Two in one month. I call that progress!
"So when exactly is our cavalry supposed to arrive?" Zita asked.
"Any minute now." Danny replied. He asked Tara to call a number he'd been given not too long ago and to explain the situation in full. He reassured her that the person on the other end would be trustworthy.
"You do know that when Bonnie finds out about this, you're a dead man right?" Tara whispered to him.
Danny shrugged. "She'll understand. I mean, we're on a time crunch right now and we really need all the help we can get. The sooner we beat this boss the sooner we can get out of here. Once we ditch Ron and Zita in the real world, maybe I can overshadow the game like Technus did if the system maintenance doesn't wipe him out of existence. Besides, I remember the two of them came to some sort of understanding so it's all good."
"You poor sweet naïve boy." Tara shook her head. "Must be nice to be so dumb."
"That's just rude."
The tavern was slowly but surely emptying out with only a few stragglers scattered among the tables. The rest of the players were no doubt looking to get a head start by venturing in random parts of the map hoping to get lucky. Some players, like their group, were still waiting for other party members to join them.
"Danny!"
Two figures entered the tavern and made their approach. The first was a dark haired druid with a long gnarled staff in her hand. She was garbed in a roughhewn dress that seemed like it was made by a variety of plants. Her companion was a stark contrast to her nature theme. Instead, the second figure was garbed in sophisticated hand stitched navy blue clothes. A large rifle was slung across his back and a belt full of odd trinkets lined his belt. Even in the game, his character sported a pair of spectacles.
[Username: Kaosnevermore]
[Level 43 Druid/Warlock]
[Username: TooFineFoley69]
[Level 41 Gunslinger/Artificer]
"Glad you guys could make it." Danny greeted them both. "I wish we could've done this quest under normal circumstances."
"Don't sweat it dude." Tucker shook his hand. "Happy to help. Besides, Sam practically leapt at the chance to see yo-ow! Hey, that hurt! You're lucky any damage we do in a town doesn't affect our health."
"I'm sure you'll live." Sam rolled her eyes before smiling at Danny. "It's good to see you."
"You too, Sam."
After a quick round of introductions, the group sat around the table.
"So, what's the game plan?" Sam wasted no time in getting down to business.
"We're just waiting for Bonnie to give us some intel on where the dungeon might spawn." Wade said.
"Trust me, we'll have it." Danny assured them. "When she puts her mind to something, it's better to just get out of her way."
Danny couldn't help but notice the small huff from Sam at the mention of his best friend. Okay, so maybe the two still had some unresolved tension between them. Weird, he could've sworn the girls settled whatever differences they had during the whole Ember situation. What could they possibly be fighting over now?
One thing at a time Fenton.
"Sorry to play devil's advocate here." Tucker said. "But assuming we do know where the dungeon will spawn, how do we even get there?"
Danny frowned. Tucker raised an interesting point. Everlot had a large World Map that would take hours upon hours of exploration to reach a full completion. He probably covered less than half of what the game had to offer. There were dozens of other towns and villages that could be used as save points.
"Here's another question, what if we run into that Technus creep again?" Zita said. "You can bet there's a good chance he'll show up and we need to be ready for him."
"That hacker guy everyone's been complaining about?" Tucker asked, eyebrows raised. "I still don't understand how the mods haven't booted him from the game already. He must have some serious coding skills to pull it off. I'd love to know how he's managing that."
"Dude, did you forget he's using his hacking skills for evil?" Ron said.
Tucker shrugged. "I'm a Techno-geek man. This is the kind of thing I live for. Maybe I can track down his IP address and swap tips. Hey Wade, can you hook your favorite cousin up and let me borrow your super computer for just a little while?"
"Nope." Wade's answer was immediate.
"Don't be stingy!"
"Tucker, seriously, this is not the time for you to have a man crush on this psycho." Sam said. She gave Danny a discreet nod which he returned. Honestly, having another person be in the know about Technus being a ghost lifted a weight off his shoulders albeit partly. "Getting us back on track, don't sweat about the transportation. I can handle that easily."
"You can?" Tara asked. "How?"
"I'll take care of it." Sam waved off the blonde's questions. "Our real problem is Technus. We can't let him reach the end of the dungeon first. I don't know how but we need to at least delay him long enough for us to defeat the boss and get you guys out of Everlot."
"Fat chance of that." Zita crossed her arms. "He can shift through attacks and spells as if they were nothing and his weird energy attack is so broken. I can tank a lot of damage and I have items that negate certain magic damage but he still brought me down to near zero health with one hit. It's such bullshit."
"But he can be hurt." Danny said as he remembered Tara's arrow finding its mark. He couldn't stop thinking about it since they got away. Why would Technus stoop to playing by RPG rules at all? The answer should've been obvious: He wouldn't. Not by choice at least. That means game logic applies to him as well. Normal weapons that would've never been able to touch him as a ghost can hurt him now. "And anyone who plays any game knows…"
"If it has hit points, it can be killed." The group sans Ron answered in unison.
"Whatever he's doing, it's not a perfect cheat." Danny continued. "His phasing ability is just that, an ability. He has to consciously use it or else he's just as vulnerable. If we can blitz him or keep him occupied while the long range users can chip away at his health, we stand a chance. Don't give him an inch and he'll fold like the fake that he is."
Everyone shared excited grins, feeling invigorated by Danny's words. Tucker and Wade began to coach Ron on certain strategies that the blonde could use to take advantage of his Bard player class. Tara was a bit put out that her crush's attention seemed to be occupied. Zita cracked her knuckles while sporting a fierce glint in her eyes. Apparently, the girl had a competitive side. Who knew?
"How did you do that?" Sam playfully nudged his shoulder.
"Do what?"
"Inspire everyone." Sam said. "You did it again just like when we dealt with Ember. It's pretty cool."
Danny felt his face flush. "Ah you know, it's just something I picked up I guess. My coach drilled it into me when I became the captain of the soccer team. The team needs direction and it's the captain's job to provide it or else the ship sinks. It wasn't easy at first but eventually I figured out that all it takes is knowing the right words."
"Wow, I never pegged you for a jock when we met but I guess you're full of surprises." Sam said. "It's a nice contrast from all the musclebound meatheads back home."
"Let me guess, 'Me quarterback. Me throw pig skin. I run fast. Must stuff puny humans in lockers!'" Danny spoke in a mocking caveman voice. "Sound about right?"
"Nailed it." Sam snorted and gave him a small smile. "I think you missed your calling for the drama club."
Ping!
Danny wasn't the only one who was startled by the sharp tinkling sound. It was accompanied by a bright flash from every player's pouch or pocket. He reached into the pouch on his belt and pulled out a sealed letter that wasn't there before. Glancing about, everyone else had the same letter in their hands. Without further prompting, he began to read.
Greetings Adventurers,
We are delighted to signal the beginning of Everlot's first Special Event Quest. Xanathar's Secret Lair has been unearthed in a long forgotten ruin but only the most daring and skilled adventurers enter at their own risk. The greatest of treasures await those who can defeat the mighty foe that hides deep in its abode: a wish spell.
Sally forth adventurers and claim the riches and glory that is ripe for the taking!
Other players inside the tavern began to excitedly converse among themselves. Danny picked up bits and pieces of chatter, most of them concerned a division of labor among party members of how they can narrow down the location of the dungeon. One group off to the side was hyping themselves up with some sort of chant that honestly just sounded like a bunch of chimpanzees going wild.
Unfortunately for Danny's group, they were still stuck waiting for Bonnie to get Malcolm to talk. He knew it was a considerable risk to pin everything on the dude who got them into this mess but there was no other alternative. They couldn't afford to play this quest normally like everyone else.
"Excuse me."
A hulking player clad head to toe in heavy white plate that shone with a polished gleam approached their table. He carried a winged helmet under his arm, showing off his character's mane of brown hair and well-groomed beard. "Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear you guys chatting."
"What of it?" Zita said, defensively. She made a show of reaching for her weapon.
"Hey, whoa I come in peace." The player raised his hands in surrender. "I'm not here to start anything. As a matter of fact, I was hoping you guys had room for one more in your party?"
They all exchanged confused glances.
"Look man, we're kind of on an important mission." Tucker said. "The life or death kind for real."
The bearded player nodded with a serious frown on his face. "I heard. You're going after that hacker guy everyone's been talking about, right? I want in. Look, you don't need to clue me in on anything secret if you don't want to. But from where I'm standing, you guys could use some more firepower and a good tank to boot. No offence, you guys are kind of squishy."
Danny tried to get a handle on this player's weird persistence to join their group in particular before coming to a realization. "You've met him before."
"I did." The player grunted. "Thought he was just a noob at first but the bastard stabbed me and my party in the back once we were all low on health. We reported him to the mods but he's clearly still here. Now, I don't know what your beef with him is but if there's a chance you'll run into him again, I want some sweet payback."
Danny turned to the rest of his friends but strangely enough, they all stared at him expectantly. Well, he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Plus, the new guy wasn't in any mortal danger should he fall in battle.
He held his hand out. "Welcome to the party."
[Username: FeelsOnWheels]
[Level 49 Paladin]
"Thanks. Don't worry, I've got your backs." The Paladin shook the offered hand. "Name's Felix by the way. Felix Renton."
"Okay, I'll leave you two alone for now." Mrs. Nevious was tittering as she glanced between the two teens. "Enjoy the cookies!"
Once the door clicked shut, Bonnie's smile dropped like a bag of potatoes. Malcolm, the little shit stain, was glancing between her and the door as if he was debating with himself on how far he could make it before she caught him. Well, best not even give him the chance. He might be stupid enough to do it regardless and Bonnie was not wasting any more energy running him down.
"Spill the beans you little twerp!" Bonnie grabbed him by the front of his shirt. "My friends need to know where that stupid dungeon is going to appear so that they can unplug themselves from your insufferable game. You got them into this mess and now you're going to get them out, capiche?"
"D-Do your worst, Rockwaller!" Malcolm tried to put up a brave front. It would've been more believable if he didn't look like he was about to wet himself. "You t-touch me and they'll never get out of there. I'm calling your bluff."
Oh no. Oh hell no, he did not just test her.
Well, she tried playing nice.
Her eyes landed on a large shelf full of nerd memorabilia and figurines. She casually approached one and plucked a toy off the shelf. Malcolm paled when he saw her carelessly running her fingers all over the fragile contours of a character in a knight outfit.
"Nice toys you got here, Malcolm." Bonnie dangled the one she was holding in between two fingers. "These are surprisingly heavy by the way. They must be super expensive and rare. It would be a shame if someone dropped these, don't you think?"
"Big deal. I can always just buy more." Malcolm crossed his arms but his eyes kept glancing at the figurine.
"Okay then."
Bonnie had barely let the toy go before Malcolm practically leapt from his chair and by some miracle managed to catch the knight figurine before it hit the floor.
"I can do this all night."
"Okay, okay! You win! I'll tell you what you want just leave my collection out of this!" Malcolm pleaded, clutching his precious Everlot figurine against his chest.
"Oh you're going to do a lot more than that." Bonnie grabbed him by the ear and plopped him back on his computer chair. "Sit your ass down and do as I say. I'm not leaving until my friends are safe and sound so it's in your best interest to make sure they stay in one piece. Start by sending them the location of that dungeon and make it snappy."
Malcolm nodded and nervously began to type commands. Obviously, Bonnie had no idea what all these icons meant but she could always just call Tara. Besides, she'd given him enough incentive not to screw with her any further. Not knowing what else she could do, she pulled up a chair next to Malcolm and snagged a cookie off the plate his mother brought up.
If there was any consolation to this whole mess, at least Mrs. Nevious knew how to make a delicious peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie.
"Ta-da! This is going to be our ticket to Xanathar's Lair." Sam proudly waved her hand behind her.
Danny whistled while everyone else was equally impressed. The party stood in front of a large paddock that continued for a good distance before dropping off into a high cliff. The wind blew constantly due to their current high altitude. While the view from this height was breathtaking, the creatures inhabiting the enclosure were more eye-catching.
Large brown wings unfurled and stretched every now and then, supported by a compact but powerful quadrupedal frame. Keen eyes surveyed the newcomers with slight interest. Their heads turned and twitched like an eagle's or hawk's yet they maintained a strangely regal poise befitting a hunter that uses the sky as their dominion.
"Oh, wow! I've always wanted a griffin mount!" Tara squealed in delight as she tried to catch the attention of one.
"Well, today's your lucky day because we're all getting one." Sam said.
The party blanched.
"Are you serious?!" Zita grabbed the druid by the shoulders. There was an excited gleam in the girl's eyes.
"Yep," Sam maintained her casual attitude. "Look, we don't have a lot of time and thanks to Bonnie's info, we know where the dungeon is. It would normally take hours to trek through the High Mountains even on horseback and the Magic Carpet can only hold up to five players at most. Don't make a big deal out of this, okay?"
"You're the best, Sam!" Tucker wasted no time and stepped inside the large open field with the griffins.
Zita and Tara gave the girl a quick hug and quickly hopped over the large fence to join Tucker in choosing their preferred mount. An NPC approached the two, no doubt helping them with their selection. Wade and Ron entered at a more sedated pace after thanking Sam.
"I don't know how to feel about this." Felix shifted awkwardly. His hesitation was understandable considering he was a last minute addition to the party and was practically an outsider. Danny would feel pretty uncomfortable as well if a near stranger offered him an expensive gift out of the blue.
Sam shrugged. "It's no big deal. If you want to ease your guilt at getting one then just make sure to pull your weight when the time comes. You're our only tank so we'll be relying on you a lot from here on out."
Felix smiled. "Then I'll be sure to repay that trust with interest."
He gave her a thankful nod and joined the others. Danny couldn't help but notice how he gravitated straight to where Zita was and the girl in question didn't mind his arrival at all. Meanwhile, Wade and Tucker were arguing over a particular griffin and Tara was helping Ron stay balanced on the saddle.
"You're not getting one?" Sam asked. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, you know. I'm not in the habit of throwing out freebies every week."
"And I'm not one to accept freebies often without good reason." Danny responded. "Are you sure about this? I know how much a griffin costs in the game Sam and buying one, let alone eight, is insane. Which means you're using real dollars to exchange into Everlot currency to buy us these."
"Danny, it's very sweet of you to worry." Sam gave him a reassuring smile and patted his cheek. "But you've done the math. Do you see me flinching at the amount?"
Danny blinked. "So that means…"
"Yeah, I'm pretty well-off." Sam said with a hint of anxiousness. She nervously twisted her wooden staff in her hands. "My great grandfather invented a machine that twists those deli toothpicks with cellophane and made a killing back in the day. Only Tucker knows about it, but he can keep his mouth shut when he needs to and he's my best friend. He never abuses it or anything but he won't say no when I offer."
Strangely enough, Danny was quite familiar with Sam's situation. Danny was the least wealthy among his best friends. Ghost hunting wasn't exactly a premiere occupation and his parents rarely patented anything useful, or safe, enough to be mass produced. Bonnie was also loaded in a sense but Tara's parents raked in crazy numbers thanks to their lucrative careers.
In his experience, the worst thing someone could do is to treat someone differently because of money. People were quick to flock around someone with a lot of spare cash to throw around but the moment the green stops flowing, they would also be the first people to forget any sort of friendship existed. Danny learned his lesson the hard way when he threw Tara's wealth in her face during their massive argument and he swore to never repeat that mistake again.
"Alright, but just because it's an emergency." Danny said, choosing to move past the revelation and just accept the offered gift for what it was. No need to make things more awkward. "Thank you, Sam."
"Don't sweat it." Sam looked away and cleared her throat. "Come on, the others are starting to stare and I'd better keep Tucker from picking the biggest one that his character wouldn't be able to control properly."
"I'll owe you one."
"It's my pleasure, Kim." The person on the other end of the phone hung up. She was used to calling in favors for her missions, so this was par the course. Usually it was a mode of transportation to get where she needed to be. This favor was a special case because for once in her life, she needed his unique skillset.
"That's very interesting." Mr. Nevious stroked his chin in thought. They had commandeered one of the computer terminals with three monitors to keep track of Kim's friends and their progress with the quest. "Your friends seem to have ascertained the location of the dungeon in record time. They didn't even need to gather the clues scattered about in the game. It's almost as if they know exactly where it is."
"As long as we weren't the ones who leaked the info, I'd say good for them." Mr. Cameron said dismissively. "I'd have given them those griffins for free if our hands weren't tied enough as it is."
"True, and they have a decent sized party for the job." Mr. Nevious commented. He typed a few commands on his keyboard and brought up another live feed, this time showing a one sided battle between a small group and a figure in dark robes. "Damn, he found one. There's no telling how long it will take him to discover the other clues."
"Beverages." A stoic young woman wearing a simple blazer and skirt suit combination brought them a tray of steaming mugs.
"Ah, you're a lifesaver Beatrice." Mr. Cameron accepted his cup with a grateful smile. The man gave Kim a wink and gestured to the raven haired woman that had her hair in a tight bun. "Miss Possible, I'd like you to meet the secret behind my success. I wouldn't get half of my work done without her."
"Nice to meet you." Kim offered her hand but the woman only stared at her with a blank expression. She set the tray down on the available space next to the monitors before leaving the room without another word. "Um, was it something I said?"
Mr. Nevious chuckled. "You'll have to forgive her. She's quite…reserved. Even we have trouble getting her to say more than one or two sentences at most."
"But she makes a damn good cup of coffee." Mr. Cameron sighed contentedly, taking a sip from his cup.
Okay, weird interaction aside, Kim did feel a hint of familiarity. She met people from all over the world so it wouldn't be stretch to say Kim might have seen Beatrice before. Whatever the case, she pushed those thoughts aside for the moment.
Her friends were approaching the entrance to the hidden dungeon.
"Noob trash! Trash! I bet your mom dropped you on your head when you were younger!"
"Fucking FUCK you, you cheater! Hope your house burns in an arson fire!"
"LMAO! LMAO! How can someone suck so much ass that he has to resort to cheats? Lmfao, what a loser."
Technus rolled his eyes at all the last minute insults hurled at him before the players were respawned to their last saved point. And here he thought that Phantom brat was mouthy. Little did he know that he was tame compared to these hooligans infesting the world Everlot. In the amount of time he spent in this accursed game, he'd been called all manner of colorful slurs and insults. Some of which were so new and imaginative that even he had been taken aback.
Kids these days had no measure of respect at all.
[Level Up!]
[Username: Technus]
[Level 34 Sorcerer]
He felt the familiar rush of power that came with gaining a new level. However, he frowned when he still couldn't access his flight. He could feel it being blocked by the advanced system but he was undoubtedly close to unlocking it. If he could estimate, perhaps two to three more levels would be enough.
Unfortunately, his current method of obtaining experience points was quickly becoming inefficient. The returns were diminishing and the players were becoming aware of him. Aside from the group that had evaded him earlier, three other parties had teleported away by the mere sight of him. He only managed to catch this group off guard because they were too focused on searching for clues to this mysterious new dungeon.
Normally, Technus would never be interested in such trivial nonsense but the reward was intriguing. A wish spell implied that the item in question would be able to grant a player whatever they desired within the confines of the game. These foolish brats would most likely waste it on something inane without comprehending its true potential. An item like that had to have been designed to alter the code of the game itself in some manageable way in order to fulfill its function.
If he could get his hands on it, it would be a simple matter to alter its coding to suit his needs. He could then fully unbind himself from this system and bring it to heel.
Technus rummaged through the corpses until he found it. He pulled out a wrinkled piece of torn parchment that was a piece of a map. Judging from the tear, he needed five more in order to ascertain the location of his objective.
"Halt!" a deeply synthesized voice commanded. "You and I have unfinished business, sorcerer."
Technus turned to face a familiar player clad in dark spikey armor. "Didn't I kill you already? Well, it's fine by me. You humans never seem to learn from past mistakes."
This "Wraith Master" would fall to him just as easily as before.
"Good, I'm not too late."
Another player made his appearance from behind, stepping past a destroyed marble pillar among the ruins. His avatar was clad deep crimson robes, accentuated by gold trims at the edges. His elven features were more pronounced than some of the players Technus had encountered in the past but his most notable features were his heterochromatic eyes. One blue and one yellow but both pupils were slits, reminiscent of a reptile's.
[Username: Dragon Tamer]
[Level 57 Sorcerer/Warrior]
Wraith Master scoffed. "I don't need any assistance. This cheater will fall to my blade alone."
"You always liked to bluster Malcolm but even you have to admit this foe is beyond you." The nasally voice didn't quite fit the character's appearance. The newcomer took a position behind Technus, effectively pinning him between the two players. "Besides, you and I fight for the same reason. It is not to defeat this charlatan but to delay him."
Storm clouds began to gather above their heads and Technus could tell that the newcomer had cast some sort of spell to make it so.
He failed to resist the urge to cackle loudly. "Ignorant humans! Have you not learned your lesson? I am Technus, master of all technology and soon to be master of the entire world! I have destroyed dozens of players in this childish game and none have come close to beating me. If you still wish to 'throw down', then who am I to stop you?"
Green ectoplasmic energy began to radiate from his clenched fists. Admirably enough, the two players were unfazed.
"You caught me off-guard last time." Wraith Master declared, unsheathing his sword that began to radiate an ominous purple aura. "It won't happen again. I promise you that."
"I've also been warned about your tricks." Dragon Tamer spoke, his eyes crackling with electricity as his hands began to weave an intricate symbol of arcane power. "It is not often that my cousin asks me for a favor but I'd be more than happy to put you in your place. Come then, charlatan. Let me show you what a true sorcerer is capable of."
And done. Finally, the players are all assembled and we're approaching the climax of this arc. I expect the next chapter to be pretty beefy since I want to wrap it all up by then. I don't know if people will exactly remember who Dragon Tamer really is (even I forgot about him for a bit) but I'm sure you guys will figure it out if you're familiar with Kim Possible.
As always let me know what you think and if you enjoy my work, feel free to support me on P-a-t-r-e-o-n. Any amount helps and it allows me to devote more time to writing.
Thank you for your consideration: P-a-tr-e-o-n-.-c-o-m-/-H-o-w-a-r-d-b-l-a-k-e (remove spaces and dashes)