PHASE I [ 9 00 ] The peace of the morning in the Residential District shatters just as the wall caves through. It’s a small segment of wall -- no more than five feet across at most. And yet the crash and groan of the metal being stretched is ominously accompanied by the distinct piercing screech of metal and another sound. A raucous noise, a combination of ungodly wailing and sharp, victorious laughter spills forth from the hole left in the wall as a myriad of ghosts and spirits erupt from the newly created exit. Characters with any type of spiritual sense will find themselves nearly overwhelmed by the amount of negative ghostly energy that suddenly floods Cerealia and characters with no sense of preservation will find any attempt to enter the hole blocked by the fiercest of ghosts, met with deadly force if they try to pass, as the ghosts won’t hesitate to do things such as reach straight into your body to try to stop your heart.
These ghosts are out for blood, and they don’t seem to stop no matter how you try to talk to them -- they just hiss out, over and over again, “Murderersmurderersmurderers.”
From there, the ghosts move on. Their true target, after all, is CERES… but to them, there’s no difference between the character players and CERES. They’ll go for whoever gets in their way, phasing through walls and becoming tangible long enough to reach for characters before fading away again. Characters with special abilities will find themselves in a similar state. Their abilities may increase and decrease in power sporadically, or be completely gone. They may attempt to cast a spell only to find that the wrong spell is cast instead, or an attempt at healing may end up a more dangerous spell. Be careful with your own magical skills!
Those with items or powers specifically intended to ward off spirits will still fulfill their intended purposes when used – unless malicious spiritual energy gets to them first.
PHASE II [ 1400 ] It seems the ghosts have more tricks up their sleeves. It seems that a not-so-friendly ghost has decided to play a game with you. It doesn't matter where you are, or what you're doing, because a moment later a voice calls out -- Hey. Can you see me? -- and once you turn your head, you’ll come face to face with a surprise.
Who is it in this world (or your world, or any world) that you have managed to disappoint the most? A family member? A friend? Yourself? They face you now, eyes full of sadness, and they say, “I need you to do something for me.” Without another word, they’ll turn away and begin to walk. Your vision grows foggy, focused solely on the need to do whatever this person wants – they need you, after all. Your legs move to follow them, unless you manage to somehow resist.
But you apparently don’t seem to notice that you’re the only one who can see this person – or that they’re leading you stray toward that monorail track with the sound of the train coming closer, or that busy intersection, or right off the sky bridge.
PHASE III [ 600 ] Other ghosts don’t feel like borrowing faces in order to inflict damage. No, they’ll inflict their damage on a far more personal level. They manifest suddenly and without warning – then all it takes is a simple touch. A ghostly hand reaches out to you and it feels like the cold wraps around your heart, and your vision skews, and then... they leave just as suddenly as they came.
Those who have been around for awhile may very well recognize the ghosts, at that.
But the damage has already been done. Depending on a character’s assigned sense, they will feel one of the following changes:
Sight: Hopefully you aren’t in the habit of bending the truth. Dead men tell no tales, they say. But what happens to a living person unable to tell lies? Any attempt at telling any lie or falsehood will cause the character to feel as though their throat has closed off, and they can do nothing more than choke.
Smell: The cold passes, but in some way that it never really leaves. And then everything seems perfectly normal. Nothing has changed, right? You're fine -- except that in a short period of time with how crazy things are, it becomes apparent that you're unable to feel pain. The damage to your body is the same as ever, but dangerously, you can't feel a thing.
Taste: It would appear as though the ghosts have a sense of humor. From those who rest in eternal slumber, try a few days of being unable to sleep. Everything seems fine at first... but slowly but surely, that lack of sleep will start to take its toll.
Hearing: Most others would feel relief once the ghosts left, finally a moment of peace. But you? You don’t feel anything – nothing kind, anyway. Rather, you have been left unable to feel joy. Everything seems either bleak or as though it simply has no emotional impact at all.
Touch: How many deaths have been caused in the name of heroics? Apparently in an attempt to keep future casualties down (or perhaps for their own laughter), the ghosts have left you unable to be brave. Suddenly, a situation you'd face fearlessly is one that has sent you running, panic sharp in your chest.
These effects will last throughout the event, if a character is caught by them.
PHASE IV [ 1000 ] While chaos erupts throughout the city, some of the more misguided ghosts (but still bloodthirsty, so very bloodthirsty) just happened to run into the wrong part of town and don’t know how to give a proper scaring. One ghost seems to think that it was a great idea to possess a masseusebot from the Spa. You’re grabbed suddenly! You fight for your life but can’t seem to get yourself out of its metal grip! With expert precision that only a robot can mange, it finds your pressure points – and releases all that tension from this Incredibly Bad Day. The ghost inside the robot is confused, distressed -- why is this human suddenly so relaxed? It only wants to murder. But the only illegal thing happening here is how good this massage makes you feel.
Maybe later you’ll walk down the street and get stopped by the ghost that possessed a balloon dispenser. Perhaps a ghost has possessed the friendly McCERES mascot, and is now handing out coupons with murderous intent. And of course, there are always the hug bots...
Look, they tried really hard, okay.
Of course... they might end up possessing technology a little closer to home as well, at which point it's not so funny.
BONUS [ xxxx ] Hopefully you have friends who have ghost-fighting skills. Or ghost-taming skills. Or ghost-bellydancing skills, who knows, we won't judge them if you don't. But what of those poor people who come from worlds where the supernatural is some weird television show?
Worry not, poor souls, for CERES is here to provide! Some time after the ruckus begins, characters will find what looks to be a hand-held vacuum cleaner situated innocuously in their rooms (only one per person, you greedy gus). The logo on the side will helpfully inform you that this is of CERES make, because the paper pamphlet beside your new device? Well, it's more like a picture book. Observe Stick-Man Sully as he uses his vacuum cleaner to capture ghosts! Learn from his stellar example! Do not stick the hose in your mouth or attempt to give the vacuum CPR, there's a big X over that picture. Also of the one where Stick-Man Sully sets his captive ghosts free once more, we don't want that, do we?
Your new ghost vacuum should prove effective against any ghastly ghoul that shoots your way, but beware! Should you capture a ghost and not turn in your vacuum to CERES for weekly ghost disposal, your ghost will serenade you in the wee hours of the morning with its song of choice. If you capture a whole horde of ghosts, well, congratulations. You have a boy band living in your vacuum.
[ Remember to apply proper warnings on threads with sensitive or inappropriate material and do let a mod know if your thread careens off into maiming or canoodling so we can lock the log. ] |
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open~
I need you to do something for me
Du-Duzell...
[ Ishtar's eyes were met with a pair of blood red ones, clouded in sadness, before they moved away from her. The former princess didn't exactly have time to respond to the fading figure clouded in black wistfully walked away from her and as if in a trance herself, her eyes were clouded over and her vision became foggy. She started to take shaky steps forward, following the disappearing silhouette that only she could see.
He needs me. I have to save him. ]
[ She was forgetting that this world could play many awful tricks and the things that wandered it were far beyond just cruel. However, there was no stopping her from moving to the monorail track. The sound of the train was drowned out by the trance that she was put in. ]
Wait for me, please...
[ If she could die to save someone's life, why not? It was better than watching them die anyway. She had been feeling down and broken since a lot of things happened. She didn't have time to put herself back together and now this was starting to take a toll on her mind as she was quietly taking steps closer and closer to the monorail tracks. The sound of the train was alarmingly loud, yet she did not seem to notice at all. Someone might want to stop her before she ended up being road kill. ]
Phase IV
H-Hey hands off!
[ Ishtar was shoving the masseusbot out of her way as the thing was jumping her. She didn't even know where the hell it came from much less why it decided that it was a good thing to attack her. She slumped over with a bit of a giggle fit now that the damn thing found her pressure points and they're not making her feel anymore relaxed than it was moments ago. She may have felt like she was getting a nice stress reliever but was constantly reminded that those things were trying to kill her somehow! ]
L-Lay off already jeez!
[ Yet her struggle was in vain. Someone help a girl? please? ]
ii
[ Yosuke happens to see her dazedly walking toward those monorail tracks, and like hell is he gonna let her just walk right in front of it! It might be too loud for her to actually hear him, but it doesn't stop him from dashing right over, grabbing her by the wrist, and yanking her backwards, away from the tracks and the oncoming train. ]
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She turned to look at the person that was grabbing her and then staring at them in utter confusion. She wasn't sure what she was doing at all. In fact, she's maybe a little lost on why she was yanked by the wrist. ]
...Where--Where did he go?
[ She turned to look at the person. ]
What was I doing?
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He let go of her wrist, flashed a bit of a sheepish, apologetic smile before fixing her with a more concerned expression. ]
I'm not really sure... You just started walking toward the tracks, like it didn't matter that there was a freakin' train coming right for you. Are you okay? And... Where did who go?
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I -- did what?!
[ There's a surprise raise of her voice before she calms down after realizing she almost shouted. ]
I think I am. I'm not sure what sparked me walking towards the train tracks of all things and-- oh!
[ She furrowed her brows. ]
You didn't see him? He had long flowing silvery white hair and red eyes, clad in complete black. He was saying something to me and I was trying to get his attention...
[ How the pieces feel strangely out of place right now. ]
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He shook his head, looking toward the tracks again just in case he'd maybe missed something the first time... nope, still no sign of anyone or anything. ]
I didn't see anyone, just you. You sure it wasn't a ghost? Or something like that?
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That's extremely strange. Maybe she was tricked by a ghost of some sort, but she could have sworn that the silhouette and the voice, along with the gestures were almost accurate. However, he was right. She might have been affected by something here, maybe a glitch? ]
That's strange, I sworn I saw him, but you might be right... maybe someone's playing a really awful joke.
[ She furrowed her brows for a moment before offering a more pleasant look. ]
Thank you for helping me. I wouldn't know what to do if I actually walked on those tracks.
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IV
At least for now, he'll be safe right?
Well, not quite.
In the middle of it all though, that's when he heard a familiar voice nearby. Despite being light headed from his sickness, he could tell that Ishtar needed help and fast! Maybe it was fever talking or maybe because he was in such a panicked state but as he looked around and grabbed a nearby trashcan...]
T-Take this!
[Here, Ishtar, have a fever induced young boy attacking said robots with a trashcan]
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The former princess looked highly confused on what just happened, but she noticed that Takeru had been the person to throw the trash can at the creature. She pushed herself up and moved over to the boy. He didn't look any better than she did, though, maybe worse. ]
Takeru what are you doing here?!
[ She replied in surprise when she made it to him, however, the robot itself was starting to regain it's balance. Oh boy. ]
Okay, maybe not a good time to chat. You look awful, by the way. You think you can still run?
[ That or she's giving him a piggy back ride out of here. Her magic was also extremely wonky so she couldn't use any of it on the robot. ]
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He had to think of something quickly or else! As he kept on hitting the robot, he knew that at some point it was going to get mad! But at least she managed to fall on the ground!]
I...I....
[Of course, he didn't have time to get an answer! By the time the robot was regaining its balance, he quickly looked up to the older girl]
Y-Yeah, I think so! If I could outrun those robots, I can outrun this one!
[Nevermind that he was getting tired by this point]
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The former princess still looked a little worse for wear but at least she was away from the thing's grasp for the time being. It was getting its balance back and Ishtar quickly made a grab for Takeru's arm so that they could leave as soon as possible. ]
Okay let's find a safer place to talk and hold onto my hand. If you can't run anymore, tell me. I'll carry you if I have to!
[ She's not any better but she's holding herself together pretty well for now just as Takeru was. She could tell that he looked really tired but Ishtar would let Takeru do what he wanted until he couldn't anymore. ]
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Not that he was going to tell Ishtar that but it was made apparent by the way he was slowing down. Even with her grabbing his arm, it didn't take long for him to start panting heavily!]
O-Okay, we'll just...run and find somewhere...safe. I don't think there should be a problem getting us a place we can hi-
[And whoops, there goes the boy as he tripped straight into the ground!]
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Y-Yea we co--- Takeru! Are you alright?
[ She stopped to help him up and looked back at the thing that was still chasing them. Well screw her life, really. Her magic wasn't working properly and there was no way she could take it on with Sidia alone. ]
C'mon, sweetie, here we go.
[ Whether Takeru was expecting it or not, Ishtar made a quick move to push him towards getting on her back so she could move for both of their safety. Strange enough, she had only seen Takeru. She wondered where Patamon was or did she miss him when she was running with Takeru. She hoped the creature was okay as well. ]
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Phase IV
So instead, Rock Lee, wearing a blanket as a cape, stars in horror at the scene unfolding before him for a moment.]
That... that's so tragic!
[And then he drops onto the ground before them, trying to cover himself with his blanket.]
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A-Ah?!
[ Oh well, what the hell was she suppose to do now? ]
Er... hey, maybe a little hand here?
[ Ishtar seriously shouldn't be throwing her magic around and the poor guy might get assaulted by the robot too. ]
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[He peeks out from the blanket at her and the machine, but he is instantly seized by terror and retreats back under the blanket, shivering excessively.]
I cannot!!
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[ Ishtar stared at him and just sighed. Well, that was a lost case. She could tell right now. She wondered what happened to the poor guy for him to suddenly be like this. Eventually, Ishtar shoved the robot hard enough to make it lose it's balance after giggling like an idiot from its massage attempts.
She was breathing a bit heavy but she reached over to the guy covered in the blanket. ]
C'mon give me your hand or something, we're getting out of here. You'll probably hurt yourself if you can fend them off...
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Are- are you sure? There are so many dangers... They are everywhere!!
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I am pretty sure. It wouldn't feel right abandoning anyone in need. I know they're everywhere. Maybe we can find a place to hide or someone to help us.
[ She still kept her hand there, waiting for him to accept it patiently. ]
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ii
Don't.
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...?
[ Somehow it supposedly snapped her out of the trance, but she could still see the figure ahead. Maybe, it would be best if he shook her some. ]
...have-- I have to save...
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Your sick.
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[ Sick. Is that why she was seeing things? ]
..H-huh?
[ Momentarily that was enough to snap her awake somewhat. ]
Zero?
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You were dreaming.
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Dreaming huh? I must have had a pretty bad dream to walk off like this.
[ She replied, placing a her fingers on her temple and sighing. ]
I caused you more trouble didn't I?
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