Post by bobsnicket on Mar 7, 2009 2:30:14 GMT -5
Well, it's finally over. And now, assuming you finished the story, of course, you know how it ends. In this overview I am going to eventually lay out what happens in the future if I had decided to write a sequel. But, just to make it clear, I am NOT writing a sequel.
First, however, I'd like to just say a bit about how this enormous undertaking of a project has been for me.
I. The Project
So I had started it in the latter half of 6th grade, some 4 years ago. However, at first, my only purpose of writing it was to entertain a SINGLE friend at my school with, while he shared one of his stories with me. I had NEVER imagined that it would drag on for the next several years of my life, becoming both a burden and an inspiring thing to create, until it became what it is today: over 400 pages about a single video game that happened to have no real plot.
This had been my motivation: to give one of my favorite games purpose, direction, and epicness to go along with how unquenchably fun it had been.
For the first 9 chapters, I actually wrote everything on paper--even the map. Eventually, though, I realized how much more efficient and long-lasting it would be if I typed it, so I did so.
There were HUGE gaps between writing this story, up to a whole year without a single word more. It was around chapter 10 where I stopped the longest--that was during my busiest year of school, and my original reader, believe it or not, wasn't reading it anymore. A few other people have shown interest in it, but not many just due to the fact that there's so many already-established characters that makes it hard for most to understand.
Looking back after I'm done, though, I would say that I'm glad to have challenged myself with such a long project; having this behind me, I can have just that much more confidence in my ability to make something of my own to the same magnitude as real authors.
Inspirations for the plot came randomly during the writing process. Originally--and this will sound REALLY weird--I had intended the final enemy to be a being extremely similar to Ray-man. Yes, Ray-man, in that there would have been hands, feet, head, and nothing else. But overtime, like many other things, my thought process changed, and I opted for the historically-supported theory of the Cloaked Nightmare. It makes more sense than you probably realize--after the initial game where Kirby defeats Nightmare, Kirby's Adventure, this villain does not reappear. But...what does appear repeatedly after this time? Master and Crazy Hand. I can think of no villain more fit to challenge the peoples of Nintendo. (of course, The Destroyer isn't finished, as well as other of your guys's fan-fic's...)
My decision for Kirby being the ultimate hero was based partly on the fact that HAL Laboratories, which helps make Smash Bros, also makes the Kirby games. And...well, it just seemed right to me.
I do have my regrets, unfortunately. My first is simply that I wasn't smart enough in 6th grade to plan and incorporate every plot line in the beginning chapters as well as the later ones. We saw little romance before Book 3, and I'd have liked to have put in more foreshadowing. If I were to rewrite Book 1 (which I'm not), it would be much longer and more detailed, delving into the individual lives and struggles of each character. But alas, it is not to be.
My other major regret is my lack of knowledge. If I were an expert on the Fire Emblem, Metroid, F-Zero, and Earthbound series, it would have made The Trophies a bit more complete. But alas, I'm not.
II. The Hard-to-find Things
The Trophies did actually have themes and morals, if not before the latter end of Book 2. It explores the contrast between trying to fend for oneself versus joining with your friends and companions. I'm a strong believer that it's in all of our best interests to become a part of something bigger than ourselves. Modern movies are a great example of this: It would take a single person dozens of years to produce a show of such high quality, but with many people working together, we are seeing a constant stream of combined talent being displayed to entertain us every year.
Sacrifice is another major theme. As you know, I killed off a LOT of people. Well, it wasn't just because I felt like it. It was because without loss, life would be without fear. But life HAS fear, and we should be aware of it so we can learn to overcome it. Just about every region of the Nintendo World had major casualties, with the possible exceptions of Onett and the F-Zero track.
But listen to this subtle inclusion. Did you notice that throughout the story, a Charizard, Blastoise, AND a Venasaur perished? This, I thought, would constitute quite a significant trio for the Pokemon to lose. All 3 starter Pokemon...dead.
And, of course, in accordance with my Bible quote at the very end, the concept of masters. Most characters in The Trophies had a master that they listened to. But those who didn't have a master, like Master and Crazy Hand, were, like Orca said, "their own masters." And the person a character served basically determined whether their side won. The Shadow Hand, one of Reeka's first creations, expressed in her last moments actual remorse for how her lot had turned out. But her mistake was that she had no hope. But there IS hope. You can change your master just as easily as you can change your socks. And, as mentioned in the verse, "no man can serve two masters." You can't try to do the right thing and the popular thing at the same time. It just doesn't work. So we all must choose between serving the world and serving God, or the person you honor most. And you can't serve the wrong side but still end up a winner. Shadow was smart enough to realize that.
III. The "Sequel"
Now what you've probably been snoozing through this post to read: what I would have had planned in a follow-up story to The Trophies.
I'll start with the raft from the epilogue. I am leaving it up to you all to figure out who you think would occupy such a craft, and why. So THAT, I would never actually define.
I'd probably call the story "Rights of Passage: A Trophies Tale". (yes, I said "rights" instead of "rites" on purpose)
The first chapter, and every OTHER chapter following, would tell the history of the infamous Copyright Wars mentioned in The Trophies in which many characters were claimed from Nintendo and Sony by the Microsoft World, and few escaped. And, as Master mentioned, he was eventually the force that drove Microsoft away, forcing an extended extended cease-fire with them and a truce with the Sony World.
But it would not follow Master's perspective. No, the Copyright Wars chapters would be told from three primary perspectives: Banjo, Diddy Kong, and--get this--Solid Snake. (sorry, Big Boss)
Banjo's point of view would witness those who Microsoft claimed from the other worlds, and the struggle of several resisters in trying to escape from it.
Diddy Kong would witness the Nintendo World's perspective on things, and the terrible battles they fought with Microsoft and Sony in an attempt to protect their inhabitants. He would also involve Timber Island, and the characters of Diddy Kong Racing, and describe the founding of Rareware, how it was the center of the conflict and Microsoft's reasoning behind their abductions.
Snake, from the Sony World, would describe how Microsoft invaded them first in an attack which started the war. Sony was then forced to fight for Microsoft against Nintendo. Basically, Microsoft are the antagonists. He would go into battle in familiar locations such as Dreamland, Kongo Jungle, and Yoshi's Island, but would not be liking the things he was being forced to do by Microsoft's general, the Master Chief. Eventually, towards the end, he would turn against both Microsoft AND SONY, siding with Nintendo before the final battle which would have meant the end of Nintendo's independence had Master not intervened.
I would create an expanded map of the planet, showing the Nintendo, SONY, and Microsoft mainlands as in a rough triangle formation, many miles apart from each other. The Isle O' Hags, Banjo's homeland, would be midway between Microsoft and Nintendo. There would also be a tiny island in the very center, called ATARI Island.
Meanwhile, the other half of the chapters would follow the events after the departure of the Banana Boat following The Trophies. I would also explain how The Subspace Emissary occurred in between, taking perhaps the first chapter or two from the mainlanders' perspective.
I would have one perspective, like I said, from the mainland, describing how the restoration was going and how Microsoft suddenly began launching assaults on them in the Banana Boat's absence. These would be led by the witch Grunty, rival of Banjo and Kazooie. And, since they were so weak with only a third of their population, things would be very serious. They would try to seek help from Timber's Island, only to find out it had already been invaded, and Taj killed.
We would continue to follow the Banana Boat's epic journey to the SONY world, where everything would seem very strange to them. They would have various adventures and misadventures there, learn more about Microsoft and SONY's history, and meet the friendly faces Donkey Kong had advised them to find. This would include Sonic's other friends and Solid Snake. Snake would warn them all that there was an evil on Microsoft worse than the Master Chief or any of them, but most would disregard his words.
I would also tell a tale of the Rito Postman journeying to ATARI Island. This place would be considered stranger than all the other worlds combined, almost similar to the Dimension Conflux. However, the Postman would eventually discover by accident that Professor U. Reeka was living on the island, working on some project, and would be shot down during his escape attempt.
The Banana Boat would finally set sail off SONY world with a strong alliance now between them, and with the SONY fleet alongside them, would make the dangerous trek to the Microsoft World. Along the way, though, a Microsoft ship would cross their paths, destroy their vessels, and take most of them prisoner. A few would be left in the water, and would find a way to travel up to the closest land, ATARI Island. There, they would meet friendly ATARI faces like Rocketman, but also narrowly escape being found by U. Reeka. They would discover that U. Reeka has been working on a plot to have the Nintendo Mainland swallowed into an endless, water abyss.
The captives on Microsoft would learn about Microsoft's inner workings, and how the real commander of their armies and forces was a being called Wizpig. (from Diddy Kong Racing
) Snake would have an extended discussion with the Master Chief himself, trying to convince the soldier that he was on the wrong side. The Master Chief would express a bit of sympathy and regret, but refuse to help. Wizpig was their power, and it was his duty to his world to support that power.
The Mainlanders would be in peril of being conquered, when suddenly some good Nintendo deities would come to their aid and save them. Palutena, Farore, Din, and Nayru would be among them. The Goddesses would then explain that they had not been able to help before because a threat to their world's existence had not previously occurred. They would lead Nintendo in an attack on ATARI Island. The attack would liberate the Atarians and win their support in addition to SONY's, but Reeka would escape with his completed project to Microsoft.
Next, Nintendo would liberate Timber's Island and the Isle O' Hags in two difficult battles. They would learn that the Wizpig was considered a sort of God on Microsoft, and while most supported him willingly, some only did out fear.
All would then converge on the Microsoft World. A huge war would fall against the dark, technologically elite mainland, the Wizpig's palace being in the center. The Master Chief would lead the aerial assault, but Snake would find a way to free him and the other prisoners in the process, and in the chaos, they would escape and make for the palace.
The Nintendonian, SONY, and Atarian forces would be evenly matched against the superior Microsoft weaponry only because of the Nintendonian Goddesses, and a righteous God-figure from each of the SONY and ATARI realms as well. But then, Wizpig would come onto the battlefield and begin decimating them. Master Chief would start feeling even more remorse. These were not the evil aliens Wizpig had described to his people.
The escapees would break into Wizpig's Palace, but find, instead of Wizpig, U. Reeka, preparing to launch his device which would swallow up the Nintendo mainland. They would fight him and his robot minions (as well as various Microsoft soldiers), but not succeed. Reeka would be about to launch the program when none other than Metal Mr. Game & Watch would stab him through the heart with its metal key. Reeka would finally die for good, and the Metal character would vanish.
The escapees, with Snake's great oratory skills with soldiers, would convince Microsoft's footwarriors to support their fight against the Wizpig, for they knew the fear that they felt.
All forces would then converge on Master Chief's armies and the Wizpig. But Master Chief, seeing the other Gods protecting their worlds against Wizpig's attacks, would try to call off his soldiers in a retreat. Wizpig would yell at him and order the soldiers to keep fighting.
An epic fight between the Wizpig and Diddy Kong would proceed. When Diddy would be about to lose, the Master Chief would, at long last, cut in and blast Wizpig's head off.
A peace would settle as the theme of masters would be brought up again. Microsoft would make peace with the other worlds, and they would begin searching for a new, wise, good leader to take Wizpig's place.
A new face would come up: LOG, the Lord of Games, from Banjo: Nuts & Bolts. He would tell the people of Microsoft that he would be a good leader to them, and most of the people would, seeing his wisdom, sustain him. A few would feel a little uneasy. This would be my false resolution.
In his first act of power, LOG would proceed to kill Master Chief, proclaiming him a traitor. Snake and others, however, would protest that this was wrong. A final showdown against LOG would proceed; the true enemy of this story would be Rareware itself, but good would eventually triumph over evil. LOG would turn out to be another fallen "creator" from the world Nightmare came from.
Palutena and the other Gods would revive Master Chief and put him in as the new leader. Everyone would go home, trade and travel between worlds would become common once again, and my story would end.
But, anyway, it was great to be able to share my story with you. I hope you enjoyed it!
All comments will now be taken.
First, however, I'd like to just say a bit about how this enormous undertaking of a project has been for me.
I. The Project
So I had started it in the latter half of 6th grade, some 4 years ago. However, at first, my only purpose of writing it was to entertain a SINGLE friend at my school with, while he shared one of his stories with me. I had NEVER imagined that it would drag on for the next several years of my life, becoming both a burden and an inspiring thing to create, until it became what it is today: over 400 pages about a single video game that happened to have no real plot.
This had been my motivation: to give one of my favorite games purpose, direction, and epicness to go along with how unquenchably fun it had been.
For the first 9 chapters, I actually wrote everything on paper--even the map. Eventually, though, I realized how much more efficient and long-lasting it would be if I typed it, so I did so.
There were HUGE gaps between writing this story, up to a whole year without a single word more. It was around chapter 10 where I stopped the longest--that was during my busiest year of school, and my original reader, believe it or not, wasn't reading it anymore. A few other people have shown interest in it, but not many just due to the fact that there's so many already-established characters that makes it hard for most to understand.
Looking back after I'm done, though, I would say that I'm glad to have challenged myself with such a long project; having this behind me, I can have just that much more confidence in my ability to make something of my own to the same magnitude as real authors.
Inspirations for the plot came randomly during the writing process. Originally--and this will sound REALLY weird--I had intended the final enemy to be a being extremely similar to Ray-man. Yes, Ray-man, in that there would have been hands, feet, head, and nothing else. But overtime, like many other things, my thought process changed, and I opted for the historically-supported theory of the Cloaked Nightmare. It makes more sense than you probably realize--after the initial game where Kirby defeats Nightmare, Kirby's Adventure, this villain does not reappear. But...what does appear repeatedly after this time? Master and Crazy Hand. I can think of no villain more fit to challenge the peoples of Nintendo. (of course, The Destroyer isn't finished, as well as other of your guys's fan-fic's...)
My decision for Kirby being the ultimate hero was based partly on the fact that HAL Laboratories, which helps make Smash Bros, also makes the Kirby games. And...well, it just seemed right to me.
I do have my regrets, unfortunately. My first is simply that I wasn't smart enough in 6th grade to plan and incorporate every plot line in the beginning chapters as well as the later ones. We saw little romance before Book 3, and I'd have liked to have put in more foreshadowing. If I were to rewrite Book 1 (which I'm not), it would be much longer and more detailed, delving into the individual lives and struggles of each character. But alas, it is not to be.
My other major regret is my lack of knowledge. If I were an expert on the Fire Emblem, Metroid, F-Zero, and Earthbound series, it would have made The Trophies a bit more complete. But alas, I'm not.
II. The Hard-to-find Things
The Trophies did actually have themes and morals, if not before the latter end of Book 2. It explores the contrast between trying to fend for oneself versus joining with your friends and companions. I'm a strong believer that it's in all of our best interests to become a part of something bigger than ourselves. Modern movies are a great example of this: It would take a single person dozens of years to produce a show of such high quality, but with many people working together, we are seeing a constant stream of combined talent being displayed to entertain us every year.
Sacrifice is another major theme. As you know, I killed off a LOT of people. Well, it wasn't just because I felt like it. It was because without loss, life would be without fear. But life HAS fear, and we should be aware of it so we can learn to overcome it. Just about every region of the Nintendo World had major casualties, with the possible exceptions of Onett and the F-Zero track.
But listen to this subtle inclusion. Did you notice that throughout the story, a Charizard, Blastoise, AND a Venasaur perished? This, I thought, would constitute quite a significant trio for the Pokemon to lose. All 3 starter Pokemon...dead.
And, of course, in accordance with my Bible quote at the very end, the concept of masters. Most characters in The Trophies had a master that they listened to. But those who didn't have a master, like Master and Crazy Hand, were, like Orca said, "their own masters." And the person a character served basically determined whether their side won. The Shadow Hand, one of Reeka's first creations, expressed in her last moments actual remorse for how her lot had turned out. But her mistake was that she had no hope. But there IS hope. You can change your master just as easily as you can change your socks. And, as mentioned in the verse, "no man can serve two masters." You can't try to do the right thing and the popular thing at the same time. It just doesn't work. So we all must choose between serving the world and serving God, or the person you honor most. And you can't serve the wrong side but still end up a winner. Shadow was smart enough to realize that.
III. The "Sequel"
Now what you've probably been snoozing through this post to read: what I would have had planned in a follow-up story to The Trophies.
I'll start with the raft from the epilogue. I am leaving it up to you all to figure out who you think would occupy such a craft, and why. So THAT, I would never actually define.
I'd probably call the story "Rights of Passage: A Trophies Tale". (yes, I said "rights" instead of "rites" on purpose)
The first chapter, and every OTHER chapter following, would tell the history of the infamous Copyright Wars mentioned in The Trophies in which many characters were claimed from Nintendo and Sony by the Microsoft World, and few escaped. And, as Master mentioned, he was eventually the force that drove Microsoft away, forcing an extended extended cease-fire with them and a truce with the Sony World.
But it would not follow Master's perspective. No, the Copyright Wars chapters would be told from three primary perspectives: Banjo, Diddy Kong, and--get this--Solid Snake. (sorry, Big Boss)
Banjo's point of view would witness those who Microsoft claimed from the other worlds, and the struggle of several resisters in trying to escape from it.
Diddy Kong would witness the Nintendo World's perspective on things, and the terrible battles they fought with Microsoft and Sony in an attempt to protect their inhabitants. He would also involve Timber Island, and the characters of Diddy Kong Racing, and describe the founding of Rareware, how it was the center of the conflict and Microsoft's reasoning behind their abductions.
Snake, from the Sony World, would describe how Microsoft invaded them first in an attack which started the war. Sony was then forced to fight for Microsoft against Nintendo. Basically, Microsoft are the antagonists. He would go into battle in familiar locations such as Dreamland, Kongo Jungle, and Yoshi's Island, but would not be liking the things he was being forced to do by Microsoft's general, the Master Chief. Eventually, towards the end, he would turn against both Microsoft AND SONY, siding with Nintendo before the final battle which would have meant the end of Nintendo's independence had Master not intervened.
I would create an expanded map of the planet, showing the Nintendo, SONY, and Microsoft mainlands as in a rough triangle formation, many miles apart from each other. The Isle O' Hags, Banjo's homeland, would be midway between Microsoft and Nintendo. There would also be a tiny island in the very center, called ATARI Island.
Meanwhile, the other half of the chapters would follow the events after the departure of the Banana Boat following The Trophies. I would also explain how The Subspace Emissary occurred in between, taking perhaps the first chapter or two from the mainlanders' perspective.
I would have one perspective, like I said, from the mainland, describing how the restoration was going and how Microsoft suddenly began launching assaults on them in the Banana Boat's absence. These would be led by the witch Grunty, rival of Banjo and Kazooie. And, since they were so weak with only a third of their population, things would be very serious. They would try to seek help from Timber's Island, only to find out it had already been invaded, and Taj killed.
We would continue to follow the Banana Boat's epic journey to the SONY world, where everything would seem very strange to them. They would have various adventures and misadventures there, learn more about Microsoft and SONY's history, and meet the friendly faces Donkey Kong had advised them to find. This would include Sonic's other friends and Solid Snake. Snake would warn them all that there was an evil on Microsoft worse than the Master Chief or any of them, but most would disregard his words.
I would also tell a tale of the Rito Postman journeying to ATARI Island. This place would be considered stranger than all the other worlds combined, almost similar to the Dimension Conflux. However, the Postman would eventually discover by accident that Professor U. Reeka was living on the island, working on some project, and would be shot down during his escape attempt.
The Banana Boat would finally set sail off SONY world with a strong alliance now between them, and with the SONY fleet alongside them, would make the dangerous trek to the Microsoft World. Along the way, though, a Microsoft ship would cross their paths, destroy their vessels, and take most of them prisoner. A few would be left in the water, and would find a way to travel up to the closest land, ATARI Island. There, they would meet friendly ATARI faces like Rocketman, but also narrowly escape being found by U. Reeka. They would discover that U. Reeka has been working on a plot to have the Nintendo Mainland swallowed into an endless, water abyss.
The captives on Microsoft would learn about Microsoft's inner workings, and how the real commander of their armies and forces was a being called Wizpig. (from Diddy Kong Racing
) Snake would have an extended discussion with the Master Chief himself, trying to convince the soldier that he was on the wrong side. The Master Chief would express a bit of sympathy and regret, but refuse to help. Wizpig was their power, and it was his duty to his world to support that power.The Mainlanders would be in peril of being conquered, when suddenly some good Nintendo deities would come to their aid and save them. Palutena, Farore, Din, and Nayru would be among them. The Goddesses would then explain that they had not been able to help before because a threat to their world's existence had not previously occurred. They would lead Nintendo in an attack on ATARI Island. The attack would liberate the Atarians and win their support in addition to SONY's, but Reeka would escape with his completed project to Microsoft.
Next, Nintendo would liberate Timber's Island and the Isle O' Hags in two difficult battles. They would learn that the Wizpig was considered a sort of God on Microsoft, and while most supported him willingly, some only did out fear.
All would then converge on the Microsoft World. A huge war would fall against the dark, technologically elite mainland, the Wizpig's palace being in the center. The Master Chief would lead the aerial assault, but Snake would find a way to free him and the other prisoners in the process, and in the chaos, they would escape and make for the palace.
The Nintendonian, SONY, and Atarian forces would be evenly matched against the superior Microsoft weaponry only because of the Nintendonian Goddesses, and a righteous God-figure from each of the SONY and ATARI realms as well. But then, Wizpig would come onto the battlefield and begin decimating them. Master Chief would start feeling even more remorse. These were not the evil aliens Wizpig had described to his people.
The escapees would break into Wizpig's Palace, but find, instead of Wizpig, U. Reeka, preparing to launch his device which would swallow up the Nintendo mainland. They would fight him and his robot minions (as well as various Microsoft soldiers), but not succeed. Reeka would be about to launch the program when none other than Metal Mr. Game & Watch would stab him through the heart with its metal key. Reeka would finally die for good, and the Metal character would vanish.
The escapees, with Snake's great oratory skills with soldiers, would convince Microsoft's footwarriors to support their fight against the Wizpig, for they knew the fear that they felt.
All forces would then converge on Master Chief's armies and the Wizpig. But Master Chief, seeing the other Gods protecting their worlds against Wizpig's attacks, would try to call off his soldiers in a retreat. Wizpig would yell at him and order the soldiers to keep fighting.
An epic fight between the Wizpig and Diddy Kong would proceed. When Diddy would be about to lose, the Master Chief would, at long last, cut in and blast Wizpig's head off.
A peace would settle as the theme of masters would be brought up again. Microsoft would make peace with the other worlds, and they would begin searching for a new, wise, good leader to take Wizpig's place.
A new face would come up: LOG, the Lord of Games, from Banjo: Nuts & Bolts. He would tell the people of Microsoft that he would be a good leader to them, and most of the people would, seeing his wisdom, sustain him. A few would feel a little uneasy. This would be my false resolution.
In his first act of power, LOG would proceed to kill Master Chief, proclaiming him a traitor. Snake and others, however, would protest that this was wrong. A final showdown against LOG would proceed; the true enemy of this story would be Rareware itself, but good would eventually triumph over evil. LOG would turn out to be another fallen "creator" from the world Nightmare came from.
Palutena and the other Gods would revive Master Chief and put him in as the new leader. Everyone would go home, trade and travel between worlds would become common once again, and my story would end.
But, anyway, it was great to be able to share my story with you. I hope you enjoyed it!
All comments will now be taken.
