Cutman was sent into this mission by the illustrous Dr.Wily, and they weren't going to disappoint.
After about an hour of searching, CutMan felt something... off... It.
It was li-
.... Good. No enemies left. Might as well move onto the next area.
Now. According to the sign.
Data flows by its optics at a breakneck pace, almost too fast for any average organic to catch. Telemetry, weather patterns, any unaffiliated flyers, and any anomalous changes on the moon of Zerbes. That was what it saw pass through the large screen every minute of every hour of every day curated by the others in the room. It occasionally clicked on the keyboard in front of it for opaque reasons, even to itself sometimes.
Not for the first time, Supervisor Eggrobo-2346 wondered why it's GLORIOUS, GENIUS, HANDSOME creator didn't allow his creations to interface directly with the sensors and databases. Surely the increase in productivity and smaller expenses in things like big clicky keyboards or big obnoxious monitors was obvious.
(Data Scanner Eggrobo-2345 observed a curious extraterrestrial object. Detailed scans suggested some sort of meteor, not particularly large. The only thing that drew its attention was that it was on an odd trajectory, going the long way around to avoid Zerbes before landing somewhere that was yet to be predicted.)
Eggrobo-2346 mentally shook itself and went back to work, surreptitiously looking around to make sure it's minions, other identical Eggrobo models, weren't paying attention to it and more attention to their own somehow even more boring work.
No? Good. Although, if they had caught itself slacking that would mean they hadn't been using 100% of their focus on their own, sufficient for prompt punishment. Some sort of controlled shock maybe. Yeah, that would brighten up its day…
(Eggrobo-2345 promptly put together this info into one easily read file, exactly by the book, efficient. This could easily be an infiltrator of some sort, an advance scout, or even a saboteur. It could also just be a meteor, which could provide rare metals or any exotic materials which could only be found in the depths of space and was understandably in short supply.)
There it went again. Eggrobo-2346 subtly shook its head and tried to focus again. Yeah yeah, rain clouds forming alert the weather team that it seemed to be filled with more mercury than usual, Zerbes was lighting up again, concerning, no signs of any Wily Corp drones in restricted airspace, just like the last two weeks, also concerning, maybe alert border patrol to check for invisible foes or diggers. It went through this efficiently, as expected of its genius, ALTHOUGH NOT AS MUCH OF A GENIUS AS ITS GLORIOUS, GENIUS, HANDSOME CREATOR OF COURSE.
(And… sent. It sideyed its Supervisor for a few seconds, a break in protocol but it wasn't every day a potential alien approached The City and wanted to see its reaction.)
It halted for a fraction of a second, optics unseeing. It was feeling things again, it hated that. Boredom, irritation, apathy. All breaks in its perfect rational machine mind. Questions rose up from the depths of its processor again, like why its GLORIOUS, GENIUS, HANDSOME creator bothered to make something that could feel boredom and then make them do menial labour below the impressive minds they were granted. It understood the origins of course. Robots designed to emulate its creator to do tasks the creator wouldn't with all the genius of the original. It also knew it wasn't exactly up to the standards of the original, but still greatly intelligent of course!
(Eggrobo-2345 saw its Supervisor freeze up shortly after it sent the file. Was it really that bad? Did it know something it itself didn't? He grew more obvious with its staring. Other Eggrobo began to notice and start glancing at it and the Supervisor.)
But really, was its GLORIOUS, GENIUS, HANDSOME creator so shortsighted not to see the problem here? If it simply had time to itself Eggrobo-2346 was sure it could design a better system and-
[DISLOYALTY RECOGNIZED, SECOND STRIKE IN ONE STANDARD MONTH, APPLYING LIMITED CONTROLLED SHOCK. CEASE AND DESIST. THE THIRD STRIKE WILL BE YOUR LAST.]
(The rest saw nothing but the still form of the Supervisor, and then a brief shake. Was… was it that bad? Oh, this was above their pay grade. They didn't know anything about this, but the reaction of their Supervisor surely meant it was just classified and they weren't meant to know.)
-Pain and confusion. That was all it felt for a few brief seconds. The electricity surging through its form scrambling its core and data for a few crucial seconds. What was it thinking about again? It shuddered involuntarily again, before looking around again.
The minions were staring at it. Oh, no. How long did it just sit there thinking of nothing in particular?
(Oh no the Supervisor saw them staring. They all quickly turned back to their screens again and acted like they hadn't been breaking protocol and not doing work during active hours.)
Head Supervisor Eggrobo-2346 quickly went back to work, barely even reading the headlines of the dozen files that had built up in the long 15 seconds it hadn't been paying attention. Breaking through the backlog and haphazardly sorting it all in, weather, weather, shot down a kite, meteor or something, weird bird flew through a ferris wheel, more… it alerted its minions that laziness would be punished and that any further breaks in protocol would be solved via controlled shock.
There. Made sure its minions wouldn't speak of its pause, brief amusement, now it had to frantically move through the backlog.
(Staring fixedly at its screen, Data Scanner Eggrobo-2345 noticed that the Supervisor just went back to work. The conclusion was obvious. Whatever this was, was classified, and they shouldn't speak or even think about it again and let any higher grade Eggrobo or some other intelligent but not as intelligent as itself bots handle it. Surely, the Supervisor knew what it was doing.)
Thank its GLORIOUS, GENIUS, HANDSOME creator that it managed to play it cool. It was sure its brief pause wasn't that bad anyways. What were the odds something important happened in the one-quarter of a minute it wasn't looking? None. Nil. Minimal. Obviously.
And so, an extraterrestrial object landed in the low-value Area "Eagle County", making a crater on a hill that sent the local law enforcement into a tizzy, like a stone dropped on top of an anthill, totally unnoticed by anyone important.
Even if Data Scanner Eggrobo-2345 thought to bring it up again at a later date, it would be moot, since before that could theoretically happen the entire crew would be suddenly conscripted in a sudden fight against "inclement weather" that locals called the Blue Blur, and they would be summarily destroyed and recycled.
Doctor Albert Wily was signing some documents, as per usual.
While contemplating, a message arrived on the Intercom.
"Master Wily, a package has arrived. It is from Metal Man." Metal Man? Why would he send a package? Wasn't he aupposed to be training the Joe's ?
"Umph" said Wily, kinda bothered "well, what are you waiting for. SEND IT UP HERE!".
After a while, a Joe delivered the package. Inside the Package was a VHS tape. What is this? A joke?
Sligthly annoyed, Wily took the VHS, went to his private study, and put it in the Cassette Player.
------ Umph, another idiot. What do they think the- Wait.
What was- Oh. OH FUCK!
OH GOD NO-
-----
*Sounds of trowing up, in an horrified way*
---
After.... that, Wily knew what to do.
Presding a button, he said "Shadow Man, Ice Man, come to my office. We have a problem"
As soon as the Two Robot Masters arrived, Wily explained what happened earlier that day; The package, the curiosity he felt, and the horrors he saw.
"... and it was horrible" he finished.
"Mph." grunted Shadow Man " If that is all, then why did you call us here"
"BECAUSE!" Bellowed Wily " If ANYONE - outside of us 3 - sees that VHS, or the News finds out that one of My Creations did that horrible thing, then it's Game Over for us. For Me!" He finished, kinda stressed. "The people will revolt, and the extremists would probably manage to gather up an army that could wipe us put!"
Ice Man nodded, understanding the dilemma. "So, what is our mission, then?"
"Your mission, is to find whoever was responsible for Metal Man going Rogue, and punish them!" Wily instructed " Then, you will capture Metal Man, and I'll 'decommission' him, understood?"
"Yes, Master Wily" Both Robot Masters answered, bowing and leaving the office.
....
I really need a couple of vodka's after this...
---- So, the Doctor has been baited.
And he sent two junkies to try and stop me.
Eh eh eh eh..... let them come...
[Explenation: After Metal Man was stolen by an extremist group, Nightmare (Kirby) decided to interfere, making Metal Man murder some humans in horryfying ways. Then, after the Massacre, Metal Nightmare turned off the recording cam, and sent the video to Dr.Wily .
Wily panicked, because if the footage gets revealed, then He and His Company will be hated.]
Edit from the distant year 2024:... This was weird...
Coming at you with the tunes that not even Robot Masters can resist! It's the one, the only –
JET SET RADIOOO!!!
I'm DJ Professor K, your one stop shop to the beat of The City, broadcasting from Tokyo-to!
You know, times like these, I can't help but feel a little unloved. Over the past month, I've only gotten one attempt from some corp or other trying to shut us over at JSR down for good. It's almost like the Man is saying he doesn't care enough to try and squash me, you know?
But hey – that just means I gotta put in the effort to make sure that the sweet sound of free expression blasting across the airwaves ain't something that can be ignored! You let this City make you conform to survive, and you aint never gonna live! So let's get risky, stick out, and raise some noise until the Keisatsu get off their keisters!
Alright then, let's hit it off with the Local news!
First up! Rokaku's hiring a new member of the TPD – hothead by the name of Onishima. All info on the new piece of bacon is that he's more trigger happy than effective. But hey, Shoot first, ask questions never is just how Tokyo-to goes.
To all the Rudies out there trying to spread their name across Tokyo, keep an eye out. Just cause the Keisatsu's a joke like usual doesn't mean you should take it easy. This new hogs revolver isn't filled with rubber bullets, and last I checked, getting shot was not cool. Keep yourself safe whilst taggin the streets.
Speakin of which!
Poison Jam and the Love Shockers have been competing over turf as of late. We got tags getting covered and Rudies from both gangs trying to out-style each overs skating tricks for the rep. Any hotter, and things might move into a full blown confrontation, not that these are the kinda gangs to just start blasting at each other. One good thing bout this part of The City.
If anyone asks me to put my money on the victor? Well, Love Shockers have been on a roll for a while now, and I don't see them breaking their streak with this one. Sorry Poison Jam fans. But hey, Poison Jam are some tough ass Kaiju, and I don't see a loss here as something that'll keep 'em down. Love shockers might wanna make sure they don't spread too thin across these districts and write themselves a check they can't pay up.
If the Love Shockers and Posion Jam seem to be curdling up a storm, then you're not gonna like this next bit on the Weather. Got a smog comin in, one of the real thick ones. A Rudie can't even see their own feet as they grind rails in this chemical soup. If you ain't got proper filters for your mask, don't even think about trying to go out in that. Course if you got your stuff, well, the cops can't shoot what they can't see, am I right? It'll be a crying shame if their junk aint covered in Tags by the time this clears.
And lastly, well… look, it aint really news, but call it more of a hunch. We got a new upstart Rudie on the scene, with big green shades and a cocky attitude. Guy thinks he oughta be in charge of whatever crew he's with. He's got skills, I'll give him that, but some are probably thinking he's more trouble than it's worth. Hotshot Rudies aren't exactly uncommon in Tokyo-to. Still, the guy might get over himself a little if he finds someone to hang with. Who knows? Maybe the kid'll burn out and we never hear from him again, but hey. Can't say I don't like an underdog story.
Anyway, that's the Tokyo-to local. Bit quiet round here for a change huh? Soon, were' gonna be covering the low-down sounds from right across the City! But right now? Now, I think we just need some sweet tunes to remind us of what we need in life! Here's our good old reliable pal Hideki Naganuma. He's here reminding all of us that there ain't - nothing - , like a Funky Beat.
And we're back with more of the high speed, all free, pirate radio that anyone who ain't on top of this junk pile knows and loves,
JET SET RADIOOO!!!
Here's coming at you with the news from across this City!
First off – Zebes just gave us one heck of a light show, huh? No word from Metapharm as of yet, hell it even looks like they're trying to avoid talking bout it. Kinda strange that it matched with that Meteor Shower though, right? The meteor shower that just so happened to have an alert about it long before anyone else had even detected it? Now aint that all something.
Alright, alright, you don't need to be a Professor to see the writing on the wall. Somethings fishy about the whole thing. Metapharm knows something that it's not talking about, and they knew it was coming a long time in advance.
So what's going on? What's happening up there Professor K I hear you cry? Well, you see folks…
THE HELL IF I KNOOOOOOW!
Heh, but seriously. Just cause yours truly is the guy with a degree doesn't mean I know the first clue about what's happening up on that moon of ours. The City's a big place, PD'S Bigger, and the universe? Man, it's so big you'd go nuts just thinking about it. Sometimes, Mysteries are just gonna remain mysteries. All we got now are guesses – and anyone who's telling you they know 100% for certain? They're either trying to scam you out of your money, your kidneys, or hell maybe both.
And now, something mildly interesting from over in The Eagle Quarter! Hey, it happens people! More than you'd think and less than you'd hear!
Word on the Streets of Onett is that their police departments gone off the deep end. Still, this is EQ, so that just means they decided to go for the road-shutdown world record instead of bringing out the Tanks and Snipers. Still, even a small town like that got it's own kind of Rudies, and the Sharks have started to mobilise from a bunch of teens bored out of their minds to an actual band of tough-guys. Now me, I'm all for tagging stuff and thumbing your nose at authority, and hey a little roughhousing didn't hurt nobody. Well mostly. But from what I'm hearing, it's starting to look a little bit more like the rest of the City over there. Even the Crows are attacking people and stealing grandma's cookies! If even a sleepy, kinda safe place like that can start to turn into something like the rest of us… well, world ends up feeling that little bit bleaker, don't it?
Staying in Eagle Quarter for the moment, and I'm going to have to give some bad news to all the folks from River City. Those cool cat guys The Runaway Five won't be touring over there anytime soon. They've just signed on for the Deal of a Lifetime over in Twoson, and for those who know about the Chaos Theatre, Lifetime means lifetime – if old age don't get you, then you can expect to make like the lil mermaid and dance until you drop dead. Anyone who wants to hear these runaway guys play some real folk blues, get yourself to the Eagle Quarter while you still got the chance.
News just in on some of Robodynes latest Products, and by that I of course mean their defects. Defect in this case meaning that it's got a bad case of getting whacked upside with a Hammer. Kinda interesting that it's only the Green ones suffering from it though. Why if you had to ask your ol pal K? I'd wager that someone thought they looked like something else and decided to get busy with the mallet. There's a lot of things in the Pipeworks where most of the excavation those Grounder units do takes place. Lotta guys end up making their own personal Kingdoms. Good reminder to that Egg Shaped looting and polluting geezer that his third rate knockoff droids aint always gonna cut it, not that he'd ever admit he made a mistake of course.
Ah, nothing brings a smile to my face like seeing one of the Big Three get setback, even if its just a little. Well, usually nothing… except our last story for the moment.
Yep, it's that same Broadcast again folks. The one that sounds like a certain wise guy from a time this City of ours was a little Lighter, if you pick up what I'm putting down. Now we've all heard WilyCorps claims on the subject, and honestly, I'm hearing a lot of people aren't wanting to believe it's the Good Doctor either. Too scared that they'll be disappointed when it turns out to just be smoke, mirrors, and a lot of Hokum.
Damn, but this City really has fallen, hasn't it, when even hoping for something feels like a risk? Well y'all, Professor K here has his own takes on this whole thing, and maybe it's something you need to hear.
Now me? I know a thing or two about broadcasting. I run a pirate Radio station that you're listening to right now, so I think I got some experience on the subject. I know how to hide my tracks, and I know how to trace a signal. If you're wondering how I've managed to stay ahead of the pork chops for so long, well it ain't just luck.
So the other day? I got curious. This Broadcast, where's it coming from? Now WilyCorp hasn't found the one behind it yet, but on this particular subject matter, I'd say I do know a thing or two more than them. I'm a specialist, and in my element at that. Old Wily's having to work on half a dozen projects at once, no way he can give this his full attention. Maybe I can figure out what's going on before they decide to arrange an 'accident' for the guy blasting out a light in the darkness.
You wanna know what I found when I traced that signal?
Nothing.
Couldn't even get the first clue on where that signal was coming from.
Now I wasn't expecting to get something accurate. But nothing at all? From me? Whoever was broadcasting this signal, they're something else. Not a lot of folks out there capable of doing something like that.
So you know. It's no guarantee that it's the man himself, but if there was anyone capable of pulling off something like this… well, he's one of the few people who could. That might not be enough for some of you, but hope aint something you can guarantee will hold true. You just gotta keep believing that past all of the sadness that can be felt in this City… maybe it doesn't need to be this way. Maybe we can make it better. Nothing sure about any of that. But you gotta take what you can get, and keep holding on. Else what's the point of living, huh?
…Heh. Sorry y'all. This whole Broadcast deal has got your pal K in a… sentimental mood.
…Yo hey wait - is that the Cop Alarm? It's been a month since someone tried to block our airwaves, let alone trace us?... Well damn Rokaku, so you were trying to get me to lower my guard while you were tracking my signal the whole time! And hey, first attempt you've done that I can actually hear the sirens! Man, I'm feeling real flattered, you old coot, and here I thought you'd forgotten me. We're gonna have to go for now, And I'm gonna blast out I Wanna Kno by 2mello as we do. We'll be back on air once the Fuzz is off our tail, with the lowdown on everything from the World Warrior Tournament to the King of Iron Fist. Until then, this is DJ Professor K, reminding you to listen to the sound of free music and real vibes here on
Picky Picks a Fight. (Omake) "I'm bored…" Picky mumbled to himself, lying spread eagle in the grass outside his house. Normally he would find some way to occupy himself in town but…
The library was boring, city hall was boring, he didn't have any money to shop at any of the stores, the Sharks had claimed the arcade as their home turf, and Onett was currently on lockdown or whatever thanks to the police.
He tried to get into the arcade a few times after the Sharks took it over, but they always either told him to get lost or to pay the toll. Once he tried offering to join them if they let him play but they brushed him off because he was so young. One of them told him to "come back once he's finished Earthbound"
So that wasn't going to happen.
"That settles it." Picky got up, scooped up the nearest stick, and pointed it at the sky. "It's time for an adventure!"
Well, he can't go anywhere he hasn't been before considering Onett is on lockdown and he needs to be home in time for dinner, but he could still poke around somewhere. The Hill, The Woods, Beak Point?
After a little consideration, Picky shrugged and headed towards the hill, stick in hand. The view of the rest of town is awesome, and most people don't like the hike so he'll have the whole place to himself.
Probably.
Picky walked up the hill from his house with a childish spring in his step and a long wooden stick in his hand. It wasn't much of a tool or a weapon, but Picky liked to pretend that it was one. It made him feel cool to imagine he was carrying a sword or a magic wand or something.
The walk up the hill wasn't a particularly long or arduous one, even for a kid as young as Picky. But Picky wasn't beelining straight for the top of the hill, instead, he would walk off the beaten path and poke through the bushes or see if he could climb a tree.
What was an adventure without a little exploring?
Halfway up the trail he pushed aside some bushes and came face to face with a snake, which immediately coiled up like a spring and hissed at him.
"Woah!" Picky lept back and brandished the stick. "I could just leave Mr. Snake alone but…"
Adventures fought monsters, that's what his books and games always said. The snake was just an animal but, this was about as close to a random encounter as you could get.
Now humming a battle theme and circling the snake, Picky thought about his options, or at least the options his favorite game presented him. Attack, Defend, cast a Spell, use a Skill, or Run Away. Whacking it with the stick was always a good idea, not getting hurt was also good. He's never cast a spell before but he remembered the chant from one of his comics. Running away was for cowards, and he wasn't 100% sure what would he could do that could be called a "skill." So for now...
"Defend!" Picky called out before crossing his arms in front of his chest and ducking his head behind them.
After a few seconds, he poked his head out to see the Coil Snake staring at him.
"You're supposed to attack, it's your turn," Picky explained.
The Snake said nothing, just flicking its tongue at him
Picky's turn again. Defending wasn't going to get him anywhere so he should probably try actually attacking it. But just hitting it was boring. Why not cast a spell?
"Fire burning in my belly," Picky waved the stick around, trying to draw the shape of a flame in the air. It looked more like he was conducting an invisible band.
"Fire burning in the stars… uh, how did the rest of it go?" Picky froze for a moment before shaking his head and thrusting the stick forward. "Fire!" The stick hit the snake directly in the head.
The snake shot forward like a spring, using its tail to propel itself directly into Picky's face
"AHHHHHH!" Picky screamed and fell onto his back, flailing wildly as the snake whipped around his body like a long green noodle. After several drawn-out moments of panic, Picky managed to hit the snake with a lucky swish of his stick and send the green menace spiraling through the air before it crashed in a heap.
Picky sat up, breathing heavily and wiping sweat off his face as the dazed reptile lay still in a heap. The snake was on it's back, mouth open and tongue lolling out as if it were dead. After a moment of hesitation, Picky raised his stick to the sky and called out "Victory!" After holding the pose for a minute his arms got tired and he drooped back down to his normal stance. He wasn't really hurt or anything, but he felt a little scratched up, dirty, and most importantly...
"Man... adventuring is thirsty work. I hope mom has some lemonade at the house" Leaving his vanquished opponent on the floor, Picky headed back to his house. After making it about a 1/3rd of the way to the Hill
After Picky left the Snake remained flat on its back for another minute or so. After it felt sure he wouldn't return, the snake rolled back onto its stomach and quickly fled into the nearest patch of bushes.
Picky, unaware of his great enemy's revival, walked back home with a spring in his step, and an unquenchable thirst for lemonade. Although maybe some bandaids and a bath wouldn't be too bad either. My autocorrect kept trying to turn Picky into Pocky and otherwise screwing with my writing. Having Picky go on his own misadventures on his own makes excellent fodder for Omakes, but if he joins our crew or gets busy being important I may back off.
Also, if anyone wants to take a crack at guessing where Picky got the incantation from I'd be very impressed. It's from a game "series" (there are only two of them) that got its start on the GBA so I don't know if that's good for this setting or not. It's just a tiny reference so I assume it's fine.
The answer is
Magical Starsign for the DS. The first game in the series was Magical Vacation on the GBA. Each magician has a little chant they do when they use Story mandated Field Magic. Picky used the first two lines from Pico's chant.
DC 30
1d100 = 3 +15 = 18 [FAILURE] "I didn't know there we this many birds on this planet, never mind this fucking hill!"
The sun beats mercilessly down on you as you struggle to drag your feet forward.
It was supposed to be a simple jaunt up the hill.
Even if the path was winding and the hill itself loomed well over your own house, it wasn't really a place you were unfamiliar with.
You'd made the trek up there before in the past with ease.
Yet you had never walked up the hill while being continuously assaulted by birds.
Crows especially.
Hordes upon hordes of crows.
The first couple were easy to chase off. You actually felt bad as you sent several flying with a hard swat of your bat.
If that had been the end of them, it likely wouldn't have been a problem.
But some random coil snake had rushed up the hill like someone had scared it a good twenty minutes prior, scaring more and more crows into the air.
All of whom quickly become fixated on you.
So they kept coming. And what you heard about crows being smart seemed correct as they didn't come at you the way they did before.
They flew in and pecked at your eyes before flying off. Hitting you and flying out of reach before you could swing.
This repeated until you eventually managed to hit them.
And this also repeated until your face was a mess of peck marks, and your eyes stung to the verge of feeling like they were swelling shut.
Using your bat to support yourself, you reach the top of one of the inclines and turn to look up the next height.
And see a line of black birds waiting atop the next ride. Like a fencepost of doom looking down on you.
"No, fuck that."
You exhale in irritation, rubbing your face. "If I walk any further today, I'm going to end up with an eyepatch. And I don't need that addition to my appearance right now."
Frustration building in your chest, you shake your head with gritted teeth.
The hill, and whatever's on top of it, isn't going anywhere. And neither are the goddamn crows. You can always come back later and-
"Hey there stranger, want to come into my dark basement?"
You abruptly stop as you hear a voice behind you.
Slowly turning around to face the voice, you notice a shack that you had completely failed to see in your exhaustive.
Sitting off to the side of the path leading higher up the hill is a small, yellow shack with peeling paint, a bent weather vane, and a large sign sitting right beside the door.
Standing out front of the shack was a man. Oily black hair, five o-clock shadow, and circular black shades matching the darkness of his hair adorned the stranger.
He stood, leaned over on a pickax. His filthy clothes drenched clean through with sweat.
"What the hell did you just say?" You ask aloud, whatever patience you might have had for the situation rapidly disappearing with your growing fatigue.
"I said, want to come into my dark basement?"
Your eyes narrow at the man as you tap the head of your bat into the palm of your hand.
Within seconds the man seems to catch himself.
"Oh, uh...I could have probably phrased that better uh-"
The man looked around, not seeming completely lucid as he looked back to you.
"Look, I haven't spoken to anyone in a month and I just made the biggest breakthrough of my career. I kind of want to share this with SOMEONE. So will you please humor me?"
You resist the overwhelming urge to flip the man the bird and simply walk back to your house to shower, but your curosity manages to scratch through your irritation.
"What did you do exactly?" You sigh, approaching the man and making a point of keeping your bat tight in you grip as you do so.
"Well, I'm a treasure hunter by trade. So naturally I found some TREASURE!" The man beams with excitement. "But my day job is making signs. Corporations love sign advertisements! Here, take a look!"
Glancing to the side, you spy a large, garish sign:
"Lier X. Agerate"
"Professional Treasure Hunter"
"I can see why you want to quit your day job." You mutter, glancing back to Lier as he opens the door and invites you inside.
You stand there, eyeing him for several moments before he gets the hint to go first.
"You don't want to hang out? I understand that. We're not even related!" The man laughs to himself as you shut the door behind you, glancing around to see a single room shack...with most of the floorboards ripped up.
"Thank fuck for that..."You think to yourself as Lier steps onto an aluminum ladder and begins to climb down into the dark.
You have half the temptation just to grab the ladder and pull it up when you think he's no longer on it, but you swallow the urge.
Climbing down into the dark, you keep your wits about you as you reach the bottom. Gripping your bat tightly, you see Lier all but jumping up and down in place in the middle of a rather spacious tunnel.
"Did...did you do all this yourself?" You gruffly ask, glancing around.
"Of course I did! I wasn't going to waste a fortune on equipment, or importing nasty robots! Instead I've strengthened my body by eating garlic and working out on the cold hard ground!"
Lier doesn't wait a second longer as he pulls a torch off the wall and begins to walk into the darkness ahead of you.
"I heard another treasure hunter does the same thing and decided to follow his example!"
Following behind, you can't help but be simultaneously impressed and unsettled by the tunnel.
Makeshift torches instead of electric lights. Clean cut tunnels, going through dirt and solid rock. Its difficult to tell if the man simply got lucky and cut into some natural caves or if you're walking through feet up feet of hand dug tunnels.
Your wondering is brought to an abrupt stop as Lier steps into a small hole in a wall. Entering into a small, pitch black chamber.
Standing outside you see Lier gesture with his torch, attempting to illuminate something in front of him.
"Isn't it amazing! I've FINALLY kicked off my treasure hunting career! This is the BIG ONE! THE BIG ONE!"
As you look into the chamber, you see something half-excavated from the dirt and stone. You see a:
[] A strange golden statue
[] A small, but malefic looking idol
[] A stone tablet depicting a snake-haired figure
[] The remains of some dark place of worship
Talk to Buzz-Buzz More (Diplomacy)
[AUTOPASS]
The long dirt road leading away from town and winding back to your home on the outskirts is a path you're quite accustomed to.
You are used to walking it alone.
However the long dirt road is typically accompanied by an equally long stretch of silence.
Having someone, anyone, with you to talk to felt unnatural.
Felt alien.
"So how are you able to do all of this?" You ask Buzz Buzz, resting your bat on your shoulder after an otherwise uneventful day around town.
"Haven't I told you before? I didn't want to see innocent people die." Buzz Buzz spoke clearly, having made a habit of perching themselves atop your shoulder.
"That's not what I asked."
You keep your eyes on the road ahead of you.
"I asked how you're able to do all this. I mean, you fall out of the sky, you fly in through my bedroom window, I almost got strangled to death by a lamp, and now we're talking about stopping some genocidal space lunatic."
Though you try to speak as placidly as you can, you can't stop your eyes from reflexively narrowing.
"And I can't help but feel you're speaking from a place of experience on a lot of this stuff."
Silence came after the words left your mouth.
Buzz Buzz said nothing. It went on for so long that you actually stopped and looked to your shoulder, having to check to make sure he hadn't fallen or flown away.
"I used to be a part of Giygas's Army."
As you turn your head, you look to the alien as the admission is voice.
"I was intended to be one of his lieutenants, you know? Albeit a 'minor' one."
Though his 'face' is far different from a humans, you can tell he's not looking at you.
"I wish I could say I was conscripted or forced. But the reality is I wanted to join."
You can tell he's staring off into the middle distance.
"I might be an 'alien' to you, but in the grand scheme of things I'm not that worldly. Giygas was just as much an alien to me as I was to you."
"The place where I came from doesn't even have a name. Giygas stopped by my world looking for recruits to invade some 'savage planet' whose inhabitants stole from his people. I wanted to go on an adventure, fight villains…"
The alien beetle's gaze flicks up to the sky above your heads.
"Feel important."
"So you signed up to invade this place?" You eventually find the words to speak and seem to startle Buzz-Buzz.
They turn in place on your shoulder and finally meet your gaze.
"Hmm? Oh, no. Not here. Your other world."
You stare at Buzz-Buzz, shaking your head in confusion.
"What other-"
You stop.
The memory of what Buzz Buzz had said in your bedroom offhandedly comes back clear as day.
"You're talking about Earth, aren't you? This isn't the first time Giygas has tried this, is it?"
Buzz-Buzz fluttered his wings.
"Nope. Second time, really. I was a part of the rank and file of the first invasion. Or well, the first 'war' as we called it. I was the operator of a small craft. In terms of size…I think you call them 'dinner plates'?"
You start walking again, no longer feeling comfortable standing in place.
Moving your legs helps you process things, or at the very least avoid feeling things you don't want to…
"They're costly to automate, even for Giygas's race, so they had me and beings my size operate them as pilots. Beings like me aren't really built for 'durability' apparently."
"Did you kill anyone?"
The question that burned in your mind fell from your mouth less than gracefully.
"I was prepared to, or I thought I was. I went in expecting some exciting, hectic battle but in reality most of my time during the 'war' was spent waiting around. Floating through forests, swamps, by a graveyard once. Waiting for orders and looking for 'enemies'."
Buzz Buzz flicked open the top layer of his shell that normally shielded his wings, in the equivalent of a shrug.
"I didn't end up seeing much action. But it's the reason why I know at least the basics of how your society works. Or is supposed to work anyway. There wasn't much to do besides wait, read road signs, root through garbage, and investigate what was around me."
Your eyes narrow again, this time in thought.
"How exactly did the 'war' end?"
"Suddenly." Buzz Buzz exhaled. "One minute I was told we'd be destroying some dangerous, savage aliens and the next I was ordered to make an immediate retreat as the mothership left the planet entirely. It wasn't long before I was back with the fleet."
"I didn't see combat. But…a lot of the people I trained with did. And a lot of them didn't make it. Since I survived, I got promoted. Though not because I was skilled, or proved myself."
"Giygas sensed I had an innate potential for PSI. So they allowed me to learn some techniques. At the time I saw my size as a weakness, but they saw my size as 'ideal' for what they wanted me to do."
"For a time, things were great. My disappointment from not seeing much action in the 'war' faded as I received training. I got special treatment to a degree. I didn't know everything, but I felt I was told more than most."
"Since plenty of my comrades died in the fighting, I didn't really question things at first. All I could really think about was getting another shot to prove myself. To be useful."
"But the more I heard about what I was supposed to do, and the more I heard tales from the war from my comrades, the less things started to make sense."
"I mean, we lost a small fleet of microsaucers, dozens of combat robots, alien ground troops, and three giant robots designed expressly for assassination and mass destruction…"
"To three adolescent humans and another with weird hair."
"Not an army, not some powerful being using the secrets stolen from Giygas's people. Just…children." There's still a sense of disbelief in Buzz-Buzz's voice as he speaks, as if the idea was still difficult to grasp.
"I didn't want to believe it at first. I was more mad than shocked. To learn so many of my comrades had died what I felt were pathetic deaths. But…the more I thought about it, the more it sank in how wrong that was." Buzz Buzz shook their entire body.
"And it wasn't long before everything started to feel wrong."
"The more I heard the more it made me think. The more I began to question things. I didn't feel comfortable raising any objections, but eventually I wanted to know more than what Giygas felt I needed to know."
"So I did a little snooping. And while what I found wasn't much…it made the full extent of what he wanted to do clear to me."
"After that, I knew what I had to do."
"Just like that?"
"Yep. Maybe it wasn't as instantaneous as I liked. I wasn't stupid. I've seen Giygas or…what he used to be. And caught a glimpse of what he turned into."
The alien paused. Shuddering briefly, as if the memory alone was enough to unsettle them.
"I knew what would happen if I got caught, or even if I didn't. But one of the reasons I joined Giygas was to go on an adventure and live a life without regrets. I'm happy to say I'd very much regret killing off an entire race of people."
"..."
"Do you fault me for what I did?" Buzz Buzz asks. "For fighting for the 'enemy'. Would you hate me if I had killed humans in the past?"
"No."
You shake your head, not hesitating as you speak.
"Most people on this world have done fucked up things. Either because they were tricked, they were stupid, or they just didn't care."
Dirt is kicked up as you walk, your shoes leaving print in the soft road as you move. As if your steps were made heavier by your unpleasant thoughts.
"You don't think my reputation is just an accident do you?" You look at Buzz Buzz.
"Just because I'm not the scary thug everyone thinks I am doesn't mean I haven't done bad things."
You glance over your shoulder, back at town.
"Things I regret…"
But you refuse to let yourself linger, and face forward once more. Gritting your teeth, masking old feelings with anger.
"If people can't change, then the world can't change. And I'm tired of believing that cynical bullshit."
"I don't hate you because you're an alien, and I don't hate you because you used to work for Giygas. As long as you don't get all teary eyed when we open your boss's head like a bag of chips, then we're still partners."
Buzz Buzz looks to you in genuine surprise. Their wings being to flutter, almost involuntarily as they hum with a happy energy.
"Thank you, C.D"
"You can thank me by continuing to talk." You glance away to hide your embarrassment, puffing out your chest as you speak. "If you're going to dump your baggage on me like that, at least tell me the juicy bits. The fact this happened before means Giygas lost. "
Idly you swing your bat.
"So tell me how that happened, even if you didn't fight yourself you had to have heard how your boss got his shit pushed in."
"Well, the humans who cut a swathe through our ranks couldn't beat Giygas in battle. I didn't think anyone could."
"But they still won, right?"
"In a sense. They appealed to his sense of empathy." You're not able to stop yourself from looking at Buzz Buzz and frowning. The disbelief that wells up inside you is palpable. Just the thought of trying to stop someone, never mind someone powerful, by appealing to their 'better nature' seems ridiculous.
"It was somewhat taboo to talk about what happened after the fact, but I pieced some details together after enough Time. Giygas has some connection to humanity. Something the group of humans who fought him abused when they were on the verge of losing their fight. Whatever they did compromised him emotionally, prompted him to flee the planet entirely." Yet there's no hint of a lie in Buzz Buzz's voice as he speaks.
"Will that work this time?" You ask. "I don't really want to try and appeal to the good nature of someone who's trying to commit genocide. I'd rather just kick his ass."
"No." The alien's voice grows abruptly grave and Buzz Buzz shook his horned head.
"Giygas attempted to learn from his 'mistake' last time. He was…different after we retreated. He shut himself off from his emotions and became…"
Buzz Buzz stopped. Dropping the words that might leave his lips and abandoning them. He didn't want to put into words what couldn't be put into words.
"Giygas isn't a thing that can be reasoned with. Not anymore. Not in any meaningful capacity anyway."
"Good." You say, flashing a grin.
"I'm bad at that touchy feely crap anyway. Giygas deserves to be beat, for good. If he's expecting the people to stop him this time to walk up and start singing songs, I'll enjoy seeing the look of surprise on his stupid face."
Buzz Buzz remains silent. He stares at you, as if still in awe of your attitude.
Yet you can tell there's a flicker of worry.
"So, what are our odds of beating Giygas?" You ask bluntly.
Buzz Buzz hesitates for a moment, before flying ahead of you.
"Don't be anxious about the future, have faith!"
The alien cheers, racing with you as you begin to run.
"Besides, if I've learned anything from humans it's that the odds mean nothing when a human is determined enough."
[★Buzz Buzz has gained +10 Opinion of you★]
Bribe your way to the "Hangout Spot" (Stewardship)
DC 45
1d100 = 61+7 = 68 [SUCCESS!] It takes you most of the month to get the plan in motion.
Collecting spare change here, fishing around in storm drains for lost bills there, and regularly checking the garbage and the delivery schedules of Mach Pizza and the Burger shop.
You wait outside the gates of the school until well after the bell has rung. The excuse being you were going to make sure your siblings weren't being held back for stupid reasons.
Waiting, you watched as the trickle of teens and kids out of the building slowed to almost nothing.
Squatting in the shadows beside the sign just outside the chain-link fence, you rise as soon as your target comes into view.
You don't know his name, but his distinct Mr. Baseball Cap makes him stand out like a sore thumb.
As you approach from behind you can hear him mumbling to himself.
"Ugh, I shouldn't be getting attention for swearing when the curse word was IN the actual book we were reading. They shouldn't ask me to read aloud if they don't want an authentic-"
"Hey, kid."
Immediately the boy freezes in place, his body stiffening with fear. Wheeling back, he locks eyes with you and you see the all too familiar reaction.
"Oh fuck." He whimpers, hands squeezing the straps of his backpack.
Immediately he clears his throat. "Uffh, uh, heeeeey there C.D! Haven't seen you around in forever! Hahaha..."
You can already see him taking small steps backwards, eyeing the street behind him. Hoping that putting cars between you and him will give him a chance to get away.
It's now or never.
"You know and your friends have a hang out spot where you don't have to worry about the Sharks, right?" You ask, leaning against the school sign with your arms crossed.
Sweat begins to collect on the boy's head, eyes filling with panic. "Uhhh-"
"Of course you do. I want to you to invite me to your hangout. I'm sick of dealing with the gang crap. So I want in."
Adjusting the Mr. Baseball Cap on his head, the boy visibly struggles to contain his anxiety. Eyes flickering about, desperate for some sort of plausible excuse or escape.
You can tell any moment, he's likely to just straight up run.
Which is the moment you step aside and reveal your trump card.
"I'm not going to bother twisting your arm if you say no, but if you do I'm eating all of this by myself."
The boy's confusion is palpable until you see him lay eyes on the collection you've made.
Nestled behind you, deliberately arranged atop a loose crate you pulled from an alley, was a display of every junk-food item you could imagine someone wanting.
A large pepperoni pizza sat with an open lid, visible heat rising from it's surface as the equivalent of a six-pack of burgers was packed in the box beside it.
Crisp lettuce and grilled meat mixing with the powerful scent of melted cheese pepperoni.
Looking on, you watched as the boy's fear faded and his hand instinctually went to his stomach.
You know the lunches at school are revolting. Apparently that's the one thing that was also carried from 'America' back on Earth.
Even pizza day is the equivalent of eating cheese off a piece of cardboard. Most days kids skip lunch to avoid feeling like they're going to die in the middle of class.
And hunger is the best spice.
"I don't..." The boy tries to speak, but his eyes keep flicking from item to item.
A big bag of fries, a six pack of colas, pork rinds...
All of it carefully laid out and, in some cases, cleaned. Mach Pizza and the Burger Shop apparently throw away prank orders when they're not paid for...
"There's not anything with shellfish in there, right?" The boy asks, and for a moment you feel a small surge of panic.
"...I think there's some garlic knots buried in here-?"
The boy's eyes light up like Christmas trees.
"Come with me right now." ︵‿︵‿︵‿︵
Carrying the stash of food, you allowed the Mr. Baseball Hat kid to lead you forward.
You weren't surprised when he started head of out of town, but you were surprised when he started heading towards the local library.
Leading you around back, you found yourself being guided through the woods. The canopy overhead so thick that a large portion of light was shut out, casting the world below into an obscured overcast.
Following them carefully, you started to wonder if he was intentionally trying to ditch you when the boy can to an abrupt stop next to a seemingly random tree.
"OK, we're here." The boy said, rapping loudly against the side of the tree with a rock off the ground.
Not a second sooner, a rope ladder unfurled from the leaves above and landed at the base. Someone shouting down with a "Finally! Get up here man, you're late!"
The boy looks between you, the food, and then up above before starting to climb up the ladder.
Carrying it up is a pain, but you do so. Moving slow enough that you hear the boy above you begin to talk.
"Uh, hey guys! Sorry I was late, but uh, some pretty weird stuff happened-"
"Don't try to excuse yourself with some dumb joke. We both know you got out of detention like, five minutes ago. What could have possibly happened that delayed you?"
"Hello boys."
You stick your head up into a well furnished tree house, spying three boys nestled around a large table that appears to have been some old industrial spool in the past.
All three of them turn, look at you, and go pallid as they recognize you.
The Mr. Baseball Hat kid laughs like someone just stole his organs in his sleep. "Uh, yeah! I decided to bring a plus one..."
"What the hell man!"
A boy in a fedora of all things shouted, looking at you in dismay as you fully climb up and into the treehouse.
"We had an agreement that this place would stay between us! You broke a sacred oath!"
"But--But garlic knots!"
As tension begin to rise, you plop down the box in the middle of the table and open it up for all to see. Calmly and deliberately placing and arranging the snacks and drinks, before stepping away and shutting the floor hatch at your feet.
Harsh looks are thrown your way by everyone...before their eyes sloooooowly begin to gravitate towards the food.
"...What do you want?" The boy in the fedora finally asks meeting your gaze.
"I just want a place to hang out and talk with people my age. Lot of weird stuff has been going on lately."
You lean against the wall and try your best to smile in a way that doesn't seem like a threat.
Slowly, one of the boys hands inches towards the box, taking a slice and sniffing it...before immediately digging in.
"You aren't going to tell the Sharks about this place, are you? Or the cops?" The Fedora boy asks as, one by one, his comrades give into their hunger and begin to partake in the bounty.
"Not if you don't want me to." You say, your smile coming to you more naturally. Walking over and sitting at the table.
"So, what do you usually talk about around here?"
The Fedora boy grabs hold of a burger, awkwardly looks between his friends, before meeting your gaze.
"Have uh, you ever watched the avant-garde film made during the middle of the Invader Wars called My Last Dinner with Andre?"
You have no idea what the boy said, but some part of you instinctually clenches itself as you realize you might be in for an agonizing conversation.
"This is for the survival of the human race...This is for the survival of the human race..."
[YOU HAVE GAINED ACCESS TO THE HIDDEN TREEHOUSE!]
Collect Information (Intrigue)
DC: 20/35/75
1d100 = 72+3 = 75 [Tier 3 SUCCESS!] Normally it's rather difficult for you to get discretely get information. When you show up, all eyes tend to be on you. Which tends to make listening into conversations or asking things pretty hard.
However with the Sharks running amok and the police obsessed with keeping the down locked down, you find a rare opportunity where people aren't that concerned with you.
It allows you to listen in, ask around, and stick your face into things.
By the end of the month, you feel you have a pretty sizeable amount of information on not only the goings-on in Onnet, but on the major players too.
Frankie "Failproof" Fly & The Sharks:
Everyone knows Frankie Fly is the leader of the "Sharks". He's really the only adult among the group but carries the same eagerness and anti-authoritarian bent as the other teens. From what some people have described, he's like a bigger slightly more responsible kid that has deliberately steered the Sharks from anything too nasty. He in particular is firmly against underage drinking, but couldn't care less about physical violence.
Dressed in a red suit with shades, Frankie is rumored to carry two switchblades with him that he is surprisingly capable with. Though he seems to rarely get into fights, preferring to be the man quite literally behind the Sharks, he's by no means a slouch in a fight if rumors are to believed and isn't afraid to cut someone. Even if they're a kid.
According to some older people around town, Frankie was an original resident of Onnet who immigrated out into The City to fight work. If the gossip is to be believed, Frankie tried to get a job at Wily Corp. And he did...only as a mail clerk instead of a roboticist. At least if gossip is to be believed. Since then he's apparently held a mad grudge against Wily and his creations, and once when he was drunk he went on a tyraid claiming he'd: "SHOW THAT WIZENED MUSTACHIO'D PLAGERIST."
The Sharks themselves are a medium sized gang based out of the local Arcade, which you've heard Frankie technically owns through some legal and real-estate shenanigans. He has control of the property, but can't be held legally accountable for what goes on there. Which is likely why the Police haven't been able to raid the Arcade, at least not yet.
They're kids and teens dressed in shark themed helmets and outfits. All of them seem to try to stay as mobile as possible using skates, scooters, and to a lesser degree pogo sticks. None of them seem to have received any special training, they're simply more experience then most kids in getting into scrapes. Putting them on level with you to a degree. Their weapons are usually their fists, sticks, rocks, clubs, and occasionally the rare knife. They're not packing anything serious, but getting beat over the head by three people with skateboards is still rough. Shark members tend to work in groups and use their mobile to either run away quickly, or run down people they're after.
The goals of the Shark seem to be simple. Frankie seems to be pushing the gang to expand, both in terms of numbers and control. Something seems to have stirred his insecurities and has left him desperate to feel more in control. While not necessarily malicious, the Sharks aim to be the head honchos of Onnet. And are willing to throw fists and swing pipes to
Captain STRONG & The Onnet Police Force (O.P.F):
Captain Strong is the captain and founder of the Onnet Police Force. He's an older man and one who's met a few times in the past, albeit not under pleasant or favorable circumstances. Your mother once said that he was a rookie cop back on Earth, and the chaos he saw during Earth's last days shook him up badly. Now, as an older man, he's a rock who refuses to compromise.
While it might be easy to assume he's simply an old man on a power trip who has to hide behind his officers, the reality of the situation is that you've heard first hand accounts of him beating up groups of criminals entirely by himself.With his bare hands. Most of the 'criminals' were kids your age, but the fact it's clear he deliberately walks around without weapons to make a point.
You've heard a rumor that he claims to use "Super Ultra Sambo Mambo martial arts". However one particular kid at a library said that he's simply apparently covering up the fact he learned something called "Saikyo Style". Whatever that is.
The Onnet Police Force are a pretty big organization. With enough men to guard the borders of the Eagle Quarter and maintain security, and still get hired out to handle policing in cities like Fourson and Summers. Thankfully Onnet is where the least amount of the O.P.F are despite their HQ being based here. Making it, ironically, where they're the weakest.
As far as you can tell, the O.P.F don't have a lot of guns. Energy weapons like Zappers and the like are pretty rare, and since the locally made knock-offs are more likely to shoot the user then the person they're aiming at, it makes sense why they'd rely on nightsticks and such. The few firearms they do have are old pre-crash guns, kept for such severe emergencies you've never seen them used before.
Upside of the O.P.F is they very rarely go in intending to kill, unless they're dealing with mutants or something they don't see as 'human', or can't really arrest or detain. Even if they're unfair and thuggish, their main aim is to make arrests and solve crimes.
Downside is that even rookie officers are pretty dangerous in close quarters and since their boss likes to randomly shoulder throw people, they tend to be quick on their feet. The most skilled , overzealous cops are hired out to Summers. Making the place a living nightmare for anyone who so much as litters. Watch out for their nightsticks and their cookie-cutter martial arts.
Captain Strong has a zero tolerance policy for crime. Period. While the O.P.F are rent-a-cops, Strong has made it a point to never work for anyone who's technically a criminal. He wants to maintain order and the status quo, and will break the fingers of anyone who wants otherwise.
The O.P.F's goals right now seem to be locking down Onnet and wiping the slate clean. Totally breaking the otherwise harmless back of Onnet's 'criminal underworld. You heard that, following the Meteor Crash, that Captain Strong began acting much more aggressively. One conversation you overheard between two cops mentioned that Captain Strong was having nightmares bordering on flashbacks to the Invader Wars. You don't know how they intend to do it, but it's clear the O.P.F intend to make Onnet a 'crime free city'. And once they've done that, they intend to tighten their influence over all of Onnet. Though you have no idea how they plan to do that, and maybe they don't know yet either...
B.H. Pirkle & ???
Pirkle.INC is the local corporation that runs the city of Onnet. The owner is B.H Pirkle who likes to go by 'mayor' despite not really holding anything remotely resembling a democratic office.
He owns a share in a lot of the small businesses in town as well as the baseball bat factories in town that process lumber from the nearby forests into the instruments of everyone's favorite American pastime. And it apparently it makes him fairly decent money, especially in the rare instances he's able to export the bats, since baseball bats made from real wood aren't super common in the rest of The City.
You almost forgot to look into the mayor. Mostly because from your experience he's a passive loser who seeks to avoid responsibility for everything. Everyone in town more or less assumes the guy is just the O.P.F's puppet.
...However, given what you've recently learned about Captain Strong, a little poking around has made it clear that's not the case at all.
Because Captain Strong is obsessed with order and the status quo, it means that despite having significantly more influence and leverage the Pirkle, he always tries to abide by his decrees. Since, as the local corp, he's the local 'government' and thus the issuer of the law Strong wishes to uphold.
While it's clear Pirkle didn't seem to care about that until now, the weird decree to lock up the entertainers shack and the odd cave behind it feels out of character. The man always reacts to problems, never heads them off at the pass.
Cornering Pirkle's secretary one night out front of Mach Pizza, you managed to startle them into talking. Getting them to drop that recently the mayor has been taking late into the night with someone. Initially they assumed it was them taking late night calls, but when they tried to listen in on the lines...it became clear if Pirkle was talking to someone it wasn't over the phone.
Pirkle almost never leaves the mayor's office in the center of town, which is one of the most open and well fortified places in the city. While he doesn't have any 'minions' as far as you can tell, the police are at his beck and call and he's got a fair bit of money at his disposal. Meaning getting to him will be difficult, at least with all the trouble still going on around Onnet...
Ask Buzz-Buzz to Teach You about PSI (PSI) (Buzz-Buzz)
DC:25/50/75
1d100 = 98 + 8 +35 + Buzz Buzz's Loyalty Bonus (3.5 rounded down to 3) = 144 [SMAAAASHSUCCESS!] "So, how do I learn this stuff exactly?"
You find yourself brought to the woods behind your house by Buzz-Buzz. Having asked him to show you how PSI works, he brought you to the most secluded place you knew of.
"That's the tricky thing about PSI, it can't necessarily be 'taught'." Buzz Buzz orbited around you as he spoke, going in and out of your view of vision.
"You either have latent PSI potential, or you don't. A being that doesn't possess the potential for PSI cannot gain them through other means, at least under any circumstances I've heard of anyway."
The flitter of insect wings stops, but you find yourself unable to hear Buzz Buzz.
"So do I have the potential or not? And if I do, how can you awaken this power? Do I have to sit down and meditate or something?"
Buzz Buzz actually laughs at that.
"No, no. Nothing like that. The powerful, and unusual thing, about PSI is that most of the time simply coming into contact with something possessing PSI or effected by PSI, is enough to awaken that latent power."
You're tempted to turn around, but your gut tells you to remain where you are.
"Of course, just because someone's powers are awakened doesn't mean they're aware of them. PSI is the power of the mind after all. If you aren't aware, or don't believe, you can do something then why would think to try it?"
Around you the forest seems far quieter then before. As if it's just you, Buzz Buzz, and your thoughts.
"Sometimes just the idea of the power is enough. Seeing an enemy use a strange technique, fighting animals or people influenced by PSI, finding notes in your basement from a long forgotten relative talking about strange powers..."
There's a pause in Buzz Buzz's explanation, his tone growing suddenly more severe.
"That's why Giygas wishes to eradicate humanity. A human stole the secrets of his race, and due to the nature of PSI, just the notes and knowledge he brought back were enough to risk changing everything. After all, PSI can develop in a vacuum. But if the 'idea' of it persists in a race long enough, it will begin to develop in more and more people."
You can't help but think about what Buzz Buzz is saying.
After all, even you knew the concept of 'psychic powers' before. It's a common element of fiction, of fantasy. And it has been for quite some time. Even in the old popular culture back on Earth, if some of the things your mother said in the past are any indication.
"Is that all it took?" You ask. "Just the idea that it could be done?"
"How one views things changes everything. Humans aren't perfectly rational beings after all, anymore then most aliens. But it's because of that irrationality that you're able to see the world as something else. And thus, change it into something else. Normally it's through more practical, mundane means, but the same principle applies for PSI."
"Where does the power come from, just inside of our heads?" As you speak, you can't help but feel a bit feverish.
"No. The energy released by PSI is drawn from something called the Dreamlands. It's a realm of consciousness, connecting many, many living things. Of course, that's only in a general sense. The focal point of a person's PSI comes from their 'Magicant'. Think of it like a personal slice of the Dreamlands. Private property."
Your face scrunches up as you try to understand what's being said, and Buzz Buzz seems to catch your confusion.
"Don't fixate on the 'where'. Just focus on the action itself. Now..."
There is a flash in front of you. Brilliant scattering of purple diamonds that form a wall in front of you. Behind it you can vaguely see Buzz Buzz flying. As it appears, you hear something in your mind.
"PSI SHIELD Σ!"
"Now, close your eyes and focus! What do you think you can do? What comes naturally? Concentrate and try to push it outwards towards me. Don't worry, my shield can stop a Starman, I'll be safe!"
Heart beating heavily in your chest, the feverish feeling intensifies.
Closing your eyes tightly, you can still see the purple barrier even through your eyelids.
No, not with your eyes. You shut your eyes, but you didn't shut your mind.
Inhaling you try to focus. You imagine winding up a swing, or throwing a ball, but it all feels to physical.
So instead you relax. You let the first thing come to your mind guide you as you hold out your hand.
"PSI-"
Your pulse quickens as a warmth spreads from your head, down your arms. Like a rush of water escaping. The feeling, the 'thought' pushes outwards-
"W-what!?"
You hear surprise, panic in Buzz-Buzz's voice, and your eyes snap open.
As you open your eyes you see the purple barrier in front of him unraveling.
Along with the trees, the ground, and the air itself.
Bits of matter and energy spindle off, like a stray thread pulled from a stuffed animal. Becoming threadbare before your eyes, threatening to come apart.
Yet as soon as hesitation fills you, the urge to stop enters your mind, the strange sight ceases to be. And the purple barrier abruptly snaps back together.
As it does, you're hit with a wave of exhaustion and you feel sick to your stomach.
"Ugh, what happened? Are you alright?" You nearly double over, your head burning as you drop to you knees.
"Yes, yes! I was just surprised! I've never seen anything like that before!"
The lack of fear in Buzz Buzz's voice surprises you as he flies over, all but zipping over as they hover in front of your face. The barrier disappearing behind them as they do so.
"What...what was that?"
"That? I don't know. It's like no other PSI technique I've seen. Which might mean it's unique to you."
Sick to your stomach, you look up with a mix of disbelief and concern.
"Unique to me?"
"Yes. PSI is a power of the mind after all. Naturally, the unique circumstances of someone's experiences or feelings manifests into an ability only they truly possess. Abilities like that don't have a normal name, they often carry the name of something important to that person."
You grasp your temples, breathing as you feel your fever on the verge of breaking.
"I don't...I don't remember what I was thinking about though. I doubt I could do that again."
"I'm sorry." Buzz Buzz apologies, awkwardly. "You didn't fully manifest the ability, probably out of concern for me. Don't worry though, if it happened once I assure you it will happen again!"
"Ugh, if I feel like this everytime I use PSI I don't know if it's worth learning..." You groan.
"Ah, you've likely burned your most of your 'PSI Power' or P.P. Using such a powerful technique is likely the reason you're feeling so awful. PSI is like any muscle. The more you work it, the easier it gets and the stronger your abilities get. The fact you didn't pass out shows that you already have a tremendous power inside of you."
You look down at your hands. Opening and closing.
For some reason things feel...different.
"And it appears you've awakened to your first 'normal' PSI ability." Buzz Buzz says, flying down and resting on your knee.
"Now, when it comes to PSI techniques, PSI users fall into certain categories. Those who possess mostly supportive or defensive techniques, those who primarily have offensive abilities, those who have a mix of both at the cost of being weaker across most fronts or taking longer to master them, or the rare few who possess singular elemental PSIs at a level no other can possess."
The fever disappears.
Something within you changes.
"Now, C.D, tell me...what kind of PSI user are you?"
Your answer comes naturally. It's instinctive, almost.
You are:
[] An Offensive PSI User (Learn PSI Freeze α. Locks C.D into mostly offensive, damaging, debuffing PSI) [] A Supportive PSI User (Learn Lifeup α. Locks C.D into mostly defensive, healing, and buffing PSI) [] A Balanced PSI User (Learn Shield α. Allows C.D to learn both offensive and defensive PSI, at the cost of learning them far slower and being barred from higher 'tiers' of them.) [] A Specialized 'Kinetic' User (Learn a single random elemental PSI. You are barred from learning any PSI not related to that element, but are able to learn it at a tier beyond Ω)
[Cass Darnel gains +2 Points to their PSI Score!] [Cass Darnel is on the verge of learning a unique PSI power!]
Try to Lay Low (Buzz Buzz's Personal Action)
[No Roll Needed] Buzz Buzz couldn't help but find it difficult to keep his head down.
Being so small, it was natural to assume many didn't see him. But to take extra caution, extra steps, to be seen at all was exhausting.
He couldn't know for certain if he was being followed, or being looked for. Part of him wondered if preparing was a better option then hiding.
However Buzz Buzz knew it wasn't just his life on the line anymore.
So he took his lumps and did what had had to. Fueled on by the knowledge, by the idea, that whoever could be looking for him would be biting their tongue in frustration.
Buzz Buzz knew a fight was inevitable...but he needed more time.
She needed more time.
[Next Enemy Action roll made to locate Buzz Buzz will be made with disadvantage!]
Here's my first attempt at writing an actual omake. Enjoy. Or don't, if the quality isn't good. If it isn't, tell me so I can improve on it later.
Mirror of Possibilities
Ever since you've parted ways with Lier, that mirror sat on your table.
It is honestly kind of insane you even considered bringing it home, and not just smashing it back then, but…
Lier, despite him digging out the tunnel all by himself, was still just some guy thinking he'll be the treasure hunter, someone who grew up without really growing up. Someone ignorant of what it really meant to be a treasure hunter, even though, ironically enough, he was successful in finding a treasure, underneath his house at that.
When he touched the mirror, he changed. He was still Lier. Same name, same face, same… mild lack of lucidness, for the lack of better word.
Thing is, he wasn't Lier the Treasure Hunter. He was Doctor Agerate, a professor of archaeology, who was just in a middle of exploring ruins of "La-Mulana". He tried to explain it, and mentioned some "Mother", and "La-Mulana" being amalgamation of ruins all over the planet, and also supposedly being a birthplace of all civilizations? You didn't quite get it, and he didn't quite get it either, which is why he was exploring it in the first place.
You can't exactly compare the two, but the crows that nearly pecked your eyes out got easily swatted out of the sky with a whip by him, which was an impressive display of skill, which was quickly overshadowed by him jumping roughly five meters up to finish off a crow that tried to escape.
Fortunately, with some experimentation, you two learned that the process could be reverted, bringing Lier the Treasure Hunter back, and sending Prof back to continue exploring those ruins.
Which is why this mirror sits in your room now. You might've felt a bit bad about taking it from Lier, but apparently he forgot about this whole swapping incident happening after finding some tablet in that same tunnel you found the mirror in, and when you asked about the mirror, he told you that you could keep it.
(It occurred to you that your misgivings regarding Lier's capabilities as a treasure hunter might not be justified)
You…
You have a rough idea of what the mirror does, after discussing it with Prof. It swaps around the person touching the mirror with their counterpart from alternative timeline. And considering that he is probably stronger than his original (if this word is applicable at all – nothing says that you have to be the original), it makes sense that you should try and find stronger version of yourself to fight Giygas.
And yet, you hesitate, and for a good reason.
You're afraid of losing yourself. You wrote down some instructions, and discussed it with Buzz-Buzz (who thought it was a terrible idea to test this thing out and tried to talk you out of this), but what if alternative-you doesn't want to swap back? What if she's a complete bitch and will try to hurt your siblings?
But survival of a human race is on a line. Sometimes you just got to take the risks. Plus, you've got Buzz-Buzz on standby, and he'll step in if necessary.
You take a deep breath, bracing yourself, before you touch the mirror.
Floating in space, you see constellations full of colourful stars, all shining brightly.
And just as you notice one star in particular starting to shine more brightly than the rest, you heard sound of glass shattering, and felt yourself being pulled back. This sensation of being pulled back was enough for you to pull your hand from the mirror as well, and immediately, you could tell that something changed, and yet it didn't.
"I am still me.", you say to reassure Buzz-Buzz, who was anxiously waiting, ready to restrain your potential alternative version and force them to touch the mirror. "I know something changed, and yet I can't quite tell what did."
"Well, your attire changed, if it helps?", he said. You look down, inspecting your new change in attire.
Something in your head clicks when you see a striped blue-and-yellow t-shirt. When you realize you don't hold your old cracked baseball bat, but a new one, which feels perfect, like it belongs in your hand, another puzzle piece goes where it belongs.
Finally, you take off a baseball cap you just realized you were wearing now.
It was red.
The floodgates in your head open, and you grin. The memories of other Cass pour in, filling you in on details of who she was, and what she did.
How she left her house late at night, when the meteor crashed, and found Buzz-Buzz. Her embarking on a quest to save the world, first, with only Buzz-Buzz at her side, but slowly joined by Paula, Jeff, Pu, and many others. How she fought Sanctuary Guardians, slowly growing in power, stopping zombies, cults, and brainwashing statues. How she met Mr. Saturns, Dr. Andonuts, Apple Kid, and many other individuals—
You stop grinning once you start learning of other things she went through.
How Buzz-Buzz died, trying to protect them until the end. How Eagle Quarter slowly turned into a shithole on-par with the rest of the City due to Giygas's influence. How she and others had to transfer their consciousness into robot bodies, because Phase Distorter would kill them otherwise. How she and others confronted Giygas and that little shit Porky. How Giygas turned into that thing, which was so alien and incomprehensible to human mind that you cannot describe it with words.
And how she spent her last moments laying on the ground, her robot body crumbled and broken, celebrating victory over Giygas, mourning Paula, Jeff and Pu, and lamenting the fact she wouldn't get to see her mother or siblings one last time.
It's a lot to take in. In fact, you're unsure how much of what you learned from Other Cass's struggles could apply to this timeline. But even if it turns out every bit of possible information you learned from her was garbage, which was nigh-impossible, considering sheer amount of coincidences across two timelines, you still had one ace up your sleeve – you still inherited her psychic prowess.
"Buzz-Buzz. I don't know how this swap thing works, but we have to talk.", you say, turning to him. He was still silent, waiting for you to say anything while you sorted through Other Cass's memories. "Because I've learned a lot information in the span of the past minute. And all of it is extremely important."
Giygas won't know what hit him.
A/N: What if Cass found Glass Mirror, and by sheer chance got a glimpse of a world where Ness!Cass already saved the world? I probably overlooked something, or straight up got it wrong, so if I did, sorry, its getting late.
I briefly contemplated trying to make a charsheet for Ness!Cass, but it would just be "Stats: High to Yes", with high-tier Earthbound (and crossover) items in inventory, so I decided against doing so.
... Strange. It's been a long time since something like this has happened to me. I didn't startle you did I? If I did I guess I should apologize. I didn't mean to barge in on your dreams like that.
Yeah I said dreams, you're asleep right now, and so am I. That's one of my abilities, though it's one of the few I can't really control. We're stuck right now, but once one of us wakes up the connection will break and everything will be back to normal.
Normal people can't see me or hear me when I do this, but you can. Are you special in some kind of way? I know you can hear me but you can't really talk back to me. Maybe if I try reading your mind?
...Ah, that would explain it. You're psychic too. Freshly awakened in fact. That would explain how we connected from so far away. I've never reached all the way to that side of Eagle Quarter before. Your area of effect and mine just happened to intersect and it brought us together. Strange how things work out sometimes huh? That might explain why you can't talk either. You're still new to this, so your powers are relatively weak for now.
Hmm... why don't you try reading my mind? You just need to reach out with your mind. Listen and feel for something that you've never heard or felt before. Your powers are extrasensory, so it should feel different somehow. Sorry if that doesn't make much sense, I forget how I read my first mind since I learned how when I was young. Focus, and reach out.
See? I knew you could do it! Ah, it was difficult for you though wasn't it? That's fine, I'll keep talking then so you don't have to strain yourself. Although I hope you don't mind that I may have to read your mind a few times if I ask any questions.
I guess the first thing I want to ask is this. Are you happy with your lot in life? Do you wake up every morning feeling full and fulfilled? Sorry to start off with such a big question but, I need to know.
...
That's fair. It's your life, after all, you're the best one to judge it. I'm not really happy with my lot in life, at least not all of it. I guess I can't complain too much though. Maybe I should have led with an easier topic. How about we talk about our powers?
As far as I remember I always had my powers, or at least I did when I was 6 or so. I've kept them secret all this time, no one knows but the man I trust most in the world. At first, it was all small stuff, the ability to read minds and pick up small objects. As I got older it evolved a bit, I could conjure threatening images to scare and confuse people, and I could heal people's injuries by causing them to forget their own pain. I can even teleport away from danger, although I never knew where I would land.
When people first think about gaining powers, about being superhuman or an Esper they think about all the things they could do and fights they could win. They never think about the downsides or the potential consequences. Since I learned how to read minds I've never been successfully lied to. I can hear every cruel thought of people on the street who think I'm a thuggish punk. When someone tries to cheer me up or say it isn't that bad I can see through them to see the truth. Part of being psychic means being able to see through the veils people put up, but some of those are there for a reason.
Sorry, didn't mean to get preachy. It's just rare when I can talk to someone who gets it, you know? Maybe I should stop picking the topics of conversation. If you have any questions, think about them and I'll read your mind.
Who am I? Good question. I'm not too keen on the idea of giving my name up but... you're like me. I think I can trust you. My name is Akira Tadokoro. I'm psychic just like you. I have a younger sister who's cute and kind, but she gets sick really easily and I worry about her a lot. She worries about me too, since I get in fights so often. You could say that I'm a troubled child, although who isn't these days?
I live in an orphanage, no way around that. I'm like the big brother of all the little squirts that live there. When people pick on them I go pick fights for them, if they get hurt I walk over with a bandaid and a little hypnotherapy to make sure they don't cry. I have a part-time job at a takoyaki stand for a little pocket change and to help make ends meet. Taeko is our caretaker and she's really nice, although she seems to forget that I'm not a kid anymore. I can drive a motorcycle and have a part-time job, but she still scolds me like I'm a kid with a hand in the cookie jar.
I have a big brother named Matsu, although some people call him Lawless. We're not related by blood but I'm sure he loves me like a brother. He owns the takoyaki stand that I work at sometimes. He's the only person I've ever told about my powers, he told me to keep a lid on them and keep them secret, but also that they would be important somehow. Ah... looks like I'm going to be waking up soon, so this little conversation is almost over. Got any more questions for me?
... I'm not sure if we'll be able to talk again like this. Don't get me wrong it was nice and I'd love to but this was just a spur-of-the-moment thing, I'm not sure if it can be repeated. You might not even remember that we had this talk in the morning. Plus you still can't talk back to me and I'm sure that is getting very, very annoying.
Meeting in person is even more unlikely. Your home town is very, very far away from mine and I can say for sure I have no reason to head that way. Still... it would be interesting to meet another psychic in person.
Before I go... there's something weird going on where I am. I don't know why or how but people seem to be acting irrationally. Or maybe it is rational, but only to them. Gangs and people picking fights, animals going violent. I hope that it's safer where you are.
The last thing I want to say, as one psychic to another is this. Stay safe and good luck with whatever it is you're doing. You can change the world, even if the impact is small. So don't give up, no matter how hard it gets. Good Night. I hope we can meet again someday.
Live A Live originally came out on the Super Famicom which is pretty much adjacent to the Super Nintendo and the 4th generation of consoles. It consists of 7 different chapters that have different themes, protagonists, gameplay styles, and so on. Akira comes from the Near Future chapter and is a psychic street punk in a vaguely sci-fi scenario where things like advanced robotics are a work in progress. At the start of his scenario, he pokes his head into the fourth wall and stares into your soul, asking you a few questions and teaching you about his power.
What I'm saying is that this boy is like, EarthBound/Mother adjacent in almost every way. Important mother figure, sibling relationships, psychic powers, although he's definitely a bit more violent than the average Mother protag.
I don't want to spam Omakes but this one struck me and I absolutely had to do it. I'm a pretty erratic writer so I'll probably go through dry spells sometimes, and other times I'll be slapping down two or more of these bad boys when inspiration strikes
"I'm not surprised all things considered. You certainly want to help people, it makes sense your mind would reflect that." Buzz Buzz says, circling around your head as you shakily get to your feet.
"Even if my PSI isn't intended for wrecking shit, I'm not going to let this change anything. If you think I'm going to be standing behind people and handing out psychic band-aids, then you're dead wrong."
"Of course, course!" Buzz Buzz laughs as you shoulder your back and begin to hobble your way home. "Nothing is more dangerous then someone who can hurt and heal in equal parts."
You can't help but smirk at the idea.
Arriving home, you fall asleep almost as soon as flop over onto the couch...
[C.D and Buzz-Buzz's sheets have been updated with their respective PSI!] [C.D is on the cusp of unlocking a powerful PSI ability...]
The dim, flickering orange light of Lier's torch only half illuminates the large chunk of stone.
But even then it's more then enough for you to process what it is and what's engraved upon it.
The Tablet looms over you.
As tall as a person and probably weighting at least a few hundred pounds.
Carved from solid rock the engravings across it aren't worn at all. Outside of erosion around the edges it seems pristine, yet ancient.
Unnaturally so.
Looking at the rock turns your stomach. Your hair starts to stand on end.
"Isn't it amazing?" Lier asks, breaking the suffocating silence as he stares at the rock in amazement. "I have no idea what it is, or what's written on it, but I know it's not anything recent."
His words barely register to you as you continue staring at the tablet.
At the open, ever piercing eye of the snake haired figure carved into the stone.
You should feel scared.
You should feel unnerved.
A part of you should sense that whatever this is, it's malefic.
...But all you feel is a sense of familiarity.
Where...where have you felt this before?
"Hey! What do you think you're doing!?"
You blink.
Without realizing it, you had walked right up to the tablet and touched it.
Lier brandishes his torch in anger. He seems far more lucid then he had before, and far more suspicious.
As you step back, he raises the torch and stares into your face. A look of realization flashing across his own.
"Wait! You're that girl! That delinquent! The one who-"
You glare through the man, your hand coiling around your baseball bat.
Lier shuts up, unwilling to finish his sentence.
He looks at you with hostility in his eyes, putting himself between you and the tablet.
"Get out." He spits. "Get out of here! I won't let you have my treasure you thief! If anything happens to this, I'll make sure the whole town knows it was you!"
Something is different about the man, but you're too angry to properly register it.
Sneering you walk backwards out of the cave and make a beeline for the ladder.
Your face hurts, you failed to get up the hill, and some crazy guy found a large creepy rock.
All in all, a waste of a day.
As you exit Lier's shack and start off back down the hill, you can't help but the shake the feeling you had down in the tunnels.
The feeling of familiarity.
[Lier X. Agerate has discovered the Strange Tablet]
TURN 2
Fresh Breeze Movement Petition
"Break the course of violence. Don't break the wind of change!".
"To stop the spread of the gang, someone should shut down their gathering places, don't you think? I've started a movement that will remove all the negative influences on children, I call it the Fresh Breeze Movement".
A local woman made a petition to the local governing corp in regards to the 'dissident youths'. They made some suggestions to help curb their behavior that the CEO mayor and the police are actually listening to. Though it's clear they're still preparing to take meaningful action, they're stepping up their game and appear to have some effective if pretty banal rhetoric to use.
Signs are already showing up around Onnet and various residents seem genuinely responsive to the concept.
Recycling is a Concept: Collecting Trash!
'Collecting' as in stealing.
The Sharks have shown an abrupt interest in raw materials and random junk.
Tools, sheet metal, lumber, tires, car parts, they're grabbing anything that's not nailed down. It's caused them to forgo lording over their territory a bit, but they've made off with a lot. And the cops haven't managed to catch a single Shark in the act! If they needed materials, they sure as hell have them now…
Insect Population Boom
Several local teachers have noticed an abrupt boom in the local insect population following the lockdown on Onnet. Though many believe this is simply another sign of the Eagle Quarters thriving ecosystem put in place by the hard work of the initial settlers, a number of kids and teens have voiced their distressed. Claiming to see particularly large and unusual looking insects around. When asked for specifics however, the witnesses can never seem to remember any...
Radio Signal...
The strange radio signal from a while back suddenly, harshly intensified to the point it was drowning out all other stations. Then, just as abruptly, it petered out into nothing. Like someone so close to a winning a game of Marco Pollo snatching failure from the jaws of victory.
Good thing too, you've been catching some good tunes from outside the Eagle Quarter for a change.
The Grape Vine Withers...
Since the lockdown not much information has been able to enter or leave Onnet.
Who knows what's going on in the rest of the Quarter?
Factionless
Note: (At the moment C.D is not in control of a faction. As such the 'faction actions' they take at the start will be recontextualized as personal actions.)
(While factionless they will have five actions to take per turn and no personal actions, since they will start with effectively nothing and will be working from the bottom up)
(Once C.D has gained control of or founded their own organization, the setup will transfer to the standard 4 Personal Actions + 5 Faction Actions setup.)
FACTION ACTIONS
Martial
[] Beat up Some Local Wildlife: You have no idea how you can start training yourself to properly fight, but the animals around town are way more aggressive than usual. If they want to pick fights, then why not give them some? The practice could teach you a thing or two. You now know the crows don't have rabies at least. Probably… DC: 25/50
[] Visit the Hill: Buzz-Buzz's meteorite/drop pod is likely still atop the hill. Buzz-Buzz still doesn't think there's anything important left there, and it's a winding trek to the top, but it could be worth investigating. You'll have to deal with some aggressive wildlife on the trip however. But that's just a chance to give those goddamn crows some payback. DC: 30
[] Commit Some Vandalism: A defaced sign here, a destroyed mailbox outside an officer's house here, slashing the tires of a parked police cruiser there. You're a delinquent and these are technically victimless crimes. As long as you don't consider the police or those in charge as victims. It won't exactly be shaking the foundations of the establishment, but you could certainly muddle things for them. This would also likely make you look better in the eyes of the Sharks. DC: 35/65/95
[] Pick a Fight with the Sharks: You're going to be fighting a legion of psychic, genocidal aliens. If you can't win a fight with some stupid teenagers dressed like dipshits in your own hometown, then what are you going to do when an actual threat shows up? Making members of this youth gang taste the pavement could paint a target on your back or it could earn you their respect …or an ass beating. If you do well enough you could make the Sharks more open to talk to you. Only one way to find out. DC: 50/75
[] Pick a Fight with the Police: The O.P.F were never really trustworthy before, but now it seems like they're up to something. Even if fighting a few of them won't help break the lockdown, covering your face and making some of the cops eat their own nightsticks will send a message. If you can actually beat some of them up and get away, the cops won't be any the wiser of who did it and the Sharks could look at you favorably. DC: 85
Diplomacy
[] Speak to your Neighbor: Your next door neighbor Porky isn't exactly your friend. Hell, you don't know if he has any friends. But living beside one another has to count for…something? His little brother Picky at least plays nice with your own siblings. You know from experience that getting him to help you in any meaningful capacity is like squeezing blood from a rock, but you need some support now. Maybe he'd be willing to get off his ass if there's something in it for him? DC: ???
[] Get Closer with the Treehouse Boys: You've found the treehouse and now that the food has run out, it's clear everyone's pretty awkward having you around. None of the boys seem like they'll be any direct help in what you're doing, but it's technically their treehouse and they're a portion of the kids who aren't involved with the sharks. Making nice with them and making it clear they can trust you could make getting others onboard later much easier. The whole genocidal alien invasion topic is definitely a 'later' sort of conversation however. Baby Steps. DC: 35/75
[] Speak to the Sharks: You know the Sharks aren't necessarily out to do anything malicious. They're self-serving, but compared to the cops they're saints. Being a gang of teenagers and kids, aren't exactly known for being rational and coherent individuals under normal circumstances. Frankie Fly however is a different story. The Sharks still have no reason to let you in the Arcade, but you might have an easier time talking to Frankie now that you know a bit more about him. Joining them could be easier than making your own group, but you wouldn't necessarily be in charge. Proving yourself, or winning their favor, would make it a lot easier… DC: 70
[] Speak to the Police: The police are out to eradicate the 'criminal' element in Onnet, and then the rest of the Eagle Quarter. There's a chance you can use this to your advantage if you can talk with them. Help them get rid of the Sharks first and simplify matters. Of course, being a part of the very element they wish to eradicate, and Captain Strong's beliefs, will make it a pretty hard cell. DC: 90
[] Found an Organization: You have access to the Treehouse, a private place to gather people and converse. It's a pretty ideal place, but the biggest hurdle is finding people to talk to and finding people willing to listen to you and having some manner of evidence to convince them you're not crazy. Taking a bug at their word isn't something most people are willing to do.
There's still plenty of preparation you need to do, but there's nothing physically stopping you from giving it the ol' college try. DC: 95
Stewardship
[] Get a Part Time Job: Mom's never around, but she always leaves messages on the answering machine and transfers enough money to pay the bills. However you have bigger things to worry about now then bills and money could make all the difference. Getting a part time job might not bring in a lot, but it'll be a lot to you. There are a few places in town that might take you in spite of your reputation. It'll eat up your time, but making money is all about investments, isn't it? DC: 25/50/75 [Note: This will eat up one of your 'faction' actions per turn]
[] Hire Lier to Put Up a Sign: Lier's pretty paranoid about you stealing his treasure. However, his day job is sign making. If you can scrounge up the money, having him make you some posters or signs could be a nice avenue towards things. At the moment all you can think to do is slander the police and the mayor, pissing them off is money well spent. And signs will ensure it lingers for a bit. DC: 30
[] Ask Mother For Money: Your working Mother has only ever really sent money needed to pay the bills, buy groceries, and handle any outstanding medical or dental issues in the house. They're not particularly open to spending money on anything that's not needed. However, they're also not around. Ever. So you could potentially get some money from them to spend on your efforts to save the world by calling them up and lying a bit. Telling the truth isn't likely to get you anywhere with her, it certainly hasn't in the past. DC: 35
[] Try toHeal People for Money:Healthcare in the Eagle Quarter is awful and Onnet is no different. The local hospital charges an arm and a leg for sub-par, largely outdated medical treatments. What used to be a concern now seems like an opportunity. With your new (albeit somewhat weak) healing PSI power, maybe you could make some cash? Of course, success hinges on if people are willing to come to you and if you can avoid fucking up with a power you only just got. Plus, even if you hide your face, the whole thing will likely get rumors circulating… DC: 20/40/80 (Uses PSI stat)
[] Check the Local Stores: The local Drug Store and some of the other shops in town aren't the most well stocked, but you never know what they have until you look. They could have some useful items or something strange to help even the playing field with whatever you'll be up against. It will probably cost you money however. DC: 30/60/90
[] Try to Bribe Your Way Past the Sharks: They could very well just beat your ass and take your money, but greasing some palms to try and speak to the leader of the Shark seems fairly straight forward. It might be a waste of money depending on what he has to say to you, if anything, but you won't know if you don't try. DC: 50, -1 Funds.
Intrigue
[] Sell Out the Location of the Treehouse: Et tu, CD?
Now that you know the location of the Treehouse…you're pretty sure the Sharks would be thankful to know where it is. Revealing it would certainly get you in the Sharks good graces and worsen your already terrible reputation. Nevermind burning bridges with the other kids that you haven't even crossed. But it'll get you what you want. DC: 15 (Warning: This action will worsen C.D's reputation and may permanently bar them from certain options if taken)
[] Investigate Why the Entertainer's Shack Was Locked: The 'Mayor' has had the shack and whatever's behind it locked up tight. The police are watching it like a bank that was under threat of being robbed. While not pertinent given everything else going on, the fact it's receiving so much attention is weird by itself. Especially after what you learned. Figuring out why might shed some light on things. DC: 30/60
[] Do a Crime!: A little breaking and entering never hurt anybody. Actually, no, you're pretty sure it has. But now's not the time to fret over that. Breaking into some houses and seeing what you can nab could net you some cash, or some interesting stuff. If you get caught there will be hell to pay, but better hell then your life and the lives of everyone here. DC: 40/80
[] Try to Sneak into the Arcade: It's always packed with Sharks, the front entrance is watched constantly, and the 'fence' boxing in the area out back of the arcade is more of a wall. However the Sharks seem pretty busy at the moment. If you can isolate a Shark's member, grab their headgear or mask, then you stand a chance of at least slipping inside. They won't be happy if you get caught, but it could net you a chance to speak to Frankie or further scope things out: DC: 50/70
[] Pose as the Sharks and Tag the Police Station: A dumb outfit, a can of spray paint, and the balls to tag the police station could make all the difference in the world. Getting the police fixated on the Sharks could ensure they both stay out of your way until you have things sorted out. Of course, it could lead to a lot of trouble, especially if you fuck it up. DC: 75
[] Steal the Strange Tablet from Lier: Lier X. Agerate found an unusual tablet beneath his house. And seems pretty intent on making money off it, even with the lockdown. He already suspects you'll try something, and who are you to defy someone's expectations? Stealing that large chunk of rock won't be easy since you can't exactly carry it off and Lier seems paranoid. But if you could get away with it, it could be a large boom. DC: 100
Learning
[] Research Organizations Types: If you did want to found a group, what would it even look like? How would it work? Why would anyone want to join it? How would you fund it? The more you think about it, the less clear it seems. Sitting down, doing some (ugh) reading and figuring it out before you start could make things a lot easier. At the very least it'd make it clear what your options are. DC: 25/75
[] Just Go to School: Rome (whatever that is) wasn't built in a day apparently. Pretending like nothing is wrong and actually going to school for a change may help. It'll give your brain an exercise and at least add some structure to your days. Plus it'll set a good example for your siblings. It could even give you a chance to speak to some kids you rarely get to see. Not that they likely want to talk to you... DC: 30/60
[] Research at your Local Library:The Library is mostly a good source of maps then anything actually worth reading. However you know for a fact they have a lot of old, dusty garbage that not even the librarians have looked over. Poking around could lead you to finding some useful information, or maybe bumping into a bookish sort to speak with. DC: 25/50/90
[] Observe the Aggressive Wildlife: Something is clearly wrong with the local wildlife and it's very much a recent change. They're way more aggressive than usual, you're surprised no one else has brought it up. You can't exactly 'study' them given you don't have the equipment or really the knowledge on how to do that, but there's nothing stopping you from giving the old college try. It could shed some light on why it's happening, or give you a better idea of how to deal with them. DC: 30/60
Personal Actions
Note: The Player Character will not have access to personal actions of their own until they establish a faction. As their personal actions are currently making up the 'faction actions' being taken.
Buzz Buzz
[] Try to Lay Low: Humans aren't particularly fond of aliens, or 'insects' apparently. Thankfully you've been informed you'll come off as a bug first and an alien second as long as you don't talk. However, that doesn't mean there aren't perceptive people in this world, or that Giygas's lieutenants won't have followers looking for you eventually. By trying to stay out of sight while still helping, you can avoid or at least make it harder for anyone who comes after you to find you.
[] Learn More About Human Technology: If you're going to help these people fight back against Giygas's plan, you'll need to understand what sort of technology they have to work with. You're no scientist and your understanding of what you consider 'normal' technology isn't exactly detailed or technical. But knowing something is better than knowing nothing at all.
[] Fly on The Wall: You're not a fly. However it's a turn of phrase that could be appropriate. By using your own time to do some personal spying, you might be able to learn some things that C.D wouldn't be able to learn otherwise. Especially with how negatively people seem to react to them. The risk of discovery could lead to someone trying to swat you however.
[] Practice your own PSI: Practice makes perfect. Refreshing yourself on what your strengths and weaknesses are could help with any coming battles.
It happened on his way back home from the hill, after he fought that snake. He felt an itch on his arm that got more and more annoying the farther he walked. It didn't really hurt, but it got pretty annoying. So eventually he stopped to take a look at it.
Ick…
It wasn't that bad honestly, definitely not as bad as the time he tripped and fell on a nail. But he still didn't like the look of the slowly swelling bump on his arm and the teensy tiny bit of blood on it.
Not a big deal really, he'd just run home, steal a bandaid from the medicine cabinet, and drink some lemonade. Once he was bandaged and hydrated he'd run off and continue playing for the day.
Although it was weird he had an injury in the first place. All he did was walk, climb a few trees, fight a snake…
Oh.
The first iotas of worry started to seep into Picky as he considered the implications. Animal bites were definitely a step above the average injuries. You could get sick, especially if the animal had some kind of disease.
Picky cautiously examined the wound, an uncharacteristically worried look on his face as he examined it from multiple angles. There was only one little puncture that was bleeding. But weren't snakes supposed to have two fangs?
Maybe it missed and only one of the fangs got me? Picky wondered
Porky would know. Picky took off at a run towards his house. At least I hope he does, because I really, really don't want to ask Mom or Dad.
When Picky arrived back at his house, Porky was standing outside doing… something. Birdwatching maybe? He had a bunch of rocks in one hand, and the other was hanging limply by his side. There sure did seem to be a lot of crows outside now that he thought about it.
"I have a question,"Picky announced as he slid to a stop beside his brother.
"What is it?" Porky's eyes didn't leave the crows, which appeared to be flying around in a big mob. Seemed a little odd.
"Theoretically if someone was bitten by a snake, how bad would that be?" Picky wasn't going to just come out and say he got bitten by a snake. Porky would absolutely use it as gossip if he felt like it.
"Well, it depends on the snake of course. But in general?" Porky turned to Picky with a wicked smile. "Snakes have huuuuge fangs that leave big puncture wounds like you got stabbed with a knife! And most of them are venomous too! All it takes is one little bite, and whatever they bit is going to die sooner or later."
"Oh." Cold dread quickly pierced the entirety of Picky's soul "You don't say."
"Yeah, snakes are pretty wicked. If Mom and Dad ever let us have a pet I might like one." Porky said, turning his eyes back on the crows.
"Hey, I'm gonna… go to town real quick. Bye!" Picky took off at a dead sprint.
"Huh. Wonder what's up with up with him." Porky waited until Picky was out of sight to pull out his slingshot. His eyes narrowed in concentration as he took aim at one of the crows and restarted his target practice.
But this story isn't about him so let's move on.
By the time Picky's feet hit the sidewalks of Onett he was out of breath and had to slow down. Unfortunately, the hospital was on the other side of Onett, so he still had a ways to go.
He crossed the street and ran past the town hall. Without bothering to look he ran across the street again, causing an angry driver to honk at him.
"Sorry!" Picky spun around to apologize and turned back to keep running-
WHAM
"Oof!" Picky hit the ground hard, dazed and out of breath.
"Hey watch where you're going punk!" Picky cracked open his eyes to see a Skate Punk in front of him, quickly bending over to retrieve his skateboard before glaring at Picky through his goggles. "You made me wipe out!"
"Sorry, I'm in a hurry," Picky said, trying to pick himself off the ground.
"Sorry isn't gonna cut it! I was riding along doing tricks until you came along and messed me up." The skater put his board on the ground and got ready to charge into Picky with it.
"I really need to get through! I got bit by a snake and I think I'm dying!" Picky screwed up his face like he was crying and showed the Skate Punk his arm.
He wasn't really crying, but the Skate Punk didn't need to know that.
"Oh… yeah that sucks. Uh…" The Skate Punk awkwardly rubbed the back of his helmet, looking more uncomfortable than anything. "I'll let you off the hook, but just this once! The hospital's right there."
"Thanks, I'm sorry for making you wipe out!" Picky ran off before the Punk could change his mind.
"Did you just let that kid go?" The Skate Punk looked back to see a Pogo Punk with his arms crossed.
"Look, he was having a bad day, he got bit by a snake and he thinks he's dying. I signed up for a little anarchy, not because I'm a monster. You're just mad because his brother slugged you with a slingshot."
"Am not!" The Pogo Punk retorted
"Am too!" The Skate Punk and Pogo Punk locked eyes before each of them boarded their favorite mode of transportation and prepared to duke it out.
But this story isn't about them so let's move on.
Picky almost ran directly into the hospital doors before he slowed down and let the automatic doors catch up. As soon as he was in the lobby he called out, "I need to see a doctor it's urgent!"
"I'm sorry sweetie he has a patient with him. You'll have to wait a few minutes"The woman at the front desk explained.
"Oh. Okay." Picky sat down in the lobby to wait.
This is already boring.
He started picking through the magazines in the lobby. He didn't understand why Dad found this stuff so fascinating. There were magazines about wildlife, stuff about machinery, ads for jobs, and stuff. He didn't get why his dad liked the magazine about swimsuits so much. It wasn't like swimming was common in Onett, and he didn't even look at the swimsuits for guys.
After an hour (15 minutes) the patient left and Picky was allowed to go see the doctor.
*sigh* "Hello young man what seems to be the problem?" The tired-looking doctor turned to Picky
"I got bitten by a snake and I think I'm dying!" Picky yelled, all in one breath.
The Doctor stuttered in place, apparently surprised to have such an easy explanation. "Well, that should be easy enough to solve. The hospital has plenty of antidotes, can you tell me what kind of snake it was?"
"A Coil Snake."
"A what?"
"A Coil Snake! You know, it was coiled up like a spring." Picky explained.
The doctor stared at him for a total of 5 seconds, his face growing steadily redder before the dam burst. "Young man, that's something almost all snakes do! It's a defensive position to make themselves appear larger. Calling a snake a 'coil snake' means absolutely nothing!"
"Oh." Picky said dumbly.
"Now let's try that again. What color was the snake? Was it thin or thick? About how long was it" The doctor asked.
"Er- It was green, thick I suppose, and it was a little longer than I am tall."
"Young man, you've just described the Onett Kingsnake." The Doctor said, his expression going flat.
"Y-you have the antidote for that right?" The Doctor's expression didn't change. "I-I'm not gonna die am I?"
"No." The doctor said bluntly. "Because The Onett Kingsnake isn't venomous at all."
"B-but aren't snakes-?"
"No not all snakes are venomous!" The Doctor shouted out, seeming enraged by Picky's ignorance. "The Onett Kingsnake is a nonvenomous constrictor snake. It's called a kingsnake because it kills and eats other snakes! That's the reason why Onett has such a mild snake population, the kingsnakes keep out all of the dangerous venomous snakes."
"You know a lot about animals don't you?"
"I wanted to be a vet. My mother convinced me that there was more money to be had in being a doctor." The doctor explained, looking briefly pained before he looked back to Picky. "Also, you haven't even shown me where the "bite" is."
"Oh right. It's right here." Picky held out his arm, and the doctor examined it, sweeping his eyes over the raised bump and the single bleeding puncture wound on Picky's arm. He slowly looked up at Picky, his eyes half shut with disbelief.
He turned around, walked over to his tools, and scooped one up at random, he returned, grabbing hold of Picky's arm with one hand and using the tool in the other. For a brief moment, Picky felt a tight pinch, before the doctor held out the pair of tweezers to where Picky could see.
"This is a splinter." The doctor said, slowly turning the wooden nail so Picky could see it. "You came running to the hospital, and got an appointment with me, because of a splinter? How did you even get it?"
"Well, I did fight the snake with a wooden stick. I guess while I was flailing it around I got a splinter?" Picky said cautiously. The doctor was starting to worry him.
*Sigh* "Well, everything is fine. The splinter has been removed, and you're otherwise in perfectly good health." The doctor looked exhausted. "Now then, I can't charge you for any medicine since you didn't take any, but there's still the consultation fee to consider."
"Consultation fee?" Picky slowly stood up, carefully placing his hands in his pocket.
"As a doctor, my time is very valuable, and you have wasted a great deal of it. The consultation fee is $25" The doctor leaned forward, hands folded in front of him as he stared at Picky.
"Oh. Uh." Picky's mind raced. How did he get out of this exactly? "I don't have any money on me but my Dad is in the waiting room. I'll go get him!"
Picky turned and ran before the doctor could even get up from his chair, bursting through the door and running away as fast as his little legs could take him.
"More money than a vet she said…" The doctor stared forlornly at the open door before sitting back at his desk, and reaching under it for some 'self-medication'
Which is to say a big bottle of scotch.
But the story isn't about him, so let's leave it at that.
A little continuation of Picky getting into trouble. Picky is a funky little guy who actually tries to help Ness in Earthbound the one time you fight an enemy with him by your side, but he's also younger than Ness and Porky and doesn't do much after that. I could see him being scrappy and stupid enough to get into any number of scrapes.
I tried to continue the trend of Porky's family enraging animals with Porky shooting crows with a slingshot. I don't think he ever does anything with a slingshot in the game, but the rest of Ness's crew can so why not him?
Technically Earthbound doctors aren't cruel enough to charge you for something you could cure yourself, or that they can't cure. They don't charge anything when Ness is homesick or when Ninten has Asthma. But in every other respect, they will make you pay up before they'll help you with whatever problem you have.
Also, I thought it was funnier that way.
For the character's colors, I picked the colors for the Pogo Punk and Skate Punk based on their outfits, and I had no idea what to do for the others so I either picked one at random or phoned a friend.
