Main Event Far Away Lights

[Raptor Jesus]

​

"... Curious," Spock initially said to Titus. The prospect of the pursuit of greater horizons leading civilization into rot and war was unfathomable to Spock, but he dared not deny Titus his beliefs. After all, while the thought may have been illogical to Spock, considering the same pursuit is what propelled his own people, along with many other races, to ascend into greater unity and progress, it was just as simple. Different worlds, different rules.

"I cannot agree based on my own history and experiences, but I shan't undermine your own either. It is not my place, after all, morally or not," the First Officer went on, continuing to ponder on whether or not the Prime Directive applied to cases such as this, but of course, first things first. He had to prioritize.

When it seemed as though Sarge was antagonizing Vert, Spock stepped in, calm and collected as ever, even if his blue shirt seemed likely to set Sarge off (and perhaps Krystal, not that Spock caught on to her plan). "I would advise against anything rash," he warned the red soldier, "Considering the nature of this reality, it is likely your weapon is of no use here, and more than that, your current line of thought is illogical. I suggest clearing your head."

Meanwhile, as Starscream would transform to look around the city, he initially wouldn't find anything of much interest or value. Just a grander sight of the artificial city, beautiful even if hollow. However, after a few moments, Starscream would be able to see something odd; a small distortion in space just a few meters ahead, tall enough to stretch from the sky to the very ground where everyone else was. Whatever this distortion was, perhaps it would be a satisfactory clue as to where to investigate next.

@Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Donder172 @Jeremi @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Raynar Saassin @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Siege @CityGroup​

“Clearing my head? You’re the one in the Blue outfit! In fact, I bet you’re the one who hypnotized her, you dirty Blue!” Sarge exclaimed before turning to aim at Spock, not wasting any time in pulling the trigger.

...and nothing happened.

Sarge pulled the trigger on his rifle several more times, attempting to shoot the First Officer, though to no avail.

“Dammit, I’m outta ammo! That’s Grif’s responsibility!” Sarge shouted angrily before simply attaching his rifle to the holster on his back.
​

"Or the Blues wanted you to think Vert was on their side during her change. So they made it seem like she changed so they could get you riled up at her and off your game. Clearly you fell for the trap those damned Blues left you, Sarge! Oh how I hate them... now they've tried to turn us on our own Red allies... even if they aren't wearing red." Krystal said to Sarge.

@Raptor Jesus

Sarge paused for a moment and stared at Krystal behind the cold, emotionless facade of his helmet for a long, drawn out moment.

“Hmm... that plan is so convoluted that it might actually be right! Those sneaky Blues, always trying to one-up me...” Sarge muttered before turning to face Spock and Vert.

“I’m sorry for almost shooting you both earlier. It was out of line of me to try and shoot fellow Reds, even if they appear to be Blue.”

@Ver @Raynar Saassin @Siege @Crow @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Donder172 @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies ​

 

[Atomic Knight]

Kirby, along with the fruit, were able to pass through the barrier again, though he would find his suction ability to be the same as normal.

"Hey, little man," James said upon seeing Kirby. "You want us to try eating the fruit?"

"That did not go so well when the last buffoon tried to do that," Elliot said, crossing his arms.

"Well... we might have to try it. Not much else to do, you know?"

Elliot sighed. "Before anyone suggests he eats us next and takes us through the barrier, I am not doing that."

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Forest ​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

Kirby, along with the fruit, were able to pass through the barrier again, though he would find his suction ability to be the same as normal.

"Hey, little man," James said upon seeing Kirby. "You want us to try eating the fruit?"

"That did not go so well when the last buffoon tried to do that," Elliot said, crossing his arms.

"Well... we might have to try it. Not much else to do, you know?"

Elliot sighed. "Before anyone suggests he eats us next and takes us through the barrier, I am not doing that."

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Forest ​

“Y’know what? Fuck it.” Grif said before grabbing another piece of fruit and eating it.

@Atomic Knight @Alex Azure @Takumi @Lucky @York @Donder172 @Kaykay @Jeremi @Forest​

 

[Yun Lee]

Now things were a little less funny. Gakupo really didn't want to glitch out-he had a reputation to uphold, you know. But if it got them closer to going home, then... "If it works, then it works...I suppose." He would then take a reluctant bite bite out of one.

@Atomic Knight @Alex Azure @York @Takumi @Lucky @Donder172 @Jeremi @Kaykay @Space_Candy​

 

[Siege]

“Clearing my head? You’re the one in the Blue outfit! In fact, I bet you’re the one who hypnotized her, you dirty Blue!” Sarge exclaimed before turning to aim at Spock, not wasting any time in pulling the trigger.

...and nothing happened.

Sarge pulled the trigger on his rifle several more times, attempting to shoot the First Officer, though to no avail.

“Dammit, I’m outta ammo! That’s Grif’s responsibility!” Sarge shouted angrily before simply attaching his rifle to the holster on his back.
​

Sarge paused for a moment and stared at Krystal behind the cold, emotionless facade of his helmet for a long, drawn out moment.

“Hmm... that plan is so convoluted that it might actually be right! Those sneaky Blues, always trying to one-up me...” Sarge muttered before turning to face Spock and Vert.

“I’m sorry for almost shooting you both earlier. It was out of line of me to try and shoot fellow Reds, even if they appear to be Blue.”

@Ver @Raynar Saassin @Siege @Crow @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Donder172 @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies ​

"Come on Sarge, let's not attempt to fall for anything else Blue has in mind." Krystal said to him.

@Raptor Jesus

 

[Ver]

"..."

Spock simply furrowed his brow disapprovingly as Sarge tried to fire at him, only for nothing to happen fortunately. "While my people are capable in part to mental suggestion and communication, it is not such a facile process, and illogical to assume I would do anything that you are suggesting," he said matter-of-factly, his somewhat tart tone seeming to (unfortunately) bounce well off Sarge's enthusiasm. Like a robot against an exaggerated personality.

The Vulcan only tilted his head when Sarge seemed to calm down out of the blue (once again, Krystal's suggestions seeming to fly over his head), but thought little of it. "... Very well. Let us proceed then."

As the spatial distortion in the distance was detected by Starscream and Gumi, leading Spock to follow with everyone else in tow, walking over to the distortion amidst the blank civilians of the artificial city, they would eventually find themselves approaching what appeared to be a bench in the middle of the sidewalk, the distorted air engulfing what appeared to be a man, the very texture of his body and clothes shuddering and jittering, like a computer glitch inside this world.

Carefully, Spock approached the strange juttering figure, raising his brow now. He said nothing initially, but eventually, the strange figure looked up at him and the rest of the group, the same distortion able to be heard in his voice as well as he spoke.

H͘̕u͞r̵ts.͠.̡͠. ͟͜͝H̡̀ų̷͝ŕt̶̡̛s̢͞͡..͘͢.̴̕̕ ͏Hu̷̵r͜t̸̵͜s͟͟..̛͞.̵͠

@Yun Lee @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Siege @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @CrunchyCHEEZIT @CityGroup​

 

[Crunch]

"..."

Spock simply furrowed his brow disapprovingly as Sarge tried to fire at him, only for nothing to happen fortunately. "While my people are capable in part to mental suggestion and communication, it is not such a facile process, and illogical to assume I would do anything that you are suggesting," he said matter-of-factly, his somewhat tart tone seeming to (unfortunately) bounce well off Sarge's enthusiasm. Like a robot against an exaggerated personality.

The Vulcan only tilted his head when Sarge seemed to calm down out of the blue (once again, Krystal's suggestions seeming to fly over his head), but thought little of it. "... Very well. Let us proceed then."

As the spatial distortion in the distance was detected by Starscream and Gumi, leading Spock to follow with everyone else in tow, walking over to the distortion amidst the blank civilians of the artificial city, they would eventually find themselves approaching what appeared to be a bench in the middle of the sidewalk, the distorted air engulfing what appeared to be a man, the very texture of his body and clothes shuddering and jittering, like a computer glitch inside this world.

Carefully, Spock approached the strange juttering figure, raising his brow now. He said nothing initially, but eventually, the strange figure looked up at him and the rest of the group, the same distortion able to be heard in his voice as well as he spoke.

H͘̕u͞r̵ts.͠.̡͠. ͟͜͝H̡̀ų̷͝ŕt̶̡̛s̢͞͡..͘͢.̴̕̕ ͏Hu̷̵r͜t̸̵͜s͟͟..̛͞.̵͠

@Yun Lee @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Siege @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @CrunchyCHEEZIT @CityGroup​

"Watch yourself," Titus immediately remarked upon Spock approaching the distorted man, stomping forward and taking a place nearby in case the alien triggered some sort of event. The captain grimaced at the distorted air, as it's nature brought back some less-than-fond memories. It seemed as if Chaos was the theme of this endeavor.

Nonetheless, the space marine kept his fists clenched and stared at the juttering figure, expecting him to do something else.

@Yun Lee @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Siege @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @Ver @CityGroup

​

 

[Siege]

"..."

Spock simply furrowed his brow disapprovingly as Sarge tried to fire at him, only for nothing to happen fortunately. "While my people are capable in part to mental suggestion and communication, it is not such a facile process, and illogical to assume I would do anything that you are suggesting," he said matter-of-factly, his somewhat tart tone seeming to (unfortunately) bounce well off Sarge's enthusiasm. Like a robot against an exaggerated personality.

The Vulcan only tilted his head when Sarge seemed to calm down out of the blue (once again, Krystal's suggestions seeming to fly over his head), but thought little of it. "... Very well. Let us proceed then."

As the spatial distortion in the distance was detected by Starscream and Gumi, leading Spock to follow with everyone else in tow, walking over to the distortion amidst the blank civilians of the artificial city, they would eventually find themselves approaching what appeared to be a bench in the middle of the sidewalk, the distorted air engulfing what appeared to be a man, the very texture of his body and clothes shuddering and jittering, like a computer glitch inside this world.

Carefully, Spock approached the strange juttering figure, raising his brow now. He said nothing initially, but eventually, the strange figure looked up at him and the rest of the group, the same distortion able to be heard in his voice as well as he spoke.

H͘̕u͞r̵ts.͠.̡͠. ͟͜͝H̡̀ų̷͝ŕt̶̡̛s̢͞͡..͘͢.̴̕̕ ͏Hu̷̵r͜t̸̵͜s͟͟..̛͞.̵͠

@Yun Lee @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Siege @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @CrunchyCHEEZIT @CityGroup​

"What the hell is going on with him?" Krystal asked.

@Ver @CityGroup

 

[Crow]

"... Curious," Spock initially said to Titus. The prospect of the pursuit of greater horizons leading civilization into rot and war was unfathomable to Spock, but he dared not deny Titus his beliefs. After all, while the thought may have been illogical to Spock, considering the same pursuit is what propelled his own people, along with many other races, to ascend into greater unity and progress, it was just as simple. Different worlds, different rules.

"I cannot agree based on my own history and experiences, but I shan't undermine your own either. It is not my place, after all, morally or not," the First Officer went on, continuing to ponder on whether or not the Prime Directive applied to cases such as this, but of course, first things first. He had to prioritize.

When it seemed as though Sarge was antagonizing Vert, Spock stepped in, calm and collected as ever, even if his blue shirt seemed likely to set Sarge off (and perhaps Krystal, not that Spock caught on to her plan). "I would advise against anything rash," he warned the red soldier, "Considering the nature of this reality, it is likely your weapon is of no use here, and more than that, your current line of thought is illogical. I suggest clearing your head."

Meanwhile, as Starscream would transform to look around the city, he initially wouldn't find anything of much interest or value. Just a grander sight of the artificial city, beautiful even if hollow. However, after a few moments, Starscream would be able to see something odd; a small distortion in space just a few meters ahead, tall enough to stretch from the sky to the very ground where everyone else was. Whatever this distortion was, perhaps it would be a satisfactory clue as to where to investigate next.

@Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Donder172 @Jeremi @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Raynar Saassin @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Siege @CityGroup​

"Ooooh...what's that?" Without waiting for an answer, Gumi rushed to the distortion, fascinated by it.

@Ver @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @Donder172 @Raynar Saassin @Siege @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Crow @Josh​

"..."

Spock simply furrowed his brow disapprovingly as Sarge tried to fire at him, only for nothing to happen fortunately. "While my people are capable in part to mental suggestion and communication, it is not such a facile process, and illogical to assume I would do anything that you are suggesting," he said matter-of-factly, his somewhat tart tone seeming to (unfortunately) bounce well off Sarge's enthusiasm. Like a robot against an exaggerated personality.

The Vulcan only tilted his head when Sarge seemed to calm down out of the blue (once again, Krystal's suggestions seeming to fly over his head), but thought little of it. "... Very well. Let us proceed then."

As the spatial distortion in the distance was detected by Starscream and Gumi, leading Spock to follow with everyone else in tow, walking over to the distortion amidst the blank civilians of the artificial city, they would eventually find themselves approaching what appeared to be a bench in the middle of the sidewalk, the distorted air engulfing what appeared to be a man, the very texture of his body and clothes shuddering and jittering, like a computer glitch inside this world.

Carefully, Spock approached the strange juttering figure, raising his brow now. He said nothing initially, but eventually, the strange figure looked up at him and the rest of the group, the same distortion able to be heard in his voice as well as he spoke.

H͘̕u͞r̵ts.͠.̡͠. ͟͜͝H̡̀ų̷͝ŕt̶̡̛s̢͞͡..͘͢.̴̕̕ ͏Hu̷̵r͜t̸̵͜s͟͟..̛͞.̵͠

@Yun Lee @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Siege @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @CrunchyCHEEZIT @CityGroup​

"Well, at least this fleshling can say something else," Starscream says as he transforms back to his robot mode and lands on the ground. "So, what is he up to?"

Starscream walks about, eyes always locked onto the ever-distorting man.

"You'll need to be more specific than that, mister," Starscream says to the glitchy man, digging for answers, "I can't heeaar you~."

@Yun Lee @Ver @Raptor Jesus @Siege @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @CrunchyCHEEZIT @CityGroup​

 

[Donder172]

Kirby, along with the fruit, were able to pass through the barrier again, though he would find his suction ability to be the same as normal.

"Hey, little man," James said upon seeing Kirby. "You want us to try eating the fruit?"

"That did not go so well when the last buffoon tried to do that," Elliot said, crossing his arms.

"Well... we might have to try it. Not much else to do, you know?"

Elliot sighed. "Before anyone suggests he eats us next and takes us through the barrier, I am not doing that."

"So... we should eat the fruits to get past the barrier..." Mizelia muttered as she pondered.

"..."

Spock simply furrowed his brow disapprovingly as Sarge tried to fire at him, only for nothing to happen fortunately. "While my people are capable in part to mental suggestion and communication, it is not such a facile process, and illogical to assume I would do anything that you are suggesting," he said matter-of-factly, his somewhat tart tone seeming to (unfortunately) bounce well off Sarge's enthusiasm. Like a robot against an exaggerated personality.

The Vulcan only tilted his head when Sarge seemed to calm down out of the blue (once again, Krystal's suggestions seeming to fly over his head), but thought little of it. "... Very well. Let us proceed then."

As the spatial distortion in the distance was detected by Starscream and Gumi, leading Spock to follow with everyone else in tow, walking over to the distortion amidst the blank civilians of the artificial city, they would eventually find themselves approaching what appeared to be a bench in the middle of the sidewalk, the distorted air engulfing what appeared to be a man, the very texture of his body and clothes shuddering and jittering, like a computer glitch inside this world.

Carefully, Spock approached the strange juttering figure, raising his brow now. He said nothing initially, but eventually, the strange figure looked up at him and the rest of the group, the same distortion able to be heard in his voice as well as he spoke.

H͘̕u͞r̵ts.͠.̡͠. ͟͜͝H̡̀ų̷͝ŕt̶̡̛s̢͞͡..͘͢.̴̕̕ ͏Hu̷̵r͜t̸̵͜s͟͟..̛͞.̵͠

Meceliss looks with disappointment at Sarge. "Really, Sarge? You had to fire on him just because he wears blue?" she said before looking towards Spock. "Yes... let's proceed." she said, wishing she could get out of this and as far away from some of the people in the group as fast as possible.

 

[Atomic Knight]

James said something under his breath before eating one as well.

The fruits, when eaten, tasted not entirely pleasant. It gave off a wide variety of tastes and textures of different foods, some having little to do with fruit and some that did not go together as well. However, as the fruit was bitten into, visual distortions appeared in the barrier. Elliot, curious, tapped at the distortion and found that small area free of the barrier. As a test, Elliot then took one of the fruits and crushed it in his hand, causing more distortion.

"Simply destroying the state of the fruit seems to work as well," Elliot said.

James spat his fruit out of his mouth. "Great."

Soon, enough of the barrier was gone to allow everyone to pass. Kirby's technicolor effect eventually wore off as well, and no one could find the former-dog-turned-porcupine either.

As the group continued on their path, they eventually wound up at a ruined castle with tall towers deep in the undergrowth.

James found it cool, while Elliot wondered aloud what the purpose of the structure was. Most of the entrances were blocked, except for one entrance at the top of a long set of stone steps. The steps came to a wide open arch. where inside were the remains of a ballroom. "There could easily be dangers in here," Elliot said, scanning the ceiling.

Strangely, before everyone's eyes, the room began to shift and change, no longer showing a ruined ballroom, but one undamaged and regal. Soft music began to play as a buzzing could suddenly be heard in everyone's heads.

The buzzing made everyone feel euphoric, even the synthetics among them. As people began to materialize in the ballroom dressed in regal attire, everyone in the group began to feel like they belonged here. Their names did not seem to be their own. They were lords and ladies at a party for the crown. The people of the ballroom began to ask them to dance.

Elliot blinked and turned to the others. "I... I need a dance partner," he said, smiling now.

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Castle​

 

[York]

Spoiler: Replies

“Oh my fuck...” Grif muttered as he began to eat the fruit. “This shit is amazing!” He exclaimed as he quickly began to consume more, attempting to stuff the most in his mouth as possible.

Though, after letting the taste sit for a moment, Grif’s face quickly turned from one of pure bliss to one of even more disgust.

“Oh God....” He muttered as he stumbled over to a nearby tree and leaned up against it, unable to do so himself due to the horrible taste. Grif then proceeded to watch in horror as the rest of the fruits around them began to rot around them.

“Ugh... that’s like in my top five worst things I’ve ever eaten. Maybe even three.” Grif said, having recovered a bit since that awful experience and continued his trek with the group once more.

Once they reached the bridge, Grif seemed to scoff a bit once Elliot bumped into an invisible wall, though before he could complain, said scoff would transition into a look of confusion when a poodle appeared to block their path as well.

“So any of you wanna pet it?” He asked, having learned his lesson about touching things in here after the whole fruit fiasco.

@Atomic Knight @York @Jeremi @Takumi @Donder172 @Alex Azure @Lucky @Space_Candy @Forest

---

“Finally! It’s about time that someone around here began making some damn sense!” Sarge exclaimed with a hearty laugh before giving Krystal a rather rough pat on the back.

“But don’t worry, mutant blue fox! We’ll find those pesky Blues and when we do, we’ll make them pay for experimenting on you! We’ll even kill Grif too!”

@Siege @Ver @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Crow @Donder172 @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @Raynar Saassin @City​

"It's certainly fascinating, I agree with that." Meceliss said to Spock "Perhaps that might work, though it is possible they won't respond at all or respond hostile. So I do suggest to interact with caution."


"Tech-heresy?" Meceliss said with confusion


"I agree, labeling this as 'abominable' or 'heresy' is just... crazy." Meceliss said in response to spock.


Meceliss pondered for a moment on that. "Hm... then I wouldn't blame you for that."


"Just be careful." Mizelia said, just realizing she didn't feel the familiar weight of her lightsaber on her belt. She looked at her belt only to see that it was missing.


Mizelia pondered as she noticed the disturbance from the invisible wall "Hmm... interesting..." she muttered. Having not taken much attention to Grif as he ate one of the fruits, but rather took a moment to take in the beauty of the forest. Even though it was not real, it was interesting.

Kirby jumped into the air and puffed his body up. Doing this, he tried to hover, floating up towards the top of the wall. He wanted to see if there was an upper limit of this invisible wall.

@Atomic Knight @Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Forest​

The rocks were indeed able to be jumped on, but they were likely to be slipped on. It didn't seem to be much help regardless, as Kirby was not able to hover over the invisible wall and Elliot's lightning bolts hit the wall when he tested it on the areas around the bridge. When Emily grabbed his hand, he shot her a glare. "Are you suggesting...?"

The dog was spooked at first by Elliot, but seemed drawn to Emily when she called it over. The dog managed to pass through the barrier just fine, though once it was near Elliot and Emily, Elliot looked down as if it was a threat. "Anything is possible here," he said to her. "Amazing, but dangerous."

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Forest​

Kirby gently floated back down to the bridge and tried to pet the dog.

@Atomic Knight @Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Forest​

“What?! That’s crazy talk! Anything and anyone that’s Blue is the enemy! Why would you even say such— unless...” Sarge paused for a moment and narrowed his eyes behind his helmet.

“You’re not the real Vert...”

Sarge then proceeded to slowly circle Vert as he aimed his rifle at her chest. “The Blues clearly kidnapped the original Vert at some point before we entered this box and replaced her with this treacherous robotic copy, which explains the change of outfit!

You thought that you could use your sweet talk to get me to trust the Blues, but it’ll take more than that to pull one over on ‘ole Sarge!”

@Raynar Saassin @Siege @Ver @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Crow @Donder172 @Jeremi @City

---

As the dog appeared to be able to pass through the wall, Grif suddenly got an idea.

“Hey uh... Kirby. That was your name, right?” Grif asked. Whether or not he got a response, he’d continue.

“Why don’t you try inhaling that dog? Maybe if you can copy its powers or whatever you can go through the wall.”

@Atomic Knight @Alex Azure @Jeremi @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Space_Candy @Otto @Forest​

"While it is possible that there is danger, there is also a fine line between being caution and being paranoid." Mizelia said towards Elliot.

The dog seemed cautious of Kirby, but politely let the pink puff pet him.

Elliot shot Mizelia a reproachful look. "I do not see your point, considering the situation. We have already seen anomalies that defy reality in here." He looked down at the dog let itself be pet. "It is an odd sight to see in a forest."

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Forest​

"It's a dog," James said to Mizelia. "Not my kind of dog, but still pretty cute."

"What is normal for them," Elliot said, "may be dangerous for us." Regardless, Elliot waited patiently to see what happened with the current plan. He was intrigued by Kirby's powers. "So you are able to use the abilities of others... How incredibly useful that would be."

Kirby, at first, adopted a cute little puffy tail, but the same visual distortions that had occurred with the wall happened around Kirby, and soon there were large pink spikes sticking out of his body, pinning him to the ground.

"... Perhaps he can still cross the barrier." Elliot held a hand up to Kirby, ready to knock him into the air with an air blast and send him across the bridge.

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Forest ​

Alright! Time for Kirby to have the animal-

Er... Needle ability? Well, at least it was a familiar ability for the pink puff. He knew what this ability could do. He attempted to retract the spikes amd walk through the barrier. However, if any of that failed, he would keep the spikes out and signal Elliot to hit hin through the invisible wall.

@Atomic Knight @Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Forest​

For whatever reason, the spikes were not retracting. Elliot rolled his eyes at Vader's statement and shot Kirby at the barrier. Thankfully, he flew through and landed on the other side of the bridge. From here, Kirby could see a nearby fruit bush displaying the same visual distortions as the barrier.

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Forest​

"Nor would I," Liara replied agreeing with Spock. "Even with the War going on with the Reapers...I can't really imagine your own universe, Titus." She was quiet for a moment before responding. "It sounds like a nightmare."

@Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Donder172 @Jeremi @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Raynar Saassin @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Siege @CityGroup



Vader was getting impatient. "Either push the mound of flesh through the barrier or we find another way. Standing in place will do us no good."

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Forest

For whatever reason, the spikes were not retracting. Elliot rolled his eyes at Vader's statement and shot Kirby at the barrier. Thankfully, he flew through and landed on the other side of the bridge. From here, Kirby could see a nearby fruit bush displaying the same visual distortions as the barrier.

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Forest​

With no other way to move, Kirby released the copied ability. The released power would bounce around as a little star, slightly smaller than Kirby. However, the star distorted each time it hit the ground. It bounced back through the way Kirby came, and in a short time it would disappear.

However, now free to move, Kirby tried to eat one of the fruits from the glitching bush.

@Atomic Knight @Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Forest​

"This is...peculiar, to say the least." Gakupo observed the goings-on with mild amusement. Nothing could hurt them in this place; it was almost like walking through some funny dream. The antics of various group members helped with that.

@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Donder172 @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Lucky @Takumi @Josh @Kaykay

---

"Ooooh...what's that?" Without waiting for an answer, Gumi rushed to the distortion, fascinated by it.

@Ver @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @Donder172 @Raynar Saassin @Siege @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Crow @Josh​

The star looked like a visual anomaly and shifted into a small porcupine before it landed safely on the ground.

As for Kirby, he began to change colors upon eating the fruit.

@Alex Azure​

Changing colors was better than being an immobile spike ball. Perhaps this fruit was similar to another fruit that made him change colors? The last time he ate strange fruit, he gained the Hypernova ability, which gave him massive inhaling powers. This most likely wasn't the case, but Kirby decided to be careful when trying to inhale anything else, lest he wanted to eat an entire tree.

Regardless, the rainbow-changing Kirby gathered as many of bush fruits as he could hold and carried them atop his head. If he and the fruits could pass through in this state, perhaps his other friends could eat the fruit and pass through the wall as well.

"Fruit!" Kirby said as he reached the wall, hopefully passing through it.

@Atomic Knight​

Kirby, along with the fruit, were able to pass through the barrier again, though he would find his suction ability to be the same as normal.

"Hey, little man," James said upon seeing Kirby. "You want us to try eating the fruit?"

"That did not go so well when the last buffoon tried to do that," Elliot said, crossing his arms.

"Well... we might have to try it. Not much else to do, you know?"

Elliot sighed. "Before anyone suggests he eats us next and takes us through the barrier, I am not doing that."

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Forest ​

“Y’know what? Fuck it.” Grif said before grabbing another piece of fruit and eating it.

@Atomic Knight @Alex Azure @Takumi @Lucky @York @Donder172 @Kaykay @Jeremi @Forest​

Now things were a little less funny. Gakupo really didn't want to glitch out-he had a reputation to uphold, you know. But if it got them closer to going home, then... "If it works, then it works...I suppose." He would then take a reluctant bite bite out of one.

@Atomic Knight @Alex Azure @York @Takumi @Lucky @Donder172 @Jeremi @Kaykay @Space_Candy​

"So... we should eat the fruits to get past the barrier..." Mizelia muttered as she pondered.


Meceliss looks with disappointment at Sarge. "Really, Sarge? You had to fire on him just because he wears blue?" she said before looking towards Spock. "Yes... let's proceed." she said, wishing she could get out of this and as far away from some of the people in the group as fast as possible.

James said something under his breath before eating one as well.

The fruits, when eaten, tasted not entirely pleasant. It gave off a wide variety of tastes and textures of different foods, some having little to do with fruit and some that did not go together as well. However, as the fruit was bitten into, visual distortions appeared in the barrier. Elliot, curious, tapped at the distortion and found that small area free of the barrier. As a test, Elliot then took one of the fruits and crushed it in his hand, causing more distortion.

"Simply destroying the state of the fruit seems to work as well," Elliot said.

James spat his fruit out of his mouth. "Great."

Soon, enough of the barrier was gone to allow everyone to pass. Kirby's technicolor effect eventually wore off as well, and no one could find the former-dog-turned-porcupine either.

As the group continued on their path, they eventually wound up at a ruined castle with tall towers deep in the undergrowth.

James found it cool, while Elliot wondered aloud what the purpose of the structure was. Most of the entrances were blocked, except for one entrance at the top of a long set of stone steps. The steps came to a wide open arch. where inside were the remains of a ballroom. "There could easily be dangers in here," Elliot said, scanning the ceiling.

Strangely, before everyone's eyes, the room began to shift and change, no longer showing a ruined ballroom, but one undamaged and regal. Soft music began to play as a buzzing could suddenly be heard in everyone's heads.

The buzzing made everyone feel euphoric, even the synthetics among them. As people began to materialize in the ballroom dressed in regal attire, everyone in the group began to feel like they belonged here. Their names did not seem to be their own. They were lords and ladies at a party for the crown and the people of the ballroom began to ask them to dance.

Elliot blinked and turned to the others. "I... I need a dance partner," he said, smiling now.

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Castle​

Emily Hayes
@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @Atomic Knight @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay
@Castle

Emily frowned, keeping silent for a while. She had been worried the barrier would react poorly to a direct attempt to breach it, but... The dog seemed to go through it just fine. She was going to test further if it was just a one way barrier, but... It would seem that the group had other ideas. From Kirby's shennanigans after eating a fruit caused him to grow spikes, allowing him to get through the wall... To the dog turning into a porcupine.

In the end though, when they finally figured out that just destroying the fruit, rather than eating it was enough to breach the barrier... She sighed with relief and passed through, although she did look around with a puzzled expression, realizing the dog that had become a porcupine was gone.

Regardless, she followed the rest of the group through, gazing at her surroundings with a great amount of curiousity. Eventually, they came across a castle, with all entrances except one blocked... Like they were being directed to it somehow. This entrance lead to a ballroom, which Elliot voiced concerns about there being dangers here... A sentiment she shared, especially now that she lacked her stone to help her.

Unfortunately, before she could actually say anything, soft music began to play, accompanied by a distinct buzzing sound resonating through her head. For some reason... She was feeling strangely giddy, and happy...

However, Emily was struggling to fight it off, as it felt quite unnatural for her... And while she was somewhat succeeding, it looked like her present state was making her a bit more vulnerable to suggestion than before. Although... When Elliot mentioned he needed a dance partner, her face flushed a light shade of red.

"... I-I... Don't know how to... Dance..." She muttered, a sense of embarassment overtaking her.

Deep down she knew they should probably get out of here, as soon as possible... But... The music compelled her to stay, and despite her desperate attempts to stop herself, she eventually reached out a hand to Elliot, although it was shaking... Mostly from her efforts to fight off the effects from the music, with a little bit of embarassment mixed in.

What kind of place is this?!​

 

[Ver]

The jittering man turns to Starscream, his pained expression never wavering, remaining constant. To the Cybertronian, he continued to speak, his voice still lightly garbled and distorted, but intelligible enough to be understood by the well-trained ear.

Hu̵͏r͠t͏̢̕s.̡̛.̨̀.̸ ̧́͜Dél҉e̡t̸̡͜e͘.̡̨̕.͠. ̕͢P͢҉͜l҉e̕͞a҉s̶͞e͟.̴̨.̵.̸ ̶̨D͡e̶͝l͡͝e̵t̶͞e̷͘.͟͠.̨.̨́͝ ̵D̷̛e̴̡le͜͟t́͟e̢͘͝.̧̕͏.҉̵.͘͞ ̨͞T̛͝e̡҉r̴ḿ̵į̡n̨át̛͜e.̀.̢͜.̶͜ ҉͟͡T͘e̸̡r҉m̨ina̧̢͡tè̡͜.̸͘͟.̢.

Spock tilted his head again, curiosity overtaking him. "... Terminate," he repeated, wondering what was all going on, "But... for what purpose? Terminate what?" He pondered aloud, before the man in question would answer Spock's inquiry, not in spoken form, but rather with his body, weakly raising his hand to point his finger at himself, before speaking again.

H͏͜u͠͏r̶͡ts̷͡.͏.̴̢.̨͜ ̨P̨ĺe͘͘ąs̵̷͘e̴.̛͠.̕͘.͏ ̨̧͞Te̴̶rm͏̷in̸̡a̡͢҉t̷͜e͜.̴͞.̶͟.̴

The pieces clicked into place, at least for Spock, as the Vulcan stepped back. "An artificial intelligence... exhibiting pain and a desire to end? Illogical, and yet..." He murmured, perplexed by the sight without any emotional response being shown. Spock looked to the others in the group, before speaking again. "Could this be... a new form of life? It is difficult to determine, but... in the event that he is, then..." He trailed off again, seeming reluctant to "delete" the entity.

@Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Gummi Bunnies @Yun Lee @Donder172 @Siege @CrunchyCHEEZIT @CityGroup​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

"..."

Spock simply furrowed his brow disapprovingly as Sarge tried to fire at him, only for nothing to happen fortunately. "While my people are capable in part to mental suggestion and communication, it is not such a facile process, and illogical to assume I would do anything that you are suggesting," he said matter-of-factly, his somewhat tart tone seeming to (unfortunately) bounce well off Sarge's enthusiasm. Like a robot against an exaggerated personality.

The Vulcan only tilted his head when Sarge seemed to calm down out of the blue (once again, Krystal's suggestions seeming to fly over his head), but thought little of it. "... Very well. Let us proceed then."

As the spatial distortion in the distance was detected by Starscream and Gumi, leading Spock to follow with everyone else in tow, walking over to the distortion amidst the blank civilians of the artificial city, they would eventually find themselves approaching what appeared to be a bench in the middle of the sidewalk, the distorted air engulfing what appeared to be a man, the very texture of his body and clothes shuddering and jittering, like a computer glitch inside this world.

Carefully, Spock approached the strange juttering figure, raising his brow now. He said nothing initially, but eventually, the strange figure looked up at him and the rest of the group, the same distortion able to be heard in his voice as well as he spoke.

H͘̕u͞r̵ts.͠.̡͠. ͟͜͝H̡̀ų̷͝ŕt̶̡̛s̢͞͡..͘͢.̴̕̕ ͏Hu̷̵r͜t̸̵͜s͟͟..̛͞.̵͠

@Yun Lee @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Siege @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @CrunchyCHEEZIT @CityGroup​

The jittering man turns to Starscream, his pained expression never wavering, remaining constant. To the Cybertronian, he continued to speak, his voice still lightly garbled and distorted, but intelligible enough to be understood by the well-trained ear.

Hu̵͏r͠t͏̢̕s.̡̛.̨̀.̸ ̧́͜Dél҉e̡t̸̡͜e͘.̡̨̕.͠. ̕͢P͢҉͜l҉e̕͞a҉s̶͞e͟.̴̨.̵.̸ ̶̨D͡e̶͝l͡͝e̵t̶͞e̷͘.͟͠.̨.̨́͝ ̵D̷̛e̴̡le͜͟t́͟e̢͘͝.̧̕͏.҉̵.͘͞ ̨͞T̛͝e̡҉r̴ḿ̵į̡n̨át̛͜e.̀.̢͜.̶͜ ҉͟͡T͘e̸̡r҉m̨ina̧̢͡tè̡͜.̸͘͟.̢.

Spock tilted his head again, curiosity overtaking him. "... Terminate," he repeated, wondering what was all going on, "But... for what purpose? Terminate what?" He pondered aloud, before the man in question would answer Spock's inquiry, not in spoken form, but rather with his body, weakly raising his hand to point his finger at himself, before speaking again.

H͏͜u͠͏r̶͡ts̷͡.͏.̴̢.̨͜ ̨P̨ĺe͘͘ąs̵̷͘e̴.̛͠.̕͘.͏ ̨̧͞Te̴̶rm͏̷in̸̡a̡͢҉t̷͜e͜.̴͞.̶͟.̴

The pieces clicked into place, at least for Spock, as the Vulcan stepped back. "An artificial intelligence... exhibiting pain and a desire to end? Illogical, and yet..." He murmured, perplexed by the sight without any emotional response being shown. Spock looked to the others in the group, before speaking again. "Could this be... a new form of life? It is difficult to determine, but... in the event that he is, then..." He trailed off again, seeming reluctant to "delete" the entity.

@Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Gummi Bunnies @Yun Lee @Donder172 @Siege @CrunchyCHEEZIT @CityGroup​

“He’s in pain!” Sarge exclaimed before kneeling down next to the individual.

“Excuse me! Who did this to you?! Were they Blue?!” Sarge shouted extremely slowly and loudly while right next to the person’s face.

Once he asked them to “terminate” him, Sarge merely nodded and stood up. “We will remember your sacrifice, soldier.” Sarge said before abruptly stomping his face in with his boot.

“You may be gone, soldier, but you are certainly not forgotten.” Sarge said as he stood over the holographic body, saluting for an uncomfortable amount of time.

@Ver @Crow @Siege @Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @Raynar Saassin @City​

 

[Siege]

“He’s in pain!” Sarge exclaimed before kneeling down next to the individual.

“Excuse me! Who did this to you?! Were they Blue?!” Sarge shouted extremely slowly and loudly while right next to the person’s face.

Once he asked them to “terminate” him, Sarge merely nodded and stood up. “We will remember your sacrifice, soldier.” Sarge said before abruptly stomping his face in with his boot.

“You may be gone, soldier, but you are certainly not forgotten.” Sarge said as he stood over the holographic body, saluting for an uncomfortable amount of time.

@Ver @Crow @Siege @Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @Raynar Saassin @City​

"...Why was he in so much pain?" Krystal asked Spock.

@Ver @Raptor Jesus @CityGroup

 

[Space_Candy]

Nathan felt the haze from the area, the music like a spell whispered into his ears. He felt the urge to dance as well, approaching Elliot.

"Dance? Let's dance I suppose," he grinned warmly, extremely out of character for Nathan...but he didn't feel like Nathan.

@Atomic Knight @Raptor Jesus @York @Lucky

 

[Josh]

James said something under his breath before eating one as well.

The fruits, when eaten, tasted not entirely pleasant. It gave off a wide variety of tastes and textures of different foods, some having little to do with fruit and some that did not go together as well. However, as the fruit was bitten into, visual distortions appeared in the barrier. Elliot, curious, tapped at the distortion and found that small area free of the barrier. As a test, Elliot then took one of the fruits and crushed it in his hand, causing more distortion.

"Simply destroying the state of the fruit seems to work as well," Elliot said.

James spat his fruit out of his mouth. "Great."

Soon, enough of the barrier was gone to allow everyone to pass. Kirby's technicolor effect eventually wore off as well, and no one could find the former-dog-turned-porcupine either.

As the group continued on their path, they eventually wound up at a ruined castle with tall towers deep in the undergrowth.

James found it cool, while Elliot wondered aloud what the purpose of the structure was. Most of the entrances were blocked, except for one entrance at the top of a long set of stone steps. The steps came to a wide open arch. where inside were the remains of a ballroom. "There could easily be dangers in here," Elliot said, scanning the ceiling.

Strangely, before everyone's eyes, the room began to shift and change, no longer showing a ruined ballroom, but one undamaged and regal. Soft music began to play as a buzzing could suddenly be heard in everyone's heads.

The buzzing made everyone feel euphoric, even the synthetics among them. As people began to materialize in the ballroom dressed in regal attire, everyone in the group began to feel like they belonged here. Their names did not seem to be their own. They were lords and ladies at a party for the crown. The people of the ballroom began to ask them to dance.

Elliot blinked and turned to the others. "I... I need a dance partner," he said, smiling now.

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Castle​

Behind the rest of the group, Shelia watched Elliot. She knew she had to keep an eye on him Sighing, Sheila moved forward. She grab his hand, she slipped off her shoe, kicking them to the side.


"You know how to do this,right? Just follow my lead, don't step on my toes, or grab my ass."


@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @Atomic Knight @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay
@Castle​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

James said something under his breath before eating one as well.

The fruits, when eaten, tasted not entirely pleasant. It gave off a wide variety of tastes and textures of different foods, some having little to do with fruit and some that did not go together as well. However, as the fruit was bitten into, visual distortions appeared in the barrier. Elliot, curious, tapped at the distortion and found that small area free of the barrier. As a test, Elliot then took one of the fruits and crushed it in his hand, causing more distortion.

"Simply destroying the state of the fruit seems to work as well," Elliot said.

James spat his fruit out of his mouth. "Great."

Soon, enough of the barrier was gone to allow everyone to pass. Kirby's technicolor effect eventually wore off as well, and no one could find the former-dog-turned-porcupine either.

As the group continued on their path, they eventually wound up at a ruined castle with tall towers deep in the undergrowth.

James found it cool, while Elliot wondered aloud what the purpose of the structure was. Most of the entrances were blocked, except for one entrance at the top of a long set of stone steps. The steps came to a wide open arch. where inside were the remains of a ballroom. "There could easily be dangers in here," Elliot said, scanning the ceiling.

Strangely, before everyone's eyes, the room began to shift and change, no longer showing a ruined ballroom, but one undamaged and regal. Soft music began to play as a buzzing could suddenly be heard in everyone's heads.

The buzzing made everyone feel euphoric, even the synthetics among them. As people began to materialize in the ballroom dressed in regal attire, everyone in the group began to feel like they belonged here. Their names did not seem to be their own. They were lords and ladies at a party for the crown. The people of the ballroom began to ask them to dance.

Elliot blinked and turned to the others. "I... I need a dance partner," he said, smiling now.

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Castle​

Grif didn’t even attempt to fight the sudden urge he felt in the ballroom, mainly due to his laziness, instead now standing completely upright as opposed to his constant slouching mere moments ago.

With the elegance of an actual king, Grif rhytmatically approached Stardust and held out a hand towards her, while the other remained politely stored behind his back.

“Excuse me, M’lady, but would you care to accompany me in this dance?” Grif asked in what sounded like a phony British accent.

Perhaps he was getting a bit too into this.

@Takumi @Atomic Knight @Space_Candy @Otto @Kaykay @Lucky @Alex Azure @York @Donder172 @Jeremi @Castle​

 

[Yun Lee]

"Aww, now don't let that get you down." Gakupo waltzed over to Nathan, swaying in time to the music. "We can dance together. Why, I'll even let you lead."

@Space_Candy @Atomic Knight @York @Josh​

 

[Takumi]

James said something under his breath before eating one as well.

The fruits, when eaten, tasted not entirely pleasant. It gave off a wide variety of tastes and textures of different foods, some having little to do with fruit and some that did not go together as well. However, as the fruit was bitten into, visual distortions appeared in the barrier. Elliot, curious, tapped at the distortion and found that small area free of the barrier. As a test, Elliot then took one of the fruits and crushed it in his hand, causing more distortion.

"Simply destroying the state of the fruit seems to work as well," Elliot said.

James spat his fruit out of his mouth. "Great."

Soon, enough of the barrier was gone to allow everyone to pass. Kirby's technicolor effect eventually wore off as well, and no one could find the former-dog-turned-porcupine either.

As the group continued on their path, they eventually wound up at a ruined castle with tall towers deep in the undergrowth.

James found it cool, while Elliot wondered aloud what the purpose of the structure was. Most of the entrances were blocked, except for one entrance at the top of a long set of stone steps. The steps came to a wide open arch. where inside were the remains of a ballroom. "There could easily be dangers in here," Elliot said, scanning the ceiling.

Strangely, before everyone's eyes, the room began to shift and change, no longer showing a ruined ballroom, but one undamaged and regal. Soft music began to play as a buzzing could suddenly be heard in everyone's heads.

The buzzing made everyone feel euphoric, even the synthetics among them. As people began to materialize in the ballroom dressed in regal attire, everyone in the group began to feel like they belonged here. Their names did not seem to be their own. They were lords and ladies at a party for the crown. The people of the ballroom began to ask them to dance.

Elliot blinked and turned to the others. "I... I need a dance partner," he said, smiling now.

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Takumi @Lucky @Kaykay @Castle​

Meiji and Stardust both felt a little odd, but the urge to dance was strong. Almost too strong. The two didn't even feel much like themselves either.

Grif didn’t even attempt to fight the sudden urge he felt in the ballroom, mainly due to his laziness, instead now standing completely upright as opposed to his constant slouching mere moments ago.

With the elegance of an actual king, Grif rhytmatically approached Stardust and held out a hand towards her, while the other remained politely stored behind his back.

“Excuse me, M’lady, but would you care to accompany me in this dance?” Grif asked in what sounded like a phony British accent.

Perhaps he was getting a bit too into this.

@Takumi @Atomic Knight @Space_Candy @Otto @Kaykay @Lucky @Alex Azure @York @Donder172 @Jeremi @Castle​

"Oh." Stardust blinked, before smiling and giving a curtsey before taking Grif's offered hand.

"I'd be honored." she giggled. Cause she could tell the accent was fake, and found it pretty funny. As much as she wanted to laugh she held back so she wouldn't hurt his feelings.

@Atomic Knight @Raptor Jesus @Castle