(NGX) The Zodiac Game (End) : Berry Big Circus

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 6:37 pm

Pierre

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Juanli's head whipped round to face Monk "How can you be sure? They're both dead now...why take the chance? X was either telling the truth or trying to pin the blame on another." Juanli giggled, a light and unsettling noise "Best to cover all bases...unless someone can find out the truth." Juanli swayed on the spot with the force of her laughter, the scissors swaying ominously but she wasn't paying attention to Mao just now.

Made by Chesu+Zombee

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Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 6:46 pm

KamiPanda

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"Shit," Sun Taikong swore at Juanli's actions, looking aside. "I've seen people get like this before. They're dangerous, and can't be reasoned with," he muttered, trying to keep both Juanli and the other prisoners in view by flicking his eyes between them.

"I'm pretty sure you got the killer, Juanli. X is the only one here who'd kill Sunny," he said carefully, stalling for time.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 6:56 pm

Pierre

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Suddenly, an idea prompted from Taikong's words sprung to mind, Juanli looked down at her bracelet, and checked her CDP with trembling hands.

Made by Chesu+Zombee

You thought you could be safe in your courts, with your laws and attorneys to protect you. In this world only I am law, my word is fact, my power is absolute.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 6:58 pm

Datamatt

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Mei lets out a terrified scream as Juanli repeatedly stabs Amandi. She could do nothing but look on in horror, the tears welling in her eyes. The nurse tightens her grip on the glass of shard in her hands, a few droplets of blood making their way down her palm. As much as she wanted to speak, there were no words that would make her feelings justice.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 7:09 pm

Pierre

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Quivering with fury, Juanli through her head back and screeched. "IT'S NOT ENOUGH! NO! SUNNY'S KILLER!?" she levelled her scissors back towards Mao "They're still out there...I can't stop now."

Made by Chesu+Zombee

You thought you could be safe in your courts, with your laws and attorneys to protect you. In this world only I am law, my word is fact, my power is absolute.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 8:25 pm

JesusMonroe

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“Monk, drop it!” Mao shouted at him, squaring off against her. “She won’t stop until she kills us all!”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 8:34 pm

Pierre

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"I just...want...Sunny's...killer." Juanli hissed "If we figure that out, no one ELSE needs to die." She gave Suyin a wild look "And you'll even get to live Sister. I'll happily trade away the water key if we kill the right person."

Made by Chesu+Zombee

You thought you could be safe in your courts, with your laws and attorneys to protect you. In this world only I am law, my word is fact, my power is absolute.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 8:44 pm

Southern Corn

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Monk seemed to hesitate. "I'm not droppin' this till she gives her word she's not gonna stick her scissors in any of us the moment I let go!" He shouted.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 8:51 pm

KamiPanda

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Sun Taikong seemed genuinely surprised the killer was one of the remaining survivors. He couldn't help but pass a suspicious glance over everyone, despite the situation.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 9:45 pm

DootDootDoot

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"It was obviously X who did it!" Amethyst screamed at Juanli, looking at Uwen's corpse at her feet. "And now all you did was grant her wish and kill him! You killed an innocent man!"

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:07 pm

Kachu

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“I believe she is correct.” Fujisaki said, hardly phased by the situation. “And yet, since we her not caught her killer, we cannot be certain.”

“I can see that there is no calming this situation down....” Fujisaki then glances around the room cautiously, though always keeping an eye on Juanli in case anything happens.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:36 pm

KamiPanda

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"We left X with the keys. We came back to find her dead, every single cell door unlocked and every prisoner armed. While I'm not clear on the specifics, any one of the prisoners could have easily killed X and then returned to their cell to set up the ambush for us. I imagine Juanli was the one who killed X. Her CDP tell her neither X nor Amandi had the extra points from murdering Sunny," Sun Taikong surmised warily. "So we all need to be careful. No sudden movements."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:10 pm

Planetbox

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“It’s really…simple,” Juanli says, brandishing the scissors. “If you all want to live, then Sunny’s killer just needs to confess!”

“They’d probably be more likely to do that if you didn’t have a pair of scissors at their backs.” Taikong remarks.

“If they had any decency, they would speak up to save everyone,” Juanli replies, “But it appears they won’t, which means killing…everyone, until I reach someone they care enough to speak up for.”

She turns around.

“And I’ll start with you—”

Mao punches Juanli in the face, forcing Juanli to fight back.

Monk throws the lighter down, causing a wall of flame to rise from the center of the hallway. Juanli stops in her tracks, giving Mao and Fujisaki a chance to approach.

Juanli manages to avoid Mao, only to weave into a blow from the cattle prod by Fujisaki. Fighting through the pain, she slashes her scissors at Fujisaki’s hand, carving a line across it. Fujisaki cries out and drops the cattle prod with a clatter.

Mao grabs it off the floor, keeping an eye on Juanli, and swings it at her head, intending to knock her out. However, the blow only sends her stumbling straight through the blaze in the middle of the hallway.

The hem of Juanli’s dress catches fire and her skin is scorched, but she remains standing. At this point, her hair has been let loose completely, and it hangs wildly around her desperate eyes.

Ashes fall around Juanli’s feet as she raises the scissors and charges straight for Monk.

“No, stop!” Mei screams.

Tears stream down Mei’s face as she leaps in Juanli’s path, driving the shard of glass into her chest. Blood pours from her body and across Mei’s hand as Juanli collapses backwards into the flames. It’s clear from the way the scissors fall from her limp hands that she’s gone before the inferno even touches her.

Before long, the fire begins to fade into embers.

[The next post will be the end of round 2. Let me know if there’s anything you’d like to have happen before then.]

Vesti and Lauren's Interdimensional Investigations
This CYOA follows Vesti Gates and Lauren Tehra, two detectives who search for the truth, whether in their own dimension or otherwise.

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Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:26 pm

Datamatt

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It doesn't take long for the realization of what she just did to Mei. She takes a few weary steps back and drops the piece of glass, looking longingly into the fire as the tears continue to stream down her face.

She then looks to the others with a devastated face, forcing a few words through, "I-I did what I had to do, right? Right?"

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:34 pm

KamiPanda

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Sun Taikong rushed to hug her. "You saved Monk's life there, Mei. And she'd have kept on attacking us, too. I said it before, but I've seen people like her on the battlefield. She was too far gone; this was the only way it could have ended. I'm just sorry you had to be the one to do it. I've been hesitating far too much since the start of this Battle..."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:35 pm

JesusMonroe

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“Yes. Yes.” Mao repeated to Mei, shocked by what he witnessed. “She wasn’t even Juanli anymore...”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:48 pm

Datamatt

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"I j-just want this to e-end!" Mei sobs, earnestly returning a crushing hug and crying her heart out all the while.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 1:59 am

Joker

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"What the fuck..." Suyin mutters, still struggling to process the chaos that just unfolded.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 2:06 am

Kachu

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Fujisaki seems more concerned with his hand than what just transpired. After literally shaking it off, he steps away from the flames. "It is a shame that it came to this, yet I feel no action would've been far worse for us all. It had to have been done. There is no guarantee that even if our button pusher were to expose themselves that she would've calmed down."

"At least this way...." He stops and cuts himself off, not finishing his sentence. He frowns a little, and ultimately lets out a breath before turning to stare Mao down.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:26 pm

Planetbox

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The prisoners have more or less lost their spirit for insurrection. Besides, with the cattle prod in Fujisaki's hands, they're in less danger than they were before.

The two teams co-exist in something vaguely approaching harmony for the rest of the round. The bodies that now litter the floor and gently placed within the dungeon's cells.

"Round 2 has ended. The CDP of all players will now decrease. Round 3 begins."

Everyone checks their bracelets and notices that their CDP has dropped down further.

One hour later...

The battle is approaching its end, and the prisoners still haven't given up the location of the key. The prisoners get a deep sense of dread as they notice the growing resolve on Mao's face. They get the worrying impression that he's planning to act very soon.

Eventually, Mao enters the washrooms with no warning. The rest of the group, unwilling to leave him alone with the weapons, follow him inside.

Vesti and Lauren's Interdimensional Investigations
This CYOA follows Vesti Gates and Lauren Tehra, two detectives who search for the truth, whether in their own dimension or otherwise.

Avatar from over here probably

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 4:02 pm

Southern Corn

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Monk had a terrified look on his face earlier as Juanli came at him, but seeing Mei come to save him he fell back, staggered. As everyone freaked out over what happened, he stood back silently, murmuring something about "saving him again", though the others couldn't make out the details. His face was quite pale though, and he didn't say a word at all afterwards.

Seeing Mao enter the washrooms now, he looked quite worried. "We can't leave him alone..." He finally spoke up, being the first to follow him in.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 4:25 pm

JesusMonroe

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Mao was well aware that he was being followed in the room, but he did not care. He simply looked through the weapons, feeling oddly nostalgic as he did so.

"I'm sorry." He began, "I'm sorry. Because I lied to all of you, pretending that this outcome wasn't inevitable."

He pulled out a knife, large enough to see his reflection in it. Had he really gotten so old? He seemed more weary than ever. "One of our teams has to die. That is the truth of this game. If you are a guard, the best thing to do is accept this."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 4:37 pm

KamiPanda

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Sun Taikong, still wary, nodded. "That's right. One team or the other. There's no alternative. So many of us have died already, so maybe now we can come to an agreement to prevent any more unnecessary deaths?" He didn't really believe things would go that simply, but felt the words had to be said. He had to at least try.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 4:46 pm

JesusMonroe

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“Naïve as always, Private. Admirable, but naïve nonetheless. This is war. Both sides have lost people, and the death of one side is guaranteed. There is no handshake deal—the best outcome is pyrrhic victory.”

He addressed all the prisoners at once. “Final chance.”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 5:06 pm

Datamatt

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"I've given up long ago," Mei says, her head hung, "Just say it already, for all I care."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 5:26 pm

JesusMonroe

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Mao moved with surprising grace. Everybody should've been on their guard, but it wasn't the prisoners who had to worry. Because Mao grabbed someone else, placing a knife to his neck.

Taikong couldn't move--it wasn't just Mao's grip around his midsection, but the knife he had pricked very delicately into his neck. A small drop of blood rolled down to his shirt. "This is regretful--and the last thing I wanted to do, but I was left no choice." His words seemed to have some honesty to them, however coldly he spoke them. "If I move even slightly, his carotid artery will be cut." Mao explained. "Mei, I'm sure you're the last person I need to explain the implications of that too.

"Tell me where the water key is."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 5:40 pm

KamiPanda

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Sun Taikong's eyes were furious, but he was worried even trying to speak would just make the blade cut into him more, so he remained stiff as a statue. He focused his gaze on Mei, trying to silently communicate his wishes, though he knew he'd be unlikely to change her mind.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:26 pm

Datamatt

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"No!" Mei shouts, starting to make a move. She stops herself as soon as she starts, only the nurse's boot hitting the pavement. The nurse balls up her fists and looks at Mao, her face a mix of determination and desperation. "I said we'd tell you, why're you doing this?!"

The nurse's words carry a tone of fear they never have before.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:43 pm

JesusMonroe

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“You haven’t told me anything. I’m running out of both time and patience, so hurry.” Mao growled. “I’m keeping my hand as steady as possible, but I’m an old man. It’s getting tired.”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:46 pm

Kachu

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Fujisaki, who had followed the group, gripped the prod tightly stared down both Mao and Mei.

"You said what? Don't you dare!" Fujisaki shouts angrily.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:53 pm

Datamatt

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"Why wouldn't I?!" Mei shouts back at Fujisaki, "Are you fucking seeing what's going on?!"

She then turns back to Mao, "I'll tell! It's behind the left dragon's talon!"

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:59 pm

Kachu

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Fujisaki quickly let out a deep breath. "I suppose this was bound to happen eventually."

In a flash, his form changed, ready to fight. He stared down each and every remaining guard, perfectly willing to take them all on by himself. "I am not dying here." He spat.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:08 pm

Joker

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"The left dragon...?" Suyin asks. "Are you talking the mosaic in here?"

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:16 pm

Datamatt

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"Maybe? Probably? Why don't you go take a fucking look?" Mei asks, clearly starved for time.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:16 pm

Southern Corn

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"NO! DAMMIT!" Monk yelled, sweat running down his face. He had a look of pure shock and fury on his face. "You lowlife, rotten piece of..." He growled. As Suyin spoke, his eyes lit up, and he turned towards the murals. "That's it!" He charged towards it, though most likely in vain.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:20 pm

DootDootDoot

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Amethyst spent most of this altercation gritting her teeth and gripping her baton, silently cursing at herself, for being too stubborn to pick a better weapon, and at Mao, for quite a wide and colorful spectrum of reasons.

That ended as soon as she realized just how close he was to getting the key. She immediately rushed Mao, brandishing her baton like he didn't have a better weapon and a hostage.

It would be useless, in the end. This was the blind, violent, suicidal charge of a desperate and powerless person.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:23 pm

Joker

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Southern Corn wrote:

"NO! DAMMIT!" Monk yelled, sweat running down his face. He had a look of pure shock and fury on his face. "You lowlife, rotten piece of..." He growled. As Suyin spoke, his eyes lit up, and he turned towards the murals. "That's it!" He charged towards it, though most likely in vain.

Suyin chases after Monk. "Get back here, damn it!" She yelled.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:28 pm

Kachu

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Fujisaki lunged at Suyin, swiftly thrusting the prod towards her torso hoping to get her before she could reach Monk.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:32 pm

JesusMonroe

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Time slowed. This had happened to Mao many times before on the battlefield--everything could be seen clearly.

Everyone except Suyin was an enemy. He hadn't wanted to kill Taikong. That was the last resort, and he had every intention of keeping his word. But at this point, the boy would go against him. He would be hopelessly outnumbered, and defeat would be certain.

Pyrrhic victory... I was stupid to hope for anything else.

Mao almost laughed. Fretting over something like this, panicking over these odds... how many times had his back been against the wall and he had prevailed?

It. Was. Inevitable. Words he had repeated to himself constantly since this trial started. Ever since he killed that boy, he knew there was no going back. There would be no more half-assed attempts. There would be no more reconciliation. He would stake everything here on the survival of his family.

Time unfroze. It was a singular, swift movement. Mao dragged the blade across the side of Taikong's neck, deeply cutting it. A spray of blood went all over Taikong and Mao, and while it was still spurting like a fountain, he spun the knife around. He caught the blade in his own hand and in a motion he had practiced thousands of times before, he threw it straight towards Amethyst.

With surgical precision, the blade buried halfway into Amethyst's eye and stopped her charge. Then in just as swift a movement, he kicked Taikong's body straight to Mei.

Fujisaki and Monk... they were the only ones left he needed to concern himself with. Mao readied his cattle prod and charged towards the two of them with a violent roar.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:43 pm

Joker

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Suyin barely dodged the cattle prod, but in doing so she lost her balance and fell to the ground. "Damn it!" She shouts, as she quickly attempts to get back up.