Scenario:Conquest of the Dark Singularity - Chapter 4: Deep Trouble - Episode 1

Conquest of the Dark Singularity - Chapter 4: Deep Trouble - Episode 1

After being exposed, (Captain) flees from the Dragon Palace without Neruko. After meeting the sources of the mysterious voices, Varuna's familiar Octosuke and Neptune's familiar Leverrier, the captain learns that everyone in Auguste has fallen asleep and makes for the surface.

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(Captain) has been accused by Kuragi the lumber jelly of being a skydweller.

Shocked, the palace residents gather around the accused and the accuser.

Helgoku: What's that supposed to mean, Kuragi? (Captain) is obviously the albacore hero, no matter how you look at him.

Kuragi: No, that would be the real Tunaro... who's since swapped bodies with this skydweller named (Captain)!

Mei: What are you talking about! Don't get delusional on us just because you aren't getting the attention you want!

Suika Kattosai: ...
Do you have any proof of this?

Kuragi: (Captain)... was looking for a bathroom!

Neruko: Oh dear!

Crabbie: A... bath-room?

Turtlestache: A room that skydwellers use to deal with their waste. It's something we sea creatures have no concept of.

Salmrick: Do primal beasts even create waste?

Miss Kombu: (Captain) must have just been making a joke.

Miss Kombu: Did you really decide he must be a skydweller just from that, Kuragi? Are you sure that you've been getting enough sleep?

Kuragi: Okay then, who else but a skydweller would know about their weapons! Are all those perfectly repaired swords in your hair a joke too, Miss Kombu?

Miss Kombu: W-well...

Frai: Let's use the Shell of Truth!

When Frai comes down to chime in, the rest of the residents suddenly act relieved.

Crabbie: Of course... We can just have Frai check.

Neruko: What's the Shell of Truth?

Suika Kattosai: Frai, in her innocence and purity, has the ability to determine if one is lying.

Helgoku: Just put your fin into her shell and say you're not a skydweller! So long as you're not lying, it won't close on you!

Neruko: W-wait a minute! Surely we don't need to—

Mei: Don't worry, Neruko. This is the fastest way to disprove Kuragi's ridiculous idea. Just stay with me and watch, okay?

Neruko: ...

Surrounded by the palace residents, (Captain) has no choice but to go along with them.

All the captain can do is think hard about being an albacore.

1. I'm not a skydweller!

Choose: I'm not a skydweller!

Palace Residents: ...!

As soon as the words are spoken, Frai's shell slams shut on (Captain)'s fin.

Turtlestache: Skydweller!

Suika Kattosai: I'm disappointed that it's come to this, (Captain)! Prepare to die!

Disregarding the sound of ripping fish flesh, (Captain) forcefully swims away from Frai as the other residents all attack at once.

Helgoku: Go! Don't let the skydweller escape!

Neruko: (Captain)!

Turtlestache: No, Neruko! That's not your real brother!

Mei: Don't worry, this is where you belong. Just stay here with me, okay?

Neruko: But... but...

As (Captain) flees the palace, Neruko finds herself with no choice but to stay.

Within but a few moments, the two are separated by the dark blue of the deep sea.

The pursuit lasts so long that (Captain) can no longer tell how much time has passed.

After making sure that all the residents have truly given up, the captain hides behind a rock.

However, unbeknownst to (Captain), two figures are slowly drawing closer...

Octopus: Are you all right, (Captain)?

Sea Serpent: We're very sorry about all of this... We managed to get in contact with you once, but then we were cut off.

1. I know those voices!

Choose: I know those voices!

(Captain) realizes that the two creatures are the ones who suggested that a clue related to the body-swapping might be found within the Dragon Palace.

Octosuke: Name's Octosuke. I guess you could say I'm Miss Varuna's familiar.

Leverrier: And I am Leverrier, familiar to Lady Neptune.

Leverrier: We have kept ourselves apprised of your situation. Let me first express our relief that you are safe.

Octosuke: Yeah, we've been keeping an eye out for you this whole time.

Octosuke: Our masters are hanging out with your crew on the beach, so they're in the know too.

Octosuke: Well, we can't even detect the palace's presence, so to be honest with you we've really just been swimming in circles hoping to bump into the darn thing...

1. Is everyone all right?

Choose: Is everyone all right?

Leverrier: Well... They were, until just moments ago.

Seeing Leverrier's downcast expression, (Captain) feels like the ocean had suddenly been replaced by waters of the North Vast.

Octosuke: All the mortals in Auguste have fallen into a mysterious nightmare.

1. Do we know who's to blame?

Choose: Do we know who's to blame?

Leverrier: We're assuming it's someone from the Dragon Palace, but we don't actually know.

Leverrier: Whoever it is, though, we can be sure that they're powerful.

Octosuke: Will you work with us to protect the peace of these blue seas and skies, (Captain)?

1. Of course!

Choose: Of course!

Just when everything seemed lost, Octosuke and Leverrier have appeared to show the captain the path forward.

Propelled by once-again resolute fins, (Captain) swims off with the two familiars.