End of ACT 1

ACT 2

Mituna widened his eyes in amazement at Latula's world. The sky above him was an epileptic flurry of blues, greens, yellows, and reds, with symmetrical white clouds moving at high speeds. The landscape was so contrasted that everywhere Mituna looked he felt like he was in a world completely different from the one adjacent to it; an endless canyon with thin railings connecting the cliffs to his left, a grassy valley with hills sloping like half-pipes to his right-perfect for Latula-and behind him a massive building that looked like one big garage, housing all kinds of vehicles from aircraft to Unreal Airs to motorcycles to mechas...in short, a land of Epic Win purely due to its bountiful harvest of stuff.

Mituna wondered the world, unsure of where to go. He glanced over at Laptopsprite, which opened up from its previously closed position and displayed a map of the planet with a grid. It showed that Latula was not too far from where he was. He went off through the valley in pursuit.

He finally saw her in a clearing with a bunch of imps circled around her, accompanied by 5 basilisks, 2 ogres, and a single towering Giclops. The imps were firing their plasma pistols at Latula, who dodged all the blasts easily with a few acrobatic leaps into the air. The shots hit some of the more unaware basilisks, and Latula hopped onto the back of one that was too dazed to resist. She tugged at its cape and forced it skyward, taking its plasma pistol. Before she could get safely into the sky, however, an ogre raised its fist and prepared to slam itself on her. Mituna gasped, too frightened for her to do anything. But he quickly saw that it was alright when Latula gained enough speed and altitude to escape the slamming fist. She then circled in the air on her basilisk and shot at the other 4 that chased after her. Brandishing a knife concealed in her boot, Latula pressed a button on it and it extended into a sword. She flew through the air and stabbed at the basilisks right after shooting them, killing them. She then took out a few grenades from her other boot and tossed them down at the hapless imps. The imps tried to take to the air, but the bombs exploded before they could do so. The ogres and Giclops were too heavy to fly with just capes, so Latula jumped down on one of the ogres heads and stabbed it in the skull. She dodged a blow from the Giclops and hopped to the other ogre, doing the same thing. As the ogre fell, she jumped into the Giclop's face and stabbed it with her sword. The beast cried out, and Latula tossed a few more grenades into its open mouth. The bombs exploded, and the Giclops came crashing down. Latula then used her blade to slash a huge wound into the beast from chin to stomach. The Giclops vanished into a pile of grist with the other enemies before she could slice the thing open.

Mituna's legs were like jelly as he trudged over to where Latula was picking up the grist. Latula noticed him coming over and ran up to give him a high five. "yo Tun4! 1 d1dn't 3xp3ct to s33 you h3r3! wh4zzup, m4n?! oh, don't t3ll m3, you got word of my 3p1c sk1llz 4nd d3c1d3d to com3 ov3r and ch3ck 1t out for yours3lf! you w4nn4 jo1n m3 or som3th1ng, now th4t you'r3 h3r3?" Mituna's cheeks flushed yellow at the very idea that this girl was looking at him, let alone talking to him. Her profile pics hadn't lied; she was very beautiful, especially since she had lifted up her shades when she had spoken to him. When her hand made contact with his, he reflexively grasped it, trying to savor her touch. When he realized just how hard he was squeezing her, he let go nervously.

"you ok4y?"

Latula asked him. She could take a pretty good guess as to what was going on, but she knew that she could never be too sure. Mituna, meanwhile, was still having to deal with his rapidly accelerating heartbeat. But then he made one final gasp when he realized what Latula was wearing; a skin-tight body suit. You can decide for yourself just how sexy she looked. I'm not gonna waste time describing it to you. All you really need to know is that Mituna would've gotten a huge erection if trolls had penises. Which, according to some sexually depraved fans, they do. But not in this fic! It will forever be a mystery. Deal with it.

Mituna dropped the data freezer from his sylladex in, uh...amazement. Latula picked it up and examined the codes. She realized what it was, and a priceless smile spread over her face.

"wow, dud3! you got th1s for m3! h3ll y34h!"

Latula took the Data Freezer, and Mituna gave her the Laser Burner.

"You can...get every code now,"

he said. Latula hung her head slightly, putting her shades back on.

"What's the matter?"

Mituna asked.

"noth1n. just th4t 1...1 w4nt3d to g3t 4ll th3 stuff mys3lf th1s t1m3. 1 don't 4lw4ys ch34t, but som3t1m3s 1 do just to sp33d th1ngs up 4 l1ttl3. now th4t you c4m3 4long, 1 don't g3t to do th4t."

"Oh. I-I'm sorry. Gog, I was so stupid. Look, how about I just go back and get you something else? I'll go do it right now."

"no, w41t! st4y. th3 g1ft 1s 4w3som3 4nd r4d 4nd 3v3ryth1ng! 1 c4n t3ll th4t you tot4lly w3nt 4ll out to g1v3 1t to m3. but why?"

she asked. She already knew the answer, and Mituna could tell that she knew, but it was time for him to say it.

"I...made the gift because of...I have...

I'm flushed for you..." Mituna said shyly. Latula placed a red-gloved hand on his arm.

"h3h h3h! 1 c4n t3ll b3c4us3 of 4ll th4t y3llow 1n your ch33ks! r3l4x, m4n! 1 41n't turn1n' you down! hows 4bout you 4nd m3 go off 4nd wr3ck sh1t up?"

Mituna took a deep breath and said confidently, "Yes. I'll do whatever you want."

"r4d1c4l! follow m3 b4ck to my h1v3. gotta g3t M4ry4ms to g3t you...no, scr3w th4t, 1'll just us3 cod3s! th1s 1s gonn4 b3 4w3som3, m4n!"

Latula cried. Mituna followed his new matesprit, trying not to stare at the uh...things revealed by the bodysuit.

. . . . .

Rufioh flew through the woods to seek out Horuss' gate. Fidusprite/Tinkerbull seemed to have an intuitive sense as to where it was, so he followed his lusus through the sky above the canopy of trees. Rufioh enjoyed the feeling of the wind in his mohawk and the verdant world stretching before him. He gave himself a mental note to come back here and explore when he was done hanging out with Horuss. Spying a flock of orange birds, Rufioh flew in beside them and joined their flock. Using his communing abilities, he got the birds to stop flying and perch on his outstretched arms. Rufioh laughed in delight as the birds nestled themselves on his back and shoulders. For a moment he forgot where he was going and what he was doing; it was moments like these in which vague thoughts surfaced into his head, thoughts that told him that other trolls were only temporary. But nature, the animals, fleeting as the life of one individual was, would collectively last forever. Rufioh wondered what it would be like, just to fly around all day, and spend the evenings watching troll anime with this planet's native fauna. No one to bother him, no relationships to fret over, just peace and tranquility and comfort and bliss...

He had almost had that back home on Beforus. But now the last distractions were removed, and he could live here forev-

Rufioh opened his eyes in alarm as the birds left his arms. Imps flying via capes and armed with plasma pistols were about to open fire on him. He dodged the blasts easily, realizing that he could easily get the imps to stop fighting him. But there was temptation to just fight them anyway and see what would happen.

Rufioh failed to resist the urge.

Flapping his wings like Mothra in preparation to attack, he swooped upward and zoomed just above the capes of the imps. Their capes suddenly tore, and they plummeted to the ground. Rufioh suddenly felt more energized, as if he could keep flying for about 5 hours longer than he normally could. Nosediving to the ground, he picked up the grist before it fell and shot back up, his trajectory flipping TURNWAYS into the air. True to his class and aspect, he had stolen the air from the imps. But he could only use it benefit himself, as there was no one else around who could somehow receive the air time. Rufioh flew higher into the sky, dodging the plasma shots from the basilisks hovering loftily in front of the gate to Horuss' world. Rufioh flew directly for it, brandishing two steel knives Horuss had given him. He used them to slice off the capes of the basilisks as he streaked past them, grabbing their grist before they fell. Turning back to the gate, he unhesitantly headed straight inside, ready to see Horuss' world. The gate vanished into the void after he entered it.

. . . . .

Sorry if he 69res you to death, but we have to visit Kankri occasionally, okay?

Kankri slammed the door of his hive, tired of having to make peace with all of the imps outside. On his way back, he had to convince the imps to stop fighting him and calm them down, and it often took more than just a few shooshes and paps to get them to not claw his eyes out. But in the end, most of the imps and even a few ogres had grown to respect him and his ramblings. What had exhausted him more than calming them down, however, were the complicated explanations he had to give to all the curious imps about a variety of topics, ranging from Absconding Ettiquette to Zebra Raising. By the end of it, Kankri was tired of talking.

Karkat: THAT'S RIGHT EVERYONE, THE ARROGANT BLABBERING DOUCHEBAG WHO SO RUDELY LEAVES HIS PROTEIN-CHUTE OPEN TO SPEW OUT HOT AIR FOR SWEEPS AT A TIME ACTUALLY GOT TIRED OF DEFILING THE VIRGIN SOUND RECEPTORS OF MORE REASONABLE WIGGLERS!

"Thank y9u f9r guiding me 6ack here, Itchy. I w9uld prefer it if we 6r9ke c9ntact n9w, as I am very tired and wish t9 sleep."

"okayfinewithmegotobedsleeptightdontdrinkcoffeekeepsyouupdontboreyourdreamstodeath!" Itchy replied. Kankri went to sleep in his recuperacoon, letting the sopor slime lull him to sleep.

Kankri opened his eyes and found himself in a bedroom made entirely of gold. He was wearing bright yellow pajamas with a big sun on them. He looked out of his window and saw the golden planet/city of Prospit. But I'm sure you know it was Prospit, didn't you? Anyway, Kankri observed the bright city and wondered what sort of people lived down there. Were they an enlightened sort, or where they primitive and possessing of a mindset contrary to his own? He went down the many stairs of his tower to investigate, deciding to head for the palace by some unknown force.

The people, all white-shelled creatures with beady eyes, stared at Kankri, too suprised to find out that he could fly in this world to notice them.

"The Seer has awakened!"

"The first of our dreamers!"

"Surely he is to be the leader!"

"He's going off to meet the Queen!"

"I do hope we meet his approval!"

"Take care not to trigger him!"

Kankri ignored the excited Prospitans and moved on. He finally arrived at the palace of the Queen, on the main planet itself. Skaia, the massive white atmosphere of the Battlefield, seemed to hover closest at this spot. Kankri went inside the palace and found his way into the throneroom. There a tall white woman (not white like a human) was sitting on the throne, dressed in a gray shirt, a black cape, purple shorts, and reading glasses. She had a bizarre symbol on her forehead and plasma pistol sitting on the arm of her throne. Finally, there was a wind-up key on her back and a glass helmet on her face.

"Seer," she said, "I have awaited your arrival."

"Y9u have? I 6elieve it w9uld 6e 6est t9 advise y9u n9t t9 d9 that again, as it is very triggering t9 certain pe9ple f9r y9u t9 declare that y9u have 6een anticipating their arrival. Y9u see, such a statment implies-"

"Seer, your knowledge of how to avoid conflict and strife surpasses my own, to be sure, but at the moment I must speak to you, rather than listen. I apologize," the White Queen interrupted. She was doing a very good job of keeping her patience. She had handled hostile Dersite ambassadors before, so this couldn't be too great of a challenge for her abilities. She then proceeded to explain all of the complexities of Sgrub, and why they were here and stuff like that. It's way too long for me to bother writing out, but you get the idea. The White Queen also told Kankri of his mission as the team leader and role as the Seer of Blood. Kankri, relieved to be able to listen instead of talk, did so.

"You are a Blood Player. More specifically, a Seer of Blood. Allow me to explain your class and aspect. As a Blood player, your role is to instigate unity in your teammates, and to bring them together so as to prevent conflicts. As a Seer, you have knowledge of your aspect. Therefore, as the Seer of Blood your role is to unite your teammates and prevent conflicts, aided by your knowledge of what can trigger them."

"I thank y9u wh9leheartedly f9r the explanati9n f9r my r9le in Sgru6. H9wever, I feel that y9ur rather 6rief syn9psis may 6e s9mewhat inefficient in descri6ing the c9mplexities and rules which c9me with fulfilling my duty as assigned t9 me 6y the game. Y9u neglected t9 indulge me 9n my r9le as leader, and instead inf9rmed me-perhaps with an inefficient am9unt 9f w9rds-9f my class and aspect, 9f wh9se charateristics I c9uld have perhaps picked up 9n myself. N9w, while I am flattered that my kn9wledge 9f h9w a pers9n is triggered and my passi9n t9 c9erce my teammates int9 a peaceful and civil uni9n are 6eing put t9 use in this setting, and I certainly d9 n9t 96ject t9 this r9le, 6ut I feel that as the designated unifying f9rce am9ng the team I d9 n9t als9 have t9 serve as the leader. Is there s9me s9rt 9f distincti9n, as the alleged leader 9f this game, that I must 6e aware a69ut?"

The White Queen then proceeded to explain the concept of ectobiology. Since it's too complicated to explain, I'll just tell you that she did it rather than giving out what she said. Kankri nodded in understanding, having had so much practice in grasping difficult concepts before.

"Is this s9mething I need t9 d9 immediately?"

he asked.

"You will know when the time is right. But now you must wake up. There will soon be a conflict at hand that only you can seek and destroy."

And before he could protest, Kankri found himself awake in his hive.

. . . . .

And now that you've endured Kankri's POV, I'm going to reward you by giving you Meenah!

Meenah swam effortlessly through the dark waters. She swam as low as she could, where the pressure and the depths would pretty much kill any troll that didn't have gills. As she followed her sprite through trenches, reefs, and sea-monster lairs, she noticed that more and more imps would be following her to cause trouble. The plasma pistols were very deadly down here, she had already learned, and after just barely surviving one wave her sprite would lead her through to another one, this time with basilisks. There were no ogres or Giclopses in her world; rather, they were replaced by enormous sea monsters who are too horrifying and biologically complex to mention. Okay, they were really just giant jellyfish, sharks, sea serpents, and the occasional passive and mouth-watering whale. Oh, and did I mention the giant anglerfish?

Meenah, who now had found the time to alchemize several 2X3dents instead of just one, either using them as stabbing weapons or projectiles against the various sea creatures. Facing the creatures rather than running away, she took her first trident and pierced the flesh of an incoming sea serpent. She continued the extent of the wound by slashing the weapon across its blue hide, wounding it enough to sink to the floor. When it died, its corpse lay there, yielding no grist. Meenah threw another trident between the eyes of a another serpent that tried to come from above, killing it. She withdrew the weapon from the corpse and swung it through the water to fend off the approaching school of sharks that came close enough to almost bite her. A Tentacruel came from behind and wrapped her in its arms. Meenah stabbed her weapon into it backwards, and it released its grip. Another slash from the same trident killed it. She turned to the Sharpedo and withdrew several tridents, throwing as many as she could at the closest ones. She withdrew one more trident and skewered the remaining Sharpedo with it. She capthalogued all the scattered weapons and moved on, the area growing murky from all of the blood, some of it being her own. She knew that she had to keep moving fast, or the Sharpedo would smell her unfortunately distinct royal blood from her wounds. She saw her sprite and went after it, not bothering to fight anymore enemies.

"dam, megids, why are you clickin' on all these chumps? thought the server was supposed to kelp, not torture me! wade til i get my nails on you..."

Meenah said to the green cursor hovering above her, which was apparently motionless at the moment. Meenah tried to send a trident through it, but she found that it was intangible. Oh whale.

"dum-bass probably didn't think it would troughen me up so much, though,"

she said to herself and her sprite. Fishbowlsprite made a weird beepy noise in response. Meenah took out some Sliced Serpent Steak (SSS) and continued to follow her sprite. She partly convinced that whatever it was her sprite was taking her to had to be worth it; why else would so many monsters naturally be near it? Damara wasn't summoning them, simply agitating them until they grew angry enough to fight.

Meenah finally reached a small cave. Unhesitantly swimming inside, a warm light surrounded her, and her scars and wounds disappeared. The sprite beckoned her forward into the darkness of the rest of the tunnel, and she followed. At the end of the tunnel lay a room decorated with fuchsia rocks and seaweed. At the center lay a fuchsia stone bed with a strange symbol on it. Meenah didn't realize it, but she had found her Quest Bed. Fishbowlsprite glowed as it hovered over the bed, and Meenah understood what to do. She swam over and was about to consider taking a nap when two massive tentacles burst through the walls of the room. It was Glyb'Golyb, her Denizen. Meenah took out her tridents and tried to slice off Glyb'Golyb's tenacles, but for every one that she sliced two more took there place. Glyb'Golyb's wounds healed quickly, and soon it managed to finally wrap one of the tentacles around Meenah's ankle. Glyb'Golyb then threw her against the wall, its massive face destroying the whole wall of the room. Meenah screamed, thinking that this was the end. A group of imps suddenly swam up to where she was and fired its plasma pistol, ignoring Glyb'Golyb despite its size. Meenah moved her body to dodge the shot, and the blast hit the tentacle that was holding her captive. But the shock traveled through her body as well. When Meenah opened her eyes quickly afterward, the imps had fled and Glyb'Golyb was briefly stunned. Meenah gathered her tridents and stabbed a multitude of them at Glyb' Golyb's massive face. The initial jab did little damage, but Meenah then took half of the tridents lodged in the monster and slashed all around the left side of Glyb'Golyb. Fishbowlsprite, who had conveniently reappeared, took the other tridents and went around Glyb'Golyb's right. The two met at the tail of the beast several hundred feet out, scrapping the tridents against its flesh even though Glyb'Golyb was beginning to shake. Meenah then put all but one of the tridents back in her sylladex and dove straight through the tailfin of Glyb'Golyb. Diving into the monster's flesh, she tore through intestines, arteries, veins, organs, tissue, and gallons of blood the same color as her own. She really didn't know what was driving her onward, only knowing that this mess of gore and and horror would end very soon. She approached the heart without knowing that it was such, and when she opened her eyes once again she found herself staring at the foot of her Quest Bed.

Glyb'Golyb moaned behind her, feeling cheated, as if it had been broken into, violated, and robbed of its life. As it fell to the ocean floor, its final thoughts were that this girl and her descendants would need to be controlled and restrained, to keep from slauthering innocent life-forms.

"that was one shell of a fight," Meenah remarked to her sprite. She yawned and, not bothering to consider why she had come here in the first place, fell asleep on her Quest Bed. Damara's green cursor hovered over the scene momentarily, then placed a rock on the body, not knowing the consequences.