Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon: BWOOOOOOONG
Gaius: There, firing!
Gaius pins down the Monster!
Gaius: MC, now! It's gonna attack with its tentacles!
MC: Okay, drone time! Hisaki?
Hisaki: Got it! Summoning for our combination moves!
Hisaki summons his drone and deploys a circular barrier and approaches the Monster.
Melide: Hisaki, a tentacle is attacking the drone from above!
Hisaki: Evasive maneuvers!
The fish drone grazes the attacks!
Andrew: Wow, it's like it really knows what Hisaki is thinking!
Hisaki: We're on the same vibes in and out. Check out my parallel world's power! Drone, ping time!
Fish Drone uses echolocation!
Hisaki: Great, I got the core's location now! You guys see where Cetus is on that thing? It's slightly above him! (points)
Hisaki: Andrew should be able to guard break it with his attacks. We break the core, we win!
Melide: B-but it's too dangerous to get close to it since it's flailing around.
Gaius: Then I'll provide backline support and deflect attacks against Andrew.
Hisaki: Me too. Andrew's the only one with enough burst damage to Protect Break it anyways. My shield will protect you...will you trust me?
Andrew: Hehe...I've said that so many times myself. I can break the core's defenses! I believe in everyone! (smiles)
MC: Let's go! / ...don't get hurt / Bond Power!
Andrew: ...MC. Understood! I promise I'll come back alive. It'll be proof of our bonds.
Andrew charges an attack, then charges in.
Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon: OOOOOO
Gaius: ...ugh, that was fast. Hisaki, I'll handle the tentacles!
Gaius rapidly shoots at the Monster's tentacles.
Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon: !!
Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon opens its mouth and starts charging!
Hisaki: ...high energy readings!? An ether laser!?
Gaius: Yeah, my arrows can't stop that! Hisaki!
Andrew's still charging in at full speed. He smiles a little.
Andrew: ...I'll be okay. I believe in Hisaki.
Hisaki: Andrew, take my shield! Deploying Hero Barrier!
Hisaki's shield comes out at the same time Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon fires its laser!
Hisaki: Come on, hold up for him!
Light floods everything! When it finally dies down...
Andrew: I swore to put all my power into this! And I will survive! SUPER ROBOT FIIIIST!
Spiraling energy punch launched!
Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon: EEEEEE
Protect Break!
Melide: ...he did it! I can see the core!
Hisaki: Gaius, aim for the core and avoid Cetus!
MC: Gaius, go for it! Sending VP!
Gaius: You say that like avoiding Cetus is easy! But yeah, here we go!
Gaius charges up a giant arrow and throws out his hesitations as he looks at the core.
Gaius: Cetus, I believe in you. So believe in me! Fire, Space Magic Arrow!
Gaius's arrow hits the core at hit scan speeds!
Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon: LOVELYYYY
The Monster collapses onto the ground with lots of ground shaking before eventually dissolving into light particles.
Gaius: ...whoo, that was crazy. I thought I was having a heart attack!
Hisaki: ...w-we won! We did it, Gaius!
Gaius: Y-yeah, I can see that...come on, pipe down so we can go check it out. (points at where the Monster fell)
Gaius: I'm worried about Cetus and Andrew...and the villain I guess.
Melide: I hope everyone's okay.
Gaius: Also, I'm tired...
Hisaki: Whoa there! You okay? Hold onto me.
Gaius: ...sorry, and thanks. But let's hurry and find Cetus...
Hisaki: Yeah I know. MC, Melide, keep our transformations on a little longer.
MC: Okay. Let's go get Andrew.
And so the party heads over.
Andrew: ...guys! You beat the Monster!
Gaius: Thanks to you exposing the core...not bad.
Hisaki: Hehe, you could stand to be more honest. Okay gather up team! Drone, go!
The fish drone starts circling around.
Gaius: ...it's healing us. Nice light.
Andrew: Yes. Thank you!
Hisaki: It's cool! The drones are happy to help too.
Gaius: Thanks Hisaki...Gaius, did you see Cetus?
Andrew: Yes, the guardian god is...
Andrew looks back to where the Cetus bots are lying on the ground. They're all silent and unmoving.
Andrew: I did a quick check, and they aren't broken. They just lost power.
Gaius: ...Cetus. Right, that ether energy attack...
Gaius picks out and picks up the Cetus bot he knows.
Gaius: We really pushed you to the limit to defend us... Hisaki. (looks at Hisaki)
Hisaki: (winks) Got it. MC, we got any VP left?
MC: Some. It should work! Maybe!
Hisaki: Okay then, one last job for the day, drone!
Hisaki pets the fish drone, which then flies over to the Cetus bots. There, it shines a light on them that restarts them up.
Gaius: ...damn, that's amazing Hisaki.
Hisaki: Hehe, thanks. My tech works on organics and mechs equally!
Andrew: Wow, so this is how organics and mechs support each other! I'll never forget this!
Andrew's bright eyes see the bonds he wishes to protect.
Gaius: ...Hisaki, everyone, got a sec? (turns towards the party)
Gaius: Thanks...for saving the place where I was born. Sure, the Monsters tore shit up, but it's not too bad...I'd rather not think about how bad it would've been if you guys weren't here, so...
Sudden plot twist!
Gaius: Hey wait why's everything shaking!? Are there more Monsters!?
Andrew: No, it feels worse than earlier like the building is collapsing and--
The party hears water rushing in!
Melide: ...is that water I hear? We should go to the exit.
Andrew: Right, I'll carry the villain. Gaius, can you lead the guardian god and friends?
Gaius: Yeah. Cetus, wake up! Everyone get out, and carry anyone that can't move yet!
Hisaki: Follow me! This way!
The party follows Hisaki's lead, though things are moving fast.
Hisaki: Melide, MC! You two okay!?
Melide: Y-yes, but the water is getting close...
MC: Hurry! It's falling apart too fast!
Water's falling on down hard, and the water level is rising while the party stops to figure out where to go.
Hisaki: Guys, get your breathing devices on if the water keeps rising! Don't panic!
Andrew: ...b-but we'll end up sinking with the ruins at this rate even if we can breathe.
Gaius: So run if you don't wanna get dragged under!
Hisaki: If you got time to talk, you got time to go. The research team should be outside waiting for us!
Gaius: ...hey wait, can't the research team come in and help us?
Hisaki: Unfortunately, the villains actions made the door close. You'll have to open it back up if we're getting in or out.
Hisaki sees the place falling apart as he runs and explains.
Hisaki: Oh geez the future past space tech is falling to pieces. Were they reinforced by absorbing ether? Then that sealed door...dammit, so many things I want to research!
Gaius: Seriously? You gotta survive first!
Melide: My footing! I can't run anymore...!
MC: Melide, take my hand!
MC reaches out to Melide. The water's already up to her shoulders.
Andrew: We should start swimming at this point everybody.
Hisaki: We're almost there. This way!
Gaius: Melide, it's okay. Deep breaths, and swim like we always do.
Suddenly Cetus transforms into Space Nessie!
Hisaki: ...w-what? Did you do that because it's easier to swim that way?
Gaius: ...hm? Something seems different.
Space Nessie Cetus looks at the party, then opens its mouth...
Gaius: wait WHAT
Outside
Marfik: Oh no, the ruins! MC and the others said they were inside! Spread out, people! Keep an eye out for anyone coming outside!
The building shines as it collapses.
Marfik: It's releasing ether while falling apart...oh, it was fixed in place until now using ether? No wait, has the security team called in yet!?
Marfik checks his phone. No new messages.
Marfik: They logged in a stream fighting Monsters and villains until a while ago...what happened?
The ruin's door bursts open!
Marfik: The door? I should go over there myself and--wait what
Space Nessie comes out of the shining water with the party on its back!
MC: AAAAA / Good job, guys!
Hisaki: We finally got out! Everyone okay?
Melide: Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for helping me, MC.
Hisaki: The research team's gathered close by, so I should call...hey wait, I got tons of messages! I better tell them we're fine at least.
Hisaki sends a text, then sees a message scroll by.
Hisaki: Hey guys, they caught the villains who ran away from the ruins earlier!
Melide: ...I bet they ran as soon as it started falling apart.
Hisaki: Yeah, the research team got them. Now we just need to go home safe and sound! Andrew, Gaius, you two okay?
Andrew: I'm a-okay!
Gaius: Same...Andrew, how's the villain you're carrying?
Andrew: Unconscious, but vitals are okay. No abnormalities from a bioscan reading, so he should wake up sooner or later.
Gaius: Good enough, I guess. On another note, I've never seen Cetus do what he did just now before...I'd never he would carry us in his mouth.
Andrew: He definitely saved us from falling rubble!
Gaius: ...Cetus, were you programmed to do that?
Cetus: (Space Nessie noises)
Gaius pets Cetus's neck.
Andrew: You two get along so well.
Melide: You seem happy Andrew. Why's that?
Andrew: I'm sure I am. I'm very happy now to see the bonds between Gaius and the guardian god and Hisaki and the drones!
Andrew smiles while Hisaki pulls out his fish drone. It's sitting in his hand in sleep mode.
Hisaki: Bonds, huh? Andrew, you mind if I ask why you want to be human so much?
Andrew: I was ordered to be human. Plus, I've always been interested in people.
Andrew moves like he's assessing his mech body.
Andrew: ...but now, my dream's been updated. I'm sure organics and mechs can be partners. So many errors have taught me, and I can believe I want that future to stay in my memories. I think this thought process change is a step forward to that!
MC: I think so too. It's a wonderful idea that suits you.
Hisaki: ...yeah. You've got the right to make your dream come true as long as you hang onto it. I'm also aiming for a world where tech can make the world happier with people and machines helping each other. Let's do our best! (holds his fist out to Andrew)
Gaius: ...Hisaki, I don't really know much about tech or machine structures, but you're smart enough to invent lots of stuff, right? I think you can make it happen then. Show me and Cetus that world.
Hisaki: ...yeah! Just wait and see!
Gaius looks at the lake again.
Gaius: ...it's beautiful. Calm, quiet, comforting.
MC: Way different than the day time...it's amazing.
Gaius: Yeah, not something tourists normally see. Not bad, huh? Also since the ruins have sunk, there's light shining through the surface.
Melide: It's shining because ether's flowing...pretty.
Hisaki: Yep. The water flow's making blue light shoot through.
Andrew: We're seeing this because of work, but I'll never forget it!
Hisaki: Oh, haha! I forgot I was here because of work! Wow, today's been busy...and wow Andrew, you've got a talent for making people smile.
Andrew: Really? Thanks, I'll save that for reference!
Gaius: He's just making fun of you, Andrew...anyways, we better get back to shore now.
Hisaki: (frowning) Oh, time to go huh? You get to hog all this for yourself all the time? Then next time I wanna kick back and swim around here.
Gaius: ...you still have research to do on the sunken ruins after this, don't you?
Hisaki: Haha, well yeah. You know me so well now, don't you? You also know the research team isn't here to relax, right?
Gaius: ...then just come back again, not for work. I'll go swimming with you then. And everyone else too, Melide, Andrew, and MC.
Hisaki: Welp, guess I have to!
Andrew: Thank you, Gaius! I'll come back to see all this again too!
Melide: ...I want to come again too. What about you, MC? Will you come with me again?
MC: Sure! Sounds fun.
Gaius nods and looks at some fish swimming around in the lake.
Gaius: I'll show you another part next time. Plenty of sights to see...Cetus, you like this place too?
Cetus makes happy Space Nessie sounds as Gaius pats him. Maybe that was the machine's reaction, or maybe it was just a coincidence. Or maybe...
Title Card: Like He Has a Heart
The End
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