Falcon and Wolf TV Dungeon HUB

[gorobo]

Scared of himself, of the monster others perceive him as, Wolf fled into the TV, hoping to find refuge in the digital space, only to find himself trapped in a nightmare...

 

Blinded by his own hate, his own insecurities, Falcon witnessed himself on the TV.
Driven by the fear of what it meant, he went inside to stop it, only to find himself trapped in a nightmare...

 

---

Welcome to the TV Dungeon hub for Gorobo and Digigoro's TV Dungeons! Here, you can find all relevant information, as well as the toplevels for each 'checkpoint' of the plot. In case you are unable to tag for any reason at all, or threads go past the deadline, please indicate what your character(s) did in the summary check-in below!

SCHEDULE:

15/3/25: Signups open. 

 

21/3/25(Today!): Hub goes up. 

 

22/3/25: Toplevel of Gorobo and Digigoro's appearance on the Midnigh Channel. General catch-all for players to have their character react to the disappearances, and their appearances on the Midnight Channel, as well as to ICly create a team/plan/etc

 

29/3/25: Toplevels for the dungeons. Characters will discover one dungeon that, when entered, splits into two distinct dungeons. ICly, they will not know what path leads to who, but we will provide info OOCly for players to make a decision.

 

5/4/25: Toplevels for the confontation with the Shadows.

 

12/4/25: Resolution toplevels. Characters can speak to Gorobo or Digigoro after the fact, or with one another to discuss what happened.

DUNGEONS:

It appears as one dungeon. On the outside, it is a jungle-covered Tokyo. The main building is a laboratory, which has a staircase going up, and one going down. For Digigoro, take the stairs down. For Gorobo, take the stairs up.

Gorobo dungeon info
Digigoro dungeon info

ANY QUESTIONS?

Please feel more than free to ask them! I'll do my best to answer them.

Comments

[herewardbound]

"Crow has the right of it. If we didn't have to split our forces to go after two people at once, there'd be a whole lot more here. People care about you. All of you. Let us help."

[gorobo]

Having caught the attention of the Shadows once again, they put themselves between their, ah, subject, and the team.

"So you say," the robot says, "but the facts remain that I am not a person. It is illogical to speak to a machine as one."

The human looks frustrated, more than anything, if not close to tears.

"I- I- but why didn't they choose me? Did- did one person make that much of a difference? You're just- I'm-" it stutters, its voice wet and pathetic. "I'm- I don't want to be alone-"

"Stop- stop-" Falcon grits his teeth. "You're making them worse. Just leave! I didn't ask for any of you to come!"

"No! No!" The human shoots forward, falling to its knees. "Please don't leave- please-! It's so scary here- you can't just leave me-"

"They are human. They will leave. Your begging is pathetic," the robot drones, "humanity is a plague. We would be better off without it."

Falcon growls at both of their words. He doesn't want to hear this!

[mirrorgirl]

Two shadows were already interesting enough, but the contrast and what they were saying? Something about that made Hannei feel… angry.

“Why do you keep saying that like it’s a bad thing?” She blurts. “Like being human is bad or that associating with humans is bad?” A part of her wonders where that idea came from, another part of her gets it.
“Your friends are here to help because they care about YOU Falcon-san. Wether you like it or not they care! We care!” She can’t speak for the others but she can speak for herself,
She’s not leaving without Falcon.

[fogboundcrow]

Raven steps forward, drawing a breath. His Shadow materializes beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

It's going to be okay. They've done this before.

Raven speaks first. "Wolf, I understand that this isn't ideal, but if you accept your Shadow, we can avoid unwanted escalation. Deny it, and we'll have no choice but to fight."

"But we will fight!" Shiro hastily adds. "You're worth fighting for. Just, please... Don't push us away, and don't try to hide from yourself."

[vampirethief]

Kaitou aka Vampire Ren went through Wolf's dungeon and during the trip, learning about Wolf's feelings about feeling like a monster hit Kaitou rather close to home. He still focused though.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that he ate a few shadows in the dungeon too.

[vampirethief]

Well this is definitely outside of Kaitou's comfort zone but he will try his best.

"I know our words may sound hollow, but we will listen and won't judge you. We came to rescue you after all."

Hopefully it doesn't turn into a fight.

[lilcomputer]

Futaba had a lot of mixed emotions. There was parts scattered, there was two shadows that looked at them, mocking them. She bit her lip before taking a breath.

"I didn't even leave you after finding out you killed my mom, I needed space, and I came back for you. Not everyone is bad. There's bad people in the world but... we aren't. Not even when people here have commited so many crimes. We care and it's not fair to put our feelings in your mouth." She glared at the shadow in particular.

[aknightnotaprincess]

"We're not going to leave! We came here to save Falcon." Even if Knight didn't know Falcon that well, he still deserved to be saved.

"Emotions are not a bad thing. Even negative emotions aren't bad, it's how you deal with said emotions and it's what kept us alive as human. But that's beside the point."

Hopefully this doesn't turn into a fight. Even with these two shadows at odds with each other.

[gorobo]

"Emotions are useless." The robot's eyes seem to dim, even just a little. "They leave you... useless. Defenseless. Look at me." It spreads its arms, showing off its half-body, attached to the arm at the wall, the wires at its bottom attached to the human. "Look what emotions have done to me."

"It's your mechanic bits that have done this," the human hisses, pleadingly looking at the rest. "You understand, right? I'm just as human as the rest of you! It's just this disgusting thing that's keeping me from your company, and I- I can't-" it sobs, "I can't escape it! Please- please, I need your help, if you just help me cut it loose-!"

When nobody moves, it heaves another sob.

"Why won't you help me? I just want to be loved! I just want- I can't protect myself!"

"Humans can't help either of us," the robot shakes its head. "As long as they are here, we will never be fully in control. I will never be fully in control. You are making things needlessly complicated."

"Liars!" the human rears upright, ignoring the robot, a sudden fury in its sobs. "You're all liars! Amamiya would help me, if he knew, if only he knew-! The rest of you- you don't care, even when I need you so!" Another heave. "I just want someone to care, to see me- why is that so much to ask?"

"That's not true," Falcon murmurs from the back, his fists clenching. "It's not true."

[fogbornphantom]

"Falcon, please! Don't deny them!" Hiro cries. "I know it's hard, but neither of them speak the entire truth. That lies somewhere in the middle."

He takes another daring step forward. "Emotions are painful at times. There's a reason that Goro buried me in the depths of his heart. He built walls to protect himself, fearful of what I represented."

Crow nods, breathing in, then takes a step himself. "But rejecting either of them will not bring you happiness, let alone both. Perhaps it would be 'simpler' if you didn't have to grapple with feelings, but you are strong to have endured so much unfairness in your life. Everyone here believes in you. They do care. I certainly do, even knowing the harm I've brought upon you."

[gorobo]

"You don't know me!" Falcon growls, visibly straining against his bounds. "They're- shut up!"

SUMMARY CHECK-IN

[gorobo]

6th of May: Encounter/boss fight with the Shadows

[herewardbound]

"I. Do."

Phoenix stepped forward. Met the accusing gaze unflinching, and drew his sword. "What makes us different, Goro Akechi? What fundamental difference is there between you and I? I was constructed, like you. Purpose-built to serve a task I never asked for by an uncaring and irresponsible creator. Grind me down to the finest powder and sieve it through the finest sieve and I guarantee you, you won't find much of anything different from you. Ratios might be different. A bit more iron here, a bit less carbon there. So what is 'humanity'? You plainly have a soul, and if you want proof?"

He twisted his hand, as though pulling on an invisible chain. It spun into existence, not the heavy golden chain of ownership, of a contract between overlord and sinner- but a finely-worked one as though from jewelry, gossamer-thin and glowing. A mutual connection. Prudence and Death. "That? That wouldn't be there if either of us lacked one. And I'm not the only person here who's a construct made by someone else. What about Renée? Or Morgana? Or the attendants?"

He gestured, to where Crow and Hiro were standing. "What about Hiro? Or Aigis and Ulysses? You gonna stand there and tell all these people that we're all so fundamentally divorced from the lived experiences of the other people here that we're nothing like them? In spite of everything we have in common? Why are you so fucking determined to face everything alone when there are people here, right in front of you and down below, too, who'd fight and bleed for you?! Die for you, if they had to?! You want us to leave, well fuck you, make me. You claim we don't know you, so let us. You can face this, and you can beat it, and even if you can't do it alone, fine, whatever, neither could I. Neither could Crow or anyone else here. Let us in. One time. Please, Falcon."

[aknightnotaprincess]

Oh this is not good. Knight had been about to plead Falcon to see reason when Phoenix beat her to it and showed that chain. It's beautiful but at the same time, it's still chains.

She listened then made her own response.

"He's right. We're trying to help you. Those shadows are parts of you, but they are you. Please listen to us."

Honestly, this goes beyond what she's normally used to. She feels a little out of her depth here.

[wipingallout]

The dungeon had been... painful. Enlightening, in all of the worst ways, to how cruel humans could be to one another. This was something that STREGA members likely underwent, in some form or fashion - cruel experimentation in pursuit of power at the hands of those desperate enough to give up their humanity for it.

Hamuko didn't know Wolf personally, and had only spoken to Rookmon for a fun little afternoon. But as far as she was concerned, she didn't need to know.

Wolf needed someone to reach out before he boiled away in solitude and hatred and became someone like Takaya, or Jin.

"I'm afraid turning a blind eye to someone in need isn't something I'm able to do," Hamuko added, keeping her grip on her naginata steady and watching Loogarmon for any sign of it moving, recognizing the threat. "Is it hard to accept what your subconscious is asking for?"

[lilcomputer]

Futaba was close behind Phoenix. She took a breath, she took just a moment to compose herself.

"You have a persona like the rest of us. You have wants and you don't need to be alone. You are my family!" Her voice cracked, full of emotion bubbling over.

"I know I got this persona to protect Mom and Phoenix, but I want to protect you too. I wouldn't be here without you. I would have been alone without anyone when things happen. You've been there for me through all that, is it so hard to believe those things you feel about me, I can feel as well?"

[rookandhound]

Wolf wheeled around, his voice a barely-restrained scream. "Accept my shadow- do you hear yourself?! Platitudes won't fix my life, Raven! Whatever self-help bullshit you're spouting won't get me out of Shido's influence. You don't get it, you have. Everything. What do I have?! Even if I make all the friends in the world and do exactly what Igor wants and sing Kumbaya around his fucking Velvet Room Cult Campfire, what do I get at the end of it?!"

[wipingallout]

"This side of you - the you that exists deep down... here and now, you have a chance to take him back from a past that was forced on you," Hamuko kept her voice steady, didn't break her gaze from the looming monstrous digimon. "Your friends here will give you the strength to do it. To hold onto who could otherwise be lost by these wretched experiments. You can claim your life back from him - you don't have to let him steal your very heart from you."

[mirrorgirl]

“I’ll admit I don’t know you. Not well. But when we have spoken I’ve enjoyed the conversation” Hound speaks up,
“I want to get to know you better, be friends maybe. You’re someone who I think is cool! And you must be someone worth the effort of knowing if so many want to help you.” So who cares about the definition of ‘being human’ as far as she cares Falcon is person enough!
And clearly, he has people who more than agree with that.

[aknightnotaprincess]

Shiho aka Knight also found in Falcon's dungeon. She's pretty angry on Falcon's behalf despite not really knowing him well. She brought that sword she got last year that can cause status effects, which helped with fighting.

Granted the status effects thing is useless against bosses, but hey. It speeds things up.

[vessel_ken_amada]

Nox's injuries and mental health issues made him ill-suited for dungeon exploration, so he didn't participate.

He did pledge his support for Wolf's dungeon if it ended up absolutely necessary, however. He really cares about him.

[gorobo]

There's hesitation on Falcon's face, eyeing the chain- no, bond connecting him to Phoenix. For a moment, it looks like everyone's words are finally, after weeks, resonating with him.

"... I..."

But his Shadows are just as quick to ruin the moment, interrupting whatever revelation Falcon was having.

[OST: Borderline of Madness]

"Foolishness," the robot says, "I am not human. We are not human, and pretending that we are is a disservice to our existence." It turns to look at Falcon. "We don't want that."

"But- but- but-! It's not fair! You're all saying these things, but it's not fair! You're liars! You- all of you- when it comes down to it, I- we," it heaves, "you all have people you prefer over us! Why?! What's wrong with us?! Why can't we be the most important person in anyone's life!" Big, ugly tears roll down its face. "Why won't anyone look at me, and only me? Is that so much to ask?"

"It's pointless."

"Why can't anyone understand what it's like?"

"Humanity is a plague."

"It's so fucking lonely to be like this!"

Falcon's face scrunches up at their words. "Shut up. Shut up!"

"But it's the truth," the robot lowers itself towards Falcon, "what I am saying is, at least. This... useless sentimentality is holding us back from what we should be."

"No! I speak the truth!" the human also rushes towards Falcon, its hands clenched and straining against its chains. "That horrible machine doesn't know anything!"

"It would be better if humans ceased to exist. Humans... they only exist to manipulate and destroy our will."

"If only they loved us more, if only they saw us for what we were, everything would be fine!" The human grimaces, tears running down his face. "You're scared, aren't you? I know, because I'm so, so terrified, but I want them to love us so..."

"You know I'm right," the robot says. "You can't deny it, because-"

"You know that I'm right! I can feel it! I can, really, because-"

"Unlike that one, I am your Shadow. I'm you, and I know everything you feel."

"You're not! Neither of you!" Falcon cries out, his anger, his fears, everything reaching a boiling point. He's not thinking anymore as he shouts: "You're not me!"

[gorobo]

All at once, the human's sobbing ceases. The robot doesn't move, and Falcon looks furious. But then-

"You're right," the human says with a grin as the chains around him burst, falling away and freeing his arms. "I'm not you at all. How could I ever be?"

"Thank you for setting me free," the robot says with satisfaction, the first emotion it has displayed at all since anyone arrived. The cables that once made up the human's chains morph, until they resemble a pair of legs, allowing it to touch the ground for the first time as well. "Finally... I can do what I want."

"We don't need you anymore," the human hums, "what a relief! Who'd want a useless machine like you around?"

"I- mmph!" Falcon tries to interject, but a fresh cable shoots out from the pod, wrapping itself around his mouth to shut him up, and the cables tighten. Falcon struggles, but can't break himself free.

"We have no need for malfunctioning weapons," the robot continues, backing off, and the pod slams closed, cutting everyone off from Falcon completely.

"Oh, well. Nothing a little reformatting can't fix." And as if on cue, a woman's voice rings out through the room, a screen dropping down from the ceiling. On it displays a scan of a shadow weapon, with a percentage bar sitting at 0% next to it.

"REFORMATTING IN PROGRESS... PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE MALFUNCTIONING UNIT."

"Finally... we're not you anymore!"

With an explosion, both Shadows transform, the resulting smoke revealing their new forms: one of them resembles Robin Hood, but the angles are all wrong, his body made of metal, like a Gundam robot. The other, meanwhile, has transformed into a centaur-esque creature, Loki's dazzle-camouflage leaving it hard to properly perceive it aside from the wide open maw, dripping red teeth displayed dangerously. Both of them turn to the group, their stances aggressive.

[OST: I'll Face Myself]

"I am a Shadow, a reflection of the true self..."

"If you won't love me, then you should just die!"

"Foolish humans... now perish."

[lilcomputer]

"Falcon!" A raw scream left her body as she for the first time stepped out from behind Phoenix and tried to get to him. She had to think, she had to think, What could they do, how to stop the pod, how... how... how...

Was fighting personas different than shadows? She didn't know what to do. She couldn't hurt him. She couldn't hurt anyone. There were tears in her eyes as she was trying to process everything and she felt so frustrated she was just not strong enough to protect them yet.

[mirrorgirl]

Oh! well that’s probably bad. But this is a fight right? Now they fight! She can fight!
Wait, follow the groups lead.

“Well, we tried. What’s the plan boss?” Shame they couldn’t talk things out, but she’s much better at fighting than words! She takes an aggressive stance, ready to jump in at a moments word.
Someone should probably get Falcon out of the pod, but she reaaaaaly wants to fight those shadows!