Continued from Pt. 1.
WARNING: This story contains depictions of non-consensual sex and gun violence.
---------------------------------
Lyle found himself on foot, the valise at his side, the night air crisp and noisy. He realized he was ravenous. No surprise there, he hadn’t had anything to eat or drink in twenty-six hours. The late evening traffic was brisk around the campus, and as he passed a roving pack of students Lyle realized it was Thursday night. Thirsty Thursdays.
In keeping with ancient tradition, the majority of undergraduates avoided Friday morning classes at all costs, preferring to begin their weekend revels on Thursday nights. Lyle followed his feet. He imagined power emanating from the briefcase at his side, thrumming up his arm. He felt, for perhaps the first time in a life of shrinking uncertainty, boundless.
And it felt extraordinary.
Somewhere inside of him a notion was forming that he did not dare articulate. But he followed his feet. The easy ebb and flow of walk signals, the pleasantly cool night air, the passing chatter, even the occasional car-horn—which in the past had never failed to startle him, jittery as he was—seemed buoyant and agreeable. The night was his. He realized he was sloping gently downhill, as he followed his feet. He realized he knew exactly where he was going. He found himself before O’Flaherty’s Pub, with its sandwich-board blaring LADIES NIGHT 1/2 WELL DRINKS -- TRUST ME YOU CAN DANCE in electric pink loops. It felt only natural to step beneath the awning, swing wide the knotted mahogany door, and enter the din.
The ham-hock manning security—probably a redshirt lineman in his off-season—turned toward Lyle on autopilot, one hand reaching out as a question formed on his lips, lemme see some ID. Lyle made no attempt to reach for his wallet because he knew the inevitable would happen when the bouncer took in his face, which he did a half second later. A tiny beat of recognition flickered and was gone, and the bouncer turned away. No need to card the old dude. Good luck navigating the vicissitudes of adult life, you Mongoloid, Lyle thought. The jag off had a Black & Mild tucked up behind one ear, Lyle felt an insane urge to snatch it off his head and break it in half. He did not do well with the pretend authority of chunky, dead-eyed adolescents.
But I’m not here for him.
Lyle wove his way into the evening crush with the delicate, shuffling little steps he always used in crowds. By fits and starts he made his way deeper, deeper, winding toward the back bar, the one with the full-length mirror. That was her favorite. O’Flaherty’s had a Crosley jukebox, wood-paneled and coin-operated, reaching for vintage but stuffed to the gills with Bluetooth and wi-fi and digital memory and whatever else. A woman’s voice was booming out of it, an empty pop ballad gussied up by her big, operatic sound. Lyle tried to think of the singer’s name, but couldn’t. He squeezed into a narrow gap at the back bar.
Darby was flirting as she mixed a rum-and-coke for a gawky, dough-faced kid in a flat-cap and a Harrington jacket. On the few occasions he had come out on Darby missions, Lyle had stayed well back from the bar, waiting for drink service at one of the small cafe tables lining the billiard room. But tonight, he wasn’t here to watch.
Darby handed off the drink and caught sight of Lyle. He winced—he could read the surprise, even discomfort, on her face. But she was tending bar, and she was quick on her feet, and she rearranged her expression into a smile. She held up a finger—one sec—to which Lyle nodded, as she took flat-cap’s (father’s) Amex back to the register and opened up a tab.
Lyle enjoyed watching her walk. Enjoyed looking at her from the back, or in profile. He usually saw her face, in class, big brown doe eyes and very pale, freckled skin. A shade away from clear, he had heard her joke once, to James, as she had invited him to touch the roadmap of blue veins on her inner arm. That had enraged Lyle—the sudden, unwelcome image of James with those long creamy legs locked over his waist, his long, slow thrusts.
Because he restrained himself from ogling her in class, it was a pleasure to come to O’Flaherty’s during her shifts and watch her as she worked. Darby was not the first of what Lyle thought of as his “favorites”. Every year or two there was a fresh, irresistible young thing, for him to think about, alone, late at night. One of the unspoken perks of professordom was the constant influx of eye-candy, of short skirts and long legs and high asses and pert young tits. In his mind’s eye it was an endless profusion of imagined aureoles, of wondering about their panties—boy-briefs or frilly little whatsits or g-strings or none at all—and even if Lyle never slept with them there was an intense eroticism in holding power over these girls he could never have bedded in his own college years. In pushing that term paper over the failing line and waiting, deliciously waiting, for them to come to his office hour and plead. Only Darby’s work was reasonably competent, so even that grimy thrill was denied him.
Darby finished up with the register and came over, the pale of her neck stark against her tight black t-shirt. O’FLAHERTY’S was printed on it in green, the name stretched to accommodate her bust. Her hair frazzled at the temples; she’d been working hard.
Just a little dirty, that’s how I like you, he thought.
“Dr. L! We missed you today, thought maybe you caught the gunk. You all right?” Darby beamed her big smile at him, a gift of the gods (and of immaculate orthodontics).
“I’m fine, Darby, thanks. Just a communication mix-up. I’m sorry you all waited.”
She kept smiling, seemed to be waiting for more. He didn’t give it to her.
“Well—can I get you anything?”
Lyle hesitated, trying to think of a manly drink, something urbane and—professorial.
“Scotch-rocks. A double.”
Darby continued to stare at him, expectantly. “Any… particular poison, or-?”
Lyle glanced up, made a show of studying the bottles arrayed behind her. He knew nothing about scotch. Stupid. He settled on Johnnie Walker Black, and Darby poured his drink.
Lyle realized his heart was racing. Darby set the drink in front of him and he downed half of it in one swallow. He managed to keep his face neutral as the liquor seared his throat.
“This is a—little bit of a departure, for you, huh?” Darby indicated the scotch.
“What?”
She must have known he heard her but she raised her voice anyway. The music had changed to a British pop group with a lot of electronic undertones, trying to sound haunting.
“The scotch,” she said. “Don’t you always order lemon drop martinis? When you come in?”
Busted. Two bright red circles appeared high on his cheeks.
“You know, it, it depends,” he replied. “Depends on my mood. And you—you make a hell of a lemon drop martini, here.”
Fucking idiot, he thought. They make the same Goddamn lemon drop martini as everybody else and she knows it.
Darby was smooth, though. Graceful. She rolled right past it. “I wondered why you never came over and said hi.”
“Well I don’t want to, you know, be a bother. You’re working. It’s always busy. And I’ve been coming here for years, off and on. You get used to seeing students out on the town. I try to give them their space.”
“Oh.” Her smile reappeared. “Well I’m glad you came over. Let me know if I can get you anything else?” She was already angling away.
“How was class today?” Lyle didn’t want to let her go. She glanced down the bar, she had customers waiting.
“It was great, really great,” she hurried her answer. She was giving him the brush-off. “James did great. He’s an awesome teacher. Awesome guy.”
“You know, I’d been meaning to ask you, about James…” Lyle leaned in, conspiratorially. Darby’s smile was faltering, but courtesy won out and she leaned in to hear.
“Are you fucking him?”
Darby recoiled, as though he had spit on her.
“What?”
“Do you laugh at me, when you do it? When you fuck, do you laugh at the scabby, horn-dog professor?”
Darby’s breath hitched in her chest, she looked like she was about to cry. She took a step back. She looked down the bar, and then past him—toward the door.
Bouncer, he thought. She’s looking for the bouncer.
“I think you need to—” she began.
Then Lyle said the Word. The alien Word, meant to be moaned, easy as pie, really, when you thought about it, how the sounds flowed together. The Word that meant libido.
Darby froze. Her pupils flickered, Lyle saw, they constricted down to pinpricks, and then dilated as wide as they could go, swallowing the puppy-dog brown of her irises. Her face went slack. That wide, expensive smile vanished, and her mouth hung slightly open.
“Moisten your lips, Darby,” he said.
Her tongue slid out, pink and supple, and she obeyed.
Oh, my God, she OBEYED.
Lyle’s penis twitched in his pants, he realized he was painfully erect, his balls aching. He realized he had been, had been since—since I said the Word—since he had her and a cruel, savage sense of triumph shook him, he felt his pulse hammering in his veins, he felt like standing up on the bar and—
ROARING I want to ROAR at this dewy twat and all her imbecilic peers—
But instead, he took his cock firmly in his hand, through the cheap fabric of his Ross trousers, squeezed himself, and said—
“What are we going to do with you, Darby?”
#
Lyle fucked her in the alleyway behind O’Flaherty’s. That meant hurrying more than he liked, the dumpster provided cover but the blocks surrounding the campus were too well policed. It was all right, though. Now that he was armed with the libido-Word, the next time could be more leisurely.
He took her in. All of her. The small, surprisingly dark nipples, nothing like he’d imagined. The fine, black hairs on the nape of her neck, the peach fuzz of her freckled low back, her inner thighs. Her panties were white briefs with green stitching, they were covered with tiny frogs. He tugged them down, and nuzzled her there. He left hickeys, on her ass, her mons. Her smooth, exquisite young cunt.
Lyle took her from behind and saw the groggy confusion in her dilated eyes, the amazement—and through that the pleasure, the unsuspected, unwanted, violating pleasure that jolted moans out of her.
Lyle sucked her neck, bit it, hard enough to sting. She gave a tiny mewl as she came, and her spasm triggered him also. Lyle buried himself to the hilt in her, finished in her, and felt—
Like a king. Like a GOD.
They stayed there as the minutes stretched out, panting, still joined. He savored her, until his own tumescence vanished, and he slipped out. Lyle patted her derriere.
“Get dressed and get back to work, Darby,” he said. “We don’t want you to get in trouble.”
She jerked her head, drunkenly, from side to side, as though she were trying to shake water out of her ears. Lyle breathed deep, in through his nose, the fine scents of the city. Fried food nearby, probably the Thai joint catty-corner to the pub. He stood and admired, as Darby tugged her frog-panties back up those long pale legs.
“I’ll see you in class.”
Darby stared blankly at him as he took up his suitcase, turned, and strode into the night.
#
When Lyle opened his eyes the next morning, he was only mildly surprised to discover that he felt no guilt at all. The sun streamed in, the world was up and running, coffee was calling, and by God he felt fine.
He sat up in bed, stretched. He glanced at the alarm clock, that hateful sentinel, now toothless—10:27AM. The mattress was bare, beneath him. He’d never washed the sheets. Puddled on the floor were yesterday’s clothes. He resisted the urge to tidy them up. Later. He padded to the bathroom and went about his ablutions, brushed his teeth, took out his shaving kit. He had used the sleep-Word on himself again, last night. After.
After! He let the memories wash over him. Her smell: the tang of sweat, bar-odors, the undercurrent of peach soap. The taste of her! And then the feast, afterward. He had followed his nose to Great Elephant Thai, wolfed down a plate of kai thot, fried to a crisp and dripping oil. It may have been the finest meal of his life.
And he had had such dreams! Dreams of Darby, and of favorites past. Dreams of fucking and of wealth and of slights avenged and of respectful, deferential looks, dreams of voices falling silent when he entered a room, of every eye on him. A song lyric drifted into his head, something from his childhood, a favorite of his father’s one long summer, repeated ad nauseam on the fourteen-hour drive down to Savannah.
“Twenty years a’crawlin’… were bottled up in Tommy… he wasn’t holding nothin’ back, he let ‘em have it all…” Lyle sang, full voice, into the morning. A stupid grin spread over his face, as he wicked away the last patch of Barbasol, the careful spot right over his Adam’s apple, and rinsed his razor. He took a long look at Mirror-Lyle, looked into his eyes. He almost always avoided a close examination of his reflection, force of habit, but today he was a new man, and he wanted to take that man’s measure.
“Everyone… considered him… THE COWARD OOOF… the COUNTYYYY…”
Something else surfaced, then, in his memory, something that cranked the wattage down on his smile. He didn’t get all of it, just a glimpse, like a dorsal fin rising above the water. He had dreamed of more than power and sex. There had been something else. Lyle had a vague red recollection of tangled depths and faceless figures. His mind offered up a fleeting image of a crumbling stone structure, of keening wind and squat pillars; and of a great broken vault overhead, through which could be seen a blasted sky.
Lyle charged his phone as he brewed up a fresh pot. It had run out of juice somewhere during yesterday’s festivities, and when it finally powered up again it began to vibrate against the Formica tabletop in his dining nook. He ignored the first two pulses, but the phone insistently continued, not with the regular rhythm of an incoming call, but rather the inconsistent bursts of message notifications trickling in from the cloud. He tapped the touchscreen, and saw he had seven missed calls: one from a colleague, yesterday; and six from James, each one with a voicemail attached. The most recent of these had come just twenty minutes ago.
Lyle sipped on his coffee as he retrieved the briefcase from beneath his bed. He sat at his dinette and removed the fascicle, easily finding the rigid page. He opened it, and this time the new Word was waiting for him below the first, long entry: the entry corresponding to the letter “A” itself. This Word was angry, Ks and Zs, a hornet-word, serpent-word. Lyle looked to the white space, where the definition would arise. He pricked his forefinger with the tip of a steak knife and squeezed out two droplets of blood.
der zorn
Lyle sipped. Lyle thought. Greek, then Latin, now German. Was it moving forward in time? He wondered again about those first shapes he had seen, in the library. The more he tried to remember the more he doubted they had been in Greek. Something older, maybe. Phoenician syllabary? He would likely never know. But the Words were changing. The book was changing.
And there was this: both of the—spells, they’re spells, let’s cut the shit—both of the Words it had given him so far had been…
“Intuitive,” he said finally. “Useful. Like it knew.”
Lyle took down the last foil sleeve of blueberry Pop Tarts from his cupboard. Pauper’s breakfast, he thought, but not for much longer. He searched through his contacts until he found the number for the Chancellor’s office. He thumbed the little blue phone icon beside it.
#
Lyle had just started boxing up his things when James burst into his office, perfectly symmetrical face distorted by fury, his generous features made ugly. Ah, the righteousness of youth. James took in the dense sheaf of Staples boxes, waiting to be folded; took in the bare walls, the stacked diplomas and photographs.
“What the fuck is this?” he demanded.
“Emergency leave,” Lyle answered with a dismissive wave. “I’ve had a family crisis. I’m afraid I have to attend to it. Professor Chole will be taking over my workload for the remainder of the semester, I’m sure she’ll be in touch—"
“What did you do to Darby? What the fuck did you do?” James spoke with the husky, quaking tone of pure adrenaline. He was just barely restraining himself from lunging across the desk, Lyle realized. He took the younger man in with bemused calm. He let the moment stretch out.
“Therese called me,” James continued, the words throttling out of him. “Darby’s roommate. She came home last night, she has—bruises, all over her, little, little bites—she won’t speak, she just sits there and cries, but she said your name. It’s the only thing she said. What did you do to her, Lyle? Did you rape her?”
“Dr. Hereford,” Lyle replied.
James craned forward. “What?”
“You don’t get to call me Lyle.”
Lower, now, almost a whisper: “Tell me what you did to her.”
“I made her come,” Lyle said. “And she fucking loved it.”
James did lunge then, he screamed and he leapt across the desk, coming down on Lyle in a tangle of thrashing limbs and rabbit punches, the two of them toppling Lyle’s chair, compressing awkwardly into the tight space between desk and wall. James kicked hard off of the gray metal drawers, managing to end up on top. His hands found Lyle’s throat and began to squeeze. Lyle felt himself constricting, felt the energy draining out of him, pinned, as he lost oxygen. He noticed the curds of spittle at the corners of James’s snarling mouth. He started to see spots in the periphery of his vision, and as he slapped ineffectually at James’s face he thought am I going to die here—?
Lyle dug down for the last of his strength. The Word chose me. This wasn’t the end. Couldn’t be the end. He extended his leg as far as it would go, and used the distance to drive his knee, hard, into James’s crotch. A grunting exhale was propelled out of the younger man. Lyle pulled back to do it again; James squeezed his thighs together to block, and when he did, he compromised his balance. He took one hand off Lyle’s throat and thrust out his arm to catch himself as be began to roll, allowing Lyle to draw in a long, ragged breath.
Then Lyle spoke the Word.
The der zorn-Word.
The word that meant anger, that meant rage, that meant WRATH.
#
“Son. Son, you’re bleeding, let me—let me help you, come on. Son, it’s gonna be okay, come on, now— “
The campus policeman approaches James like a dog that might be rabid, that slow hunched posture with arms wide, except for the policeman it’s only one arm because his right hand is flush up against his service weapon and his thumb snaps the little thumbsnap and it’s a very small noise but it’s so loud in James’s head and he shakes it, his head, does James, from side to side, in herks and jerks, like a dog that might be rabid, now, like there’s water in his ears and he’s trying to shake it out, is James, and the policeman is coming on and speaking in clear precise syllables that explode behind James’s temples, clusterbomb-words, and the cop is speaking but he’s hearing another voice, is James, and it’s Lyle’s voice, it’s Dr. L’s voice, not Lyle never Lyle, and Dr. L’s voice is saying snakebit you’re snakebit she fucking LOVED it and James touches his own face now and it must be true because there’s blood on his face and when he blinks his blink is heavy and liquid like he just dropped Visine in there but the thing is but only but except it’s blood and he’s bleeding from the eyes, is James, and now the policeman is right on top of him saying “son what happened can you hear me respond if you can hear me” and James hears the exploding words all right and he blinks and blood oozes from the corners of his eyes and the cop is changing now, in the blood, his face is BOILING and now it’s Darby’s face on the policeman and she opens her mouth and her head cranes back and she’s ruined inside OH FUCK SHE’S RUINED INSIDE SHOT HERSELF SHE SHOT HERSELF SHE’S SHOT and now it’s DR L IT’S DR L SCREAMING SNAKEBIT SNAKEBIT SNAKEBIT—
James rears back and head-butts the campus cop as hard as he can, the smooth acne-less center of James’s forehead connecting with the soft cartilage of the policeman’s nose. A sick crunch echoes in the lobby of the Humanities building, a young woman close enough to hear it vomits on the floor, it is the first puking incident of the day but not the last.
The cop recoils with a sick moan, in his surprise clapping his hands to his shattered nose; in that moment James bellows, an awful inarticulate animal sound of hate, and yanks the policeman’s service piece free of his holster.
The handful of rubbernecking students freeze as James shoots the policeman in the face.
The policeman’s name is (was) Lou, the students know, and he is (was) genial and well-liked. A silent second passes in the lobby, and then the screaming begins.
James dips down and pulls two spare clips out of Lou’s belt. He pockets them. When James looks up, he doesn’t see fleeing students.
He sees Dr. L.
A gaggle of Dr. L’s. A school, a clutch, a murder. He sees laughing Dr. L’s running in every direction, diving behind furniture, breaking for the street or hurtling into the stairwells. One Dr. L dives behind the reception desk. James starts after him on wooden legs.
When he reaches the desk, there is Dr. L beneath it, a cell phone in his hand, cackling. James shoots him in the stomach. Dr. L keeps right on laughing, howling with it now, whatever it is must be hilarious, a real knee-slapper, then James remembers its him, Dr. L is laughing at him so James shoots him again, shoots him so he’ll stop but there are so many more—
#
Lyle Hereford, Ph.D., rested his browning forearms on the wrought iron railing of his third-floor balcony. He looked out over the Gulf of Mexico. The breeze was warm and gentle, suffusing, but it no longer calmed him. He took no notice of it. He was lost, as he was always now lost, in thought.
The one, lone thought.
It had taken a little less than two weeks for James’s horrific shooting spree to drop out of the news. The demands for GUN CONTROL NOW (or, conversely, for guns in every classroom) receded and were shelved for the next go-round. Politicians took to the field and unfurled their heraldry for the usual pro-forma skirmishes. Then, mercifully, a Cabinet official fucked somebody he really shouldn’t have and the national discourse (such as it was) barreled off, like a dog chasing a ball that its owner had only pretended to throw. As to why a handsome, popular, well-adjusted student should suddenly snap and murder sixteen of his fellows? The theories ranged from medically reasonable (an inoperable tumor which could not be verified via autopsy, as James’s brains had been removed by the responding tactical unit); to the paranoiac (James had been the subject of a Manchurian Candidate-style CIA/NSA/Acronym-of-your-choice experiment gone horribly wrong); to the Occult (the Devil made him do it).
Lyle had enjoyed that last one.
What Lyle had not enjoyed was that some of the conspiracy theorists, and even some of the legitimate press, had mentioned him by name. He had disappeared, after all, on an auspicious and chaotic day, to manage a crisis no one could verify involving a family no one could find. It had not been difficult to remain ahead of any enterprising investigators, though. Not with the Words.
And there had been so many more Words. Words in French and Finnish and Russian and Spanish and Mandarin. Words that meant envy and silence and fear and blindness and, perhaps the most potent yet, a Word that meant stupid. Lyle had employed that one against a statie who pulled him over as he crossed the Louisiana line, coming through Vicksburg. The guy had been six-two, maybe two-twenty, with sharp, curious eyes sunk deep in his skull. Lyle hadn’t liked the way he had looked at him, so he used the Word. Now the statie—Edmonds was his name, Trooper Edmonds—was six-two, two-twenty of drooling simpleton, probably staring at a wall somewhere in the nearest brain injury ward and driving the resident neurologists absolutely bugshit.
By the time Lyle made it to a quiet, lazy town on the Cajun Riviera and decided to set a spell, he had traded in his Acura for a Beemer and was carrying close to a hundred and twelve thousand dollars in cash. He had also acquired a 9mm Ruger and a shotgun with a pistol grip (the dealer had called it a snake charmer just before Lyle killed him).
None of that matters now, though.
All that mattered was the Word. Which, he had come to realize, was the last Word.
Because the book was alive, of course, had always been alive, Lyle knew that. Hadn’t let himself come right out and say it, but he knew. It had slept, maybe, possibly, until he woke it, with his touch, with his blood, but if it slept, it woke up thirsty. The book was always ready with the next Word, the next thing he would need. The book was collaborating with him. It was dancing with him, and at first he had thought he was the one leading, but now he knew better.
Lyle felt it. Felt it—pulling on him. All the time. Felt it in the room behind him, pulling, knew that he would go back in, sooner or later, go back in, and open the book, the book that has been leading him. Knew that he would open its hundreds of pages, because it was longer now, because it had grown, because it was three inches thick and the front plating had vanished and it wasn’t pretending to be a dictionary anymore.
He knew that he would open it and on every single page, centered, would be a single Word, the last Word, the Word that he will say, that he must say, sooner or later, and under it swirling in blood, blood that must be the book’s own, the final explication, the final command, the final meaning, and God, oh God, Lyle was afraid, because the last Word was
DOOR

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO SAY HERE! NYEH HEH HEH!
I HAVE OPENED THE GAME, SKIPPED THE STORY, AND PRESSED CONTINUE! AND I AM IN THE CHECKPOINT ROOM! AND MY FIRST INSTINCT, IS TO GO BACK TO SNOWDIN TOWN AND GET THE RIBBON OUT OF THE BOX! I MUST LOOK THE BEST FOR MY DATE WITH GAME ME! I PUT THE RIBBON ON AND COME BACK TO GAME ME! THE GAME IS VERY ACCURATE, AND DOES THE SAME JOKE THAT I DID WHEN I DATED FRISK! AND THEN I ENTER MY HOUSE!
I INSPECT SANS' PET ROCK, UNFORTUNATELY I CANNOT FEED IT! BUT IT'S FINE, IT HAS FOOD ALREADY! I GO UPSTAIRS AND INSPECT THE VERY MEANINGFUL PAINTING! BUT I ALREADY KNOW ABOUT EVERYTHING IN MY HOUSE, AS IT'S MY HOUSE, AND I ENTER MY ROOM! AND IT'S LIKE LOOKING AT REAL LIFE! JUST WITH NO FLOWERY, LESS ACTION FIGURES, AND MY BED ISN'T A REAL CAR! JUST HOW I REMEMBER IT USED TO LOOK! BUT ENOUGH TOMFOOLERY, IT'S TIME TO START THE DATE FOR REAL!
I ENTER THE DATE, AND ACCIDENTALLY PRESS C, WHICH BRINGS THE DATING HUD OUT EARLY! WHICH IS PROBABLY A GOOD THING! BUT NOW IT'S TIME FOR STEP TWO! GAME ME ASKS ME OUT ON A DATE, AND I SAY YES! TIME FOR PART THREE!! GAME ME HAS NOTICED MY RIBBON, AND ACCUSES ME OF ALWAYS WANTING TO DATE HIM!! WHICH IS ONLY PARTIALLY TRUE! SO I SAY NO! AND LIKE THE COOL DUDE GAME ME IS, HE FINDS A WAY TO MAKE IT SUPER ROMANTIC AND COOL!! AND MY DATING POWER RISES!
GAME ME PUTS ON HIS COOL DUDE OUTFIT, WHICH IS VERY HANDSOME! I GIVE MYSELF A GENUINE COMPLIMENT, AND MY DATING POWER RISES ONCE MORE! HOWEVER, I HAVE FORGOTTEN ONE SMALL THING! I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE HIDDEN POWER BEHIND THE OUTFIT (EXCEPT I ACTUALLY DO) AND THUS, MY COMPLIMENT IS INVALID! OH NO!! HOWEVER WILL I GET OUT OF THIS ONE, I PONDER! BUT BY SEER LUCK, I ACCIDENTALLY MOVE DIRECTLY UP TO THE HAT AND COMPLETELY UNINTENTIONALLY PRESS Z! AND WOWIE, I'VE FOUND THE SECRET PRESENT!
I OPEN THE PRESENT, AND GAME ME ASKS IF I KNOW WHAT IT IS! AND OF COURSE I DO! INSIDE THAT PRESENT IS THE FINEST SPAGHETTI MEAL THE UNDERGROUND HAS EVER SEEN! HAND-CRAFTED IN THE LAND OF MY KITCHEN, A DANGEROUS AND SPECTACULAR PLACE WHERE ONLY THE BRAVEST CHEF WARRIORS DARE ENTER! AND I WOULD EAT IT! HOWEVER, FLOWERY SAYS I SHOULD LET GAME ME HAVE IT INSTEAD, AND SO I DO! AND I DEFEAT GAME ME IN DATING!
WOWIE! I HAVE FORGETTEN HOW AWKWARD THIS ACTUALLY WAS! I DIDN'T NEED THE REMINDER, BUT I'M THANKFUL FOR IT ANYWAY! I HAVE OBTAINED MY PHONE NUMBER, AND NOW I CAN CALL GAME ME WHENEVER I WISH! NYEH HEH HEH! WHAT A NOT THAT GREAT TIME!
I RE-ENTER THE CHECKPOINT ROOM, AND GET FILLED WITH DETERMINATION FROM THE SOUND OF RUSHING WATER, AND SAVE THE GAME! THEN, I TALK TO MONSTER KID! WHO HAS SNUCK AWAY FROM SNOWDIN TO COME VISIT "HER", WHOM I AM ASSUMING TO BE UNDYNE! AND I THEN TALK TO THE ECHO FLOWER EXPLAINER PERSON, AND THE ECHO FLOWER! AND LASTLY, I TALK WITH SANS, WHO INVITES ME TO GRILLBY'S TO TAKE A BREAK FROM JUST STANDING AT HIS STATION DOING NOTHING! UNFORTUNATELY SANS, I HAVE STANDARDS, AND GRILLBY'S DOESN'T MEET THOSE STANDARDS (SORRY GRILLBY), SO I SHALL DECLINE THAT OFFER! AND THEN, I ENTER THE NEXT ROOM!
I FIND THE BOX, AND GRAB MY MANDANNA OUT OF THERE! AND I WALK ACROSS UNDYNE'S "PUZZLE", BUT FLOWERY TELLS ME TO GO BACK AND GO INSIDE THE WATERFALL! AND SO I DO, AND THERE IT IS! THE OLD TUTU! BACK TO THE BOX WITH YOU, MANLY BANDANNA! AND THEN, I ENTER THE NEXT ROOM!
OH WOW! WHAT A VERY ACCURATE MEETING BETWEEN UNDYNE AND GAME ME, THAT I HAVE LIVED THROUGH! THIS GAME HAS GOTTEN FRIGHTENINGLY GOOD AT BEING ACCURATE! GAME ME TRIES TO CONVINCE UNDYNE NOT TO KILL ME! BUT ALAS, UNDYNE DOESN'T LISTEN TO GAME ME'S PERFECT REASONING! I TRY TO ESCAPE, BUT UNDYNE NOTICES ME, AND PREPARES TO THROW A SPEAR!! THANKFULLY, THE GRASS HAS SAVED ME! SO I ESCAPE THE GRASS, AND SO DOES MONSTER KID, WHO HAS BEEN FOLLOWING ME I GUESS! AND THEY FALL OVER! WHICH SUCKS TO SEE! I STAY DETERMINED DESPITE THE FEELINGS OF DREAD, AND SAVE THE GAME! AND THEN I ENTER THE NEXT ROOM!
AH, A PUZZLE! THIS SHALL BE EASY! ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I'VE DONE THIS PUZZLE TO GET TO UNDYNE'S HOUSE BEFORE! BUT I SOLVE THE PUZZLE WITH EASE, AND ENTER THE NEXT ROOM! BUT BEFORE I CAN GET TOO FAR, AN AARON ATTACKS! I DECIDE TO FLEX ON IT, FOR I AM VERY GREAT! AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO SO! BUT AARON FLEXES BACK, AND BOTH OUR ATTACK INCREASES!! AND I GET HIT! I FLEX ONCE MORE, AND ONCE MORE, AND THEN AARON FLIES OUT OF THE ROOM? BUT ANYWAY, I HAVE SOLVED THE OTHER PUZZLE, AND GET A CALL FROM GAME ME. WHO IS ASKING WHAT I AM WEARING! I TELL GAME ME I AM IN FACT WEARING A DUSTY TUTU, BUT INCASE THE GAME IS GOING TO GO HOW I THINK IT'S GOING TO GO, I SHALL SWITCH BACK TO THE MANLY BANDANNA, AND I ESCAPE TO THE NEXT ROOM!
IT'S THE WISHING ROOM! I WISH THAT I WAS TALKING TO GAME ME! AND WOWIE, IT'S COMING TRUE!! AND NOW, I AM TALKING TO ALL THE ECHO FLOWERS IN THE ROOM! I TRY TO TALK TO THE SECOND ONE, BUT WOSHUA APPEARS! I ASK IT TO CLEAN ME, THEN GET HIT 4 TIMES! BUT DON'T WORRY, BECAUSE I TOUCHED THE GREEN PROJECTILES! AND I HAVE HEALED IN THE OVERWORLD, SO IT IS FINE! I TALK TO ALL THE ECHO FLOWERS, LISTENING TO ALL THEIR STORIES TO TELL! SOME WISHING TO SEE REAL STARS, SOME TALKING ABOUT REAL STARS, ONE TALKING ABOUT THE HOROSCOPE! BUT AFTER TALKING TO ALL THE ECHO FLOWERS, I ENTER TO NEXT ROOM!
IN THIS ROOM, THERE ARE SIGNS ABOUT THE WAR! I WONDER WHY THE HUMANS ATTACKED US? I'M SURE THEY HAD A VERY REASONABLE AND UNDERSTANDABLE EXPLAINATION! BUT THAT QUESTION IS ANSWERED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY! THEY WERE SCARED THE MONSTERS WOULD TRY TO TAKE THEIR SOUL! THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN! MONSTERS ARE KIND AND GOOD! AND NOT MURDEROUS AND SCARY! BUT I FINISH READING, AND GO ONTO THE NEXT AREA!
AND UNDYNE THROWS A SPEAR AT ME!! I MUST HELP FRISK TO ESCAPE UNDYNE'S WRATH! I RUN AS FAST AS THE GAME ALLOWS ME TO, AND GET HIT ONCE! BUT I ESCAPE TO SOME GRASS! AND MONSTER KID HAS SAVED ME BY SOMEHOW GETTING IN FRONT OF ME, AND UNDYNE RETREATS BACK TO WHEREVER SHE WENT! MONSTER KID IS SUPER EXCITED ABOUT UNDYNE TOUCHING THEM, WHICH IS COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE! BUT YOU SHOULD PROBABLY WASH YOUR FACE. AND ALSO PLEASE STOP FALLING ON IT!! BUT, THE CHASE IS OVER, AND I CAN RESUME MY ADVENTURE!
I ENTER THE NEXT ROOM, AND IT'S THE MOUSE AGAIN! AND SOME CRYSTALIZED CHEESE! I GET FILLED WITH DETERMINATION FROM THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE MOUSE MAY ONE DAY EXTRACT THE CHEESE FROM THE CRYSTAL, AND SAVE THE GAME! THEN I INTERACT WITH THE MOUSE, AND MOVE ON!
OH LOOK, IT'S SANS! WITH HIS TELESCOPE! I'VE BEEN DENYING MY BROTHER A LITTLE TOO MUCH I FEEL, SO I'LL DO THIS ONE THING! OH BUT OF COURSE IT'S A PRANK! AND NOW FRISK HAS PINK EYE! I GO UP, AND FIND THE NICE CREAM MAN!! AND I BUY ANOTHER TWO NICE CREAMS, SINCE I USED ONE TO HEAL EARLIER! I ALSO READ THE SIGN, AND PONDER WHAT IT COULD POSSIBLY MEAN! BUT FLOWERY GETS BORED AND TELLS ME TO MOVE ALONG! I GO BACK DOWN, AND TALK TO THE STAR MAN! AND I GO RIGHT, AND I SEE THE BIRD THAT CARRIES PEOPLE OVER THE DISPROPORTIONATELY SMALL GAP! I WAVE IT HELLO AND GOODBYE, AND CONTINUE MOVING ON!
WOWIE, SO MANY ECHO FLOWERS! I'M SURE THE WISH ISN'T STUPID, STRANGER! AS I AM WALKING LEFT, I GET ATTACKED BY TWO MOLDSMALS! SO I FLIRT WITH ONE, IMITATE THE OTHER, AND SPARE THEM BOTH! I CONTINUE MOVING LEFT, BUT THERE'S NOTHING BUT A BUSH IN HERE! SO I GRAB THE BALLET SHOES THAT WERE IN THE BUSH THAT FLOWERY TOLD ME ABOUT, AND THEN I INSPECT THEM! 7 WPN AT?! HOW DEADLY! I DON'T NEED THIS, BUT LITTERING IS BAD AS I HAVE LEARNED FROM THE TOY KNIFE, SO I SHALL GO PUT THIS IN MY BOX! I GO DOWN, AND GET A CALL FROM GAME ME!! BUT OH NO! THE GAME HAS OUTSMARTED ME!!! GAME ME HAS TOLD UNDYNE WHAT I AM WEARING, AND SHE HAS ALREADY SEEN ME WEARING IT! CURSES!! I WILL JUST HAVE TO THINK AHEAD! I WILL GO PUT THE TUTU BACK ON! BUT ON MY WAY TO THE BOX, I GET ATTACKED BY ANOTHER WOSHUA! I GET CLEANED, SPARE THEM, PUT ON THE TUTU, PUT THE MANDANNA BACK IN THE BOX, AND GO BACK DOWN! BUT I GET ATTACKED BY WOSHUA AND AARON! I ASK TO BE CLEANED BY WOSHUA, AND THE WATER IS BLUE THIS TIME, HOW EASY FOR ME! I SPARE WOSHUA, FLEX WITH AARON, AND MOVE ON!
I FINALLY ENTER THE NEXT ROOM, AND IT'S ONIONSAN! WE HAVE A NICE CONVERSATION AS I WALK INTO THE NEXT ROOM, AND I BUMP INTO SHYREN! I SHALL HUM WITH SHYREN! AND I CONTINUE TO HUM, AND SANS IS SELLING TICKETS MADE OF TOILET PAPER, BECAUSE OF COURSE HE IS! I CONTINUE HUMMING! AND THIS IS THE FINAL HUM! THIS HAS BEEN A VERY FUN BATTLE! BUT I MUST EMBARK ON MY JOURNEY! SO I GO RIGHT, AND SEE THE STATUE BEING RAINED ON! SO OF COURSE, I GET AN UMBRELLA AND GIVE IT TO THE STATUE, AND A MUSIC BOX STARTS PLAYING! WHAT A COOL SONG THAT FLOWERY DOESN'T WANT TO STOP LISTENING TO! BUT HE HAS AN UPGRADED VERSION IN HIS MIXTAPE, SO I DON'T GET WHY HE- OH WAIT NO NEVERMIND THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE SKY! OKAY NOW HE'S TELLING ME TO GO BACK AND GO UP, AND THERE'S A PIANO HERE! I THINK I UNDERSTAND THE PUZZLE! AFTER A COUPLE ATTEMPTS, I FINALLY COMPLETE THE PUZZLE! IT'S TIME TO CLAIM MY REWARD! BUT I'M CARRYING TOO MANY DOGS. SO I- WAIT WHAT?!
GAH!! CURSE THAT MEDDLING CANINE!!! IT STOLE MY LEGENDARY ARTIFACT! OH WELL, IT'S FINE! I GUESS I DON'T NEED IT! I SHALL CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD! AND I HAVE MET UP WITH MONSTER KID, WHO IS FOLLOWING ME, SINCE THEY DON'T HAVE AN UMBRELLA! AND THEY TELL ME A COOL STORY ABOUT HOW ASGORE WENT TO SCHOOL AND TAUGHT THEM ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY AND SUCH! AND THEN WE VIEW THE CASTLE TOGETHER! AND THEN THERE'S A LEDGE THAT BLOCKS OUR PATH! CURSES! BUT THANKFULLY, MK HAS DECIDED TO SACRIFICE THEIR ADVENTURE FOR MY ADVENTURE'S SAKE! WHAT A HERO! I'M SURE THIS WON'T BE THE LAST I SEE OF THEM!
I CONTINUE READING ABOUT THE WAR, AND OUR TRAGIC TALE, AND THEN I CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD! BUT UNDYNE WANTS TO ATTACK ME ONCE AGAIN!!! I RUN AWAY, AND GET STUCK AT DEAD ENDS SEVERAL TIMES! BUT THANKFULLY, I HAVE ESCAPED WITH MY LIFE, AND WITHOUT GETTING HIT! BECAUSE I AM JUST GREAT THAT WAY! I TRY WALKING BACK TO FIND A WAY OUT, BUT UNDYNE SHOWS UP!! AND I AM CORNERED! OH NO!! BUT, SHE JUST... DESTROYS THE BRIDGE? THAT SEEMS A BIT COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE. GOOD FOR ME HOWEVER! AND NOW, I'M BEING SAVED BY SOMEONE??
FLOWERY TOLD ME HE HAS TO DO SOMETHING, AND I CAN JUST KEEP PLAYING WITHOUT HIM! STRANGE, BUT OKAY! WHEN MY VISION HAS RETURNED, THERE WAS NO ONE THERE. STRANGE, I GUESS IT WAS A DREAM! BUT NOW I AM IN THE DUMP! THAT MEANS I'M CLOSE TO UNDYNE'S HOUSE! I GET FILLED WITH DETERMINATION FROM THE ENDLESS CYCLE OF VERY WORTHY NOT WORTHLESS AT ALL GARBAGE, AND SAVE THE GAME! I FIND SOME ASTRONAUT FOOD, AND DECIDE TO TAKE IT! I INSPECT IT, AND LEARN IT HEALS 21HP! THERE'S ANOTHER ONE, BUT I SHALL LEAVE IT FOR SOMEONE ELSE! AND I FIND A TRAINING DUMMY, AND I DECIDE TO TRAIN WITH IT! BUT FRISK FEELS BAD. I SHALL LEAVE IT ALONE THEN! BUT THEN, IT GETS ANGRY AT ME!! I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS ALIVE! WELL, NOT REALLY ALIVE, BECAUSE IT'S A GHOST, BUT I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A NORMAL TRAINING DUMMY!!! AND THEY'RE MAD AT ME FOR SAYING SOMETHING TO THE DUMMY IN THE RUINS!? WHAT DID FRISK SAY, THE NARRATOR DIDN'T DESCRIBE ANYTHING!!!
BUT NOW I AM IN BATTLE! I TRY TO TALK THEM OUT OF THIS, BUT THEY DON'T SEEM MUCH FOR CONVERSATION, OH NO!! BUT MY ACCIDENT, I HIT MAD DUMMY WITH THEIR MAGIC BULLETS, AND THEY REACT IN PAIN! THEY THREATEN TO TAKE FRISK'S SOUL, WHICH WILL NOT BE HAPPENING! NOT ON MY WATCH! AND I ACCIDENTALLY ATTACK THEM AGAIN!! OH NO! I KEEP TRYING TO TALK, BUT IT'S NOT WORKING! MAYBE IT'S LIKE TORIEL WHERE I HAVE TO SPARE OVER AND OVER?? THEY KEEP FLYING INTO THEIR OWN BULLETS! I'M TRYING NOT TO HIT THEM!!! OKAY, SPARING THEM'S NOT WORKING. MAYBE I SHOULD KEEP TRYING TO SPARE THEM! I KEEP SPARING AND TALKING, AND ACCIDENTALLY HITTING MAD DUMMY! BUT IT'S NOT WORKING!!! I REFUSE TO FIGHT, THERE'S A WAY TO SPARE THEM, I JUST KNOW IT! IF ONLY FLOWERY WERE HERE, HE'D KNOW WHAT TO DO!
EVENTUALLY, MAD DUMMY GETS TIRED OF GETTING HIT OVER AND OVER, WHICH I APOLOGIZE FOR! OR I WOULD, IF I COULD. BUT NOW ALL THE MAGIC DUMMY BULLET THROWERS ARE FIRED!! THIS IS ALL JUST INCONVENIENT FOR EVERYONE, SO I THINK WE SHOULD STOP! BUT MAD DUMMY DISAGREES! NOW I HAVE TO DODGE THE HOMING MISSILES! I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW TO SPARE THEM. MAYBE I SHOULD TRY FIGHTING, BUT THEN INTENTIONALLY MISSING? GAH! IT'S NOT WORKING!! MAYBE IT'S LIKE MY FIGHT WHERE THEY'LL SHOW MERCY ON THEIR OWN! I'LL TRY WAITING IT OUT THEN!
AND I WAS RIGHT! I'VE BEATEN THE FINAL ATTACK! NYEH HEH HEH! BUT THE MUSIC HASN'T STOPPED. AH! A KNIFE!! IT WAS JUST ONE THOUGH. I THINK I'VE WON! WAIT, NO! NOW I'M STUCK HERE! CURSE YOU, TURN BASED COMBAT SYSTEM!! OR NOT. WOWIE! NAPSTABLOOK SAVED THE DAY, ALBEIT ACCIDENTALLY, THEY STIL SAVED THE DAY! AND NOW I AM GOING TO VISIT THEIR HOUSE! I GET FILLED WITH DETERMINATION AND TRANQUILITY, AND SAVE THE GAME! AND BEFORE I VISIT NAPSTABLOOK, I SHALL VISIT THE BIRD THAT CARRIES PEOPLE OVER THE DISPROPORTIONATELY SMALL GAP! AFTER DANCING WITH THE BIRD, I VISIT NAPSTABLOOK, AND LISTEN TO THEIR INCREDIBLE MUSIC, AND THEN I LEAVE! AND FLOWERY HAS RETURNED! HOORAY! AND I SHALL PLAY THUNDERSNAIL TO CELEBRATE! AND I GOT SECOND PLACE!! CONGRATULATIONS, YELLOW SNAIL! IT THINKS IT WON, SO ACT LIKE I WON FIRST TO MAKE IT HAPPY! HOORAY!! AND NOW, I MOVE ON!
AND I HAVE REACHED GERSON'S SHOP! I ONLY HAVE ROOM FOR ONE ITEM, SO I SHALL BUY A CRAB APPLE! AND I TALK TO GERSON FOR A BIT, AND THEN I LEAVE! AND I READ MORE ABOUT THE WAR! AND THEN I AM ON THE MUSHROOM BRIDGE PUZZLE, AND FLOWERY WANTS ME TO GO TO THE TEMMIE VILLAGE! AND SO I DO! WHAT A STRANGE PLACE! AND AFTER SOME HANGING OUT, AND SELLING ITEMS TO TEMMIE, I ENCOUNTER TWO MOLDSMALS! I FLIRT WITH ONE, IMITATE THE OTHER, BUT IT WAS MOLDBYGG IN DISGUISE!! I TRY HUGGING MOLDBYGG, BUT THAT JUST SLOWS ME DOWN! SO I UNHUG INSTEAD, AND I CAN SPARE THEM! I GET HIT, AND THEN I SPARE THEM! AND I AM NOW AT 4HP, SO I SHOULD DEFINITELY HEAL! ANOTHER NICE CREAM FOR ME! AND THEN I ENTER THE NEXT ROOM!
AND IT'S THE LANTERN MAZE! I NEVER REALLY LIKED THIS PLACE. THE CRYSTALS ARE PRETTY THOUGH! ON MY WAY TO THE NEXT ROOM, I GET ATTACKED MY WOSHUA AND AARON! FLEX WITH AARON UNTIL HE FLIES AWAY, GET CLEANED, AND WIN THE BATTLE! AND ON MY WAY I SHALL BE! AND I HAVE ARRIVED IN A DARK AREA! I FIND AN ECHO FLOWER, AND UNDYNE SHOWS UP OUT OF NOWHERE!! BUT THANKFULLY, BEFORE UNDYNE CAN STEAL FRISK'S SOUL, MK SHOWS UP AND SAVES ME ONCE AGAIN! UNDYNE DRAGS MK AWAY, AND I AM FREE TO ESCAPE ONCE MORE!
I AM NOW ON A BRIDGE, AND MK HAS ESCAPED UNDYNE! AND MK NOW KNOWS THAT FRISK IS HUMAN! BUT NOW WE'RE ENEMIES! OH NO! MK WANTS ME TO SAY SOMETHING MEAN SO THEY CAN HATE ME, BUT I REFUSE! MK IS GOING HOME, BUT THEN THEY TRIP AND FALL!!! AND UNDYNE SHOWS UP AT THE SAME TIME! AND I SHALL SAVE MONSTER KID FROM FALLING! MONSTER KID MAKES UNDYNE RETREAT, AND THEN THEY RUN BACK HOME! AND I SHALL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD!!
AND THERE'S UNDYNE AGAIN! AND SHE'S NOT LETTING ME ESCAPE THIS TIME! SHE DOESN'T LIKE HOW I'M BEING KIND TO THE MONSTERS FOR SOME REASON? BUT SHE'S KIND TO THEM TOO! SO, I GUESS SHE JUST SAID THAT TO MAKE ME FEEL BAD ABOUT MYSELF?? WELL, IT DIDN'T WORK UNDYNE! I GET FILLED WITH DETERMINATION FROM THE HOWLING WIND, AND DECIDE I AM READY TO FACE UNDYNE!
I TRY TO PLEAD WITH UNDYNE, BUT NOTHING HAPPENS! AND I HAVE BLOCKED THE SPEARS! I TRY PLEADING ONCE MORE, AND NOTHING HAPPENS! AND I KEEP DOING THIS, UNTIL UNDYNE TURNS FRISK'S SOUL BACK TO NORMAL! AND IF THE GAME IS ACCURATE AGAIN, I SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO FLEE! WHICH I DO! ESCAPE! BUT UNDYNE CATCHES UP WITH HER INCREDIBLE SPEED, AND TURNS ME GREEN AGAIN!
I START SPARING HER INSTEAD, SINCE PLEADING WON'T WORK. UNDYNE ALMOST TRICKS ME, BUT I KEEP UP MY NO-HIT STREAK! I'M ALREADY USED TO BEING GREEN! NYEH HEH HEH! BUT TWO ATTACKS LATER, AND I GET HIT TWICE! BUT I AM NOW RED AGAIN, SO TO THE OVERWORLD WITH ME! SHE CATCHES ME AGAIN AND I AM GREEN ONCE MORE! AND THEN UNDYNE USES HER YELLOW SPEAR! OH NO!! THE YELLOW ONES ALWAYS CONFUSE ME. I SHOULD SURVIVE THOUGH! I AM THE GREAT PAPYRUS, AFTER ALL! EVEN IF I ONLY HAVE 14HP, THAT'S HIGH HP FOR FRISK'S STANDARDS! I GO BACK TO PLEADING, STILL NOTHING! BUT EVENTUALLY, SOMETHING HAPPENS! AND HER ATTACKS GET LESS EXTREME! NYEH HEH! I GET HIT AGAIN, BUT I'M STILL ALIVE! AND ANOTHER TWO ATTACKS LATER, AND I AM RED AGAIN! FREEDOM!! AND THEN GAME ME CALLS! OH WOW, WHAT A TIME TO ASK ABOUT BEING UNDYNE'S FRIEND! WELL, HOPEFULLY THAT WAS INACCURATE TIMING! BUT NO MATTER, I WILL VISIT UNDYNE NEXT TIME I PLAY! BUT FOR NOW, I SHALL CONTINUE RUNNING FOR FRISK'S LIFE! AND THEN I MAKE IT TO HOTLAND, WITH A SLEEPING SANS! BUT IT DISTRACTED UNDYNE FOR A MOMENT, SO I GUESS I'LL ALLOW IT!
OH NO! UNDYNE HAS COLLAPSED ON THE BRIDGE OVER LAVA! THANKFULLY, THERE'S A WATER COOLER RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, WHICH SHOULD BE FIRE, BUT I DON'T HAVE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW! I SHALL GIVE UNDYNE THE WATER! AND SHE HAS WALKED AWAY. OH WELL! I'M SAFE! I GET FILLED WITH DETERMINATION FROM THE LABORATORY'S PLACEMENT, AND SAVE THE GAME! AND I SHALL CONTINUE PLAYING TOMORROW!! BECAUSE I NEED TO GET MY BONES TO STOP RATTLING! AND FLOWERY'S SHAKING, DESPITE HIM INSISTING THAT HE'S NOT! SO! WE SHALL SEE! NEXT TIME! WE SEE YOU! NEXT TIME ON I PLAYED UNDERTALE AND I AM REGURGITATING THE KNOWLEDGE BACK TO YOU!!
-NYEHFULLY YOURS, PAPYRUS AND FLOWERY

1. Elizabeth Olsen actually auditioned for Daenerys Targaryen, but Emilia Clarke ended up getting cast.
2. Pedro Pascal was actually one of the actors who came in to read for Marcel Gerard on The Originals. Series creator Julie Plec even admitted she "loved" him for the role, but he "was just on the older side."
3. Jeremy Strong auditioned for the role of Roman Roy on Succession, but Jesse Armstrong, the show's creator, felt that Kieran Culkin was a "slam dunk."
4. Whitney Houston was cast as Sondra, the oldest daughter on The Cosby Show, but she didn't end up signing the contract because she wanted to pursue a singing career.
5. Penn Badgley screen-tested to play Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad, but the role went to Aaron Paul instead.
6. Nicola Coughlan auditioned to play Robin on Stranger Things, but Maya Hawke ended up with the role. Nicola said, "She was far better than I ever would have been."
7. Octavia Spencer auditioned to play Donna on Parks and Recreation, but the role ended up going to Retta.
8. Joshua Bassett was one of the final two choices for Harvey Kinkle in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but the role ended up going to Ross Lynch.
9. Sandra Oh was originally called in to audition for Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey's Anatomy, but she liked the part of Cristina more, so she asked if she could audition for that role instead.
10. Stephanie Beatriz screen-tested for Amy Santiago on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but Melissa Fumero was cast instead.
11. Rumer Willis was originally pitched to play Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl, but the casting director wanted to go with a lesser-known actor and cast Blake Lively instead.
12. Jennifer Lawrence also really wanted to play Serena van der Woodsen. She was 16 at the time she auditioned for the role.
13. Connie Britton was one of the network's choices to play Olivia Pope in Scandal, but creator Shonda Rhimes insisted Olivia should be played by a Black woman instead.
14. Taraji P. Henson was another famous person who went in to read for the role of Olivia Pope.
15. Noah Centineo read for several roles on Teen Wolf, and the casting director even told him, "You’re my choice! I want you to get it!"
16. Rob Lowe was originally offered the role of Derek Shepherd on Grey's Anatomy, but he turned down the role, and it went to Patrick Dempsey instead.
17. Darren Criss auditioned to play Finn Hudson on Glee, but the part went to Cory Monteith instead.
18. Iwan Rheon originally auditioned for Jon Snow on Game of Thrones and didn't get the role. He eventually got called in to play Ramsay Bolton in Season 3.
19. Keke Palmer screen-tested for the role of Iris on The Flash, but she didn't end up getting it because she looked "a little too young" compared to Grant Gustin.
20. Chris Rock was one of the many famous actors who was in talks to play George Costanza on Seinfeld.
21. Wesley Snipes was originally approached to play Lucious Lyons on Empire, but Taraji P. Henson said she'd only star on the show if Terrence Howard was cast instead.
22. Sonequa Martin-Green auditioned for the part of Michonne on The Walking Dead, but the role ended up going to Danai Gurira. However, the producers loved her so much that they created the role of Sasha for her.
23. Matt LeBlanc was offered the role of Phil Dunphy on Modern Family, but he felt like he wasn't the best fit. The role went to Ty Burrell instead.
24. Mahershala Ali auditioned for the role of "a merchant who got locked in a safe on Season 3" of Game of Thrones, aka Xaro Xhoan Daxos, and he said it was one of the "worst auditions" of his life.
25. Oliver Hudson was in the final running for Jack Pearson on This Is Us, but by the time he was scheduled to screen-test with Mandy Moore, Oliver went on an already-planned fishing trip instead.
26. Joshua Jackson was originally announced to play Owen Hunt on Grey's Anatomy, but just weeks before he was scheduled to shoot his first episode, the TV writers went on strike. By the time the strike ended, Joshua had already moved on to star on Fringe.
27. Betty White was actually supposed to play Blanche on The Golden Girls, but director Jay Sandrich felt that part was too similar to Betty's role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, so she played Rose instead.
28. Macaulay Culkin was pursued several times to play a role on The Big Bang Theory, but he couldn't see himself starring on a sitcom.
29. And finally, Courteney Cox was originally offered the role of Rachel on Friends, but she turned it down because she felt like she related to Monica more.

Link to article

SBI but mostly bedrockbros.
Apocalypse Stories all SbI, Tommy-centric, or BedrockBros.
I'll put down my roots when I'm dead
“I had a little brother. He’s dead.” Wilbur mumbled, and Phil’s heart squeezed. “I’m sorry, mate.” he said. Wilbur swallowed. “It’s fine. It was a while ago.” “How long ago, if you don't mind me asking?” Wilbur looked back at Phil. “A month.” Phil’s eyes widened. He inhaled sharply. That's not a while ago.
or
SBI in a zombie apocalypse
Endure and Survive
Short but is a mix of bedrock bros, Technodad, and Ranboo. It's short and sweet.
“You’re lyin’ to me,” the man said before Tommy could walk out the door. “Aren’t you? I know most groups scoutin’ the area around here, but none of them had a kid with them last time I checked. Unless your group’s not from around here and you 'wandered off' a bit further than anticipated—”
“Fuck off,” Tommy interrupted. “I don’t want to join your stupid group so you can stop trying to talk me into it. I’m better off on my own, anyway.” The man blinked at him, his mouth hung slightly open, but no words came out.
“I’m not part of any group. I’m on my own, too,” the man answered. “You just…you remind me of myself,” he added quietly. Tommy had to strain his ears to hear it.
Or: Tommy and Ranboo are, respectively, suffering during the apocalypse. Techno takes them under his wing.
Brain Dead in the Apocalypse
“Shush, old man. Quiet.” He hissed out, “I’m going for a… walk. I’ll find you two later. Thanks, for- uh, taking care of me, I guess? But also you overstepped my boundaries, like by a thousand times. So I’d appreciate it if you fucked off.” He crossed his arms, letting his bat lean against his leg as he leveled them all with a glare.
“You liked it when I was carrying you—“ Techno, like the fucking bitch he was, decided to throw onto the table. His lips pulled up into a smug smile as Tommy recoiled backwards, feeling his cheeks flush.
“Y-you’ve got it wrong! I fucking hate you, and Phil! The only reason I've stuck around this long is to grace the two of you with my company! I take it all back, neither of you are my idols and I hate you fucking bitches and I never want to see your ugly faces again—“ Tommy rambled, his voice going a couple of pitches higher against his will. Fucking puberty.
“But you said I was your favorite?” Techno innocently asked, “You never acted like this whenever I hold you while you shiver away, clinging onto me like a little baby bird.”
Or Tommy is an infamous villain who attracts the attention of the Syndicate in the apocalypse.
BDITA is one of my top three apocalypse fics because I really don't like zombie apocalypse fics normally. I usually hate them. But BMAF Tommyinnit in a zombie apocalyptic, I at least have to give it a chance and read it.
These are the other ones that are in my top three.
Forged in Blood and Bones
Tommy was just an orphan when the fucking zombie apocalypse hits. He doesn't expect to find a family during end-times, but here we are.
I can't choose which of the two come in slot two. But I'm leading towards "Thats my kid" it's definitely one of the best and the author doesn't give themselves enough credit.
That's my Kid, That's my Sunrise
When the apocalypse started Tommy thought he was going to die the first week. Turns out he lasted longer and with a little companion with him. Or Tommy and shroud the spider but add some angst (of course fluff as well)
[Rough start btw! My writing has improved since then I swear!]
I don't feel like it has a rough start, but it's good
Tainted Love
Thomas Theseus Innit was only 5 when the zombie apocalypse started, 7 when his parents both lost their lives to the weirdly smart and athletic zombies.
Now here he was; after years of surviving on his own, wondering if his decision to go into this strangely abandoned city was a good one.
Especially since the place holds a few walkers way too sentient for his liking, and why won’t they leave him alone? Or His awakening wasn't so peaceful.
The first thing he noticed was that burning feeling that clung to his skin the moment he entered the city.
Like he was being watched.
Then he realized how dark it was. It must still be night, but the soft moonlight that acted as his only comfort was now gone, replaced by a tall shadow. Tommy was confused for a moment, until the shadow moved.
He was up in an instant, whipping around to look at the bedroom window behind him.
There, squating on the apartment buildings fire escape, was a zombie.
It was right up against the glass, rapid breath causing it to fog from its proximity.
It’s blood shot eyes staring right at him.
SBI Zombie Apocalypse AU
This is a Sleepy Bois Inc and Co Zombie Apocalypse au. Basically I write out my interpretation of events that happen in the au and we vibe. They may be a little out of character but shrugs they probably act different in an apocalypse anyway let me live.
The description for the two part series is kinda shit but the actual stories aren't bad at all and are a good read. Again typically hate any and all apocalypse stories but I can read a decent amount.
All the lonely people
Two people lost after the end of the world. One is a boy, confused and scared, missing his older brother and only guardian. The other is a man, on the edge of losing his mind. Together they find each other and find what they are missing. Family.
My favorite duo Bedrock bros, but technodad/dadnoblade version, I've read all 150 tabs of Technoblade & Tommyinnit (Video Blogging RPF) No regrets I do it every couple of weeks because there are always new ones.
Big boys don't cry (even when they should
Hack, slash, hide. Technoblade was quite an expert at this whole apocalypse thing already. It was some time already after all.
Maybe six years? At least three since he had to start gathering things by himself. But Technoblade was proud to be the Provider in his little family. Heaven’s know that Wilbur wouldn’t be able to do half the shit Techno was doing.
Or: Technoblade centric zombie au. I promise, it's a GOOD ENDING, and no, Techno does not die
Honestly no my favorite read but it's still good and could be to someone else's taste. It's just not mine.
Zombie hunting is not an approved camp activity
Building a zombie apocalypse team is hard work, they have to be ready for absolutely anything the apocalypse can throw at them.
So when the apocalypse arrived, Technoblade was displeased to discover his team consisted of himself, three 13 year olds with exactly zero life preservation skills, and a broken figurine of an obscure comic book hero lovingly named Micheal.
When a zombie eventually takes him out, he's going to fist fight whoever decided that these were fair odds.
AKA Techno is a moody teen who hates kids but there's an apocalypse and suddenly he's in charge of three of them, they are the bane of his existence but they are also so small and he would die before he lets them get hurt.
10 out of 10 would recommend. This was a nice long one shot that is absolutely worth the read and probably a reread.
Vampire/Fledgling stories
What did he think about the blood
It's a series called kind smiles accompanied by crimson eyes.
They were one family of sadistic fucks, and that warmed Phil's heart.
OR
Wilbur takes his little brother hunting for the first time.
Behind the restaurant
Tommy's Sir decided to leave him, so now he gets his own food. And so one evening, Past the place where he usually steals from people, a strange looking rich pink-haired man walks, This is Tommy's best chance to earn his own food in weeks.
Or Tommy lives on the street and steals from everyone he sees, until he stumbles upon a rich vampire who seems to know where his Sire is.
Short and sweet story that I recommend if you're looking for a quick read.
I'll send my best regards
It's a 3 part series that I also highly recommend.
New Child Acquired
The Land of His Brothers
Tommy held his breath, his eyes squeezing shut. His feet were placed back on the ground, the hand loosed on his neck, hovering there, barely touching...
He opened his eyes, and looked up at the creature. It was staring at him, he couldn’t make out the emotion on its human-like face. Its golden eyes glistened, piercing, as they met eye to eye.
Finally, after a long moment it spoke, “Hullo.”
Or
There's a lack of Vampire fics in this Fandom and some of ya'll need some good parental figures in your lives.
The ending kinda sucks but it's an ending none the less and over all its a good read.socks.
What Are We Waiting For
“This is probably the worst cell they’ve tried to keep me in,” Tommy says out loud, mostly to himself. The other vampire at least shifts like he heard Tommy.
“I mean really, they’ve got you all chained up, but what about me? You’re big and all, but I doubt you could take me in a fight. I’m the best and biggest man out there, nothing can compare. You would really think that people would learn from their mistakes,” Tommy sighs. He pulls his knees up to his chest and sets his head on them. The humans had interrupted his sleep.
“I don’t think you could beat me in a fight,” the other vampire says after a minute, his voice sounding rough. It’s almost like he had been screaming.
“No, I definitely could. It’s not even a competition,” Tommy says, puffing his chest out. That one earns him a soft snort.
New Moon
“I need your help to kill a vampire,” He mumbles under his breath, his chest rapidly taking in air as his heart pounds in his chest, “Alright? There. Now let me go.”
Techno hums, his hands slowly unwrapping from around his neck, though one lingers. He pushes his chin up with one hand, trialing a finger down his neck with the other. Tommy shivers at the touch, being reminded that the guy in front of him is a fucking vampire.
“Who, little witch?” He croons, goosebumps running up along his arms as Techno stops at his pulse point, no doubt feeling how fast his heart was beating.
Or Tommy is a lonely witch that falls right into the hands of three waiting vampires.
It was one of the better vampire stories and a worth it read plus it's part of a series of different stories.
Soulmate-Alternate Universe
Soul Paint
Tommy remembered a time when his skin was painted with the marks of those, he knew, loved him. Until the day he realized they faded.
Exile Canon Divergence fic, where Tommy realizes the soul marks, shared with his family and friends, have disappeared. He’s convinced he’s become unlovable. His family tries to fix that.
Smoke fills the lungs
Dandelions represented rebirth, the first sign of life that sprouted after a harsh winter. So Tommy couldn't help but believe as those same petals spilled from his mouth that maybe he needed to die before he was someone worthy of love.
Or Exile BedrockBros Soulmate/Hanahaki AU
This is one of my favorite soulmate fics. It does include hanahaki in it, my guilty pleasure is Hanahaki, Major character death. Or neglected Tommyinnit fics.
I will look for you as the sun rises higher
What is your heart's true desire?
What is it that you really want?
The question was asked too often by people that the gods decided to lend an ear.
Thus, soulmates were created.
OR
MCD March prompt #15: 'Hold still' with bedrockbros
Another favorite I recommend to read. It's short and sweet.
Withered Feathers
Tommy is a crime fighting vigilante by night. By day, he's a tired café worker. He ignores the wither rose and feather on his back. It's not important, his soulmates will come when they come. He needs to focus. The Syndicate is an ever looming threat for his vigilante persona. And his life outside of it is complicated as a nearing-adult pretending to be almost 20.
This story definitely could have put more focus on the soulmate aspect and be more descriptive in my opinion but it's not a bad read.
You're on your own kid )you always have been)
6,000 words and absolutely one of my if not my favorite bedrockbros soulmate fics. It's a good read and I've reread it a million times.
Branded Hearts and Golden Anchors
Everyone had at least one soulmate in Tommy’s world and everyone, par a select few, yearned for the day that words would begin to appear across their body, showing just what their soulmate thought of them, after all it showed only if it was utterly and completely true in their heart. It was how you knew you had met them because nobody could form a proper opinion of someone they had never met, right?
Yet maybe some could.
When Tommy was born, pink and screaming, a singular word scrawled across his heart, it’s ink black and damning with promise.
Mine.
OR: A possessive SBI soulmate AU
It gets dark towards the end, like real dark but not exactly dead dove do not eat. But in my opinion if you're more sensitive you might think that should be a tag.
As God Looks On in Abject Apathy
Technoblade was the blood god, he had no need for a soulmate. He fought and he killed without discrimination, he was something unholy, something monstrous, something made from blood. He had no need for weakness, for a soulmate.
Tommy dies on the battlefield. He dies young and bloody, with no soulmark, no soulmate.
Another favorite probably equal or more of a favorite than "you're on your own (you always have been)" highly recommend.
I Loved You Like The Sun
It had been hard, at first. To accept that they wanted him.
That he wanted him.
But they would wait as long as it took.
Tommy was theirs after all.
Or
(Platonic) SoulmateAu with AngelDuo fluff.
Oh, and TwinsDuo are there.
And it's a FosterAu.
It's so cute and is about angel duo and I just can't help but like it.
Brave face, talk so lightly, hide the truth
Tommy's never been real big on the whole soulmate thing, if he does have a soulmate they're probably not a huge fan of him due to the times he gets punched in the face or runs into tables. What he doesn't expect is his foster-brother, Wilbur, to be his soulmate.
Tommy’s eyes land on Wilbur, “Your soulmate is probably being abused.”
Tommy gets to watch the blood run out of Wilbur’s face, and how he goes deathly pale in about five seconds.
“Huh?” Wilbur whispers.
Crimeboys soulmate au + foster au. This is another favorite duo of mine, although nothing compares to my addiction for bedrockbros. Highly recommend but trigger warning includes talks of abuse and bullying.
Please don't fine me (I'm not ok)
Tommy does not breathe and he does not laugh and he does not swear. Tommy is not the harsh cry of a fledgling eagle soaring over the brisk mountain tops. Tommy is not the wind teasing the tall aspen, Tommy is not the babbling brook in the morning sun. Tommy is not life itself and he is not nothing at once.
Or at least, not anymore.
or: a c!bedrock bros hanahaki soulmate au with plenty of allium duo fluff as well <3
Has my top two favourite duos. Also this story has a special place in my heart always making me eye water. No I don't cry over stories! You're crying over stories!
Building Bonds
Tommy had been in the foster system since he was six, and every family he had been placed with since then turned him away within a couple months for being a "problem child". The only thing that had kept him going was the pale yellow band around his wrist and the bond that was connected to it.
Only, he hadn’t seen his soulmate in over two years and now he was standing in front of a new house, once again preparing to be thrown out within the month.
A little bedrock, a little angel duo, and lots of past trauma for Tommy. This is crime boy soulmate+foster au. Tommy and Wilbur are separated as Wilbur aged out of the system.
To Be Hesitant of Acceptence
Hey Tommy," he said, cheerfully. "Clocking in, big man?" he tilts his head, offering a smile.

"Yep, you clocking out, boss man?" he hiked his bag higher on his shoulder.

"Yep. Was gonna work overtime but my schedule changed at school again. Wil should be here though if you wanna bother him."

"Oooh, I might." He started to walk back to the employee area before he turned on his heels. "Tell Boob Boy and Yellowed that we still gotta do the thing."

Tubbo rolled his eyes. "Very specific, Tommy. And I will."

Or Tommy works in a store in a world where everyone has soulmate identifying marks at 18. Follow this short journey where he finds his soulmates and his reaction. Bad summary, but I promise the fic is good.
Classic Tommy being iffy about soulmates ans running away when he meets his soulmate. The amout of soulmate au, where he doesnt think he deserves one, has one, or doesn't want one is in so many fics
Paint me in colors (I can no longer see)
It was expected, everyone had soul mates and every one of them left a mark the first time they touched you. A brush of color to remind you that you are loved and loved back. It was human. Tommy loved without restraint and by the tender age of ten he had the habit of marking everyone he touched, and they stuck.
This is an angsty story. That all I have to say
I saw you on the train last night (and I just walked on by)
Platonic Soulmate AU CrimeBoys Edition
Wilbur soot is stuck in a time loop. The only way out of it is to find his “soulmate”.
Well, Wilbur doesn’t believe in soulmates.
TLDR: Time loop shenanigans with Wilbur Soot
I personally usually hate timeloop stories, but I make an exception for soulmate timeloops. Good read definitely recommend it. Crime boys soulmates au.
Forged in Love
"So don’t fucking underestimate me, Blade. Adults tend to forget that kids don’t exactly have strong morals to get what they want.” Techno stared down into the baby blue eyes, a familiar spark of thrill reaching his heart, the same spark he felt when he first met Phil.
“I doubt you have an extra mending book laying around.” Are you truly worthy of my curiosity?
“I actually do, prick.” Fuck. You.
—
Tommy may seem harmless at first glance, but Phil and Techno know otherwise. To be a gemsmith, a person who connects soulmates, is not a profession for those who are docile.
But Tommy is intriguing at first glance. Always talking, always moving, always challenging them. So they stick around. Not too long though, they have two other soulmates to find, but long enough to develop their relationship beyond customer and shopkeeper.
If only they realized why they were developing this relationship in the first place before the Hunters came knocking on Tommy’s shop.
Or
Local child is snarky enough to catch two war General’s attention and it escalating from there
This is one of my favorite longer soulmate stories and a very good read. I highly recommend it and on my opinion it's one of the better multi-chapter soulmate stories. Not better than "As God Looks On in Abject Apathy" in my opinion.
My Bond and My Enemy
Tommy is ready to visit the city on his own, without his coven following him. It's been five years since he's turned, so he thinks it's only fair. It's during this outing that he meets Technoblade.

OR
Soulmate AU, based on the prompt (SPOILERS) "Platonic soul mates except its a vampire who finds out their soul mate is either a Werewolf or vampire hunter" by bberry
A good read, short yet with a decent amount of words. Good choice if your looking for a quick read that's not a oneshot.
The chances for meeting your soulmate are slim but never zero
Tommy had three soulmates. He had named them Crow, Note and Poem according to the way he can identify them. Yet why must they be so hard to find? How is he meant to not doubt fate when he was already 16 and had not found his soulmate?
——————————
Or: Tommy doubts the red string of fate, therefore fate sends him off on a trip of chance to find his soulmates in different places. Who would have known an arcade would be the place he’d find his first?
It's cute SBI soulmates and absolutely worth the read and I love it and it has Technoblade meeting Tommy in person. It pulls on my heartstrings because they never got to do that IRL.
Sanguine Souls
The world hates soulmates.
It’s a contradictory thing, there are very good and very valid reasons for it despite how alluring the concept of soulmates is. It must be nice. Imagine someone fated for you to trust forever, to behold, in every waking moment, with lingering thoughts and associations about happiness and goodness and everything that should be lovely in any sort of relationship between two people. It’s a beautiful concept.
Too beautiful.
Technoblade blinks. There’s a familiar sound from the television. He looks up, and he sees the familiar flash of reds and blues on the television screen with a dreadful set of words underneath it.
‘SOULMATES CONFIRMED. ONE DECEASED.’

~+~
OR Soulmate AU where An Encounter with Death is a necessary requirement, according to the laws of the universe, to confirm who your soulmate is. Technoblade and Wilbur had gotten the wrong message one time, but the world corrects that when Tommy runs into them.
OR OR Twinsduo angst to give rise to Bedrock bros until it somehow turns into Neapolitan Trio in the ending. PROMPT: soulmate wasn't who they thought they would be
Tommy is Tommy, Techno is srubborn and denying the truth. Wilbur is just... angsty with bedrockbros soulmates in the mix. Good read I recommend and this is one of my top ten soulmate recs.
Gentle people (with flowers in their hair)
In a world where soulmates existed, Tommy didn’t want anything to do with it.
When he was eight, his father left Tommy’s mother, because he didn’t really want to marry her, but the universe forced his hand.
Now, he was sixteen, and staring with wide eyes as Wilbur Soot gestured wildly, revealing flowers on his arm identical to the ones Tommy had concealed before the stream.
or, Tommy doesn't want one soulmate, never mind three
Classic Tommy not wanting a soulmate because he's tramitized by his parents being horrible soulmates and not working.
Fae
the wild hunt of old (will bring something new)
Tommy could feel his presence behind him, keeping his mouth shut as a hand reached over, grasping the hand that had him in a grip, cutting the boy off from his words, like he had stolen them from his mouth himself.
“Who did this to you Theseus?” Muted gasps were shared as the drumming and whispers were joined by the howls of the hounds.
“All of them.” He whispered sadly, eyes unable to look away from the looks of hatred and betrayal. But there was no pity for them. They had made their beds and he knew that Techno would make them lie in them.

Tommy found his home in the forest. However his treatment from his own home will be their undoing when the Fae King unleashes the Wild Hunt.
Absolutely my favorite fae fic and a top 3 fic ever my ao3 list. Possessive Technoblade is there and is a little dark but nowhere close to dead dove do not eat. I could probably recite most if not all of this story.
Follow the golden hair and sapphires that stare back
"I know how to get there, I'm not the one lost, you are." The kid exclaims and Wilbur humours him. He knows kids like to put on a brave face although this kid seems to be pretty good at it.
"Oh yeah? Well, I guess you gotta help me out huh?"
The enthusiastic nod that follows is worth it as the kid jumps around like he's got too much energy in his tiny body.
"I will, but only if you do one thing." The kid says, almost seriously as he puts up a one finger.
Wilbur crouches fully now, hands still on his knees still.

"Oh yeah and what's that?"

The kids smile turns sweet as he rocks on his heels and folds his arms behind his back.
"Can I know your name?" He asks sweetly, like a kid asking for some sweets before bed. There's a fight going on in his head. A small part saying no but the bigger says what's the harm?
It's just a kid.
"I'm Wilbur."
Or
Wilbur cuts through a park to get home. Doesn't look where he's going and then, pop, he's in the world of the fae. It's part of a fae series where Tommy tricks sbi. Good read and super worth it.
Bullied by fae
The fae scrunches his nose and huffs, "I'm gonna send you to my brother so he can bully your ass and get you into our realm, dick'ead."
Techno only hums, sliding his basket down from his arm, to his hand, "Yeah kid, send me to big brother."
Or;
Techno meets fae!Tommy. He's not really how he pictured fae to be
It's just funny and makes me smile and it's Tommy being Tommyinnit but fae. Techno being Techno. Looking for somthing short and funny this is it.
Nectar and Blood
Blade had a quiet life.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened to him – which is why it came as such a shock when a boy walked into the smithy.
Blade could feel the difference in the boy before he ever laid eyes on him. He could feel the way the already warm forge seemed to burn brighter in the presence of the creature that just stepped in.
And of course, the sight of the fae – even dressed down to fit in with the townspeople more, they stuck out like a sore thumb. The boy's hair was shaped into perfect, shining golden curls. Their eyes shone as blue as the summer skies, and even their relatively drab brown clothing was perfectly clean, free of any mud or dust from the streets.
Blade paused in his work, enough to give a polite greeting. Whether they were inside a faerie ring or not, the fae always worked by the same rules. Such rules had been imprinted into Blade’s mind before he had ever been allowed to step outside of his family's home.
Tommys good at using Technos desire and affection against him. One of the good fae fics.

Hey guys, I made a song about life being hard like a storm, so I call it "Life's a Storm." I used Chat GPT to give me a prompt, and hated it. So, I took some elements from the original, and added in my own stuff to it. I think the song flows well, and I believe that it would be great to hear it in Brent's voice. What do you all think? Let me know please ^{^}
-----song-----
"Life's a Storm"
Intro: Rain, rain, rain, thunder and storm Rain, rain, rain, thunder and storm Rain, rain, rain, thunder and storm
Verse 1: The thunder roars, the lightning strikes Another day to pay the price The wind is howling, the rain pours down The storm inside, wears me like a crown It's a hurricane, it never stops A relentless war, can't reach the top
Chorus: Life is a storm that never ends It tears me down and steals my friends My heart is beating My pride's been eaten Life is a storm Life is a storm
Verse 2: The waves are crashing, against the shore Each one stronger than the one before The winds are fierce, they won't relent It's like a battle of the elements The storm inside, it's like a fire Burning brighter and higher and higher!
Chorus: Life is a storm that never ends It tears me down and steals my friends My heart is beating My pride's been eaten Life is a storm Life is a storm
Bridge: Sometimes it's hard to find a way To navigate through the stormy fray But I know, deep down inside I have the strength to turn the tide To weather the storm, and find my way To a brighter, sunnier day
Chorus: Life is a storm that never ends It tears me down and steals my friends My heart is beating My pride's been eaten Life is a storm Life is a storm
Outro: [echo: Rain, rain, rain, thunder and storm] The storm may rage, but I'll stand tall (Life is a storm) I'll weather it through it all, I won't fall (Life is a storm) Life is a storm, but I'll make it through With faith and hope, and love anew.

Period: 39.89 days

	Submissions	Comments
Total	947	16869
Rate (per day)	23.74	412.74
Unique Redditors	342	1783
Combined Score	23580	103359

Top Submitters' Top Submissions

1. 1030 points, 50 submissions: InstructionHot9577
   
   1. KR$NA - NO CAP (79 points, 117 comments)
   2. Young Stunners ft KR$NA - QUARANTINE (64 points, 33 comments)
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   10. Hi-Rez ft Tech N9ne, KR$NA, Joell Ortiz, Twista, Bizzy Bone, A-F-R-O - Overdrive (32 points, 34 comments)
2. 876 points, 30 submissions: adolf-dumblewhore
   
   1. Iconic photos of Desi hip-hop. (451 points, 124 comments)
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   8. Hasan Raheem, Abdullah Kasumbi - Aisay Kaisay (15 points, 3 comments)
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   10. The Making of Golden by Meba Ofilia (14 points, 4 comments)
3. 803 points, 57 submissions: theAppleboy
   
   1. [FRESH VIDEO] Yungsta, Sez - Hona Hi Tha (ft. Raga, Encore ABJ, Dilliboy) (104 points, 24 comments)
   2. Karun announces EP featuring Chaar Diwaari, Yashraj, Arpit Bala, Nanku, Natiq (81 points, 26 comments)
   3. Prabh Deep, Seedhe Maut, Sez on the Beat - Class-Sikh Maut Vol. II (64 points, 21 comments)
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   5. [FRESH ALBUM] Gravity & Outfly - SUPERVILLAIN (39 points, 24 comments)
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   7. New BAGI MUNDA EP 'BETAJ BADSHAH' releasing on 25/5 (23 points, 5 comments)
   8. [FRESH] The Siege, YKSDOG, Circle Tone - Rent is Due (22 points, 12 comments)
   9. BAGI MUNDA, JASKARAN - Skinny Model (20 points, 4 comments)
   10. Chaar Diwaari talks about his music-making process, 'TMKG' with Red FM India (20 points, 5 comments)
4. 675 points, 30 submissions: Adventurous-Guava981
   
   1. Krsna Is Going To Drop A New Song (152 points, 30 comments)
   2. Brodha V - Azhage (Fallin) (46 points, 17 comments)
   3. DIVINE - SACH BOL PATTA (45 points, 39 comments)
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5. 611 points, 11 submissions: ___sohammmm
   
   1. Haath Varti - Kshmr X Mc Stan Out this Friday (354 points, 76 comments)
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   4. Farhan Khan ft. GRAVITY ( Prod.by Mr. Doss ) - LOOTERA Music Video (26 points, 12 comments)
   5. King performing at GQ 35 Most Influntial Young Indians . (21 points, 12 comments)
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6. 594 points, 4 submissions: No_Raspberry_9514
   
   1. DIVINE performs at IPL Final 2023 (180 points, 87 comments)
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7. 524 points, 10 submissions: MrKayPavlov
   
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   6. [Re-visit/Discussion] DIVINE - Punya Paap (2+ Years later) (20 points, 11 comments)
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8. 488 points, 10 submissions: M_A_G_M_A
   
   1. KARMA - YOUNG GALEECH (302 points, 274 comments)
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   4. Raftaar x Deep Kalsi feat. Straight Bank & Bandzo3rd - Gangnum Remix (21 points, 3 comments)
   5. KR$NA - Desi Wrap Up 2016 (20 points, 8 comments)
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9. 448 points, 6 submissions: GodKodse
   
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10. 436 points, 17 submissions: PuzzleheadedCan4466
    
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    8. Young Stunners - Rooh (Remix) (11 points, 6 comments)
    9. Gaush - I Made A Rap Song In Marathi! (7 points, 8 comments)
    10. Talha Anjum - Anokha Laadla ft. Kamran Gulzar (5 points, 2 comments)
13. 368 points, 3 submissions: lovi_sh
    
    1. Hip-Hop scene in rajasthan!! (170 points, 23 comments)
    2. Gravity's Sueprvillain (Album) dropping on 25 may 2023 (102 points, 22 comments)
    3. Gravity revealed Supervillain (Album) tracks and features. (96 points, 35 comments)
14. 349 points, 3 submissions: tangrikebab
    
    1. Prabh Deep has left Azadi Records. (206 points, 105 comments)
    2. Prabh Deep hinting at a possible financial feud with Azadi Records? (81 points, 26 comments)
    3. Subah subah Divine bhai kispe shot le rahe? (62 points, 45 comments)
15. 319 points, 7 submissions: suckurmoda
    
    1. Yungsta breaks down "Meen" Album Cover! (143 points, 23 comments)
    2. Lafda Theory: Raftaar vs Ikka (48 points, 47 comments)
    3. What are some legendary/iconic/unusual/unexpected DHH Collabs and linkups? (35 points, 28 comments)
    4. Why does Emiway get little to no credit for his achievements? (35 points, 124 comments)
    5. Blues in India Sikander Kahlon (26 points, 3 comments)
    6. Vasudev's Discography (20 points, 9 comments)
    7. Is the 24 Hr deadline valid in beefs? (12 points, 33 comments)
16. 285 points, 2 submissions: lolxdmekaisemaanlu
    
    1. youngest Indian to feature on Billboard (256 points, 47 comments)
    2. $NOT commented on MC STAN's latest post. International Collab incoming?? (29 points, 15 comments)
17. 278 points, 12 submissions: Rg_638
    
    1. KSHMR on Haath Varthi and STAN (119 points, 24 comments)
    2. Deep Kalsi, Umer Anjum, Panther - Clout (53 points, 23 comments)
    3. Yungsta X Afaik - The All Stars 'MEEN' Podcast (20 points, 2 comments)
    4. Encore ABJ x Calm (Prod. Prabh Deep) - Savage (17 points, 2 comments)
    5. Hasan Raheem - You Don't Know (14 points, 1 comment)
    6. Shamoon Ismail ft Talha Anjum - 051021 (13 points, 5 comments)
    7. Hardbone - Deeपक फिरीverse (11 points, 0 comments)
    8. KSHMR x DIVINE x LIT killah – Lion Heart (11 points, 6 comments)
    9. Raftaar, AKASA - Phone Mila Ke (6 points, 9 comments)
    10. Srushti Tawade - Dahi Shakkar (6 points, 10 comments)
18. 269 points, 3 submissions: Amriteshgautam
    
    1. Snippet of Upcoming track from Emiway`s KOTS Album !!! (114 points, 37 comments)
    2. Clearing the POV of Emi milking Company !!! (80 points, 22 comments)
    3. SEIGE giving massive Shoutout to Emiway !!! (75 points, 41 comments)
19. 252 points, 3 submissions: bucck2929
    
    1. Encore abj freestyling on his live today (01/05/2023) (233 points, 54 comments)
    2. MOB D - PAISA BRO (10 points, 3 comments)
    3. Nabeel Akbar - Sharpshooter (9 points, 0 comments)
20. 247 points, 11 submissions: Few_Satisfaction8170
    
    1. Young Stunners - TWO TONE (175 points, 64 comments)
    2. DRV, Boyblanck - Zameen Se (11 points, 1 comment)
    3. Shauharty, ARSLAN - 88 Farookhs in Devnagiris (11 points, 2 comments)
    4. Talha Anjum - LAAM SE LOMRI (10 points, 4 comments)
    5. Sultan, Zas, 2Ace, JANI, Shareh, Savage - Taangein chat se (7 points, 7 comments)
    6. Talha Anjum - Raftaar (7 points, 2 comments)
    7. ASHIR, Talal Qureshi - YAMA (6 points, 1 comment)
    8. Rap Demon,Talha Anjum - Rapper Tabaah (6 points, 3 comments)
    9. Seedhe Maut - That Part Remix (6 points, 0 comments)
    10. Sammad, Quest - Gasolina Interlude (5 points, 0 comments)
21. 243 points, 3 submissions: Ok_Proposal_9149
    
    1. pls remove mat karna (132 points, 56 comments)
    2. how Ankit Khanna was able to sign deal with bohemia? (61 points, 49 comments)
    3. Raftaar x Nawazuddin Siddiqui - MANTOIYAT (50 points, 20 comments)
22. 238 points, 1 submission: Every_Cauliflower_98
    
    1. Chaar Diwari Moshpit at Pune (238 points, 30 comments)
23. 236 points, 6 submissions: Agent47_hitman-43
    
    1. Emiway bantai - Chhod dala (131 points, 133 comments)
    2. Ikka - RAP MAN (47 points, 14 comments)
    3. 1 MINUTE RAP CHALLENGE SEASON 3 ANNOUNCEMENT - Rohan cariapppa (32 points, 3 comments)
    4. Suggest some underrated DHH projects (19 points, 90 comments)
    5. Faris shafi - Dou step by CAT (6 points, 1 comment)
    6. Ansh4sure - LEG4CY (1 point, 0 comments)
24. 227 points, 4 submissions: opisunlovable
    
    1. MC STAN, KSHMR, Phenom - Haath Varthi (165 points, 113 comments)
    2. [EP] MC Kode - Zeher (32 points, 17 comments)
    3. Armaan Malik, Yashraj, Lost Stories, Kimera - HIIR (16 points, 8 comments)
    4. Dakait, Aniket Raturi, Sez on the Beat - Ghor Illegal (14 points, 8 comments)
25. 227 points, 1 submission: Tusharr7
    
    1. Using AI to make Eminem sing KR$NA's verse in Overdrive (227 points, 41 comments)
26. 214 points, 1 submission: Salt_Instruction_555
    
    1. Karma - How To Tame Your Beast (214 points, 176 comments)
27. 208 points, 9 submissions: Bhutiya_Memer
    
    1. Raftaar - Never Back Down (Review) (91 points, 27 comments)
    2. Sunny Khan Durrani - Mera Koe Gher Nahi (30 points, 30 comments)
    3. SOS x Ahmer x Xplicit - Evil Eye (announcement) (25 points, 4 comments)
    4. Chen K - Shehar (24 points, 14 comments)
    5. Rap Demon x Umair - Mukhlis (17 points, 6 comments)
    6. Arslan Nizami x Ahmer - Tu Dhoor (7 points, 1 comment)
    7. Koshur Nizam - Koshur Side (Westside Story Remix) (7 points, 6 comments)
    8. SOS x Ahmer x Xplicit - Evil Eye (4 points, 1 comment)
    9. Qafilah x 30Key! - The Last Leaf (3 points, 1 comment)
28. 207 points, 12 submissions: anujmaral12
    
    1. Raftaar - Sheikh Chilli (34 points, 27 comments)
    2. MC STAN - Shana Bann (28 points, 19 comments)
    3. Talha Anjum - Karachi Mera (28 points, 16 comments)
    4. Tell me L taken by your fav artist (26 points, 169 comments)
    5. Jokhay, Talha Anjum, Hashim Nawaz - Raabta (20 points, 5 comments)
    6. KR$NA, French the kid - 10 Pe 10 (15 points, 14 comments)
    7. Production review karo guys (15 points, 7 comments)
    8. Aavrutti - Naya Zamana (14 points, 1 comment)
    9. MC Stan - Insaan (10 points, 14 comments)
    10. Raftaar, Salim merchant, karma - Tu Phir Se Aana (8 points, 2 comments)
29. 202 points, 13 submissions: stg_676
    
    1. Karun, Arpit Bala, Lambo Driver, ReVo LEKHAK - Maharani (41 points, 14 comments)
    2. Sez on the beat, Enkore, Yungsta, The Siege, Rebel 7, Smoke - Goonj (38 points, 11 comments)
    3. Frappe Ash - Dumb Ladke (29 points, 11 comments)
    4. Yashraj, Karan Kanchan, Dropped Out - Raakh (25 points, 8 comments)
    5. DRV, Boyblanck - Desktop (21 points, 5 comments)
    6. DRV, Loka, Aakash - Empty (10 points, 7 comments)
    7. DRV, Darcy - Khoj (8 points, 3 comments)
    8. Big Scratch - Akela (7 points, 3 comments)
    9. Goa trap culture, Tsumyoki, 2jaym - I've Had Enough (6 points, 2 comments)
    10. Yoshi, Tarun - Pehlu (6 points, 0 comments)

Top Commenters

1. adolf-dumblewhore (2961 points, 209 comments)
2. GantaiREAPER (2417 points, 204 comments)
3. theAppleboy (2019 points, 302 comments)
4. M_A_G_M_A (1612 points, 201 comments)
5. TheKingAlchemist (1364 points, 174 comments)
6. Noeljino (1333 points, 155 comments)
7. GaneshRasal (1315 points, 468 comments)
8. px1618 (1262 points, 137 comments)
9. Adventurous-Guava981 (1203 points, 172 comments)
10. Loan-Fast (1179 points, 221 comments)
11. NH_hostel (1135 points, 143 comments)
12. Electrical-Spare-973 (1125 points, 92 comments)
13. InstructionHot9577 (1060 points, 172 comments)
14. Even_Positive_756 (1035 points, 78 comments)
15. stg_676 (1032 points, 126 comments)
16. Gandi_Aulaad (1017 points, 235 comments)
17. Yungstahiphop (941 points, 76 comments)
18. Final-Sample- (885 points, 71 comments)
19. SAYmyNAME041 (866 points, 59 comments)
20. anujmaral12 (864 points, 59 comments)
21. MrKayPavlov (852 points, 150 comments)
22. DankKid2410 (803 points, 54 comments)
23. moit12345 (786 points, 93 comments)
24. Bhel- (762 points, 49 comments)
25. noob_coder696969 (734 points, 132 comments)
26. Interesting-Force347 (719 points, 43 comments)
27. TawaChicken (717 points, 108 comments)
28. Ok_Editor4792 (698 points, 75 comments)
29. bucck2929 (684 points, 113 comments)
30. Darknight_hell (681 points, 126 comments)
31. Famous_Amphibian2385 (647 points, 102 comments)
32. Big_a_zoid11 (593 points, 73 comments)
33. GodKodse (563 points, 46 comments)
34. insignificantt (550 points, 82 comments)
35. theRealMadridGuy (548 points, 48 comments)
36. Gaurang1976 (529 points, 90 comments)
37. WADE_- (515 points, 50 comments)
38. Anxious-Progress3480 (512 points, 47 comments)
39. JODDUNMOIST (503 points, 74 comments)
40. Accomplished-Ad-6007 (496 points, 65 comments)
41. poetikjustis23 (495 points, 51 comments)
42. No_Leopard_7000 (488 points, 94 comments)
43. Weeblyweird (480 points, 94 comments)
44. DocDiffer (479 points, 90 comments)
45. realviivek (471 points, 78 comments)
46. yourdaddyaditya (448 points, 99 comments)
47. ahmerkmr (440 points, 39 comments)
48. MasalaBoi (434 points, 80 comments)
49. pundisher2711 (432 points, 65 comments)
50. AgsyWorld (417 points, 20 comments)
51. lovi_sh (413 points, 52 comments)
52. ankubhagat (409 points, 11 comments)
53. abhaykhetan07 (408 points, 28 comments)
54. MilkImpossible7022 (407 points, 15 comments)
55. PARTH-BHARDWAJ (404 points, 57 comments)
56. garvit786 (403 points, 71 comments)
57. Agent47_hitman-43 (403 points, 69 comments)
58. Adorable_Set7546 (399 points, 31 comments)
59. PuzzleheadedCan4466 (392 points, 27 comments)
60. anotherKM7124 (380 points, 51 comments)
61. Exotic_Phone2651 (377 points, 13 comments)
62. coconutanna (376 points, 50 comments)
63. jim-jam-biscuit (368 points, 28 comments)
64. PrettyIntrovertMe (366 points, 44 comments)
65. Ok_Rice4694 (365 points, 125 comments)
66. Ok_Proposal_9149 (349 points, 13 comments)
67. ADITYA290804 (343 points, 60 comments)
68. sezonthebeat (340 points, 7 comments)
69. ken_kaneki07 (334 points, 40 comments)
70. Avinash_Paryani (329 points, 33 comments)
71. aryaannnn (325 points, 35 comments)
72. lujolka (322 points, 59 comments)
73. kshmrmusic (319 points, 3 comments)
74. No_Raspberry_9514 (316 points, 15 comments)
75. Tanish1308 (315 points, 18 comments)
76. Usual_Release_6134 (314 points, 19 comments)
77. itzSKIT (312 points, 44 comments)
78. Grizzlyrang (303 points, 78 comments)
79. Archiet_Tanwar (299 points, 58 comments)
80. Puneet_7164 (295 points, 18 comments)
81. Weak_Comfortable1844 (284 points, 14 comments)
82. Parkour_daredevil (283 points, 28 comments)
83. rewanshh (282 points, 35 comments)
84. Zealousideal-Ask-538 (281 points, 19 comments)
85. Lit_Extreme05 (277 points, 28 comments)
86. Harsha_Bhosde (275 points, 11 comments)
87. Fuzzy-Woodpecker-673 (273 points, 15 comments)
88. suckurmoda (272 points, 65 comments)
89. en1_gma (266 points, 62 comments)
90. CoolnamePanda (266 points, 46 comments)
91. Andhainsaan (256 points, 34 comments)
92. No_Boat_3622 (252 points, 48 comments)
93. Y0han_liebert (248 points, 29 comments)
94. slashinghunter45 (245 points, 15 comments)
95. ___sohammmm (240 points, 17 comments)
96. Actual-Honeydew-4109 (239 points, 32 comments)
97. pratap_10 (232 points, 28 comments)
98. Accomplished_Path233 (228 points, 16 comments)
99. Impressive_Camera173 (228 points, 8 comments)
100. venix124 (227 points, 56 comments)
101. dexter2503 (227 points, 30 comments)
102. v1ntag33 (222 points, 10 comments)
103. Sure_Good_3807 (221 points, 18 comments)
104. 9ighteye (220 points, 26 comments)
105. Lamb_Shiftquantum (217 points, 35 comments)
106. vp1593 (216 points, 42 comments)
107. XXTALKSICK (212 points, 87 comments)
108. YakLost2632 (202 points, 14 comments)
109. okk_123 (197 points, 17 comments)
110. Affectionate-Bad3670 (195 points, 31 comments)
111. shoot-a-lot (194 points, 11 comments)
112. killerscradle (191 points, 44 comments)
113. dam2o (191 points, 21 comments)
114. Cyranizzyyy (189 points, 41 comments)
115. Otherwise_Pace_1133 (189 points, 32 comments)
116. Industry-Beautiful (188 points, 30 comments)
117. youngboypain (188 points, 9 comments)
118. Known_Assumption_383 (186 points, 26 comments)
119. Iyushy00 (185 points, 41 comments)
120. Bhutiya_Memer (185 points, 27 comments)
121. TraditionalArticle88 (185 points, 19 comments)
122. Careless_Landscape45 (183 points, 53 comments)
123. Solid_Phase9878 (183 points, 6 comments)
124. oichu (182 points, 12 comments)
125. obscure-reality (181 points, 39 comments)
126. Hungry-Grocery-2646 (181 points, 11 comments)
127. pawan270319999 (178 points, 14 comments)
128. whatever_his_name_is (177 points, 21 comments)
129. BluEsCREwer (175 points, 32 comments)
130. BIG_P0PPA_ (172 points, 57 comments)
131. Big-Thanks7910 (172 points, 44 comments)
132. Ill_BLOGGER_633 (172 points, 30 comments)
133. Affectionate_Tune203 (170 points, 19 comments)
134. Fit_Neighborhood6332 (170 points, 15 comments)
135. Xomet (169 points, 8 comments)
136. MysteriousCup1836 (163 points, 14 comments)
137. belikepac (163 points, 11 comments)
138. Additional-Peak-1755 (162 points, 60 comments)
139. Glum-Highway-7403 (161 points, 43 comments)
140. Guilty_Surprise5534 (161 points, 28 comments)
141. shutupmatsuda (159 points, 29 comments)
142. I_Am_Useless_1 (158 points, 39 comments)
143. rittesh1234 (156 points, 16 comments)
144. Scary_Career_6081 (153 points, 31 comments)
145. N-o-va (152 points, 38 comments)
146. Every_Cauliflower_98 (152 points, 31 comments)
147. ChutiyaChutney420 (150 points, 19 comments)
148. MysteriousBicycle577 (149 points, 26 comments)
149. Few_Satisfaction8170 (149 points, 15 comments)
150. Appropriate-Bird6642 (148 points, 12 comments)
151. spacemonkey___ (147 points, 12 comments)
152. BhargavK_18 (146 points, 19 comments)
153. enough_cheesE (145 points, 16 comments)
154. 2ded4u (145 points, 12 comments)
155. organic_mineral (144 points, 10 comments)
156. io866 (143 points, 21 comments)
157. tangrikebab (142 points, 5 comments)
158. AN-Rexxx (141 points, 20 comments)
159. lying_hips (140 points, 8 comments)
160. ZealousidealChange11 (139 points, 23 comments)
161. Low_Apartment_3911 (137 points, 36 comments)
162. tatakaealways (135 points, 36 comments)
163. WarmRelationship8483 (135 points, 17 comments)
164. Shivy0999 (134 points, 42 comments)
165. r0cks33n9915 (134 points, 36 comments)
166. JaiJai011 (134 points, 8 comments)
167. an0nym0us_buddy (134 points, 3 comments)
168. nuanshed (133 points, 10 comments)
169. EconomyAd4071 (131 points, 8 comments)
170. Vast-Professional-82 (131 points, 6 comments)
171. dedlife18 (130 points, 45 comments)
172. Ok-Tonight-8723 (129 points, 17 comments)
173. fuddhu (129 points, 9 comments)
174. LordJ92 (128 points, 17 comments)
175. REALISMONPEAK (126 points, 35 comments)
176. imdumb_sike (126 points, 17 comments)
177. The-Volumee (125 points, 23 comments)
178. Beginning-Kick1946 (125 points, 17 comments)
179. Substantial_Spare345 (125 points, 4 comments)
180. Aarav_Parmar (123 points, 31 comments)
181. rnt7520 (123 points, 29 comments)
182. paranoidnotandroid14 (123 points, 12 comments)
183. GreenCucumber1677 (122 points, 24 comments)
184. Amriteshgautam (121 points, 5 comments)
185. Easy-Repair-3614 (120 points, 18 comments)
186. Actual_Employment_89 (120 points, 12 comments)
187. sirtansejuda (117 points, 14 comments)
188. aryan_gami (116 points, 41 comments)
189. frikuser (116 points, 22 comments)
190. padh_le_beta (116 points, 18 comments)
191. Gusion- (116 points, 15 comments)
192. Ancient_Scientist_04 (116 points, 7 comments)
193. fatherless_milf (115 points, 20 comments)
194. MIHIR1112 (115 points, 9 comments)
195. Agitated-Detail1466 (115 points, 5 comments)
196. NightAxeblad3 (114 points, 23 comments)
197. abhinavred123 (114 points, 11 comments)
198. dark_king_2002 (113 points, 23 comments)
199. Mammoth_Attention_73 (112 points, 14 comments)
200. relevant_juniper (111 points, 22 comments)

Top Submissions

1. Iconic photos of Desi hip-hop. by adolf-dumblewhore (451 points, 124 comments)
2. Haath Varti - Kshmr X Mc Stan Out this Friday by ___sohammmm (354 points, 76 comments)
3. 101% THE BIGGEST!! by GodKodse (323 points, 72 comments)
4. KARMA - YOUNG GALEECH by M_A_G_M_A (302 points, 274 comments)
5. Two Tone extended version coming soon ft. Talhah Yunus by Puzzleheaded-Act-10 (290 points, 27 comments)
6. youngest Indian to feature on Billboard by lolxdmekaisemaanlu (256 points, 47 comments)
7. Chaar Diwari Moshpit at Pune by Every_Cauliflower_98 (238 points, 30 comments)
8. Encore abj freestyling on his live today (01/05/2023) by bucck2929 (233 points, 54 comments)
9. Using AI to make Eminem sing KR$NA's verse in Overdrive by Tusharr7 (227 points, 41 comments)
10. Yungsta Has Revealed Meen's Artwork by MrKayPavlov (215 points, 35 comments)

Top Comments

1. 250 points: Harsha_Bhosde's comment in I'm convinced
2. 233 points: ankubhagat's comment in KARMA - YOUNG GALEECH
3. 210 points: kshmrmusic's comment in MC STAN, KSHMR, Phenom - Haath Varthi
4. 184 points: Exotic_Phone2651's comment in Karma - How To Tame Your Beast
5. 177 points: GantaiREAPER's comment in KARMA - YOUNG GALEECH
6. 169 points: anujmaral12's comment in Young Stunners - TWO TONE
7. 166 points: Anxious-Progress3480's comment in Young Galib - Kulfa-Kar-Ma
8. 163 points: PuzzleheadedCan4466's comment in Why is no one talking about this?
9. 145 points: slashinghunter45's comment in Ikka announces the release of “RAPMAN” in collaboration with Raj Comics.
10. 144 points: Final-Sample-'s comment in KARMA - YOUNG GALEECH

Generated with BBoe's Subreddit Stats

Hi, I'm new to reddit so if this isn't formatted correctly, I am sorry.
I don't know what is wrong with me. I mean this as like, what is so wrong with me that everyone that I have ever cared about has left me. I'm not talking about ex boyfriends/ girlfriends only. I mean everyone.
I have major trust issues, that probably stem from childhood trauma and abuse. My entire life I have been told that I am worthless. By my family, classmates in school, and even my ex's. My dad was never in my life, hell, I didn't even know who he was or that I had two older siblings until I was 16. The man I thought was my dad, well, he was my little bro and sisters' dad. He treated me the worst. Sexually abused me from 5 to 14. I never understood why until after I was an adult and in therapy. He used to tell me the only thing I was good for was to lay on my back and make babies. My mom... she is something. A def. narcissist. She would always blame me for things that I didn't do. Or take my younger siblings side in arguments. The first time I attempted to commit suicide (i was 12) she cried and asked why I would do that to her. She was even evaluated by a psychologist when CPS tried to remove only me, and was told that she needed to seek serious mental health help based off of her MMPI scores. Spoiler: She never did. I was, and still am, the outcast in my family. 3 older brothers, all with the same dad. Me and my dad, and my younger 2 siblings with their dad. I was always alone.
When I was 17, I hung myself in the garage, if my brother was just 1 min later, I wouldn't be typing this. I sometimes hate that he cut me down. I wish that he would've let me swing there. But here I am. That stay in the hospital was the longest. My mom just left me there. didn't even bother to bring me clothes to change into. They had to keep me in sweats and a t-shirt. That year was the first time my mom told me she wished she had aborted me when my dad had offered to pay for it. I never recovered from that.
I, surprisingly, graduated HS a year early, and got a scholarship to a good school, and with the JumpStart Program I was in for "academically inclined youth" I was able to graduate collage with my associates degree at 18. Then I got knocked up. Fresh out of collage, and my bf and I were expecting. My mother called me trash and that I was a failure. But I endured and had 2 beautiful babies in the year 2015. They were my reason to keep going. But PPD is a cruel mistress. Not only was I working 2 jobs, their dad never helped. We lived together, but I was mother, maid, cook, breadwinner. All alone. I neglected to help myself witch lead to my 3rd suicide attempt. My kids were safe with their godmother when I attempted to take my own life. But CPS still took them away. It crushed heart. They were my everything, but I felt like they deserved better than me, and if I was gone, they could have that life. I struggled to complete everything CPS threw at me, but I was determined to get my kids back. Every parenting class, every pop up visit. I completed everything, and I did it alone and on my own. But based on the character witnesses that they had (my mom, older brother and their dad) they decided that I was too mentally unstable to have custody and gave them to their dad. He did everything to keep them from me, even went as far as to move out of state. I haven't seen them in 5 years.
Moving forward, I got married in 2017 to my ex husband and we had 2 children together. He was a character. Broke three ribs, my orbital bone and kept bruises on my face and body at all times: but I endured because I wanted to prove my mother wrong. I stayed for four years in a marriage that almost killed me. I survived, and I am a single parent with a wonderful son and daughter. But I won't say I don't struggle with my mental health.
The whole reason that I decided to sit down and make this post is because I fell in love with my best friend. He has been my rock for 6 years. I helped him battle addiction, kept him sober. But I had always kept him at arms length and even when he would try to flirt or ask me to be with him, I always turned him down and turned him away. I even went low-contact with him for a year to push the decision I had made to be only friends. He has been Uncle J to my kids since they were born. He saved my life when I had almost let my ex-husband take it. I had saved his when he almost let addiction take him. But I fell in love with him this year. In the beginning of this year, I was diagnosed with a severe heart condition along with MDD (major depressive disorder). I didn't have anyone so I called him. After spending the last 5 months with him always around, watching him interact with my children and him going to every appointment with me, I started to see him differently. I started to miss him when he wasn't around. I found myself looking at him more when he was. I took a chance last month and I kissed him. It felt so right, like our lips were always meant to kiss. so for two months, we have been seeing each other. Making love and living together. He told me he loved me and I believed it. He had said he had been in love with me for years, but was waiting for me to see him. I told him I fell in love with him and that I was scared that I was going to lose him if we decided that an intimate relationship wasn't what we wanted after all. I let him into my heart, opened up to him. Well, he just left. No warning, nothing. Not even a good bye. 6 years of friendship, my heart, just gone. its been a week, and he won't return my calls, texts. Blocked me on social media. He has, essentially, deleted me. Everything I told him I feared, he did to me. I was afraid that it was all a lie, that he didn't actually love me, that it was all a ploy to finally sleep with me and then ditch me, like I was an achievement to 'win' just to say he did. I feel used, disgusting, betrayed, broken. I tried not to fall for him. I really did. I feel like there is something wrong with me and everything I've been told my whole life is true. That I am worthless, that I'll never be loved because I'm not worth loving.
What is wrong with me? When is it my turn to be wanted? When will I find someone that is afraid to lose me? Who wants me? Why aren't I worth enough to be loved? please help me?
TLDR: I was never loved as a child and I think it's affecting my adult life.

Hi, I'm new to reddit so if this isn't formatted correctly, I am sorry.
I don't know what is wrong with me. I mean this as like, what is so wrong with me that everyone that I have ever cared about has left me. I'm not talking about ex boyfriends/ girlfriends only. I mean everyone.
I have major trust issues, that probably stem from childhood trauma and abuse. My entire life I have been told that I am worthless. By my family, classmates in school, and even my ex's. My dad was never in my life, hell, I didn't even know who he was or that I had two older siblings until I was 16. The man I thought was my dad, well, he was my little bro and sisters' dad. He treated me the worst. Sexually abused me from 5 to 14. I never understood why until after I was an adult and in therapy. He used to tell me the only thing I was good for was to lay on my back and make babies. My mom... she is something. A def. narcissist. She would always blame me for things that I didn't do. Or take my younger siblings side in arguments. The first time I attempted to commit suicide (i was 12) she cried and asked why I would do that to her. She was even evaluated by a psychologist when CPS tried to remove only me, and was told that she needed to seek serious mental health help based off of her MMPI scores. Spoiler: She never did. I was, and still am, the outcast in my family. 3 older brothers, all with the same dad. Me and my dad, and my younger 2 siblings with their dad. I was always alone.
When I was 17, I hung myself in the garage, if my brother was just 1 min later, I wouldn't be typing this. I sometimes hate that he cut me down. I wish that he would've let me swing there. But here I am. That stay in the hospital was the longest. My mom just left me there. didn't even bother to bring me clothes to change into. They had to keep me in sweats and a t-shirt. That year was the first time my mom told me she wished she had aborted me when my dad had offered to pay for it. I never recovered from that.
I, surprisingly, graduated HS a year early, and got a scholarship to a good school, and with the JumpStart Program I was in for "academically inclined youth" I was able to graduate collage with my associates degree at 18. Then I got knocked up. Fresh out of collage, and my bf and I were expecting. My mother called me trash and that I was a failure. But I endured and had 2 beautiful babies in the year 2015. They were my reason to keep going. But PPD is a cruel mistress. Not only was I working 2 jobs, their dad never helped. We lived together, but I was mother, maid, cook, breadwinner. All alone. I neglected to help myself witch lead to my 3rd suicide attempt. My kids were safe with their godmother when I attempted to take my own life. But CPS still took them away. It crushed heart. They were my everything, but I felt like they deserved better than me, and if I was gone, they could have that life. I struggled to complete everything CPS threw at me, but I was determined to get my kids back. Every parenting class, every pop up visit. I completed everything, and I did it alone and on my own. But based on the character witnesses that they had (my mom, older brother and their dad) they decided that I was too mentally unstable to have custody and gave them to their dad. He did everything to keep them from me, even went as far as to move out of state. I haven't seen them in 5 years.
Moving forward, I got married in 2017 to my ex husband and we had 2 children together. He was a character. Broke three ribs, my orbital bone and kept bruises on my face and body at all times: but I endured because I wanted to prove my mother wrong. I stayed for four years in a marriage that almost killed me. I survived, and I am a single parent with a wonderful son and daughter. But I won't say I don't struggle with my mental health.
The whole reason that I decided to sit down and make this post is because I fell in love with my best friend. He has been my rock for 6 years. I helped him battle addiction, kept him sober. But I had always kept him at arms length and even when he would try to flirt or ask me to be with him, I always turned him down and turned him away. I even went low-contact with him for a year to push the decision I had made to be only friends. He has been Uncle J to my kids since they were born. He saved my life when I had almost let my ex-husband take it. I had saved his when he almost let addiction take him. But I fell in love with him this year. In the beginning of this year, I was diagnosed with a severe heart condition along with MDD (major depressive disorder). I didn't have anyone so I called him. After spending the last 5 months with him always around, watching him interact with my children and him going to every appointment with me, I started to see him differently. I started to miss him when he wasn't around. I found myself looking at him more when he was. I took a chance last month and I kissed him. It felt so right, like our lips were always meant to kiss. so for two months, we have been seeing each other. Making love and living together. He told me he loved me and I believed it. He had said he had been in love with me for years, but was waiting for me to see him. I told him I fell in love with him and that I was scared that I was going to lose him if we decided that an intimate relationship wasn't what we wanted after all. I let him into my heart, opened up to him. Well, he just left. No warning, nothing. Not even a good bye. 6 years of friendship, my heart, just gone. its been a week, and he won't return my calls, texts. Blocked me on social media. He has, essentially, deleted me. Everything I told him I feared, he did to me. I was afraid that it was all a lie, that he didn't actually love me, that it was all a ploy to finally sleep with me and then ditch me, like I was an achievement to 'win' just to say he did. I feel used, disgusting, betrayed, broken. I tried not to fall for him. I really did. I feel like there is something wrong with me and everything I've been told my whole life is true. That I am worthless, that I'll never be loved because I'm not worth loving.
What is wrong with me? When is it my turn to be wanted? When will I find someone that is afraid to lose me? Who wants me? Why aren't I worth enough to be loved? please help me?
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TLDR: I was never loved as a child and I think it's affecting my adult life.

CONTEXT
Although I have not yet become a PSVR2 owner, I got to try the PSVR2 for about 10 hours over 2 days. (On my friend's PS5).
I tried the following games:
Horizon Call of the Mountain, RE8, GT7, No Man's Sky, Thumper, Rez: Infinite, Star Wars demo, Song in the Smoke demo, Drums Rock demo.
My primary goal was to see how I feel about the headset, specifically in a context where I don't even have a PS5 at the moment. I also have to budget thoughtfully, I barely spend money except on my basic needs. I was trying to get a sense of whether I would enjoy this system enough that it would be a healthy addition to my life, enough that I would spend ~$1100 for the console and headset.
I already own a Reverb G2 with a solid PC, so I especially wanted to know:
- Will I feel that much more immersed with this wider FOV and vivid colours and deep blacks?
- Will it feel a lot easier and appealing to put on and use?
- Will I want to play Thumper 24/7?
- Is it comfortable? Especially in the context that I was one of the unlucky ones who found the original PSVR uncomfortable despite my love for it.
- Will I be interested enough in the games, will I have fun?
INTRO
I first fell in love with VR through the original PSVR. In some ways it's still my favourite headset to date with the rich colours and above average field of view, as well as some (unfortunately) exclusive games that I absolutely love. A couple years of owning PSVR saw me purchasing an Oculus Rift S. I enjoyed exploring the world of PCVR but always found myself missing the vivid PSVR colours and other qualities. To try and remedy this I sold my Rift S and bought an HP Reverb G2 when it released 2.5 years ago.
I'm definitely happy I picked up the G2 and despite the frustrating jank that comes with WMR it's stood the test of time as new headsets get released. Paired with a laptop 3080 GPU (approximately equivalent to a regular 3070), here's a little spoiler for my review: while using the PSVR2 I found myself simultaneously missing my G2 and also being reminded of why I loved the PSVR so much and how this carries over to PSVR2, with some advantages that my G2 can't touch.
I've also spent two weeks with a Quest playing wirelessly, and tried out Quest 2 connected to PC briefly (a horrible experience for me). Overall I can see the appeal of wireless and the lower cost Quest headsets but it's not what I'm looking for, personally, lacking in many areas I find too impactful.
PSVR2 IMPRESSIONS
A little spoiler, the arc of my 2 day experience was like this: great -> okay -> great -> unpleasant -> maddening -> good -> great.
DAY ONE
I started with unboxing and setup. The controllers felt great to me right away, got me excited. The headset was peculiar, I've never seen/felt a facial interface like it, it was interesting and surprising even though I'd seen pictures and videos and reviews. Cool!
The setup was nice. Cool room scanning effect, easy room setup, IPD and eye tracking setup seemed great. Passthrough was the best I've experienced, and so easy to turn on. Oh and I've never seen anyone mention the fun VR playstation effect/logo at the end of setup haha. Nice!
The headset felt surprisingly light on my head, like lots of reviewers and users have mentioned. I was expecting the small sweet spot, and that it was. It reminds me exactly of the PSVR's sweet spot, which I found needed to be in just the right spot to be at its best. I didn't have any headband to wear and didn't try anything else to help the headset situate. I found it to be fine though, and was happy with how it looked after brief adjustment. I was assisted by all the reading I've done (wear it like a hat, band at the lower end of your head angled up), as well as actually looking at the instructions Playstation showed me on-screen!
With limited time to play I barely charged the controllers before setup, so by the end of setup the batteries were, unsurprisingly, dead. I set them back to charge and switched to Dualsense. No problem, because more than anything I wanted to try Thumper!!
My first PSVR2 experience indeed became Thumper, the very game that motivated me to buy a PSVR headset way back when, and one of my favourite games of all time (I really love it...). I've played it a ton already and was eager to see how it looked and felt on PSVR2.
Well, it looked and felt great. I was in love immediately. Although I didn't have my G2 headset with me to directly compare, my feeling was that the improved colours and overall feeling of presence was above my expectations. The haptics added to Thumper was a nice touch and between the two of course it felt like the best way to play Thumper. I did already notice the 'film grain' effect that gets called mura, but it was a non-issue for me. There was a similar effect on the original PSVR and even though it was very much there technically speaking, I easily forget about it and stop seeing it. It doesn't bother me at all.
Thumper looked and played wonderfully, and my very first impression was "I NEED THIS HEADSET!".
Then I remembered I've gotta decide here if I'd actually spend $1100 for this thing, on my gentle budget, and returned to earth! I gotta try more and spend more time with it.
Unfortunately the gods were not on my side.
Next up was Horizon CotM. Controllers were adequately charged to give it a go.
I turn on my controllers and boot up CotM. I see some introductory in-game menu choices. It tells me to press X to select the one I want. Press press press. Nothing's happening. I am using the gaze tracking, the option I want is highlighted. Press press... Hmmmm, I try my left controller lower face button. That works. Oh is that the 'X' button? I thought it was on the right controller? Next menu, I select it with the left controller bottom face button. Next menu, "recenter the headset to continue". That one I know is on the right controller. I hold it down. Nothing. Uh oh... I hold it down some more, nothing. I turn off the controllers and turn them back on. No change.
Time to troubleshoot! I do a quick google, and quickly find an answer. Some people have this problem. I've gotta close the game, turn off the controllers, open the game with the Dualsense, THEN turn on the controllers. Strange and not very pleasant.
I do it, it works, I'm in!
I wasn't expecting to love Horizon CotM. But I was expecting to be visually impressed. I got in, and... it looked good. But I wasn't very impressed. I think I had high expectations from reviews of games like Walking Dead S&S where the PSVR2 graphical power apparently matches high end PCVR. Of course, the PS5 is still just a PS5, I've heard it's roughly equivalent to a 2070, and yeah, that checks out. The graphics of CotM were not mindblowing. It did not feel like a flat PS5 game.
But, it was good. And when I remember that PS5 power is roughly equivalent to a 2070, which is the first GPU I used VR with, I was impressed. It did feel like it was pulling above its weight. On a 2070 and Reverb G2 I feel like I'd expect this graphical quality to come with not only reprojection but also stutters and such. On PSVR2 it was totally smooth. The reprojection was comfortable to me, though I used snap instead of smooth turning (I find this tends to be my preference on PCVR too when reprojection is involved, because of the 'screen drag').
Still, technical judgements aside, I wasn't in love with the visuals. The backgrounds felt a little fake at times with what I'd describe as a kind of '3D glasses look' instead of a 'VR look', something that of course was necessary to save on resources. I was feeling very judge-y of the graphics and just played for about 10 minutes before switching games. I was hoping this would be a game that, while I didn't expect to love it, I thought I'd have good fun with, but I wasn't feeling the pull.
Next up, RE8.
I really enjoyed RE7 on PSVR. Time to get to the real shit. An aesthetic I'd be into, and the game that many say is the best on PSVR2. Resident Evil Village. I haven't played it flat and avoided spoilers. Exciting!
I have the same issue on boot as I had with CotM, where the controllers didn't work at first. This time at least I know how to fix it, and sort it out quickly. On with the game!
Right away when I start the tutorial it's just so much better to me than CotM. Ah yes, we've arrived. I'm immediately immersed, everything feels great. I fire a pistol in the shooting range, holy hell, it feels amazing! So cool. Uh oh dark room. Yep this is where it's at.
I played the RE8 demo up until (including) the first bit of combat and the first view of the castle in the distance.
I enjoyed it very very much. I'm ready, I want to play the full game! I felt totally immersed even as I commented excitedly on everything I was thinking and feeling to my friend watching.
Unfortunately, as I neared my stopping point for RE8, pain started to grow in my head and eyes too. Pretty bad. I was reminded of my comfort challenges with the PSVR, and feeling very nervous all of a sudden. Maybe I could not go for this headset, maybe it just doesn't work with my head. I didn't have anything I'd read about to try to improve the comfort like a headband, or a top strap.
I took a break, hoping that this was something I could sort out for my next play session, and not an unsolvable problem for me.
Next up, GT7.
Break's over! About an hour or two later.
I haven't really spent time with a racing game since Need for Speed: Underground on Gamecube. And that, I learned quickly, is a different beast from GT7. I did try Wipeout on PSVR, and while I really enjoyed giving it a quick try, I actually refunded it because I just wasn't into the racing. I think between impressions I'd watched and my experience with Wipeout, which looked amazing on PSVR, I once again had my visual expectations set quite high.
With GT7 I was even more graphically disappointed than with Horizon. The graphical quality itself is not so great. I haven't played it flat but I would imagine it's much reduced from the flat version. Which again, makes perfect sense, I just had expectations too high. It did feel immersive still, but I was a bit bummed from this graphical disappointment, and having a hard time getting excited to learn GT7.
I was playing on a file with some tracks and cars unlocked, not too much. I made it my goal to do a nighttime race, which I'd heard was especially beautiful. I was rushing though. Although turning with motion controls (dualsense) felt good, my driving abilities were terrible. I didn't know anything about GT7 really, and I was picking arcade races that said "Night" but when I loaded into the race it didn't feel at all like night, and I got frustrated and quit out at the start of the races. I just wanted to see nighttime!
I got a bit fed up and quit GT7, ready to move on to a game I was actually decent at.
Next up, Song in the Smoke demo.
Keep in mind I'm coming from being annoyed and disappointed with GT7. Now I load up Song in the Smoke, a game I've played the beginning of on PCVR and have kind of been saving in the hopes that I'll have my first full playthrough on PSVR2. It's a game I'm really interested in playing in full.
I open the demo to the main menu, point at the menu screen, and suddenly all hell breaks loose.
Menu options are being rapidly selected as I hover my VR cursor over them. What?? Is the demo glitched?
I try to progress but it's awful, I can't navigate the menus, I'm so flabbergasted and confused.
I quit out and switch to the Star Wars demo. Same thing happens. That's not good. Time to troubleshoot.
It turns out I'm having an issue where my right sense controller trigger is constantly firing.
I try one suggested solution, it doesn't fix it. Then I try the Playstation suggested fix, which is to do a full reset of the controllers. But I don't have a pin to reset it. I ask my friend. I ask his boyfriend. Nobody has a small pin. AHHH!!
Well that's the end of Day 1. I can't play, the right controller is broken.
Despite my mixture of feelings, some very very positive, I come away feeling rather dismayed and downtrodden on the PSVR2... I had a lot of technical issues in a short time, that finally put a very sour end to the first day.
DAY TWO
It started rough. I still didn't have a pin to do a controller reset. The right controller issue persisted. In a last ditch attempt I try something I read online that doesn't sound like it could possibly work. I pull the trigger all the way, blow into it, and let it flick back to starting position. I also did a couple other things but I'm pretty sure this is what did it. Cause yep, I got it working. Yay!!!
Day two is always better! Everything was different this time. It was night, I was alone in the room, my graphical expectations were in check, the system was setup, the controllers were working, I'd learned a bit more about how GT7 works, and I felt settled and relaxed.
First I wanted to try No Man's Sky. Another game I've played a lot of, I've even made a VR-focused quality of life mod for it on PCVR. How would I feel about it on PSVR2? I was very curious. My expectations here were low, I'd read about all the impressions, the low resolution and clarity.
Actually I was pleasantly surprised. Yeah it did have that low resolution and relatively low clarity. But I also have all kinds of performance issues on PCVR and I can never run it smoothly with a visual fidelity I'm satisfied with. Here, Hello Games decided for me what corners to cut, and I think they did a good job. I felt immersed and could see people enjoying No Man's Sky on PSVR2. That said, I'm a bit burned out on No Man's Sky and it wasn't a game I felt like I wanted to spend my limited PSVR2 time with.
I decided to spend the $10 to upgrade my REZ ps4 copy. I actually replayed Area X recently on PCVR, so I felt like I'd have a comparison in mind.
Not surprisingly, like with Thumper, I just loved REZ on PSVR2. First I played Area X, it was wonderful and definitely more impactful than on my G2 (which was still very good, don't get me wrong). Then I tried the main REZ game. I feel like Area X gets too much focus. Area X is a beautiful experience but damn the main game is such a jam.
I had a lot of fun. Of course I was using the eye tracked aiming and it worked great. Kind of a subtle difference in a way but I think it was impactful.
Feeling great, I decided I wanted to dig into a game a bit more rather than just keep rotating around. The obvious choice is RE8, but I felt like I should save that for if/when I actually own a PSVR2 for myself. I wouldn't have enough time now to finish it. Also I already knew from my brief test with it that this was a game that I'd want to play.
So instead I went back to Horizon CotM. This was a game I wasn't sure if I'd care at all about, but I wanted to give it another chance. I started over from the beginning, now alone and more present, and worrying less about whether the graphics met any preconceived expectation.
I also used the default, arm-swinging, control method this time. Why not give it a try?
This time I actually really did enjoy it. The arm-swinging was great! I'm surprised that it's not more popular, and I wonder how many people actually gave it a try. I'm a regular smooth movement user, but I felt like the arm-swinging was more immersive and fun. The climbing was fun. The story was fine enough to set a stage and I was worried there'd be constant talking but it wasn't like that (it was an annoyance for me in HL: Alyx, which I did not appreciate). I've never played a Horizon game but I felt engaged and felt like I was beginning an adventure I wanted to see through.
I ended up playing quite a bit. I got to the 'hub area', rescued a character, then went on a mission to get a scrap piece to fix an elevator. I also did the safari boat ride. And yeah this time I really did have fun, and if I do get a PSVR2 I'll gladly restart it and play it through. I don't expect it to be a favourite game by any means but yeah it was fun. And my visual criticisms still stand but I found myself enjoying the visuals as they are, looking down as I climb over beautiful rivers, sneaking through caves, pretty music... I liked the combat (I had aim assist turned off), found it engaging. Climbing felt good. Nice!
Also what about the comfort?
I realized that the comfort issue was mostly being caused by the way my headphones sat on the headset, pressing against my head in some way. Once I realized this, I remembered I discovered this as a culprit on the original psvr as well. A bit unfortunate, but I found a way to resolve it more or less by moving my headphone headband to the back of my head. (I wanted to use my own headphones which have very good sound quality). I think I'd need to sort out a different solution in the long term if I owned a PSVR2, but it did make me feel a lot better about the comfort. Besides that headache issue I had I really liked the way PSVR2 felt on my face/head, feeling light and easy to wear.
I took a short break, then dived back into GT7.
Feeling like I could take my time a bit more, this time I actually went into in-game settings, poked around... I turned off all HUD and HUD assists, but turned on some driving assists. This turned out to be exactly what I needed to enjoy the races.
I was still determined to get my nighttime experience. I did a full race that went into nighttime. Better, but I was still feeling disappointed, I wanted to be deep in the shroud of night and it was just not really dark and moody. Then I found the exposure settings! I turned exposure to its lowest, -1, and then also adjusted the temporary exposure to its lowest, -3. Ahhhh yes. I feel like the default is just tooooo bright. This is where it's at.
With exposure turned way down, now I'm where I want to be... I start to really enjoy the driving. I start to relish the shine of lights in the world around me, from tunnels or cars or city lights in the distance. I feel like I'm driving in the night. I feel like I have to keep my eyes focused to catch the shape of the track. But at the same time I feel way more relaxed.
In the end I played a variety of races, through different times of day. I kept the exposure very low and found that to be my preference in just about every situation. I started to really get in the flow of it all and I came away feeling like it is a game I actually want to play. I think I'd keep the driving assist on and just enjoy it the way that feels comfortable to me.
Time for bed!
BONUS DAY THREE
Okay technically I had 3 days! I didn't know how much time I'd have on my final day. I decided to go back to Thumper and just enjoy one of my favourite games, played on the best system I could play it on, for the rest of whatever time I had left.
I ended up playing through Levels 2, 3, and 4. Had a great time as I expected.
And that's that! That's the end of my PSVR2 experience.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS AND DECISIONS
So, will I buy a PS5 just for PSVR2? Did I like it or did I love it? Would I recommend it?
I really do have to budget carefully right now.
I came away still unsure if I'll buy it. It's a big ask. I don't expect to use the PS5 for anything other than VR. I already have a good PC and Reverb G2, that has its issues, but I do still use it.
I do also think the PSVR2 is excellent.
So what about the Reverb G2 vs the PSVR2?
Whenever I try another VR headset I've been consistently rewarded in my G2 purchase. The G2 has amazing clarity, and I bought it for $600 which I think was a good price, but now it can be purchased for $300 on ebay or during sales, which is just amazing. Of course you need an expensive PC to run it, when I first got it I had a 2070 and I was enjoying it but it was a bit rough. Even with my 3070-equivalent computer, I often run games at reprojected 45fps, and many games will stutter. That said I had a great time playing Vertigo 2 recently, and I use my G2 for movies and also for a meditation app (DeepStates VR) and a music visualizer app (DMT: Dynamic Music Tesseract).
The PSVR2 does have better colours, better blacks, better FOV. In the end the PSVR2 has the better presence that I was hoping for. I did sometimes miss the clarity of the G2 and the graphical power of my computer. I felt this specifically in Horizon, GT7, and No Man's Sky, where I could imagine the PC providing a better experience if it's well optimized. At the same time, I don't even feel like I can play No Man's Sky comfortably on my PCVR right now because it's so intensive and I can never find a compromise between visuals and fps that I like since the last couple updates.
If I did not have any VR headset, but I had a PS5 and my current PC, I would pick PSVR2.
If I did not have any VR headset, and I also did not have a PS5 or PC, I would pick PS5 + PSVR2.
If I did not have any VR headset, and I did not have a PS5, but I did have a high end (3070 or above) PC, I would pick Reverb G2.
In my specific situation where I don't have a PS5 or PSVR2, but I do already have a good PC and Reverb G2, I am not head over heels dying to buy a PS5 and PSVR2. But I do want it. Goddamn I want it!! Will I buy it? I'm not sure. I'm expecting to make a little money over the next few months, but not sure yet exactly how much, so my decision will probably depend on that.
In the end I was surprised by how much technical trouble I had getting it all setup and working right. The controller issues were hugely frustrating. I felt really deflated after that first day. But once that was all done, and I got settled in with the headset, I did really love it.
This is a headset I would recommend. It exists in the real world with real limitations. It's not capable of the graphics a high end PC is capable of, but I also understand that it's easier to optimize for console vs PC and so it doesn't surprise me if some games do look as good graphically on PSVR2. And once you factor in the beautiful colours and blacks, and the above-average FOV, even when graphics are worse the presence is better.
It also is easier to use, once it's all working smoothly. Easy to turn on and get started. But also easier to feel like putting on the headset in general, because of the way that it does sit so light on the head even though its literal weight is standard to VR. The curious facial interface turned out to be a great design choice, feeling gentle and also allowing you to easily scratch your eye when an itch comes in! Comfort was excellent except for what seems to be a pretty unique headache issue I have that has something to do with my head shape + headphones, and based on my Day 2 experience I'm pretty confident I can resolve the problem. And I don't think this is a problem the vast majority of others will have.
Games-wise I feel great about the PSVR2, and I want to play games on PSVR2 that I wouldn't care about playing on PCVR because of the improved presence and haptics and overall accessible feel of the headset.
I love the controllers, the haptics are great, and the head haptics were a nice and subtle touch too.
And yes, I do want to play Thumper 24/7 on PSVR2.

Going for a full PAL PSVita and I was wondering if someone has an official set list. I'm only going for the normal game releases, no limited run or similar style games, just the core PAL game set. Also not going for code in a box games
Currently working with this list of 229 games:

• 7'sCarlet
• A Rose In The Twilight
• Aegis of Earth: Protonovus Assault
• Akiba's Beat
• Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed
• Amazing Spiderman
• Angry Birds: Star Wars
• Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!!
• Army Corps of Hell
• Asphalt: Injection
• Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
• Assassin's Creed: Chronicles
• Atelier Shallie Plus
• Axiom Verge
• Bad Apple Wars
• Batman Arkham Origins: Blackgate
• Ben 10 Galactic Racing
• Best of Arcade Games
• Bit Dungeon Plus
• BlazBlue Chrono Phantasma Extend
• BlazBlue Continuum Shift Extend
• Borderlands 2
• Bunny Must Die!
• Call of Duty Black Ops Declassified
• Chaos;Child
• Child of Light: Complete Edition
• Code: Realize Future Blessings
• Code: Realize Wintertide Miracles
• Collar X Malice
• Corpse Party Blood Drive
• Criminal Girls Invite Only
• Criminal Girls 2 Party Favors
• DanganRonpa Trigger Happy Havoc
• DanganRonpa 2 Goodbye Despair
• DanganRonpa V3
• DanganRonpa Ultra Despair Girls
• Darkest Dungeon
• Dead or Alive 5 Plus
• Death Mark
• Deception IV Blood Ties
• Demetrios
• Demon Gaze
• Demon Gaze 2
• Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention
• Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited
• Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes
• Dragon Ball: Z Battle of Z
• Dragon's Crown
• Drive Girls
• Dungeon Hunter Alliance
• Dungeon Travelers 2
• Dynasty Warriors 8 Xtreme Legend
• Dynasty Warriors Next
• Earth Defense Force 2
• Epic Mickey: The Power of Two
• Everybody's Golf
• F1 2011
• Farming Simulator 14
• Farming Simulator 16
• Farming Simulator 18
• Fate/EXTELLA
• FIFA 13
• FIFA 14
• FIFA 15
• FIFA Football
• Final Fantasy XX-2 HD Remaster
• Football Manager Classic 2014
• Freedom Wars
• Gal Gun Double Peace
• God Eater 2 Rage Burst
• God of War Collection
• God Wars: Future Past
• Grand Kingdom
• Gravity Rush
• Gundemoniums
• Hakuoki Edo Blossoms
• Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds
• Handball 16
• Hatsune Miku Project Diva F 2nd
• History Legends of War
• Hyperdevotion Noire Goddess Black Heart
• Hyperdimension Neptunia PP
• Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2
• Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3
• Hyperdimension Neptunia U
• Ice Cream Surfer
• Injustice Ultimate Edition
• Invizimals Alliance
• Invizimals Rebellion
• Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge
• J-Stars Victory VS Plus
• Killzone Mercenary
• LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
• LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
• LEGO Chima: Laval's Journey
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
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Discussion Place for Shooting Stars (Kick A Goal) EP95 - GT (group B #2) v AC (group A #1)
Knock-out Playoffs: Game 01 - Giants vs. Actionista
Players, their teams, managers and their IG's PART 1
Players, their teams, managers and their IG's PART 2
Thanks to u/M3rc_Nate
please use >!text to hide/spoilers!< to hide any spoilers for at least the first couple of days. However, expect not everyone will follow; so SPOILERS will be discussed.
Press Conference: with Lee YoungJin, Baek JiHoon (Coach), Oh BeomSeok (Coach), and Lee HyunYi
ChallengeLeague 3.0 - GROUP C

TEAM	Played	WINS	LOSSES	Goal Diff.	Scored	Against
NFa	3	2	1	+0	4	4
SFb	3	2	1	+0	2	2
WW	3	1	2	+1	2	1
BDy	3	1	2	-1	2	3

BD = BallaDream
NF = NatFam
SF = StreamingFighter
WW = WonderWoman
^a = automatic promotion to SuperLeague
^b = possible promotion to SuperLeague, knock-out game vs. the winner of 5th/6th seed in SL (GV or TG)
^y = suspended from all League play
SuperLeague 4.0 - GROUP A

TEAM	Played	WINS	LOSSES	Goal Diff.	Scored	Against
AC	2	1	1	+1	6	5
FM	2	1	1	+0	3	3
TGx	2	1	1	-1	3	4

^x = eliminated from knock-out playoffs, will play one game vs. bottom rank of Group B to find out 5th and 6th seeding
AC = Actionista
FM = FireMoths
TG = TopGirl
SuperLeague 4.0 - GROUP B

TEAM	Played	WINS	LOSSES	Goal Diff.	Scored	Against
WC	2	1	1	+2	6	4
GT	2	1	1	+0	3	3
GVx	2	1	1	-2	5	7

^x = eliminated from knock-out playoffs, will play one game vs. bottom rank of Group A to find out 5th and 6th seeding
GT = Giants
GV = Gaevengers
WC = World Class
Total Goals Leader (from both Challenge and Super Leagues)

Rank	Player	Team	Goals (versus)
1	Hwang HeeJung	NF	3(SF 1, BD 2)
T2	Lee YoungJin	AC	2(TG 2)
T2	Kim BoKyung	TG	2(AC 2)
T2	Lee HyeJeong	AC	2(FM 2)
T2	Lee HyunYi	GT	2(GV 2)
T2	SaoRi	WC	2(GT 1-pk, GV 1)
T3	SeoMoon Tak	BD	1(NF 1)
T3	YuBin	TG	1(AC 1)
T3	Jeong HeIn	AC	1(TG 1)
T3	Song HaeNa	GT	1(GV 1)
T3	SeoGi	BD	1(WW 1)
T3	EuDDeum	SF	1(NF 1)
T3	Kim MinJi	NF	1(SF 1)
T3	Naty	WC	1(GV 1)
T3	Lee EunHyung	GV	1(WC 1)
T3	Kim SeungHye	GV	1(WC 1)
T3	Kim MinKyung	GV	1(WC 1)
T3	Hong SooAh	FM	1(AC 1)
T3	Eva	WC	1(GT 1)
T3	Kim GaYoung	WW	1(NF 1)
T3	Kim SeolHee	WW	1(NF 1)
T3	Park SunYoung	FM	1(TG 1)
T3	Ahn YeWon	SF	1(BD 1)

GAME STARTING ROSTERS
GT with coach Oh BeomSeok

no.	Player	TEAM
100	Lee HyunYi (C)	F
7	Song HaeNa	D
21	Jin JeongSun	GK
18	Kim JinKyung	F
66	Cha SeoRin	(SUB)
1	Heo KyungHee	D

2-2 formation
AC with coach Baek JiHoon

no.	Player	TEAM
02	Lee YoungJin (C)	D
33	Lee HyeJeong	F
11	Moon JiIn	F
8	Jeong HeIn	M
250	Lee ChaeYoung	GK
1	Park HaNa	(SUB)

2-1-1 formation
DO NOT READ THE BELOW SPOILERS unless you really want to be spoiled of the game highlights.
Highlights:~1' AC Miss: (AC 11) and (AC 8) strip the ball from (GT 100), (AC 11) kicks a short pass to the middle for (AC 33) who one-time short back passes to (AC 02), she surveys the field and dribbles down the right wing beating (GT 27), (AC 02) kicks a forward pass down the right wing for (AC 33) who traps the ball and back passes to (AC 8) around the centre circle, (AC 8) takes a deep one-time bouncy rolling shot on target that (GT 21- GK) smothers, i nice set of passes and a shot on target by AC
Highlights:~2' AC Miss: (AC 8) takes a sideline kick-in deep in AC territory with a shot on target that is bouncy, (GT 21- GK) gets in front of the ball attempting to catch it, but hits her knee and goes out for a corner kick
Highlights:~2' AC Miss: (AC 8) takes a low lobbing shot on target deep in her defensive territory that (GT 21- GK) tracks down and follows and pushes the ball out of bounds for a corner kick
Highlights:~3' AC Miss: (AC 8) takes a sideline kick-in with a power low roller shot on target that goes in the net, however, there is no other incidental contact or touch from any field player that the goal is no good
Highlights:~3' AC Miss: (AC 8) takes a sideline kick-in with a power low roller shot on near the goal mouth that (AC 33) botches the first touch but manages to get a back heel kick shot on target, that (GT 1) manages to block, the ball goes out of bounds for a corner kick
Highlights:~4' GT Miss: (GT 27) takes a corner kick with a delicious perfect cross pass to the top of the 16 yard box that (GT 100) one-time shoots on target that is placed low and in the middle, (AC 250- GK) gets her left foot on the ball to re-direct it out of bounds for a corner kick, what a great pass, shot, and save
Highlights:~4' GT Miss: (GT 27) takes a corner kick with a low roller to the goal mouth area that (AC 33) manages to cut off and trap, she is being rushed by everyone collapsing on her position that she poke kicks the ball forward, (GT 1) gets to the ball first and takes a one-time shot on net that is way off target
Highlights:~4' GT Miss: (GT 27) takes a corner kick with a low roller to the goal mouth area that (AC 33) manages to cut off and trap, she is being rushed by everyone collapsing on her position that she poke kicks the ball forward, (GT 1) gets to the ball first and takes a one-time shot on net that is way off target
Highlights:~5' GT Miss: (AC 250- GK) tosses the ball deep to (AC 11) but she botches the first touch and (GT 1) takes the ball, with a great cut move she dekes out (AC 8) and dribbles down the right wing, she kicks a great cross pass that goes through (AC 33) but holy smokes NO ONE from GT was expecting the cross pass both (GT 27) and (GT 100) were a step behind and flat footed on a great cross
Highlights:~6' AC Foul: (AC 02) and (GT 27) go for a 50/50 air ball, (AC 02) pushes (GT 27) out of the way and is whistled for a foul, a direct free-kick is awarded on the left wing side at the centre line
Highlights:~6' GT Miss: (GT 27) takes direct free kick with a shot on target that is blocked by (AC 8) the ball goes to the wing and (GT 100) and (AC 8) battle for the ball, (GT 100) manages to control the ball and kick an outlet pass to the opposite wing to (GT 7) who traps the ball and takes a shot on target that is aimed for the near side bottom right corner, (AC 250- GK) is well positioned and manages to smother the ball
Highlights:~7' GT Skills: (GT 1) gets a side jumping header to keep the ball on the offensive zone, the ball dropped to (AC 02) who kicks it out and goes out of bounds to the sidelines
Highlights:~7' AC Miss: (AC 02) kicks the ball forward and it manages to reach a deep positioned (AC 11), (GT 21- GK) comes off her goal line to contest the ball and kicks it out of bounds towards the sidelines before (AC 11) can take a shot or control the ball
Highlights:~7' GT unexpected Skills: (GT 7) totally misses a bouncy ball and it rolls towards GT defensive end into the corner, (GT 21- GK) kicks the most unexpected and technically beautiful forward rolling pass down the wing for (GT 100) to receive, the play ends with no shot on net for GT
Highlights:~8' AC Miss: (AC 8) takes a sideline kick-in with a power shot that is blocked by the GT wall of (GT 27), the ball bounces back to (AC 8) who takes the ball and dribbles down the right wing side and manages to take a shot on net that misses the near side post by a few feet, (GT 21- GK) was well positioned to cut the angles
Highlights:~8' GT Foul: (AC 33) and (GT 27) battle for a loose ball, looks like (GT 27) grabs the hand of (AC 33) who falls down to draw the foul, whistle blows in her favour, a direct free-kick is awarded in AC territory on the left wing side
Highlights:~8' AC GOAL: (AC 8) takes the direct free kick with a cross pass to the opposite wing side for (AC 02), she beats (GT 100) with a self pass forward down the right wing and chases it down with a shot on target that is aimed for the far side bottom left corner that stuns everyone, (GT 21- GK) should have had this shot blocked, nothing special other than its spontaneous nature, the shot went through TWO GT defenders, so it was a very well placed shot on target that missed defenders, (AC 11) was well positioned to get any big rebounds, great AC goal
Highlights:~9' AC Miss: (GT 1) heads the ball forward with a light tap that (AC 02) kicks forward back into GT territory, (AC 11) is wide open but the ball is too deep, (GT 21- GK) comes off her line and gets to the ball and bodies it, wisely not using her hands as she is positioned outside of the 16yard box, the ball still loose but is eventually out of bounds on the sidelines by AC, (AC 11) subs off for **(AC 1)
Highlights:~9' GT Miss: (AC 1) tries to clear the ball forward but (GT 7) steps in front of the ball and re-directs it deep into AC right wing corner that (GT 100) tracks down, she slows the pace down and controls the ball a bit with (AC 8) on her back, she kicks a back pass to (GT 7) who one-time kicks the ball that goes to the left wing side where (GT 27) is all alone. (GT 27) gets a one-time volley shot on target but HOLY SHIT (AC 250- GK) had her left hand stuck out and it hits her hand and drops in the front of both (AC 250- GK) and (GT 27), (AC 250- GK) instantly drops down and smothers the ball. WHAT A SAVE!!! i thought this shot from last week's previews was 100% a goal lolol, it was a huge save, ULTRA INSTINCT save!!!!!
HALFTIME SCORE LINE: ------- GT 0 - 1 AC------------, both teams are playing hard, with both getting offensive chances, it's just a matter of finishing their chances with a goal

Awhile back I made a post about how powerful Percy and how powerful he is. If you want you can view it here. This is a part two of sorts and will feature:
Corrections to the original post, a debunk, Curse of Achilles, and Eye of Nekhbet, Tl;dr end.
Correction:
I said that the explosion from the Mt. Saint Helens nearly killed him. However I reread this feat after it was pointed out that it was the exertion of power, not the explosion that nearly killed him. First the feat:

Afterward, I could never describe what happened. An explosion, a tidal wave, a whirlwind of power simultaneously catching me up and blasting me downward into the lava. Fire and water collided, superheated steam, and I shot upward from the heart of the volcano in a huge explosion, just one piece of flotsam thrown free by a million pounds of pressure. The last thing I remember before losing conscious was flying, flying so high Zeus would never have forgiven me, and then beginning to fall, smoke and fire and water streaming from me. I was a comet hurtling toward the earth. The Battle of the Labyrinth

Howerever, if you go forward a little bit you will read this.

That’s the last thing I wanted him to say. I hadn’t been in control of myself in that mountain. I’d released so much energy I’d almost vaporized myself, drained all the life out of me. The Battle of the Labyrinth

It drained him so much that he described it as draining him more than anything else he's ever done:

“Holy Poseidon,” I muttered. I looked as if I’d lost twenty pounds I couldn’t afford to lose. On the other hand, I really was weak. I couldn’t stay on my feet more than a few hours. Whatever I’d done in Mount St. Helens had drained me like nothing else I’d ever expected. The Battle of Labyrinth

However that wasn't an effect of the explosion, rather an effect from causing the explosion. So that increases his durability past what I originally said. Which I will recalculate after the next correction:
Percy reacting to the bullets. First, the quote:

They stepped from the trees on either side of the road. Instead of gray camouflage, they were now wearing blue New Mexico State Police uniforms...They drew their handguns The first skeleton fired. Time slowed down. I won't say I could see the bullet, but I could feel its path, the same way I felt water currents in the ocean. I deflected it off the edge of my blade and kept charging. Zoe and Bianca fired at their heads point-blank Six skeletons raised their guns. The other five came forward with batons. Fifty feet away. Forty feet... The other skeletons opened fire. I raised my lion coat for protection, but I didn't need it.
The Titan's Curse

Something I didn't think about was that the were equipped with New Mexico State Police equipment. Since they were using their gear, they were either using Smith & Wesson .357/.45 or the Glock 22/31. They both have have firing speed of 370-375 m/s.
The calculation for this feat was done here. u/FalseTrajectory calculated that it would require a reaction of 10.7 milliseconds to react to this speed. Which is a bit more inline with his lighting reaction feat. Which would require a reaction speed of 16 milliseconds.
Now for a corrected scaling. Here is what I originally said:

Scaling: So for durability, City level. While surviving the St. Helens explosion was impressive, it nearly killed him and Calypso had to nurse him back to health. Physical Strength is 4-5 tons. More than likely higher. Speed is also impressive and he is capable of running at well above peak human. His skills can't be scaled but are impressive. For his actual powers. He is definitely small mountain level. However, this one is debatable.
My First Post

For reaction, which I forgot to mention at all, I will say 10-16 milliseconds. Keep in mind that the average human can react at 250 milliseconds
And for the durability, it is getting buffed from city level to volcano level. I am going to move up to volcano level. The reason: he was still able to destroy Mt. Saint Helens. Mt. Saint Helens is a stratovolcano. They can get as tall as 10,000 feet (3048 meters). Mt. Saint Helens caps out at 9,677 feet (2,950 meters). The average volcano is 10000 ft or 3048 meters. So for that, I can say with confidence that he is volcano level.
And now, a debunk that is going to get me some hate: Percy can't blood bend. Yes, I know about him controlling the poison in Tartarus. And yes, he did that through controlling the water in the poison. However, he hasn't been shown to be able to control blood. And to be honest, we never will. I know it is a logical and easy jump to make, but for now that is only theoretical.
Next, Curse of Achilles Percy.
Since this is a amplified version of Percy, because of this, he scales above all of the previously mentioned feats. Although, an argument could be made that HoO feats shouldn't count, I say they should considering that was a Percy without the Curse, which amplifies his powers.
Some feats for this version of Percy:

It was the stupidest thing I've ever done. A hundred muskets fired at me, point blank. All of them missed. I crashed into their line and started hacking with Riptide. Bayonets jabbed. Swords slashed. Guns reloaded and fired. Nothing touched me. I whirled through the ranks, slashing redcoats to dust, one after the other. My mind went on autopilot: stab, dodge, cut, deflect, roll. Riptide was no longer a sword. It was an arc of pure destruction. I broke through the enemy line and leaped into the black chariot. Hades raised his staff. A bolt of dark energy shot toward me, but I deflected it off my blade and slammed into him. The god and I both tumbled out of the chariot. The next thing I knew, my knee was planted on Hades's chest. I was holding the collar of his royal robes in one fist, and the tip of my sword was poised right over his face. Silence. The army did nothing to defend their master. I glanced back and realized why. There was nothing left of them but weapons in the sand and piles of smoking, empty uniforms. I had destroyed them all. Hades swallowed. "Now, Jackson, listen here. . . ." He was immortal. There was no way I could kill him, but gods can be wounded. I knew that firsthand, and I figured a sword in the face wouldn't feel too good. "Just because I'm a nice person," I snarled, "I'll let you go. But first, tell me about that trap!" Hades melted into nothing, leaving me holding empty black robes. I cursed and got to my feet, breathing heavily. Now that the danger was over, I realized how tired I was. Every muscle in my body ached. I looked down at my clothes. They were slashed to pieces and full of bullet holes, but I was fine. Not a mark on me.
The Last Olympian

While he thinks that they were all missing, they were actually hitting him. He was just not registering it, and not only that, besides his clothes, he was unharmed.
He was temporarily able to fight Hyperion. Even causing the air to get charged with ozone:

I concentrated on the tidal wave and forced it to reverse. Just before impact, I jumped upward on a jet of water. "AHHHHH!" The waves smashed into Hyperion and he went under, his light extinguished. I landed on the lake's surface just as Hyperion struggled to his feet. His golden armor was dripping wet. His eyes no longer blazed, but they still looked murderous. "You will burn, Jackson!" he roared. Our swords met again and the air charged with ozone.
The Last Olympian

He was able to fight with Kronos and survive hits that shook the Williamsburg Bridge:

I met his first strike with Riptide. The impact shook the entire bridge, but I held my ground. Kronos's smile wavered. With a yell, I kicked his legs out from under him. His scythe skittered across the pavement. I stabbed downward, but he rolled aside and regained his footing. His scythe flew back to his hands.
The Last Olympian

He was even able to tank hits that break the cables of said bridge and was only mildly disorientated:

He struck the bridge with the butt of his scythe, and a wave of pure force blasted me backward. Cars went careening. Demigods—even Luke's own men—were blown off the edge of the bridge. Suspension cords whipped around, and I skidded halfway back to Manhattan. I got unsteadily to my feet.
The Last Olympian

Get sent back 300 yards (900 feet) by a blast from Hyperion with enough force to break every bone is his body if it weren't for the Curse of Achilles:

A wall of force slammed me through the air—just like the trick Kronos had pulled on the bridge. I sailed backward about three hundred yards and smashed into the ground. If it hadn't been for my new invulnerability, I would've broken every bone in my body.
The Last Olympian

The average 15 year old weighs 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg). It takes 4,000 N or 899.2358 ibs to break a human femur (it is the strongest bone in the human body and the impact would have broken all of his bones). That means he flew at a minimum of 3000 m/s. With this knowledge, we can calculate that the impact or 413172 pounds of force.
He was able to kill a Gorgon with a single slice of Riptide and later knock out another Gorgon with a single hit from a silver platter:

Gah!” Euryale stormed toward her sister. Percy took the opening. He grabbed Stheno’s platter, scattering poisoned Cheese ’n' Wieners, and slashed Riptide across Euryale's waist, cutting her in half. He raised the platter, and Stheno found herself facing her own greasy reflection. “Medusa!” she screamed. Her sister Euryale had crumbled to dust, but she was already starting to re-form, like a snowman un-melting. “Stheno, you fool!” she gurgled as her half-made face rose from the mound of dust. “That’s just your own reflection! Get him!” Percy slammed the metal tray on top of Stheno’s head, and she passed out cold.
The Son of Neptune

The same Gorgons was unscaved by a hit from a truck in the fast lane and getting dragged for a hundred yards:

“Gotcha!” shrieked Euryale. Percy turned as an arrow thudded into her forehead. Euryale tumbled into the fast lane. A truck slammed into her and carried her backward a hundred yards, but she just climbed over the cab, pulled the arrow out of her head, and launched back into the air…
The Son of Neptune

The average speed limit of a highway in California is 55m/h or 88.5139 k/h. The most common car to drive one the west coast of the US is the Toyota Tacoma. These can weigh anywhere from 3,915 to 4,550 lbs. Or 1775.8141 Kg to 2063.845. With all this knowledge we can calculate the force of impact would be around 263933 to 306742 lbf.
Eye of Nekhbet:
Being Nekhbet's Avatar gave him the access to thousands of years of knowledge:

Thousands of years of memories flooded my mind. I saw pyramids rising from the desert, the sun glittering on the Nile River. I heard priests chanting in the cool shadows of a temple, and smelled myrrh incense on the air. I soared over the cities of Ancient Egypt, circling the palace of the pharaoh. I was the vulture goddess Nekhbet—protector of the king, shield of the strong, scourge of the weak and dying.
Crown of Ptolemy

He is able to see on multiple layers of reality:

I saw layers of reality, like strata of glowing multicolored jelly, plunging down into infinity. On the surface, where the mortal and immortal worlds met, Setne was whipping the Duat into a storm—churning waves of color and frothy white plumes of smoke.
Crown of Ptolemy

He has enhanced strength:

I hefted the sword. Like so many I’d tried, it didn’t feel right in my hands. The hilt was too heavy for my wrist. The single-edged blade was curved awkwardly, like a giant hook knife. I tried a jab and nearly lost my balance. “This one doesn’t look like yours,” I told Carter. “Isn’t yours called a kopis?” “Mine is a khopesh,” Carter said. “The original Egyptian version. What you’re holding is a kopis…
Crown of Ptolemy (pre Eye of Nekhbet)
Setne, drop the crown.” I raised my kopis, which didn’t feel heavy with Nekhbet’s power flowing through me.
Crown of Ptolemy (post Eye of Nekhbet)

His reaction time is enhanced even further:

Thanks to Nekhbet, I realized what was going to happen a split second before it did, which saved our lives.
Crown of Ptolemy

He can tank an explosion capable of leveling a soccer field:

He strutted around the soccer field an black bell-bottomed slacks, a frilly white shirt, and a glittery purple trench coat-all of which clashed with his newly combined red and white crown.
Crown of Ptolemy
A ring of fire exploded outward from Setne.
A shell of purple light surrounded me, and the flames rolled harmlessly over translucent wings that that now extended on either side of me.
The Crown of Ptolemy
The fire blackened the entire field, instantly turning wet mud into steaming cracked clay.
The Crown of Ptolemy

The fire was so hot that it melted Celestial Bronze:

My new sword was a steaming line of bronze slag on the ground.
The Crown of Ptolemy

This Percy can fly:

Before Setne could finish casting his spell, I grabbed him in my spectral claws and carried him into the sky
The Last Olympian

Tl;dr: Percy has volcano level durability. He also volcano level powers. He can lift up 4-5 tons. He is faster than peak human. His skill is amazing.
Curse of Achilles Percy is even more powerful than base Percy so should be able to be moved up, however we never get the chance to see this (at its fullest) as Rick takes this away because it was to OP.
Eye of Nekhbet Percy is honestly, in my opinion, more powerful and has greater variety than CoA Percy.And of course, this is perhaps the most experienced Percy we see. However, Percy once again has this power taken away before it can be used to its fullest.
What are your thoughts? Has this post made you see Percy as weaker or stronger than you did before? What are your thoughts? Finally, who should I scale next?
Respect the Son Of The Sea, Percy Jackson!

Morning rose with the sun shining down past the bundle of bamboo. The song of birds could be heard far away, as everything laid dormant. Close to where Eientei stood; still retaining most of its infrastructure, was everyone who had survived another blood moon night.
Sumireko woke up, feeling groggy as she rubbed her eyes and stood up. She looked around and found Rumia next to her. She recalled what had happened last night, how Rumia nearly lost control again and killed someone. Fortunately for everyone Sumireko still had the White Rose on her, even if she still doesn’t know why it reacts under a blood moon.
“What a night.” She thought. “You think that we could have at least one night in Gensokyo without anything happening. But then again, it is Gensokyo.”
She looked over to her left, finding another figure who laid on the ground. Her hair was a dark auburn, with a pair of wolf ears and long claw-like nails on her hands. She looked to be sleeping peacefully; as though everything that happened last night never happened. The only issue however is that she didn’t seem to have anything to wear, which caused Sumireko to look away upon realizing that fact.
“And another person who we ran into along our travels too. It feels like everytime we go somewhere we find an abandoned place, meet someone new, then fight bad guys and nearly die in the process.” Sumireko thought, looking around to see if anyone else was awake. “I guess I should go wake the others since I’m up.”
…
Kagerou Imaizumi was sitting inside the clinic on a small stool, her body covered up with a cloak given to her by Satsujin after he and everyone else woke up. Many of them were still injured so they went back inside knowing there would be supplies and medicine which can heal them up in a jiffy. Currently Wakasagihime was keeping her company, as was Kosuzu, and Sumireko, while the others were looking for whatever medicine Eirin made that could heal all wounds in seconds.
“I’m so glad you’re okay Kagerou.” Wakasagihime said while hugging her friend as tight as she could with tears of joy. “To think that you were the giant wolf all along.”
“I-I’m glad to see you also.” Kagerou, feeling her lungs being pressed together thanks to the sheer strength the mermaid had. She didn’t want to push her friend away though, so she remained quiet about it. “It’s a good thing that I didn’t mistake you for food or something.”
“So, what do you know?” Sumireko asked, wondering if the wolf girl had any recollection of what happened last night or anything prior. “Do you remember what you did during the blood moon?”
“Um, not really… I do remember when everything turned to chaos about a month ago. I just remember finding refuge with some other youkai who I knew from the Grassroots Youkai Network. We were fine at first for a couple of weeks; hiding in a cave big enough to hold about 10 or so of us. But then one night one of us noticed the area outside turning red like it did before, only this time someone got curious and checked it out… Then the next thing I knew I myself was fleeing for my life out in the open, trying to avoid looking at the light’s origin.”
“But you did anyway, didn’t you.” Kosuzu asked. “That’s when you turned into that beast.”
Kagerou nodded. “I have the ability to turn into a werewolf on full moons. Normally I hate it because I end up so hairy. But I guess the red colored moon amplified that somehow. I really don’t remember what happened afterwards, but when I reverted back to my normal self, I didn’t have anything to wear, and I could recall the aftertaste of rabbit… I must’ve eaten a lot of people during those nights… You must hate me because of that.” She said in a down tone.
“Hate you? I would never!” Wakasagihime said. “You and Sekibanki are two of my closest friends! I would never hate either of you no matter what!” She said, squeezing her tighter than before.
“T-Thank you…Princess.” Kagerou said, feeling her ribs being crushed. “C-could you loosen your grip now please?”
"Wait, where is Satsujin?" Sumireko said, looking around. “Wasn’t he here not too long ago?”
“I think he went to check on the others.” Kosuzu said.
"Hey." A feminine voice spoke from nowhere.
And there was Satsujin, or rather, Satsuki, who was wearing a new attire, consisting of a black kimono with a cherry flower imprint, along with a hair retouch that made the original's style go from a natural mess to something more sophisticated.
"So, how do I look? I just found this room with a lot of intact clothes, and I figured out I could give myself and him a new coat of paint." Satsuki said, spinning around.
"I don't know why you chose this attire, rather than something that won't mess up so easily." A layered voice said.
"Hey, you should've been glad I took the time to give us some basic care! You haven't changed our clothes in days! Besides, what's so bad about fighting with style?" Satsuki said.
"Whatever. I'm just glad there's something covering me down there at least." The layered voice said.
Sumireko starred with wide eyes, almost in disbelief in the outfit in question. It seemed odd but at the same time it suited Satsujin, or in this case Satsuki very well. Wakasagihime and Kagerou both looked in awe. Kosuzu on the other hand had a much more ecstatic expression.
“Oh my god!!!” Kosuzu said. “You look amazing in that! You look like a refined noble lady. No, better. You look like an impoverished boy who had been turned into a beautiful woman with the help of a kind goddess, who gets taken in by a noble samurai as you both fall in love and get married and have a beautiful daughter together!!! This gives me an idea for a possible story actually! Oh, if only I had my books with me!” She squealed.
Meanwhile, Mary could just admire her partner in crime, unable to say anything. She had her hands clenched together, moving towards her. "You look…so…PRETTY!! AAAAAAAAHHHHH~" She said, screaming like a fangirl, with a full face blush.
Some of the others had similar impressions. Meiling liked Satsuki’s style, Suika gave a thumbs up, Ko could only stare with mild confusion; believing that the person in front of her was supposed to be Satsujin.
The one person who had a much different opinion on the matter was Youki. The swordsman took a good look at the blue-red eyed girl, and how much prettier she was now. It was enough for him to leave the room momentarily, only to return after wiping his nose of any possible blood that might’ve leaked.
Inside Satsujin’s mind, a few of his variants had similar yet mixed feelings regarding Satsuki’s style choice. Satsunyan was one of the few who was very excited.
“Nyah! We look totes adorbs! You go girl!” Satsunyan said.
“Why…are we wearing a dress?” Satsuko asked Sateen.
“Because the fouls of darkness that haunts our very being wishes to make us suffer, knowing full well that the draconic aura of our hearts would dwindle upon receiving compliments that would make us question the many things that make us who we are.” Sateen said in an edgy tone.
“Why…Didn’t you stop her?” Grim asked Satsujin. “No, seriously why?”
“Because it was better than not being exposed.” Satsujin answered.
…
After some recovering and conversations, the group knew the next task at hand: Figuring out where to go next.
“Kosuzu?” Sumireko asked the young spirit. “Do you have any possible idea on where everyone from Eientei went?”
“I wish I knew, but unfortunately I don’t know. When I became a spirit, everyone was already gone, leaving me here alone. I tried checking the entries in hope that there would be some kind of clue, but no.” Kosuzu flipped through the pages of the journal to show that there was no proof of Haru’s whereabouts. “I’m sorry I can’t be of much help.”
“So we’re back to square one.” Suika stated. “We came all the way here, nearly lost our lives repeatedly, and we still have no clue on if all our friends are still in the land of the living.”
“Hey, don’t say it like that. I know they’re still out there somewhere.” Kosuzu said. “Besides, they have Haru with them. I haven’t known him for too long, but I know that he is very capable and very strong.”
“Yeah, and with a ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ kind of attitude.” Suika said. “Or in his case: Chop someone’s arm off without giving a valid reason, then stay in their home knowing full well you’re making everyone else anxious just by being in your presence, while having next to no social awareness.”
“Eh?” Kosuzu was a little confused. “What do you mean Suika? Do you know him?”
“Oh… You have no idea.” Suika said in a calmer voice. She reached into her pocket once again, checking to make sure a certain box was still on her personnel.
“Uh…Well anyways. If only we had something to give us a clue on where to go next.” Kosuzu said.
And then flying out of the sky, into the doors of Eientei, down the endless hallways, making several turns around corners, slipping through the crack of the door into the room where most of everyone was in, slapping onto the face of Meiling was a sheet of paper. The gatekeeper took the paper off her face, looking at it closely.
“What’s that?” Cirno asked Meiling.
“A paper… With horrible handwriting.” Meiling said.
“That’s definitely Haru’s.” Sumireko said. “PB?”
“On it.” PB took the paper, making a translated copy and handing it over to Kosuzu.
—
May 4th, Year 202X
Time of writing: 7 pm. Cloudy day. Chance of soft rain tonight.
It's been a few hours since Kosuzu's cremation ceremony.
Not all of us were able to attend, as there were many who were still injured and needed someone to provide care for them. That only left me, Akyuu, and a handful of other people who knew her well.
Akyuu was heartbroken to see her friend die. The whole time while she was speaking she couldn’t stop crying or sobbing everytime she finished a sentence. When she finished she bawled her eyes out and I along with a few others had to go take her to another room.
Flandre’s condition had improved physically, I noticed how her wings have been growing back and forming new crystals, something I didn’t expect to see nor understand. However her mental condition remained the same. Even now, she doesn’t talk to anyone, she won’t eat unless someone spoon-feeds her, and she still keeps clinging onto that container of ash labeled ‘Remilia’. I wish I could do more for her, but…
I don’t know what to do.
I came here to Gensokyo by pure chance, only for my skills to be put up to the challenge the moment The Depraved Incident occurred. I've been working day and night; barely any sleep or time to rest, just to help everyone and anyone who I can still save.
But I still keep failing, I still keep losing those who I wish to save. To think I still call myself a doctor after all of this…
But I still can’t give up, nor can I allow myself to grieve.
I've been considering making an expedition over to Youkai Mountain tomorrow. Because of the tengu village, and the shrine that sits on top of the mountain, there is a pretty good chance that there is some sort of resistance established there. And considering that I could find tougher enemies to deal with before getting there, I've decided to bring two more people with me just in case. The two best options I'm considering right now are Seiran and Aunn. First off, Seiran can use that strange telepathic communications mechanism exclusive to her species she told me some time ago to keep constant contact with Ringo, in case something goes wrong, and second, since Aunn is the more visible face of the Hakurei Shrine aside from Reimu herself, it might make things easier when we need someone to vouch for us.
I'll announce my plan later today to the rest of the team. It shouldn't be a problem to convince them, but if it goes wrong, I'll have to go alone, as always.
…
I̳͍ͭͧ͘͝ ̛̙̜ͪ̏́cͨ͂҉̞̪͘a̛̻̪̐̿͡n̵̨̘͔ͭͥ'̸͆ͪ҉̥͉t͙̹ͦ̈͘͜ ̬͓̊̈͞͡d̴̀̚҉͚̰o̢ͦ͋҉͖̻ ͣͮ͜҉̥̗t̖͍ͥͩ͝͠h̶̙̞͊̑͝i̶͖̤̒̋͝ș̨̞̉͆͞ ̶̶̭͚ͨ̊a̳̮ͣ̄̕͠n̢͖̥̔̀͢y̵͎͍̽ͮ͜mͧ͒͏̡̪̠ó̹̱ͪ͜͝ŗ̑͑͏̠̦e̛̠͈ͫ̿͝.͐ͩ͞҉̥̻ ͍̞̋̏͟͞
—
“...” Kosuzu looked at the last part of the entry with a sense of worry, with feelings concerned over what it could mean.
“Youkai Mountain? That’s where they went?” Sumireko said.
“That makes sense actually.” Meiling said. “From what I know, it is home to the Kappa and Tengu, both of whom are talented and knowledgeable respectively. Plus you also got Moriya Shrine there, which most people can access via the ropeway.”
“Ropeway?” Mary asked.
“Yeah, the ropeway. It’s easy to identify with the little sign close to it. I can’t imagine anyone missing it and attempting to scale up the entire mountain by themselves.” Meiling chuckled.
“Well what are we waiting for? We should head over there as soon as possible!” Sumireko said.
*growl*
Everyone heard the sound of a stomach rumbling. That stomach being Kagerou, whom they all looked at.
“Um… Sorry.” Kagerou blushed a little. “I guess I haven’t eaten much.”
“Even despite what happened last night?” A few thought.
“I guess it is better to find something to eat first; gather up some energy so we are ready for when we depart.” Cirno said. “Now, what kind of food would a clinic have…”
While the others looked for something they could possibly eat, Kosuzu continued to look over the entry again, trying to see if there was something else.
“Is there something on your mind, Kosuzu?” PB asked her.
"I'm worried about something else. The last line of the journal is unreadable. Mr. PB, are you sure you transcribed it well?" Kosuzu said, handing the transcription again to PB.
“Hm… I am certain that I have. Though this is strange, as though it is unnatural…” PB looked at the paper once again. “But then again I have seen similar scenarios in the past with previous companions long ago. Something like this is usually a sign of their mental health waning; the energy to keep running low until they are completely drained.”
“S-should I be worried then?” Kosuzu asked, concerned about what it could mean regarding Haru.
“Hm… Well if there is one thing I can say, and this is based on an old friend of mine… Is that the ones who are the most depressed are usually the ones who are too stubborn to give up. Judging on what I know about this Dr. Haru, he sounds like a man who can be pummeled to near-death, yet gets right back up again just to prove his resilience.”
“What is this old friend you speak of?” Kosuzu asked. “Are they someone you know well?”
“Indeed. I can still remember the first time we met. The journeys we went through, the friends we made, the struggles we accomplished… It is a shame that they went through so much, all because of my value.” PB said. “Perhaps someday, we can meet again, though when it’ll happen remains unknown in my database.”
Kosuzu looked at PB, then down at the entry again, staring at the words for a moment.
"I just wish he is still holding on." Kosuzu thought, clenching her hand in her chest, looking at the sky. "Friend…"
…
A small container with an exciting label of a whole roasted bird being converted into a tiny little pill, referred to simply as “Insta-dinner: An entire full course meal in a single pill!!!”
This was what everyone used to fill up their stomachs. Just one pill and bam! However, Sumireko kept staring at it, not eating it. The rest's appetites were satiated.
Meiling took one with some water, and moments later all the hunger she had felt since yesterday had all but faded.
“Oh, I feel full. I don’t think I felt full in months!” Meiling said.
“I know right! I had to eat like three of these just for my stomach to say that I had enough.” Suika said.
Some of the others were a little doubtful on the effects of the pill however. Sumireko was looking at the small red and brown colored capsule with slight doubt.
"Oh. The last thing we need is to turn someone here into a giant blueberry and then have them go through a juicer." Sumireko said, reluctant to take the pill.
“I have no idea what you’re referring to.” Satsujin said, taking the pill himself. “You should eat it anyways, because who knows how long we’ll get to eat again.”
Sumireko was going to say that dead people wouldn’t eat. But then remembered a certain ghost and her gluttonous appetite, so she remained silent about the matter and swallowed the medicine.
Now it was time to get ready. Once they leave Eientei, they’ll be making a one way trip over to Youkai Mountain. Some of the group members were doing some last-minute things before they depart.
Youki, Mary, and Cirno were sharpening their blades to ensure efficiency in combat, using the grindstone Mary had found a while back.
"Mary's grindstone proved to be an excellent tool. My sword is as good as new again." Youki said, checking the weapon one last time.
Ko was spending a bit more time with Rumia, resting her head on her lap while Rumia stroked her hair. Gummy and Shanghai accompanied Ko as well.
Suika was chugging down her gourd before the trip.
Wakasagihime and Kagerou were chatting, with Kagerou now wearing a new outfit identical to her old one.
Meiling was in the middle of meditating.
Satsujin was checking on some things inside his mind.
That only left Sumireko, who was standing alone by herself while holding the white rose in her hand. She looked at it, though questioning its existence and purpose. She could recall what Merciel and Su-Wang have told her regarding the rose’s power.
You have to be absolutely certain… Was what Merciel told her.
That would mean you would no longer have it… Was what Su-Wang said.
Thinking about it, she and everyone in their group were very fortunate to not have been killed or corrupted during their travels. If anything happened, then at some point she would’ve had to determine if it was worth using the rose or not. Sure, they can bring someone back to life, but what if by using it now, they waste the opportunity to use it later for someone more important?
As she thought that, she noticed PB and Kosuzu coming back, with the young spirit holding what looked to be a flask containing a pile of ash.
"Why are you carrying that?" Sumireko asked, pointing to the flask she had on her hands.
"I want to ask you all a favor. When we get through all of what will come, and find out where they went, could you please…spread my ashes on what's left of my library?" Kosuzu said, moving over to the front so everyone could hear her.
The room got very quiet suddenly. Everyone turned to hear what Kosuzu just said. They were a little surprised to hear that come from her of all people; some even almost forgetting that the young bookworm who could always be seen sweeping her family’s store was now dead.
Sumireko looked back at the flower again, then at Kosuzu. If she really wanted to she could just hand the flower to her and use it to revive her. It would be easy after all; bring someone back from the dead and be done with it.
Yet… She remained quiet. While everyone knew of the flower’s healing properties, none of them knew about its ability to revive others, save for herself. She only wants to use the rose in case of an emergency.
Someone truly important.
“Sure thing Kosuzu.” Sumireko said in a slightly saddened tone.
“Thank you.” Kosuzu said.
…
Everyone departed Eientei, making their way out the doors of the long abandoned clinic, and out into the morning sunrise that could be seen past the bamboo. For some reason, most of them felt like their journey was slowly coming to an end; just one last place to look and it’ll be over.
One journey ends, and another begins. A quote that Sumireko thought for some reason yet couldn’t recall where she heard it. She had put the rose away, moving her hand over to the locket that was still around her neck.
She looked inside, remembering the smile of her late little sister, before closing it and quickly catching up to everyone else.
“Up next everyone! We’re going to Youkai Mountain!” Sumireko said.
“YEAH!!!” Everyone cheered, following the psychic through the Bamboo Forest of the Lost.
—
Moriya Shrine…
Located somewhere close to the top of Youkai Mountain. The home of two goddesses and a wind priestess…Least, it used to.
Right in front of the shrine, a girl wearing pure white miko clothing had been kneeling down on the shrine grounds, giving a prayer to whomever may be listening. That girl was Yuzuki, the current temporal Shrine Maiden. And behind her was Kasen Ibaraki, currently possessed by the God of Despair Demise.
Inside the Shrine, a voice spoke.
“So… In exchange for this newfound body you gave me, all I have to do is beat up some kids?” The voice asked.
“Why, of course. A man as great as you should have no problem doing a simple task.” Demise said in a charming tone. “Why, the body Yuzuki gave you using her power matches your charismatic personality! I’d say you’re much more captivating than I am.”
“Heh…Those words…You make me blush honestly.” The figure said. “And yet we’re so alike, are we not? We both know that our charm and skills are what put us on the top; having our hands grip tight on the leashes of those we control and manipulate; climbing ladders made of bones of our enemies.”
“Haha…I have to agree with you… After all, to think that an all-powerful being such as you reincarnated into one of the most powerful men of this universe… A shame of what happened to you and your brother though back where we came from. Who knew the other gods wouldn’t agree with your views on the mortal realms?”
“My brother… That reminds me… How is Larry doing?” The voice asked, inside a figure showed a sharp smile.
“Your brother is doing well, Simon… I’d say he’s been getting well acquainted with the Satori, all thanks to the hard-working efforts of Professor Altalune.” Demise said. “A genius man indeed. But nowhere near the level of intelligence or wisdom your brother bears.”
“But of course. And you; with your foresight and your ability to control vibrations… It is nothing compared to the vast power that I now hold once again.” Simon said. “Oh…And one last thing before you go.”
“What is it, oh Omniscient One?” Demise asked.
“How many do you wish for me to kill?”
Demise smiled, looking into the future for a brief moment to get an idea on what’s to come. Then he held out his hand in response.
“Two. No more, no less.” Demise answered.
---
To Be Continued in ACT 2-11: Ropeway to False Divinity
...
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~ PSN ~

(On Mobile please Swipe left/right to see the prices and tags)

Game	Price/Link	Tags
Persona 5: Ultimate Edition	$16.99 $84.99	Turn-based/Modern Japan setting/School life simulatoMystery/Monster CollectoGreat Music
FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster	$12.49 $24.99	Turn-based/Fantasy setting/Expansive skill tree
South Park™: The Stick of Truth™	$7.49 $29.99	Turn-based/Modern Day setting/Comedy/Mature/Dark HumoNudity/Fart Jokes
KINGDOM HEARTS III	$29.99 $59.99	Action/Fantasy setting/Crossover of Disney and Square Enix characters
ONE PIECE World Seeker	$8.99 $59.99	Action/Anime Adaptation/Open World/Beat'em up
Yakuza Kiwami	$5.99 19.99	Action/Modern World setting/Organized Crime/Comedy heavy/Drama heavy/Mini-game Heavy/Beat'em up/Open World
Yakuza Kiwami 2	$5.99 19.99	Action/Modern World setting/Organized Crime/Comedy heavy/Drama heavy/Mini-game Heavy/Beat'em up/Open World
STAR OCEAN : INTEGRITY AND FAITHLESSNESS	$11.99 $29.99	Action/Sci-fi mixed with Fantasy setting/Space travel/Resource gathering & Crafting/Social link mechanic between party members
Dragon's Crown Pro	$3.99 $19.99	Action/Beat'em up/Fantasy setting/Online Multiplayer available/Loot focused
Tales of Zestiria	$5.99 $59.99	Action/Fantasy setting/Anime style/Local Co-Op/Fantasy Adventure
Wild Arms	$6.99 $9.99	Turn-based/Wild West Fantasy/Puzzle heavy
Wild Arms 2	$6.99 $9.99	Turn-based/Wild West Fantasy/Puzzle heavy
Sword Art Online: Lost Song	$8.99 $59.99	Action/MMORPG Setting/Online MultiplayeDating-sim/Tiered Loot/Dungeon Crawlers/Boss Raids/Kill & Fetch Quests heavy
Ys Origin	$4.99 $19.99	Action/Fantasy setting/Great Soundtrack
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA	$19.99 $39.99	Action/Fantasy setting/Base Building/Great Soundtrack
Valkyria Chronicles Remastered	$5.99 $19.99	Tactical Turn-based/World War Militar setting/Tactical mixed with real-time elements/Sketch or "Canvas" art style/Build your Army with character customization/Mission based story progression/Army management
Valkyria Chronicles 4	$5.99 $29.99	Tactical Turn-based/Fantasy Sci-fi World War setting/Tactical mixed with real-time elements/Sketch or "Canvas" art style/Build your Army with character customization/Mission based story progression/Army management
Cris Tales	$7.99 $39.99	Turn-based/Fantasy setting/Time-travel setting and mechanics/Female Protagonist/Timed-presses combat mechanics
The Alliance Alive HD Remastered	$19.99 $49.99	Turn-based/Fantasy setting/Expansive Skill Tree/Character customization
Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia	$24.99 $49.99	Tactical turn-based/Grand Strategy/High Fantasy setting/Choose a Nation to play as/Conquering the world is the end goal
Trails of Cold Steel III Digital Deluxe Edition	$35.99 $79.99	Turn-based/Great Soundtrack/Fantasy High school life setting/Dating Sim/Story and Lore heavy/Military and War
Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time	$14.99 $49.99	Action/Fantasy setting/Female Protagonist/Beat 'em up, Anime series Original source material/Magic Academy
Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force	$5.99 $19.99	Turn-based/Fantasy setting/Anime style/Comedy/Dark story/Good English dub/Power Ranger Transformation/Fan-service/Dating-sim
Demon Gaze II	$3.99 $39.99	Turn-based/First Person dungeon crawleDark Fantasy setting/Monster collection
Absolute Tactics: Daughters of Mercy	$19.99 $24.99	Tactical Turn-based/Medieval Fantasy/Class changing mechanics
Omega Quintet	$9.99 $19.99	Turn-based/Modern Japanese Fantasy setting/Idol group manager life/Fan-service
Dodgeball Academia	$12.49 $24.99	Action/School Life Sim/Sports (Dodgeball)/2D Hand-drawn Cartoon Art style
Super Neptunia RPG	$11.99 $39.99	Turn-based/Side Scroller PlatformeFemale Protag/Comedy/Fan-service
The DioField Chronicle PS4 & PS5	$29.99 $59.99	Real Time Strategy/Medieval fantasy setting/Military & WaClass mechanics
Dusk Diver 2	$34.99 $34.99	Action/Modern Taipei Ximending setting/Female Protagonist/Beat'em up/Anime visual style

~ Switch ~

Game	Price/Link	Tags
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition	$9.99 $49.99	Turn-based/Cyber World setting/Monster Collector & Raising sim/Combat heavy/Satisfying grinding loop/2 full games in 1 pack
CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION	$34.99 $49.99	Action/Sci-fi setting
DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT + A NEW POWER AWAKENS SET	$19.79 $59.99	Action Fantasy/Semi-Open World (zones)/Anime story adaptation/Beautiful animations
Megadimension Neptunia VII	$8.99 $29.99	Turn-based/Female Protagonist/Comedy/fan-service
Super Neptunia RPG	$7.99 $39.99	Turn-based/Valkyrie Profile-like combat/Sci-fi setting/Female Protagonist/Comedy/Parody/Fan-serivce
Children of Zodiarcs	$5.39 $17.99	Tactical Turn-based/Fantasy setting/Female Protagonist/Card Based/Deck Building
CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION	$13.99 $19.99	Turn-based/Sci-fi Fantasy setting/Choices MatteMultiple Endings/2 Games in 1 bundle
Rune Factory 4 Special	$19.49 $29.99	Action/High fantasy setting/Farming simulatoLGBTQ+/Monster collectoSocial link mechanic/Marriage/deep crafting system
Rune Factory 5	$24.99 $49.99	Action/High fantasy setting/Farming simulatoLGBTQ+/Monster collectoSocial link mechanic/Marriage/deep crafting system
Death end re;Quest	$11.99 $29.99	Turn-based/Cyber world setting/Female Protagonist/Dark Fantasy/Gore/Fan-service
Death end re;Quest 2	$14.99 $39.99	Turn-based/Cyber world setting/Female Protagonist/Dark Fantasy/Gore/Fan-service
Mary Skelter 2	$9.99 $39.99	Turn-based/First-Person View Dungeon CrawleDeep & Full party customization/Female Protagonist/Multiple Endings/Horror
Mary Skelter Finale	$19.99 $49.99	Turn-based/First-Person View Dungeon CrawleDeep & Full party customization/Female Protagonist/Multiple Endings/HorroFan-service
Astria Ascending	$21.99 $39.99	Turn-based/Medieval Fantasy setting/PlatformeFemale Protagonist/Class system
Fairy Fencer F™: Advent Dark Force	$8.99 $29.99	Turn-based/Fantasy setting/Anime style/Comedy/Dark/Good English dub/Fan-service/Dating-sim
Redemption Reapers	$29.99 $49.99	Tactical Turn-based/Medieval Fantasy setting/Dark Fantasy
Arc of Alchemist	$15.99 $39.99	Action/Fantasy/Female Protagonist/Fan-service/Base-Building

~ Xbox ~

Game	Price/Link	Tags
Child of Light®	$4.49 $14.99	Turn-based Fantasy/Female Protagonist/Beautiful Hand-drawn/Side Scroller
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling	$12.49 $24.99	Turn-based/Paper Mario-like/Comedy/Adventure
Digimon Survive	$41.99 $59.99	Tactical turn-based/Modern Japan setting/Monster CollectoMostly VN/Multiple Routes & Endings/Anime style/Social Link system
ONE PIECE World Seeker Deluxe Edition	$8.99 89.99	Action/Anime Adaptation/Open World/Beat'em up
DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT Deluxe Edition	$21.24 $84.99	Action/Fantasy setting/Semi-Open World (zones)/Anime story adaptation/Beautiful animations

~ Steam ~

If you want to check the games yourself:

~ Link to the JRPGs on Sale list ~

Steam Deck Icons (As explained by Steam itself):

🟦 Verified: Means that the game is fully compatible and works with built-in controls and display.
🟧 Playable: Means the game is Functional, but requires extra effort to interact with and configure .
"--" Unknown: Basically unconfirmed or still under-review.

Game	Price/Link	Tags	Steam Deck
ASTLIBRA Revision™	$19.99 $24.99	Action/Medieval Fantasy/Hack n Slash/Resource gathering/Expansive skill tree/Learn skills by mastering geaRewards grinding/Dark Story/Side-Scroller	🟦 Verified
Cosmic Star Heroine	$3.74 $14.99	Turn-based/Cyberpunk setting/Female Protagonist/Pixel Graphics	🟧 Playable
Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen	$47.99 $59.99	Tactical Turn-based/Fantasy setting/Great World Building/Fan-serivce/Comedy/War & Politics/Lovable Characters/Mystery	🟦 Verified
Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception	$31.99 $39.99	Tactical Turn-based/Fantasy setting/Great World Building/Fan-serivce/Comedy/War & Politics/Lovable Characters/Mystery	🟦 Verified
Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth	$31.99 $39.99	Tactical Turn-based/Fantasy setting/Great World Building/Fan-serivce/Comedy/War & Politics/Lovable Characters/Mystery	🟦 Verified
Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten	$41.99 $59.99	Turn-based/Fantasy setting/Lots of world building/Lore-Rich	🟦 Verified
Septerra Core	$1.99 $4.99	Turn-based/Sci-fi setting/Female Protagonist/Isometric	🟧 Playable
Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom	$1.49 $9.99	Action/Fantasy setting/Martial arts/Puzzles/Anthropomorphic Characters	🟦 Verified
This Way Madness Lies	$7.49 $9.99	Turn-based/Fantasy setting/Female Protagonist/Lovecraftian/Comedy/Pixel Graphics	🟧 Playable
Absolute Tactics: Daughters of Mercy	$19.99 $24.99	Tactical Turn-based/Medieval Fantasy/Class changing mechanics	--
Redemption Reapers	$29.99 $49.99	Tactical Turn-based/Medieval Fantasy setting/Dark Fantasy	--

​

~ General Recommendations (All Consoles) For Anyone Who Can't Decide ~

First off, I won't recommend big or famous games like Final Fantasy or Persona, this is more for lesser know, hidden gems, or just games where it's hard to find someone talking about them.
​

[Valkyria Chronicles]

[Valkyria Chronicles 4]

This one is really hard to explain through words alone, but just in case, the VC series is a World War 2 military setting story, where you act as the lead of a squad and take mission to drive back the enemy. The story is drama heavy and the gameplay is tactical turn-based, but it's mixed with real-time third person shooter.
You can also make your own army by recruiting different types of solders, training them and upgrading their gear. From rifles to tanks, this is a game you have to experience to understand.

[Wild Arms 1 & 2]

Great classics, and are now sold for dirt cheap, though even their full price is also a steal. If you're looking for great stories, and really interesting characters, combined with truly great puzzles, then don't miss on these 2 games. They started an entire series, and are classics for a reason.

[Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition]

2 full games in 1. If you're a fan of the series then this is a must play, it dives into the lore more than a lot of the previous games, and also has one of the biggest Digimon rosters till to day.
Even if you're not into the Digimon series, if you're looking for your next fix of Capture/Evolve/Fusion -> Grind -> Capture/Evolve/Fusion -> Grind while you listen to your favorite podcast/music, then no need to wait anymore, with hours upon hours you can easily spend just grinding and completing the game's various content from side-quests, rare monsters, arena, and even tamer team fights. The gameplay is simple, which is a great way to keep your brain off, yet it still has challenge battles now and then to make sure you're doing your job grinding and raising your Digimons.

[ASTLIBRA Revision]

If you are still itching for side-scroller action JRPGs with a good loot system and a good story and world that you can sink your teeth into, then look no further. A game that was 14 years in development and an extra year to work on this remastered version, was more than worth it. The action is meaty and satisfying, the loot is great with each item having the potential of changing your fighting style, and just so much content to explore and have fun with.
Then you add to that fantastic art work by Shigatake of Vanillaware, he worked on games like Odin Sphere, GrimGrimoire, Muramasa: The Demon Blade and others. Then you finally throw in a huge amazing soundtrack, and when I say huge I mean HUGE. With all of that together you have a really great title that any action JRPG fan shouldn't miss.

[Utawarerumono] series

This fantastic visual novel style tactical game is one hell of a ride from start to end. If you're looking for a fantasy JRPG with amazing world building and an epic of story that expands three whole games, there is no reason to not get this whole series. Drama, Comedy, Mystery, Action, Horror, Fan-service, Betrayal, Revenge, Adventure, etc... This is the whole package here when it comes to story, world, and characters. Just don't expect it to be heavy on gameplay and combat.
Prelude to the Fallen is the first game story-wise, the 2nd game is Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception and after that is Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth.

As always, please do add your own recommendations, and let me know if there is mistake or if something was missing, and have a nice day.

Three days ago, my housemates were alive.
And I wasn't losing my fucking mind.
Three days ago, I awoke to my housemate, Misty, shaking me.
“Get up!!”
Misty was usually the last to roll out of bed out of all of us, so I figured it was something important. My housemate wouldn’t get out of bed for nothing. She valued her sleep—often comparing her bed to a safe haven. Her place of solitude. I was right there with her, until she startled me out of slumber. I opened my eyes to find her face roughly three inches from mine, her expression lit up with excitement I couldn’t justify this early in the morning.
She smelled of toothpaste breath and her raspberry scented body wash. Her thick black curls framing her face were still damp from what I presumed was a shower, hanging in tangled knots in front of wide, almost unseeing eyes. When I first met her, Misty Kang had been my crush for a while. With a Korean father and a Texan mother, she definitely caught eyes when we hung out. We had a thing in freshman year, which quickly fizzled out once we started living together. Never date your housemates.
I will just say that.
Over the last few years, Misty has become one of my closest friends.
When she knew I was at least conscious, my housemate was grabbing my arm and yanking me out of bed. “Get up!”
I was barely awake, and those were the only words I could fully distinguish.
I shooed her away for a moment and swung my legs out of bed, taking a minute to blink sunlight out of my eyes coming through the blinds. “Sam.” Misty was in front of me again.
I don’t think she understood the concept of being half asleep.
She wouldn’t leave me alone, waving her arms wildly. Her shadow under the soft morning light almost reminded me of one of those inflatable tube guys.
“Huh?” My voice was a low croak, and her smile widened.
“Guess who’s just scored tickets for an actual screening of the first five minutes of gameplay for the most anticipated game of the decade?”
“What?” Her string of words wasn’t making sense in my caffeine deprived mind. It just sounded like gibberish to me, initially.
Like we were in some cheesy commercial, she was the lead, and I was the confused NPC with the WTF expression. But when I went over it in my head, words started to slide together like a jigsaw puzzle. Misty didn’t get excited about video games. Well, she did. Though, my housemate was one to get excited on behalf of someone else. After living with her for a while now, I had concluded she was a follower.
By that, I mean whatever others thought or did or said, she copied it. If her Twitter followers were mad at bad takes, she would drop all of her own opinions on said follower and focus on what other people said. We had Korean barbecue for takeout the other day, and Misty clearly did not like it from the creased look on her face, and her very obviously spitting it politely into a napkin.
Jay, my other housemate, liked it.
And so did I. So, naturally, Misty announced she wanted more.
I had to watch her suffer through two more portions before she excused herself—presumably to throw up. Blinking at my housemate who was clearly excited for Jay, I resisted the overwhelming urge to roll my eyes.
“Slow down. What game? What are you talking about?”
I got out of bed and threw on my robe, half aware of the mess from last night on my desk. Another attempt to finish an essay which just wasn’t happening. The monster energy cans and takeout Chinese wrappers were embarrassing. I got a basic run-through as I headed downstairs with Misty right behind me, practically breathing down my neck. From what I understood, there was a Reddit post.
That was all I got from Misty’s squealing. She leapt down the stairs after me with a spring in her step. The clock above the front door told me it wasn’t even 9am. The smell of bacon, however, was quick to arise me from the dead.
Jay was in the kitchen making breakfast. I noticed his laptop was open on the table, and every so often he’d peer at it with wide, almost disbelieving eyes. Jay and Misty were complete opposites, which made them great people to live with. Jay was a quiet book who was slightly on the pretentious side, routinely quoting something philosophical to piss me off.
He had rich parents on the other side of the world, but the guy himself was fairly humble and had mostly detached himself from said family.
My housemate was usually well put together. In fact, I barely saw him in his pajamas, excluding game nights. That morning, however, he was a disheveled mess, still in yesterday’s clothes.
He offered me a grin. I glimpsed sauce from last night’s dinner still staining his chin. Jay hadn’t brushed his hair or even put on deodorant.
I caught a whiff of BO when he ducked in front of me, his gaze glued to his MacBook. It was rare when Jay ignored basic hygiene, so yeah, I was going to guess this was a pretty huge thing. “I did tell her not to wake you up, y’know.”
His slight aussie accent was always refreshing on a morning. Born in Australia and moving to the states when he was ten years old, Jay still had a slight tinge in his accent. I had seen pictures of his family, and the guy had definitely gotten most of his dad’s genes, thick brown hair, and freckles. While his dad was built like a pro wrestler however, Jay was leaner like his mom.
I shrugged. “I was already awake.”
“Liar.” He didn’t look away from his laptop.
Looking closer, I glimpsed the Reddit homepage.
“So, you have won something.”
Jay didn’t answer. I could tell he was excited by the way he could barely keep still, bustling around the kitchen, barefoot. “Coffee?”
His voice was more of a Misty-like squeak, and I half wondered for a moment if they had switched bodies, or he had at least become one with my other housemate through a chemical explosion. In our kitchen, which was yet to be cleaned after a cooking disaster several nights ago, I wouldn’t be surprised if something was living on the countertop. I nodded, slumping into a chair. “What’s going on? Why is Misty freaking out?” I nodded at his laptop. “She said you’ve won something?”
As if my housemate couldn’t hold it in anymore, he nodded, turning his screen towards me. “You know____, right?”
“Yes.” I sipped my coffee, eyeing a toaster strudel sitting on the countertop. "You mean the game which has been coming out for a decade."
He ignored that. “Well, what if I told you one of the developer’s posted on the official sub this morning?”
“For _____?"
He nodded with a grin, and I wondered it this was one of those rare times when Jay was blindly looking through a red flag to see what he wanted. I had heard of these types of scams, and Reddit was a breeding ground for them.
Gamers were pretty intense. I didn’t realize I was pulling a face until I caught his lips curving into a smile. Jay was usually the skeptical one.
“You don’t believe me.”
I downed my coffee to avoid replying. When I had drained the cup, he was still staring at me with amused eyes.
“What?”
“You think it’s bullshit.”
I shrugged. “You said it,” I said. “I’m pretty sure that game isn’t even partway through development. Didn’t Twitter leak a still last year? Also, they’ll be bringing out a new console before that game comes out.”
I leaned back in my chair. “It’s more of a pipe dream, at this point.”
“The leaks were fake,” Even he didn’t look sure. “Anyway, that’s not the point. One of the dev’s posted on the official sub this morning. He asked if we were all excited for the new game, asked if we could post some of our favorite NPC dialogue, and he’ll DM winners.”
“Uh-huh.” I nodded at the screen. I had already checked my phone for an internet meltdown concerning this post, but there was nothing. “And where is that post now?”
Jay didn’t look at me. “It was deleted. So it only reached a certain number of people.”
“Oh, it was deleted?” I couldn’t resist a smile. “What a coincidence.”
When I laughed, Jay scowled, showing me his screen—navigating his trackpad to his Reddit DM’s.
To my surprise, there was actually a message from what I guessed was a throw-away account.
While I was skim reading the DM, Misty hurried in, all dressed and ready for the day. I peeked at her outfit from Jay's laptop. Cute.
Extravagant, but cute. My housemate cranked the radio up before bouncing between us, a toaster strudel hanging out of her mouth.
Misty was a living animated character. Ignoring her wide smile, I turned back to the screen. “Congratulation!!” The DM started with capitals.
It took me reading it twice to realize there was a clear spelling mistake. I sent Jay a pointed look, but he was too busy practically vibrating with excitement. If the guy had any more caffeine, he was going to explode. “Since when did winning DM’s start with a typo?”
“I knew you were going to say that.” Jay curled his lip. “They were clearly excited when typing the message.”
“But this is supposedly an official,” I said. “Surely they would make sure it’s professional?”
My housemate didn’t reply, shooting a look at Misty, who rolled her eyes.
“Wow.” I squinted at the screen. “I am so sorry for caring about your safety. You do realize these types of scam’s usually end up with you being sold on the black market, right?”
I shuddered. “I’ve heard horror stories about underground markets specializing in illegal organ harvesting.”
“Or…” Jay’s eyes were glued to the screen. “You could be happy for me?”
I frowned at the rest of the message, which was just a capitalized freak-out about the upcoming release of the game, before inviting Jay (and a friend!) to a five-minute preview of gameplay, as well as a Q&A. There was a location and a time, which was brow-raising. “10 at night.” I said. “Who hosts a gaming convention at 10pm?” I leaned my chin on my fist. “Unless they wanted to lure as many gullible people as possible, and ship them to some organ harvesting factory on the other side of the world.”
Jay scoffed. “That’s dark.”
“You’re actually considering going to a 10pm gaming convention in the middle of nowhere. I’m trying to wake you up.”
Jay nudged me that time. “It’s real. Relax.”
“And.” I pointed to the screen. “No phones? Why would they ask you not to bring your phones?”
“To stop us filming content,” Misty sang. “Duh.”
I groaned, leaning back in my chair. “You’re on his side? This is clearly shady!” I didn’t get mad unless something was seriously pissing me off, and this was one of those times. Jay was a smart guy. There was no way he was falling for this bullshit. I thought he was joking around when he spent the day tracking the location on Google Maps. I went to class like normal and got updates through text. At lunch, Jay agreed with me and said it was in fact shady, and he wasn’t going. By afternoon classes, he was texting me in paragraphs explaining his own skepticism but had found several “friends” on an online forum who were also going and had changed his mind once again. The guy couldn’t make up his mind. He was driving me crazy.
Misty sent me several videos of Jay pacing the kitchen with his MacBook in his hands. She was broadcasting his mental breakdown via Instagram stories. But then she started to send me pictures of herself in different outfits, asking me for my opinion on each one. At that point, I turned my phone off. My housemates had lost their fucking minds. I did my own research though, just to make sure I wasn’t actually going to lose them to a shady cult.
I searched for the game itself, but just as I thought, it was shown as still in development. Every “update” was just fan speculation.
There were YouTube videos and TikTok’s of fake leaks, but nothing was real. It was either AI generated, or badly edited. By the time my classes had ended and I had turned my phone on, I had a barrage of missed calls and texts.
Most of them were from Misty with her outfit changes, and Jay changing his mind again.
This time he was convinced it was all a scam, his texts full of typos and crying emoji's which he never used. Before it hit me that Misty was most likely using his phone to text me.
I was right. When I walked through the door, I was greeted by both of them sitting on the stairs. Misty was scrolling through Jay’s phone, while the boy had his head in his hands. According to Misty’s last text, he was back to being excited to go.
From the look on his face, eyes shadowed with sleep circles, light brown curls slipping from under his hood, I wasn’t sure what Misty meant by “excited”. The guy looked the complete opposite. His mind had been consumed by the game, and the idea of seeing new content.
When I dropped my bag and folded my arms, fixing the two of them with my best disapproving parent look, Misty jumped to her feet. “Sam!” she waved Jay’s phone at me. “Did you get my texts? We’re actually going now!”
The 100+ texts on both messenger and iMessage said otherwise.
I nodded, my gaze on Jay. “Both of you do realize it’s a scam, right?” I softened my tone despite growing progressively more irritated. We were grown adults, not kids. I could understand a group of teenagers falling for it, but two twenty-three-year-olds?
This time, I ducked in front of Jay. “Hey.” I pulled down his hood, and he groaned, burying his head in his knees. “I don’t want to freak you out, so listen to me, okay?”
I exhaled out a breath. “I’m not saying something bad is going to happen to you, because it most likely won’t—and yes, I admit I’m being paranoid.” When he lifted his head, blinking through bedraggled curls, there was a faint smile on his lips. “But.” I said. “You are most likely going to end up disappointed. Which I don’t want, because you won't shut up about it for weeks."
I was only partly joking.
For a moment, I thought my housemate was going to wake up, and nod, laughing at how crazy it was.
Before shook his head and jumped up.
“I’m going to take a shower, alright? I should start getting ready."
I admit, I exploded at him.
We argued while he was in the shower, and I paced up and down the hallway, coming up with multiple reasons why he was definitely going to die, and only two positives if it was in fact real. In the end, I gave up worrying all together. I didn’t say anything when the two of them were hurrying around looking for shoes and missing car keys. I didn’t realize they were gone until the door was clanging shut, and a text was coming through. I didn’t look at it until an hour later, and I had calmed down.
Jay: 1h ago: Stop worrying, lmao. We’re good! I’ll keep my phone just in case. I’ll make sure to avoid the organ harvesting 😉
Another from Misty a few minutes later: “Love you! Chillll, kay? 😭😭 It’s going to be fun! I’ll take pics!”
…
Followed by: “Oh shit, we can’t. I’ll try to sneak some!"
Attached to the text was a photo of the two of them. Misty with a wide smile and a peace sign, and Jay who looked like he was mid-shout, his eyes on the road.
Those texts were… at least comforting, I guessed. Maybe they were right. I figured I was paranoid, and they in fact would really be okay.
But that didn’t stop the anxious coil in my gut when I tried to force down takeout pizza. I attempted to focus on my essay to distract myself, but I couldn’t stop glancing at my phone, and checking Twitter. There was a hashtag on the DM, which was just “PlayStationGO.” When I searched for it, however, nothing came up.
Sure, it was a private convention and only a select few knew about it, but nothing could escape Twitter.
Somewhere, someone must be talking about it. After scrolling through endless tweets though, I realized I was wrong. There was nothing.
That put a bad taste in my mouth.
10pm came, and I held my breath all the way through a Netflix TV show I was forcing myself to watch, half asleep, slumped at my desk.
I could barely distinguish the plot.
I just had a vague idea of the character names, and some of their motivations.
Midnight passed, and I was struggling to stay awake.
I glanced at my phone.
No messages, just a notification from Spotify reminding me my favorite band was playing nearby.
1am.
Still nothing. I fell back to sleep.
2:48am.
This time, I stayed awake for a few minutes glaring at my phone before my eyes grew heavy.
3:16: am.
My phone buzzed with a text from Jay, but I could barely desipher it: "can't feel help my head hurts Canshdhsn727272_6798mi/!! _&go home please. (Sent from: PlayStationGo™️ BETA)."
3:27: am.
3:54: am. I was wide awake, blinking at a notification which had popped up from an unknown number. I was trying to figure out what number it was, when my phone vibrated again and I almost jumped out of my skin.
After a moment of hesitation, I answered it.
I was trying so hard not to think of the possibility of it being the emergency room, or even worse, the cops.
All of my worst nightmares had come true in a single second.
“Hello?” I whispered in a croak.
“Are they in the house with you?” The stranger’s voice came through in a hiss of interference.
His words sent my mediocre dinner lurching back up my throat. “What?” I managed to get out. “Who?”
“Your friends.” He said, and I leapt to unsteady feet, my gut twisting and turning.
“No.” I found myself taking slow strides toward the window, brushing back the curtain and peering out into the night. “Why? Did something happen to them?” I paused.
“How did you get my number?”
“That does not matter.” His voice rattled in my ear as I rushed downstairs, almost stumbling down the bottom two. “I need you to get out of that house. Now. Get as far away as possible.”
I could hear his rapid breaths.
He was driving. I could hear the rumble of the engine. With my phone pressed to my ear, I obeyed his instructions, pulling open the door and stepping out into the cool night, a brisk breeze grazing my bare arms was just enough to stop my thoughts spiraling.
I was barefoot, in nothing but a robe, staggering down the driveway. The night was calm and silent; our neighborhood was asleep, each window drowned in darkness. I couldn’t breathe, my clammy fingers wrapped around my phone, as this stranger broke down over the phone. “Whatever you do,” he gasped out.
“Do not, I repeat DO NOT remove the PlayStationGo—shit!! He hissed out, static rattling the call. The guy seemingly got ahold of himself, and the wheel, and continued. I started to walk—where I was going, I had no idea.
The stranger lit a cigarette. I heard the click of a lighter and his exhalation of breath. “It was a BETA version, but we had to rush it. This was not my idea. My boss is a greedy man. He wanted to release the game last year, which would have meant widespread infection. Luckily, that did not happen. We did manage to delay it, but only by a year.” His words barely made sense to me as I struggled to get a word in, peering in the dark. “It was supposed to be a virtual experience of the game—a whole new angle of gameplay. But testing was difficult. First, on monkey’s, we lost multiple subjects. Tonight was supposed to be a…well, I guess you could call it out first attempt on human subjects,” his laugh was bitter. “I knew the tech wasn’t finished. And I tried. Believe me, I fucking tried. I tried to blow the whistle, but these bastards know where my parents live."
Something squirmed its way down my spine.
“So my friends were lab rats?” I said stiffly. “You used them?”
I fucking knew it.
I knew it was too good to be true.
“Yes and no. Listen to me, the people I work for are hunting them down. Trust me, I don’t want my bosses to find them because a life of experimentation will await them. Torture. Do you hear me? It does not matter if subjects fail. They don’t care. As long as there is at least a light at the end of the tunnel for them, they will see it as a win, and bring the publication date closer. They will not be treated as humans. Your friends signed a contract before trying out the tech, where the small print stated that, under section 3, player engagement, all subjects must agree to offer themselves as participants in later updates. I silently cursed Jay for always skipping the terms and conditions when buying games." The man stopped to breathe.
“I have told you multiple times, and I won’t say it again. Get as far away from that house as possible. I will take care of them. I will make sure of it." The sound of squealing engines, and I stopped power walking, coming to an abrupt stop. The silence of the night around me, compared to the sound of the highway he was on, traffic horns and the wind rushing through the window was an eerie contrast, a disturbance to the heavenly bubble we were trapped in.
“What do you mean ‘take care of them?” I had to swallow a yell. “Hey! What are you talking about?
“I’m sorry.” Was all he replied with. “I’m afraid it is too late. There was once an opportunity to save the mind during the initial level of the demonstration. However, once the PlaystationGo has been fully attached to the base of the subject, we no longer have control of it. Once integrating itself into the cerebral cortex, the PlayStationGo can only be removed by signing out of the player’s account,” his breath was heavy. “On this unfortunate occasion, however, your friends are unable to navigate the system due to a malfunction which scrambled their brains,” He trailed off. “Which has left them stranded in the game."
I let out a breath. “Right.” I said. “That’s.. bad. I mean, it’s a fucked-up piece of technology, but they’re just playing a game, right?”
There was a pause, before the man laughed.
“Young man, I don’t think you understand,” he said. “The PlayStationGo was created to give the player a full virtual experience of our game. The PlayStationGo is not a physical object. Created with nanotechnology, it attaches itself to the subject’s brain and is supposed to create a personal gaming experience for each player. As I said, however, it is not finished. It is yet to be released to the public, and of course, we are expecting certain ethical arguments due to the controversial—”
I pulled the phone away from my ear, shaking my head. I didn’t need to hear his attempts at trying to save his own skin.
“You need to help them,” I whispered. “Do you hear me? Can you do that? Can you help them?!”
“That is what I am trying to tell you,” He said.
“I know you are upset and confused, and believe me, I offer my apologies. But you need to listen to facts. During initial testing, our subjects were conscious enough to know where their home was. We are unsure why this happens, though we have linked it to territory, as well as the main character of the game heavily influencing their actions. I have been tracking them from the testing facility, and they are incredibly close. Please get as far away from there as possible. If you are no longer in the vicinity of the house, I can end this quickly and quietly before we gain attention.”
I wasn’t sure what I was going to say. Maybe start fucking screaming at him, because he was talking about getting “rid” of my friends, after their mistake.
“Do you understand me?” He said, when I couldn’t reply. “Your friends are lost causes!”
Before I could answer, though, headlights were suddenly coming around the corner, and I found myself paralysed to the spot. The car which swerved twice, crashed into several trash cans, before reversing and coming straight towards me, was not Jay’s car. Jay’s car was an old hunk of junk he’d gotten from a scrapyard. Jay’s car had doors which were practically hanging off, and a stereo which exclusively played either static gibberish, or old tapes I had no idea how to use. This car was bright yellow, and definitely had an option to drive itself. When the car came to a stop, inches from careening into me, I lost all control of myself.
I was vaguely aware of my phone slipping from my fingers and hitting the sidewalk. But I was too busy staring at the two shadows in the front of the car. The driver, and the passenger.
And the muffled screaming coming from the trunk.
When the door swung open, a figure stepping out, I did not recognise my housemate.
The stranger told me I wouldn't, but I didn't believe him.
Jay had left the house in casual jeans and a sweater, bearing the game's logo.
Now, I found myself face to face with a man with my housemate's face and features, his smile and eyes-- but something had been severed in his eyes and twisted in his expression. For one, Jay was wearing a suit I knew he couldn't afford, the sleeves torn, collar pulled open, smears of red staining the front.
His pants had cufflinks, and the Rolex on his wrist had definitely been pulled off someone's corpse.
The silver was stained a revealing scarlet. Drinking in his face, he looked like Jay. His curls hung in front of his eyes, freckles speckling his cheeks, but everything else wasn't. It wasn't until I was glimpsing what was moulded into the flesh of his hand, did I remember how to move. But then I was taking all of him in, everything my mind had intentionally skipped, because I didn't want to believe the stranger on the phone. Nanotechnology, the man had said in a hiss.
Fiction, I had thought.
Before I saw the reality of it, a writhing metallic like substance glued to the guy's temple, and slowly, very slowly, inching down his cheek, already forming around the bridge of his ear, a very faint blue light flickering.
Something must have alerted him. His cavernous eyes left mine, and he twisted his head—and I heard the sound of his neck snapping, his head lolling to the left slightly, his eyes flickering. I watched his whole body seem to sway back and forth, ready to fall forwards.
Before the newly formed device on his ear turned red, then green.
It was almost like he was… rebooting. As if coming back to life, Jay lifted his head at an awkward angle, before looking straight through me. The blood vessels in his eyes had popped, rivulets of red beading down his face. He should have been dead, I thought. No. No, he was dead. That… that thing was keeping him alive. “Well, shiiiittt,” he said. I could sense the game dialogue which had taken over him, forming on his mangled tongue.
“I’m a man on a mission.”
In jerking movements, he turned and marched back towards the car, opening the door, and sliding into the front seat.
I remembered how to move, ducking to grab my phone, before something slammed into the back of my head—and I saw stars.
I didn’t remember hitting the floor, only the soft sound of her voice, a seductive murmur repeating NPC dialogue, and her kitten heel sticking into my spine, forcing me onto my face.
Misty. I was expecting her to get it over with. But when she dragged me to my feet, sticking the barrel of a gun into the flesh of my neck—I figured she was still playing the game.
Twisting around to meet her eyes, lifeless and empty, only filled with light from the device which had taken over half of her face, I felt sick to my stomach. This thing wasn’t a games console or a virtual reality headset.
It was an attempt at coercing and programming something you already don’t understand, to do something impossible.
I could see that in the way the things had visibly chewed and eaten through her flesh, devouring her from the inside and out. I could see what was left of the dress she had worn earlier, but something must have gone wrong with her too. Because Misty had thrown on another outfit over the top, a diamond necklace hanging from her neck.
I caught a thin river of red pooling down her right temple, trying to ignore the twitchy way she moved, just like a character. From the way Misty walked, stumbling, I already knew she was gone. My housemate had newly acquired strength, throwing me in the trunk of the car where three other hostages were, and slamming it shut on my attempts to reason with her. She didn’t tie me up or restrain me.
In the dim light I could just make out though passing streetlights, I could see the trunk opened from the inside. Which was too easy.
Still though, Jay was driving recklessly, and every time I tried to throw the damn thing open, I was knocked backwards, rolling into a screaming girl, who was bound by her hands and feet. It took me multiple attempts before I had the trunk open, freezing cold air blasting me in the face. I untied the other hostages, but when I told them to come with me, they just stared blankly at me, and continued begging for their lives—and it only took me glimpsing what was attached to their temples, a familiar writhing metal plate, for me to understand. They too were playing the game. This time, as NPC hostages.
I found myself gingerly touching the trembling metallic flesh of the girl's fingers bound in rope. It had a slimy consistency, and I swore, I felt something bite into me.
No way, I thought.
This thing was sentient, yes. But it wasn't living.
Listen, I wish I could tell you what it was like to jump out of a moving car, but I can’t.
I remember it as lunging out of the trunk, hitting the freezing cold air, before hitting the ground head first, neutron star collisions exploding in the backs of my eyes.
What I do remember is waking up on the side of the road. Hours later. The sky was bright blue, a scorching sun blinding me when I managed to force my eyes open.
The early morning rush hour flew by as normal, and I wondered how ignorant American people had to be to ignore someone knocked out on the side of the road.
It’s not like I was nowhere near civilization. There was a fucking Subway right next to me.
When I had gathered myself, I remembered I had no phone. I couldn’t go home in fear of running into my rogue housemates playing their own fucked up version of _____ in their head. My plan was to try and find my phone, get in contact with the stranger who blew the whistle on my friends being dangerous, and find them. They couldn’t be far., right? And even if they weren’t themselves… someone would be able to save them.
If someone could do this to them, surely they could reverse it.
I felt sick, tired, and I was starving.
So, with some loose cash I’d found in my pocket, I bought a Subway and a Coke.
The woman at the counter smiled widely at me. She leaned forward, with a wink. “Nice cosplay!”
Cosplay?
I didn’t understand what she meant until I swore I felt something… move its way up my pant leg. I ignored it, and it happened again, this time it felt like something was… biting.
A bug, maybe? I had been laying on the side of the road for around six hours.
When I went to the bathroom, though, I found myself staring at an all too familiar glint of silver creeping its way across my temple. Like it was sentient, parts of it sider webbed towards my ear while the rest writhed into my hairline.
I pulled up my pant leg again, and there it was, a fungus-like metal substance which had already formed in two solid metal masses on my knees. I remember grazing two fingers across the thing beginning its slow feast of my flesh. I remember trying to pull it off, hissing in pain when I risked ripping off my own skin with it. I remember shaking my head and being in denial, even when the lights dimmed above me, and the bathroom door in front of me became more of a shadow. When I strode back through the Subway store, I began to see slight flickers of light above each person, highlighting something not quite there yet.
I could see it already starting, beginning to take over my thoughts. Cars which sped past were suddenly highlighted, and at the corner of my eye, if I concentrated, the outline of a map was starting to appear. Even now, when the room is almost completely taken over by shadow, and my thoughts are half my own, and half not—when a metallic device is beginning to form over my eyes—I know if I hold on, this thing won’t take me. I have considered killing myself, but that wouldn’t… be right.
How could I kill myself when there is so much left to do?
This developer was right. I don’t even know where I can sign out. There’s what looks like the beginning of some kind of index when I look up, but it’s not… finished. I can still see entangled pieces of code struggling to load what I’m guessing was log out. Whatever this thing is, it’s taking over me. Fast. Like a fungus, like a virus, it will not stop until it’s dragged me into the game, until it's leeched itself onto me.
I can feel it happening right now. It's been slow.
Almost painfully slow.
But maybe that is the point. Maybe part of the game is to feel my own thoughts beginning to unravel in favor of something else entirely.
Fuck.
Time is going by…. Fast.
Five minutes ago… I was trying to get home. But I can’t remember where I live.
I can’t concentrate.
I can’t think straight.
I have a phone—but I don’t know how I got it. Did I steal it?
Every time I move, the slowly emerging map comes to life at the corner of my eye jerks with my movement. There is a car parked nearby.
I know it belongs to the man with a child.
But a confusing blur of light is highlighting it to be something of importance. Reality is crashing in front of me, replaced with contorting shapes and bursts of color I have to blink through.
I keep hearing... sirens.
Jay is messaging me.
On what, I'm not sure.
But I need to find him.
I’m sure one mission won’t hurt, right?

https://specialfordjs.org/house/70168-traxsource-weekend-weapons-may-5th-2023.html
Artist: VA Title: Traxsource Weekend Weapons May 5th, 2023 Genre: House, Afro House, Deep House, Funky House, Jackin House, Nu Disco / Disco, Soulful House, Tech House, Indie Dance, Melodic House & Techno, Minimal / Deep Tech, UK Garage / Bassline, Progressive House Release Date: 2023-05-05 Quality: 320 kbps
Tracklist: 1. B. B. & Q. Band – Main Attraction (Dr Packer Extended Mix) (7:08) 2. Butch, Nic Fanciulli – I Want You (Extended Mix) (8:30) 3. Hallex M, Osunlade – Right Here (Manoo Abstrakt Remix) (7:45) 4. Tasha LaRae, Larry Espinosa – Something Special (DJ Spen & Reelsoul Remix) (8:39) 5. The Cube Guys, KPD – Da Hype (Original Mix) (5:47) 6. Josh Wink – Autonomic Journeys (7:22) 7. Da Lukas – Drop the Funk (Extended Version) (7:07) 8. Hatiras – Gotta Feel Good (Antoine Clamaran Remix) (6:26) 9. Seamus Haji, Michael Gray, Audrey Martells – Wish (Extended Mix) (5:53) 10. Waldo Fabian – A Bailar (Narf Zayd Main Mix) (6:24) 11. The Shapeshifters – Lola’s Theme (VIP) (7:18) 12. Timothée Milton – Love’s Gonna Get You (Art Of Tones Remix) (6:33) 13. Matt Gillespie – When I Was Young (7:01) 14. Clyde P – The Thing (Original Mix) (5:04) 15. Jack District – What I Feel (6:19) 16. Harry Romero – Roll Play (6:42) 17. KACZ – Understanding Love (5:02) 18. Systm B, The Ei Collective – The Dawn (5:34) 19. Luke Delite, Michelle Weeks – Give Me Your Love (6:11) 20. THEOS, El Rod – NMW (6:39) 21. HP Vince – A Man (Angelo Ferreri Remix) (5:34) 22. S.U.M.O. – Santiago Boys (Saison Rework) (6:08) 23. Roger Da’Silva, Andy Locker – All I Wanna (Extended Mix) (5:41) 24. Joseph Ashworth – Dominika (Gorje Hewek & Dulus Remix) (7:20) 25. Daniele Busciala, Eze Jemimah, Morris Revy – What Do You Want (Original Mix) (5:37) 26. The Trackheadz – The Circus Of Love (Hodges JSM Remix) (6:18) 27. Fingerman – Just B U (6:02) 28. Kiko Navarro, DJ Fudge, Kaleta – Douwe (Original Mix) (8:08) 29. Craftsmanship – Synth Dude (5:56) 30. Ultra Nate – Free (Mood II Swing Extended Vocal Mix) (12:05) 31. Pietro Nicosia, Aurora Andrade – Meu Verao (Original Mix) (5:54) 32. Henrik Schwarz, Fiorious – King Of Lies (Henrik Schwarz Club Mix) (6:15) 33. Raffaele Ciavolino – Soul Mood (Extended Mix) (5:46) 34. X-Press 2 – You Know (Everybody) (5:38) 35. Divine Keys – The Pleiades (6:51) 36. Ortella – Needin’U (Yann Polewka Remix) (6:08) 37. DJ Dove, DJ Disciple – To The Deep (3:00) 38. Vicky Vanna – La Puesta Del Sol (6:03) 39. Housego – PussyCat (Deez Kitten Nip Instrumental Remix) (5:20) 40. Seven Davis Jr., The Illustrious Blacks – Shook (5:46) 41. Luis Radio – Get Me There (Mannix Old School House Remix) (6:55) 42. Seven Davis Jr., The Illustrious Blacks – Pandemonium (5:40) 43. Mr. X – The Curse (Revisited) (5:03) 44. Nikos Diamantopoulos, Toshi – Broken (Mizz Remix) (7:53) 45. S.U.M.O. – Santiago Boys (Main Bounce) (8:19) 46. Domino DB – You Got the Love (DJ Mark Brickman & Yam Who? Extended Remix) (6:57) 47. Delerium, Sarah McLachlan – Silence (Kryder Extended Remix) (6:31) 48. 2Sleep – Bust It (5:36) 49. Mo’Cream – I Can Feel It (Main Vocal) (7:06) 50. Karlos Kastillo, DJ Crown, Sebastian Rodriguez (MX) – African Dance (5:37) 51. Sungdi – Power (Original Mix) (5:54) 52. Burroughs – Strung Out (8:43) 53. Re-Tide – Get Away (Mattei & Omich 1996 Mix) (5:52) 54. Homero Espinosa – Tuscan Groove Express (Original Mix) (2:47) 55. Chanknous – Say Hello (5:13) 56. Native P. – Cave Of Wonders (8:05) 57. Giovanni Damico – Be Your Lover (4:55) 58. Robert Owens, Steve Mac – Wish (Original Mix) (4:18) 59. The Deepshakerz, Émilie Rachel – Reasons (6:15) 60. Simone Vitullo, Emanuele Esposito – Bengesabi (5:51) 61. Kevin McKay, Martin Badder, Mr. V – I Want The Vibes (Extended Mix) (5:22) 62. JohNick, Da Funk Junkies – We Wanna Make U Dance (Jackin’ Mix) (6:42) 63. Scruscru – Fluting Right Here (5:11) 64. Amonita – Jungle Blues (Makebo Remix) (8:29) 65. 2Sleep – Don’t Push Me (5:58) 66. TigerBalm, Session Victim – Cocktail D’Amore (Session Victim Remix) (6:45) 67. Osadon – D.D.D (Original Mix) (6:27) 68. Brock Edwards – What You Said (Sebb Junior Remix) (3:22) 69. Enmanuel Dipuglia (DO), Neritaan – Some Day (6:03) 70. Rony Breaker, Nat Mor – I Feel (Laroye Afrosoul Mix) (4:54) 71. KWU – Let It Breathe (4:07) 72. Igor Gonya – Whoo-hoo-hoo (6:02) 73. Charles Webster, Sio – Love Lives (Girls of the Internet Remix) (5:13) 74. Angelo Ferreri – Love Me (Radio Edit) (2:40) 75. Juanher – Mi Arte (5:40) 76. Nathan Nicholson, Sasson (FR), SOMMA – Color Blue feat. Nathan Nicholson (Extended Mix) (5:44) 77. Hallex M, Osunlade – Right Here (Da Mike Remix) (6:25) 78. Domingo + – Going Back Again (7:17) 79. Post Cap Era – Step Into It (6:55) 80. Joy Marquez – Calor (6:21) 81. Giusy Consoli – Feel The Energy (5:53) 82. Envee, Ania Szarmach – Sum Luv (Locally Talking 3nv33 Mix) (7:50) 83. B. B. & Q. Band – Main Attraction (Dr Packer Dubstrumental Mix) (7:08) 84. Kim Kaos – Go With It (4:44) 85. Hurlee – I Need You (5:37) 86. Manuel Tur – Soft Clip (6:18) 87. Chemars – The After (5:11) 88. Re-Tide – Good Vibrations (Extended Mix) (5:31) 89. Yaw Appiah – Hands of Kubi (Original Mix) (7:32) 90. Demarkus Lewis, Dan Laino – What U Thinkin (5:39) 91. Seven77, Sergi Sech – Back To Classics (6:11) 92. Harry Romero – Talkin’ Jack (6:22) 93. Sebastien Dutch, Kreative Nativez – Akwasu (6:56) 94. ILY, Kastelo – Got That Flow (Extended Mix) (3:57) 95. Martin Thomas – Do It Now (La La La) (Extended Mix) (5:22) 96. Phil Weeks, Mikey V – Spinnin’ (6:39) 97. Qusok – In Your Mind (4:36) 98. Miguel Campbell – Private Dancer (6:38) 99. We Are Neurotic – Touch Your Body (5:26) 100. T-Bor – Set Me Free (5:41) 101. Paul Sun – Colombiana (Original Mix) (6:23) 102. Brothers On Cue, Looney Tech – Ethnic (5:45) 103. Funk Mediterraneo – Sweet Love (6:04) 104. Michel De Hey – Far Far (7:10) 105. Jorge Montiel, Juan Laya – 5AM (Mambo Bros Club Remix) [feat. Osvaldo Chacon] (5:57) 106. Charlie Soul Clap, Life on Planets, Greg Paulus – Terrified, Still Alive (feat. Life on Planets & Greg Paulus) (6:45) 107. DJ Popinjay – Funky Light (5:00) 108. Carlita, Andhim – Life (Extended Mix) (6:04) 109. Yooks, Tasha LaRae – Wishing On A Star (6:41) 110. Benjamin Groove – Super Rouge (5:10) 111. Marian (BR) – Drums Power (Extended Mix) (5:40) 112. Magnolia, Venessa Jackson – Never Give Up on Love (4:28) 113. Giman, Chic Ago – The Job (6:29) 114. Serge Gee – Believe (Original Mix) (5:14) 115. Souhail Artwork, Komla – Ayena Donkei (Extended Mix) (7:27) 116. Mizaru – Show Me How (Original Mix) (5:40) 117. Knox – Spin My World (Dub Mix) (9:06) 118. Dustinho, Rona Ray – Can’t Return To You (Original Mix) (7:00) 119. Duwayne Motley – I’ll Wait (6:27) 120. Aris Kokou, Phaze Dee – Azymuth (5:42) 121. DJ Dove, Troy Weekes – I Feel Good (3:30) 122. The Planetoids, Enzo Elia – Golden Eagle (Foamed by Enzo Elia) (5:33) 123. Rick Marshall, Discoloverz – Miss Brown (6:24) 124. Systm B, The Ei Collective – Morning Ritual (8:42) 125. Aleets – House Del Placer (6:28) 126. Mason – Panic! (Extended Mix) (6:43) 127. Jackman Jones, Neil Chin, Roxanne Myles – More Than This (Original Mix) (6:13) 128. Elbio Bonsaglio – Wanna Be (5:37) 129. Criss Korey, Nicola Nisi – The Brass Loops (6:07) 130. Jinadu, Lorenzo Fassi – Into The Fire (Original Mix) (7:30) 131. Adri Block, Paul Parsons – Dubb To My Music (Vintage Nu Disco Dubb) (5:02) 132. Trilucid – Take Me Higher (Extended Mix) (6:28) 133. Eugene Glasgow – People (6:17) 134. José Aranda – Noches De Saxo (5:16) 135. Envee, Ania Szarmach – Sum Luv (3:36) 136. Motion Sky – Strut (7:10) 137. Knox – Spin My World (9:06) 138. Plastic Robots – Tell Me Something (5:30) 139. CARPENTIERI – Don’t You Worry But Think (7:05) 140. St. David – Feel Da Groove (7:12) 141. Doc Link, Sean Biddle – Houseparty (4Peace Superjacked Remix) (5:57) 142. Tchdwn – Elevate (3:54) 143. Filip Grönlund – Let’s Call It Dance Music (Kry IT Remix) (5:14) 144. HUGEhands – Free Fall (6:14) 145. Kaiz – Bunny & Sright (6:13) 146. Sam Curran – Twilight On The Terrace (6:07) 147. Oscar P – Trouble (David Montoya Retouch) (7:20) 148. Rick Marshall – Stay (7:25) 149. Peppe Citarella, Verbo Flow – OYE TIO (Extended Mix) (5:00) 150. Ciro De Gais – Ikigai (7:25) 151. Serge Gee – Slovak Girl (Original Mix) (5:25) 152. Fuzzy Hair – Wheel Me Out (Extended Mix) (5:10) 153. Stanny Abram – Relentless (Extended Mix) (6:07) 154. Native P., Echo Deep, Michael King – Guquka (6:21) 155. Ortella – Needin’U (6:38) 156. Kosmo Kint, Zac Tenenbaum – Magic (3:22) 157. Massimo Ramon – Feel It (7:08) 158. Gavinco – Bring The Check (Extended Version) (4:33) 159. Levantine – Première Fois (6:02) 160. Edgvr Romero – Elevator (Edit) (3:23) 161. Erik Bo – Late Beat (6:19) 162. Tingz – A Rave Ting (6:48) 163. Giovanni Damico – Watch Out (4:52) 164. Liva K – Truth Hurts (Original Mix) (5:36) 165. Larry Funk – Get Away (5:11) 166. Rodriguez Jr., Liset Alea, RJLA – Visions (Tim Engelhardt Remix) (6:14) 167. Matt Gillespie – Give It Up (Original Mix) (6:53) 168. Jackson BlessedSoul, Lesego – Rejoice (7:00) 169. Dexter Troy – La Montée (Original Mix) (6:30) 170. Rick Silva – Afro Cumbia (6:16) 171. DUNN.cruel, Dwson – XANTO (Original Mix) (6:16) 172. Bonetti – Who No Know Go Know (5:12) 173. Dan Hayes, Phat Suppli – Girls Wanna (Original Mix) (5:37) 174. Rony Breaker, Nat Mor – I Feel (Instrumental Mix) (7:07) 175. Juannan – I Can Get You (Eldeanyo Remix) (6:07) 176. Elias Bravo – All Around (Extended Mix) (5:17) 177. Omary, Idd Aziz, Dr Feel – Kolowa (Dr Feel Remix) (7:14) 178. Akeem Raphael – The Vibe (5:53) 179. Unknown Past – Bring It Over Here (6:13) 180. Disco Daddy, Boogietraxx – Y No Luv (Extended Mix) (5:58) 181. We Are Neurotic – Wanna Make U Real Good (6:53) 182. Ronnie Spiteri – Flawless (6:25) 183. Alonso Gonzalez – Buena Vida (6:43) 184. Eli & Fur – Better In The Dark (5:52) 185. Antonio Grassia – Party Maker (6:17) 186. 79.5 – Club Level (4:14) 187. Contrera’s – El Camino (6:20) 188. Nicolas Lacaille – Precious (Original Mix) (4:57) 189. The Deepshakerz, Émilie Rachel – Reasons (Dub Mix) (5:27) 190. Cormac (US) – Razor (7:30) 191. Ezirk – Disco Dynasty (4:16) 192. Oliver Dollar – Strings For Life (6:50) 193. FDF (Italy) – Relaxing Sunday (5:17) 194. DJ Feevos – The Lion (7:20) 195. Hurlee – Glory (5:30) 196. Tigs, Emy Zaluzna – On Seen (feat. Emy Zaluzna) [Gary Esson Remix] (Gary Esson Remix) (6:01) 197. Rivka R3 NYC – Phoenix Rising (Oscar P Rework) (6:10) 198. Rony Chancay – Feel at the Party (5:26) 199. Electronic Youth – Get To Yesterday (6:25) 200. Le Hutin – Lust (6:28) 201. Lesny Deep – Everyday (6:00) 202. Johnick – One Dollar (Angelo Ferreri ‘Groove Re-Touch’ Mix) (4:57) 203. Jackson BlessedSoul, Lesego – Rejoice (Tapes Back2Soul Remix) (8:02) 204. Nico de Andrea, Julia Church – Worst Case Scenario feat. Julia Church (Extended Mix) (5:22) 205. Nicolass – Alright (3:10) 206. Fynn – El Clásico (Original Mix) (7:41) 207. Soulbridge, Pathy Andréas – My Life (7:41)

📷 https://specialfordjs.org/house/70220-beatport-mainstage-top-100-may-2023.html
GENRE Mainstage, Electro House, Big Room, Future Rave, Future House RELEASE DATE 2023-05-29 CHART DATE 2023-05-02 AUDIO FORMAT MP3 320kbps CBR 44.1 kHz SIZE 840MB beatport.com/genre/mainstage/96/top-100

1. Eli Brown - Be The One (Original Mix) (02:49)
2. Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding - Miracle (Hardwell Remix) (03:04)
3. HI-LO, Space 92 - Arpeggio (Extended Mix) (05:42)
4. Space Laces - Dominate (VIP) (03:49)
5. Hardwell, Sub Zero Project - Judgement Day (04:28)
6. Benny Benassi, The Biz - Satisfaction (Original Mix) (02:35)
7. Hardwell, 4 Strings, Maddix - Take Me Away Again (Original Mix) (03:25)
8. Hardwell, Olly James - Seduction (03:11)
9. Avao - Dance With Me (02:59)
10. David Guetta, Sia - Titanium (feat. Sia) (David Guetta & MORTEN Future Rave Extended Mix) (05:45)
11. Cedric Gervais - Molly (Original Mix) (03:42)
12. Hardwell, Timmy Trumpet, Maddix - Revolution (02:46)
13. Tiesto - Lethal Industry (Maddix Extended Remix) (04:32)
14. Hardwell, Olly James - Flatline (02:58)
15. Rudeejay, Tujamo, Da Brozz - Get Get Down (Original Mix) (02:43)
16. Bassjackers - Traffic (Original Mix) (02:21)
17. W&W, Sandro Silva, MC Ambush - Shake The Building (Extended Mix) (03:56)
18. Rudeejay, Neitan, DJ Kuba - Sandstorm (Extended Mix) (04:19)
19. Hardwell, Quintino - Sloopkogel (03:05)
20. R3HAB, AFROJACK - Shockwave (02:02)
21. Carola, Felguk - 5th Symphony (Original Mix) (02:37)
22. Fergie - Here Comes That Sound (Extended Mix) (06:25)
23. Afrojack, Chico Rose, Mougleta - Alone Again (feat. Afrojack & Mougleta) (Original Mix) (02:43)
24. Dustycloud - Paris to Vegas (03:37)
25. Shouse - Love Tonight (David Guetta Extended Remix) (04:19)
26. Afrojack, Mike Williams - Alone (Original Mix) (04:12)
27. Avao, Matrick - WTF (03:03)
28. Mike Candys - Tell You (Original Mix) (02:49)
29. W&W, AXMO - Heaven Is A Place On Earth (Extended Mix) (03:52)
30. FOVOS, Shortround, Bangs - Don't Let Me Go (02:47)
31. Xillions, Tungevaag - Dancing On My Own (Original Mix) (02:41)
32. Rave Republic, New Sound Nation, Sønsh - Daddy DJ (Extended Mix) (03:38)
33. Klaas, MATTN - The Logical Song (Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Extended Remix) (03:36)
34. NoNameLeft - Stay Awake (04:41)
35. jaakob - Mind CNTRL (02:54)
36. Armin van Buuren, Vanessa Campagna - Vulnerable feat. Vanessa Campagna (Extended Mix) (05:10)
37. Shift K3Y, Kaleena Zanders - V I B R A T I O N (Extended Mix) (04:50)
38. Robin S - Show Me Love (Original Mix) (04:29)
39. SOROUSH YARAHMADI, Me2 - Symphony (Original Mix) (02:11)
40. Linka, Gregor Potter - Lost In Techno (03:09)
41. Hardwell, Will Sparks - Twisted (03:04)
42. New World Sound, Will Sparks - LSD (Original Mix) (03:12)
43. Kaskade, Justus - Dance with Me (03:40)
44. Morten - No Good (Original Mix) (02:21)
45. Timmy Trumpet, DVBBS - Synergy (Original Mix) (03:29)
46. KEVU - Sound Of The Underground (02:44)
47. Revealed Recordings, Trey Pearce - Something (Extended Mix) (03:36)
48. Mike Candys - Body Rock (Extended Mix) (03:15)
49. Armin van Buuren, Blasterjaxx - La Bomba (Extended Mix) (04:03)
50. Becky Hill, Meduza, Goodboys - Lose Control (Original Mix) (02:48)
51. Trym - It's Better When We Fake It (Original Mix) (06:58)
52. Ben Nicky, Uberjak’d, Trey Pearce - Relapse (03:30)
53. W&W, AXMO, Haley Maze - Rave Superstar (Extended Mix) (03:31)
54. Freejak - Sandstorm (Original Mix) (02:40)
55. Chris Lake, Alexis Roberts - Turn off the Lights (feat. Alexis Roberts) (Extended Version) (04:52)
56. Revealed Recordings, b1rdie - This Is Not A Test (Extended Mix) (04:07)
57. Dyro - Lucid (03:44)
58. Morten - The Drill (Original Mix) (02:19)
59. Hardwell, Metallica - Nothing Else Matters vs F*CKING SOCIETY feat. Metallica (Hardwell Extended Mashup) (06:15)
60. Showtek, Robin Schulz, Oliver Tree - Miss You (Showtek Remix) (03:28)
61. Space Laces - Dominate (Original Mix) (03:54)
62. Armin van Buuren, Ahmed Helmy - Rhythm Inside (Extended Mix) (05:34)
63. Ship Wrek - Sober (02:49)
64. Sebastian Ingrosso, Alesso, Ryan Tedder - Calling (Lose My Mind) (Extended Club Mix) (06:13)
65. Mike Williams, DTale - Living On Video (feat. DTale) (VIP Mix) (03:52)
66. Retrika, Alex Mueller - Cybernight (Original Mix) (02:53)
67. FOVOS - Feel The Rhythm (03:20)
68. Firebeatz - California (Extended Mix) (03:31)
69. Armin van Buuren, Alba - State Of Mind feat. ALBA (Extended Mix) (04:31)
70. Tujamo, Antoine Delvig - Vida Loca (Original Mix) (03:01)
71. Alle Farben, Maurice Lessing - Apollo (Original Mix) (03:07)
72. STVW, Tungevaag, Joe Jury - Lovers On The Run (Original Mix) (03:10)
73. Marlo - Give Me (02:19)
74. AXMO - Party Everyday (Extended Mix) (03:53)
75. Robbe, Mert Can, DJSM - On The Floor - DJSM Remix (Original Mix) (02:25)
76. Timmy Trumpet, POLTERGST - Tonight (Original Mix) (03:22)
77. Will Sparks - Come With Me (Original Mix) (03:50)
78. Tiësto - Baila Conmigo (Original Mix) (02:26)
79. Alesso, OneRepublic - If I Lose Myself (Alesso vs OneRepublic) (03:33)
80. NoNameLeft - Distract (04:07)
81. Armin van Buuren, Matluck - Letting Go feat. Matluck (Extended Mix) (04:28)
82. Retrovision, Tungevaag - Alone With You (Original Mix) (02:34)
83. Jordan Shaw, Justin Mylo, Money For Nothing - Before The Dawn (jeonghyeon Extended Remix) (02:41)
84. Nicky Romero - Techtronic (03:44)
85. Asco - Fortuna (Original Mix) (03:40)
86. Calvin Harris, Hurts, Alesso - Under Control (Extended Mix) (05:36)
87. Calvin Harris - Feel So Close (Extended Mix) (05:30)
88. MorganJ - 4U (Original Mix) (02:51)
89. Steve Aoki, Vini Vici - Wild (Original Mix) (02:15)
90. Bingo Players, Oomloud - Get Low (Original Mix) (02:37)
91. Martin Garrix, DubVision - Starlight (Keep Me Afloat) (feat Shaun Farrugia - extended mix) (03:22)
92. Henry Fong, Knock2 - What's The Move (feat General Degree) (02:49)
93. Modapit - Out Of Control (02:01)
94. Siik, Andrew A, Barmuda - Saviour (03:14)
95. Lucas & Steve - Warp (Original Mix) (02:23)
96. Cherish, ACRAZE - Do It To It (Tiësto Remix) (02:05)
97. NWYR - The Lone Ranger (Extended Mix) (06:31)
98. D-Jastic - Up To No Good (Extended Mix) (05:11)
99. Timothy Allen - Show Me (Original Mix) (02:11)

What's up everyone! I'm Ace, 22 yr guy looking for a magical connection, a missing half, soul mate you might call it.
I'm a full time worker(12 exhausting hours) with a few hobbies that I rarely do but I'll mention them anyway
I love cooking, baking, drawing(mostly anime characters) Jogging, and I guess listening to music? Pop and rock and some random songs
What I look for is a respectful kind people with an open understanding mind, where we can share thoughts and fears without judgments and criticism.
Be 18+ and be respectful (:

Mysterious Idol X (Alter)

Class: Foreigner
True Name: Mysterious Idol X (Alter)
Gender: Female
Origin: FGO Waltz Collaboration "Bedazzled! Grail Concert!"
Region: Servant Universe
Alignment: Neutral Good
Height: 154cm
Weight: 42kg
Strength: C
Endurance: C
Agility: B
Mana: B+
Luck: A
Noble Phantasm: B
Character Creator: Hoshizora Meteo
Character Design: BUNBUN
Character Voice: Ayako Kawasumi

Class Skills

Entity of the Outer Realm: D
A freeloader from the Servant Universe
Altereactor: B
Through the use of the rare element Alternium all sorts of energy can be converted to magical energy, though it only lasts for a minute. She'll work harder if the a message is attached to the offering

Personal Skills

Unparalleled Waltz: B
A Servant's incredible skill. This precise, spectacular performance goes beyond human physical ability and even perception!
Infinite Upstream Lyrics: C
A method of cracking by singing using magecraft rhymes that are effective against theoretical thinking, especially AI and machines.
King's Singing Voice: C
A blessed singing voice that heals people and works miracles, commonly called "Royal Touch."

Noble Phantasm

『Dominating Sword of Dazzling, Illusionary Song.』
Rank: B
NP Type: Anti-Personnel
Range: 5 - 55
Maximum Targets: 14471
Lumino Calibur
It is the forbidden guitar blade "Evil Lumino Calibur Strings," said to be playable only by those who formed a contract with the demon of music (it was actually on clearance at Planet Chamizu). The honed Idol☆Glo Points that trigger super feels change the battlefield into a stage with glittering, flashing lights.

Character

First-person pronoun: Watashi
Second-person pronoun: Anata/Master-san/MasP-san/X-san
Third-person pronoun: Kara/Kanojo

Personality

Even though her aloof demeanor and tone of voice haven't changed much from her villainous Berserker form, she has loosened up a bit. She even smiles now, and sometimes actually makes jokes. Her desire to please and entertain others has surfaced, but she also allows her weakness and frustrations to show. She was surprised to learn that she had many emotions, which were simply in the way when she was just wielding her sword, and has come to realize that these feelings could be applied to writing music and lyrics. She is starting to realize that, instead of relying on terror and violence as she did in her villain days, maybe she should be more honest about her own feelings if it means she could move people through song and music...
Even though she has become an idol, her biggest weak point is still her lifelong rival, the Mysterious Heroine X. Echan watches her every move. It's not like she wants to get along, she just wants X's admiration and to be a good rival.
A past interaction with Heroine X triggered something within her and for X Alter, who never really cared about other people's feelings before, being praised for her songs, influencing each other as singer and listener, and creating an emotional response was a delightful experience. If someone were to destroy such a simple joy with violence, it would be like looking at the inhuman me of the past. I would cringe so hard I wouldn't be able to deal with them

Motivation and Attitude to Master

Master is a reliable producer. He cares about me as an idol and always brings out my best performance.
Even if I am not perfect, I want to live up to his expectations, even if it is just a small step at a time.

Dialog Examples

"Yeah, I'm Mysterious Idol X (Alter). The Idol Echan belong to Chaldea Production. Please take care of me Mast....., no MasP-san"
"The live performance of the fierce battle is about to begin."
"Jump and dance my heart"
"Encores over...... Ankoromochi"
"Ex-stream~"
"As long as Master is there, than that place is the concert hall"
"Just as you can't stay alive without your heart there are some Japanese sweets I can't do without. Don't get it wrong, I'm not a glutton"
"The great moonlit river...so luminous! Be it the divine voice from the underworld...it will still be harmonious! Hear the song of my sword!"
"Did you watch? You listened but did it touch your heart? Beyond the sky, on the other side of the blue glow, you are surely shining too. My friend"

Figure within FGO

The one who wandered into the Singularity where idols reign supreme was, in essence, the theatrical version of Ex. She is a little more emotional and active than the normal version, and it costs more to draw her.
She is a singing Foreigner who wants it all, as she handles the writing for both music and lyrics, singing and performing, and even fighting in battles!
But if you want to go further back, the original Mysterious Heroine X (Alter) originates from a reality TV show that was somewhat popular in the Servant Universe. In season 1, the School Arc, she formed an alliance with Mysterious Heroine X, while in season 2, the Villain Arc, she was a part of the Villains Coalition while striving to revive the Dark Rounds. The story in this theatrical release is a special episode that happened between these two seasons, wherein certain circumstances have led her to try being the Universe's top idol...
Well... Okay, yeah. One can only tolerate so many stories about galactic battles against moon-walking space robots...

Standard Weapons

Evil Lumino Calibur Strings
The floating pod Little Black Knight is an independent platform. Its wicked comebacks now play in stereo!

Related Characters

Miss Crane
She is a miraculous person who created a unique outfit that can only be worn by me.
It wouldn't be wrong to call her a villain would it? Anyway I have to make sure I repay her
Medb and Tamamo Cat
That's right. They are important friends and great rivals. Are they doing well under the sky of a different space-time? As for me I'm still singing today
Mysterious Heroine XX
Sometimes I invite her to join me for snack time (she usually turns me down though, but that's okay). It's interesting to watch XX and her somewhat suspicious behaviour. During moments like that is when I'm glad I came to Chaldea

Comments from illustrator

Idol Echan, but she's also a singer-songwriter that was the image I had in mind when designing her. The basic outfit is white in contrast to the usual Alter image, while her other outfit, designed in the image of a diva, is black. I was excited to put my daughter in a normal idol outfit but that hat might have been a bit too much (laughs) (BUNBUN)

I wonder if Abby was so angry about Brooke and Paige coming back because of Brooke's music. She did a solo to her own song I hurt. And if you watch the music video mean to me the teacher in the video resembles Abby. I wonder if this is why there was so much drama around the hylands in that episode. And Leslie was angry about Kelly coming back but Kelly had a contract. And pretty sure production called Kelly and told her to come because they couldn't miss filming.