AI Hunter Chronicles: Energized (Season 1)

Episode 52: Brace For Impact

???: Finally! After two months of preptime, it is time!

???: I got everything I need, and have selected everywhere I want.

???: Now it's time! Time for the ultimate story to unfold!

--BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT--

Ruby's Cabin, Holmfirth, DDICU 14

It is early morning for Holmfirth, and Ruby tends to be a heavy sleeper. However, last night Ruby was up since the sun went down. Somehow, for some reason, Realist 1 made it back to her. She even had a new name, Daria! Daria Everbloom. She chose that herself, just like Ruby did all that time ago at the Pivot Parade. Ruby introduced her to Nicole (Which I'll refer to as Nicole-687 for clarification purposes) and spent the night reuniting and getting caught up with each other. Eventually, though, dawn approached, and Nicole had to get going.

Nicole-687: This has all been fun, but I've been gone for about a month and I don't want my parents to worry about me too much.

Ruby: Yeah, I can see why you need to leave. I bet your parents will be asking questions on how you are when you get home.

Nicole-687: Heh Yep. Can't believe I have to lie to them about all this.

Nicole pauses for a moment before continuing on.

Nicole-687: Speaking of people lying, I think you need to confront someone in your village of yours.

Ruby tilts her head in a confused manner.

Ruby: Confront someone? Who are you talking about?

Nicole-687: This Citra guy. You know him?

Ruby: Sort of. He's someone new to the village. Came here about two months ago.

Nicole-687: Something's off about him. He seems shady as get out. I don't just say that because of fourth wall intuition about tropes and behaviors either. It's hard to not see that he's up to something.

Ruby: Now that you mention it...he was awfully shady. There was this one time he got too close to a Face Raider for no reason, and he didn't care about getting hurt at all.

Nicole-687: Yeah. It's just f#cking weird. Anyways, I got to get going. And if I do get a chance do something like this again, I'll keep in touch. Take care Ruby.

Ruby: Take care.

...

Outside Era's Apartment, Summerford, Estaria

We cut to the halls of the Apartment complex where Era lives with Cain. A certain bubble gum haired assassin has made her way into the building and is now down the hall where Era's living space is. She makes her way to Era's apartment, trying her hardest not to sweat bullets.

Rie: (Dammit, have my palms always been sweaty? Sh#t. Stay calm Rie. You've always been calm around her. She knows you're cool. She Knows you're cool.)

Rie makes her way to the apartment's door and steels herself.

Rie: (It's so simple. Just ask her if she wants to do something with you. You know, like kill people, do a bit of graffiti, and maybe have a little bit of lunch at my place if we have time. This is not a date, you're just asking her to hang out with you.)

Rie knocks on the door. No response. She contemplates trying to pick the lock herself when Era opens the door.

Era: Oh, hey Rie. How's it-