#burnway

[alterrune]

Albert's Files: Shadow Lily

Shadow Lily Transformed

Details: The monstrous form of Lily's Shadow, the appearance of this form is... visually upsetting. Much like Shadow Lily's normal form, it is wearing a hospital gown, evocative of Asian burial clothing and covered in bandages, only this time there is more bandages this time, and this form has multiple eyes across it's body along with a black halo, representing death.

Because of Lily's Shadow representing Lily's fear of the worst possible outcomes because of her, the eye's across the 2nd form shows Lily's paranoia of this fear, eyes that are constantly staring at any form of possible danger. This, coupled with the hospital based theming with the gown and bandages, representing how Lily could've spent the majority of her life in a hospital due to her heart disease, but most notably, the black halo and the evocation of burial clothing with the gown, there is another fear shown in this form from Lily's Shadow, Lily is afraid of dying, her death causing more grief for the people around her, much like how Laurence ended up after her 1st death before becoming Kynn Lee.

Ahh...that was a good nap. I told you guys nothing would go wrong.

"Especially with me at Kyle's side."

So...what do we have here?

...oh. Oh my. That's actually worse than Laurence's. Eyes should NOT go there.

Yeah. No shit. Maybe we should figure out how to get to them?

Relax. The new TV's in, right?

Yeah. Right behind you.

Good.

(I stretch myself out a bit, then reach my hands into the TV. They go in as if it was a pool of water. Naturally, everyone is shocked at this.)

KYLE, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!

Calm down. It's just the Midnight Channel.

Uh...Midnight WHAT NOW?!

Kyle. Explain. Oh, but take your hands out of the TV screen first.

(I sigh again after complying with Vi's request. Joy of joys, MORE explaining.)

The Midnight Channel is essentially a portal into the world of Shadows. There was this whole thing with it being used for a murder case, but fortunately that's no longer an issue. As per Maggy-Izzy's request, I've been checking it nightly and nothing's happened.

However, it seems as though Shadow Laurence and Shadow Lily managed to break out into the real world through the entry that the TV provided. Now, I know that Lily broke the TV that was originally the entryway. However, since this TV is exactly where the old TV is, they can use it as another entryway. They'll have to look for said entryway in the Midnight Channel, though, which is why I replaced the TV instead of fixing the old one: the new TV has already bought us some more time.

Oh! I was wondering why you didn't just fix the old one after I broke it!

Yeah. Hopefully those two don't find their way out that fast. Also, guys. I know what you're thinking. DON'T HOP INTO THE MIDNIGHT CHANNEL WITHOUT ME. I trust you guys, but the methods we usually use won't work as well in there. You might end up doing something bad on the outside without realizing it.

Don't worry. We're brave, not stupid.

We won't go in without a guide.

Good. Right now, the mission is to protect Laurence and Lily. Maggy-Izzy is hyper-vigilant, but there's only one of him, so keep watch with him.

Copy that.

We'll keep them safe. You have our word.

[arnamantle]

we finished funding today at 115%!

it's been a challenging month, but I'm incredibly glad we got across the finish line. Now, finally back to writing. If you're interested in getting occasional updates on how BURNWAY is shaping up, along with my other projects slated for production in 2024 and beyond, I've got an email list!

[vitaminstoreliberobadaro]

BURN WAY da @ftw.com.br! - Termogênico e Lipolítico - Auxilia no Emagrecimento - Diurético e Energético - Acelera o Metabolismo - Melhora o Desempenho no Treino . #VitaminStoreLiberoBadaro #BurnWay #Termogenico #PerderPeso #Emagrecer #BarrigaChapada #Fitness #Motivation #Gym #Fit #Workout #FitFam #BodyBuilding #Foco #Dieta #Treino #Saude #Academia #VidaSaudavel #EstilodeVida #FikaGrandePorra #Musculação #Nutrição #Maromba #Motivação #Suplementos #FTW #FTWoficial #UseFTW #FTWSuplementos (em VitaminStore Líbero Badaró) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV0ZawOLvdG/?utm_medium=tumblr

[heaven-incursion]

Vol 1 + Vol 2 Full collection

A compilation of every emoji identifier.

Chp 0: Books

Cho 0.1: The books 📖 = old book 📕 = Chp 1 book 📗 = Chp 2 book

Chp 1: Normal

Chp 1.1: Civilans milita 🪖 = Sarah Kelso 🔥 = Phenoix ? = Gomez

Chp 1.2: Old Trinity Leaders / important members  🟢 = tru 🦑 = phantom squid 🍃 = Leafy 🍀 = Wiseclover

Chp 1.3: Geocorp 🔵 = geocorp guard ➕ = geocorp medic 💧 = Aaron

Chp 1.4: Main 4 🔺 = Kyle 🔵 = Henry 💜 = Violet 💕 = ellie rose

Chp 1.5: Vipers 🐍 = viper ⚠️ = betrayal Sarah Kelso 

Chp 1.6: New Trinity Leaders ☄️ = Laurence burnway 😈 =  Terence Suave ? = Albert ♠️ = IRL!Nicholas cross ♥️ = IRL!Justin cross

Chp 2: Heaven incursion

Chp 2.1: Minions ◼️ = class 0 ◼️Class 1 = class 1◼️Class 2 = class 2◼️Class 3 = class 3 

Chp 2.2: Old HEAVEN INCURSION 👁‍🗨 = old leader 🍂 = leafy betrayal ⚙️ = enigneer 

Chp 2.3: NEW HEAVEN INCURSION 🧿 = soulcrusher 💻 = R3 port 🔲 = Glitch King

Chp 3: Soul Guide (always after a other emoji)

Chp 3.1:🔹 = soul 🔷 = Main soul 🔸 = restored soul 🔶 = restored main soul ♦️ = Corrupted soul 

Chp 4: personalitys

Chp 4.1: Henry 🟦 = Harold 💠 = Harvey

Chp 4.2 Ellie ❤️‍🔥 = Emma 💘 = Evelyn 

Chp 4.3: Alter 🔻 = Knox  🧨 = Kingston

Chp 4.4 violet ♈️ = Victoria 🔮 = Valentina

Chp 4.5: Aaron 🩸 = Adam

Chp 5: Other / non main

Chp 5.1: Toppats 🎩 = Reginald 🛠 = Right Hand Man Reborn 🥼 = Dr. Vinschpinsilstien ⛓ =  Dave Panpa 🔫 = Rupert Price 🐁 = Carol Cross 🛡 = Clarence Cross 🔷 = Nicholas Cross 🟡 =  Justin Cross

Chp 5.2: SOLO 🪃 = Samuel Mundy 🌂 = Clair Cross 🦼 = Drake Wolfsbane

Chp 5.3: Wall ❄️ = Dmitri Johannes Petrov 💪🏼 = Grigori Olyat 🌨 = Dmitri Reborn 🦾 = Grigori Reborn

Chp 5.4: Gov’t  🚁 = Charles Calvin 🏅 = General Galeforce🎖 = Commander Galeforce

Chp 5.5: N/A ✍️ = IRL!Alterrune Kyle 💥 = First Stickmin 🌫 = Glitches

Chp 6: NEW TRINITY MINI LEADERS

Chp 6.1: TRU ? = Leafy bot 2000 ? = Left Hand Robot

Chp 6.2: Phantom Squids ? = Phantom #2 ? = Phantom #3

Chp 6.3: Vipers ? = Captain ? = the VIPER

Chp 6.4: Toppat Radicals ? = Overseer ? = SkyFlier

Chp 6.5: False Reality ? = Dreamer 3761 ? = Antimatterling

Chp 6.6: Blackjacks [UNKNOWN]

Chp 6.7: Zulu secruity corp ☢️ = Gomez Toxin ? = Directors Board

[alterrune]

Albert's Files: Shadow Laurence

Shadow Laurence Transformed

Details: The monstrous form Laurence's Shadow Self, it's appearance alone is already disconcerting enough just from the void in place of it's face and the bloodstained appearance. Given the Shadow's personification of Laurence's self-hatred, guilt, and the reminder of his actions as a member of the Trinity of Fate and the Chairman of the now defunct Zulu Security Corp., it can be assumed that this form symbolizes the thoughts of Laurence believing that he isn't worthy of the forgiveness and kindness we was given, as the blood seeping out from the void is evocative of someone crying, someone who wants help and forgiveness, but can't be seen the same way because of their past actions, and only seen as a monster by the people hurt by them. The form of this Shadow truly begs the question:

Has the man Laurence Burnway truly been by the public, by the people who had given him a second chance, or can the blood never truly be washed away, and Laurence would only ever be remembered as the man who could've torn the world apart out of bitterness for the pain he had endured?

Picrew Used

Oh my...that's unsettling.

Did yours transform like that?

The eyepatch was his transformation. That was essentially the one thing connecting me to Shadow Kyle, so when he took it off, it all went to hell.

So...you think we can take this thing on?

Not now. I still need time to try and forget the Splatfest that the Grand Festival was attached to. I hereby refuse to call it by name.

I'll give you a day.

Deal. A good rest oughta fix things.

Kyle...are you sure that's a good idea? Shadow Laurence and Shadow Lily have appeared in their dreams, and even connected them together.

You sure they won't go after you?

I got Maggy-Izzy to back me up. Don't worry, I'll be fine.

(Kyle grabs a bottle of some sleeping medication from a drawer, takes a pill, and immediately conks out like a light as soon as he gets under the covers. Jeez, he wasn't kidding when he said he had sleeping problems earlier. If he needs sleeping medication THAT powerful, he must really need it.)

Famous last words, Kyle. Famous last words...

Agreed, Lily. Everyone, watch over him. We have to make sure they don't pull anything on Kyle.

(We all get into position. Goddamnit, Kyle, you've officially tempted fate, and you of all people should know that fate tends to bite you in the ass.)

[alterrune]

Don't be sorry, you're so right

Thanks, Anon. It's just fucking BAFFLING how this ended up.

Thanks for ending an amazing game so fucking bitterly, Grand Festival. I'll remember you for being an amazing event, but I'll wipe the Splatfest you were attached to from my memory until Splatoon 5 turns things around. I'll be skipping 4, thanks to you.

Kyle. Have you forgotten about...?

We'll get to the shadow situation LATER, Laurence. Trust me, Magatsu-Izanagi is in full-on BLOODLUST mode. I told him specifically not to kill them, but he'll severely maim those two if they get in my way right now. Let me get in a better mood, first.

Fair enough...

(note: can't delete this post due to AtO lore attached to it)

[alterrune]

(Laurence is in the cafeteria, as he hasn't gotten much sleep, dwelling on the encounter he had previously last night.)

Laurence Burnway: Am I going crazy again? No, I'm just dwelling on something wrong entirely. It's just a fever dream... I just need a little rest.

(Laurence rests his head on the table and closes his eyes. Suddenly he is slapped across the face by someone)

Laurence Burnway: AH! If you had to wake me up, you could've-

(Laurence sees his Shadow Self staring at him smiling)

Shadow Laurence: Wakey wakey Laurence!

(Laurence promptly sits back up and steps away)

Laurence Burnway: No, why are you here again?!

Shadow Laurence: C'mon buddy! You think I'd leave you alone that easily, that we'd only encounter each other once? That isn't how it works Agent.

Laurence Burnway: What now huh?! You want to torment me again?!

Shadow Laurence: Oh? Jumping to conclusions now? You've lost your edge, Phoenix. Let me show you something.

(Laurence's shadow puts his arm around him and guides him to a one way mirror, showing a hospital room)

Laurence Burnway: What is this?

Shadow Laurence: You don't recognize this room? You've visited it a-lot... look who's in that bed, and who's next to it.

(Laurence see's that its Lily in the bed, and someone in a hospital gown with their head covered in bandages was looming over her)

Laurence Burnway: LILY?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER???

Shadow Laurence: Shhhh... you do know she's still asleep earlier... she can't see or hear us Laurence, one way mirror. What you're seeing is a place spawned off of your sisters true feelings, much like the Zulu Security base we are currently in. Now... listen.

(Lily wakes up, and she notices her surroundings are different. Lily is tied to the hospital bed by bandages)

Lily Burnway: Am I dreaming again? ... Oh my god, why am I in the same hospital room, why am I tied?!

(Lily see's the figure looking at her)

Lily Burnway: This is a nightmare, what is happening?!

???: You're concerned about that? What about your big brother?

(The figures voice was Lily's)

Lily Burnway: Who are you? Why do you sound like me?

???: Someone who stuck with you, no matter if you were Lily... of if you were Kynn. Tell me, have you been checking on Laurence recently, something is happening to him.

Lily Burnway: I... I've been spending time with him!

???: What about when you were sick? Your little heart began to function poorly, all because you went near the lake... you didn't see those substances. Now look what happened afterwards! You got deceased, Laurence worked himself to the bone to try and save you, and dad was grieving because... oh, right, mom died, while you were in the hospital.

Laurence Burnway: No, please, this is too horrible.

Lily Burnway: It can't have been my fault!

???: Oh? And look what happened to your family, dad became more focused on GEOGRAM, and Laurence? He was doing everything, so much, burying himself on duty just to get that money for your heart transplant! It's your fault... everything fell apart because of your existence. Deep down, you're just baggage.

Lily Burnway: What gives you the right to say all of this?! How do you know?!

???: I know every little detail about you... oh little Lily, scared of letting everyone down for failing, over and over.

(The figure begins unwrapping the bandages, revealing the figure as Lily, and just like Shadow Laurence, she has yellow eyes.)

Shadow Lily: I am a Shadow... The True Self.

(Lily was too stunned to say anything)

Shadow Laurence: I see... it would appear you and Lily share the same kind of mutual pain. Who would've thought that two siblings, still fighting their inner demons, would've gotten to the point that both realties you two created would cause this Zulu Security Base and the Hospital to both connect to each other.

(Laurence shoves his Shadow self away)

Laurence Burnway: I'm done with this! I've had enough you bastard!

Shadow Laurence: Losing your cool Agent, that's a sign that you're slipping. *Sigh* I can see, you're still very resentful of me, I understand, but you and Lily. aren't getting any better that's for sure. Ah, the clock is ticking, our time is up.

(Shadow Laurence shoots Laurence in the knee with a revolver, but Laurence can still see Lily from the one-way mirror. Laurence can see Lily's Shadow walking toward her)

Laurence Burnway: GET AWAY FROM HER!!!

Shadow Laurence: She can't hear you from this side, you would've known what thanks to academy training. Listen up, if this wasn't a dream, things would've ended differently for you and Lily, we might as well wake you both up. If you want to settle things for good... I suggest you look at a TV, and bring an Audience as well. Me and your Sisters Shadow will be patiently waiting until then.

(Shadow Laurence points the revolver at Laurence's head, with Shadow Lily preparing to cut the life support machine connected to Lily)

Shadow Laurence: We'll be waiting for you both, look forward to it along with your friends.

(Shadow Laurence shoots Laurence in the head, and Shadow Lily disconnecting Lily's life support machine, both at the same time. Laurence and Lily promptly wake up afterwards, only it was more frantic for both, as they are much more shaken this time)

NOW!

(Suddenly, a whole bunch of sprinklers on the ceiling go off, and Shadow Laurence is coated in green ink as he tries to leave. I quickly move in, landing a flying kick on him, and pin him down as hard as I can. The others, weapons aimed at him, move in as well.)

Like the sprinker system I hooked up? You can thank Deep Cut of Splatsville fame for hooking me up with the sprinklers I needed for that. I know I can't kill you, but beating you up is an option. And now you're roping Lily into this? You really are the bad parts of him. Now...explain.

"Oh...so the audience couldn't wait, could they? Well, I'm sorry, but you can't harm me. Not unless you have a Persona yourself."

(Suddenly, a strange card begins falling from the sky into my hand. A blue aura surrounds me, as I give Shadow Laurence a smug smirk.)

Careful what you wish for, pal...

(I crush the card in my hand and my own Persona, Magatsu-Izanagi, comes out from behind me in a blinding flash of blue light.)

...because you just might get it.

"WHAT?! How the hell do you---"

Magatsu-Izanagi, hit him with a Magatsu Mandala.

(Magatsu-Izanagi gives a monstrous, demonic roar before plunging his blade into the ground. Japanese symbols suddenly surround Shadow Laurence, spinning faster and faster until they explode, hitting him hard. Thankfully, he's still alive.)

Get up, asshole. I know you didn't die from that, Maggy-Izzy went SOFT on you there.

"Ugh...you're good. But I believe I will take my leave now...but mark my words, I am a part of him, and until he accepts that, I will never permanently leave him alone."

Good. We'd prefer it if you left Laurence alone for a bit before pulling this shit again.

Maybe after we're done celebrating Grand Festival? You'll have our full attention then.

If you want us to be your audience, then you aren't gonna get it now.

But rest assured, when we DO have your full attention, we will kick your ass into next week.

(Shadow Laurence dissappears into the shadows. The rest of the CSB, as well as Laurence and Lily, suddenly look at me with bewildered looks in their eyes.)

Dude. What the HELL was that thing you summoned?

And why the hell COULD you summon it?!

(I sigh. This is gonna be fun to explain to all of them. Hoo boy...)

Remeber how I was complaining that "it came back to bite us in the ass"? Well, the "it" I was referring to was awakening Magatsu-Izanagi. That big red ball of anger was my shadow at one point.

Maggy-Izzy (which, by the way, is my nickname for him) is the spirit of chaos and calamity. And Shadow Kyle essentially was a big ball of those feelings. He fought me with all the anger and chaos you can think of, and at the end of it all he pinned me to the ground and would've KILLED me...if I hadn't realized what he meant by "the true self". He wasn't just some weird doppelgänger of me. He was the parts of me that I wanted to lock away. After finally accepting him as a part of me instead of treating him like something that needed to be locked away, he turned into Maggy-Izzy.

I...see. And that thing isn't hostile?

Nope. Also, usually Personas can't be summoned in the real world, but I think things have gone a bit haywire now that we know Shadow Laurence is out and about.

Well, glad to know you have protection. What about Alter, Violet, Henry and Ellie?

Not possible. They have those spirits that essentially act as Personas all the same. I'm only different because Storyteller isn't some kind of living being like the others' are.

Well, glad to know you've got my back, Kyle.

Yeah. We were just lucky we had a trap ready to be sprung on Shadow Laurence. Me and Maggy-Izzy will help you again if you need it. And the same goes for Lily/Kynn, too.

Considering I'm now roped into this, I'm glad I have your help, Kyle.

[alterrune]

(Laurence wakes up somewhere, he’s dreaming… but it isn’t something he’s expected)

Laurence Burnway: What? Where am I?

(Laurence looks around, it’s very familiar… this was Laurence’s office, when he was the chairman of Zulu Security Corps, when he was still working with the Trinity of Fate, and when he betrayed everyone after Lily first died.)

Laurence Burnway: No, no no no, not this place… why?

???: Oh… oh you should why.

(Laurence looks over at the desk… it was… a figure? Half his face was covered by a tilted fedora, and he was wearing the same uniform Laurence used to wear when he was the Zulu Security Corp. Chairman before it was all torn down)

Laurence Burnway: Who are you?

???: You should know, Laurence. I’ve been with you for a very long time, I will say, I’ve manifested a lot more… influence since you last fell apart. I can see you’re still pretty troubled.

Laurence Burnway: This is a dream, I know it. But what do you want?

???: You haven’t forgotten what you’ve done before you were forgiven huh? Just think back, all those atrocities you’ve committed ever since our sister first died, and she died when you shot her in the chest after you began having another breakdown. What did you do afterwards? You used to guise of a security corp to raise all manners of hell!

Laurence Burnway: I DIDN’T KNOW ANY BETTER! I was bitter at how this world treated me…

???: And did that give you the right to people who had nothing to do with your pain? Mom would be disappointed in you Laurence, you think Dad and Lily still see you as the same beloved son?

Laurence Burnway: Why are you doing this? To punish and remind me for what I’ve done, for the things I did? I’ve always suffered enough.

???: What about does who suffered because of you that long ago? Who knows, maybe the ColorStreak Battalion are still laughing behind your back… maybe Commander GaleForce still sees you as inferior… you remember that grin before you were locked away.

Laurence Burnway: WHO EVEN ARE YOU ANYWAY?!

???: You haven’t figured it out? I thought you were a master class agent… I’ve know you for a long time… after all…

(The figure removes the fedora, and Laurence see’s it’s himself… with yellow eyes)

Shadow Laurence: I am a Shadow… The True Self.

Laurence Burnway: No… you can’t be me!

Shadow Laurence: Try and deny it all you want, it won’t help you in the long run. Try and kill me, even with the help of the ColorStreak Battalion, your sister, or even dad, try and do that, and let’s just say you “Mentally Shutdown”.

Laurence Burnway: Please, make this stop.

Shadow Laurence: Yeah… the sands of time for us has run out… for tonight at least. See you later… Agent Phoenix.

(Laurence suddenly wakes up in his room, still in bed, breathing heavily)

(5 MINUTES LATER...)

(Alter, Vi, Henry and Ellie are huddled around Laurence, still in his bed and in his PJs. Meanwhile, I'm currently looking out of the window in Laurence's room, lost in thought as a heavy rain falls down.)

Dude. You're gonna have to come up with something more intresting.

Maybe a little less spice to the tall tale next time? Kyle, back us up here.

...

Kyle?

...of course. Of course it had to come back to bite us in the ass NOW, of all times. Right in the middle of the Grand Festival, too.

Wait, he's telling the truth?

(I nod my head in response to Henry, then pull Laurence in close.)

Laurence, buddy. You HAVE to accept that thing. Yeah, it's shit, but it's a PART of you.

Kyle. That thing is EVIL. And I didn't paraphrase what it said, I repeated it word-for-fucking-word! You kill it, I go into a "mental shutdown"!

Beating it up isn't exactly out of the question, though. Laurence, listen. That thing comes back, call us in. We will make sure it stops harrassing you, but that's only a short-term solution. In order to get rid of it for good, you HAVE to accept it as a part of who you are.

Kyle. What even is this thing Laurence is describing?

...the beginnings of a Persona, that's what. We'll deal with it in full after the Grand Festival is over.

Okay. If I see that thing again, I'll call you guys up.

Don't worry. You can count on us, Burnway. You're in good hands.

[alterrune]

2 New Messages

Hey guys, Laurence Burnway here! I just got out from the medical center, and I’m ready to begin undertaking some operations with you guys with my sister Lily. If you need us for a mission, just let us know!

- Laurence Burnway

Hi everyone, it’s me Lily! My big brother is healthy again, though seeing him there reminded me a lot of how I was thanks to my heart condition before. Im just glad my brother is okay, and I’m willing to fight alongside you all, can’t wait for some fun times!

- Lily Burnway

New Bio (GEOGRAM): Kynn Lee/Lily Burnway

The younger sister of Laurence Burnway and daughter of Aaron Schaffer, Lily died after being accidentally shot by Laurence, but through hackanons help, Lily was brought back as Kynn Lee. Now Laurence, Lily, and Aaron are finally back together again as a family.

(Notice: 1 new message)

I searched through the games files to the time before Lily became Kynn. Terence Suave was the one who indirectly made Lily sick with her heart disease. During Terence’s reign over the Toppats, he negligently dispossessed of toxic substances into a town where Aaron and his family was living in. Tell Laurence and Lily, tell them…

- Albert

So...HE'S responsible for the worst fucking moment of my life? YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!!! I'LL SHOVE A BAZOOKA UP YOUR ASS AND FIRE IT LIKE A MINIGUN!!!

Laurence, buddy. Calm down. We'll get him. It's only a matter of time.

Yes. We'll get him. Count me in on this.

Laurence, no. It's too dangerous.

We can't let you go...at least, not now. Rest assured, we're totally okay with you kicking Terrence in the dick once he's down, but we need to actually get the chance to down him first.

...Fair enough. Just tell me when and I'll bring the steel-toed shoes.

Count me in too, guys. If he thinks he can kill me again, he's got another thing coming with Laurence back by my side.

Alright! We'll let you two know when it's time to initate the dick-kicking.

BIO ADDED: Kynn Lee/Lily Burnway (GEOGRAM)

UPDATE TO BIO LIST: Names in list are now color-coded to the color of their text while talking!

[alterrune]

Shadow Laurence

Shadow Lily

Picrew Used

Those guys look horrible. Wait...Kyle, do you have a pic of Shadow Kyle?

Uh-huh. This is what he looked like.

Holy shit. Dude. That is GRUESOME.

Yeah. I know. He kept repeating the same phrase over and over before I approached him:

"There is nothing wrong. I killed them. There is nothing wrong. I killed myself. There is nothing wrong. I killed my future. There is nothing wrong."

What about the heart they're holding?

It was a representation of my own heart. My own feelings. He was basically trying to show me that deep down, none of my feelings were genuine, aside from all the anger and rage I have.

And if you thought all THAT was bad, well, that eyepatch there was actually removable.

And when he removed it for me to see, well...

...THAT was what I saw. That was his own twisted way of "winking" at me. And the things he said sent shivers down my spine, ESPECIALLY since they were coming from my own mouth:

"We can't do this forever."

"Growing up is suicide."

"Their blood is on our hands."

"Leave, and the noose goes around our neck."

"We have no heart. We ripped it out long ago."

"Hide behind a smile."

"Everything will be okay if we just stop caring."

"Don't bother killing ourselves. The pain won't stop even if we're dead."

"We just wanted to stay a kid forever. Is that so much to ask?"

"There is nothing wrong with us. We just want to prevent things from changing."

Yeah. My shadow was pretty fucked up.

And you SOLOED that thing?

Had to muster up all the courage I could, Laurence, but I did. And dear god, it was hell, but finally beating him up enough to the point where I could finally accept him as a part of me was absolutely therapeutic.

Wow. When push comes to shove, you don't mess around.

When my friends' lives or my own life is at risk, I can't afford to cut corners, Lily. I will protect those I hold dear with my life.

[alterrune]

<Meanwhile in GEOgram Base> ⚙️Oh, you. 🧿Ah previous college do you need some services HA. 🔵What are you guys doing here anyways? 🔲Well we need rooms for our stay. 🔵Oh, why didn’t you just talk to the head enigneer ⚙️And that’s me so I’ll get right to work [Ive had art of this for a while so I think I might as well post it -HH]

[The art has been sitting in my inbox for a while, so I'll post it after this post. However, I also wanna show how things are going back in the AtO world (specfically with Laurence, Aaron/Adam & Alter's parents), so enjoy! -K]

So let me get this straight. My son and his group have been transported into another world?

Yes, Carol. I'm sure they can handle themselves.

(Carol suddenly grabs Laurence by his shirt collar.)

BRING. THEM. BACK.

Carol, let the poor boy go. He clearly wants them back as much as we do, so don't harm him just because he can't bring Alter back at this very moment.

(Carol, after hearing what Clarence said to her, drops Laurence immediately.)

Thank you, Carol. Now, me and Adam have luckily been able to get a visual on where the ColorStreak Battalion is, and it seems as though they're in some place known as "Pokémon Square".

So what are we waiting for, Scaffold? Let's just hop through a portal and get them back!

That's the problem. You see, aside from the fact that I currently don't know how to create a portal to the CSB's location as of yet, if we went through a portal to them right now, I don't know if we'll be able to go through it both ways. By the way, thank you for not calling me "Shafter" again, Adam.

Hey, I just thought I'd make some new nicknames to call you, having only one was getting kinda stale.

Regardless, we're working as hard as we can to retrieve them, you two. Just have patience, we'll get them back. You have our word.

I'll hold you to that.

[alterrune]

(Lily Burnway was walking through the hallway, despite seeing Laurence's Shadow being thwarted, she still can't stop thinking about her Shadow self.)

Lily Burnway: I know about Laurence's Shadow being stopped, but where was mine, whoever she was.

(Lily suddenly see's a TV turn on, it was producing static, and it suddenly showed Lily's Shadow)

Shadow Lily: Hi Lily... quiet a show was put up back there. I saw it, I guess everyone else didn't see me. Must feel good to not be the cause of danger huh?

Lily Burnway: *Sigh* Of course you'd show yourself... what do you and my brothers Shadow want with us both?

Shadow Lily: What's wrong, scared that you'll lose each other? What if you die again? Will Laurence regress to the madman he was back then, will Aaron fall to the despair event horizon? Will the ColorStreak Battalion and Hack-Anon waste their time again trying to save you? Your misfortunes are all of theirs, you know it, you're a catalyst for misery. Your existence will cause the downfall of the people who are helping you. Who knows, maybe you'll do on a suicide mission by yourself so you won't get anyone else killed!

Lily Burnway: Shut up, just leave.

Shadow Lily: Trying to push me away? Will you push everyone else away, scared of what will happen if you stay around them? You just don't want to listen, now everything is rather... messed up? I'm going to leave now, you'll have to learn that there is a-lot more terrifying outcomes there than you can dream up about. Deaths of someone can rest on your shoulders.

(Shadow Lily see's the ColorStreak Battalion approaching the TV)

Shadow Lily: Deep Breaths, Lily. Deep Breaths.

(Lily's Shadow dissappears, and Lily punches the TV, destroying it, despite knowing it wouldn't do a thing to her Shadow.)

...so that's why you have those bandages wrapped around your hand.

Yeah. Dr. V had no idea why I destroyed the TV, and it's not like I could tell her. She'd never believe me. Hey, you guys aren't mad about it, are you?

No. Not at all. And besides, we can just get another TV easily. We can easily pay any replacement costs.

Thanks for understanding, guys. Man, that shadow me REALLY pissed me off. And I know what you said about having to "accept it" and all, but it's REALLY hard to accept it when it's literally every bad part of you wearing your own face.

Yeah, that's fair. I just hope we can keep this whole "buying time" thing up until Grand Festival is over and we can put our full attention onto this Shadow situation.

I honestly hope so too. A lot of this plan is just "make shit up as we go along".

Alter, this came outta nowhere. We need to buy some time not only so we can enjoy Grand Fest, but so I can think of a way to get these Shadows to stop before something really bad happens.

Let's keep it up, then. Keep an eye out, Lily. Contact Kyle if you need help, and we'll come running with him.

Thank you. I really appreciate it, as does Laurence.

[alterrune]

One more person, because the CSB isn’t the only ones who has a Dark Side, Charles gained his when Laurence ejected him with a syringe during Operation: Prowling Spider

Chandler: (Awaiting Tarot Card Input)

Chandler (Charles) - The Doctor

Wait, Lawrence, I thought Charles avoided that with the muscle relaxants, though?

Unfortunately not, actually. Yes, he was spared from turning into his dark form upon injection, but his dark form still exists. Unfortunate, I know, but Charles is as innocent as can be, so I doubt we have to worry about him turning into Chandler...yet.

Good, good. Glad to hear that, at the very least, Chandler isn't a high-level threat like the others are.

[alterrune]

New Message Sender: Albert To ColorStreak Battalion, I have finished scanning Shadow Laurence's dungeon within the Midnight Channel. Loading Details, Standby.... loading finished. Shadow Laurence's Dungeon: Decaying Security Base A twisted recreation of the Zulu Security Base, the shadows inhabiting the base take the form of Zulu Security Members roaming and protecting the base from any potential threats. Shadow Laurence resides inside his office, you must make your way through the base to the office to confront him. There are multiple traps set up in the base such as turrets, shock traps, mines, spikes, and security doors that will activate if your presence is found. I will reload the details of the ColorStreak Battalions spirits if you need a refresher: https://www.tumblr.com/alterrune/670571707328823296/sir-we-just-finished-development-of-4-of-our?source=share GEOGRAM is doing whatever they can to handle Terence Suave and the Toppat Radicals, but Laurence and Lily must resolve their conflicts with their Shadows, otherwise the Shadows will continue to interfere with Operations Emperors Abyss. I will be the navigator for you all once you enter the dungeon. The Midnight Channel is open to Shadow Laurence's Dungeon, Good Luck. - Albert

Alright, everyone, on the count of 3.

(The 5 of us are ready to dive into the TV.)

One...two...THREE!

(On my signal, the 5 of us jump into the TV. Upon entering, we fall into an area that seems to be covered in fog.)

Kyle, we all can't see shit. What's going on?

Ah, crap, that's right! I forgot about the fog!

TEDDIE?! Dude, it's been ages! How've you been?

(Teddie hands me 4 pairs of glasses, one red, one purple, one blue, and one pink. I put each of them on the respective CSB members' heads, then put a black pair on my own face.)

Whoa! What are these?

Specialty glasses to help make the fog a non-issue. Courtesy of this little teddy bear over here.

GAH! Is that thing a shadow?

A FRIENDLY one. I met him shortly after getting Maggy-Izzy. Teddie, you think you can sniff out the location of two particular shadows for us? Names are Laurence Burnway and Lily Burnway.

Uh...Kyle? Quick question: Do you think we can trust Teddie's nose on this?

We don't exactly think he can actually sniff them out.

I agree with Teddie, guys.

Wait...didn't Albert say he'd be our navigator?

Why are we trusting Teddie, then?

Because I know where the dungeon is, but not the way there.

GAH! Wait, Albert?! How are you on my phone screen?

I am actually still in the GEOGRAM base. This is so I can keep watch on you all and make sure this mission goes according to plan.

Alright, fair. And Teddie is good in a fight, so it's good to have him.

Just try to ignore the constant slew of bear puns, though. Anyways, lead the way, Teddie!

(We all then follow Teddie to the dungeon. It's huge and just as imposing as Albert described.)

Teddie, Shadow Laurence is at the top floor, I presume?

Hey, one of two ain't bad, Teddie. You still did the job you were tasked to do.

Exactly. Now then, everyone? We have a shadow to beat.

(We all start to rush into the building before I suddenly remember what Albert said.)

WAIT! Albert, you said this place was trapped, correct?

Indeed. As I stated earlier, there are turrets, shock traps, mines, spikes, and security doors that will activate if your presense is found. While I believe being stealthy is not an option here, it would be wise to take care of any enemies if they spot you as to ensure they don't alarm the others.

Thought so. Let's not do our whole "storm in hard and loud" routine this time, guys. Let's just head into the area calmly.

You got it, Kyle.

Let's do this. You coming, Teddie?

(We all enter the building after hearing Teddie's words of encouragement. Get ready, Shadow Laurence, we're coming for you!)

[alterrune]

Section 4: The Fold

Albert is waiting in his landscape, it’s waiting for one of you. Only one person can face him. He already knows your moves just from observing, and can predict your attacks. Good lu- *TRANSMISSION INTERRUPTED”

TRU gave me an order, and I may not disobey them. TRU had installed “codes” that I wished would not be used on me. I have lost free will, and should I disobey a direct order, my memory would be wiped. I do not wish for that to happen. I’m sorry… but I must destroy you.

CHAPTER 3, ACT 4: FOLDING THE FOLDER

SUPRISE! You thought this would never come out, did you? I told you I'd do it eventually, and now's the time! Enjoy!

Who's gonna do this, then?

...I'll do it. He's observed you guys longer than he has for me. He doesn't know all my tricks.

Okay. Good luck, Kyle.

(I step into the area, and the door closes behind me...and I immediately dodge something that lunged at me!)

HOW DO YOU LIKE MY LITTLE HELPER, ALTER?

(Albert walks up to me, and immediately looks in disbelief at who he's seeing.)

WAIT...KYLE? YOU ARE THE ONE WHO'S GOING TO FIGHT ME AND MY HELPER?

Yeah. You don't know all of my moves yet, you sicko.

FINE. I EXPECTED ALTER TO BE THE ONE TO FIGHT US, BUT NO MATTER. IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO DIE, KYLE GIBBONS.

(Albert quickly lunges at me, but I manage to jump out of the way in the nick of time. Before he can attack me again, I quickly grab Storyteller and---)

I DON'T THINK SO.

(Albert suddenly teleports in front of me, grabs my Storyteller fountain pen, and snaps it in half.)

OH DEAR, WHAT WILL YOU DO WITHOUT YOUR POWERS? GIVE UP, THAT'S WHAT.

(However, what Albert didn't realize was that I planned for this. What he just broke was actually a REGULAR fountain pen that was made to look like Storyteller. Me and Alter made some decoys for occasions like this.)

WILL YOU GIVE UP NOW, OR---

TAKE THIS!!!

(I quickly use a gadget that I wrote in using the words "TRU Mind-Controller Code Override Gadget" on Albert's lackey. He suddenly comes to his senses.)

Whoa, thanks for freeing me, pal. Now, lets take out Albert.

With pleasure.

(We quickly start wailing on Albert, ending with him laying limply on the floor like a ragdoll. Eventually, I release the hatch on the door, letting the rest of the CSB in. With Albert laying on the floor, we quickly all aim our guns at him.)

WAIT! I CONCEDE, I CONCEDE! PLACE YOUR WEAPONS DOWN AND LET'S TALK THIS THROUGH!

Yeah, right. The minute we let our guards down, you'll just slip away again. Not happening.

We would love to kill you, but that'd be the easy way out. It's best to let GEOGRAM take care of this instead. However...

(We all shoot our guns at Albert's limbs, causing his hands and feet to go numb.)

...that doesn't mean we're gonna do nothing about you.

(A portal appears with a detainment vehicle going through it, and Aaron/Adam Schaffer and Laurence Burnway step out of the vehicle, quickly apprehending Albert.)

Good job, you guys! Albert should be of no harm to us any longer. By the way, we got someone along the way.

(Laurence displays a restrained Sarah Kelso in the back of the detainment vehicle, with a smug look on his face.)

By the way, Kelso, thanks for the knife in the back, by the way. Really appreciated how you didn't even try to conceal it, made my job easier.

(The two then throw Albert into the back of the vehicle, closing the doors afterwards.)

Nice to finally have those idiots behind bars.

For once, Adam, I agree. Let's head back, everyone!

(We quickly hop into the backseat of the detainment vehicle, and drive back to the GEOGRAM base for a successful debriefing.)

CHAPTER 3, ACT 4 COMPLETE!

🎇OPERATION: TWILIGHT GATE DONE!🎆

ACHIEVEMENT(S) UNLOCKED:

Quadruple Quarrel - "TWILIGHT GATE" SET

NO EPILOUGE FOUND

[alterrune]

TRU Soldier: William, Sir... Albert was apprehended.

William Arase: That AI was useless after all. He's outlived his usefulness.

Phantom 1: Any other plan of action?

William Arase: Get the camera set-up.

(Meanwhile)

GEOGRAM Soldier: Aaron, sir! We have a message from William Arase!

Aaron Schaffer: Let me see that!

William Arase: It would appear you bested Albert, I suppose he should've done better. I can see you Albert in the vehicle with... "Sarah". Let me ask you a question, Aaron. Did you really think I would leave my own daughter unprotected?

(Sarah is seen walking into the image with William)

William Arase: It would appear my daughter is still safe, with me.

Sarah Kelso: As for whoever is stashed in that vehicle with Albert.

(Laurence runs over to whoever Kelso was, who began to glitch out. He discovers that the person he captured was a captured GEOGRAM soldier who had an augmented reality mask on her, making her look like Kelso, and she was gagged, therefore she couldn't speak, while the mask played Kelso's voice-lines)

Laurence Burnway: Oh my god.

Sarah Kelso: You should've been more observant Laurence, consider this a parting gift.

(Laurence hears beeping coming from the GEOGRAM Soldier that he mistook for Sarah, and he sees a bomb counting down on her chest when he open's her jacket)

Laurence Burnway: NO!

(The bomb blows up, destroying the detainment vehicle along with Albert, with Laurence being heavily injured from the explosion.)

Sarah Kelso: We'll settle this some other time CSB, this won't be forgotten.

(The video is cut off)

TWO HOURS LATER...

Holy shit, Burnway. You alright?

(All of us are at the hospital Laurence is being held at. He's covered in bandages due to recieving third-degree burns from the explosion.)

Doc said that my skin will heal, but it'll leave some nasty blotches as scars...

(Laurence barely manages a whisper. He's definitely in a lot of pain, and I don't have to be a medical professional to tell you why that is.)

Hey guys, glad I caught you here.

Aaron? What are you doing here?

I have some good news, that's why. Remember how Albert is an AI? Well, in order to get him out of the digital world, we needed some kind of android body for him to use so he could actually, y'know, be CAUGHT. And luckily, he wasn't destroyed. Only his physical body was.

(Aaron then whips out a monitor to reveal Albert, now in a digitally-rendered stereotypical prisoner outfit, confined in a digitized maximum security cell.)

How's it feel in there, Albert? Hope you like your new home and the new digs!

I HATE YOU ALL.

(Aaron now has a text-to-speech program running, meaning he can finally speak...well, somewhat, anyways.)

Hey, uh...guys? I'd like to have some alone time with Laurence. Head back to base, I'll keep Albert here with me so he has someone keeping an eye on him.

Sure thing, Aaron.

Thank you. And Adam? Can you please not interrupt me this time? I need to have a serious conversation with my son here.

(sigh) Fine. I'll keep quiet.

Thank you, Adam.

(We leave the room to let Aaron and Laurence have their chat.)

So...we didn't get Kelso after all. To be honest, I had a feeling she was being too quiet.

Look on the bright side, we did get Albert, and he's now being digitally incarcerated.

Burnway, on the other hand...damn. Glad the kid's gonna be able to heal up, but that was seriously close.

Yeah...we should head back to the base. Kyle, you ready to head back?

Yeah. Let's head back and celebrate another job well done.