The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

4 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

Cricket sighed, looking at Rose. "You ready?" he said, and attacked, setting in place an Enulling field as he lunged with his knives.

Xanther sighed. "Oh, yes. An Ennuller. Dear me, how could I forget." 

He flicked a small blue-and-silver device at Cricket. When it came into contact with him, Cricket slowed, nearly frozen in time. 

Rose growled and pulled out her laser, but Xanther closed his eyes, found a little flicker in the field that would have been far more difficult if Cricket weren't nearly frozen, and pulled in a cane. She fired on him, but he used the silver ball on the top to absorb the energy. 

The tiny device fizzled and fell apart in a mess of sparks, and Cricket was returned to normal speed. Xanther had moved, but only slightly. 

 

[xinoehp512 he/him]

1 hour ago, Bird Furious said:

She laughed bitterly, hugging herself. "Yeah, no kidding. I don't suppose you have any Prismite." 

Xanther's grin widened. "You don't have to, my dear emperor. I will do it for you." 

He looked up, then beamed. "Ah, Doctor Rebus! Welcome back! I..." He trailed off. "Good gracious, I forgot the reports, didn't I? Ah, well, let me show you what I have!" He stood up. 

Nemesis scowled. "Whatever. Do you know where any girls are?" 

Xanther appeared. "No, dear boy, not that hard at all." He grinned. "Though I would advise against fighting me." 

"Indeed he is," Xanther clarified. 

"Oh, I'm not naive. I don't believe you need it--- but the Thread needs you to need it. By messing with the characters, you'll make an upheaval and create a great spectacle. Is that not what you desire?" 

He was being watched. 

Xanther tossed back his head and laughed heartily. "Oh, you dear man. I admire your tenacity." 

Xanther appeared in the enemy camp, before the enemy leader, and bowed. "Good day." 

"Find Rebus!" 

"No?" 

Xanther yawned, waiting for the King's enemies to respond. I don't remember what they were called--- tah kahal or something 

"And thus into an uncertain situation. Until I can be certain you won't be in any danger, I can't let you go."

53 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebus smiled, having pulled the same sort of trade before. Actually, he’d been running a teleportation network when he’d done it - great minds thought alike, he supposed. “I have plenty of things of that sort, though few were originally mine.” 

Rebus used his nanomachines to check Bacon’s pockets and hat, though he had already seen the Lost Page before. 

Yup. If he’s declared himself emperor, something big has happened. 

“Total loyalty is not my goal at the moment. I can end disease, hunger, and scarcity, and that gains far more loyalty than any threat. Except the threat of bringing it back, of course.” 

Rebus grinned at the Author (assuming it was the Author, that is - Heir was pretty sure the Scribe was italicized). “I’ve succeeded.” 

“Would you desire expanding your business? I have antiteleportation fields, which would grant you a near-monopoly.” 
Rebus’s hearing was technologically enhanced, and even if it wasn’t he could read the posts. 

Rebus led her through the portal, the lab reconfiguring as he walked. “Now, would you rather be conscious or sedated for this?” 
“That is quite understandable - the number of things I myself am doing is large.” 

Rebus, though he had thought exaggerating the infighting would be enough to succeed, decided further measures would be necessary. The tide all over the planet changed as a massive geodesic dome of nanomachines appeared in the sky, glowing with purple lines. Rebus had arrived. 

“Actually, if I had a lab I could make it. I’m a metaphysicist, among other things.” 
“I do thank you for your help - other than that final plotline with Bacon, I believe we have interacted with them all.” And man is it giving me a lot of notifications. 
Rebus smiled back at him, following the man and taking not of what had been done. 
“I do, but you won’t succeed in what you’re trying to do by simply demanding someone court you. I would find someone with a common interest, spend a little time together doing that, and then ask.” 
“It is one of my goals, yes, but asking for tribute without knowing what tribute is needed is a good way to end up in a metaphorical corner.” 

"Um." said Bacon. "What are you doing, exactly?"

35 minutes ago, Hawks said:

she looks few nervous steps back. "Uh I dont think Dot would like that"

"He'll never know! And besides, you will. I guarantee it."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

Just now, xinoehp512 said:

"And thus into an uncertain situation. Until I can be certain you won't be in any danger, I can't let you go."

"Um." said Bacon. "What are you doing, exactly?"

"He'll never know! And besides, you will. I guarantee it."

She growled. "Well, if you're so worried about that, why don't you come with me? Or bring him here?" 

[xinoehp512 he/him]

1 minute ago, Bird Furious said:

She growled. "Well, if you're so worried about that, why don't you come with me? Or bring him here?" 

"Frankly, I don't know where he is. And I cannot leave this place."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

4 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"Frankly, I don't know where he is. And I cannot leave this place."

She scowled. "Well... how do you know I'm not a danger to myself? Maybe leaving me here is the least safe thing you could do." 

[TwinStorm He/Him]

23 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"No. I was created here."

"Well . . . I don't know then. I'm sorry. I don't know what to do."

20 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

Xanther sighed. "Oh, yes. An Ennuller. Dear me, how could I forget." 

He flicked a small blue-and-silver device at Cricket. When it came into contact with him, Cricket slowed, nearly frozen in time. 

Rose growled and pulled out her laser, but Xanther closed his eyes, found a little flicker in the field that would have been far more difficult if Cricket weren't nearly frozen, and pulled in a cane. She fired on him, but he used the silver ball on the top to absorb the energy. 

The tiny device fizzled and fell apart in a mess of sparks, and Cricket was returned to normal speed. Xanther had moved, but only slightly. 

 

Cricket returned to normal speed, falling forward several feet, but regaining his balance quickly. He thrust out his hand to summon Savior Complex, only then remembering its destruction. He cursed, summoning a bolt of dark energy and hurling it at Xanther.

Edited June 21, 2025 by TwinStorm

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

38 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

"Well . . . I don't know then. I'm sorry. I don't know what to do."

Cricket returned to normal speed, falling forward several feet, but regaining his balance quickly. He thrust out his hand to summon Savior Complex, only then remembering its destruction. He cursed, summoning a bolt of dark energy and hurling it at Xanther.

He absorbed the beam with his staff, along with the laser beam Rose shot at him. 

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

1 hour ago, Bird Furious said:

He laughed. "Let me tell you something," he said. "By resisting, you open yourself to be made a scapegoat. Do you really wish that fate?" 

"Well, resist is a strong word, and if scapegoat means more people try and enter my labryinth, then scapegoat sounds pretty good."

1 hour ago, Dragonheir said:

Yup. If he’s declared himself emperor, something big has happened. 

That... Sounds bad.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

Just now, CoderDrag0n8 said:

"Well, resist is a strong word, and if scapegoat means more people try and enter my labryinth, then scapegoat sounds pretty good."

That... Sounds bad.

"Being a scapegoat would involve the complete destruction of your labyrinth." 

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

4 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

"Being a scapegoat would involve the complete destruction of your labyrinth." 

"How and why?"

[TwinStorm He/Him]

13 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

He absorbed the beam with his staff, along with the laser beam Rose shot at him. 

Cricket sighed, teleporting behind Xanther, and slashing at him.

[Keke They/he]

1 hour ago, xinoehp512 said:

"And thus into an uncertain situation. Until I can be certain you won't be in any danger, I can't let you go."

"Um." said Bacon. "What are you doing, exactly?"

"He'll never know! And besides, you will. I guarantee it."

"yeah but will I come back?"

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

58 minutes ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

"How and why?"

"Hah. It may not, I suppose. But your labyrinth would likely get caught in the crossfire when I'm trying to kill you on behalf of the Crown." He grinned. 

50 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

Cricket sighed, teleporting behind Xanther, and slashing at him.

He scored a hit this time. Xanther seemed surprised, whirling around and bashing Cricket with his staff. The force must have been magnified somehow, because it easily smashed some of his ribs. 

"Hah! Not bad. A little better and you may even have killed me! Haha!" 

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

9 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

"Hah. It may not, I suppose. But your labyrinth would likely get caught in the crossfire when I'm trying to kill you on behalf of the Crown." He grinned. 

"I have The Great Corrupter on my side. He may not wish to interfere much, but he has given me leeway to borrow his power and considers me his pseudo-agent. That is a higher ranking than you. He will not take kindly to you killing me. So, at the very very very least, it will be hard to kill me. I would love to see you try. However, sadly, I am not in the murderous or suicidal mood, so if you would please," He points to the way out.

@Dragonheir

Quick, is there any special powers that us being in the labyrinth give us? You know, as the creators of the labyrinth?

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

17 minutes ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

"I have The Great Corrupter on my side. He may not wish to interfere much, but he has given me leeway to borrow his power and considers me his pseudo-agent. That is a higher ranking than you. He will not take kindly to you killing me. So, at the very very very least, it will be hard to kill me. I would love to see you try. However, sadly, I am not in the murderous or suicidal mood, so if you would please," He points to the way out.

@Dragonheir

Quick, is there any special powers that us being in the labyrinth give us? You know, as the creators of the labyrinth?

He raised an eyebrow. “And you claim to know my rank.”

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

30 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

He raised an eyebrow. “And you claim to know my rank.”

"I am saying that any rank from The Great Corrupter is higher than any rank not from The Great Corrupter. The Great Corrupter cares about me more than you."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

26 minutes ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

"I am saying that any rank from The Great Corrupter is higher than any rank not from The Great Corrupter. The Great Corrupter cares about me more than you."

He laughed again. “Ah, dear child. You have yet to learn that power is a mere contest of wills in the Thread— and I was created to be very, very powerful.”

[___ He/Him]

4 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

Xanther appeared in the enemy camp, before the enemy leader, and bowed. "Good day." 

4 hours ago, Bird Furious said:

Xanther yawned, waiting for the King's enemies to respond.

The leader of the Tah-kahal eyed Xanther. 

"Yes?"

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

1 minute ago, sneak spooky spook guy said:

The leader of the Tah-kahal eyed Xanther. 

"Yes?"

“I come bearing dire news for your forces,” he said. “Their king has made some agreement with a dark entity and claimed a very ominous-looking sword. I also come bearing an easy solution.” 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

38 minutes ago, TwinStorm said:

"Concious. I wanna stay alive. Don't poison me or anything."

“Alright… this will require physical manipulation of your core, either inside or outside your body.” 

36 minutes ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

The teleporter grinned. "Well now. A near monopoly sounds very nice to me. And what all would you want in exchange, may I ask?"

“Someone to run the public transportation network, with general efficiency and good public image - though of course you don’t need to actually live up to it - and a cut of the more eclectic payments going to me.” 

34 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

"No lab." She folded her arms and glared at the snow. "What about fire? Do you have fire? We could set this tree on fire." 

Xanther gave a deep bow. "Of course, my dear man. Now, if I may ask a reward, I would like a well characterized pair of gloves, if you please." 

He described each in detail. He pointed at the core, which he'd placed in a contraption of silver wire that pulsed with blueish energy every once in a while--- the same blue color as the faint field it emitted around the core. "I've managed to completely stop the decay using a technique of the Lower Caverns that involves time-slowing fields. I perfected the technology to completely freeze time within a bubble." He pointed to a larger contraption, about the size of a refrigerator, of wires and metal plating that seemed to have previously fit the core. "Once that was done, I worked on a way to make it more portable." He pointed to the next one, which was not very large--- maybe a couple of feet, and more of a capsule design. "Ah, but then I had a breakthrough." He picked up the core, which floated in the middle of the far smaller wire contraption. The wires connected to a black and silver hub on either side. "Now, as long as the cage remains undamaged, the core is completely safe." He beamed. 

He scowled. "That sounds hard," he grumbled. 

"Ah, the exact kinds of corners my Author is well practiced at getting out of." 

“That, I can try,” Rebus said, somehow making a small white rock appear in his hand. It was quartz, and he’d found it on the ground a few minutes earlier, slight-of-handing it to add unnecessary flair. “If you have something metal - or I suppose I could try the hinges of my glasses - this will spark.” 
Rebus nodded thoughtfully. “Gloves representative of me, or of you? For the former, I have some consideration to do - lasers and lightning do not provide the elegance I believe you desire.” 
Rebus took mental notes, realizing once again what a genius this man was. “You have done incredibly well, Mr. Whitlock. I’m glad to have had you in my employ. But that isn’t the whole reason I came to visit you - I’m still not entirely sure how I should tell you this, but Bat is dead.” 

“It is,” Rebus said, “but if you pick the right person and the right hobby, you’ll enjoy it and actually succeed.” 
“I assume literal corners as well, but you are right.” 

24 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"Um." said Bacon. "What are you doing, exactly?"

“Exactly? Answering that question would never end. But generally, Fate used a favor I owed him to have me read his book - specifically the messed up page you have.” 

1 hour ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

Quick, is there any special powers that us being in the labyrinth give us? You know, as the creators of the labyrinth?

Traps, mostly. There’s not a ton you could do to avoid hurting yourself, though you can restructure the maze. 

[___ He/Him]

3 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

“I come bearing dire news for your forces,” he said. “Their king has made some agreement with a dark entity and claimed a very ominous-looking sword. I also come bearing an easy solution.” 

The leader, Kyrtz, looks troubled.

"I'm listening."

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

11 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

He laughed again. “Ah, dear child. You have yet to learn that power is a mere contest of wills in the Thread— and I was created to be very, very powerful.”

"It seems you underestimate The Great Corrupter. Many believe that he is an Avatar of an Author, given immense power. However, for the sake of not wanting to destroy this lovely labyrinth, what exactly are your terms?"

3 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Traps, mostly. There’s not a ton you could do to avoid hurting yourself, though you can restructure the maze. 

Alright. I need you to trust me. I have a plan.

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

4 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“Alright… this will require physical manipulation of your core, either inside or outside your body.” 

“Someone to run the public transportation network, with general efficiency and good public image - though of course you don’t need to actually live up to it - and a cut of the more eclectic payments going to me.” 

“That, I can try,” Rebus said, somehow making a small white rock appear in his hand. It was quartz, and he’d found it on the ground a few minutes earlier, slight-of-handing it to add unnecessary flair. “If you have something metal - or I suppose I could try the hinges of my glasses - this will spark.” 
Rebus nodded thoughtfully. “Gloves representative of me, or of you? For the former, I have some consideration to do - lasers and lightning do not provide the elegance I believe you desire.” 
Rebus took mental notes, realizing once again what a genius this man was. “You have done incredibly well, Mr. Whitlock. I’m glad to have had you in my employ. But that isn’t the whole reason I came to visit you - I’m still not entirely sure how I should tell you this, but Bat is dead.” 

“It is,” Rebus said, “but if you pick the right person and the right hobby, you’ll enjoy it and actually succeed.” 
“I assume literal corners as well, but you are right.” 

“Exactly? Answering that question would never end. But generally, Fate used a favor I owed him to have me read his book - specifically the messed up page you have.” 

Traps, mostly. There’s not a ton you could do to avoid hurting yourself, though you can restructure the maze. 

"Well now," the teleporter says. "That's an exchange I can agree to. And I suppose, if we're going to be in business, I should tell you my name. I'm called Asharak." He bows.

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

3 minutes ago, CoderDrag0n8 said:

"It seems you underestimate The Great Corrupter. Many believe that he is an Avatar of an Author, given immense power. However, for the sake of not wanting to destroy this lovely labyrinth, what exactly are your terms?"

Alright. I need you to trust me. I have a plan.

Note: Xanther might be an actual Author Avatar. So yeah… 

Understood - I will follow your directions. 

2 minutes ago, Kaladin Stormcursed said:

"Well now," the teleporter says. "That's an exchange I can agree to. And I suppose, if we're going to be in business, I should tell you my name. I'm called Asharak." He bows.

“It is a pleasure doing business with you, Asharak.” Rebus said, smiling. Asharak’s newfound position gave him limited authority over Rebus’s nanomachines. Consequently, a number of them lit up in front of his eye, forming a heads-up display that asked for further interface decisions. 

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

4 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Note: Xanther might be an actual Author Avatar. So yeah… 

Understood - I will follow your directions. 

“It is a pleasure doing business with you, Asharak.” Rebus said, smiling. Asharak’s newfound position gave him limited authority over Rebus’s nanomachines. Consequently, a number of them lit up in front of his eye, forming a heads-up display that asked for further interface decisions. 

ah. Well, I am assuming that Avatars, on their own, dont have as much power, but The Great Corrupter is also a materializer.

Good. You can always tell me if you dont like how things are going, but I won't let them do anything to you, me, or the labyrinth.