Tales of Encount:
Samanosuke: So...you want me to...
Narrator: yes, yes I do.
Samanosuke: ...why me?
Narrator: Because you have dealt with parallel time skipping nonsense thus sort of fit into the thematic.
Samanosuke: That's a stretch and you know it!
Narrator: Look, just do it ok?
Samanosuke: What's in it for me?
Narrator: You won't have to deal with Ranmaru for at least an hour?
Samanosuke: ...so Ludger learned that Elle was his daughter in an alternate reality future and thus we continue onward with a debt repayment! ...ok, seriously, I only read one line and I'm already confused...
*One debt payment later*
Nova: Ludger, look, about your debt...
Ludger: *dialog prompt* I JUST KILLED MYSELF, I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUR DEBT!
Nova: ...what...killed your...Ludger! It's just money! Don't go suicidal on me! Please don-*cut off*
Vera: Go to Marksburg, agent Kresnik; the CEO will give you instructions from there.
Ludger: No choice?
Vera: None.
Ludger: Great...
*at Marksburg*
Jude: So Bisley is suppose to be here now?
Milla: I sense a disturbance in the Deus Ex Machina...
Alvin: ...I refuse to believe that's actually a thing.
Muzet: Well, actually it is! But you wouldn't know this because you're not a spirit!
Gaius: ...for some reason, I doubt it even more.
Muzet: Meanie!
Elle: HEY! DON"T GO STEALING MY TERMS, MEANIE!
Muzet: Deal with it, wimp!
Elle: Stupid lady!
Muzet: Little brat!
Teepo: SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU, YOU'RE ANNOYING!
Ludger: Ugh...*phone call*
Bakur: Yes...Agent Kresnik, put down the Waymarkers and the way to Canaan shall be revealed! NOTHING CAN POSSIBLY GO WRONG TRUST ME!
*they do exactly that, Canaan appears, it's basically a giant world shaped like a fetus...I'm not making this up*
Milla: So...I guess that's Origin's Trial...getting UP THERE.
Cronos: No, that's just part of it.
Elize: How did you...
Cronos: Lord of Time.
Elize: Right!
Cronos: So...yeah, you humans need to die, not letting you pass it!
Jude: Not without a boss fight you will!
*boss fight*
Cronos: HA! You can't beat me, see!? *turns back time, heals wounds, gets into a more stronger state*
Ludger: Shut up!
*another fight later, this time with Chromatus*
Cronos: Aaawww, using your Chromatus and hurting the girl? See, it's exactly like I planned. HUMANS CAN'T RESIST POWER! MWAHAHAH!
Bakur: Uh, yeah, I can do that too!
Cronos: Do what?
Bakur: Get to Canaan, I know how!
Cronos: ...well poop, I'll see you there! *leaves*
Milla: So you could use the Chromatus all along too...how?
Bakur: No time to explain!
Milla: What do you mean no time? The explaination is pretty obvious that you're also a descendant of Kresnik but haven't been open about it.
Bakur: I SAID NO TIME TO EXPLAIN!
Jude: Milla, give up, he's not going to reveal plot details to us.
Bakur: That's right...at least not until we're at Spirius Corps, please go there now while I open the path Can...er...I mean, cover some odds and ends in shops here, YES! THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M DOING! Important...CEO...business...stuff....
Alvin: ...you do realize I'm a professional at that kind of thing right?
Bakur: Look, just go because we need to advance the story.
Alvin: Fine fine.
Bakur: By the way, you did good Ludger. You are no longer needed, I have given you a big reward, THIS IS IN NO WAY SUSPICIOUS TRUST ME!
*They all leave except Elle*
Elle: Canaan's there, but I'm just a fake, I serve no purpose.
Bakur: Ok, good, wanna work for me and thus get us to Canaan?
Elle: Ok.
Bakur: Excellent!
*at Spirius Corps.*
Vera: Yeah, Ludger, your debt's been cancelled, you're a free man.
Ludger: SWEET! *phone call*
Nova: YOu don't have a debt!? HOW CAN I BOTHER YOU NOW ;_;
Ludger: LATER! *turns off phone*
Vera: So, VICE PRESIDENT KRESNIK, the CEO wishes to speak to you in his office.
Ludger: Vice...President?
Vera: Yes, you are now VICE PRESIDENT of Spirius Corps., effectively immediately!
Ludger: Cha-ching!
*at the office, Bakur is on Video Conference*
Bakur: So...we're going to Canaan and telling Origin that our wish is going to be to have all Spirits SERVE MANKIND!
Milla: ...that's horrible, how can you make such a wish?
Bakur: It's for the good of mankind!
Muzet: ...and horrible for Spiritkind...
Bakur: BUT MANKIND!
Milla: Look, I'm pro-Humans and all that...but I'm also Pro-Spirit...you're doing this just to spite Cronos aren't you?
Bakur: Yes, yes I am. Now Vice President, look around the company!
*downstairs*
Riddeaux: Ah, Vice President, what can I do for you?
Ludger: Truth, now.
Riddeaux: Oh, well, you see, a Kresnik must die to open the path to Canaan. The Key of Kresnik appears once every few generations in the family line, the last one being the CEOs Wife who, I might add, clearly has no relation to you whatsoever.
Ludger: ...suspicious...
Riddeaux: So...yeah, he's going to kill a Kresnik...not your alt-reallity futuristic daughter mind you; he needs her to kill Cronos. Oh no, he's going to kill...
Ludger: Julius?
Riddeaux: You said it, not me!
*Bottom floor*
Jude: Hey Ludger, what's up?
Gaius: Yes, you're vice president now, I guess that puts you on par with Rowen...which is still lower than me. It's good to be the king!
Ludger: Leaving.
Milla: So soon?
Ludger: Yes.
Muzet: Awww, I wanted to see more.
Gaius: You can cut through space and time at will; you could literally phase in, see what you want, and phase out immediately, why do YOU need permission of all people? Heck, your Near-Omnipotently powerful Sister can't even do that without some form of sacrifice. Though, now that I've said all that, I have to wonder why we couldn't just have used Muzet to solve like all these issues with Fractured Dimensions...
Muzet: Well, clearly it's because I'm not a Kresnik, so I can't do anything involving Space, Time and Dimensions!
Gaius: ...so about that "let's leave" thing...
Milla: Yes, let's...but before we do...FIGHT ME LUDGER!?
Ludger: Wait what!?
*they fight, Ludger activates his Chromatus somehow*
Milla: Good, just as planned. I see your resolve as strong as ever! Just had to come up with a way to force you to go all out.
Ludger: ...that's stupid
Milla: Really? I thought it was pretty clever.
Jude: Well, you could have just...I dunno...ASKED HIM.
Riddeaux: yeah, not happening. The CEO has explicitly told me to NOT LET YOU LEAVE!
Ludger: yes, but...Vice President...
Riddeaux: I ALWAYS FOLLOW ORDERS! IF I DIDN'T, I WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!
Milla: What kind of sad existence is that?
*Gaius stares at Muzet*
Muzet: ...what!?
Ivar: Wait...Milla...you're the REAL Milla!?
Milla: Hi Ivar, nice to see you again.
Ivar: I don't work for you anymore! I'm a JUNIOR AGENT!
Milla: ...you do realize that's a demotion from Handmaid to a deity, right?
Ivar: SHUT UP!
Jude: Well, we're in a predicament, how do we get out of here?
Ludger: Basement.
Jude: I mean, how are we going to get there?
Gaius: Path is clearly free...
Jude: ...look, we have 5 characters and only 4 can fit into a party, so one of us has to stay behind to hold the guys off ineffectively...
*everyone stares at Jude*
Jude: ...oh I see how it is; because being a former protagonist who clearly lost a fair amount of his power due to loss of the power source from the previous game CLEARLY makes me the most viable option to solo an army. No sir! Let's not call upon the Strongest Warrior of a nation filled with bad asses, or the spirit who controls space and time who can FLY no less and thus escape at will no problem if the going gets rough, or FREAKING MAXWELL HERSELF WHO IS AIDED BY THE FOUR GREAT SPIRITS! Nope, let's rely on the half-Elympian scientist from Rieze Maxia who punches things! Yep, great idea there guys!
Milla: Glad you understand, later!
*They all leave*
Jude: ...she still doesn't understand sarcasm...
*Jude fights off army, fade away, one dungeon later*
Riddeaux: AHAHAHAH! THOUGHT YOU COULD GET AWAY FROM ME!?
Gaius: Wait, how did you get here before us?
Riddeaux: Uhh...Ivar?
Ivar: ...well, you certainly got me. *pulls up map showing the heroes taking the most efficient route and the villains would have had to take a huge detour* By all accounts, it doesn't make any sense.
Riddeaux: ...whatever. Now, SUFFER MY WRATH!
Gaius: ...you do realize there's no possible way the two of you can beat us four right? Do I have recount what you're up against?
Milla: I agree, this fight is oddly stacked in our favor.
*Riddeaux snaps fingers, bunch of nameless minions appear*
Gaius: I don't think that really changes the situation...
Muzet: There's a name for those kind of guys, what are they called?
Ludger: Cannon fodder?
Muzet: Yes, that's it! Thank you!
Riddeaux: Ah, but I have one more trick up my sleeve! Behold my Chomatus power!
Ludger: ...seen that already...
Riddeaux: Ah, but aren't you curious HOW I can do that!?
Ludger: No.
Riddeaux: Oh come, really?
Ludger: No.
Riddeaux: Well you see, I was once injured really badly, then SPECIAL SPYRIX BY DR. MATTHIS...
Milla: ...Jude's father?
Riddeaux: Maybe, I don't care, anyway, he used it on me to create artificial organs and NOW I MODIFIED THEM TO HAVE CHROMATUS POWER!
Gaius: None of that makes any sense.
Riddeaux: NOR WILL YOUR FACE WHEN I SMASH IT IN!
Gaius: ...and here I thought Wingul was nonsensical when he powered up...
Milla: Ivar, look, I appreciate your loyalty to me but...we're enemies, and to respect you...even though you really don't deserve it...I won't hold anything back.
Ivar: I WILL MAKE YOU RESPECT ME MILLA WHEN I BEAT YOU UP! THAT'LL PROVE MY AFFECTION TO YOU! ...wait, something about that doesn't sound right...
*one boss fight later*
Riddeaux: No, how could I lose!?
Gaius: ...because you're an evil scumbag? Look, I did the antagonist thing but I at least knew that being evil = you die by the end of the game, which is why I totally stayed on the line of sympathetic. And look at me now, I'm one of the main characters!
Ludger: ...supporting cast...
Gaius: Main character.
Ludger: Supporting cast.
Gaius: ...fine, fine, supporting cast member, but a good guy nonetheless! Either way, Ludger, shall I kill him or should you?
Ludger: Saved my life.
Riddeaux: Don't you dare be sentimental with me! KILL ME NOW!
Gaius: ...and because you asked, I'll spare you, since it makes you suffer more. Being King, I feel it is my right to choose whether people live or die...
Milla: This is Elympios though, you don't exactly have any political authority here.
Gaius: Shh!
Ivar: Damn it Milla, why?
Milla: You're a pathetic failure, Ivar...but you are loyal to me, so I can't really hurt you, and I never did fire you so...uhh...good bye?
Ivar: What the hell does that even mean?
Milla: The same thing everything else you've ever said means?
Ivar: But...I...oh...
*the heroes leave*
Riddeaux: Well crap, what am I going to do now.
Spirius Agent: CEO wants you.
Riddeaux: NOT ON MY DEAD BODY! *Transforms*
*They click a button, he detransforms*
Riddeaux: Wait what?
Spirius Agent: As if we didn't have control over your fake organs. Come now, you're going to be sacrificed to Canaan.
Riddeaux: I WILL NOT BE DRAGGED OUT WITHOUT DIGNITY!
*They drag him out without dignity*
*At Spirius Corps. Entrance*
Jude: Oh hey guys, I'm alive. Julius saved me.
Ludger: Where's Julius?
Jude: He left already. Said to go check your room for one final letter, so...let's do that?
*at Ludger's house*
Julius' Letter: Yeah, Ludger, hi, I'm proud of you, come and kill me so you can open the land to Canaan. Also bring your weapons because we're totally going to duel because shut up and do it I'M YOUR BIG BROTHER LISTEN TO ME! Ps. I love your cooking, it's awesome.
Ludger: ...crapbaskets...
Gaius: Can you really kill your brother?
Ludger: ...why me...
*at Marksburg*
Julius: Nice to see you again Ludger, so you ready to KILL ME and SAVE ELLE?
Ludger: No.
Julius: Why?
Ludger: Hate Elle.
Julius: ...rephrase. You ready to kill me and SAVE THE WORLD?
Ludger: ...do I have to?
Julius: Yes, yes you do.
Ludger: If I refuse?
Julius: Bad ending.
Ludger: Crap.
*one epic Tales duel later, which is stylish as hell, etc., ends in Ludger getting Chromatus mk3*
Ludger: ...Fractured Dimension? *starts walking around, gets to room*
Alt Ludger: OH GOD! I'M LATE! NEED T HURRY!
Alt Julius: Hold on there, little brother. Don't rush out, it won't be that bad.
Alt Ludger: I know but...well...look, I need to get going, I'll make it up to you with an awesome pasta dish later!
Alt Julius: ...always trying to butter me up...
*Ludger follows*
Alt Julius: Forget something?
Ludger: No.
Alt Julius: ...oh, I see, you're...well, that's great. I understand, go ahead, you earned it! Kill me now and save the world, it's totally cool bro.
Ludger: GRAAAAH! *stabs Julius, fractured dimension disappears*
Jude: Is it done?
Rowen: It would appear so.
Gaius: How sad, but necessary.
Elize: This was a cruel fate indeed...
Teepo: HOLY CRAP! LUDGER JUST COMMITTED FRATRICIDE!
Alvin: Hey, on the bright side, we can save Elle, right?
Elize: Alvin!!!
Teepo: TOO SOON!!!
Muzet: Milla...are you going to do the same to me at some point?
Milla: Wait what? Why would I try to kill you?
Muzet: We were enemies in the last game!
Milla: But that was over a year ago and...
Muzet: SO YOU ARE GOING TO KILL ME! I'M YOUR SISTER AND WAAAAH!
Milla: I'm the Lord of Spirits yet somehow I have absolutely no control over THAT one over there...great, now I'm questioning my powers again, thanks a lot Muzet.
Muzet: You're welcome ^_^
Samanosuke: And thus, the team sets off for the final dungeon, Canaan and to complete ORIGIN'S TRIAL! CAN THEY DO IT BEFORE...
Ranmaru: SAMANOSUKE!!!!
Samanosuke: ...I thought said...
Narrator: I tried...
Ranmaru: YOU WILL FIGHT ME AGAIN HERE AND NOW! FOR YOU SEE, YOU STAND NO CHANCE OF DEFEATING MY ALMIGHTY ABILITIES! THE BLOOD OF THE LIVER THAT FUELS MY HATRED WILL SEE TO IT THAT YOU DON'T-BLARGHLE! *Stabbed by Ivar*
Samanosuke: Yes, thank you.
Ivar: God damn he was annoying, who the hell is he anyway?
Milla You know, there's a human saying that applies here, but I can't think what it is...
Jude: The Pot calling the kettle black?
Milla: That's the one!
