Don't Touch That Dial

[magicademymods]

Don't Touch That Dial Once upon a time, a pair of ducks had an idea. "Let's create television and make it so it picks up programming from everyone's home!" they said, as if somehow the Tenscore Kingdoms hadn't suffered enough. Would it shock you to hear the spell didn't go quite right? Would you be amazed to know that it malfunctioned in a horrible way? Choke on your disbelief, because IT DID. In front of the Great Hall, right in that arbitrary spot where the trees of the Promenade end and the walls begin, several 55" glass screens suddenly flare to bright blue life... followed by several more, in the unlikeliest places around campus. (What is a glass pane meant for TV doing in your sock drawer? Ask Webby.) Arrival What emerges from the screens -- and we do mean emerges -- is not a flat image, nor a happy purple dinosaur, nor someone wishing to be your neighbor. What emerges is, instead, someone you did not want to see from your home canon. Not necessarily a villain, mind; only someone who will cause conflict, with you and with others, in some way, shape, or form. It all comes back to conflict, in the end. Now they're here. 22 Minutes, Not Counting Commercials They're here, and they're running some version of amok. Maybe they're trying to take a hostage to force you to give themselves up to their power? Maybe they're trying to steal items of power, or capture rare familiars in red-and-white spheres. Maybe they're hitting on that person you really secretly like. Maybe they're just telling everyone about that time you were six years old and ran down the street naked. Whatever the case, your nemesis-for-a-day is causing some sort of trouble... Triumph(?) Ultimately, the only way to handle this horrific cross between a holodeck malfunction and a fourth-wall event is the most obvious one: you gotta cram your canon counterpart back into a screen, any screen at all. Through trickery, treachery, spellwork, or pipe-to-the-skull, you have to banish your victim back to whence they came. Of course, no one says you can't unfairly gang up on them... ...help? Surely the faculty will help, right? Nope. They've all taken right the hell off. Because they, too, are affected by the mirror. Contemplate just who might be summoned by each of these powerful and capable wizards, and perhaps be a little grateful that they did this. In charge, in their absence, is the Head of Student Affairs, Richard Willoughs. He seems unaffected, because honestly, students are his worst nightmare, so having to deal with them is only apropos for this disaster. So you're on your own...

Comments

OOC Questions

[magicademymods]

[talkyourwayout]

So I'm assuming it's a yes, but would the character from our character's world come from roughly the same canon point as them, or do we have options there?

[outofyourshadow]

If the people arriving for this event had magic or powers, would their abilities be nerfed like our characters’ were? Or would they get to keep their abilities?

Re: OOC Questions

[gender_neutral]

Getting into this super late, and have questions like whoa. Sorry!!!

Okay so...

1) These NPC'd characters can interact with other people?
1.5) Can we use a separate journal for them if yes?

2) Can we ask someone else in game to run the NPC for us?

3) What happens if the character can't get the person they didn't want back into the screen?

4) what happens if our character straight up KILLS the person who came through?

5) can more than one person come through?

come and heed us

[burningbrighter]

Well. This is just perfect.

Coming at you through the portal are three very colorful women, each wearing a mysterious red jewel on a necklace. They have microphones in hand, and they're harmonizing. Listen to their siren song at your peril...because once you're under their spell, you'll be prone to picking fights with anyone and everyone.

"Come prove you're the true stars of the show! We're accepting new applications for our band~" calls the blond woman in charge.

"It's fun. You'll like it." deadpans the one in purple, arms folded.

"And we have free tacos!" finishes the one in blue, all smiles.

"No we don't---" Purple hisses.

"But they don't know that!" Blue finishes with an even bigger smile, cheerfully waving.

It's quite the sight to see. A student adept in Fantastics will be able to counter the effect if they recognize it in time, but it's looking like this is going to be an all out music battle. Or at least it will be once Sunset prepares.

She's currently surveying the hallway in a pair of fuzzy noise-cancelling headphones, searching for potential victims. If she sees anyone coming she'll dash over and slap a pair of earphones on them before dragging them off, but she can't catch everyone...hope you're not too bothered about a fight.

"No, get back!"

That's what Sunset's trying to shout as she flails and waves her arms, but it sounds a little distorted because she can't quite hear herself.

((ooc: Feel free to get close to them! They're a fun group, and they'll gladly charm anyone who wants to join their musical army. Sunset is also hoping to recruit her own musical army to disrupt them long enough to shove them back into the screen. Which side you join is up to you!))

[woo_oo]

Webby had been about to approach the interesting group of beauties when she's suddenly slapped and dragged - what the hey?!

"Sunset, what are you doing?" She blinks up at her friend, very confused as she tries to take off the earphones.

[shiningkindness]

"...Oh no..."

Fluttershy felt her blood run cold at the sound of the familiar voices, and while she wasn't entirely affected by the music, she knew it was only a matter of time before she could be.

So instead, she hurried to find the only other person who knew the danger that the trio posed.

"Sunset!"

[talkyourwayout]

Something's definitely up with the situation, but before Louie can start even trying to figure out what, the headphones are clamped over his head, and he looks up at Sunset in clear confusion.

"Thanks, I'm guessing?" He doesn't realize how loud he's being, but what can be done about that. "What's up with them?"

[woo_oo]

"You ruined EVERYTHING!"

Okay, so Webby is starting to think that doing magical projects without any input from the faculty is a bad idea. A lesson she didn't learn with Yugi, and apparently not with Dewey. She'll apologize later, okay?

For now, there's a loud ruckus going down in the hallway - a tall bird woman with a robotic arm(?!) is chasing down Webby, bouncing off the walls - literally, bouncing! It's not like Webby to run away from danger (usually toward it) - she's doing her best to get this woman out of the school and away from her friends.

This isn't proving to be easy, considering that robot arm can lasers. Yeah, this is a grown-up woman trying to murder a small child.

"I thought about offing you in front of the agents - BUT I'M JUST NOT THAT PATIENT!

"Patience is a virtue! Supposedly!"

[stillnewatthis]

If Orisa cannot stand one thing, it is people with cybernetic arms attacking innocents!

The omnic barreled around a corner so fast that her four feet skidded on the ground as she planted them to make the turn. In the same moment, she shot out a force screen projector to land just behind Webby; the next blast struck the field it shot out, rather than threatening the duck.

"I will not allow you to pass!"

[shiningkindness]

Fluttershy was just stepping out when Webby ran past, and she gasped when the bird woman just missed her as she bounced off the nearby wall. Just managing to duck, Fluttershy then looked at their retreating forms.

Then, pulling out her wand, she hurried after them and sent a rush of wind, hoping to knock the woman off balance.

[darkenedmoon]

"BOOM!"

It was a mighty, buzzing voice that called that out, causing a ruckus. One of the trees on campus died a swift and violent death, as the massive cyborg swung his chainsaw arm through it. The helmet swiveled to fixate on one briefly cowering woman, before Yotsuyu straightened and ran away from him.

She should not have been surprised. After all, if she were here, why should he have not shown up? She had only hoped, futilely, that this was not the shape her former brute should have arrived in! Damn it all, anyway!

"DIE! DIE! DIE!" Grynewaht bellowed. Yotsuyu cringed, even as the magitek-enhanced Roegadyn gave chase, stomping thunderously after her.

[bornebygrace]

Aaron was pulling a cigarette out of a box as he saw a flash of what looked like Yotsuyu rush past him in quite a hurry. He looked up in surprise and spun to look at her, calling after her. "Yotosuyu! Where are you go--"

"DIE! DIE! DIE!" He could hear the stomps and he put his cigarettes back as an absolutely huge man-cyborg-thing came towards him. His eyes grew wide and he turned towards Yotsuyu and flew after her, catching up without much issue.

"What's going on? Whoorwhat is that?" He dropped to the ground and ran next to her as he spoke, not daring to look back at Grynewaht because he was pretty certain he'd trip if he did.

[woo_oo]

"Yotsuyu, look away!"

Not for a warning about gore - but a warning about bright lights. Webby's magic allowed her to create very bright lights which will hopefully temporarily blind Yotsuyu's opponent - at least enough for Webby to grab her hand and try to pull her into another room to hide.

"Are you okay?!"

lemme know if this is okay

[treno_nobleman]

That didn't sound pleasant. Whatever it was, whoever it was, it was a voice he'd never heard before, and even without the words and intent behind them, the man sounded as if he meant no good from the start. No sooner had he heard the voice than he turned his head and saw the commotion that followed.

Oh, that could not be allowed to roam the campus grounds unchecked.

By his side, Califleur's hackles raised, fur on the back of the Oh leopard's neck fluffing as she watched with eyes wide and ears laid back. A moment passed, and Kuja's mind seemed made up when she peered up at him - her master was already striding with purpose toward the woman and her assailant.

"Califleur, grow!"

It was all she needed to hear. The familiar hurried off after her master, pace quickening as he took to the air and readied a flame spell in the direction of whoever it was thundering after Yotsuyu. She growled a warning, swelling in size as Kuja bid and nearly tripling her mass as they approached in the woman's defense.

[outofyourshadow]

It was her worst nightmare come to life.

As Lena was heading for her dorm, she suddenly felt something seize up inside her, causing her to freeze. As she did so, she noticed the shadows twisting and moving around her, sending a familiar chill up her spine.

But just as she tried to write it off, telling herself that it couldn't be what she worried it was, her heart suddenly stopped as a voice - all-too familiar, and the last one she'd ever wanted to hear - echoed behind her.

"What a cute place you've found here, Lena~"

She spun around, her mind dizzy and her eyes wide when they came upon the figure of the green-feathered witch that stood there, watching her with the faintest smirk on her face.

"N...N-No..."

"Surprised to see me?" Magica said, her voice almost gently as she hovered ever close to Lena. "Did you really think you could hide from me forever?"

In that moment, everything that Lena had been working for - the life she'd been building, everything she'd learned to protect herself in case of this very moment - was absolutely forgotten as she felt the shadows closing in around her. Gasping, desperately just trying to breathe, Lena did the only thing she could do.

She ran.

Meanwhile Magica laughed, the wicked sound echoing throughout the school grounds as the shadows rose up all around, swirling underneath the witch and ready to do her bidding.

"Run all you want, Lena. But I will always find you. You are part of me, after all!"

[woo_oo]

At this point, Webby understood that A) bad things were happening and B) they were most likely her fault. Again. While she could up a notice on the board, going on foot to find her friends and warn them seemed to be the faster option.

But then she heard a laugh. A familiar laugh. An evil, twisted laugh that grabbed her heart and squeezed it tight.

She's afraid - more of possibilities than of pain - and with that fear comes anger.

No. Absolutely not. This is not going to happen. Not here, not now, not ever again.

Instead of doing the (rational) thing and running away from the laughter and shadows, Webby runs toward it, whipping out her grappling hook gun. She's got her wand - but the gun will ensure pain.

"NO YOU DON'T, DE SPELL!"

[blue_ice]

Kaiba was really sick of all these people tormenting students at this point. He and Lena weren't exactly close, but they were housemates and she was tolerable. That was more than enough motivation for him to intervene.

He fell into step beside her. "What's going on?"

[talkyourwayout]

Louie had been in a nearby classroom, near enough to hear not only Magica's cackle but her words. Oh no. Why was she here? And...

Lena. Lena was in trouble. Louie wasn't brave, but Lena was his friend. He had to do something. Fortunately, he didn't have to do much, because as soon as he peered out from the classroom, he saw Lena running by. He grabbed her by the hand and tugged her into the room, slamming the door shut behind them.

"Is this place serious right now?"

[daughterofclay]

There is something compelling about the slim young man. It's not just that he's extraordinarily beautiful -- in a way that's mildly inhuman, what with his rust-coloured hair and cat-like eyes, his pointed ears, and the sharp angles of his face. It's not that he resembles a fox, both in colouring and in the quick, playful flash of teeth when he smiles. It's not that he's draped in elaborate jewelry and richly embroidered cloth.

No, there's something more to it. Something hard to describe, something exciting. Something that makes you yearn for more, like an appetizing smell wafting in through an open window.

Maybe you'll think you're lucky, then, when he catches your eye. He'll lean in, this glittering young man, and purr, his voice heavy with... something.



And, to your own astonishment, you might just find yourself complying.

[[OOC: The nice young man is Locke, and he's using glamour -- basically something like a mix of hypnosis, mind control, and illusion, depending on what he wants to do. It can be warded against, and whether or not it works on your robot/alien/otherwise non-human personage is your choice (but then, what's the fun in resisting?). Jude will appear with the intention of stuffing him back into the TV eventually.]]

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

Isabel...has heard tales of the fae. One of her mother's friends is fae, or at least half, but he isn't quite so handsome as this one--though perhaps simply that's because of who his mother was.

It was neither here nor there. She did tilt her head at the fox-faced man, arching a brow and giving him a somewhat awkward smile. She's a teenager, so it doesn't bother her much, that she's awkward.

Be wary. "I know," Isabel murmurs. "But be polite." And offer nothing you are not willing to give. That's the part she finds difficult, and so Isabel looks down, and scuffs a foot over the dirt. There was, in truth, at least one easy answer, but the young Mage didn't particularly want to give up anything for free. Especially not as a rule.

[holdyourhorns]

Spyro is running about still trying to puzzle out what exactly is going on and what to do about the latest batch of craziness (as well as any of his friends that might need serious help) when of course from one of the screens comes someone the dragon wouldn’t have figured he’d be seeing again.

Anyone else witnessing the reunion will see Spyro entering a glaring contest with a saurian creature dressed in wizard robes and standing taller than him as most creatures do.

"You thought you’d seen the last of me, didn’t you dragon?" snarls the stranger, baring their mouthful of sharp teeth.

But of course, the young dragon never flinches at such a display. "Tch...! Didn’t I toss you into a convenient pit of lava? Looks like I have to kick your butt the old-fashioned way, shorty!"

Nothing ironic or telling about anything within those words. Of course, the ‘dinosaur’ doesn’t have a magical scepter on hand just yet for casting spells. So as they dodge Spyro's painful yet mostly scratch damage attacks, they’re keeping their lizard eyes out for anything worth snatching within the school grounds or just from some poor sap.

[OOC: Would you like to help Spyro chase down this fiend? Maybe Ripto stole your magic item? Come at me!]

[burningbrighter]

Sunset is not in the mood to play. She's holding her weird guitar above her head, jumping from a nearby bench and playing a screeching note at full blast.

"Leave him alone, you bully!"

She emphasizes the words with some...very loud noises.

Sorry for the super late in. Spoilers for OOTS, OTA.

[gender_neutral]

Dealing with Elan (Replies may come from Idiotic_Bard)


The first screen was annoying, but perhaps the least frustrating. Not that V would have believed having seen Elan here was going to be the least annoying thing this week. And the least annoying person. Because there were few people who could unintentionally irritate V as easily or readily and Elan.

V had been wondering what the screen that had just appeared had been about when Someone swung through and landed on the ground before the elf.

the blond young man looked back at the screen even as the rope he had swung in on fluttered harmlessly back into the screen. "Awwww. I hoped that it would have shattered...."

V stared for a moment then that elven head shook. "Elan! Where is the rest of the party? We must return at once with what I have learned."

Elan blinked. "V! When did you get here? Oh! Did you teleport to get ahead of me? I was practicing my dramatic swinging. I'm really out of practice. Do you know why it didn't shatter? It should have shattered."

"Enough of this inane prattle!" V sputtered. "You came from this glass, yes?"

Elan nodded. "Yeah, pretty sweet right. But it didn't shatter. OH! Maybe it was my new level!"

"New... level?"

"Yeah, I must have leveled up in cleric and was granted Protection From Glass!"

"I think I need to make a save check for my sanity," V muttered. "Elan you are not a Cleric!"

"Well, I mean, I never put in levels or anything, but I have my own god, so that has to count for something."

"YOUR PUPPET IS NOT A GOD!" And that scream could be heard far and wide, the frustration a familiar sound in that voice. "You know what, never mind. You have at least presented me with a way back, and we should return at once." With that V turned and walked into the glass expecting to pass through it to go home. Needless to say... this did not work.

"Oh, did you fail your spot check? I think you should have gotten a circumstance bonus to notice the glass since I mentioned it and all...."

V turned on the blond, rage in uneven Elven eyes.

"Ah..." Elan said. "I'm going to... um... go... elsewhere now...." that said the human stick figure FLED.

(Please let me know if you want just V, just Elan, or both.)

_________________________

Miko Miyazaki

Elan was not to be the worst of it, sadly. The next screen was when V was hunting for the wayward Bard and found someone far less welcome coming from yet another pointless pane of glass. The human woman was dressed in blue. V was not sure which was the biggest shock. Seeing Miko Miyazaki here, seeing Miko alive, or seeing Miko restored to the art of an Azure City Paladin.

There had been some suspicion seeing the changes to Elan's art, but now V was pretty certain that however they were coming through these panes of glass, these pains in the... neck.... were not from the same moment in time as V. Had one of the few people V did not want to blow up been among those who arrived, this might be fascinating. As it was...

"YOU! ELF!" Miko yelled. "I knew the Twelve Gods would grant my prayer. For the crime of abducting a holy Paladin of Azure City you shall face justice! PREPARE TO DIE, EVIL-DOER!"

V had to think fast as Miko drew her sword. Thankfully thinking was something V was rather good at. And rule one with Miko was never to tell her she was wrong, even when it was painfully obvious. So instead, V redirected that anger. "Actually I have been kidnapped as well. Many people here have."

"Wait... what?" Miko asked. "That is why I have been brought to this oddly drawn place? Tell me more, Elf and I shall see for myself if you are lying."

V knew that Miko had a Sense Evil ability - back home at least. But was unsure if the stuck up Paladin had a spell for identifying lies or any ranks in Sense Motive. V would have said no, but this was not the time to take chances. Not without a meat shield to stand before that sword. V had seen what Miko was capable of when she was sure she was right. And clear rational thought wasn't even on the flow chart.

So V was carefully honest, without being wholly honest. This had better be worth massive RP XP. "Those in charge here claim that they know not exactly how we have been drawn here or by whom. But there has been rumors circulating about there being a force of great evil lingering in the forbidden underground catacombs."

"What sort of great evil?" Miko asked, warily.

"A dragon."

"Some Dragons can be forces for good!" Miko protested. "How do you know this one is evil?"

V thought fast to every rumor heard. "It is undead." Maybe? Perhaps.

"Clearly this beast must be destroyed! I shall deal with you later, Elf. For the moment there is a far more pressing concern to attend to. Truly this is why the Twelve Gods have sent me to this place! To be their sword in this holy fight! I must set off at once."

"Wait, I have some scrolls that might help you," V said, risking a lie now. Because Roy stopped this from happening once, but Sir Greenhilt wasn't here now.

Miko was at once suspicious. "I have sworn vengeance upon all who stood with the evil halfling. Why would you help me now?" she asked, uneven eyes narrowed.

Yeah, Sense Motive was about to be rolled. V stuck to as much truth as possible. Lying without lying was an art V had little cause to practice. "It was more a case of standing against you than standing for him," V said dryly. And that was completely honest. As was the next sentence. "I require the ability to go home." The next was more of a grey area, "if there is any chance at all that you taking down the dragon would allow us to return home, it must be investigated." There was maybe a point zero zero five percent chance Miko could affect their ability to get home at all. More... this was a way to tie up one plot hook with the end of another. And then the lie came. "Anything I can do to aid in getting home, I shall." And it wasn't even THAT much of a lie. "Even if it means aiding one I hate as much as you." And the hate was honest.

It was enough, apparently. "Very well, Elf, but do not dawdle. I must set off at once."

V kept several of these scrolls prepared, just in case. Oh, there had been no thought that it would be used on Miko, all things considered. But more could be made later. V opened the new pouch the elf wore and drew out a half dozen hand scribed scrolls. "These are powerful, open them only in the presence of the Dragon and not within five feet of anyone you wish to protect."

"The spells are that powerful?" Miko asked, taking them carefully.

"You have seen how powerful I am. This is my most oft used spells for long stretches of the campaign."

Miko tucked away the scrolls, hesitated, then bowed. "I do not like you, Elf. But I thank you for this." She then hurried off. Sure she knew which way to go. Sure she was right.

V smirked. Hopefully the Dragon would appreciate a self cooking snack.... This might be the first time that V had been thanked for Exploding Runes scrolls, however.....

(Please let me know if you want Miko, V, or both. If you choose Miko... I am so sorry.)

______________________

The Dragon


Elan was annoying, but V had finally gotten the Bard back through the glass. And was beyond frustrated at an apparent inability to follow. V refused to accept that maybe Elan's idiotic idea of holding hands might have helped. Miko was.... Miko's own godsa only knew where, Hopefully dead. "Who knows, maybe the Dragon ate her. Poor Dragon," V said dryly, heading for the library.

"Say Dragon for me, Vaarsuvius. One more time," a voice from over V's head boomed.

For those who knew V, there was little here so far that V seemed to meet with anything shy of utter arrogance. In the face of the huge black dragon, however?

V FLED! Feel free to run into - or rather be run into - by V. Or to encounter the circling black dragon....

(Please let me know if you want V, the Dragon, or both!)

OTA - CW: Violence. Well, KH levels of violence. Some blood.

[nobodys_puppet]

Xion had barely ventured out since her month and a half long nap. She was still trying to process. To understand. To figure out who and what she was. Though at the moment, she was trying to figure out what this odd pane of glass was. She lifted a gloved hand to it, and for a moment saw her reflection. Her hood was mostly up, but timidly a bit more of her face was exposed than usual. She caught herself looking for a moment, thoughts spinning when a hand reached out towards her.

With a yelp Xion jumped back, pulling her hood securely over her face. She knew that glove, or several just like it, and the long draping black sleeve that followed. When Xemnas stepped through she froze for a moment, terror running through her. Then she shook her head and stood tall, holding her ground.

"You're an illusion again. I know this now. You no longer have the power to frighten me," she said, sounding brave for once. Anyone coming upon this that knew her might even be proud. But this time what she saw, they saw, and what she heard...

"An illusion?" he asked, his voice oddly deep. "These are your first words for your superior?"

She shook but held her ground. "You're not real," she said. "And even if you were, I'd never let you hurt my friends! Not again!"

"Your friends?" he asked, seeming almost amused. Almost. "A puppet like you cannot have friends. But still, Roxas and Axel are here then? Very well. I shall collect all three of you at once." For who else could she have meant?

She swallowed hard and held out a hand, her Keyblade appearing in a flash of light. "You are not real, go back to where you came from. You are not real." She repeated that last line again.

"Not real?" he asked, now clearly amused. But it was a dark sort of humour. One that seemed to promise violence. He raised a hand. "Let us test that theory." From his hand shot what looked like a bolt of red light. It sliced across the space between them, it sliced across Xion's cheek, somehow leaving her coat untouched.

Her free hand came up, the dark glove touching her face and coming away with a bit of blood. Under her hood her eyes widened, her breath hitched. As he strode forward, smug, she swallowed. And then she did what he couldn't have expected. What she would never have guessed she could do. She charged AT him, Keyblade moving like an extension of her arm.

He stood, and laughed. "Even a rabid dog, or a failure, knows better than to strike her master," he said, unconcerned. Sure she'd veer off, that she'd stop.

She gave a scream of rage. Riku had heard that scream once. It was ripped from deep within her and was just loud enough to cover the sound of impact as her Keyblade struck his shoulder.

He jumped back and vanished into a portal, reappearing on her other side. "So," he said. And then with no further warning, he attacked and the battle was joined.

hay hay

[noasark]

"Ah," well then. Noa's doing well to stay out of most of this. Somehow he's not really been affected by this mirror nonsense, possibly because he was generally the villain himself? Or maybe because he just doesn't really have that much at all.

That doesn't mean he can just ignore what's happening right now however.

Noa stays relatively hidden. His mind is whirling at the sight before him, thinking quietly through ideas on how to stop what's definitely more physical than an illusion. He narrows his eyes at the portals, and quietly he gets an idea.

Fantastics to a point are illusions as well. Very real, very very real illusions.

Bringing the ocarina to his lips, he thinks of a song of light, airy notes. Something shining, something that could perhaps...redirect the light of a portal. Xion just needs an edge after all.

He'll do what he can to get this 'Enemy's portals to backfire on themselves.