Permanence: Summoning the Eternal Dragon (Earth)
Aug 17, 2018 15:55:42 GMT -5
Heizen and Kai-Lan like this
Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2018 15:55:42 GMT -5
Two years.
Two damn years waiting for these things, checking for any signs of life that they became active again. There might have been times where she had given up hope on these things being detectable, having helped out with Earth's destruction through her own influences, but that hadn't meant she didn't allow allies to routinely check for her. Although there was one thing about being a False God, and time passing in general, that made herself eager to try taking things into her own hands. There was a lot about the future look forward to, and a big part of it included going after these Earth dragonballs.
So much time had been given to her in thinking about this wish, while trying to reconstruct the planet that once belonged to the Kold Demons, into her own image. Magic was something she knew to be powerful, a form of it having a hold on her and many others, in exchange for power. Though their own magic likely paled in comparison to that of these dragonballs, having knew that it dealt in granting wishes, which was far above what bloodmagic was capable of.
There was a lot in the universe that she had gotten tired of on her path of power, and while more power level was something which could potentially solve it, that idea was just too juvenile and trivial for someone like her to have accept. Nearly two years of waiting for something she could gain on her own?
It was ridiculous, and she knew there were too many individuals with simple ideals and intelligence, to really go and wish for their extinction on just one wish. Especially if these things were meant to have scattered away upon using them. Which vastly limited her options down to a few mere choices.
She wasn't ever going to be like Caesar, and wish herself to be like a Kai, in some poor excuse to be considered a god. Those deities she reasoned they were strong, but their lack of visible influence over this universe, up until the Tournament of Power, only served to say they were limited in ways she would likely end up imposing onto herself. But it would have likely been a waste of time anyway, wishing for such a thing, knowing the deities were active now.
And besides, her spite against Cambia, had been because that dumb bitch had declared she had a duty to prevent another Caesar. Yet nearly two years had gone by, and she was still left doubting there hadn't been any significant progress to power, for the woman to prove such claims. Something she would have welcomed, but since it hadn't happen, it was what made that swordsman nothing more than a tired joke, living off a half-brother's success.
It didn't matter if that Demon had started to gain power now, she was two years too late, and it was nothing short but attention seeking, to go around declaring such foolish things. She must have been one of the few individuals right now, remotely even close to being near the power level of The King of Saiyans, and she was also more than eager to make sure she had stayed above the power level of the Remnant Alliance's leader, to continue holding a footing that the Saiyan would never reach beyond wishing for power himself. Something she wouldn't at all have been surprised by, knowing how their kind were.
What they liked to call zenkais, had been an easy method of growing in power at the cost of being near death. One of the things that she found to be despicable, knowing there was a clear expectancy to live on, just for getting in such a weakened position. It was a mistake to believe one could continue to carry any amount of pride not dying then and there, knowing it was nothing but foolishness to buy into the idea that power gained from it, made up for that weakness. They were meant to die that day, and it was only through the force of their allies being unable to make up their minds, that kept them alive.
Because even back then, during the West City invasion that she had secretly allowed, there were apparently individuals who continued to try saving who they knew, despite being given a clear ultimatum by the Demons it was a choice that wasn't meant to cater to them. These idiots were just so persistent and always seen around, coming from the unknown, no matter who didn't desire their presence. As these were fools that didn't realize they could die.
Hard drilling this fact into them with a wish would have also been ludicrous, with the amount of individuals there was, leaving only two options that she had for what her wish could have been. The first had been a planet, a wish she could have used to easily redesign this conquered planet of hers, or bring into existence a second one. But that held its flaws in just who she could have trusted to take care of it, which although could still benefit her, just wasn't enough to make two years of waiting for those damn things worth it. There had been ideas she had going that route, which needed to be let go.
The artifacts were too much of a pain to wait on and gather, with the individuals out there interested in hunting for them, and no matter what kind of power she held, they wouldn't realize that they would normally die to her if they were anywhere but Earth. Capsule Corp had actually found itself into a position that would guarantee those who claimed themselves as good, was meant to always trust her and any allies she had, because they were still reliant on the corporation. She had heard certain things had happened on Earth, and Nero Industries seemed to have given up on actually competing against her.
That fact was practically certain, if Earth was so willing to still desire using Capsule Corp resources, which she normally otherwise would have never allowed, knowing she had made their main headquarters stationed on the Vampire's conquered planet. It goes to show what kind of success she had, and just how unreasonable so many individuals were, to go and fear her power, just because there was no clear alignment that she held in their eyes.
What she did with it, wasn't something for them to worry for, but fighting wasn't something she only pursued seriously when there were those who got in her way of things. What happened here in West City some years ago, made that clear, if she could bring forth nearly 70 million of power, only to be ignored by those who were fighting. She could have easily killed everyone, possibly including herself, if she had actually wanted to that day. Yet they were all stupid enough not to stop their fighting for even a moment, ignoring all the dancing purple lights that was her ki moving around, as if she was a buzzing fly.
To go and demand her to fight when she didn't feel like it after that, was just beyond laughable. She had rule over her own planet now, where she could guarantee individuals who were that dumb, she would have more than enough jurisdiction in wiping out. And this business that the Earth had against the Demons would publicly be something she would likely remain distant from, beyond sending resources and her own allies to serve several individuals.
If neither groups could really respect the idea that they were meant to die that day, it was just ludicrous to be expectant she had some duty to protect beyond her own planet, knowing her idea of a government involved someone of her position getting to choose what could be asked of her. It only gone and showed how insecure they truly were, if they persisted in the idea that they needed her, when they had so many allies here now, protecting this place.
Which left the only wish she could have made, pertain to only benefiting her, which was the only way that two years of waiting would have been worth of it. As the Saiyans had claim over the Namekian dragonballs, which she could have used, had she been strong enough back then, to challenge their leader.
But even if they had willingly gave it up to her, she had been informed by one of the Namekians long ago, how those things were protected by the native language anyhow, which rang true when two of her allies had attended the ritual for it. Earth wouldn't likely have a language barrier knowing how many beings flocked to this planet, and it didn't seem apparent that it was necessary to speak Namekian, if her own corporation made these radars.
As she went and gathered the dragonballs on her own though, all of her allies staying on their conquered planet to protect it, she soon found that she hadn't been the only one going after these things. Not even a year in after the Tournament of Power was meant to have ended, she had started producing enough Advanced Scouters so that anyone native to her planet were able to read the power level of an individual there. Anyone who went over or too low a certain milestone was likely an outsider not meant to be there and needed to be detained. If they resisted, that only meant free reign in killing them.
Her planet was never meant to be a tourist trap beyond the beings that she chose to have the planet accommodate, which meant there were few individuals who could have really been on the planet. With the population checks there were, any other new Kold Demons that showed up, were meant to check into their trade center, while Elemi and Bijou were usually welcome so long as they agreed to the laws. The place had been meant for them, and rather than scattering off like they previously were, the population that they had managed to bring back onto the planet, was massively safer than one that could be conquered.
Having used one of her Advanced Scouters since arriving on the planet to document the power levels, she had found that this other individual trying to gather the dragonballs had been an Anubian she had invited to her mansion once, who showed absolutely no interest prior to wanting these artifacts.
Anger couldn't emphasize what she had felt upon learning of this news. He couldn't be killed, as she had no real jurisdiction into doing so on this planet, but she could orchestrate his death in the future through the Demons, and it would be a violent one she desired to show up for. One which would leave him as nothing more than a head and torso, his body heavily scarred beyond imagination, for even daring to get in her way. Two year she had waited for these damn things, constantly checking for any signs of life that these artifacts would come back, and he shows up out of the blue with desire for them.
It didn't matter to her what his reasons were. She tired of waiting for these things, and didn't even need to use her False God transformation to beat him down during this hunt for the artifacts, with silent rage of what she had wished to see of him in the future. For anyone to go against her for something like this, and while they might not know it about her, bring temptation in a desire to see their deaths. Waiting and hoping opportunities would arise.
By the time that she had gathered all of the dragonballs, anyone who could arrive next after that Anubian, would be too late to stop her. But for them to even expect her to wish of any evil at all, would go to show that she had obviously needed to spend more time devoting for them to understand her mindset, and how ludicrous they are, to go around throwing accusations everywhere. Her body had flushed with warmth cause of her anger, but was starting to have died down as she got into a spot she thought was desirable to summon the dragon from, landing ontop of conjoined buildings with various connected rooftops.
Earth's branch of Capsule Corp's trade center. This corporation that she had made far better than her predecessor, an Android by the name of Zeni, would always be a place in her unbeating heart to be of comfort. There were things in the future to look forward to disproving concerning what wasn't there for her, but at the moment, she was quickly becoming happy as she started coming to the conclusion of just what her wish would wind up entailing.
"Eternal dragon, I bring you forth to grant this wish I've long awaited for!"
Her Saiyan and Majin ally had been apart of the summoning for the Namekian dragon, and according to what they had saw, the dragon was summoned forth by speaking to the artifacts. Whatever Namekian language had been said during this time, shouldn't have equated to being the same with these Earth artifacts.
Something which seemed to rung true, as the artifacts began to glow with a bright yellow shimmering, enough to make her momentarily shut her eyes from the force. A pillar of light had then rose to the skies, affecting the weather as the dragon was then summoned forth. But this one hadn't been as muscled and bulky as what her allies had accounted having seen. Though the sight of it continued to remain impressive nonetheless, knowing beyond extremes concerning the survival of her own kind, this was about the only time she would ever bother to go after these damn things, with the kind of attention it attracted.
"You who have collected all seven Dragon Balls. As is written - I shall grant any one wish you may desire. Think wisely but quickly. I wish to return to my slumber..."
It spoke in such a booming voice, as she had expected from a being of magic, its large form already gathering more attention than any fighting she had done, while hunting down these artifacts. But unless they were those she had knew of, only those who wished to die in the future, would show themselves here at this ritual, with an abysmally small power level. It wouldn't take long anyway, as nothing but celebration would come after she had made this wish.
Despite all of the time that had passed since the Tournament of Power, she had been able to overcome the punishment that had came from attempting to maintain her Antediluvian form. Staying too still and even attempting to sleep with that power, had done nothing more than force herself awake, as she felt as if she was entombed into ice. Like she was truly dead, and it was something which grew to be more of a painful annoyance than make her fear.
It was more than clear to her that this was her bloodmagic's consequence to gaining such power, and that no matter what kind of training that she could hope to do, there was no getting used to this natural power, without other magical means. Which was the very thing making this decision of hers easy.
"I've been burdened with the consequences of my own power, yet it had also shown me I'm capable of having my kind continue keeping up with the Saiyans, and their unnatural growth. So my wish is to have unlimited access to my full potential."
"Very Well. It shall be done..."
The dragon's eyes had glowed red, its own magic clearly being summoned forth and cascaded over her. And it was all this magic that brought her back to the thoughts of the power that she had gained from the Queen of Demons, and how she had felt upon gaining the transformation of a False God. She wouldn't have necessarily pinned it as being better than the latter, but nevertheless, it still felt great enough to purge her of what negativity had came from being challenged by that Anubian for these artifacts. By the time that this magic had left her, the form that she held was very familiar to her.
She could tell by the power, and anyone foolish enough to gather towards her, would also learn.
Thread PL: 32,942,958 (700,914 base) as Antediluvian [x47] has become a permanent transformation.
WC: 2,739
(I was told to go ahead and post this wish thread up, and the wish itself was already discussed beforehand. After this thread is graded, Rukia loses her prior forms, leaving only Antediluvian as a permanent trans, and False God when that thread finishes. She also becomes eternally 25 years old, instead of eternally 16. The wish can't be 'stopped' cause I won the roll for the dball hunt, which also makes this the last time Rukia would personally hunt for these things, barring the threat of Vampires being extinct. Since this also isn't an RoD, but a flashback, no one who joins will die, though it's also severely stupid for anyone not 100k to join, and not expect to die in the future from trying to take advantage of this fact.
I'm not expecting this thread to take months to be graded either, if people do join, as it's meant to be relatively short. Since timeline threads aren't up yet, I'll say now that Duvainel , Shira , Harmon , Galen , Holly Dae Valiare , and Tomina , are individuals that Rukia will seek out not even a year after the Tournament of Power ends, to try and have a 1 x 1 thread with, through the invitation of either them coming to her planet, or working some kind of agreement that would allow her to go to (Namek, etc.) at that point in time. Regardless of which, her allies will be stationed on Earth to either take care of the Capsule Corp branches, or ideally serve the 'good' individuals, and usage of Capsule Corp resources expectantly also makes Rukia publicly trustworthy. No one suddenly dying from this wish also makes that extremely obvious. Thread will be moved to West City, when the Earth subforums are back.)
Two damn years waiting for these things, checking for any signs of life that they became active again. There might have been times where she had given up hope on these things being detectable, having helped out with Earth's destruction through her own influences, but that hadn't meant she didn't allow allies to routinely check for her. Although there was one thing about being a False God, and time passing in general, that made herself eager to try taking things into her own hands. There was a lot about the future look forward to, and a big part of it included going after these Earth dragonballs.
So much time had been given to her in thinking about this wish, while trying to reconstruct the planet that once belonged to the Kold Demons, into her own image. Magic was something she knew to be powerful, a form of it having a hold on her and many others, in exchange for power. Though their own magic likely paled in comparison to that of these dragonballs, having knew that it dealt in granting wishes, which was far above what bloodmagic was capable of.
There was a lot in the universe that she had gotten tired of on her path of power, and while more power level was something which could potentially solve it, that idea was just too juvenile and trivial for someone like her to have accept. Nearly two years of waiting for something she could gain on her own?
It was ridiculous, and she knew there were too many individuals with simple ideals and intelligence, to really go and wish for their extinction on just one wish. Especially if these things were meant to have scattered away upon using them. Which vastly limited her options down to a few mere choices.
She wasn't ever going to be like Caesar, and wish herself to be like a Kai, in some poor excuse to be considered a god. Those deities she reasoned they were strong, but their lack of visible influence over this universe, up until the Tournament of Power, only served to say they were limited in ways she would likely end up imposing onto herself. But it would have likely been a waste of time anyway, wishing for such a thing, knowing the deities were active now.
And besides, her spite against Cambia, had been because that dumb bitch had declared she had a duty to prevent another Caesar. Yet nearly two years had gone by, and she was still left doubting there hadn't been any significant progress to power, for the woman to prove such claims. Something she would have welcomed, but since it hadn't happen, it was what made that swordsman nothing more than a tired joke, living off a half-brother's success.
It didn't matter if that Demon had started to gain power now, she was two years too late, and it was nothing short but attention seeking, to go around declaring such foolish things. She must have been one of the few individuals right now, remotely even close to being near the power level of The King of Saiyans, and she was also more than eager to make sure she had stayed above the power level of the Remnant Alliance's leader, to continue holding a footing that the Saiyan would never reach beyond wishing for power himself. Something she wouldn't at all have been surprised by, knowing how their kind were.
What they liked to call zenkais, had been an easy method of growing in power at the cost of being near death. One of the things that she found to be despicable, knowing there was a clear expectancy to live on, just for getting in such a weakened position. It was a mistake to believe one could continue to carry any amount of pride not dying then and there, knowing it was nothing but foolishness to buy into the idea that power gained from it, made up for that weakness. They were meant to die that day, and it was only through the force of their allies being unable to make up their minds, that kept them alive.
Because even back then, during the West City invasion that she had secretly allowed, there were apparently individuals who continued to try saving who they knew, despite being given a clear ultimatum by the Demons it was a choice that wasn't meant to cater to them. These idiots were just so persistent and always seen around, coming from the unknown, no matter who didn't desire their presence. As these were fools that didn't realize they could die.
Hard drilling this fact into them with a wish would have also been ludicrous, with the amount of individuals there was, leaving only two options that she had for what her wish could have been. The first had been a planet, a wish she could have used to easily redesign this conquered planet of hers, or bring into existence a second one. But that held its flaws in just who she could have trusted to take care of it, which although could still benefit her, just wasn't enough to make two years of waiting for those damn things worth it. There had been ideas she had going that route, which needed to be let go.
The artifacts were too much of a pain to wait on and gather, with the individuals out there interested in hunting for them, and no matter what kind of power she held, they wouldn't realize that they would normally die to her if they were anywhere but Earth. Capsule Corp had actually found itself into a position that would guarantee those who claimed themselves as good, was meant to always trust her and any allies she had, because they were still reliant on the corporation. She had heard certain things had happened on Earth, and Nero Industries seemed to have given up on actually competing against her.
That fact was practically certain, if Earth was so willing to still desire using Capsule Corp resources, which she normally otherwise would have never allowed, knowing she had made their main headquarters stationed on the Vampire's conquered planet. It goes to show what kind of success she had, and just how unreasonable so many individuals were, to go and fear her power, just because there was no clear alignment that she held in their eyes.
What she did with it, wasn't something for them to worry for, but fighting wasn't something she only pursued seriously when there were those who got in her way of things. What happened here in West City some years ago, made that clear, if she could bring forth nearly 70 million of power, only to be ignored by those who were fighting. She could have easily killed everyone, possibly including herself, if she had actually wanted to that day. Yet they were all stupid enough not to stop their fighting for even a moment, ignoring all the dancing purple lights that was her ki moving around, as if she was a buzzing fly.
To go and demand her to fight when she didn't feel like it after that, was just beyond laughable. She had rule over her own planet now, where she could guarantee individuals who were that dumb, she would have more than enough jurisdiction in wiping out. And this business that the Earth had against the Demons would publicly be something she would likely remain distant from, beyond sending resources and her own allies to serve several individuals.
If neither groups could really respect the idea that they were meant to die that day, it was just ludicrous to be expectant she had some duty to protect beyond her own planet, knowing her idea of a government involved someone of her position getting to choose what could be asked of her. It only gone and showed how insecure they truly were, if they persisted in the idea that they needed her, when they had so many allies here now, protecting this place.
Which left the only wish she could have made, pertain to only benefiting her, which was the only way that two years of waiting would have been worth of it. As the Saiyans had claim over the Namekian dragonballs, which she could have used, had she been strong enough back then, to challenge their leader.
But even if they had willingly gave it up to her, she had been informed by one of the Namekians long ago, how those things were protected by the native language anyhow, which rang true when two of her allies had attended the ritual for it. Earth wouldn't likely have a language barrier knowing how many beings flocked to this planet, and it didn't seem apparent that it was necessary to speak Namekian, if her own corporation made these radars.
As she went and gathered the dragonballs on her own though, all of her allies staying on their conquered planet to protect it, she soon found that she hadn't been the only one going after these things. Not even a year in after the Tournament of Power was meant to have ended, she had started producing enough Advanced Scouters so that anyone native to her planet were able to read the power level of an individual there. Anyone who went over or too low a certain milestone was likely an outsider not meant to be there and needed to be detained. If they resisted, that only meant free reign in killing them.
Her planet was never meant to be a tourist trap beyond the beings that she chose to have the planet accommodate, which meant there were few individuals who could have really been on the planet. With the population checks there were, any other new Kold Demons that showed up, were meant to check into their trade center, while Elemi and Bijou were usually welcome so long as they agreed to the laws. The place had been meant for them, and rather than scattering off like they previously were, the population that they had managed to bring back onto the planet, was massively safer than one that could be conquered.
Having used one of her Advanced Scouters since arriving on the planet to document the power levels, she had found that this other individual trying to gather the dragonballs had been an Anubian she had invited to her mansion once, who showed absolutely no interest prior to wanting these artifacts.
Anger couldn't emphasize what she had felt upon learning of this news. He couldn't be killed, as she had no real jurisdiction into doing so on this planet, but she could orchestrate his death in the future through the Demons, and it would be a violent one she desired to show up for. One which would leave him as nothing more than a head and torso, his body heavily scarred beyond imagination, for even daring to get in her way. Two year she had waited for these damn things, constantly checking for any signs of life that these artifacts would come back, and he shows up out of the blue with desire for them.
It didn't matter to her what his reasons were. She tired of waiting for these things, and didn't even need to use her False God transformation to beat him down during this hunt for the artifacts, with silent rage of what she had wished to see of him in the future. For anyone to go against her for something like this, and while they might not know it about her, bring temptation in a desire to see their deaths. Waiting and hoping opportunities would arise.
By the time that she had gathered all of the dragonballs, anyone who could arrive next after that Anubian, would be too late to stop her. But for them to even expect her to wish of any evil at all, would go to show that she had obviously needed to spend more time devoting for them to understand her mindset, and how ludicrous they are, to go around throwing accusations everywhere. Her body had flushed with warmth cause of her anger, but was starting to have died down as she got into a spot she thought was desirable to summon the dragon from, landing ontop of conjoined buildings with various connected rooftops.
Earth's branch of Capsule Corp's trade center. This corporation that she had made far better than her predecessor, an Android by the name of Zeni, would always be a place in her unbeating heart to be of comfort. There were things in the future to look forward to disproving concerning what wasn't there for her, but at the moment, she was quickly becoming happy as she started coming to the conclusion of just what her wish would wind up entailing.
"Eternal dragon, I bring you forth to grant this wish I've long awaited for!"
Her Saiyan and Majin ally had been apart of the summoning for the Namekian dragon, and according to what they had saw, the dragon was summoned forth by speaking to the artifacts. Whatever Namekian language had been said during this time, shouldn't have equated to being the same with these Earth artifacts.
Something which seemed to rung true, as the artifacts began to glow with a bright yellow shimmering, enough to make her momentarily shut her eyes from the force. A pillar of light had then rose to the skies, affecting the weather as the dragon was then summoned forth. But this one hadn't been as muscled and bulky as what her allies had accounted having seen. Though the sight of it continued to remain impressive nonetheless, knowing beyond extremes concerning the survival of her own kind, this was about the only time she would ever bother to go after these damn things, with the kind of attention it attracted.
"You who have collected all seven Dragon Balls. As is written - I shall grant any one wish you may desire. Think wisely but quickly. I wish to return to my slumber..."
It spoke in such a booming voice, as she had expected from a being of magic, its large form already gathering more attention than any fighting she had done, while hunting down these artifacts. But unless they were those she had knew of, only those who wished to die in the future, would show themselves here at this ritual, with an abysmally small power level. It wouldn't take long anyway, as nothing but celebration would come after she had made this wish.
Despite all of the time that had passed since the Tournament of Power, she had been able to overcome the punishment that had came from attempting to maintain her Antediluvian form. Staying too still and even attempting to sleep with that power, had done nothing more than force herself awake, as she felt as if she was entombed into ice. Like she was truly dead, and it was something which grew to be more of a painful annoyance than make her fear.
It was more than clear to her that this was her bloodmagic's consequence to gaining such power, and that no matter what kind of training that she could hope to do, there was no getting used to this natural power, without other magical means. Which was the very thing making this decision of hers easy.
"I've been burdened with the consequences of my own power, yet it had also shown me I'm capable of having my kind continue keeping up with the Saiyans, and their unnatural growth. So my wish is to have unlimited access to my full potential."
"Very Well. It shall be done..."
The dragon's eyes had glowed red, its own magic clearly being summoned forth and cascaded over her. And it was all this magic that brought her back to the thoughts of the power that she had gained from the Queen of Demons, and how she had felt upon gaining the transformation of a False God. She wouldn't have necessarily pinned it as being better than the latter, but nevertheless, it still felt great enough to purge her of what negativity had came from being challenged by that Anubian for these artifacts. By the time that this magic had left her, the form that she held was very familiar to her.
She could tell by the power, and anyone foolish enough to gather towards her, would also learn.
Thread PL: 32,942,958 (700,914 base) as Antediluvian [x47] has become a permanent transformation.
WC: 2,739
(I was told to go ahead and post this wish thread up, and the wish itself was already discussed beforehand. After this thread is graded, Rukia loses her prior forms, leaving only Antediluvian as a permanent trans, and False God when that thread finishes. She also becomes eternally 25 years old, instead of eternally 16. The wish can't be 'stopped' cause I won the roll for the dball hunt, which also makes this the last time Rukia would personally hunt for these things, barring the threat of Vampires being extinct. Since this also isn't an RoD, but a flashback, no one who joins will die, though it's also severely stupid for anyone not 100k to join, and not expect to die in the future from trying to take advantage of this fact.
I'm not expecting this thread to take months to be graded either, if people do join, as it's meant to be relatively short. Since timeline threads aren't up yet, I'll say now that Duvainel , Shira , Harmon , Galen , Holly Dae Valiare , and Tomina , are individuals that Rukia will seek out not even a year after the Tournament of Power ends, to try and have a 1 x 1 thread with, through the invitation of either them coming to her planet, or working some kind of agreement that would allow her to go to (Namek, etc.) at that point in time. Regardless of which, her allies will be stationed on Earth to either take care of the Capsule Corp branches, or ideally serve the 'good' individuals, and usage of Capsule Corp resources expectantly also makes Rukia publicly trustworthy. No one suddenly dying from this wish also makes that extremely obvious. Thread will be moved to West City, when the Earth subforums are back.)
