Aurora (Noodlekin)

## Collection Information

**Aurora** is a level created by Noodlekin for the Heartstrings storyline. It features Magpie as a boss, who properly introduces himself to the player for the first time and tests them in strength.

## Layout

### Opening

The camera pans downward from above the trees of a forest, to show Magpie talking to the player. Ths section serves as an introduction and has no gameplay.

### Checkpoint 1

A laser appears in the center of the screen, leaving a black square behind in Magpie's place. Giant vertical lasers continue to appear, as square pulse attacks also show up across the screen. Magpie reappears halfway through the checkpoint, and finishes it by releasing a giant square shockwave.

### Checkpoint 2

Throughout the first part of this checkpoint, small horizontal laser attacks appear. Magpie moves to the top of the screen, and attacks the left and right side with lasers that leave behind a trail of bullets that move across. He then moves to the center and attacks with a cluster of small lasers from his smaller square form. Following this, Magpie attacks the left and right side both at once with massive lasers from the bottom of the screen. Red walls appear on the edges as Magpie returns to the top and repeats the pattern once again. To finish the checkpoint, Magpie transforms into a square and begins sweeping at the bottom of the screen with lasers from the top, finishing by spewing out bullets and attacking the center with a large beam. During this final section, large red bars appear vertically.

### Checkpoint 3

As Magpie leaves, blue waves appear on the bottom as droplets rail down from the top of the screen. This is accompanied by square pulses, as well as a line of square pulses that moves downward occasionally appearing.

### Checkpoint 4

An illusion of the Heart appears in the center of the screen, sending out bullet explosions with each heartbeat as Magpie explains its situation. At the end of the checkpoint, the Heart descends and leaves the screen.

### Checkpoint 5

Magpie reappears in the center of the screen, and addresses the player once again. During this section diamond pulse attacks appear, as well as square bombs that shoot out four bullets each.

### Checkpoint 6

Unleasing a giant explosion of bullets, Magpie moves to the top of the screen and attacks with blue flames that cover a vertical area. Afterwards, he moves down to the bottom and attacks the top with lasers.Creating several bullet explosions from his hands, he summons four swords that spin around at the top before dashing off. This is followed with an entire-screen attack that must be avoided with a well-timed dash. Magpie then repeats the pattern, finishing with a giant laser and a barrage of bullets instead on the second time.

### Checkpoint 7

Walls appear on the left and right side of the screen, with swords appearing in them and dashing across. Alongside this, more flames appear on the bottom as the screen scrollls upwards. Magpie attacks towards the bottom with lasers, occasionally covering the top in lasers or releasing a bullet explosion. He leaaves temporairly to summon three swords that dash downwards, and then raises the fires upwards to narrow the safe area.

### Checkpoint 8

Magpie returns to the center of the screen, exhausted. In a flash of light, both Magpie and the player return to the forest at the start of the level. Magpie tells the player they have succeeded, and the level ends with its list of special thanks.

## Trivia

* Aurora was initially teased in the first Project Arrhythmia Workshop Direct with a trailer, and released later on that day.
* The description calling the conversation between the Emissary and Magpie a “heart to heart” is a likely pun on the two discussing the Heart itself.