Part 95: Sixes High

_{content warning: suicide}

Dragon's route, done and done. And with that, we're in the last bonus update until we've finished the story! Our journey is far from over, but it's still nice to take a look back and see how far things've come from the start, huh?

Themis has gone on record saying they tried very, very hard to make each route unique and stand-out from each other, but if they had to reuse a gimmick or Major Trinket for a route, this one's would be the one they'd use – just because of how much it shifts the group dynamics, and how it would be interesting to see the group act in different teams. Their biggest regret is the fact that because of the nature of everything being from Mouse's perspective, it's hard to really get a sense of the other groups' dynamics unless they directly come into contact with Mouse. They even went so far as to muse about what it would be like for the route to be from the main perspective of another team (like the Dog/Pig/Rooster pack), and have to witness them fighting to find a way to come out on top.

Like Dragon herself, the branching paths are very straightforward, like some of the first routes we hit early on in the LP.

The first one is whether the group survives Dragon's trap or not – similar to some of the other “immediate danger” endings on other routes, there's not really much to show, so I'll just summarize and show the ending card off. Obviously, having Tiger do exactly what Horse did by reaching through the door is a mistake – Snake injects her with the poison, Tiger collapses, and Mouse recognizes that they've lost and willingly succumbs to smoke poisoning so she can die quickly. That's it.



[Ending – 6 of Clubs]

The situation Mouse found herself in was certainly hectic. However, keeping a clear head at all times is vital for success.

If Mouse doesn't analyze her surroundings quickly and clearly, things will take a turn for the worse. It's unlikely Mouse would trip at this stage, though.

The second one is after Mouse's pack and Sheep/Monkey are ambushed in the cafeteria – the branching point is if Mouse decides to accept defeat, rather than not giving up.

[Accept defeat.]

[BGM: Bullfighter]


What had this race done to me? Was I really considering putting my life above half a dozen others? It doesn't matter how we got to this situation. If the only way for me to win is murdering six other people, I wouldn't have any part of it. While I felt some obligation to Tiger and Ox, I had just as much obligation to everyone else. I had to make the selfless choice.

...We should give up.

What?

If we give up now, six other people will live, right? In that case, we should focus on the greater good.

The greater good? Mouse, they're a bunch of criminals and murderers.

What are you talking about? Are you referring to them fighting back against us? Like we were planning on doing?

That's...



Mouse, as humans, we have an obligation to survive. I have obligations in my real life. So does Tiger. Don't you?

Even if I do, they don't justify murdering six for the sake of three. That's a 2 to 1 loss of life.

You're thinking about it too much in the abstract. Giving up now means you, specifically you, will die. Knives will enter your throat until you choke on your blood and pass out.

Once you pass out, you will never get to experience a single thing again, and your existence will permanently vanish from the world. Your mother will weep at your funeral. Are you prepared for that?

...I'd rather die as me, than get out of here a murderer.

Tiger, are you hearing this?

Mouse, you're making a mistake. I totally get the urge to be a team player, but we're your team right now.



Plus, those assholes totally stabbed me! I'm so angry right now, I'm not letting them get away with that with no repercussions.

I get that you guys might not agree with me. But you're not going to convince me otherwise. I'm going to go to Dragon and say that we surrender.

Go to Dragon? She'll kill you!!

Then I'll die with my head held high.

This isn't just about you, Mouse, we'll die too!

I'm sorry.

Nope. No. I'm not letting you leave here until you start thinking straight.

Then you'll have to stop me.

Okay then.

[BGM: Silence]


Suddenly, Ox shoved me to the floor. Ow!

Tiger, help me put her to sleep.

Put me to sleep??

Sorry about this, Mouse. We'll discuss this more later.

Before I knew what was happening, Tiger put me in a sleeper hold. Hey...! Let go... I could feel my consciousness leaving... How did Tiger know how to do something like this...? That was my last thought until I passed out.

When I woke up, I felt myself tied up. I was... tied to a chair. ...In the cafeteria? ...And that's not all, I was also wearing a mask. A mask? ...What was I wearing? I looked down, and realized I was wearing Rooster's clothes. What the hell? Why was I wearing Rooster's clothes?



Further down the hallway, I saw a body. ...Ox? Why was he lying down like that? Don't tell me...

I tried to get out of my bindings. They were tied too tight. What the hell had happened when I was out? I kept struggling for a few more minutes. Then, I felt a sting on my throat. ...No, it was more than a sting. It was a piercing feeling. Were these the knives?

Oh. I was being executed. ...This is what I had wanted, right? … As the knives began to enter my throat, I changed my mind. I didn't want this. ...No, no, stop this! Fuck, fuck, auhghghah!! It was so, so, so painful. When I finally felt my senses start to fade, it was a blessing.

Thank God. I was finally dying.



[Ending – 6 of Diamonds]

It is noble to put the group over the self. It's not a decision to take lightly.

If Mouse wants to sacrifice herself, then she will die. But is that the best outcome?

The final branching point is if you fail to talk Dragon down at the end. ...Unfortunately, like the first ending, there's almost nothing to show here too, since a wrong choice immediately has Dragon lunge at Mouse and beat her to death with the pipe, no matter which choice it is you make wrong. A little anticlimactic this late in the LP, but hey, what can you do? That's Dragon for you.



[Ending – 6 of Hearts]

Dragon is a raging beast. She can't easily be beat, and she can't easily be reasoned with. But Mouse is a good speaker. If she's smart about it, she should be able to talk Dragon down.

Next update, we start on a different path towards... well, it's still a different route, right?