Trio of DEF

[Super Chaos Sonic]

@Finale: Well he was the only one I remember having a few Joker avis. So don't judge XD

[Fusion X. Denver]

Just thought I'd give you guys an update.

I got a LOT done today for 34.

Right now, it's around 33-34 pages with one more fight left to write.

I'm debating between including it in this chapter or in 35, but with all that's going down in 35, I'll probably do it in this one.

I don't know if this will be a 2 parter or not, but it's definitely much longer than the average DEF chapter.

Release late tonight or tomorrow?

If not, DEFINITELY Sunday. Definitely by then.

[Desu the Blue Nerd]

I'm just glad to hear that it'll be out soon.

[Limited Edition KING]

-Slaps the guy who made fusion late-

 

-Slaps DL for not putting me in his one-shot-

=.=

 

Also "You were peeing on Clair"? Lucky bast- -shot for having really dirty thoughts about a member on a children's card game forum-

 

Yes typos are deadly. What did you think of my rap, Fuse? :3

[Fusion X. Denver]

-Slaps the guy who made fusion late-

 

-Slaps DL for not putting me in his one-shot-

=.=

 

Also "You were peeing on Clair"? Lucky bast- -shot for having really dirty thoughts about a member on a children's card game forum-

 

Yes typos are deadly. What did you think of my rap, Fuse? :3

 

I never commented on it?

It was teh pr0nz.

*does not know what that means*

But nah, it was good. I added it to the Gallery.

Which I will do for today's submissions as well.

[Enma Kozato]

@Fusion

Switch the r with the o

[Desu the Blue Nerd]

I wanna buy a pink wig too D:

 

I have an idea. I'll get a pink wig and you get a blue wig. When the two are seperated we strike. I'll go for Clair and you go for Cherry. Let's just hope this doesn't go horribly gay wrong.

[Enma Kozato]

@DLs one shot

Wouldn't Clair know cherry's face?

[Desu the Blue Nerd]

Let us men dream Chase. Let us dream...

[Enma Kozato]

Lolno

*Fires dreamkiller logic weapon*

Dreams are for normal people.

[Fusion X. Denver]

GUESS WHAT KIDDIES?

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN~

GO READ THE EPIC NEW CHAPTER, WHY DON'T YOU.

That literally took me all day, taking a couple days off before I start 35 >.>

[spoiler=Chapter commentary]

...I miss Dranzer.

I really do.

That's why killing him makes it even worse ;__;

And yeah, how about those battles?

Are they at least okay? I liked Rag vs Icy the best, easiest to visualize when reading over. But I also liked the tactics employed in Creator vs Donovyn, so that might be my 2nd.

Then again, Deustodo enacting 300 probably sealed the deal as 1 of my favorite scenes with him, ever.

And the short-lived Dranzer vs Life is admirable too. If Dranzer had to go out, he'd go out in f*cking style.

One fun fact: I was going to have Creator vs Donovyn before Chris vs Atman since I wrote it first, but then I learned more about the gunblade (I didn't realize I'd have 2 fighters use the same weapon back-to-back, poor planning ahead on my part) and used Chris vs Atman to explain the mechanics more clearly to those unfamiliar with Final Fantasy.

I'm not expecting too many people to be surprised with Creator since I've been heavily hinting at it, but keep your eyes open. I'm going to have a lot more fun with this plot point before the story ends.

 

This next chapter is going to be so awesome...probably one of my favorites to write since 18 and 27.

It might even have THREE parts to it (inb4DLhasaheartattack).

But I just wanted to say, thanks for still caring about this story guys, it means a lot and it's helped me keep going. I hope I can continue delivering the goods to you guys until the end, because I'm sure as hell looking forward to it.

[Sploda]

I'm evil, that is obvious.

 

Great chapter, can't wait for the ending.

[Desu the Blue Nerd]

A bit late for me to read it and I'm busy with something else at the moment. Tomorrow for sure though.

[Super Chaos Sonic]

Took in some consideration and with the help of a few people and youtube...I fixed up my one-shot.

 

Here's the edited version. Note a few scenes stayed, but I did tweak 'em a little...that and I added a few things.

 

And for those who want the sounds of Mark Hamil and Heath Ledger's laugh...I got them both. Mark Hamil and

 

[spoiler=Sonic Beyond: Return of Wynn]

Sonic Beyond: Return of Wynn

 

A few weeks have passed after the final battle with Life and Yugo City has returned to its normal and original self.

 

OK, not all the way back to normal. Ever since the fight with Life, a few of the citizens who were once allies, have decided to turn to the path of evil. And one of those citizens was none other than Wynn, who has returned to this city as a crazed lunatic and psycho. Wynn has now begun a raving riot upon the city, forcing all the factions who fought Life, to take action to stop his reign of terror.

 

Now, this story shall begin, as mod Roxas calls the boss of the Vongola HQ.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Roxas sat in a chair behind a huge desk and behind him a huge computer and other electronics, which helped him keep an eye on the city. He took a sip of soda from a can that was on the desk, before he looked at Sonic Chao. “Sonic, showing those skills you used against my brother Sora…I have to say your skills are at a five on a scale from one to ten.” Roxas said, putting the can of soda down.

 

A five out of ten? I am at least a seven…at least I think I am. Sonic thought quietly to himself. He was still nervous about standing in front of a mod like this. “So what was it you needed help with?” he asked, trying to hide his nervousness.

 

“Getting right to the point…just like your uncle.” Roxas said, before pressing a button on the left arm of his chair. Behind Roxas, on the computer screen appeared a picture of a young male with bleached white skin, green dyed hair which was all messed up, and a huge red smile on his face. The male wore a purple suit, a long purple trench coat, and in his hands were a bunch of playing cards. The main one the man was showing in the picture was the “Joker” card.

 

Sonic looked at the picture and said, with a small chuckle, “You serious? I have to fight Heath Ledger?”

 

“On the contrary, Sonic.” Roxas said, waving his index finger in the air. “The person you see before you is Wynn, one of the many allies we had against Life. Unfortunately his love for the Joker has turned him into a psycho.” Then Roxas grabbed a small device with a type of necklace connected to it and said, “I want you to go and take care of him. I’ll be here in case you need help.”

 

Sonic gulped a little as he caught the device. He put the small device in his ear and the necklace around his neck, saying, “I won’t fail you Roxas.” With that he walked out of the room. My biggest moment to prove to everyone I can be like my uncle. I won’t fail this…not by a long shot.

 

As he walked out of the building, Sonic noticed a black motorcycle with the Roman numeral thirteen on the side of it.

 

“That’s your mode of transportation, Sonic. Just bring it back in one piece.” Sonic heard Roxas say over the ear-piece.

 

With that being said, Sonic got on the motorcycle and headed towards the known place that Wynn usually hung out. An old abandoned candy factory known as “Lovegood Treats”. Wynn always did love the treats Luna Lovegood made, but every since she stopped, Wynn seemed to be in a depressed mood.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

It was around nine o’clock in the evening when Sonic finally arrived at the Lovegood Treats factory.

 

Sonic hopped of the back and then took a deep breath in, slowly exhaling it. He then walked towards the front door and tried opening it, of course it was locked. “Locked…eh?” he asked with a smirk. With a swift kick with his left leg, he hit the door and it swung open. “Unlocked.”

 

As Sonic entered the factory, he could hear a dark laugh. This laugh sounded like a cross between the great Mark Hamil and Heath Ledger’s Joker laugh. Sonic felt chills run down his spine, but he shook off the feeling as he continued to walk onward.

 

“He sticks the blade in my mouth. Let’s put a smile on that face!”

 

Sonic stopped as he heard that sentence echo through the factory. He looked around and then noticed it was just a recorded voice from the speakers. With a small sigh of relief, Sonic continued to walk through the factory. OK, if this guy has recordings of himself all around the factory…dude has a major problem.

 

Again Sonic heard another recording, but this time the voice said, “Why so serious?”

 

This quote freaked Sonic out. It reminded him all to well of “The Dark Knight” and thought about how Heath Ledger killed himself after the movie was finished. I’m not letting someone from Yugo City be like their movie star idol. he thought, closing his eyes. Cause if Wynn does that…and I was here doing nothing, I could never forgive myself.

 

He continued until he walked into another room, which looked like some little kid’s play room…or a psycho kid’s play room. Sonic looked around and then saw a huge machine and some screens on a wall. He pressed a small button on the necklace and then said, “Roxas, you won’t believe what I found.”

 

“Well I’ll have to.” Roxas said, in a sarcastic tone. “What did you discover?”

 

Sonic moved over towards the equipment and then said, “It looks like some kind of Death Laser…or some kind of rip off of the Eclipse Cannon.”

 

Before Sonic could touch anything, he heard the same dark laugh, but much closer. He quickly turned around and standing ten feet behind him was none other than Wynn.

 

“Good evening, Mr. Chao.” Wynn said grinning.

 

Sonic got offensive and then backed away. “Wow…have to say that picture did you justice. The way you look in real life is way worse.”

 

Wynn glared at Sonic and said, “You shouldn’t have said that. I’m the only ones to make jokes. And that laser you’ve seen I’ll be using it on the entire city of Yugo and see if that loser Roxas will make it out of this…after I high-tail it out of here.” His glare turned back into a grin, as he reached into his trench coat pocket and pulled out a knife, pointing it straight at Sonic. “However, you young Chao, will not make it to see the fun~ Now…how about we put a smile on your face?”

 

Sonic began sweating and his heart pounding, he saw Wynn charge at him with the knife. With only seconds to spare, he ducked and then dodged the Wynn’s charge; however the knife had only stabbed the targeting system of the laser.

 

WARNING! Guidance system offline!

 

Both Sonic and Wynn heard this emit from the speakers, then looked at the computer screen. On the screen, it said that the next target…was the factory.

 

“Oh good…the laser’s attack is gonna hit here.” Wynn said sarcastically. “Now I’ll have to start this all over. Thanks for wrecking everything kid, see you around.” He then turned around and started walking off.

 

Sonic saw this and quickly grabbed Wynn’s shoulder. “Hold it!” he said, quickly turning Wynn back around.

 

“Oh wise up, junior. GAMES OVER!!” Wynn said, losing his temper.

 

Sonic, staring right at Wynn, simply said, “I’m taking you in.”

 

Wynn heard this and just simply laughed. “Right!!” he said, before he punched Sonic’s cheek. He saw Sonic now unbalanced, then he proceeded to punch his stomach, then he uppercut his jaw. Wynn was now able to remove Sonic’s hand from his shoulder, then kick him, making him break one of the tables. “You’re out of your league Sonic, I’ve memorized all the moves that the mods have used…ever since the fight with Life.”

 

“M-Maybe…” Sonic said, slowly sitting up and wiping the blood off his mouth. “But you probably don’t know anything about me.”

 

Wynn chuckled a little and said, “You? Well what’s to know, you’re a punk! A rank amateur! An anime loving kid who is taking orders from that senile mod, Roxas.” Wynn then got a series look on his face and he began to roll up his sleeves. “Still, if it’s a whoopin’ you’re a wantin’.”

 

Sonic finally got up and then ran back towards the door.

 

“That’s right, better to run and save yourself.” Wynn said grinning. “If it’s about your speed.”

 

What Sonic was actually doing was heading towards the door to prevent Wynn from leaving. He took his katana out and then slashed the doorknob off the door. He sheathed his katana and then glared at Wynn. “Let’s dance Ledger!”

 

Wynn was about to make the first move, but Sonic ran towards him and then tackled Wynn to the floor. Sonic was about to hit him, but Wynn grabbed a small pipe and trie to swing at Sonic, which failed as he now quickly did a front flip to dodge. Wynn quickly getting up and rushed at Sonic with the small pipe, trying to hit him. Sonic unsheathed his katana and then blocked the pipe, watching the metal clash and seeing a few sparks fly. Using this moment, Sonic pressed a small button and activated the bumping feature his katana held. He moved his katana forward, forcing Wynn back. As this happened, Sonic turned off the bumping feature and then slashed at Wynn, only cutting a small end off his trench coat.

 

“This happened to be my favorite coat…now your gonna die.” Wynn said looking at his trench coat. He then threw the small pipe at Sonic, making him dodge. With Sonic dodging, Wynn took this chance to rush towards him and attack. He jumped and brought his hands together, hitting the back of Sonic’s neck. He then punched him in the face again, making Sonic back away.

 

Sonic back flipped away from Wynn and then wiped the blood off his face. He pressed the necklace again and then said, “He’s tough…any suggestions, Roxas?”

 

“He’s taken the persona of Joker. Meaning he has become vain and he loves to hear himself talk. Aside from him being completely and mentally insane.” Roxas said, from the other side of the ear-piece. “All you have to do is block it out and head on in.”

 

Sonic nodded, but then stopped. "Wait…I’m like my uncle…and Chao’s love to talk.” he said, smirking.

 

Wynn had enough of Sonic just standing there, so he moved forward trying to punch Sonic, however missing. He kept this up, until finally he felt Sonic grab his shoulder, and then kneed his gut. “W-What are you doing?” he asked, surprised at this.

 

“Fighting dirty.” Sonic said smirking.

 

Wynn glared at Sonic and said, “The mods wouldn’t have ever done-…UGH!!!” He couldn’t finish his sentence, as Sonic began to wrench his arm back.

 

“Told ya you didn’t know me.” Sonic said, then pushing Wynn back.

 

Wynn stood back and grinned a little. “F-Funny guy…” he said before he ran towards Sonic.

 

“Can’t exactly say the same about you.” Sonic said, as he dodge rolled to his left and then moving behind him.

 

Wynn glared back at Sonic, not exactly happy at his comment. “Impudent little brat…who do you think your talking to?”

 

“Not a comedian, I’ll tell you that much.” Sonic said with a smile. His plan right now was to get inside Wynn’s head and start making him lose focus, and so far…it was working.

 

Wynn gritted his teeth and then pulled another knife out again, pointing it at Sonic. “Shut your mouth!!” he said, throwing the knife. His knife missed Sonic, but it hit a small rope, which above him had a metal case with a ton of bricks in it. It fell behind Sonic, but the other side of the rope launched upwards as Sonic grabbed it.

 

“None of the mods ever talked to you much, did they?” Sonic asked as he finally reached the metal rafters on the roof. “That’s why your were so fixated on them?” He read Wynn’s profile before, so he pretty much knew why he did what he did. Sonic then pulled out a ninja star and threw it at Wynn’s hand, making him lose his knife.

 

Wynn yelled in pain a little after he grabbed his hand. “Don’t play ‘psycho-analysis’ with me boy!” he yelled up to Sonic.

 

“Please, like I need a degree to figure you out.” Sonic said, pulling out another ninja star, this time throwing it at the power box making the lights go out. “The real reason you kept doing what your doing was you were trying to get a laugh out of Roxas.”

 

Wynn turned around and looked around him, somewhat nervous. “I’m not hearing this!!”

 

“Get a clue, loser! That mod doesn’t have a sense of humor. He wouldn’t know a good joke if it bit him in his Keyblade…not that you ever had a good joke.” Sonic said with a smirk.

 

“Shut up…” Wynn said, beginning to lose his patience. “SHUT UP!”

 

“I mean really. Joy-buzzers, squirting flowers…LAME!” Sonic said. “Where’s your ‘A’ material? Make a face; drop your pants, SOMETHING!!”

 

Wynn ran towards the door and tried to open it, but he couldn’t. “Show yourself…” Wynn was starting to get freaked out by this. It reminded him of those old “Batman” cartoons and movies. This kid is just completely toying with me!! he thought, still trying to open the door.

 

“You make me laugh, Wynn. But only cause I think your pretty pathetic.” Sonic said, then began to laugh similar to Wynn.

 

Wynn growled a little and yelled, “STOP THAT!!”

 

Sonic moved from a few metal rafters, but continued to laugh like Wynn. “So after the fight with Life and you got your leg fixed…you decided fall into a tank of acid, get your skin bleached, and chose to be a Joker impersonator. What you couldn’t find a job at the circus?” After he finished his sentence, he continued to laugh like Wynn.

 

Wynn looked over at a box and then saw a few grenades. He grabbed two of them and said, “Don’t you DARE laugh at me!”

 

“Why?” Sonic asked, still laughing. “I thought you always wanted to make people laugh!”

 

Wynn yelled and then threw one of the grenades at the rafters, actually hitting the rafter Sonic was on.

 

Sonic groaned and hit the floor pretty hard. He then glanced over at Wynn, who threw the second grenade towards Sonic. He only had a second to move, but he did…though the aftershock sent him flying near the laser equipment.

 

Wynn walked towards him and then grabbed a medium sized wood table, pinning Sonic onto the floor. He laughed and then strangled Sonic’s throat. “Come on, Chao, laugh it up now. You miserable little punk….LAUGH!!” he said. Wynn heard Sonic chocking, but laughing, so he brought his head closer to Sonic’s. “I can’t hear you~” Wynn grinned and then pulled another knife from his trench coat and held it up to Sonic’s mouth. “How about I help you laugh?”

 

Sonic groaned and then finally said, “Ha…ha…” He opened his eyes a little, just enough so he could see Wynn’s face, then he quickly punched him.

 

Wynn yelled in agony as Sonic’s fist connected with his face. He held his face for a little while, before falling over and knocking himself out, as he tripped over some debris from the roof and hitting his head on the floor.

 

Sonic slowly got up and put Wynn on his back…and with only five seconds on the clock, he’d have to be fast.

 

He ran with Wynn on his back, finally exiting the factory with only one second to spare. Then before Sonic, was a huge laser fire as the Lovegood Treats factory was completely destroyed. “R-Roxas…I got…him.” Sonic said, taking a few deep breaths.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Two days after this ordeal, Sonic stood before Roxas again. He really didn’t know what Roxas wanted, but he knew it something about his job with Wynn.

 

“Sonic, I want to tell you…well done on capturing Wynn.” Roxas said smiling. “With the proper corrections, he should return to normal.”

 

Sonic nodded and said, “Thanks Roxas. I just hope he doesn’t hate be after that.”

 

“Doubt it…” Roxas said, turning his chair around. “And by the way, that comment about me not knowing a good joke even if it bit me in the Keyblade…”

 

Sonic remembered how he said that during the whole trying to get into Wynn’s head and he face palmed. “You know I didn’t mean anything by it…” he said, nervously.

 

“I see, well if you talk bad about me like that again…” Roxas smirked. “I’ll kick your ass with these Keyblades. Or worse…deciding to “Perma-Ban” you. Now get going…I have work to do.”

 

Sonic nodded and then walked out of the room. OK...remind me never to say anything like that when he is listening… he thought, swallowing really hard.

 

Edited June 19, 2011 by Chaos Sonic

[Enma Kozato]

So that's what you were doing on YouTube

I wondered why FoV got bumped up my sub list

[Super Chaos Sonic]

Yep, was working on that....cursed Batman Beyond movie...XD

[Shadow Zero]

“Go rest, Zero. I’ll bring this and something else back for you.”

 

“If you don’t, I’ll jabronislap you for fifteen minutes straight.”

 

xDDDDDDDD

You have NO idea how much this mad me laugh! It makes me wonder if I had posted that vid before you got to this point Fuse. lol

Anyway, I still need to read part two, but I just HAD to comment on this as soon as I could. xD

[Fusion X. Denver]

That's exactly where I got the idea xD

Get ready, Part 2 has less fights, but more OMFG NO!

Better one-shot Sonic, there's just one instance of coding that needs to be corrected and I'll add it.

[Shadow Zero]

Fuse, do you have a Skype? If so, get on it and give me your Skype name through pm or something. If not, get it, then get on it and send me your Skype name through pm.

[Fusion X. Denver]

Skype hates me.

Like every time I make an account, it says the download fails and to try an alternate way, but it never takes me to the alternate way and I keep on not being able to open Skype >__>

But apparently my account was still made. It's ChrisDenver18 (don't remember whether capitalized or not) if you want it, but I need to figure out how to access it first .-.

[Desu the Blue Nerd]

Well I was able to read it ignoring my exhaustion and hunger. Another great chapter Denver.

[Enma Kozato]

Do you use a Mac?

Skype despises macs. Get skype off cnet

I bet it's on there

[Jake the Sage]

Wow people it HAS been a while since we have reviewed one of the 'Trio of DEF' chapters

 

Lets not hope you're rusty Jake

 

Not gonna happen.

 

Well lets get to it!!!

 

[spoiler=Part Uno]

So the Inactive brainwashed people . . . that should've been obvious from the beginning 8/

 

An OBJECTION battle . . . haven't seen that in a while

 

Mysterious man!!! New mysteroius man must be unmasked!!! LOL XDDD

 

Xazeon is officially the residential anti-hero or fallen character. Hope he returns at the end . . .

 

SUDDEN REALITY FACT!!!

You cannot climb, no matter how strong you are, a building with mere suction cups

The more you know~!

 

---

 

Atman vs Chris . . . what I wanted to see 83

And Atman has a gunblade 8O

 

". . . And we found his weakness through the Banned’s efforts . . .”

You guys can thank me later, possibly in the hospital if I don't make a reappearance (9u9)

 

Very good battle:

The One Lost in Darkness vs The One Attempting to Claw his way out

 

---

 

Wait . . . Creator has a gunblade too? WTF?!

 

So far this is a really good battle, but for some reason it is still bothering me that Creator is going head-to-head since I know he fights with illusions actually.

*shrugs*

Oh well XD

 

*claps louldy*

A fitting end for Donnovyn.

Truly evil down the laughing as he is dying . . . epic . . .

 

LOL, and enter Shadow Zero . . . still somehow alive

 

Seems like Sonic and Chris/Fusion are becoming patchwork characters, taking things from fallen commrades and using them to become stronger.

 

I wouldn't be suprised if they commented on that when fighting against Life.

 

 

[spoiler=Part Dos]

 

Nice funny reunion

 

The universe just LOVES to prove El wrong 8D

 

GIR!!! 8DDD

*geeks out*

 

Wait a minute

*knocks Fusion in the arm*

I control GIR >XO

I mean . . . he IS my friend, because if you look in my Friends List he is there 83

 

LOL Cortez ain't ever gonna change. Witty bad puns and all

 

Booby-traps abound!

 

---

 

". . . he tapped the center of his palm with his two middle fingers twice, firing three strands of webbing . . ."

 

OMG it's Venom!!!

 

NO! Not kill Kari!!!

is she dead?

That is kind've in the grey area . . .

 

---

 

Josh Icy vs Ragnarok . . . GO!!!

 

reverbium

Could've gone with vibranium, just saying

 

Popcorn gag

of course you need to have one of those

 

Wow this is a good fight, I never thought Rag would be given such a good fight scene.

 

“A draw? Who would have thought?”

*raises hand*

I did.

 

“I hope you enjoy beef tacos. I heard the big guy down there likes serving them on Casual Fridays.”

 

Actually he serves spicy hotwings on Casual Fridays. The Beef Tacos are on Tuesday

*is holding a Satanic Dinner Menu*

Yup . . .

 

ROFL

Sparta has been done proud.

 

Ragnarok died?! Well I mean . . . is was banned twice . . . so I expect him to be back, lol

 

Creator = World Domination

even the dumbest of person can realize that is what he is after

Isn't that what you're after too Dad?

No <_<

 

Creator, one lab accident away from becoming a Super Villain

Oh God you're going to continue with these aren't you?

If they keep coming to me I will <_<

 

You know I'd probably JOIN Creator if he joined the world

Just to backstab him Jesse?

Probably, you'd do it too

Nah, make him my slave >8D

 

LOL at last part

Correction . . . LOLWUT?! XD

 

---

 

Hey El . . . at least there isn't that horrible elevator music in the background XDDD

 

"Hey, Creator's human too you know," D.L interrupted. "And he's a good guy."

Chris smiled, clenching a fist. "Yeah."

This is odd considering what I just read.

Good my ass, he is an anti-hero at best.

 

NO!!! Kari IS dead

*sadness*

 

The final part gave me shivers 8O

in a good way?

In a D*mn good way!!! >8D

 

 

 

I don't know if it was because it has been so long or just the chapter, but I found my attention diverting at certain points, but none-the-less I still found it a good read where it counted.

 

And after a chapter of not appearing I should be good to go for the next one.

 

If everyone doesn't get a crack at Life

Meaning Life vs Remaining Banned Members

I will be PISSED!!!

 

Same

I need an appearance <_<

[Desu the Blue Nerd]

You complain about screen time Jake? Let's see. Uhhh...versus the mod...calling Spep an idiot...and getting my ass kicked by Lora and Inu. I'm fairly sure I was given a broken leg too. Although I think I'm still in better condition than you. <_<

[Jake the Sage]

I had my chest broken, though that ain't enough to put me down permanently

 

Dad just wants to be a part in the final battle, since he feels he was cheated against some unknown Inactive Member. Just ignore him Deus . . .