Live A Hero Melodic Meteorite Christmas Episode 2 (Abridged)

A wild gang of thugs appeared!
Thug A: You bitches got guts trying to pick up a date in a dark alley! Who said you could flirt here!?
MC: wait what / W-we're not flirting! / I literally just met him
---
(A) Red Thug: I heard what you two were whispering about! You, big guy!
(B) Red: Don't give me that, I see how close you two are! You, big guy!
(C) Red: Yeah I saw! Don't give me that cliché! You, big guy!
---
Red: You got some nerve laying the moves out on our turf! Who cares if it's Christmas!? Not like I have a date or anything!
Blue: Boss, look at how fancy that polar bear's suit is!
Red: Damn that's sharp! If you're here picking people up, pay me!
Borealis: ...MC, do you know these ruffians?
MC: Not really / ...nope / Aren't they your friends?
(C) Borealis: ...I have standards. None of my friends curse within five seconds of running into them.

Blue: B-boss! Look! There's an Operator next to that polar bear!
Green: Yeah, I saw them in the last Hero Fest! Congrats on your win!
Red: WHAT
Red stares at MC, then reacts in shock.
Red: ...they must be rich then! Pay up!
MC: NO
Borealis: ...these people are such bores. Let's go somewhere else, MC.
Borealis steps forward to address the gangsters.
Borealis: ...but first I want to ask you something. My name is Borealis. Do you know who I am?
Red: Who cares about some pickup artist?

Borealis's eyebrow twitches, then he sighs.
Borealis: I see. I planned on being fairly well known in this galaxy, but it can't be helped. My conducting can move people, stimulate economies, and change the flow the world moves at. Know what kind of conductor I am. I'm uninterested in people like you, but that doesn't change the fact that you are a source of VP as a general citizen.
Borealis turns to leave, but suddenly a light flares up.
MC: ...this light! Are they villains!?
Red: Yo dude, did you think I was just some random schmoe? I was gonna let you go if you gave me your money, but I changed my mind. Kiss my ass with that big talk, Romeo! Boys, you change too! Let's beat them up and go out for BBQ with their cash!
Blue: wait what
Green: but the polar bear guy seems tough! And the Operator won the last Hero Fest!
Red: So change already! What good's an Operator without any heroes around!?
Blue: oh right. Transform!

MC: Uhh...what do we do, Borealis?
Borealis: ...what a bother. May I borrow your power, MC?
Borealis is unfazed by the approaching thugs as he looks to MC.
Borealis: I didn't say it before, but I also have a hero's power...not that I belong to an agency right now. I should be enough to handle foes of their level. Will you form a temporary contract with me?
MC: Wait...you're a villain too!?
Red: You guys done talking yet!?
MC: WELP. Borealis, the contract!

Borealis nods and sends the contract to MC's phone. MC confirms it in a hurry, which causes light to cover Borealis.
Red: What!?
Borealis points his baton Parallel Weapon at Red.
Borealis: ...silence, you. This place is now under my jurisdiction, you gauche noisemakers. MC, I will take command and carve a rhythm. You harmonize and play with me.
MC: what? / I'll handle the operation! / Can we finish this before the last train leaves?
Borealis nods and looks back at the thugs. He seemed to smile for a second.
Red: Bring it bitch, we have the numbers!
Borealis: Your sounds grates on my ears, but I will sublimate it into the finest music. I'll engrave the barest amount of taste you need to listen to my work into your ears!
BATTLE START (more happens after that)

Red: OW what the hell man!?
Borealis operates his instrument-shaped attack drones like it's a performance. One move of his fingers, and the drones move around to fire sonic waves. No external wounds are seen, but the thugs are showing mental damage.
Borealis: The sounds of your mind is wavering. You cannot win against me with the power you possess.
Blue: B-boss! Let's stop!
Red: But how am I supposed to look cool if I turn tail and run away!?
Green: You don't have to look cool! You weren't that cool to begin with!
Red: WHAT
Blue: We gotta go! Knowing when to run's like the better part of valor! And we bought a cake for you, even if it's not that fancy!
Red: ...I'll get you guys for this! Waaah!
The gang runs off.
MC: What just happened? / Merry Christmas! / I should report them to the police.
(B) A faint "shut up!" answers back from where the gang ran off to.

Now that things have calmed down, Borealis reverts out of hero mode.
Borealis: That was a good operation, MC. Still, you're mysterious. That was the first time you've taken my instructions yet you played so well. It's been a long time since it's felt this pleasant, so I must thank you. It brings back memories.
MC: ...memories, huh? / Thank YOU actually.
Borealis: ...this feels like talking to a very close friend. Your tone is truly strange. (thinks to himself)
MC: Hey, why are you in Orient City? Wouldn't a famous villain get caught?
Borealis: ...oh, right. I thought I'd invite certain guests to my next concert here. It's true I'm not with any agency, but I doubt anyone could easily make a move on me. I have a rather broad audience after all. No VIP would be so foolish as to tie a noose around their necks over going to a secret invitation. 

Borealis: ...I should express my gratitude for you for this interesting meeting, but I unfortunately do not have anything to give you... Oh wait, I have this.
Borealis takes out a ticket and a pen out of his pocket and writes something onto it before giving the ticket to MC.
Borealis: Take it. You won't be able to use it right away, but come attend my concert.
MC: Huh? Is that okay? I've never been to a concert before...
Going to somewhere a villain has invited them seems awkward.
Borealis: ...I wrote the coordinates of where my spaceship is staying on the ticket. I'd like for you to come, but it's fine if you aren't interested. It's been a noisy day, but I would like to talk to you again. Please, listen to my music. (nods and walks off)
MC: ...hmm.
The ticket is totally a VIP ticket. Borealis even signed it. MC puts it away and sighs, then runs off.
MC: I'M GONNA MISS THE TRAIN! / tireeed / I want teleport powers

Title card: March of Powdered Snow
The next day in UEHA Japan's commander office, reports of the meteorite investigation are coming in.
Okitaka: Howdy y'all, UEHA Japan's Commander and idol of the people Takadono Okitaka! ...haha I'm kidding about being everyone's idol. I'm just yours okay?
Okitaka is talking to someone in Japan's government and Defense Department.
Okitaka: Aww, don't be like that. We're friends, aren't we? But anyways, the report. We can just shoot the meteorite down like we always have, right? I thought it was weird of you guys to call us, but we're pros. Relax, y'a--what? A Monster? You saying that whole meteor is one?
Okitaka: ...no, that tracks. Physical interactions don't work on them. You're a hero too, so you know that lasers and missiles don't work. Space UN's army and weapons won't cut it, which means we need something that WILL work on the Monster. How's the investigation team? Oh, they're fine? Okay, so far so good.
Okitaka waits for the other person to explain the situation and talk about what comes next. While he does that, he concentrates by moving a shogi piece.
Okitaka: ...I see. So Space UN is forming an emergency countermeasure group and gathering heroes and engineers in the neighborhood there? Got it, I ain't the Commander for nuthin'! This is short notice so we may need to fortify things, but it'll be fun. So where's the meteor supposed to land...?

Several hours later, Huckle and Crowne are called to an underground meeting room somewhere in Orient City.
Crowne: Huckle, what's going on? I thought you were gonna treat me to some good booze when you asked me to come with you no questions asked, but I don't see any snacks here.
Huckle: Sorry, I don't know either... Okitaka called us here for some urgent business and said he'd explain himself. I'm glad you weren't busy though. I figured your workshop must be busy.
Crowne: Well it's a job I like, so I'm not gonna complain. It's the busy time of the year. But anyways if the leader of UEHA Japan is calling us, then this probably isn't gonna be straightforward...
Crowne looks around to see others have already arrived. Nobody seems to have any more of an idea as to what's happening.
Crowne: ...and I see a lot of familiar faces here. Some of them I've seen in science magazines.
Huckle: They look like heroes and engineers. Some of them have A Rank licences too. I wonder why Okitaka brought us all here?

Hisaki walks in.
Hisaki: Oh good this seems to be the right place. Oh, Sis! (hurries over)
Crowne: You too, Hisaki? Well I guess that makes sense with everyone else here.
Huckle: Hello Hisaki. I don't think I've seen you since the Hero Fest.
Hisaki: Hello, Huckle! I heard a lot of things, but I'm glad you seem alright. I was worried about being summoned all of a sudden, but I'm glad you're here Sis! (sits in the row in front of them and turns back to continue talking)
Hisaki: The bosses at Laborer's Site directly asked me to go here and said I'd get details here. I'm not seeing any of that right now though.
Crowne: Same. It was UEHA who...oh wait it's starting.

Okitaka walks in.
Okitaka: Glad y'all could make it, this is great! I'm sure you guys are busy, so let's get to it. I should introduce myself, even though I know most of you personally. Anyways, I'm UEHA Japan's commander in chief Takadono Okitaka. Nice to meet you. Now down to business.
Okitaka: Today the Japanese government and Defense Department filed a formal job request to us and invited y'all here about that meteor on the news the other day. We discovered it's one giant Monster and it's coming to Earth at approximately 12km/sec.
The audience is shocked and appalled at the news. Okitaka claps to get everyone to settle down.
Okitaka: ...I know how you feel, but let me explain some more before you ask questions. Our mission is to subjugate this giant Monster, and as I've said the Defense Department is already working on it. This plan involves the cooperation of every hero agency, country, and planet. But no matter how many armies we muster, regular weapons won't work, which is where y'all come in.

Okitaka: High ranking heroes and leading engineers who represent Japan, I ask y'all to join forces with us to solve this crisis and figure a way out to stop that Monster. If you can't help, please leave now since anything past this point will be confidential. All we know now is that the meteor is predicted to land December 25th, midnight, here in Orient City. Please, lend us your skills to help protect this city.
Okitaka bows. Nobody leaves. Huckle then stands up to break the silence.
Huckle: Okitaka, I understand the situation. Please raise your head. You asked us all here and shared limited information to us so you wouldn't cause undue stress for the citizens, right? No hero would refuse to help, so we're all on board to assist.
Okitaka: ...thanks man!
More people start standing up to express their support of the project.
Hisaki: Yeah! Let's get started then! Can I borrow an open room to test something?
Crowne: Right, we should get started if we can help. I'm sure all of us together can come up with something!
Okitaka: Thanks y'all! The group is hereby established for the Anti-Meteorite Monster committee!
People raise their voices to get fired up one by one, and snow begins falling outside.
End of Episode

Valentine Fantasy Episode 2 Part 2 (Abridged)

Cait Sith and his cats are playing music.
Cait Sith: Next is the Bremeown Town Prelude! Dance, everybody!
Slowly people start doing so.
Boy A: Wow the cats are playing music!
Boy B: Hey wait I've heard of thise story!
Boy A: Oh! The Bremen Town Musicians!
The invocation of the story replaces the thoughts of terror the children had as they start to smile.
Cait Sith: Meow, that's us! You there! How about you join in on our performance?
The children get excited at Cait Sith saying he's playing the part of that fairy tale and start talking about it more among themselves.
Benten: I'll do it! This is so gonna go viral!
Zhurong: Yay! I can play the castanets!
Kuniyoshi: I will remember this five-ever...!

Licht: I see what's going on now!
MC: Well share with the class then!
Licht: Oh, sorry. Cait Sith is trying a new plot twist. When we asked the children what was going on earlier, I noticed one thing in common. They all mentioned the giants who gave them lots of candy said they got big and fat and wanted to eat them.
MC: Hey wait I think I've heard of this before / So?
Licht: The story of Hansel and Gretel. That's the fairy tale the giants were using. This is a world modeled after fairy tales because that was the easiest way to format it. Fairy tales have lots of variations though, and many go on to have happy endings. Cait Sith noticed this and tried using the Bremen Town Musicians fairy tale himself.
Many children have enjoyed the music and are smiling.
Cait Sith: You've all been a wonderful audience, meow! I'm glad you all enjoyed it, and I want you all to keep smiling! Will you guys do that?
Kids: OKAY!
The children applaud, which Cait Sith accepts with some embarrassment. One kid walks up.
Boy A: Thank you! Here's a chocolate I made!
Boy B: Hey wait me too! Encore!
More and more children start giving Cait Sith their chocolates and ask for a repeat.
Cait Sith: Okay okay, just one more. (proceeds to play three more songs)

Later
Itzamna has been reconstructing Candyland in the meantime, and things have calmed down.
Cait Sith: Whew that was exhausting! But I'm glad the children are smiling now.
MC: You did great!
Cait Sith: It's thanks to the cats who helped me! I was a little worried it wouldn't work for a second. Oh, Balor! How was our performance?
Balor: I only ever heard the sounds of bodies hitting the ground before but... your band served the people and a king serves more than anything else. So, not bad. It wasn't ear rape or anything.
Cait Sith: Yay! I thought you were gonna call it trash noise!
MC: Yeah that's a surprise / IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD / He seems less happy than if I had complimented him...
Balor: Hey! Cheeky little brat!
Cait Sith: Sorry! But wow you're nice Balor. You were worried earlier weren't you? About how I am as a king, I mean.
Balor snorts but neither confirms nor denies that.

Cait Sith: Maybe you are right, Balor. You've been a king longer than I have. But I'm gonna keep going on like this since I want everyone to be happy.
Balor stares.
Balor: ...did you just indirectly call me old?
Cait Sith: Where did you get that from!?
Balor: Well you are the first generation. If that's how your kingdom goes, do whatever you want. If you call that egotism, then maybe I'm really egotistical. That may just be your royal principle.
MC: Nice / Cait Sith you're so cool now / And here you keep making me call you Grandpa
(A) Balor: I only said whatever if you're serving your citizens. There are things only kings can say, and that's something I chose to say. I'd never say that about the other wily fairy citizens.
(B) Cait Sith: Ehehe, I hope so.
(C) Balor: This and that are different things, gahaha. I'll always be happy if you call me that.

Boogeyman walks up.
Boogeyman: Sorry to pile things on before you catch your breath, but I wanna go over our new objectives. It bothers me to ask for your help after getting you guys caught up in it, but will you join me?
MC: Sure! Not like I can go back if I say no anyway. You're helping too, right Grandpa?
Cait Sith: Yeah I'll help! We can't leave the children like this!
Balor: My grandbaby is asking me for a favor. Well I guess I do have to hear you out.

Later in the Gingerbread House
Benten: Licht where were you? I was gonna make you help me make a new chocolate!
Licht: I-I do want to help, but Arachne had asked me to help her first.
Benten: Oh okay. Help me next time then!
Licht: Haha, okay. If I have nothing else going on, I promise...
Kuniyoshi: Hey Catoblepas I drew out that costume design you asked for. What do I do next?
Catoblepas: W-wow! But this kind of vest is...
Kuniyoshi: Hey you wanna be a salesguy at the next con event we go to? I can help with your cosplay album design if you like.
Catoblepas: Y-yes please! A-also, what do you think of cosplaying...in a kigurumi!?
MC: Hi guys / We're back / I wanna see you cosplay Catoblepas
(C) Catoblepas: U-umm...well maybe if you join me as another shop assistant...

Itzamna: Okay, we're all here. First, take a seat wherever there's room.
Everyone sits around a big round cookie table. Itzamna stays standing as he starts talking.
Itzamna: So Cait Sith has smoothed things out for now, but we still have much to deal with. Now let's have Boogeyman talk about what we should do next.
Boogeyman stands up.
Boogeyman: Right now we have two main concerns. First is our being trapped in this world. I don't know what that is, and since I still can't get a line open to communicate we're on our own to deal with it somehow. Secondly, the terrifying fairy tale world sections are out of our control...
Everyone else starts murmuring.

Boogeyman: That's why the giants rampaged earlier. I deeply apologize for this. Also there are children trapped in the scary side of this world still, and they may be in danger.
Itzamna: Chin up, Boogeyman. You should actually be apologizing to those children, not us. Plus we're all here now. Is there a plan?
Boogeyman: (nods) This world is a cyber world inside my artifact Hephaestus modded. The power source of my artifact is the faith of fear. If we erase that, my artifact will be nullified from the inside out. When that happens, this world will short out and automatically kick us out.
Licht: (raises hand) Is that actually possible?
Boogeyman clams up, but Itzamna smiles.
Itzamna: I have a plan.
End of Episode

Valentine Fantasy Episode 2 Part 1 (Abridged)

MC: My head...why are you guys huddled around me?
Benten: You made us worry, pushing us out of the way like that!
Kuniyoshi: MC, are you okay? Oh good, I got flashbacks of that time with Cu Sith.
Zhurong: WAAAH! MC, I thought you went to hell!
Arc: ...I'm glad your okay. My stomach fell when I saw you down.
MC: Arc you were here? I'm glad you're okay! Harlot asked me to look for you.
Arc: Oh...so Mom told you to do that. So you know I fought with her and said something terrible...actually that can wait. You come first. How are you feeling? Are your memories hazy? Like more than they already were?
MC: Uhh...there was a loud noise and the wall broke all of a sudden
Cait Sith: Right. We were suddenly under attack by giants from the scary fairy tale section. They kicked destroyed a bunch of stuff, which includes the gingerbread house you were in.
MC: What happened to the giants? And the kids and everyone else?

Benten: Everyone's fine. Balor was even freakier.
Cait Sith: He crushed all those giants when he found you on the ground. Oh wait here he comes!
Balor walks over from the distance, covered in scratches.
Balor: Hi Grandbaby. Thanks for giving me a heart attack.
MC: I'm okay. / Thanks for saving everyone. / Aww I missed out on seeing you be cool.
(A) Balor: Good. Don't push yourself too hard.
(B) Balor: Ha, this must be the first time anyone's ever thanked me for fighting. But I was just giving payback for what they did to me out there. Anyways, I'm glad you're alive. Death is the end, you know?
(C) Balor: Hahaha! What are you, stupid? If you wanna see that I can show you whenever. But anyway I'm glad you're alive. If you die, it's the end you know?

Cait Sith: Never mind that! Balor, you're all beat up! Show me so I can treat you!
Balor seems unconcerned with the damage he's taken.
Balor: I've never gotten out of a fight without a few scratches before, so I don't need that. This'll fix itself if I leave it alone and don't die.
Cait Sith: Nooo! I'm sure you're strong and tough, but this is just in case!
Cait Sith begins treating Balor anyway. Balor doesn't seem to know what to make of this.
Balor: Huh. The next King of Cats for the Land of Cats is a total weirdo to give treatment themselves. Kings are expendable.
Cait Sith: Kings have to be dignified, which is something I've thought about. I've also wondered why previous kings have retired, and I've had times where I hadn't thought about it. I've decided not to worry about it since there's more important things to me right now!
In Tir na Nog, those with the power to suppress capricious fairies become kings. That makes others objects of control and not to protect. They'd normally need overwhelming charisma (re: terrifying violence).

Balor: You're funny, but naive. For someone who's going to be a new king in Tir na Nog, you know too little about the law of terror. Horror's indispensable for the king of fairies and master of nursery tales.
Cait Sith: ...why's that a bad thing? It's better to get along with your citizens instead of scaring them!
Balor: ...
Balor: Governing is essentially inseparable from misgovernment. With a 100 people, what 51 of them votes for gets enacted while the other 49 are denounced. Some decisions have the king approved of, and other times those decisions have them criticized. That means no king is unscathed. The king carries the misgovernment by themselves, and a new king appears to reform things. Someone's gonna come to take advantage of your mistakes. Even if no one does, old age will come for you. When that happens, a king should be like the ultimate tyrant and not leave any scars on those left behind.
Arc: ...how about we go find Boogeyman and Itzamna? This can't have been planned. They might know what to do, and we can help if there's trouble. What do you guys think?
MC: Good idea. / Well I guess so. / Let's go!

Title card
Boogeyman is inside a shabby gingerbread house trying to figure out what's happening.
Boogeyman: Why? How'd the giants in the Forest of Fear get in this area? And why wouldn't they listen to me when I'm supposed to have total control of them!?
Maybe a bug or virus attacked, and if so Boogeyman would need to call Hephaestus. Boogeyman senses deep malice lurking behind the scenes.
Boogeyman: I can't figure out who that is on my own, but maybe if there was another guardian to this world! (turns towards a mirror)
Boogeyman: Mirror Mirror hey c'mon, tell me what the heck is going on
A face appears on the mirror. It's an observational camera for the world for tracking the children and watching for unusual situations Boogeyman had set up. It not alerting him of anything happening is strange.

Mirror: Access privileges denied.
Boogeyman: But I'm the king here!
Mirror: Not anymore. You've been replaced for that.
Boogeyman: What!? By who!? (punches wall)
The mirror does not respond.
Boogeyman: Fine, new question. Why can't the children who've made their chocolates leave?
Mirror: New king of terror has overwritten the world. No legal method of escape exists at this time. Correction: only one method of returning the children exists.
The mirror shows emotions for the first time, giving Boogeyman the terrible truth in a snarky deadpan offscreen.

Elsewhere
The rest of the party reconvenes in a public space and explanations are given.
MC: We can't go back!? / No...why?
Itzamna: Boogeyman is looking into that, but it doesn't look good. I've checked with my students and friends, but that hasn't shown anything better...
Children are still crying, and Itzamna looks stern. Licht, Arachne, and Catoblepas return from their investigations.
Licht: I checked the border of Candyland and Forest of Fear, and it's just as you thought.
Arachne: Same here. The scary fairy tale world is encroaching.
Catoblepas: Y-yeah, Candyland will disappear at this rate!
MC: Hi Licht / Arachne darling! / Catoblepas?
(A) Licht: Hello my friend. I wish we weren't meeting under circumstances like this...
(B) Arachne: Hello! I was asked to supervise the clothes to make this world more charming! And then this all happened before showtime...
(C) Catoblepas: Arachne was asked to supervise the clothes to make this world more charming, and I came to help because I was interested...though I guess we won't be showing them at this rate...

Boogeyman comes out.
Itzamna: Did you find anything out?
Boogeyman: You go first. What'd you find?
Itzamna: The world is imbalanced because of the fear the children were exposed to!
MC: What? I heard something about Candyland being grounded down.
Boogeyman: It's simple. Majority of the children in Candyland have started thinking it's not safe here. If we don't shake that idea out of them, then Candyland falls to pieces. We need a safe area now more than ever since we can't get out.
MC: Hmm...maybe we should give out candy?

Cait Sith goes to talk to Arachne and Catoblepas.
Arachne: Oh, yes I have something like that! The size should fit perfectly!
Catoblepas: Yeah!
MC: Did you think of something?
Cait Sith: Tee hee, wait a second! This should work out for us!
The three of them leave, so the party tries comforting the children in the meantime.
Chouji: Look! Chocolate! How about we have some together?
Itzamna: What if I read a story for you all?
It doesn't work.
Licht: The scary memories they are too powerful. We need more impact!
MC: I'll do something!
Licht: Interesting! What's your plan!?
MC: (tell am awesome joke) / (tell a hilarious story) / (Japanese rakugo)
Zhurong: Haha, wow!
Licht: Friend this is not something children will understand.
No other child is laughing.

Nobody else can think of anything when...
Cait Sith: Ta dahhh! How do I look?
Cait Sith and his cats are in marching band uniforms.
Kuniyoshi: I CAN DIE A HAPPY NERD! Pleasetellmethedesigndetails...
Cait Sith: L-later, we have more important things to take care of!
MC: That's your plan? / You look great! / Let me pet you later!
---
(A) Cait Sith: Yes! I'll use this to bring smiles to the children's faces!
(B) Cait Sith: Ehehe. Now I'm feeling more confident!
(C) Cait Sith: Uhh, just a little bit okay? If my fur gets messed up, you'll brush it back too, right?
---
Licht: I-is it going to be that easy? We haven't gotten anything to work.
Cait Sith: Watch me! If I can't do it myself, then I can work with others to make something happen! Ready? Showtime!
BATTLE(?) START

Live A Hero Melodic Meteorite Christmas Episode 1 (Abridged)

Mid December
Reconstruction is on track in Orient City, and the gang is going back to the office after finishing lunch.
Mokdai: This new udon place is great! I could eat bowls of the stuff with that soup stock!
Sui: You kinda did. Are you going to go into a food coma this afternoon?
Mokdai: Oh no I actually might... it's been so cold lately that I keep eating warm stuff. Nice to see the city getting back to normal now. I'm doing my part to help the economy recover!
MC: I'm getting sleepy too / Be sure to exercise after eating! / Don't get too fat
(A) Sui: MC, you can't. Huckle asked you to get some new documents done quick.
(B) Mokdai: I-I do! Maybe I should ask Ryekie for workout help...
(C) Mokdai: I'll be careful! I can't eat if I get sick!

The office
Mokdai: We're back! Hi you two, how was the meeting?
Ryekie: Welcome back you three! We just hit a stopping point and had a light lunch.
Sui: Ooh, it's warm in here...
Huckle: Cold outside? Go ahead and get closer to the heater.
Mokdai: I'll make tea. Ryekie, Director, you guys want some too?
Ryekie: Sure! Make mine less hot!
Huckle: Don't catch cold, everyone. Sure it's been some time since reconstruction happened after the big Monster went down, but there's still plenty of people looking to us for help.
Ryekie: Don't work your nerves too hard that you pass out either though! You gotta rest! This means you too, Huckle! How about another end of the year office trip to the hot springs!?
MC: Is it that time already? / The year went by so fast / Yay, hot springs trip!

And now the news.
Newscaster: Christmas time! Decorations in the city! And now for the tree decorating ceremony in New York...
Mokdai: Christmas is nice... oh, Sui can you pass out the tea?
Sui: Okay, thanks. [sic] Ooh, warm mug... is the one with the green dog yours, Mokdai? And the tiger stripes is Ryekie's?
Ryekie: Yep! Huckle got them for us as a Christmas present one time! Memories! Ooh, Earl Grey tea!
Huckle: Okay saying that is kind of embarrassing. On another note, what are you guys doing for Christmas? Any yearly traditions? (accepts tea)

Mokdai: I go around attending hero shows! They go all out for Christmas so I'm always excite for those! Being in the stands is nice, but it's also awesome to get front row seats! So if we get any coproduction requests I wanna help with that!
Huckle: Haha, you're so into your work. I can do that, but you can also go on vacation you know? Isn't this a busy time for Sui's fashion work?
Sui: Yes, we get a lot of Christmas suit orders so we have our hands full a little. Things calm down on Christmas day, so I'm okay for hero work then. I'm a little nervous about being in a hero show though...
Ryekie: Haha, don't worry because we're here! Right, Huckle!?
Huckle: Right. As I've said, go ahead and relax when nothing's up.
MC: Director, do you have Christmas plans? / Ryekie are you free on Christmas? / Sui, what do you do on Christmas?
(A) Huckle: Me? No, but if it's on a workday I have work. The day after I take off, but if our schedules match up want to go out and eat somewhere with me?
(B) Ryekie: Every year I get offers to go do hero shows, so I have work! I don't have plans after the afterparties though, so maybe working out at the gym! Wanna come with?
(C) Sui: I eat with my teacher at least. We get herb stuffed roast chicken every year. It's not much, but wanna join us if you're okay with my cooking? I'll tell Master too.

Ding dong!
Akashi: Hey guys. Crowne's not here today? I'm beat. I've been helping with my school's reconstruction and taking classes after reopening.
Mokdai: Hey Akashi. Have some tea before you start work. Crowne's busy at the spaceship garage. Maybe it's because of the big Monster attack?
Sui: Everyone's been busy after all that collateral damage...but that's also why everyone seems to want to get things back to normal and celebrate Christmas. Anyways we were talking about what we usually do for Christmas. What do you and MC do?
Akashi: Hmm... before I'd go out to see the lights, but... (side eyes MC) Do you remember?
MC: Uhh...nope.

Akashi: Oh...I guess your memories are still foggy. Well don't worry about it! We'll make some new fun memories going forward! Director, are we doing anything like an office party or anything?
Mokdai: Ooh, nice idea! How about we reserve a cake early?
Huckle: That could be fun. Feels like it could turn into an afterparty for a show though.
Akashi: Yes! I'm in if there's good food there!
Huckle: Slow down, people. Well it all depends on the day of, but if nothing happens--
Breaking news!
Newscaster: We interrupt this Christmas caroling to bring you UE the Space UN's announcement of a large meteor shower approaching Earth. It is predicted to arrive within 14 days, and UE is sending an investigation team to find out how to avoid it. Updates to come as they arrive. Now back to holiday singing!

MC: OH NO / Are we gonna be okay? / It's the attack of the SF movie plot!
Nobody else seems concerned.
Mokdai: Oh, right. This your first time? We haven't had one of these lately, but they aren't that rare. This happens like once a year or so.
Akashi: Yeah they say it'll make impact, but like most of them aren't so big and burn up in the atmosphere. It'll be like a pretty shower of shooting stars.
Sui: If they are big enough or might hit the moon which doesn't have an atmosphere, they shoot them down early or change their trajectories. Since they're sending an investigation team I think you can relax.
MC: O-oh. Is it really gonna be okay?
Ryekie: HAHAHA! You are such a worrywart. It's fine, the investigators are specialists! They'll take care of everything!
Sui: Oh look at the time, I have work Master asked me to get to. Bye guys.
Huckle: (stands up) Break time's over then. Mokdai, MC, sort the data. Akashi, you mind doing some physical labor?
Akashi: Okay, it'll substitute for my workout. I'm good to go after that break!
Huckle: Thanks. Let's go everyone.

Title card: Traces of Winter

Flashback
Decades ago, a small snow covered planet was informed a meteor would hit it.
Citizen A: Really?
Citizen B: Can our Defense Department even handle it?
Citizen C: Should we leave?
Someone looks out the window as people start to worry.
Borealis: ...how peaceful. A comforting rhythm. The sound of snow piling, the wind blowing... and yet you're sounding all anxious. What was the announcement about? Normally you make gentle calming sounds.
Borealis turns towards the door and opens it to someone who was just about to knock.

Borealis: I don't think it's time for work yet, but is something happening?
???: AHH! You scared me! ...no wait I came to tell you something. You have a moment?
Borealis's friend enters the room, closes the door, and looks serious.
???: ...a bunch of meteors are on a collision course with this planet and there's discussion about what can be done... but panic is happening over the idea the technology here can't destroy them. It hasn't turned to violence yet, but everyone is on edge. People have screamed at me asking what the heroes are doing or to demand I do something.
Borealis: ...I see. It's fine, I became a hero to protect these people. We should contact the other heroes and prepare. We need information for that, so we should get started. You aren't the only one feeling the burden, Operator. We'll do this together.

Borealis finally smiles, and the two nod before Borealis grabs a coat as they leave.
Operator: ...by the way, how'd you know I was there? I tried to keep quiet while walking.
Borealis: You have a unique sound. I don't mean your footsteps, but the tone of your being. That's what I heard. My hearing is a little better than others, and I heard you sounded more stressed than usual...some special technique from me.
Operator: Huh. I thought you were reading my mind. You could've told me earlier! We're best friends in and out of work! We don't need to keep secrets from each other!

Present
It's late at night and somehow there's not many people around even in a city stated to have 20 million residents as MC walks home.
MC: Tireeed...I wanna teleport home...
Everyone worked on finishing up the backlog of end of year files, and it was closing time by the time it was done. It's not much longer before the last train of the night, so MC decides to cut through a back alley to get to the station quicker. They promptly bump into someone around the corner.
MC: Oh no!
Borealis: Oh, are you hurt?
MC is the one to almost fall over, but Borealis takes their hand and helps them up.
MC: I-I'm sorry, I'm okay. / You're so handsome and gentlemanly!
(AB) Borealis: So long as you're unhurt. I apologize.
(C) Borealis: You blurt out the funniest things. I'll take that as a compliment. You don't seem to be hurt, and I apologize.

MC starts to move on and Borealis starts to put back on the earplug that fell out when...
Borealis: ...no wait, stop!
MC stops in surprise and turns back. Borealis grabs MC by the arms in surprise too.
Borealis: You! Your sound! It can't...but... (stares)
MC: W-what? / Could you let go? / So bold!
Borealis: O-oh, excuse me. My name is Borealis, and I wish to apologize for my rudeness. (lets go)
Borealis: May I have a bit of your time? I'd like to talk to you, and I have no intentions of hurting you
MC: S-so... / Am I being hit on?
Borealis: Hmm, I phrased that badly. How do I say this...? Would you happen to be aware of what my job is?
MC shakes their head.
MC: Sorry, my memories are gone... / Are you famous!?

Borealis: ...oh. No, that's fine. By the way, what's your name?
MC: I guess it's okay to tell you.
MC sizes up Borealis again. Nice clothes, nice accessories, he seems legit. He's big enough that if he wanted to physically hurt you he'd have done it already.
MC: I'm MC. I'm a Hero Operator.
Borealis: Hmm...how mysterious. If you'd like--
Suddenly whistling from behind.
Thugs: Hey! What the hell are you guys doing on our turf!?
End of Episode

Valentine Fantasy Episode 1 Part 2 (Abridged)

Candyland, where children are happily making chocolate while some familiar faces teach them.
Chouji: Cooking time! The tempering is important to making chocolate, so make sure you pay attention to what you're doing here.
Itzamna: Ask us if you don't understand anything. Oh this takes me back to when I did this in El Dorado.
Boogeyman: Hello you two, I'm back.
Chouji: Hello Boogeyman-sensei... and MC!? Did you do something horrible!?
MC: False charges! / Why are YOU here Chouji!? / Itzanma's here too!?

Chouji: Itzamna-sensei asked me to teach people how to make chocolate here.
Itzamna: I'm helping.
Children come up and ask Chouji to keep teaching, so he does.
MC: Boogeyman is this fine? No one looks afraid.
Boogeyman: I'm in charge of the forest, and it's okay with me if the kids who know what they've done wrong have fun.
Itzamna: Let me say things were hard for me at first too. So stubborn...before I started helping to create this world I felt the responsibility of helping children overcome their problems and return home.
MC: They do seem to have reflected. If anything, they seem spoiled. I'm surprised you're helping.
Itzamna: Even my students say I'm too nice, so...I suppose it's true this isn't a method that suits me. Boogeyman's belief is resolute as well though, so helping from within seemed better than trying to make him stop. With me around, we can balance things well with the carrot and stick approach.

MC: On another note this world is amazing.
Itzamna: It wasn't all me of course. A great engineer named Hephaestus helped too. This was much easier than making a real world, and painting in a blank canvas is my specialty.
Itzamna winks, at which point a child comes over to pull at his sleeve.
Itzamna: Duty calls. I wish we could talk more, but I must go. My art class students and their friends are here too. I think you know them, so you should greet them. Okay see you later. (goes to where the children are)
MC: (walks off to find the others)

Elsewhere
Benten: Give me a hand Kuniyoshi! My chocolate's not gonna be a hit tweet as is!
Kuniyoshi: EVERYONE AT UENO WAIT FOR MY APOLOGY CHOCOLATE
Zhurong: Ehehe, I hope Boogeyman-sensei will like this. I'm gonna make a whole lot of chocolate to give out! Like Sarutahiko, Horokeu, Daikoku...
MC: How about I help, Benten? / Well Kuniyoshi hasn't changed / Where's mine, Zhurong?
(A) Benten: MC! You're here too? I knew you'd be the only one who can keep up with me! Listen up, compromise is not part of my vocabulary. I am not giving up until I'm a social media superstar! Licht begged off, but you're staying here MC! This is for you.
Benten hands over a small pink ribbon wrapped present.
Benten: It's an SSR Valentine's chocolate from me. Motivated yet?
And so Benten's crazy chocolate making begins.
(B) Kuniyoshi: Oh wow, MC? I didn't expect to see you here. Gimme a sec to finish this. (paints again until he's done)
Kuniyoshi: Yes, it's done! Oh, sorry to keep you waiting. Have this! I made it earlier when inspiration hit me!
Kuniyoshi gives a chocolate patterned after a therian.
Kuniyoshi: Whaddya think? It's not my usual thing, but I feel I showed how good furries are with it well enough! It feels like a waste to eat it. Oh, the toe beans are made with marshmallows! It took forever to get them right!
And so Kuniyoshi rants about furries for a while.
(cont.)

(C) Zhurong: Oh, MC! I have actually. Did you want it?
MC: YES
Zhurong: Yay, I'm glad I made it! Here you go! ...wait, why are you here? Did Boogeyman-sensei bring you over?
Zhurong doesn't seem to be here because he got into a fight with someone.
Zhurong: So I was taking pictures for my investigations when Boogeyman-sensei said he'd show me something cool! There were people who talked and looked the way they usually do but their auras looked different. Sensei told me I could have tons of sweets, so I stopped partway to come here!
MC: Don't follow strangers with candy! / Oh right, you can tell / The article's being abandoned!
Zhurong: (whispering) Umm, I want chocolate from you too.
MC: Okay!
And then MC starts making a chocolate for Zhurong.

Meanwhile in some other Gingerbread House
Arc: Okay it's good. I hope MC likes it.
Arc has made a big heart-shaped chocolate and grabs a chocolate pen.
Arc: So should I write love, friendship, or...?
Itzamna: Oh, didn't you already make the chocolates for your family Arc?
Arc: ...oh, sensei. There's someone else I want to give a chocolate to...
Itzamna: Ooh, I see. Well go ahead and think about what you'll do in front of a blank canvas. By the way is this other kitchen set open?
Arc: Yes, it is. Shall I help clean up?
Itzamna: Thank you. You two use this one. Shall I teach you how to make the chocolate?

Balor: Why am I doing this
Cait Sith: B-because that's how we're supposed to get out? I'm sure MC would be happy if you gave them a--
Balor: GUHAHA, that's funny! Watch me make the best present ever for my grandbaby!
Cait Sith: MEOW Balor's getting more into this than I thought he would!
Arc: ...did you say MC? Do you two know them?
Cait Sith: Ah! Are you Arc!? We were looking for you! ...except now we got stuck here too.
Itzamna: I can take you to them later if you want.
Arc: Would you!? Thank you so much!
Suddenly, an explosion. Everyone turns to see Balor's pot has blown up and is smoking.
Balor: Gaha, cooking might not be for me!
Cait Sith: Did you put in gunpowder or something!?
Balor: What kind of idiot do you take me for!?
Itzamna: Oh my. I should teach you from the top. Arc, will you help?
And so Itzamna starts teaching Cait Sith and Balor how to make chocolate while Arc helps.

Back to MC
MC: Making sweets is fun. It's like I'm really in a fairy tale...wait.
MC: What happens later in this story again? I'm getting a bad feeling.
Later
Cait Sith: My chocolates for MC and Solomon are going great! And I think I have enough for everyone in my guild? (pours chocolate into molds)
Another explosion causes Cait Sith to spill his chocolate.
Cait Sith: Balor, did you do something again!?
Balor: I didn't do shit this time, dick!
Everyone looks out the window.
Cait Sith: ...this doesn't seem like someone blew something up while cooking.
Balor: Well yeah, who does that?
Cait Sith: You, apparently...wait, what's wrong Balor?
Balor: ...didn't that explosion come from where my grandbaby is?

Outside
Behemoth: Wait what I thought I was in some freaky place and now I'm in a candy land of dreams? Smells nice...
Giant: This is for kids who know what they did wrong. Eat whatever candy you like.
Behemoth: Can I have as much as I want!?
Giant: Yes, let me show you around.
Inside some Gingerbread House
Behemoth: Damn this place is amazing, bro. Can I eat that chocolate?
Giant: Yes. And the cookies and candy.
Behemoth: AWW YEAH (starts snarfing sweets) This is almost as good as Ziz's stuff! Why'd you bring me here anyway?
Giant: Look how fat you are! Now I want to pour chocolate on you.
Behemoth: w-why
Giant: So I can eat you!
Behemoth: HELLLLP 

Outside
Fire Giant: Eat all the fat kids! Come out, come out, or I'll blow the house down!
Kid A: Waaah, that's not how the story goes! Help!
Itzamna defends the child.
Itzamna: Why are you giants here? This isn't where you're supposed to be!
Chouji: Sensei, a bunch of giants suddenly appeared!
Itzamna: ...prioritize keeping the children safe. Split up and get them elsewhere, everybody.
Balor: Hey where is my grandbaby
Cait Sith: I'll handle that! Noble Phantasm! Go find MC, kitties!
A bunch of cats come out of Cait Sith's shadow and splits up to search the houses.
Cait Sith: Over there! The other cats will help the kids get away!

Over by MC
Benten: OMG MC! A-are you okay!?
Zhurong: Waaah! MC, don't die!
MC: you guys I think I hit my head and I'm close to blacking out
The Gingerbread House you were in broke and part of it fell on you, pinning you to the ground.
Arc: MC!
Balor: ...hey brats, what happened here?
Cait Sith: MC? Hang in there!
Zhurong: W-well, the wall suddenly broke and MC pushed us out of the way and...
A couple of giants appear.
Balor: ...huh. I know you guys are creations, but you want to defy ME? What a laugh. Get back Cait Sith and kiddos if you know what's good for you. And watch Grandpa, grandbaby, and see how great I can be!
BATTLE START (more happens after)

Itzamna attempts to lead children to safety, but it's rough going.
Itzamna: Boogeyman, can't you do something about this?
Boogeyman: I tried calling Hephaestus but he isn't picking up. I've asked him to do a forced logout though.
Itzamna: So we have to fight then.
Balor crashes by.
Balor: Hell yeah, fighting to protect my grandbaby is the best! Who wants to die next!?
Balor is said to have the strength to command the giants who were already stronger than most. And now the strength sealed by his shackles is starting to come loose...
End of Episode

Valentine Fantasy Episode 1 Part 1 (Abridged)

Narration: There's a certain fantasy passed down since ancient times, which would be the faith of changelings. The legend goes that when fairies kidnap a human child, they leave behind something as a replacement. They say that this story was used as a threat against naughty children who defied their families. "You aren't our REAL child," they'd say. "The fairies took our REAL child because they couldn't have been like YOU," they'd say. Children who hurt their families or show no respect for their elders get taken to fairyland, like when they wander around by themselves at night after an argument. Suddenly the world changes to a place where the old rules no longer apply. Everywhere looks the same, and darkness covers everything. That is the perfect paradise, the land of the young, a world where One Thing has been removed, and time has stopped...

Title card
MC: Uhh, I don't think I'm in Tokyo anymore Toto.
Cait Sith: MEOW what was that!? And what's this forest? I'm getting deja vu. Feels like my home world.
MC: What? Tir na Nog?
Cait Sith: Yep, the land of the young where fairies and giants live. The deepest part is where no one goes, and it's a dangerous place where naughty children are taken. Us cat fairies don't like going there anyway...
MC and Cait Sith look around.
???: Wooo~ welcome to the scary fairy tale
MC: WHOMST (get in front of Cait Sith, sword drawn)
???: Wooo~ this is a world created to look like Tir na Nog... and it's where naughty children like you are brought to, wooo~!
Boogeyman walks up.
MC: You did this? / Created to look like Tir na Nog? / FREAK AAAAAA
(C): Boogeyman: (frown)

Boogeyman: Wooo~ I am Boogeyman. I scare naughty children straight.
MC: what / Take me back!
Boogeyman: Sorry, no can do until you've thought about what you've done. Fight with your family lately? I know. I can smell when children are keeping naughty secrets, wooo~.
MC: (Really?) / (No way!) / (OMG)
Cait Sith leans over and looks with a raised eyebrow.
Boogeyman: Hmm. You don't smell like a naughty child. What do... well I brought you in by mistake, so... Hello, this is Boogeyman, up the phone. I need you to get on and move someone out of the cyber world.
MC: wait what

No response.
Boogeyman: Is he asleep? Oh well then. Hey King of Cats, can you come with me? I can't reach the guy who can let you out, so I'll have to do something else for now.
Cait Sith: Why do you know who I am!?
Boogeyman: Rumors. I've heard of the King of Cats.
Cait Sith: Aww shucks, I'm famous!
MC: Not important right now! / What about me!? / You're ditching me!?
Cait Sith: O-oh wait, right! What about MC?
Boogeyman: They have to stay until they know what they did wrong.
Cait Sith: N-no! I can't leave them here!
Boogeyman:
Boogeyman: Is that no matter what?
Cait Sith: No matter what! Now take us both back!
Suddenly wyverns!
Boogeyman: Aww, what beautiful friendship. But no exceptions! Last chance, are you sure you won't leave them?
MC: Cait Sith, you don't need to make yourself stay I can handle this somehow
Caith Sith: No, a threat like that won't work on me! I won't leave you by yourself in a scare like this! We're friends, so I'm gonna help!
Boogeyman: ...fine. Maybe this will change your mind! Wooo~!
BATTLE START (more happens after)

Prison School
Yasuyori: I hear the tiptaps of little feet! ...ahh!
Tezcatlipoca: Haha! Excellent timing, Yasuyori! Tanetomo is coming, so hide me!
Yasuyori: Are you slacking off again?
Tezcatlipoca: Yes, I was up all night talking with my ally so I had to go sleepy time all day.
Yasuyori: Oh are you talking about Balor?
The name everyone else in Prison School fears!
Yasuyori: It's nice you get along so well with him.
Tezcatlipoca: Hahaha, he's not bad! Balor isn't the king of fairy land Tir na Nog for nothing!
Yasuyori: King of fairy land sounds so cute, haha.
Tezcatlipoca: Oh, do you not know much about real fairies?
Yasuyori: what
Tezcatlipoca: They don't age or lack for anything, so they can't sympathize with pain. That makes them perfectly cruel and terrifying. Whatever damage they take can be shunted aside through the power of changelings, and that's why changelings who come back are mentally and physically damaged. Disgusting things, fairies. If you want to beat one, you have to kill it instantly, like with death eyes.
Yasuyori: That reminds me where's Instructor Balor?

Fairyland
Boogeyman: Wooo~, are you scared yet? There's lots of fairy tales with dragons in them, and they terrify children into knowing they did something bad. How long can you keep this up? Wooo~.
Cait Sith is terrible at magic so he's not much help in battle. The fairy tale dragons however are strong individually. With them outnumbering you guys, they start pushing you back.
Cait Sith: I-I won't run away! I'm the next King of Cats! I won't let you guys beat MC! Shazam!
MC: Cait Sith, run! / HELP!
Suddenly a wyvern falls over. And some of the ones nearby too, actually.
Cait Sith: Wait what!? W-wow I did it!
MC: Awesome! ...no wait
Dust kicks up from the wyverns falling over to obscure vision. Then someone else arrives.
Balor: GRANDBABY
MC: B-Balor!? / W-why are you here!? / Why'd you save us!?
Boogeyman: Oh no it's Balor! Why!?
Balor: Guhahaha, what grandpa wouldn't come save their grandkid? You can be cute and say "thank you grandpa, love you" okay?
Cait Sith: What, you're Balor's grandchild? W-WHAT
MC: Not really! / He thinks so anyway / Grandpa you're so cool!
(A) Balor: Are you playing hard to get, gahaha? That's cute.
(C) Balor: ...I DIDN'T MEAN IT
Boogeyman: The talk among fairies say King Balor's really cruel, so I'm surprised he's such a softie over his grandchild...

Cait Sith: Oh no is King Balor gonna kill me for being too disrespectful to you MC? Should I start calling you Your Highness!?
MC: Stop, we're friends! And you're the next King of Cats.
Cait Sith: R-right, I'm gonna be a good a king as Balor!
Balor: (stares at Boogeyman) You. You know who we are seeing as we have the legendary Crom Cruach serving us?
Boogeyman: Aw geez aw frick aw heck, it won't matter how many dragons I bring if I have the bad luck of going against King Balor. But I can't back down when there are naughty children who can't make things up with the people they care about. So what do I do? Hmm...

Cait Sith: Hey wait, MC said they were going to go make up with Solomon earlier when you pulled us in here! That means there's no need for that!
Boogeyman: What? Really?
MC nods.
Boogeyman: Oh...sorry.
MC: I'm not letting the kidnapping go! / Why are you doing this?
Boogeyman: What? Kidnapping? What are you talking about?
Cait Sith: Don't play dumb, you pulled us here and--
Boogeyman: ??? But this is a shelter for runaway kids who want to be honest but can't.
MC: what
Boogeyman: There's lots of kids who fight with their parents and don't go home. This place gives them a place to stay in the meantime and space to think about what they did. I made this place with a bunch of other Transients who thought that was sad. And I decided to bring you in here because you smelled like those kids too. What's wrong with that?
Cait Sith: ...
MC: EVERYTHING! Don't just throw a bag over my head and take me away! Listen to me!
Boogeyman: ????

Cait Sith: ...well, fairies are like this for the most part. Especially the ones who are newly summoned and cause a scene doing whatever they want.
Balor: So you bothered my cute grandbaby over a mistake? Did you just say you have chosen death!?
Boogeyman: ...I'm really sorry. I promise I'll make it up however I can after I get you out.
MC: Hmm... / It's fine / Wow Grandpa's scary
Balor: Take that bag off your head already, I can't hear you.
Boogeyman: ...I like this bag, but okay. *(takes bag off)* Aww, I made a tear. But is this better?
MC: Hey wait you're that teacher I saw earlier with those guys who were fighting!
Boogeyman: You saw me? Oh...you're MC from the high school section, right? I'm a teacher and janitor of the elementary school section. The high school teachers often tell me you're a naughty child who's always getting into fights.
MC: LIES / I don't know what you're talking about / Hahaha...

Boogeyman: I never knew you were King Balor's grandchild. This is a sticky situation...
Boogeyman sighs after a hard staring from behind.
Boogeyman: Fine, I'll take you back as soon as I can. Since you're planning to make up, I have no reason to keep you here.
Cait Sith smiles wryly while Balor gets smug.
Boogeyman: But like I said earlier I can't reach the guy who can let you out, so you'll need to go the regular logout way. It may be a little complicated, but you'll just have to deal with it.
MC: As long as I can leave / what do I do? / regular way?

Boogeyman: I should start explaining this world. There's this place further inside the forest, and the forest itself is a place that replicates scary fairy tales so you can reflect on your actions. The place that's further within is a Gingerbread House.
MC: Sounds familiar. What was it again?
Cait Sith: I've been wondering. This isn't the real world imitating Tir na Nog, right?
Boogeyman: Correct. It's based on a cyberworld the Crafters made. It's a kind of virtual world where only your mind self crosses over using my artifact. Don't worry about your physical body, the fairies will do a good job pretending to be you. Normally people don't notice, and you'll be able to go back when things are calm. Having a little time and space helps people understand things.
MC: But there is a case that's been noticed. So Arc must be here...

Boogeyman: ...seems like there's a lot of problems. Sorry again. The creator of this fairy tale world is here, so I promise to talk to him and improve things.
MC: Thanks...wait, him? Hephaestus?
Boogeyman: You know him? It's not just Hephaestus though. There's another creator who designed this world and gave it a sense of reality. I never thought it'd turn out like this from the rumors. Artists are amazing.
MC: I think I know who you're talking about... this goes beyond just art.

Boogeyman: But back to what I was saying. The forest and the Gingerbread House have their own purposes, putting the fear of discipline into children and then giving them a safe space. There's also an important ceremony for going home that's done at the Gingerbread House too.
MC: What's that?
Boogeyman: The children make a chocolate with their feelings in it for the one they hurt. That's the logout condition and way of going home. That's the System I have going on here.
MC: How perfect for Valentine's. Let's go!
Cait Sith: You're gonna walk? It's gonna get dark!
Boogeyman: Two reasons why that's not an issue. First, time flows differently here than in the real world. Secondly, you should know this since you're from Tir na Nog.
Boogeyman holds his hand up towards the trees, which reveals a shining path.
Boogeyman: Fairy paths. Come with me. Now make sure you don't get separated from me, because who knows where the fairies might take you, wooo~?
End of Episode part

Live A Hero Chapter 5 Episode 13: Return of the Symbol (Abridged)

The light eventually fades and everyone's vision returns...along with That Mountain. Everyone is surprised, as no one has ever seen it before. Yet the mountain's name pops up into everyone's head, like they knew beforehand and remembered it now.
Sadayoshi: ...it's Mt. Fuji.
Gammei: The highest mountain in the nation and symbol of our country...
Akashi: It's...back?
MC: That's what I pulled out? R-really?
Sui: So that's what the Invisible Mountain really is?
Furlong: It's so big...and beautiful.
Victom: And the Monster somehow ate that thing?
Toshu: ...the memories of the most famous mountain of Japan our ancestors handed down to us. I never thought I'd ever see its return with my own eyes.
Shoen: ...now I know why Orient City has had such a strange pull on my heart.
Melide: That's...the mountain the Monster over there ate and MC pulled back out... I can't believe they pulled out such a large symbol that everyone in the country knew of at one point...
Exio: ...MC, you...

Suddenly, Mokdai's phone starts ringing.
Mokdai: Hello, Mokdai speaking... Crowne!? Where are you!?
Somewhere around Mt. Fuji
Crowne: Uhh, I dunno. Also, Ryekie and I have had our hero suits cancel out. We're on some mountain, but we're okay.
Ryekie: What's going on? Was there a mountain like this by Orient City? I can't get my thoughts together about all this.
Back to the rest of the party
Mokdai: I'm glad you two are okay. Can you two descend from the mountain? If you can't maybe we can send help or...
Sui: Mokdai! It's Huckle!
Huckle: Urgh...
Mokdai: Director, are you okay!? You looked like you were in a lot of pain a second ago!

Huckle starts looking around all wide-eyed.
MC: ...Director? What's wrong?
Huckle: ...MC, where are we? Why am I in hero form? And why is there so many people here?
Akashi: ...Director, your memories!
Huckle: ...head hurts. It feels like a ton of information went through my head... I don't see Ryekie or Crowne anywhere. Where are they?
Ryekie: HUCKLE! Did you say my name!?
Huckle: Ow...shut up, I just said my head is hurting. Stop yelling into the phone...
MC: Is your memory back!?

Yoshiori: No way!
Monomasa: Yes, That Man supposedly erased them...
Kyoichi: Haha, isn't this great!?
Barrel: Yeah! Welcome back Huckle!
Huckle: R-right...thanks you two.
Melide: How did this happen...? Things I didn't know about keep happening. Exio?
Melide looks to Exio, who is muttering to himself hand to chin.
Exio: His torn up memories came back? Were they restored when the giant path veered through some other parallel world? Or did the other Crowne hold onto the fragments? ...I don't know, but all I can do is call it a miracle. MC...you truly are someone to be feared. (stares pointedly at MC)
MC: Uhh, Exio?
Exio:
Exio: ...I need to rethink my approach.

Space
Broker: ...
The Broker pulls his hand away from a screen showing MC, which closes it and leaves only his eyes to shine inside the dark ship.
Broker: No one with such Observational ability has appeared before... I've finally found one. You really were the correct one. Things are still fine...but the problem is how long it'll take to get to the next area. You have more than enough potential, so you should get there one day. Until then...I'll give you things to struggle through with. I will be continuing to observe you, MC...

One month later, Orient City
Newscaster: Good morning, it's a beautiful day and Mt. Fuji is in clear view! In other news, it's been three weeks since the lockdown on the center of Orient City has been lifted. The reconstruction led by Raidark is slowly progressing, and peace is returning to the city...
Parallel Flight's new office
Huckle: Morning everyone. Are you used to the new office yet?
Mokdai: Good morning! And yep! I'm glad and excited it got put together so quickly.
MC: Good morning! / It's so big I can't relax / It's a lot more beautiful now...
(A) Huckle: Morning. So you've finally settled in.
(B) Huckle: Haha, I feel the same way. We always had a smaller office before now.
(C) Huckle: Well it's a new building. Of course, our last one was destroyed in the last disaster.

Ryekie: Having a new office feels great! Work's gonna be a refreshing breeze!
Akashi: ...Ryekie I literally sit right next to you and I can see you haven't gotten a thing done. Didn't you say that report's due tomorrow?
Ryekie: I-I'M GONNA WORK HARD STARTING NOW! That's different!
Crowne: I'm still surprised the old building was totally destroyed just like that... you have the money to keep this place up, Huckle?
Huckle: It's thanks to Colonel Ikusabata. He got us compensation for the government trying to drop the HFCM on us while we were around. He also changed the penalties for breaking through the lockdown to fines which we offset with that comp. The leftover money after that was sent to us. We can't denounce the government because of this, but thanks to the money we could get this new office up and pay everyone. Now all we have to do is go back to business as usual.
MC: Huh. I wonder if he's okay?

Huckle: I'm sure he's fine. Sure he's been reprimanded, but he hasn't been fired or demoted from what I heard.
Ryekie: The Defense Department went that easy on him? Why?
Huckle: Dunno. And neither does he, though he thinks being an Ikusabata might have had something to do with it... I don't know much, but it seems odd to me. But in the short term...I'm glad he hasn't lost the job he was so proud of. Oh that reminds me, he has a message for you.
Flashback
Sadayoshi: I don't know if it's thanks to meeting with, fighting against, then fighting with you all, but I've started believing that it's okay for me to take actions that are true to myself. So, thank you very much. Next time, I'd like to be allies with you all from the start.

Present
Akashi: True to himself, huh? He's changed.
Mokdai: Haha, did he get possessed? But I'm looking forward to fighting together with him next time.
Ryekie: Yeah! I wanna see how the Colonel fights in his own way!
Sui: But isn't he still in the military? Are we really going to get a chance to fight with him again?
Crowne: One day, maybe. Not like this time, oh my god, but there's definitely a chance we'll team up with the Defense Department. On another note I see you started late today Huckle. Did something happen?
Huckle: Oh, I had to go see some people.
Sui: Who?

Huckle: ...huh? Did I not tell you guys? We've got new people joining us today.
MC: New people? / We're hiring more people!?
Akashi: What!? I never heard about this! I haven't gotten ready to be a senpai!
Mokdai: Oh my god is this gonna be okay!? I haven't been a hero for long either! I don't know if I can be a good senpai and show them how to do the work!
Sui: Uhh, calm down you two. We don't even know if we're getting Operators or heroes yet.
Huckle: Right. They aren't heroes, and they aren't exactly new either. This is something close to outsourcing. Now that I'm a hero again, MC became the only Operator in the office, so I've arranged to make up for that.
MC: Oh. Nice.

Ryekie: We're outsourcing Operators? When'd you find someone like that?
Huckle: We've been talking about it for a while now, but the formalities and background checks are finally done and it all came together today.
Crowne: Background checks? We are suddenly escalating things here, wow. So, who're the new people?
Huckle: Right, let's have them introduce themselves directly. It's not your first time meeting them, but come on in.
Everyone else: !!
Exio: Hi, I'm working with you all today. I'm Exio Grant.
Melide: ...I'm Melide. Nice to meet you.
End of Chapter 5
End of Main Story Part 1: Unparalleled Fortune

Live A Hero Chapter 5 Episode 12: Inflation (Abridged)

EX Ryekie: POWERRRR!
Crowne: WHAT
MC: It worked! Go get 'em Justice!
Mokdai: That's what Justice looked like that one time!
Akashi: Yeah, when we were fighting against what's-their-face!
Exio: MC, you...!
Exio looks shocked for a second before focusing and looking pointedly at MC.
Exio: What tremendous energy. The way he is now, he might be able to do something. But this is far too big a burden on you, and neither Melide nor I can help. This is a Path you yourself opened up, but there is something else we can do!
Melide: Yes, I can do it too!
Exio and Melide touch MC.
MC: WHAT
Heat suddenly fills MC, like energy is being poured into them from the other two.
Exio: This is a pseudo-measure, but now there's six eyes observing! Now it's up to you!
Melide: Good luck!
MC: Power! / Thanks you two! / Go, Justice!

EX Ryekie: Sorry Crowne. I know you're already here, but now it's time for us to take a bigger gamble!
Crowne: I'm game! Go!
EX Ryekie: Thanks! Raaaagh!
EX Ryekie zooms over to the other missile.
EX Ryekie: THUNDER PUNCH!
Crowne: !? The missile's trajectory went up a little!
EX Ryekie: Not enough!
EX Ryekie straddles the missile and charges electricity into his fists. Then...
EX Ryekie: EX Thunderous Lightning "Terabolt Slug"!!!

The missile looks like a ball of light now and starts angling upward.
Sadayoshi: The HFCM!
The missile's flight path gets altered...then blows up over the Invisible Mountain.
MC: NO!
A black hole opens up in the sky like it's painted in, sucking in the light particles that the defeated Monster dissolved into.
Kyoichi: Is that a black hole!?
Exio: No, it's a Path the HFCM made!
Mokdai: Hey wait, the camera feed's cut off! Transmission's out! How are Justice and Crowne!?
Akashi: No way!
Melide: Yes way unfortunately...I can't sense them on this planet right now.
MC: No, Justice! Crowne!

Sui: This can't be...
Huckle: Can't we do anything!?
Yoshiori: Like what!? We'll get sucked in too if we get closer to the black hole!
Barrel: But we can't just abandon them...
Exio: ...there's still hope. MC, it lies with you.
MC: Me?
Exio: You're still connected to Justice in his powered up form, which means there's still a thin thread connecting you two. Maybe you can pull on it and pull him and Crowne out...
Melide: But that would...
Exio: The second level transformation you've performed is his dream that you've grasped to give him power beyond his abilities. He's not the one paying for it though, but rather something connected to you yourself. Right now it's kept to "just" heavy mental strain, but going for this might cost your life. Are you still going to try?
Akashi: wait WHAT
MC moves without even thinking about it, raising their hand to the black hole and praying.
MC: Come back you two!
Akashi: MC, wait! Did you hear what Exio sai--

Akashi's voice goes far away as MC's vision goes into something like space as little lights like stars slowly drift in one direction.
Exio: Right now, only your vision is inside the giant path.
Melide: Focus on your wish to see them again.
MC: ...okay! Here goes everything! You guys...COME BACK!
MC unconsciously extends their hand, and a bright flash bursts from their palm. It feels like it reaches into forever.
Melide: What amazing perspective!
Exio: This is...!

Suddenly it feels like MC's hand is sucking in something huge.
MC: Wait what? I don't think it's them...
MC still senses that Ryekie and Crowne are somewhere.
MC: Get out of the way, I need to find them!
Exio: MC, what's wrong!? You're suddenly pulling in a massive amount of energy!
Melide: Did you catch something else?
MC: I dunno, but they're somewhere there!
Exio: So is something in the way? Maybe it's something the Monster ate...WAIT!
???: SHRIEEEEK

Suddenly, something pops out of the hole.
MC: WHAT (suddenly tunes back in on Earth)
Akashi: MC, are you okay!? You've been standing still staring at the sky!
Mokdai: Look at that! (points)
A giant armored Monster appears, half sticking out of the hole and stares at the party!
Barrel: W-what?
Gammei: Is that a Monster? But I've never seen one like that before!
Sadayoshi: How ominous...it feels like something not of this world...
Victom: It's hostile! Is it a new type!?
Furlong: No way! Do we have to fight it!?

The new Monster continues staring but doesn't make a move out of the hole.
Kyoichi: ...is it not going to attack?
Toshu: How eerie...it feels like it's watching us...
The Monster inside Monomasa glares at the armor Monster and mutters significantly to himself.
Exio: MC, I know it pushed you out, but we should dive in again. Justice and Crowne are falling deeper even as we speak!
Melide: ...is it not going to attack?
Huckle: We're here if it does. Don't worry about the risk and focus on saving them!
Sui: We'll do everything we can to stop it, so please!
MC: ...okay, let's do this again!
MC raises their hand to the hole again and wishes for Ryekie and Crowne's return again. Something big is still in the way, but it seems they're behind it.
MC: I have to move this away! I want to bring them back!

MC happens to touch the thing in the way, feeling what feels like mountain dirt. It seems to go on a great distance away.
Melide: No! If you pull that out, you'll destroy yourself!
Exio: ...no wait, you might be able to do it. Show me!
MC: OUT OF THE GODDAMN WAY
MC focuses power into their hand. It feels as though something is cracking within themselves, and whatever they're touching is very hot. Then endless information streams through their head. It's a flashback of memories tied to the mountain, and the sheer volume threatens to cause their consciousness to collapse.
MC: ! I can't fail here...!
Exio: ! There's no mistake! This is...
Melide: Unbelievable! You're pulling it in! But the target is too big! MC!
MC: GIVE! THEM! BACK!

Sadayoshi: What's this sound!?
Barrel: My ears!
Kyoichi: Hey that thing is going away!
The armor Monster leaves as if understanding something.
Mokdai: ...what was that about?
Monomasa: It was led here by exceptional Observational Strength and came to take a look. At least, I think it's something like that.
Mokdai: A look? What for?
Huckle: My head! (starts squirming and holding his head)
Mokdai: Director, what's wrong!?
Huckle: Head...splitting! Ahhh!
A loud noise fills the sky along with Huckle's scream, and then a blinding light floods everyone's visions...
End of Episode

Valentine Fantasy Prologue Part 3 (Abridged)

Arc: Why won't you understand, Mom!?
Harlot: Arc, I'm doing this for your own good.
Surtr: Please you two, let's all calm down and talk about this slowly...
This is a fight that started from something trivial that usually would never get to this point. Today, however is a bad luck day and that argument has blown up.
Arc: This about me. I should get to decide.
Harlot: Why won't you understand? I'm not doing this because I want you to be mad at me!
Arc: ...ven...
Harlot: W-what?
Arc: YOU'RE NOT EVEN MY REAL MOM!
Arc instantly regrets their words, feeling they should never have said that. Harlot slaps them, but she too is shocked by her actions. Arc runs to their room. Harlot can't bring herself to say or do anything else.

Later
Harlot: ...and that's what happened. I shouldn't have pushed the matter so hard!
MC: Weird you two fought like that. / So you want me to help you two make up? / Oh. Just a family argument.
Harlot: It's not just that. (cries)
Surtr gives Harlot a tissue to wipe off with.
Surtr: I will take over explaining from here. So the morning after the fight...
Flashback
Harlot: A-Arc? I'm sorry for slapping you yesterday.
Arc: It's okay. I'm sorry I said something so terrible. I was a little out of it then, I don't mean it at all.
Harlot: ...something's wrong. Who are you and what have you done with my baby!?
Arc: What? I'm totally Arc.
Harlot: No you're not! We're under contract but I don't feel that connection to you! Talk, imposter!

Not Arc: Wow you saw through me? That acting was supposed to be perfect.
Harlot: Hey wait I think I've heard about something like this. Something about fairies from Tir na Nog?
Not Arc: Ding ding ding! You win the million dollar pr--(slammed into the wall)
Not Arc: ...t-threatening me won't help you. They won't come back even if you do something to me. Man they're gonna be mad when they hear I got found out. I might as well leave since there's no point hanging around now that you've noticed, so bye.
Harlot: NO STOP AND TELL ME WHERE ARC IS

Present
Surtr: And that's what happened this morning.
MC: So you haven't found Arc yet? / We have to find them! / I'm sure Arc's fine
Harlot: Since a Tir na Nog fairy took Arc, I want you to tell me about anyone you know who knows a lot about that world.
MC: I know someone! / I'll help too.
Harlot: Thank you MC. Next time I'll tell you about a good secret casino as thanks.
Surtr: Arc is no weakling. Anyone who took them away is someone you should be careful of too.
The group splits up. Harlot will go to Ueno to find Cu Sith, Surtr will go to Ikebukuro to talk to Fergus, and MC will go to Roppongi.

Roppongi
The rulers of Roppongi are normally the people who are given things, but with Valentine's coming they are making chocolate themselves.
Cait Sith: Meow!
Ophion: MY WIFE...will surely love this first class fruit chocolate bon bon!
The rulers who normally hate showing weakness have relaxed and let their guard down for this.
Cait Sith: Melusine, could you taste my chocolate please? Meow!
Ophion: I give special permission for you to taste mine as well. Only the best for MY WIFE.
Melusine: Understood. Please understand I will set aside my position as maid for now and give you the strictest of criticism.

Melusine tries Ophion and Cait Sith's chocolates.
Melusine: ...yes, these came out wonderfully. You can be proud to present these to anyone in the world. Especially if you compare it to these two...
Hakumen: With a taste of poison paradise, I'm addicted to you, don't you know that you're toxic? ♪
Lucifuge: And I love what you do, don't you know that you're toxic? ♫
Melusine: Please follow the recipe and refrain from overloading your chocolates with sugar or poison.
Hakumen: Oh come now, don't be like that. Can you explain it again for me?
Lucifuge: And for me after. I shall make something satisfactory in due time!

Knock knock, a bodyguard comes in.
Mobster: I apologize for the interruption. Lady Melusine, Sir Cait Sith, someone is here to see you.
Cait Sith: Uh, I didn't have plans to meet anyone today? Who could it be?
Melusine: We are currently busy, so please tell them to book an appointment.
The bodyguard whispers to the two who came to see them not wanting the other Tycoons to hear and cause a fuss.
Cait Sith: I'LL BE RIGHT THERE
Melusine: I have something to attend to, please wait until I return.
Both leave before anyone else can ask what's up.

In a nearby waiting room
MC: Sorry for the sudden visit. Am I interrupting something?
Melusine: Oh no, it's fine. We were just making chocolate all together. I feel as though I should apologize for coming out dressed like this.
Cait Sith: Welcome, MC! Have a seat.
MC: You two look great in those aprons. Valentine's huh.
Melusine: ...ahem, thank you. On another note, I've heard you wish to talk to us? Since you asked for us two, I suppose this must have something to do with Tir na Nog?
MC: Yeah. So anyway...

One explanation later
Melusine: ...yes, that is unmistakably related to the changelings from our world. But unfortunately there are many kinds of fairies, so it's not enough to determine who exactly did it...
Cait Sith: Yeah, I don't know many details either. There's tons of similar stories like that.
Melusine: Still, even fairies have their specific quirks. You said this happened because of a family argument?
Cait Sith: You've heard of stories of people being taken late at night, right? It might be a derivative of the ones who turn up after arguing with a parent or saying horrible things...
MC: Oh...not enough info, huh? What do we do?

Cait Sith: Don't give up that fast! We'll help, meow!
MC: Thanks, but how?
Cait Sith: Cats have great senses too! I won't be able to tell you how Not Arc got away, but my cats and I should be able to figure out where they went!
Melusine: I'll give what little help I can too! I will do some research and call you if I find anything.
MC: Thanks you two!
Cait Sith: Okay, lead the way MC!

Roppongi streets
Cait Sith: Time to go to Arc's house!
MC: You're in a good mood.
Cait Sith: Oh right that's kind of inappropriate when you have a friend missing...I've been busy lately though, so I can't help being a little excited to do something with you...hey where's Solomon? Normally he joins in to talk with me.
MC: Uhh...we fought last night. He won't answer if I try to talk to him since then.
Cait Sith: What!? Why!? He told me yesterday he was gonna give you a Valentine's present! ...oops.
MC: What!?

Cait Sith: I wasn't supposed to talk about that. But you two really were thinking of each other. I'm sure you'll both make up soon enough.
MC: Yeah, I wanna make up with him too.
Cait Sith: Good! It'll get worse the longer you take to get to it. Solomon must feel the same way, though he's stubborn. I hope he'll also forgive me blowing his secret away...
???: Naughty naughty, have you been a bad child fighting with those you love? Naughty children get taken away!
Cait Sith: MC, no! (jumps in)
MC gets wrapped up in an old rag, sending them through a door to another world and dumping them into a thick forest.
MC: W-what? What's happening now!?
End of Episode

Valentine Fantasy Prologue Part 2 (Abridged)

Kamata
Tezcatlipoca: HAHAHA, HELLOOOO! I came to get some maintenance done on my body before an important meeting. Is Tvastar here? ...hmm?
Itzanma: You are as loud as ever. I never thought I'd run into you here, Brother.
Tezcatlipoca: Haha, thank you for the compliment, Brother! This is the time for odd things to happen! Like you're supposed to be weak against the cold and this is still February. Shouldn't you be asleep?
Itzamna: Haha, I haven't gotten so senile I've forgotten what season it is. That said, why are you in a cute doll body?
Tezcatlipoca: Behold this eye catching softness! If you wish to touch it, I will permit you to do so. (spins to show the doll body off)

Tezcatlipoca: How come you're here at this time of year?
Itzamna: I had things to get to and today is relatively warm. And I thought maybe I'd see something new in Tokyo in a time I'm not usually up.
Tezcatlipoca: Hmm. Did something good happen with you? You seem to be enjoying life here more than you did back in El Dorado.
Itzamna: My students have much to teach me here. Isn't it the same for you? Perhaps you haven't noticed, but you've changed since coming to Tokyo as well.
Tezcatlipoca: Surely you jest. I no longer have a body that can change. At heart I am a mirror that reflects light. Maybe what's changed is how you see me?

Itzamna: Hmm...that makes sense. I never thought you'd ever say that. But by that same logic, you must have changed too to say it looks like I'm enjoying life now.
Tezcatlipoca: Touché. It's true my circumstances have changed in Tokyo. Like now I have an ally in the World Representatives who also has dominion over smoke. That would never have happened if I never came here.
Itzamna: You have a friend like that? Interesting.
Tezcatlipoca: Oops, I said too much. So what business do you have? Something you want the Crafters to make? You are a Creator in our world. You asking someone else to make something must be something incredible to see.
Itzamna: I was asked to design a garden world with part of it being a place with warmer weather as my compensation. Oh, it's not like El Dorado. It's just a place where the general concept of temperature doesn't exist, but there's plans of putting in settings to make it feel like there's temperature if you want it.
Tezcatlipoca: Hmm? ...oh, I see. Yes there is an engineer here who specializes in that, isn't there? Sounds like a place even someone like me can go to! Invite me over sometime.
Itzamna: Okay, let's talk some more then.

Tvastar: Hey you guuuys! Sorry I kept you waiting Tezcatlipoca, I had another client and things went on a bit. You said you're here for body maintenance? I'll get on it soon, so how about you come inside? Hehe.
Tezcatlipoca: Okay. No sneaking in weird extra functions like you did last time.
Tvastar: Aww...did you not like the secret button that makes you pour soup from your mouth? You said you didn't want a perfect body or have your body modded to buff your abilities, so I just limited myself to that. (picks up Tezcatlipoca and starts muttering to himself about ideas)
Tezcatlipoca: Okay bye Brother!
Itzamna: ...well he seems to be having fun. You see all sorts of strange things when you live long enough.
Talos comes out.
Talos: I apologize for the wait, Sir Itzamna. My Creator has sent me out to speak with you, so I shall be helping you instead.
Itzamna: Okay. Shall we begin? I wonder what sort of person Tezcatlipoca would actually call an ally?

Narration: The Smoked Evil Eye King Balor once had a bitter enemy he exiled from his world. That was a brilliantly shining warrior nobody could look away from, even on a battlefield choked with smoke and blood. That was Balor's grandchild who was sung of in prophecies, Lugh the Shining One. Lugh was the one said to one day depose him when Balor became elderly.
Narration: Tir na Nog has a certain System in place called Changeling, a System that chases out old dragons. Balor once overthrew and exiled a different king and became the new king of Tir na Nog, but a prophecy said another would do the same thing to him. He detested, even hated his grandson's brilliance, so he exiled him. But Lugh came to confront him on the battlefield. Lugh had confronted many an enemy, and Balor was proud at what a great warrior he had become. He dreamed of fighting alongside him, but fate decreed they would one day face against each other. That is why Lugh was always in Balor's eyes.
Balor: ...yes, we had wished to see our grandchild in another light. We wished to take his hand and fight together as we saw in a dream of a perfect life.

Prison School
Balor: Ugh, that dream again.
Balor notices approaching footsteps after waking up and is in a bad mood.
Tezcatlipoca: BALOOOR! How are you today, hahaha!
Balor: Ha. I wake up on the wrong side of the bed and then I have to hear your loud ass voice, so this is the worst.
Tezcatlipoca: Oh. I thought you'd be bored so I came to entertain you with some conversation.
Tezcatlipoca sulks for a little bit, but Balor doesn't care. Tezcatlipoca decides to walk into the cell upon noticing and jumps into Balor's lap.

Balor: What. What is this? Why are you showing me your new body? Is this missionary work or something?
Tezcatlipoca: Haha, nope! But I like that you thought that's what I'm here for! Anyway did you know this look is super popular with children? It's true!
Balor: What!?
Tezcatlipoca: Ha! Isn't this positively charming, my ally? You can touch it if you want, hahaha!
Balor refrains from saying what he was going to say, feeling it's a waste of time.
Balor: ...you sure run your mouth a lot. You know what'll happen if you talk to me about stupid shit, right?

Tezcatlipoca: ...I wanted to ask you something Balor. What do you think perfection is?
Balor: Are you trying to get on my nerves or is it just a gift? What's so interesting about this?
Tezcatlipoca: The best part is at the end. I'm going somewhere with this, so keep your shirt on. I know you're the type to eat the strawberry on a shortcake first, though.
Balor: That's because I swallow a cake that small whole, haha.
Balor thoughtlessly plays with Tezcatlipoca's doll fluff while talking. Tezcatlipoca gets smug upon noticing.
Tezcatlipoca: Heh, I was talking with Tvastar earlier and got curious about what your opinion is. He says something is perfect when there's nothing to improve through remodeling. How very typical of a Deva Loka Transient whose faith is in accumulative karma through reincarnation.
Balor: Oh right, your opinion's the exact opposite isn't it? You think perfection is when there's nothing left to take away.
Tezcatlipoca: Yes, sacrifice is noble in our world. Don't you think charm lies in what is lacking?

Balor starts stretching Tezcatlipoca's cheeks.
Tezcatlipoca: What are you doing, stop!
Balor: Your answer is painfully and predictably stupid.
Tezcatlipoca: So what's your answer? I've been wondering about that.
Balor slightly hesitates to answer, which Tezcatlipoca finds notable.
Balor: ...something that never changes over eternity, like time and light have frozen.
Tezcatlipoca: Oh, like the timeless land of Uchronia? If an ideal land with no need for change is completed, history stops. That's an answer that sounds both like you and not lik--hm!?
Footsteps approach, so Tezcatlipoca hides behind Balor.

Tanetomo: Oh, General Balor. Have you seen Commander Tezcatlipoca?
Balor: ...no. Did he go over to play around at some other school?
Tanetomo: Ugh, he's been slacking off ever since he's gained the ability to leave the school. It's one thing if he got back his original body, but his new body is something even I can apply punishment to. Hmm...maybe I should sew him down to his office chair?
Balor: Haha nice.
Tezcatlipoca punches Balor for this.
Tanetomo: I should go look for my sewing needle. Excuse me.

Tezcatlipoca: ...did Tanetomo not notice me? I thought my bloodlust aura would have reached him. Sigh, this doll body has so many weaknesses, and Tanetomo won't accept having anything besides him being referred to as cute. I suppose I should circle back and return before he does. I will see you next time, my ally...
Tezcatlipoca turns to leave, but Balor grabs on and refuses to let go.
Tezcatlipoca: Hm? What is it? Let go, or I won't make it back in time.
Balor: Bitch, it's your fault I woke up. You're staying with me until I feel better.
This is the most fun Balor shown himself to be having since Tezcatlipoca came in today.
Tezcatlipoca: You like your paybacks as much as I do...okay fine. You better be ready to get lectured with me then.
Balor: Do I look like I give a shit? I am just a teacher here, not someone an advisor can complain about to their commanders.
And so it looks to be a long and fun night after a long while since last time...
End of Episode part

Valentine Fantasy Prologue Part 1 (Abridged)

Arc (narrating): When did hearing your voice start making me happy? Life sucked for me, so I didn't know what to make of that. Keeping my family safe was all I could do, so I didn't have time to think of anything else. Is this love? I dunno, I just wanted this time to keep on going. If I did something, it felt like everything would go to hell. I never knew I could be such a coward. So today I pray again that you notice my feelings that I haven't figured out yet. Actually I pray you never notice.
Title card
Front of Shinjuku Academy
Arc: Hair, neat. Clothes, okay...maybe. I usually go with what's easy to move around in, so I'm a little worried going to a shop dressed like this.
Arc is using their phone camera as a substitute for a mirror to check themselves. Today they and MC have plans to buy things for Valentine's.
MC: Uhhh...oh, Arc! (waves)
MC picks out Arc by their hair color upon leaving the school building. Arc waves back and smiles upon spotting MC.
MC: Hey. / Sorry to keep you waiting. / Nice winter clothes.
(AB) Arc: Had a good day at school? I haven't been here that long. Plus I should be thanking you since you're coming with me for my stuff.
(C) Arc: Oh, thanks. Mom and Dad picked it out for me. I invited you over today partly to pay back my family. I've always been helped by you the rest of the time...

Today's plan is to go to Shinjuku Sanchome, where there's a bunch of department stores. But just as you two are about to leave...
Guy A: Eat a dick douchebag!
Wolf B: YOU eat a dick, asshole!
Fight fight fight fight
MC: Oh no a fight! We have to stop...hey wait is that a teacher over there?
Boogeyman: What, I came over from the elementary school section to pick up some flowers and there's a fight here? Mmm, this is bad. Naughty naughty naughty... In this world there are things called promises, like listening to the advice people give you. If this was a horror movie you might be peeing your pants!
Guy and Wolf: NOOOO we'll stop, we promise! (runs off crying)
Boogeyman: (sighs) Why did they scream like that? Am I that scary looking? Sorry for yelling kitties, here.
Boogeyman pulls out some food from his pockets to give to some cats.

Boogeyman: Heh...the closer you are, the more you fight? It's not like I have anyone close enough to fight with, haha. (frowns)
The cats start rubbing up against Boogeyman.
Boogeyman: Daww, thanks...oh wait I have work to do. (starts weeding the flowerbeds)
MC: Who dat, I never seen him before. He said he's from the elementary school section, so maybe I should ask Zhurong?
Arc: Something up with that teacher?
MC: Nah, just curious
Arc: Okay. Let's go.

Shinjuku Sanchome
Arc: Hmm, I can get chocolate for Azathoth, but what about Mom and Dad? Dad makes great sweets, so maybe I should get something else?
MC: Eh, don't overthink it. Maybe make something handmade for him and write a letter.
Arc: That sounds embarrassing but also a good idea maybe. Do you make chocolates yourself? Have anyone you want to give them to?
MC: Yep. Wanna make chocolate together? / I wanna make a whole bunch and give some to the gang / I don't think I can cook...
(A) Arc: Really? Then maybe we can do with just the two of us. We should buy the ingredients.
(BC) Arc: How about I teach you then? Dad showed me how, and doing it together makes me feel better. So we should buy ingredients while we're here too.

On the way over to a store that sells the things you guys need, you see...
Ziz: Oh, MC. And your friend? Good day to you two. Are you from a different school? I'm so happy to see you're getting involved with other schools. Arc, right? I'm Ziz, a student teacher at Shinjuku.
Arc: Hello. Are all those bags Valentine's shopping? That's a lot.
Ziz is carrying bags of chocolate ingredients in both hands.
Ziz: Mhm. I was thinking of making chocolate for the students and the teachers and then this happened...
Arc: Oh, we're about to buy ingredients too.
Ziz: Oh, then I recommend this one since everything you need is lined up together.
Ziz tells you two of the department store she was just at.
Ziz: Oh, have you seen Behemoth? He was with me up until I was going shopping, but now I lost sight of him. Somehow. He's not answering his phone, so I'm getting worried...could you call me if you see him?
MC: I bet he followed his nose... / I'll call if we find him.
Ziz: Okay, I'm going to look for him. Bye you two. Oh, and a bit of advice. The important thing with giving gifts is making sure you convey your feelings. Good luck! (winks and leaves)

Later
Shopping went by way faster thanks to Ziz's advice, and since there's still time, you and Arc visit a nearby cafe.
MC: I'll go order / I'll go to the restroom / I'll go fix my makeup
Arc pulls out a small package from the shopping bags after checking MC is gone. It's a wrapped present Arc secretly bought for MC.
Arc: ...I bought this, but what do I say when I give it...? Thanks for everything you do? Or maybe I should say something else.
Everything else Arc thinks of feels like it's missing something important. Arc sighs, then notices someone at a nearby table sighing too.

Sitri: Aww...just as I'm about to give my present I lose all my courage... urgh, when should I give it? M-maybe I invite them to a nice place and...
Sitri and Arc:
Arc: Right, what do I even think of you? Former enemy? Comrade? Rival? Someone who understands what being a guildmaster is like?
Sitri: No wait it has to be natural...but that's not a badass way of doing it...
Sitri and Arc notice each other thinking aloud.
Sitir: H-hey, do you know what to do for Valentine's?
Arc: Dunno. I'm wondering if it's fine for things to stay they way they are. I want to show my thanks, but I also wanna avoid having things change because of that.
Sitri: Hmm...what sort of person do you wanna give your stuff to?
MC: Hey I brought water. Oh, Sitri. Whatcha two talking about?
Sitri: S-Senpai why are you here!?
MC: Valentine's shopping with Arc / why are you embarrassed?
(A) Sitri: O-oh! Me too. I was thinking of making chocolates to show my thanks to you guys. Shirou taught me how to make chocolate. THAT'S ALL THAT'S HAPPENING!
(B) Sitri: N-NO I'M NOT

The three of you now get together at one table to talk. Arc and Sitri get along surprisingly well either because Arc's used to talking to younger people or Sitri being candid and sociable.
Sitri: Arc-senpai can I have your number since we go through the same problems?
Arc: Okay. No need to call me senpai, Arc is fine.
Sitri: But that's not cool...
MC: You can drop senpai with me too / When did you two become such good friends
---
(A) Sitri very quietly says your names without using senpai. The two of you faintly smile at this.
(B) Sitri: Tee hee, secret!
---
And so the conversation goes on until Sitri has to go home.

That night
MC: Okay, I put away the stuff and bought the present. I wonder if Solomon will like it?
Solomon: Master! You seem to be in a good mood. Did you have fun with Arc?
MC: Yep / Sorry I couldn't pay any attention to you
(A) Solomon: It's good you had a good time with your friends! I'm a little sad though, so next time we should go do something together!
(B) Solomon: It's okay. I am a little sad though, so next time go with me!

Solomon: Oh, what's that bag on your desk? Is it something for me!?
MC: Oh no it's the surprise present I got for Solomon!
MC: Uhh, nothing. It's a secret until Valentine's.
Solomon: Master is pretty sus! Show me!
MC: Nope
Solomon: Why!? We're part of the same being, we can share anything with each other!
MC: There's still things I wanna keep secret! / No! / Umm...
MC accidentally hits Solomon in trying to keep him away from his surprise present.
MC: Oops...are you okay!?
Solomon: ...WAAAAH! (leaves)
End of Episode part