The spotlight flickered.
The folding chairs creaked ominously in the void. A single table offered lukewarm coffee and donuts shaped like question marks.
We sat. With characters who never got their chance.
A man with glowing shoulder pads and three swords stood up.
> "Hi, I'm Blade Thunderblood," he said. "Hi Blade," the group muttered.
> "I was a rogue prince with a dark prophecy and the power to cry lava. Then I was replaced by a talking duck. It... it still hurts."
Everyone clapped supportively. Even the duck.
Then, it was my turn. The spotlight shifted. All eyes turned.
> "Uh... hi, I'm Greg. I mean—not Greg. I'm the MC."
A woman in a cloak gasped.
> "YOU!" she shouted, standing. "You were supposed to be my mentor! You LEFT me in Chapter TWO of a completely different novel!"
> "Wait, what?" I blinked.
She hurled a quill at me. It exploded into glitter.
Arc groaned.
> "Multiverse bleed. I knew this was going to happen."
> "Look, I didn't even know I was a character in a different story!" I protested.
> "Excuses!" she shouted.
Suddenly— The wall behind us exploded.
A giant rubber duck wearing a crown burst through.
> "QUAAACK!" it bellowed. "YOU LEFT ME IN A BATHTUB FOR SEVEN YEARS!"
Everyone screamed. Blade Thunderblood dove behind the coffee table.
Arc deadpanned:
> "That's Lord Sudsworth. He was cut from a magical spa episode. He's been soaking in his rage."
Lord Sudsworth raised a scepter made from soap and betrayal.
> "I AM THE RIGHTFUL RULER OF THE BACKLOG REALM! AND YOU SHALL SING FOR YOUR FREEDOM!"
A music cue began playing. The lights dimmed. Spotlights spun. The forgotten characters formed a chorus line.
Grubnuk grabbed a tambourine. Kevin screamed. Clucksworth screamed on pitch.
> "We're doing a musical number to survive," Lyria muttered. "Of course we are."
> "Again," Arc added. "We're doing this again."
The MC looked around. Took a deep breath.
And belted out a shaky but heartfelt opening line:
> "I never meant to leave you... in a bathtub full of dreams!"
The crowd swayed. The glitter returned. Even Lord Sudsworth shed a single, soapy tear.
---
End of Chapter 39 (Past sins confronted. Ducks enraged. Chorus lines achieved.)