Bastion has ever been defined by the stories people tell. The fall of the Network was no exception - indeed, it was the most apt illustration of this principle. Amidst political collapse and ideological turmoil, the only logical response was to craft a concinving narrative: one that would be a decent fit for the future.
This gets complicated when there are competing attempts.
From Fight Ring to Phenomenon: A Cultural History of Bastion, by Coral
[…] Rainbow bit her lip. Hesitantly, she put her hand on the shoulder of the woman who, despite everything, was still her Doubles Partner - the woman who, even in light of everything, did not shrug off the touch, but instead let out a harsh, choked sob.
“I know why you don't want to win,” she said, gently. “Trust me, I get it now. Winning won't bring back your little sister who died in that Wasteland Monster incursion all those years ago.”
Psyche did not answer, but did not quite look away.
“I'm sorry for calling you Monster bait. You're so much more than that. We're so much more than that. But don't you see? I'm not in this for the money - not anymore. I'm in this because you're my partner, and we can be glorious. The city deserves us to be glorious.” Rainbow held out her hand - and, against all odds, Psyche took it. “Don't you see? It's not just about winning a fight. It's about making history.”
Psyche looked up, slowly. “I have dreams, sometimes. A shadowy, silver-coloured figure takes me by the hands, just like this, and tells me - tells me that… she won't let me be hurt again.” […]
From Bastion: A Storybook, by the artist formerly known as [BAD STAR]: Chapter 25, 'Can Love Bloom in the Arena?'
It was hideous in its ambition. Virtually Monstrous, one might say. [BAD STAR] - not [BAD STAR] by then, but [ ] - with her firsthand knowledge of Bastion's hidden history, had put together a manifesto that was nothing short of revolutionary in its impact… though arguably counter-revolutionary in its content.
I think - and I flatter myself that I am correct, much as part of her will ever remain a mystery to me - that what she was trying to do was look after us. All those benevolent artificial intelligences that appear as guides in virtually every fable; all the dutiful Vice Executives working with their colleagues for the good of the whole (the fact that Magnet and Pulsar's professional rivalry is merely a facet of their love for one another, and the latter a facet of their love for the city, is telling to say the least); all the mothering, in short - it was all an attempt to care for her city. And, in classic [ ] fashion, she knew what we needed even before we knew it ourselves.
Not only that - she was smug about it. That went without saying.
Of course, most commentators focus on the historical implications of her text, saying it provided a handy how-to guide for piecing Bastion back together with glue. I say it wasn't as prosaic as getting us to learn from past mistakes. No - it was nothing short of a manifesto. [ ]'s fables point towards the need for some defining force within Bastion: something to lift us beyond the tyranny of necessity - to give us something to live for beyond mere survival.
Or perhaps a uniting intelligence. She seems to imply it.
From The [BAD STAR] I Knew, by {ASTER DIS}
The City lives, and the City breathes despite its wounds. Against all odds, its threefold partnership has held.
The Moon watches, breath caught between anticipation and fear.
The City will rise.
Apocrypha, commonly misattributed to [ ], and included in many later editions of Bastion: A Storybook
In his latest self-help book, Trend, the motivational speaker behind such iconic UMBC stars as Laurel (Trainer of Grassroot), Cache (Trainer of Landmine) and Overcharge (Trainer of STELLAR-SPARK) weighs in on where he draws his own motivation from.
His answer? Himself, of course. And the satisfaction of seeing the numbers go up in his bank account.
Find out how Trend turned these inspirations into a reality in On Trend: Get Inspired!, now available at all good bookstores.
- From 'Top Ten Books of the Season', published in ENTROPY.
“We saw a failing Network, and we decided to tear it down and build something better! We saw a rusting pile of metallic Monster in the Wasteland, and we decided to make a tourism experience out of it! And that, listeners, is what I want each of you to do in your own lives! Just think, what in your life is bringing you down and pulling you towards failure?”
“My restaurant! Everyone wants to eat at Monster House instead!”
“My obsession with collecting Omnisquid merch! The last three people I brought home got weirded out and left!”
“My crush on Decibel! I keep getting distracted during fights and missing all the AMBER action!”
“Then you take those failures and you make them into successes! Stop clinging to what brings you down; tear it all up and make something new! Start a takeaway business – they’re more profitable in this economic climate! Collect Cuddlefish merch instead – same squid decor, less existentially terrifying! Develop a crush on one of the AMBER Trainers instead – at least then you’ll end up staring at the fight rather than the Commentator’s box!”
- From a lecture at the Museum of Failure
The Disjunct Theatrical Universe had fans queuing out of the theatre doors today with the debut of Disjunct: Saviour of Champions. This tense but frequently heartwarming episode in Disjunct’s life shows our favourite portal-hopping Monster single-handedly changing the tide of the Season XXXVI Grand Championship – and reclusive playwright Agenda is reported to have described this as their best work yet!
“5/5 - I was captivated from start to finish! With its stunningly realistic special effects and its beautiful soundtrack, Disjunct: Saviour of Champions has made an indelible mark on Bastion theatrical culture.” - Aficionado, Red Curtain
“4/5 - A talented cast and impressive array of special effects makes this powerful, if slightly predictable take on the Season XXXVI Grand Championship worth a watch.” - Quickchange, The Culture Shock
- From 'What to Watch in Bastion', published in SSMAS
The identity of the playwright Agenda, who only made a handful of public appearances after purchasing the rights to the Disjunct series, remains unknown to this day. Attempts to trace back their personal history have been largely unsuccessful – some have theorised that they emerged from a criminal ring headed by notorious gang leader Crowbar just weeks before releasing their first play, while others have suggested that they may be a blood relative continuing the legacy of Todo List, the apparently deceased original Trainer of Disjunct and the author of Disjunct: The Original Saga.
One prominent theory suggests that the real identity of Agenda is Max Entropy, editor of ENTROPY and allegedly a “close friend” of Todo List. However, many dispute this, citing several scathing reviews of Disjunct: The Original Saga in Entropy's early writings as evidence that Agenda and Entropy cannot possibly be one and the same.
Entropy themself has refused to comment either way.
- From Disjunct: From the Page to the Stage, by Rift
We're pleased to announce that, three decades after his initial memoir From Sandwiches to Glory, the former Rules Lawyer Noggin' has once again published a fascinating look into life at the top. His autobiography, Changing The Rules: My life in UMBA and UMBC, builds on the themes of competition without aggression and understanding how the minutiae inform the bigger picture of success. His refreshing values and a long lifetime of anecdotes are evident in the speeches he gives at charity dinners and legal conferences. We are confident that this wealth of knowledge and humour will be present in this long-awaited autobiography.
One topic expected to be covered at length is the development of the 10,000th Amendment. This was a landmark in the development of UMBA Rules, as few previous Amendments had taken into account the will and whim of the audience, and never to such a great extent. It is believed that the forces behind the 10,000th Amendment – Noggin' among the chief of these, as was Yarn – contributed to the demise of the Network even before such an idea was popularly on the table. By moving the power from the established branches of the Network and immovable Network employees, the foundation was laid for citizens to have more sway.
Noggin', for those who don't know the 'behind the scene' details, has continued to be involved in the Ultimate Maximum Battle Challenge, and contributed to the aspects which resembled the 10,000th Amendment and participation of the audience. The participation of the audience continued to be finely balanced between the business operations of the separate Arena venue and the financial arm of the Championships organiser. Although largely shunning the Alternative Monster Battle Experience Reloaded, his expertise was occasionally sought for AMBER as well; in particular, the balance between the risk of actual harm to Monsters and the showmanship of choreography.
Since retiring from the Championships and from Rules consultation work, the respected first-generation UMBC fighter can be found taking morning exercise in various parks. With the faithful Murk, of course.
– From ENTROPY, Season 25: Issue 8
