[NPC Thread] Of Boos and..Gears?

[Kagami]

Booker watched the duo closely even as he would lead them into the Valley from the entrance as they passed the gates.

"Now, watch your step you two." he warned the others as he would look about just as the ordeal, looking around the area to see if there was anymore of those special mushrooms about before readjusting himself.

He frowned a bit but before long, he perked up before he sighed, trying to think about another topic to talk about.

" You know, Gizmo, you do remind me Kagami. Even for as much as I try to ignore it, your energetic, impulsive nature reminds me of her."

 

[Gizmo Gear]

As Gadget is keeping close to Gizmo he's extra wary and careful of his surroundings. Especially of how all of the trees look off in some way he can't explain. That is when he saw a strange owl, which not only weirded him out cause he only knows the anthropomorphic alien owl-like people from his galaxy. Though instead of turning its head 270 degrees it vertically tilts its head and looks at the three walking through the Uncanny Valley, and Gadget could swear he saw it had two pupils in each of its piercing glowing eyes. Gadget then turned his attention away from the owl and decided it was best not to look up at the canopy above or at the trees in general. It was then their guide Booker who told them about Kagami.

"Kagami huh, she seems cool, can't wait to meet her then," Gizmo said.

"Well, whenever you do I hope you're around for when that happens Booker because I don't think I could handle TWO Gizmo's by myself." Gadget said.

"As the older brother I can handle myself just fine Gadget but I do appreciate your company," Gizmo said.

"Gizmo you're only older by a year, and even then it feels like I am the older sibling sometimes," Gadget said.

"Yes but I look out after you while you're looking out after me, we're supervising each other. I always make sure you don't get hurt," Gizmo said.

"And I appreciate that but a lot of times you do that by taking the hits instead," Gadget said.

"Well, I do have a higher pain tolerance thanks to my mom," Gizmo said.

It was then he saw something big and white like a marshmallow up ahead in a clearing. It had a face that kind of resembles Booker's and a mushroom shape. That has to be it, though Gizmo didn't wait for a confirmation as he goes in to grab it. As he does a Piranha Plant comes out of a bush to snap at him. With his catlike reflexes, he dodges it and kicks it as it whimpers and retreats into the brush. He then walks over to the Boo Mushroom and picks it up and shows it to Booker and Gadget.

 

[Kagami]

Booker had watched the entire thing and sighed in relief when it was over as Piranha Plants are no laughing joke especially when it came to the likes of them preying on innocent bystanders.

"Regardless, it is good that you are both watching out for one another." Booker nodded to which he wondered. "Oh, and in terms of Kagami, she's currently away somewhere else with well, someone else, but if you did come here earlier, you might had encountered her.. though, she's sorta rude towards strangers but she can be nice under certain circumstances. "

Well, they got the Boo Mushroom, time to get the rest of them.

"Though, if you want to get a better clue to how she is, I can provide details if you are interested to know more."

 

[Gizmo Gear]

"Well hopefully she isn't too rude I don't really like bullies, but yeah I am sure if I hear more about her before I make any more assumptions," Gizmo said.

But as Gizmo was standing idly turned towards Booker, distracted in the midst of a conversation, a Piranha Plant was looming over him slowly shifting itself down about to chomp on his head. Gadget was the first to notice and let out a startled yelp before throwing his wrench at the Piranha Plant. As the metallic cartoonish dog bone-shaped wrench made an impact with the carnivorous plant's face, knocking out one of its teeth. The plant then holds the swollen cheek where its tooth was knocked out with one leaf like a hand and holds its other leaf to its other mouth in shock. It then retreats back into the canopy above. As Gadget then runs over to pick up the wrench he flung.

"Next should be those herbs or those other weird mushrooms they were talking about, I might have an idea of how to find more mushrooms." Gadget said.

Gadget then put his nose up to the Boo Mushroom and took a big whiff with his nose and his face wrinkled a bit. Smelled a lot like death and decay, more than mushrooms usually do. However, he started to smell more of this unique scent deeper into the Uncanny Valley's forest as he points his nose to the south. As Gizmo then peers over in that direction.

"Gadget's nose knows no bounds! No doubt about it more shrooms loom over there! Let's go!" Gizmo said enthusiastically.

As Gadget led the way albeit about a few inches close to Gizmo still, no less than a foot. While keeping an eye out for any more carnivorous plants along the way.

 

[Kagami]

"Well, how should I explain this..?" Booker mumbled a bit before he sighed, "I don't think Kagami would view her bullying is actual bullying but rather teasing to an extent of the matter."

Of course, he did had a clue to how they were somewhat whenever he had journeyed outside the Valley before Kagami even came around.

"Given that the Beanish are, to an extent, eccentric yet also intelligent, I believe that it is actually normal to tease others given their association with comedy and the likes. Though, sometimes, outsiders may view this as mockery and it can lead up to trouble. "

It wouldn't be long before the Boo perked up a bit before he would hurriedly float along to catch up to the cat and dog duo to keep an eye on them as they traversed further into the dark if not also somewhat twisted landscape.

 

[Gizmo Gear]

"Well, as long as she doesn't go too far with her teasing we should be getting along just fine. She better be prepared to run hands if she makes Gadget cry." Gizmo said.

"Unfortunately it would be really easy for her to do that and I wouldn't be able to hold Gizmo back with tears in my eyes so hopefully you would be there to stop the fight." Gadget said.

As they continue down south they notice the landscape starts to appear as if it was painted. Yet everything was still moving such as the trees and clouds in the skies. The sun appeared to be setting, but it wasn't quite nighttime yet though it is close. There were some lines in the sky moving that seemed to be painted wind or something else.

"This would be a lot prettier and less creepy if we came here when it was still daytime," Gizmo said.

As Gizmo approached Gadget grabbed him and pointed to the ground. As there appeared to be a purple bubbling swamp. The smell was unpleasant and they watch a large insect drinking from the purple swamp before taking off and dying in midair and falling into the swamp as the swamp rippled and sizzled. They look to see an island in the swamp covered in several different mushrooms and herbs. Gizmo eyes lit up but Gadget looked nervous until he noticed that the trees seemed to be immune to the swamp as some trees were rising out of the purple gunk. Seeing the same type of tree on land he began whacking it with his wrench until it fell down and caused a makeshift bridge to the island.

Gizmo giving his brother a thumbs up quickly runs across the fallen tree and gets onto the island with ease. As he begins to pocket the various mushrooms and herbs that were growing from the ground. And putting them in a sack they were given by the potion shop man for this quest.

 

[Kagami]

"She's pretty unpredictable but I don't think she's that cruel." Booker sighed before he would float around to join with the brothers, making sure they don't run into trouble. "I wonder how she would take to the whole shenanigans from your universe to be honest, well if they do come over. I hope it's not too much issue."

Booker was wondering how Kagami would handle herself despite the fact that in the past, Kagami has been known as..bold and strongwilled..over the years even though residing in Uncanny Valley was risky for outsiders.

However he perked up after seeing Gizmo get the mushrooms and herbs after watching, sighing in relief.

"I take that we have all the required items?"

 

[Gizmo Gear]

"Yeah that was definitely all of the items the potion seller asked for, now all we need is to bring them back," Gizmo said.

As Gizmo was about to walk across the makeshift log bridge, various long hands came out of the purple poisonous swamp water. Grabbing the log and breaking it in half before dragging it down. Leaving Gizmo stranded on the island as he is currently frozen in shock, but not as shocked as Gadget is looking right now. Gizmo shakes his head to regain his composure. And looks around as a part of the purple swamp begins rippling. And out comes a strange lumpy creature covered in the purple ooze. Looking like it was partially melted but keeping itself together. Its eyes are empty and hollow black voids, two short pointy arms that look like featherless chicken wings, it lacks a nose with only nostrils for slits, a large mouth, and a jaw with teeth showing. As it lets out a horrific scream more arms begin popping out of the water. As long pale arms start showing up on the island Gizmo is on.

A series of letters appear in front of the horrific creature as if to tell everyone its name.

Drowned Hand
Revenant of the Painted Swamp
​

Gizmo begins kicking away, punching, and clawing at the hands that begin inching closer to him and trying to grab him. As the Drowned Hand slowly inches closer to Gizmo with the other hands in tow. Gadget is freaking out running back and forth wondering what to do. Until he spotted another tree. Frantically running to it he begins whacking it with his wrench as much as he can like a lumberjack whacking a tree with an axe. Until the tree breaks, with a struggling push the tree fails head-first on the Drowned Hand. As the Drowned Hand's arms begin to lift the fallen tree off of him, Gizmo gets an idea. Using the Platform Gun he makes a spring platform and jumps on the tree on top of Drowned Hand before running across it to the other side with Booker and Gadget.

The Drowned Hand's arms throw the tree off of it as it turns to the trio. And then screams again as arms begin to block their exit. As it begins inching toward them. It seems the only way out is to kill this horrific beast first. Gizmo gets into a ready stance as Gadget runs behind him and holds his wrench up in the air in a defensive matter trying to put on a brave face.

 

[Kagami]

"Oh dear, not good! Not good!"

Booker flew back to the brothers in a panic as the monster approached, inching closer towards the group.

"Now, now, I'm sure we can be reasonable. We mean no harm, we just needed some ingredients. That's all!"

He really doesn't want to fight nor does he really know how to fight either. It was a sticky situation.

 

[Gizmo Gear]

The Drowned Hand instead licked its teeth ignoring Booker's plea and also seems to be focusing on the two meaty flesh bags. Gadget put on his goggles so the monster in front of him would so he would close his eyes behind them without anyone knowing. It then cocked its head bag before hocking a large glob of purple ooze. Dodging out of the way it landed in some strange seeds/nuts on the floor. Before they exploded like flashbangs and temporarily blinded Gizmo, but Gadget had his eyes closed he popped them open after hearing the cracking sound. He then saw more of the same nuts next to the ones that he heard the loud bangs coming from.

He then picked them off of the ground and started to hurl them at the Drowned Hand. It keeps reeling back and being stunned by the onslaught of Deku Nuts. Starts backing up slowly as it keeps getting pelted. Gadget tries to find another but doesn't and instead throws a rock instead, the rock lodging into one of the eye sockets which one of the Drowned Hand's arms picks out for it. Gizmo finally reoriented himself and saw the beast coming closer and at a faster pace then sees a tree branch above him. He jumps up and grabs it and tries to pull it down only for him to be unable to break it. Gadget seeing what his brother is doing grabs onto Gizmo's ankles so that the extra weight can break the tree branch.

Holding up the branch like a makeshift spear he aims at the creature's mouth. Before lobbing it as it pierces through the gaping mouth and the creature starts reeling in pain. It tries to get the branch out with its stubby arms but can't and even its many hands have trouble breaking it off and pulling it out. As it's wailing in pain Gizmo notices that the way out is no longer blocked.

"Yeah I think I had enough of this valley let's go back," Gizmo said.

Before grabbing Gadget by the hand and holding Booker with his other arm like a ball, before running off. The Drowned Hand's screams of pain still echoed through the forest. And growing quieter and more distant the more they run away from the swamp. Gizmo retraced his steps the best he could. Seeing any familiar things he saw on the way here so they can get back to the gate.

 

[Kagami]

Booker tagged along with the two brothers as he floated over in a hurry before he took the lead in front of the two.

"Follow after me, I know the way back! Hurry!"

He knows where the gate is and had the occasional look back to ensure the two is okay and not harmed by any means before looking forward to the gate ahead of them.
The monster's scream in the background was more than enough to send anyone nearby into a sense of panic and by means, they would turn back and run the opposite direction as much the group were fleeing from them.

Just hope it doesn't stir up anyone else to go after them, however, as much as Booker look back, for a moment, he thought he felt a deathly chill down his nonexistent spine, soon causing the Boo to jump up with his glasses flying up briefly before he caught it & pick up his speed.

"Don't look back!!"

 

[Gizmo Gear]

Gadget was too afraid to scream, because for all he knew screaming would alert the monster and whatever other creatures lurked in the darkness. Gizmo was not usually this afraid but he never saw a disturbing creature like this before out of all of the alien beasts they met and fought on their travels. Though that horrific being was eldritch and definitely was from a universe not their own. Normally he would've stayed and slain the beast so that it wouldn't harm anyone else. Like the Doppel Tree incident where that weird tree kept making those messed up clones of him and his brothers. Even when that weird tree made a freaky giant fused clone monster of him and Gadget, which he dubbed GiGa, they were able to overcome it.

But that...thing was way out of their league especially with them only having one of their tools on them currently. Best to let people know what lurks in the swamp and let someone else more experienced handle it. Finally, after following Booker they reached the gate, before the night was beginning to fall. Gadget banging on the door with his fist and pulling on the handle.

"Let us in, let us innnnnnnnn!" Gadget screamed hoping someone at the other side of the gate would hear them.

 

[Kagami]

Using his Boo capabilities, Booker phased himself through the gate and went to the other side, returning to his normal state and unlock the gate quickly for the brothers.

"You should be lucky I can do this without issue." he sighed. "I'm not solid like you two are after all."

Afterwards, the gate creaked open for them but not without a noise. Just hearing the creaking is unsettling in itself.

"There you go, hurry now!"

Atleast he could do that without any issue as he's not a fan of direct fights. Yeah, he's still panicking but he's trying to be calm about what is going on given how dire things are.

 

[Gizmo Gear]

As soon as Booker opened the gates. The duo rushed inside and pulled the gate back closing it and shutting out the horrors from within the valley. Panting heavily they stopped to take a breather after that ordeal. After they were done Gizmo looked at all of the items they were able to get along with the note attached to said items. He then notices puts his large thumb out of the way to notice that the items they were gathering were worth a large number of Coins each in return and with the amount they gathered together it seems that they have made quite a haul.

"Well at the very least we can now afford a place to live, or even a spaceship," Gizmo said.

"Honestly a spaceship sounds lovely because I think I would like to take a break from this planet honestly and check out one of the other ones." Gadget said.

"Thanks, Booker, we'll be heading back to 8-Bittain to finish this job," Gizmo said.

"Yeah if you weren't there as a guide for us and opening the gate for us we would've probably have met a terrible fate," Gadget said.

 

[Kagami]

Grateful that the gate is sealed shut once more, Booker nodded as he was calming down more before regaining his posture before slightly bowing.

"You are most certainly welcome and please, it is of no issue. I am glad to be of assistance however I'm afraid that this is where we must part as I still have some unfinished business to handle with."

He smiled at the duo and nodded, returning to his stance.

"Wherever you go, I bid you two safe travels and do tell Kagami hello when you can if you ever meet her."

Though after the events of today, it has been eventual and he needs to rest.

"However, I urge you to hurry onwards. The Boos and other terrifying monstrous creatures more dangerous than the Drowned Hand are more active at night and trust me, you do not want to be here for that."