[h3][center][i][u][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZXzR93kPbo]~BGM~[/url][/u][/i][/center][/h3]
[u][i][center][h3][color=8493ca]~Moon Rider~[/color] & [color=cd2626]-Dark Wraith-[/color][/h3][/center][/i][/u]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/CZa9VXW.png[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/1o6udR7.png[/img][/center]
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Broker's tank broke through the ceiling of the Throne Room, a necessity to bypass the eldritch ward that otherwise prevented her from just going through the front door. The tank landed in the grand hall with a loud thud and immediately the hatch opened. Dark Wraith jumped out, using her Dead Thralls to bring back to life two Avatars. Some random level 2 warrior, and her own brother Arms Slave. As much as she loathed her brother, she couldn't deny that his skills would be useful, more so since he's dead. Once the two dead thralls were summoned Dark Wraith looked at Moon Rider, both of them. She immediately scanned them both with her Cherry Hunter to find out which one was the real one.

[color=#cd2626]"Drop your weapons, or you will wish I would just killed you."[/color]

Retsu would be answered, not with words but with actions. Like a ghost, the second Moon Rider moved in front of her, blade aimed in a decapitating swing. The buzz of the saber would still echo in Wraith's ears even as the real Black King shoved her away, blocking the attacks of her double. Yet she would not come out of it unscathed, Moon Rider wincing as she recieved several slices on her weilding arm from her own weapon. Talk would be cheap in this fight, Moon Rider springing forward once again. Seeing as she was the only one nearby who could keep up with her own speed, she would have to direct the double's attacks away from Dark Wraith.

But while Dark Wraith lacked the sheer agility to keep up with the fake Moon Rider, she could see and read her actions clearly enough. And while Dark Wraith might not be able to keep up blow for blow, she could prepare accordingly. The first thing she did was activate her Death Ward, staying relatively close to the fight to drain the faker of her health. Next, Dark Wraith had the two Dead Thralls go after the fake Moon Rider, with Arms Slave using his Aura of Agony so that he would continue to tank the damage from the faker. Dark Wraith had no doubts that Arms Slave would just be cut down quickly, but so long as they stay within her range she could supply her dead thrall with health, tanking the faker through health alone. But this was merely a stalling tactic to keep the faker's attention divided long enough for the real Moon Rider to deal a death blow; despite Dark Wraith's own control of her dead thralls, even they wouldn't be fast enough to keep up with the faker. Dark Wraith could only try to position them to intercept the faker and try to catch her off guard or prevent her escape.

All the while Dark Wraith's Cherry Hunter found some information about the faker and the real Moon Rider. But the only information that Wraith would be able to find was a string of ones and zeroes, a coding of some sort. No doubt easy to crack but then that could only mean the one behind this had no qualms with revealing their true nature. Cherry Hunter picked up the coding, revealing to Dark Wraith: [b]01001000 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101111 00100000 01010010 01100101 01110100 01110011 01110101 00100000 01000111 01101111 01110010 01101111 01110011 01101000 01101001 00101110.[/b]

Meanwhile, the battle began to roar with the fury of two Colored Kings. The real Moon Rider leapt back to recover, wincing as she assessed the damage down to her arm. The faker knew her too well, having struck for the hand holding her weapon. Frowning, she was forced to place the hilt of her lightsaber within her less-dominant right hand while waiting for a chance to join the fight once more. The faker was certainly holding her own, even against the Dead Thralls and the reincarnated Arms Slave. Twirling her blade to and fro, she didn't seem to mind the fact that her health was dropping, an amused grin spreading her features all the more.

[color=8493ca]"Keep on guessing Wraith. You need to work for that paycheck if you want to stay under my service,"[/color] the faker said, cutting apart Arms Slave into more than just a few pieces before twisting around to kick at the Thralls. The minions were sent skidding to the ground, no time for them to recover as the false King set her gaze on Dark Wraith. Once again she launched forward to take off her head and once again the real Rider moved to intervene, both lightsabers caught in a deadlock.

[color=8493ca]"I'm surprised you can keep fighting even with your weak hand. I knew there was a reason I copied someone as strong as you,"[/color] the faker said, the real Rider gritting her teeth as she was slowly but surley being overpowered.

Dark Wraith's scythe shot out, stopping just behind the faker. [color=#cd2626]"You might have copied her strength, but you lack her skill."[/color] Dark Wraith activated her Force Cage, keeping the faker, Moon Rider, and Dark Wraith in close quarters. One of Dark Wraith's dead thralls was now dead, but only because Wraith had sacrificed it's life to extend Arm Slave's. Though fallen and sliced apart, he still had one good arm and that was all he needed to shoot a Chain Catch right behind the faker while her blade was deadlocked against Moon Rider's. When the chain caught the faker Arms Slave pulled the faker towards him and into Dark Wraith's scythe blade. All the while she continued to look through the faker's data, focusing her efforts solely on her to break through her wards. But to do that she'd need to keep the faker talking and, unfortunately, alive.

[color=#cd2626]"You're a mongrel who's barely a shadow of the true black king. A mockery, and a poor imitation."[/color]

[color=8493ca]"Why yes I am Wraith. I'm glad to know you agree with me. Did I ever once try to act like I wasn't just a cheap knock-off?"[/color] the fake Moon Rider said with a chuckle. So she had underestimated their play. That was fine with her, even as she twitched about impaled onto Wraith's blade. [color=8493ca]"Of course I'm just a ripoff! I didn't expect to take over Rider's place! But that wasn't the real cause of my actions, now was it? In the end, I won't be the Black King who has to pick up the pieces of the mess left today."[/color]

The fake Rider's data would continue to give Wraith the same binary message in ones and zeroes, never stopping, never slowing down, never relenting. It seems the data would continue to flow up to the faker's last breath. And speaking of which, the double convulsed suddenly before giving one last grin at the real Black King. Both of their eyes locked, the thoughts between them sacred all the same.

[color=8493ca]"Like I said, I wasn't trying to replace you Moon Rider. I'm just a reflection of what's already there after all. Eheh, have fun trying to save the Guild from this one kid,"[/color] the faker said before finally closing her eyes as death approached her, whether Wraith wanted it or not. Before long her body dissolved into meaningless crystals that would yield no EXP. Moon Rider stared at the spot her double had previously inhabited, lost in thought at how someone who looked like her could cause so much damage in a day. The faker was right about one thing. She wasn't the one stuck with cleaning the mess.

Arms Slave's chains slammed into the bars of the cage, while Dark Wraith's scythe fell to the ground. She clenched her teeth and cursed under her breath. This was the second time Moon Rider has been assaulted by a mysterious figure that even Dark Wraith couldn't figure out. This worried her greatly. Dark Wraith considered herself the best hacker in Deep Ground, capable of rewriting the whole game to her whims if she wanted to. So how could someone manage to not just escape underneath her nose, but slip out from her fingers? This was someone skilled, someone powerful, and Dark Wraith didn't like the idea of someone with that sort of power that she didn't know.

And then there were her words. Obviously the faker was here to stir chaos in the city. Using her false authority as the leader of the Ebony Strykers, she had set them on the path of self-destruction, and nearly had them go up against the Cobalt Bruisers while the Strykers were still in turmoil. All of this happening in the span of one afternoon. Dismissing her force cage Dark Wraith turned away from her king and slammed the hilt of her scythe into the ground. [color=#cd2626]"Dammit.. This is what I get for being lax. One night was all I wanted, and this cursed game takes that away from me..."[/color]  Dark Wraith looked around. The hall was littered with the corpses of Ebony Strykers, and even her own brother was being used as a puppet in the grand scheme of things. The city was thrown into chaos with fighting all around. And worst of all, Dark Wraith knew this wasn't going to be the end. It was one thing if say, the Ivory Masks wanted to do battle against the Ebony Strykers. That was just regular competition in this game. But what Dark Wraith has seen so far shows that this isn't just going to be a game. There is a force actively working against both Dark Wraith's and Moon Rider's greater goal. There is someone or something out there whose skills could undo whatever damage Dark Wraith could do, while inflicting damage that Dark Wraith alone can't solve by cheating.

This was an enemy that Dark Wraith had no intel on, which was the worse type of enemy she could face. She needed to figure out who was against her, and put a stop to them before they succeed. Her only regret was that now she could not relax. All she wanted to do today was go out with Yoshino and dance. But alas, there would be no rest for the wicked. Regaining her composure Dark Wraith dropped the control over Arms Slave, having no more need for the meat shield. She turned towards Moon Rider and returned to her cold professionalism.

[color=#cd2626]"By now my forces should have stopped most of the major conflicts. Now we just need to regain control over the Ebony Strykers and the Sweepers. Do you have any suggestions?"[/color]

Moon Rider looked up from her thinking, opening her mouth to answer the question. But like her double had done so before, she was interupted by a booming voice that only made her clench the hilt of her weapon tighter. As if things couldn't get any worse, a single voice was being projected all over Deep Ground Online. Only through a Colored King's Throne Room could such a feat be pulled off and only one King had anything worth saying to the peons down below that sought refuge in their little game.

[color=82ca9d]"Greetings denizens of Deep Ground Online,"[/color] came the voice of White Sun, the White King of the Ivory Masks. No doubt all fighting would slow to a crawl, if not out of curiosity then out of White Sun's demand for attention. [color=82ca9d]"It has come to my attention that the Ebony Strykers of the Black Guild and the Cobalt Bruisers of the Blue Guild have violated the pact of friendship that binds them together with civial war. Such a shame. Too much blood has been spilled on this day and for every defeat, so too does the chances of advancing in life dwindle with your pathetic squabbling. I, White Sun of the Ivory Masks, have taken it upon myself to lead you misguided children to the righteous path. Thus, I ask, no, implore all of Deep Ground to become one with the White Guild so that we may advance together! No more fighting, no more betraying one another to get to the top, not when we can all progress together! The Fanged Rangers of the Green Guild have already agreed to my vision, Verdant Grin himself becoming my partner. To those who wish to evolve past the boundaries of the game, you shall be welcomed with open arms."[/color]

Moon Rider frowned, as if to contrast the grin White Sun was soon invoking. Because she didn't need to see the other King to know what kind of expression was on her face right now. All she had to do was listen keenly to the other Player's voice.

[color=82ca9d]"And for those unfortunate few who continue to remain in ignorance and spit upon my generosity....then I declare war on you all! If you will not join the Ivory Masks willingly, then we shall assimilate you by force. Make Deep Ground Online great again!"[/color] said the White King gleefully before her voice permeated the airspace no more.

Dark Wraith looked up into Moon Rider's face. Though she wore a full-face mask, Dark Wraith's entire body just screamed anger. While she had no evidence, Dark Wraith knew this was Chiyo's fault. The Eraser's betrayal, the chaos in the black city, all of Yoshino's suffering... And ruining Retsu's date with her. All of this must have started from Chiyo, using Deep Ground to control them. [color=#cd2626]"That bitch... She needs to be put down."[/color] Dark Wraith had an idea. Right now the guild was in no state to do war against the Ivory Masks. Their city might be able to hold against a siege but their people are divided. They needed something to unite them together, and a war would be good for that. And Dark Wraith knew just the thing to get the Ebony Stryker's working together again. [color=#cd2626]"Moon Rider, I have an idea. Do you remember the treasures Corpse Collector stole?"[/color]

[color=8493ca]"Yes. What of them? We still never found their exact whereabouts and I doubt the other Guilds have tolerated their loss for long,"[/color] Rider said. [color=8493ca]"Tell me then Dark Wraith, what exactly do you have planned? I have no intention of joining that harlot's Guild for whatever reason and that means we have a war on our hands. Coupled with that fake stranger from before, Deep Ground is becoming more than just a game now. I think White Sun has finally realized that as well."[/color]

[color=#cd2626]"I've picked up rumors about their whereabouts. Just a few, most of them flimsy, but I'm certain it's more than what the other guilds have. If we could reclaim those treasures, we could use them against the Ivory Masks. We may even be able to use them to bargain an alliance with the Scarlet Harleys, or have the Fanged Rangers turn to our side. "[/color]

[color=8493ca]"I see then. Using their weapons against them, assuming White Sun hasn't found hers already. I don't suppose you'd want to give a speech of something to actually tell everyone about this?"[/color] Moon Rider said with crossed arms. [color=8493ca]"We are at war now. I suspect the others would want to know their King's orders. Their real King-ghn!"[/color] the Black King said, wincing as she was reminded of the pain on her left arm.

Dark Wraith immediately went and helped Moon Rider stay on her feet. She was no healer, but she could easily restore Moon Rider's health back to max and undo the mental pain she'd be feeling. [color=#cd2626]"Moon Rider, are you alright?"[/color] Just to make sure, Dark Wraith started scanning Moon Rider to ensure no bugs were planted on her during the fight. That, and this was a rare opportunity for Dark Wraith to get a good scan of Moon Rider and discover who she really is. Dark Wraith felt a little bad taking advantage of her like this, but with everything mysterious going on, she wasn't going to leave anything to chance.

[color=8493ca]"I'm fine,"[/color] the Black King said, narrowing her eyes as she gently shoved Wraith away. She had a feeling all the Deputy wanted was to know her identity. Frankly with all that had happened so far, she didn't feel too comfortable with trusting anyone in the game at this point but Wraith still had her uses as her partner. So she brushed off the healing before looking over to the masses of Strykers and Sweepers surrounding the Castle. [color=8493ca]"Maybe I'll have Yoshino talk things out later but for now you have a city to quell. I've been shown every reason to not trust you today so you would do well as to prove yourself to me with actions and not words,"[/color] Moon Rider said in a commanding tone.

Dark Wraith was glad she wore a mask. Her narrow eyes would have told Moon Rider just how badly her words had affected her. What exactly did Moon Rider see? Was she even aware of any of this going on? Dark Wraith may not like the game, but even she was up-to-date about it's activities. She warned Yoshino about the fight and wanted Moon Rider to come in to stop it. But instead she stayed out, and it spiraled out of control. Now Dark Wraith had to come and clean up this mess. Moon Rider's mess. And why? Because Moon Rider was paranoid, she couldn't trust Dark Wraith, she wouldn't get her own hands dirty... It pained the necromancer to realize how similar she and Moon Rider was. She couldn't deny it; Dark Wraith would say and do the exact same thing if she was in her position. She was starting to see why maybe some might not like the arrangement.

[color=#cd2626]"Of course, Moon Rider."[/color]

Dark Wraith turned her back against Moon Rider and walked out of the Throne Room. She couldn't let herself get emotional now. There was a war brewing, and the Ebony Stryker needed as much strength as it could take. If Moon Rider couldn't give it the strong leader it needed, then Dark Wraith would have to do. Stepping outside Dark Wraith could see that a mass of players had congregated before the guild hall, waiting for something. So Dark Wraith stamped her scythe onto the ground to silence the chatter. Using the king's permission to broadcast her voice through the Guild Hall, Dark Wraith spoke.

[color=#cd2626]"Sweepers. Outlaws. Ebony Strykers. Those are the people here, that is the type of people we are. I know many of you hate each other. Many of you think we've become an army of thieves and scum. There are many who think the others are liars and psychopaths. And neither of you are wrong. Everyone here.... Is crazy. We're not the type that anyone wants. After all, Deep Ground isn't just a game. Some of us are fortunate enough to have won enough battles and survived enough fights that when you finally stop playing you might be able to get a cushy job with good pay. But for everyone else you joined because you are fighting for your lives. You're here because the Ebony Strykers is your clean slate to try to start over and do better. It's your second chance. And now you're going to make sure you don't fuck up again."[/color] 

Dark Wraith stepped over to a dead avatar next to the door. She looked down at the character; a level 1 character. Just started playing three days ago. Only died three times so far. How many times did he die in this battle? Dark Wraith didn't know, but she kept looking at the corpse so the others could get a sense of shame she was feeling. Shame that this was happening, that they were mindlessly killing each other despite the circumstances of their very existence.

[color=#cd2626]"I won't mince words. We're in deep shit. What we fought before were disorganized mobs not unlike our own, and the only reason we won was because we were bigger then them. But now the Ivory Masks want to throw down and fight us before we could really get anywhere. I'm sure some of you came from the Ivory Masks. You should know what they're capable of. And you know that the Ebony Strykers right now have nothing that could compare... Not yet."[/color]

Dark Wraith turned to face the crowd, many whom seemed skeptical of her abilities. That was fine; there wouldn't be a problem if they had nothing but blind loyalty to her. She had to prove her worth, and as Moon Rider said, she needed to do that with actions instead of words. [color=#cd2626]"Make no mistake. The Ebony Strykers are not like the other guilds. Cooperation, alliances, friendship, unity... Those are pretty words to sugar coat what we really want. What we're really here for. You're tired of being defeated and being on the losing side. So now it's our turn to be on the attack. White Sun may have declared war on us, but we're going to strike first. It's time that we all came to do what we always wanted:"[/color]

Dark Wraith turned towards the Guild Hall to go back inside. But before she did, she dramatically spoke the last few word in her speech. [color=#cd2626]"We will win."[/color]

[@Lord of Evil][@Jedly][@RoflsMazoy][@Kimiyosis][@Mega Birb][@Bombardier][@Unlucky0013][@Lonewolf685]