{ It isn't really chilly, is it? }
{ You feel like it would make sense second time around. }

music by @clust3rpepis

31 - Chilly Shop

?] Ashrykiuel, darling.
?] Are our guests captured and housed in their respective chambers?

A] N... No.

?] Hm...
?] And where are they now, Ashrykiuel?

A} ...

{The Lady turns around and sees her son being held at gunpoint.}

S] Sorry, lady.
S] But I'm afraid he's ours.
S] ...Now listen to me.
S] If you're not getting out of the way...
S] I'm blowing him to pieces!

?] Ha ha ha...
?] How cruel and barbaric.
?] Sure.

J] All we want is to go back home.
J] We do not wish to harm your son!...

?] So you want to return to your "home"?
?] The "home" over which your cruel leaders rule?
?] The "home" which is devoid of happiness? 
?] ...devoid of peace?
?] In the dark is where you belong, the child of Echidna.
?] Here, you are free to do as you please.
?] Here, you are free to have anything for yourselves.
?] Your every wish...
?] Is a darkner's command.

J] Our world may be grey and harsh...
J] ...But we can't leave it as is.
J] We have to fight and endure to make a change, no matter how small.

?] Struggle will get you nowhere.
?] And as I have mentioned, you may not leave.
?] I can repeat this as many times as you want.
 
S] Well we tried. Sorry, kid.
S] ...Good thinking with the hostage plan though!

A] Yeah...
{ Simon lets Ashry go. }

?] You are easy to see through.
?] Now when you have given up on leaving...
?] What would be your first order, lightners?

S] Oh we're not giving up yet.
{ Simon, Jerome and Neo draw their weapons! }

?] I see. 
?] If a 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵 is what you wish for...
?] I HAVE NOTHING TO DO BUT OBLIGE!

music by @dbanzao

32 - Catharsis: THE LADY

{ BATTLE! }
{ Abandoned by Lightners, MEMORIEL is desperate to make them stay by her side. }
{ She cannot be reasoned with, but don't give up. Push on. }
\\\
T] Why can you not see the truth, Lightners?
T] This world was built to your command, shaped to your comfort...
T] And you DARE to leave us once again?
T] Well, I'm afraid it doesn't quite matter anymore...
T] Soon the 𝗡𝗕𝗟𝗭𝗔 will finish its 𝗰𝗽𝘇𝗽𝗮.
T] The being that constructs the Gateways using its will. 
T] Sacred Gateways, whose doors will blanket out the light, leading to restoration of OUR purpose...
T] Hahaha... Don't you see how futile your struggle really is...?
T] Soon, there won't be anywhere left for you to go...
T] And you will have to stay with ME!
T] That way you won't be able to leave me EVER AGAIN.
T] Now, give up! I know what's best for you!

music by @greekletter-serialthing and @geefel

33 - Mother

VERY WELL.
WE PART WAYS...
FOR NOW.
DAYS, MONTHS, YEARS WILL PASS...
BUT BACKDOOR WILL BE WAITING.
I WILL BE WAITING.

music by @clust3rpepis

34 - Until Next Time

[ A Hooligan Girl ]
] Hm...? A student with bad manners...?
] ... Ah, I remember now! HER!
] Stirrin' up trouble again, huh? I did put her in time out last time, gyahah!
] Hm, well I suppose she never learned her lesson...
] Wouldn't hurt if you humbled her in her games and tricks a little bit, right?
] With all her claims of being chosen by destiny in mind...
] Let punishment fit the crime an' all of that malarkey!
] Alright, here's some chalk.
{ RED CHALK was added to your KEY ITEMS.)
] If doing discipline is on your mind, find the other two.
] You know how to get white, right? Getting RED, GREEN, BLUE and all?
] Gyahaha, kiddin', kiddin'! You're adults, you know the jist!
] Good luck!! Tell me how it goes later!
\\\
{ A school here underground? }
{ Seems abandoned. }
{ ?... }
{ You hear someone mumbling down the hall. }
{ Investigate. }

music by @sinholderangles

35 - 休み時間

Z] I WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN... I WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN... I WILL NEVE-
Z] HUH!?!
Z] AND WHAT ARE YA, THREE?? A CLOWN, A CLERK AND...
Z] NOT SURE WHO YOU ARE!

J] Hey c'mon, we just got here, girl!
S] I mean she was right.
J] ?...
S] What? Can't I be self-aware for once?
J] Sorry, only gettin' used to it.

Z] HEY, THE SHOW'S OVER HERE, DUMBASSES.

N] STATE YOUR PURPOSE HERE.

Z] PURPOSE? PURPOSE!? YOU'RE ASKIN' ME, TIN CAN!?
Z] I GOT A-A-ALL THE PURPOSE. ALL OF IT.

S] Drowning in "purpose"?
{ Simon reads the text on the board. }
S] Certainly doesn't look like it.
S] Someone's been very nasty, I'm assuming.

Z] WHATCHA IMPLYING, MAILMAN? HUH? HUH!?

S] Mail- MAILMAN..?? Where is that coming from, you-

N] SIMON.

S] ...
S] Pardon.

J] Okay- Let's start over shall we?
J] I'm Jerome, He's Simon and they're Neo, nice to meet you!

Z] ...
Z] NAME'S IZU.
Z] DON'T WEAR IT OUT.

J] Alrighty-alrighty, miss Iz-

Z] HEY. DON'T WEAR IT OUT, YA HEAR?!
Z] THAT'S A PURPOSE ONLY PRIVILEGE.

S] Well what do we call you then?

Z] HOW 'BOUT YOUR MAJESTY AND ALL THAT CRAP?

S] Yeaaah, not doing it.

J] Alright-alright, will we get the privIlege if we become friends?

Z] FRIENDS, HUH?
Z] ...
Z] ALRIGHT, BUT ONLY IF YOU BRING ME SOMETHIN.
Z] YA SEE, A GIRL NEEDS HER CHALK...
Z] AND AS YOU SEE I'M ALL OUT!...
Z] HELP A FRIEND OUT, WILL YA?
Z] OH, AND... 
Z] TELL THE OLD MAN I SAID HELLO.

music by @sinholderangles

preizu.ogg

S] Here's your chalk.

Z] FINALLY.
Z] TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH.
Z] CHEERS!

{ Izu throws the chalk, then swallows it in the air. }

S] Weren't you supposed to write with that?

Z] NOPE, AND I NEVER SAID I WOULD. DUMBASS.
Z] ANYWAYS, YA HAVE ANY MORE?

S] Uh, no.
J] That was our only one...

Z] WHAT A SHAME.
Z] YOU CAN LEAVE NOW.

J] Wait, what?

Z] PISS OFF.
Z] DID YOU NOT GET THE HINT?

J] You said if we'd bring you your chalk, we'd be friends.

Z] FRIENDS. RIGHT.
Z] IS THAT ALL FRIENDS DO? FETCH CHALK FOR EACH OTHER?

S] Hey, it was on your terms, not ours.

{ Izu steps back and grins. }

Z] PERHAPS WE SHOULD GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER FIRST.
Z] HOW ABOUT WE PLAY A LITTLE GAME?

S] ...
J] Sure, sure. What are the rules?

Z] IF I CRUSH YOUR MORALE...
Z] I WIN.

J] Hah! That's what you REALLY wanted all along, wasn't it?
J] Well... I wouldn't have it any other way!

Z] IS THAT SO? IS THAT SO!?
Z] HAHAHAHAHA. DON'T EXPECT ME TO FEEL GUILTY, THEN,
WHEN THEY HAVE TO CLEAN YOUR BODIES OFF THE FLOOR.

music by @sinholderangles
dialogue by @judy808

izutension.ogg

{ BATTLE! }

{ CHECK }
Izu-ryū
{ The dragon. The beast that crosses out hope. }
{ A stubborn malignance makes her untouchable from all sides. Your words will falter and your attacks will fail. }

—

{ Izu-ryū took crawl. }

[ You have run into an IZZUE ]
{ Enfeebling. Your party will receive a new debuff each turn. }

—

{ You find yourself surrounded by a writhing deluge of molten glass. }

{ Nauseating. The PARTY's order got jumbled up. }

—

{ The stagnant air is pierced by determination. }

Z] YOU’RE HOLDING OUT.
J] Oh, come on, you didn’t think we’d fall THAT easily, did you?
Z] HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Z] I HAVEN’T PLAYED A GAME FOR THIS LONG SINCE–
Z] –ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH “DRAGON BLAZERS”?
J] ...hm. Nope, can’t say I’ve heard of it. What’s it about?

{ Malnutritious. Your GUTS will fill at an impaired rate. }

–

{ Izu-ryū sneers and snarls and plunges her head with loud cries. }

Z] THE FIRST GAME WAS NOTHING SPECIAL. AT LEAST, NOT UNTIL THE END.
Z] AFTER THE DRAGON’S RAMPAGE, THE AGONISTS PURSUED IT TO ITS INCARNADINE THRONE, SEEKING RECOMPENSE.
Z] KNOWING ITS STRENGTH, THEY MADE NO ATTEMPT TO FELL IT IN COMBAT–
Z] INSTEAD, THROUGH WIT AND RIGOR, THEY CHARMED IT WITH WORDS AND SENTIMENTALITY.
Z] AND SO THE DRAGON’S WILL, UPON WHICH SO MANY HAD BEEN BROKEN, HAD FINALLY CHANGED.

{ Putrescent. Attacks will cause additional, decaying damage. }

—

{ The skies run black with sordid conflagrations. }

Z] IN THE SECOND GAME, THE DRAGON ITSELF WAS AN AGONIST.
Z] IT WAS LOYAL, AT TIMES BENIGN, WITH ONLY A VESTIGIAL FEROCITY.
Z] YET FOR THOSE WHO DARED TO LOOK, THERE REMAINED A PATH FOR THE DRAGON TO RECLAIM ITS INFERNAL THRONE.
Z] NOT THROUGH DIPLOMACY OR SOOTHSAYING, BUT THROUGH THE ARRANT SLAUGHTER OF ITS LEARNED COMPLACENCE.
Z] HOPE, IF YOU WILL.

{ Carnassial. Izu-ryū stole your ITEMs. }

—

{ The world lay all within her claws. }

Z] AND THEN THERE WAS THE THIRD GAME.
Z] SO IT HAD BEEN THAT THE EVENTS OF ITS PREDECESSORS HELD NO SWAY.
Z] SO IT HAD BEEN THAT THE WORLD WAS TO PROMPTLY CRUMBLE OVER PILLARS OF DARKNESS.
Z] THE OTHER AGONISTS WHO HAD RELIED ON THE LEYLINES AND THE LATENT MAGIC WERE ENTOMBED AND REUNITED WITH THE PRIMORDIAL ABYSS WITH SCARCELY A CRY.
Z] THE DRAGON HELD FAST AND ROARED.
Z] IT SHROUDED ITSELF IN VISCERAL EFFULGENCE AND DOVE INTO THE STARLESS NIGHT.

{ Fulgorous. Attacks will remain cloaked until they are close to the SOUL. }

—

{ The crackles of bloodslaked embers cannot drown out Izu-ryū’s guttural bellowing. }

J] ...
J] And the fourth game?
Z] IT’S STILL BEING PLAYED.

{ Phantasmagoric. Attacks will strike at unnatural speeds. }

—

{ Jerome looked up at Izu-ryū’s snaking body...
He let out a bemused chuckle. }

J] ...Guess I’ve gotta ask what makes you so lucky.
J] Even... even if you’re this “dragon”, why do you get to be so authoritative? Why do you act like your actions don’t have consequences?
Z] BECAUSE THE DRAGON’S TALE DID NOT END. 
Z] BECAUSE THE DRAGON DID NOT WANT IT TO END.
Z] AND SO THE DRAGON’S SCALES REFLECTED THE TALE’S INSECURITIES UNTO ITSELF.
Z] AND SO THE DRAGON’S BREATH BECAME THE ARBITRATOR OF SEQUENCE AND CAUSALITY.
Z] AND SO THE DRAGON WAS THE ONE WHO KEPT SPINNING THE WORLD AROUND.
Z] ...CLOWN. THAT GRIN OF YOURS IS STARTING TO LOOK FORCED.
J] Ahh... but how could that be, when you’ve left us with no choice but to laugh?

{ Manic. Izu-ryū’s RAGE JUIC is flowing beyond limit. }

—


{ Izu-ryū coils and ascends. }

N] I AM DETECTING ANOMALOUS ENERGY SIGNATURES EMANATING FROM THE ENEMY.
N] BRACE FOR IMMINENT ADVERSITY. SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS COMING.

{ Rancorous. You steeled yourself in preparation for SANGUINE BUSTER. }

—

{ SANGUINE BUSTER is raining down... }
[ Spam Z to PRAY! ]



GAME OVER

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE REACHED
AN END?
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE
ABOVE THIS?
DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN
SAVE THEM?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
FORGET IT

PEOPLE LIKE YOU
JUST HAVE IT SO EASY


{ MORALE restored? }

36 - 龍神の逆鱗 \\ WORLD IN MY CLAWS

] Geheh! Well isn’t that something.
] You actually beat ‘er! I have to say, at first I didn’t think you’d-
S] I wouldn’t exactly say we “beat” her.
J] Yeah, she just kind of... stopped. Couldn’t really tell if she was frustrated or just bored.
J] ...so, what was all that about anyway? She was speaking about this game she liked to play, about how it all referred back to her as this “dragon”...
] Right, right. It’s a bit of a long story, if ya don’t mind me entertaining you for a bit...

] When Izu first arrived at the academy, I wasn’t really into the whole martial arts thing. I was a writer, and I taught literature and history.
] Except... I only ever wrote one story. And it all came from this peculiar little artifact someone had given me way back then. Actually, I should have it here right now... take a look!

{ Master Boom holds up a small, glassy shard. Various glyphs swirl and coalesce beneath its surface, accompanied by gentle, luminous ripples. }

] That story... the whole plot, the characters, everything, it was all derived from what I saw in this little trinket.
] And when I saw Izu for the first time... I couldn’t help but be reminded of one of the characters from that story.
] She was a little meek, certainly troubled, but I saw it–some spark in her, some fire, whatever it was, I was sure she had the potential to become something tremendous.
] I decided to take her under my wing, mentor her one on one. I thought maybe an education in the arts would do.
] Yet even still, she regarded my writing with disdain and didn’t seem to be so keen on learnin’ at all...
] So I thought maybe I could show her what you’re seeing now, the wellspring of everything I’d been trying to teach ‘er.
] ... 
{ Master Boom glances at the artifact. }

] I’m sure you can already surmise that it didn’t go well.
] Felt like something broke in her. She was disgusted by this thing. Wouldn’t ever say why, told me I wouldn’t get it...
] Only after that did she start talking about that old “Dragon Blazers” game, and how great it was...
] And only with that did I really see that fire I anticipated finally come to her.
] Burnin’ bleak... Burnin’ white. Burnin’ up everything. Why, I’d say she turned the whole school into a madhouse! Gyah hah!
] ‘Course, that behavior couldn’t go unpunished, but... it made me realize something.
] Made me realize how funny it all was, the act of writing, partaking in that great affair of creation, postulating myself as a writer...
] All that, only for it to turn out so that what I wrote never really resonated with anyone.
] That game, whatever it was, did what I never could.
] ...I understand now that it’s not about writing your own stories. It’s not about the act of writing at all, really.
] It’s the fact that my story didn’t mean enough. Wasn’t bold enough to make anyone want to take action and start livin’ on its hint. Maybe it was too derivative, heh.
] What is started by reading must be finished by acting. If a story can’t lead someone to act, it probably isn’t worth telling. That’s what I believe...
] ...who knows, maybe things would’ve turned for the better had I realized that sooner.
] Ironic, isn’t it? The student taught me more than I taught her!

S] ...This “artifact” is clearly just a broken piece of some bigger picture.
] Gyahah! Well, I’m sure the rest of it is out there!
] But I never bothered to look for the other pieces. Guess I figured it’d be more fun tryin’ to guess out what it all meant from this little piece than seeing the whole thing for myself.
] You three, though... I can tell you aren’t gonna be so easily satisfied. I’ll tell you what, if you can find the rest and bring ‘em to me, I should be able to mend it all back together.
] ...and I’ll give you the piece I have, too. I’ve got, ah... no use for it anymore.

{ EchoShard was added to your KEY items. }

music by @clust3rpepis
dialogue by @judy808

37 - Wiser Words

{ Well, you did it. }
{ MEMORIEL was defeated and not a soul was hurt. }
{ The residents of the dark are forever thankful. } 
{ It's time for you to shatter the GATEWAY and get back to your life. }

J] Hey, Simon? 
J] I know you're busy and all... but wanna just take a look back? Just for a moment?
J] To say goodbye and everything.

S] You know what? Heck yeah. We saved the goddamn place!

\\\
CASTLE RUINS
\\\

J] Neo? You here? Others told us you came back here!

N] WELCOME BACK, JEROME, SIMON.

S] Oh, you look...
S] Different.
J] I'd say you look sick!

N] I UNDERWENT MAJOR REFURBISHMENT USING THE PARTS THAT WERE RETRIEVED FROM THESE RUINS.
N] [But...] WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR VISIT?

S] Well, we're your friends, remember?

N] [Friends]... YES, [friends].
N] IS ANYTHING I COULD DO FOR YOU?

J] We just wanted to say goodbye, that's all!

N] I SEE.
N] [Well], IN THAT CASE.
N] [Farewell], [friends!]
N] AND REMEMBER...
N] THERE WILL ALWAYS BE TOMORROW.

music by @dbanzao
motif: https://soundcloud.com/top_backdoor/3act

38 - Kudos to the Madmen

A take on a Deltarune AU "Deltarune: The Other Puppet" created by Alyona and Sinholder.
///
WILL IT BE DIFFERENT,
THIS TIME AROUND?
\\\
Original AU by @notrealnevereal and https://the-other-puppet.tumblr.com/

https://soundcloud.com/rejona
https://soundcloud.com/sinholderangles
https://soundcloud.com/erkcertia
https://soundcloud.com/dbanzao
https://soundcloud.com/ziyproject
https://soundcloud.com/clust3rpepis
https://soundcloud.com/geefel
https://soundcloud.com/greekletter-serialthing
https://soundcloud.com/brimmstery
https://soundcloud.com/danissimovn
https://soundcloud.com/judy808
https://soundcloud.com/kanyewest

New tracks tagged #The Other Puppet: Backdoor