"Construction of the Bellstar is in its final stages, my liege." Merin stated as a smile appeared on the Emperor's face. "Excellent. It'll soon be time to start our little project and help this galaxy see the light." He stated simply, as he came away from his window for a moment.
"Merin. There's another task I'd have you take care of. As you know, on Planet Yulon, we've been working on enhancing our ships...refining the light-ray to basically reach out more and attract more targets. After all, if the worst happens and our Bellstar fails...we need a backup plan." he stated, as Merin nodded in understanding.
"Yes, I know of this project. Is something the matter on Yulon?" Merin asked, as the Emperor sighed. "As a matter of fact, word has reached that one of the Joieux Masters is on his way there to destroy what we've accomplished. His blindness to the good ways of the Jolli makes him a threat." The emperor explained, as something was bugging Merin in his explanation.
"That's...not all, is it?" Merin asked, as Claus chuckled a bit. "You were always a sharp one, even if your heart was always unsure of where it should lie. I am glad that you yourself are starting to see the light and have stayed willingly with us. Yes, it's true, there's more to this story than what I stated. The master in question is your old teacher; Master Kel Al Kringle. And, as much as it pains me, I must be blunt: my body is old and frail, and I fear that I may not make it to see the Bellstar's completion." he started, as he walked again toward the window, staring out at the empty space.
"I know this is a most cruel thing of me to ask, but should you encounter your old teacher and fight him, I ask that you not kill him. Instead I'd humbly request that you simply disarm and render him unconscious. I ask of this because I will be accompanying you on this trip, and once he's been knocked out, you and I will use a special Kristma so that I can switch bodies with him." Claus stated bluntly, as Merin couldn't help but express both his surprise as well as a bit of shock at this request.
"But...but he's my teacher. I couldn't do that to him." Merin stated, as Claus' smile turned somewhat sorrowful as he continued to stare into space. "I completely understand your hesitation on this. But realize that by coming to me, the Joieux will never take you back. Even Master Kringle wouldn't hesitate to kill you the moment he finds you. But if we can succeed with this, you no longer have to look at me as a villain. Master Kringle was your teacher, and I could continue to be your teacher in his body. He'll have no recollection of anything after the switch, and we could even erase his memories completely and make him believe he's a resistance fighter...using my holo-guise on him unwillingly of course so he doesn't get found out and killed." Claus explained more, as Merin still seemed hesitant.
"Either way, you'll have to deal with him if you want the Jolli plan to succeed. You do want it to succeed, right?" Claus asked, as Merin seemed much less reluctant on this one. "Of course. I may have not at first, but I understand that there's more to this story than I've been told, and that the masters have been scaring people to believe worse than it actually is. But I do believe that this is the right way." Merin answered as Claus turned toward him.
"Then this is the only way that nobody gets hurt. As I said; if Master Kringle sees you, he'll kill you. There's no going back to him if your heart is set on this path. You can either do the unspeakable and kill him first, or you can keep him alive...but with a fresh start." Claus explained, as something still bothered Merin.
"But if that's the case, why not alter his memories into believing he's one of the Jolli?" he asked, as Emperor Claus simply let out a brief smile. "As strange as this may come out since I'm asking you to let me switch bodies with your old teacher and re-write his memories...I don't want to rewrite his heart as well. My job as the Jolli leader is to actually remove the darkness from the Joieux hearts and help them see the light...not simply hide it behind a wall and make them believe there's nothing there. And yes, I know that you're about to ask why I don't simply remove the darkness from him then and there. It's because once I switch bodies, my power will be too exhausted, as will yours, from using such powerful Kristma. I'll only have just enough to send him back to the resistance unharmed." Emperor Claus explained, as Merin sighed.
"Very well." He stated simply, still feeling a little uneasy about Claus' vague response as Claus himself seemed pleased with this answer. "You won't regret this Merin, you've made a wonderful choice. And I promise that I'll try to be even half the teacher that Master Kringle was to you."
"But what will the others think when they see that Master Kringle is gone?" Merin asked.
"Don't you worry. I don't plan on keeping them in the dark. Once the Bellstar is complete, I'll be making an announcement galaxy-wide with my new body. Until then, they'll simply think he's still on his mission."
Meanwhile on Planet Yulon, scientists were hard at work breaking down the Kristma-light guns, exploring each element carefully and figuring out how to enhance them to the Emperor's wishes. One scientist had suggested simply increasing both the length of fire, and the number of guns on each ship so that they could reach multiple targets. Another had suggested creating smaller drones that traveled with the ships, each of them being equipped with both a Kristma-light gun as well as a tracker that would hone in on Joieux targets precisely and fire, even if the Jolli driving the ship didn't see them. The head scientist, Govinus Revia, seemed more interested in the second idea, and ordered both the other scientists and engineers to begin work on the drones.
Hiding in the shadows just outside was Master Kel Al Kringle...waiting for the precise moment to strike. He was just about to come into the view of the Jolli scientists when one of the Merrymen ran inside. "Dr. Revia! We've just spotted Merin's ship approaching the base." He stated, as Kringle's interest shifted. He could still feel the bitter sting of betrayal, knowing that his student had turned his back on the Joieux and shifted to the Jolli. His new purpose was clear: as much as it pained him, he had to kill his old apprentice first.
The ship landed, as Merin Noel stepped out of it. Unknown to both Kringle and the others, Emperor Claus waited inside, biding his time. "I will join you when the time is right, Merin. For now, I'll leave this to you...whatever you decide to do." he stated simply as the doors of the ship closed.
Merin made his way toward the icy-cavernous compound as he was approached by Dr. Revia. "Lord Noel, I assume you're here about the intruder?" he asked, as he and Merin continued walking. "Yes I am. Is everyone alright?" he asked, as Dr. Revia nodded. "Everyone seems to be alright so far, we've not heard of any casualties...so I can only imagine that he's watching us from somewhere." he replied, as Merin sighed. "That sounds like something he'd do." he stated simply as they both made their way inside.
"You there. You were the one that sent the call, where was he last seen?" Merin asked the Merryman, as the soldier began to answer. The response was unheard by Merin, however, as his gaze shifted towards the center of the compound...the Frozen Falls. Without letting the Merryman finish answering, Merin simply walked out of the room and toward the center, where he could only imagine his former master was waiting for him.
Sure enough, as he stepped out of the compound and toward the Frozen Falls, he looked up to see Master Kringle staring down at him. "So you came, knowing I was here." he stated, as he hopped down from the large height and landed softly on the ground below. "That means you must be here to kill me." he continued as he brought out his Cane...one that, when flicked, would reshape a portion of the Cane into an exquisite looking one-handed sword. For reasons unknown, Merin didn't hesitate bringing out his own Cane that, when flicked, turned itself into a whip with thorn-like bits scattered around.
"You know, even though us Joieux aren't supposed to feel, it hurt when I found out that you betrayed us." Kringle stated, changing into a battle-ready stance. "I betrayed you because I had to know the truth. The Jolli aren't as twisted as we make them out to be." Merin stated, as Kringle's stance changed in the heat of his emotions. "The Jolli want to get rid of our free will! They want to make us into their unwilling slaves!" Kringle shouted, as Merin shook his head. "That's not true, and you know it. The Joieux Masters are twisted, and have everyone scared into believing that the Jolli are evil. Well in my mind, the Joieux are evil!" he screamed out, as Kringle's face grew angrier.
He lashed at Merin with quick speed, ready to strike with his sword. Kringle was normally a man of calculation, but this was an emotional battle which clouded his moves. Merin more than easily dodged the oncoming strike as he struck with his whip, narrowly avoiding striking his former teacher...who dodged at the last moment.
Emperor Claus had made his way inside the compound, sensing the time drawing nearer as he watched from a distance inside. The two were relentless in their attacks, though neither had managed to land a blow just yet. But Claus knew deep down that Merin's lack of hits was intentional, as he was clearly holding back on hitting his former teacher. As he watched, he sensed another presence nearby...a Joieux was clearly hiding, watching him. He made it seem as if he didn't see anything as he walked into another part of the compound, the Joieux following behind. As the Joieux followed him into the room, he had lost sight of the Emperor. He looked around, but was greeted only by a beam of pure light...feeling any darkness being taken out of his heart. Now feeling a weight off of his shoulder, the former Joieux happily made his way to help the scientists...since he had a knack for sensing irregularities and was thus a new asset to their team. Emperor Claus, approaching from the shadows with a warm smile on his face in what he'd done, made his way back to the window to continue watching the fight.
Kringle hopped back up to the tip of the frozen waterfall, looking down at Merin in a mocking way. "I have the high ground here, Merin." He said simply with a taunting voice. Merin looked for options to get up there with his former teacher, but as he searched around, he had a different idea.
Using his Kristma, he focused on a large frozen stalactite above Master Kringle's head. The stalactite began to shake as it broke from its place, falling to the top of the frozen falls. Sensing it in the last moment, Kringle hopped back down just as the stalactite hit.
Taking advantage of the second of Kringle's distraction, Merin quickly used his Cane-whip not to strike at his former teacher, but to yank the Cane-sword away from him. Kringle seemed genuinely shocked as his former student took the upper-hand as Merin pointed his former teacher's sword toward him. Kringle's look of betrayal stayed on his face even after he got to his knees, ready to die after this disgrace. "Well what are you waiting for. Kill me!" He shouted, as Merin walked closer to his teacher, the Cane-sword still pointed at him.
But to Emperor Claus' relief, Merin smacked Kringle hard with the base of the Cane-sword, rendering him unconscious.
"Well done my boy. I knew you wouldn't kill him." Emperor Claus stated in relief, as he walked out towards the two. "Now...shall we?" he asked, as Merin still seemed a little reluctant. "I promise, all will be well once this is all over." Claus added, as Merin hesitantly nodded.
The two then held out their hands toward Master Kringle as a powerful aura surrounded the three of them. Emperor Claus then knelt down as he grabbed Master Kringle's hand as Merin continued focusing his power on them. As he watched, Emperor Claus' spirit came out of his body, floating into Master Kringle's body. Likewise, Master Kringle's spirit retreated from his body angrily, being forced into Emperor Claus' body. Merin watched as Emperor Claus' body then laid on the ground, unconscious, as Master Kringle's body suddenly stirred.
Merin readied his weapons, just in case it was still Master Kringle. "Steady, my boy. It's me." Master Kringle stated in a very familiar tone that mimicked Emperor Claus' way of speaking identically. The process had clearly worked, as Emperor Claus brushed off his new body. He then walked over to the unconscious Master Kringle who was now in Claus' old body, as he placed his hand on Kringle's head, and closed his eyes.
Master Kringle's now old and frail body began to shake and convulse in reaction to what Emperor Claus was doing, as the memories of his time as a Master were erased...only to be replaced by false memories of being in the resistance. Claus then activated the holo-guise on Kringle, as Kringle's frail body shifted to that of a typical resistance shoulder. In his last bits of Kristma for the moment, Claus then used his power to put the Holo-guise inside of Kringle's body so that it couldn't be un-triggered accidentally, and sent him back to the resistance base before he woke up.
"Well, now I feel fit as a fiddle. Shall we, then?" Claus asked in his new, much younger body as him and Merin made their way back to the Bellstar.
Laurentus aka Ebenezer Scrooge, the Watcher was converted by the Jolli, and now will be helping with their ship-enhancing project for the rest of the game (so he's basically dead)
The Adventurer chose to confront the intruder in Planet Yulon, which turned out to be Master Kringle. This resulted in a fight between Master Kringle and Merin, with Merin knocking him unconscious. This also resulted in the Emperor switching bodies with Master Kringle, and sending him off both believing and looking as if he's a resistance fighter. Meaning the remaining Jolli Lord has switched roles with another player.
And that means it's time for another Planning Phase! Master Kringle has been out for his mission for some time, but nobody has heard from him. Perhaps the Jolli got to him, or perhaps he's still out there. But Emperor Claus is still at large, and it's time for you guys to really get together and find him before it's too late.
We'll end this Planning Phase on 12/19 at 4:30 AM.
