In the shadows [Enigma - Hacker event]

As the hacker ran, another bullet whistled harmlessly past his head. Harmlessly was probably a misnomer, because a few centimeters difference and he wouldn't have needed to log off manually. He twisted to the side, presenting a more difficult target, but giving Skultone a few more precious seconds to get off another shot.

Enigma jumped forward, twisting to the side at the same time just as that third shot echoed across the plaza. The well-placed shot found its mark anyway, but the jump and twist changed the lethal shot into a winging. Splatters of tie dye spread across the ground and Enigma's left arm hung limply at his side as he stood up inside of his pet, which was surprisingly more transparent than it had seemed just moments before.

His right arm reached out to the side, still holding his cane, the sword having been sheathed inside of it since talking to the new player earlier. He let go of the cane and it hovered where he left it, the ooze holding it in place. He rolled his top hat off his head and bowed with a flourish, not letting his limp arm disturb his showmanship.

As he began to speak, the normal name tag above his head began to swirl with color like his avatar. "It was good to meet you Skultone. I imagine that you and I will get to know each other quite well in the days ahead." With a flash, the same blue portal that allowed Enigma entrance to the carnival grounds raised up out of the ground, this time much bigger to fit the larger ooze. They slid backwards through the portal and it closed behind them. "Untill next time." echoed in the air as the portal slid closed.

The copies all stopped harassing other players and just started milling around the area. One or two at a time, they began to disappear. It took almost a full ten minutes for the last copy to vanish, leaving an eerie silence in their wake.

Skultone bared his teeth behind his mask as the hacker vanished, standing straight as the area that had been meant to hold an event of cheer and excitement rang with eerie silence punctuated by the area’s ambient music. Here and there people were coming out from where they had hidden, and others were beginning to explore the makeshift arena Skultone had used as a firing range.

“Please don’t touch that.” He moved to intercept a particularly resilient looking shaman who was approaching the blood left behind by the hacker. Using his rifle like a baton he held it out to keep the player from coming closer, getting a frown in return.

“Why not? It could be useful for something right?”

“All remaining adventurers are to log out of this area immediately.” Was the reply they got, Skultone’s eyes brooking zero argument and the administrative flag on their username enforcing his statement. He got grumbles and complains as people milled around. Only when he refused to answer questions and did not move from his spot did they finally filter out, until it was just him and the ruined amusement park.

Everything seemed at peace, as if the map was supposed to look like a tornado had gone through it. The only thing standing out was the puddle of liquid rainbow and Skultone himself, now kneeling down so he could inspect the only thing that remained of the incident.

He sent another request for upper management. With a second area under attack it seemed likely that no one would be getting back to him any time soon. Which meant he got to wait, and to keep any stray adventurers from peeking at the mess.

“Happy New Year” he muttered. No one was listening.