Panel 1:
The Ringmaster raises his glowing staff, sending spirals of golden and red energy into the sky. The carnival begins to twist and warp, with rides moving on their own, structures bending unnaturally, and the air itself shimmering like a heatwave.
Narration Box: "When the world feels like it's falling apart, you've got two options: run or tell a really good joke."
No Plot Man (grinning): "Alright, Ringmaster. You've got a flashy stick, an army of clowns, and a death carnival. But I've got something you don't."
Ringmaster (mocking): "Oh? And what might that be?"
Panel 2:
No Plot Man holds up his rubber chicken, giving it an exaggerated squeak. The sound echoes unnaturally through the chaos.
No Plot Man: "A sense of humor!"
Ringmaster: "Oh, this will be fun."
Panel 3:
The clowns charge at No Plot Man, their bodies twisting in impossible ways. One leaps at him, wielding a balloon animal sword, while another breathes fire shaped like laughing faces.
No Plot Man (dodging): "Balloon weapons and fire faces? You guys really went all-in on the nightmare fuel budget!"
Panel 4:
He swings his rubber chicken, slapping one clown so hard it spins like a top. Another clown lunges, but No Plot Man grabs a cotton candy stand and rolls it into their path.
No Plot Man: "What's the matter? Not sweet enough for you?"
Panel 5:
The Ringmaster watches from atop the carousel, his grin growing wider. The glowing staff begins to pulse, and the clowns become more monstrous, their laughter turning guttural.
Ringmaster: "You can crack jokes all you like, hero, but my carnival runs on fear. And your time is running out."
No Plot Man (mocking): "Fear? Oh no! Not clowns and candy! Whatever will I do?"
Panel 6:
Suddenly, the ground beneath No Plot Man gives way. He falls through a trapdoor, landing in a dark, mirrored maze below the carnival. Each mirror reflects twisted, exaggerated versions of himself.
Narration Box: "And just when you think it can't get worse, you fall into a literal hall of your own nightmares."
Twisted Reflection (taunting): "What are you, really? A joke without a punchline?"
No Plot Man (grinning): "Oh, I've got a punchline. You're just not gonna like it."
Panel 7:
As he navigates the maze, the mirrors start to shatter one by one, the shards forming into miniature, giggling clown creatures. They swarm him, scratching and clawing.
No Plot Man (swinging wildly): "Okay, okay! No touching the hero! Didn't you read the rules?"
Panel 8:
He spots a faint light at the end of the maze. Summoning all his strength, he sprints toward it, smashing through the last mirror. He bursts out of the maze, back into the carnival's main grounds.
No Plot Man (panting): "Who knew cardio would be part of hero work?"
Panel 9:
The Ringmaster stands waiting, clapping slowly. The staff in his hand now glows brighter than ever, and the clowns have formed a menacing circle around him.
Ringmaster: "You're resilient, I'll give you that. But you're still nothing more than a sideshow act."
No Plot Man: "Says the guy who runs a carnival and takes himself way too seriously."
Panel 10:
The Ringmaster slams the staff into the ground, sending a wave of energy toward No Plot Man. The ground cracks, and dark tendrils rise up, threatening to ensnare him.
No Plot Man (narrowing eyes): "Time for the big finale."
Panel 11:
No Plot Man dives forward, dodging the tendrils. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out… a kazoo.
Narration Box: "Sometimes the only way to fight absurdity is with even more absurdity."
No Plot Man: "Remember this little guy? Let's see if your carnival can handle a rematch!"
Panel 12:
He blows into the kazoo, producing a ridiculously loud, off-key note. The sound resonates through the carnival, causing the rides to malfunction and the clowns to clutch their ears in agony.
Clowns (screaming): "Make it stop!"
Ringmaster (furious): "What is that infernal noise?!"
Panel 13:
The kazoo's sound intensifies, creating a ripple of energy that clashes with the Ringmaster's magic. The staff begins to crack, and the clowns dissolve into harmless confetti.
No Plot Man (grinning): "Looks like I'm the headliner now!"
Panel 14:
The Ringmaster screams as his staff explodes, and he is engulfed in a burst of multicolored light. The carnival begins to collapse, the rides folding in on themselves like a collapsing house of cards.
No Plot Man: "And that's why you don't mess with a guy who carries a kazoo."
Panel 15 (final panel):
No Plot Man walks away from the collapsing carnival, his rubber chicken slung over his shoulder. Behind him, the structure disappears completely, leaving nothing but an empty field.
Narration Box: "A hero's job is never done. Especially when you're making it up as you go along."
No Plot Man (whistling): "Now, where can I find some coffee?"
To Be Continued…