"Learning Curve" MSTed by Nyperold and GameMaster Anthony Original story by Anthony Bault PART ONE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Author's Notes: This is my fourth MiST containing such a note, but this is part of a larger continuity involving Nyperold, Sue, the bots, and others. Here is the continuity so far: 1. Metamorphosis 2. Descent 3. Trapped 4. Sonic Adventure 2 Soundtrack lyrics 5. Lost 6. Molten 7. MiST of Sonic Adventure: The Arcadian Adventure 8. Heroes of Arcadia - Learning Curve This is my first Co-MiST. My partner in MiSTing, in this case, is none other than Anthony Bault. He also wrote much of the beginning sequence. Co-Author's Note(s): Hey folks! This should be a blast. I just wonder how this Amy Rose is gonna react to my chara and Amy's bond in the fic. Enjoy! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And now, turn down your lights, and don't-trip-over-the-- *crash* --fourth wall. Ow. Stubbed my toes, too... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Rec room. It's still raining, so the entire group is grouped together and the SSBMers are talking about their past adventures.) MARIO: ...and that was end of Smithy. SONIC: Dang... SAMUS: Ah, that was nothing. I remember one time... (Suddenly, thunder crashes loudly outside, causing the group to jump a bit. Sue is a bit shaken, but Tails...) TAILS: *grabbing Sonic in a hug* AAAAAAAAAAH!! LINK: You're afraid of thunder? TAILS: No...lightning! PIKACHU: I'd better not do any Thundershocks then... (The group then hears what appears to be a knock from outside, and Tiff heads to the door to answer it. She opens it, and sees a figure practically shrouded in a rain slicker...face can't be seen.) TIFF: Whoa! You look like the rain hit you hard! Come on in! ???????: Thanks. *steps inside* I'm sorry to bother you, but I found myself stranded here. Any chance you could direct me to a motel? TIFF: Well... NYPEROLD: *walking up* Who is it, Tiff? TIFF: This guy's looking for a motel...he says he got stranded. ???????: *looking up at Nyperold* Excuse me, by any chance is your name...Nyperold? NYPEROLD: Yeah. How did you know? Who are you? (The figure removes his rain slicker, revealing a young man in his late twenties with blond hair, a mustache, and glasses. He's also wearing what looks like high tech red back and breast armor, gauntlets, and boots. The armor has a strange star-shaped medallion in the center of the breastplate, and also has a sword strapped to the back.) NYPEROLD: OH MY HOLEY SOCKS!! You're...you're HIM! The Gamemaster!!! ANTHONY: *raising an eyebrow* You're heard of me? NYPEROLD: My group just finished doing a MetaMiST of the MiST you did of your author self's fic, "Sonic Adventure - The Arcadian Adventure". ANTHONY: Really? Huh...haven't seen that MiST of yours yet, though I have read a few others you did. That's how I knew of you. NYPEROLD: Well...how did you end up here? Wait a minute... *grabs Anthony by the wrist and leads him to the rec room* ...come with me. GUYS!! GUESS WHO'S HERE!!! (Anthony is met by a large group of gasps and welcomes from Nyperold's group. After some brief introductions, since Anth knew all but Tiff, Sue, and Box, they begin to talk again.) LINK: So...how did you end up here? ANTHONY: Washu was experimenting with her portals and opened one such portal to this reality. I volunteered to check it out. However, when the storm picked up, something happened in her lab to cause the portal to shut down, stranding me in this reality until she can fix the problem. FOX: So...why didn't you use your psi to shield you from the rain? ANTHONY: I did...but when the lightning came up, my powers fizzled as a result. EGGMAN: Can't conceive how that would happen... ANTHONY: Psionics are created from the electricity generated by the body itself, with the mind acting as a "transmitter". When the lightning started, the electrical and magnetic fields created ended up interfering with my psi. I saw this happen while I was in Station Square as well. NYPEROLD: Well...you're certainly welcome to stay here until you can return to Arcadia. When will that be? ANTHONY: I'll check... *opens comm* Washu? WASHU: *comm* Washu here, Anthony. ANTHONY: How are the repairs coming? WASHU: *comm* It might be a while. Are you comfortable? ANTHONY: Yeah. Turns out the portal goes to Nyperold's MiST reality, so I'm hanging with his group for the time being. What happened, anyway? WASHU: *comm* *sigh* Mihoshi came into my lab to ask me something...and ended up spilling a drink she was holding on one of the panels... ZELDA: Ooh...DeeDee Syndrome. EGGMAN: This reminds me of something. I wonder why? ANTHONY: Alright. Well, just get the repairs done as quickly as you can. In the meantime, I have an idea. WASHU: *comm* Yes? ANTHONY: Can you send us a fic to MiST? It might help pass the time until I can come back, and it looks like this group might wanna do another. WASHU: *comm* Of course! Which fic? ANTHONY: Well...since they just finished up a Meta of the MiST I did while in Station Square, how about another Bault fic? Send me a list from Rift-Earth's FF.net site with summaries and ratings. (A single, solitary listing subsequently appears.) ANTHONY: (reading) "heres my first shot at fan fic so no flames uhh im flunking english so thats why i cant jot down a good summary please R+R" What the... WASHU?!? That's not me! WASHU: *comm* Whoops! I'll try again... (A list of three fics appears this time. The titles are... uninspired, and the summaries are little better.) ANTHONY: (facefaulting) Washu... are you doing this on purpose? WASHU: *comm* Okay, okay... no fun... (The real list appears.) ANTHONY: Well, Nyperold? It's your choice. NYPEROLD: (scanning the list, pondering) Heroes of Arcadia - Learning Curve. Hey, do you think Sue will be able to sit through it? ANTHONY: I don't see why not. TAILS: If it gets bad, I can take care of her. NYPEROLD: Thanks, Tails. Well, let's go! (They head into the theater. Some sit down.) NYPEROLD: (does a quick count of seats and riffers) Uh oh... we're one seat short! AMY: That's okay! (climbs into Anthony's lap) (The softies give an "Awwww...", and the tough guys feign illness.) ANTHONY: Oh brother...this is because of my previous willingness to adopt my world's Amy, right? AMY: ^_^ Yep! ANTHONY: Heh...well, feel free to glomp me as well, if you feel like it. NYPEROLD: Well, that's solved that. (starts the fic scrolling and sits down) > Heroes of Arcadia - Learning Curve > by Anthony Bault MARIO: Why a-buy when a-you can a-get him for a-free? ANTHONY: ...but not re... NYPEROLD: *clears throat* Anth? ANTHONY: Yeah? NYPEROLD: We got an earful of the "but not really" in your last MiST. You might wanna stifle it this time. ANTHONY: Gotcha. > Legal: > Mario, Link, and all related characters are (c) Nintendo BOX: Well, there's Luigi, but do you guys have other relatives? NYPEROLD: That not what it meant, Box... > Megaman and all related characters are (c) Capcom > Sonic and all related characters are (c) Sega, DIC, and Archie Comics SONIC: I'm just a single-universe 'hog! ANTHONY: Not really...I had to deal with three versions at once one time. SONIC: O_O Huh?!? ANTHONY: I'll explain during the break. By the way...feel free to speak up with any questions, and I'll explain my reality. > Tenchi and all related characters are (c) Pioneer > Dragonball Z and all related characters are (c) Toei Animation and Akira > Toriyama > Sailor Moon and all related characters are (c) Toei Animation and DIC > Digimon and all related characters are (c) Saban > Spider-Man and all related characters are (c) Marvel NYPEROLD: Anime, eh? I actually saw a bit of that recently... ANTHONY: Oh? which ones? NYPEROLD: That Pokémon episode where Misty leaves her Psyduck at a Pokémon "spa" run directly by Butch and Cassidy, and part of an episode of Zoids: Chaotic Century. ANTHONY: Hey! That's one of my favorite series! > The following characters are (c) their respective fanfic authors: > Bookshire Draftwood, Elrond and Sarah Prower: David Pistone AKA Serinthia > Draftwood > Lt. Sergio "T-Bone" Hernandez and Major Frank Sharpe: T-Bone > Sasha Prower: RottinKid > Ashura, Crystallis, Ani-Earth: Ashura Hedgehog KNUCKLES: Ani-Earth is a character? TAILS: And isn't Crystallis (c) SNK? NYPEROLD: I guess he's including locations with the characters, and that's "Crystalis" with *one* "l", Tails! > Gamemaster Anthony Bault, Anthony Prower, Magi Reynard Prower, Mary Rose, Alison > Trasin, Patriarch Olaf Larson, Jenna Larson, Lars Olson, Lt. Alec Johnson: > Anthony Bault ANTHONY: Good lord...my author self's claimed a lot of people. > Above characters used without permission but are merely being used for fun and > not for profit. (Rough translation *groveling* PLEASE don't sue!) SUE: Yes? AMY: *giggle* Not you, Sue! > This fanfic may be distributed unaltered but may not be distributed for profit. EGGMAN: And apparently, it can be MiSTed. > Any name resemblance to real persons' names living or dead is purely > coincidental. > Author's forward: ANTHONY: (as author self) I am not! > Wow...even when I thought I did bad, several of you liked my work! Hopefully I > don't disappoint you with this work, which continues from the events of A Hero's > Virtue and from the events in Echoes of the Mind's "Reality Shift - The Arcadian > Chronicles", NYPEROLD: Read it, MiSTed. > Renian MagnanImus's "Dimensional Rift", and Ashura Hedgehog's "Dimensional > Champions", all of which you should definitely read. ANTHONY: (as author self) ...as soon as Renian gets his lazy butt going on the rewrite. > A small disclaimer: I know nothing about how clans really operate, Scandinavian > based or otherwise. The Larson Clan in this case is purely made up, and thus > I'll be winging it for the entire story. I won't even include an accent because > I don't think Minnewegan will cut it. Hopefully, you enjoy it despite my lack of > knowledge. > (P.S. That sound you hear is the fourth wall completely shattering!) AMY: Hence its current form, as tall as a back paw. >--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue: > It was midnight in Mobotropolis, and a lone figure continued to toss YOSHI: Salad! > and turn YOSHI: Hamburgers! SAMUS: You're making us hungry, Yoshi! > in his bed. Even though more than two months have passed since the events with > the Dark Gamemaster, Anthony found himself unable to relax and get a good nights > sleep. BOX: (singing from a commercial) Nytol...will help you get your Z's! > It wasn't because of the Dark Gamemaster, Anthony was sure that was no longer a > threat. LINK: ...though still a good plot device, it seems. > It also wasn't because of the visit from those humans from that alternate Earth, > one where he was a fanfiction hero. Nor was he worried about Rift Hunter attacks > or the return of the Master. (all but Anthony hum Torgo's theme) ANTHONY: *snicker* Not that Master! > It was a more recent event... JIGGLYPUFF: The invasion of the Teletubbies! (all shudder) PIKACHU: Don't even *joke* about that! > ***FLASHBACK*** (everyone does the Wayne's World "Deedledee" sound and waves their fingers across the screen) > "Anthony, come quick!" > Tails was running as fast as he could towards Anthony, who was heading towards > Vista Point to relax. Anthony turned towards the two-tailed fox just as he > skidded to a stop. "Tails, what is it? Is something wrong?" MARIO: *as Anthony* Is Timmy stuck in the well again? TAILS: Oh, ha ha... > "It's Mom!" Tails replied, out of breath. "She's about to have her baby and she > and Dad wanted you there when she gives birth!" > Anthony didn't bother to ask why, ANTHONY: (quoting a commercial) Try Bud Dry. SONIC: (singing) Don't ask me why, I don't need a reason... > but followed the young fox as they ran towards Bookshire's office. When they > arrived, Elrond was pacing back and forth outside a room where Anthony could > hear moans of pain coming from Elrond's wife, Sarah. ANTHONY: (quoting Bill Cosby) Natural child birth! Natural child birth means no drugs may enter the female's body during delivery! The father can have all he wants! > Rather than bothering the distraught father, Anthony turned towards Tails. > "Tails...why did your parents want me here? I would think this was a private > family moment..." > Elrond spoke up. "It's...you'll just have to wait, Gamemaster. All will be > explained once..." ROUGE: (as Michelle of the Resistance, French accent) Listen very carefully; I shall say thees only wence. FOX: (FLAWLESS Anthony voice) I was asking Tails! Why'd YOU speak up? > Suddenly the three of them heard a high pitched whimper coming from the other > room. A baby fox's cry. Elrond beamed and watched in anticipation as Bookshire > entered the waiting area. CAPT. FALCON: He had to operate a transporter just so Bookshire could come in? > "It's a boy, Mr. Prower," Bookshire exclaimed. "Go on in and see your new son." > Elrond and Tails started to walk in, and then Elrond turned towards Anthony. > "Gamemaster, please come in with us." > Anthony was still uncertain as to why he was needed here, but did as Elrond > said. As he entered he saw the entire Prower family gazing upon the newborn fox, > and there were visible tears of joy on Elrond's, Sarah's, and Tails's faces. (all the softies once again go "Awww...") > "Understandable," Anthony thought, "seeing as how the entire family could be > reunited for this occasion." > Sarah then turned towards Anthony and motioned for him to come closer. > "Gamemaster..." she started. ANTHONY: (as himself) Uh...captain N's over there... *points* > "Sarah, please...it's Anthony among friends," Anthony said. > "Very well then, Anthony. I suppose you are wondering why we asked you to come." > Anthony nodded. "I was rather curious. I would have thought you would want this > to be a private family moment." > "Well, this is the first child born to Mobius since Robotnik's defeat, and I > thought you would want to be present for this. FOX: Ah, the old child-represents-hope cliché... > Especially considering what we are naming our new child..." Sarah explained, > then turned towards Tails. "Miles...say hello to your new brother...Anthony > Prower." > Anthony's eyes widened larger than his glasses, and his jaw nearly dropped to > the ground... NYPEROLD: I'm reminded of those old Ghostbusters toys... WHY? ANTHONY: God...now you reminded ME!!! > ***END FLASHBACK*** (everyone does the Wayne's World "Deedledee" sound and waves their fingers across the screen again) > That was three days ago. Since then, Anthony has had a hard time sleeping as a > nagging doubt began to creep into his mind. ANTHONY: (as himself) AAAAHH!!! IT'S DIGGING IN MY SKULL!!! GETITOUT! GETITOUT! > The child being named after him was somewhat symbolic...after all, he would need > to pass on his knowledge and his powers to his child someday. POPO: (as the king of Swamp Castle from Monty Python and the Holy Grail) Look here lad! Someday all this will be yours! NANA: (as his son) What? The curtains? POPO: (as the king again) No...not the curtains... > But...with the incident of the Dark Gamemaster, he was afraid. Would his child > have a similar dark side within him or her? LINK: Like Anakin and Luke in reverse, then? ANTHONY: Interesting comparison... > Did he dare condemn his offspring to that fate...and possibly condemn Arcadia to > having their next Gamemaster be a killing machine? SONIC: ROBO KNUX! Get outta that fic! > He knew there had to be a way to ensure that the next in line to receive the > Descendancy Powers have at least a chance at being the right one for Arcadia. He > also knew...that he wasn't the only descendant of Sir Eric there had to be out > there... ANTHONY: (singing) Somewhere...out there... SUE: *sniff* That was my favorite movie... > Getting up from his bed and putting on his glasses which he kept on his > nightstand, Anthony walked over to a small desk in his room, turned on the desk > lamp, and took out some paper and a pen. He then began writing... ZELDA: "Heroes of Arcadia". If he ever got back, maybe it'd make a good story. >----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > "...and make sure this gets to its destination as quickly as possible." Anthony > said, handing an envelope to Major Sharpe. ROUGE: Rival to Major G. Flatt. > Sharpe looked at the envelope handed to him and then turned back towards > Anthony. "Of course, Mr. Bault. May I ask what it is about...and why you waited > until midnight to have it sent?" ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) It's Bush's... NYPEROLD: Anth...we got an earful of THAT riff too! ANTHONY: Oh...sorry! > "Well...the explanation will have to wait until I get a response, and then I can > tell you everything," Anthony explained. > "As for the timing...I've been forgetting about this particular responsibility > for a while, and didn't think about it until this evening. By the way...what are > you doing up so late, Major?" TIFF: (as Sharpe) Mandatory overtime. *grumble* > Major Sharpe smiled slightly. "Same as you...I also have a project I've been > holding off on, and have been burning the midnight oil getting it ready. NYPEROLD: (as a Patton-esque patriot) That better not be FOREIGN oil! > Actually...it concerns Arcadia, but like your envelope here, I can't give any > explanations until later when some details are brought to light." PEACH: He wants to wait until Mega Man's creator knows something about it? BOX: (FLAWLESS Dr. Light voice) Better weave it until waiter. I'm too busy with my wobots. ANTHONY: Whoo boy...I am glad the real Dr. Light sounds more like the cartoon version and less like the Fudd-esque MM8 version. > "I understand...well, I'd better head back and get some shut eye. Good night, > Major," Anthony said, then turned back towards the portal room. > As Anthony waked off, Major Sharpe placed Anthony's envelope in a priority mail > pile, and turned his attention back to the file he was reading. As he drummed > his fingers over the part of the file which read "Project Gamemaster 2", he > thought to himself, "You may find out soon enough, Mr. Bault..." EGGMAN: (to Anthony) So, we meet again, MiSTer Bault... >--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 - Discovery AMY: VISA! MasterCard! American Express! SONIC: You would know about credit cards, wouldn't you? AMY: Oh, hush! > The next morning, Anthony walked towards Vista Point to start his regimen. Since > the incident with the Dark Gamemaster, he began a regimen of meditation in order > to help calm his emotions. NYPEROLD: ...and as we found out in the last MiST, it DIDN'T work! (Anthony laughs nervously) > He went to his usual spot near the edge of the cliff, drew his sword from the > scabbard on his back, and stuck the blade point into the ground, keeping the > sword vertical. ANTHONY: (as himself) Now...where's King Arthur? > He then sat in front of the sword and began taking long, quiet breaths, focusing > on the sword in front of him and allowing his consciousness to expand beyond > himself. AMY: What did you focus on to expand your ego beyond yourself, Sonic? SONIC: My awesome run -- HEY! > He felt his conscious open up to everything around him, and he psionically > picked up everything from NESS: Grains of sand to large buildings, thus throwing everyone into confusion. ANTHONY: I used Brainshock Omega? NESS: No...and how did you know about that? ANTHONY: Earthbound is one of my fave RPGs! NESS: ^_^ > the slightest movements of wind to the thoughts of those moving nearby. To > Anthony, it was a euphoric experience, and it helped to calm him as the > sensations overwhelmed his being. FOX: ...and took his being's wallet! > After an hour of this, he stopped his concentrations, stood up, and drew his > sword from the ground and replaced it in its scabbard. He then walked over to a > nearby tree on the Point, and sat against it. NESS: (as Anthony) EEEEEOOOOWWWW! > He was beginning to think the regimen was too relaxing...and that it and the > lack of sleep he was having was beginning to make him sleepy. He decided to give > in to the fatigue and closed his eyes to take a nap. > About half an hour after he fell asleep, a familiar pink hedgehog came walking > up to Vista Point. EGGMAN: (to Anthony) You're a witch? ANTHONY: Wrong kind of familiar. Besides, knowing MY karma, I'd probably end up with a newt as a familar. POPO: (as Sir Bedevere from MP and the Holy Grail) A newt? > Amy was hoping to find Anthony up here, since he had been keeping to himself > since the defeat of the Master, and wanted to see how he was holding up now. She > saw the human in question laying against the tree and stretched out in peaceful > slumber. PEACH: ...and snoring like the Dickens, from what we hear! (Anthony laughs nervously again) > "He looks so peaceful now," Amy thought to herself. "Hard to believe he was in > mental anguish not that long ago. I should let him sleep, but..." Amy walked > over to Anthony's prone body and sat next to it, being careful not to wake him > up. She then bent over him and lightly kissed his forehead. (all the softies, once again, go "Awww...") FOX: *gack* Sugar content...INCREASING! > Anthony's eyes slowly opened and soon met the green eyes of Amy Rose. > "Well...hello to you, too." Anthony said, sitting up and looking at Amy. > "Looks like that meditation you do was a bit too relaxing today," Amy remarked. > "Nah...I've just been having trouble sleeping," Anthony explained. "I guess the > shock from seeing Tails's new brother named after me got to me a bit. Did you > see little Anthony Prower?" > "Yeah! Mom and I visited Tails's family the day after the birth," Amy said, then > giggled a little bit. "I think Tails was the most excited to be a big brother!" TAILS: (to Anthony) Does that version of me have other brothers? It didn't seem like there was other family, and I don't think Elrond is the big brother in this case... ANTHONY: Well, Elrond is his FATHER, so that's why. Anyways...he has his cousin, Sasha, who you'll see later. Also, his family was recently reunited with an older sister that he has. NYPEROLD: Oh? Who? ANTHONY: A four-tailed teen named Kiba. She also happens to be a SIFF, in case you found out what a SIFF was in the last MiST you guys did. BOWSER: Yeah, we kinda got the idea... there was certainly no shortage of examples! TAILS: Wow! My other self has a BIG family! *sad face* I wish I did... SONIC: Aww...you have all of us, bro! TAILS: *cheering up* Yeah! You're right! > "I don't blame him. I think part of that excitement was in the fact that the > entire family could be reunited for that event. Even Sasha was drawn to tears > over the event," Anthony explained. He then walked back over to and sat down at > the edge of the cliff and looked down at the city below, Amy following him and > sitting next to him. "Amazing isn't it? Not that long ago, that city was an > industrial nightmare and a deathtrap combined... ANTHONY: (as himself) Reminded me of Midgar... > now, thanks to all five now six worlds, it's almost completely back to the way > it was before Robotnik." > Anthony's musings were interrupted when he felt Amy hugging him. He then heard > her say, "Thanks to you..." NYPEROLD: But it was a team effort! Or... so I hear... ANTHONY: It was...but there are those who think I was key to that victory. > Anthony smiled warmly at her and placed an arm around her, returning the hug. ANTHONY: A demonstration...somewhat... *places arms around Amy and hugs her* AMY: *giggles* Anthony! > He then thought to himself, "Dang...she can sure turn on the cute sometimes..." SHADOW: (quietly) You can say that again... > Amy then said, "I can turn on the what?" SHADOW: Uh, huh? Wha? > Anthony paused, and then stared at Amy. "Um...Amy? I didn't say anything..." AMY: (winking) And neither did Shadow. > "But," Amy said, "I thought I heard you say something about turning on the > cute?" > Anthony blushed slightly. "Oh...I was thinking that when you hugged me just now. > I guess I accidentally said it telepathically..." > It was at that moment that Link walked up and noticed the two of them. He > thought to himself, "Looks like Anthony's 'daughter' found him first...I'd > better leave them be..." > Amy then turned towards Link and said, "It's alright, Link, you can join us." BOX: AHAHAHAHAHAHA! See, it's funny... because a link... joins two things, see, and, um... LINK: *groans* > Anthony turned around quickly and noticed Link, not realizing he was there, even > though Amy apparently did. "Amy...how...?" > "I heard him say something about leaving us be. He even jokingly called me your > 'daughter'," Amy explained, then looked concerned. "Didn't he?" > "I didn't hear anything!" Anthony said, then turned towards Link. "Link, were > you thinking that?!?" > Link nodded, eyes widened by what Amy said. > Anthony then turned toward Amy, who was now wide-eyed and looking scared. > "Wha...what's happening to me?" Amy asked. AMY: I think we covered that LAST MiST, hedgehog, so DON'T SAY IT. SONIC: Huh? Wha? I wasn't thinking of anything, honest! ANTHONY: Dare I ask? NYPEROLD: To quote you, "I'll explain later". > "I'm not sure...but there's one way to find out!" Anthony said, then grabbing > Amy and jumping off the cliff. "DEVICE ONE, ACTIVATE!!!" A hover platform > appeared under Anthony and slowed he and Amy down as they descended. Anthony > then changed the hover platform to his jet sled and rocketed off towards > Bookshire's clinic, carrying a frightened Amy. AMY: (as herself in the fic) YOWSERS, Anthony, don't SCARE me like that! >----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > "There...that should do it..." > Bookshire was busy patching up Rotor's arm, which had been lightly burned by an > electrical discharge. PIKACHU: I'm claiming innocence! > With Robotnik no longer a threat, Rotor found more time to devote to tinkering. > Unfortunately...it also created more opportunities for mishaps... ANTHONY: Oh brother...was Mihoshi there TOO?!? > "Now," Bookshire continued, "perhaps you'll be more careful while you tinker > around in that shop of yours." ALL: ... NAAAAAAAH... > "Yeah...that, and I make sure I'm grounded better..." Rotor said sheepishly. SAMUS: (as Rotor's mom) Rotor, you're grounded! No tinkering for a month! POPO: (as Rotor) Aw, ma... > Just as Rotor was getting up, Anthony burst into the office and looked at > Bookshire with a sense of emergency. "Bookshire...do you know where Sasha is? I > have an emergency!" > Bookshire turned around and saw Anthony and a very frightened Amy hanging onto > his hand. "She's busy giving Sarah Prower a post-pregnancy checkup. Is something > wrong with Amy? Can I help?" > "Afraid not...I need to check something with Sasha and make a comparison with > Amy. Amy's developed something... interesting." AMY: Sheesh... Make the opportunity to say something *more* blatant, why don't you... ANTHONY: Sorry! > "I see..." Bookshire said, then motioned towards another office. "She's in > there." > Anthony nodded in thanks and quickly walked towards the office with Amy in tow. >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Sasha was finishing up with Sarah to make sure no complications occurred during > the pregnancy. Elrond was over to the side holding his new infant son in his > arms. LINK: (as Elrond) And when you get older, Anudril will be yours... ANTHONY: The HELL?!? No...not THAT Elrond! > "Looks like everything's okay, Aunt Sarah," Sasha said, finishing her spells. JIGGLYPUFF: She's a WITCH! EGGMAN: (cheesy Pythonesque Brit accent) Burn her! Build a bridge out of her! > She then turned towards Elrond. "And the Gamemaster's namesake seems to be doing > well as well." > Elrond looked down as Anthony Prower began to nuzzle closer into his father's > arms. SUE: Aww...I wanna see the baby! NYPEROLD: Maybe once Washu gets the portal up and running, sis. > "He is indeed," Elrond said. "I'm even grateful our other son, Miles, was > returned to us to see this event." > "Only appropriate you should name your new son after the man who reunited you," > Sasha remarked. It was at that time that she heard a knock on the door, ANTHONY: (singing) Go away...don't come 'round here no more. > and the human in question walked in with Amy. "Speak of the devil," Sasha > thought to herself as he came in. KNUCKLES: (as the Devil) Oh, leave me out of this... ROUGE: Note that it's the guy in RED doing that. MARIO: Maybe I should have a done it... > "Sasha, I need your help," Anthony remarked. "Amy's developed a rather odd > ability, probably as a result of the mind link, LINK: Yes? ZELDA: Not you, Link! > and I need your help to confirm something." > "We'd better leave then," Sarah said. "Are we finished?" PEACH: (as Sasha) Oh yeah... I give you a day or two... > "Yes, Bookshire can take care of the records," Sasha said. As the three foxes > left, Sasha turned back towards Anthony. > "Now...what can I do to help you, Gamemaster?" > "First...call me Anthony, I don't like being called by my title by my friends," > Anthony started. BOX: (as Anthony) Two words...Marissa Picard. > "Second, I would like to use my powers to scan your mind so I can make a > comparison with Amy." > "Do you think she's developed one of my abilities?" Sasha asked, looking towards > the currently worried hedgehog. > "Yes...but I want to make sure before I can act on this discovery." > "Of course...what do you need me to do?" NESS: (as Anthony) Pat your head and rub your tummy. > "Just hold still...my powers will do the rest..." > Sasha nodded and then sat down so Anthony could do what was necessary. Anthony > then place his hands on both sides of Sasha's head and began to concentrate. ANTHONY: (as Spock) My mind to your mind...my thoughts to your thoughts. > After a while, Anthony stopped concentrating and moved his hands away from > Sasha. He then turned towards Amy. ZELDA: (as Sasha) Woo, now I know what "Bones" McCoy felt like... > "Okay, Amy...now just relax and hold still," Anthony said, and then placed his > hands on Amy's head in the same manner and began to concentrate again. It was at > this point that Amy's mother, Mary, walked in. > "Sasha, what's going on?" Mary asked. "I heard my daughter was in here." > "I'm not sure, Mary..." Sasha remarked, "but Anthony thinks Amy might have > developed something as a result of the mind link they shared." > As soon as Sasha finished speaking, Anthony stopped concentrating and then > nodded in approval. "Just as I thought..." he said to himself, and then turned > towards Sasha and saw Mary there as well. "Ah, Mary, good. This saves me the > trouble of finding you." KNUCKLES: He saved me the trouble of looking for him! Now I'll get him good! > "Anthony...what is wrong with my daughter?" Mary asked. FOX: She's caught... Anthonitis! > "Nothing is wrong, Mary, though you might be shocked at what I'm going to tell > you..." Anthony said, pausing a bit before continuing. "Mary...your daughter has > become a telepath." > Mary and Sasha gasped at this and became wide-eyed. Amy, after hearing what > Anthony had said, immediately fainted. ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic, looking around) ALRIGHT! Who let one? > Chapter 2 - Lesson Plan ANTHONY: (pretending to read a document) Can't even READ half of this. Was the teacher writing in sanskrit? > A few moments later, the entire Heroes Council had gathered in the main meeting > hall of the palace in Mobotropolis. By this time, the news of Amy becoming a > telepath had spread throughout the entire city, even before Anthony asked for > the Council to convene. ROGUE: Those must be some AMAZING gossips in Arcadia! > Most of the heroes were wondering, not only why they were gathering, but also > what caused Amy to gain JIGGLYPUFF: Access to all the Jell-o she wanted, in any flavor she wanted, at any time she wanted... NYPEROLD: Um... where did that come from? JIGGLYPUFF: I dunno, why? NYPEROLD: Because it sounds like Cid's assigned joke from CC's MST of Final Fantasy 6! ANTHONY: It is...he was also assigned the task of falling asleep whenever FF6's Cid showed up. > telepathic ability. Even the newest members of the council, which included > Tenchi Masaki, Vegeta, Serena AKA Sailor Moon, Tai and his digimon Agumon, and > Spider-Man from Ani-Earth, were curious. DK: And the man with the yellow hat was nowhere around. > Eventually, Anthony arrived at the meeting and addressed all present. > "Good...you all came. Alright, I suppose you all wonder why I asked you all > here." MARIO: (as himself in the fic) First a thing's first. Where's a the donuts? > "First a thing's first, Anthony," Mario said. MARIO: GYAH!!! AMY: Yikes! Quote AND character matched! > "What the heck happened to Amy? What did a you do to her?" > "...and will I need to kill you for turning her into another you, > Accountantmaster?" Vegeta added. NYPEROLD: (to Anthony) Accountantmaster? ANTHONY: Veggie's pet term for me...since half of Arcadia thought I looked like an accountant. NYPEROLD: Yeah, I thought it was something like that; I just wanted to be sure. > "Stifle it, Vegeta," Anthony said, and then asked, "You're thinking the mind > link we shared gave her some of my ability? In a way you are right. However...I > didn't give her any of my powers, she had them to begin with." CAPT. FALCON: The power is YOURS! SHADOW: Ironic...one captain talking like another. > Confused looks appeared on all present, and Anthony continued. "I'll > explain...Amy most likely had latent ability that surfaced as a result of the > mind link, my powers acting like a catalyst. Why it took months to manifest, > I'll never know..." BOX: (as Anthony) I mean...the cooking time said one to two hours... > The group nodded in understanding and then Zelda spoke up. "What makes you think > Amy had ability to begin with?" LINK: (as Anthony) Well...there was that time she served as a Tarot card reader at the last carnival. ANTHONY: Link? You're gonna regret saying that... > "Well...you all know how the latent psi talent of my world allowed various game, > comic book, and cartoon creators to glean details about Mobius, right?" The > group nodded in agreement. SUE: Too bad they couldn't all agree on a continuity. KNUCKLES: I know! I was even KILLED in the Archie comic! TIFF: You came back! KNUCKLES: I know...BUT STILL... > "Well...two elements seem to point to it. First, the strategy guide for the game > Sonic Adventure shows one of Amy's abilities as using fortune telling cards, LINK: ACK!! ANTHONY: Told ya! > something I confirmed with her mother, and that's an ABILITY mind you, not a > hobby. NYPEROLD: I wonder if there'll be a DX version of the strat guide available where I can get to it... ANTHONY: It's out...not as detailed with the chara descriptions, though. NYPEROLD: Probably to fit in the info about Mission Mode. > Second...a fan comic called Other-M..." MARIO: Yes? PEACH: Not you, Mario! > "Hey, I've read that!" Sonic piped up. > "Well, Sonic, have you read the latest issues where Amy is shown to have > developed very powerful psionic ability?" Gasps permeated the group, and Anthony > continued. "I think that covers why I think Amy had latent ability." > "So...why did you a call us together?" Luigi said. > "Because this event makes something that's coming up to be even more > interesting, something I need all your help with." All eyes focused on Anthony > as he continued. "Last night I sent a priority letter...to the Larson Clan..." FOX: Should've sent it FedEX... > Everyone was listening intently as Anthony continued, their interest peaked by > the mention of the Larson Clan. "As I told several of you before, I was planning > on training others in the use of psionics. I figured the best place to start > would be those of Sir Eric's bloodline, since they would be the easiest to teach > and they in turn could teach others. The letter I sent was a request to find > suitable candidates that I could train. I also mentioned the fact that whoever > was chosen might also be asked to act as Gamemasters if the need arises." MARIO: Unfortunately, Nintendo's-a latest-a systems didn't-a come with-a projectile weapon simulators, so they'll have-a to do with-a Super Scopes. ANTHONY: *groan* > "So they could take your place in case you were out of action," Peach piped up. > "Like after the incident with the Dark Gamemaster." > "Probably a good idea," Tenchi said. "Sasami is STILL having nightmares about > that...especially after Crazy Hand made another one." SAMUS: Another... Dark Gamemaster? Another hand? ANTHONY: Another Dark Gamemaster. Though we DID also have to deal with Master Hand as well. MARIO: Mama mia... ANTHONY: ...and if you think THAT'S bad, we had to deal with what Master and Crazy Hand really were. ZELDA: (nervous) Which was...? ANTHONY: Part of a greater being known as the Master...who happened to be a GOD!!! OTHERS: O_O > "Yeah...and I can't say how sorry I am," Anthony said. "Naturally, I can't be > two places at once, so I figured another 'me' was needed." ANTHONY: (singing as Megadeath) Hello me...it's me again... > Everyone nodded in understanding and then Zelda spoke up. "So...where do we come > in? What do you need our help with?" > "Simple..." Anthony continued. "As part of their training, I also intend on > showing them the other worlds of Arcadia as well. Naturally, who better to greet > them to the worlds than the people in this room, and at the same time you can > help me train them as well." SONIC: (as himself in the fic) Okay...but we charge heavily for tutoring services! > "How do we do that, Anthony?" Tails asked. > "First...Peach," Anthony said, addressing the princess, "can help unlock their > psionic ability... PEACH: (as herself in the fic) I'm a member of GameFAQs, so I know all about unlocking things! > and I believe there is a target range at the Mushroom Kingdom Palace they can > use for target practice with the kinetic powers as well?" BOWSER: I've seen it...it's a bunch of goofy cutout pictures of me. *grumble* > "Of course," Peach said, nodding. > "Second, I'll bring them to Ani-Earth to give them some fighting training. I > think the Z fighters and the Sailor Scouts are needed for this...specifically > Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mars, Gohan, and Trunks." > "Not me?" Vegeta asked. "And why NOT?!?" TAILS: (as Anthony) Because we want Amy to still EXIST at the end of the training! > "Probably, because he wants his students still ALIVE, Vegeta," Spider-Man said. TAILS: GAH! > "Exactly. Third, Link and Zelda can teach them in the fine art of sword > fighting, ZELDA: Wait...when did I know about fighting with a sword? ANTHONY: Well...my version wields a weapon called a Bladebow, which can function either as a bow or two cutlass-like swords. ROUGE: Cool! ANTHONY: Also...I remember an old Zelda game for the now defunct CD-I where you fought... BOX: O_O Holy...now I'm REALLY glad I don't have an Obscure-O-Meter... > since they will have to learn how to use the Sword of the Gamemaster. You guys > willing to help with that?" > "Of course!" Link said. "I could use a good sparring partner!" > "Just go easy on them, Link. KNUCKLES: (as Anthony) Your LAST sparring partner ended up sans a limb! POPO: (as the Black Knight) 'Tis but a scratch. NANA: (as King Arthur) A scratch?!? Your arm's off! POPO: (as the Black Knight) No, it isn't! > Fourth, Doctor Light can build copies of the armor he gave me," Anthony said, > patting the armor he was wearing, (Box makes a purring sound) SUE: (cooing) That's a good armor...that's a nice armor. ANTHONY: That came from WAY out of left field... > "for their use as well. Would he be able to do that, Mega?" > "I think so..." Megaman said, "but he'll need their body sizes to get a good > fit. I'm sure he can get that fit when they arrive on Neo-Earth." > "Exactly..." Anthony said. "Finally, once all their training is complete, I'll > bring them to Mobius to show them the rebuild effort as well as complete their > training. Tails, this is where you come in." TAILS: (as himself in the fic) But I'm already here! > "What do you need?" Tails asked. > "I'll need a pilot for the Tornado...to take us to the Little Planet." > Confused looks appeared on all present. "Why the Little Planet?" Knuckles asked. SONIC: Because she really needs flashbacks to her kidnapping by Metal Sonic. (Amy shudders a bit...remembering that) ANTHONY: (patting Amy's head quills to calm her down) Hey, easy there...no need to get scared of that again. > "I was tested there to test my worthiness to be a Gamemaster. Once I feel they > have learned enough, I want to see if the guardian of the Time Stones is willing > to give a similar test to them. Essentially...this will be their final lesson > because it will test their mastery of the Descendancy Powers." > "I'm guessing you'll want the rest of the descendants along?" Protoman asked. > "Yes...in fact, Tails, either your father or Sasha should come as well to help > open the door to the chamber where I got the powers. I'll also need Rush and > Treble again to transport the extra bodies." KNUCKLES: But I thought you wanted them alive? > "That shouldn't be a problem, Anthony," Tails exclaimed. > "Now, wait a minute..." Bass piped up. "You said Amy's condition made the > situation more interesting. Where does she fit in all this?" ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic, fourth wall cracking) Right between the Deus Ex device and the large plothole. Why? > "Simple..." Anthony said. "You see...I intend to teach her as well in the use of > telepathic psionics, if she's willing of course. In fact...I wish to make her my > apprentice." (Sue starts humming the mop theme to "The Sorcerer's Apprentice") > "Your apprentice?!?" Zelda exclaimed, confused. "But...I thought one of the > descendants of Sir Eric would be..." > Anthony raised a hand and continued. "When the descendants have their powers > unlocked, they'll have full control over their powers like I did. SAMUS: (as Peach) Then what about that incident when you had the hiccups and... FOX: (as Anthony) Oh...uh... > All I'll need to do is show them how to properly use them. Amy is > different...she'll actually need to be taught how to control the powers, so I'll > have to devote a little more time with her. It might actually be a good learning > experience for the both of us...she'll control her powers, and I get some > practice teaching the art of psionics." > The group nodded in understanding and then Sonic said, "OK, Anth! We'll be ready > to help you out. Just one thing..." > "What's that?" NYPEROLD: (as Sonic) Until she can control it, will I need to be careful about my thoughts? ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) Yes, VERY...and knowing how hentai you are, I don't need her scarred for life, thank you. > "Why are you REALLY doing this?" Sonic asked. > The question took Anthony by surprise and he looked at Sonic with a look of > confusion. "I...I don't understand..." > "Anthony..." Peach spoke up. "We may not have your psionic ability, but we can > see that something is up just by looking at your face. You seem to have a look > of urgency with this situation..." ZELDA: Let's put it this way... would *you* want a psionic who can't control her abilities roaming about? > "Yeah, I have to agree," Tai spoke up. "I've seen that look on Matt's face many > times." CAPT. FALCON: (as Spider-Man) Tai...that IS Matt you're talking about. TAILS: (as Tai) Oh...right... > Anthony sighed and slumped into his chair. "Alright...there is another reason, > but it cannot leave this room, okay?" > Everyone nodded and then Anthony continued. "Ever since Tails's new baby brother > was born, and was named after me, I realized that I would probably be > responsible for creating a second generation to pass the Descendancy Powers > onto. However...with the incident with the Dark Gamemaster, ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) ...I ended up sterile and... NYPEROLD: Hey hey HEY! We've got kids here! ANTHONY: Oops...right...sorry! > I realized the possibility that my offspring might not be suitable for that > task..." > "Why not?" Luigi piped up. "You a destroyed the Dark Gamemaster..." SAMUS: "He got him good," Samus beamed. POPO: "Apparently not," Popo said icily. RIFT-ANTHONY: (from the other side of the fourth wall) I WASN'T going for a pun there! > "It's nothing to do with Dark Gamemaster itself, Weege..." Anthony explained, > "it's the fact that my offspring might not have what it takes, or may not even > WANT, to be the next Gamemaster. Hopefully, by teaching these students, I'll > increase the chances that the next descendant of Sir Eric will be the right > one..." KNUCKLES: (as himself in the script) What about the left one? MARIO: (as himself in the fic) He doesn't a count. > All present began to understand, and then Zelda spoke up. "We understand, > Anthony. I'm kind of in the same boat, being one of the last descendants of > Zorin, so I can understand the pressure you are in." > "Gee...I didn't realize..." > "It's alright...you had no way of knowing..." Zelda continued. > Anthony stood up after Zelda finished and then said, "Well, that's about it. > I'll tell you when I'm ready to bring the students to Arcadia. I'll see you all > later." > As the group dispersed, all of them looked with worried eyes towards Anthony. > Four individuals in particular, Tails, Peach, Zelda, and Protoman, were even > more worried... TAILS: (as himself in the fic) I hope the Tornado doesn't go down like it did in Sonic Adventure... PEACH: (as herself in the fic) I hope GameFAQ's server doesn't go down... what if I can't remember how to unlock the powers? PIKACHU: (as himself in the fic...huh?!?) Where's Mario? I wanna freak him out! > Chapter 3 - The First Lesson > After the meeting, Anthony went to see how Amy was faring. She was released from > Bookshire's and Sasha's care not too long ago, but Sasha accompanied her and her > mother back to their home to make sure. ANTHONY: Uh...technically, that's NOT being released from their care... > Anthony went up to the Rose residence, and upon being let in found Mary talking > with Elrond and Sarah, and Mary was holding the young namesake of the > Gamemaster. ROUGE: (as Mary Rose) So...why did you name him "Accountant", Elrond? (Anthony glares at Rouge) > "Anthony," Mary said, handing the young kit back to his mother, "thank goodness > you've come. I need to talk to you..." > "About Amy?" Anthony asked. "I had come to see how she was doing." > "Well, she's fine...physically," Mary explained, ZELDA: (as Mary) ...but then it IS that time of the mo... NYPEROLD: *cough* Zel... ZELDA: Oh...right...sorry. > "but, she's afraid of what she has become. Those newfound powers of hers are > frightening to her. Sasha's talking to her now to try to show Amy how to > suppress them...seeing as how Sasha is a telepath herself." TIFF: Wow, thanks, Mary! I never would've guessed it! > "Well, that's the other reason I'm here, Mary," Anthony said, and then went into > his proposal. SONIC: (as Anthony) As you know, I would've adopted Amy myself had I not found you. So, well... (gets down on one knee) ANTHONY: (laughs) You're the SECOND person to make a riff like that! SONIC: Who was the first? ANTHONY: Ashura's group...when we were MiSTing "Heroes of Arcadia - A Hero's Virtue", my other self's second fic. > "Mary...I myself was frightened of the powers when I first received them, but > got used to them with a bit of practice. LINK: (as Anthony) I still wonder why I have this power to control cheese, though... AMY: (as Mary) Don't tell me you took that joke weapon and modified it into a psionic power? BOX: I think that would be called "Tyrokinesis"... > I'd like to offer the same chance to Amy." > "How?" Mary asked. > Anthony smiled and then continued. "I'd like to take Amy under my wing as my > apprentice and train her in the ways of telepathic psionics. With instruction, > she should be able to control her powers completely and not be afraid of them. ANTHONY: (as himself) ...and get a job as one of those cheesy television psychics. AMY: (as Ms. Cleo) I have de answers! > Of course...I won't train her if either you or her is unwilling..." > Mary was surprised by Anthony's offer. "Oh no...I'm willing, if Amy is, > but...your apprentice? I would've thought that another descendant of Sir Eric > would be a more suitable apprentice." ALL: RECAP TIIIIIME! > "Well, once their psionics are unlocked, any descendant will have full control > over the powers like I did, they would only need to be shown how to use them > properly," Anthony explained. FOX: (as a student) Are you SURE I can't use Pyrokinesis to roast weenies? CAPT. FALCON: (as another student) How come when I try to read President Bush's mind, I can't read anything? > "But with Amy I'll actually have to devote more time to teaching her how to > control the powers. This would actually be a good learning experience for both > of us... BOX: (as Anthony) ...and there might even be a learning curve! ANTHONY: *cough* WAY too early for a title mention... > Amy will learn to control her powers and I get my first teaching experiences > before my excursion to Earth...since I've already started to make plans to teach > other descendants of Sir Eric in the ways of psionics." > All present were surprised by this. "Sounds exciting!" Sarah said. > "Yes," Anthony said, then turned back to Mary. "Anyway, Mary, when do you think > I'll be able to ask Amy?" PEACH: (as Mary) As soon as your check clears. > Mary looked up towards the staircase. "I'm not sure...we'd better wait for Sasha > to come back down." > Anthony nodded in understanding and sat down in a chair that Mary offered him. > He then noticed something odd. Anthony Prower, currently in Sarah's arms, > reached out towards the human as if he wanted to be held by him. AMY: That's odd? Oh well... ANTHONY: Well...you'll see why in a moment. (now talking kiddingly) Besides...I'm a scary lookin' guy. AMY: (grabs Anthony in a hug, much to Anth's surprise) You are NOT! You're just a sweetheart! (another round of Awwws and gags ensue) ANTHONY: Ah, geez... > Elrond giggled a bit at this. "Looks like he wants to meet the man he's named > after." > Sarah stood up and handed the young kit to Anthony, and the kit immediately > nuzzled him. KNUCKLES: ...looking to nurse. YOSHI: (as Anthony) PAIN!!! > Anthony was amazed at how small the child was, even though he knew adult Mobians > got no taller than 4 feet. He was wondering one thing though... EGGMAN: (singing) Who? Who wrote the book of lo-ove? MARIO: Where am I, and a what am I a doing in this a handbasket? NYPEROLD: Who is on first? ANTHONY: (FLAWLESS Costello voice) What are you asking ME for?!? > "He's definitely a cute one..." Anthony commented. "Strange though...I would > have thought my strange appearance..." > Elrond smiled and explained. "It's simple, Anthony. Legend says that the > original Companions shared a bond similar to that of family. Since young > Anthony, as well as Miles and myself, are descendants of Magi Reynard, that same > bond exists with the other descendants, such as yourself." TAILS: (to Anthony) So...in THAT reality, my other self would be like a brother to you? PEACH: (also to Anthony) And I would be like a sister? ZELDA: (ALSO to Anthony) And I would be...? ANTHONY: Yeah...and could you imagine THAT family reunion? > "Really..." Anthony commented, then smiled as the younger Anthony nuzzled him > more. "This explains much...Princesses Toadstool's and Zelda's concern for my > welfare, Protoman's reaction after hearing about me becoming the Dark > Gamemaster... Tails's reaction upon seeing me after thinking I had died at > Packbell's fortress..." ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) ...Daisy putting me on her Christmas card list...Elrond inviting me to go golfing in Neo-Earth...King Harkanian trying to make me an heir to the throne... ZELDA: HUH?!? ANTHONY: *snicker* I was KIDDING! > The rest of the group nodded in understanding, and after a short while, Sasha > came back down, a look of concern on her face. Anthony handed his younger self > to Sarah as she walked down towards the group. SAMUS: I thought you couldn't touch your younger or older self without some sort of bad thing happening? ANTHONY: Nonono...that was referring to Anthony Prower. SAMUS: Oh. > "Amy is fine now," Sasha explained. "She's still a little scared about what > happened to her." > "She doesn't blame me, does she?" Anthony asked. SHADOW: (pretends to look at something) Wait...why is Cochran there? > "No, she's sure it was just a fluke. Though...she wishes she knew how to shut > off the powers so she wouldn't have to concentrate on that technique I just > showed her..." Sasha then looked towards Anthony. "Is that why you're here, > Anthony?" > "Yes...I'm hoping to be able to train Amy so she can learn to use her powers. > Does she seem willing to talk, Sasha?" TIFF: (as Goldfinger) No, Mr. Bond...she seems willing to DIE! > "Right now she looks more like she needs a shoulder to cry on," Sasha explained. SONIC: (as Opus from Bloom County) I'M SHORT ON THAT COUNT! > "But, I'm sure she is willing to talk to you, Anthony. You ARE the man who is > her mentor and who almost became her father." (yet another round of AWWWs and gags ensue...Amy hugs Anthony a little tighter...and Mills Lane says, "Let's get it on!") ANTHONY: (looking down at Amy) I sense a trend here... > Anthony nodded in understanding and walked up to Amy's room. Amy was currently > on her bed, eyes closed and looking like she was asleep, but Anthony knew she > was concentrating to keep her powers in check. AMY: Now... if I move my queen here to threaten the king, the pawn'll take it, but if I move the knight to check, it'll be safe; however, the king can easily escape... ROUGE: (as Mary Rose) Would you PLEASE tell my daughter to stop playing Virtual Kasperov? > Anthony looked towards a small shelf near her bed and noticed the Descendancy > medallion he had given her. ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic, fourth wall crumbling further) AH! There's that plot device... > He picked it up and concentrated on putting an active Emote Barrier power in it, > and then handed it to Amy, breaking her concentration. SUE: (overly cutesy voice) Into LITTLE TINY PIECES! > "Here...this should keep the voices and thoughts out without that power Sasha > taught you..." Anthony explained as he handed the medallion to Amy. BOX: (as Anthony) As a downside, you won't be able to use /me, /act, or any other action command in chats and MUDs. NYPEROLD: I won't be surprised if it gets dropped or left somewhere. ANTHONY: (looking at his own Medallion) Impossible...since mine has ATTACHED itself to my armor... > Amy took the medallion and put it around her neck using the chain she had > attached to it. "Thank you, Anthony. But...what are you doing here?" > "I came to offer a more permanent solution to controlling your powers other than > Sasha's technique or that Emote Barrier power I put in your medallion just now," > Anthony explained. > Amy looked down and said, "I wish you could take them away..." > Anthony sat down next to her after she had said that. "Afraid, huh?" Amy nodded > and then Anthony continued. "I don't blame you...I was scared of my powers too, ANTHONY: Oh yerf...this chapter is recap central! > even though I was excited to get them. But I became used to them after a while > with practice. I want to help you the same way." AMY: (finally letting go of the hug, as herself in the fic) This won't result in a Dark Amy, now, will it? ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) No...unless you WANT to have a Goth look like Bunnie did in TToaMM's "My Own Rapture". OTHERS: HUH?!? ANTHONY: Uh...just read that fic. You'll see. > "How?" Amy asked. > Anthony smiled warmly at Amy and explained. "I'd like to teach you how to > control those powers you have, even take you under my wing as my apprentice." SUE: (as Amy) When did you become a bird? BOX: (as Someone) I AM OFFENDED! ANTHONY: Speaking of which...check this out. (Anthony whips out his GBA SP and turns it on, revealing a game of Pokemon Sapphire...he then goes to a PC and reveals one of his Pokemon storage bins, which has a Swellow at the top and the "I" "A" "M" "O" "F" "F" "E" "N" "D" "E" "D" "!" and "!" variety Unown in it) ANTHONY: Ladies and gentlemen...I give you "Someone's PC"! (the group roars in laughter...ESPECIALLY Pikachu and Jigglypuff) (Co-Author's note: I wish I could show this...but my scanner can't scan a GBA image.) > Amy was surprised at this request. "Your...apprentice?" POPO: (as Anthony) Well, "padawan", actually... > "Yes," Anthony replied. "I can't take the powers away from you, but I can teach > you to control them and perhaps even use them. Besides...I can't think of anyone > else more deserving to be my apprentice...than one who almost became my > daughter." NYPEROLD: (to Anthony) Yeesh, I see what you mean in that last MiST about it being in just about every fic... ANTHONY: I KNOW! It's like the guy thinks I'm the second coming or something. Why does he have to show that part?!? > Amy wasn't sure what to say, but could tell Anthony was serious. All she could > do was look at Anthony, who was looking at her waiting for an answer... SONIC: (as Anthony) I'm WAAAAAAIIIIITIIIING! >--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > "Do you suppose Amy will accept?" Mary asked as the group talked while waiting > for Anthony to return. "I mean...I know how Amy feels about Anthony, but, I've > never seen her so scared..." ANTHONY: Uh, hello? Author self? That incident where Amy nearly DIED in a deathtrap?!? AMY: Huh? ANTHONY: Don't...ask... > "I'm sure everything will work out, Mary," Sasha said, trying to calm Mary's > fears. "The worse that can happen is that Amy will turn Anthony down, but I've > taught Amy a technique that should keep the powers contained. So, either way..." > The conversation was interrupted when the group heard footfalls on the > staircase. They turned towards the stairs and saw something that made them stare > in awe... POPO: Amy and Anthony had taken steps to come down! > Anthony was walking down and Amy was in his arms, eyes closed, a small smile on > her face, and hugging the human tightly. ALL: Deja vu! > "Well," Anthony said to the group, "she accepted. Now...does anyone here know > how to cure glompitis? I think Amy here has it since she refuses to let go..." SAMUS: Giving her "the needles"? MARIO: The a-needles? SAMUS: Gentle pokes to the ribs. Of course, you'll want her not to be where she can hurt herself when she lets go... > The rest of the group could only giggle at Anthony's statement... >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > A short while later, Anthony took Amy up to Vista Point, figuring it should > provide a small measure of privacy to conduct ZELDA: A full orchestra. ANTHONY: I'm reminded of "Link's Awakening"...WHY?!? > his lessons. He then asked Amy to sit down, and two sat down facing each other. > "OK, Amy," Anthony said, already getting into instructor mode, "let's get > started on your first lesson. The first thing I am going to teach you is to > focus your powers. This will allow you to filter out all the background > noise..." TAILS: (as himself in the fic) I can help with the equipment! FOX: (as Anthony) Not THAT, Tails! > "Background noise?" Amy asked. > "Yep...you know how you see all the construction going on in Mobotropolis?" > Anthony asked, pointing to the rebuilding effort. After Amy nodded, Anthony > continued. "All that noise created...at first you probably heard every last > hammer, sawing, etc...but then never noticed it?" Amy nodded again. NANA: (as Amy) I closed my bedroom window. That helped a LOT! > "The same works with psionics. You must learn to tune out all the background > noise...or in this case every stray thought that you may sense as you pass by > people. No doubt that's how you picked up mine and Link's thoughts earlier." NYPEROLD: I'm thinking of that Tenchi Muyo fic on FF.net called "What Women Want" for some reason... ANTHONY: I'm thinking of the MOVIE with the same name for some reason... > "So...I have to train my mind to ignore all the thoughts?" Amy asked. > "Yep. It's actually simpler than you think..." Anthony said, SHADOW: (as Anthony) Just think of all those times you ignored Sonic when he was high on himself and bragging... SONIC: HEY!!! > then removed the Emote Barrier power from Amy's Descendancy medallion. Amy > immediately began picking up all the stray thoughts from people who were passing > close to the Point and covered her ears in an attempt to block them out. AMY: (as herself in the fic) Oh Goddess...one guy has a Yanni song stuck in his head! MAKE IT STOP!!! > "Amy...calm down, and listen to me..." Anthony said, trying to regain her > attention. "Just focus on trying to close your mind...as if you are trying to > cover your ears mentally..." > Amy did so, and began concentrating. She eventually managed to block out the > stray thoughts. "Hey...that was easy..." she said, but unfortunately breaking > her concentration in the process, causing the thoughts to flood back. > "Don't worry about it...and don't concentrate so hard. You should be able to use > this ability subconsciously, and can even talk to me while maintaining it. Just > concentrate on something other than the noise." TIFF: (as Amy) Oh...Tails... CAPT. FALCON: (as Anthony) Something ELSE! (Tails and Amy blush) TAILS: We aren't "with" each other! NYPEROLD: No, but those versions are! > Amy tried again, this time letting her mind quiet out the stray thoughts as she > focus on talking to Anthony. "Do you really think it will work? Hey...I don't > hear them..." > Anthony used a Telepathy power to sense what Amy was sensing, and sensed that > she had indeed blocked out the stray thoughts. "Excellent work, Amy! I wasn't > expecting you to figure it out THAT quickly!" > "Me neither..." Amy commented. "So what's next?" > "So NOW you're curious about the powers?" AMY: Hey, if you have them and can't get rid of them, you might as well use them, right? > "Hey...like you said, I can learn to control them. Besides...if I'm going to be > your apprentice..." AMY: (singing, as... KING LOUIE?!?) I wanna be like you-oo-oo, I wanna be like you-oo-oo, I wanna walk like you, talk like you, too-oo-oo, you see it's true-oo-oo, that someone like me-ee-ee, can learn to be like someone like you-oo-oo! > Anthony smiled at this. This was going to be easier than he first thought... >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > For the rest of the day, Anthony had taught Amy a number of basic telepathic > techniques. After her initial success, he taught her how to open and close her > senses at will so she could sense if something's amiss, like a burglar in the > alley. KNUCKLES: NACK! Get out of the fic! > He then taught her how to speak telepathically, as well as pick up people's > thoughts. Of course...he also had to teach her about resisting the temptations > to become a psi voyeur with these powers. TIFF: Lwaxana could've benefited from such lessons, from what I hear... LINK: (as Picard) Lwaxana could've also benefited from a lessened libido and/or a clean shot from a phaser set to stun... > Near the end of the day, Anthony decided to treat Amy to dinner to celebrate her > success in mastering her powers. They went to a restaurant in the city of Rauru, > the city that was located outside of Hyrule Palace, and as they ate, they > engaged in telepathic conversation. NANA: (as Amy) What's with that guy who thinks his name is Error? POPO: (as Anthony) I don't know, but what's weirder is that this girl invited me into her house and healed me for no reason. SUE: (as Amy) How about that one guy who turned into a Keese when you talked to him? ANTHONY: (as himself) Well...I was weirded out by the old man who struck me with his staff. What the HECK am I going to do with a Shield spell when I can't use magic? > *Why did you choose this place?* Amy asked as she took a large mouthful of > Hyrule's finest cuisine. *I've seen the prices, even though they're in rupees, > and this place is expensive!* > *I know...* Anthony said telepathically. *But with your mastery of your powers > so far, it called for a celebration and I felt like splurging. Besides...I'm > making quite a bit of money due to my position as Gamemaster. Though my paycheck > is way weird...* > *What's so weird about it?* NESS: (as Anthony) I'm paid in Golds! You have no idea how inconvenient it is to have to do your shopping in Faxanadu... ANTHONY: You...are...SO close... > *Well...it comes every month in a chest. Inside this chest are three sacks > filled with rupees, gold coins, and mobiums, a stack of credit cards with an > amount of Zenny on each one, and a check from the United States government. For > some reason... it makes me feel like I should be saying "Ar matey" or > something...* ANTHONY: Which...would probably get me killed by Ryoko. > Amy nearly laughed out loud at that last statement. *So where do you keep your > money? Buried in the ground near Vista Point with a map showing you where it > is?* ANTHONY: That would have DEFINITELY got me killed by Ryoko! > *No...five different bank accounts on the five different worlds, not including > Ani-Earth. I thought my bank statements and taxes were complicated before, but > whoo boy...* BOWSER: (as Anthony) And you don't dare stiff these universes' versions of the IRS... CAPT. FALCON: (as Anthony) ESPECIALLY since Hyrule still uses the Rack! LINK and ZELDA: We do NOT! > After they had finished their meal and paid the bill, Anthony and Amy headed > back to Mobius. It was still early in the evening, so they went up to Vista > Point to observe the sunset. MARIO: (as Captain Obvious) Yep...it's a setting alright... > "What a day..." Amy commented as they began to relax. "It's still early, but why > am I so tired?" > "Considering the constant practice you've been having with your powers, I'm not > surprised," Anthony answered. "Interesting...first you were afraid of them and > now you want to use them at every opportunity." > Amy laid her head against Anthony as fatigue began to set in. "Do you think I'll > be able to use these without getting so tired?" NYPEROLD: (singing) Tired of waiting, tired of waiting for yo-oo-ou... > "Eventually, but for now you should take it easy. You are just starting out > after all." > "Okay..." Amy said drowsily. > Anthony looked down at Amy and placed an arm around her. "Tomorrow, I'll teach > you the powers of Clairvoyance and Clairaudience, ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) ...and several other words no one can pronounce. > which will allow you to telepathically see and hear things far away. However, I > don't want...Amy? Amy?" Anthony looked down at Amy and saw that she had fallen > asleep, and didn't look like she was going to wake anytime soon. Anthony smiled > and carefully picked up Amy so not to wake her, and began to walk back to Amy's > home. (yet another chorus of Awwws and gags) > "Well..." Anthony thought to himself as he walked, "those lessons were easier > than I first thought. Perhaps my excursion to Earth will be just as easy..." NYPEROLD: In author-speak, that means "don't count on it." ANTHONY: BOY, was it ever not easy... > Chapter 4 - Behind the Scenes > A week after the first day Anthony started his lessons with Amy, something very > different was happening at Area 51... NESS: (as a random soldier, looking through binoculars) Aw man... not Giygas again... > "So...this is the man you've chosen for the project?" > Major Sharpe was looking over a young lieutenant that was brought before him by > another of his officers. The lieutenant looked like your garden variety soldier, > save for the blue eyes that seemed to pierce as he looked forward at nothing in > particular while he stood at attention. ANTHONY: (as Sharpe) Son...you'd better explain how you got a soldier from Arakis... > "Yes sir," the other officer, a commander from another of Sharpe's portal > outposts, said. "This is Lieutenant Alec Johnson. His records show that he had > passed the initial tests, and that he is of the bloodline you were looking for." > "Excellent," Major Sharpe said, then turning his attention to Alec. "Lieutenant, > have you been told why you are here?" FOX: (as Alec, fourth wall WAY gone) Because it's in the script...SIR! > "Yes sir," Alec answered, "and I was told it has something to do with my > bloodline." > "That is correct...and you may speak freely from now on. Tell me, lieutenant, > have you been told of the Gamemaster?" LINK: (as Alec) Told of him? Sir, I watched him every Saturday morning on NBC! CAPT. FALCON: (as Sharpe, facepalming) The things I put up with... > "I have, sir. My entire unit has even expressed a note of jealousy...wishing > they too could meet the video game characters." MARIO: (as Alec) One of them even cosplays, sir! CAPT. FALCON: (as Sharpe, AGAIN facepalming) Oy...more information than I needed, soldier! > "Hmmm..." Sharpe mused. "You might not feel the same way if you heard what he > had to go through. However...the military wishes to give you that chance." > Alec looked at Share in surprise. "Sir?" CAPT. FALCON: (as Sharpe) I realize you're a fan of her music, son, but I'm over *here*. NYPEROLD: I think that's "Cher", Captain... ANTHONY: Ugh...I HATE the fact my other self never proofreads... > Sharpe sat back down behind his desk and continued. "We discovered from an > examination of your family records that you are related to Sir Eric of the > Larson Clan...the first Gamemaster. As such, you have the potential to use the > same powers the current Gamemaster uses. As such, we would like to train you to > essentially become a Gamemaster for the military." Sharpe stood back up and > looked at Alec with a more subdued look. "This isn't an order. Because our world > still doesn't know all there is to know about psionics, there may be some risks > involved. That being said, do you accept or refuse?" > Alec, without pausing, said, "I accept!" LINK: Not that he COULD pause; he hadn't been issued his belt-mounted controller yet. ANTHONY: Uh...whoo boy... NYPEROLD: What's wrong? ANTHONY: He WAS issued a weapon resembling a Zapper, though... OTHERS: O_O > Sharpe nodded in approval. "Very well. Report to our medical laboratory first > thing tomorrow. Until then, you are relieved of all duty. You may wish to take > this time to do some research and familiarize yourself with the worlds of > Arcadia. Dismissed." NYPEROLD: Translation: go play some video games. (pause) I know, I know, there's more to it than that... > Alec saluted and then walked away, leaving Sharpe to ponder this turn of events. BOX: (as Sharpe) I wasn't expecting him to say "yes". Now what? > His thoughts were interrupted when a another soldier knocked on the door. > "Come in," Sharpe ordered. > The soldier walked in upon being ordered. Unlike the other soldiers there, this > soldier was vastly different. He was a humanoid wolf, FOX: ACK! ANTHONY: No...not Wolf O'Donnell, Fox. Calm down. FOX: Whew... > originally a human but transformed from genetic engineering. He was also > Sharpe's liaison to Mobius, and went by the code name T-Bone. SUE: (as T-Bone) Never fear, Super T-Bone is here! PIKACHU: (as Clifford) Hooray, I'm saved! ZELDA: (as Cleo) Oh no! My plans are foiled! NYPEROLD: (chuckling) Not T-Bone from Clifford, the Big Red Dog, guys! > "You wished to see me major?" T-Bone asked. > "Yes, Lieutenant," Sharpe answered, handing him an envelope. "We just received > this in our diplomatic mail. As you see, it's for the Gamemaster. I'd like you > to give this to him and have him report to me. I need to discuss something with > him." TIFF: (as T-Bone) I'll tell him not to use your stamps again, sir! > "Yes sir! Do you need me to tell him what you need to meet him for?" FOX: Now, watch the answer be "No." > "No, I will handle the details. Besides, I wish to ask him about this envelope. > You can see where it's from..." > T-Bone looked at the envelope and noticed the seal. His eyes widened. "I've seen > this symbol before...on the cape of the armor that appears whenever Anth uses > the Descendancy Powers!" > "Yes, Lieutenant..." Sharpe answered. "That envelope is from the Larson Clan, > and Mr. Bault was planning to tell me about it when it arrived." > "I'll rush this to him then, sir!" T-Bone answered back, then asked, "Was there > anything else you needed, sir?" > "No, just make the delivery and escort the Gamemaster here. Dismissed." > T-Bone saluted and walked out towards the portal room, giving a curious glance > towards the envelope as he walked. "What is Anth up to?" he thought to himself. ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) About to face the Elite Four. Why? (Jigglypuff and Pikachu look at him curiously) ANTHONY: You wanna see my team? (shows the two his team...Latios, Kyogre, Groudon, Regirock, Regice, and Rayquaza) (the two Pokemon go O_O;;) >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > "Amy...WHAT are you up to?!?" AMY: (as herself in the fic) The banana level of Ms. Pac-Man, why? > Anthony was surprised at the scene he saw. Koopa's seven children were strewn on > the ground and sound asleep, and Amy was there looking guilty. SUE: (as Amy) All I did was sing them a lullaby! LINK: (as Anthony) Which one? SUE: (FLAWLESS Jigglypuff impersonation) Jiiiiiiigglypuuuuuuuuff...jigglyyyyyypuuuuuuuuuff... LINK: (fakes a snoring sound) (Jigglypuff tries to hide under the seats) > "The Koopa Kids were helping me practice," Amy said. "I told them I knew a power > that could make them fall asleep and they wanted me to show them." ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) Ah...that would be Hypnosis Omega... NESS: (looks at Anthony) HUH?!? That's one of MINE!!! ANTHONY: Yeah...like I said, I'm an Earthbound fan, so I named the power levels after Earthbound. A couple of changes, however... NESS: Like? ANTHONY: What you call "Psi Rockin'" is "Force Blast" to us. I'll show you a primer I wrote up later. > "They agreed to this?!?" > "Well...yes, but...it was more of a dare to put them to sleep..." JIGGLYPUFF: (muttering) You could've hired me... *grumble* > Anthony rubbed the bridge of his nose as if to stave off a headache. "Amy...when > I offered to teach you psionics, it wasn't so you could show off. I'd better > wake them..." Anthony then concentrated on a power which enveloped all seven of > the sleeping kids, and they began to wake up. NESS: Heal...uh, wait...none of my Heal powers can heal more than one... ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) PURGE OMEGA! NESS: PURGE?!? > Lenny was the first to wake up. "Where...?" He then spotted the other kids > waking up. "Aw man...looks like Amy did put us to sleep!" > "Sorry about that, Len," Amy said, getting his attention, "but you did dare > me..." BOWSER: (FLAWLESS Lenny...natch, cause it's his son) Well, that's the LAST time I let you tell me your life story... AMY: HEY!! > "Yes, but that's the LAST dare you'll accept!" Anthony said, scolding Amy. He > then noticed Sasha approaching the area, ready to receive her next lesson. Sasha > had also decided to study telepathic psionics with Anthony to learn more about > her own latent ability. NYPEROLD: Not exactly "latent", she COULD use it before now... > Anthony gladly accepted her request, seeing as how he would need practice with > more than one student, even though Amy was his apprentice. > "Ah, good, you're here, Sasha," Anthony said, waiting for the Koopa kids to > collect themselves and leave the area before continuing. ZELDA: (as Wendy) Eeee! It's a Wendy! SONIC: (as Roy) Cool, I got a Roy! SHADOW: (as Morton) Aw man... all I got was a Morton. > "Now...if Amy can show a little restraint this time...I'd like to go over some > of the basics again for a refresher." TAILS: (as Anthony) This is a power called Lifeup Alpha. ANTHONY: That's not a telepathic power...and it's called Biofeedback on Arcadia. NESS: BIOFEEDBACK?!?!? That's it...I'm checking out that primer during the break... > "Sounds fair enough," Sasha said. "I need a little practice with the Hypnosis > power. When I tried using it on one of Bookshire's patients to help him relax > prior to some needed treatment, he wouldn't fall asleep." PIKACHU: (as Anthony) Oh...he must have either the Vital Spirit or Insomniac ability... > "Strange...I didn't have that problem..." Amy remarked. > "Well, that's because telepathic psionics tend to work better on younger minds > due to the fact that minds become more developed as the people grow older, thus > becoming more complex," Anthony explained. "But for today I'd like to go > over..." TAILS: (as Anthony) How to defend yourself against being attacked with fresh fruit! ANTHONY: (as...a random person) Can't we do something else? Like someone who attacks you with a point-ed stick? TAILS: (continuing the farce, looking at Anthony) POINT-ED STICK?!? Oh oh oh...we want to learn how to defend ourselves against point-ed sticks, do we? Getting all...'igh and mighty, EH? NYPEROLD: Guys...we all know how that goes. Drop it! > "ANTH!" T-Bone called out, interrupting Anthony as he ran over. > Anthony looked towards T-Bone with a confused look. "T-Bone, can you wait a > minute? I've got a class going here." POPO: (as Anthony) ...and what are you doing without a hall pass, anyway? > "Can't wait, Anth," T-Bone replied, handing Anthony the envelope. "That just > came for you, and Major Sharpe wanted to talk with you about something." > Anthony eyes widened when he saw the seal of the Larson Clan on the envelope. "I > understand...I did promise Major Sharpe an explanation of this. Lead the way, > T-Bone!" Anthony said, then turned towards Amy and Sasha. "Listen, I'll have to > pick up our lessons a little later. This can't wait." > "We understand, Anthony," Amy said. PEACH: (as Amy) But you'd BETTER remember to pick it up, or you're grounded! > "C'mon, Anth!" T-Bone remarked. "The Hummer's still running!" MARIO: I a-told you to-a shut off-a the Flintstone-a Drive when-a you leave it in-a park! > Anthony nodded and followed T-Bone to the waiting vehicle, opening the envelope > en route and looking at the contents inside... ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) Let's see..."You may have won $10 Million..." T-BONE! This is the wrong envelope!!! >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A quick Hummer ride and a portal jump found Anthony in the portal room of Area > 51, where T-Bone then led Anthony to Major Sharpe's office. Major Sharpe > appeared to be looking over a file very intently. As soon as Anthony and T-Bone > had entered the room, Sharpe looked up and got up from his chair. > "Mr. Bault! I see you've gotten your response," Sharpe started. "As you > mentioned before, you couldn't give any info until you got that response, > correct?" > "Correct," Anthony answered, and then asked, "I assume you're still curious?" ROUGE: ...George? > "Indeed..." Sharpe answered. "Especially since I saw the Larson crest." EGGMAN: (as Anthony) So *that's* where our toothpaste went! > "Well, good, since I was planning on asking you a favor based on this," Anthony > said as Sharpe offered both men chairs and the three of them sat down. "I have > decided to begin training people in the use of psionics, starting with members > of Sir Eric's bloodline. This envelope was a response from the patriarch of the > Clan, saying that he has found two individuals of that bloodline willing to > learn. Also, these two will take my place whenever necessary." > T-Bone looked at Anthony in surprise. "Really? Dang...I have to get used to > three of you now?" ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) Well, Washu DID say she managed to open portals to Captain N's and Commando Video's realities, so yeah! > "We shall see," Anthony replied, then sensed something odd in Sharpe. Anthony > looked towards him and noticed that Sharpe was stifling a small laugh. "What's > so funny, Major?" NYPEROLD: (as Sharpe) Sorry...I was reminded of this great joke... > Sharpe stood up and motioned the two of them towards the door. "Come, I'll show > you. It's actually the reason I called you here." > The three of them walked down a hall leading to the officers quarters. Sharpe > knocked on one of the doors and after hearing a young sounding voice say > "Come!", the three walked into the room. > The officer, Lt. Alec Johnson, appeared to have his nose in several books. FOX: (as a nasal Alec) Can somebody help be get my nose unstuck? CAPT. FALCON: (as Sharpe) That's what you get for sniffing Crazy Glue fumes, son. > Anthony noticed that the books came from almost all corners of Arcadia, and all > appeared to be reference based. ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) Lessee...the Encyclopedia Gardenia, Theology of the Golden Goddesses, Recipes by Julie-Su... Soldier you MIGHT want to burn that last one... > Alec looked up towards the group, and upon spying Sharpe, stood at attention. > "At ease, Lieutenant," Sharpe ordered. > Alec did so, and his eyes widened when he saw who one of his companions was. > "Sir? Is that...the Gamemaster?" > Anthony smiled slightly and addressed Alec. "That's me. The name's Anthony > Bault." > "An honor to meet you, Gamemaster!" Alec replied. > "So, Major," Anthony said, turning towards Sharpe, "what's so special about this > man?" SUE: He can pat his head and rub his tummy at the same time! NYPEROLD: We covered that earlier, sis... > "Lt. Johnson here has been chosen for a project we call 'Project Gamemaster 2'," > Sharpe answered. > Anthony's eyes widened. "'Gamemaster 2'?!? Then this man...?" > "Yes, Mr. Bault," Sharpe interrupted. "This man is a descendant of Sir Eric as > well. We have decided to train him to become a Gamemaster for the United Nations > military. His primary function will be to protect Earth from any Arcadian based > threats, just in case a new threat like Packbell or the Master were to surface." NYPEROLD: (as Anthony) Couldn't you just call Doctor Who for that last one? ANTHONY: *snicker* Again...wrong Master. > "I see...were you planning on having me train him in psionics?" > "Not exactly," Sharpe said. "We only wanted to inform you of this in case you > need his help on any missions after his training his complete." PEACH: He's training his complete... what? ANTHONY: That's supposed to be "IS complete". When did my author self start typing in an accent? > "Well, now, I'm confused..." Anthony said. "HOW are you going to train him in > psionics? At the moment, I'm the only guy who knows them." BOX: (as Sharpe) We managed to get Kreskin on retainer... > Sharpe turned to Alec and ordered, "Show him, Lieutenant!" > Alec nodded and stretched out a hand towards a lamp on a nearby desk. To > Anthony's amazement, the lamp flew into Alec's hand. > Anthony was even more confused now. "How...?" CAPT. FALCON: (as Sharpe) See that thin wire there? KNUCKLES: (as Anthony) Alright...WHAT did I tell you about stealing props from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"?!? CAPT. FALCON: (as Sharpe) Uhh... make sure there's enough for everyone? > Sharpe smiled and explained. "Before we even knew about Arcadia, Lt. Johnson > here volunteered for a past experiment on ESP." > "Extra Sensory Perception..." Anthony mused. "Of course, by now, a more > appropriate term would be CTP or Clairsentient Telepathic Psionics." > "Indeed," Sharpe continued as Alec replaced the lamp. "As the experiment > continued, we found that he also had strong telekinetic ability as you have > seen. Once you discovered the worlds of Arcadia and the role Sir Eric's > bloodline played, we discovered that this bloodline was the source of Lt. > Johnson's ability and figured he could be trained as a Gamemaster on the home > front." > Anthony nodded in understanding, and then turned towards Alec. "Have you begun > your training yet?" > "Not yet, sir!" Alec replied. > "Don't call me 'Sir'," Anthony replied back. "You say 'Sir', and I'm expecting > to see Dubya behind me." SONIC: ...which would explain the vomiting sounds. > "Alright then, Gamemaster!" NESS: (as Anthony) That's not much better... > "That's not any better! Call me Anthony!" NESS: GAH... Oh, I suppose that would be normal for me... > "But Sir, that's not considered proper!" > Anthony shook his head, exasperated, and said, "Alec...technically, we're > distant cousins. Treat me as such!" > Alec smiled and then said, "In that case, can I borrow twenty bucks?" PIKACHU: His cousin must've been a mooch! ANTHONY: Actually...he was... > Laughter emanated from all four men, and Anthony spoke up. "That's better. Now, > when will you begin training, Alec?" > "My treatments begin tomorrow, and then I'll begin work on various powers." DK: (as Alec) Squares, cubes... y'know, POWERS. > Anthony turned towards Sharpe. "Treatments?" > Sharpe nodded. "Do you remember the amino water you used to restore your psi > power?" NESS: So...Amino water = DX Water? ANTHONY: Sort of... > Anthony nodded and then Sharpe continued. "Using that, and a medicine derived > from medications used to treat mental functions, we have developed a regimen > that will allow Lt. Johnson to increase his psionic ability, thus allowing him > to reach your power level at a fast, but gradual rate." ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) So which is it? Fast or gradual? > "Is the medicine safe?" LINK: (as Sharpe) Well, it causes you to grow arms on your legs, but you get used to that. > "It is safe," Sharpe answered. "We tested it thoroughly to ensure there were no > side effects that could prove dangerous. ANTHONY: (mumbling to self) Yeah...right... > We also plan to keep you informed of his progress, just in case you notice > something we don't." > "Good," Anthony answered. "Now, as to that favor I need..." > "Yes?" > "I'll need transportation arranged to Oslo to meet with the Larson Clan," > Anthony said. "Also...when I talk to the Clan to finalize the arrival, I'll > probably need someone who speaks Norwegian to translate." > "I understand, Mr. Bault," Sharpe said, then turned towards T-Bone. "Go get one > of the diplomatic carriers ready for transportation." T-Bone nodded and went off > to ready the transport, and then Sharpe turned back towards Anthony. "I'll have > one of our European contacts speak with the Larson Clan. Do you have a time > frame you want to keep?" TAILS: (as Anthony) This one. I hear being 5 minutes ahead of your surroundings can be... confusing... NYPEROLD: "Return to the Cave of Time", Tails? TAILS: Guilty... > "Tomorrow or the next day, if possible," Anthony explained. "I'll also be taking > along three others as well on this trip." > Sharpe raised an eyebrow at this. "Oh?" DK: (as Sharpe as The Rock) You holding out me, jabroni? > "Yes. Sasha Prower, a Mobian telepath I'm training, Amy Rose, who recently > acquired psionic ability and who is my apprentice, and her mother, Mary." > "That pink hedgehog is your apprentice?" Sharpe said. BOX: (as Anthony) Well, yeah. Who were you expecting, Big? > "Well, unlike the descendants of Sir Eric I plan to train, Amy will require some > special training to help her master her new powers. So, I decided to make her my > apprentice. Sasha already has some mastery and just wants to see what more she > can learn." ROUGE: (as Sasha) The FOOL! Once I've learned all the powers, THIS WORLD IS MINE!! MWAHAHAHAHA!!! > "I see..." Sharpe said. "Alright, I'll make sure the transportation is ready for > four then." He then turned towards Alec, who was listening to the entire > conversation. "Well, let you return to your studies, Lieutenant. Be ready at > 0700 hours for your first treatment." BOX: (as Alec) Sir? Why do I need to wait 29 days? CAPT. FALCON: (as Sharpe) Not 700 hours, soldier! OH-SEVEN-HUNDRED! (facepalming) I need to transfer... > "Yes sir!" Alec said. > As Sharpe and Anthony left the room, Anthony turned back towards Alec and said, > "Hey Alec! Good luck, and I hope we'll be working together soon!" ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic, what's a fourth wall?) ...since they want to make this game into a two player game. > "Thank you sir...er, Anthony!" Alec replied. > Chapter 5 - Homecoming BOX: (as a fan at a homecoming game) GO TEAM!!! > The next day found Anthony, Mary Rose, Amy, and Sasha waiting at a military base > in London on Earth. They were awaiting the transport Sharpe had arranged for > their transport to Oslo, ANTHONY: (as his author self, narrating) ...even though Anthony feared the arrival of a Viking longboat for some obscure reason... > and all involved were excited. Actually, Amy, Mary, and Sasha were > excited...Anthony was nervous. > Anthony was unsure regarding what to expect upon arriving at the Clan homestead, > as well as what was to be expected of him. ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) Dear God...I hope they don't think I talk like an extra from "Fargo"... > What made him even more nervous was the fact that, technically, he was going to > be meeting individuals who are family that he didn't even know he had. TIFF: ...all hoping to mooch off of him. > Sharpe watched as Anthony paced nervously inside the hanger the entire group was > in. He then went up to Anthony and asked, "Are you alright, Mr. Bault?" NYPEROLD: (as Anthony, fourth wall now the size of a grain of sand) No; didn't you read the script? > "I will be as soon as the butterflies leave," Anthony answered. PIKACHU: So THAT'S where Ash's Butterfree and that other one went! JIGGLYPUFF: Actually...I heard they had a falling out, and that pink Butterfree ran off with a Beautifly in Hoenn... > "Man...I thought I was nervous when I first entered the worlds of Arcadia, but > this...anticipation is getting to me." TAILS: (as Sharpe) Well, if you have any Trouble, just call. (All groan) TAILS: (snickering) Sorry! (All groan louder) > Sharpe nodded in understanding. "You should be able to relax on the plane. We > managed to arrange some special transportation for your group, so you should be > comfortable, at least." KNUCKLES: (as Anthony) Well, then, Amy should sleep like a log... SAMUS: (as Amy) HEY!! > "I hope you didn't go overboard," Anthony remarked. ANTHONY: (as his author self, once again narrating) ...once again fearing the arrival of a longboat. > "I may be the current Gamemaster, but no way do I want to be treated like a > VIP." CAPT. FALCON: (as Sharpe) You won't...I hated that show as well. > "Well...that might be difficult. You see, as we were arranging the > transport...someone requested special treatment for you..." SONIC: (as Sharpe) He mentioned something about you needing a constant supply of anti-sertiness pills? NYPEROLD: That reminds me, Anthony...what was that about me apparently posting something called a "Sert meter"? ANTHONY: Oh...my author self posted an idea for a fic starring more than 30 SIFFs, and even listed the names and descriptions of those SIFFs. Your author self looked at the list and made a Sert Meter...which promptly exploded. NYPEROLD: Ah... > Anthony looked towards Sharpe with a nervous look and said, "What do you mean?" PIKACHU: (as Sharpe) Just an in-flight fic, perfect for MiSTing... and when you get there, a ticker-tape parade with a bunch of giant Gamemaster balloons... MARIO: (as a parade coordinator) HEY! You got the wrong a kind! Those are a Captain N balloons! > Sharpe nodded towards the exit as a plane was approaching the runway. "See for > yourself." > The entire group, carrying whatever luggage they had, filed out onto the waiting > area as the plane taxied into position. KNUCKLES: (as Anthony) Hey...why does it have a sign saying "Out of service"? > As the plane approached, Anthony's eyes widened as he saw what plane it was. TAILS: (as Anthony) The Tornado 3000?!? FOX: (as Anthony) The Great Fox?!? ANTHONY: (as himself) The Spruce Goose?!? The HELL?!? > "AIR FORCE ONE?!?!?!?" Anthony cried out. (Anthony starts rapping "Air Force One" by Nelly.) > "No way...NO WAY do I deserve THIS level of treatment!!! Who ordered this?!?" > "The President himself, Mr. Bault," Sharpe answered. "His way of saying thanks > for bringing the worlds of Arcadia together." SHADOW: (as Sharpe) His daughters are big video game fans, you see... > As Sharpe led the group onto the plane, Anthony shook his head in disbelief and > then looked up into the heavens. "Can't you just make things simple for me for > once?" he asked, addressing the heavens, and then went on into the plane. NESS: Which was promptly zapped from above and turned into a hang glider. ANTHONY: (as himself) NOT WHAT I MEANT! >----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The flight was uneventful for the most part. Mary and Sasha were talking about > what they were expecting to see upon arrival. ROUGE: (as Mary) So...where'd they come up with the name "Oslo", anyway? > Anthony was just staring out of the window, watching the cloudscapes go by. MARIO: (pretending to look) Hey...that a looks like a Subcon! > As for Amy, she had fallen asleep from the drone of the engines and was > currently using one of Anthony's legs as a pillow. ANTHONY: ...and it didn't help much that my jeans were made by the same company thats owns Posturepedic. > Anthony wondered what it was with Amy and flying that made her lethargic. > "Anthony," Mary said, interrupting Anthony's thoughts, "do you need me to wake > up Amy?" > "No, she's fine," Anthony replied, "though you may need to find out what causes > flights to make her fall asleep like that." SHADOW: I'd say "the drone of the engines". What do you think, Sonic? SONIC: I must agree; "the drone of the engines" it is! ANTHONY: Thank you Captain Obvious and Professor Redundant... > Mary giggled slightly at that comment. "Well, I don't think her practicing her > psionics helped much. She was talking with me telepathically as we had breakfast > this morning." AMY: (as Mary) ...and TRYING to pretend she was a ghost. It was cute...kinda... > "I see..." Anthony said, then turned back towards the window. > Both Mary and Sasha noticed Anthony's withdrawn attitude. "Is something wrong, > Anthony?" Sasha asked. > Anthony sighed and said, "I guess I'm just little nervous...both from the fact > that I'll be meeting family I didn't know I had until now, and because I'm > wondering who they chose to be my students." > "What are you afraid of?" Mary asked. "I'm sure they chose people who are > willing to learn..." > "Yes, but are they willing to become Gamemasters is the problem. Also, I don't > know Norwegian, so there might be a language barrier involved..." YOSHI: ...and Minnewegan just won't cut it! > "That won't be a problem," a voice said from another part of the plane. It came > from Alison Trasin, a Norwegian translator assigned to Anthony's group. "It > turns out the current Patriarch of the Larson Clan is fluent in English, in > fact, he was born in the States before becoming the Clan Patriarch." > Anthony turned towards Alison and asked, "What about the students?" PEACH: (as Alison) Well, their names are Ness, Paula, and Poo... NESS: *snicker* ANTHONY: Hey, you never know. Ness...? NESS: I'll get back to you after I read that primer you mentioned... > "Not sure. When Major Sharpe made the arrangements, he was told your students > would be arriving later tonight so you would meet them yourself." > "Great..." Anthony said. "More surprises...why can't anything be easy for me?" ROUGE: (as Alison, who sneezed and blew the rest of the fourth wall away) Because that would make for a boring story. > Sasha looked at Anthony and said, "You're not in a line of work to have anything > come easy, Anthony." ANTHONY: (as himself) Wait...I'm actually working? I thought I was playing a game from the inside? > Anthony nodded in understanding and looked back out of the window. He then > frowned inwardly and thought to himself, "So why am I asking these students to > join in on this line of work?" >--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EGGMAN: Because it's sure better than *this* line of work! > After touching down in Oslo, the group had to take a van up to where the Larson > Clan homestead was located. ZELDA: ...which looked like it was built to look like a dog for some strange reason. > Thankfully, the group was warmly dressed, since the van was going up into a > mountainous region and the temperature was steadily dropping as they drove up. ANTHONY: I actually envied Sasha having fur, believe it or not. TAILS and FOX: We believe it! > The van eventually reached what looked like a private mansion on a plateau > overlooking several of the mountains. BOX: (as the narrator from the 60's Batman series) Meanwhile...in stately Wayne Manor... ANTHONY: *snicker* Tom Servo said the SAME thing... (all gasp and look at him) NYPEROLD: Tom...Servo? THE Tom Servo?!? ANTHONY: Yep...the MST3K peeps live on Ani-Earth as well. OTHERS: Duuuuude... > Anthony was amazed at the size of the building, as well as the expanse of > property that was fenced off for it. The gate to the property had the crest of > the Larson Clan displayed, ANTHONY: (pretending to look at the crest) Hmmm...a red bull's head on a black shield. They just might have a case against Bullseye Barbecue Sauce... > and Alison had to speak in Norwegian to the gate guard stationed just outside. > When the gate opened, the van drove up to the front of the building. NYPEROLD: I'm reminded of "The Love Bug" somehow... > As the group exited the van, Anthony could do nothing but look around at the > wide expanse of land that was the clan grounds. The cool and crisp mountain air > also seemed to intoxicate him as he looked around. FOX: (as Anthony, stoned) Whoa...crazy trip, man... PEACH: (as Alison) Uh oh...those leafy plants aren't what I THINK they are, are they? > "It all began here..." SHADOW: It all starts with this... ANTHONY: (as Shadow) ...a jewel of infinite power... (Shadow looks at Anthony) ANTHONY: (notices Shadow's look) What? I've beaten that game four times! TWICE on each console! > Anthony thought to himself. "My...and Arcadia's history." He continued to look > around in awe as the rest of the group unloaded the van. AMY: (as herself in the fic) ERK! Hey Anth, a little help here? > Amy was about to walk up to him, but Mary stopped her. AMY: Eep! Well, at least I didn't predict exactly what happened... > "Let him be," Mary said. "He's getting used to a home he didn't know he had." > Amy nodded in understanding, and couldn't help but sense both enthrallment and > awe coming from her teacher. ALL: Awwwwwwwwwww... ANTHONY: (as the narrator from "George of the Jungle") No, AWE! A-W-E! ALL: Oooooh... > When the group finished unloading the truck, the door to the Clan home opened, > causing Anthony to turn around. Out walked an elderly man followed by two middle > aged men who appeared to be housekeepers. PIKACHU: Oddly enough, both looked like Tony Danza... > He appeared to be in his late sixties, and his gaze seem fixated on Anthony, who > in turn was staring back. SUE: STARING CONTEST! > Soon, the elderly man walked up to Anthony. > "Anthony Bault?" the man asked. Anthony nodded and the man immediately grabbed > Anthony's hand and shook it warmly. TIFF: Probably the only warmth you got up in those mountains, huh? > "Olaf Larson, Patriarch of the Clan. It is truly an honor to meet the man who > brought honor to the Clan!" FOX: (as a badly dubbed Japanese movie character) You have brought honor to our clan...truly, you are a great warrior! > "Thank you, Patriarch," Anthony said, "but, there's no need for the accolades. > It was my pleasure to represent the Clan in this manner." EGGMAN: (as Olaf) But you weren't even here? NYPEROLD: (as Anthony) MANNER! Not MANOR! > "Of course, I understand," Olaf replied, and then turned towards the > housekeepers. "Please take the luggage up to the guest rooms. I'll lead our > guests up later." As the housekeepers collected the luggage, ZELDA: ...expecting a huge tip... > Olaf turned back towards Anthony. "So, why don't you introduce me to your > guests, Anthony? I see we even have visitors from Mobius as well." EGGMAN: (as Olaf) I've been playing the games, and I only recognize one of them... > "Of course, Patriarch. First, I believe you know Alison Trasin." > "Yes, of course...she was the one who spoke to me earlier." > Anthony then walked up to Sasha. "This is Sasha Prower. Cousin to Tails and one > of my telepathics students, as well as Descendant to Magi Reynard Prower as I am > to Sir Eric." > "An honor to meet the leader of Arcadia's most well known family," Sasha said, > shaking the hand of Olaf. > "A pleasure, Madam Prower," Olaf replied. ANTHONY: Wait...she's a Madam?!? NYPEROLD: (whipsering to Anthony) Psst...ANTH! Don't go there! Not while Sue's here! ANTHONY: (quietly) Oh...right...sorry! > Anthony then stepped towards Mary and Amy. "I believe you know Amy Rose, and the > elder hedgehog here is her mother, Mary." AMY: (as Mary) Aw c'mon, I'm not all *that* old! > "An honor, Patriarch," Mary said as she shook Olaf's hand. > Anthony then continued. "Amy is also one of my students, as well as my > apprentice." > "Apprentice?" Olaf replied. "Well, you must be honored then, Amy." > Amy blushed slightly as she shook Olaf's hand. "Yes, sir...um, Patriarch." > "Oh please, none of the formalities with me. Just call me Olaf." SUE: (to Anthony) Hey, he sounds like you! ANTHONY: Runs in the family. > Amy giggled slightly. "Well, you are definitely of he same family line as > Anthony. Anthony doesn't like being called Gamemaster." > "Understandable, I guess," Olaf replied. "Come, I'll show you where you are > staying..." ROUGE: (as Amy) Uh, Olaf? Why are you showing us a flyer for Motel 6? >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Olaf led the group to two rooms on an upper floor of the building. He motioned > towards one room where four beds were prepared. "Alison, Mary, Sasha, and Amy? > This is where you will be staying. I'll let you decide how you want to be > arranged. AMY: (as herself in the fic) But we weren't arrested! ANTHONY: "Arranged", not "arraigned". > Anthony?" Olaf then motioned towards another room which had three beds prepared > and had Anthony's duffel on one of them. CAPT. FALCON: (to Anthony) You a military man, son? ANTHONY: No...that's all I use for luggage. I DO hold a rank equal to an Army general or a Navy admiral though, due to my position as Gamemaster. CAPT. FALCON: (quickly stands up and salutes Anthony) I understand...SIR!!! ANTHONY: Oh...SIDDOWN!! > "You'll be staying in here. You'll be sharing with two others who will be > arriving later tonight." > "Ah...by any chance are these my two students?" Anthony asked. > "Yes, indeed," Olaf answered. "In fact, I've arranged a special dinner tonight > so you can meet with them as well as meet the other elders of the Clan." > "Elders?" Anthony asked, showing his uncertainty of the clan's structure. ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) Why am I reminded of "Clan of the Cave Bear"? > "Well, as you might have guessed, there are many families within the Larson > Clan. The elders are essentially the heads of YOSHI: Lettuce! MARIO: Remind a me to a feed you later. > those families." > "I see..." Anthony said. > "In fact, while your friends get settled, I was hoping to show you around the > clan home," Olaf explained, then turned towards the rest of the group. "After > you all get settled, you can just ask any of the housekeepers to show you where > the various facilities are located." > "Can't they come with?" Anthony asked. "I'm sure they want to learn about the > clan Sir Eric belonged to." > "Yes, but there are also some things I'd like to show you privately," Olaf > explained. KNUCKLES: (as Olaf) I have this idea for a video game I want to run by you... > "Besides...I'm sure your friends are tired after the trip. I saw young Amy > yawning earlier." Amy blushed at this statement. AMY: (as herself) Naw, that's 'cause I just woke up. > "Yeah, well, she doesn't travel well..." Anthony explained. "Well, let me get > something first, and then we can go." Anthony walked towards his duffel and > extracted a package from it, which he then gave to Olaf. "A gift for the Clan," > Anthony explained. "This package has copies of the histories of the Companions' > campaign, written by the four surviving Companions. It has the missing part of > your Clan's history... NESS: (as Anthony) ...which you'll need to complete a sidequest. > Sir Eric's adventures in Arcadia. It also has a book of prophecies written by > Sir Eric himself before he died." SONIC: Sir Eric IS Nostradamus! > "Ah, excellent," Olaf replied. "This will definitely go well with where I plan > to take you first. Shall we go?" NYPEROLD: Nobody reference "The Incredible Mr. Limpett" here. That would be somewhat weird... > Anthony nodded and followed Olaf downstairs as the rest of the group entered > their room. AMY: (as herself in the fic) COOL! They have cable! >--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Anthony was led to the outside of a room that had two large double doors. ANTHONY: (as himself, pretending to look at a sign) "This way to the egress"? The HELL?!? > Olaf then began to explain. "This is our heritage room. It contains records of > the families within the clan, as well as historical artifacts and the crests of > the families within the clan. Let's walk inside..." JIGGLYPUFF: A bucket of water fell on each of them! > Olaf opened the doors to reveal a large room filled with books, artifacts, and > several banners which had family crests printed on them. TAILS: (as Anthony, reading the names on the banners) Larson...Olson...Svenson...KEENE?!? The HELL?!? ANTHONY: Can we put a "cap" on those riffs, please? TAILS: Why? Don't like the way I "kid"? ANTHONY: Well, that's not the way I like to play the "game, boy"! NYPEROLD: If you two evil punners are QUITE finished... > Anthony was amazed and thought to himself, "Wow, the Clan must have a richer > history than I first thought." > His thoughts were interrupted by Olaf. "We actually recently renovated this room > to make room for a new addition. Take a look near the end of the room." > Anthony did so, and his eyes widened when he saw what was there... PIKACHU: (as Anthony) It's...an arcade! > Two statues were situated near the end of the room, each with a banner with a > family crest situated above them. The statue on the left was that of Sir Eric > and had the Larson crest above it. But it was the statue on the right which > caught his attention... > It was a statue of him, dressed in the Armor of the Gamemaster as if he was > drawing on the Descendancy Power and looking forward as if looking towards a > foe. BOWSER: ...and, ironically, across the way was a statue of Packbell. > The banner above it featured a red shield with an upside down, yellow colored, V > shaped field. There were also two blackbirds on the upper portion and another > blackbird below the V. JIGGLYPUFF: ...and, ironically, they were Murkrows! > This was the Bault family crest. > Anthony could do nothing but stare at the display, and then he noticed an > inscription etched into the marble platform the statues were on which read "The > Gamemasters of Arcadia - The Finest of the Larson Clan". ROUGE: They came from Finland? > His name and Sir Eric's were also etched near the bases of the statues as well. BOX: Unfortunately, it was grafitti...and had the word "loves" between the names. (Anthony gives Box the Heero Yuy Death Glare™) BOX: EEP! I'll be good... > Anthony was stunned by this display, and turned towards Olaf. NESS: (as Anthony) Aw man! Does it ever stop? > "Patriarch, I...I can't accept this honor..." > "Anthony..." Olaf said, interrupting Anthony. "I know how you feel about > accolades, but this room is not for the public's eyes. This is the Clan's > private tribute to the man who first helped form Arcadia...and to the man who > brought Arcadia back together. Also, it is our private way of saying thanks to > you for bringing honor and renown to the Larson Clan, as well as our way of > welcoming you officially to the Larson Clan." > "You mean...the Bault family is now officially considered part of the Larson > Clan?" ALL: DUH!!! > "Of course," Olaf explained. "Since you are descended from a member of the clan, > you are a member as well. In fact, we have even invited the one who is to be the > elder of the Bault family to the dinner tonight as well." > Anthony gave a confused gaze and asked, "Who?" ANTHONY: In all honesty...I should've expected who it was... BOWSER: (as Olaf) I think he said his name was Gan...non...dork, or something similar... ALL: Gah! LINK: I sure HOPE not! > "You will see later tonight," Olaf explained, placing the package Anthony gave > him on a small desk. "Come, there is much else I would like to show you..." > Anthony nodded in understanding and followed Olaf out of the room, giving a > second glance towards his statue as he left. SUE: (as Anthony as Ernie) The statue just tapped me! >--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Sasha, Amy, Mary were being given a general tour of the clan home by one of the > staff, ANTHONY: The HECK?!? How'd the Clan get a Rod of Seven Pieces? > Alison coming along and providing translations for the three Mobians. Amy seemed > to be the most interested by the clan home, and listened with great interest at > everything that was being said. Mary noticed this and smiled. > "Anthony will be glad to know you're so interested about his family's history, > Amy," Mary said, addressing her daughter as they walked down one of the many > hallways. KNUCKLES: (about to rap) SONIC: Is that "Dive Into the Mellow", "Armpits"? KNUCKLES: Yes... Wait a minute... if I rap it, then it really will be my voice! So lemme do so! SONIC: Suit yourself... ANTHONY: Especially since you have no clothes... SONIC: Not THAT, silly! KNUCKLES: (rapping) In a maze, and I don't know what to do... > Amy blushed slightly before answering. "I guess I'm just curious. I mean...Sir > Eric did help form Arcadia...and his descendant helped reunite it. Of > course...Anthony did a lot more..." AMY: (hugging Anthony again) ...being the sweetheart he is. ANTHONY: Ah, geez... > Mary placed an arm around her daughter and hugged her closely. "I > know...especially considering what's he's done for you. I'm grateful for > that..." > Amy nodded, and then had a curious look on her face as she turned towards her > mom. "Mom? Suppose...Anthony did adopt me. Would the Clan have accepted me?" > Mary smiled warmly towards Amy and said, "I'm sure they would have. From the way > at least two of its members act, I don't think they would've refused you." > Amy nodded in understanding, and drew herself into her mother's embrace as they > continued to walk. (another round of "Awwws..." and gags follow) >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > After his personal tour was ended, Anthony was led into what looked like a > sitting room, and Olaf offered Anthony a chair as he instructed one of the staff > to get something. SUE: (as Olaf) A pipe, a bowl, and fiddlers three, please! ANTHONY: (as John Cleese from "Monty Python and the Meaning of Life") ...and get me the machine that goes "PING"! NYPEROLD: (as Graham Chapman, same movie) ...and bring the most expensive machine in case the administrator comes! SUE: Nyper? Where did that come from? NYPEROLD: No idea... AUTHOR NYPEROLD: (from beyond the wall) I think you're drawing on my co-author's knowledge base, there. Which is odd, considering you only outfitted the 'bots with PARDON devices... NYPEROLD and SUE: Ohhhh... > "So, Anthony," Olaf asked as he sat down, "what do you think of what I have > showed you?" > Anthony shook his head in disbelief and said, "Incredible...I had no idea that > my family had such a history. ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) That's not even my favorite subject! > I have to admit...I was afraid at first at what I would see here..." > "And now?" > Anthony sat back in his chair and looked around at his surroundings. "I feel > like...I'm home." > Olaf smiled as a member of his staff brought in a bottle of a spirit with a > couple of glasses. LINK: He captured a Poe? > Olaf filled both glasses and offered one to Anthony. "Then...allow me to propose > a toast, Anthony. ANTHONY: (as Rowan Atkinson) Uh...to go with the pate... > To the Larson Clan's and to Arcadia's future." SAMUS: (as Anthony) Uh... Why are there little Chozo in my glass? FOX: (as Anthony) I'm not drinking Krazoa! > The two clansmen clinked their glasses in toast, and Anthony smiled as he began > to get used to his second home. He smiled even more when he sensed someone > watching the toast. He turned towards the entrance to the room and saw Mary, > Amy, Sasha, and Alison being led in. > After Olaf dismissed the staff person who was giving them the tour, he spoke to > the ladies. "So...what do you think of the clan's home?" > "It's truly spectacular," Sasha said. "I never really expected to see Sir Eric's > homeland for real. I feel kind of out of place staying here...even if it is just > for a couple of nights." SHADOW: Let's just hope Reala doesn't show up... SONIC: Wrong NIGHTs, Shadow! > "Oh, come now," Olaf said, trying to make Sasha more comfortable. "This house > may have a history, but it is still a home...and you are guests of the clan, so > your should feel at home." TAILS: (as Bart Simpson) Hear that, Dad? You get to lie around in your underwear and scratch yourself! > Amy noticed the look on Anthony's face as Olaf and Sasha talked and asked, > "Anthony, are you alright?" CAPT. FALCON: (as Anthony) How alright could I be with ectoplasm on my face? > "Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine..." Anthony answered. "I'm still a little anxious about > tonight...with all the clan elders coming and all..." > "Just think of them as family you haven't seen for a long time, Anthony," Olaf > said. "Besides, I'm sure your two students will be just as excited to meet you." > "That reminds me, Olaf..." Anthony said. "What can you tell me about my two > students?" > After offering the Mobians seats, Olaf began to explain. "I'm sure you'll like > them a lot, Anthony. Actually...they are both from your home state..." NESS: (as Anthony) They're from Confusion, too? Cool! > Anthony was surprised at that. "Really? They're Minnesotans?" > "Indeed. One of them is also my grandniece. Her name is Jenna Larson. She is > currently studying in Stockholm on an exchange student program, but has arranged > some time off from her studies so she can learn under you." ANTHONY: (as himself in the fic) I'm not THAT tall! > "What about the other?" Anthony said. > "His name is Lars Olson. He actually lives in the Shakopee area in Minnesota and > is a bit of a Minnesota Vikings fan..." > "I like him already..." Anthony said, smiling a bit. > "Then you will find this even more interesting," Olaf said, continuing. "Not > only is he a Viking fan...he happens to BE a Viking!" > "Huh? He's one of the players?" SHADOW: Yeah, he's Player 1. > "Not quite...he actually descends from Viking bloodlines as well as Sir Eric's. > In fact, though this isn't confirmed...he is believed to be related to Eric the > Red." FOX: (as Olaf) ...or one of three Vikings named Eric, Baelog, or Olaf... > Anthony could only stare in amazement at that revelation. "Whoa...I definitely > can't wait to meet them!" > "Well, you'll definitely have plenty of time to get to know them tonight," Olaf > said, standing up. "In the meantime, all of you make yourselves at home at ask > any of the staff if you need anything. ZELDA: Wha...? PEACH: (as Sasha) You sure you grew up in the U.S.? ANTHONY: That's "Minnesota Nice" in it's purest form, guys. > I have to go see to the dinner tonight, so, if you'll excuse me..." > As Olaf left the sitting room, the three Mobians present looked towards Anthony > and began to talk. "So, Anthony," Mary said, starting the conversation, "what > did the Patriarch have to say to you?" > "Not much..." Anthony answered. "He mostly showed me around the grounds, > including one room which is used to hold records with the clan's history." > "Really?" Amy asked. "Do you think he would let us see?" > "Well...it's one of those areas that kind of off limits to all but clan members > I'm afraid..." Anthony explained. CAPT. FALCON: (as Anthony) We're SPECIAL! > "Oh..." Amy said, a bit disappointed. "I understand. Still...it should be > exciting seeing your two students." > "Especially considering the fact they will technically be mine and Amy's > 'classmates', am I correct?" Sasha asked. > "Indeed..." Anthony said, then laid back in his chair, apparently in thought. > "Still...I am a bit worried..." TAILS: (as Anthony) What if Lars does like in "Garfield: His Nine Lives"? ANTHONY: Frightening thing is...he DOES look like that, except his beard and hair are trimmed and well groomed. > "What's wrong?" Mary asked. > "Well...I'm just wondering how these two students are going to handle being > Gamemasters. I mean...they may need to be called upon to fight if needed." > "I'm sure they'll be up to the challenge, Anthony," Mary said. "Besides, they > probably wouldn't have accepted if they didn't think they could handle what was > involved." ANTHONY: (as Super Chicken) You knew the job was dangerous when you took it! TIFF: Whoa...talk about a litmus test for the Obscure-O-Meters. > Anthony nodded in understanding, and then turned towards the window to look out > at the clan grounds as the ladies talked about what they should wear for the > dinner... AMY: (as herself in the fic) Hmm... a polka-dot dress, plaid socks, and... oh! pink sneakers! ROUGE: (as Mary) What about that green blouse, orange skirt, and purple sneakers you have? AMY: (winces at that image) ANTHONY: Oh, come on! Lisa Echidna thought your old Sonic CD look was cute! She even drew a pic of it! NYPEROLD: Well, looks like it's time for a break. NESS: I'm going to check out that primer on Anth's author self's site! SONIC: ...and Anth? You owe us an explanation for that multiple Sonic thing you told us about earlier! (They all head for the rec room.) NYPEROLD: (to Anthony) You wouldn't happen to know where I might find pictures of some of these fanchara, would you? ANTHONY: Well, Mary is just a lavender quilled and older version of Amy, and I'm afraid there are no pics of the others... (voice trails off as they enter the other room)