Kirb and Alpha waited patiently within the hidden study of the old castle. It was comfortable, ment for privacy and solitude most likely, given it was hidden. The two received a message from Flame Girl stating she and Gamecrazed were on their way with a guide.
They spend their wait reading the various texts around n them. Most of it went over their head, talking of magic and arcane symbols neither understood. History texts and a few fictional works helped, but Kirb was quickly becoming bored.
“God I’m bored!” Kirb groaned loudly. “How long does it take for those two to get here with a Guide?”
"They won't get here any faster with you complaining." Alpha sighed. The book in his hands was essentially Romeo and Juliet, but with Griffons and these Ponies as the cast. Romeo was the Griffon and named Gallant and Juliet was a pony, a Pegasus, named Flower Meadow. It was fairly close to the version he knew.
"Can't they teleport or something?" Kirb asked. "In one of those books it talked about teleportation."
"Like I know if that's a common spell or not. It didn't even exist in TOME." Alpha sighed.
"Bet Flamegirl is going crazy over all the ponies though, she'd probably be that person who really likes unicorns and stuff." Kirb brought up.
"Because she's a girl?" Alpha asked carefully.
"More like the 'strong, confident type' really liking colorful cute things." He shrugged. "I've seen it before from...a friend of mine."
"You have friends outside of us? News to me." Alpha laughed.
"Yeah yeah laugh it up wise guy." Kirb said with a grin, knowing it was a harmless jab.
“Either way, we should explore this place a bit. Maybe we could find something to eat. Like, wild apples or something.”
"Maybe do some hunting as well." Kirb suggested. "Hopefully there'll be some animals around here that are safe to eat."
"Dunno. If horses are talking in this reality who's to say a rabbit or a pig can't also talk?" Alpha stated. "Maybe fishing? Don't know if there's a lake or anything nearby…"
"God this sucks." The Link lookalike groaned. "Let's just start looking around and get pissed about all these unknowns later."
"You're the only one getting pissed about stuff."
"I'm bored, what do you want?" Kirb frowned to his friend.
"Nothing." Alpha laughed. "Come on, let's see if the kitchen has anything."
With a nod Kirb followed Alpha around the ancient castle. Finding the kitchen wasn't too difficult and there was food there. Majority all long rotten and the bread stale as a rock. They did, however, find several sealed jars of jams, preserved fruits, and pickles that surprisingly still were edible and flavorful. "Now if only the bread wasn't hard as a rock…" Alpha sighed as he slurped a spoonful of the jam. It was pineapple.
"Would be good, but these pickles are to die for." Kirb groaned in food induced pleasure. "Even if their old as shit, they're still crisp and so good."
"Well Pickled and canned goods are said to be able to last a long ass time. Remember one time buying canned corn the expiration date was in the next fifty years." Alpha commented. "Heard MRE's last up to a hundred."
"Long enough for an entire castle to be destroyed like this?" Kirb inquired. "Cause even a hundred years seems a little...too short considering how destroyed this place is."
"Well, given some of the old scorch marks and the big hole in the main room over there might have been a battle here. Pretty nasty one too."
“Yeah, this place looked like it went through hell before time ripped it apart.” Kirb agreed.
"Still though, the damage is oddly… localized. The main room and some towers are the most hit and everything else around looked far less damaged by comparison. Like, there was one big fight and a bunch of smaller ones around the place happening at the same time."
“Beg’s the question if there was a revolt or something.” Kirb brought up. “Only reason I can think of that a massive fight would break out in a castle this big.”
"Probably."
“Wonder who their Guide is, and if we’ll have an explanation on what this place was.” Kirb brought up, thinking about who might be with their two friends right now.
"Maybe just a nice stranger. Flamgirl didn't say who they were, just called them a guide. Has Nylocke replied yet?"
“Not yet.” Kirb said, until both of them heard a resounding ‘Huzzah!” in Nylockes voice as pm’s appeared in front of them. “Well...speak of the role player and he shall respond.”
"I swear he has some kind of sixth sense for dramatic timing." Alpha sighed.
Comrade's! I am glad to see you all well, I am doing well also.
On another related note, I am suddenly engaged. I am within the Dragon Lands, marrying Empress Ember. Please send help. Wedding is at the end of the week.
Both Kirbopher and Alpha reread the message...and rereread it...and a fourth time...before Kirb burst into peals of laughter at the absurdity of it. “Holy crap that’s priceless!”
"We've barely been here for five hour, how did this happen?!" Alpha yelled at the absurdity.
“I don’t know, but that’s amazing!” Kirb laughed. “Hold on, hold on, send him a message telling him we’ll plan for his bachelor party!” Kirb began laughing again, finding this entire situation hilarious and kind of on point for their green scaled friend. “Knight in shining armor saves an Empress from dragon’s and has to marry her, holy damn.”
"I can't. You know MP doesn't regenerate without a potion or when you're in a safe zone in TOME. My MP hasn't been regenerating so assuming our powers and bodies go by the TOME game logic, then this location isn't considered a Safe Zone."
“I’m surprised we haven’t gotten into a random encounter all thing’s considered.” Kirb brought up. “Cause this place should most certainly be a dungeon considering it’s location and how it looks.”
"We might follow the TOME game logic but this world clearly doesn't. Random encounters is a game feature. Not a… wherever we are feature."
“True…” Kirb frowned. “Oh yeah...and if we do find civilization, we’re going to have to get part time jobs…”
"Well, if Nylocke is marrying royalty, maybe we can get an allowance?" Alpha said with a chuckle. "Still… Dragon Lands huh… does that mean… is Nylocke marrying a dragoness?"
“Oh that would just make it so much better.” Kirb said, keeping his laughter down from that whole thing. “But that beg’s the question, who’d Nylocke have to beat to get the empress's hand if she’s a dragoness? Even if TOME isn’t a prime example, Dragon’s in all forms of literature are stupidly powerful and hard to deal with in a fight.”
"Doubt he fought her. Dad maybe? Would make sense."
“If these Dragon’s work by Hoard rules...then yeah probably.”
"Hoard rules?"
“In some mythologies, and Dungeons and Dragons, Dragon’s tend to hoard a lot of things that suit them, mostly treasure and insanely valuable stuff.” Kirb explained. “So if her dad saw his daughter as a part of his Hoard, something dragon’s fight and die over...then yeah, must have been pretty important.”
"Huh… I suppose that makes sense. Nylocke is very high level and since his character was a prize it came with some special Abilities and boosted stats most noobs would kill for."
“Still a...randomly specific number for a handmade character model all things considered.”
"Probably picked it as a joke or something." Alpha shrugged.
“Probably.” Kirb shrugged, hiding the fact he knew exactly why and keeping it bottled up inside, even if it hurt him. “Who knows with the Netking’s sometimes.”
"Yeah."
The Dragon Lands were an amazing place. A bit Barron but Nylocke could see the potential. While Barron the volcano's ment rich soil from their ash. Water pooled in deep underground rivers, naturally purified by nature and some even crossed with the volcanic heat to form amazing natural steam guizers.
The ground was also rich with gems and metals of all kinds. The fact the Dragons never traded or used these resources puzzled Nylocke greatly. "Um, Lady Ember." He started. "If you have all these natural resources and formations, why haven't your people utilized them?"
“Because the entirety of the Dragon Lands are in an active volcano range, so we can barely dig as is, territory disputes would rise, people being greedy as shit, and it’s a whole thing that I’d rather not get into at the moment.” Ember sighed out.
"But you are the Empress correct? Your authority is law?"
“I’m the Dragon Lord yes.” Ember nodded. “But have you ever had thousands of the physically, and sometimes magically, strongest race on this planet get pissed at you all at the same time because you told them ‘no hoarding shiny things’ when the main point of our race is to hoard shiny things?”
"And, pray tell, compared to the rest of the world are the Dragons… on par, technologically speaking?"
She snorted. “Technology? This entire planet can’t decide on what it wants technology wise.” Ember rolled her eyes. “Minotaur’s are industrial as hell, but somehow they still only make middle aged items, Griffon’s are the best blacksmiths around but they can’t make anything more than basic swords and middle aged weaponry, the ponies are the most egregious of them all as they can build towering cities and have electricity but still need coal or horse powered trains, coal or horsepower when they literally have electricity! Can you believe that?” She asked.
"Hm. That is… odd. Ponies seem to be the most technological, Griffons fine craftsmen, Minotaurs are industrial, and seems Dragons have an overabundance of natural resources and wealth but a mix of pride, arrogance and greed keeps them from using it as anything more than shiny paperweights…" Ember chuckled at his blunt statement, agreeing but keeping silent. "And none of you all have ever thought to work together to improve on what the other lacks?"
“It’s been attempted at least three different times, but literally no one will budge on their share which makes absolutely no sense.” Ember shook her head. “Only race that doesn’t need outside help is the Dragon’s and Ponies technology wise, cause we Dragon’s could just up and start advancing way too fast with all our collective knowledge and resources, and the ponies can do it all the same if they decided to stop having this weird middle ages style thing when so many of their cities look like it’s from Power Ponies.”
"And the dragons Don't up and start doing that because…?"
“Because a previous Dragon Lord saw the...many problems that would have caused.” Ember said carefully. “One of them being the other races, cause Dragon’s at the best of times are tolerable to be around if you know how to deal with our personalities, down right hostile at worst, with the middle ground being ‘leave me alone and I leave you alone’...so imagine everyone trying to clamor for our technology either through diplomacy or outright force?” She asked. “Plus the competition between dragon’s could turn...extremely hostile with advances in certain things…”
"And as Empress you can't quell their anger? If I may ask… what Government body does the Dragons use? As Empress you have Advisors?"
…
"Deligants?"
…
"Scientists?"
…
"Soldiers, Police or some authority figures?"
…
"Any Military force?"
…
"A butler?"
“Let’s take a step back.” Ember started. “Military or other such authority figures...no, cause Dragon’s are the physically strongest race on the planet, second in magic only to literal embodiments of something, like Discord, Celestia, Luna, and Twillight just to name a few.” She started. “Our senses can detect even Changeling’s shapeshifting, which is a genetic ability they have that lets them perfectly mimic any race, and I do mean perfectly, my friend Thorax even explained it to me.” She answered. “And any ambassador’s or delegates for the other races, that’s solely up to me, you because we’re now engaged, or as my personal Advisor, which I haven’t had the time to find one because I just got this role not too long ago.” The dragoness explained. “And Scientists...well technically there’s a branch of dragon’s called ‘Lorescales’, which could be considered our Scientists considering they take their thirst for knowledge so seriously that they not only hoard any and all written records, copy them, and store them away, they also write down knowledge important enough onto their own scales, forever turning them into a living encyclopedia if given enough time and growth...also it increases their magic an ass ton but that’s neither here nor there half the time.”
"Interesting. Even so it's disturbing how… backwards this world seems to work."
“From all the research I’ve done and...what this stupid thing has taught me,” She raised the Bloodstone Scepter in question. “It’s...really weird how things have progressed and regressed at the same time...not to mention…"
"Which doesn't make much sense in terms of how progression usually works. Yes it's normal to deal with resistance to change but often times the benefits outweigh the neigh Sayers. For example, back home the invention of Electricity and The Light Bulb were at first met with harsh skepticism and even fear, but once the dark and fearful night could become lit up and as visible as the day, many changed their tunes about it. In the end only the older generations still resisted the change."
"It's a little weird hearing you say all this when you still have your...accent." Ember chuckled.
"Yet my point stands. If the dragons, or any other race on this… rather odd world want to continue as a species then a change must occur less some third party takes advantage of the lack of order and, well, proper counter measures the Dragons seem to have. Er, not have."
"I understand." Ember said with a raised hand. "But there's a reason why dragons are so respected and feared."
"If you say your size, need I remind you I am three inches shorter than you and broke your father's nose. If you say fire, there are many ways one can avoid or ignore that, especially if they are using magic, and if you say your scales, I believe an armor bypass enchantments could even make a simple kitchen knife deadly to your people."
Ember got up. "Dragons aren't invincible, I will agree, but I must show you something important that has the world in agreement not to fuck with dragons." The sapphire blue dragoness said, and something in her tone and the weary look in her eyes causing some growing concern for the draconic knight.
Nylocke followed after Ember worriedly. “And...pray tell my lady, what do you have to show me?”
“A history lesson, a very important history lesson.” Ember told him as she lead Nylocke deeper into the cave.
The cave was old, but we'll kept. The walls were fire blasted into glass like surfaces and polished to a shine. In the back where two large lava lit torches illuminating a mural depicting a bloody battle.
“A long time ago, about twenty five hundred years to be precise, well before me, or even my father were born, an embodiment of Chaos, Discord, ruled a majority of this world due to his magic being able to bend reality to his will.” She started. “Only places he didn’t have hold over were the Kirin Mountains, the Frozen North, and the Dragon Lands...so he teleported to the Dragon Lands and told the Dragon Lord and all the dragon’s at the time ‘I’m bored, let’s spice thing’s up’ as he summoned a race of Behemoth like creatures that were our equals in physical strength and magic abilities.” Ember said, the walls depicting the very details she was explaining, Nylocke seeing a weird mishmash of animal parts bringing down a ton of powerful looking furred beasts, covered head toe in muscle, armor piercing looking horns adoring their heads and ‘ferocity’ being a good description of how they looked.
“These beasts managed to kill many dragon’s, and we them...it was a hundred year back and forth until the Dragon Lord of that era, a Prismatic Dragon known as Iris the Pure Hearted...she had enough.” She shook her head as she pointed up to the dragon lord in question, the dragoness not as large as the other dragon’s in the painting but she was distinct in that her scales were the color of the rainbow as well as her holding the Bloodstone Scepter. “She...gave the word, to bring down the full might of Dragon kind against these beasts fifty years into the conflict.” She said as she brought Nylocke over, showing even more...vivid depictions of the dragon’s and behemoths, their bodies torn to ribbons, burned to a pitch black blob, and other atrocities the knight never thought he’d see. “Even Discord, the one that wanted to do all that for ‘shit’s and giggles’...said this wasn’t the best idea.” She growled, showing Discord pulling at his neck like a collar in some cartoon. “The next fifty years showed the world what happens when you fuck with dragon’s...when you take them lightly, destroy their hoards...destroy their clutches.” She pointed her scepter towards a memorial painting, of all the dragon’s that died in the battles, and at the bottom it showed...dozens of shattered eggs with names put on each one.
“My...my god…” Nylocke muttered breathlessly, not believing what he’s seeing.
“And to set an example for the entire world...and to remind us dragon’s…” She said as she stopped at a large, ornate door guarded by two dragon’s, about the same size as Nylocke but their gazes were piercing and spoke of how long they’ve lived and how much they’ve seen.
“Dragon Lord.” One of the dragon’s said simply.
“Open the door...my fiance needs to see this.” Ember said to the two dragon’s, who simply nodded and put their hands on the massive stone door, chanting something in a language Nylocke didn’t know but...sounded oddly familiar, as the ornate door glowed softly and it opened. The sudden rush of heat slamming into Nylocke out of nowhere, much more intense than the molten lava he experienced outside...and an air of hatred and regret filled his new draconic senses.
“What...is this?” Nylocke asked, only to gasp at seeing what was behind the door.
“A reminder that we are the strongest...and that we went too far…” She shook her head, showing a beautifully morbid scene, showing the skeleton of one of the behemoth creatures eternally burning in a rainbow like flame, each wisp turning different colors like that of a rainbow as it burned the skeleton. “Our pride as a race was both bolstered...and burned because of this, and this tomb is a forever reminder that we...committed genoicde to prove we are the strongest, that we are not to be trifled with.” Ember shook her head. “And as a reminder...our pride, our strength, is not meant for death like this.”
"And, do you feel like this." Nylocke motioned to the skeleton. "Is the legacy you want to have hanging over your head like a shadow for the rest of your reign and life?"
“This Legacy can mean two things to everyone.” Ember said. “The strength of Dragon’s able to overpower even our equals as we can triump over anything...and that Genocide is something we should never have this world experience again.” Ember shook their heads. “It’s the strength that I want to bring to light...not the bloodshed our kind were forced to endure, even if the one that caused it extremely regrets it.” She said honestly. “He maybe a spirit of chaos, but he thought we’d just get into a fist fight and leave it at that...not the bloodiest war this world has ever seen.”
"And what if history repeats itself? What if one of the other races does, through magic or machines rises up to become your equals and attacks? They'll see these lands and scoff or plan to deal with the numbers and your strength. If that happens, then this won't be the only reminder buried here."
Ember stared at Nylocke for a moment. “So...you think that, with technology or magic...any one of the other races would be dumb enough to repeat something this terrible?” Ember asked Nylocke. “That we’d have to suddenly start scorching this very planet because people don’t understand that we slaughtered these monsters that could take everything we could give them and dish it back just as much?”
"In my experience, when things like resources or politics are involved, they will do very dumb things, regardless of the bloodshed that will occure. Back home wars were fought and men, women, children all slaughtered for everything from religion to metals and oil. My point is, Ember, is that either time will pass and the people of the world will forget the dragons are so fierce and powerful, or they'll become desperate enough to ignore it."
“What sick world did you come from?” Ember asked bluntly, which honestly shocked Nylocke at how quick Ember’s response was.
"The kind where if I end up staying here forever… I could live happily with that fact." Nylocke answered honestly.
“Then it’s a good thing that the 100 year war us dragon’s had was literally the last war to ever happen.” Ember told him. “Even with some Pony history, those were skirmishes at best, shockingly no death’s even if pony magic can be a little...violent at times.”
"That is odd. So, do you all primarily live in caves or?"
“We can technically live anywhere we want, but caves are the best cause they’re easily defendable when it comes to our hoards.” Ember explained. “Only one way in, and dragon’s know when someone walks in their house.” She shrugged. “Why, don’t like caves?”
"More a fear of… buried alive…"
“Ah, yeah makes sense.” She nodded. “Even though your physically strong enough to not get buried alive, I understand the fear.” She explained softly. “So...what do you think of this little...history lesson?”
"I think the dragons have great promise. I just worry what the future might challenge you and your subjects with."
“So...literally me showing you the bloodiest war ever...and that means nothing?” Ember asked, wondering what the hell Nylocke knows that wouldn’t make him flinch at that.
"What my world has shown me… well… Can you imagine the sun itself touching the planets surface for even the briefest of moments, and the aftermath is hundreds of years of poison and scorched earth that, anything alive caught in the blast, becomes nothing more than a shadow on the stone behind them?"
Ember stared at Nylocke like he was absolutely insane. “Wh-what?”
"A bomb that ignites the air itself, causing miles of land to burn and rendering cities to ruins? Or the power to take even a simple illness, and mutate it into a lethal weapon? Imagine your friends have what looks like a cold, then it gets worse and it spreads like wildfire until entire nations are infected and the only cure is with the ones who crafted it?"
“Who...would do such horrible things? And against who?”
"Ourselves." Nylocke answered. "and our own kind."
“Why? For what reason would anyone have any reason to kill one another?”
"No matter how noble, or petty, people always find a reason to slaughter one another. It is a sad truth."
“That’s not the truth here.” Ember shook her head. “The only reason why we had that bloody war was because Discord failed to realize what he summoned were bloodthirsty beasts.” Ember told her fiance. “Murder...killing...from what my father told me, and many other old dragons, those thing’s haven’t happened for over a thousand years.”
"That was then. Now is different. My friends and I, from this twisted world are here now. That monster is still somewhere out there… and whatever force brought us here… is still at work."
“What monster?” She frowned.
"My friends, before arriving here we're combating a… strange monster. It was… different than the normal ones we've faced. Our attacks did nothing, and it oozed and bled out this black vile ichor from every orifice. Even with the aid of an unlikely ally, we suddenly found ourselves trapped. It fell into a vortex, and we couldn't let it get away, so we jumped in after the creature. I woke up here and the others are elsewhere. Meaning somewhere, that vile monster still roams, and, most likely, is killing."
Ember took a deep breath. “And...you didn’t think to mention this sooner...why?” Ember asked carefully. “And all the events that happened before don’t count as an excuse cause you had ample time to mention there’s a dangerous monster roaming around that you and five others couldn’t take down when you literally knocked my dad flat on his ass.”
"Well, for starters I woke up here, meaning it's been an unknown amount of time since we all did arrive. Second… this world has… altered me, and most likely my friends." Nylocke explained.
"Altered?"
"Here." Nylocke said, standing before Ember. His eyes were closed and he raised a hand. "Touch my hand." She raised a brow, but lifted a claw up and poked a finger. "Thumb."
"What is this proving?" Ember demanded.
"Back home we couldn't feel anything. Not pain nor touch, at least not while we were being heroes." Nylocke explained. "While we were like this, we didn't feel anything, didn't need to eat, drink or rest. Now, looks like we do."
“I’ve...only heard of a mirror portal from Twilight about dimension hopping...but that’s really weird.” She frowned. “And are you sure you saw that creature go into this portal? Or did you forget in the heat of the moment?”
"I doubt it stayed in that sealed cave either."
“And...was there any...concerning individuals before all this happened?” She asked carefully. “Anyone at all that might have caused weird things to happen?”
"Just who we originally went to deal with, an entity known as a Hacker. They… manipulate the reality back home to do as they please. Oddly though this one had some sense of… honor. I doubt he will be an issue truth be told."
“And who told you to go after him?” She asked. “Cause making oneself stronger through magic isn’t that special, it’s a semi common occurrence for ponies when they need to do certain tasks.” She shrugged.
"Not Magic, my dear Ember. A Hacker is a being that can… break the laws of the world and become anything from a God to a Devil. They often cause trouble and steal, wreck and destroy much of our homeland. Our realm's Gods have been dealing with them since the birth of TOME. My Homeland. But we were told to acquire an item the hacker gained through his cheating. The maiden said she spoke for a collector of rare objects and weapons often found within the lands various dungeons and battlegrounds."
“Was there anything about this lady that felt...off?” Ember asked. “Any of your friends think that? What did she look like?” The dragoness pressed, wanting every detail to know if they were dealing with someone like Discord who can, apparently, travel dimensions.
"Hmm… Sir Gamecrazed seemed to dislike her, but he is a naturally odd fellow. Often times secretive and calculating. He does usually have good senses about people but she did nothing out of sorts of to alert the rest of us."
“I’m concerned you probably met someone like Discord, someone of immense power that just so happened to involve you five and this mystery person for shit’s and giggles.” Ember frowned. “Let me guess, they did the whole ‘don’t shoot the messenger’ schtick?”
"Are you saying she was the one responsible?"
"Wouldn't be too surprised, cause if your normally reserved friend was hostile against them, and if they just so happened to point you to where that monster was." Ember frowned. "Seems like a little too much for coincidence don't you think?"
"If that were true, it still doesn't explain how she did it. That Monster and us being here… that is far outside the capabilities of a Hacker."
"Probably just some bored God that thought it would be funny…." Ember frowned as she motioned to the still burning skeleton. "We dragons have...personal experience in such things."
Nylocke frowned. Hackers were something easily dealt with. But… a God? An actual God in TOME? It didn't sit well with him very much. The idea… was ludicrous yet… here he was, in a different world, in his Avatar's body, able to feel, smell and most likely eat. Yet all his Abilities still seemed to work, different, but they worked. He felt like an Isekai anime protagonist. He chuckled at the thought. "Do you believe it to be a God of this realm?" Nylocke asked. If Ember's hunch was right… things just became far more worrisome.
"I doubt it, I've never heard of anything that does whatever it did to that beast you fought, from either the records or the scepter." She answered. "Plus the gods here...well they don't dabble in dimensional boundaries from what my dad told me about Bahamut and Tiamat at least."
Most worrying then… Nylocke thought to himself. "Well, what is your ideal rule and future for the Dragons then Empress Ember?"
“Well, what I’m gonna do is start to have Dragon’s be more...tolerable with other’s.” She started. “Cause dragon’s have been...a little uneasy around other races.”
"Any reason for that?"
“Well, a combination of things really.” She shrugged. “People trying to steal from us, people being afraid of us...dragon’s being the longest living race on the planet and every being that isn’t somehow ageless seemingly dying in the blink of an eye for dragons and...a few other existential things…” She said nervously.
"Right. How long is the average dragon lifespan?"
“Hard to say on ‘average’ cause...well dragon’s have a tendency to live way too long for any solid numbers.” She said sheepishly.
"And who is the oldest dragon around?"
"Well..it's a tie between three, between the two guards there that were apart of the war, and a dragon that's taken his races job so seriously he is literally called Lorescale." Ember answered. "Each over 2500 years old, and still aging."
"I see. Perhaps we should seek their advice? In my experience, wisdom of the elders and the action of the youth can make or break a civilization."
“Well...I know Lorescale would be happy to talk...and talk...cause he’s that kind of old drake.” Ember shook her head with a knowing smile.
“As long as you don’t fuck it up, who cares.” One of the old dragon guards called out.
“I’d rather not go through another war…” The other sighed out bitterly.
"Then it's settled. Let us gather advice from the ancients." Nylocke stated.
The ride to Ponyville was uneventful. Once Flamegirl got the pets out of her system the three walked through the small medieval styled town and quickly spotted the tall, crystal tree styled castle.
"Huh. How did we miss that from the train station?" Gamecrazed asked.
“Not sure really.” Flamegirl started, still surprised how much Gamecrazed opened up to talking ever since Luna came in.
"I do find it odd how something so out of place blends into the background." Luna admitted.
“Well, this is a nice town.” Flamegirl mentioned. “A lot more...homey feeling honestly.”
"Tis Ponyville. A newer town compared to other locations within the Kingdom. Only… a hundred and sixty years I believe since it was founded. The main farm, Sweet apple Acres, was gifted to the Apple Family by my sister long ago and over time the town grew around it."
“A hundred and sixty years? That’s a pretty long time for a humble farming town like this.” The fire mage said honestly.
“This town also has…a distinct feel to it.” The purple morphological pointed out. “Like...it’s expecting something to happen with open arms, no matter how strange…”
“Well, from what Twilight told me, it is Tuesday.” Luna shrugged.
The two gamers exchanged a look, but shrugged as they entered the castle. Upon entering the group was met by a small, purple lizard creature with green spines and eyes. "Hi Princess Luna!" The creature spoke.
"Hello young Spike." Luna replied with a smile. "This here is Gamecrazed and Flamegirl. I trust Twilight has informed you about them?"
"Yeah. Sorry she's not here to greet you. The Map called her and the others to a mission last minute. They left a few hours ago."
“It’s nice to meet you Spike.” Flamegirl smiled warmly.
“You’re...a dragon correct?” Gamecrazed asked Spike curiously.
"Yeah. And… I have no idea what you two are. No offense." Spike said.
"None taken." Gamecrazed shrugged.
"So where has Sparkle and her friends gone off to this time?" Luna asked.
"Some town in the middle of literally nowhere. At least we're assuming there's a town there. Not like that map to send them to nowhere for no reason." The drake shrugged.
"I see. Well, this presents a rare opportunity for me to guide you two there personally." Luna smiled.
“Fair enough.” Flamegirl nodded. “But where are we going anyway? Kirb mentioned about the rundown castle him and Alpha are staying at, but the only castle I know was at Canterlot and the train ride didn’t show anything like that.”
“Tis mine and my sister’s old home. The castle resides within the Everfree forest’s center.”
“That giant forest that went from the foot of Canterlot’s mountain to this town?” Gamecrazed asked.
“Yes.” Luna said with a nod. “Come now, let’s not waste the daylight.”
“Alright.” Flamegirl nodded. “Anything we should know about the forest before we go?”
“Tis also home to a variety of beasts of natural, magical and cosmic in origins.” Luna explained.
“Cosmic?” Flamegirl frowned. “In what way?”
“Constellation beasts?” Gamecrazed asked. “Like Orion, the Starlight Hunter?” The opening aberration brought up, Flamegirl remembering that bastard of a boss fight back in TOME.
“Ursa Majors and Minors mostly. Though most of the Everfree is still largely unexplored.” Luna informed. “The old roadways should still be functional however, if a tad overgrown. You two aren’t shy to battle are you?”
Flamegirl smiled as she lifted a finger, the entire digit being covered in well honed flames, as Gamecrazed transformed their right arm into a strong curved blade, the other holding a ball of dark energy. “You can say that.” Flamegirl said, Luna hearing the confidence of someone that has been in many battles before.
“Splendid!” She cheered, her horn lighting up as suddenly there was a large battle axe in her magic. “Tis been far too long since I’ve enjoyed a good bloodshed of mine enemies!”
“Oh great, you got her excited…” Spike groaned. “If you need me, I’ll be in the bunker…” Before the two could question, Spike was gone.
“Uh...maybe not...bloodshed…” Flamegirl started quickly and worriedly.
“I like her.” Gamecrazed nodded.
The duo quickly followed the hyped alicorn into the forest. The woods had a far darker atmosphere compared to Ponyville or Canterlot. It wasn’t long before the group encountered their first beast. The creature seemed to be made up of wood and only wood. Sticks mostly and it’s eyes glowed a sickly green.
The two gamers readied themselves… only to watch as Luna’s Battle Axe whizzed past them and into the beast’s head. It split open like it should when struck with an axe, and continued to do so until the axe sawed the creature in half. “Shame. Was hoping for something bigger.” The princess frowned.
“Uh...huh…” Flamegirl started carefully.
“Rather...straight to the point…” Gamecrazed said.
“Tis how I prefer things.” Luna nodded. “My sister was always the diplomat. I preferred the… direct approach to a problem.” Luna stated, using a hoof to knock a stuck twigg off her axe.
“Kirb.” Flamegirl couldn’t help but chuckle at that sudden thought. “Sorry Princess, just...reminded of one of our friends with your ‘direct approach’.”
“This Kirb, how are they? How are your other friends?”
“His full ‘name’ is Kirbopher, and well...he’s a good friend when he’s not being a pain.” Flamegirl mentioned. “Like’s swinging his enchanted sword first that’s for sure.”
“Alpha is Flamegirl’s boyfriend.” Gamecrazed said, which made the demoness blush brightly. “A kind, gentle soul with a knack for combat.” Gamecrazed said simply. “But...is troubled with a terrible burden…”
“And Nylocke is…” Flamegirl started, trying to get her blush under control. “He’s Nylocke...it’s best you get a ‘first impression’ from meeting him himself.”
“I see. How long have you all been in combat against monsters?” Luna asked as she cut apart overgrowth of bushes and branches as they walked.
“About...two years, plus we had to deal with Hackers.” Flamegirl mentioned. “Pesky little bastards…” She grumbled.
“And what are hackers pray tell? I am unfamiliar with the name.”
“Where we come from…” Flamegirl started, trying to figure out the right words to tell someone that had absolutely no idea what video games were.
“Hacker’s are people like us, with an ability to ‘rewrite’ thing’s at will.” Gamecrazed stated simply. “Anything from their surroundings, items, or other people.”
“Hm, sounds like a lesser variation of Discord.” Luna noted. Soon the group found themselves on an old cobblestone roadway. The stones covered in moss and grass overgrowth with weeds in between them as many were cracked or split in two of three.
"Sheesh, has anyone used this road in a while?" Flamegirl asked, wondering how this road became so ruined and overgrown.
"With all the monsters naturally within these woods the only ones who have used it before are Twilight and her friends. Even then they don't travel to the old castle often. Sister told me after my banishment she had the capital relocated to Canterlot. At the time it was the closest city." Luna stated. "Reminds me when they were first laying these roads down." She sighed. "So much time lost…"
"I'm sorry to hear that…" Flamegirl said softly.
"Things...sadly happen to lose a lot of time…" Gamecrazed said bitterly, which to Luna had a bit more...experience behind those words.
As the group marched several more beasts appeared along their path. Mostly the Timber Wolves but a Hydra did appear and the two gamers got to test their skills against the monster.
“Alright, so if this works like anything like in the story of Hercules, Gamecrazed you’re gonna need to cut it’s heads off and I’ll need to burn the stumps down.” Flamegirl explained to Gamecrazed, as the Morphological nodded and phased into the ground, before a massive fist formed up from the ground and slammed into the Hydra, knocking it off balance from the massive hand slamming into it, Gamecrazed shifting back swiftly and cutting off one of the Hydra’s heads.
“Now!” Gamecrazed called out as Flamegirl fired five fire darts fast and accurately into the stump, the entire stump suddenly catching fire as the rest of the heads roared in pain.
“Jeez...fire sure does feel different here…” Flamegirl muttered, flexing her hands as she felt the primordial flame inside her flare up with her magic. “Well, might as well keep it up.” She said, flying up and firing a cone of fire into one of the Hydra’s heads to stagger it.
The Hydra reared back at the sudden flame attack, roaring as one of it’s heads tried to bite the fire mage, only for the morphological to fire a blast of dark energy into it, causing a small explosion and knocking it’s head to the side, missing Flamegirl. “Oh god I just started to smell it…” Flamegirl muttered, just smelling freshly cauterized flesh and not liking it. “No...no time to deal with that at the moment…” She muttered as she used her flame wheel attack, blowing into the freshly hit head and burning it with her strong fire attack.
Gamecrazed used the opportunity and cut off the stunned head swiftly, Flamey burning the freshly cut stump to keep it from making new heads, only to get smacked hard by one of the other heads. “Asshole…” Flamegirl growled as she felt something spark from her magic, flying forward and swinging her fist, a massive fireball suddenly flying and slamming into the head and setting it completely on fire. “Whoa...didn’t know I could do that…” She said in surprise, the one head struggling with now being engulfed in flames.
Gamecrazed wrapped their shadow like body around the fourth head, destroying it’s head with powerful dark pulses that, when they got off the head, looked more like a singed black stump than anything. “This…” Gamecrazed muttered, knowing this was an encounter with a giant monster but...feeling actual blood on their body feeling very...concerning to the player.
“I know what you mean GC…” Flamegirl said, knowing this was a giant monster they had to fight but...actually having it be real felt...wrong somehow. “But...just one more head...and we’ll be done.” She said, Gamecrazed nodded as the final hydra head tried to attack the two in desperation, only for the two gamer’s to dodge it and dealt with it swiftly. “Well...what do you think Luna?”
"I think you both are quite the talented fighters. Are you professionally trained or self taught?" Luna asked.
“Self taught.” Flamegirl answered. “Which...seems a little weirder considering...something’s…”
“My powers feel...more alive than back home.” Gamecrazed mentioned.
“Yeah, same here…” Flamegirl mentioned, bringing up a small flame in the palm of her hand. “This...doesn’t feel like the fire back home.”
"Hm, may I?" Luna asked as her horn lit up. With a nod the two felt Luna's magic flow over them. It was cool, but calming and serene like… moonlight. "Hmm… interesting." Luna hummed.
“What up?” Flamegirl inquired. “Is something wrong?”
"No, your inner fire is quite common amongst Pyromancer's and even Half Drake species. Strong too. But… there is something about Gamecrazed here. His magic feels far more… raw, not quite primal but… potent." She stated. "Like a tame variation of Discord's magic."
“That’s probably because of my Morphological being.” Gamecrazed answered, Luna feeling her magic seemingly walled off from delving deeper, but sheshe couldn’t tell if it was GC’s mind pushing her back or something else.
"Hm, perhaps. Shapeshifters of your type are rare. Well, let us be off then. Does make me wonder how it will effect your spell craft."
“Spellcraft?” Gamecrazed inquired. “I can...use magic?” They asked, having been bound by the rules of TOME they really weren’t able to use any ‘spells’ like Flamegirl or other Spellcaster class characters.
"Yes. Both of you should be able to cast a variety of spells, but for Flamegirl the Pyromancy class of magic will come especially easy for her. Given how your magic is I am guessing you'll be a fine spell caster. However, given how it is I am also assuming while any class of magic may come easily to you, you will be a master of none. Much in the same boat as Twilight really. Her talent is in magic in all it's fields but as a result, she can't Truly be a master of any of the magic classes."
“Sounds fair.” Gamecrazed nodded.
“Well...certainly gives us more room to work with than back home.” The demoness dressed spellcaster shrugged.
With that, the group marched on, encountering little resistance in terms of beasts and eventually their eyes fell upon the ruins of the old castle. It was both beautiful and terrifying in it's decayed state. Time beat it down. War waged within its walls, and still it stood tall and strong.
It was a short search and soon the group walked upon the kitchen, where Kirb was devouring a jar of pickles and Alpha was reading over another aged book.
Kirb swallowed his food at seeing the trio. "It's about time!" Kirb said emphatically.
"Are you sure those pickles are safe to eat?" Flamegirl asked carefully.
"Yes, and they are delicious." Kirb answered.
"Tis true." Luna added, using her magic to pull a pickle from the jar And eat it herself. "Special magics are used to keep the castle store rooms and their contents preserved fresh as they Day they were picked or made."
"It's good to see you both safe." Alpha said, standing up and giving a handshake to Gamecrazed and a hug to Flamegirl. "So, did you get the news about Nylocke?"
"We didn't, did you?" Flamegirl asked.
"Nylockes getting married." Kirb said, trying to hold back his laughter as Flamey and GC nearly tripped over themselves.
"Hold up what!?" Flamegirl asked in shock.
"We've only been here for a few hours…" Gamecrazed stated.
"Yeah, that was my reaction too." Alpha stated.
"Well, do you know where he is?" Luna asked.
"Someplace called the Dragon Lands. Also, who are you?"
"Ah, pardons. I am Princess Luna of Equestria." Luna stated. "Your friends here crashed down in Canterlot and were escorted to my sister and I."
“Well, good thing we at least know the royalty here.” Kirb started. “So the only one we don’t have is Nylocke, and Aven wasn’t even an option to DM.” Kirb mentioned.
"So, what's our next move?" Alpha asked.
"We should gather up your remaining allies. A trip to the Dragon Lands will take some time however. We have yet to establish a train station there despite growing relations. We will have to take a boat from one of the coastal cities and sail the rest of the way there. Should take a week."
“Well that sucks.” Kirb frowned. “But at least we’ll be able to see more of this world than just a destroyed castle.”
"Guess we best prepare for a trip." Gamecrazed said.
As the group walked back to the main road, Luna managed to pull Game Crazed a fair distance ahead of the group with her. "So, do they know?" Luna asked the Amalgamorph.
“I don’t know what your talking about.” Gamecrazed said, feigning ignorance on what Luna meant.
"I understand, it's your secret to keep. But if anyone can recognize a being like you, it's another just like you." Luna said, giving Gamecrazed a smile. "Can't deny though, it was a surprise to see we are the same. So few Divine Beings roam the physical worlds anymore."
Gamecrazed looked at Luna carefully. “I’m...not a Divine Being...and no one will recognize me, I’m a government kept secret back home.” Gamecrazed told Luna, letting at least some of it known to Luna.
"Maybe back at your home, you aren't divine. But this," Luna used a good and tapped over Gamecrazed's chest. "Is a power only children of Gods carry. Whatever brought you here, awakened it, or perhaps, implanted it?"
“I don’t know…” Gamecrazed sighed out. “My parents...they were just humans, creating a simple game for other’s to enjoy and have fun…” They said, not sure if they should say who they really were, and getting more nervous about it as they felt that if they let someone else know they’d be taken away.
Luna just kept her smile, looking up at the trees above. "My mother once told my sister and I that, in a world of your own creation, be it on paper or in your own mind, you are it's God. You are divine in that plane even if you are mortal in the one you are born to. You say they made a game for fun, but they made a world, and you. Sounds like you are a child of Gods to me."
“Too bad my...brother ruined it…” Gamecrazed said as they looked at Alpha carefully, Luna looking towards the humble looking player and sensing a dark power hidden inside him.
"I see." Luna said with a nod. "It is your secret, Gamecrazed. I will respect your wish for privacy in your true identity and nature, but in my advice… tell them. Speaking personally, holding back truths and keeping secrets is how your demons win." She said, looking back over to Gamecrazed. "Also, should your Divine Powers begin to manifest, let me know. Sister and I have personal experience in controlling such abilities."
“Alright...I’ll keep it in mind.” Gamecrazed nodded. “I just...don’t want my friends hurt…”
“The buck happened here!?!” Twilight shouted in horror at the ruined town.
Buildings were burned or demolished, craters littered the single long roadway, and every pony in the town lay injured in various degrees. The worst of the town was the apparent Mayor, Starlight Glimmer who was still unconscious but badly beaten, bruised, and her horn sat cracked and burnt atop her head.
"Who the hay could have done this?" Applejack asked, helping a few of the ponies still able to walk carry those who couldn't.
“It...was a masked creature...” One of the ponies coughed in pain. “They...wore a frowning drama mask…” The stallion managed to say, even as pain wracked through his body.
"What kind of creature was it?" Twilight asked.
"I don't… know. Never seen anything… like it." They wheezed. "Starlight confronted them when he blew up the dress shop… it was immune to her magic and her artifact…"
“And what artifact did she use?” Rainbow Dash asked carefully, noting the stallion’s cutie mark, which was a baker’s hat.
"It was a special artifact used to remove our Cutie Marks. The town Philosophy was built on being equal in every way. It removed our marks but, looks like that thing broke open the vault they were stored in." He said as he looked his cutie mark over. "Must have been after he knocked the whole town out. It moved so fast…"
“She...removed your cutie marks?” Rarity gasped.
“That’s not what Equality is though.” Pinkie frowned. “Even with all this damage...it looked depressing and alone...like my family’s rock farm…”
“It...was…” The stallion sighed out. “But...we’re all beaten to tartarus, but we’re alive...honestly it’s a blessing...”
"Why were you attacked? Does anything dangerous live around here?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"No idea...the female said she wanted to slaughter us all...then the jester came in and stopped her from shattering Starlight's horn...then he destroyed everything."
"There was two?" Rarity pondered.
"Yeah. The female looked… she looked like a corpse." The stallion shuttered. "Still, she broke her horn, but left right after."
“That doesn’t make sense, her horn looks burned and lightly cracked, not broken.” Twilight frowned.
“The jester...he fixed it up enough and grumbled something...like ‘a little too much’, I couldn’t hear him clearly…” The stallion sighed out.
“What would cause being’s like this to appear?” Twilight asked with worry, fearing what might was happening in the world...until a cloud of green mist appeared and out popped a letter. “A letter from Spike?” Twilight wondered as she took it in her magic and opened it.
Hey Twilight, it’s me. Just wanting to give you a quick update, Luna visited with two weird people named Flamegirl, a human that dressed up like a mix between a succubus and a fire demon, and a purple slime like creature named Gamecrazed, currently I’m hiding in the bunker cause Luna was stupid excited about ‘adventuring’ in the Everfree again’
"Something happen Twilight?" Fluttershy asked.
“Well...apparently there’s two new people that Spike met...and Luna’s having fun again in the Everfree.” Twilight sighed out as she rolled the scroll back up. “Don’t worry, Spike’s in the Bunker, and hopefully these two new people she’s with will keep her in line this time.”
"Think these two could be related to this attack somehow?" Rainbow asked.
"No and yes all at the same time." The group turned to the new voice, spotting the masked being. Physically, he appeared human. Save his frowning drama face mask that seemed to almost blend into his body. He wore a suit, dark red with a dark blue tie. "Greetings and salutations little ponies." He addressed them with a bow.
The ponies awake enough to notice the being quickly began to panic, trying to walk, limp and crawl away while those unable to move fell into panic attacks or hysteria.
“Fluttershy, Rarity, get the ponies to safety.” Twilight told the two, the vet and fashionista nodded and heading off to help the panicking and injured to safety. “It’s nice to meet you...but mind if I ask, why did you attack this town?” Twilight asked carefully.
"Was originally going to be far worse but, let's say Divine Intervention kept my friend from doing what she does best. So I took over. As for the why of it, well, every bad guy needs a castle."
Twilight was about to question further, until a snap of their fingers and the world went dark. For a moment Twilight wondered what had happened until her eyes adjusted. She and the still unconscious mayor, Starlight, were within a fair sized stone prison. Her wings were bound in metal and after a quick check both her and Starlight had magic suppression rings on their horns. The bars of their cell were thick metal. Standing on the other side was that being. "Your friends are in similar cells but in the upper floors of the dungeon. You'll get food, water, and your business can be taken care of in the corner over there."
“What in Celestia’s name is this!?!” Twilight shouted as she struggled against the chains, trying to channel her magic but feeling the cold numbness the suppression ring gave off hurting the alicorn of friendship and magic.
"A dungeon. Simple, enough to understand really. The last floor of it too. You know the old cliche and all, captured Princess evil castle, yada yada. You even get a friend. Can't have you all going crazy on me while you're waiting for the rescue."
“Alright…” Twilight took a deep breath. “Who’s going to rescue us?” She asked carefully. “Cause as far as I know, only Spike knows we’re in the middle of absolutely nowhere…”
"Why, the heroes of this story of course. Five friends with a bond just like you and your friends will, eventually, come here and break you and the rest of your friends out. Til then I'll heal up and put the towns folk here to work. No point in keeping them in cells, the only threats here are you, her, and those five friends of yours."
Twilight scoffed at that. “That’s a laugh, if we were so ‘threatening’, than how in Tartarus did you create an entire jail, bind all seven of us in chains, with magic inhibitors that even I can’t break through sheer force, and create this entire dungeon with just a meer snap of your fingers? Even Discord would have trouble with that.”
The being stared at Twilight for a time, but she felt a chill run down her spine, and it felt like he was smiling under that frowning mask. "What do you think a God prays to little Princess? Who judges them when they die?"
Twilight’s eyes widened. “No...no you can’t be!” She shivered in fear. “Your...Discord said you didn’t bother with mortal affairs…”
"Normally, but we need an army of strong heroes. Strong like the old days… growing an army like that takes… time. First we find the right people, then we put them through the trials, the tests, through hell, and ensure they come out ready for their true chosen purpose."
“In what world would you need an army?” Twilight asked in pure shock.
"Hmm… perhaps army… no, army is the right word. In time you'll know but it's not up to me if you'll be a part of it or not. I just train the Heroes, I don't pick them."
“But...but…” Twilight tried to say. “I...don’t understand…”
"You might, in time. Until then, enjoy your stay." He said, turning as he began to walk away.
Twilight was limp as she heard his footsteps echo through the dungeon, millions of questions running through her head as she met one of the most ancient being’s around, and telling her that they needed an army...like the old days? All of these thought’s culminated in one whispered phrase,
“What in tartarus is going on?”
“Ugh...the fuck happened…” Aven grumbled as they got up, blinking open their eyes as they saw…”THE FUCK HAPPENED!?!” Aven shouted in panic, seeing a Void of Star’s around him, all shining brightly as if just newly created. “Okay okay...calm down...I’m just in space after some weird ass glitched version of Vortex came up and damn near destroyed the game and…” Aven frowned. “Motherfucker, I still need that bastard's Axe!” The armored griffon threw up their hands in anger, having grinded that boss an asston and now not being able to get that legendary weapon. “Wait...why am I still in my Avatar?” He finally noticed the white bone armor around his arms and the talon-like hands that his avatar had in TOME.
"Greetings." Turning, Aven spotted a figure donned in a blue suit with a red tie and a smiling drama mask.
“And who are you?” The griffon asked carefully, grabbing their legendary wind spear and readied it to the unknown person.
"Please." They said, the eye roll in their tone was as plain as day. "My name is Genie, and you my formerly human friend have a job to complete."
“And...what’s my new job?” The dragoon asked carefully. “Cause...I’m just a hacker that wants to hunt down the legendary weapons from bosses...seriously I am not paid enough for this…”
"Don't worry about your Payment." Genie said, walking over to them. In a flash the Axe they were after before, and dropped it into their hands. It was then that Aven realized… he could feel the weight of it. The smoothness of the wood. Touching the blade he felt the rust and coldness of the metal. "I think you find your newfound powers… more than adequate."
“How...and why?” Aven asked carefully, finding the fact he can feel things in his avatar pretty massive by itself.
"Simple. You wished for it."
Aven grunted, as if memories of a prior dungeon venture were forced back. "Wish I could do this for real." His own voice echoed back to him.
“I...did...say that once…” Aven shook his head. “But...that was months ago.”
"Wish granted." Genie laughed. "Now then, let's talk about your job."
In the Moon of TOME, stood a Cat themed Avatar named TigerLily, who was currently rubbing both of her temples in aggravation and annoyance. “God damn it Zeto, at least send me something…” She groaned, having spent the better part of thirty six hours trying to figure out what in the hell happened to cause this. “The Netking’s and Admin’s have absolutely no clue what’s going on, I haven’t heard from Zeto in a day and a half...what the fuck is happening…” Tiger Lily muttered.
“Maybe you need a break there hun.” A smooth talking female voice came up, which out of a puff of smoke came DustBunny, as provocative as the game would allow looking bunny girl avatar, told her. “You’ve been running yourself ragged for a day and a half, let me and the Neo handle it for a bit.” The bunny girl said sympathetically.
“Your...probably right…” The auburn haired gunner yawned.
“And if anything happens, the Antiviral code is still inside it’s host.” A spanish accented voice mentioned, while in a small flash of lightning showed NeoMutant, a green masked wearing orange being with two lightning rods sticking out of their back. “As long as nothing provokes the Forbidden Power, the Anti-Virus won’t need to be used, so we’ll at least have a fail-safe.” Neomutant brought up.
“You’re right…” She sighed out, looking back at the map of TOME as she got a DM from her boss of ‘D-Buggers’, telling her to actually get some sleep for the third time, as they were handling it. “Christ...but if you get anything from Zeto you immediately call me alright?”
“Sure thing boss.” Dustbunny nodded.
“Alright.” Neomutant said as they both saw TigerLily log off to get some well deserved shut eye. “This is beyond our original mission…” Neomutant grumbled.
“Hey, at least we’re getting paid overtime.” Dustbunny shrugged. “Whatever the hell’s happening is certainly getting everyone worked up...hopefully it won’t get the game shut down.” She mentioned, cause even though she was a hacker, the most she did was make her Smoke based abilities better, and she had made plenty of friends in this game outside her work.
“As long as the major problem’s don’t see the light of day, things will keep turning.” Neomutant answered, looking over all the notes TigerLily managed to gather. “But we need to be prepared...something about all of this is way above what this...Forbidden Power could ever do.”
To be continued...