War of the Forums

[Crystalmaster Mike]

Dang, right! How could I have forgotten MH and TML are supposed to be "engaged to be..."?! It caused almost fatal brain damage to the 3 FanFiccateers just listening to her and Ada talking about that relationship!

Heh. I wonder how a certain winged someone will react like when she finds out a certain samurai-underling of hers has been rather grudgeful about FF in general, plotting its destruction and what not. Hey, that certain underling may be on his way there now, oblivious of the fact TML is healthy and eating Pokey right now...

[Perfect Chaos]

Yay, and its back!!

#151: What the...? "You can't make real people look like morons" (in MH's case I guess) but you can make a super-hot alien girl fall in love with him? Am I missing something to this?

#152: Yah, if you abort your mission in taking over another forum, then it is kinda difficult to start up a war over the entire forums. Maybe this is where MoP's and DS's goon squads come in...

Can't wait for #153!

[Dark Sage]

Mmm, yes, but seeing as the object of TML's affection is working on my "goon squad...

TML, our door is always open.

[Toxicity]

This new sub-plot was a nice change of pace, in my opinion.

I personally wonder how Becca will work with having to leave her lover seemingly for good. Let alone, what will happen as a result of this order.

Can't wait for the next page!

[mistysakura]

Oh, Jay and Dark Sage and MoP will probably take care of the War of the Forums just fine. It just takes one of them to form an alliance with any other planet. Of course Becca wouldn't want to leave Mega Horny (hmm, what is it she sees in him?) as per graphic description. I do love the 'Fanfiction is too primitive' line. Not in technology, but in intelligence! But surely Becca's release must have been redeeming to some extent?

[mr_pikachu]

Gavin: Yeah, but I don't release a page every six months. There's just a lot of plot between certain twists... and yes, Saff has every reason to want a hasty retreat. Especially considering that Gavin didn't authorize TML's release in the first place.

Something's gotta give? Something's always gotta give. Even if it's just me giving you laughter from an occasional witty phrase. ^_^

The third panel disturbs you? That's a bad sign, Gav. Being disturbed by pixels on a computer screen is one of the 178 leading signs of a fiber-deficient diet. *shoves hat in your mouth*


Mike: Bwahaha! Yes, that scene was one of my personal favorites. Those poor, immature little boys... ^_^;;

...Good question.


PC: You can't keep me away for long!

Yeah, MH has got a few things going for him. Maybe it's his charm. I'm more inclined to believe he's learned some hypnosis trick.

You're right that this makes things quite difficult. So, what happens next? Or will I seemingly stall for time while trying to escape what appears from the outside to be a corner in which I've trapped myself? Oh, the mystery... *laughs*

You don't have to wait long!


DS: Do you really think Becca would abandon her comrades and join a warmongering group just to be with her cute lil' Mega Horny?

Actually...


Toxicity: Really? Then I hope I don't throw things too far off that beneficial track. You may have to wait a page or two to learn Becca's fate.

(Or twenty. Maybe forty. Hard to say.)


Ada: Well, there are a lot of options. It's hard to live in such a dangerous neighborhood, eh? Yeah, Becca can't stand the thought of leaving. Who knows what she sees in the little jailbait. Maybe such laws don't exist in Fanfic... she'd probably be lucky if that was the case.

*decides not to ask about the legal ramifications of this metaphor in terms of the real world of Fanfic*

Do you really think that being suddenly tossed out of jail would raise TML's opinion of us? "Oh, sorry, you weren't supposed to be arrested. Have a nice day! *boot*" How does that work for you?


A page a day keeps your boredom away.

#153: It's time to start a subplot that's been a long time coming. The truth is out there...

This page shares its title with the second of my three major poems.

[Charles Legend]

Ahh, right. Didn't realize that was the last PM; thought there might have been one or two since then.

nope, also you think Hentai is rubbish, wait dose that mean the whole reason why you Pmed was because... O.o!? I see then I am truly the King of Newbies after all...

Anyways nice Cover, #151 and #152 are also well done as others have said the line "Fanfiction is too primitive" was a nice tuch.

~Charles Legend

[Lady Vulpix]

I've never made much sense of that question. At least when asked without a warning of why the answer may offend the interlocutor. If he didn't want to know, why would he ask?

Note that I'm not questioning the strip, only Dark Master.

And it's good to see this up again.

[Dark Sage]

Ho, boy, we're going to learn origins now? This is always... complicated.

Gee, in reality, me and MoP have known each other for so long, even I can't remember when we first met?

MoP, can you help me out? How long have we known each other?

[mr_pikachu]

Charles: I'm glad you like the start of Book Four. Hopefully things will keep going in the right direction!


Gabi: I think it basically warns whoever asked and gives that person one last chance to retract the question. There are a number of reasons to warn someone before jumping into an explanation: content, length, bad breath...

I'm surprised Dark Sage isn't offended by your questioning of his question response. To the question. Yes.


DS: But doesn't everyone just love complications? Without them, life would be simple. And simple is boring! Unless it's utopia, in which case it's a good boring.

How about I fill in the gaps for MoP. Would that make everyone happy? Yes? It had better.


Why is it that we can remember the past, but not the future?

#154: Like the faded corners effect? It's a variation on the first-person thought bubble I used in #150.

This is quite a way to start Dark Sage's tale, isn't it?

In case you hadn't already realized it, the references for this page and the ones that follow come from the Game Boy Advance title "Kindgom Hearts: Chain of Memories."

[Dark Sage]

And so the plot thickens. I'm anxious to see where this goes.

I've been a regular on TPM for a long time, but I don't remember anyone named Togechukku. Was he a real mod?

[Blademaster]

Of course he was. Waaaaaay old, though. Probably older than the late dratinihaunter13, in fact.

So, it seems that MoP is an anarchist of sorts, trying to show people the truth. He reminds me of V from V for Vendetta, in a way.

...

Wait, why the Hell are a bunch of 25+ year-olds in a high school classroom!?

[Master of Paradox]

Actually... I'm 21. Onizuka is 22. I look a lot like I did back in high school (with one severe difference); if the manga is to be believe, so did GTO.

[Toxicity]

The fade effect for the flashback was a nice touch.

Like Blademaster said, MoP does seem to show similarities with characters like V. Although I doubt this is anarchy so much as a radicalism against propaganda in the government (in this case, moderators); much like the intelligent student whose teacher is unwilling to listen to his thoughts about the subject even if it's an open forum.

While it's clear that Dark Sage did show some interest in the discussion, I personally wonder what happened afterwards. Friendship, or was it rivalry from the beginning?

Keep up the good work!

[Blademaster]

You know what I meant, Paradox. Hell, Dark Sage and Roger Smith both are in their 30's - what's the deal? Is this Fanfic's School for the Gifted and Left Back Ten Times Over or what?

(Yes, I am gonna keep bringing this up just to annoy mr_pikachu, 'cause I just love him like that.)

[Crystalmaster Mike]

Of course he was. Waaaaaay old, though. Probably older than the late dratinihaunter13, in fact.

... Now I feel old for even remembering the guy.

Well, I wonder where this plot line will lead us, and whether SM won't regret asking.

... So it seems MoP's intention started out good, but now, he's seemingly playing co-op with M4, so... Maybe DS and MoP parted due to incompatible differences in opinion on how to oppose the mods. *visualizes a disagreement between the two: "Cannonballs!" "No, grenades are more effective!"*

[mr_pikachu]

DS: Don't you love finding out your own past? You must feel like the "real" Roger Smith right about now.

Togechukku was indeed a real mod, although he may have had the shortest stint of any Fanfic mod on TPM. With the obvious exception of the three mod contest finalists, of course.


Blade: Actually, Martin predated Togechukku by a few years; I think the latter was modded shortly before I started in Fanfic, actually. But Toge left the team well before Martin stepped down.

I really find it funny when people tell me my writing resembles things I've never seen before. One of my college pieces last semester was said to be very much like Kill Bill. (I've actually thought of posting it here, because it was one of my better works.)

And I thought using some chibi pics of the two characters, but 1) there wouldn't have been enough pictures, and 2) it just would've been... meh.


MoP: One severe difference? Now you've got me curious. And yeah, people's appearance don't always change that much after high school/college, even well into their 30's.


Toxicity: Hehe, thanks! I only hope it doesn't make things look a bit too... faded. Or artificial.

Interesting theory. One might argue that radicalism against the government is a lesser form of anarchism itself, and that the lesser form can lead to the greater one, and perhaps vice-versa. If that's the case, where is MoP on the spectrum, and where is he going?

What happened afterwards? I'd guess that MoP went to the principal's office and probably continued ranting for a little while longer. Or perhaps just shut up and ignored everything that was said. Who's to say?


Mike: Aww, don't feel bad! I remember him too, after all... and apparently, so does Blade. So if we're old, he is as well. Still think we're decrepit, Ancientmaster?

What were Paradox's intentions in the first place? What happened to put him and DS in such stark opposition to one another? And what about Bob? Find out next time, on War of the Forums.


We shall continue again!

#155: Fast friends, huh? Well, Master of Paradox might have been a little mistrusting at first, but maybe Dark Sage's diatribe will help them work things out.

There's nothing like a little mod mashing to bring two revolutionaries together.

[Crystalmaster Mike]

You know, you had me scroll up for a minute there to look for "Ancientmaster"'s post. Yep, maybe I should change my nick... but then I wouldn't be CMM anymore... (Or CM - people never really could decide.) Ever thought of evolving to Mr. Raichu?

... You know, I'm hardly revolutionary, but I still think almost half of that sentence about Andrew was almost half the truth...
But I wonder what DS' idea is of "legislative reforms".

Hmm... Ancient Master Mike? Ancient Mike the Master? ... AncientMon Master? Nah...
But wait... *realization sinks in* It should be spelt "Crystal Master Mike", shouldn't it?

[Houndoom_Lover]

Hurzah! ^_^ I finally got to get all caught up on everyones favorite comic things! ^_^ IT's great, there're so many characters and nee ^_^ Good work, Sir Pika.

[Blademaster]

You know, I'm hardly revolutionary, but I still know almost all of that sentence about Andrew was the truth...

Fixed.

Ironically, this panel rather accurately depicts how MoP and I became friends, too...

[Lady Vulpix]

Ok, my apologies to Dark Sage.

[mistysakura]

I guess Andrew was a mod or an important revolutionary figure in WotF too. So much for him being Eyebrows then. I'm liking the flashbacks a lot, go revolutionaries! I like the fade-in effect too. It looks like MoP is drowning himself in panel 2, hehe. I remember Togechukku's last fic, but oddly enough, not the person her(?)self. How long was her stint as mod? It's interesting that Dark Sage is telling Shuppet Master all of this. Why? Just to get it off his chest? Because he's treating him as a frend? A second-in-command?

[mr_pikachu]

Mike: *laughs nervously* Okay, I feel stupid now. I was actually trying to twist Blademaster's name... didn't even think about the alternative. Wow. But to answer your question, I've thought about changing my name for a day as a joke or something... just wouldn't want to risk someone taking my name while it's unoccupied. I don't think I could permanently abandon mr_pikachu. It just fits, y'know?

For the record, I never said that about Andrew. My characters did, sure, but... *glances shiftily in Andrew's direction* I'm not rebelling! Really!


HL: Everyone's favorite comic? Heh, um, thanks! It's good to have you back. Glad you like the characterization, too!


Blade: See? Even though WotF is fictional, it's not entirely unrealistic...


Gabi: ^_^;;

Remind me to amalgamate those two later in some freaky science accident, just so your name makes sense.


Ada: Can you really be sure he's not? In WotF, things are often not as they seem... you all thought Jay was dead for almost 70 pages, after all. Flashbacks are fun, as is blowing bubbles alone. Togechukku was indeed a mod... briefly. But why is DS revealing all this to his subordinate? What's his game? Or is this part of a strategy at all?


We shall see...

#156: I actually had to do this entire page twice. The original version had one of the mods listed as Togechukku. Unfortunately, I already claimed that Togechukku had been demodded in #154, so that simply didn't work within the timeline.

I changed some of the dialogue to make more sense and replaced Togechukku with PancaKe... unfortunately, that meant redoing three panels to fix the dialogue. (Normally I put a bigger word bubble over the original mistake, but that would have screwed up the edge-fading effect used in this flashback sequence.) Since I had to repeat half the page anyway, I decided to just scrap the original to avoid ruining the image quality for no reason.

Don't you just love strategic warfare against popular world leaders?

[Lady Vulpix]

Yes, it was quite an interesting strip. Filled with historical information, as well as strategy discussions.

As for PancaKe's hostility... she once implied that I would be condemned for not following Jesus, but then she admitted that she didn't know what the word 'condemned' meant.

And the amalgamation idea sounds good too, even if it was the result of an accident. ^_^'

[Crystalmaster Mike]

That's okay, seeing as you're not shy of amalgamations, I don't see why a Blademaster Mike can't feature in your fic, or a CrystalBlade.

Don't you just love strategic warfare against popular world leaders?

Wow. You know, that really put things into perspective for me. Here we have two college studs my age talking about overthrowing the G4 of the world...
I wonder what stopped them? The differences in preferred artillery I mentioned before?

[Blademaster]

That's okay, seeing as you're not shy of amalgamations, I don't see why a Blademaster Mike can't feature in your fic, or a CrystalBlade.

I know a reason why.

(holds up fist)

See this? Watch it... Waaaaaaaatch it...

(blindsides Mike with the OTHER fist)

There's your answer. Nobody touches my name, shares my name, or touches my name. It's mine and mine alone. YOU GOT THAT, PUNK!?!?

Now, as for this comic, I'm beginning to see why Dark Sage and Paradox's history went awry. Dark Sage seems to be suggesting attacking dratinihaunter13 first and then taking on all the other Moderators at once while they're stunned. A good strategy... in theory, that is...

[Inferno_Dragon]

Poor Becca, can't ever see her lover ever again? And the whole flashback that links Dark Sage and Master of Paradox is quite interesting. Especially the part when they are talking how to take down moderators.

Well keep up the good work, mr_pikachu.

[Charles Legend]

Who's the weakest link?

LOL XD I find that quote funny because in TPML the reject who Idolizes Becca was known as "The Weakest Link" Since Becca's user name is "The Missing Link, but yeah I know MOP was talking about another mod and not Becca but hey it was still a nice reference even if you never meant MOP's Question to be a reference in the first place...

I Agree with what Ancient Blademaster Said. I mean Mop has the Right Idea in Targeting an old fossil like Martin (hey don't get mad at me, you called him a Dinosaur, which are found as Fossils...) Besides I just joking the same is true with how your also Known as Mr. Paranoid and Kevin's known as the Cookie Monster at times. LOL J/k...

~Charles Legend

[mr_pikachu]

Gabi: History is very important for considering strategy. Especially when you're assessing current strategies and trying to determine how they came about...

Really? Tara said that to you? I always thought the two of you got along pretty well... wow.

Ohh, you want someone to force them together. But why, pray tell?


Mike: Not shy about amalgamations? I shall respond with a quote.

Well Gohan, we have to fusion. Take off your pants.

Well? Want me to get your mother's earrings first? Get dressed up all pretty? Come on, my power can only stay up so long.

And yes, these two amateur assassins are hatching a rather big plot. What could have stopped (or at least delayed) them?


Blade: Someone's touchy.

Is your argument that theory is different than practice? Funny, some people say that about communism. ...Most people, actually. Huh.


Inferno: And she is outta here! ^_^;;

Yeah, the two young rebels are concocting a scheme. But can they really compete with the mod staff?


Charles: ...I should probably read more TPML.

Dark Sage's plan is certainly an interesting one. At any rate, I've jokingly called Martin a number of things... fossil, dinosaur, bag of bones, wrinkly old codger... but I've never called Kevin the cookie monster. Too scared.


Now that DS and MoP have this plan, how will they proceed?

#157: It would appear that Dark Sage has made his crusade far more public. But every action deserves a reaction...

See the guy in the sixth panel? The teacher who first appeared in #154? He's more commonly known as Kimura-sensei from Azumanga Daioh. The funny thing is that I had initially planned him for Dark Sage's persona. There was probably some not-so-witty pun involved, but it really just didn't fit at all. So Dark Sage became Roger Smith and Kimura's role was deferred.

[Bulbasaur4]

Things are getting quite interesting with this flashback... I rather like it. It exposes a little more character and adds a more indepth time line.
Yay! ^_^

[Andrew]

*Creepy Shining Voice*

Hereeeee's ANDREW!

*Axe through door*

Half insane - No. Drunkard - Yes.

Also Toge had some issues. Nice...ish kid. But ISSUES. Heavy Jehovas Witness parents, who didn't let him into the real world or out of the house. Living in shitty Logan. Then, there's the part where he was always sick. Depressed because he was gay. Then he started sending me photos of him. Like... ROY PHOTOS.

UGH. My eyes, still burn.

[Crystalmaster Mike]

@ Blademaster: Okay dude, chill out! No reason to get all steamed up! I'll stay in a minimum radius of 11ty billion picometers of your name, okay?

Hmm, is DS suggesting "power to the people"? People like MH? ... He might yet reconsider the up- and downsides of an elite in command when said people come up with crazy policies like "no shoes on Tuesday"... It's bound to happen sooner or later.

Or it could be he wants to hold elections for moderations... But then the forum'd be lead by the saxy people...

[Blademaster]

Never mind what I said about 'in theory' - now I KNOW why Dark Sage and Paradox went their separate ways. Paradox being one extremist kook is one thing, but getting a huge group together in FRONT of a Fanfic teacher who's obviously pro-Fanfic and could PM the Mods and report the whole ordeal like that? What the Hell is Dark Sage thinking!?

[DarkestLight]

He thinks power en masse will be enough for their regime of change to gain FAST footing :O.

But the question is not simply "What the hell is DS thinking?" Blade, its What the hell were they going to go after they secured an overturned dictatorship(well, that's how they see it-and that's only how I'm percieving it :O.)-and how would it have been any different from how things are now?

<< Amalgamation of names huh >D..I could use this.

>> ::Goes back to his world now:: Had to grab a few Amalgamated names and what not. Charles BladeMaster.. just sounds like a failed Highlander XD

[Toxicity]

Ooh. This trip down memory lane is starting to look creepy in a good way.

I still hope we get to see or hear what caused the eventual disenchantment and began hatred. If it involves epic failure, no - Guy Fawkes epic failure, I'll surely stick around to see it.

Keep up the good work!

[Dark Sage]

Seeing as my and MoP's counterpart aren't regarded as criminals or even suspected of wrongdoing in the present time (as far as I know), I would think that it wasn't an epic failure that caused them to break apart. You never know... But I'd say that there's more to their falling out than simply a plan falling apart.

By the way, Brian, about you having to do Page 156 twice... Do you know how many times I've had to redo an entire chapter of one of my fics, or get rid of one entirely? More times than I'd like, I'll tell you that. "Sorcerer Kings" was originally going to have a chapter where Chelsea dueled someone with a Des Frog Deck, and the whole chapter had been written before I decided that I wanted something completely different for that part of the story. So it was necessary to start over.

[mistysakura]

By the way, Brian, about you having to do Page 156 twice... Do you know how many times I've had to redo an entire chapter of one of my fics, or get rid of one entirely?

True, true. But I imagine it'd still be frustrating to have to redo a whole page in order to change a few words.

Yeah, I like this character development. When I read about them deciding to attack dh first, I thought, "well he was obviously still alive, so the plan must have failed and maybe that's when they went their separate ways", but it looks as if they were more talk than walk in their student days. Except when Dark Sage decides to start a student revolution, that is. He has a point, but why do it in front of a teacher?

[Lady Vulpix]

I did get along well with Tara. She didn't know what she was saying, and was talking to non-Christians in general, not to me in particular. I was offended by her words and talked to her, and she apologized. That was as close to a fight as we ever got, so yes, we got along well.

Does the teacher have a name?

[mr_pikachu]

Kalah: Hooray for interest! ^_^ Glad you like the depth. Hopefully it'll keep you hooked for a little while longer.


Andrew: Egad! Run away! *flees*

Egh, vastly overprotective parents? I never knew him well myself, so all I have is secondhand information, but that sounds like a recipe for disaster. (I've dealt with a few kids who were forced into being recluses, and they all have serious problems now.)

And... Roy photos? Erk.


Mike: Eleventy billion?

Power to the people, you say. Well, perhaps in a sense. At any rate, Dark Sage has already shown in the present that he feels the moderation system is flawed, so maybe...

By the way, shoes are overrated. As are pants.


Blade: Intriguing argument. So DS is the crazy one here, you say? That does bring about some interesting contemplations. But has he really done anything wrong yet? Or is merely planning a rebellion enough to warrant interference?


DL: Ooh, a blitz tactic? I like the idea! Strike before the mods have a chance to react... still, public planning would make it hard to get the drop on unsuspecting mods. How far are they in the preparation process, really? Is it possible that they're not yet considered a serious threat?

You do bring up a good point. DS isn't satisfied with the current state of affairs, but would things be any different after an uprising? What's his game?

Amalgamate away! ^_^


Laura: Good creepiness, eh? Eeeeexcellent.

Guy Fawkes? The guy who wanted to blow up the British Parliament? We'll see whether or not they get that far in their plan.


DS: Something's going to go wrong somewhere, but it could be any number of things. Perhaps MoP wanted thick-crust pizza and you ordered it thin? It's unclear at this point, but that'll be revealed shortly.

I totally get where you're coming from about having to redo a lot of work. I've been there before with my text-based fics and original projects, and its a serious pain. However, it's really infuriating to have to redo everything because of a simple typo. That just isn't any fun.


Ada: Precisely. Doing a bunch of extra work to fix a plothole is one thing. Doing it because of a spelling error is quite another.

Things at least didn't go quite as they planned them. As for discussing them in front of a teacher, maybe they thought he wouldn't take it seriously because it appeared so preposterous?


Gabi: Ah, that's good to know. Had me worried for a bit.

The teacher does indeed have a name! You might want to take a second look at #154 if you're curious.


Back to the future!

#158: A few key issues? Ominous.

Thanks for watching the Flashback Halftime Show, presented by Dark Sage and Shuppet Master!

[Crystalmaster Mike]

Yes, eleventy billion. It's about as much as a zillion. *has a serious addiction to vitamine KND*
And I won't start a fight to defend pants... I'll just end the discussion by saying they still serve a nobel purpose, i.e. protecting us from another trauma.

Heh, SM's choice of words is superbe... Match made in heaven.
Nice way to keep the suspense up, by the way. "The Flashback Halftime Show"... Well, as long as it's entertaining. *grabs a bag of peanuts*