Fortune Festival's Happy Illusion Prologue Part 2

We pick up in the morning as your phone beeps. You check to see that a text has come in, and you comment on feeling sleepy still and wonder if Cait Sith yesterday was a dream. But on the subject of the text, it greets you and calls you beloved, asking you in Tezcatlipoca's speech patterns whether you'd grant one of his requests.

 

Time skips straight to that night and parks you in front of the Tokyo Casino, where after you have your guild meeting, you and the gang have arrived. This is where you were asked to come to earlier. Ryouta comments on you guys arriving and wonders whether Hakumen and Tsathoggua are around. Touji calls him the eternal optimist as he says it's still unclear whether you guys can trust them. Kengo asks why you guys are even here since their (the Warmongers as I may as well clarify now) home base isn't in Roppongi. Moritaka points out that the casino is one of the Tycoons' bases and wonders if that has anything to do with your business today. Shirou decides to ask you for confirmation if this really is the appointed meeting place. You tell him you're sure since you rechecked several times, so he should definitely be here.

 

Touji suggests stopping the conversation there as he says the welcome wagon is coming. Licht and Melusine turn up, with Licht greeting you and the rest of the Summoners and Melusine welcoming the gang to what she calls their greatest pleasure facility and the pride of Roppongi. You are either surprised to see Licht, call out Melusine's name, or ask where Hakumen is. A has Licht say it's been a while and that he wanted to see you. B has Melusine apologize for the long contact silence and say she's glad to see you're doing okay. In any case, Licht explains that Hakumen is out with Xolotl because of prior plans.

 

A sort of flashback starts up with Hakumen bitching about how she has to go to whatever it is she's going to instead of staying to see you, and she's mad enough that she could do the dramatic handkerchief biting thing but won't. She smacks Xolotl, then declares her only option is to finish her negotiations as soon as possible, and she asks you to wait as she promises to return. Hakumen then tells Xolotl to look sharp and get the car, and that the mach speed car is fine in this case. Xolotl protests that taking a car that fast out would get the police on them.

 

When the flashback ends, you either say that sounds like Hakumen, be disappointed she's not here, or ask if cars really can go at sonic speed. Licht pushes on ahead to say that's how it is, so he's here to greet you instead. The casino isn't technically part of his jurisdiction, but he'll lead the way for you guys. Shirou comments on the Tycoons guildmaster coming in person to do this, saying it's reassuring and thanking him. Licht nods and says it's surprisingly pleasing to hear that, and he informs you that They who are waiting for you are already here. He then directs Melusine to lead the way now that everyone is here.

 

Melusine is preoccupied with something, prompting Licht to attempt to talk to her again. You talk to her too and ask if something is wrong. Melusine snaps out of her thoughts and apologizes for getting caught up in them when she's supposed to be welcoming you guys. She sighs about doing something that disgraces Licht, and Licht says it's okay for her to not go. You guys will be going to an imitation of her home world, which she has bitter memories of after all. Melusine however insists that as the perfect maid her emotions won't get the better of her, and she repeats the point to emphasize it. Then she asks everyone to follow her as she quickly walks ahead.

 

The gang plus Licht are shocked by her behavior, and Licht asks Melusine to slow down since he's not that fast on his feet. Ryouta asks Licht if Melusine is in a bad mood, but Licht tells him it's not his place to disclose her personal affairs. Kengo shrugs and says it's not a problem if she leads you all right, then says he sees the front doors not long after that.

 

A little moment after, Melusine informs you guys that you've arrived where the others waiting for you are, except she realizes partway through said party isn't there. You guys are in an open space just outside the casino doors, with no one else in sight. You are confused by this and note that they aren't here. Licht pants as he catches up, and he gets confused when he sees the area too as he's sure they were here earlier. Touji yells out for everyone to be careful as he senses you guys are surrounded, and Shirou starts telling everyone to start the App when spotlights start shining and the Warmongers' theme plays.

 

Licht is baffled as he asks what's going on and complains about how bright the lights are. You either say nothing or say things are okay. Melusine attempts to ask everyone to calm down and ask what everyone's expressions are supposed to mean when a voice calls out, thanking you for waiting amigo, and now is the time for the super star's big entrance. A wrestler flips in and starts the beginning of a count down, and Tiger Man reveals himself, announcing his presence and saying he loves lucha libre. A second wrestler jumps in to set up what seems to be a human pyramid, and Yasuyori pops up next. Yasuyori gives his name and fumbles for a bit before throwing out he's good at sumo. You call out Tiger Man's name, are surprised at Yasuyori, and/or comment on how flashy the entrance is.

 

Tiger Man says he's not the star this time, saying he's here as the opening act. He then tells everyone to get excited for the performance they're putting on for their lord's sake. One more wrestler rolls out and counts out one, and Tanetomo comes out next, only to pointedly refuse to take part of the shenanigans. It'd be one thing if he were to be the star here, but not the opener. He then sighs and wonders aloud whether it's the general's education influence that has Yasuyori joining in on things too. Yasuyori gets embarrassed as he asks Tanetomo to stop looking at him like that and says that the captain of the king's guard is his superior officer (I think?). Tanetomo says it should only be for when he's the lead act around here, and he decides to turn off the garish music and lights as he fiddles with some control box.

 

Ryouta notes that the music and stuff has stopped. Tanetomo sighs, glad that it's gone now. There's still some smoke around, but that's a trivial matter. Tanetomo then turns to you guys and greets you all, thanking you for coming. Touji is surprised to see him. Moritaka is surprised to see the other Hakkenshi together with Tiger Man, which Kengo calls the line up of the Warmongers' front line force before figuring Tezcatlipoca must be here too. Tanetomo says you're all in a ceasefire right now, and yes Kengo is right on that last bit. He also asks you guys to enjoy the sideshow until Tezcatlipoca shows up. Tiger Man protests at the performance being called a sideshow since it needs to suit Tezcatlipoca, but Tanetomo cuts him off saying he understands and tells him to get on with it. Tiger Man boos him, disappointed.

 

Licht observes that there's some disagreement happening with the Warmongers and says it's making him nervous. Melusine points out to him after a moment that they seem to be starting up again. Tiger Man says they should refocus but hears that they're having some technical malfunctions, so he decides to press on with just the music and flips their theme back on.

 

Tiger Man picks back up with apologizing for the wait and saying it's time for the main event. He plays up Tezcatlipoca as he calls him the avatar of the sun and the great hero, and now he is here! Shower them with his glory, he asks! Tezcatlipoca appears barely visibly on screen in doll form, and the gang is on guard until you ask where Tezcatlipoca is or say you can see a little bit of him. Tiger Man is thrown off at how not visible Tezcatlipoca is and has to think of something, then decides he needs to "fly high." He then goes over and puts the doll on top of himself. Tezcatlipoca starts complimenting the gang for getting his message, referring to you all as his beloved archenemies. He also turns to you and says he wanted to see you and declares his presence. Everyone not in the Warmongers is baffled at this turn of events, and narration describes how everyone's reactions ring out through the area.

 

Tanetomo sighs and says that's a predictable response, admitting that part of their guild reacted the same way. You ask if that's really Tezcatlipoca, ask what something happened, or start focusing on how soft and fluffy the doll is. Tezcatlipoca is amused at your surprise and mentions that for reasons, the doll is his vessel/artificial body. His appearance may have changed, but inside he's the genuine Tezcatlipoca. He asks you to not mind the body thing and to carry on talking with him as normal, then laughs. You either have some issues trying to accept this, just roll with it, or ask if you can hug him.

 

In A, Tezcatlipoca is happy about you being so surprised and calls it a successful surprise attack, but he says it's a natural result on further thought. If you were the one in a doll body he says he wouldn't have been able to stop himself from holding you. In B, Tezcatlipoca comments on how quick to adapt you are. He's happy, but he also admits to feeling a little sad. If things were flipped around he wouldn't be calm seeing you in a doll. In C, Tezcatlipoca is happy that you seem so excited about his body, which he says was made to order, and he allows you to touch as much as you want. He's surprised when Ryouta pushes forward saying he wants to go next and asks if that's okay. Licht jumps into line next saying he wants to touch the fluff too. Tiger Man lines up next asking for a hug and admits he's been wanting to do that for a while now. Shirou joins the end of the line without a word.

 

Off to the side Tanetomo is annoyed at what's going on and is offended at how fancy and fluffy Tezcatlipoca's doll body is. Yasuyori tries to get him to cheer up and say he shouldn't look so obviously mad, then admits he thinks Doll Tezcatlipoca looks cute too. Tanetomo tells him that's not what he's having a problem with. Tanetomo is the only one allowed to be cute here okay. No one is allowed to call anything else cute do you understand. Yasuyori is taken aback by this and says yes as he apologizes to Tanetomo.

 

Shirou asks Tezcatlipoca for why he called you guys over, and Tezcatlipoca says that as enemies under a ceasefire agreement you have a right to know that. He asks for you guys to wait a little more on that since there's some preparations to do before the big announcement. Narration notes that his attitude has stayed exactly the same despite being in a new body. You sigh and agree, then ask if everyone else is okay with that. Ryouta agrees immediately if you say so, then asks what everyone else thinks. Touji has some reservations but goes along with it. He makes a point of saying he'll keep his eyes peeled and suggests doing a search of the premises since he's here and all. Licht tries to talk him out of it or else Hakumen will be pissed with him. Shirou says he'll go with you whatever you decide. Kengo says he's used to your crazy antics, then says you guys should go in if you're ready. Tezcatlipoca laughs, impressed with your guts before saying it's time to go to the casino's underground.

 

The doors open with a loud thump, and the party steps forward into the elevator. After a bit, you run into Kurogane, who comments that everyone is here now. You are surprised to see him and ask if he's showing off some new invention. He says the Crafters are a little involved with stuff this time and that they're participating as a neutral guild. Kurogane then tells Tezcatlipoca that the other member called him and says he can see him. Tezcatlipoca laughs at the good news and apologizes for taking Kurogane's time as he refers to him by full name and title.

 

Kurogane asks how the day/night adaptive color spotlights worked, which he says is named Shining Terrace-kun mk.3. It was an item ordered by a store in Kabukicho, and it's something he's proud of as he says it must've been flashy. Licht says he understands that Kurogane is excited, but he suggests heading out now since the elevator ride down will take a while. Kurogane agrees, then hits the button for the right floor after taking a second to find it. The elevator makes a loud sound as it moves, then starts slowly descending.

 

Kengo talks about how amazingly tough the elevator is, even if it doesn't look it from the outside. Melusine explains that it's the main elevator for the casino, and it is able to transport things from cars to tanks. Ryouta points out that this is your guys' first time taking it from the front since usually you get teleported directly to Tsathoggua's room. Shirou says workers normally take the back elevator. It's big, but the main elevator is even bigger. Touji adds that this is his first time going in like this too, as the time he broke in from the front he took the stairs down.

 

Tiger Man comments understanding coming in through the back, but he's surprised at the mentions of teleportation and breaking in through the front, then laughs as he compares it to lucha libre. Tezcatlipoca says it'll take some time to reach your floor, so he decides it's time to explain some details. Tiger Man promptly shuts up. Tezcatlipoca starts explaining that due to a Certain Incident, it's difficult for him to walk around outside freely. Because of that, he wished for an artificial body that would let him do that. Getting that done was dependent on actions he took, and he applied for help with the Kamata Crafters. If the homefront of the guild found out about it problems would occur, so he kept it secret, he tells you as he laughs. You ask about this artificial body, ask if he's okay if he's doing this in secret, or comment that they're going to be so mad with him.

 

Tezcatlipoca continues talking as he says the Crafters made his new body in barely any time at all. The inside of the doll is simple, and the outside is a quarantined network assembly. There are also fiber cables used in its construction as he declares it a doll made for use in frontline battles. Thanks to the doll he can freely act outside, but it's still not everything he wanted. You either respond by saying you can understand that, ask about it not getting him what he wished for, or say he'd be fine just sticking with a doll body.

 

Kurogane is surprised to hear that Tezcatlipoca isn't completely happy with the doll, mentioning that it's a proud accomplishment of his older brother. Tezcatlipoca dramatically says it needs a burning heartbeat as hot as the sun and blood that circulates through it like the waves of the sea. It NEEDS those things if he wants to go to glorious war with his irreplaceable friend! He then turns to you and asks if you understand that of him. You either admit you do, say you think compromise is needed too, or you start petting his doll body. C gets Tezcatlipoca to laugh and say this reminds him of older days when you two were close, which he likes.

 

Anyways, Kurogane talks about wanting to fulfill his customers' needs, and for what Tezcatlipoca is talking about, another of his brothers would be better suited for that. He does worry that that would lead to its own share of unpredictable issues since they (also?) have a tendency to wander off at random. Moritaka comments on how rough that sounds since Tokyo is still a huge place even with it walled up.

 

Kurogane changes the subject to mention he was sent souvenirs the other day, which he was able to use to figure out where they are. Specifically it's Tir na Nog manju, which Kurogane says is a famous cake/confection/is manju really classed as either of those things. You ask about Tir na Nog, and Yasuyori comments that he's never had those manju before but wants to try one. Tanetomo teases him for being so focused on eating and wishes he also had as much elegance to enjoy the beautiful flowers near him, causing him to blush.

 

Licht coughs and says that if they're talking about a place in Tokyo where you can get presents from Tir na Nog, there's one place he can think of. The elevator stops descending when he says that, and the doors open with a loud noise. A bunch of lights start floating in, dancing around as if they can think. You start to ask if they're fireflies before you realize they aren't. Melusine explains they're actually fairies. Licht explains that there are a number of underground strata beneath the Tokyo Casino, imitations of the other 23 worlds near and far. You guys have arrived at one of them, and the party looks on in surprise as Licht says you are now in Little Tir na Nog, at which point the section ends.