Live A Hero Lost Ancients in Blue Episode 8 (Abriged)

Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon: BWOOOOOOONG
Gaius: There, firing!
Gaius pins down the Monster!
Gaius: MC, now! It's gonna attack with its tentacles!
MC: Okay, drone time! Hisaki?
Hisaki: Got it! Summoning for our combination moves!
Hisaki summons his drone and deploys a circular barrier and approaches the Monster.
Melide: Hisaki, a tentacle is attacking the drone from above!
Hisaki: Evasive maneuvers!
The fish drone grazes the attacks!
Andrew: Wow, it's like it really knows what Hisaki is thinking!
Hisaki: We're on the same vibes in and out. Check out my parallel world's power! Drone, ping time!
Fish Drone uses echolocation!

Hisaki: Great, I got the core's location now! You guys see where Cetus is on that thing? It's slightly above him! (points)
Hisaki: Andrew should be able to guard break it with his attacks. We break the core, we win!
Melide: B-but it's too dangerous to get close to it since it's flailing around.
Gaius: Then I'll provide backline support and deflect attacks against Andrew.
Hisaki: Me too. Andrew's the only one with enough burst damage to Protect Break it anyways. My shield will protect you...will you trust me?
Andrew: Hehe...I've said that so many times myself. I can break the core's defenses! I believe in everyone! (smiles)
MC: Let's go! / ...don't get hurt / Bond Power!
Andrew: ...MC. Understood! I promise I'll come back alive. It'll be proof of our bonds.

Andrew charges an attack, then charges in.
Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon: OOOOOO
Gaius: ...ugh, that was fast. Hisaki, I'll handle the tentacles!
Gaius rapidly shoots at the Monster's tentacles.
Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon: !!
Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon opens its mouth and starts charging!
Hisaki: ...high energy readings!? An ether laser!?
Gaius: Yeah, my arrows can't stop that! Hisaki!
Andrew's still charging in at full speed. He smiles a little.
Andrew: ...I'll be okay. I believe in Hisaki.
Hisaki: Andrew, take my shield! Deploying Hero Barrier!

Hisaki's shield comes out at the same time Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon fires its laser!
Hisaki: Come on, hold up for him!
Light floods everything! When it finally dies down...
Andrew: I swore to put all my power into this! And I will survive! SUPER ROBOT FIIIIST!
Spiraling energy punch launched!
Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon: EEEEEE
Protect Break!
Melide: ...he did it! I can see the core!
Hisaki: Gaius, aim for the core and avoid Cetus!
MC: Gaius, go for it! Sending VP!
Gaius: You say that like avoiding Cetus is easy! But yeah, here we go!
Gaius charges up a giant arrow and throws out his hesitations as he looks at the core.
Gaius: Cetus, I believe in you. So believe in me! Fire, Space Magic Arrow!

Gaius's arrow hits the core at hit scan speeds!
Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon: LOVELYYYY
The Monster collapses onto the ground with lots of ground shaking before eventually dissolving into light particles.
Gaius: ...whoo, that was crazy. I thought I was having a heart attack!
Hisaki: ...w-we won! We did it, Gaius!
Gaius: Y-yeah, I can see that...come on, pipe down so we can go check it out. (points at where the Monster fell)
Gaius: I'm worried about Cetus and Andrew...and the villain I guess.
Melide: I hope everyone's okay.
Gaius: Also, I'm tired...
Hisaki: Whoa there! You okay? Hold onto me.
Gaius: ...sorry, and thanks. But let's hurry and find Cetus...
Hisaki: Yeah I know. MC, Melide, keep our transformations on a little longer.
MC: Okay. Let's go get Andrew.
And so the party heads over.

Andrew: ...guys! You beat the Monster!
Gaius: Thanks to you exposing the core...not bad.
Hisaki: Hehe, you could stand to be more honest. Okay gather up team! Drone, go!
The fish drone starts circling around.
Gaius: ...it's healing us. Nice light.
Andrew: Yes. Thank you!
Hisaki: It's cool! The drones are happy to help too.
Gaius: Thanks Hisaki...Gaius, did you see Cetus?
Andrew: Yes, the guardian god is...
Andrew looks back to where the Cetus bots are lying on the ground. They're all silent and unmoving.
Andrew: I did a quick check, and they aren't broken. They just lost power.
Gaius: ...Cetus. Right, that ether energy attack...
Gaius picks out and picks up the Cetus bot he knows.
Gaius: We really pushed you to the limit to defend us... Hisaki. (looks at Hisaki)
Hisaki: (winks) Got it. MC, we got any VP left?
MC: Some. It should work! Maybe!

Hisaki: Okay then, one last job for the day, drone!
Hisaki pets the fish drone, which then flies over to the Cetus bots. There, it shines a light on them that restarts them up.
Gaius: ...damn, that's amazing Hisaki.
Hisaki: Hehe, thanks. My tech works on organics and mechs equally!
Andrew: Wow, so this is how organics and mechs support each other! I'll never forget this!
Andrew's bright eyes see the bonds he wishes to protect.
Gaius: ...Hisaki, everyone, got a sec? (turns towards the party)
Gaius: Thanks...for saving the place where I was born. Sure, the Monsters tore shit up, but it's not too bad...I'd rather not think about how bad it would've been if you guys weren't here, so...

Sudden plot twist!
Gaius: Hey wait why's everything shaking!? Are there more Monsters!?
Andrew: No, it feels worse than earlier like the building is collapsing and--
The party hears water rushing in!
Melide: ...is that water I hear? We should go to the exit.
Andrew: Right, I'll carry the villain. Gaius, can you lead the guardian god and friends?
Gaius: Yeah. Cetus, wake up! Everyone get out, and carry anyone that can't move yet!
Hisaki: Follow me! This way!
The party follows Hisaki's lead, though things are moving fast.
Hisaki: Melide, MC! You two okay!?
Melide: Y-yes, but the water is getting close...
MC: Hurry! It's falling apart too fast!

Water's falling on down hard, and the water level is rising while the party stops to figure out where to go.
Hisaki: Guys, get your breathing devices on if the water keeps rising! Don't panic!
Andrew: ...b-but we'll end up sinking with the ruins at this rate even if we can breathe.
Gaius: So run if you don't wanna get dragged under!
Hisaki: If you got time to talk, you got time to go. The research team should be outside waiting for us!
Gaius: ...hey wait, can't the research team come in and help us?
Hisaki: Unfortunately, the villains actions made the door close. You'll have to open it back up if we're getting in or out.

Hisaki sees the place falling apart as he runs and explains.
Hisaki: Oh geez the future past space tech is falling to pieces. Were they reinforced by absorbing ether? Then that sealed door...dammit, so many things I want to research!
Gaius: Seriously? You gotta survive first!
Melide: My footing! I can't run anymore...!
MC: Melide, take my hand!
MC reaches out to Melide. The water's already up to her shoulders.
Andrew: We should start swimming at this point everybody.
Hisaki: We're almost there. This way!
Gaius: Melide, it's okay. Deep breaths, and swim like we always do.
Suddenly Cetus transforms into Space Nessie!
Hisaki: ...w-what? Did you do that because it's easier to swim that way?
Gaius: ...hm? Something seems different.
Space Nessie Cetus looks at the party, then opens its mouth...
Gaius: wait WHAT

Outside
Marfik: Oh no, the ruins! MC and the others said they were inside! Spread out, people! Keep an eye out for anyone coming outside!
The building shines as it collapses.
Marfik: It's releasing ether while falling apart...oh, it was fixed in place until now using ether? No wait, has the security team called in yet!?
Marfik checks his phone. No new messages.
Marfik: They logged in a stream fighting Monsters and villains until a while ago...what happened?
The ruin's door bursts open!
Marfik: The door? I should go over there myself and--wait what

Space Nessie comes out of the shining water with the party on its back!
MC: AAAAA / Good job, guys!
Hisaki: We finally got out! Everyone okay?
Melide: Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for helping me, MC.
Hisaki: The research team's gathered close by, so I should call...hey wait, I got tons of messages! I better tell them we're fine at least.
Hisaki sends a text, then sees a message scroll by.
Hisaki: Hey guys, they caught the villains who ran away from the ruins earlier!
Melide: ...I bet they ran as soon as it started falling apart.
Hisaki: Yeah, the research team got them. Now we just need to go home safe and sound! Andrew, Gaius, you two okay?
Andrew: I'm a-okay!
Gaius: Same...Andrew, how's the villain you're carrying?
Andrew: Unconscious, but vitals are okay. No abnormalities from a bioscan reading, so he should wake up sooner or later.

Gaius: Good enough, I guess. On another note, I've never seen Cetus do what he did just now before...I'd never he would carry us in his mouth.
Andrew: He definitely saved us from falling rubble!
Gaius: ...Cetus, were you programmed to do that?
Cetus: (Space Nessie noises)
Gaius pets Cetus's neck.
Andrew: You two get along so well.
Melide: You seem happy Andrew. Why's that?
Andrew: I'm sure I am. I'm very happy now to see the bonds between Gaius and the guardian god and Hisaki and the drones!
Andrew smiles while Hisaki pulls out his fish drone. It's sitting in his hand in sleep mode.

Hisaki: Bonds, huh? Andrew, you mind if I ask why you want to be human so much?
Andrew: I was ordered to be human. Plus, I've always been interested in people.
Andrew moves like he's assessing his mech body.
Andrew: ...but now, my dream's been updated. I'm sure organics and mechs can be partners. So many errors have taught me, and I can believe I want that future to stay in my memories. I think this thought process change is a step forward to that!
MC: I think so too. It's a wonderful idea that suits you.
Hisaki: ...yeah. You've got the right to make your dream come true as long as you hang onto it. I'm also aiming for a world where tech can make the world happier with people and machines helping each other. Let's do our best! (holds his fist out to Andrew)
Gaius: ...Hisaki, I don't really know much about tech or machine structures, but you're smart enough to invent lots of stuff, right? I think you can make it happen then. Show me and Cetus that world.
Hisaki: ...yeah! Just wait and see!

Gaius looks at the lake again.
Gaius: ...it's beautiful. Calm, quiet, comforting.
MC: Way different than the day time...it's amazing.
Gaius: Yeah, not something tourists normally see. Not bad, huh? Also since the ruins have sunk, there's light shining through the surface.
Melide: It's shining because ether's flowing...pretty.
Hisaki: Yep. The water flow's making blue light shoot through.
Andrew: We're seeing this because of work, but I'll never forget it!
Hisaki: Oh, haha! I forgot I was here because of work! Wow, today's been busy...and wow Andrew, you've got a talent for making people smile.
Andrew: Really? Thanks, I'll save that for reference!
Gaius: He's just making fun of you, Andrew...anyways, we better get back to shore now.

Hisaki: (frowning) Oh, time to go huh? You get to hog all this for yourself all the time? Then next time I wanna kick back and swim around here.
Gaius: ...you still have research to do on the sunken ruins after this, don't you?
Hisaki: Haha, well yeah. You know me so well now, don't you? You also know the research team isn't here to relax, right?
Gaius: ...then just come back again, not for work. I'll go swimming with you then. And everyone else too, Melide, Andrew, and MC.
Hisaki: Welp, guess I have to!
Andrew: Thank you, Gaius! I'll come back to see all this again too!
Melide: ...I want to come again too. What about you, MC? Will you come with me again?
MC: Sure! Sounds fun.
Gaius nods and looks at some fish swimming around in the lake.
Gaius: I'll show you another part next time. Plenty of sights to see...Cetus, you like this place too?
Cetus makes happy Space Nessie sounds as Gaius pats him. Maybe that was the machine's reaction, or maybe it was just a coincidence. Or maybe...
Title Card: Like He Has a Heart
The End

Live A Hero Lost Ancients in Blue Episode 7 (Abridged)

Melide: I'll operate Hisaki. MC, you take the others!
MC: Okay! Andrew, defend! Gaius, aim for the back ranks!
The party is working together to pressure the villains and keep them from attacking!
Melide: Hisaki! Get your drone ready! Enemy in the back is charging!
Hisaki: Got it! Stick close to stay in the shield, guys! Now charge, drones!
Green: O-oh no! Is he gonna blow them up!?
Hisaki: No way, assholes! These drones defend me!
Hisaki's drones barrier charge at the enemy!
Green: Wha--AAAA
Hisaki: How do you like that!? Now's our chance, guys! I'll buff you! *(deploys drones near Gaius and Andrew)*
Gaius: Whoa! I'm feeling charged up!
Andrew: Amazing!
Gaius and Andrew look to MC.
MC: Ready? Let's go!

Gaius and Andrew nod.
Gaius: Say your prayers yet?
Blue: Pshaw. What's one extra drone gonna do?
Andrew: We may be of different races, but I believe we mechs and organics have a bond!
Gaius: I'll never lose to hostage takers! (draws bow and charges an arrow)
Gaius: For the lake! For Cetus! And most of all, my friends! Space Sagitta Magica, Convegentia Aquans!
Gaius fires a rain of water arrows!
Gaius: ...these ruins are my home. Get out!
Blue: ...urgh, get the barrier out! It should hold up!
The salvagers get ready to kick out a barrier unit.

MC: Andrew, now!
Andrew: Right! The drones and I are thinking the same thing! All mechkind lives by mutually supporting organics, and we will make you regret treating us so badly!
Andrew charges his fist with whirling energy!
Andrew: Robo Vanguard Fist!
Andrew cracks the villains' barrier, and Gaius's arrow rain breaks through it!
Blue: NOOO
Gaius: Nice, Andrew! That should be most of them!
Andrew: Organic-Robot bond! Friendship!
Gaius: R-right, I did call you my friends...right, never change Andrew.
Andrew: I don't understand?
MC: Great combo guys! / Tee-hee, shy Gaius / I'll tell you later, Andrew
---
(B) Gaius: N-no I'm not! Andrew's just too earnest.
Andrew: Thank you! I think you're an honest guy too!
(C) Andrew: Thank you, MC! I want to learn for human reasons, but I also want to increase my social link with Gaius!
Gaius: ...you're enjoying this, aren't you MC?
---
Gaius: ... (sigh) never mind me. Save it for later, we're still in battle. Though Hisaki looks like he's done.

The KOed villains default out of their transformations, and this half of the party regroups with Hisaki and Melide after making sure of that.
Gaius: Hisaki, Melide! You two okay?
Melide: Yes, and it looks like you guys are done too. Hisaki beat up everyone else.
Hisaki: Welp, it's just you left. Feel like surrendering yet?
Green: ...dammit, where are the others--the radar ping is going away? Dammit, they're ditching me! I need another exit--
Hisaki: Fail trumpet sounds! We can escort you to the exit if you want?
Green clicks his tongue and runs further in.
Gaius: Stop being a stubborn bitch! After him!

Later
There's a huge door blocking the villain's attempted escape.
Green: Oh no! It's too big! I can't move it...!
Andrew: Stop, evildoer! It's time you learned to regret your misdeeds.
Green: Stay back, or I'll use this! (pulls out a familiar cube)
Hisaki: An Ether Catcher!? You had another one!?
Gaius: ...are you seriously thinking of taking Cetus and the bots hostage again? (looks at the nearby floating bots)
Green: ...heh, you don't know how Ether Catchers are really meant to be used.
Hisaki: A bluff.
Green: (smirks) Ether Catchers can absorb and separate nearby ether bodies. So what if I compressed and fired that ether?
Hisaki: !! You're gonna use it to make a bomb!?
Green: Yeah, and it oughta be a big bomb with all these bots around right...?

The villain holds a finger up to the Ether Catcher's on button. Cetus sees this and reactivates its Space Nessie form, rushing up to stop him.
Gaius: NO!
Green: ...ugh, you're in the way! Fine, I'll just trap you again! (click)
Cetus gets trapped again! The other bots are getting sucked in too!
Green: Ha! Know your place, you junk scraps! I--wait, what's that shaking?
The Ether Catcher keeps sucking things in. Cracking sounds resound as the ruins shake.
Gaius: ...an earthquake, now!? And it feels big!
Hisaki: It shouldn't be, the ruins are floating in the water...which means it's something else...
Andrew: Look! The door the villain is standing in front of!

Blue light from the door gets sucked into the villain's Ether Catcher, which causes the door to weaken and open.
Green: Yes! Luck is on my side! I was gonna bomb the door with this, but this works too! Catch, people!
The villain attaches the Ether Catcher to his spear gun and points it at the party. It's glowing white hot.
Andrew: High energy readings detected! It's giving off high temperatures!
Hisaki: OH NO
Green: Have fun in your next life!
MC: Hisaki, deploy your shield! Full force!
MC sends all remaining VP to Hisaki.
Hisaki: Okay, feast your eyes on my tech and get behind me! Overload Barrier Charge!

The villain's attack bears down!
Hisaki: Hold! Hold, dammit!
Melide: Hisaki, no! You'll hurt yourself if you put that much strength into it!
Gaius: Melide, get behind me! Andrew, we're helping Hisaki!
Andrew: Right!
Melide: ...I'll expand their Paths! Observer Cheer!
Gaius and Andrew's connections are strengthened!
Gaius: We got it! Hisaki, we're helping out together!
Andrew: Hisaki, it'll be okay! We won't lose!
The entire party's power is charged to Hisaki's Parallel Weapon.
Heroes: AAAAAA
MC: GOOOO! / ...win!
Green: W-what!? AAAAGH
The Ether Catcher blows up into tiny pieces!

Andrew: ...it stopped? Hisaki, are you okay!?
Hisaki: Y-yeah...I can still move. Where's the villain?
Gaius: I'll go look. You guys stay here.
Hisaki's shield goes down and Gaius approaches carefully.
Gaius: ...he's out cold. I think he's just KOed, and his transformation should cancel soon.
Andrew: Those fragments on the floor must be the Ether Catcher.
Hisaki: ...okay, things are good for now then. So the energy powering the door shut must have been ether. The villain must've leeched energy from being so close to it and sucked so much it made the Ether Catcher blow up. (sighs and looks around)
Hisaki: ...I still can't believe he'd do all that in these ruins! Or his abuse of cutting edge tech with the Ether Catcher!
Gaius: Yeah, we need to tie him up and make him tell us where his friends are when he wakes up.
Hisaki: We should call the research team and get their help. They should be here soo--
Melide: !? Be careful! I sense something strong and evil...!
MC: Something's coming!
???: SCREEEEE
A roar comes from the giant door...

Title Card: The Bonds In the Middle of Nowhere

A giant Monster breaks through the big door and screams!
Gaius: Oh god what it's huge!
Andrew: We must get away and head to the door! Oh right, the villain--
Whoops he just got ate.
Hisaki: Give him back, dammit! He can't pay back his dues if he's retgone!
Melide: ...Hisaki, we should focus on our own safety for now. It's too dangerous.
The party starts to run, but then...
Gaius: Wait a minute, there's still Cetus and the bots!
The party looks back to see the Monster approaching the Cetus bots.
Gaius: Cetus! Wake up and get away from there!
The Cetus bots recollect the leaking ether from the Ether Catcher and start reactivating.
Hisaki: N-no, wait! If they reactivate, they'll attack the Monster! They can't win!

The Cetus bots float up and beep boop upon detecting a Monster, then turn towards it.
Melide: ...Hisaki, I'm not getting a good feeling about this. Doesn't Cetus the bots run on ether...?
Hisaki: Y-yeah, they have to if the Ether Catcher shorted them out. Why?
Melide: Monsters eat Recognition Value, but I've heard that's because it draws in ether. If the bots absorb the ether in here, they'll draw the Monster's attention more.
MC: What? That sounds like time with the Christmas tree.
Gaius: Cetus, get away from there dammit!
The Monster gets close enough to attack the bots and swings at one!
Gaius: NO! Augh...! Y-you okay!?
Gaius bodyblocked the attack and gets sent rolling on the floor!
Cetus: ...
Cetus stares at the Monster like it's thinking of something, then sends some sort of signal out.

Andrew: ...no, Gaius! The Monster is going to attack!
The Monster pulls its arm back to swing at Gaius!
Andrew: N-no, I won't make it in time!
Gaius: DAMMIT!
Cetus: (Space Nessie noises)
Cetus bots cover for Gaius!
Gaius: Cetus!? W-what are you doing!?
Hisaki: T-they protected him!
A bunch of bots have been smashed into scrap, but more bots come in to keep the wall up.
Gaius: NO!
The Monster swallows the bots!
Gaius: CETUS!
The Monster plays Polymerization! Monster + Cetus = Blue Eyes White Space Whale Dragon!!

Hisaki: WHAT
Andrew: Is that...a Monster? I see the guardian god in the center!
Melide: ...the Monster is possessing the Cetus robots! ...you've seen something like this before, haven't you MC?
MC: ...like with Mt. Fuji?
Melide: (nods) Right. Monsters eat recognition and make people forget things, but sometimes they take in what they eat to be a part of themselves.
MC: That's a thing!? / ...just like at Wehrmalt and the tree.
Melide: ...I think they believed it would be more convenient to use all the ether here to control the Cetus bots.
Gaius: No! Cetus, wake up!
Monster: REEEEE
Hisaki: ...no, get away from there Gaius!
Hisaki sends his fish drone to save Gaius from being pancaked.
Gaius: Whoa! Sorry, and thanks Hisaki! But Cetus...can't we save him?
MC: ...get up, Gaius! It's our turn to save him now! We should still make it if we defeat the Monster!

Gaius: (snaps out of it) ...right. I don't know why Cetus saved me, but I can't just sit on my ass here.
Andrew is picking up a signal.
Andrew: I'm getting nearby waves...it's a radio signal--no wait, an alert from the guardian god! It's telling us to leave!
Gaius: No way...no, we're all getting out together. Hang on Cetus...we'll save you.
Gaius gets up and grips his Parallel Weapon.
Gaius: ...I care about Cetus and the time I spent with him. He's why I never gave up on diving in the lake and the reason I learned about my past...I may be some clone...but that doesn't matter. I want to protect Cetus, and that's all the reason I need to kick Monster ass!
MC: Gaius! (nods)

Hisaki: Gaius, MC...right, we gotta save Cetus quick before it's too late. Hey, drone? We'll do whatever we can if there's something we can do!
Hisaki pumps his fist. The fish drone swims around him in response.
Hisaki: Let's go do what only we can do to shine on someone's future!
Andrew: ...this is a bond, isn't it? Yes, the bond I wanted to see and protect!
Andrew looks at Gaius and Hisaki and sees the future they hold.
Andrew: What is this feeling called? I still don't understand, but I promise to protect your connection because that is my dream!
Hisaki: Sure, I'll show you my bond! Melide, MC!
Melide: ...you're going to fight. I understand. Good luck!
MC: No objections. Let's save Cetus and get that villain back!
MC and Melide tap on their phones to begin operation.
Andrew: ...everyone, I just lost the guardian god's signal! We need to hurry!
Hisaki: Counting on you to operate, MC! We'll take back every life trapped inside!
Melide: I'll do my best too! Let's fight with everyone!
Gaius: Cetus, I'm paying you back for the time you saved me from a Monster. I'll get you back even if I have to bet everything I have!
MC: Careful guys! Wave battle, ride on!
BATTLE START

Live A Hero Lost Ancients in Blue Episode 6 (Abridged)

Marfik: WHAT
Researcher: W-what is it, Marfik?
Marfik: You guys, listen! The security team just called and said they managed to open up the ruins!
GASPS!
Marfik: Dispatch everyone who can go right now! But don't forget your research things! And keep quiet or someone might try to force themselves in. Let's keep this barred to the public for now, get samples, and preserve what's inside. Move move move!
Researchers get ready to go. Marfik looks outside the window towards the mystery buildings.
Marfik: I wonder what's inside?

Inside the ruins
MC: Attack coming from above! Gaius, step back!
Gaius: Right! Guys, I'm hanging back to do firing support! You two take point!
Hisaki: Got it! You Monsters got a lot of nerve trashing this place! Tech Football Tackle!
Andrew: I will be a bridge between organics and machines! Robot Charge!
Hisaki and Andrew jump up and dive at the enemy Monster! It knocks it off balance, but it manages to bounce them back!
Melide: It's getting weaker! MC, I'll work with you and widen the Path. Let's send VP to the heroes together!
MC: Right, let's go!

Melide: Observer Cheer!
Andrew: Whoa, I feel power surging through me!
Hisaki: Yeah, we can totally do this! Andrew, together! One, two, three!
Andrew: Pow!
The Monster has been knocked far off balance!
MC: Gaius, now!
MC sends Gaius VP, who charges it to his arrow.
Gaius: Got it! Hisaki, Andrew get out of the way! Eat space laser arrow, Monster!
Giant laser!
Monster: LOVELYYYY (poof)
Hisaki and Andrew land down from their jump.

Gaius: ...okay, we good? We good.
Hisaki: We good, he says. DID YOU SEE THAT GIANT LASER YOU JUST SHOT NEAR US!? What if you hit us!?
Gaius: What...? I shot that off because you guys could get out of the way.
Hisaki: I GUESS, but I'd appreciate more of a warning next time.
Hisaki pouts dramatically. Andrew smiles.
Andrew: Hisaki, Gaius was waiting for us to get away before he fired. And with the Monster gone, the ruin interiors won't be destroyed.
Hisaki: O-oh...I didn't realize you were thinking that far ahead.
Andrew: That's why you jumped back and prepped for that, right? You need a really strong attack to destroy a Monster before its body lands on the ground while still kind of solid. You two were amazing to coordinate that!
MC: You noticed? / Yeah, that was it Hisaki! / That's because Melide was here too

MC smiles and looks at Gaius.
Gaius: ...well it looks like the ruins have some connection to me, so I can't let them get destroyed. It's not like I did it for you guys or the research team or anything.
Gaius starts examining the surroundings in the other direction.
Hisaki: Aww, you ARE worried about us!
Andrew: I want to be as kind as Gaius!
Gaius: Wuh, buh...shut up! ...MC, Melide, sense any other Monsters?
Melide: (shakes head) ...not now, so I don't think any are around. Still, the other ones appeared out of nowhere, so keep your guard up.
Hisaki: She's right, but staying in hero form the whole time eats up energy. Let's be careful and be ready to fight whenever.
The party agrees and detransforms.
Gaius: ...right, let's go see what's inside.
Hisaki: Investigation time! Here I come, future past space tech!
Hisaki pumps his fist as he moves ahead. The party follows. Thieves are somewhere behind.

Later
Hisaki: You guys, these ruins don't really look all that ruined for having sat in a lake for who knows how long.
Hisaki is taking notes while looking around.
Melide: Well if they existed before Samaad was developed, there'd be some erosion. But I don't see any dust at all.
Andrew: Maybe the guardian gods have been cleaning up?
Gaius: Cetus, cleaning? ...I guess. (looks at the floating Cetus bot)
Gaius: That reminds me, Cetus turning on the light also turned off the jamming right?
Andrew: It happened at the same time, yes. If it didn't, we couldn't have streamed our battle.
Gaius: Cetus seems to be connected to this place.

Hisaki stops taking notes to think.
Hisaki: ...hmm. What if the jamming was a defense against external attacks? If us coming in is related to it stopping, is Cetus a key? No, wait...
Gaius: ...sounds like it's above my head. Tell me if anything seems connected to me.
Hisaki: Yeah, I'm sure the door opening was also connected to you too...hey, Gaius? (looks at Gaius)
Hisaki: I agree you're connected to these ruins' mysteries. How about we go over what I've figured out so far?
MC: Okay! / Yes, Mr. Hisaki / Does this have to do with Gaius?
(B) Hisaki: Nice! Sit down, books open everyone! Kidding.
(C) Hisaki: Dunno yet, but let's go in order.

Hisaki looks at the ceiling.
Hisaki: So first, the structure layout. We're in a big hallway, and it's connected to somewhere else. Can't tell much yet, but doesn't it feel kinda different?
Andrew: There's a residential area, right? So there's various area types here?
Hisaki: Yeah. Dunno what kinds yet, but I'm sure this whole building operated as a colony. *(nods)*
Hisaki: ...still, I doubt the people of this one colony would be enough to make a civilization this big. There must have been a home planet or another colony where they had high tech civilization levels to do all that, and this colony was isolated from them for some reason.

Gaius: Wait, why do you say this place was isolated?
Hisaki: (nods) Cetus and the other bots with the jamming and stuff. You said Cetus attacked Monsters but not other things, right?
Gaius: Far as I've ever seen.
Hisaki: If Cetus is actually a machine, it must be working on some sort of command...Cetus attacks Monsters, and there's a bunch of bots like him in here.
The other bots are just doing their things.
Melide: You're saying Cetus was made to fight Monsters?
Hisaki: Looks that way at least. They got ready to fight when Monsters showed up earlier.
MC: Oh / Sounds right / You're on the ball today, Hisaki
(C) Hisaki: I'm always on the ball! Thinking better of me now?

Hisaki: Since Cetus had that Space Nessie form, I doubt he was only made to fight Monsters, but I'm sure this place at least was made as a shelter from them.
Andrew: Then it's likely the residents were like heroes and Operators.
Hisaki: Yep, I thought the same! And those people managed Cetus. Dunno how they did it, but I think this place was made to seal Monsters and contain damage.
Melide: (gasps) ...wait, what if the Monsters that appeared earlier...
Hisaki: Yep! It's possible the seal on them is breaking. And this is jumping a bit, but...maybe the reason we can't find anything besides Cetus and the other bots is because the Monsters destroyed the old civilization.
Hisaki sighs, then looks at Gaius.

Andrew: Interesting! Thanks Hisaki.
Hisaki: This is all conjecture, so the research team will be looking more into it. Marfik texted that he'll be here with the team soon, so they can handle that. Any questions?
Andrew: Well I see something on my scans that I don't understand.
Andrew points at some machinery put into a pillar.
Gaius: Isn't it a bit much to expect Hisaki to know what that is? This is old super tech...
Hisaki: Hmm, I don't know much but... (carefully touches the machinery, then takes a deep breath) You know what? I still wanna figure it out, and I don't wanna give up without doing anything! Gimme a sec.
Andrew: I'll help! What should I do--oh
Part of the wall slides open when Andrew touches it.

Hisaki: Andrew, what did you do!? What's that sound!?
Andrew: I-I don't know, I just touched the wall...
Gaius: Look, in there!
A ball of light appears!
Melide: ...it doesn't feel like a Monster at least.
The ball shines brighter before turning into a floating screen!
Andrew: ...it might be a record of this place!
The screen starts showing unknown mechs and animals divided by region types.
Hisaki: This is a historical discovery! Hey wait, look at that one!
There's a swimming long necked dinosaur among the animals shown.
Gaius: Cetus! Was it mimicking another animal?
The records flip through different area records before showing what looks like the hallway the party is in with people going through it.
Hisaki: H-hey...!
Gaius: ...isn't that...me?

Title Card: Who is That Technology For?

Melide: W-what? How can there be so many people who look like Gaius...?
No one has the words to say anything. A Gaius lookalike starts talking to the camera.
Record: [Ancient Space Latin or whatever]
MC: W-what? That's not Japanglish.
Hisaki: We could figure things out if we understood the language! I need to record this...
Gaius: ..."This is a record of clones meant for preserving species."
Hisaki: G-Gaius, you can understand!?
Gaius seems too focused on the words to do anything else.
Gaius: "Our civilization was destroyed by mysterious beings that suddenly appeared and ravaged it. The areas that suffered less damage have been isolated to preserve as many species as possible. If those things appear, deploy the emergency measures. Pacifying and sealing them is possible. On main issues, clone conduct is normal. Growth records will be stored in another record. Our facility is running fine. The maintenance bots are also working fine. All we can do is pray those things do not appear..."

When the video ends, the ball of light it came from disappears and Gaius falls, holding his head.
Andrew: Gaius, are you okay!? Should I check your vital signs?
Gaius: ...no, I'm fine. My head hurts, but no worries... I'm a clone of the guys in the video. I don't know why, but I understood what he was saying...I think I heard those words when I was little...ow, my head!
Hisaki: Y-you okay...? I can lend you my shoulder.
Gaius leans on Hisaki's shoulder and gets up. He starts looking around.
Gaius: ...Cetus, where are you?
One of the bots floats over in response.
Gaius: Do you know who I am...?
Gaius touches Cetus when...
Melide: AAH!
Melide has been caught by thieves!

MC: WHOMST
Green: Nobody moves, or the girl gets it.
Villains are pointing guns at Melide!
Melide: ...
Hisaki: Oh no! Who are you guys and how could you do that to her!?
Gaius: ...do you have any idea what you're doing?!
Andrew: No, don't you two. We can't set them off.
Green: Yeah, he's right. Hey you in the back. You an Operator?
MC: No / ...what's it to you? / (say nothing)
(A) Green: You shouldn't lie, we heard you earlier. Oh look, my finger's itchy.
MC: ...!
(C) Green: Not saying anything? Well whatever, just listen.

Green: Don't transform the heroes if you want the girl to live.
Melide: ...no, you can't.
Blue: We heard everything. You, dude with white hair. Turn the jamming on. We blocked the entrance, but still! Do it now!
Gaius: ...fine, you bastards. I don't know if I can actually control it though. I'll try...Cetus, can you turn the jamming on?
Cetus turns into Space Nessie, and its core starts glowing.
Hisaki: ...comms are down. It must've worked...
Blue: Oh right, that bot's a pain. Bring out that one thing.
One of the other villain salvagers pulls out some cube thing. It looks like a cage.

Hisaki: ...isn't that an Ether Catcher!? Where'd you get that!?
Green: Huh, you know what it is? This is cutting edge tech that can absorb ether bodies. Our boss lent this to us if we promised to not damage whatever we bring back from in here.
Hisaki: That's still only circulated in parts of the military right now...w-wait, are you gonna use that on Cetus?
The villain activates the Ether Catcher on Cetus!
Cetus: EEEE
Green: That thing's body is made of Ether, right? You sit tight and be quiet.
Cetus reverts to its main bot body and is caught in the cage!
Gaius: No!
Hisaki: S-stop! That wasn't what Ether Catchers were made for! We don't know what will happen to Cetus if you do that!
Blue: We're gonna find out soon then, haha!

Hisaki: ...do you have any idea how much people's work went into that cube!?
Blue: Hey, I still have the bot and girl's lives in my hands.
Green: We'll let them go if you don't get in the way. We don't actually care about you guys. Start moving stuff boys, I'll watch them.
The villain pulls on Melide's arm.
Melide: Ow! Stop...!
Cetus: ...
Hisaki: ...MC, can you hear me?
Hisaki is whispering. MC barely nods in response since the villain is watching.
Hisaki: ...hear me out. I can't let what the villains are doing go. There's taking Melide hostage, their disrespect to Cetus and technology...the Ether Catcher was made to be used against Monsters that lots of scientists risked their lives for.
Hisaki makes a fist and is filled with determination.
Hisaki: ...technology is meant to make people happy. No wait, for the robots made too. I'll do everything I can to stop any tech use that makes no one happy.
Digivice noises!
MC: ...! ...we might just be able to pull something off here.
Hisaki: MC! ...but Melide's their hostage, so we can't be sloppy...we get only one chance. Will you trust me?

Later
Blue: Stop sniveling, brat.
Melide looks over. Her arm's still in the guy's hand.
Melide: (silently asks for help)
Flashback!
Melide: Mommy, Daddy! Where are you!?
Melide: ...
Melide: Oh...Monsters show up wherever I am...they left me behind...
Present
Melide: ...
Melide: No, wait...now, I'm...
MC: We have to help. (makes finger signal)
Green: Heh, good thing you're so obedient Operator. You'll live long like that.
Melide: (That's not it...)
MC: Melide... I'm sorry.
MC still looks determined.
Melide: ...our promise. I get it!
Melide and MC nod, then look to Hisaki. A new wish burns in him, and MC's phone shines brightly.

Blue: W-what!? What's going on!?
MC: Dunno. Maybe it broke.
Green: ...put your phone down. No funny business.
MC: 'kay
MC takes their phone off and clicks the confirm button on opening Hisaki's new Path.
FLASH!
Green: MY EYEEEES!
MC: Now, Hisaki!
Hisaki Variant activate!
Hisaki: Got it! Save Melide, my new drone!
Hisaki fires off his new fish drone Parallel Weapon!

Melide: Now! Let go!
Melide shakes herself out of the villain's grip! The drone does a shield tech tackle on the villain!
Green: AAAH
Melide runs away, and the fish drone picks her up and flies back to Hisaki.
Melide: Hisaki, MC! Thank you! ...everyone, get ready to fight!
Gaius: We got this. You were scared, weren't you? You did good.
Andrew: Sorry for what happened. We'll protect you this time!
Melide: ...thanks everyone. I'm okay now!
Green: Dammit! But the jamming is still up at least, so you can't get VP--
Melide: Gaius, Hisaki, I picked the Ether Catcher up.
Hisaki: Nice going! I'll open it up!
Hisaki frees Cetus!
Gaius: My turn. Cetus, wake up! Turn off the jamming!
Green: Goddamn punks! (fires weapons at MC)
Andrew: Robot Defense! It's okay, I'll protect you. Engage battle systems!
Gaius: Time to kick your asses now that you have no hostages!
Hisaki: ...my failures have led me to this point. I'll use all the tech I can do because I am who I am now! MC, let's show them our bond!
MC: Let's go, people!
BATTLE START

Live A Hero Lost Ancients in Blue Episode 5 (Abridged)

Long, long ago, on planet Tronesion, the machine lifeform's planet at the end of Orion's Arm, Andrew was made by the highly intelligent system known as Mother.
Flashback!
Man: I hate these scrap iron freaks! Oh right, Andy! You okay!? (looks around after kicking a mech)
"Andy": Yeah, I'm good. I was looking around on the surface. (closes the manhole covering to the safehouse)
Man: ...don't go out on your own if you don't want to die soon. The machines are crawling everywhere up there. This place ain't safe anymore.
Andy: Thanks for telling me. I'll try to survive as long as I can. We still have food?
Man: ...yeah, but not much. Supply line difficulties. All we have is in that box, just rations. (glares at box in the corner) There's you and me, Badog scouting, comm officer Paril, my son Zudo. And there's Ise, Machia, and Rossi on the front lines. Enough for three days for all of us...if they all come back alive.
Andy: I see. Well you can have mine, I'm not hungry.
The man is briefly surprised by this before looking stern again.
Man: Don't say that. Just eat your food, or else you won't have the energy to move if we're attacked. And it'd be a waste of what you already ate. If you hate the machines, then cling to life.
The man pulls out a map and marks on it. There's already a bunch of red Xs on it.

Andy: ...hmm. Can I ask why you hate them?
Man: What? We're at war with them. There's plenty of reasons for that. You'd hate them too if you saw them kill your dad with your own eyes.
Andy: ...
Man: ...you're weird. Whatever, just focus on living. I'll contact another safehouse about our situation. You stay here.
The man leaves the same way Andy came in from. Andy makes sure the cover is totally shut before speaking.
Andy: Quick scan, no reaction. He really did destroy you.
Andy looks at the mech that the man had been kicking, then sorts through the supply box.
Andy: It really is just rations. I thought they might hide secret documents here...whoops!
Andy gets his sleeve caught on the box and tears it, revealing mechanical bits underneath his torn clothes.

Andy: I messed up. I hope there's spare clothes. I need to get that map first since I have to prioritize my spy work. (rolls up map and takes it)
Andy: ...I don't understand, even though I need to understand them as their attack target. Human frames are simple, but the concept of the heart is too hard. (stares at hand)
Andy: ...I was ordered to learn their behaviors, their weapon tech and battle abilities. I do not understand hate and such negative emotions. I never had them. (thinks)
Andy: He didn't realize I was a machine spy, but I need to act more naturally. What do people say to people they won't see anymore? I have to ask them that.
Andy then leaves the safehouse too.

And so Andy continues on doing his spy work like this. Countless days to organics passed until after plenty of casualties on both sides, the war suddenly stopped. When Andy goes back to Tronesion, Mother has new orders for him.
Andy: Factory reset? Well okay, the war is over and all. The order I had before was connected to a lot of other planet classified info, so it'd be a problem for Tronesion if those memory logs stayed.
Andy doesn't blink an eye at all this and speaks in an unconcerned tone. Mother communicates to him electronically.
Andy: I'll be deported from Tronesion after that, right? No objections...oh, but I do have a request. (looks up to the sky)

Andy: Won't I likely pick up an error after I leave if my order is leaving the planet? Based on the reset method I--oh, most of my programming basics will remain. In that case, can you give me a different order after the reset? Something not easy would be good to keep me from coming back.
Beep boop.
Andy: ...a new codename? Well I was Andi this whole time as short for Android Infiltrator...oh right, I won't be a spy anymore. Well if I'm being Rebuilt with a Wish, how about I be Andrew next?
Beep boop.
Isn't Andi a Feminine Name?: ...thanks Mother. Huh? Am I smiling? The organics must have rubbed off on me after so long. I'm going back to base now. Factory reset can start after I connect to the core system. (starts walking)
Andy: ...oh right, I found out what people say in times like these: Goodbye, me.

Program Reset
Code: ANDI
Order: Spy/Guerilla Fighter
Action: Awareness of Enemy Organics

>>>

Code: ANDREW
Order: Detroit: Become human
Action: Awareness of Organics

Later
Andrew: Hello Mother. Beginning startup syscheck.
Beep boop.
Andrew: Okay, so that's my order. Any conditions? ...oh, these weapons and battle functions can be used to protect others! Mother, where can I find people? There's so interesting!
After leaving Tronesion, Andrew has been wandering around the Earth Sphere territories for about 70 years before being hired as a miner for Archimedes Inc. and moving to the moon.
Andrew: Understanding emotions is hard...so many simulation errors. My body may look similar to humans, but what critical differences are there? How do I get a human heart and become human?
Beep!
Andrew: Oh it's almost time for work! I better change clothes. People need to earn money to live as a cultural trait. Where's the new work manual...? Oh right, I can't input the data like a machine. I need to act like a person as much as possible...okay, I can do this job. I can buy a guitar with my wages this month! I hope I can become even more human!

Title Card: Dreaming of the Day I Change

Day 2 of the security job, and the party is out on patrol. So far so good. Now the sun's starting to set.
Gaius: ...the lake's calmer than yesterday. So are the fish.
Melide: Wow, you can tell how the fish feel?
MC: He's that in tune with the lake / Really...?
Gaius: Not like that...it's just that yesterday felt different from usual. I thought it was because of all the people patrolling, but it was the Monster and thieves.
Hisaki: Small, weak things are observant to danger, so maybe you saw their signs.
The party approaches the area they fought the thieves from yesterday.
Melide: ...the robots from before are gone.
Andrew: Yes, even if there was a lot of them.
Hisaki: Oh yeah, they recovered them yesterday. I was watching up to that point from nearby.

Hisaki slows down and looks over and thinks back to when the bomb space roombas were picked up.
Hisaki: ...I've been thinking about to handle what happened yesterday as an engineer. Andrew, you said you want to protect the bonds between man and machine, right?
Andrew: Yes, I think I'll learn more about the human heart that way.
Hisaki: (nods) I've been thinking about that bond in my own way too. It's hard though. I've started thinking about how to we can build better relationships and whether we need to confront one another.
Digivice noises!
MC: ...hey my phone just glowed. Like yesterday...

Hisaki: I don't have an answer, but I've thought about it all night and made this thing.
Hisaki pulls out a fish bot that starts swimming around him.
Melide: ...a fish robot? Cute. What's it for?
Hisaki: More drone than bot, and it does scouting. With sound based radar.
Gaius: It's not gonna bork up like the one from yesterday, will it?
Hisaki: It's optimized for underwater work, and I tested it earlier...figured I had to do that to make up for my mistakes. I know I'm not convincing, but please believe me.
MC: ...Hisaki / I believe / Well if you're going that far...

Gaius: (thinks) ...well even if it does flip out and a Monster appears, we can just beat it down again.
Andrew: Yes, we can't leave Monsters be if they appear. Also, Gaius you're kind. Does this mean you trust Hisaki?
Gaius: W-WHAT!? No, I just don't want to disturb the lake.
Andrew: O-oh...it looked that way to me. I learned a while ago that people like you are the type that aren't honest but kind.
Gaius: ...you're gonna sink if you don't swim straight.
Andrew: Oh, thank you! You really are nice.
Gaius: ugggggh
Hisaki: Tee hee... hm?
The fish bot has pinged something and is swimming in circles in that direction.
MC: Cool.

Melide: Oh that's cute. It's like a real fish the way it's calling you.
Melide holds her hand out. The fish bot sits on her palm.
Hisaki: Thanks you two. Now what's this message...? (looks at phone)
Hisaki: ...huh. Inside the building? No way...
Gaius: What? You figure something out? (looks at buildings)
Hisaki: Maybe! Can we get near the unopened entrance?
Gaius: You mean that building? Well our patrol goes by it so why not. We'll need to get closer anyway.
Andrew: Change of routes then. MC, Melide are you okay?
MC: I'm good! And curious.
Melide: I'm okay too. I've gotten a little more used to swimming.
Hisaki: Let's go then! Future past space tech, here I come!
And so the party hurries on. Cetus is nearby.

Later
Hisaki: It should be up ahead. Okay, ping check again...
Hisaki reactivates the fish bot and waits for it to get data.
Andrew: That reminds me, what did the fish bot see earlier?
Gaius: Yeah I was wondering that too.
Hisaki: (doesn't look away from his phone) Oh, it got an idea of what it was like inside the building. If it's right, the inside is divided into several areas. This will move the research forward in a flash!
Melide: ...but isn't there supposed to be jamming stopping that?
Hisaki: Well yes, if these were normal sound waves. My fish bot is using Monster detector sound waves, totally different and a make up for yesterday's flop!
The fish bot pings.
Andrew: Thank you, fish drone!
Hisaki: ...I knew it. There's definitely some sort of residential space inside the building.
MC: Wait, someone's inside?

Hisaki: I can't actually tell if there's living things inside, but it's possible. Now we just need to open the door somehow...
Hisaki knocks on the wall. It's a pretty thick thud, so it doesn't seem to be opening.
Melide: Hmm...there's a panel, but no clue on how to open it.
Hisaki: Yeah. It looks like it needs to scan ID or something...
Gaius: (stares at door)
Andrew: What is it, Gaius?
Gaius: Nothing, I'm not brainy like Hisaki... But I feel like I've seen this door and panel before.
Coming off in the distance...
???: eeeee
Melide: I sense Cetus...behind us!
Andrew: The guardian god's voice. He came to see us again!

Suddenly Cetus!
Gaius: What is it, Cetus? You don't usually come out at this time--
Cetus starts shining faintly!
Hisaki: W-what!? Gaius, is this fine...?
Gaius: I've never seen this happen before either!
Gaius reaches out to Cetus. The moment he touches him, Cetus's body blurs into the water.
Hisaki: Wait...is that an ether body!? T-then Cetus is...
The pale light converges into a smaller mass and fades away to reveal Cetus is some octagonal robot!

Melide: ...a robot? But why...?
Andrew: Hmm...is it the guardian god?
Gaius: ...yeah, it probably is. I don't know what just happened though.
Gaius stares at the robot. The robot stares back at him.
Gaius: ...this bot feels the same as Cetus did. And...I feel like I've seen this bot before.
Gaius reaches out to the bot again. The bot flashes its light and folds up.
Hisaki: W-what? What made it move again?
Cetus folds to palm size and sits on Gaius's hand. Gaius then starts faintly shining too.
Melide: Gaius, your body!
Gaius: The lines are shining...why do I know what this is...? Ugh!
Sudden headache!
MC: Gaius, you okay...?

Gaius: Y-yeah, I'm fine...just a headache, nothing big... It's just...some weird sense of nostalgia. Can't explain it better. (stares at Cetus)
Gaius: These marks shine when I'm with Cetus...? I think I might know what's going o--
The door panel starts lighting up, and the door slowly opens up automatically.
Hisaki: Oh, it opened...wait WHAT? Gaius, how did you do that!?
Gaius: I-I don't know, I can't keep up with all this! But...
Gaius's head hurts again as he stares into the dark passage.
Gaius: ...I don't know my past, but I might find a hint in there. I have to go in, sorry to the investigation team.

Hisaki: Gaius...right, you have your reasons. I'll go too then. I'm also on the investigation team, and if it's open I ought to look inside too!
Andrew: I'll come too. Other thieves and Monsters might show up.
Melide: ...right, better to be together than split up if we're looking inside. Marfik might be happy if we tell him as soon as possible.
MC: Yeah, he'd come running. I'll go call the investigation team.
Hisaki: Right, we probably won't get a signal once we go in. Thanks, MC!
Gaius: You guys are coming too? ...well okay, Cetus accepted you all. Let's go then, I'm not waiting that long.
MC: O-one sec! Text...and sent.
The party goes on in. Yes, of course there are thieves watching this happen.

Inside
Gaius: Dark. I don't see a light anywhere.
Andrew: Oh, Hisaki! Watch out, the wall is sticking out above your head there!
Hisaki: What!? (bang) Ow...hard.
Andrew: The jamming has disabled most of my sensors, but part of it is still working. I can at least see where things are in the short distance, so I'll lead.
Hisaki: Thanks, Andrew. Do I have a bump on my head...?
Gaius: ...oh right, if Cetus opened the door earlier, then... (puts Cetus on the ground)
Gaius: ...Cetus, wake up. Can you turn on the lights?
Cetus beeps up and works on something...several seconds later a pale blue light turns on.

Hisaki: OH MY GOD THE SUPERTECH
Cybertech tron lines and floating ether bodies light the place up.
Hisaki: Hey wait, the jamming stopped and my phone's working again.
Andrew: My sensors are too! Maybe the guardian god did this!
Melide: Are these really ruins? They're really clean...ah! (points)
More bots like Cetus!
Andrew: So they were inside! ...oh, there's more of them too.
Gaius: So Cetus wasn't alone...do they live here?
Gauis looks around and slowly walks in.
Melide: !! No, Gaius! Get back!
MC: ...careful, I sense Monsters!

Wild Monsters appear! Gaius manages to dodge their attack!
Gaius: Whoa! Thanks you two.
Hisaki: Gaius, you okay!?
Andrew: MC, Melide! Transform us!
Melide: R-right...MC, let's open the Path.
MC: Here we go! Execute!
The party transforms and readies to face off against the Monsters.
Hisaki: We're so close to that new tech! Nobody's getting in the way!
Andrew: Engaging combat systems. I'm ready! We can't let them destroy the guardian gods' home!
Gaius: ...I'm busy here, dammit. Get lost!
Melide: ...the Monsters appeared all of a sudden. Be careful everyone.
MC: Live's on! Wave battle, ride on!
BATTLE START

Live A Hero Lost Ancients in Blue Episode 4 (Abridged)

The party has reported the Monster destroyed and is now on patrol again.
Hisaki: We cleared out the Monster, but our job's not over.
Andrew: We hit the return point, so I suppose it's time to go back?
Gaius: Yeah. We just need to check near the buildings, then go home. They're still big though, so stay focused.
MC: The home stretch! / Tired... / You okay, Melide?
(A) Andrew: I need to do my best too!
Gaius: We've been at this all day. Don't go so hard you feel it tomorrow.
(B) Hisaki: Don't push yourself too hard either, Melide. We're patrolling tomorrow again. I can pull you along if you're tired.
(C) Melide: Yes. I had time to sit when we made our report. If I get tired again, let's take a break and look at the scenery.

The party dials down their swim support machines and approach the buildings.
Hisaki: Damn, they're big. And made of unknown materials. The universe is huge...
Andrew: Are you interested in their composition?
Hisaki: Yep! Everyone around Earth interested in tech is interested in this! Maybe we'll have another tech revolution if we can figure these things out.
Gaius: (frowns and looks at the buildings) Yeah, they're important, but they've been bugging me ever since they showed up.
Hisaki: D-don't say that! They're a cultural site of unknown value!
Melide: Yeah, especially since we on Earth haven't seen tech like this.
Hisaki: Yeah, Earth tech levels are behind everywhere else.

Andrew: Oh, so that's why so many scientists from Earth have come.
Hisaki: ...oh yeah. Andrew, you're from Tronesion, the planet of super tech right? Do you know anything about the buildings!?
Andrew: W-what? I'm sorry, I don't have many records of my time on Tronesion. My memory was deleted during maintenance for some reason. I tried looking up those buildings, but I didn't find anything.
Hisaki: Oh, sorry about getting all worked up. Forget about it. I just get excited about tech. Did I ask you something awkward?
Andrew: It's okay. Were you worried about me? How nice!
Melide: Huh. Is that like amnesia?
MC: ...hmm, maybe it’s like mine. I wonder if it's any different from people's senses.

Andrew: Well what I specifically have are records instead of memories. What is it like to forget something?
MC: I don't know how to answer that. But I guess it's true you can't forget a record.
Gaius: ...
Gaius briefly stares at MC and Andrew before looking back at the buildings.
Hisaki: Something up?
Gaius: ...nah. I guess something's on my mind... (continues swimming)
Gaius: I feel like I've seen those buildings before, but maybe I'm imagining things. Whatever, let's finish up our shift. Tell me if you see anything off.
Andrew: Right. As of now I don't see anyth--hm?
Andrew's sensors picked up something!

Gaius: See something?
Andrew: Straight ahead. People-shaped life signals.
Melide: Maybe they're other patrol parties?
Andrew: Or maybe sightseeing tourists.
Hisaki: Hopefully. Or they might be looters.
Gaius: Let's just go see before they get away. Like last time.
Hisaki: I said I was sorry about that!
Gaius: Then you better work hard. Andrew, lead the way.
Andrew: Okay. Follow me.
Andrew takes point and leads the party over.

Later
Andrew: I see several life form signals and...small domestic robots? Unknown party is 20 vague space units away, right by the buildings. We should see them soon.
Hisaki: ...there. It looks like they're fiddling with something.
Red: Haha, good job getting all these bots.
Yellow: Yeah, we can't use guns underwater. We need about this many to blow a hole open. These bargain bin old models will be great bombs after some messing around! (click)
Space Roomba: Hello, I am here to help! Tell me if you need my assistance!
Red: Did you get that thing in?
Yellow: Yep. Being underwater won't be a problem. Now let's hurry up. Okay get to work, bolt brain.
Space Roomba: Okay! I can clean anything!
Yellow roughly pushes the Space Roomba towards the building's walls.
Yellow: Make us a hole big enough for us to get in.

Space Roomba: [Beep Boop, system set up complete.] Okay, here I go!
Red: Hey, it's working.
Space Roomba: :] (floats towards the walls)
Space Roomba: I'm gonna open up a hole!
The space roomba reaches the wall.
Space Roomba: Okay, this will be done soon! Please look forward t--BOOM (explodes upon touching the wall)
Shocked party reaction shot!
Yellow: Okay, that worked well enough for being underwater.
Red: Lessee...ugh, the wall ain't damaged for shit.
Yellow: Well I didn't expect it to open with just one bomb. Get the next one ready before someone comes.
The men start turning on more space roombas.

Hisaki: Oh my god I can't believe they're using household cleaning bots for this!
MC: Evil!
Gaius: Nobody gets away with messing with the lake!
Melide: What awful methods!
Hisaki: MC, Melide, looks like they're villains. Can you transform me? (looks serious)
Hisaki: There was a time someone used my invention to cause harm. It was a whole holiday event plot. I can't let this go!
MC: Hisaki...okay, let's go!
MC and Melide use their phones to transform Hisaki and Gaius.
Hisaki: Alright, time to beat up some baddies!
Gaius: No mercy!
Melide: Good luck you two. And be careful about the robots...Andrew?

Andrew stares in horror at the exploded bot.
Andrew: ...MC, do you have a moment? Even just a few minutes...would you hear me out?
MC: What is it? / It's horrible what happened.
Andrew: Thank you for worrying about me...but there is something I cannot process. (turns to MC now)
Andrew: I...want to be a person. It's my dream, because my basic programs have that written in as an order. We machines are created with all kids of orders, which is why we exist.
Andrew puts his hand on his chest. There is a warmth and softness there, but no heartbeat.
Andrew: If we have no orders, we have no reason for being. Those robots were given an order and tried to fulfill them. That in itself isn't wrong. But every time I run my simulations...I run into an error.
Beep beep!
Phone: New Path detected. Subject: Andrew. Connectivity: Very Strong.
Melide: That light on the phone...is it...finding a new Path...?
MC: Whoa!

Andrew: I don't know what's causing the errors...but I remember what you said. That there people who would be sad if I stopped functioning. I'm sure it's the same for them. I want to protect the humane bond between people and machines...I believe I must value this error!
MC: Let's do it together! Connecting the new Path!
Andrew: Okay! I want to protect this bond! I must!
A new colored light covers Andrew!
Gaius: Wait what!?
Hisaki: This is just like last time!
Ta-da! New Variant Suit Andrew!

Andrew: What? This isn't my usual hero suit! Is this...my new suit!? Wow, it's like I grew like a human!
MC: Machine and organic body harmonizing! You look great!
Andrew: Thanks! Both a machine body and organic body are important to me. Maybe those feelings will be expressed in my Parallel Weapon! (tests out his arm)
Gaius: What just happened!?
Hisaki: MC found a new Path to a different parallel world!
Gaius: What...? Actually, never mind. You can use that weapon, right?
Andrew: Yes, I know how to use it!
Hisaki: Great! Now you can swim with feet instead of jets!
Andrew: ...yeah, I can swim anywhere like this. I can stop those robots!

Later
Red: Okay, the bombs are ready...h-hey, there's someone behind you!
Yellow: What? What's that light? ...get out of the way!
Giant laser arrow flying through!
Gaius: Dammit, I missed. Hisaki, Andrew!
Melide: Pincer attack them to keep them from running.
Hisaki: I got it! Time to spank anyone who abuses technology!
Andrew: Anyone who tries to destroy the organic-machine bond will have to think on their actions!
Red: W-what!? Heroes!? Dammit, can we get away!?
Yellow: ...no wait, I'm not gonna let these punks get in the way of my jackpot! They only grazed us and we still have bombs!
Gaius: So you're aware of what you're doing. Now you need to regret what you've done.
MC: Attacks coming from the front! Begin the battle operation!
Andrew: (nods) There are people who would be sad even for robots being destroyed, and I want to protect those feelings. I will do all I can to stop you from ceasing their functions!
BATTLE START (more happens later)

Red: OOF! They beat us!
Yellow: Retreat! Take whatever you can use with you!
Melide: Oh no they're going to run away
MC: VP Conversion! Go, Gaius!
Gaius: No escape! Open Crest "Lacus Serpens Ira"!
Gaius fires a giant speeding arrow!
Yellow: Nooo! Get the emergency escap--
Hisaki: Oh no you don't! Andrew, let's blast them towards the surface!
Andrew: Okay!
Hisaki and Andrew charge at the salvager villains.
Hisaki: Tech Football Tackle!
Andrew: Take my fist! Change "Geminis Decide"!
Hisaki and Andrew create a powerful water surge as they attack the villains!
Villains: NOOOO
The villains get blasted into Gaius's arrow, which then KOs and pinballs them out of the lake waters!
Hisaki: ...maybe we overdid it. Oh well, we win! Okay, we better go fish out the villains and put them on a boat, make sure they don't drown on us. Gaius, can you help me tie them up?
Gaius: Right, we can't just ditch them.
And so Hisaki and Andrew go to capture the villains up top.

Andrew: Okay, we're done now...what's wrong, Melide?
Melide: Oh, I was just thinking about what would happen now.
Space Roomba 2: Hello! Please tell me if there's anything I can help with!
Andrew: Their safeties to themselves and those around them were removed. We don't know how they were modified, so it's better to keep away from them for now.
Hisaki is back now.
Hisaki: Okay guys, time to go back to land...hm? Oh, the robots?
Melide: Yes. Andrew said they might be dangerous.
Hisaki: Yeah, they might blow up at the slightest impact, so they're unusable for now. With luck, we can recover them, take them apart, reset their memories, then put them back together. Worst case, we'll have to scrap them...
MC: ...they did nothing wrong. They were just illegally modified.
Melide: I know how you feel, but we might not be able to help if they're dangerous...we'll have to leave them alone.
Hisaki: Yeah, I'll contact the research team and ask an expert to come pick them up.
Andrew: Yes, we need to turn the villains in too.
The party goes while a low mood hangs over them as they take the villains away. The lake returns to its usual calm.
Space Roomba 2: Is there anything I can help with? :]
And the smiling cleaner bots are left behind.

Title card: Do You Have a Soul?

That night
MC is resting in their room when the bell rings.
MC: Who is it? / Who could it be at this hour...?
???: It's Gaius. You have a minute?
MC opens the door.
MC: Come on in. What's up?
Gaius: Sorry I'm still in my dive suit, I was diving in the lake until a few minutes ago...oh right, I'm dry, no worries. Anyways, I wanted to ask you about our day route. (looks at MC, then sighs and relaxes his shoulders)
Gaius: ...y'all are WEIRD. Feels like you're different from other people. Lots of the people I've guided were tourists, but out of everyone I've guided I've never seen anyone I felt I could trust. So many selfish folks who don't think about the lake, some of which even littered in the lake...well I didn't really come to complain about that, so feel free to forget what I just said.
Gaius comes in, puts his stuff down nearby, and closes the door.
MC: So what did you want to ask me?

Gaius: ...remember Cetus? I've known him for the longest time, but he's never shown up while I was with other people before.
Gaius's expression softens.
Gaius: Other people treat Cetus like some sort of cryptid, but I see him as a friend...I was picking up tourist trash one day in the past when I first met him. You saw how big he is, right? I was surprised I didn't see him until then, but he didn't feel like a Monster, so I left him alone. After that he'd be watching me from behind, but then he'd disappear when I notice.
Gaius smiles a little.
Gaius: Cetus has saved me before when I was attacked by Monsters underwater. That was the first time I saw him take offensive action. Hisaki and Andrew said it before, but I also thought it was weird behavior for a natural living being.
Gaius sighs, then looks determined as he faces MC.
Gaius: I don't know what Cetus is thinking, but maybe he's chosen you guys too. If he has, there's something I want your guys' help with. You've got amnesia, right? ...I don't remember my past either.
MC: What...?

Gaius: My memories start in childhood when my parents--or rather the married couple--found me and took me in. (closes his eyes and remembers)
Gaius: They were elderly, so I did think I was different from other people, but after they passed away I found a letter that said they found me on the lake shore...I want to know where I really came from. The lake is my only clue, so I dive to do what I can and try to learn about my origins.
MC: Oh...
Gaius: ...yeah. Maybe those buildings are a clue too. We'll be swimming near them tomorrow, so tell me if you find even the smallest lead there. Since you saw Cetus from land, maybe you can find something.
MC: No pressure... / Okay, I'll let you know if I do.
---
(A) Gaius: I'm not expecting that much. I just wanna do anything I can if it helps even a tenth of a percent.
MC nods.
---
Gaius: ...thanks. Even things that catch your attention would be fine. Sorry to come here for this when we have work tomorrow. It was nice talking to you actually...later. (leaves)
MC: ...so that's his past.

Hisaki's room, probably
Hisaki is at his desk with a bunch of machine parts strewn around.
Hisaki: ... (pushes a screw around before sighing)
Flashback!
Robot: BEEP BOOP
Hisaki: WAIT WHAT
Present
Hisaki: ...I messed up so bad today. I have to not cause problems for everyone else. I got so excited about testing my new invention but ended up putting everyone in danger...as an engineer, I shouldn't put out anything I haven't tested for safety and practicality. (grabs a screw)
Hisaki: ...Andrew said his dream is to protect the bond between organics and machines. That must be while MC found him a new Path...hmm. (opens up his hand to stare at the screw)
Hisaki: ...maybe I just made a robot that was personally convenient. Maybe I was no better than those villains treating things like disposable tools. ...what do I really want to make? (gets up and looks at the lake waves)
Hisaki: ...it can't just be convenient. That's not enough for the bond Andrew was talking about. It has to be something that can make a better future with the robots I make, together...
Hisaki opens the window. Nice breeze out.
Hisaki: ...okay, I gotta change! I'm gonna do what only I can do!
Hisaki goes back to his desk and picks up a screwdriver. And so he works all night until the sun rises.
End of Episode

Live A Hero Lost Ancients in Blue Episode 3 (Abridged)

Hisaki: Okay, warm up over! Thanks for helping collect battle data for SCIENCE! (turns off the training dummy now that he's detransformed)
Gaius: You're happy we beat up your creation? Weirdo.
Hisaki: It's cool, it's in the testing phase!
Andrew: Oh, you're still working on it?
Gaius: ...well I guess it was a good warmup. Let's get into the lake. I'll lead, so tell me if you notice anything wrong, especially litterers.
Andrew: Littering is no good!
Gaius dives. Andrew follows suit.
Hisaki: Weird how attached Gaius is to the lake. What's up with that?
Melide: Isn't it because he works in it?
Hisaki: You think? Whatever, let's go.
Now the rest of the party dives in.

Lake Rubul has so many pretty water plants and little fish.
MC: Wow!
Melide: Pretty...
Hisaki: It looks so different down here than up there. No wonder it's a first class tourist spot! Oh right, our breathing devices are working right.
Gaius: ...Lake Rubul is the biggest freshwater lake on Samaad. I don't go far from it much so I can't say anything about the others, but it looks great, huh? Underwater view only. (looks around)
Gaius: ...he's not here today. Then again having him show up around outsiders would be a problem.
Hisaki: You say something?
Gaius: No. Let's go on since Melide can swim alright so far.
Gaius looks at Melide from the corner of his eyes. She's holding hands with MC to swim.
Melide: Yes, I'm fine. Sorry to worry you, and thank you for slowing down for me.
MC: Don't push yourself. We can take it slow until you get used to it.

Gaius: Tell me if it hurts even a little bit.
Hisaki: Wow, you actually are caring about us.
Gaius: ...well yeah, I'm an instructor too.
Hisaki: Haha, you're so awkward you're actually easy to read.
Gaius: Ugh...well we can leave you behind since you can swim on your own.
Hisaki: I-I was just kidding! Just trying to lighten the mood!
Hisaki gesticulates wildly and smiles, which attracts a bunch of fish to him.
Andrew: Look, fish.
Gaius: They must've thought food was around with all that waving around.
Andrew: Sorry little fish, we aren't food for you.
Melide: Andrew, I don't think the fish are trying to eat us. But wow, they're cute and pretty.
Melide reaches out for the fish, and the fish swim closer to her hand.

Andrew: MC, may I ask you a question?
MC: Okay.
Andrew: Thanks. So it looks like everyone is relaxed here in the water. Why is that? (looks at Melide and the fish, then the lake scenery)
MC: Nice views and fun times.
Andrew: Thank you! Recording that to my logs... the ideas of beautiful and fun are in my database, but I need baseline points for comparison.
Hisaki: Whatcha guys talking about?
Andrew: I just asked MC what they thought of things right now. Now I've gotten a step closer to understanding humanity and what it means to be a person!
Hisaki: ...oh yeah, didn't you say you wanted to be human? People will have their own opinions looking at all this, but it should be basically all positive, right?
Andrew: I think so too, There are no threats present.
Hisaki: Well yeah, but...oh let me put it this way! Like, I'm glad to be alive! sorta thing. This isn't something you see every day you know. Does that help?
Andrew: Thank you! I'll try saying something human, (beep boops internally)
Andrew: "Wow this place is so beautiful I won't forget it even though I'm here for work!"
Andrew: How was that...?
Gaius: Yeah yeah, the view's great but it's almost time to get to the next area for work.
Hisaki: Okay, got it! And yeah you did great Andrew! Now let's go before we forget about the job.
Andrew: I haven't forgotten, but agreed.

Title Card: Patrol Divers

Nothing of note happened on patrol, so the party is heading back to shore.
Andrew: No criminals, but no sign of the protector god either... Hmm, fish and lake plants. What is beauty...?
Gaius: What? ...actually, never mind. Melide, how are you feeling? You've swum a lot, but you're still new to it. Don't push it or it'll hurt later.
Melide: I'm okay since we took a break earlier. Thank you. But I was wondering about something... (looks around, calls MC, and looks worried as she holds her arms to herself)
Melide: ...do you sense something? It's not a strong presence though.
MC: Is something there?
MC closes their eyes to focus on sensing things. Somewhere in the distance...
MC: ...I sense a Monster.

Suddenly everyone's phones pings for an alert!
Hisaki: What? The investigation and security teams all got some message.
Gaius: It says...it's a newsflash of a Monster appearance nearby.
Everyone checks their phones.
Andrew: Okay, so it won't be a quiet day today.
Hisaki: Right. Melide, MC, transform us. We should be ready to fight whenever if there's a Monster.
Melide: Okay, here we go...
MC: Opening the Path. Execute!
Hero mode activate!
Gaius: Okay, good to go. Let's clean this up quick.
Hisaki: Yeah, it looks like we're the closest group to it. Come on.
And so the party heads for the marked location.

Later
Andrew: ...this seems to be the place. Do you two sense anything?
Melide: Yes, the presence is stronger than before now.
MC: Stay sharp guys. It should be close.
The party hides in the rock shade while keeping watch. A shark-type Monster phases through things and appears in the area!
Hisaki: There it is! Stay focused everyone!
Andrew: It must not have noticed us yet. It doesn't seem ready to attack right now.
Gaius: We still ought to destroy it before it causes collateral damage. I'll go snipe it.
Hisaki: W-wait, Andrew and I aren't specialized for underwater combat. If we mess up and give ourselves away, we could be at a disadvantage. Lemme try out another new invention I got!

Hisaki pulls out a small robot that looks very much like a work in progress as it starts moving.
Hisaki: Okay so it's a prototype, but it should still help! I actually made it for on land battles, but I waterproof sprayed this thing so it should be fine. Maybe. It's based off sonic wave based heroes using data from the necklace collection device I gave MC before!
MC: Oh yeah that happened. So Gorou and Hitomi.
Hisaki: This robot makes sounds Monsters will hate to debuff them, so let's weaken it and one-shot it! If it works, we'll get first strike and have the advantage.
Melide: ...wow. If it works, it'll be a great invention.
Hisaki: Hehe, and it won't give our positions away. Now go, my new weapon!

Hisaki sends off the robot, which heads for the Monster.
Robot: ...
Shark Monster: ...
Hisaki: Yep, it's still going for it! Should be in range of it soon.
Gaius: Is the robot really that good?
Hisaki: It's cool! Just watch! Now...fire the sound waves!
MC: ...is this really okay? Something feels wrong...
Robot: ...beepbeepbeep
Hisaki: ...huh?
The robot makes a low scream before going quiet.
Shark Monster: ...
The Monster disappears off to somewhere else in the lake.

Gaius: ...what just happened?
Hisaki: A-ahaha, whoops! I thought this would work...
Andrew: The Monster left my radar range. It's gone now.
Melide: ...yes, the presence has gone distant, but I can't tell where it is anymore.
Hisaki: I-I'm sorry guys...! It can't have gone that far! Let's look for it! Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have finagled the customization for underwater use... (picks the robot back up)
Hisaki: Looks like the waterproofing spray wasn't enough after all. Oh well, backup's done. Something to keep in mind for next time.
MC: Trial and error. How very engineerish of you.

Gaius: ...Hisaki, we're going after the Monster. Also, you okay with that?
Hisaki: Huh? I'm not littering or anything.
Gaius: Not that. It's just...isn't your bot totally broken because of the water? And Andrew, you're an android. Doesn't seeing that upset you?
Everyone looks at Andrew.
Gaius: I mean, seeing a total stranger suddenly stop moving would be creepy. Dunno if you're like that.
Andrew: Oh, you're worried about me.
Gaius: ...not really...? Well whatever about me.

Hisaki: Andrew, did I make you uncomfortable?
Andrew: (smiles) It's okay. I'm borrowing power from a parallel world self as a hero, but androids and robots like us don't have a concept of death the way humans do. And if we don't have an input for pain, we don't feel it. If I suddenly stop functioning, if I've been backed up I can be rebooted.
Gaius: Uhh...well whatever if you aren't bothered then.
Andrew: Thanks. I'm happy you're concerned for me. Oh, how do humans feel in these situations? Can you tell me more? (smiles at MC and Melide)
Melide: Um, okay then?
Melide nods, but thinks back to what Marfik said earlier.
Flashback!
Marfik: Studying is fun! Do what you want, and do it with others sometimes! I hope your studies go great.

Present
Melide: ...If you're studying too, then I should...explain too.
Andrew: I'll be one step closer to making my dream come true!
Melide: Right. So for example, if my phone were to break I'd think of it as inconvenient but not sad. I felt the same way with Hisaki's robot. (looks up at Andrew)
Melide: But when I look at something human-shaped...it feels a little different. It scares me a little when I see a person fall over.
MC: Well if you can move to a new body... / I'd hate it if you stopped functioning, Andrew / I'd think that'd be really sad
Andrew: Oh...thank you. I think I understand a little more. I don't have that thought process. I should try not to make you all sad. (closes eyes and thinks for a bit)

Andrew: ...so there are people who see my nonfunctionality as death. What a human perspective. This is a new feeling for me. Is this...happiness? If it's true there's a bond between man and machine...I should be able to get closer to my dream.
Melide: You want to be human, right? ...did I help?
Andrew: Yes, thank you! I can't define how long it will take to make it happen or make the differences between people and machines disappear, but plenty of bonds between them exist like you've told me. I think knowing that is significant!
Hisaki: Hmm...I think there's plenty of relationships between us and machines too. I've made lots of robots so I can't forget about that too.
Andrew: I need to understand the human heart to make my dream come true. The bonds between people and machines could be a big help! It's good for there to be more bonds. My dream might update!
Beep beep. MC's phone slightly glows.
MC: !!

Hisaki: Earth tech hasn't really caught up to Andrew's level...hm? (looks at robot)
Robot: BEEP BOOP
Hisaki: W-what, I've never seen it do this before!
Robot: SCREEEEE
Gaius: wait WHAT THE HELL! Hisaki, what's going on!?
Hisaki: The sound wave deployment messed up because of it being underwater! G-gimme a sec to stop it...
Shark Monster: EEEEE
Melide: Careful, I sense a Monster!
MC: Get ready to fight! Incoming!
Yep, the Shark Monster came back!
Andrew: It's the one we saw earlier! Deploying Parallel Weapon and shifting to combat mode!
Gaius: Dammit, I knew I should have put an arrow into its head.
The Monster is ramming into things on the way over.
Hisaki: Okay I got the noise to stop! Sorry I got us into this mess, guys!
Gaius: Apologize AFTER we kill the Monster! Here it comes!
Melide: I'll be operating too. Be careful!
Andrew: I won't let anyone be hurt!
Hisaki: I'm gonna make up for my mistakes!
BATTLE START (more happens later)

Hisaki: It's working! See, I'm not a total screwup! Let's go, Invention "Ops Creation"! (rams the Monster with his shield)
Shark Monster: (screams upon being rammed)
Gaius: I got it! I'll shoot it dead on!
Shark Monster: Eeeee... (disappears into the shadows)
Gaius: Ugh, I lost it. Where'd it go?
Andrew: My radar can find it! Search Mode deployed. Analyzing...
Andrew: ...found it! Wait, these coordinates! MC, Melide! It's behind you, get away from there!
MC: WHAT
Melide: Oh no! Behind you!
Hisaki: OH NO WE WON'T MAKE IT
Gaius: I can't shoot it since they're in the way! Get down!
Shark Monster: SCREEEE
Melide: Help!
MC: No! Somebody at least save Melide!

Suddenly something slams the Monster away!
Hisaki: What just happened! I saw something big just now!
Andrew: I don't see it on my radar! What is it!?
Space Nessie!
MC: That's what I saw yesterday... Is that Russy? The lake's guardian god!?
Space Nessie rams the Shark Monster again!
Gaius: Cetus! Okay, we can end it now. Nobody move!
Gaius draws his magic space bow to make an arrow of light, then fires it off like a laser at the Monster.
Shark Monster: EEE! L-lovely... (poof)

Andrew: Gaius, thanks! Are you two okay!?
Melide: Y-yes, we're okay.
Hisaki: ...sooo, what's that thing? Never seen anything like it before. It could be some Monster variant, so be careful everyone!
Hisaki moves in front of MC and Melide. Space Nessie calmly sits there and looks back.
Gaius: ...I guarantee Cetus is harmless. (detransforms)
Gaius: People have been calling it a guardian god, but I've been swimming with him for years now. He doesn't attack anyone nonhostile, so please, put your weapons down.
Hisaki: ...Cetus, huh? Well it doesn't seem aggressive now, but will it really not attack...?
Gaius nods.
Melide: I think it's fine. I don't sense Monster vibes from Cetus.
Hisaki: ...okay, I'll believe you guys. Plus we should conserve our strength.
Hisaki and Andrew cancel out of their hero forms too.

Andrew: So this is the guardian god. It looks like it did protect you two just now...
Hisaki: Yeah...so is it going to help us...?
Andrew: How mysterious of living things to fight Monsters to protect other living things. (thinks)
Andrew: Robots and androids like me have had programming to help people, but seeing living things push past their self-preservation instincts to fight against threats...I've never seen it happen before my eyes before!
Hisaki: Yeah, wild animals typically run away if the see Monsters.
Andrew: Yes, which reminds me of one more thing. My living being sensor--wait, where'd the god go?
Cetus is gone.
MC: It just disappeared in a second! How!?
Everyone looks at Gaius.
Gaius: ...honestly, I don't know either. He's swum with me before, but I always lose track of him.
Hisaki: Wow...I lost track of it too.
Gaius: Eh, Cetus is cool and that's good enough for now. We destroyed the Monster too, so let's go inform security management about it.
And so the party heads for the surface. The fish come back to swim peaceably.
End of Episode

Live A Hero Lost Ancients of Blue Episode 2 (Abridged)

Hisaki: Wow those were some nice pancakes. Did you two have fun?
MC, Melide, and Hisaki are hanging out in the hotel lobby now.
Melide: Yes. I'm surprised they had so many familiar dishes on the menu. Is it because we're close to Earth? Thanks for showing us around, Hisaki.
Hisaki: It's cool! I'm glad I took a look around beforehand. I bet the Archimedes Group is why we saw so many familiar things.
MC: Yeah, you said that before / Isn't that...? / I feel like I heard that name before...
Hisaki: It's that big corporation that built Orient City with Raidark. They do lots of stuff, especially mining and essential utilities maintenance and transport.
Melide: Oh. Even I've heard of them. MC, you might've been involved with them in ways you didn't know.
Hisaki: They're funding the investigation into those mystery buildings.

MC: Any idea what's inside?
Hisaki: Oh, I guess only the investigation team was told about that.
Melide: Marfik said he wanted to look inside ASAP. Which means you guys haven't gone in yet?
Hisaki: Bingo! We haven't found an entrance, or anything that could open one up. We're checking the outside first so we don't destroy them.
Hisaki starts thinking aloud, hand on chin.
Hisaki: We haven't been able to break off any samples for material analysis either. The materials look like they're from an old civilization on this planet, but I'm most interested in the material and the tech that created it.
Melide: Won't that mean thieves can't break in either?
Hisaki: So far, which is why some guys will try more violent ways. It shouldn't be that easy to do, but if they manage it, they'll probably monopolize and abuse whatever they find. Maybe it was a military building if the exterior was that hard...
MC looks outside at the lake.
MC: Look! That thing from before!
There's a long necked sea creature in the lake! Also it looks like someone is riding it.

Hisaki: W-what? What's outside?
Hisaki and Melide look. The creature is gone, replaced by water ripples.
MC: Some long necked dinosaur thing was in the lake!
One panicked explanation later
Melide: ...huh.
Hisaki: Maybe something like that is on this planet, but I figured the local investigation units would have noticed already if so.
MC: But I DID see something.
???: Is that MC's voice I hear?
Andrew: It IS you! Long time no see.
MC: Andrew! Why are you here?

Andrew: Nice to see that you're okay. Work ordered me to come here as part of the security team since Archimedes Express does distribution on this planet too. Apparently the miss recommended me here so I could get some new stimulation...oh, who are these two? (bows to Hisaki and Melide)
Hisaki: I'm Hisaki, hero from Laborer's Site. Also another security team member. And the investigation team too. Looking forward to working with you tomorrow...huh? ...wait, are you an android?
Andrew: Yep! I'm an Anti-Monster battle android from planet Tronesion. Nice to meet you. Right now I'm just a delivery truck driver.
Andrew holds his hand out. Hisaki shakes it.
Hisaki: Tronesion? I've heard of the place, but they've got amazing tech from what I see now.
Andrew: Thanks! I'm proud of my body. And who are you, miss?
Melide: Um, Melide. Nice to meet you. I work with MC at Parallel Flight.
Andrew: A coworker? Nice to meet you! By the way, what were you guys talking about?
Hisaki: Oh... MC said they saw some dinosaur thingy in the lake.
Andrew: You saw the guardian god? I wish I could've seen it too. Where was it? (excitedly looks at the lake)
MC: Over there... what's the guardian god?

Melide: Andrew, what's the guardian god you were talking about?
Andrew: (stops looking to smile back) I asked the hotel folks, and they told me there's a legendary god they call Russy! They say it's a kind god who lives in the lake and keeps it calm and pretty.
Hisaki: What? Oh, they got Russy from Lake Rubul I guess. Wouldn't that make it a cryptid or Unidentified Mysterious Animal? And maybe they mistook it as something else? That happens a lot... (crosses arms)
Andrew: You don't believe? Can I ask why?
Hisaki: So I can't really prove a negative, but it's still just a rumor. Seeing is believing and MC said they saw it, but I still haven't...
Melide: But MC said they saw it before we heard about Russy. Isn't that too much of a coincidence...?
Andrew: If the god is a living thing like you guys, I think it might exist. I hope I can see it while we're here on Samaad!
MC thinks back on what they saw. They're sure they didn't mistake Space Nessie or the rider for anything else.

Title Card: The Lake Guardian God

The next morning
MC: Melide, you ready? Almost time to go.
Melide: Almost.
Swimsuit Melide!
Melide: ...h-how do I look? I hope it's not weird.
MC: You look great!
Melide: Really? I don't know since I don't wear things like this often. I never thought I'd need to wear a swimsuit for work, but we're patrolling in the water. Yours look good too...whatever it is you weren't drawn wearing.
Later
MC and Melide are going to the meeting place.
Melide: MC, were you able to sleep last night?
MC: Yep! / No... / How about you?
(A) Melide: That's nice. I'm happy if you're feeling good. We're working today and I'm helping, so let's do our best.
(B) Melide: You okay...? Even closing your eyes and breathing deep should help. Tell me if there's anything I can assist with.
(C) Melide: I'm okay. I never had such a fluffy bed, so I went to sleep right away. Let's do our best today.

At the meeting spot
Andrew: Morning!
Hisaki: Hey, morning you two!
MC: Wow, we're all on the same team! Glad it's with people I know.
Melide: Were you two waiting for us?
Hisaki: Nope! It's still early before the meeting time, and I can't keep you guys waiting anyway.
Andrew: I just got here too. Our guide should be here soon.
MC: Nice summer clothes!
Andrew: Thanks! Miss Flamier got these together for me for this job. Do I look good in them? I don't have enough information to judge myself, so please tell me!
Melide: I think it looks great. Very summery.

Hisaki: So you know Flamier, Andrew?
Andrew: You know about her? I was originally her bodyguard when she was little.
Hisaki: Oh, so that's how you became an Archimedes truck driver.
Andrew: Yes. I said I wanted to do work like other people after she grew up. This job has many opportunities to meet new people, so I said I wanted to join in.
Hisaki: Huh. So you're interested in meeting people?
Andrew: Yes, I like 'human' things since I want to be more human too.
Hisaki: ...ahh. (starts thinking)
Andrew: So clothes like this in Samaad and similar environments is humanlike. Got it! Can I use the outfits you're all wearing as references too?
Melide: M-maybe not mine, we're too different in size.
Hisaki: I kinda wanna see that! How's mine, Andrew? (fashion poses)
MC: Your swimsuit looks great. / Cute!

Hisaki: Hehe! I brought my favorite swimsuit. I was wondering if I was putting out too much charm out there!
Melide: Yours looks good too.
Hisaki: inorite? I'm glad you get it! It looks right in place next to how good you guys look!
Hisaki rubs his nose. Melide holds her mouth and giggles.
Melide: You're such a kidder.
Hisaki: W-what? I'm being serious here. M-MC! You get my charms, right!?
MC: Yep, sure. Whatever. / You say something? / Yeah, you're handsome.
(AB) Hisaki: Oh come on, don't joke around!
(C) Hisaki: O-ohh... whoops, I let my guard down.

Andrew: Wow, I read Hisaki's lines right out of a book earlier! Is this what humans call "hitting on"? I'm so glad to see it live!
Hisaki: WHAT? No, I wasn't hitting on anyone! I am a true gentleman and--
???: Oh, here you guys are. Your pictures were on the contract, I think.
The party looks over to see Gaius!
Gaius: Sorry to interrupt your fun. You guys part of the security team?
MC: ...are you the guide? / Wow, a full blown diver suit / Hot AND cool!
(C) Gaius: W-what!? You really just said that to someone you just met? You're crazy... Whatever, forget about me and confirm if you're in the security team or not.

Melide: Yes. Who are you?
Melide pulls out her phone to show the paperwork.
Gaius: ...so we really do have a little kid and android here. Whatever. But anyways, hi. I'm the lake guide and hero swimming with you on the patrol course...name's Gaius by the way.
Andrew: I'm Andrew, hero from Global Drivers Union.
Andrew smiles and holds his hand out for a handshake. Gaius ignores this.
Gaius: I checked you guys with the contracts, so forget the intros. You're Andrew, Hisaki, Melide, and MC. And in the water, you obey me. (stares)
Gaius: ...one word of warning. No mercy to anyone who pollutes or damages the lake. You keep that in mind, and I won't care much about whatever you do. I'll do the job I was hired for. Now let's get this over with.

Gaius puts diving gear down. Hisaki snorts at this.
Hisaki: Hey, we're gonna need teamwork if we're gonna make this go smoothly. Gaius or whatever? You know us, but we don't know you. If you really are serious about doing a professional job, you can at least give a real introduction of yourself.
Gaius: ...right, you had a tattoo on your arm in your photo. Did you put it on yourself...?
Andrew: I agree with Hisaki. Tell us about yourself.
Gaius: Me? I already told you my name. What more do you want? If you got questions, just ask. I don't really know how to do them polite introductions. (crosses arms and mutters to himself)
Melide: Well as an Operator, I might have to operate you. Can you tell me how you think in case it comes to that? MC, do you have any questions?
MC: Why are you a diver? You been working long? What agency are you in?

Gaius: ...(sigh) fiiine, I'll answer them in order. I originally lived here and work as a private guide. Been about five years or so? I've been here tons of times since I was a kid, so I know it better than other people. I'm part of Independent Heroes, but I don't really leave Samaad much... happy? I don't have much else to tell.
Hisaki: ...well okay then! Nice to meet you Gaius!
Melide: I don't know a lot, but I'll do my best to not get in the way. Please teach me if something comes up.
Andrew: I'm happy to hear more about you! Nice to meet you, Gaius.
Andrew puts his hand out again. Gaius is confused but shakes it after a moment.
Gaius: Yeeeeaaaah, this is throwing me off my groove. Whatever, can we get started on work yet? I just want to protect the lake... well I guess these guys are fine?
No one can hear Gaius talking to himself over the wind.

Later
Gaius: And that's the end of my explanation. Any questions?
Andrew: I'm good. We just have to follow you and swim.
Hisaki: Yeah, radars don't work because we don't know much about the jamming...meaning we have to patrol in person ourselves.
Gaius: Yeah, that's what I heard. The route I'm in charge of doesn't go down that deep. Being underwater is different than being on land, much more danger. Tell me if anything is off.
Andrew: Okay! This is going to be exciting! I wonder if we'll see the lake guardian god?
Gaius: ...you're not going to short out or blow up when you go underwater, are you?
Andrew: I'm waterproofed, so it's okay. Having a metal body means I'm dense which means I'll sink though. I don't think I'll sink to the bottom, but I might submerge from high water pressure... But I can use jets to keep afloat! It's green tech!
Gaius: Huh, wow.
Hisaki: Interesting...no wait, I have to focus on work now. Speaking of, I got presents for everyone! Can you guys gather around?

Hisaki gives out mouth devices to everyone in the party.
Melide: ...is this a whistle?
Hisaki: It's my newly invented underwater breathing tool! It's not being mass produced yet, but I guarantee its safety in testing! With these, we can breathe and talk underwater. I ordered a whole bunch for the investigation team because losing communications would be bad!
Andrew: Oh right, people need to breathe. Can I get one so I can communicate?
Hisaki: Sure! Hang the thread from your neck to use it. And Andrew, want some waterproofing spray? That way you can go in with your clothes on.
Andrew: May I? Okay!

Gaius: ...huh. You made this? I'm used to an air tank, so I'm going the way I usually do...then again, having one should make talking convenient. I can attach it to the tank, right?
Hisaki: Yeah, I'll just adjust it first. Can I see your tank?
Gaius: (frowns) ...don't do anything weird with it.
Hisaki: I won't. Our lives depend on this thing, so I wanna be careful. If you're that worried, watch me do the whole thing. I'm a genius engineer!
Gaius reluctantly hands the tank over.
Hisaki: I see. Pretty simple design...okay, done.
Gaius: ...really? Well I guess I'll find out soon. Let's go. We'll start by warming up in the shallows. Get used to the water or you'll hurt yourself later.
Andrew: It's time! Melide, are you good at swimming?
Melide: Umm... (looks anxious for a second)
MC: What's wrong? / Don't like the water?
(A) Melide: ...I've never swam at all before. Never been in a pool or the ocean.
(B) Melide: It's not that...I've just never been in water before.

Melide: I've never been to school and I've never needed to swim before...sorry.
Hisaki: Oh, it's cool! We're with you, no worries. It may be scary, but just give it a try.
Gaius: ...huh. Can't imagine never being in water before since I've always been around it as a kid. Don't force it. How about we try getting into the water first? There's long distance swim support machines to use too if getting better doesn't work out. I'm an instructor too, so I'll tell you if anything's dangerous.
Andrew: How very human in thinking processes, you two! People can grow and change! I can't swim either, but I can use my jets to save you Melide!
MC: Wanna try? I can hold your hand. Give it a shot.
Melide: ...okay then. Thanks everyone.
Melide takes MC's hand and slowly enters the water.
Melide: ...it's nice and cold. Oh look, there's some fish swimming up.
Melide lets go when the water reaches chest level.
Melide: ...I'm alright. I'm a little worried, but I'll try not to cause problems.

MC: ...hey Melide, got a sec?
Melide: ...did I mess up?
MC: (shakes head and holds out pinky finger) Let's decide on a sign when we need help. I'll come get you, promise.
Melide: ...oh, okay. (confused pinky promise!)
Melide: ...it's a promise. I'll be sure to call you if I'm in trouble. Hee hee. I've never done a pinky promise before. I'll try to make myself useful here, so let's try swimming practice.
Melide lets go. Andrew and the others come up from behind.
Andrew: You okay with the water Melide? Let's warm up!
Gaius: Right, make sure you stretch. Cramping in the water sucks.
Hisaki: We should also be ready to fight in case anything ever happens!
Gaius: Oh yeah. Melide, MC. Have you guys gotten my contract yet?

MC nods.
Gaius: Good. Alright, you take command if a battle happens, so make your orders good.
Hisaki: We might not win if we suddenly run into something, so I got something to prepare for that! Uhh...here we are!
Hisaki pulls out a dummy robot Monster and clicks it on with a switch.
Andrew: A-a Monster? It's not attacking, though...
Melide: Wow, it looks real but it doesn't feel real. Did you make this?
Hisaki: Yep! Aren't I great? I set it up to move and react to Parallel Weapons. It'll attack in battle, and it's plenty tough so go ahead and try to break it. It's fine.
Andrew: Okay!
The dummy Monster just floats there.

Gaius: Man, you really can make anything you put your mind to. MC, Melide, transform us.
MC and Melide do so.
Gaius: Alright, I'll show you guys what I can do. I need to show that I can fight as a hero.
MC: Leave the operations to us / Let's see how you fight / Your hero suit is awesome!
---
(C) Gaius: W-what!? I seriously don't get you.
---
Gaius: Eh, watch and learn. I was always gonna do my own thing.
Hisaki: Behold my awesome fighting prowess!
Andrew: Target confirmed, shifting to combat mode.
The party readies their weapons, making the training dummy respond.
Melide: ...I'm operating too. Careful everyone.
Andrew: Multiple commanders? Understood, let's go!
MC: Training battle, ride on!
BATTLE START