#BeyondTimeAndStars

[btas-swap-au]

Yeah I've been focusing on other things, but I've managed to do this enemy Swap out of boredom.

Okay see ya'll in 5 years

[btas-swap-au]

Introduction and pinned post to the my In Stars and Time Swap Au. Is the title lazy? Maybe. Post is subjected to updates in future, so pay attention. Or don't. I'll probably tell you if I change anything.

Please tell if I start rambling in any of my posts thanks or if something isn't full clear.

BEYOND TIME AND STARS (IN STARS AND TIME SWAP AU)

THE SWAPS!

I've done my best to make sure the characters feel unique yet similar to their vanilla counterparts. However there are some changes to their personalities.

Here's the main cast:

Siffrin - The Scholar. Swaps with Odile. Came across the party (Mirabelle, Isabeau, Odile) while attempting to research Sadnessees, helping them fight and joined them. While intelligent, they hold onto a certain pride that gets in the way of being fully honest. Scared of being touched. Obsessively keeps a journal of all their craft skills as well as enemies, all coming with a pun. Unable to take things fully seriously. Keeps a coin around, enjoys taking heads and tails bets. Loves crystals and minerals. Stuck in a time loop.

Odile - The Bandit. Swaps with Siffrin. Got beaten down by Mirabelle and Isabeau who she tried to rob while drunk on the open road, who held her tied up for a few days before they trusted her and left her go. Left home as she wanted to make something for herself than let the Universe lead her along (Ka Bue takes the Universe leads ideology). Carries her mom's familytale around like a burden unable to let go off. Lost an eye protecting the party from a large sadness attack. Unlike the Odile in the base game, she acts more jaded, and cares deeply for the party. Fast and steady.

Mirabelle - The Hunter. Swaps with Isabeau. An exiled housemaiden from the House of Eternity who became disillusioned with the religion and rebelled. Lived alone in a forest, only entering local towns for trade. The one who originally started the adventure, hearing about the Emperor's curse and her good nature couldn't let herself stand by and do nothing. Does her best to be gentle, but she's slightly more rougher and confident than ISAT Mirabelle. People are still charmed, though (Everyone loves a rebel). Never feels comfortable unless her survival gear is in arms reach.

Isabeau - The Guardian. Swaps with Mirabelle. During his transition process in one of the Eternity houses in Jouvente, stumbles across a certain charm bracelet, which he decides to wear as it makes him feel stronger. However, when the curse strikes, it turns out the charm protects him from becoming a "Husk", and many believed he has been blessed by Eternity. Pressured, he accepts it. Mirabelle comes upon Jouvente, requesting for the help of any of the Jouvente knights of Eternity for help. Instead, they volunteer Isabeau to go, which he happily accepts, hoping to escape the responsibility of home. Instant friends with Mirabelle (extremely one-sided for a very long time).

Nille - The Teen. Swaps with Bonnie. The party originally stumbles upon her passed out amongst a group of defeated Sadnessees. She had passed out from hunger and dehydration, which the party quickly help her with. After hearing their story, she becomes insistent on joining them. Extremely shaky and nervous, especially with body contact, bonds with Siffrin over this. Good at martial arts and wielding massive hammers, but still a cook in training. Extremely low confidence, often falling behind in the chain of cheers ("Hip" "Hip" "Was I supposed to do something"). Misses their sibling Bonnie greatly.

The Emperor - The King, swapped with the Change God. Maniacal, Evil, Giant Ice Pick wielding Villain who took over Vaugarde and resides in the warped House of Eternity. Unleashed a curse known as "The Emptiness". Souls are frozen in time, but the bodies are kept alive, muttering and speaking any lines they can muster, husks of their former selves. Madnesses (Sadness replacements) are fully sentient creatures that are formed by the madness within people, payed in literal peanuts by the Emperor to do their work. Defying time has left a reality scar on them, making them speak in a strange manner (>_<). Blows bubbles of insanity that turn one into a husk upon contact. Wears a crown that looks like antlers.

Loop - Nothing has changed about them that differs from Vanilla, besides calling Siffrin "Gemstone" now. A big fan of entertainment, jokes, and being cheekily mysterious. Sits under The Favour Tree.

Zero - A diamond headed entity that exists as another guide alongside Loop, much to both of their dismay. Enjoys practicality, results, and efficency. Calls Siffrin "Subject". Sits on top of the stump of The Giving Tree.

Other things to say about this au:

- Certain new characters.

- Floor Bosses have personalities.

- Ghostfrin is their own character with their own questline.

- The Bomb is now a Firework.

- Instead of scripts and plays, Siffrin is more into games and puzzles.

- ENEMIES ALSO SWAP! Is it weird I've very enthusiastic about this.

NAVIGATION

Below will be links to posts I have. A page of contents, if you will. Very possibly in chronological order, I won't guarantee it though.

MISC

The Swap Gang

Enemy Swaps:

Enemy Swap 1: "Mensonge, Creux and Fierté" plus "Intrusif Trois"

ACT 1

Prologue + Waking up

An Elderly Gal on a bench

ACT 2

FLOOR BOSS 1: THE MASTER, BIG BALL HEAD (Pre-fight)

ACT 3

Zero and Loop, Together (Part 1) Ghostfrin, Encounter Four: Meet NIRFFIS

ACT 4

A Room Of Remembrance: Poem

ACT 5

ACT 6

[btas-swap-au]

The Gang

The swap gang

[btas-swap-au]

A Room Of Remembrance: Poem

Iseabau: "Seems like someone left this poem out in the open- oh."

(I spot what made Iseabau cut himself off. The poem itself seems to have it's bottom area nearly burnt off. Someone was trying to get rid of it.)

(Seems like the time freeze saved it, extinguished the fire...but...)

(...it's written in my homeland language.)

(I pick it up.)

(Odile looks over your shoulder and squints at the paper.)

Odile: "The title is written in Vaugardian alright. But the poem itself...hmm..."

Mirabelle: "I think it's the same language Sifrrin translated earlier on, right?

Nille: "The one that made us all feel sick, you mean?"

Iseabau: "Hey, I think you're right! Sifrrin, could you translate this for us?"

(...might as well.)

(I read out the poem to them.)

I look up and stare into the blinding sun

And look past the lights, far beyond

And Chance responds

For fortune, the South is where I should run

And so I walk south, following her path

And soon I find a treasure hold

Filled with riches and gold

I cannot help but smile and laugh

And so I look up once more

Past the lights, and beyond

And Destiny replies

To the east is where my love lies

And so I trudge east, following her path

And soon I find a wonderful partner

And we both vow to love and honor

I cannot help but smile and laugh

And so I look up once more

Past the lights, so beyond

And Fate answers at her best

To find happiness, I must travel west

And so I march west, following her path

And soon I find a beautiful oasis river

Peaceful, quiet, water clear enough to be a mirror

I cannot help but smile and laugh

And so I look up once more

Past the lights, yet beyond

And Lady Luck answers, last and the fourth

That it is time for me to travel north

(...I flip to the back.)

AND SO I STUMBLE NORTH, FOLLOWING HER PATH

AND FIND A CHASM, SINKING INTO ABYSS

A MADNESS, A DARKNESS, ENDLESS

AND BY LUCK'S HANDS

THE GROUND BEANATH MY FEET BREAKS AWAY

AND I FALL, SO FAR BELOW, SO FAR BEYOND

AND I SCREAM

LADY LUCK, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME

AND YET

I CANNOT HELP BUT SMILE AND LAUGH

(...)

Odile: "...hm. Well, it is well written, but..."

Isabeau: "It's kinda dark, right?"

Mirabelle: "I suppose there's a lesson here or something we're supposed to understand."

Nille: "I mean, they could've just said gambling is bad, I would've gotten it either way."

Odile: "...no, not that. Something else..."

(Odile turns to glance at me. There's a familiar suspicious glint in her eyes before she turns away.)

Odile: "...I'll tell you when I figure it out ."

[btas-swap-au]

An Elderly Gal On A Bench

Elderly Gal: "WHAT?! Can't you see I'm busy staring?"

Elderly Gal: "Oh, you're one of them saviours or heroes or something everyone's been talking about! WELL I DON'T BUY IT!"

Elderly Gal: "All this hope ain't good for everyone, I tell you! I had a lot of hope, and now look at me, my backs in constant aching!"

Elderly Gal: "You want to sit next to me on this here, I'll whack you with my cane!"

(...I ignore her threats and sit down on the bench next to her.)

Elderly Gal: "...you see that horse up there?"

(I squint. And nod. There's definitely a horse frozen in time above the house.)

Elderly Gal: "That damn thing is so gosh darn ugly! Where did it even come from?! Nobody in Dormont even had a horse! Or a farm!"

Elderly Gal: "RIDICULOUS, I TELL YOU!"

Elderly Gal: "When you heroes finally beat that damn Emperor, I want you to bring me that horse so I can cover it's face up, with a mask!"

(...)

(For a long moment, I simply stare off towards the distance, looking at the warped House of Eternity.)

(Tommorow, that's where everyone will be.)

(...I get up from the bench--and trip on a cane!)

Elderly Gal: "THERE, I TOLD YA!"

(She grumbles.)

Elderly Gal: "Damn youngins these days, not taking me seriously..."

(I hope her back gives out on her again.)

[btas-swap-au]

FLOOR BOSS 1: THE MASTER, BIG BALL HEAD (Pre-fight)

(The torches in the hall suddenly go out.)

Mirabelle: "A-AMBUSH!"

Isabeau: "Stand ready!"

(My party and I stand guard, waiting for an attack to strike from the darkness.)

(...instead, a beaming spotlight illuminates a hovering figure right ahead.)

(A massive glass ball for a bead, massive tentacles for a torso, three floating hands, and a most peculiar bowler hat.)

💎 ("Oh yeah, this one's an odd BALL all right.")

???: "First off, don't you know it's bad manners to talk about someone BEFORE you even know them? Secondly, YOU FOOLISH MORTALS! YOU DARE ENTER MY DOMAIN AND RAMPAGE THROUGH MY FIRST FLOOR TERRITORY!"

Odile: "So...you're one of the Top Three Madnesses. The strongest soldiers of the Emperor's minions."

???: "Correct! I am the lowest of the group, but one of the strongest nonetheless, and sure to crush you 'Heroes'!"

???: "Allow me to introduce myself! ONE OF THE EMPEROR'S THREE, THE ROLLING TERROR, THE TRIPLE HAND THREAT, THE SIX TIME WINNING CHAMPION OF THE EMPEROR'S SOLDIER MONTHLY PIE BAKING CONTEST..."

???: "THE MASTER, Big...Ball...Head!!!"

(Confetti seems to rain out of nowhere in celebration as the Madness announces his name.)

Nille: "Uhm, did...did you come up with that name...or?"

BBH: "Why, is something wrong with it? Did I mispronouce it?"

Isabeau: "Hehe, nope! It's...a very good name!"

Odile: "Ha. Indeed. Most ingenious and clever."

(I hold back a full blown laugh.)

💎 ("Pft...really suits a master as great as you.")

Mirabelle: "...I think it's...dumb."

(Okay, now I can't hold back anymore. I burst into a fit of giggles.)

BBH: "YOU WOULD DARE MOCK MY NAME, FOUL HEROES?!"

BBH: "Very well...you shall suffer a most humiliating defeat! FEAST YOUR EYES AS WE BATTLE IN THE DEADLIEST SPORT THERE IS..."

(There's a blinding flash of light...I close my eyes shut...)

(...and when I open them again, the torches are lit once more.)

(And...there's a small table with a checker board and pieces before us.)

(...there's no way.)

BBH: "...CHECKERS!"

Odile: " . . . "

Mirabelle: " . . . "

Isabeau: " . . . "

💎 (" . . . ")

Nille: "...sir, I... I don't think... checkers is a sport."

BBH: "High stakes, a showcase of one's intelligence and strategy, a rush that gets your very HEART pumping! You dare say that such an activity, is NOT a sport?!"

BBH: "Enough pointless chatter! Which of you five shall face off against me?"

(Me and my companions huddle up.)

Mirabelle: "This is an important choice."

Odile: "It's more of a pointless choice. We could easily just fight him, right now."

Isabeau: "Even so, it might be safer to just win the match."

Nille: "Are any of us any good at checkers?"

💎 ("I'm not too bad with it.")

Odile: "Same here."

Isabeau: "I know how to play, but...I've never really won?"

Mirabelle: "...I have...zero clue about any of this, I'm s-sorry."

Nille: "I've played a bit, not too good."

Odile: "Not a lot of certainty around the board here from any of us..."

Nille: "Frin... maybe you could decide."

Nille: "I mean, doesn't matter if we lose anyways, right? Just means we'll have to fight him like we originally intended."

Odile: "The child is right. It shouldn't matter, but I suppose it might be nice to win."

Isabeau: "We trust your judgement, Sif! Lead us to checker glory!"

("...I think...")

("...I could go against him.")

("...Mirabelle should have a try.")

("...Isabeau could pull us through.")

("...Odile would destroy him.")

("...Nille would win for sure.")

[btas-swap-au]

Ghostfrin, Encounter Four: Meet NIRFFIS

Nille: "Urgh, not another one..."

(... Nille is shaking as she looks dead ahead. The only thing up ahead is...)

Odile: "Seems like another Siffrin copy thing."

(...they...can see it?)

(I thought I was just losing your mind and the ghosts...things weren't real, but if they can see it too...)

(...I try to say something, but no words come out. My throat is dead dry.)

Isabeau: "This one isn't disappearing like the other ones, strange..."

Mirabelle: "W-we shouldn't get too close, this looks suspicious."

Isabeau: "Oh come on, it's just Siffrin. What's the worst it could do?"

Nille: "...HELLOOOO, OTHER FRIN!!"

(I nearly startle and lose my balance as Nille shouts out to the other me.)

(...it turned around. A perfect reflection stares back. Glasses, coat, hair, craft book.)

(What differenated the ghost and I was the scariest thing on its face. An unsettling wide smile.)

(I shudder and nearly retreat back entirely. It takes all my strength to stand my ground.)

("Haha! HAH! Yes, you can see me, you can?") 💎

(Nille shivers once more.)

Nille: "It speaks, that's even worse."

Odile: "...What are you?"

Isabeau: "They look like Siffrin but aren't. Are you really a ghost?"

Mirabelle: "Hello, sir ghost Siffrin. Please... d-do not come any closer."

(...I find my voice once more.)

💎("Are you...real?")

("Real? Real?!")💎

("Ekaf ro lear, does it matter, does it matter?! I'm as real as you long as you THINK I am, as long as you SAY I am! As real as real as they say! HAHA!") 💎

("Hm...but something isn't right, is it?") 💎

("Ellebarim, Uaebasi, Elido, Ellin, surely you remember me, your best friend, Nirffis?") 💎

Odile: "...you're...pronouncing our names all wrong. And...your own as well."

Isabeau: "Well, I mean, we never asked for their name, so maybe it really is their name?"

("HAHAHAA! Well, I wouldn't wanna be confused with Ol' Siffrin, now would I? Would I.")💎

(...my family and I exchange glances with a nod.)

(Time to leave.)

💎 ("...Well, uh nice meeting you?")

Odile: "Absolutely, I hope we never meet again."

Isabeau: "Yeah, uh, Madame Odile meant we hope we WILL meet you again, Other Frin."

Mirabelle: "Yeah, g-goodbye."

(Nille doesn't speak a word, but there's a fearful nod of sorts.)

(...the room just got darker.)

("Haha! Hahahaha. Oh silly little family.") 💎

("Who said any of you...") 💎

("...were going anywhere?") 💎

(The ghost lunges.)

TRATS ELTTAB!

[btas-swap-au]

Enemy Swap 1:

Hey remember I said enemies would swap as well.

Peine, Dépit, Chagrin (The Three Tiny fellas) <--------> Anxiété (Thorny bomb)

Mensonge, Creux and Fierté.

Intrusif Trois.

Alright just a small post thanks don't know if I'll draw the rest in the future

[btas-swap-au]

Zero and Loop, Together (Part 1)

[[This replaces the cutscene with Loop after beating The King in Act 2. In this case, after beating The Emperor. Subject to change cause I wrote this at midnight yesterday.]]

(Both of them don't look me in the eyes.) (…guess if anybody is going to break the silence, better be you.) 💎("So.")

(…Loop is the first to respond.) Loop: "…so?"

(…do they not get it?) 💎("So, what's our next plan of action?")

Loop: "WHAT?!" (I nearly fall off my seat in surprise.) Loop: "Gemstone, you-! You don't even want to talk about what just happened?!" Loop: "You beat THE EMPEROR! The whole thing you came here to do?! And you still looped back! Aren't you even a little-" Loop: "…urgh."

(They look away from me again. Zero, now, is the one staring.) Zero: "Subject." Zero: "Are you feeling nauseous in anyway?"

(…what?) 💎("…no?")

Zero: "Are you suffering from any headaches?" 💎("No.") Zero: "Any other forms of pain in any area at all?" 💎("No!") Zero: "Hallucinations? Bright lights? Have your ears been ringing? Nose bleeding-" 💎("I SAID I'M FINE!") Zero: "Interesting. An enraged outburst could signify-" Loop: "Oh for the Universe's sake, lay it off, you stone cold moron." Zero: "I was under the impression you were also in distress slightly about the Subject's state of psyche." Loop: "Never heard of being subtle?! Guess not! When are you ever-" 💎("Enough.")

(The two stop bickering, glaring at each other for a few moments before turning to you.) Loop: "…fine. We'll put a pin in it." 💎("So, why are you here, Zero? I thought you liked the Giving Tree Stump.") Zero: "Well, I reached a stage of understanding. I believed it was purely detrimental for me and Loop to be apart when we share such vital information together." Zero: "As much as majority of their information is wrong." Zero: "We share a similar mission and goal. It would be unwise not to collaborate despite our… differences."

Loop: "Hey, loser, you slipped up. Got tired of calling me an Anomaly?"

Zero: "Indeed. Working my way up to referring to you as: Glowing Monkey."

Loop: "Ugh. Trust me, Gemstone, there's nowhere I'd rather wish to be than away from them."

Loop: "But...we're here to help you with your loops. So that's what we have to do. Together."

Loop: "That's all there is to it." 

💎("Alright. Discussion number 2.")

💎("I'm still looping, even after beating The Emperor.")

💎("Though, it's not something I didn't expect.")

Loop: "...you...expected this?"

💎 ("Its not all that surprising, really.")

💎 ("Nothing suggested that beating The Emperor would end my loops. Just...")

💎 ("Didn't expect it to suddenly happen when I talked to the Head Housemaiden.")

Zero: "Hm. Rational, logical, and yet ever so pessimistic."

Loop: "Reminds me of someone I know. You're a bad influence."

Zero: "We're not raising a child, we're trying to help a grown adult. And to state objectively, YOU'RE a bad influence."

Loop: "...because I'm worried?" 

Zero: "Hardly. Emotions are a trait of you I respect. How you act on them irrationally...is another."

Loop: "Yeah, what about you? All about the results, all about the next step. What's wrong, too scared to stop?"

Zero: "To be quick witted is suddenly negative?"

💎 ("Can we focus, please?")

💎 ("...The Head Housemaiden said something was failing and rotting.")

Loop: "Hm. That's right."

Loop: "More than that. She said that as though she knew you were about to loop."

Loop: "I doubt she remembers like you, but she must know something else."

Loop: "Maybe you should take to her again?"

(That's something I can do.)

(Talk to the Head Housemaiden again, see what she knows. Got it.)

💎 ("There's also the matter of The Emperor.")

Loop: "Huh? What about them?"

Zero: "...you're referring to your abilities seemingly being similar to their own?"

💎 ("I can loop forwards and backwards through time...")

💎 ("...while they can suspend people a objects in time.")

Zero: "Indeed. Perhaps...I've theorised it may have something related to Crafts. A special kind. One we may not know about."

Zero: "Although, I wouldn't eliminate the possibility there's a book somewhere that holds that information."

(Search for books....the house is filled with them.)

(Anything related to controlling time.)

Zero: "And it's a risky suggestion...but..."

Zero: "I wonder. The Emperor is the only other individual we know has the power to control time. What knowledge do they posses?"

Loop: "Talking to The Emperor. I'm curious...and yet...I'm a little nervous about that."

Loop: "But I suppose it's worth trying, Gemstone!"

💎 ("I suppose that's all. I'll get to work.")

Zero: "Just a moment, Subject."

(...?)

Zero: "We have one last topic to address."

Zero: "Your companions."

Loop: "...wait, you're serious? YOU wanna talk about...them?"

Zero: "Is that so shocking?"

Loop: "Did you...go soft? Your heart finally grow three times this day?"

Zero: "Very amusing comments. I'm quite serious."

Zero: "The Rebel. She was worried about you, wasn't she? You have alerted her to something you didn't want to."

Loop: "That's right. You don't wanna open up about the loops, right Gemstone?"

💎 ("No reason to make them worry.")

Zero: "Not only that. It seemed she had something she wished to speak with you about. Perhaps you could find out what it is."

Zero: "A long list of tasks for you. Not too overwhelmed, I hope."

💎 ("...no problem.")

(Talk to the Head Housemaiden. Talk to The Emperor. Talk to Mirabelle. And find out more about what could be causing your loops.)

(Objectives, and a path set out before me. Winding, twisting. But I see it.) (…and yet…) (Something still bothers me.) (…why are they helping me?) (The two of them first appeared when my loops began.) (And their names. "Loop", "Zero" is a circle…) (They're related to your loops as well, right?) (…)

[btas-swap-au]

ACT 1: PROLOGUE + WAKING UP

(I look up at the star above, shining, blinding.)

(Ignoring the tears in my eyes, I let the ball of light slowly descend into the palms of my hands. There's almost no weight. Like holding pure air.)

(...it's beautiful. I can't help but stare, stunned by it's very existence, despite how much it hurts and burns my eyes. The way it shines and glows. It's almost impossible, and yet it's happening, wonderfully within your grasp.)

(...another pair of hands suddenly comes up from underneath, grabbing my wrists tightly, firmly.)

(I flinch. For a moment, my stomach is churning. I can't bring myself to look up. And then I do.)

(There's somebody standing there right in front of me.)

(...we stare into each other's eyes.)

(A shock passes through my stomach as-)

(I open my eyes.)

(A gentle breeze passes over my face as I slowly attempt to get up.)

(The cool safe shade of the tree, it's too comfortable, calming. And the trunk of the tree supporting my back is so smooth, so...nice...and...)

(...I don't want to wake up just yet.)

(I close my eyes once more.)

"...in..."

"...frin..."

"Siffrin..."

"Siffrin, wake up."

"Siffrin."

"SIFRRIN!"

(...AAAAAUGH!)

(SOMEBODY'S PULLING ON MY HAIR!)

💎 ("OKAY OKAY I'M UP, I'M UP!")

(Mirabelle instantly lets go as I stop shouting, and gently adjusts my hair back to the way it had been with a gentle frown.)

Mirabelle: "...okay."

(She suddenly gets a little embarrassed.)

Mirabelle: "...sorry, was I maybe too rough when I did that?"

💎 ("No, you weren't.")

(Yeah, she was. A little.)

💎 ("So, what was it you wanted to say?")

(She instantly grins.)

Mirabelle: "Oh! I just wanted make sure you've prepared for tommorow is all. Well, I'm assuming you haven't. You haven't done much but nap since we got to Dormont."

(...well, that's my fault I suppose.)

(Tommorow, my companions and I have a big day. A dangerous one, no less.)

(...but do I really have anything I need to prepare that I don't already have?)

(And yet, I get the feeling Mirabelle may just start scolding me like a child if I don't say something.)

(...just to make her happy...)

💎 ("You're right, it completely slipped my mind.")

💎 ("Give me a moment to get up properly and I'll see you soon, okay?")

(Mirabelle seems more than satisfied.)

Mirabelle: "Okay, but don't fall back asleep, alright?"

(I nod.)

(I watch as she turns around and walks away. Soon, she fades into the distance.)

(I take a moment to listen. The wind is blowing. I hear some leaves rustling. Some birds chirping.)

(It's a peaceful day.)

(...time to go.)