Starwind

Del was on his way along the lonely side roads, the whispers of fallen soilders in the wind had been his only company for several days now. His sword was held fast to his belt as his long coat swayed lightly under the wind, with it's tips dragging lightly on the ground. The road was long and unkept, it was probably rarely used by any of the locals, but there didn't seem to be many locals to speak of anyway. The landscape had been ravaged by the soilders who had passed through here only a few months earlier. Del looked up form the road and saw the black smoke bellowing up from a the horizon. Bandits were probably roaming this teritory, they seemed to favor the already devastated areas. Del didn't know if he could help anymore, but he had to go see if anything was left. Sadly, he knew the answer before he even took to his heels. The whispers and cries of the fallen in the wind were reaching his ears, they were all either dead or already dieing. Even so, he couldn't let those responsible just get off scot free, he would make them pay. OCC: Sorry the post is short. I'm kinda suffering from writers block at the moment.

Dred stopped and sighed for a moment "I'm from a small little valley far to the south of here. I haven't been back there in years." Kylipso looked over to him "Well, what was it like? Why haven't you gone back? Do you and your parents not get along?" Dred chuckled a bit "My, arent' you curious." Kylipso became a bit red and looked away "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry." Dredl et out a laugh "No, it's okay. We might be some of the last people still alive, we should get to know each other. Besides, I've got nothing to hide." Dred took a deep breath and looked up for a moment "But I think it's better we talked about it after we find Leo." The look on Kylipso's face changed very suddenly, like all the tension of the moment had been replaced with a mild irration. Dred laughed at the look on her face "I'm sorry, were you really looking that forward to my story?" Kylipso looked away again, as trying to hide her face "No, your right, let's just focus on finding him at this point." Dred nodded in agreement and the two continued about searching for there lost companion. Dred kept smiling and maintained an optimistic veiw that he was just lazing about some place. Dred looked back to Kylipso who was calling out for Leo again "So, since I said, where did you grow up?"

[B]Name:[/B] Delman "Del" Marrick [B]Age:[/B] 20 [B]Gender: [/B] Male [B]Allegiance: [/B] None [B]Race: [/B] Necrolites. A race consisting of necro mancers, ones who use the dead for everything from fighting to predicting the future to guarding homes and family members. A race fasinated by death and even seem to prefer them to the living beyond there own kind. There race has a natural affinity to the spirit world and can sense, speak to, and interact with these spirts from birth. [B]Class: [/B] Forlorn Knight. despite it's title it is actually a martial artist class, and is a warrior who calls on the spirits of the dead to grant strength and magic for whatever he may need in combat. [B]Weapon:[/B] [URL=http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/demon-slayer-sword.jpg][U]Demon Slayer Sword[/U][/URL]. It acts as his focus and medium for his spiritual powers. [B]Skills:[/B] [U]Flash Step[/U]: A specialty skill of the necrolites, the ability to massivly excelerate ones speed to unimaginable levels. It is beyond even normal sight. It is for this reason it is often confused with teleportation. He has a 20 meter limit per sprint, and can maintain constant jump for 30 minutes. [U]Banshee strength[/U]: Technique to draw on the energy of the surrounding spirits to increase his strength. [U]Avarice step[/U]: Another skill particular to the necrolites, more particularly the Forlorn knights. This skill draws on spirit energy to reduce ones weight to grant greater agility. [U]Hade liberance[/U]: It draws the power of spirits to grant the power of the necro, the powerful black flame that drives the underworld. It acts as a single powerful strike and can burn through even the thickest armor. [B]Magic:[/B] [U]Commune[/U]: Unique to the necrolites, the ability to speak to the spirits and foresee near coming dangers. [U]Pass on[/U]: A unique telepathy that uses ghosts to carry messages to others at even great distances. [B]Appearance: [/B] [URL=http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/bleach061.jpg][U]Delman Marrick[/U].[/URL] He stands 5'10 and weights 140 lbs [B]Bio:[/B] Born in the mountains, he was raised in the ways of communing with the spirits. Even at an early age, those of his people could see and speak with the spirits of the fallen. In was hard growing up in a time of war for him. He saw them the fallen soilders in there suffering so vibrantly he often mistaked them for the living. He may have never seen the battle feild himself, but he saw it's left overs his entire life. He was told tales of the destruction going on beyond his little mountain village. His people had secluded themselves from the outside world centuries ago, so he had never once believed that the likes of the Forlorn knights would ever be used to actually fight. When he was 10 his first images of the battle field came to his home in the form of bandits. They were made up of mostly run aways from the military and resistance alike. They had resorted to pillaging to irk by an existence on this scorched and unforgiving world. They came to the mountain to take what they wanted; water, food, weapons, and women. Del's mother was amongst the ones taken in the raid. The forlorn knights hadn't known combat in almost a hundred years, so they were easily over whealmed by the seasoned warriors. Only the elderly and the children were left behind, simply because they weren't seen as a threat or worth the time to kill. The forlorn knights were in ruin. The only remnants left were those who were absent from the village at the time of the attak. Upon there return there restructure began almost immediatly; they hadn't even buried all there dead yet. Del was among the young recruits taken in, but even using the young ones, there were still very few in number. Despite there best efforts, the village could not sustain itself any longer. Those still left scatterd to the winds; abandoning the village and the children there as well. Fortunatly, most had be trained as knights and were more then able to fend for themselves. Though they started together, they all eventually took to there own paths. Del took to his life as a vagabond, living day by day and getting alomg with his warrior skill and intuition to guide him. Now the race of the necrolites is considerd extinct by most, ever since there village disappeared. Del was only 12 when he was forced to find his own way without a single living soul to help him. That's not to say that the souls of the fallen didn't play a part in his survival though. He knows little of the war and it's causes, but he does understand what has brought it about. He has no wish to get involved, he just wants to survive in this chaotic world where anyday could be his last. He has been on his own for eight years now. [B]Personality:[/B] Humble and confident. He is strong willed and wise beyond his years. But most of his kind are since they can gain wisdom from those who have remained. He is often somber in expression, but is kind at heart.

All these people so quick, who would have thought so many survivors would congregate here. It was like something was drawing them all here, like it was all fitting into place. Dred hadn't been around been around some many people in quite some time, since he usually travlled alone. Kim, Kylipso, Leo, and Katie, they were all friends who had survived together through this tragedy. Kay, a high priestess of the Order of Bahamut, and Quincy, a man who was framed for murder. What was there linking point, aside from the decending shadow that seems to be engulfing the world. Everything in the world was falling apart around them and they were right in the epicenter of it all. The only thing still haunting him was that staff that the Katie girl had. For a weapon like that to just appear would mean that this was fate for her to have it. But could that mean that this whole event was fate as well? It was too early to tell. Dred pat on Quincy's shoulder and nodded for him to follow. The two walked off beyond a boulder so they could speak privately. Dred turned to Quincy "Does anything about what's happend so far strike you as odd?" Quincy seemed to think on it for a moment "Aside from the disaster, only that Katie girl. Her story seemed hesitant, like she had to think about what she was going to say." Dred shook his head "Do you think she stole it or something?" "No, not neccesarily. I just think that she has more to say then she's telling us." Dred sighed "You think maybe she's scared to tell us the truth. But then why would it scare her? Damn there's too much going on right now." "Agreed. I think we should let it go for now and just wait and see what happens. Plus everyone is too tired for us to bother stiring up a mess right now." The two nodded to each other and let it rest at that for now. It was at this point that Kay came around the corner "What are you two up to?" Dred looked to her, with a light smile on his face as usual "Oh nothing to be concerned with, just some simple guy talk. Anyway, I'm gonna turn in for the night, this day has been a bit too much for me." Dred walked off with the events of this day bouncing about in his head. What was about to happen to them? Was this there fate, or had the worst yet to come? Only time would tell.

The winds to the west began to waft with the scent of fresh blood and a powerful demon aura. It seemed that the battle in the bar was a much more triffle matter in the face of such an opponent. How could he resist taking such a powerful demons head. To the west was the beach, which meant it may be a serpeant of some kind, this could prove to be most entertaining. Rob stood at the edge of the beach as he saw two demons standing about a single fellow DSS memeber. This hardly looked fair, but they were demons, what did demons know of honor in combat. The larger of the two stopped and turned to face Rob, his eyes fixed immidiatly on Tensa Zangestu (Heavenly Chains Slicing the Moon). The monsters eyes gleamed and he smiled wide at the sight. Rob brought Zangestu up to his face and looked to the nearly drooling monster "Has my friend got your attention. So, what's your name, friend?" The demon beast smiled as it spread it's large, dragon like wings "The name's Lokin. Take it with you to the underworld." Lokin charged at Rob, who stooped low and dragged the tip of the blade across the monster, Lokin's stomach. The Demon finished passing and landed just beyond him, red blood began to puddle just beneath him. Rob turned to face Lokin "And my name is Robert Lorbert. You can take that to whatever fire pit it is that your kind go when they pass." Lokin's deep chuckle began to echo through "It's good to see your not all worthlessly weak. All the more fun for when I take your soul." The beast prepped and charged again, striking straight down on to the ground. Rob jumped to his right and cleared the swing, which Lokin then followed through with another strike to chase after Rob. Rob gave a light sprint hop and landed on his heavy arm. With one quick swing, Rob struck Lokin on his right shoulder. He jumped off him and landed 15 feet behind him, as more blood began to run from him. Despite the blow Lokin continued to grin through and laugh "You just keep trying you DSS scum. You'll need more then a simple trick like that to beat me." Rob smiled in retort "Alright then, I suppose we've both played enough games for now. Let's just do what we both came here to do." Rob set his left hand on the sword and drew it to the tip of the blade, as he brought the hand holding the blade to face level, the tip pointed straight at Lokin. The massive monsters body trembled with it's raw power and energy.

Rob was sitting on a park bench, waiting patiently for that demon he knew would be coming. That hideous aura was looming, it was only a matter of time til there dark demon powers were drawn to the black blade, Tensa Zangetsu. Demons flew to this blade for the terrible power that was inside it. The wind began to swirl and grew thick with a black mist. Rob rose from his seat, the tips of his coat dragging along the ground, his sword in his right hand. At the end of the walk way, by the entrance to the park stood the single dark figure. The very air around it proved it wasn't human. It was just another disgusting monster that tainted this world. In an instant the claws of this monster were upon him, clutching for the sword. In a single black flash he cut down the demon in a quick and easy stroke. It was at this time his phone started to go off. He picked the phone from his waist "Rob Lobert speaking." A young womans voice picked up on the other end "Good evening Rob. We have an assignemnt for you. This one should be fun. Think you can handle it?" With a smirk on his face "Have I ever said no to a job?" A light giggle came over the line "Of course. There was an incident at the bar at the north end of the city. Several members were killed. They were all D ranked, but still... Your mission is to find the one or ones responsible and kill them. If there are any DDS members amongst the ones responsible have them brought in for questioning." Rob gave a light nod "Understood. I'm moving out." Rob hung up the phone witha click and was off for the north end of the city. He went to the sidewalk and headed for the bar and whatever enemies might wait for him.

Name: Duo Maxwelt Age: 17 Gender: Male Appearance: [URL=http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Tanner.jpg]Duo.[/URL] He stands at 5'9 and weights 135 lbs. Personality: He is a mild person. He doesn't flip out or show his emotions. He keeps to himself and just smiles through everything. He curls up and lets things go on around him that he peobably shouldn't tolerate. Weapons: [URL=http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/swords_chinese_9-ring-broadsword.jpg]Sword,[/URL] [URL=http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/MyGauntlets.jpg]Gauntlets,[/URL] [URL=http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/KotaKatana.jpg]and Katana[/URL]. Bio: He was born to an upper class family. He was very dependent on his parents when he was young, even when he was 11. He had no real friends, so he depended on his parents for support. He remembers it well, he was up stairs in his room reading quietly. He looked out the window every few minutes to see if his parents were returning yet. It was getting late, almost 11 O'clock at night. Where were they at this hour? It was at this time he saw a black car he didn't recognize pull up in the dirveway. He cautiously made his way down the stairs to see the house keeper standing at the door looking quite distressed. As he came down the stairs he looked to Ms. Correlan, the house keeper "What happend? Where's mom and dad?" She looked down to him and then proceeded to knell down and scoop her up in her arms. He didn't understand what had happend, why was she hugging him? She was always nice, but she was never this forward. Duo looked to the man at the door "Who is he?" The man nodded to him "My name is Mr. Harrington. I have some bad news son. There was a shooting at the party your parents were at... There both dead." Duo stared at the man in the door with a dazed look for quite a while til Ms. Correlan nudged him "Duo, Why don't you go to bed? You've had a hard night." Duo nodded "I'll go to mom and dads room. I'll sleep there til they come home." Ms. Correlan started to cry. She hugged Duo again and he went up stairs to his parents room. He sleeped, ate and completely lived in that room for a week; he was convinced his parents were coming home. When it finally clicked that they were really gone he spent another week in there room going from fits of crying to sleeping. In the years that followed, he buried his sorrow in his school studies and the martial arts. He did what he could to forget it all. He simply cut himself off emotionally from the outside world. He was raised by Ms. Correlan for the last six years, but he has even shut her out at this point.

[U][B]Human[/B][/U] [B]Name:[/B] Matthew "Matt" Trenton [B]Alias:[/B] Volt [B]Age:[/B] 19 [B]Gender:[/B] Male [B]Appearance: [/B] [URL=http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/bleach061.jpg][U]Matt[/U].[/URL] He stands 5'9 and weights 140 lbs. He has red eyes with red iris's. He has a scar on his right cheek that he keeps coverd under a bandage. Main Weapon: A black Katana (One seen in pic). He calls it Tensa Zangetsu (Heavens chains binding the moon). In is a powerful demonic blade. Personality: He's the kinda guy who gives crap and won't take crap. He deals out beatings like an evangelical christian deals out bibles. He isn't the best team worker, but he does enjoy the thrills of the job. He likes to fight and his highly skilled in the arts of assasination. [B][U]Demon[/U][/B] [B]Name:[/B] Aizen [B]Element: [/B] Electricity [B]Appearance: [/B] [URL=http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/ab6afdb9d5ecaa6e47e214a276aea9e9.jpg][U]Aizen[/U].[/URL] He has black eyes with yellow iris's and that terrofying white and black mask. [B]Personality: [/B] If Matt's viciousness and hatred could fill a fish bowl, Aizens could fill the ocean. He's enigmatic and cold hearted, but has true power. He and Matt don't coincide well, so they are constantly struggling for control. [B]Weapon:[/B] He uses the same weapon as Matt, but when he uses it the swords blade turns red.

Dred had finally reached the top of the mountain. This place he had seen from the ground was a sanctuary of some kind. What was left of it was in complete ruin, nothing but a pile of rubble. Dred now worried if there might be any survivors, others who had managed to shelter themselves, but it seemed pretty bleak from the scope of the area. Dred called out for anyone to call back "Hello!!! Is anyone still alive up here." There was a moment of silence, then a voice called back "Yes. Were right down here." It was a womans voice calling from just beyond the massive mounds of rock. Dred came over the mound and looked down on what use to be a court yard for this sanctuary. There stood a woman in a dirty looking and taterd robe. Next to her was a man who looked to be in a much poorer situtation, his clothes looked like that of an inmate and the womans looked like that of one of the priestesses. Dred jumped down from the pile and approached the two. Dred spoke "Are you both Okay?" The woman nodded back to him "Yes, were both just fine. Why did you come here?" Dred replied "I saw this place was in trouble, so I thought I'd lend a hand. Sadly it seems like there isn't anyone left here to help. No one else seems to have survived, otherwise they would have drawn some attention to themselves by now." The other two became very gloomy in the face of this harsh reality. The man looked up to Dred "So who are you anyway? You don't look like a Sharman." Dred nodded "It's because I'm not. My name is Dredick Blachton and I'm just a your standard vagabond. How about you two?" The woman was the first to speak "I am one of the high priestesses, my name is Akayllia, but I prefer to be called Kay." The then spoke up "My name is Quincy." The group looked about and itself. Dred put on his light, trademark smile "Well now that the akwardness is gone, might I ask what the hell should we do now?" Kay replied "We were trying to figure that out when you showed up." Dred looked around "I thought there was suppose to be a town near here. Is there a possibility we could go there?" Kay shook her head "They're looking for Quincy down there. I won't take him back to that place. They might still want to kill him." Dred sighed "Wonderful. I just came through the open feilds on the other side of this mountain. Or what used to be open feilds before that ravenous fire devoured it all." Dred turned and clambed back to the top of the pile of rubble and looked out from the mountain top to the burned feilds and the now red river. Dreds smile faded for a moment as he looked to the terrible sight "This is truly the end of our world isn't it?" The three were unsure of what to say and just stared at each other, with great concern. Dred slide back down, regaining his slight smile. He looked to Kay and Quincy "Well, lets get off this mountain for starters. This thing might be unstable. If we stay here we'll end up joining the casualties." Kay and Quincy nodded and the three made there way back down the mountian from which Dred had just come.

I'd have to search for self respect and self confidence. To those who know me here, this may sound a little off, but I'm not a confident person. I really am my own harshest critic and I believe that nothing I ever do is good enough. My GF tells me that I'm an idiot for doing the things I do and acting the way I do about it sometimes. The thing that has always frightend me most is myself. I even hate myself at times. Sometimes even simply for being alive, for burdening some one else with my problems, that's why I keep them to myself so often. I don't believe anyone really wants to help, I just think it's them being nice or considerate, but doesn't really want to hear, so I simply say there is nothing wrong so I don't cause them to worry. I want to find a way so that could be true, but I can't seem to find it in myself.

Name: Robert "Rob" Lorbert Age: 19 Gender: Male Side: DSS Race: Human Appearance: [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/bleach061.jpg[/IMG] He is 5'10 and weights in at 145 lbs. Personality: A cold but just person. He stands for the weak and destroys the wicked. He has a strong will and is driven by his sense of justice and determination unparalleld. He has a pretty cold dispostion toward others, i.e. not a very social person. History: He was born into the Demon Slayer Society. His parents raised him on the ideals of the society and held them in the highest regard. He was dedicated to this and never questioned it's motives and purpose. His world was cut and dry, black and white. Demons were evil so he has to kill them. He has never had reason to think otherwise. He has never met a demon who wasn't causing wrong, nor has he met you one who didn't try to defend it's actions and itself. He has trained in the exorcists arts and weilds the black blade, Tensa Zangetsu. With this blade he has spent the last year as a full fledged agent of the society. Killing demons and saving the innocent.

Casey was sitting in the corner of his small studio apartment, dead asleep from the night before. He had won three more matches last night and had made over 350 bucks doing it too. He had taken his share of hits, but that was nothing next to those poor saps he had in front of him. His eye was a bit swollen and his lip had a small cut on it. His knuckles were also cut up and his forearms were bruised. There was a loud knock on the door and a voice from just beyond it "Casey, get out here. I've got a new match for you." Casey dragged his hand off against the ground and pushed himself to his feet. His eyes were blood shot and his throat was dry and his stomach was empty. He shuffled across the room lazily to the door where he then looked out the peep hole "What do you want, Zander?" The man outside shouted in again "I told you, I got a new match for you tonight. It pays 200. You worked three last night for only 370. Come on, you know your up for another round tonight. You always are." Casey pulled the door open, keeping the deadbolt in place so Zander couldn't just push his way in. Casey looked up and down the drab, dirty hallway of the building, then looked back to Zander. He couldn't keep his thoughts on Zander or this new job for him anymore. His thoughts were still trapped on that bizaar dream he was having til Zander came and woke him up. Casey took his left hand and rubbed his temples "Sorry, I'm out of it tonight. Come back tomorrow." Zander wanted to say something else, but Casey simply closed the door and sat back down in the corner of the room he was in before. He sat there, trying get back to sleep, but he suddenly felt really anxious, like something was about to happen. He stood up and went to the window and looked out on his decrepit block. There was nothing going on that didn't happen every day. He sighed and looked to his right. A large truck pulled by at the end of the street. As it did, an overwhelming sweep of cold came over him. Casey watched as the truck rolled by, but he then heard a loud hiss and and clunk of the engine shuting down. The truck had stopped. Casey ran down stairs and ran toward the truck. He rounded the corner where the truck now sat, the fan still clinking from the heat. Casey saw a large man standing directly next to the truck. He was a large behemoth of a man. He was wearing a black jacket made of a heavy cloth material. He had on a pair of brown boots and had a red shirt underneath the large coat to go along with his standard blue enim jeans. But the one thing that grabbed Casey's attention was a single glove the man wore on his right hand. It was made of a simple black leather and had metal studs on the knuckles, nothing unusual. What got his attention was the single, small, deep blue stone on the bottom of the wrist. While he stared on at the large man someone grabbed hold of him by the shoulder, then an all to familar voice came "Hey, I thought you said you were out of it." Casey turned and looked at Zander and nodded to the big guy "Who is that?" He had to know who it was and how he could get that glove. Casey wasn't sure why, he just knew he had to have it. Zander looked past him to the guy "Oh him, he was suppose to be your opponent tonight. I came to tell him you declined." Casey put his hand on Zanders shoulder "I've reconsiderd, I'll do it. But tell him, if I win, I want something he's wearing." Zander gave him and odd look, but shook it off "Whatever, I'll tell him. Thanks for taking this on." Zander ran over to the big guy and filled him in on the situation. Casey was still feeling a bit tired, but he couldn't let this go now.

I'll go with you in saying that a I like my socks low and a little loose. To be honest I try to where them as little as possible. My feet have a probelm with sweating, so my socks become uncomfortable rapidly. Sorry to say, I'm not a socks man. I am a boxers man, but that's for another day and topic right. Later.

[B]Name:[/B] Victor Creed [B]Codename:[/B] Sabertooth [B]Gender:[/B] Male [B]Age: [/B] Unknown [B]Appearance:[/B] [URL=http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/sabertooth.jpg][U]Sabertooth[/U][/URL]. He stands at about 6'5 and weights in at 285 lbs. [B]Alliance:[/B] Brotherhood of Mutants [B]Biography:[/B] Where and when he was born he was born is unknown, even to himself. His exact age is a mystery as well. His earliest memories go back to the civil war in the United States. He worked as a mercenary, flip flopping between the union and confederate forces. All things before this are unknown. In the early 20's Sabertooth joined a group of mutant mercenaries called "The Marauders". Through this group he worked ant learned the inner angles of the american underworld. He became heavily associated with Al Capone in his high life in chicago. Sabertooth then left the Marauders to enter the private sector, striking out on his own. When Capone went down, Sabertooth moved in and took up a powerful role in the now massivly vacant Chicago underworld. He made a name for himself and started to spread his horizons to new cities and new "Families". In the late 30's the world was on the brink and he saw a spot for himself in the chaos of the world in Europe. Weather it was allied or Axis, it didn't matter, he was a mercenary in the truest sense, his loyalty lied with the bills and the bullion. He sought out work in this bloody war, and there was lots to be found for one like himself. In the mid 40's, the war was drawing to a close and allied victory seemed eminent. With the demand for his skills in decline he returned to his home ground. Upon his return the government took up an interest in him, based on his performance in the war. He volunteerd to take part in what they called "Weapon X". In this experiment he was drilled, probed, and tested to his bodies breaking point, time and time again. By the end he could barely recognize what was left of his body, he had been driven to a level beyond he had ever imagined. In came the 60's, the first signs of american presense in Vietnam had began to appear. He left once again to join in this vicious war effort. This was a war best suited for him. He lived for the savage and viciousness of this jungle war. It was here that he first came into contact with the one named Logan, or Wolverine as he came to know him. The rage he felt was inexplicable, but all to real. It was as if this man's very life infuriated him and he would do anything to kill him. In the modern day, The time of great war over seas is over, and the war at home is just begining to get interesting. If all his ages in war showed him one thing, it was that humans were weak and undeserving. Less did he sympathize, but more so inspired by the ways of the group known as the "Brotherhood of Mutants". Plus, this allowed him to hunt down and find Wolverine. [B]Powers:[/B] Sabretooth is a mutant with a number of both natural and artificial improvements to his physiology. He regenerates and heals hundreds of times faster than a normal human, and has recovered completely from injuries that would have killed most humans, even those with superhuman abilities. He can regenerate organs such as eyes and large portions of flesh, yet it is unclear if he is able to regenerate missing limbs and vital organs; this "healing factor" also grants immunity to most toxins (except in massive doses) and diseases, gives him enough stamina to exert himself at peak levels for days, retards aging to an unknown degree, and gives him enhanced senses, enabling him to see and hear distant objects more clearly than a normal human, and identify and track someone purely by scent. Most notably, his eyesight is so keen that he can see in almost complete darkness, just like a nocturnal cat. This may be a result of being able to see into the infrared and ultraviolet spectrum. These senses are actually a result of his constant cellular regeneration as are his enhanced agility and reflexes. He is also superhumanly strong to a certain extent, and his strength has been further enhanced by the Hand and the Weapon X program. His healing factor and strength has been depicted with some degree of contradiction, depending on the writer. Sabretooth's physical appearance also displays animal-like mutations, including sharper-than-normal teeth with two pronounced canines and retractable claws where ordinary humans have fingernails. Sabretooth's skeleton and claws have been molecularly laced with nigh-indestructible metal adamantium.

It was only a year ago on halloween. A friend of mine decided to go to school, because they let us dress up for halloween, as Daisy Duke from the "Dukes of Hazard". When I first saw him, I swore it was a girl. I even ran up to him and as soon as he turned around and I got a good look at him I about feel over. I wasn't sure if I thought it was funny or disturbing. Either way, it was a good day, funny stuff.

I think I get what your asking here. I've always been the type to stick with the classic "I love you". But I can see that sometimes it's good to try and be a littl emore dramatic in the way you say it. Give me a moment to think of a good one. "There is nothing in this world that I can say to even compare to the love I feel for you." "If the love I have were an ocean, it would take a whole fleet of planes to reach the half way point." "If I could tell you, then I could do anything." I know they sound a little corny, but some girls seem to like them. What can I say, I'm a bit of a loser, but at least my GF loves me right. And I don't have to say this stuff to her either, so I've never really practiced.

Love is expression. You can never say or define exactly what love is, since it mean so many things for so many differenst people. The way I feel about love, or even express love, would be different from anyone else here on the OB. There is only one thing I'm certain of about love. True love is ever lasting. I know it sounds kinda corny, but it's the way I feel about it. If you let if fade or just feel like youjust don't love someone anymore, then it wasn't love to begin with. Immortality is something kind of unique it's idea. To think of something ever lasting. I'm personally a little fond of the egyptian idea of immortality : "To say there name is to make them live again." In the end I suppose immortality is simply to be remeberd forever. If this is the case, then there are many men and women who will be forever immortal.

Aaron stoof from his stool "You're right. I've got to get going or my nights are going to b e very lonely for a while." Nyah laughed and Kain just gave an amused smirk. They exchanged a few more words and Aaron went on his way. He stepped out into the cool air of the night streets. He looked about and saw alot of the usual activity going around him, nothing he hadn't seen before. It was just another boring night. But, he couldn't get the image of that drunk guy being lead off by that woman and headed off in that car. It was like something out of a spy movie; and he was the accidental hero. This was all too much and his head was still buzzing. Aaron walked down the block to the fast food chinese place and hurried himself off home; he was already going to get chewed out for being an hour late. He got the usual, seeing as they were pretty common customers. Two adults in his house and no culinary talent between them. Fast food was the only food. He came through the door to more or less what he expected. His daughter complaining and his wife silently fumming at him. This was looking to be a rough night, but ended up pretty normal. Kim was made at him for all of ten minutes, but after they finished eating she calmed right down. Sam was a bit antsy for an hour os so after, but she also started to crash after alittle while. Yep, this was just another boring day in his life at home, but it sure beat the hectic life he lived on his ship. He loved the simple things and this was his ideal night. Rocking his daughter to sleep while his wife sat next to him. It was almost 9 O'clock by the time they set Samantha in her bed and started thinking about bed themselves. This should have been a peaceful night, but Aaron couldn't seem to put his mind to rest. Like he could feel something about to happen. And it all seemed to revolve around that guy at the bar. He was at home, with his family, on calm cool night, this should have been more relaxing then what it was. What was wrong?

Motoki gave the signal and Dred jumped at Haiku and slammed him against the lockers. Haiku curled back and punched him in the face one good time. They needed this to look good, plus Dred was enjoying a good fight. It was nice to actually be able fight someone who didn't always beat the crap out of his like his dad did. Dred slammed himself against Haiku, who was then slammed into the lockers again. The crowd was out of control, they were loving it. Dred tried to keep in communication with Haiku so the two would know when to split when the heat got to be too much. Dred shouted at Haiku, trying to sound pissed. He would then follow these shouts and threats with light whispers so they can keep up too speed [I]"Haiku, this is getting intense."[/I] [B]"Stupid Son of a Bi---"[/B] Haiku punched him in the gut and dragged Dred out into a head lock. Haiku groaned and pulled at his head and neck [I]"Heads up, the SRO is on his way"[/I] [B]"Bite my Bag, assh---"[/B] Dred started driving his fingers into Haikus ribs [I]"Alright, 1, 2...." [/I] [B]"3"[/B] The two tore off to the end of the hall, with the principal and the SRO on there heels. When they reached the end the two ran off in seperate directions, giving at least one of them a shot to escape.

At the moment there is no clear end in sight and the problems in the middle east are only getting worse. With the bombing of the Shitte shrine in Baghdad and all the retalitory strikes since, I can easily agree with Katana in saying that this is a nation on the verge of exploding. How much of it is the US's fault is hard to say. This has been a nation with alot of turmoil, long before we came back over. As much as I would hate to say it, this nation doesn't seem to want what were trying to give it. Which for those who don't realize, we are trying to give them a free democracy, though many believe to the contrary. I'll be the first to admit that we went there for some pretty stupid reasons, that turned out to be a load of crap, but that's neither here nor there now. The fact remains that we are so far in now that it would be more damaging to the nation in both security, stability, and economically. Unfortunatly, do to all this undue focus we put on Iraq we missed the nation that is perhaps the truest threat, Iran. We are talking about a rogue nation here, a nation that has repeatedly defied the UN. They have now effectivly withdrew all there assets back home before the UN could offer up a sanction and now they gatherd all there power at home where we can't touch them. I doubt people here in the US will suffer much from this, or at least not immeidatly. The ones my heart goes out to are the people of Isreal who are in very real danger from this radical and violent nation. More then once, Iran has threatend to annihilate Isreal, and now that they may have nuclear capacity, this may be a reality now. Our allies in Pakistan and India are starting to waver; this is a hard time our nation is faced with. The whole of the middle east could errupt in to a full scale war, which could easily go nuclear. We can't leave Iraq, but because of this we have had to neglect the real threats to our security and our nations peace. The national debt continues to row and now we are sufferin from a shortage of troops in Iraq. That's right, now there aren't enough people ther to get the job done. Is this administration ever going to make a good call!? Or at least stick by there bad ones and take some damn responsiblity? I'm tired now. I've gone and got myself all worked up. In short, this war is far from over, and our real problems are only just begining. PS: By the way Katana, war isn't always bad. Think about if we had just gone "You know what, we don't need to fight. I'm sure the Germans will call off this whole invasion thing soon. And those crazy japanese were just in an off mood. I'm sure it'll be fine." Think about that before going with the whole "What is it good for? Absolutly NUTTHIN" route, okay

Dred had been on his westward path for a day already. The sun at his back in the morning, the sun in his face at the evening. It was hard during the evening, but easy during the mornings. He wasn't even sure what he was looking for, he was just wandering through this lost land without a road to guide him. The air was clean and the grass was tall; almost as tall as it was back in his Utopia. It was almost noon and the sun was high in the sky, beating down on the back of his neck. Dred was praying fora cloud to lift this burning weight off his shoulders. Just as this thought came to his mind, the sun darkend. Maybe his prayer was answerd, this was odd really. He turned his head to the sun to see what it was, but found that there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The sun had turned as black as satin cloth. The world around him was draped in shadow as the sky soaked to a deep red. The air became streaked with grey smoke and smell of burning. The ground beneath his feet creaked with a terrible hiss. The sky was streaked by crimson red lightining and fire swirled and engulfed the land around him. The grass was burning and the smoke from it was almost smothering. He felt like he was choking in this inferno, like he would die from the smoke before the fire got him. He was running, but he didn't know where he was suppose to run, the mountains in the distance were crumbling and the feild was burning to a sinder. He could see something high in the crumbling mountain tossing and tumbling, it was a large building that looked as if it would fall from it's perch at any moment. The people up there would be killed for sure it that happend. Dred was filled with this almost helpless feeling as everything around him seemed to be failing. He looked back to the flames that seemed to be following him through this feild. It like they were actually trying to destroy this place. Why was this happening? He had no clue what to do. Those people, this place, it was all dying. The fire was approaching him; it was like a wall. He looked to the fire and ran at this wall of fire. He leaped straight through the, as the seams of his coat seared along with the tips of his hair. He landed on the other side of the flames and stood in the black remnants of what used to be an open field of green grass. After his crossing the fire seemed to disapate, as if it was giving up since it could no longer chase him. What was happening? He looked back to the mountain and his feeling of helplessness returned to him. He started running again. He didn't know what he could do, if he could do anything at all. But he had to try, he couldn't just watch from down on the groudn as all of them died pointlessly. As he ran at the mountain he saw something on the ground, a plank of wood. It was charred, but it something scribbled on it. All he could read was "Nif-----im" and just beneath that "Or--r -f Baha---". Was that what was at the mountain? He just kept running as the world around him seemed to be crumbling around him.

Be free and live long. Dred had always lived like this, it was his way of surviving in a sometimes unforgiving world. He was born to a large and open community made up largely of orphans and run aways. That's right, no parents. But that was okay, the older kids looked out for the younger ones. And when they came of age they would leave this small communtity of misfits and bring back with them great new things from the outside. Where they lived was a deep, almost cavernous valley. This kept out many intruders, and only those who knw the safest routes could ever make it in unscathed. No one was ever sure why they were there, they all just ended up gathering in this small notch at the end of the world. Like the others, Dred had no way of knowing why he was there. Either his parents were dead of they abbandoned him. Either way he didn't care much. This valley collected water like a bowl, so even in times of drought on the outside, they were always prosperous and lush inside there valley. The days were warm and nights were cool. The feilds were green and vast and the rivers were as clear as glass. The ones who would return came to call this place Utopia. The younger ones had yet to learn what this meant, but the older all saw this place as the perfect haven. This life was so wonderful he had hoped to never have to leave. One day, one of the older orphans brought back with him an outsider. Dred was only eight years old at the time. He was a tall man with a pale complexion but a warm smile and soothing eyes. The eldest girl who had brought him said he was a teacher and would teach the young ones how to protect themselves. She said the outside world was a terrible place with lots of danger and despair. She said it would be good for us to know how to protect ourselves for when they too would eventually strike off into the distant unknown. This went on for many years without a problem. Even Dred came to learn under this master and take his technique. Dred was only 14 when his life had to change. He had been training with the old man for 4 years now and was developing his skill at an incredible rate. For some unseen reason the others simply seemed to be lacking in this skill; they just couldn't do it. Not Dred, he took to fighting like a bird to the sky. On his fourth year, the old man, who only ever referred to himself as Sei Fu, took Dred beyond the valley walls to learn and train in the harsh outside. They left in the dry season. The land outside had been partched dry. The grass was brown and crisply crunching under foot, the river bed was dried out and cracked by the severe scorching sun. This was a place he had not even dared imagine. Why did they choose to come to a place like this? He followed Sei Fu through the partched wasteland. They headed for the east where Dred would spend the next four years treking through the unforgiving deserts of the lands west of the valley. It was here that he reached the gates of death and returned more then once. He obtained the final goal of the art out here, he obtained the Shino Ipo. The ultimate state of the fear of the gods. He was weeks away from his 19 birthday when he returned to the valley of Utopia, which now made sense to him. He was exhilirated to be returning to the place that had been his home for some many years. As he walked through the long low path hidden from the eyes of the weary, he could already smell it. The smell of something he had only come to recognize since he had left. The smell of rot and decay. But why did the once fragrant valley now wreak of death. He was filled with terror as he turned his pace to a run. He enterd the valley, the lush green grass was still present and the sky was still blue and the water still clear, but the world that was once so vibrant seemed like it had died. Only a shell of what it once was. Dred set about searching the valley and found not a single one of his brothers and sisters were still living in the valley. Why had they all left and where had they all gone? Sei Fu had left him at the secret path, so now he was completely alone here. Or at least he thought he was. He only ever saw a single man, and only for a few short moments, but his image would never fade from Dred's memories. He was a tall man in a red cloak with six gold coins on it's back. He was a blonde man with emerald green eyes and the smell of rot seemed to waft off of him. Dred doesn't know who he is or why he was there, but this man is his only link to his answers. He needs to find this man he is to ever know the truth of what happend that day.

Dred climbed in the back of the wagon and looked around again on the floor. The floor was sticky, instead of slippery and it was completely odorless. He knelt down and set the tips of his fingers in the thick red. He lifted his now red finger tips to his nose and took a deep breath. Still nothing, and was still fresh. He tipped it on his tongue; it didn't taste like blood either. If it wasn't blood, then what was this? It wasn't paint, since there was no smell, and it wasn't fruit jam since it didn't have a taste to it. It was all like some bad dream he was having, but it felt to real to be a dream. Dred jumped out the back of the carriage as the horse continued on, undisturbed by the fact that he had jumped in and then jumped out. Dred looked back from where it had come. The only place down that way was the village he had passed through only a day ealrier. Dred felt a cold streak run down his back as he thought [I]'Could he have gone back already'[/I]. He was frozen with terror for a moment, then that fear turned to rage. His head suddenly felt light and his face felt flush, then the lights went out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The feild was as bright and green as ever with the smell of wild flowers looming in the warm spring air. It was like a scene out of a painting, so perfect and pristine. It was a perfectly untainted world, free of evil or even sin. He was flat on his back, with his head to the ground. The tall grass seemed like towering trees when he was laying like this. The sky was perfectly blue and laughter could be heard all around him. There was an echo in the feild. It was calling someone. Who was it calling? Was it Dred? No, it wasn't his name. Then who? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dred's eyes shot open. He had fallen over in the middle of the road. That was strange, he had never had a fainting spell like that. What was going on here? All the fear and anger he felt before was now gone. He looked around, the carriage filled with the red fluid was long gone and the sun was already low on the horizon. Dred picked himself up and gave himself a quick pat clean. He looked toward the setting sun and decided to head off toward the sun. He would follow it til it was gone over the horizon. He looked down and saw the bottle lying on the ground, still sealed luckily. It was at this time that he noticed how partched he was. He popped the cork and finished off the last of that bottle. He sucked the bottle down to the last drop and smashed it on the ground. He took a step off the beaten road and followed the setting sun onward. Something beyond that horizon was waiting for him.

Aaron was finally home. It had been almost a month since he had been back and he missed his wife and daughter terribly. He decided that before he went out with the boys from his crew he would go home and see them first. He would see the foreman on the way out and collect his earnings. They had made quite a bounty on there last trip so he was due in for a big pay off. Aaron made his way off the bridge of the ship and took the elevator down to the main deck. He then stepped out on to one of the long catwalks connecting them to metal earth docking bay. He walked along the thirty feet of catwalk leading to the terminal. Standing just inside the main terminal was there foreman who began passing out the respective cards for each member of the crew. Each card had the full credit account for the money they earned on this last mission. Aaron collected his and went on his way quickly. He walked in the door with his payment ducked away in his duffel bag. He enterd the house with a resounding "I'm home." His daughter, Samantha, suddenly came running into the hallway and jumped at him. She barely stood up to his waist. She had the widest grin on her face as she kept yelling "Daddy, daddy, daddy!!!" Next came Kim, his wife. She just stepped out and smiled to him "You've been gone for a while. It's nice to have you home." She smiled a bit and her eyes got a little watery as she stood at the far end of the hall. Aaron picked up Sam and walked over to her and kissed his wife "Thought it'd be nice to see the family." Kim chuckled a bit as he set Samantha back down and she ran back to her room. Aaron followed Kim back to the kitchen. She went to the counter and stood next to the pot where hse had been making dinner. Aaron smiled and walked to her "Wow, I thought you sucked at cooking." She jabbed him in the ribs "Believe it or not, I've been working on that while you were gone. I wanted something to surprise you when you got back." He kissed her again and went back to the hall. He walked down to his daughters room and watched her in her room. She had one of her friends over and was playing something he didn't really understand, but she seemed to be very happy with what ever she was doing. He smiled again and went back to the kitchen. Kim was starting to empty out the pot "Sadly there will be no surprises today." Aaron laughed "It's okay. I'll go out and buy something for dinner. I agreed to meet some of my crewmates for a bit then I'll bring home some chinese or somthing." Kim nodded "Try not to be too late tonight or we'll eat without you. Then you'll be looking at to months with no loving." Aaron laughed to himself as he walked out the door to meet up with a few of his friends. He walked into the bar and sitting at the bar was already Nyah, the gunner, and Kain, the mechanic. He was pretty close with the two of them and sat down next to them "How you doing, guys?" The two of them looked up to him with smirks on there faces. Nyah said "Have fun meeting up with your wifey. Did she chew you out for trying to cut out to see us bums." Aaron laughed sat down in the adjacent stool "Just a little. I can only hang around for a bit before my family starves." Kain stepped in "Thought she was learning to cook?" Aaron "Apparently that's still a work in progress." The three laughed it off for a bit and had a few quick rounds. It had only been about twenty minutes but Aaron had noticed someone else at the far end bar stool. He didn't recognize him, which was stragne since most of the people here were from the ship. He was sitting with some chick, he seemed like he was hitting on her. Or maybe she was hitting on him? He couldn't tell, but the two of them were ordering quite a few drinks. More over, she was the one paying. Aaron turned to Nyah and pointed the two out "Isn't the guy suppose to buy the rounds so the girl passes out?" She looked to the two "Maybe she's just more aggressive then he is." Kain watched on "I don't know, I still think it's a little weird." Aaron nodded in agreement. They decided to keep an eye on the two, mostly because it was the most entertaining thing to do when your drunk; watch and judge the actions of others. Eventually the guy got so hammerd he just up and left with this girl as she lead him out by hand. Nyah leaned over with an elbow to Aaron "That's it, she's gonna rape him" Aaron broke into laughter, along with Kain and Nyah who was laughing at her own joke before she even finished it. The door popped open and Aaron noticed a black car out front and he saw the woman usher him into the back seat. The door closed before he could see anymore. For some reason seeing that just left a bad taste in his mouth. Maybe she really was kidnapping him.

Dred just looked to the door "Then we just don't get caught." Haiku justed sighed and rolled his eyes "That's real funny smart ass." Sable just stepped in "If we want to find a way to get rid of this clown, we need to get a hold of those files." They all looked to one another and nodded. They may not have been the closesst friends, but they were all brought together by there hatred for Mr.Yevon. Now all they needed was somekind of plan to get in and get out without being caught. Dred looked about the group and realized this was going to end up interesting, regardless of what happend. Sable waved them all in, the young girl behind her stayed practically glued to Sable's back the whole time. The plan was to first fake a fight, that would get the attention of the SRO and all the ajointing faculty. Next another kid starts running around and whips up a frenzy amongst all the other students. Finally the last member breaks off and makes there way stealthly into the administration building. From there we pretty much wing it. Sable looked about the group "What do you think?" Haiku looked pretty confused "You really think that's got a shot at working?" Dred shrugged "I don't see why it wouldn't. Me and Haiku here and whip up a good frenzy with a fight, Motoki here can get everbody else all riled up, and Sable can rush the administration building and snatch up the file." Haiku smiled sarcastically "Great, except what happens to me and you when the SRO comes out and tazers both of us." Dred turns to him "Just make sure you can run real fast before he catches you. That fat cop bloats himself on dougnuts, he'll never catch us if we put some effort into it." The group sighed and looked aroudn to each other. They didn't like the plan, but no one had a better one, so this was going to have to be the game plan.