Laughter in a Dreamlike World

Hold up, I've got an incoming call.

Just give me a moment, Aldo.

This is Renri. Yes... A new case? Are you sure about that?! No, I'm sorry. I'll head over there ASAP!

Let me guess, you've got another mission from the COA that you can't talk to me about.

Actually... It's quite the opposite!

This is the first mission in a while that I'm able to tell you about.

That's good news, isn't it? What kind of mission is it?

All I've heard so far is that it's an undercover mission. I'll get some details once we arrive at the scene.

An undercover mission sounds like it's pretty important.

Well, for this mission...

Oh shoot, I can't go looking like this!

Aldo, I've got some things to prepare before we go. Just wait here for a bit.

Huh? Renri?!

She's gone. I don't know what she has to prepare, but she sure looked happy about it.

I'm ready, Aldo.

What?! Renri, those clothes, !

Heehee, like what you see?

Yeah, they look great, but I just didn't expect you to wear something like that.

Well, I've got to admit that it's been ages since I wore this outfit.

Is it really okay to wear those clothes during the mission?

It's no problem at all. The undercover mission is at a carnival after all!

A carnival? What's that?

Oh... Yeah... To put it in your terms, it's like your town festivals, maybe?

A large number of people gather together in one place and enjoy a good time together.

I see, so it's just like our festivals back home. And I guess wearing a student uniform would raise some eyebrows.

But here I thought you were going to the festival just for fun...

You might think that just looking at my outfit...

But I never get my professional life mixed up with my personal life.

It's been too long since I've been on a decent mission... I can't miss this opportunity!

Wow, you're really pumped for this one!

Let's not waste any more time and head to the carnival! Or else we might miss out on everything!

You're sure in a hurry, but do you even know where the event is happening?!

According to the coordinates that I was given, it's on a floating island east of Elzion.

East of Elzion? Let's go and ask the Synth Hydra to take us there.

Hey, Synth Hydra! We've got a favor to ask you.

Can you take us to the location at T-412?

T-412? What business might you have there?

We're being sent there on a mission by the COA.

Hmm... Understood. I can't say no to a fine lady filled with a burning desire for justice.

Here we go! Hold on tight!

Look around! This place is huge. You could have a great carnival here!

No kidding...

Heehee... I'm getting excited for the opening. This is gonna be one heck of an amazing party...

Not!

I've never heard of a carnival being held in an abandoned amusement park!

And I don't see any other people around...

This is ridiculous! Being sent here on a mission like this...

C-Calm down... This isn't like one of your typical missions, right?

You should listen to him, Officer Renri. You don't want to jump the gun before you hear the details.

I know that voice... It's the Chief! Why are you here?

Are you joking... Those clothes, ?!

Why so surprised? You've got to wear clothes like this to fit in at a carnival. Blending in with the crowd is of utmost importance in an undercover operation.

I-I suppose so...

What do you mean by "mastering a disguise"?

How's this Officer Renri?! Yahoo! Yippee-ki-yay! I watched a lot of movies and practiced the characters' moves. All for the purposes of this mission.

Wow! I don't know what you mean, but you've definitely got the energy down!

O-Okay Chief... We've seen enough!

*huff* *pant* That's harder than it looks...

Yeah... We can see that.

Now I feel like I'm missing the party. I should have worn something else.

I think you're gonna be fine, Aldo...

So, what brought you here in the first place, Chief? Shouldn't you be at HQ?

I was sent here by my superiors just like you were.

Eh?!

So, that's what this is about.

What do you know, Renri?

Aldo, do you remember the case involving that android not too long ago?

Yeah, the one that targeted the Xeno Prisma in Elzion.

Since that case, the Chief has been watched carefully by the higher ups. I believe that someone is pulling our strings from behind the scenes right now.

Really?

I'm thinking someone wants to take this opportunity kick me down a notch.

But it seems like-minded people are on my side this time. It's not as bad as it sounds.

Chief...

Woh! The mission details have arrived.

I got the same message! Let's read through the information.

What the, ?!

What happened?

There's evidence that someone is illegally using electricity at this amusement park. We must investigate this at once...

Basically, we need to find this power thief and catch him or her.

Could they be hiding in the carnival?

The thief appears to be somewhere within the amusement park.

We've come this far already, so let's nab the thief.

We'll just have to adapt. A job is a job.

You're right. If there is a crime going on, then it comes down to the COA to make the arrest. Let's start off by returning to the park entrance.

It's time that we started this investigation!

Heya! Welcome to my dream world, Toto Dreamland!

So here's where some of the power is being used. Let's register ourselves.

You're saying there's a reason that this is on? I just thought that the power was left on at the park this whole time...

Without someone here to keep things running, the utilities would all surely have shut down.

But why would our culprit go through all this effort?

We don't know that yet, but there must be a reason...

We still don't have enough information. Let's continue the investigation somewhere else.

Hold it!

It doesn't look like it's gonna let us pass.

It's delaying our investigation, so let's just take care of business.

We're coming with you, Chief...

That won't be necessary. This is nothing I can't handle by myself.

Understood. It's all yours.

To tell the truth, this'll be the first time I've seen Chief in a fight. I can't wait to see what he can do.

Watch and be amazed.

Here I come you piece of junk!

Gwah!

You got beat in one hit?!

Th-This monster must be the boss of the park!

Yeah, no, I'm pretty sure it's just a regular monster from around here.

W-Well, let's take care of it anyway! Here I come!

Are you all right, Chief?!

You are something else, Officer Renri... You've gotten stronger since the least time I read your file.

Yeah, well, I've kept up on my training... But more importantly, why did you refuse my help?

It could be that these clothes got to my head a little bit.

I've shown you how weak I am. But everything's fine now. Let's return to the investigation.

He says he's fine, but something worries me about all this...

Could it be that the Chief is...

This could be useful to our investigation later.

Just go easy on the guy already, Renri... Let's just hope he didn't run into any more monsters wandering about.

Wow, I haven't seen a merry-go-round in a really long time.

Do you want to ride it or something?

That's not it. I just remembered that I used to ride them a lot when I was a kid.

It really takes me back... I was always with my mother and father...

*buzz* Sorry! It looks like you can't ride this attraction... For safety reason, there are age, height, and weight limits! Come back when you're a little older!

Phew...

That thing made me jump there...

Which means that this area's also got the power back on.

Looks that way. But the sensors are broken, just as I suspected. That's why it was unable to accurately scan you just now.

But hold up a second... It said something about weight limits, right?

Oh yeah, it said something like that...

*buzz* Sorry! It looks like you can't ride this attraction... For safety reason, there are age, height, and weight limits!

That's what I thought! The sensors aren't broken after all...

This is absolutely insane. I make sure that my daily calorie intake is within certain, Okay, I cheated just a teeny tiny bit yesterday, but that couldn't have caused me to...

Cool your jets... Let me try.

*buzz* Sorry! It looks like you can't ride this attraction...

See! It messed up with me too. It's definitely broken. The same'll happen to anyone who passes by.

......

Okay! You're good to go! Hurry up and enjoy a dream-like adventure on one of our attractions!

It's just as you said, Aldo. The sensors are broken... Here I go wasting our time...

Hahaha, let's get back to work and go look around somewhere else.

This ride's operating as well...

Hmm... There's little doubt that this amusement park's using power illegally.

What's the criminal thinking of doing by using the park's electricity?

I still can't figure out what they're thinking. We should join up with the Chief again...

Stop right there, hoodlums!

This land of dreams belongs to Toto and myself! Hoodlums like you aren't allowed!

Wh-What is with this guy... calling us hoodlums and talking about a "land of dreams" or whatever...

Excuse me, but we're not here to cause any trouble. I'm Officer Renri of the COA. We're investigating the illegal use of electricity in the...

Shut up! Our land of dreams will soon be restored! I won't let you get in our way!

What are you saying? No way, are you really...

Officer Renri, take that man into custody!

He's the one behind all of this! We have evidence that he's the one keeping these attractions running!

Understood! Aldo, it's our turn!

Got it, let's nab the guy!

Huh?! Looks like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place! Time to take my exit!

Don't run away!

Get out of my way! Take this Toto Punch!

Gwah!

I won't let you take away our land of dreams!

Chief! Are you all right?!

I-It's okay. What about that man?

He ran toward the Haunted Chateau. May I continue the pursuit?

No... I've got a better idea. Officer Renri, I want you to go get some things for me.

What do you need?

Well, you see...

Hey Chief... I got what you asked, but what are we going to do with them?

Isn't it obvious?

We're going to wear them.

Are you serious?!

Judging from how he's acting, we can assume that he has a very strong attachment to the mascot characters. What I'm saying is that if we can get close to him in these costumes, we may gain the upper-hand.

This'll work in theory but...

No... I understand. It's time we went all-in on this plan.

What should I do?

I want you to stay behind and watch our backs. We want to avoid a fight, but we may need you if it comes to that.

Got it. I'll be there if you need me.

It's time to initiate our plan. Let's make our way to the Haunted Chateau!

Officer Renri, how's the costume suiting you?

So far so good.

I'll go hide somewhere. You two be careful.

Well then, let's get this started!

Darn it! I have to get those hooligans out of our land of dreams!

Hey! What are you doing here all by yourself?

Huh?! Is that you, Toto?!

You look like something bad happened. Do you want to tell me what's wrong?

Please listen, Toto! Some bad guys are doing terrible things to our land of dreams!

That is bad news! But don't worry yourself! You're not alone!

Hello! I'm Mimi!

Mimi is here too to help me?! Oh my... Thank you so much!

Please come closer to me! Then we can take care of those troublemakers together!

Together we can get rid of those hooligans once and for all!

That's the spirit! Let's go get those COA jerks!

Huh? Toto wouldn't say that.

What do you mean?

Toto lives happily in this land of dreams... He would never say anything about the COA!

You're not Toto, am I right?!

O-Of course I'm Toto! Did you forget what I look like?

You're not fooling me! You're just that geezer I saw before, changed into Toto, right?! I won't forgive you for this! I'll take you down just like before!

Take this Toto Punch!

Huh?

Too bad, so sad... I'm not the Chief!

What the, ?! Wh-What's going on?!

I-It was you the whole time?!

You were so easy to fool...

Huh? I'm gonna be Toto and you're taking the Mimi costume?

That's right. It's a good thing this park has a girl and boy mascot. We should be able to trick a man in that state of mind.

Now, come quietly! You are charged with the illegal use of electrical power!

You, ! It's not over! I have to defend this land of dreams! Guardian! Show yourself!

Wha, ?! You've been keeping this thing running too?!

Are you guys all right?! What the heck is that?!

Hahaha! Go get 'em Guardian! Show these hooligans who's boss!

Chief! Leave this to Aldo and I!

Got it. I'll let you take care of things this time.

Here we go, Renri!

It's time for this guy to wake up from his dream!

Guardian?!

It's all over for you! Now surrender yourself!

N-N-No, not yet! Our land of dreams won't end here! Come back to us, Guardian!

You're kidding me?! It's moving again?!

That's right, Guardian!

......

Guardian?

Who interrupts my sleep? Is it you?

Wh-What are you doing?! Your enemies are over there!

What?! It's not responding to me!

Eliminate... Eliminate! No forgiveness... No forgiveness! I shall return to sleep forever! Sleep forever...

Wah! Don't get any closer! Help me, Toto!

Wh-What the, ?! What's going on here?!

Grooorgh!

Aaargh!

U...Urgh...

What the heck just happened?

I-I don't know...

But...could that robot have really attacked the suspect all on its own?

Well well... It looks like the stun worked. That's enough, Clock. Shut it down!

Cetie?! What are you doing here?

I heard from above that one of our units was having some trouble with this power thief. The Administrator ordered me to come here...but I had no idea it was you.

T-Trouble... Well, I guess there was a little... We had no idea that he was going to deploy a massive robot!

I can see that for myself.

It's over so cut that out. Thank you for your assistance with the robot.

Don't worry about it. I was just doing my job. Now that my work is down, it's time I head back.

But before I go, I'd like to hear about that outfit.

Wh-What?

I don't know if it's my place to say this, but aren't your clothes a bit... colorful for an investigation?

Wha, ?!

It's none of your business!

Hahaha...

I guess that's the end of this investigation.

Let's take the suspect back to Elzion before he regains consciousness.

Good idea...

Uh... My land of dreams... Toto...

How long are you gonna keep crying? Pull yourself together. Once the Chief finishes his report, we'll hand you over to the EGPD.

I'm done reporting to the higher-ups. The EGPD should be here anytime now. But I can't believe that man was the former owner of the park.

It was unexpected. In the end, you were just trying to restore the park to its former glory.

I'll never give up! My land of dreams will be a reality again!

I'd think your dream was noble if you hadn't dirtied your hands by breaking the law.

Good afternoon, Officer.

This man is the one behind the illegal power use. I'll leave the rest to you.

Yes, ma'am! We'll take him into our custody!

Wait a second! Just tell me one more thing!

What is it?

Where did you get your hands on the Toto and Mimi costumes?

You can find those things anywhere around the park, am I wrong? The former owner of the park should know that, right?

What I know is that only the Toto costume was around!

Huh?

At what point were you able to make the Mimi costume?! And to that level of perfection!

E-Erm...

That's enough! No more bothering the officer. Let's get a move on!

She hasn't told me about Mimi yet!

......

Hey, Renri. So what about it?

I-I picked it up somewhere in the park!

The criminal doesn't know what he's talking about.

Absolutely! He's just talking nonsense.

Are you really so sure about that?

Heehee... They're finally gone.

Hey Toto... It's time to play!