Chapter 8 Again
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Haseo beheld possibly the largest collection of players ever to gather at the Chaos Gate in one time. They were as colorful as the very world they lived in; sometimes at an individual level. They were all undoubtedly a collection of several parties under the leadership of the hyperactive earth-pony turned steam gunner: Pinkie Pie. Haseo didn't know how many of them could handle a party of Pinkie's caliber. He was sure at least one player would pass out. The pink-haired girl looked ecstatic to see Haseo, and nearly ran him over when greeting him.
"Hi, Haseo! See, guys, he's the real thing, and in all of his dark and amazing glory! He's so amazing, I mean he practically saved Equest-"
"Alright, that's enough already!" said Haseo.
"...Okay!" said Pinkie.
The other players who had joined Pinkie looked at their new addition to the company with trouble; some of them even logged out just as Pinkie finished her thought. Pinkie observed the newfound lack of attendees with concern. She turned to Haseo.
"Huh? Where did they go?" wondered Pinkie, "They're gonna miss the party."
"I wouldn't worry about them," said Haseo.
"I'm gonna miss 'em." said Pinkie, "But, I'm sure we can still make this the greatest party The World has ever known!" everyone could've sworn that from some unknown place, party blowers sounded.
The pair turned back to the mass of players. Very few of them appeared to have accepted the reality and, maybe to them, perversion of The party by Haseo's presence. In spite of this, the idea of leaving Pinkie Pie behind seemed to dishearten them more, after all, they were not going to fight the Terror of Death... right? However, with Haseo also brought a kind of empowerment; as if knowing that destruction and death was at your disposal even if for a short time. Some hoped for a less superficial relationship with Haseo; either in awe at his accomplishments or genuinely wishing to get to know him. There were girls in that crowd, and a couple had their thoughts on "Master Haseo."
As much as Haseo would've preferred to let their party go on without him, he felt he had to spare Pinkie's feelings just once. He allowed Pinkie to join his party. The lack of a third person in his party didn't unnerve Haseo; he felt quite fine, for he knew of another player he felt like inviting. Pinkie Pie seemingly understood Haseo's intentions and gave a thumbs up as if to say "Okay." His third party member arrived a bit later. It was Atoli in all of her life. To Haseo, having the harvest cleric around worked in so many ways, and it had been some time since they'd gone adventuring together.
"Haseo! I'm so happy to go adventuring with you again!" said Atoli.
"I thought it would be a good idea to bring you along," said Haseo.
"Oh, and Pinkie Pie, it's nice to see you," said Atoli to Pinkie.
"It's fantastic to have you on board!" said Pinkie, "People, we have another partygoer with us, so make sure get's her favors!" she continued, Alrighty then, the area words are: Θ Dejected Dusk's Foot Stone!" The other parties eyeballed the bright girl for having chosen keywords with a feel such as those. They were Pinkie's antithesis. She should not have said those words in their eyes. Haseo's objectivity roused no special reaction him, and Atoli continued to look content.
"I may not have invented the words but I will not let them define us! It's a Defeating Dejection Wingding!"
Everyone but Haseo cheered just as quickly as they moped. Pinkie motioned for everyone to go through the blue rings of the Chaos Gate and into another adventure.
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The area Pinkie Pie chose for her party had a depressing name, yet neither took place at dusk or looked dejecting. Islands of sand and grass populated by Olin Packs and Gimmick Torches beneath a cloudy sky. The sun made itself known through the clouds with patches of brightness that even an untrained eye could see. A bridge connected each island and treasure chests on pedestals stood above the grass. Despite the picturesque appearance, the element of darkness was still attached to it. The monsters used darkness in their magic, and they were as out for the blood of players as they were programmed to. The first island with a platform could not fit every player in Pinkie's posse. Haseo wondered if any of these players could handle crowding each other into infighting before the monsters could gamble on them. Pinkie Pie leaped ahead of Haseo's party and spread her limbs wide.
"Now this is what I'm talking about! Are you guys exited or what?!" everyone except Haseo expressed excitement. "Onward, party players, Pinkie Pie sees riches to be found!"
They went onward. Haseo shrugged at the enthusiastic Pinkie. Atoli smiled, attempting to comfort her teammate. An Olin Pack and Gimmick Torch stood by a tree with a circle traced around the patch where the roots would be. Haseo attacked and the customary fence encircled the party. Haseo found some comfort in knowing that these monsters were at a higher level than himself. Haseo also figured that the area's level was one of the reasons Pinkie took so many players with her. Another party joined them from the fence and slashed at the Olin Pack. Haseo took his dual swords to the Gimmick Torch and with chaotic strikes, achieved Rengeki. Haseo blocked an Ani Zot spell cast by the lantern-like monster. Atoli healed Haseo. Pinkie's spirited barrage kept the party attacking. In the end, everyone felt like they got something from it. Haseo didn't complain about the experience.
"Did everyone have a supertastically good time?" asked Pinkie, twisting to face her party members.
"Yeah, Madame, you were incredible!" said one player.
"I want to see that again!" said another.
Pinkie Pie zipped to Haseo and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pressing her cheek against his.
"And you, Haseo?" Haseo scowled.
"Hey! Will you please-" Pinkie Pie zipped to a spot a few feet away from the Terror of Death. Haseo turned to Pinkie with a harder scowl. Then, Pinkie zipped behind him and loosely coiled. Haseo stopped trying to figure out how she moved that quickly without breaking the game.
"Anyway I can turn the scowl into smiley?" asked Pinkie.
"Letting go of me would help!" Haseo throws her arms off him and puts a hand on his hip.
"Aw, are you blushing?" Haseo's cheeks were faintly red, partly because of Pinkie's affection, and partly because of Atoli crossing her arms in frustration.
"Haseo..." said Atoli. Haseo sighed in dejection.
The size of the party would've secured unquestionable victory, yet it didn't for everyone. Not even Haseo could close the gap in level between his party and the monsters. Not all of them had reached level 80, and those who did still found their characters taking a bulk of damage. All three remaining complete parties were thankful for Atoli and acutely aware of their items.
"Where did they go?" asked Pinkie with a straight face, "Did I break them?" Haseo hoped not, "I guess they had something to do. Oh well, I'm sure we'll see them again and maybe I'll invite them for the post-defeating dejection winding!"
Although Haseo had since come to expect these sort of words from Pinkie, he still looked upon the steam gunner in surprise at the jocularity of her words.
"Wherever they are, I'm sure they're doing just fine, Pinkie Pie," said Atoli.
Haseo knew he could count on Atoli to appear reasonable about the apparent death of so many players. If Pinkie knew it was all a game, she didn't show it. Haseo wondered what would happen to Pinkie should she be PKed. Would she die? Or return to her home?
"Hey, are you okay?" Pinkie roused Haseo from thought and held his attention for some number of seconds.
"...Yeah," said Haseo.
"Okay then!" said Pinkie.
The party continued collecting treasures and riches and tracing steps. They pushed the monsters away from their memories and consolidated their HP and SP. Only the area's boss stood in their way; the towering beast known as a Maxima Bazooka. With fiery orange skin and black markings all over it's body. It's yellow eyes, armored belt, and cannons on his hands. Other than it's proportions, it almost looked humanoid. However, the parties knew they had to defeat it to progress. Haseo charged at it, performing a full combo with his dual swords. The Maxima Bazooka levitated and aimed it's cannons at Haseo, who fled to the other side of the fence. Pinkie Pie performed the Tempest Blast skill on the monster, and Haseo performed Chaotic Strike. Haseo switched to his scythe: Heine's Zero and drained monster's attributes into his own; healing him a little. Atoli also healed him, and begun healing the other party who joined them in the battle fence. The onslaught of many players of a lower level than the boss amounted to a surprisingly fine outcome. The used their skills to the best of their abilities and five out of six remained near the circle and orange flowers beneath the boss. They were all satisfied with their progress, and they were all rewarded with items they couldn't use at that time.
"Wow, that was super dusk-defeating! We totally stomped on it!" shouted Pinkie, throwing her hands in the air. "And I got a level, woohoo!" Pinkie dashed to her partygoers in triumphant dance. She annoyed Haseo and cheered the rest. Haseo looked at his new item, a new set of armor, and was further annoyed that he could not utilize it. Haseo thought about his strength. He looked at Pinkie Pie, and then at Atoli. The rogue knew he had to be stronger for them. His fist clenched as Pinkie Pie materialized in front of him, almost touching noses.
"Did you have fun?" asked Pinkie.
"...Y-yeah, sure," said Haseo, backing away.
"Yay, Haseo had fun!" said Pinkie, while she popped up in the circle where the Maxima Bazooka stood before it's defeat. "Attention, everybody! Pinkie Pie has concluded that this party was an absolutely, no doubtitly, total success! Any and all party invites will be brought via message at least a day in advance, please message me if you have any questions. Will that be all?" she addressed everyone. Haseo put a hand on his hip, Atoli crossed her hands behind her back, and everyone else that survived looked at her in awe, with the circle stuck in the grass as an acting pedestal to them. For the rest, it was a detail in an online game without much room for expansion.
Something rang in Atoli's ears. The sound of creeping slime that only she perceived and understood. It was a sound that preceded the threat that people like herself and Haseo try to protect against; the electronic noise that came from AIDA, and it wasn't far away. Atoli sped to Haseo and began a chat.
[Haseo... I can hear it. It's AIDA...] said Atoli.
[AIDA? Here?!] said Haseo. [Where?]
[I don't know, but it's here somewhere.] said Atoli.
[Those other players need to get out of here. Fast.] Atoli nodded.
"Hey, you guys!" said Atoli. "You all look tired, I think you should head back to town, don't you?"
"But, what about all the treasure we left behind? Are we going to open it or not?" asked one party member.
"Oh, darn it! How could I forget about the treasure! We are the victors, so let's grab our spoils!" shouted Pinkie, already running to the nearest chest.
"Hey, wait up!" shouted Haseo, giving chase to Pinkie Pie.
Haseo didn't know how Pinkie moved so quickly for her class. She was already quick in her earth pony form, and Haseo now struggled to keep up even in The World. The rogue found it somewhat humbling to learn that this pink player who had no play history that he knew of had skills like she did. Pinkie Pie opened the chest. She jumped for joy.
"Yes! This is the most awesomest item ever!" said Pinkie Pie.
Haseo caught up with the steam gunner and stopped, panting, beside her.
"Hey-" Pinkie turned to face Haseo.
"Haseo! What kind of items did you get? Huh?" Pinkie's hair swung as she waited for his answer.
"Just some armor. Now, we gotta go. Things are not right here," said Haseo.
"Why not? All the monsters are gone, our party is still kicking, the area is beautiful, the treasure is ours, and we've surely defeated some dejection. What could be better?" Pinkie's smile cut Haseo deep, even if he didn't show it.
"I know, but it doesn't matter right now!" Haseo insisted
"Are you kidding me?! Haseo, are you grouchy?" wondered Pinkie Pie.
"I might get grouchy if you don't hurry up and go!" said Haseo. "Atoli says there's AIDA here..." he whispered.
"AIDA...!" Pinkie gasped. "Well, I guess that settles it." Pinkie zipped to the circle in the grass.
"You're attention please!" began Pinkie Pie. "Haseo said that some big scary things are gonna show up if we don't come out. Sorry!"
The party groaned and some of them angrily threw up their arms as the object of their amazement and affection cut the adventure short.
"Aw, don't be like that... It's not my idea, I swear!"
Atoli heard AIDA's noise again. It was much closer than before. Atoli clasped her hands together and raised her head in awareness. The cleric knew where AIDA lay. It lay beneath her acquaintance with pink hair - and the man in black armor who moved her to a new perspective. Haseo only after the first black spec rose from the ground and dissolved into the air. Another spec, and then another - faster and faster.
"Pinkie, get away from there!" he shouted, running to Pinkie's spot.
Pinkie too noticed the familiar dark circles that pained her friends in her home world. Pinkie tried to run, but the darkness struck before her first complete step, and she fell to the grass. The grass looked like it wanted to snake around her arms, yet stayed still, similar to the figure lying coldly trapped by a more furtive opponent. Haseo stepped cautiously toward Pinkie Pie as she rose to her feet. Her hair was straight again; a sign of something wrong. Her pupils didn't waver, her blue iris' matted, and soon, darkness engulfed her sclera. Pinkie Pie seemed to assume a persona. Unlike her friends, Pinkie didn't struggle, not even twitching as a sign of life. The first change was the baby blue aura that she emanated.
"Haseo..." said Pinkie.
The partygoers, whose names became lost to Haseo and Atoli, fled to the platform as soon as this aura appeared. Haseo deemed it better that way as he activated his own powers. The note that signaled the epitaphs sounded to Haseo.
(Okay, come on... I'm right here...) Haseo's marks manifested on his body, glowing until they solidified.
"...SKEITH!" Haseo lit up with power, and Skeith reappeared with his bladed staff. He entered Avatar Space.
At the same time, Pinkie Pie transformed into a bright blue creature of AIDA called Felicity. It took the shape of a magpie; it even appeared to have the markings of one such bird. Haseo shot Felicity with his bullets and stunned it quickly. He had Skeith slash at it and retreated. Felicity sent out little feathers that spread in a way that brought them so close together that they grazed Skeith with every move Haseo made him commit. The feathers dissipated and Felicity shot Skeith with what appeared to be grapeshot. Skeith dodged and shot back, stunning, and attacking Felicity with its staff. The battle lasted a moment more before Felicity's protect broke and Skeith prepared to data drain Pinkie Pie. Felicity spread her feathers again to keep Skeith off of her and her host. Skeith stayed still and charged until felicity slowed down, and fired. Felicity froze as the sun-shaped construct of Skeith's cannon pulled data from her and separated her from Pinkie Pie. The magpie shape faded away and Pinkie Pie descended to the ground. Haseo dispelled Skeith a text box appeared to Haseo saying "You got: Essence of Laughter."
(...Unbelievable.) thought Haseo, walking toward Pinkie Pie. He knelt and put his hands in her hair.
The steam gunner's pink locks remained straight. Haseo felt Pinkie's hair, trying to rouse her. Atoli joined Haseo and knelt beside the rogue and an unconscious Pinkie Pie.
"Is she okay?" Atoli asks Haseo.
"I hope so." replied Haseo.
"By the way... is this girl special to you?"
Haseo looked at Atoli. Atoli's intentions escaped him, though her eyes clearly showed that she had some. He took his hands out of Pinkie's hair.
"In a way. We met a while ago; her and her other friends. I guess I forgot about them."
"Really?" wondered Atoli, as she eyeballed Haseo. "How long ago?"
"I'd say a month, maybe more," said Haseo. "She makes many people smile, that makes her special."
"That's really admirable." said Atoli, clasping her hands.
Pinkie Pie stirred. Her eyes opened and closed again progressively faster, and her hair gradually recovered its curls, like recharging a battery. Her fingers twitched almost rhythmically, like a sequence of music. Her still blue eyes widened as her head rose to the level of Haseo's and Atoli's.
"Huh? What happened? What'd I miss?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"Don't you remember?" asked Haseo.
"A bug came and attacked you. It was scary, but Haseo stepped in and drove it away!" said Atoli.
"What? No, that's not how that went down. I was infected by AIDA wasn't I?" said Pinkie.
"A-AIDA? What are you talking about?" asked Atoli. "What is that?" Atoli couldn't believe it. Did this player, who while surprising, was ordinary to her, know about AIDA? The mention of its name made that appear to be the case. Atoli knew that all sorts of players existed in The World, but she didn't seem like the type to be in Yata's circle. The only way for her to know about AIDA was if someone let AIDA slip from their tongue. Atoli had a feeling of whom that might be.
"Anyway, you okay?" Pinkie's wild curls returned completely and she turned to Haseo.
"Yeah, I'm okay, I just gotta get up and get out!" replied Pinkie, struggling to get on her feet. Haseo and Atoli held her arms and steadied her. "Thanks, guys." she said.
"You're welcome!" said Atoli. Atoli and Haseo led Pinkie to the nearest platform. "Haseo... can we talk later?"
"Uh.. sure," said Haseo. Once they got close enough to the platform, they returned to Dol Dona in a flash of blue rings.
"so, does this mean no post-defeating dejection wingding?" asked Pinkie.
"I don't think so," replied Haseo.
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Pinkie Pie logged out of The World; "Went back home" in her words. Atoli's dress had a shade that stood between blending with the grass of the Celestial City where Canard was stationed, and standing out from each blade. Atoli turned to Haseo.
"Haseo," she said.
"Yeah?" said Haseo.
"About Pinkie Pie," Atoli started a chat. [How does she know about AIDA?]
[...It's hard to explain. You wouldn't believe me if I told you the whole story,] said Haseo.
[Really? Well, I still think it's weird that a girl you only met a month ago would know about AIDA,] said Atoli.
[It is. The short version of the story is: I let it slip out.]
[I see. Well, Yata better not know about this.]
[Yata? I bet he already knows. He's watched my every move before,] said Haseo.
[Oh,] said Atoli.
[I wouldn't worry too much about Pinkie. I trust her, more or less,] said Haseo.
[If you trust her, then I guess I trust her too!] said Atoli.
[Glad we can agree on that,] said Haseo.
Atoli ended the chat. "Something came up, so I'm logging out now. I'll see you later!" her character warped away. Haseo got a new email, and he too logged out of The World.
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Ryou received a notification that he had new emails. One came from Twilight Sparkle with the subject: "Would you mind?" It said:
Hello, Haseo
As of late, I have been researching The World and it's history. It's gone smoothly for the most part, but there is one obstacle to making a comprehensive report for Princess Celestia. I believe you can assist me with that. I would like for you to access The World's website and relay all information you find to me. Please, do so at your earliest convenience.
Thank you, Twilight Sparkle
(Right, I nearly forgot about that. I guess I can tell her some things. It's not a game for her... it might influence her part of the world too.)
The other email sent to Ryou came from Yata. The subject was "Meeting." It instructed Haseo to come to the Serpent of Lore.
(Let's go to Raven's Home,) thought Ryou. He clicked the icon for The World and logged on again.
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At the Serpent of Lore, Yata looked at the many screens that showed him The World and any aspect of it he chose to observe. His crossed arms sternly hung at an angle where a person could notice them if looked from his back. His glasses reflected what he saw in the Serpent of Lore. He monitored The World in this place. Pi stood by him with her arms by her sides. She too looked at the information projected from the Serpent of Lore with the same objectives as Yata. Her only other purpose there was to carry out Yata's will. When Haseo arrived, only Pi turned to face him.
"So, what do you want?" asked Haseo.
"I assure you, it's very important," said Yata, finally turning to Haseo. "We know that you let AIDA slip to a player outside of G.U."
"Yeah, I did," said Haseo.
"In that case, I want to know if this group of players can be sworn to secrecy. We don't want any panic to come from the general populace," said Yata.
"I'm sure they can. I'm secret enough not to tell everyone I know they're being watched," quipped Haseo.
"Haseo, this is serious," said Pi, sharply.
"I know that," said Haseo. "You don't have to worry about anything."
"I have reason to worry about many things, Haseo," said Yata. "Don't add that group of female players to that list."
"I won't." said Haseo.
"Before you go, I have one more question," began Yata. "You said you met those girls a month ago, correct? They arrived here shortly after the time you woke from that coma. Is it a coincidence?"
"How should I know?" said Haseo.
"I think you would know," said Pi. "You were there."
"True," said Haseo. "Is that all you need?"
"For now, yes," said Yata. Haseo walked out of the Serpent of Lore.
Silence followed. Yata turned back to the many screens at his disposal. Pi stepped a little closer to him.
"Master Yata?" she said.
"There are six of them," began Yata, "and as far as we know, at least one of them so far has been infected with AIDA. Which means that despite their unfitting appearances, they are real players. Could it be a coincidence?"
"Master Yata... you don't mean?" began Pi.
"It's possible that we've located six more lost ones," said Yata.
"! Those six players?" began Pi.
"I'm positive," said Yata. "The other oddity is that aura the one known as Pinkie Pie exhibited when she was infected with AIDA." Yata showed it on screen to Pi. "Our next step is to determine what that aura means."
"Yes, Master Yata," said Pi.
Yata accessed the terminal in the Serpent of Lore and began a study into the recent events of The World. He intended to inspect everything. To him, all the answers were there if he looked.
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I've finished another chapter. Tell me your thoughts if you'd like.