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memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
monstertruckers) wrote in memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
Entry tags:
JANUARY TDM
After tumbling through shadow you find yourself in a shrouded, ruined garage. It’s full of shattered windows and broken mechanical equipment; watch out for shards on the floor, in between the strange symbols scrawled into the ground. Outside the daylight is fading; night is rolling in, and there’s just a few dying lights flickering on and off. It’s going to be hard to see in here and avoid bumping into things and people, if you don’t get outside soon.
Beyond the rundown garage is an overgrown gas station surrounded by thick, wetland forest. Starlight is streaming through the trees, along with light from a broken moon. The one thing that isn’t overgrown with plants is a large Convoy of vehicles, parked right underneath the station canopy.
01: START UP
The Convoy looks like a cross between a semi truck and a train; there’s no one at the front, but there’s still power humming through the entire Convoy. It’s also the most hospitable thing in sight. Why not make yourself at home a little? You just have to chase that eerie, empty feeling since there’s no one else present.
Alternately, there are the cars scattered around the Convoy; all of them in better shape than the gas station. And some of them looking and feeling almost like they might belong to you. That feeling is only increased, when you see there’s a key to the car nearby. Perhaps the key is already in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on your person, ever since you woke up in that garage. Either way, you have the keys to the vehicle now.
…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.
Alternately, there are the cars scattered around the Convoy; all of them in better shape than the gas station. And some of them looking and feeling almost like they might belong to you. That feeling is only increased, when you see there’s a key to the car nearby. Perhaps the key is already in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on your person, ever since you woke up in that garage. Either way, you have the keys to the vehicle now.
…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.
02: RUIN EXPLORATION
The ruined gas station and garage are the only man-made structures around, and have seen better days. The store still holds packaged food, and tepid drinks of all sorts. The garage has old mechanical equipment for working on cars, along with that strange summoning circle.
There's also a giant tree bursting through the gas station roof. And clinging to its branches, half melted into the surface, are metallic bodies. Graffiti is spray painted onto the tree, reading ‘avoid the Husks.’
Those who ignore the warning and get closer hear a faint hum coming off those bodies. It’s almost like whispers, though it’s impossible to make out any clear words. Some Husks are clutching supplies in metal fists. For a few unlucky new arrivals, those Husks might even be holding the keys to their vehicles.
Making direct contact with the Husks intensifies the hum, and the whispers begin to form into pained cries, and give the impression of something rummaging through their thoughts; trying to pry out things that hurt Drifters, and reflecting those hurtful things on the bodies of the Husks for anyone to see.
There's also a giant tree bursting through the gas station roof. And clinging to its branches, half melted into the surface, are metallic bodies. Graffiti is spray painted onto the tree, reading ‘avoid the Husks.’
Those who ignore the warning and get closer hear a faint hum coming off those bodies. It’s almost like whispers, though it’s impossible to make out any clear words. Some Husks are clutching supplies in metal fists. For a few unlucky new arrivals, those Husks might even be holding the keys to their vehicles.
Making direct contact with the Husks intensifies the hum, and the whispers begin to form into pained cries, and give the impression of something rummaging through their thoughts; trying to pry out things that hurt Drifters, and reflecting those hurtful things on the bodies of the Husks for anyone to see.
03: MONSTER ATTACK
The night grows darker, and the shadows grow deeper. And from those shadows comes the glint of something moving across the Husks, rippling over the metal… And breaking it apart in a flurry of too sharp claws and teeth. That’s when the radio chooses to come on in another mess of static.
Be careful- Keep your fear and rage in check- Calls the monsters- We need the shield up-
The warning comes too late as monsters arrive. Some human-like but with razor teeth mouths that stretch from face to groin; others resembling alligators with bloated proportions and jaws that spit lightning; and still others where the vegetation has come to life, sporting thorn covered appendages.
The Pisaca monsters act as shock troopers, wearing the Convoy down with venomous bites and debilitating howls, before the heavy and brutish alligators bull in, using their bulk and electric attacks to obliterate what’s left. The capparwires scurry in the periphery, taking cheap shots with thorny vines and sparking electricity where they can. It’s a task to keep the monsters at bay until the generator fires up. Especially when one last enemy makes an appearance…
Be careful- Keep your fear and rage in check- Calls the monsters- We need the shield up-
The warning comes too late as monsters arrive. Some human-like but with razor teeth mouths that stretch from face to groin; others resembling alligators with bloated proportions and jaws that spit lightning; and still others where the vegetation has come to life, sporting thorn covered appendages.
The Pisaca monsters act as shock troopers, wearing the Convoy down with venomous bites and debilitating howls, before the heavy and brutish alligators bull in, using their bulk and electric attacks to obliterate what’s left. The capparwires scurry in the periphery, taking cheap shots with thorny vines and sparking electricity where they can. It’s a task to keep the monsters at bay until the generator fires up. Especially when one last enemy makes an appearance…
03-A: MIRRORMIC
There's as a metallic shiver along one of the remaining Husks, and a strange ringing whisper in the ears. The next moment, the Husk breaks open in a gleaming pool of quicksilver. That quicksilver catches reflections, and molds itself into a darker copy of a Drifter.
The mirror monster whispers faults and secrets at the reflected Drifter, and anyone close by. It tries to goad Drifters into an attack. And when struck, the mirror monster plays its second trick; whatever damage it takes is reflected back onto the Drifter as a transformation. An injury to the arm transforms the Drifter's arm, and so on.
It's possible to banish this monster through direct lights shone on it from a car, flashlight, or magic… But such action needs to be swift, before the Mirrormic completely changes its Drifter.
03-B: BOMBADGY BOMBARDMENT
Before, during and even a little after the monster attack, there’s an extra presence scurrying around the vehicles, snuffling and barking when startled. A band of chunky, raccoon-esque monsters known as the bombadgy are raiding anything that looks like it could be food storage… And this includes vehicles!
The bombadgy’s claws are deft and sharp with tearing through windows and door seams. These creatures are a touch skittish and won’t attack unless provoked. They also can expel a flammable gas… And this means they can explode if sufficiently spooked or stressed. This also means that they can be treated as living bombs, and be lobbed at other threats if needed.
04: WIND DOWN
During the monster attack, there’s changes gripping the Convoy, and especially the people in it. It might feel like your control is getting worn away by the second… At least until something in the trucks starts to whirr to life. It’s a soft enough noise, little more than a hum as something blooms out of the engines. It fast turns into a shield that envelops the Convoy in a shimmering, glowing dome.
And while it might not be enough to reverse those changes, it can at least stop them from growing any worse. Give you a moment of breathing space to adjust to everything that’s happened, and give you some measure of clarity and control. There’s time to breathe and mend now. Take stock of one’s injuries and changes.
But there’s a few strange surprises still waiting, it seems. Because the corpses of the monsters begin to disintegrate, like they are bleeding out motes of sickly light. Light that you quickly absorb; it has the side effect of lessening pain, even mending wounds… Though it might make you feel a bit off. Maybe a little more excitable, maybe a little more irritable, or maybe expressing a certain odd psychological quirk. Still, that sudden surge should pass in about an hour or so; just need to keep it together until then. Perhaps with a little company.
And while it might not be enough to reverse those changes, it can at least stop them from growing any worse. Give you a moment of breathing space to adjust to everything that’s happened, and give you some measure of clarity and control. There’s time to breathe and mend now. Take stock of one’s injuries and changes.
But there’s a few strange surprises still waiting, it seems. Because the corpses of the monsters begin to disintegrate, like they are bleeding out motes of sickly light. Light that you quickly absorb; it has the side effect of lessening pain, even mending wounds… Though it might make you feel a bit off. Maybe a little more excitable, maybe a little more irritable, or maybe expressing a certain odd psychological quirk. Still, that sudden surge should pass in about an hour or so; just need to keep it together until then. Perhaps with a little company.
05: CAMP
A screen in the Convoy flickers to life. The image isn't visible through a snowfield of static. Same with the audio:
“Still… Alive? Good. Connection- Can’t hear you. Can't talk. Convoy will- take you closer to Nirvana.”
After that, the connection is dropped, leaving a collection of text:
I’m sorry. I have no answers for you. But you’re still alive. You’re not as broken as the rest of the world. When the sun rises, this Convoy and all the cars around it will start moving North towards Nirvana. If you want answers, and to stay as close to human as you can… I suggest you stay with the Convoy. Good luck.
A last alert flashes across the screen: “TESTING LOCAL NETWORK CONNECTION.” And then… Music starts to play on the speakers. Mellow guitar and brass music that’s at odds with all the weird that’s happened recently, but perhaps just the thing to relax to.
“Still… Alive? Good. Connection- Can’t hear you. Can't talk. Convoy will- take you closer to Nirvana.”
After that, the connection is dropped, leaving a collection of text:
I’m sorry. I have no answers for you. But you’re still alive. You’re not as broken as the rest of the world. When the sun rises, this Convoy and all the cars around it will start moving North towards Nirvana. If you want answers, and to stay as close to human as you can… I suggest you stay with the Convoy. Good luck.
A last alert flashes across the screen: “TESTING LOCAL NETWORK CONNECTION.” And then… Music starts to play on the speakers. Mellow guitar and brass music that’s at odds with all the weird that’s happened recently, but perhaps just the thing to relax to.
MICRO ENCOUNTERS:
PLEASE NOTE! These are small bits of set dressing for players to include in threads if they wish, rather than full fledged prompts or events. You may handwave your exploration of these areas, or thread them out.
Race Track: There’s a race track that winds around the gas station! It’s a bit threadbare in places and little more than a mossy and muddy trail. But it’s still a race track that weaves under and over trees, and seems like a good place to test new wheels.
Gone Fishing: The gas station area eventually turns into the start of a swamp; that explains where the alligators came from. It may be possible to do a little bit of fishing, though the fish are just as weird as everything else. Still edible though. Swimming in the swamp is not advised. The alligator monsters and fish tend to bite back.
Spray Paint Messages: The paint on the trees and gas station is starting to fade and wash out, but can still be legible; most of it contains messages warning about the end of the world, prayers to the heavens for mercy, and dire warnings about husks and something called “moon warps.”
no subject
Leo's priorities are not like most other people's.
But learning this guy is from Tokyo is interesting. Leo's never been to Japan himself, but his dad is from there... Though from which part, he actually doesn't know. He never really asked, not having much time for his dad's boring stories. Now he regrets not listening.
...Wow, he sure did think something sad! Again! Time to start talking some more!
"Ah, so you're from a big city, too!" That's basically all he knows about Tokyo. Big, and frequently attacked by giant lizards. Or maybe that's just in the movies. "Yeah, I've never been far from the city, either, so this is pretty weird." He scrunches up his nose. "Never seen the world in the middle of some kind of... monster apocalypse either."
And he'd hoped he wouldn't.
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Still, he nods. New York or Tokyo, the difference is stark. "But yes. It's like a dystopian novel brought to life. Quite the stark contrast to the last 'world-ending' stakes I faced." And certainly not the most conventional set of circumstances, either...
But best to gauge how this stranger reacts before he divulges too much detail.
no subject
Akechi's mention of his own "world-ending stakes" catches Leo's attention. Is it possible they're all connected? That this isn't totally random, but they've been brought here for a reason?
He debates it for a few seconds, before asking hesitantly, "Was it pink aliens?"
He doesn't say Krang, partly because he doesn't know if the humans even caught that's what they're called, partly because he's still a little afraid it's lurking around here, somewhere.
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"No, it was a therapist."
That likely sounds outlandish out of context. He should clarify.
"A therapist who gained godly abilities to alter reality and sought to create a new world where everyone's pain and trauma ceased to be, along with their growth and agency."
Certainly not malevolent on the surface, and quite different from your typical alien invasion.
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He thought what happened to him was pretty weird, but what Akechi is describing is way weirder.
"Kind of a weird goal for a shrink. Sounds like his revenue stream would dry up." Leo snickers at his own joke. "What'd you do to beat him, refuse to talk about your childhood?"
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It all sounds so ridiculous when reduced to such a... well, simple isn't exactly how Akechi would put that explanation, but it's briefer than it could be.
Needless to say, he watches Leonardo, just to take in his reaction. It's bound to be most fascinating.
no subject
Leo does a pretty good job keeping his face mostly neutral for this information, though his eyes do widen a bit as Akechi goes on.
"I'm gonna be honest, this is a new one on me, and I'm a mutant turtle."
Your life's weird, man!
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The sky's the limit!
"Uh, but yeah, I was born a normal baby turtle." This is where Donnie would chime in to correct him with hatched, but he's not here so nyeh! "This yokai guy, Baron Draxum - really snooty, terrible cook - he wanted to kill all the humans because of some prophecy or whatever." Leo clucks with his tongue in disapproval. "But the other yokai weren't really on board with that, so he decided to make his own warriors with this ooze filled with human DNA. And that's how me and my brothers turned into this!"
He strikes a pose. He looks good, right? Well, he'd look better if his face weren't still a bit bruised and his skin weren't so pale...
no subject
He raises an index finger. "Yokai in New York specifically." Not Japan, but the states? What a mind boggling concept. "And... effectively, you're saying that you and your brothers were engineered to be weapons, and I assume that did not come to pass."
At the very least, this turtle has no qualms smack talking the one who 'created' him.
no subject
But more to the point... "Well, our dad - the guy whose human DNA Draxum used - he wasn't really cool with the idea of a bunch of cute baby turtles being raised as child soldiers. So he grabbed us and ran. He got mutated into a rat man in the process, so he took us into the sewers and raised us in hiding."
This is all totally sensible, don't worry about it.
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The turtles were mutated with human DNA. Fair enough. Leo's body certainly is more reminiscent of a human's than the squatty stature of a turtle. Akechi shuts his eyes, grips his chin, and exhales through his nose. Fair enough.
Rescuing children from a life of servitude... it's noble, certainly, but a rat. The man turned into a rat.
"...So how exactly did he mutate?"
There are missing details, but for as baffling as it all sounds, he can't deny its intrigue.
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Beyond that, Leo doesn't understand it at all. Donnie had done plenty of opining on how it worked, and Leo had tuned every bit of it out. All he knows is that there was magic in the science goop.
"I guess the whole lab exploded while he was trying to escape. ...Huh, and then we did the same thing thirteen years later! Heh, no wonder Barry didn't like us." He laughs, like making mortal enemies with a guy who wanted to kill all of humanity is funny.
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He snorts out a laugh. "Yet here you are, living proof that it exists outside of pages and screens."
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"That's right! I'm the genuine article!" Leo grins, flexing his muscles for Akechi to see. "But hey, you were fighting gods and stuff. It can't be that different."
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Then Maruki whisked him there, his memories riddled with holes, and when that reality faded, he was far from Tokyo.
He groans softly, slightly tense, but only slightly.
no subject
"...It was a cup?"
Huh?