#it's smg4 of course the heartless are gonna meme

[duckapus]

Deep Drive: Station 2

After falling through darkness once more for what feels like six months, Tulip reaches another stained glass pillar, once again landing gently despite having hurtled face-first at terminal velocity.

This platform is edged with musical notes, writing out a song that Tulip finds somehow familiar despite having never seen a page of sheet music in person before in her life (she and her family have many talents. to her knowledge, music is not one of them). In a similar position to her own image is an anthropomorphic cat with fluffy white fur wearing a red and black tuxedo, paw-hands raised as if to conduct an orchestra despite her slumber. In the background is a beautiful castle, like something out of a fairytale, and in the headshot circles are more cats, all of whom are dressed like they'd fit right in in that setting. There's also one figure that looks quite out of place, a sort of cyborg...cowgirl...goblin...thing, with kindness in her one good eye and a crooked, fanged grin.

After a moment, the wand reappears in her hand.

You've gained the power to fight.

Now that she has more time to hold it and take a few practice swings, she notes that it has roughly the same length and proportions as a baseball bat, but with weight distribution more like a sword (how does she know what holding a sword feels like?). She finds that it feels best for her to wield it two-handed, though she could probably switch to just one if she needed to, or got good enough to get fancy with it.

Alright! You've got it. Use this power to protect yourself and others.

Before Tulip can comment, she feels something watching her. When she turns to look, it's revealed to be a strange shadow on the floor, which shifts into the third dimension and is revealed to be a little black imp creature with beady yellow eyes, long zig-zagging antenna, and big floppy feet.

There will be times you have to fight. Keep your light burning strong.

Tulip can't help but scoff, "Aw, c'mon, this little guy looks harmless! They're actually kinda cute even."

As if on cue, the creature stops it's idle, distracted twitching and zeroes in on her, before pointing at her so fast the motion causes a comical whipcrack sound, "Bring me dat ass!"

"Say wha?"

More creatures start appearing like the first, rushing towards her with their suddenly very sharp looking fingers reaching out to grab or scratch her. She lets out a somewhat embarrassing shriek before striking out with her wand, each creature vanishing after a few solid hits. As she fights, she finds that she's... probably more skilled at this than she should be. Still, a few creatures do get hits in, the pain being muffled by either her adrenaline of the fact this is a dream (probably. she's not quite as sure anymore). Thankfully some of them drop what look like green bouncy balls when they're beaten, which somehow fly into her and instantly heal some of her wounds when she gets close enough.

One ever so slightly cleverer one merges with the floor and sneaks around to her more vulnerable backside. Before it can land a potentially crippling blow, the mysterious voice calls out.

Behind you!

Tulip whips around, making quick work of the would-be ambusher "Thanks!"

Soon enough, all but one of the shadows is dealt with. This one melts into the floor, creating a puddle of inky black Nothingness that quickly expands. When it reaches Tulip's feet, she begins to sink, only able to think one thing as she goes under.

"Aw shit. Here we go again..."