(Video, backdated to before the Halloween Party)

[trustycrowbar]

[It's Gordon, and he's looking more Frazzled than he normally is. Visibly tired, hair disheveled, tie missing. He even takes off his glasses for a moment to rub over his face before he speaks.]

We've got a new development in the moon... situation. A reliable source mentioned to me that the person that caused the instance in Termina was actually under control of a mask. I mean ANOTHER mask. They, uh, drew a picture:

[So suddenly a file with this image attached is broadcast to everyone:]

[Good luck sleeping tonight, guys.]

I haven't found any other images besides this one, but the other masks we gained from the monsters makes me believe that this one really is out there, and that someone has a hold of it. Or rather, that the mask has a hold of THEM.

If you're a student and you see it, let a security team member know; Do NOT confront them on your own. We don't really know what they're capable of, but considering the recent minor reconfiguration of the cosmos, I'd put money on "a lot."

We need to find this thing, and whoever it's wearing, and put a stop to them.

Comments

[private!]

[drawin_on_trees]

[Skull Kid's heart skips a beat when he sees Gordon posting his drawing for everyone to see, but he calms down when he reads the rest of the message.]

Hey, mister.

Thanks for not telling everyone it was me.

[private!]

[trustycrowbar]

No problem, kid.

[We all have stuff in our pasts we're not proud of.]

I'm going to be honest with you. People are smart; they might figure it out anyway, but if that happens and they start to bother you, you come to me.

[will_be_god]

...This reliable source. Who was it?

[trustycrowbar]

[He'll give one thing to Cyrus; he knows how to ask the questions he doesn't want to answer.]

Someone who was there the LAST time this happened. He's innocent, I can assure you of that, but gave him my word that I'd keep his name out of this.

[Mostly because this is the kind of environment where the words "he's innocent" have to be stressed.]

[will_be_god]

I see. I trust you are obtaining all possible information from him, in particular the resolution.

[trustycrowbar]

Yeah. I know this thing was stopped by the giants last time, and then retreated into--

...

Into the moon itself. It's impossible to verify if it's up there right now, so I haven't exactly sounded the charge. The best we can do is hunt around down here.

[will_be_god]

Giants. Is that beast that destroyed this area one of them, or simply a beast?

[trustycrowbar]

That was just a beast. I get the feeling those giants were more intelligent than that thing was.

[will_be_god]

There was something binding them then? Or were they simply waiting for a catalyst in order to act?

[He stared off to the side]

...Professor Freeman. What do you know about the effects of a sudden change in brain chemistry on the human body? Specifically the sudden loss of emotion.

[trustycrowbar]

I'm not sure how they were called to help yet...

[He fiddles with his glasses.]

I'm no neurosurgeon, but I think that any changes in the body should be taken in context of the rest of the physical system. That said, a sudden loss of emotion is probably an indicator of something else that's going on.

[And not something good, either.]

As to the effects... I'd worry about of other parts of the human pyche going along with it. Empathy and self-preservation, to start with.

[will_be_god]

Worry...how strange. To do so about another at this point is to look away from the big picture...

[It seemed for a moment that Cyrus was heavily distracted by something off to his side, or perhaps he was simply lost in thought]

I am aware of the cause. However, I am experiencing unforseen side effects that appeared nowhere in my research.

[trustycrowbar]

Showing concern for other people is what keeps us humane. We become either monsters or automatons without it.

[And he's certainly not doing anything that would lesson Gordon's concern. He gives Cyrus a sidelong look.]

What side-effects? What have you been getting into?

[will_be_god]

Automatons, yes...

[He paused, staring off into space again]

...yet a degradation in programming is a sign of either extreme age or extreme error.

[monotreme_101]

I've been combin' the mountains and haven't found squat. Nothing to indicate there's any ruins or caves that have been used to hide somethin' like that. No second hand stores or antique places have a mask like that either.

Any chance it could be up on that Island? I've been up there a couple times without running into it, but not lately. Not since all this started.

[trustycrowbar]

That's possible... even likely. I not sure why, but I get the feeling this thing would want to stay as high-up as possible.

Think you can check it out?

[monotreme_101]

Yeah, I got a buddy who can run me up there if she ain't too busy. And I've already spent enough time up there that I have a rough layout of the place memorized. Help cut down my search time and all.

[trustycrowbar]

Great. Watch yourself up there, and let us know if you find anything suspicious.

Thanks, Knuckles.

[monotreme_101]

Will do.

You're welcome... just try not to thank me too much till I actually find somethin' useful. Doesn't look like we're going to get the Chaos Emeralds so goin' super and punching the moon isn't a thing I can do. Hopefully I can get hands on this mask, though.

[raw_angel_power]

That mask looks kind of familiar...

[trustycrowbar]

--It does? Have you seen it before?!

[raw_angel_power]

It's weird. I don't remember, but it feels like I should. The name's on the tip of my tongue, too. Start's with an M-sound...?

[trustycrowbar]

M-sound...

[He has no idea what to say to that. Pit's recollection is a clue that somehow he came into contact with this thing before, but with a dislocated memory he can't really use any of it.]

Do you remember what happened last time you've seen it? Was the moon still in its place up there?

[raw_angel_power]

[Dislocated is a very good descriptor for his mental situation.]

No, it definitely wasn't a recent thing. I get the feeling it's just some fact that I'm supposed to know, but for some reason can't remember it. Man, this is frustrating. Did I dream it up or something?