[center][h3]Tora & Poppi[/h3]
[b]Level 5 Tora[/b] - (8/50) EXP and [b]Level 4 Poppi[/b] - (7/40) EXP 
[b]Location:[/b] Lumbridge
[b]Word Count:[/b] 577[/center]

After Din declined her offer, Peach resumed her trip toward the guild hall in the wake of her comrades, but she didn't stay on course for long. A familiar yell caught her ear and brought her to the doorway of the nearby smithy, where to her acute dissatisfaction she found Tora literally falling over himself for a couple of cute girls. “Really, Tora. Can't you show some self-respect?

In the span of a second, the princess's admonishment turned Tora's excitement to utter humiliation. Aghast, he struggled to pick himself up, crying, “Meh-meh-mehmeh!? Why you here!? Tora j-just admiring...uh, just...appreciating beautiful metalworking, yes! Peachy-Peachy know Tora loves all things engineering!” Laughing it off, the Nopon watched the meddlesome woman leave with a pointed glare before turning to the curious smiths, suddenly all business. “Ahem, meh! Please do not mind implication of meanypon princess, she not right in head.” 

Nodding, he clasped his wings and adopted a dignified expression. “Now, Tora get to meat on bone. Come here to make repairs to dear companion, Poppi. Very little energy, could also use tune-up.” With some effort, he raised Poppi and gave her a nudge. The artificial blade willed her eyes to open, though their bleariness suggested a lack of focus.

Tora nodded approvingly, noting what a trooper his creation was. When he looked back to the smith sisters, however, he found disbelief -and some alarm- on their faces. “What are you doing with that poor girl?” the [url=https://dragalialost.gamepress.gg/sites/dragalialost/files/2019-07/110263_01_r05.png]blonde one[/url] exclaimed, her hand dangerously close to a fearsome-looking axe. “And what's wrong with her body...?”

The others, especially the [url=https://dragalialost.gamepress.gg/sites/dragalialost/files/2019-07/110264_01_r05.png]pink-haired one[/url], looked no less menacing, and it took no more than that for Tora to start panicking. Waving his wings and sweating profusely, he wailed, “Meh! Don't get wrong idea! Poppi is Tora's creation, an amazing machine made to be like Blade. Tora want nothing more for Poppi than be happy and healthy! R-right, Poppi?”

He found his companion treating him to an odd look. At first it seemed more pensive than anything else, leading Tora to wonder if he said something wrong. Under duress, he tended to not think about what he said, instead speaking straight from the heart. However, Poppi's expression became a soft smile, and she gave a nod of confirmation.

At that, the smiths seemed to relax. “Well...” the blonde said after a moment, “If that's true, we've got no problem. Besides, you're sooo cute!” Their incredulity at the idea of a machine, known to them as a special kind of golem, faded away to be replaced by wild curiosity. They swarmed around Poppi, inspecting her material, joints, and exterior systems. Tora ended up the receiving end of almost as much attention as the smiths, Ramona in particular, prodded his fascinatingly ovular body, ran their fingers through his fur, and even picked him up. While he didn't like being picked up in particular, with the given circumstances, he hardly minded.

In the end, he discovered that the sisters had an active quest available: a simple mining mission, with the payout depending on the haul. Remembering his shield's drill, Tora declared, “Am perfect for job! If nice ladies just give small forward payment of crystals to revive Poppi, then Tora bring so many ores, you never have to mine again!” Quite taken with the adorable Nopon and his incredible friend, Ramona agreed, and after a few minutes Tora and an invigorated Poppi waltzed out of Lumbridge headed east.

[center][h3]Lumbridge[/h3]
[b]Location:[/b] Lumbridge, the Land of Adventure[/center]

While Bowser mulled over his options, the guildmaster switched his attention to the young, rabbit-eared lady asking questions. Regardless of his masked features, it became clear after the first sentence that the highly-animated individual knew nothing about any Master of Masters, at least by name. Since Linkle didn't allow him get a word in edgewise, however, he couldn't respond until after she mentioned the Master of Masters eye. That, out of everything said to him so far, seemed to catch him off guard. “Some babbo's lost peeper...? Now that's a puzzler, ain't it. Seen a couple special eyes 'round and about, but only one outta its head was on the...huh.” 

A white-gloved hand reached into his hood to thoughtfully rub his hidden chin. “Nah, couldn't be. Ain't got the foggiest 'bout this stooge o' yours, li'l miss.” He watched, nodding his approval, as Linkle then expressed an interest in doing all the quests. The others, like the gunslinger, eventually picked their poison and got on their merry way. With go-getters like that, the guildmaster didn't imagine the whole lot of quests taking longer than a few hours.

Once the heroes left, he let out a low, growly chuckle. “We-he-hell, ain't that a pip.” Beneath his hood, a gleaming white grin manifested itself, and vicious seafoam-green eyes leered at the doorway. “Gonna have ta finger these bums to the boss.” Leaning down to the guildmarm, he told her, “Hold the fort. I'm takin' a powder.” So saying, he kicked his heels. A hole appeared beneath him in the ground, and he dropped into it with a corkscrew spin.

[hr]

The new arrival to the general store was due a repeat explanation of the quest from Malo, but his first visitor didn't stay to hear it. Hat Kid's scooter sped her away from Geralt, Michael, and the others, and soon afterward, out of Lumbridge itself. Green grassland awaited her to the south, flat at first with scattered trees but growing hillier as she traveled. Her vehicle ferried her steadily onward, and where uneven terrain forced her hand, a little impromptu jumping posed no problem for the agile youngster. On the way, she spotted a herd of docile [url=http://pm1.narvii.com/6694/53bdffaa4cf137a799780ccc9db581ef778e535f_00.jpg]beasts[/url] grazing in the plains, and by chance passed worryingly close by to a huge, dangerous-looking [url=https://i.imgur.com/R2g7aBN.png]ape[/url] just wandering in the open.

Eventually she came upon a wood, not large by any means but sporting unnaturally large trees. It stood in the shadow of one of the many rocky mountains that formed the Land of Adventure's western border. No road led inside, but a sizeable gap between the trees and surrounding underbrush offered a sort of path. It did not take long after proceeding down it to come upon a stony [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/nintendo/images/2/27/Forest_Temple_OoT.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20110225024645&path-prefix=en]structure[/url] nestled among the trunks and vine-covered, mossy bricks. The door stood ajar, beckoning the adventurer inside, and a quick look at her compass hat confirmed that her objective lay beyond. 

Compared to the entrance, the chamber immediately after left a lot to be desired in terms of structure. With jam-packed trees as its 'walls', the [url=https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/zelda_gamepedia_en/6/67/Foresttemple.jpg]room[/url] featured giant mushrooms, aged pottery, a carved totem, and wooden stairs rotted away by moisture and time. Instead, a matted veil of creeping vines hung in their place, and to that leafy curtain clung a wretched [url=http://i.imgur.com/O5gdlafh.jpg]spider[/url], its grotesque limbs and odious head protruding from the torso of some long-dead corpse. A heavy, rolling door barred the way to the next room, a more ordinary [url=https://i.imgur.com/sYFpMcx.jpg]chamber[/url] nevertheless infested by plantlife. 

In its center, a brilliant spectacle caught the eye. A quartet of braziers blazed in various colors, and between them four walls of prismatic fire danced, barring the way to the plinth at the center. Between the bewitched flames, Hat Kid could glimpse the form of a merchant [url=https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/409/954/23a.jpg]girl[/url], still but otherwise seemingly unharmed. There could be little doubt as to her identity as Malo's esteemed client. Any experimentation would leave a singed Hat Kid aware that no amount of acrobatics would get her over the rather familiar flames, which extended upward to block her path. Thus, her attention was forced outward. Four corridors branched off from the room, one for each colored brazier. Since Hat Kid's compass zeroed in on the girl's location, the choice of where to go next lay with her.

[hr]

Bustling as Lumbridge was, Din's dance did not go unnoticed for long. Passers-by found themselves entranced, both by her talent and her strange, exotic appearance, and before long a crowd gathered. Wide, sparkling eyes watched as she wove to and fro in the glow of her spell's light, and when her impromptu routine brought her into the sky, awed gasps and cheers filled the air along with her. For a few precious moments, performer and spectator were both lost in the wonder of the moment, forgetting about worries and cares, past and future alike. Though Din began to dance as a way to earn money, her art became much more, even if for only a short time. It was a wonderful moment.

Her onlookers knew it too, and when her dance concluded, glittering gems and coins flew through the early afternoon sun to land at her Gogoat's hooves. Rupies she recognized, but the [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/capcomdatabase/images/4/46/AkashicZenny.png/revision/latest?cb=20120906222421]other[/url] required a brief inquiry. The gold coins, as it turned out, were called zenny (G, to some), and found common use among the monster hunters and more serious-minded denizens of the town. They came plentifully, putting their individual worth low, but in the end Din and her helpful Pokemon counted 180 rupies and 835 zenny, which by her best guess meant a pretty profitable endeavor.

In bunches the townsfolk drifted away, except for one. The [url=https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a8834205-46ae-47d9-b01e-79b6b1a66467/dcammx4-6df1e9e9-b24c-45ce-899d-4295a8c5359f.png/v1/fill/w_1192,h_670,q_70,strp/menat_c1_render_by_chrissy_tee_dcammx4-pre.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MjE2MCIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2E4ODM0MjA1LTQ2YWUtNDdkOS1iMDFlLTc5YjZiMWE2NjQ2N1wvZGNhbW14NC02ZGYxZTllOS1iMjRjLTQ1Y2UtODk5ZC00Mjk1YThjNTM1OWYucG5nIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTM4NDAifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.ZX8HVfUm4p6ZIdff_FGWbYk1vZ1cmOUWluIpH9J3kbA]girl[/url] who remained approached Din a few minutes after her show with bright eyes. “That was amazing!” she bubbled. “You're such an incredible dancer! I'm more of a fortune teller myself, but I'd be so happy if you could give me any advice!”

Scarcely stopping to breath, she continued. “And are those real?” she asked, pointing out Din's new wings. “They look fake, but also like a part of you. Weird! But so cool!” Holding up her arm, she compared the wings to her own sash. “A whole new take on this sort of accessory. I try to wear stuff that's pretty but doesn't get in the way of fighting. Dancing is a part of my fighting style, so it's really important to me! So what do you say, will you help me out? I could read your fortune to pay you back!” Something occurred to her, shocking her into making an embarrassed bow. “Oh! I forgot to say, I'm Menat. It's great to meet you!” 

[center][h3]Nero[/h3]
[b]Location:[/b] Intersection outside fire station, Dead Zone[/center]

[hider=For Ratchet][center]You have acquired:
[url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/images/16/jul/scorn17b.jpg][b]Hand Cannon[/b][/url]
A firearm of flesh and bone. Warm to the touch, its stock must be removed in order to reload, which requires ammunition to be shoved into the holes on its rear. It can accept anything of suitable size, though it will fire bullets plus casings rather than setting them off. Teethlike shards can be broken off the top to be used as auxiliary ammo, which regrow after a few hours. It propels projectiles with remarkable force.[/center][/hider]

Together, the new arrivals joined in on the offensive against the Tank, easing the burden on the four friends greatly. The wounded got a chance to restore their vitality with potions before rejoining the action. With more allies running interference, they could resume their hit-and-run team fighting in earnest, striking at the monster in turn to keep it from being able to focus on any one of them. If one of the boys did get focused, he would focus solely on defense and evasion, which Noctis in particular made easy with his warping ability. Meanwhile, the light-eco-powered Jak and Donnie attacked from above, completely avoiding most of the Tank's attacks while giving themselves ample room to avoid the odd projectile and lay on the hurt. 

When Banjo & Kazooie's trolley appeared, however, the assault from the turret atop it drew the Tank's wrath almost instantly. Blazermate's 'safe place' proved anything but. A full volley of bullets plugged the monsters upper body as it thundered closer, until at only a few feet away, the sentry unleashed its missiles and buried the Tank in a sizable explosion. A second later, the thing roared as it charged from the smoke cloud and smashed the trolley aside. Most of the force hit the sentry, critically damaging it, but it also toppled the vehicle, and the sentry's ensuing impact with the ground totaled it. 

The machine's sacrifice was not, however, in vain. The Tank's wounds were piling up, and another well-aimed chi burst from Donnie as the thing dawdled provoked an angry snarl, and it began to flail wildly. However, Ratchet struck from behind, striking its knee in a vulnerable moment to halt its movement. “Not bad!” Seeing a chance, Nero grappled in using Wire Bound, and in quick succession slashed again and again and again, finishing with an electric burst that staggered his gurgling target. A Wire Snatch snagged its arm, brought it back in, and set it up for the demon hunter to jam his prosethetic arm into its belly. A crushing blow forced him to dodge backward, but he left his arm behind, stuck in its flesh. As he watched, it reconfigured slightly, and began to beep.

Recognizing the detached device as a bomb, the four friends went to work. Ignis pulled it multiple smaller knives and strafed the target sinking them into the Tank's meat one after another. Noctis warped between each one, delivering a powerful strike before moving on, and Gladio punctuated the last one with a heavy thrust into the tank's back, leaving it stuck in place and unable to reach him. Prompto sidled up to Ratchet, nudging him in the shoulder to get his attention, saying “Now that's what I call an opening!” He raised his revolver and fired into the Tank's heat, encouraging Ratchet to do the same.

The last move in the sequence before Nero's Exploder went off belonged to either Gene or Banjo, whoever could better cash in the combo for massive damage and style.

[center][h3]The Master of Masters[/h3]
[b]Location:[/b] Peach's Castle, the Mushroom Kingdom[/center]

A lack of reply to Kamek's knocking made self-entry the next logical step, but when he entered the room at the peak of the castle's tallest tower, the wizard discovered his person of interest absorbed in his work in the middle of a striking study. With only a few hours at his disposal, the Master of Masters had managed to fully take over the room, not just filling it with desks, tomes, parchments, and instruments, and other clutter, but transforming the room itself. Immaculate wood took the place of stone walls, the windows sported magnificent feats of stained glass, and fantastical glowing flower-lamps filled the room with soft radiance.

Only when Kamek drew rather close did the Master of Masters look up from his work, which at the moment appeared to consist of speedy writing in a book. “Oh, hey there. I recognize you. Gotta say, didn't see you coming. Although, I did kinda guess that that big goon needed someone to be the brains of the operation.”

The sorcerous koopa laid his inquiries down, prompting the Master of Masters to rest his head on a fist. After a few moments he replied, completely dodging the question. “Y'know, I'm glad you came. If you're already in the Land of Adventure, you're making real progress. Even after your friends took down that oh-so-evil overlord, I was worried you might all, I dunno, fall into a ditch or something. But it sounds like all's well, eh? Wouldn't mind more visits in the future, especially social calls, instead of business.” His vapid words came almost too easily, as if his mind was somewhere else.

Chuckling, he leaned over the back of his seat, letting his arm dangle as he held up his other hand. “But hey, don't let me holdja up. Now, I know that when you see this cloak, you're thinking 'man, this cat's got some serious, one-of-a-kind style!' Much as it pains me to admit, this coat isn't the only one of its kind. There's oodles of 'em, in fact. Just equipment to protect one against darkness. And to protect one's privacy, hoho!” Shrugging, he shook his head. “But for reals, I don't have the slightest clue about this 'guildmaster' fella. The 'masters' I'm a mentor to are the Foretellers. Kids with colorful robes and animal masks. Hey, if you see 'em, let 'em know where I am, alright?” His gaze turned to one of the stained-glass windows, falling across the countryside beyond. 

When next his voice came, it came a little heavier. “I'd...like to see 'em again. Tell 'em I'm proud, despite all that happened.” Then, perking up, he addressed Kamek once more. “Whoa, drama alert! Sorry, little buddy. Anything else eatin' ya?”