Conquest Horizon

Phobia wasn’t sure how he felt about the situation before him. He was calibrating his large teleporting machine, along with his former-clan, mostly due to just… NEEDING their aid. Mostly in what they had to do. It wasn’t a comfortable thing he wanted to do with them around, but it was needed. And that wasn’t because of Kan saying so, or Nibbles.

Oh no. when they landed in Baltimare and the zebra went to get the information, she instead came back with little Remedy-- who would visit with Aunty Book… while Camous came into the ship herself, fully summoned and book in hand… to help. And she was very insistent that all stripes and the little Opnehu helped. Along with Mari.

While Monkey and Vixen were a little weary of her, they seemed to at least keep in mind she was bound to something. Still, for his former kin? The sight of a real demoness was a new sight-- though Camous seemed to half ignore them and just show all those included of what needed to be done.

Phobia linked to consider himself a expert in enchantments and runes. Considering how he specializes with golems. But the runes and enchantments the age-old demoness showed him? It was something he could of ever figured on his own-- and most were of magics made by a very ancient dark mage. And the reason Mari was needed, her seals being the ‘anchor’ needed to make a stable passage for Ash and Najat to be pulled back through.

So, they got to work. The Stripes with Jiru getting to the machine. Mari, Nibbles and Camous working on the more magical aspects of the teleporting machine. It was a complex process and by Camous’s admission, she would of done the magical means-- if it weren't for the point that the machine was semi-linked magicly to the Twins for this transfer. It was unfortunately needed. (End)

And while the Twins were nowhere to be seen, mostly since they were off doing something, Phobia had to work with the other's within the past few days as the teleporter was finished. Everything was set up, the magical aspects were finished up, and all that was left for it to be activated and make the switch.

Phobia had to get a golem to find the two and bring them here, it didn’t take long as in the next 10 minutes a golem was escorting the two as Phobia told to the Twins. “Here it is. The teleporter, ready to send you two back.” (done)

While they regarded the new platforms, Camous seemed to pointedly tell the two, “stand on those, and don’t wander off of them. We need to make sure you get where you’re going.” Glancing over the two and half smiling, “It’s a shame I didn’t get to see more of you two. You’re very cerous of siblings.”

“Uh… thanks?” Bakari got out, wearily watching her while passing on by.

Bina glancing back and saying to those that were in the room, “it was nice meeting you all.” It made Mari smile and wave, while Phobia was glad to not have them around-- most of all Bakari and his over-power might. As they stood on the stands, Phobia went about to get the machine started, his former-clan off to the side to watch.

Magic flared and the machine ran much more smoothly this time. They all waited as magical energy courced about-- and zapped down on the two. After a flash of light, they saw Ash and Najat-- wearing… new threads.

Ash glanced about a little confused, staff out and held while adorned in her normally covering robes, that had some armor on it. Najat was the same, having her own blue kimono, with some special armor, also in a stance. It was Ash that glanced and said, “hey Phob!” Relaxing to ask, “so… could you maybe-possibly send us back?” (End)

“...What?” was all Phobia said in a full on questioning tone. The three Stripes gave confused looks, seeing the two odd Hernos as he soon asked. “Why, in the Markings-- do I need to send you back, when I had to work with everyone here to get you two back here and switch.” (done)

To that end, Najat told while relaxing, “we were in the midst of a great fight, Phobia-san.” Letting out relaxing breaths to add on, “some allies we have made are… in great danger.”

Ash gave a slight nod, though said, “but… if those two tykes are back in that world… then maybe we got nothing to worry about.” Perking some. “Oh, right, Phob, do we got a story to tell you!” Laughing as she said, “that place is nuts and amazing!” And said, “right, I almost forgot, I got a letter for you!” (end)

Raising a questionable brow, he asked. “A...letter? From who?” Seeing Ash checking herself and soon toss out a letter to him. He open it and soon read outloud. “Dear Phobia, thank you for these two. They really saved my bacon by the Devil’s Luck. And they helped me with a lot of things. But, do me a solid. Never, NEVER, let me see that CAT Ash again, because I’m ready to rip my hair out with that confusing, convoluted mangy cat!” then added. “From, Dejen Mitego, Head of Clan Mitego, and mostly known as Death’s Gambler.” (donE)

Najat glanced to her friend and remarked, “I do not think we will be returning anytime soon, Ash-chan. Not with how Dejen-dono would rather you stay as far away as possible.”

“He’s just annoyed I stole his thunder a few times-- by accident, I assure you.” Ash seemed to tell in return. (End)

Nibbles raise a brow as she asked. “So...what did happened while you were over there?” (done)

Moving off the pad and leaning on a staff, Ash said, “oh you know… get found by a paranoid striped that loved to gamble, get onboard a massive battleship that’s got huge guns and could go from the holds to the Isles in hours. Have a big crew of changings, the guy hooked with a mare slave-born and a Changeling queen. Three Lion’s onboard the ship, a white Mane and a Blackmane, the later with a cub-- oh, and there was this Rabbit engineer and there was this thing with a giant Pirate empire-- did I also mention Najat and I got to meet our alternate selves there and--” (end)

“Wait, wait!” interrupted Phobia with a raised hand. “Before you say ANYTHING ELSE!” turning to walk to Mari, wrapping his arms around her stomach, pulling her close to him as his chin laid on top of her head as he soon said. “Continued.” (done)

“Gladly!” Began Ash-- before she said, “oh, you two finally hooked up?”

MAri giggled and hugged him, “did deed… few times~”

Najat sighed out, “shameful as always, I see.” Conferming to the three off-to-the-side Stripes, MAri was indeed normally like that. “Not that it can be helped. It is your way of life.” Then glanced to the three newcomers… and back to Phobia to tell, “if you wish, Phobia-san? Let us meet in the dining area with everyone. This is a very… lengthy story.”

“And boy-oh-boy, is it a story!” Ash grinned. (End)

Snorting, Phobia said. “Yeah...lets.” slightly letting go, as slowly everyone was moving as he told to a golem. “Tell everyone to meet up in the dining room. There's lot to be told.” the golem bow his head and turning to walk out as he soon mutter low to Mari as he kept her close to his side. “Why do I feel like I will be incredibly jealous of this Striped somehow?” Feeling with how ‘long’ this story was? It might as well make him incredibly jealous with whoever this Striped was.(done)

ASh wasn’t kidding. It was a very long story. And while they were the newcomers, Chiku, Bolt, Ticky and Hiss were invited in-- because it was a ‘very good story’, according to Ash. Even Remedy got tugged in, allowing Camous to float about and listen too.

Phobia… was beyond jealous. A ship bigger than his. More effective than his. More advanced than his. A Golem 10 times smarter than Scrappy-- not built by the striped thankfully --and strange armor that enhanced the stripe and a ‘Gun’ that was stronger than any dinky flintlock.

A whitemane lioness that acted as a wisewomen --and was also named Asha-- who had a Cub that was ‘like Ash’. A blackmane acting as his extra-informant and teacher. With a cub of her own. Two Kitsune one as his guard and the other as a doctor. A gnoll bodyguard that went through some big Temple trial. Two females to himself, one being a changeling Queen. A battleship full of changelings. A town that praises him like a savour and had more changelings and a temple-- all his doing!

And that wasn’t even the half of it. Apparently, those two cubs he sent back were demigods. Actual Demigods that could possibly destroy cities! At one point, Phobia had to cuddle Mari in his lap and try to retain his growls. This striped, this single striped that didn’t even have a clan-- out did him in every way. Worse of all, this ‘Dejen’ seemed to be the closest ‘version’ of him there. In this other world.

All the while, everyone else was trying to get over the… bizarreness of it all. The impossibility of it. It was so bad, that camous remarked to Nibbles, “this has got to take the cake in the most strangest thing to happen in my long life. And that, is saying something.” (End)

Nibbles hum a bit as she slowly nod and admit. “Far stranger when Discord was first stoned...or when a Medelier was causing chaos in Atlantica.” (done)

Ash laughed and said, “you think that’s weird, well here’s the real kicker!” Making them wonder what could be any weirder than the tale told. “Turns out? Dejen, Rah-Rah, Miko, Filex and possibly the Twins-- are actually something called ‘Human’ that was transferred into that world by some god-like entity for some big thing that we can’t figure out. They’re not native, and got turned into different things to fit into the world.”

There was a oddly dead silence before both ancient demon and spirit looked at the other, and then back at Ash. Nibbles had to admit the feline mage was right, she attracted all sorts of weird. And worse of all… it was plausible now. Dejen, Felix, Miko, Rah-Rah-- there were no hints they existed here. Just like the Twins. All because they were not native to that reality in the first place.

Nowa was the first to say, “ya two gotta be shittin’ me.”

Mari only told, “they Herno. Najat no lie, Ash tell truth.” (end)

“I….” started Nibbles with a scrunch up face, as she look to Camous and soon said. “I think this reminds me when...the Duckyman decided to bring the Black Menace here.” (done)

Making a face, Camous asked almost cautiously, “the time when our first holders found us?” MAking Nibbles go quite. It was a odd time to be sure, and one she didn't think about much anymore. But there were a lot of drastic changes that happened… much like what was going on in this other world. Camous asked, “you don’t think…” (end)

Giving a glance around, Nibbles soon slowly nod and confirm in a sublte manner. “I think it is. And its probably best if we make sure…” then soon glance down to Ash and asked in a cautious tone. “Ash...were there any…’odd’ people that show up? That look very different from everyone? with...Mixed up parts?” (Done)

“Oh yeah.” Ash confirmed without any worry. “One was some weird that Dejen had to finish a deal with-- or else something bad would happen. Never saw him, but Dejen talked about him. And the other was this Karth guy, looked like a metal dragon, but every time I looked at him, I saw glitter, swirling cupcakes and other weird stuff I can’t make out.” (End)

Nibbles winced as she said to Camous. “Yep….look like it is.” (done)

Breathing in, Camous said seriously, “you-- and anyone here, is not going back there.” And glared at them. “I’m serious. That world is undergoing a…. Very serious change. One we do not want to meddle in. AT. ALL.” (End)

While there was confusion, even from Zaki about this, Phobia couldn’t help but ask. “alright...I’ll bite. It sound like you two know what’s going on over there.”

“Don’t ask.” told Nibbles. “No seriously, don’t ask or I’ll erase the memory of it.” (Done)

Camous chimed in with, “it’s a ‘gods, ascended spirits, demons’ sort of affair. Something Mortals are not allowed to know, much less meddle in. We’re lucky Ash and Najat came back intact and no higher forces are pressing their wills here. So it’s better that we keep away.” And added, “and I’m taking that dark crystal from you, Striped. I don’t care of what your complaint is, it’s something you shouldn’t tinker with.”

Ash gave a look to that and said, “Ah yeah, I remember that.” Arms crossing, “mind gettin’ rid of that thing so it never see’s the light of day? I’m used to weird, but I don’t want this place to demonically come to life.” (End)

“Oh don’t worry.” said Nibbles as she crack her knuckles. “Me and Camous are going to make sure it won’t be active by the time we’re done.” then added to Phobia. “Which means your teleporter is toast.”

“But,” started the Striped as Nibbles told.

“If you complain, I’m going to knock you out inot the wall.” making him shut up as she let out a breath. “Point is, its done, no more using it, and the Dark Crystal goes with Camous. End of discussion.” she however added to Ash and Najat. “Oh also, don’t kill Phobia, we had to make new parts of his right arm and shoulder, had to use Herno Steel to use it.” (done)

Ash seemed passive about it-- Najat however… “Where did you acquire it from?” A very sharp tinge in her tone. “How did you much less shape it?”

Nowa seemed to tell, “the bloke found it in that old village place and those two Twins knew how to mold the parts.” Wondering what the huge deal was.

But… Najat seemed to calm down and let out a breath. “I… see….” Not seeming to like this response… but accept it. She gave Phobia a look then breathed in and settled. “Very well then. Be sure not to… show it off to any Herno. They will know your lie of not honorably acquiring it and remove the metal from your person.” (end)

Shifting a bit, mostly since Mari was still on his lap as he said. “I rather not have metal being pulled from my flesh thank you very much.” then let out a snort as he muttered. “Stlll….damn that Striped for being better than me.”

Kan snort and playfully jab. “Oh what's the matter? A bit sore to find out there's a Striped that’s better than you in every way in another world?”

Phobia let out a low snort...then soon tried to say in a proud tone. “At least I got a sexy Kitsune Haynu.” (done)

Nowa pointed out, “ain’t the other guy shankin’ a good-girl slave pet and got what’s near royalty for Changlin’s all over him?” Making him half gramance. Still, Nowa grinned, “still, ain’t bad. An’ ya know why?” Making him give the navigator a stinkeye. “Thing is… he ain’t here, now is he? He’s a hotshot there, but here? He’s a big, fat nobody.” (end)

Thinking it over, Phobia let out a low cackle of laughter. “You’re right Nowa! He is a nobody here! And will never exist here! Because I’m the hotshot here! Not him!”

“Again, he doesn’t exist here.” reminded Kan as Phobia shouted.

“Let me have this alright?! Its bad enough to find out he’s better than me in every way!” (done)

Rolling her eyes, Ash waved, “look, Phob, it don’t matter.” Going on to ask, “do ya really want to have the stuff he’s got?” Going on to remind, “because if you did… you’d have a slaver empire on your tail, arabia’s full fear and hate. Demons coming at you outta the woodwork. Assassin's from all over wanting to kill you. Random people wanting to kill you. Nobility wanting your head--” (End)

“I get it, I get it!” interrupted Phobia with a huff of a breath. “I rather deal with the shit I have here than that.” he then added. “Oh and those lot over there? That’s Hiss, Bolts, Ticky, and their guard is Chiku. They’re from the Isles and the former three were part of my Clan.”

Hiss sigh. “Way to throw the topic around, little brother.”

“Still shocking to hear a Striped without a Clan live.” mused Bolts.

“Wonder how he managed to succeed so well?” added Ticky. Hiss shook her head as she soon asked.

“Better question is what next? We got these two back, whoever they are, and things seem done. So where to next should be the question.” (done)

Thinking on it, Ash asked to Phobia, “wanna go stomp out a big slaver and maybe get the king’s favor?” (End)

Blinking, he asked. “Wait, I can actually do that?” (Done)

Shrugging, Ash said, “maybe. Najat would have to do the talking, but we could maybe get it to work.” (end)

While Phobia raise a brow to this, mostly in thought? Kan consider it and remarked. “I heard talks in the Holds on a former noble going rogue and the King wanting the head of this noble…” then glance to Ash in consideration as she went on. “If our worlds are similar to a extent? Then its possible we can remove this slaver and present to the King in the Holds, then we will have a much easier time to move and gain influence within the Holds.”

Siege consider and soon added. “As well as use the golems for something worthwhile.” giving a glance to Phobia as he admit. “Herr Phobia, the Knights and Soldiers are wondering when they will be able to fight, even more against actual threats. I say this could be beneficial for us to remove two problems with one solution.”

“Wait, the golems can actually feel?” asked Hiss in surprised as Phobia glance and grin as he motioned his head to Jiru.

“Let just say Jiru help me with a problem with them.” then glance back as Phobia asked to Ash as he settle his chin lightly on Mari head. “So what’s the name of this slaver? Any idea idea where they might be?”