Beyond the Beyond: Update 52.5: The Horses Roar

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 52.5: The Horses Roar

What does the fun option hold...

The staircase leads to the back of the castle where the Bandore Stooges face another soldier of Zalagoon in Marion colors.

Bandore Stooge A and the Zalagoon soldier attack each other.

But the Zalagoon soldier isn't watching their flanks and is grabbed by the other two Bandore goons.

As the Zalagoon soldier flails helplessly Bandore Stooge A crashes into them. Seriously these three are showing a remarkable level of coordination and teamwork. Too bad nobody in any position of power in Bandore will demonstrate anything remotely like it. Well, too bad for them...

One Stooge goes to the gold thingy on the wall by the gate which causes it to open. Leaving their dead foe lying on the ground they run through the gate. For some reason it automatically closes behind them.

You've got to love these scenes where the team is on screen and could intervene but apparently can't be bothered to do anything. The likely explanation is that the player characters are still in the staircase and the game isn't really able to show things that aren't on the same screen without doing some cutscene magic. If there's one thing Beyond the Beyond does not do it is cut to things happening off in the distance that the player characters can't see and would have no way of knowing about. There's never really much incongruity between what the player sees and what the protagonists see. That's not necessarily a bad thing but does mean the villains don't get any screen time unless the player is nearby.

The Bandore Stooges run off into the sunset, never to be heard from again.

What was that?
Sounded like fighting.
Judging from the fresh blood that seems likely.
Ugh! It stinks in here! Finn where are my noseplugs?
They're in my pack.
Whoa, hold on are those horses?
There's a carriage too. Is the emperor still here?
How do we open this gate?
There's a keyhole over there, Finn.

When the team approaches the golden thingee another scene is triggered.

I can smell someone coming up from underground.
How can you tell over the stench of horse poop?
Oh come on Finn give me a little credit. How many years have I lived in a farming village with you?
Hrm... you win, this round.

The screen scrolls up to show the carriage and what I assume are a pair of horses. It's hard to tell because the way they are animated looks really weird and the persepctive isn't helping any.

Shouldn't we be trying to stop them?
...
Finn? Hello, Earth to Finn!
...
FINN!
Wha... What?
Stopping them, shouldn't we be trying to do that?

A well dressed man appears at the top of the staircase prompting the soldier standing by the carriage to turn at the sound of their footsteps.

Oh, Your Majesty! I've been waiting for you!

Your Majesty? That must be the emperor!
Finn try to focus on what's going on! What the hell is wrong with you?
My arm hurts...

The emperor walks up to the guard who turns and must certainly see the people staring at them through the gate.

Uh, I think we've been spotted!

Is everything ready?
Yes your Majesty. We can leave at any time.

The imperial soldier looks around the emperor towards the staircase.

Your Majesty... Where is Lord Shutat?
Shutat is not here yet! We can't afford to wait for long either.

The imperial soldier again turns to the gate.

The enemy is almost upon us! What should we do, Your Majesty?
What? Already?

The emperor hurries to see just who threatens him.

A group of... children?
Are you the emperor of Bandore?
I am you impudent whelp! Who dares to address me in such a manner?
I am Prince Edward of Marion and I am here to place you under arrest for the damage you have done to my kingdom.
So you are the prince I have heard so much about. Came crawling back to claim your pathetic castle did you, boy?
I come with the armies of Zalagoon and the blessings of my uncle the king of Zalagoon. You will face justice this day you monster!
I think not. You can't even best this gate standing between us.
Sire what should we do?
The only thing we can do, get out of here!
After all that you're just going to run away?
Don't think that this war is over, boy. I am merely conceding one battle to you.
What about Lord Shutat...? Shouldn't we wait for him?
You're worried about him?! Do you think he will be defeated that easily?
Well... not really.
*nods* Then, let's go. Futhermore...

The emperor turns back to the team.

If he is defeated by those weaklings, then perhaps he isn't as strong as I thought.
As if you'd know anything about strength!
We'll meet again, Edward. Until then savor your freedom. I assure you it will be short lived.

The emperor climbs into the carriage.

On to Bandore Castle!

In mere moments the carriage is out the back gate taking the emperor with it.

However the emperor didn't bother taking the imperial soldier with him.

Aww, uh, crap!

Off runs the imperial soldier with the unique sprite to join the Bandore Stooges in the "Never Appearing Again" room. This entire retreat has been a clusterfucktastrophe on Bandore's part.

I don't envy that guy's job.
Pryrra. The emperor's kind of a selfish old man isn't he?
About what I expected.

Here's the keyhole. The reason the game wouldn't let the team barge in on the emperor is because it is possible to see this scene before getting the required key and they probably just didn't feel like making an entirely different branch.

Finn can we please do something about going after the enemy?
Oh, uh, yeah, of course.
Are you okay brother of mine?
Yeah. I think so. I was just a little surprised to find out the emperor was still here..

Item > Use > Steel Key

That emperor guy is already long gone by now.
They said Shutat was still here. We can't very well leave a man as dangerous as he to his own devices.
Shutat...

Almost as if on cue the moment the team tries to cross the opened threshold a certain ominous theme starts playing and a horned man appears at the top of the staircase the emperor used only moments before.

Wait where is that music coming from?
What?
I don't hear anything.
Focus on the situation at hand, Finn.

The horned man looks around, obviously a bit confused, before going to the center of the room and looking up and down.

Did the Emperor of Bandore leave already? Hmm... I guess I took too long and he couldn't wait.

He... has horns.
Whoa...
Where do you have to sign up for a pair of those?
You'd think somebody would have mentioned them. They kind of stand out, like, a lot.
Oh. I see I am not entirely alone. It would seem that I've been abandoned by my allies... Then... what will the Marion army do with me? Ha Ha Ha!
Well at least you're cheerful about being left behind. You're already a step ahead of everyone else we've met from Bandore.

The man who is presumably Shutat takes stock of the team.

Who is that? Oh, back there? Curious little thing. Some sort of egg creature.... no, a human under a transformation spell.
Yeah. Wanna make somethin' of it?
Are you Shutat?
I am indeed. You must be Prince Edward.
I am.
I guess you won't let me go that easily. Why bother risking your life? I'm a reluctant opponent.

Shutat steps forward but almost immediately halts mid-stride and backpedals.

You are... Finn I assume?
How do you know my name?
Strange timing. *pauses* Wait, I get it. It's all because of you... You brought Zalagoon here, didn't you?
Seriously how the hell do you know my name?
I have been searching for you.
What? For me?
I cannot allow you to interfere. You will ruin everything!
I have no idea what you're talking about. Look I just want you out of Marion. Is that really too much to ask for?
I should have destroyed you before you became so powerful!
Finn? Powerful? Is this guy drunk or something?
Uh, does anyone have any idea what this guy's babbling about because I am totally lost right now.

Suddenly the screen darkens and the boss battle theme starts to play!

You will die, Finn!

As Shutat advances aggressively the team retreats.

What the hell did I do?
I think we might be in over our heads. That is an awful lot of magic to call up so suddenly.
Do we have a Plan B? Anyone?

Just as suddenly Ramue teleports in and puts the breaks on things.

Were we just saved from a boss battle by Ramue of all people?

Lord Shutat... What's going on?
Ramue... What are you doing here?
I felt an immense surge of mana and came to investigate. Besides, I sort of had to take a break from the evacuation.
*raises an eyebrow*
I'll tell you later.

And things go from bad to worse.
You know if we start running now we could probably get away. Probably.

You've come at a good time, Ramue. I have something of a situation here.
*steps forward* Oh Ho! I see... But we don't have time for this!

Shutat quickly looks at Ramue then back at the team.

What are you saying? It will only take a second for me to destroy Finn!
*shakes head* Lord Shutat, why bother? If we don't leave now, all may be lost!
You're probably right, but if I don't... I might regret it... That's why I must destroy them now!!

Before Ramue can respond someone else joins the scene.

Sir Piat out of fucking nowhere!

Sir Finn! Sir Samson!

Did someone just say 'Sir' Finn?
That's what I heard.
What of it? I'm going to be a knight one day.
You're just pre-emptively claiming the title now?
If everybody's already trying to kill me I might as well!

The screen moves down to reveal Sir Piat and two soldiers. That's not exactly an army but hey, it's backup!

...Where's the enemy? Bandore's Emperor? [sic]
He's kind of...
He flew the coop the moment we got here!
What?! He escaped?! How unfortunate...
Lord Shutat...
Huh is someone else there?

Piat runs in front of the team to confront Ramue and Shutat.

You must be a Bandore officer!
You're not from around here are you?
I am Sir Piat of Zalagoon!
The situation grows more complicated by the minute.
What... shall we do? Lord Shutat...
Stand fast! They are no match for the two of us.

Ramue hits the dimmer switch and the two start glowing to gather power.

Prepare yourselves!
Sir Samson it shall be an honor to fight alongside you once again.
I see the barbarian is eager to die!
Keep dreaming! This time I'll defeat you.
Finn what should we do?
I don't think we have a whole lot of choice in the matter, sis.
This is a tremendous amount of magical power. They're trying to call spirits to their aid.
Maybe they'll be as successful at it as Tont has been!
I would be offended by that if that result wouldn't help us right now.
You are still but children. Your power is nothing compared to mine!
Well... what about us, oh mighty Lord Shutat?!

Sir Galahad out of fucking nowhere! (Seriously where the hell have these guys been? The team has been fighting for its life as it inched forward through the castle.)

Damn! Marion's Knights also?!
I see your wounds have healed since our last encounter.
Don't think you are anything close to being my equal, Galahad. You just got a lucky shot.
Dad!
Sir Galahad you have no idea how glad I am to see you!
Finn... you've grown! Well, we can talk later... But first, let's deal with Bandore's Lord Shutat!
We're badly outnumbered. Sir, we should forget about Finn and retreat!
I hate to cut and run but... Ahhh! You're right, Ramue. Get us out of here.

Ramue once again hits the dimmer switch. By this point it's just bloody ridiculous how many times the lights have been turned off.

Gah! Stop doing that!
Watch out! They're trying something!

At Galahad's command the squad with him disperses into a formation around the room.

Hehehe! You're going to capture us, huh? Why don't you try?
We won't let you escape.
Try this spell from the Underworld!

Ramue starts to glow because the dimmer switch wasn't doing enough to show off her magical powers. She must have a lot of MP to waste it doing stuff like this. Shutat meanwhile turns to the team.

Finn, I'm sorry we can't settle this now. Your demise will have to wait until we meet again!
I'm not in any hurry. Take your time on that.

Then the magical duo rises into the air thanks to Ramue's magic. She really likes levitating doesn't she?

They're getting away! Stop them!

A soldier from Galahad's squad tries to approach Ramue but she fires a huge orb of what is presumably fire that knocks the soldier down and throws them across the room.

Hehehe! Go ahead and try.

Okay I'll admit that was pretty impressive.
You ain't kiddin'.

Ramue then turns to Sir Galahad and fires a spell at him. Galahad, owing to Cutscene Powers that make me grumble about the team's inability to dodge spells whenever they feel like it, jumps to the right (his left) just barely avoiding being hit.

That was close but you'll have to do better than that!
Oh, no, no I don't have to do anything!
What?

The screen starts flashing white blinding everyone in the room as Ramue and Shutat vanish.

RAMUE AAWAAAAY!

After a couple of seconds the scene fades to black.
 

-- BONUS CONTENT --

I usually make an effort to work all dialogue into the update but this one presented me with dialogue that I had no idea what to do with. It doesn't make any sense in context and I'm stumped as to how to provide a context that would give it any sense.

It's no use! We're sitting ducks out here. Retreat to the castle!

This is either a horrible translation screw-up or there were some major changes in this event that the dialogue wasn't edited to reflect. There's no way Galahad's crew could 'retreat to the castle' because they are IN the castle. It sounds like this should be taking place in open ground behind the castle. A possible scenario would be open stables or something with the Bandore emperor making his hasty exit (as shown) and the remnants of the Marion Knights trying to cut off the retreating enemy. The Marion Knights would emerge from the underbrush to take advantage of the confusion, Ramue would realize she and Shutat are surrounded, and a short battle would ensue with the duo using their formidable magic to buy enough time for the teleport spell to work.

[click for full size, some of these weren't really shrinkable because the texturing produces horrible artifacting when resized]

Galahad Finn's Guardian, former Leader of the Marion Knights Age 50 Annie's father is a former leader of the Marion Knights, who retired due to injuries. Kevins entrusted Finn to Galahad's care and Galahad is raising Finn as though he were his own son.

Galahad's manual entry gives a reason why he retired, injuries, but little else is said about his relationship to the knights. In particular it doesn't say anything about why Kevins would pawn his only child off on Galahad or why Galahad would go along with the idea. For someone in retirement because of unspecified injuries taking another small child into your household can't be easy. I guess it's no surprise that Galahad doesn't seem too happy with Kevins at the beginning of the game.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - is Marion safe?

Update Fifty-two | Index | Update Fifty-three