Blind. I must've gone blind in my sleep last night. How else could I open my eyes to a dark void? Passing out after a double all-nighter would probably do that. But as I attempted to push my face off what should've been my desk, I quickly realized there was nothing. I felt nothing, not even my body. No breeze, no warmth or cold, nothing.

I was within nothing. I was nothing. Nothing but a sentient thought.

Surely I was still passed out then, and this was some sterile dream conjured by my numb mind.

No. You're dead.

Oh very funny, dream me. Way to be fatalistic about this.

Well you wouldn't be the first soul to reply that way to me. Your parallels thought very much the same.

Okay. I'm crazy now, then. Officially crazy.

I am no figment of your imagination.

A bright blue light flashed before me, bursting into a storm of blue lightning, fire, and floating wisps of smoke. It was like witnessing an eruption of cataclysmic magic. Even as it floated before me, proving I could still see, its tendrils spread from its center like a swarm of plant roots, twisting every which way to cover more and more of the infinite space around me.

Now do you see?

There was that booming voice again, like something you'd expect a god to sound like. How cliché, yet I can't deny it wasn't effective in grabbing my attention.

"Yeah, I see…whatever you are." I replied, now finding my voice again. "So what, where, how…I'm dead?"

Yes, you are.

"And so am I presume you are some angelic being ready to bring me to the pearly gates?"

Ah, because you were chaste and pure? Is that what you think of yourself?

Well, well, the voice actually has a personality. Heavy sarcasm aside, if this…thing can ask me that question, then it must clearly know me. Must be omniscient or something. Regardless, what it means now is that I can't tempt angering it by lying about myself.

"Hardly," I replied with a light chuckle in the end. "I'm guessing you know all about me. Which means you know exactly what things I'm into."

Hmm, quite. Barely a human adult and yet your mind is as perverse and depraved as a legion's. Your mind is a cacophony of fantasies and desires, each as nightmarish and wanton as the last.

"At least give me some credit for not acting upon them."

We'd both be lying if we agreed that somehow exonerates your true nature.

"What can I say? I'm a walking, thinking sin."

Exactly. You shall be another great specimen.

What now, a specimen? Can't say my future bodes well if this thing described me that way, but it sounds to be a good thing? Now I can't help but be curious. But before I could ask my million questions, the being erupted forward, spewing even more lightning and sparks as it neared me, all the while its voice boomed in my mind.

Let me explain what has happened here. When you died, your soul was lost in limbo. There, I found you and brought you here before me to be another of my specimens. Another player in my Grand Experiment.

"And what are you, exactly?"

Your predecessors have referred to me as "God" or something similar. But I am no god. I have no control over your Earth or anything else within your old reality. I am a being incomprehensible to you humans, living in the realm between realities and dimensions.

"Do you have a proper name?" It responded with another laugh.

I see death and depravity have not stripped you of manners.

"Well I'm not in a position to be impolite, am I?"

No, you are not. You may call me the Game Master.

"Okay then, Game Master." It was hard to stifle a giggle after hearing that. "What's next? Are we to play Dungeons and Dragons for the next eon?"

Cheekiness does not suit you. But to answer your question, no. That is far too fundamental for my Grand Experiment. Let me start the process.

Textboxes lined with a blue lightning border flashed before my vision.

Skill Gained: [Gamer's Mind] [Passive]

- Allows the user to think logically and calmly. Psychological attacks and status afflictions have greatly reduced effectiveness.

Skill Gained: [Gamer's Body] [Passive]

- Rank 1 - Grants the user the body of a gamer. This body shall naturally adapt to the fundamental rules of which ever game reality it is placed in.

- Rank 2 - [Locked] [Hint: Unlock by reaching another reality]

Skill Gained: [Observe] [Active]

- Rank 1 - Provides basic information on a target when used.

- Rank 2 - [Locked]

Well now, that's interesting. Exciting even. For a man like me, entering a game was practically a dream come true. Magic, gunplay, surviving a brand new world! And being able to be powerful enough to do what I want in it. Now that's a power fantasy.

Obviously, I was getting pretty pumped.

I see you are getting excited. Good. That makes the process easier. Now, the next part.

Another textbox appeared, though this time it was a sprawling list of titles. It began scrolling up and down at an incredibly fast rate, almost becoming unreadable. From what few tidbits I could read, it looked like there were more than just game titles here, no there were titles that were clearly cartoons, anime, manga, T.V shows, movies, comics, hell practically every type of fictional media was represented on this list. And before I could say anything, the booming voice of the Game Master interrupted my thoughts.

Now we shall choose your starting universe.

"Woah, wait a minute." I say as I need to make my objections be known. "I was ready to be dropped into an actual videogame world, so what the hell is all this?" As I see a whole list of cartoons my proverbial heart sank lower and lower. I will fucking destroy this Game Master if I'm dropped into a kindergartener's cartoon show, damn the consequences of trying!

No need to fret. This is but a taste of what universes exist out there. I have total control over which ones are actually available to you. And share your same sentiments. You will be reincarnated into a video game.

"That's, good to hear." I breathe out as the roulette wheel of universes continues to scroll frantically. "And while I have the time to ask. Just what is all this exactly?"

It is none of your concern.

"No, it actually fucking is my concern." I could practically see the Game Master raise an eyebrow at my argument. "Not only did you describe this as a 'Grand Experiment,' but you've also talked about previous people in my situation."

The roulette continues, but is now actively removing unacceptable or unchosen titles at a rapid rate. Another quick scan shows me a majority of what's left are indeed video game titles, and seriously dangerous and violent ones at that. And all were on my favorites list. "Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect, World of Warcraft, Bloodborne, fucking Doom is on this list. Either your other specimens have all died off trying to survive these games or your experiment is more than just dropping people off randomly into games. Either way, I'd like some answers before I become today's newest test subject."

Half a minute of silence permeated between us before it decided to answer, irritatingly.

There are others like me. Other, game masters, if you will. They go through the same process as we are right now. Yet many, do it the wrong way.

"And there is a right way to do whatever this is?" The roulette was slowing now.

They are sightless simpletons. Many are happy with choosing one universe to place their pawn or player or whatever they call their new specimen. Then they're content with just watching it live there, until the end. How unbelievably boring!

The Game Master practically roared that into my mind. It was genuinely angry at these other Game Masters. Perhaps…this can be used to my advantage?

Why stop at one universe? Why not have them navigate across endless realities? Have a wizard travel into a space colony? Have a dragon trample across modern cities? What splendid possibilities! Anything and everything would be possible! Experimental crossovers to the infinite degree!

"That does sound more appealing than living the rest of my life in…Harvest Moon let's say." I comment as I see the title scroll across. It was promptly removed. I let out a sigh of relief.

And my mind raced. Either that was a coincidence or this Game Master isn't as omniscient as I thought. I can definitely get some advantages by playing towards what he wants. Hell, it's not like it's not what I want either!

There are others out there who think like me. Others are playing with many universes and experiments that I greatly approve of. They are not stagnant. They have vision.

I'm barely listening to the Game Master's rant as I glue my eyes on the roulette. There are only a handful titles left. Halo, Fable, RWBY, One Piece, The Witcher, My Hero Academia, Pokemon, Diablo, so many different choices!

My mind raced at the possibilities, until the roulette landed.

Starting Universe: [Fallout]

And it is done.

"And what a choice." I mumbled as my mind raced to figure out how to survive that universe. A post-apocalyptic world isn't exactly a beginner's choice.

Your survival shall depend upon your stats. Let's start.

Race: [Human]

- You are a human. Jack of all trades, master of nothing. Yet, all great things are molded from nothing.

- No increased starting stats or bonuses. However, you are able to adapt all possible bonus stats.

Starting Stats: [S.P.E.C.I.A.L]

- The iconic attributes table for the Fallout universe. Remember, everyone is S.P.E.C.I.A.L in their own way!

- Hint: These attributes may transferrable to any Parallel Universe at a cost.

STR - 5

PER - 5

END - 5

CHA - 5

INT - 5

AGI - 5

LCK - 5

"Starting me off as average as I can get, huh?" I commented, no, more or less whined. Rightfully so, I might add. I don't even have a say in stat distribution.

It is part of the Grand Experiment. Do not worry right now. We still have Traits, Perks, and Titles.

What the hell is a "title?" A simple addition to my name?

You shall soon see my Gamer System is nothing like what you've played before. It is, nearing perfection.

"Nearing perfection, huh?" I sneered. I'm still pissed about my S.P.E.C.I.A.L stats. "Must've jotted a lot of pointers and tips from those others you've praised, huh?"

I'll have you know my system has been honed through my OWN experiments and trials! I have, adapted, other Gamer Systems, and I shall surpass all of them within time.

"Well, until that time comes this'll still be the 'Grand Experiment?' Not a complete "Gamer System," then?"

I was met with silence, and that wasn't good. Almost forgot that the Game Master had TOTAL control over my life. I swallowed what little pride I had been growing and raised an apology. "No offense. Still pissed about my stats."

And here I thought you had better foresight.

Oh good. I'm not totally fucked. Then I was met with another hearty laugh from the Game Master. It almost sounded, appreciative? Strange.

I must admit. Few of your predecessors have had the gall to argue with, let alone insult, me. The woman before you was pretty crass herself, though I've yet to check up on her for a while. Need to soon.

"Maybe I'll meet up with her someday," I noted offhandedly. Time to work for a bonus…

Oh, interested in traveling realities then?

"Of course. I said it'd be fun, didn't I?"

Do not lie to me. I know you are not so simple as to do what someone else wants just because it was fun. Garnering favor prior to starting? Predictable. But I'd be disappointed if you didn't try it.

"Well that, and, I treasure the thought of bringing powerful people to their knees before me," I finished. There goes that plan. Still, worth a shot.

Was that a threat?

"Do you have knees?"

Obviously not.

"Then you're safe." I chuckled. My aspirations aren't so high, yet. "In all honesty, so long as I'm doing what I want to do. Living how I want, killing who I want, ruling what I want, and fucking who I want, I'm on board with this experiment of yours."

Good. An amicable specimen is the best specimen. Now, let us move on to the next part of your creation.

More textboxes, but this time a list of skills. Good, the old Fallout system is intact. I see the Game Master has good taste in RPG systems.

Skills: [Fallout System]

- The default skill system for the Fallout universe.

- Hint: these skills may be transferrable to a Parallel Universe at a cost.

Barter - 15

Big Guns - 15

Cooking - 15

Explosives - 15

Intimidation - 15

Hacking - 15

Laser Weapons - 15

Lockpick - 15

Medicine - 15

Melee Weapons - 15

Outdoorsman - 15

Pickpocket - 15

Persuasion - 15

Plasma Weapons - 15

Repair - 15

Science - 15

Small Guns - 15

Sneak - 15

Unarmed - 15

"Well those aren't vanilla Fallout skills. What gives?"

Balancing and my own preferences.

I hold my tongue. It's hard though, these are dreadfully low stats. Again, need to look to the rest of my stats before I make any more comments.

"So what's next? Classes?" I joke, ready to start the next part.

There are no classes in the Fallout reality. Once you travel to another reality, then perhaps you may choose a class if that reality has a class system. For now, we shall move onto your Title.

"Wait, that doesn't make sense. You add additional non-vanilla skills but not a class system?"

It does make sense because it is my Gamer System. It's a unique feature I am proud of. Now can we move on?

Unique feature my ass. "Fine, but do finally have a say now? Getting really fucking tired of not being able to, you know, play the game."

Of course. A Title is similar to a Trait. But instead of one positive bonus for one negative flaw, a Title may multiple of each and with greater power. Only one Title can be chosen and shall remain with you forever, even across realities. You cannot remove or swap Titles, so choose wisely.

Another text box appears, and has a reroll counter? Two rerolls and only one "title" pops up for me to read. Guessing this is where I pray to RNGesus and get something decent. Hmph, "choose" it says. Like I have really a choice here.

Title: [The Daydreamer]

[+ Effects]: Randomly, whatever you daydream about manifests within your reality. Typical reality rules are lessened. This ability requires no additional resources to work. Given enough time, followers or anyone who daydreams alongside you may also manifest this Title permanently.

[- Effects]: Your daydream can only occur between the hours of 9AM and 5PM according to the local time in your reality. You cannot control when you daydream. You cannot control how long you daydream; you shall only awake after a randomly predetermined period of time has elapsed. You cannot control how your daydream manifests in your reality. You have limited control over the contents of your daydream (you shall garner more control with each successive daydream). You cannot control yourself during your daydream.

Well that's a fucking easy choice. Hell no to that. Nothing that random with so little control is worth my time, even if I could theoretically manifest a spaceship within my first day. The more likely scenario is daydreaming in the midst of the firefight and dying. "Give a reroll. I'd rather not live as a magical narcoleptic."

The Game Master stays silent as the textbox rerolls. I'm thinking up a storm after that first Title. "may also manifest this Title permanently?" Must mean that you can still gain more Titles in this system. A double-edged sword if I ever saw one.

If all the Titles are this batshit insane, then I'm in for one hell of a game.

Title: [The Mana Weaver]

"Nope! Reroll!" I shout as soon as the name pops up. What the hell am I going to do with a power like that in Fallout? Maybe if I was being dropped in a fantasy game. Even if I could travel to one, I'd doubt whatever negative effects of that Title would let me survive to that day.

Title: [The Glutton]

[+ Effects] This is a Tiered Title. Subsequent ranks of this Title shall allow you to consume literally anything. Certain ranks shall allow certain materials and items to be edible. Certain ranks shall allow you to adapt, control, and manifest whatever you eat. Certain ranks shall allow you to absorb unique bonuses from the materials and items you eat.

Starting Rank: [The Famished]

- You are consumed with intense hunger. Without sustained sustenance, you will quickly perish.

- You can only consumed items normally consumable by average humans.

-You are never full. Your stomach can never be fully filled and you never feel full. To that end, your mass and physique shall remain the same barring outside modifications.

- Adverse taste and allergies are nothing compared to your ceaseless hunger. You shall never manifest any allergies or aversions to anything you can eat. All food taste immaculate and delicious to you, even foodstuffs that would normally taste bland, foul, or otherwise disgusting.

- Foodborne illnesses cannot affect you. Feel free to eat that rotting food!

- Increased time between when food is still edible to you. So don't wait "too" long to eat it!

- All ingested poisons and toxins are only half as effective. Be careful, in some cases that'll only mean you die twice as slowly.

- Raw food is great, but cooked food is better! Way better! Eating cooked or pre-prepared foodstuffs will quell your starvation much better than raw food will.

- Variety is the permanent spice of life! Eating enough kind's foodstuffs will grant permanent stat increases.

Rank Up: [Consumed 0/100 foodstuffs]

[- Effects] You exist in a perpetual state of intense, unquenchable hunger. No matter how much you eat, you shall forever starve. This cannot be modified or quelled through any means. You starve at an accelerated rate and can easily starve to death within the span of a day. Eating anything inedible (such as rotten food) shall lead to a temporarily increased hunger rate. You can only gain Experience Points by consuming edible foodstuffs.

"Holy shit, I'm going to die." Those were the first words that came out of my mouth as I read that essay of a Title. "Experience Points only through eating stuff? Ceaseless hunger? In the Fallout universe?"

I am sure you can find a way to survive.

Isn't that the hope of the fucking century? Survive! In possibly the worst universe to try to survive. "Don't suppose I can change your-"

Now onto Traits and Perks.

"Didn't fucking think so," I grumble as another textbox flashes in front of me. Another huge list sprawls out, way more than vanilla Fallout. Luckily I really had the power to choose, though only to a maximum of two Traits. Here's the kicker though, picking a Trait corresponds with choosing a positive Perk. Knowing that, I have to pick the perks that would help me survive the most. Screw getting more Skill Points or Attributes, I need survivability.

Trait Gained: [Lack of Empathy]

There are two kinds of people: the people you walk with and the people you walk on. You generally have a lack of empathy and only care about people you know.

Perk Gained: [Epicurean]

Gain +20 to Cooking. You are no longer limited to pre-created recipes. As a chef of fine tastes, you are able to create new recipes with new bonuses.

And the next one.

Trait Gained: [Heavy Handed]

Might makes right. Your Melee and Unarmed attacks do more damage at the cost of less Critical Hit damage.

Perk Gained: [Living Off The Land]

Get out there and live! Gain + 20 to Outdoorsman. Increased chance of positive Random Encounters with wildlife. Increased chance to harvest additional resources from fruiting vegetables and trees.

Honestly, these are shit Perks for someone who's played Fallout for years. Normally I'd rush for other Skill Points or increased damage. But I really don't have a choice in the matter.

By the way, what the hell did Outdoorsman even do? I must've played Fallout 2 a dozen times and half the time I'd forgotten it was a skill at all. Guess I'll find out soon enough.

"Anything else?" I ask, sounding about as dead as I figure I was going to be soon. "Or am I free to die for the sake of your science?"

I did not bring you here just so you could get my hopes up and then willingly accept death.

"Well you aren't changing my Title, so I guess I'll die then." I'd shrug and flip this blue asshole both fingers if I could. "I'm guessing you know Fallout as well as I do, well this Title is a death sentence for me out there."

As if I need you to tell me twice. Normally this is the time where my specimen would finalize their name and race and then be dropped into the chosen reality. I'd have half a mind to do the same to you, but you've amused me. Intrigued me.

"Oh goodie," I sing, practically oozing sarcasm from my nonexistent mouth. "Next thing you'll tell me I get the pleasure of sucking your blue lightning cock before I go starve to death."

Trust me, you couldn't take it.

"As if you even have one."

Do you want a boon or not?

"Of course…I…do?" Where the hell did that come from? "Wait, you're willing to help me?"

Did I not just say I didn't bring you here just to see you die? I require a specimen with your unique mentality and cunning for my current system version. All the rest are either too different from you or have already perished. And given your Title and chosen reality, I'm inclined to give you a boon to help you along. If anything, for the sake of experimentation.

Great, that long line of exposition still means he won't change my Title. Fine, I'll fucking deal with it. That boon had better be good though. "Alright, what's the boon?"

Two additional Perks. No strings attached.

This better be good.

Perk Gained: [Lead Belly]

Let's line that belly up! 50% decrease in radiation taken from foodstuffs and water.

Perk Gained: [None Too Burdensome]

Nothing can bring you down! Carry an additional weight of 100lbs. and only move half as fast when you are over encumbered.

That's not that good. "You really can't do anything more than that?"

Anything more would be cheating, given how low your stats are.

"My stats are low because you don't change them!" I argue back. Really, this whole thing can be easily solved by changing this ridiculous system. "Just tweak some of my stats! Change my Title! Do anything to make this more survivable!"

And ruin the balance of my system? Because of your whining?

"There is no balancing certain dea-"

Suddenly my voice vanishes, as if someone just turned it off with a switch. Nothing but the voice of the Game Master echoed throughout the void, grating my mind.

We are done here. And now I shall see how well you'll survive down there. Despite your complaints, and your predicament, I have faith you will survive long enough to gather some useful data for me. Perhaps, one day, you will go as far as some of your predecessors have.

Don't you dare talk down on me, you blue sack of shit. You think I'll do anything you want still? Huh? Well fuck you! I'll find a way to survive, I'll find a way to claw to the top of the Fallout world, and I'll never travel to another universe. How about-

Eternal Quest Added: [The Grand Experiment]

- Objective: Find a way to travel to a different universe. Any will suffice. Afterwards, do what you will until you must travel to the next reality.

- Time Limit: *Undetermined*

- Hint: Failure to attempt to follow and complete the Eternal Quest shall result in your instant removal from all realities and being dubbed "Failed Specimen." All Failed Specimens shall be destroyed with no hope of being returned to any reality.

That. That's a good incentive to do what the Game Master wants. Yeah it hurts my pride to bend over backwards for this ass, but I'd rather live then be utterly destroyed. Just wait though, I'll get my payback one day. Even if it takes me an eternity.

Without warning one last, great textbox flashes across my vision. A character review screen, typical, but what I see on that screen only infuriates me more.

Character Review

Name: Locust

Level – 1

Title – The Famished

Race – Human

Gender – Male

Alignment – Evil

HP – 100/100 [10HP/Minute]

SP - 100/100 [20SP/Minute]

STR - 5

PER - 5

END - 5

CHA - 5

INT - 5

AGI - 5

LCK - 5

HP Regen = [END x 2]

SP Regen = [END x 4]

Locust? What the hell? That's not my name, hell I don't even have a surname on that textbox!

I took the liberty in finishing your character creation. I think the name fits, don't you?

You son of a bitch! I am not calling myself that! No one gets to call me that!

I thought, given your unfortunate Title, it was a fitting name. You, a tiny bug in my Grand Experiment, unable to control yourself from eating everything? How could I resist? I know you're thinking you'll call yourself everything but Locust, just to spite me. But know this, your name is part of my Grand Experiment, it is on my list of Specimens now. As in, part of your Eternal Quest.

No, no, no! If it's tied to that stupid quest, then that means I'll die if I don't call myself that. His lightning tendrils curve up like some smirking eldritch monster. It doesn't laugh, but the silence is just as bad, if not worse. Ugh, even as I rant and scream a million curses in my mind, the professional inside of me can't help but be impressed. To worm its control over something as simple as a name, through the real threat of death, that's at least commendable. Too bad it's happened to me.

But make no mistake. I am no one's named bitch. I am a goddamned force of nature!

Time to get started. Do try to survive, Locust. And don't disappoint me.

5

4

3

2

1

[Locust] is entering Universe: [Fallout]

Author's Notes: This is what a weekend of binging on The Dark Wolf Shiro's and his students' stories do. It kicks an old author back onto the chair to write. Still rusty, though.

In all seriousness, props to the guy/gal for doing what they've been doing for so long. It takes great commitment to do what Shiro's been doing for the past year. If you've stumbled across this story and don't know who they are, go look them up and read their stories. It's long and not for everyone, but damn if it isn't entertaining.

I mean no offense by using Shiro's Gamer System template, nor do I mean any offense in altering it to suit my own narrative and system. I've grown tired of (trying) these past few years to continue my old stories and narrative styles. Shiro's template gives a lot more freedom in writing a fun story. Of course, if Shiro so requests, I will remove this story or change its title.

Anyway, I hope you've all enjoyed this prologue. Feedback and ideas for the future of Locust is thoroughly appreciated. I'll post a separate character sheet sometime later.