Disclaimer: I own no characters except for my OCs Bman Allstaria, Domino, R.O.T.O.M., Darkball, and Anti-Timmy.
Location: unknown
Unknown's POV
"Hey, wake up."
"Get up man."
"…"
"HEY GENIUS! WAKE THE HELL UP!"
"Ahh!"
Now that got my attention as I woke with a serious scare. I could have sworn that I was standing on something, but all I saw was black darkness everywhere. Which was scary enough; darkness ain't my thing, mostly for whatever lurks in the darkness. Then I heard that voice again.
"Bout time you got up. I was thinking you had died on me."
The strangest part was that the voice kind of sounded…familiar? No, it couldn't be. Wait a minute…
"You wanted to kill me?" I shrieked. I could already feel a heart attack coming on like whenever I played Luigi's Mansion for the GameCube; all those ghosts jumping out of nowhere in the darkness ganging up on me and making me panic for an escape. I shuddered at the memory.
The voice interrupted my thoughts. "Huh? Oh no, not at all. I just wanted to make sure you weren't in a coma or something. It's kinda hard for me to bring someone like you here, thank you very much."
I looked around in the blackness. "Um…where the hell is here?"
Awkward silence.
"Oops, my bad. Forgot to get the lights."
Suddenly, thousands of birds flew out of the blackness, revealing light from the floor. Or rather, the darkness literally flew away, revealing a shining mosaic floor. It showed pictures of creatures I'd never seen before. Some slimy, creepy, fast, strong; every shape and size! And in the center of it all was a large green diamond in a circle. But I also noticed something else when I looked down…
"DUDE! WHY AM I NAKED?" I freaked to the voice. All I was left in were a pair of orange boxers that said 'Wise Guy' all over them. Plus, I still had my blue digital watch.
The voice sounded confused. "I don't know so don't look at me. Didn't you decide to sleep in your boxers tonight anyway?"
Silence.
"Oh yeah…my bad. But…how did you know that?"
"I know a lot more then you think, so for now, just move over to the next platform. And don't worry, you won't fall off like in your Mario games. I put up invisible barriers for your fear of falling."
I kinda looked on dumb struck as another pillar came into light, with a light staircase leading to it. As I left the green pillar for a new one, I started to worry. How did this thing know so much about me? And why did it bring me here in the first place? I had no other choice now but to trust it.
As I arrived on this new platform, I noticed it was purple in color with several symbols on it: a flame, a gear, a raindrop, a skull, a star, a mountain, a squiggle, and a plant.
The voice spoke to me again. "OK, now for the important stuff." As it was talking, three pedestals rose from the ground, each with a certain item on top. One held a red sword, another had a blue wand-like staff, and the last had a green shield. "The universe is in great danger and must be defended. To do so, you must make tough choices, friends, and even enemies. Now, before you lie-"
"Keep the staff, ditch the shield." I said unimpressed.
The voice was confused. " H-how did you know that was coming?"
I shook my head disapprovingly. "Kingdom Hearts much? I mean seriously, I like the style, but don't expect me to be surprised." I looked at the platform.
"But I don't get what the hell this stuff is all about, so, kudos for you."
The voice grumbled, but regained composure. "All right, hero boy. Now for some clothing. No need for fighting in your boxers." I nodded and waited patiently for something else to happen as the pedestals sunk back into the ground. Suddenly, the symbols on the ground all glowed, sending a rainbow of colors swirling around me.
"Wait a sec! What's going on?"
The voice never answered as the colors merged into a flash. When it faded, I was fully clothed! I was now wearing a pair of blue denim jeans and some white sneakers with a black checkmark. My top half was covered in a thin long-sleeved shirt. Or maybe it was just a black T-shirt with long white sleeves? Yeah, that's it. The shirt was decorated with a black and white eagle on my chest, and lots of stars on both the stomach area and my sleeves. Lines ran up the arms for more detail. I was ecstatic.
"Whoa! Awesome! I love this shirt." I said with a smile.
The voice sounded happy too. "Glad you like it. These clothes are very durable with an almost magical quality to them. Oh yeah, check your pockets too." I did as I was told, finding a wallet with a ton of cash and a new cell phone.
"OK, now move on to the next one." The next platform appeared and I jogged over to it. This one however was a mix of themes. While half of it was covered in rainbows, smiley faces, and bunnies, the other half was more scientific and blue. I had a 'WTF' look on my face but it didn't bother me too much.
"Time for some surprises," said the voice, as two chests appeared, one over each section of the large platform. "Well, go on. Open 'em up."
I went to the chest on the blue side first. As I opened it, the voice spoke again.
"What you have there is your very own warhammer. It always pays to have a weapon on hand, but feel free to dish out some punches too!"
"Holy shit! This rocks! I've always wanted one of these. And the black and silver match my shirt too," the voice snickered at the last remark, "not that it matters or anything…"
"Right…now, for the other one." I went over to the pink side and opened it up too. Immediately, something jumped out at me, causing me to fall and scream in surprise. But I also felt a surge of power from the object. It wasn't painful, but it was shocking. I literally saw stars, and then fire. They seemed like a…vision? It was short, but when it ended, I checked out the object in question. What came out was a small red Labrador Retriever (about the size of a Pikachu, I guessed) with a green collar staring back at me with its black eyes, looking happy to be free.
"Hi Master! It's about time you opened up. I was getting cramped in there," it spoke. I jumped to my feet in haste, freaked out once more.
"What the hell! You can talk? Wait a sec…were you that voice?"
The dog shrugged. "Well, yeah. Duh. I thought you recognized me, Master." I stopped to think.
"I don't think I know you…" I waited for a name. The puppy dog smiled and stood up.
"Oh yeah. I'm Domino, your personal Guardian. At your service." Domino saluted with his paws. I stared in disbelief.
"You gotta be kidding me…" I actually did remember Domino, but he was a stuffed animal I had owned as a child. How was he alive, let alone here? Domino climbed up my body and rested on my fluffy brown hair.
"I'll explain more where we are on the next platform," Said the dog. This one was in halves again. One side was a darker blue with mushrooms, green trees, and shooting stars, while the other side looked more like heaven with its clouds and angels. Domino jumped down.
"Now that you're armed and dangerous, let's put you to the test." A humanoid figure appeared out of nowhere. I turned to the pup.
"I got to fight that?"
Domino nodded.
I lifted up the warhammer. "No sweat, Dom. I got this."
Dom shook his head with a smirk as the weapon vanished from my hands.
"Not so fast. Defeat this Dummy with your own power. Maybe you'll enjoy what you find."
I was about to argue, but the Dummy kicked me down before I had a word in. It hurt of course, but I got back up and punched him in the face.
"You bastard! I'll kill you!"
We kept going at it, with Domino watching from the sidelines, but I was getting tired. This thing wasn't human, so it could keep on going. I cursed under my breath. I soon got sluggish but Domino kept cheering.
"Keep going! Don't give up!" At that moment, I got punched in the face, Domino wincing. This was supposed to be easy! I felt so much rage built up inside of me. I could practically see the fire before my eyes, ready to spurt forth. I finally released my pent up anger in a warcry, only to find myself breathing fire right at it! The material the Dummy was made out of melted into a puddle at my feet. I didn't notice Domino's praise for I was freaking out once again. Domino stepped up and explained.
"Excellent! You just used your Raging Flame attack. It gets stronger when you're pissed, and is sure to roast anything in your path." I glared at the mutt and yanked him up by the back of his collar.
"So what the hell did you do to me? Hurry up, before I cook you medium rare!" Dom looked hurt at the accusation. I felt myself getting calmer; how can you stay mad at a sad puppy?
"I didn't do anything. You had that power inside of you all along. I just acted as a catalyst. Whenever you are in physical contact with certain things, you may have a Vision Surge go by in your head. A Vision Surge acts as a quick Tutorial for a move. After that, you can use it as much as you like. Granted, it may not show you everything about the move, but you'll figure it out."
I grunted and dropped the dog on the ground, but not before my warhammer reappeared on my back. Surprisingly, it didn't feel very heavy to me. Another platform appeared and I followed him to it. It had a pink-colored sky with what looked like a city on the clouds with stars. This time, I decided to take some initiative.
"Hey Dom." The dog turned and looked up at me.
"Yeah?"
"I've done everything you've asked me to and while I appreciate the fire breath and stuff…I deserve to know just where in the hell I am!"
The dog sighed. "Well, you're right Master. You do deserve to know."
I nodded. "Damn straight…"
"Anyway, where we are right now is your subconscious mind. And this is where I've lived ever since you acquired the toy version of me in your world."
I looked around and felt a little sad. "You lived all this time in the dark?"
Dom shook his head. "It wasn't always like this you know. There was light and grass and things everywhere, but that changed when the darkness spread so far it penetrated your very mind to stop you from ever defeating it. Weird huh?"
I nodded.
"But what is this 'darkness' you keep talking about? I'm not going on some wild-ass goose chase and shit. I have a life..."
"Don't worry. I say darkness to generalize it. It's basically any type of major evil in a world that if left alone, will eventually decimate all life in that world, and that would soon spread over the multiverse."
I sweat-dropped. "You make it sound so easy to stop..."
Domino smiled. "It will be for you Master. You can do anything you set your mind to."
I patted him on the head half-heartedly before I picked him up and put him on mine. "Just one more thing Domino."
Dom looked confused. "Huh?"
"Stop calling me Master, OK? I'm not all that cool with it. If it was a human girl calling me that, yes, but…" I started fantasizing about such a thing ever happening, not noticing the goofy look on my face. Domino smirked and stomped on my head, breaking me out of my trance.
"I getcha, I getcha. Should I call you by your real name then?"
I shook my head. "I need a cool hero name if I'm going through with this. Something that just screams 'I'm more badass and awesome then you, but I still care." What do you think Dom?"
Domino suddenly jumped off of my head and sniffed the air. He looked like he was panicking. He suddenly stopped moving.
"No…"
I was confused. "Uh… you OK there buddy?"
Domino suddenly turned to me, fear across his face.
"Stay back-" He was suddenly cut off as a pulsating black sphere swept down and took the little dog away in a sharp green claw.
"DOMINO!" I screamed as I chased after the figure. It flew to yet another platform, decorated in what appeared to be ancient blueprints for some kind of robot surrounded by 7 gemstones. Domino looked hurt as he was trapped in a green energy cage. I approached the sphere.
"All right shithead! Let Dom go or else!" I demanded, finally brandishing my warhammer. The sphere chuckled darkly as it opened its two emotionless eyes.
"Look who's here! I don't think we've had the pleasure of meeting face-to-face…Master…" The last word was spoken in hatred. "Do you remember me? I'm not all that difficult to forget after all…"
I quickly thought of possible identities, but nothing seemed good. It took my silence as a sign to continue.
"Oh really now? I've been forgotten so easily it seems. Such a pity…" It shook its…head? "We've had good times and bad times alike, but mostly bad times for me." It turned towards Domino. "It had to fulfill our story. It was one of the reasons why we were imagined as characters. Characters with goals and minds. Yes, me and this damn dog go way back…" Domino growled from his position, causing the cage to shock him unconscious as the figure laughed. I smashed my weapon to the ground and screamed.
"KNOCK IT OFF!"
The sphere turned quickly to look at me.
"HE was always your favorite now, wasn't he? It was always HIM that won, it was always HIM that was the hero. Leaving me just a cold…heartless…" Out of the ground rose two giant severed skeleton hands, keeping close to the body like real limbs. It was then I realized who this was, and I was scared for my life.
"Darkball…" I muttered.
The dark orb looked amused. "Look who finally remembers, but it's too late. With your guardian out of the way, I'll waste you early so I can escape your mind and terrorize the real world!" He then charged at me with claws drawn, but I parried them with my warhammer.
Blow after blow, I parried against the speeds, surprisingly, until an opening came where I struck a claw with the sharper edge of the hammer doing serious damage as Darkball cried in pain. He cursed and responded by punching me in the face, making me drop my warhammer in the process.
"Raging Flame!" I yelled as the flames engulfed him. As they died down, with me catching my breath, I was shocked to see he shielded himself with the hands, and was unharmed. He looked amused.
"Pathetic. Don't you know from your little games that fire doesn't work on bone?"
Crap, he was right. Go figure why he chose bone claws instead of energy ones like before. He punched me again in the face with both hands as I staggered backwards, dizzy.
"Master! No!" Domino woke up and yelled. Darkball loomed over me chuckling darkly. As I saw stars in my vision, I put all my strength into one last punch. I yelled.
"TAKE THIS!"
As I was punching, sparkling blue and yellow stars surrounded my fist. It made contact with his skeletal hands, broke through them, and then smashed his face in. I gaped surprised at what I had just done, while Domino shouted in joy. Darkball's body started to spaz.
"No! This is impossible! You're not supposed to be this strong!" He clutched his heads to his head before the bones withered away into dust. After some violent seizures of his own, he fell with a thud on the floor, eyes empty and wide. The energy cage around my guardian disappeared as well.
"That was amazing! You the man!" Maybe I really was destined to save the world, or whatever Dom was talking about earlier. I mean, I just beat an embodiment of darkness from my own mind, so why not go out and kick some more ass?
But…can I really be up for that? I almost got my ass killed, so will it work out for just normal me?
"No," I said.
Domino stopped cheering for a moment and stared at me worriedly. I summoned more stars from my hand like before.
"I'm the Bman! Bman Allstaria!"
Domino broke out in a wide smile and leapt into my arms as I hugged him.
"I knew you had the power! The potential! I never doubted you for a second." I lifted him up and put him on my hair again as the last platform rose up, this time with a picture of me! On said platform stood a single door.
"This is as far as we go here. Through this door is a new world, meaning a new threat to defeat and hopefully new friends too!" said Domino.
"But what if I can't find it anywhere, like with Darkball? I don't want anyone dead…" Domino patted my head for assurance.
"Don't worry. While you can't detect darkness, I got a Nose for Trouble, which allows me to sniff 'em out. It's my special ability." He said with a grin.
I smiled, but looked down at Darkball's body and felt some pity for him. I mean, I did create him after all. I should apologize or something, I guess. But as I touched his body, I received another vision surge, this time of a dark purple energy falling downwards. As it went away, Domino smirked.
"Good call there, Bman. You've just learned Gravity Bomb! By smashing your arms down, you can bring down the gravity around you, flattening enemies while slowing them down too."
I smirked at this new power and decided to try it out.
"Gravity Bomb!" My arms glowed dark purple, and as I brought them down, a dome of intense gravity appeared around me. I heard Domino scream, so I ended it.
He looked dazed. "Not the best idea to do it on me…"
I sweatdropped.
"Sorry Dom." I looked back at the door again. "Hang on!" Domino gripped my hair as I ran through the door, and officially beginning my journey as a full-fledged hero.
"WATCH OUT JACKASSES!" I yelled.
"IT'S HERO TIME!"