Ah... fun times with cosplays.
"Is it bad?" The shy Seele asks, a bit scared at what HoTE is implying.
"Well… it depends on how you define 'bad'." Returning back to the seat next to HoV, HoTE groans while grabbing another cup of coffee for herself.
"Is this… the same thing in the fairy tales?" GRISEO questions.
"That's one kind of curse. The kind that will harm anyone being used on." Taking a sip, HoTE continues. "Good or bad, it also depends on the curse itself and who or what it's being used on."
"What's the other?" KOSMA addresses.
"The kind that could give you permanent damage despite not harming you at all. Similar to PTSD, but… different."
All except Ai-chan send her looks of confusion, not understanding what she's talking about.
"Should we hide the kids away if it's bad?"
"...I don't think it's necessary." HoTE shakes her head. "If it resolves to violence or something similar, my other self would have warned me. Though, I guess whatever happens next is only understandable by adults."
"Ara ara, then we should definitely hide the children away." ELYSIA replies, not wanting to 'taint' the young innocent artist of her group.
"It's called 'innuendo' jokes, so even if it's right there, they won't know. But… I doubt he is going to do so."
"I think it's just a prank." Ai-chan giggles. "Just let the vision start, and if you know what it is, you can warn us when to cover the kids' eyes."
"...It could work. Hopefully."
"Our world… is so bright and beautiful…"
Inside a city lightened with neon, a young boy watches the dark sky covering up top, with no other citizens paying him any mind.
"We once believed that things would stay the same."
"I just remembered something." HoTE turns to the PE crew and asks. "Do normal people actually know of the Honkai's true existence, or they just believed it to be a disaster?"
"They only know about them as diseases and monsters at best. Each era also loses pieces of information, so all almost dilutes in time." Welt Yang answers for that, surprisingly.
"Hm… a bit of sense. Honkai and humans advance at similar growth rates, so maybe it's the case." HoTE talks to herself, then returns back to the vision.
"That this blue planet, just like yesterday, would sail towards an infinite tomorrow, carrying our glorious civilization."
The camera expands, showing the Earth floating in space, with the Sun shining a part of it.
Then, the planet glows red…
"But a Death Knell interrupts its course."
Herrscher of The End appears, her hands hovering below the planet, ready to reset it.
"The god known as Honkai laid waste, destroying everything we had."
"It knew no mercy."
Everyone shivers when the God in the vision turns her eyes towards them, coldness piercing through everyone. Though what surprises them further is HoTE pointing a handgun towards the vision, her posture suggesting that she's ready to shoot the God in the face.
"UH… Captain…"
Despite Ai-chan's call, she doesn't falter for a few seconds… then she sighs and drops herself back to the seat. "Sorry. Just making sure we don't have to fight her."
"We're a bit scared too." Doctor MEI, still feeling the cold gaze when the vision stops. "But it's just us watching…"
"I know several villains who can kill through TVs or even just pictures, so I'm not taking chances."
"So? Making a portal isn't that hard." HoV scoffs, not believing it to be impossible.
HoTE plans to say more, but she notices many are already throwing the tablets away and trying to keep themselves away from the vision as far as possible. She sighs and calms them down: "Don't worry, they're nowhere close to us. And even if they are, I will make sure they won't harm you."
They reluctantly calm down, not very sure if her words are true or not.
'Hey Cap, are you bluffing?'
'Which part?'
'All.'
'Yes, they exist. And yes, they're not a problem to me.'
The scene shows Kevin standing before the Seed of Sumeru, watching the beauty of the tree.
"No measure of time is gonna make me forget the tears and the blood shed… on the day that our civilization perished."
"Hold on, that's…"
"You?" Doctor MEI turns to a surprised KEVIN. "...I mean, the appearance is right, but the voice…"
"It's one of the Recorders." All turn to HoTE with their glances demanding an explanation. "History can't write itself, can it?"
"...Project Valuka."
"It's similar, Doctor MEI."
"Are you one yourself?" Ai-chan has a grasp of what 'Cap' can do now…
"...Somewhat. My job is more to directly interact with some universes. My other self, though, you can call him a Recorder too."
"...And this is why we are here, isn't it?" Despite just getting here for a few minutes, Einstein instantly finds out what's going on.
HoTE takes a deep breath and tries to find a way to wiggle out… and sighs in defeat. "Yeah."
"...Just how powerful are you?"
"Enough for you to not mess with, MOBIUS."
"Is that an invitation?"
"You can test that after a couple more visions, KALPAS."
"I made a promise to her and everyone. No matter what the cost is, or the sacrifice, humanity will prevail."
"Though this Recorder knows how to voice KEVIN." ELYSIA comments with a smile.
"It's very close to you."
"I will admit that he has talents in acting as me, SU."
"But then, in the previous visions, it's really our voices." Otto addresses. "Or are they just voice actors?"
"There are many cases when many people have the same voice, so it shouldn't be that surprising." Welt Yang replies.
"Recorders mostly keep your voices unless somehow the records were broken somewhere that they have to make replacements." HoTE replies.
"COME ON, TYRANT ABOVE! Watch the stars crumble before you!"
Welt Yang, bruised and bleeding, uses his power to create Anti-Entropy's arsenals and fire them all at the Herrscher above…
Thankfully, the vision is slightly blurred, so while everyone could tell it's a Herrscher the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy is fighting against, not many can tell how she looks…
Except the girl herself, as she hugs baby Kiana a bit tighter in fear, much to the latter's confusion. Cecilia notices that and gives her a comfort hug, reducing her anxiety. Bella and Benares join in too so Sirin wouldn't feel lonely.
"Herrschers? Honkai? Nothing but a cornerstone in my centuries-long dream."
The vision shows Otto 'accepting' the power of Honkai in order to achieve his first and final plan. Then everything reverts back to the beginning of the vision in a few seconds…
"Hm… I don't see anything that…"
HoFi immediately covers HoS' mouth to stop her from continuing…
"Is cursed."
"...Bronya thinks you just jinxed us." HoTr deadpans.
"I agree." HoTE sighs while rubbing her left temple and grabbing the bleach bottle.
"Are you going to drink that?" HoV asks, despite knowing that would be…
"No, I'm gonna wash my eyes with it." Seeing the Herrscher's deadpan look, 'Cap' sends back the same one. "That's what I'm willing to do if whatever we saw next is too cursed."
"HOWEVER. It's money that makes the world go round!"
The whole background tone suddenly turns comical as the three organizations' icons appear, followed by their three leaders lying unconsciously underneath stacks of bills.
"Ah, things I hate so much."
"I can relate to." Theresa agrees.
"...They are going to do something stupid." SAKURA places her left hand on her forehead, not daring to think what will happen next.
"Hm…" Otto wakes up first, then pulls out an image with Durandal being in a bunny outfit… "Idol looks like a profitable job…"
"Ah." Bianka recognizes the picture. "So he's going to create a contest for those who want to be idols…"
"Why don't we debut!?"
All freeze for a moment when Otto exclaims his 'idea'. It happens for a few seconds before all turn their heads towards the other Otto in the room, who quickly raises his hands up in surrender mode as he replies: "Hey, it's the other me! Not me!"
"Are you suggesting us…"
"To dress up and go on a stage with you?" The other two faction leaders question, their weapons starting to materialize, ready to maim the last leader.
"WAIT WAIT WAIT! LISTEN…"
"In his defense…" They turn to HoTE who starts opening the cap of the bleach bottle slowly. "Male idols are also popular. I believe there are as many successes as the girls."
"Then… where's the…"
"Put YOUR clothes on them, Durandal."
The vision resumes by itself, and Kevin facepalms and SOMEHOW AGREES DESPITE HIS DISPLEASURE: "*Sigh* Fine… no matter… what the cost is, I will purge Honkai."
"HOW!? WHY!?" KEVIN, in a very rare moment that he loses his cool, roars to the screen.
"OH IT'S GOING TO BE BEAUTIFUL!" Guess who.
EDEN giggles in the background as her friend starts fantasizing about what's about to come.
KOSMA is having a blank look, though he's panicking inside, seeing his reliable leader about to do an unspeakable activity that NO ONE would think he would do willingly.
The rest of PE either look at their leader in sympathy, or just laugh at his face. GRISEO, though, is starting to draw multiple KEVIN in girly outfits, much to APONIA's unexpressed amusement.
Kallen then remembers a certain event as she giggles and Otto sighs. "So you did the same thing then."
"Well, I dressed up to help you, that I'm willing to do. But to get profit…"
"And I thought Kallen was just joking…" Sakura starts smirking as well, remembering the stories her lover shared with her.
"ARE… YOU… CRAZY!? THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!"
"At least I haven't lost my mind." Welt Yang sighs as he kneels his body down a bit in defeat. "But given the moment, I can tell I'm still dragged into it."
Einstein pats his shoulder, sympathizing his fate, while Tesla covers her mouth to avoid getting her laugh go too loud as she punches the table in front of her.
"I'm ready to use this."
"Wait until the whole thing goes through, otherwise you're going to pour onto yourself multiple times."
"Thanks for the advice, HoV."
DREAMS CONQUER DESPAIR
The postures of three 'idols' appear in purple-blue-orange, with their respective organizations being Schicksal, World Serpent and Anti-Entropy.
"Kallen, make sure to watch me shine on stage!"
Otto Apocalypse, confidently wearing a purple-themed dress with white skirt, holds the microphone as he presents himself.
"Mei, no matter what the cost is, I will prevail!"
Kevin Kaslana, his dress is mostly white with sky blue as lineups and theme, reluctantly shows himself while trying his best to use his arms to cover the exposed parts of his body.
"SNAP OUT OF IT, YOU TWO! BESIDES, WHY ARE THESE OUTFITS SO REVEALING!?"
Welt Yang, much more concealed than the other two in his simple gray dress with red ribbons, hugs his arms around his chest in embarrassment and tries to reason with the other two while his face is very red.
The Kaslana descendants join in with the laugh, with Tesla stopping holding back as well.
Da Bronya WEIRD KNOWLEDGE ADDED.
The Mei hides their smiles behind their hands, or in HoO's case, uses the mask to cover the whole face.
The ones involved in the event sigh heavily.
Sushang almost chokes on her drink due to the laughing, and Rita just giggles politely.
Susannah and the Volka Girls, though, are having neon lights in their hands to 'cheer the leaders up', much to Welt's embarrassment.
Dark Seele leans on Light Seele and hides her face behind the shy girl, avoiding people from seeing her laughing face.
Theresa rubs her temple while chuckling with the rest.
The Hua's glasses simply break, while HoS and Himeko laugh like there's no tomorrow.
HoV, Sirin, Bellas and Cecilia just shake their heads, not wanting to deal with this despite finding the situation very amusing.
Ai-chan giggles when she sees 'Cap' having dreadful expressions. The giggle continues when HoTE closes the cap of the bottle in her hand, then pulls out several more bleach bottles from the bottles, definitely going to use it to 'cleanse herself from the curses'.
SETBACK AND CONFUSION
"I… tried… but I just can't wear this… I'm a joke…"
The pink idol outfit lies on the floor, with Welt Yang punching the ground with his hands, his head hanging down in defeat.
"They are… too adorable… There's no way we can win against that…"
Otto, fully clothed, leans on the electric box in defeat. On one site, Theresa and the Volka Girls' poster is hanging on the box.
"Is this… my limit… MEI…"
Kevin lies on the ground, exhausted after all the tries with the new outfit, with his hand placed on his forehead.
The three leaders try to keep their faces straight to no avail, as 'Hello Darkness my old friend' starts creeping into their minds…
FRIENDSHIP AND BONDS
"IS THIS… REALLY ALL YOU CAN DO!?" Finally snapped, Welt Yang shouts at his two 'companions', shocking the duo. "COME ON AND CHEER UP ALREADY! WE'VE GOT A WORLD TO SAVE!"
In a lower and calmer voice, the Sovereign continues: "You dragged me into this, so make sure you follow through." His tone clearly tells them 'You're dead if you dare back out'.
"Ah… Angel!"
Eventually HoV lets out a burst of laughter when she witnesses the Schicksal Heir's expression.
KING'S AWAKENING
Standing on top of the world.
Under the shining light of the moon.
The trio leader shows themselves.
Welt: "REJOICE, MASSES!"
Otto: "RUN WHILE YOU CAN, HONKAI!"
Kevin: "THE WORLD SHALL…"
All: "BOW TO US!"
AIRING IN 2122: MY IDOL DEBUT COMEDY IS WRONG AS I EXPECTED!
"Otto… Kevin…"
"Yes… we will…"
"Never speak of that again."
The trio leaders speak in a low dark tone, causing the laugh to go even louder.
"YOU ALL LOOK GORGEOUS!" ELYSIA, though, is VERY happy to see the boys in dress. "Hey, KALPAS, KOSMA, SU! How about you join him!?"
The Fire Flamechaser's laugh immediately shuts as he growls, daring her to do so.
"...Thank you, but I will pass."
"The same here, my apology." KOSMA and SU reply, not wanting to deal with any of that.
HoV, after subduing her laugh, watches HoTE opening the first bottle again. "Brave yourself."
"Thank you." She starts tilting the bottle…
The black screen suddenly has 'PART 2' written on it.
"...What?" The process is halted when HoTE sees it, her eyes turn blank in disbelief.
"HI! HANDSOME BOYS OF ELYSIAN!"
"OH YOU DID NOT!" KALPAS roars and starts chasing ELYSIA as she runs away with a laugh on her face.
"There… is… a second part…" HoTE talks to herself, her voice void of emotions.
"I'm surprised that you didn't know about it."
"I'm THANKFUL that I don't know anything." The emphasization after the reality snap causes the Navigator to giggle. "I would rather fight Death itself than find weird stuff."
"What's the weirdest thing you have seen in your life?" HoO questions while her mask is still on.
"My sanity is still somewhat intact after repeatedly watching accursed things?"
After watching the chase for enough time, HoTE decides it to be enough and teleports both KALPAS and ELYSIA back to their seats. The former keeps throwing insults at the Elf, nothing in the level of curse words, while the latter keeps smiling without fearing.
"I heard there's a way to make you super idols here!"
As ELYSIA cheerfully announces what she's about to show them, the boys only half-heartedly listen, with KEVIN and SU enjoying their noodle cups…
"Hold on, why am I here?" KEVIN watches in confusion… until he remembers: "Is this…"
"The Flame-chasers in Elysian Realm." HoO confirms. "I had a chance to learn about you through them."
"So… I'm the same with HUA. We survived and lived till the Current Era."
"SU is another one." Bianka adds. "Though I'm not sure where he is now after I left his last bubble universe. He said that he will sink into the Sea of Quanta…" She then turns to HoTE and gives him a thoughtful look. "Maybe…"
"Maybe later."
Of course, they only realize the problem after the Pink Elf shows them the poster of the Last Year Boyband. All of them wear shocked faces, with KALPAS' mask losing a piece revealing his left eye.
"It's okay if you don't know what to do!" Completely ignoring the boys' reaction to the news, ELYSIA offers: "Meet your coaches!"
GENIUS ENTERTAINER EDEN
WINTER "PRINCESS" KEVIN KASLANA
SEVENTH SERENADE OTTO APOCALYPSE
IMPOSING WELT YANG
ELYSIA cries in happiness as she introduces the coaches… while the boys dread.
"Winter Princess and Seventh Serenade…" HoTE bursts out a quick laugh while the others laugh like crazy seeing the reactions of everyone in the vision.
"It's not that bad of a name."
"Oh I'm not laughing because of that." She turns to Ai-chan and explains: "Do you remember the names of Divine Prayer's winter skin and Kallen's thief outfit?"
"...Ah right!" The Navigator also lets out a small laugh. "Now I see why."
"So, my dear coaches! Please arrange training and performance for them to make them into the world's Number One Idol group!"
ELYSIA cheerfully requests with full hope in her voice…
While watching Kevin dragging KEVIN by the collar with the latter trying to talk his way out, SAKURA showing sympathy to KALPAS and Fu Hua doing the same to SU, and GRISEO looks happy while KOSMA decides to throw away his pride to protect her 'happiness'.
"Kevin dragging KEVIN…" HoFi giggles seeing the absurd scene. "Mei-senpai, did he do something this funny when you were with his organization?"
"If he did, he hid it quite well, until now." While the mask is still there, her 'girlfriend' can see that the purple-haired girl is smiling. "This is so on point that I'm surprised there's no simulations like this in the Elysian Realm."
"That's the wonder of multiverse theory." HoTE decides that he should just throw the bleach bottles back to wherever she pulls them from, as a sign that she's done with them.
"What, no 'curing' yourself?" HoV mocks lightly.
"There are better ways."
"...Is this really how adults act?" Sirin asks quietly, a bit disdained at how others react to the vision. She didn't expect these people, who are called humanity's warriors, could joke around in such childish fashion.
"Life isn't all about hardship, dear." Cecilia manages to overhear her over the laughter and she whispers back. "You should always try to look at life in a positive light. Kiana is one of them."
"...You may be right." Sirin's lips curl up very slightly, remembering the 'illusions' she had with the Kaslana family. Though it quickly disappears when she remembers the infamous reputation of their cooking… "Don't let him go anywhere near the kitchen."
Cecilia smiles understandably as she gently rubs her chin, then gives the two Bellas headpats as well.
"It's serious business if you open your eyes for this, SU." VILL-V crackles.
"My eyes open all the time."
"But not to that level!"
Donning her business suit and glasses, EDEN starts explaining the plans to make the boys the 'Best Idols of the World'. The boys, meanwhile, shake in fear.
The singer shows them a clip of how the previous Boy Idols perform…
Kevin makes a 'self-hugging' gesture, then makes a transformation while making a 'Welcome' gesture… that makes KEVIN angrily freeze him, physically and metaphorically, by pressing the 'PAUSE' button.
KEVIN feels an intense glare into the back of his neck, and his body is shaking for his dear life. Never in his life would he think that he would rather fight Honkai endlessly than doing… whatever ELYSIA is having in mind.
Said Elf is absolutely plotting to make him and the boys repeat what is happening in the vision.
"That's a way to transform." Einstein blankly comments at how Kevin turns into his Honkai form. "I know kids like to watch this, but…"
"Well they sure are enjoying it." Holding her stomach because of the pain of laughing too much, Tesla points her fingers to Susannah and the Volka girls who are enthusiastically waiting for the 'concert' to start. "This isn't really bad getting dragged here."
Welt Yang decides to throw away the silliness that he just watched and focuses on the situation he's landed in.
One observation around the room, he can tell that, despite the relaxing atmosphere, some of them are still afraid of the others, mostly towards the Herrschers. Especially Sirin and Benares. Though they seem to also enjoy Cecilia's company, which is a relief. HoV doesn't do anything out of the borderlines, probably because the Herrscher Trio could beat her if she does anything 'funny'.
The KEVIN he's seeing now is probably from the Previous Era, and Otto is from the 15th century, so they're not his enemies for now… probably not after that dumb cosplay event.
About the one…
'Just enjoy it, will you?'
Welt's body flinches in surprise when his eyes meet the eyes of the 'woman'. But the voice talking through the telepathy just now…
'Yes, this is my actual voice.'
'...Should I be surprised or not?'
'Your choice. Like I said before, just relax, I'm not planning to hurt anyone here… well, unless you give me a reason to.'
"What's wrong, Welt?" His eyes blink when he turns to Tesla who's done with the laugh. "You suddenly dazed out for a second."
"...I just had a talk with her." When he turns back to the woman, she's already talking with Ai-chan again.
"Talking… through telepathically I guess."
"Yes, Einstein."
The vision changes to PARDOFELIS and GRISEO designing the outfits for the boys…
KOSMA feels a poke on his arm. He turns to see GRISEO giving him pictures of him in the idol outfits. He smiles weakly as he receives them and gives her a head pat…
While he starts screaming embarrassedly in his head.
The boys are now practicing dancing under EDEN's guidance, with all of them showing clearly that they are NOT enjoying it.
KEVIN even shows clear pain when he is forced to do a leg split with KALPAS' help.
And he smashes the mirror after seeing him being 'gloriously' made up by APONIA, with the nun giggling behind him.
"Of course you girls like seeing us suffer." KEVIN mumbles, with APONIA showing a rare smile behind her fingers.
"At least it is not happening to you…" Ai-chan interrupts herself when somehow ELYSIA pulls out a pink dress from thin air, much to MOBIUS' horrified surprise. "...I almost forgot we can do that here."
"Doctor MOBIUS, let me…"
"GET AWAY FROM ME!"
Another chase occurs, this time it's Pink after Green.
"Good days…" HoTE rubs her nose bridge while chuckling at the chaos scene before her.
"Your standard for a good day is way too low." HoV scoffs.
"Each to their own." Wanting to end this vision quickly, she teleports both back to their seats… and listens to MOBIUS' scream of anger at her because the scientist's now wearing the pink dress ELYSIA offered. Before the SNEK can jump on her though, the Elf has already given her a tight hug while thanking the one making 'her dream' true. "I would like to end this vision quickly, so keep yourself in your seat please."
The debut comes, and fans are excited to see the new upcoming Superstars in the Idol World. ELYSIA is the MC as she announces the arrival of the group…
In the audience seats, GRISEO, HUA, Susannah and Da Wei are wearing fan outfits (I can't read the words, sorry) and watching closely as the curtain rises…
"That meme… why?" HoTE facepalms, recognizing the way the group of four are positioned.
And they start cheering up along with the other fans when the idol group appears. Even GRISEO starts drooling seeing a certain boy in the group…
The PE crew turns their heads towards the youngest girl of the group who's now blushing up with steam bursting out of her ears. APONIA covers her mouth in a slight shock, not expecting the little girl to be able to let out such expressions. EDEN and ELYSIA do the same thing, though the latter has a pervy grin as she glances towards KOSMA who immediately turns his head away.
"They lost their dignity at this point."
"Given who they are 'fighting' against, Void, it's better to congratulate them that they last long enough."
The whole room is filled with laughs (and cheers from some) as 'Flower of Finality' KEVIN, 'Tassel' SU, 'Hikari' KOSMA and 'Irritable Cat' KALPAS perform on the stage. The vision also shows some of KOSMA and SU's training, with the latter seemingly enjoying it after 'torturing times'.
"You… look like you're enjoying it, SU." HUA tries her best to not join in the atmosphere, though she has to comment about what she's seeing.
"...I suppose dancing has its fun."
"I mean, about the outfit 'you' are wearing…"
"Well it fits him… 'Lady of the Lake'." HoTE snickers.
Da Bronya WEIRD KNOWLEDGE ADDED, again.
"...I hope it's just a joke about…"
"Nope. You and Kevin saved a child and then later his village in the fifth or sixth century, and… well, your long hair kinda gave him the impression."
Because almost everyone is laughing at the vision, they don't see SU softly facepalming himself. SAKURA and HUA give him pats on his back, sympathizing him for the 'mistake'.
"You still look cool, though, don't worry about it."
"...Thanks for the compliment."
After the 'cursed' vision is over, the laughs stay back a bit, but eventually stop…
Until it starts again, along with screamings from the boys, as ELYSIA and GRISEO start pulling out dresses that the latter has been drawing from the beginning of the 'cursed' vision, and the boys start running around while the girls chase after them, 'urging' them to wear the outfits.
"Good days indeed." HoTE chuckles.
"...While this is really fun to watch." Einstein questions. "How long are we going to stay?"
"Eh… depends on my other self. Who knows what he's planning now?"
About the 'Recorder', it's just to avoid saying 'game makers' and 'movie producers' and anything similar directly. This also includes fiction writers like ourselves.