Nightmare on Index Street

[keeperoftales]

Nightmare on Index Street—

---

After the final hours of Halloween are coming to an end and everyone is slowly beginning to gather their things and return to their homes to prepare for the clean-up to come in the later days, a strange, eerie silence falls throughout the Index along with a mysterious gray fog. It seeps over the ground like a veil dragged behind an invisible bride and soon engulfs the entire city. The sound of hooves clattering over the cobbled streets echo over every street like an army followed by a chorus of loud, high maniacal laughter. In the next instant everything turns pitch black, as if the light of the world had been shut off.

And then just as suddenly, the light returns. But the sight that greets those who bear witness sends chills down every spine. Pumpkins lay smashed along the streets, cobwebs cover almost every window and doorway, and scarecrows swing from nooses tied to various branches. A cold, black frost covers the ground, steam rising from the thin, icy sheet before a new sound echoes around.

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

Big, heavy footfalls and then—

VRRRRRMMMMMM WHEEEEEEENNNNN

An ear-splitting roar of motor and metal as sparks fly from a giant chainsaw. The thing wielding it? A giant skeleton several stories tall, its mouth open wide as another shrieking laugh erupts, its eyes glowing fire. As it laughs, those closest to the abomination scream in terror before it suddenly swings its weapon out, cleaving everything and everyone in its path.

YOU THINK YOU CAN DESTROY ME, OUTSIDERS? YOU THINK YOU CAN BECOME HEROES? I'VE EATEN THEM ALL, DEVOURED THEIR SOULS AND TAKEN THEIR POWER. NOW I WILL TAKE YOU AND YOUR WORLDS! I WILL CONSUME EVERYTHING!!

From its open mouth a black vortex appears, growing larger and larger until it hurls outward to smash onto the street in front of it. At first nothing happens—only a gaping, black hole exists. But then the first claw reaches out, the first tendril, wing, tail, head. Black, hellish creatures rise up and locals scream the words,

"Erasers! It's the Story Eater's minions run for your lives!!"

By now the journals of each Aspect will have begun to burn, a loud buzz drumming in their ears as the Storyteller reaches each and every one of them.

Aspects! The Story Eater has sensed of your arrival and has breached the barrier of this world. It must be repelled, but there are only so few of you and it has grown so strong. We fear you will not survive if you face it now. But with the aid of the one known as the Father of Christmas, you may be able to weaken it enough. Quickly, find his gifts, use your powers, and weaken him until I can write a new barrier to expel him. Please, hurry!

---

§ prompts.

¶ I. Unwrap Those Presents! So what are our would be heroes to do? The Storyteller is utilizing the essence of—if you haven't guessed already—Santa Claus to create special presents that will help damage and delay the Story Eater. Again, it won't be enough to defeat it, but it will give the Aspects that extra oomph and time to chip away at that giant HP bar for the Storyteller to do its magic to reconstruct the shield and expel the Story Eater.

There are four types of presents:

1. Big Red. Big red presents will summon giant snowmen that will fall either on top of or around the Story Eater. They can't really attack, but they will create a lot of ice and snow in attempt to freeze the Story Eater place. It will also help make parts of the Story Eater a bit more brittle, so those who do try to do direct attacks can deal some damage and chip away some of that bone structure. Nothing massive, but at least some cuts and small bones can be hacked off.
   
   
2. Polka Dot Blue. Blue, polka dotted presents come in various shapes and sizes, but they all do the same thing when unwrapped and opened—create a lot of noise. Technically they're choirs singing various Christmas Carols, but doesn't really sound like it up close. Fortunately, they also come with special ear muffs and a small note saying, "Cover your ears before opening," but if disregarded then those who hear it will find themselves stunned and a little hard of hearing for a good while. Closing the flaps will silence the noise. What needs to be done is to direct the opening of the present towards the Story Eater. The "music" will amplify and stun it, giving a few precious seconds of vulnerability.
   
   
3. Orange Gift Bags. Large gift bags with black ribbons tying them close will unleash an explosion of pumpkins once opened. These pumpkins will rise into the air laughing before raining down in a wide area and explode on impact. So be careful! These will need to be brought over near the Story Eater to deal damage.
   
   
4. Black Envelopes in Black Stockings. These gifts are a bit harder to find, but it's also easy to notice a giant sock hanging from somewhere and a black envelope sticking out of it. They're up high, so some climbing or flying will be required. But once reached, opening the envelope will produce one of two cards. A card that is labeled "TRICK" can be used and thrown at the Story Eater. The card will expand in size and turn into steel to slice at the Story Eater, dealing a lot of damage. A card that is labeled "TREAT" can be used to help heal or boost those fighting, even allowing characters to immediately learn abilities that could help with the fight.

And around all these presents will be Erasers trying to reach and destroy them first. Some will be easy, but some may require a bit of fighting, so be prepared!

¶ II. Erase the Erasers. Erase the Erasers. The Erasers are pouring out of the black vortex and it seems as if there's an endless army of them. They are going after the citizens, so try to intercept them and defend the populace. They come in all shapes and forms, some even looking like creatures straight out of the lost stories themselves. Alternatively, try to see if you can plug up that massive hole. Perhaps a few well placed snowmen and pumpkin bombs? The gifts will also be effective against the Erasers, although it might be a little overkill.

¶ III. Help the Injured.The site where the Story Eater’s avatar landed has been reduced to rubble, and the monster is bent on more destruction as it plows through the city, any citizens caught in its wake bursting into torn pieces of ink and paper. Not everyone’s essence or heart is geared for offense, and there’s more than one way to help save the day. Those who still wish to help can try to save those who haven't been lost, or perhaps heal them if they have the knowledge or power at their disposal. Don't forget there are magical healing potions that everyone received on their first day, and it's not too difficult to find more, possibly buried underneath the rubble. Finally there are the "TREAT" cards that could also be used to help heal the injured.

¶ V. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt! Especially in regards to the festival, anything can really happen.

[Mod note: Refer to the accompanying Game Notes for more information!]

Comments

[starseeing]

A: Snowmen:
[ If the point of a present is to be gifted with a surprise, well, the Storyteller did it right. Giant snowmen popping out and then falling atop a femur, a clavicle, or a mandible is not what she expected when she opened the present.

Instead of being frozen in fear of a giant skeleton, Ophilia stands frozen in awe of them as they impede the Storyeater.

And then it occurs to her that it's actually working. ] --Now! [ She'll call out to anyone who is beside her, grasping her staff tightly. ] Let us strike it so that it doesn't take one step further--!

B: Orange Gift Bags
[ Maybe your character has decided to see what's inside one of the orange ones, reaching to open it. It's then that they'll see a black gloved hand take their wrist to stop them. ] ...Not that one. [ She'll tell them gently with a smile.]

At least, not here. [ Ophilia looks to giant skeleton still wrecking havoc just a few blocks away. She can feel the reverberations of its stomps even at this distance beneath her feet, and the brutal scream of its chainsaw. Her lips almost tug downward ] We should use them against that monster.

C: Oh No, You are Hurt:
--Wait! [ They're now on the defense for whatever reason. Maybe the erasers began overwhelming the fight against the Storyeater, or maybe you got caught up in a friendly fire of pumpkin explosions. Whatever the case, before you leap back into the battle or make a break for it, Ophilia will grab your arm insistently. ] You are hurt. [ Even if she's never met you, her worry deeply wrinkles her forehead. ]

You need help.

D: Black Envelope
[ Whether it reads "trick" or "treat", Ophilia will eye it skeptically. ] ...What do you think it does?

E: Wildcard: [ Have something in mind you want to play out? Put it here! Feel free to PM or ping me at drinksteapots

C

[chippedsoul]

[The sudden grab gives him a start. For a split second, there was a dark look in his eyes, but it quickly goes away.]

...I can still fight. [He says while there's blood on his clothes. It wasn't serious, just a flesh wound here and there. The Disciple may know how to fight, but this is beyond anything he's ever confronted. So he may have overdone it, even when he was trying to be strategic about it. One misstep with an exploding pumpkin has left him with the injuries he has, but he's still able to do something.]

A

[hatesviolence]

[...YEAH giant snowman suddenly appearing out of the box and hitting the giant skeleton was definitely not what he expected, either, and he'll also be staring an surprise before he hears her.

...Hm. With the snowmen freezing it over a bit, it does seem to be stuck there for a moment.]

We just need to beat it down, right? [He still has yet to figure out how to create his own weapon, but he's used to using his own bare fists and whatever else is around him. He can deal with that.] Okay, leave the heavy hitting to me!

B

[sparrowrain]

[ Well, she came here for a reason, and this is it. Admittedly though, Aya's used to using her bow and arrows to fight, not the presents. So, once she'd figured out how to best use the red ones, she'd focused on that, following up with arrow shots in the hopes that the cold caused enough freezing so she could knock off pieces of their opponent. And that... that's only been partly successful so far.

And then, Orange had been her next choice. But being stopped by Ophilia makes her pause. ]

That's what I'm trying to do..? Don't they work like the red packages?

D.

[slovenlyserenade]

[A suspicious black envelope sticking out of a suspicious black sock. He looks it over, flipping it around, and pondering whether or not to open it, when he hears a familiar voice. The card reads "TREAT."]

Umm... maybe it will give us snacks?

[Not really sure how that might be helpful in this situation...]

B

[scrutinies]

No?

[Cyrus looks mildly startled when she stops him from opening the bag with one good tug of the ribbon. His curiosity almost got the better of him, in this case, as it so often does. He smiles wryly, then looks in the direction of that incessant noise, loud and roaring and threatening destruction, and his brows draw downwards as he frowns.]

You're quite right. We must move quickly if we're to make short work of him— though he may reach us soon enough, in which case, we may well have the opportunity to arrange an ambush, if we're swift.

D

[twilightskey]

I don't know, but I don't think we really have a choice.

[Roxas was eying the black envelope in his hand skeptically, before he turned to Ophilia.]

I can open it for us.

B

[her_rose_is_red]

Why not?

[Ib had heard that the bags were helpful. But now she's eyeing it warily.]

What's in it?

C

[trustfallen]

[Therion's got a sword and a knife he stole in town picked up somewhere, and he's got a flock of birds, three squirrels, and at least one deer helping him fending off the skeletons. But even with the menagerie and his own quick reflexes, Therion can't predict the flow of battle, and he definitely can't do a thing about what other people are doing in the fight.

So a bunch of pumpkins wind up exploding right in his face, basically, sending him flying backwards, skidding to a stop through pumpkin guts, powdered bone, and ribbons. Stunned, he lies there for a few seconds before pushing himself up with a groan. He's covered in pumpkin bits, and he aches all over, but he's alive so that means he's fine, right? Don't mind the scrapes and bruises, and definitely don't mind the burns on his arms where he tried to shield himself or the cuts on his leg that're bleeding pretty freely where he got clawed by an eraser. Adrenaline's keeping him from paying them much heed for now, leaving him way more concerned about where the hell his sword went after it went flying from his hand.

Therion staggers to his feet, gritting his teeth as he squints through the smoke and the snow for the damned blade, ignoring the way a couple of the birds twitter in concern around his head.

But of course he doesn't actually make it more than a step before Ophilia's there, frowning at him.]

I'm fine.

[The insistence comes out reflexively, but he's battled alongside her enough to know better than to actually try to leave before she's seen to him. So, he relents with a sigh.]

... can you still heal, or did this place take that too?

[He's still mad about no longer being able to set things on fire at will.]

[rokubro]

» i. present fiasco «
[So, even though Rokurou had gotten the whole, "You won't be able to deal much damage on your own!" message, he still went for it, anyway. As expected, he really didn't do much, but at least he had a better feel of the giant skeleton. It may be huge, but that could be to their advantage. ...If these presents are really what they're cracked up to be.]

[ a. clearing the way ]
[Some presents are guarded by the Erasers, and while he hasn't quite figured out everything there is to his essence, he at least figured out how to use his weapons more effectively.

Ish.

He's still sticking to using mainly the blades, slashing through a few, but an occasion shot will be fired for any flying around.]

I got this, just get that present and open it!

[...Such a weird thing to say, but it's what they have to do!]

---
[ b. what does this present do? ]
[When there aren't any Erasers to worry about, Rokurou will be a little curious as to how these presents actually work. After all...not exactly the first thing he'd think of as an effective "weapon." So he'll approach one and stare at it dubiously.]

So we just open it? Any idea what might be inside?

[Just a small poke. IS THIS REALLY SAFE...

(Feel free to pick from 1-3 which present they're dealing with!)]


---
[ c. distraction ]
[Who's a crazy war daemon that's willing to get into the thick of things even if he really shouldn't? This guy.]

I'll distract the big guy, just do what you need to do!

[Yes. That's right. HE'S GOING TO CHARGE IN AND SMACK AND SHOOT AT THE STORY EATER EVEN IF HE CAN'T DO ANYTHING. To be fair, it's actually a pretty sound strategy. So whether someone has a present ready to fire or just trying to get people to safety, Rokurou will be acting as bait to try and lure the Story Eater either into position or away.]


» ii. wildcard «
[Rokurou's pretty much fight all the time rotflmao, but any other prompts can go here!]

B

[sparrowrain]

[ Aya is crouched near one herself, fingers touching the shiny blue wrapping. Like Rokurou, these aren't her idea of weapons... She closes her eyes and gives a sigh. ]

Your guess is as good as mine.

[ She taps the box thoughtfully. ]

I mean, maybe there are knives inside?

[ They don't all look big enough for swords or anything. ]

b.

[slovenlyserenade]

[It's an orange gift bag, one that Capell is feeling awfully suspicious about, given the colour. He stares at it, standing beside Rokurou.]

I mean, these are here to help fight off the Story Eater, so they can't be bad, right?

A

[scrutinies]

[Fortunately for them— though admittedly, Cyrus does feel some disappointment about not being able to use his Essence to its fullest extent just yet— the present in question is large and red, and requires very little sleuthing to locate. With Rokurou keeping the Erasers engaged, he has a clear shot to run for it— and run he does.]

This would be a great deal easier if I still had my magic—

[Another disappointment, alas, but there's little time to bemoan it now. He manages to dodge an Eraser that lunges at him on the way past, surprisingly agile for such a bookworm. He is, after all, an action professor, one who decided to spend his forced sabbatical having fantastic adventures.]

Hold the line in the meantime!

A

[her_rose_is_red]

[She wants to ask Are you sure? The erasers are really scary and fighting them head on seems.... bad.

But there's no time for that. She has to get to that present and hope that whatever it is, it'll help.]

Okay!

[She's proud of the fact that her voice only quavers a little. And maybe he didn't notice.

Ib takes off running toward the orange bag. The eraser notices her dashing past and turns in her direction...]

[hatesviolence]

[ ii. sending back the erasers ]
[No really. Shizuo had managed to make his way towards the Erasers are coming from and has uprooted one of the city's streetlamps to use to swing around and slam into the Erasers. Any that weren't immediately disintegrated from the sheer force were sent flying back into the black vortex.]

T'ch, there's no end to end! We need to cover that thing up!

[But...with what?



—Doesn't matter. Shizuo is about to display his monstrous strength with the added help of his Frankenstein essence and pick huge broken slabs of concrete to hurl towards the hole. Will they fall in or actually cover it, he has no idea. But he's also hitting a few Erasers in the process so it's not completely useless.

Just...hopefully he doesn't accidentally hit someone else.]


-----------
[ iii. helping the helpless ]
[When not dealing with the Erasers, Shizuo will be quick to try and offer his aid to those trapped or being attacked. After clearing out a few Erasers, he'll hear some muffled cries for help under some rubble of a collapsed building and quickly jump in to try and get closer.]

Hey, I need a hand here!

[...Or...does he? He seems to be pulling out the heavy debris pretty well on his own, but really he would appreciate any help. Especially if he has to hold up a particularly heavy piece so that the trapped can crawl out.

And if he's not calling for help, he'll be quick to assist others who might, lifting up heavy pieces to help free anyone trapped underneath.]


-----------
[ iv. wildcard ]
[Any other prompts here!]

ii

[chippedsoul]

[Was Shizuo also expecting the concrete to be sent back in his direction? Well he should.]

Watch where you're throwing, idiot. [The culprit appears to be just a person, who had a few Erasers around him that had been sliced through with his sword. He had this bored disinterest in his yellow eyes, as he runs a hand through his pulled back hair.]

iii

[sparrowrain]

[ With the Aspect of Princess, Aya doesn't quite have the strength she's used to having at home. But she can't help but be drawn toward the destruction, wanting to do anything she can for anyone impacted. Hearing Shizuo call for help pulls a string inside of her - even if she was how she was back at home, she probably wouldn't be able to do anything. It doesn't stop her from trying. ]

I'm here..!

[ Her fingers pull at the stone, the bearskin heavy in her satchel, like it's trying to tell her something. She just grimaces as she keeps trying to dig some of the debris away. ]

[twilightskey]

A: Polka-Dot Presents
[Never did Roxas feel as defenseless than he did now. He hadn't been one to ask for the Keyblade, nor did he particularly relish the fact that he could wield one, but as he saw the Erasers pour in he lamented his lack of offensive power. Fortunately, there's plenty of presents lying around, which Roxas was quick to snatch and use.]

[Unfortunately, he had snatched one of the polka-dotted presents and opened it up... without giving himself clearance or aiming it at the Erasers. When the deafening chorus erupted, he was tossed back by the force of it.]

[Your character might find Roxas knocked on his back, stunned and groaning in pain. Nearby is an Eraser, who is also stunned by the singing present nearby.]

B: Erase the Erasers
[Even with the aid of the presents, Roxas was quick to realize that unless they did something about that vortex, they wouldn't be able to stop this onslaught unless they stemmed the source. He just managed to wind up near one of the ones fighting off an Eraser, letting out a breath as he wiped the sweat from his brow.]

We'll never stop them until we plug that vortex up!

C: Wildcard
[Hit me up if you have any other ideas for Roxas you'd like to play out!]

A

[rokubro]

[FORTUNATELY Rokurou has already had the painful experience of that particular godawful present. ...Really his ears are probably still ringing a little and loud noises still make him flinch a bit.

But he's going through, trying to help anyone who might need when he spots the teen on the ground. Uh oh.

He'll rush over and drop to one knee, a hand on Roxas's shoulder.]

Hey, you all right?

[.....And then realize that he might not be able to. Hear him. Let's just wave a hand in front of his face for now.]

B

[her_rose_is_red]

[Ib is hunched down using a broken wall as cover. She's got her hood pulled up over her head and is trying to make herself seem as small as possible.]

How? We can't even get close.

[If Roxas is sharp eyed, he may notice that Ib is clutching one of the black envelopes in her hands. She hasn't decided what to do with it yet.]

[solificate]

A: Orange Gift Bags
[Is Varian afraid of what's going on? Of course. He's terrified. But that doesn't mean he's just going to stand by and let it happen. Once he gets his hands on an orange bag, he rushes to open it - but after the first two pumpkins burst out, he quickly pulls the black ribbon shut, baffled.]

How is that going to help?

[And then the pumpkins explode as they fall to the ground. He's... Pretty sure he didn't actually hurt anyone, so that's good, but some people are definitely knocked off their feet. Less than ideal, to be certain.]

Sorry!


B: Erase the Erasers
[Varian pulls out his clawed brass knuckles, slipping the weapon over his dominant hand as the erasers close in on where he's helping citizens and Aspects alike get back to their feet after the pumpkin disaster of his own making.]

Man, I hope that practice was enough! [And with that, he lunges forward, bringing his claws down on the erasers.]


C: Wildcard
(hit me with any other ideas you have, including but not limited to Varian on the healing side of things!)

B

[rokubro]

[Varian will find his punches effective whenever they land a hit! But never hurts to have some back-up, eh?

So when an Eraser looks like it's about to lunge at him, a sword will suddenly slash through it and Rokurou grins as he looks over.]

If not, consider this a crash course to the next level!

[starseeing]

With planning!

[ She shouts above the explosion of the two pumpkins, picking herself up. Her skirt is covered in soot at this point. So many pumpkins. So, so many exploding pumpkins. ]

These gifts... we can set them as traps!

[alittlebadluck]

{Snowmen}
[A big red package wasn't exactly what she expected snowmen to pop out of, nor did she expect there to be a chill from the box itself. The gust of snow men and the freezing spell it tried against the giant skeleton was amazing, and chilling to say the lest.]

[Himawari used claws to rip the package open, and she hid behind the giant box as the snowmen attacked to try and freeze one giant foot to the ground. She called to someone near by]

Do you think you can attack that spot! It should be weak now!

{Orange Gift Bag:}
[She saw someone else open one of these, and so as large as it was, she was determined to haul it as close to the giant as she could. The creature was ahead of her, swinging it's way away from her, which was all the better she thought. If she could get the bag behind it and open it, maybe it would help.]

[With her claws sunk into the bag and her wolves ears turned backwards, she growled and pulled a rather large orange bag, down the destroyed street, trying to get closer. She should be scared and hiding, but right now she just wanted to help. Wanted to help others. That's what she was here for, right? She was determined to use her big bag wolf powers to her advantage.]

{Black Stalking:}
[Things are hectic and going a bit crazy, but in the middle of it all, Himawari sees on a tall wall, a black stalking with something sticking out of it. She moved to the wall instantly, looking up at it.]

If Gifts do tricks, maybe that will too. [She said, pointing up at it. Turning to who ever is with her she brought her clawed hands out as she asked; Can you give me a boost. Maybe it'll be helpful!

{Wildcard: Open to anything}

[ black with a hint of wildcard ]

[rokubro]

[As Himawari is looking up at the black stocking on the wall, Rokurou will have arrived at her location—but only because he had sense something that had been bothering him for a while now. A kind of presence that has been making him feel unsettled and a little irritated for some reason. He had ignored it for most of this time, what with fighting giant skeletons and Erasers being more important.

But as he traverses over rooftops for faster speed, he now stops right above where Himawari and stares down at her in surprise.]

....Aah! [There's a surprised shout, his daemon eye flashing red for a moment before he just jumps straight down to land in front of her.] You're the one!

[He doesn't know why he feels suddenly hostile towards her, other than it might be something about his Essence. But at least he's smart enough to realize that despite that, he's facing a younger girl and although he feels the sudden urge to attack, he holds back. Helps that he's kind of surprised to find the source of these weird feelings. If anything he's glad he's finally figured it out!

Mostly.]