Everything hurts…

You slowly come to and find yourself in someone’s arms. Your head feels like it weighs a ton and you struggle to raise it ever so slightly. In doing so you manage to see a figure you don’t recognize.

Did I get into a fight? You think to yourself.

“Parado…” The figure starts but the person holding you shakes their head.

”No words. Just do it! We know why it’s come to this!”

Emu? Parado? What’s going on? Are they fighting?

You see Emu hesitate before letting out a scream and activating his finisher.

Kimewaza! MIGHTY CRITICAL BREAK!

Wait...what are you doing?

Emu runs towards you, jumping and charging up his finisher.

No...wait...please!

You struggle to move but your body is heavy, useless. Every attempt causes you to cough up blood and your lungs burn. The energy from the attack slowly fills your vision.

Please...I don’t want to die again...


BRRRRIIIIIINNNGGGG


The sound of the school bell snaps you out of your nap. You look around at the empty classroom confused. Did you fall asleep during a lesson again? What was that dream?

Something...doesn’t feel right.

You think to yourself as you look out the window towards the front of the school. The statue of the school’s founder gleams in the afternoon sun as the fountain underneath goes through after school pattern. Everything seemed to be in order, but you can’t shake the nagging feeling of Deja Vu. You sigh and turn to look back at the classroom only to feel something jab at your forehead.

“Ouch!” You grumble rubbing your forehead as you glare at the boy in front of you. The boy grins and retracts his two fingers back and grins. “Falling asleep in class again Reiko?” Your brother grins. He had made a habit of poking your forehead after he started watching Naruto. You weren’t too familiar with the show but you knew that it’s fighting game series was a bit trash. A sentiment your brother refuted fiercely stating that there was beauty to it’s janky combat and unbalanced roster.

“Can you find a less annoying way to get my attention Parado?” You huff, smacking your brother in the arm. Parado wasn’t his real name but the nickname had stuck after you accidentally called him by his username during lunch years ago.

Parado keeps on grinning. “Nope.” He laughs. “You’re lucky the teacher believed you were up studying all night otherwise it’d be at least a week’s worth of detention.” You frown as the feeling of Deja Vu washes over you again. Shaking your head you grin cockily at Parado.

“Hey I got the grades to back it up!” You say. “Unlike you.” You reach down to grab your bag only to find it knocked over and all your things spilled. “Damn it…” You mutter as you lean down to pick everything up. “A little help?” You ask as you look over the desk to find Parado already making his way towards the door.

“No can do. I already risked my ass lying for you.” He laughs. “Besides, Emu’s waiting for us so hurry.”

You grunt in acknowledgement. Emu was your half brother from your dad’s previous marriage. He was-

You don’t belong here. None of this is real.

Your head snaps to attention and you look around. “Parado! This isn’t funny!” You shout deciding to ignore organization and stuffing the rest of your things in your bag. There was no reply. “Emu! If it’s you I’m telling mom!” Again the room remains silent. You shiver, and hurriedly make your way out of the room only to crash into someone else.

“Oof!” You grunt and fall to the ground.

“Reiko.” You hear a male voice and your heart skips a beat as you feel your face grow red. You shoot a quick glance at the person you bumped into you. It was Hiiro Kagami, your boyfriend.

“Oh h-hey Hiiro…” You stammer getting to your feet. Hiiro takes your hand and helps you up. “I gotta go. Emu and Parado are waiting for me. You know how they get when they get bored.” You say trying to excuse yourself but Hiiro holds on to your hand.

“Reiko. I know you were sleeping in class.” He says and you gulp. You were afraid he’d catch wind of that. “You were up playing games all night again, weren’t you?” He asks in that tone he only uses for you. Rare concern mixed with disappointment.

You nod quietly. “Hiiro I-” But Hiiro shakes his head.

“Listen, I know games are important for you but so are your studies. Plus I’m part of the student disciplinary committee. I can’t keep covering for you. You think it’s only Parado who’s lying to the staff?”

Again you nod quietly. “Sorry. There’s a big tournament coming up. If one of us three can win then maybe we can help my mom and dad-.” You’re interrupted as Hiiro gently pets your head.

“I know.” He says quietly and planting his lips on your head, just below your hairline. “But you can’t shoulder that kind of burden alone. It’s not healthy and your parents don’t expect that of you either.” He let’s go of your hand. “Now hurry along. You’re not allowed on school property once classes end.” He says louder going back to his authoritarian tone. “Go. Before I report you to the teachers.”

You grin and stick out your tongue. “You’re only a year older than me Hiiro. You can’t boss me around.” You say as your run off to-

A storm is coming. If you can’t weather it then you’ll never get out.

You stop dead in your tracks. “Reiko?” You can vaguely hear Hiiro call out to you. “Hey are you ok?” you hear him approach you and you shake your head.

“Ummm...no. Just this weird feeling of deja vu.” You say. “I probably just need to get some actual sleep. I’ll see you later.” Hiiro looks like he wants to say something but he let the matter drop and he simply nods.

What is going on? You think to yourself.

You don’t belong here.

>Reiko is...awake?! And she’s in some kind of highschool trope riddled world? What does she do?
>Go meet up with your siblings. Mom said she was making curry tonight and you don’t want to miss that.
>Stick around school for a bit. Maybe someone else has been hearing the voices? If you get caught though, Hiiro’s gonna report you. That’d be awkward.
>There’s still time left in the day. See if your brothers want to go hit the arcade. Sometimes you can make some spending cash. You never tell mom and dad though. You think it makes them feel bad when they can’t afford to give their kids money.
> You thought this was an option to wake up huh? Don’t worry. I’m trying to help. -G

>>3966037
>Go meet up with your siblings. Mom said she was making curry tonight and you don’t want to miss that.
love me some curry

>>3966062
Curry it is! Writing.

You hurry down the stairs to the school’s first floor. Emu and Parado were waiting for you at the entrance already putting on their shoes. “You done making out with your boyfriend?” Parado teases.

“H-hey Parado. Don’t say things like that. People are gonna get the wrong idea.” He says timidly, still not used to the family dynamic despite living with you for a few years. You glare daggers at your brother.

“If your information. Hiiro was just letting me know how much he cares about my grades.” You shoot back. Parado simply chuckles.

“Is that what you tell mom?” He retorts. You sigh and shake your head.

“Whatever. Let’s just go home. I want curry.” You say as your quickly swap your school shoes for sneakers.

Your brothers grin and nod. Curry was a rarity at home, only really reserved for special occasions or for when your father was close to getting paid and expenses weren’t too high that month. As the three of you walk down the streets of the small town you lived in, something catches your eye.

On the window of the towns only game store was a poster bearing an armored pink hero with bold letters stating it’s title.

Mighty Action X

“Hey it’s out now!” Emu says running over to check the poster. Games seemed to be the only thing that broke Emu out of his shyness. In fact it was games that the three of you bonded over. No matter how tough things got or how heated arguments were between each other, games always seemed to bridge the gap and mend everything. Maybe it was the sense of adventure games gave you or the escape from reality they provided. “Mighty Action X…” He reads out loud.

“It’s supposed to be the greatest action platformer of this year isn’t it?” You ask looking at the screenshots. You were more into fighting games. Something more competitive to earn some cash when things got tight. Emu nods.

“Yeah! It’s supposed to even have a level editor where players can upload their own custom stages. You can even download them onto an SD card and trade them around if you don’t have internet.” He explains excitedly. “And that's on top of the 90 hours the game boasts.”

“Knowing you Emu, that’s liable to be 30 hours.” Parado teases before letting out a whistle. “80 bucks…that’s gotta be a big game.” Emu’s face falls a bit before he tries to cover it up. “Well...it’s alright. I mean, I could save up for a used copy. It’s should be cheaper in like a year right?”

You look at your brothers and give them a grin, trying not to let the situation bother you. “Or...we can buy it once we win.” You say pointing to the smaller flyer taped to the window. In gaudy font that screamed way to hard of someone trying to be cool, the flyer announced.

Fighting Game Tournament! Enter one to play one of the following games and win big!
*Street Fighter
*Tekken
*Smash Bros
*Guilty Gear
Prizes include a 300 Dollar pot with every entrant adding to it! Call the number below for more details or visit X-Games Arcade.

“Come on Reiko. You don’t honestly think we can win.” Emu says wistfully. You frown and put your hands on your hips.

“And why the hell not? Listen if we can enter and make it to the top three. Think of all the cash we can get.” You insist.

“Or...we can each choose a different game and nearly triple that.” Parado points out. “Still looks sketchy as hell for three siblings to take the top three but less so if we each get first place in different games.”

Emu opens his mouth to reply before all three of you are interrupted.

“Or you can just not come and save yourselves the embarrassment.” A girl says.

“Nico…” You say under your breath as your grind your teeth. You turn to her and shakes you head. “Sorry but we have every right to try and win.” You say keeping a cool head.

Nico crosses her arms. “Sure you have the right but you don’t have a chance at winning. Not when I’m there to sweep the competition.” Parado just gives Nico a bored look.

“And so you so graciously want to spare our feelings. Afraid of having to put in actual effort?” He shoots back. “We can put you through your paces, and still come out on top.”

Nico glares at the three of you. “Yeah, but out of the four of us. Which one is an actual professional gamer?” She asks looking straight at you.

You clench your fists and wring your messenger bag’s strap. Your mind immediately goes back to a year ago when you had the chance to make it big. There was a recruiter during that tournament. You and Nico were play for first place and she cheated. You weren’t one to throw that accusation lightly but something was off that day. Nico felt too insistent on a particular game, on a particular controller. The game felt too laggy on your end, the delay just subtle enough to throw you off but not be obvious. Of course it was all just a gut feeling but you still couldn’t shake it off.

Nico gives you a cocky grin as you don’t respond and you decide that maybe you wouldn’t let this one slide.

>How does Reiko respond?
>Call Nico out. Tell her you know she cheated and that the only reason she’s a pro is because she’s too afraid to take you on in a fair game.
>Tell Nico that it doesn’t matter. You three are going to win this tournament no matter what but if she really wants to make things interesting, she could always put something on the line. What that is you don’t know but you do know you might not be able to match the ante so you had better win.
>Don’t rise to her bait. Ask her what she’s doing back in town. This tournament is pennies compared what she can win in other cities.
>Ignore her and go home. Emu is already pretty bummed about Mighty Action X and today is curry night. It’s supposed to be a good day.

Fucked up my cut and paste. My bad guys. Was meant to be two posts not three.

>>3966196
>Don’t rise to her bait. Ask her what she’s doing back in town. This tournament is pennies compared what she can win in other cities.

>>3966270
Even in this weird reality. Reiko is still a good girl. Writing.

You take a deep breath and exhale. No, she’s just trying to get a rise out of you. It’s curry night so today is supposed to be a good day. You should simply walk away but something keeps nagging you.

“Why are you here Nico? It certainly not about the money.” You ask. Nico looks at you exasperated.

“What? You seriously don’t know?’ She asks. “No wonder I was chosen to go pro.”

“What don’t we know?” Emu asks quietly.

“I guess I’ll tell you. Not like it changes anything. That tournament is just a cover. Word is that it’s being held by Genm Corp to search out for someone to sponsor. A sponsorship I’m gonna win.” She grins.

Genm Corp. You shiver instinctively. Never before had that name made you feel this way. But now the words sounded wrong. Threatening. Still, you needed to win this tournament. It was for mom and dad and if there was going to be a chance for a sponsorship then you certainly couldn’t let some weird feeling keep you down!

“Well then we’re certainly going to join.” You say. Parado nods in agreement.

“Yeah, we’re not gonna let someone like you tell us what to do.” He says. “We should get going. It’s getting dark out and you know how mom gets.” He says quietly.

You nod and turn to leave. “That’s right! Just leave!” Nico shouts. “If you really want to get your asses beat then feel free to show up! I’ll be glad to take what little cash you have!” You shake your head in disgust. Nico may have been arrogant but she never sunk this low.

---

The smell of curry filled the small apartment as you three hurriedly too your shoes off and put your things away. “Man I hope mom made sweet curry.” Parado says as you all sit around the table.

“I hope she made Katsu curry.” Emu says as he pours himself some water. “We had sweet curry last time.”

Parado grins grabbing a glass. “That’s because sweet curry is the best and mom knows that.” You laugh and shake your head as you set the table for your mom.

“Whatever it is. I’m just glad we’re getting curry.” You say. “Now, go wash your hands.” Your brothers get up and do as their told. As they do so, you hear the front door open and a tired voice say, “I’m home.”

“Dad!” Emu shouts and your father walks in smiling.

“Hey kids. Food smells great.” He says taking his well worn seat at the head of the table. “How’s your day been.” He asks idly but the look in his eyes says he’s been working late again and was running on autopilot.

“It’s been ok. You know, school and stuff.” You say as you place a plate in front of him. Your mother walks in with a steaming pot of food that set sits in the middle of the table atop a small metal stand to keep the heat from burning the cloth.

“Well you can talk all about that after we get some food in you. Emu sweetie, you’re looking a bit thin. Make sure you get some bread in you.” She says doting on him again. She didn’t mean to but she always had a soft spot for her step son, trying to be the mother he never had.

“Great, then I’ll have his curry.” Parado jokes only to be glared down by your mother.

“Reiko, go get the rest of the food from the kitchen.” Your mother says. You nod and walk into the tiny kitchen, keeping an ear our and enjoying the coziness of your family eating together.

I’m sorry but they’re not real. You can’t grow attached to them.

You look around again worried. Peeking out the window, you see the streets empty. Chiding yourself for being stupid and thinking a voice from the streets could possible reach your apartment, you bring the rest of the meal to the kitchen grinning.

“It’s spicy curry.” You say as Parado’s face falls in mock disappointment.

---
That night you lay away in bed. The sounds of your brothers snoring filling the room. The sound didn’t bother you. You were used to it. Living in a small two room apartment, you had to share a room with your siblings. Your parents had given up the “master bedroom” so that you three could have some room and decided to sleep in the guest room despite all three of your protests.

You toss and turn for a while trying to keep your mind off the strange voice you had been hearing all day. Were all the late night practice sessions finally getting to you? You sigh and sit up. If you weren’t going to sleep then you might as well get something done.

>What does Reiko do to pass the night?
>Practice playing Games. That tournament is only a few days again and if you want to get that sponsorship then every bit helps.
>Study. You’ve been kind of falling asleep in classes. Being one of the top students has bought you some leniency but even you need to keep up with the material.
>Try and fall asleep. Maybe all of this has been due to a lack of rest. It’s probably best you try and get an actual night’s sleep.

>>3966467
>Try and fall asleep. Maybe all of this has been due to a lack of rest. It’s probably best you try and get an actual night’s sleep.

When I first read this I was 100% sure that Kuroto would be their dad, until you mentioned parents in the pural.

File: Game_Master's_talent.png (2 MB, 1920x1080)

2 MB PNG

>>3966490
mfw I missed a perfect opportunity. I'm sorry anons. I have failed you.

>>3966467
>Try and fall asleep. Maybe all of this has been due to a lack of rest. It’s probably best you try and get an actual night’s sleep.

>>3966490
>>3966497
We're going to bed. If we sleep we can't hear the spooky voice. Writing.

You slip back under your covers and settle in. Hiiro was probably right. You were just stressing out over current events and seeing Nico again didn’t help. Sighing, you shut your eyes and drift off into a somewhat restless sleep.

You awake to a pillow in your face. Grumbling you throw the pillow off your bed and glare at the most obvious culprit. Parado points at Emu as your eyes meet. “Emu did it.” He says quickly.

“I’m sorry! I was looking for my socks!” He explains. You huff and blow some hair out of your face as you hop out of bed. You grab a fresh school uniform and head to the bathroom to get ready.

“Don’t hog the bathroom too long!” Parado shouts. “We all know you’re just putting makeup on for your boyfriend!” He teases.

“Shut up!” You shout back. He wasn’t wrong though. After a brief scuffle for the last pancake, the three of you were ushered out of the house by your mother. You knew better than to argue with her. Even if she did send you out with more than enough time to get to school.

“So...you going to tell her?” Emu asks quietly as you walk through the fallen leaves. You look at him and shake your head.

“I don’t know. I don’t...I don’t want to get her hopes up.” You say. “Mom and dad are doing fine with money but...I don’t want her to think she’s not being good enough either.” You kick a small pile of leaves. “Do you think she’d even let one of us be a professional gamer?” You wonder aloud. Emu shrugs.

“I think she would. Maybe she’d want you to continue your education but if you show her it’s something you love she’d understand.” Emu says thinking. “Can you imagine it though? Us playing video games for a living?”

“I can! Think of all the cash we could make.” Parado says. “We’d go to tournaments and have fans. Though you’d probably just want to keep to yourself.” He says grinning at you. “You don’t even gloat when you win anymore.”

“Well maybe that’s because I'm the responsible one here.” You grin. “Someone has to keep you two from falling apart.” You say lightly shoving Parado. “Otherwise, you’d spend all your time watching anime.”

“Hey that’s just one of my many talents!” He says laughing as you cross the school gates.

---

BRRRIIINNNNGGG

The bell rings as your third class for the day ends. “Glad to see you can maintain consciousness during class and live among us mortals Ms. Yukihara.” You teacher, Mr. Hanaya says. You give a sheepish nod. “I umm...been up really late at night.” You say trying not to lie. You were never very good at it. Your teacher gives you a stern look but says nothing as everyone starts to file out for lunch. You pack your things as you see the school nurse, Miss Asuna, poke her head in. “Taiga, could I have a word with you?” She asks in a somewhat reserved tone. Mr. Hanaya gives the nurse a look for her lack of professionalism but nods. “You’re dismissed Miss Yukihara. Or did you not hear the bell? Go to lunch.”

You nod and quickly make your way out of the classroom, noting how odd it was that the nurse wasn’t in her office.

Now is not the time to be thinking of school romances. Don’t you notice how nothing is how it’s supposed to be?

Shut up.

You think instinctively then wince. “Great, now I’m talking to it- I mean myself.” You murmur facepalming. The halls are mostly empty now that everyone has headed to the cafeteria or to their usual hangout spots. You adjust your bag a bit before deciding where to go.

>What does Reiko do?
>Go find your siblings and eat lunch with them. Talk to them about how you want to handle the tournament and Nico.
>Go find Hiiro. It’s been a while since you’ve eaten together. Maybe you could ask him out on a date this weekend.
>Stay where you are and see what Nurse Asuna and Mr. Hanaya are talking about. You’re not one for rumor mongering but something doesn’t sit right with you.
>You have an off campus pass. It’s rarely used because you don’t have much money to spend for food out of school but sometimes you like to walk around town during lunch to clear your head.

Oh and give me a 1d20 roll please.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>3966603
>Go find Hiiro. It’s been a while since you’ve eaten together. Maybe you could ask him out on a date this weekend.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>3966603
>Go find Hiiro. It’s been a while since you’ve eaten together. Maybe you could ask him out on a date this weekend
Everything is fine

>>3967002
>>3966944
Gonna go talk to Hiiro and maybe ask him out. Writing.

You decide that maybe you should spend some time with your boyfriend, despite how much your brother teases you about it. The last 24 hours have been pretty stressful and spending sometime with someone you loved would definitely help with that. Hiiro tends to hang out on the third floor in the library. You make your way up the stairs, feeling oddly claustrophobic. Odd feelings of danger and deja vu fill your head. You vaguely recall the notion that you once ran down stairs to escape a lawyers security and your hand idly rubs your cheek or was it the feeling of trying to escape with your life?

You shake your head and try to get those thoughts out. Those were probably some nightmares you had long ago.

Doesn’t feel like it though. Does it?

You grumble to yourself and run the rest of the way, two steps at a time to get out of the stairwell. Reaching the library, you wander the rows of books taking the route you’ve memorized by heart. Past the current events section, through the fiction then the nonfiction and finally to the encyclopedic section. You find Hiiro where you always do, standing in the row of shelves with the medical text books reading standing up.

“Hey.” You say softly as you approach. Hiiro looks ups up from his book and fails to suppress a smile.

“Oh Reiko. What are you doing here?” He asks as he always does, trying to keep a professional demeanor. You roll your eyes and giggle.

“I’m here for the same reason I always am. You, ya dork.” You say as you both stand there awkwardly. “You know, it’s customary for a boyfriend to at least hug his girlfriend as a sign of affection.” You tease.

“You know it’s against school rules for boys and girls to do things like that in school.” He says trying to state school regulation but clearly showing even he didn’t believe that. You give him a cheeky grin and wrap your arms around him, pulling him into a hug.

“Hey look. I’m breaking school rules. Aren’t you gonna give me detention?” You playfully taunt. “By the way, didn’t you hug me yesterday? Oh and was that a kiss too I remember?” Hiiro’s facade finally breaks down and he smiles back at you.

“That was after school hours. So I wasn’t breaking any rules...plus I was worried about you.” He adds quietly. “You’re always trying to shoulder everything alone. It wouldn’t kill you to open up about it to your family...and me.” He says as he pulls you closer and rests his head on yours.

“Look who’s talking Mr. Stoic.” You tease half heartedly as you sigh and try to relax. “It’s just...I wanna help but I don’t want to hurt them. If I don’t tell anyone and fail, then at least I didn’t dash anyone’s hopes. If I succeed then it’s a surprise.”

File: dorks-3-1024x768.jpg (114 KB, 1024x768)

114 KB JPG

Hiiro gently kisses your head. “But what if you get hurt in doing so? Succeed or fail, if something happens to you then those people will feel some semblance of responsibility for it. That’s why you should at least let them know.”

You smile and hug Hiiro tighter. “Well at least I’m telling you right? You’re my rock.” Hiiro chuckles.

“That’s really cheesy.” He says. “I’m guessing you wanted to go get something to eat?” You nod and he gently lets you go. “Alright. I...need to clean up here.” He says sheepishly motioning to the small pile of books around him.

“Seriously Hiiro, you need to relax a bit with the studying. You’re basically guaranteed to get into med school. You’re dad’s the director of a hospital.” You say. Hiiro shakes his head.

“No. It has to be by my own hard work. If my dad just gives me the position then what’s the point? Would like it if everyone just gave you a win because of who you are?” He explains.

“Well it’d certainly make it easier for me to make some cash.” You joke. You lean in and give Hiiro a peck on the cheek. “Just follow your own advice and try not to push yourself too hard. I'll wait for you at the cafeteria.” You make your way towards the exit before you pause and turn back to face Hiiro.

“Hey umm…” You say as your face grows red and you rub the back of your head. “Do you maybe wanna...you know...go out sometime? Maybe this weekend?” Hiiro tilts his head and chuckles.

“Reiko, we’ve been together for a while now. We’ve hugged and even kissed on occasion and you still can’t ask me out without growing red in the face like you did on our first day.” He grins. You pout and open your mouth to retort before he says. “It’s a yes by the way. I’ll pick you up from your place. Noon sound good?”

You snap your mouth shut and nod vigorously before rushing out of the library, absolutely elated. Not even going down the stairwell bothered you this time. However, as you descend you felt an odd feeling of being watched. You stopped just in time to see a metal bat around the corner and you slowly back up.

Three young men wandered up the stairs with smirks on their faces. They wore highschool uniforms but you had never seen them attend here. They couldn’t have been from a rival school either. Yours was the only highschool in this town and the next town over was at least a half hour drive away.

“Well well well...looks like it’s our lucky day boys. Found our girl and even the stairs of all places.” The one with the bat says. “Well unlucky for you lady. Someone’s paid big money to see you in a hospital for a few days.”

“Y-your joking right?” You ask still making your way back up the stairs. Up above, you see a similar group of boys making their way towards you. “What is this? Some kind of manga?”

The head boy shrugs and shakes his head. “Money is money. Now quit squirming, we don’t wanna break anymore than we have too.”

It’s begun...I need to fight on my side. You need to fight this battle on your own.

>What does Reiko do?
>The voice said fight right? So maybe that’s a good idea? You’ve never been in a real fight before.
>Try and run? Hiiro is on the floor above you. If you can somehow push past the group then maybe you can make it to him.
>Try and bargain with the group. Maybe you can convince them to leave you alone. Doesn’t look like it will be easy.

I’ll need some 1d20 rolls for this.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>3967217
>Try and bargain with the group. Maybe you can convince them to leave you alone. Doesn’t look like it will be easy

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>3967217
>Try and bargain with the group. Maybe you can convince them to leave you alone. Doesn’t look like it will be easy.

>>3967222
>>3967227
Trying to talk to the scary guys. Writing.

“H-hey guys. I don’t know what people told you but I’m just a nobody. Don’t even have any friends in a gang.” You stammer raising your hands. “I-I don’t know what you heard but I can keep my head down. If you just let me go, I won’t tell anyone.”

The boy with the bat slams it into one of the railings and you flinch. “You fuckin’ with me girlie?” He says quietly.

“Far from it.” You say wide eyed. “I just really don’t want to get hurt.” You admit. “And I didn’t think I was worth enough to have a hit squad sent after me.” You say squeamishly.

“She’s got a mouth on her. You want me to show her how to keep it shut boss?” One of the boys behind you says cracking his knuckles. You shake your head furiously.

“No no. Consider it shut. Just....Can you please let me go?” You protest trying desperately to see a way out. The boy with the bat angrily runs his fingers through his hair.

“Gah I hate when they’re honest!” He says. “Listen girly. You’re gonna shut the fuck up and take your beating like a man and then we’re gonna get paid. End of story.” He grabs you by the front of the uniform and shoves you against the wall. You gasp in pain as you slam against the brick. You close your eyes and brace for impact as you see the boy raise the bat.

“Hey! Get the hell away from her!” You hear Hiiro shout as you see him run down the stairs and smash his fist into the face of one of the delinquents. “Reiko, run!”

“You bitch! You were stalling.” The leader shouts and brings his bat down upon you.

>Negotiations have failed! Roll me 2d20. First to dodge and second for your choice!
>Does Reiko run?
>Yes. You’ve never been in a fight before. You could try and push past to get help!
>No. Hiiro might be fit but even you don’t think he can take on 6 other people, some armed with bats. You should try and help him! Maybe you could both escape!
>No. As above but try and help Hiiro fight. If you both try to run, you might slow him down and just get caught again.

Rolled 20, 16 = 36 (2d20)

>>3967270
>No. Hiiro might be fit but even you don’t think he can take on 6 other people, some armed with bats. You should try and help him! Maybe you could both escape!
No way the two of us can openly fight all of them.

Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d20)

>>3967270
>No. Hiiro might be fit but even you don’t think he can take on 6 other people, some armed with bats. You should try and help him! Maybe you could both escape

>>3967271
>No way the two of us can openly fight all of them.
But them rolls tho.
>>3967271
>>3967290
Running away! Descretion is the better part of valor. Writing.

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Your eyes grow wide as you see the bat coming down at your head. For a moment you see it. His body flickers from that of a regular person to one of a humanoid monsters. It had a large orange head, clawed hands and a glitchy body that seemed like he was wearing a black skin tight suit.

Before you can wonder what is going on your body immediately snaps to attention and does it’s job out of pure instinct. Instinct you were unaware of. You block the bat wielding boy’s swing by raising your wrist and stopping his arm by his wrist. Grabbing said wrist, your other arm blurs as it thrusts forward and you punch him right under the sternum, digging your middle finger’s knuckle into the soft flesh. The boy’s breath is punched right out of him but to make matters worse, you had already started going through the motions of a classic Tae Kwon Do roundhouse. Your foot crashes right into the boys face and he is sent spinning down the stairs and into the wall. The stair railing that ran along the wall bends and dents from impact.

“Holy shit…” You breathe out in surprise looking at your hands in fear and awe.

[spoilers]Your instincts are still intact. That's good. You’ll need them..[/spoiler]

“Reiko!” Hiiro shouts and you turn just in time to see another on of your attackers throwing a punch at you. You duck under it in and slam your palm into your attacker’s back, pushing him down the stairs with explosive force. You run up the stairs, hopping on the railing and jumping over a few of the delinquents.

Grabbing your boyfriend’s hand you pull and shout. “Hiiro run!” He kicks away one of the boys and runs up the stairs with you. The two of you dash down the halls with the boys after you. You look behind you, and again you see the boys flicker between the monster and human form.

“Where did you learn to fight like that?” Hiiro asks his eyes wide in surprise.

“I don’t know!” You shout as you run. “My body did it all on it’s own!” You were just as confused as he was. Your parents could never afford self defense classes and you were never that strong. Physical Education was one of your worst subjects even if you could just manage getting a passing grade. But you had kicked someone so hard you bent metal.

Hiiro pulls you into a teacher’s lounge. The teachers all give you a look as they see you both out of breath and holding hands. “We’re being chased…” Hiiro pants. “Students with bats attacked her. We just managed to escape.” The teachers look at each other and get up to go check the halls. You can hear the sounds of footsteps coming to a halt right outside the door.

File: KREA-Bugster_Virus.png (1.95 MB, 549x931)

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“Aww shit. It’s the teachers.” One of the boys says.

“So what? We’ll fuck em up too!”

“Nah man that’s fucking Taiga Hanaya. Fucking Dragon of 92’ ”

“Oh shit...oh shit!” You hear the boys panicking as you hear footsteps and Mr. Hanaya speak.

“Yeah, that’s me.” You hear him say flatly. “You wanna do something about it?”

“N-nah man...w-we good. Let’s get outta here.” You hear the boys scurry away and you cling to Hiiro tightly. He pulls you close and rocks you gently.

The teachers walk in and circle around you. Mr. Hanaya kneels and looks you two straight in eye asking. “What happened? I doubt you and Miss Yukihara are part of a gang, considering how much she’s trembling right now.”

“I-I don’t know sir.” Hiiro says. “Reiko had come up to the library after third period. We were going to get lunch together. I stayed behind because I needed to put some books away I took off the shelves. By the time I had finished and gotten to the stairs those guys were threatening her. I just...jumped in to help.”

Mr. Hanaya turns to you. “What happened?” He asks again. You gulp unsure how to word it.

>What does Reiko say?
>Tell Taiga the truth. About the weird voices, your sudden skill in martial arts and acrobatics. The fact your seeing monsters. Would they even believe you?
>Just tell him what he needs to know. Corroborate Hiiro’s story and tell him that apparently someone paid them to put you in a hospital. You don’t really know much more beyond that.
>Refuse to answer. You have no idea what’s going on. Just a few days ago, you were making plans to help your family. Now it seems the world is out to stop you.

First and last choices require 1d20. With that I’m off to bed.

>>3967339
>Just tell him what he needs to know. Corroborate Hiiro’s story and tell him that apparently someone paid them to put you in a hospital. You don’t really know much more beyond that.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>3967339
>Just tell him what he needs to know. Corroborate Hiiro’s story and tell him that apparently someone paid them to put you in a hospital. You don’t really know much more beyond that.

>>3967760
Oh whoops.

>>3967760
>>3967750
Just sitcking to the basic facts. No one can know we're seeing things. Writing.

“It’s like Hiiro said. I had asked him to come eat with me. He was going to put his books away and I decided to go get us a seat.” You say nervously tucking some hair behind your ear. “I was walking down the stairs and they stopped me. T-they said someone paid them to put me in a hospital. I don’t know what I did…” You mutter.

Mr. Hanaya nods. “I can’t send you home Reiko.” He says quietly. “Stay here in the teacher’s lounge. We’ll call your parents and let them know what happened.”

You shake your head. “No...I don’t want my parents to worry.” You say but the teacher shakes his head.

“I wasn’t asking. Hiiro, go make sure students are getting to class. Lunch is almost over.” He says. Hiiro shakes his head.

“Sir, I’d like to stay with Reiko please.” He asks but Mr. Hanaya shakes his head again.

“Go to class Hiiro. You can keep an eye on your girlfriend after school.” Hiiro frowns gives you one last hug and walks to class.
---

The rest of the day was agonizingly slow as you dread having to go home knowing how your mother was going to react.

They’re trying to stop you...but from what?

Shut up. You think angrily as you walk with your siblings home. Your mother didn’t drive or own a car and your father was stuck as work so the school was forced to release you and let you walk home.

What could be so important here that they need to keep you from? Even in this state they have to play by the rules or risk you getting too much of an edge. What’s the one thing that everyone seems to try and keep you from doing?

I said shut up! I don’t want you in my head! I want to go home and live a normal life! You scream internally.

I need to go poke around. Keep an eye out.

You realize the voice probably can’t hear your thoughts but that line of thinking was interrupted as your brother hugs you tightly. You realize your face is wet as you’ve been silently crying.

“It’s gonna be ok.” Parado says. “We won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

Emu nods. “Yeah. We’ll keep an eye out for those guys.” You sniffle and nod quietly as the three of you step into your home.

“Thank God you're here!” Your mother exclaims as she wraps her arms around you. “Are you ok? They didn’t touch you did they?” She asks looking you up and down. “I knew those uniform skirts were too small! In my day we wore dresses and nothing less.”

“I’m fine mom.” You mumble numbly. “I just want to get some rest and get my homework done.”

Your mother nods and sighs. “Reiko...it’s ok. It’s not your fault.”

“I know mom.”

“Just in case. You’re staying home this weekend.” You mother insists. You freeze. This weekend was your date with Hiiro and the tournament for the Genm Corp sponsorship.

“Mom...I...I have plans this weekend. Important ones.” You stammer but your mother shakes her head.

“No. Reiko sweetie, those thugs might be out there. Until this blows over I want you here at home.” She says. Your brothers look at each other nervously. This wasn’t the first time, you and your mother butted heads on what you wanted to do. Normally you’d relent but this situation was a pretty big deal for you. They step back warily and watch.

>What does Reiko say?
>Tell your mom that you can’t stay home. This weekend is very important to you. You can’t say why at the moment but if things go well, it’ll be well worth the trust she’d put in you.
>Tell your mom the truth. You want to go to this tournament because you wanted to make some cash to pitch in around the house and if things go well you might even get a sponsorship and a job out of it. Plus you had asked Hiiro out today and he’s already worried about you. If you cancel on him, he’d only get more worried.
>Say nothing. Just let her assume you agree and you’ll decide if you want to break the rules.

I’ll need 1d20 for the first two rolls. The second gets a +4 bonus.

Rolled 2 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3967915
>Tell your mom the truth. You want to go to this tournament because you wanted to make some cash to pitch in around the house and if things go well you might even get a sponsorship and a job out of it. Plus you had asked Hiiro out today and he’s already worried about you. If you cancel on him, he’d only get more worried.

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>>3967925
Oh god, somebody else roll.

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>>3967925
The cosmic forces are against us!

Rolled 10 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3967915
>Tell your mom the truth. You want to go to this tournament because you wanted to make some cash to pitch in around the house and if things go well you might even get a sponsorship and a job out of it. Plus you had asked Hiiro out today and he’s already worried about you. If you cancel on him, he’d only get more worried

Grabbing lunch. Will write when I get back. Vote open til then.

Rolled 9 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3967915
>>Tell your mom the truth. You want to go to this tournament because you wanted to make some cash to pitch in around the house and if things go well you might even get a sponsorship and a job out of it. Plus you had asked Hiiro out today and he’s already worried about you. If you cancel on him, he’d only get more worried
Reiko and being bad at telling a non-NCR member the truth, name a more iconic combo.

>>3967977
>>3967943
>>3967925
Hey guys it's like EP 1 again! We got a 14 so it's not too bad...Writing.

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“Mom…” You murmur conflicted. You wanted it to be a surprise. Just wanted to help but you remember what Hiiro told you about trying to do everything yourself. You sigh and your shoulders sag.

“Mom, I got things to do this weekend.” You repeat. “I...there’s a video game tournament going on. If I win, I can get a lot of money. Emu and Kai were going too. We can win and that way we can help around the house. We heard there as also going to be a guy looking to recruit for sponsorships. If they sign us up we can go professional.” You explains and blush. “And...I asked my boyfriend out on a date today. He’s already pretty worried about what happened at school. I don’t want to worry him anymore if I have to cancel on him.”

Your mom looks at you with a sad look on her face. “Oh Reiko.” She says holding you tighter and stroking your hair. “You’re too sweet.” She says rocking you gently. “You’re not supposed to worry about those things. That’s for adults to worry about.”

“I’m going to be 18 this year mom. I am practically an adult.” You mumble.

“Nonsense. Reiko sweetie, I know you mean well but you need to enjoy your youth while you still can. Your father and I are doing ok.” Your mom says ruffling your hair and smiling at you, tears in her eyes. “You must be really tired. Why do you go to your room and take a nap? I’ll save you some dinner.” She says abruptly changing the argument. You open your mouth to argue but simply nod and hug your mother before heading to your room.
---
You toss and turn in your room again unable to sleep and listening to your siblings snore. Unable to sleep you had snuck out of the room to get a glass of water only to catch your parents talking in their room. Their words echoed in your head.

”She’s really trying her best.” Your mom said. “Already keeping an eye out for her brothers and now she wants to try and pay bills...are we bad parents?”

“No…” Your dad says exhausted. “She’s just a good kid. Maybe I can squeeze a few more hours in. The kids deserve better.”

You had left after that and went back to toss and turn in bed. You hated being in this position. Your mom didn’t say you couldn’t go but she also didn’t say you could. You grumble into your pillow and place it over your head trying to block everything out. This is why you always kept things to yourself. You make a mental note to give Hiiro a piece of your mind tomorrow.

The last thing you hear as you doze off is a faint.

I know it hurts. But it’s not real. They’re aware I’m here. They’re going to try harder. You need to try harder. Remember Reiko…you have to...

---

The next day, Friday, you slowly trudge to school. Parado and Emu are quieter than usual. “Hey...Emu and I were talking and we think we have a plan to let me sneak out of the house this weekend. Mom will be mad but if I win, it’ll be worth it.” Parado says quietly. You shake your head.

“No...I’ll...I’ll think of something. Don’t worry about it.” You reply numbly. “I just need a bit of time.” You slip on your school shoes and start to walk down the hall. “I’ll see you guys at lunch.”

Duck

>Does Reiko duck?
>Yes. The voice has sounded like it’s trying to help. As annoying as it was.
>No. You’re done with everything right now. The voice can stuff it.

Also give me a 1d20 roll for perception.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>3968127
>Yes. The voice has sounded like it’s trying to help. As annoying as it was.
Hoo boy.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>3968127
>Yes. The voice has sounded like it’s trying to help. As annoying as it was.

>>3968163
>Nat 20
Nice

>>3968163
>>3968177
HOO BOY! That nat 20. Things are going to get fun. Writing. [spoilers]Hope you like crossovers.[/spoiler]

>>3968185
welp I fucked that spoiler up. Oh well.

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Again, acting on instinct that you didn’t know your body had, you throw yourself forward and do a combat roll as the windows that were right next to you explode! The glass is flung inward, embedding itself next to the wall where you had been moments ago. You continue running as windows continue to shatter in the same pattern as you run past them. Other students scream and chaos ensues as you throw yourself down when you pass the last window.

Your ears ring from the explosions but even through the ringing you can hear it. The sounds of fighting. Obvious punches and slashes echo through the air. You slowly raise your head and look behind you. As clear as day, you see a chimera like monster fighting with another masked figure. The masked person wore an orange hoodie with black slacks and boots. Orange lines ran down his limbs and on his chest the lines formed a kind of eye shape. The mask itself had an orange face plate with a singular horn and two dark circles to illustrate eyes. However the circles were not a color of the mask but rather deep pits that felt like you were staring into the abyss.

“Kamen Rider…” You feel yourself whisper and your head throbs as a flurry of thoughts flood your head.

“I SAID NOT AGAIN!” You scream at the top of your lungs, raising the driver above your head and slamming it on to your waist.

”HENSHIN!”


You gasp and hold your head as the memories fade only leaving behind echoes of what they were. You don’t remember ever dreaming that but you certainly don’t remember ever doing those things. The sound of someone crying tears you from your confusion. You see one of your classmates on the ground holding their leg. Blood ran freely between their legs from a cut as they lay there crying, seemingly unaware of the fight that was going on.

You cast another glance at the two fighting and you lock “eyes” with the masked figure. The figure ducks and punches the monster before going the two go into a grapple. The masked figure seems surprised that you’re looking straight at them before shouting. They notice you looking between them and the injured student.

“She’s not real! Forget her and run!” The masked figure shouts.

You hesitate, unsure of what to do next as the two figures slowly start to fade from view.

>What does Reiko do?
>Run! Monsters are real or maybe your just going mad. Either way you don’t feel safe and want to get away.
>Try and help the student. You have no idea what’s going on but your head is screaming that you should do something to help them. That blood certainly looks very real.
>Try and help with the fight. They’re slowly fading out of sight but you can still just make out vague figures in the air like a video game’s invisibility power up.

I’ll need 1d20 rolls of any of these options.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>3968237
>Try and help the student. You have no idea what’s going on but your head is screaming that you should do something to help them. That blood certainly looks very real.
We're stupid.

>>3968243
With them nat 20s. I think handsome surgeon is passing on his skills through osmosis. Maybe Reiko might persue a career in medicine after all this is over? Or would she stick to being a gamer/streamer? But votes are still open!

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>3968237
>Try and help the student. You have no idea what’s going on but your head is screaming that you should do something to help them. That blood certainly looks very real.

>>3968243
>>3968270
Nat 20 and a 16? Wow we really did pick up some first aid at NCR. Writing.

You dash across the hall, the glass crunching under your shoes and kneel next to the hurt girl. You hear the masked man say in both disappointed and proud tone.

Reiko...I guess that’s why your life burns brightly. Just like the luminaries.

“Easy.” You hear yourself say. “Let’s look at that cut.” The girl sobs and looks at you worried but she removes her hands. The cut, thankfully wasn’t deep but it was numerous. Dozens of shards of glass had sliced the poor girl’s leg open and several pieces were still embedded in her leg. You pull a bobby pin out of your hair and nip at the small nubs at the end. “This is gonna sting.” You say quietly and you begin to use them as makeshift tweezers. You slowly pull out the larger shards from her leg and your hands are slowly stained red with her blood. Once you managed to remove as much as you could, you needed to get a bandage.

You tear out a sizable portion of your skirt and begin to apply pressure to the cuts. As you bandage the girl, more images flash through your mind. An adult Hiiro, gruffly running you through the basics of first aid. Emu, a few years older, treating your wounds in an abandoned apartment complex. As you work you think to yourself.

Why is this happening to me? I didn’t do anything to deserve this.

But immediately another voice inside you speaks up, loud and determined.

What does it matter? She needs my help. And I’ve never turned someone crying out in pain.

“A life is a life. Human or Bugster. Real or imagined.” You say aloud.

You put the girls arm over your shoulder and hoist her up. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.” The two of you make your way through the chaos of the school. Students were running around in panic as things were being flung around by an invisible force. You squint a bit and can manage to make vaguely humanoid shapes doing the vandalism. More importantly, a few of the figures were grabbing and pulling other students away!

“W-what are you looking at?” The girl asks trembling. You look at her confused.

“You don’t see them?” You ask and she shakes her head no in confusion. You take her to the nurse’s office where Nurse Asuna was busy tending to other students.

“Yes? Are you hurt?” She asks looking behind her. You shake you head.

“No but she is. She’s cut pretty badly.” You say moving her to sit on the floor. “I tried to bandage it up as best I could.”

“You did an excellent job.” The nurse says as she checks the wound. “Did you remove the glass also?” You nod.

“I had to use a bobby pin so you might want to use disinfectant but I didn’t want the glass to go deeper into her leg.” You say automatically. The nurse nods.

“Took a first aid class? Though I don’t remember being taught to use bobby pins. Who taught you?”

“I don’t know.” You say honestly as someone runs in panting.

“Reiko! They took them!” Your classmate shouts. “Those guys who were chasing you took your brothers!”

“What?!” You shout and move to the door. The student nods.

“They came from nowhere. I think they’re the ones who set off the explosions. They’re outside demanding to talk to you.” He explains as you see a humanoid blur phase through the wall.

The ultimatum. He got away from me. I’m sorry Reiko. But we have to face him.

>What does Reiko do?
>Go and see what the gang members want. Maybe you can talk them into letting your brothers go.
>Go and see if you can get ahold of the authorities. They can handle this better than you.
>Go find Mr. Hanaya. They seemed afraid of him last time.
>Try and remember. You’re so close.

1d20 for all the options.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>3968426
>Try and remember. You’re so close.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>3968426
>Go find Mr. Hanaya. They seemed afraid of him last time.

>>3968971
>>3969085
Ooh a tie.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3969085
>>3968971
Rolling for the choice. Then I'll add the 1d20 for the third roll

Rolled 16 (1d20)

Trying to remember. Writing.

Remember. Everything. Including something special.

That's like the best roll I'm ever gonna get for you guys. Everything else has been bellow a 10. I spent my luck for all you!

Remember. The voice constantly told you to remember. But what was there to remember? You know everything about yourself. You growing up with your Brother, Emu and your dad coming into your family. You lived here your entire life. But there were those flashes, those brief moments of clarity where thoughts and vision seemed as real as everything else.

“Reiko?” Your classmate calls out tentatively. You shake your head.

“I just...let me think.” You say confused. You close your eyes and try to search your memories. Trying to find something, anything that seemed different. You shift through years of your life, birthdays, school days, days you always wanted to remember, days you wanted to forget. Until you hit something, a block. You push against it, trying to get past it and see what lay beyond. Even as you struggled to remember what lay beyond it, the memories behind it felt...real. Warm and cold. Joyous and sad. Compared to these, your current memories felt hollow and fake.

Frowning, you throw your weight against it. Mentally trying to smash against this force to get at what’s behind it. The barrier fails to withstand against your will and it shatters opening the dam of memories into your consciousness. The memories flood through your mind, mixing with your current memories. You lean against a wall, trying to steady yourself as memories fill your mind’s eye.

You finding the Gamer Driver at your front step.

The first time you transformed into Ex Aid and saved Akihito.

Finding Poppy and Kuroto.

Hiiro holding you and calming down your panic attack.

Reconciling with Parado over what he did in the past.

Going to Genm Corp to talk to the CEO.

Fighting against Parado with the intent to kill.
Collapsing in your own blood.

As your subsumed in your memories, you find another among them. One you don’t recognize and yet know to be yours. It feels much more real than the memories you know to belong your host. These are truly yours.

---

You’re wandering down an alley humming to yourself. You were pretty happy because Parado had promised to take you to eat human food again and you had a big surprise to show him. Graphite always said that liking human food was dumb. You didn’t think it was dumb. It was good. So you told him so and then the two of you got into an argument. You and your brother thought it was pretty funny to see him wander off angrily. Parado said he couldn’t go with you now because he had to go talk to Lovelica so you decided to explore in the meantime.

The humans were pretty weird but your host’s memories explained pretty much everything. She liked to eat take out a lot so you always like to drag your brother to one of her hangouts and get some food so you could try it yourself. Tasting it for real was much better than just remembering the flavor.

As you balance on a small ledge you hear some movement behind you. Turning around you see a young man in a doctor’s coat. It was that boy that Parado always plays with. Emu you think his name is. You wonder why he’s not off with your brother.

“I found you.” He says quietly. He sounds sad. You tilt your head. Maybe he wanted to bring you to your brother? You see him draw out his belt and item that you once heard Parado call a Gashat. Maybe he wanted to play with you but Parado says you’re not allowed to play those games. They didn’t seem to be too fun either with all the hitting they do to one another.

“She didn’t deserve this.” Emu says looking at you, anger in his eyes. “She was just an innocent person! You’re not supposed to exsist.” He shouts. You look at him confused. Was he talking about your host? Why would he be mad? It’s only normal that humans die so that bugsters can come to life.

Emu equips his belt and holds his Gashat in the air. His hand trembles and his eyes tear up. “So why can’t I do it?” He says helplessly. “You killed a person but...you haven’t done anything wrong. You didn’t ask to be born.” You hop off the ledge and try to approach Emu.

He looks at you with a defeated look on his face. “I’m sorry but she deserves a second chance to live.” He whispers clicking his Gashat.

Maximum Mighty X!

“I need to fix my mistakes.” He says quietly as he slots the Gashat in and pushes a button.

Gashatto!

Kimewaza! Maximum Critical Break!

You step back feeling funny. Searching your host’s memories, you find out this feeling is fear. “I don’t want to play.” You say frightened as Emu charges and jumps extending his leg out to strike. “Please…”

You watch as Emu charge energy in his leg and soars towards you. The light of the energy fills your eyes as you’re too afraid to move. You hope that your brother comes and makes this all stop. Or maybe Graphite comes to help. Tears run down your eyes as you want to leave but are too afraid to move.

Please stop. Please. I have to tell Parado something. He’d be so happy. You think desperately as you close your eyes and look away.

I want to tell him my name is Pandora...

---

You gasp and look around. Several students were around you looking worried as the nurse who was supposed to be Poppy helps you to your feet. “Are you ok Reiko?” She asks concerned. You nod and turn to the vague outline. The Kamen Rider slowly begins to fade back into view.

“What’s going on? Why are there bugsters in my...dream? Why aren’t I at NCR?” You ask as the students look at your with concern.

“Reiko, who are you talking to?” The nurse asks. The figure nods.

“You remember...you can see me?” He says and then asks in surprise. You nod.

“I’ve seen you fading in and out recently.”

“This is bad. You shouldn’t be able to. Only the dead can. If I’m fading in and out that means…”

“I’m dying.” You reply quietly and make your way out of the nurse’s office. The nurse tries to stop you but you manage to slip her grasp. “Alright we need a plan.”

“What are you thinking?” The figure asks as he floats alongside you.

>We remember! What’s our endgame guys?
>Go save your “siblings”. It’s obvious someone wants to be afraid. It’s time to show them you don’t back down.
>Go find Tiaga’s counterpart. The delinquents who are messing with you were afraid of him so he might be good back up. You don’t know how well he’ll stand up in a fight versus a bugster and it’s minions.
>Write in
Sorry for long wait time and only two options. People have been pulling me here and there not letting me settle on my free day and it's stressing me the hell out.

>>3969990
>Go save your “siblings”. It’s obvious someone wants to be afraid. It’s time to show them you don’t back down.

Sorry Taiga, you're cool and all but nothing beats Might Siblings X

>>3969990
>Go save your “siblings”. It’s obvious someone wants to be afraid. It’s time to show them you don’t back down.

>>3969990
>Go save your “siblings”. It’s obvious someone wants to be afraid. It’s time to show them you don’t back down.

>>3970063
>>3970025
>>3969997
Saving the brothers Writing.

Rolled 5 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3970322
>Go save Emu and Parado! If this is Reiko’s dream, then she should be able to make them more like the real Emu and Parado. If so they can assist you in the fight!

shit happened. formatting got trashed because I tried to post on my phone. Gonna have to wait til I get home. Shit. Sorry guys.

>>3970334
I see your vote anon. Don't worry. It'll still count once I sort my shit out.

“We got get Parado and Emu.” You say making your way down the halls. Your stance no longer timid and now upright and with purpose.

“Them? Reiko they’re not real.”

“They’re real to me.” You reply. “Besides. I have a plan. If this is a dream or some kind of mind thing then it’s time I take back control.” You push your way past the running students. “Who are you anyways?”

“Kamen Rider Ghost.” The figure says. “A friend.”

“How’d you find me?” You ask. “Did the others call you to help?”

Ghost shakes his head. “No. It’s kind of a long story but I can see when people's lives shine brightly. I saw yours and noticed it was fading quickly. Something didn’t seem right so I investigated. Your friends are worried but they’re busy.”

“With what? Did something happen?!” You ask stopping. “Are they ok?”

Ghost nods. “They’re fine last time I checked. They managed to fend off an attack. You have some good friends.”

You grins. “Yeah and I want to be able to see them again.”

The two of you throw open the doors to the school and you make your way up to the group of delinquents standing at the base of the statue. Two of them are holding your brothers with their hands behind their back. “Well look who showed up. You’ve caused us a lot of problems you know. Should have taken the beating.” The gang’s leader says moving towards the front.

“Cut the small talk.” You say. “What do you want? I know what you are.”

The leader shrugs. “Fine. Here’s the deal. Either I kill ya or you go back to your little fantasy forever. Take it or leave it.”

“Reiko what’s going on? What does he mean?” Emu shouts terrified. You bite your lip and try to keep your emotions in check.

He’s not real. He’s not real. He’s not real.

“Lovelica sent you?” You say and the leader nods with a wide grin.

“Figures you’d catch on. Yeah maybe he did. Knew we couldn’t trust that little human shit. Think’s he’s so important just because we gave him a Gashat. So what’s it gonna be? You can stay here with your little family, happy as can be or you die painfully. Don’t really give a shit either way.”

You glare at the bugster and look to your “siblings” pangs of familial bonding rush through you, screaming that you should save them but you knew that they weren’t really the people you knew. The bugster laughs.

“Look at you! You still has feelings for these two little shits. You really think you can do anything in my realm?”

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“She’s not alone.” Ghost says stepping next to you. “Even in this dream world, our lives burn brightly!” He turns to you. “We can take him but I think you’ll need these.” He says drawing out a familiar Driver but an odd Gashat.

“What’s this?” You ask looking at the Gashat. It was more boxlike than the slimmer Gashats you were used to but it also didn’t have the dual Gashats like your brother's. The connections seemed to imply that it inserted in the center of your driver.

“It’s the power within you. Everything you have, untapped.” Ghost explains. You frown.

“Forgive me but last time I went all out...It sent me here.” You say. Ghost nods.

“I can see how that’s a problem but this is made from your spirit. All your emotions and feelings condensed into that object.”

“Reiko who are you talking to?! What are you doing?” Parado shouts. You turn to face them, and try not to let the tears form.

“I’m sorry. I wish this was real. I wish we could be a family.” You say sadly as you look up. “But I promise I’ll never forget you. Maybe in the real world we can be family.” You glare at the leader. “It’s time you stop messing with my mind. Send everything you got because once I get to you, you’re going to be in for a world of hurt.”

You equip your driver and feel the familiar tightness as the metal band latches around your waist. You raise your Gashat up and feel the surge of energy. Smirking you press the button and say, ”Game On.”

MUTEKI IMMORTAL!

You slot it the device into you driver. With all your might, you shout the words that represented everything that it meant to be a rider. The urge to protect, the power to defend, and the will to change your fate. Mustering all the feelings you had for those your love you scream,

”HENSHIN”

GASHATTO

Your engulfed in a surge of energy. For a moment you fear the pain that would result as it had always done so many times before when you transformed in times of need. Instead, you feel a surge of energy rejuvenating your body and refreshing your mind. Your body feels in top form and incredibly light. You step out of the light in armor made of platinum. It glitters as if made of millions of gems, dazzling all those you stare at you directly.

“Reiko...what happened to you?” Emu asks quietly. “Who are you?”

“Kamen Rider...Ex-Aid! Level 99+!” You shout. The gang leader grins maliciously.

“I guess we’re doing this the hard way.” He says waving over to his gang. “Everyone, we have a little shit to murder. Go on boys! She’s asking for it!” Dozens of gang members rush towards you swapping between their human and bugster minion forms.

Ghost holds up an orb and clicks the side of it. “Looks like I’m gonna need some help. Let’s go Musashi!” He inserts the orb into his belt and the eye lid on it opens.

Kaigan! Musashi!

A hoodie bursts from Ghost’s Driver flying through the air like a phantom and landing on him. Twin blades appear in his hands as his mask and body lines take on a crimson hue.

>Ex-Aid and Ghost vs Dream Eater Bugster!
>What does the duo do?
>Go save Emu and Parado! If this is Reiko’s dream, then she should be able to make them more like the real Emu and Parado. If so they can assist you in the fight!
>Work along with Ghost and try to rush down the main bugster. If he goes down, this all ends. His minions might try to interfere.
>Fight the minions. There’s a ton of them and you can use some breathing room in this fight.

>>3970334
This was already a vote so we still have two more rolls allowed. Again sorry for all this. Tried to do too many things at once and it fucked with the game.

Rolled 4 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3970655
>Go save Emu and Parado! If this is Reiko’s dream, then she should be able to make them more like the real Emu and Parado. If so they can assist you in the fight!

Rolled 16 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3970730
>>3970334
Oof, not the best rolls. I'll add my own. Pray for me. Writing.

>>3970817
QM is a true friend of justice

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>>3970828
I do my best, Justice anon.

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https://youtu.be/ELnGbeGgAOw

You barrel through several of the minion delinquents, pushing them aside with ease. The power granted by this Gashat was incredible. The strength flowing through your body felt natural and light as if you had been born with this strength, unlike the previous times where your body felt like it was being pushed and strained to the absolute limit. You hop and spin kick two minions with ease as you approach your siblings.

Two of the gang members hold your brothers upright with knives to their cheeks. “Take another step kid. I fuckin’ dare ya.” He laughs. You hesitate as you smash your elbow into the face of someone creeping up behind you. “Hey look boss! She still thinks they’re related!”

You grimace at your feelings but you couldn’t betray your principles. They were instinct at this point. “Whatcha gonna do?” The mook taunts waving his knife in the air. “Come on...you gonna be the hero?” You clench your fists struggling to figure out what to do next. If you could close the gap somehow…

“Ex-Aid! Catch!” Ghost shouts as he tosses one of his eye shaped orb towards you.

“But my driver can’t accept-” You start as you reach out to grab it. Midway through its flight it glows with energy and shifts from a sphere into a single style Gashat. Catching it, you spin it on your finger and click it. The brown Gashat comes to light and announces it’s name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6lqsvcb8pc

Luminary Eyecon! Billy the Kid!

Gashatto!

Your driver announces as another hoodie, this time brown, flies out and fires bullets from it’s sleeves before landing on your shoulders. It merges with your armor giving it a cowboy motif complete with cowboy hat, chaps, and spurred cowboy boots. You feel an odd feeling in your head and a voice echoes from within.

Howdy! Ya ready to teach these rascals what real sharp shootin’ is like lil’ lady?

“As long as we believe in the power of the luminaries we’ll never fight alone!” Ghost shouts as he cuts down minions, two at a time, with his dual sword technique. You grin and nod materializing your new Gashat’s weapons.

Gashacon Magnum! Bat Clock! Gun mode!

Taiga’s familiar weapon spawns in your right hand as a new weapon spawns in your left. An orange and black weapon with bat like feature in the shape of a revolver. Giving them a quick twirl, you fire from the hip and shoot the knife right out the gang member’s hand before he can react and follow up with another shot to the head leaving Emu completely unharmed. Before the other can react you repeat the process freeing Parado.

You twirl your guns again on your finger, reloading them, and begin to slowly walk forward. Enemies begin to charge at you but you calmly gun them down, firing in front of you then crossing your arms and firing in opposite directions before finishing up by firing in front and behind you all while never looking away from your siblings.

God damn! That’s some good shootin’! You sure you ain’t got some hidden talent in ya?

As you reach your brothers they stare at you wide eyed. “Hey.” You say softly. “You ok?”

They nod silently. “Who are you?” They ask. “You’re not our sister are you?”

You quietly shake your head no. “And you two aren’t my brothers but right now I need you two to be more.” You replies softly as you gently touch their foreheads and remember what the real Parado and Emu were like. The two youths blink for a bit and look at you with serious eyes. “I’m sorry. But I need them more.” You say sadly.

Parado and Emu nod. “I know.” They reply. “We won’t let their lives be in vain even if they were just a memory.”

“Ready?” Parado asks.

“Always.” Emu says drawing a driver and Gashat.

Might Brothers! DOUBLE X!

”We’ll clear this with our super co-op play!”

The two Mighty Brothers dash in to join the fray and leap into a group of minions with their dual swords.

So what’s the next move ma’am?

You hear the voice in your head ask as you gun down another group of minions.

>What is the next play guys?
>There’s two more riders in the fray! Use this as an opportunity to take on the minion’s boss 1v1.
>Help Ghost and Mighty Brothers clean up the minions. Once that’s done all four of you can confront the boss.
>Remove the Billy the Kid gashat and look for the boss in your base form. He messed with your head. This time it’s personal.

1d20+4 roll for the options please.

Rolled 6 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3970973
>Help Ghost and Mighty Brothers clean up the minions. Once that’s done all four of you can confront the boss
Never abandon your friends!

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>3970973
>Help Ghost and Mighty Brothers clean up the minions. Once that’s done all four of you can confront the boss.

>>3971011
>>3971015
nat 20! We're sticking to Gentaro's teachings. Writing.

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“You ever play Sunset Riders?” You ask the voice in your head.

No. What’s that?

“4 player co-op shootem up based on the wild west. I think you’d like it.”

Those...are words.

“Well that’s what we’re doing.” You reply and you level your guns and start firing again into the combat, playing the game’s theme in your head loudly so that Billy the Kid could listen. You run around the perimeter of the fight both guns blazing as you begin to pick off targets with unerring accuracy thanks to Billy the Kid’s and your skill combined.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wG6BkuKbE0

Bang!

A minion is shot down as it tried to sneak up Ghost while he was dueling a gang member armed with a baseball bat.

Bang! Bang!

Two more thugs go down as they try to rush you after hearing gunshots. They’re blown off their feet and fall to the ground reverting to their bugster minion form. A few faces peek out from the school windows to see what the commotion is all about.

Bangbangbangbangbang

Parado and Emu are waging a two man gang war with a dozen or so minions so you decide to level the playing field. You empty both guns into the crowd landing pin point shots with deadly accuracy. Bullets streak by, barely missing Parado’s head by centimeters as they strike weapons out of his opponents’ hands only to be followed up by other shots to put them down. Your shots got under punches, between the bend of Emu’s legs as he rolled out of the way, and once or twice you managed to make a shot ricochet of a minion’s weapon disarming him and striking the minion next to him.

You dash and slide on your leg behind the statue of the school’s founder and rapidly start to reload your guns.

Holy...holy shit ma’am. You sure you ain’t one of them prodigies?

“Don’t think so Billy. Just play a lot of video games.”

Shit...this ain’t no time to be modest. I’d happily let you join my gang if it weren’t for the fact I’m dead and all.

“Thanks?” You say peeking up and firing again to provide cover to those in melee.

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Look out!

You throw yourself backwards and open fire into the shadow as you see a large spiked club smash into the fountain next you, obliterating it. The bullets strike true and the gang leader grunts in pain as he slowly transforms into a large red oni. The bullet holes in his chest slowly close up and he speaks in a gravelly voice.

“Lovelica said you were a persistent little bitch but I didn’t know how much of a trouble maker you’d be.” He growls raising his huge spiked club in the air.

”Thanks. I feel like that’s starting to be my reputation in and out of the dream world.” You retort as you open fire again. Once again the bullets reach their target but the wounds only bleed for a moment before resealing themselves.

“Yeah well I tend to like em more obedient.” The oni replies scratching his belly. “Fortunately for me, my power is unbeatable here. What I say goes and if I don’t want bullets to hurt me than tough shit.”

“First of all, gross. Second of all sounds like your dream powers are going to learn a little lesson that every other person who’s gone against me learned the hard way.” You say with a smirk in your voice.

“What’s that?”

“I’m stubborn as hell.”

>What does our newest sharpshooter do?
>Continue firing. You know how this works. Kite the boss and out dps his regen. With Billy the Kid helping you that shouldn’t be too hard.
>Remove the Billy the Kid Gashat. He’s more of a ranged archetype and Muteki Immortal is definitely hand to hand based.
>Retreat back to Ghost and the others. Turn this into a 4v1 like you originally intended.

1d20+4 rolls for these choices.

Rolled 12 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3971219
>Retreat back to Ghost and the others. Turn this into a 4v1 like you originally intended

>>3971246
>12
Higher than my other rolls, but I can't shake the feeling the dice hate me voting for teamwork.

>>3971247
Justice is testing all of us again. Don't worry about it though. We tend to get bad rolls for a while and then we suddenly start critting all over the place. Don't let that discourage your votes.

Rolled 14 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3971219
>Retreat back to Ghost and the others. Turn this into a 4v1 like you originally intended

>>3971454
>>3971246
Teaming up. Writing.

Bang! Bang!

You open fire into the Oni as you back up a bit and throw yourself into a roll as the spiked club smashes into the ground. A small crater is left before and you dash forward firing behind you. ”Coming through!” You shout as you run towards the others. You kick over a delinquent and open fire at the Oni.

”He heals really quickly. Mind helping?” You ask as the bullet wounds seal up.

“Oni huh?” Ghost says drawing another orb. “Let’s do this Benkei.”

Kaigan! Benkei!

A white hoodie flows out of Ghost’s driver and replaces his red one. A large hammer appears in his hands and he rests it on his shoulder. He dashes forward and bats away the club with his hammer. Emu and Parado follow up with a double Rider Kick to the chest as you open fire. The Oni staggers backwards and the two draw their swords to cut into its sides.

“Little shits!” The monster screams and swipes at all of you. Ghost floats into the air to avoid the attack and the two brothers kick off the monster itself. You throw yourself backwards again and fire.

As Emu and Parado descend from the air they draw their swords and slice down the Oni’s back. Ghost flies in and slams his hammer into the Oni’s face. Teeth fly out of his mouth and clatter to the ground. He spits blood out and roars as he begins swing his club wildly. Spikes begin to grow on his back and he begins to increase in size.

“You think you can win!? This is my realm now! When I’m through with you, all you’ll have is a never ending nightmare!”

I think we might have pissed him off.

The skies darken and lightning begins to flash as it strikes the ground. Fires start and burn wildly as the wind picks up. “We need to finish him off soon!” Ghost shouts. “Things are slowly starting to tip into his favor!” You nod and level your guns at him, firing widly.

”We need a plan!” You shout over the roaring wind.

>What do you do?
>Try and coordinate an all out attack. Everyone using their finisher might be enough to weaken him and set him up for the killing blow.
>This is your dream right? You might be able to will something that can help.
>The bugster wants you. You could probably run as bait while your teammate can prepare an attack.

Gonna have to cancel today's game. Had something pull me away and it's escalated to a minor emergency. Sorry chaps.

>>3971981
>>This is your dream right? You might be able to will something that can help.

>>3971981
>This is your dream right? You might be able to will something that can help.

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Alright...this is my mind right? So I must be able to do something…

You think to yourself as the storm grew worse and the bugster was growing in size. ”Giant Robot.” You say. The others turn to look at you in confusion.

“What?” Ghost says.

“This is my mind. So I have control!” You say. “So I say we need a giant robot!” You close your eyes and focus.

Come on...giant robot….Really need this or we’ll die.

The clouds part and an enormous pillar of light comes down and hits the ground. A silhouette appears in the light and as the light fades away it reveals a large robot. The robot looks exactly like Maximum Mighty X except it is in the color scheme of your old Proto Mighty Action X armor.

”Come on! I can’t drive this thing on my own!” You shout over the wind as your run towards it. Ghost, Emu, and Parado follow you close by.

“Wait...if this is from your imagination, why didn’t you just make it so it only needs you to drive?” Ghost asks. You give him a long look.

“It's not as cool that way though…”You replies a bit sheepishly. The 4 of you get to your battle stations and begin to man the controls. The giant Maximum Mighty X lurches and stomps forward towards the Oni. He swings his large club at you but you manage to slap it away and strike him in the gut with a giant fist.

The oni is lifted off the ground and he falls to his knees. You and your crew swing the robot’s leg kicking the bugster away.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” The oni shouts at you. You grin and turn on the loud speakers so that you can communicate to the outside world.

”I’m being stubborn.”

>We got a Giant robot! How do we fight now?
>Go hand to hand! You’re a giant robot with giants fists!
>Look for weapons to use. This is a giant robot. It’s got to have something installed right?
>Try and take the bugster’s weapon. Use his own might against him!
>Write in

I’ll need a 1d20+4 roll for any choice.

Rolled 4 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3975164
>Go hand to hand! You’re a giant robot with giants fists!
Rocketto Panch!

Rolled 6 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3975164
>Go hand to hand! You’re a giant robot with giants fists!

Rolled 1 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3975164
>Go hand to hand! You’re a giant robot with giants fists!

>>3975181
>>3975213
>>3975254
Oh dear...10. Writing.

You coax the robot to move forward to punch. The oni manages to get to his feet and swing his club at you. The sound of metal against metal echoed throughout the cockpit as you feel the rumbling and stagger back. The oni follows up with another swing at your legs. You stumble out of the way as it clips you and makes you stumble.

“We’re taking a lot of damage.” Emu says. “If he keeps hitting us like that, we’re not gonna able to move properly.”

The club strikes the robot’s shoulder and you use the opportunity to punch back. Your fist collides with the oni’s face and crimson blood erupts from the impact. The monster roars in pain as he holds his broken nose. You dash forward and shoulder tackle the monster into the ground. The monster grabs his club and flails it around striking you out of sheer luck. Your knocked back and you land on your back.

“We’re going down!” Parado shouts as you all crash into a line of trees. Dirt and dust is flung everywhere, clouding your sight. You can hear heavy stomps making their way towards you and soon after you feel something slam into your robot. You raise the robot’s arms up to attempt to stop the blows and the club slides off your arms smashing into the robot’s head.

The view port in the robot cracks, and in desperation you kick out your legs. You feel them connect with something. You push off and the strikes stop. Struggling to your feet, you remove the dirt from your viewport. The oni looks pretty winded but you also suffered some pretty bad hits. One of your legs is a bit more sluggish and an arm grinds awkwardly as you raise it.

>What do you do?
>Keep fighting. This robot hits pretty hard and you think if it comes down to trading blows you can come out on top.
>Try and get some weapons online. You think a ranged fight might be the better option.
>Try and disarm the Oni. That club hits like several trains and you think it’d be better in your hands.

1d20+4 for these choices.

Rolled 19 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3976233
>Try and disarm the Oni. That club hits like several trains and you think it’d be better in your hands.

Rolled 13 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3976233
>Try and disarm the Oni. That club hits like several trains and you think it’d be better in your hands.

Sorry guys been super busy lately with holiday shit. Next game will be this friday. Hope you're looking forward to mech fights.

>>3976237
>>3977447
Disarming Oni. Writing.

You awkwardly raise your hand to the robot’s head and motion as if you were wiping blood from your mouth before rushing forward towards the oni. The monster raises it’s club and quickly brings it down towards your head again. You raise your hands and catch it by the base. The two of you struggle for control of the weapon for a bit before you plant your foot in it’s chest and use the leverage to tear the club from the oni’s hands.

The oni flies back and you rest the club on your shoulder. While the oni gets to it’s feet, your close the gap and swing the club. The metal bat smashes into the oni’s ribs and a sickening crack rings out. The oni coughs up blood, though it’s hard to tell with it’s red skin tone. You follow up the swing with another towards the knee. Upon connecting the monster howls in pain as it’s leg is bent at an awkward angle.

You spin with the momentum of the weapon and finish up your combo with a final, brutal blow to the oni’s head. The weapon connects with the monster’s jaw, dislocating it and knocking him to the ground. The monster struggles to it’s feet though it’s broken bones and concussion you take a few steps back to keep some distance and plan your next move.

>What does the group do?>
>Finish off the monster. He looks like he’s on his last legs.
>Break the club. Finish the fight on an even ground. Hand to hand.
>Use your own weapons. The club was fine but you could probably come up with something much better.

1d20+4 rolls for these choices.

Rolled 19 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3981079
>Finish off the monster. He looks like he’s on his last legs.

Rolled 20 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3981079
>Break the club. Finish the fight on an even ground. Hand to hand.
Very honorable

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>>3981133
>>3981143
Those rolls...and a tie! We still got a bit of time before I'll call the votes. I'll give like 25 more minutes before I count them or I roll to choose.

Rolled 8 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3981079
>Break the club. Finish the fight on an even ground. Hand to hand.
PANCHI

>>3981191
>>3981143
We're gonna go fisticuffs! Writing.

You move the robot towards the oni as he stands up. The oni throws a punch, trying to put his weight behind it. You catch his fist and drive yours into his broken ribs. The oni howls in pain while you follow up with a knee to his chin. You grip the monster’s arm and toss him over your shoulder.

”I’m gonna make this real simple for you. If you ever try and propagate in someone else’s body and mess with people’s dreams. I’m going to find you. And I’m going to make sure that the next time the procedure is going to get a lot more painful.”

The oni rushes you and grabs you by the waist. “You think you’re hot shit just because you think you’re going to get out? This place is my realm! You don’t have a say on what happens.” You raise your fists and smash them down on the oni’s back, slamming him into the ground. You pick him up and land several strikes to the unbroken ribs then to the throat.

”You don’t get it do you? You ask headbutting the monster again. ”This stopped being about escaping a while ago. This is a bugster removal surgery. And guess who’s head surgeon right now?”

The monster chokes as he holds his throat and bleeding nose. His closes his eyes and concentrates furiously but you uppercut him breaking his focus. The oni’s eyes grow wild as he looks at you and slowly backs up.

”It’s not fun is it? When someone messes with your ability to do anything. When someone takes away your freedom.” You say quietly. ”I don’t know if your boss told you but this is like the fourth time someone’s messed with my memories and my tolerance for that is really low. So forgive me if I’m a little less gentle than I am with other bugsters.”

You shut the speakers off and look at the others. “Ready to finish this?” You ask. The others nod and draw their Gashats/Eyecon. You draw yours and simultaneously all 4 of you slot them into the mech’s controls.

Maximum Mighty Mech! Maximum Critical Break!

The mech’s hands emit a large geyser of steam as the armored plating on the back of the hands retracts as spikes jut forward. You rush forward, uppercutting the oni into the air. The oni is lifted off the ground but the assault is not finished as you begin to throw a flurry of punches, keeping him in the air. On the last hit you pull your fist back as far as you can and drive it straight into the oni, slamming him into the ground. The oni explodes upon impact not allowing him to even say anything in response.

GAME CLEAR!

---

You, Parado, Emu, and Ghost stand at the foot of the mech. Everyone but Ghost had untransformed and all of you were surveying the damage.

“Kind of glad this is just a dream…” You say quietly. Ghost places a hand on your shoulder.

“I can see your life is burning brighter than ever. It’s time we leave. Or rather time for you to wake up.”
“Are we gonna meet up? NCR could use your help...are you even real?” Ghost shakes his head no.

“Sorry but I have my own fight to tend to. But I wouldn’t say no once we’re both done with our quests. Since you’re not longer dying our connection is fading.” He says slowly fading away.

“Wait! You never said if you were real or not!” You shout as Ghost leaves your view. You hear a faint laugh before the final.

I’m as real as a dead person can be...

You feel something tugging at your mind. For a moment you worry that the oni survived but then your realize it’s the feeling of slowly waking up. Emu and Parado look at you quietly.

“So...this is where it ends huh?” Parado asks. Emu rubs his eyes.

“Yeah...we’re gonna miss you...or will we even exist after this?” He asks. You sniffle and choke back some sobs. You pull the two into a big hug and hold them tightly.

“You dorks. Course you will. You’ll live on in my memories. I don’t think I could ever forget you two. Take care of mom and dad. Go kick Nico’s ass...or go be her friend. She could use one I think.” You say nodding. “Yeah...do that. She needs someone to keep an eye on her.”

You rub your eyes and grin. “I’ll see you guys later. Be good ok?” Your brothers nod.

“No promises.” You hear them faintly say before everything finally goes blank.

---

The sound of something beeping fills your ears as your eyes slowly adjust to being used for the first time in god knows how long. You find yourself on a hospital bed and, still becoming aware of your faculties, feel something heavy off to the side. Turning your head, you notice the real life Parado sitting on a chair next to you and leaning on the bed fast asleep and holding your hand.

You gently squeeze his hand causing him to stir and slowly wake up. “No...I’m not hungry Poppy.” He mumbles half asleep before you gently tap him on the forehead with your middle and pointer finger. He immediately comes to attention and stares at you, wide eyed and tearing up. “Reiko…?” He whispers. You notice some of his hair is snow white and it kind of reminds you of Taiga’s hair.

“Hey…” You whisper. Speaking feels forgien to you and your words come out tired and hoarse. You reach out and ruffle his hair like he does to you. “Sorr-” You begin to apologize before he leans over and holds you tightly. Parado sobs into your shoulder as you try to hold him tight, but your arms feel tired and you can only manage to give him a small squeeze.

You’re eyes sting as you feel tears welling up as well. “Thought you weren’t ever going to wake up.” He says quietly. You nod and continue to hold on.

“I didn’t think I was either. Had a wild dream to put it lightly.” You reply. “Though...it did make me wonder about one thing.” You admit.

“What? I mean...what did it make you think about.” Parado asks confused and overwhelmed with emotion.

“Can we adopt Emu?”

With that I'm going to go get lunch. We did it guys! Now there will be a follow up with Reiko speaking to everyone but just to get an idea. Who does Reiko want to talk to first after the flurry of people asking her how she's doing?

>Parado. You got your memories as a bugster back. You think he'd really like it if you told him you managed to think of your own name before you used your host's memories as your own.
>Hiiro. You hadn't seen a lot of him before everything went down but you want to see him. Even if it's only to thank him for saving your life.
>Poppy...both of them? Things have changed since you woke up but it seems like you have to Pink haird bugsters to talk to now.
>Emu. He was in your bugster memories too. Maybe you should talk to him about his last act before you recruited him. Clear the air. You've already forgiven him but it just feels like it's right to get it out of the way.
>Kuroto. You're not really sure why but you want to know if he's doing ok. You also aren't sure if you have the energy for his eccentricities at the moment.
>Graphite. It's been a long time since you talked to him and that was before you had your memories modified by Emu. You're not sure how he'll react or if he'll even recognize you anymore.

Also, do we adopt Emu?

>>3981370
>Parado. You got your memories as a bugster back. You think he'd really like it if you told him you managed to think of your own name before you used your host's memories as your own.
This first.

>do we adopt Emu
idunno yet

>>3981370
>Parado. You got your memories as a bugster back. You think he'd really like it if you told him you managed to think of your own name before you used your host's memories as your own.
>>3981373
Yes!

>>3981420
>>3981405
Talking to Parado. Undecided on the adoption. I'll leave that vote open for a while I think. Writing.

The following hours were busy and loud. Parado had made it no secret that you had woken up and everyone had made some time to come visit you. Talking would have to wait for a bit though as Hiiro insisted Poppy give you a check up to make sure everything was ok.

“Ok now look straight ahead please.” Poppy says pointing a light in your eye. She moves the small flashlight to your other eye. You try not to look away as your eyes water slightly.

“So...there’s two of you now?” You ask trying to be casual about it. In reality you were pretty excited about it. Having more people meant the team wouldn’t be spread out with duties and even better it meant that maybe the others were willing to give your idea of working with bugsters a chance. Poppy nods and writes something down on her clipboard.

“Your eyes work fine from what I can see.” She says happily. “Unfortunately it seems the discoloration and dull seems to be permanent. Same goes for your hair. I don’t think you’ll ever be able to grow anything but white hair.” She adds a bit sadly. You nod quietly.

“Yeah...I guess I should’ve figured that I wouldn’t get out of this unscathed.” You admit running your fingers through your hair. “So...other Poppy?” You asks trying to redirect the conversation. Poppy gives you a smile.

“Excited aren’t you?” She teases. You grin.

“Not often we get another bugster to join us.” You say. “So, what’d you do? What happened?” You ask failing to mask your excitement now. Poppy laughs.

“That’s for later. Everyone else wants to see you.” She says. “After that, Hiiro and Emu will probably want to go over your surgery.” You stand up and slip on your patient slippers.

“Surgery?...how bad was it?” You ask quietly.

“Bad.” Poppy says looking nervous. “We cut it close a few times and...well let’s just say we’re all more than a little relieved that you made it out ok.”

“I’m guessing Hiiro and Emu are the ones who operated on me? Where did they even cut? I don’t see any scar…” Your voice drifts off as you slowly adjust your hospital gown and grow extremely red.

“Reiko? What’s wrong?” Poppy asks concerned.

“Hiiro operated on me. So that means he saw me without my clothes…” You cover your face with your hands. “He saw me naked.” You whisper. Poppy looks confused before trying really hard to not laugh.

“I...Reiko sweetie, Hiiro does this for a living. You’re not the first naked person he’s seen and at the time, I think his mind was certainly on saving your life to notice your nudity.” She chuckles as she leads you back to your room.

---
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MhiJVYTDW4

A few minutes and some white lies on Poppy’s behalf later, you emerge from under your sheets to greet your friends again. It didn’t take long for an impromptu party to erupt around your bed as everyone visiting decided to bring something to eat or drink. A table was moved down into the patient room and soon it was struggling to bear all of the food and drink everyone had brought.

“You’re awake! I’m sorry I tried to kill you before~! Here, I learned how to make cookies! Try one!” The new Poppy says smiling and presenting a small plate of christmas themed cookies. They weren’t half bad, certainly better than the burned mess you tried to make last year. You assume she learned how to bake from you nurse.

“Thanks!” You say digging in. “Erm...it’s all right about the whole murder thing. You’re not the first to try it.” You say awkwardly. “Glad to have you helping us though!” You add excitedly stuffing your face trying not to be awkward. The other Poppy grins and nods.

“Glad to help! If you need anything just give me a call! I’m still a registered nurse~” she says. Akihito shuffles up flustered.

“I...Here!” He says bowing and handing you a notebook. “I’ve taken notes on every meeting we’ve had while you were injured! I’m sorry I couldn’t do my duties as an adult and help more!” You laugh and take the notebook.

“No sweat Akihito. I’m sure you did your best and knowing your notes, it’ll be like I was there for all of them.” You say as you skim through them. “Thorough as always.” You grin. “Glad to see you stuck around. I was worried you’d have left when things got rough. I know this isn’t really your fight. So I appreciate you sticking it out with us.”

Akihito stands up straight and salutes. “I said I would help and I am honor bound by my word! It’s my duty to help the future generations through these troubled times.” He says loyally.

You snort a bit of your drink and nod. “Oh yeah...totally. Why don’t you help yourself to some food? Keep your strength up. I’m sure you’re pretty tired from your studies and helping out here. We could do with some relaxing.” Akihito nods and heads off to get something off the table.

“Reiko! Glad to see you finally awoke!” Emu says wandering towards you, smiling. “Sorry I couldn’t come visit earlier. I had a few rounds left to do and one of the kids insisted that I help him catch an eevee on his switch.” He grins rubbing the back of his head. “I couldn’t really say no to a patient and you know...1% encounter chance.” You open your mouth and close it as the false memories of your brother Emu wash over you. Emu gives you a puzzled look but you shake your head.

“Nothing...but aren’t I your patient too?” You tease. Emu grins and helps himself to some pizza.

“About that...turns out Hiiro says he’s your doctor. Though to be fair, I guess we both are now at this point.” He says. “He probably won’t admit it but he was really worried about you. I don’t think he got much sleep during the time we were trying to figure out what was wrong with you.” He says quietly. He looks around the room, at the people chattering among each other, some laughing and smiling. “I never thought Cyber Rescue would be this lively even before we were shut down.” Emu says quietly. “You not only brought us all back but even managed to expand it. I don’t know how you did it.”

You follow his gaze quietly and let the atmosphere of the room sink it. It was...peaceful. Even knowing there would still be tough times ahead, you couldn’t help but feel comfortable for the time being. “I don’t know either to be honest. I just wanted people to work together. So that’s all I asked I guess.”

“Well...you brought everyone’s smiles out.” Emu says grinning. “So thanks for that...and for bringing me back on.” You shake your head.

“It wouldn’t be the same without the full team back. Besides it was Parado’s idea to go find you.” You admit. “Still, it’s good to have you on board.” Emu nods and the two of you chat for a bit before he gets up and goes to help move some trash out.

Your next visitor surprised you. You’d never seen him before and at the same time “you” had. Graphite walks up to your bed and stares at you for a while. You return the look unsure of what to say.

“You’re alive.” He says curtly. You nod.

“Yeah. So are you.” You reply awkwardly. Graphite looks away unsure of how to respond.

“...you’ve done a lot of work. Raising an army from the dead. That’s something to be respected...even if you are helping the humans now.” He says before turning to walk away. “If you want to talk, ask your brother. He knows where to find me.” He adds before walking away.

“I know too…” You say quietly. You’re about to ask someone if they could bring you a drink before a dark shadow looms over you. You can feel the arrogance and smugness from a mile away.

“Kuroto…” You say turing to face the former CEO. Kuroto grins haughtily at you.

“So not even death can stop my protege.” He says proudly. “This is why I have chosen you! And why you're destined to finish this game once and for all. Now rest assured while I myself did not perform the surgery, it was my genius that helped breakthrough. Not only that but I was vital in your procedure.” You sit there with your mouth agape.

“You...you were in my surgery room?” You stammer face going red.

Kuroto nods. “I had to make sure that nothing would go wrong plus no one else could handle the Proto Gashat required.”

“Erm...I’ll ask Hiiro about the specifics.” You say “Speaking of Gashats...how’s mine coming along?” You ask awkwardly. Kuroto grins oblivious to your uncomfort.

“Excellently! Speaking of which, we will need to do some field testing as soon as possible! I’ll go speak to Emu about releasing you early.” With that he stands up and goes to talk to Emu.

You let out a sigh of relief and go to grab your plate of food. “You know, after this I’ll have to have you on a strict diet to balance out your caloric intake today.” You hear a soft voice say. Your heart skips a beat as you turn to face Hiiro.

“Y-you know that’s not how calories work.” You stammer as your face goes red. Hiiro sits down next to you and takes your pulse. You fight really hard to keep your face from blushing. “Thanks though. You saved my life.” You say quietly.

Hiiro nods. “It’s my job Reiko. I’m your doctor.” He says quietly. “Your pulse is fine.” He adds before giving you a small smile. “Besides, if I don’t keep an eye on you, then you’ll just try and sneak take out to avoid hospital food.”

You giggle and give Hiiro a smirk. “So are you offering to make me food then?” You tease.

“No but at the very least, I can get you some healthier take out.” He replies. “...I’m glad your ok.” He adds quietly. He seems to debate something in his mind before he ruffles your hair. “You have my number. Send me a message if you need to talk.”

You sit there beaming as Hiiro gets up and walks away to get some cake off the table.

---

The party went on for another hour or so before you mentioned you wanted to get some rest and the doctors ushered everyone out of the room. As everyone was leaving you call out to your brother.

“Parado?” You call out. He turns to look at you and you wave him over. “You got some time to talk?” You ask. He nods.

“Always.” He replies pulling a chair over. “Something wrong?” He asks trying to hide his concern. You shake your head.

“No nothing just...wanted to ask...how bad was it?” You ask quietly. Parado holds your hand and looks down.

“Terrible...you were bleeding all over the place. Doctors couldn’t find out what was wrong in the beginning. There was this one time I fell asleep next to you and woke up soaked in your blood. They had to give you constant transfusions because you couldn’t keep it in your system. Something about your stomach rupturing and you not regenerating right.” He says quietly. “I thought you were going to die. Thought you did a few times too.”

You give your brother’s hand a squeeze. “Well...we’re past that now. I’m not planning on leaving you any time soon.” You say. “Though I almost did bite it a few times.” You admit. Parado looks at you concerned. “Had a weird dream.” You explain. “Turns out, a bugster tried to finish me off. Something about dream manipulation powers.” Parado looks shocked.

“Should I tell the others? What happened?” He asks worried and wide eyed.

“Gone.” You say. “Giant mech fight ensued and I won. Had some help though.” You say grinning as you explain what happened.

Parado sighs and relaxes back into his seat. “Well...I guess if everything is ok in the end. Lovelica...going as low as to try to kill an injured person off.” He says clenching his fists. You place your hand on Parado’s.

“That’s not why I wanted to talk though.” You say. “Parado...I remember.”

Parado looks at you. “Remember what?” He asks confused.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctrwNvVBxsI

“Everything.” You say. “From when I was born. Me. Not my host. To now.” You say excitedly. “Parado, I remember everything! Like the one time, I got into an argument with Graphite because I thought orange gummy bears were the best flavor and he didn’t think so even though he doesn’t eat candy. Or or when I fell off a ledge and sprained my ankle and you had to carry me all the way home.”

Parado’s eyes light up. “Or the time you got a stomach ache-”

“Because I ate one of everything from that bad sushi place!” You finish as you both laugh loudly. Parado continues to laugh as he pulls you into a hug and holds you close, petting your head.

“You’re back. Holy shit, you’re back.” He says rocking you. You grin widely.

“I never left dummy.” You reply smiling.

“What’s it like?” He asks letting you go and looking at you. “Having two sets of memories?”

“It’s...weird.” You admit. “Like I know that some of my memories aren’t really mine but they do feel like it. Like...I’ll always love mom and dad. Knowing that they never raised me or even know the real me...it doesn’t change how I feel about them.” You say. “Though...I don’t know if they’ll feel the same about me if they find out the truth.” Parado nods silently.

“Would you ever tell them?” He asks.

“I don’t know...I feel like I should. They deserve to know what happened to their daughter and I can’t really pass off as her anymore.”

“I mean...they’d understand you got hurt doing all this. You’re not that different than before the attack.”

You sigh. “Yeah...yeah. Maybe I’ll keep up the lie just for them until they figure it out because I’m terrible at lying.” You shake your head. “But that’s not the only thing I wanted to talk to you about.” you say smiling.

“There’s more?” Parado asks. “Not gonna tell me that you some out figure out some long lost relation we have are you?”

You grin. “No, I don’t think the city could handle that.” You lean back into your pillow. “I found out...I chose my name before I died err had my memories rewritten.” You say happily.

Parado sits there slack jawed. He looks at you stunned before saying. “W-what did you choose?” He asks.

“Pandora. My name’s Pandora.” You say. “Well also Reiko too.”

Parado grins wildly. “Hey, that’s awful close to my name there. Guess I rubbed off on you.” He says ruffling your hair. “Name fits though. Despite all the bad things that surround you, you still manage to bring hope to those around you.”

“If we weren’t related, I’d have assumed you were blaming me for everything.” You joke. Your brother laughs. The two of you spend a few more hours reminiscing about the past before you start to nod off. Parado gives you one last hug before he gets up and let’s you get some shut eye.

>Who do you want to spend time with next?
>Hiiro. You hadn't seen a lot of him before everything went down but you want to see him. Even if it's only to thank him for saving your life.
>Poppy...both of them? Things have changed since you woke up but it seems like you have to Pink haird bugsters to talk to now.
>Emu. He was in your bugster memories too. Maybe you should talk to him about his last act before you recruited him. Clear the air. You've already forgiven him but it just feels like it's right to get it out of the way.
>Kuroto. You're not really sure why but you want to know if he's doing ok. You also aren't sure if you have the energy for his eccentricities at the moment.
>Graphite. It's been a long time since you talked to him and that was before you had your memories modified by Emu. You're not sure how he'll react or if he'll even recognize you anymore.


Fuck, that was a text dump. Sorry about that guys. Felt like I had to make up for like 2 days of nothing. Side note, emu adoption votes are still up til tomorrow, and you can decide what name Reiko will be going by otherwise we'll default to Reiko as that's the original voted name. For now, I need to head off. See you guys!

>>3981819
>Hiiro. You hadn't seen a lot of him before everything went down but you want to see him. Even if it's only to thank him for saving your life.
It just feels right.
For now I think it may be good to use Pandora, but I'm not completely sure. If we intend to tell mom and dad the truth though I doubt we could lie if we wanted to I think we should definitely switch to Pandora.

I'll give it a bit longer for votes. Won't be able to do a write up til late.

>>3981819
>Hiiro. You hadn't seen a lot of him before everything went down but you want to see him. Even if it's only to thank him for saving your life.

>>3981819
>>Hiiro. You hadn't seen a lot of him before everything went down but you want to see him. Even if it's only to thank him for saving your life.

>adopt Emu

>>3983408
Oh yeah, and
>Keep Reiko
Petitioning for our final rider form to be named Pandora though.

>>3983411
>Petitioning for our final rider form to be named Pandora though
I actually really like this.
>Emu
Looks like we're adopting. Inb4 Emu we go Emu romance route.

Reiko''s name sake is kind of tied. So I'll offer that she only allows people close to her use her bugster name. People like Hiiro, Parado, or maybe the rest of NCR?

Food for thought.

>>3981819
>Hiiro
Boy admitted (in his head) that he loved us, gotta rack up those relationship points before taddle legacy

>Adopt Emu
Like there was any other choice

>Stick with Reiko
I've gotten used to it, changing things up now would be weird. I'm down for her adopting it as an unofficial middle name (or her winding up as kamen rider Pandora)

>>3983277
>>3983408
>>3983536
Talking to our boy Hiiro, adopting Emu, and keeping our original name . Writing.

You sit in bed quietly reading. Emu and Hiiro had insisted that you take a few days of rest instead of trying to jump back into the action. Unfortunately, that meant you couldn’t do much other than read and play on your handheld. Still you got company every now and then when Emu or Poppy got a break. You glance at your bag, sitting on a chair next to your bed. You lean and rummage around and finally find your phone.

You let out a sigh and flop back into your bed as you see it’s screen is cracked beyond recognition. Great. Now I need a new phone. You think to yourself as you push the lock button. Your phone flares to life but unfortunately the whole screen is ruined. With the backlight you notice flecks of a dried red substance. Your heart skips a beat and you shut it off. You remove the phone’s sim and memory cards before tossing the phone into a trash can, not wanting to be reminded again of why you were here.

“You know. Most people would try and salvage their phones before throwing it away.” You hear a voice say. You look up as you put the small cards away in your bag. Hiiro walks into the room with two plastic bags in his hands. You give him a small smile.

“Yeah well...most people’s phones aren’t soaked in their DNA.” You say. “What’s in the bags?” You ask tilting your head. You notice that the objects inside are white rectangular boxes made of styrofoam. “Hey is that...you didn’t…” You say looking Hiiro in the eyes. He shrugs and puts on his stoic facade.

“It is Reiko. It’s take out.” He says trying to sound fed up and bored but you can tell he’s enjoying your reaction. “Is there a problem?”

“You...you never get take out! Unless it’s pastries!” You say both confused and amused. Hiiro sets up the bed table and places the boxes on it.

“As your doctor, it’s my responsibility to make sure you’re properly fed. Unfortunately, you have the annoying habit of trying to skirt around my dietary orders so I decided to be two steps ahead of you. If you refuse to eat hospital food then I’ll just have to get your meals for you and get the healthiest options.” Hiiro explains opening the boxes showing some of your favorites but also full of veggies. Amidst your shock, you can tell Hiiro is trying really hard to not crack a smile. “Of course if I’m going to go by your reaction then I'm assuming you don’t want it.” He says handing you a plastic fork.

“No I do!” You say taking the fork and eating. “Thanks.” You mumble with your mouth full. “And it’s not my fault I eat tons of take out. I can’t cook.” You say between bites. Hiiro rolls his eyes.

“You’re telling me that you mastered using the Gamer Driver, have fought countless bugsters, and the simple act of cooking alludes you?” He says eating his food coolly. You pout.

“I really can’t! And those two things a totally different. Cooking is like...witch craft. You dump tons of ingredients together and they somehow magically become something else.” You insist. “Can you cook?” You ask squinting at Hiiro. Hiiro cracks a smile.

“Of course. There’s nothing I cannot cut.” He says gracefully eating his meal. You continue to measure him up. “Don’t believe me? Perhaps I’ll show you next time. At least then I’ll know it’s healthy. ” You open your mouth to argue and then blush heavily at Hiiro offering to cook for you.

You eat in silence as your mind races. What would he even cook? He eats high priced pastries, so it must obviously be something you’d get at a fine dining place. Or maybe he was a more down to earth kind of guy, preferring simple home cooked meals that reminded him of simpler times. It had to be something that involved using knives a lot. Your inexperience with cooking makes it really hard to pin down what exactly he could cook. Health foods? Junk food with a healthy twist? Deciding to put that aside you finish your meal and speak up.

“Hey Hiiro?” You start quietly. Hiiro looks up and focuses on you. You look into his brown eyes and vaguely recall a time when he wouldn’t even turn to face you when you talked to him.

“Yes? Is something wrong?” He asks.

You look away and fidget with your hair unsure of what to say. You love him. He doesn’t love you or at least he says he can’t. You remember saying he was simply afraid of losing the people close to him. Or was that a fever dream? You don’t want to push the topic but at the same time you wish he gave you a definitive answer. All of your conflicting emotions make it hard to think so you say the only thing you think won’t make things worse.

“Thanks.”

Hiiro continues to look in your direction and you feel your face grow hot. “I take it you don’t mean for the food.” He says gently. You nod still unable to look at him directly.

“Yeah...you saved my life. Again. No one will tell me how bad it was. But from how I remember feeling and how everyone reacts, I’m guessing it was really bad.” Hiiro sighs and quietly puts the food to one side.

“I promised I’d wouldn’t hide anything from you because I know you can handle it.” He says. You turn to face him and look into his eyes again. “Your DNA was warped by the bugster virus to the point it was useless. Because of this, your ability to regenerate like a normal bugster was slowly fixing your wounds and reopening them, slowly eating yourself alive.”

You swallow and nod. “To make matters worse, your stomach was torn open and you were slowly drowning in your blood. Emu and I were stuck. We couldn’t or rather we didn’t know how to help someone who wasn’t human. We spent a few days simply exploring every option we had and tried not to move you too much. It was thanks to Taiga and his study of the virus’s effects on humans and Kuroto’s research on the Proto Gashat’s effect on bugsters that we finally had a plan.” Hiiro coughs.

“What was the plan?” You ask nervously.

“...Emu hit you with Maximum Mighty X’s finisher. He did so that he could reprogram your DNA back to what it was originally. By some fluke it worked and both you and your brother survived. Of course...he couldn’t fix everything.” Hiiro says. You pull at your hair again.

“Yeah...I kind of noticed.”

“From then we decided to perform the surgery. It involved cutting you open and letting yourself regenerate the wounds and slowly fix the damage you had. We spent almost 20 hours in that room. You flatlined once but we managed to bring you back. It was close Reiko.” Hiiro gently takes your hand and holds it. “I was afraid we’d lose you...but we managed to pull through.”

You sniff and pull away. You try to hide your face behind your hair so that Hiiro doesn’t see you sobbing. You try and wipe the tears from your eyes so you can get back to talking but they simply keep coming.

“Reiko?” Hiiro says abruptly standing up and walking over to your bedside leaning close to try and get a better look at you.

“I’m sorry.” You sob. “It’s just...You guys did so much for me. I don’t even know what to say. I should be dead right now but here I am. Crying.” You say trying to laugh through the sobs. You look up to Hiiro with watery eyes and smile. “But it’s been you behind me the whole way. From the first day I landed myself here, you put up with my stubbornness and fuck ups. You picked me up and kept pushing me forward.” You rub your eyes and sniffle. “And I can’t even find a way to say thanks properly.”

Hiiro looks at you. “Reiko...I…” He says looking conflicted. He seems to struggle with something. “You don’t have to say anything...I mean...It’s my job…” He catches himself. “But it’s not just because it’s my job that I did this...you’re important Reiko...to NCR...to the team…” He swallows. “To me...I didn’t want to lose you…”

You breathe heavily from your crying as your eyes grow wide. You were important to him. “Hiiro…” you start but he interrupts.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Not after I pushed you away-” He begins trying to back away.

>This is the chance lads. Ya’ll want to kiss the surgeon and make it offical?
>Yes.
>No.

>>3983863
>Yes

>>3983863
>Yes.
It's time

File: AmusingNaturalDragonfly-s(...).gif (139 KB, 500x281)

139 KB GIF

>>3985265
>>3984424
Busy day today and what do I find when I get back? Anons' got a boyfriend~ Writing.

“You fucking dork.” You half sob, half laugh as you grab the front of his shirt and pull him into a kiss. Hiiro tenses up momentarily and you fear that maybe you jumped the gun again before he wraps his arms around you. He pulls you close, never breaking the contact you made with him. You let go of his shirt and wrap your arms around his neck trying to kiss him as best as you can. Your thoughts race as you try to take as much of him in as you can now that there was no social barriers in your way. His smell, his warmth, his taste, the way he holds you with his strong arms.

Having never kissed a boy before, you wonder if you’re doing it right. You certainly think he’s great at it. His lips against yours, gentle and loving. Not trying to overwhelm you but not afraid to show his feelings for you. You want this moment to last forever but eventually you break away.

“Hiiro…” You whisper, your lips close to his. “I love you.”

Hiiro gently presses his lips against yours and returns your kiss. The two of you stay embraced like that for a few more moments before you break off again. “I...I love you too Reiko.” He says a bit awkwardly but you know he means it. “Sorry...I’ve never been very good at being open with my emotions.” He apologizes. You giggle.

“Really? You could have fooled me.” You tease gently as you rest your head on his shoulder. “Just promise that you won’t hide your feelings from me at least.” You say quietly. Hiiro gently runs his fingers through your hair.

“I promise. Though I’m pretty sure I can’t hide anything from you. You always seem to be able to see through me.” He muses. You grin and give him a squeeze.

“I know I shouldn’t ask…” You say warily as lift your head and face Hiiro. “But what changed? Last time we talked about this…” You look away. “Well you know…”

Hiiro gently lifts your chin. His eyes studying you. “I stopped being a coward. You opened up to me about your most personal feelings and I couldn’t even be man enough to realize or tell you that I felt the same way. I was stuck in the past and hung up in my failures. You all the while were strong enough to move forward and pick yourself up every time you got hurt.” He rests his forehead against yours, some of his combed hair becoming undone and trailing against your forehead. It felt nice to feel them against your skin. “So maybe, in a way, I was right. I wasn’t a man worth loving back then. That wasn’t someone you deserved. It wasn’t until I nearly lost you on the operating table that I realized it was all happening again. Because I couldn’t be honest, I was going to lose someone I love.”

Hiiro pulls back and looks into your eyes, his own now soft and emotional. “I’m sorry it had to go that far before I stopped being an idiot.” You sniff and wipe your eyes again.

“I guess I can’t complain knowing how stubborn I can be.” You say smiling. “So...are we...like dating?”

“Reiko…” Hiiro starts and sighs. “How do you do it?”

“Do what?” You aks confused.

“Forgive. You let things slide that I don’t think people like Emu could.”

You shrug. “I don’t know...I just feel like someone has to do it. Otherwise I’d keep going in circles. It’s just easier for me to get to a solution if I don’t get hung up on everything.”

Hiiro nods, not truly understanding but accepting it’s just who you were. “Well...thank you...for giving me a chance.” You snort and he looks at you in confusion.

“Sorry! Sorry. Just...you made a pun.” You say giggling. “I’m just...happy. These past few months have been a roller coaster of emotions and it’s just really nice to be this happy. It’s getting to me.”

Hiiro smiles and laughs quietly. “Yeah...it does feel nice. Not having to worry for a moment.”

“Not having to feel the whole world on your shoulders.” You add and he nods in agreement.

“However. We’re not dating.” Hiiro replies. You look at him in shock. Before you can reply, Hiiro leans in to kiss you and ruffle your hair. “That requires us to go on an actual date. Would you like to come over to my place after you’re free to go? I did promise that I’d show you how to cook.”

You sit there at a loss for words. Hiiro just asked you out. He asked you out! You try to think of something to say. You want it to be witty or at least impressive but everything seems to be stuck in your throat.

“You can nod if you’d like Reiko.” Hiiro suggests, amused. You do so. He gives you a soft smile. “I need to head out. Get some rest.”

You nod again and lean back into your bed. You keep your eyes glued to Hiiro as he leaves. The moment he’s out of earshot you burst into laughter of unbridled joy. Tears fall down your face as you can’t hold your emotions back. After a few moments you nestle into your pillow and fall fast asleep.

>Hiiro and Reiko are dating~ Congrats gents. So who do you talk to next?

>Poppy...both of them? Things have changed since you woke up but it seems like you have to Pink haird bugsters to talk to now.
>Emu. He was in your bugster memories too. Maybe you should talk to him about his last act before you recruited him. Clear the air. You've already forgiven him but it just feels like it's right to get it out of the way.
>Kuroto. You're not really sure why but you want to know if he's doing ok. You also aren't sure if you have the energy for his eccentricities at the moment.
>Graphite. It's been a long time since you talked to him and that was before you had your memories modified by Emu. You're not sure how he'll react or if he'll even recognize you anymore.

Also, we're gonna need to flesh out Hiiro a bit more after this next talk. Give him some hobbies and stuff beyond the job.

>>3985528
>Graphite. It's been a long time since you talked to him and that was before you had your memories modified by Emu. You're not sure how he'll react or if he'll even recognize you anymore.
We really should cement our alliances with him. He's the one most likely to bail from NCR (Kuroto has bailed once and been dragged back so I think he'll say put)

>>3985528
>Graphite. It's been a long time since you talked to him and that was before you had your memories modified by Emu. You're not sure how he'll react or if he'll even recognize you anymore.

>>3986214
>>3986127
We're gonna go talk to scary bugster. Writing.

While you wait here's a thing for you guys. What does Hiiro do in his spare time? The man is dedicated to his job but even he needs to stop once and a while.
>Plays an instrument. Like a Violin or a Piano.
>Plays a sport or works out.
>Tends to a garden?
>Write in. You guys can probably think of something better.

>>3986545
>Hiiro
>Having spare time
Nice joke Nova. But really, for him to get to the position of top surgeon at what...24, means he's probably spent every waking moment studying (promises to dead girlfriends are serious business, after all). I can see that whatever hobby is picked is probably the first time he's ever embarked on having a hobby.

That said, gonna go with
>Plays an instrument.
>Piano
Gotta stay true to his DoReMiFa Beat roots.

>>3986739
>spent every waking moment studyin
That's what I was thinking. I was thinking he picked up a hobby for the times he was forced to stop working. As good as a surgeon he is, I assumed legally they'd have to force him to take some time off. So he picked up a hobby to keep his mind off of stuff. Namely how alone he felt with out dead gf.

You and Graphite glare at each other from across the room. You were finally dressed in something other than a hospital gown, now that you were allowed to wander around your room. Emu said you’d be allowed to leave soon now that everything seemed to be ok.

“Orange gummy bears are the best.” You insist. “You haven’t even tried them! How do you get to judge the greatest flavor ever if you’ve never tried them?” You ask incredulously. You raise your bag of candy and wave it in the air. “Here. Try them!” You say. Graphite glares at the food.

“No.” He says. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a human. I’m a bugster, and I refuse to partake in their disgusting eating habits.” He crosses his arms. “Now why did you call me here again?”

You grunt and eat a gummy bear. “I wanted to talk about the war.” You say. Graphite raises his eyebrow and leans against the wall.

“At least you’re straight and to the point.” He muses. “Still stubborn as hell though.” He drags a chair over to him and sits on it backward. “What’s there to talk about?” He asks. “Humans vs Bugsters. Seems simple enough.”

“Then where do I lie?” You ask. “I’m a bugster too you know.”

“But you thought you were human until recently. According to Parado, you don’t even remember who you were. You’re basically human.” Graphite points out. You frown.

“And yet this ‘human’ is trying to recruit both sides to stop all this madness.” You counter. “And you’re here, according to everyone, helping us defend the hospital. Full of humans.”

Graphite furrows his brow and looks at you. “You’re his sister alright.” He grumbles. “Still as obstinate as ever.” You give him a smile.

“Like old times then? I remember you’d always go quiet when I made a good point.” You say. Graphite glares at you.

“What would you know? Just because you somehow convinced Parado that your suicide idea is a good one, you think you can speak to me like we’re friends? IF you can remember, we’re not.”

“No, maybe we weren’t close. But you weren’t hostile either. Just…” You wave your hands. “Frustrated? Maybe annoyed you’d have to raise a kid?” You think for a bit. “Now that I think of it...you always had a bone to pick with me. I’d try to invite you to stuff. You’d push me away. Try to talk to you. You’d always argue with me. What was up with that?”

“Maybe I just find you annoying.” Graphite retorts. “Especially now, since you’re a race traitor.”

“Hey!” You shout. “That’s fucking harsh! I’m just trying to fix things up and I’m trying to get to know you-.” You clamp your mouth shut and glower, trying to keep your cool. Clearly there’s some bad blood between you and Graphite but you don’t remember it being this bad. Just mild stuff like an adult arguing with a child.

>Roll me 1d20+6 to get a read on Graphite. Reiko’s gotten really good at reading people.

Rolled 19 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>3986782

>>3986801
Damn Reiko's really good at reading people. No wonder she got the detective Gashat. Writing. Time for some saucy reveals.

You study Graphite for a moment. While you two never met eye to eye, you don’t ever recall him being this venomous towards you. Even in your most heated arguments, which were admittedly over stupid things and mostly due to your inability to let the matter go when you were younger, the most Graphite did was throw his hands up in the air give you a glare and walk away. But the way he was glaring at you right now was completely different and yet...it felt so familiar. It was malicious and hateful.

You think back to your bugster memories and try to see if you could puzzle this together. It was difficult, as there weren't many times you spent alone with Graphite. You always hung around your brother or sometimes talked with the other bugsters though it was difficult as they didn’t have much to say beyond their original programming. Parado and Graphite were the only complete bugsters around and the only people to talk to. You wonder if this was a look Graphite would give Parado, though you can’t recall him ever doing so...because you were the recipient.

Everytime you and your brother were in a room with Graphite, he would give you that look when Parado wasn’t looking. At first is was just annoyance, then it grew to frustration, until in your last days it was full on hatred. But you remember something else. That look was always preceded by a glance towards your brother. It was always quick so you had always assumed that it was just him checking to see if Parado was paying attention but now you remember something else about it...it was a look of affection.

“Holy shit…” You whisper and clap your hands to your mouth. Graphite tilts his head and looks at you curiously. You look at Graphite and then around to make sure no one was around. “You have a thing for my brother!” You half whisper half say out loud. Graphite stands up, knocking his chair down and moves towards you.

“What did you say?” He says threateningly. You gulp and back up a bit in your bed.

“You heard me.” You stammer. “Every time we were together. You’d always look at him then just glare at me. Even if we weren’t arguing. But you weren’t just checking to see if you can get away with it. Even when Parado went off to go do things, you’d give him that look especially after he’d tell you that he’d go alone.”

“That’s because he’d stick me with you!” Graphite retorts. “You think a warrior like me wants to be a nurse for some loud mouth little brat?”

“Funny because I remember, and I remember everything, that you’d leave me alone immediately after. So I’d always go off and explore.” You shoot back. “So don’t lie. What’s the deal? Parado says you’re his best friend but what do you think of him?”

Graphite grits his teeth and clenches his fists. He breathes heavily. “He’s my best friend. He trusted me with everything. And then you showed up.” He spits. “Suddenly it was all about he had family, and how he wanted you to grow up and be ok. He no longer had time nor would he talk to me about anything anymore. It was always about how he had to go talk to Lovelica about this or that only to return and come dote on you. He’d always go on and on about how he finally had a sister.” Graphite knocks down the nearby table.

“I was his family! I stood by him from the beginning! When I was alone, thinking I was the only bugster in the world, he showed up and took me has his right hand! Together we were going to make this world ours! We would hunt down the humans and build a utopia for bugsters. I was his brother! If not in blood then in the trust he put in me! What did you do to deserve his attention?! You’re just an accident that happened! Then all of a sudden now you’re leading the group against us! Now you somehow swindled him into helping humans. Just because you gave him a little smile and a hug.” He snarls. “And now you expect me to do the same. Like Parado and Poppy. You walk here and want to give me a sweet little speech about how you want everything to be ok and expect me to be ok with it! I fought for my right to be here. You just sweet talked your way in. The only reason you’re still alive and this hospital is still standing is because of Parado. So maybe you are right, I do have something for Parado. And that’s loyalty and brotherhood. Something I earned.”

You sit there stunned, unsure of what to say. Graphite was telling the truth in a way. You simply had shown up and messed with the balance of everything. In a way, you did take Parado away from him. You made him change sides, made him spend more time with you. But you didn’t do it on purpose. You just wanted everyone to get along. Unsure of how to proceed you clear your thoughts.

>What do you tell Graphite? You basically turned his whole world upside down.
>Apologize and explain that you never intended for any of this to happen. Ask if you two can maybe set this aside and try to move forward.
>Call Parado in and try to get this sorted out. This seems to be more of a problem between you three than it is both of you.
>Apologize and ask if there’s anyway you can help settle this before you two discuss anything else.
>Tell Graphite while your sorry that he feels like this and ask if he can put your differences aside while the two of you work together to fight Lovelica. As long as he controls Genm Corp, neither humans or bugsters are safe from his whims.

I’ll need 1d20+6 for all these rolls. 1 and 3 sound similar but 1 is asking that Graphite simply put aside his feelings and move forward while 3 is asking if there’s anything you can actively do to end the dispute.

Rolled 20 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>3986993
>Apologize and ask if there’s anyway you can help settle this before you two discuss anything else.

File: 1573240058665.gif (987 KB, 498x280)

987 KB GIF

>>3987032
Huh...is it bad that these rolls areally making me nervous for future ones? I'll write once I get home.

“I...I’m sorry.” You say looking at your hands. “I truly didn’t know you felt like that. I mean I was just a kid.” You say feeling odd considering when you were a “child” you were still the same age as you are now. “I just…” You sigh. “Why didn’t you bring this up before?” You ask. “My brother would never just willingly push a friend away. Sure he’s a bit dense when it comes to reading people but he doesn’t willfully stay ignorant. If you had told him how you feel then he’d surely have done something to settle this.”

Graphite scoffs. “Parado may not admit to it but he was our leader. It was his vision we believed in. I wasn’t going to distract him with meaningless garbage like my feelings. It’s not his job to worry about us. He already has a tough enough job of having our lives in his hands to direct.”

“Yes it is!” You shout back on impulse. “A leader’s job is to worry about their people! Assuming he didn’t change his mind and succeeded in making a utopia for bugsters, what then? Was he just going to rule your corpses? Was he going to sit there content while everyone else stewed in misery until inevitably civil war broke out? The whole reason both sides are fighting is because neither side can acknowledge the other’s feelings! And now you’re telling me the person you trust your life in shouldn’t care about yours either?! He’s your best friend! He deserves to know and you deserve for him to acknowledge your feelings!”

“What do you know about how he feels?!” Graphite shouts back. “You here just playing hero and trying to ‘fix’ everything! You think gathering a group of broken soldiers and nearly dying gives you any sort of idea what all this is like?! That you can just spew on about what a leader can do and what their responsibilities are?”

You grit your teeth and hop out of bed. “You’re damn right I do.” You retort. “Unlike you, I’ve played both sides of the field. I know what it’s like to be human and I know what it’s like to be a bugster. And damn it! I sure as hell know that neither side likes the position they’re in!” You march up toward the bugster and jab your finger in his chest. “We have a golden opportunity here Graphite. Both sides are willing to work together and stop this madness. We both have a common enemy and have ample reason to set aside our differences and I’m asking you to join us!” You let out an angry breath and step back to pace a bit.

File: KREA-Drago_Knight_Hunter_(...).png (49 KB, 150x247)

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“Listen...I just want us to be cool with each other.” You start again once you settled down. “I’m sorry that Parado gave me tons of attention when I was with you guys. Even back then I wouldn’t have wanted to drive a wedge between the two of you. All you had to do was talk to me. I’m stubborn yeah, but I’d have gotten it. I’d probably even have brought it up for you.” You face Graphite. “So I want to start over. Is there someway I can make this up to you? Some way we can maybe move forward and start anew? We don’t have to be friends if you don’t want to but I can’t lie to you and say that I won’t worry about you knowing this is how you feel and you refusing to do something about it. At the very least I’d like for us to work together.” You say extending your hand to shake. “We can still be allies. You’ve proven that even you can work with humans.”

Graphite stares at you long and hard. His fists clench and unclench. His breath is heavy and angry. After a while digs into his pocket and throws something at you. It’s not a friendly toss by any means but at the very least he wasn’t throwing it to hurt you. Instinctively your hand snaps forward and catches the item.

In your hand is a golden Gashat. 「Drago Knight Hunter Z 」glints in the light as your turn it. You look a Graphite with confusion. “Prove to me.” He says, his voice full of emotion. “That the trust everyone places on you isn’t based on hollow works. I’ve been told you’ve placed your life on the line for everyone. The fact you alone have managed to resurrect the enemy organization and kept it as a legitimate threat is something I respect but it’s all hersay. I want to see it for myself.” Graphite steps back and draws his BugVisor. He transforms to his monstrous form and whispers. “Prove to me you deserve his love and attention.”

“You want me to hunt you down...In Drago Knight Hunter.” You summarize. Graphite nods slowly. “But this is a 4 player game.” You protest and shake your head. “There has to be another way. I can’t just fight you on a whim. Maybe we can talk this out.”

“Don’t insult the bond I have with him!” Graphite shouts. “We’ve fought countless times together! Placed our lives in each other’s hands! I want to see if you can bear that on your shoulders! You can’t talk your way out of everything!...I want to know he’s safe on your side…”

You weigh the Gashat in your hand. You didn’t want it to go this way. You wanted to be able to just talk it out. Maybe vent a bit at one another and move on. Now he’s asking you to hunt each other like animals. You chew your lower lip wondering what to do. You could see if he’d let the others help. That’d go well. Asking Hiiro that not only do you want him to help you recruit the man who murdered his first love, but that you are going to have to fight him to do it right after you just got finished being hospitilized.

>What does Reiko do?
>Agree to 1v1 Graphite in the most dangerous game. He’s a man of action and the time for talking is over. Kuroto said that the new Gashat was ready. This would be the perfect field test.
>As above but add the caveat that if he loses, he has to join you and has to speak to Parado about this. If he’s going to be your teammate then you can’t have your allies holding grudges. Kuroto already proved how dangerous it is to ignore those.
>Agree to hunt Graphite but ask if you can invite 3 others to help you. DKHZ is a 4 player game and you could use this as an opportunity to show off your leadership skills. It’s pretty obvious that no matter how much you protest, you’re the leader of NCR. Though Graphite might see this as an insult to his feelings.
>Decline. Try to talk Graphite out of this. There are better ways to settle your feud and one of them is to simply bring Parado in and have a long talk. You’re going to have a hard time convincing him though. Once Graphite has his mind set on action, it’s difficult to dissuade his.
>Write in

If you do decide to duel Graphite, feel free to tell me if you want to do any sort of prep before hand. I'll let you know if Graphite will allow it or not.

Anything but the first choice will require a roll. 1d20+4

Rolled 10 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3987523
>Agree to 1v1 Graphite in the most dangerous game. He’s a man of action and the time for talking is over. Kuroto said that the new Gashat was ready. This would be the perfect field test.

Sorry for going in the dark there. You know how things are in the holidays.

>>3989599
Don't worry about it man. I've been busy too. Hope you enjoyed your holidays though.

>>3987523
>Agree to 1v1 Graphite in the most dangerous game. He’s a man of action and the time for talking is over. Kuroto said that the new Gashat was ready. This would be the perfect field test

>>3987523
>>Agree to 1v1 Graphite in the most dangerous game. He’s a man of action and the time for talking is over. Kuroto said that the new Gashat was ready. This would be the perfect field test.

File: ua8i6eikxnr11.png (2.16 MB, 1404x1752)

2.16 MB PNG

>>3990110
>>3990008
>>3989599
We're going solo. In a monster hunting and tracking game with a detective Gashat. It syncs up quite nicely. Writing.

You purse your lips and think this through. Could you do this on your own? Maybe? Hiiro isn’t going to be happy when he hears about this. Neither is Parado. But if you go and call for help, it would undermine what you were supposed to prove. You look Graphite in the eyes, “Fine. Let me go get my gear.” You grumble and move past him to go to the viewing lounge. You see Kuroto snoozing while sitting up. A headband bearing the word “GOD” in bold letters was wrapped around his head.

“Kuroto…”You whisper poking his cheek gently. “Hey...wake up.” You continue as you gently shake him. Kuroto snorts and snaps awake.

“Do not touch the Game Master!” He screams and flails about. “Oh. It’s you.” He grunts and adjusts his headband. “They finally let you out then?” He asks. You shake your head.

“Not exactly but I’m gonna need my Gashat now please. I need to assert my dominance or something if I want Graphite to help us.” You explain. “It’s...field research? Testing?”

Kuroto suppresses a snort. “You mean you’re going to sneak off to fight Graphite and you don’t want me telling everyone?” He gives you a mischievous grin. “I love it.” Kuroto digs around the mess of papers surrounding him. “Here we go. 「Noir Mysteries 」. It’s Level X much so it starts at Level 10 but has the potential to grow beyond that.” He says holding up a black and grey Gashat.

“So low skill floor, high skill ceiling?” You ask.

“Exactly. Since this was tailored for you, your body should be able to adapt to it almost immediately. All that’s left is your skill to kick in. If you’re combining it with Drago Knight then you might be able to be on par with Graphite. Hopefully juggling two different games won’t be too much for you. This is your first time dualing up.” Kuroto says. “I’ll be here. Be sure to get me a ton of battle data.”

“Anything else you can tell me before I go play the most dangerous hide and seek ever?” You ask taking the Gashat and Driver.

“Not much you don’t already know. You have the Gashacon Knuckles, a pair of brass knuckles that will enhance your punching capabilities. Then there’s the Gashacon Grapple, a grappling hook...you can use it to swing for starters. Though knowing you, I assume you have some other uses for it in mind. Finally, in keeping with the genre, this game has an enhanced scanning mode compared to other gashats. You can track traces of the bugster virus, see in different spectrums, scan minerals and compounds. The works for a detective.” Kuroto rattles off.

You nod. “That’s...a lot. Definitely will come in handy if I’m gonna hunt down Graphite. Well I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Thanks Kuroto.”

File: waterfall-in-tropical-for(...).jpg (135 KB, 1216x648)

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“Don’t mention it. Sometimes God needs to use a guiding hand for his people.” He cackles. “Just don’t die. I don’t want to have to explain to Hiiro that his patient decided to go off and die because she couldn’t wait for help.”

You gulp and nod. “R-right.” You say and head back down stairs. Graphite was waiting patiently, flourishing and examining his weapon. Upon seeing you he nods.

“Are you ready?” He asks. “Or do you want to stall for more time?”

“I’m ready. Geez.” you reply. “You don’t gotta talk so much trash. I’m already gonna get an earful after I kick your ass.” You say without thinking. Graphite let’s out a huff.

“You’re still as cocky as ever. Now hurry and transform.”

You shrug and shake your head.

”Henshin!”

Noir Mysteries… Drago Knight Hunter Z!

As you click your new Gashat a digital wave flows out and envelopes the room. Monochrome folders hover around you, representing your game’s version of item boxes, and the room is tinged slightly grey as if reflecting a black and white movie. You suit up looking like your Mighty Action X form only this time you wear a long trench coat over your regular armor, your gloves are more like a smooth leather, a long scarf wraps around your mouth and flows down your back billowing in non existent air. Your life bar glows on your button up dress shirt with a tie and vest to match.

This new suit felt like a second set of skin to you. Instead of feeling like your body was stronger and pushed to it’s limits, you merely feel like you’re capable of doing more as if weights had been removed from your limbs. The weapons of the Dragon Knights equip themselves on you, two extendable arm blades, a helm of fire breathing and a strong whip like tail.

You roll your shoulders and neck. ”Game On.” You say as you swap stages.

Stage Select!

In a flash of light, you’re transported out of the room and you find yourself somewhere humid. The sounds of insects buzzing and bird cawing ring out in the distances. Thick foliage hangs around trees and floor as you take your first steps in the jungle suddenly feeling very overdressed. Graphite is nowhere to be found but that doesn’t surprise you seeing as this is a hunting game. At that thought you look all around you in nervousness feeling very open. Trying to calm yourself you think of how to proceed. You’ve never had to hunt anything down before. Not in real life at least.

>How does Reiko proceed?
>Stay where she is and get more information on her surroundings. Running around in an uncharted forest will only tire her out and get her lost. Perfect set up if you want to be prey.
>Kuroto say your new form has enhanced scanning abilities. Maybe you can use them somehow? There aren’t any tracks or clues you can scan at the moment but you might be able to get creative with it.
>Use your Grappling hook to climb up a tree. If your higher up you can get a better view of your surroundings.
>Try and gather resources. Other hunting games let you get items to craft or build a shelter. It’s better to be prepared before you move out and start looking around.

I’ll need some 1d20 rolls please.

Sorry guys. This'll be the only post for today. I still got people over for the holidays. By monday I'll be able to post like before. For now I'll try and post every now and then.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>3990279
>Kuroto say your new form has enhanced scanning abilities. Maybe you can use them somehow? There aren’t any tracks or clues you can scan at the moment but you might be able to get creative with it.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>3990279
>Stay where she is and get more information on her surroundings. Running around in an uncharted forest will only tire her out and get her lost. Perfect set up if you want to be prey.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

rolling for the choice
>>3990284
#1
>>3990293
#2

File: 2372665-bigthumbnail.jpg (163 KB, 450x300)

163 KB JPG

The fancy scanners were going to have to wait. You wanted to get ahold of your surroundings before you started playing with possible information overload. The most time you spent outdoors was when your dad took you out for picnics near the woods around some shrines. The second best thing you had was to rely on your video game knowledge and common sense. You take a relaxing breath and focus on what you can see. Trees for starters, lots and lots of trees. A bit beyond you can see the edge of a cliff. Getting side tracked a bit you hear something rushing around. You focus a bit and realize it's the sound of rushing water, possibly a waterfall.

You take a few steps towards the cliffside and can see a large roaring waterfall off in the near distance. The jungle was massive! Miles and miles of green canopy greet your vision as you look outward. Wandering around would not be a viable option if your intention was to not get lost. With that in mind, you decide that first thing of order was to find some landmarks to guide you. You had the waterfall. So that could lead you to the cliffside, finding another to lead you to your current area would be the next task. You take the few steps back to your starting position and look around. A tree that was seemingly split down the middle was a good start to confirm your location but you’d never find it in the distance.

You chew your lip and rub your hands together to try and stave off the building anxiety of being hunted. The longer you stayed, the easier you’d be found but if you started running off without a way back then you’d probably get yourself in a worse situation. You decide to settle a bit and look around once more while keeping an ear out. In your immediate area was the oddly split tree, the cliff side, the sounds of the nearby waterfall. Beyond that there was nothing that could be seen through the treetops. You decide to do the next best thing and jot down a quick note of the general direction of this clearing in relation to the location of the waterfall. It was the best you could do currently.

As you finish your cursory investigation, the sun glints in your eye. It was noon already! Time must be faster than real life in order to allow night time hunts within reasonable hours. To you that only meant that this game could take several in game days. As your about to wonder what to do next, a loud roar echos from within the forest! It was unlike any you have ever heard before and it seemed to have been coming towards you! Had Graphite found you already? You step away a bit and notice that there’s also a movement in the trees below you and the cliff. It looks like perhaps you might not be alone in this game…

>What does Reiko do?
>Hide! Wild animal or Graphite, it’s best you take cover and see what’s going on.
>Run! You better leave the area. If it’s Graphite then you’d need to make some distance and prepare first before facing him head on. The waterfall is a good place to head towards.
>Fight! You’re here to fight Graphite and if he’s found you then it just made your job easier.
>Write in

1d20+4 for these rolls please.

Rolled 4 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3993095
>Hide! Wild animal or Graphite, it’s best you take cover and see what’s going on.

Rolled 14 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3993095
>Hide! Wild animal or Graphite, it’s best you take cover and see what’s going on.

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47 KB JPG

You dash away from the cliff and book it to the nearest tree. The sounds of stomping approach you and you can feel the vibrations in the ground as it draws closer. You drop and slide on your leg, your weight and the slick grass carry you behind a large tree. You crouch and try to pat away the grass stains as you hear the crack and crash of a tree falling over while the stomps get ever closer. You hear various squeaks and the sounds of smaller feet pattering past you and away into the deep jungle as creatures run trying to escape.

The ground trembles visibly as whatever your hiding from approaches breathing heavily. It snorts and you can hear the splatter of what you can only assume is mucus hit the ground. You try to keep your breathing even as you tremble slightly. This was no longer just a simple fight between you and another bugster. Maybe it was because you no longer felt personality altering effects of a Proto Gashat or Kuroto’s personal Gashat but at the moment you felt a slight fear of the situation. You slowly lean and look around the tree unable to stay still and fearing the unknown.

“Holy shit…” You whisper as you see a large T-Rex like monster, almost 3 to 4 times your height stomp around sniffing the ground. With every breath, small flames flow out of the corner of its mouth, threatening to start a fire. You pull yourself back behind the tree and pray that it doesn’t catch your scent. It slowly begins to stomp forward and you shimmy along the tree trying to keep out of its line of sight. The monster drags its hind legs into the ground and lets out a roar before it stomps away, angry that its prey as escaped. You hear the sounds of a few more trees being pushed away and breaking ring out finally giving away to the sound of the waterfall.

You let out the breath you had been holding as you slowly rise to you feet. If this was Graphite’s game, you could certainly tell why he had grown into the warrior mentality. In Drago Knight, both he and the players weren’t only fighting each other but also the entire environment. In a way this was the perfect test for you. Graphite wanted to see if you could protect Parado but not everything was going to be a straight fight in real life. Like in this game, there would always be something else popping up to complicate things and you wouldn’t always have an even fight. If you were going to show him that you were going to be a leader then you would have to beat this game handily.

>What does Reiko do?
>Time of Day: Noon
>Begin exploring. You need to find a better place to get a grasp of the map. Somewhere above the tree line would be a good start, though that would make you more easily found.
>Gather supplies or find a place to call a base. Time flows faster in this game. It’s no surprise this might drag on into the night and having a shelter, whether built by you or converted form nature, would be a good idea.
>Head to the waterfall. It’s the only landmark you know and it’s a water source. Maybe up stream you might find calmer waters. Problem is, the giant monster walked off in that direction.
>Write in

I’ll need 2d20 for these choices. First is the choice, second is your perception. For the second choice please tell me if you’re looking for supplies or looking for shelter.

Rolled 18, 3 = 21 (2d20)

>>3993621
>Begin exploring. You need to find a better place to get a grasp of the map. Somewhere above the tree line would be a good start, though that would make you more easily found.

Rolled 3, 14 = 17 (2d20)

>>3993621
>Begin exploring. You need to find a better place to get a grasp of the map. Somewhere above the tree line would be a good start, though that would make you more easily found.

We might need a third roll...

Rolled 15, 4 = 19 (2d20)

>>3993621
>Begin exploring. You need to find a better place to get a grasp of the map. Somewhere above the tree line would be a good start, though that would make you more easily found.

>>3993663
>>3993656
>>3993646
We're gonna explore. Writing.

File: MH4-Congalala_Render_001.png (181 KB, 640x640)

181 KB PNG

You begin your walk in the direction that the monster came from. Better to get away from it than to risk running into it. As the ground slowly begins to slope and you climb the rising hill, you keep an eye out for anymore surprises. Here and there you would duck behind a tree when you hear a branch snap or something snort, only to find smaller dinosaur like monsters. They minded their own business and gazed at the grass. From studying them, they seemed docile but you didn’t want to do anything thing to scare them into a frenzy. However, the fact they were eating must’ve meant they felt safe enough to stand around so there must not be a larger creature around. You continue onward and the hill gets steeper forcing you to hunch over in order to shift your weight and prevent yourself from falling backwards. The tree line thinned out and at the top of the climb you see your prize. The skeleton of a huge dragon lay there with the large skull resting at the very top of the hill. It’s bleach white bones would stick out perfectly in the sea of green should you find another way to see above the tree line in other areas. You walk along the skeleton taking note at the sheer size of the creature. You wonder if the dragon had died of old age or if it was killed in battle. You hope that it was the former that ended the creature’s life only to realize that it might just be the game that put it here.

You reach the skull of the dragon and look into it through it’s open mouth. The roof of the mouth made it perfect for shelter against rain and wind...save for the obvious open spots where the eyes once were. However this defect made it so that sunlight could filter in and keep it from being a bitch black cave.

As you explore the skeleton a bit longer you hear a loud screech and instinctively your throw yourself to the side. A huge rock crashes where you once were and you turn to see your assailant. A large gorilla like monster lets out another screech at you as it puffs up it’s...belly? It’s small beady eyes glare at you as it jumps down from the top of the skull and lands with a loud thud. Unlike the T-Rex monster this gorilla monster was only about twice your size making it less intimidating in that aspect.

>It seems like you found a good place for shelter but it seems to be occupied. What does Reiko do?
>Fight the monster. You can’t just go around trying to avoid every fight you see. Eventually you’ll need to defend yourself.
>Try and run away. The dragon skeleton isn’t the only shelter in this place. You can find another and every fight you avoid is less energy you need to spend.

I’ll need 1d20+4 for either choice.

Rolled 5 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3994348
>Fight the monster. You can’t just go around trying to avoid every fight you see. Eventually you’ll need to defend yourself.

Rolled 16 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3994348
>Fight the monster. You can’t just go around trying to avoid every fight you see. Eventually you’ll need to defend yourself.

>>3994353
>>3994374
We're fighting. Nice roll.

You draw your arm blades and try to seem threatening to the large monster. Sensing your desire to fight the gorilla creature inflates it’s stomach and slaps at it like a drum before leaping at you! It swipes at you with it’s sharp claws but you manage to roll out of the way. You get to your feet and swing your blades at it. They cut deep into it’s leg and blood wells up from the wound but the beast seem to be unaffected as it swipes it’s heavy tail at you. Raising your blades, you deflect the blow giving the monster ample time to jump away and on to one of the bones of the skeleton.

The beast bloats its belly before making a gurgling sound and hacking up some kind of brown sludge in your direction. With a yelp and cough of disgust, you dash out of the way and behind one of the teeth lining the lower jaw of the skull. The gorilla beast leaps back down and picks up a rock with its tail. It eyes you for a bit before charging straight at you! The two of you clash as you strike your weapons against its sharp claws. Sparks fly but you have no time to pay attention to that as you are forced to disengage when the tail swings towards you using the rock as a weapon. You backflip away and the monster jumps away again but not before it flings the rock at you midjump.

You slice the rock down the middle and look up in frustration. The gorilla’s fighting style wasn’t something you’re used to. A grim smile spreads on your face at the irony. You had done something almost exactly like this the last time you used Proto Mighty Action X to fight some ride players. If you were going to win this fight, then you’d have to think of something equally creative.

>What is Reiko’s plan?
>Jump! If you can’t beat the monster on the ground then you might as well try and beat it at it’s own game.
>Try and disable the tail. That tail give the monster too many options and it’s ability to attack you while it defends is trouble.
>Drago Knight has a fireball attack. If you can’t reach the monster, you can try and fight it with ranged attacks. Being in a jungle however adds to the risk of a wildfire.
>Try and time the jumps to attack during an opening. You did the whole jumping thing first so you know that there’s a point in every jump where the monster will be open. All that’s left is to find out when that is.
1d20+4 for all the choices.

Rolled 3 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3994625
>Try and time the jumps to attack during an opening. You did the whole jumping thing first so you know that there’s a point in every jump where the monster will be open. All that’s left is to find out when that is.

Rolled 12 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3994625
>Try and time the jumps to attack during an opening. You did the whole jumping thing first so you know that there’s a point in every jump where the monster will be open. All that’s left is to find out when that is.

>>3994649
>>3994631
Grabbing something to eat, then I'll do the write up.

The monster jumps at you, raising its claws and letting out a shriek! He rockets at you like a bullet and you’re forced to roll out of the way. You hear cloth shredding as the monster’s claws cut into the lower part of your trench coat but you escape unscathed otherwise. You take a desperate swing at the monster, clipping its leg and making a shallow cut, as it jumps away. You grit your teeth and growl as it leaves your range but you move back into position. You were nothing if not tenacious.

The gorilla puffs up it’s stomach again and hurls vomit at you once more. You run to close the gap and void the projectile screaming, “That’s fucking gross. Stop!” The gorilla makes a sound that you assume it laughter before it jumps towards you again. This time you’re ready. You know that once he jumps his path is set and with that information you run towards his landing point. The beast flies at your and you swing at it right as he was landing, cutting him in midair. Your blades strike true as they bite in deep. You feel them sink in until they hit the ribs and are deflected out of the monster’s body. The large gorilla howls in pain and lands wrong, collapsing in a heap. The monster fails in panic and pain hitting you with its tail and slapping you aside. The impact sends your crashing into the cheek of the dragon skull knocking the wind out of you.

The monster gets to its feet and howls at you as it holds its bleeding side with one hand and slams the other against the ground. The tail swings around, lashing at the air and trying to get ahold of something to grab and use as a weapon.

You slowly get to your feet ignoring the aches in your body and get ready for another round.

>Reiko’s HP: 12/15
>What’s your next move?
>Continue intercepting the monster’s jumps. If it works, then best to not change tactics.
>Focus on the tail. It’s injured so it might not be jumping as much. That tail is still a pain to deal with.
>You have a grappling hook. Maybe you can tie the monster down. What you’ll do after that, you’re not sure.
>Try and use your fire breathing attack. The monster is hurt and bleeding. Maybe the threat of being lit on fire will scare it away.

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>3994857
>Focus on the tail. It’s injured so it might not be jumping as much. That tail is still a pain to deal with.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>3994857
>Focus on the tail. It’s injured so it might not be jumping as much. That tail is still a pain to deal with

Happy New years (or new years in a few ours for me)! After the fesitivties we'll go back to our schedule...maybe. I have ended my NEET status and got a part time job. Once I get my schedule for that I'll try to run the quest around that. Hope you guys understand and have a good new years party!

>>3995262
>>3994868
Free time! Writing. Sorry about going dark on you guys like that.

>>3999203
it's alright

Clang!

Your blades clash against the razor sharp claws of the large gorilla. You raise your foot and stomp one of the arms away leaving the monster wide open for you to slash at the beast’s chest. The twin blades cut into the monster’s pecs forcing him to back off. But not before it swings its tail at you once more. You kick off from the gorilla’s other forearm and flip over the tail swipe. As you land you dash forward, trying to get in a few shots while the monster while he was off balance. Your enemy was still midspin when you reach him and you swipe wildly at its legs.

The monster screeched in pain and topples over. It flails wildly in panic, trying to keep you away while it tries to right itself. You duck and flip over its flailing limbs while you go to your goal. You had to disable the tail because it’s ability to attack while you were preoccupied with the claws. The monster swings one of its stubby legs at you but you plant your hands on it and vault over it. You cross your blades in an X shape and slip the tail between them before…

SNIP

You slide the blades against one another closing the scissor and slicing off the tail at the base! The tail falls to the ground with a dull thud and begins to spasm before going still. You feel a bit queasy at the sight but your attention is drawn back to the tails owner as it lets out it’s loudest screech. You physically feel the vibrations reverberate throughout your body. The gorilla grabs at its bloody stump where it’s tail used to be. It notices the blood on its hand and begins to slam it’s fist on the ground before launching itself at you!

>Reiko’s HP: 12/15
>What’s your next move?
>Continue fighting in melee combat. The monster no longer has a tail and you can fight it on an even footing. It also is in pain and losing blood. Its bound to make more mistakes now.
>Stick to ranged fireballs. The monster is cornered and hurt. It’s more dangerous and unpredictable that way.
>Continue to fight but with the intent to scare the monster away. You cut off its tail and you can make your point without killing it. This is your place now.
>Write in.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>3999290
>Continue to fight but with the intent to scare the monster away. You cut off its tail and you can make your point without killing it. This is your place now

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>3999290
>Continue to fight but with the intent to scare the monster away. You cut off its tail and you can make your point without killing it. This is your place now.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>3999723
>>3999746
Trying to spook the monster away. I'll give the last roll then writing.

The gorilla charges towards you and you launch yourself at it. You swing your blades at it, cutting into its arms. In its enraged state the monster ignores the attacks and slams its forearm into you. You grunt in pain as its limb collides with your gut and your launched backwards. You crash into the side of the dragon skull and fall to the ground dazed. The monster charges again but you manage to barely roll out of the way as the beast slams into wall at full force. Again the monster seems to ignore any pain it feels as it kicks off from the wall and tries to body slam you. You scramble away, barely getting out of the way as the creature crashes into the ground.
You rush back in and swing your blades wildly, trying to drive it away from pain alone. You stick your blades in over and over into the monster’s side. When that doesn’t seem to work, you retract your blades and slip on on your brass knuckles.

Gashacon Knuckles!

You pound your fists into the gorilla’s ribs. You feel something crack underneath your attacks and the monster gets to its feet with a low growl. It swings its massive fist at you and you feel its fingers wrap around your waist. You gasp as the breath is squeezed out of you and you struggle to break free. The monster lifts you above it’s head and slams you into the ground, once, twice, three times. You feel your head hit the inside of your helmet and everything goes blurry and your ears ring loudly.

The monster brings you face to face and roars at you! Spittle flies from your mouth and splatters on your mask. In a last act of desperation your activate your helmet’s fire breath ability. The flame roars to life as a large ball of fire flies out of your helmet and explodes directly into the gorilla’s face!

The monster’s fur immediately catches fire and it drops you to the ground as it howls in pain and tries to punch the flames out. It flails wildly, stumbling around before it slams it’s head against the ground and runs off as the flame continue unabated.

”Yeah...and don’t come back.” You say weakly as you cough and groan. You lay on your back and pant heavily as you look up at what is now the night sky.

>Reiko’s HP: 9/15
>Night has fallen,we’re all sort of beat up, and there’s an angry bugsters hunting us down. What do you guys do?
>Go hide in the skull cave for a while to lick your wounds. You’re playing a 4 player game solo and you’ll need all the health and rest you can get (spending the night in the cave will restore 2 HP from rest alone...assuming nothing interrupts it that is.)
>Keep moving onward. That fight must’ve made a lot of noise and attracted a lot of attention. Staying here would make it easier to find you and you don’t know if you want people to know where you are right now.
>Try and scavenge for things to help you. Maybe you can make a salve to give you HP. Then again, wandering in the dark might not be the best of ideas. (Finding stuff to make healing items gives you a chance to heal 1-4 HP depending on how well you roll)
>Write in.

Also I'll need a 1d20 roll for all choices.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>3999882
>Try and scavenge for things to help you. Maybe you can make a salve to give you HP. Then again, wandering in the dark might not be the best of ideas. (Finding stuff to make healing items gives you a chance to heal 1-4 HP depending on how well you roll)

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>3999882
>Try and scavenge for things to help you. Maybe you can make a salve to give you HP. Then again, wandering in the dark might not be the best of ideas. (Finding stuff to make healing items gives you a chance to heal 1-4 HP depending on how well you roll)

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>3999895
>>3999906
Trips and then quads but still not very high rolls. I'll do the third on last time and then writing.

File: 543.png (533 KB, 850x479)

533 KB PNG

Err...today is not a good day for rolls it seems.

You slowly get to your feet and stand unsteadily. As much as you wanted to just lay down and rest, it was probably a better idea to be proactive about your healing. You make your slow descent down the hill under the cover of night. The sounds of bugs chirping and the you walking on grass are the only sounds you can hear. Once you make it back into the jungle you begin to rummage around for roots or herbs that you could craft into some kind of healing item.

You feel around and try to find anything that looked like a medicinal object. Unfortunately the darkness was all consuming and made it impossible to find anything. Flustered you begin to switch through the various filters in your suit to try and see if anything could help you see in the dark. Your helmet’s eyes change color as you swap around. Red for infrared, orange for thermal, purple for tracking traces of the bugster virus in the air, until you reach green for night vision. The world is bathed in a green tint as the darkness is banished from your sight and you can see your surroundings clearly. Even with your enhanced vision you still fail to find anything of use among the foliage. Cursing your luck you get up and begin to wander around the jungle hoping to find anything that could help but any plants that may do so seem to be well hidden among other plants.

You commit to you goal and continue to search as the night goes on, trying to ignore the aches and pains from your last fight.

Roll me 1d20+4 for perception please.

Rolled 3 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3999953

Rolled 12 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3999953

Rolled 18 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3999953

>>3999960
>>4000742
>>4000754
Nice rolls gents. Writing.

As you’re fumbling around in the dark you feel it. It’s a faint, slight change in the wind. A small movement in the breeze and raise in temperature. You spin around, drawing your knuckles and slapping away the glaive away and punching down at your attacker’s head. Graphite slams down into the ground and bounces on impact. You kick at him but he blocks with his glaive and pushes you away. The two of you stare at each other in silence. No banter, no taunting. Just a mutual understanding that you two are here to fight. You two slowly begin to circle each other, waiting for the other to have that momentary lapse in focus, that small second of hesitation that would allow the other to strike.

Adrenaline washes the pain away as you slowly circle around. You wonder how long had he been tracking you. Had it been from the start? Or did you attract him with your fight against the gorilla? Could he see in the dark? Did you make too much noise while searching for crafting items?

You flex your fingers and try to loosen up your shoulders so you can roll with the hits. Graphite twirls his glaive and you two continue to circle each other. The sound of the grass and dirt crunching under your feet scream at you to spur into action but you hold back. You’re tried and on edge but you know Graphite is waiting for you to make your mistake and take you down. He’s one of the highest level bugsters and underestimating him would be a big mistake. The two of you hear the sound of something scurrying in the tall grass and the snap of a twig prompting the two of you to charge forward.

In the dark, flashes of light and sparks explode as your weapons connect. Graphite twirls his glaive and aims for your head. You smash your fist into the blade and deflect it. You grab the middle of his weapon and punch. Your fist connects with his chest and he returns the attack with a head butt forcing you to let go. As you stumble back he attempts to strike you but you throw yourself to the ground to avoid the attack. You jump off the ground into a rising knee and managed to connect with his chin.

Graphite rolls with the momentum and flings a blade of flame at you before flipping back on his feet. You breath out a ball of fire to counter and they both collide and explode in a bright light. Hot air rushes around you and threatens to spread the fire more. Graphite is nowhere to be found, having vanished back into the darkness. You pant for a bit and look around you, trying to find any hint of where your opponent had gone.

>HP:9/12
>What’s the next move?
>Chase after Graphite. He couldn’t have gone far and you might be able to use some of your tools to track him down. He might want to use the darkness to set something up or ambush you again. Probably best to not give him the chance.
>Try to make some distance between the two of you. Using the darkness you could probably hide away for the rest of the night. You’re injured right now and could use some rest.
>Stay where you are and try again to find something that you can use to help you. Graphite already knows your here and if you run around in the dark you could stumble on to something you won’t like.
1d20+4 for the choices

Rolled 17 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>4001007
>Try to make some distance between the two of you. Using the darkness you could probably hide away for the rest of the night. You’re injured right now and could use some rest