Wiping the Slate (Open)

The overgrown parasite had needed to find a new home after the battle in Hatchi, something had happened to it that had caused unexplained growth and drove the beast’s power higher than before, it could feel the wound still where the Tuffle had blasted it in the mechanical suit. The place where he had been changed forcibly.

Something had been altered that day, but Zoki was not aware of the extent of it all. He had been changed so drastically in mere seconds, on the whim of another. All because his creator, the misguided Dr Pafle tried to control him. Some of the restrictions and wants were gone, but they were still bound to this planet, like some form of leech, attached to their host. Desperately clinging to the very land for life.

Zoki plunged under Hatchi in search of a cavern or crevice. Zoki’s form had changed however, instead of a monstrous mass that moved through the halls on all 8 limbs, it had extended into a shape more akin to a centaur, if a centaur had many eyes and mandibles where a mouth should be. However, now there was a hint of intelligence behind the dark eyes, Zoki scanned using its ki sense, it sensed a strong being in an area nearby, in an attempt to avoid them, the bug went over the top of them, in error however, the room the being was in turned out to be taller than expected and they found themselves falling.

As they fell into the room, they yelped inhumanely as they hit the ground with a wet thud. An immediate reaction was to try and scramble to their feet, and try to sense if the person they were now sharing a room with, was a Tuffle. [Tuffle Detection used, if consent is given, Zoki will know you are a Tuffle]

Thread PL: 52000
KP: 6
MP: 0
HP: 250
Resources: Antisense [Active],  Regeneration, Bare Knuckle Brawler [Active]
WC: 298

Their eyes blinked slightly out of time as the dust cleared and the full sight of Sen came into view, compared to most Tuffles they were huge, more akin to a Saiyan build, but they were definitely registering as a Tuffle. The huge figure looked like they were about to attack the computer they were at, but Zoki’s intrusion had ceased that thought.

Then Zoki spoke, where before they had to manipulate their voice through forceful breathing, now it was free, their tongue could wrap itself around the words with a gentle push. After a sharp intake from the wind being knocked out of them, they made their way to standing again. “I can speak.” it looked confused for a moment, down at itself, shocked that it could speak as it just had.

“I am Zoki, a Tuffle. You are Tuffle?” They questioned the man, grammar and structure had still eluded their mind, but the speech was more natural, was this a side effect of Yatapi’s programming or some other evolution granted by Dr Pafle, it was hard to say.

“What are you trying?” they pointed a claw to the threatened computer that the figure was previously about to punch. There’s a chance that some of the knowledge of the Tuffles was locked away in Zoki’s head if that was their intent. But there was every other chance that this could simply be a vandal. Which would require… Managing…

Thread PL: 52000
KP: 6
MP: 0
HP: 250
Resources: Antisense [Active],  Regeneration, Bare Knuckle Brawler [Active]
WC: 298+239=537

The large beast moved carefully towards the screen Sen had indicated, “My creator was a Tuffle, then I must be Tuffle. I changed and grew beyond his wants. I was not made to look like this.” Zoki was struck by how easy it was to talk since his transformation, a pleasant surprise, being able to communicate would greatly increase their knowledge acquisition.

“What is your name? I will try.” The overgrown parasite had little to no experience with technology but perhaps in their ascended form they might be able to acquire something. As they bent their head down to the small monitor, in size and weight they dominated the room, and it was a bizarre posture they had to attain to read the screen. The words made sense, the language was clear to the insect eyes as they gleaned the information on the monitor.

Zoki never learned, not traditionally anyhow so it was a strange experience to read this much, and for it to make sense. “This computer has data on finances, but I have a strange feeling, I can find your data.” Suddenly, the monster stood and ripped the machine from its position, exposing the wires.

He bent down and collected the bundle in his hands, confusion washed over their face as their instincts kicked in and they bit down into the mishmash of electronic and data cables. Electricity shot through their system, causing Zoki to spasm for a moment before seemingly shifting, their form turning still as they began… to chew… the data flowed through their mind, barriers meant nothing in this world they had found themselves in. However, his attempt was far more intrusive than Sen’s, and red lights and sirens began to blare out across the facility.

It seemed the bug had no response to this change as they were in a different state of mind, flowing with the electrons, searching for something they had yet to be asked about. He briefly saw mentioned Dr Pafle’s work but the further information was behind several dangerous-looking walls.

Thread PL: 52000
KP: 6
MP: 0
HP: 250
Resources: Antisense [Active],  Regeneration, Bare Knuckle Brawler [Active]
WC: 537+342=879

Zoki was no longer able to see Sen, lost in a digital world, they searched frantically for their name but could find little. “I can only find references to files deleted by Lieutenant Strawb. All on the same day a few months ago” They desperately tried to double back towards the files on Dr. Pafle. But were unable, several large multi-armed red monstrosities blocked the way. More and more appeared behind him, ahead of only a few, with space to weave through this digital landscape.

Hurriedly they found an exit and shunted themselves back into reality. The electricity ceased its hold over Zoki and their eyes returned to a black void, “You seem to be a ghost in the eyes of the government, Sen.” Zoki said.

Their ears burned with the recognition as the loud alarms flared and security forces stomped their way down distant hallways, echoing towards the pair. “My purpose was never fulfilled, I was created with a task, a task I have not completed nor will I ever. I am changed, my creation has no hold on me any longer.” They spoke trying to get through the alarms and other cacophony of sounds. “We can take my tunnel back out.” Zoki clambered onto the walls, scraping hand holds as it went up to the hole it had originally caved in.

Thread PL: 52000
KP: 6
MP: 0
HP: 250
Resources: Antisense [Active],  Regeneration, Bare Knuckle Brawler [Active]
WC: 879+222=1101