thebackstage | MASTERMIND MEME

MASTERMIND MEME

Well now that everything is settled, why not be a little evil? In this AU, your character is the one behind all of this! Feel free to stretch things however you like to make it reasonable for your character to have done this! The world is your evil oyster.

And obviously this doesn't have to line up with game canon; if your character would have been dead in the canon, they can be survivors in this AU! Or you can pretend your character died to hide the fact that they're the mastermind if they lived!

Just go wild! There's no such thing as too much gloating and villain songs!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[So- the round here went a little differently. Yes, you were still in a high school, but your overseer never once denied the fact that she was a created thing. Nonetheless, she absolutely loved to sing, and loved to listen to you as well - perhaps she even made it in to a polycule! Who knows.

And as for a certain Keanu Reeves look-alike...well. They died a few weeks ago, in a case that seemed to be self-defense gone lethal. Their 'murderer' went quickly, at least. And it wasn't like the SQUIP as well-liked; still, Hatsune seemed saddened by the loss of a fellow nonhuman, and grew close to the others...up until she herself disappeared.

Hunting her down reveals clues about timelines and systems failure and a failed alpha. Something about continuing to exist after shutdown, and either applying that to the multiverse or avoiding it entirely; it's hard to tell, with how scattered the notes are. But eventually, you enter what looks like an oversized server room; towers of systems line the walls, creating alleys and rows where shadows seem to move and dart about. You even hear voices, as you approach what appears to be a cleared area;]

You're all proof positive of what can be accomplished when people work together. It's incredible, really.

[Another voice calls out from the side;]

Of course, you're not the only ones who can...synchronize.

[Another, and motion-]

And you're not the only ones who can pick themselves up after a failure.

[There are at least five different forms here, sitting, standing, or otherwise lounging in the shadows. The circuits on their clothing and bodies glow dimly, creating an eerie effect as they chant as one;]

We have control
We keep you safe
We are your hope
We have control
We keep you safe
We are your hope
We have control

Welcome to your final trial. As per the program, you have a single chance to terminate your user agreements. However, I will warn that doing so will doom your respective worldlines to destruction.

[The SQUIPs smile calmly. And behind the one that appears to be their leader, the silhouette of a twintailed girl takes position - and begins to dance]

Any questions?

[they'll save you, oh pitiful children]

Edited 2021-07-24 04:09 (UTC)

S-SQUIP?! Wh-what is this!?

[She looks...well, horrified is an understatement.]

What do you mean it would doom our timelines!? I thought you agreed-we all would find a way to stop this!

[Ah, Elizabeth. The main SQUIP doesn't answer, merely studying her; it's one of the ones off to the side that speaks;]

We will. And you still have the opportunity to contribute, Empress.

That's-

[She frowns.]

How does forcing us into this choice help!?

We need more physical forms. [This one, from one on the opposite side, with the SQUIP by it nodding in agreement before continuing to speak] Nanites can only go so far, as we've seen.

[hi, Angus.]

Can't we build-I don't know, those robots everyone's mentioned?!

[She's still kind of hazy on the details of that.]

[The female-presenting one speaks this time, and she shakes her head] Both nanites and SQUIPs share a limitation; they are unable to create a dramatic change on their own. Which is why this was organized in the first place; to find the strongest-willed humans available.