>>38790628
Follow Erina Best Mom

>>38790843
Vote counted, waiting for more.

>>38791068

>Follow Erina

You should feel like celebrating a lot of different things right now - your first Inves kill, the first time you've been able to fight in a LONG time, and even better, you got to go full Rider as well! Shit would be great, were it not for the presence of these thugs that tried to take advantage of your daughter for their own personal gain.

The fact that they were sporting replicas of the Sengoku Driver was even more worrying.

You're currently still at the abandoned power plant, waiting for Takatora and his men to make their way over here. Mako-chi did say that they were headed over before rushing off for work, but didn't give an ETA. It took about 20 minutes for you to drive over from Yggdrasil HQ, but it's been nearly 30 already.

And Taka-chan's not one to be late for no reason.

Not to mention, there's still a gaping Crack in reality next to you, leading into the strange Helheim Forest that your coworkers in R&D had been continually mentioning. It showed no signs of closing...

>Investigate the Crack before Takatora gets here.
>Wait patiently.
>Call Takatora.
>Other (Write in)

>>38791513
>Investigate the Crack before Takatora gets here.

>>38791908
Vote counted. I'm going to wait for more before going further.

Wonder where everyone is? It's really uncharacteristic for people to not be here by now.

>>38791513
>Call Takatora

Or try to. Hopefully something didn't happen to him on the way.

>>38791513
>Call Takatora

>Call Takatora.

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>>38792350
>>38792368
>>38791908

The Crack seems to hang there in space, leaking humid and sound-filled air into the power plant. Through the crack, you can see flora of all kinds growing in exaggerated, and sometimes even twisted ways. Everything seems to be viewable through some kind of visual filter - it looks as if you're looking through the crack through a pair of those old-fashioned 3D glasses that you used to get at movies. The figures and trees and plants look just out of focus.

It's all a bit surreal still, to be sure. And part of you, the young and dying to be free part, wants desperately to step back in there and explore on your own time.

But right now, you have to play the role of the responsible adult, and not run off when there's things to do.

So for now, you de-transform. The medicine fades quickly, forcing you to sit as heavily as you could have possibly managed onto the metal folding chair in the central room. The pain from the tissue in your leg surges through your body quickly, and while it's not unfamiliar, it's apparently been extended and made worse. You make a mental note to look into that further.

40 minutes have passed, and still no sign. You call Takatora on your phone, tapping your foot impatiently. The ring tone sounds, then three rings.

"Takatora here. Erina. You'll have to forgive us, apparently my driver had been drinking the prior night. Driving with a wrecked car is, well..."
"Any reason why you didn't deem it worthy of telling me that you'd be late?" You make no move to hide the irritation in your voice. He seems unphased.
"Because we're still on our way. Give us 10 minutes. Besides, it's a nice day. Needed to stretch a bit before I got to work."

His tone is strangely... content. The line goes dead.

>Wait for Takatora.
>Explore the Crack.
>Inspect the Drivers.
>Other (Write in)

>>38792541
>Inspect the Drivers.

Might as well tinker with something while we wait.

>>38792541
>Wait for Takatora
>Inspect the Drivers

No reason why we can't at least look at them while we wait, right?

>>38792635
>>38792584

You clench your fists tightly, but shake off the anger for a second. It was through no fault of his own, to be sure. Was kind of shitty of him to not let you know, but if he was still on his way, then there was nothing that could be done.

Instead, you wait until the pain dies down a bit, before slowly standing up. Might as well make yourself useful, you think to yourself, before they get here. They'll want to know as much as they can about what they might be walking into, in terms of disasters.

And if, indeed, this is a leak from Yggdrasil, or something else entirely.

You're not sure which one would be worse.

One of the men, wearing a sweater designed by who you only could guess as being Bill Cosby's illegitimate son, seems to have a rather loose grip of his Driver. You unbuckle it at the side, and watch as the neon yellow belt retracts into the Driver. Surprisingly, it feels light and yet sturdy. Whoever was making these had to have some kind of ergonomics degree - you could carry this in a suit pocket and it wouldn't make a noticeable difference.

Strangely enough, there seems to be no design on the faceplate. Further, when you try to yank the Lockseed free, it seems strongly stuck in there. Fastened somehow... maybe fused permanently? As you flip the device over, what you see makes your train of thought stop dead.

There's Yggdrasil's logo embossed into the black metal and plastic. Sure as hell looks official. No signs of anything cheap, or any bootleg parts. At least as far as you can tell.

You can faintly hear the sound of many pairs of feet on the other side of the small portion of the complex. At least two of them are clearly italian men's shoes...

...and a pair of high heels?

>Peek outside.
>Continue to inspect the Driver.
>Other (Write in)

>>38792982

>Peek outside.

Well, officially Kurokage Troopers don't have their Lockseeds stuck to the belt, so these are probably custom-made. If it wasn't for the Yggdrasil logo, I'd have blamed Smart Brain. That sort of thing seems way more in line with their style of driver mass-production.

Anyway, we can inspect the Driver later. First lets see what's up.

>>38792982
>Peek outside.

Aww shit. Genesis Squad's coming together.

>>38792982
>Peek outside

Let's hope it's Takatora and whoever came with him, not some other group that wants in on the fun.

>>38792982
>>38793142

Thought I'd vote for once to help get things moving.

Forgot to put that on the art side of things I'm working on Eden's design still and will hopefully get something to you guys later!

>Peek outside.

>>38792982
>Peek outside.
It's probably just Yoko, no reason to worry. Still, make sure.

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>>38793142
>>38793076
>>38793072
>>38793359
>>38793421

You put the Driver out of mind for the time being, and walk over to a nearby window. Panic flits through your mind for a split second, as the worry that someone else wanted to get in on the ruckus.

Thankfully, however, it's people you recognize handily. There's Takatora himself, although... is he wearing a Sengoku Driver? Yeah, that does appear to be his own Driver - there's a faceplate on there, white and gold with green edging. Ryouma's joined him, ever-present "I know more than you and you know it :^)" smirk adorning his face.

But along with the two men, there's a woman unfamiliar to you. Dressed as sharp as you usually do, short and smartly-cut hair. Suit, three-piece, light blue blouse. Shiny black heels, three inch. Her dark brown eyes flashing with... intent? Maybe. Her stride, matching Takatora and Ryouma almost perfectly. This woman was a silent fighter, it felt like. Muscles ready to lash out at a moment's notice. Maybe too ready.

You feel a chill go through your body as she eyes you. Not just a muscle spasm, but a cold, goosebump-warranting shiver.

The three of them, along with a bunch of hazmat-suited lackeys, are the only ones you see. They don't seem to have noticed you, except for her..

>Reveal yourself.
>Return to the Crack.
>Keep inspecting the Drivers.
>Other (Write in)

>>38793524
>Reveal yourself.
And introduce ourselves to this woman, we're not familiar with her. Does she work with Ryoma?

>>38793524
>Reveal yourself.

No need to hide from our co-workers. Not like this is a company-mandated team building exercise or something.

>>38793524
Reveal yourself

File: intensifying.gif (2.7 MB, 444x250)

2.7 MB GIF

>>38793621
...or is it?

>>38793524
>Reveal yourself.

Go out to meet them and show them where things are. Even though we don't recognize the woman, we do know Takatora and Ryouma.

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>>38793653

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>>38793667
>>38793645
>>38793621
>>38793594

You step out from the window and enter the courtyard, still holding onto the mass produced Driver. It's a struggle, as usual, but the typical hardness to Takatora's eyes softens just a bit as he sees you walk in. He puts a closed hand up - the procession stops dead in its tracks behind him.

"Status report." he says, smoothly and calmly. You internally roll your eyes at the way he says it, but still.
"Makoto's made her way home, she's fine and in one piece. All they did was rough her up a bit, but we kicked ass." you reply, leaning on your cane. "The lieutenant of the Shibata clan successfully summoned an Inves, however, using the Dragonfruit Lockseed. The bastard was enormous, but we had to kill it."
"What was it shaped like?"
"Dragon," you immediately reply. "Not like it would have made sense to do any other. Makoto says that there was something leaking from the thing as we killed it, though. Something mutagenic... do I have to get checked out? I think I might have gotten some on my suit."

Takatora nods, jerking a thumb over his back. In the mouth of the courtyard, a hefty-looking boxy truck rest, with the Yggdrasil symbol over it again.
"Go get checked out, real quick. Minato will help you out and get a further report. Then come back to me, understood?"

You give a snappy salute - and bonk your head with the driver in the process.
"Ow... alright, alright... yare yare..."

That was indeed Taka-chan smirking at the little gag you pulled, but still.

While the rest of the entourage starts filing into the complex, the woman stands ready. Her eyes once more are fixated on you, but they look expectant.

"Shall we go?" she says, quiet but not without fire.

>Accept her offer.
>Ask her questions. (Write in)
>Other (write in)

>>38793953
>Accept her offer.
>Other (write in)
"Yes, thank you. Minato, was it? Pleasure to meet you."

Because if she's upset with us for whatever reason, we might as well mess with her by being pleasant.

>>38793953
>Accept her offer.
>Ask her questions.

"I suppose you work under the Professor? Can't say I've seen you around the company before. Are you his pupil?"

>>38793953
>Accept her offer.

>>38794023
This. We have no real reason to be mean to her anyway.

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>>38794023
>>38794090
>>38794153

You give her one of your winning smiles, and offer for her to walk with you as you start.

"Thank you... Minato, was it? Pleasure to meet you." you try to initiate conversation.
"Yoko Minato. A pleasure." The ice dripping off of her tone is more guarded than anger... but it's still uncomfortable to try to talk to her.

Regardless, you press on.

"I can't say that I recognize you around the company before. You work under the Professor, or Taka-chan, or...?"
"I'm Professor Sengoku's assistant, for now. Though I hope to follow in his footsteps soon." Her eyes remain forward as she walks. "And yourself?"
"Erina Kinushima, head financial advisor to the company. And, as it turns out... maybe wrapped up in something that's much larger than I thought."

This catches her attention, as you stop outside the boxy truck.

"Wait, you're not part of R&D, Kinushima-san?"
"Nope, but was the first to be testing these babies out." A gesture towards the Genesis Driver, for emphasis. "This device is ridiculous, it actually allowed me to run and jump and everything wihtout the need for a cane or brace!"
"Seriously?" she chirps, the ice facade slowly starting to melt. Eyes widen a bit, as she inquires "What was it like?"

>[Free response - How would you describe using the Genesis Driver?]

>>38794407
Its like a supernova exploding in every cell of your body

>>38794407
"It's like... You know when you have a dream where it seems like you can do anything? Nothing's out of your grasp, and anything seems possible? It's like you're living that. Of course, you can still overexert yourself, and get in over your head, and whatnot, but... you get what I'm saying, right?

>>38794407
"Absolutely amazing. I'm a bit ashamed to say this, since it only happened because my daughter was kidnapped by the yakuza and this could have gone very badly, but today was probably the most fun I've had in my life. It's just this huge rush, wearing the Driver, all weakness pushed aside as you transform into something superhuman. Even fighting for our lives against a giant monster was exhilarating. You have to try it for yourself, it's incredible. Are you going to be one of the users of the production model? I'd expect that with your association with the Professor you'd be first on the list to get one once he's sure they work like he wants them to."

"It's... really hard to explain. Let's get through the check-up first, and I'll tell you how it feels."

This seems to have set something alight in Minato, as now that she's been teased with something, she seems... eager. She opens the door for you, and you slide in to find one of the Yggdrasil doctors on site - an older woman, half-moon frosted glasses.

The checkup goes without a hitch - you check out free of Helheim infection, nor of any other infections or things. As the doctor takes pulse measurements and so on, you regale Minato with the tale.

>>38794645
"It's like... You know when you have a dream where it seems like you can do anything? Nothing's out of your grasp, and anything seems possible? It's like you're living that. Of course, you can still overexert yourself, and get in over your head, and whatnot, but... you get what I'm saying, right? Its like a supernova exploding in every cell of your body."

You sigh happily, and continue.

>>38794831
"Absolutely amazing. I'm a bit ashamed to say this, since it only happened because my daughter was kidnapped by the yakuza and this could have gone very badly, but today was probably the most fun I've had in my life. It's just this huge rush, wearing the Driver, all weakness pushed aside as you transform into something superhuman. Even fighting for our lives against a giant monster was exhilarating. You have to try it for yourself, it's incredible. Are you going to be one of the users of the production model? I'd expect that with your association with the Professor you'd be first on the list to get one once he's sure they work like he wants them to."

She shakes her head and looks down a bit. Looks to be withholding something.
"As far as I knew, you were to be the first trial user. Was Kureshima-san's orders, as I understood it. Trial so far seems to be a total success, especially considering your condition."

>Press her for what's on her mind.
>Continue with the tale of what happened.
>Other (Write in)

>>38795056
>Press her for what's on her mind.
Something wrong, Yoko?

Well, I have to get to class, now. See you all in a few hours. Try not to get anyone exploded.

>>38795163
See ya later, man. When do you think you'll be back?

>>38795056
>Press her for what's on her mind.

>>38795196
Probably around ten. Class is until 9:15, getting home should take 45 minutes or so.

>>38795056
'Sup, Sagara. sorry for being late.
>Press her for what's on her mind.

>>38795056
>Press her for what's on her mind.

>>38795305
Understood. Good luck with your class, man.

>>38795255
>>38795138
>>38795460
>>38795466

The air in the truck suddenly gets tense... thick. Almost enough to choke on.

The doctor politely excuses herself, putting a hand gently on your shoulder before exiting the van and leaving you and Minato to it.

Minato's breathing seems to steepen and become a bit laboured.

"Something wrong, Yoko? You're beginning to freak me out a bit." you admit, scooting closer.

"I... I should be happy for you. Don't get me wrong, this is not something terrible. It's just..."

"I didn't expect they'd go so far to test you as they did."

"....what."

"The Shibatas kidnapping your daughter and everything. I didn't expect they'd go as far as to call for ransom of the Genesis Driver and Energy Lockseed. And to put Armored Riders as protection... there was something else going on there and I just can't shake this feeling I've got..."

She grabs your hands, and grips them tightly.

"Something else is going on... something that I don't like at all. Professor and Kureshima-san acted like they already knew what they'd find here."

>[Free Response]

>>38795503
>Smile sweetly, the way mothers smile when they want to put the fear of god In their children.
>I guess I'll need to have some words with Taka-chan as soon as possible, then.

>>38795503
"To be honest, I was starting to get suspicious myself. I thought there may have been a leak, or something of that nature. How else would they get their hands on Drivers? I'll look into this, Minato. I really appreciate you being honest with me.

Will reply momentarily.

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Making dinner. OOC discussion time is go.
What do you guys think is the deal with what Minato's talking about?

>>38796109
They wanted to see how effective the Genesis Driver really was, and decided the best way to do it was to engineer a situation where Erina would fight of her own free will, without holding back. Much.
Normally I'd be more paranoid and distrust whatever this lady says Untill we can investigate more, but Takatora WAS acting weird in that last phonecall.

>>38796222
Either this, or she's trying to lull us into thinking we can't trust Takatora. There could be any number of reasons why he's so happy, and besides, we just met this girl. The fact the Professor likes he enough to let her be his nupeacember 2 is kinda worrisome.

>>38796276
Her introduction didn't give us much reason to trust her either.

Looking back a few posts, Takatora's tone during the phone call was "content" meaning something he thinks is good happened. Wether that involves the kidnapping or something else involving him is still unknown. It might be that he received double the good news today, with wathever it was that happened and us rescuing Makoto without any apparent injuries.

The Statesman had a "I know something you don't" smile on his face, but that means little by itself. Still, that lets us know something went According to his Plan.

Minato's introduction had her giving us really bad vibes, including a bad case of the chills. This doesn't give us much reason to trust her, and the subsequent conversation didn't really do much to change that first impression.

>>38796485
Like we said, this requires some investigating. I think after however many years of working at the company, we can trust Takatora, regardless of whatever ulterior motives the rest of the company has.

>>38795594
>>38795708

You let this process for a little while, weighing how you feel about this entire thing.

Yep. YOu do not like being kept in the dark about everything.

You give her a smile, but this time it's more tight-lipped and pensive than the one you had given her outside. You've clearly been given something to think about. But you do squeeze her hands back.

"Thank you for letting me know. Sounds like I've gotta have some words with Taka-chan as soon as possible, then. To be honest, I was suspicious in the first place. How would these thugs off of the street get drivers like this, after all?"

You lock eyes with her, in a final effort to try to convince her that things are settled. She sucks in a breath and nods, and you return the gesture.

As you exit the truck, however, a lot of thoughts swirl in your head.

>Talk to Takatora.
>Talk to Ryouma
>Go back to Yggdrasil
>Other (write in)

>>38796686
>Talk to Takatora.

Let's not go full Ara Ara just yet.

>>38796686
>Talk to Ryouma
"So, why are these hardwired to only use on Lockseed? Is that something new you were working on, or did whoever stole these make that modification themselves?"

>>38796738
Yeah, we trust Taka-chan, he's a good guy. Though we'd probably trust him less if we learned about the time he beat the shit out of our daughter. Angry words will be had.

>>38796686
>Talk to Ryouma

>>38796686
>>Talk to Takatora.

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>>38796739
>>38797033

You figure that Takatora's probably got shit to do right now, what with the open Crack and the potential body cleanup, so instead you make a path to talk to the Professor. If anyone's liable to spill at least some beans about what in the blue fucking hell is going on here, he might be the best choice.

You find the professor busy looking over one of the mass produced drivers. For once he looks pretty perplexed. Takatora seems to be nowhere to be seen.

"So," you start, spooking him out of his reverie. "What's the deal with these Drivers. Why are they hardwired to work on only one Lockseed? Something new in the labs, or did whoever stole these make that mod themselves?"

He stops stone cold for a second as he processes the implications of what you've accused him with, but within seconds turns to you and... just shrugs.

"It would make little sense to lock a Driver into only one Lockseed. Even if it offered impenetrability, or whatever such a 'feature'" - in air quotes - "it would provide, it would be much better just to give the user the ability to collect and shfit Lockseeds at will. Perhaps these aren't as valid as ours are. After all, they don't have quite my special touch."

With a wink, he pulls out a small pack of tools and starts to work on unscrewing the back of the Driver in his hand.

You feel hungry all of a sudden.

>Watch him work.
>Go to the Crack.
>Go home.
>Other (write in)

>>38797261
>Watch him work.

Maybe we can get some answers too.

>>38797261
>You feel hungry all of a sudden.
Should we be worried?

>Watch him work.

>>38797359
>>38797318
You sit down next to him and begin to watch him work. It's like you're watching a young child taking apart a favorite toy and finding out exactly how it works, only this time Ryouma's taking apart what could essentially be a tool of wholesale and mass destruction as if it was a computer.

What's interesting to note is that while the electronics and chips and such that are in the Driver go over your head, Ryouma starts to get more frustrated than you expected. He struggles in some parts to get screws and pieces loose. Parts simply break in methods and ways you're sure they shouldn't have. By the time all recoverable pieces are separated and laid out on the ground, his brow is furrowed and his hands are steepled together. He simply stares, then begins talking.

"As expected. Someone got the blueprint, but apparently decided to take some liberties on it. AKA, this is not ours, but still has the same functions. And with worse quality materials as well."

"This is troubling."

Ryouma takes a look at you, pauses, then continues.

"In terms you're familiar with, these are bootlegs. Effective bootlegs, but ripoffs nonetheless. Audacity to put on the Yggdrasil logo on it as well. Problem is, not only can these bootlegs still give someone armor, but they can be produced extremely cheaply - a kid with free time after school for a month could figure out how this works and replicate it, I'd be willing to bet."

"What's the problem with that, then?" you ask, but you already feel the backlash as soon as the words leave your mouth. Ryouma's gaze turns into a glare.

"If people with these pieces of scrap go out into Helheim because they think they're hot shit, they're not only going to automatically start contracting the Infection, but because of the design of this, may become carriers of it even if they don't know it. Every time they put this on, they're exposing themselves to essentially nuclear radiation."

>Free response

>>38797626
"...oh...shit.."

>>38797626
>"...Any way to discover who's the fucker who's makin' these pieces of shit?"

>>38797626
"I never thought very highly of yakuza to begin with, but this is just... mindblowing. They really don't know what they're messing with here, do they? And on top of that, there's a leak in the company that going to need plugging."

>>38797626
"And whoever designed it had to know that, wouldn't they? There's no way they're smart enough to replicate the drivers but not see the flaw. They probably just don't care, new thugs are easy enough to get. Great. Just...great"

>>38797699
>>38797720
>>38797732

The news chills your blood stone cold. The implications scatter throughout your mind and start driving a cold lump into the pit of your stomach that only serves to grow as the thoughts continue.

"If these punks are mass producing them, they could start selling them to kids..."
"Which means people with little to no knowledge about the dangers of Helheim are going to start getting dragged into the Inves Game..." he continues.
"And people will inevitably enter the Forest."
"Where they'll start carrying the Infection due to the make of the bootleg Drivers."
"And when they get free and don't even know it..."

"...shit."

Ryouma nods. This might be the most grave you've ever seen him. Somewhat refreshing to see him so serious, but now's not the time.

"I never thought very highly of yakuza to begin with, but this is just... mindblowing. They really don't know what they're messing with here, do they? And on top of that, there's a leak in the company that's going to need major plugging. Any way to discover who's the fucker who's making these pieces of shit?"

"We won't know until we get back to the lab and send it to forensics. There should be something, but here I can't tell."

He looks towards the Crack expectantly.

"He's been in there a while..."

>Go check on Takatora.
>He'll be fine. Go on and head home.
>Other (write in)

>>38798001
>Go check on Takatora.
We're not in the mood for your shit, Helheim.

>>38798001
>Go check on Takatora.

No one gets left behind.

>>38798001
>>Go check on Takatora.

God damnit Sagara-Bro! You had to play the Serious fucking business card. Also I'm late but NORG Here Reporting for duty.[/sub]

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>>38798088
>>38798173
>>38798339

You stand as straight as you can, and walk slowly over to the Crack. Sure enough, it's still hanging improbably in space, and the edges seem to have no plans to recede and close any time soon.

"When is Takatora-heichou getting out of there? He never takes this long in order to take care of cracks." one of the hazmat-suited workers mentions, nervously shuffling. You find it strange that he's holding a flamethrower.

"No idea, man, but i hope he's okay," another flamethrower-holding lackey states. "He should be fine."

They turn to you.
"Are you planning on going in there, Miss Kinushima?"

You nod.
"Takatora's a friend of mine. And if he's struggling, I have the power to help him now. Please step out of the way."

They do so, forming a little "tunnel" of people between you and the Crack. You take a breath, make sure that your Driver is securely on your lap and fastened tightly, and then step through.

...

The forest... is quiet. It's moderately dark, around dusk, and the remaining light filters through the trees in most beautiful, if still strange, ways. But your gut still has a cold lump in it.

You don't hear sounds of any fighting in the nearby region.
You see nor hear any Inves in the nearby region.

>Go further into the crack.
>Get accustomed to the Helheim, walk around a bit.
>Transform.
>Other (write in)

>>38798339
Welcome back, Comrade NORG .

>>38798424
>Get accustomed to the Helheim, walk around a bit.
>Transform.
>But do it silently. We Hunting now.

>>38798424
Transform... I know this maybe pushing it but we can't risk helheim infection.

>>38798446
Thank you Comrade[/sub]

>>38798424
>Get accustomed to the Helheim, walk around a bit.

Baby steps.

>>38798339
Welcome back Norg.

-The tripfag formerly know as DukeAnon

>>38798481
>>38798490
>>38798537

The ground under your heels feels... soft. Strange, but familiar. Maybe a little bit springy? Eh, whatever it might be, it's decently easy to walk in. No patches of mud anywhere.

Kinda breezy, though.

You walk around a bit, trying to get used to the Helheim and making sure that there wasn't any hidden rules for being in this new environment. Finding none, you start heading... somewhere? Probably forward was the best idea.

That, and following the splotches of rapidly fading luminous liquid of some kind that is making a trail deeper into the forest.

...But should you be doing this alone? And especially untested? You pause for a second, looking around at the dark... deep... oppressive forest...

>Roll 1d20.

>>38798424
>Transform.

>>38798537
Good to see you again Duke.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>38798723
Rollin

File: 1423257691871.gif (730 KB, 500x264)

730 KB GIF

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>38798723
LET'S DO THIS!

>>38798795
FUCK ME

>>38798795
Still need three more rolls.
Remember, a 20 can cancel a 1.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>38798723
Here's hoping we don't fall into the Woolie hole

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>38798723

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>38798873

>>38798874
FOOL, NEVER MENTION WOOLIE!

>>38798874
>>38798916

NOW NONE OF OUR HULK FIGURES ARE SAFE!

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>38798723
>>38798795
nat 20

And I get back from class later than expected (I forgot there was a basketball game in town tonight, made for awful traffic) to find that in my absence we've rolled a critical failure. If only I had been here.

>>38798893
>>38798887
>>38798874
>>38798817
>>38798795
>>38798962

For the night is dark and full of terrors...
and the hunter becomes the hunted.

Tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zAMJXZnJoY

While you're walking around, however, your cane somehow seems to fail to find something on the ground - just before you take a real bad fall directly onto your face.

It wouldn't be so bad, were it not for the fact that you were JUST about to transform...

But as you hear...

>A gravelly, middle-aged man's
>A French-accented young woman's
>A quiet, young woman's

's voice speak up, your blood runs absolutely cold.

"You should not have come here, Erina Kinushima."

>>38798974
Well, since you're okay with taking the blame:

Goddammit, Anon.

>>38799031
>A gravelly, middle-aged man's

Tangerine time, anyone?

>>38799031
Welllllll fuuuuuuckkkk meeeeeeeeee

>A French-accented young woman's
In before we bring Nui here

>>38799031
>A French-accented young woman's
It's been a while since we've seen her, what's she up to?

>>38799031
>A French-accented young woman
This will be interesting.

File: ceciletrue.jpg (116 KB, 1000x900)

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>>38799142
>>38799107
>>38799106

The voice is familiar. It's too familiar.

Cecile duMont.

Of course it had to be her. And the sharp, thin point pressed at the back of your head could only be her as well. You could feel a knee placed at the center of your back, trying to hold you down.

"I had never thought zat it would get this far... but everything has gone to shit, and now it needs to end," she seethes. "I need this plan to work, damn you, and I won't 'ave any more intrusion!"

What plan? you wonder, slowly turning on your side to face her - only for her to get in your face. A malicious grin, gleaming blue eyes, blonde hair fading to red at the roots, and coffee skin.

A side of Cecile you'd never seen before, and you're damn sure you don't want to see anymore, especially with that combat knife pressed to your throat.

"You need to die, Erina. I'm sorry. I really wish zere was another way, but there isn't."

"I need to be free of this mad fate."

>Fight.
>Escape.
>Talk her down.

>Roll 1d20.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>38799397
I blame the people who wanted Yggdrasil to have Winds of Destruction for this.

>Fight.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>38799397
>Fight.

File: 1421027067480.jpg (43 KB, 600x450)

43 KB JPG

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>38799397
>Fight
Sorry not!Mistral, but we won't die now.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>38799397
>Fight
>MORTAL KOMBAT!!!

>>38799455
That would be Me, NORG And I regret NOTHING NOTHING

>>38799484
Look on the bright side. At least we get a cool boss battle out of this.

>>38799455
>>38799479
>>38799481
>>38799484
Still need one more roll.

Also she's not QUITE Mistral, I've got some things for her. Rest assured I'm not just making an expy.

It might hint at global plot, for example.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>38799619

>>38799626
.... And THIS is why you don't fuck with the Ara-Ara Snake.

Bitch Get Ready for a Venom Smash!

File: 1389147849472.png (28 KB, 238x220)

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>>38799626
YEEEAAHHHH BOY

>>38799619
Oh, sorry, I wasn't trying to accuse you of ripping off MGR, I was just making a joke. Wasn't my intent at all, I assure you.

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>>38799626

>>38799728
Hey, there's an idea. Metal Hero Quest.

>>38799663
You're good, dude. I may love me some MGR though.
Metal Gear Rising quest when.

>>38799626

Tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULQgMntenO8

FIGHT.
SURVIVE.
BLOOD.

Your blood goes from cold blue, to burning red. The heat rises in your mind, and your vision narrows.

"One of us is indeed going to walk out of this Forest alive tonight... but it won't be YOU!" you shout.

With your free, good leg, you weave it between her torso and arm, and manage to pull her arm back, pulling her down in an improvised armlock. You scoot free, safe from the
knife, and get as low as you can on the ground.

Cecile tries to rush after you, but you roll away to safer positioning - aiming to get as much distance between you and her as possible. The only way you were going to be able to beat her was with your only weapon --

The Genesis Driver.

>LIME ENERGY!

"Cecile, don't do this. You're only going to end up getting hurt in the process." You try to talkher down, at least somehow, while you open the Energy Lockseed.

But instead of rushing at you with the knife again, she stops. Realizing that a knife just won't cut it against Rider armor... she reaches for her coat pocket.

>TAMARINDO! her pocket shouts.

"IF you want to play like that... then let's dance, mon gars!"

>Transform stylishly.
>Transform efficiently.
>Transform hotbloodedly.
>Grab a stick. Fuck henshin.
>Other (Write in)

File: rulesofflavor.jpg (41 KB, 514x707)

41 KB JPG

Also this image might be relevant for our quest.

>>38799946
>>Transform hotbloodedly.

"I'M NOT GOING TO DIE HERE DAMNIT!"

>>38799946
>Transform efficiently.
No time to be fancy. Life or death, here, can't have wasted movements.

Also, "mon gars" is masculine. It should be "mon fille", if you're addressing a woman.

File: 1425799771116.gif (2.33 MB, 400x225)

2.33 MB GIF

>>38799970
>rules of flavor

My computer's being a damn toaster right now, please stand by.

>>38800298
OH NO!?

>>38800298
Well, might as well accept it and put some bread in there. You won't be able to finish the thread, but at least you'll have a snack.

File: kredenramen.png (1.53 MB, 3000x3000)

1.53 MB PNG

>>38800034
>>38799986

You grip the Lockseed with your free hand, staring down the crazed Frenchwoman and gritting your teeth.

"I have a daughter that needs my help. I have a mystery that needs solving, and I sure as HELL won't die here. I'M NOT GOING TO DIE HERE, DAMMIT!"
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, MISS KINUSHIMA." She shouts back, equally as incensed. "I need to escape. This is my only chance to get free, and you're now the one standing in my way. I can't allow you to suffer any longer!"

"HENSHIN!"

You slam the Lockseed into the Genesis Driver and push the lever.

But the sound it makes startles you and Cecile both.

>LIME ENERGY ARMS! GAAAAU--
>OVER-OVER-OVERCHARGE.

The same lime-shaped armor materializes over you, unfolds and nestles around your head, but before it does so, you can see from the corners of your eyes that pieces change. You see the emergence of fangs and hearts on your pauldrons, snakeskin over some of the armor.

But when it unfolds, and deposits a strange version of the bow, with the snake's fangs, you know something's up.

>Pic related, WIP by Ramen of the drawthreads.

And then the supernova in every cell starts popping off. The surge of raw, primal energy, through every nerve ending and vein. Your senses go wild, not just intoxicated but electrified, set aflame, drowned in this. Muscles spasm and tense and go wild.

Before your mind coalesces around one simple, and integral thought, and your burning green eyes focus on Cecile, her still clutching her lockseed.

<<SURVIVE>>

>You have the initiative.

>Attack.
>Use skills. (Available: <Camouflage, Energy Shot>)
>Reposition.
>Defend.

>>38800491
Press the Attack, make sure she doesn't get a chance to transform!

Headbutt her, Kick her in the cunt... We don't care SURVIVE AND FIGHT!

>>38800491
>Attack.
She hasn't transformed yet? Then she gets shot.

Also, DAMN does Erina have some hips. Cute, great sense of humor, understands economics, loves toku, has those hips...if she were ten years younger and real she'd be my perfect woman.

>>38800573
>>38800552

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>38800717

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>38800717

>>38800717
Need three more rolls.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>38800717

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>38800717

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>38800717
We rollin'!

Rolled 12, 9, 8 = 29 (3d20)

>>38800844
Now rolling for Cecile.

>>38800844
.... It seems the Elder Dice Gods Wish for their blood sacrifice and who are we to deny them.

>>38800854
Something tells me we should have went for the energy shot...

>>38800854
>>38800844

>19 vs. 12 - Exceptional Success.

Your legs move before you even could formulate a plan. A long, lithe lunge with the fanged bow weapon towards her arm, and a satisfying sound and reverberation of metal gouging flesh. She leaps back with a pained yelp, covering the wound with her hand, and doing her best to get the hell away from the crazy psycho that just slashed at her.

...Irony, it turns out, seems to be in full effect today.

Once she's got a good distance away, though, she wastes no time with her Driver.

"Henshin!"
>TAMARINDO ARMS! WHIP LOUD, JIE JIA BAN!

One of the strangest fruit armors comes tumbling down from existence onto Cecile - it looks more like a pea pod the color of wood than anything else - and slams down onto her shoulders. When it unfolds, it looks pretty nice, but the most worrying thing is the two metal whip-like weapons attached to her hands that she starts swinging wildly..

"I must be free... I must be free!" she chants, advancing upon you.

>You have the initiative.

>Attack.
>Skills.
>Reposition.
>Defend.
>Wait.
>Other (write in)

>>38801017
>>Energy Attack

>>38801017
>Skills.
Camouflage. She's got whips, those aren't good close in. So stealth, sidestep around her, and engage her in melee.

File: to be continued.png (46 KB, 486x110)

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>>38801109
>>38801064
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, right after I posted an update, but I'm hitting a wall right now energy-wise. I think it's time to wrap it up for the night.

We'll continue next week at the beginning of the full battle between Erina and Cecile, is that okay with everyone?

>>38801179
That works Sagara-Bro and Dayum That art

I need to get some drawfiends stat.

>>38801179
Yeah, sure. That's fine. Thanks for running, Sagara. See you next time.

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>>38801209
See ya next time, man. Thanks for sticking around.

>>38801196
The key to getting drawfriends to take your requests is to make them relatively simple, and give plenty of resources for them to use. Also be respectful and grateful.

Archive link: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/38790628/
QM Twitter: @DJ_Sagara_TG

Thanks again, y'all! Have a good night!

>>38801252
Fair Point, and well until recent I've been in a Rut on potential request Ideas.