A hero's suffering

[herodrawing]

Hey guys! Check this out...

[Izuru is running forward to show something when suddenly!]


Agghhhh!

[He clutches his chest and collapses on the floor!]

[Some time later...]


I don't know why. I barely used Red Five....

[He's in the medical ward bed again. Conscious and without any split personalities taking over. That's good, right?]

Okay, just a little, but that was to help everyone fight that Balmarian thing. That's not bad, right?

Red Five... at this rate, I won't be able to...

[Also, Izuru's AHSMB is under double the amount of locks right now. The unit is restrained from ever being used again, electronically AND physically.]

Comments

[kill_all_vagans]

I-Izuru!

[News about what happened to you travels fast, Flit's already paying a visit.]

I heard you collapsed from something!

[herodrawing]

Ah. Yeah. Guess I did, huh...

[Not the most graceful conversation start there, Izuru.]

It just happens. This is why I was told not to use Red Five anymore.

[mc_of_mcs]

I'm not gonna claim to be an expert here or anything... but, you've got a robot that knocks you out faster than an unbalanced fighting game character with a press-to-win button.

Isn't there anything else you can use for now?

[herodrawing]

Sure I can, and I did sometimes. But it's just, well...

I do best when using Red Five, so when it's a do or die situation, I can't hold back, right?

[a_monetized_mind]

[Other people take their sweet time getting around to visiting, but they do visit.]

Hey, are you alright?

I heard you collapsed, did something happen?

[herodrawing]

The nurse said I'm fine, I'll be okay. Don't worry!

And yeah, I piloted Red Five. I wasn't supposed to... Captain Suzukaze already told me off for that.

[a_monetized_mind]

...Ah, back on that island...

This sort of thing, it's happened before?

[mc_of_mcs]

I know what you mean... but I don't think anyone likes watching you hit the floor like that, either.

I'm sure you'll work something out. In the meantime...

[The Nep searches through her pockets.]

[herodrawing]

Yeah, I hope...

Huh? What do you have there?

[herodrawing]

Yeah. It's not the first time, or even the second either.

It's something about genetics. Red Five has my DNA so... it acts up.

[keep_your_dignity]

YOU REALIZE YOU'RE GOING TO KILL YOURSELF.

[The robotic voice comes suddenly - Kagura's armor suit really moves far too silently for a thing that has to weigh at least half a ton. Helps that she seems to be floating a bit more often lately.]

[mc_of_mcs]

What's a visit like this without a 'get well soon' gift?

I think I've been handing out a lot of pudding lately, so I got something different for ya!

[In her hand is a black, keycard-like object. It seems to be etched with white patterns and a prominent label featuring a square around a smaller triangle. In the middle of the triangle '100%' is written in white text.]

You don't come across these very often, and I don't just hand 'em out everyday.

[herodrawing]

Ehh?

What's this?

[Izuru has never seen anything like the card before.]

100%? Why does it say that?

[herodrawing]

Major? You were here?

And, umm...

I realize it's a possibility. I mean if it was harmless, Captain Suzukaze would just let me pilot any time I want, right?

[keep_your_dignity]

I JUST ARRIVED. FOR A SOLDIER YOU HAVE THE PERCEPTIVE ABILITIES OF A FUCKING TURNIP, HITACHI.

AND IT'S MORE THAN A POSSIBILITY. IT'S A CERTAINTY, WITH TIME, UNLESS SOMETHING CHANGES.

UNDERSTANDING THAT, DO YOU INTEND TO USE IT AGAIN?

[cloningblues]

[Hey Izuru, you have a guest. A guest who tries to mask his worries under a layer of pissed off.]

Just one deployment in a long time and this is what happens? Did you activate that super mode again?

[herodrawing]

I don't think that's my choice to make... Red Five is under lockdown now. I mean, even more than before.

But even if I can die from it...

I used it to save others. I could use a different machine but it was a very serious situation and I know how to use Red Five best. If I didn't do it, someone really could die out there.

I think the risk was worth it.

[herodrawing]

Ah... Asagi.

No, I didn't. Now I kinda wonder what would happen if I did...

[mc_of_mcs]

Hehe... this is a real special item from Gamindustri.

[Nep places her hands on her hips as she explains proudly.]

If you use it before you do something important, like playing games, you'll gain experience twice as fast! That's what the 100% stands for; it works for money and rare drop chances too. Everything's doubled!

Oh, but you can only use it once. So don't waste it!

...I've never actually tested it here, though.

[not_a_prize]

You didn't get hit by anything that might have made you feel sick did you?

[herodrawing]

...

Experience? Twice as fast?!

Is that legal?!

[herodrawing]

I guess piloting an AHSMB counts, kinda?

[not_a_prize]

That doesn't really make any sense though, why would anyone pilot a machina that makes them sick? Or make you pilot one? I mean they aren't doing it now but...

[Peola just shakes her head.]

Just get some rest alright Izuru?

[herodrawing]

Actually, I'm not supposed to use it. Captain Suzukaze was really mad that I did.

But, you see...

[not_a_prize]

... You had to make sure everyone else was alright because the Balmarian thing happened didn't you.

[Peola takes a deep breath before letting out a thunderous sigh.]

Seems like there's a lot of that going around.

[She gives Izuru a weak grin.]

But... try to listen to your Captain unless she says something really dumb alright?