OOC: Shamrock Since I technically still have icebear characters, should I take over the Icebears for this battle, until/unless batonmaster500 comes back?
OOC: From Baton's last posts, it looks like he left. So, I will now officially retake control of the Icebear Tribe with my characters Ike and Iceslash, for the duration of the Crystal Crater battle. It also looks like the Sabertooths here left (I'm sorry for reading your jammers, Shamrock and Baton, but I only did so because I needed to get the full picture of what armies are here, now that I'm leading the defending side, and because those posts were well over a year old. )
IC: The allied force launches its grand attack, the culmination of possibly a year's worth of planning and preparation. The decisive battle of southern mainland Chima has finally begun...
OOC: Shamrock Since I technically still have icebear characters, should I take over the Icebears for this battle, until/unless batonmaster500 comes back?
OOC: That could work, if you're okay with controlling both sides of the battle. I guess alternatively I could step as acting Icebear leader (Baton and I came up with a joint battle plan ages ago, which is behind all of the Sabretooth raids taking place across Chima, so I know what the Hunter defence plan here is/was) and you could take command over the Gorilla Army that I would've been commanding here. That way the battle would be more neatly divided rather than you having to fight yourself. Either option works, though.
OOC: From Baton's last posts, it looks like he left. So, I will now officially retake control of the Icebear Tribe with my characters Ike and Iceslash, for the duration of the Crystal Crater battle. It also looks like the Sabertooths here left (I'm sorry for reading your jammers, Shamrock and Baton, but I only did so because I needed to get the full picture of what armies are here, now that I'm leading the defending side, and because those posts were well over a year old. )
IC: The allied force launches its grand attack, the culmination of possibly a year's worth of planning and preparation. The decisive battle of southern mainland Chima has finally begun...
In the Icebears' fortress-city, Ike and Iceslash have both been promoted to the rank of general by now. From a towering station with an ice-reinforced glass dome on top, they command the northern quadrant of the Icebear forces, while King Iroquois commands the southern half. The defending forces fire on the attackers with hundreds of ice laser turrets.
As planned, the Scorpion Republic Army, commanded by Consul Craunus Maximus, and the Bear Platoon commanded by Praetor Scarabus, put their focus toward protecting the Spiders behind them, while the Gorilla Army led by President Gorvan protects the Spider Army's rear from any and all Icebears who may charge out of the city and try to run around the frontal forces to get to the Spiders.
The reason for this formation is made clear when the Spider Striders, as well as the infantry Spiders, launch web after web at the Icebears' turrets. Though the webs are frozen by the turrets' lasers, this does little to stop the makeshift nets from landing atop the turrets, blocking the barrels of their cannons; due to the nature of the Ice Hunters' weapons, any attempts to blast the webs away will only freeze the webs onto the front of the barrels, and cause an ice buildup that freezes the turrets from the inside.
Icebears scramble to manually remove the webs from the turrets, but are shot down by the Scorpions and Bears' marksmen; the most skilled shots having been stationed near the very front of the southern tribes' formation, behind the protective (and offensive) wall of Stinger-Tanks. And of course, none of the southern infantry or their vehicles are frozen yet by the Icebears' blasts due to their fire chi, though the continuous ice blasts do warrant ongoing re-plugging of fire chi as it's expended faster; all the more reason for the southern forces to be focusing their entire effort on the Icebears' long-range turrets, and the enemy troops who try to free them from the clutches of the Spiders' webs.
{JAMMERS! -Non-ice tribes- ONLY!} The "Scarabus" leading the Bears is the Praetor's Phantom. The real Scarabus, meanwhile, continues his trek with a little over a third of the Scorpion Army through the old Aperture tunnels. They get to the blocked-up caves leading into Crystal Crater, below the Icebears' city, and begin to drill and dig...
OOC: From Baton's last posts, it looks like he left. So, I will now officially retake control of the Icebear Tribe with my characters Ike and Iceslash, for the duration of the Crystal Crater battle. It also looks like the Sabertooths here left (I'm sorry for reading your jammers, Shamrock and Baton, but I only did so because I needed to get the full picture of what armies are here, now that I'm leading the defending side, and because those posts were well over a year old. )
IC: The allied force launches its grand attack, the culmination of possibly a year's worth of planning and preparation. The decisive battle of southern mainland Chima has finally begun...
In the Icebears' fortress-city, Ike and Iceslash have both been promoted to the rank of general by now. From a towering station with an ice-reinforced glass dome on top, they command the northern quadrant of the Icebear forces, while King Iroquois commands the southern half. The defending forces fire on the attackers with hundreds of ice laser turrets.
As planned, the Scorpion Republic Army, commanded by Consul Craunus Maximus, and the Bear Platoon commanded by Praetor Scarabus, put their focus toward protecting the Spiders behind them, while the Gorilla Army led by President Gorvan protects the Spider Army's rear from any and all Icebears who may charge out of the city and try to run around the frontal forces to get to the Spiders.
The reason for this formation is made clear when the Spider Striders, as well as the infantry Spiders, launch web after web at the Icebears' turrets. Though the webs are frozen by the turrets' lasers, this does little to stop the makeshift nets from landing atop the turrets, blocking the barrels of their cannons; due to the nature of the Ice Hunters' weapons, any attempts to blast the webs away will only freeze the webs onto the front of the barrels, and cause an ice buildup that freezes the turrets from the inside.
Icebears scramble to manually remove the webs from the turrets, but are shot down by the Scorpions and Bears' marksmen; the most skilled shots having been stationed near the very front of the southern tribes' formation, behind the protective (and offensive) wall of Stinger-Tanks. And of course, none of the southern infantry or their vehicles are frozen yet by the Icebears' blasts due to their fire chi, though the continuous ice blasts do warrant ongoing re-plugging of fire chi as it's expended faster; all the more reason for the southern forces to be focusing their entire effort on the Icebears' long-range turrets, and the enemy troops who try to free them from the clutches of the Spiders' webs.
{JAMMERS! -Non-ice tribes- ONLY!} The "Scarabus" leading the Bears is the Praetor's Phantom. The real Scarabus, meanwhile, continues his trek with a little over a third of the Scorpion Army through the old Aperture tunnels. They get to the blocked-up caves leading into Crystal Crater, below the Icebears' city, and begin to drill and dig...
Scorpion: "Incoming enemy reinforcements!"
Craunus Maximus turns to see dozens of trees freezing in the north.
Craunus: "Scat! I had a feeling the Hunters would plan a pincer attack, but if we have the Phoenix and Stinger Brotherhood come down and bomb the Sabertooths, they'll be open to the Icebears' anti-air turrets, which we haven't fully dealt with yet!"
The General of this Sabertooth force grins smugly as his soldiers charge...but his grin soon vanishes, forever, as he's enveloped by a thick red laser blast from above. The other Sabertooths look up and behind them, baffled, as dozens of Vulture aircraft--now with shining red-gold color schemes and piloted by Leopards--descend on them from the northwest; the Leopard Air Force that Leodus and Vamprah had sent to assist in the Battle of Crystal Crater, unbeknownst to the Ice Hunters, has arrived.
Craunus heaves a sigh of relief as he sees the Leopards engaging the Sabertooths, before the latter army could get in range of the southern attack force. The Consul turns to a young Scorpion Lieutenant.
Craunus: "I misjudged the Empire of Balance; here I thought they were fence-sitters when it came to the Fire-Ice Wars. Remind me to thank them later."
Alone in the Icebear city's northern command center, generals Ike and Iceslash watch the Leopards' arrival, the latter icebear standing in front of the former.
Iceslash: "Hmm... We may be able to use this to our advantage."
Ike: "Oi, what in blazes are you talkin' about, mate??"
Iceslash: "I mean in the long run. The Sabertooths have made the mistake of spreading their forces too thin, trying to do too much at once; unlike us Icebears, who have wisely focused our entire military might on defending our HQ. We're the ones who should be the dominant tribe of this alliance!"
Ike: "Dominant? Ain't we equal?"
Iceslash: "You've always been a bit naive, haven't you, Ike? It's obvious the Sabertooths are trying to use us for their war against the Lions and Phoenix; they intend to have us 'pay them back' by becoming an extension of their army...but if the Sabertooths continue to be scattered and decimated, it'll be the other way around! We'll gladly accept the survivors into our impenetrable city, under the condition that they bow to us! We'll absorb them into our army!"
Not noticing Ike's change in demeanor as a ripple runs down his fur, Iceslash's chuckling is cut off as a long sword suddenly sticks out through his chi harness.
Iceslash: "Erk--wha--?!"
Ike: "You're quite the conniving type indeed, Iceslash..."
Ike's voice and manner of speaking have completely changed.
'Ike': "...but I'm afraid your lofty goals are at an end. Aether Gulikovsky sends his regards."
Iceslash: "Y-you--you're--?!"
'Ike': "This would be against my principles, but Ike will have his free will back when this is over."
Iceslash crumples slowly to the floor. 'Ike' smiles as he tosses the sword aside.
Scorpix: "Now then...I've never sabotaged my side of a battle before. This could be fun."
In the Icebears' fortress-city, Ike and Iceslash have both been promoted to the rank of general by now. From a towering station with an ice-reinforced glass dome on top, they command the northern quadrant of the Icebear forces, while King Iroquois commands the southern half. The defending forces fire on the attackers with hundreds of ice laser turrets.
As planned, the Scorpion Republic Army, commanded by Consul Craunus Maximus, and the Bear Platoon commanded by Praetor Scarabus, put their focus toward protecting the Spiders behind them, while the Gorilla Army led by President Gorvan protects the Spider Army's rear from any and all Icebears who may charge out of the city and try to run around the frontal forces to get to the Spiders.
The reason for this formation is made clear when the Spider Striders, as well as the infantry Spiders, launch web after web at the Icebears' turrets. Though the webs are frozen by the turrets' lasers, this does little to stop the makeshift nets from landing atop the turrets, blocking the barrels of their cannons; due to the nature of the Ice Hunters' weapons, any attempts to blast the webs away will only freeze the webs onto the front of the barrels, and cause an ice buildup that freezes the turrets from the inside.
Icebears scramble to manually remove the webs from the turrets, but are shot down by the Scorpions and Bears' marksmen; the most skilled shots having been stationed near the very front of the southern tribes' formation, behind the protective (and offensive) wall of Stinger-Tanks. And of course, none of the southern infantry or their vehicles are frozen yet by the Icebears' blasts due to their fire chi, though the continuous ice blasts do warrant ongoing re-plugging of fire chi as it's expended faster; all the more reason for the southern forces to be focusing their entire effort on the Icebears' long-range turrets, and the enemy troops who try to free them from the clutches of the Spiders' webs.
{JAMMERS! -Non-ice tribes- ONLY!} The "Scarabus" leading the Bears is the Praetor's Phantom. The real Scarabus, meanwhile, continues his trek with a little over a third of the Scorpion Army through the old Aperture tunnels. They get to the blocked-up caves leading into Crystal Crater, below the Icebears' city, and begin to drill and dig...
Scorpion: "Incoming enemy reinforcements!"
Craunus Maximus turns to see dozens of trees freezing in the north.
Craunus: "Scat! I had a feeling the Hunters would plan a pincer attack, but if we have the Phoenix and Stinger Brotherhood come down and bomb the Sabertooths, they'll be open to the Icebears' anti-air turrets, which we haven't fully dealt with yet!"
The General of this Sabertooth force grins smugly as his soldiers charge...but his grin soon vanishes, forever, as he's enveloped by a thick red laser blast from above. The other Sabertooths look up and behind them, baffled, as dozens of Vulture aircraft--now with shining red-gold color schemes and piloted by Leopards--descend on them from the northwest; the Leopard Air Force that Leodus and Vamprah had sent to assist in the Battle of Crystal Crater, unbeknownst to the Ice Hunters, has arrived.
Craunus heaves a sigh of relief as he sees the Leopards engaging the Sabertooths, before the latter army could get in range of the southern attack force. The Consul turns to a young Scorpion Lieutenant.
Craunus: "I misjudged the Empire of Balance; here I thought they were fence-sitters when it came to the Fire-Ice Wars. Remind me to thank them later."
Alone in the Icebear city's northern command center, generals Ike and Iceslash watch the Leopards' arrival, the latter icebear standing in front of the former.
Iceslash: "Hmm... We may be able to use this to our advantage."
Ike: "Oi, what in blazes are you talkin' about, mate??"
Iceslash: "I mean in the long run. The Sabertooths have made the mistake of spreading their forces too thin, trying to do too much at once; unlike us Icebears, who have wisely focused our entire military might on defending our HQ. We're the ones who should be the dominant tribe of this alliance!"
Ike: "Dominant? Ain't we equal?"
Iceslash: "You've always been a bit naive, haven't you, Ike? It's obvious the Sabertooths are trying to use us for their war against the Lions and Phoenix; they intend to have us 'pay them back' by becoming an extension of their army...but if the Sabertooths continue to be scattered and decimated, it'll be the other way around! We'll gladly accept the survivors into our impenetrable city, under the condition that they bow to us! We'll absorb them into our army!"
Not noticing Ike's change in demeanor as a ripple runs down his fur, Iceslash's chuckling is cut off as a long sword suddenly sticks out through his chi harness.
Iceslash: "Erk--wha--?!"
Ike: "You're quite the conniving type indeed, Iceslash..."
Ike's voice and manner of speaking have completely changed.
'Ike': "...but I'm afraid your lofty goals are at an end. Aether Gulikovsky sends his regards."
Iceslash: "Y-you--you're--?!"
'Ike': "This would be against my principles, but Ike will have his free will back when this is over."
Iceslash crumples slowly to the floor. 'Ike' smiles as he tosses the sword aside.
Scorpix: "Now then...I've never sabotaged my side of a battle before. This could be fun."
["Allegro con fuoco" plays.]
The southern forces watch, baffled, as half of the Icebear Army begins to act bizarrely, leaving the turrets wide open to be webbed-up, forming up into objectively terrible formations for the situation, and spreading out the Claw Driller mechs so that each one is easily surrounded, isolated and overwhelmed by the Stinger-Tanks and Gorilla Mechs.
Stannis: "What in Chima is going on? Have they all simultaneously gone insane??"
Cranus: "Either this half of the army has lost their tactician--which I doubt, seeing as we haven't begun our air raids over the city yet--or they're being sabotaged by their tactician."
Stannis: "The Icebears, having a traitor among their highest ranks? That seems equally doubtful."
Craunus: "I don't know what else it could be, but whatever this is, let's be sure to take advantage of it! The Icebears still have half of a competent army, but the plan can proceed faster now."
Stannis: "Indeed."
The Spider King has his forces continue to launch their webs nonstop onto the Icebears' anti-air turrets, by now having webbed-up almost all of them...
In the Icebears' southern command center, another General furiously calls Ike on his radio. Scorpix answers, now speaking with Ike's voice.
'Ike': "Oi mate, I was just about to call--"
Icebear General: "What is the meaning of this, Ike?! What in the name of Cavora are you doing?!"
'Ike': "Iceslash collapsed! He just suddenly fell to the floor in front of me, an' he has no pulse now...I think we lost 'im, mate."
Icebear General: "What?? He just up and collapsed??"
'Ike': "I think he got a heart attack, er a stroke, er somethin'! It...left me pretty shaken, y'know? Sorry for losing my concentration, but the northern force couldn't just be without a commander--"
Icebear General: "Ugh, alright listen, we'll send someone to take over for you. Try to collect yourself, Ike. Our city, our last bastion in the south, is on the line here!"
'Ike': "Right, sorry!"
The General cuts the communication.
Scorpix thinks: I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to play my part. Take advantage of this while it lasts, my friends.
Meanwhile, the anti-air turrets have now all been webbed-up, the Spider Stalkers having gotten the ones in the back of the city with their launchers. Craunus smiles.
Craunus: "Excellent work, Stannis. Now, without further adieu; Silas, King Winslow...it's time."
Icebear General: "Yes, Your Majesty, he said Iceslash had something like a heart attack. I'll send replacements over imm--"
He's interrupted as the city shakes. Hundreds of Phoenix and dozens of Phoenix aircraft and Stinger-Copters descend on the Icebears at once, bursting down through the clouds and releasing their fiery salvos. The fire chi bombs rip through the incapacitated turrets and the front walls, allowing the Scorpions, Bears, Spiders and Gorillas to finally charge into the city. The air forces continue their bombing run, beginning to decimate the city now that the Icebears are powerless to stop them.
Craunus Maximus turns to see dozens of trees freezing in the north.
Craunus: "Scat! I had a feeling the Hunters would plan a pincer attack, but if we have the Phoenix and Stinger Brotherhood come down and bomb the Sabertooths, they'll be open to the Icebears' anti-air turrets, which we haven't fully dealt with yet!"
The General of this Sabertooth force grins smugly as his soldiers charge...but his grin soon vanishes, forever, as he's enveloped by a thick red laser blast from above. The other Sabertooths look up and behind them, baffled, as dozens of Vulture aircraft--now with shining red-gold color schemes and piloted by Leopards--descend on them from the northwest; the Leopard Air Force that Leodus and Vamprah had sent to assist in the Battle of Crystal Crater, unbeknownst to the Ice Hunters, has arrived.
Craunus heaves a sigh of relief as he sees the Leopards engaging the Sabertooths, before the latter army could get in range of the southern attack force. The Consul turns to a young Scorpion Lieutenant.
Craunus: "I misjudged the Empire of Balance; here I thought they were fence-sitters when it came to the Fire-Ice Wars. Remind me to thank them later."
Alone in the Icebear city's northern command center, generals Ike and Iceslash watch the Leopards' arrival, the latter icebear standing in front of the former.
Iceslash: "Hmm... We may be able to use this to our advantage."
Ike: "Oi, what in blazes are you talkin' about, mate??"
Iceslash: "I mean in the long run. The Sabertooths have made the mistake of spreading their forces too thin, trying to do too much at once; unlike us Icebears, who have wisely focused our entire military might on defending our HQ. We're the ones who should be the dominant tribe of this alliance!"
Ike: "Dominant? Ain't we equal?"
Iceslash: "You've always been a bit naive, haven't you, Ike? It's obvious the Sabertooths are trying to use us for their war against the Lions and Phoenix; they intend to have us 'pay them back' by becoming an extension of their army...but if the Sabertooths continue to be scattered and decimated, it'll be the other way around! We'll gladly accept the survivors into our impenetrable city, under the condition that they bow to us! We'll absorb them into our army!"
Not noticing Ike's change in demeanor as a ripple runs down his fur, Iceslash's chuckling is cut off as a long sword suddenly sticks out through his chi harness.
Iceslash: "Erk--wha--?!"
Ike: "You're quite the conniving type indeed, Iceslash..."
Ike's voice and manner of speaking have completely changed.
'Ike': "...but I'm afraid your lofty goals are at an end. Aether Gulikovsky sends his regards."
Iceslash: "Y-you--you're--?!"
'Ike': "This would be against my principles, but Ike will have his free will back when this is over."
Iceslash crumples slowly to the floor. 'Ike' smiles as he tosses the sword aside.
Scorpix: "Now then...I've never sabotaged my side of a battle before. This could be fun."
["Allegro con fuoco" plays.]
The southern forces watch, baffled, as half of the Icebear Army begins to act bizarrely, leaving the turrets wide open to be webbed-up, forming up into objectively terrible formations for the situation, and spreading out the Claw Driller mechs so that each one is easily surrounded, isolated and overwhelmed by the Stinger-Tanks and Gorilla Mechs.
Stannis: "What in Chima is going on? Have they all simultaneously gone insane??"
Cranus: "Either this half of the army has lost their tactician--which I doubt, seeing as we haven't begun our air raids over the city yet--or they're being sabotaged by their tactician."
Stannis: "The Icebears, having a traitor among their highest ranks? That seems equally doubtful."
Craunus: "I don't know what else it could be, but whatever this is, let's be sure to take advantage of it! The Icebears still have half of a competent army, but the plan can proceed faster now."
Stannis: "Indeed."
The Spider King has his forces continue to launch their webs nonstop onto the Icebears' anti-air turrets, by now having webbed-up almost all of them...
In the Icebears' southern command center, another General furiously calls Ike on his radio. Scorpix answers, now speaking with Ike's voice.
'Ike': "Oi mate, I was just about to call--"
Icebear General: "What is the meaning of this, Ike?! What in the name of Cavora are you doing?!"
'Ike': "Iceslash collapsed! He just suddenly fell to the floor in front of me, an' he has no pulse now...I think we lost 'im, mate."
Icebear General: "What?? He just up and collapsed??"
'Ike': "I think he got a heart attack, er a stroke, er somethin'! It...left me pretty shaken, y'know? Sorry for losing my concentration, but the northern force couldn't just be without a commander--"
Icebear General: "Ugh, alright listen, we'll send someone to take over for you. Try to collect yourself, Ike. Our city, our last bastion in the south, is on the line here!"
'Ike': "Right, sorry!"
The General cuts the communication.
Scorpix thinks: I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to play my part. Take advantage of this while it lasts, my friends.
Meanwhile, the anti-air turrets have now all been webbed-up, the Spider Stalkers having gotten the ones in the back of the city with their launchers. Craunus smiles.
Craunus: "Excellent work, Stannis. Now, without further adieu; Silas, King Winslow...it's time."
Icebear General: "Yes, Your Majesty, he said Iceslash had something like a heart attack. I'll send replacements over imm--"
He's interrupted as the city shakes. Hundreds of Phoenix and dozens of Phoenix aircraft and Stinger-Copters descend on the Icebears at once, bursting down through the clouds and releasing their fiery salvos. The fire chi bombs rip through the incapacitated turrets and the front walls, allowing the Scorpions, Bears, Spiders and Gorillas to finally charge into the city. The air forces continue their bombing run, beginning to decimate the city now that the Icebears are powerless to stop them.
The leader of the Leopard forces, Imperial Knight Captain Longfang, spots the true leader of the Outland-stationed Sabertooths: the White Lioness, who'd wisely played a tactical role in the back of the force.
Longfang: "We've found King Finglor's wife among the Sabertooth forces! Capture the White Lioness! We can end the Sabertooths' part in this battle, perhaps in the war even, if we take her captive!"
The Leopards obey, and those on the ground form into two triangular groups that pierce through the Sabertooth Army; the Sabertooths formerly occupying those spaces on the ground having been forced to jump aside, to avoid being bombed by the aircraft. Sabertooths attempting to regroup into a protective circle around the White Lioness are further scattered by the bombs and enemy infantry.
Scorpix continues his sabotage of the Icebears' defense for as long as possible, before several Icebears burst into the northern command room behind him. It doesn't take them long to notice the body of Iceslash, who most certainly does not appear as if he'd been done in by a heart attack. 'Ike' turns toward them and speaks in his possessor's voice, his formerly glowing blue eyes now a glowing gold.
Scorpix: "I suppose the jig is up, unless you gentlemen would like to talk this over?"
The Icebears charge into the room with roars that are simultaneously confused and furious.
Scorpix: "Ah, I thought not... You're much like your brown-furred brethren, aren't you? Nay, even more ferocious."
The possessed Ike moves swiftly, tripping the attackers with a leg swipe before snatching two swords out of the disoriented Icebears' hands. He jumps back to dodge an ax slash, and whirls the two blades in his hands.
Scorpix: "This sure takes me back... I hope you all prove to be worthy opponents."
With the speed of a true dual-wielding veteran, Scorpix lunges into the midst of the five Icebears, dodging and parrying their attacks as he viciously strikes them down with both martial arts kicks and sword slashes. About a minute later, the possessed icebear stands above the five slain ones, panting but still full of energy.
Scorpix: "Hah... Are these the best the Icebears have to offer?"
He steps out the blasted open doors of the command room, casually slicing the icy catwalk by which the outdoor stairwell wrapping up the tower gives access to the top. Switching back to Ike's voice, Scorpix addresses the Icebears under his command over the radio.
'Ike': "Attention, there's a group of Icebears attempting an insurrection! They've already made an attempt on my life! Stop the traitors who are coming to the north tower!"
Icebear General: "Don't listen to this liar! He's the traitor, a saboteur! The King and I sent those troops to stop him!"
The Icebear forces are left almost universally confused and disoriented, allowing the southern armies to take advantage and breach the city further.
Craunus: "Whoever he is, that one Icebear commander is certainly a friend of ours! Push on the assault!"
The southern forces watch, baffled, as half of the Icebear Army begins to act bizarrely, leaving the turrets wide open to be webbed-up, forming up into objectively terrible formations for the situation, and spreading out the Claw Driller mechs so that each one is easily surrounded, isolated and overwhelmed by the Stinger-Tanks and Gorilla Mechs.
Stannis: "What in Chima is going on? Have they all simultaneously gone insane??"
Cranus: "Either this half of the army has lost their tactician--which I doubt, seeing as we haven't begun our air raids over the city yet--or they're being sabotaged by their tactician."
Stannis: "The Icebears, having a traitor among their highest ranks? That seems equally doubtful."
Craunus: "I don't know what else it could be, but whatever this is, let's be sure to take advantage of it! The Icebears still have half of a competent army, but the plan can proceed faster now."
Stannis: "Indeed."
The Spider King has his forces continue to launch their webs nonstop onto the Icebears' anti-air turrets, by now having webbed-up almost all of them...
In the Icebears' southern command center, another General furiously calls Ike on his radio. Scorpix answers, now speaking with Ike's voice.
'Ike': "Oi mate, I was just about to call--"
Icebear General: "What is the meaning of this, Ike?! What in the name of Cavora are you doing?!"
'Ike': "Iceslash collapsed! He just suddenly fell to the floor in front of me, an' he has no pulse now...I think we lost 'im, mate."
Icebear General: "What?? He just up and collapsed??"
'Ike': "I think he got a heart attack, er a stroke, er somethin'! It...left me pretty shaken, y'know? Sorry for losing my concentration, but the northern force couldn't just be without a commander--"
Icebear General: "Ugh, alright listen, we'll send someone to take over for you. Try to collect yourself, Ike. Our city, our last bastion in the south, is on the line here!"
'Ike': "Right, sorry!"
The General cuts the communication.
Scorpix thinks: I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to play my part. Take advantage of this while it lasts, my friends.
Meanwhile, the anti-air turrets have now all been webbed-up, the Spider Stalkers having gotten the ones in the back of the city with their launchers. Craunus smiles.
Craunus: "Excellent work, Stannis. Now, without further adieu; Silas, King Winslow...it's time."
Icebear General: "Yes, Your Majesty, he said Iceslash had something like a heart attack. I'll send replacements over imm--"
He's interrupted as the city shakes. Hundreds of Phoenix and dozens of Phoenix aircraft and Stinger-Copters descend on the Icebears at once, bursting down through the clouds and releasing their fiery salvos. The fire chi bombs rip through the incapacitated turrets and the front walls, allowing the Scorpions, Bears, Spiders and Gorillas to finally charge into the city. The air forces continue their bombing run, beginning to decimate the city now that the Icebears are powerless to stop them.
The leader of the Leopard forces, Imperial Knight Captain Longfang, spots the true leader of the Outland-stationed Sabertooths: the White Lioness, who'd wisely played a tactical role in the back of the force.
Longfang: "We've found King Finglor's wife among the Sabertooth forces! Capture the White Lioness! We can end the Sabertooths' part in this battle, perhaps in the war even, if we take her captive!"
The Leopards obey, and those on the ground form into two triangular groups that pierce through the Sabertooth Army; the Sabertooths formerly occupying those spaces on the ground having been forced to jump aside, to avoid being bombed by the aircraft. Sabertooths attempting to regroup into a protective circle around the White Lioness are further scattered by the bombs and enemy infantry.
Scorpix continues his sabotage of the Icebears' defense for as long as possible, before several Icebears burst into the northern command room behind him. It doesn't take them long to notice the body of Iceslash, who most certainly does not appear as if he'd been done in by a heart attack. 'Ike' turns toward them and speaks in his possessor's voice, his formerly glowing blue eyes now a glowing gold.
Scorpix: "I suppose the jig is up, unless you gentlemen would like to talk this over?"
The Icebears charge into the room with roars that are simultaneously confused and furious.
Scorpix: "Ah, I thought not... You're much like your brown-furred brethren, aren't you? Nay, even more ferocious."
The possessed Ike moves swiftly, tripping the attackers with a leg swipe before snatching two swords out of the disoriented Icebears' hands. He jumps back to dodge an ax slash, and whirls the two blades in his hands.
Scorpix: "This sure takes me back... I hope you all prove to be worthy opponents."
With the speed of a true dual-wielding veteran, Scorpix lunges into the midst of the five Icebears, dodging and parrying their attacks as he viciously strikes them down with both martial arts kicks and sword slashes. About a minute later, the possessed icebear stands above the five slain ones, panting but still full of energy.
Scorpix: "Hah... Are these the best the Icebears have to offer?"
He steps out the blasted open doors of the command room, casually slicing the icy catwalk by which the outdoor stairwell wrapping up the tower gives access to the top. Switching back to Ike's voice, Scorpix addresses the Icebears under his command over the radio.
'Ike': "Attention, there's a group of Icebears attempting an insurrection! They've already made an attempt on my life! Stop the traitors who are coming to the north tower!"
Icebear General: "Don't listen to this liar! He's the traitor, a saboteur! The King and I sent those troops to stop him!"
The Icebear forces are left almost universally confused and disoriented, allowing the southern armies to take advantage and breach the city further.
Craunus: "Whoever he is, that one Icebear commander is certainly a friend of ours! Push on the assault!"
ooc:I thought the white lioness was in the iron mountains, capturing her was my only war plan
The leader of the Leopard forces, Imperial Knight Captain Longfang, spots the true leader of the Outland-stationed Sabertooths: the White Lioness, who'd wisely played a tactical role in the back of the force.
Longfang: "We've found King Finglor's wife among the Sabertooth forces! Capture the White Lioness! We can end the Sabertooths' part in this battle, perhaps in the war even, if we take her captive!"
The Leopards obey, and those on the ground form into two triangular groups that pierce through the Sabertooth Army; the Sabertooths formerly occupying those spaces on the ground having been forced to jump aside, to avoid being bombed by the aircraft. Sabertooths attempting to regroup into a protective circle around the White Lioness are further scattered by the bombs and enemy infantry.
Scorpix continues his sabotage of the Icebears' defense for as long as possible, before several Icebears burst into the northern command room behind him. It doesn't take them long to notice the body of Iceslash, who most certainly does not appear as if he'd been done in by a heart attack. 'Ike' turns toward them and speaks in his possessor's voice, his formerly glowing blue eyes now a glowing gold.
Scorpix: "I suppose the jig is up, unless you gentlemen would like to talk this over?"
The Icebears charge into the room with roars that are simultaneously confused and furious.
Scorpix: "Ah, I thought not... You're much like your brown-furred brethren, aren't you? Nay, even more ferocious."
The possessed Ike moves swiftly, tripping the attackers with a leg swipe before snatching two swords out of the disoriented Icebears' hands. He jumps back to dodge an ax slash, and whirls the two blades in his hands.
Scorpix: "This sure takes me back... I hope you all prove to be worthy opponents."
With the speed of a true dual-wielding veteran, Scorpix lunges into the midst of the five Icebears, dodging and parrying their attacks as he viciously strikes them down with both martial arts kicks and sword slashes. About a minute later, the possessed icebear stands above the five slain ones, panting but still full of energy.
Scorpix: "Hah... Are these the best the Icebears have to offer?"
He steps out the blasted open doors of the command room, casually slicing the icy catwalk by which the outdoor stairwell wrapping up the tower gives access to the top. Switching back to Ike's voice, Scorpix addresses the Icebears under his command over the radio.
'Ike': "Attention, there's a group of Icebears attempting an insurrection! They've already made an attempt on my life! Stop the traitors who are coming to the north tower!"
Icebear General: "Don't listen to this liar! He's the traitor, a saboteur! The King and I sent those troops to stop him!"
The Icebear forces are left almost universally confused and disoriented, allowing the southern armies to take advantage and breach the city further.
Craunus: "Whoever he is, that one Icebear commander is certainly a friend of ours! Push on the assault!"
ooc:I thought the white lioness was in the iron mountains, capturing her was my only war plan
OOC: Just checked, you're right. Ignore that part of my post.
The southern forces watch, baffled, as half of the Icebear Army begins to act bizarrely, leaving the turrets wide open to be webbed-up, forming up into objectively terrible formations for the situation, and spreading out the Claw Driller mechs so that each one is easily surrounded, isolated and overwhelmed by the Stinger-Tanks and Gorilla Mechs.
Stannis: "What in Chima is going on? Have they all simultaneously gone insane??"
Cranus: "Either this half of the army has lost their tactician--which I doubt, seeing as we haven't begun our air raids over the city yet--or they're being sabotaged by their tactician."
Stannis: "The Icebears, having a traitor among their highest ranks? That seems equally doubtful."
Craunus: "I don't know what else it could be, but whatever this is, let's be sure to take advantage of it! The Icebears still have half of a competent army, but the plan can proceed faster now."
Stannis: "Indeed."
The Spider King has his forces continue to launch their webs nonstop onto the Icebears' anti-air turrets, by now having webbed-up almost all of them...
In the Icebears' southern command center, another General furiously calls Ike on his radio. Scorpix answers, now speaking with Ike's voice.
'Ike': "Oi mate, I was just about to call--"
Icebear General: "What is the meaning of this, Ike?! What in the name of Cavora are you doing?!"
'Ike': "Iceslash collapsed! He just suddenly fell to the floor in front of me, an' he has no pulse now...I think we lost 'im, mate."
Icebear General: "What?? He just up and collapsed??"
'Ike': "I think he got a heart attack, er a stroke, er somethin'! It...left me pretty shaken, y'know? Sorry for losing my concentration, but the northern force couldn't just be without a commander--"
Icebear General: "Ugh, alright listen, we'll send someone to take over for you. Try to collect yourself, Ike. Our city, our last bastion in the south, is on the line here!"
'Ike': "Right, sorry!"
The General cuts the communication.
Scorpix thinks: I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to play my part. Take advantage of this while it lasts, my friends.
Meanwhile, the anti-air turrets have now all been webbed-up, the Spider Stalkers having gotten the ones in the back of the city with their launchers. Craunus smiles.
Craunus: "Excellent work, Stannis. Now, without further adieu; Silas, King Winslow...it's time."
Icebear General: "Yes, Your Majesty, he said Iceslash had something like a heart attack. I'll send replacements over imm--"
He's interrupted as the city shakes. Hundreds of Phoenix and dozens of Phoenix aircraft and Stinger-Copters descend on the Icebears at once, bursting down through the clouds and releasing their fiery salvos. The fire chi bombs rip through the incapacitated turrets and the front walls, allowing the Scorpions, Bears, Spiders and Gorillas to finally charge into the city. The air forces continue their bombing run, beginning to decimate the city now that the Icebears are powerless to stop them.
The leader of the Leopard forces, Imperial Knight Captain Longfang, spots the true leader of the Outland-stationed Sabertooths: the White Lioness, who'd wisely played a tactical role in the back of the force.
Longfang: "We've found King Finglor's wife among the Sabertooth forces! Capture the White Lioness! We can end the Sabertooths' part in this battle, perhaps in the war even, if we take her captive!"
The Leopards obey, and those on the ground form into two triangular groups that pierce through the Sabertooth Army; the Sabertooths formerly occupying those spaces on the ground having been forced to jump aside, to avoid being bombed by the aircraft. Sabertooths attempting to regroup into a protective circle around the White Lioness are further scattered by the bombs and enemy infantry.
Scorpix continues his sabotage of the Icebears' defense for as long as possible, before several Icebears burst into the northern command room behind him. It doesn't take them long to notice the body of Iceslash, who most certainly does not appear as if he'd been done in by a heart attack. 'Ike' turns toward them and speaks in his possessor's voice, his formerly glowing blue eyes now a glowing gold.
Scorpix: "I suppose the jig is up, unless you gentlemen would like to talk this over?"
The Icebears charge into the room with roars that are simultaneously confused and furious.
Scorpix: "Ah, I thought not... You're much like your brown-furred brethren, aren't you? Nay, even more ferocious."
The possessed Ike moves swiftly, tripping the attackers with a leg swipe before snatching two swords out of the disoriented Icebears' hands. He jumps back to dodge an ax slash, and whirls the two blades in his hands.
Scorpix: "This sure takes me back... I hope you all prove to be worthy opponents."
With the speed of a true dual-wielding veteran, Scorpix lunges into the midst of the five Icebears, dodging and parrying their attacks as he viciously strikes them down with both martial arts kicks and sword slashes. About a minute later, the possessed icebear stands above the five slain ones, panting but still full of energy.
Scorpix: "Hah... Are these the best the Icebears have to offer?"
He steps out the blasted open doors of the command room, casually slicing the icy catwalk by which the outdoor stairwell wrapping up the tower gives access to the top. Switching back to Ike's voice, Scorpix addresses the Icebears under his command over the radio.
'Ike': "Attention, there's a group of Icebears attempting an insurrection! They've already made an attempt on my life! Stop the traitors who are coming to the north tower!"
Icebear General: "Don't listen to this liar! He's the traitor, a saboteur! The King and I sent those troops to stop him!"
The Icebear forces are left almost universally confused and disoriented, allowing the southern armies to take advantage and breach the city further.
Craunus: "Whoever he is, that one Icebear commander is certainly a friend of ours! Push on the assault!"
As the battle rages on, Craunus and Stannis tell Winslow, Silas and Gorvan over the radio to avoid targeting the Icebears' northern command center, as that's where their presumed saboteur is. However, Scorpix soon finds himself surrounded, as Claw Driller mechs ferociously climb up the tower. The mechs drill through the tinted glass dome top of the tower.
Scorpix: "Hmm... I honestly can't say I'd be able to take down all these mechs, even while chi-powered."
The possessed icebear watches calmly as shards of glass fall all around him, and the mechs rip the dome to pieces, aiming their hand-mounted missiles at him. He drops the two swords and puts his arms up in surrender.
Scorpix: "I concede, however I must ask that you do not punish your fellow here. This man is innocent, and never betrayed you."
Icebear pilot: "What??"
Before the pilots' stunned eyes, Scorpix's Chi Ghost phases out of Ike, whose eyes return to their normal glowing blue. Ike falls to his hands and knees, half-conscious.
Ike: "W-what? What...happened?"
The spirit flies backward and grabs the concoction that'd summoned him, having hidden it in the back of the room. The Icebears are too stunned to react as Scorpix flies off. The translucent blue scorpion soul looks casually around at the explosive sights below, as both fire and ice blasts fly through him.
Scorpix: "Quite a battle. Well, if this is to be the final battle between the Scorpions and Icebears, I can't think of a more fitting place. Now, where is...ah, there you are."
Craunus looks up, not believing his eyes, as a familiar face appears before him in an unfamiliar form.
Scorpix: "Hello, Craunus. It's been a while. It seems my successors are fairing well. I've already visited Calloran back in Scorm City."
Craunus: "S-Scorpix?? I-I don't believe it! Is it really you?"
Scorpix: "I'd technically be lying if I said 'in the flesh', but yes, it is me. In spirit."
Stannis: "So this is the great Scorpix I've heard so much about! I never did get a chance to meet you, what with my tribe's isolationism while you lived."
Scorpix: "You must be Spider King Stannis Rax. The pleasure is all mine, I assure you."
Craunus: "So it's true...Chi Ghosts are real. I'd only heard about them secondhand, after the Balthazar Campaign. Even after death, you've come to our aid."
Scorpix: "Full disclosure, my summoning was a timely coincidence. You can thank Scorponok for that. However, I'm glad I stuck around here in the land of the living. What better way to play my part in this war, than by helping to retake my people's homeland?"
Craunus: "Indeed. So you...possessed one of the Icebears' tacticians, I presume? Thank you Sir, you were a great help."
Scorpix: "Now now, none of this 'Sir' business. You, Calloran, Scorponok and the Praetors have long since become my equals in all regards, surpassed me even. I couldn't have asked for better successors--"
The leader of the Leopard forces, Imperial Knight Captain Longfang, spots the true leader of the Outland-stationed Sabertooths: the White Lioness, who'd wisely played a tactical role in the back of the force.
Longfang: "We've found King Finglor's wife among the Sabertooth forces! Capture the White Lioness! We can end the Sabertooths' part in this battle, perhaps in the war even, if we take her captive!"
The Leopards obey, and those on the ground form into two triangular groups that pierce through the Sabertooth Army; the Sabertooths formerly occupying those spaces on the ground having been forced to jump aside, to avoid being bombed by the aircraft. Sabertooths attempting to regroup into a protective circle around the White Lioness are further scattered by the bombs and enemy infantry.
Scorpix continues his sabotage of the Icebears' defense for as long as possible, before several Icebears burst into the northern command room behind him. It doesn't take them long to notice the body of Iceslash, who most certainly does not appear as if he'd been done in by a heart attack. 'Ike' turns toward them and speaks in his possessor's voice, his formerly glowing blue eyes now a glowing gold.
Scorpix: "I suppose the jig is up, unless you gentlemen would like to talk this over?"
The Icebears charge into the room with roars that are simultaneously confused and furious.
Scorpix: "Ah, I thought not... You're much like your brown-furred brethren, aren't you? Nay, even more ferocious."
The possessed Ike moves swiftly, tripping the attackers with a leg swipe before snatching two swords out of the disoriented Icebears' hands. He jumps back to dodge an ax slash, and whirls the two blades in his hands.
Scorpix: "This sure takes me back... I hope you all prove to be worthy opponents."
With the speed of a true dual-wielding veteran, Scorpix lunges into the midst of the five Icebears, dodging and parrying their attacks as he viciously strikes them down with both martial arts kicks and sword slashes. About a minute later, the possessed icebear stands above the five slain ones, panting but still full of energy.
Scorpix: "Hah... Are these the best the Icebears have to offer?"
He steps out the blasted open doors of the command room, casually slicing the icy catwalk by which the outdoor stairwell wrapping up the tower gives access to the top. Switching back to Ike's voice, Scorpix addresses the Icebears under his command over the radio.
'Ike': "Attention, there's a group of Icebears attempting an insurrection! They've already made an attempt on my life! Stop the traitors who are coming to the north tower!"
Icebear General: "Don't listen to this liar! He's the traitor, a saboteur! The King and I sent those troops to stop him!"
The Icebear forces are left almost universally confused and disoriented, allowing the southern armies to take advantage and breach the city further.
Craunus: "Whoever he is, that one Icebear commander is certainly a friend of ours! Push on the assault!"
As the battle rages on, Craunus and Stannis tell Winslow, Silas and Gorvan over the radio to avoid targeting the Icebears' northern command center, as that's where their presumed saboteur is. However, Scorpix soon finds himself surrounded, as Claw Driller mechs ferociously climb up the tower. The mechs drill through the tinted glass dome top of the tower.
Scorpix: "Hmm... I honestly can't say I'd be able to take down all these mechs, even while chi-powered."
The possessed icebear watches calmly as shards of glass fall all around him, and the mechs rip the dome to pieces, aiming their hand-mounted missiles at him. He drops the two swords and puts his arms up in surrender.
Scorpix: "I concede, however I must ask that you do not punish your fellow here. This man is innocent, and never betrayed you."
Icebear pilot: "What??"
Before the pilots' stunned eyes, Scorpix's Chi Ghost phases out of Ike, whose eyes return to their normal glowing blue. Ike falls to his hands and knees, half-conscious.
Ike: "W-what? What...happened?"
The spirit flies backward and grabs the concoction that'd summoned him, having hidden it in the back of the room. The Icebears are too stunned to react as Scorpix flies off. The translucent blue scorpion soul looks casually around at the explosive sights below, as both fire and ice blasts fly through him.
Scorpix: "Quite a battle. Well, if this is to be the final battle between the Scorpions and Icebears, I can't think of a more fitting place. Now, where is...ah, there you are."
Craunus looks up, not believing his eyes, as a familiar face appears before him in an unfamiliar form.
Scorpix: "Hello, Craunus. It's been a while. It seems my successors are fairing well. I've already visited Calloran back in Scorm City."
Craunus: "S-Scorpix?? I-I don't believe it! Is it really you?"
Scorpix: "I'd technically be lying if I said 'in the flesh', but yes, it is me. In spirit."
Stannis: "So this is the great Scorpix I've heard so much about! I never did get a chance to meet you, what with my tribe's isolationism while you lived."
Scorpix: "You must be Spider King Stannis Rax. The pleasure is all mine, I assure you."
Craunus: "So it's true...Chi Ghosts are real. I'd only heard about them secondhand, after the Balthazar Campaign. Even after death, you've come to our aid."
Scorpix: "Full disclosure, my summoning was a timely coincidence. You can thank Scorponok for that. However, I'm glad I stuck around here in the land of the living. What better way to play my part in this war, than by helping to retake my people's homeland?"
Craunus: "Indeed. So you...possessed one of the Icebears' tacticians, I presume? Thank you Sir, you were a great help."
Scorpix: "Now now, none of this 'Sir' business. You, Calloran, Scorponok and the Praetors have long since become my equals in all regards, surpassed me even. I couldn't have asked for better successors--"
Suddenly, an ice blast hits the Chi Ghost concoction Scorpix carries, freezing it and knocking it out of his claw. Before Craunus or Stannis can catch it, the frozen vial hits the ground and shatters. Scorpix's spirit begins to dissipate as Craunus shoots the icebear who struck the concoction.
Scorpix: "Ah, scat. I distracted you with this talk, sorry about that. Well, I've already done all I could. Now I return to the Chi Ghost Realm."
Stannis: "Wait! In this...'Chi Ghost Realm', have you seen my parents?"
Scorpix: "I have indeed. Skaulus and Severix Rax are...happy, free from war and finally together in peace."
Stannis: "I see. Thank you. This knowledge is...useful."
Craunus: "Goodbye, Scorpix..."
Scorpix: "Farewell to you all, and good lu--"
The last of the spirit disintegrates into light motes that fade from view.
Craunus and Stannis continue their charge, but the two leaders become separated by an explosion soon after. The Consul coughs and looks around the battlefield, surrounded by melting ice and a burning city all around.
Scorpion: "Consul! Are you alright?"
Craunus: "I'm fine. Where's Stannis?"
In the Icebears' remaining command center, King Iroquois takes command of the entire army, giving new orders over their private radio.
Iroquois: "All Claw Drillers, pull back and into the fortified inner city! All infantry, target their leaders! Scorpion Consul Craunus Maximus, Scorpion Praetor Scarabus, Spider King Stannis Rax, and Gorilla President Gorvan have all been identified! Our answer to their sabotage will be to isolate and take out the leaders of their ground forces, leaving them in disarray! The Claw Drillers will then target the Phoenix and Stinger Brotherhood air forces with their missiles!"
As the Icebears move to carry out these orders, Craunus sees 'Scarabus' fighting across the burning street, having been separated from most of his troops. The three Scorpions fighting with 'Scarabus' are frozen by ice blasts, after which the Icebears swap their blasters out for crossbows (which they saved to make sure they'd have enough ammo for the enemy leaders), firing deadly ice arrows until one strikes 'Scarabus' in the neck.
Craunus: "No!"
The Consul and his soldiers shoot the Icebears with their fire chi blasters (except for one, who retreats to report about this), and run to the fallen scorpion's side.
'Scarabus': "Heh...I've...done my duty, right?"
Craunus: "No, I didn't want this to happen..."
'Scarabus': "No, this is good...the Icebears will think that...Praetor Scarabus is deceased...that they've taken out one of our leaders. This helps the plan..."
Craunus: "...You've done your duty, soldier. Rest well."
'Scarabus' closes his eyes, smiling, as the Scorpions Craunus free their fellows from the ice.
{JAMMERS! -Non-ice tribes- ONLY!} By now, the real Scarabus and his troops have drilled into the space directly below the Icebears' city. They start drilling through the concrete above...
As the battle rages on, Craunus and Stannis tell Winslow, Silas and Gorvan over the radio to avoid targeting the Icebears' northern command center, as that's where their presumed saboteur is. However, Scorpix soon finds himself surrounded, as Claw Driller mechs ferociously climb up the tower. The mechs drill through the tinted glass dome top of the tower.
Scorpix: "Hmm... I honestly can't say I'd be able to take down all these mechs, even while chi-powered."
The possessed icebear watches calmly as shards of glass fall all around him, and the mechs rip the dome to pieces, aiming their hand-mounted missiles at him. He drops the two swords and puts his arms up in surrender.
Scorpix: "I concede, however I must ask that you do not punish your fellow here. This man is innocent, and never betrayed you."
Icebear pilot: "What??"
Before the pilots' stunned eyes, Scorpix's Chi Ghost phases out of Ike, whose eyes return to their normal glowing blue. Ike falls to his hands and knees, half-conscious.
Ike: "W-what? What...happened?"
The spirit flies backward and grabs the concoction that'd summoned him, having hidden it in the back of the room. The Icebears are too stunned to react as Scorpix flies off. The translucent blue scorpion soul looks casually around at the explosive sights below, as both fire and ice blasts fly through him.
Scorpix: "Quite a battle. Well, if this is to be the final battle between the Scorpions and Icebears, I can't think of a more fitting place. Now, where is...ah, there you are."
Craunus looks up, not believing his eyes, as a familiar face appears before him in an unfamiliar form.
Scorpix: "Hello, Craunus. It's been a while. It seems my successors are fairing well. I've already visited Calloran back in Scorm City."
Craunus: "S-Scorpix?? I-I don't believe it! Is it really you?"
Scorpix: "I'd technically be lying if I said 'in the flesh', but yes, it is me. In spirit."
Stannis: "So this is the great Scorpix I've heard so much about! I never did get a chance to meet you, what with my tribe's isolationism while you lived."
Scorpix: "You must be Spider King Stannis Rax. The pleasure is all mine, I assure you."
Craunus: "So it's true...Chi Ghosts are real. I'd only heard about them secondhand, after the Balthazar Campaign. Even after death, you've come to our aid."
Scorpix: "Full disclosure, my summoning was a timely coincidence. You can thank Scorponok for that. However, I'm glad I stuck around here in the land of the living. What better way to play my part in this war, than by helping to retake my people's homeland?"
Craunus: "Indeed. So you...possessed one of the Icebears' tacticians, I presume? Thank you Sir, you were a great help."
Scorpix: "Now now, none of this 'Sir' business. You, Calloran, Scorponok and the Praetors have long since become my equals in all regards, surpassed me even. I couldn't have asked for better successors--"
Suddenly, an ice blast hits the Chi Ghost concoction Scorpix carries, freezing it and knocking it out of his claw. Before Craunus or Stannis can catch it, the frozen vial hits the ground and shatters. Scorpix's spirit begins to dissipate as Craunus shoots the icebear who struck the concoction.
Scorpix: "Ah, scat. I distracted you with this talk, sorry about that. Well, I've already done all I could. Now I return to the Chi Ghost Realm."
Stannis: "Wait! In this...'Chi Ghost Realm', have you seen my parents?"
Scorpix: "I have indeed. Skaulus and Severix Rax are...happy, free from war and finally together in peace."
Stannis: "I see. Thank you. This knowledge is...useful."
Craunus: "Goodbye, Scorpix..."
Scorpix: "Farewell to you all, and good lu--"
The last of the spirit disintegrates into light motes that fade from view.
Craunus and Stannis continue their charge, but the two leaders become separated by an explosion soon after. The Consul coughs and looks around the battlefield, surrounded by melting ice and a burning city all around.
Scorpion: "Consul! Are you alright?"
Craunus: "I'm fine. Where's Stannis?"
In the Icebears' remaining command center, King Iroquois takes command of the entire army, giving new orders over their private radio.
Iroquois: "All Claw Drillers, pull back and into the fortified inner city! All infantry, target their leaders! Scorpion Consul Craunus Maximus, Scorpion Praetor Scarabus, Spider King Stannis Rax, and Gorilla President Gorvan have all been identified! Our answer to their sabotage will be to isolate and take out the leaders of their ground forces, leaving them in disarray! The Claw Drillers will then target the Phoenix and Stinger Brotherhood air forces with their missiles!"
As the Icebears move to carry out these orders, Craunus sees 'Scarabus' fighting across the burning street, having been separated from most of his troops. The three Scorpions fighting with 'Scarabus' are frozen by ice blasts, after which the Icebears swap their blasters out for crossbows (which they saved to make sure they'd have enough ammo for the enemy leaders), firing deadly ice arrows until one strikes 'Scarabus' in the neck.
Craunus: "No!"
The Consul and his soldiers shoot the Icebears with their fire chi blasters (except for one, who retreats to report about this), and run to the fallen scorpion's side.
'Scarabus': "Heh...I've...done my duty, right?"
Craunus: "No, I didn't want this to happen..."
'Scarabus': "No, this is good...the Icebears will think that...Praetor Scarabus is deceased...that they've taken out one of our leaders. This helps the plan..."
Craunus: "...You've done your duty, soldier. Rest well."
'Scarabus' closes his eyes, smiling, as the Scorpions Craunus free their fellows from the ice.
{JAMMERS! -Non-ice tribes- ONLY!} By now, the real Scarabus and his troops have drilled into the space directly below the Icebears' city. They start drilling through the concrete above...
Craunus and his men indeed find Stannis soon after. In a small crater that'd been recently created during the battle, the Spider King leans up across from an icebear with his head completely covered by webbing... and frozen on top of that. Craunus shudders. Clearly, Stannis had shot a web onto his opponent's head, and when the icebear had tried to pull it off, it'd only made things worse; his touch automatically freezing the web, and encasing his head in a final inescapable embrace.
Craunus then notices that the Spider King is clutching a long vertical wound that'd cut through his Phoenix robes; due to Stannis having fire chi plugged, the icebear's sword slash had done that instead of freezing him...
Craunus: "Stannis!"
He and his men run over to the spider's side, and the young king grins.
Stannis: "Guess I should've...rendezvoused with you or my troops before getting back to fighting, eh?"
Craunus: "We need a medic over here--!"
Stannis: "It's a little too late for that, Consul... a lot too late. But this is...good. This...is what I wanted, sooner or later."
Craunus: "What?!"
Stannis: "I am the last Spider King, as I'd hoped. As I'd planned. Without a king or any heirs, the Spiders will now be fully absorbed into the Forgotten, a concept I prioritized getting them all used to ever since 'allying' with the Forgotten. It was all a long-term integration, so that it'd barely make a difference after I'm gone."
Craunus: "They could've still used your guidance... If you wanted to end the monarchy, you could've abdicated--"
Stannis: "No. The Spiders wouldn't have accepted that. Someone would've overthrown me and claimed the title of king or queen; something that's now impossible, with my having been slain on the battlefield. No one has a legitimate claim to the throne now."
The fallen spider grunts and coughs, but remains smiling.
Stannis: "The Spiders will be better off...without a king. Finally, the infighting is over. Finally, the cycle of usurpation is over and gone. Finally, my tribe will know...peace..."
The last Spider King lays in rest, and Craunus stands, sighing.
Craunus: "Why does everyone...keep acting like they'd planned their own end?"
He clears his throat and speaks on the radio.
Craunus: "Attention, all Unichi and associate forces: this is Scorpion Consul Craunus Maximus. We've sustained heavy losses in leadership, including Scorpion Praetor Scarabus and Spider King Stannis Rax. Gorilla President Gorvan and I will now assume full command over the Gorilla-Bear forces and Scorpion-Spider forces, respectively. Stinger Brotherhood Supreme Commander Silas and Phoenix King Winslow, please continue your bombardments, to clear us a way into the Icebears' headquarters; the tower in the southeast of the city. We need to either capture the Icebear King or drive them all out of the south, and the former seems more probable at the moment."
The regrouped ground forces push on, as the air forces continue to cut an explosive line of fire through the Icebears' city.
Suddenly, an ice blast hits the Chi Ghost concoction Scorpix carries, freezing it and knocking it out of his claw. Before Craunus or Stannis can catch it, the frozen vial hits the ground and shatters. Scorpix's spirit begins to dissipate as Craunus shoots the icebear who struck the concoction.
Scorpix: "Ah, scat. I distracted you with this talk, sorry about that. Well, I've already done all I could. Now I return to the Chi Ghost Realm."
Stannis: "Wait! In this...'Chi Ghost Realm', have you seen my parents?"
Scorpix: "I have indeed. Skaulus and Severix Rax are...happy, free from war and finally together in peace."
Stannis: "I see. Thank you. This knowledge is...useful."
Craunus: "Goodbye, Scorpix..."
Scorpix: "Farewell to you all, and good lu--"
The last of the spirit disintegrates into light motes that fade from view.
Craunus and Stannis continue their charge, but the two leaders become separated by an explosion soon after. The Consul coughs and looks around the battlefield, surrounded by melting ice and a burning city all around.
Scorpion: "Consul! Are you alright?"
Craunus: "I'm fine. Where's Stannis?"
In the Icebears' remaining command center, King Iroquois takes command of the entire army, giving new orders over their private radio.
Iroquois: "All Claw Drillers, pull back and into the fortified inner city! All infantry, target their leaders! Scorpion Consul Craunus Maximus, Scorpion Praetor Scarabus, Spider King Stannis Rax, and Gorilla President Gorvan have all been identified! Our answer to their sabotage will be to isolate and take out the leaders of their ground forces, leaving them in disarray! The Claw Drillers will then target the Phoenix and Stinger Brotherhood air forces with their missiles!"
As the Icebears move to carry out these orders, Craunus sees 'Scarabus' fighting across the burning street, having been separated from most of his troops. The three Scorpions fighting with 'Scarabus' are frozen by ice blasts, after which the Icebears swap their blasters out for crossbows (which they saved to make sure they'd have enough ammo for the enemy leaders), firing deadly ice arrows until one strikes 'Scarabus' in the neck.
Craunus: "No!"
The Consul and his soldiers shoot the Icebears with their fire chi blasters (except for one, who retreats to report about this), and run to the fallen scorpion's side.
'Scarabus': "Heh...I've...done my duty, right?"
Craunus: "No, I didn't want this to happen..."
'Scarabus': "No, this is good...the Icebears will think that...Praetor Scarabus is deceased...that they've taken out one of our leaders. This helps the plan..."
Craunus: "...You've done your duty, soldier. Rest well."
'Scarabus' closes his eyes, smiling, as the Scorpions Craunus free their fellows from the ice.
{JAMMERS! -Non-ice tribes- ONLY!} By now, the real Scarabus and his troops have drilled into the space directly below the Icebears' city. They start drilling through the concrete above...
Craunus and his men indeed find Stannis soon after. In a small crater that'd been recently created during the battle, the Spider King leans up across from an icebear with his head completely covered by webbing... and frozen on top of that. Craunus shudders. Clearly, Stannis had shot a web onto his opponent's head, and when the icebear had tried to pull it off, it'd only made things worse; his touch automatically freezing the web, and encasing his head in a final inescapable embrace.
Craunus then notices that the Spider King is clutching a long vertical wound that'd cut through his Phoenix robes; due to Stannis having fire chi plugged, the icebear's sword slash had done that instead of freezing him...
Craunus: "Stannis!"
He and his men run over to the spider's side, and the young king grins.
Stannis: "Guess I should've...rendezvoused with you or my troops before getting back to fighting, eh?"
Craunus: "We need a medic over here--!"
Stannis: "It's a little too late for that, Consul... a lot too late. But this is...good. This...is what I wanted, sooner or later."
Craunus: "What?!"
Stannis: "I am the last Spider King, as I'd hoped. As I'd planned. Without a king or any heirs, the Spiders will now be fully absorbed into the Forgotten, a concept I prioritized getting them all used to ever since 'allying' with the Forgotten. It was all a long-term integration, so that it'd barely make a difference after I'm gone."
Craunus: "They could've still used your guidance... If you wanted to end the monarchy, you could've abdicated--"
Stannis: "No. The Spiders wouldn't have accepted that. Someone would've overthrown me and claimed the title of king or queen; something that's now impossible, with my having been slain on the battlefield. No one has a legitimate claim to the throne now."
The fallen spider grunts and coughs, but remains smiling.
Stannis: "The Spiders will be better off...without a king. Finally, the infighting is over. Finally, the cycle of usurpation is over and gone. Finally, my tribe will know...peace..."
The last Spider King lays in rest, and Craunus stands, sighing.
Craunus: "Why does everyone...keep acting like they'd planned their own end?"
He clears his throat and speaks on the radio.
Craunus: "Attention, all Unichi and associate forces: this is Scorpion Consul Craunus Maximus. We've sustained heavy losses in leadership, including Scorpion Praetor Scarabus and Spider King Stannis Rax. Gorilla President Gorvan and I will now assume full command over the Gorilla-Bear forces and Scorpion-Spider forces, respectively. Stinger Brotherhood Supreme Commander Silas and Phoenix King Winslow, please continue your bombardments, to clear us a way into the Icebears' headquarters; the tower in the southeast of the city. We need to either capture the Icebear King or drive them all out of the south, and the former seems more probable at the moment."
The regrouped ground forces push on, as the air forces continue to cut an explosive line of fire through the Icebears' city.
["Frozen Land" plays.]
Meanwhile, the Leopard Air Force defeats the portion of the Sabertooth Army in the Outlands, and the scattered Sabertooths regroup as they retreat northwest. The Leopards pursue them to make sure that the Hunters leave the south.
In the increasingly destroyed Icebear city, the southern forces charge with newfound fiery determination, blasting aside the outnumbered enemy forces in their wake. In the Icebears' remaining command center, the Commander looks to King Iroquois.
Icebear Commander: "Your Majesty, we're outnumbered, outgunned, we've lost our tacticians, and the enemy is converging on this tower! We must retre--!"
Iroquois: "Did Icestrike retreat?! Did his mentors that he used to tell us tales about retreat in wake of their impending ends?! No! They stood tall and fought to the very last breath! VICTORY OR DEATH!"
Most of the present Icebears in the tower cheer at their King's words, but the Commander stands, taking out and throwing his earpiece.
Icebear Commander: "You're all crazy! That ideology is what got Icestrike and his mentors taken out in the first place! If you want to throw away your lives, fine, but I'm out of--!"
He's cut off as ice encases him, before he can make it to the door. Iroquois puts his blaster down, shakes his head and sighs.
Iroquois: "No honor these days... Maybe being turned into these ice zombies and kept alive for far longer than a natural lifespan has dulled our senses and warrior's pride, made us fear death rather than smile back at it; and maybe a Great Illumination to undo this wouldn't be so bad, after all... HOWEVER, that does NOT mean I'm letting the southerners drive us out of this headquarters that we've worked so hard to build!"
The Icebears roar in agreement, continuing to give their all in defending the HQ. The forces outside the command tower regroup and converge around it, blocking the southern armies from reaching the Icebear King.
Inside the tower, however, the floor suddenly erupts from underneath Iroquois's feet. He leaps back along with the other baffled Icebears in the command room, as Scorpion Praetor Scarabus and his third of the Scorpion Army crawl out of the tunnel they'd been digging up the length of the tower; having used their fire chi power to melt and claw through solid metal.
Iroquois: "Praetor Scarabus?! How can this be?! I was told that you'd fallen in battle--!"
Scarabus: "Ah, but was that truly me, Iroquois? Thanks to my Phantom's valiant sacrifice, the deception was even more effective. Operation Phantom Pain was a complete success."
Iroquois: "You...tunneled beneath the city...even through solid rock, concrete and metal?! That'd take an impossibly long time!"
Scarabus: "Two things you should know about us Outland natives, Iroquois: one, no one knows this land's tunnels like we do; and two, we spent our first moments as sapient beings--nay, even our lives before that, in the Gorge--overcoming impossible odds; gives us a unique perspective on the matter..."
Craunus and his men indeed find Stannis soon after. In a small crater that'd been recently created during the battle, the Spider King leans up across from an icebear with his head completely covered by webbing... and frozen on top of that. Craunus shudders. Clearly, Stannis had shot a web onto his opponent's head, and when the icebear had tried to pull it off, it'd only made things worse; his touch automatically freezing the web, and encasing his head in a final inescapable embrace.
Craunus then notices that the Spider King is clutching a long vertical wound that'd cut through his Phoenix robes; due to Stannis having fire chi plugged, the icebear's sword slash had done that instead of freezing him...
Craunus: "Stannis!"
He and his men run over to the spider's side, and the young king grins.
Stannis: "Guess I should've...rendezvoused with you or my troops before getting back to fighting, eh?"
Craunus: "We need a medic over here--!"
Stannis: "It's a little too late for that, Consul... a lot too late. But this is...good. This...is what I wanted, sooner or later."
Craunus: "What?!"
Stannis: "I am the last Spider King, as I'd hoped. As I'd planned. Without a king or any heirs, the Spiders will now be fully absorbed into the Forgotten, a concept I prioritized getting them all used to ever since 'allying' with the Forgotten. It was all a long-term integration, so that it'd barely make a difference after I'm gone."
Craunus: "They could've still used your guidance... If you wanted to end the monarchy, you could've abdicated--"
Stannis: "No. The Spiders wouldn't have accepted that. Someone would've overthrown me and claimed the title of king or queen; something that's now impossible, with my having been slain on the battlefield. No one has a legitimate claim to the throne now."
The fallen spider grunts and coughs, but remains smiling.
Stannis: "The Spiders will be better off...without a king. Finally, the infighting is over. Finally, the cycle of usurpation is over and gone. Finally, my tribe will know...peace..."
The last Spider King lays in rest, and Craunus stands, sighing.
Craunus: "Why does everyone...keep acting like they'd planned their own end?"
He clears his throat and speaks on the radio.
Craunus: "Attention, all Unichi and associate forces: this is Scorpion Consul Craunus Maximus. We've sustained heavy losses in leadership, including Scorpion Praetor Scarabus and Spider King Stannis Rax. Gorilla President Gorvan and I will now assume full command over the Gorilla-Bear forces and Scorpion-Spider forces, respectively. Stinger Brotherhood Supreme Commander Silas and Phoenix King Winslow, please continue your bombardments, to clear us a way into the Icebears' headquarters; the tower in the southeast of the city. We need to either capture the Icebear King or drive them all out of the south, and the former seems more probable at the moment."
The regrouped ground forces push on, as the air forces continue to cut an explosive line of fire through the Icebears' city.
["Frozen Land" plays.]
Meanwhile, the Leopard Air Force defeats the portion of the Sabertooth Army in the Outlands, and the scattered Sabertooths regroup as they retreat northwest. The Leopards pursue them to make sure that the Hunters leave the south.
In the increasingly destroyed Icebear city, the southern forces charge with newfound fiery determination, blasting aside the outnumbered enemy forces in their wake. In the Icebears' remaining command center, the Commander looks to King Iroquois.
Icebear Commander: "Your Majesty, we're outnumbered, outgunned, we've lost our tacticians, and the enemy is converging on this tower! We must retre--!"
Iroquois: "Did Icestrike retreat?! Did his mentors that he used to tell us tales about retreat in wake of their impending ends?! No! They stood tall and fought to the very last breath! VICTORY OR DEATH!"
Most of the present Icebears in the tower cheer at their King's words, but the Commander stands, taking out and throwing his earpiece.
Icebear Commander: "You're all crazy! That ideology is what got Icestrike and his mentors taken out in the first place! If you want to throw away your lives, fine, but I'm out of--!"
He's cut off as ice encases him, before he can make it to the door. Iroquois puts his blaster down, shakes his head and sighs.
Iroquois: "No honor these days... Maybe being turned into these ice zombies and kept alive for far longer than a natural lifespan has dulled our senses and warrior's pride, made us fear death rather than smile back at it; and maybe a Great Illumination to undo this wouldn't be so bad, after all... HOWEVER, that does NOT mean I'm letting the southerners drive us out of this headquarters that we've worked so hard to build!"
The Icebears roar in agreement, continuing to give their all in defending the HQ. The forces outside the command tower regroup and converge around it, blocking the southern armies from reaching the Icebear King.
Inside the tower, however, the floor suddenly erupts from underneath Iroquois's feet. He leaps back along with the other baffled Icebears in the command room, as Scorpion Praetor Scarabus and his third of the Scorpion Army crawl out of the tunnel they'd been digging up the length of the tower; having used their fire chi power to melt and claw through solid metal.
Iroquois: "Praetor Scarabus?! How can this be?! I was told that you'd fallen in battle--!"
Scarabus: "Ah, but was that truly me, Iroquois? Thanks to my Phantom's valiant sacrifice, the deception was even more effective. Operation Phantom Pain was a complete success."
Iroquois: "You...tunneled beneath the city...even through solid rock, concrete and metal?! That'd take an impossibly long time!"
Scarabus: "Two things you should know about us Outland natives, Iroquois: one, no one knows this land's tunnels like we do; and two, we spent our first moments as sapient beings--nay, even our lives before that, in the Gorge--overcoming impossible odds; gives us a unique perspective on the matter..."
Iroquois: "Fine, then... Let the Scorpions and Icebears' feud finally end, with the defeat of either of us!"
Scarabus: "I couldn't agree more!"
As their soldiers fight around them, the Praetor and King, each embodying their respective elements, species, tribes and forms of leadership, engage in the ultimate duel. Their blades and limbs weave through the air in both sword and martial arts combat, leaving streaks of pure elemental energy in their wake; it is as if the elements themselves are clashing, the Arctic vs the Outlands, the north vs the south...a final culmination to the battle between those opposites, that began with the Crawler—Ice Hunter War.
Outside, Craunus and Gorvan focus all their forces' strength on breaking through the Icebears to get to the command tower, while Winslow and Silas have to divert their air raids to farther away, to avoid destroying the tower and Scarabus' forces within. The Phoenix and Stinger Brotherhood focus on destroying the remaining turrets in the city, as well as the walls.
Scorpion: "Look!"
Craunus' eyes follow the soldier's claw, and he sees two glowing beings fighting on top of the tower; Iroquois and Scarabus' duel has taken them to the rooftop, while the Scorpions below blast the other Icebears out of the tower's round window with a combined fire chi burst. The tower begins to shake and crumble; the interior structure has been compromised by the Scorpions drilling through its middle, as well as the fighting and recent explosion of power inside. The ground directly beneath the tower also becomes unstable and gives way to a deep hole in Chima, not unlike what befell Scortica's Citadel tower, that once occupied a similar placement in the area.
Craunus: "CLIMB DOWN!"
The Scorpions do as the Consul instructed, scrambling down the length of the tower and jumping off near the bottom, narrowly making it onto stable ground. Scarabus remains fighting with Iroquois, however.
Craunus: "SCARABUS, JUMP DOWN!"
Scarabus: "Can't do that, Craunus. The age of the Fire side retreating so that Ice can have another day--or vice-versa--must end. This war needs to finally conclude, if Chima is to move forward. The Icebears and Scorpions must have peace...through the fall of either of us."
Iroquois: "Agreed..."
The two duelists have taken surprisingly calm tones as they continue to fight atop the crumbling tower. From his Stinger-Copter, Silas hears them, and recalls what Scorponok had told him about Scorpix's final duel with Lycor, which the Chi Ghost had described to Scorponok.
Silas: "It's just like how those two secured peace between the Lions and Scorpions... History repeats itself, indeed."
Craunus: "SCARABUS, NO--!"
A dust cloud erupts out of the tower as it finally collapses into the growing crevice, Scarabus and Iroqious still fighting as they fall.
The battered Icebear forces are left demoralized by the loss of their leader and destruction of the city, retreating north and finally leaving the Outlands.