Gathering: Take 4
Despite Uncle Murray rejoining us, it quickly became plain that his heart was still conflicted. He felt he'd abandoned his Dreamtime training, and disappointed his Guru. Of course, we weren't going to let this stand. If a talk with his Guru is what he needed to be at peace, then that's what we would make happen. We set course for the Australian Outback, where his Guru resided.
As we were heading off, however, I had a bit of a surprise meeting at the airport of all places...
As the group - dressed in disguises of Coco's design - made their way through the airport, Coco briefly fell back towards an air vent so she could collect Diek-Beck, who had no chance of making his way through airport security in the standard way. Disguised as a stuffed animal, he could make it through easily once past the metal detectors, but getting through them would be an exercise in futility, especially considering his in-built weaponry that couldn't be removed.
As Coco balanced Diek-Beck on her back, a familiar voice startled her.
"So where ya off to in such a hurry, little chile?"
Coco yelped in surprise and spun, startled to see who was watching her. "Ms. Ruby!" she gasped in surprise. "You're out of jail?"
The lady alligator chuckled from her place in a kiosk nearby, selling various knickknacks. "Mrs. now, little filly. And yes, my sentence got commuted after the Contessa mess, thanks ta you lot and Megraw stickin' his nose in. Now Muggsy and I are goin' legit, makin' a place for the three of us."
Coco gasped happily. "Three?" she squealed eagerly.
At that moment, a tiny creature crawled its way up Mrs. Ruby's back. She had an elongated crocodile snout, a bulldog face, fur over scales, short, well-muscled legs ending in webbed talons, and a long, whip-like tail covered in scales. Her large brown eyes stared out in wide-eyed fascination, a pink bow in her thick, bushy green hair. Mrs. Ruby chuckled as she held her arm forward so the critter could crawl towards Coco. "This be our lil' Felicia."
Coco squealed happily as she got up on her hind legs to get nose to nose with the little tyke. "She's adorable!"
Mrs. Ruby chuckled indulgently as she pulled Felicia back before she could try and bite Coco. "And a right spitfire, just like her Mama!" she confirmed. "Now, 'bout what ah asked ya before?"
"Oh!" Coco gasped out in realization. "We're going to the Australian Outback so Uncle Murray can have a face to face with his Dreamtime Teacher."
Mrs. Ruby went pale. "Child...maybe ya better sit this trip out..."
"What?" Coco gasped out in shock. "But...but I just got my whole family back together-"
"Ah taught you what I know about magic," Mrs. Ruby interrupted, "and ya took to it like a duck ta water. Now, there are some who would call voodoo like I taught you dark, and I'll admit there are dark aspects to it...but the magic Down Under, it make what I do look stage!"
Coco's eyes widened. "It's...that potent? And that...dark?"
Mrs. Ruby tilted one hand side to side. "Say instead it's that primal," she corrected. "The magic we use? Mostly passive, and long as you stick to the rules you got no problems. The magic Outback? Got a will of its own, chile, and it only works for ya if it chooses to...and if it decides it don't like you, your only chance is gettin' out o' the Outback fast as ya can. The Light there is blindin', and the Dark all consumin..." She shivered dramatically. "I won't stop ya from goin' - not that ah could - but be very careful how ya use yer magic down there."
Coco paled, and nodded. "I'll...I'll be careful..."
"Ah know ya will," Mrs. Ruby confirmed. "Course, with how long your missions take, I'll probably be in the States by the time you get done. When ya do, look me up, okay?"
"Promise!" Coco confirmed as she raced off to catch up with her family before they started to worry for her.
I decided to keep my silence on the warning until we actually landed in Australia. The last thing I wanted to do was upset Uncle Murray when he was looking so happy. As we settled in for the long flight, he regaled us with tale after tale of the Guru's abilities, and I became more and more excited. While I remembered Mrs. Ruby's warning, I couldn't help but think I could benefit from the Guru's teachings as well. Even if I didn't try to tap the magics of the Outback, his techniques might help me to better utilize my own magic.
Of course, Dad's thoughts went to possibly recruiting the Guru into the Gang to help get into the Vault. I wasn't about to argue with that, especially not when I was hoping to learn from him.
When we got to the Outback, though, I began to wonder if there would even be any magic for me to tap. The entire area the Guru was supposed to be was overrun with industrial machinery and mining operations, and there was no sign of the Guru. A quick overview revealed it was an Opal mining operation, and not entirely legal. Mom immediately moved out to connect with local law enforcement to crack down on the operation, while the rest of us gathered to make our plans.
At first, Uncle Bentley thought I could track the Guru down using my magic to scan for another magic user, but I then had to pass on Mrs. Ruby's warning. Dad immediately agreed that I shouldn't try to use my magic until we were able to make contact with the Guru, making that our number one priority...
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Ah, Australia. The land of all the things that want to kill you. Including, apparently, local magical powers.
as in it's a font or opening to cosmic\ the beginning\ the source
Also, with them stopping the illegal opal mining, my money is that Coco gets used as a vessel to relay a few messages possibly harshly to some beings
This mission stage was fun to play. I especially loved the bar fight. Can't wait to see what you do with that.
8083989 For some unfatmal reason you sound surprised.
Well that's just Prime.
At least Mrs. Ruby stated where they could find her later.
I wonder if Deik-Beik was venting when he had to go through the airport security.
Primal magic... Instinct maybe? The place amplifies instinct to the point of it being strong enough to suppress critical thinking? The mask certainly seemed to do that to Carmelita.
And something tells me the meeting between Coco and The Guru isn't going to go too well. He'll likely be able to tell instantly that she's not a part of their reality, and considering the environment he lives in he may mistake her for something a bit more... infernal.
Something tell me Coco will get something insanely powerful from visiting the Outback.
8084012 I agree that is pretty fun to play. the only missions I dont like in it are the timed escapes when you collect the staff and when you drive the big car.
i wonder if Coco will get the mask and become a giant ^_^ (tho temporary until the mask is removed)
Soooooooooooo, I've read plenty of fiction, and I played a good number of tabletop rpg's. With that in mind, there seems to be one thing in common regarding Australia.
DON'T BUCK WITH THE MAGIC DOWN UNDER!
8083989
Don't forget that the weather (heatwaves), the air (super-dehydrating low humidity), and ground (dust storms, even potentially radioactive ones), and the water (so much dangerous marine life) want to kill you as well. That's all four classical elements trying to murder you all at once, and working together to do it.
As an Australian I have to say that All theses wild claims about everything in the country trying to kill you are utter fabrications.
Some things keep you alive for later...
Well, this sounds promising. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the great work. Deus tecum.
"Do you come from a land down under? Where women go and men plunder. Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder!? You better run, you batter take cover!"
8084295 World most poisoned snake. World most poisoned scorpion. World most dangerous sharks. World most poisoned plant. Shall I go on or is the land from down under trying to kill any tourist that don't respect the country?
8084332 Aren't those the Lyric's to "Africa" ?
Australia's so hostile, everything's trying to kill you, especially its native magic.
8084452 Don't be ridiculous... The outback doesn't only kill the tourists, it kills the locals too! It's unbiased like that.
8084521 No. It's Down Under by Men at Work.
Some of the formatting seems off near the end, like this one.
8084607
,,,how the heck did that happen from an accidental double space?
THOSE TWO ARE MARRIED!?
8084729
You'd be surprised.
Awesome work on this man, a great chapter well done
Honestly surprised nobody noticed the "ty the Tasmanian tiger" reference at the end. The opal mining was a big part of the plot, as I remember.
Ah no matter what universe, Australia is still out to wipe out every on it
-Volt Opt, Shadowrunner for hire.
HHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGG!!!!!! I'm so glad they're together and have a kid, I really want to see Coco Baby Sitting Felicia later on.
Awww, the land down under... where everything is trying to kill you. I can just see Sly considering a giant metal hamster ball to put Coco in and her being annoyed at his over protectiveness.
8089675
I made the name when my pic was a crow gryphon
8089689 ahhhh... that makes sense. why did u change ur pic?
8087782 Coco's drawing came to life!
8084557
Chuck Norris went to Australia. The fight ended in a stalemate.
I have to wonder about this trip to Australia given the commentary about the place in this morning's chapter of Three More Things. Different universe, but still.
I get the feeling certain ponies would equate the magic in the Outback, and Australia in general, to be like the Everfree on ultra steroids, if everywhere else on Earth is the Everfree on normal steroids.
Okay, I don’t mind them being together, but the had a crocadog kid. Seriously, couldn’t have made the kid a full crocodile or a dog, or maybe adopted? That just raises questions of why there isn’t a large population of hybrid animal mutants.
10348423
Because Mrs. Ruby is a powerful mage.