[center][h3][color=tan]Courier 6[/color] and [color=orange]Ratchet[/color] and [color=sandybrown]Jak &[/color] [color=darkorange]Daxter[/color] and introducing [color=red]Cuphead![/color][/h3] [b]Level 6[/b] - (54/60) EXP (+3),[b]Level 6[/b] - (27/60) (+3), [b]Level 4[/b] - (19/40) (+3) [b]Location:[/b] Hell’s Casino Dead Zone - Ominous Tower [b]Word Count:[/b]2151 [i]Jak item get, new morph gun mod: Funny Ray - a sustained stream of psychic energy that confuses a susceptible target as long as its continually applied. Uses red eco[/i][/center] Jak stood back as the alien creature, clearly frightened for its life, ran off in a scurry. It wasn’t violent so he wasn’t going to attack it, and it didn’t appear to be sentient so he wasn’t going to try recruiting it. Ratchet jumped to the side to let it by, commenting, [color=orange]”Yup, thought so. Skittish little guy.”[/color] The saurian proved to be much more volatile, but it wasn’t anything that Blazermate and that bee alien couldn’t handle. Jak just let them do their thing and used it as an opportunity to see what Sectonia was made of. As it turned out, she was quite the magician as evidenced by summoning a sword out of nowhere, and she knew how to use it, so that was good to know. Daxter was still irritated with her, but he knew better than to poke the bear (er, bee) a second time after witnessing how she stabbed that dinosaur with impunity. He wouldn’t want to get on the wrong end of [i]that[/i] stinger. Joker returned around this time and used the teleporter, something that only Ratchet really took notice of. What was that kid doing back out there? Eh, it wasn’t any of his business, really. But to be frank, he had his own mission to take care of out in the Dead Zone. Man, he wasn’t looking forward to that conversation. Jak approached Ratchet first, Daxter by his side. Blazermate and Sectonia took off, leaving only the two duos of heroes alone in the Argent Tower. [color=sandybrown]”So what’s the total score?”[/color] Jak asked. [color=orange]”Hm, what now?”[/color] Ratchet responded, still dwelling on his promise to Jones. [color=darkorange]”The contest? Got killing the zombies and demons? Hellooooo anybody in there?”[/color] Daxter punctuated by knocking on Ratchet’s forehead like a door, and the lombax irritatedly shrugged Daxter off. [color=darkorange]”Pay attention!”[/color] Clank appeared to provide an answer. “Since first arriving to the Dead Zone, Ratchet and I have cleared out a total of 343 individual opponents.” [color=orange]”Booyah!”[/color] Ratchet fist pumped. [color=orange]”And what are your numbers?”[/color] Jak’s eyes darted off to the side as he tried to recount how many had been felled by his morph gun. There were so many zombies and demons, it was impossible to keep track in all the chaos.Luckily Daxter was able to step in for his friend. [color=darkorange]”Oh, you know, no big deal or anything. We only took care of five thousand of them, but that’s just what you get with a pair of top tier heroes like us, right Jak?”[/color] Ratchet and Jak both shook their heads, while Clank interjected. “As I observed everything during the entire encounter, minus the small amount of time we were separated in the police station I can account for a total individual kill count of 379, the majority of which took place during the time we fled to this tower. The piercing power and velocity of Jak’s vulcan fury is what really drove the nail into the coffin, as prior to that engagement your numbers were a more humble… 12.” Jak smirked and nodded his head in superiority, while Ratchet shrugged and kicked the floor. [color=orange]”I thought you were on my side, Clank? Aw well. I’m sure that I’ll be getting a lot more than you real shortly, since Clank and me will be heading back in.”[/color] [color=sandybrown]”What now?”[/color] Jak said, taken aback. Daxter’s reaction was, per usual, a bit more… [i]Expressive.[/i] [color=darkorange]”You’re telling me that the two of you are gonna go BACK out there with the blood and guts practically RAINING FROM THE SKY, just to prove you can get more kills than us? You’re crazy!”[/color] Ratchet shook his head, but it was Clank that explained the situation. “Your theory is incorrect, Daxter. While we were exploring the police station, Ratchet and I located a special room with lockboxes where individuals stored personal items. A man there by the name of Jones explained their purpose to us. What we had initially mistaken for useful supplies to be obtained were actually placed there by the residents of the police station for safekeeping. Considering the expedience required in our retreat from the siege of the police station, no doubt a number of personal possessions were left behind.” Jak shrugged. [color=sandybrown]”So?”[/color] [color=darkorange]”Yeah, so? How’s that your problem?”[/color] Daxter crossed his arms. [color=orange]”It’s my problem because I made a promise to Jones, Daxter,”[/color] Ratchet cut in. [color=orange]”I’m a Galactic Ranger. It’s my duty to inspire the people just as much as it is to whack and blow up the bad guys. I swore that I’d return those items to their rightful owners, dead or alive.”[/color] [color=darkorange]”You’ve gotta be kidding me!”[/color] Daxter cried out, throwing his arms forward. [color=darkorange]”At some point ya gotta just drop it and go! That police station has got to be craaaaaaawling with nasty disgusting monsters by now! It’s not like the key to offing Galeem is hidden there, it’s just some people’s crap!”[/color] As much of a point as Daxter had, he seemed to be the only one dwelling on it. Jak reached out and put a hand on Ratchet’s shoulder. The two looked one another dead in the eyes. [color=sandybrown]”You’re a good hero, furball.”[/color] [color=orange]”Back at ya, Tantrum Boy.”[/color] Ratchet grinned. [color=sandybrown]”We’ll be waiting for you up ahead on the road. Don’t forget the end goal here.”[/color] Jak gave Ratchet a playful punch to the shoulder, which the lombax reciprocated. [color=orange]”Don’t worry, I won’t lose my way again. Galeem has got to go down. I’ll join up with you guys before the final fight, and you won’t be able to hope to keep up with my kill count.”[/color] Daxter interrupted by mocking the sound of vomiting. [color=darkorange]”Can we wrap this up already? The readers are getting bored of all this sappy crap and I really want to get this damn tree spirit outta me! I itch… In strange places!”[/color] “I agree that we should not prolong our goodbyes,” Clank added. “Perhaps this is the best opportunity to strike, as that green armored fellow has the entire hordes’ attention placed upon him?” Ratchet nodded. [color=orange]”Right as usual, little buddy. Well, it’s been real, Jak. Daxter. Take care until we kick ass together again.”[/color] Jak and Ratchet shared a wordless fist bump, then the eco warriors observed as the Galactic Ranger and his robot pal headed out of the tower. Then, without another word, the pair hopped into the teleporter and reappeared back in Lumbridge… [hr] The Courier didn’t give the die headed man the dignity of a response when called a “wino,” though he didn’t necessarily consider it an insult either. The words of the foe washed over him like the liquor of the foes he had just taken on, only with far less sting. Bowser and Kamek returned from another fight and Kamek had some clones performing some healing, which the Courier was only too happy to take if it meant that he wouldn’t have to use up one of his precious stimpacks. The Hat Kid also came out and seemed to be talking to the die man quietly, something she wanted to keep a secret… Now what could that have been about? The Courier would have to address it later… If he bothered to remember, that is. That’s when the situation changed quite dramatically. The cavalry had arrived, so to speak, in the form of several of the residents of Lumbridge falling down the hole to provide reinforcements, as well as a couple of the Courier’s own associates (or former associates at any rate, but a welcome sight all the same). Their presence emboldened him, and so he pulled out his revolver and kept it trained on the die man, ready to fire at the slightest provocation, and he was just [i]wishing[/i] for a reason to twitch that finger. The sheriff declared the guildmaster to be placed under arrest, something the casino manager quite clearly resented. He was going to put up a fight, and that simply [i]delighted[/i] Courier 6. However things did not go as anticipated. A number of minions appeared, something the Courier expected and would handily deal with, but before he got off his first shot, before he even thought to activate the GRX implant, [i]another[/i] asshole in a black hood showed up. Everyone was thrown for a loop and the room lurched. The Courier was tossed up in the air and collapsed on top of Bowser Jr. At first he wondered if this was a side effect of Inferno, but once his eyes cleared he knew that not to be the case. Better, the die man’s power had failed and everyone was back to full size! He struggled to stand up from his position and pointed his gun at the die man, who was having his own troubles with the woman in black apparently choking him with telekinesis, and just as he fired off a shot… [i]They vanished[/i]. A portal opened up which devoured them both, sending his bullet off into the distance where it harmlessly planted itself into a wall. [color=tan]”Tch,”[/color] he spat, now standing up off of Bowser Jr. Gaige-tron was nearby, collapsed onto a poker table. The robot righted itself up and rolled on over to its master. “That was exciting. I hope we see more of that on our adventures!” Just then the door bust open and two child-like figures with drinking implements for heads walked in. [color=red]”Just remember not to deal with the devil and we can have just as much fun as we did back whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?”[/color] the red one exclaimed. His expression of shock overtook his whole body in a cartoonish way. His limbs detached, including his cup-like head, and that spun around while the straw sticking out from it turned into a big exclamation point. His body quickly became normal again however. He and his blue brother looked all over the room, trying to make sense of things. [color=red]”Man, things’ve sure taken a turn around here!”[/color] The Courier holstered his revolver and approached the two cartoons. He could tell from their designs that they were the “same” as that die headed guy. [color=tan]”If you’re here to gamble, then I’m afraid the casino’s been closed and management is… Out.”[/color] he said, looking over to where their attacker had been until just a moment ago. [color=tan]”That die headed hombre broke a deal with us, but one of his posse took off with ‘im.”[/color] [color=red]”Golly, sounds like King Dice is up to his old tricks again!”[/color] the red cup said. “I guess he’ll never learn,” the blue one added. [color=tan]”King Dice?”[/color] the Courier asked. [color=tan]”Tain’t what he said his name was. He said it was uh… Some sort of… Needzkick? More like Needs his ass kicked.”[/color] “Gneidxick,” corrected Gaige-tron, rolling up beside the Courier. “But he definitely needs a good ass kicking!” The two cups looked between one another, then around the casino again. [color=red]”Gee willikers, that sounds awful peculiar! But don’t worry, I’ve walloped that mean ol’ no good King Dice before, so I can help!”[/color] To punctuate his point, the red cup blew air into his right hand, inflating it like a balloon to absolutely ridiculous proportions, which then “popped” and deflated comically. He held his now rubber-thin hand for the Courier to shake. [color=red]”The name’s Cuphead! This here is my brother, Mugman!”[/color] Mugman waved hello. “Are you sure getting involved is such a good idea, Cuppy?” [color=red]”Absolutely!”[/color] Cuphead exclaimed. [color=red]”When have I ever steered you wrong?”[/color] “Well, there was that whole Devil incident…” Mugman pushed his two pointer fingers together sheepishly. [color=red]”And that turned out great! But if you think it’s not such a great idea, then why don’t you run back to the Elder Kettle, while I hold the fort down?”[/color] “Gee Cuppy, and leave you alone?” [color=red]”Aw shucks, it’ll be fine Muggy! I reckon it’s nothin’ we can’t handle!”[/color] “Ok Cuppy, if you’re sure.” Mugman turned tail and left out the front door, presumably to chase down this “Elder Kettle” they mentioned, while Cuphead turned to the rest of the group. [color=red]”Alright folks, so… How can I help?”[/color] And so… [hider=Cuphead][img]https://pm1.narvii.com/7094/a0d485da838f6e865c21d4fc70410385c76e44d3r1-1270-720v2_hq.jpg[/img][/hider]