seasonsrpg | Event #6: Doctor Why Instead of Who

Event #6: Doctor Why Instead of Who

Doctor Why Instead of Who
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Sawyer's Return

Sawyer, the Autumn Guild Leader, addresses the network on noon on the 19th. He's back from wherever he has been since disappearing in November. The message goes as follows.

Click for a Gif

"This is Sawyer. I lead the Autumn Guild as the last Autumn Power Holder native to this world. I was accused of crimes relating to the portal mysteries and sabotage in the Research Center in November. Well, I guess I still am.

I managed to track down the real culprit, but couldn't capture them. Instead, I got the device they used just before they disappeared into yet another portal. The device still has the coordinates to the location they went to. Instead of pursuing them myself, I'm asking for everyone's help, since I got injured fighting them. I'm leaving the device to Olwen, along with a file on another incident, and letting Harrison put me in jail until the real culprit is captured. Hopefully after Jade looks me over.

Anyway, I'm counting on all of you to capture the bastard. They go by the name "The Doctor".

Harrison, I'm waiting behind the Amberfall Guild."

Any inquiries about the video will be met with a "We are forming a plan of action, please wait" for the first few days after. But everyone will be assures that Sawyer did get medical attention before taken away! (Handwaved) Visitations are permitted while he's in custody.

Color Me Inked
(Duration: Whole month)

Part 1

There is some really good news following the slightly worrying news from before: The Fairy Queen has reacquired all of her powers! That's why anyone who is interested is invited to Amberfall to gain an upgrade for their seasonal powers. This upgrade comes in the form of a magical tattoo. These tattoos not only give boosts but it can also move around one's body (for example, if someone's tattoo is a bird, the bird can fly around, especially when powers are activated).

These tattoos are permanent by default, but they can also be temporary should the person wish so. Temporary tattoos will wear out in a month (or earlier, if the tattoo is in constant use).

The basic effect of the tattoo is simple: seasonal powers stronger against the dark energy, meaning everyone will be able to fight creatures coated in it easier. That is, however, not the only effect; two more effects can be chosen when the tattoo is made, from a pool of choices provided.

Tattoo extra effects
• Danger Sense (gives an ability to sense danger in the surroundings)
• Door Creation (lets the user create a temporary fake door to pass through walls and other obstacles)
• Elemental Resistance (one element) (can be chosen twice)
• Enhanced Sense (choose one of the basic senses) (can be chosen twice)
• Guardian Spirit (summons an astral being to physically protect them, in the shape of something important to them - stays for an hour per summon)
• Mermaid Song (gives an ability to be able to heal minor injuries with singing)
• Minor Regeneration Powers (automatically heal minor injuries)
• New Element creation and manipulation (choose from electricity, light, neutral) (can be chosen twice)
• Retrocognition (able to see an item's past by touching it (does not work on living things))
• X-Ray Vision (lets user see through walls and other objects by touching them (does not work on living things))

All extra effects of the tattoo drain magical energy just like any other abilities do. If someone is low on magical powers, the tattoo will look like it's faded out (animal based tattoos may even start sleeping). No one automatically masters these abilities, so it might take some time to get used to them and properly use them in a fight.

Part 2

Various booths have been set all around Nightwake that let people test their new abilities. Most of the booths utilize just one ability (like being attacked by a water balloon with a blindfold on to test danger sense or test their enhanced senses) but some of them have several ways to complete them. They vary from obstacle courses to target shooting. These are mostly fun, harmless things

There's also just general fighting areas set up for people to just fight it out with their new abilities (they know by now that otherworlders love their fights). There are also robots that are installed with various martial arts to use as opponents, for those who prefer not to fight other people.

Bigger on the Inside

(Duration: January 22nd -> 26th)

Part 1

Olwen, the Winter Guild Leader, is the next one to address everyone through a message sent to all devices. It's an invitation to join him in tracking down and capturing The Doctor, but also for anyone who wishes to join the support side of things. The team will be gathering in Blossomcrown Park, on the 22nd of January at noon, where he will explain the plan.

The park has several tents set up. All of them are somehow related to aiding the fighters who will be entering the portals, so all non-combatants will be asked to man them. There are healing, food and even touch energy tents. After an analyzation done on the portal device, it seems that touch energy will drain faster inside the portals than they do normally.

Before the portal is opened, Olwen greets and thanks everyone for coming. He will explain that their primary goal is to find The Doctor, but also prevent monsters from entering Nightwake while the portal is open (it cannot be shut while someone is inside, unless you're someone like The Doctor). He explains that the nature of this portal is otherwise still unknown and he advises anyone who starts feeling bad in any way to return to Nightwake right away.

Once everyone is done with preparations Olwen activates the portal device and leads the way inside, holding a sword and shield in hand.

Part 2

When people first enter the portal they are met with a breathtaking view. It looks as if the water surface and the sky melt together, as the water reflects the starry sky. On the water there are several rowing boats. Once at least two people are inside a boat it will start moving across the surface of water and will eventually disappear into a mist (all except for Olwen, who disappears alone for some reason, who tells everyone to stay focused on the mission before the mist takes him).

The boats take people into sceneries that reflect their seasons. If there's more than one season on the same boat the scenery will be a mix of them.

• Winter is a cave of ice and water, filled with monsters named Glaciduets (Rock monsters with various animal bodies that shoot ice and rocks as weapons)
• Spring is a place among the clouds, filled with monsters named Galeduets (Birds that are partially fishes, that use sharp winds and icicles as weapons and dive among the clouds)
• Summer is a village that is burning, filled with monsters named Flameduets (Various dinosaurs with wings that use fire and wind as their weapons)
• Autumn is a rainy forest filled with monsters named Terraduets (Skeletons with fiery armor that use earth and fire as their weapons)

All of the monsters are far sturdier than they look and can provide to be difficult opponents. To proceed, they all (at least five monsters, can be more) have to be defeated and if any of them get past them into the mist the people entered from they will attempt to enter the portal into Nightwake. The mist is also the way to escape and return to regroup if needed.

Part 3

Defeating enough monsters will destroy the space they entered. Once enough spaces are destroyed, one final space is revealed (this will take a few days, there are a lot of these spaces). It's where Olwen can be seen fighting a masked, hooded person. Olwen is using his sword, water and ice - while the other figure uses force fields to protect themselves from magic and two swords. From the looks of it, the fight is rather even.

Those who try to help Olwen will be met with another force field around the area, preventing anyone from entering. Destroying the devices making the field will help Olwen get past the villain's defenses, but they're guarded by shadow monsters called Shadow Moths (This creature takes the shadows of people to become bigger and faster. It usually takes the form of a giant mothman that has shadowy vines as its weapons. If hit by the vines, characters would start doing everything backwards).

Once the devices have been destroyed, Olwen manages to encase the figure in ice before collapsing on the ground himself from exhaustion. All that's left now is to get both the ice covered villain and Olwen out of the portal and closing the portal - but with that, it's mission accomplished.

The masked villain (still frozen) will be taken by the Law Enforcement into custody to be questioned while Olwen gets Jade (Spring Guild Leader) to look after him right away. Olwen is tired, but thanks everyone who came to help with the mission (whether fighting or supporting) with a healthy sum of 20,000 Moon Coins.

Epilogue

With The Doctor in custody, Sawyer is free. Harrison makes a public apology, which Sawyer accepts and a viral video can be seen of all the guild leaders hugging him and telling him how they always believed in him. Are those tears in Sawyer's eyes? You must be seeing things!

Information about the villain will be given at a later date, once they manage to interrogate them. Meanwhile Sawyer will return to his guild duties. This time actually doing them without (as many) complaints.

Waiting in the Shadows
(Duration: January 28th - 31st)

Part 1

The Research Center Leader, Helene, and the Fairy Queen have been working on a project while the Portal fight has been going on. They send a message that there's another mission to take to those who are interested, with a 50,000 moon coins reward because of how dangerous and important this mission is.

Those who agree to take on the mission are asked to take at least a temporary magical tattoo. Those who already have a tattoo (permanent or temporary) will have theirs temporarily enhanced. This is the only requirement to participate in the mission. The enhancements for the tattoo are to protect the user from what they are about to face and make magic work against it - as well as work as an emergency exit if all else fails.

Explanation of what they are about to face is a dangerous entity once faced by two otherworlders. It has been named the All-Consuming Darkness: an experiment made by the Doctor that was meant to be unleashed to destroy the barriers around Ellipsa. Under normal circumstances it would eat any attacks delivered at it. But with the Fairy Queens magic tattoo boosts that danger will be out of the way.

After all the preparations and explanations, they are advised to take the new, temporary teleport crystal out to the Autumn Segment, straight to the Abandoned Mansion.

Part 2

The Abandoned Mansion is a creepy, old two story building that looks quite rundown. It's surrounded by mist that expands into the forest. There's not much to look at on the outside, other than two tombstones with the names of Kamisato Ayato and Kaveh on them. Anyone who has previously visited the mansion might remember they definitely weren't there before June, when the place was sealed.

Magical tattoos let everyone pass through the barrier and into the house. The strategy is simple: find all the arms of the monster, spread out to the mansions every room, and destroy them. With the boost from the tattoos all attacks can now deal damage, but the monster can still inflict status effects (silence, stun, burn, poison) and the air around it generally feels poisoned.

The being itself has no actual figure. It's a shapeless blob of mass that attacks people relentlessly with its arms. It will also try to capture anyone it can and eat them to make itself bigger, since it no longer can consume attacks to do so. Even with the magical tattoo boost it's still a difficult opponent to face.

Those that do get eaten will receive their own tombstone outside. It seems it appears automatically after death.

Everyone is also advised to retreat if they need to, which they can do by passing the barrier out of the house. With how many arms the being has the fight may take a while.

Part 3

Once all the arms are destroyed, the shadow blob will evaporate and the eerie feeling that was all over the place will vanish. The spirits that were guarding the doors will open the windows and doors, relieved that the danger was now gone. It's almost as if the nature was celebrating too, as sun beams start to fill the mansion as well.

The teleport crystals will take them back, but there's also a promise of a free luxury airship ride back for those who want to pamper themselves for a job well done. The airship is parked at the Autumn Airship Station.

OOC TIPS

• Ask Event-related questions here!

• Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a private entry of your own (your own entry or a new locked post on the comms).

• Remember to content and spoiler warn as necessary!

• Characters are responsible for coming up with their designs for the tattoos or at least ideas for them (the fairies doing the tattoos can offer options). As a bonus, there's no healing time for the tattoos, as they are completely magical! It also doesn't hurt (unless the person is very sensitive to it, then it might. Player's choice). Everyone is also allowed to get temporary tattoos first before committing to a permanent one (the limit is one permanent tattoo per character).

• Those with special skin (mechanical or otherwise) will still be able to get a tattoo, as they are magical. Even those whose skin would normally regenerate (like titan shifters) can have a tattoo stay permanently. These tattoos will also be available as "aesthetic only" ones after the event.

• Neutral Element is what it says on the tin. It's a shapeless energy that usually takes a blank, white form (but can be different colored, too). No creature is super weak against the element, but none of them resist it either; it's the element that will always deal damage, no matter what.

• Reminder that this month does not have Activity Check-in!

code bases by tricklet

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Tartaglia's a good ice skater, improvised as his slide towards the enemies is! Hijikata can only assume that he got plenty of practice in his snowy home. As the Harbinger tackles the stone kagaroo, the samurai wonders if his hydro blades can cut even through solid rock - but his focus is forced to shift to the triceratops, which takes to the air, and to the rhino that comes running at his companion to back up its rock friend.

He releases his pokémon onto the ice. Rather than the chest-high Pignite from before, let alone the little Tepig which Tartaglia covertly fed at the beach party, a massive Emboar takes form, taller than either man and multiple times as massive, having reached its final evolution level at the end of the old year.]

Hinobuta! Back Tartaglia up!

[The large pig creature, quickly assessing the situation, lets out an affirmative grunt before running towards the rhino. The ice makes its movements a little clumsy, but once it reaches the shore, it'll throw itself against the enemy with all its might! Hijikata himself takes control of the large fireball the triceratops flings at him, but when he throws it back at the winged creature, he finds it repelled by a gust of wind that even causes ripples on the water below.]

Oh? I see.

[Telekinesis again, then! He throws the flying creature into the water, where its stegoraurus peer is still struggling, then looks around for another enemy to add to their number. He wants to save his lightning until the number of monsters in the water will really make it worth it!]

Edited 2024-01-29 00:35 (UTC)

[Having the time of his life, he dodges and twists and spins between every attack that his opponent throws out, having ice boulders thrown at him and coming dangerously close to getting raked across the chest a few times. And just when he thought he'd have another enemy to tangle with, a certain pokemon shows up in the nick of time to slam into the rhino that wanted to gore him with its horn. The Harbinger has a quick moment to see this new creature, the same colors as the little Tepig he'd fed under the table all those months back, smiling with surprise as it protects him from the rhino's attack. Surely, this is the same little pig, right? Except all grown up now.]

What a surprise! [He shouts over to his new pokemon ally, while fending off one vicious attack after another.] Why, look at you! You're ten times the size from when I last saw you!

[Shifting to take the kangaroo a little more seriously, it seems to him that he'll need something a little heavier to take this one out, as the water in his hands shifts into something larger. Though not his preferred weapon, this master of weaponry forms his hydro energy into a claymore, one that he swings with all his might at the stone opponent, smashing into it and ripping large chunks of it off including an arm. Tartaglia grins wickedly, happy with himself that he's already been able to find its weakness.]

Hey, Hijikata, why didn't you tell me your little friend here grew up?

[Looks like his companion has a plan. He can see how he's dumping monsters right into the water, and wonders what's going to come of it. And why not help him out? While laughing like a maniac, he starts to kite the monsters to the water...so they can join their companions.]

[The Emboar spares Tartaglia a gruff but friendly grunt. It remembers his generosity back on that sunny day! Despite how much it developed in just over a half-year, now standing on two sturdy legs with a mane of fire surrounding its head, it's still young and excitable. For the moment, however, it has to focus on the stone rhino, which proves a formidable opponent, heavy and strong as it is. As the rock monster attacks with its horn, the pokémon manages to gets its head in a chokehold - and while it'll be hard-pressed to choke a stone, it has some other moves in its arsenal! But first, it needs to grapple the enemy into the right position.

Hijikata turns around right in time to see the stone kangaroo lose a good part of its body to the Harbinger's claymore, and he can't help but be delighted. Seeing this man fight is always a joy, not to mention it encourages him to go all out too!]

Well, you know how it is... they grow up so fast, blink and you miss it!

[It really did happen fast. Sure, he trained with the pokémon every day and let it tag along on increasingly risky quests, but he still didn't expect it to evolve at such a speed! He couldn't be more delighted with the outcome, of course. His Emboar ended up larger than average, packs a punch, and still retains its playful personality; what more could a trainer ask for?

He can't enjoy much of a small-talk break: Feeling the wind in his back, he turns in time to telekinetically intecept and down a pair of winged raptors. While the dinosaurs splash into the increasingly busy lake, their wind attack still comes through, impacting in a firewall Hijikata raises up and momentarily causing the flames to flare out dramatically.]

Tch... that felt almost personal.

[He adopted two chicken-sized compsognathuses on Avalon, after all, and while they were much smaller, they looked like little raptors! Deciding that he has enough ingredients for his dinosaur soup, he casually electrifies the struggling creatures, who cease struggling and sink. This seems like a winning strategy... but how many more are going to come out of their hiding spots now after witnessing that?

Near Tartaglia, the Emboar finally manages to get a good grip on the rhino and throws it onto the ground over its shoulder, breaking off the horn and a leg and flank through the sheer force of the impact.]

[Blink and you might miss it is right, he definitely missed it but it's a delightful surprise, especially watching Hinobuta really manhandle that rhino. What a strong guy, Childe never would have imagined it would grow into something like that. As Hijikata deals with his own foes, Tartaglia's continuing to lure the angry rock kangaroo onto the ice, forced to dodge ice shards that get thrown at him as it gives chase. It's not until he's far enough out on the ice that he stops running, having set up his trap inspired by his companion's own strategy. Electricity, thankfully, won't be needed to deal with this enemy, as he moves in to swing his claymore at it once again. But every swing misses, the kangaroo dodging as the weapon cleaves downwards as he attacks it, eating ice instead of the stone of its body. The creature taunts him with its one arm, hopping around in a circle as Childe fights- but the Harbinger simply stops at one point to heave the weapon up on his shoulder.]

I don't think you know what you've just walked into.

[With one last swing, his claymore comes crashing down to hit the ice one last time, causing it to crack horribly until it shatters, causing the rock kangaroo to fall into the water and subsequently down to the bottom. Childe leans over the hole, holding his hand up to his brow as he looks down into the trap created by his attacks, laughing all the while.]

I didn't figure it could swim. Especially not with one arm, hahaha.

[Standing back up straight to stretch out his back, he turns to Hijikata, giving him a wave. He doesn't see anything else (for the moment) besides the rhino that's currently getting beaten by Hinobuta.]

Should we go give Hinobuta a hand? I wouldn't want to interrupt its battle if it doesn't need our help.

[Warrior's pride and all.]

[Hijikata, still on the boat (which he anchored to stop it from drifting off), gets a nice view of Tartaglia's dance with the kangaroo, and before long he can see where this is going... but the rock creature can't, evidently.

Fireballs come flying both his and the Harbinger's way - the remaining dinosaur creatures want to avenge their peers and support the kangaroo, which runs no risk of catching fire -, but he simply lets them impact in fireballs of his own making before merging them into a large one and then simply dismissing it. Fire, after all, won't help against either enemy type!

He turns back to the duel in time to see its conclusion, and lets out a little holler as the kangaroo breaks into the shattering ice and sinks.]

Nice going!!

[When Tartaglia mentions Hinobuta and both men turn to check on the pokémon's progress with the rhino, they see a couple more stone monsters approaching to back their peer up: A bear and a... tortoise? Wow. While the small, slow tortoise is still a good bit away, the bear throws itself into the fray, sending all three creatures tumbling and eliciting a roar from the Emboar.]

I think he could use some backup, yeah!

[The Harbinger grins at the compliment, looking as confident and happy as ever. Hijikata didn't do too bad himself in Childe's eyes, but they've got a much more important matter at hand to take care of- those two other monsters appear and make it an unfair fight for the Emboar. Childe's hydro claymore is swung up with one hand to rest on his shoulder, yet ready to swing at a moment's notice if the situation changed suddenly.]

Good! I don't mind taking on a few more enemies. They've got some nerve coming out of nowhere and jumping Hinobuta like that...but that's not going to stop us.

[Bloodlust shines in his eyes as he takes off without warning, running full tilt towards the bear. He won't leave a comrade to get pummeled like that, waiting for his opportunity to strike, and it comes. Once the bear has gotten up on its hind legs, Childe takes his claymore and throws it as hard as he can as he runs forward, spinning in a circle a bit from the effort. It spins through the air, hurtling towards the bear until it slams into it with a loud clang and the cracking of stone, breaking the bear off of Hinobuta to give the pokemon some breathing room.]

Heheheh...

[Ice shards from the tortoise hurtle through the air at the pair that approach, trying to force them to have to dodge and weave through the assault just to try to help their friend here. Though that doesn't matter to Childe- it only makes it more fun.]

Sheesh, these bastards fight so dirty!

[He finally hops out of the boat to join the combat up close, and while he's less sure of his footing on the ice than the nimble Snezhnayan, he manages to meet the tortoise's ice attack with more of his fire, effectively melting the sharp shards. While it looks effortless, the intense heat of all his attacks consumes a good amount of mana... he may actually have to head back out of the portal to recuperate once they're done here, which annoys him a little. How dare enemies actually deplete him?!

While Tartaglia attacks the bear head-on, sending his weapon ahead of him, Hijikata has to cover his back as the dinosaurs send cutting gales their way. With only fire and lightning at his disposal and the latter rather useless against wind, he once again lets the air sickles impact in his fireballs, causing flaring explosions in the air.]

When'd I become your support, say?!

[His bitching isn't serious - if anything, they make a pretty efficient battle due! He's simply used to being the main offence on any team, but with Tartaglia as a partner, all bets for that are off. He sends a telekinetic blast at the annoying dinosaurs, throwing them back between the burning houses, then turns his ire on the turtle, which he simply turns on its back using the same ability.

Freed of the bear for the moment, Hinobuta wrestles the rhino onto the ice and towards the hole Tartaglia sunk the kangaroo in, blatantly intent on making it follow suit, while the bear, already significantly cracked and chipped but still mostly in one piece for now, focuses on the man who damaged it, swinging a large clawed stone paw at the Harbinger.]

[The explosions of fire meeting wind erupt in his ears as he runs forward, grateful for the assistance but turning his head just so to give Hijikata a sort of bratty, cocky grin. This kid is used to being the front and center of attention, whether he's crashing a theatrical performance or in the heat of battle and he's not afraid to show it. But his attention quickly returns to the bear, who's taking a huge swing at him, having to duck and dodge through its assault in order not to get hit. Water swirls and reforms into his hand to swing his claymore again, the sound of solidified water crashing into solid rock almost deafening since it's at close range now, breaking more pieces off and sending it falling backwards.]

[To Hinobuta, with a smile on his face:] Need a little help?

[With Hijikata taking care of the turtle, he can focus on the bear, though it's comical from his perspective to see this large rock turtle go from standing on all fours to being lifted and turned right on its back. The way the legs kick and how it rocks from side to side from such a simple technique earns a laugh out of him. That's one way to take care of an opponent, and they probably won't have to worry about it while. With the bear pretty broken, he rejoins Hijikata as he looks to the dinosaurs that keep trying to snipe them from a distance, with an idea.]

Hey, how much power do you have left? Can you attach some of that magma of yours to the end of an arrow?

[The claymore disappears, to reform into a bow. Time to shoot some dinosaurs out of the sky.]

[Hijikata catches that cocky little smirk, but rather than piss him off, it makes him grin too. Cheeky bastard--! He's got to give it to Tartaglia, he earns his place in the spotlight every time, his dynamic evasion and counterattack against the bear being yet another example.

While the Harbinger makes some more serious cracks in that stone beast, Hijikata likewise wants to supports his pokémon by offering a telekinetic push against the battered rhino, but Hinibuta's energetic roar (it would've been just a squal back in its Tepig days, but alas, not anymore) makes him hold off. Clearly, the Emboar wants to handle it alone... and after some more wrestling between the two large creatures on the ice, the rhino does sink into the water, making a huge splash as it's pushed into the hole.

Before Hijikata gets the time to applaud his porcine companion, Tartaglia's back at his side with his request for magma, and he's not about to refuse, happily summoning a floating glob of lava and cooling it down as much as he can to solidify it at least somewhat (and noting the effortless weapon swap with a tinge of envy. Vision holders, I swear. What are you guys so fancy for?]

Dip as many arrows as you want! What's the game plan?

[He's genuinely curious. Those dinosaurs with their remote wind- and fire attacks are obnoxious, always carefully staying where they can dip between the houses to avoid his telekinetic pull, but surely a lava missile can't harm them? He's pretty sure that Tartaglia has a higher-level idea, and he's excited to find out what it is. Hinobuta, too, stomps over to observe the proceedings.]

[After his performance against the sandworms, Tartaglia knows that his friend here is packing some real heat, and no I won't apologize for that pun, the kind that he knows will help take care of their winged enemies. He holds up his hand- he can see that he's solidifying the magma, but he doesn't want him to do too much of it. He also hesitates to dip any of his hydro arrows into the magma yet, eyeing their first target that looks like it's getting ready to take a few more pot shots at them from a distance.]

You've had your own experiences in Teyvat, so surely you have some idea of how the elements work where I'm from. I want to abuse the elemental reaction of vaporize...and I want to ground those monsters too, all in a few hits. No pyro vision holder I know of can wield pure magma like you can...so this is a little test to see if my understanding of the natural world is as good as I think it is.

[Now, after careful consideration of how he needs to shoot his arrows and gauging how far away the dinosaurs are, does he dip his hydro arrow into the magma. He wants a big 'ol goopy chunk, slathering it on the tip of his arrow. The rapid speed that he aims and looses his arrow doesn't allow for much time to respond, because he needs to be that fast to keep the magma from cooling and hardening too quickly.

As it sails through the air, it strikes the wing of the first dinosaur that's gotten too comfortable with being out in the open, first spreading the magma all over the wing and searing the skin on the initial impact. But the arrow also explodes into a giant splash of water, hardening the magma into a dense rock while also applying Tartaglia's riptide mark to the beast, which lets loose a hydro cutter every few seconds or so, helping to cool the magma further as it hits it. There's a terrible shriek that resounds from the beast, making him smile. Must be working.

The Harbinger wastes no time in shooting more arrows the exact same way, aiming them all at the wings of the target until its become too overburdened and weak to fly from all the damage and rock now covering and hardening on its wings. It falls to the ground with a heavy thud, left to try to drag itself across the ground with wings that looks more like stone than flesh.]

I think that worked out pretty well.

[Sad as it it, in his AU life in Teyvat, Hijikata didn't get to work alongside Vision holders all that often. Regardless, what Tartaglia explains makes sense - it reminds him of how his mentee Shoto will combine his ice- and fire powers to outright explode things -, and he's very much on board with it! When the plan works out as designed, taking that monster out of commission with precision, he extends an arm towards the miserable creature to command his Emboar:]

Put it out of its misery, Hinobuta! We've got your back!

[He runs after his large pokémon, intent on telekinetically holding off (and smacking around) any other dinosaurs that want to aid their downed peer - whether Tartaglia comes along too despite not being as fireproof as the two of them or covers their back from more potential stone beasts, he's eager to finally enter a melee battle with the reptiles! There don't seem to be that many left; he can only see 2 still hovering around besides the one on the ground.]

[Tartaglia, as much as he loves being up in the action, doesn't mind playing a bit of a backseat role now. He's had lots of fun destroying these stone monsters and being a pain towards the flying ones that Hijikata's been taking care of with his telekinetic powers- something Childe absolutely needs to ask him about later- so he's fine with making sure his companion is taken care of so nothing gets the jump on him. Though his source of magma is gone now, that doesn't mean that he doesn't have two other elements to mix with his hydro powers.

Support comes from arrows that are fired freely into the wings of the two that might try to either help their comrade or outright attack Hinobuta or Hijikata, unsure of how much power his friend has used and whether or not he's running on low. So he'll take every opportunity to ensure that the fight doesn't end with a gravely injured companion, electro mixed with hydro to temporarily paralyze a target for a second or arrows that freeze over on the wings of the dinosaurs to give Hijikata an edge. It's good practice for him, smiling brightly when he hits his targets and making them roar in annoyance and pain.]

They're all yours!

[He calls out from behind the two other warriors, happily continuing to fire at the enemy, his eyes glowing with absolute glee.]

[While Hinobuta finishes off the downed dinosaur, Hijikata appreciates Tartaglia's support as he tackles the remaining airborne pair. Without him even needing to slam them down telekinetically, they end up on the ground, one spasming with electricity, the other uselessly trying to move a half-frozen wing. He twirls his sword for a moment, smugly observing the monsters' plight.]

Well, well. I think the show's over for you guys.

[He makes short work of them using his blade, not minding their desperate elemental attacks - the fire he's immune to, and the cutting winds' damage gets absorbed by his Aura shield this time. With the battle seemingly over, only the sound of the crackling fire devouring the empty houses still fills the large cave. He saunters back over to Tartaglia, his Emboar in tow.]

Our work here is done, I'd say... oh, wait! The turtle!

[He almost forgot about it!]

Who wants to take care of it?

[Maybe one of the others - well, Tartaglia moreso than Hinobuta - has a creative idea of what to do with it! Little does Hijikata realise that one more adversary besides it remains...]

[There's a smile on his face as Hijikata comes back over time, lowering his bow in front of him before twirling it in his hand as is disappears in in a flutter of gold and water splashing down around him onto the ground. Tartaglia's eyes snap over to the turtle who's stuck on its back, legs waving about helplessly in the air. It makes the Harbinger laugh, his eyes softening just so as he watches it struggle.]

Honestly, it's too bad- my little brother would have loved to have one of those for himself. But right now it hinders our progress...and I'm finished playing around.

[There's no fanfare to this last enemy for him, summoning that same claymore that he spins in a circle with both hands once at his side as he walks up to it calmly. It comes down swiftly and with all his strength, cleaving it completely in half. The weapon sinks into the ground with a thud following the sound of rock breaking apart in pieces, cracking and shattering underneath the weight of the sword until all that's left beneath is the dying throes of what was once a living rock. Tartaglia's shoulders slump with a sigh, believing that their battle is over, turning to return to Hijikata's side when suddenly-

Thonk.

A pebble, one made of ice, pings off of the side of Childe's head. It's almost comical, how his hand comes up to hold the spot in confusion, head snapping in the direction of where it had come from, jaw dropped slightly as he looks around.]

Who's there? Come out and face us, coward!

[Huh, so he has a little brother? Hijikata idly wonders what that boy may be like - just as cheerful and gung-ho as his big brother, or completely different? -, otherwise simply hanging back and marveling at that powerful cleave. He'd hate to ever be on the receiving end of Tartaglia's claymore. Even with his enhanced sword and Aura he'd struggle to parry such a strike! What DO they feed them in Snezhnaya? Perhaps he should eat more olivier salad..?

He grins at his comrade, likewise ready to relax, when that tiny projectile hits. Both men are quickly alert again, scanning the cave... but not spotting any monsters.]

...

Maybe it just got dislodged somewhere somehow? Hinobuta, did you--

[Thonk! This time, the pebble hits him right in the cravat, and it clearly didn't come from Hinobuto, who's on the lookout together with them.]

Well, damn! Looks like someone thinks they can mess around with us!

[He starts marching in the approximate direction the ice pellet came from, sword drawn and senses sharp. What kind of creature is trying to hide away from them?]

[His eyes are searching everywhere. Above them, all around them, looking for movement of some monster hiding behind one of the burning buildings that are still smoldering from the raging fire that encompassed them. Some are still burning brightly, but he doesn't see any kind of dinosaur or ice creature out to get them. But surely, something must of thrown that little ice ball at them-

Thonk!

Yet another one comes from a completely different direction now, hitting Tartaglia right in the back of his head.]

Ow-!

[The Harbinger turns, clearly unamused and losing his temper quickly at the stealth sniper. One of his swords snaps into his hand, eyes locked in the location of that last shot as well. There's nothing better to do than to join Hijikata by moving forward with him, determined not to get hit again.]

Grrrr...they won't be messing with us for much longer. But I still don't see what could possibly be taking aim at us...surely it's not hiding in that burning building, is it?

[HE'LL DROP A WHOLE ASS WHALE ON IT IF HE HAS TO THO]

Well, if it is, I'll-- there!!

[He furiously points at a spot a good bit away from the burning village. He and his companions are barely able to catch sight of something small moving in between the rocks - and once it reaches the next shelter, it doesn't show itself again.]

Oh, now it's over for you, you little shit!

[He marches over to the rock foundation! However, no matter how hard he stares, there's nothing hiding behind it. Did the small enemy sneakily move on, hidden from their eyes by all the boulders? Or did his eyes play a trick on him?]

[THERE IT IS. He sees where Hijikata's finger points to and spots that small amount of movement. That was the last thing he expected out of this adventure, being played by some small creature who's taking pot shots at them instead of coming out and FACING THEM LIKE A REAL WARRIOR WOULD.

Marching straight over there, he hangs only a few steps back, keeping his eyes peeled. It's pretty smart of it to stay hidden, considering it's outnumbered and outclassed, too. But just because he can acknowledge that it's smart doesn't mean he has to like it, and he sure doesn't like it.]

It's no use, all it's going to do it run around and hide. We should move towards the water to-

[That's when he looks down and sees it. This rock-squirrel, one that's stealthily climbed onto the pants on Hijikata and is currently creating little rocks and shoving them into the man's pocket like he was its personal tree hole to store its treasures, taking advantage of its small size just to mess with them. The urge to draw his bow leans on him, but he can't just shoot his friend in the leg here.]

-hey.

[He stops in the middle of his sentence, his words slow and more quiet.]

Don't make any sudden movements.

[Tartaglia looks like he's ready to murder someone. That squirrel needs to pay, even for that little ping off his head with a rock.]

[Hijikata, cool as he can arguably look in a battle, can also be shockingly dim at times. One would think someone'd notice a rock monster, small as it may be, climbing up their leg, but he only realises that something's amiss when his pocket starts bulging with pebbles. He opens his mouth, probably to let out a string of curses, and half-raises his arm to smite the offensive rodent, just as his companion's instruction lands.

Congratulations, Tartaglia, it seems as if he likes you enough to suppress his shitty temper (albeit with considerable effort)! Maybe it's because the Harbinger looks about equally pissed off. How dare this puny thing trifle with them?! They pretty much both have angry veins bulging at their temples. Even Hinobuta, usually less than subtle, stays still and silent, only narrowing its eyes in evident irritation.]

Do it.

[Whatever "it" is. He trusts you, Tartaglia! He wants blood!! Or... stone dust, he supposes!]

[How dishonorable, to be clung to his companion like this, using him as if he were its personal shield (personal ammo cache, ftfy childe) and mocking them like this (it really isn't.) It stirs up Tartaglia's combative personality, and yet he's professional enough that he wouldn't dare hurt Hijikata in this situation. So, Things Tartaglia Would Normally Do are off the table, not leaving him with much he can do, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a plan. Coming up with something on the fly as things develop is a strength of his, and he's definitely gunna "do it" all over this dumb squirrel's face.]

...

[He's quiet and barely moving, staring at it intently and waiting for the right moment. Suddenly, without warning, Childe's body moves, his arms swing in a blur as his foot pivots to put all his strength into the torque of his body.

The tiniest brush of something against Hijikata's pant leg is all he'll feel, a small breeze accompanied by the loud crack of stone hitting the newly formed hydro baseball bat that's in Childe's hands as he sends that dumb squirrel flying off into archon knows where. His hand comes up over his brow as if to shield his eyes from the non-existent sun, looking out to see how far he hit it.]

Huh. Home run.

[That'll show 'em. Thanks for being his baseball tee, buddy.]

[Surprising as that choice of weapon and attack is, Hijikata takes it entirely in stride. If anything, Tartaglia managing to pull it off without also breaking his leg (like his bad friends at home surely would've) earns him so much more respect and fondness from the samurai! He turns to likewise follow the trajectory of the squirrel pieces as they fly off into the distance.]

I'd say you deserve to be player of the season.

[What that a seasonal pun... regardless, something else is starting to happen: While the houses seemed to remain at the same level of destruction despite the raging fire, they now seem to all but disintegrate, and the ice and rocks all over the cave begin to crack. There's no rumbling, so it isn't an earthquake, but Hijikata instinctively backs up towards the boat.]

[There's a satisfaction from seeing that thing fly off into the distance that quells his fiery temper, enough that he can snort at the pun that Hijikata's just made. He looks over to him, letting out a sigh that seems to let some of the stress go with it, before turning to follow him back to the boat. It seems like their work is done here and they'll be able to continue forward, which he's all the more excited for once he starts thinking about it.]

Hah, you flatter me. To be honest, I've never really played.

[Baseball isn't exactly big in Snezhnaya.]

I've seen it on television here, though. Seems like an interesting game. I wouldn't mind trying it sometime.

It's fun! It's popular where I'm from. We can give it a shot one of these days!

[He beams Hinobuta back into the pokéball for the time being to save them all some space on the boat. As he and Tartaglia settle back into their little vessel, their surroundings dissipate and fall apart entirely, like smoke and mirrors, and before they know it, it's only the fog on the water once more.]

Let's see what's ahead!

[Tartaglia doesn't seem to want to turn around yet, so he won't either! As always, they only spur each other on. But they really should have enough left in them for another battle - especially if they come upon that blasted Doctor! Facing that nefarious villain would honestly be more welcome than having to deal with another pesky little critter.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Event #6: Doctor Why Instead of Who

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i had another dumb idea

I'm loving it!!

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