Shafton City

Alex pays for separate rooms in the Shafton Hotel for everyone (even Duma and Ripsaw, which gets odd looks from the front desk staff) and settles into his room after saying "good night" to everybody, quickly drifting off to sleep. I'm sure nothing bad is going to happen while he's sleeping.

Meanwhile, in Ripsaw's room, the robotic entity is sitting on the room's bed, mulling over everything that's recently happened in his databanks, now that he finally has the chance to while waiting for the sun to rise. While he greatly values his debt to Terrus and Duma in their (arguably unintentional) action of reactivating him, and feels a sense of fulfilling purpose in assisting them and their friends, at the same time he nonetheless feels.. largely conflicted.

Odds are, they are unaware of who he even is, and what he was involved in not even that long ago - he calculates how fast it would take for their hospitality to wane, should they discover he was previously in the... willing employ, of the man that very recently nearly ended the world, even after that rousing speech about friendship - truly he has terrible timing. Although, then again, he had made sure not to say anything about that, and it is unlikely anyone would recognize him now, given his system reset.

However, even with his renewed purpose, he can also sense something gnawing at him within his data - core protocol among the Metal Legion's robot forces dictates that, following any major cataclysmic event that results in drastic damage to the organization or, more specifically, its leader, any surviving units are required to locate him or his remains, make way for any surviving hidden bases or outposts, and work to revive him and rebuild from there - and suffice to say, that recent cataclysm took the cake - the majority of the Legion's forces, their base.. hell, even Plantium's body itself, all likely rusting or decaying in the deep abyss, with very little the defunct commander can do at this point, who by mere chance was spared the same fate; although likely for the worse, as he must now continue to function with this maddening paradox plaguing his system indefinitely.

Regardless, Ripsaw continues to think on this for a good while longer, before growing tired of it and engaging his sleep mode.

After an uneventful night's rest, morning wafted over Shafton City. Kaia had already woken up and was taking a much-needed shower.

Andy groggily woke eventually, wiping drool off his face with his Hand of Fate. "Unh...why do I still feel like staying in bed..."

-----

Meanwhile, at Jagger's apartment, the ex-cop was studying the composition of the bullet from Solum City last night. He gently levitated it with his magnokinetic power...and was astonished at how well it responded to magnetism. Lead certainly doesn't have that effect. This isn't a traditional bullet - this was made specially...likely for spirit creatures like Zenmei.

See, what did I tell you, dear reader? Nothing bad happened during the night. That comes during the morning.

Alex is woken by a large boulder flying through his window and smashing into his bathroom... but is still groggy and can barely comprehend it, so when he goes to take a shower, he's confused as to why it isn't working.

"GUYS!" shouted Alex across the hall. "MY SHOWER'S BROKEN!"

Alex's call wakes up Terrus and Duma, who groggily come to their senses. Meanwhile, as Alex tries washing his hands, another boulder whizzes over his head, knocking part of the bathroom wall over and causing the water pipes above to leak... right onto Alex.

"I think there may be a problem with the water!" added Alex.

The boulders' impact knock Andy out of bed and onto the floor. "Bwaaa - !! ...Okay, I don't wanna be in bed anymore."

Kaia nearly fell over in the shower, had she not caught herself with her own psychokinesis. "Already - ??"

-----

Jagger had already put the bullet down and taken notes when the boulders' impact was heard. "(!) What now??" In any case, he can't ignore this, either. So, he sets out to the hotel to see what's up.

Terrus and Duma quickly meat up with Alex in the hall.

"Did you guys have problems with your showers, too?" asked a still-groggy Alex. "'Cause mine just plain didn't work. This place isn't gonna get a good Yelp review from me, I can tell you that. Think we can get a refund?"

"Boulders came crashing through your room," said Terrus. "I think you may be legally responsible for that."

"Dammit," said Alex.

Ripsaw is stirred out of his sleep mode from the boulders crashing through the hotel, hissing steam as he boots himself up.

"..This is why we can't have nice things," he mumbled angrily, as he quickly exits his room.

Andy headed into the halls. "Yo! I think we're under a rock assault! We better get to wherever they came from while we can!"

Kaia came to the halls as well, just now adjusting her shirt just right and about to put on her jacket. "Agreed. We should hurry!"

-----

Jagger arrived on the scene, and saw the two boulders indented deep into the hotel. "What - ?! {looks toward the mines} Did those come from...?"

"But I just got up..." mumbled Alex.

Terrus grabs Alex and drags him outside, Duma following. He stops to look at the boulders, trying to figure out where they came from. Since he's not the brightest, Duma can't talk, and Alex is somehow STILL half asleep, he's not making much progress.

Andy and Kaia follow, Andy prepping the Guidance ability. This eventually conjures the same spectral compass as before. It pointed in the direction of the Mineral Mines. "That must be our objective point over there!"

"(!) So it IS from the mines..." Jagger said. It's only now that the two Zoiskar noticed him. "Alright, I'm going in...!" With that, Jagger took off for the Mineral Mines.

"(!) Wait! It might be dangerous in there for you!" Kaia shouted, following after Jagger. Andy accompanied, leading the way.

Alex, Terrus, and Duma follow.

As does Ripsaw, whom quickly catches up to the group as they head to the mines.

Jagger had returned to his place, recording his analysis of the bullet. "The bullet is mostly comprised of cold-iron, a rare alloy of iron and a pinch of orichalcum. The result is a metal that can disrupt spiritual flow - as such, weapons of it can be potentially fatal to most Yokai. The issue of making an iron bullet has always involved relatively low density and momentum, which would make it less effective at a long range than lead bullets. The fact that someone fixed these flaws for such a shot seems to indicate that - "

Just then, he received a call on his phone. "(?) {picks up} Jagger Herz speaking."

"Jagger! This is Chaperon speaking."

"(!) P...Princess! Uh...how...may I help - ?"

"Listen, get on the defensive. The Chamber is being breached!"

"(!) The...Chamber??"

"Yes, and if he breaks free, we need as much defense as possible to keep him from reaching anyone."

"I don't know, Chaperon...This figure's so powerful, it took a lot just to seal him. Do you really think I can block someone like that out?"

"Unfortunately, this isn't a time for doubt...We have to muster what strength we can for this incident. Do you understand?"

"...Alright. I'll do my best."

Meanwhile, Adam and Umbrella had gotten ice cream here when Adam got a call from Parasoul's comm. While Umbrella and her parasol Hungern enjoyed the cool treats, Adam answered it.

"Oh, hello, commander! Situation is normal, ice cream acquired - "

"So you're both alright, then?"

"Uh...yes."

"{sigh of relief} Okay, good...Listen, we've had an attack over here at Sanctuary."

"(!) A-An attack? By whom?"

"Well, by a quick glance, the White Platoon - among them an 'Erix'."

"(?) Erix? I thought that was back when Prince Ganymede was - "

"Exactly. This doesn't add up...There could be other conflicting factors, but we've yet to recall them. Anyway, if you're anywhere around Shafton City, try to contact Prince Ganymede. He may want to hear this."

"Affirmative!"

"And of course, make sure Umbrella stays out of trouble."

"Yeah yeah, you don't need to tell me twice!" Umbrella snarked, overhearing the conversation. "Anyway, I plan to get Ganymede's autograph, too!"

"Uh...right. Any questions, Adam?"

"None," Adam replied.

"Good. I'm trusting you to this. Parasoul out."

Meanwhile, Ganymede is visiting his brother, Duncan, at Shafton's jail. To prevent Duncan from trying anything fishy he's being hoisted above the ground and away from any solid surface by chains attached to the ceiling.

From just outside the room that Ganymede is in, Adam's voice was heard: "Permission to enter, Sir Ganymede?"

"Permission granted!" shouted Ganymede outside. "Enter!"

"I take it that they aren't here to see me," said Duncan. "Shame. I thought visiting hours would be enjoyable."

"You still have me!" said Ganymede.

"I thought visiting hours would be enjoyable," repeated Duncan.

Adam entered, saluting Ganymede. He saw Duncan in the corner of his eye, swallowing hard in reaction. "... {clears throat} I apologize for interrupting, but...Commander Parasoul just relayed a report meant for you." Adam took a breath before continuing. "...A group that may or may not be the White Platoon attacked Sanctuary and assassinated Ambassador Judah - among them a figure that seemed to be 'Erix'."

-----

Meanwhile, Jagger was on his computer, watching a recent report on the events in Sanctuary, hearing Uldritch's speech. The fact that this practically sparked a witch hunt in Haven unnerved the nephilim.

"Erix?" asked Ganymede. "That was the name people dubbed me when I was cursed!"

"Really?" asked Duncan. "That's a stupid name."

"You cursed me in the first place, you don't get to judge!" said Ganymede. "... Wait, you wouldn't have anything to do with this, would you?"

"You wound me," sarcastically said Duncan.

"Yes, that's what Commander Parasoul figured was off...They claimed to be the White Platoon, but had a previous version of you in the ranks. From this, we fear that - " Adam suddenly got another call from Parasoul. "Uh... {answers} yes?"

"Adam, we have trouble! Senator Uldritch has issued an immediate arrest on all associated with the White Platoon, including anyone that ever allied with them!"

"(!) I-Immediate arrest?? All due respect, isn't that jumping the gun a bit soon?"

"He does seem desperate - he already went to arrest Lucas Vinisha, whom had previously helped seek out Alexander's blades."

"{puzzled} Uh, okay, so Vinisha helped find the blades...Doesn't that - ?"

"{sternly} Mind flexed, Kapowski. When they did gather all the pieces, some unregistered assailant appeared and snatched the blades. These blades and more like them were used by operatives of Majestic at the recent battle in the Chamber!"

"(!) Majestic??"

"Exactly. Now remember, Adam - we may be from Haven, but we are Black Egrets first and foremost. Our main interest is serving justice and protecting the innocent. I trust that no form of the true Ganymede was involved in this attack - stand at his guard. Do you understand?"

"Okay, but...what about Vinisha?"

"I wish I knew how to answer that...For all we know, he too could be another key witness of the attack's truths. But if we track him, they will catch him before we can reach him. We'll have to stave off our search for him for now."

"... What was that about?" asked Ganymede, who didn't hear the call because it wasn't on speaker.

"Well..." Adam looked over to Ganymede, "Senator Uldritch wants everyone that's ever been linked to the White Platoon arrested. He's already after a Templar that assisted Alexander in finding the blades to stop Morbul..."

He put his communicator away as he continued: "However, I am primarily under Princess Parasoul's orders. She and I both trust that you at least had nothing to do with the recent assault."

"Of course I wasn't!" said Ganymede. "I haven't left Shafton all day! My brother is a witness!"

Umbrella peeked through the crack in the door, hoping to see Ganymede.

-----

Meanwhile, the airship of the Ciellos Sky Pirates was beginning to descend from the clouds toward Shafton City, activating a cloaking device as it did. This renders it transparent to visibility and to radar outside. The captain, Fervolo, looked over the edge to the research facility.

"There's the target. {to Roman and Wrenchy} You two! Make sure the ship stays unseen whilst I acquire our charge."

"You got it, bro!" Roman said, saluting again.

"..." Wrenchy said.

So, Fervolo leaped off the edge, activating a wing-pack in his trenchcoat. The wings deployed used a feystone (magic-imbued crystal) to stabilize drift and direction as he swooped down out of sight behind the facility.

The guy wears fancy robes and has skin that's basically solid stone. He's not easy to miss.

---

None of the guards (if there are any) notice Fervolo's descent.

OOC: I may or may not have mixed up "hard to find" and "easy to miss" earlier.