Revision as of 12:23, 18 January 2017

Old Kingdom: The Fall of Humanity

Screen starts dark. Red letters begin to fade in. VO of an older, well-spoken and educated woman begin to narrate. Motion Graphics style of art.

MOTHER: "My daughter Fei,

CUT SCENE, DISTANT VIEW, PAINTING OF THE CITY FROM AFAR

MOTHER: You have risen to become a shining star, the brightest gem in our family. As we all knew you would.

TWIN SUNS RISE OVER THE CITY.

CUT TO THE THYRENIAN LOGO on PHALANX’s ARMOR.

MOTHER: The day you donned the golden armor of our nation and stood astride the gates of our great capital; the day your Father and I witnessed your inauguration into the Palace Guard we knew you were destined to become a light that shines forward into the darkest of nights.

GATES OF THE CAPITAL PALACE FADE IN.

Phalanx walks up in full ceremonial armor, weapons turned off. Two guards, wielding light rifles stand at the entrance.

JACKASS #1: “Well, well, if it isn’t the ‘untouchable girl’ herself.” JACKASS #2: “Perhaps she’s here to parade around and do a few tumbles for the royal court.” JACKASS #1: “Yes. How about you do a few flips for us in that fancy armor of yours?”

Multiple Choice:' [ Retort ] [ Ignore ] [ Punish ]

[Ignore]

Phalanx ignores them and walks silently past them, through the gates.

MOTHER: You have perseverance and grace my child - you will rise above challenges which come to pass and, through them, learn to be the powerful woman I know you already to be. Arrogance, legacy and culture will not hold you back.

[Retort]

PHALANX: “Why, are you hoping to learn a trick or two? No amount of tumbling will get you into a lady’s bed, Donovan.

JACKASS #2: “Ohhhh!! *LAUGHS* She burned you good, Donnie! “

MOTHER: You have the wit and power to set yourself apart from those who seek to belittle or cajole.

[Punish]

PROMPT FOR THE “DASH” KEY.

Phalanx activates her energy blades, tumbles through both guards, knocking them flat on their asses, then tumbling perfectly back onto her feet.

PHALANX: “Were you saying something?” JACKASS #1: “N… no… nothing.” JACKASS #2: “... ow.”

Phalanx deactivates her energy blades.

MOTHER: With untouchable skill and courage, you earn the respect of those who stand in your path.

Explosion heard in the far distance.

CMDR: “... *crackle* Palace Guards. Are you there? We need immediate assistance. Palace, CORE.. is under attack. *shockwave* Signal cut.”

PHALANX: “You two. With me. NOW.”

Both jackasses fall in line. If another player or two is present, they take control of Jackass 1 or Jackass 2.

MOTHER: Fear not what you do not know. Trust in yourself to know and do what is right.

Phalanx, J1, J2 run into the Garden. Robots turn from Blue to Orange and begin attacking.

J1: Wh… what the?? J2: *fires recklessly*

Game continues for some time. Eventually, they get inside the Palace. More hostile statues and the internal defenses turn on them.

J2: This is CRAZY. Let’s GET OUT OF HERE. PHALANX: No! The ministers might still be inside. We HAVE to protect them. J2: Arrrgghhhhhh.

Phalanx faces a challenge where she has to block an attack with her shield.

MOTHER: Your can endure pain which would crush others., Your drive and fullness of life have brought you far. But it alone, they are not enough.

They face more monsters. They break down the door into the Minister’s meeting room.

Inside, two monsters break through the windows and entrap the Jackasses.

MOTHER: Your struggle has left you alone facing a world unwilling and unable to support you. My daughter, you must learn too how to wield mercy, patience and - above all - the love of who you are inside. To know that the world does not rest alone upon your shoulders.

Phalanx then has a solo challenge vs monsters who shoot missiles. If she blocks them with her body or shield, it prevents the shots from striking her allies.

Choice via Gameplay:

[Jackasses Survive] [Jackasses Killed]

[SURVIVE]

MOTHER: Find and unite the others who can bear this burden with you. Protect, support and lift them up. Only then, can you truly understand the hero you will become.

[KILLED]

MOTHER: Know that you will have to make hard decisions, sacrifices and face questions that can only be answered from the person you will be.

Phalanx (and jackasses or not arrive at the council’s room. An explosion rocks the room before you get inside and the far wall is blown out with a small balcony on the outside.

MOTHER: Do you remember that day in the fields, when the farmer’s son tried to block the bridge home? Too big to stop him head-on, you climbed down and crossed the river beneath him.

Phalanx and squad(optional) jump out of the window and onto the rooftop below.

'A swarm of rebellion monsters fly in and land atop the roof, blocking her path.

MOTHER: … and even outnumbered, you never failed to try.

They reach a large, clearly foreign military mech. Boss style. (Rough scale, Helo Bugs from MMX intro level.)

'Phae and Squad defeat it.

PHALANX: We have to hurry, they were blocking the path to the CORE Nexus!

J1: Phalanx! Look! We’re saved. It’s the Titan of Defense!!!

Shadow looms in the distance.

PHALANX: But how did it get here so quickly? Let’s back it up!

They run out onto the bridge.

Phalanx raises a shield as the arm bears down upon her, crushing her.

MOTHER: You have power my daughter. Though one day you will come to understand what that means. For it is more than you know. True power cannot be given - it must be learned.

[Squad Killed]:

The Titan bears down on her, crushing her shield, breaking down through the bridge and causing her to fall.

[Squad Saved]:

The Titan bears down on her, sparks flying as her shield begins to shatter. Just as it turns red.

J1: Augh! DAMNIT. DONOVAN, HELP HER - NOW!!!

Jackass #1 and Jackass 2 run in and shove her out of the way  Both are crushed beneath the arm and their bodies are crushed like tin cans. 

Just when Phalanx thinks she recovers, the other arm collapses the bridge and she falls down… as the world turns black. MOTHER: In even your darkest hour you will remember. Because you are my Fei, I know… you will... always...

MOTHER: *Harsh, parental, commanding tone, very unlike the warm ones prior to now* MOTHER: GET. UP.

World fades back in, Phalanx awakening inside the Cyropod.

At the end of the game, we conclude the game the way we started - with the letter from Phalanx’s mother:

MOTHER: I know that in the end, not matter what the price you must pay, you will stick by your values and make the right choice. That even if the world should turn to dust, Your Father and I are proud of you. More than mere words can ever express. I wish we had told you that before now.

Your loving mother, Fjorea”