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>Years ago

“Wow, your uncle was the Red Mask?”

King Thunder walks proudly along the riverbed on the way home from school tailed by his posse of fellow classmates, and a trio of lady admirers following behind him. “Damn right!” he exclaims. “And trust me, I'll be the Red Mask someday too!”

The girls swoon at the thought as King Thunder grins. He has them right in the palm of his hand. They love him. And why wouldn't they? He's the coolest, the strongest, the handsomest, the best, the-

“Hey, ain't that your cousin?”

King Thunder turns his head to see his young cousin Roka on the other side of the riverbed, standing by the bank with a training dummy as he practices his martial arts on it. “The hell is he doing?”

“Looks like he thinks he's some kind of kung-fu master!” one of Thunder's friends laughs, flailing his arms in mocking kung-fu poses. “What a nerd.”

“That's really your cousin?” one of the girls asks. “Ew.”

Thunder huffs. “He's nobody. Come on, let's go.”

“Looks like he's working hard,” another girl notes, prompting King Thunder to spit on the ground and walk on. Hard work? He's just playing around like an idiot. Who needs that when you're the best?

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>Present Day

"You sure look different," Roka remarks. "But you're still my cousin. Been a long time... Seiya."

You look to Ryoji, who is holding the injured Isamu in his arms as you ready your sword. Your eyes dart back to Roka who stands before the massive demon known as The Pride, that was once his cousin. This is going to be a tough battle.

As soon as Roka speaks, the demon wastes no time in going berserk. Seems there's still a lot of King Thunder in there as he's set off by his birth name. The demon rushes forward and hits Roka with it's massive fist, sending your classmate flying. He didn't even try to defend himself, may not even have gotten a chance. The Pride is quick, despite its size. Roka crashes into a building where The Pride is in pursuit once more, delivering a second massive punch that coats its area in rubble, possibly finishing his cousin off.

“ROKAAAA!” you yell out in concern. You and he don't get along, but you're worried your classmate may have just been killed before your eyes.

The dust settles and The Pride stands tall... with Roka standing behind him.

“I expected you to fly off the handle,” Roka notes. “I'd be dead if you weren't so damn predictable, Seiya.”

“SEIYA?!” The Pride screams. “Never call me that! I am more! I am the best! I am the Pirde!”

Roka shrugs. “You're nobody.”

The Pride screams once more as it chases Roka, who moves back, luring him away from you and the rest of the group for now. You hope Roka isn't planning on stupidly sacrificing himself to keep you guys safe...

“Dammit, Isamu's in a bad condition...” Ryoji mutters. “The only reason he even survived his wounds was because of his angel form's durability... but that's fading and he's still hurt. He's fading in and out of consciousness fast. We need to get him somewhere safe.”

Ryoji sighs and picks up Isamu. “I'm least useful in this fight. Ken, you can take the lead from here.”

Ken nods. “Right, but you're going to need someone to help you get through the mobs of Thunder fans. Nanami, you go with him.”

“Aye-Aye!” Nanami salutes, but then pauses. “W-wait a minute! There's only three of you then! You can't take him on your own!”

Ryoji steps in. “Isamu took this hit finding out the secret to The Pride's power. It's fuelled by his confidence. With that, the strategy's pretty clear. I trust the three of you can kick that bastard's ass, right?”

“We've got this,” you nod.

“Be safe,” Nanami smiles as she and Ryoji take off.

You shake your head. “It's just me, you and Roka now Ken-senpai... not exactly the best odds against a demon.”

“Have a little more faith, Kaz-kun. I know we can bring King Thunder to justice. We just need to be smart... any ideas?”

>I'll leave the ideas to you, Ken-senpai.
>I can try to take shots at King Thunder from a distance while you two attack him head-on
>Roka's in trouble if we don't step in now. We have to charge him with everything we've got!

>>2510396
>Roka's in trouble if we don't step in now. We have to charge him with everything we've got!

A L L O U T
T
T
A
C
K

>>2510396
>>Roka's in trouble if we don't step in now. We have to charge him with everything we've got!

>>2510396
>>I can try to take shots at King Thunder from a distance while you two attack him head-on
TACTICAL

>>2510396
>>I can try to take shots at King Thunder from a distance while you two attack him head-on

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>2510400
>>2510402
>Roka's in trouble if we don't step in now. We have to charge him with everything we've got!

>>2510404
>>2510406
>I can try to take shots at King Thunder from a distance while you two attack him head-on

Rolling to break the tie

Calling for

>I can try to take shots at King Thunder from a distance while you two attack him head-on

Roll 1d100, BO3

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>2510413
aAAAA

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>2510413

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>2510413

File: AAAAAAAAAAAAAA.png (180 KB, 500x405)

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dice+1d100
This can't go wrong

>>2510424
>>2510423
>>2510418
>>2510414
IT WENT WRONG

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>43+13

You and Ken nod to each-other as you press on, following after The Pride as he swings at Roka, who is desperately avoiding his attacks. Ken charges at The Pride with a swing of his rod, but his attack isn't able to do anything to the demons armour, as your upperclassman is easily swatted aside. Roka tries to fight back as well, but can't penetrate the armour of The Pride, who sends him flying back once more. You meanwhile spot a high up vantage point to leap to, summoning your rifle as you keep The Pride in your sights. You've always been more of a swordsman, but you're perfectly capable taking shots from a distance.

You fire away at the former King Thunder, but as you should have expected, the bullets simply ricochet off the thick armour of the demon. There's no way you're getting through that in it's current state... The Pride doesn't even register your attacks choosing instead to charge after Roka once more, tackling him into another building. If Ken wasn't too quick to pull Roka to safety once The Pride was ready to crush him, Roka would be a pancake right about now.

This guy is tough... but your mind floats back to Ryoji's words. His armour is bolstered by his confidence, which is at an all time high right now, and only growing with each encounter where he comes off victorious. It's a power that keeps building off of itself, a deadly construct... but if you were to somehow lower that confidence, the demon would also grow weaker. The only problem is working out how you would go about doing such a thing...

>Lure The Pride into making a mistake.
>Hurl insults at the demon.
>Leave that to Roka, he's the one who can hit KT's nerves.

>>2510432
Superhero movies aren't oversaturating the movie market
Marvel releases two films in the MCU a year
DC, which will hopefully stop and you're dumb at this point if you waste your time watching them, releases about two
Fox I think releases about two
So that's six films.

The major issue with that interpretation is that you're already interpreting the situation as the existence of movies you don't need to watch as a "burden" upon you
and if you're going to inhabit that mindset, go fuck yourself
The real argument is
"i don't have a properly wide selection of movies to choose from because everything is super heroes"
if you're not an entitled brat
which is false

exactly
but even when it comes to big budget
horror, action, drama are all still represented
remakes and schlock
its all there
"stop acting like you're uniquely affronted by superhero movies' existence"
Because you aren't
The only way i could see anyone misinterpreting this tweet this badly or being this uncharitable with what is clearly being presented is if they have an ax to grind because you're experiencing super hero fatigue(edited)
The mention of the 1950 situation is honestly just an anecdotal representation of what a single genre dominating and over saturating a movie market actually looks like

The Super Hero franchise is actually becoming even more distinct and catering to different tastes than modern day horror films, revenge flicks, old timey westerns or most other fucking genres
Thor: Ragnarok and Guardians of the Galaxy were sci fi films.
The latter especially so, since I don't think you can really classify the Guardians as "super heroes"
The idea that you're getting Super Hero fatigue because Thor: Ragnarok, Deadpool and Infinity War just all scratch the exact same itch and you're tired of it is :rolling_eyes: territory
Plus, if you didn't like Black Panther you're racist

>>2510432
>>Lure The Pride into making a mistake

>>2510432
>Lure The Pride into making a mistake.
>Hurl insults at the demon.

>>2510432
>Leave that to Roka, he's the one who can hit KT's nerves.

Calling for
>Lure The Pride into making a mistake

ROLL 1d100, BO3

>>2510432
>>Leave that to Roka, he's the one who can hit KT's nerves.

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>2510442
AAAAAAAAAAH

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>2510442
Here goes.

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>2510442

Rolled 34 (1d100)

>>2510442
Ha what a dummy

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>84+13

"Hey, over here!" you call out, as The Pride looks over to your position. "Leave my friend and Roka alone! Come and face me... unless you're a chicken?"

The Pride begins to move. "You'll regret saying that! Don't you know who you're speaking to?"

The Pride leaps up, heading towards your position with the speed of the bullet train. He crashes onto the small rooftop, but you're already a step ahead of him. "Huh? Where did you go?"

The Pride turns around to see you leaping back from the roof with your rifle still aimed upwards. You fire off a shot, which whizzes by The Pride's shoulder. "Ha! Even if you didn't miss, it wouldn't do anything to me!"

Heh, he thinks you missed. The Pride is too busy gloating that he doesn't notice the large metal sign that has just come loose from its screws, swinging around to collide with the demon, sending him flying off the rooftop. The Pride lands back onto the street before Roka who charges at him with his sword. "You idiot! Think before you move!" Roka lectures him, before smashing his sword into the shoulder of Pride... and manages to leave a crack. Doesn't penetrate, but the armour has clearly lessened in durability after that mistake. Seems King Thunder isn't so sure of himself after all.

Roka leaps back and helps you to your feet. "Good thinking, but he's still tough. We need to hit him with something much bigger than just fists, bullets and swords."

"Well it's not like we have some kind of... super energy wave fresh from a manga to hit him with," you point out.

Ken raises his hand. "Actually... I do, kinda. It's something I can tap into when I really concentrate... but I can't use it often, and last time it took all of my energy to let out. If this doesn't take him out, it'll all be on you two."

"And if it doesn't work at all we'll be down our most experienced fighter..." Roka mutters. "Not good options, are they?"

Roka's a pretty dim-witted guy, but not when it comes to a fight. He knows a tough situation when he sees it.

>Ken, go ahead. Hit him with everything you've got while we have the chance.
>No, let's not resort to that. Surely there's something else we can do.

>>2510459
>>Ken, go ahead. Hit him with everything you've got while we have the chance.
Not quite a mega bust a nut
Perhaps a super bust a nut

>>2510459
>>Ken, go ahead. Hit him with everything you've got while we have the chance.
I can't believe Ken is a shonen manga character

>>2510459
>Ken, go ahead. Hit him with everything you've got while we have the chance.
SEIGI NO MIKATA

Calling for
>Ken, go ahead. Hit him with everything you've got while we have the chance.

ROLL 1d100, BO3

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>2510474
YOU COCKY BASTARD
FINAL FLAAAAAAASSHHHHH

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>2510474
Good 90 lets see if we top it.

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>2510474

>>2510480
>>2510482
>>2510491
I cant believe i used a Vegeta quote and didnt job

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>90+10

"Okay, stand back..." Ken explains. "I don't exactly have much control of this thing. It's might spray in a few directions."

The Pride begins to pick itself back up, infuriated by the way it was knocked on its ass. Ken stands before the archdemon with his rod by his side, staring him down. "You... you think you're the greatest? You think that what you do is something to be proud of? You make me sick."

The Pride grimaces. "What are you blabbing on about?"

Ken tosses his rod aside as he continues to speak. "In the short time I've known you, I've learned a lot. One, you're nowhere near as strong as you seem. Two, you're insecure. Three, you're a dirty lech. And most importantly... you're a villain. An immoral monster and an enemy of justice. My whole life is built upon showing kindness towards others, protecting those who need help, standing up for the weak, and doing what's right! But you... you're an affront to life itself!"

Ken's really getting fired up. He's usually such an easy-going guy... but you see his strength and determination, his marriage to his principles. He is going to do everything in his power to make sure that The Pride never hurts anyone again.

"You're a villain, a monster... and I am a hero of justice!" Ken continues. "So it's up to me to smite you down!"

The Pride yawns. "Then come at me already! I'll tear you apart!"

The Pride charges at Ken, and Ken does the same. They both leap into the air, with The Pride ready to collide with the young hero, but he doesn't make it close enough before Ken lets out a scream.

"JUSTICE WAVE!"

A corny name, but what follows is like an explosion of energy from Ken's body, taking The Pride completely off-guard. Blinding white and gold energy escapes from Ken in the form of a massive wave which sends The Pride back, tearing away at the demons armour which breaks up into pieces as he flies through the air, crashing into the ground, dust and rubble forming a thick cloud upon his impact.

Ken falls back, as you and Roka rush to his aid. "Ken-senpai!" you call out. "Are you okay?"

"Mostly..." Ken groans. "That takes a lot out of me... but not as much as last time. Maybe I'm getting used to the attack, or maybe I got lucky."

"So you can move on your own strength?" Roka asks.

"A little..."

"Enough to keep fighting?"

"Maybe... probably not..." Ken explains. "Maybe a little time I can pick myself up and get back in there... not that it matters. Looks like I got him, anyway."

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The dust settles, as you see The Pride lying in a heap, chunks of his armour strewn about him. "Looks that way," you reply. "Shouldn't take much to finish this fight off. Get some rest, senpai."

Kan lays back as you and Roka begin to approach The Pride. You draw your swords, ready to attack as one, when you begin to hear voices.

"You can do it, King Thunder!"

What? You look around, to see a large group of his brainwashed fans in the area, cheering for the demon that has a hold over them. You see a news helicopter above, with the footage playing on all the large screens and electronic trons around the city block.

"You're the best, King Thunder!"

With his face on every screen and a crowd of people cheering him on, The Pride's armour begins to grow once more.

"Dammit..." you mutter. "If this keeps up, he'll be right back to normal and we'll have an even bigger fight on our hands."

As you speak, you look over to Roka, who tilts his head down with a smirk, only one thing to say.

"Good grief."

"Huh?!" you raise an eyebrow. "Hey, don't go acting like an aloof protagonist all of a sudden!"

Roka looks to you. "Kazuma, you think we haven't already won? I've already beaten him, and I won't even need to make a single attack to do it. Do you understand?"

You look to Roka, then look to The Pride, the cracked armour revealing a portion of King Thunder's face. His eyes. Wide, helpless... scared. Now you get it.

>You're going to talk to your cousin, aren't you?
>Ahh, I see... it's about time King Thunder met the real Red Mask.

>>2510576
>>Ahh, I see... it's about time King Thunder met the real Red Mask.

JUST ADMIT ITS YOU ALREADY CHRIST
also god damn ken

>>2510576
>>Ahh, I see... it's about time King Thunder met the real Red Mask.

>>2510576
>>Ahh, I see... it's about time King Thunder met the real Red Mask.
Yeeee

>>2510576
>Ahh, I see... it's about time King Thunder met the real Red Mask.

Oshit is Shuncho here?

Calling for
>Ahh, I see... it's about time King Thunder met the real Red Mask.

Writing now.

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>Ahh, I see... it's about time King Thunder met the real Red Mask.

You stand aside, as Roka walks up to the recovering Pride, and your classmate slowly places the helmet for his Red Mask costume upon his head. "It's time for you to be brought to Justice, villain!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI3maNT2hU8

King Thunder's eye turns from an expression of fear to one of full-on rage, as The Pride burst forward to attack Roka, letting out a scream. "TAKE THAT OFF! TAKE IT OFF!"

Roka leaps back, avoiding the attack before pointing at The Pride once more. "Classic Seiya. You can't stand the idea that someone is better and more deserving than you."

"NO!" The Pride yells. "YOU'RE NOT HIM! I AM! ME ME ME! I'M THE RED MASK!"

"In a movie," Roka replies. "Jealousy! Lust! Ego! Wrath! Seiya Makabe, I deem you unworthy of representing the ideals of the Red Mask!"

The Pride lets out a pained and angered howl. "I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU!"

The demon launches forward with a punch, which cracks the Red Mask helmet upon Roka's head, sending him flying back, recovering as he lands on his feet, fairly non-plussed by the assault. The Pride's punches must not be carrying the same weight behind them that they once did.

Roka holds his head up, as the shattered helmet reveals half of his face to his opponent. The news helicopter picks up on this, as Roka's face replaces The Pride's, displayed on every single billboard, everywhere that King Thunder can look, driving him insane.

"It's just a mask," Roka explains. "It's always been just a mask. What matters is what lies beneath."

"NO... NO!" The Pride screams.

"Senpai, now!"

Roka jumps aside, as you see Ken using this Rod to vault his aching and injured body forward, smashing into The Pride, cracking and dismantling the armour with a single fist. The Pride falls back and skips along the pavement like a stone on water, his armour breaking into more and more pieces with every bounce... until all that remains is Seiya Makabe, and nothing to protect him.

"The Pride..." you note. "An odd demon. It didn't take over his body, only shield it. It was nothing but a faux strength... actually pretty fitting for it's name."

Seiya scrambles on the floor, shivering and terrified after losing the battle against the real heroes. Roka stands before him, and the expression on Seiya's face and the yelp he lets out almost makes you laugh. He's pathetic.

>It's time we finished this demon off.
>He's been beating, but we don't have to kill him. Maybe now he can see reason?

>>2510670
>He's been beating, but we don't have to kill him. Maybe now he can see reason?
Pretty sure that is the match.

>>2510670
>He's been beating, but we don't have to kill him. Maybe now he can see reason?
A demon that gets tougher when it actually does heroic shit would be really useful.

Calling for
>He's been beaten, but we don't have to kill him. Maybe now he can see reason?

Writing now.

>>2510670
No need to kill the dude

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>He's been beaten, but we don't have to kill him. Maybe now he can see reason?

"R-right!" Seiya begs and pleads. "What he said! H-he's a smart guy, you should listen to him, cuz!"

Roka stands over Seiya, placing his hands into his pockets. "Seiya, do you remember when we were younger? You were eight, and it was my fourth birthday. Uncle Shuncho got me that limited edition Red Mask Gaiden figure, and you were so jealous you pushed me over and smashed it?"

"Y-yeah!" Seiya replies. "You cried so much, and Shuncho yelled at me! Said I was a stupid jackass! But... what has that got to do with anything?"

Roka shrugs. "Nothing, really. I'm just kinda dumb and couldn't think of anything to say... you want to know what it said on that letter I wrote? The one you tore up without reading?"

"What?"

Roka looks down at Seiya. "It said that I forgive you. That despite all the hell you put me through when we were kids... we're family. Even if we can't stand each-others guts, I'll always care for you. Even if you are a complete idiot."

"And... you still forgive me now, right?" Seiya asks.

"Not really."

Seiya gulps as Roka looms over him, speaking once more. "But... I'm not going to hurt you either. I can't bring myself to."

Huh... you never expected that much maturity from Roka of all people. You suppose his relationship with his cousin has weighed on his head a lot over the years.

"T-thank you! Thank you!" Seiya exclaims.

"Don't be too happy," Roka points out, before motioning towards Ken. "I can't hurt you... but he sure can."

Seiya lets out a scared shriek as he falls at Ken's feet. "H-hey Ken... buddy! You know that whole thing with your girlfriend and heroic potential... t-that was just a joke, okay? A joke, I swear!"

"Ugh, is this what King Thunder's really like?" a woman in the crowd groans as she regains her senses, the archdemon defeated and it's power over the people wearing off. "I can't believe I was ever a fan!"

Seiya cowers at the feet of Ken, who bundles up his fist. "KT... I'm not going to hit you either. At this point, I pity you too much."

Seiya looks up, sniffling as he begins to cry. "Thank you, thank-"

A shot to the jaw sends Seiya back, before Ken helps him up. "Sorry," Ken admits. "I couldn't help myself. I had to have at least one punch."

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As the local authorities begin to move the crowd away from the area, a certain group of demon hunters appear before you, with Miyoko placing her hand on your shoulder. "Only three of you, and yet you managed to take down an Archdemon... I must say, you Dakugeto students are the wily ones."

"Too bad you didn't make it in time," you reply. "We won the fight, but any amount of help would have been appreciated."

"Oh, we did," Miyoko explains. "Nishi can teleport us directly, remember? The others are far behind us."

"What?! The why didn't you help?!"

Miyoko grins. "We were ready to jump in if the situation turned dire. I simply wanted to observe you crafty battle tendency."

You raise an eyebrow. "You seem to like doing that... a lot."

Miyoko gives a cheeky grin. "You caught me. We like to observe figures we find very interesting. Or, at least, I do. Now... what to do with our little demon friend here?"

>You guys have that weird water, right? I think Seiya might be willing to become one of you.
>The agents will want to hold him captive, first and foremost.
>Heck if I know. This part is beyond our control, we're just students.

>>2510768
>>The agents will want to hold him captive, first and foremost.
Dude did fuck up majorly

>>2510768
>You guys have that weird water, right? I think Seiya might be willing to become one of you.
Did someone mention SPINOFF?

>>2510768
>The agents will want to hold him captive, first and foremost.

Calling for
>The agents will want to hold him captive, first and foremost.

Writing now.

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>The agents will want to hold him captive, first and foremost.

"Understandable," Miyoko replies. "He did just tear up a large block of the city... though keeping a demon that could power itself up further even while in custody may become a problem later down the line."

You nod. Seiya is going to be locked up for a long time. Probably pumped full of sedatives to keep the demon from reemerging as well. His life is effectively over... then again, that was the case the moment he made a deal with an archdemon.

Roka turns away with his hands in his pockets and begins to walk off the scene. Ken too turns away as you and the demon hunters look towards Seiya, who is shivering and muttering to himself.

"N-no... this can't be happening..." he mutters. "I'm better than everyone... I'm the best... I'm the best!"

Seiya springs forward towards Roka, ready to attack. Looks like he's not going to give up that easy. Grabbing his sword he swings at the unsuspecting Roka from behind. You ready your sword to intervene... but someone else beats you to it, in a worse way.

Soshu, the demon hunter with the tattoos, unleashes a strand of sharp black inc which tails behind Seiya, before piercing through his heart. Roka turns around, as Seiya falls back onto the street. "S-seiya? SEIYA!"

"Y-you killed him!" you scream towards Soshu in anger.

Soshu shrugs. "So? He was about to kill your friend. Would you prefer if the demon did that first?"

Roka hunkers down and cradles the dying Seiya in his arms. "C-cousin... come on, don't die here... talk to me. Talk to me, dammit!"

With his last breaths, Seiya is able to speak. "G-guess I'm the idiot, huh?" he jokes, before his eyes shut and his breathing stops.

Seiya Makabe is dead.

"S-seiya..." Roka mutters, his eyes wide with shock, hugging into his cousins body. "SEIYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" he screams into the sky.

Roka... you've never seen him so emotional.

Roka stands up and marches towards Soshu, ready for a fight. "You killed my cousin! I'm going to beat the shit out of you!"

"Very well," Soshu mutters, casually accepting the fight offer.

"Roka, no!" you and Ken yell as you both hold him back, and a disproving Omitsu pulls Soshu away as well.

Roka grunts. "Let me at him! Let me... dammit, Seiya..."

You hold Roka until he takes a deep breath, coming to his senses that another fight isn't worth it. Seiya did try to make a killing blow on Roka, but there was a way to prevent it without resorting to killing the former King Thunder. Soshu... he didn't even consider another option. Not for a second.

>There was a better way, Soshu... how could you?
>Forget about it, Roka... let's just focus on your cousin right now.

>>2510857
>>There was a better way, Soshu... how could you?
Fucking demon hunters god damn it

>>2510857
>>Forget about it, Roka... let's just focus on your cousin right now.

>>2510857
>Forget about it, Roka... let's just focus on your cousin right now.

>a better way
You forgot to RIP AND TEAR Soshu

Calling for
>Forget about it, Roka... let's just focus on your cousin right now.

Writing now.

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>Forget about it, Roka... let's just focus on your cousin right now.

Roka shakes his head and hangs it low before turning his attention back to his cousin's body. He moves over to the lifeless Seiya and holds him close. "Dammit... you idiot..." Roka sniffles, hugging into his cousin. Out of respect, you and Ken take a step back and give Roka a moment of privacy.

In the aftermath, the agents arrive, and they work to clean up the area. Seiya's body will be taken in and at Roka's request will be given a proper burial and funeral service for his family. Everything turned out victorious for Dakugeto... which should be all that really matters. Another demon down, and the people are safe... but there's a sour feeling to it all. The Archdemons... with their possession, there's always someone they'll take down with them. A real person, with hopes, dreams and fears... maybe not the perfect people, but people who are scared and worried, enough to be roped in by those monsters. It makes you sick knowing that the loss of at least one life is always ensured when these demons are involved.

You find Roka standing by the city pier in the aftermath, looking out to the ocean.

"Green told me to fine you," you explain. "We should head back with the others soon."

Roka doesn't reply, his back still facing you as he looks out.

"Are... are you okay?"

Still no reply. You slowly and cautiously approach Roka, placing a gentle arm on his shoulder. He turns around, as you see tears streaming down from his face. An unusual sight for the tough Roka, but understandable.

"You're crying..." you mutter, shocked.

"S-shut up!" Roka replies, wiping his eyes with his arm. "I ain't crying! I... I just..."

"It's okay to cry," you reply. "You shouldn't hide it."

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You keep a comforting hand on Roka's shoulder, as he leans in towards you. He buries his face in your shoulder, finding someone to lean on for support as he sheds tears... even if that person isn't a friend or a loved one. Roka will take what he can get, and just this once you're more than happy to provide a shoulder to cry on for the big dumb ape.

When Roka's tears have dried up, he gives you a pat on the back. "You did good work out there, Kaz."

"You did most of it," you admit. "Couldn't have won without you."

"Thanks..." Roka mutters. "Let's get back home. I'm sure the fly's worried sick about both of us."

You smile. "It'll be good to see her after the day we've had, won't it?"

"Yeah..." Roka nods. "Of course, if you tell Kiriko I cried on your shoulder like a baby, I'll kill you."

"That's fair, I'd rather die than admit that too," you joke.

The two of you share a small laugh, before looking away and pretending that no such thing just happened.

"I don't get it," Roka mumbles as the two of you walk back towards your transport. "Maybe I'm just dumb, but I always hated that guy. He bullied me non-stop when we were kids, then he becomes a big famous jerk and sells his soul to a demon. I really should have beat the crap out of him and be glad he's dead. But I didn't... and I'm sad. I don't get it."

You shrug. "That's just the way things are. I guess you can never predict how you'll feel about something until it happens."

"... Ugh, I hate that."

"Yeah, me too, but it's how it is."

Roka sighs, looking up to the sky. "Yeah... I guess so."

END OF EPISODE 17

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>Ending Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ePxx3VI_OQ

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Thanks for playing! Short and sweet conclusion session for the King Thunder arc! Next thread should be sometime in the middle of next week, around Tuesday or Wednesday. Stay tuned!

>Player Question
Don't really have a question here, so just discuss the King Thunder arc.

>>2510964
>PQ
GOD DAMN IT DEMON HUNTERS

>>2510964
Thanks for the run, Booker.

>PQ
Felt...short. Shorter than Kanako's. Hell, probably one of the shortest yet.

>>2510964
Thanks for running Booker.

>PQ
Would Soshu've offed KT if we told him to join the Demon Hunters or was he just looking for an excuse to kill him?

>>2510964
Man, Shosu is really fucking things up for the demon hunters.

>>2510979
True, surprisingly his arc is slightly longer, depending on which threads you count as part of his arc.

>>2511008
KT was pretty doomed.

>>2511012
A penny for Omitsu's thoughts right now...

>>2510964

Good thread Booker, I am glad that us not offering the idea of the water didn't end up making or breaking KTs life. Pity we couldn't save him.

Maybe one day we can save someone from the demon. I certainly hope so.