|
|
Post by Raven8 on Oct 22, 2017 19:23:03 GMT -8
The main area of the undernet is a sprawling make-shift city known as the Hacker's Network, or Hacker's N for short. It is home to all yet haven to none, as the populace tends to look after number 1 first and foremost.
This network also enshrines the fabled "undersquare", the true hub-area of the Undernet and the entryway to the Secret Network for those invited in by the Underking. Police forces from other countries are generally met here with retribution from one of the net's strongest forces, yet this same king of mercy turns a blind eye to those who take haven in his kingdom, allowing them to govern themselves, no matter what that may entail.
|
|
|
|
Post by Trinitrotoluene Monomania on Aug 21, 2018 5:48:31 GMT -8
 Piano.EXEA Navi with white, human-looking formal clothes and closed eyes stood in a dark corner, while Darknoids walked to and fro, minding their own business. It was a rare moment that he could be found in a hub, because common viruses could never enter this area. He shared a fairly unique connection with viruses -- adding to that how they've been the closest thing one could consider his company for years now -- and having that connection severed even temporarily evoked a feeling yet unknown to him, but one could guess that it was loneliness.
It had been hours after he bought that Anti-Damage program from some pushy HeelNavi merchant strolling around. He just chose the first program that fit his measly budget. After seeing that he had no idea what programs were for at all, the HeelNavi was even kind enough to install it for him.
After hours of analysing the program with what limited knowledge he had, and majorly with the help of the HeelNavi's explanation, he finally understood that this program was made for battling purposes.
Battle. It wasn't a concept foreign to him. Any direction a Navi would look at, it was there. Navis against viruses. Navis against other Navis. Viruses against other Viruses, which was a lot rarer, but was still there. He stood there and wondered if he was capable of doing "battle" like almost every other Navi.
After a few more hours, he walked out of the hub. |
|
|
|
Post by church on Sept 1, 2018 7:14:53 GMT -8
A beam of light descends into the hub. As it dissipated, a Navi stumbled away from the contact point. He made his way towards the undersquare with his rifle across his back, his helmet in his right hand, and a data bleed along the bridge of his nose.
"If you're here, if any of the legends are true, then we need to talk."
As he spoke, the Navi stumbled into a brick wall.
"I don't know you, and you don't know me, but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important."
|
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on Sept 1, 2018 11:41:56 GMT -8
StrifeMan.EXE
"Tsk. Lowest on the ladder, quickest in the batter; wont to be a stabber, sent to do the latter!" The discordant voice went on and on with little nothings and utter nonsense, some of which weren't even real words from real worlds - just gutteral, strange noises mixed in with the sound of his greatest ire.
The source of the sound wasn't as evident at first, as it was easy to be seen from all around. Sound? Seen? What madness, indeed! It was as if the waves of sound produced color, from angry reds to shimmering greens, and a strange, calming yet malevolent grey. His growls, laughs, snickers, whines, coughs and - was that chirping? - bounced off the walls, rebounded off the central square, and surrounded little Guts on all sides.
A rounded chair appeared, with the back of the chair turned down onto the floor, and the legs facing up in the air. Seated on one of the up-turned legs of the chair, StrifeMan calmly kicked his right leg, his armor clanking as his surprisingly humanoid upper body glanced over Guts. The wheels of the upside-down chair were placed on the back, and yet didn't move an inch, as the somehow balanced chair supported StrifeMan atop.
He raised his human hand and allowed his fingers to shift into claws; not his nails, no, but the whole finger, all at once. One minute, he had fingers; the next, he had serrateed claws. The colors from his sound still whirled around him as he studied his newest prey - the man with the ribbons would prefer him to not rip him up, or, at least, not yet.
It was why he had to make himself at least somewhat presentable - the humanoid look was a simple one, if not still somewhat unsettling. No cover to his bodice other than his leg armor, StrifeMan's humanoid state was bare, scarred, burned and pulled skin, drawn taut against his muscled form underneath. The glyphs that covered his body were his only hopes at decency, truth be told, as they swirled around and the ink took on strange, howling shapes and forms, like clouds of disease roiling across the horizon, a profaned black sun rising from the south, howling figures and roiling faces, all trying to get out; and the hole where his heart would be, sinking, falling, churning, spinning, deeper and ever farther in . . .
. . . It was almost tantalizingly easy to get lost within that void, as Guts would notice should he pay it too much attention. StrifeMan stared back, his crimson gaze still locked on Guts, his human features stretched and haggard from the torturous energy within his own broken bones. What did this cretin think he had to earn from talking to the one with the ribbons?
"A man of faith! StrifeMan has faith, too, y'know . . . in pain! Hahah! Kwahawhahhahah!" The strange man almost fell off of the inverted chair in his laughter, before, all at once, he collected himself and paused, snapping his attention back to Guts. "Hmmm . . . yes, yes, StrifeMan can listen to him, he can! StrifeMan can carefully listen, and hear him, he will! So, then, speak! Speak, ye, who came looking for answers - what do you want to hear from StrifeMan?"
|
|
|
|
Post by church on Sept 1, 2018 15:57:37 GMT -8
"Net Life might be driven to it's end soon, and HE might be the only one who can prevent that from happening."
Looking towards StrifeMan, Guts smiled.
"So, unless you want that to happen, I'd suggest showing me how to get to the one person in this place that can do something about it. Because if you don't, odds are we'll all die. Oh, by the way, your shoelace is untied."
After his brief respite against the wall, Guts righted himself and continued walking towards the Undersquare.
"If we somehow make it out of this, you should consider fighting for a good cause. It's a shame to see the talented lose their edge down here."
|
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on Sept 4, 2018 12:18:50 GMT -8
StrifeMan.EXE
He had been listening. Really, he did! The man needed help! StrifeMan knew that. Something about the whole of the Net potentially going up and out, just like that, with death, pain and clinky, shiny flashes! That sounded like a little bit of fun, it did; but the man didn't want that, no!
So, yes, he'd been listening. He even crazily checked his shoes, which didn't have any laces, just to show that he was listening to what the man had to say. He thought he was being very kind, very polite, and the picturesque darkloid that the man with the ribbons wanted him to be!
. . . "Lose his edge? Why would you say that?" StrifeMan careened forward, on the edge of his particular leg of the chair, to get a better look at Guts. "You think StrifeMan's lost his edge? Because we're down here, instead of up there? Because we don't have a good thing to fight for?! Oh-ho-hoaheahahahwhkwahahah!" He fell back onto his chair, falling in between the individual legs to land on the seat - which was suddenly right side up underneath him. "StrifeMan's not lost his edge - it's right here," he declared, uncoiling his tail from around his waist. When did his tail grow out? He hadn't been paying much attention - his inner demon had been wanting a new plaything, after all.
As his tail uncoiled, it segmented into spades, diamonds, and strangely interlocking knives, claws, beaks and strange torture implements, all running down the edge of his previously normal, albeit fiendish, looking tail, pieces of it falling away into new shapes and forms as it coiled out around him. "Funny thing, that - StrifeMan had been listening, he swears! He wasn't going to rip you up, no, he was going to be a good little darkloid! But the king only wants StrifeMan to show mercy - we just have to let you leave. We can still do the seeing and the saying, the grabbing and the stabbing, the flaying and the . . . well, not-so-much-slaying.
"How's about that? We cut you up, bring your remains to the man with the ribbons, and then you can tell him about how much a little, insignificant worm such as yourself is in need of his assistance. Sounds like fun, yes?!"
|
|
|
|
Post by xoDeathy on Sept 5, 2018 8:14:45 GMT -8
"He hehehehehe.. hhehhehhe"."
A distorted giggle echoed the area, followed by the roar of a great beast. Never able to use the door like a normal Navi, a pool of crimson appeared on Guts's path to the Undersquare about 20 feet from him. Slowly arose the eyes closed Shadow Labrys herself, her teal hair clashing with her black armor and purple accents. Her greataxe--nearly as tall as her--stood ready, holstered upon her back. Once she had fully ascended, her eyes opened instantly, revealing their shining gold hues, yet the crimson pool still danced below her, as if a shark was in the water.
"How adorable.. the weakling wants to play hero. Why would you want to save Net Life? Wouldn't it be fun if it just ended?! Think of all the chaos, the possibilities, the new beginnings!! We could start anew, be different than what we are now. Maybe.. maybe we could make a New Net!! Where we are in control and not those hare-brained humans!! Doesn't that sound great, fantastic, amazing?!"
With every word, ShaLab pranced, she danced, she laughed, she smiled..
She enjoyed it all too much. And the crimson pool danced in unison. |
|
|
|
Post by Raven8 on Sept 5, 2018 8:54:13 GMT -8
...a cold wind blows, electrified by a silent, lost surge of unknown origin. The darkness of the undernet pulses and writhes, as if uncomfortable. The Navis here were not alone. No, some... thing... was nearby. Watching. Observing. Preparing. A being unlike any that they'd ever seen. As before these three Navis locked in debate about the future of all that they know he appears....
....a spooky scary skeleton!
Crown: By jove my good Navis, isn't it simply a delightful and surprisingly beautiful day today? A tad dark for my liking, but such is the world when you go for a leisurely stroll through the undernet in the dead of night, eh' wot, my good chaps? Say, you there; would you happen to be one of those "darkloids" that I've been hearing so much about these days? How delightfully drole and unusual! In my day such things didn't exist in any form! But then again, in my day I was a person with skin and flesh and such, eh' wot? As has been said for many a year; time does have a way of changing the world! It makes me wonder; what would cause a chap such as yourself to look into such a way of life? Was it necessity or choice? And can you even leave this state, or is it such a part of you that it would be like parting from your own kin by this point? Fascinating topic, indeed! And you, my dear! Oh how delightful; a female Navi! Ho progressive of the programmers to make you, eh wot? Simply delightful! Tell me; have you been alive long? Of course alive is so very relative in this sense! I know that none of us are truly alive by this point. Especially me with this ghastly smile, eh? What fun this all is though; I've not felt this alive since I was actually alive! Of course I haven't felt much of anything since I was alive, eh wot? Arrow through my head, it was! Just like the comedians do on the telly from time to time! Of course that's become something of an odd cliche by now, I'm sure. A short-lived spot of fun for laughter, but worn out soon after it's seen. Not an entirely unpleasant way to die, I must say; hurt less than the blasted arthritis in the old knees! Nothing quite like a good bone-spur, I don't mind sharing. Especially evident since I'm nothing more than bone, eh wot? Say, have any of you been to Creamland before? Jolly place, to be sure! Worth a visit if you find the time; the castles are truly spectacular, the people are just grand, and the food: well, let me just say that the fame of Yumland in that regard is deserved, but it still pales when compared to Creamland! Why, it seems like just the other day I was sitting at my table enjoying my afternoon tea and a plate of biscuits made by my favorite chef. Lovely lady, she was. Ghastly smile, but the personality of a nurturing grandmother. Made the greatest biscuits I'd ever eaten, beyond any doubt! In fact it was why I hired her; back before the war, I'd sent out employment requests to the entire kingdom in hopes of finding the best chef that I could. Of course I left out the part about it being in the employ of the king, but they came from across the kingdom to show. I remember one lady in particular; beautiful as the sunrise, but her biscuits would satisfy little more than my trash bin! Lovely lady all the same, I believe that the arch duke wed her a year later. Had at least three children, too! Very happy together, I assure you. But where was I? Oh yes: I was sitting enjoying my tea and biscuits and turned to Mary. Mary was the snaggle-tooth old saint that made them, in case I failed to mention her name, and told her "Mary my dear, these are beyond any doubt the finest biscuits that you've". Strange place to stop, eh wot? Well that's because a bloomin' arrow came in the window and gave me a new set of ears? Was someone from Sharo, I'm sure. Dreadful people, eh wot? Little more than a band of savage snow-yetis searching for their chance to take what isn't theirs! And their choice in clothing; simply dreadful, I assure you! Little more than padded rags and a bucket for a hat! I always was partial to that little kicking dance that they did, though. Fold the arms, kneel down, and kick, kick kick! Simply delightful! But where was I: Oh yes! You really should visit Creamland some time; lovely country. Just lovely. And the people; simply wonderful! My old chef Mary, she had a lovely little boy named John. Ho-HO! that boy was simply delightful; we had an archery field just outside of the window to my breakfast table, and down there the boy would practice his precision. he'd spend hours on hours attempting to hit that target, but every shot flew high, often hitting the castle itself. Why, it was often that I'd look out the window and yell out "Keep trying, young john! You'll hit them some day!" And the boy would just look back and beam at me! And that reminds me of another story; John, the same boy who loved archery so, was taking up classes in the castle. Well, one day the boy had anatomy class with Mrs. Belding. Ghastly woman; as cruel as they come. And gadzooks was she unpleasant to look at! The woman could scare the dead with her smile alone! But she did know the human body like none other! Well, they had just finished class when they got word that I was coming. You see, they'd had class in my personal quarters as it was the quietest spot in the castle. They cleaned up as quickly as they could, but in the end they simply shoved their various pieces of equipment into my closet before running off to keep a secret. I suppose that they intended to come back for it later, eh wot? Well, I was quite tired after a long day of riding, and wanted to retire for a nap. So I disrobe and begin to prepare myself for a long summer's nap. naturally I walk to my closet, open the door, and there I am greeted by the sight of a bleached-white medical skeleton! Scared the pants off me! Or rather it would have if I'd had pants on to begin with, eh wot? Ho ho. Splendid times. Good memories. Oh yes, and that does remind me of why I interrupted you lovely chaps this fine day; would any of you be kind enough to direct me to Creamland, hmm?
....the skeltal being dances around slightly as he speaks, his jaw chattering wildly as if unhinged with every passing moment. On the fringe of his green robe, a set of bright neon lights flash on and off. His royal diadem, ruby red with a golden bird sporting the Creamland royal crest on top, shifts back and forth as he leisurely dances about in a happy manner.
|
|
|
|
Post by B.o.B. on Sept 11, 2018 0:15:32 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by xoDeathy on Sept 14, 2018 6:12:17 GMT -8
Shadow Labrys had been listening with extreme intent, even pulling her axe out to lean against with her arms, giving a small golf clap at the end of it. Once the new Navi made note of Creamland once more, ShaLab's eyes sparkled, and her mechanically echoing voice seemed to have new enthusiasm added to it.
"Try to you say? Ahaa, silly Navi, considerin' I've never heard of you, Mr. 'Fro, I wouldn't want you gettin' lost. Dangerous times, and all dat. Not that I think gettin' lost with this kind old Navi would be borin', but why don't you allow me to make this easier for all three of us? I can take us directly to Creamland."
By this point ShaLab had already put her axe back on it's holster and walked towards Crown and Disco, the pool of crimson following her every step.
"It doesn't have to be a quick trek, either. I'd luv to get ta know more 'bout ya, Mr. 'Fro, and more of your stories--"
ShaLab made an overexaggerated of her hands clasping her face.
"Goodness, where are my manners? I haven't even gotten your name, but first allow me to give you mine."
ShaLab made a bow before the regal looking Crown.
"I am Shadow Labrys, a loyal servant. And may I ask for both of your names?"
|
|
|
|
Post by church on Sept 14, 2018 15:01:39 GMT -8
"Listen, I don't have time for a fight right now. I have to meet with someone about something very important. If you want to fight, pick a different target. As it stands, I wouldn't be able to entertain you for very long anyway."
Guts shuffles painfully, drawing labored breaths as he moves towards his destination while keeping an eye out for one of the guards, after finishing up his part of the conversation.
|
|
|
|
Post by Raven8 on Sept 14, 2018 20:01:17 GMT -8
The crowned Navi continues to gleefully dance back and forth as both Shadow Labrys and DiscoKid offer him their aid, his jaw still chattering along as he responds to their kindness.
Crown: Oooh, jolly good, my friends! How simply delightful that you would come to an old man's aid in his time of need, eh wot? Reminds me of the time when I was just a lad that I tried to help an elderly lady in our kingdom across the street. Tried to kidnap me, she did! Of course the royal guards took care of that on the spot! Was a fine time to be sure. But I digress, dear friends; I am known as Jean Couronne XIV. But my friends call me Jimmy! Though I suppose that Crown would be the most appropriate name, all things considered. Please lead the charge to the promised land, eh wot!
Crown's almost contagious good mood spreads even farther as the skeletal monarch laughs heartily to himself, his jaw still chattering wildly as he does so.
|
|
|
|
Post by B.o.B. on Sept 14, 2018 23:24:43 GMT -8
DiscoKid.EXE DiscoKid put their arm around Crown, and continued to dance along with the boogieing bones,
 The more the merrier I say! GROOVY! Nice to meet you Shadow Labrys and Jimmy, folks call me the DiscoKid, or just Disco for short... 
Disco took this moment to strike one of their signature poses, throwing up their hand in the air pointing to the sky. All the while not missing a single beat of the jiving jumble o' bones.
My tale is one of fantastical funk, beautiful boogieing, and graceful grooving, uh huh!
Striking another another of his signature poses, making a piece sign and dragging it across his eyes, still without missing a beat of the rattling bones dance.
My story however had a bummer of a beginning, uh huh!, Totally not groovy! Ya dig? I didn't always used to be a solo act. I used to have a partner in crime. The great and mysterious D.J. Q.! My totally funky creator and NetOP. He was the coolest cat around, that was until... the accident...
For once Disco stopped dancing falling off beat and slumping just the slightest bit as he remembered that horrible day...
It was a very not groovy day...
Disco's fist clenched tightly...
But you see my man Q. gave me one last order, ya dig? and that was to party on forever, uh huh! And so I shall! Because that's the GROOVY way to live, ya dig?
Disco fell back into step with Crowns dancing and waited for Labrys to lead the way. |
|
|
|
Post by xoDeathy on Sept 17, 2018 15:45:33 GMT -8
"Crown it is! The pleasa' is mine, and to you as well, Disco."
She gave a short giggle before taping the crimson pool twice with her heel, causing it to expand around all three of em.
"This is my pet Asterius's server. He will take us right to the castle entrance, and the best part is he don' bite! Hehe.. anyway, it won't take ya automatically. I ain't here to kidnap anyone, so follow me closely! Think of it as a tunnel of fun!"
With that, ShaLab descended down into the pool, waiting for the other two to follow.
<Shadow Labrys, exit>
|
|
|
|
Post by Raven8 on Sept 17, 2018 17:25:07 GMT -8
Crown continues to dance back and forth joyously, obviously enjoying the company of Disco and ShaLab.
Crown: Well good heavens, DiscoKid! I didn't know that I wasn't the only one amongst us that was long-dead!
Crown laughs heartily and nudges DiscoKid with his elbow.
Crown: I kid, my boy! While I'm sorry for your past, I feel elated for your future! Now come; home awaits!
Crown makes a swift jump and leaps into Shadow Labrys' portal without hesitation.
<Crown, Exit>
|
|
