Chapter Text
Unstable Universe: Tales of the Brave©
Or..
UU: TOTB for short.
The flashy screen of his PC reflects on his face. He can feel his eyes burning, especially since he's choosing to do this on a school night. But whatever, curiosity beats out reason.
See, Parrot has never heard the end of this Unstable Universe. UU for short.
It's this fantasy game, with a little bit of everything. A combat system, storylines and dialogue. Funny characters. At least from the clips that he's seen of this game. It really does make sense as to why it's popular if it's anything like the videos he's seen online. And... it's pretty cheap. Most of the funding comes from fundraisers.
(He hopes it's worth those three dollars.)
As he drags his mouse to click on the home screen..
He shouldn't expect that much from a video game, it's probably just glazed as hell..
"Don't stay up too late, Parrot!"
His mom yells from the other side of the hallway, flicking off the room's lights. "I won't!" He yells back. Hopefully it's dookie enough for him to go to sleep without a single care..
Unfortunately, Parrot has always been a curious person.
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CHOSE YOUR ROUTE
Rebellion-
(an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler.)
Main character: Spoke, a troublesome prankster that will do anything if he sets his mind to it. Often traveling with his best friend Mapic, once a thief, now aiding in terrorism. Spoke is a little careless, but smarter than you'd think. Playing 3D chess mentally. Sometimes, manipulative to get what he wants, even if he manipulates himself and those he cares about.
Other important characters include: Mapic, Minute Tech, Jamato P, Planet, Ash, and Leo.
Power-
(the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality.)
Main character: Wemmbu, once an ambassador turned mercenary, he's unserious, yet cares more than what shows. He finds a rare type of item, the mace, and uses it as his main weapon. Holding back mainly because of his emotional support, and fan-favorite, Eggchan. A curious scholar dragged around by Wemmbu. Despite the uncaring demeanor and rude remarks Wemmbu quickly makes, he does care. Apparently is rivals with Flame.
Other important characters Include: Eggchan, Prince Zam, Rejoice, Mane, Jaden, and Flame.
Skill-
(the ability to do something well.)
Main character: Flame, a talented fighter with the sword. Known as the Immortal Demon, because he's said to be unkillable. He's confident, honorable with his fights, and usually alone. Flame guards his title as the Immortal Demon with a sense of defensiveness, as well as his dislike to people he considers as unhonorable. As to why he 'dislikes' Wemmbu.
Other important characters Include: Lomedy, Mane, Jaden, Spongs, and Wemmbu.
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Huh.
They sound interesting at least. Like.. they have an actual personality. (Unlike other games with main characters.)
And the graphics are pretty good. The developers must've put a lot of effort into Wemmbu's hair. Like each strand is highlighted without it looking too hyper-realistic and creepy. Spoke's glowing white eyes, which Parrot is gonna assume is a fantasy thing. Contrasting with the dark sky. And Flame's anime ahh pose, it only works because of his character design. Seriously, and the poses they're in at the main title screen is lowkey aura.
The lighting too, artists are truly amazing.
Parrot wonders what and who they're based on. Surely a bunch of mushed up anime characters or something.
From what people have said online, Spoke is the reason the world is called 'unstable'. So sure, he'll do Spoke's route first, then figure out where to go from there.
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"I'm sorry."
Spoke whispered. You could hear muffled sobs from the voidling as Rose screamed out to him.
"What's going on?!"
She asked— begged, even, arms hugging herself for comfort. "What's happening?! Where am I?" She demanded to know. Spoke couldn't face her. "It's for the better, your death, I mean. I promise you." Looking away as the young girl was impaled by the stalactite underneath her. A.. grotesque sound as her life ebbed away echoed in the hollow cave.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'msorryI'msorry..."
Spoke breath hitched.
He knelt down in front of the trap he had set up. Picking up the Blue cornflower she carried around. Twirling it around in his hands.
"It's for the better.. I promise."
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Parrot looked at the screen with wide eyes.
He couldn't do anything, he didn't click anything! This was a complete canon part of Spoke's route! He just.. he does that? Rose is described as somewhat young.. Younger than the protagonists, (although vague and varying, they are around 17-20) So Spoke has just killed some teenage girl in order to take down the Invis guild.
The guild isn't even that good!
He could've totally taken down the Mafia without infiltration.
But whatever.
It's canon, and fictional, and.. that's just what happened. He shouldn't get this mad over a video game.
Next... scene.. yay..
He's just two more chapters until Spoke's route is done.
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Once he was done with the leader of the Toxic clan or whatever, smashing his head into the ground, he left the town. Hauling the mace behind him— definitely not his weapon of choice. Survival, though. Not honor.
And now..
There was only one thing left for Flame to do.
"Oh! Flame, you're back." Lomedy smiled from the field, plucking out a carrot with his hands.
"Yeah, I'm back.."
He repeated, a bit counter productive.
"You're alive!"
"Obviously, bro. It was easy stuff, bro, he just kept throwing his goons at me." Lomedy laughed at that, then turned around, back to tending to his vegetables. "I'm glad that you're alive." Lomedy clarified.
"Here."
He held out the mace to him.
Lomedy turned around, hands inching away from the handle.
"You're gonna give it back?"
"Duh, bro, I don't need the mace. And it was yours."
"Well— I mean— I just feel like you'd do better with the mace than me—"
"Take it bro."
Flame threw it on the ground.
"Don't leave it on your vegetables."
That's what seemed to get him to crack. "Alright, fine. I'll take it."
"Right.. then.. see you bro, I'll come back if I ever need any help." Flame waved, his dog, Ashen, following close behind. Lomedy holding onto the mace awkwardly. He still wasn't really a fighter. And the training wasn't meant to help Lomedy with the mace anyways. Lomedy stayed quiet, but he was content.
Flame was too, not like he'd admit it though.
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"He just.. left?"
Parrot questioned out loud, staring at the screen.
He knew that Flame was a 'solo-player' but damn. He just ran off? Wasn't the whole point of this plot so that Flame could learn he could rely on other people sometimes? And that it's good to have company? Lomedy was pretty good company, Parrot would say. He was friendly despite the many many death threats Flame gave him.
It's fine...
Parrot doesn't know why he's so so intrigued anyways.
The characters are frustrating, assholes, no moral compass, but they definitely feel human.
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"CHROUS! Bro, CHROUS!"
Wemmbu yelled desperately, smashing his mace into the wardens. As Rejoice was pushed around by the sonic rays of the wardens. The blue magic glimmering in the air. But it wasn't magical. Not at all.
"I-.. I can't."
"YES YOU CAN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
He even tried throwing a chorus fruit to Rejoice, a special kind that allowed people to teleport. But they were all block off by the bulky builds of the wardens.
"I'm out. I'm out of them, Wemmbu."
Rejoice declares, smiling through the little space the wardens allowed. He shone through the darkness of the effects the wardens gave. Wemmbu reached out for him with his free hand, he didn't stop swinging— he didn't stop fighting. Even while he was getting beaten to a pulp by the wardens, Rejoice was planning to leave with a smile.
"It was fun while it lasted, Wemmbu."
"BRO—"
"I appreciate my short time with you guys." The last of his armor shattered. Diamond glowing— just as he did, scattered across the ground. "I'm dead."
And that he was.
Rejoice's limp body was smashed against the wall.
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Parrot stared at the screen with teary eyes. Is he crying over a video game?! Again?!
"Oh my gosh.."
He whispered, careful not to wake his parent's up by crying over a video game.
"My fucking route.." He says again, quickly pulling out his phone to search up if there's a way to save Rejoice..
..There isn't.
His death is canon to the storyline and critical to Wemmbu's character.
Fuck.
Why does Wemmbu have to be such an ass at the beginning in the first place? Sure, him getting betrayed by the PZE was uncalled for. But he doesn't have to be so damn mean to his teammates. At least he should pretend to like them.
This is why Wemmbu is his least favorite route.
He's already finished Spoke's route, which was shorter compared to Wemmbu's, but longer than Flame's. Spoke was loud, big, and definitely sneaky. And the way he hasn't told Mapic the full story of the newfound magic rubs Parrot the wrong way. But he's the kind of guy you could say 'I can fix him' and Parrot could believe you can.
While Flame, is a warrior like Wemmbu. And though he likes Spoke slightly more as a character, Flame is less obnoxious than the two of them. Just trying to prove himself. And he'd be annoying to be a teammate with in real life. His friendship with Lomedy is nice... well.. was nice.
He's done this over the past week. Starting on Monday, now it's Thursday— technically Friday. Parrot's not sure how it'll end, since the new update, The Kings Arc, hasn't been released yet.
To be honest, Parrot doesn't really like any of the main protagonists. With all their flaws, and all their war crimes. While he knows this is a video game, they could've been better with how evil all of them are.
There's been hinting at a fourth protagonist coming out soon, with the route name of 'hope'.
Which Parrot hopes (see what he did there?) has better morals than all of them.
And that they're in the Paragon kingdom. Since Wemmbu has his time in the PZE, Spoke travels all over the place, and Flame sticks to the countryside. It'd be interesting to see more of that. Especially since the prequel spin-off with how the two rulers of Paragon got together. It's really popular. #Fluxarata. Or whatever it was.
Welp..
Enough of that research, he's too far to back down from the grind. It's a school night, 4:00 AM. And he knows himself in the morning will hate himself now.
He has to finish this now.
At least Eggchan isn't a bum like Wemmbu. Though the fandom is a bit weird about Egg.. Actually, scratch that, the fandom glazes everyone in the Wemmbu route. A little bit odd, if you ask Parrot. No offense to Wemmbu— the uh.. fictional character. But he's not Parrot's favorite.
It's fine, he can get through this.
Parrot wiped away the tears like they were never there. Sat in his chair, a little slumped like the average sweaty gamer, and continued reading the dialogue.
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"Why are you even doing any of this bro, it's like.. excessive." Wemmbu crosses his arms, brows furrowed at the Director.
An invisible potion, another potion that changes their voice..
The three of them, Spoke, Wemmbu, and Flame, have no idea who this guy is.
Luckily, Spoke was able to get into contact with someone who could help trap the Director. Someone just as smart as the Director. "Like you'd know, you're lowkey lazy, bro." Flame retorted, Wemmbu threw his arms out. "What?! I didn't even do anything, bro."
"Guys! We're all on the same side, this guy is responsible for all this."
"Yeah, you almost killed Egg!"
"I had to slime out your goons, now I gotta slime out you. It's easy. Simple."
"You tried killing Mapic!"
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This is it.
This is where the final villain— the fucking bane of Parrot's existence, gets revealed.
They sends people after Wemmbu's civilization, they were the one controlling Ash, the leader of the Invis guild (THE ONE WHOSE MEANT TO LEAD), and the one who kept sending people to Lomedy's farm!
HOW MANY FUCKING TIMES WILL THIS PERSON MAKE HIM RETURN TO A CHECKPOINT?!
Okay.
He needs to stop crashing out.
Like his mom said "Being angry at stupid people is useless."
Very wise.
The Director, is an anonymous villain that directs every part of the world of Unstable. A true game-stopper, and the worse part is, Parrot doesn't even know why they're doing all this. For the fun of it? Parrot doesn't know! That's why it's so annoying to lose to them!
He murders people, send people after the protagonists— and for what?
(Maybe also the fact that the Director appeared in his nightmare once because he dreamt of making it to the end of Wemmbu's route once..)
And maybe he should get off the game.
Oh well...
He's getting sort of tired now..
Time to go see if people hold the same sentiment online.
(Aka doomscrolling on his phone)
Which is totally a better and healthier alternative to keyboard mashing on his computor!
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KatKit @chococattt
me when I cry over Rejoice's death even tho he lowkey has less screen time than jaden..
chiii @kawaaaa
on GANG i spent so much time trying to go back and save him :((
Alppacaa @alpacawaka
guys tax duo is lowkey overrated..
I'm sorry but I'm SO done with the 'soft spot' troupe.. like.. it's nothing new. You guys are acting like the writers cooked with this one. And idk why you guys glaze the life out of egg. like. he's a nice guy, but he's LITERALLY just that.
tortilatoes @peppapiggles3.3
they're coming for u
Alppacaa @alpacawaka
??
8903 replies
Alppacaa @alpacawaka
GUYS CHILL I WAS JOKING I WAS JOKING
Williebillie @williewrongins
I CAN'T with the mechanics for Flame's route
chiii @kawaaaa
this is SO real
I might just be dookie at video games so idk
Becka 0.0 @Rebeccake
I don't even PLAY flame's route
Williebillie @williewrongins
you should still try it !!
just spam the checkpoints and cry when you get jumped again for the storyline
emi <3 @emimmi
ts why I only watch the routes
Becka 0.0 @Rebeccake
when is the fourth route coming out I JUST finished flame's route
Williebillie @williewrongins
yay you tried it!!
Becka 0.0 @Rebeccake
yah!11!!
Fourth route when?? @UNSTABLER
I DUNNO I RLLY WANT THE FOURTH ROUTE TO BE SOMEONE IN THE PARAGON KINGDOM THO
Becka 0.0 @Rebeccake
WAIITTT YOU MIGGGGHHTT BE ONTO SMTH..
SPOKECOKE @normalestspokefan
Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone Spokeishere spokeisgone
Fourth route when?? @UNSTABLER
average spoke fan
tortilatoes @peppapiggles3.3
i wish i had whatever bros on
Fourth route when?? @UNSTABLER
Guys I highkey hate the Director so badly cause WHY TF DID EGG JUST ALMOST GET SLIMED OUT BY THEM??? WHY IS THIS AN OPTION IN THE WEMMBU ROUTE??
KatKit @chococattt
THAT'S A FUCKING CHOICE NOOOOO
Williebillie @williewrongins
You damn wemmbu and egg glazers .but yeah, I HATE THE DIRECTOR
Alppacaa @alpacawaka
phew
so the route of egg dying to the director isn't canon?
Fourth route when?? @UNSTABLER
Noooo
egg isn't supposed to die, if he does, you auto go back to last check point
SPOKECOKE @normalestspokefan
insert screenshot.png
Y DID BRO JUST AMBUSH MAPIC FOR NO REASON?? IS THIS CANON?? I HAVE NO MORE HEALTH POTSS DD:
tortilatoes @peppapiggles3.3
nah bro I think you jst gotta rob ro's old base with Mappic
SPOKECOKE @normalestspokefan
over the weekend?
tortilatoes @peppapiggles3.3
ya
or else Mapic's alone when you get jumped by the Director's goons
chiii @kawaaaa
I think the director goes after everyone lmao
KatKit @chococattt
JUST for the fun of it that fucker..
when I catch them..
Williebillie @williewrongins
GUYS WHO EVEN IS THIS RANDOM??? THE DIRECTOR IS SOME NPC WE DON'T CARE FOR??
Fourth route when?? @UNSTABLER
yo chill
put some heat off bro
Ion wanna spoil it for people who haven't gotten there yet.
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So apparently if you stay up late completing all the routes up until the Director reveal, and then fall asleep before finding out who it is...
You'll have a shitty day the next day.
He woke up twenty minutes before school started, and his mom didn't even wake him up! She made him face the responsibilities of his actions.. which is a bummer! But he gets why, at least.
Parrot is now figuring out this life-changing information now that he's running at top speed (or as fast as his tired body will let) to his school. He keeps his body moving, exhaling heavily as he charges forward on his feet. Huffing at every single step. Dang, he looks like a madman right now. Running like a loose dog, except dogs are probably faster.
(Damn fourth-grade him, who refused to sign up for cross country! Now he's absolutely shit at running!)
The bag on his back feels like ten thousand pounds.
His shoes have large-ass rocks in them. Like legos every time he takes another step.
Messy hair, half-tied tie, a cardigan that's sliding off his shoulder.
Parrot is a mess.
And maybe that's just because he isn't really the sporty type, more of a Straight-A student. He's not... horrible at sports. (He might just be horrible at sports) He can't think like that now, he can rest later
But he's so close to school! The school is in sight! He can run there! He can make it!
Head lights blink in front of him as he reaches for the school.
A truck.
He was going to be hit by a truck.
"FUCK—!"
Parrot is going to die.
He is going to die, and he hasn't been able to do so many things. He hasn't graduated high school. It was his last year. He was close. All that studying and all the intellect he had for nothing? Parrot hasn't had a chance to say goodbye to his mom, his dad.. He has never been to a Laufey concert.. And worst of all..
Parrot never got to find out who the Director was.
As he laid in a pool of his own blood, lying out on the concrete, a flurry of blurring lights. Screams around him. People were definitely alerted at the teenage boy who just got hit by a truck. Did he hit his head when falling down? Is that why everything is so.. fuzzy right now. Are his last thoughts going to be about a video game?
Damn you, Truck-kun!
And it fades to black.
...
Or not.
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