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Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

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ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#384151: Jan 18th 2024 at 4:30:08 PM

Writhing Swamps

Luin stepped forwards as Sebastien spoke, glaring down into the pit. The water around them seemed to pour into the deep recession, though its levels did not change.

"If it came to the Island too…" The woman murmured to herself just loud enough for the others to hear. "…Then nowhere is safe."

"Too?" Khars’Li hissed, following after Luin as she turned and walked swiftly away, back towards where Baron stood a good distance away from the scene of the battle. "You’ve seen it before?"

"Once. But it didn’t talk. I…we need to report this to Whas’Intun, and the Guild." The woman lifted two fingers to her lips and whistled, Rime rushing ahead from the treeline. There was a line of blood along his side and a faint limp in his step, but he seemed for the most part fine—and he’d made friends too, evidently, for a line of Wroggi came hustling after him but did not attack when he slowed at Luin’s side.

The woman mounted Baron and began riding out the way they had come, clearly deep in thought. Khars’Li followed after on all fours. "The Guild. What is it?"

"Hunter’s Guild. It’s an organization on the mainland. They specialize in tracking and researching creatures like that…as well as controlling their population. They’re the best hope at defeating that thing. We have defeat it, before it, uh, "ascends"."

Edited by ISZATSO on Jan 18th 2024 at 7:45:53 AM

With great power…you know the rest.
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#384152: Jan 18th 2024 at 4:48:12 PM

Swamps

"From what I know, it's been causing the outbreaks of possessed monsters all over the Arena. Rime over there was an early victim and I heard there was a Mizutsune and Zinogre as well." Sebastien adds, following Luin in preparing to depart. He used some Dust of Life on Mona and the Brute Tigrex before mounting the former. He gestured for the Brute to follow and began thinking on what to name it during the ensuing trip.

"Yeah. Though taking the fight to it will be difficult with how it likes sticking underground."


Festival of Mochi

   "So how do I know it happened and you, a known brutish killer, didn't just make it up!?"    Pecharunt says. Not the most sound logic but he's a bit immature and finds the idea of his loyal retainers up and murdering someone to be a bit ridiculous. Sure they can be mischievous...

He's interrupted from further thinking by Zim's blasting. Tengu Anna grabs hold of Pecharunt and zips out of the way, appearing towards the side now. She waves her free hand and sends a wave of superheated air at Zim (think the move Heat Wave) that also threatens to hit others in the line of fire (heh).

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#384153: Jan 18th 2024 at 4:52:45 PM

Festival

Pokemon

Okidogi prepares itself for a clash, but then something gets in the way: the mochi'd Kareko jumps out and tosses GIR straight at Ogerpon incoming fiery cudgel.

"WHEEEEEEEEEE-"

If this ends up distracting Ogerpon in any way, Okidogi will jump in right after and deliver a Brutal Swing attack...

Which, in turn, will result in Zenkichi's attack hitting Okidogi instead. But only if Ogerpon got distracted first, if not Okidogi didn't move from its position.

Munkidori and Fezandipiti emerge as well, though the former gets hit by Ninten's bat, as it hadn't landed yet after getting knocked out of his hands, resulting in it eating dirt at the moment. Fezandipiti can't help but snicker a little.

Until Zim jumps in and blasts Fezandipiti in the face, knocking it onto Munkidori. He laughs maniacally.

   "VICTORY FOR ZI-EEEAAAAAAAAGHHHHH!"   

Oof, sounds like that makeshift Heat Wave hurt.

Mochi

Angel Reimu's prediction comes true, as Ninten uses the Keyblade to block, resulting in the ball of holy light to hit him... and get reflected right back at her without hurting him as it activates the Franklin Badge pinned on his shirt.

If Angel Reimu is at all stunned by this (assuming she gets hit in the first place), Ninten will follow it up with a Keyblade swing meant to send her flying across the battlefield.

Hoping that Angel Reimu has things covered for now, Ana launches a small PK Thunder down at the ground next to Teddy, disrupting his focus and allowing for Pippi to lift the 3-times-as-large man over her shoulder and freaking wrestlevania him onto the ground with zero effort, stunning him.

"Teddy! Snap out of it!", Lloyd (now finally up on his feet again) calls out to him now that Teddy is temporarily neutralized. "If anyone can do it, it's you! You always say it, don't you? If you yell loud enough, you can do ANYTHING!"

"... moooo... moch... Mochyell...?"

"Mo... MOYELL!"

"MOOOOOYELLLLLLLL!"

"GGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

Ana, Lloyd and Pippi have to cover their ears because holy shit that's loud. And regardless of whether or not Ninten's counterattack on Angel Reimu worked or not, he will now be distracted by that same yelling and cover his ears, leaving him wide open for an attack.

But so are Ninten's un-mochi'd friends, and Ken suddenly emerges, throwing his boomerang at Lloyd and hitting him in the face, knocking off his glasses and knocking him down as well.

"Heehee, Mochi Mochgeek!"

Edited by DevilPsyco on Jan 18th 2024 at 2:08:29 PM

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#384154: Jan 18th 2024 at 5:02:48 PM

The Island

And a Qurupeco, Luin thought, but she knew adding onto the list would be mere semantics.

As they broke from the swamp and back into the tropical jungles that made up much of the Island’s south, Luin took notice of the surrounding air. It was…different. More tense; and a sharp cool cut into her skin as she did. She shuddered.

The sun was gone from the sky, hidden behind thick clouds. The thumping of Baron’s feet echoed across the empty landscape. As they passed through the area where below they could see the river valley teeming with life only thirty or so minutes ago, the group found it entirely empty.

"Think that Elder Dragon drove ‘em off?" Luin asked, looking on the lifeless valley.

"Maybe. Or maybe…something else." Khars’Li answered. His words were slow. The cold was biting into him, a sensation he hadn’t felt in a very, very long time. "The Island feels…changed, of late. Like those many years of peace we enjoyed are nearing their end. War with the Poachers, war with this…Oltura. Something malicious is in the air—I smell it."

With great power…you know the rest.
josh6243 Betty "Blast Hornet" Blanctorche Doppler from Digital Realm Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Betty "Blast Hornet" Blanctorche Doppler
#384155: Jan 18th 2024 at 5:11:19 PM

Morph Moth - Bounties

Morph Moth dons the armor she was given, except for the helmet. Somehow, her moth wings jut on through.

"W-wow! This is amazing!"

shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#384156: Jan 18th 2024 at 5:12:41 PM

The Isle (not the cool dino game)

"It wouldn't surprise me, monsters and animals seem to innately know when an Elder Dragon is near and flee en masse." Sebastien observed. It helped this one was usually followed by earthquakes. He then looked to Khars’Li. "I can't promise to always be here, especially with investigating these outbreaks, but know I'll do my best to help when I can."

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#384157: Jan 18th 2024 at 5:25:15 PM

The Island

"Your words do not go unheeded, human. I am glad to hear it." Khars’Li nodded as he ran. They slipped back into the jungle once more and he looked off into distant greenery. "Koro-Na is hardy. We have survived a great many threats in the past, but…many who faced those challenges have since grown old or passed." He explained. He and Whas’Intun were among the very few who had battled in the last Winter War, however many centuries ago that was. The others, undefeated by the Northerners, had inevitably been defeated by time. Only a small fraction of the Lizardmen remembered the last winter, and none of the Wood Elves; for their past several generations had been born, lived, and died in the sunny days, without once feeling the cold wind against their skin. They were but children of peace, who had known nothing but peace all their lives.

Khars’Li feared that was soon to change.

They emerged from the jungle and rode along the beach, arriving at the great wooden city of the Lizardmen and Wood Elves. The gates slowly opened and the group were allowed to pass through, though the uncertain look from some of the guards indicated that it was perhaps better to leave the Brute Tigrex outside for now.

With great power…you know the rest.
KiriK The Grey Pilgrim from across time and space Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Grey Pilgrim
#384158: Jan 18th 2024 at 5:34:25 PM

Ogerpon is too kind for her own good. When GIR gets clobbered by the exploding cudgel, she jumps to catch the little robot and bring him down safely, but this allows Okidogi to Brutal Swing her out of the air. The heat wave attack certainly doesn't help matters. At least Okidogi gets Megido'd.

Still, the fact Ogerpon in her even more menacing super form went out of her way to rescue GIR seems almost spiteful, like an intended response to Pecharunt calling her out. "You're the only things I've ever wanted to kill!" she retorts. "Everything you've heard of me is just superstition! I just wanted to be loved! And your GOONS took away the only person who GAVE it to me!"

NY!Anna fucking stabs herself in the arm with an arrow to shock herself back to her senses, though she drops to one knee, wincing in pain and wide open to be punished for this gambit. Like by Zenkichi, who fucking SHOOTS at her with GUNS.

"...Cheater." Angel Reimu is unfazed by her reflected holy orb, which simply bursts against her face with no effect. She instead keeps her staff locked against Ninten's Keyblade so that she can jab him in the gut with her gohei, surrounding its tip in holy light to achieve the same effect the orb was meant to have.

That effect is, of course, purifying evil.

Edited by KiriK on Jan 18th 2024 at 8:14:20 AM

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#384159: Jan 18th 2024 at 6:00:17 PM

The Island

Sebastien nodded as he listened to Khars'Li. He hoped they could weather the oncoming storms. He opted to dismount, instructing Mona to stay with the Brute Tigrex. He figured she'd keep it calm and out of trouble while they finished up business. He then followed the other two further into the city proper.


Festival of Mochi

   "You think that makes you special!?"    Pecharunt growls. Seems that's a sore spot.    "All I want is my caretakers' love, and they want those stupid masks of yours!"   

   "Cha cha CHA!"    Pecharunt exclaims and this time fires a Malignant Chain at Ogerpon, as Tengu Anna sends a strong gale to hamper her mobility (while muttering about mochi of course).

Seems by this point he's too angered to really focus on anything besides attacking Ogerpon, meaning he's not looking at Zim or properly processing what Ogerpon's saying about what happened that night.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#384160: Jan 18th 2024 at 6:20:36 PM

Koro-Na

Seeing Sebastien dismoun, Luin too left Baron at the stables outside. Rime still followed her, but left his new Wroggi friends behind as well. The four of them proceeded on foot into the city.

They found the winding, rising and falling streets largely vacant. Where typically the walls were made rainbow from the amount of multi-colored Lizardman Skinks clinging to them, they were bare wooden planks. The training pits were empty. Only in the market as they passed was there still life, Wood Elves discussing in quiet whispers the recent earthquakes and change in temperature.

Luin made much of the trip in silence for her part, rarely parting her lips as Khars’Li guided the way ahead.

They at last reached the Beacon the Old Ones, a gold and green ziggurat at the end of a lengthy bridge over water on the farthest end of the city. Nearly ever inch was studded with precious gemstones offered in reverential worship to the Old Ones, a sacrifice of their material fortune for spiritual salvation. Standing in two neat aisles stretching out from the base of the stairs were Temple-Guards, heavily armored Sauri with glittering spears crossed in an X with the Guard opposite them in the other aisle. As they saw Khars’Li approach, however, their spears parted and the path was made clear; he was, after all, the overseer of Koro-Na’s army and the second-in-command to Whas’Intun.

Whas’Intun, who rested at the top of the ziggurat, a lengthy climb that threatened to take the air out of Luin’s lungs once she had reached the top (Rime hadn’t even bothered, instead staying at the bottom). The Monitor Skink was a mere five and a half feet tall, and yet as he rose from his kneeled prayer to face his visitors and the whole Island behind them, his mere presence seemed massive, imposing, like a true leader.

"What news do you bring?" He asked in a low tone. Already he knew something was wrong—if the tectonic movements and the chill hadn’t given that away, the fact that all three of them had come rather than simply Khars’Li told him the report would be far more complex than "mission complete".

With great power…you know the rest.
DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#384161: Jan 18th 2024 at 6:30:32 PM

Festival

Pokemon

GIR is put down safely and giggles.

"I almost became a shooooooting star!"

With the Loyal Three temporarily out of it, Zim starts sneaking towards the battle between Ogerpon and Pecharunt.

Meanwhile, perhaps shockingly, Zenkichi will suddenly have to worry about being bound by Jessie's Arbok.

Mochi

Ninten's psychic senses tell him that the holy light should be avoided at all costs.

"Mo-cheeheehee."

Ninten opens up a 4th-D Slip portal behind him and lets himself lose the weapon lock, letting himself get pushed in and avoiding the jab that way. He's gone at the moment, but he'll definitely be back soon. Keep your eyes out for him.

Meanwhile, Ana is about to try to help Lloyd out, only for Ken's boomerang to return to his hand. He throws it again immediately, initially seeming to miss Ana only for it to hit her on the way back. With both Lloyd and Ana on the ground groaning in pain, Ken lets out a taunting little chuckle.

"Mochi Nagchi."

He then suddenly feels himself getting picked up. He glances back only to see Teddy's angry face before he slams Ken into the ground.

"RHWAAAAA! That's it!", Teddy yells with a grin. Pippi quickly runs over to Lloyd and Ana to help them up.

"Teddy, you're back to normal!"

"Of course! Nothing can keep me down! Now, who's ne-"

Cue the mochi'd Kareko now jumping on his back, vines suddenly growing out of the sleeves of his jacket with which he binds his wrists to Teddy's arms and legs.

"Mochi Mochiiiiii!"

With a somewhat sinister grin he pulls up his hands, forcing Teddy to move along with him.

"... okay this may be a problem. RUN!", Teddy shouts as Kareko makes him move towards Pippi and punt her all the way up to the upper section of the festival.

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#384162: Jan 18th 2024 at 6:37:55 PM

Koro-Na

Sebastien couldn't help but marvel at the opulent architecture of the Lizardmen. Sometimes he did enjoy being here in the Arena, otherwise he'd never see sights like this. He was snapped out of it though as they climbed, being similarly winded after all the shit from today and having to walk all the way up.

"We... took care of the Poacher. Though there's a far bigger problem lurking below." Sebastien began explaining. "Those tremors you might have felt were caused by a subterranean Elder Dragon."

He looked to Luin and Khars'Li in case they wanted to add to that or take over explaining. He had a feeling Luin would be more familiar with the topic due to her last encounter with the dragon.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#384163: Jan 18th 2024 at 6:53:39 PM

Koro-Na

Whas’Intun’s eyes locked onto Sebastien as he spoke. He didn’t know the man as well as Luin, who had been here for the past few months, and certainly not as well as Khars’Li, who had been a lifelong ally and a friend. No, more than that: a brother.

"Elder Dragon?" He asked at last, and here Luin took over:

"Extremely powerful creatures. And this one in particular, Oltura…it poses a threat to the entire Arena, and everybody within it, including Koro-Na…especially Koro-Na."

Whas’Intun regarded her words with doubt and disbelief so he turned to Khars’Li, who only nodded in agreement with the woman. If he said it was true…

"Tell me more."

And so she did. She started from the beginning and omitted no detail (save that the very same Tigrex they had been sent to kill now waited outside the city gates. Luin suspected he wouldn’t take that information kindly), from the marshmen to the creatures being absent on their way back. Through it all the Lizardman King listened intently, though his eyes grew more focused during certain parts of the story above others. The woman finally finished, and at length he spoke. "This is…concerning news." The King looked away, hesitant. "Mobilize our army at once." He at last ordered Khars’Li. "Send reinforcements to Weathertop and Passwatch. Have our garrisons at Avar-Laren and Farside prepare to defend themselves, should an attack come. If this…"Oltura" appears again on the Island, we must be ready for it." Khars’Li did not respond. Whas’Intun tilted his head, eyes scrutinizing his right-hand man. "Does something else trouble you?"

"She leaves for the mainland to inform an organization known as the Guild, My Lord. And…I will be going with her." At this even Luin seemed surprise. Khars’Li had given no hint of an intent to leave for the mainland Arena with her, nor did she suspect it was something he was even interested in. Whas’Intun’s own surprise quickly turned into annoyance at Luin, this woman who had come and changed everything, and finally exasperation.

"Fine. I will oversee the defense of our Island myself. But be swift, Khars’Li, for Koro-Na needs you…lest you return to be met with mere ashes."

Edited by ISZATSO on Jan 18th 2024 at 9:53:57 AM

With great power…you know the rest.
KiriK The Grey Pilgrim from across time and space Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Grey Pilgrim
#384164: Jan 18th 2024 at 7:01:51 PM

Ogerpon cries out as the Malignant Chain lashes against her, fortunately not poisoning her, because it would be really bad if it did. But still, that hurt. She's left face-down on the stone tile ground.

"If the only way...you can receive love...is by taking happiness away from others, you're...you're not being loved! You're being exploited!"

She picks herself up, looking a little woozy, and conjures up a fresh ivy cudgel.

"My trainer and I didn't have much, but we had each other and that was enough! But you...and your caretakers...were never satisfied! You just take, and take, and take! It doesn't matter who you have to trample over to get it, does it?!"

She plants her feet...and waits.

Zenkichi being grabbed by Arbok cuts his gunfire assault short, leaving NY!Anna safe.

Clarity through pain. NY!Anna feels the madness subsiding. The madness, and the energy. She feels...so tired...

This festival needs her, though. She can't take a nap until the business venture is safe. And if it became an unfixable disaster, she might never forgive herself.

Unknowingly still corrupted by the mochi but pushing past it, she reaches out to Ogerpon, using Rally Def/Res+ to sharply boost the ogre's defense stats.

Akane and Mary are beginning to sneak up on them...

"Okay, these games just started and I've already had enough." Angel Reimu rises into the air, eyes shining with light and hair staining itself purple as yin-yang orbs swirl around her.

夢想天生 「INNATE HEAVEN」

Mystic Oriental Love Consultation ~ End of Century

Reimu's power is to float. She can float onto, through, across anything she can think of.

This includes floating across dimensional space.

She dispels her weapons and floats into the 4th-D axis to intercept Ninten and just grab him by the throat, teleporting back into normal space with him before summoning her gohei to her hand with a downright murderous expression on her face. She doesn't immediately kick his ass, but it's clear an asskicking is imminent.

Edited by KiriK on Jan 18th 2024 at 9:24:16 AM

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#384165: Jan 18th 2024 at 7:06:10 PM

Luin you scamp

Sebastien was a bit surprised as well but he supposed it made sense. Khars'Li has shown concern for the island's future so no doubt he sought more information from the Guild or potentially more allies from the mainland. He didn't have much to add so he simply waited for them to be dismissed.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#384166: Jan 18th 2024 at 7:16:43 PM

Koro-Na

Khars’Li nodded in response, and Whas’Inton only sighed. "You’re dismissed." Was all he said to the group, kneeling down and returning to prayer.

Luin descended the steps in silence. She gave only a grateful nod to Sebastien for his help once more, hoping to one day return the favor. Above them, Whas’Intun lifted his head to the overcast sky. A single flake of white fell from the sky and landed on his snout, melting into a droplet of water.

For the first time in six hundred and fifty-two years, it snowed in Koro-Na.

END

Edited by ISZATSO on Jan 18th 2024 at 10:17:15 AM

With great power…you know the rest.
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#384167: Jan 18th 2024 at 7:20:35 PM

Festival

   "Shut up shut up SHUT UP! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THEM!?"    is Pecharunt's brilliant rebuttal, flailing angrily. It's clear Ogerpon is hitting him where it hurts without even physically striking him yet.    "I JUST NEED THOSE STUPID MASKS OF YOURS AND THEN EVERYTHING WILL BE GOOD AGAIN!"   

He's far too enraged to pay Zim any mind and he fires another Malignant Chain at Ogerpon. Tengu Anna for her part follows up with more tengu fire will o wisps.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
BoniniBanana Fortunate Sun I from real Since: Aug, 2021 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
Fortunate Sun I
#384168: Jan 18th 2024 at 7:24:13 PM

Cathdral

Emma's wound regenerates quickly in a bright sheen of light. While staring at Artemis reattach her head, she's a bit horrified now that her own head's gotten back to thinking.

"Hey! I'm not like her."

Yet... Seeing Artemis and Ris banter back and forth with each other makes her see herself in them. Fellow humans, no, Empyreans. In which she feels overtly disgusted by, sharing this much in common with a mage to a borderline physiological degree.

"I'd just skip all that and get to blasting."

Emma gets closer and grins wider while lightly poking Artemis with the gun, as if waiting for an excuse to throw hands even if briefly. She feels too cocky for her not to try and prod unlike that Ris she figures doesn't fall for it so easily.

"Ask away, I don't bite!"

She nudges Ris a little, "But can I if she says anything stupid?"

Edited by BoniniBanana on Jan 18th 2024 at 11:24:25 PM

real
DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#384169: Jan 18th 2024 at 7:25:09 PM

Festival

Pokemon

"That will teach them to ruin our post-success victory meal.", Jessie huffs as Arbok keeps Zenkichi trapped.

Zim doesn't really get much of what's being yelled between the two. And with Pecharunt distracted, he suddenly lunges out at it, trying to grab onto its the sides of its shells with his hands. If successful, he'll then use his metal spider legs to keep said sides opened up by force, preventing Pecharunt from retreating back into it.

Zim then glances at Ogerpon with an excited but downright malicious grin. There genuinely isn't anything comical about it this time.

   "It's wide open, annihilate it!"   

Inside the Fourth Dimension

Inside the fourth dimension, Ninten cannot see, hear or sense anything, since he'd be at risk of either overloading his senses or get lost within this dimension forever if he strays from the path. Even when mochi'd up he still keeps that in mind.

So he is really freaking surprised when all of a sudden he feels something grab him by his throat. He's confused at first, but then he hears the voice and realizes his opponent was capable of following him in.

And she's mad.

Beat

"... m... mochi?"

Yeah, that's pretty much the worst way he could beg for mercy right now. He doesn't even know they're not in the fourth dimension anymore so he can't even open his eyes.

Mochi

Meanwhile, the Kareko-controlled Teddy is yeeting Ana and Lloyd around like they're nothing. Though Pippi, now on the upper level, gets back up and furiously starts stomping back down the stairs.

Be afraid. You don't want to be up against an angry Pippi.

Edited by DevilPsyco on Jan 18th 2024 at 4:27:35 PM

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
RainbyPlays fae being from yes Since: Nov, 2019 Relationship Status: Hiding
fae being
#384170: Jan 18th 2024 at 7:47:44 PM

Hub Centralis

"..."

Lucien, still invisible, just... stares. This... thing. It's smirking. As if it enjoys what it's doing.

...I cannot kill this being from the Hells without help. For now, all I can do is live to fight another day, as much as it pains me to do so. I wish I was of more help.

Lucien stops by the now half-destroyed inn- luckily, all of his other items are miraculously un-crushed. He grabs his Bag of Holding (it looks more like a satchel...) and his quiver.

Then he grabs some inks from his bag and paints out a circle, inscribed with runes. Among the ruins, he (hopefully) isn't noticed before-

"Iter."

A portal sparks to life, the circle of ink glowing as Lucien rushes through, the portal closing behind him within 10 or so seconds.

...

The Island - Southern Shores

Lucien appears inside of an old, crumbling ruin that looks like it could've been from hundreds of years past. The crashing of waves greets his ears, along with the noise of various sounds of animals. As he gets free from the ruins (they were mostly collapsed- he had to move a pillar or two.) he takes a deep breath.

"...where in the Hells am I?"

For now, he flies upward- spotting some clearly manmade (or creature-made) structures close by. He soars over, the gentle flapping of wings filling his ears alongside the rusting of wind.

Cathedral

"Please do."

"I can hear you two..."

Artemis grins, hopping back as gravity reasserts itself. Ris sighs and leaps back, leaving Emma and Artemis roughly 100ft from each other.

"While I could ask, I'm also bored, so..."

Artemis throws her hand to the side, summoning a silver-and-gold set of knightly armor around every bit of her except her head, along with a longsword and shield. She also has a flowing cape with her eight-winged symbol on it.

"Care for a fight? It's not like this field lets anyone die... Don't question how that works."

aeiou: the second
ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#384171: Jan 18th 2024 at 10:18:15 PM

Grom, District 8, Hub Centralis, The Island

Ingredients

Spiderglow Cave

The maneuver proves successful, and the Venomdew’s acidic venom is neutralized for now, and for the rest of their expedition. Meanwhile, Squeeble Squobble slowly began to crawl over the stream and in the direction it was flowing from, nearing the shadowy bend of the cavern as it scaled upwards.

The Murkmire

Shodath seemed taken aback by Yuki’s explanation. His almost eyes slowly traveled down to his side, where the gray growth of slime wiggled with each movement. Cautiously he reached down to it and pried it from his tree-flesh, revealing the hole it had eaten into his wooden surface. Shodath cried out briefly in lament for his loss mass, before he shook his head and reached a hand out to offer the slime to Yuki as it writhed about.

"Shodath thanks trespassers—had that slime remained any longer, Shodath might have never been aroused from his slumber, no matter how many trespassers come. As thanks…" The tree trailed off. "As thanks, I will offer you aid. Listen close: You said it is Stenchweed and Troll meat you seek? Stenchweed you will find all around you, growing beneath the water’s surface, but troll meat…that is a much higher task. You will have to find Øcrånnagöf, Oglath the Swamplurker as he is called in the tongues of Men, in his home atop the hill.." As Shodath spoke without the slime attached he seemed to speak more intelligently, more comprehensively to the two before him.

Bloody Crags

Robert glanced between his new ally and the statue once, then twice, then thrice, and each time appearing more dumbfounded than the last. "Why are you talking to the statue..?"

But almost as soon as the words left his mouth, as though fate desired to prove him wrong, the statue’s lips moved and curved, and a voice beyond hoarse spoke up:

"Ophelia…Where is my Ophelia?" The statue spoke in a sad, mournful tone. "These flowers were for you, Ophelia, my beloved…Oh, where have you gone..?"

As he spoke, the thin roots of the flowers began to move, snaking around his legs and ascending the statue’s body. One conveniently censored his groin, one came to rest where his chest met his shoulder, and the final covered one of the statue’s stark verdant eyes.

Contrary to Cecil’s expectations the bird does not retaliate when the breadwinner grabs hold of its beak. Rather it simply seems to…give up, as though that one simple act had gotten it to cede defeat and had won in interaction in Cecil’s favor. He would still manage to pull himself up quite easily, finding himself in the thick of the almost room-sized bramble of sticks. There were other egg shards and fragments in the nest, but only the one hatchling, which simply stared at Cecil in curiosity for a few moments before slowly leaning forwards in a bid to get itself into position to peck his eye out.

Dragonswood

Ivory’s search would bring to his ears the sound of wingbeats, tremendously powerful wingbeats of something that sounded almost too massive to be able to fly. Yammark’s drones, meanwhile, would pick up, obviously, the flowers nearby as well as mushrooms with a red cap that brimmed a bright yellow, as though ready to explode.

"Uh, guys?" Aloy called out. "Sooner we get these ingredients.."

——

District 8

With the sharp thwack of his baton against skin echoing across the park, the man’s arm recoiled. There was a moment as it did that a very-visible shimmering could be seen where it was, and therein lied to secret to victory. He shimmered once more as he went for a punch aimed at Loid’s jaw to follow up, his cloaking technology lagging behind for just a moment every time the man moved too quickly.

The Batman finally overcame his attacker with a series of elbow-jabs to his gut, but he did not let go of the invisible foe’s arm once he was free; the vigilante instead pulled it closer to him, meeting the man’s head with a clothesline than left a man-shaped imprint in the snow. He hopped over the unconscious for and sprinted at the third visible criminal, who now fired his pistol in a blind panic.

——

Hub Centralis

"Return!" The Collector yelled aloud. He grinned, looking off into the distance, as his blade changed direction and begin to spin through the air, back to his gr

The meteor came swift and it came hard, pummeling him into the earth. Among the debris he lay, lifting his eyes to the Ghidorah as a wet cough shook his body. There was no winning this fight, he concluded, as much as I hurt to admit.

"We’re…not…done yet…" He gritted his teeth beneath the helmet, leaning backwards into the shattered stones. "…Asshole…"

The Collector reached for a brooch, a dark crystal hanging from his neck with a wholly evil energy—if Melia or Shroobert’s Character were here, they would’ve been able to identify it as of the same sort as the one beneath Hyrule Castle, though considerably smaller. As soon as his fingers came into contact with the object, he simply vanished.

——

The Island

The thin layers of snow had gradually melted these past three days, but though the Island was green once more, the temperature had not lowered in the slightest. The creatures of the jungle emerged from their hideaways. The sudden and impromptu winter had caught them, all of them, unaware and without rations. Now they had been whirled into a frenzy, the herbivores scavenging for every nut or berry they could find among the dried and dying bushes while the carnivores slaughtered everything in sight, even other carnivores.

But the effects were felt not least of all in the society that ruled the Island, the alliance between Lizardmen and Wood Elves focused primarily in the city of Koro-Na yet had bases and settlements all across the landmass. The nearest of these bases to the capital city was Weathertop.

Weathertop was a fortress built atop a plateau in a region known as the Footpaw, a claw-shaped "island" between two rivers on either side. North of it was the swamp and west of it was the sea, making it an island by technical terms, but it was as much a part of the mainland as all the areas surrounding it. It was a once thickly-wooded region, though the trees had long since been largely felled and now all that remained were beaches, all of them surrounding the nearly forty-foot plateau on which Weathertop itself rested.

Weathertop was, unlike many other settlements, not originally a Lizardman or Wood Elf design. Its long-ruined foundation had been made by some past people, long dead by the time Whas’Intun’s forces discovered, repaired, and built off the ruins. A destroyed castle was raised into a mighty fortress.

The gray cliffs of the plateau were forty feet at the highest points, but the sheer black walls of Weathertop added another thirty or so feet of height. From behind the walls could be seen two watchtowers, one to the north and one to the east. Normally, Weathertop would be mostly vacant save for a small garrison stationed there and a few war-parties coming out of Koro-Na resting or restocking before traveling elsewhere on the island, but in the past week it had found itself pushing beyond maximum capacity, and all as a result of the Oltura -ZERO-‘s looming threat.

The streets were crowded with Saurus and Kroxigars, great cold-blooded beasts that towered over the green-cloaked Wood Elf rangers who walked beside them. The food stores, originally plentiful, had been nearly depleted though a cart was expected sometime today to replenish the stock. The walls were crowded with watchmen so numerous that they nearly stood shoulder-to-shoulder across the whole thing, and the towers looked about ready to buckle and break under the weight within them.

This was the state of Weathertop that those coming into the Island saw.

Koro-Na lacked any sort of docks; ironic given that it was a city stretching out onto the water, but after the Island had exited its isolation in the wake of the battle against the Poachers, a hastily-constructed port had been made at Weathertop on the shore. It was a distance away from Koro-Na, but the nearest settlement to the city and a good place to ensure the good intentions of all who came. For many on the Island, though they now allowed mainlanders onto their lands, were no more trusting of them than they had been.

As the wooden ship pulled into port, a single Skink stood ready to welcome them. He came aboard the deck and unfurled a scroll of paper, calling out names from the manifest and guiding each visitor in a line off the ship, onto the docks where they were given a clear view of Weathertop as the golden sun loomed behind it, and from there were given free reign of the Footpaw, save for, ironically, entrance into the fortress itself. The grassy slopes leading down from the plateau were guarded by heavily-armed Lizardmen, who ensured that none passed into the off-limits fortress while it was in lockdown mode.

At the base of the plateau were several recently constructed buildings; seven of them in total, all made from wood and gathered together. They were small in the shadow of Weathertop, but were roomy enough on their own. One, the largest, served as lodging, while the others covered many relevant tasks such as a chartering company owned by a particularly fat human man, a guide office, an embassy, and others.

The air was uneasy as the Skink guided them restlessly to the inn.

But in the skies above…

"Watch out!"

A screeching akin to that of a bird’s rang out from immediately behind Lucien, and before he has so much as a chance to react, there’s a violent gust of wind and a frenzied flapping of wings and feathers as a massive hawk zooms past him, just barely avoiding a midair collision.

"Thundertalon, turn!" The young woman on its back commanded, and the Toridcless quickly regained its balance and turned to face Lucien, hovering as its wings beat against the air. The red-headed woman studied Lucien closely, her emerald eyes curious. "I mean…you don't look like one of those things, but…" She muttered, more to herself than to the man, before calling out to him. "Announce yourself, stranger!"

Edited by ISZATSO on Jan 18th 2024 at 1:53:43 PM

With great power…you know the rest.
RainbyPlays fae being from yes Since: Nov, 2019 Relationship Status: Hiding
fae being
#384172: Jan 18th 2024 at 11:11:16 PM

The Island

Lucien is knocked slightly off balance from the sudden gust of wind, as he's already somewhat tired, but he recovers quickly enough. He looks up at the bird and its rider.

"Name's Lucien Glintivia. Last name probably means nothing here, but I can assure you i'm both of noble blood and also not a stuck-up arse about it."

He's silent for a moment, stowing his sword in his bag (he was still holding onto it) before speaking.

"Also, what do you mean by 'one of those things'? I'm not local to... well, to put it simply, this plane of existence, so there's a lot I've yet to learn."

He looks out at the horizon, twirling a small copper coin between his fingers. His wings keep him aloft, but he's still noticeably tired.

Edited by RainbyPlays on Jan 18th 2024 at 2:15:52 PM

aeiou: the second
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#384173: Jan 19th 2024 at 5:08:31 AM

Hub Centralis

Grand King Ghidorah simply continued cackling, firing more Gravity Beams at the surrounding city and watching it burn. Eventually it seemed he had his fill and spread his wings once more. He took to the skies and began flying off to parts unknown, no doubt to spread his brand of terror elsewhere.


The Murkmire

Yuki took the slime and with a gesture it vanished, likely stored in some convenient pocket dimension thing.

"It's no trouble, and thanks!" she said, giving the Wise Mystical Tree a winning smile. She then turned to her fellow traveler. "So uh, you willing to grab the Stenchweed? Cause wading in water isn't really my forte."

Once that's hopefully taken care of, she'll look around to see if she can spot the aforementioned hill on the horizon.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
Bolded1 Fate, guide me from behind you!!!!!!!! Since: Mar, 2015
Fate, guide me
#384174: Jan 19th 2024 at 5:58:12 AM

I had to fight sentient statues on some occasions. Corrin refuses to elaborate on what he said and simply see that the plants appear to be moving of their own will. He also see that they are sticking to the statue's body. That plus what he has to say... it didn't seem like they could get the plants off him so easily.

It did bother Corrin to have to do that to him though. And he wasn't expecting the plants to be moving. But then again, the area has been advertised as being quite tough (even if it wasn't on top of the list). So he figured that even the plants they came to collect would be fighting back.

... And that experience could come in handy. He did contemplate the fact that he had spoken to the statue first but in his defense, it had looked at them.

And it could do more than that if they wanted to claim the flowers. And while they could look elsewhere, something told Corrin it wouldn't be so easy. Plus, how many of these did they need? He wasn't so sure if the flowers weren't just parasites but surely he could leave that poor stone thing with at least some remembrances of his lost lenore.

Corrin glances at Baratheon as if to tell him to prepare himself for a fight and slowly approach the statue. He does not draw his own blade because he wants to deny what he deems unavoidable : that the statue will attack them and that they'll need to destroy or kill it. He'd much rather just get what he needs and leave but it could never be so simple, right? Because people never did want to be re-...

... No. It was him. He took the hard path. It was reasonable for things to be difficult.

I can sympathize with your tragedy. We'd only need one to be on our way, please... He says, holding an hand out. Futility.

...

Koro-Na Weathertop

Megumi had been dispatched from the Poachers mission earlier than he'd have liked. And while he'd been busy fighting haunted video games, the young man had been curious as to the fate of the island and the people whom he fought alongside with. Gojo had been fine with him going back : after all, the Arena could be considered one big training ground, and finding something for Megumi to do could only be beneficial.

Time was slowed down compared to their world. Meaning Megumi could tend to his own business for a long time without going AWOL at "home". This was awfully accomodating but he didn't mind, even if he was slightly suspicious. It seemed very... convenient. And he hoped that the Arena wouldn't switch back and accelerate time, as to make years go by while Megumi is busy.

But even if they didn't want to engage in anything at all, even if they sought nothing out of this world, they still needed to look for Sukuna, who had absconded from Yuji's body entirely and gone off on his own. Megumi was too weak to be a threat to Sukuna usually, but with the Arena's odd effects on one's power, perhaps he could hold his own if needed? And even call on allies to help him dispatch the King of Curses for good.

So one could think that, cynically enough, Megumi was only to Koro-Na to secure their help against Sukuna. Or even look for him under the pretense of giving the citizens a hand in whatever was happening. Hell, even he thought that this is what he was actually doing when he decided to return to the island.

But when he noticed snow on the tropical island, as well as the rush around the streets, Sukuna was pushed off Megumi's mind. Not quite, he was still very important, but of lower priority compared to figuring out the climate (weather and morals-wise) of the place.

Huh... Megumi appreciated the warmness his usual fashion provided him with as he stepped into the island, looking to lend a hand.

Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitter
josh6243 Betty "Blast Hornet" Blanctorche Doppler from Digital Realm Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Betty "Blast Hornet" Blanctorche Doppler
#384175: Jan 19th 2024 at 6:27:07 AM

Commander Yammark - Dragonswood

Nodding to Aloy, Commander Yammark flies over to the ingredients' location in a heartbeat. She covers her eyes with her goggles to cover against the smoke. Safety first, after all.


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