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Story/06 - Challenges/Arledge-or-Akarui.txt

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+THERE IS NO REASON TO RETURN TO THE VIOLET DEMENSE, SO INSTEAD THIS WILL BE WHEN THEY CHALLENGE AKARUI FOR THE PURPLE REGALIA  
+
+When you enter the city hall building, you see Nash running around like  chicken with its head cut off, carrying stacks of papers and folders almost as tall as he is in multiple directions.
+
+*GET HIS ATTENTION*
+"Kings of Kings?! What're you-- I don't have you in the schedule!" He suddenly loses his balance and flops over, his two foot stack of folders flopping across his desk.
+
+He wobbles a bit as he stands up, shaking his head rapidly. "Sorry, we're kinda buried under mountains of paperwork, budget issues and all that... so uh, how can I help you?"
+
+*SEE THE KING*
+Nash inhales through his teeth. "That... might be an issue... is it urgent?"
+
+*ANYTHING OTHER THAN NO*
+He sighs and flops into his seat, hitting the intercom button. "Sir, I know we're not supposed to bother you, but uh... the Kings of Kings are here, and they say it's urgent."
+
+You hear the garbled voice reply SEND THEM IN, I'LL MAKE IT WORK, and Nash grabs his clipboard. "Best to not keep him waiting."
+  
+*KING'S OFFICE*
+You find Akarui furiously scribbling across a series of papers, signing off on each one of them with perfect calligraphy. He drops the pen after a solid minute, and you could almost swear you see steam rolling off the tip. He sighs and flops back in his chair, gripping his writing hand by the wrist and flexing his digits.  
+  
+"My apologies, Kings of Kings, I am quite literally buried under paperwork. New project budgeting, noise complaints, property damage repair orders, I have alot to do. I'll have to be rude and ask you to make this brief. What can I do for you today?"  
+  
+*MENTION REGALIA*  
+His eyes will suddenly widen, and he reaches for his intercom button. "Nash? Please hold all my calls, paperwork, and meetings until further notice. This just became a top priority meeting."  
+  
+He shuts off the intercom, leaning forward in his seat. "So... I'm guessing you talked to Arledge before you came here."
+
+-----
+
+*ASK FOR EXPLANATION*
+He opens his desk drawer, pulling out a six inch violet ankh-shaped pendant with a golden sleeping bunny surrounded by darker purple flowers attached to a necklace string. "When my team and I arrived ten years ago, the prior Ruler told us about the island's rules IMMEDIATELY. We were... very enthusiastic about getting everyone out of this death trap, in our minds."
+  
+He hangs the pendant around his neck, and when he looks at your group again, his eyes have a faint violet glow. And, wherever his gaze goes, your body feels slightly more reinvigorated. "We didn't go in blind, we did a tremendous amount of research between shifts on the Thunder Force. Based on what we read, Arledge seemed to have the least combat experience, so we started with him."
+  
+He walks around his desk, eyes on his writing hand while he flexes his fingers, causing them to pop softly at the joints. "We were right, and wrong, at the same time. He was a pacifist by nature, but he was still a MONSTER. Our fight went for a full hour, four against one, and we still barely won."
+
+He hops on top of the desk and has a seat on the edge, picking up his pen and twirling it in his fingers with perfect fluidity. "When he handed me the Regalia, he said he was happy he was the first I fought, because the rest will be far worse. And he was right. Every Master we fought after that one, we lost. These Masters are NIGHTMARES."
+ 
+He grips the pen tightly in his hand, crushing it into tiny pieces, except for the ink cartridge, which is perfectly intact. "The closest one we came to beating was Conroy, and we ended up fighting each other more than him. We blame ourselves for being headstrong and stupid, but I'm not joking when I say that was only one percent of our loss."
+ 
+He places the destroyed pen pieces on the desk, his eyes turning downward. "A few months later, the incident with the drill occurred, and it made me really sit down and reevaluate what we were doing. The others were content with being Thunder Force, but I realized others would come along and do the same as us. And based on what I learned, we were extremely lucky to walk away as intact as we did." 
+  
+The look in his eye changes to ferocity and he holds up three fingers. "I made the decision that day to protect the people in three ways. One, to lead them in developing this land into the most prosperous and comfortable city I could possibly manage, until we could find a safer way out."
+
+"Two, I would deter the people from going after the 'hokey magic ritual' challenges against the Masters, and hope my words are enough to change their minds."
+
+"And three, if they DID defy my warning, I would train every single day to improve myself and become a proper protector of the Regalia, so I may protect it AND those that challenge me for it at the same time. That is how I show compassion, in Arledge's name."
+
+-----
+
+*CHALLENGE*
+He sighs deeply and lowers his head. "Even after everything I told you and everything you've been through, you still want to risk it all..."
+
+He raises his head a moment later, his eyes full of conviction. "So be it. Kings of Kings, I accept your challenge for this Regalia."
+  
+He thinks for a moment. "As a matter of fact... would you be opposed to making this a public spectacle? Everyone has been feeling the stress of the Marauder threat, but seeing a fight from their ruler AND the most courageous group of heroes this town has seen in YEARS might be the perfect morale booster."
+
+*IF YES*
+"Perfect. Meet me in the Sports Zone (later today / tomorrow morning), at the Combat Arena. I need to gather my supplies and prepare for what I can only assume to be war."   
+  
+-----  
+  
+The Sports Zone is a unique environment in Diadem, more than half of it occupied by stadiums for every major sport you can imagine, as well as storage facilities for each. But what YOU are looking for is the Combat Arena, located farther back.
+
+There are roughly a dozen combat areas around, each one represented by a giant square of stone more than 50 feet across. Out of all of them, one is occupied by a guy sweeping the stone slab clean, and one other is occupied by Akarui.
+  
+And he is dressed for WAR, now wearing high quality (if not a bit old fashioned) military garb. All black, just as a scout is supposed to wear. The second he sees you, he tugs down his black gloves and straps them on tightly.  
+  
+"Kings of Kings! I hope you brought your A Game today, because I know I brought mine!" Just as he says this, at least a hundred people suddenly start pouring in from all corners, surrounding the arena and cheering for their amazing King Akarui. They are all carrying purple and gold banners, signs, and cardboard cutout faces on sticks being swung around. And their numbers grow by the moment.
+  
+Akarui seems surprised. "This is... a bit more than I was expecting, but..." 
+ 
+He turns to the audience and switches to a more 'entertainer' style of speaking. "The bigger audience we have, the more people get to see the most spectacular show in Diadem's history, AM I RIGHT?!" 
+ 
+Everyone responds with an ABSURD amount of cheering. Nash pushes his way through the audience and hops onto the arena, carrying a microphone with a small orb of glowing green magic inside. As he speaks, the green magic warbles and glows brighter, his voice broadcasting like a microphone. 
+
+"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! Today is a once in a lifetime kind of show! For the first time in years, we have the honor and privilege of watching a Challenge between several of THE most influencial people in all of Diadem!"
+
+"To the left we have the Challengers, the all-new immigrant rookies turned heroes, the Kings of Kings!"
+(GIVE EACH OF THEM AN EMBELLISHING TITLE AND DESCRIPTION)
+
+There is actually a small group of people chanting and cheering for YOU. You see several of the people you've met in the various Demense you've visited, as well as a small group of children, all holding up signs with crowns and painted caricatures of your faces. 
+
+"And to the right we have our ten year running unopposed leader, the violet bird of paradise himself, and the former scout warrior of the Chamberlins, you know him, you love him, he signs my paychecks, KING AKARUI!!!"
+
+Akarui laughs proudly at the glamorous introduction, but gives Nash one of those "you're gonna pay for that" looks, which he just shrugs off. "And ladies and gentlemen, this isn't just ANY challenge either, this is a true to life bonafide challenge for the Regalia of the Violet Demense, the legendary Chrys Cross!"
+
+Everyone seems stunned by that comment, and it seems they had no clue Akarui had this Regalia in his possession. "Now that the stage AND the stakes are set, it's time to begin! Are both sides ready?!"
+
+*IF YES*
+Akarui reaches up and grabs his Regalia, raising his other arm to point at your group, causing Nash to literally dive out of the arena in a hurry. Akarui proudly declares "On behalf of Arledge Tannifila, I CHALLENGE THEE!"  
+  
+The magical golden circle will appear from his feet (as well as anyone else's if they hold an earned Regalia), circling the group and glowing a bright gold. "The challenge is a fight, your entire group against me! If I take all of you down, I Win! And if you cause me to kneel, you win!"  
+  
+The circle solidifies with a violet flash before turning a solid gold, signifying the stage is set. Akarui will bend down a bit, left leg forward and arm-wings expanded, taking a swift style battle stance. "May the best Regalia Hunters win!"  
+  
+AFTER THE FIGHT  
+  
+Akarui will (stand / kneel) before your group, panting heavily, wiping the blood from his beak. "Well... I guess that means I (win / lose)." 
+ 
+The magic circle will dissipate, and the entire audience cheers for their victor. And without a moment's hesitation, they rush in to congratulate the victor.
+
+Before anyone can reach them, the Thunder Force appear and force everyone back to a safe distance. Jensen with her rifle, Valeos with his twin tonfa, and Harken cracking his knucles will all be at the forefront, backs facing your group as they keep the crowd at bay. 
+ 
+Akarui will stare at them all in confusion. "Thunder Force? I don't recall asking for any protection."  
+  
+All three will turn their heads to him with a smile, and Harken will respond, "Actually your highness, we are not here for you this time."  
+  
+From behind your group, someone will step in from seemingly nowhere and place their hands on two of your group's shoulders, casting a healing spell large enough to get everyone in the arena back on their feet in moments.
+  
+Akarui is a bit stunned. "Arledge?! What are you doing here?!"  
+  
+Arledge just grins a bit. "Now come on, ya'll know th' gossip in this town spreads like wildfire, and I ain't about to miss a fight over my own Regalia! Specially when a certain someone did such a good job keepin' it safe fer me all this time!"  
+  
+-----  
+  
+*IF THE PLAYERS LOST*  
+King Akarui walks over to your group, and extends a hand. "All of you fought valiantly and bravely, and you gave that fight everything you had to offer. I thank you, not for just showing us what you can do, but for reminding me of the kind of person I was before I was a king. I haven't had this much fun in YEARS!"  
+  
+Akarui laughs a little, sighing before wiping a tear from his eye. "We will definitely have to do this again sometime, especially if you plan to collect all twelve. But for now... I have alot of paperwork to get back to."  
+ 
+----- 
+  
+*IF THE PLAYERS WON*  
+King Akarui walks over to your group, and slowly removes the Regalia from around his neck, handing it to you. "I have safeguarded this treasure, what I consider to be one of the most important relics I have ever owned, for ten years years."  
+  
+"And now, I proudly present it to you Kings of Kings to continue safeguarding in my place."  
+ 
+He turns away, eyes to the sky. "Now as much as it begrudge me to acknowledge it... I do have my duties to return to."  
+  
+Arledge will suddenly step in front of him, placing a hand on top of his head. "Now hang on, I know fer a fact yer prob'ly STARVIN' after all that fun! What say you an' yers come back to my place fer some food, eh?"  
+  
+Akarui sighs a little in defeat. "Do I get a choice in the matter?"  
+  
+Arledge grins cheekily. "Nope!"  
+  
+Akarui rolls his eyes. "Then it's a date!"  
+  
+Both of them burst out laughing as they walk off, leaving the audience to disperse themselves at the "suggestion" of the Thunder Force.  
+  
+Arledge will turn to your group AND the three Thunder Force commanders. "Ya'll're welcome too. Not ev'ryday the Kings o' Kings an' th' Chamberlins're all together!"  
+  
+*IF THEY ACCEPT*  
+Your group receives a literal police escort by all three Thunder Force commanders, all the way to the Violet demense.  
+  
+Inside, you see that Montana's little ranch near the gate entrance is filled with picnic tables, as well as a couple grills (one of which HE is operating), and your noses are IMMEDIATELY bombarded with the fresh scent of grilled meat and veggies.
+
+(ANY FOOD YOU WOULD FIND AT A BARBECUE OF ANY GRADE IS AVAILABLE TO EAT)
+