This is my first contest so I'm really nervous... Rules at the bottom.
"Hey, Pittoo?"
"..."
At her companion's silence the author let out a groan of exasperation.
"Dark Pit?"
"What?"
"Do you know what day it is today?"
Dark Pit turned to stare at Random, slightly confused.
"I don't know. Thursday?"
Ignoring the fact that that wasn't even close to what day of the week it was, Random amended her previous statement.
"No. What's the date?"
A bored shrug was her answer. Random groaned again, the sound dragging out even longer than the first time.
"It's January the 3rd, Dark Pit. Do you know what's so special about today?"
"Dunno. I get to beat up Pit-stain?" the dark angel smirked in reply.
Random shook her head wildly. "Please don't. That didn't go down well with Palutena last time. No, today marks the end of my first year on fanfiction!"
The sound of chirping crickets were heard. Dark Pit was staring at the self claimed author as if she was insane. Perhaps she was.
"So?" Dark Pit inquired, finally breaking the silence. "Big whoop. That means nothing-"
"So I'm holding a contest!" Random butted in happily.
There was another period of silence.
"You were just looking for an excuse to host one." Dark Pit accused.
The brown haired girl laughed nervously. "Um, yeah maybe. Anyways, I've decided to host a mystery contest!"
"The only mystery will be how you'll find time to actually do all the technical stuff." Dark Pit grumbled.
"Hey. No negativity!" Random snapped, her voice then fading to a more worried tone. "I hope people join. It would be embarrassing if nobody joined... You there! Person reading this! Please join! Please!"
There was a loud crackling sound. The dark angel listened, and concluded it came from the wall. The fourth one, to be precise. He let out a sigh from his place on the couch.
"Poor soul that has to fix the fourth wall." he said solemnly.
Random sent the mentioned wall a worried look, and once it seemed like it would hold, she nodded, and continued.
"Alright, rules!"
"They suck!" Dark Pit added unhelpfully.
Um yeah! Mystery contest! I've been wanting to host a contest for a while now, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. So rules, yeah they suck, but they're necessary.
1. Your score will be based on the following: Grammar and spelling, characters, mystery aspects, originality, and how much you stay to the criteria.
2. Oneshots can be any length over 2000 words. Multi chapters have no limits (like Cloud!) but don't work yourself too hard!
3. Rating can be anything. M rated fics are okay, but try not to get too graphic in your descriptions.
4. Assist trophies can be in the fic, but the stars must be smashers.
5. It can be canon or AU, I don't mind.
6. Genre 1 must be mystery and the second (preferably) one of the following (suspense, adventure, crime, action, friendship, humour, tragedy, western, or something else I'm forgetting) There's leeway here of course. Although the first one must be mystery, the options for the second are pretty much suggestions.
7. Okay this next bit is important. If you are writing a multichapter fic, it must be serious. Yes there may be lighthearted moments, but the overall mood and atmosphere must be serious and dark. Oneshots on the other hand can be about Sonic searching for chili dogs that the villager sniped with his pocket but was then struck down by Pikachu's thunderbolt and then sliced in half with Link's master sword and- You get it, oneshots can be ridiculous, as long as there is a 'mystery'
8. Another important piece of information is the fact that the culprit MUST be revealed at some point throughout the story, preferably towards the end. The culprit doesn't have to be seen by the characters, but the reader must eventually know who he is. Like, it could end with everyone being killed, but then the culprit needs to throw off his hood or whatever so the reader can see who it actually is. A slightly annoying rule, I know, but I like to know who the culprit is.
9. This piece is even more important. HAVE FUN! Sorry that came off a bit forceful. But there is no point in this if you're not enjoying yourself.
If you still have questions, PM me. To register drop a review or PM me. Registration ends on the fifteenth of January, and entries are due by the twenty fifth of February, a date that may or may not change. If you need an extension, I can work with you. You may start writing and posting as soon as you sign up.
Wow, that was long and serious. I'd just like to say to everyone who helped me through my first year here, thank you. A lot of people have been here for years, and starting up was kind of hard because everyone else seemed to know what they were doing and I was failing miserably. (Especially because I'm an idiot) You've all been so nice and kind to me. I hope this new year of 2016 will be a good one for me and everyone. I have almost no confidence in my writing. But your reviews and favourites and even people just reading my fics fills me with a sort of joy and stirs a glimmer of confidence inside of me. Thank you. Thank you so much. And sorry for rambling and taking up all of your precious time.
Good luck everyone! And have fun! :D