The aircraft descends to the Cauchemar floor. Kapurma and Supremeo tells the crew they'll be staying in the ship while they entertain the king.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAXUAErVrxny
Diwata: What? Why?
345Please respect copyright.PENANAuvNZzbASiy
Supremeo: No telling how the citizens here would deal with other metal life forms being made outside their boarders. Whether they be robot, cyborg, android, and battle droid whatever. Most of the citizens here felt the world dumped them here when they didn't need them anymore. And I don't blame them. The entire robot population is down here. Don't worry I won't be doing nothing while I'm in the ship. I'll be scanning the island for Amaro's whereabouts with my panoptes lenses. Flying over these lands or docking is forbidden unless you have an invite by a high ranking official from the king's office. We gotta find out who's given Amaro his invite.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAROA2NhHPso
Kapurma: And me, well I'd hate to draw attention for being a talking tortoise and Supremeo could use the company.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAP9rkPJn06R
Sylvia: I'll be staying to Kap. The fuel tanks and force field tech needs some tinkering on this ship so you'll have extra company.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAzMWd9gMrXc
Kapurma: Oh that's great!
345Please respect copyright.PENANA3hI0zKMRt9
Diwata nods in agreement with the plan. A loud *Thoom* then follows. The ship has landed.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA4CVI2xXJfo
As the doors open our crew is greeted by a platoon of what Richard would call royal droids with their leader Bast in the middle. "She is a part of the 4% human population here", Whispered Richard.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA0FV9pusk3A
Before he could continue. The leader speaks.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAuVuS9runWn
Bast: Our esteemed gusts have arrived. Greetings! I hope the ride here wasn't too troublesome.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAo7O7tQoXDP
Richard replies, "Thank you. The ride here was fine. Nice to finally meet you all. Not that it's a problem but the platoon of droids, is all that really necessary?"
345Please respect copyright.PENANAjivVASmPHu
Bast: A very necessary procedure I assure you. Some citizens here tend to get a little too feisty when they see new guests. These soldiers behind me will serve as reminders that you are guests of our King and are not to be harmed.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAEQMbNWFhd6
Zachary: Hell yeah! Don't mess with us!
345Please respect copyright.PENANAlrpBJBu2MR
Sarah: whispers* Zach. Shhh!
345Please respect copyright.PENANAcFQD7RsSkD
Richard looking to Bast nods and tells her, "Okay general lead the way."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAY4WjFIsiot
Bast points to a Colosseum type structure in the distance. It's on a large hill that peeks over the lot their ship landed in.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAnsoSfCIJjD
Bast: We will be heading there.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAUVAG8vjCsT
Shocked Richard asks, "What? Not the castle?"
345Please respect copyright.PENANA9savSMTWfx
Bast: No the entertainment always happens outside of the castle. Will that be a problem?
345Please respect copyright.PENANARhsjVJYrpX
Richard tells the general, "no not at all" as he looks at Bast. Her armor looks as if it's made of solid gold. Her helmet is in the shape of a panther. The platoon of droids add to the intimidating aura that surrounds Richard and his friends. Richard thinks to himself, "dad what have you got me into."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAKGI4j0MuBv
Everyone heads out to the Colosseum. The royal droids accompany our crew in a strategic manner. They are guarded from every angle. Bast continue to guide the crew and assures them they wouldn't have to walk all the way there.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAMj8uQHAPwc
Zachary: Thank Gawd!!
345Please respect copyright.PENANA8xhBC6JsWB
Richard: Zach you're a pretty tough guy. But when it comes to walking that's something you absolutely hate.
345Please respect copyright.PENANARAZxUYIFzO
Zachary: Yeah it is! I'd rather be dropped right into the fight. You know what Im saying?!
345Please respect copyright.PENANANXoFW631Ku
Bast turns around with a look of confusion towards Zach and Richard's conversation and they both realize that. So Richard "corrects" himself. Nervous that she'll find out they're more than just "the performers" Richard speaks.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAXnpkjlJl5B
Richard: Ha! Ha! You're so intense man! Looking at this like a real fight!? Gosh no wonder you guys are so amazing to watch! Ha! Ha!
345Please respect copyright.PENANA15gRRqDPqf
Nervously Richard holds his arm behind his head till Bast turns back around. Richard gives Zachary a "mean look" to remind him they don't know they're also looking for Amaro.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAIRfeH9zKBH
10 minutes pass as our group walks a trail headed to the Colosseum. The pathway is visible but also covered in tall grass. They are encountered by a robot in the middle of the road. It's missing a portion of its leg. He's able to stand with a rifle he's also using as a cane. Bast stops the crew and moves forward to talk to the robot.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAaShMb7ssdo
Bast: How's it goin old timer? What're you doing down here?
345Please respect copyright.PENANABeBmSlxDms
The robot speaks, "I just wanted to take an early afternoon stroll."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAvNE3u3I96K
Bast: Here though? What's your name old timer?
345Please respect copyright.PENANAKnxXliMU4T
The robots face changes to anger, "My name is Cibor. And what's wrong with here as a path? I'll have you know girlie I served in that war your people couldn't win without us!"
345Please respect copyright.PENANAOFGhbY0oWD
Bast backs off the old robot she says, "Hey I didn't mean it like that. You're by yourself. Other robots have been ripping parts from each other. I'm just concerned for your safety.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAAQ1Pj1M5qc
Cibor replies, "Let them come! I've been long overdue for some entertainment! I'm not scared of them. I've been ready to die!"
345Please respect copyright.PENANATbJFOui68S
Bast now trying to calm the robot war veteran down. She hears grass rustling behind her. She turns around and sees combat droids approaching the royal droids, "HEY! DEFEND THEM." yelled Bast. She looks over at Cibor now scared he tells her, "They made me do it. They said they'd take my other leg and sell the rest of my parts." Bast looks at Cibor with forgiveness and turns to the fight.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAODHbZBxsdj
Bast tells herself, "From the looks of things there seems to be about 50 of these guys. 50 vs 20, these royal droids can handle those numbers." She runs towards the fight as the royal droids make their first attack.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAHa8nTyvRwL
They slam the attacking battle droids and start to form a protective circle around the crew.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAcDo096PjwM
Maxwell begins to reach for a button to start his tech suit up but Richard reaches for Max's hand and shakes his head. He tells max, "Let them do their job." The rest of the crew see this and follow the order.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAJOj5VN54Vq
The battle droids start to fly over the protective circle the royal droids formed only to be caught by the royals and slammed. Some are thrown so hard they break apart. Maxwell sees this and tells himself, "They haven't even used their weapons yet."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAQiPaip48Ss
Then Bast appears outside the circle revealing her weapon. A doubled bladed staff both ends are laser blades. Her panther helmet sends down a visor protecting her exposed face. Bast gracefully swings her staff attacking anything that doesn't look like a royal guard slowly breaking the crowd that surrounds the circle of royal droids.
345Please respect copyright.PENANABmHTh5O8W4
Bast splits her staff in two now attacking with a double laser sword.
345Please respect copyright.PENANATU5qEYA72F
She's hit with a bullet behind her back. It does not phase her.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAPz6ukVoFSn
Bast flips 1 of her laser blades over and a grapple beam shoots out and grabs a robot. She pulls it in and slashes its head off with the other sword. And proceeds to use the headless droid as a shield. While she flips her other blade it's revealed that it doubles as a gun.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA6x5y5T0nWc
1 by 1 Bast lands headshot after headshot.
345Please respect copyright.PENANABIt9GzoBXm
The robots begin to disperse till there are only a few left standing. Instead of fighting they run away from the battle.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAGq64JdbXy8
Bast Stands in the middle of her slain foes covered in wires, oil leaked through stabbing the attacking droids. She tells her companions, "Alright let's keep going."
345Please respect copyright.PENANA795mn4pNOp
The show Bast put on made Maxwell and Richard aware just how dangerous things could get if their plans were exposed. They continue to walk the path.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA9jDQM5gpNC
As they walk onward Cibor thanks Bast for getting rid of the attackers. He bows his head and begs for forgiveness.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAoggh7l6Zp3
Bast tells Cibor, "There's no need for that old timer. Just stay safe and clear of areas like this."
345Please respect copyright.PENANARJ5bTD4YW6
She continues to say, "The King has a soft spot for the ones who served in the war. So do I. I'm glad I helped out."
345Please respect copyright.PENANA1tnkwlNa42
As they begin to move onward Cibor screams out to the general, "Allow me to pay you back!"
345Please respect copyright.PENANAyD00Nz464G
Bast turns around and asks the robot what he could offer.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAjpnk5lwkAk
Cibor replies, "I was built a medical robot. My strength has been dampened a little bit, but with your help I can be valuable!"
345Please respect copyright.PENANAnn0ZHfGUyi
Bast replies, "So I should help you again? That's 2 favors."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAE5TzL7BEMA
Cibor pleads, "I PROMISE YOU WON'T REGRET IT! I WILL BE A VALUABLE MEMBER IN YOU COUNCIL!"
345Please respect copyright.PENANAqMiuDlptPf
Cibor continues to say, "You said the King and you supported the robots who served. If that's true please allow me to work with you! Anything would be better than rusting to death in this hell."
345Please respect copyright.PENANA02h1E6p9SA
Bast looks to Cibor with no emotion, as Cibor anxiously waits for a reply she then says, "Come along then. I will introduce you to my King."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAv6txoe3ZB6
Elated Cibor travels with the group and hobbles along with the crew.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAhbrWrp1FPQ
Our group reaches the end of the pathway.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAgOUNW5GtfQ
A gondola lift attached to steel wires is parked on the floor in front of our group.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAZT5kUKXHei
Bast: Alright guys well be riding this up to the Colosseum.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAcKAqrmJtzC
Zachary: Cool! No more walking. Just 1 question though.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAHqjJ0WkXrS
Bast: Yes, what is it?
345Please respect copyright.PENANAsne78DnaZX
Zachary: You don't have no giant flying dinosaurs or birds that live here that can snap these wires do you?
345Please respect copyright.PENANAt06M4oNigw
With a look of confusion Bast replies, "No."
345Please respect copyright.PENANA2ionPaSuqh
Zachary: Really? Cool!
345Please respect copyright.PENANAppFS076lXS
Zachary strolls in the lift while the others follow.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAOyno4fvsup
As the gondola rises to the top of the cliff the Colosseum gets bigger and grander the closer they get. Once the lift stops they step out.
345Please respect copyright.PENANABC5mSfmS7y
Richard then asks his friends, "Alright guys! You all ready to put on a show!?"
345Please respect copyright.PENANA3BnsdtIa2W
Richard asks Bast for a moment with his crew and she agrees. The group proceeds to run down all the events they plan to do.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA3TeTNRidDn
Richard: You guys set on what were all doing right?
345Please respect copyright.PENANAVvBFjvQWI5
Diwata: yes I'll go first and showcase my famous ramen.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAmwksCW4Jc6
Richard: Yes enjoying food was built in all robots as an extra source of fuel for them. And for them to experience flavor.
345Please respect copyright.PENANALn1jkyOw1V
Ryan: And I'll be up next with an original poem.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA6sL8DANboI
Zachary leans over to Ryan and asks, "Are you sure about this?" Ryan replies, "Trust me man just wait and see."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAdd8dR1fwRI
Richard: Hey Zachary you'd be next with Maxwell. You guys found out what you'd be doing.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAAfxxmPNLx1
Maxwell: Yes, were sparring in our armor.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAlsGwE6Jtts
Zachary: Martial arts are a part of the arts to. That's what we were thinking.
345Please respect copyright.PENANANg8WWjDWf2
Richard: That's fine. Great idea. How about you Sarah.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAL2ZFEIMdj7
Sarah: I'll be playing an instrument. The electric guitar. Victor gave me one for my birthday a while back and I've gotten pretty good at it.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA6nQjbitomN
Richard: Haha! Awesome were set then. That should be enough time for Supremeo to track down Amaro. Let's get ready.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA9At4zjeR1p
Richard heads towards Bast and lets her know they are ready to perform for the King and the royal council.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAvzw1NXIX3W
Inside the Colosseum an hour and a half later.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAGPWfCgweUI
A long table is set at the center of the Colosseum floor while a stage is off in the distance. An aircraft arrives and parks itself at the top of the Colosseum. Bast explains to our heroes the King shall watch the entertainment from a box seat in the Colosseum stands. While the council shall enjoy the show up front.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAgmOWyjO75r
As everyone takes their seats the first one up is Diwata. The royal droids serve the council 1 by 1 a bowl of ramen. And the machine King has a bowl given to him as well. Diwata explains the dish to the council.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAK4m5ysReEi
Diwata: This is my famous Supremeo noodles. Everything in the bowl is handmade and handpicked for perfection.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAyKm68ZqiG2
A council member looks at the bowl and says, "Hmmm my smell sensors are saying this is good. I don't know about the name though. What the hell! I'll give it a try."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAzDxSNHtwkd
The council member proceeds to open his mouth and pour the entire meal in its wide robotic mouth. The next thing to happen would give Diwata pride on her dish. The council member loved it!
345Please respect copyright.PENANA6oNIbgzbBu
He proceeds to say, "Amazing! Just amazing! The broth has the right amount of herbs. The pork cuts are soo tender and so are the noodles. Only a master would make something like this!!"
345Please respect copyright.PENANAx1O7Ey6Zv8
The rest of the council all look to the box seat to see what the King's opinion on how good the meal is. Behind the veil the shadowy figure gives a thumbs up.
345Please respect copyright.PENANALfSE3WjYVT
The council screams in enjoyment and chants, "MORE! MORE! MORE!"
345Please respect copyright.PENANApe4U8ie4Bw
Next up was Ryan. He pulls out a sheet of paper and begins to read what's on it with passion, anger, sadness and joy.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAxHMJofgrSw
The council cries, claps and cheers while they all enjoy their 2nd bowl of Diwata's famous noodles.
345Please respect copyright.PENANADwikNtfiSp
The King also gives a thumbs up from behind the veil.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAWDxjjKHjAE
Next up is Max and Zachary with their sparring match.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA1ojUlQej1F
They both step out armored head to toe.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAk3FzoEHKOH
Richard explains, "These guys are very popular fighters from the outside world the intensity of their blows and intelligence of their strikes magnifies when they wear this armor.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA01aUocKT0T
Richard nervously thinks to himself, "Maybe if it's just hand to hand combat the King and his council wouldn't expect them being more than fighters. They said it themselves. The only arts they know how to do is expressing themselves through punches and kicks. Hope this match can buy enough time for Supremeo."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAnkGeUJA2tk
And so the match begins Zach throws the first punch Max dodges and lands a shot to Zach's ribs. Loud OOoo's can be heard from the council as they continue to eat their 3rd serving of noodles.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA1SiEzBlvZG
Maxwell kicks only for it to be caught and him to be thrown down. Zachary proceeds to let his hands go but pulling back on the power so it wouldn't hurt Max too much.
345Please respect copyright.PENANArqJDVbmewn
Max puts up his guard and sparks fly as the armored fighter's metals fists clashes against the protective armor on Max's arms.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAphqj4NxK6N
Max manages to get out from underneath Zach and they continue to throw blows.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAZxzSuRg4HB
From behind the veil the King now leans forward. Entertained by the two armored fighters.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAYIHfEXQmbd
Then perhaps out of excitement. 2 consecutive blows land on Max breaking his helmet. Revealing 1 half of his face. The council cheers at the intensity of the battle. For the King it was not so much the excitement of the fight but the cracking of the helmet. The King of machines tells Bast who is outside the veil, "I think I know that person..."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAXqnYwhDgzS
Bast replies, "Is that a problem boss?"
345Please respect copyright.PENANAP6xyNJlmPo
The machine King Smiles and says, "Not at all."
345Please respect copyright.PENANABdW9e82Phk
As the sparring match continues Richard notices the figure from behind the veil starting to stand up. He thinks to himself, "Oh no he's board. We need all the time we can get."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAC9clE71kMd
That was far from it though. The machine King pulls back the curtain and steps out into the sunlight. No one has seen his face but the council and Bast. So showing himself in this manner catches everyone's attention except for the performers Max and Zachary.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAp2c9nhYONY
The rest of our heroes look on still unable to see his face in the rays.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAwyHwwXzUQv
The King jumps down in the middle of the Colosseum stopping the match. In full view he looks at Maxwell and says, "Have a spar with me boy. Your friend can join the match to if he'd like."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAGxVTqmCNeT
Having seen the King's face Max and Zachary assumed he was entertained and wanted to participate. He was a giant figure with a half human half machine face. He looks over to Richard and he nods as if he was saying, "Go for it."
345Please respect copyright.PENANA8VatmJO0tF
Max and Zach both charge at the King only to be slammed head first breaking the rest of Max's helmet as well as all of Zach's.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAvSOZOJ4jLm
Richard screams, "Whoooa Hey!!"
345Please respect copyright.PENANADZC0KvY1dQ
Max gets up to dust himself off and the King speaks to him, "I knew you looked familiar. You even fight the same as him. You're related to Elias right?...
345Please respect copyright.PENANACq1HyeOnOC
Shocked and speechless Max doesn't say a thing.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAvJ9WDNMMkz
Richard is at a loss for words as well.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA5HcCtb0CKp
He looks over at Sarah and she's pale in the face and speechless.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA7fMqc1kdw8
Richard screams, "Hey you guys! We gotta think of something."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAXEaiyZYntU
Back to the fight with the machine King.
345Please respect copyright.PENANA9QWodjyrVN
Machine King: Your father was one of the people that exiled us here. And our land was surrounded by shooters that picked us off boat by boat. You mock me by being here. A swift knee to the gut puts Max down. The King picks Max up by the throat and a 5ft blade pops out of his wrist. The blade begins to ignite with extreme heat.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAj2Z1NCp1R8
Richard looks to Sarah and asks what to do. While the King monologues Maxwell while he's bleeding out.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAoO6c8XwyQX
Sarah: I...I...don't I can't...
345Please respect copyright.PENANAvjRIqt4NaL
Richard: What why!?! He's gonna kill him! Sarah I'm not a fighter! But I'll help if I have to!
345Please respect copyright.PENANAQI6BasdhC6
Sarah's pale face holding tears back she tells Richard, "I don't know how this happened but that my brother....The machine King is my brother!"
345Please respect copyright.PENANAEPoByfmdhJ
Richard shocked is left speechless. Just then a loud " THOOM" is herd.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAY5yYPuxdXz
It was Supremeo he holds the blade intended for max. The machine King flashes another smile and says, "Ahhh I was wondering when you'd show my fellow mechanical friend.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAI6oarD5PS9
Holding the blade Supremeo tells the King, "No one will die today!" He replies, "Are you sure?"
345Please respect copyright.PENANAVQGJXXeXEs
While Supremeo holds the blade he has a charged up star flamed fist ready to strike the King but before he can deliver the blow Supremeo is shot behind the head knocking him down and out.
345Please respect copyright.PENANAyqro0zl9UX
Everyone looks to see who pulled the trigger it was none other than Cibor. With an intense look on his face he repeats, "I will earn my Keep! I will earn my keep! I WILL EARN MY KEEP! "
345Please respect copyright.PENANA0fIPTLB0qB
The machine King acknowledges Cibor with a nod then says to himself, "Where was I again? Oh yeah I was gonna cut this guy's head off and put it on the top of my shelf."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAVorPsibXvm
The King approaches Max with his blade drawn then a scream is let out. It's Sarah she yells the machine King's true name.
345Please respect copyright.PENANACqYSZdWk1M
" YAFEU!!!!!!!!! "
345Please respect copyright.PENANA2V0VIpHs82
That catches his attention no one has called him by his true name in years. Yafeu the machine King looks over to see who yelled the name and his curious eyes turn wide as he sees his younger sister for the first time in decades.
345Please respect copyright.PENANApZiNtYP8h3
She asks her long lost brother, "what happened?...How did you get here?...."
345Please respect copyright.PENANAcZG13lJ0pq