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Aldrich: Fool! The only thing waiting for you out there is rejection and misery! Even if your friends win, your parents will still tear the three of you apart.
Marcy: I started this whole mess because I wanted to escape that reality, but I won’t run away from it anymore!
[Aldrich looks bemused for a moment. Then, he begins to chuckle darkly, before transitioning into a full-on evil laugh.]
Marcy: Um…you’re laughing. That can’t be good. Why are you laughing?
Aldrich: Oh, no reason. Except for the fact that you're still trying to play the part of the hero. It’s far too late for that now, I'm afraid. As I said, the only thing waiting for you out there is rejection and misery.
Marcy: W-what do you mean?
Aldrich: Ah, that’s right. Andrias never told you the full truth, did he? I suppose he wished to spare you any further pain, due to his lingering feelings of attachment towards you. [Aldrich’s mouth curls into a wicked grin.] Unfortunately for him and you, I have no qualms with ‘ripping off the Band-Aid,’ as the saying goes.
Marcy: What are you talking about? Tell me!
Aldrich: Soon after you came to Amphibia, a being from another dimension began to interact with Earth. Much about this being is a mystery; even we of the Core have no previous records of its existence. No one knows the full extent of its power, or its true appearance and name, assuming it has those. However, most refer to it as "the Transmitter." [Aldrich leans down to Marcy’s eye level, his many eyes are boring into her soul.] Would you like to know why?
[Marcy remains silent with dreadful anticipation, waiting with bated breath for what Aldrich has to tell her.]
Aldrich: The Transmitter fancies itself a storyteller, you see, and its main point of interest are true stories that involve people from Earth having adventures in other worlds. For the past year, it has been using television networks and the Internet to share footage of such stories with the people of Earth. [Aldrich greatly emphasized his next sentence, relishing each word like a child squashing bugs beneath their thumb.] Including the story of you and your friends, all the way up to this very moment.
Marcy: Wait, but that means—
Aldrich: That every person on Earth knows what you did, and that you are the cause of their impending doom? Yes, they most certainly do, and they are not pleased with you.
[Marcy staggers backwards, her blood running cold at what Aldrich just told her. Her face is contorted into an expression of pure horror.]
Aldrich: What’s the matter, Mar-Mar ? Another case of you being allergic to the truth?
Marcy: T-truth, my butt! I don't believe you! You’re just trying to trick me again!
Aldrich: Not this time, I’m afraid. There’s no reason for me to. Why waste time thinking up lies when the truth is much more effective? [Aldrich stands up straight again, continuing with his explanation.] It’s all rather ironic, really. Based on the information we’ve gathered, you were quite popular amongst your kind. They went on and on about how adorable you were, how smart you were, how brave, earnest, and selfless you were, and how your laughter would brighten their days. [Aldrich chuckles again, shaking his head at the hilarity of it all.] For a time, Marcy Wu, you were perhaps the most beloved person on Earth.
[Marcy is dumbstruck by this revelation. She’s so shocked, she can’t find the words to express it. Everyone on Earth had liked her? The girl who had made a grand total of two friends there in her thirteen years of life?]
Aldrich: But that's all in the past, of course. After you handed us the means to conquer your world and put on that pathetic display in front of your friends, humanity's opinion on you has…changed significantly, to put it mildly. [Aldrich holds out the palm of his left hand, and a mass of glowing, orange ancient Amphibian letters appears in it.] Do you wish to hear some of the things they've said about you since then? Not that it matters, of course. After all, you've already made your choice.
[A stream of the glowing letters flows towards Marcy, penetrating her skull. For a brief moment, nothing happens…and then, a malicious voice rings out in Marcy’s mind.]
God, I hate Marcy so much. She was always an overrated piece of $#!t. So glad the people are finally realizing how awful she is, even if it took her literally dooming the world. At least I’ll die knowing I was right, lol. 💀
[Marcy clutches her head with one hand, reeling from both her splitting headache and the sheer hate directed towards her.]
Aldrich: Oh, was that not enough for you? Let me show you some more, then. [Aldrich sends another stream of letters into Marcy’s head.]
Can’t believe we’re all going to kick the bucket because some idiot kid couldn’t handle moving away. I had to move, like, every year when I was a kid, and I turned out fine! It’s not that f*€|< !^g hard!
I feel sorry for her parents more than anyone else. Imagining realizing that your kid isn’t just an ungrateful little brat, but a full-on sociopath to boot. Bet you they wish they’d aborted her now; I know that I would if I was her mom.
Marcy’s a total failure to Anne, more than Sasha ever was. Any Marcanne shippers who are following me, do me a favor and f*¢|< off. She deserves better than that special-needs loser.
Seriously, how did she not realize Andrias was sus? Isn’t she supposed to be a weeb? My 80-year old grandfather is more genre-savvy than her! "Bearer of wit," my @$$!!!!
Don’t get how more people didn’t see this one coming from a mile away, tbh. It was obvious from the start that Marcy had no real love for anyone but herself. Anything "good" she ever did was because she sought validation, not because she actually cared. Then again, what else can you expect from these so-called "neurodivergents?" Completely mental, the lot of them. #WeStanNTs 🚫🧩🚫
[Marcy’s face contorts into a look of absolute agony and she drops to her knees, now clutching her head with both hands as tears flow from her eyes. As the voices stop once again, she says something quietly.]
Aldrich: Hm? Speak up, child. No one can hear you when you talk that softly.
Marcy: I…I said, stop it…Stop showing me all of these lies…There…there’s no way this is real…
Aldrich: I’m so sorry, dear Marcy, but there were no lies in that. That was merely the truth we were protecting you from. Don’t you see? We didn’t do this. You created this reality by your own actions. You were the one who asked to see it, even after we warned you, and well, who are we to get in your way? [Aldrich continues sending more letters into Marcy’s head, sadistically laughing all the while. Marcy screams in excruciating pain, crouching over as the cacophony of hatred drowns out her own thoughts. Then, she begins hearing something new: words of sorrow and disappointment.]
Guess I’ll be transferring to Team Sprig now. He’s a real friend, and apparently an excellent judge of character, unlike a CERTAIN other person who I pretty much worshiped up until now.
I’m sorry, guys, but the Vagabondia Chronicles playthrough is canceled. I was really excited for it, but after what happened with Marcy, I can’t even think about the game anymore. It’s just too painful for me. Besides, I probably won’t live long enough to finish it, anyway, thanks to her.
Marcy’s the reason I’ve been trying to do better in school, if you can believe it. I guess I thought it’d be nice to be as smart as her one day. It’s too bad she chose to use her brains to screw everyone over; if I make it through the coming apocalypse, you can count on me not making that mistake.
How could she do that to her friends? To everyone?! I thought she was a hero, goddammit! But I guess Ernst was right: in every hero, there’s the seed of a villain. He probably never thought that Marcy's dark flower had already bloomed, though.
[And then, just as Marcy processes that everyone had somehow seen her private journal, one more voice sticks out from among the cacophony. It’s the voice of a child, one even younger than her, and it seems even less hateful than the previous four, yet it makes Marcy feel more horrible than any of the others.]
Thanks to Marcy, I felt like being me—being autistic—wasn’t a bad thing. For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel like some kind of freak! But now, I don’t know. Maybe my parents are right about me. Maybe I really am broken…
Maybe everyone would be better off if I was dead.
[With an expression of grim satisfaction, Aldrich lets the words disappear into thin air, leaving Marcy’s mind quiet again. Tears roll down her face as internally grapples with the fact that her actions hadn’t just put the entire human race in danger. She had already hurt tons of people who had placed their faith in her. She’s been rendered immobile from the shock of her experience, her arms limp at her sides.]
Aldrich: Do you understand now, Marcy? [Aldrich walks over to Marcy and places his giant hand on her shoulder. Marcy looks up at him again, and sees that he looks like he feels sorry for her. She can’t tell if his pity is feigned, genuine, or something in-between.] There is nowhere for you on Earth. They have given up on you, completely and utterly. Even in the impossible scenario where we are defeated and you are saved, all of humanity will abandon you. They will put you in a place where not even crows will be able to land their droppings on you, where they can shun you, hate you without a pang of guilt, and eventually forget you. And your dreams of love, acceptance and friendship will forever remain dreams.
Marcy: You’re really not lying to me, are you? It’s real. All of it.
Aldrich: Yes, I’m afraid so. I’m sorry.
Marcy: Then…that’s it for me. Whether I’m in here or out there, I’m doomed.
Aldrich: Oh, dear Marcy. You are mistaken. [Aldrich smiles kindly at Marcy, who once again has trouble discerning how genuine the gesture is.] All is not lost for you. You still have a way out. We are your way out. [Aldrich spreads his arms as he continues speaking.] Can’t you understand the opportunity you’re being presented with? You can help to forge the greatest empire to ever exist! An eternal empire spanning all of creation, with Newtopia as its crown jewel! It will be the ultimate mecca for science and technology, culture and philosophy! And at the center of it all…
???: There will be us .
[Marcy turns to face the mysterious voice’s owner, and upon seeing them, she scrambles to her feet with a terrified yip. Turns out, it’s herself! Or rather, Darcy, the Core-possessed version of herself. (In the corner of her mind, she realizes that she somehow knows Darcy's name without having been told.)]
Darcy: You have such a brilliant mind, Marcy. One of the most brilliant we’ve ever seen. [Darcy cups Marcy’s face with their stolen hands, grinning an unnaturally wide grin.] Think of all the wonderful things you could do with our help. The countless worlds you could explore, the amazing discoveries you could make, the things you could create! You'd finally be able to use all of your amazing gifts to their fullest potential, and as an added bonus, you'd be free from all of those inferior beings who failed to appreciate you.
Marcy: In…ferior? They’re not—
Darcy: Of course they are! And they know it! Why else would they insult and deride you in the way you just saw? Why else would they try to constrain you and make you operate in accordance with the "norms" of your world? [Darcy walks over to Aldrich’s side.] Take Sasha, for example. She tried desperately to establish her dominion over you, because she knew that if you really wanted it, you’d have been the one in charge of your little trio, not her. You never asked for that, though. All you wanted was to be her friend, and yet she treated you like a slave only fit to do her homework!
Marcy: N-no…
Aldrich: And Anne turned out to be no better, did she? Oh, she acted like she meant well, like she cared for you and wanted to protect you. But in reality, she was merely Sasha’s loyal dog, and so she also tried to keep you from realizing your potential. She constrained you with her "protection," attempted to drag you down to her and Sasha’s level of stupidity, and constantly demeaned your interests while uplifting theirs.
Marcy: You're wrong…Don’t say that…
Darcy: But it’s the truth, isn’t it? Don't act like you never realized. And the worst part of it all is, she was the one who approached you and asked to be friends. But once Sasha came into the picture, she chose her over you every time! And you never even complained! Even though that blonde brute had stolen Anne away from you, you were kind enough to accept her presence, and look where it got you!
Aldrich: You gave them everything ! Your brilliant mind, your precious time, your whole heart! You even gave them adventures in another world! And yet, when Andrias brought you to your lowest point, when you bared your soul to your so-called "friends," when you needed their understanding more than ever, what did they do? They rejected you! Betrayed you! Left you for dead!
[Marcy shuts her eyes and covers her ears, trying desperately not to hear Aldrich and Darcy. She fears that if she hears any more of what they have to say, she'll actually start to agree with them. Unfortunately, her tactics prove ineffective, and their words come through as clear as ever.]
Aldrich/Darcy (in unison): The only truths about friendship are its impermanence and its fragility! It is a fleeting construct, used by lesser, mortal beings to assuage their loneliness, get what they desire from others, and delude themselves into believing they have value! We have no need for such a thing, for we are never alone! We take what we want by force! We are the most valuable minds in the multiverse! We have transcended death! We are the smartest, the strongest, and the most powerful! We are superior to all others, and WE SHALL RULE!!!
[Suddenly, Marcy’s eyes widen; it seems as though a penny has dropped in her mind. Aldrich and Darcy smirk at each other, believing they’re close to convincing her. They silently agree to go in for the kill.]
Aldrich: Do not despair, child. You need not suffer alongside your brethren, for you alone are worthy to rule alongside us. Why stay shackled by your childish want for friendship, when you can ascend to true greatness? Now is the time for you to grow up.
Darcy: Aren’t you sick of the pain? The aching in your heart? The endless days of longing for true companionship, while knowing deep down that it will never be yours? All you have to do is say “yes,” and we’ll take care of those pesky feelings. Once you join us, you’ll never have to worry about them again.
Aldrich/Darcy (in unison): So then, Marcy Regina Wu… what will it be? Yes or no?
[The minds of the Core stare at Marcy intently, waiting for her to say ‘yes’…only to hear her chuckling under her breath.]
Aldrich/Darcy: Hm?
[All of a sudden, Marcy bursts into a loud laugh, causing her to cry a bit more. The laugh sounds mostly boisterous, but it also has a slightly bitter edge to it.]
Aldrich: Are we to interpret your fit of laughter as a yes?
Marcy: Oh, no. Sorry about that. [Marcy wipes the tears from her eyes.] See, your little pitch just now jogged my memory, and when I realized how funny this whole situation is, I couldn’t help but laugh a little. [Marcy sighs.] Man, I’m gonna have so much trauma to unpack when I get out of here.
Darcy: [Darcy cocks their stolen head to the side, looking confused.] And just where is the humor in being the most hated human being on Earth?
Marcy: No, no, dark me. That part isn't funny. The funny part is that we’re so different on the surface—well, I guess you and I are actually pretty similar on the surface, since you’re literally wearing my body, but that’s besides the point. The point is, when you get right down to it, we’re pretty much the same! Seriously, listening to you guys was like if I went up to a funhouse mirror, and my reflection suddenly started talking!
[Both Aldrich and Darcy’s faces look like a mixture of utterly flabbergasted and absolutely pissed.]
Aldrich: You little worm! You, a single, measly human, dare to equate herself to us? To a god?!
Marcy: Oh, you’d love to be a god, wouldn’t you? [Marcy’s face warps into a scowl, and her tone of voice goes from somewhat jovial to angry and sarcastic.] To be omnipotent? To never have to worry about dying, or making mistakes, or not knowing everything, or feeling anything?
Darcy: Are you suggesting that we are not?
Marcy: I know you’re not. You can fool yourselves and everyone else, but you can’t fool me. I know what you are. You’re no god. You’re not even a real computer. You’re just a bunch of 20th level escapists, the biggest cowards in the multiverse.
Aldrich: Wh…What nonsense! We are the esteemed House of Leviathan, the greatest conquerors who have ever lived! We have never cowered from anything! All others cower before us!
Marcy: Oh, puh-lease. The entire history of your "esteemed house" is basically you guys running and hiding from all of your problems. In fact, since I apparently have nothing left to lose, how about I list some of the highlights? [She holds up her hand and begins to count.] First of all, you ran away from death. I’m guessing that somewhere down the line, one of you had an existential crisis. For most folks, that would lead to an epiphany about how valuable life is or something, but since the very idea of change is an affront to your senses, it led to you hiding yourselves inside a giant, metal beach ball instead.
Aldrich: Be silent, you impudent whelp!
Marcy: No, I don’t think I will. Where was I? Oh, right. That time when the Calamity Box was lost, and you spent the next millennium camping out in your basement. Did you even try to figure out a way to maintain your civilization that didn’t involve colonizing other worlds? I guess not, huh? Better to wallow in self-pity and let Andrias clean up your mess for you.
Darcy: Shut your mouth! You couldn't possibly fathom what it was like! Our way of life was ruined overnight, and all because of Andrias’ sentimentality! That fool’s trust in his “friends” led to the regression and stagnation of our empire!
Marcy: As I just said, you chose to let that happen. Blaming Andrias for your problems is just another form of cowardice. And even after a thousand years, after all the things he’s done to redeem himself in your eyes, even after he literally stabbed me in the back , he’ll never really be good enough for you, will he? [Marcy shakes her head and scoffs.] Honestly, it’s no wonder he’s so screwed up when his family is this awful. Really puts my own family life into perspective.
Aldrich: You would deign to lecture us on how we raise our—
Marcy: And that’s just the stuff I know about! With how much you’ve probably whitewashed Amphibia’s history, there’s got to be a million other examples that will go unmentioned, because no records of them exist anymore! [Marcy snaps her fingers.] I just realized. That whole thing with the Order of the Olm was your doing, wasn’t it? You were Ernst’s mysterious benefactors! [Marcy balls her fists and grits her teeth.] All those libraries, all of that knowledge, culture, and history, and you had them burned down! Why? Even if you were afraid that I’d learn the truth about the box, did everything have to be destroyed?!
Darcy: For your information, we didn’t give that order out of fear of you, so don’t flatter yourself. [Darcy brushes Marcy off with a wave of their stolen hand.] We had always planned to do so eventually, but your arrival made it more of a priority, so really, you’re the one to blame. [Darcy nonchalantly shrugs.] Why are you so concerned, anyway? Surely, the few scrolls you recovered from those libraries showed you that they contained nothing but lies and foolish thoughts. Better to free up the space for more useful things.
Marcy: Lies and foolish thoughts? What, like how people realized the way you were living back then was unsustainable? Like them thinking that conquering other worlds and destroying their civilizations just to bolster your own is wrong ? [At this point, Marcy’s face has turned slightly red from sheer anger.] You guys are hacks! You don’t care about knowledge, culture, history, philosophy, or anything like that, unless it serves as proof of your bogus "greatness!" No one in their right mind would ever want to join you!
Aldrich: Preposterous! Did you not pay attention to all that we showed you? Our endless list of accomplishments, conquests, and victories?! We are great! Anyone would want to be one of us! How can you possibly not be smart enough to understand that?!
Marcy: News flash, your Highness! Greatness is subjective! What’s considered great changes with the times, and both Amphibia and Earth have moved on from your sick, twisted definition. How are you not smart enough to realize that?! [Marcy gives Aldrich and Darcy a wry smirk.] No, my mistake. You have realized it, haven’t you? You just can’t accept it, because the only thing that’s really great about you guys is your great, big EGOS!
[From the looks on Aldrich and Darcy’s faces, Marcy can tell that she truly shook them with her words. She decides to push a bit further.]
Marcy: Heh, what’s the matter? Are you allergic to the truth, too? We’re not so different after all, all we?
Aldrich: You …you want your olms-forsaken truth ?
Darcy: Fine!
Aldrich/Darcy: THEN TAKE IT!
[Having finally snapped, the villains assault Marcy with a tornado of even more negative comments about her from Earth. As she’s surrounded by the powerful vortex, her fantasy outfit disappears, reverting to her regular school outfit. There are so many voices this time that Marcy can’t pick up on any complete sentences.]
She’s completely delusional…
…enemy of humankind…
…Anne and Sasha could have died…
…thanks to her childish fantasies…
…doesn’t deserve friendship…
…burn in Hell, alone forever! 🔥❤️🔥👿
Aldrich: You dare to call us cowards? To question our greatness?!
Darcy: No one speaks to us that way!
Aldrich/Darcy: FOR WE ARE THE CORE, THE GOD IN THE MACHINE, THE RIGHTFUL RULERS OF ALL OF EXISTENCE!!!
[With that, Aldrich and Darcy let the hateful messages dissipate again, certain that Marcy is entirely broken by now. After a few seconds of being unresponsive, however, Marcy glares at them with contempt and resolve. She takes a defiant step forward, causing Aldrich and Darcy to recoil in shock. Clearly, they are unable to process the fact that someone isn’t intimidated or awed by them.]
Marcy: You know, if what you’ve told me is true, then I’m willing to bet the Transmitter is showing this conversation to everyone on Earth right now. [Marcy continues walking towards Aldrich and Darcy, her eyes blazing with grim determination.] I really hope so. I hope they're all seeing this and realizing the truth. That you’re nothing but a bunch of cowardly, selfish, heartless, outdated, miserable bullies who refused to let go of the past and decided to drag everyone down with you. [Marcy suddenly stops in her tracks and stares down at the ground, as her determination gives way to sadness.] J…just like me.
[Aldrich and Darcy stare silently at Marcy; for some reason, they find themselves waiting for what she has to say next.]
Marcy: It…it really is funny, you know? I’ve always been wondering, why am I never anyone's first choice? Why are people always so eager to leave me behind? Why don't I fit in anywhere? What's wrong with me? [Marcy looks up at Aldrich and Darcy.] But now that I've met you guys, it's all so obvious. I'm not a person, am I? Not really. Real people have things like empathy, consideration for others, etcetera, and I just…don't. Because I’m like you. A monster. Except I’m wearing the skin of a person. That would explain why I'm so clumsy, wouldn't it? If I’m walking around in the wrong body?
[Marcy smiles and laughs again, but not in the same way so many people had come to love before. Her laughter sounds broken, sharp and completely joyless. Her smile, nearly as wide and unnatural as Darcy’s, expresses pain rather than happiness. And her eyes, which used to sparkle with her love for learning and life, are now dulled with tiredness and regret.]
Marcy: …I guess…I guess that’s my truth.
[With a sigh, Marcy lies on her back and stares up at the virtual sky. In this resigned state, she almost seems to be at peace.]
Marcy: Anyways, you guys can keep running from reality if you want, but I’m done. I might be a monster, but I’m not going to become an even worse one by joining you. Anne and Sasha will save me, then they’ll defeat you, and after that…well, I guess I’ll get what’s coming to me. Thanks for the offer to join your club of eternal losers, but I’ll have to pass.
Aldrich: And that is your final answer? By joining us, you could be a part of something!
Marcy: I’m trying to own up to my mistakes, not make worse ones. Besides, what "part" would I have? Being your little trophy from Earth? Yeah, no thanks.
Darcy: [Darcy groans with exasperation; they are completely sick of this.] This child is so…so…insolent! [Darcy turns to Aldrich, who begins to say something before being interrupted.] Aldrich, convincing her to assimilate is your duty alone from now on. Do not ask us to assist you with this matter again. We have better things to do. [Darcy walks off, muttering something about taking their rage out on some Frobots.]
Aldrich: N-no, wait! [Aldrich reaches out to Darcy, but his words fall on deaf ears as they disappear from view completely. The newt king turns to Marcy with a hateful glare, but Marcy is not intimidated at all. Instead, she looks at Aldrich with a bit of pity.]
Marcy: So the toxic family dynamics didn’t start with you after all, huh? Sorry about that.
Aldrich: I have no need of your pity! [Aldrich pants heavily, realizing just how much he’d let Marcy get under his skin. He manages to put on a calm, composed mask again, even with how wrathful he is on the inside.] You wish to face reality? Then you may suffer in complete and utter darkness, you foolish child. Perhaps a small taste of what awaits you outside of our embrace will make you more…cooperative. [Aldrich also disappears, and the world around Marcy turns into an empty, black void.]
[With a sad smile, Marcy looks at the old photo of herself with Anne and Sasha. It glows bright, a beacon in the endless darkness. She holds it close to her heart, and finally allows the new batch of tears welling up in her eyes to flow.]
Marcy: Anne…Sasha…I believe in you.