It's the first day of Polaris Mask's Christmas tour, and the party is running around the forest at Mt. Fuji.
Astar: Hup, two, three, four! Move your asses, people!
MC: Sir, yes sir! / (wheeeeze) dying...
Astar: Santa's all about stamina! This is a drill AND a test! I better not see anyone fall outta line!
Sunrise! The party has been doing laps near Astar's temp place.
Polaris Mask: Welp! The basics are the basics no matter the job, I guess!
Polaris Mask is up front. He seems fine.
Melide: Huff, huff...
Monomasa: Melide, are you okay...?
Melide: I'm... fine... I... said I'd do this...! I've come this far before!
Monomasa: Oh. Okay then. It's alright to keep up with me.
Monomasa runs alongside Melide, who looks a little tired but calm.
Astar: Girl's got guts. I think she's still a child as humans go? Amazing she's trying to be Santa instead of wanting a present...
MC: Wow, she's got more stamina than I thought / why / help!
---
(A) Astar: You too. Keep it up until we get back to my place!
(BC) Astar: You expect to be Santa like that!? Move those legs and don't stop until we get back!
---
MC: SIR YES SIR / Oh god, Drill Sergeant Nasty! / regretting my life choices now
Eventually the party finally makes it back.
MC: Oof. Legs hurt. / Okay, warm now.
---
(AB) Melide: Me too...
(C) Melide: Wow MC...I'm tired.
---
Polaris Mask: I'm doing great, guys!
Monomasa: It feels good to have a morning run.
MC: They sure are heroes.
Astar: You two could be good Santas. Good kinetic aptitude.
Monomasa: What? I think that's a compliment?
Polaris Mask: We pass right? Cool!
Astar: ...I only checked your mobility so far. The road to Santa is long and hard, people!
MC: So grim faced / whoa / tsun senses tingling
(C) Astar: What? Uh, you good to run ten laps then?
Polaris Mask: Hey Astar, isn't it almost time to go?
Astar: Oh right, did the pre-trip stuff now so yeah. We're going to...Germany. Some things just never change.
Astar puts on his Santa suit and seems to remember something as he makes a face.
MC: You know the place? / You know about Germany? / Bad memories?
---
(AB) Astar: Yeah. In the other world we...I touched down there and made base there.
(C) Astar: ...weird thoughts. Just a name I recognized from my home universe.
---
Polaris Mask: But anyways are you sure you got us covered for our ride?
No space cars or whatever around.
Astar: Yeah, lucky my sleigh came over too. It's parked nearby.
MC: A sleigh? Like Santa's?
Astar: Yeah, my temp cabin doubles as the sleigh.
Astar looks at an open space in the woods.
Astar: Magic Christmas phrases.
Astar's quiet voice seems to echo through.
Polaris Mask: wait what just happened
Astar's sleigh pops into being!
Polaris: wait WHAT
Astar's sleigh solidifies into shape!
MC: omg??? / Those Christmas phrases were pretty cute
(C) Astar: WHAT? It was Ni--the creator's idea to do that!
Monomasa: Were those command codes?
Monomasa stares at the sleigh. It's pretty big for a sleigh but...
Melide: ...I think it'd be a squeeze for all of us to get in.
Astar: Huh. I'll change its shape then. New Magic Christmas phrases about change and blimps or something.
The sleigh shifts and shuffles into a new form!
Astar: Okay, we should all fit now...damn, I haven't seen this in a while.
MC: WHAT / OMG COOL
(C) Melide: Um, MC, you look like Mokdai when he's nerding out over heroes.
Polaris Mask: I KNOW, ISN'T IT GREAT!?
Polaris Mask: Astar, this thing is awesome!
Monomasa: Interesting. Is it still sturdy enough though?
Astar: Yeah. The sleigh's like maybe too sturdy while this form is a prototype. Whatever, let's get going already.
A ramp slides out.
Polaris Mask: I am so in! Let's go, MC!
MC: Yeah!
A moment later
Astar: Okay, we're in. Time to go. "Legs to the sky."
Loud engine noises!
Melide: Um, I don't think blimps are supposed to sound like that.
Astar: More Magic Christmas phrases.
More noises! It kinda sounds like a rocket taking off...
Monomasa: Wait. Astar, are we leaving the planet?
Astar: Don't be dumb, this thing can totally fly around the planet. Fly, fancy feet!
NYOOM
Polaris Mask: Holy shit what!?
MC: AAAAAA
Still going up high!
Melide: Wait is this a space ship!?
Astar: Stop phrase.
Welp, the party is at the outer edge of the atmosphere where the Satellite Bands are!
Astar: Okay which way was Germany from here? Gimme the coordinates.
MC: Hold up, when were you gonna tell us you were gonna take us on a spaceship ride!?
Astar: Wait I didn't tell you? ...eh, whatever.
Polaris Mask: Awesome ship, Astar!
Monomasa: Not really the sort of thing you wave away with whatever. Well, Polaris Mask seems fine. You okay, Melide? MC?
Melide: Mostly, yes.
MC: I'm good, thanks. / best ship ever
(C) Monomasa: You like transforming ships? I'll keep that in mind.
Monomasa: Well if you don't feel well, say so. Want to come closer like Melide?
Monomasa seems strangely nice.
MC: Huh, Monomasa seems nicer than usual. Oh, Melide!
Melide: Hm? Why the whispering? ...Monomasa seems nicer?
Monomasa: Something going on?
Melide: Monomasa seems the same as ever to me.
MC: (Okay yeah he's always like that with her. Maybe he's just in a good mood.)
Astar: Huh, energy collection's really fast. My home world wouldn't get me this much, but then the ether level seems weirdly low...?
Astar checks the meter before noticing something.
Astar: What's that outside anyway? We didn't have that in my world.
Polaris Mask: Oh, the Satellite Bands? They're like giant comm lines or something.
Astar: Huh, maybe that's why I'm getting ether so fast? Maybe I should use them as roads.
Monomasa: wait what
Astar: Let's go, Change Mode. Number 8 Steam Wheel.
The ship transforms again and pops out six wheels!
Melide: A-are we in a steam train now?
Monomasa: Uhh...
Astar: Time to get to Germany.
The ship starts moving. First slow, then fast!
MC: hOLD UP / ooh, this should be quick
---
(C) Polaris Mask: Woohoo! Awesome!
Melide: MC, have you just stopped thinking about things? Maybe I should too.
---
Monomasa: Are you just using the Satellite Bands for a boost? I guess it's fine if you aren't taxing them...?
Title Card: Song of Sinterklaas
Several hours later, the party arrives in some town in Germany. Christmas decorations are up.
Polaris Mask: Damn, your ship's cool Astar!
Astar: It's Santa's sleigh, not my ship. Sleigh form command phrase.
The ship transforms back into a sleigh.
Astar: Those bands made for good roads. I'm gonna use them again.
Monomasa: I think people will complain if they notice you doing so...
MC: wait where's Melide?
Not here.
Monomasa: She went to go change into the clothes she got.
MC: wait what
Melide in Christmas clothes!
Melide: Okay that took longer than expected. Um, how do I look?
MC: Awesome!
Melide: Oh, thanks. Sui gave them to me.
Monomasa: Yes, you look great. Let's do our best together.
Astar: Whoa. Okay you're Santa now too. Get to training!
Polaris Mask: Nice! Now you'll look great for the event t--
Polaris Mask stops as he sees something.
Green: Put 'em up kids! We gonna take you for a wild ride!
Red: YOU gonna get a ride! YOU gonna get a ride! All y'all gonna get a ride!
Kid A: Help!
Kid B: Save us!
Astar: WHAT
Monomasa: You know those people, Polaris Mask?
Polaris Mask: Heel wrestler gang called Top of the Heels. Pretty straightforward. MC, Melide, transform us!
MC: omg battle already? Melide!
Melide: R-right, though this doesn't seem like a normal kidnapping...
The party transforms!
Polaris Mask: Polaris the Great is in the house! Come at me, bros!
Blue: Polaris Mask, finally dragged your ass here huh?
The wrestlers let the kids go and start approaching!
Purple: ...you sure took your sweet ass time.
MC: OH NO! ...wait, this doesn't actually seem serious.
The kids are following along looking excited. One of the mob wrestlers steps forward and puts their hand on Polaris Mask's shoulder.
Red: I thought you tripped and broke a leg, asshole!
Yellow: Yeah, we already got all the stage and stands setup done!
Green: Damn, cool singlet bro! But not as cool as mine!
Astar: wait what
Polaris Mask: My bad, we're ready now!
Purple: Wait hold up a minute. First, these kids want your autograph!
Blue: Hey Dude, Dudette! Want some German Christmas bread!?
Kid A: Is play time over? Boo!
Kid B: Yeah, lift us up again!
Green: Welp too bad! Play time's over kiddos!
Red: Show time's starting soon!
Excited screaming kids swarm around the mobs!
MC: Huh. Cute and nice.
Polaris Mask: Yep, that's them. They all like kids, so some of them even work childcare if they have kids of their own.
Melide: Oh, that's surprisingly disappointing. Also this bread is nice.
Monomasa: That explains things. Can I get another slice?
Blue: Sure!
Red: ...hm? Wait oh my god guys, look!
The mobs crowd around Astar.
Red: Whoa, cool Santa!
Yellow: This show's gonna be awesome!
Astar: Ho ho ho, yes I'm Santa!
Astar pulled a white beard from somewhere and is putting on a voice. The mob wrestlers are mindblown at this.
MC: Where'd that come from and why did he put it on?
Astar: ...I need it to get the children's attention. I'm not the real Santa, but I'm acting as Santa. I don't need to be Astar.
Astar's whispering to MC.
MC: Um...
Monomasa: !?
Melide: What's wrong? Why'd you hold your chest just now?
Monomasa: Nothing. I think?
Kid A: Whoa, Santa!?
Kid B: Did you get my letter!?
The kids are mobbing Astar too now.
Astar: Now now, Christmas is still a while away, so as long as you be good you'l--
Astar: !?
Suspiciously Familiar Looking Kid: Hi Santa! I forgot to send my letter, so will you take it please?
This kid looks like he's the same race as Astar.
Astar: Uh...y-yeah, of course. Santa will definitely visit you.
Suspiciously Familiar Looking Kid: Really? Yay!
Suspiciously Familiar Looking Kid runs off to play with friends.
Astar: (frowns)
Astar watches him go for a while...
Astar: Okay kids, be good and Santa will visit you.
Astar smiles like nothing happened.
Polaris Mask: Damn, you really killed it out there as Santa!
Melide: Something seemed off...
MC senses it too.
MC: (It looked like he was suffering.)
Ding!
Purple: Ooh! Show time, kids!
Later
Welp, everyone's in the ring. The stands are filled with kids and their families waiting for things to start.
Yellow: It's TIIIIME, Santas!
Blue: Hand over the presents and we won't have to kick your asses.
Polaris Mask: How about we kick YOUR asses? We can take them, right team?
Monomasa: Um, r-right. We'll keep the presents safe.
Astar: Ho ho ho.
Melide: ...so that's the story?
MC: Let's do this! / welp / this is kinda dumb...
BATTLE START (more happens after)
Match over, big success! Now it's cleaning time after the meet and greet.
Red: That was awesome!
Blue: Thanks guys! The kids loved it!
Melide: I think it's because you wanted to entertain them. We just helped.
Green: Thanks girl! How about a hug?
Melide: Um, no thanks.
The mob wrestlers sure seem happy.
Polaris Mask: (frowns)
Monomasa: (frowns)
Polaris Mask and Monomasa however are not.
MC: Something up with your Santa suits?
Polaris Mask: My big bear claws feel WEIRD. Like they aren't really part of things.
Monomasa: I feel like something's missing but I'm not sure what.
MC: I wonder why? / Can we do anything about it? / Sorry.
Astar: ...we still have jobs to do as Santa. Sometimes you just have to work things through.
Polaris Mask: Damn, your Santa style's pretty rough. Suits me though!
Monomasa: Makes sense...sometimes we do need to work with what we have.
Yellow: Come onnnn, whatcha dudes so down for?
Purple: Well the last show's on Christmas. Let's keep at it!
MC: Wait, we're all together for everything after this?
Polaris Mask: Oh I forgot to mention. Yeah, we're touring with them and this was just the first match.
Red: Yep! Santas versus the Present Thieves! Doesn't that sound awesome!?
Melide: I don't understand what these people actually want from their audience...
Blue: Christmas is still a while off. The rest of you guys sticking around? Sometimes we got other jobs to drop in and out of, so we can always reschedule stuff.
Polaris Mask: I promised we'd be together the whole way through! Which does mean we'll also be getting some other stuff done together too.
Yellow: Get what done now?
Astar: Ho ho ho, Santa training.
Mobs: WHAT
MC: Yeah we don't get it either.
Green: Uhhhh, does the Santa training mean we'll finally be Santas!?
Astar: Of course! But it's not an overnight thing. I'll get your through it, somehow. If you can do it, then anyone can be Santa.
Still the kindly old man act.
Red: AWESOME!
Yellow: The kids will love it!
The mobs seem excited.
Monomasa: !?
Monomasa: It happened again...
MC: Wait, is something wrong?
Monomasa: I think Monomasa is reacting to something, but I don't know what that means...
Book 2-2 flashback!
Present
MC: I wonder if he has something to say?
Monomasa: Hmm...I'm not sure, but I think he's...bearing with something?
Yellow: Santa, we gotta a favor to ask!
The mobs bow in classic Japanese fashion to Astar!
Yellow: Please train us to be Santas for however long you can!
Astar: Oh...?
Astar's eyes glint.
Purple: I wanna show my kids I've been Santa!
Red: A heel Santa's a new and cool idea! Think of all the doors it'll open!
Blue: I wanna entertain kids even better!
Astar: ...ah, so you definitely want to be Santas?
Mobs: YEAH, DUDE
Astar: Even if it's the hardest thing you've ever done?
Mobs: YEAH, DUDE
Melide: Um, MC...?
MC: they're so dead
Astar takes off the beard and the kind old man act!
Astar: Got it. Follow me, punks.
Mobs: wait what
Astar: No takebacks you pansies. Nut up and get it done. You'll be reindeer this time, but I'll still be teaching you Santa stuff. Don't even think about skipping out...
Red: Wait, what happened to you just now!?
Green: Polaris, help!
Polaris Mask: We'll go to hell together!
Mobs: OH NO
MC: Welp / Yes! Misery loves company!
The mobs scream. Astar is taking none of that.
Melide: (frowns)
Melide is thinking as she looks at her hands.
Melide: (I'm sure it's on both me and Monomasa if his new variant suit isn't working right. What am I not seeing...?)
End of Episode
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