Live A Hero Christmas Melt Countdown Episode 1 (Abridged)

Procy: S'up. Weird seeing you two together.
Crowne: Hey, long time no see. And yeah, it's always about work when I come here.
Procy's bar, Hero's Guild Earth Camp. MC and Crowne are here together.
MC: Hi Procy / Wow feels like forever ago / FLUFF
---
(B) Procy: Huh, yeah it has, hasn't it?
(C) Procy: No touching!
---
Procy: Hey Crowne, when WAS the last time you were here?
Crowne: Well I AM a Parallel Flight hero, but I've been busy with my day job that I haven't done hero work much lately. I can finally take some time off, so I figured I should come by.
Procy: Yeah, lots of spacecraft work near the end of the year with people going home. Wanna drink? I'll give it to you cheap.
Crowne: Haha, thanks but I'll have to pass. I'm here for work now and Huckle is gonna bug me if I do drink.
MC: So you do want to drink... / Your secret's safe with me~ / I want a drink too
(A) Crowne: It's a bar, I can't help it. It's fine, that's not why I came here today.
(BC) Crowne: You're supposed to be keeping it together.

Crowne: Sooo why'd you ask us here?
Procy: I wanted to talk to you about a job.
MC: What?
Procy: There's this job being passed around my agency...
Door opens.
Gomeisa: Oh! MC, Crowne! Hello!
Gomeisa is carrying some small boxes under his arms.
MC: Hi Gomeisa / Long time no see! / Hug!
(A) Gomeisa: Hi! Feel free relax!
(B) Gomeisa: Yes, been long time!
(C) Gomeisa: Oh no, arms full! Can't hug back!

Procy: Hey Gomeisa. What's that?
Gomeisa: Christmas decorations!
Crowne: Oh is it that time of year already?
Gomeisa: Yes!
Procy: He's weirdly into this and asked to decorate. C'mon, make it quick, it's business time.
Gomeisa: Oh, right! Excuse!
Gomeisa walks further into the bar where there's an undecorated tree.
Gomeisa: Hmm hmm hmm~ (starts decorating)
MC: Well he's having fun. Christmas, huh?
Procy: Speaking of, this job's related to Christmas.
Crowne: Huh. Is it a holiday party security detail?
Procy: Close enough. But it ain't on Earth. It's a colony planet's Christmas party.
MC: An Earth holiday on some other planet? Really?

Procy: Well they're having their version of winter this time of year and have their own festivities around this time, and Christmas got mixed in with it.
Crowne: Oh. Cultural exchange? That's how Christmas in Orient City was done too, before.
Procy: Yeah, it's meant to remind of connections with connected planets or something? But there's been a lot of villain activity in that star system lately, so they're asking hero agencies for help in case they attack during the party and the request came to me and Gomeisa.
Crowne: Huh. Sooo why do you wanna talk to us about a job you guys got?
Procy: ...I can't take it. I'm already booked at another Christmas event, but I can't go and say no to this one.
MC: Don't you have to? Why can't you?
Procy looks at Gomeisa.
Gomeisa: And pretty star top!
Procy: He's been really excited for this job once he heard about it. It's some sort of music festival kinda thing, so he wants to go come high tide or hell. (scratches head in embarrassment)
Procy: Well, it's good money. I don't have to go myself, but I can send someone else for a finder's fee...also I want him to get some experiences outside my shop and to take his feelings into consideration.
Crowne: D'awww.
Procy: Shaddup. ANYWAYS, I want you guys to go with him. Every other agency's already booked for Christmas, and I can't ask anyone else. (clasps hands) Pleeeease?

Later
MC: And that's what happened.
Huckle: Huh. Well I looked at the details and it seems okay. You can go, but I'm worried about the number of people available for dispatch. *(puts tablet down and sighs)*
Huckle: Ryekie, Akashi, and I are going to be on a business trip.
Akashi: We're gonna see the agencies we're usually in touch with, right?
Huckle: Yes, I wanted them to see you, and it's a good time to get known.
Ryekie: You're used to hero work now, so now's the time for you to try out the business side of things! Market yourself and maybe you'll get more work!
Akashi: I'm getting nervous now...
Ryekie: Just be yourself! Sure there'll be VIPs, but we'll be there to help!
Akashi: oh
Huckle: Ryekie, stop making it worse!

Huckle: Anyways, can anyone else go?
Mokdai: Hmm. I'm interested, but it's on Christmas Day, right? I have a video to edit...
Sui: I'm booked for a fashion show on the moon with Master. This music festival thing sounds fun though. I wonder what it's like?
Akashi: Christmas stuff I guess?
Mokdai: It's a huge event, so think of all the food! I wish I could go...
Sui: I bet their stage outfits must be nice. It sounds interesting...what about you and the others, Exio? Melide might like this.
Exio: Sorry, Yoshiori and I have to pass. Can't let ourselves be seen in public much. I'd like Monomasa and Melide to go if possible though.

Huckle: Well if we can't send anyone, we can just turn Procy down...
Crowne: Hey wait, there's still me and MC. I can go. It's been a while since I did hero stuff anyways, and I wanna help.
Huckle: Aren't you busy with space mechanic work?
Crowne: We're on Christmas break now, and I need to use my leave. I don't have plans though, so spending my break on this sounds good. How about you, MC?
MC: Well not like I have plans / I'd love to go with you, Crowne! / Christmas with Gomeisa!
Crowne: Cool, let's go take that job then.
Huckle: Thanks. We owe Procy a lot, so I want us to do whatever we can for him when he asks. Take care on the trip!
And that's how MC, Crowne, and Gomeisa went on a trip to this other planet on Christmas Eve.

Title Card: A White Christmas on Another Planet

Later on Planet Whatever It Is
Worker A: Lower that sign! Slowly!
Worker B: Is that thing slanted? ...oh, now it's good. Move that star to the left!
Christmas decorations in space! Stars, snows, candles! Giant stage! Everything's coming together.
Crowne: Wow. Even on Earth, Christmas events usually aren't this big.
Guide: This is the biggest tourist spot of the year and the whole city becomes part of the event area.
The guide from the client organization board is pointing out and explaining things to the party.
Guide: We got four other stages too, each with stalls and restaurants around them. And they're big enough areas that we have shuttle buses going to each one.
MC: Seems like a lot to guard... / I wanna see everything!

Crowne: ...where's Gomeisa? Wasn't he just with us?
Gomeisa: Oh! There you are!
Gomeisa has several cups of sweets in his arms.
Crowne: Oh, were you shopping around?
Gomeisa: Hehe. Saw nice caramel almond store. Big tree, merry music! Wow! (starts eating caramel almonds)
MC: Well he's enjoying himself.
Gomeisa: Christmas! Still work, but need fun! Sing! Dance! Eat candy together! Because Christmas!
Crowne: It's supposed to be more dignified, but I guess all that other stuff is what Christmas is to you, huh?
Gomeisa: Christmas birthday for...someone, yes? Wow, so many people say happy birthday!
MC: I guess?

Gomeisa: Love Christmas mood! Decorate tree, celebrate together...just like home planet festival.
Crowne: Well there's all sizes of trees. But yeah, this festival is hopping. Wouldn't some snowfall make it perfect?
Guide: We got a fortune saying it'd snow tomorrow, so we'll have what Earth calls a white Christmas?
MC: Fortune? What?
Guide: What? Oh! On this planet we get weather reports through a weather fortune and not a weather forecast from spirits in the Crystal Tower. The crystals tell us, and they're always right.
Crowne: And suddenly we're in a fantasy zone. What's this crystal thing?
Guide: Uhh...oh, here's a crystal! (picks up a shining, transparent rock the size of his palm)

Gomeisa: Pretty...look like Ether Crystal.
Crowne: Hmm...well whatever. How's it work?
Guide: We ask the crystals which link to the Crystal Tower and bring back a fortune.
The guide points to some big building off in the distance in some wasteland.
Guide: That's the Crystal Tower. It rules our planet's weather and is like a protector god. In the past there wasn't anywhere safe to live because we had terrible heat waves. Stories say we gathered up crystals to make the tower and wish for peace. Then boom! It started raining, and plants grew where crystals were. And then we started praying to the tower. It's never been wrong, and lots of people believe in it. Earth scientists were surprised their weather forecast machines weren't as accurate.
MC: Huh. How's it work...?
Crowne: Hmm...
Guide: (puts crystal away) Okay, let me show you to your hotel. Thanks for being our security tomorrow.
That night
MC looks out the window. It's starting to snow.
MC: Nice. I wonder what the event's like?
Something occurs to MC.
MC: Don't fortunes turn out wrong sometimes too, though?
Whatever. Bedtime!
End of Episode

Chapter 13 Episode 7: Opening Fire in the Storm 1 (Abridged)

Everyone thinks they know themselves best. They think they know everything there is to know in a closed off world. Do you remember how you spent your days in the past? Do you remember what kind of person you were?
There are many labels, and people have the sense they were given one before they had a dream about who they wanted to be. They had labels because they were slightly better than average at something, they didn't need to be perfect at it. They got labels whether or not they wanted it, and many people thought that was everything to their world.
One day, people hear things are coming to an end. People are thrown out of their ruts and think as they look back: what was I thinking? It doesn't take long for a memory to become part of the past. But what if those days never end? What future lies down that path?

Present
Weather Report: A giant storm is approaching fast! Incoming from the south and spreading to the east and west! Please head to your nearest shelter!
Masanori: Viva la revolución!
Somewhere in Tokyo
Randos: Oh my god this rain is weird!
Kabukicho
Policeman: Don't get wet! Head to shelter and--whomst
Camoflaugers appear!
Randos: OH NO THE ROOF COLLAPSED
Invaders mobs are pulling organized sabotage of roofs across Tokyo! Randos scream in fear upon being hit by the rain, but the tone changes over time. It's like their minds are being absorbed into something and feeling relief at finally finding home in terms of oddly specific comparisons.

Weird Elsewhere
It's warm and nostalgic, with a sense of homesickness. It feels like anything you've lost is here. It feels like home, like you can stop here and have a happily ever after.
???: Shirou! Shirou!
Who's calling?
Shirou: ...uungh?
So close. If he let go, he'd be together with that sense of nostalgia...
Kengo: WAKE THE FUCK UP SHIROU (slap)
Shirou: ...??? What? K-Kengo?
Kengo: Don't give me that! Where the hell are we, and is MC okay!?
Shirou: Oh! MC! Right, we got hit by some weird rain and...
Shirou looks around. There looks to be an abyss that goes on forever sucking things in like a black hole. The void, it CaLlS. And Shirou can't explain why it feels so tempting.
Kengo: seriously what the hell man. Figure anything out yet, nerdlin--OOF
Shirou: Oh good, that feels familiar. I remember now.
Kengo: OH MY GOD Shirou, you can't just hit people with the corner of your book!
Shirou: Shut up, you hit ME first! Anyways...how are we underwater but not drowning? Feels like if I let my guard down, my mind will melt into the water...but we have to get out of here. Any ideas Kengo? ...Kengo?
Kengo: Who's there!?

Isaac: ...wow, you could pick me out? Your Wild Animal Instinct skill must be amazing.
Shirou: ...a boy?
Kengo: Spill your guts before I make you spill them for real!
Isaac: Oh wow, you're treating me as an equal? Awesome, thanks.
Shirou: ...will you tell us what you know about this place? No wait actually, are you the reason we're here?
Kengo: !!
Isaac: Not really. You guys came to me.
Shirou: what
Isaac: Your minds came into contact with my existence. Everything you've lost is down here, which is why it feels so familiar to you. It's the Promised Land of Consciousness and Knowledge. A mind hive, I guess?
Shirou: Who are you...?
Isaac: Me? Well...they used to call me Isaac. I'm the Invaders guildmaster.

Hikarigaoka
Mobs: Halt! AttenTION!
Yoritomo: Hear me, soldiers. This rain is abnormal, a Mental Corruption attack by the Invaders. Touch it, and you will be taken elsewhere. But we still have Marduk and Teda, and as sun gods they can push back against the rain. We can't just defend the whole time though, so we need to send scouts. Nezha, you lead.
Nezha: Ooh, ooh! Is it time for me to do something?
Yoritomo: Yes, you can use your power to shield yourself and the group from rain and head to enemy territory.
Nezha: Okay, vroom vroom!
Yoritomo: Begin the operation. Fortune find you in battle.
Mobs: SIR YES SIR
Yoritomo: ...hmm. This reminds me of that one disastrous time.
There was this one loop where everything changed forever. Everyone thought they were innocent up until then, and they believed there'd be an end to the fighting. They thought someone would win the trophy.
Yoritomo: ...but Tokyo's game was set up to be endless since then. I was promised a political stalemate by the time I was summoned here.
The 23 other worlds have been gathered into the three big guilds and set up so that no majority will form. No complete ending will be reached, and the last majority is made to be forever prolonged...

Aoyama Cemetery
Israfil: Ye lost lambs wandering a wasteland for eternity. How saaaad. Which is why Tokyo's history must end. So many sins piling up as people can go nowhere. Oh, how I cannot stand to see such suffering. But therein lies the Lord's mercy. Hahaha, oh how SAAAD!
Jacob: Is that your goal? Allow me to respond. (punch!)
Jacob: I say to you: NO! Our guildmaster Maria says the greatest love is letting people choose their own paths and walking them. If the world has an ending, everyone should get there their own way, and I will punch out even God if he stands in the way of that.
Israfil: Oh, how NOBLE! But Jacob, do you understand what it is you've said!?

Elsewhere
Randos: Oh no, people with guns that way!
Camoflaugers approach!
???: Stop. Shinya wishes not for Tokyo's people to come to harm. If you persist...
Kalki: Then face me! Vishnu's Tenth Avatar! (stab!)
Kalki: ...stop standing there, citizens! Run!
Taromaiti: I'll never let anyone harm my paradise! Azi Dahaka Smash!
Randos: Oh my god, is that Phantom Thief Asterism, that mystery trio that protects the weak?
Temujin: HA! Shinya, the weak adore you. Fine scam you're pulling!
Shinya: ...Cupid, shoot his arrow down!
Temujin: You always were like that ever since I first met you that loop, weren't you? You were chosen to be Zeus's stand-in and given great power, so now the people can't help but love you. But how long do you plan to pretend to be their ally? You are WASTING your power. Do you know what you want to do? You could just act like a World Representative already!

Shinya: ...I didn't want this power. Or this role.
Temujin: Heh, yes. What you're doing is spiting the power that destroyed your family.
Shinya: ...Temujin--
Temujin: Everyone fights over you, and you could just play the proud king. But you keep playing at a humble life...and you lost your home. Former Invaders and ally, all you are doing trying to help people is struggling to retrieve what you lost. You know it is all in vain since it will never come back.
Shinya: YOU SHUT UP
Temujin: Hahah--(barfs blood)--urgh!
Shinya: Cupid, shoot his heart now!
Temujin: !!
???: HA!
Shinya: ...!
Perun: Haha, you slipped up because you keep playing around Temujin.
Temujin: ...Perun.
Perun: The Warmongers are moving, so playtime with the ignorant is over. Let us clean up like so much wheat to grind.
Kalki and Taromaiti step in!
Kalki and Taromaiti: Shinya!
Perun: Oh, a 3v3 is it? We've got no time for this. The revolution that will end it all is at hand!
End of Episode

Live A Hero Virtual Fest Royale Episode 9 (Abridged)

Giant Monster: SCREEEE
The Monster is flailing about in pain and part of its body dissipates into noise!
Cerastium: It's working!
Shaft: But how is it still alive after all those attacks?
Toshu: All Monsters are tough.
MC: Hmm...Giansar, any ideas?
Giansar: Ugh, it's STILL hanging on? Whenever we're close to Protect Breaking the core's defenses the small monsters fuse with the big one to heal it. It's probably gonna keep flipping out like that.
Toshu: For how long? We can't hold up forever.
Giansar: Eh, three hours?
MC: WHAT

Cerastium: But we're so close to winning... (hands shake)
reXer: ...Giansar, you know where the core is?
Giansar: That, I can pick out. Got anything strong enough to hit it though?
reXer: Tell Shaft where it is. MC, figure out where to put Toshu and Cerastium on support. I'll handle it, somehow.
Cerastium: Do you have a plan?
reXer: (turns around and readies his weapon) It should work...I'm sure of it. I can't do it like Dad, but...will you guys trust me?
MC: ...okay! Everyone, support reXer!
The party agrees and head out to face the Monsters.
Giant Monster: SCREEE
The smaller Monsters rush in!
Toshu: Me first then. I'll cut as many as I can.
Cerastium: Everyone get behind me once Toshu is done. I promise to protect you all.
Shaft: I'll carry reXer to the end. I'll signal to you.
reXer: ...MC! Let's do this!
MC: Right, VP Charge! Let's go, guys!

MC charges VP to all party members!
Toshu: Let's begin! Summer Lion's Sword Dance!
Most of the small Monsters get blown away! Toshu didn't hit the core though, and the small Monsters start grouping up again.
Shaft: I see it! Let's go, you two! Summer Runner Charge!
Lines of light run across the ground from Shaft's Parallel Weapon and lead straight to the Giant Monster core.
Giant Monster: SCREE
Small Monsters gather together to form a wall!

Cerastium: You can bash with shields too, you know! And I will, for my justice! Strong Defense "Bouclier du Justice"!
Cerastium's shining shield blows the Monster wall away! The core is almost there!
Toshu: Fortune be with you, reXer!
Shaft: I promise to bring you back!
Cerastium: Believe in your justice! I will protect us all!
MC: Careful, reXer!
reXer: Everyone...! Sorry, and thanks!
reXer follows the path towards the core!
reXer: Take the cyber hero's special ult! Overtaker "Oversynchro Execution"! And get out of my territory!
BAM! reXer's weapon mode changes to axe form and charges with blue lightning, and it cuts through the small Monsters and the core all at once!
Giant Monster: LOVELLLLYYYYYYY
FLASH

When the light dies down...
Giant Monster: eeee.... (starts falling apart)
MC: D-did we win!?
Giansar: ...hmph, we're done here. It and the small ones will disappear soon.
reXer: W-we did it...yay, Dad! Everyone! (falls to the ground)
Cerastium: That was amazing, reXer!
Toshu: Indeed.
Shaft: You pulled an awesome turnaround! Friends are great!
reXer: Ow, don't hit me! ...heh, hahaha!
Shaft: It's finally over...but I feel like I'm forgetting something important.
Toshu: Wait, this isn't over is it?
Giansar: Nope. We destroyed the one in here, but there's still some in Raidark's server room where I am. Your bodies are fine, the pods are strong. You guys can take them out once you get back.
MC: Oh. Just a little more then, everyone!

Giansar activates some program.
Toshu: Wait, what's going on with me?
Shaft: Me too. My body's turning transparent?
Giansar: I'm logging all the heroes connected to the Orient City servers out.
Toshu: What are yo--
Giansar: Lemme finish, geez. I'm sending you guys the Monsters' location too.
Shaft: W-wait, this is so sudden!
Giansar: I also switched the relay cameras to stream the real world. Same for Raidark's cameras. Get some Operators and you guys should be done soon.
Toshu: ...oh, so we still have work to do.
Toshu sighs, and he and Shaft turn to face the party.
Toshu: Cerastium, MC, Shaft. It's been good fighting alongside you all.
Shaft: It's been a great experience teaming up with you all! But I wish I could've stayed a bit longer.
Toshu: Let's meet again somewhere. Take care of your health.
Shaft: Off to fight! Let's win this one!
MC: Good luck guys / Later, Toshu / I'm glad we were on the same team again, Shaft
Cerastium: See you, and good luck.
reXer: It's been good. Later.
And so Shaft and Toshu log out.

Raidark
Akashi: !? Are we back!?
Ryekie: Oh my god I'm back in my body!
Huckle: Did you all see that message? There are Monsters in the server room.
Mokdai: Let's go!
Melide: Hmm, MC isn't here. I'll operate then.
And so the subjugation begins.
Server Room
Monsters: reeee...
Wolf: Eat it, punks! This ain't nothing after being stuck in an NPC!
Trainee: DIE
Monsters: Eeep!

The World Neoaxis
The remaining party is on some hill watching the battle in Raidark through some window in the sky. The heroes are kicking ass in there.
Cerastium: ...wow, there's so many heroes in Orient City alone.
reXer: Things should be fine then.
Giansar: Hmph...
MC notices Giansar bug up for a second.
MC: Huh, Giansar?
Server Room
Ryekie: Is that all of them!?
Toshu: ...where's Giansar? He helped us, but he still has crimes to answer for!
Shaft: Giansar! ...huh. Didn't he say he logged in through here?
Toshu and Shaft happen to run into each other in front of some capsule.
Shaft: Toshu, this capsule is...
Toshu: The only one in the room. So he must be in there.
The two see the capsule is off. No one is inside.
Toshu: !?
Shaft: What!? Then...where did Giansar get in from?

The World Neoaxis
Giansar: You didn't expect me to STAY there after I said I was there, did you?
Cerastium: Then how are you still here?
Giansar: You don't need a capsule to access this place. But I do have to use a keyboard to move now.
reXer: Damn, that's gotta suck.
Giansar starts bugging out harder. So does his voice.
MC: Oh, so you already got out...
Giansar: Welp, the game should go back to normal soon. I'm getting out here.
reXer: So what WAS your big plan? Far as I can tell...you failed.
MC: ...did you change your mind a bit? You got to be a hero.
Giansar: ...hmph. Heroes still suck and that includes you guys.
For a second it looked like Giansar barely smiled.
Giansar: ...I had a little bit of fun. We probably won't see each other again. Bye. (logs out)

reXer: ...damn, this tournament turned into a mess. Think they'll suspend it?
Cerastium: It wouldn't be surprising...but still, I--
reXer: Same actually. I think meeting you guys and being here was worth it.
MC: reXer... / Cerastium... / I'm glad we teamed up.
reXer: You too? I guess we're all happy then.
reXer: I... (looks up)
reXer: At some point I started feeling comfortable fighting using Dad's body. I felt I had nothing, so doing this made me feel less bad. But meeting you all changed that. (smiles at MC and Cerastium)
reXer: I'm here because I had something of my own that could help people.
MC: ...I see.

reXer: I used to think all I needed was the cyber world...but now, I wanna try being a hero in the real world, as myself. I think I have my own kind of justice...you think I can do it?
Cerastium: (smiles) ...I think you've become a person of real justice here at least. You've saved so many people, fighting because you wanted to do so.
reXer: ...oh. Heh.
Beep beep
System Message: Tournament's on hold. Details to come later after you log out. Log out, by the way.
reXer: ...time to go, huh? Later. Thanks for teaming up with me.
MC: See you later, reXer. It's been great!
Cerastium: ...yes. I'm sure we'll see each other again. And I'm sure you'll become a hero.
reXer: ...yeah, I'll do my best. Next time I see you guys, I wanna be a real hero then.
reXer, logging out.
Cerastium: ...maybe it really WAS simple. Everyone has things important to them they'll never give up. That's their justice that brings them closer to others. And I...
MC: Did you find your justice?
Cerastium: ...ehehe, maybe? I do think I have an answer for Justice's question now though. We should go back too. Next time, we should have a relaxing chat with drinks.
MC: ...I'm glad we met. I'll have some nice tea for you.
MC, logging out.

Title Card: Everyone's Justice

One month later
There's a party/social event happening where as many heroes near Earth as possible have gathered.
MC: Ceras, over here! Wow, it didn't take that long for us to meet again actually.
Cerastium: MC! How have you been? This feels weird, but I still like it. And... (notices someone)
MC: He said he wanted to meet you.
Ryekie: Hey, haven't seen you since that battle!
Cerastium: (GASP)
Ryekie: Haha, sorry about that! I made MC look for you! I've been wondering about a follow up since our last conversation.
Cerastium: Oh my!

Ryekie: Heard you kicked ass during all that fighting. Did you find your justice?
Cerastium: ...yes, but only sort of. It's obvious that justice means different things to people...but it's an irreplaceable thing that supports and guides them. So of course your justice and mine would be different.
Ryekie: (waits kindly)
Cerastium: Justice isn't about always choosing the right thing. Sometimes we make mistakes, or we disagree on what is right. It's about reflection and growing. My justice is believing that I did the right thing, and I'm going to keep protecting the people I can.
MC: I see.
Cerastium: ...I haven't gotten to the point to where I'm sure this is my final answer, but if I ever become someone who can embody true justice, I'd like to spar with you again.
Ryekie: ...sure! I'm still working on myself, but I'm sure you can get stronger! You've found your way forward with your justice, so your hero of justice future is waiting for you! I want to see you then, fight with you, and fight alongside you when you get there!
Cerastium: !!
Ryekie: I look forward to seeing you again in the next Hero Fest.
Cerastium: ...me too!
Ryekie and Cerastium shake hands.

???: Oh, there you are.
reXer: ...hey, it's been a while MC. Cerastium.
Cerastium: !? reXer!?
MC: reXer! / Wow you different without the visor / Damn, you're cute
---
(C) reXer: W-what!? Well...not that that bothers me.
---
reXer: Man, I was worried you guys wouldn't be able to tell since I look different here.
Cerastium: ...I actually thought you were going to look MORE different, but you really do look like your father.
reXer: ...people said that a lot. I actually expected that again here, heh.
Ryekie: I know you, cyber hero reXer. I know you always kept your identity a secret, but I didn't think you'd be so young.
reXer: I think it was my dad you knew. Back then, he was reXer. Now, it's my name.
Ryekie: ...you're his heir, huh?
reXer: Well...I still haven't actually done any hero stuff yet. But I had a new dream after meeting you all.
MC: What's that?

reXer: Dad was awesome as a technician and a hero, and I inherited his name. And since I have, I wanna create a new reXer.
Cerastium: Quoi?
reXer: Yeah, you guys taught me that there are things I can do because of who I am, so I wanna be a real hero that's even better than Dad was.
MC: Cool! I'm cheering you on.
reXer: Yeah...so I've started making my way forward. (pulls out a card)
Ryekie: ...a hero temp license? Oh, you're going to take the test.
reXer: ...yeah. If I make it, I think I'll team up with you guys and fight again. Hope you guys look after me then.
MC: Good luck!
Cerastium: Best of luck. I think you'll be okay.
Fireworks go off outside. The tournament never finished this year, but the fireworks go off all the same to appreciate the heroes.
reXer: ...next time, I'll be a hero when I come here.
Phone: New Path detected. Subject: reXer. Connectivity: Very Strong
MC: ...hmm! Execute!
reXer: (transformed) WHAT
The End

Valentine Snow Fight Episode 7 (Abridged)

Yoritomo (narrating): I don't remember when I started being scared of my brother's smile. Maybe the first time I saw him by the Kise River when he was a boy? We knew of each other, but never met each other until then. He smiled inscrutably and said all he wanted was to be helpful to me. I just thought he was a giant burden at the time since he'd probably be a future political rival. There's only room for one head of the Genji, but he look so happy as he reached out to me. I just thought he didn't know what was coming.
Yoritomo (narrating): I sent him on suicide battles...and somehow he came back alive! Totally fine! He rode horses down cliffs and turned every situation around! He'd bring back enemy commander heads in his hands as samurai do looking all excited. I couldn't praise him, but samurai MUST reward or punish everything. I tried keeping him away, but he kept coming back smiling. With heads.
Yoritomo (narrating): How was I supposed to believe he actually died? He didn't come back for once? That doesn't mean anything. I sent an army of hundreds to surround him? Pffft, like that would work. They brought back his head? It must be fake! He's the one I feared most in the world! Great timing though. When you finally disappeared, I completed my political system. I divided the emperor and the shogunate, influence and real power, and set us up for an eternal future. I guess you had to go so I could finish this.
Yoritomo (narrating): I'm utterly scared. What if you died knowing all this? You did tell me you wanted to be helpful to me. And if you left to do that, I'm obligated to give you something, whatever you want.

Present
Airavata: Entertain me? Why?
Barong: My job is to entertain lonely guests watching from outside!
Airavata: Your role? Oh okay then. Shouldn't you be doing that for my pitiful other side Girimekhala then? He's why I'm here.
Barong: Oh, so you see him as pitiful.
Airavata: ...well yes. In Deva Loka his unrewarded life of this reality is a tragedy. He's going to slip when he's looked at by others, so he's never going to be helpful to anyone.
Barong: I see. You'd be right if it weren't for us.
Airavata: What? You plan on interfering?
Barong: Oh no we can't do that YET. I'm just here to make the show more exciting.
Airavata: what
Barong: Yeah, a role can keep its ending but changing the direction of things can turn a tragedy to a comedy. It's gonna be great, I promise!

Elsewhere
Girimekhala: OH NO (whump) Social anxiety is making me choke up and trip ag--(trips again) AAAA
Shinya: Oh no, Girimekhala!
Bugs: Get them! For the Advisor!
Tiger Man: ¡Ay dios mio! Girimekhala fell over and now the Warmongers are firing!
Girimekhala: Oh no, we're surrounded! We lost already!?
Shinya: It's okay, I can handle this.
Shinya walks up.
Shinya: Ahem, please shoot me first if you have to. I'm so sad you'd look at anyone else now that we're here. Please...look at me?

Bug A: A-AN ANGEL
Bug B: Forgive us, Advisor!
Bug C: S-Shinya, please go out with me after this game!
Shinya: ...sorry. Right now, I must not show mercy. (BANG)
Tiger Man: ¡Híjole!
Shinya: Let's go, Girimekhala.
Girimekhala: T-thanks. Sorry you had to cover my sorry ass...
Shinya: I saved you because it was you...please let me be. If you can get up again, I feel like I can face my power too.
Girimekhala: Oh...well thanks. I can't just give up yet then!
Shinya: I'll do my best too!
Girimekhala: YEAH!
Shinya: Cupid! No holding back for today! I didn't want to be a Charming Flower, but I'll act the part just for now!
Tiger Man: Wow, look at the Missionaries go!

Tanetomo: (stares in plotting murder)
Shennong: H-hold up, Advisor! Don't just go charging solo!
Yasuyori: H-he's right! We should focus on the flag!
Tanetomo: I am perfectly calm, thank you. Look!
Angel A: OH NO
Angel B: TOO FAST
Tiger Man: Wow, look at the Warmongers fighting back!
Tanetomo: Tee hee I feel great. Now you two go be decoys, I'm expecting more casualties than I predicted.
Shennong: Uh, okay but are you sure? What if you get taken out?
Yasuyori: Yes! Isn't His Excellency's order supposed to be perfect?
Tanetomo: That's exactly why I'm doing this. I can't be leaving the stage without finishing my dance, and I will fulfill my orders.

Shennong: ...okay then. Don't get hurt out there.
Yasuyori: ...understood. May fortune bless you.
Shinya: Girimekhala, I'll be okay. You find MC.
Girimekhala: Wait what? You sure?
Shinya: Yes. Figuring out where they are in itself will swing the game in our favor.
Girimekhala: Oh! Okay then, I'll call if I find them.
Shinya: I'm looking forward to everyone giving MC chocolate.
Tanetomo: Well well, Sir Shinya. I apologize for yesterday. It hasn't even been a day and you've done well in using your looks to ambush people.
Shinya: Thank you. I decided if doing something would help even a little bit I'd do my best at it.
Tanetomo: How wonderful. I think I hate you even more now. Dance!
Shinya: Go easy on...actually, come at me with everything you have!

Somewhere else
Jacob: Lord, forgive my weak self control.
Bug A: (punched) OOF
Bug B: My eyes can't keep up wi--(pow) AGH
Jacob: Aww, going up against so many opponents reminds me of when I first formed the guild by punching every angel into submission.
Tiger Man: Can no one stop this man's amor!?
Jacob: Okay I've warmed up. Now to deliver the chocolate!
Arslan: Oh good, you're alright. Not that I was worried.
Zabaniya: Girimekhala just found the flag. Please leave this place to us.
Jacob: Thank you, you two. I will be sure to give the chocolate of love! (runs off)
Arslan: Welp, I suppose it's time to follow fate to its end!
Shennong: Oh man, we're too late to help?
Yasuyori: Such is fortune's folly. There's only one thing left to do.
Shennong: Yep. Out of the way you two, we gotta get our advisor through.
Arslan: Ha! Good one!
Zabaniya: We shall do things, Missionary style!
Tiger Man: ¡Ayy! So many things happening now!

MC's Location, wherever that is
MC: So you're first Jacob. Figured. / (square up)
Jacob: You honor me. I came to take you away, MC.
Yoritomo: Perfect timing. Get out.
Jacob: (dodges) THERE! I won't fall for the same trick you keep using.
Yoritomo: You don't say? Allow me to spice things up.
Mob Squad deployed and firing!
Jacob: OH SHIT
MC: Hey, shooting me is against the rules here!
Yoritomo: Those are stray shots. These things just happen.
Jacob: Your insight is as sharp as ever. But I am enjoying this trail because I am not alone.
Girimekhala: I am here to help(?)!
Jacob: Yes, I am indeed counting on you to help!
Shinya: It's too bad we couldn't settle things, but we can't let the team win go!
Tanetomo: Inusaka Keno Tanetomo present, Your Excellency. I shall fulfill your orders and bring us victory.
Yoritomo: You do that. I suppose it's time for us to show off our own strength.
Tanetomo: Yes Sir! Shinya, I can't our team win slip by either!
Tiger Man: ¡Ay dios mio! The whole event cast is here to fight over MC!

Girimekhala: ...guys, mind leaving this to me?
Shinya: Are you planning to meat shield or something?
Girimekhala: No! I've been thinking about what I could do, so I got something I wanna try. If it works, I can take out some of them.
Jacob: ...okay then.
Shinya: Wait, aren't you going to ask him any questions!?
Jacob: I swore to stay by him until the end, so I must believe in him.
Shinya: ...oh, that makes sense. Okay I trust you too, Girimekhala.
Girimekhala: I got this! Hehe, I can finally say it!
Girimekhala: (Okay I dunno if this will actually work...but I wanna be able to say I tried everything I could.)
Girimekhala: Out of the way if you don't wanna trip with me, punks! GANESH IMPACT!
Tiger Man: ¡Híjole! Girimekhala turned himself into a giant rolling snowball!
Warmongers Mobs: NOOOO

Jacob: Thank you, Girimekhala! Now's the time to give of our love! Please accept this, MC!
Shinya: Me too! I hope even a bit of my feelings reach you.
Yoritomo: How dare you mock conventional warfare strategy. Advisor, we must keep up!
Tanetomo: Yes Sir! Oh, MC~? Please take my cute chocolates first.
Yoritomo: Clichés it is. Take your reward, MC!
MC: EXCUSE ME WHAT
Girimekhala: (Elephant bowling ball act done! Now I just gotta get up there with everyone else and...)
Girimekhala: Oh no, my social anxiety will act up if I go over there and everyone starts looking at me!
Somewhere Else
Amduscias: Oh I get what you wanted me to do over here now Senpai.
Amduscias's eyes start playing visualizations like Windows Media Player.
Amduscias: Quick sneak peek at some of my info! Look over here everybody! Mystic Eyes Noble Phantasm, Grimoire Charm Eyes: Gaze of Beautiful Greenery!
Battlefield
Wrestler: Why is there a spotlight and music playing!?
Angel: Manager's show? The miracle of Jacob's Ladder???
Girimekhala: Hey wait, everyone's looking away all of a sudden...MC, please take my chocolate too!
BATTLE START (more happens after)

Shinya Tennouji is a Tokyo native who became Olympus's Spare World Representative for Reasons. He has the power to forcefully create bonds with anyone and everyone, a power just as strong as the other Representatives. He can totally form a guild army and fight against the Representatives if he felt like it. But he doesn't, and he's looking for some other way as he joins different organizations.
Present
Tiger Man: It's the war zone of love!
MC: What am I supposed to do here!?
The four press in.
???: MC...!
Tiger Man: Hey wait, what's that?

Girimekhala: AAAAAAAA
Tiger Man: ¡Ay dios mio! Girimekhala is rolling towards everyone!
Girimekhala: (I can't stop! I can't even SEE!)
MC: Oh no!
???: What are you doing!?
MC: W-whoa, someone pulled me in and saved me? / Uh, I feel something warm beneath me
---
(C) Yoritomo: (frowns) Will you step away now? My stomach can only take so much!
---
Yoritomo: Get up already if you're back to your senses. I can't BELIEVE you'd try to stand in front of that without a weapon. You are a stupid little brother, but rather splendid as well. I'd never stand for you dying to something like this.
MC: Thanks Yoritomo! / I'll be more careful next time! / Can I get another hug?
(B) Yoritomo: You didn't even blink over that empty promise. Are you planning on being an agitator?
(C) Yoritomo: STAY BACK

Yoritomo: ...why are you smiling? You just put yourself in harm's way for nothing. Actually, stupid question, don't answer that. I wouldn't understand anyways. On another note, let's leave the reckless ideas to him.
Jacob: Girimekhala! I shall come help you! Jacob Punch! (punches Snowball Girimekhala)
Girimekhala: OOF! ...o-oh, I stopped now.
Shinya: Girimekhala, you're okay!
Yoritomo: ...you would give up on victory and risk yourself for your friends? This is rather anticlimactic and unfulfilling as Tezcatlipoca would say, but...we win. (holds chocolate out to MC)
MC: ...oh.
Tiger Man: (gasps in Spanish) Yoritomo just captured the flag. Game over, Team Warmongers WIN!
Mobs: AAAAAAAA

Yoritomo: ...may I ask you a question, Tennouji Shinya?
Shinya: Yes?
Yoritomo: You are quick enough that you could have shot my chocolate out of my hand. Why didn't you?
Shinya: ...that would go against the Missionaries' beliefs. Jacob pulled back to help Girimekhala. He would step away from his own role to bring love to another, even if he doesn't deliver it himself. I don't need to get in the way of that as another Missionary.
Yoritomo: Oh, such skill in invading the Missionaries.
Shinya: Well if you'd like one more explanation, what MC wanted most was to save Girimekhala earlier. So was MC happier with your chocolate, or...?
Yoritomo: I won the battle but lost the war? Who set up this plot? Heh, we are going to settle this one day, Tennouji Shinya.

Later
Girimekhala: ...oh, I lost.
Shinya: ...yeah, it's over.
Girimekhala: ...dammit! (cries)
Shinya: ...yeah, I'm upset too. Every time the Game ends, I keep wondering if there was some other way out.
Jacob: You two can let it out. Giving your best makes your tears a sign of wonder and love as well.
MC: You guys...you guys did great all the way to the end!
Girimekhala: MC, I...! I dunno if I was any help, but I did everything I could! And I helped for once! It's a personal miracle... I had friends with me sharing in things good and bad, so I'm never gonna give up no matter how much I mess up and trip!
MC: Awesome! / I'm cheering for you! / I'm with you
Girimekhala: ...heh, somehow that hits different this time compared to before. Thanks MC, we're besties!
Jacob: Girimekhala, you were impressive with how you threw yourself literally to deliver your love.
Maria: Let us welcome you to the Missionaries all over again!

Elsewhere
Airavata: ...good show. I'm leaving now.
Barong: Thanks for watching! Happy with our production?
Airavata: Yes. The results were the same, but Girimekhala has found something all new. He is no longer another me anymore, so I can leave peaceably seeing that smile on his face.
Barong: Nice! Exit's that way.
Airavata: ...okay one last word before I go. You said your role was to entertain, and you believe it doesn't have to be you that is any help. I feel a different kind of pity...actually, fear towards your way of life than I do Girimekhala's. I hope the spotlight falls on you one day. (leaves)
Barong: Geez, tough crowd. (beep beep) Oh, hello? New Guy? Saw your playing! You barely pass. Get back to the hotel, we got a party to put on!
Game Field
Tiger Man: Finale time, amigos! Time to end things with a bang!
End of Episode

Live A Hero Virtual Fest Royale Episode 8 (Abridged)

Title Card: Digital World Crisis

Giant Monster in The World Neo-Axis! Smaller Monsters are spawning in and are getting drawn into the big one!
Toshu: Why are there Monsters here!?
Shaft: I-I don't know, but Monsters are supposed to appear wherever people are, so...
Cerastium: So not even a virtual gathering is safe!?
reXer: The big one is starting to move!
The Monster is very slowly coming this way! Towards the port city, specifically.
MC: Oh no! Aren't the NPCs...
Flashback
Giansar: I stuck Justice and a bunch of other heroes I took out offscreen into the NPCs.
Present
Giansar: Yeah. At least half of them have heroes in them.
reXer: But they can't fight like that!
Cerastium: OH NO
MC: We have to do something!

Giansar thinks as he stares at his windows.
Toshu: He's up to something! No funny movements.
Giansar: I'm just checking something, gawd.
Window: Error! Log out unavailable.
Beepbeepbeepbeep.
Giansar: Goddammit, I'm stuck too. The Monsters have already invaded over half of the system.
Toshu: You stop what you're doing and answer our questions. First, do you know what's going to happen?
Giansar: ...I'm guessing Monsters turned up inside the game's server room and somehow they were able to invade the consciousness conversion system. And in doing so they damaged the controls.
reXer: ...so, the Monsters have taken over the game?
Giansar: Far as I can tell, yeah.

Cerastium: I have a question too. What would happen if a Monster ate us here?
Giansar: It's only our minds in here, but if you get eaten here you'd probably never wake up.
Toshu: Oh...
Giansar: The heroes still around are taking action. Fighting still works, but...they're getting pushed back.
Party: >:(
Giansar: Stop looking at me like that, it's not my fault. They're just outnumbered, and they would be even if I hadn't been doing my thing.
reXer: Stop talking like you aren't affected by this, you're stuck here too!
Giansar: ...yeah, I didn't mean for that to happen. But yeah, we gotta destroy the Monsters in here and the ones outside the game before shit gets bad.
MC: ...why, what would happen?
Giansar: We all get eaten and the game breaks, and then none of us are coming back probably.
reXer: !! (sweats)
Toshu: We better get to work then.
MC: We have to do something!

Cerastium: Yeah!
Shaft: I don't know how the logout block works, but I do know we can fight against the Monsters!
Toshu: Our backs are up against the wall here.
reXer: (stares, then clenches fist in determination)
reXer: I'll fight too!
Cerastium: reXer! But...
reXer: Yeah, I'm not a hero and there's no guarantee this avatar works against Monsters. But I wanna help somehow! I don't want Monsters to eat Dad for a second time!
MC: Okay, let's do what we can together!
reXer: Yeah! I'm a cyber hero, so I better show what I can do here!

Giansar: ...I'm coming too.
Toshu: What are you plotting?
Giansar: ...nothing. I can be embarrassed about what I did too. But more importantly I don't want to go down like a useless chump against the Monsters. (stares at Giant Monster)
Giansar: Far as I can tell...that thing's the cause of all our system problems. It's probably acting like a giant security hole.
reXer: Oh! If it's the central processing system we might be able to fix the game program with it!
Giansar: Yeah, but that involves getting within that thing's reach. I can handle fixing things, but I need time with them not attacking me while I'm at it.
Toshu: How very convenient for you.
Giansar: Think whatever you want, but I'm not plotting anything. I'm not dying to retgone here, and I doubt you guys want to either. You don't have anyone else better for the job than me. Make your choice.
MC: ...let's give him a chance.

reXer: ...MC.
Shaft: ...Giansar, we just settled our fight with you earlier, so now...let's work together for the time being.
Toshu: We're all in the same boat, huh? Well if he's not lying, we can assign some of the work of solving this to him at least.
Giansar: This is why you heroes suck...whatever, you better not waste me if we're doing this. We're using each other to the fullest.
MC: Okay, gimme your hand! / Temporary teamwork / Whatever it takes to live
Cerastium: (stares)
Giansar: ...what?
Cerastium: ...I can't accept what you did to everyone or your philosophy.
Giansar: Makes sense.
Cerastium: But...

Flashback
The Disrespect of Not Even Giving This Bestie a Name: Maybe justice is complicated. Maybe there's more than one kind of justice.
Present
Cerastium: My justice isn't simply. I may deny your actions, but I can't just deny your thoughts. So, I'll work with you to survive this and figure out my justice.
Giansar: You naive girl.
Cerastium: I'm knocking you out if you try any funny business though.
Giansar: Oh, is that what you really think? Whatever.
Cerastium: My name is Cerastium. Let's work together.
Giansar: ...yeah.

Later
Giansar: Okay, I'm going to try hacking the program. You guys fight off the Monsters.
And so the party starts heading towards the big boss Monster.
Later again
Monsters: SCREEE
MC: Here they come, Ceras! / reXer, you're up! / Shaft, go!
(A) Cerastium: Shields can bash too you know!
(B) reXer: I can do this! I still have Dad's weapon! (bonk) Oh my god it worked!
(C) Shaft: Okay! Summer Rugby Charge!

The Monsters get blown away!
Toshu: Dammit, there's still more of them!
Giansar: ...there's like 150-200 of them here. And they'll keep spawning if they aren't taken care of! But the other heroes still around are fighting, so they aren't spawning in that fast.
It's snowing Monsters!
Cerastium: How awful. I wonder what's happening offline?
reXer: Hey Giansar, you getting anywhere with your analysis?
Giansar: ...yeah, I can work anywhere. But I can't close the security hole from here at the moment.
Toshu: You lied to us!?
Giansar: Let me finish, dammit. But anyways, I've confirmed the Monsters's infiltration route is centered on the big one. It's parasitized the core program so it's a core itself and pulling in more Monsters. We take it out, we can get control back which means logout will work again and we can get rid of the other Monsters.
Shaft: ...so, we HAVE to fight it.
Toshu: It's big, so it's going to be tough.
reXer: (frowns)
MC: You okay?

reXer: ...I'm going up against something I've only seen before, so I guess I am a little afraid. But... (glares)
reXer: I can't back now, and I probably never could have. But the cyber hero of justice reXer wouldn't run here. Dad would solve any cyber world problem since that was his justice, and I'm his heir!
Cerastium: (gasps)
Giansar: (snorts and looks at his windows again) Whatever. I'm doing my part, you do yours so we'll live through this.
reXer: !! Giansar...
Giansar: Move your feet, slowpoke.
MC: Yeah! We're all making it through this!
Giansar: (keeps typing on his cyber console)
Shaft: ...we should get going.
Toshu: Right.
And so the party continues again.

Giansar gets distracted for a second when he looks at the party.
Giansar: ...what the hell am I saying about "you guys do your part"? I'm really working with heroes now...? After all I did...?
Flashback!
Clerk: Sorry, you failed the license test.
Later on
Giansar: How the fuck did I fail and those chumps pass!? What don't I have that they do!?
Totally Not Vulpecula: Wow you got skills. Why didn't they recognize that? Why does the world let incompetent heroes do whatever they want?
Giansar: Yeah! It's the world that sucks! I'm awesome at what I do!
Totally Not Vulpecula: You should change the world. And by change I mean destroy.
Giansar: What? ...hmmmm.
Present
Giansar: >:C (distracted by the angry)
reXer: Giansar!
Giansar snaps out of it and looks at reXer looking hard at him.
reXer: ...we're counting on you.
Giansar: ...shit. (starts working again) ...only for now until we survive.
Giansar notices something in the logs.
Giansar: What?

Later
The party has reached the top of some hill and made it to the giant Monster raining more Monsters from the sky!
reXer: Here it comes!
Toshu: First strike!
Toshu dodges the Monster's attack and strikes back! Except...
Toshu: Whoa, that's tough!
Monster: REEEE
Toshu: Oh no! (pow) OOF
Shaft: Toshu! Dammit, it's too big for me to keep up with my support!
Toshu has been launched into midair!
MC: The smaller ones are coming! Get ready!

reXer: Gamer Power Swing!
reXer mows down the Monsters!
Cerastium: There's no end to them! (swings shield)
Shaft: We just need to take out the big one...!
Monster: SCREEEE
Shaft: Oh no the big one is attacking! Dodge everyone!
reXer: You say that like it's easy! (pow) AAAAAA
Shaft: OH NO, REXER
reXer got hit because he was slowed down by the small Monsters.
reXer: Urgh...is this...how strong Monsters are...?
MC: reXer, you okay!? You ate that head on, but Shaft caught you!
reXer: S-somehow...
The Monsters keep spawning in and regaining their balance!
Toshu: We're deeply disadvantaged...
Shaft: It feels like there's even more of them now.
Cerastium: We can't even get close enough to attack the big one!
Shaft: And the small ones keep attacking!
reXer: ...we can't give up. I can't let this world...or Dad...disappear!
Toshu: Keep fighting!
The pressure is getting to the party...
MC: Need! Some sort of! Turnaround!

Suddenly!
Giansar: Execute program!
Giansar's voice yells out from monitors in front of the party! The small Monsters bug up with noise and disappear! The large one starts bugging up too as it screams.
Cerastium: ...wait, what?
Toshu: What's happening?
Giansar: Heh, it worked.
MC: Giansar! What's happening?
Gainsar: I can't close the hole, but I did find a way to shrink it. Doing that caused all this to happen.
Shaft: Your analysis worked!
Giansar: Not entirely. Big guy's still the cause of all our problems, so we still have to kill it. It should be easier to take him down now.
reXer: What do you mean?
Giansar: I threw together a network link to hack its stats down.
reXer: Just now? In real time??

Giansar: ANYWAYS I brought its defenses to the lowest point, so you guys should be able to beat it if you go all together.
Cerastium: Um, Giansar!
Giansar: Don't forget I'm doing this so I survive! I need to live long enough to make sure my life meant something.
MC: What?
Giansar: ...I don't want you guys to win, but I will do anything to find the meaning of my life, whatever it is. And I'll show no mercy to anyone....I'll do my part, you guys do yours.
Shaft: Giansar...
Giansar: Hmph. I'm going to keep taking the big one's data apart. You guys destroy it when it's cut off from the system. Don't fall behind...
MC: ...right! Let's go, everybody!
reXer: ...yeah! I swear to save this world on my Dad's name and deeds!
Monster: REEEE
The buggy Monster turns towards the party. It readies to strike, but the party gets ready to fight back!
Cerastium: Here it comes!
Shaft: It's do or die time! Let's work together!
Toshu: Yes! We will win and return alive!
BATTLE START

Valentine Snow Fight Episode 6 (Abridged)

Hotel
Amduscias: So busy...but Gabriel is here! She so smol...I wish I were cute and smol like her, not a big lunkhead.
Barong: Sup new guy! Look alive!
Amduscias: Senpai! Please stop calling me new guy.
Barong: Wow you learn quick for someone who just started, New Guy. ANYWAYS, did everyone in the two guilds head out already?
Amduscias: Yeah.
Barong: Did you manage to sneak that note I gave you to the event organizers?
Amduscias: Yep...also I have a question.
Barong: Lemme guess: "is this work gonna help me become an idol?"
Amduscias: !!

Barong: You came to our talent agency portal since you wanted to be an idol, right?
Amduscias: C-could you keep that quiet, please?
Barong: You specialize in composing, performing with instruments, and acoustic directing, but you're wondering why nothing we assign you relates to that, huh?
Amduscias: N-no, well...I know I'm being pushy for a new guy. I got mad respect for you teaching me and for musically jiving with me. All those dance lessons and voice coaching! I just...wonder if I really can become an idol like this.
Barong: Oh, haha! Oh whoops I shouldn't be laughing. But everything in the entertainment world relies on backend prep work and we know that the most. Singing and dancing are important, but they aren't the most important things. Neither is your appearance. We gotta check our egos as Entertainers. Like you're still embarrassed about people finding out you wanna be an idol. That's proof you haven't let your ego go, and why I'll keep calling you New Guy.
Amduscias: ...what DOES entertaining people mean?
Barong: Well...Christine and our playwright Oscar will give you different answers, but I think it's making things exciting enough that people watching will say this is a good time to end things. And when that happens, I personally think it's fine if I wasn't any help at all on stage. (puts on mask)
Amduscias: You put your mask on! Just like when everyone else gets serious about their work and--
Barong: We're going into the last act, New Guy. On the job training showtime!

Game Field
PA System: Weather's cleared up, game's back on schedule! Last round, places everybody!
Shennong: We're starting the second you guys got back. You don't look hurt, but anything wrong?
Girimekhala: I'm all good! Thanks Shennong! I mean, Doc!
Shennong: No thank you for listening to me. Man, I wish SOME PEOPLE in my guild would come quick to my office when they get hurt. Anyways, you seem fine to participate...but tell me if you feel off at all.
Girimekhala: Okay. Time to trip over my two left feet!
Shennong: You what. Bleh, you are just like some of the other Missionaries. You fit right in.
Girimekhala: ...thanks. I'm a new guy though, so after this game I--
MC: Haha, Shennong nagged you / I'll try not to be too crazy out there / *(listen quietly)*
(A) Shennong: Don't think you're getting out of this! You go too crazy, and I will stab you with my syringe!
(B) Shennong: You do that. If you get hurt, it's a big fat shot and lecture time for you.

Girimekhala: ...I'm gonna trip, later and probably forever. I've been thinking about a lot of things after talking with Airavata. I always wanted to be someone who didn't trip...I felt like I had to be, or I couldn't look the people who were nice to me in the eyes. That I had to be helpful somehow to repay them. But I started thinking differently after meeting you, MC. I was part of the Asakusa Taoshis, and now I'm a Missionary. Both are me, and now I feel like I can sorta see an answer to my questions. So I wanna do everything I can! And that means I'm gonna trip SO HARD in this matchup!
MC: Break a leg!
Girimekhala: Yeah!
Andvari: Hey guys, looking good! We're on as planned, like the announcement says. Now MC, about your placement...you were on both teams and the team you were on won that round, right?
Tezcatlipoca: War involves luck sometimes, though your group placement meant little BRRRROTHER...
Andvari: Yeah, you're a strong one.
Tezcatlipoca: In this round, we want you to be on neither side.
MC: uhh...what? / I'M BEING FIRED!?
---
(C) Andvari: No, not that!
---
Andvari: We're gonna throw in a new rule involving you for this last game.
Tezcatlipoca: I'm certain a doctor I know brought this idea in...but we think it sounds great!

Later
Tiger Man: Testing, testing, 1-2-3... ¡Hola amigos! Show's back on, time for the final round of the Valentine Snow Fight!
Players: YEEEEAAAAHHHH
Tiger Man: Yeeessss, the cheers! I'm your host, Tiger Man, and for a brief recap: round one winners, the Warmongers! Round two winners, the Missionaries! And round three will be starting soon! Who's gonna win!? I'd send you all on your strategy meetings now, but we gots a new rule in play! This game's gonna be a flag battle. You'll still be out if you get hit and give points, but we got one player acting as the flag and give out a ton of points to whichever team gets them! Except getting them isn't shooting them with a snowball. You get them by giving chocolate!
Jacob: :)
Rest of Event Cast: !?
Tiger Man: We'll be giving three chocolates to the special leads soon, but anyone can hold onto them! Just give them to the flag! Go aggressive, pull sabotage, it's all good! Okay, strategy time!

Warmongers meeting area
Yoritomo: I shall now go over our plan. This may be a lot of chocolates to us, but we really only need one. The Missionaries will be planning to capture the flag, so focus fire on their main units, stall them, and capture the flag in the meantime. Tanetomo, you go get the flag. Take this chocolate.
Tanetomo: Yes Your Excellency.
Yoritomo: ...that is all. Now win.
Shennong: This is a pretty simple plan coming from you, Sir. Usually they're a lot more complicated.
Yoritomo: Our problem lies in how to handle Jacob...
Tanetomo: Well I have a plan. He's only ever done one thing so far, so let's send out decoys to mislead his love vision while I go capture the flag. The main thing is to keep it from helping, okay everyone?

Tezcatlipoca: BORING!
Yoritomo: Pardon me for disappointing you, but I do no wish to enjoy war. Victory is just setting things up, and once that's done I leave since there's nothing left to do. I did go up front in the second game, but this is what suits me.
Tezcatlipoca: Haha, you really think this will get you the win in the big picture?
Yoritomo: ...what are you saying, General?
Tezcatlipoca: Okay, it's true Jacob will charge for the flag solo himself. But it's about time for Olympus's Spare World Representative to show his stuff. He has the power to create bonds, and doesn't that sound conceptually advantageous against your style of keeping distance?
Yoritomo: (stares in paranoia)
Tezcatlipoca: And the flag is BRRRROTHER! You honestly think Tanetomo alone will be enough to catch them? Are you truly saying you don't want to approach BRRRROTHER?
Yoritomo: ...oh, is that why you made them the flag? Dick move.
Tezcatlipoca: HAHA, whoops I've been found out! Oh wait, you aren't going to RUN now, are you? You should at least take one of the chocolates with you. I can take the third one. Don't worry, it won't affect the game!
Yoritomo: >:(

Missionaries meeting area
Jacob: I shall deliver the chocolate of love!
Missionaries: ...
Arslan: Are you really committing to that plan?
Jacob: It is the only plan I am capable of planning. I joined this event because I wanted to share love through snowballs (and fists), but I have no way of knowing if they will reach. But I still wish to try! Straight Hook of Love, straight forward!
Shinya: Um, I'd like to join in with you on that plan. A frontal assault sounds fun, and I want to try things Missionary-style.
Maria: Did you have to put it that way

Zabaniya: But it's true! You're just like Jacob in how little you fear getting hurt, Lady Maria.
Arslan: You too, Zabaniya! You oughta learn some self-preservation.
Maria: Arslan, how long has it been since you DIDN'T get caught because you charged in solo?
Shinya: ...haha, you're all alike. I wanna join in and say I did everything I could.
Girimekhala: M-me too! ...but I'm just gonna get in the way again. But I still wanna try!
Jacob: Ahh, such love and determination. Together then, and take this chocolate.
Arslan: Ahaha! Welp!
Zabaniya: I will give all that I have to pave your way.
Girimekhala: ...alright, I gotta finish this proud!
Tiger Man (offscreen): Meeting time over! Come to the field, amigos!

Outside
Barong: A game's no fun if it's just split between the approachers and the keep aways, and that's why we need Entertainers. On that note, we're splitting up New Guy. Make the show awesome and I'll stop calling you that. Bye!
Amduscias: Wait, where are you going? And what am I supposed to do!?
Game field
Tiger Man: Okay guys, game time!
Players: YEEEEAAAAHHH
MC: whoa / I'll do my best! / I'm gonna have a blast!
Tiger Man: ¡Gracias! Time to get the show on the road then! 10! ...5! 4! 3! 2! 1! GO GO GO!

Jacob: All I need is to spread love! Now catch these hands!
Tiger Man: Yep, Jacob's first to move again!
Jacob: Lord I thank you for my participation in this game and getting so excited in such a long time. I swear to bring love to everyone('s faces) here!
Tanetomo: So predictable. Fire!
Yasuyori: Yes, Advisor!
Shennong: Sorry, you're stopping here!
Jacob: I saw this coming and yet I'm still surprised everyone's come!
Shinya: I-I can go all out too! Cupid!
Arslan: Now is our time! Rise, everyone!
Zabaniya: Full power!
Maria: I'm with everyone until the end too!
Azazel: Hehe, such foolish passion...so entertaining.
Tiger Man: Wow, both sides are bringing everyone to battle! Awesome!
Girimekhala: I-I can do this! I feel great! I! Can! Win! (trips) OH NO
Shinya: Girimekhala!
Elsewhere
Airavata: ...did you need something?
Barong: I came to entertain you!
End of Episode

Live A Hero Virtual Fest Royale Episode 7 (Abridged)

Flashback!
Ref: Game! Team B wins 26 to 24!
Shaft: YEEAAAH! Comeback win!
Teammate A: Great going, Shaft!
Teammate B: You killed it out there!
Shaft (narrating): All my life, I had my team with me. We always worked together...and then one day I had to retire due to injury,
Shaft: I just need a job...things will be okay...right? I make my living for now, and maybe I'll get a better job later...then my life won't be so empty...
Shaft (narrating): Life was unstable as I worked alone doing unfamiliar work. I was left behind, with no one to turn or talk to. I struggled to make sense of it all...and then I found friends who helped me out of this funk.
Alchiba: You're our driver as we chase after Vulpecula. That's plenty helpful for us.
Kalaski: No one thinks you're useless. You do what you can.
Shaft: I'm in a team again! People are supporting me...I can still do something!
Shaft (narrating): I lost my bearings and even my hero work, but they gave me a new place. They saw me for me, and showed me the path I ought to take. Friends are friends, even if we got together off the cuff working for the same goal.

Present
Shaft: I can't just give up so easily. This isn't over yet!
MC: Let's save Ceras together!
Shaft: Yes! I still have my legs even if I don't have my space taxi!
Phone: New Path detected. Subject: Shaft. Connectivity: Very High. Connect?
MC: Here we go, Shaft! Execute!
click
Toshu: Hey, this is the same light I had earlier!
reXer: No way, Shaft too!?
Ta-da! Variant Shaft, go!
Shaft: wait what!?

Title Card: System Error

Elsewhere far away from the party, Giansar's on some beach with Cerastium tied up.
Giansar: 'kay, that should be far enough. (transforms) We're also off the map and cameras aren't pointed here. Time to work.
Cerastium: So that's what you really look like! Why'd you look like Justice!?
Giansar: Can't you tell? You guys couldn't attack Justice without holding back, and nobody else besides you right now knows what I really look like. I'm using my abilities to take avatars, put the players elsewhere and disguise myself as them. I'm just using you guys.
Cerastium: Wait, you aren't stealing avatars? But that shouldn't be possible...
Giansar: You'll know soon. I dropped the look because I can only do it when I'm like this. My skills work great here, and I'll use your avatars better than you can.

Cerastium: ...what ARE you doing?
Giansar: ...can't you guess? I'm gonna disconnect you from your avatar. It's okay, I'll stick you in a body that won't be moving.
Cerastium: Did you do that to Justice, too!?
Giansar: Hey I'm not hurting you by doing that. You oughta be thanking me for that. Just watch me.
Cerastium: NO! I still have my friends!
Giansar: ...you're friends with people you literally just met? Weirdo.
Cerastium: ...! Everyone...!
A bunch of windows pop up in front of Giansar. Giansar clicks on something and Cerastium starts buzzing with noise as she starts being forcibly dissociated.
Cerastium: No...
Shaft (offscreen): CERASTIUM!
Giansar: wait WHAT

New window pops up showing a dot approaching REALLY fast!
Shaft: AAAAAHHHH
Here comes Rickshaw Puller Shaft with wheels on his feet! Also he's pulling three translucent spheres along.
reXer: I see Cerastium! Who's that next to her...?
Toshu: That must be Giansar or whatever his name is. He said that Justice body earlier was borrowed!
MC: Ceras, we are here to save you! / There you are, Giansar!
Cerastium: Shaft! Everyone!
Giansar: HE got an alternate form too!? Dammit now that they're here, so are cameras!
Giansar stops as he tries to figure our whether to fight or run.

Shaft: Toshu, here we go! (runs in an arc towards Giansar)
Toshu: Release Cerastium, or be cut down!
Toshu jumps out and swings at Giansar! Giansar backsteps!
Cerastium: Ahh!
reXer saves Cerastium!
reXer: There we go. You okay!?
Cerastium: reXer!? Everyone! thank you.
Giansar: How'd you get here so fa--
Shaft: You aren't getting away!
Giansar: !?
Shaft rushes straight at Giansar!
MC: Get him!

Shaft bends down as his legs bulk up!
Shaft: AAAAAAHHH
Shaft superspeed dash attacks from a blind spot!
Giansar: Goddammit! (warps)
Cerastium: Stop!
Toshu: ...where did he g--
reXer: Over there! (points at Giansar speedhacking over the water)
MC: Is he suddenly Jesus or something!?
reXer pulls out a tablet and taps at it.
reXer: It looks like he's overwriting the water he's running on into a platform. It doesn't look like he's gonna teleport. Or maybe he can't...? Whatever, if that's what he's doing then Shaft should be able to keep up!
Toshu: We cannot leave him be!
Shaft: I can chase him down!
Toshu: Let us go together and pay him what he is owed.
Shaft: uh, but that's water over there
Toshu: No matter, that is what this suit is for.
Shaft: Oh okay then. Let's go!

reXer: Hmm...Shaft, I got a map of the path on the water!
Shaft accelerates his wheels and speeds off with the party.
MC: OH MY GOD
Shaft: It's over for you, Giansar!
Giansar: HOW
Toshu: We know how you're running on the water! Surrender! (leans to the side and slashes through the water at Giansar)
Giansar: UGH (stops and swings a knife at Shaft and Toshu)
reXer: NO YOU DON'T
reXer jumps in and knocks Giansar's knife away. It bounces off the top of the water.
Giansar: Damn you!
Toshu: Your payback for your earlier trick has come!
Toshu jumps onto the water and swings at Giansar!

Giansar: You uppity bitch! (taps a window and turns the water Toshu is standing on back to normal)
Shaft: Oh no, Toshu!
Giansar: Sink into the game over screen!
Shaft: I'll save you!
Giansar: No you won't!
Underwater
Toshu: ...
Toshu closes his eyes and holds still. His mind sharpens as he faces the surface. And then his eyes open.
Toshu: (THERE YOU ARE)
Up above
Shaft: Where'd this water column come from!? Is that Toshu!?
It IS!
Toshu: MC, give me strength!
MC: VP Charge, go!

Toshu's blade glows!
Giansar: WHAT
Calm reverb!
Toshu: Sword Flash!
Giansar: AAAAAA (gets knocked into the air)
Shaft: MC, me too!
MC: Okay! Moar power!
Shaft's wheels spin and glow as VP charges to him, and he speeds up!
Shaft: Space Runner Tackle!
Shaft runs to where Giansar's going to land, arms open...

Later
reXer: So...what now?
Cerastium: Look, Shaft's back!
Shaft zooms back and stops in front of the party along with Toshu and Giansar.
MC: Welcome back guys! You caught him!
Shaft: Yes, somehow. You okay Cerastium?
Cerastium: Yes, thank you. Also Shaft, is your form the same thing Toshu di--
MC: It's the form of his new wish / it's pretty cool / it's really sexy
(BC) Shaft: MC, what!? Haha, it just came from my new wish.

Shaft: My new wish was to reach my friends and MC found it.
Cerastium: Huh... well thank you guys again for saving me.
Shaft: Well we're friends. I won't abandon my friends.
Giansar: oh to HELL with this!
Shaft: wait what
Giansar short distance warps and readies to fight!
Giansar: How fucking CONVENIENT for you! You find a new wish and change yourself? Goddammit, your stupid power of friendship is ruining my plans and my excuses for being a bitch ass weakling! All of you are gonna die right here!
reXer: Oh, so he did have some juice to teleport left, but not enough to run? Well...
Cerastium: Surrender, and put Justice and everyone else back where they belong!
Toshu: ...I don't think he's going to listen. Let us go, Shaft.
Shaft: Careful, he might have other tricks up his sleeves.
MC: You're going down, Giansar!
Giansar: I'mma take all your avatars!
A bunch of windows pop up around Giansar. He pays no attention.
Window: Error. Values editing cannot be performed.
BATTLE START (more happens later)

Raidark's server room
Yup, there's a bunch of Monsters spawning in there where Giansar is.
The World Neo-Axis
Giansar: Ugh! (falls to his knees)
Giansar: Why can't I hack stats anymore? (tries fiddling with the windows)
Window: Error. Selected avatar currently unusable.
Giansar: I can't use the other ones either!? What!?
The party approaches.
reXer: Y'know, Giansar himself isn't anything special as a fighter.
Cerastium: He seemed to have a plan...but that stops now. Let Justice and the others go!
Giansar: OSHIT
MC: Huh, he seems panicky about something. Whatever, stop resisting!

Toshu: Any funny business and I cut you down.
Gainsar: (frown) well whaddya gonna do now? We're inside a game with no police to hand me over to. Not that there being police would change much. I can still change stuff.
reXer: So you ARE tampering the game from outside?
Cerastium: ...hey, you're a hero in this competition right?
Giansar gets mad at the word "hero."
Cerastium: Why are you doing all this!? Or...are you a villain?
Giansar: Well what if I am? It's not like you get the idea that there can be hero wannabes who can't become heroes.
reXer: !!
Giansar: Y'all are jackasses doing what you think is the right thing not knowing there's people you deny, so I'mma deny YOU guys! I'm doing what I think is right!
Toshu: ...ahh, so you are a wannabe.
MC: what?

Toshu: It's not that simple to become a hero. There is testing to make sure you qualify, so Giansar either failed the test, lost his license, or had something else happen. They're a villain subtype of hero wannabes.
Shaft: So...you're mad at heroes and came here?
Giansar: Hmph, I'm just here long enough to carry out my perfect plan. I'll prove your stupid justice sucks!
Cerastium: Is that what you found strange? ...that's really your reason for doing all that to Justice and everyone!?
Giansar: Oh he was super easy. I just said I was an admin who needed his data to help other players and he just let me in. Then I just slowly overwrote the game programming to detach the avatars from the players, stick the players into NPCs, and keep the avatars for myself.
MC: oh
Giansar: ...I stayed on guard against unnoticed details too you know.
reXer: So Justice is still here somewhere?
Giansar: He's probably spouting barmaid "Welcome to Corneria" dialogue right about now. Every hero I took out is in the townsfolk NPCs.

Inn
Barmaid: G-good morning Chrono!
Ryekie: (Oh no I can't say anything else! Oh wait someone else came in, and now this NPC is going over to them!)
Barmaid: Good morning Chrono!
Wharf
Villager B: Nice day out!
Red: (Oh no I need to get help from another hero who isn't stuck like this!)
Wolf: This NPC is weird coming up to me.
Villager B: Nice day out!
Wolf: Uh, okay. (leaves)
Red: (NO, HELP)
Marketplace
Baker: Bread!
Some Hero A: (Somebody notice me!)
Storekeep: RPG equips!
Some Hero B: (Forget the gear, I'm in here!)

Wherever the party is
MC: Well damn...
reXer: Okay, now we know for sure hacking is the explanation for all your shenanigans! Like holy crap you got into a lot of things...
Cerastium: Shouldn't Raidark have heavy security?
reXer: As heavy as any government facility would be at least.
Giansar: You say that like their security holes wouldn't be as easy to exploit.
reXer: Hmm. So you got an accomplice and used a DDoS attack?
Giansar: Yeah, and then I find cracks to break in through to reach the core systems.
Cerastium: So once he gets in, the rest is easy to control, huh...?
Giansar: I just needed a spare capsule to log in here after all that.
Toshu: ...you're inside Raidark now? Can't we just call security to arrest him?
reXer: I bet he's stopped that somehow.
Giansar: Heh, yeah. Prep work's all done.
MC: what

Giansar: I locked the login/logout functions. We're stuck in here until I unlock it, hehe.
Toshu: ...and what's that mean?
Shaft: We can't go back to our bodies?
reXer: Yeah.
Giansar: Yep.
MC: OH NO
Toshu: How awful
Shaft: So Giansar has our lives in his hands?
Giansar: Yes, now you got it you stupi--
BWOOP BWOOP ALERT ALERT

Giansar: Oh what now. Some external message? ...it's all in garbage script. And are all these error messages related to my inability to hack stats now?
Giansar tries clearing out the error messages...
Giansar: Hey wait these messages are exploding! Is something going on outside!?
Window: Error. Unpermitted external access detected. Engaging secURitY. No-...N6ag1--
More error messages pop up!
MC: The whole game is bugging up!
Cerastium: Look, something's happening beyond the city!
A part of the sky is turning red as noise starts warping and something emerges!
Toshu: !?
Shaft: Wait, they can show up here too!?
Giansar: NO WAY
Monster: SCREEEEE
MC: A Monster!
End of Episode