neonleon | SERPENTINE HORIZON

-- It is? How can you tell?

Because Belos didn't fight us.

That -

[ Hunter winces. ]

That's ... possible, but the last time I was in his mind, we didn't get any resistance at the start either.

Yeah, it's definitely a trap. [Time to spin his staff, summoning up some wrist watch like devices. He holds one out to Hunter.] Tap it if you need it. It's a communicator in case we get separated.

[ He takes it? startles a bit, then looks excited. ]

Is this like a quadcorder?

I will assume yes. It will allow us to talk and hopefully track each other. Tracking might get weird.

Almost then, yeah. They had these in Cosmic Frontier.

It'd probably be closer to the real thing, but I'm keeping these simple. Function over fancy.

[Gonna go take a look at the projector.]

[ Hunter follows after, looking at the scenery as he goes. ]

This is different from the mindscapes I'm used to.

Before it was the Prison Dimension. His head was stuck there.

[Gonna see if he can make the image clearer.]

Edited 2022-12-04 14:38 (UTC)

[While the image doesn't get clearer, when Donnie steps up to the projector there is a shelf just underneath it with dvd cases. All marked differently -

D, M, R
D, A
S, K and other similar formats.]

[huuuuh. Let's grab that first D and see what it plays?]

[When the image clears up, it's the local sewers, the short pathway on each side of the waterline flowing quickly by. Donnie, Mikey, and Raph are all standing by (Donnie in his Board Shorts TM). Donnie just started trying to say something but Leo slaps Don's tube over his body and tosses him into the water.

Tube time!

"Okay, men. New York sewers are a dangerous and complex labyrinth-"

Mikey looks impatient, ready to go. "Full of creatures and games and rides? This is gonna be amazing!"

"What? No!" his purple brother can't help sounding incredulous. It's just how he is. "Where do you think we are? Just take every left turn to stay on the lazy river, capisce?"

The scene continues on, their having fun playing in the "river" of the sewer. It cuts off when the football flies out of sight, and Raph with it leaving a white screen.]

[ Hunter stares wide-eyed at - uh - all of this? Like - this is so far from his experience he sort of can't comprehend. ]

Are you patrolling the sewers?

[ooooh.]

No. That was us on vacation, actually. Taking a break from crime fighting, having fun.

[Looks at those letters.]

Me, Mikey, Raph.

Dad, April.

[The last one Takes A Minute, but they don't know a lot of K's, do they?]

Shredder and Kraang. [And presumably other letters would match other enemies????]

[Going to play R.]

[It takes a moment for it to start - but the video does open up with a flash of bright lights and audience cheering. He's in a square wrestling ring, Raphael looking both highkey devastated his hero is a cheater, and ready to kick his ass with Leo.

I admit it, Raph. Wrestling is moderately harder than I thought.

"And I admit Ghostbear is a cheap champ who needs to get beat."

A large man dressed as... well. What can only be described as a ghost bear sneers down at them. "Time for your final fall."

Raph grins, "Think again, bozo. It's prime time."

The two brothers ready, and start slinging themselves against the ropes of the ring around the wrestler.

THREE!

STAR!

HURRICANE!

The video ends as the announcer calls out the stiiing of the three star hurricane before the screen goes white again.]

[ GHOST BEAR WRESTLER???

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS HERE THAT HUNTER DOESN'T UNDERSTAND, AGAIN, ]

I need a guide or - or something. What is happening??

[Putting in M.]

It's a battle sport, where the fighters all use costumes and characters to enhance the performance. Think a mix of blood sport and a play.

[Another scene, at the Run of the Mill. The lights are dimmed and the restaurant almost completely empty except for two tables of mob bosses. Mikey and Leo have gotten into server outfits and are desperately trying to show off how good they are.

Except Mikey keeps showing him up. It's making his competitive blood boil, until they've almost started legitimately fighting in the establishment.

One of the dragon youkai just huffs. "We want Orange to wait on us."

"Yes! More unicorns for Mikey." Whatever Mikey said after is a blur in his angry haze, leaping onto his smaller brother.

Hey, those are MY mobsters!]

...

Okay this one is way more understandable. Though I'm not sure what the conversion rate is for unicorns to snails.

I don't actually know myself, either. I'm not sure if Senor Hueso's accept unicorns as currency...

[Let's do A.]

[Another flip of scene, hanging around in an alley digging through garbage with Donnie when April runs into them.

April, you got to come. Mikey found some invisibility paint. We're gonna put it on dad's tail.

"I love you guys and def send me pics, but now that school's over I'm just gonna chill and have a nice normal day."

Donnie scoffs. "Scoff," said out loud as usual, "Are you really still on this whole 'I want things to be normal' gig?

April looks frustrated back, "What were 'these'," she mimicks the air aquotes, "for? I am normal."

"Yes, what big city girl doesn't have a kayak and a hazmat suit?"

"Look, guys. Just because I love the bonkers doesn't mean I don't want normal sometimes too."

Leo just sort of watches her. I mean, you can try. But it'll be easier for everyone involved if you just admit you're a total weirdo magnet.]

[ !! ]

Is that April?

Yes. In one of her wants to be normal phases.

[All right. Takes a breath. Let's see what the second D is.]

[Donnie's room. Donnie sitting on the beanbag chair in front of his screen, controller in hand and not looking away for a second. The other brothers come in-

"What a night, baby!"

Raph's voice booms behind their little brother, "Once in a lifetime."

We just shared a life changing experience. Donnie, you're never gonna believe what just happened. I know it'll never make up for it, but we got you a Jupiter Jim figure with real chopping action.

Donnie doesn't even hear them. "Ten! So close to one. Nothing is going to stop Bootyshaker9000." Raph... watches his younger brother carefully.

"Dude, you okay? You're dressed up like a lumberjack."

"It's a new upgrade I unlocked, not many have."

How'd you pay for that gear? Donnie, how'd you pay for that gear?

Mikey's voice comes from down the hall, "He destroyed Mrs. Porky Coin! I WILL AVENGE HER!"

And he doesn't seem to care. He misses a literal once in a lifetime experience. That lady in a wheelchair walked.]

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