Non-Canon The Nutcracker: Arcade Edition (Christmas Special)

[Yun Lee]

Cammy shielded herself from both the kunai and sword, unable to run as the rope around her legs kept her in place. "Please, stop! We don't want to hurt you! All we want is the Sugarplum Fairy back!"

"And we'll do anything to get her back, too!" One soldier would lift Chibi up another would grab Ibuki's arms and hold her at bay. "Even if it means capturing you guys!"

@Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure

---

Plutia would be unable to capture anyone, as they all steered clear of the group as Sans made his assault. "Y-You guys are insane! What do you even want?!"

@Widowmaker

---

Ryu would join Elena in her fight, pummelling soldiers to keep them from fighting back. "This doesn't feel right," he admitted. "I know these people. They're our friends, and yet...they're forced into being our enemies."

@Jeremi

---

"Listen, lady, I'd let you out if I could!" One soldier told Hecate. "But if we don't stop you guys, they're gonna torture the Sugarplum Fairy! We need to stop her from getting hurt!"

@Jeremi @Minerva @Takumi

---

Macy would find the door was locked.

"What good would a prison cell be if it couldn't hold prisoners, anyways? That's what I wanna know."

@Alex Azure​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

Ciel and Elizabeth sat to the side. Ciel drank a glass of milk. Elizabeth had OJ.

It was nice.

@Nobudi​

 

[Hida Tomonatsu]

Cammy shielded herself from both the kunai and sword, unable to run as the rope around her legs kept her in place. "Please, stop! We don't want to hurt you! All we want is the Sugarplum Fairy back!"

"And we'll do anything to get her back, too!" One soldier would lift Chibi up another would grab Ibuki's arms and hold her at bay. "Even if it means capturing you guys!"

@Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure

---

Plutia would be unable to capture anyone, as they all steered clear of the group as Sans made his assault. "Y-You guys are insane! What do you even want?!"

@Widowmaker

---

Ryu would join Elena in her fight, pummelling soldiers to keep them from fighting back. "This doesn't feel right," he admitted. "I know these people. They're our friends, and yet...they're forced into being our enemies."

@Jeremi

---

"Listen, lady, I'd let you out if I could!" One soldier told Hecate. "But if we don't stop you guys, they're gonna torture the Sugarplum Fairy! We need to stop her from getting hurt!"

@Jeremi @Minerva @Takumi

---

Macy would find the door was locked.

"What good would a prison cell be if it couldn't hold prisoners, anyways? That's what I wanna know."

@Alex Azure​

"Wait, the who now?" Ibuki landed in a crouch with a curious glint in her eyes, staring Cammy down. She quickly raised a hand towards the child who was slashing away with a toy sword, calling to him, "Hold on, kid, lets... lets hear her out. Maybe we don't need to fight?"

@Alex Azure @Yun Lee ​

 

[Crow]

Midround Update
"Plot Twist!"

The Ghost Writer rubbed his temples upon hearing Macy's speech. "Characters like that are the kind I'd want to kill off..."

"You can't kill people in The Nutcracker! That just isn't right!"

"Why do you think I've never written a version of it?" The ghost plucked a toy bow and arrow off the armory shelf. "I suppose I might as well arm myself, too."

Birdie, using a jumprope as a makeshift chain, glanced over at Ryu and Alex. "Oi! What about you two? Ain't you gonna fight?"

"We let our fists do the talkin'," Alex replied. "Unlike you guys, we're strong enough to hold our own, no problem." He turned to Ryu. "Think they're ready?"

Ryu's gaze stayed on those dancing. "...I certainly hope so. I have no idea what that general of the Mouse King's has planned..."

As if to answer Ryu's question, a strange sound, as if some metal object was rolling, could be heard. If someone managed to sneak a peek at it, they would see a little sphere...for all of three seconds. The sphere let out a loud hissing noise, and soon the entire room would be filled with smoke.

"A smoke bomb!" But that was all Alex could say before smoke filled his lungs, and he began coughing up a storm. Instead, he would aid Ryu in escorting their entire group out of the armory and into the Toyland Plaza.

However, the group would soon realize that something-or, someone was missing.

"...where's Macy?"

"Ahahahaha!" The Mouse King's laughter echoed througg the empty plaza. "Did I do that? The answer is yes! I did! Macy has officially been banished to the Shadow Realm, and she's not coming back!"

"You monster! You killed an innocent girl-"

"Not KILLED! Where's the fun in that? I just captured her, okay? She needs a time out to shrink that ego of hers, and the same will happen to any of you that rubs me the wrong way! Capishe?"

"Who the heck's supposed to be my Master, then?"

"Be your own Master, dude! Come on! Anyway, if you want Macy back, come and get her! Oh-and one more thing: just because this is Christmas, don't think your happy ending is guaranteed. It's not. This story's outcome will be determined by only one person, and that's me. So if you want a good one...go ahead and make my day."

"...okay one last thing. It's MOUSE King. Not RAT King. Next person to call me that gets a one-way ticket to Losersville."

"Well, isn't that just great?" Ghost Writer smacked his forehead with his hand. "What a mess this is turning out to be..."

"Oh, shut up, Heminglame. I'll give you all plenty of chances to prove yourselves worthy of a happy ending...like right now. Oh, Mouse Army~~~"

Crashing down wooden block buildings, soldiers burst into view, led by two individuals.

"I should've known..." Ryu clenched his fist as he recognized the two. "Of course they'd use the Sugarplum Soldiers against us..."

"Is one a them the general of the Mouse King's army?" Birdie asked.

"Heh heh heh...nope!" From above, on a balcony, a third man made his presence known to the group, sneering at them all.

"The general you're lookin' for? That'd be me."

"Balrog...only someone so corrupt would force our own people to fight against us!"

"Well, duh! Forcing the enemy to kill the enemy...no matter how things turn out, I'm the one that wins! And on top of that, since they're not my men, I don't even have to pay 'em. Man, I should've done this years ago..."

"You son of a bitch..." Alex growled. "I'm really gonna enjoy kickin' your ass."

"Ha! As if you'll be able to even touch these soldiers! Look at your army! A bunch of chumps with toys who'd rather dance than do anything actually useful! Meanwhile all my guys have been doing nothing but training for a fight. You're all going down!"

"SOLDIERS...ATTAAAAAAAACK!!!"

And just like that...the soldiers charged at the group, ready to take them down. Who would win? Well...that depends entirely on you all, doesn't it?

@Archmage Jeremiah @Pretentious Pineapple @Jeremi @Neko Shogun @Crow @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva @ThatAverageGuy @thatguyinthestore @dark @Lucky @Gummi Bunnies @Widowmaker

---------

After the smoke cleared, Macy would suddenly find herself in a small room.

There didn't seem to be any way out, save for a door on the opposite end.

@Alex Azure​

"Macy! Noooooo! Hmmm... her summoned Servant is still here! Maybe our bonds of friendship have allowed me to inherit those seals!" Producer checks her wrist for the strange markings previously found on Macy when Alex & Ryu were previously conjured.

"Producer-chama, what're you doing~? Now's a good time for the fight, isn't it~?" Momoka asks as she fires volleys on arrows at the various foes. "Thank you for coming to our LIVE~ Have a safe trip home~."

"Momoka, check your wrist for a bit," Producer asks.

@Yun Lee

​

 

[Raynar Saassin]

Plutia would be unable to capture anyone, as they all steered clear of the group as Sans made his assault. "Y-You guys are insane! What do you even want?!"

"What do we want? We want to leave this fucking place and go home! And actually celebrate Christmas instead of arsing around here in some mouse's fucking fantasy-land!" Sans exclaimed, continuing his assault against the toy soldiers. "Plus you attacked us first you idiots. How were you NOT expecting a fucking counterattack? Is every creation by this mouse retarded?"

@Yun Lee

---

Plutia stopped chasing after figuring out that they were not going to let her get close. She put her whip away and pranced towards the group. "Hehe~ I did good~ I guess I was just too intimidating for them~ Ehehe~" She then turned towards the group. But something was odd about Plutia...

She was still angry.
@Archmage Jeremiah @Pretentious Pineapple @Jeremi @Neko Shogun @Crow @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva @ThatAverageGuy@thatguyinthestore@dark @Lucky @Gummi Bunnies @Yun Lee​

 

[Jeremi]

Cammy shielded herself from both the kunai and sword, unable to run as the rope around her legs kept her in place. "Please, stop! We don't want to hurt you! All we want is the Sugarplum Fairy back!"

"And we'll do anything to get her back, too!" One soldier would lift Chibi up another would grab Ibuki's arms and hold her at bay. "Even if it means capturing you guys!"

@Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure

---

Plutia would be unable to capture anyone, as they all steered clear of the group as Sans made his assault. "Y-You guys are insane! What do you even want?!"

@Widowmaker

---

Ryu would join Elena in her fight, pummelling soldiers to keep them from fighting back. "This doesn't feel right," he admitted. "I know these people. They're our friends, and yet...they're forced into being our enemies."

@Jeremi

---

"Listen, lady, I'd let you out if I could!" One soldier told Hecate. "But if we don't stop you guys, they're gonna torture the Sugarplum Fairy! We need to stop her from getting hurt!"

@Jeremi @Minerva @Takumi

---

Macy would find the door was locked.

"What good would a prison cell be if it couldn't hold prisoners, anyways? That's what I wanna know."

@Alex Azure​

It was certainly concerning but Elena wasn't going to falter. "I am sure as long as we follow the script we will have an opportunity for them to join us once again!"

Hecate was doing her best to pull the net off her. "Well then I will be forced to do it myself! Once I am free I will not guarantee your safety!"

@Yun Lee @Takumi @Minerva

 

[Yun Lee]

Soldiers continued falling, left and right, wounded by attacks or just too tired of dodging them to do much else. Cammy watched this all unfold, but thankfully Ibuki seemed to be a voice of reason here. "The only reason any of us are doing anything is because they have the Sugarplum Fairy hostage," she explained, untying the jumprope and standing up. "If you could just all come along quietly, we can ensure her safety. Otherwise they'll let their scientist get his filthy hands on her, and..." Cammy shuddered just thinking about it. "We can't let that happen."

Lizzy and Ciel would find themselves trapped in a net with Birdie. "'Ello, kids."

From above, Balrog watched the fighting with growing irritation. "Hey! There are still loads of people who need capturing! What the Hell are you all doing?!"

"Th-They're too strong, sir..." A soldier stumbled forward, spouting a black eye courtesy of Sakura's hulk hands.

"S-Scary, too..." Another said, cowering from Plutia and Sans.

"Well, keep going! Unless you want your precious Sugarplum Fairy becoming our scientist's new guinea pig, you'll fight until none of you are left! Got it?!"

Madoka would have no symbol on her hand.

@Crow @Khan of the Mardu @Jeremi @Alex Azure @Takumi @dark @Minerva @thatguyinthestore​

 

[dark]

Soldiers continued falling, left and right, wounded by attacks or just too tired of dodging them to do much else. Cammy watched this all unfold, but thankfully Ibuki seemed to be a voice of reason here. "The only reason any of us are doing anything is because they have the Sugarplum Fairy hostage," she explained, untying the jumprope and standing up. "If you could just all come along quietly, we can ensure her safety. Otherwise they'll let their scientist get his filthy hands on her, and..." Cammy shuddered just thinking about it. "We can't let that happen."

Lizzy and Ciel would find themselves trapped in a net with Birdie. "'Ello, kids."

From above, Balrog watched the fighting with growing irritation. "Hey! There are still loads of people who need capturing! What the Hell are you all doing?!"

"Th-They're too strong, sir..." A soldier stumbled forward, spouting a black eye courtesy of Sakura's hulk hands.

"S-Scary, too..." Another said, cowering from Plutia and Sans.

"Well, keep going! Unless you want your precious Sugarplum Fairy becoming our scientist's new guinea pig, you'll fight until none of you are left! Got it?!"

Madoka would have no symbol on her hand.

@Crow @Khan of the Mardu @Jeremi @Alex Azure @Takumi @dark @Minerva @thatguyinthestore​

Little Plutia was no threat to the soldiers...until she began trying to attack. Then, they made sure to avoid her like the plague, running from her fast as they could.

Meanwhile, Sans would notice his HP gauge now went from 1 to ???. "Congratulations, you can go fight now. Get out there!"

@Widowmaker

---

Ibuki's attack would narrowly miss its target, as Cammy would flip backwards to avoid being hit. "Ibuki, don't do this!" Cammy yelled out. "Please, just turn back now. I don't want to fight you!"

Her pleas would distract her from noticing Chibiterasu, and the whip would wrap around her legs and trip her easily. "Ugh...w-wait..." She looked at her attacker. "A child?! But why-"

"CAMMY! Less talking, and more fighting! Or would you rather I let the boss know to give the Sugarplum Fairy's cell a major downgrade? I was thinking solitary confinement, what about you?"

"......." The Delta Red member silently contemplated what he said, before finally saying. "...I'm sorry." She would then grab the rope and pull on it to bring Chibiterasu to her.

@Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure

---

"Woah! Where did you come from?!" A soldier gasped as Elena appeared before him. After a moment of surprise, those near her began shooting Nerf bullets at her, hoping to slow her down. Those things can pack a punch, y'know.

@Jeremi

---

Bee would successfully knock ber opponent to the ground, but from behind her, a voice cried:

"Sonic boom!"

Guile sent a spiral of air at Bee fast enough that it could do some damage if she wasn't careful. "Stand down! Surrender quietly and we won't have to do this!" His attention was quick to turn to another place on the battlefield.

"Ack!" The soldier choked under the jumprope's pressure, trapped by Spawn. "P-Please...have...m-mercy..." He was utterly terrified. "We...we d-don't want to--"

"I said, STAND DOWN!"

Guile would launch a kick right at Spawn's face, attempting to free his soldier. "There will be no casualties on my watch!"

@dark

---

For those on the sidelines, they would suddenly find themselves in trouble, as a net would fall over Luka, Oliver, and Hecate. "A-All we have to do is capture them, right...?" One of the two soldiers there asked his companion.

"Yeah...don't worry guys, this'll all be over soon!"

@Takumi @Minerva @Jeremi​

Spawn hissed at Guile as he dropped the soldier in his grasp.

"You got lucky.."

@Yun Lee

 

[Crow]

"I will destroy all of you!"

Producer, not even bothering to use her guns, punches and kicks the various foes, fueled by sheer rage.

"Attack that I have previously named but I have forgotten said name!"

Producer unleashed a full force kick in a minion's face. "This is pathetic. I want more. More. More!"

She grabs two arrows from Momoka, before beginning to dual wield them.

"It's audition time, everyone."

@Yun Lee @Widowmaker @thatguyinthestore @Khan of the Mardu @Takumi @dark @etcetcetc​

 

[Macy Moretti]

Cammy shielded herself from both the kunai and sword, unable to run as the rope around her legs kept her in place. "Please, stop! We don't want to hurt you! All we want is the Sugarplum Fairy back!"

"And we'll do anything to get her back, too!" One soldier would lift Chibi up another would grab Ibuki's arms and hold her at bay. "Even if it means capturing you guys!"

@Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure

---

Plutia would be unable to capture anyone, as they all steered clear of the group as Sans made his assault. "Y-You guys are insane! What do you even want?!"

@Widowmaker

---

Ryu would join Elena in her fight, pummelling soldiers to keep them from fighting back. "This doesn't feel right," he admitted. "I know these people. They're our friends, and yet...they're forced into being our enemies."

@Jeremi

---

"Listen, lady, I'd let you out if I could!" One soldier told Hecate. "But if we don't stop you guys, they're gonna torture the Sugarplum Fairy! We need to stop her from getting hurt!"

@Jeremi @Minerva @Takumi

---

Macy would find the door was locked.

"What good would a prison cell be if it couldn't hold prisoners, anyways? That's what I wanna know."

@Alex Azure​

"Wait, the who now?" Ibuki landed in a crouch with a curious glint in her eyes, staring Cammy down. She quickly raised a hand towards the child who was slashing away with a toy sword, calling to him, "Hold on, kid, lets... lets hear her out. Maybe we don't need to fight?"

@Alex Azure @Yun Lee ​

Soldiers continued falling, left and right, wounded by attacks or just too tired of dodging them to do much else. Cammy watched this all unfold, but thankfully Ibuki seemed to be a voice of reason here. "The only reason any of us are doing anything is because they have the Sugarplum Fairy hostage," she explained, untying the jumprope and standing up. "If you could just all come along quietly, we can ensure her safety. Otherwise they'll let their scientist get his filthy hands on her, and..." Cammy shuddered just thinking about it. "We can't let that happen."

Lizzy and Ciel would find themselves trapped in a net with Birdie. "'Ello, kids."

From above, Balrog watched the fighting with growing irritation. "Hey! There are still loads of people who need capturing! What the Hell are you all doing?!"

"Th-They're too strong, sir..." A soldier stumbled forward, spouting a black eye courtesy of Sakura's hulk hands.

"S-Scary, too..." Another said, cowering from Plutia and Sans.

"Well, keep going! Unless you want your precious Sugarplum Fairy becoming our scientist's new guinea pig, you'll fight until none of you are left! Got it?!"

Madoka would have no symbol on her hand.

@Crow @Khan of the Mardu @Jeremi @Alex Azure @Takumi @dark @Minerva @thatguyinthestore​

Chibi put down his weapon for the moment. Perhaps if they stopped fighting, the Sugarplum Fairy would be freed? He wanted to learn a bit more about what was going on.

@Khan of the Mardu

---

"I suppose it wouldn't be an effective prison cell. It would be about as effective as Bowser trying to kidnap Princess Peach," Macy replied.

"So, why am I in a prison cell? Do I not fit in your story? Am I a little out of place?"

@Yun Lee​

 

[Hida Tomonatsu]

Soldiers continued falling, left and right, wounded by attacks or just too tired of dodging them to do much else. Cammy watched this all unfold, but thankfully Ibuki seemed to be a voice of reason here. "The only reason any of us are doing anything is because they have the Sugarplum Fairy hostage," she explained, untying the jumprope and standing up. "If you could just all come along quietly, we can ensure her safety. Otherwise they'll let their scientist get his filthy hands on her, and..." Cammy shuddered just thinking about it. "We can't let that happen."

Lizzy and Ciel would find themselves trapped in a net with Birdie. "'Ello, kids."

From above, Balrog watched the fighting with growing irritation. "Hey! There are still loads of people who need capturing! What the Hell are you all doing?!"

"Th-They're too strong, sir..." A soldier stumbled forward, spouting a black eye courtesy of Sakura's hulk hands.

"S-Scary, too..." Another said, cowering from Plutia and Sans.

"Well, keep going! Unless you want your precious Sugarplum Fairy becoming our scientist's new guinea pig, you'll fight until none of you are left! Got it?!"

Madoka would have no symbol on her hand.

@Crow @Khan of the Mardu @Jeremi @Alex Azure @Takumi @dark @Minerva @thatguyinthestore​

"Well, all we want is some stupid key..." Ibuki mumbled, thinking it over, before growling as Balrog continued to bark out orders at the soldiers. Real or not, they definitely got his attitude problem down just right... "Why don't you stand with us against meathead up there and his employer, Cammy?" The shinobi countered while pointing to the boxer, an idea coming to mind, "They can't do anything to the Fairy if we rush as a single unit and take them down quick enough, right? I mean, why can't me and you as the speedy ones go free her, while the others including Guile and the soldiers fight and hold off Balrog? If we work together, there's no way they can stop us in time, believe it!"

@Yun Lee @Alex Azure ​

 

[Takumi]

Little Plutia was no threat to the soldiers...until she began trying to attack. Then, they made sure to avoid her like the plague, running from her fast as they could.

Meanwhile, Sans would notice his HP gauge now went from 1 to ???. "Congratulations, you can go fight now. Get out there!"

@Widowmaker

---

Ibuki's attack would narrowly miss its target, as Cammy would flip backwards to avoid being hit. "Ibuki, don't do this!" Cammy yelled out. "Please, just turn back now. I don't want to fight you!"

Her pleas would distract her from noticing Chibiterasu, and the whip would wrap around her legs and trip her easily. "Ugh...w-wait..." She looked at her attacker. "A child?! But why-"

"CAMMY! Less talking, and more fighting! Or would you rather I let the boss know to give the Sugarplum Fairy's cell a major downgrade? I was thinking solitary confinement, what about you?"

"......." The Delta Red member silently contemplated what he said, before finally saying. "...I'm sorry." She would then grab the rope and pull on it to bring Chibiterasu to her.

@Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure

---

"Woah! Where did you come from?!" A soldier gasped as Elena appeared before him. After a moment of surprise, those near her began shooting Nerf bullets at her, hoping to slow her down. Those things can pack a punch, y'know.

@Jeremi

---

Bee would successfully knock ber opponent to the ground, but from behind her, a voice cried:

"Sonic boom!"

Guile sent a spiral of air at Bee fast enough that it could do some damage if she wasn't careful. "Stand down! Surrender quietly and we won't have to do this!" His attention was quick to turn to another place on the battlefield.

"Ack!" The soldier choked under the jumprope's pressure, trapped by Spawn. "P-Please...have...m-mercy..." He was utterly terrified. "We...we d-don't want to--"

"I said, STAND DOWN!"

Guile would launch a kick right at Spawn's face, attempting to free his soldier. "There will be no casualties on my watch!"

@dark

---

For those on the sidelines, they would suddenly find themselves in trouble, as a net would fall over Luka, Oliver, and Hecate. "A-All we have to do is capture them, right...?" One of the two soldiers there asked his companion.

"Yeah...don't worry guys, this'll all be over soon!"

@Takumi @Minerva @Jeremi​

"Oof!" Bee exclaimed in surprise, the attack knocking her back after hitting her and causing her to fall to the ground with a thud.

@Yun Lee

Cammy shielded herself from both the kunai and sword, unable to run as the rope around her legs kept her in place. "Please, stop! We don't want to hurt you! All we want is the Sugarplum Fairy back!"

"And we'll do anything to get her back, too!" One soldier would lift Chibi up another would grab Ibuki's arms and hold her at bay. "Even if it means capturing you guys!"

@Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure

---

Plutia would be unable to capture anyone, as they all steered clear of the group as Sans made his assault. "Y-You guys are insane! What do you even want?!"

@Widowmaker

---

Ryu would join Elena in her fight, pummelling soldiers to keep them from fighting back. "This doesn't feel right," he admitted. "I know these people. They're our friends, and yet...they're forced into being our enemies."

@Jeremi

---

"Listen, lady, I'd let you out if I could!" One soldier told Hecate. "But if we don't stop you guys, they're gonna torture the Sugarplum Fairy! We need to stop her from getting hurt!"

@Jeremi @Minerva @Takumi

---

Macy would find the door was locked.

"What good would a prison cell be if it couldn't hold prisoners, anyways? That's what I wanna know."

@Alex Azure​

Oliver sighed, before glancing to Hecate.

"If we all end up captured, we could always use it to our advantage?" he suggested quietly, frowning at that Barlog guy. Oliver didn't like hearing him much.

@Yun Lee @Minerva @Jeremi

 

[Neko Shogun]

"What's that look for?" the Glader remarked, her smile broadening upon seeing the way he looked at her hand like it was coated with poison. "Come on, I won't bite. Just a dance," she assured, crossing her heart with her free hand and a lighthearted laugh. As he took her hand, though, she only seemed to light up further, words again readied to be sung from her lips. Especially upon hearing his own.

A laugh preceded the words, but still they came, amused as ever. "Great. Hey, though, I-- ...!" As Joshua suddenly pulled her closer, a startled gasp came from the young woman, her glistening blue eyes drifting up to his with surprise. Momentarily, she searched them, a blush unwittingly crossing her face as she noted the closeness of their bodies, the beauty of his amethyst eyes, and... and the way he leaned his face so close to hers made her breath hitch in her throat, her heart hammering wildly in her chest. Her breathing eventually resumed, but it was shallow, and she couldn't manage to pull her eyes away from his or still her beating heart or pull her attention away from how warm his body was against hers and--

Focus. Damn it, focus!

Helplessly, she opened her mouth as though to speak, only to promptly shut it again. But after a moment, she managed another try, forcing herself to sputter out the words plaguing her. "O-of course I can, whether I've danced much or not. Leading comes to me naturally; I'm sure that applies to dance too," she spoke, words soft and quiet, almost shy or intimidated. She was nervous and excited all at once, and the warmth in her cheeks was spreading rapidly through the rest of her body where she had previously been chilled. "...A-are we dancing or not?" she blurted out, quickly averting her gaze for fear that if she stared any longer she would truly melt, for reasons beyond her comprehension.

@Neko Shogun @thatguyinthestore​

Midround Update
"Plot Twist!"

The Ghost Writer rubbed his temples upon hearing Macy's speech. "Characters like that are the kind I'd want to kill off..."

"You can't kill people in The Nutcracker! That just isn't right!"

"Why do you think I've never written a version of it?" The ghost plucked a toy bow and arrow off the armory shelf. "I suppose I might as well arm myself, too."

Birdie, using a jumprope as a makeshift chain, glanced over at Ryu and Alex. "Oi! What about you two? Ain't you gonna fight?"

"We let our fists do the talkin'," Alex replied. "Unlike you guys, we're strong enough to hold our own, no problem." He turned to Ryu. "Think they're ready?"

Ryu's gaze stayed on those dancing. "...I certainly hope so. I have no idea what that general of the Mouse King's has planned..."

As if to answer Ryu's question, a strange sound, as if some metal object was rolling, could be heard. If someone managed to sneak a peek at it, they would see a little sphere...for all of three seconds. The sphere let out a loud hissing noise, and soon the entire room would be filled with smoke.

"A smoke bomb!" But that was all Alex could say before smoke filled his lungs, and he began coughing up a storm. Instead, he would aid Ryu in escorting their entire group out of the armory and into the Toyland Plaza.

However, the group would soon realize that something-or, someone was missing.

"...where's Macy?"

"Ahahahaha!" The Mouse King's laughter echoed througg the empty plaza. "Did I do that? The answer is yes! I did! Macy has officially been banished to the Shadow Realm, and she's not coming back!"

"You monster! You killed an innocent girl-"

"Not KILLED! Where's the fun in that? I just captured her, okay? She needs a time out to shrink that ego of hers, and the same will happen to any of you that rubs me the wrong way! Capishe?"

"Who the heck's supposed to be my Master, then?"

"Be your own Master, dude! Come on! Anyway, if you want Macy back, come and get her! Oh-and one more thing: just because this is Christmas, don't think your happy ending is guaranteed. It's not. This story's outcome will be determined by only one person, and that's me. So if you want a good one...go ahead and make my day."

"...okay one last thing. It's MOUSE King. Not RAT King. Next person to call me that gets a one-way ticket to Losersville."

"Well, isn't that just great?" Ghost Writer smacked his forehead with his hand. "What a mess this is turning out to be..."

"Oh, shut up, Heminglame. I'll give you all plenty of chances to prove yourselves worthy of a happy ending...like right now. Oh, Mouse Army~~~"

Crashing down wooden block buildings, soldiers burst into view, led by two individuals.

"I should've known..." Ryu clenched his fist as he recognized the two. "Of course they'd use the Sugarplum Soldiers against us..."

"Is one a them the general of the Mouse King's army?" Birdie asked.

"Heh heh heh...nope!" From above, on a balcony, a third man made his presence known to the group, sneering at them all.

"The general you're lookin' for? That'd be me."

"Balrog...only someone so corrupt would force our own people to fight against us!"

"Well, duh! Forcing the enemy to kill the enemy...no matter how things turn out, I'm the one that wins! And on top of that, since they're not my men, I don't even have to pay 'em. Man, I should've done this years ago..."

"You son of a bitch..." Alex growled. "I'm really gonna enjoy kickin' your ass."

"Ha! As if you'll be able to even touch these soldiers! Look at your army! A bunch of chumps with toys who'd rather dance than do anything actually useful! Meanwhile all my guys have been doing nothing but training for a fight. You're all going down!"

"SOLDIERS...ATTAAAAAAAACK!!!"

And just like that...the soldiers charged at the group, ready to take them down. Who would win? Well...that depends entirely on you all, doesn't it?

@Archmage Jeremiah @Pretentious Pineapple @Jeremi @Neko Shogun @Crow @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva @ThatAverageGuy @thatguyinthestore @dark @Lucky @Gummi Bunnies @Widowmaker

---------

After the smoke cleared, Macy would suddenly find herself in a small room.

There didn't seem to be any way out, save for a door on the opposite end.

@Alex Azure​

"It's not just a dance," Joshua replied after Teresa would remind him of this fact. "It's a dance with you, and I personally find that to be a bit different." The angel had never found dancing with a stranger to be the same as dancing with someone he knew, especially not someone he knew as well as he did Teresa. The experience would not be the same at all, but perhaps it would be more enjoyable. While he would not admit it outright, Teresa would be his first choice out of anyone to dance with. He still regretted that he hadn't gotten around to teaching her how to dance. At the time, she hadn't seemed interested at all and that had caused him to back off a bit from pushing her.

"Fine, but you owe me the chance to speak with you alone later on," the Composer remarked, moving into a better stance. He placed a hand on her side and tightened his grasp on her hand before looking into her hands. "You wanted to lead, right? Then lead." Before Teresa would even have a chance to attempt starting their dance, however, the smoke bomb would come rolling in to stop her. Since he was already holding onto her hand, Joshua kept hold of Teresa's hand even when they would evacuate.

After their group evacuated, Sayori let out a cry, her knees shaking when she would hear that Macy was missing. "N-No, this can't be happening, poor Macy." Her blue eyes willed up with tears and she froze in place, the girl's usual bright sparkle vanishing from her eyes. She continued to stand there, unable to move her body as the soldiers would attack them. She would be an easy target for any enemy to attack, but ended up being shoved aside by Joshua when she would find herself in the line of fire.

"Dammit, if you're not going to do anything, at least stand aside so you don't get yourself injured!" the angel chided, pulling the laser pointer out of his pocket that he had taken from the armory and letting out a huff. He was tempted to point it at the soldiers and see if it would do anything, however, he heard that some of the others were putting down their weapons for the time being. So he waited to see what would happen.

@Pretentious Pineapple @Yun Lee​

 

[Lucky]

Orion and Will

Orion had been weaving in and out of the soldiers, but hadn't attacked until he had heard the tale end of the conversation. " Wait, so, you are just doing this to protect the Sugarplum Fairy? That is what we are trying to do. We need a part of a key to save her and the general here has it. Or at least, that is what the Mouse King told us."

Will was dodging if he was attacked, or using a shield, but trying his best to not hurt the soldiers, especially after he had heard what Orion had said. He also rushed over and tried to use his toy sword to cut the net for those on the side.

@Yun Lee

 

[Not a Writer]

Chibi's efforts were usurped, to say the least.

With a ferocious snarl, Amaterasu lunged, unleashing a string of fury upon the soldier that made the mistake of grabbing her son. Making use of the bracelet as though it were a mix of a lasso and a whip, the goddess flipped and twirled in a string of attacks on the soldier, aiming to swoop in to free her son from their grasp while they were stunned. Or otherwise become much closer range in her attack to force a fall back.

Do not mess with a mother's child.

@Yun Lee @Alex Azure​

 

[Yun Lee]

"I know, right? Bowser's kidnapping attempts are soooooo 1985! I mean, Peach could probably escape if she wanted to, so it begs the question...why doesn't she? I mean is the food good in the Koopa Kingdom? Or is this like some weird damsel in distress kinky roleplay she does with Mario, or...o ho ho, you sly dog, you got me monologuing! We can talk Mario later! Yeah, you actually guessed it right. You're out of the main storyline for now because you don't fit in quite right. Consider this cell the island of misfit toys...oh hey, that would actually be pretty cool! Hold on."

The room Macy was in dissolved all around her, and she now found herself on the Island of Misfit Toys, surrounded by, well...toys.

"Just like the ones from Rudolph! Don't expect them to sing or talk, though. Editing the wiki to include all those NPCs would be a nightmare."

@Alex Azure

---

Hearing Ibuki's offer, Balrog would laugh. "HA! You really think they'd team up with YOU?! Look around you-everyone who didn't do anything's gotten captured." Sure enough, even as Will freed Hecate, Luka, and Oliver, anyone who hadn't fought or attempted anything else had gotten captured. Sakura and Karin had been overpowered, as well. "Teaming up with you guys would basically be a death sentence for the Sugarplum Fairy."

Guile, who now had Spawn trapped in a headlock, would look at Balrog, then his co-commander. "If we team up with them...it'll be all of us against him. Those are good odds."

"...you're right." Cammy smiled at Ibuki, nodding to her. "We'll join you. Maybe if we all work together...we can save her in our own way. Men, free everyone in nets! That's an order!"

The soldiers would free everyone, looking relieved to do so. From up above on his balcony, Balrig cowered, legs shaking. "Oh nooooo, whatEVER shall I dooooooo? The big strong toy army has turned against meeeeeee!"

"He's mocking us," Guile said, shaking his head. "I should've known he had something planned."

"Damn straight I had something planned! You honestly think I didn't expect you morons to turn on me? I've had a reserve army the entire time!" Balrog whistled, and from where the Sugarplum soldiers had appeared at the start came a new army.

Mice on two legs, dressed in army uniforms and the size of the soldiers appeared, weilding toy weapons themselves. Unlike the Sugarplum soldiers, however, these looked ready for a fight.

"I'm not called the general of the Mouse Army for nothing! Now, gentlemen! Tear these pansies to shreds, and capture each and every one of them!"

"Soldiers! Fight back with everything you've got!" Guile shouted back. Looks like the real battle was beginning...

@Archmage Jeremiah @Neko Shogun@thatguyinthestore @Alex Azure @Khan of the Mardu @Crow @Jeremi @York @Takumi@belVita @Lucky @Gummi Bunnies@Minerva @Widowmaker @Pretentious Pineapple @ThatAverageGuy @Sen @dark​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

"I know, right? Bowser's kidnapping attempts are soooooo 1985! I mean, Peach could probably escape if she wanted to, so it begs the question...why doesn't she? I mean is the food good in the Koopa Kingdom? Or is this like some weird damsel in distress kinky roleplay she does with Mario, or...o ho ho, you sly dog, you got me monologuing! We can talk Mario later! Yeah, you actually guessed it right. You're out of the main storyline for now because you don't fit in quite right. Consider this cell the island of misfit toys...oh hey, that would actually be pretty cool! Hold on."

The room Macy was in dissolved all around her, and she now found herself on the Island of Misfit Toys, surrounded by, well...toys.

"Just like the ones from Rudolph! Don't expect them to sing or talk, though. Editing the wiki to include all those NPCs would be a nightmare."

@Alex Azure

---

Hearing Ibuki's offer, Balrog would laugh. "HA! You really think they'd team up with YOU?! Look around you-everyone who didn't do anything's gotten captured." Sure enough, even as Will freed Hecate, Luka, and Oliver, anyone who hadn't fought or attempted anything else had gotten captured. Sakura and Karin had been overpowered, as well. "Teaming up with you guys would basically be a death sentence for the Sugarplum Fairy."

Guile, who now had Spawn trapped in a headlock, would look at Balrog, then his co-commander. "If we team up with them...it'll be all of us against him. Those are good odds."

"...you're right." Cammy smiled at Ibuki, nodding to her. "We'll join you. Maybe if we all work together...we can save her in our own way. Men, free everyone in nets! That's an order!"

The soldiers would free everyone, looking relieved to do so. From up above on his balcony, Balrig cowered, legs shaking. "Oh nooooo, whatEVER shall I dooooooo? The big strong toy army has turned against meeeeeee!"

"He's mocking us," Guile said, shaking his head. "I should've known he had something planned."

"Damn straight I had something planned! You honestly think I didn't expect you morons to turn on me? I've had a reserve army the entire time!" Balrog whistled, and from where the Sugarplum soldiers had appeared at the start came a new army.

Mice on two legs, dressed in army uniforms and the size of the soldiers appeared, weilding toy weapons themselves. Unlike the Sugarplum soldiers, however, these looked ready for a fight.

"I'm not called the general of the Mouse Army for nothing! Now, gentlemen! Tear these pansies to shreds, and capture each and every one of them!"

"Soldiers! Fight back with everything you've got!" Guile shouted back. Looks like the real battle was beginning...

@Archmage Jeremiah @Neko Shogun@thatguyinthestore @Alex Azure @Khan of the Mardu @Crow @Jeremi @York @Takumi@belVita @Lucky @Gummi Bunnies@Minerva @Widowmaker @Pretentious Pineapple @ThatAverageGuy @Sen @dark​

"This is bloody embarrassing at this point." Ciel said aloud, not even attempting to fight off the mouse army.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth was doing the opposite, charging at full speed and slashing away at the army with her foam sword!

@Yun Lee​

 

[Hida Tomonatsu]

"I know, right? Bowser's kidnapping attempts are soooooo 1985! I mean, Peach could probably escape if she wanted to, so it begs the question...why doesn't she? I mean is the food good in the Koopa Kingdom? Or is this like some weird damsel in distress kinky roleplay she does with Mario, or...o ho ho, you sly dog, you got me monologuing! We can talk Mario later! Yeah, you actually guessed it right. You're out of the main storyline for now because you don't fit in quite right. Consider this cell the island of misfit toys...oh hey, that would actually be pretty cool! Hold on."

The room Macy was in dissolved all around her, and she now found herself on the Island of Misfit Toys, surrounded by, well...toys.

"Just like the ones from Rudolph! Don't expect them to sing or talk, though. Editing the wiki to include all those NPCs would be a nightmare."

@Alex Azure

---

Hearing Ibuki's offer, Balrog would laugh. "HA! You really think they'd team up with YOU?! Look around you-everyone who didn't do anything's gotten captured." Sure enough, even as Will freed Hecate, Luka, and Oliver, anyone who hadn't fought or attempted anything else had gotten captured. Sakura and Karin had been overpowered, as well. "Teaming up with you guys would basically be a death sentence for the Sugarplum Fairy."

Guile, who now had Spawn trapped in a headlock, would look at Balrog, then his co-commander. "If we team up with them...it'll be all of us against him. Those are good odds."

"...you're right." Cammy smiled at Ibuki, nodding to her. "We'll join you. Maybe if we all work together...we can save her in our own way. Men, free everyone in nets! That's an order!"

The soldiers would free everyone, looking relieved to do so. From up above on his balcony, Balrig cowered, legs shaking. "Oh nooooo, whatEVER shall I dooooooo? The big strong toy army has turned against meeeeeee!"

"He's mocking us," Guile said, shaking his head. "I should've known he had something planned."

"Damn straight I had something planned! You honestly think I didn't expect you morons to turn on me? I've had a reserve army the entire time!" Balrog whistled, and from where the Sugarplum soldiers had appeared at the start came a new army.

Mice on two legs, dressed in army uniforms and the size of the soldiers appeared, weilding toy weapons themselves. Unlike the Sugarplum soldiers, however, these looked ready for a fight.

"I'm not called the general of the Mouse Army for nothing! Now, gentlemen! Tear these pansies to shreds, and capture each and every one of them!"

"Soldiers! Fight back with everything you've got!" Guile shouted back. Looks like the real battle was beginning...

@Archmage Jeremiah @Neko Shogun@thatguyinthestore @Alex Azure @Khan of the Mardu @Crow @Jeremi @York @Takumi@belVita @Lucky @Gummi Bunnies@Minerva @Widowmaker @Pretentious Pineapple @ThatAverageGuy @Sen @dark​

An amused grin came to the kunoichi lips as her words managed to connect with them, an alliance being formed then and there! Maybe there was some hope for them after all... "Everyone, don't give up! To keep fighting on for a brighter tomorrow is my ninja's way, and until we've won, I won't stop pushing on, believe it!" She cheered for all to hear as she charged forth with the army to face the rodent men, fake kunai being thrown with quick flicks of her wrists to throw the creeps off of their own charge before leaping at the nearest one with a spinning jump kick!

@Yun Lee​

 

[Jeremi]

"I know, right? Bowser's kidnapping attempts are soooooo 1985! I mean, Peach could probably escape if she wanted to, so it begs the question...why doesn't she? I mean is the food good in the Koopa Kingdom? Or is this like some weird damsel in distress kinky roleplay she does with Mario, or...o ho ho, you sly dog, you got me monologuing! We can talk Mario later! Yeah, you actually guessed it right. You're out of the main storyline for now because you don't fit in quite right. Consider this cell the island of misfit toys...oh hey, that would actually be pretty cool! Hold on."

The room Macy was in dissolved all around her, and she now found herself on the Island of Misfit Toys, surrounded by, well...toys.

"Just like the ones from Rudolph! Don't expect them to sing or talk, though. Editing the wiki to include all those NPCs would be a nightmare."

@Alex Azure

---

Hearing Ibuki's offer, Balrog would laugh. "HA! You really think they'd team up with YOU?! Look around you-everyone who didn't do anything's gotten captured." Sure enough, even as Will freed Hecate, Luka, and Oliver, anyone who hadn't fought or attempted anything else had gotten captured. Sakura and Karin had been overpowered, as well. "Teaming up with you guys would basically be a death sentence for the Sugarplum Fairy."

Guile, who now had Spawn trapped in a headlock, would look at Balrog, then his co-commander. "If we team up with them...it'll be all of us against him. Those are good odds."

"...you're right." Cammy smiled at Ibuki, nodding to her. "We'll join you. Maybe if we all work together...we can save her in our own way. Men, free everyone in nets! That's an order!"

The soldiers would free everyone, looking relieved to do so. From up above on his balcony, Balrig cowered, legs shaking. "Oh nooooo, whatEVER shall I dooooooo? The big strong toy army has turned against meeeeeee!"

"He's mocking us," Guile said, shaking his head. "I should've known he had something planned."

"Damn straight I had something planned! You honestly think I didn't expect you morons to turn on me? I've had a reserve army the entire time!" Balrog whistled, and from where the Sugarplum soldiers had appeared at the start came a new army.

Mice on two legs, dressed in army uniforms and the size of the soldiers appeared, weilding toy weapons themselves. Unlike the Sugarplum soldiers, however, these looked ready for a fight.

"I'm not called the general of the Mouse Army for nothing! Now, gentlemen! Tear these pansies to shreds, and capture each and every one of them!"

"Soldiers! Fight back with everything you've got!" Guile shouted back. Looks like the real battle was beginning...

@Archmage Jeremiah @Neko Shogun@thatguyinthestore @Alex Azure @Khan of the Mardu @Crow @Jeremi @York @Takumi@belVita @Lucky @Gummi Bunnies@Minerva @Widowmaker @Pretentious Pineapple @ThatAverageGuy @Sen @dark​

And so the battle continued. "Rats..." Hecate exclaimed aloud as she made her way out of the net.

"Actually, I believe that they are supposed to be mice." Elena responded to Hecate who in turn got an annoyed look from all three of her faces. "Either way, it's good to have you all on our side again! Come, let us push back the enemy forces!"

@Archmage Jeremiah @Neko Shogun@thatguyinthestore @Alex Azure @Khan of the Mardu @Crow @Jeremi @York @Takumi@belVita @Lucky @Gummi Bunnies@Minerva @Widowmaker @Pretentious Pineapple @ThatAverageGuy @Sen @dark​

 

[Takumi]

"I know, right? Bowser's kidnapping attempts are soooooo 1985! I mean, Peach could probably escape if she wanted to, so it begs the question...why doesn't she? I mean is the food good in the Koopa Kingdom? Or is this like some weird damsel in distress kinky roleplay she does with Mario, or...o ho ho, you sly dog, you got me monologuing! We can talk Mario later! Yeah, you actually guessed it right. You're out of the main storyline for now because you don't fit in quite right. Consider this cell the island of misfit toys...oh hey, that would actually be pretty cool! Hold on."

The room Macy was in dissolved all around her, and she now found herself on the Island of Misfit Toys, surrounded by, well...toys.

"Just like the ones from Rudolph! Don't expect them to sing or talk, though. Editing the wiki to include all those NPCs would be a nightmare."

@Alex Azure

---

Hearing Ibuki's offer, Balrog would laugh. "HA! You really think they'd team up with YOU?! Look around you-everyone who didn't do anything's gotten captured." Sure enough, even as Will freed Hecate, Luka, and Oliver, anyone who hadn't fought or attempted anything else had gotten captured. Sakura and Karin had been overpowered, as well. "Teaming up with you guys would basically be a death sentence for the Sugarplum Fairy."

Guile, who now had Spawn trapped in a headlock, would look at Balrog, then his co-commander. "If we team up with them...it'll be all of us against him. Those are good odds."

"...you're right." Cammy smiled at Ibuki, nodding to her. "We'll join you. Maybe if we all work together...we can save her in our own way. Men, free everyone in nets! That's an order!"

The soldiers would free everyone, looking relieved to do so. From up above on his balcony, Balrig cowered, legs shaking. "Oh nooooo, whatEVER shall I dooooooo? The big strong toy army has turned against meeeeeee!"

"He's mocking us," Guile said, shaking his head. "I should've known he had something planned."

"Damn straight I had something planned! You honestly think I didn't expect you morons to turn on me? I've had a reserve army the entire time!" Balrog whistled, and from where the Sugarplum soldiers had appeared at the start came a new army.

Mice on two legs, dressed in army uniforms and the size of the soldiers appeared, weilding toy weapons themselves. Unlike the Sugarplum soldiers, however, these looked ready for a fight.

"I'm not called the general of the Mouse Army for nothing! Now, gentlemen! Tear these pansies to shreds, and capture each and every one of them!"

"Soldiers! Fight back with everything you've got!" Guile shouted back. Looks like the real battle was beginning...

@Archmage Jeremiah @Neko Shogun@thatguyinthestore @Alex Azure @Khan of the Mardu @Crow @Jeremi @York @Takumi@belVita @Lucky @Gummi Bunnies@Minerva @Widowmaker @Pretentious Pineapple @ThatAverageGuy @Sen @dark​

Bee, who had gotten up by then, had charged into the fray and threw a punch at the nearest mouse soldier before moving to throw the enemy soldier into another, then slash at any that got too close with her foam sword!

Oliver meanwhile used the foam sword in hand on any enemy soldier's legs that got too close to him Hecate and Luka, trying to trip them up!

@Yun Lee