Section 4: The Long Road to Mythdom (3/3)

Okay, Senpai, we've collected all we need for the barbecue. Now all we have to do is prepare it.

Hm? It looks like there's another battle going on over there.

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Right, Master.

It's Anning. It looks like she's on her own. And I think... Is she doing some hunting, herself?

Skreee!

Eep! When did it get so close!?

Knock it off, Plesio.

Skree?

You said your name was Fujimaru, right? You've been helping Bunyi, haven't you?

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But even so...you still worried about my baby here, didn't you?

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Hmm, is that so? Well, aren't you the big softie? Okay, then how 'bout we agree to go our separate ways?

Good. I'm glad you're quick to understand. Hehe, be careful out there. Chumps like you always get the short end of the stick.

No thanks. I can take care of my baby here myself. I'm done relying on anyone else for anything.

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No, he hasn't!

...He's still got plenty of growing to do, both in size and strength. I'm gonna raise him to be the emperor of the whole damn Jurassic Period.

And when I do...I'll settle the score. So that probably means I'll have to fight you, too.

Welp, see you later, Fujimaru. Come on, Plesio, let's go.

Skreee!

...Anning seemed kind of tired to me.

Surviving on a Jurassicified Mississippi River must be harder than even she expected.

？！

Maybe she's training for something? Or maybe...

Master, I think it's time we headed back. Bunyan and the others are waiting for us.

Félicitations! The barbecue's all ready to eat!

We've got plenty of maple syrup too, so use all you like!

Let's...eaaat!

Looks like everyone's in a much better mood now. 'Course, we ain't seen a dime yet...

You will. I promise. I just need a little more time.

Hey, can I ask you something? Why isn't the real Babe here? Wouldn't it save money and draw a bigger audience?

Babe..changed at some point. I guess that's just what happens with childhood friends.

Gotcha. Now that you mention it, you are a little more grown-up now. But you're also more...normal?

Normal? Me? No, I'm not.

Well, just look at you. You're not even all that tall anymore.

I'm not my child self anymore, okay!? These days, I'm all about symbolic growth!

The ancient giants might've been at home in forests, but as the latest model, I'm happy with attention and likes coming in through my little social media window.

This statue is for all my supportive employés. This is how everyone sees me.

Hmm... But, it's...well, not that cute?

Huh!?

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...Y-yeah, let's. I'm the leader AND host of the party, so how can I expect everyone else to have fun if I'm not!?

Hey guys! Watch me chug this gallon of maple syrup!

You're going to drink it!?

I'll help. There.

Thank yoUrk! (Glug, glug, glug)

Aaah!

Our foe is a formidable one. We must keep our guard up.

You think I don't know that? Of course I do. But, um, maybe we should've stuck to hunting something a little...easier?

We need nutrients! Our own safety is a distant second. Don't you even know that, "me"?

Yes, yes, of course I do! Oh geez, oh geez! If worse comes to worst, we can always multiply!

We give thanks for this bounty!

We got them! Yaaay! ...But, um, how are we going to feed all this to him?

Good question, "me."

I can tell you didn't think that far ahead either, "me."

Well, this is a pretty pickle. What do we do? What do we do?

Skreee!

Lord Plesiosaurus!?

Fancy running into you two. What're you up to out here?

You're here too, Boss Anning!?

Perhaps this is the Buddha's guidance. Please take this; we hoped to give it to you. This freshly caught Mississippi whale is full of nutrients.

We hope Lord Plesiosaurus likes it!

You know, I've been watching you two hunt for a while now.

O-oh. I see...

We'd have been very happy if you helped us...

Huh? And why would I do that?

You're right. I'm not even sure why "I" said that. Come on, "me," you should know better.

I'm sorry... I guess this means Boss Anning really isn't our boss anymore, then...

Oh, for...! Listen up!

Yes!? What is it?

...If you wanna serve me, that's your choice. But I'm not gonna thank you, pay you, or anything like that!

You okay with that?

Oh yes! Thank you! Thank you!

Well then, guess I'll take you up on your offer. Go on, Plesio. Chow down.

Skreee!

...And when you're done, we'll head back home...to your Takarabune. If that's okay.

Of course it is!

I guess we got off on the wrong foot. You'll forgive me though, right? Here, how 'bout a makeup hug?

Oh, uh, okay...

You said your name was Fujimaru, right? You'll join my companions, right?

Right!?

So please, Fujimaru. Help me stop Lancer.

Thank you!

That's it. I look really cute. I knew Rider would come through. Though of course, it helps that she has such a great subject to work with.

But this still isn't nearly enough. Hmm... Let's put the full-length mirror down here.

Here, how 'bout a makeup hug?

You'll join my companions, right!?

Thank you!

Hmm. No, not quite...

Thank you!

Wait. Is someone there!?

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Fujimaru...?

Well, that's okay then. I'm sure you can keep a secret. Don't tell anyone else about this, okay?

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Don't worry about me or anything. I'm doing this because I like it. I want to be even cuter than I already am.

That way, everyone will like me and agree to be one of my employés, right?

And don't tell me I'm already cute enough, okay? I'm going to go above and beyond!

Ideally, I'd like to be cute enough to, say, stop a war with a smile, or make someone feel like they've died and gone to heaven with a hug.

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Not even close. I'm no god, no hero...though maybe I could be if I wanted to.

But if I were, I could easily solve every problem myself, and then nobody else would ever need to grow or learn.

That's why I want my employés to always be giving their all.

I want them to ask themselves what they can do to help me. To help the world? How can they be useful?

The way I see it, if they really like me, and they're one of my delightful companions...

...then they'll just do everything they can to make the world a better place, right?

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Remember what I said when we first met, Fujimaru? I said I wanted to make myths together.

I meant it. I want to change the world and make new myths that'll support it, all at the same time.

That's why I was summoned here. That's what I've been working towards all this time.

So I'm not a god and I'm not a hero. The best I can do to make the world I want to see is gather companions and decide the roles they'll play.

That's how I've made all these

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I know most of them have been failures so far. But I'm still not giving up.

I want to create mythsstories people around the world will love, admire, enjoy over and over, think about, and discuss for generations.

Making movies is the only way I can do that.

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Oh, well...I'm basically just repeating what she always says... But I really do believe that. I made the choice to.

And I want you to help me make that happen, Fujimaru. I've even got a new script all ready to go.

But it might need a few rewrites. Plus, I just got a great idea for the last scene.

I'm sure this script will be a success. That's why it's going to be the last movie I make.

I can't tell you what it's about yet...but you'll stick around to see our movieour myth gets made right, won't you?

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Trust me. I promise it's going to be a masterpiece!

I'm hooome. Phew, I'm exhausted!

...

The hell!? Who're you!?

Not to worry. One of them is one of us.

And the other is...Lord Assassin?

...

Ooh, do you have something for me? Yay!

Don't take it! It can't possibly be anything good!

Is this...a map? It looks like it shows the locations of various prehistoric creatures living near the Mississippi River.

I suppose these skull marks warn of contaminated areas.

This could be a great way to locate new sources of nutrients for Lord Plesiosaurus!

I don't understand. Why would you give me something so useful?

...

Are you leaving now? Do take care on your way back. And thank you for a wonderful gift.

Huh? Does this mean one of Bunyi's minions snuck aboard the Takarabune while we were away?

...Then why didn't they try to take it back?

Maybe they're just really nice!

What!? No way that's No, wait. Could it be? ...Nah...

At any rate, now we can be sure you'll have an especially nutritious meal tomorrow, Lord Plesiosaurus.

Skreee!

No, seriously. Why?