Chapter 3.5: Fight Tutorial
Before we begin the next chapter, let's rewind this one back to the Tall Grass Scene from THIS one.
"Oh man, as if Murder Hornets weren't enough!" Donkey Whined.
"I hear THAT!" Rider replied, "Man, I hate those guys, but, sometimes, beggars can't be choosers. Mogano, why don't you get his attention?"
"WHAT!?" Donkey cried objectively as Mogano fires a cannonball at the Pummel Bee.
A strange, book-like aura surrounded the area upon impact. The book's pages turn rapidly and it disappears. Our heroes were lined up before the Pummel Bee and two other creatures. A large, box-like formation appears reading "A Pummel Bee and two Ratsinks appear before you" Another one reads "You have initiative!" All the while, a lyric-free, royalty-free 90's JRPG-style sound-alike of Blondie's "One Way Or Another" is blasting in the air.
"What in the name of Aesop is this!?" Shrek shouted, "And why are we all moving around? We were all standing still a moment ago!"
"It's a side-effect of the pocket dimension" Rider answered with another box appearing next to him with a list of actions, "There are ways to dispatch these guys quickly with certain items you can buy just about anywhere these days, things that can do whatever from healing you, to temorarily boosting your stats to attacking the creature directly...Unfortunately, I forgot to pack any" he continued as the word "Attack" flashes and then "Standard Sword". The box disappears as he charges at one of the Ratsinks with a circle highlighted around the ground surrounding him. One strike, and the Ratstink disappeared.
"Why did you not attack the Pummeling Bee?" Puss asked.
"You WANT to take out the Batstinks first" Rider replied, "Otherwise, they'll keep summoning their friends and we'll be here longer"
Mogano did the same thing as Rider, except "Moggy Masher" flashed. His right fist grew to a more dangerous-looking model and fired off his arm, tethered to a chain. The fist hits the Batstink and it disappears as Mogano's hand returned to normal. Another box that read "Hey! You beat up Pummel Bee's buddies!" as the Pummel Bee starts to glow red.
"That doesn't look good" Shrek commented.
"Yeah, I forgot about this part" Rider replied, "Watch out, he's about to attack!"
"But non of US got a turn!" Donkey cried.
"That's because the pocket dimension inhibits your fighting abilities depending on what 'level' you are" Mogano replied, "Right now, you three are all level 1 in this place, while Mr. Rider and I are Level 12 at best"
"Actually, I'm Level 15" Rider claimed, "HERE HE COMES!"
The Pummel Bee flew at Puss and knocked him out with one hit.
"I may have neglected to inform you that 'level' also determines your endurance"
"That's okay, I forgot to mention something too" Rider admitted, "The only other way out of here is for the monster to knock US out, but, they won't disappear"
"Well, THAT would've been a helpful fun fact now, wouldn't it?" Shrek asked.
"Right, getting us outta here!" Rider claimed, swinging his sword. The Pummel Bee flew upward. "Aw, damn it, I HATE it when they do that!"
"I've got him!" Mogano replied, the box now flashing "No Strings Attack". A series of strings shot out of his fingers, snaring the Pummel Bee. He then jumped into the air and slammed the Pummel Bee into the ground. The music changed to a fanfare mix of It Is You (I Have Loved). One more box indicated they acquired some new items and Shrek, Donkey and Puss all leveled up to Level 9 before the area went black and brightened up with everyone on the other side of the tall grass.
"Well, that was fun" Rider claimed, dusting himself off, "Now, let's get that salve!"
I think we all know what happened from here.
Our story continues in Chapter 4: The Bandit From The East! Seishuku Ongaeshi Approaches! For real this time.
