scary monsters ~endless halloween night~ 3-7 "is there a problem?"

[mandytl]

 

 

Location: The Other Dimension - Haunted Ghost Town

Ghost C: Eek. If this keeps up they’ll banish me. Someone, help me! Anyone~!

Ortho: There goes our plan to conserve energy… 

Ruggie: No thanks to this battle right off the bat.

Riddle: It… It was unavoidable. She was the one who assaulted us first!

… Not that entering a home without knocking was polite.

Anyhow, the careless ought to keep their doors locked.

… Ahem. It might behoove us to refrain from opening doors haphazardly.

We might stumble upon another ghost that way. Our search efforts will remain outdoors.

Ruggie: Man, for real? And here I thought we’d get to rummage through the whole house.

Riddle: Still going on about that treasure nonsense? Like I said, it seems doubtful.

For starters, I don’t see reason to conceal hints or riches in an abandoned place like this.

It’s only common sense to keep one’s most treasured valuables close or in a safe deposit.

Ruggie: There you go, missin’ the point again. Every story’s got theories!

Riddle: Say what you like, but… I’ve never touched the games or comics you speak of.

I can only offer you a realistic opinion. 

Ortho: Oh, yeah… stuff like that’s new territory for you.

Then how about movies or novels? You know, adventure fiction where they treasure hunt!

Uhm, I really like the “Adventures of the Bearded Captain” series, and—

Riddle: I’ve never consumed either for my own amusement, but I have read a good deal of biographies on remarkable people.

When I was your age, Ortho, I’d already pored over my medical dictionaries…. Hm? Is there a problem?

Ruggie: Eugh…

Ortho: Holy cow. There’s even scientific evidence that proves leisure activities are essential to nurture rich sentiment.

Ruggie: Yikes. Now you’ve got the robot worrying about your emotional development, Riddle-kun.

Riddle: Why’re you two ganging up on me? Just mind your own business!

And besides, even if I’m not up-to-date on what’s “all the rage” right now, I at least have a grasp on all the academic classics.

Treasure hunting? Adventures? All I need experience is what’s vital for my education. 

Ruggie: You sure? I mean, you’re a smart guy. I’d think this kinda stuff would be right up your alley.

Riddle: What do smarts have to do with treasure-hunting? 

Ruggie: Literally everything! It’s basically like puzzle-solvin’.

Riddle: Puzzle-solving?

Ruggie: Yep. For instance, uh… there was this scene in some comic, where a monster struck up a deal with the hero.

“You laugh, it laughs. You cry, it cries. This friend that’s always by your side is a…”

Riddle: A mirror, correct?

Ruggie: Can I finish before you get it right?! What’s the point in settin’ this up if aren’t gonna speculate?

When the monster gives the order, “present your beloved friend if it's treasure you seek”...

The hero, quick-witted, pulls out a mirror and slams it down with a “here’s your answer!”. It’s literally the best scene!

Riddle: Hmm… These may be easy to solve, but puzzles are good for exercising the mind.

Ortho: Mirror puzzles that guide light are pretty common in adventure stories. 

Riddle: … Hmm. Is that so.

Ruggie: Y’mean the ones where the reflected light points to the treasure? 

Ortho: Maybe the shards those ghosts dropped are some kind of key too. 

Isn’t that line of thinking exciting?

Even the “Adventures of the Bearded Captain” had a scene where a mirror placed over a gate reflected the moonlight and made a path.

Tons of lights sparkle in the area.

Riddle & Ruggie: Wha?!

Ortho: Wow, look! This ray of light reflecting off our mirror shard… it’s pointing towards a well in the village!

Riddle: Let’s investigate!

Pans away.

Riddle: … There’s something shining in the depths of the well!

Ortho: There is?!

Ruggie: Did we seriously just find some treasure? Am I ‘boutta be filthy stinking rich?!

Riddle: Let’s inspect what’s dwelling in the depths at once!

Ghost C: There they are, officer! Right over there!

Ortho: Whoa. The ghost who bolted earlier brought some friends with them!

Ghost D: There really are living, breathing humans prowling around!

Ghost E: Only a despicable bandit intrudes in a lady’s home uninvited! We’ll seize and present you to Our Esteemed Host.

Ruggie: Stuff it!!

Riddle: This isn't the time for that!!!

Ghosts: EEK!

Ghost D: W-What brutes… There’s no telling how many ghosts they’ll bring harm to if we leave them free.

Ghost E: We’ve got to apprehend them at all costs!

Ruggie: Ugh. We aren’t gonna be able to focus on our treasure hunt if this keeps up. Let’s blow ‘em skyhigh!!