The wind against his face, the power surging through his body, and the sight of a city fast approaching him alerted him to the fact that he was falling. He grimaced as his memory told him æwhenÆ he was and he began to think back on all his æpastÆ loops.
At first looping had been interesting, a chance to be something else, to see what he couldÆve accomplished without the interference of the gods. HeÆd become a good father and husband to his wife, living out a fairly noble life as SpartaÆs greatest commander and ruler. The next time heÆd toppled Zeus early, reigning supreme over Olympus, his wife and child elevated to godhood. Yet he kept looping, over and over again, to the point where even seeking revenge upon the gods for all their crimes had become meaningless.
Kratos crashed into Rhodes, his army of SpartanÆs sacking the city. For several long moments he stood there, a giant amongst a city of ants.
ôScrew this, I need a drink!ö and the ghost of Sparta turned, stomping off out of the harbor. The war ground to a halt as the God of War turned his back on the raging conflict, backhanding the Colossus of Rhodes on his way out to sea.
*****
Sonic leaned back in his throne and gave a sharp whistle. A fat, red overall clad plumber raced forward, got down on his knees and grimaced as the super fast Hedgehog used his back for a foot rest.
Sonic grinned as Princess Elise and Princess Peach, well former princess, both dressed in frankly scandalous attire cooled him with palm fronds. He closed his eyes and stretched re-crossing his legs. Conquering the world during this loop hadnÆt been near as hard as heÆd thought, now doing it in styleà.that took some work.
ôLord Sonic!ö He cracked one eye open to find his Captain of the guard escorting in a shackled prisoner. The blue blurÆs grin widened as he climbed to his feet ôWe finally captured Rouge just outside of Station Square, though she didnÆt have the Chaos Emeralds on her and wouldnÆt say where it was stashed.ö
ôExcellent work Captain Luigi.ö Sonic strode forwards, placing his hands behind his back as he inspected his latest prize. ôTake her down to Tails, IÆm sure heÆll find a way to loosen her tongue.ö Gloved fingers griped the batÆs chin as she glared at him.
*****
Samus AranÆs gold hair bounced behind her as she strode purposefully down the hallway, her lack of armor showing off her toned and pleasing figure in a tight silver jumpsuit. Space Pirates scurried out of her way, snapping salutes as they pressed themselves against the walls in an effort to clear a path for her. She paid them no mind.
ôRidley!ö she bellowed as she threw open the door to her seconds chambers.
Across the room, a pair of eyes glowed with the heat of dull embers from the shadows. ôYes mistress?ö the serpentine, winged beast glided from itÆs perch to land before her, head dipped in submission.
The former hunter crossed her arms under her chest. ôYou will explain to me how the Federation was able to discover the location of our *Secret* Phazon facility, to say nothing of them breeching itÆs defenses.ö
The Dragon withered under the Pirate QueenÆs glare, itÆs discomfort growing as a jellyfish-like bundle of cute, energetic, killer swooped into the room and hovered just over SamusÆs shoulder like an eagle perched to strike ôAnd itÆd better be a *very* good explanationàö
*****
Doctor Wily pissed his pants as he found himself staring down the barrel of the Blue BomberÆs energy cannon. ôB..butàthe laws!ö
The whine of an energy charge grew higher as the Lightbot nodded slowly. ôA robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.ö He lowered his weapon a fraction of an inch, and Wily sighed in relief.
ôHoweverà.ö Wiley didnÆt think one of Lights creations could have such a cruel smile. ôàmy research suggests that there is more to being human than simple biological processes.ö Mega Man continued on, a glint entering his eye as he raised his weapon. ôIf there werenÆt my father wouldnÆt attempt to make me more human. Thus if a machine like me can be human there is more to humanity than being a meatbag.ö
Wiley began to beg in earnest as the energy whine went beyond his range of hearing. ôThus, since no clear definition of humanity has been reached, I am not breaking any of the rules by eliminating a person most people would agree is less than human anyways.ö And with those words, the battle bot known as Megaman wiped Wiley from existence with a concentrated blast of annihilation.
*****
Starkiller gathered the force and used it to anchor the blast doors, desperately trying to hold them closed as something heavy smashed against it from the other side. ôMasteràö he grimaced as the dark lord of the Sith strode towards him. ôIàcàI canÆtà.thereÆs no way I can face this challenge!ö His face was red and flushed, his short torn away and his pants reduced to loincloths.
Anakin Skywalker placed his hands on his hips as a singsong voice drifted from the other side of the door ôGaaaaleeeen!ö Ashoka cooed as the door buckled ôYouÆre only delaying the inevitable!ö The floor cracked as the door began to fail under AshokaÆs assault.
ôThere is such a thing as a no win scenario.ö Vader began, while slowly backing away, somehow managing to maintain his dignity despite the retreat. ôLearning to make the best of such bad situations is the mark of a true man and leader.ö
After several long moments of staring at his master as the door bent and buckled, Starkiller sighed, ceased his struggles and turned to face his destiny. ôIf you say so masterà.ö
The door failed as Ashoka finally found itÆs shatterpoint. Vader had a brief image of his former apprentice clad in what could laughably be called bikini, before slim but strong arms seized their terrified prize and dragged Starkiller into the bowels of her room. To the boys credit he didnÆt start screaming until heÆd disappeared from sight.
*****
ôflatlander womanö Anna Navarre had just enough time to widen her eyes before she exploded. JC adjusted his dark blue blazer, having finally decided to abandon his usual attire during the last loop. ôAlex, IÆm sending you a data file.ö The nano-enhanced agent turned and strolled inside LebedevÆs jet. ôIÆd suggest you read it, pass copies on the Reyes, and Carter then get the hell out of UNATCO.ö