b3a5ae No.2596
The hall before you is covered in trash, the refuse of a thousand barflies. Hanging by a thread, a banner reads "CLUB SKINS"; however, someone has painted the word "EDGE" over the second half of the banner.
The whole place is lit in a blue-tinted light that stings your eyes and leaves splotchy shadows on the walls.
Around the corner, lights flash--a steady beat of shining purple. There is no music, or, rather, nothing you would call music.
Behind you, the door clicks shut, and a slightly more insistent click points out that you've been locked inside.
>This area is accessed via a purple-tinted, freestanding door in an alley in Canterlot.
ecc024 No.2614
Shudleng cracks his neck, and begins shifting. Anyone watching would see his skin shift and crawl over his form, bulging in odd places, teeth forming and then disappearing underneath skin.
Then, he looks normal. A big grin is across his face.
"Club skins, huh? I'm ready to show these "demons" that they have no idea how horrifying things can really get."
ecc024 No.2615
He begins moving forward, ready to burst at the seams towards anybody that seems vaguely threatening.
b3a5ae No.2616
>>2614
>>2615
The sound of something being smashed, over and over, echoes through the hall. The sound of metal on flesh.
Around the corner...
...the main room is massive. The ground is covered in iron plating, the walls in stone slabs. To each slab, an equine is nailed--pinned by massive, rusted syringes. They thrash around, seeking freedom.
At the back of the room, a massive statue waits, circled by a spiral staircase.
And in the center of the room, Dawn's copy sits, with a hammer.
WHAM
crunch
"Heheh, hehehahahhahahahAHAHAHAHA!"
He brings the hammer down upon his own hoof, watching the blood drip from the mangled end of his foreleg.
"Hahahah, hah, haah...oh? Someone new."
He turns his eyes upon you.
"Oh, you're not who I was expecting at all!"
ecc024 No.2617
>>2616
"Are you sure about that? Who are you expecting? I'm sure I could probably provide!"
He laughs darkly.
"So, pain, then? Is that it? It seems oddly... banal. What's this place even for?"
b3a5ae No.2618
>>2617
"This is Dawn's Other World. And I'm Dawn's Shadow, his true self."
Dawn's Shadow lurches to its hooves, dangling the injured leg.
"I was expecting Dawny to show up. It's been so long since I last saw him. He's such a stuck-up little prick, isn't he?"
The shadow laughs. "Such a stick in the mud. He needs to find out what's really in him."
The shadow flings his foreleg outward, gesturing to the walls (and sending a few bits of crushed bone arcing away).
"He could have so much fun! He's got all the excitement he could ever want. Sex, booze...punching bags. Y'know, HOOFEN agents at his rank are practically immune to the law. Above the law. If he wants to go kill Princess Celestia? He could. He'd get away with it. They'd call him a hero for it."
ecc024 No.2619
>>2618
"Gotcha, so it was Dawn's. Alright. I can do that."
The change is almost too quick. Dawn is standing there, but there's something... wrong. It's just the little things. His mouth is too wide. The grin looks like it should belong on the shadow. Looking close, he really shouldn't have multiple rows of teeth behind the first.
He looks to the fake. "So what comes next? I'm here, what, I get tortured for an eternity?"
b3a5ae No.2620
YouTube embed. Click thumbnail to play.
>>2619
"Not quite. First of all, I know it's you in there."
Other Dawn grins. It doesn't quite match yours; he's missing a couple teeth.
"Second, he only gets tortured if he fails the test. Oh! Not supposed to say that."
He laughs, and lifts into the air, wings shedding feathers as he flaps.
"When he gets here, tell him to meet me at the usual place! I've got a surprise for him! Oh, speakin' of surprises...!"
He flaps away, as something resembling music starts to ring in your ears.
Three points in space before you suddenly grow dark. It's as if someone lit a sort of primordial anti-fire, casting shadows where a fire would cast light.
Out of the darkness float a trio of strange objects. Their bodies are concentric rings, with odd runes carved upon them; the rings spin rapidly, and you can feel a wicked power building within them.
>Fighting in this plane of existence is metaphorical. Your weapons are not merely weapons, but extensions of your will.
>But before we get into that...there are two ways to fight here.
>One is to make all the decisions yourself. Your choices will be unaffected by rolls, but you will still need to make them wisely, as the enemy can fight just as well as you can. Careful study of their weaknesses will be required.
>The other choice is to let the dice fall where they may. You'll still get a bonus for using weaknesses, but you'll also stand a chance of failing. Some of the burden of choice is removed, though.
>Use VATS Dice, or Use Tactics?
ecc024 No.2621
>>2620
>tactics work great
b3a5ae No.2622
YouTube embed. Click thumbnail to play. >>2621
>Very well.
Three Deadly Smiles approach!
VERSE 1
Mainbeat!
>During the Mainbeat, you will get 1 action. Barring some particularly special abilities, you won't get more than one.
>To use that action, preface it with >. You can still get fancy with your descriptions, just make sure the >command is somewhere in there.
>Since so much weight is on what you choose...
These things must be the cannon-fodder of this place. A basic >Attack should do the trick.
b3a5ae No.2623
ecc024 No.2624
>One of Dawn's wings twists in it's socket screechingly and launches forward, the wings turning into blades of bone as they race towards one of the enemies.
He takes the time to shout, "It's HORRIBLY rude to not entertain guests!"
ecc024 No.2625
b3a5ae No.2626
>>2624
>>2625
Your wing-blade cuts into the Deadly Smile!
1 damage! The Deadly Smile was destroyed!
Gained 1 Meter!
>These creatures are easily killed, and are handy fodder for your Meter.
>The Meter is shared among the whole party, and goes up whenever you kill a monster or strike its weak point.
>These monsters are weak to Physical damage--not that it matters, since they only have 1 HP. Yep, cannon fodder.
>For reference, you start with 3 HP.
Backbeat!
>During the Backbeat, one monster uses an attack.
>Deadly Smile: Energy Buildup.
One of the remaining ring-creatures starts to glow.
Mainbeat!
>You can target a specific monster by adding the name of the monster to the end of the >Attack command.
>Example: ">Attack Deadly Smile B" to attack the 2nd Deadly Smile.
>This is...a lot more useful when fighting something that doesn't die in one hit.
ecc024 No.2627
>>2626
>Attack Glowing Deadly Smile
He shakes his head. "Oh. This'll be simple."
The wing that just eviscerated one careens over to the one that acted,
b3a5ae No.2628
>>2627
It shatters as your wing slams into it, barely even slowing down!
1 damage! Deadly Smile B destroyed!
Gained 1 Meter!
Backbeat
>Deadly Smile C: Energy Buildup
The last one glows.
Mainbeat!
>You should have the hang of attacking now, but all things come in threes.
>Your basic Attack does 1 damage to start with. A little ways down the line, you might gain equipment that boosts that number, but such things are quite powerful in this world.
>More likely, you'll be relying on >Skills. But we'll get to that in a moment.
ecc024 No.2629
YouTube embed. Click thumbnail to play.
>>2628
>>2628
>Attack
He slams the remaining one with his wing, expecting it to be destroyed easily. He's not even looking at this point.
"I'd much rather listen to something smoother. With a different beat. Perhaps more melodic. A mix of differences."
Will toss in my shitty contribution to the theme.
b3a5ae No.2630
>>2629
Gained 1 Meter!
Verse 1 complete!
>As you might've guessed, the "Verses" are waves of enemies.
>There can be several, of course. Your HP and Meter carry over between Verses.
VERSE 2
"Hey, Shudleng!"
Dawn and Rushie gallop up behind you.
"Going in without backup? You insane?"
"I told you you'd need help."
"Shaddap and get behind me, Rush. There's another wave comin' in!"
Three more creatures appear--this time, their forms are equine.
Two are twisted, lithe things, wrapped in leather straps and wielding wooden clubs.
The third is covered in scraps of rubber and a wicked smirk, and carries a bottle and lighter.
>2x Lustful Knights appeared!
>1x Road Warrior appeared!
"The ones with the clubs are wimps! Start with them!"
Mainbeat!
>When you're fighting alongside others, actions happen in post order.
>If you want your action to happen at a specific time, you can specify it in the command--for instance, ">Attack Lustful Knight after Rushie" will attack the LK after Rushie acts.
>If NPCs are in the party, they'll act last, after all the main characters have acted.
ecc024 No.2631
>>2630
He sighs. "I really would have been fine. All told, you should have stayed behind. For what it's worth, your shadow has this hedonistic complex. I'm going to take the reasonable approach and tell you that you should let loose a little, but keep it within reason." His skin and mane resume their normal shade.
The Wing rushes out to destroy one of the ones with clubs.
>Attack LK
b3a5ae No.2634
>>2631
Your wing scythes through the creature, and it stumbles!
1 damage to LK! Knockdown!
Gained 1 Meter!
>When you strike an enemy with its elemental weakness, it becomes Knocked Down. While Knocked Down, an enemy can't attack.
>Use the enemy's elemental weaknesses to keep them from using their most powerful attacks!
"All right, now for that molotov-tossin' asshat. Time to use a little trick a friend of mine taught me..."
Dawn plucks a feather from his wing, puts it between his teeth, and focuses...
>Dawn: Feather Flare
...nothing happened.
"...wha? Tha' shoulda set the fugger on fire!"
He spits out the feather.
"Okay, I guess I'll just have to beat 'im to death. Persona!"
>Dawn: Bash
A blue card completely fails to manifest in front of him. Nothing is summoned. Absolutely nothing happens.
"...uh, how about my [Stand]?"
Dawn looks a little desperate as he strikes a weird pose.
"[Can't Stop]!"
>Dawn: Stand Summon
...nothing happens at all.
"Oh. Oh, that son of a bitch. He reset all my powers!"
>Road Warrior: Agi
The one with the lighter stuffs a rag into his bottle, lights it, and tosses it at Dawn.
1 Fire damage!
Dawn got knocked down...!
"Gah! F-FUCK!"
>You have elemental weaknesses, just like the enemy. And, just like the enemy, when your elemental weakness is hit, you'll be knocked down, and unable to attack.
>Rushie: Stand-Up Swing
"Hang on, bro!"
Rushie spins toward Dawn, and pulls him to his hooves.
"You can't kick the bucket yet! We've got a world to save!"
Mainbeat!
The Lustful Knight got back up...
>Monsters can recover from the stun, but don't worry--the damage stays.
"Okay, so I can't kill the asshole with the lighter in one hit. We can still take 'em!"
ecc024 No.2635
>>2634
"Oh, hell yes. We've got this easily." He swings across at the one he hit before with the bone-wing.
>Attack damaged LK
b3a5ae No.2636
>>2635
You cleave it in two, easily.
LK was destroyed!
1 Meter gained!
"Hey Dawny! I still have that thingy you gave me!"
Rushie pulls out a little metal rod.
With a flick, it extends, becoming a short-sword-length metal rod with a little knob on the end.
"I still don't know how this thingy makes a good 'self defense weapon'."
>Rushie: Attack Road Warrior
She leaps forward, swinging the baton--and breaks the Road Warrior's jaw with it.
1 damage!
"It looks more like an 'offense' weapon to me."
"Just stay out of the line of fire, Rush!"
As Rushie falls back into the impromptu formation, Dawn draws his revolver and lines up a shot.
>Dawn: Attack Road Warrior
His aim is true, and the Road Warrior loses his head. The body falls to the ground.
1 damage! RW was destroyed!
1 Meter gained!
Backbeat!
>LK: Thrust
The Lustful Knight butts you with the end of its club!
1 damage!
Mainbeat!
Current status:
>Dawn: 3/4 HP
>Rushie: 3/3 HP
>Shudleng: 2/3 HP
>Meter 6!
>As you gain more Meter, you gain access to Skills that can do more interesting things.
>While you need a certain amount of Meter to use a Skill, you won't lose that meter when you use the Skill. Meter is only used up by certain special attacks.
>Most Skills deal Elemental damage, which is handy to have when fighting the more nasty enemies.
>There are 5 elements, and each corresponds to a line of reasoning.
>Fire is connected to emotion.
>Ice is connected to material gain.
>Lightning is linked to logic.
>Nature is linked to relationships.
>And Physical represents basic needs.
>You may choose one elemental Strength, which enables you to gain Skills with that element.
>In addition, you must choose one elemental Weakness, which you'll wanna avoid.
>For thematic purposes, you may want to choose elements that represent your character's preferred line of reasoning, and the part of life they are least capable with. After all, you're fighting someone's personal demons. Your attacks are metaphor.
ecc024 No.2637
>>2636
Interesting. Then Shudleng would pick Nature. Relationships are what he's about. He travels and lives to gain or them. He's already gained friends here. As for elemental weakness? Ice. Easily.
"I will not be cowed by this bullshit. I am the superior shapeshifter. Better than any demon this place can create."
>attack LK
b3a5ae No.2638
>>2637
You slash the LK for 1 damage, knocking it down!
"This is too easy. Let's stomp 'em!"
>When all enemies have been stunned, you have an opportunity to use an All Out Attack.
>Performing an All Out Attack expends your entire Meter, and deals (Spent Meter) x (# of Party Members) damage to all enemies. It's quite powerful, but you'll have to build up meter again afterward.
>Of course, you can elect to hold back, and keep your meter. Anybody who hasn't taken an action yet can still attack downed enemies, and things will continue as usual.
>Perform All Out Attack? Y/N
ecc024 No.2639
>>2638
"Then we should just destroy it normally. Let's save it for a big one."
>N
b3a5ae No.2640
>>2639
"Yeah, you're right. This one ain't worth the trouble."
>Dawn: Attack LK
Another one bites the dust.
VERSE 2 complete!
Status:
>Dawn: 3/4
>Rushie: 3/3
>Shudleng: 2/3
>Meter: 8
VERSE 3 START
A pair of Lustful Knights appear, empty space between them.
Suddenly, a body drops from the ceiling. It dangles, twitching, as it hangs by the collar around its neck.
>2x Lustful Knight
>1x Constricted
"Huh? Those didn't show up last time..."
"Last time?"
"Forget it!" Dawn shouts. "Just take down the Knights!"
Mainbeat!
>You start with either two Skills,two Passive Abilities, or one of each.
>Skills are used during battle to damage enemies or help allies. For instance, Rushie's Step-Up Swing can help an ally recover from being knocked down, and her Jamming Jig hits enemies with a point of Nature damage (with a Meter requirement of 2).
>Passives give you a boost to your stats, or do special things under certain conditions. For instance, Dawn's Force of Will gives him an extra HP, while his One for the Team causes any attack directed at a teammate with 1 HP left to hit him instead.
ecc024 No.2641
>>2640
>attack LK1
"Focus as you can, knock down any standing ones. A prone enemy is a dead one."
b3a5ae No.2642
>>2641
>Skills selected.
>You gain a new skill after finishing each Dungeon, usually by defeating the Boss.
>I'll keep my own record of your skills, because you came here for weird-ass freeform RP, and not to have a character sheet. But you can write 'em down if you'd like.
You strike the LK for 1 damage! It's knocked down!
Gained 1 Meter!
>Dawn: Attack LK2
Dawn shoots the LK for 1 damage! It's knocked down!
Gained 1 Meter!
>Rushie: Jammin' Jig, Constricted
Rushie dances across the battlefield, stepping lightly--and then leaping into an axe kick on the Constricted! 1 Nature damage!
The Constricted was knocked down! Gained 1 Meter!
"Looks like they can't fight back! Should we go for it, bro?"
>All Out Attack? (Meter 11) Y/N
ecc024 No.2643
>N
"Not yet. Let's save it for the tough ones. These clubbed ones are too weak."
>Attack LK1
b3a5ae No.2644
>>2643
"Shudleng's right. We need to save our energy."
Mainbeat!
The enemies got back up.
Status:
>Dawn: 3/4
>Rushie: 3/3
>Shudleng: 2/3
>Meter 11
ecc024 No.2645
>>2644
>(Oh shit my bad, for some reason didn't wait til Mainbeat)
>Attack LK1
"Guys, don't be freaked, but I'm really not in the mood to give these guys the chump change. I'm going to change into my combat form. I've had it prepared for a long time, so let me get to it."
He shifts.
His body is ten feet deep from front to back, his head the size of a pony itself. He combines the most effective features of a bear and a panther. Sinuous, flexible, bristling with quiet menace, but also brawny with muscle. He has armor plates covering him, with scales where armor wouldn’t allow him optimum flexibility, and spines and coarse hair where the scales wouldn’t do. Head to toe, he has the coloring of an oil slick, black by default, but scintillating with rainbow hues in just the right light. A hundred black orbs studs the length of his body, set into the plates of armor. Caustic venom virtually pours from a mouth that bristled with mismatched fangs, spattering all over the ground. Perhaps most unnerving of all are his six legs, each forking at the knee or elbow joint, with one larger limb ending in scimitar-like claws and a smaller set of limbs for each; tentacles for the rear four legs and a long fingered human’s hands for the forelimbs.
His voice rumbles from his mouth, like a panther gargling granite. It somehow doesn't waver. "Let's do this."
He reaches out to finish the one he fought before.
>attack LK1
b3a5ae No.2646
>>2645
>I should've mentioned, to use a Skill, you can input ">[skill name] [target]". Just so ya know.
You demolish the LK.
Gained 1 Meter!
Dawn puts a bullet in the Constricted.
"And another one down!"
Gained 1 Meter!
Rushie lunges at the last LK, putting it down with one swift stroke.
Gained 1 Meter!
VERSE 3 COMPLETE
"That's the last of 'em. Man, we kicked ASS."
14 Meter!
>At the end of combat, extra Meter is used to gain extra items.
>Items can be used with the ">Item [name] [target]" command. Some items will heal you, others grant temporary bonuses, and others are used to improve skills and weapons.
4 Items:
>x2 Molotov! A glass bottle with a flammable liquid inside. Use to deal 1 Fire damage to an enemy.
>x1 Iron Chunk! A piece of metal. Used to improve abilities and equipment.
>1x Grinning Rune! A chunk of stone with a strange, smile-like glyph on it. Used in certain crafting recipes.
ecc024 No.2647
>>2646
Shudleng looks down at the two of them. "Yeah? We've still got a demon of yours to fight, you know. He said some things."
b3a5ae No.2648
>>2647
"He did, huh?"
Dawn's eyes shoot toward the floor.
Rushie puts a hoof around him.
"Chill, Dawny! We're gonna go kick his butt, and then we can all go home and forget about it."
Dawn snorts. "Like you can forget this."
"Well, a few hours of awesome superhero movies helps."
ecc024 No.2649
>>2648
Shudleng brings his head down to their level, all the eyes on the front of his face looking at Dawn.
"If these are your personal demons, how do we defeat them. You said something before about clones making up?"
b3a5ae No.2650
>>2649
"Every time I've seen the inside of one of these doors, we've faced off against the Other Self--that clone thing," Dawn explains. "And when it's all over, the guy who's facing his clone says something along the lines of 'You are me, I am you, yadda yadda' and the clone disappears. Oh, and the guy gets a fancy spirit thing."
Dawn starts trotting toward the statue at the far end of the room.
"I bet that punk's at the top of the staircase. Let's get this over with."
Rushie tries to give you a sympathetic look; she spends a few moments trying to figure out which set of eyes to focus on, then shrugs and starts following her brother.
"...hey, wait a minute!"
Rushie stops dead in her tracks.
"What're we gonna do about Ben? We can't just make him stay at the entrance!"
"Oh, fuck me. Why'd he have to jump in first...?"
Dawn trots back.
"You're right, we can't just leave him back there. He's safer with us."
ecc024 No.2651
>>2650
It's weird to see like 40 eyes roll at once. "You have to be absolutely kidding me. You let the incredible magic child into a metaphorical hell?"
He begins moving back towards the hallways. "So, it's a representation of your suppressed qualities. Do you really have to fight it? Have you considered just accepting it? Fighting against it seems to be rather counter-intuitive, don't you think?"
b3a5ae No.2652
>>2651
"Hey, he jumped in ahead of me! And then Dawny jumped in too..."
Rushie gallops off toward the entrance.
Dawn takes a slightly less rushed pace.
"Accepting it is the best play, yeah. Or, at least, that's how it works out most of the time. And it always ends up happening after the fight. These guys know how to push your buttons."
ecc024 No.2653
>>2652
"So you should remain calm, shouldn't you? I wonder what my Shadow would say. It's been a long time since anyone has made me lose my temper."
A small pseudopod snakes out next to Dawn's ear, taking the shape of a normal mouth. It proceeds to recount the things Shadow!Dawn said when he got there.
b3a5ae No.2654
>>2653
"..."
Dawn scowls.
"Yep, that's him--"
He clams up.
ecc024 No.2655
>>2654
"So, you've got some repressed freedom issues. Do we know what happens if the person comes to terms with their issues before fighting the shadow?"
b3a5ae No.2656
>>2655
"...it's happened once. And, well, it turned out all right."
He starts walking faster.
ecc024 No.2657
>>2656
"So what's to stop me from pasting you to the wall and counseling you through these problems?"
b3a5ae No.2658
>>2657
"Not a lot, actually. But then again, how are you gonna keep the others safe without me?"
He's trotting now. Almost at a gallop. The entrance doesn't seem all that much closer than before...
ecc024 No.2659
>>2658
He's keeping pace easily. The length of his body is good for that. "What if I ate you, and released you if we are fighting, but otherwise kept you in a safe place to talk through your issues?"
b3a5ae No.2660
>>2659
"That's fuckin' weird, Shudleng. You've been talking to my sister too much."
He's definitely galloping now.
"...hey, wait a second. We aren't even moving!"
ecc024 No.2661
>>2660
"I wouldn't even bring it up if your sister was nearby. I consider her a source of your issues too. And while you've made progress, she's still somebody you aren't... Safe around? I think that's the correct term."
He seems oddly nonplussed about your realization. "Tons of eyes help notice that. Was gonna let you tire yourself out. Isn't space bullshit par for the course here?"
b3a5ae No.2662
>>2661
"Yeah, it kinda is."
He slides to a halt.
"Friggin' mindscapes. I'll bet you five bits we won't get anywhere until I figure out some profound truth or whatever..."
ecc024 No.2663
>>2662
"Yeah, like it's okay to have feelings care for others?"
b3a5ae No.2664
>>2663
"Feelings, I get. Caring for others, yeah. This?"
He gestures to the walls, where thousands are trapped in agony.
"This is too far. This is what that fake wants."
ecc024 No.2665
>>2664
"It's still you, you know. Regardless. Somewhere deep in your mind, you do desire this. It's something deep. It doesn't mean you actually want it. Just that your equine brain pushes you in this way. You've seen some terrible things, Dawn. Is that so surprising to think that you might have been affected?"
The small human hands in front gesture to himself. "Look how little you reacted to me. I'm like something out of a monster movie."
b3a5ae No.2666
>>2665
"You shoulda seen Dom after burrito night."
He chuckles.
"Honestly, though. You really think I would do any of this...?"
ecc024 No.2667
>>2666
It laughs. It's not a pretty sound, and it gets acid everywhere.
"No! Of course not! That's how it gets to you. But you've got to understand, Dawn. All minds have the capacity for anything. If something broke you hard enough? It's possible, but it'd only be you in name. You, as you are? Hell no. This place isn't about would do. It's about can do."
b3a5ae No.2668
>>2667
Dawn takes a seat on the floor, careful to avoid the bits that are currently melting.
"So this punk is who I am at my worst? Y'know, that puts a lot into perspective. I..."
He sighs.
"Son of a bitch, I need to lay off the booze."
ecc024 No.2669
>>2668
He slumps down, curling around you. "You know, it's a great tool in moderation, but I feel like you might go overboard."
His hands reach out and smooth over your mane.
"Look, you've got a lot of stuff going on. My people have been regarded as harbingers of change since ancient times. When one shows, the people and places I interact with change. It is endemic of what we are. If we are good, the change will be, and vice versa. But resisting it only brings disaster in either case. These are just old legends, but it's something to be aware of. You are at an interesting time in your life. And it's important you allow that change. Love your sister. Love your friends. Accept that you aren't perfect, and let loose a little. Let us worry about us sometimes, you know?"
b3a5ae No.2670
>>2669
"I don't want to. I don't wanna take a break and come back to find everyone dead. I gotta be there to keep the two of you alive..."
He takes a deep breath.
"But I'm killin' myself doing it. Which is exactly why you're doin' what you're doin'."
He stands up.
"I think I'm ready to move on now."
ecc024 No.2671
>>2670
>>2670
"I hope so. Because we don't want you to not come back. Alright. Think of it this way. I'm not going to die anytime soon. I don't think this world has the magic to remove every bit of my protoplasm. And Rush has my protection, in addition to her being able to defend herself.
He stands, actually paying attention to the surroundings.
b3a5ae No.2672
>>2671
Looks clear. Aside from the usual scenery, there's nothing of note.
"It's hard, y'know? If I don't stop and think about how well the two of you fight, I just...I assume you guys need me."
As Dawn walks, you realize that yes, you really are actually moving this time.
ecc024 No.2673
>>2672
"Need is something very few people understand. We could both survive without you. Would we want to? No. Not at all. And you would survive without us too. You are stronger than that."
b3a5ae No.2674
>>2673
He remains silent for a long moment, lost in thought.
"There's a hell of a lot of stuff in here," he says, rounding the corner into the entrance hall, "that I just do not understand."
ecc024 No.2675
>>2674
"Magic. That's all that's needed there. We should find Rush and Dawn."
b3a5ae No.2676
>>2675
"Hey, Rushie!"
Dawn calls out across the hall.
"Here, bro!" Rush shouts back.
000000 No.2677
>>2676
>>2675
"--AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Ben tumbles through the entrance.
"Why did that take so long?"
b3a5ae No.2678
>>2677
"I have NO IDEA. At all. At least you weren't in danger. I was thinkin' you'd get here first!"
Dawn steps into the entrance hall. Rushie's standing next to you, and...wait, where's that other pony?
ecc024 No.2679
Shudleng comes lumbering up. looking as >>2645 describes. One of the human hands waves.
"Hello Ben."
b3a5ae No.2680
>>2679
>>2677
"...Did I mention that Night Between is a shapeshifter? Because now is a good time to mention it."
Dawn looks very, very concerned.
000000 No.2681
>>2679
For a few seconds, Ben stands completely still. Then he clambers onto the beast's back.
"Hi-yo and awaaaay!"
ecc024 No.2682
>>2681
"I'm definitely not a beast to ride, Ben. You'd have better luck with one of the ponies."
000000 No.2683
>>2682
"Mama says it is rude to ride ponies except for in emergencies."
Ben remains on Shudleng's back.
"Pleeeease?"
ecc024 No.2684
>>2683
The massive head droops a little, and his sigh sends tons of acid careening to the floor. "Let's just go."
b3a5ae No.2685
>>2681
>>2682
>>2683
>>2684
"Well, that went better than expected."
Dawn peeks back around the corner.
"Coast is clear. Let's get up those stairs and put that bastard where he belongs--"
"Dawny!"
"What?"
"Language! There's a kid here."
"Rush, we're in literal Hell. I think bad language is the least of his concerns."
8d2197 No.2687
>>2685
Ben blushes at the curse.
"Let's just go, right? We need to stop the bad guy to close this door!"
b3a5ae No.2689
>>2687
"Right. Now, if I know this punk, he's at the top of that statue..."
Dawn peeks around the corner at the massive statue which the whole club seems to be built around.
From here, the lighting on the statue seems washed-out and sullen; the rust-brown surface is covered in patchworks of scars.
"Up there," Dawn says, pointing to a platform at the top of a massive spiral staircase running around the statue. "That's where he is. I know it."
ecc024 No.2690
"Let's do this. Hold on Ben."
The voice rumbles out from Shudleng as his muscles tense to run.
b3a5ae No.2691
>>2690
"Here we go."
Dawn starts galloping across the club.
"Okay, we'll probably run into a few groups of Shadows on the way up. Keep your eyes open!"
As you cross the dance floor, you see clusters of demons coming into existence near the walls.
"Stick together!"
ecc024 No.2692
>>2691
"Gladly." Shudleng moves so that if needed, he can scoop the others away from shadows as need be with his tentacles.
b3a5ae No.2693
>>2692
"On the left!"
A group of Knights rears up, charging in from the left side of the club.
"They picked a really nice place to start, didn't they?" Rushie shouts over the sound of hooves striking the ground.
ecc024 No.2694
>>2693
"I get the feeling this is that kind of place."
He reaches a tentacle out behind each person, ready to swoop them away as required. They are quite a bit closer on the left.
b3a5ae No.2695
>>2694
The monsters let loose a battle-cry...
"Now!"
Dawn falls backward onto your tentacle, drawing his gun.
Rushie hops backward, clinging to another tentacle.
"Hey, monster thingies! Come an' get it~!"
"Don't encourage them, Rush."
ecc024 No.2696
>>2695
Shudleng LEAPS, all six legs bunching up muscles as hard as possible his hope is to carry them well easily out of reach of the knights.
b3a5ae No.2697
>>2696
Gravity, thankfully, works as you expect it to.
As you spring into the air, Dawn twists and takes aim at the lead Knight.
"Eat this!"
His aim is true, and the monster crumples to the ground, tripping up a second and a third; and soon the entire gaggle of leather-bound horrors is long behind you.
"Hey, bro? You ever seen one of those before...?"
Rushie points to the sky, where you see what can only be described as a pair of gigantic, fully-cooked chickens.
"...what the fuck?"
"DAWNY! Language!"
ecc024 No.2698
>>2697
"They are chickens. What does it matter?"
b3a5ae No.2699
>>2698
For one, they appear to be flying under their own power.
For another, one of them is diving directly at you, and the other is close behind.
"I don't know what they are, but they're probably bad! Get ready...!"
The ethereal music grows louder.
>2x Cooked Goose appeared!
>If you would rather not pick this fight, issue the >retreat command. All party members have to use the >retreat command for a successful retreat.
ecc024 No.2700
>>2699
>If we stop and fight, will the previous ones catch up?
b3a5ae No.2701
>>2700
Glancing back, the other group of enemies seems to still be stunned. It looks like they won't be able to catch up, at least not fast enough to interrupt a fight with these things.
1c30d6 No.2702
Ben looks at the Cooked Geese with wonder.
"I think those are weak against fire! That, or they use fire attacks..."
b3a5ae No.2703
>>2702
"Of course the giant flapping meat things are gonna be weak to fire..."
Dawn rolls his eyes. "Sometimes I wonder if the guys upstairs have any kind of creativity."
ecc024 No.2704
>>2703
"Of course not."
He moves in to destroy one of the chickens, attacking normally.
>attack
1c30d6 No.2705
>>2704
>>2703
Ben leaps from Shudleng's back, attacking the same Cooked Goose.
>Way of the Mountain Trigger
>Damage Type Fire
>Attack
As he does this, his fists burst into flame!
"The burning flame is mine to evoke! Fire!"
b3a5ae No.2706
>>2704
>>2705
>Shudleng attacks!
>1 damage to Cooked Goose A!
>Ben selects Fire.
>Way of the Mountain: Passive. Select one element at start of combat; this element becomes your WEAKNESS.
>Way of the Tide: Passive. Your basic attacks deal the same type of damage that you are WEAK to.
>Ben attacks!
>Ben deals 1 FIRE damage to Cooked Goose A!
>Cooked Goose A was knocked down!
"And stay down, punk!"
>Dawn: Attack CG A
>Dawn deals 2 damage to CG A!
>Attacking a downed enemy does double damage.
>CG A died!
>Backbeat!
>CG B: Flying Elbow
The Cooked Goose swoops down and strikes Ben with its wings!
>CG B deals 1 damage to Ben!
>Mainbeat!
>Status:
>Dawn: 4/4
>Rushie: 3/3
>Shudleng: 3/3
>Ben: 2/3
"You all right, Ben? Stay with me, kid!"
ecc024 No.2707
>>2706
Shudleng doesn't take well. "Let's end this."
He his head rears back as he dips into his core of being and grabs some of the dankest acid he can.
>Frail Blade
>Reducing Max HP by 1 and increasing ATK by 1 Then deal ATK damage
96dba9 No.2708
>>2706
As Ben gets clotheslined by a Cooked Goose, his eyes squinch shut. He then attacks the one that hit him, viciously kicking it right between the legs.
"Critical hit! Go!"
b3a5ae No.2709
>>2707
>Frail Blade
>WARNING: HP is now 2.
You hurl your very self at the creature!
>Shudleng deals 2 NATURE damage to CG B!
>>2708
>Attack
>FLAMING KICK
>Ben deals 1 Fire damage to CG B!
>Dawn: Attack CG B
Dawn puts the Goose down with a bullet to...well, it hasn't got a head, so center of mass will have to do.
>BATTLE FINISH
>End Status:
>Dawn: 4/4
>Rushie: 3/3
>Shudleng: 2/2
>Ben: 2/3
>Meter: 4!
>Gained 1x Meaty Chunk: Used for crafting, or eat for +1 HP.
96dba9 No.2710
>>2709
Cool! Meat!
Ben picks up the chunk of meat, stuffing it into the backpack slung over his shoulder.
"I'm gonna save this for later!"
b3a5ae No.2711
>>2710
FOOD IS GOOD.
"We're almost to the stairs! And it looks clear..."
A few seconds of running later, and you've reached the base of the statue.
Spotlights shine up from here, casting stark shadows onto the metal. Here and there, lines of haphazard bolts mimic brutal scars across a chestnut coat.
"..."
Dawn stares up at the statue.
"Hey," Rushie says. "It kinda looks like your friend Blowsy from here."
"Yeah, it does look like Blowhard, doesn't it?"
Dawn chuckles.
"Lucky you, Blowsy. You don't have to deal with this stuff anymore. All ya gotta deal with is those two kids. 'Course, Rebel and Zeta are a hoofful, ain't they..."
ecc024 No.2712
>>2711
"So you've got this adoration for Blowhard? I'd hope so."
b3a5ae No.2713
>>2712
"Well, yeah. Guy taught me everything I know about fighting--well, I say everything. I knew a bit before he came along. But he taught me how to really fight, not just your run-o-the-mill street fighting. That, and he taught me how to not fight."
Dawn's face goes grim, and he imitates a baritone voice.
"If you do anything listed in this Big Book of War Crimes, that's a paddlin'. If you do anything listed under 'torture', I'll fu--ahem--I'll shoot you. That's what he said. He had standards. It's too bad I never figured out how sneaking around works. Woulda saved me some trouble."
ecc024 No.2714
>>2713
"You just don't get seen, you silly pony."
He reaches over and bumps him surprisingly gently in the shoulder.
b3a5ae No.2715
>>2714
"Well, how do you get anything done without gettin' seen?"
He shrugs.
"Anyway, Blowhard's one of the guys who created HOOFEN. He's also, like I said, my teacher. But he's retired. Got a wife and kids. He has more important things to do."
ecc024 No.2716
>>2715
"There's no such thing as important, Dawn. You seem resentful."
b3a5ae No.2717
>>2716
"Wha--"
He scowls, taking a step back.
"I am not!"
The steps of the massive stairway promptly fold in on themselves, turning the path up into a massive slide.
"...oh, fuck you!" Dawn shouts to the heavens.
ecc024 No.2718
>>2717
"So, regardless of the existence of gods that can judge these things objectively, you are bitter, Dawn. You think that you know better than him in what he wants to do with his life."
b3a5ae No.2719
>>2718
"He left me--left us. Blowhard was the greatest living being in the entire team, Shudleng. He was the leader for a reason. He could punch out a dragon at 70. And he had plans for everything from revolution to every demon in Hell comin' up to steal his soul!"
Dawn turns on you, eyes filled with frustration and tears.
"And he just left--like we'd just carry on without 'im! Like losing the thing that held us together wouldn't bring it all down. Everyone else left when he left."
ecc024 No.2720
>>2719
"It's still his choice. Free will is the bane of the gods and the gifts of mortals, but nobody ever seems to enjoy it when anybody else expresses it. It's a shame what happened, but you would rather him die out in the field when his age catches up to him than letting him be at home with his family?"
b3a5ae No.2721
>>2720
"I'd rather he spend some time with the people who're closer than family."
"...is this about how you and him--"
"No, Rushie! For cryin' out loud, do you never think of anything but sex?"
"Well, sometimes I think about dolls."
ecc024 No.2722
>>2721
Shudleng chuckles a little, the sound of a ton of gravel in a wind tunnel. "We'll handle that later, Rushie." He looks over at Dawn.
"This is coming from the pony that wanted to spend as little time with his younger sister to protect her? Let's think this through. Is Blowhard happy with his family?"
b3a5ae No.2723
>>2722
"I...yeah, he is. But he had a job to do...!"
Rushie bonks him over the head.
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."
"...who the hell is Jack?"
Rush shrugs. "All I know is, he doesn't like workin' 24/7. Also something about red rum."
"Okay, so he shouldn't spend all his time helping us save the world. But don't you think he should spend at least a little time on it? We are talking about saving the world."
ecc024 No.2724
>>2723
"So, to finish my statement, if he's happy you should accept that if he's really as important as you say he is. You are coming off like a jealous lover, bitter their former paramour has found love with somebody right for them."
He shifts his body, lowering it to the ground.
"Now, as for your current point: When did he retire?"
b3a5ae No.2725
>>2724
"I think it was a few months before the doors started poppin' up. A year or so after the last big thing he got involved in. Your point?"
Rushie bonks him over the head again. "It's not his turn to save the world, ya goof!"
"...how many times are you gonna bonk me over the head?"
"As many times as it takes to get you to stop bein' a dingus, bro."
ecc024 No.2726
>>2725
"And the world hasn't ended in all this time? Sounds like you've been doing just fine without him, Dawn. That's my point. The world hasn't ended without him, he's happier where he is, and he's Old. To the point where he would not be as good as he once was. That's three reasons he's better where he is. Can you come up with one that isn't rooted in your emotional connection to him?"
b3a5ae No.2727
>>2726
"...No."
Dawn sits heavily, and takes a deep breath.
"I want him back, dammit. I can't handle this shit without his help."
ecc024 No.2728
>>2727
His humanlike hand throws up a finger.
"Or. Or! You could do this with the help of a psychiatrist, your sister, and your new partner. Those could all be things you make use of."
b3a5ae No.2729
>>2728
"Okay. I'm okay now."
The stairs return to normal.
"It'd be nice if I didn't have to have these massive fuckin' epiphanies every time we try to get something done."
ecc024 No.2730
>>2729
"Well sure, but it'd be far less fun for me, and far less enlightening for you."
b3a5ae No.2731
>>2730
"Eh. Let's head up."
Dawn starts trotting up the stairs.
"Five bits says you lecture me on my love life next."
ecc024 No.2732
>>2731
"Already done it. Take it from a shapeshifter. Every culture has an incest taboo for a reason. Regardless of whether it results in reproduction or not, there's reasons you should look outside family for that stuff."
He follows after, eyes conspicuously on Rush.
b3a5ae No.2733
>>2732
"...Whaaaaat? I mean, I--he--well, okay, I've thought about it, but who hasn't--"
"Rushie?"
"Yeah?"
"You might wanna stop talking."
The club grows eerily quiet as you climb the steps. Even the monsters you left in the dust are gone, without a trace or even a splatter of spilt blood.
As you travel around the statue, the lighting on it changes. From this angle, it appears more pink-ish, and the seams between the metal plates are much smoother.
ecc024 No.2734
>>2733
"Oh well. Let's find what is needed here."
b3a5ae No.2735
>>2734
"Hrm. Last one had something to do with Blowhard, which means this one probably has something to do with...well, this'll be a long story."
Dawn takes a seat on one of the steps.
"So there's this group of six ponies, right? Basically superheroes. They use a set of magic artifacts to fight evil. They're publicized a lot more than HOOFEN is."
He sighs.
"Thing is, there's multiple universes, right? And not only are there multiple universes, there's multiple versions of the same universe. So--'cuz I'm just that lucky--I ran into one of the six heroes, from a world where that particular hero was actually a murderer."
ecc024 No.2736
>>2735
"Alright, that seems fine. Go on." He seems nonplussed.
b3a5ae No.2737
>>2736
"So she slips me a cupcake with bits of meat in it, and...well, the rest of it is a little fuzzy. I think she slipped me some kind of amnesiac at some point. Anyway, I end up confronting her in her home. I put two bullets, right in her chest, and she just keeps goin'--long enough to put a knife in me. Half of her house burned down in the process."
He closes his eyes.
"She kept going, even after a couple holes the size of my hoof. She died, eventually. And then she came back, 'cuz that's just how it goes in the Bar. Resurrections happen, you get a chance to explain that deal with the devil that led to all the murdering, and everything just kind of falls into place."
ecc024 No.2738
>>2737
"Oh, a copy of Pinkie Pie, right? Alright. So that makes sense. This world is going to make you relive that? What's your hypothesis?"
b3a5ae No.2739
>>2738
"Hm."
Dawn taps his chin.
"I wound up in an on-again, off-again relationship with her. She felt safe."
"She tried to kill you, bro."
"No, like--like it was safe to care about her."
ecc024 No.2740
>>2739
"Yeah, no. I can empathize. Relationships are usually that kind of thing for somebody not able to commit to a real one."
b3a5ae No.2741
>>2740
"Commit, huh?"
He chuckles. "I tried to commit. Ended up over-committing. I wanted to keep her safe, just like Rush. This was during that thing--the one Blowhard was involved in. It's, uh, the only operation I've worked with him in, and...it was a doozy. To this day, I get all tense when I see bugs or Germans."
ecc024 No.2742
>>2741
"Note, I also said real one. You have to accept that you aren't the same person, and they aren't your slave. You can't make someone safe. It's not possible in this or any world."
He coughs a little. "All you can do is prepare and hope."
b3a5ae No.2743
>>2742
"There's gotta be a way to keep them safe."
Dawn stands up.
"C'mon, let's get up there. Who knows how long we'll have before monsters start swarming us?"
ecc024 No.2744
>>2743
"Sure, let's get going"
He follows along while saying "But there really isn't. Narrative Causality will do what it does. There's no way to keep them truly safe. Even if you decide to become an absolute monster and you lock them away in the deepest darkest cell you find behind protections even the gods can't break, there'll be something that can harm them if it wants."
b3a5ae No.2745
>>2744
"I have to protect them. It's what I need to do."
The other side of the statue is painted in a mottled green and white pattern. The rivets are laid in straight lines, suggesting a subject who is just as artificial as the artwork.
"It's easier when they're hard to hurt. When they can take care of themselves, I don't have to watch as closely."
ecc024 No.2746
>>2745
"Actually, the only thing we need to do in this life is die. Everything else is optional, Dawn."
He runs a tentacle across the statue.
"You don't have to watch at all. You choose to. Even if they don't want it. Even if it makes the situation worse."
b3a5ae No.2747
>>2746
"Shudleng, if I don't keep an eye on Rush, she literally burns the house down."
"That was ONE time! And I got the baking soda and put the fire out just like you showed me."
"And just imagine what might happen if something nasty gets wind of her. If the thing me and Blowsy fought got at her--"
Dawn shivers.
"I'm gonna throw up if I finish that sentence. I'm not gonna think about it. I'm just gonna think about something more pleasant, like some mafia goons using her as bait."
ecc024 No.2748
>>2747
"So why keep her powerless? Why not send her to a training program?"
He tilts his head.
b3a5ae No.2749
>>2748
"And put her in the line of fire?"
He shakes his head.
"Wouldn't work well. I gotta keep her--"
"What, in the house 24/7?"
"...yeah."
ecc024 No.2750
>>2749
>>2749
"So, I'm the shapeshifter with six legs, four tentacles, 2 arms and the love complex for a trickster spider and I think that sounds creepy, Dawn. Like you sound like a serial murderer. Even with the flimsy justification of keeping her safe, do you think Blowhard would be any kind of proud of you for that thought?"
b3a5ae No.2751
>>2750
"I can't let her die," he mutters, like the mantra of an eastern philosopher. "I can't let her die."
"I'm not gonna die, Dawny--"
"Yes you are!"
She stops short, as Dawn struggles to keep his face emotionless.
"Even if everything goes right--if you're just drivin' down the street, minding your own business, waiting for the light to turn--you're gonna get killed. Something will happen. And it gets even worse if you're close to me. If you just stay home, then...it's easier. I can have guards on hand, barricade the door. I know the layout. I know all the neighbors."
ecc024 No.2752
>>2751
Shudleng puts a hand forward, letting it spread out into a large mirror-shape, showing Dawn. "There, so you can see what a raving lunatic you look like."
He clears his throat.
"Now grow up. Seriously? Everybody dies, Dawn. It happens sooner or later. Had you ever stopped to consider just locking your sister up and throwing away the key would end up killing her much quicker? Because it will."
b3a5ae No.2753
>>2752
He stares into the mirror.
"I want to keep her alive. If I have to lock her away, then so be it. If I have to never see her again, fine. If I have to forget that I ever had a sister, then at least she'll be safe."
He lowers his head.
"I shouldn't be surprised. You care about something, and it's always right there on the edge of being taken away from you."
ecc024 No.2754
>>2753
>>2753
"Fate will do as it wishes. You really want to test the narrators by drawing that much attention to her?"
b3a5ae No.2755
>>2754
"I want to strike the Narrators down where they stand! But I can't. The best I can do is make it harder for them. Near as I can tell, they can't just break the rules. When they do something, it has to be possible, at least. Unlikely, maybe, but possible."
He scowls at the ceiling.
"They don't get to just take away my family. Not now."
ecc024 No.2756
>>2755
"You mean like an earthquake? Or a tornado? Or a superhero fight that has too much collateral?"
b3a5ae No.2757
>>2756
He slams a hoof into the railing; it cracks.
"Would you quit that!? I know about it already! I know she can die!"
Rushie trots over and puts a hoof around his shoulders.
"...you're really scared, huh?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I am."
ecc024 No.2758
>>2757
"Then you should let that fear temper you. Be strong enough to protect her from the worst anyone can throw at you. Don't make her a target by hiding her away."
He reaches out and places a hand over his chest. "Only valuable things are stolen."
b3a5ae No.2759
>>2758
Rush wipes a tear off his cheek.
He shakes his head clear.
"Bein' close makes her a target. But you're right--lockin' her up makes her just as much of a target."
He pulls Rushie close for a moment, then gets to his hooves.
"C'mon. We still gotta deal with that other me."
ecc024 No.2760
>>2759
"Yeah, look. We can discuss ways to protect her after. It's not hard, but it's not easy either."
He starts moving up the stairs.
b3a5ae No.2761
>>2760
"Right. For now..."
You round the final bend of the staircase, arriving on a massive platform. Peeking over the edge is the head of the statue, lit in green with startlingly blue eyes. Sitting on the nose, Other Dawn starts to laugh.
"Y'know," he shouts, leaping onto the platform, "you've got this beautiful girl here. She'll do anything for you. And--"
"Shut up."
Other Dawn pauses mid-stride; his mocking grin never fades.
"I know your whole song-and-dance number already, asshole. We've been through this already. So, see, here's my question. Why do I gotta do this again?"
Other Dawn's grin cracks and shatters into something much more sinister.
"Oh, you know damn well why you're doing this again."
ecc024 No.2762
>>2761
"Narrative fun?"
He looks down at Dawn.
b3a5ae No.2765
>>2762
"He's been here before," Other Dawn says, eyes atwinkle. "His marefriend fought me off. Real clever girl, that Pinkie. Of course, it didn't last."
He stumbles forward, twirling and laughing as his broken hoof gives out under him.
"It never lasts, Dawny! You shut me away, and then--when you're at your worst--I come back. You start to wonder--"
"Shut up."
"Start to wander--"
"Shut up."
"Start to go down the same path your old man did!"
Other Dawn finally tumbles over, landing at Dawn's feet.
"Whenever you fall, I'm always there. I'm always there, Dawn, because I'm part of you."
Dawn grits his teeth, reaching for his revolver.
ecc024 No.2766
>>2765
"Oh, that's why. That makes sense."
Shudleng steps forward, the eyes on that part of his body looking at Dawn,
"Stop, really? You know better than this. He's you at your very worst. Accept that, and he goes away, right?"
b3a5ae No.2767
>>2766
"..."
He relaxes.
"I've already accepted him. I've done all this before."
"And yet here we are. You know what this means, right? I'll just let it sink in."
ecc024 No.2768
>>2767
>>2767
"It means you've lost that awareness of self that comes with beating one of these guys, right? You either had it taken from you, or the recent events have shaken whatever is supposed to be there loose."
"That means that either way, you just have to accept him again."
b3a5ae No.2769
>>2768
"And then you'll get another...what, year? Six months? Maybe I'll even show up next week!"
Other Dawn laughs, a barking, hollow sound.
"Now you know it's not permanent, Dawny. You know it'll keep happening. Why should you fight when you'll never win?"
Dawn takes a deep breath.
"You done?"
"Well, if you got somethin' to say..."
"Right. I just didn't wanna interrupt you with this."
Dawn throws a right hook directly into Other Dawn's face.
"Listen to me," he says, as Other Dawn picks himself up off the floor.
"Everything dies. Everyone loses everything. You can't stop it--I can't stop it.
"We're scared. That's what this is about. We face the pain an' the death, and we don't know what to do. You wanna party while you still can. I wanna believe I can fight it."
Dawn offers a hoof to Other Dawn.
"Two sides of the same coin. You're me. I'm you. We just gotta quit trying to stand on each other."
Other Dawn smiles, and takes Dawn's hoof.
"'Bout time you figured it out," the Other says, as it fades away.
ecc024 No.2770
>>2769
"See. Not so bad, was it?"
b3a5ae No.2771
>>2770
"No. No, it really wasn't. Now, let's see if this works. Stand back."
He breathes in; he breathes out.
As he lifts a hoof to the heavens, a blue flame appears in it, and within the blue flames is a playing card.
"Persona!"
A massive wooden cross falls from the sky, slamming into the platform with a powerful THUD. Four leathery limbs extend from the center of the cross, lifting it up.
"All right. Now we can kick some ass."
>Whenever you successfully face someone's Other Self, you gain 1 ability. The person who successfully faces him/herself gains 2 abilities.
>Once again, these can be either active abilities or passive abilities.
ecc024 No.2772
>>2771
>Good to note.
"Heh, alright. So we're done here then?
b3a5ae No.2773
>>2772
"Yeah, I think--"
Dawn turns around, and stops.
"Hey, what happened to the stairs?"
The stairs behind you appear to have turned into a lift of some sort. There's a control panel, and upon the panel is one button: "UP".
ecc024 No.2774
"Ah, shit. This'll be fun. Except probably not really."
b3a5ae No.2775
>>2774
Rushie glances upwards.
"...wow, that's a lot of purple. Or is that more of a magenta color?"
Past a thick fog, you can see lights flickering--a checkerboard pattern of purple.
ecc024 No.2776
>>2775
"So, who is in favor of my attempting to fly us all down there? Or do we do as it wants? This is Rushie's door too, after all."
b3a5ae No.2777
>>2776
"I think we should fly back down, maybe grab some Starbucks, we've done a good job here--"
Dawn grabs Rushie by the ear.
"We should take care of this now. Don't worry, Rush, I'll keep an eye on ya."
"But why should we fight the monsters?"
"Because you'll have your Persona and we'll be able to fight harder?"
ecc024 No.2778
>>2777
"So you do want her to fight, then?"
He looks over at Rush.
"Then the most important thing to note is this, Rush. You heard the things the other Dawn was saying to him? The worst things it could say? It's gonna do the same to you. You can't let it get the better of you. Then we get dragged into a fight we don't want to deal with. Do you know what it'll say?"
b3a5ae No.2779
>>2778
"It's not gonna say anything, 'cuz this is silly and we should go now."
Dawn rolls his eyes. "Look, Rushie. You're gonna need to deal with this at some point. The door's just gonna keep growing if you don't."
b3a5ae No.2780
>>2778
"It's not gonna say anything, 'cuz this is silly and we should go now."
Dawn rolls his eyes. "Look, Rushie. You're gonna need to deal with this at some point. The door's just gonna keep growing if you don't."
ecc024 No.2781
>>2779
>>2780
"This is silly? You just saw all the help it gave your brother. Are you worried about being embarrassed?"
b3a5ae No.2782
>>2781
"No, because there is literally nothing to worry about. I bet the door is closing right now!"
She backs toward the railing, but Dawn's still got her ear.
"Rushie..."
"C'mon! We can go play Super Mare-io Kart! Won't that be fun?"
ecc024 No.2783
>>2782
"You weren't there when I was talking to your brother about solving his issues. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help you with yours. If I told you something incredibly embarrassing about myself, would that make you feel better?"
ecc024 No.2784
>>2783
Realizing that a Giant Beast isn't the best form to talk to, his form shifts and condenses into the normal looking Night Between.
b3a5ae No.2785
>>2783
>>2784
"It's not like I'm afraid of bein' embarrassed!"
"...well, she's got a point," Dawn mutters.
"I just don't have anything to worry about. Not a thing."
ecc024 No.2786
>>2785
"Besides the strange fixation on sexually interesting your brother, the little sibling tendency to attempt to have your nose in all of his business, and the stud-hunting?"
Shudleng counts them out on a hoof facetiously as he lists it.
"I mean nobody's perfect, Rush.
b3a5ae No.2787
>>2786
"Okay, that first one's a thing, but we've totally got that worked out. Right, Dawny?"
"Your tail's wrapped around mine."
"...and?"
ecc024 No.2788
>>2787
"Yeah, no. It's really not. I don't even need eyes to see that."
He closes his eyes and they dissapear for a few seconds before they reappear and open again.
"Yeah, didn't need eyes. So that's something you need to worry about. Anything else you want to fess up to? That way we aren't surprised when we get up there?"
He leans in to Dawn, whispering, "She doesn't know she's tortured forever if she fails the test, does she?"
b3a5ae No.2789
>>2788
"Oh, jeez. Is that what happens?"
Rushie goes pale. "Is what what happens?"
"Not something you need to be worrying about, sis."
ecc024 No.2790
>>2789
"Granted, your other self could have lied, but he seemed genuine, given he chastised himself for saying it."
He leans back and smiles at Rush. "I was telling him about what happens back on Casmaran when a Champion is found lacking. It's really nothing you need to worry about."
b3a5ae No.2791
>>2790
"Yeah, be happy you aren't out there. You fail that test, you don't come back out! But we've got a second chance here."
Rushie shrugs. "Doesn't matter though. Nothin' wrong with me. I'm the perfect little sister."
ecc024 No.2792
>>2791
"Generally speaking, perfect little sisters don't attempt to sexually entangle their siblings."
He looks over at Dawn. "Remember that thing I said I'd do to you regarding the wall and talking out your issues? I'm edging towards it here."
b3a5ae No.2793
>>2792
"Try it, just don't be surprised when she tries to hump you in the process."
"Dawn!"
"I've seen your porn folder. It's insane."
8b0404 No.2794
Shudleng leaps all at once, dropping any semblance of form and spreading out to cover Rush from the neck down.
The parts that make contact with the ground are incredibly sticky. Hercules had a hard time getting out of this.
A head forms near Rush's.
"K"
b3a5ae No.2795
>>2794
"Whoa."
Rushie glances around.
"You, uh, do this often?"
Outside, you hear the sound of Dawn facehoofing right on cue.
8b0404 No.2796
>>2795
"Often enough. I can show you more later, but that's not what this is for. Besides, we've already done it."
He looks around. "Listen. You'll get out of this when you talk about what you are hiding. I can make the wall thicker. Dawn doesn't have to hear."
b3a5ae No.2797
>>2796
"...do it. I don't want him listening."
She curls up in the center of the dome.
8b0404 No.2798
He obliges, turning the walls dark and hard. He's still drawing in air, keeping the air fresh.
"There. Go ahead."
9af06e No.2799
>>2798
"...So."
She takes a deep breath.
"I've been doin' everything I can to...be the perfect girl for him. Be what he needs. I've seen what happens when you don't have someone like that."
She shivers a little. "I don't know what he'll think when he sees through that."
8b0404 No.2800
>>2799
"You've seen the worst of your brother today. How do you feel about that?"
The ground is slowly being filled in with organic carpeting. It's really comfortable.
9af06e No.2801
>>2800
"He's been through a lot. And...I don't blame him for wanting to protect me."
She sits up.
"But I don't like seeing him freak out like that! And if he needs someone who's 'safe', I'll just need to be safe."
8b0404 No.2802
>>2801
"Except where he's fine taking you with him up there now. Let's go over this from the top. First, Dawn can take care of many of his own needs. He's a big pony. If he needs something sexual, he can find it. He doesn't need his little sister. Second, you being like you are is obviously something fine for him, given he's allowed it so far."
"Now, after you face your worst parts, you'll both be sitting down at home, and talking this out. I'll make sure of it."
9af06e No.2803
>>2802
"I don't want to let him see me like that, though."
She curls inward once more.
"And...I'm worried that he'll wear himself out. You heard what his other self said. He might end up like Dad did, an' then I won't have anyone."
ecc024 No.2804
>>2803
The head sticking out of the wall rolls its eyes. "Alright, so, you both seem to forget that you have a nigh-immortal shapeshifter friend that is dedicated to helping both of you. He's my partner in HOOFEN, and you are the one I want to date, so I'm pretty committed to making sure you both are at the top of your game."
9af06e No.2805
>>2804
"Okay, fai'nuff. I really don't want to do this in front of him, though. I...I don't want him to think I'm nuts or something."
She stands up.
"Can you, like, cover him up while I'm dealin' with it?"
ecc024 No.2806
>>2805
He nods, then approximates a shrug.
"I can, but I'd rather have his permission. What happens if we end up fighting, though? Do I let him loose?"
9af06e No.2807
9af06e No.2808
>>2806
>>2807
"Well yeah! How else is he gonna see me kickin' butt?"
She laughs.
"But...seriously, don't let him see me like that. It hurt, seein' that demon thing push him like that. I don't wanna hurt him that way."
ecc024 No.2809
>>2808
"Alright. Give me two moments."
A head forms on the outside of the dome. "Dawn, I need to talk to you."
9af06e No.2810
>>2809
"Yeah? Don't tell me she actually tried to hump ya. I was only half joking..."
ecc024 No.2811
>>2810
"No she didn't. But there's News, and Good News. Which do you want first?"
9af06e No.2812
>>2811
"Good news. Let's hear it."
He cants his head to the side.
ecc024 No.2813
>>2812
"She'll go up there willingly to deal with her issues." He smiles a little.
c13209 No.2814
>>2813
He nods. "I need her to be ready. And we need this door closed. What's the bad news?"
ecc024 No.2815
>>2814
"She doesn't want you to see. She doesn't want you hurt by what goes on up there. You'd be free for combat, but otherwise she doesn't want you to see."
c13209 No.2816
>>2815
"..."
He shakes his head.
"Let me talk to her."
ecc024 No.2817
>>2816
"If she okays it. Let me let her know."
The head inside says, "He wants to talk to you.
b3a5ae No.2818
>>2817
"...okay."
She gives your head a quick, awkward hug, and prepares to face him.
ecc024 No.2819
>>2818
The walls dissolve into a pool, coalescing into Night Between's form behind Rush.
b3a5ae No.2820
>>2819
"...so..."
"Rushie?"
"Yeah?"
"You're an idiot. You really think I'd let you go it alone?"
He steps forward and throws his hooves around her.
"I'm not gonna sit around in Shudleng's belly while you fight your demons. I'm gonna be right there behind you."
Rushie gasps softly, blushing.
"Now, you ready?"
Dawn lets go of her, and Rushie nods.
ecc024 No.2821
>>2820
"Good. Let's all be happy and strong, then!"
ecc024 No.2822
>>2821
He walks forward and tosses his hooves over both of them, nodding to each in term.
"So, partner, Rushie, let's go do it!"
b3a5ae No.2823
>>2821
>>2822
"Okay..."
"Relax, sis. I've got you. No more trying to hide you."
Dawn and Rushie walk onto the elevator.
"Here goes nothing," Dawn says, as he hits the switch.
The lift rumbles to a start, and begins moving up...
Up, up into the fog layer. Into the flashing lights and the pounding music. Past the struts and catwalks...
Somewhere along the line, you begin moving downward again.
As you descend out of the fog layer, you see a massive, neon-pink dance floor, flashing that checkerboard pattern. Ponies float above it, immobile, their forelegs held out to the sides in a silent plea for freedom. They form a path, twisting and turning, that leads to a stage at the other end of the dance floor. The lights coming off the stage are too bright; you can't see anything past them.
Up above, the fog lacks any definition. The flashing lights don't reflect on it--rather, it is the cold grey of metal tiling. Near the end of the dance floor you stand at, a gentle green light shines through.
"We're on the ceiling?" Dawn says. "This is new. All of this is new. This place didn't show up, not in my door."
ecc024 No.2824
>>2823
"It's horrifying. Still. Let's keep moving."
ed1fa5 No.2825
>>2823
"Wow, this would be really pretty if it wasn't for... All the..."
Ben trails off, then leans over to the left and is violently sick, just missing Shudleng.
"Bligh... Sorry, crucifixion freaks me out."
He lies down on Shudleng's back.
"So what do you think all of this means? Like, Doors? Why do they exist?"
b3a5ae No.2826
>>2824
"Okay. I'll take point. Rush, on my left. Shudleng, keep an eye on the kid. This is advanced stuff."
He starts trotting forward.
>>2825
"I've got nothin'. They're just there."
Dawn shrugs.
"It's a force of nature, I guess."
"Maybe it's got some kinda purpose?"
"Why would you even want magical torture doors that lead to Hell?"
"...good point."
ecc024 No.2827
>>2826
"There's a purpose, but we won't learn anything from those in here. They won't talk."
>>2825
He looks back at Ben. "You'll be fine."
b3a5ae No.2828
>>2827
"Dead mares tell no tales," Rushie mutters, as you press on through the hall of bodies.
Each of the ponies has a dead stare in their eyes. There's no life left in them, no soul. Even their bodies seem drained and colorless in the consuming light of the dance floor.
ecc024 No.2829
>>2828
"These are probably all fake. No worries."
He seems like this all doesn't bother him that much.
ed1fa5 No.2830
>>2827
>>2826
"Sorry..."
Ben hops off Shudleng's back and starts walking, his chin tucked to his collarbone and his eyes facing the ground. He has a hand placed on Rushie for guidance.
He's mumbling something to himself, but the words are garbled.
ecc024 No.2831
>>2830
"It's fine, buddy. No worries."
b3a5ae No.2832
>>2829
"I hope they're fake. Having a bunch of dead bodies floating around your hell...I mean, if it's your personal hell, why would other ponies be in it? I don't know any of these guys. Do you?"
"Nope. I haven't a clue. I don't think I've done anything with anybody who's dead..."
>>2830
"You okay, Ben?"
Rushie puts a wing over his head.
"Stay calm, li'l guy! We'll be done here soon."
ed1fa5 No.2833
>>2831
>>2832
...
Mumble mumble "shadow of the valley of death" mumble mumble "thy sun and stars" mumble mumble...
For all his talk, it seems Ben is just as emotionally vulnerable in some ways as any other twelve-year-old.
For example, crucifixions.
b3a5ae No.2834
>>2833
"..."
Rushie pulls you a little closer.
"We'll be done here soon."
ecc024 No.2835
"Done as soon as we can."
b3a5ae No.2836
>>2835
"..."
Dawn glances off to the side.
"I dunno what's worse--the idea that our hells are filled with fake bodies, or that they're filled with dead strangers..."
"Think of it this way. Maybe that just means we're bothered by random people dying."
"Yeah. I guess it'd be creepier if it were empty, if you look at it like that."
You reach a corner in the path--and there's a faint light shining past the wall of bodies.
a79639 No.2837
>>2834
>>2835
>>2836
Ben looks like he's about to say something, but the light show up suddenly. He looks towards it, shakes his head once, and squishes his body to Rushie's.
"That light... It's not right. Makes my head hurt..."
ecc024 No.2838
>>2837
"It's all bullshit magic. Be ready for something bad."
b3a5ae No.2839
>>2837
"Stick to me. Just stay near me, Ben."
Rushie hides him from the light with her wing.
>>2838
Dawn stares at it.
"...blue tint. It's all tinted blue. And the way it's shimmering...that light has to be something living. Or moving, at least."
He steps toward the bodies.
ecc024 No.2840
>>2839
He looks over at Rush. "Any of this meaning anything to you?"
b3a5ae No.2841
>>2840
"No, I don't think so--"
Dawn touches one of the bodies.
It screams--a blood-curdling cry of agony as the body tumbles to the floor, limbs splaying out at odd angles.
"Ah, FUCK. Five bits says that caught something's attention. Ben, get behind us! Rushie, Shudleng, on me!"
eea29e No.2842
>>2839
>>2838
"We're gonna be okay..."
Ben sticks near Rushie and continues onwards, gritting his teeth.
eea29e No.2843
>>2841
At the screaming, Ben doubles over, clutching his head.
"AAAAAAAAA!"
A slight blue trail is leaking into the air around his eyes.
ecc024 No.2844
>>2843
>>2842
Shudleng leaps forward and clasps a tentacle around the front of Ben's face, covering the eyes.
"BEN. Calm down or I make you calm down. This is not the time, and especially not the place."
eea29e No.2845
>>2844
"I'm... Ahhhh... Head... Hurts..."
Ben's eyes are shut tight.
"Something ahead... Big magic...."
Shudleng's tentacle is smoking a little.
b3a5ae No.2846
>>2842
>>2843
>>2844
"Aw, shit..."
Dawn draws his revolver, and Rushie her baton, as they step into formation around him.
"Protect the kid!" Dawn shouts. "Keep him in a pocket if ya gotta!"
Shadows are flitting to and fro...
A pair of Constricted fall into view!
A Deadly Smile floats around the corner!
Following the Deadly Smile, a strange, ghostlike creature of folded paper floats into view, carrying a lit torch!
>BATTLE START
>Enemies:
1x High Spirit
1x Deadly Smile
2x Constricted
>Dawn has the following new abilities:
>Just Desserts: When One for the Team triggers, Dawn counterattacks for 1 damage.
>[PERSONA] Slam: Meter 3. Deal 4 Phys damage to target critter.
>Rushie has gained the following ability:
>Fulfilling Foxtrot: Meter 4. Heal a teammate for 2 HP.
>The other part of advancing is "Social Links". For each boss you defeat, through talking or through fighting, you gain 1 Social Link Point. You may spend it and select a character.
>If the character you select also spends a Link Point, and selects you, your Social Link with that character goes up. At Link Level 1, you can issue commands to linked NPCs, and gain +1 meter when attacking an enemy a linked PC stunned. At Link Level 2, you can perform a Fusion Attack.
>NPCs will always spend a Link Point to link to PCs that spend a Link Point on them, unless something ridiculous happens.
ecc024 No.2847
>Shudleng has gained the ability: Many Skinned Mantle: Meter 5. Once per Verse, change Shudleng's Weakness for the rest of this Verse.
>Attack Deadly Smile
He immediately lashes out with a wing, turning it into a horrifying spear of bone.
eea29e No.2848
>>2847
Ben can't see anything. He's still got a tentacle around his head...
"What's going on!?"
b3a5ae No.2849
>>2847
>>2848
>Shudleng: Attack DS
The DS takes 1 damage!
The DS dies!
+1 meter!
>Dawn: Attack High Spirit
"Get back here, you piece o' shit...!"
1 damage!
>Rushie: Attack Constricted
"Back off!"
1 damage!
>Backbeat
>HS: Healing Smoke
The High Spirit waves its torch!
Constricted regained 1 health!
"Son of a--it's a healer! Kill the healer!"
>Mainbeat
ecc024 No.2850
>>2849
"It's a fight. But it's up to you whether I let you go or not, Ben. Can you handle yourself?"
>Frail Blade: 1 Nature Damage (No HP cost) at the HS
eea29e No.2851
>>2848
"I can fight!"
>Way of the Mountain triggers! Type: ICE!
Ben >Attack High Spirit!
b3a5ae No.2852
>>2850
>>2851
>Shudleng: Frail Blade > HS
...you only have 1 meter...
Converted to regular attack.
1 damage to HS!
>Ben: Attack > HS (ICE)
1 Ice damage!
HS was knocked down! +1 Meter!
"There! Now we just gotta finish off the others!"
>Dawn: Attack > CnA
1 damage to Constricted A!
>Rushie: Jammin' Jig > CnB
1 Nature damage!
Constricted B was knocked down! +1 meter!
>Backbeat
>CnA: Lockdown > CnB
A massive chain forms around the downed Constricted...!
>Lockdown is a special effect that causes an enemy to be invulnerable, at the cost of being unable to attack.
>To break the lock, you must defeat the creature that cast Lockdown. However, the creature that used Lockdown cannot use any other attack without deactivating Lockdown.
"Damn...! At least we stopped the healer. We can still do this!"
>Mainbeat
>Current Meter: 3
eea29e No.2854
>>2852
Ben's eyes still trail a glowing blue, but it dissipates into the air. He attacks the healer again! It may be down, but it isn't out!
>Attack: High Spirit
ecc024 No.2855
>>2854
Seeing Ben attack the Spirit, Shudleng decides to go for the one Dawn attacked before.
>Attack CnA
b3a5ae No.2857
>>2855
>>2854
>Ben: Attack > HS
You strike the HS for 1x2 Ice damage!
The High Spirit died!
+1 Meter!
>Shudleng: Attack > CnA
You slice the Constricted for 1 damage!
It dies!
+1 Meter!
CnA's Lockdown on CnB ended!
>Dawn: Slam > CnB
"I've been waiting for this...! Wolfwood!"
The blue card appears in his hoof; he tosses it into the air, and puts a bullet through it.
The massive cross slams down into the ground, leaving a crater where the second Constricted was.
>Verse 1 end!
>Status:
>PARTY ALL OK
>5 Meter!
"Good job, guys--here come some more!
3x Constricted appeared!
1x High Spirit appeared!
A tall figure, towering over the other creatures, strides to the front. Its face is hidden behind a porcelain mask, painted with the smile of a beautiful woman. In one hand, it clutches a glowing rod of glass.
1x Conductive appeared!
>Conductive: Band, together!
The Conductive turns to the other creatures, and waves his neon tube in spastic, frustrated motions.
The other monsters start to bob to the beat of the music...
"I don't like the look of this one. Hold the line...!"
>You can >guard to reduce incoming damage.
>Using >guard on your own reduces all damage to your character to 1 and prevents knockdown.
>If all party members use >guard, all incoming damage is reduced to 0 and all party members are immune to knockdown.
2b8dc9 No.2858
>guard
Shudleng becomes a wall of some kind of chitin.
66a597 No.2859
>>2858
Ben hides behind Shudleng, bringing a hand to his eyes.
"Head's getting worse..."
>Guard
b3a5ae No.2860
>Almost forgot, Ben's new ability triggered last Verse:
>Way of the Roaring Fire: When Ben strikes a creature's weak point, he gains +1 extra Meter.
>Meter is actually at 6.
>>2858
>>2859
"I can't watch...!"
>Rushie: Guard
Rushie hides behind her wings. She peeks out between the feathers.
"Behind me, Rush!"
>Dawn: Guard
Dawn steps in front of her, and braces himself...
>Backbeat
>Cd: Full Rest
The Conductive's flailing leaves it tired, and it sags to the ground.
>CnA: Swing > Shudleng
The Constricted lashes out, its limbs flailing at you!
0 damage!
>CnB: Swing > Dawb
Another takes a swing at Dawn!
0 damage!
>CnC: Lockdown > Conductive
The third places a massive lock and chain around the Conductive.
>HS: Blaze > Dawn
The High Spirit's flames rise higher, and it headbutts Dawn!
0 damage!
>Mainbeat!
"That was close. They start dancing, that means they're gonna slam us! Keep your eyes out!"
ecc024 No.2861
>>2860
"Ben, keep the healer down."
Shudleng steps forward to hit the Constricted that swung at him.
>Attack CnA
000000 No.2862
>>2861
"Right!"
Ben throws a punch at the healer!
>Attack High Spirit!
b3a5ae No.2863
>>2861
>>2862
>Shudleng: Attack > CnA
Dealt 1 damage!
CnA died! +1 Meter!
>Ben: Attack > HS
Dealt 1 Ice damage!
HS was knocked down! +1 Meter!
>Rushie: Jammin' Jig > CnC
"And a one, and a two, and a--"
She stomps on the Constricted, and it falls to the ground!
CnC's lock on Cd was broken!
>Dawn: Slam > Cd
"Eat this! PERSONA!"
Dawn tosses a blue card into the air and pistol-whips it.
The massive cross known as Wolfwood comes crashing down on the Conductor!
Dealt 4x2 damage! Conductor died! +1 Meter!
>Backbeat
>CnB: Swing > Dawn
The remaining Constricted takes a swing at Dawn!
"Guh--! That piece o' shit...!"
>Mainbeat
>Status:
>Dawn: 3/4
>Rush OK
>Shudleng OK
>Ben OK
>Meter 9
"One left, and then we've got this wave!
ecc024 No.2864