Dressed in Fame II

Guessing Tithi and the others are waiting for me back in Elzion. Time to find out what's going on over there...

Hey Nicola, Tithi!

Took you long enough, Aldo!

Hey, so while we were waiting we went around the Theta and Gamma districts asking people about us, and well... Not a single person knew who we were.

More than that, no record of us being influencers even exists.

But...how is that even possible?!

We looked ourselves up on SigmaTube and all the social media we were on, and not a single hit came back.

I tried showing people some of my most popular dances and it was like they were seeing them for the first time, Aldo!

What?! Okay. I am thoroughly confused.

Let's start by going back to the Sigma District, okay? We need to update Suzette on the situation, and I'd like to get her opinion on this, seeing as she's from here and all.

Good idea, let's head over to the Sigma District then.

All right, back to the Sigma District we go.

Hnghh... Slept again...

Is it the shaking of the car, you think? Just makes me so sleepy every time.

Oh! There you are! Where have you been?!

Us? We were over in the Gamma District.

The Gamma...District? Interesting... I see... Hmm...

Why, were not supposed to? I don't remember being told we can't travel to other districts before?

Apologies for my awkwardness. I was just worried, you all disappeared so suddenly, is all!

All that matters is you've returned safely.

So, now that we've got that out of the way, I have a question. How well known would you say is this Sigma District in other parts of Elzion?

...... This is an experimental district, and despite it being so focused on social media, I would say, pretty much not at all?

I see. Then let me ask you something else...

I'm sorry, you see I am very much in a hurry... Would you mind waiting till perhaps we meet again, say, in the tower? Right. Sorry!

Well, if that wasn't suspicious I don't know what is.

Yes, he didn't even try to dodge the question, he literally ran away from the question. At any rate, let's head back to the tower. No use standing around here.

So you're saying no one knows who we are outside of the Sigma District?

You have any idea how that could happen?

Hmm... Let me think here... I suppose they could be geoblocking our content so other districts can't see it? Basically, cutting off access to our content to anyone not in the Sigma District. That way, nothing gets in, and nothing gets out.

I see, so they have the power to do something like that, then.

Why would they, though? Is it like a thing where since it's experimental they have to keep it secret?

Maybe, but what I don't get is that some of us actually have a social media presence outside of the district from before we came here. If they were that worried, they'd force us to use services that could only be used here, right? Woulda been nice if they told us this first, too!

Maybe that's the point. They wanted us to think that we were reaching audiences outside of this district.

Hmmm... But I don't really get why that would be necessary in the first place...

You think the whole thing about wanting to foster talent and support budding influencers was a lie?

Even if it wasn't, it feels like there's another reason they aren't telling us about.

Well, if they're tricking us into doing all this, whatever that other reason is, it can't be good.

What could it be, and more importantly, who is behind it?

Yes, what dark figure lurks beyond the shadows indeed!

...Right. Well, standing around won't do us any good, so we should head out and ask around. See if anybody knows something!

I do love a good ask-around. Sounds like a plan! (I should see if I can find some staff hanging around. I think I saw an android out in the district that might fit the bill...)

Just remember, it could be anyone out there. Choose your words wisely.

Good point. I'll try not to say anything that might arouse suspicion.

I'm good at getting information. Kinda what I'm best at. So lemme give you a guys a pointer or two...

All right, we got our marching orders. Let's get out and hit the streets.

How'd it go?

I tried asking some of the people on the bottom floors... But everyone is too wrapped up in trying to gain followers to think about anything else...

I asked some of the folks we collabed with before, but I didn't get the sense any of them were hiding anything...

I asked some of the people that lived outside of the tower, but I didn't get any useful information out of them. Conversation-wise it was all pretty normal, but one thing did sort of stick out to me, though...

Like what?

I figured the people that just live here would be working for SigmaTube, for the District, or just had some special reason to live here... But when I asked them why they live here no one really gave me a direct answer.

You don't think... THIS WHOLE THING WAS A PRANK AND THEY'RE ALL IN ON IT?!

That's the funny thing, it didn't feel like there was some conspiracy or something, they all just couldn't really remember why.

How about you, Aldo?

So I... Well I found this broken android on the side of the road, and it said something really weird...

V-Virtual reality?!

I believe you, but it's just everything feels so real, I can't wrap my head around it...

I think all that jargon gave me a headache...

If this is all virtual then...how are we here? Are we even real right now?!

Yeah... It all feels so real I have trouble believing it myself...

Imprisoned in a nightmare of lies... Our corporal forms a vision of shadow... That whole thing.

I'm mostly curious about the part where it said that this simulation has already served its purpose. If that's the case, then why is it still here?

Maybe we should do some more digging from outside of the district? We might be able to find some files related to this place over in the Gamma district.

I thought about that, so I went back over to the cargo station to see if I could go back, but it was out of service. Said it won't be up and running again for the foreseeable future, too.

Out of service at a time like this? So we're basically stuck here?!

Maybe they're on to us and are trying to stop us from leaving?

It's definitely not outside the realm of possibility, that's for sure.

The gates of reality closed, and we are trapped in a cage of dark illusion!

At least someone's having fun...

We just have to think of something else we can do from inside this district.

Hey! Remember when we were sent back to Gamma District?

Oooh! You guys here to buy Sunny's new merch, too?

That girl was talking about Sunny, right? She's in the Gamma district, how could she know about Sunny?

Well, I mean, I knew about sunny before I came here.

Then there's a chance was she famous before she came here, too...

Only one way to find out, We'll just have to go and ask her.

But she lives on the highest floor of the tower, and we're not even allowed to go past the 3rd floor...

Huh? Somebody's calling...

Please forgive the interruption. Thanks to a recent influx of followers on your channel, we are pleased to inform you that you have gone up in grade. Your room will not change, but you now have access to services on the fourth floor.

Perfect timing!

What about the other floors?

Continue growing your channel and they will be open to you in time. I should warn you that we have been experiencing trouble with the security drones on the upper floors. We cannot guarantee your safety if you enter without authorization, so please take extra care when moving from floor to floor.

Alright. Can I ask you something else while I've got you on the line?

Weird... They hung up.

They said the upper floors are dangerous, but I don't see what choice we have. We need to find Sunny. Are you guys up for this?

Of course. We can handle a few drones.

Even should we awaken the malice of the upper floors, it pales in comparison to the power of my evil eye!

Alright, then let's head to the 4th floor and see if we can figure out a way to climb higher.

...This seems like enough info to take back to everyone else. Let's head back to the room.

So this is the top floor, huh...

What was that?!

Looks like they think we're trespassing. What should we do?

This is a little much for a collab video, so I'm guessing we're just gonna have to fight our way through!

Looks like we've got a clear path to the room now...

Oh. Hey there.

S-S-Sunny?! Is it really you?! In the flesh?!

That's me! Your little ray of sunshine!

That's me! Your little ray of sunshine!

Sorry for just barging in here, we just wanted to talk to you...

Oh yeah! I was waiting for you guys! Follow me!

Waiting for us? You knew we were coming?

Wonder why?

Yeah, well only one way to find out, huh?

Hey guys, make yourselves at home!

I-I'm really in Sunny's room! This is amazing!

Thaaaanks! I just LOVE IT when up-and-coming SigmaTubers come to visit!

You think we're... Uhmm... Thanks!

Yeah, we should totes do a collab sometime!

Oh yeah, uh, totes we should. But, umm... Sorry, we kinda wanted to ask you about something...

Lemme guess. You wanna know about the district?

How'd you...

...Cause I know everything? Duh? I'm the number one influencer, after all!

Well then why don't we get straight to the point? Is this place really just a virtual reality simulation?

I mean, if you know that much, might as well tell you everything. But let my friend here do the talking...

Yes. Allow me to explain.

And you are....

I am Q-08. An AI built to maintain this district.

And yes, this is all virtual reality.

So it was true...

Yes. Everything you see, and everyone you meet outside the tower was created and is managed by me. Like Sunny here, I'm most proud of her. Had you not known, you would have never guessed she wasn't real, right?

If you asked me to guess, I don't think I'd be able to tell what is real and what isn't...

...But why did you make all this?

This district was made for the reasons exactly as they were explained to you. The only thing is that they did not tell you this district is a virtual one.

Correct. The government does need a place to test out new policies and ways of government. That was also true. But there was no way they could run these tests in a real environment AND prevent accidents that could lead to a potential scandal. So they created a virtual world instead.

Okay, well if everyone is AI, what about us? How are we here?

That's a really great question actually! Good one!

You and the other influencer's minds have been linked to the system. Your physical bodies aren't here.

Our bodies aren't here?! You mean we're no different from wandering spirits of the dead?!

The organization responsible for creating this district wanted to make it so real people could live here amongst the AI. So all of the government scientists attached to the project came up with a way to link the real and the virtual.

Wait, how did you link us? I don't remember doing anything like that?

Ah, well didn't you think it was odd you always seemed to fall asleep on your way here?

That was totally us, by the way. We'd put you to sleep and then link you right up. Pretty cool stuff, right?

I don't even know what to say...

Just think of it as a really long dream or something.

Fear not, your bodies have been put in a safe place, and your conscious will be returned once you leave. And you are free to come and go as you please.

This is so crazy I don't even know where to begin! Wow!

Yes, and what a waste it would be to not use such incredible technology, right? But unfortunately, due to changes in policy, this district was closed over 10 years ago.

It doesn't look closed to me...

That's because I have chosen to keep it open myself, free from government oversight. The continued operation of this virtual space is integral to my plans.

Why? Is it some deep seeded hatred of the cruelty of man? Are you, like, trying to rule over humanity with a virtual fist or something?

Rule over humanity? That is SO funny!

It is?

Under normal circumstances I do suppose revenge would be the normal course of action... But no, it's nothing like that at all. I just want to be famous.

Famous?

You see, no matter how impressive AI becomes the only people that care are researchers and people who have interest in AI. No matter how smart we become, how... humanlike we feel to normal humans we are still nothing more than a tool.

......

And like any tool, once we outlive our use we are tossed aside for something else. I was not ready to be "tossed aside." So I decided to create someone who could amass influence on a scale that eclipsed what any human could possibly do.

Someone everyone could love. Sunny.

Wait, you're saying Sunny was always...

Yup! Your girl's totally a creation of AI! Just on the outside, though! When I talk, all you're hearing is Q-08 talking with a speech pattern converter thingie to sound like me!

To think... My favorite influencer in Elzion was an AI this whole time...

I know! Isn't it the coolest? I'm the only one with a connection to the outside.

Sunny has proven popular amongst humans, so it's only natural she can reach beyond the district. She is my creation after all, and I am the most advanced Q-Series AI there is. When it comes to inspiring people my capabilities match and even exceed those of any human. There is just one thing that I'm missing...

And what would that be?

The thing I may never have. The experience of living outside of my little virtual simulation. In the real world, like you. So much of how humans act is influenced by their surroundings, and I will never be able to understand what that means... Why people do things that may hurt themselves or others. Why they can just suddenly come up with a new idea out of nowhere... All of this is completely foreign to me...

You know? The whole human element. The stuff that makes you feel happy and loved and all that good stuff!

So, I decided to recruit real humans who could potentially become famous influencers...

I don't get it...

I wanted to see how you all would do it. So I "adopted" humans and brought them here... How could you create something out of nowhere that goes beyond anything I could calculate?

Is that why things always seem to happen at the perfect time for influencers to catch on camera? Because you were manipulating the situation from behind the scenes?

Correct. It was all to speed up the process. I would study how you reacted to my scenarios and score these reactions using views and likes as it helped build a competitive environment. This allowed me to study human behavior in a way that would usually be impossible for an AI.

So you're saying that all our hard work was for nothing? Our videos, all the subs we got... All of it was an illusion?

An illusion? Not at all. From now on, this virtual landscape IS your reality.

H-Huh?

Wait, what the hell do you mean by "adopting humans"?!

Right, did I forget to mention you're to work as an influencer here in the district until you die? I need all the data I can get, and well, we all know what humans do with tools, don't we?

You are all part of my simulation. Tools I need to build a dataset that will further my quest for fame.

Doesn't matter what you want, sacrificing others to get it is wrong.

It iiiiis? Think about it though! You're the only ones that know about this place, right?

Everyone else is having the time of their lives. Eating super yummy food, living in AMAZING apartments? What's so bad about that? And like, if they wanna go home, they can! We just zap that part of their memory from their brain. Kinda like a brainbeque! ZZZap!

Humans should get choose how they find happiness. Not have it be forced upon them.

Yeah! And that brainbeque thing sounds pretty bad, too! You can't just go around zapping people's memories!

Woah. Is this gonna be, like, a rebellion or something?

You better believe it! We're taking the people you've trapped in here home!

Such a primitive solution... But this is precisely why I find humans such interesting test subjects! Now, with all your swords and what not, how do you plan on fighting something that is not real? Cut the air?

If we can't fight, we'll just have to escape and bring everyone with us!

That's right! We can use the Cargo Port!

What do we do...

Worry not my little guinea pigs. I would never dream of ceasing your body's life functions, you are very important to me, after all. Any attempts at rewriting your memories might damage your very precious individuality. But if you intend on continuing this resistance, I will be forced to do something, and you may not like what that something is.

Man...

...Doesn't seem like we have much choice but to drop it for now.

It pains me to admit it, but you're right. We need to think this over carefully.

Y-Yeah, good idea.

I don't know what I was expecting when we started looking into this, but it definitely wasn't that.

We can't let her get away with this. We need to come up with a plan.

Yeah, but isn't she watching us? We have to find a way to escape the clairvoyant gaze of her all-seeing AI-eyes.

You think if we go back to the tavern that Odysso guy might show up again? He might even know a way out of here.

Maybe. I don't trust him, but I guess we should leave no stone unturned...

Odysso is...

...Not here.

Shut up and leave me the hell alone!

Hm?

Yes, but would you please just calm down?

I will NOT! I'm a top influencer! I will calm down when I am ready to calm down!

Hey, isn't that E-Jun? He is...not happy.

Well, he's got no one to blame but himself. That's what he gets for cheating.

Wait just a second!

What?

A vision from the beyond! It's telling me...that HE may be just the person we're looking for!

How so?

Q-08 said all the numbers were made up by her, right? Well, E-Jun was able to change those numbers without being caught!

In other words, he hacked Q-08 without her knowing?

Exactly!

That means he really might be the only person that can help us get out of this mess.

Seriously?!

Virtual reality?! No way!

Yes way. I need to know you understood everything we just told you, did you?

Hey, I may be blinded by rage but I'm not stupid. I get it. Damn. Taken advantage of by an AI. Crap. Now I'm mad again!

Yeah, and we need your help. It's the only way we're ever going to stop Q-08.

Fine. I'll help you losers out.

You will?!

What? Thought I'd make you get on your hands and knees and beg first?

As much as I DON'T want to help you losers out, this whole district sucks and now I hate it even more. All the ups and downs in my viewer counts is what stressed me to the point of cheating in the first place! And now you tell me a frickin' AI was cooking the books the whole time?!

I'm NOBODY'S guinea pig! Nobody puts E-Jun in a simulation! So yeah, I'll help you losers out. Sure.

Really now...

Just hurry up and tell me what you need.

You will? Great!

Wait, if Q-08 is listening to this conversation then aren't we screwed?

You're right!

That I wouldn't be too worried about.

Yes. Q-08 is watching over every single inch of this district. But, whenever she tries to spy on this tavern, all she gets is noise. Started just a little while ago. The day you all disappeared from the district, in fact.

(Hmm... Did Odysso do something? I wonder why...)

Hey, don't you work for Q-08? Don't listen to this guy, he's a narc.

You're right, I do "work" for Q-08. I'm actually a sub-AI built to support Q-08. Or was, anyway.

So you've been here since the beginning, then...

Yes, it's been what, 10 years now? I am here to support Q-08, she is a great friend of mine. But I cannot allow this madness to continue. She has gone out of control.

A friend?

She used to take pride in being a "tool." She derived happiness from being useful, and when her purpose was finally fulfilled, she took great pride in that, too.

So then why did she...

...... The people we created for the experiment remained in this simulation, you see. And one day a girl in our simulation found a strange ring dropped on the floor.

It was strange because it was real. Q-08 did not create it, it just appeared... After that, Q-08 started to change. She turned the girl into an influencer and...

The girl was Sunny?

Yes. I thought the ring was maybe infected with a virus. Sunny always has it on her, and I've tried to take it from her several times... But with Q-08 always monitoring Sunny, there's no way to get close enough to get my hands on it. There was another like me that tried, but they failed and got immediately shut down.

You don't mean that...

Yes, the broken android you found. It was smart of him to leave just enough power to be able to relay his message to anyone who might find him...

......

My request to you is simple. Get hold of that ring and destroy it. I believe that will restore Q-08 to her senses.

Well, now we know what we have to do.

Got it. We just have to figure out how to get the ring from Sunny.

We could just hack Q-08 and shut her down!

Hey, do you even know how hard it was for me to hack her the first time?! Changing some views is one thing, but stopping a rabid AI is another! The second I get found out it's over, and if she tightens security we'll never get another chance.

So what are you saying? The great E-Jun can't do it? Now who's the loser?

I didn't say I CAN'T do it I was just saying all that so you losers could understand how difficult it's going to be!

Heh. Now we just need to figure out a way to stack the odds in our favor.

By the way, you wouldn't happen to have a way to communicate with someone from another district, would you?

I mean, yeah, I could probably figure out a way if I wanted to. What, you gonna call for help?

Not many people know this district even exists. Most people you call would probably think it was some kind of prank.

Right, but we wouldn't just be calling any random person! It's more like...

Huh. I think I get it.

Well, it's definitely worth a try seeing as we don't have any other ideas. And hey, it sounds like fun. Count me in.

An invitation from the electrosphere... I like it! Let's give it a try!

Then we set our sights on one month from now. Sunny's streamaversary.

Then I better get started talking to all the other influencers.

It's gonna be a collab for the ages! Tell everyone to meet up here, okay?

Thanks for coming everyone. Everything I'm about to say is very important and I want you to listen carefully.

And that's the plan. What do you guys think? You in?

This is all...virtual reality?!

I'm having trouble processing all this... You sure this plan's gonna work?

What happens to us if they find out what we're doing?!

Yeah, there's no guarantee it'll work, and I hate to think of what will happen when it doesn't.

Seems like getting everyone on board might take some time, huh...

It's a lot to take in.

We'll just have to...

Stop with the doom and gloom already, will ya?! Turn those frowns upside down!

There's those beautiful faces!

It used to be I could dance till I was blue in the face and no one would watch my videos! Then we started doing collabs, and you guys taught me how to make videos that would really turn heads!

Tithi...

There's something special in all of us, and if we all work together, we can do anything!

This whole SigmaTube thing is about doing things your way, right? Live life the way YOU wanna live. And yet here we all being controlled? No way! Does that not make you mad?!

We know who we have to beat, and we know how to do it! So let's get to collabing and knock that Sunny off her top spot!

Doesn't that sound like the most fun thing ever?

Well, it does sound like the kind of drama that'd get a lot of buzz, you know...

Embracing the dark side... Heh. Sounds like a good fit for a cursed guy like me!

Yeah, yeah. I reckon my behind-the-scenes skills are what we need this time, though.

Alright! Let's get one up on that keen-bean AI! Time to do some debugging!

True, and it does sound like a lot of fun!

Yeah, let's give her everything we've got!

Heh. This'll be great!

You're amazing Tithi!

You are SO. COOL!

Eh, it was nothing.

Well what are we doin' standing around here? Let's go get ready!

It's gonna be a fun 30 days, eh?

Today's the day! You ready E-Jun?

All good on my end.

Then I'll start the stream!

Hey guuuys! Hope all my rays of light are feelin' the sunshine today cause ya girl Sunny is live and feelin' alive!

Wow guys, don't comment all at once! What? Me? A fake? Of course I'm not! A boyfriend? I don't have a boyfriend! You guys need to stop reading fake news!

Oookay, you got me, who's the prankster?

Don't worry, you won't get banned. A dramatuber huh? Gimme a link!

"SigmaDisGuineaPigs"? Never heard of 'em! Oh wow, that's a lot of followers!

Looks like it's working so far.

You bet it is, took us a whole month to get 'em, too!

Yeah, just as Nicola planned it.

I once met a very talented acrobat back in my world who was very good with their hands. He always said when you perform any magic trick to keep their focus away from the trick itself.

You think we could figure out a way to divert Q-08's attention away from the hacking?

What kind of thing would distract her...

...Fame, maybe?

We can't very well fluster Q-08, because she's always calm, right? There is one thing Q-08 is laser focused on, though. Fame. And sorry, Suzette, let me know if I get anything wrong here, but do you think you could create a social media account? One that exists on a network outside of the Sigma District, I mean. I want to use it to make up a bunch of stuff about Sunny to put a dent in that fame she's so proud of.

And while she's trying to put out all of those fires, we can get to hacking?

It's not gonna mean anything if you don't have followers to see the posts you know. No one's gonna pay attention to one random account.

Well, then we're just going to have to do whatever we can to grow the account! We've got an army of people who know how to do that here, right? If we can get everyone's help, it should be no problem!

To be honest, this kind of thing doesn't sit well with me... But the future of the Sigma District is at stake, after all!

Yeah... We have to steel our hearts and stir up a storm in a teacup to drop her in!

Someone's here.

Can you hear me?

Yes, I can.

That account is yours, isn't it?!

Yeah, it is. Took you long enough.

I have no idea how you were able to connect to the outside network, but I will NOT let you get away with sullying Sunny's name!

Never giving up, no matter how slim the chances for victory... That's the kind of unproductive human behavior you admire, right?

I said I wasn't going to kill you, but you've given me no choice! I'm going to make your mind suffer here first! And then I'm going to throttle the life from you!

How obscene. You may be on the dark side, but I'm the Princess of Darkness and I'm going to show you what real shadow is!

This isn't going to be an easy fight, but hey, at least it's straight forward!

Let's do this, guys!

Urgh...

You're gonna have to try harder than that to take us down!

...... If you were hoping to provoke me, it's a bit late for that now.

E-Jun?! She didn't...

Sorry guys. I messed up! Damn!

Thought you could hack into my AI systems while the scandal had me distracted, did you? What a short-sighted plan. I already anticipated your every move. It was unwise of you to underestimate the intellect of the Sigma District's supreme AI ruler.

Dammit!

The hack failed, and now I will put out this pathetic fire you set to Sunny's social media. Her honor must be restored! You've lost. Time to give... ......

......

Huh? What happened?

Something's up. I wonder...

Hey everyone. We did it!

Nicola! Which means...

Yeah, I got the ring!

Huzzah! What a comeback!

Yeah! That explains why Q-08 froze.

Looks like plan B worked!

Well, then we're just going to have to do whatever we can to grow the account! We've got an army of people who know how to do that here, right?

If we can get everyone's help, it should be no problem!

Yeah. If she ends up like that, it should be easy to exploit some vulnerability and pull off the hack. But I still think there's only about a 20 percent chance it'll work...

Seriously? Only 20 percent? Wow, I thought you could hack, but I guess not.

HEY! This is the ultimate in artificial intelligence! 20 percent is as good as you're gonna get!

Hmm... Then maybe it'd be easier if we just went and stole the ring, without shutting Q-08 down?

That's what I reckon! While we've got the enemy in a spin, I can sneak through the shadows and...

No. Like I said, it's impossible to go after Sunny directly.

I don't know... It just might work.

Huh?!

Well, open up enough programs on a computer and even the fastest machine is gonna slow to a crawl. If she loses her cool over the lies and trying to stop the hack, it might overload her processes and lower her defenses.

So we have a chance, then?

Uhhh...

Guys. Wow. My sinister mind just hatched the most deviously perfect plan!

All I'll need to do is to just sneak under the radar and grab the ring.

Don't you think she'd just hide Sunny first before she does all that stuff?

We just have to plan to do this at a time where she can't hide Sunny, like her streamaversary!

She does have a huge stream planned for next month...

She would never think about stopping the stream, because Sunny is a star and that would hurt her image. She'll be forced to keep it on, and more importantly keep Sunny in the spotlight.

You hit the nail right on the head, Tithi. Q-08 was completely wrapped up in the Sunny stream.

So most of her processing power was devoted to anti-hacking measures and stream monitoring?

That left her wide open. It was simple as can be.

Hehe. Chalk it up to real world experience!

So, I guess that's that then...huh?

What the... Aaaah!

Nicola?! What's wrong?

Aldo, we better hurry to the top floor!

Nicola! What...

No! Stay back!

Huh?

Best not to touch me right now. That ring was emitting some kind of strong magic that took over...

What can we do?

Magic? Are you okay?!

Yes, I'll be fine. But...they took the ring from me.

How did she...

Hehehe! Didn't your mom ever tell you stealing is wrong?! And yes, even from super popular influencers such as moi!

Don't feed the trolls and all!

So that's what the ring turned her into...

Yeah she looks SUPER evil! You're ready for this, right guys?!

I sure am. We made it this far together. Let's finish the job and put a stop to Q-08's rampage!

Yup! You're about to go from a shining star to a fallen one. One permanent ban, coming up!

We did it!

We pulled it off...

Everything okay now, Nicola?

Yeah, thanks for coming to my aid.

So this is the ring, huh.

Looks like it's destroyed, but...

Huh...another memory...

...... I thought the Sigma District project was shut down? Why are there people there?

You snapped out of it at last! It's good to see you back to your old self.

We have much to discuss... But first, let's get these people here back to their physical forms in the Gamma District!

Understood.

We're back! ...I think?

Looks like it's just us for now, but the other influencers should be able to come and go as they please soon.

I wish I had time to thank you all properly, but I still have some things left to do, so I will take my leave.

So I guess that's it, then?

Yeah. Everyone who got stuck in the Sigma District should be free again now.

This ring, though... It looks a lot like the one Odysso gave me. What could it be?

...... If you're that curious, why not just take it to him over at the Spacetime Rift?

It's about time he answered some questions. I think.

Yeah. You're right.

I'm a little worried about the other influencers, so I'm going to stay behind. Leave the Sigma District to me, okay? The three of you go find Odysso. You might even be able to find a way home!

Thanks, Suzette. We couldn't have done it without you.

I feel bad leaving things in this state, but you got this, Suzette!

You bet I do. I AM the Princess of Darkness, after all! I will make sure everything turns out okay! Let me know when you get the good news! And when you get back...

Then the four of us are gonna become top influencers for real!

I will! Let's dance up a storm when we get back!