project-retina

[project-retina]

Signing off!

Yeah. to put it bluntly: I just am not interested in the idea of this ask blog anymore. I had fun while it lasted, but, I don't think it'll continue. I'll keep the blog up for archival reasons, and if anyone else in the fanbase wishes to pick up where I'm leaving this off, they can feel free to do so.

The reason i'm officially ending it here is because 1, I don't wanna pull a valve and leave y'all waiting for closure any longer 2, I just have better ideas for the IEYTD franchise. Better Au ideas etc. etc. 3, I was way too ambitious with the scope of this AU. Took on more than I could chew, yknow?

I will definitely continue creating IEYTD content every now and then on my main blog (@bugtoast) in case any of y'all are worried about that, but as for this blog, I think i'm done.

I'm really sorry to anyone who was enthusiastic about this blog (especially my besties in this fandom YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE /positive), but it just isn't continuing.

I'm forever grateful to anyone who sent asks or drew fanart or even just reblogged with little messages in the tags! you all gave me all the encouragement and more that I could've ever needed. To you, thank you.

Anyways, as promised when i made this blog, here's what the plotline of this comic WOULD'VE been if it had been finished. Spoilers will be present under the "Read more".

Basically, Phoenix does the third game missions (with juniper now being stuck with Handler), but when they awake on the beach, they're found by a zoraxis member.

The Zoraxis member obviously brings Phoenix to Zor, and Phoenix learns of Zor's next master plan: To find a way to control time, so that they can go back in time and destroy the agency before it even started.

It's here that we learn that Zor used to be Reggie(Handler)'s Handler before something happened that forced Reggie to retire to his current position, and that Handler and Zor used to have a similar relationship to that of Phoenix and Handler's current one.

There was more, but I honestly forgot what happens next. All i remember from here on out is that Zor and the Main crew end up teaming up, destroying the Agency (which was the real villain the whole time) and all ends up good.

I know it isnt the best plotline, but its the one I came up with and had in mind for this ask blog while writing it.

I don't really have much else to say. Just? thank you for reading, and thank you all for supporting me up until this point.

[project-retina]

Wait combat abilities?

Agent, I hope you took a refresher course on hostile situations before coming here, I think you are going to need it!

"yea what is that abou-"

before phoenix can finish that thought, prism's speaks, a but hurriedly.

"anyways, it's much easier to replace human agents with robots if the humans are dead, anywho. Robutler. you know what to do."

with that, prism's hologram dissipates, and robutler begins to aim a laser at phoenix's head.

"Agent Phoenix, thanks for showing me how to be an amazing agent! sorry that I have to kill you, but, its alright!"

"I'll carry on your legacy as Agent Robutler!"

"That doesn't even have the same ring to it!"

the laser shoots, and phoenix is able to deflect it with the soundboard just in time.

[project-retina]

Do you still have the cup, prism?

"that's none of your business." It seems you hit a sore spot. She doesn't even think to ask about how you know about it.

Handler mumbles something quietly to himself. you can barely make it out.

"...roxy?"

[project-retina]

Reginald is disappointed in you, Prism.

"..."

"i don't need his approval."

the silence on Reggie's end is deafening.

[project-retina]

Pour one out for Juniper’s dignity, Phoenix. If he keeps falling for the bait (us asking literally anything ever), its grave’s only getting deeper

Phoenix snickers, you can hear juniper in the background fumbling his words frustratedly, but can't make anything out

[project-retina]

Prism, Phoenix has been nothing but polite to your robot and your home. They haven't even drank any of your alcohol despite it being very tempting for them to do so. Can't you cut them a little bit of slack? Even if they ARE Zor's greatest enemy?

"I would, but, i'm not getting paid to do that, now am i?

"they are making this very easy for me, however!"

"yea, Phoenix. you're making this pretty easy for her. unlike SOMEONE you went against."

[project-retina]

If you keep trying to kill Phoenix you better get use to us.

Prism thinks for a moment. its less in shock and now more of an expression of curiosity. you hear her mumble to herself about her asking zor to let her do the autopsy on phoenix to figure out what you all are.

[project-retina]

hey phoenix is it just me or do you look more kickable than usual. i say this as fondly as possible by the way. also hi dr. prism i'm sorry to interrupt i was just curious

...

[project-retina]

omg prism hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

"..."

"Agent, I don't mean to ruin the whole intimidating atmosphere I have going on right now, but did you accidentally put your handler on speaker?"

Phoenix looks very embarrassed for a second

before coming up with an idea!

they scrawl out a note quickly on one of the nearby pieces of paper. the note reads: "No. those are just the strange and ominous voices that follow me around everywhere :)"

"...okay then!" She seems... a bit unnerved by the prospect of that in all honesty. but, in reality, who wouldn't?

[project-retina]

I would reccomend finding something large, flat, and reflective before the robot gets back, you'll see why.

Phoenix takes your advice and picks up the soundboard again. They seem a bit confused, though. They hold it close to their chest, as a familiar robot re-enters the room...

"So... now that the agent's dead i'm supposed to..."

"uh..."

He notices Phoenix in their very much still-alive-ness and visibly panics.

"...Wait... the poison didn't kill you?! this wasn't part of the plan! o-oh man... Okay. I gotta call Dr.Prism!" He narrates his own thoughts out loud.

"Call Dr.Prism? But I... I thought she was missing!"

"Dr.P! The agent didn't die from the poison like we planned?? what do I do now??"

Off to the side of where Phoenix is sitting, and where Robutler is standing (floating?), a giant, blue holographic depiction of a woman appears. her expressions are hard to read, but you can make out most of the details. She speaks; her voice compressed by the call.

"They didn't die? how'd they-" She catches a glimpse of the agent sitting on her couch, and begins to giggle to herself.

"ohohoho!!!"

"if it isn't the legendary Agent Phoenix, widely considered to be Zor's greatest adversary!" she explains to the robot. Compared to Phoenix's past foes, it's strange how... gentle she seems towards her hench-robutler.

"This is an opportunity to go beyond the disguise and trap-training we planned, and test out your combat abilities!"

oh crap.

[project-retina]

Well we’ll probably make fun of you regardless <3 but consider! We’d find it sweet if you cared about then.

He grumbles. you can't make out what he's saying, but you can tell he is not too happy right now.

[project-retina]

So you’d be upset if they died specifically because you told them not to? …and not at all because you’re concerned about their well being?

“I am not going to answer that because either way you all would make fun of me for it.”

“Awe! I knew you cared about Phoenix, Juniper!”

“I did not say that!” you can hear annoyance and frustration in Juniper's tone.

[project-retina]

Sorry Juni, the Agent lives another day!

“I mean, I guess I’m okay with it?

“I have no clue what the agency would do with me if Phoenix died-- well, other than interrogate me some more-- so… I guess I’m fine with it. Plus, i explicitly told them not to die."

[project-retina]

Yeah sorry about that rather vague one Agent Pheonix, as our collective name suggests, there are many different individuals among our ranks, so do expect some rather colourful characters from time to time.

But that cocktail maker could be useful for stuff other than drinking perhaps?

Phoenix scrounged around the area they were in, eventually finding a list of notes and recipe guides. one note led them to making some sort of concoction that revealed invisible ink; which revealed a keyboard code for the antidote they needed. They heard Juniper and Handler snarkily remark to each other, but they couldn't afford to listen in the moment.

making swift work of the time they were allotted by the poisonous gas, they input the code and make the antidote, which nearly explodes in their hands.

their arms felt a knew kind of weak, but they paid the sensation no mind. they swigged it down-- it tasted terrible-- and next thing they knew--

it was if nothing happened at all.

"Good. you're safe from the poison... I hope Dr.Prism survived as well..."

"find that kinesium research we're after before that killer robot comes back!"

[project-retina]

I wonder what all those sounds are for?

Maybe there is something else in the room to use it in conjunction with?

Phoenix notices the microphone in the room, and starts to poke at it. Eventually they put two and two together, and realize that the soundboard and the microphone are meant to be used for some kind of key.

Agent starts to push random buttons in random orders. Robutler seems very confused by Phoenix’s current process. Then…

Click!

The table opens, showing a computer console of some kind. before phoenix can properly investigate the computer's contents, though, a familiar green gas shoots out of the strange keyboard.

My poison trap! It worked! Tell you what, you just sit back, let that poison do its thing, and I’m gonna leave so the poison doesn’t clog up my vents!”

“I knew this butler disguise was a good idea!”

"I knew it! i knew that guy was fishy!"

“Disguise?! That robot’s gone rogue! He better have not done anything to Prism!”

“Agent, it looks like that’s a slower poison, so you’ve got some precious time to find yourself an antidote.”

And just as phoenix got better, too!

[project-retina]

me too phoenix, me too.

too bad hes going to— [redacted]

..huh?

[redacted]

hm. well, make sure you dont loose that lemon.

What do you mean?

You can't just say something mysterious like that and NOT tell me what you mean?? help??

Ok... now it seems like they are definitely not getting drunk.

[project-retina]

Phoenix!!! Imperative part of the mission!!! You see that drinks cart over yonder? Get Drunk As Fuck. Never do a job in another’s house sober.

"agent."

...

"agent dont."

...?

"agent, please."

...?!

Phoenix shakes their head and shrugs. seems they aren't in the mood.

"...oh thank god."