood there completely in awe at what he had just witnessed. "Uh, Jessie that was sweet! I wanna sword that doubles as a gun!" He could hear more footsteps coming down the stairs and two more guards emerged. "Now, i'll show you what team Vex can do! Lu! Formation Zero!" Lu jumped up in the air lunging at the guard to the fight, withdrawing his tiny dagger he plunged it into the throat of his victim. Vex, used Lucius's back to vault off of charging up his glove and bashing the other guards head in and melting his helmet and body to the wall.

"Tch, piece o' cake," Vex said listening if he could make out any more footsteps. "Nope, no more guards guys, I think they were just doing their rounds and we were just that unfortunate to run into them. If we want to get the emperor, I'm thinking our best bet would be finding a way behind his throne. There's a balcony that overlooks where the coronation is taking place, if we can get there without attracting attention, I'm thinking....and it's just a brainstorm here, so feel free to butt in anytime, but...I'm thinking we can use your gun sword to shoot the emperor in back of the head from there. Sound good." Vex surveyed the face of his new ally. "Great, you hate it don't you?"