Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 13: Return to Orient City (Abridged)

Akashi: Home Run Fireball!
Ryekie: Supreme Thunder!
Huckle: Mega Kick!
The heroes are destroying Monsters left and right, causing the dimensional space to shake and the cracks to widen. Pieces fall away, showing the blue sky beyond it.
MC: Keep going guys!
Osaka
Santetsu: The Path flickered for a second!
Roiker: It's crumbling!? What's going on inside!?
Inside the Path
Party reaction shot!
??????: !!
A roar shakes the dimensional space!
Seiichirou: Whoa! It feels like the heroes are getting infinite power! The Path is progressively falling apart. The exit is closing! We can do it!
Exio: I didn't imagine it to happen this way, but it feels like we're almost there. MC! We can't let this chance slip by us!

Suddenly MC gets dizzy...
MC: Whoa...
Exio: MC? What's wrong!?
Seiichirou: I guess all that power is starting to get to them. But we've almost won! Hang in there a little bit longer!
MC: Right...!
MC holds a shaky arm up towards the other end of the Path and focuses. Their thoughts become a bright white light that flows towards their hand.

??????: !!
Another roar shakes MC's body, but MC doesn't look away. Seiichirou and Exio brace themselves besides MC.
Seiichirou: Eat it, freak!
Exio: Go back to where you belong!
Akashi: MC, do it!
Ryekie: I believe in you!
Huckle: We're counting on you!
MC: Close already!
The Path rapidly fades, cracking and shrinking. Light covers everything.
??????: !! ...
The roar grows distant...and then MC passes out.

Later
MC: ...huh?
MC is in some hospital or whatever with an IV hooked up.
Akashi: MC, you're awake!
MC: Akashi? Where are we?
Melide: This is a hospital in Orient City. You've been asleep for almost two days. You fainted in Osaka, but their hospitals were slammed, so you were driven here in Seiichirou's car.
Monomasa: Your mind seems clear. That's good.
Door slam!
Ryekie: MC, I'VE BEEN SO WORRIIIIEEED!
Akashi: No wait Ryekie, don't hug them! They've got an IV tube, remember!? Come on, wipe your face. But yeah I'm really glad you were just sleeping.
Mokdai: Yeah, everyone was worried about you. We stayed for as long as visiting hours let us. Director Huckle even stayed overnight. I gotta call Sui and Crowne since they've been concerned this whole time.
MC: Oh...sorry.

Yoshiori: Hey Sleeping Beauty. I brought Exio with me.
Exio: Hi MC. How are you feeling? You seemed exhausted, but the doctors didn't find anything wrong in particular.
Huckle: Well I can't blame them after all that weirdness they did. You should rest for today and tomorrow at least. Workers' comp will pay the hospital bill. Also Seiichirou just called and wanted to talk to you. (activates space phone hologram)
Seiichirou: MC, thank you for yesterday. You have my gratitude for fighting together with us.
MC: No, it wasn't much... / I just did what I could. / Are you hurt?
---
(C) Seiichirou: Me? I'm fine, just some bumps and scrapes. It seemed you were the one hurt most back there, physically and mentally.
---
Seiichirou: I'm sincerely glad to hear you're recovering. I can only send words of encouragement, but please do take care of yourself.
Face change to go with subject change!
Seiichirou: Now to other news you missed out on and the things I wasn't able to talk to you about earlier...

Later
Mokdai: The news said "the terrorists who blew up Osaka were destroyed along with the conveniently timed mass outbreak of Monsters so we conveniently do not know which villain group did it." Man, the Shin Ashihara really hid their tracks there.
Mokdai's listening to the conversation while looking at the news.
Seiichirou: Well it's true the public doesn't know who did it because the leaders who instigated the terrorism got eaten by Monsters so they forgot he ever said Make Japan Great Again. But then again, if he wasn't eaten it wouldn't seem weird wherever that info leaked from. So I guess the leaders being erased was all just as planned.
MC: How awful... / But we remember. / What about heroes and Observers?
(A) Mokdai: B-but you guys remember.
(BC) Mokdai: Y-yeah, what about that?

Mokdai: There must be some people who remember if heroes and Observers can remember...
Seiichirou: Did you forget who's running the news and doing the investigation?
Mokdai: ...I don't follow.
Huckle: The Shin Ashihara have collaborators in the government, mass media, and investigative agencies, which means they have control on the narrative even if anyone speaks up.
Ryekie: We interact with heroes and Observers a lot, but the actual number of us including villains compared to the whole population is small. And if the villains can erase the memories of any civilians that happened to be around, they can just dismiss what we say as crazy talk.
Monomasa: ...it happens a lot in incidents involving villains and Monsters. It's harder to prove something when the proof involves Parallel Weapons and Monsters, so heroes have to arrest criminals in the act. Which is why it's easy for villains to act undercover.
MC: That's terrible...

Yoshiori: Everyone that trumpets about justice in society is like that. If someone rushes at you, you crush them yourself and deal with the clean up yourself. It's how we lived when we were villains because we had to.
Melide: ...we lived because we were helped by society's organizations. It's a miserable topic when you're on the side that's hurt...you can't judge the criminals.
Seiichirou: ...that said, the Shin Ashihara have to do everything they can to suppress controverting testimony, and they currently have to focus on the chaos that happened here for the time being. I doubt they have room to come after you again.
MC: Then...I guess we're okay for now.

Seiichirou: So it seems there's other groups starting to make moves targeting you, so apparently the potential you showed is a big topic in villain networks. They fear your incredible abilities...though I suppose you wouldn't be happy about that. But anyways it seems they see they can't underestimate you. I can't say you're completely safe, but for now I doubt they'll attack in the near future.
Huckle: The irony of MC's struggling becoming a deterrence...
Akashi: ...um, what happened to my other self?
Huckle: ...he disappeared without a word at some point.
Seiichirou: Sorry, we have no info pertaining to him. If we believe him, then it's true he left the Shin Ashihara. No idea for what he did after that though. Why did he come here? How? Is he connected to the Broker? Mysteries.
Akashi: ...oh.
MC: Wonder where he went? / Will we see him again? / You worried about him?
(C) Akashi: Not...really...?

Akashi: ...sorry, I'm gonna step outside.
And so he leaves, frowning.
Mokdai: He's been like that ever since he came back. Is he okay...?
Seiichirou: It's understandable. A parallel world self oh himself suddenly shows up...
Flashback
Akashi Alter: My childhood friend disappeared one day and now I'm looking for them.
Present
Seiichirou: Who would ever expect that to happen? He must be confused.
MC: Akashi...
Seiichirou: ...anyways, we should be glad you all safely returned home to Orient City. We had our motives, but we feel it's good we at the Alliance we able to make contact with you. We still hope MC will join us as we said earlier. You can take as much time as you need to think about it. If you ever come to a decision...tell Exio. Until next time... (click)

Huckle: ...well, time for us to make some plans.
Agency scrolling shot
Huckle: Hero support is our agency's main work, but from what I've seen of this incident we need to make countermeasures for the care and backup of our Operators too.
MC: ...yes. / Sorry...
---
(B) Huckle: Hey, you don't need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong, and you didn't become an Observer because you wanted to.
---
Huckle: But after this, I won't be able to do anything since I'm not an Observer anymore. So as the one who wants to leave things to the person who knows the most of how this agency works, I'd like to say something.
Huckle looks to Exio. Exio nods.

Exio: ...yes. Personally, I've always been concerned about you since I learned about you. I have to ask again, but do you remember if you were conscious of what you were doing when we were inside that Path in Osaka?
MC: No...I don't even know much about Paths.
Exio: Figures... You never had time to understand your abilities. It's true you're in danger of destroying yourself if you mess up trying to control and use Paths, but from what I hear that hasn't happened in practice. (sighs and steps forward to MC)
Exio: ...you really are peculiar for an Observer, beyond anything I could imagine. But it's because you have that much power that you have to learn how to control it for your own safety. It's impossible for me to perfectly understand how you see the world and how you can use your powers, but I can at least teach you how to control Paths. Observers need their own training just like heroes have to train their bodies. (holds out his hand)

Exio: You can join or not join the Alliance, whichever. I don't think they'll mind you not deciding on it now. But will you let me teach you how to use your Observer abilities and the right mentality for them? You can think of it as for your own protection. ...so, feel like studying under me? (smiles)
MC: Okay / YES / (silently take his hand)
Exio: Okay, I'll try to live up to your expectations. Let's do our best.
And that's how MC started to learn about using their abilities while being taught by Exio.
Meanwhile on the hospital roof, Akashi is leaning on the handrail and looking out into the streets.
Akashi: ...
All he can think about is Akashi Alter.
Akashi: ...what was his goal? He said he didn't come just to see us...but he totally went out of his way to do so. Why'd he come to this world...why'd he come to see me and MC...?
End of Chapter

Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 12: A Glimpse of True Worth (Abridged)

Yep, Osaka sure is looking bad right about now. Weird sky! Black hole! Something looking through the hole!
Monsters: SHRIEK
Santetsu: Everyone, please step back! I'm going to do it again! (closes his eyes and casts his ultimate as his book glows)
Santetsu: Reading Comprehension "Olvasó Mozgások"!
Santetsu creates a giant hole underneath all the Monsters and drops them!
Roiker: ...I gotta hold out just a bit more! 1/1 scale WASP-76b! Observation "Spiral Nebula"!
Roiker fires a bunch of giant energy balls that combine and go into the hole!
Monsters: LOVELYYY (poof)
MC: Wow, you one-shot them! Your combo is awesome!

Roiker: Urgh... (drops to his knee)
Santetsu: Roiker! You really can't keep this up.
Roiker: Oh no...my attacks are getting weaker. I don't have enough stamina...
Akashi Alter: Roiker, or whatever? Can you still do your enemy search?
Roiker: ...yes, but we've gotten rid of most of the ones I can see from here. They're continuing to pop up from beneath the giant Path. They'll be here again in like five minutes.
Akashi: Seriously!?
Panning shot of the party looking beat up and worn out.
Akashi Alter: Alright, I'll go alone.
Akashi: Wait what!? You're worn out too!
Akashi Alter: So? You gonna just let them destroy the city? It's not like they'll let us rest, and I'm not gonna sit back and let them eat the city up. I have to destroy them, even if it kills me! (runs)

Akashi: Hey wait! ...man, what got into him!?
Huckle: Monsters seem to have traumatized him. He's right that the Monsters won't wait for us though. We have to hold out long enough to figure out how to solve this mess.
Ryekie: War of attrition, huh? I got this! Stamina's the thing I got most of!
Seiichirou: We can't keep this up forever though. We at least have a little time now, so we should move too. Exio, MC, we're going to close that Path!
Exio: ...we haven't done that since the Mt. Fuji incident. It's gonna be risky about whether we can pull it off, but we don't have another choice. Ready, MC!?
MC: Yeah!
Seiichirou and Exio hold their hands up to the Path as they close their eyes and concentrate. MC follows suit. And just like with Mt. Fuji, MC's mind gets sent to sort of space. A powerful force blows against MC like wind.
MC: Was it like this last time!?
Exio: ...no, it's a lot stronger this time.
Seiichirou: It's not just Monsters appearing in the city! That giant thing is in the back...!

Suddenly Monsters!
Seiichirou: !!
Exio: We're getting pushed out!
Monsters are riding the space waves into the hole behind MC, Exio, and Seiichirou. They don't seem to care about the three, but the amount going through makes it hard for them to stay.
MC: I can't...hold on!
MC, Exio, and Seiichirou get slammed back onto their asses back on the ground.
Ryekie: H-hey, you guys okay!? It looked like you all suddenly got tackled!
Seiichirou: Ugh...that might have hurt us. You two okay?
MC: I-I'm okay, just a graze! But what was that!?

Seiichirou: The Path itself was expanding, probably from all that weird force. And tons of Monsters were flowing to that exit, so no matter how many we take down they'll just keep coming.
Exio: It's gonna be bad if we leave it alone. But we can't just let ourselves get overwhelmed. Let's try that again since we don't have time to figure something else out! And if more Monsters come, we won't be able to close that Path anyway.
Seiichirou: Right, we just have to steel ourselves! We have to finish it before we get swarmed! MC, Exio!
MC: Right!

Second verse, same as the first.
MC: Ack!
Let's do the time warp again!
MC: Ow!
Akashi: MC, you okay!?
Whoops, MC is looking cut up and bleeding.
MC: The heroes and Observers are doing their best, so I gotta do my best too!
MC staggers to their feet and heads towards Exio and Seiichirou again.
Akashi: Hey! ...wait what? What's that weird light coming from MC?

Later
Seiichirou: ...well, you look fine for now MC. We're just about out of time. I know this is pushing it, but let's try one more time.
MC: Right!
Exio: ...? MC, what's going on with your body?
MC: wait what
MC notices a pale blue light coming from their body now.
MC: WAIT WHAT
Exio: You didn't notice? Well, does anything seem off?
MC: Uhh, I guess I'm a little tired...
Exio: ...oh. Well you have been concentrating and using your power this whole time. It rarely happens, but tell us if you're hitting your limit. Seiichirou and I can buy you time to recover.
MC: Thanks, but I'm okay!
Seiichirou: (Why'd Exio lie? I mean it's true Observers give a faint glow on rare occasions when using their powers, but I at least have never seen it this clearly? What's happening with MC...?)
Exio: Let's get to it, Seiichirou.
Seiichirou: ...right.

MC's light intensifies as all three concentrate on the Path again.
Yep, still a whole mess of Monsters inside.
Seiichirou: Ugh, I knew it. Still...!
The three concentrate on trying to close the Path.
??????: !!!
Seiichirou: What!?
A soundless roar shakes the Observers before kicking them out again!
MC: AAAAAA
Oh yeah MC physically gets sent flying for this.
Huckle: MC! (catches MC)
Huckle: ...I made it.
A bright light fills Huckle's eyes!
Huckle: !?
Now Huckle sees sort of space too.

Huckle: ...huh.
Huckle recognizes that space. It's the inside of a Path, which he's seen himself when he was an Observer. An MC-shaped mass of pale blue light is in his hands as he stands there still holding them.
Huckle: MC, did you bring me here...?
Monsters incoming to kick Huckle out!
Huckle: Voyager Kick!
Huckle continues carrying Lightform MC as he Galactic Punts the Monsters away!
Huckle: ...I can fight with my Parallel Weapon inside a Path?
Monsters: REEEE
Huckle: More!? Hup!

Huckle jumps up to avoid the rush and readies to stomp out the Monsters! Except then MC slips out of his arms...
Huckle: Oh no!
Huckle is back in Osaka where he was before he got into the Path. MC is standing in front of him.
MC: Thank you, Director.
Huckle: ...r-right. MC, did you just do something to me?
MC: ...no? Did you do something?
Huckle: Oh, uh no. It's nothing. I'm counting on you.
MC: Right, I'll never give up!
Huckle: (stares)
Huckle: What just happened...? That would never happen when touching a normal Observer...

Later
The Observers get knocked on their asses again.
Santetsu: That was the 20th time now... Shouldn’t we be dead?
Roiker: It'd be nice if we had some help...but it sucks that we don't here. !! Monster alert! Next wave incoming! Santetsu, I'll set them up and you finish them off!
Santetsu: Understood. I'll hold out as long as I can!
Roiker: Team Parallel Flight, please guard the Observers. Could you?
Huckle: Of course. Good luck.
Roiker and Santetsu move out, leaving the Observers to focus on the Path and the rest of the party.

Seiichirou: Roiker and Santetsu are tiring out. We can't take much longer on this. I've said this to the point it's lost any meaning, but we'll get it for sure next time.
Exio: It's still demoralizing that we're at this point! But then again we can't pull out here. Let's do what we can!
Ryekie: Is watching all we can do!? Can't we help the Observers out somehow!? Anything at all!
Akashi: We're pretty beat up ourselves. But I feel the same. I'd rather not let MC see me like this as much as possible. I'm supposed to shield them, but...!
MC: You guys...we have to do this though since we're always in the back.
Huckle: ...
Huckle: Excuse me, MC. (touches MC)
FLASH
MC: wait what
Heat flows from Huckle's hand!
MC: WAIT WHAT
MC's stamina slightly recovers like Huckle is sharing his!

Ryekie: Huckle, what are you doing? (puts hand on Huckle's shoulder)
FLASH
Ryekie: Wait WHAT? (lets go) I saw stars!
Huckle: MC, did something change when I touched you?
MC: Everything turned white for a second and I actually felt better...
Huckle: ...thank you. We have something we can help with now.
Ryekie: Ooh, ooh! What!? Does it have to do with those stars I saw!?
Huckle: Ryekie, Akashi, hold onto me. We're going to help them fight inside the Path.
Akashi: That's a thing!?
Huckle: I just tried, and we can go back in there. There's no time to hesitate. Let's do what we can.
MC: You can do that!?
Huckle: MC, let me touch you again. Once inside the Path, let us defend you guys while you close it.
Akashi and Ryekie put their hands on Huckle.
Seiichirou: ...what are you guys doing?
Huckle: Okay MC. Take us in. Don't worry about us when we're there, just focus on shutting it all down.
MC: Here we go! (holds hand up to the Path)

Inside the Path, Huckle, Ryekie, and Akashi are there.
MC: Wait what!? How!?
Seiichirou: I have the same questions!
Exio: Hmm...
Akashi: What, where are we!? MC, did you bring us here!?
Ryekie: Hey I just saw all this!
Huckle: Yeah, we're inside the Path. I know because I was an Observer before too. The exit back home is behind us, and something big is up ahead.
Seiichirou: Is MC sharing their vision and Observation ability with them!? Impossible! I only ever heard of it working with other Observers lined up!
Exio: Never mind that, don't they feel the huge pressure in here?

Monsters incoming!
Akashi: Oh right, they're coming in from here!
Huckle: I was able to attack them earlier. They're trying to get out from here, so you know what we have to do right?
Ryekie: Destroy them and keep them away from the Observers! Winners strike first!
Ryekie Thunder Dashes into a group of Monsters!
Ryekie: Full force! Justice Thunderrrr! BOOM
Monsters: (poof)
MC: WHOA / You already fought so much, yet you still have that much energy!?
(BC) Huckle: Ryekie! You had that much stamina left?

Akashi: ...nah, I can somehow tell that ain't it. I can feel it too. We were exhausted from all the fighting earlier, but I feel a whole bunch of power coming up from within me!
Ryekie's thunder surges around! They hit invisible walls that aren't supposed to be there and break them down to the sounds of shattering glass, and cracks spread around with fierce light.
MC: WHAT
Exio: He damaged the Path itself! I never knew you could bring heroes into the Path and cause that much damage!
Seiichirou: I can't keep up with all this! A hero being here without getting sucked up is already unheard of, but a hero can destroy the Path!? Is this MC's power too!?
Exio: Yeah, we never imagined any of this before but there's no time to think about it. MC, are you feeling okay? Feeling any strain?
MC: Nope! I actually feel great!

Exio: ...heroes and Observers can share energy? No wait, that's still not enough to explain that big buff. Too many questions, but we do have a plan to close the Path now.
Seiichirou: ...right. For now, we have to do whatever we can to stop this and save Osaka! Everyone! Let's join together to weaken the path and erase it from Osaka's sky!
Akashi: I don't really get it, but we can just go wild while bopping Monsters, right!? I got this! In fact, I can't wait to run around swinging!
Huckle: We can do anything we're able to! We won't leave all the fighting to you three! MC, let's save the city and everyone in it!
MC: Right!
The Observers hold their hand up to the far end of the Path while the heroes ready themselves for the approaching Monsters...the decisive battle is at hand.
BATTLE START

Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 11: Cover-Up Compensation (Abridged)

Evil Hideout or something
???: Chuo and Fukushima Wards terminated. Only the main group in Kita Ward is left.
Shin Ashihara Leader X: UGH, those stupid "good ol' day" types and their shenanigans. They caused all this shit and now this is the only way we can stop them from messing up the organization.
????: Our media agents have gotten their story together and are claiming this was all terrorism by some conveniently unknown conveniently alien villain group.
Leader X: Good. Get that out once we finish eliminating the group in Kita Ward. It'll suck to lose the target, but better them than us.
????: ...same. By the way, all those Observers we let lose in the Wards? We lost contact with them after they opened the Paths and brought Monsters over.
Leader X: Meh. Acceptable losses.
????: Our remaining Observers have news. When the other Observers disappeared or whatever, the Paths they made started vomiting Monsters out like hell and growing and merging together.
Leader X: wait what

Osaka
Monsters: REEEE
Evil Purple: AAAA--
Evil Yellow: NO PLEASE I--
Somewhere a vore fetishist is getting off on all these mobs getting eaten up.
Later
Big Monster: SHRIEK
Ryekie: Another one! (punch)
Ryekie: Get out of here, now! And take your friends with you!
Evil Blue: AAAAAA
Ryekie: What the hell is going on with all these Monsters popping up!?

Seiichirou: ...I have somehow figured out that Monsters are appearing in the center of Umeda. The police (again for some reason) and the hero agencies in the city are moving to contain them, but they won't be able to stop them since the Monsters are spawning infinitely.
Exio: This has to be deliberate, but it can't have been just one or two people. A whole bunch of Observers must have forced a Path open.
Huckle: But which group would do that? Would there be any group that'd try to cover up the Shin Ashihara's work? And why would they use Monsters? Sure it's easy to clean up threats doing that, but that causes even more damage to the city. Wouldn't it be better to use heroes...?
Akashi Alter: ...no, they have to be a Shin Ashihara ingroup.
MC: What? Friendly fire? But why...?

Akashi Alter: Like I said earlier, they aren't a monolith. That means there's cliques inside the organization that disapprove of the hardliners acting out here, and I'm pretty sure this is their doing. The run the group like a secret organization, so this situation is Bad for them.
Santetsu: ...oh, they're trying to erase the portions threatening the organization and silencing anyone who'd still remember and manipulate information to clean things up.
Danzo: Looks like they wanna erase us and MC too. Seems like they really wanna make it look like nothing ever happened.
Akashi: Like I'd just sit there and take it! Selfish assholes!
Akashi Alter: ...are they spiting me by sending Monsters near me? ...whatever, works for me. I still have a part of my dream left: crushing and destroying the Monsters, even just one more of them. Every single one I see dies.
MC: Um, Akashi? / Do you hate Monsters?
(B) Akashi Alter: ...yeah. Just thinking about how they're bumming around where They aren't makes me sick.

Evil Blue: H-HELLLP
Monster: EEEEE
Ryekie: Thunder Fist!
Monster: OOF (pop)
Ryekie: Investigate later! The bad guys are gonna get eaten up if things go on! Let's save them while keeping ourselves safe too!
Party reaction shot!
Akashi: WHAT? They literally were attacking us not even five minutes ago!
Ryekie: They're still being attacked by Monsters! If there's someone I can save someone in front of me, I'll do it regardless of how I feel about them! That's the justice I believe in!
Party scrolling shot! Huckle looks sad for a second.
MC: Ryekie...! / That's so like you.

Huckle: Sorry, he's not the type to listen after he's said his bit. But I agree with saving people, especially those under threat of being erased by evil.
Santetsu: ...it's a threat to us either way. We can handle it.
Roiker: Yeah. I'm not so tired as to throw in the towel yet.
Seiichirou: ...oh, no time to make sure we're all agreed.
Monsters incoming!
MC: Oh no! Attack!
Seiichirou: MC, Exio! Let's split up the operation! This is gonna go on for a while, but look sharp!
Exio: Right. I'll never hear the end of it if I don't make it back in one piece.
Everyone readies to fight, and the Monsters attack!
BATTLE START (more happens after)

Monsters: Lovely! (poof)
Akashi: Okay, done!
Ryekie: No we're not! Here come more!
Monsters: REEEE
MC: Goddammit!
Huckle: How many people did they have opening Paths?
Roiker: So they had a bunch of Observers on hand then, apparently. I didn't know anyone besides us had the ability to control Monsters via the Path.
Exio: ...I don't think they're being controlled. The ether in the atmosphere is in a mess, which means the nearby Paths must be expanding. The Observers who opened them probably didn't know how to control those. (looks up into the sky)

A giant black hole is growing in the sky!
MC: WHAT
Akashi: Hey we did this before!
Ryekie: Yeah it's smaller than what happened at Mt. Fuji, but still!
Santetsu: It feels like it's absorbing and growing something...
Seiichirou: With the people who opened the Path to control it gone, the Path is fusing and growing. Either they ran or got eaten by Monsters, but they still left a bunch of Paths open.
Akashi Alter: ...it's possible. The Shin Ashihara hate anything that wasn't in Japan's good old days. They still have to use heroes and Observers though, but they treat them horribly. You can see how it is. Observers have it bad enough as it is.
Exio: They weren't taught how to use their powers and forced to summon Monsters. It's just terrible. Why'd they think that would work without knowing how Paths are?
50 Shades of Danzo!
Danzo: ...do you guys see that?
MC: See what?
There are eyes peeking out from the black hole, just like what happened back at Mt. Fuji
MC: OH NO!
End of Episode

Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 10: Chaotic New Capital (Abridged)

Evil Blue: The target and traitor are running for the surface from an emergency tunnel near East Umeda Station! We need backup!
The Evil Ninja's voices echo through the emergency tunnel as the party runs through.
Seiichirou: This is bad...and we're getting chased into the center of Osaka.
Akashi Alter: Bad route choice I guess...there's still another option, so let's go there. We can't avoid fighting though, so be ready.
Akashi: ...I can tell you're making this up as you go. You do seem smarter than me, but we still gotta fight when we get out? Welp that makes it easier for me! Bring it! I'll fix things no matter what!
Akashi Alter: ...don't lump me in with you. But it's true the situation is what you make of it.
Danzo: Whoo, they vibing on the same level because they're the same person? Coolio.
Santetsu: Please stop joking...there's the exit! ...it's not opening. Is it locked?
Roiker: ...stand back. I'll take care of it. (readies his gun)

Roiker: Solar surface, 1/2. Fire!
Roiker shoots a bullet at the door covers the whole thing in a fireball.
MC: You vaporized it with your gun!? How!?
Roiker: My Parallel Weapon has the power to recreate the environments of celestial objects I know of within limits, and I just shot a bullet that's half as hot as the sun. I've limited the radioactivity and heat, but you should still stay away from it.
Akashi: ...damn.
The door eventually melts into a ball of melted iron that falls to the ground. There's a circular hole where the door was now.
Roiker: Don't touch that. Now let's go.

The party exits into an empty shopping district. Smoke hangs around while explosions go off in the distance.
Seiichirou: How awful. They went this far over one person...
Roiker: Pulling back isn't an option anymore. Now that they've found us, the continued destruction is meaningless.
Akashi Alter: (looks conflicted)
???: There they are! Gather everyone who's nearby!
Evil Ninjas flood in!
Danzo: That was fast! Over here, MC!
Whoops, the party's surrounded as more Evil Ninjas come out of the underground tunnel.
Akashi: Goddammit!
Santetsu: It looks like there's 50 of them. Bad luck.
Roiker: We still can't surrender though. So, what now...?

One Evil Ninja steps forward and glares at Akashi Alter.
Evil Red: OUTSIDER! You disappointed us.
Akashi Alter: You've disappointed ME, bitch. Your plan sucks, you've caused tons of casualties, and your goals aren't aligned at all. You can yammer about making Japan great again all you want, but I don't need you guys for my goals. I'm not handing MC over.
Evil Red: RRGH! Fool!
Evil Red signals with his hand, and all the other Evil Ninjas ready to fight.
Evil Red: No turning back now that things have gotten this big.
Akashi Alter: ...what do the moderates in the group think of this plan? I can't believe they'd know about it.
Evil Red: Do I LOOK like I care!? Peaceful methods aren't making Monsters and aliens go away anytime soon! The tool we've been waiting for to change things is right there! We're taking them by force if we have to!
Seiichirou: Here they come! MC, engage!
BATTLE START (more happens after)

Evil Blue: OSHIIIII
Evil Yellow: Damn yo--AAA
Evil Red: Goddammit! Group 2, forward!
MC: There's STILL more of them!?
Seiichirou: We've been trapped in place!
Akashi: ...!
Akashi Alter: Did you break your arm or something? Pace yourself or you'll die.
Akashi: Shut up! This is nothing! Breaking an arm's still better than letting MC get taken away!
Akashi Alter: ...(sigh)
Santetsu: ...Akashi's almost out too. At this rate...
Roiker: We'll be overwhelmed. Maybe I should fire my biggest shot into the enemy group...
Santetsu: Do you even have enough energy for that?
Roiker: I can keep going...!

Danzo: Things are bad man...whoa!
Evil Purple: Give us MC!
Danzo: No! Whoops!
Evil Purple and some other mobs start attacking Danzo! Danzo grazes them all while holding MC.
MC: OH NO
Danzo: Okay yeah, protecting someone while surrounded is KINDA rough f--
A sword hits Danzo's arm!
Danzo: !?
Danzo drops MC! Evil Purple grabs MC!
MC: OH NO! Let go of me!
Akashi: MC!
Evil Purple: I did it, Boss!
Evil Red: Good! Now hurry and--what?
Danzo: Hands off of--!?

Ryekie: JUSTICE PUUUUNNNNCH!
The mob holding MC gets blown away!
Danzo: MC, sorry! You okay!?
MC: Y-yeah...just now...!
Ryekie: Sorry I'm late! It's okay, Justice is here!
MC: Justice!
Akashi: !! You're here!
???: And it's not just him.
Huckle: MC, I'm glad we barely made it. We're here and regrouping.
Exio: Fighting while protecting yourself is hard, so I'll be helping out again too.
MC: You guys!

Seiichirou: I'm glad you're all alright.
Exio: I'm not one to do badly when I'm with two veteran heroes. And while it's only three more people coming back, we've got the power to cover you guys.
Ryekie: Yeah! Don't forget we're S Rank Heroes!
Huckle: Ex-S Rank Hero for me since my license expired for a bit...hmm? (looks at Akashi Alter)
Akashi Alter: ...
Seiichirou: No time to explain in detail, but for now he's allying with us. He's unlikely to turn against us because of current circumstances.
Ryekie: ...well okay then!
Santetsu: Wait what? No questions at all?
Ryekie: You guys accepted him, right? Good enough for me! A friend of a friend is my friend!
Roiker: ...I didn't know you were so simplistic.
Huckle: Haha...it does make it easier to deal with him though.
Akashi Alter: ...
Akashi Alter: heh

Evil Purple: Justice is here. We're in deep shit, aren't we?
Evil Yellow: Yep. He just destroyed the squad at Nakanojima with just two other people with him...
Evil Red: So WHAT if he's here!? Righteousness is on our side! Stop being chickenshits and start grabbing the targ--
???: AAAAAA
A scream comes from past the enemies.
MC: What now?
Evil Green: HEEEELP
Evil Blue: NOOO STAY AWAY
The enemy ranks thin out as mobs start running away in a panic.
Evil Red: What's going on!?
Monster: REEEEEEE
Evil Red: OH N--(chomped)
Party reaction shot!
MC: MONSTER!
Akashi Alter: >:C
End of Episode

Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 9: Another... (Abridged)

Awkward silence as the party follows Akashi Alter down an underground tunnel.
Roiker: Is this...a subway tunnel?
Seiichirou: Yes, it was made 200 years ago during the subway construction boom. It ends at Osaka, and 300 km north is Kyoto. Not a bad escape route.
Santetsu: Maybe, but is it really okay for him to come along? He did help us, but he was fighting against us before that too...
Seiichirou: ...I sent Danzo ahead just in case. He'll call if anything's up.
Akashi Alter: ...relax, I broke off with the terrorists. There's no point in giving MC to them anymore. I'll help you guys until we get out of the city as my way of making up for things.
Akashi Alter doesn't bother to look back at MC at all.

Roiker: ...why the sudden breakup? Weren't you sorta up there with them?
Akashi Alter: ...not really. I was just better at fighting than most other trash mobs, so they just let some stuff slide. I used them like they used me. But now that they're terrorists, I bailed on them.
MC: ...um.
Akashi Alter: ...what? Stop staring and make it snappy if you got something to say.
MC: So are you really...a parallel world Akashi?
The party stares.
Akashi Alter: ...
Akashi Alter: Yeah.
Akashi: !!

Akashi jolts back. Akashi Alter snorts at this.
Akashi Alter: How does a difference in my life make me so different from an idiot asshole like you?
Akashi: THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW
MC: Akashi!?
Akashi attempts to grab Akashi Alter's collar, but Akashi Alter swats his hands away.
Akashi Alter: What? You get pissed on reflex at being called an idiot?
Akashi: NO! You know what I wanna say if you're really me! Why would you ever attack MC!?
Akashi Alter: Did you not listen to me? We were using each other for our own goals.
Akashi: "Just following orders" is no excuse! MC's a childhood friend that means everything to me, so there's no way I would ever attack MC!

Akashi Alter looks Highly Displeased.
Akashi Alter: ...that's YOUR childhood friend over there. The one I know is totally different...and they disappeared one day. I'm out looking for them.
MC: wait WHAT
Akashi: WHAT? What happened!?
Akashi Alter: Try thinking, peabrain. I said my MC and yours are different. I checked. The beginning was the same, as was their being a childhood friend. But everything else was different. Name, voice, appearance...things look similar but don't.
Akashi Alter looks coldly and contemptuously at MC.
Akashi Alter: MC's a total stranger to me. But I don't sense any urgency from you or my other self. It's like you don't know you're on thin ice. I always thought you survived out of sheer dumb luck ever since I investigated you. And seeing you guys this way pisses me off.

Akashi Alter: You're totally different, MC. Yet you haven't tried to figure out how much danger you're really in. Seeing you like this makes it hard to keep down my emotions.
MC: I-I do have a sense of urgency! / That's unfair. / ...
Akashi: ...! (unable to bring himself to say something)
Seiichirou: ...I understand you're a parallel world Tamamura Akashi and that you detest these two. But then...why did you save them? If you're just rebelling against that villain organization, you could've just abandoned us.
Akashi Alter: ...I just don't like their current policies. I wanna destroy Monsters, from all possible parallel worlds. The final goal of the Shin Ashihara from what I heard was to make a Japan where no Monsters can appear. It's a secondary goal for them, but it's close to what I want. If they can get a theory and plan for that together, works for me. It's why I worked with them, but...
Akashi Alter's brows wrinkle a little.
Akashi Alter: ...their goal wasn't just eliminating Monsters. They want to bring Japan back to its days before it started fighting Monsters and get rid of all aliens that have peacefully settled here.
Roiker: ...wait, that sounds like they're saying aliens brought Monsters here.
Akashi Alter: ...that's just what they said. I have my doubts on that idea.

Akashi Alter: The Shin Ashihara's a huge group, so of course there's differences in beliefs and goals from the leaders. I was fine with things if we kept a delicate balance and they helped with my own goal. But things changed once they heard about MC.
Akashi Alter: The city-based leaders, especially the warlike ones, wanted MC. I wasn't in a position to hear what their plans was, but I know it wasn't any good. The leaders wanted to box off MC and snatch them up with guerilla tactics. The details are crazy. No concern for collateral, and they assumed they could use MC later to make things even. They started talking about capturing MC, where the only part that mattered was their ability to use their powers. MC's ability to move was acceptable losses to them.

Santetsu: ...they really do see MC as just a tool.
Seiichirou: I know people don't understand much about Observers, but I can't believe they'd go that far...
MC: Damn...
Akashi Alter: ...I've said you guys piss me off. I'll do anything for my goals, but their goals started turning into messes that weren't helping or usable for me. I'm not gonna smash the ice you're on for them, even if it's gonna break eventually.
Akashi Alter looks down with a sad expression and mutters like he's talking to himself.
Akashi Alter: ...that's the only reason I'm helping you guys. Things will blow up one day, but it doesn't have to be now.
Akashi: ...you...

Plot twist!
Danzo: You guys, I know you're busy but listen!
Seiichirou: Danzo? It's unlike you to come back without calling.
Danzo: Terrible news! Turn to the right this instant! The villains are coming up ahead from East Umeda Station! There's not that many of them now, but they could call for reinforcements!
Santetsu: But...do we go up or turn back...?
???: There they are!
Whoops, here comes the Evil Ninjas!
MC: OH NO
The Evil Ninjas come with weapons drawn and all of them focus on Akashi Alter.
Evil Red: Traitor!
Akashi Alter: ...
Evil Blue: Get out or get MC for us!
Akashi Alter: (stares in edgelord)

Akashi Alter: ...you people are BEYOND stupid. Haven't you guys realized you've been cut off from the group too?
Evil Green: WHAT
Danzo: Milord! We have to transform now! Breaking through is our only option!
Akashi: I agree! MC!
Seiichirou: ...I guess we have to! MC, ready!?
MC: Okay...! / Guess it comes to this again...!
Seiichirou and MC transform the party!
MC: ...oh right.
MC looks at Akashi Alter.
Akashi Alter: ...!?

MC transforms Akashi Alter!
MC: You're helping us, right? Will you fight with us?
Akashi Alter: (stares in shock)
Santetsu: ...wow. Well he did say he was helping out.
Roiker: I know he's really Akashi, but I'm impresses you still connected a Path for him...
Seiichirou: ...heh. I suppose it's true it's fine to count him as an ally for now. In that case, Danzo! You defend MC! Everyone else, cut us a way through! Akashi Alter, you follow our commands if you're allying with us!
Akashi Alter: ...hmph. Don't waste me then. (smiles a little)
Evil Red: You uppity bitch, getting carried away because the bosses like you!
Akashi Alter: And you're a dumbass who never thought about why they liked me. I can't see you winning against me.
Evil Red: HRRRRNNNGH! Smash the traitor and capture MC!
BATTLE START

Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 8: Escaping the Siege (Abridged)

Evil Red: Shin Ashihara, banzai! Make Japan great again! Down with the establishment government and their kidnapping ways! We will take the key person for our patriotic salvation into our cArE or die trying!
Explosions! Ground shakes! Danzo calling in! Central Osaka is on fire on the TV!
TV Reporter: Oh no, another explosion! Somebody help the people trapped inside that building! I know the Shin Ashihara just accused the government of kidnapping, but the government isn't saying anything! Also the railroads have just said they're stopping outbound trains from Osaka because of the emergency! This just in from our information department...
Alliance Safehouse
MC: Oh no!
Seiichirou: Is calling us kidnappers their way of internally justifying their actions? Bastards. And it looks like they're using the elimination of aliens from the capital city to get their soldiers to come along. But if they're doing this, their agents hidden inside the government can't ignore it.
Akashi: They're hurting innocent people! This is like...!
Ryekie: Random terrorism. I have to go save the people!

Huckle: Ryekie, stop! They're after MC!
Santetsu: If we're too conspicuous they might come converging on us. It'll be very dangerous.
Exio: We either sit here quietly, or we have to figure out a way to slip past them all...
Click
Danzo: Uh guys, we might not have a choice anymore. There's just the one squad here, but they've started searching the area the safehouse is. They're gonna find it eventually, and if I mess up a move, I'll just draw more attention here... I think it'll be better to break out now before they bog us down!
Roiker: ...I like this place, but I suppose we'll have to go. (sighs and eye-signals to Seiichirou)
Seiichirou: We're abandoning the base and figuring out a route out of Osaka! Danzo, can you lead the way!?
Danzo: Yep! There's a lot of them, so this might get tricky!

Later
Danzo: ...okay, move to the next alleyway now.
The party slips past the villains with Danzo's directions and slowly heads north.
Danzo: We're cool, looks like we made it without them noticing. There's a big factory up ahead that we can sneak in through. The back exit leads to an old sewer that leads to the Yodo River.
Santetsu: ...I hope the villains' siege doesn't extend to the sewers.
Seiichirou: It's still possible, but we have to bet on it. We could take sky transit, but with the sky trains being out, they'd spot us quickly. We'll head to Kyoto through the old sewer line. Kyoto still has a lot of old Japanese scenery that the Shin Ashihara would never try to attack, so they at least can't try anything too risky.
Danzo: Uh, guys I just saw something I wish I didn't...
Roiker: You don't mean...?
Danzo: Yeah, somebody else besides the Shin Ashihara is making their move and taking advantage of things. (sends pictures to Seiichirou's phone)

Seiichirou: ...it feels like these are also designated villain organizations.
Danzo: Yeah, other groups after MC.
Akashi: Goddammit, what is MC to these guys?
Exio: Probably just a tool to make the world the way they want it. I don't think any organization has a good idea of what Observers are. They're blinded by the big spectacle of Mt. Fuji being brought back.
Huckle: ...how sad. MC's a person with feelings too.
Akashi: ...MC, you okay? You don't look so good.
MC: I'm kinda tired... / Maybe I should let myself get caught... / I'm not gonna let them have their way...!
(A) Akashi: Tell me if it's too much, and I'll carry you on my back.
Huckle: ...I know how it hurts to have so many innocents caught up in this. But it's easy to see how things can get so much worse than it is now if you did get caught. And...we don't want to sacrifice you. Just think about getting to safety.
(B) Akashi: What!? Do you realize what they'll do to you!?
Huckle: ...I know how it hurts to have so many innocents caught up in this. But it's easy to see how things can get so much worse than it is now if you did get caught. And...we don't want to sacrifice you. Just think about getting to safety.
(C) Akashi: Whoa...
Huckle: Heh, you've got guts and spirit. But you clearly do look like you're getting tired. I'd rather not push you too much, but it hurts that I can't really say that now. Just keep moving for now.

Later
Danzo: Now, get to the next block. You'll reach the factory once you get past the next block. They've searched around long enough that it looks like no one is left, so now's your chance to get ahead.
Huckle: The street is pretty big, so it's a little hard to estimate when to move.
Akashi: Don't people go into manholes when they get to this part of the movies? What difference would going down now make if we're going into a sewer anyway?
Seiichirou: The underground spaces around here have been reconstructed so that they're only big enough for maintenance bots to move around. It'd be hard to walk around half-submerged, and if they find us then, we'd likely all get caught.
MC: Oh...
Akashi: Right, bad idea...
Seiichirou: The sewers we're heading for were made before the reconstruction, so they should still be open spaced. They aren't even being used now, so we should be able to move more freely within.
Ryekie: ...huh?

There's a little girl rubbing her eyes up ahead.
Huckle: ...a girl? Did she fall behind while running away? It's too dangerous to leave her alone.
Ryekie: What do we do Huckle? Do we look after her?
Roiker: ...wait, with the siege being this heavy, it's unnatural for her to be left alone like this. It's possible she's been left as hero bait.
Ryekie: B-but we can't just leave her alone, right?
Roiker: W-well, yes but...
Santetsu: (frowns and looks at the lost girl with mixed emotions)
MC: Oh no, another explosion!

The building near the girl starts crumbling!
Girl: Aah!
The girl falls down and rubble starts falling near her!
Ryekie: No!
Huckle: RYEKIE!
A sign falls where the girl was, but Ryekie manages to diving save her!
Ryekie: You okay!?
Girl: Y-yes, thank you...
Ryekie: Good. But why are you here alone?
Girl: ...um, I was staying in a hotel, but the hotel fell down. Mommy and Daddy told me to run, but I lost them somewhere along the way...
Ryekie: ...oh, that's terrible. You're okay now, I--
Evil Ninja: LOOK, IT'S ZAP THE JUSTICE!
Ryekie: Oh no!

Evil Ninjas start converging!
Danzo: Shit's bad guys! Tons incoming from all directions! We'll never get out if they keep coming!
MC: OH NO / Ugh, I guess we have to fight!
Huckle: ...no other choice. Ryekie and I will hold the line here. I promise we'll catch up, so all of you take MC and run!
Akashi: But!
Huckle runs off towards Ryekie.
Exio: I'll go too. Two heroes alone won't help anything.
Roiker: Exio, you too!?
Exio: ...that girl reminds me of Melide. If no one acts, I will. So...I want to thank Justice.
Exio runs over and transforms Ryekie and Huckle!
Danzo: Live feed is on! Now they HAVE to break through! If they lose sight of things they'll get stomped!
Roiker: ...we'll just have to believe. It hurts to divide our forces like this.
MC: We're LEAVING them!? / But...! / Can they do this!?

Akashi: ...he really is a natural hero. I couldn't come to a decision then...I can't waste their efforts. I'm gonna protect MC no matter what and get us out of here.
Santetsu: ...I also want to personally give Justice my respects. Whenever I see a child all alone, I'm reminded of my past. So...I want to thank him too for saving her.
Danzo: That's the spirit! Milord, transform me too!
Seiichirou: Right. We are breaking through by force. Don't let your guards down.
The party transforms as Seiichirou holds his hand up.
Danzo: Let's do it! Ready guys!?
Roiker: Of course. I'm barely a hero, but I can fight when I need to.
Akashi: Yeah! Come at me, jerks!
Santetsu: ...same. I'll show that I can help too.

MC gets on Danzo's back at his insistence. Then he immediately runs into the fighting.
Ryekie: JUSTICE PUNNNNCH!
Evil Red: AUGH! DAMMIT!
Evil Blue: Here comes the target! Don't get too distracted by Justice!
Huckle: Don't think it'll be that easy. Adventurer Kick!
Evil Yellow: Wha--AAAAA
Exio: Now!
Evil Purple: Stop them!
Akashi: Back off dillholes!
Seiichirou: MC! We're splitting the commands! Ready!?
MC: Yes! I won't let everyone's hopes go to waste!
BATTLE START (more happens after)

The party minus sub team Ryekie breaks through enemy lines!
Evil Red: There they are! Get them!
Lots of small skirmishes as the party continues running!
Evil Purple: Don't think you'll get away!
The endless battles keep chipping away at the party...
Seiichirou: We haven't even gotten a kilometer away and they still keep coming!
Roiker: Turning our live cameras on and off in this chaos and trying to hide our location cuts down on the VP we can get...how long will we have to keep this up?
Akashi: Quit whining and help fight! They'll surround us again if we--urk!
Santetsu: ...I suppose we are pushing you a lot. Your shoulder movements look unnatural.
Akashi: N-no you aren't! This is nothing!
MC: Akashi, you're hurt!? Don't push yourself!

Akashi: N-nothing you need to worry about! I'm pretty tough, so I won't go down from this!
Danzo: ...this ain't good. They're coming from behind.
Seiichirou: What!? Is it the guys we let go earlier!?
Danzo: Nah, he'd come even if we did let him go. It's gonna be terribad if we get pincered while this tired out.
Akashi: Bad!? What do we do then!?
Evil Green: The target! Hurry, over here!
Seiichirou: ...Danzo. If it comes to it, run from here with MC by yourself. We'll hold them back this time.
MC: NO!

Akashi: ...oh well. That way, MC won't get caught at least.
Santetsu: If Danzo has to protect and escape with MC alone...well it's not that good a plan, but sometimes you just have to make some sacrifices.
Roiker: ...indeed. We might not be able to handle all this by ourselves...hmm?
Roiker's starglobe radar is giving Roiker some surprising info.
Roiker: Enemy numbers are...decreasing?
Akashi: What!? Does that mean Justice and the others are...!?
Roiker: ...no. An enemy is...taking down the other enemies?
MC: What?

Seiichirou: What's going on? Internal discord?
Santetsu: L-look, over there...
Santetsu points to Akashi Alter, incoming!
MC: I-it's him!
Akashi: !! That asshole!
The party readies to fight and Danzo holds tightly to MC. Akashi Alter slowly approaches.
Akashi Alter: ...
But Akashi Alter is holding some steel beam piece over his shoulders and doesn't seem to be coming
to attack the party. He actually walks past the party when he gets close enough. Reaction shots all around!
Akashi: Wha...?
Akashi Alter stops in front of the Evil Ninjas.

Evil Purple: !? What!?
Evil Yellow: Why aren't you capturing them!? And why are you pointing your weapon at us!?
Akashi Alter: ...! Knight of Owner!
Evil Purple: Wha--AAAA
Evil Yellow: What are you--aaaagh!
Double hit!
Akashi: What!?
Seiichirou: Danzo, what's going on!?
Danzo: I-I don't know! This is outside the scope of what I've seen!
Evil Red: HQ! HQ! The new guy betrayed us! We need reinforceme--huh!?
Akashi Alter: Oh it'll be over before they get here. (swings)
Evil Red: OOUGH
Evil Blue: Damn you--WAAGH

MC: WAIT WHAT
Akashi Alter smashes ALL the Evil Ninjas! But none of them can even find the time to get back up to try to fight back.
Roiker: He...saved us?
Santetsu: We can't relax, but...it seems so...
Finally, all Evil Ninjas defeated. Everyone stares in shock. Akashi Alter dumps the steel beam and looks up into the sky, apparently muttering to himself.
Akashi Alter: ...I really WAS off the mark.
End of Episode

Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 7: The End Goal (Abridged)

Ryekie: Akashi, he moved! (he says after blasting Evil Ninjas with lightning)
Akashi: What? Whoa!?
Akashi manages to block a traffic sign swing with his bat, clashing not-swords for a bit before pushing it back.
Akashi Alter: ...huh. You actually stopped that. Whatever, you still have less battle experience than I do.
Akashi: Shut your mouth! I'll stop you no matter what it takes! I'll never give MC to anyone like you!
Akashi Alter: ...man, fighting someone who won't give up is really turning into a pain in the ass.
Akashi Alter drops the traffic sign and jumps back.
Akashi: NOW!
Akashi creates a fireball in his gloved hand and readies to bat it, but...
Akashi Alter: You're too slow.
Akashi Alter grabbed car chains at some point and uses them to catch Akashi's bat.
Akashi: WHAT
Akashi Alter then slams Akashi into his own fireball, then into the ground.
MC: Akashi! / WHAT

Akashi: Dammit, how's he reading my moves!?
Akashi Alter: ...you're really easy to read. Must be nice to live in a world where you don't have to think much!
Ryekie: Akashi! No!
Ryekie fires a lightning bolt at the chain. It's made of metal, so it hits Akashi Alter too.
Akashi Alter: Ow! (lets go of the chain and glares at Ryekie) ...I really do need to focus on you first. Stop bothering me.
Part of Akashi Alter's suit melts off into some fluid that slithers over to grab the KOed Evil Ninjas. Akashi Alter then throws about 10 of them at Ryekie to pin him down.
Ryekie: Ugh! Dammit, they're heavy!

Akashi Alter approaches Akashi.
Akashi: Justice! You bastard...!
Akashi picks up his bat, gets up, and starts running.
Akashi Alter: So your Parallel Weapon is...a bat.
Akashi Alter uses a liquid tentacle from his suit to steal Akashi's bat!
Akashi: HEY!
Akashi runs over to grab his bat back while Akashi Alter just stands there. Once he gets in reach...
Akashi Alter: ...
Akashi: !?
Akashi gets another look at Akashi Alter's face, features and bitter expression.
Akashi Alter: Get the hell out of here. Now. (Mega Kicks Akashi)
Akashi: AAAUUUGH!!
Akashi is sent flying and bounces 2-3 times off the ground and rolls before he stops.
Akashi: U-ugh...shit...
Akashi's suit cancels out, taking the bat with it.

MC: Akashi! Are you okay!?
Danzo: Hey, wait!
MC rushes out without thinking about it to Akashi.
Akashi: MC...g-get back! They'll catch you! (holds his stomach and coughs while warning MC)
Akashi Alter is already in front of MC and Akashi.
Exio: No!
Akashi Alter looks Highly Displeased at MC.
MC: W-what...!? / You ass! / I-I'm scared...
Akashi Alter is pulling MC up by the collar!
MC: WHAT!? L-let go!
Akashi: MC!
Akashi Alter: ...nothing personal. This is just something I have to do for my own goals...still, you guys seriously piss me off.
At this close a distance, MC gets a better look at Akashi Alter's face. His expression looks different and his face looks older, but his features and eye color is definitely Akashi's.
MC: Y-you...!

Danzo: 'scuse me, cutting in! (pulls MC away from Akashi Alter)
MC: Danzo!
Small Monster: REEEEEEE (body slams Akashi Alter to the ground)
Akashi Alter: Ugh!
Small Monster: Whoooop (disappears into a nearby Path)
Exio: Danzo, do it!
Danzo: I got it! (throws flashbang)
Akashi Alter: !?
When the light dies down, MC, Akashi, Rykie, and the rest of the party is gone. Evil Ninjas run out from the building.
Evil Red: Hey, where'd the target go!?
Akashi Alter: ...tch.

Later
Akashi: ...ngh?
Akashi wakes up in a clean bed. He's still bruising from the beatdown he took.
Akashi: ...is this a hospital?
Roiker: No, it's our safehouse.
Akashi: Uh, Roiker was it? Why am I here?
Roiker: You had a light concussion from all that damage you took, but I think you're okay now. Danzo got you all out of it by causing a disturbance by the time you passed out. He then brought you all to one of our safehouses where Santetsu, Seiichirou, Huckle, and I regrouped with you. I treated you and Ryekie, and everyone is in the next room over.
Akashi: Oh...so everyone's okay?

Akashi: Everyone's up, right? I'll head over too. It still kinda hurts...but I can move.
Roiker: Sure. I made dinner too. Come over once you're dressed.
Akashi: Wait, what...?
Roiker: ...oh, you didn't notice?
Roiker points next to Akashi's bed where his clothes (or at least his top) have been cleaned up and folded.
Akashi: ...oh. (pulls bedsheet up to his shoulders)
Roiker: Sorry, they were sweaty. And more importantly they were in the way of treating your injuries. Don't worry, only Exio and I saw anything when we were bandaging you up. Your clothes are dry now too.
Akashi: ...thanks.

Later
Akashi walks into a large but somewhat dim room.
MC: Akashi, you're up! How are you feeling?
Akashi: Y-yeah, I'm fine. Sorry to worry you.
Ryekie: Oh, you're up! Hungry? Come over and eat!
Huckle: Again Ryekie, stop talking while you're in the middle of eating. Anyways, you must have had a hard time Akashi. We're safe for now, so you can relax.
Akashi: R-right...
Akashi looks over to see Seiichirou in the middle of thinking.
Akashi: YOU!
MC: Akashi, what!?

Akashi grabs Seiichirou's collar before anyone can stop him.
Akashi: You promised you'd keep MC safe when you brought us here to Osaka! What the hell happened back there!? We walked into the lion's den and got surrounded! They almost got them!
MC: Akashi, stop! / ...
Huckle: Akashi, wait! I know how you feel, but...
Seiichirou: ...no, he's right to be angry. It's true MC was in danger, so he can be angry with me. (looks seriously at Akashi)
Seiichirou: I'm sorry for putting your childhood friend in that position.
Akashi: ...I'm sorry for losing my cool there. (lets go and slumps into a sofa)

Seiichirou: The enemies shouldn't know about this place. I've sent Danzo to scout around just in case, but he hasn't reported anything of note so far. We should be fine for the time being.
Seiichirou leaves the room.
Akashi: Why is this all happening...? I don't get it anymore.
Exio: Akashi...
Santetsu: ...please forgive him. (closes the book he was reading and sighs)
Santetsu: National organizations are strict on the chain of command, so he couldn't oppose them. He also seems deeply hurt about being betrayed by the subordinate he trusted the most. You don't have to sympathize with him, but it'd be nice if you could leave it at that.
Akashi: ...right.

Akashi looks down to see a meal set in front of him. Fluffy white rice, a nice miso soup, some sides, and some ginger fried pork.
Akashi: Uhh, what is this?
Roiker: Oh, everyone already ate. I just remade this for you. It's all I could put together on short notice.
Ryekie: Yeah, it's great! (puts chopsticks down and claps his hands together)
Roiker: I'm glad you liked it. There's more soup and rice if you want any. (picks up Ryekie's dishes and goes back to the kitchen)
Santetsu: It's not poisoned or anything. Laundry and cooking are like hobbies for Roiker.
MC: Yeah it's good / He's more domestic than I thought...
Akashi: What is he, my mom or something?

Later
Roiker: I see. So MC got to look at that man from up close and says they really do resemble Akashi.
MC: Yeah. There were a lot of differences though.
Akashi: I was surprised too...he knew what I was thinking and saw everything I was going to do. And right before he kicked me... (flashback!) He looked just like me back when I was told I couldn't make it to the pros...
Ryekie: Isn't he way too different from Akashi even if he is a parallel self? His Parallel Weapon was a suit that could melt and use anything around to attack, but Akashi uses baseball stuff for his powerset.
Huckle: If the wish he has is different, then so will the the form of the Parallel Weapon he has. Hero 101. If he is Akashi, then something must've made his wish change. In Crowne's case, a difference caused a divergence in time and changed her whole personality. Something just as big must've happened to Akashi too then...
Akashi: Huh...I'd rather not think about what that could be...
Exio: (crosses arms) The Alliance already had an idea about that Akashi, right?
MC: wait what

Exio: When I came in contact with him, I sensed the same ether flow around him as Akashi. There are some differences, but I believe it's highly likely he's Akashi. Someone in the Alliance who met Akashi before must have told you that the Shin Ashihara's collaborator has the same ether flow as him, didn't they? Is that why Seiichirou plotted to have Akashi come along to the meeting too?
Santetsu: ...someone did sense it, yes. But it's true we had no evidence it was Akashi. No one in the Alliance has met Akashi before, but we knew about him since he's in the same agency as MC. And just before this situation happened, we got news from the Alliance of a strong villain within the Shin Ashihara. They said someone resembling Akashi had appeared and seems to be important.
Roiker: Parallel Flight has MC, who the Broker is fixated upon. And earlier they met a person from a parallel world. Wouldn't it be natural to think that a What If version of Akashi exists then?
MC: New proper noun!

Roiker: We call parallel versions of specific people What If beings, as in What If this one thing had happened.
Huckle: You think he's Akashi's What If since he looks like Akashi?
Roiker: Yes, I realize judging based off that is hasty, but we had no way of verifying it. It's why we wanted to meet Akashi. If the man we heard about was What If Akashi and opposed us, we'd know one part about his identity. We thought we'd need a hint from Akashi to protect MC from the villains.
Akashi: Hmm...but I couldn't really hold up against him...
Roiker: ...it's true he's more experienced with battles. It feels less like those are skills he's picked up and more...I'm getting to far into speculation, I should stop. Point being, we still don't have enough information to determine if he really is What If Akashi. Planning countermeasures against him still requires figuring that part out.

Seiichirou walks in.
Seiichirou: We didn't have much time to begin with, but it looks like we can't stay for much longer. (turns up the volume of his phone and shows it to the party)
News: We have multiple witnesses to the attack that happened in front of the National Defense Ministry office building, and the Tachiarai Unified Chief of Staff has suggested they may be a terrorist organization with connections within the government administration. The police and Defense Department are cooperating with their investigations. More news as reports allow...
Santetsu: ...so their political power can't hide things anymore.
Seiichirou: Yes...but it seems they still have enough to force us out of hiding. The inner group may be composed of particularly stubborn types, and it looks like they can't control them. Who knows what will happen if their rampage continues?
Ryekie: That bad, huh? We need to think even harder about how to keep MC safe.
MC: Okay this is really bad...

Roiker: ...you may be wondering what we can do in this situation. (sits down and focuses on MC)
Roiker: MC, will you join the Alliance?
MC: what?
Roiker: I'd been thinking about how to bring this subject up to you while thinking about ways out of this mess. Based on what's happening, I figured it was a good idea to suggest it.
Exio: ...I see.
Akashi: ...w-wait, can't we do something about what's going on? What would change with MC joining you guys?
Roiker: ...there are reasons for this, and I plan on making it advantageous for MC as well. First off, Exio might have an idea as to where I'm going with this since he's connected with the underworld, but we're known by various influential groups, especially those looking for Observers. But there are power differences between Observers, which makes what they can do unknown. It's why you can often see connected Observers like Exio and Melide using Monsters.
Exio: ...to be specific, I'm just controlling the Path instead of the Monster.

Roiker: Whatever the case is, it's true that's how others see it. Allied Observers are seen as people who could wreak all sorts of unforeseeable revenge if you go against them.
Huckle: So...MC joining you guys would mean organizations who would try to attack MC wouldn't be able to do so anymore?
Roiker: Yes. Our existence can be used as a deterrence. There's also something else: joining us makes it easier to plan ways to defend you. It'd allow for tighter information sharing and mutual protection, but... Exio being partly distanced and MC being a total outsider makes protecting them makes controlling information leak risks and ways of sharing information now rather limiting.
Seiichirou: Personally, I couldn't make any plans outside of sending in a false job request and meeting summons, then forcing you along with insufficient explanation. Should something like this happen again, I won't be able to completely set you up for safety.

Santetsu: ...I think you can also get some useful info about using your Observer abilities. Many Observers use their powers while not knowing what they're capable of.
Roiker: Yes, you can use us as a means of learning more about yourself. So please...would you consider it?
MC: Hmm...
Ryekie: But isn't the Alliance...?
Seiichirou: Yes, the goal is to take down the Broker. That is still our end goal. Joining with us would mean deciding to fight against the Broker and that is undoubtedly going to be a dangerous fight, so we can't force you to join. You don't need to answer quickly...but please at least think about it.
Akashi: MC...what do you wanna do? This is escalating really hard now.
MC: ...I'll think about it. I can't answer right now.
Roiker: ...that's okay. You can take as long as you want. We'll still think of ways to protect you from the outside until then.

That night, Somewhere in Osaka
Evil Red Leader: ...damn. The Alliance getting involved means this won't be straightforward. They've gone and hidden themselves. What now?
Akashi Alter: I plan to keep things as low key as possible like always. The government officials seem like they'll give up if they can't cover their asses.
Evil Red Leader: Hmph. You underestimate our organization's great justice. Aliens have already taken over GLORIOUS NIPPON almost to the point of no return. With that as our stage, how can we not go full power to take it back? Too many are sitting on the fence waiting and seeing.
Akashi Alter: ...stomping over books was just one big performance to you, asshole?
Akashi Alter is filled with disgust but keeps calm by thinking about his goals.
Akashi Alter: ...think of the consequences. The organization going public brings in way more risk. It isn't going to help with eliminating Monsters from Earth either.

Evil Red Leader: If we get That Thing, that'll be a secondary goal we can accomplish! Have you forgotten how Observers and Monsters are related!? I thought you were being weirdly talkative today, but all you're doing is needling us! I don't know why the superiors put you in with us, and I was never happy with how much power an upstart like you was given. You care about the target or something? There's rumors you're friends with them.
Akashi Alter: ...
Evil Red Leader: We gave you a second chance and you failed. We don't trust you and don't care about your opinions anymore.
Akashi Alter: >:(
Evil Red Leader: We'll have to stop caring about appearances now. The future of GLORIOUS NIPPON rests on our shoulders, so we can't let this chance slip by us. Osaka can go to hell if we get them.
Akashi Alter: ...you're getting dumber by the second. That's going even further from our goals.
Evil Red Leader: I thought I told you to shut the fuck up! Who CARES if your friends get in danger!? We will bring them back even if they're pushed to near death! The brain is the only part that matters, we can preserve their life however. Tell everyone we move out tomorrow morning.
Akashi Alter: ...
And then the next morning a giant explosion blows up in the center of Osaka.
End of Episode

Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 6: The Assassin from Another World (Abridged)

The next day in Osaka Suminoe Ward, the National Ministry of Defense's office building. The day of the meeting. MC and the others get out of the car and look up at the building.
MC: This is it? I'm getting nervous...
Seiichirou: You can relax a bit. I'll be with you, and I've argued with them tons of times. It's okay to answer that you don't know when you don't. And if you don't want to answer, you can decline. I think I have a good idea as to who is in the Shin Ashihara, so when we go in I'll introduce you to everyone. I'll also tell you who it's okay to answer and who you can not reply to.
MC: O-okay...
Seiichirou: Also, it looks like we can't really have much anyone else besides MC in the meeting. I've talked them into accepting Huckle coming into the room since he's your boss, but everyone else will have to stand by in another room. I've asked Danzo to let you know if anything happens right away.
Exio: Yeah, we can't push too hard in a government facility...and I'm originally an outlaw.
Ryekie: We'll come running if you're in danger!
Akashi: MC, uh... good luck in there. I'll be there if anything happens!
MC: Thanks guys / I-I'll do my best! / This is gonna suck

Huckle: MC, stay by me as much as you can during the meeting. I don't know if it'll reassure you, but... I can at least act as your bodyguard. If you get stuck I'll try to say something, so don't get too worked up.
MC: Yes, Director / I'm counting on you / So you CAN be cool sometimes
---
(C) Huckle: W-what? You could stand to respect me as your boss some more.
---
Seiichirou: Oh right, one more thing. One of my workers is going to be here today. He'll mostly be handling the things I've brought, but if you need anything feel free to ask him for it.
Some guy in a suit walks over.
Huckle: ...isn't he the driver from yesterday?
Seiichirou's Secretary: Yes I also work as his chauffeur. I am Moriguchi, Ministry of Defense Secretary. Pleased to meet you.
MC: N-nice to meet you! / Huh. / Whoa you have your own secretary?
Seiichirou's Chore Boy: Now that that's settled, this way. Everyone on standby, please wait in the lobby until I come lead you to the other room.
And so the party follows Bit Character M.

Later in the upper floors, MC is taken to a fancy meeting room where a bunch of allegedly young men with no portraits come one by one to shake hands with them. Seiichirou whispers a running commentary.
Seiichirou: He's the Defense Department Director. He's cool. The second guy is the National Defense Vice Minister. He's kinda sus. Third guy is the Ministry of Culture and Stuff's parliamentary official. Hugely sus, don't answer any of his questions.
Once the meet and greet is done, the government officials go back to their seats.
MC: There's more of them than I thought. What's wrong with this country?
Seiichirou: I don't blame you for thinking that. It became like this before we knew it. But I've duked it out tons of times in this situation, so I'll back you up perfectly. The meeting is supposed to be three hours long at the latest. If you get stuck, I'll feed you an answer.
When MC looks at Huckle, Huckle silently shows his space smartwatch connected with Ryekie's phone number on the screen.
Huckle: ...I can call them if we need to. If it's a big emergency, you can transform me.
MC: ...okay / (silently nod)
MC then sits down and the interrogation begins.

Elsewhere during the meeting, the rest of the party is in a waiting room.
Akashi: ...I know we have to be ready at all times, but I'm still getting a little bored having to wait three hours.
Exio: That's three hours assuming nothing happens, but that can be fine sometimes. Can't get too worked up.
Ryekie: Standing by is Hero 101! Stay on guard in case of emergencies, and if nothing happens you relax and pull out! Isn't that how hero work goes!?
Akashi: I-I guess...?

Danzo: Hey hey hey, snap to it pal! You know everyone else is in the trenches.
Akashi: I-I know! Wait, where were you and what were you doing? You've been on the line the whole time, but all I heard you do was hum to yourself.
Danzo: Ninja work! I was on alert where I could see them. A window cleaner almost saw me!
Akashi: ...the wind did sound loud, but does that mean you were hanging outside on the windows? We're like 20 floors up!
Danzo: Ninja!
Akashi: O-oh...
Danzo: Oh right, that drink you wanted? I don't think any vending machines in the government office building have any since they're stocked for old people.
Akashi: Seriously? I was wondering why they all had tea and health drinks and crap.
Danzo: Well there is ONE whole machine in here with sodas in it, right by the security guard's office. Better go now if you want one since the meeting is going through materials.
Akashi: Hmm...should I?
Ryekie: Might as well! Who knows how long they'll take?
Akashi: Well okay then. (heads out)

By the guard station
Akashi: Oh hey there really is a vending machine with sodas. Mkay the--what?
Something's next to the guard station. It's a person. Actually it's Akashi Alter who walks out of the guard station!
Akashi: !!
Back upstairs
MC has been asked so many questions in the meeting. Did MC bring back Mt. Fuji? How'd they do it? How'd they get so strong? Can they control themselves? On and on and on, and MC ended up saying "I don't know" to everything. When the questions got more harsh, Seiichirou whispers an answer to MC to make it stop.
Two hours later
Chairman: ...15 minute break.
Everyone starts talking among themselves or getting up to go take care of whatever.

MC: Tired...we still have to keep going?
Seiichirou: They seemed desperate to figure out your secrets. Suckers. But are you okay MC? This will probably go for another hour, so now's your chance to regroup if you need to.
MC: Restroom...
Huckle: Okay, I'll walk you to them just in case.
MC and Huckle go over to the restrooms. When MC is done and comes out, someone else comes over.
Seiichirou's Secretary: Hello MC. Would you like some tea?
MC: Oh, Moriguchi, I think? Thank you.
Moriguchi gives Huckle and MC tea.
Huckle: Thank you, Moriguchi. You've been in the meeting with us the whole time too, haven't you?
Seiichirou's Secretary: Yes, I have to aid Mr. Seiichirou. I'm used to it. Are you okay? I doubt you've been in meetings this long before.
MC: Ehh. Tired from being asked so many questions.

Seiichirou's Secretary: ...of course. Very few of Japan's government officials know much about Observers. Mr. Seiichirou was heavily questioned before since he's an Observer as well.
Huckle: Oh...Earth doesn't have that many people who understand yet, right?
Seiichirou's Secretary: Yes, those with no skills or talents have no knowledge at all. They see them as some mystery that came along with aliens... That's why we all want to know so desperately.
MC: ...what?
Seiichirou's Secretary: Yes...you might have the power to change this country. Many people want to know...many hope you will help.
Huckle: ...Moriguchi?
Seiichirou's secretary glares at Huckle before taking a step towards MC.
MC: U-uh...

Seiichirou's Secretary: Hail Ashihara. All them aliens messing up our country and stealing jobs. You'll help of course, even though there's like half a chance you aren't human either right?
Huckle: !!
Evil Blue: OOF
Huckle suddenly kicked out behind him and knocks out a mob who popped out! Except there are suddenly a bunch of evil ninjas surrounding him and MC!
MC: Oh no!
Huckle: MC, get behind--
Seiichirou's Secretary: No wait we can't have that.
A mob jumps in between MC and Huckle.
Seiichirou's Secretary: So MC, your answer?
MC: Uhh...
Seiichirou's Secretary: Answer me now! Come with us quietly or we will take you with us!

Seiichirou: MORIGUCHI!
Seiichirou's Secretary: S-Sir--OUGH
Seiichirou lays out his secretary with one kick to the back!
Seiichirou: Danzo!
Danzo: Got it! Emergency escape!
Danzo has crashed in through a window in hero mode.
Seiichirou: Director Huckle, will you help me!?
Huckle: Yes!
Seiichirou transforms Huckle. Huckle jumps up and...
Huckle: Rider Kick!
Evil Green: AUGH
Huckle KOs an evil ninja trying to sneak up on MC!

Huckle, Danzo, and Seiichirou encircle MC. The mobs kick the secretary out of the way and approach.
Seiichirou: It's always darkest at your feet, isn't it? I can't believe Moriguchi was with them... My apologies MC. I tried to protect you but put you in danger.
Huckle: Save your regrets for later. We need to get MC away from here.
Seiichirou: Yes, of course. Danzo, take MC and get out. It's my fault we are in this position, so I will hold them back.
Huckle: I'll stay too. It's reckless for you to fend all them off alone. We'll regroup with MC and everyone else when we find an opening to escape.
Seiichirou: Very well, no objections. Danzo!
Danzo: Yes Milord! Okay, hang on tight MC! (scoops MC up)
MC: Whoa! / Wait, how are we getting out! / omg you're so buff
Danzo runs and slips past the mobs, and Huckle kicks the lights of pursuing mobs one by one. Danzo then gets to a 20th floor window.
MC: ...wait
Danzo: Wind's rough out there, so don't get blown away!
And then suddenly Danzo jumps outside with MC and drops down.
MC: AAAAAA
Danzo: It's okay, I'm a pro ninja!
CRASH

MC: I-I'm alive...what's up with your body??
Danzo: Heh, that's a secret...hm?
Akashi (in hero mode): MC get out of here!
MC: wait what
Lightning gets shot towards MC and Danzo, but Danzo dodges the attack!
Danzo: WAIT WHAT
MC and Danzo look at the direction the lightning came from.
Akashi: Damn these guys!
It's Akashi Alter in hero mode.
MC: I-it's him!
Akashi Alter has something wrapped around a street sign, which he then points at the party.
Akashi Alter: ...someone new. You got another Operator?
That is totally Akashi's voice, if slightly more hoarse. Also he has Evil Ninjas around him.

Akashi Alter: So you came out yourself. Convenient. I thought this hardline plan was a terrible one, but whatever helps with my own goal. Everything works out as long as I can get MC. Now gimme them.
MC: ...!
Ryekie: For the third time, never!
Akashi: Yeah! I'll hang on and never let go!
Akashi Alter: ... (looks like he hasn't heard what Akashi and Ryekie said)
Exio: MC I know this is sudden, but can you help? He's been trying to end this fight by going after Operators. Akashi and Justice have been a little hamstrung trying to stop him. He hasn't tried to avoid taking damage, so making him flinch isn't going to work. And if I can't concentrate on which hero to operate, we can't get past him.
Akashi Alter: ...hmph.
Akashi Alter does have signs of being hit by Akashi and Ryekie's attacks, but apparently is either avoiding serious damage or ignoring anything less than that.

Akashi: That guy's been using everything around him as a weapon when something from his suit wraps around it! What kind of Parallel Weapon is that!?
Ryekie: Probably the type where his suit unravels and wraps around something else to control it! I can't get a read on it, but we can't worry about it!
Danzo: What do you want to do, MC? I won't stop you, whatever it is. I'll just put everything I've got into keeping you safe.
MC: ...okay! I'm not sure about this though!
Exio: Thank you. And as a reminder, he's strong. His "nature" has been different from everything else we've fought until now. Stay focused.
Akashi Alter looks so baffled and disgusted with Akashi.
Akashi Alter: ...if I were you I'd never have accepted this happening...whatever, put 'em up. We just have our own goals to fulfill.
Akashi: !? What--
Ryekie: Here he comes! Akashi, get ready!
BATTLE START

Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 5: The Library Guardian (Abridged)

Evil Red: Where are they!?
Evil Green: We protest the armed subjugation of our brothers with vandalism and threats of violence! We also protest against government workers who would hide people inside public facilities and we will do so with terrorism! We demand that you come aPoLoGiZe!
Evil Yellow: We demand to be heard! Let this random destruction be a lesson if you won't!
Simple bombs explode! Books fall underfoot and get trampled on! The evil ninjas are looking for MC and the party.
Library Worker: Nooo, please don't deface the books! We don't know who it is you're looking for!
Evil Green: No playing dumb! Space Racist Punch!
Library Worker: Oh no!
Evil Purple: You call yourselves government workers? WE are the ones doing the real work saving the country and being REAL patriots!
Evil Blue: Take no prisoners!
Evil Green: The beatings will continue until we hear what we want to hear! (click)
Another bomb goes off inside the building!

MC: OH NO!
Santetsu: AAAHH!!
Danzo: Damn punks! There's about 20 of them! I took down a group of them but the rest didn't care! They're totally looking for MC even if they haven't said any names, and they'll blow up everything until they get them!
Ryekie: This is horrendous!
Seiichirou: I'm sure what they're calling a protest is an attempt to provoke us into action. It seems their real goal is to lure MC out and capture them before they've made any new allies, but we can't give you to them.
Roiker: 20 enemies...? Well we can't beat them with them spread out.
Akashi: We can't just sit here and strategize! We gotta go out and do something now!
Santetsu: >:C
Huckle: Yes, but with them after MC we can't be careless. We need to figure out how to keep MC safe while defeating 20 enemies inside the library.
Exio: ...hey, where's Santetsu?
MC: Oh, he's gone...

Danzo: Look, he's over there!
Danzo points to the center of the library, and all the villains look.
Santetsu: (stands menacingly)
Evil Red: ...what? You a librarian here?
Evil Yellow: You gonna spill where they are?
Santetsu: ...do you know what year the book you're standing on was published?
Evil Red: ...huh? Who cares ab--
Santetsu: 250 years ago, in a time of peace before Monsters appeared on this planet. It's a historical record with lessons over the regrets of war. In fact all the books on that shelf is filled with history from that time, filled with wishes that people of the future won't have pointless fights. (glares)
Santetsu: Is it your way of doing things to literally trample on the thoughts of those past and create conflicts to fulfill your own wishes? You dare claim to do so for the sake of the country? What honor is there in your shameful actions?
Evil Yellow: What!? You dare insult us!?

Akashi: Holy shit, what is he doing!?
Roiker: Welp, that was bound to happen when all these books got damaged.
Seiichirou: Yes, Santetsu cares about books as much as he does his own life.
Ryekie: Hey look, they're starting to gather together! It could be our chance, but we can't leave Santetsu to get ganged up on over there!
Seiichirou's phone rings. It's Santetsu on the line.
Santetsu: I'm sorry. I'll take you're scolding later. So...could I ask you to transform me?
Seiichirou: ...alright. The only way we can get out now is through all of them, so...kick their asses.
Santetsu: Yes Sir.
Santetsu's transformation activated!
Evil Red: Wait he's a HERO!?
MC: That's Santetsu's hero form!? / His weapon is...a book? / He seems so much cooler now!

Santetsu: I will destroy anyone who defaces the books written by our ancestors. It's embarrassing to say so...but they call me the Library Guardian. Are you ready to face your punishment?
Akashi: Wait, he can't go 1v20! MC, I'm going out there too!
Huckle: Akashi! ...well we should get out too since it's come to this. Danzo, can you watch MC again like last time?
Danzo: Yep! Good luck out there!
Huckle: Thank you. Let's go, Ryekie!
Ryekie: Right! Full power!
Roiker: ...okay. Let's leave the front lines to them while I take care of any stragglers around inside.
Roiker looks to Seiichirou. Seiichirou nods and holds his hand up to transform Roiker. Hero Roiker has a telescope rifle and a floating armillary sphere to projects a map when he holds a hand up to it.
MC: Whoa! / Cool! / Oh my god so cute
(BC) Roiker: ...please stop. Getting complimented about my appearance feels weird...

Roiker compares the armillary sphere map and his phone and nods.
Roiker: So there ARE stragglers further in. But I can take them alone. Seiichirou, can you back me up? I'd like to ask Exio and MC if they can handle it to operate the battle over here. I know we're outnumbered, but I won't force the issue...
MC: I'll do it!
Roiker: Thank you. Beginning the operation.
Exio: We have five heroes and three Operators versus 20 scattered villains...this might be pushing it a little.
Exio sighs and holds his hand up to the party to transform them. The party readies to fight and goes to support Santetsu.
Evil Red: Fine, we'll bury all of you for justice!
Akashi: To hell with your justice and your blowing up the library!
Santetsu: What he said. Let's go!
BATTLE START (more happens later)

Evil Red: Eat it, punk!
Akashi: Stop using fire in here, dammit! Baseball Smash!
Evil Red: Ugh! (flop)
Evil Yellow: Zap the Justice! You are a part of the heroes who represent this country, so--
Ryekie: Are you really asking why I'm standing against you? I don't really know what you guys are plotting, but you don't hurt your country's citizens if you're doing things for your country! My justice leans on the side that punishes you all for using brute force on others! Justice Punnnnch!
Evil Yellow: AAAAHH!!
Evil Purple: Damn you, Zap the Justice!
Huckle: Hi, I'm here too.
Evil Purple: Whom--GAAH!
Huckle: Ryekie does the big sweeping moves, so it's my job to support him and deal with the smaller details.
Evil Green: H-how dare you look down on us!

One of the villains picks up a book and throws it at Santetsu. Santetsu catches it and looks at the cover.
Santetsu: Do you know what's written in this book?
Evil Green: What!? What are--
Santetsu: So that would be a no then. Allow me to tell you.
Santetsu closes his eyes and holds his hand up to the book. The book glows as letters of light float out of it.
Santetsu: This is a record of things from 1970, specifically of events caused by radicals and of their imprisonment. Sounds like you. Do you know how they were arrested? The criminals had barricaded themselves a building but lost morale and split apart when the police brought something out. Would you like to see how it felt?
The light words zoom over to the villains, enlarge, then...
Evil Green: Hey, it turned into an iron ball!
The ball starts spinning in circles, which then...
Evil Green: Ahhh!
Evil Blue: WHAT WAARGH
The chain on the ball catches the others around and slams them into the wall, knocking them out of their transformations.

MC: Whoa...
Santetsu: ...I can't use what hasn't been written down into books, and I have to close my eyes to focus.
Santetsu lowers his hand, which causes the book to stop glowing. That in turn causes the ball and chain to crystalize into light and disappear.
Evil Red: Urgh! Wait, the others! What are they--I can't reach them! Did those shits run away!?
Roiker: If you mean those stragglers I got them already. So, you want to keep going?
Evil Red: How dare you twerps--a call! Hey, where the hell are you!? Stop standing there and watching and start--what? HQ!? But...okay, fine. RETREAT!
The mobs stagger to their feet and scatter in different directions.
MC: Oh no, we gotta catch them!
Akashi: Yeah! Get back here, losers! You don't get to just run after all that--
Akashi chases after the closest mob when Mystery Man steps in to impede him.
Akashi: Wha? Who are--OOF!
Akashi gets sent flying.
Ryekie: Akashi! Who is that!?
Mystery Man turns around to leave, but MC gets a glimpse of his face.
MC: !? Akashi!

Huckle: ...what did you say, MC?
Mystery Man: (stops)
Akashi: ...what? MC...what does that mean!?
Mystery Man glares at MC through his bangs, then jumps out a window.
Huckle: ...he got away. I wished we got at least one of them.
Seiichirou: If we did catch one of them, they'd keep quiet and get cut off from the group. Then the group will come silence him later.
Ryekie: MC...was that really Akashi just now?
MC: I don't know, but I was sure that...
Exio: ...well this wouldn't the first time that's happened. Remember?
Yeah, remember Crowne Alter?
Huckle: Crowne...? Well, it's not impossible... But can parallel world selves coming over happen that often?
Ryekie: W-wait, even if that was Akashi, why would he be with those villains!? I can't imagine Akashi ever turning against society like that!
Huckle: I don't know... I don't want to believe that either.
Roiker: ...I suppose we should assume he's started to move then. But I don't understand why he would pick Akashi of all people.
Akashi: He's another me...? No way...

That night in the hotel room Seiichirou had set up, MC stares at Umeda while thinking about what happened. In hindsight the way Mystery Man looked and presented himself differed a lot from Akashi, but for some reason they saw him as Akashi.
MC: Is he...really Akashi?
He looks like he went through terrible despair and anguish. If that really was Akashi...he must have had one hell of a life. It must've been so bad for him to look so different from the Akashi we know.
MC: ...no way. What happened...?
Elsewhere, in space
Broker: ...
The Broker stares at some shining sphere, then snickers to himself.
End of Episode

Live A Hero Book 2 Chapter 1 Episode 4: "Unique" (Abridged)

Evil Blue: HIDEBU
Evil Red: Those shitty little rats!
MC and friends have escaped, leaving the evil ninjas to eat the dirt.
Mystery Man: (walks up) Wow, you guys went down like little bitches.
Evil Yellow: S-shut up punk! Don't go acting big just 'cuz you're a little stronger!
Mystery Man: Big words from a baby who got his ass BEAT. Whatever. Your dumbass friends with better noses went ahead and caused some crap, so I gotta go see what they're up to. I might need to step in too. You guys should get out of here before normal people see you. (snrks and stalks off)
Evil Red: GODDAMN NEWBIE

Elsewhere
The party drives over to some huge building with landscaped topiary out front. There's a sign that says New National Library.
MC: A library? This is where we're going?
Seiichirou: Yes. Take the car back and watch out for enemy reinforcements.
Seiichirou talks to the driver, then closes the door. The car drives off and Seiichirou leads the way into the library. Team Parallel Flight looks at each other confused at this but follows along.
Danzo: Hmmmm...
Danzo brings up the rear but suddenly stops to stare at something.
Inside the building, not many people are around. Halls for days line the sides filled with bookshelves stacked with books.
Ryekie: I don't think I've been in a library since I was in school. It kinda makes me feel like standing straight up.
Akashi: Damn, this place is amazing. I only heard of the name before, and it'd take more than a lifetime to read all these books.
Huckle: Don't like libraries, you two? I grew up around books myself, so I like places like these.
MC: How many books are there? / I'd love to read a ton here / Akashi do you even read
(B) Akashi: Oh right, you're a reader. Me, not so much...
(C) Akashi: H-HEY! I read! ...sort of.

Huckle: I've heard this library carries every published book in the country it can get its hands on, but it's still amazing to see it in person. And that is a lot of bookshelves I see. How many books are there?
???: Between open access and librarian-reserve requests, we have 66,238,033 books.
Santetsu walks up from behind the party. He looks mildly annoyed that people are here.
Ryekie: Where'd you come from!?
Santetsu: We are in a library, quiet please.
Ryekie: O-oh, right. Sorry...
Seiichirou: ...how surprising. I was about to ask for you at the counter. You almost never come see anyone yourself Santetsu.

Santetsu scratches his head and sighs.
Santetsu: ...you told me ahead of time you'd be here, so I can come wait for you at least. So. "What are you looking for today?"
Seiichirou: "I want to see the articles on the middle column on page 3 and top column on page 8 in the Sept. 22, 2042 Taiyou Newspaper, the Sunday paper. I was told that a librarian has to reserve it, so could you show me the way?"
Seiichirou pulls out a card and gives it to Santetsu. Santetsu scans the card with his phone or some small computer, then nods at the results.
Santetsu: Okay, this way. (turns and walks further inside)
Seiichirou: W-wait, don't you need to verify everyone else's identities? At least introduce yourself.
Santetsu: I figured you'd have checked their backgrounds already if you were bringing them with you, Sir. Oh, I'm Santetsu. Tokuhara Santetsu, librarian. Nice to meet you. (starts walking again)
MC: Awkward / Weirdo / He's cute
---
(C) Akashi: (stares in childhood friend)
---
Exio: ...I see he's really started trusting you in the time we've been apart.
Seiichirou: ...no, he just can't be assed to do much of anything. (sighs) Well, let's get to walking.

The library is like a maze as Santetsu leads the party up up down down left right past a few researcher offices or something and further in.
Huckle: Is it just me, or are we...taking the scenic route?
Santetsu: Yeah, I think it's a pain too, but them's the rules.
Santetsu pulls on one of the books on the librarian-only shelves, which of course causes a secret door to reveal itself.
Ryekie: What? An elevator!?
The elevator door opens, and it looks totally normal inside. The party gets in.
Akashi: Is this a secret base or something
Seiichirou: Yes. Isn't this exciting?
Akashi: U-uh...yeah...
MC: Adventure! / Yeah, some people would like this / Yeah you look excited, Akashi
---
(C) Akashi: W-well, I did think they were cool when I was a kid... W-who cares!? Shut up, we're in a library!
---
The elevator door closes. MC then realizes something.
MC: ...hey where's Danzo?

Later, the elevator eventually reaches the bottom floor. There's computers and monitors and crammed bookshelves everywhere. It looks more like a military base than a library room.
Ryekie: ...impressive.
???: You're here? I apologize for the trouble it took for you to get here.
Roiker gets up from some desk in the center of the room and walks over.
Roiker: Hello Seiichirou, Santetsu. Long time no see Exio. And welcome to our guests. This is the Alliance's safehouse.
MC: Uh, who are you? / A scientist? / Cute!
(C) Roiker: Wha...? S-sorry, I got confused there since I don't usually get compliments on my appearance.
Akashi: Stop calling every alien you see cute! It might be rude...

Roiker: Excuse me. I am Roiker Chandler Shen, something akin to the boss of the Alliance's Earth branch. In public I'm an astrophysics professor at Keihan National College. Pleased to meet you.
Akashi: K-Keihan? That's the top ranked college in the country...
Huckle: If the Alliance is built around Observers...does that mean you're an Observer?
Roiker: No, I'm a hero. So is Santetsu by the way. We don't show up in public much so we aren't that well known.
Santetsu awkwardly looks away.
Roiker: We are looking into various methods for taking down the Broker. For example, I mainly research parallel worlds to look into the Broker's identity and the Monsters' origins. I also improve and maintain the gacha Ether Searcher.
MC: You made that thing!?

Roiker: Well it was my teacher who completed it, not me. I just took over his research and developed it. So while I may not be an Observer, I do know more than most about them. It's a large part of why I'm in this organization.
Roiker approaches MC.
Roiker: Seiichirou suggesting inviting you all here IS part of why you're here, but there's something important I need to tell you MC. Call it...background knowledge. I'll need to indicate how you should act from now on... and personally, I've wanted to talk to you at least once. Pardon my selfishness.
MC: what
Ryekie: Is this about how MC was able to bring back Mt. Fuji? And you know why MC is clearly different from other Observers...?
Roiker: "Know" would be slightly incorrect, but I do have a highly likely hypothesis. But with no way to prove it, as a researcher I can't call it the truth. I'm sure this will help you in thinking about your self though.

Roiker fixes his glasses and fiddles with his phone to pull some things up on screen.
Roiker: ...so my teacher and I once researched into beings called Uniques.
MC: What's that?
Roiker: I only have an example out of folklore and rumors so barely any of this is validated, but there was once this girl on another planet. Quick aside, all space scientists agree that ether flows in one direction. Ether can make waves, but it's supposed to be impossible for it to move in whirls and against the direction of the flow. I bring that up because that it was different for the girl, as the ether swirled only around her. For her this wasn't a good thing, and it started when scientists discovered this fact.
Roiker: Impossible phenomena occurred only around this girl. The scientists who were studying ether labeled her a Unique and did all sorts of experiments. They then discovered she could alter the development of the world closer to how she thought, even beyond her direct ability to interact with things. For example, she saw the news of a serial killer running, and she made him trip up out of indignation and get arrested. She also wanted to see a meteor shower one time and made a storm forecast go away in favor of clear weather.
Roiker: Individually you could call these coincidences. But some of the scientists still doubted the relationship between her and the events, so they tied her up even harder and did harsher experiments. She...decided to leave a note to say she didn't want to live anymore.

Roiker: The records of these times ended with the scientists taking their records back to their home planets. About a month after that happened, the planet the girl and scientists were on had strange activity happen. Then devastating damage was dealt that destroyed its atmosphere and killed everything on it.
MC: How awful... / Everything happened the way she thought it would / Sounds like a fable
---
(A) Huckle: ...that sounds like some sort of fable.
---
Roiker: Yes, it's so over the top that I didn't believe until I saw the materials for myself. My teacher had preserved these records though, and he even inherited the research of the other scientists. So, I must admit that Uniques can possibly exist. And that's why I'm doing my best to study them.

Roiker: So at the end of all that research there's no concrete proof, but there are commonly agreed upon hypothetical situations. First, Uniques have extremely powerful influences on the universe. Secondly, Uniques are omnipresent to the point they don't recognize themselves as Uniques. Thirdly, Uniques are constantly alternating in place as they exist in the universe.
Ryekie: Having a powerful influence on the universe...that reminds me of the Broker for some reason.
Roiker: I can't rule against it, but I doubt that he is a Unique. If he were, the Observers under his patronage would have been in situations he could more easily manipulate. That we CAN plan our opposition against him suggests he likely isn't a Unique.
MC: Right...so why are we talking about this? ...wait
Roiker: ...MC, I believe that you may be a Unique.
MC: WHAT / Figured...

Akashi: NO WAY! Yeah, MC's a little weird, and maybe they're special as an Observer! But I've never seen them having THAT much power!
Roiker: Of course they'd look normal according to outsiders. Not even Uniques themselves would have noticed anything different.
Roiker: We can't come to any conclusions of course. I have no way of knowing if and how the world changed according to MC's wishes. There's just reasons to believe they may be. Unlike other Observers, you seem to have the memories of someone else. Besides that, Exio among other Observers has noticed that ether flows differently around you.
Exio: (nods) Haven't you ever wondered how I was able to tell you were an Observer? When Observers understand what they are, they're able to sense the flow of ether on command. The day you awoke as an Observer, there was a huge change in the ether flow in Orient City. It formed a swirl around you, which was how I knew.
MC: Oh...

Ryekie: So...MC IS a Unique?
Roiker: To repeat myself, I can't say because I can't prove it. I just think so. I've looked into records of past Observers I've suspected were Uniques, but I've never found any sort of precedent. I can't think of any traits particular to someone who is both a Unique and an Observer.
Roiker: (looks pointedly at MC) ...if you happen to be an exception among exceptions and have incredible power as an Observer because of that, then you have to be more careful than anyone else. I mean that in how you use your powers, and of attachments from the Broker.
MC: Wait what
Sudden shaking!
Ryekie: Did something just blow up!?
Huckle: It's close by! Is it above us!?
Seiichirou's phone beeps.
Seiichirou: Danzo! What happened!?
Danzo: Shit hit the fan! I was secretly chasing after some dudes but there was more than I expected! Anyways, can y'all come out and help!? Or else the library's gonna turn into a scrap heap!
Santetsu: OH NO
End of Episode