Virtual Summer Memory Episode 4 Part 2

Narration starts talking about how the word lucha means war in Tiger Man's home world. Once, El Dorado was a world that was only populated by a giant being known as Cipactli. Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoalt who were both born to be suns fought Cipactli with all their strength, and upon winning created the world. As such, everyone believed the world started with lucha, and that war can bring about positive things. Because of that, Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl continued to have an endless war even after that. But eventually the time came for the cycle thought to be endless to change. The noble Tezcatlopoca's brother cut all traces of himself from the earth and disappeared from the world. Despite that Tezcatlipoca continued to shine upon the world as the sun. That sun shined like a star upon the living even after it was alone.

 

Tiger Man takes over narration, comparing his adoration for Tezcatlipoca to the way a child would admire a luchador and saying Tezcatlipoca was always be his superstar. He also thought that if he were Quetzalcoatl, he'd never leave him alone. He'd never leave behind someone who was always looking at him. The pain he felt in his chest that day is still with him even now. Tiger Man wanted to reach the same heights as Tezcatlipoca at least, even if he doesn't enter Tezcatlipoca's field of vision. He also knows what would happen if he reached that height even though he wasn't born to be a sun. Just like the one from some other world who went up with wings of wax to perform an act above their place in life, crashing down is the most he can probably do. If he ever gets up there, it'll probably be only once. If he can stand next to him for even a moment, then he wouldn't mind whatever he'd need to offer up to make it there.

 

Back to the present situation, we tune in to Claude laughing his head off while Talos says that Claude is possessed by the bug slime this time and is confused that the cube is already getting a joy reaction. You say Claude seems happy to be where a lot of strong people are, that Claude is like that, and/or wonder if things will be easy this time.

 

The party is taken aback by what's happening and start showing it, and Nomad sighs about how things are going after all. He says he had a feeling things would turn out this way and complains that even his virtual summers end up like this. Macan talks to Claude saying he gets that things are going as usual but points out that fighting is prohibited here. Their bodies get stopped if they try to kick away the slimes too, which Macan also reminds Claude of.

 

Snow says his failure to protect Claude earlier is his biggest disgrace, but if it would make it up to him then he'll put up with any sort of humiliation. He then asks Claude to do as he pleases before correcting to Kaguya. Claude says they made a good speech as he refers to Snow as Grandpa Bamboo Cutter and turns to the Berserkers (re: bridegroom candidates). He tells them to fight for his desires and seek to be the strongest. Bug slimes possess the Berserkers, and Yamasachi is surprised to see them attack like normal, though he brings up that Zaou did the same thing. Talos notes that the Berserkers have the slimes put on their attacking parts and supposes that prevents the system from recognizing that they're attacking. You complain that you guys can't attack back while they can do so with impunity.

 

Algernon asks Charles what they'll do since there's a Utopia modified person on the other side, even if they're an older model. Algernon doubts things will go the same as before and guesses they'll be overtaken if they don't use time travel. Charles decides they should keep watch since the flow of time in the Dragon Palace is Not Normal. Using time travel should be a last resort, but then Charles is taken by surprise by how quickly the Berserkers are attacking. Yamasachi is also freaking out about the attacks, and you are alarmed at how quickly you guys are getting beat back and note there isn't any time to dance.

 

After a while laughing starts filling the area, and Yamasachi asks whose voice it is. The voice asks if you can't attack and if restraints or relationships of that level are enough to make you give up. If you really are his brother he says you'd smirk and fire back with a harsh counter. A dark shadow jumps down, and Tezcatlipoca loudly makes his dramatic entrance. After he lands he continues on with his speech as he asks if that's right, calling you his friend and brother, the freest person in the world. Tezcatlipoca has also brought his personal cheer squad along, and you are surprised to see him and his elite guards.

 

Tiger Man is also shocked to see Tezcatlipoca there and asks why. You decide to ask why everyone jumped down or call his outfit self-satisfactory. In A, Tezcatlipoca talks about how smoke climbs high on the battlefield and says you should understand that. Even if that goes above the guard rails, he says you should know of the excitement within yourself when you look on down from up high. In B, Tezcatlipoca asks if you're surprised, and if you are he wins. He also tells you he's carrying around some fireworks, then asks if you think sparks reminiscent of wartime fires, the way fireworks quickly fade away, and the heavy lingering smoke afterwards make the best spectacles.

 

Anyways Tiger Man repeats his question about how Tezcatlipoca can be anywhere outside of the military prison and asks about his body. Tezcatlipoca laughs it off as a stupid question and says that while he gave up his whole body for war, it's a nonissue in the virtual world. Tiger Man says he understands, but Tezcatlipoca adds that since it is a virtual body he can't fight back against the bug slimes as he looks at them and at the armor the party is wearing.

 

Tezcatlipoca laments that he finally has a chance to spend time with you yet is unable to fight with you. But thankfully for him he has a stand-in as he refers to Tiger Man. He starts calling him a part of himself, one of the mirrors that reflect him. He permits him to fight on this battlefield and tells him to offer all that he has in front of his eyes. Tiger Man is pleased and honored by the order, swearing to show off his greatest self. You are shocked by the sudden intense pressure, comment that they're in high spirits as always, or be confused and question what Tezcatlipoca meant by offering everything.

 

Shennong calls out to Tiger Man and tells him to stop pushing himself. Tiger Man only smiles back apologetically, and you try to ask him what he intends to do. Tiger Man answers that he'll use all his power, then points out that the more important issue is that the Berserkers are attacking. Snow, Macan, and Nomad roar, and you ask if Tiger Man can dance since his main thing is lucha libre. Tiger Man says he can handle it as he puts his hands on the ground and starts spinning his legs. Hephaestus is surprised at the force at which energy is gathering, then asks what kind of dance he's doing.

 

Tezcatlipoca starts asking if you've heard of a certain story. It's the story of a people who were enslaved, who trained in fighting that they passed off as dancing to deceive their overseers while stuck with hand restraints so that they could win their freedom back. That fighting style is capoeira, which Tezcatlipoca describes as art drawn by the body as you put your fighting spirit in music. Tiger Man agrees and says you shouldn't get close to him if you don't want to get kicked. He also addresses the Berserkers and says he learned it from one of them who was good at showing themselves off with grace.

 

Snow says he understands as he talks about a martial art being insistently passed off as dancing. He then asks what Claude thinks. Claude says he thinks it's fascinating, then urges you guys to show it to him. You are glad that the dance has been declares safe and say it's time to start the dance battle, or you can wonder where Li Chou went off to. If you pick C there's an extra bit where Li freaks out about tigers all around including himself and how a jaguar just jumped down from nowhere, then throws out some expressions for how deep in danger he's in. Shennong notes that he's panicking and won't be able to hear you guys.

 

Anyways Macan asks Claude if it's okay that you guys are stealing the mood. Claude answers that he'll be happy if he can see a battle between the strong. He then orders Snow to commentate in detail on the dance. Snow is taken aback at how crazy the order is, but he admits that crazy requests is what Kaguya is all about. He apologizes for losing his composure, puts on his suit in a flash, then says he'll get right on it. Tezcatlipoca tells Tiger Man to give him the heights of his joy, and Tiger Man says he'll give his all. A bunch of wrestler mobs cheer for Tiger Man, who thanks them for that and tells them to be charmed by his moves as he starts dancing and holding the pain from that day within, and the episode battle starts. More story after that.

 

After the battle, the story picks up midway and describes how speakers that have suddenly shown up at some point are blasting out some heavy bass loud enough to shake bodies. Everyone fighting is clashing together, body against body. The art of music created by culture mixes in with wildness and fighting spirit, with the rhythm and melody becoming restraints as dancing sublimates into the chaotic fighting. Claude laughs as he tells the Berserkers to keep fighting. Li Chou screams about trying harder before getting punted into the sky and exploding like fireworks.

 

Snow commentates about Li Chou being brought down fast, getting kicked out of the battle area, and exploding into fireworks. He turns his attention to Nomad, Macan, and Tiger Man fighting it out, and you observe that Tiger Man is eating attacks left and right and wonder if he's doing so deliberately. Yamasachi also asks about that as he says he can see his every movement, and he says Tiger Man should be good enough to avoid all those attacks.

 

Tezcatlipoca laughs that lucha libre is pro wrestling, so you have to tank attacks to make things exciting. A one-sided fight is boring, and war is where both sides are hurt. Yamasachi is baffled by what he's talking about, so Tezcatlipoca says he's being straightforward. Finishing things with flashy moves and displaying one's strength makes people feel great doesn't it? That does make you easy to read though. Tezcatlipoca says that the desire for strength is the true restraint against victory, and the one that is more free is the one that wins in war. Those who offer up more and let go of more are the winners in a free for all battle.

 

Macan and Nomad rush in for the finishing touch, and there is nowhere for Tiger Man to escape to. Both are stopped as rubber threads wrap around them, like the ropes of the ring or the threads of a spider web. That would be the Olmeca artifact Tiger Man received as a replacement for the heart he gave to Tezcatlipoca. Tiger Man says he's done with the set up, so now it's his turn to attack. Nomad and Macan are surprised, and Tiger Man counts off for his move. The rubber shoots out pulling the pair like beanbags. Tiger Man laughs saying his sun is watching him, so he'll keep on going higher. He shoots out even more strands of rubber, aiming for the sky with a look of joy on his face.

 

Shennong calls out to Tiger Man and tells him to stop since his heart won't be able to take it. You react in alarm to that, and Shennong tells you Tiger Man gave up his heart a long time ago. The rubber he uses is his replacement heart. If he keeps spreading the rubber out like that the heart piece will run out, and Shennong curses the fact that Tiger Man can't hear him. Tiger Man roars, and Snow commentates on him spinning like a tornado and on how he can sort of feel how many times he has spun. He compares it to an armada's set up action, with each spin adding power to a finishing high level kick.

 

Tiger Man rises higher and higher as the commentary continues, with narration comparing it to Kaguya's return to the moon. Tezcatlipoca talks about how Tiger Man knows that the moment of reaching the heights of his ecstasy is the moment he offers up all that he has left. The wish he clings to no longer exists on the ground, so he may be happy to let go of his heart and life. You call out to Tiger Man and grip your sword, and suddenly it glows. You either ask what the light is or jump up to where Tiger Man is. Tezcatlipoca is surprised by this as he starts to say this is Quetzalcoatl's power before laughing.

 

Up above, Tiger Man says it's just a bit more before he reaches the same height as the sun. If he keeps going, his chest will probably tear apart. He's fine with that though as he thinks of giving up everything and reaching the same heights as that person. He bears through the pain running in his chest as he smiles as if being released from everything. Just as he's about to use up the last of the rubber inside himself, he's surprised to be bathed in light from the ground. That is the light of the second sun that once left Tezcatlipoca behind, and as he turns around to look at the light it's not another sun he sees. It's you, calling out to him and asking him to come back as you call him a super star.

 

Tiger Man gets depressed and calls you terrible. What he sees is the same bright eyes as he had once. He knows that look directed at him, a passionate gaze mixed with pain. It's the same look Tezcatlipoca had when Quetzalcoatl left him that day, and the feeling he had in his own heart when he looked up at Tezcatlipoca then. Tiger Man says he wouldn't leave behind anyone who looks at him like that since that's what he swore to himself, or rather to Tezcatlipoca. Even if he can give anything up, he can't betray his sun. He smiles as he takes your hand.

 

Tezcatlipoca starts laughing about Tiger Man, and you two return to earth as if pulled down by invisible strings. But on Tiger Man's face was a completely different sort of joy. He greets you saying that he's back, landing with a handstand as he smiles at you. Talos declares that the energy cube has hit critical mass, so he fires off the vaccine program. The distorted space fades away into a bright light, and Tiger Man falls over spread eagled. You ask if he's satisfied, say he had you so worried, or hug him.

 

In A, Tiger Man plays coy for a second and says that if a fan smiles at him, then there's no greater victory than that as a luchador. He then asks if he looked bright out there. In B, Tiger Man apologizes and says he didn't intend on making you feel that way. He gets depressed as he mentions having decided to not make a fan cry. In C, Tiger Man is surprised by this, but after a moment he comments on how passionate it is and says he'll repay the favor.

 

Tezcatlipoca says he saw everything in the battle. Tiger Man apologizes to him for not being able to do what he can, but Tezcatlipoca laughs it off and says the battle was the best, which surprises him. Tezcatlipoca describes how he saw Tiger Man pushing himself in a way that'd make him leave the world, and then you came in to stop him. What would this feeling be if not pleasure? He then compliments Tiger Man for showing him the thing he wanted to see the most, which Tiger Man accepts, moved to tears by it.

 

Nomad sighs about how Tezcatlipoca dropped in, made a big pretentious speech, then left without caring what anyone else thought. Li Chou pops up and asks where he is and wonders if he's in the Buddhist Pure Land (but isn't he a Taoist?). Shennong assures him he's not dead and sighs about how reckless Tiger Man was. Snow asks Claude if he's come to and how he feels. Claude says he saw some really passionate things this summer, so he's feeling very refreshed. While a bunch of things may have happened his wish came true, and he remembers this as a good summer memory.

 

Hephaestus pops back in as Claude's comment gives him a eureka moment and he asks if wishes are what all the bug slimes are. Algernon asks what's going on and if Hephaestus has realized something. Hephaestus brings Shirou up and how he wanted to do summer ghost stories, which combined with the funayurei. Zaou gets brought up about his wish to climb an undersea mountain and the story of Momotaro. And now Claude's 'summer wish' of a honeymoon got combined with the story of Kaguya. Hephaestus says that in each bugged out area, someone's summer wish got combined with a fairy tale. The reason these combinations happened was because Hephaestus overlooked his own summer wish, which was to go back to the time he was with his mother. He then realizes that the Dragon Palace used stories meant to grant wishes. You ask about Hephaestus's wish but remember what this sea was originally.

 

Hephaestus reminds you that this virtual beach was originally a recreation of his mother's sea he lived at when he was young. And while he says it's a recreation there are a lot of details he hasn't accepted, but his feelings behind creating it haven't changed. The pain from parting with his mother is the cause driving all his actions up to this point. He wanted to see that ocean again, and making it was his wish. Hephaestus is certain that his wish to go back to his childhood is the reason the bugs acted up and caused them to tie themselves to children's faith/fairy tales. He then admits this means he's partly responsible for why things have turned out the way they did.

 

Talos tells Hephaestus that he believes that might be a kind of negative distortion of things. He starts suggesting that if the Dragon Palace were not connected to this, things might not have become a problem. Hephaestus angrily cuts him off and insists his desire is what put you in all this danger, and he begs your forgiveness as he calls himself a bad son. You tell him he's not at fault, say you're having a lot of fun, or say he's such a handful.

 

Hephaestus is moved by your response, and Charles comments that it's important to separate ill will from accidental happenings just like sorting trash. Even if he deviated from normal behavior, Charles supposes Hephaestus held no malice. It'd be one thing if Hephaestus meant to make you all suffer, but otherwise Charles can't blame him. He says to leave things like that, or else he'll be just as guilty. Shennong agrees saying he's been enjoying himself, so it's hard for him to complain. What's happened has happened, so the most constructive thing to do is to minimize the damage. He'll help too of course since he's already on this boat.

 

Tiger Man says he's glad he was invited over, so he'll help solve things. He also has to do it for his fans as he turns to you. Yamasachi says he wasn't invited in like everyone else, but he's glad he met you all by chance. He had always been thinking of nothing but the fish hook and his brother by himself, and he mentions he felt driven to the idea he'd had to give his life to be forgiven. You call out his name, look at him sadly, or look at him with a serious expression. Yamasachi asks you to stop looking at him like that as he says he's stopped thinking that way. Now that you're friends he doesn't want to depress you.

 

Yamasachi changes the subject and asks if all the slimes are cleared out. If they are, he figures the Dragon Palace should go back to normal, but he's then interrupted by a pain in his chest and says he feels like he's remembering something. Otohime starts making an announcement about the security system being back to normal and says she sees an improper connection from the outside. In order to defend the data stored inside the castle she declares an attack on the illegally connected users.

 

Talos alerts Hephaestus about getting a notice of removal from the Dragon Palace and says they need to go. After a moment, you try to ask what happened and talk to Hephaestus. Hephaestus is shocked by what Talos did as the flash of light has blasted Talos to his knees, rendering him immobile. Hephaestus says an electric attack was aimed at him, which Talos dealt with by interrupting his account. Talos's damage is affecting his ability to speak, and he says that as he is Hephaestus he should take any attacks directed at him. He says to not worry since his virtual body link getting cut off is all that's happened. Hephaestus says he's being dumb and burned his body control circuits in trying to protect him, making a mess of his ideal self. Talos says that's what he'd do as Hephaestus and asks if he's right. You express concern for him and ask Otohime why she's doing this.

 

Otohime pops in and answers that that is her raison d'etre and role. She walks in with a resolute air and looks at you, her expression unchanging. She explains that the Dragon Palace holds memories from the many people who came to visit, and as the administrator she was designed to protect all of them and their stability. She couldn't stand up against the threat while the security system was down, but now that it's back up she can go back to her original purpose. Otohime then talks about confirming the randomization of access routes and comments something about how things could have been if she managed to put things away earlier. You ask Otohime about her original purpose and remember she mentioned something earlier about protecting data.

 

Otohime explains that the Dragon Palace was made to put away the memories of suffering from the visitors who come from the surface. It's Otohime's job to make sure the memories don't leak out again after being stored there. And once that pain is forgotten, Otohime refuses to accept any actions that would take away that peace. She turns to Yamasachi and says his wish can be granted, and her wish is to put an end to his suffering. However, he ended up remembering.

 

Yamasachi is surprised by this and tries to ask Otohime for further details, but in the back of his mind, a memory starts becoming clearer. Otohime apologizes for what she's about to tell him, then informs him he's already been put away as that was what he wanted long ago. Yamasachi tries to deny this and points out that he's still around. Images of other areas flash by as Yamasachi says he's always been looking for his brother's fish hook, then remembers that at some point along the way he heard a rumor of a place at the bottom of the ocean where he could forget his misery. He remembers it was about the Dragon Palace, and that he managed to get here after some struggle. Yamasachi remembers that there is no longer any trace of himself worth devoting to his brother. A sharp pain runs through his chest as his suffering is revived, and so the episode ends.