[video] you're lucky it only took him a day and a half to notice

[third_alternative]

[Rex has been a tad preoccupied all week. First and foremost on his mind was updating his journal, keeping track of everything. He can't predict when he'll blank out, but he can prepare, and that's what's been on his mind. In fact, it was only when he stepped out of the apartment building to get some more photos that he began to realize something was off.

He got a photo of some eight-legged spider-llama before it opened its mouth and assaulted him with spider webbing. With him immobilized, it dragged him into the forest to a clearing filled with various animal monsters. It led him to the middle and the animals appeared to start...cheering? They closed in on him, but thankfully Rex managed to escape and fly up above the horde. It's then that he finally gets a closer look at the animals. The spider-llama, an oversized beetle with three mouths, a bear-spider, a suddenly animate tree...and a large rabbit with sharp, jagged teeth.

He tests his hypothesis by trying to cure the group of animals...and succeeds. He rushes back to town to see what's happening there. Destruction, EVOs running rampant...it's not pretty. He doesn't know how long this has been going on for, but now's as good a time as any to explain what's going on.]

[video]

Okay, everyone stay calm! Good news, I know what's going on here with all the monsters.

Bad news, the monsters all around town--they're EVOs! I don't know how it could've happened, but there must be nanites here, inside everyone by now, probably. They don't normally do anything, but they can turn any normal person or animal or even a plant into these EVOs! They usually get turned into monsters who don't know what they're doing, but not always--it can pretty much be anything.

Long story short? If you're noticing anything new or weird about yourself now, chances are you're an EVO too.

The other good news is, I'm an EVO too--and I can cure other EVOs. I don't know if I can get every single one, or cure everyone before someone gets hurt...but that's not going to stop me from trying.

Just...whatever you do, don't kill anything--they could be your next door neighbor. And if you spot an EVO, take it down without killing it! I don't know how this started, but I'm going to put an end to it.

Comments

[trustycrowbar]

[The easiest way to get there is to run opposite the fleeing scientists. He doesn't have to go far before a desk crashes across the hallway, flung through double-doors.]

[On the other side is Gordon, suited and dodging the thing's downward blows, brandishing a shotgun. As Rex runs in he aims upward--not at the monster but at the ceiling, shooting the lights out and causing live wires to sprawl down. The towering monster is caught and convulses before falling to the ground, stunned and no longer hot with electricity.]

Now dammit, STAY DOWN!

[So much for him not surviving. Maybe they should've been more concerned about the monster instead.]

[third_alternative]

[Rex was prepared to fly in fighting, but as he entered the room, he saw the lights explode and the monster falling over. Oh good. Gordon's okay and no one's dead. That makes him feel a lot better.]

So much for not surviving. You just did that to make me get here faster, didn't you?

[trustycrowbar]

Hm? Oh, you mean--no, that wasn't even me! [He jerks a thumb towards the well-trodden escape route.] My colleagues aren't exactly monster-fighting material, and a little more panicky than they ought to be.

Not that I'm not glad you showed up; this thing may be knocked out, but not for long...

[third_alternative]

If he thinks of making another move, he's gonna have to talk to my giant fist.

Unless, y'know...you want me to cure him right now for you?

[trustycrowbar]

Yeah, it's better for everyone involved. We can get better readings from the smaller specimens once we get things cleaned up and coax the other guys back in here.

[The thing's shoulder twitches and Gordon's attention snaps back to it, cocking his shotgun.]

Better do it quick, unless you wanna help me fight round two!

[third_alternative]

[He smirks.]

No problem!

[He runs up to the EVO and before it can do any more damage, Rex places both of his hands on it. Tron lines cover his arms and part of the EVO, and quickly, the creature begins to change, its monstrous features morphing into humanlike ones again.

Within a few seconds, Mr. Monaghan is left huddled on the floor, tired, shirtless, and confused. Rex steps back and crosses his arms proudly.]

And that's how you cure an EVO.

[trustycrowbar]

It certainly is...

[He stops trying to parse what he just saw long enough to holster his shotgun behind him and grab a spare labcoat to toss over Mr. Monaghan's shoulders. The old man jumps a little, then looks up.]

How're you feeling?

"Where in hell am I? Where's my meatloaf?"

[Gordon looks over to Rex.] They don't normally remember anything afterward...?

[third_alternative]

[He shrugs.] Not much, usually--just the turning into a monster bit. Past that, though, I don't think they usually remember a lot.

[trustycrowbar]

[The look of puzzlement is quickly shuffled under a mental list of things to handle a mile long.]

All right, Rex. The rest here in the labs can wait until everyone else is out of danger. We'll try to get some of this messed-up measuring equipment put back together by the time you get back.

[third_alternative]

You sure? No more shirtless-men-turned-monsters here to try and kill everyone?

[trustycrowbar]

Nope, not at the moment. Just him.

"So that wasn't a hallucination? Here I thought they spiked the lemonade..."

Don't worry, I can hold down the fort. If Smithers becomes a slavering beast from the depths of nightmarish imagination, you'll be the first to know.

"...I wan't that ugly, was I?"

One look could've peeled paint, sir.

[third_alternative]

Alright. Just--call me if you need me back here or whenever you're ready to do your science stuff.

[Rex begins to leave the building.]