Hello there, and thank you for stopping by my humble abode in the Shadow Realm. When I'm not busy using the realm's dark powers to manipulate the fabric of reality, I enjoy blogging about my adventures in the world of the living. As of late, my travels have taken me to Aaru Park, a location near and dear to my heart. But the park is not how I remember it from childhood; in shambles, a mere shadow of its former self. And, alas, it appears that my trusted Millenium Ring has little power here. Something strange is happening indeed...
- Florence
Chapter L00: The Millenium Wheel
Chapter A2: A Portrait and a Tour
Chapter A5: The Main Attraction
Upon arriving in Aaru Park, a peculiar man approached me in a panicked fashion, seemilgly happy to see me. He led me into the park, although it looked more like one massive construction zone. When he finally stopped at a pile of rubble, he gave me an absurd request: TO BUILD A RIDE, RIGHT HERE AND THERE! THE NERVE! I came here to enjoy rides, not to build them with scraps from previous works! However, since the park was non-enjoyable as it was anyway, and since I had nothing better to do, I decided to play along. After all, building an amusement park ride shouldn't be too much trouble with some assistance from the Shadow Realm.
I decided to practice putting pieces together at first, making sure that I got a good handle with scrap pieces. Here's what I put together:
Not shabby at all. (Although I can't help thinking that what I made somehow references something from beyond this realm...)
Once I had a good handle with working with scraps, I begun constructing my ride. I went with a simple approach, creating a ride I enjoy very much: a Ferris Wheel. I decided to spice up the style and model my ride-to-be after my own Millenium Ring. If I do say so myself, I think it turned out spectacularly. Since my wheel had the appearance of being one of the Millenium Items, I decided to name it accordingly: The Millenium Wheel
In addition to making the ride, I was also asked to create a banner for the entrance to my atrraction. I have displayed this banner at the top of this page, since I find it to be fitting, but I will show it here as well for consistency's sake. For those who are unaware, the crest is of my home town, Domino City.
The next thing I know, I am being rewarded for the work I have done thus far. The park staff offered to take a portrait of myself for winning Employee of the Month. If you ask me, it's a bit too soon to decide on that, but I'll take what I can get. Sheila, the photographer, was nice enough to help me wear something suitable. I wore something that inspired a spark of nostalgia in my heart, an outfit that reminded me of times lost so long ago...
It was at this point that I realized that I must not be the only one helping in the rebuilding of Aaru Park. Once my portrait was taken, I decided to go a tour and see what else was being constructed. Not surprisingly, there were many more characters building rides, making banners, and running about. It was not hard to tell that they did not officially work here, much like myself. I was baffled when I came across a ride that make my heart skip a beat; The Millenium Drop! Only one person can be behind this contraption of beautiful terror... the one and only... Melvin Blishtar! I must find him! Perhaps he can shed some more light on the strange happenings in Aaru Park.
Alas, before I could find Melvin, I was asked to perform yet another tedious task. This time, to make a ride for guests to zoom around the park. At this point, nothing would surprise me. Once again, I played along. Using my previous contruction skills, I made a carriage and summoned three Kuribohs with the help of my Millenium Ring (it was all it could summon). With the Kuribohs pulling the carriage, high speeds are possible. They can turn, move forward and back, and float in a horribly adorable fashion. I call it... the Kuribohmobile!
Not long after my glorious Kuribohmobile was finished, the management of the park approached me (again). An intern tagged along this time around. The task? To dress up the intern as a mascot of my choosing. Now, I like to believe that I am a pretty dark and sadistic person, but... having this guy dress up and do a never-ending song and dance at the park? That is just horrible. Oddly enough, the intern did not seem to mind. On the contrary, he seemed excited about performing the task at hand. Poor kid, the pain and humiliation from accepting the job must be blurring his judgement. Anyway, after much thought about what to choose as a mascot, I decided that stick with my current style of using cute things to attract visitors. Henceforth, I do not have just one mascot, but four: The Kuriboh Brothers! I dressed up the intern with a white Kuriboo outfit, then summoned Kuribah, Kuribee, and Kuribeh with my Millenium Ring. This arrangement worked well since Kuriboo was busy anyway; something about having to devour the souls of innocents. With the intern leading the other Kuriboh Brothers, I had to teach him the pattern of movement he should follow. Here's a picture of a practice run with the path I taught him, using strings from the Shadow Realm to aid him:
He learned quite quickly, and soon did not need the strings. Good thing too, since all he is doing is moving in a circle while moving to the front and back of the Kuribohmobile at the same time. Quite simple, really.
I wonder what other innevitable task the management here will give me next. And, more importantly, when will I be able to locate Melvin? I wonder what he is up to.
This assignment was turned in incomplete. As it stands, it demonstrates the use of custom shaders to map textures onto a skybox, which encapsulates a platform in the center.
