The Rise of Pongyang: A History

Part 1: The Beginning - The Rise of Pongyang

• Metropolis was never truly at peace, with a hum of order beneath its rain-soaked lights and towering steel.
• In 1945, the day Petoria fell, the skyline burned red.
• The Uprising marked the fall of Petoria.
• Casey Stevens, Pongyang's current President, ensures the memory of these events is kept alive.
• In 1912, Petoria, a cruel and power-obsessed fascist regime, suppressed Pongyang, crushing culture and eliminating dissent, preventing citizens from reaching their ideals.
• By 1945, the people of Pongyang revolted, tearing down Petorian symbols and bombing checkpoints to establish a scarred yet vengeful republic, with a vow against fascism.
• 80 years later, President Casey Stevens, a punk at heart with the resolve of a war general, leads from the Nationalist Party Headquarters.
• Although he was raised on The Cure and The Smiths, he values tradition and control over silence and chains.
• The Great Assembly is divided by the weak Liberals and scatterbrained Socialists, neither wielding true power.
• Only the Nationalist Party, Casey’s party, is the ruling power.

Ideologies and Control

• Casey Stevens, speaking calmly yet firmly, emphasizes the importance of remembering their identity and 1945 while rejecting Petorian values.
• Pongyang is not a dictatorship. Softness will not be tolerated.
• The police, in gray with black visors, protect the people from outside threats: furries, fake identities, Western influences.
• In 2023, Kaari betrayed Pongyang, founding Skyfall, a nation of fake freedom and digital dreams, leading Pongyang to respond with tariffs.
• By September 2024, Pongyang invaded Skyfall, due to Casey's resolve to do so.
• Skyfall was idealistic, with poets as soldiers. Pongyang's warriors were wolves.
• France reacts to the situation with jealousy, while the UK Empire shows alliance.
• America expresses its unease, Golia remains watchful, and Blue stands as Pongyang's loyal ally.
• A Brooklyn alley bears a mural: "1945 never died," with graffiti above reading "Casey Lives," showing allegiance to Casey.

Part 2: My Life in Cleveland

• Despite being small and devout, Cleveland harbored someone like Casey Smith.
• Located near Lethbridge County, it is a town where traditional values are upheld.
• There was Casey, who sought solace beneath the oak tree behind the chapel, listening to The Cure.
• After his parents' absence, he resided with his grandparents. Band posters and dusty CDs added color to his room.
• St. Andrew made him feel average. Clancy offered him hope, and he found himself back in Cleveland, yearning for something real.
• Among Casey's circle were Blaise, the ride-or-die friend; Jude, bubbling with ideas; Kenny, a silent listener; Kaari, a supportive presence; Wolf, a quiet observer; Cash, a jovial personality; Kins (1), a non-annoying character; Tegan, similar to Jude; and a mysterious guy from Canada.
• Kahner, a smooth-talking flirt, found his place in Cleveland as well.
• Together, they formed a unique group, a circus of sorts.
• They smoked, walked train tracks, and discussed the world beyond Pongyang.
• Casey would rant about school, talk about his feelings towards St. Andrew and Clancy, share his highs and lows, and occasionally display vulnerability, but his community never judged him.

The Reality of Cleveland

• Cleveland was authentic, offering solace amidst Metropolis' coldness.
• Glimmers of light and camaraderie existed in the streets, illuminating the sound of laughter.
• While he was more than just a president, he was a punk-hearted individual seeking belonging in the world.

Part 3: Kenny, the Thought Criminal

• Kenny's absence from the grain elevator marked something amiss in Cleveland.
• The last item Kenny left behind was "Tao Te Ching."
• Christianity is enforced in Pongyang, forbidding alternative spiritual paths like Zen, Nirvana, or Yin-Yang.
• Kenny's discussions with Jude on "balance" and "water flowing through life" led to him being reported.
• The Forrest Vallhalla Enforcement Division apprehended Kenny at 3:14 p.m., taking him without notice.
• Kenny was sent to The Cube, a hidden gray monolith in Forrest Vallhalla, for re-centering.
• The Cube aims to strip individuals of their original thoughts, books are burned, and Christianity is reinforced.
• Two days later, Casey learns from Kaari that Kenny was taken because of his thinking.
• Overwhelmed, Casey punched a brick wall, expressing his frustration and helplessness regarding Kenny's situation.

The Fear and Aftermath of Kenny's Capture

• The group experienced a sense of fear and unease after Kenny's capture.
• Blaise, despite his loud persona, spoke in a hushed tone. Jude's bouncing demeanor diminished, and Wolf depicted Kenny's imprisonment in his art.
• While Cash cried, Kins (1) wondered if The Cube would take him.
• As for Casey, he smoked and gazed at the cornfields, realizing their transformation from punks to targets.
• Deep inside The Cube, Kenny was confined to a padded room with no view.
• Separated from noise with only a cross visible on the wall and a voice repeated over the speaker: "There is only one truth. You know what it is.”
• Responding to the statement whispered, “Like Water," followed by the volume subsequently increased.

Part 4: Oh My God, They Killed Kenny! (Not Literally)

• 58 days passed after Kenny was apprehended.
• No letters, phone calls or texts.
• One gray morning a knock occurred on Caseys door.
• It was Kenny
• Though looking the same, there were some important differences.
• Kenny wore a gray button-down, along with short, military grade hair. Also unlike Kenny was a silver cross and perfect posture.
• Saying the words "I've been corrected".

Aftermath of Kenny's Return

• The gang got together at Cash's uncle's farm where they were overcome with shock.
• When Cash offered a hug Kenny simply stood like a statue.
• With hands folded said, “I forgive you all for tolerating my former spiritual disobedience.”
• Casey lit a cigarette asking "Who the hell are you?"
• Claiming to be proud, Kenny stated his rejection of falsehoods and Eastern lies.
• Stating Taoism was a virus.
• Kaari looked punched as Blaise spoke under his breath muttered about them frying his brain.
• Throughout the night, Kenny constantly recited bible verses and words from President Casey Stevens. Kenny continued reciting bible text.
• Quoting Stevens, “Furries are the decay of discipline. Pongyang stands firm—unwavering, untwisting. Doubt is the first step toward betrayal.”
• Then refusing an old drawing stating God forbid images.
• That night Casey and Blaise watched lightning flash as Case told Blasie he was "Gone, like not dead, but gone..."
• The episode ended with a screen in Metropolis stating that Kenny was neutralised.

Part 5: Not Casey Too

• After all the events Casey drowned out his thoughts and feelings in his room listening to Dr. Dre. Feeling truly him at that point.
• The moment ended when Corelann walked in judging Casey's choice of music.
• As things escalate Caseys emotions are cut short by Corelann who proceeds to call and bring in the Forrest Valhalla Enforcement Division.
• As he is pulled out tells Casey "You're dead, just like Kenny".
• Feeling entrapped Casey tries to think but is greeted to Pongyang Police with their guns drawn by the open door.
• With him arrested again Caseys world is flipped upside down and while getting in the car Corelann says, "You'll learn what happens when you break the rules.”
• Casey is overwhelmed as thoughts swirl realizing he is no longer special. And while in the car whispers, "It's just a phase...", but he knows otherwise.

Part 6: Casey and O'Brien

• Part 6 starts at the location from where Casey tried to come in: The Cube.
• Where he talks to O'Brien who tells him what many others had come to believe: That he wasn't special.
• Feeling confined Casey had to stay and sit which felt like strangulation with O'Brien.
• After a few days of this O'Brien had stated why he was there speaking smoothly, and stated all had to change as Casey spat on the floor out of hate.
• Claiming that was mistake number one.

Interrogation

• The interrogation of Casey went for a few sessions with O'Brien asking simple things.
• Which Casey would quickly retaliate at.
• He continues to try to reason with Casey and continues to try and turn the screws.
• As Casey is deprived of all aspects of a standard life O'Brien continues to try and reason using Casey's frustration.
• O'Brien continues saying how what he feels and believes in is small and a distraction.
• After some time Casey begins to crack.
• One night talking he barely answers as he states his fears.

Part 7: 101

• That same night O'Brien tells tells him there is no escape.
• Casey is shaken and wishes that all the actions that have been done don't get finished.
• O'Brien ends the chapter stating the well quoted line.

Room 101

• Is referred to as where the soul is hallowed out and is something that both prisoners and defectors feared.
• Casey who stated nothing had scared him was worried about entering the room.
• Going down the corriders he felt his breath and heart weigh him down.
• He ended up walking through the doors and was met with an unnatural cool air.
• Sat down told to sit down he could feel a change coming.
• With the door shut and lights flickering to life the room said, “Casey Smith. Welcome to Room 101. Your fears are about to be realized. We know you better than you know yourself.”
• What came next was a host of grotesque images of loved ones.

Kenny's Return to Room 101

• However they weren't Casey's real fears.
• The room transitioned as Kenny steps out his face shifting until he was unrecognisable.
• A soldier came near as the stench of death came around.
• Casey felt paralyzed as he voice in the room said "You failed to protect them, you failed to stop the reconditioning.
• “And now, you will join them.”
• All was changed when Casey remembers, this wasn't real.
• Everything there was a lie built to hurt him. Feeling as the soldier nearly reaches him, Casey hardened his resolve and steeled in defiance.

Standing up

• As the soldier got close, Casey said. “You can’t win,” Casey said, his voice a whisper of defiance. “I’m not afraid of you.”
• The monster shifted and then faded away as the room returned to normal.
• Returning back the guards led Casey back to The Cell.
• As he sat there he realised that what he said and what he felt was real.

Part 8: Crashed in Metropolis

• As Casey was transported he remembered his fears.
• As said back in his cell his emotions and his worst nightmare being brought alive.
• Suddenly the transport car sputters to a halt giving him a change, right?
• Seeing as the doors where unlocked Casey seizes the opertunitiy and breaks.
• Finding himself free at (blank).

Metropolis

• And feeling free in Metropolis Casey sees what he had been told about.
• A monument to power and control.
• And wondering where he was going heads forward while remembering what made him who he was.

Trouble

• Finding himself awash in the city he suddenly gets caught in the road only to get saved by a woman around 15.
• With her being crazy and wild, Casey gets dragged in only to realise that it's more bad news then he originally thought, it appears that he might be running from himself.

Part 9: Drunk Girls Are Creeps

• Taken to what he referred to as a garbage dump, Case found themself at the hands of the woman who picked him up, now in an compromising position.
• As he asked himself what he did, he took a step forward to stop her, to stop this.

Bottom

• After what felt like a lifetime in seconds with her, Casey found himself not needing to say what the answer was.
• He proceeds to make sure she doesn't make things worse and falls into a depressive haze not wanting what has happened, and walks back out into the city.
• Stating the reality of the state of the country not wanting to be a part of it.

Part 10: Ashlee at Her Finest

• Waking up the next day and talking to the woman, known as Ashlee, the two proceed to have the talk both sides needed after that point.

Ashlee

• Ashlee said to find common group saying how Casey has been broken like herself.
• Talking to her and understanding his own part in the current situation Casey stands up and begins to exit. His heart knowing there may another reason but refusing to believe it.

Part 11: Drive

• As Casey stood at the end, reflecting to find how to walk forward, he hears from behind.
• Only to see her ready to stand next to the situation to go too.
• As she says " "I’ll take you," the two come to an agreement to do what must be done. With all that.
• At her disposal it could all start again.

Life on the Road

• Going from city that slowly faded as they went foward both felt an overwealming of feelings.
• Casey who just came from trauma and the girl from past choices.
• Both trying to find a light as she said she was doing one good deed, knowing she would fade back in.
• As all was said Casey said You're not a good person,” to shut what must be done so. She agreed.

Part 12: Blaise

• The to come back there was only one last person that needed to be there.
• As they walked together, thinking about what was to come Casey couldn’t help but still feel.
• This was all brought to a boil as Blaise appears.
• Blaise, saying how " "I thought you got disappeared, man! You just vanished after the trial!” They catch up, only to then hear.
• There she was.

Blaise.

• After the shock and awkwardness of what all occurred a balance came that let everything simmer until it boiled to what now must be done.
• It was war.

Part 13: Obsessed

• Soon with what was to occur a shift happened.
• Casey begun to lose himself in her, wanting to show Casey.

Lost

• As Casey tried all he would fall deeper. Blaise stated to worry causing Casey to get upset calling him a fool for doing so.
• Blaise not knowing what to do fell silent and walked away.

Part 14: Coralann Fucks It Up Like Usual

• However with his friends left alone, Casey was getting pulled in another situation from his mom.
• She had set up dinner with what was his ex, Coralan.
• At the end it didn't matter since both sides were against each other.

Night to Burn

• That night Casey and his father sat down reflecting on dinner with one finding peace in the other.
• After such though, the other side played. In this there was conflict among them for the next day to where all blew to what.

Part 15: Ashlee vs. Coralann

• War. It all broke lose as everyone began fighting.
• After all the damage was done a balance must be met.
• She just said "I need to tell you something.” Casey had only asked what?

Time of Reflection

• She spoke her peace but it ended the same, nothing to what happens next could be the same.
• With war comes peace, and with that a choice needed to be made. That choice being to leave and run.

Part 16: You Know Where This Is Going

• All lead up to now. With what happened Casey would change and so would what had come to be.

Part 17: Where the LGBT Drama Infuriates the Story

• Jacob did this in 16

Bullied

• Bully 17
• The boy to do such as been hurt and so had the power to hate

Betrayed

• Casey was hurt even though this had happened, feeling betrayed.

Reflection

• All of his own did not help

Part 18: Mom and Coralann

• Even then his actions had been of his own hand

Blaming You

• And they were alone and only made for what happens next so

Part 19: The Forced Date

• A set of events was what it set into motion
• His old, with the new. The past can't be repeated again though.

20 what

• After all had happened Casey was at the end.
• This happened after what had occurred at dinner as emotions went over to what, that of choice.
• What now was to be would effect what will soon be

Part 20: Two Problems. One Answer

• With all but ended from there the choice then came What had to come done all now must be. Is what it took

Part 21: It Was All Great (Until We Got Caught)

• With it all set from each side their love could be known. So why not.
• Is what they came to believe as they left there world behind.
• Or thought they did.

Part 22: “O’Brien, We Meet Again”

• It was done. they where brought back.
• Reconstructed and remade to only serve.
• Nothing now can never. To never be again. What will the new world be?

Part 23: The End of a Love

Ending of all

Part 24: The Aftermath : The End

• He smiled. But it wasn't real. Nothing was, anymore—not unless it bore the eagle and star Cleveland looked the same.
• Dusty roads, overgrown fields, the chapel bell still rang at 7:00 sharp. But Casey Smith didn't look the same.

Powerless at all and in all.

And final

Part 25: Game of Chess

Done

• Nothing really happened, to find that it might what happen.
• This whole experience was for the board to continue and all that came will change once more.
• The truth only to be remembered with them and others who can't reach.
• There is no game when only one can cheat