#Route 17

[guiltknight-gaming]

Pokemon Nuzlocke | Ultra Sun | Episode 353: Route 17

[leafyeyes417]

Danny is glad he actually made a plan for once. Jazz had been on his back about telling their parents he was Phantom, and he had managed to convince her he had a plan. The only thing that would extend how long it took was the frequency of ghost attacks.

He generally didn’t have much free time, so luckily Clockwork was willing to put him in a time bubble so he could get stuff done, like get enough sleep. But mostly he was training. Sometimes with Wulf to make portals, but other ghosts had come by too.

The power that was giving him the most trouble, and that he needed most for his plan was duplication. It took forever and he still couldn’t have more than 3 versions of himself at one time. How Vlad managed so many he had no idea.

Anyway back to his plan. He got all his stuff that he couldn’t afford to lose hidden away, got copies of all his parents blueprints and files, replaced items that he didn’t feel comfortable letting them keep if worse case scenario came, and a few more miscellaneous things.

He decided not to tell Sam and Tucker what he was doing. Though he did give them a mysterious file that they weren’t able to open yet. It would lead them to him later. But he needed their reactions to be legitimate, even if he hated having to potentially distress them for a bit.

He then sent his duplicate in his place back home while he went to the Ghost Zone to keep learning and keep an eye on things. Hopefully things went well, but he planned to spend a full living realm month here just in case his parents faked taking it well.

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It did not go well. About two weeks after his duplicate told his parents they knocked him out and buried him in a ghost proof coffin. Was he glad he wouldn’t have to experience his worse fears as a lab experiment? Yes. Was he still going to have nightmares of being trapped underground unable to escape? Also yes.

He was glad it was his duplicate though. It was easy for him to undo from a distance and since they had been connected he still had all the memories. He typed in the code for the file he gave his friends before he left. Time to go to Gotham, the one place he was able to wheedle out of Clockwork would be best for him.

[mariocki]

RIP Christopher Benjamin (27.12.1934 - 15.1.2025)

"That was another reason, in a way, that I decided to give [stage acting] up, because I was getting a bit - a bit dicey with the lines. People sort of wrote down, quite often, the things I said... instead of the things I should have said. They were known as my bloopers: 'Benjamin bloopers'. Some of my inventions were very good, I must admit. My feeling was, if I dried, I had to say something - and so that something was something that amused the rest of the cast considerably, quite often."

[dennisboobs]

joked on main yesterday morning about how channeling dennis helped me write an email to an employer, but i got a call back a few hours later and i think it may have taken it even further and secured me a sickass job. unfortunately, us winners always win.

[otomedetective]

replaying bustafellows could fix me right now actually

[maxladcomics]

what do you think of this?

i mean like this picture and the memoryhead in general.

I did notice the vague Papyrus shape of the memory head a long time ago, I WONDER IF I CAN FIND A 17 HERE-

Well the bad memory is already related to 17 so I have no free lore to give, I've tried counting the faces on memory head but it depends on what counts as a face and there's no specific number that stands out.

The idea that Jevil and Spamton are there is fun, though!

[jester-nonconforming]

via to stolas: you LEFT me for that ASSHOLE

blitz 5 minutes earlier: can’t wait to adopt a second daughter ❤️❤️❤️ yay

[dorianbrightmusic]

Perhaps random, but it's weird to me that there's so much hype over Gaster's leitmotif and the references to entry no. 17 in Deltarune, but nobody's talking about the resemblance between the Roaring Knight's stigmata, the Titan's hand attacks, and the concept of the 'man who speaks in hands'

[the-writing-mobster]

Because I constantly get hate for WDYW Chapter 49,

(I get it, it's polarizing) allow me to like,,, explain why I went with the plot point? I don't really owe anyone an explanation, and literally fuck any of my haters, they're ants, but I think my readers/people who actually like my writing would like to know the lore behind my choices.

So, context, in chapter 49, Frisk is drugged into obedience by Muffet and Muffet, being the money hungry cunt that she is, sells Frisk's body on the black market. It's a really uncomfortable concept, and when it happened it caused a lot of readers to drop the fic or rant at me in the comments, talk shit about my fic in private forums behind my back, or even imply a bunch of horrible things about me as a person lmao.

So why did I decide to go with this plot?

Well, for one, it all stems from two books: The Hunger Games, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and the Empress by S.J Kincaid.

In both of these books, there is a pivotal character who is drugged, manipulated and used for political gain by a dastardly authority figure. In The Empress, this plot point was ESPECIALLY devastating, because it completely changed and corrupted the character into a horrific shell of their old self to where they were actively antagonistic and irredeemable!

This plot device has intrigued and fascinated me ever since. Drugging a protagonist to make them wholly dependent on their abuser/villain, manipulating them, having them at rock bottom is, in my opinion, one of the worst things that can happen to a character... And seeing how the character can overcome it is the greatest triumph!

Ever since reading these books, this plot device has buzzed in the back of my mind and there is a part of me that always tries to recreate it, but I can never come close to perfecting it.

Either I always miss on the addiction part of the manipulation, or I can never commit truly to character corruption. Either way, the closest I've ever gotten to scratching this itch has been in WDYW part 3, but even then, I barely came close to getting it right.

My second reason for choosing the route; In WDYW, Frisk's whole arc is about having control over her own agency/autonomy/fate. What happens to her in Part 3 is the culmination of everything she's ran away from, fought against, and her greatest nightmare come to life. It was the lowest point I could bring her character, and make her face her past demons in a horrifically evil way. But my plan had obviously been that despite all of the torture she survives, that she not only survives but fucking WINS!

That was the whole point, but when I wrote it I was like,,, 17/18 😅, so there was definitely things I wasn't as graceful about.

With that said, would I change anything? Yes. If I could change anything I wrote about part 3, I would do a couple things:

1. Take out that obedience spell Muffet puts on Frisk. The reason I made that was because it was like a catch all spell to keep Frisk in Muffets clutches? But it was pretty OP and seemed like a hand wavey excuse to brush aside plot holes. I should've just simplified the spell to where she was simply tethered to Muffet's soul so Sans couldn't kill Muffet, or teleport Frisk away.

2. Frisk's "obedience" to Muffet should've been entirely addiction based, which would make the plot point of Frisk using determination to burn out her addiction in Part 4, and then eventually Determination becomes the addiction instead, (because overcoming addiction is really fucking hard actually and a constant struggle) a lot stronger.

3. I would probably be much more careful with my word choice in chapter 49. Some of it comes off as sexualization. Not my intention, but it was because I was writing in the creepy photographer's pov and he was objectifying her. In my head I was like, "surely people can read between the lines right???" (They can't. Only a select few fanfic readers have media literacy apparently)

So, TLDR, No chapter 49 was not some author's barely disguised fetish (that's honestly a really gross way to think about my writing and about me as a person) it was my genuine worst nightmare as a woman, and one of my favorite plot devices from two of my favorite books 😭 Please lay off me about chapter 49, and Part 3.

Last but not least... Some art is meant to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed.

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[marklikely]

a mechanic that takes the walking out of a pathologic game is so unbelievably fucked. would you cut off a butterflys wings too?

[aishangotome]

Ellis Twilight: Chapter 17

Chapter 16

Ellis's father––Matthew, after taking in our abrupt request, urged us to sit down on the pews.

His gaze and every gesture exuded a sense of calmness and wisdom.

At the same time, the deep wrinkles etched on his sorrow-filled face were strikingly impressive.

Matthew: ...It's been a long time since anyone came to ask me about them.

Matthew: Back then, the police and everyone in town asked me all sorts of questions.

His voice was quiet, as if the surging emotions had already faded.

Matthew: So, could you tell me why you're here?

Roger: ...We know your son. The one who's alive.

Matthew: ...! As I thought...

Matthew: Is he... doing well?

For the first time, something resembling emotion surfaced in Matthew's voice, and the moment I heard it, my heart ached.

Just those few words told me that Ellis and Matthew had been unaware of each other's existence, even whether they were alive or dead, all this time.

Kate: Ellis is doing well. He's in London now.

Matthew: Is that so... Haha, how ironic.

Matthew: I couldn't even bring myself to search for him, yet I feel relieved to know he's safe.

His smiling face overflowed with love for Ellis.

(We came here to ask about Ellis,)

(But I'm glad we could tell Matthew about him...)

As Matthew let out a breath to compose himself, Roger leaned forward.

Roger: We came here to understand those circumstances.

Roger: He's suffering from some kind of illness that I've been researching for many years.

Matthew: Illness...?

Roger: I suffer from the same illness. And those who suffer from this illness...

Roger: ...commit sins as if it's predetermined.

(...Is it okay to say that much?)

My heart skipped a beat at Roger's words, cutting right to the core of the matter.

But his profile was utterly serious... and I decided not to interrupt.

(Roger isn't here as a member of "Crown.")

I could see his determination to obtain information, even if it meant pushing the boundaries of confidentiality.

(Roger's motive for researching the "cursed"...)

(It might not be out of loyalty to Crown or Her Majesty.)

(It might stem from something more fundamental within him.)

With those thoughts in mind, I shifted my gaze to Matthew.

Matthew: ...Sin...

Perhaps this was Roger's intention all along –– Matthew's expression changed at the mention of the word "sin."

Roger: Was it Ellis who disappeared from this village twelve years ago, as reported in the newspapers?

Matthew: ...Yes.

Roger: Did he leave here... because he committed some kind of sin?

After a long silence, like diving into the depths of old memories, like forcing open a rusty lock... Matthew slowly opened his mouth.

Matthew: What do you intend to do with him, knowing that?

Roger: I have no intention of doing anything to Ellis himself. I simply want to use this for my research on the illness.

Matthew: ...And you, miss?

Kate: I...

(I came here––)

Kate: I want to use this as a clue to find Ellis's own happiness.

I said that not just to reassure Matthew.

I wanted someone to hear my feelings, which I could no longer deny.

Matthew: ...You care for him, don't you?

There wasn't a shred of hesitation in his quiet question.

Kate: ––Yes.

Matthew gazed at me as I nodded, and for a moment, his eyes softened as if with a glimmer of light.

Matthew: ...I've never told anyone the truth about that day.

Matthew: Not the police, not anyone.

Matthew's hands, clasped together as if in prayer, were trembling, despite his calm expression.

Matthew: It's my fault. That he left here.

Roger: ...What do you mean?

Matthew: It was a clear, sunny day.

Matthew: When he came back, pushing his brother's body in a wheelchair––

Vivid blood gushed out from the twelve-year-old wound.

––Along with the poison and the truth.

Ellis's older brother had become quite mentally ill due to his injury.

Ellis tried to make his brother laugh from morning till night, every day.

But––on the day Ellis took his brother out in the handmade wheelchair he had painstakingly crafted...

When Ellis returned after the sun had completely set, his older brother... was lifeless in the wheelchair, his hands clasped neatly on his chest as if he were in a coffin.

––The cause of death was a single stab wound to the chest with a fruit knife.

Matthew: When I asked, "Did you kill him?" Ellis laughed and nodded.

Kate: ...!

(Laughed––)

Matthew: I... was so distraught––I told him that only a devil would laugh after killing someone.

Matthew: I didn't even listen to him, I just demanded he confess his sin.

Matthew: I tried to drag him from the house to bring him to this church...

Matthew: ...He broke free from my grasp, and... left us.

Roger: Then why did he kill him? What was the reason?

Matthew shook his head weakly.

Matthew: ...He disappeared without telling me anything, and that was that.

My ears were ringing.

(He... killed his brother.)

*flashback*

Jude: Well, I hear he's only killed one person at the peak of their happiness in the past.

*flashback over*

(Could that one person be––Ellis's twin brother...?)

Matthew: Only he knows what happened during that twilight hour...

Matthew covered his face with both hands.

Matthew: That is all I know.

His strained voice brought my consciousness back to reality.

Kate: ...Thank you for telling us.

I sincerely thanked him for sharing such a painful memory with us, despite having just met.

Roger: I have no intention of leaking this to the police or the press. Rest assured.

Matthew: ...If I were worried about that, I wouldn't be telling you.

Matthew smiled, a sad smile etched with deep sorrow.

(As I thought... his eyes resemble Ellis's just a little.)

The smile he gave us as we parted stirred an indescribable feeling in my chest––.

-

When we stepped outside the church, the last glimmer of the sun was being swallowed by the horizon.

In the suddenly darkened scenery, a red cigarette ember glowed.

Roger: Are you sure you didn't want to hear it?

Jude: I don't care 'bout his past or his curse.

Jude: I can't be bothered with what's goin' on in his crazy head.

Jude: So? Did the princess, who wants ta know everything 'bout his crazy head, get the information she wanted?

Kate: ...I found a clue.

Jude: What's that? Sounds vague.

Kate: I'll ask Ellis directly... about the most important thing, his feelings.

(I have to ask Ellis himself what he's thinking and feeling.)

(I don't know if he'll answer, but...)

Jude: Ha, what's that? Was there even a point in comin' here?

Roger: I think there was.

Roger: If you asked him without knowing anything, he'd probably dodge the question, just like he did with me.

Roger: But if you show him you know what's going on, it might be a different story, right?

Ellis's emotions and desires are a secret.

Hoping that the piece of Ellis's past I had just grasped would be the key to opening the lid of that secret box... I set off on the return trip to London with the two of them.

-

The journey there and back was far too long for just one night's stay, and after a few days of travel, we finally arrived back at Crown Castle.

(Now that I'm about to face him, I'm getting nervous...)

My heart tightened as I recalled the last time I parted ways with Ellis.

(He said, "Give me some time," back then.)

(It's been a few days since then, but...)

(Will he tell me he doesn't want to see me yet?)

Liam: Ah, Kate, welcome back!

Mustering my courage, I opened the dining hall door, and inside, Liam and Harrison were having breakfast.

Harrison raised his eyebrows with a pitying look when he saw me sandwiched between Roger and Jude.

Harrison: Whoa, you actually went with those two...?

Roger: I'll have you know, I didn't lay a finger on her.

Roger: I wouldn't want to be stabbed in the back later, so I'll just say that much.

Even as he said that, Roger casually patted my head.

Liam: Stabbed? By who?

Roger: Well, by Ellis or Jude, of course.

Jude: Why am I included?

Roger: Because you're an excellent bodyguard who even took time off from work to come along.

Harrison: Ah, that surprised me too.

Roger: With a capable subordinate and a cute little robin in trouble...

Roger: Even a cold-blooded man like you would want to help them out, right?

Jude: Tch....That's disgustin'. As if.

Jude grimaced in disgust.

As for me... I was restlessly searching for someone who wasn't in the dining hall, so much so that I couldn't even hear their conversation.

Kate: Has Ellis... finished eating already?

Liam: No, not yet.

Liam: Speaking of which, Ellis has been going to work early in the morning and coming back late at night.

Liam: He's barely eaten at the castle lately. I wonder if he's eating properly outside?

(Eh...)

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Chapter 18

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[kissesforjoeyb]

happy draft day!!!!

i’m scared

[teenvue-with-vickivale]

New Batburger menu just dropped!!! Don't miss their limited items!!!

[thepandalion]

help I'm going insane over deltarune and Undertale stuff again

[funkinmadnesss]

Mason's been through alot </3

Alt below cut:

[sunshine-and-her-ikevil-stuff]

... I just realized why one of the intimacy check specifically gave me a perfume bottle from Alfons.

The fuxking b-!