Refraction

(Outside of Peach's Castle, E. Gadd has recently created a portal)

Bo: Good, now plug it in & watch the magic.

(E. Gadd then plugs the machine in & it sputters lightning. The gang then watches in awe. But all of a sudden, a ding sound's heard, & E. Gadd takes out popcorn from the microwave)

E. Gadd: I say, that's a good popcorn recipe.

Bo: Thanks. Now flick that switch.

(E. Gadd then turns on another machine & it opens a pink wormhole)

Mario: Desti, it's finally time. But before you go, you'd gotta hear us- (notices she heads to the portal)

Desti: Hasta la vista, suckers! (hops in)

Tari: Say hi to my other self for me!

(Just after their meeting at Pocket Gasukei)

Belle: Whoo, what a riot. Now don't mess up, you three. (proceeds leaving the room)

Tari, Lo & Kel: We will.

Tari: So, what do they tell you while I'm out?

Kel: They were wondering why we are here in the first place.

Lo: & it feels like we're here with a purpose. (overlooks the pink screen) It seems there's more than meets the eye...

~Showcase day, Dec. 13, 2020~

Lo: Anyone else gets butterflies on their stomach?

Kel: Says the Splatfest champion & competitor of Tempest.

Tari: Don't worry guys, we all can do this. Remember on who we're fighting for...

Kel: You sure are right, Tari. (uses a microphone to Sofia) Sofia, Maya, are you ready for the first phase?

Sofia: Ready & standing by.

Maya: Lamar, Masa, hope you get your gear on.

Masa: Alright team, let's battle.

Lucks: So as you know, Hidden Heroes pits 4 heroes against 10 villains. But, that seems kinda unfair, for the minions.

Yep, especially with the bonus 2 from DLC, our TASCORP runners are worth >10 ordinary players.

So, i thought we even the odds a bit! (tweaks from 6 v. 10 to 6 v. 60) 60 SOUNDS LIKE A BETTER FIGHT!

Lamar: Now this oughta be good!

(The game has just begun afterward, with Lo & Kel accidentally starting near enemy territory)

Kel: Ready?

Lo: Read-

(suddenly, an enemy bot appears beside him & he smashes his head off)

Voiceover: FIRST BLOOD!

Lo: Whoops.

(The duo then met up with Tari & Evelyn, whom they proceed to split up)

Maya: Keep it up, guys. (suddenly makes a warning near Sofia)

Sofia: Whoa Sofia, you ok?

Maya: I'm fine, but it felt like someone's entering unexpectedly.

(Meanwhile, Sheridan watches over when his mask emits a warning)

Sheridan: Sir, looks like there's another visitor.

???: Don't bother. This plan should still be in motion.

(Just sometime later, Tari, Lo & Kel are all overwhelmed by some enemies, when Lo's eyes started to flicker pink)

Lo: Guys, what's even happening?

Kel: Really? At this time already?!

Tari: Just stick to the plan. (is about to be crushed by an enemy brute) & i need some help here.

Lo: (in a sub-female voice) I got this! (Without question, he activates his sonic skill & batters down the brute before chopping his head)

(Outside, the crowd's in a massive roar, seeing Lo's unbelievable skill)

Lucks: Whaaaaaaa?!!?!

Lo?: You oughta thank me later.

Kel: What in the?

Tari: How did you do that skill?

Lo: (snaps out of it) What skill?!

Tari: Bruh!

Sofia: Did you just see that?

Maya: Yeah, I'm not sure that pink might be a coincidence.

Sofia: Check on Belle for her side of the plan. I'll go deal with the big boy. (proceeds calling Lucks)

Maya: Hey Belle, any problems on your side?

Belle: Not at all, Maya. But I say, those glitches are good.

Theo: Angry shouty lady, are you sure you checked security?

Belle: It's fine. After, it's not like ALL of the security are busy watching the tournament.

(From across the hallway, a TASCORP guard is walking by. Theo then gulps in notice she'll be caught)

Lo: (notices Evelyn going to wreck every enemy) Oh no. Kel, we have to stop her!

Kel: On it. (The two then head onto Evelyn as the friendly fire begins)

Lo: (thinks) I don't know what's going on with me. What happened to my screen? What's with this bug that kept going? & Why is it more active than usual?

But I do know one thing, I have to worry about that later. My friends come first!

(They followed her until a massive smokescreen follows)

Lo: Oh, this is bad.

(Meanwhile, Belle's at the final stage when...)

Belle: (gets grabbed from her arm) Oi!

TASCORP Guard: You shouldn't be here.

Belle: (gets dragged away) No! Let go of me, you soulless worm.

Theo & Maya, both overlooking: Oh this is really bad.

Kel: Where are you, you snob? (Evelyn dash attacks her on the back & vanishes)

Lo: You o-(she then rips off his left arm) OK, NOW THAT'S JUST MEAN!

Evelyn: I just don't care >:) (proceeds to attack Tari)

Lo: (to Kel) You ok?

Kel: Nope, i can't move.

Lo: Me too. (the smoke clears & they saw Tari fighting the traitor)

Kel: Should we help her?

Lo: No, we barely even move!

(After Evelyn's finished, Lo then finished off Lamar)

Lamar: DUDE!

Lo: Sorry, man. But someone has to do it.

(As the Meta Runners return back to reality, Lo suddenly stops into the edge of nothingness)

Lo: What's going on? (notices someone walking to him) Isn't that???

Lucinia: It's been a while.

Lo: Wait, I thought you died from that explosion.

Lucinia: Not really. When it happened, my soul got split into two. One of them being you already knew.

Lo: Tari... so, your other half's been wandering aimlessly until you end up on me.

Lucinia: Glad you've been caught up. I tried countless ways to talk to you)

(Lo then remembers the different times his screen has gone pink. The crates [Ch. 8], compass [Ch. 13], & other stuff recently are all because of her)

Lo: I could've sworn all those looks familiar.

Lucinia: Glad that you've noticed, but I need your help. You'll be my only hope to get my body back. Please, be my hero.

Lo: Lucinia... it be an honor.

End of Ch. 29