The Kuipter Files: A Ludusian Crisis

About
This is a story about the events of The Kuipter Files and The Kuipter Files: FINALE!, in the format of basically a regular story, which the former of these doesn't have. It will encompass the events from Kuipter's first landing on Ludus to the end of his tale, giving scenes for the important moments in between.

This is currently a work in progress.

Current Writers:
 * A, Mori

Chapter 1: A Shadow Across The World
Busy work. Though it was to the opinion of almost no one but him, busy work was a pleasure. In usual cases, those around him felt that they didn't want to bother him with requesting that he do menial tasks about, but, if it was for their benefit, Mura was glad to oblige for it. Actually having something to do other than sitting around, which is something that happened much too often, was enough to get him out of his seat and working to help out others. But beyond that, the simple fact of knowing that he would be making them happy and helping out, was a driving force for Mura all by itself.

The forces of pointless boredom were the opposite of usefulness. As long as he was not experiencing one, he would be experiencing the other. Yet, much to his disdain, these forces were like many other aspects in life; they were balanced. With the great feeling that came of usefulness came the eventual downfall into pointless boredom, leading to trying to find more usefulness along the way. Without pointless boredom, he would not try to seek out usefulness for him.

And, in the case of helping out his dear brother, Revelian Zeronius, he could never get enough. His agreement to assisting him was instantaneous to the moment at which he was asked, or even if he wasn't asked.

Perhaps it was the frequency at which Revelian needed something that had caused this. Revelian was a capable adult on his own, of course, but he was nowhere near being a self-dependent individual. He did need the help of others, not just Mura, but of all his friends, even if he didn't want to admit it. Though strong, he was misguided. So Mura would give it his all for his problems.

Though, just as well, it may have been Mura's connection to Revelian as a brother. Yes, the sensation of helping others was something great in itself. Watching over an item of a stranger while they looked down to adjust the laces on their shoes or went off to retrieve something from their four-wheeled automotive vehicles was a sensation in itself that was enough to make him beam a smile under the scarf covering his face. But with Revelian, it was something different. He was anxious for every request that his brother would ask of him. He silently begged for him to hurry if he was taking too long to ask it. That had began to become such a worry to him that Mura had picked up the habit of just telling Revelian that he didn't have to ask him to do simple, everyday things, and that he'd know to do it without having to be asked.

Mura: ((The communication is only a middleman, anyway. It should be... Reserved, for only if I don't know what the request is. Prolonging my ability to answer any such request... It's so bothersome.))

For this reason, his nights had become quite restless as of late. It had all been since Chanukwanzaa, he knew. The holidays had been a hard time for Revelian, he knew. The first Chanukwanzaa that he'd celebrated, now just over twenty-nine years ago, was the cause of this. Having everyone in the town turn the day where one of his friends was killed trying to protect others, and another friend was sent into a comatose, ageless state which he would remain in for nearly twenty-seven years was a surefire way to make him hate the day with a passion. But this year, for some reason, his attitude was different from the others. At first, it seemed like he was going to do the same thing he'd done every year, and stay home with Mura instead of going out with the others to celebrate. But, much to Mura's surprise, he went outside just as his friends were leaving, after their failed attempt to cheer him up in this time of the year, and went to join them for the Chanukwanzaa party. Mura, of course, was thankful for a more cheerful disposition overcoming his frustration, but it just struck him as odd, to say the least. It invited fears into him which he had not chosen to consider previously.

Revelian would come to live without him. He would become dependent on his new friends, as opposed to Mura. He would no longer have a need for his older brother around, and would live his life without him. And because of this, Mura would lose whatever usefulness that he had in the life he currently lived, along with his beloved brother, who would grow up without a need for him. More than anything, he wanted this not to happen. The fact that he'd recently been fired from his job, which Mura only did to support him and Revelian, and they were instead now being supporting by Revelian's high-ranking position at the big business LDZX Corporations, seemed to just support this as a possibility.

So, very recently, he had tried even harder to be important and useful to Revelian. Quite clear to him, Revelian owned quite a few pets, adopted from the LDZX Corp. Adoption Center. Adoption of the pets was something that all employees did as a usual thing, which was, in the very least, to give them homes that they could not normally get from being adopted by the customers, a majority of whom were still somewhat wary of inviting these Monsters into their homes. It wasn't entirely accurate to call them pets, though; they did have the same sentient behavior that any Gridmask, Dark Matter, or any other intelligent species had. But, they did need homes, like any other being, and had needs to be met. They were just taken care of like one would a simple pet. And this was something that Mura saw as a great opportunity for him. Not only did these pets have needs, which he could fulfill, they were also cared for by Revelian, and in helping these pets he would in turn be helping his brother.

Mura: ((And it's not as if he can just invite one of his friends over to his home, so much of the time, to do this job... It's something that he could only trust the people who live with him, his family, to do.))

Restless as his nights were, it was no bother to him to get up fairly early in the morning to start to work on the duties of attending to Revelian's pets. He did get up early to get prepared for this, so that he could start doing a lot throughout the day and be finished at a suitable time.

His regular busy work outfit, which was literally the same as his casual, everyday clothes, consisted of a red sweater without sleeves, and red sweater sleeves, a tan color of shorts, and styled dark red and red leggings.

The last piece of his intended outfit, though, he regarded with an expression both somewhat flustered and apprehensive.

Mura: ((This... It is a bit... Well, uncanny, at least for me.))

He held a light brown apron, with a flower design sewn into it. This was intended to be fitting for his work, in a sense. He was going to be serving those around the house. And it was also supposed to catch the eyes of others, just to show his purpose.

Mura: (Hm...)

Though the design in itself was a bit much for him, he'd thought. He could just as well manage in his regular outfit, he knew, but this was something extra. Something to showcase his attributes, in the least. He figured, it wasn't too much of a bother, anyway. It was just part of an outfit, nothing more. Not too strong a statement, not too weak of one.

Mura: (All right, then.)

He simply donned the accessory and proceeded to get into the work.

Getting started with this was simple enough, he thought. He'd already had much of the supplies for the job prepared. He'd be carrying around some tools for cleaning, if there happened to be messes in the pets' living areas, for one. He'd also be toting around the consumables for these pets, a notable necessity for them. The final tool for his preparation was first aid supplies. Though it wasn't too often that a pet would get hurt, it was better to be safe than sorry, especially in the case of a bad accident. These supplies would serve to carry him through his tasks with ease.

Having found all of his supplies accounted for and readied at the time, Mura decided that this would be a time as good as any to get started on the task ahead of him. It was still fairly early in the day, he knew; around seven in the morning. Revelian usually didn't get around to going off for work until about eight. He would have a bit of time to spend before Revelian awoke, he believed.

However, as he began this thought, he heard a familiar noise of footsteps within the home. As it drew closer to downstairs, it became evident that it was Revelian. He became puzzled by this. He had heard these footsteps earlier, but had dismissed them as merely being Cygnus or someone else roaming around the house. But this was definitely Revelian.

Mura: ((What is he doing up so early?))

Mura went around the lower level of the house to the front door. Without having spoken a word, Revelian was already fully dressed in decorated grey jacket and trousers and shirt, ready to go off for work. Just as he was about to open their front door, Mura spoke.

Mura: Revelian?

Mura saw his brother freeze and tense up for a moment, supposedly a bit startled by hearing Mura's voice all of a sudden. But, after a moment of realization, he turned around, knowing it was just Mura, and greeted him.

Revelian: Oh, hey, Mura.

Mura: Why are you going to work so early?

Mura tilted his head slightly when asking this, as to give a visual assistance to his confusion.

Revelian: I'm getting called in for an early meeting today. Some weird stuff, I think. Since it's pretty much the first day of going back to work this year, I guess they're just trying to get a comparison of the information from last year, probably.

Mura: Oh... I didn't know about that. Sorry for bothering you, I was just curious.

Revelian scratched his head.

Revelian: Eh, no need to worry about it. I'll be early for the whole thing, anyway, so it's not like this will effect my time getting there.

Mura: Ahh, that's good!

Revelian: But, anyway... What are you doing up this early?

Revelian seemed to stare him down then.

Mura: I was just getting ready to get to the chores about the house.

Mura offered a bit of reassurance with his tone.

Mura: I do want to get things done with early, anyway.

Revelian let out an annoyed sigh.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Damnit, Mura... You really need to stop doing this. It's unhealthy for you.

Mura tilted his head again, staring at Revelian with a blank eye.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ... Doing what?

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Oh, you know what! You've been like this for over a week now. You're all on edge, and trying to do every job in the house at once. You've just been going around and working almost non-stop.

<font color=B30000>Mura: There's nothing wrong with that! I'm just trying to be helpful.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: You're going to overexert yourself if you keep this up, Mura.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ...

Mura looked away slightly, staying silent.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: You know I'm right about this. And I'm worried about you.

Mura started to pout his cheeks under his scarf, somewhat beyond Revelian's view.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: So, hey, just, try to take it easy, alright?

Mura looked off to the side slightly, not meeting Revelian's gaze.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ... Alright?

He was met with silence for a moment.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ... You shouldn't worry about me... I'm your older brother, so I'm the one who should be worrying about anyone's well being here.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Now you're just being ridiculous! Me worrying about you is fine, regardless of me being your younger brother.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Well... You really don't have to worry about me, I mean. I'm fine, bro! You're just being paranoid. I'll just keep working as I am, and--

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Mura!

Revelian cut him off.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: I'm saying that I don't want you to keep working! Seriously, I...

Revelian paused for a moment, trying to think.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Just, can you do something for me? Can you just not work around the house today?

<font color=B30000>Mura: W-what?!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: I mean, take a break! You need it now more than anything!

Mura sputtered, surprised by his request.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((He wants... No... No, I can't do this! That would mean...))

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Well?

<font color=B30000>Mura: But... I can't just to this, not on such short notice!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Mura, you're going to overexert yourself if you keep this up.

<font color=B30000>Mura: That's not going to happen! I'll be fine! But the pets won't if I'm not taking care of them!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Then I'll just stay home and take care of them! They're my pets, anyway, so they're my responsibility.

<font color=B30000>Mura: But you're supposed to go to work today!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: I'll call in for a personal day. They'll understand.

<font color=B30000>Mura: You said today was very important, though! You just have to go!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: No, I don't. In fact, I'm not moving from this spot until you agree to take a break.

<font color=B30000>Mura: But...

Mura stammered, trying to think of something to say. Nothing came to mind. He knew that once Revelian but his foot down for something, he wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted. It was a stubborn habit of his, one that Mura knew he could never fight against. He was too loyal to the will of his brother to even try.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: So, what's your answer? Or am I going to stand here all day?

Mura thought for a moment, his heart racing. He needed something...

<font color=B30000>Mura: T... Tomorrow!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Eh?

<font color=B30000>Mura: The break you want me to take... I'll do it tomorrow! Just let me get the pets all cared for today, so that it'll be okay for me to take the day of tomorrow! Then you can go to work and we'll be just fine!

Revelian gave him a sideways look.

<font color=B30000>Mura: And... You can go to work today, and just request a personal day tomorrow, so that then, we can spend the day together... And, everything will be fine, then! Okay...?

Revelian took a moment to look at him in silence. He was contemplating the idea of it, thinking whether or not he wanted it. Mura knew that whatever he did decide on was final. He hoped that he would agree with him on his suggestion. Mura became slightly anxious.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ... So, this is what you want, then?

<font color=B30000>Mura: Y-yeah...

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ... Eh, alright. Yeah, it sounds good. Okay.

Mura beamed up in joy.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Great!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: We haven't really had a day off together in a while, right? Usually because we're busy with work, or with friends... It'll be good to just hang out like that again. Kind of like back in the day.

Mura gave a childish smile.

<font color=B30000>Mura: It sure will!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Right... So, yeah, I'd better get going to LDZX now.

<font color=B30000>Mura: That's right! You might be late if you stay here too much longer! Go, go!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Eheheh, alright.

<font color=B30000>Mura: I'll be getting ready for us to have our day off tomorrow! Don't you worry about a thing, I'll make sure everything is right for it!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: That's good. Don't work yourself too hard in the process!

<font color=B30000>Mura: I won't!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: M'kay, goodbye.

<font color=B30000>Mura: See you later!

With that, Revelian waved his brother and left through the front door, disappearing from view. Mura waited a few moments, before he came to the small window on the door, moving the curtain out of the way with his hands, and peering through it. Already, Revelian was nowhere to be seen. This was expected, anyway; it took him around six seconds just to go all the way around the planet, so just going to the LDZX HQ would take barely any time at all.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((He's gone now... Alright.))

Mura stepped away from the door and turned around.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((Now... I have to get everything ready for tomorrow. Time to get started...))

<font color=B30000>Mura: Cygnus!

Mura called out to his temporary assistant, the lavender-skinned delinquent teenaged monster girl, Cygnus. She mumbled under her breath as she dragged her feet into the room.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Yeah, what is it?

<font color=B30000>Mura: Are you ready to help me out?

Cygnus gave an annoyed sigh, avoiding Mura's gaze.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Yeah, yeah, I guess. Ready as I'm going to be.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Are you sure that you're alright with this, Cygnus? I can get someone else to help me out if you don't want to...

Cygnus muttered something incoherent under her breath. Mura tilted his head.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: I'm good. Let's just hurry this up.

Mura gave her a light smile, one that was hard to see under his scarf.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Right, then! Let's get right to it.

Mura fluttered through a present list of chores for him to do.

<font color=B30000>Mura: So, if I'm to leave the place alone for tomorrow... We'll need to put some of the responsible pets in charge of respective areas for them, and give provide them the supplies they'll need for the pets they will be in charge of.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Got it.

<font color=B30000>Mura: And, just to make sure that nothing goes wrong, I'll be putting you in charge of monitoring them over the next day. Can you do this?

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: I sure can.

Cygnus tried to hold back a smirk, but failed.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Great! I knew I could count on you.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Mhmm.

Cygnus' mind filled with the devious actions she could take part in if she were left here without supervision, in charge of things. Her smirk began to stretch to each side of her head. Mura then started to notice her expression, and looked at her in confusion.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Aheh, uh, why are you smiling like that?

Cygnus quickly changed her expression, and thought of something to answer Mura's question.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Because... You look funny in that apron.

Mura crossed his arms and pouted his cheeks. He was already somewhat self-conscious of the thing by itself, and Cygnus' comment only reaffirmed his suspicions that he looked silly in it.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Hmph...

Upon seeing his expression, Cygnus then tried to change the subject.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: So, should we get started already?

<font color=B30000>Mura: ... Yeah, we should.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Well, then?

<font color=B30000>Mura: Right. Let's get on with it.

Mura then picked up what appeared to be a list that he'd made and examined it.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Uh, it looks like the first thing we should do is go to the aquatic biome of the pet chambers. Just, in the biomes for most of it. Most of the pets are in there, anyway.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: I figured.

Mura looked back down at the paper, appearing somewhat flustered.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Anyway, we can give a lot of the biome responsibility to the pets who roam the areas there. I'm thinking that, for the aquatic biome, Midas could be in charge. And, for the grasslands biome, I think that Omegasus could manage. Leorina would do well for the mountain biome. I think we can rely on Gemly to take care of the windy biome.

Mura looked back up at Cygnus, giving her a stare that she found somewhat unsettling.

<font color=B30000>Mura: And, for the out of biome pets, can I count on you to take care of them?

Cygnus froze for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Of course you can. I'll do a great job.

Mura smiled.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Great! Let's go to the aquatic biome, then.

And off they went.

As they entered the aquatic biome, a yellow shape dashed upwards through the large tank of water. A familiar face arose to greet them.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Well, if it isn't mister Mura! Good morning!

<font color=B30000>Mura: Good morning to you, too, Midas.

From a distance, Midas may well have been confused for a short man in an entirely yellow outfit. However, he was far from it. Any closer inspection would have revealed that he was not wearing a yellow outfit, but rather is was his natural skin colour, and that what appeared to be a large and round hat donning his head was actually his head itself. He himself was an eel-like creature with a body shape that seemed somewhat stacked upon itself.

At this moment, Midas also noticed that Cygnus was accompanying Mura.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: And a warm good morning to the dear Cygnus!

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Yeah, uh, hi there.

Midas seemed to give them a warm, inviting smile.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Well now, what brings you two here at this time of day?

<font color=B30000>Mura: Well, it's kinda a long story... But, putting it simply, we came here to ask if you could help us out.

Midas seemed to almost beam with joy.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Well then, go ahead and tell me what you want me to do! I'm sure I can manage the task.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Alright! Tomorrow, I'm going to be gone for the day, just taking the day off for Rev's sake, and I'm looking for pets who are capable of providing for the other pets here, because, well, I can't do that when I'm gone.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Oh?

Midas' eyes looked as if they flashed with a light of realization, if only for a moment.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: And, this is just an assumption, but I can presume that you are going to request my help in this?

<font color=B30000>Mura: Yeah, that's it. We'd like for you to be the one to take care of the others here in the aquatic biome. You are the most mature of them, after all. Will you do it?

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: I shall! This is my gift to you, dear Mura, for your well-deserved day off.

Mura blushed slightly.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Ah, gee... It's not like I deserve it that much...

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Nonsense, my friend. You've been working your core out day and night for all of us here. Such a thing cannot be said for anyone else.

Cygnus mumbled something under her breath.

<font color=B30000>Mura: I honestly don't think I've been helping that much... There is just so much more than I can do, anyway!

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Sir, you have no need to be modest, I speak the truth here.

<font color=B30000>Mura: You mean, there's nothing else that you could possibly want here?

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: No... Well... Actually, now that you do mention it...

<font color=B30000>Mura: So there is something that you want?

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Yes, in fact, there is. It's something that anyone would want, really...

Midas rubbed the side of his head, seemingly a bit flustered. He looked around, and then spoke in a tone that was much more quiet than how he'd been speaking before. Mura leaned forward slightly to hear him better.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Really, the community is a bit... Lacking, in terms of any suitable mates around here. The most of them are either already hitched, or they are far too young for my tastes. I do say, I am a healthy male adult, and at my age I shouldn't be so far off in terms of finding a gal of my own.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Mhm...

Mura nodded with understanding. Cygnus took a step back.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: And, as you may know, master Zeronius is not one to adopt pets too often. At such a sparse rate, it may be quite some time before someone who I would like to spend my time with is brought here. Do you understand this predicament?

<font color=B30000>Mura: Yes, I do.

Midas seemed to perk up a bit more. His normal tone returned.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Then, do you have any plans for what to do about this?

<font color=B30000>Mura: Sure, I'll just get him to adopt some more pets. If he gets a lot of them, then surely the one who's perfect for you will come along.

Midas beamed with joy.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Wonderful, wonderful! Thank you, Mura, you truly are a kind man!

<font color=B30000>Mura: Aheh... It's no problem, Midas. Just helping out someone in need...

Mura smiled under his scarf.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Ahem?

Mura turned back to Cygnus, before remembering what they had come here to do.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Oh, right. So, you will be able to take care of the other pets here tomorrow?

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: I most certainly shall.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Great. We'll just leave you with the supplies now...

Mura and Cygnus then retrieved the supplies and bestowed them to Midas.

<font color=B30000>Mura: So, you're all set, then?

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: I do believe that I am, indeed, ready for the next day.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Perfect! Now, we just have to go to the other biomes...

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Everything's ready to go.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Then, I'll be seeing you soon, Mura.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Right, see you later.

Mura turned to leave with Cygnus to the next biome.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Oh, but Mura, before you leave...

Mura stopped and turned to Midas again.

<font color=B30000>Mura: What is it, Midas?

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: I just wanted to give a bit of a warning...

<font color=B30000>Mura: ... Eh?

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Well, as you may know, the others who reside here are not as naturally mature and disciplined as I am. And it is unlikely that all of them are as friendly to you as I am, unfortunate though that it.

<font color=B30000>Mura: What about it?

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Well, considering these facts, it would not be wise to go around them in... Such an attire...

Midas looked at the apron that Mura was still wearing.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: It is a tad, well, festive, for your likes, wouldn't you say?

Mura quickly took off the apron and threw it to the ground. Cygnus turned away and covered her mouth as she snickered at him. Mura then crossed his arms and pouted under his scarf.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Oh, come now, don't be like that. It looked good on you.

<font color=B30000>Mura: I'm not wearing it anymore.

<font color=FEFD00>Midas: Ahem, well then... Goodbye for now, Mura!

<font color=B30000>Mura: And that's everyone!

Mura turned to Cygnus, as their jobs of going into the biomes were now complete.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Yes, it is.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Now, for outside the biomes, I'll need you to care for the few pets that are outside of them.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: You can most certainly entrust me with this task.

Cygnus nodded her head slightly.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Alright! Thank you so much, Cygnus. You really helped me out today.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Eh, it wasn't too hard.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Now, everything's prepared for tomorrow...

Mura stood still for a moment and thought. He started to ponder on Revelian's behavior this morning. He hadn't gotten a chance to earlier, as the whole discussion with him had happened fairly quickly, and he had since been focused on the task of supplying pets for his day off tomorrow. He did want to take a bit of time to focus on Revelian and think about him.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Uh... Cygnus, you can just go off for now. We're done for the day.

<font color=6855D2>Cygnus: Okay!

Cygnus dashed off with a surprising speed, leaving Mura to his thoughts.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((Though I haven't really acknowledged it before... He has become very independent... It's evident in his behavior towards me, now, when he acts with maturity and care...))

Mura walked over to a nearby chair and sat down.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((And, what he wants... He has only specified that he wants me to take tomorrow as a day off, but surely, he can't mean this to be the only day off that he wants me to ever take. How many days will he ask for this? What will it lead to him asking of me in the future?))

Mura's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of a mechanical chime going off near his head. He looked up for a moment, confused as to where it was coming from. He then realized that it was coming from his visor.

It was the built-in messaging system. He wasn't entirely used to hearing the notification that he was getting a message. The only other person who had a visor with a messaging system in it, at least in range, was Revelian, and it was rare that Revelian would be the one to message him. Yet, here it was, going off.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((Why is he messaging me now...?))

Mura opened up the contact list and viewed it. To his surprise, he wasn't being contacted by Revelian at all.

<font color=B30000>Mura: (Huh?)

The username that was contacting him read " maniacalMachinations " in a yellow text.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((Who's this...?))

Mura was somewhat hesitant about going to answer this unknown person, but, soon enough, with the thoughts that this may very well be some sort of distress call, he accepted their chat invitation.

In front of him, a dark yellow holographic image appeared, accompanied slightly by the sounds of static. The image was quite blurry and hard to make out, though it did appear to have a humanoid figure. Mura heard whoever it was trying to talk to him, with its' messages clouded by the static.

???: ... Hello... This... From...

It continued, as Mura could only make out small patches of what this person, who seemed to have the voice of a man, talked on.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ... Who is this?

???: ... There.

The holographic image then slowly began to become more focused. The sounds of static and feedback began to cease, and the image became more clear. It was a humanoid figure, indeed, though this was not the most notable part of him. He was a Dark Matter. He was fairly large, a lot like Revelian, but Mura noticed that he was shorter and burlier than Revelian. He seemed to be wearing thick metal shoulderplates, which reminded Mura of bolts on some sort of gridmask machine, a scarf around his mouth, cheeks, and neck, and a large, heavy goggle on top of his glowing red eye. He was also dressed up in what seemed to be a sort of military uniform, one so fancy that this person may very well have been a high-ranking officer.

He stood with his hands on his sides, standing slightly above Mura in this projection. He did look like a bit of a frightening individual, but something about this man struck Mura as calming, and even soothing.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((And... Familiar...))

The man then spoke again.

???: Are you receiving this transmission clearly enough?

Then, hearing the man's voice, it struck Mura. He was very familiar, indeed. Mura had known him very well before, but he had not so much as seen him in centuries.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((Of course... My youngest brother.))

Mura cleared his throat, and then spoke to him.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Yes, I am... Er, Kuipter...

Kuipter seemed a bit surprised.

Kuipter: That's... Good. Hello, Mura. I didn't expect you to recognize me so quickly.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Aheh... How could I forget my brother?

Though, it actually was a bit of a surprise to Mura himself that he could remember this. It had been so long since he had last seen his youngest brother. Kuipter seemed somewhat unamused by his skill of memory, though.

Kuipter: Right...

<font color=B30000>Mura: ...

Kuipter cleared his throat, interrupting the bit of Mura's uncollected thoughts of wonder as to what Kuipter was doing here now.

Kuipter: It has been quite a long time, hasn't it? Since we last saw one another, that is.

Mura managed a nod.

Kuipter: Despite this abruptness, I do feel that, sooner than later, I need to ask something of you.

Mura froze for a moment, deep in thought.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((He wants something from me... Could this be... Revelian, he may not need me to do things very much anymore, but Kuipter very well could... Is this supposed to be a solution made for me...?))

Kuipter: Hm... I can see from your expression that you must be interested.

Mura gave a light smile, as he tried to hold back his excitement.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Mhmm...

Kuipter's eye seemed to gleam with light for a moment. He almost looked like a predator, ready to strike on his newly discovered prey.

Kuipter: Good...

Kuipter became silent for a moment. Mura could feel a sense of anxiety building up within him.

<font color=B30000>Mura: So...

Kuipter seemed to give a haunting smirk. Mura ignored this, infatuated with the possibilities instead.

Kuipter: Yes... I need you for this, brother. Join me.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Er... Join you...? In what?

Kuipter closed his eye for a moment. The holographic image of him then seemed to turn and pace, though it stayed in place for Mura. Mura bit his lip slightly. His confusion was only a fuel for his anxiety. He so badly wanted to know.

Kuipter: Remember, back in the day, you never really were a fighter. I never once saw you in the ground troops of Lord Zeronius, and I often wondered why this was, until I found out that you simply never went with them.

Mura moved his right leg upward, letting the toes support his left leg and touch the ground instead of the rest of the foot. Whenever he became very tense and anxious, he would do this.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Yeah, I was... I didn't really want to be out there. It's not like I would do anything...

It was a well-known fact that Mura desperately detested conflict and violence. He was a devout pacifist, something very unnatural for his conquest-bound kind. In truth, this was because of his reaction to seeing others in pain.

It could be said that this was much like the counterpart to his enjoyment of helping others. Though helping others did give him a warm feeling of joy, the pain of others did the exact opposite. In some sort of empathetic reel, not of his own accord, he could not stand to see another person in pain. He knew it all too well. The experience itself was horrifying. If he were to see someone in pain, his reaction was a constant.

His breathing would begin to become very heavy, and he felt as if the air were trying to crush him. His eye would cloud with visions of redness, blurring out his vision until he could not see, even though he tried darting his eye around to see if there was somewhere he could see clearly. His body would begin to tense up, making it hard for him to even move from his position. His body would begin to shake, making keeping a fair balance nearly impossible. His head would begin to ache with such pain, and a loud tone would fill his ears, making him deaf to everything happening around him. Even though his senses became utterly dulled to the point of not being able to hear this, his mind would still hold the clear image of events. He knew the experience, and felt that he himself would die if it continued for too long; his heart would implode on itself, killing him.

This showed often when Lord Zeronius had originally tried to send him off on missions. He feared for his life when he was out where he saw his people causing pain to innocents. Because of this, he sealed himself away into the Dark Star for so very long, never going out in the conquests again, despite what Lord Zeronius asked of him. He was the only one who did not participate in these conquests, for the drones and his brothers always had.

Kuipter: ...

Kuipter himself knew of this. He seemed to be thinking all about it at the moment. Mura wondered why his expression had changed to make him seem annoyed.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ... What about it, then...?

Kuipter stood and faced him.

Kuipter: I know that you cannot truly be like this... You are my brother, and the brother of Revelian, and the child of Lord Zeronius. Our blood runs through you, as well. The blood of our conquest-riddled kind.

<font color=B30000>Mura: What...?

Kuipter: Your fighting spirit, Mura... Show it to me.

Mura stared at him with a blank expression.

Kuipter: Unlike Lord Zeronius, who was idle for so long, I know that you, Mura, will join me. The times of conquest have returned.

Mura felt somewhat nauseous. He wondered what Kuipter was even on about. This was all very strange to him.

Kuipter: And the first planet that the Zeronius clan will conquer is Ludus!

Mura gave him a surprised look.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Wh... C-conquer Ludus? Why would you do that?!

Kuipter: In the least, convenience. We're all here already.

<font color=B30000>Mura: That's not what I... Why would you do this at all?

Kuipter: What are you saying, Mura? Treating me as if I were alone in the action... I just asked you to join me in this. I haven't got the patience for a psychological analysis of my actions.

<font color=B30000>Mura: But...

Kuipter seemed to simply raise an eyebrow at him. Mura's mind became frantic at him. He wondered why Kuipter could look so casual about all this.

<font color=B30000>Mura: I don't want to conquer this planet, Kuipter! This is my home, where innocent people live... I would be putting them through a lot of pain if I did this.

Kuipter gave him a sideways look, before letting out a laugh. Mura nearly twitched in reaction.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ...

Kuipter: Why should you care about these people at all? They are not your kind. I am.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Kuipter... I don't have any reason to do this.

Kuipter: Even if you do not, I still do.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Why?! What reason do you have for wanting to do this?!

Kuipter: Resources, power, and control.

Kuipter sighed. Mura felt like he should yell at him for being so aloof about all this, but he didn't.

Kuipter: So, you're not going to fight by me, then?

<font color=B30000>Mura: No! Of course not!

Kuipter: That's a shame. I would have loved to see you in battle, brother. I've always been curious as to what that would look like.

Kuipter smirked.

Kuipter: But I can understand it. I don't like getting my hands dirty, either. Why do it when you can make others do that for you, right?

Mura looked at him sternly, though Kuipter just laughed.

Kuipter: Fine then. I won't disregard your emotional attachment to this floating rock. You can stay up in the Dark Star while it all goes down, just like you always have.

<font color=B30000>Mura: No! I won't do that, either!

Kuipter couldn't contain his smirk. He'd been hoping for this reaction all along. A speech he had prepared for just this moment had been festering in his mind for so long, and he would soon get his opportunity for it. He gave a sly feigning of ignorance towards Mura's words.

Kuipter: Oh?

<font color=B30000>Mura: I... I can't just join you while you do this... This isn't right...

Kuipter: So then you're opposing me. Hm, I feared for this, but I didn't want to believe it. But you truly are the disappointment of a Zeronius that I remembered you as. Not only are you standing against your own brother, your standing with a filthy alien race.

<font color=B30000>Mura: How can you say this? You wouldn't be able to accept the conquering of your home, so how can you expect me to?!

Kuipter: You think I wouldn't? Fool, I already have! The Dark Star was my home, and I conquered it myself! Yet you refuse to do the same to this planet.

Kuipter laughed about his air of superiority over his older brother.

Kuipter: A disappointment indeed. You lack the resolve that I have, and this is why this planet you hold so highly will fall before me.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ... No...!

Kuipter: Tell me no, will you? How can you stand to say this as if it were true? What are you going to do to stop me?

Mura started to speak, but Kuipter interrupted him.

Kuipter: You've proven to be a simple pacifist, so surely you won't try to fight me! And you're mistaken if you think I'll listen to any argument of yours. The strong do not take orders from the weak!

Mura started to look downward. He was already thinking of what would happen.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((He's right... What can I even do to stop him from doing this? He said he won't listen to my words, but... Can I get through to him? Or...))

Kuipter gave a snort to him.

Kuipter: Look at you... Already trembling in fear of me. Forgive my foolishness for thinking you'd be of any use to my cause. Just like our mother... Heh, perhaps our brother will be more willing than you. At least then there will be one other useful Zeronius.

<font color=B30000>Mura: He wouldn't join you! He's not like that anymore... Besides, he'll have no reason to join you at all!

Kuipter: Heh... Keep going on with your nonsense.

<font color=B30000>Mura: He won't even come to know that you created a scheme like this... I... I'll stop this... For the sake of honour, fight me on conditions of the winner deciding what the other will do!

Kuipter raised an eye at him.

Kuipter: Eh...? I...

<font color=B30000>Mura: I know you want to see my fighting spirit... I'll show it to you! Because I understand why you're doing this... You have a pained heart, Kuipter. And it hurts me to see you in such pain like this... That's why I'll rid the pain from your heart!

Kuipter seemed to give a frazzled look at him. He then regained his composure, closing his eye and talking in a smug tone.

Kuipter: That's right... You're a Zeronius, so "pacifist" or not, you are still drawn to battle... I accept your offer, then.

Mura took a deep exhale, then realizing that he'd been holding his breath during this.

Kuipter: You could have escaped while you had the chance. Yet, you've chosen to put on a show for me. Splendid.

<font color=B30000>Mura: I don't think you'll like the "show" that I'm going to put on...

Kuipter laughed.

Kuipter: Here it is already, the talk before the battle that's supposed to intimidate me. Pathetic, to that you think I'd ever be scared of you. What's next? "We'll see about that?"

<font color=B30000>Mura: I don't want you to be scared of me... I know you're already scared, Kuipter. I'm sure you feel alone and afraid, and... I don't want you to feel like that anymore! Just... Come here... And I can show you...

Kuipter: Just outside, then. Be ready, I'd hate to end have it all end too quickly.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ...

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Hey, Zosh, I need to ask you something.

Revelian watched as Zachary turned from his stack of papers to look at him. Zachary Isles, Co-CEO of LDZX Corps., was a grey-skinned Dragonkin, and a good friend of Revelian. Though his famed and intimidating title of "Co-CEO of LDZX Corporation" may lead some to assume him to be some serious, scary businessman type in nature, he was far from it. Zachary, or Zoshi, as his friends called him, was very friendly and outgoing. Furthermore, his wardrobe reflected that he was not the type he was thought to be; he often wore casual clothes, and his black hair was spiky and messy very often. Though some may not have a dinosaur man be the first thing to come to mind when they think "approachable", Zachary very much fit that description.

He greeted Revelian with a smile, through his jagged mouthline.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Yeah, what is it?

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: I know it's nearly the start of the new year and all, but I need to ask you for a day off tomorrow.

Zachary raised his head slightly.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Why? Are you sick or hurt?

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: No, it's just a day off. Like, a personal day.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Aheh... If it's alright for me to ask, why are you taking a personal day this early in the year?

Revelian scratched his head.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: It's Mura. He was so eager not to take a day off, he's making me take the day off with him.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: A bit of a weird agreement you two reached?

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Yeah, it is.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Eh, it can be expected out of you two...

Revelian gave him an annoyed look.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: What, is that just some regular thing for the two of us?

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: It kinda can, honestly.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ... That's no good.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: What do you mean?

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ... It's nothing.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: I'll take your word for it.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Anyway, am I good for a personal day tomorrow?

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Sure, family matters fall under reason for personal days. But, of course, we'd be lenient for denying you anything, since you've already been a big help to the place.

Revelian let out a sigh.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Thanks, Zosh.

Revelian stood and turned around.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Anyway, it's already pretty late now, so I'm going to turn in and get home. Is that alright, too?

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Of course it is. And, hey, you really put some good work into the employee evaluations today, man. You're becoming a real model employee for everyone. Keep up the good work!

Revelian offered a shy smile.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Heh, thanks, I guess... Goodbye.

Zachary waved goodbye to him, before looking back down to his paperwork. Revelian then walked out to the stairs. The elevator was currently out of commission, something that was highly inconvenient for a building with such a massive amount of floors, but Revelian, with his speed, found it faster to take the stairs anyway, rather than waiting in the slow elevator.

On his way down, he stumbled right into someone who was already frantically running up the stairs.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Oop-- sorry about that.

Ludicrine bounced back from the impact, breathing heavily, presumably from having been running up several flights of stairs.

Ludicrine could easily be confused for a mythological angel, at first glance. However, at second glance, it was easy to see that he was far from it. His head was lacking of normal features, such as hair, a nose, and a mouth, and his skin was completely white. In place of his ears were white wings. And, at third glance, it was quite clear that he was nothing like an angel. He wore simple clothes; a black T-shirt, a grey jacket, and jeans. A fourth glance would also reveal that he was blind in one eye.

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: R-Revvy... You... Outside...

Ludicrine almost wheezed.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: What are you on about?

Ludicrine clutched his chest, taking a moment to steady his breathing. He then resumed his thought.

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: You need to get outside, as quickly as your legs can get you there!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ... What? Why??

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: There's this big... Thing... Up in the sky! You need to see it!

Revelian gave him a stern look.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Damnit, Lud, you had me worried there for a second. I keep telling you, those things are just regular birds!

Ludicrine waved his arms in a frantic display.

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: No, it's not that! It's definitely not a bird...! I'm almost positive it's not!

Revelian lifted his head.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ... Are you sure about that?

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: Unless something that looks like a black, second moon is an avian species...

Revelian's eye enlarged, showing his surprise.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Are you saying that's what you want me to see?!

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: Yup!

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: But the only thing that... No way!

Revelian charged down the stairs and out of the building, leaving Ludicrine behind. He looked upward, pushing away the commotion of pets around him that he'd stumbled into. He looked upward, and felt a cold sensation overtaking him as his suspicions were confirmed.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: What the fuck is the Dark Star doing here?!

Mura stared upward into the sky. It looked like there was a second moon within the atmosphere, though this was one a large black dot, spiraled by purple energy. It could have been mistaken for a black hole of sorts, but it was clear that it had moved from space to the planet. And Mura knew exactly what it was.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((How could I forget my old home, the Dark Star...? It has been so long, though... And now... Lord Zeronius no longer is in control of it, apparently Kuipter bested her...))

Mura swallowed, with feelings of anxiousness.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((He must have been pretty powerful to defeat Lord Zeronius... And me, I'm just... Can I really...?))

Mura shook his head at his own notions.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((No, I can't be thinking like this! I need to believe in myself, that I can defeat Kuipter's pained heart... If I don't, then I'll lose... And I can't lose, not at the cost it will be!))

Mura stood facing upward towards the Dark Star. He stared as what appeared to be a dark yellow dot in the sky departed from the giant black sphere, descending in its slow levitation to the planet. As it neared Mura, the figure of Kuipter, now in full color rather than the dark yellow holographic image he was before, was seen. His outfit was the same, as he had not changed for battle, though it was now seen to be mostly red instead of yellow.

Seeing his confident and somewhat stylish appearance, Mura became slightly apprehensive at the thought of facing him. However, despite looking underdressed and uneasy, Mura cleared his minds of these negative thoughts, and stood with confidence. And Kuipter, in response, let out an amused laugh, drenched with condescension. It was like the laugh that a trained professional fighter would give to a child in cardboard armor who wished to face him. Mura's eye narrowed in response, as if to say, it wouldn't be wise to underestimate me.

Kuipter: Well, the pacifist actually showed up to the fight. Ha! You're a greater fool than I thought.

Mura growled for a moment. Kuipter then extended his left arm towards Mura, holding it with the other. In an instant, a yellow orb emerged from his left arm, and launched itself towards Mura. Mura ran to the side, and barely dodged the explosion of it, as it left a hole in the ground that's diameter was nearly Mura's height.

Kuipter: Do you honestly think I am so weak, to fall against someone who has no experience in fighting?! Don't be ridiculous!!

Mura rolled away from the impact and got back onto his feet. Then, Kuipter touched the ground with his own feet.

Kuipter: Well, do you still wish to face against me? Or are you going to spare me the trouble of getting my hands dirty now?

<font color=B30000>Mura: I'll never join you! I would die of grief if I allowed this planet's doom to be on my conscience! And I would be breaking my promise to you... That I would rid you of your pained heart, don't you remember?

Kuipter: Oh, don't kid yourself! I wouldn't hold any of it against you if you were to abandon these wishes... You will be more useful to me than anyone else, so how could I?

<font color=B30000>Mura: Never!!

Mura then ran forward to Kuipter.

<font color=B30000>Mura: I don't wanna be your soldier, or your ally, or anything! I just want to live my life on this world!

Mura ran and delivered a kick to Kuipter, which he blocked using his armored left arm. He was pushed back slightly.

<font color=B30000>Mura: In this world, without the pains of the waking people!

Kuipter began charging up energy into his left arm.

Kuipter: That is quite disappointing to hear. You could have put your trust in my wishes and gain anything that you could ever wish for. But perhaps the wants of the weak will forever be so lackluster.

A large orb of energy began to grow in size in front of him.

Kuipter: No matter. Oppose me now, as you so wish. I will crush you underfoot like the weakling bug that you are, Mura!

He then released the orb of energy towards Mura.

<font color=B30000>Mura: I won't let that happen!

Mura hopped into the air and levitated above the energy orb, letting it pass him. Taking no time, he surged forward to Kuipter, grabbing him by the arm and throwing him off to the side. Kuipter stumbled in one direction for a moment, before regaining his balance, and then he turned back towards Mura.

Kuipter: We'll just see about that.

Kuipter quickly charged the power in his left arm. Mura ran towards him, not wanting to give him the opportunity to use it. Kuipter then waved his left arm around in every direction very quickly for a moment.

Kuipter: If you're so light on your feet, then dodge this!

Then, small orbs of energy began to emerge from his left arm, sending a volley of them off towards Mura's direction. Mura was able to dodge some of them, but due to the unpredictable nature of the attack, quite a number of the energy orbs did make contact, sending him sliding backwards from the impacts.

Kuipter took this short opportunity to strike again. He dropped down and kneeled, touching the surface of the ground with his left arm. Power began visibly charging up in his left arm, as he lifted it from the ground for a moment, and then pushed it back down. The solid earth beneath it cracked and quaked, revolving jagged pieces of the ground in what looked like a ray in front of him.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Gah...!

Mura shook off the attack and levitated above the moving earth, letting his feet glide onto the rising, pointing tips of the earth as he moved forward. He jumped closer to Kuipter.

Kuipter then held his left arm straight upward, as if pointing towards something in the sky. A green energy began to build within it, and it then shot off in every direction, in what seemed to Mura like an air-shattering energy. Mura pressed onward through it, going on as it dissipated, and delivering a flurry of punches to Kuipter.

Kuipter stumbled backwards from the attack. Mura stepped forth and jumped, raising his feet to Kuipter's chest, and extended his legs, pushing Kuipter back. Mura flipped in the air and landed on his feet.

Mura ran forward to him again, giving him almost no chance to recover. Kuipter raised his left arm towards Mura and began charging its' energy, as Mura spun, arms extended, hitting him in the side of his head. Kuipter reeled slightly, before turning back with a hard fist from his charged left arm, which hit Mura in the center of his face.

Mura fell backwards. His visor had broken from the impact of it. He would have just merely created another one from himself, but he hadn't the time to focus on that in the middle of the fight, so he removed it from his head and threw it to the side.

Kuipter: Hah! You almost look pitiable, without your headgear on.

Mura stood again, charging into Kuipter and thrusting his knee forward into him, hitting in his torso, and knocking him back slightly. Mura's hands began to glow, and he delivered a series of hard jabs to Kuipter, his energy coursing through them. Kuipter stumbled back slightly, but he once again began charging the energy in his left arm.

Mura began getting closer to him again, so as not to give him the opportunity, but this time Kuipter managed to fire a small, simple beam at Mura, which pushed him back slightly. Kuipter then stepped on forward to him, the energy power still in his arm, and swung it onto Mura, hitting him on the side of his head and knocking him to the ground. Mura lifted himself up and stood, backing away from Kuipter slightly.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Okay, then...!

Mura held out both his hands, and a red spiral of energy began to form. Kuipter gawked for a moment as it began to grow in size, and then charged forward to Mura, trying to intervene the process of his magical attack. Mura slid backwards as Kuipter approached, holding the red spiral in his hand, as he dodged Kuipter's fist. Mura then jabbed his elbow into Kuipter's back, causing him to stumble forward. Mura extended his arms and unleashed the spiraling energy forward, towards Kuipter. It spun him around and pushed him backwards, and as he landed, he dug up the ground where he touched it. Mura then ran forward, standing over Kuipter, and lifted him upwards, causing him to fall onto his back.

At this point, both of the combatants were breathing heavily, and had visibly sustained injuries from the fight. In their dark matter bodies, these injuries would heal in about two days all on their own, but they were surely close to going past what their bodies could handle. They both realized this. Mura stood over Kuipter's body, looking down at him. Kuipter knew that Mura was at the advantage now. He struggled to lift himself up.

Kuipter: How could this happen?! How could I sustain injury like this, from a pacifistic weakling like you?!

Kuipter growled to himself in anger. He looked back up at Mura for a while. Some time passed, as Kuipter's anger began to fester inside of him, before he realized something. Mura had not done anything now. He was simply standing over him. Kuipter had expected him to try and attack again, or for him to attempt to finish the job. But he hadn't. He was just standing over him and breathing heavily, with a sort of spent expression.

Kuipter: ... Why... Why haven't you done anything?

Kuipter became angry at this. Surely, someone like his brother should have no capacity for such an ambiguous and subtle action.

Kuipter: ((Could he be preparing for an attack? Or is he trying to toy with me?))

<font color=B30000>Mura: Kuipter...

He then spoke suddenly, interrupting Kuipter's thoughts.

<font color=B30000>Mura: The reason I was able to do this is because, fighting isn't all about power. You do have a lot of power. But fighting requires discipline and understanding, too... It's a skill, not just a chaotic event.

Kuipter growled at him.

Kuipter: Don't speak as if you know anything about it! You have always been idle when a true battle was happening... You cannot possibly be so sure that your view is truthful.

Mura seemed to ignore this remark.

<font color=B30000>Mura: And, the reason I haven't done anything is because you may very well be fatally wounded if I was to continue.

Kuipter: Tch... Of course, it's the morals of these people that bind your actions...

<font color=B30000>Mura: Kuipter... You don't get it... We both share the same pain. I have no reason to kill you.

Kuipter: You're the one who doesn't get it. I have my own reasons.

<font color=B30000>Mura: I know you do...! But that doesn't change anything. I won't do it... I couldn't kill my brother!

Kuipter: You fool...

Kuipter shakily stood up, giving Mura a scowl. As he was in pain, he could not stand up all the way, and he was kneeling forward slightly. Mura's head was still above him, even when he had gotten up.

Kuipter: If you cannot kill me, then you can never hope to save this planet from the destruction I will bring about. Even then, would you hesitate to act?

<font color=B30000>Mura: I will never kill you, I couldn't bear to do it, but I can stop you... I've proven that here and now. A-and I'll do it! Time and time again, until... we can finally understand each other... Okay...?

Kuipter started shaking. Ever word that Mura spoke rose his temperature, until his blood was boiling.

Kuipter: ... Your morals... I can sense your sincerity with them... And I can feel the weight of your decision...

Kuipter then gasped, and collapsed.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Kuipter! Are... Are you alright??

Kuipter didn't speak, but it was clear to Mura that he was still alive. Mura simply set him down on the ground, wanting to let him rest.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ... Now...

Mura looked up into the sky, to marvel the Dark Star that was now stationary among the clouds. It was quite a reminiscent sight, to say the least. Mura wondered if he should try to go up there. Taking Revelian with him, though, he thought. He, too, would be, well, interested, to get involved with this.

<font color=DB0000>Revelian: Mura!

As if he was summoned merely by the thinking of his name, Revelian came by. Mura turned around, surprised by his sudden appearance. But, his surprise was quickly changed into relief.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Bro!

Revelian was running over to him, seeming quite frantic. Mura guessed that he must have seen the Dark Star in the sky and had wanted to come to Mura before acting. It was what Mura himself was just going to do, anyway. Mura started to walk slowly over to him, too, though the injuries he'd sustained from fighting Kuipter made going at a fair pace somewhat difficult.

<font color=DB0000>Revelian: What happened here?!

Mura was far too relieved to observe how strange Revelian sounded. He embraced Revelian shortly.

<font color=B30000>Mura: It... It's a long story, but... Uh, don't get mad at him for doing this, but Kuipter, he...

Revelian looked over Mura, to see Kuipter's form, lying still on the ground. As he looked over to him, Kuipter began to move.

<font color=DB0000>Revelian: Kuipter... You said?

<font color=B30000>Mura: Y-yeah... Our younger brother... He came here, and...

Mura turned around, too. Kuipter was now standing, though not fairly balanced, and was holding out his left hand towards them, as energy began to build up around it, concentrating into an orb.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Ah! Kuipter, I told you...

Mura looked back to Revelian.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Bro, you should get back! Kuipter's power is very dangerous...

Mura tried to turn around to him shortly, but couldn't. His hands were being forcefully held by Revelian, and he could barely move his body.

<font color=B30000>Mura: R-Rev... Let me go, Kuipter is...

Mura froze. The sound of a foreign voice's laughter was sending chills down his spine.

<font color=DB0000>Revelian?: <font color=D09007> HEHEHEHEHEHEHE…

<font color=B30000>Mura: R... Rev...?

Mura looked back, and saw as the image of his brother transformed before him. His spiky hair rolled into four single rows, coming to resemble a joker's hat, with a star pattern on it. His head changed to became large, round, and red, and wearing a yellow mask that covered half of his face, with a large smile carved into it. His body changed to be covered by a red and yellow cloak, with a star pattern on it. He was gripping Mura's wrists tightly, with his large, tan, hands, with sharp nails that dug into his arm.

Mura felt his blood run cold as he faced the figure.

<font color=B30000>Mura: Re... You...

Mura tried to change the form of his body to get away from this figure, but he could not. He felt a strange energy forcing his power not to work.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ((Is this his doing...? How does he have this power??))

<font color=D09007>???: HAHAHAHAHAHA…

Mura looked forward again. Kuipter was charging up his energy into his arm. He realized what had happened. It was a trap.

Kuipter: Good work, Shenanigans... I knew you wouldn't let me down.

<font color=D09007>Shenanigans: AND I KNEW THE SAP WOULD COME RUNNING TO HIS, DEAR, YOUNGER BROTHER...

Mura stared into Kuipter's energy orb like a walker gawking at the headlights of an automotive.

<font color=B30000>Mura: I...

Kuipter then fired a beam of his power towards Mura, hitting him right in the chest, and piercing through. Shenanigans, behind him, seemed to have the beam pass right through him and his cloak. Shenanigans released his grip on Mura, letting him fall forward. He collapsed onto the ground, landing on his front.

<font color=B30000>Mura: ...

Kuipter: Hahaha...

Kuipter shakily walked over to Mura. He picked him up by his hair and held him, as Mura's vision began to go blurry.

Kuipter: Your words hold no meaning to me, Mura. The only thing that matters is strength. And there is no match to the strength that I wield, whether it be mine or the strength from those that I use. You should never have hoped to defeat me in the first place. That is how it will be for those before me. They shall either kneel to me and my might, or they will be destroyed by my strength.

Kuipter dropped him back onto the ground.

Kuipter: Oh... But destruction will not be your fate. No, this wouldn't be your greatest despair, and I must ensure this before all else.

Kuipter looked back up at Shenanigans. They were silent for a moment.

<font color=D09007>Shenanigans: HIS BODY HAS NOW BECOME A CORPSE...

Kuipter: Pick it up and take it with us.

<font color=D09007>Shenanigans: HEHE... GOT IT, BOSS.

Shenanigans lifted up Mura's unmoving body.

Kuipter: Before we leave...

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ((Was it... Just a trick?))

Revelian stared back up into the sky.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ((I was only outside to see it for a second, before it went back up into the sky... But why the hell would it be like that?))

Revelian shook his head.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Ugh... ((I really need to talk to Mura... This shit is getting to me in more ways than I'd like it to be.))

Revelian walked onto the scene of his front yard. The place was a mess, with most of the ground torn up and cracked.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: What the fuck happened here?!

Revelian stomped up to the door.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Damnit, Cygnus, I swear, if you let C-Tree and Leorina out at the same time again, after I told you not to, I'm gonna--

He stopped, then seeing a note tied to the front door. He paused to look at it, and saw that it was from Mura.

<font color=B30000>Hey, bro! Sorry, but I've gone out for a while, and I may not be back soon. If you're wondering about anything that happened, it was probably my fault... Unless I tell you otherwise, later. I did get everything prepared for tomorrow. All the pets are ready. I think it's going to be a great day for the two of us, yeah? (Even though I don't really like the idea of leaving the pets all alone.) But it was my idea, so I'm sticking with it, instead of the alternative. If something comes up, just stay in the house! I'll take care of it. You don't have to worry, I can handle it. I left Cygnus in charge, too. And, also, if you read this letter, it's because I didn't come back yet. (Well, duh.) If I don't come back soon, don't worry too much! And also, be nice to your brothers! I don't just mean me, silly. All of your brothers. Anyone who you consider a brother, friend or family, be nice to them! You probably won't get this now, but just trust me on it. This advice will do you real good. And remember it, this is what I want. ~Mura

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ... Huh... ((Wonder where he went off to. Does it have something to do with the Dark Star I saw, or was that really just nothing...? Ah, whatever. I'll find out soon enough.))

Mura snatched the note off of the door, and something fell out of it.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: What the...?

It was Mura's mask, with a broken frame. Revelian immediately picked it up upon recognizing it. He turned it around, trying to examine every side of it, as if one of these sides would tell him what was going on.

Revelian looked at the note again, wondering if something was on there. There was a back side to it. It looked as if it had dark matter blood on it. Revelian became frantic, and looked at the words etched onto this side of the note.

Consider this as a parting gift, taken from our late older brother. ~Kuipter Zeronius

Revelian stared at the note in disbelief, unmoving, for a long time. Shortly after, Cygnus opened the door, grabbed his arm and walked him inside, while he moved as if in a trance.

Chapter 2: The Dragon's Arts
A meeting had been called. The twenty-fourth floor of the LDZX Corps. HQ building was prime for the occasion. Usually, important meetings of the company were held within the thirteenth-and-a-half floor, but it was found to be far too casual (And with too much of a backstory that no one wanted to have to explain) for the event. The regular floor was prime for the invitation of sitting around and being enjoyed by the company of the regulars of the company, of course, and there was nothing wrong with it. But the occasion was far too formal for the events of the spouts of what was arguably common that went on within there.

Though, arguably, it was not because the guests would not enjoy the thirteenth-and-a-half floor, it was, in a prideful notion suggested by the employee Lazro, that the thirteenth-and-a-half floor was far too good to have to disgrace itself with the presence of outsiders such as these government men. The thirteenth-and-a-half floor was their own sacred place, which only they truly understood, Lazro had insisted. However, this notion was unanimously seen as ridiculous by everyone else, mostly due to the fact that Lazro himself had never gone to the thirteenth-and-a-half floor.

So it was up to the twenty-fourth floor to fit the bill.

High-ranking members of LDZX Corporations sat in chairs along the conference table. Their guest, the official head of the Ludusian Military, sat on a side of the table opposite of the present LDZX Co-CEO, Zachary, and was, for whatever reason, surrounded by Gridmasks on all sides. Not just behind him, as he had come accompanied with two men, but also to the side of the conference table, as there sat Delbin, the community-famed employee who had been employed for just three quarters of a year around now, and Lazro de Gridmasque, the worldwide celebrity descendant of First Emperor Taku de Gridmasque, who had been an employee of the company since the week it was started. Both of these employees were uncomfortable with the choice of seating that Military Commander Alden had taken, and for different reasons. Delbin himself was uncomfortable sitting next to a man who looked so intimidating, and who apparently knew of his actions regarding his initial employment to the company. Lazro was normally uncomfortable around any sort of government official, who he had grown very accustomed to their noting of his ancestry, yet the fact that this man himself requested to sit next to Lazro, who had been at the company for so long, as well as requesting to sit next to Delbin, who hadn't really been here that often, regarding them as if they were both in equal ranks of the company.

It seemed that the theme of this particular meeting was annoyance, as it had taken up much of the emotions felt by the people forced to sit there in that day. And for many reasons, in fact.

Delbin and Lazro, of course, already had their own reasons to be annoyed, yet they were granted with another one, to the aiding of Alden. Alden himself was somewhat hard of hearing, and as the others were far from him, he started looking to them to repeat what had been said.

Assorted members of the meeting were just annoyed because they had no point in being there. At the time, nothing was being done, and their minds filled with things that they would much rather be doing at the time.

But the single annoyance that struck everyone present at the meeting was towards the ones that had called it. Co-CEO of LDZX Corps., Ludicrine Anagram, and CEO of the LDZX Corps.-affiliated company, AM Inc., A Moriam. These two had requested themselves that everyone come here, specifically saying that it was important above all other things that they could possibly have to do today. And yet, clearly long past the time they had requested the others to come, they had yet to show up at all.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: So, you see, we can't really do anything until they get here, because we don't know what they called the meeting for...

With this explanation, Alden looked to Lazro, sitting at his right. Lazro was leaning against the table, trying to flick hairpins around in front of him.

<font color=ADFF2F>Lazro: Mhmm yeah he said we have to sit here longer.

Alden: ... Right, I see...

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: And, well, until then, perhaps we could bring up other urgent subjects? I mean, I know Kuipter has started acts of terrorism against Ludus, and there is some ways that we can help...

Alden looked to his left, at Delbin. Delbin was about two or three years older than Lazro, and, with his experiences, he was far more mature. It was even present in his appearance. He wore a dark grey and aqua-lined suit, and kept his dark hair neatly combed. However, in this state of boredom, his maturity wasn't showing, as he put his hands in the shape of a goalpost, giving Lazro something to shoot for.

Delbin: We want to get rid of Kuipter, just like you do. We want to know how we can help you.

Delbin stifled a swear as Lazro flicked a hairpin into his eye. Alden looked back up at Zachary and nodded.

Alden: Concerning this... In the military, we do have access to our own offensive weapons, of course, but that doesn't mean we couldn't use the help that you can provide... Through pets with offensive capabilities, and technology of your own kinds.

Alden tugged at the neck of his shirt, and let out a cough.

Alden: Of course, if it dissuades you to provide us with the knowledge of your access to any such technology, you can feel safe knowing that we will not ask questions...

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Right, uh, our "advanced technology"... I don't really think we have much availability to anything that couldn't just be created here.

Alden looked to Lazro. He always alternated between looking at him and Delbin for this.

<font color=ADFF2F>Lazro: They don't have much non-Gridile technology.

Lazro sighed.

<font color=ADFF2F>Lazro: We're actually a bit behind in some fronts, technologically-speaking.

Alden: ... I see...

Alden gave a look over the room for a moment.

Alden: I suppose, however, that we could provide one another the help that we could manage... In these times, good help is hard to come by, something I know all too well. In terms of gathering intelligence, we are matched by no other... Kuipter's idleness before his strikes have only helped us in this field.

Alden paused for a moment, looking over the room again, to see if anyone was going to speak.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Yes, this would be a great help... A good start, at least.

Alden looked over to Delbin.

Delbin: He thanks you.

Alden nodded.

Revelian shifted uncomfortably in his chair at the mention of Kuipter's name. He folded his arms, giving a disgruntled expression.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ... When the hell are those two going to decide to show up??

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Be patient, Rev, I'm sure it'll be soon.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: I'm tired of waiting here and doing fucking nothing! That's all we've done since Kuipter dropped down on us in the first place, nothing!

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Well, that's exactly what we're doing here now, trying to do something.

Zachary sighed. Alden looked over to Lazro for this.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Rev, please... I know you're really suffering right now, but you can't let your emotions get the better of you. Right now, we have the chance to get the ball rolling with this...

Revelian huffed at Zach.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Don't patronize me as if you know how I feel. Why don't we just put all our resources into action and blast Kuipter all across the fucking galaxy?!

Lazro quickly repeated this for Alden, who then stood.

Alden: Mister, Revelian Zeronius, was it?

Revelian gave him an annoyed look.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: What?

Alden: Are you familiar with the concept of starvation tactics?

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: ... Yeah... It's military strategy in which you cut the supply lines and starve out the enemy.

Revelian caught himself, and then nodded, for Alden to see.

Alden: So then, you do realize that a similar strategy is the best method to ensure our victory?

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: What do you mean?

Delbin: Yeah, what do you mean?

Alden: Currently, we have no power that can overcome Kuipter as a whole. He is a being that far surpasses the technology and weaponry which we have available to us. Futhermore, he has access to several units which could very easily wipe us all out if they were to put their power together. If we are to destroy these forces one at a time, however... His army will grow weaker, until we will be able to easily overtake him. It's very similar to starvation tactics, in that we are severing that which gives him the great power over us, the units in his army, one at a time.

The room was silent for a moment.

Alden: Ludus has always excelled in this strategy in particular. The starvation of power is what saved our planet from a number of invaders. I have full confidence in our ability to use this tactic now. So, we may rely in a single shot that will, though very unlikely, possibly put an end to things, or we can focus on a calculated strategy that will last a while longer, but will almost ensure a victory...

Zachary stood up.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: I think that doing this is our best option... I hope I can speak for everyone when I say that we're on board for it.

Zachary looked around the room. No one said anything in disagreement, but Revelian definitely looked like he wanted to.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: ... Right, then. So, as for our course of action...

The door to the conference room was then opened. Standing in the doorway was an adult male humanoid creature, who was dressed in a labcoat and glasses, and the other garb of a typical scientist-type, with short black hair and a yellow-ish skin, and that had antennae sticking out of his head.

<font color=B4D206>Dr. Wasp: Mister Isles...

Dr. Wasp was a scientist that worked for LDZX Corps. along with Ludicrine and Mori in some of their more famous trades. He was fairly well known around the company.

<font color=B4D206>Dr. Wasp: They're here now. We can begin.

Zachary managed a smile. Everyone else let out sounds of slight relief, while Revelian grumbled "finally" under his breath.

Ludicrine and Mori entered the room, as Dr. Wasp held the door for them. Mori carried in a laptop and a projector.

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: G'Mornin', everyone.

Revelian sat up, his annoyance evident.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Morning? It's noon, you moron.

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: Oh, hush, you.

Revelian gritted his teeth.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: It would have still been "morning" if you'd bothered to show up when you had the meeting scheduled. But instead, it's now the afternoon. And we've been sitting in this damn room the whole time waiting for you two to get here.

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: Yeah, yeah, I get it.

Ludicrine looked over to Mori while he began setting up the laptop and the projector.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Well??

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: Well what?

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: What's your terrific reason for being so late to this, then?

Ludicrine sighed.

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: You know that little guy of mine, Bruidic? The little troublemaker. He needed me to help him out. In love with a crazy girl and all, needed some advice.

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: How the fuck is that more deserving of your time than this is?!

<font color=00FF00>Ludicrine: Oh, come on, could you look the other way if he came to you asking that?

<font color=FF0000>Revelian: Yes, I could, because Bruidic is a delinquent little shit.

Zachary stood up.

<font color=3505AA>Zachary: Alright, both of you, that's enough! This is a professional meeting, not a debate club.

Revelian scowled at him, but he sat back down. Mori, meanwhile, finished setting up the projector.

Mori was another Gridmask member of the group. He was well-known with the company, and was good friends with most of the major employees, as he had been since the day he'd been the first non-employee to adopt a pet. Since then, he went on to create an affiliate company of LDZX Corporations, which was named AM Inc. Mori himself was an individual interested in the subjects of magics and science in many fields of them, and he often helped Ludicrine with some strange research and projects. Mori, right now, was wearing a dark green coat and suit, along with his signature pair of glasses.