>The Twilight Science Competition is in full swing.
>You're in some massive, open building full of Twilights.
>Hence the name of the competition.
>Right now, you and your Twilight are walking around, examining the booths.
>She's much less excited to be here than you are.
"Why did you not want to come here again?" you ask as you snack on some nutritional, fiber-heavy snacks handed out at the entrance. "All this stuff seems pretty neat."
>"Because this is a complete waste of time. I could be doing actual science, but instead I'm all the way over here forcing myself to be social with other versions of me."
>You wave to an Anon who passes by. He has a stupid hat on with the balls attached to springs at the top. You remind yourself to get one of those later.
"Doesn't seem too bad."
>"That's because it's your first time. Besides, this entire competition is rigged. Everyone knows it. That's why most competitors don't even try."
>The two of you walk up to an extra stone-faced Twilight at her booth.
>On her table is just a briefcase. Nothing else.
>"Greetings, comrades," the Russian Twilight says.
>"Hey, G-25. Meet Anon."
"Nice to meet ya."
>You extend your hand and this Twilight grips it rather tightly. She gives you a firm shake that almost dislocates your shoulder.
>"Likewise, Mister Anonymous."
>As soon as she lets go, you cradle your crushed hand.
>"So, what's this you got here?" Twilight asks, not at all interested in what her other self has got there.
>"What I possess here is a weapon that can cripple entire countries without the utilization of obvious violence. With this, you can bring your rival countries to their very knees, and they will never know what is of hitting then."
>Russian Twilight releases the clasps, revealing a bunch of magazines, books, and papers, some of which fall onto the floor.
>"Behold! Leftist doctrine!"
>You tilt your head in confusion.
"Huh?"
>"I see you are not of understanding," she continues. "You see. Bombs are too...visible. When you drop bomb, everyone sees it. Then enemies retaliate with own bombs. But with this..."
>She picks up a copy of a magazine titled "Communism and You: How Capitalism Has Gone to the Dogs While Starving Your Precious Little Kittens (Ages 8+)."
>"...this will enter the naive, impressionable minds of your foes' children. They will soak this up like a sponge, believing it to be truth even if shown undeniable evidence indicating the opposite. Then when they become of age and obtain positions of power and influence, they will destroy their country from the inside out! Slow, but very effective."
>Your Twilight takes a sip of her coffee.
>"Looks like you just went through the rubbish bin at the local library and stuffed it into your dad's luggage bag."
>"True," the other Twilight slumps. "But the competition is rigged. Surely you possess this knowledge."
>"Everyone does, pal."
"Uh, Twi? If everyone knows that it's rigged, then why don't they do something about it? Why even compete?"
>"Participation is mandatory, Anon. The higher ups just want to feel good about themselves. It's a pain, but you have to choose your battles. A fight against a power-hungry Twilight never ends well. Trust me. Let's just be glad that the dictator Twilights are not throwing us into a labor camp."
>Twilight turns to leave.
>"Alright, let's go. Later G-25."
>"Until next time. That is, if neither one of us perish before then."
"Perish, huh? That Twi sure has a morbid sense of humor."
>"It's how she copes. In her world, people die like flies, whether it be from bullets, or radiation, or sinks flying from above."
"Sinks?"
>"A very effective hunting weapon if in the right hands."
"Nevermind. Forget I asked."
>Twilight walks up to a small purple pony.
>"Hey E-1."
>"Hello, T-17."
"What a minute. There's a dimension where you're a talking unicorn?"
>"Quite a few, as a matter of fact," pony Twilight says. "Did you know that there's a dimension where I become the princess of FRIENDSHIP?"
>Your Twilight sticks out her tongue in disgust.
>"Blech. What kind of cruel world is that?"
>"You tell me. I'd take science over friends any day."
>"Preach it. So what do we have here?"
>On unicorn Twilight's table is what appears to be a small ball with wings bouncing against its glass container.
>"A parasprite. Adorable little nuisances, these things. Once one eats enough, it immediately asexually reproduces. The resulting child would already be in a sexually mature form."
"So where's the science?"
>Pony Twilight presses a button, and electricity shoots up from the bottom of the container directly into the parasprite, which fries and hits the floor as a smoldering mess. A wing twitches.
>You cover your mouth.
>"If you shoot it with enough electricity, it will die," she says with a straight face.
>How horrifying.
>"Impressive."
>"Thanks."
>"But how will you repeat this experiment for the 'judges?'" your Twilight asks sarcastically, emphasizing 'judges' with her fingers.
>"Oh, I've got more. Hundreds, actually."
>Twilight lifts the thin cloth draped over the front of the table, revealing a transparent box full of the things.
>"And I fully intend to exhaust my supply by the time this 'competition' is over," she says monotonously, not at all looking pleased to be here.
>"Have fun with that."
>"Don't worry. I will."
 
>It feels as if there's every variation Twilight here.
>Geeky D&D Twi.
>Super normal Twi.
>Stoner Twi.
>Fit Twi.
>Anarchist Twi.
>Guy Twi.
>Possible molester Twi.
>Hot Twi.
>Nice Twi.
>You really liked those last two. Too bad you can't swap Twi's.
>Additionally, there are many different kinds of Anons.
>Meeting some of them made you feel worse about yourself though, because they were versions of you that you could have been.
>Could have been.
>One Anon has a full-ride scholarship lined up at a top university.
>Another dropped out but started his own company.
>A female Anon is on the way to becoming an Olympic athlete.
>And you...
>Well.
>You're just regular old you.
>At least you're not the Anon with trypophobia.
>Actually, you might have some of that, too.
>Fuck.
>It's not your fault that shit is creepy as hell.
>"Twilights and Anons!" A Twilight's voice booms over the speakers. "Please come to the front of the stage! The judges have made their decision!"
>The Twilights grumble as they gather round, Anons close by.
>A Twilight is standing at the front, holding a microphone.
>The parasprite pony Twilight stuffs a bunch of the bug-like creatures in her glass death chamber and kills them with electricity.
>"We are pleased to announce the winner of this year's Twilight Science Competition. As you all know, the TSC is a proud tradition of the High Society of Twilights all across dimensions. It all started when--"
>"Get on with it!" GuyTwi is brave enough to shout.
>Announcer Twi clears her throat.
>"Very well. The winner of the Twilight Science Competition is..."
>An Anon, probably hers, starts a half-hearted drum roll.
>The Twilight takes out an envelope and pull out the piece of paper inside.
>"...The President of the High Society of Twilights, Twilight Sparkle of Dimension K-41.5!"
>The spotlight shines to one end of the stage.
>But no Twilight appears.
>"Ahem. K-41.5? Front of the stage, please."
>Still nothing.
>Suddenly, shots can be heard.
>The audience looks around, confused.
>Some hushed voices go around.
>Then a scream is heard.
>A bloody Twilight runs onto the stage. Her formal and probably very expensive attire is torn to shreds, and her glasses are broken.
>"Everybody run!" she screams.
>A laser hits her in the chest, and she crumples to the ground.
>Several more hits the announcer.
>Soon after, a unit of helmeted, armored figures enter the stage.
>What the fuck?
>They aim at the crowd.
>"This isn't good," your Twilight says.
>Then they start firing.
>Anons and Twilights fall left and right as the attackers blindly fire into the crowd.
>Screams fill the air.
>The girlier ones probably belong to some of the Anons'.
>"Let's get out of here!" Twilight grabs your wrist and starts to pull you away.
>Good idea, Twi.
>You try your best not to trip over any bodies as the two of you run towards safety.
>Some of the lasers hit the exhibitions.
>Animals, bugs, and other living things go free as their containers and cages break open.
>"It'll be a gun-free zone, they said. It'll be so much safer, they said," Twilight mutters under her breath.
>The gunmen hop off the stage and continue to fire at their targets.
>"In here!"
>Twilight pulls you into a hallway, only stopping to close the door and secure it by putting a bar through the handles.
>A laser hits goes through of the door's windows and nearly misses you.
"Woah!"
>"Come on!"
>She grabs you by the arms and starts to run down the hall.
>"There's a weapons cache this way!"
>You eventually make it to a single door somewhere in this massive maze of a building.
>Twilight goes up to it and knocks.
>"Shhh, don't say anything," a hushed voice says.
>"Let me in."
>"She heard us, you idiot!"
>A muffled smack is heard.
>"Ow!"
>Twilight rolls her eyes.
>"I'm not one of them, you brain-dead neanderthals."
>"Oh yeah? How do we know that they're not holding you at gunpoint as we speak?"
>"Because I'm not leaving, and if you don't let me in, then I'm going to stand here until they find me, meaning they'll find you, and you'll all die."
>Silence.
>Then a series of clicks is heard and the door creaks open.
>A Twilight peeks through the gap.
>She looks at you and Twilight, then swings open the door.
>"Get in! Quickly!"
>The two of you enter, and the Twilight at the door quietly shuts and locks it.
>A handful of Anons and Twilights are here.
>Some are scared, others not so much.
>One of the Anons wet his pants.
>Damn it, Anon. Stop making us look bad.
>Various guns, and gear line the walls of this modestly-sized armory.
>You give a low whistle.
>"Where's the security Twilights?" your Twilight asks.
>"Probably all dead."
>"Great. So who's in charge here?"
>"I am," a couple Twilights say.
>"No, I am," one of them replies.
>"No you're not. I am."
>"I'm higher ranked than you in the High Society."
>"How is that relevant in this case? Are you going to FILIBUSTER them to death?"
>"And what about you? You come from a time where people still piss in the streets."
>"It's the 17th century! Your world did that once, too!"
>Your Twilight rubs her temples, clearly annoyed.
>"Shut up! All of you!"
>The Twilights fall silent.
>Twilight then goes to a table and takes out a tactical vest and helmet. She tosses them to you.
>"Here's the plan," she says as she puts on a vest. "There are enough people here for two teams. We're going to gear up, move out, and fight back."
>"What about calling for help? Have you considered that?" a smartass Twilight asks.
>"Did you try?"
>"Well, yeah."
>"And did it work?"
>Smartass Twi looks down.
>"No. They cut the lines."
>"Of course they did."
>Twilight puts on a helmet and sticks a magazine into her gun. It makes a noise, indicating that it's loaded.
>"Then unless you have any better ideas, I say we go with my plan."
>"And if it doesn't work?"
>"Then we all die."
>Silence fills the room.
>Russian Twilight stands up.
>"I agree with T-17's plan. If we stay here, we die."
>Femanon holds herself, on the brink of tears.
>"I don't want to die, Dusk."
>Guy Twi puts a hand on her shoulder.
>"You won't die. Relax."
>"Really?"
>"I have no idea."
>She then breaks down and starts crying, at which Dusk starts looks around at others for help.
>Smooth, Dusk.
>A Twilight goes over to the sobbing Femanon and pulls her into a hug.
>"Don't worry. You won't die."
>Oh look, it's a nice Twi.
>Femanon sniffs.
>"What makes you so sure?" she asks.
>"Because," the nice Twi says with a gentle voice. "They can't beat us. The power of love is on our side."
>Another Twilight cocks her head.
>"LOVE?"
>"Yes, love. Love conquers everything. Even life and death."
>An Anon walks over to the nice Twi and wraps an arm around her neck.
>"She's right, you know," he says.
>"Aww, Nonny. You're too sweet."
>"Not as sweet as you, Sparky"
>They then kiss, causing the rest of the room to retch.
>Femanon looks at them with confusion. Tears are still running down her face.
>"You know what?" Twilight says. "Change of plan. I say we kill ourselves."
>"Even if we're armed, our chances against them still aren't in our favor," a Twilight says. "Maybe we can try to escape through the teleporters."
>"They're too slow and too loud. It's pointless to try," another Twi responds.
>"But there's still a chance, right? As long as the power's still--"
>Then the lights go out.
>"Nevermind."
>Someone places an electric lamp on the table and turns it on. The room is no longer dark, but not as bright as before.
>A raspy voice then suddenly comes from the corner of the room.
>"I have something that might help."
>Everyone turns to see a grim-looking Twilight leaning against a locker. She has a toothpick in her mouth and some scars on her face. Her hair is cut short, not at all long like most other Twilights'.
>However, the most distinguishing feature is probably the patch over her left eye.
>"M-miss Vice President? How long were you here?" a Twilight asks.
>"The entire time."
>"Then why didn't you speak up earlier?"
>"I was taking a nap."
>"A NAP? Are you not right in the head?" street-pissing Twi asks.
>Twilight leans over to you.
>"That's V-2," she whispers. "She's something of a warlord."
>"I prefer the term, 'peacekeeper.'"
>"You put holes in people and blow them to bits. That's not exactly peaceful," your Twilight responds.
>"It is if it prevents a war."
>Twilight rolls her eyes but doesn't respond.
>You're starting to see why your Twilight isn't very appreciative of this government's leadership.
>"Now listen up you dogs," peacekeeping warlord Twi barks. "The enemy has us trapped and outgunned. However, I have something that can turntable, table-turn..."
"Turn the tables?"
>"Right. Turn the tables on them."
>"She also suffered some brain-damage from a few battles," Twilight whispers into your ear.
>So this Twi is indeed not right in the head. And she's the VP?
>Oh boy.
>"In this very building at the parking lot, I have a fully-functional mechanized walker. And it has the firepower to erase these terrorists from existence."
>"Okay, that's good. Change of plan, everybody. One group will--" Twilight speaks up.
>"And who put you in charge?" V-2 interrupts.
>A pause.
>"No one."
>The VP crosses her arms.
>"Then why are you giving orders?"
>You can almost swear that you see Twilight's eye twitch.
>"Because no one else seems to be doing so."
>"Never really liked you, T-17. You were always the insubordinate one. Couldn't take an order to save your life."
>Twilight doesn't respond, but you can tell that she's starting to simmer with agitation.
>The rebellious Twi, eh?
>That's kinda cool.
>"Okay, now that that's settled," V-2 says. "Listen up, because I have a plan."
 
>You're walking down a long, empty, dark hallway with Russian Twi, two unicorn Twis, warlord Twi, and an Anon.
>The objective for your group? Escort warlord Twi to her oversized robot so that she can beat the bad guys and save the day.
>Just like in the movies.
>Meanwhile Twi's group, your Twi that is, is supposed to restore power to the building, which requires somehow reaching the opposite fucking side of the area intact.
>And a third group merely finds survivors and supplies them with guns.
>Fun, fun, fun.
>She even separated you and Twi on purpose just to spite her.
>You wonder if your Twilight is also disliked among the other higher ups.
>It wouldn't surprise you at all if she is at this point.
>At least Russian Twi is here.
>"For the last time, friendship is not something that can be studied as a science!"
>"And I'm telling you that it is! Magic is a valid field, and friendship is a subset of magic!"
>The two unicorns accompanying you are currently having a rather petty argument.
>Exactly what you need. Not.
>"Just go to one of my friendship seminars and it will start to make sense!"
>"For the last time, I'm not attending one of your dumb seminars."
>"Didn't Celestia send you to Ponyville to make some friends?"
>"Yes."
>"And did you?"
>"No. I went straight back to Canterlot."
>The other unicorn gasps.
>"But what about Nightmare Moon?"
>"Celestia used the elements and banished her for another thousand years. Easy peasy. How is that relevant to any of this?"
>"How is it RELEVANT? It has to do with EVERYTHING. What about Applejack, and Rainbow Dash, and Pink--"
>"I'm going to stop you right there because none of those names ring any bells."
>It's almost as if you're listening to two nerds argue about a show for little girls.
>Utterly stupid and completely pointless.
>"What do you think, Anon?"
>You and the other Anon turn to the small horses.
"Huh?" the both of you say.
>A unicorn gestures towards you.
>"You. I already know the other Anon's answer."
>"Aww."
"What was the question?"
>"What's more important? Science or friendship?"
"Uhhh..."
>You shrug.
"Why not both?"
>One of them scoffs.
>"That's not an answer."
"Well it's my answer."
>"Whatever. I still say friendship is more important."
>"If you don't be quiet I'm going to sink your friendship."
>"You wouldn't dare..."
>You start a conversation with the other Anon in hopes of getting away from the bickering horses.
"So, Anon. Where's your Twi?"
>"She's here somewhere, I think."
"Are you sure she's not, uhh, you know. Dead?"
>"Oh, no. I saw her get away safely."
"And you didn't go with her?"
>"Couldn't catch up."
>Ouch.
>"But you know, I think in the midst of all this shit, we have an opportunity for ourselves."
"Oh really?"
>"Yeah!"
>Anon starts to get excited.
>"We can finally prove ourselves to be just as capable as any Twilight in a time of crisis like this. All we have to do is follow our instructions and survive. And boom! Twilight will be so impressed. I think she'd have no choice but to respect me a little more. Ya know?"
>You try not to show your skepticism.
"Oh, uhhh, good luck with that. I guess."
>The group eventually reaches a turn in the hallway.
>"Halt!" warlord Twi hisses as she holds up a hand.
>She pulls out a small mirror attached to a metal rod and aims it around the corner.
>"There's three of them," she whispers. "I say we do this sneakily. Draws less attention that way. On three. Ready? One..."
>Your heart starts to pound in your chest as your grip your gun tightly. Sweat starts to trickle down your forehead.
>"Two..."
>You take a deep breath.
>You can do this, Anon.
>Before V-2 can finish counting, the other Anon screams as he charges at the gunmen and starts to blindly shoot from the hip.
>None of his shots hit their mark, and they turn around and return fire.
>Lasers hit him several times and turn him into figurative swiss cheese.
>"Shit!" warlord Twi shouts. "Cover me!"
>She rounds the corner and starts to shoot.
>The unicorns join her side and deploy a combined shield before the enemy can shoot back, fully enveloping the three.
>Russian Twi moves you back as she aims her gun around the corner and joins the firefight, drawing the attention of some of the enemies.
>You're too shocked to do anything.
>Plasma and lasers fly across the hallway, illuminating the darkness.
>It might as well be a rave. People die in those too, right?
>Some shots hit the shield, but fizzle harmlessly against its shiny, transparent surface.
>Others hit the wall and cause chunks of wood and metal to fly everywhere.
>"Make an opening!"
>A small hole appears in the joint protective bubble, and the VP fires three times, each of them hitting their mark.
>And as quickly as it begins, it ends.
>The three enemies are dead.
>"Status!"
>"T-17's Anon and I are good," Russian Twi responds.
>"We're also fine," the unicorns say in unison.
>"All good, but one casualty..." warlord Twi mutters, shaking her head.
>She kneels over the dead Anon and closes his eyes with her fingertips.
>"Rest easy now."
>Woah.
>That's probably the most respect an Anon got from a Twilight.
>Or at least as far as you've seen.
>She then takes a magazine from his vest and sticks it into hers.
>"We have to move. More of them will be here soon. And get up, Anon. You look like you're going to piss yourself."
>You're still too shocked to do anything.
>"You heard the Vice President," Russian Twi says as she extends a hand towards you. "We have to get moving."
 
>You are Twilight of dimension T-17, and you are currently dying.
>"Twiley, you need to hold it together! You have to be strong for the both of us!"
>"I'm trying, Nonny! I really am!"
>If someone would just shoot you now, that would be great.
>Romeo Anon holds his Juliet Twilight close as they follow you to the power room.
>"Before I found you, I did not fear death," Juliet says to him. "But now...I'm afraid. Afraid of losing you."
>"We're not going to lose each other. We'll make it through this. That I promise."
>Even Femanon seems to be getting a little sick of their shit.
>"When they said 'infinite possibilities,' they really meant it," Dusk remarks as he walks beside you.
"Talk about it."
>"So...what's it like? Being a female, I mean."
"Can't use the bathroom standing up and I feel like dying a certain time each month. How's having a Y chromosome?"
>"It's alright, I guess. Although I feel a bit left out at these sort of get togethers because of it."
"Then again, Twilights aren't exactly a social bunch."
>"Whoever plans these events must be a sadist."
>You chuckle at the half-joke.
>"So what exactly are we supposed to be doing again?" Femanon asks.
>"We're restoring power to the premises," Dusk replies. "That way we won't have to die in the dark."
>"O-oh, okay..."
>"So Twilight, Dusk," Anon speaks up.
>Dammit.
>"Why don't you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?"
>"Not interested," you and Dusk reply simultaneously.
>"Why not? It's a ripe time to fall in love."
>More like a ripe time to shut the fuck up.
>"We just don't care, okay?" Dusk snaps. "Just because someone has the capacity to produce chemicals that the brain interprets as feelings of 'romance' does not mean that they have to give in to such primal urges. There's more meaningful things in life to pursue than some ephemeral urge to reproduce."
>"But you do have the capacity to love, right?" Juliet Twilight says.
"Just ignore them, Dusk. They're a lost cause."
>He sighs.
>"I know. It's just that I find it difficult to believe that there's a dimension where...nevermind."
>"So," Femanon speaks up, trying to change the subject to something more pleasant. "Who exactly is trying to kill us?"
>Dusk shakes his head.
>"No idea. Twilights aren't exactly known for being well-liked. But from the looks of it, these guys have been preparing for this for a long time. Maybe one of us really pissed some people off."
"Mafia Twilight?"
>"Maybe. She's never up to any good."
>Romeo Anon speaks up behind you.
>"Oh, in the midst of all this commotion, I almost forgot."
>He pulls out his backpack and digs around inside before pulling out...a heart-shaped box.
>"I was going to give this to you later, but just in case, you know..."
>Juliet Twilight gasps and covers her mouth.
>"Nonny..."
>"Happy early Valentine's Day, Twiley."
>You turn around and lean against a wall, using your free hand to cover your mouth as you dry heave.
>Femanon rests a comforting hand on your shoulder.
>"Hanging in there all right?" Dusk asks.
>You take a deep breath and try to recover.
"How good is our forensics team?"
>"Very. Why?"
>So much for that plan.
"Just wondering."
>Femanon suddenly perks up.
>"Do you guys hear that?"
>"Hear what?"
>"Everyone quiet!" she says in a hushed voice.
>The hall becomes deathly silent as you all try to hear something.
>It's hard to tell at first, but a faint buzzing can be heard in the distance.
"We don't have a beekeeper Twilight, do we?"
>Dusk shrugs.
>The frightened lovers hold each other tightly while the rest of you draw your weapons.
>Here it comes...
>A colorful ball with wings buzzes into view. Then another. Then ten. Then a hundred...
"Parasprites."
>They must've escaped earlier in the chaos.
>"Are they dangerous?" Anon asks.
"I doubt it. Though I don't recall E-1 bringing so many..."
>These things really do reproduce faster than rabbits.
>Fascinating.
>The parasprites come your way, but true to your word, they don't bite or sting.
>"Aww, these things are just adorable!" Femanon squeaks as one perches on her finger.
>It makes a noise as she pets it.
>Another rests on your arm, but you immediately swat it off.
>"Hey, buzz off!" Anon shouts.
>You turn around to see the parasprites trying to get into his box of chocolates.
>The lid falls off, and the little pests start to swallow each piece whole.
>Those things have massive mouths.
>"These are for Twiley! Not you!" he screams as he helplessly tries to shoo them away.
>Then, by some organized force, they start to tug on the box as a whole.
>"Let go I said!"
>But they don't let go. They start to pull on it with such force that for a moment Anon's feet hover above the ground.
>"It's fine!" Juliet Twilight shouts. "They're just chocolates!"
>"But they're YOUR chocolates!"
>The parasprites pull once again, and this time Anon remains in the air as he desperately tries to hold on to the box of worthless edibles.
>With the goods now in their possession, they fly with him down the hall and disappear around a corner.
>Goodbye.
>"NONNY!" the now brokenhearted Twilight screams as she reaches out a hand and falls to her knees.
>She hangs her head and starts to sob.
>Actual tears are streaming down her face.
>Seriously?
>"I don't know if this is better or worse," Dusk says.
>"But you're not Frank. You're Dusk," Femanon replies, eliciting a weak laugh from her partner.
"To be completely honest, I was half-hoping she'd run after him."
>Femanon kneels down and tries to comfort her, but it's no use.
>She's too far gone right now.
"At least the room's not far. Dusk, would you be so kind as to escort Ms. Capulet there?"
>"I'm not carrying her."
"Makes no difference to me."
>You start walking down the hall and try to think happy thoughts.
>Science stuff.
>And how hilariously tragic the breakup would be.
>"Why am I the one who has to carry her?"
>"It's your duty as a gentleman," Femanon replies.
>Dusk grumbles as he grabs the still-crying Twilight by the back of her collar and starts to drag her after you.
>"I always hated that play," he mutters under his breath. "Even Hamlet was miles better than that garbage."
 
>You open the door to the power room and draw your rifle, quickly aiming your flashlight around.
"Clear."
>"One would think that they'd guard this place," Femanon mutters as she trails behind you.
>"They probably want every available hand hunting us down," Dusk says, still dragging Juliet Twilight behind him. "It's a full-on genocide."
>You find the fusebox and open it.
>The top interface is gone, revealing the gutted insides.
>Wires are yanked and cut. A rather crude job of removing the power, but it was effective enough to shut down the entire building.
>"Is it recoverable?" Dusk asks as he puts Juliet in the corner.
>You can still hear her sniffing weakly.
"Yes, but it'll take a while. Cover me while I fix this."
>"On it. Femanon, stay by the door. I have the main hall covered."
>Putting the flashlight in your mouth, you start to sort through the wires.
>Okay, this one's for the main auditorium, this one's for the left atrium...
>The main goal is to get power flowing to the parking lot so that you can open the main doors inside, but some of those wires are cut.
>You'll have to find a way around that somehow.
>Hopefully your memory of this place's blueprints are not too fuzzy.
"Okay, let's start with this room."
>You pick up a wire and plug it. Some sparks fly out, causing you to flinch.
"Stupid box."
>"Everything alright?" Femanon asks as she watches.
"Give me a moment."
>A few more connected wires later and the power room lights up.
>Suddenly, faint cheery music can be heard.
>What the hell?
>Oh shit. You must've accidentally activated the auditorium speakers.
>"Uhh, Twi? Wrong room!" Dusk shouts.
"I know! Shut up!"
>The music and lights are definitely going to notify the gunmen that you're here.
>You don't have much time before they arrive.
>The flashlight hits the floor as you hastily spit it out and get back to work.
>"They're here!" Dusk shouts.
>He starts firing down the hallway.
>A laser barely misses his head and causes him to take cover around the corner.
>It doesn't take long before a full on firefight ensues. One man against many more.
>Dusk's only advantage is his cover.
>This can't end well.
>Femanon shakes as she hides by the door, a meager pistol in her trembling hands.
>She's not going to be of much help.
>Some backup would be nice.
"Hey L-214! We could use some help over here!"
>But Juliet doesn't respond, still curled up in the fetal position.
"Snap out of it! If you don't help us, then we're all going to die!"
>Still nothing.
>"Hurry up T-17! I can't hold them off much longer!" Dusk shouts.
>He then gets hit in the shoulder and falls to the ground.
>"Dusk!" Femanon shouts, horrified.
>He rolls back behind a wall.
"You alright?"
>"Still alive! But I'm down an arm!"
>Juliet Twilight still doesn't do anything.
>What can you possibly say to not get you all killed?
>Can anything get into that thick skull of hers?
>An idea then comes to mind.
"L-214, I know this has been hard for you, but you have to keep fighting!"
>The footsteps are starting to draw near.
"You have to be strong! Do it for..."
>You cover your mouth and take a deep breath.
"Do it for Anon!"
>That seems to register with her.
>Juliet Twilight looks up. Her eyes are puffy and red.
>"For Anon?"
>Dusk tries to shoot back using his one good arm, but he's only slowing them down.
"Yes! For Anon!"
>You can only imagine Anon's face if he hears what you're saying.
>Julet's hands clench into fists, and she slowly starts to rise.
>"Y-you're right! I have to be strong! For my Nonny!"
>Oh geez.
>She wipes her eyes and picks up her shotgun.
>Then with eyes filled with fire, she goes to the entrance and peeks around the corner.
>"Five," she says to herself through clenched teeth.
>Juliet racks the action and enters the hallway.
>She fires three times in quick succession, handling the weapon like no one's business.
>"Four, three, two..."
>She takes cover next to Dusk, who's watching the whole thing with shock.
>He gives you a look.
>You can't even shrug back.
>Without two seconds to spare, she leaps out of cover once again and shoots twice more.
>"One, zero."
>You can hear bodies crumpling against the hard, tile ground as Juliet ejects an empty shell and starts to reload her gun.
>"Get the power back on. We need to get out of here before reinforcements arrive," she states with a dead serious face.
"O-on it."
>You turn back to the wires and remind yourself that if you're ever going to have to murder the couple, you'll need to kill Juliet first.
 
>You are Anonymous.
>And you are still not dead.
>"We shouldn't be far now," V-2 says as she leads the group.
>Well that's good.
"So, uh, G-25?"
>"Yes, comrade?"
"Do you have an Anon? Or someone like that?"
>Russian Twi's face falls a bit.
>"Yes. Once."
"Once? What do you me--"
>Then it hits you.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know..."
>"No worries. I know you did not mean to offend."
>Maybe it's best to change the subject.
"So what exactly do you research?"
>"Many things. Sometimes nuclear science. Other times weapons when I am in need of funding."
"Funding?"
>"Yes. Laboratory does not keep lights on by itself."
>You can't argue with that.
>Before you can ask another question, the ground starts to shake.
"What the--"
>A crack starts to appear horizontally in front of you. Bits of tile fly into the air.
>The crack turns into a gap, and it starts to widen.
>"Everyone hurry!" V-2 commands.
>She's the first to leap over.
>Russian Twi is next to make it. She handles the jump with ease.
>"Hurry, Anon! You don't have much time!"
>You step back a bit and charge forward, jumping at the last possible second.
>However, it's not enough.
>Your upper body slams against the edge as your arms desperately try to find something to hold on to.
>But before you fall off, G-25 grabs your arm and pulls you up.
"T-thanks."
>"It as nothing."
>Looking back, you see that the gap is now significantly wider.
>If you jumped any later, you definitely would not have made it.
>"Can you use teleportation magic?" one unicorn Twilight asks the other.
>"Not well. You?"
>"Same!"
>They frantically look at the still widening gap in the ground.
>You go to the edge and extend a hand.
"I'll catch you! Now jump!"
>Russian Twi joins you.
>"If you do not jump now, then you'll never be of making it!"
>The two make eye contact, then look back at you and G-25.
>"Okay, here goes nothing."
>Both of them sprint towards the edge and simultaneously jump.
>They soar majestically through the air.
>Hell, they might even make it on their own.
>But before they can make it, two tentacles suddenly reach out from the abyss and wrap around the two.
>Their eyes widen.
>"Uh oh," one of the says.
>The slimy things then yank them down as they scream and disappear.
"No!"
>You back away from the crevice as you try to catch your breath, trying to process what just happened.
"What the fuck was that?"
>"K-11's science exhibit."
"What?"
>"Do not worry."
"T-they're still alive, right?"
>G-25 pulls you to your feet.
>"Let us say that for now, they will be very alive."
>What is she--
>Oh.
>Ohhhhh.
>V-2 shakes her head.
>"We don't have time to save them. Let's keep moving."
>What's left of your group eventually make it to a set of metal double doors.
>"Power's still out," V-2 mumbles as she uselessly hits the doors' switch. "What's taking them so long?"
"So what's the plan?"
>"We wait and hope that we don't get attacked."
>Works for you.
>But then, you start to hear something.
>It's muffled, but it's unmistakable.
>That sound. It's coming from the nearby auditorium.
"Is that...music?"
>It's definitely music.
>Rather ill-fitting, though.
>A funeral march would've been more appropriate.
"Do you think they'll find us?"
>Your answer comes in the form footsteps heard down the hallway you just came out of.
>"Friendly?" Russian Twi asks.
>"Unlikely. Anvil!"
>The footsteps stop.
>All they have to do is reply with "Forge!" and they're friendly.
>They are friendly, right?
>A series of shots fly out of the hallway entrance, missing their targets but sending sparks flying everywhere.
>Nope. Not friendly at all.
>"Return fire!"
>The three of you shoot back, aiming less to kill and more to suppress.
>"We don't have much cover!" Russian Twi shouts.
>"Just keep shooting!"
>After about twenty seconds of shooting at the hallway entrance, V-2 holds up a hand.
>You and Russian Twi stop firing.
>V-2 then pulls out a grenade and tosses it down the hall.
>It thuds against the hard surfaces and comes to rest.
>"Grenade!" you hear.
>The ground shakes as it explodes, briefly illuminating part of the room.
>You hear a scream and the sound of retreating footsteps.
>"Retreat and regroup!" one of them shouts.
>"That should buy us some time," V-2 says.
>Then suddenly, the lights turn on.
>Twi did it.
>You can't help but smile.
>As if there was any doubt.
>V-2 hits the switch, and the doors part.
>"Inside!"
>She enters the indoor parking lot, and the rest of you follow.
>This room is massive and almost completely empty.
>You guess Twilight's aren't very fond of driving spacecraft.
>If a firefight were to break out in here, you'd be easy targets.
>But sticking out like a sore thumb is a massive robot-looking thing with two legs and a bunch of guns on each side.
>You guess that's V-2's walker.
>"Fuck!" warlord Twi shouts as she bangs against a switch.
"What?"
>"The damned thing's broken. We can't deploy the blast-proof doors from this side. Now they can get in just as easily as we can."
"Can't you just deploy your mech and wipe them out?"
>"It needs time to boot up! We'll be sitting ducks for five minutes!"
>She sighs.
>"How are we on ammo?"
"Last mag."
>"Likewise."
>Well shit.
>"I'll buy us time," Russian Twi speaks up, heading for the door.
>You grab her shoulder.
"Are you crazy?"
>"Perhaps. But this is what needs to be done. Their reinforcements will be here very soon."
"We'll find another way!"
>"There is no other way, comrade."
"Don't give me that bullshit!"
>You're starting to get choked up.
"So many of us died today. I don't know if I can take much more of it."
>G-25 puts her hands on your shoulders.
>"Do not be filled with worry."
>You try not to tear up.
>"I will return, one way or another."
"That's a lie and we both know it."
>She pauses.
>"He said that to me, once."
>Huh?
>Russian Twi looks down.
>"Same voice and face, too. As if life never wanted me to forget."
>She looks into your eyes.
>Hers are filled with sorrow.
>"I never should have abandoned you on that winter day."
"W-what?"
>She turns around and hits the switch, opening the door.
>"Maybe one day you can forgive me."
>She exits the room and closes the door behind her.
>G-25 then flips a switch on her side, causing the blast-shields to deploy over the entrance.
>She's locked out now, and the footsteps are drawing near.
>It's only a matter of time.
>With a powerful swing, she destroys the entire switch with the butt of her gun.
>That'll slow them down.
>"This time," she says as she aims down her sights. "I stay behind."
>You hear shots being fired from the other side.
"We have to help her!"
>But no one is nearby.
>Turning around, you see V-2 already trying to boot up her walker.
"She's going to get herself killed!"
>"That was her decision!"
"And you're just going to do thing about it?"
>She continues to flip switches and press buttons on her machine.
>"I can understand if you're upset, kid. But there's nothing we can do now. She gave us her life. The best we can do is make sure her sacrifice isn't for nothing."
>You can only stand there and listen as shots and explosions fill the other room.
>Then, silence.
>Maybe she won?
>She's a tough Twilight. It's not like her to go down easy, right?
>"They've deployed the blast-shields!"
>"Then get the charges ready!"
>Your heart sinks.
>No no no no no...
>Those monsters.
>"Ready!"
>An explosion can be heard, causing the ground to shake.
>The doors bends a little, but otherwise remain shut.
>"Another charge!"
>You swallow the hard lump in your throat.
"They're breaking down the door!"
>"I hear that! Just a little bit longer!"
>Another explosion beats away at the door.
>It caves in more this time.
>One more and it's gone.
>"Another charge!"
"How much longer?"
>"Should be any second now!"
>One final blast sends the doors flying off their base, nearly hitting you.
>A group of armored gunmen appear through the opening with their guns drawn.
>"Tango spotted!"
>"Open fire!"
>But before they can do so, about a hundred bullets tear through their ranks and send them to the ground.
>Not plasma or lasers or anything futuristic.
>Regular bullets.
>You turn around to see V-2 in her now operational mech, gatling guns smoking and spinning.
>She has the most insane grin on her face, as if she's finally home.
>"Open the main doors!" she commands.
>You do as she says, running over to a switch and hitting it.
>A massive pair of doors slowly start to separate on one end of the room, giving access to the rest of the building.
>More armed troops appear.
>"Hostile spotted! She's in a war machine!"
>"Take her out!"
>V-2 opens fire once again, raining lead upon the unfortunate souls at thousands of rounds per minute.
>It's absolutely deafening.
>"Got BRRRRRT, you fucking pigs?" warlord Twi shouts as she mercilessly slaughters any foe she sees.
>An enemy pulls out what looks like an rpg, but it's too late.
>Hundreds of bullets tear through him as he fires, and the misguided rocket explodes harmlessly behind the walker.
>This is a full-on war zone.
>The ground shakes with every step her mech takes, and soon she's in the auditorium, teaching the gunmen about the definition of hell.
>At this point there's nothing much you can do but let warlord Twi keep the peace.
>But what about Russian Twi?
>You run over to the other room and look for her.
>There are bodies, but none of them look like a Twi.
>Then you see her.
>Slouching against a wall.
>A couple holes are in her chest and abdomen.
"No no no..."
>You run over to her and check her pulse.
>It's still there, but very faint.
"G-25? Come on Twi. Wake up."
>Her eyes weakly flutter open.
>"Anon..."
>You look around for something that can help, but of course there's nothing.
"Medic? Medic!"
>She coughs a bit and struggles to take in a breath.
>"It's okay, comrade. The pain is...not as bad as it may...seem."
"You're gonna be alright, Twi. Just hang in there. We'll get some of Twilight's cure-all and you'll be back to normal in no time."
>The gunfire is becoming more faint and less frequent. It seems the Twilights are winning the battle.
>"I'm afraid...is too late for that," she barely whispers.
"Don't say that. The cure-all can fix anything! I'm sure this is nothing!"
>G-25 gives a weak smile.
>Her eyes struggle to stay open.
>"You are of good heart, Anon. There is a...reason why you were chosen."
"Don't speak like that, Twi. Twilights don't say that sort of thing. Just hang on for a little bit longer."
"Medic! Anyone!" you shout as you turn around, but still no one comes.
>G-25 rests her head against the wall.
>She's still breathing, but her breaths are becoming shallower.
>Her eyes no longer focus on you.
>Rather, it seems as if she's seeing through you.
>"Anon?" she asks with sudden strength, her eyes widening.
"Yes?"
>"Anon?" she says again.
>Then she says something in her mother tongue, which of course you don't understand.
"I-I can't speak Russian, Twi."
>G-25 ignores you, repeating her previous sentence.
>Then, she brings up a shaky hand and says something else.
>It seems as though she's asking a question.
>Tears are starting to fill her eyes.
>Not knowing what else to do, you grab her hand, and she grips it tightly.
>She's starting to cry now, but there's a smile on her face.
>"Spasibo," she whispers.
>Then she exhales for the last time.
>G-25's head leans forward onto her chest, her lifeless eyes half-closed.
>Her grip fades, and her hand falls out of yours.
>You can only sit back and stare at the lifeless Twilight as you try to control your composure.
>You don't want to accept it.
>But deep down you know it's true.
>She's dead, Anon.
>She's dead.
 
>You walk into the messy auditorium, drying your eyes.
>It's a complete mess here.
>Dead Anons, Twilights, and whoever the fuck attacked you litter the floor.
>Escaped animals roam around freely, only to be either shot or put back into their cages.
>You see a Twilight surveying the scene. She looks like other Twilights, but you have a gut feeling that this one is yours.
"T-17?"
>She turns around.
>"Oh, you're alive. Good. Get a load of this."
>The both of you watch Juliet Twi search frantically around for her lost lover.
>"Nonny? Nonny, where are you?"
>She's starting to get frantic.
>"Isn't this great?" Twi asks.
>"Nonny? Please come out, Nonny!"
>"Right here, Twiley."
>At the other end of the room, a rather disheveled Anon stands with half a box of chocolates.
>"Nonny!"
>She runs over to him and almost tackles him in a tight embrace.
"So...did we win?"
>Twi sighs.
>"Guess so."
"Definitely doesn't feel like it."
>Romeo Anon and Juliet Twi start to kiss rather passionately.
>"Blech. Tell me about it."
>You sit down on the floor, exhausted.
>Twi joins you.
>"I must say, you must've been at least somewhat competent to have made it through this in one piece. Not bad."
"You too..."
>The two of you sit in silence as everyone else partakes in cleaning up.
>"You gonna help?" a passing Twilight asks.
>"Go piss in a street."
>"Fine. Don't have to be so mean about it," the street-pissing Twi grumbles under her breath.
>After about a minute more of doing nothing, Twilight speaks up, stretching her arms and back.
>"Alright, that's enough fun for one day. Let's ditch these losers and go home."
 
>You are Twilight of dimension B-46.
>And what a clusterfuck today was.
>Your partner, Anon, is kneeling over one of the dead gunmen.
>"Detective," he says as you enter the scene.
"Anon. How's it look?"
>"Looks like we were dealing with some very skilled professionals. The armor, the fighting style. All top of the line."
>You take a drag out of your cigarette.
"Continue."
>He gives you a look.
>"What are you doing?"
"What?"
>"You know you can't smoke at the scene. You're going to mess with the evidence!"
"This isn't a mystery," you say as you puff out some smoke. "We know who the killers are."
>"Do you want to set off a stray explosive?"
"...Fine."
>You take the cigarette out of your mouth and flick it away.
"Did you check under the helmet yet?"
>"Nah. I was waiting for you to do that. You know. Just in case it's booby trapped."
>You roll your eyes.
"Gee, thanks."
>With careful hands, you feel around the helmet.
"Let's see...Aha, here we go."
>You press a button and the helmet is no longer locked to the rest of the armor.
>"Steady now..."
>You slowly take off the helmet, revealing the man, or woman, underneath.
>It's completely off now.
"What?"
>"Is..." Anon tries to say. "Is that...?"
>Anon's dead face is unmistakable in the light.
>There's some blood on his face, but it's definitely him.
"But why? And how?"
>Anon goes over to another gunman's body and takes off the helmet.
>"Shit, Twi. This one's Anon, too."
>So they're all Anon.
>"Are these genuine or clones?"
"We'll have to take them to the lab and find out."
>"You think a Twilight was involved somehow?"
"I'm not entirely sure," you say as you take out another cigarette.
>You light it and take a drag.
"I want you to do a check on every Twilight paired with an Anon in our database. Everything about this seems wrong."
>"On it."
>This is crazy.
>Why would a bunch of Anons try to kill Twilights AND Anons?
>Have they gone completely rogue?
>"Hey, Twi, this is a crazy idea and all, but..."
"But what?"
>"The President was among those killed. Do you think that maybe the Vice President had something to do with it?"
>You think the idea over.
"Not sure. She doesn't have an Anon as far as we know."
>"But it does seem rather convenient, doesn't it? The President gets killed, she saves the day, then becomes President?"
"That just might be another one of your crazy conspiracy theories, but sure, look into her. But for the sake of everything that's good in every universe, I hope you're wrong."
>"Me too, Twi. Me too."
 
>You are Twilight of dimension V-2.
>And you are standing in the President's office.
>It's empty here except for you.
>Today's tragedy saddens you. It really does.
>You wish it doesn't have to be this way.
>But chaos seems to be one of the universe's fundamental principles.
>With chaos comes destruction.
>But with it also comes life. A new beginning.
>Your phone rings and brings you out of your thoughts.
"Hello?"
>"Hello, Ms. Vice President. Or should I say...Ms. President," a disguised voice on the other send says.
"Is this call encrypted?"
>"Don't worry. I always get those bases covered. So, how did it go?"
"Tragically."
>"How unfortunate. Hopefully someone with strong leadership capabilities can lead the High Society through such a time of turmoil."
"Hopefully."
>"Do you think they'll ever find out?"
"Unlikely. And even if someone does, I know what string to pull."
>"I'm sure you do. Are you still moving forward with your plan?"
>You pause.
"I don't see why not."
>"Good. I was afraid that the comforts of the good life would...mellow you."
"Rest assured that that isn't the case."
>"I'm glad to hear that. Congratulations, Ms. President. Make sure to send your condolences to the former President's family. I'm sure they'd be heartbroken."
>The caller hangs up, and you put your phone down.
>You look around the office and take it all in, trying to burn this moment into your memory.
>This room.
>This desk.
>This throne.
>This kingdom.
>It's yours.
>All yours.
>And now nothing can stand in your way.
>Absolutely nothing.