After Defeating DJ Subatomic Supernova, the group headed back with Mayday and Zuke to their home. Which, unfortunately for Aqua, was in a sewer. But it didn't seem to mind for Mayday and Zuke. In fact, their Hangout had a lot of cool stuff in it. It was a maze network connecting to a break room, an underground gig, and even rooms for strategy and improving their gear. They even had a pet alligator named Ellie.

Despite their victory against Supernova, NSR didn't seem phased at all. They continued with their plans as their Satellite was launched into the air. However, the group gained a major supporter. A man named Kliff. He showed Mayday and Zuke how to use Supernova's platinum record to gain control of the Cast Tech District. He then headed to their hangout to brief them on their next target.

In Mayday and Zuke's Strategy Room…

(Cue- Wicked Plan- Persona 5)

"Alrighty!" Ultra said as the group sat in the strategy room. "Now that we know how to liberate districts, all we gotta do is make our way to NSR's tower, one district at a time. What's next?"

"Our next objective will be to take control of the Akusuka District." Tanya said. "The artist in control of this district is this individual."

Kliff then showed an image of a uniquely designed mermaid.

"GAH!" Le Kraken yelled as he ducked behind his chair. "Abomination dynamitée mangeur d'homme!"

"Is something wrong, Mr. Kraken?" Lily asked.

"A mermaid! A foul temptress of the sea!" Le Kraken said. "They lure you in with their sweet voices, and before you know what's happening - they drag you under the waves until you drown, then devour your corpse!"

"Uh… Le Kraken, not all mermaids… do that." Ethox said. "In fact, there are mermaids in Luffy's world that are actually quite friendly."

"And there's Ariel too in the Disney Heart Universe."

"Oh, excuse-moi for being wary of creatures that would not hesitate to devour us if given the chance!" Le Kraken said. "We must retake this district and defeat this monster at once!"

"Hey c'mon, buddy. I think you're overreacting." Ethox said.

"Look at her, captain. Does she seem like the kinda mermaid to wanna eat you?" Nemo asked.

"Da, I hear around the city she is quite popular with children." Molotok added.

"You think what you wish. I, d'un autre côté, will be keeping my guard up." Le Kraken said.

"Whatever, fradie-fish." Kazuma said.

"Kliff, would you mind telling us more about Sayu?" Tanya asked.

"I'd be glad to." Kliff nodded. "I hope you're up-to-date with the digital space, because Sayu has been making waves there as an idol. Sayu will be tricky to get close to, considering her...form. But, behind every creation is a creator, and this applies to Sayu too. And that's how we'll beat her."

"I see, so she's actually a digitally created star for NSR." Mirror Match said. "She seems popular, too."

"Uh, I just have one question. How the heck are we gonna get into cyberspace to confront her?" Kazuma asked.

"Take these devices, and head into Akusuka to the Kura-Kura Stream hub. They'll get you inside Sayu's digital territory where you can confront her." Kliff said handing everyone some devices. "Remember, she is not constrained by real world logic, so be prepared for anything. Good luck."

"Alrighty!" Mayday said.

"Let's go fishing." DJ said as the group headed out of the sewers.

The group made their way through Cast Tech to infiltrate Akusuka. When they got there, they found that Akusuka was a Japanese-themed district.

"Wow. Vinyl City must really love japanese stuff. But this seems a little… stereo typical." Ethox said.

"You gotta admit, it's pretty awesome though." Mayday said.

"Alright, the Kura Kura Stream hub should be just ahead." Mirror Match said.

"Time to Hijack a concert!" Mayday said as they all jumped into the hub and found themselves in an underwater themed area as some of it was wireframed.

(Cue: Aquarium Park Act 1- Sonic Colors)

"Whoa, were in Cyberspace! This is amazing!" Ultraman said.

"I've heard of surfing the Web, but this is crazy." DJ said. "No sign of Sayu, though…"

"She must be further deep into the Server. NSR wouldn't make it easy to get to their artists after we just waltzed in on Subatomic Supernova." Tanya pointed out.

"Right. Guess we gotta break through their barriers one at a time. Shouldn't be too hard though." Legolia said.

The group then continued on, battling their way through the defenses of Sayu's security grid. As they did, Ethox got a thought.

"Hey, guys… I just realized something. Sayu was created by people in the real world, right? I know she's pretty popular with people here in the city, but it's what her creators made her for, right?" Ethox asked.

"I'm… not sure where you're going with this, but continue." DJ said.

"Well, Sayu is a digital reconstruction. Is it even possible for her to have a say in the matter?" Ethox asked. "Would she want to be an idol if she was given the choice to be one? I just… all the NSR artists are under Being X's control. That includes Sayu, but she's a digital construct. Do you think that if she could make her own choice, she would've accepted that power?"

"Hmm… you do have a point. Sayu isn't really the one controlled by Being X. I think her creators are." Ristarte said.

"Exactly! It's not her fault she's under his control." Ultra said. "We'll just need to find a way to break her creator's control."

"I'm sure we'll find it. After all, everything has the potential to develop a heart of its own." Ethox said. "I'm sure Sayu can too."

"Well, I think we're about to find out." Kazuma said, pointing to a pink gate.

The group then headed inside, as they proceeded to the next area.

The next area the group arrived in was a digitally constructed Coral Reef, with sounds of underwater movement.

"Wow…" Ethox marveled at the scenery.

"What a dreamy place." Mayday added.

"It really feels like we're under the sea. Well, as close as it gets." Ultra said.

Nemo then spotted something. "Hey, here comes our leading lady, guys!"

It was a brightly colored pink mermaid with white hair with a yellow streak on the front and back along with a blue and pink streak as small blue pearls floated around her hair, heart shaped eyes and a white top with a blue, white, and pink scale patterned tail.

"Oh my! Welcome, friends! Are you here to receive the sweet honey bubbles of my angelic voice?" Sayu asked.

"What? Bulles de miel sucré?" Le Kraken asked. "That's a very unique term for a monster like-" he continued before Molotok and Nemo dragged him off, covering his mouth.

"Ignore him, he's old fashioned." Ethox said. "While we do wanna hear you sing Sayu, we're actually here to help you out by freeing you, and-" he was stopped when Mayday tapped his shoulder.

"I can't believe you're actually talking to this thing." She whispered. "She's not even real!"

"Shush, May! Don't say the R word! It's a very taboo subject in this district." Zuke whispered as Mayday gave him a deadpan expression.

"The...R word? You mean real?" Mayday asked. "Just look at her, you two! She's. not. reaaaaaaaaaal!"

Sayu gasped in shock "But I am real!" She said before motioning to the group. "As real as your love for each other." she said, mentioning everyone together.

"WHOA!" Ethox gasped.

"Wait, what?!" Mayday said in shock.

"Whoah, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on!" Zuke said in shock as well.

"Huh?!" Ristarte asked in shock.

"Wh-What?!" Lily shyly gasped, blushing.

"Seriously!?" Kazuma said. "No way in hell! What makes you think that I have the hots for anyone here, you crazy fish?!"

(Cue: Vs. Sayu- No Straight Roads)

"I can see it in your eyes! Your hearts are pounding like the beating drums of the ocean! Ba-bump! Ba-bump!" Sayu said, with her hands over her heart.

"Ba-bump?" Zuke asked.

"It means follow your heart, Zuke!" Sayu said.

"I, uh… but there are many factors to consider, so-" Zuke said before Mayday cut him off.

"Hey, hey, we're here to fight, alright?! Everyone, snap out of it! And you! You're still not real! Less talk, more rock!" Mayday said.

"Hey, aren't we here to set her free? We shouldn't be insulting her." Ethox said.

"I'm sorry Ethox, but what she said about me loving any girl here, especially the ones in our party, really pisses me off!" Kazuma said.

"No more talk! Mort à la sorcière de mer!" Le Kraken said, drawing his eight swords.

"Ah, you're so mean! How could you not take me seriously? Look at me!" Sayu giggled before she swam away to a farther position. "Seems like I have no choice but to defeat you with the power of...Love Love Sayu Pyuuun!"

SAYU

Cyber-Sea Idol of Love

"Hey, she's getting away!" Kazuma said, drawing his sword. "Come back here! In the name of true gender equality, I'll fight any girl that deserves it!"

"Alright, now you're just being silly." DJ deadpanned. "Anyway, let's see if we can't find a way to break her connection with the creative team. That should weaken Being X's control."

"Right." Ethox said as the group approached Sayu, avoiding the obstacles along the way. "Sayu, please! We just want to help you!"

"How 'bout you come down here so we can actually hit you?!" Kazuma asked.

"Why hate when we can love? Love's the most powerful power in the world! Pyun! Pyun! Pyun!" Sayu said.

Meanwhile, Sayu's creators, all under the influence of Being X, were animating her every move. The girl on sound and vocals, Tila, repeated the sound Sayu was making through a mic before looking up to the leader, Remi, who was in charge of drawing Sayu's form. He looked through a periscope before he gained an idea and drawed something on his digital pad as a symbol depicting a paintbrush lit up above him.

Back in cyberspace, the same symbol lit up above Sayu before she flashed in white light as her appearance instantly changed. Looking more pink as her hair slightly grew and turned wavy.

"Oooo. She looks...cute." Mayday said with hearts in her eyes.

"Try and catch me!" Sayu laughed before swimming to a different platform.

"Hey! Get back here!" Kazuma called.

"Let's get her, guys! I want to pinch her cheeks!" Mayday said.

"The servers connecting her to her creators must be farther ahead. Let's keep after her!" Ethox said.

The group continued to follow Sayu across the platforms, avoiding drones and other obstacles along the way. When they got to the end of the platform, Sayu was still dancing in place.

With the creators, Remi gave directions to Sayu's motion capture animator, Dodo, who wore a motion capture suit and had a katana strapped to his back as he soon began dancing while a symbol depicting a figure walking, lit up behind him.

The same symbol appeared over Sayu like the last one, as the music began to vocalize and speed up a bit.

"Sing and dance with me, okay?" Sayu asked. "One, two, three, peaaaaace!" she said as a trident materialized in her hands as she soon posed before swimming further down.

"One, two, three, peaaaaace!" Mayday repeated.

"May!" Zuke chided.

"What's happening to me?!" Mayday said.

"Hey, you gotta admit, her stuff's pretty catchy!" Ethox said.

"C'mon, let's get this done before May asks Sayu for an autograph." Ultra said.

"Hey!" Mayday chided.

As Sayu's voice sang in the background, they finally found parts of Sayu's server network. Attached to each one above them were red glowing orbs that were feeding data into the chips.

"There! I think Being X's power is being channeled through Sayu's creators into the servers via those orb things!" Aqua said.

"Good eye, Aqua!" Ethox nodded. "Okay guys. Hit the orbs, but don't destroy the chips!"

"I understand." Mirror Match said as he fired a crystal at one of the orbs, destroying it.

"I got this next one!" Nemo called, destroying it with a well placed throwing knife.

Upon destroying the orbs over the sound and art patches, the Motion capture animation patch was cleared up from fire walls as Goblin Slayer sliced the orb apart.

"Did that do it?" Megumin asked.

Sayu twitched again as her eyes turned into x's and the paintbrush symbol appeared as her appearance changed once again, with her hair growing longer with streaks of pink, blue, and yellow as it was the same on the rest of her body with her tail becoming spiral shaped and having 6 fins as she did a peace sign with one eye open.

Her appearance change was thanks to Remi, who urged awake the team's Video Editor, Sofa. He quickly got to work as ta symbol depicting a film reel appeared above him.

Back in the real world, Sayu posed again and winked.

"I'm too cute to fight!" she said with her voice a little static and rough, swimming away as the music picked up once more.

"Okay, who damaged her voice program?!" Ethox said.

Nemo and Moolotok looked at their captain who was hacking at the sound server.

"Captain…!" Nemo said, grabbing him and pulling him away. "We're here to save Sayu, not destroy her!"

"Why you little!" Mayday said, comically choking Kraken around his neck.

"*ack!* Well, veuillez m'excuser for trying to-!" Le Kraken said before Lily, of all people, walked up to him and slapped him. "Ow!"

"Mr. Kraken, that's enough!" Lily said sternly. "You can't just assume someone is bad just because of what they are. Even Mr. Goblin Slayer was willing to give the Tempest Village a chance, even though there were goblins among them! Sayu is a victim of Being X, not a monster! You should be ashamed of yourself!"

"...Uh… D-Désolé." Le Kraken said, clearly at a loss for words.

"Glad we cleared that up," Kazuma said. "Now after her!"

The group grinded down the music rails as the lyrics were different. As they did that, Sofa lowered the brightness as the area darkened. It was like they were going deeper into the ocean. They then found themselves in an area with all four parts of Sayus coding being represented, with more orbs and defenses around it.

"Stop. Running. Away. Sayu!" Mayday protested as Sayu swam up. Now that the area was daker, she looked way different as her colors inverted, and they could actually see circuitry on her body. Her hair was a neon pink, her body a dark blue with a symbol for the power button on her chest, and it almost looked as if there were pink tears under her eyes.

"Aren't these ones and zeroes wonderful? Through them, I can link my feelings with all my fans around the world!" Sayu said happily.

"Yeah, that's pretty cool. But are they really your fans, or are you just being used for other people to gain fame?" Ethox asked.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Sayu asked.

"Sayu, you are real, there's no denying that." Ethox said. "But are you alive? Do you really want to fight, or are you fighting us because you're being made to fight?"

Sayu seemed confused by that question, but regardless, she still wanted to perform.

"I don't fight, I love! Love will save the world!" Sayu said. "Are you ready, everyone?!" she asked as multiple glowsticks appeared as they were waving. They also heard a crowd going into an uproar.

"I think we might be getting to her! Keep attacking those orbs!" Ethox siad.

The group split up to destroy the more durable orbs placed on the Sound, Art, Video and Animation servers while generally avoiding damaging any more of Sayu's systems. Once all the orbs were damaged, they disconnected from the servers and floated into the air, intensifying with power until they all jammed into Sayu's body, making her glitch even more.

Outside in the real world, things had devolved into chaos as Sofa, Dodo, and Tila crowded around Remi in panic as Sofa began writing something on Remi's tablet.

"Listen to the soundwaves I want to give you!" Sayu said, before glitching. "No! Enough of you! Please leave this place!" she said as her teeth turned sharp and her eyes narrowed and pupiless.

"Say what?" Mayday asked.

"She's glitching all over the place!" DJ said.

"We should link our intangible feelings!" Sayu said happily before glitching again. "Shoo! Go away!" she said angrily.

"Alright, I've had just about enough of this!" Ethox said as the music was prepping to change again. "Darkness, footstool!"

"Oh, you're such a mean person!" Darkness swooned before he jumped on Darkness' arms and was launched right at Sayu, ramming into her as the two began fighting in midair as the lyrics got a little aggressive.

One, two, three, four

Motion on the ocean floor!

Five, six, seven, eight

Double bubble, swim some more!

One, two, three, four

Motion on the ocean floor!

One, two, three, four

Swishing fishes, bring it in!

Five, six, seven, eight

Triple ripple, shake your fins!

One, two, three, four

Swishing fishes, let's begin~!

One, two, three, four

Salmon jammin' everywhere!

Five, six, seven, eight

Slammin' clams, I just don't care!

One, two, three, four

Salmon jammin' everywhere!

One, two, three, four

Swimmin' undersea parade!

Five, six, seven, eight

Cutesy-wootsy, pink mermaid!

One, two, three, four

Swimmin' undersea parade!

Ethox continued to block strikes from Sayu's trident, before finally getting an opening and knocking it away before stabbing his keyblade into Sayu with all his might. Sayu screamed as she glitched. From inside her, the four red orbs glowed brilliantly.

At this moment, all four of Sayu's creators quit their squabbling and mashed all of their talents together. The four red orbs then combined in Sayu's body as Being X's power merged with their determination and emotions.

Suddenly, something was coming from Sayu's body, struggling to get out before it finally erupted in yellow and blue code. And out of Sayu came…..

….a giant, ugly looking fish with Sayu's dominant color scheme and two dangling legs. A reverse mermaid. Sayu's original body flopped to the ground in front of the group, who were looking at what just happened.

"I've made up our mind! Get out! You guys are no longer welcomed here! Gwaaah!" it said.

"WHAT THE *beep* IS THAT?!" DJ said in shock.

"Whoa. What is. This." Mayday said, also in shock.

"That is a reverse mermaid." Le Kraken said. "They don't eat humans, so this is much better."

"Leave! Gwaaah!" Reverse Sayu yelled as it attacked with its legs.

"Wait, so my adorable mermaid idol could've turned into THAT?!" Mayday asked in shock.

"Thank god we didn't destroy those chips." Legolia said.

"There's only one way to end this!" Zuke said.

"OK, OK, let's just get rid of this thing! Arrrgh!" Mayday said in disgust. "Red Light!" she said, holding her left fist up.

"Green Light!" Zuke said, pounding down on it as Mayday swapped out a canister on her guitar with a different one as it spun to show an angry face on it. Zuke was right behind her as he tapped his drumsticks in a three count.

"Bunka! Junka! Shakalaka-BAM!" The pair called out firing a blast at Reverse Sayu engulfing her in a bright light as a record showing Sayu's original form appeared before the art cover changed to show Reverse Sayu in a fishbowl with Zuke and Ethox fishing for her as Mayday was opening a bag of shellfish chips while she grinned with DJ and Mirror Match behind her.

Sayu

Purged of her crew to make room for a heart! SAVED!

The reverse mermaid Sayu fell on the ground and flopped around before stopping completely.

"Well, that was surreal at the end." Kazuma said.

"And a little disturbing." Tanya added.

The group then turned to the fallen Sayu, back in her base state as she started to recover.

"Hey, Sayu's waking up!" Megumin said as they rushed to her as Sayu opened her eyes.

"Uggggh…. Wh… what happened to me?" Sayu asked before she gasped. "I can speak on my own? And… I can feel, and move!"

"That's right. We severed your link with your creators. Now you can perform all on your own. And plus, you have your own heart." Ethox smiled.

"But… why do all this for me?" Sayu asked.

"Someone once said in my memories, that a heart can live anywhere. Even inside data." Ethox said. "You have a right to live your own life, make your own music. It's not right to leave somebody like that."

"Oh. Thank you. So, guess you're going to take the district away from me now, right?" Sayu asked.

"No…I think we'll let you keep it." Ethox said. "So many people love what you do. It's just not right to take it all away from you, even if we are trying to take the city back."

"Thank you so much!" Sayu said swimming happily. "As thanks for saving me, I'll give you a means to have me help you whenever you need me!"

Appearing in Ethox's hands was a strange accessory. But he already knew what it was just by looking at it.

"This is… a Heartbinder!" Ethox said.

"A Heartbinder?!" Kazuma said in shock. "Aren't those the things that let people summon characters they have a strong bond with?"

"Yup, and I think I just got the one that links me and Sayu together." Ethox said.

"Summon me anytime you need me, and I'll be there to support you with the power of love love Sayu pyun!" Sayu said.

"Hehehe… thanks Sayu." Ethox said.

Just then, one of the eyes on Reverse Sayu opened up to reveal a portal.

"Guess that's our ticket outta here." Seiya said. "Let's go."

The group then went through the portal to find themselves in the control room of Sayu's creators, scaring the living daylights out of them.

"Bunk Bed Junction and Fatebreakers on the bridge!" Mayday announced.

"So, those are Sayu's creators…" DJ said. "Well then, let's get this done."

"Hehehehehe." Mayday said as the four creators backed into a corner, terrified. "Hehehehehe!" she continued laughing, reaching a hand out as she pulled the plug. That disconnected the creators from Sayu for good.

"Sorry about that, kids. But I don't think Showbiz is your thing. You guys are really talented otherwise, but you four should really stay outta things you're too old for." Seiya said.

"Stay in school, do your homework, and most importantly don't ever turn Sayu into that thing." Mayday said.

"Well, good luck, guys!" Ethox waved as the group walked out the door. "Well, I'm glad we resolved all that… relatively peacefully."

"Two artists down, three to go." Aqua smiled. "We're on a roll!"

"Yeah, but why do I get the feeling we're about to attract a lot more attention to ourselves?" Rista asked as they walked down the street. As they did, their shadows grew into some weird shapes as a Hip Hop/Malay-style Dikir Barat beat was playing to lead them off.