//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Glitched Madness. (Xover 3) // Story: [Displaced] Save File 1: Captain G. // by DisplacedWriter //------------------------------// “Find anything?” Ryan asked when Sans returned from the left corridor of the castle.  Sans pulled out his newfound bombs and the [Magic Boomerang], “Found these, among others.” He then pulled out the [Sphere]. “And that was all thanks to this thing that I managed to beat some dragon guarding a key. What about you two, what did you find?” “Just a key, some rocks, and that bag of gems I sent over to you. I’m surprised you figured how out how to use it on the pedestal.” Ryan asked as his [Powerglove] flashed an on screen message [New Weapons Detected, now copying] [Wooden Boomerang replaced with Magically Boomerang] [Ryan obtained Bombs] “Wait since when...” Ryan started to say as he glanced at his screen with a confused expression. When Sans saw him get the bombs, he quickly said, “Fair warning, be careful with those things in here unless you want to piss off our glitchy friend.” “He didn’t object much when I used the boomerang to retrieve the [Key]” Ryan asked as he lowered his arm. Sans said with a smirk as he held his own Boomerang, “That's because you weren't blowing a hole in the wall and into the original Zelda dungeon, where else did you expect me to get this thing?” “Maybe that’s why he was pissed off.” Ryan said. Rarity was going through his pouch, a look of surprise when she noticed she also had copies of what Ryan obtained.  “This makes things so much better.” Rarity said as she clopped her hooves. Sans then looked between the two natives of this world, though one could be called that loosely, “Now what?” “We continue.” Ryan said as he walked [North], he raised his hand as a [Key] materialized, he inserts it into the keyhole, turning it until he heard a satisfactory click. “Works for me,” Sans said and followed the two, bat in hand in case something attacks. Once inside, the group saw a row of Coffins, some made of wood while others were made of stone. Ryan had an eerie familiar feeling about this place but he couldn’t remember why. Rarity started to inspect each coffin, often looking disgusted at some of them. Sans was inspecting some as well, but with curiosity rather than disgust. Ryan raised his powerglove to bring up a holographic screen of the map, revealing rooms they had visited. He notices that there were some rooms they hadn’t visited back in the Dwarven Halls, but for some reason, that area to the left side of the halls was being displayed as [Error] messages. Sans saw the screen and asked with a bit of a confused and uneasy expression, “Um…. Is that normal for this thing?” “No, it’s not.” Ryan said as he smacked the side of his powerglove. His body glitched out for a second.” OK! Not doing that again.” he exclaimed at the freaky sensation.  “Yeah! I agree! I thought I was on drugs for a minute there!” Sans agreed, very startled by what he witnessed, now feeling very unsettled. Not even wanting to even think about what it might have felt like. “We need to be more careful… What knows what that [Glitch] might be cooking up.” Rarity said as she walked past the coffins and toward the door on the other side.  Ryan was trying hard to remember this room and what it contained. He shook his head before following Rarity to the other side. Sans, somehow ending up in front of them, was greeted by a set of three large full body mirrors. He stared at his own reflection for a moment and asked Ryan, “What's with the mirrors?” “I… can’t remember.” Ryan said as he inspected each one. Rarity was looking at her reflection, she sighed as she was reminded how dirty she looked. “It’s for the sake of [Hyrule]” She mumbled as a mantra to help her endure whatever chaos may await them.  Ryan blinked when he started hearing a very muffled song coming from the third mirror. He walked over to it and was about to put his hand on it. “Ah-ah-ah! Don’t bother with that one, it’s death.” The voice of Glitchcord spoke out, sounding nervous. Ryan raised an eyebrow at this odd change in attitude.  Sans meanwhile, looked rather skeptical by this, “What? Don't want a trap to actually steal your kill?” “Oh no, I’d love to see you three D̶̠̗̤̺̼͋͊͊̈́͌̕͝i̷̜̐e̵͔͓̿̆͊̀ … But that wouldn’t be fun to get a gameover so soon~” He said with a playful voice.  Ryan ignored the glitch’s warning as he pushed his ear against the mirror, his eyes went wide as he recognized it as the dungeon melady “Oh no you don’t!” the voice screamed as a freak discolored, draconic claw reached out in attempt to grab Ryan. Ryan, quickly reacting, raised his powerglove to push the [Pause] button, freezing time in its place. The gamer’s [Power Meter] is being quickly drained of its power. Taking this temporary moment of frozen time, he smashes the [Mirror] to pieces. Meanwhile with Rarity and The Batter in normal time, all they saw was Ryan moving as a blur and the mirror scattering into shards. “How in the blazes!?” Sans screamed in surprise, before he then attempted to attack the multicolored nightmare claw with his Harold Bat. When his bat made contact with the living glitch, Sans was thrown for a chaotic nightmare, his body started sparking and glitching through multiple colors, Sans could have sworn he felt his body stretch. Rarity had her sword and shield drawn and was going to attack as well, however a blurred arm pulled her through the [Portal] that was hidden behind the now broken [Mirror]. Ryan rushed back in as he left the frozen dimension, cursing under his breath then he saw San’s state. “Ă̶͎̩ ̵̠͙̫͉̺̰̐͝Ḥ̶̦͋́͌ ̶̨̋̋H̴̜̘̏͒͘͘ ̵̦̖̞̓̊̔͠H̸͍͖̤̯̕͜ ̶̰̫̠̟̠͊̄̕H̴̨̩̭͎̑͠ ̶̡̞̱͈͑H̷̢͈̙̉̾̾ ̷̭̦̄H̷͍̤͍̱̥̤̄̾ ̵͓̈̇̓͗H̷͎̳͆̈́͘̚͘ ̷̞̗̳̟̗́̓ͅH̸̨̥̞̘̪̀̒̈̄͊͘͜ ̸̨͎̙͎̟̇͂̊̋Ḥ̵̗̗̬̮͗̏͑͐͒͐ ̸̨̝̖̗̯̉̇͜H̵̢̬̤̺̐̔̀̎̅ ̵̠̻̘̬̤̳͆̂̄̑!̶̞̮͚̘̈́ ̴̰̻̱̘̄!̸̬̅̀̕͜͝͠ ̴͈̌͑͊̓̀!̷͔̞͔̳̦͈̍́̅̃” Sans screamed out, no longer able to feel his body over the amount of pain coursing through him, his vision blurred and darkened. His once monochromatic colors now flashing between new ones rapidly. The Glitch swung it’s disembodied arm, knocking the Batter into the wall.  “You Ẉ̵̛̻̘̥̈̑Ị̴̼̄̉̕L̶̬̟̮̭̪̘̀͂̕Ḻ̶̡͔̰̫̈́͜ ̵̟͂̂̈́̂̅ not Ȇ̵̤͠ͅS̶̜̒̓̈Ç̴̞͌͝ͅẠ̴͐P̵̺̭͐́È̷̩̣͆̊” Glitch said, his voice sounding pissed off and lagging behind.  Ryan’s powerglove was going a little crazy, it’s screen opening and closing.  [Glitched Detected! Fleeing is highly suggested. Not enough [Codes] to fight Glitch] “You shut up you-!” Glitch’s sentence was cut-off as his anger was causing the world of [Shadowgate] to freak out. Sans’ body managed to recover but still feeling a soft buzz throughout his body. Sans groaned out, “UGH! What happened?” However, he was greeted by the now freaking out [Shadowgate] game and leaps through the broken [Mirror], shouting, “Fuck this shit, I'm out!”  Glitchcord’s whole body materialized into the quickly pixelated and fading room, it’s words nothing but mostly static gibberish. Ryan, not wanted to be touched by the monstrosity, he leaps through the [Portal] Rarity was thrown out, then Sans, then Ryan last, the swirling vortex of pixels blipping out of existence. Sans, still pretty groggy from his experience then asked to no one in particular, “What kind of drug induced nightmare did I just witness?” “There’s a reason why he calls himself the glitch.” Rarity said as she shook her head. She huffed, a little annoyed that Ryan pulled her out of there. “I could have avenged Lady Celestia!” she said as she looked over at the gamer. “You saw how everything freaked, Rarity!” Ryan said as he got up, hissing slightly as he felt his [Hearts] recovering back to five.  As the three looked around, they noticed they were in a very dark room. Ryan pulled out his [Torch] to light the place. They were back in the [Moon Dungeon]. The ground was soft and pixelated with browns and yellows. “....Sand?” Ryan asked in minor confusion. [Sans no longer has access to [Magical Boomerang]] “D'oh,” Sans said in response, before checking his pockets and realized he had the original version of it. [Sans Obtained [Boomerang]] “Better than nothing I suppose,” The Batter displaced muttered to himself. giving it a test throw and is happy it works. Rarity was still upset. “I would have still tried, Ryan, that Glitch took my sister Sweetie Belle, all of Epixeria would have came back together if-if-if.” she started tearing up, she had to stop talking and start chanting to herself, trying to gain back her bravery.  Sans then looked sympathetically at her, “Listen, I kind of know how you feel. Me, my brother, and my best friend all lost everything, forced to wake up with brand new lives and bodies with no knowledge of where we are or what is going to happen, but yet, I still find the courage to keep on moving ahead with the encouragement of our new friends,” he spoke, putting a hand on her shoulder, “But, I know it must be even harder for you and I don't blame you for it, considering the circumstances of this world from what I've seen, but I think you need is a friend, a friend who understands you and your pain.” “Help is what I need… I don’t want to get too attached to new friends incase I… I were to get my [Game Over] or see it from others. Glitchcord had take so much from me… Twilight, Applebloom, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash. They’re all scattered across the [Zones] fighting in whichever world he sent them too..” she said, almost shuddering through her sentence. “I asked Ryan for help so I can get the Triforce back for Prince Bloodblade, and use it to try and get to the nearest world..”  Ryan frowned at her words and felt a gentle pain in his heart. “That many people?” he asked. “T-thats just five of millions. Lady Celestia and Lady Luna is somewhere out there too.” She answered.  Sans then pat her on the back, “I'm sure you'll find them someday and then you'll be reunited with your sister and those you've lost, and then, the sun will shine tomorrow,” he said confidently and gave her a grin. “I’m fighting for that, Sans. I… I just need to remain brave and strong.” Rarity said as she picked up her [Wooden Sword] The longer Ryan stayed here, the more he got to learn. It was becoming more and more difficult to even want to go home. With a gentle breath, he patted Rarity’s head. “Me and Sans will try our best. For now, we need to get to the end of this dungeon and get the second Triforce..” he said, being reminded of the seven remaining dungeons they need to transverse. “Now… where are we?” he said as he brought up his powerglove, the image now more clear. Sans only crossed his fingers and prayed to any good willing to listen, “Safe for now I hope.” To the [North] and [East], were stone doors that appeared to have crumbled with time. The four corners of the room each had a statue pillar with a stone crescent moon that has lost their magic long ago. The Batter displaced then got up and asked Ryan and Rarity, “Well what's the plan you two? Where do we go from here?” Ryan was looking around as he struggled to remember the game. His ears perked up when he started hearing short roaring coming from the [North]. “Oh! Right, the boss of this level often grunted..” he said as he looked at his holographic screen, zooming the screen into an empty greyed out square, he marked it with an X where the boss was located. “The bombs!” He said as old memories returned to him.   Sans then said, “Great! I can't wait to bomb some Dodongos.” “God… damnit, Sans..” Ryan said with a groan as he pressed his hand upon his face. Rarity looked back and forth, clearly confused by this interaction and their joke. “I wonder how Celestia foresaw all of this before she was taken by Glitchcord..” Rarity said as he tapped her chin in though. “I mean I know they were tests to get her champion, but I didn’t know she would even provide future knowledge...” Sans meanwhile, only said back to Ryan with a smirk, “Oh come on, how could not make that joke? You left the chance wide open for me!” “But did it really have to be THAT old pc game?” Ryan asked in disbelief, he looked over at Rarity who looked back in confusion.  “More worlds outside of ours?” Rarity asked.  “Yea, you could say that.” Ryan answered, relieved to have dodged the bullet.  Sans meanwhile was still smiling as he said, “There could be plenty of them, some similar and some completely different. But if Ryan or I were to list them, we'd lose track of time. Speaking of which, we should probably get moving.” Ryan agreed. Things are eerily quiet besides the music only he can hear. Slowly, he made his way over to the [North] door and peaked in, seeing nothing but brown orange snakes slithering around. He turned his head to the [East] as he heard low quality bat squeaks coming from the entrance, telling the group there were bats. “Robes and Keeses.” Ryan said as he looked to the group. Sans then asked as he began to reach for his bat, “So what's the plan then, should we evade or fight them?” “I suggest the Keeses, the Robes are very fast moving snakes.” Rarity explained as she made her way [East], with Ryan following behind. Sans then nodded and walked after the two, “Got it.” As the three entered the room, a total of four Keese bats were hanging upside down on the roof of the room, their little beedy light blue eyes looking around the room.  Something weird was going on though as the moment Ryan stepped in, the whole room was thrown into dark. [Warning, [Code Flux] detected] [Due to Glitch’s temporary presence, there is now leftover residue of his chaotic powers] As the group looked around in confusion, they were standing on what appeared to be the same blue stone lighten up by their bodies, another glance around allowed them to see that the field was separated by a silver box. Ryan begins to hear a melody play in his ears. “...Final Fantasy?” Ryan asked, perplexed by the sudden change in surrounders.  [Wild Keeses x 4 Appeared] On the opposite side of them were four bats hovering in place, as if they were waiting for something. Sans looked pretty confused, “Well it seems Glitchcord just seems to love crossovers doesn't he? First [Shadowgate] and now [Final Fantasy], what's next [Castlevania] in [Super Mario Bros]?” “Don’t jinx it, Sans. He might be listening..” Ryan said as he glanced around in paranoia. [Rarity’s Turn] “...I’m familiar with this, it reminds me of the day I took a trip to [Cornelia] and came across a group of nasty [Goblins]” Rarity said as she took out her [Wooden Sword] and [Wooden Shield], she remains where she stood, glancing at the first Keese and stabbing at its direction. [1 damage dealt to Keese#1] [Sans’s Turn] “Well, if I really WAS The Batter, I'd feel right at home right now,” He said as he then swung his bat in the direction on another Keese. [1 damage dealt to Keese#3] [Ryan’s Turn] He opened up his holographic screen, now seeing a different view of the battle now mimicking the menus. He selected [Item], scrolled down and picked [Bombs], allowing a blue bomb to materialize in his hand. He chucks the [Bomb] at the group of Keeses [1 damage to Keese Group] [Keese#1 attacked Ryan. 1 Damage] [Keese#2 attacked Ryan. 1 Damage] [Keese#3 attacked Sans. 1 Damage] [Rarity’s Turn] Rarity took out her [Magical Boomerang] and threw it at Keese#3 [1 damage. Keese #3 has been slain.] [Sans’s Turn] [Two Keese remain] Sans selected [Item] and then choose [Bombs]. Just like Ryan did before, a blue bomb appeared in his hand and he chucked it towards the 3 Keese. [Critical Hit. 2 Damage to Keese#1. Keese has been slain] [1 damage to Keese#2] [Rarity’s Turn] Rarity thrusted her wooden sword at the last remaining Keese, turning it out of its existence. [Victory!] [0̸͔̖̍̏ ̵̛̗̫̘͙̎̎̽  experience earned] [Bomb x 1 found.] [Earned five rupees] “...No surprise since [Final Fantasy] wasn’t meant to be in [Zelda 1] weren’t meant to be together..” Ryan commented with a sigh. “...A-actually.. All of the game worlds were once together in perfect harmony.” Rarity explained as she glanced around the room for anymore enemies. All she saw, were spiderwebs and strange four sided spike blocks. “Lady Celestia kept the [Code] flexible and adaptable to prevent the different realities from glitching up like what you saw.” “So that means I could have potentially leveled up? Darn, maybe I could've unlocked Save First Base, sure would be nice to have a healing move on hand,” Sans with a sad tone of voice, however he perked up quickly. “Oh well, beggars can't be choosers I suppose.” he said. “....There’s nothing in this room.” Rarity said with a frown, however she started poking at the walls, listening carefully for something. Sans then put his ear on the wall asking in a whisper, “What are we listening for, other than more enemies?” “A weak w-” Rarity cut her sentence off when one of the [Blade Traps] came flying at her, forcing her to stumble back to avoid being gutted. Sans meanwhile ducked down, screaming as he gripped his hat to avoid himself and it both being turned into swiss cheese. “I HATE [Blade Traps]!” Rarity exclaimed as she watched it reset to it’s starting position. Ryan shook his head as he took remembered how much trouble they gave him as a child. He begins to inspect the walls too, except staying away from the traps. “AS OF TODAY, I SECOND THAT NOTION!” Sans screamed in agreement, as he began to breathe in and out. “What Rarity was about to say is that some of the walls can be destroyed with a [Bomb]” Ryan explained. Sans, after he finally got himself together, then nodded. He reaches into his pocket and pulled a [Bomb Bag] out, the explosives inside we're ready to be used.  Ryan pulled out his copy of the [Magical Boomerang] and throw it at the [North Wall], the impact making a rather dull ‘dink’ [Weak wall detected] “Sans, throw a bomb at that wall.” Rarity suggested as she readdied her sword aneld.  Sans nodded and chucked a bomb towards the wall Ryan’s [Magical Boomerang] hit. The 8-bit explosion sound rang in their ears. [BOOM!] The familiar melody of a secret discovered was played, revealing a new hole in the old room. Rarity jumped through, not wanting to trigger the flying [Blade Traps] again.  Sans followed her example and leapt after her and into the hole, trying to avoid activating the traps, Ryan followed suit. In the next room, it was in a far worse shape in the other. All around the room were weird green slimes that moved around slowly, as if lost and confused.  Ryan froze in his step, then breathed a sigh of relief when a random encountered did not acquire. “I remember those things.” he whispered at the watched the [Gels] wondering around.  “Sans, get a bomb lit.” Rarity said as she pulled out her [Magic Boomerang] via her magical telekinesis. “I’m going to stun them all, get ready to throw it after I do, ok?” Rarity asked. The Batter nodded and prepared the explosive, the bomb ready to be thrown. Moving her head back, she chucked the blue boomerang as it swirled with boomerang, it flew off still coated in Rarity's magic as she controlled it, bouncing it between the [Gels] and stunning each one. Sans then threw the bomb into the middle of them, before it exploded and destroyed the [Gels]. Or so Sans thought, for when the smoke cleared, the [Gels] have split into three. “Another before they scatter out of range!” Rarity said as she took out her own bombs, their lit igniting automatically, she threw it out to the right side of the group of slime just as they started panicking, wondering where the attack came from. Sans then threw another bomb to the left side of the group, causing even more panic when the slimes noticed the bomb, but it was too late. [BOOM!]  The remaining [Gels] has been vaporized. Rarity smiled as she went to collected the spoils of war, all being added to inventory that split between the party. “So far, it’s going a lot easier than being in Shadowgate.” Ryan commented as a grin. He looks around the room, noticing a locked door to the [west] while the door to the [North] did not have lock. The answer was obvious as he walked toward the [North] door, Rarity followed next, while Sans was not too far behind, wondering to himself just how long he's actually spent here and what time it's going to be when he gets back to his friends. Rarity’s eyes widen when she saw a cloaked being laying on the ground. “[Old man!]” she screamed, quickly running on over to him. A soft beep was played on Ryan’s powerglove, he looked at the holographic screen to notice a fourth new icon. [Old Man. Status: One half of a heart remaining] “What are you doing here?” Rarity asked as she helped the person up.  “I c-came when I felt something off about this place, I feared the worst had happened to you..” The old four legged cloaked being said.  “That was stupid to even come, you’re one of the last people I have. I don’t need your death weighing on my mind too.” Rarity said, her voice full of worry. Sans then looked like a perfect blend of scared and concerned, wishing he really did have that “Save First Base” Competence right now, or at least some Luck Tickets. “Don’t worry about me, Rarity, i’ll be fine. I’ve been through worse than this.” The old one said, having a moment to laugh, only to end up coughing afterwards. “Never mind that, I want you to head back to your cave.” Rarity said as she started heading toward the door to the [West]. “Wait! I have some advice that can aid you against the great Dodongo Lord. He hates smoke.” The old horse said as he slowly got up onto his feet with some shakiness. Ryan frowned at that name, just another thing indifference to the original game. Ryan mentally smacked himself to stop comparing this world to the other. Sans then looked at Ryan with a raised eyebrow, noticing the frown on his face, before simply shrugging. “Basically we need to bomb his mouth.” Ryan said with a shrug of his own, he walks on over to continue the dungeon. Rarity was giving the old bearded stallion a stare, she was serious what said. The old horse started making his way out. The next room had Moblins waiting to ambush the group, however they were dealt with thanks to the combination of three. Luckily for them, they've some pieces of heart to help them along their journey.