Re: Event 0: The Blue Ordeal

by **Sado Ikaru** Sun Jan 19, 2014 2:48 pm

«Samurai» couldn't believe his luck. Not only was he in last place, but now he had no practical way to defend himself against enemy attack. Nor did he have any reliable way to get back in front. To make matters worse, «Samurai» had just now thought about asking «Shadow» if he could transport the shuttle through shadows.

I'm going straight in!! «Samurai» could barely hear another driver over the wind, but he noticed what they were talking about. Deciding that it didn't really matter if those were traps or not, he decided to attempt an entrance as well.

by **Eminence Puppeteer** Mon Jan 20, 2014 2:22 pm

The large rainbow rings confused Puppeteer; however the large arrows indicating towards the strange multi-coloured loops gave their game away.

'Martyr, I'm pretty sure we need to drive through those rings. And stopping others going through them is probably in our best interest too.'

Saying that the avatar turns around, directing the purple puppet at the shuttle behind-

'Nothing personal Samurai-san, but I want some KG'

The Puppet clatters, shooting jets of flame that carry on the air current towards the #5 vehicle.

by **Zagrin** Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:43 pm

The car that had been in front of them had steered itself into one of the various teleporters dotting the tunnel and quite frankly Teal Hero wasn't exactly sure which one to pick! Thankfully, this meant that since he wasn't in the front, he simply had to follow the car that was in front of them!

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAA, You won't get away, Justicemobile, into the portaaaaaaaaaaal!" Hero shouted out with zeal, intent on following his adversary through the same portal and, eventually, overtake them!

Pushing down once more on whatever buttons he had at the start of the race, Hero sent his car hurtling forwards towards the same portal that the pair, Theory and Protector, had entered!

by **Royal Duke** Thu Jan 23, 2014 2:06 pm

As the shuttles' engines roared, both shuttle #1 and shuttle #2 focused their fire uppon shuttle #5. No matter how hard Regimental Samurai tried, it was impossible to avoid the blast. Mercilessly, the fireballs and the bullets barraged the surface of the ship, until...

The only thing that was displayed in front of Regimental Samurai's screen now was a single word.

[RETIRED]

And then, the ship's engines started working, followed soon by an explosion that deafened the sound of the rest entering the portals towards the last strecth of the race-!

***

When the ships resurfaced, they were all greeted with an otherwordly sight. Above them, a crystal wall isolated the road they were in from the depth of the sea. Tropical fish of all sorts of colours followed along the racetrack, along with sea turtles, looking boredly at Eternity Moment, as if feeling some sort of affinity. The sun's rays, disorted by the water they were submerged in, poured in at intervals lighting up the stage along with the lamps that had been set up.

Even though this was unrealistic, apparently the programmers had thought it would be better to stick with rule of cool. Furthermore, to make things more "exciting", explosive mines glowing red had been put at both sides of the road, for fellow players to be pushed towards...

In these conditions, begin the last few seconds of the struggle that would bring one of the four remaining teams of victory-!

Shuttle Status wrote:Shuttle #1: 75%

Ghost Seeker: 22% KG
Eternity Moment: 46% KG

Shuttle #2: 88%

Eminence Puppeteer: 25% KG

Shuttle #3: 60%

Shuttle #4: 78%

Damson Incinerator: 16% KG

Shuttle #5: RETIRED

by **EmeraldStag** Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:17 pm

Damson looked around at the sights. A feeling inside of him made him want to shout at his teammate.

"HEY! Hurry it up dammit! We need to get into the lead! GOOOO!!! "

Looking back, he could see shuttle 5 get obliterated. He sighs as he turns towards the other shuttles. He had 4 more shots left before he had to reload. He decides the best thing to do now is to reload his weapon and get ready for a heated battle for the end of the race.

by **Destination** Sat Jan 25, 2014 7:58 pm

Event Master

Turquoise Protector noted the change in scenery as well as the ominous red bumps on either side of the track. Perhaps they can be made use of...but he cannot lose sight of his goal, however. Pushing others off the track could come at the cost of his lead...

"...Theory."

Protector murmured softly so that only Theory can hear.

"================."

Behind him, the yellowish avatar understood instantly and nodded.

"I got your back, Protector. Leave it to me!"

by **Eminence Puppeteer** Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:58 am

"Oh, what an amazing environment!" The purple avatar scrutinized the virtual space- "These assets are very well made and-"

Puppeteer's voice cuts off as he notices the red flashing lights of the small passing object- they were clearly mines, lining either side of the track.

"Stay clear of the mines, Martyr. I'm just gonna try something..." The small avatar gestures, making his puppet hang over the edge of the vehicle and shoot jets of fire at the explosives.

"Surely if these explode that counts as environment destruction?" The character asked to no-one in particular.

by **Katie** Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:48 am

Was there a way to overtake Horse Theory and Turquoise Protector with these minds at the sides? Eternity Moment thought for a moment, and almost immediately, she decided on the most risky course of action. The one that would definitely get them ahead, no matter what happened.

She activated Blue Rose, creating a ramp of ice in front of them and froze time, grabbing on to both Seeker and Hero. They would jump over the third shuttle and easily get past them!

"Don't screw this up!"

She wasn't sure if she was talking to Hero or herself.

by **Royal Duke** Sat Feb 08, 2014 5:36 am

Note: There were too many things going on at once, so I did the only logical thing. Roll some dice for initiative, laugh at how ridiculous this is going to be, and type up what happened.

Enjoy.

***

In front of Gorse Theory's vision, right in front of Eternity Moment, a new warning different from the rest appeared. The signs appearing in front of him, unlike last time, were complete gibberish.

W-what do I do?

In the end, it was all the same as that time. He could never decide, he had never been able to settle on a single path and accept it consequences. Because he was a coward. He had not only failed his partner, Protector, but his Parent. Right eye of God? What good was such a talent, if it was put on such a worthless Duel Avatar?

No.

It wasn't over yet. He still had a last ace up his sleeve.

-"COME! ENHANCED ARMAMENT!"

This had been his Master's gift after he'd reached Level 2, in order to complement his natural skills as a fighter. Small as it had been, it had been his greatest aid in the battles he had participated and in the ones to come-!

A single cylindrical object with a handle materialized in his hand. Now... What to do? Should he throw it?

There is no time for that!

For the first time in years, he did not try to rationalize his decision. He simply did what he felt was correct. The instant he pulled it...

A curtain of smoke fell across the racetrack, blocking the enemies' eyesight seconds before Eternity Moment's ability was used.

***

Eternity Moment and Teal Hero's plan was, in principle, flawless. However, in a real situation, many inconvenient things can happen.

One of them is to be completely robbed of your eyesight.

Usually, the smoke would dissolve at enough speed to give one an idea of what to do next, but, unfortunately for them, Eternity Moment's own ability had become a weakness. Thus, where they would fall was entirely... up to
their luck.

The instant they exited the cloud of smoke, it would seem the ship made it in fine condition. However, one of the hover wheels grazed one of the mines, just enough to activate it. And so...

While they had a massive advantage, and thanks to Teal Hero's improvised skill it did not end in anything worse, the car was sent spinning, losing important momentum and removing part of the advantage they had gained with their maneuver.

***

Meanwhile, the passenger in shuttle #2 tried his luck by firing fireballs at the explosives lying at both sides of the road, in order to rack up Terrain Damage bonus. The instant the projectiles impacted against the mines, a red light indicated they were activated, and then-

Behind shuttles #1 and 2, a spectacle unfolded as one by one, as if it were a fireworks display undersea, the rows of mines behind them exploded, the vibrations causing tiny cracks to appear in the surface of the aqua tube. At the same time, in shuttle #4, Damson Incinerator readied his Enhanced Armament, now primed and ready to go.

The line of the end of the race was just ahead. A single neon light, marking the difference between victory and defeat.

Who would be the one to make it to the end?

Postions:

1 - Shuttle #1: 40%

Ghost Seeker: 22% KG
Eternity Moment: 46% KG

2 - Shuttle #3: 60%

3- Shuttle #2: 88%

Eminence Puppeteer: 70% KG

4- Shuttle #4: 78%

Damson Incinerator: 16% KG

by **Zagrin** Mon Feb 10, 2014 4:35 pm

There it was, the finish line! They were so close to winning now, especially since their reckless attempt to get to the front had been a success! Not a complete success, but one that got them what they wanted!

"There's the finish line, we're at the last stretch! I'll make sure we reach it as fast as possible I leave the rest to you! Let's win this thing!" Hero shouted to his teammates, his voice full of vigor. Hero's focus then switched entirely to driving, he wasn't going to allow anything to mess up his team's chances of winning, not when they were so close!

by **EmeraldStag** Tue Feb 11, 2014 6:38 pm

Damson could see the finish line ahead. If he didn't do something now, the rave would be over and they wouldn't win. Suddenly, an impulsive idea goes through his mind like a lightning bolt. The sudden smoke bomb gave him his chance. He told his partner quickly whlile revving his Gulf Saw.

"I am sorry if we lose, but I am about to try something really really reckless!"

With that, he moves over to the edge of the car where the mines were lined up along the track. He kept eying them as they flew past, but they went by too fast. His mind suddenly remembers his past fights where he simply looked pathetic, foolish, and stupid being thrown around, stepped on, even a cheap hit in his groin. Thinking of those times, he grits his teeth. Once, just once please! I do not want to look like that again! PLEASE! He screamed in his mind as his arms reached out to mines, the Saw revving up.

The saw swings backhanded at a chain, while his other comes in to grab the chain itself. In his mind, his simple plan played. Cut the chain. Grab the Chain. Swing the chain around with the mine and throw it at the other cars, then shoot it with his Flame Waker. That's what he wanted to do with this mine, and that's what he hoped for.

by **Destination** Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:48 am

Event Master

Shuttle #1 has somehow soared ahead in the blink of an eye, albeit spinning amd barely regaining control. Meanwhile, a fearful sound of a revving saw is heard from the far right as the passenger in #5 attempts a similar last trick.

"...is this the end? After all she did for me...I can't defeat a snow monster for her, I can't win one race for her?"

Gunsou could literally feel his heart sinking as the end line loomed in sight.

"Is that alright with me...?"

That monster...that's right. He still earned something from that fight.

"Equip: The Liberator."

As he murmurs the default voice command to call upon the sturdy tower shield again, the image of the slim red avatar from yesterday appears in his mind.

"I don't care even if your avatar has zero skills and armaments, Gunsou," she had said, stroking the blue-green armour with one slim finger. As that hand rose to caress his face, their gazes had locked.

"What is important is that you are strong. And that's what I like about you. Ever since those days..."

No sound, no words, not even his mouth opened. Because all that is unnecessary.

Standing up with his foot firmly on the accelerator. Aiming for the driver of the #1 shuttle.

Turquoise Protector hurls his shield in a flat trajectory and hopes for the best--!

by **Eminence Puppeteer** Sat Feb 15, 2014 3:53 pm

The purple avatar cackles as the tunnel lights up with a series of explosions and his blue KG bar fills up exponentially.

Puppeteer turns to see a glimmer before the tunnel fills with smoke, the small figure crouches behind the frame of his driver again.

'Keep it nice and straight through this smoke Martyr, believe me you don't wanna hit those mines!'

'And when it clears I'll see what I can do about the others~' He adds in a quieter tone.

by **Dranes** Sun Feb 16, 2014 10:32 am

It seemed too good to be true.

His team was in first place and closing in on the finish line, it seemed like their victory was assured. However such a line of thinking was for the overconfident, such confidence that Seeker lacked thus while another more arrogant passenger would sit back and enjoy the ride, he did not. The avatar of ghost white always kept his gaze behind them.

To leave the enemy out of his sight was to fail his team. The only action he had truly taken the whole race was striking one of the cars before, hardly carrying his weight but would could he do? He only possessed his blade, the one thing unique to his avatar.

As he pondered, something caught his eye. From behind something was thrown at his team's car, if he didn't see it for himself he wouldn't have believed it but there it was, a great shield coming at them. If they were struck by it it would mean they would definitely lose their lead and the race. He would not let this happen, he could not let this happen.

Feelings similar to adrenaline rushed through him as he stood to his height.

He could not do more before but now he had to. He had to do this for those around him, for his team, he had to make sure they succeeded! His long blade resonated with him as it glowed with a ghostly pale light, this would be it, he would not fail here.

"I won't let you!"

He spun his blade, though he could not use his killer move with what little of his killer gauge that he had, he could do this. Faster and faster he spun it until it became a circle of pale light, dangerously held up high away from their car but blocking any chance for the shield to go pass him and hit any of his other teammates and with his free hand he steadied himself on the speeding car. There was no way he would do something as stupid as fall now.

It was a terrible defense, not one simply to stop an enemy attack but to destroy any would be attackers who dared to strike against behind the wall of light.

by **Royal Duke** Fri Feb 21, 2014 12:45 pm

... This was it. No more tricks, no more jokes.

The final assault. The engine of the machines roared as they approached the finish line. Before anything happened, a thin finger pulled the trigger of the gun held in the hand of Eternity Moment. And then, the world turned grey for them.

For the rest, the race was over before they had the chance to do anything about it. The Gallery barely had any time to react, and soon both cheers for the victors and accusations of cheating fell upon the occupants of shuttle #1, as a yellow dot appeared in the upper screen of their HUD display. Upon clicking it...

YOU ARE THE WINNER!

+200 BP

A NEW ENHANCED ARMAMENT <> HAS BEEN OBTAINED!

AQUA BOOST:

***

Gorse Theory

-"Shit... P-protector... I... I couldn't do a thing. Sorry. I'm... deeply sorry, I was nothing but a load to you in the end!"

The yellow-coloured Linker hung his head low. He knew the same thing was about to happen, but he couldn't do anything to stop it this time. He had not only failed himself, but his Parent and his entire Legion as well. His fist banged against the shuttle, which had stopped dead in its tracks in frustration.

Maybe Protector could share a few words with him, or just wait until the world returned back to normal. The choice was up to him...

***

Annnd this wraps it up. As far as I know, it was a pretty fun ride for all involved. Now I gotta go, but when I get back I'll make sure to update the winners' profiles. And as for everyone...

The real action starts now, so stay tuned!

by **Destination** Sat Feb 22, 2014 3:02 am

Gorse Theory:

Getting out of the driver's seat, Gunsou saw the yellow avatar punch the car in frustration. He opened his mouth, searching for words, words of comfort and consolation - and found he had none. Neither could he even summon the spite to berate Gorse Theory, especially not when he was quite the wreck himself.

This is how we all are anyway. We can't succeed in the real world, so we escape here.

Not knowing what to do, Gunsou reached out and set a blue-green hand on Theory's shoulder.

He had felt such similar feelings in the past. When it was Misawa who had seemingly betrayed him and Direct Connected with another guy from her class, and he found out Mikiseki too was in intimate contact with someone else. Just when he needed to pour his heart out to someone, the door had slammed shut in his face and he was left to cry lonely tears in the corner. That kind of feeling of having failed and disappointed others must surely be the same thing Theory is feeling now.

All of these players too must be young children in the real world. Isn't it expected, then, that they therefore reacted to failure by punishing themselves, holding themselves to the expectations of others who held even the smallest shred of respect from them? With immaturity comes self-loathing, Gunsou knows, because Theory must be lacking in one thing: confidence of the self.

If he continues to carry on with such feelings festering in his heart with no one to catch him then surely...

"...Theory."

In the most gentle and genial voice possible, soft enough for only Theory to hear. A tone of voice he reserved only for Misawa, but this moment is an exception that warrants it.

"I don't blame you for not winning the race."

The yellow avatar froze, and turned to look at Protector's mask above his: the angle gave Gunsou an uncomfortable vibe of a parent consoling his child.

"I've...no, we've tried our best already. And we didn't get retired early; above all, we finished the race."

Someone else stepped close. A hint of red enters the corner of his vision, but Gunsou ignores it.

"Above all...we worked as a team together. You, a proud member of your legion Argo Navis, could do this much with me, just a lowly newbie who still gets beaten up."

While Theory listens intently, Gunsou delivers his last line with a conviction of steel.

"There is so much more you can do with your power if you believe in it."

Clap, clap, clap. Gunsou looks up at the slim red avatar who has seen them this whole time. A smile adorns her avatar's mask, warming the very depths of Gunsou's heart.

"Well done, Protector. Come here."

No need to speak. No need to think.

Turquoise Protector calmly returns to Cul Artillery's side as he's always been. In full view of every Burst Linker in Tokyo, he wraps her in his arms in a loving hug.

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