Post by Ryker on Jul 30, 2014 6:24:38 GMT
--There's an Easter Egg somewhere in this side-story. It could be anywhere. It's not just limited to the actual story itself either (as in the words below that you will be reading). PM me if you find it and also, tell me what it is. Good luck!--
“Laaaaaaadieeeeeeees and Gentlemen!” The announcer’s voice roared loudly over the speakers which encircled the crowd bleechers, boomed through televisions in hundreds of pubs, and echoed through the streets as the same scene was broadcasted in the skies above cities.
“Tonight! We bring you a battle which has been spoken about for months! One which has flooded forums, hijacked chats, and invaded the gaming world! Tonight, in GGO, is the battle of Teaaaaaaam Rapier facing off against Squaaaaad Triaaaad!” With each team shout out, the faces of the squad members were plastered across the screens, each player getting his own headshot and name for all to see. It was a glorious sight to behold and one which was most likely well planned as the images of the players looked professionally done. However, even if they weren’t, the crowds still probably would have roared just the same.
“In just a few moments! These two elite squads will be duking it out for fame, glory, and a prize which would make even the richest man jealous! The number one spot on the Team Leaderboard and enough credits to pay for their subscriptions for six months!” Again, the crowds cheered gallantly, matching the hype of the announcer as he spoke boldly from wherever he was sitting. He must have had a lot of Mountain Dew.
“Now for those who have just started playing or are just tuning in, the rules of this game are much like the Battle of Bullets. You get one life and one chance to outshine your opponent. You can step onto the field with anything and everything you can carry in hopes to wreck their face. HOWEVER, in this tournament you get to bring up to four other people with you! Five man teams are not mandatory, but they are suggested seeing as every other team except for one has come in with five. Obviously, five isn’t the only way to win as the Triad has proven otherwise. With only a three man team, this squad has dominated without a hitch!” Yes, that was true. Unlike the other nineteen teams and squads which had signed up, Triad had signed up with only three, and they had made it all the way to the finals. Sacrificing numbers for mobility, the three person team operated a lot quieter compared to the other team and unlike many expected; they also moved much more offensively…
“But how long will their win streak last?! On the flip side, Team Rapier has dissected their opponents with a Doctor’s precision! Using almost perfected, war-like tactics in the most brutal, vicious manner, Team Rapier put the word ‘massacre’ to shame! Silence, speed, and cut-throat against bold, bloody, and overwhelming strength! THIS IS THE FINAL ROUND OF THE WAR GAMES! Leeeeeetsss GET IT STARTEEEEDDD!!!”
Somewhere, far off in the distance of the GGO server a flare shot up into the air and exploded into a brilliant light, illuminating a ruined city covered in dust and nature’s attempts to reclaim the abandoned land; once tall buildings tilted, some collapsing into one another, some had fallen and blocked streets, others looked unafraid to stand tall in the discord. Roads were broken up by tree roots and other wildlife which gasped for air. And there wasn’t a single unbroken window....
...This was the City of Ang Bulsa. The City of Ghosts…
“Flare’s up.” Three bodies stood patiently at one side of the rotted city, weapons in hand, armor on their backs. Indeed the flare had been fired; the match had started. This would decide their fate as either Kings or peasants, but the man in the middle of the three had only one goal; he would be a God.
“Formation?” A soft voice followed the call out, and a female figure adjusted in her gear as she pulled back the safety on her submachine gun. The weapon had been through hundreds of battles but still had the out-of-the-box smell to it. Scary.
“Formation? They’ll be on us like dogs. I bet they’ve already got all of our formations memorized.” The initial voice retorted, exhaling with a sigh as he drew a pair of pistols; revolvers more specifically, but who could tell? They looked more like glock pistols with a modified underbelly to accommodate the much larger, much more painful, rounds the weapons fired.
“I don’t see ‘Squad Lead’ by your name, Lazyrus.” The snap from the woman was well prepared, and steam could be seen from the man’s ears. Scary indeed.
“That’s Lazerous to you, Kidney.” Name calling was for children, but these two had it down packed and the names seemed practiced.
“IT’S RIDNEY GOD DAMMIT!” Ridney almost opened fire on her teammate, but the subtle movement of her team lead halted her own.
The man, dressed in a body tight tee-shirt, black dress slacks, and an extremely long red scarf, tilted his rifle forward ever so slightly. The motion wasn’t one to make him more comfortable as he stood there, but it was a signal. That simple movement was communication to his teammates. Forward. And so they listened. Like obedient dogs, Lazerous and Ridney lifted their weapons forward and aimed down their sights. However the shot caller did not move. He remained still, his eyes peering through a set of pitch black, polarized goggles. He could see them; five bodies moving in a reverse-V formation. It would act like a funnel to the less intelligent teams and would end with the opposing team being flanked from three angles. A bold move to play but a respectful one as it would leave the rear-guard completely open to a swift, or accurate, enemy.
The rear guard would most likely be a sniper, or someone with an extremely heavy weapon to attract the attention of the team. Due to this, they would be alone for the initial stage of the attack. They would fire first, draw the targets into the pincers, and allow their teammates to attack from both sides. In the end, the targets would be hit from three directions. Attempt to run or die would be their only options. Well, for weaker teams it would be. For the man holding the rifle, there was a third; respond. Rather than simply fall onto his back, the man would dissect his opponents like a helpless rat…
“Spartan.” The man finally spoke and yanked his rifle off the pavement. It nestled into his arms like a baby in a mother’s cradle. With the revelation of the chosen formation, the other two players moved as well. Ridney sprinted forward, Lazerous disappeared to the building on the right, and the team leader remained still. He placed the butt of his rifle against his shoulder and looked into the already adjusted scope of his weapon. In the distance, he could see something kneel.. Now the game had truly begun…
“There’s the flare! MOVE! TRAP ALPHA!” Brazenly, the leader of Team Rapier shouted into the air instantly when he saw the green flare ignite overhead. His four followers cheered in a joyous manner, pumping their fists into the air for a moment before sprinting ahead of their king! The day would be theirs! And they would fight until the last man to see it so!
“FOR GLORY! FOR HONOR! AND FOR LADY ATHENS!” One of the team members beckoned as he charged forth, a smile brightly painted across his face as he began to laugh after his shout. Two other male players responded in kind, cheering loudly as they ran forward, machine guns fully loaded and ready to fire at anything which dared stand in their way to glory.
“Idiots.” The only female of the sausage party rumbled to herself over the team chat before bouncing off into the shadows of the buildings. A sniper rifle glistened on her back while a pistol, which was willing to shoot all three of those chanting men in the back of the head, occupied her small, manicured hand.
“Focus up, my friends. Let us, Team Rapier of Oceanus! Show how true Kings fight!” The leader thrust both hands into the air, showing two gold-plated P90s to the skies above. His three male underlings cheered over the team radio without hesitation while the heavy sigh of his female Sergeant echoed behind them. He laughed at her response.
“Oh pretty Bunny, why so sad?! We’re in the finals!” It was almost as if a phantom bullet had gone off as there was silence over the radio immediately after the question; or maybe just crickets.
“Call me bunny like that again and I’ll offer you up to Eevee.” Sadly, her avatar name was actually Bunny, which made the nickname-which-wasn’t-really-a-nickname even worse.
“FALSE PROPHET!” The bullet wound was proudly worn by the man as he turned left, or ran left like a little girl as the woman jumped over his head.
“Raiden, that joke is like a hundred years old. Please let it die.” Another voice peaked up, followed by a chuckle by the player known as Raiden.
“It used to be all the rave on the internet! Why should I, Crotch Rocket?” A low growl rumbled. What a great team.
“I told you not to call me that, asshole, and it lasted like a month. Keyword 'used to'.” Crocket was his real avatar name for the record, not Crotch Rocket. Still, it was a pretty good nickname since the man was almost a full agility-build and rolled with only two automatic pistols and a few grenades. To call him a bullet sponge would be a compliment.
“Enemies in sight. They’re still at the start as planned. Daedalus, you almost in position?” Bunny cut into the chatter with fantastic news; the other team was still not moving from where the starting position was supposed to be. Just as planned.
“Almost. Twenty seconds.” The third male from the forward moving group was now much calmer than he had initially shown himself to be, but that could have also been him getting away from the other two idiots. Those two had that kind of giggly-vibe to them.
“Crocket?” The question from Bunny was anticipated and prepared for.
“I’m set.” Crocket appeared in Bunny’s view far to her left, kneeling softly down in the third floor of a semi-demolished hotel. He waved to her briefly and then checked his rifle for a moment, ensuring it was loaded and that the safety was off most likely.
“Raiden?” Bunny’s eyes shifted forward, scanning the other buildings where the man was supposed to be at. There was no sign of him.
“Fifteen seconds. Don’t you worry, pretty lady. I’m never late for my dates.” Raiden chuckled to himself. Another phantom bullet was shot as Bunny snarled at him. The laughing stopped but the silence continued for the entire time of the team’s movement. Almost at the same time, Raiden and Daedalus appeared in their planned positions, flanking the other team in the shadows. A few moments later, the team leader made his appearance to Bunny’s distant right. He held up three fingers.
“All members in position. On your go, Lidus.” Bunny tucked the butt of her sniper against her little shoulder, bracing the powerful weapon with all of her might as to help absorb its painful impact. As she wait for the fingers to drop, she focused the scope on the other team’s leader. Her first shot would be a ghosted one and she wouldn’t be seen, so there was no need to hide or prepare too much. However, as he began to move, she felt some sweat start to form on her forehead. Lidus still hadn’t moved. The other team did.
“Lidus, they’re moving.” Bunny watched as two of the three other players moved, one running straight down the street, one darting off to her left.
“One down the middle, one out of sight, and the other has only lifted his gun. He’s aiming straight forward.” Bunny informed her team with as much detail as she could while keeping things curt.
“Keep your eyes on the one not moving. Shoot him on my signal.” Lidus’s orders were absolute, so Bunny let the other two move. Though, even with Lidus's orders she couldn't look away. The man on the other end of her scope began to lift his gun. What was he...
“On my mark. Three… Two…” Bunny blinked as the other man’s muzzle flashed. What…?
“ONE!”
Bunny’s scope shattered.
