#also I can't help but feel the atmosphere of the event is pretty dulled by now

[aethershroud]

I'm going to be honest, if they were just going to recycle Big Run stages wholesale and just keep looping around, I'd rather they didn't bother. 135 Eggs for Gold on fucking WAHOO WORLD is frustrating. 45 Eggs MINIMUM per wave is a tall order for all but the sweatiest of players, and I've already seen people complain a TON about lower skilled players in higher ranks hoping to be carried to Gold.

I think I'll just play up until I max out the capsules, go to bed and look at every sweatlord or luckiest player toss themselves off for their precious golden fish statue that's too big to fit in their fucking locker anyway. Oh well. At least the scoring system actually makes sense this time around. Manage to improve from Participation to Silver at least.

[kikoqueenofrats]

Heheh, Warning incoming angst!

Also uh, the use of ocs are used in this chapter as a thank you for all of the enthusiasts discord for being epic and inspiering me to make these two in the first place. However do not take this as a cannon event in the others ocs stories, they are only cameos! Lil Guy is the only exception to that rule.

Lil guy belongs to @toastraccoon Pink and Beage belong to @breadthecat Katum and Plava belong to Phoinix (https://archiveofourown.org/users/Duckbang/pseuds/Duckbang, read their stories they're good)

If you guys want your characters removed please tell me and I will do so as quickly as I can!

"I'm sorry, I don't know that game..."

That was a phrase Mari and Cel had grown all too used to during their travels and it was starting to get on Maris nerves, however Cel was determined to find his game.

"Okay, thank you!" Cel waved off the white stick figure before walking off, Mari following close behind.

Mari was about to openly complain about it when Cel spotted his next interviewee.

"Excuse me!!" Cel called out to the navy blue and orange stickfigures. They both looked over towards the incoming sticks curiously. Before the two sticks could fully react to Cels sudden arrival he asked his question.

"Do you know of a place called Petopia?....it's in a game I can't remember the name of"

Cel waited for the two sticks answer in anticipation, hoping they would at least recognize the name.

However the confused looks Cel received proved that Cels hopes were soon to be dashed.

"Sorry kid, I've never heard of that place before" the blue one shrugged, the orange one nodding in agreement.

"Have you ever heard of a game with...a stick named Protag leading the community in it?" Cel asked, still latching onto the hope that these two sticks had at least a small amount of information on the whereabouts of Cels home.

The two sticks shook their heads.

"Nope" the blue one replied

"What a weird name-" the orange one chuckled.

Cel let out a short humorless laugh at that "Yeah, he's pretty proud of it too" Cel huffed looking away sadly.

Before the two sticks could react to this Cel turned to leave "Okay thank you!" He waved at them as he left. Mari looked sadly over at Cel, as he walked away, for a few moments before quickly following.

Mari could practically feel the disappointment coming off of Cel and was about to suggest that they took a short break when Cel rushed off again.

He was heading towards two sticks who looked like they were trying to avoid the other sticks walking around the flash game website as much as possible.

Before Mari could point this out Cel was already close enough to catch the two sticks attention.

The pink stick with a bow wrapped around their neck flinched at Cels sudden arrival. Quickly pulling out their weapon they swung it at Cel, Cel didn't move out of the way in time and ended up on the floor with a small scratch across his chest. Pain flashed across Cels back as it hit the floor and he tensed up, reeling slightly as it momentarily took over his senses.

Cel bit down a scream, not wanting to worry Mari anymore than they already was, besides this was normal now. There was no way of completely healing this old wound, it had been too big for the healing potion. Besides all Cel had to do was continue to keep this to himself, like he always had been; Mari didn’t need to worry over nothing after all.

"CEL!" Mari gasped rushing over to where Cel had fallen;

Before Mari could get there the pink sticks beige friend grabbed their hand and pulled them away, the duo disappearing into the darkness.

"Cel are you okay!?!" Mari asked as they helped Cel into a sitting position. Cel groaned as the once dulling back pain flared up again as Mari moved him, managing to completely forget about the small wound gracing his chest as his back throbbed. Soon however the pain dulled completely and Cel was about to reassure Mari when a small forest Green stick suddenly appeared beside them.

They both jumped slightly at the small figures appearance and the green stick chuckled in response.

"Sorry about that" they shrugged before looking over at Cels injury "I can help you with that" the stick smiled beginning to pull their comically large backpack off of their back.

"Thank you..." Cel chuckled weakly before noticing the look Mari had begun giving the new stick.

Mari continued giving this look as the small green stick pulled some medical equipment out of their bag and began treating Cels wound.

Just before the green stick had finished treating Cel a look of recognition suddenly fell upon Mari's face.

"Hey I know you!" They gasped pointing at the now bewildered green stick "You saved my life after I got my butt kicked by that Hyun dojo stick...Oxib was his name...I think..." Mari looked thoughtful for a few moments and the green stick copied their look before a look of recognition washed over their face as well.

"Oh Yeah!" They gasped before beginning to chuckle "you thought you could take on one of the most powerful fighters in the dojo, it took you about a week to recover from that" the green stick smirked "how are you doing by the way?"

Mari smiled in embarrassment at that "not...one of my proudest moments" they muttered before going to answer the green sticks question.

"I'm doing alright, actually I'm helping this stick here find his home...hey! Do you happen to know of a place called Petopia?" Mari asked. The green stick looked thoughtful for a few moments and Cel perked up again.

"Hmmm...I remember treating a stick who said they were from there..."

Mari and Cels eyes widened, both in surprise and excitement.

Maybe they would finally find out where Cels game was.

"Do you know where those sticks are?" Mari asked, practically vibrating.

The green stick thought some more, before frowning and shaking their head.

"Sorry fellas, all I know is that they're on a different computer...that and they were both a shade of green" the green stick shrugged.

Cel frowned at that, looking down at his now bandaged chest in defeat. Mari on the other hand looked like he was about to launch off into the atmosphere.

"That's okay! Thank you!" Mari smiled and the green stick nodded in reply.

"Alright!" They nodded before standing up "oh wait before I go! Can I get your names?" They asked.

"Sure!" Mari grinned getting up as well "I'm Mari short for Maroon and this-" they gestured towards Cel and their smile faltered when they saw how downcast he looked.

"Is Cel...short for Cerulean..."

"My name's Lil Guy" He chirped, not noticing the sudden change in atmosphere.

Mari nodded in response, not taking their eyes off of Cel.

Finally noticing the sudden change Lil Guy decided it would be better if he left...he was a doctor of medicine, not phycology after all.

"I should...probably get going...see you around!" And with that the green figure hauled his large medical backpack onto his back and left.

Mari knelt down next to Cel and placed their hand on his shoulder.

"You okay" Mari asked softly with concern written all over their face.

Cel huffed "not really no-'' he chuckled "we've been at this for ages...I just...I know this new information is amazing but...We're just gonna be on another wild goose chase...and...I'm so confused...They’re both Green...my old friend were both Green...it can’t be them though...Protag always sent banished sticks into the dark forest and..." Cel sighed burying his head into his knees ``left them there...that place is full of monsters...the banished never usually survive it...un...unless..."

"Unless a certain bad guy went against his master's orders..."

At the new voice the duo jumped and turned in the direction of it.

Cels eyes widened in surprise as they fell upon a dark purple stick figure standing within the dimly lit spaces in between the flash games just in front of the duo.

"Hey there, you looking for a place called Petopia?" They dark purple stick asked, slowly making their way towards the two stick figures.

They both nodded in reply.

The dark purple stick smirked at this and Mari felt a twinge in their gut, a twinge that told them trusting this guy would lead to some sort of trouble.

But for the sake of Cel he didn't voice this issue.

"I know where that is...follow me" and with that the dark purple stick disappeared into the darkness.

Cel jumped up, being as careful with his back as he could, and quickly made his way into the space, Mari quickly following behind him.

"Cel be careful!!" Mari called behind him but Cel wasn't listening, too focused on his desire to get back home.

To notice he was walking right into a trap.

A loud zapping noise, followed by Mari screaming in pain caused Cel to stop in his tracks and turn around.

Just in time to see Mari collapsing onto the floor.

Before Cel could fully react a blunt object smacked into his head and he fell to the floor as well.

Just before he passed out he heard a voice, a familiar one.

"That was too easy" it chuckled.

And then, Cel passed out.