The Shmod Forum

Aarikku · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:24 am Post subject: Chapter 5 - I, Robo

Chapter Five

“A bit of back-story, if I might.” Martin said, holding the doorknob of the next studio’s entrance. “A few years ago, Shmod merged with the video game company known as Cyberspace – famous for their game ‘The Adventures of Leric’.”

“You mean the one where R-1 came from?” Luke asked.

“Precisely.” Martin nodded. “Shmod Co. wanted to create the perfect fusion of video game and card game to attract a huge variety of people. Anyway, to help advertise Cyberspace’s old franchise, Shmod Co. created the Virtual cards based on The Adventures of Leric.”

“Okay… and what does this have to do with the next designer?” Tyson demanded.

“Let me finish. Recently, Shmod Co.’s been trying to merge with HoloMagic; a hologram company. They’ve shown what they can do with the S-R’s you’re all wearing, and with an artificially intelligent hologram. Behold!” Martin opened the door dramatically, revealing a ridiculously organized studio. Standing in the middle of it was a vaguely humanoid figure. A large floating head decorated with only two giant eyes floated over a body dressed in a karate gi. Hands were nothing more than two orange spheres. In total, the figure was about a head shorter than an average teenager.

“Leric?” Luke asked in sheer disbelief.

“Yo.” The video game character turned hologram waved.

==

Johnny mentally berated himself. Even though I now know who the Noble Dragon player is, I didn’t have time to check where that group is going. Johnny was now in the area past Kim and Ace’s studios. Though on the other hand, there aren’t very many options. He darted into the oddly-shadowed corner of the wall and continued his walk.

==

“…Tetra Hatchling, Ramen of Destiny, Mulligan, Alchemic Centrifuge, Armour of Lightning…” Leric continued to list.

“Uh, Leric? We don’t need to know every card you designed.” Martin stopped the hologram.

“Sorry.” Leric turned and observed Luke trying to pick up his pencil. “Eh, Luke? That’s a holographic pencil.”

“That’d explain it.” Luke passed his hand through the pencil again.

“So everything in here’s a hologram?” Tyson asked, but didn’t wait for an answer before he walked into the desk. “Owww…”

“My tools are holograms.” Leric replied. “The desk’s real because it has to hold the computer.”

“You are a computer.” Luke pointed out.

“Technically, I’m a program linked through Shmod Co.’s main computer.”

“If I may speak frankly, as a geek,” Kevin said politely. “You are AWESOME. I can’t even program Tetris.”

“Thanks, but I am what I am.” Leric shrugged. “And I’m not perfect. I can’t go anywhere without holographic emitters.”

Martin entered the room, talking on a cell phone. “Really? Okay. Yeah, but… okay. Thanks. See ya.” He clicked it shut. “We should get moving to the cafeteria. It’s almost lunch.” The entire tour group sighed. “Unless anyone wants to play a card game against Leric before we – ”

“Yes.” Luke’s hand shot into the air.

“Geez…” Martin groaned. “Make it quick.”

==

Main printing room. Johnny noted. As he passed the doorway, he bumped into Ace, who dropped a small stack of cards.

“Sorry.” Johnny helped Ace retrieve them.

“No problem. Are you part of the tour group?”

“Yeah.” Johnny lied. “One bathroom break and they ditched me.” He chuckled. “Any idea where they would be?”

“You’re on the right track. Just down that hallway…” Ace pointed. “Second door on the left is Leric’s studio. They shouldn’t be further than that by now.”

“What are these cards?” Johnny wondered, looking at one Metal card that bore a striking resemblance to one of the girls who had watched him battle the holographic villains earlier.

“Hm? Oh, just a personal project of mine.” Ace finished gathering the scattered deck and shuffled it. “Ah, they still have that new card smell.”

“Right.” Johnny tried to force a smile. “I’d better get going.”

“Remind Tyson of our lunchtime game, will you?” Ace called after him.

==

Leric held his hand into the air, and an S-R shone into existence around where his wrist should’ve been. “I’ll let the challenger choose the turn order.”

I’m against an A.I. designed to play card games. Luke noted. I’ll probably need the first Combat Step. “You can go.” He decided.

“If you insist.” Eight cards appeared in front of Leric, and he spent no time planning. “I’ll charge Mulligan, and tap it for Replenish. Your move.”

“I expected more from a hologram.” Tyson admitted.

“Hey, opening with Replenish is one of the best moves in the game.” Kevin argued. “No reason for him to play fighters just to have them blown up.”

“My go!” Luke declared, and the S-R gave him an eighth card. “I’ll charge Gunner Droid, and tap it for Silver Robot on defence.” A statue of his star card appeared.

“That’s also one of the best moves.” Kevin observed.

“Time to get this show on the road.” Leric drew. “I’ll charge Teleportation Code, and tap it for Merlin!” A blue, cloaked figure appeared and brandished a magic wand.

“Leric!” The wizard greeted. “How goes it?”

“His deck can talk?” Kevin demanded enviously.

“He programmed them to do that.” Martin explained. “Leric would have a lonely life otherwise, being the only sentient hologram.”

“Not bad, Merlin.” Leric replied. “I could use your help on something.”

“Ah, we’re battling, are we?” Merlin looked to Luke’s field.

“Time out, man!” Luke cried. “How’d you play a Light fighter with Spell Mana?”

“Interrupting is rude…” Leric muttered. “Anyway, we Virtuals can be played with Virtual Mana instead of our regular type. Teleportation Code’s a Virtual card.”

“Is that Silver Robot? We’re up against a Machine deck? How perfect!” Merlin laughed.

“I know! This is gonna be awesome!” Leric agreed. “So if you wouldn’t mind…”

“Gladly.” Merlin raised his wand. “Alaka…ZAM!” On the ‘zam’, a he lowered it, and a blast of light shot from the tip and struck Luke’s statue. It shattered.

“Problem solved.” Leric crossed his arms (though it was hard to tell).

“In a manner of speaking.” Merlin stroked his beard.

“Eh?” Leric wondered.

“When Silver Robot is destroyed by battle, I can search my deck for a Level One Metal fighter and add it to my hand.” Luke explained. “Or field, if it’s weak enough, but R-1 is 500 points too strong.” A hologram showed Leric his choice and zipped into Luke’s hand.

“Attacking that statue may not have been wise.” Merlin said.

“Can’t let the game go on forever, can we?” Leric replied. “That’s all for me, Luke.”

Luke drew. “Hey, Tyson! I drew that card you gave me.”

“Well don’t tell everyone!” Tyson recommended.

“It’s not a really good replacement for Bionic Noble Dragon, though. I’ll charge Bulls-eye Dragon!”

“You charged my dragon?” Tyson pouted. “Play the thing; it’s rare!”

“Sorry, but this is a way better move.” Luke looked back to his hand. “I’ll tap my Mana for R-1 and Mechanical Serpent! Now, R-1 gains 500 STK for each Metal card I control, except itself, putting it up to 2000.”

“Leric!” Merlin berated.

“I dropped the ball, I’m sorry.” Leric said sheepishly.

“R-1, attack Merlin!”

“You’re a jeeeeerrrrrkkk…” Merlin pointed at Leric angrily as R-1’s laser blasted him.

“He’s never gonna let me forget that.” Leric pouted, as Mechanical Serpent’s laser struck him directly. (Leric: 8)

“Nice shots, Luke!” Linlan cheered.

“Beating an A.I.” Tyson nodded sagely. “Awesome card gamerness runs in the family.”

“Time to avenge Merlin.” Leric drew. “Ah, my old friend. I’ll set up more protection this time. I’ll charge Lightning Blade, another Virtual card, and tap it for Squwee!” A green, spotted tadpole leapt from the floor as if it were water and began swimming above the ground without moving.

“Hey, Leric! Merlin said you let him get blasted!” Said Squwee.

“Word travels fast in cyberspace, doesn’t it?” Leric shook his head. “Whatever. I know you’ll be a pain in the proverbial neck if you get blown up too, so I’ll tap two for this! Virtua Stadium!”

“I never get tired of this scenery.” Squwee looked around as the coliseum of Rome emerged from the ground around them; Squwee and the robots in the middle. The rest of the tour group ended up in the stands, and sat down upon the odd realization that the seats were solid.

“Look, solid holograms!” Kyle turned to Martin. “We could totally get killed by Charging Rhino or Noble Dragon or something.”

“Kyle, there was a bench here you before the game started.” Ferali explained.

“Oh.”

“Anyway, now you can attack, Squwee!” Leric pointed at Mechanical Snake.

“Can do!” The tadpole inhaled deeply, and his stomach swelled. “Pah!” A massive stream of water erupted from his mouth and the snake exploded.

“You forgot my Snake’s effect.” Luke noted. “It, like Silver Robot, lets me search an R-1 to my hand.”

“Nice going, Leric.” Squwee commented dully.

“Hey, I came prepared. End Phase, go!” Leric raised his hand dramatically, as Squwee’s tail began to shrink.

“All right! Time for action!” Within seconds, Squwee was a full frog.

“Nice.” Said Ferali. She glanced over to Kyle beside her, who looked confused. “If a Virtual fighter destroys an opponent by battle while Virtua Stadium’s in play, it can Transform.”

“I knew that!” Kyle lied.

“Time to play it defensive.” Luke strategized aloud. “I’ll charge this extra Mechanical Serpent, switch R-1 to defensive mode and tap two for Sphere Droid. Also on defence.”

“No problem.” Leric began his turn. “Ooh, I wish I had’ve saved Lightning Blade. I’ll charge a spare Virtual Stadium, and tap two for Masumaru!” Dust from the stadium spun in midair, and when it receded, the samurai-esque warrior appeared, leaning against a pillar.

“You called?” He said in a low voice.

“Masumaru!” Luke smiled with fanboy glee. “So cool!” Masumaru drew and spun his sword silently.

“As long as Masumaru’s in play, all other Virtual fighters gain 400 STK.” Squwee explained. (2600)

“Why?” Luke scratched his head.

“Because I said so.” Masumaru’s eyes narrowed. “Shall I attack?” He looked back to Leric.

“Sure. R-1.” Leric nodded.

“Obviously.” Masumaru vanished, and appeared behind R-1 with his sword extended. R-1 exploded.

“Now I’ll set one card, and it’s End Phase time.” Leric decided. Masumaru’s sword lost its inner glow, and his armour twisted until it had two shoulder-spikes and his mask was completely different. A cape also faded into existence.

“And now, we other Virtuals gain 600 STK.” Squwee explained. (2800)

“Heh… sweet.” Luke looked at his draw. “I’ll tap three for… three R-1’s!” The three robots appeared.

“That is a sweet draw.” Leric stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“I heard you let him search two of them.” Masumaru commented. “I hope you have a plan.”

“All of my robots have 3000 STK, since they gain 500 for each other – and then another 500 for Sphere Droid. R-1’s, get ready!” Luke commanded; the robots’ hands flipped up to reveal cannons. “Fire at Masumaru!”

“I think not!” Leric flipped his facedown card – Cancel Attack. “This is why I saved two Mana. Masumaru’s safe!” The robots’ lasers bounced off an invisible wall.

“Thanks.” Masumaru said.

“Come on!” Luke sighed. “Fine, your move.”

Leric drew. “Ah, finally. I’ll tap two – one for Isis…” A purple, veiled woman leapt from the far stands into the stadium, and spun twin laser swords into existence. (2100) “And myself!” No duplicate of Leric appeared; he jumped from his spot to join his friends. “Incidentally, I gain 300 STK for each of my pals I’m fighting with – and then 600 more from Masumaru.” (3300)

“About time!” Isis complained.

“Sorry, I just drew you.” Leric said sheepishly. “And now, Squwee, get ready. This’ll be fun. I tap one for Amphibious Flood!”

“Ha! We’ve never used the full effect!” Squwee laughed, and then inhaled until he was practically round. When he released the water from his mouth, it was a tidal wave that almost hit the hologram-obscured ceiling of the factory. The wave roared to Luke’s field and splashed over the robots. They simultaneously short-circuited and exploded.

“And it’s our turn! C’mon, guys!” Leric leapt into the air, as Masumaru and Isis charged Luke from the sides. “Dragon Punch!” A painless fiery fist went through Luke’s head, as the others’ laser swords fizzled through Luke’s torso.

“Aw, peas.” He ‘cursed’. (Luke: 6)

“Of course, now we don’t transform.” Leric pouted with Isis.

“Y’know, in the original manga, I was the first to transform.” Isis pointed out.

“I know. I was there.” Leric replied.

“Hm…” Luke looked at his hand. “Excellent… I tap two for Whirlwind of Parts!” A massive twister appeared in front of him, spinning heads, arms, bodies, legs and wheels of R-1. When the whirlwind receded, R-4 stood in its full shiny glory.

“Gah.” Squwee looked up at the robot.

“That guy is tall.” Leric noted.

“That’s not all. I scrap three Metal fighters – Sphere Droid, Missle Droid and Gunner Droid – and tap one, for King ROBO!” A moustached robot appeared, a green cape fluttering in a non-existent breeze. “It gives all other Machines 500 STK and Immunity to Spells. Oh, and R-4 gains 1000 STK.” The larger robot grew slightly more so. (4500)

“That guy is taller.” Leric observed.

“One more thing!” Luke pointed at Masumaru. “Since I scrapped Missile Droid by a Machine’s effect, I can destroy one fighter.” A living rocket burst through the ground and flew at Masumaru.

“Noooooooo!” The others cried dramatically as a massive explosion engulfed the warrior.

“Avenge… me…” Masumaru said, struggling to get up as the smoke receded. “Leric…”

“I’m sorry, Masumaru!” Leric knelt beside him.

“You… fail… at Shmod.” He fell to the ground and vanished.

“I have more attacking to do!” Luke cried, indifferent to the drama. “R-4 will attack Isis, and King ROBO will attack Squwee!” Two laser blasts knocked Isis and Squwee to the ground, where they too faded away. (Leric: 4)

“Fine.” Leric got off the ground. “I’ll finish this myself.” He drew. “I tap one for Mulligan. Shuffle these back… draw… excellent. I tap one for Level Up!” Spikes grew out of the back of Leric’s head. His gi ripped as a draconic belly appeared. Wings erupted from where his shoulders would be if he were a person, and a tail appeared from his lower back. “Now I’m infused with the power of a dragon… the power to avenge my friends.” Leric growled. (STK: 3700)

“Uh oh.” Said Luke.

“Dragon Breath!” Leric flew into the sky and a blast of fire rained down on King ROBO from his mouth-area. The robot melted. (Luke: 4)

Luke drew. I think it’s game over. “I’ll play Elemental Fissure, to split R-4.” The four R-1’s appeared, kneeling in defence.

“Decent move.” Leric decided. “But if you don’t have a fighter to compete with me, it’s over.” He drew. “I play Dragon Fire! Normally I have to tap two Mana to destroy one of your R-1’s, but in my evolved state, I can do it for one.” Leric leapt into the air again, and blasted a robot with a dragon-shaped fireball. “Next, I play Ramen of Destiny to revive Isis.” The purple swordswoman faded back, and drew her swords.

“Time to take out a robot.” Isis decided.

“My thoughts exactly.” Leric agreed. Isis threw her swords like boomerangs, which sliced through one of Luke’s remaining robots. “And, since Dragon Fire doesn’t restrict me from attacking…” He tore through a third robot’s circuitry with his claws. “I’ll end my turn, and Isis transforms.” Bandages appearing from nowhere wrapped around her, and an Egyptian headdress appeared on her head.

“Uh…” Luke looked at his very small hand. “I pass.”

“I’ll play Ramen of Destiny to revive Evolved Squwee!” Leric called. A bowl of ramen appeared in front of him, and a frog popped out between the noodles, eating as many as he could. When the bowl was empty, it vanished and the fattened frog plopped to the ground. “And next, Sword of Reverse Death!” A sword rose from the ground blade first, and the transformed Masumaru rose with it, clutching its hilt. “It revives a Humanoid, and also gives him 400 STK and GRD.”

“Alas. I thought I had a chance.” Luke muttered.

“Masumaru! Attack!”

“My pleasure!” The warrior’s new sword flashed, and the robot was destroyed.

“Everyone else!” Swords, fire and water flew at Leric’s foe. (Luke: 1) “And finally, I tap zero for Downgrade. It’s like Elemental Fissure, but for Transformations.” Leric’s wings, claws, belly and tail were absorbed back into his body. His gi also reappeared. Leric leapt high into the air. “Dragon Punch!” He cried, as a well-placed uppercut ended the game. (Luke: 0)

“Good game.” Luke tried to shake Leric’s hand, but it passed through. “Oh, right. Well, good game.” He gave Leric a thumbs-up instead.

“Indeed.” Leric bowed. “You’re a worthy opponent.”

Card of the Chapter is King ROBO

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Naardaas · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:42 am Post subject:

Nice!... but why's ROBO the chapter card?
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The seal on my existence is broken. My great dragon has arrived as pinnacle strength. And I have the last thing I need to exact revenge on those who banished me. I have the power over chaos, over life and death. The power of Drahondes.

Aarikku · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:06 am Post subject:

R-4's already had a Card of the Chapter, and I wanted to show off Luke's new trump card. And Leric doesn't have a specific ace card, though it's probably Dragon-Infused Leric.
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Naardaas · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject:

That does make sense. Nice call Eric Asimov.

Other than that, this was a pretty good chapter. I liked it quite a bit.
_________________
The seal on my existence is broken. My great dragon has arrived as pinnacle strength. And I have the last thing I need to exact revenge on those who banished me. I have the power over chaos, over life and death. The power of Drahondes.

Aarikku · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:41 pm Post subject:

That's good. And just think - I haven't even introduced anything resembling the plot yet.

...Which is probably a bad thing.
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Naardaas · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject:

Kinda. And considering how far in you are, you may need to lengthen the season. Or stretch it into Season 3.
_________________
The seal on my existence is broken. My great dragon has arrived as pinnacle strength. And I have the last thing I need to exact revenge on those who banished me. I have the power over chaos, over life and death. The power of Drahondes.

Aarikku · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 1:20 am Post subject:

Chances are, Season 3 won't even involve the same characters.
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Naardaas · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject:

Well, you're not exactly swimming in options. You're half-way through (roughly) the season with no real acting on the plot. So, I suggest lengthening the season or licking up the pace.

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The seal on my existence is broken. My great dragon has arrived as pinnacle strength. And I have the last thing I need to exact revenge on those who banished me. I have the power over chaos, over life and death. The power of Drahondes.