seasonsgreetings | Event #7: Knocking on the 4th Wall (Inside the Metaverse)

Entry tags:

!4th wall

Event #7: Knocking on the 4th Wall (Inside the Metaverse)

Knocking on the 4th Wall
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION

Prelude (Pre 4th Wall)

On March 14th, everyone received a message. The Research Center is ready to try another test to find ways to beat the Darkness. This time the test is not done with the robots that were previously used, but instead everyone who volunteers will be participating in a virtual reality simulator. They're asked to come over to the Center on March 15th.

The researchers will explain that the purpose of this simulation is to see how several fully powered power holders fair against the Darkness. They have gathered enough data on it and the dark energy in general to determine the effects it will have on nature, monsters and wildlife if the barrier is taken off. This is the only safe way to actually test their theories.

After all the necessary explanations, everyone is asked to log in to the metaverse. Anyone logging in may notice that there are a lot of glitches as they enter.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, anyone looking at any kind of a screen (their own device, television, a digital advertisement, etc.) will have their mind sucked into the metaverse, due to the virus residing in the program. Their bodies will be left in a sleep-like state wherever they may be.

Wrong Turn at Albuquerque

The Research Center staff intended for all otherworlders to start near the Research Center so they could get used to the metaverse in peace. There are no natives in the simulator, so testing out powers around the city would have been safe as well. However, because of the glitch, people can appear anywhere, either in the city or anywhere on the segments (save from the one closed off location).

Sometimes the scenery and items in the world glitch a little bit, reminding anyone that this is the metaverse. Except the glitches weren't meant to happen. Luckily they're all mostly aesthetical, but some items may work differently than they should. You have a spoon? It actually works like a fork.

Luckily, this doesn't mean they will be without any items. They can open a menu with the device on their wrist that lets them get anything at all from Riki's Rewards during the simulator without any cost. They can think of this as special opportunity to test out all kinds of items before buying them, as they work exactly the same as they would in normal space.

For some reason, the Shady Shop also appears in the menu. That was not anyone's intention as the items are, well, shady.

Other than the two shops there are basic potion and magical item menus that people can use where needed. Even vehicles, such as airships can be summoned through the menus for easier traveling in the segments.

Some might find the glitches concerning and wish to return and tell the researches about them. The problem with that is is that clicking "Log Off" won't do anything at all, even if it's supposed to boot someone out of the metaverse. But that's not the end of the strange things going on.

You're in the Metaverse Now

Along with the otherworlders that were participating in the test, others start to join in as well due to unforeseen circumstances. Luckily, they have the same "settings" as everyone else, so they're not completely without aid wherever they end up in. They also have all of their powers unlocked for the duration of their stay in the metaverse (including all animal transformations).

As part of the strange glitch going on everyone also has access to any powers from previous worlds, if they have experienced other places before. It would seem the powers can also be shared through the item inventory, should anyone want to temporary use another world's abilities. This is possible with even a person's native powers.

And as if that wasn't enough, people who weren't on Ellipsa start appearing as well. Anyone who doesn't currently have a body on Ellipsa has a mark somewhere on their body, signaling that they're just data. This mark is somehow related to the characters that has it and emits a faint light.

All of the people who are just visiting will also be able to enjoy the metaverse the same way as anyone else. They have been sorted into a Seasons and have access to full powers - and the same item inventory. All that's different from the others is that they have no physical body to return to in this world.

Communication is the key

During the metaverse adventures, people are able to communicate through their devices, but the messages will not go out to the "normal" network. So the messages are only between those in the metaverse, but at least the network works the same way as it would in the "normal world".

Happy communicating.

It's Getting Dark, Too Dark to See

The goal of the metaverse is to have a safe environment to test powers against the Darkness. All of the barriers have been taken out, except for the one surrounding the city of Nightwake. The city acts as a safe haven to anyone who needs a break or doesn't want to fight.

Everyone is encouraged to go to where the barriers used to be and use their full, unlocked powers against everything and anything the darkness throws at them to see how well they can fight against it.

Thanks to all powers being unlocked, destroying enemies powered up by the Darkness is a lot easier, but pushing back the approaching darkness still needs something more than just raw power. Though with enough power holders of different seasons working together and ~~crossing the different seasonal element streams~~ fusing together different elements from each season in a single attack, it's possible to halt the advance, much like a barrier would, for 24 hours.

Due to the barriers being off, all creatures are stronger due to the Darkness's influence. Even creatures that normally have no danger level can now at least do Dark damage. Some Slime especially may seek vengeance.

Unfortunately, due to the weird glitch in the system, everyone inside the metaverse is able to feel pain when they originally weren't supposed to, to make the experience safe. It feels very real, and there's a chance any non-lethal wounds will appear on the person's real body.

Effects of "The Darkness"

The Darkness is slowly expanding from all sides. Very slowly, at a snail's pace. Everything it touches turns into black sand, before transforming into something different. Some may even recognize the things that rise from the sand, as they're monsters, fauna or people from their own world, made into more twisted forms. They may even be creatures from a popular media from back home... or at least, someone's home (players').

If a Power Holder walks into the Darkness, they won't immediately turn into anything. Instead the transformation is slow and painful. Leaving the area will stop the transformation, but any damage already done remains. If the person changes completely, they might lose their sense of self completely and attack anything in their sights.

What they turn into depends on the individual (player's choice) and the only way to reverse the changes is to die. Luckily that isn't permanent even in the metaverse. The person just gets booted out, but can re-enter anytime they want to (or in this case; is forced to). This was told to anyone before entering the program, so they could go all out and test limits as much as they want.

Wait... Did I Save?

A screen appears either when someone dies or gets forcefully booted out of the metaverse. It has two options: Remember or Forget.

Clicking "Remember" will automatically save everything that happened into a person's memory and proceed to boot them out. Clicking "Forget" will lead the person to a series of "Are you Sure" pop up windows. As the very last resort, the window suggests an option to only partially forget events that transpired in the metaverse. Choosing to still forget everything will make the person wake up from a long, dreamless sleep. The memories erased cannot be found later on, as they have been completely erased from their metaverse-selves. Even someone telling them what happened won't sound familiar.

This option is also available for any visitors during the time they're visiting. Whenever they die they get booted out and can be immediately returned to the metaverse (by the power of players) with or without their memories, depending on what they chose.

Of course, anyone can then tell the person about the very crazy stunts they made the last time they were in the metaverse. They could be complete lies, but they wouldn't have any solid proof, other than "I would never do that".

Time to Say Goodbye

Finally, on March 31st, a message comes from the outside. It's telling everyone stuck in the metaverse that they can finally leave out of their own will and stay out this time. People can then choose to leave immediately be pressing by pressing the "Log Off" button on their screen or take a moment to say goodbye to the temporary visitors of the metaverse.

The screen asking if someone wants to "Remember" or "Forget" appears, once again. This time the Forget option is even more insistent on asking if the person is sure about their choice, especially since the memories that are erased can't be taken back later.

Once everyone who exists on Ellipsa has returned to their bodies, the metaverse will be shut down. All visitors have been booted out and returned to where they came.

OOC TIPS

• Ask 4th Wall related questions here. Read the 4th wall FAQ before asking them.

• You don't need to comment on the plotting post to participate & anyone can participate in the 4th wall (there's no separate invitation needed). However, if you wish to app in later, you need an invite if you're not a friend of the mods.

• This post is open to tag and top-level by everyone! Those arriving for the 4th wall can write 4TH WALL or VISITOR on their post and/or link their top level here!

• Check the Opt-in top-level if you're considering bringing in a character that already exists in the game.

• Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a separate entry (like to your musebox or characters' journal).

• Remember to content and spoiler warn as necessary!

• Reminder to players in the game that this month is Activity Check-in month and check-in ends on March 31th, at 23:59 PST.

code bases by tricklet

Threaded | Flat

Link your top levels here so people can find them easier. Remember to put your characters' name and canon in the title!

[city]
Is this this year's White Day Rayshift?

[An interestingly-dressed woman is wandering the city and talking to herself out loud. A glowing mark around her arm indicates that she's data - though the golden color and curled shape of it might be familiar, if it were around someone's head instead.]

I did always want to go to the moon. ...And if you think about it, the moon's kind of west, at least some of the time!

-But I don't want to be by myself! Isn't there anyone here who can guide a lost monk on her way?

[segments]
Reflect upon your misdeeds and repent!

[Sanzang punches a monster so hard that it explodes. That's the prompt, I don't know what else you want from me.]

[wildcard]
[this is the first time I've RPed her so yolo]

[A fancily-dressed young man is wandering the city. A glowing blue mark is visible encircling his neck.

Upon spotting you (unless you're someone he already knows), a telepathic message comes your way.]

Excuse me, but is this Hell?

city

[ who thought giving the bug with impulse control issues the equivalent of an unlimited credit card was a good idea...

metaverse visitors may stumble upon a decent sized pile of assorted stuff from Riki's Rewards with horns sticking out of it. after a moment, it stirs, and the knight sticks their head out, grasping a Wishing Dandelion victoriously— only to spend a long moment staring at it.

how are you supposed to blow the seeds if you don't have a mouth... ]

segments

[ here is someone having an absolute blast shredding their way through just about any monster they can find— they're a whirlwind of blade and shadow, largely relying on spells made of void but also occasionally flinging arcs of glowing icicle missiles and flashbangs in the shape of dazzling stars.

a leap into the air has their cloak first sprouting into bright bug wings, then darkening and twisting into shadowy dragon ones as they hover. who's next— foe, or perhaps friend needing assistance? ]

wildcard?

[ come at me— they're going to be sticking their non-existent nose into anything they find interesting, so just about everything goes! their mark is a nail on the palm of their left hand. ]

I. Arrival - City

[ Well this sure is a place Luciel wasn't standing in a couple of seconds ago. He'd just been on his way back from the store--he's still got a shopping bag in each hand to prove it. Now he's...here. Wherever that is?? What the actual heck is going on here.

Also: why is there some sort of weird scribble on the back of his hand...? Luciel brings his arm up to get a better look, and it's at that moment that the bottom of one grocery bag tears and splits, dumping its contents all over the sidewalk.

Followed right by the other. Fresh produce is everywhere. ]

Oh come on...!

II. Segments

[ It's been a long, long, long time since Luciel fought a battle of any sort, and honestly? He's not all that keen on changing that. He is retired. He doesn't do this kind of thing anymore. If he had his say, he'd be back in the city, loafing the day away with a nap or drinking his 8000th cup of coffee.

But no. He's here, out in the middle of some weird...fake-but-not-quite world, trying his best to make sure no one gets an arm lopped off or anything. If he does see someone about to be in a bad way he'll be there in a flash, blocking the creature's blow with one pitch-black arm. ]

--You okay??

III. The Extra

[ Wherein sometimes...u just need to fall asleep.

in a public park.

on a bench.

with a newspaper on your face and six empty to-go cups of coffee strewn around the ground. ]

Arrival

Alright, let's see what I'm dealing with this... time...

[Tamura scans the area around her. The area which is very much not the usual hospital, or even Mitakihara.]

Where the hell am I now?!

Segments

[Infinite access to Riki's Rewards means infinite ammo, something Tamura is very much taking advantage of. Monsters will suddenly find themselves surrounded by magic bullets on all sides, creating an inescapable dome of death.]

Horya! Who else wants some!

[She's maybe gone a bit mad with power.]

Edited 2024-03-14 23:58 (UTC)

City

[This… this wasn’t the afterlife. Wasn’t Beacon, either. Pyrrha was certain she was at least dying but, now? Here she was, alive, whole… what was this place?

And then, there’s a shriek. Pyrrha turned around to see a girl faint from shock. The clothes was different, but the cape and scythe?]

Ruby?! Oh, no, I’m sorry!

Segments

[After getting an idea of what’s going on, Pyrrha needed to get her mind off of a few things. And that means that she was going exploring the segments…

And fighting the Darkness. It was like fighting Grimm, so this almost seemed like second nature of her.

Oh, she kinda wished she did something different, but… this felt nice.]

♡ option i: you're in the metaverse now

[ The worst thing about being a full time content creator is that it's so easy to get pulled into a screen when you're working in front of a screen all the time.

But what's even worse than that is that because of the strange glitches, she feels her chest heavy and falling onto one knee, dark eyes staring at concrete because she can easily tell, her breath catching slightly as she doesn't get up just yet, only saying a single word: ]

No...!

[ If people attempt to help her by putting their hand on her physically at all, they might feel their powers getting nullified, but only during the duration of that touch.

And for those who can see souls: they'll be able to see the small blue and white heart SOUL in the center - it's evident that she's partially a monster, but also... partially human. In any case, she'll probably need help off that concrete floor. ]

♡ option ii: metaverse network | text | UN: Inaban

This is probably a weird ask, but has anyone who has been to another world before this one suddenly feel the powers that they had from said world returning?

♡ option wildcard

[ Want to play something else entirely different? Hit me up at

tsundereban! ]

🐝 Bee (2) | itsabee @ discord |

gothbarbies

CAROLENA MARIANNA MORIR

She is sixteen years old. Tall, lean, athletic with brown eyes and black hair. She has a smattering of freckles across her nose. She is dressed well for her age, timelessly neat with neatly pressed slacks and a sleeveless red button up with a high asymetrical collar. Her jewelry is understated but expensive looking. She is too smart for her own good and cruel-minded.

IN THE METAVERSE NOW

[ This isn't where she was a minute ago. She gazes around thoughtfully at the snowy winter segment. She isn't dressed for the weather. She considers her options. She has either been teleported somewhere, or this is VR. Her cyberpunk home world gives strong credence to the latter. Things would be much more difficult for her if she were teleported, but she's not going to cross that bridge until she has finished investigating.

She begins to inspect herself for signs that she is in avatar. She finds the glowing mark. She finds the ugly watch that opens the menu. She scrolls through it rapidly, eyes attentive.

Perfect Temperature. Yes, that is what she could use out here. There is no cost, so she buys it and then takes it out of her inventory. She drinks one, and then is ready to focus on the game.

She stands out against the snow in her red shirt, but she decides that isn't a problem just yet. It will be interesting what notices her and comes her way... She heads for the bridge back towards Nightwake.

As she walks, she starts trying to figure out what the abilities are in this game. This results in her sending a large fireball up into the air. Sparks rain down on her as she stares with a small smirk: ]

Fun.

[ Somewhere along the way, she also seems to add a pair of black cat ears to her avatar? She doesn't know how she did or how to turn it off so she just ignores it. ]

THE DARKNESS - CW: ZOMBIES
[ She recoils from the shambling dead with a curl of her lips. She doesn't hesitate at all to shoot fire at them, but the numbers continue to increase... She's going to be overrun in the end.

She starts to look around for a way out of this boss battle. If she can at least get some breathing room, maybe she can find something in the shop to help her cheese this. ]

NIGHTWAKE

[ Well. She's made it back to town. She had to use a few more doses of the perfect temperature potion, but it was free anyway. So who cares. She met a few people along the road back to the city, but now there is a whole new crowd to watch and to eavesdrop on. She is curious about this player base.

So she introduces herself. Isn't chatting part of an MMO? ]

I'm Carla. Where are you from?

[ ASL? ]

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

📱 are you having a bad time?

WILDCARD

Go for it! I'm game.

Edited 2024-03-15 00:48 (UTC)

🐝 Bee (2) | itsabee @ discord |

gothbarbies
🐉 Out of metaverse

NO TERMS AND CONDITIONS

[ Since returning to Ellipsa, he has been thinking quite a lot about how to contribute meaningfully to their mission. He wants to live like he has nothing to return to. It's selfish, maybe, but he has given every moment of his own existence to a dying way of life. He can tell that's why Autumn is so comfortable for him. The steadiness of it all, but also the change in the wind.

He wants to live for himself for as long as Ellipsa will allow him to.

So he volunteers to help with tests. It will also give him a playground to learn about some of the mechanics of this world. His Tokyo is so mundane, with only a few ghosts or oddities, but very little magic it has always stymied him.

Which is why you will find him on the outskirts of Nightwake testing different abilities.

Earthquake shockwaves eminate from the area.]

ABILITIES

EARTH_WOOD_METAL MANIPULATION
[ He's worked hard for the aim and accuracy he has with his gun. He wonders how he can employ the skills in his arsenal to use that skill... He makes a selection of projectiles from stone, from wood, and repurposes some bullets he has on him for the metal set.

He starts by getting them to move at his whim, and then he works on getting them to spin around his defensively, and then finally he sends them shooting at various trees and rocks to see what penetrates. ]
TELEPATHY
Hello? Is anyone getting this message?
ANIMAL FAVORS
[ This particular skill in the tree makes him feel like a Disney princess, and it's weird, but he tries it on some nearby birds,]

Hey, could one of you guys go scout ahead beyond those trees?

[ He points up the road. He gets an affirmative chirp, and Daigo stands there in disbelief and watches until it is out of sight. ]

ANIMAL TRANSFORMATIONS

[ He tries a dog as an initial, simple attempt at this. He makes a very fine chocolate lab. The absolute familiarity of a dog makes this reasonably easy for him to return from, although he struggles at the end to shake off the ears and lolling tongue.

But he's back to human.

For his second attempt, however, he picks an eagle. A creature not as well known by him, and it comes in pieces and parts. First, however, is the extension of wing and brown feathers. It is a slow stretch into the right shape.

And then he is there on talons in the grass blinking curiously, ]

Think I can fly like this?

THE DARKNESS

[He does eventually set out into the Autumn segment to actually test some of these abilities in combat. He's grateful for the chance to just test them in peace, though, it's taught him a lot more about how things work around here.

He heads west towards the Airship Station and Abandoned Mansion, along the way managing well enough with the local oddities that are disturbed by the Darkness simulation. But he is near the Mushroom Sanctuary when the Darkness reaches him and provides him with his own boss battle.

So many yakuza from his past. Some of them dead, some of them alive. Some friend, some foe, and some in between-- but they are all coming for him now,]

Daigo-san.

[ He freezes, unwilling to fight many of these specters.

He needs help before he gets overrun. ]

[[ooc; if you need some quick visuals, here is a video with the yakuza boss battles. ]]

WILDCARD

Go for it! I'm game.

Edited 2024-03-15 01:47 (UTC)

[For someone who has been just transported to an unknown place, Frieren does not appear affected by her situation at all. The faint light that marks her as a creation of data is a symbol on her left hand resembling a typical magic circle, miniaturized to a size where no details are visible anymore.]

I. city

[She can be found wandering the city centre where she sticks out like a sore thumb or eventually in Amberfall, right next to the entrance of the library. She has borrowed a stack of books taller than herself (admittedly, not that big of an achievement) and is currently making it levitate with her magic. One of the books is currently in Frieren's hand and she is about to start reading.]

II. segments

[Frieren has barely made it out of the city. She can be found in the flower yard, studying the barrier spell and trying to reverse engineer how it was cast.

What she has not yet realized is that her magic staff has fallen victim to the omnipresent glitches in the Metaverse. It has become a stick for blowing soap bubbles and is only producing more and more every time Frieren attempts to use magic. The soap smells faintly of cherries and is suprisingly cold to the touch, an unpleasant surprise if the bubbles pop in your face!]

III. wildcard

[you know the drill!]

I

[--strange, that. This wasn't where those steps were supposed to lead.

It seems that somehow, she'd wandered into a whole new place entirely. How, she has to wonder -- did the remnant Honkai warp it? Was it these 'sky people' that did it? Or was it something else, like the Herrscher of Domination's handiwork from years ago...?

It was probably best if she went around and asked, but therein lies the question--]

Where do I even start...?

[Not having Carole around to scout things, or the squad's X-Member, for that matter, made things difficult. It wasn't that she couldn't do the legwork herself, but--

Having more eyes and ears was just better, for situations like this.]

II

[One might be in the middle of fighting something, or even on the verge of getting ambushed before suddenly--

A thunderbolt flickers into view, and the monster that would have struck suddenly falls where it stood, defeated by this lady's fine work with a katana and a flash of her lightning.]

...Phew. Seems I made it in time. [For once. She turns to whoever it was she bailed out.] Are you okay?

Wildcard

[Got other ideas? Just toss them at me.]

Edited (Added options) 2024-03-15 02:46 (UTC)

1 - City

This was not where Azure Lion thought he would awaken. The massive lion man with blue, gold, and black fur walked the streets. He searched for anyone he could see. Where was he? Why did he have some odd glowing mark on his right hang? He looked at it as he rounded a corner and spotted movement out of the corner of his eye.

"Ah. Finally, someone. You there. Perhaps you can tell me where I am?"

2 - Segments

Azure drew his sword from a glowing magical glyph on his left hand. He drew the large buster sword from it and sliced through a monster. He growled as flames surrounded his blade and he unleashed blue energy waves covered in his new fire.

"These beasts refuse to die. Let us strike together!"

3 - Wildcard

[However you approach, find, or ambush Azure is up to you. I'm open to anything.]

1 - City

A young man arrived in the city, confused, and rather disoriented. He was riding a large mechanical horse down the street. He looked this way and that. His left arm was obviously prosthetic in nature. It was blocky and seemed to be covered in rough dark metal. Iron, for those with the discerning eye. He observed the city and the night that hung overhead. He looked at his right forearm at the glowing mark on him.

"Hmm. Not sure I like that. But at least I don't feel them on it. Okay. Step one, find people. Step two, don't get shot, stabbed, or eaten. Step three, question mark. Step four, profit?" Tobias spoke aloud to himself. He stopped his horse and dismounted. He waved to someone passing by.

"Excuse me! Could you help me? I'm a little lost but not a Lost. Not sure that'll mean anything to you."

2 - Segments

With monsters about and some of them quite familiar, Tobias was out searching for people who were in danger. He will come riding up on a large black metal horse, a burning furnace in its stomach, and a pistol in his hand. Though when he fires, a grappling hook launched out and wrapped around your waist. With steam power, it pulled you back and onto the back of the horse.

"Gotcha! You alright?" He sent out the the iron pieces clinging to his left arm. They spun and rocketed off to slice through the following beasts, exposing colorful building blocks underneath the metal. Seemed his arm was actually made of large children's building blocks under that metal. Who knew?

3 - Wildcard

[Anything here you can think of.]

1 - City

Paulo awoke to find himself in a new world. Again. Of course, again. That was just his luck, wasn't it? he looked around first for Breaker but couldn't find him. Guess the little guy didn't get to come too. How long had it been? Years at this point. From the digital world, back home, and now here. Wherever here was. He groaned as he stood up.

"This shit again?! And I don't even get a cool email telling me why? But I get a...phone. Okay. This ain't bad," Paulo stopped bitching to pick up his phone.

"Cool. This ain't bad. Flower charm? Couldn't it be something cool? Oh well. Sunflowers are...fine. I guess. Anyone here?! Hellooooooooo!" Paulo called out.

2 - City pt 2.

Paulo knew one thing he could do well. Well, several things but this one he could do out in the open and not get arrested for it. That was make burgers. He found a store front that seemed empty. So he opened up the restaurant, got the lights on, the grills hot, and was waiting for people to show up. They didn't need to eat here but maybe they wanted to. Just to feel normal.

"Welcome to Burgertron! Ignore what the sign says outside. This is Burgertron now. Can I take your order?"

3 - Wildcard

[You know the drill. Hit me.]

[-City - Researcher Center-]
It was amazing how quickly a person could catch onto something being offf. Upon arrival just inside of the Nightwake barrier, Nine had set to work with a purpose. This was a chance to really understand the situation, what they were up against after all. But almost as soon as he has set up a main line for communication and started asking questions something troubling had come to light...at least one person who hadn't opted into the exercise and had newly arrived. Unless that was part of the sim, which they hadn't been told as much, this was unforeseen and could get dangerous fast. There needed to be a point of contact for the anomalies, a place to fill them in and make sure they understood the risks. Also to help with any understanding of seasonal powers they might need.

Touching down at the doors to the Research Center, he quickly sent out a second message to attempt some level of coordination. It wasn't that he was concerned for anyone individually, the whole situation was now more concerning for him, and he didn't like that. Any of this could put everything at risk for all he knew, and Ellipsa was his home now so he didn't intend to let anything happen without at least trying to counter some of the unknowns.

[-Segments-]
It was time to really test out what his powers could do. Terrain, technique, adaptability, and raw power would all have to be fully tested. Cooperation as well of course, though that was dependent on running into anyone...which additionally meant keeping an eye out for any other unexpected arrivals. If they could appear in the mountains they could appear anywhere else dangerous too.

He really didn't want to play search and rescue though. He was here for the data...but it was what it was.

[-Wildcard-]
(Anything else come to mind?)

01 ☼ City (bookshop)

[Despite this being his first time appearing in another world, Yumeno Shugo is remarkably calm. He has to be: Even if he's only in his mid-twenties, Shugo is a father and dads keep it cool! He keeps a straight face as he walks through the glitched city, quickly making the correlation between his situation and some sort of VR tomfoolery. The sun-shaped mark on his hand won't go away no matter how much he rubs at it, so he decides to just pull his sleeve over it as much as he can. When that doesn't work, he begins holding his golden cape in a way that hides his hand.

Because yeah. The dude with glowing gold eyes and vibrantly blond hair is also sporting a shimmery golden cape. He either has no dignity or too much of it.

And, while on his way to find answers, he stops at a bookstore. Even in another world, Shugo knows how to find light novels.]

[Maybe there's a book here that can help..? Shugo tries to act uninterested, like he's not already a nerd who reads this kind of stuff for fun. But he's navigating the titles way too easily for that to be the case.

When he picks a book to read, Shugo makes a noise of dismay. It's glitched inside and has no text:]

02 ☼ Research Center

[It is with some disappointment that Shugo concludes that wherever he is and whatever is happening to him, it is not a vacation. He gives up on the bookshop and makes his way to the research center. Where he stands outside, tossing a lazy wave in greeting to anyone who passes.]

[...]

03 ☼ Segments

[After some research and book-related disappointment, Shugo sets out for the segments. It seems like a logical next step: Try to meet any local kami and make sure that he isn't intruding too much. But he's quickly out of his element.

Which is to say: He's outside.

Shugo has barely walked for twenty minutes and he collapses against a tree in the summer segment.]

[The big cape doesn't help.]

City
If it wasn't for the fact that he didn't do drugs, Husk would definitely have considered then he was high. It was the most reasonable explanation for why he went from settled onto the couch to watch TV to standing several blocks outside the Nightwake barrier. He had been wide awak and pinching himself didn't change anything. A burbling growl caught his attention and the old bartender slowly looked over his his shoulder, spotting a writhing mass rolling right at him from one of the nearby alleys. Eyes widen, he darted clear, flapping his wings as the writhing black vines made a grab for him.

"The fuck's going on?!" he ground out, flying high enough to avoid its reach. Looking around quickly, he noted how quiet everything seemed outside of the monster. He hadn't been in Ellipsa long, but it was enough for his fur to bristle.

Something was wrong.

Wildcard
((Hit me with a starter!))

[Intrusive Thoughts Won]

[It would seem as though a responsible individual has taken pity on the clueless little puppet, and decided to accompany him on his little adventures. At some point, maybe an arm or a hand gets too close to the boy's face, and with no warning he bites. Not particularly hard, fortunately, he'd never bit anything before, and congrats, you just happened to be there when the thought occurred to him. When given the proper accusatory response, he just looks blankly and tilts his head slightly.]

I wished to know what would happen.

[Set Them Free]

[So for whatever reason, you have dragged this clueless little puppet to get some shoes. Surely, this boy shouldn't be going around without shoes! He'll hurt his feet, even if he insists otherwise. At the very least they'll get dirty.

So off he's dragged to a shoe store, where he has put on some cozy-looking boots. He stands there silent for a moment, before looking up at the one who has jailed his feet.]

I do not like them. [And he starts shaking his leg to try and get them off, like a cat that's gotten its foot wet.] My feet have done no crimes. They should be free.

[The First to Betray Me...]

[With everything being so wildly new to him, he wandered about the city, watching as everyone had their fun, and made attempts to imitate them. He tried things like food, and pressing buttons, and throwing things into water, and juice. Juice was something he decided he liked. So he sought to find as much juice as he could find.

This was a remarkably difficult task for him, however, as he was completely illiterate. He could only go by pictures, color, and smell. You know what else has pictures of fruit, is brightly colored, and smells nice? You guessed it: Shampoo.

He has a bottle of strawberry shampoo in hand, and it sticking his tongue out while looking like he just ate a lemon. He will push that shampoo bottle into the arms of the first person that approaches him. ]

This juice is full of lies. Do not drink it.

City

[Among the various humans and anthropomorphic creatures wandering around, there's also... a pony. A purple pony with wings, a horn and a mane of purple with a pink stripe through it, a set of starts marked on her flank. Riding on her is a strange white creature with a pom-pom dangling off its head. A Moogle, if you will.]

I don't think we're in Crystallis anymore, Moogleton. This is way too futuristic, even for Canterlot High, too! Just wish I could find something familiar...

Library

[Oh. Oh, no. She found it. The place to stay in - a library! There are stacks and stacks of books around a bean bag chair, though the figure reading it is different - a purple-skinned girl wearing a light blue blouse and purple skirt.]

This place is so interesting! Oh, I can't wait to find out more!

The Darkness

[Oh, Twilight, you idiot. She isn't going close to the Darkness, but she is so curious about this corrupting influence. Thankfully, she's in her pony form, flying backwards from it if it got closer to her]

So, this is what's affecting the world... what happened here?

Wildcard

(OoC: Hit me with your best shot! Plot with me here or at

AshBlaze!)

1. City

Ever since he'd arrived and got dropped into this world, he'd been confused needless to say. He'd fallen into a deep sleep and slept peacefully that night, after winning the war with Robotnik after years of it. Even though the war was won, there was a lot of work to do.

Waking up and appearing what looks like to be another world wasn't one of them.

"Sally!" Someone is quite loud as he calls for his friends. "Tails, Bunnie, Rotor, Dulcy, Antione?"

HELLLOOOOO! Anybody here?"

He only gives it a second. "Drat, gotta keep searching."

2. City pt 2

Finally, something familiar. Anyone stepping into a fast food place may notice a blue hedgehog stuffing his face with chili dogs. Not just a couple, but more like a dozen.

"Lookin' for the others made me mondo hungry."

Wildcard!
[hit me up with a wildcard prompt!]

City

Like many other random scrubs, dirty rusty boy Mecha Sonic has found himself suddenly and unexpectedly in a baffling new location. Where was Scrapnik Island? Where was all the rust and sand and busted shit? Maybe the absence of rust wasn't so bad, but being plucked at random from the island full of the little robot buddies that he'd grown to love and swore to protect wasn't exactly putting him in a great mood.

If someone was teleporting him around, then it stood to reason that he might find some of the other Scrapniks lost and confused here like he was. If they were around though, he wasn't able to contact them on their usual frequency, so it came down to wandering around aimlessly through the city and hoping he caught sight of something familiar. Or like, asking people? But the fact that he wasn't designed with the ability to speak might make that a bit complicated. Still, couldn't hurt to try.

Said wandering is less walking or running and more rolling around on the wheel built into his heel and his other leg which is made up of a rotating buzz saw. The rest of his rusty, patchwork body is concealed by an equally rust covered and tattered cloak. Though the metal 'quills' protruding from the back of his head are visible, most of his head and face are obscured by a hood, which he's pulled up probably just for dramatic effect because it makes his glowy eye look cool. ~~He's a Sonic, of course he's extra.~~

All that to say, this five and a half foot tall rolly wraith lookin' glowy spike nightmare is quickly rolling up on you in the middle of the goddamn night, choose your own adventure.

Wildcard

[Whatever your goofy little heart desires]

You're in the Metaverse Now

Waking up in a strange city was not what Bertholdt expected.

He wasn't sure what was after, if anything, but one moment he'd been staring at Armin's Pure Titan - the next, he was sprawled out on his back in a concrete path, looking up at strange, tall buildings surrounding him with no one in sight. He'd called out, once he realized he seemed to be, as far as he could tell, alive, but no one had answered him.

Bertholdt knew if you were lost, the best thing to do was to wait for someone to find you. He didn't think that really applied to what looked like an empty city, though, and depending on who's city this was, help could be worse than being alone. So he starts moving, walking through the streets looking for any signs of life. There's no animals, no signs that humans have been here. It's like a ghost town; any time he thinks he catches sight of someone, by the time he catches up to where they are, they're nowhere to be seen.

His walking eventually takes him to what looks like an artificial beach - that's the only reason he can fathom for there being one inside a city like this. He ends up making a fire on the beach, because he's not sure what else he should be doing.

Something's wrong with the fire, though. When he puts his hands closer to it, it feels colder, and, emboldened, he thrusts his hand into the flames and comes out unharmed. In fact, when he examines his hands, he's got a light covering of frost on his palm. He stares at the frost, then at the fire.

What the hell is going on in this place?

Metaverse - Later

Once he's found people who explain what's going on, he figures out what 'season' he's been assigned to - Winter, based on vague memories he has of a snowy landscape. It all sounds like some kind of far-flung fantasy, but he's seen people wield fire from their hands or move earth with their mind, so he finds it hard to keep believing that.

The chance to test the powers he has comes when he finds a section of the city that's been damaged by someone testing out their powers; the walls of a flower shop have been caved in.

Hesitantly, he reaches out a hand to press against the fallen bricks, closing his eyes. They said that winter should have the power to reconstruct buildings; an ironic choice for someone like him, but he finds he wants to test it out here.

He furrows his brow a little, concentrating, and in front of him, the wall he's touching slowly begins to rebuild itself.

It's Getting Dark

If someone approaches Bertholdt suggesting that they go take a look where the barriers used to be, to test their powers or for any other reason, they'll find that he shakes his head rather quickly in response.

"I don't think that's a good idea," he says quietly, threading his fingers together and looking down at them nervously. "I know it isn't real but that's - that wouldn't end well." The for me goes unsaid.

(OOC: Please mind the canon CW's that can be found in the IC section.)

1 - Prelude

Mk had attended the briefing on the mission the day before. Oh he could do this. It was perfect. He needed time to think and what better time than to go into a worst-case scenario simulation and worked on seeing how well they could destroy the Darkness. With everything going on, he needed this. Time away to think without the hanging complicated feelings. There were other things he could do. His attention visibly perked when they said none of the damage would stay or matter. Building damage didn't matter? He couldn't hurt anyone?

Oh MK was so on board at that. He grinned as he left the briefing. He had a pep in his step and was bouncing with excitement.

"Oh this couldn't have happened at a better time! This is perfect!"

2 - City (MK)

MK was plugged in, he ate the snacks to give him that boost of energy, and got into the machine. He fell asleep and woke up in the new city! Except he wasn't at the Welcome Center. He was at the library. He blinked and looked around.

"What the-?" He looked around and didn't see anyone else. That was weird. "Did it glitch? Helloooooooo!" MK called out and started to form sand around his arms. They said it was bad so might as well be prepared. He headed off toward the Welcome Center. That's where everyone else was supposed to show up. Might as well head that way and see if anyone else glitched away from the spawn point along the way.

3 - Segments (Monkey MK)

The segments were further out and not full of people like Night Wake itself. It wasn't hard to figure out where MK was out here. Not when a massive column of golden light shined into the air like a beacon for the visitors, the subjects, or the monsters. MK let himself turn. It wasn't hard to tap into his emotions right now. The anger and worry. All of it just bubbling inside him. Time to see just what he could control. How long he could stay himself. Time to see what damage he could do. The monkey grinned with glowing golden eyes as the monsters approached.

"Let's do this," He said before more explosions could be heard. Massive rocks exploded from the ground, metal and wood bent and warped to his desires, and MK was savage in his assault. It was loud, chaotic, and clearly the place to be if you wanted a fight.

4 - Wildcard

[Hit me.]

01 ✦ Wandering the City

[Eliot is used to waking up in places that he doesn't recognize. It's a coping mechanism actually. Whenever his many centuries of vivid memories get too overwhelming, he erases them with self-inflicted amnesia. It's the only way that he knows to preserve his humanity after being turned into a vampire.

But what is unusual is the glitchiness. Eliot has stopped by a flowerbed and is giving the glitched flowers a very concerned look. He hasn't even had time to notice the glowing symbol on the back of his neck.]

[He asks, very intently staring at the flower,]

02 ✦ Research Center

[His natural next step is to find any place that holds information. In this case, that's the research center. Eliot isn't afraid to ask for help either, as he waves down a stranger.]

03 ✦ Winter Segment

[There's a body facedown in the snow. It's Eliot.

He didn't think this through.]

Threaded | Flat

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