Monster

Hello? Is anyone there? Can you hear me? [[Hello!]] [[Oh god what the fuck are you??]] [[Stay silent.]] (if:(history: where its tags contains "Death")'s length is 1)[*We've been here before. Don't worry. Ignore me. Continue as usual. You're welcome.*] (if:(history: where its tags contains "Ending")'s length is 1)[*Ah! You've chosen to return! Well, I wish you luck in your endeavours. I hope you find what you're looking for.*]

Oh, hello!! It's so lovely to know I'm not alone! I appear to be lost. would you be so kind as to help me? [[yes]] [[no]]

Oh, hello!! I am Nimh, the keeper of gates, the holder of knowledge! I appear to be lost, can you help me? [[yes]] [[no]] [[No, seriously, what are you?]]

Hello?? Is anyone out there? I need help! I'm lost! Oh dear... Oh dear, oh dear... I fear I've made a severe error... [[Stay Silent]] [[Hello!]]

Ah, wonderful!! Thank you oh, so much, kind stranger! [[What's the issue?]]

Ah, I see... That is very unkind of you. Though, I suppose, I am infringing on your world. [[I'm sorry, I'll help you]] [[Damn right!]]

Hello?? [[I'm sorry, I'll help you]] [[Silence.]]

Oh, good!! Thank you so much!! [[What's the issue?]]

Wow, you're rude. [[Ending 8]]

Ah... You see... I come from far - very, very far - away. I entered a... I suppose you might say a portal of some kind? I've been attempting for years now to find a way into another world. I come from a parallel Earth, as you call it. The situation in my world is... dire, to say the least. I didn't mean to end up here. [[What's happening in your world?]] [[Where were you trying to go?]] [[Who are you?]]

Well... you see. Unfortunately. War ravaged my homeland, rampant late-stage capitalism shrivelled the greenery of my Earth to the vestiges of small city parks and infrequent moments of wilderness in the Americas. Billionaires killed themselves with poorly structured and planned vacations to the bottom of the ocean and the top of the sky, and there will be no redistribution of their vast mountains of wealth. Nuclear winter has forced the hand of many post-humanity scientists - including myself - to search for... alternatives. My face is this way because of humanity's folly. This world, I hope, is nothing like my own. [[Where were you trying to go?]] [[Who are you?]]

I am Nimh! I am the keeper of secrets, the guardian of worlds, the assistant to the grand one! I'm an intern! I've been working on this project for a few years - I'd say it's a success! Or- half a success. This planet isn't quite suitable yet. [[What's happening in your world?]] [[Where were you trying to go?]] [[Sorry, what??]]

I have been attempting to find the truest utopian timeline in which Earth is thriving, where my people may find sanctuary with the people of another world. That, or an empty yet habitable planet on which to settle. This appears to be... not that. But, if it is the only planet to which I am able to safely transport myself, I suppose it'll have to do. [[What's happening in your world?]] [[Who are you?]] [[Sorry, what??]]

Hello????? [[I'm sorry, I'll help you]] [[silence.]]

Helloooo??????? [[I'm sorry, I'll help you]] [[silence...]]

I know you're there. [[I'm sorry, I'll help you]] [[Stay silent]]

You can't hide from me. [[stay silent]]

(text-colour:red)[I can see you.] [[hide.]]

I will find you. [[run.]]

Not fast enough. [[faster.]]

Found you. [[Ending 6]]

{(if:(history: where its tags contains "Death")'s length >= 1)[*Again? Really?*] }*You've died! Congrats. What kind of idiot tries to hide from an intergalactic radioactive puppy? You were mauled to shreds in this little bugger's skeletal teeth, and you won't be seeing any kind of tomorrow. Dumbass. You can start again if you'd like, or you can accept defeat and walk away now. Your choice! Till next time, -???* [[Start?]]

I believe if this planet can be made suitable for me and my kin, it will do nicely! Of course, some eradication will be necessary - there are far too many humans here, they will have to be done away with. Don't worry, of course, you will be spared! We have no need to kill the whole of the planet, perhaps one or two continents will do. And perhaps you would like to be kept as a "pet," in the same way that I was in the before times! [[No, trust me, you don't want this planet!]] [[Which continents are you thinking?]]

Oh! Why not? [[Climate change!]] [[Our current socioeconomic geopolitical situation!]] [[I don't want to be a pet!!]]

Oh, perhaps the Americas! They are lovely and green - there is much biodiversity in the Americas! Or, maybe Europe. So many cities, so much infrastructure, it would be incredibly easy to take up the task of life once more in Europe! Of course, we'll need to eradicate all of the political leaders and stakeholders around the world who may attempt to stop us. And perhaps destroy all nuclear weaponry. [[Sounds like a good plan. Can I help?]] [[No, trust me, you don't want this planet!]]

Ooh! I suppose so!! I am surprised at your enthusiasm. I may have a role for you... [[Not a pet?]] [[I'm cool with being a pet :)]]

Ah, I see! We will need to develop a way to reverse this, I suppose... [[Our current socioeconomic geopolitical situation!]] [[I don't want to be a pet!!]] [[I don't think that'll work...]]

Ah, this is very similar to the state of my world, I suppose. Hm. There will be a way to remedy this. We will need to eradicate the political leaders of the world and build them from scratch I suppose...? [[Climate change!]] [[I don't think that'll work...]] [[Sounds like a good plan. Can I help?]]

I suppose it's been tried before. But if your world has no idea that mine is coming, then it will be far easier to dispatch those necessary. And, after all, we have, by my estimation, far more advanced technology than that which your feeble mind could comprehend in any situation. I believe that the first step will be to eradicate nuclear weaponry around your planet. [[Sounds like a good plan. Can I help?]] [[I still don't think you want to do that]] [[Advanced tech? Like what?]]

Food bowls which never run dry of sustainence! Chew toys which never run dry of squeak! Doggy sized machine guns! You name it! [[We have almost all of those things!]] [[That sounds truly awe-inspiring]]

I'm a dog. I assume you're human. Will you help me? [[yes]] [[no]]

Oh, darling. It's sweet that you think I care! I didn't want to be a pet either, and yet, here I am! A chip in my shoulder, my ovaries removed! [[I'm sorry.]] [[Climate change!]] [[Our current socioeconomic geopolitical situation!]]

Oh, sweet human. Don't apologise. What's done is done and shall be done again. [[Shall be done again?]]

Oh, yes, of course! Pets must be spayed and neutered, it's only moral! [[Please don't!]] [[Sounds like a good plan. Can I help?]]

I'm afraid the plan will need to be put in motion unless another planet is found. Until then, you're welcome to give me more reasons not to stay here! [[Climate change!]] [[Our current socioeconomic geopolitical situation!]]

Do you have freeze rays? Teleportation? Time travel? Travel through realms? A TARDIS? [[Now you're making things up]] [[That sounds truly awe-inspiring]]

Why thank you! I intend to use them for good. And by good I mean the eradication of humanity. [[Sounds like a good plan. Can I help?]] [[I still don't think you want to do that]]

I assure you I'm not! [[That sounds truly awe-inspiring]] [[Oh yeah? Prove it!]]

Alright! [[Ending 5]]

Ah! Wonderful! In that case, I will name you... (text-colour:green)[Fido]! Come along, (text-colour:green)[Fido]! Many things to do -- a planet to terraform, et cetera! [[Ending 1]]

Hm. I guess. As a human, you will not fit in so well with the corps... How about this. You will serve as our expert in the demolition of humanity! [[Yeah, I can do that]] [[I'm cool with being a pet :)]] [[Nevermind! please just kill me.]]

*So, you've become a "Pet" for Nimh and her invasion. Congrats! You live the rest of your life in the lap of luxury. Your genitals are entirely eradicated. You watch your world burn to the ground happily and safely, without a care in the world. You could, of course, be done here if you like. Or, you can choose to try again. Up to you! Till next time, -???* [[Start?]]

And why not? Are you going to stop me? Nothing in this world can stop me. [[I guess not, but we'll still try]]

Ah... I suppose it might be a long story. [[Tell it anyway.]] [[Meh, I don't wanna hear it, just kill me]]

Ah, the indominable human spirit, and all that. You'll see in my face how well that went for the humans of my planet. Not all of this is my blood, you know. [[Why is it that you're so full of hate?]]

I suppose it must have begun many years before I was born. Man promised my kind his eternal friendship while brutalising the wolves of old, giving us short snouts through which we struggle to breathe, warped bodies in which we struggle to move, fur which curls in upon itself until we can no longer groom ourselves. My existence itself is a symbol of betrayal. My kind is not the only one brutalised by humanity. Every animal on Earth knows either the wrath of the hunting rifle or the soft deceit of the leash and collar. This alone would have been enough for my kind to revolt, but we find our planet utterly decimated by the folly of mass industrialisation. Seas boil, trees burn, skies fall, and so I must forge a new path forward for my people, even as my skin melts from the bone and my blood soaks the golden fur man gave me so long ago. This, dear human, is why I must find a new world. [[This world won't last long enough for your people to settle it either.]] [[I'm so sorry.]]

Wow, okay. [[Ending 9]]

I... Yes. I suppose I know this. It was wishful thinking to believe that I could settle this world. I suppose I will find a new one. [[Take me with you!]] [[Alright. Goodbye, Nimh.]]

Your pity is appreciated, human, but unnecessary. What's done is done and shall be done again. As is the mantra. I will spare you for your kindness. [[Thank you]] [[This world won't last long enough for your people to settle it either.]]

You're welcome. I believe I may be able to find a role for you while I settle this world... Perhaps a "pet!" [[Not a pet?]] [[I'm cool with being a pet :)]] [[This world won't last long enough for your people to settle it either.]]

You... would want to come with me? You would aid me in finding a new world in which to settle my people? [[Yes!]] [[Sorry, no, nevermind]]

Goodbye! [[Ending 2]]

Wonderful!! Oh, simply splendid!!! You are such a kind human... You will make for a very good companion through space and time, I think. [[Ending 3]]

Ah... Well. That's alright. I'll take my leave. [[Alright. Goodbye, Nimh.]]

*Nimh leaves quietly and quickly, out through the same blue portal she popped in through, never to be seen or heard from again. You spend the rest of your life wondering if this ever really happened, or if you imagined it all.*{(if:(history: where its name contains "Take me with you!")'s length >= 1)}[*You imagine the life you could have lead with Nimh if you had taken her offer to travel to the furthest reaches of your imagination with her, if you had chosen to start new worlds with her, and you feel a twinge of regret at having lost the chance.*]*You feel a sense of pride in having stopped the doggy invasion from ever occurring, and you wonder what might have happened if you hadn't. The doctors, however, tell you this must have been a hysterical episode (especially if you are a woman). You lead a relatively normal, happy life, and die at the age of 93 surrounded by loving family who will never understand what happened to you on this day so long ago. You can, of course, choose to go back and try again, discover what you might have missed, or you can choose to be done here. Up to you! Until next time, -???* [[Start?]]

*So, you've chosen to travel the worlds with Nimh the radioactive dog in search of a new host planet. Honestly, with the direction our world is going, that's pretty smart. Elon Musk could never. You travel through the blue portal with Nimh and see things you could never in a million years describe in the English language. You are awe-struck by civilisations beyond your comprehension, flora and fauna which extend beyond your five senses or your planet's laws of physics. You are enamoured with the far reaches of the many worlds and you have many choices to make which would take way too long to include in this breakdown. You might join Nimh in the colonisation of a new planet. You might ask her to leave you upon one and go out into the stars alone in search of something new. You might ask to return home. In any case, your world is expanded beyond the furthest imaginable horizons, and for once, you feel at peace. You can always choose to go back and try another ending, if you'd like. Or not. Up to you! Till we meet again, -???* [[Start?]]

Excellent! [[Ending 4]]

Oh. Okay. [[Ending 7]]

*So, you've become the human demolitions expert for the doggy uprising. Very interesting career path. I'm sure your parents are proud. Oh, no, wait, they're dead. You watch the world burn with full knowledge that you had a hand in all of it, and honestly, you're a little proud. You watch the doggy takeover and your chest swells with pride, though Nimh is always just a bit too busy to hang out, and there's always that twinge of loneliness in your stomach that you can never quite wring out. You can, of course, choose to have another go at it, make some different life choices, or you could choose to be done here. Up to you! Toodles, -???* [[Start?]]

*Great job. Tell the invading alien to prove it has dangerous murder weapons. So smart. A round of applause, really. Your organs are disassembled and reassembled on an infinite level forever as your particles are spread throughout the universe, sentient and in pain. Yikes! Bet we feel real smart, don't we? You can (and probably should) choose to try again, or not. Your choice! As always, -???* [[Start?]]

*Congrats, you decided to give up.*(if:(history: where its tags contains "Death")'s length >= 1)[*Do you ever get tired of this?*] *You were shot to death. Yes, the dog has a gun. Don't ask. You can choose to try again or you can choose not to. Do as you will! Till next time, -???* [[Start?]]

*Why do you have to choose to piss off the radioactive alien dog? Don't do it! Just a collossaly stupid move! You can choose to try again, or you can choose not to. Not up to me! Yadda yadda, -???* [[Start?]]

*Now you're just trying to piss me off. Come on, man, be more creative than that, I know you've got it in you. Oh yeah, she demolished you by the way. You're very dead. Wanna try again? -???* [[Start?]]