Nightmare on Index Street

[keeperoftales]

Nightmare on Index Street—

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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!

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§ 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

[chippedsoul]

[A shrug.] A side effect. [HE GUESS. It just sort of happened and he doesn't really get it either.] That was quite a storm you created.

[hatesviolence]

[....Uh huh. He's just going to stare at him long and hard before he looks back forward. Still not sure if he should really trust him, but... Well he does seem different now and is helping him.

Besides, if he does something stupid again, he can just punch him. Even if his strength output is definitely not as strong as it normally is, would still hurt.]

Yeah, it was. [A small frown.] Didn't know I could do anything like that... Really makes me feel like I'm in some video game...

But guess it helped some.

[chippedsoul]

[The heck is a video game?] We should move. We're still too close to the battlefield.

[hatesviolence]

[The twist of having to explain these modern things for once. But he's not going to protest, instead just nodding as he starts to take a few tentative steps forward. It feels as if he's dragging his legs through fifty layers of grey mud, but he manages. So to some kind of shelter, preferably with medical aid nearby or something.]

Looks like you got hurt, too... From the lightning?

[chippedsoul]

Hm? [He looks to his arm and legs. His clothes have been torn apart by the lightning, but the wounds enough that there are just scarring on the surface. He starts tearing at any of the loose fabric.] Yes, but I'm fine now. [He extends his hand out to him.] We'll move faster if you let me assist.

[hatesviolence]

Feel bad that you're helping me enough as it is...

...But guess you have a point. [And he'll take his aid, trying not to be too much a burden as the hobble along.]

[chippedsoul]

[To be fair, it's technically his fault that he's in this condition. So he's making up for it. He puts his arm around his shoulder.]

I have supplies where I live, but it's still some distance from here. Hopefully we can something closer.

[hatesviolence]

If there's anything left standing, anyway. [...Tch, stupid giant Story Eater demolishing everything.]

Some kind of store that sells bandages would be enough. Or what are those things called—potions? Dunno how they really work.

How far away is your place?

[chippedsoul]

...Potions. [Could he make them himself? His essence specialized in medicines but...] It's closer to the outskirts of town, so I'm certain it is still standing.

[hatesviolence]

...Hm. My place is over near that big park. But I don't really know if I have anything to help.

[There's that...weird lab in his basement but he hasn't really ventured much into it other than to open the door, stare at it, and then noped the fuck out of there.]

But if you have something at your place...are you some kind of doctor or somethin'?

[chippedsoul]

Normally no. But thanks to this world, I have the knowledge of a doctor. [A park...he feels like there was one near his place as well. There are fewer destroyed buildings as they move further away from the Story Eater's location, but there still wasn't anything that looked like it could be a hospital or a general store.]

[hatesviolence]

[Maaan they're going to have to go this place at this rate.]

...Not sure if that's supposed to reassuring or not.

[SKEPTICAL. SO SKEPTICAL. He already has one friend that's an underground doctor, but he trusts him. Not sure how much to trust a guy who just recently gained knowledge with no real expertise or practice.]

[chippedsoul]

I've had practice. [He can take it or leave it.] That looks like a store down the road from here.

[hatesviolence]

[Still skeptical........]

Let's check it out.

[And hope there are some medical supplies or something.]

[chippedsoul]

[He nods as they hobble along into the store. There didn't seem to be anyone working the place, probably evacuated.] Will you be okay walking in here?

[hatesviolence]

Yeah, I think so. I feel more of my strength returning.

[Even if he still feels super incredibly weak. But that's only from his perspective. By now he's probably more like the average human.

In any case, he'll slowly let go of Asougi and take a few steps. A little wobbly, his legs feeling like they're going through mud and made of jello, but he can manage.]

Let's see what we can find... And probably leave a note to tell them what we take.

[Look, necessary or not, he doesn't want to be a thief!]

[chippedsoul]

[He's already off to investigate once he was sure Shizuo can walk on his own.] Here. [He tosses a roll of bandage over the aisle at him.]

[hatesviolence]

[He looks up just in time to catch the roll in one hand.]

Thanks.

[And then he'll slowly make his way through to see if... ...]

What should I look for? [Since bandages are found... Guess glue wouldn't work in this case, huh.]

[chippedsoul]

Tape or clips. Are you just feeling sore? Tired? Lightheaded? [He's found the medicine and potions aisle, just have to figure out what they actually need.]

[hatesviolence]

[Tape or clips... ...Do they even have tape in this world—oh wait bandaging tape, not like Scotch tape ah ha ha—]

A bit sore, but mostly I just feel really weak.

[Even if he's more or less moving fine. ...Would paper clips work...]

[chippedsoul]

[So he's not exactly injured and just weak...he takes one of the medicine bottles and then checks a different part of the market. A few minutes later, once he locates Shizuo, he dumps a few produce in front of him, some milk and bananas.] Eat.

[hatesviolence]

[He might have a few scratches and cuts from previous fighting, but yeah. For the most part he's just pretty much out of that monster strength.

Which is really weirding him out.

So he's in the middle of putting on some bandages around his arm when SUDDENLY FOOD??]

Huh?

[Just going to look up at Asougi in bewilderment.]

[chippedsoul]

You need to eat something. [He extends his hand out to him, offering to finish bandaging him up.]

[hatesviolence]

But I don't feel hung—

[He says just before his stomach lets out a loud rumble.




.............Yeah okay. Just. Sheepishly handing over the bandages as he grabs some of the fruit first since those would be easiest.]

......Thanks.

[chippedsoul]

Mhmm. [Listen to the "doctor" ok? He'll tend to his arm while he eats.] If you're feeling too sore, you can take that. [He gestures to the medicine he had picked up, something equivalent to a painkiller.]