(The discussion thread is here
)
Welcome to HGS: Another Side Another Story. It is a roleplay spinoff for the Hunger Games Simulator forum game, akin to both the RP's in the Roleplaying section as well as the ITTs in Forum Games. It tells the story of the Hunger Games in the Arena of Panem, the nominators who sent the tributes, the tributes themselves both in and out of the Arena or even other people relevant to the Games. In addition, it also tells their stories beyond the Arena.
You can jump right in with any character, like your nominator self, your tributes, etc. The structure of this RP will be open-world. Don't worry about not being skilled/experienced enough or being new to RP'ing. Finally, ASAS accepts any skill level or RP style. Other than these, there are some important rules to note, which are:
- No godmodding will be allowed or tolerated here. The offending player will be given punishment depending on the severity.
- Please communicate anything important you plan on another player with the said player first. Don't just execute it without their consent.
- Don't be rude to other players, both out and in-universe. This extends to RP offenses like railroading, guilt-tripping, coercing, or other forms of forcing them.
- This RP is related to the Hunger Games Simulation:Beyond the Possibilities forum game. Thus it will have events based from that game, including the tributes. This means if you want to RP as tributes, please nominate them officially on the thread first, with misses not being counted. This has to be done after an incident with a player who hasn't joined the game itself yet.
- Since this RP is Loose Canon in relation to the main HGS thread, the host's interpretation of events isn't necessarily 100% canon. Every player has the right to deviate from what the host says and go with their own interpretations. If multiple players have their tributes involved in the same event(s), please communicate with each other so that you're on the same page regarding how you see them.
- This RP chronicles the lives of the nominators and their tributes behind the scenes. While dark plots are acceptable, the overall tone of the RP should be light-hearted and comedic. This RP is not a Cosmic Horror Story or action story about defeating evil. It is a Slice of Life comedy with some adventure to it, first and foremost. Our previous RP, Convergence, is not representative of the intended tone, and the grimdark tone of that RP is one of the main reasons it was retooled.
- Nominators and tributes alike can transform into Pokemon whenever they enter a Pokemon Mystery Dungeon World (but they can bypass this with certain items/methods or shapeshifting) or via other means outside it such as a season event, Transformation Trinkets, or shapeshifting. The players are free to choose the Pokéforms that best suit their characters and even give them color schemes outside the standard and Shiny colors, but there is a hard rule for this. If you want your character's Pokéform to be a Legendary, Mythical, or Ultra Beast, please ask the RP mods for approval. Outside the Arena, these Pokéforms are still OP, but we want to give leeway for tributes who theoretically can have them such as deities.
- Other rules are covered in the RP guides: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13414403220A81433600&page=1#comment-1
Other guides to help you can be found below:
Here's my opening RP post:
Detective Gamechanger's Base
A sharp-dressed man in a green suit and yellow tie is standing by the entrance of the base. He is of average height and has whitish skin, though still a bit darker. He is Billy, one of the nominators and the organizer of the party.
Indeed, after the nominators' returned and settled their problems, they decide to have fun with a party. Billy also sent invites for all the other nominators out there, as well as basically anyone else, including tributes, non associated parties, interested nominators who haven't participate yet, or even those who just wants to hang out.
The place itself in the base is refurbished for party purposes. Fancy chairs and tables are set everywhere for people to relax, as well as put food and other objects for the latter. There's also various collections showcased, including those belonging to the Detective, like his classic cars. Various themes to the base are set too, including detective noir as GC would have preferred.
Billy is now awaiting for other guests to arrive. He is also ready to give them a pleasant surprise during the party pertaining to his nation.
Edited by Billy5545 on Aug 23rd 2023 at 12:18:55 AM
Not an evil Thievul
Science Center
Glad to see ya again, ma'am. (Kenny says to Julieta.)
Ronny Gold's Castle
(Protect fails as Boo tries to use it again...but of course, the LEGO hammers just bounce harmlessly off Boo's rubbery body since...well, they're just LEGO.)
You got hit, Boo, don't you get smaller? (Friday asks.)
Seriously? (Boo rolls his eyes and compresses himself into a smaller size.) Wonderful!
(Boo tries to get past Haban-Arrow, who continue to spit out fireballs.)
Little Swalot peoples not get past evil Scovillain! Keheheh! (Haban cackles.)
Hmm? (Caedia looks intrigued.) Well, I come from a secluded village called Grassy Valley. Most of the Pokémon that live there are Grass-type, like me. My mother was one of our fine village's greatest warriors, like I am now. My childhood was a lovely one. I would climb to the top of every tree I could find, play with the other village children, and until I was about ten years of age.
(Caedia sighs sadly.) It happened so suddenly. My mother fell ill, and though she recovered, her sickness had left her unable to continue to protect the village. She asked me to train to take her place in our elite group of warriors, and so, from that point on, I trained like I never had before to become Grassy Valley's greatest. Now, you see me as I am today, an exceptionally strong Sceptile who seldom loses a fight. ...I say seldom, as the evil white Fennekin from another world handily bested me in battle.
ZDR
Outside
(The VL energy fades further as Saheeli works, making it a bit safer to approach the pieces and what they're being shaped into.)
Jet Room
Might be worth a shot! No way this thing can't be messed with to make it go from in here to back out. (Ball says.)
(Henry and Tenn enter this room as well.)
I'm not good with tinkering with things, so be my guest. (Tenn says.)
Neither am I, unfortunately. (Henry shrugs.)
Looniversity Room
Aw, I'm glad we found you guys again, too... (June says as Alex hugs the four of them.)
Me next! (August hugs the four as well after Alex lets them go.)
I hope it wears off soon. (Oscar says once the hugs stop.) I know some of Phoebe's potions could only be reversed through one of her "Reset Potions", like her Pirate Potion.
(Then, Oscar realizes something.) ...Wait, we DID have one! Phoebe gave it to us! We were supposed to use it to go back to normal after we were done using the Pirate Potion and I had it in the pocket of the longcoat I was wearing as Captain Montalvo! I lost it when Dark Stanford grabbed us and shocked us back to normal.
(Oscar almost can't help wishing a little that he were Captain Montalvo again. Being a pirate captain for a bit was fun, plus he feels he'd be much stronger than he is now.)
Then maybe it's just inside the book, then! (June says.) It couldn't 'a disappeared with your coat.
Dark Tribute Quarters
At this point, being Atomized is probably the most merciful thing he could have done to them, assuming they weren't Atomized completely. (Veena says. The thought unnerves her, especially with the knowledge that that nearly happened to her and the other 'Brijes, and she's very nervous about this happening to any of them.)
(She ponders Lapis's question.) I can't remember if I ever saw one. Then again, this place changes so much that I'm not sure where to even find one, if it's even functional or even still exists at all. If we have to revive anybody, it might have to be through my pink venom.
Hanubia
Yeah...good luck, alright? (Knox says, turning around a bit hesitantly and moving off back toward where the others are.)
(Knox is mildly tempted to shapeshift into some other form to disguise himself as he returns, but he figures that his options for who or what he could disguise himself as are heavily limited at this point (plus he still isn't super used to having the ability to look like anybody yet), so he remains in his true alebrije form as he heads on, keeping an eye out for any danger along the way.)
Edited by kablammin45 on Mar 15th 2024 at 9:00:45 AM
"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."
Léodagan, the Bloodthirsty
Hanubia
"...Thank you..." Fire Eyes muttered, tired. Blood Moon didn't answer, watching as the coyote left. Both Chozo turned toward the ongoing fight further away.
"How are the X still so numerous? I hoped the Metroids would gain an edge over time."
"Some of them must have stayed behind to reproduce and create new X to replace the fallen. The X don't share a hive mind, but in this case, they are giving their all trying to wear them out to escape." Blood Moon guessed before scoffing.
"We could barely defeat them 30 years ago, an entir trib of seasoned warriors. What makes you think these inferior fools can?"
"I don't know. But what choices do we have?" Fire Eyes said before sighing.
Dark Stanford's lair
"You're right. If we had lost it, we would have definitely heard it while Dark Stanford was chasing us." Aaron said to June, floating toward the book to look for the page with Dess and the others.
"In the meantime, you stay behind. You're still vulnerable in that state, and Dark Stanford will likely focus on you should he spot us." Tokage said to the Unowns.
"Fair enough, miss Pearl. If this can get our friends outside, well... inside, go for it." James said.
"Why the fuck would Dark Stanford even has one? He's more about atomizing people than resurrecting them." Scipion scoffed at Lapis.
"You're married like me, you know monstrosity can take many forms."
Braids From S286 Not Included
The Science Center, Wards
The medical team continues on and finds Dr. Tennelli not too long after, who joins them in the search for the Professor.
"...I'm glad you're able to de-Atomize them. To think that after a certain size, they turn into inanimate balls and then into goop, while Ms. Frizzle managed to shrink her class all the way down to the size of atoms just to clean one teeny, tiny spot on Molly Cule's car!"
"Talk about meticulous!" says Priyanka.
"We witches can just Scourgify the dirt away!" says Mari.
"But yeah... it's one thing to shrink Ralphie and his friends that small for a field trip..." says Ralsei.
"Indeed," says Dr. Phoenix, "But speaking of that, you are not concerned about where your son is going with his teacher, are you?"
"I knew something was up with that 'movie' about his bloodstream when I saw the 'actors' in person," says Dr. Tennelli, "but after that PTA meeting at the haunted house, where my parent group pretended to be bats with Ms. Frizzle, I trust her to take care of him. He's been to so many other places I would never imagine going to, yet he turned out just fine!"
"My daughter and I argued a lot about where she was going with Steven, but her hiding her sword from me was the last straw," says Priyanka. "It didn't take until I saw them fighting those Cluster Gems at the hospital back home to realize I was being too controlling of her, and since then, I allow her to go on all those space adventures. I trust Steven and the Crystal Gems to protect her at ZDR, and I hope they'll make it back safe."
"Sí, I hope so too..." says Julieta.
"Yeah..." adds Ralsei.
"Of course," Dr. Tennelli agrees.
"Rarity, are you okay? We gotta get you and your friends outta here soon!"
Not an evil Thievul
Science Center
I hope my own daughter Tulip is doing alright without me. (Georgina says.) It's been a while since I've been able to see her. But GOODNESS, an entire class inside someone's bloodstream with video cameras? And I thought unusual things happened at my own alma mater. I should meet this Ms. Frizzle.
The gang and I are pretty familiar with her, even if, y'know, we haven't met her ourselves yet. (Kay says.) She's pretty cool.
I dunno 'bout yall, but if I realized there were tiny people filmin' somethin' inside my bloodstream I'd probably lose my mind. (Marian remarks.)
(The Professor can soon be found between helping restore patients back to normal, leaving a hospital room.)
Oh, hello, everyone! (He says, adjusting his glasses as if to confirm who he is looking at.) Is everything going well?
I'd like to think so! (Heidi says.)
ZDR
Looniversity Room
Right. (Oscar nods.)
(Dess and the others are still where they were before.)
Phew, they're right where they were before! (June says.)
(July looks confused when she looks over the pages.) Where's our dad?
Oh, he's the Sharpedo. (Oscar says.) Everyone aside from Dess and Freddy took the Pirate Potion after getting into the book. The Greninja is Shelley and Shelby just changed from one Goodra form to the other.
But who's the green Dragonair? (August asks.)
That's Flotina, a friend we made in the book. She took it, too. (Oscar explains.)
"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."
"I shouldn't have said that. I should not have said that.... anywho, I'm not judging ya for what happened, Bezzy. Just a tad surprised by it, was all."
Léodagan, the Bloodthirsty
Dark Stanford's lair
"Thank goodness they're all okay..." Aaron sighed.
"Oh, so you two made a friend? That's super nice!!" Alex said to Oscar and Lucian.
"So... Do any of you can spot that reset potion? Or do you think we should enter it? Normally w would, but I don't know if we have the time for that with all of the dangers around here." Tokage pondered.
"You're married like me, you know monstrosity can take many forms."
The Fourth-Placers' Revenge
Stanford's Lair
Looniversity Room
"Sounds like quite the adventure," said Tricky. "I'd love to hear about it once we're safe."
Sabre's ears went back at Tokage's suggestion. "Call me crazy, but I don't think... jumping into a book...? at a time like this is the best idea," he said. "Sounds like just boxing ourselves up for Evil Stanford."
"Well, we can't just sit here waiting," said Tricky. "Maybe one of the other books will help, like Connie said?"
"Might be worth a shot," said Sabre, "But we'll have to be quick."
With that, the two began examining other books in search of useful clues.
Tribute Quarters
"A revival machine? Sounds like something worth looking for." Kaidan powered on his omni-tool and began making simple energy scans to help the search.
At Scipion's remark, he shook his head.
"This Stanford wasn't always bad, remember?" he said. "He used to be a normal nominator. No matter what he is now, he might have left some things from that time behind. It's worth a look."
Jet Room
"Good thinking, Garnet," said Shepard. "That way we won't have to worry about noncombatants." Shepard then called up the other team on the comms. "Ash, if you have time, see if you can find a way to get the prisoners off-world while we wait."
"You got it."
With that, the Commander turned to the cat rookie. "Rookie, stand by to help Pearl. I'm more of a soldier than an engineer, but I'll see if mission control can offer anything." Shepard then started doing omni-tool scans of the controls, sending the data back to the lab for analysis.
ZDR, Outside Lair
Saheeli furrowed her brow as the metal changed shape. "Well, that answers that," she said. "The good news is that I can do anything with this metal now. The bad news is that the spell resistance seems to come from the energy - we can't get one without the other."
"It was worth a try," said Rivet. "At least now you can help upgrade the Atomizers too."
"Indeed," said Saheeli. She continued to work with parts of the metal and offered the rest to the others. "Let's see what we can do with this."
At this point, Shepard called in.
"Ash, if you have time, see if you can find a way to get the prisoners off-world while we wait."
"You got it," said Ashley. She took a moment to bring up the map they'd gotten, looking for spaceship hangers and similar, before turning back to the others.
"Krystal, Kyte, rookie, you three can scout out a path," she said. "Don't go too far, but if you find a ship we can use, report back at once."
"Of course," said Krystal. Kyte nodded in agreement, and the wolf gave a salute. The three then set off to check for exit routes.
Ashley took up watch, and Rivet and Saheeli set about using the extra metal they now had to upgrade another Atomozoid's cannon for more efficiency.
I like cute things. You gotta deal with it.
Not an evil Thievul
ZDR
Corrupted Tribute Quarters
(Veena nods.) You're right. If this Stanford was like the good Stanford at one point, then maybe there's still SOME remnant of it somewhere. (She says.) We just need to know where to look.
Looniversity Room
Yeah, it sounds like it was a fun adventure! (June agrees with Tricky.)
They're right, I don't think we have time to go in ourselves and we don't want to make ourselves. (Oscar says in response to Sabre.) But maybe we can let them know that we're looking for the potion somehow.
How are we supposed to do that? Can they even hear us? (July asks. She picks up a book and looks inside, only to find more incomprehensible word vomit.) Dear Dialga, I feel like I would cause something bad to happen trying to read this out loud...At this point we might as well just look for SOMETHING around here that can help and isn't just full of garbage words and pictures.
(August then presses her face against the pages of the pirate book and and just shouts into it:) OY!! IS THERE ONE OF PHOEBE'S RESET DOOHICKEYS IN THERE WITH YA?! MY SISTER AND HER FRIENDS ARE UNOWNS!!
That's one way t' do it! (June laughs.)
Is that even going to work? (July asks.)
We heard Dark Stanford the first time he made himself known to us. Maybe it might work? (Oscar says.)
Only one way to find out! (August turns the page. The group now sees "Odessa" triumphantly holding the Reset Potion over her head, with Shelley and Shelby in particular both visibly relieved.)
Hey, I think Dess found it! They musta heard you, August! (June says.)
Great! (August turns the page again, and "Odessa" now has the potion extremely close to the foreground as if trying to push it out of the book.)
Now all we have to do is get it out...somehow. (July says.)
Dark Stanford just reached into it before, but I don't know if he was able to do that because of the powers he has. (Oscar says.) Does anybody think we could figure out a way to reach into it?
OT!Stanford's Quarters
(OT!Stanford has just finished the process of creating a series of new bracers (which were made in a hurry) and affixed them to the Equestrians and Reba and Les. He is currently standing in front of the now-empty capsules that they had all been in.)
(Dark No-Feet drops in again.) I take it you're ready to sic 'em on the heroes?
(OT!Stanford glares at Dark No-Feet a moment.) Essentially. I've set the new bracers they are wearing to be as punishing toward the invaders as possible, so that they'll be so demoralized that they lose the will to defy me! (He says.) I've specifically directed Reba and Les to seek out their daughter, and Twilight to go after a certain fellow with them who goes by "CAC" because of the connection she has with him...what a confounding name.
So you hope to have them crack just as easily as I broke IN and Changbin, hmm? (Dark No-Feet asks.)
Yes! (OT!Stanford says.) And once they're all either dead or have had their spirits broken, I'll take care of them...and then I'll dispose of the Equestrians and the dinosaurs. I'll have no further need for them afterward.
You sound so certain that this will work. (Dark No-Feet remarks.)
(OT!Stanford snarls.) OF COURSE I AM CERTAIN! I AM THE TRUE STANFORD STOKES!! I THINK EVERYTHING THROUGH!! NOW GO AWAY AND LEAVE ME BE!!
(Dark No-Feet wordlessly disappears and OT!Stanford goes back to what he was doing.)
Edited by kablammin45 on Mar 17th 2024 at 6:04:24 AM
"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."
Braids From S286 Not Included
The Arena
Bloodbath and Day 1
As soon as the horn s— w84tvuar[ibaurt9v uq9tb40trimt0as]tiERROR 404: Season Not Found. Restarting...
As soon as th— 93n8mvi03tI0RUTVNQ8TVUQEIOTbe[ivkafl
ERROR 404: Season Data Corrupted. Restoring last save state...
At long last, the latest season resumes after the Gamemakers fix the glitch caused by the VL-tainted computers when Ned and the Pi Waddle Dees were nominated. They can't promise that it won't happen again, but it's the best they can do. The Sprite S somehow signals everyone to listen to what Katniss has to say about it, but Nimona rolls her eyes at how boring it is and makes off to the Cornucopia. She sees Maka receive weapons from the latter's nominator and groans.
"Ugh, I already had my sparring match with the Boss before coming here, but it would've been awesome if 6k1 gave me some cool weapons to complement my powers!"
Just as she's about to turn into a pink gorilla and thrash the Cornucopia, she hears Ballister's voice boom on the Arena speakers.
"Calm down! I'm sure our nominator is confident that you can win this with just your shapeshifting! Show 'em what you've got!"
Her eyes go on fire as she runs out of the Cornucopia, grows her demon wings and tail, and prepares to take off.
"Watch out everyone, 'cuz things are gonna get METAL!"
"And there she goes!" Ballister shouts from the hosting box as she flies off.
Once the main host returns, the knight gives his thanks for being chosen for the part-time job, and then steps back down to the Arena. He checks the time on the clock tower, but for some reason, it skips from 3:13PM Arena Standard Time to 3:15PM.
"Is it broken or something?" he wonders, but he doesn't have the time to inspect it, so instead, he puts up Missing posters of 3:14PM around the Arena.
But then a loud BONK! stops him in his tracks. He turns around to see Heathcliff whack an older alternate Asgore hard at the back of his head with his baseball bat, instantly turning him into dust making his SOUL linger for a bit before breaking apart. Ballister just stops and stares as the other tributes, including Nimona, cheer for Asgore's death through song.
"CAN'T STOP ME NOW!" she belts out while making the "throwin' the horns" gesture on both hands. She gets weird looks from the others because they were singing a different song, but she continues singing hers, anyway.
Night 1 and Day 2
That night, Nimona meets up with Mania and cheers at how similar they both look.
"Rockin' hard with how poppin' pink you are, huh?" says the shapeshifter. "Well, I bet you'd look good in EVERYTHING! That color suits you well just as it does for me!"
She then demonstrates her rapid shapeshifting to Mania and ends it with her going back to normal and making a "TA-DA!" pose.
Meanwhile, Ballister gets ambushed by the number e, which bludgeons him on the head with a chicken.
"Should've... put on... my helmet..." he mutters before collapsing on the ground bleeding out.
Unaware of her friend's death, Nimona tries out Professor Rocket's Pretty Patties the next day and suddenly changes colors. She groans as she tries to turn back into her pink color scheme, a reverse of what she did when she perfectly disguised herself as Ambrosius by removing all the pink on her body, and to her surprise, she manages to do it.
"Ha, joke's on you, Prof!" she says as she swipes another Pretty Patty and gets away.
She then runs into Chameleos, which tells her that it dislikes her and Kit slightly less than everyone else.
"So you're saying we're friends?" she snarks.
Night 2 and Day 3
Later that night, Nimona disguises herself as one of Snow's bodyguards and sneaks into his mansion. She finds his computer with several open browser tabs and sneaks a peek at one of them, but she screams and slithers away as a snake before Snow or the Peacekeepers can notice her. Whatever Snow was searching for, it was just as bad as the Director's master plan to assassinate the queen... or even worse.
The next day, Nimona runs into a Purugly, which tries cursing her with bad luck. Nimona doesn't feel anything, and scoffs and goes the other way, but instead of tripping or losing control of her shapeshifting, she finds a mound of dirt surrounded by four-leaf clovers at the end of a rainbow. She grins as she turns into a mole and digs up the pot of gold.
"Oh YEEEEEES! This must be my luckiest day! Thank you, random ugly cat!"
The Science Center
Wards
[[gold:"We are just checking in on you, Professor. How has your shift?"]] asks Dr. Phoenix.
Safety Shelter
6k1 facepalms at Ballister's death.
"Should've gone with green tributes..." she mutters, "but at least Nimona's still going strong!"
"Green tributes? Why?" asks Juan.
"For Season 317 — St. Patrick's Day... and my birthday!"
"What, really?! It's my birthday, too! Wish we could celebrate it under better circumstances, but I'm glad we're still alive despite everything."
"Yeah..."
She looks wistfully at her a-spec rings, which Ally gifted her for her birthday last EP year. They were among the best gifts she's ever had.
Underground Bunker
Spice takes Pepper to another side of the Rec Room to distract him from the somber subject. Once they're out of earshot, Bezier then opens his locket and shows the others the selfie of him and Vivi, trying not to cry. As he tells them how he failed to save her from suicide, he presses his locket against his chest and sniffles, and Power gently wraps her hoof around him.
"So was that why you were so scared for CAC's data clone that season?"
"Y-Yes... he looked like a new friend, b-but I didn't want to lose him like Vivi... and the real CAC's still on that accursed planet, trying to save us from Raven Beak and Dark Stanford but believing that people will still see him as an 'irredeemable monster' despite that... all because of what he did to Asriel so many seasons ago..."
Power slightly tightens her hug. "Don't worry about him, he and Asgore are alright and 6k1 helped them make amends. But as for CAC? There's nothing much we can do but hope that those with him can talk him out of it."
"I know..." Bezier hangs his head low, "...but at the very least 6k1 and Jimmy — was that his name? — texted him to assure him that despite everything, I'm rooting for him... they're rooting for him... we're all rooting for him. I really, really hope that he genuinely went out there to save us all from Raven Beak and Dark Stanford."
"I hope so, too."
The rest of her family agrees. Bezier then checks the EP calendar on Ichi's phone.
"And hey... isn't it my birthday today?"
"Is that so?"
"Yeah! And I bet Vivi would've loved to celebrate it with us!"
He smiles wistfully at his locket again.
Dark Stanford's Lair
Outside
Peridot takes the scrap metal and crafts an Anti-Magic Ray Gun that can fire both lasers and a forcefield that surrounds herself and has the same durability as Steven's bubble shield. She then waits for word from the team inside to connect the teleporter to the outside.
Looniversity Classroom
Connie joins Tricky and Saber in finding a book that's not full of garbled text while Steven and Bismuth check out the pirate book.
"Hey, we can just pull that potion out of there! Think your grappling hook can do it?"
Bismuth promptly turns her hand into one. "We'll see!"
Teleporter Room
Pearl examines the control panel and tries tinkering with it.
"I wonder what the correct combination is so that I can change it to 'INSIDE'..."
Corrupted Quarters
"Don't look at me, Steven asked me for this out of the blue." Lapis side-eyes Scipion. "But if we can't find any, at least we got you, Veena. Hope you don't turn into a Nightmare when we need your pink venom..."
Dark Stanford's Quarters
Unknown to everyone inside the lair, Twilight leads her friends, Spike, Discord, and Flash Magnus walk out of the lab, their eyes dead with static. They move around eerily yet steadily, kind of like Ally's backup bodies when the Central Unit hacked them. The heroes can't hear or detect them just yet, for they're just starting to make their way several stories down. Discord chuckles creepily and feels tempted to just teleport everycreature right in front of them, but Twilight glares at him and snorts.
"We make them feel dread first," she says, her voice deeper and flatter than usual. "We shall continue walking, and soon they will cower at the sound of our footsteps... and when they cannot move a muscle anymore, that's when we strike them right in their hearts. Figuratively... or literally."
Discord groans and crosses his mismatched arms. "Fine fine, have it your way, Princess. Perhaps I can try messing with them from a distance, at least?"
"In what way?"
He rubs his hands together and smirks. "Since you do not want me to go all out with my chaos just yet, I shall do some 'remodeling' of where they are right now. The changes will be teensy at first, but over time, they will wonder if this place is more haunted than it already is, until finally, we can hear them SCREAM!"
He makes his Evil Laugh as thunder claps behind him, even inside.
"Be careful there, Discord, do not underestimate these 'heroes'. The nominators chose them to capture us for a reason, but they do not realize that they made a TERRIBLE mistake." Twilight looks at the twisted stairs up ahead. "And they shall PAY for that... ESPECIALLY that nightmare who nearly timewrecked Asriel Dreemurr!"
Edited by TroperNo9001 on Mar 19th 2024 at 12:55:39 AM
"Rarity, are you okay? We gotta get you and your friends outta here soon!"
Léodagan, the Bloodthirsty
Dark Stanford's lair
"Y-Yeah it was... nice." Lucian said before looking at the book.
"W-Well... I remember Dess opening the book... and we got inside directly." Lucian finally spoke up.
"Then I guess that hook thing can work to pull the potion here. Normally I woud try to reach for it but... I don't really have arms right now." Aaron said.
"Hey, we do, in case Bismuth can't do it with her grappling hook." Alex said.
"Once it's done, we should resume our search. The others still need us. Squishy especially..." Tokage muttered.
"I hope he is alright..." Aaron said, looking at Oscar and Lucian, the latter lowering his eye in worry.
"Yeah, he used to. Doesn't mean that crazy moron kept those old things around." Scipion grunted to himself.
Freyja silently looked at Veena upon realizing that she might be their only hope should someone actually die.
She then thought about Knox, wondering how he was doing.
"Here's an idea. Maybe you should communicate with Peridot and the others outside? She might know how this works." Nick suggested.
Edited by Scipion3 on Mar 18th 2024 at 12:34:32 PM
"You're married like me, you know monstrosity can take many forms."
Braids From S286 Not Included
The Arena
Suddenly, Belladonna sets off an explosive in the dead of night, blasting away Nimona, Caelus, Flea, and Ron. Nimona dramatically screams as she's flung into the air, but she rights herself with her wings and laughs at Belladonna.
"Ha! Didja REALLY think you can take me out just like that?! I've had worse, y'know!"
She then turns into an eagle and dive-bombs into Belladonna at the same time as the other would-be victims attacking her for it. They all tear her apart, and Nimona chuckles sadistically before flying away, "forgetting" to attend a gender reveal party that only Chansome showed up for, naked.
The next day, she, back in her human form, finds a metal detector and searches her camp for some ancient underground ruins. She grins when her device beeps, and she turns into a mole again and starts digging. However, she only finds a metal bottlecap and a steel sheet engraved with a random drawing.
"Ugh, guess that cat's good luck charm ran out..."
"Rarity, are you okay? We gotta get you and your friends outta here soon!"
"Hoo boy... That explains a lot. And I thought Pow-Pow had issues. I honestly dunno what to say, but I do think therapy and friendship lessons would do you a world of good. Nothing wrong with getting help, Bezzy, especially if you've got such a Dark and Troubled Past. And since it's your birthdays, let's lighten the mood a tad."
He gives Power a ponified version of Chainsaw Man!Power's outfit
◊ and Bezier a ponified version of Denji's outfit.
◊
Edited by IchigoMontoya on Mar 18th 2024 at 12:59:44 PM
Safety shelter
Stacy: Really? Happy birthday then, 6k1 and Juan!
Looniversity room
CAC: Good thing you're all okay, June, Aaron, and all your friends. I assumed you were all dead and was starting to blame myself. Just like when I accidentally gave Asriel that nightmare... and I never knew I had a Freddy Krueger side. Even though I can't actually invade people's dreams.
Edited by CosmosAndChaos on Mar 18th 2024 at 4:47:29 PM
Not an evil Thievul
Science Center
Oh, just brilliantly! My compacted restoration device is working like a dream. (The Professor says.)
Glad to hear it. Sounds like everybody’s doin' just fine in here. (Heidi says.)
ZDR
Outside
Can’t help wishing I had cued up Gray Matter so I could help now. (Ben remarks.)
Looniversity Room
(Thankfully, once Bismuth tries to do so, she’ll successfully be able to pull the Reset Potion out from the book with her grappling hook…but partially pulling "Odessa" out with it as the white Zoroark wasn’t expecting a grappling hook.)
'Hoy there, Cap'n Montalvo! ("Odessa" says to Oscar and Lucian.) Heard you were needin' a cure for a pirate’s curse?
Y-Yes, I-I mean, aye! I mean…Dess, get back in there! It’s not safe for you out here! (Oscar says.)
Huh? I don’t see Dess 'round here, but gettin' back in the book sounds like a good idea. ("Odessa" says, looking around for "Dess".) Good luck, mateys!
("Odessa" disappears back into the book, leaving the Reset Potion with Bismuth.)
Jet Room
I am not an expert on this, but perhaps it may be simpler than we think? (Cleo asks.)
(After Nick’s suggestion, Wanda looks down at her Power Suit.) Hey, yeah, maybe I can call them through this or something…except that they probably aren’t wearing Power Suits either.
But we still have other ways to communicate! (Henry points out, showing off his communicator.)
Dark Tribute Quarters
I hope not either… (Veena says. She’s nervous enough as it is being in this room without the rest of the remaining 'Brijes. The fact that she could potentially be their last hope makes her anxious.) …Keep looking around, everyone.
Elsewhere in the Lair
(Reba and Les, in their brainwashed state, say nothing as they look up the stairs with the others, specifically out to find Wanda.)
Hanubia
(Knox stops to rest en route to the lair, leaning against a wall. It seems like it’s taking longer since he feels he has more he has to watch out for.)
(He’s still keeping an eye out for Joaquin, though at the same time, he dreads having to see how Joaquin is now.)
Sonny…. (Knox mutters before starting to continue on.)
(There is a loud thud as something lands behind him. Knox spins around just in time to see Joaquin, in his Nightmare form, tackle him to the ground.)
Sonny!! (Knox gasps in horror upon seeing Joaquin’s skeletal face staring down at him.)
Papa…jOin Us… (Joaquin hisses.)
(Much like Veena though, being in direct contact with Joaquin does nothing to change Knox, despite how horrified Knox is at seeing Joaquin in Nightmare form.)
(Then, to make matters worse, both Colby and Sticky shamble in from the shadows, both in Nightmare form and the accessories they usually wear decayed like Joaquin’s are. Knox starts to shake as Joaquin holds him…and yet he still doesn’t turn.)
Sonny, listen to me, I’m gettin' the stone back, and you and everyone else back to normal. We all ain’t gonna end up like this. You hear me? (Knox says.)
(Nightmare!Joaquin grips Knox tighter as if to try to force Knox to turn, but there’s still no effect on Knox.)
DO IT!! EMBRACE IT!! (Colby and Sticky hiss.)
(Joaquin finally releases Knox and shakes his head at Colby and Sticky. He turns back to Knox and his head and jaw twist around much like with Veena, trying to force words out.)
GoOd…LuCk…pApa… (Joaquin finally says.)
(He turns to Nightmare!Colby and Nightmare!Sticky and emits a screech at them. The three of them then disappear into the shadows.)
(Knox stares after the direction they went for a moment before sighing and continuing on toward the Lair.)
Edited by kablammin45 on Mar 18th 2024 at 1:28:53 AM
"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."
Léodagan, the Bloodthirsty
Dark Stanford's lair
"Hey, that wasn't your fault. Dark Stanford and his minions just caught us off guard. We are the ones who should have been more careful." Aaron said to CAC. Lucian didn't say much but looked gratefully at him too.
"Dess!" Tokage exclaimed when "Odessa" partially got out.
"Wew, now we have the potion!! But how do we make you drink it? Should we just... douse it on you?" Alex asked.
"Possibly." James said to Cleo.
"Hurry it up, then. Dark Stanford might know we're already here. We don't have much time." Arthur urged.
"Yeah, sure... Well I don't see anything remotely useful here. Can't we move on already? We have a crazy fox to deal with." Scipion groaned in impatience.
Edited by Scipion3 on Mar 18th 2024 at 9:28:41 AM
"You're married like me, you know monstrosity can take many forms."
The Fourth-Placers' Revenge
NTC's Lab
Nought looked over the results from last season before giving a begrudging nod. "All right, you win this time, fennec," she said. "It seems the warbot did respectably after all."
"I told you she'd pull through!" said Cassandra Beech, swishing her tail eagerly. "She's now our second-best killer of all time, tied with the khenra twins - and she did it singlehandedly!" She turned to the robotic cat next to her. "Bet you're proud of your fellow machine, huh?"
"I try not to let our tributes' organic or inorganic natures bias me, Miss Beech," said Majel. "Nonetheless, her performance is to be commended."
"So what's on the agenda for next season?" asked Nought. "I hope it's not generic soldiers again."
"Far from it, Nought!" the fennec said. "Have a look!"
She powered on a pair of cloning chambers, and the season's latest tributes took form inside. Both were human women, but in start contrast with one another: The first was bald and hardened-looking, covered from head to toe in tattoos and scars, while the other looked more refined, with dark brown hair and unblemished skin.
"Behold, the psychotic biotic and the Cerberus cheerleader!" Cassandra said proudly. "Talented, powerful, used to working outside the rules, and..."
She paused, her eyes widening and ears going back as the realisation hit.
"...probably best sent in separate groups!" she finished.
Nought's ears perked up. "A tribute betrayal in the making?" the jackal-demon said. "Now this I've got to see."
"I must wonder what our employer was thinking pairing them up," said Majel. "Still, if they can work together under the Commander, perhaps they can put their differences aside long enough to win the Games."
"Perhaps," said Nought, "but it should be amusing either way."
"Then let's get some Arena escorts for them!" Cassandra said. "We'll want them in by the time the boss gets back!"
I like cute things. You gotta deal with it.
Braids From S286 Not Included
The Arena
That night, Nimona reminisces the time she disguised herself as a young boy to scare her enemies with her creepiness. She wishes she has the opportunity to do so again, and Ishmael, with lemon eyes due to her possession by one, puts the Burger King's crown on her and declares her as the new Burger King.
"As you wish!" says Nimona as she brielfy shapeshifts into the mascot, pink beard and all.
The next day, Nimona smells Caelus's "Caelus Steam" from the distance and gags and covers her mouth before running away. She then finds a green Koopa shell and sits on it, then slides it down the hill as far away from the stench as possible. She hollers as she briefly shapeshifts into a Princess Peach-colored Mario, since she recalls seeing him at the Reaping.
But suddenly, strange beams of light strike the other tributes and turn them into animals.
"Haha, joke's on them! I can already turn myself into those!"
Nimona tries sliding away from the chaos, but her hubris gets the best of her, for she gets attacked by Churchill the Crocodile, who death rolls her around before gobbling her up.
The Science Center
Wards
"That is great to hear!" says Dr. Phoenix. "There are still a few more patients, but I think my staff can take it from here. Thank you so much for your help!"
"You're welcome!" says Ralsei.
"De nada!" says Julieta.
"We are glad to be of your assistance," add Priyanka and Dr. Tennelli.
The latter then checks her watch, which was set to the local time in Walkerville.
"I think I should be going. I hope Ralphie's doing alright."
"Me too, I have to make breakfast for mi familia tomorrow," says Julieta.
"While I gotta go home and check on Queen!" adds Ralsei. "I wonder how she did in the Death Battle..."
"But Dr. Phoenix?" asks Priyanka. "Is it okay if I stay here until Connie is done with her mission? I think she'll return here after it, and I want to hear from her face-to-face before she goes home."
Safety Shelter
6k1 rolls her eyes at Nimona's death, but before she can comment on how ironic it is, her assistants approach her to greet the DMs a happy birthday as well, while Justice, Sophie, and Rua nod and wave to them from a distance.
"Thank you all!" she and Juan say.
"I understand if you don't have anything for me," 6k1 adds, "tough times, am I right?"
Understandable, says Ally.
"I'll just cuddle you if that's alright!" says Mimi as she jumps on her mother's lap.
6k1 smiles and pets her back.
"But speaking of gifts..." says Juan, "PV should've gotten me one right now, even if it's something she cobbled together from the stuff she found here."
"As I just said, it's okay if you don't get one this EP year. She must going through tough times, too."
"Right..."
Underground Bunker
Bezier wipes his tears on his sleeves and smiles at Ichi. "Yeah, I'll see about talking to Dusk about this when I'm ready, but the Shelter peeps truly helped me cope with it, and I thank them for it."
"Glad they were understanding of you," says Power.
Spice then returns with Pepper and sees her and Bezier getting their gifts.
"Everything alright there, Bez?" asks Spice.
"I guess so! Just needed to get that off my chest."
His ears then quickly perk up. "But wow, Ichi, you can pull out new clothes out of thin air like Bubble Berry?!"
Power laughs. "Actually, he plans them all in advance and has his droids sew 'em up! Isn't that right, Ich?"
"But anyway, let's go and change!"
They both go to the bathrooms to do so.
Dark Stanford's Lair
Looniversity Classroom
"I don't get it... how did you still manage to do that?" Steven asks CAC.
"Wait, ya did?" asks Bismuth as she tosses her hook hand into the pirate book. She was still poofed when CAC told Lapis and Peridot about Asriel's nightmare. "But save that for later, will ya?" she tells Steven as then fishes out the Reset Potion with ease, along with "Dread Pirate Odessa".
"Haha, looks like I reeled in a big one! But thanks for that, Dess!"
She then gives the potion to Alex and sees the Hisuian Zoroark off.
Meanwhile, Connie is still searching the shelves for helpful books when several of them suddenly fly out and swarm her, Tricky, and Sabre. A few more fly towards Steven, Bismuth, and the others and surround them, too.
"Hey, what's going on?!" asks Steven as he summons Rose's shield.
"Probably just Voidlands stuff," Connie calls out to him as she swings her sword at the flying books.
"Still, watch out!" says Bismuth as she changes her hook hand into a racket again to try swatting the books away. "They've got teeth!"
Teleporter Room
"Sure, go ahead," Pearl tells Henry, "Peridot lost her tablet, so I can't call her, anyway."
But as she continues tinkering, the control panel suddenly flickers, followed by the cabin lights. The seats also creak loudly, making Pearl cringe and Garnet and Amethyst go on their battle stances.
"What was that?!"
"What did you expect? This place is like a twisted funhouse/haunted house."
"Whatever monster's gonna jump out at us, I'm coming for ya!"
The control panel should still be reparable despite the glitch, but Pearl can't seem to concentrate on it at the moment.
Corrupted Quarters
Right after Scipion complains, the floor starts to ripple. Lapis nearly loses her balance as it starts liquefying under her feet, but she quickly summons her wings and pulls herself out.
"Hurry, we must go before this all becomes quicksand!"
The floor beneath the others hasn't become soft yet, but it will soon, so they must act fast.
Elsewhere in Dark Stanford's Lair
The Equestrians descend to the lower floors, and Discord cackles as he works his chaos magic on the Looniversity books, the teleporter room's lighting and seats, and the quarters' floor, while watching the heroes on three floating surveillance screens he conjured, one for each room. He tries not to make his magic too obvious, but he'll add some tells later once his group gets closer. However, the prisoners can now be detected by anyone with the appropriate powers or devices, but not immediately depending on how strong they are.
Edited by TroperNo9001 on Mar 18th 2024 at 9:02:35 PM
"Rarity, are you okay? We gotta get you and your friends outta here soon!"
"That's right, Pow-Pow."
CAC: (To Steven) No, actually, I didn't do anything. Asriel was the only one who... (Sees the living books swarming everyone) well, damn!
(CAC turns his, Dick's, and Elfin's staves into swords, and tries to slice some of the books with his)
Not an evil Thievul
Shelter
(It's at this point that Polar Vortex finally returns to where 6k1 and Juan are at. She is carrying a small gift bag.)
Hey, everyone! Sorry this is late, I was so wrapped up worrying about Stasia I almost forgot it was your birthday, Juan! (PV says.)
(She gives him...a stack of art magazines.)
...Sorry, it was the best I could come up with on such short notice. (PV says.)
Science Center
It was a pleasure to help! (The Professor says.)
Indeed it was! What an amazing place this hospital is... (Georgina says, looking around again.)
ZDR
Looniversity Room
(July gasps and fires a Flamethrower at a couple of the books.) The books are attacking us?!
Guys, hurry up and take the potion! I think we're in trouble! (August urges June and the others, putting the pirate book back into her mane.)
(June and Oscar quickly float over to the potion and, with not many other options, just dunk themselves partially into it.)
(Luckily, it's enough, and after a couple of seconds they quickly begin growing back into their usual selves.)
Whew! That was fun, but I sure am glad to have arms, legs, and two eyes again! (June giggles once the four of them are all back to normal.)
Same here. (Oscar says, waggling his newly-regained tail a bit.)
Corrupted Quarters
(Veena gasps as the floor seems to lose its form underneath her.)
Everyone grab onto me! (She says to anyone not able to fly, flapping her own wings to get up off the floor.)
Jet Room
(Henry pulls out his communicator and attempts to contact Rivet.) Come in, citizens! We might need your-...
(Henry, Tenn, and the others freeze as something causes the room to shake.)
Can anybody tell if something is approaching? (Greta asks.)
...Hey, maybe I can. (Wanda says, trying to work her Power Suit to try to detect something moving around.)
(Henry goes back to his communicator.) We may be in a bit of a pickle... (He says.)
Edited by kablammin45 on Mar 19th 2024 at 8:47:16 AM
"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."
Léodagan, the Bloodthirsty
Dark Stanford's lair
"Huh?? Hey!!" Alex exclaimed, using Flamethrower alongside July to keep the books away. Lucian and Aaron also quickly used the potion on themselves, regrowing into their normal forms.
"Finally..." Aaron said. Gesturing at Oscar and Lucian to stay behind, he also used an Aura Sphere on the books to keep them away.
"W-What??" James exclaimed, startled.
"And crap." Arthur hissed.
"Don't think I can... But maybe Wanda can?" Nick asked, looking at her Power Suit.
"Ksh..." Freyja grunted, having been quick enough to leap and dig her claws on a wall.
"WHAT?" Scipion screamed, only for Onox to immediately grab him and launch him at Veena before following suit by grabbing her too.
"You're married like me, you know monstrosity can take many forms."
(Norton and M-Frame data clone Skullomania and his Gender Bender self from when he was in Kukri's tournament, and inform Skullomania of it.)
Norton: It's up to you to use the VR system or not for either data clone, given the chances of getting Timewrecked are slim, but they are there.
(Skullomania accepts, controlling the male clone)
What, me worry?
Ronny Gold's Castle
Ronny listened to Caedia spilling her heart out, feeling sympathy for her story. Then a sparkle of fear came over him after hearing about Fennekin.Fennekin? Who's that? Ronny asked, concerned.
Dagded Dujardin
The Rooms
Corrupted Quarters
Suddenly the floor became as quicksand, sinking those who weren't able to jump out of there. Bale managed to get himself unstuck by using one his flight gadgets to rise above the ground.
Bale: I'm okay over here, how's everyone else?
Jet Room
Rouki was unfazed by the horrific sounds.
Rouki: Why do you even fear, this is a nice relaxing atmosphere for me.
Kirby: Hmm, I wish I could help with the teleporter but I know nothing about mechanics, do you Mr. Me-Rouki?
Rouki: Maybe the other one does, but not me.
He then crossed his arms and waited for the repairs to go through. Though attempting to relax and meditate in the meanwhile he felt something terrible was coming to them through instinct and got on guard.
Rouki: Trouble might come soon, be prepared or perish I won't babysit any of you.
Looniversity
Suddenly books and more things attacked, Garnet and Pearl easily deflected the attackers, Pearl expertly parried their attacks, if anything it was a good warm-up. They moved over to help Steven, Bismuth and Connie, with Garnet setting one of her fists on fire.
Garnet: Could've foreseen this if this wasn't so bizarre.
Garnet tried to punch one away.
Pearl: They just keep coming and coming. I hope the others are doing well enough in their own endeavors.
They looked over their shoulders to see that nothing went wrong that they might not notice.
Edited by VengefulBale on Mar 21st 2024 at 1:48:55 PM
"Bingo! If two species hate each other, they will wipe each other out on their own."
Ronny Gold's Castle
(" Time to make things interesting, Ronny thought to himself, liking everything going on so far.)Yes, good, pirahna plants, keep him busy! I'm taking the princess to another castle! You'll have to find me to save her! Ronny chucked a few more hammers at Boo before storming out of the LEGO room, lugging Caedia away down the hallways before turning into another room. He made sure Boo didn't follow before going inside. The room itself is styled like a movie theater, with big screen, the seats, and a projector. An old popcorn machine stood by the entrance. He took Caedia further on down, and hid themselves in the front row.
I have to say, I'm surprised you're all going along with this, he whispered to Caedia. I usually have trouble getting people to play along. But you're all good sports. This is the most fun I've ever had in sometime. You play the part of damsel in distress very well. I even liked Boo's enthusiastic "Mama mia"! And I'll admit Haban and I didn't see eye-to-eye at first, but I think we're hitting it off. You're all cool people, glad you came to my castle. While we wait for Boo to come on in, what's your story? Ronny enjoyed the roleplay, but he also wanted to get to know his new friends. Wasn't often he had some.