Never-Ending Story

Never Ending Story is a new story-writing game that has kicked off on the NNV board.

Basically, the first host (me) writes up part one, and offers some choice as to which direction the story can go in. Everyone else votes on their favourite choice. Then, the host choses one of the voters (either randomly or selectively) to write up the next part. That person becomes the new host, and must write up a continuation on the story, offering some kind of choice at the end of their part. And that cycle just goes on.

Each writer only has to submit a few paragraphs; as little as one or two or as many as they wish, but must continue on with the preferred choice at the end of the previous part. The feel of the story can constantly change, sometimes being dark and brooding, other times being funny and bright, depending on the writer.

There are no sign-ups, so you can join whenever you feel like joining. Just come on in, and say you want to play. The only thing asked of each person is that they write up their part if they are chosen, and that they vote. So if you feel like being part of this game, just come down to the thread and join in.

The first five parts were written by: Twisted Sanity, Johnnydontgo, .:Requiem:., Trinity and ...Alex.

Editor's note: If you want to take a look at the choices, look around the thread.

PART 1 (Twisted Sanity)

He sat staring at the night sky, letting himself be taken by it's beauty. The stars just seemed to forgive all, and not care for petty mishaps and errors. He sat still, letting the darkness wash over him. In that small clearing, he would have been almost completely invisible. Only the light of the stars gave him away.

Sighing, Metunius got up slowly and stretched. As much as he loved stargazing at night, he knew he was taking a great risk by sneaking out of the village at night. The lands around the village were wild and dangerous, or so everyone claimed. Metunius hadn't seen anything more dangerous in theses lands than a wild fox that had wandered into his clearing a few nights ago. But, it was still best to be safe. Picking up his bag, he got ready to leave. But before he had walked more than a few steps, he noticed movement in the bushes and trees nearby.

Whatever was in the trees had been there for a while, and had most likely been watching him. It may have just been a harmless animal, but just to be safe, Metunius took his knife out of it's holster and started to back away slowly, never taking his eyes away from the source of the movement. The bushes rustled again, and a small fox stumbled out. It looked at him thoughtfully, then wandered down to the river, just past the clearing.

Very odd, Metunius thought to himself. It looked just like that fox he had seen a few days ago.

In fact, thought Metunius. They're probably one and the same. He started walking towards the river for some reason; curiosity probably. But after walking a few metres, he remembered that the villagers were probably missing him. He was already out later than he promised...

PART 2 (Johnnydontgo)

...He was already out later than he promised, so he slowly put his knife away, still gazing toward the sparkling moonlit river. The tiny red fox soon disappeared from veiw, so Metunius turned and started toward home. The path through the woods was short, but full of twists and turns that could be dangerously confusing to anyone who wasn't familiar with them. But Metunius had taken this path countless times before, so that danger was all but forgotten to him. He wandered on past the giant oaks and creeping vines, all the while staring up toward the stars, trying to find this constellation, or that shining planet. It wasn't long until he was in front of his own house.

He opened the door as quietly as he could, so as not to wake up Grandpa. As he peeked inside, he breathed a sigh of relief. No candles lit meant no one was awake. He set his backpack down on the floor and pushed the door until he heard it click shut. Suddenly, a spark of fire ignited near the kitchen.

"Sit down, Metunius." Grandpa said while stoking his pipe. "Let's have a chat, shall we?"

I knew it was too good to be true, he thought, as he took the chair across from grandpa.

"I know I was out late, Grandpa, I'm sorry. But one of Mrs. Flatbottom's goats got loose, and I had to spend all this time try-" Grandpa held up his hand, and exhaled a great white billow of smoke. "I know full well what you were doing tonight, lad. It wasn't so long ago that I was your age, you know." Metunius supressed a chuckle and waited for Grandpa to continue. "You're young, and looking to explore. I know this village doesn't hold much interest for you. You want something bigger. Something more exciting. But you must understand that the Village Elders don't make rules just for the fun of it. And the rules must be obeyed. You cannot go into those woods after dark, no matter how safe you think it is." Grandpa inhaled deeply from his pipe, and set it down onto the table. "You'll have double chores all next week for breaking the rules, lad. Don't look at me so pitifully, you'd have it much worse if someone had caught you out there. Now go to bed. Tomorrow you've promised to help me build that fence out back." Metunius knew better than to argue, and sulked up the stairs and into his room.

Lying in bed, close to sleep, Metunius began to dream about the tiny red fox he'd seen twice now. So odd that he'd never seen anything larger than a raven living in that forest, until that fox. He wondered if the fox had a family somewhere far past his clearing, somewhere deeper into the forest where he'd never been...

"We need your help, Metunius!"

Metunius shot out of bed, staring at the window where he could have sworn he just heard someone say his name. He creeped over to the window, and saw nothing. He looked all around, perhaps someone had called his name then run away. But he didn't see a thing. Thinking about footprints, he looked down, and saw a tiny red fox with bright yellow eyes gleaming up toward him. "Please," said the fox, "Come with me. You're the only one who can help." Metunius stared, disbelieving. He tried to grasp the situation in his head. Alright, he thought, the fox can talk. And wants me to follow him. But I'm already in trouble, what if Grandpa comes to check on me, and I'm not here? Would he turn me into the Elders?

"Please!" pleaded the fox, "There's not much time before the sun rises!" His head was reeling, it was almost too much to process. He stared down at the fox, wondering what to do...

PART 3 (.:Requiem:.)

Metunius didn't hesitate long. Even if Grandpa turned him in to the Elders, he wouldn't be here. Besides, this was a fox, of all things, asking for his help. He checked to make sure he still had his knife, then clambered out of the window, landing beside the fox with a small 'Whumph!"

The fox looked him over quickly, then fled off into the night towards the forest, leaving Metunius no choice but to follow.

He had to move fast to keep up with the fox, who only just stayed close enough to remain within view. He was sprinting across a small clearing, when it seemed that the ground exploded beneath his feet. He flew backwards, landing at the edge of the clearing and instinctively drawing his knife.

When he looked up, it was into the red slits of a demon's eyes. The beast stood in the center of the clearing, staring at him. Paniced, he cast his gaze aorund, but the fox was nowhere to be seen.

PART 4 (Trinity)

Metunius sprinted away as soon as he saw the beast. The beast sprang after him, and batted at his ankles softly. He looked down in fear to see a cute black kitten with vivid red eyes, playing with his socks; who in turn gazed up at him with big innocent eyes. The kitten and Metunius maintained eyecontact for one split second. As they gazed at each other, the kitten grew instantly into panther size. "Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!" he screamed as he ran through the clearing, being chased by the 'kitten.' The boy quickly scrambled up a tree to the very top. As he looked down, he saw the 'kitten', still panther size, sitting at the base of the tree looking upwards, calmly swishing its tail from side to side. Casting his gaze earthwards, he reviewed the three choices that he had.

PART 5 (...Alex)

Suddenly consumed by the urge to slip down from his safe perch and pet the giant-cat-creature, Metunius smiled brightly, staring blankly ahead as he grabbed the branch next to him, and swung down to a large branch below.

Unfortunately, there was no branch next to him, so as he tried to grab it while pushing his body forward, all that he managed to do was look like an idiot as he fell out of the tree.

Wheezing hoarsely as air forced it's way into his lungs, he turned onto his side, the blank look still on his face, and reached towards the 'kitten'. "Niiice kiiitttyyy! What a cute ickle fluffykins you are!" he exclaimed gleefully, petting it. "Such a big adorable bundle of joy! I'd just love to just eat you up, you're sooo cute- AAAAAAH!"

Metunius shrieked loudly as he yanked his hand back from the enormous feline.

Well. It had been an enormous feline. It was now a beautiful girl with purple eyes and raven-black hair.

The cat... girl... thing smiled brightfully, the simple movement of her mouth illuminating her wonderful, perfect face.

"Hello, Metunius," she said, her very voice sounding like happiness itself, "My name is Mary Sue... Follow me."

Mary Sue stood up gracefully and walked away, leaving Metunius wide-eyed as he stared silently, mouth open.