I can feel the madness slowly creeping in...

[cityship]

It is that time again, meatship.

Once again, the King of Nightmares has deigned to spread his touch to all of your dreams.

This time, however, he has decided to give them a much more personal touch, sending his very own children to visit each and every one of you, slowly sowing the seeds of madness within all of you.

Such a kind and loving king he is, isn't he?

[ooc: Alright folks, Nightmare King is ramping things up a bit. These nightmares are a good bit more dangerous now, and he's sending in his minions to make things a little more real. The nightmares will be of a much more serious nature this time, designed to start driving the crew slowly insane. Characters are more likely to run into nightmare minions in the guise of someone or something that will tug at the edges of their sanity. Also, this time, the characters can have joint dreams, as these nightmares are of a more mystical nature this time. Once again, tagging in isn't mandatory, but if you want to, go crazy (literally)!]

[Additional Note: Any injuries won't be carrying over to real life at this point in the plot but don't worry, we'll get there eventually!]

Comments

[demon-alessa.livejournal.com]

There was a chill in the air, and now the ruined buildings a darkness stared to creep on the scene, slowly and then everything started to turn to dusk. Of course she didn't have the ability to fight off the King's dream: she knew that from his first dabbling. But she had created Silent Hill's base at that factory in the city for a reason: she had to gain a foothold on this ship to build up her strength, and that would in turn make her strong enough to affect the outcome of the Nightmare King's influence. She had simply stayed at the factory once she'd made a decent recreation. She could hear the mewlings of the beast and she was satisfied. Her strength was returning.

She drunk in her accomplishment, and was satisfied to finally rest.

But then she felt something baffling in the air, and her eyes flew open. Something was wrong, something she had not expected: The Nightmare King had gone after Shadow, and she could feel his bafflement in the air, tasting the bitter, dusty creepings of the Nightmare Kings he'd felt days ago, and a rage built in her she had not felt in a long time.

She knew she could get severely injured in this encounter, but choice was a choice, and hers had been toward Shadow. Conviction was not something a demon lacked, and she would present that.

She did it for show, and she knew it: she came at the figures in a long hooded cloak, scythe in hand and all. Cleaving through people, cutting by now, was not something that Alessa shied away from: blood was her dance, and killing was her skill. Sonic and his friends fell away, and Alessa stood erect now, hood off her head, scythe pointed at Maria.

YOu WilL LeAvE HiM AlONe Alessa said, her child voice booming and sounding more baritone.

[is-the-ultimate.livejournal.com]

(http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j138/SoaringHeadache/Cape%20and%20Cowl/Shadow%20The%20Hedgehog/?action=view&current=thShadow058.png)

Shadow gawked as those surrounding him fell, victim of Alessa's assault. Who knew someone like her could be so vicious?

"A...Alessa?!" Shadow stammered, surprised to see her there.

Get away from him! He'll kill you, too! Maria called out. If he couldn't protect us, there's no way he can protect you!

"Maria, please...!" Shadow called out. "I TRIED!"

[demon-alessa.livejournal.com]

Alessa turned to the girl, her eyes searing through her. "I don't need protection. If you cared about him, you would know he would do everything in his power. You are a figment, and you are not real. Go back into the shadows with your nightmare king."

And now she steadied her gaze at Shadow. "He is sending helpers. I can feel...other things moving. Do not stay fooled by this. I would not be here if you did not need my aid."

She said this simply, but there was a look on her face that possessed no indifference, no curiosity. Her face was set, her purpose clear. She would not allow him to be fooled.

[is-the-ultimate.livejournal.com]

(http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j138/SoaringHeadache/Cape%20and%20Cowl/Shadow%20The%20Hedgehog/?action=view&current=thShadow030.png)

"Others...? Then..." Shadow muttered, starting to piece things together. "...that bastard..." His once terrified and pleading look turned into one of anger. "How DARE you use my memories against me!"

But, Shadow...! Maria pleaded, knowing full well it's over...

"DISAPPEAR!" Shadow snarled, launching a bolt of Chaos Energy at Maria, dispersing it... only to notice perhaps a few others. "Well... this seems like a charming dream..."

[demon-alessa.livejournal.com]

A slow smile crept on the demon girl's face. Now he knew, and she was more than happy that it was her Shadow, the strong one, because even an ultimate weapon needed prodding every now and again. He understood now.

"It is not a dream," Alessa said deadpan. "You will find no nice things in these. They are nightmares, in the sense of the word that it's purpose is to use your weakness against you. We will fight it."

And that was all.

[is-the-ultimate.livejournal.com]

(http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j138/SoaringHeadache/Cape%20and%20Cowl/Shadow%20The%20Hedgehog/?action=view&current=thShadow064.png)

"Well, then..." Shadow said. "Let them come!" With that, the beasts make their charge, Shadow leaping over one to smash another in the face with his feet.