Board Thread:Roleplay/@comment-32932951-20180813011734/@comment-26892768-20180820035336

"well, whenever i hit someone with the hammer hard enough, it causes the dice to roll, and then it causes some sort of random effect based on what the result was." John explains. "the result isn't determined by the total the dice add up to, though; it's determined by the results of the individual dice. it's kinda like a combination lock with eight numbers, except each combination is valid and unlocks a different result, and the combination is determined by the dice! does that make sense?"

Bowser's response to Liquidation is to fire a volley of fireballs into the sky, causing them to rain down on Golisopod and the area around him.

Baron doesn't notice that one of the fireballs is heading for him until he feels the heat and looks up. Startled, Baron just puts away the Lockseed and prepares to jump out of the way. It'll be a rather close call, but-

...Baron blinks a few times to make sure he's seeing things right. He is - he didn't have to jump, because Shield Knight blocked the shot with her shield.

"Fellow knight, it would be best advised for you to stay focused on the beast. If not for me, why, your only remains would be charcoal and ash!" Shield Knight's tone lightens up when she makes the latter comment, and she chuckles a bit to herself as she gets up. "But I suppose you could hardly be blamed. I am Shield Knight, and coming from behind you is my partner, Shovel Knight."

Baron turns around, only to see the tips of Shovel Knight's boots as the knight jumps over Baron to join his beloved.

"We're here to help you fight this beast - and, conveniently, it happens to be distracted fighting the insect!" Shovel Knight comments. "An opportune time to catch it off-guard! Would you happen to have any advice for us regarding the beast, fellow knight?"

Baron stares at the knights for a few moments before shoving past them, readying his Sonic Arrow. "Stay out of my way."

Shovel Knight and Shield Knight watch as Baron heads for cover, the latter looking rather annoyed.

"Do not pay him much mind, Shield Knight." Shovel Knight puts a hand on Shield Knight's shoulder. "You heard his voice - he's young. Tis likely he has yet to appreciate the luxury of having someone watch your back. Besides...consider his armor. Perhaps he simply has a natural sour demeanor?"

Shield Knight looks at Shovel Knight in confusion, then looks at Baron, and it clicks. She starts giggling, and Shovel Knight starts to chuckle alongside her, satisfied that he put her in a better mood.

Neither knight notice how tightly Baron is clenching his Sonic Arrow.

Elsewhere, several miles away from anyone...

Two giant, mechanical lions fly through the landscape - one blue, and one green. Although the lions themselves are silent - save for the sound of their thrusters - their pilots are busy communicating with each other.

"And you're positive this isn't Earth?" Princess Allura, paladin of the Blue Lion, asks, looking at the passing landscape. "The landscape is certainly similar from what I've seen, and these roads look like they were made by humans."

"Positive. If this was Earth, we would've picked up a life sign by now - a passing car, a bird, a gas station - anything! But we haven't for the past...few hundred miles? That's another thing; I've never heard of a road that goes this far and doesn't diverge or curve anywhere. And aside from the plains, the road is the only thing we've seen. No other signs of potential human activity except this road." Pidge, paladin of the Green Lion, sighs. "So, yeah, I'm positive we aren't on Earth."

"Well, when you put it like that..." Allura sighs. "This, combined with the fact that we can't contact the other Paladins...it seems like someone's managed to effectively strand us."

"Well, it isn't all bad. We still have our lions, right?" Pidge points out. "And as soon as I figure out how to clear that interference, we'll be out of here in no time. Just think of it as a girl's night out! Except it's...probably going to last more than a night."

Princess Allura slowly nods, and is then immediately drawn to a notification from her systems. "I'm picking up life readings!"

"Same here. Looks like they're only a few miles away from our location..." Pidge notes.

"Perhaps we aren't the only ones stranded here! We could help each other in our time of need!" Princess Allura proposes, now grinning.

"Perhaps...or it could be an enemy encampment, or a nest of dangerous creatures..." Pidge thinks for a moment. "I'm going on ahead with the cloak to get more details. Allura, just lay low until I figure out what's going on. If you need to, use the clouds as cover for the blue lion."

With a few button presses, the green lion is completely invisible, and Pidge goes on ahead, making sure to take it slow so that way she doesn't end up giving away her location with large gusts of wind.

And after a few moments, Pidge starts to see the lifeforms she and Allura were detecting...and just stares.

"Pidge? What are you seeing?" Allura asks.

"...I honestly have no idea." Pidge answers.