diff --git a/autoloads/game.gd b/autoloads/game.gd
index 9b9546d..f26664e 100644
--- a/autoloads/game.gd
+++ b/autoloads/game.gd
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ var current_level: int = 0
 var difficulty: int = Difficulty.SPICY setget _set_difficulty
 var enemy_speed_factor: float = 1.0 # multiplier of enemy speed
 var is_easy_mode: bool = false # whether to do easy-specific behaviors
-var use_lives: bool = false
+var use_lives: bool = true
 var can_pause: bool = true
 var can_restart: bool = true
 var current_palette: String = "default"
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ var still_playing: bool = false
 var marathon_mode: bool = true
 var marathon_score: int = 0
 var marathon_lives: int = 2
+var marathon_shards: int = 0
 var next_level: PackedScene
 
 func _ready():
@@ -74,19 +75,19 @@ func _set_difficulty(value: int) -> void:
 		Difficulty.SWEET:
 			is_easy_mode = true
 			enemy_speed_factor = 0.75
-			use_lives = false
+#			use_lives = false
 		Difficulty.SALTY:
 			is_easy_mode = false
 			enemy_speed_factor = 1.0
-			use_lives = false
+#			use_lives = false
 		Difficulty.SPICY:
 			is_easy_mode = false
 			enemy_speed_factor = 1.0
-			use_lives = true
+#			use_lives = true
 		Difficulty.PUNGENT:
 			is_easy_mode = false
 			enemy_speed_factor = 1.25
-			use_lives = true
+#			use_lives = true
 
 #Instances a node
 func instance_node(node:PackedScene,x:float,y:float,parent):
@@ -138,6 +139,7 @@ func tally_scores() -> void:
 	# final score
 	final_score = score + arrows_bonus + collection_bonus + time_bonus + life_bonus + perfect_bonus
 	marathon_score += final_score
+	marathon_shards += _get_shards()
 	Game.save()
 
 
@@ -166,7 +168,8 @@ func clear_collectibles() -> void:
 	stars_collected.fill(false)
 	shards_collected.fill(false)
 	arrows = 0
-	lives = marathon_lives if marathon_mode else 2
+	if not marathon_mode:
+		lives = 0
 	deaths = 0
 	# score
 	score = 0
diff --git a/menus/marathon_select_lives.gd b/menus/marathon_select_lives.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83d08e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/menus/marathon_select_lives.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+extends Button
+
+
+const INFINITY_SIGIL := "▬↨"
+
+
+onready var back_arrow: TextureRect = $"../BackArrow"
+onready var next_arrow: TextureRect = $"../NextArrow"
+
+
+func _ready() -> void:
+	_update_display()
+
+
+func _update_display() -> void:
+	if Game.use_lives:
+		text = "%03d" % Game.marathon_lives
+	else:
+		text = INFINITY_SIGIL
+
+
+func _gui_input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
+	if event.is_action_pressed("ui_left"):
+		if Game.use_lives:
+			Game.marathon_lives -= 1
+			if Game.marathon_lives < 0:
+				Game.use_lives = false
+		else:
+			Game.use_lives = true
+			Game.marathon_lives = 999
+	if event.is_action_pressed("ui_right"):
+		if Game.use_lives:
+			Game.marathon_lives += 1
+			if Game.marathon_lives > 999:
+				Game.use_lives = false
+		else:
+			Game.use_lives = true
+			Game.marathon_lives = 0
+	_update_display()
+
+
+func _on_focus_entered() -> void:
+	back_arrow.visible = true
+	next_arrow.visible = true
+
+
+func _on_focus_exited() -> void:
+	back_arrow.visible = false
+	next_arrow.visible = false
diff --git a/menus/marathon_start.gd b/menus/marathon_start.gd
index 4d4bccc..96464de 100644
--- a/menus/marathon_start.gd
+++ b/menus/marathon_start.gd
@@ -4,11 +4,31 @@ extends Control
 export var first_level: PackedScene
 
 
+onready var difficulty_buttons := [
+	$"%BeginnerButton",
+	$"%AdvancedButton",
+	$"%AdvancedButton",
+	$"%ProfessionalButton",
+]
+
+
 func _ready() -> void:
+	yield(get_tree(), "idle_frame")
+	difficulty_buttons[Game.difficulty].grab_focus()
 	Fade.fade_in()
 
 
 func _input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
 	if Input.is_action_just_pressed("ui_accept"):
+		Game.lives = Game.marathon_lives
 		Game.marathon_score = 0
+		Game.marathon_shards = 0
 		Game.change_map(first_level)
+
+
+func _set_difficulty(difficulty: int) -> void:
+	Game.difficulty = difficulty
+
+
+func _on_DifficultySelect_focus_entered() -> void:
+	difficulty_buttons[Game.difficulty].grab_focus()
diff --git a/menus/marathon_start.tscn b/menus/marathon_start.tscn
index 28068d2..a7e2e8f 100644
--- a/menus/marathon_start.tscn
+++ b/menus/marathon_start.tscn
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-[gd_scene load_steps=8 format=2]
+[gd_scene load_steps=14 format=2]
 
 [ext_resource path="res://shaders/ska_plane.gdshader" type="Shader" id=1]
 [ext_resource path="res://ui/theme.tres" type="Theme" id=2]
@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@
 [ext_resource path="res://maps/hills_scholar.tscn" type="PackedScene" id=4]
 [ext_resource path="res://ui/2ndpuberty_outline.tres" type="Material" id=5]
 [ext_resource path="res://graphics/hud/file_select_arrow.png" type="Texture" id=6]
+[ext_resource path="res://ui/2ndpuberty_scholar_outline.fnt" type="BitmapFont" id=7]
+[ext_resource path="res://shaders/wibble_wobble.gdshader" type="Shader" id=8]
+[ext_resource path="res://graphics/hud/pause_arrow.png" type="Texture" id=9]
+[ext_resource path="res://menus/marathon_select_lives.gd" type="Script" id=10]
 
 [sub_resource type="ShaderMaterial" id=1]
 shader = ExtResource( 1 )
@@ -17,6 +21,20 @@ shader_param/cycle_speed = Vector2( 4, 4 )
 shader_param/cycle_alternation = Vector2( 4, 4 )
 shader_param/uv_transform = Transform2D( 1, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0 )
 
+[sub_resource type="ShaderMaterial" id=2]
+shader = ExtResource( 8 )
+shader_param/speed = Vector2( 4, 0 )
+shader_param/ammount = Vector2( 2, 0 )
+shader_param/offset = Vector2( 0, 0 )
+shader_param/delay = Vector2( 0, 0 )
+
+[sub_resource type="ShaderMaterial" id=3]
+shader = ExtResource( 8 )
+shader_param/speed = Vector2( 4, 0 )
+shader_param/ammount = Vector2( 2, 0 )
+shader_param/offset = Vector2( 0, 0 )
+shader_param/delay = Vector2( 4, 0 )
+
 [node name="MarathonStart" type="Control"]
 anchor_right = 1.0
 anchor_bottom = 1.0
@@ -50,64 +68,188 @@ in revolution 2083 world"
 align = 1
 valign = 1
 
-[node name="Panel" type="Panel" parent="."]
+[node name="DifficultySelect" type="PanelContainer" parent="."]
 anchor_left = 0.5
 anchor_top = 0.5
 anchor_right = 0.5
 anchor_bottom = 0.5
 margin_left = -112.0
-margin_top = -32.0
+margin_top = -48.0
 margin_right = 112.0
-margin_bottom = 4.0
+focus_mode = 2
 
-[node name="DiffcultySelect" type="Label" parent="Panel"]
+[node name="VBoxContainer" type="VBoxContainer" parent="DifficultySelect"]
+margin_left = 3.0
+margin_top = 3.0
+margin_right = 221.0
+margin_bottom = 45.0
+
+[node name="DiffcultySelect" type="Label" parent="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer"]
 material = ExtResource( 5 )
-anchor_right = 1.0
-margin_left = -4.0
-margin_top = -26.0
-margin_right = 4.0
-margin_bottom = 7.0
-text = "difficulty select"
+margin_right = 218.0
+margin_bottom = 14.0
+rect_min_size = Vector2( 0, 14 )
+text = "difficulty select:"
 align = 1
 valign = 1
 
-[node name="Difficulties" type="Label" parent="Panel"]
+[node name="HBoxContainer" type="HBoxContainer" parent="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer"]
+margin_top = 18.0
+margin_right = 218.0
+margin_bottom = 42.0
+custom_constants/separation = 8
+alignment = 1
+
+[node name="Beginner" type="VBoxContainer" parent="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer"]
+margin_left = 3.0
+margin_right = 59.0
+margin_bottom = 24.0
+custom_constants/separation = 2
+
+[node name="Label" type="Label" parent="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/Beginner"]
+margin_right = 56.0
+margin_bottom = 10.0
+custom_fonts/font = ExtResource( 7 )
+text = "Beginner"
+
+[node name="BeginnerButton" type="TextureButton" parent="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/Beginner"]
+unique_name_in_owner = true
 material = ExtResource( 5 )
-anchor_right = 1.0
-margin_left = -44.0
-margin_top = -2.0
-margin_right = 46.0
-margin_bottom = 31.0
-text = "Beginner Advanced Professional"
+margin_left = 28.0
+margin_top = 12.0
+margin_right = 28.0
+margin_bottom = 24.0
+rect_min_size = Vector2( 0, 12 )
+focus_neighbour_right = NodePath("../../Advanced/AdvancedButton")
+size_flags_horizontal = 4
+texture_focused = ExtResource( 6 )
+expand = true
+stretch_mode = 3
+
+[node name="Advanced" type="VBoxContainer" parent="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer"]
+margin_left = 67.0
+margin_right = 123.0
+margin_bottom = 24.0
+custom_constants/separation = 2
+
+[node name="Label" type="Label" parent="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/Advanced"]
+margin_right = 56.0
+margin_bottom = 10.0
+custom_fonts/font = ExtResource( 7 )
+text = "Advanced"
+
+[node name="AdvancedButton" type="TextureButton" parent="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/Advanced"]
+unique_name_in_owner = true
+material = ExtResource( 5 )
+margin_left = 28.0
+margin_top = 12.0
+margin_right = 28.0
+margin_bottom = 24.0
+rect_min_size = Vector2( 0, 12 )
+focus_neighbour_left = NodePath("../../Beginner/BeginnerButton")
+focus_neighbour_right = NodePath("../../Professional/ProfessionalButton")
+size_flags_horizontal = 4
+texture_focused = ExtResource( 6 )
+expand = true
+stretch_mode = 3
+
+[node name="Professional" type="VBoxContainer" parent="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer"]
+margin_left = 131.0
+margin_right = 215.0
+margin_bottom = 24.0
+custom_constants/separation = 2
+
+[node name="Label" type="Label" parent="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/Professional"]
+margin_right = 84.0
+margin_bottom = 10.0
+custom_fonts/font = ExtResource( 7 )
+text = "Professional"
+
+[node name="ProfessionalButton" type="TextureButton" parent="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/Professional"]
+unique_name_in_owner = true
+material = ExtResource( 5 )
+margin_left = 42.0
+margin_top = 12.0
+margin_right = 42.0
+margin_bottom = 24.0
+rect_min_size = Vector2( 0, 12 )
+focus_neighbour_left = NodePath("../../Advanced/AdvancedButton")
+size_flags_horizontal = 4
+texture_focused = ExtResource( 6 )
+expand = true
+stretch_mode = 3
+
+[node name="LivesSelect" type="PanelContainer" parent="."]
+anchor_left = 0.5
+anchor_top = 0.5
+anchor_right = 0.5
+anchor_bottom = 0.5
+margin_left = -66.0
+margin_top = 7.0
+margin_right = 66.0
+margin_bottom = 39.0
+
+[node name="VBoxContainer" type="VBoxContainer" parent="LivesSelect"]
+margin_left = 3.0
+margin_top = 3.0
+margin_right = 129.0
+margin_bottom = 29.0
+custom_constants/separation = 0
+
+[node name="Label" type="Label" parent="LivesSelect/VBoxContainer"]
+material = ExtResource( 5 )
+margin_right = 126.0
+margin_bottom = 14.0
+rect_min_size = Vector2( 0, 14 )
+text = "number of lives:"
 align = 1
 valign = 1
 
-[node name="Sprite" type="Sprite" parent="Panel"]
-material = ExtResource( 5 )
-position = Vector2( 32, 26 )
-texture = ExtResource( 6 )
+[node name="HBoxContainer" type="HBoxContainer" parent="LivesSelect/VBoxContainer"]
+margin_top = 14.0
+margin_right = 126.0
+margin_bottom = 26.0
+rect_min_size = Vector2( 0, 12 )
+size_flags_horizontal = 3
+alignment = 1
 
-[node name="Panel2" type="Panel" parent="."]
-margin_left = 96.0
-margin_top = 120.0
-margin_right = 160.0
-margin_bottom = 152.0
+[node name="BackArrow" type="TextureRect" parent="LivesSelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer"]
+visible = false
+material = SubResource( 2 )
+margin_left = 51.0
+margin_top = 2.0
+margin_right = 57.0
+margin_bottom = 10.0
+size_flags_vertical = 4
+texture = ExtResource( 9 )
+flip_h = true
 
-[node name="LivesNumber" type="Label" parent="Panel2"]
-material = ExtResource( 5 )
-anchor_right = 1.0
-margin_bottom = 33.0
-text = "999"
-align = 1
-valign = 1
+[node name="SelectLives" type="Button" parent="LivesSelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer"]
+margin_left = 56.0
+margin_right = 70.0
+margin_bottom = 12.0
+focus_neighbour_left = NodePath(".")
+focus_neighbour_top = NodePath("../../../../DifficultySelect")
+focus_neighbour_right = NodePath(".")
+theme = ExtResource( 2 )
+custom_colors/font_color = Color( 1, 1, 1, 1 )
+custom_fonts/font = ExtResource( 7 )
+text = "▬↨"
+script = ExtResource( 10 )
 
-[node name="Lives" type="Label" parent="Panel2"]
-material = ExtResource( 5 )
-anchor_right = 1.0
-margin_left = -24.0
-margin_top = -24.0
-margin_right = 17.0
-margin_bottom = 9.0
-text = "Number of lives"
-align = 1
-valign = 1
+[node name="NextArrow" type="TextureRect" parent="LivesSelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer"]
+visible = false
+material = SubResource( 3 )
+margin_left = 69.0
+margin_top = 2.0
+margin_right = 75.0
+margin_bottom = 10.0
+size_flags_vertical = 4
+texture = ExtResource( 9 )
+
+[connection signal="focus_entered" from="DifficultySelect" to="." method="_on_DifficultySelect_focus_entered"]
+[connection signal="focus_entered" from="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/Beginner/BeginnerButton" to="." method="_set_difficulty" binds= [ 0 ]]
+[connection signal="focus_entered" from="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/Advanced/AdvancedButton" to="." method="_set_difficulty" binds= [ 2 ]]
+[connection signal="focus_entered" from="DifficultySelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/Professional/ProfessionalButton" to="." method="_set_difficulty" binds= [ 3 ]]
+[connection signal="focus_entered" from="LivesSelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/SelectLives" to="LivesSelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/SelectLives" method="_on_focus_entered"]
+[connection signal="focus_exited" from="LivesSelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/SelectLives" to="LivesSelect/VBoxContainer/HBoxContainer/SelectLives" method="_on_focus_exited"]
diff --git a/objects/hud/hud.gd b/objects/hud/hud.gd
index c2a4037..cff7955 100644
--- a/objects/hud/hud.gd
+++ b/objects/hud/hud.gd
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func _physics_process(delta):
 	else:
 		lives_counter.text = str(Game.deaths)
 	#Life bonus color
-	if Game.lives == 2: 
+	if Game.deaths == 0: 
 		lives_counter.modulate = bonus_color
 	else:
 		lives_counter.modulate = Color.white
diff --git a/objects/hud/options_screen_scholar.tscn b/objects/hud/options_screen_scholar.tscn
index e256ddd..97787f8 100644
--- a/objects/hud/options_screen_scholar.tscn
+++ b/objects/hud/options_screen_scholar.tscn
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ margin_bottom = 32.0
 unique_name_in_owner = true
 margin_top = 36.0
 margin_right = 218.0
-margin_bottom = 132.0
+margin_bottom = 116.0
 focus_mode = 2
 tabs_visible = false
 
@@ -138,7 +138,6 @@ script = ExtResource( 3 )
 options = [ "none", "no stains", "full" ]
 
 [node name="Video" type="VBoxContainer" parent="CenterContainer/PanelContainer/MarginContainer/VBoxContainer/Tabs"]
-visible = false
 anchor_right = 1.0
 anchor_bottom = 1.0
 focus_next = NodePath("Fullscreen/SelectFullscreen")
@@ -443,6 +442,7 @@ script = ExtResource( 3 )
 options = [ "off", "on" ]
 
 [node name="Input" type="VBoxContainer" parent="CenterContainer/PanelContainer/MarginContainer/VBoxContainer/Tabs"]
+visible = false
 anchor_right = 1.0
 anchor_bottom = 1.0
 focus_next = NodePath("Left/Keyboard")
diff --git a/ui/2ndpuberty_scholar_outline.png b/ui/2ndpuberty_scholar_outline.png
index c72a8ee..edacf10 100644
Binary files a/ui/2ndpuberty_scholar_outline.png and b/ui/2ndpuberty_scholar_outline.png differ