Private/Closed Bootleg Bros. Ultimate - The Muspell Campaign

[PaprusTeuton]

SPC

Bennet mostly brushed off the lightning. "Oh that, the lightning...yeah it just happens every now and again. Every other day something comes up, so I just get used to these sort of things. No sense whining about it, right?" He seemed like he genuinely was used to improbably bad things happening to him, but... if they were all on this scale...

"How are you still alive?" Shay asked, amazement in his voice. "If events such as being struck by lightning are commonplace to you, then surely all of this would have added up to you just... dying? Lightning is supposed to be lethal regardless, and you've just brushed it off. How-" he turned as he noticed footsteps approaching, and mentally prepared for a fight, in case one of those Muspell foes was approaching.

Luckily, as he turned his head, he saw it was simply the warrior with the blue blade of energy- though the blade was gone, now. Presumably, the fight was won, as he didn't seem like the type of person to take a break. He turned back to Bennet. "That warrior- the one who has, or had, a blade of blue energy- what is his name? I would like to know him."

 

[Mokko]

Nikki Prez
“Hup…” Nikki grunted as she knelt down, setting Miss Fjorm on the ground- though, even with Carbon melting a circle of snow around their feet, it still felt weird to just leave her on the ground like that.

“Hey, don’t look so worried! Doctor Nikki is on it, Bennett, alright? Everyone’ll be okay on my watch, I mean it!” Nikki cracked her fingers, looking toward Semla, the Blosswine looking back to meet her trainer’s gaze as she continued focusing on the Psyshield. “Semla, how about a little bit of Grassy Terrain for my homegirl here? She needs a little something extra!”

The Pokemon grunted, one arm falling away from the air and pointing downward. The creature seemed to strain a bit from using two moves at once, but a ring of extremely lush grass began to sprout from the ground below. Almost supernaturally so, some blades even coiling around Miss Fjorm’s arms.

“This is the number one medicine to beat all medicines- nice, fresh Grassy Terrain is sure to rejuvenate anyone! E-Eventually. Some things are faster, but this’ll help her feel better!” Nikki cleared her throat, raising Fjorm’s head onto an especially plump shrub of the grass. It was pretty lucky she’d taken the time to teach Semla this move, actually- it wasn’t usually something she’d have in her arsenal, though it was really smart and handy to have access to. Really, her usage of this move was inspired by a certain other trainer’s usage of a Grass-type Pokemon with soothing properties.

She turned her head just in time to spot Anakin walking toward the group- he’d definitely been way deeper in the thick of the fight than she had. She first spoke to Shay, and then to Anakin himself.

“That guy? That’s Anakin! Hey, Anakin! You alright!?” she called out, waving her arms, ripping a chunk of the fresh terrain out. “Want some grass??”

 

[comic]

ANAKIN SKYWALKER​

—Day 1 Evening, Nifl Plains—​

At the head of the march back down the hill to reunite with the group’s other half, Anakin got a wave and a call from Nikki.

...

Why would he want grass?

“Uh, thanks, I’m fine,” Anakin waved back with his gloved hand. “Not really uh, hungry right now.”

Yet as Anakin entered the Grassy Terrain circle, he felt a sudden sense of... tranquility? The force itself seemed to favor this ring of nature, a calming allure settling over his soul. The bitter rage and fear stuffed within seemed to, for a moment, abade.

“Whoa...” the general raised his eyebrows, taking a moment to stop and adjust to this sudden feeling as he crossed his arms over his chest. This is what Nikki probably meant. However, before he could ask any questions, his blue eyes focused on Fjorm’s unconscious body, then a somewhat battered Bennett, and finally upon the newcomer.

“Who’s he?” Anakin asked casually as he gestured to Shay.
​

 

[Shen: King of Digimon]

Bennett

"How are you still alive?" Shay asked

This line of questioning had him a little on the spot, sweat coming down his cheek. To be entirely honest with himself, he had no idea how. He just felt a burning fire as his vision he had on him would just...reduce it. He couldn't really explain it. At least, not without sounding mad.

"I guess a god doesn't want me to die just yet, huh?" He chuckled, wiping off some semi dried blood from his face.

That's when 'Doctor Nikki' jumped into action. Things turned a greenish hue as grass and shrubbery came into being. Just being around it felt...refreshing somehow? Taking a cautious hand to the grass, he raked it across it. Seemed like it was therapeutic just touching the stuff despite having a glove in the way. Deciding to sit down on it, he gave an exhale, his pain he was ignoring subsiding in a hurry.

"Ahh...that's the stuff! I didn't know they could do that, thanks buds!"

Anakin had been introduced to Shay while he was focused on this, Bennett barely registering the going ons around him. Though when he opened his eased eyes, Anakin was before him, gesturing towards Shay with his question.

"Oh, him? That's Shay. He's an adventurer just like us! He really knows his stuff too!"

 

[PaprusTeuton]

You Know Who This Is.

Shay's question was answered by Nikki, who called the warrior Anakin. The warrior asked who Shay was, to which Bennet gave a quick explanation, which Shay elaborated on. "My name is Shay Patrick Cormac. I was sneaking through these woods when your battle against the Muspell forces began. I've been acting as somewhat of a partisan against them since my arrival here. I trust that we can be allies?"

Getting on Anakin's good side would be paramount to fighting against Muspell, and really basic survival. Given his incredible capabilities, being his enemy was a very bad idea- that energy blade could kill him instantly. So, Shay was trying to guarantee that Anakin would be on his side, as that would be quite useful for future battles.

 

[comic]

ANAKIN SKYWALKER​

—Day 1 Evening, Nifl Plains—​

“Yeah, sure,” the jedi shrugged at Shay’s offer nonchalantly. “As for sneaking in the woods—we should all start doing that. Right now wouldn’t be a bad idea. Surtr’s guys are catching up and we don’t wanna get caught trying to recover like this.”

He paused, frowning.

“Um... actually, where were we going before this? I could have sworn we had a destination, didn’t we?”​

 

[Captain Cardboard]

Nifl Plains - Semperviren Forest​

~Day 1, Evening~
​

"Um... actually, where were we going before this? I could have sworn we had a destination, didn't we?" Anakin asked the group. A silence fell as the Heroes looked to each other. Had they a destination? Their plans so far had seemed rather short sighted. Rescue the Princess, investigate an abandoned fort, investigate the smoke columns. Everything had seemed to happen so quickly that there had been no time to focus on an overall end destination.

"North... the mountains..."

With the power of the Grassy Terrain, Fjorm had regained consciousness. Despite some of the grass having grown around her arms, the Princess felt peaceful in this zone of healing and regeneration. She slowly sat up, and looked to the group. Seeing that Bennett was looking quite better than when she last saw him, she tried to give the adventurer a reassuring smile.
"My sister, Gunnthrá. After the fall of the castle... she retreated to the mountains of the north, in the hopes of finding allies or a way to commune with Nifl."

The faint scent of smoke waifed through the forest, yet another reminder that this was no place they should remain. The group departed, moving as swift as they could through the cold, wintery pine forest.

Night quickly approached, and the group was forced to stop. They found a small cave in the side of a hill, a perfect place for shelter against the wind. It was there they began to set up for the night. Despite her injuries, Princess Fjorm attempted to help the best she could. She went through the supplies she had gathered from the outpost, bringing out the rations she had taken. Stealth was not a strong suit of the Muspell army, and it was likely the Mashers would hear or smell the fiery hordes before they saw them...

 

[Mokko]

Nikki Prez
“Hungry…?” Nikki blinked at Anakin- thankfully, he then seemed to realize the grass was not for eating. The last thing she needed was for people to think she grazed like some kinda Ponyta.

She folded her arms and smiled, as Semla’s Grassy Terrain ring seemed to help everyone stabilize a bit after that gritty clash against the Muspell forces. Then, Anakin put forward the question- what now?

Nikki’s lack of knowledge surrounding this world was really proving troublesome- she was confused, disoriented, and at a bit of a loss. If this were Alola or Porto- heck, even Johto, she would have a much better idea of where they could go and what they could do. Here… she just wasn’t sure if there was somewhere trustworthy for them to head to, and that sucked. Sucked a ton. For now, it seemed like the only option was to just keep moving and hope to stay out of the fire army’s crosshairs- luckily, Fjorm seemed to stir and offer a better alternative than ‘try not to get TOASTED!’

Her sister, in the mountains. That sounded great! Especially if this Gunnthrá had found more allies in her search, right? Nikki dared not point out how friggin’ cold it was going to get, though, there were more important things to focus on right now- including finding shelter, as things slowly began to drift further toward nightfall…

Out of her three active Pokemon, it was Pierogi who Nikki decided to leave out of his ball- the sniffling sky whale could carry plenty, on top of being nice and speedy- so she recalled both Carbon and Semla for the time being, to get some much-earned rest.

When they found the cave, Nikki was joyous- they could warm up and rest in here as things outside turned far too dark to continue any further… the only downside was that Pierogi was too big to fit in through the mouth, plopping down outside and chirping softly.

Doing her best to help the still-injured Fjorm, it would soon dawn on Nikki that this period of respite wouldn’t be a long one…

“Eh, does it smell kind of smokey to anyone else?” she inquired. “I haven’t even lit the fire yet, what gives??”

 

[comic]

ANAKIN SKYWALKER​

—Day 1 Midnight, Semperviren Forest—​

The mountains...

Anakin’s eyes turned to the distant peaks, and he let out the briefest of sighs. That was a two second trip in his starfighter... and it would take the better part of tomorrow to reach their destination.

The group gathered their wits and their strength and moved on, leaving the encroaching Muspell forces in the powder, for now. Anakin chose to take up the rear of the group, using the force to encourage gusts of wind, blowing snow about to cover the tracks they were leaving behind. If Muspell truly was following them, then this would make it more difficult for them to keep up.

Though more likely, given the context the jedi had just learned, Muspell was on a direct trajectory for Fjorm’s sister. Gunther, or, whatever her name was.

With the cold chill of night, Anakin was beginning to feel frozen to the core. He hated the cold, it made him slow and numb, so stopping in a cave was a thankful reprieve. Sure to grab the driest wood he could find along the way up the hill into the cave’s mouth, he laid the bundle of branches down in the middle, eager to get a fire started.

“Eh, does it smell kind of smokey to anyone else?” Nikki inquired. “I haven’t even lit the fire yet, what gives??”

“We’re headed to the same place as Surtr,” Anakin said simply, rubbing his arms. “He’ll be looking for Fjorm’s sister as well, and any allies she’s made.”

He was guessing, of course, Fjorm would correct him where he was wrong, but the general had an intuition about these kinds of things- besides, it made the most sense. Surtr was already on the move when they’d brushed against his forces. A detachment had broken off and been defeated, but Surtr remained not far behind. He hadn’t moved his forces to chase them, but to head for his original destination.

Or... perhaps he had seen Fjorm. Maybe he had changed his destination to pursue her, individually. There was also the possibility he believed she would lead him to her sister. However, Anakin had done well at covering their tracks. Either Surtr could still find them regardless of a physical trail, or this really was his intended direction.

Anakin was inclined to believe his initial theory.

“Can anyone light this? I think I forgot my ‘winter survival kit’ back at the jedi temple.”

The force could be used to light a fire, if nothing else, but Anakin wasn’t exactly well trained in that type of force ability. He never honestly thought he’d have to use it. Past Anakin was really screwing him over right now.​

 

[Shen: King of Digimon]

Bennett


Without another word, Bennett walked over and tapped the wood with his sword, suddenly the campfire lit up with an abrupt waft of heat. However, it didn't seem like Bennett was the most proud at the moment at this. In fact, he appeared pretty distraught about something. Putting his sword back away, he looked at the campfire, trying hard not to make eye contact with anyone.

"Hey...guys? Before we continue I have to tell you something. You know the geysers that went up around us? Me somehow slipping and ending up in front of that army? The lightning strike? Well...I wouldn't exactly call that coincidence."

Letting out a sigh, he knew he was likely going to be throwing away a chance of adventure here, but it wouldn't be fair to everyone else. They had a big mission to accomplish and him tagging along with this hanging over him would probably compromise it.

"I was born with bad luck. I'm serious, the worst things happen around me if I want it to or not. I make the best of it, but it can get people around me seriously hurt. It's been pretty tame so far, but I don't want you guys to fail the mission just because I'm here."

Keeping his act together, Bennett looked down, seeming to already accept his fate.

"So...if you guys want to ditch me I understand."

 

[Psymallard]

Little Crow
-Winding Down, Semperviren Forest-
They had found a nice cave in the snow-swept woods, and began setting up a fire. The Reaper settled in and sat on his haunches. He tossed a small mote of fire to light the campfire as he did. His feathers were spread as if they were a cape running down his back, and he calmly watched the fire as discussions went on around him.

Bennett was cursed- that much was evident. A liability... but he could also be helped, presumably. More the former than the latter at the moment, as the bird couldn't exactly ask where the source of the curse was. The group would probably be better off without him, but where would he go? Despite his decades of work as a killer, the crow was far from heartless.

Giving up on trying to reason this late, the crow looked around at his surroundings. It reminded him of the True Crows hideout, which was stationed up in the mountains bordering the Forbidden Lands. As if on cue, at the far end of the cave, a large pink keyhole faded into existence, hanging in the air. It pulsated with the same-color energy.

Chk-CHK!

The sound of a heavy, old lock being turned echoed through the cave, and the keyhole erupted into a shining white miasma that quickly expanded and rose into the air. It took the shape of a door, and quickly slammed itself on the ground. With a flash of bright light, there stood a physical door, made of grey wood and bound by iron bands. On the front hung the ornate bust of a crow, which took up the entirety of the door's middle, complete with a knocker hanging from its beak.

Little Crow looked over to the door. He hadn't opened that. Still, it opened wide, and a dirty crow wearing a poncho around his torso and a book on his head stepped from the bright white portal. A familiar face. Vaga. The Reaper stood at the appearance of his old friend.

"Little Crow! It was difficult to find you, this universe is outside the normal scope of our jurisdiction..."

Vaga shook his head.

"We need your help. The Cult of the Yeti didn't dissolve as we thought, rather the death of Betty seems to have emboldened them. They've been launching attacks against the Stranded Sailor and straying closer to our hideout..."

Vaga sighed.

"Badger and Grunty have been trying their best to fend them off, but there's something going on, and they haven't been able to permeate their territory as you once did."

The Reaper looked to the rest of the party, and Vaga followed his gaze. He felt guilt. Little Crow couldn't see this objective through if his homeland was in danger.

"...Are those humans?"