Summary of RetroCity:
Retrocity is a dystopian city of harsh, divided levels. The Citadel controls from above with B.A.D., enforcing strict order. Below, BlueFrigid and PinkBlaze gangs fight for freedom. Survival is grim, hope is fleeting, and escape is nearly impossible.
Prologue: Shadows of Retrocity
Retrocity—an expanse of neon lights, grime-filled streets, and untold stories. Here, beings of all kinds coexist: humans, anthro characters, cyborgs, droids, hybrids, and even alien species. Most of Retrocity's inhabitants have lived here their entire lives, born into a world of restricted borders and controlled freedoms, trapped within the confines of this sprawling urban labyrinth.
Retrocity itself is built on several levels. The ground level is a chaotic mix of pollution and survival. Artificial rivers and water streams snake their way through the streets, providing some semblance of life for those creatures who make their homes in these murky waters. Above the ground level lies the Citadel—a massive, imposing structure that exerts control over Retrocity. The Citadel, often referred to as the second layer, is connected to the lower areas with thick steel supports and cables, looming as a constant reminder of power and control. Further still is the floating higher level, where only the privileged reside, looking down upon the rest of the city from their elevated vantage.
Beneath the ground level lies another, more sinister layer—the underground city. This harsh and dangerous place is home to those who endure the very worst conditions in Retrocity. In the underground, fumes, toxins, and forgotten waste fill the air, and life is a constant struggle for survival. The pollution is so severe that many die from its effects, while others mutate, their bodies adapting in strange ways to the toxic environment. Despite these conditions, entire communities continue to live and work here, making what lives they can amidst the decay and danger.
Most of Retrocity's people believe that their lives are determined by birth—those below have always been below, and those above have always been above. The idea that someone could be exiled from the higher levels is unheard of, almost unthinkable. There are whispers about individuals who have been cast down, but such rumors are dismissed as fantasies. The truth is, exiles are incredibly rare, and only a select few in the upper echelons of power have the authority to banish someone. For most, it is accepted that those in the higher levels are born into privilege, their place secured by lineage and legacy.
The Citadel's rule is strict and ruthless, enforcing order over Retrocity through B.A.D.—the Black Angels of Death, its elite military force. Clad in black ops gear, they descend when needed to crush dissent and erase any sign of rebellion. Rebellion, after all, seems futile. Beyond the pollution that poisons the air and the draining of Retrocity's power, there is an even more painful truth: there is no escape. The borders are sealed, the walls high, and the people of Retrocity remain trapped under the Citadel's watchful eye.
Yet amidst this control, two factions dare to dream of change. BlueFrigid wants to break free, to gather people and resources in the hope of someday escaping the city's shadow altogether. They remain mostly passive towards the Citadel, recognizing its might as insurmountable. PinkBlaze, however, burns with a different flame. Their mission is to fight, to rise against the Citadel and bring it down, seeking to create a better future for those trapped in Retrocity's clutches.
Caught between these two visions of resistance is a weary police force, tasked with maintaining order amidst the brewing storm. They operate without the backing of the Citadel's military might, doing what they can to keep the gangs in check.
In Retrocity, the balance of power is fragile, and hope is a dangerous thing. The streets glimmer in neon, but darkness lies just beneath the surface. Each day is a question: endure, escape, or revolt?