ITT: We're Animals in a Post-Apocalyptic Town

Jack's jaw drops. "That's one big gemstone... do you know what it is, Professor?"

Krista is definitely quite enamored with the beautiful-looking gem; she notes this.

I dunno what that could be but that looksss ssso pretty...

Whoaaa... (Wanda is equally awestruck.) Man, just imagine the looks on everybody's faces if we came back into town with this...

Professor Diggs takes out some sort of electronic device and runs it over the gemstone.

"I'm not quite sure what it is," he says. "but it seems like this crystal emits some sort of energy. Very interesting... I can't quite identify what kind of energy it is, but perhaps if we were to bring it back to the city for further analysis..."

You sssure one of usss could carry that, or do we need a team effort?

"Yeah, it looks like it would take at least two of us to carry that," says Peter. "I can probably take part of the weight. Can one of you guys help me pick it up?"

An unfamiliar voice then speaks up from behind the group.

"Oh, there's no need. Let me take that for you."

If the group turns around, they will see that a wolf in a black mask has followed them into the room, his eyes fixed on the crystal.

"Hey..." says Jack, suspicious. "Are you lost or something? Don't you know there's monsters around?"

Krista suspiciously eyes this wolf and starts rearing back.

How do we know you're not one of them?

(The sudden appearance of this wolf guy gets Wanda a little nervous, especially with that mask. She raises her claws up.) You're helping us get it out of here, right?

"I am not worried about the monsters," says the wolf. "I can easily take care of them... now, please move out of the way. I'm taking the crystal."

"What are you talking about?" says Peter. "You're not taking this. It looks like an important artifact, and the professor hired us for this job, not you."

"Come now, I'm asking nicely," says the wolf. "Don't test my patience."

Professor Diggs, meanwhile, has gone silent, but seems very surprised by the wolf's presence.

"Okay, so you're not here to cooperate, huh?" Jack chuckles nervously. "Who are you?"

("Ohcrapohcrapohcrap this guy's not a nice guy, what do I need to do...?") Hey, we found it first, so it's rightfully ours! So...uh, go find another crystal or something. (Wanda says.)

Professor Diggs then finally speaks up.

"...Gregory?" he says.

"Well," says the wolf. "I didn't think you would recognize me with the mask, Professor."

"What?" asks Peter, turning to Professor Diggs in shock. "You know this guy, Professor?"

"Gregory was... in my archaeology class last year," says Diggs. "One of my top students, in fact... but I didn't expect to meet him here, of all places."

Then what even happened for him to wind up here?

"You know him? So we're good! ...Right?" says Jack, doing a total "Oh, Crap!" Smile.

"Oh, yes, I have known Professor Diggs for a while," says Gregory in response to Jack. "He was the one who sparked my interest in the events of a hundred years ago, in fact... We even went on a few field trips much like this one, didn't we? As for what brings me here... surely you already know," he adds, turning towards the crystal behind the group. "You should be more careful who you talk to about your findings, Professor. It was easy to track you down after I learned the location of these ruins."

"Gregory, son, what's gotten into you?" says Professor Diggs.

"Enough talking!" says Gregory. "I must take the crystal. If you do not move out of the way..."

Gregory stretches out his claws.

"Then I won't hesitate to tear every last one of you to shreds!"

Without another word, Gregory suddenly charges at the group.

(Not adequately prepared for this, mentally speaking, Wanda throws her claws back up and tries to use a spell in a hurry:) R-W-F-R-R-Rainshow-no, wait, no-!

(Cue another raincoud appearing above Wanda's head and soaking her again.) GAAAAHPFFTT!!!

Krista lunges at Gregory and attempts to bite down on one of his legs.

Edited by Team42Larson on Sep 6th 2019 at 5:19:16 AM

"Why are you so mad, Wanda?"

Cameron would attempt to hold down Gregory after Krista bit him.

"Get back, guys!" says Peter. He quickly steps in front of Jack, Wanda and Professor Diggs to protect them.

Gregory growls in anger. He tries to shake Krista off of his leg and swipes a claw at Cameron.

"We've got to do something!" says Jack, looking over Peter's shoulder.

Edited by DrNoPuma on Sep 7th 2019 at 1:05:42 PM

(Wanda rolls out of the rainshower she summoned and tries something else.) Fireball! (She shouts, flinging a fireball at Gregory.)

Feeling a bit helpless, Jack pulls out a small wrench and awkwardly throws it at Gregory.

The wrench and fireball thrown by Jack and Wanda both hit Gregory, causing his attack aimed at Cameron to miss.

"Aarrgh!" he yells in pain. Enraged, he manages to shake off Krista and Cameron, then turns his attention toward Peter and the others.

"D-don't come any closer!" says Peter. However, all he has time to do as Gregory charges at him is put his arms up to try and defend himself. Gregory grabs Peter and throws him backwards, flinging him right onto the pedestal where the crystal is.

"G-Gregory, stop this!" says Professor Diggs, drawing closer to Jack and Wanda.