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Post by Manic on May 14, 2019 6:49:53 GMT
We're getting awfully close to Heatran! And awfully close to the end of the line...
Manic is getting worse. Noticeably worse. And, as Nero points, out, the rate at which his condition worsens is accelerating.
And there are still three more legendaries to beat after this...
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Post by Manic on May 15, 2019 5:24:56 GMT
Update #23: Penultimate
July 17th - 31h, 44m remaining
Gah! M: Speak up! Tell us that and ONLY that. J: You know he's not going to. Interesting. Even in the absence of their leader, they continue to cause havoc. What could they possibly have to gain? Cyrus' plans are dead! They're just criminal scum. Just comes naturally to them. The distortion world, where Giratina lives. Cyrus is still there. M: You left him there?! J: Wouldn't you, in his shoes? Speak up, though, we can barely hear you. Can't.
Oh, good. I could use a laugh. M: GAH! You've been making a fool of me ever since we met! I'm sick of it! These guys just never learn, huh? Yeah, they're...hnnnnnnn...pretty thick. Wanna do the honors? Sure, I could use a laugh too!
(insert ROFLstomp)
J: Seriously, he's fought us how many times now? Has he ever lost even a single Pokemon? M: Yeah, but we're stronger now- J: So is he, dumbass. We lost the moment he walked into this cave. Hmph. For a worthless outlaw, she's not too dim. Yeah, I tried...hnnnnnn...to talk her out of this line of work. She sa*COUGHwheeeeeeeeze*saw it coming.
It's about time. J: Yeah, I should've done this a long time ago. I have no idea what I was even thinking, joining this freakshow. Being the star attraction, looks like. Nah, that honor goes to Cyrus. J: I mean, for crying out loud, you're at death's door and you're still chasing us. Well, I'm done. Go take Charon down, though, he's an absolute ass. What'll you do now? J: Not sure. I might try writing, considering my understanding of plot and tropes. Maybe hit up Unova... Rock on.
Arceus, you suck at this. C: But I just said money was the only reason! Wow. His acting is just...wow. I don't even know what to say! His acting is more like hack-ting? Baby, you thinkin' of going into comedy after all this? Well, not really, but- Good.
And what's the deal with the Gravelers around here? Do they need trading? Would wife-swapping count? I don't get it! No. But Seinfeld is a geni- No, Michael. If you'd just give me a cha- Don't make me Dark Pulse you, kid. Dammit, fool, give it up! I WILL Thunderpunch you. Fine, fine. Everyone's a critic. Carrot Top is funnier.
Team motherfucking Galactic.
Wait, you'll...hnnnnnnn*cough*...what? The ginger Spaz has healing powers as well? How fortunate! Hot damn, we can kick ass all day long! Two little problems with that. Like what? One, we don't really need to grind at this point. We're all at level 70. Two, Manic has less than 48 hours to live. Dammit! Rrrrgh...fine. I guess 70 is enough.
(And then I wandered through an enormous goddamn maze for hours)
Can we...hnnnnn...skip to the end part? I'm on a schedule here. C: Oh? And what end part do you think is coming? The part where my pokemon k-kick yours' asses. C: Pokemon? Yeah, p-pokemon. How else were you going to weaken Heatran? Oh, you have got to be kidding me! What? Look at his face. C: Weaken? Uh, yeah. So your p-pokeball will...hnnnnn...work? Oh no. No no no. You can't be serious. Aw HELL no. C: Pokeball? You don't know the first damn thing about battling, do you?
C: What are you talking about? Team who? I'm just an archaeologist. L: The recording I am have, maybe it say different, yes? C: I'm completely boned, aren't I? L: Boned, this is... He means you've...hnnnnnn...captured him. L: Ahhh. Ghastly friend is right. You are the boned! Now come along.
Meaning it's...hnnnnn...awake right now. Yes, and...merde. I do believe our foreign friend has figured out the implications. Ah, what shall I for doing? The s-stone. Give it to me. But... I have business...hnnnnnnn...with Heatran. I'll put the stone back. Yes, I am trusting you. For great justice! Please tell me I never sound like that. Nah, you sound WAY dumber. Son of a...!
(Back through the damn maze)
Say what? Loosely, translated, and with dialect and inflection taken into account, it said, "Gwogobo gwobobobo". Hah! That's the best damn Nero impression I ever seen! I beg your pardon? I sound nothing like that! It's all right! Sounds real regal when you do it. Both of you, GET DOWN! Sweet Arceus, it almost baked us with that Lava Plume! Yeah, but now look who's facing off against it!
Sweet tapdancing fuck... Did you see that?! He just one-shotted Heatran! Seems fair. What's that mean? I didn't get to help much with the Elite Four, and even those goons didn't get to fight me. Least I could do is step in here. Thanks for the...hnnnnnnnn...help, man. You're a real MVP. Hey! What about me? I knocked out three legendaries in, like, five minutes! True, but Icarus is in it for the long haul. Thus, he receives more gratitude. Enough of all that. Let's get the hell out of here and hit Canalave.
Fetch quest. Fetch quest. Time for a damn fetch quest. Another fetch quest, I see. Yay, more gathering stuff. My favorite. >.>
Hey, Manic? Hmmm? Ever wonder how all this stuff gets put into pokeballs? No, and...hnnnnnnn...neither did you. Oh. ...right. Got it.
Man: There, there. You aren't really a Bieber fan, see? Child: I was so scared...it was like I didn't know what good music was! There were all these screaming teenage girls, and they were all throwing money at her... Woman: Him, sweetie. Bieber is a boy. Child: ...the hell you say. Okay, I'll just leave you to your...hnnnnn...conversation.
Hnnnh? When did we get here? Oh, thank goodness! See, I told you his time wasn't up! Okay, okay, I was wrong. Whatever. You passed out during the flight, Manic. Between that, the constant bleeding, your voice, your difficulty breathing...I fear we have very, very little time left. Then we'd best...hnnnnnn...get started.
Done. There, do you see? Only two remain. Manic? He appears to be unconscious yet again. Want me to zap him? Y'know, just a jolt to get him moving. You zap that boy and I'm gonna smack you so hard, the Electirizer will fall out! Swiftly, now. His faltering consciousness is a bad sign. To Oreburgh, and then to Mt. Coronet. We haven't much time! All aboard that's getting aboard! Wow, he's getting really light! Hang in there...just a little bit longer!
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Post by crimsondoom on May 15, 2019 7:30:22 GMT
And what's the deal with the Gravelers around here? Do they need trading? Would wife-swapping count? I don't get it! No. But Seinfeld is a geni- No, Michael. If you'd just give me a cha- Don't make me Dark Pulse you, kid. Dammit, fool, give it up! I WILL Thunderpunch you. Fine, fine. Everyone's a critic. Carrot Top is funnier.
...where did they learn about Seinfeld? Michael's never been anywhere but the PC and Manic's party, and Lucille was wild until she joined Manic. Neither of these really lend themselves well to spending time getting familiar with human television as far as I know, so... what am I missing here?
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Post by Manic on May 15, 2019 15:00:30 GMT
Another thing you won't quite get until later. And, I have to admit, it's never explicitly specified.
I'll touch on it when we come to that.
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Post by crimsondoom on May 15, 2019 15:59:03 GMT
Another thing you won't quite get until later. And, I have to admit, it's never explicitly specified. I'll touch on it when we come to that. Fair enough, I'll hold you to that.
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Post by red5 on May 16, 2019 1:25:13 GMT
Were you actually down to 48 hours out when you played this part, do you recall? Or did you play the game all at once and release the parts when story appropriate? Regardless, you do a great job heightening the tension as the deadline looms. Honestly makes me wish I could read it all with totally fresh eyes! It's awesome to be able to sit down and binge read a whole completed run, but I can only imagine what it would have been like reading these individual updates when the run originally came out.
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Post by Manic on May 16, 2019 3:31:00 GMT
At that point, I was down to LESS than 48 hours. It was done in real-time. The comments were absolutely packed with "come on, you can do it" and "will he make it in time?!". Read near the end of the next update for perspective.
(I'll explain after I post it.)
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Post by Manic on May 16, 2019 4:05:38 GMT
Update #24: The End
Let's...hnnnn....h-hurry...I can feel myself f-fading. C'mon, baby. Just hang on a little longer, we're almost there! Y'all step on it! Keep yer fur on, I'm working the pedals as fast as I can! Cynthia's grandmother said that the orbs we require were up a waterfall. Unless my memory fails me, we passed a waterfall on the way to Spear Pillar the first time. That must be the culprit! For Manic's sake, it'd better be. We don't have time to be wrong!
S-s-so damn c-c-cold... No wonder, popsicle butt. You need a real coat like me! Somebody keep Manic warm! It's f-fine, we're...hnnnnnn...only out in this for a second...
Th-thank goodness...n-now we just...hnnnn...have to get to Spear Pillar... Don'tcha worry none, Roxy'll get you there! I'll scout for aerial threats and plot a course! Anything that comes between us and the Pillar had better run. That goes double for me! Manic, just hold on! I'll scout ahead, make sure there's no trainers. Excellent teamwork. Let's proceed!
He's out like a light again. It's just not right that a kid that young should have to go through this. Ah, don't dwell on it, you'll drive yourself crazy. Let's talk about something else. I know! What do you plan to do after...after...*snf* Easy, now. Well, I hope to go help Maylene out. She's going to need some help rebuilding, and her Lucario showed promise, but he needs training. That's easy. I'm gonna see the world! I'll always remember all of you, but it'd be an awful waste not to use these wings, right? It ain't hard to figure out what Blubberbutt and I are gonna do. The Frontier is in dire need of governance. I believe that with my Empress by my side, I may be able to restore a sense of order to that place. Well, um...Aaron seemed nice enough, and his Scizor was...well...maybe I could get to know him better. Ah, hell. I dunno. I mean, stomping chumps is fun, but there isn't much competition left out there. If I am to establish governance, I will need power to back my claims. Perhaps you could find some chumps to stomp in that way? Huh. Stomping chumps professionally? Sounds kinda fun. I'll think about it.
Oh hey, we're...hnnnnnn...here... Hell yeah! I'm ready to wreck these bastards! Cynthia's grandma...said these things have Ground attacks... Damn it! Fuckin' figures. Very well, then. You know Roxy is not a combatant. Looks like it's you or me, Michael. M-michael...take all the remaining...hnnnnn...rare candies...eat 'em all. Me? Are you sure? I get it. Earth Power will miss you entirely. Go for it, Michael; I'll spend this time holding Manic and helping him to stay awake.
Gugyugubah yourself, wiseass! Manic, what are your orders? Start off with...hnnnn...Water Pulse...confuse it, get its help beating it up... Excellent. Turn its own resources against it! Then Shadow Ball...drop its defenses...
It's working! We're doing it! Oh, Arceus, please, hurry! He looks so pale... Kid looks like a damn human Gardevoir. Jeez. Wait. Does anyone else feel that? That weird hummin'...aw hell, boy! Get out the way! Heh, heh...I'm not...hnnnnn...worried.
Take this. Wow, that was...actually pretty surviveable! Don't get cocky, kid. If that was a crit, it would've ended you. Yeah, and now you can't get healed. Don't be a damn showoff! Yeah, but it's reeling now! Tear into it! Manic? Your orders? K-kick...its ass.
Bullseye! Woo-hoo! One down and one to go! We're almost there! Manic, did you see that? Manic. Awaken this moment, I demand it! Awww shit, baby! Feel his forehead! Damn it all to hell, he's getting cold! Wait, let me. ...he still has a pulse, but it's extremely faint. Michael, you have perhaps five minutes to defeat Palkia!
Gagyagyaah all you want, pal. You're going down, and hard! Michael, we no longer have the time to waste confusing it. Pummel that thing with Shadow Ball! You got it, Nero! Bend over and grab your ankles, Palkia, this is gonna hurt like hell!
I never knew you had it in you. Damn. Uh, you know the Thunderpunch thing was a joke, right? Y'all best stand back, this thing's gettin' ready to hit back! This is gonna be messy! You're standing between me and saving my trainer! You wanna dance? Well, come at me, bro!
That's it? THAT'S your signature move? That's...wow! Even a crit wouldn't lay you out! Yeah, just keep chucking milk at the kid and you're golden!
You really must learn to curb your tongue, Virgil. It's going to get you into trouble someday. The hell you do that for?! Um, well...ah, shit. Sorry. Healing you is no longer a prospect. You have to finish this!
Gotta put...everything I have...into this last shot...!
YEAH! At last, it's all over...phew. Yeah, but did we make it? We did. We have to have made it! He just can't be gone, he can't! The hell...? He seems to be...rising into the air?
We did it! I can breathe! But...what's happening to me? Success! You've defeated your challenge, and now it's time for you to ascend. Does anyone else hear Franklin's voice? Where are you going?! Don't leave us! I don't think I have much of a choice in the matter! It's true, you don't. You're being sent to the meeting place, where - with luck - all will become clear. Two before, two after, and you! Hey, cool! You can fly too! The hell is he goin' on about? HEY! Manic! Does this mean our contract's up? I don't think it counts if I'm not in the same world! Baby, you sound all right! I feel great! Take heart, you will see one another again! Best friend I ever had.
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Post by Manic on May 16, 2019 4:23:36 GMT
And there you have it. Signed, sealed, delivered.
When Nero says that Michael has perhaps five minutes? Yeah, that was both in-character and out-of-character. This run really came down to the wire!
Even so, there's one update left. Don't run off just yet!
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Post by truezero2 on May 16, 2019 10:30:58 GMT
At that point, I was down to LESS than 48 hours. It was done in real-time. The comments were absolutely packed with "come on, you can do it" and "will he make it in time?!". Read near the end of the next update for perspective.
(I'll explain after I post it.)
They really were. Let's see what the old thread had around this point: "2 Hours Remaining...will Manic Survive this?"
"Manic you got 2 hours!"
"He's posting now! So excite!"Then you trolled everyone with a question about how people would react if your save data corrupted right at the end. It was so fun to follow.
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Post by Manic on May 17, 2019 8:23:55 GMT
Update #25: Epilogue
Weird. It's like this endless expanse of white. And we're floating, looks like. So...what happens now? Well, now you get to meet the other Manics. Beg your pardon? Other Manics? Two of them, anyway. The other two have yet to be made. How can there be so many me? I'm me. Yes, you are. Then they're not me. They are, and they are not. More will be revealed with the passage of time. I hate it when you do that. I know. It's hilarious.
Hey, I was meaning to ask. Why did you learn Healing Wish, anyway? As a last resort. You see...Manic, Self-Aware lost the Oracle of Might and Humor to a ghost's Destiny Bond. Ouch. That sounds nasty. It was. Manic, Innocent lost the Oracle of Knowledge and Restraint to a wild Machop. Damn. Sounds like Oracles don't have a very good survival rate. It's true. Neither Manic who has come before you has been able to keep their Oracle alive. Heh, you're welcome. I note that you are not Manic, Humble.
And that makes you and me...what, exactly? You are Manic, Courageous. I am the Oracle of Time and Patience. Had your time been utterly exhausted, I could have given you one more day at the cost of my own life. You sure cut it close, huh? I was ready. All of the Oracles are, were, and will be ready to surrender their lives in your service. The fact that I survived, however, means that I can help you in the future. Help me? With what? I do not know yet. Know this: as in every world, the future has not yet been written. I only know that when the time comes, you will need all the help you can get.
- FIN -
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Post by Manic on May 17, 2019 8:26:29 GMT
And so, this run is put to bed.
As the first surviving Oracle, Franklin gets the pleasure of introducing Manic to...himself? And also himself?
The plot thickens...
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Post by Firebrand on May 17, 2019 12:57:07 GMT
...so Creosote was an oracle? Huh. Penelope and Franklin both fit a certain type, but Creosote was pretty different. He played his cards a little closer to his chest than the other two. And this also confirms that Infernal Red Manic was Self-Aware, but that Derpy Manic didn't have a title... which after reading the first part of Paint It Black, I guess confirms that the Manic there will be Manic No. 4.
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