Neo Cosmos

**Neo Cosmos** is a DLC pack for A Dance of Fire and Ice, containing 5 original songs, new mechanics, and a short story.

## Worlds

Neo Cosmos has 9 worlds: 5 normal worlds, and 4 EX worlds, which are harder versions of the normal worlds, unlocked by getting a certain number of Gold medals on their respective normal world counterpart. World T5 does not have an EX version.

* T1 - Welcome to Neo Cosmos
* T2 - The most important busywork of all time
* T3 - Nope, no hints here!
* T4 - ???
* T5 - The Overseer's Challenge

### Beginning

Summary
The story begins with the player being introduced to The Overseer, who welcomes them to Neo Cosmos. They explain the player is here because "whoever was in charge here" has tasked the player with keeping the rhythm of the universe in check, though The Overseer disagrees with that decision. They also explain it's their job to observe the player's performance of said task. The Overseer then presents the player with Worlds T1 and T2 to go through, and leaves.

Dialogue
Note: *Italicised* dialogue is used to represent words that float up and down in-game.

The Overseer: "This is who they're sending? Seriously?"

"OK, sure, we'll go with that."

"What was your name again?"

\*A segment of tiles labeled "NAME ENTRY?" flies in from the right of the screen\*

"...On second thought, maybe we won't be needing that."

\*The Overseer pushes the tiles away\*

"Ahem."

"Welcome to *Neo Cosmos*"

"You're here because, whoever was in charge here seems to think *you* would be a good fit for keeping the natural rhythm of this universe in order."

"...And apparently, *I'm* supposed to oversee your performance."

"So you can just call me *The Overseer*."

* [If the player has not beaten World 6

	+ "Wait... You haven't *beaten 6-X of the base game* yet?"
	+ "I think you should *probably* get acquainted with some of the general techniques of A Dance of Fire and Ice, before tackling *Neo Cosmos*."
	+ "You'll get the most out of your job here that way."
	+ "Please, *take as long as you like*."
	+ "I'll wait."
* [If the player has beaten World 6]

	+ "You can start by getting used to some of the... *Peculiarities* of this world."
	+ "Anyway, I've got some more important places to be right now."
	+ "I'll check up on you at some point. Probably."

### T2 tutorial

Summary
The player is introduced to Charla Tan, who teaches the player about Midspins.

Dialogue
#### T2-2

Charla: "Pardon my interruption!"

"The name's *Charla*."

"*Charla Tan*."

"And I'm here to teach ya about *Midspins*."

* [If the player has cleared PA-X]

	+ "(Look, I know you beat PA-X already, but just let me have this, okay?)"

"You see these *pentagon shapes*?"

"These are what we call *Midspins*."

"They're called that because you gotta hit 'em in the *Middle* of your *Spin*, but the spin keeps going afterwards."

"That probably sounds like a lot to take in, but, it should make sense after a couple of tries."

"Let's see you give it a shot!"

#### T2-3

Charla: "Pretty simple, huh?"

"OK so, next thing: Midspins don't only point straight up!"

"I've taken to calling these two types of midspins "*Fire Tiles*" and "*Ice Tiles*"."

"The *Fire Tile* needs to be hit *directly after* hitting the connected tile."

"Let's hit some *Fire Tiles*!"

### T3

Summary
The player completes the tasks The Overseer set them, only for them to declare that Charla is now the new High Guardian of Neo Cosmos. The player protests, and Charla agrees to a race, where the winner will be the High Guardian.

Dialogue
#### Post T1 & T2 cutscene

The Overseer: "What do you **MEAN** you're done counting all the Lucas numbers!?"

"It's an **infinite series!** It was supposed to have taken **infinite time!!**"

"Well... You're too late, anyway."

"Yes, yes. I was just in the process of appointing *Charlie* here as the new *High Guardian*,"

Charla: "Oh snap, word? *(When was this decided...?)*"

The Overseer: "Yep."

"So you won't be needed anymore."

"..."

"Don't worry, *Neo Cosmos* will be fine without your intervention."

"...The look on your face tells me you think *you* could do a better job."

"Well, why don't we put that to the test, shall we?"

"According to the *Cosmic Rules*, a dispute such as this can be settled via contest, chosen by the member being challenged--"

Charla: "Race ya!"

The Overseer: "What."

Charla: "Yeah! If you can beat me in a race on *my custom made track*, I'll concede!"

The Overseer: "...Then it's settled."

"(...On all Extradimensional Deities Charlie, you better win this.)"

"Get to it. *I'll be watching.*"

#### T3-1

Charla: "Aite, so here's how this is gonna work."

"The winner is the first person to reach *That Island* waaay over there."

"Sounds easy enough, right?"

"See ya at the finish line! *Yaheehy!!*"

### T4

Summary
After the player bests Charla in the race, The Overseer accuses them of cheating, and banishes them. The player wanders a labyrinth, and at the end finds themselves at gate to T4. Going in, they meet Sef, another deity who is initially cautious of the player, but gradually begins to trust them. They imbue the player with their power and guides the player to where the portal resides.

Dialogue
#### Post T3 cutscene

The Overseer: "What in the Cosmos..."

"I watched the whole thing, there's no way you should have won that."

"Unless...?"

"You **cheated.**"

"**You absolutely cheated!**"

"According to the *Cosmic Rules*, if it can be proven beyond reasonable doubt that one of the parties engaged in *foul play*..."

"The guilty party can be *Banished*."

\*The tiles surrounding the one the player is on disappear, and that tile is sent flying into the darkness below\*

"I'll be seeing you!"

"(...You totally won that, right?)"

Charla: "**(Mmmmm I dunno...)**"

#### T4-2

Sef: "**Halt!** Who goes there!"

"No entity should be walking these mountains."

"Were you banished here?"

"For what reason, I wonder..."

#### T4-4

Sef: "You are very skilled."

"This terrain is particularly rough."

???: "(Have we been using one finger up to this point?)"

"(If we have, now would be a good time to start using two fingers!)"

"(Let's try to hit this pattern by alternating hands.)"

Sef: "So you say you were unfairly banished...?"

"Interesting..."

#### T4-6

Sef: "I detect no ill intent from you."

"I can also sense you have been wronged."

"By a *High Guardian*, no less. (I've naught but disdain for those types...)"

"Very well. I shall help you return."

"The name's Sef, by the way. Nice to meet you."

"The road ahead is quite complex, however."

"In order to progress, you must learn a *New Skill.*"

#### T4-12

Sef: "You are now ready."

"We will right this wrong, and complete the transfer of power accordingly."

"We must proceed to a portal. I shall prepare the paths for you."

"Good luck."

### T5

Summary
The player makes it as far as Sef can take them, and the two part ways, Sef telling them to head for "The Light". The player navigates some spike mazes before coming face to face with The Overseer again, who questions how they've returned, and how they learned to wield three planets. They quickly surmise that the player is headed for The Light and threaten them. The player proceeds anyway and The Overseer vows to destroy them.

Dialogue
#### Post T4 cutscene

Sef: "This is as far as I can take you."

"I am not partial to encroaching on another high guardian's territory myself."

"In order to complete the transfer of power, you must head towards *The Light*."

"You will know it when you see it."

#### T5-1

The Overseer: "...Am I imagining things?"

"I could have sworn I **permanently** *banished* you."

"Well, it's not like you can accomplish much *here*, anyway."

#### T5-3

The Overseer: "What!? Where did you learn to do that!?"

"Gah... Now I have to update all my mazes..."

#### T5-5

The Overseer: "If you're heading for what I think you're heading for,"

"You should quit while you're still in one piece."

"...Just some friendly advice from someone who cares."

#### T5-X

The Overseer: "Alright, you asked for this."

"I know you're headed for *The Light*,"

"But that just isn't something I can allow."

"You leave me no choice but to destroy you."

"*This ought to be fun!*"

### T5-X

Summary
The Overseer manages to catch the player in a trap, cutting off their escape routes and destroying their ice planet. Charla and Sef intervene to help the player, becoming their additional planets. Together, they all escape The Overseer and reach The Light.

Dialogue

\*Lasers trap the player in, destroying one of their planets and the tiles surrounding them\*

The Overseer: "**NOW I've got you!**"

"This should put a stop to your little escapade."

\*Charla hops into frame\*

Charla: "Psst. Hey."

"I feel like you deserve this more than I do."

"**Come on! Let's get outta here!!**"

\*Charla assumes the form of a planet and joins the player\*

Sef: "\*Sigh\* I am breaking my personal rule for this..."

"But I am quite partial to a good mutiny."

\*Sef assumes the form of a planet and moves further up the track\*

"So what is our strategy."

Charla: "...Make a break for it!"

Sef: "I like it."

The Overseer: "**HEY!**"

### Epilogue

Summary
The Overseer concedes, as the player has now become the new High Guardian. The Overseer, seeing the player is looking for things to do, points them towards the EX Worlds, and explains how to unlock them.

dialogue

The Overseer: "..."

"Alright, you win."

"The transfer of power is complete."

"You are now the deity in charge of *Neo Cosmos*."

"..."

"What do you want from me? Something to do?"

"Alright, since we're here, there *is* something I've been putting off."

"There are some... *More Challenging Versions'* of each of the worlds you've encountered so far,"

"(except mine which was already perfect)"

"*"Slumpages"* or *"EX versions"*, you could call them, accessible from *the lower half of this screen*."

"I've been putting off dealing with them for quite some time."

"(Partly because I locked myself out accidentally)"

"You'll need a certain number of those *Gold Clear Medals* to access each one, which might take some work."

"To get them, you'll have to revisit each of the four worlds for *medals*, won't you?"

"You know, if you want to keep *The Natural Rhythm of The Cosmos* in order."