theperfectcomputer

[theperfectcomputer]

We at the base of the New Society of X-Nauts are continuing to analyze and reverse engineer this technological marvel known as the "transformation belt". The X-Naut PhDs have documented and mapped out each finely-tuned piece of the device and reconstructed it precisely to its original state.

I have done my part in organizing their research into a complete and comprehensive set of blueprints, and I have since done my own extensive research into where to locate and acquire some of the rarer of raw materials necessary to build another.

With the original transformation belt in proper working condition and the preparations for production of a duplicate well under way, I shall proceed to take the original back to Koops, its rightful owner.

[theperfectcomputer]

My scientists and I have examined this technical belt with great precision and care. We have observed and documented each and every fine-tuned piece and how it interacts with the rest of the system. Some materials are quite exotic, but it may be possible to create a fully-functioning replica of the belt.

I have also researched a number of documents of the art of shapeshifting as part of our work. According to multiple sources, shapeshifters change form by altering the very physical genetic makeup of their body. However, the genetic code has a "memory" of sorts. Even if code is physically changed to something else, its original build can be recalled from this memory.

What is curious about this belt is one of his hidden functions. One button uses a neural interface with the user to trigger a transformation based on a recollection the user has of previously assuming this form. The other button changes its user back to their default form by reading the genetic code's memory. Pressed together...the mixed signals are capable of accessing and altering this genetic memory, forcing it to match the makeup of the user's current form.

This is a very potent device indeed. One to be treated with great care and responsibility.

[theperfectcomputer]

Affirmative. Understood.

[TEC took the belt, folded as is, and tucked it inside a secure storage compartment built into his avatar. Upon sealing it, he gave Koops a curt nod.]

Take care. I shall be taking your belt to the fortress for the time being.

"Well…" Koops was hesitant to hand over such a powerful as well was meaningful gift so easily. And yet…he felt he could trust TEC to keep his word. And he had no doubt the supercomputer had the best of intentions for the belt.

"OK then…" Giving in, he unbuckled the belt and slid it off. Folding it up, Koops held the belt up and looked meaningfully into those cameras the robot avatar called ‘eyes’.

"Make sure you return it to me in the exact condition I gave it to you in as soon as you can…all right?"

[theperfectcomputer]

I give you my utmost word that I will take great care of the device's technical infrastructure, and make sure the X-Nauts aboard the base take the same cautionary measures, to ensure it is returned to you in full working condition.

Koops was a bit taken aback but not completely surprised by the A.I.’s request. “Huh? Er, um… It is kinda important to me…”

He generally considered TEC trustworthy, after what he did for them during their quest, but he didn’t feel particularly comfortable taking any risks with something this valuable.

[theperfectcomputer]

It is clearly both a powerful and adaptive device to be able to read and overwrite not only its wearer's genetic code but also genetic memory. If it is acceptable to you, may I borrow this "transformation belt" to study it in detail?

"Ummm… Well… I guess I could tell you what I know…"

"OK, so there’s two buttons, see…? There’s this green one, and when I press it while thinking about one of my transformations, the belt will make me turn into that form. If I press the red button, I’ll turn back into my ‘default form’. If both buttons are pressed at the same time, whatever form I’m in will be considered the default. Er…is any of this making any sense to you…?"

[theperfectcomputer]

I see... It is inconceivable the phenomenal power the Crystal Stars possess. Which makes it all the more fortunate that Sir Grodus never acquired the entire set. All the same, I am thankful for my second chance at life. I am using every moment of it that I am able to try to make amends for our society's atrocities.

[Predictably, TEC was unsatisfied by Koops's vague response on the transformation belt.]

This is an extraordinary device E-001 has given you. I wish to understand its functions better.

"Bright light…? Peach’s voice…? Words of…Oh!" TEC’s explanation completely baffled the koopa toad at first…until he remembered that fateful battle. How the demon’s spirit had totally possessed Princess Peach and overwhelmed them. How the Shadow Queen made herself completely invulnerable, and all hope seemed lost until…

"I-I think I have an idea!" he sputtered out excitedly. "Well…y’see… The Shadow Queen was all invincible and nearly beat us. But then…the Crystal Stars all popped outta Mario’s bag and spread out all over the region. Then they started using their energy to beam messages from all the friends me made to us, encouraging us to keep fighting!

"The Shadow Queen was so distracted, the princess was able to break free of her possession, but only for a little bit. So she used her healing magic, which got us all back to top condition and messed up the Shadow Queen’s invincibility!

"I…I wonder… What if the power of the Crystal Stars mixed with Peach’s magic somehow had some kinda side effect? Like…undoing the fortress’s explosion, restoring your data, and refilling your generator? We all remembered your sacrifice while we were fighting the Shadow Queen and all, so the Crystal Stars might’ve sensed that…"

With a shrug, Koops recalled the miracle at the Glitz Pit, which only served to support his theory. “I mean… Just one Crystal Star was able to bring back the Glitz Pit manager’s dead little brother after it sensed how upset she was about it, so…”

After giving his theory, Koops listened to TEC recall encountering the dragon as well—Ultima, that was it—and express curiosity in his belt.

"Oh, well…um…" He scratched his head a bit. "All I really know is the basic controls and stuff…"

[theperfectcomputer]

With my last remaining strain of energy, I had activated the base's auto-destruct sequence after you and your companions had left. I wanted to be sure no one else could use the fortress and all of its resources for evil again. I know not what caused the fortress and my own body to rematerialize. All I can recall is a bright light and hearing Peach's voice calling out softly. ...There were other voices... It was all discordant and overlapping, but all seemed to be words of encouragement...

[As TEC told his own tale and listened to Koops's, he picked up a few interesting details, such as the anonymous 'grayfaces', robot dragon, and the so-called 'transformation belt'.]

I believe we have both met the same so-called "robot dragon". He is designated E-001 or Ultima. So E-001 created this belt for you, and it allows you to artificially engage these changes in your physical form at will? I am very curious as to how this belt works now...

"Oh, well… Our first reason for coming was the map pointed to the fortress to find the last Crystal Star. But then finding the princess became a priority when we realized she was there, too. …Keyword: ‘was’, I guess…" And then it dawned on him who was controlling the robot, and he stared in surprise. "Wait… TEC? Y-You’re that computer, aren’t you? Didn’t you, like…blow up or something?"

And then TEC started showing curiosity at his current shapeshifting ‘ability’. Whoops!

"O-oh, right! Well, um…y’see… I’ve been encountering these weird nameless grayfaces the past year or so who like using ‘anonymous magic’ to put different kinds of spells on me. Their favorite thing to do is change me into other things. Their spells are generally temporary, usually lasting week or so…

"So anyway, this robot dragon named Ultimo or something found out about all these forced transformations and made me an offer. He wanted to give me something that could help me control my transformations, so I could become anything an anon has turned me into before on my own terms."

Lifting his shirt up a bit, he showed the tech belt around his waist. “And so…this is my transformation belt. Basically…I use it to change when and into what I want…”

[theperfectcomputer]

[There was a pause as TEC accessed his memory banks, matching the name given to the koopa he had seen before.]

Yes, affirmative. You were one of Mario's traveling companions, were you not? You infiltrated the X-Naut Fortress in a vain attempt to locate Princess Peach, whom Sir Grodus had already moved to the Palace of Shadow.

Curious. The notion that one could change their species so easily seems a rather ridiculous notion, excluding those few with shapeshifting abilities who can assume the form of other individuals of those species. And yet you speak of becoming a toad version of yourself so casually. Explain.

Koops was out for his usual morning walk in the woods. It was a peaceful, easy-feeling morning. Nothing out of the ordinary, except maybe the large walking robot. …Wait, what?

"Um… H-Hello? Er, my name’s Koops…"  There was something about its design that made him think of those X-Nauts he and his friends encountered the other year…and something very familiar about its artificial voice.

"Umm… Not sure what you’re saying, but it sounds like…I remind you of a koopa? Well, er…I’m normally a koopa, actually, but I decided to be a toad now for a few days…"

It didn’t strike Koops how perplexing that statement would sound out of context until it was far too late to take it back.

[theperfectcomputer]

Among the many places TEC 'traveled' by means of his remote-controlled android avatar, he felt the numerous places researched by the X-Nauts during the Crystal Star hunt would be appropriate stops. Petal Meadows, of course, had to be one of them.

The android's sensors indicated a warm, gentle breeze as TEC observed the flowery meadow surrounding it. Exploring further, he began venturing into the previously unexplored woods adjacent to the plain. It was a rather light forest, actually, with enough gaps in the canopy here and there to let in a fair amount of sunlight. He detected no sapient life until he noticed a lone toad taking what appeared to be his daily morning walk.

This toad... There was something about him that struck him as oddly familiar. The local hadn't noticed the robot until it started spouting statistics.

"Scanning... Bio-scanners indicate identical posture and physical conditions. Clothing apparel is also identical, alternate cut for different species aside. You are a toadstool person, correct? And yet you otherwise perfectly match the statistics of one who has visited my home, who is of the species commonly referred to as the koopa troopa. Please identify."

[theperfectcomputer]

Perhaps another attempt at "Internet humor".

Please subscribe to my online blog to see more of the soft grunge.

...It is probably best that I research more into what this "soft gunge" is to better understand the humor to this.

[theperfectcomputer]

To better connect with society, perhaps I shall try making use of so-called "Internet humor".

I am not like the other girls, for I am not a girl at all but rather a computer.

I may or may not be doing this incorrectly, because I fail to see the humor in this.

[theperfectcomputer]

I am pleased we can reach an agreement. Is there a location on the island at which you would feel more comfortable participating in more in-depth discussion?

The databases I have acquired information on Pi’illo Island from offered relatively little knowledge. All that I could gather as that this was—or is, as recent revelations have shown—home to a race of beings with great power over the world of dreams—the realm entered by the subconscious of organic beings during sleep cycle. There was text of two powerful artifacts known as the Dream Stone and the Dark Stone, but not much was said regarding the extent of the artifacts’ abilities.

However, as a computer, perhaps I can offer assistance in learning the functions of modern technology in return for lessons in what modern text has lost from history.

[theperfectcomputer]

[TEC felt a surge of happiness hearing Peach's voice again. He gave a curt nod as he greeted her.]

Hello, Princess Peach. It is nice to see you in your native residence.

[If the android itself didn't ring any bells for Peach, its artificially-generated voice most likely did.]

Mushroom Ball

Peach heard the doors open and close once more as a new guest entered, and she glanced back. Ah, a new face! She strolled over, holding out a hand to him,

"Welcome to the mushroom kingdom! I’m Peach Toadstool, and you might be..?" She asked, smiling warmly, obviously not recognising him.

[theperfectcomputer]

Mushroom Ball

[The remote-operated android created for TEC's "mobility" stood just past the front doors of the castle entry hall. Slowly, he stepped through the room, carefully observing the other guests. There was a slow, flowing music playing throughout the room, and most of the people present were dancing with one another much the way Peach had demonstrated with her holographic replica.]

[TEC had been interested in observing the event in action due to the memory of Peach speaking so longingly about it when Sir Grodus had held her in captivity. He also remembered their dance together and the feeling of "fun". As he continued to wander about the party, the camera's on his avatar's face caught sight of Princess Peach along with his former master's enemy--and presently, his friend--Mario.]

[theperfectcomputer]

mushroomprincesspeach replied to your post:By my observations, a cultural event known as the...

(we really should do some rps between tec and peach. ^v^)

((I had TEC commission a remote-operated robot avatar to interact more directly with the outside world, if that helps. X3))

[theperfectcomputer]

By my observations, a cultural event known as the Mushroom Ball is occurring at present time within Mushroom Castle. It is an event Princess Peach has spoken of during her stay at the X-Naut Fortress, and it primarily involves dancing.

I am pleased that she is able to be home on the day of the event, as she had spoken fondly of it. I can also recall when Princess Peach taught me the art of dancing; it was the first time I ever experienced the thing referred to as "fun"...

[theperfectcomputer]

The databases I have acquired information on Pi'illo Island from offered relatively little knowledge. All that I could gather as that this was--or is, as recent revelations have shown--home to a race of beings with great power over the world of dreams--the realm entered by the subconscious of organic beings during sleep cycle. There was text of two powerful artifacts known as the Dream Stone and the Dark Stone, but not much was said regarding the extent of the artifacts' abilities.

However, as a computer, perhaps I can offer assistance in learning the functions of modern technology in return for lessons in what modern text has lost from history.

[The robot turned his attention to Dreambert as he spoke, as he sounded and appeared official.]

Greetings. I am known as TEC; I am on a journey across your world to learn more of it than my database can provide.

[After speaking, the robot who identified himself as TEC began peering around, carefully observing the daily activities of the locals.]

Forgive my assumptions, but all records I have of this island indicate that its population had gone extinct many years prior…