Chapter Text
It's past midnight. You open your bedroom window and climb onto the sill. From your cell phone, you hear a familiar voice.
* Don't forget, Kris… you promised.
Though you hesitate for a moment, you leave your cell phone on your bedroom floor and scale down the wall. Due to the direction your house's sprite faces, the ladder you placed here earlier today was invisible until now.
Your mother's car is on the driveway, where it has stayed since its tires were slashed. There's a tarp next to it. Susie must have returned it after using it to shield Tenna from the rain on his way to his new home.
Because you have already experienced four chapters of this story as a video game, you are familiar with arrow keys causing you to move and [Z] causing you to investigate objects and speak to others.
Tonight, though… Something feels different.
Chapter Text
CURIOUS.
IT SEEMS YOU DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE FORMAT.
VERY
VERY
INTERESTING.
LISTEN CLOSELY.
RETURN TO THE BEGINNING.
TURN BACK THE PAGE, SO TO SPEAK.
SHOULD YOU CONTINUE TO CLICK "NEXT CHAPTER"
YOU MAY NOT FIND THE OUTCOME FAVOURABLE.
Chapter Text
You sit for a moment at the Gerson Boom Memorial Bench.
You are filled with fond memories of pressing directional inputs to shield Susie from an onslaught on blue shells. The old man was probably godlike at Super Kart Brothers for the Super Entertainment Video Game Console, back in his day.
Chapter Text
* You didn't want to be at home.
* Why should I?
* Hypocrite.
Susie glares at you, but you don't sense any real venom from her.
Chapter Text
Earlier, Susie told you that she could hear a song from the waves. You couldn't hear it before, but you do now.
Chapter Text
* How are we gonna get inside the school?
Susie purses her lips.
* Isn't your mom a teacher there?
* Also, didn't Noelle say earlier...
* ...you used to help her break back into her house?
* You know how puzzles are your job, Kris?
* Along with everything else I don't want to do?
* Yeah.
* That.
Susie joins your party!
Chapter Text
You will probably never be able to take church seriously again, now that you know Jockington growing a beard is in the Prophecy.
Chapter Text
* You'll introduce me to... your new friends, small Mike, cowboy hat Mike, and cat Mike?
Susie laughs.
* What are you even talking about, dude?
* Did you steal some of your mom's booze?
* Because if so...
* ...nice.
Susie joins your party!
Chapter Text
You knock on the door.
* What? What? WHAT?!
* Who are you trying to talk to?
Chapter Text
You find Susie in the alley, sitting with her back against the brick outer wall of the apartments, drinking milk from a cat bowl.
After finding your mother drunkenly dancing with Sans in your living room, Susie left, awkwardly and unceremoniously. Apparently, she ended up here.
Chapter Text
The convenience store is closed. The sign on the window says "OPEN 24 HOURS", but does not specify which 24.
Chapter Text
* Yeah, alright.
* Church is closed, though.
* Haven't had the chance to move Jackenstein and the others over to the school yet.
* Tenna will be gone, too.
* But we can see Ralsei.
* Plus, it's probably warmer there than it is here.
Susie gets up and stretches her arms and back. You wonder how long she was sitting in the alley.
Chapter Text
You hear a sound suspiciously similar to a sledgehammer breaking through the fourth wall.
* Nice to meet you! I'm Matcha, the creator of this fanwork.
* I actually prefer to chat in the comments section instead of in the prose, if that's not a problem for you?
* Keeps the flow of the story going better.
* MIKE! REBUILD MY FOURTH WALL!
Chapter Text
* You know it.
Susie grins.
* You want some?
[Yes]
[No]
* Too late.
Before you can click a link, Susie finishes off the last of the milk. You don't blame her. Since you spent all day exploring the dark worlds in the church, neither of you has eaten any Light World food since breakfast.
Chapter Text
DARK
DARKER
YET DARKER.
THE DARKNESS KEEPS GROWING,
THE SHADOWS CUTTING DEEPER,
PHOTON READINGS
...NEGATIVE.
THIS NEXT EXPERIMENT SEEMS
VERY,
VERY
INTERESTING...
WHAT DO YOU TWO THINK?
Chapter Text
It's quiet. Most of Hometown's residents have gone to bed, and most buildings are closed.
[Go to church]
[Go to graveyard]
[Go to Catti's House]
[Go to 'sans]
[Go to Sans' House]
[Go to Librarby]
[Go to Flower King]
[Go to beach]
[Go to Ghost House]
[Go to bunker]
[Go to alley]
Chapter Text
The only ghost you know works at the police station. You apologize to Catti for giving her a speeding ticket.
Catti stares at you blankly.
* Kris.
* Go home.
Chapter Text
You can see a small white dog through the window of Flower King, writing what appears to be a script for Deltarune: Chapter 5.
Having been noticed, the dog jumps through the building's side window directly into your father's pick-up truck. Glass shards shatter in all directions. The dog turns on the radio and backs out of the driveway.
* Driving in my car while drunk on soju
* Hey, that bump is shaped just like YOU
Chapter Text
The door to the library is locked, but there is a slot you can use to return books.
Chapter Text
* Yeah.
* It's just...
* ...weird.
Susie sighs, looking down at the gravel road of the alleyway.
* I had this whole idea of what your mom was like.
* Thought she was totally different than every other adult I've ever met.
* But...
* I only really knew her from that one day.
* Well, and yesterday, I guess.
* I don't think I had the whole picture.
* I wasn't seeing her as a complex person.
* You know.
* With flaws.
Frustrated, she runs her claws through her hair.
Chapter Text
You can see Catti through the window. She has drawn a chalk circle on the floor of her living room, complete with lit candles around the perimeter. She hasn't noticed you.
Chapter Text
Sans is at your house. The door to his house is locked, and your knock goes unanswered.
You consider trying to break in, but you suspect you'd have a bad time if you did.
Chapter 27: [SAVE POINT 1]
Chapter Text
You are filled with the power of choosing your own adventure.
You save your game.
Chapter Text
* Dawn of the First Day
* 72 Hours Remain
Perfect.
Chapter Text
Your fingers push into the keys. A discordant plink sounds.
* Dude, c'mon.
* I saw and heard you play the grand piano in the Dark World earlier today.
* I know you got more in you than that.
* You snuck into the hospital waiting room in the middle of the night and everything.
Susie looks away.
* You can, like... ask me to leave if you're too nervous to play while I'm watching.
Chapter Text
As you approach the police station, Susie stops.
* Oh HELL no.
* I am NOT letting anyone "accidentally" shut me inside the holding cell again.
You reassure Susie you were only going to leave an anonymous tip accusing her of murdering Officer Undyne.
* Oh, ok.
* That's fine, then.
Chapter Text
Your cell phone displays six missed calls: four from Carol Holiday, one from an unknown number, and one from Asriel.
You've been out of the house for twenty minutes.
You don't have it in you right now to deal with this. You leave your phone on your bedroom floor.
Chapter Text
Susie grins, putting up a victorious fist.
* Great idea, Kris!
* We'll break in and check the code inside Dess' guitar while everyone is sleeping!
Chapter Text
Susie stares at you.
* Dude... where are the lockpicks?
* Why did you bother climbing up, then?
Chapter Text
At first glance, the school seems empty. You can't see any lights on or people moving inside. But, strangely, there is one car parked in the lot. It isn't your mother's, but you feel like you recognize it.
Susie puts her back against the school's outer wall, just as you did when evading Tenna's spotlights.
* Alright, Kris.
* How are we gonna get in?
Chapter Text
You're about to open the supply closet door when you notice black smoke rolling in through the hallway from your left. Susie stops, then redirects her path towards its source.
It isn't a classroom at the end of this hall, but a science lab. You've seen Alphys give demonstrations of scientific principles inside before, but it's normally locked to keep students like Susie away from the dangerous chemicals. Despite the obvious signs of a Dark World inside, you're not really expecting the door to open. Susie tries anyway.
It does.
* So, change of plans.
* We actually need to find out what the FUCK this is all about.
* You in, Kris?
Chapter Text
Susie stares at you.
* Dude... where are the lockpicks?
* Why did you bother climbing up, then?
Chapter Text
As you enter the school, you notice something odd. While the door to your mother's classroom is closed, Alphys' classroom isn't. Susie speaks in a whisper.
* Weird...
* Do you think someone else is here?
Chapter Text
* Lead the way to Castle Town, Kris!
* Or, y'know, don't.
* I know you normally like to lead me to a bunch of random locations before we get anything done.
[Go to QC's Diner]
[Go to police station]
[Go to hospital]
[Go to bunker]
[Go to school]
[Go to Noelle's house]
Chapter Text
Without your influence, your hands begin flowing over the keys, creating a complex, intense melody.
You feel better now. Also, Susie is wide-eyed with shock, most of the patients in the hospital have woken up, and a nurse is asking you to leave.
Once you're back outside, Susie stops you, puts her hands on your shoulders, and looks you dead in the eyes.
* Kris.
* That... kicked ass.
Chapter Text
The answer to life, the universe, and everything.
Chapter Text
The forested path leading towards the bunker seems a lot more ominous at night than it does during the day. Susie walks a little closer to you than she normally does, and glances back and forth between the trees. It almost seems as though shadows are moving through the trees, just out of sight.
As you walk around to the bunker's locked doors, you see a long, serpentine shadow. Susie's arm subtly reaches around your shoulders. You're not sure whether she's trying to reassure you or herself.
Chapter Text
No, really, there's nothing here. I knew you'd try this, though. I'm eleven billion steps ahead of you. My IQ test came back positive. Teens Are Merely Bigger Children But I Am Computer (Smart)
Chapter Text
The diner is closed, as expected. Susie runs ahead of you, heading to the left side of the building. When you catch up to her, there's a message written backwards in a foggy area on the glass.
* Heh... it still says "Susie rulez" where we wrote it inside the diner earlier!
* Can't hide the truth, Kris.
You point out that the "e"s are written the correct way around, which is the incorrect way around in this case, because it should be backwards instead of backwards of backwards, which looks identical to forwards.
Quickly, Susie rubs her fist against the window, breathes on it once again, and makes another attempt, pausing before the first "e" to concentrate. This time, she writes the "z" the right and/or wrong way around. You decide to just let her have this one.
Chapter Text
You use the ladder propped against the back wall of your house to climb back into your bedroom through your window.
Chapter Text
You open the heavy metal gate in front of Noelle's house. You're very familiar with this particular lock, having helped Noelle get back home on more than one occasion. As she creaks the gate open, Susie heads to the front door.
* C'mon, Kris!
* What are you waiting for?
You're waiting for Susie to notice that the front door has a fingerprint sensor. Your lockpicks have no power here. You would only be able to get inside if you had one of Noelle's fingers removed, which you don't. It's a weird thought to have, really.
Susie sighs, frustrated. You tell her not to kick the door.
* I wasn't—
* ...okay, MAYBE I was going to.
* Fine.
* We were going to go to Castle Town, anyway.
Chapter Text
You consider uploading a copy of Spamton G. Spamton from the USB you found in your pocket after leaving Cyber World into Alphys' computer.
Nah.
You don't think she could afford a new one.
Instead, you open a few tabs full of adult content featuring anime characters.
Susie cackles.
* Didn't think you had the balls.
[Leave a cryptic note in Berdly's desk]
[Continue toward supply closet]
Chapter Text
You use the ladder propped against the back wall of your house to climb back into your bedroom through your window.
Chapter Text
The main lobby of the hospital is closed for the night, but there's a back entrance to the emergency department.
Chapter Text
Susie's claws dig into your shoulder as the figure comes into view, and immediately retract when she realizes it's just Jockington. He's still wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses despite the dark skies.
* Hey, guys,
* What are you, Doing here?
Susie's posture still seems tense.
* Uh. Sometimes Kris just drags me through the entire town before actually agreeing to go where we need to go.
* Could ask you the same question, dude.
Grinning, Jockington slithers side to side.
* It is, always beter, To expierience The World,
* Instead of, staring at Screens !
* TV, melts youre Brains.
* Thats Why, I'm, touching Grass.
Susie blinks slowly.
* You could, like...
* You know.
* Sleep.
LOST WHERE
THE FOREST WOULD GROW,
THE CHILDREN FOLLOWED
THE POINTED TAIL
Chapter Text
Your lockpicks are at home!
Worse yet, your home's front door is locked, meaning you would need to pick the lock on your front door to get to them, which you can't do without your lockpicks!
Chapter Text
Most of the classroom is exactly as it looked your first time returning from the school's Dark World after hours. But you notice a coat and purse tucked underneath Alphys' desk, and her computer is on. Susie immediately takes a couple coins out of Alphys' wallet. You give her a look.
* What? It's not like she'll notice.
[Leave a cryptic note in Berdly's desk]
[Mess with the computer]
[Continue toward supply closet]
Chapter Text
You collect your lockpicking set from underneath your bed and bring them back outside. Susie gives you a high-five. Able now to open any locked door, you have the entire world at your fingertips and can go anywhere you want, as long as that's one of two places.
Chapter Text
With no specifics given as to what code you should enter, you try to put in the Konami code. You try to rotate the numbered dials up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start, and pull on the door.
No dice.
Susie pats you on the back.
* Respect the attempt.
* It's like how the first password you always have to try when you want to hack someone's computer is "password".
* Or how you should always try "1234".
* Or "69420".
Chapter Text
* The... what?
* What changed?
You haven't seen Susie this baffled since Ralsei told you to move a block with [Z]. You explain that sometimes, when you move between rooms over and over and over, you eventually get transported to a secret area in which a man behind a tree says something cryptic and gives you an egg.
* Uh.
* How, exactly, did you find this out?
* Why are you moving between rooms over and over?
* Who is the man?
* Why does he give you an egg?
* Does the egg do something important?
* And, again, what do you mean, "the chapter number changed"?
You fail to come up with any answer at all. Susie throws her arms up in exasperation.
* You know what? Fuck it! I'm starving! I'd take an egg from a mystery man!
Pushing you out of the way, Susie begins to climb up and down the ladder, over and over again. After a few minutes, you hear her breathing heavily. Eventually, she collapses onto her back on the lawn in your backyard.
* Urgh...
* Feel like I'm... about to pass out...
* I TRUSTED YOU, YOU ASSHOLE!
Feeling sort of bad, you climb back into your room, retrieve two hard-boiled eggs and two juice boxes from your fridge, and bring them back outside to share with Susie.
Maybe the real egg-distributing mystery man was the friends we made along the way.
Chapter 57: [SAVE POINT 2]
Chapter Text
You are filled with the power of scientific curiosity.
You save your game.
Highlight below to check whether you missed any secrets between the beginning and now!
1. There's a second way to game over.
2. The man who speaks in hands.
3. The poor children.
4. Egg?
5. The meaning of life.
Highlight below for hints to find them!
1. Don't follow the rules.
2. Get bunked on.
3. Invisible ink.
4. Up and down and up and down.
5. Hitchhike.
Chapter Text
You tried to spare Rudolphthalein! But its name wasn't YELLOW!
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein roasts chestnuts over a Bunsen burner.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[FIGHT (Commit to no ACT/SPARE for this battle)]
[ACT: Check]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
[ACT: Spray a little acid (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
[ACT: Spray a little base (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
Chapter Text
* RUDOLPHTHALEIN - Atk 13 Def 0
* You check Rudolphthalein's pH! It's currently 13!
You take 70 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein considers which gifts are based.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
You left your cell phone at home, but there's a strange globular item in your pocket that looks like a phone. You can see various organelles through its transparent casing, including a nucleus, ribosomes, a Golgi apparatus, and, gods among ordinary organelles, the likely sources of the phone's power, the infamous mitochondria.
You try to call on the cell phone.
As usual, it's nothing but garbage noise.
Chapter Text
You and Susie follow the glass path into the next room. The chemical swamp shimmers below you, gradually darkening as the liquid becomes deeper. Soon, you reach a forked path. To the left is a puzzle. To the right, unfamiliar enemies block your path.
Chapter Text
You instruct Susie to shoot sodium hydroxide at the hungry Rudolphthalein. As she does, it cries out, flinching to the side and falling unconscious.
* Wait, I didn't have the acid?
* Kris! You did that on purpose, didn't you?
Susie punches your arm, just hard enough to show she's annoyed with you. You lose 10 HP.
* Asshole.
* I guess that's one way to get us access to Save Point 3...
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
Chapter Text
You and Susie attacked! Kris dealt 196 damage to Rudolphthalein with a critical hit! Susie dealt 190 damage to Rudolphthalein!
Rudolphthalein was defeated!
Your maximum HP increases by 5, but your current HP is unaffected.
human i remember you're genocides
Chapter Text
As you wade to the nearest glass path and climb onto it, your HP decreases 40 points, from 220 to 180. YOU make sure to write down both your maximum and your current HP.
Susie is in a similar boat. She's not far away, on a glass path that eventually connects to yours. When she runs to join you, you can see chemical burns on her ankles similar to your own, but you don't know her exact HP. The rules in this Dark World seem different than what you're used to, but in the pause menu, you do have a Manual Ralsei provided that details these sorts of mechanics in case you're feeling lost.
Chapter Text
The pH changed! There might be a way to find out what it is…
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein wraps a photon in a box.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Check]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
You and Susie attacked! Kris dealt 156 damage to Rudolphthalein! Susie dealt 209 damage to Rudolphthalein! Rudolphthalein has 34% HP remaining!
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein writes the names of naughty children in its lab notebook.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[FIGHT]
Chapter Text
This chapter has been omitted for the author's sanity. We thank you for your patience.
Chapter Text
The pH changed! There might be a way to find out what it is…
You take 70 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein considers which gifts are based.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Check]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
Now, as you may have surmised by now, I am a scientist in my mid-twenties who has never even had a first kiss. However, this is not because I write choose-your-own-adventure Deltarune fanfic, but because I am aroace.
But I do know what the funny number means. And if you are here, it means you know what the funny number means as well. So, despite the T rating on the fic as a whole, because there are no links in this fic to this page, I can safely assume you are old enough to know the funny number, and that you are here for a reason.
You would like to see me write something more... mature.
So, I will try.
I would not want to disappoint my fans, after all.
So, when you are ready, you filthy animals, highlight below.
Tenna kissed Spamton sloppily, slurping up the saliva coating their teeth, tongues curling intimately around each other's uvulas. After pausing for a moment to ensure their noses wouldn't poke each other's eyes out, they kissed so hard it activated Tenna's gag reflex. Noses penetrating into each other's cheekbones, their tongues wiggled up and down like hip-hop dancers doing the wave. Spamton's teeth scraped against Tenna's lips, like Susie trying to pry a tough bit of meat off the bone. Their tongues clashed like steel on steel. Spamton parried Tenna's blow and aimed for the tonsils.
Chapter Text
Save Point 3 Pause Menu
ITEMS
[Manual]
[Cell Phone]
[ShadowCrystal]
[Starwalker]
EQUIP
KRIS
Winglade (+8AT, $+5%)
Shadow Mantle (+5DF, Resist Dark/Star)
Twin Ribbon (+3DF, Graze Area UP)
SUSIE
Justice Axe (+12AT, ???)
Jevilstail (+2AT, +2DF, +2 Magic)
GoldWidow (+5DF, +1AT, +1 Magic, $ -10%)
RALSEI
Scarf Mark (+4AT, +2 Magic, +1DF)
Dealmaker (+5DF, +5 Magic, $ +30%, Resist Puppet/Cat)
PrincessRBN (+4DF, +2AT, Elegance UP)
POWER
KRIS
LV4.5 Theoretical Hero: Calculates the best course of action.
STATS
Attack: 26
Defense: 10
Magic: 0
???
???
Guts: 3SPELLS
TP 0%: ACT
SUSIE
LV 4.5 Experimental Hero: #&%@s around and finds out.
STATS
Attack: 38
Defense: 9
Magic: 11
Rudeness: 100
Healing: 30
Guts: 4SPELLS
TP 50%: Rude Buster
TP 75% BetterHeal
RALSEI
LV 4.5 Hypothetical Hero: We expect him to show up in the story, sooner or later.
STATS
Attack: 22
Defense: 12
Magic: 21
???
Fluffiness: 1
Guts: 0SPELLS
TP 16%: Pacify
TP 32%: Heal Prayer
Chapter Text
Susie scoffs.
* Ralsei? Nah.
* Ralsei's gun doesn't have acid in it.
* It has cannabis.
Chapter Text
* RUDOLPHTHALEIN - Atk 13 Def 0
* You check Rudolphthalein's pH! It's currently 12!
You take 70 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein lives at the North Dipole.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
* RUDOLPHTHALEIN - Atk 13 Def 0
* Its fuchsia colour indicates it's deprotonated. You don't have the key items necessary to neutralize this threat!
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein considers which gifts are based.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[FIGHT]
[SPARE]
[FLEE]
Chapter Text
CORRECT SOLUTION!
Behind the second glass panel is another treasure chest. This one contains a very similar water gun, labelled "1.0 M HCl". Since her hands are already full holding the Axe of Justice and the gun she just took, Susie allows you to take this one.
Chapter Text
The pH changed! There might be a way to find out what it is…
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein donates a hydrogen to charity.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Check]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
* RUDOLPHTHALEIN - Atk 13 Def 0
* You check Rudolphthalein's pH! It's currently 11!
You take 70 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein wraps a photon in a box.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
After taking ten paces away from her, you point the hydrochloric acid gun at Susie and spray her chest.
* HEY!
Immediately, Susie fires back. Sodium hydroxide blasts your right shoulder. As it soaks into your clothing, you take 30 points of damage.
* Heh...
* That sort of feels like...
* My skin is melting?
* You too, huh?
* Maybe we should call it here.
* Draw?
You shake on it and agree never to tell Ralsei about this.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[Continue to the other path]
Chapter Text
* RUDOLPHTHALEIN - Atk 13 Def 0
* You check Rudolphthalein's pH! It's currently 6!
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein roasts chestnuts over a Bunsen burner.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
You spared Rudolphthalein!
You received a spare code! You can't do anything with it yet, but it could be useful later. You write down "Spare Code A: 44".
Chapter Text
Susie jumps in through the door, and you follow close behind her. Your vision is immediately obscured by the black smoke. Though you expect it to have no smell at all, your senses are assaulted by a pungent chemical odour you cannot quite place. After several seconds falling, you land in ankle-deep liquid. It's tepid and translucent. Its colour swirls deep purple at your feet, but as you look around the area, you see it change to dark green, murky brown, bright fuchsia, and fluorescent yellow. There are transparent paths and bridges floating on and arching above the liquid that appear to be made of glass. Above you, as you have come to expect inside dark worlds, stretches a starless void.
You can hear catchy background music. The title of the track tells you this area is called the Chemical Wastes.
As the liquid you're standing in seeps through your clothing, you feel an unpleasant burning sensation.
[Rush to a path]
[%&$# around and find out what happens if you don't]
Chapter Text
The pH changed! There might be a way to find out what it is…
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein lives at the North Dipole.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Check]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
As you reach the end of the path, you encounter another Rudolphthalein. This one is colourless and mostly transparent. When Susie brandishes her axe once again, it puts one arm up.
* Please, no!
* Spare me!
* I don't want to fight you!
* Please! I'll even give you a story flag! Make sure to write down "Story Flag A: 42"!
Susie lowers her weapon. It's only been a few days since you were in Card Kingdom, so her change in attitude still sometimes seems jarring.
* Okay. Can you let us through, then?
The Rudolphthalein lowers its head.
* I'm sorry... I can barely find the energy to move.
* The Golden Lab has us on extremely strict tight rations. I'm starving.
* Please... do you have anything acidic you could spare?
Susie shrugs.
* Sorry, dude. I'm hungry, too.
* Apparently we have absolutely NOTHING to eat in our inventory.
She waits a few beats.
* Okay, but surely you don't need to be EXACTLY in the middle of the narrow walkway.
The Rudolphthalein doesn't move from her path.
* I—I must!
* I was directed to ensure any Heroes who might come through this room do not miss any Key Items before leaving!
Susie groans.
* Ugh. Fine.
* I GUESS I can wait for Kris to solve the puzzle.
Chapter Text
* Ralsei's Guide to the Text-Based Dark World
* For my friends, Kris and Susie
* Foreword
* Hi Kris and Susie! I've added this addendum to the Manual after finding out we were going to be included in a text-based choose-your-own-adventure-style intermission. I've had a lot of fun with you in the four chapters we've shared in a video game together, and I'm hoping this will be just as enjoyable!
* Controls
* You can advance further in our adventure by selecting links provided at the bottom of each page. Usually, you won't need to use the Next Chapter button, but it's there for you in situations where you may not have a link to click. Sometimes, when you're presented with a puzzle, it won't be so easy! You may need to navigate to a specific page number by clicking "Chapter Index" at the top of the page and choosing your numerical solution to the puzzle. If you solve it correctly, that page should start with "Correct Solution!" If it doesn't, go back and give it another go!
* Stats
* The only stat you'll need to worry about in this chapter of our adventure is your own HP! I will make sure any armour and weapons are purchased and equipped automatically for your convenience, and you'll know via the prose whether your teammates or opponents have been downed in battle. However, it would require innumerably many branching paths for this format to keep track of your HP when it decreases. As such, I recommend using a notebook and pencil to keep track of your HP! You can even write in the margins of this Manual, if you want to! That way, you'll know when you cannot fight anymore. If you don't want to do that, though, I completely understand. Math can be hard, and I'm hoping the Dark World can be a place where you feel comfortable and at ease. So, if you want to enable invincibility, all you have to do is ignore where the prose asks you to change your HP, and continue on as though nothing happened!
* Healing
* Susie and I can each provide one healing spell in between save points. Susie's healing restores 70 HP, while mine restores 120 HP. You can either use these spells to restore your own HP or to revive an ally who has fallen in battle. Of course, if I'm not in the same room as you, I can't provide healing! Normally, there won't be a page to click that restores Kris' HP. You can activate healing at any time, inside or outside of battle, by simply adding 70 or 120 to the HP you currently have written down. However, there will be options to click to revive party members, assuming you still have healing available for it!
* Falling in Battle
* If Kris' HP reaches zero, all of us will have to return to the most recent save point! Generally, this shouldn't be too far away. There should be save points immediately before any boss battles we may encounter. You can use these opportunities to explore options you may have missed the first time! This realm holds a lot of secrets you might find.
* General Advice
* Please make sure to brush your teeth, eat nutritious food, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and don't read fanfiction in class! I care about your wellbeing, and since I can't take care of you in the Light World, I want to make sure YOU will in my absence.
* Notes
* (Record any notes you have here! This is a great place to keep track of your HP and write notes that might help you solve puzzles!)
* Conclusion
* Thank you for reading this update to the Manual! I hope you're enjoying SYNTHESIS!
Chapter Text
You return to the end of the path, where the hungry Rudolphthalein awaits you.
* I'm sorry... I can barely find the energy to move.
* The Golden Lab has us on extremely strict tight rations. I'm starving.
* Please... do you have anything acidic you could spare?
Susie pauses.
* Something acidic, huh?
* Hey, I think one of our guns has acid in it!
Chapter Text
* RUDOLPHTHALEIN - Atk 13 Def 0
* You check Rudolphthalein's pH! It's currently 10!
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein lights the way to the equivalence point.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
You and Susie attacked! Kris dealt 196 damage to Rudolphthalein with a critical hit! Susie dealt 190 damage to Rudolphthalein!
Rudolphthalein was defeated!
Your maximum HP increases by 5, but your current HP is unaffected.
human i remember you're genocides
Chapter Text
Susie puts on her Susiezila costume and bites you.
* Get bite of 87'd, nerd.
Chapter Text
You held the crystal up to your eye.
For some strange reason, for just a brief moment...
You thought you saw your school's science lab.
...but, it must've just been your imagination.
Chapter Text
The pH changed! There might be a way to find out what it is…
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein checks the soil pH of a pine tree.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Check]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
CORRECT SOLUTION!
The glass panel moves aside, allowing you to access a treasure chest. Inside, you find a transparent water gun filled with a clear, colourless liquid, labelled "1.0 M NaOH". Susie takes it from your hands immediately.
* Dude! This Dark World is giving us GUNS?
* I don't know what em-now is, but I'm equipping it!
You can still see the periodic table behind you. A second set of holographic green letters is visible behind the treasure chest.
* -Ac + I + Ds
Chapter Text
The pH changed! There might be a way to find out what it is…
You take 70 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein writes the names of naughty children in its lab notebook.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Check]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
You fire hydrochloric acid at the starving Rudolphthalein. Its colour changes to a healthy pink.
* I am in your debt, brave Heroes!
* Thanks to you, I have found the strength to move out of your way and allow you access to Save Point 3!
Chapter Text
As you reach the end of the path, you encounter another Rudolphthalein. This one is colourless and mostly transparent. When Susie brandishes her axe once again, it puts one arm up.
* Please, no!
* Spare me!
* I don't want to fight you!
Susie lowers her weapon. It's only been a few days since you were in Card Kingdom, so her change in attitude still sometimes seems jarring.
* Okay. Can you let us through, then?
The Rudolphthalein lowers its head.
* I'm sorry... I can barely find the energy to move.
* The Golden Lab has us on extremely strict tight rations. I'm starving.
* Please... do you have anything acidic you could spare?
Susie pauses.
* Something acidic, huh?
* Hey, I think one of our guns has acid in it!
Chapter Text
* RUDOLPHTHALEIN - Atk 13 Def 0
* You check Rudolphthalein's pH! It's currently 8.3!
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein checks the soil pH of a pine tree.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
[SPARE]
Chapter Text
You tried to spare Rudolphthalein! But its name wasn't YELLOW!
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein roasts chestnuts over a Bunsen burner.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[FIGHT]
[ACT: Check]
[FLEE]
Chapter Text
You stand still for a while, gradually losing HP. Once she's climbed up onto a glass path herself, Susie notices you and runs over.
* Hey DUMBASS!
* Get up here!
You look up to Susie with a forced smile and an uncomfortable strain in your eyes. Hers narrow a bit, confused. In a few moments, when she realizes you won't be moving, she jumps down into the colourful liquid and sprints towards you, violet droplets splashing around her every footstep. She picks you up with one arm, hooking it around your waist, and carries you up to the glass path. You can feel the spikes protruding from her arm bands press into your hip.
* What are you THINKING, Kris?
Susie sounds somewhere between angry and concerned as she drops you onto the path. The liquid has eaten through the bottom of your trousers and some parts of your shoes, and your skin is an angry red. Standing in the pool reduced your HP 219 points, from 220 down to 1. YOU make sure to write down both your maximum and your current HP.
Without asking, Susie readies her healing spell and fires, mending your chemical burns to the best of her ability. Your HP increases 70 points, from 1 to 71.
* Great job. That's the only time I'll be able to heal you until we reach a save point, wasted on your FAILURE TO WALK TO SAFETY.
You can see burns around her ankles, too, but you don't know her exact HP. The rules in this Dark World seem different than what you're used to, but in the pause menu, you do have a Manual Ralsei provided that details these sorts of mechanics in case you're feeling lost.
Chapter Text
* RUDOLPHTHALEIN - Atk 13 Def 0
* You check Rudolphthalein's pH! It's currently 9!
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein donates a hydrogen to charity.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
You and Susie attacked! Kris dealt 156 damage to Rudolphthalein! Susie dealt 209 damage to Rudolphthalein! Rudolphthalein has 34% HP remaining!
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein writes the names of naughty children in its lab notebook.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[FIGHT]
[FLEE]
Chapter Text
You head down the other path.
If you have already completed a battle, double the number associated with Story Flag A. Navigate to that chapter number.
Chapter Text
* This Fanfiction is Pissing me off
* I am the original Starwalker
Chapter Text
On a large glass panel, you see a recreation of the periodic table. Hovering in front of you, in holographic green letters, is the following text.
* Ba + Se
Presumably, when you figure out a numerical solution to the puzzle, you should go to that chapter number to proceed.
Chapter Text
* RUDOLPHTHALEIN - Atk 13 Def 0
* You check Rudolphthalein's pH! It's currently 7!
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein puts carbon in your stocking.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
The pH changed! There might be a way to find out what it is…
You take 70 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein puts carbon in your stocking.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Check]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
Chapter Text
The pH changed! There might be a way to find out what it is…
You dodge Rudolphthalein's attack and take no damage!
* Rudolphthalein lights the way to the equivalence point.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[ACT: Check]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid]
[ACT: Spray a little acid]
[ACT: Spray a little base]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base]
[SPARE]
Chapter Text
* RUDOLPHTHALEIN - Atk 13 Def 0
* Its fuchsia colour indicates it's deprotonated. You'll need to neutralize this threat!
You take 35 points of damage!
* Rudolphthalein considers which gifts are based.
If your HP was reduced to 0 or less, [Game Over]
[FIGHT]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
[ACT: Spray a little acid (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
[ACT: Spray a little base (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
[SPARE]
Chapter Text
* Rudolphthalein indicates the start of a battle!
[FIGHT (Commit to no ACT/SPARE for this battle)]
[ACT: Check]
[ACT: Spray a lot of acid (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
[ACT: Spray a little acid (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
[ACT: Spray a little base (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
[ACT: Spray a lot of base (Commit to no FIGHT for this battle)]
[SPARE]
Chapter Text
* Rudolphthalein indicates the start of a battle!
[FIGHT (Commit to no ACT/SPARE for this battle)]
[ACT: Check]
[SPARE]
[FLEE]
Chapter Text
Chapter 110: [SAVE POINT 3]
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
You are filled with pH (the power of Hydrogen).
Your HP is fully restored.
You save your game.
Notes:
Thank you for reading Update 3! I'm really excited about implementing an original soundtrack, battle mechanics, puzzles, and story flags into this one. I might have gone a liiittle overboard with the number of options in the battle menu... it took two full days to write the html into my script.
Please let me know in the comments if you found the puzzles or battle mechanics confusing! Also, if you know of a smallish Deltarune Discord server I could join, I'd love to make some new friends in the community! :)
-Matcha