EVENT #13: ADVERSITY 8765546

[expiationmods]

EVENT #13: THE BEAST INSIDE US ALL

THE STORY SO FAR (click to expand)

-Over time, characters have discovered that the world of Expiation is actually a large, elaborate simulation run by an AI that seems to be intent on helping them atone for their crimes. This news is well-known by the Chosen, enough so that any new character who wishes to handwave this knowledge is able to do so.

-In September 2024, that AI needed to be reset as a consequence of some catastrophic systems failures. So far, there has been no downside to this reset–but the AI has also been strangely absent since then.

-Things have been quiet in Aldrip since September, aside from the routine arrival of new Chosen. The locals seem less than happy with the Chosen, though, as if they have already branded them all criminals. As if they no longer trust them…

EARLY MARCH / MARCH 11TH

Something doesn’t feel quite right, does it?

There’s a strange feeling in Aldrip, something tense and strained, as if something’s about to happen. The black lines outside of the Aldrip travel further into the city and begin to spread the miasma. The fields, crops and the portion of the forest continue to wither away as a result. The signs of catastrophe. The air is thick, as if it itself is waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Very abruptly, it does.

The earth quakes as something erupts from the ground: huge, snakelike heads, towering as tall as a two-story building. These heads seem to circle the city of Aldrip: a ring of threat, keeping everyone and everything within the city limits. These heads don’t change locations, and they only attack if someone gets too close. They seem almost like they’re waiting for something. At first, however, they’re invulnerable to damage. Those who get too close may be injured or even killed if they try…

TRANSFORMATION

As soon as Fauna hears the rumblings of the Beast, detects the presence of a monster, she's off without waiting for any information. Confronting monsters is what she does, after all. She transforms and attempts to destroy the Beast with her full might, but despite the fierce fight, she's unable to land any decisive hits. Eight heads are too much to fight alone, and as the fight drags on, she's cornered, and takes the Beast's attack head-on, canceling her transformation and sending her flying. But as she's blown away, from her pockets, seeds fall- A pair of seeds to grow trees from, or something greater. The seeds, divine items with no divinity to empower them, fall to the ground, and are absorbed into the Beast's black body...

What is it you wish for, deep down? What do you desire?

Those Chosen unlucky enough to be affected by wish seeds may find this wish consuming their thoughts and driving their actions. Slowly, surely, they find themselves…changing, turning into something that is not a human. These changes may be slow and painful, or they may be instantaneous. We encourage you to be creative in these changes, both physical and mental, but also to warn for potential body horror or any body part trauma that might need a content warning.

I wish… I wish…

Driven nearly to madness by their own desire, by whatever’s happening to them and whatever physical changes it brings, these Chosen may be dangerous, with uncontrollable urges or new powers they aren’t used to. Can their aggression be directed toward the coming fight? Time will tell.

SLAY THE BEAST

So much anger, hatred and pain, all rolled into a single calamitous entity, baring its fangs at the entire world. It's almost a little embarrassing for it to be out in the open like that, even if the other Chosen don't necessarily realize it's a part of him. It's not too long after the Black Beast's first appearance that Ragna makes his way to face it, though not before he makes sure everyone else has some information necessary to finish the job afterwards. But first, he would need to ensure they even stand a chance against the monster, and he came up with only one solution that could work ─ and that's to do so from within the Beast itself. And so, with a final sigh, muttering "What a pain in the ass," under his breath, Ragna approaches the giant creature unarmed. The nearest heads turn their attention to the man, immediately attacking and ripping him apart, devouring the remains.

Something has changed. Impervious until now, the Black Beast soon shows evidence of wear and tear: hits land, cuts remain, and its fighting becomes more vicious…but more desperate, too.

If the Chosen have any hopes for defeating this creature, now will be the time. Maybe if they hit it with everything they’ve got, they’ll be able to bring it down–one head at a time.

SAFE...TY?

In the past, there’s been protection. In the past, there’s been so-called “safe houses” that have been created by the environment for noncombatants or those who don’t wish to fight.

But no such thing appears.

Nothing will hold the monsters back, nothing will hold the effects of the Black Beast back as they rain destruction on the city. It seems as if the Chosen are on their own – for those who don’t wish to fight, or can’t fight, they must band together to find protection of their own. Characters who are able to fight may need to help protect these areas where those sorts of Chosen have decided to hunker down for safety. The locals have vanished completely, locked so tight into their own houses that Aldrip businesses come to a halt.

That is, unless Chosen work together to keep it going.

AFTERMATH

The Black Beast is finally put down after the hard and exhausting fighting. The black lines around the city fade away, and it seems the Chosen who have transformed… are unaffected. Those Chosen who find themselves confronting their “wish” will discover that they soon change back, shedding monstrous forms for their familiar forms. However, the Chosen who don’t confront their wishes will keep their monstrous forms, either fully or partially, for the indeterminate future. They might continue to struggle to keep their sense of self and fight against the monstrous urges. Maybe they continue to be more aggressive, have a hard time recognizing a friend from a foe and have a distorted view on what is their wish. Effects don’t wear off over time, this time. There’s no magical “reset” where they wake up one day and find themselves back to their normal selves.

No, either they confront their wishes, or they stay like this for… ? It’s up to the Chosen.

WILDCARD

Make your own fun! Just because it’s not in the prompts doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Have at it! Go crazy! Try not to break anything (too much)!

♡

Comments

[digthefuzz]

[He now knows the gender of the person at least, but that doesn't narrow the person's identity down that much. Not that Kurt wants to figure it out anyway. If Scott wants to keep her identity private, he'll respect that. She's apparently back to normal now anyway, so the situation is resolved in Kurt's book.]

...Right. All too well. I'm not blaming anyone infected by those things. I'm sure they could even do the same for either of us! But really, what they all need is help. And that's what I'm going to try for with any of them that I come across.

[laserguy]

[Despite everything, a gradual smile starts appearing on Scott, pushing behind his more glum feelings until he's fully smiling at Kurt. His best friend... he really can count on him, no questions about it. Kurt's one of the best people in the whole world, both here and at home. His Kurt may be more shy, but this is what really matters most, they both are just really good guys.]

Just promise to still to be careful. [...] If you end up in the bed next to me, I promise that you'll never hear the end of it.

[Be prepared for Summers Lecture for 3 hours straight. Or more. Definitely incentive right there.]

[digthefuzz]

[It warms his heart to see Scott actually smiling! Maybe he accomplish one mission, of cheering his best friend up. His own smile grows back.]

Oh man, now I really have to be extra careful! Trust me, I'll do everything I can to avoid a full-blown Cyclops lecture. I double doggy promise it! As long as you keep resting until you're a hundred percent better.

[He reaches for Scott's hand, to clasp it.]

I'll be fine, man. And so will you!

[laserguy]

Your Scott's really traumatized you, huh?

[So inspiring. He'd have to ask for some pointers sometime... somehow. Although, from what he's heard about the Scotts in Quentin's and Morph's and Rogue's universes, they're also really good at giving long lectures. It almost sounds like he needs to step up! Maybe. He will definitely do it if Kurt ends up getting hurt because only one injured mutant should be here.

He weakly grips his hand back, his strength mostly recovered. Just overall? A work in progress.]

I'll stay put until I'm recovered. Then I'll be back out there.

[digthefuzz]

Oh yeah, he can really do a number on you. [It's surreal to imagine his Scott lecturing this Scott...] I'm sure you have it in you too!

[Even if this is the more 'laidback' Scott. He doesn't want to underestimate his potential!

As his hand is gripped, Kurt gives Scott's a gentle squeeze before pulling back.]

Now that's what I like to hear, man. So it's official. We got this!

[laserguy]

Just try and avoid being the person I throw my first lecture at.

[...Not that he wants to really lecture any of his friends, but with how dangerous things are right now, he wouldn't be surprised if one of them ends up here with him. And if they're not going to try and rest, then he'll make them!! He fully gets how much it sucks just sitting here and recovering, but rushing back into the fray without being back in tip top shape is just a bad idea.

Geez, he wonders if he really is becoming more like the other Scotts. He's not sure what to think about that.]

I'll play backup for now. See if I can help around the clinic while keeping my eye on the network. Your ability to teleport will be really handy in getting people to safety.

[digthefuzz]

Trust me, I'm trying!

[He says that with a soft laugh. Of course, in an emergency situation, he'll do what he feels needs to be done regardless of whether or not it will result in a lecture. But for now, it's easy to assure him that he'll take it easy.]

That sounds like a good idea, as long as you don't stress it too much. But yeah, my power's super handy at a time like this! If you catch wind of an area where my help is needed, just shoot me a text, man! [He flicks a finger-gun!]

[laserguy]

[It honestly feels a little weird to play support like this, especially after finally becoming a X-Man. Officially. However, he knows the importance of something like this, even if it's sort of hard to swallow at first. He'll just make sure that he doesn't get taken off the battlefield so quickly next time. Yeah. More reasons to train and everything, get even better.

He'll at least finally open his bag of chips. A sign that he's finally accepting all this, to some degree.]

We got a plan going then. [He smiles slightly.] But I don't want to hold you up for long. I promise I'll be okay, there's more people out there that probably need your help. They still... need the X-Men.

[digthefuzz]

[Ah, the sound of a bag of chips opening! It was already music to his ears, but it's extra pleasant in this instance because it means Scott is going to partake. He's going to rest, for now at least.

And his words get a full grin from Kurt.]

Spoken like a true Cyclops.

And I know you'll make a good on your word. So I'll get going now. But hey, if you need anything, don't be afraid to ask! [He flashes a thumbs up.] I'll see you, man. Keep feeling better!

[And with that, he bamfs away.]