Chapter 5 Righteousness
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Haseo logged into the game as quickly as he could after receiving Fluttershy's email. He appeared in front of Dol Dona's chaos gate and found Fluttershy there; with a worried look on her face. Surprisingly, Rarity was with her; sporting a (slightly) similar expression as their shy friend. Haseo wondered what Rarity was doing in The World. He didn't think a person like her would keep playing. Fluttershy was the first to speak.
"Haseo... you're here!" she chirped.
"Fluttershy." said Haseo, simply acknowledging his friend's existence.
"I'm here as well, Haseo." said Rarity, looking ready for what's to come. "You two will need someone to support you. Who knows what will happen if you two go off alone!"
"Rarity... right, let's go." said Haseo as he invited the two into his party, both accepting. He walked to the Chaos Gate, entered the keywords Θ Misjudged Past's Blue Cloud into the Warp menu, and away they went, to look for their Rainbow Dash.
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Rainbow Dash read the post on the forums and took it as a formal challenge to her by another player. Needless to say she arrived in the cave-like area before Haseo's party did. She also came alone; which wasn't wise of her for more reasons than are countable. she walked along the path that lead to another room, waterfalls on each side. Once there, Dash saw a party of two Hash Chases. Rainbow Drew her dual swords and surprised them, initiating a battle. Since she was the only party member, she had limited strategy options. But being Rainbow Dash, she was very gung ho about fighting them by herself. She started the battle with a 'Whirlwind' on one of these monsters. The skill hit a total of six consecutive hits, prompting her to keep attacking it in hopes for a Rengeki.
(Yeah! I'm totally gonna win this!) she thought. But she figured out it wouldn't be a cakewalk. The other Hash Chase was still there, ready to use a skill on the rainbow-haired twin blade. The monster's skill hit ad she took some damage due to the difference in level. She still went at it, however, and activated a Rengeki. She used 'Tri-Strike'; it added even more damage, even if she couldn't use an awakening due to it being only her. She circled the monster found than when the other Hash Chase used a skill, it was blocked when in front of the one she was currently fighting. Using this her advantage she proceeded to continuously baffle the AI controlled enemies and defeat the first one. Then she made quick work of the second. "20% cooler than all of you!" she shouted, still with thoughts of winning. She kicked two of the mushrooms, finding a Hurricane Razor and a Return Wing. In her enthusiasm, she went toward the only direction she could've headed; the upper left corner of the room. She found a party of two more Hash Chases. They managed to get to Rainbow Dash before she could surprise them. Her previous tactics were not effective as before. Rainbow had to rely on her Skills to take them down. She managed to beat them, but took much damage. This forced her to heal using a Revive Rain she found in a mushroom in this chamber. There was also a treasure chest in this area. She found a Simple Hood inside of it. Dash was about to go into another corridor until she heard a voice call "Rainbow Dash!". She recognized the voice instantly. She met it's owner as she turned around. It was a man with two girls in tow.
"Haseo? What the heck are you doing here?" she asked him.
"R-Rainbow Dash.." said one girl that was with him. A flick reaper in green that she knew.
"Fluttershy? What are you doing here?" wondered Rainbow, "Rarity? You're here too?" wondered Dash, noticing her cleric friend.
"It was Fluttershy's idea. She was worried some brute might have it out for you. Rainbow, Darling, we're all concerned for you." said Rarity.
"There's nothing to be so worked up about! I got this." said Rainbow Dash, smugly putting her hands on her hips.
"How much HP do you have left?" asked Haseo, with a hunch.
"Well..." Rainbow was blushing in embarrassment since she didn't have much. "I have enough. HP doesn't matter as long as you can win!" she shouted at the party that was very clearly trying to help her. "Besides, this guy's gonna get what's coming to him. He did challenge me after all."
"You don't know that." argued Haseo, "For all we know they could just be waiting to gank you."
"Well... whatever! I'll be back once my victory is actually mine." She ran off, away from reason.
"Rainbow Dash...! Dammit." grunted Haseo. "She's stubborn."
"Haseo... Let's keep going." said Fluttershy, with a surprising amount of resolve. Haseo agreed that they had to continue.
"Also, what does 'gank' mean? It sounds very uncouth." wondered Rarity.
"Ganking means group PKing." said Haseo.
"So it is uncouth! We must not let that happen!" shouted Rarity, now with more resolve.
Haseo used Speed Talismans on his party one at a time, and ran after their friend. once they managed to catch up with her, a Chim Door closed behind them. They knew it wouldn't open again unless they gave up fifteen Chim Chims. Rainbow Dash engaged with a Hash Chase and a Scissor Byte, despite being low on items. Haseo and his party jumped into the fence to try and help her out. Once inside, Haseo drew his broadsword, Fluttershy, her scythe, and Rarity, her staff. Rarity casted the spell 'Ul Repth' on her recklessly wounded friend, and said friend noticed it. Dash turned to see Haseo and her fellow representatives of the elements.
"Huh?" she turned around and noticed the people she tried to outrun, "Hey! What are you guys doing here?!" she shouted, blocking an attack.
"We're here to help you." replied Haseo, using the skill 'Shell Breaker' on the Scissor Byte's shell. The shell was almost cracked, but not quite yet. Haseo's physical attack would have to be a bit higher for that to have happened as desired. Only a few more strikes later, the shell fell to pieces. Haseo and the others let lose on it and it was beaten after a rengeki from Fluttershy; surprising the other three. At that rate didn't take much longer for them to win. They gained experience, GP, and more items. Rainbow dash ran ahead of Haseo's party before stopping and turning to them.
"Okay, I appreciate the help and all. But there's no need to worry. Whoever these guys are, I can take them down, no sweat!" Now the twin blade was enthusiastic about the prospect of just battling whomever 'they' were.
"Rainbow Dash, please, listen." said Rarity, walking closer to her friend, "At least us go with you. You'll be safer then."
"Ugh, Why?" asked Rainbow Dash, beginning to relent.
"Because, you're too weak for whoever's here." said Haseo, blunt as usual. Rainbow turned around and crossed her arms with a disgruntled look on her face.
(On one hand...) she thought, (I get to save it all for when I meet this guy. On the other, my pride!) She turned around again to face her friends, "Fine, you can come too." said Dash, in submission. She walked ahead of the interlopers; they followed behind her, ready for what may arrive.
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Rainbow Dash seemed to have a reluctant air about her during the entire trip to the area's beast temple. However, when fighting, she had no issues stealing Rengeki from Haseo on a whim, or being an unintentional annoyance for him. The rogue wore a small scowl while he watched Dash behave in ways he now thought foolhardy. Fluttershy was relieved that Haseo managed to reason with her brash friend. Shy also seemed to be improving her fighting abilities, but remained on the sidelines most of the time. Lastly, Rarity was somewhat tense in general. Being a healer in a party of three plus one added stress. As skilled as they were, they couldn't hold up to monsters in an area of this level stat-wise. Being the least combat-focused just added fuel to Rarity's fire. Although it wasn't an easy journey, the group still inexplicably stuck together. Haseo knew better than to leave her to her own instruments in The World.
Eventually, the four of them arrived at the Beast Statue; Rainbow Dash stopped just ahead of the rest of them. She now looked puzzled at her sight; all of them did really. Except perhaps, Haseo. What stood before them was a giant, figure in glimmering, gold armor, eyes obscured in a red visor of sorts. The figure's voice was just as gigantic as his PC.
"Hahahaha! At last, you've come you Rainbow-haired fiend! Your tainted ways are at an end!" said the figure, booming in a way Haseo knew and wished he could look past. Rainbow Dash just stood there in awe and embarrassment. This wasn't what she expected at all.
"You and your cohorts will have no name from my mouth! The figure jumped into the air and spun once, bringing one arm to his jest, the other to his back. He landed on his feet in a crouching sort of position before getting himself up. "The swift, untainted bringer of justice... Piros The 3rd! The golden man struck a pose and tilted his head up and left, showing his glimmering teeth. It was embarrassing for the rest of the players, especially Haseo.
"Ugh... didn't you just tell me your name?" asked Rainbow Dash, still puzzled.
"...I did...?" asked Piros the 3rd.
"Yeah."
"Sir, I can't say that armor suits you. Perhaps.. something lighter, more subtle." said Rarity, eyeing Piros's armor with much to critique.
"Um... why did you challenge Rainbow Dash? She didn't do anything wrong." said Fluttershy.
"Didn't do anything wrong? Everything about her is wrong! Her hair is not within the graphical limits of the game! Her character is a sham!" shouted Piros the 3rd. Haseo sighed; he knew where this would end up. Piros noticed Haseo in-between Fluttershy and Rarity and said: "Ah! He of fair eyes! You've come to assist me in my pursuit of justice by ambushing this girl and her acolytes, haven't you!"
"Actually, you have it all wrong. I came here with them for her." said Haseo, referring to Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow, respectively.
"What! I'm all alone now?! You've betrayed me, He of fair eyes!"
"Do I seriously have to fight you?" asked Rainbow Dash in disbelief. She knew that if she lost, it could potentially mean the end of her career as a player.
"Piros, you have the wrong idea... again." said Haseo, blunt as usual.
"Not even you can't dissuade me! He of fair eyes! This girl will cause more trouble for the graphics of The World unless I stop her where she stands!" shouted Piros the 3rd, a mixture of a glare and a grin smeared on his face.
"Hey, Haseo? Should I go through with this?" asked Rainbow Dash, feeling a little concerned about her new acquaintance's mental stability.
"...I think you'll be fine. It's not my challenge." responded a lethargic Haseo, shrugging his shoulders.
Rainbow Dash nodded and drew her dual swords, her opponent, drew his own weapon; a lance tulong.
The battle fence was up, all Haseo, Fluttershy, and Rarity could do was wait for it to be over. At least until one of them grew concerned or tired of waiting. Rainbow Dash went straight for Piros the 3rd with "Chaotic Strike'. Piros blocked the skill, but still took light damage. He attacked with his lance. The attack made contact and Rainbow was sent back a few. She recovered and took her stance again. Piros began using a skill: 'Thorn Dance'. Rainbow blocked this skill and attacked the during the brief seconds that Piros was undefended; pulling off a full twelve hit combo on the monstrous lord partisan. Rainbow tried to attack again. Her attacks were blocked, but she managed to connect a 'Whirlwind' skill. The fight would not last. The interruption came when a tall male beast player arrived along with two other boys.
"Hey, look! Some new prey...!" said the male beast player killer. He gave them a toothy grin as he reached for his sword. "Ready your swords, brothers..." The others with him did just that. All of them used dual swords, like Rainbow Dash and Haseo.
They attacked everybody. The sudden attack caught everybody off-guard. Everybody was wounded. The three PKs were quick, but outnumbered. They had the advantage of cohesion as well. Piros the 3rd fought with his enemy to his chagrin. Rarity was forced to participate as well. But the war didn't last forever. It was interrupted, again. This time, it was a familiar man in a poncho. Recht came with a party of his own.
"That's enough! All of you!" shouted Recht.
The fighting froze and everyone looked his way. The player killers immediately sported more nervous smiles.
"H-hey, who the hell are you! shouted one of the lackeys.
"Are you from Moon Tree?" asked the other lackey.
"Dammit!" cursed the leader. "Let's go. We'll be back ya Rainbow freak!" they ran away toward the nearest platform.
Rainbow Dash was having mixed feelings of winning and cursing regarding the PKs who attacked. She ultimately settled on winning. The four players plus an admin, turned to the party before them.
"I hope I wasn't interrupting anything." said Recht, as a joke.
"Oh, thank you Recht. You've no idea what a day we've been having!" said Rarity, happy to reunite with her former opponent.
"I have a pretty good idea of what happened." said Recht, turning to Piros. "Piros, shouldn't you be working?"
"Oh, uh... M-may the stars shine down upon you until you arrive at the end of your journey!" he shouted, jumping and pumping his fist in the air. "I'm off!" he warped away. He left the three girls with new questions about him. Including whether or not Piros accepted Dash. The girls ignored them.
"Haseo. You seem to always get in trouble." said Recht, a lighthearted chuckle escaping him.
"Well... thanks." said Haseo, a hint of bitterness present in his voice.
"You're quite welcome, young man." said Recht, laughing. Haseo cringed.
"Ms. Shy, you were right to call your friends." said Recht to the flick reaper.
"Thanks... Mr. Recht." replied Fluttershy, retreating into her hair a little bit.
"Well, I must be off, calling my boss to see if I can have the day off tomorrow." Recht warped away as well. Leaving them to their thoughts.
Fluttershy gave her 'Thank you' and 'goodbye' to the rest of the party and warped away. Rainbow Dash just warped away with just a goodbye.
Haseo and Rarity had just the beast statue watching them. Rarity spoke first.
"Haseo, if you don't mind, may I ask you a question?" she asked, her hands held close to her person.
"What?" asked Haseo, putting his left hand on his hip.
"Would it be alright if I joined Canard?" she asked.
"Huh?" Haseo had a few ideas about why this was happening, but was unsure. For now he said nothing.
"I think I could be a great asset to your cause."
"Is that the only reason you want to join?" inquired Haseo.
"Well, no, I wouldn't say that's the only reason..." said Rarity, trailing. You see... I also want to get closer to Silabus."
"Silabus?" wondered Haseo.
"He's been such a gentleman to me. I think I might have a chance at true love again."
"You don't have to join Canard if that's your reason. You have Silabus' member address, just talk with him through that."
"Yes, I know. But I want more than that. You can give that to me. So may I join your guild, please?"
"I don't know... you might also weigh Canard down." he said.
"Haseo, have you no pity?!" she declared, putting her hands on her heart. Haseo giggled to himself.
"Alright, I'll let you join." he conceded.
"Oh, Haseo! You will not regret allowing me to partake in your guild's quest." chirped Rarity, clapping her hands, pleased.
Rarity was officially registered as a member of Canard. Afterwards, Haseo and Rarity hurried back to Dol Dona. Rarity struggled to control her joy at the prospect of being able to see Silabus.
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This time I really am sorry for taking almost a year. I had a serious case of writer's block for the duration of the wait. My writer's block has disappeared for the most part, and I plan on finishing this story like I did the first. I will if I can handle college. Your thoughts would be appreciated.