Scenario:Ladiva - Path of Glory

Path of Glory

One day Christina calls for Ladiva, hoping to clarify whether she means to remain on the Grandcypher as a skyfarer or return to the Jewel Resort Casino liner as a duelist. When Ladiva announces her decision to stay with (Captain) and the crew, Christina asks her to conclude her career as a duelist by taking part in a hundred-man melee.

---

One day Ladiva is called in by Christina, the manager of the Jewel Resort.

After receiving permission from (Captain), Ladiva heads to the casino liner and is greeted by the manager.

Christina: Little Kitten told me how busy you've been. Seems like you're having fun, Ladiva.

Ladiva: Teehee, couldn't have done it without you. I'm in charge of the subgalley, and I keep getting more and more responsibilities.

Christina: Responsibilities... It seems you've gotten into the swing of skyfaring life. So let me ask you something.

Christina: Ladiva, are you still a duelist? Or are you a skyfarer?

Ladiva: Well...

Christina: Little Kitten plans to cross skydoms. Which is natural enough for someone whose goal is to reach the end of the sky.

Christina: But once the Grandcypher does that, you're going to have a hard time visiting us back here in Phantagrande.

Ladiva: Yeah, I suppose so...

Christina: Your reason for leaving was the empire, and that's an honest kingdom now.

Christina: There isn't a soul who'd complain if you were to return to the casino liner.

Ladiva: ...

Christina: I'm going to ask you again, Ladiva. How do you want to live from now on? As a skyfarer? Or as a duelist?

Ladiva: Sigh... I'm sorry, Christy. You shouldn't even have to ask.

Ladiva: I should've been the one to broach that topic. Holding issues at arm's length is no way to show love.

Christina: I'll let it slide this once. You wouldn't be so indecisive if you weren't thinking about others.

Ladiva: You're as soft on me as ever, aren't you, Christy?

Christina: You keep telling yourself that. Well? What are you going to do?

Ladiva: (Captain) and the others are such amazing kids. They toppled an empire and revived the kingdom.

Ladiva: But as impressive as they are, they're still children: soft, pure, and sensitive.

Ladiva: If they try to reach the end of the sky, they're in for more trouble and pain than ever.

Ladiva: I'm not sure how much help I'll be.

Ladiva: But at the very least, I can show them they have a friend.

Christina: You can't draw two cards in Old Maid.

Christina: In other words, you're leaving behind all your fans and comrades on the Jewel Resort. Is that right?

Ladiva: Yes.

Ladiva: I'm sorry to do this. You've always left me a way to return.

Ladiva: So I'll match your sincerity with a real response for once. Of course I'll miss you, the employees, and the fans...

Ladiva: But being indecisive is no way to show love at all.

Christina: Heh...

Christina: As long as that's what you want, it's settled.

Ladiva: Christy...

Christina: Still, we've got needs of our own here.

Christina: That's why you're going to take part in one last act.

Christina hands a stack of paper to Ladiva.

Ladiva: This is... a script for the next event. Ladiva's Hundred-Man Melee?

Christina: A lot of fans have been waiting for you to step back into the arena. Give them the show they deserve.

Ladiva: Christy... I can't believe this...

Ladiva: Thank you! Giving me one last chance to show my fans how much I care for them...

Ladiva: Christy, I love you!

Christina: Enough, you're suffocating me. I'm only trying to squeeze the last bit of cash from you as much as I can.

Ladiva: Oh, you!

Ladiva: No matter what that mouth of yours says, I can feel the love inside.

Ladiva: That love's going to help me give my all!

In this way Ladiva comes to take part in a hundred-man melee.

Path of Glory: Scene 2

Ladiva stays aboard the Jewel Resort for a while to prepare for the hundred-man melee. Seeing the consideration that Ladiva gives to those around her, a young, fresh-faced duelist can't help but admire her. The lovefest is shattered, however, by a guest duelist's arrogance and crudity.

---

Ladiva is staying on the Jewel Resort for a while to prepare for the hundred-man melee.

After a long day of solo training, she sees a young man kick a waste basket down the passageway in the block where her dressing room is located.

Young Man: Damn it!

Ladiva: Stop, you know better than that! No matter how bad you're feeling, you don't need to take it out like that.

Standing before Ladiva as she picks up the rolling trash can, the young man awkwardly bows his head.

Young Man: Sorry.

Ladiva: (He's not above apologizing. He seems like a good kid... What could be wrong?)

Ladiva: If you don't have any good place to put those feelings of yours, chat with me, and I'll take them off your hands.

Young Man: Ladiva... I'm sorry... Thank you so much.

The two sit on the bench, and Ladiva begins hearing the young man out.

Young Man: I only started working here the other day as an apprentice duelist. I just graduated from Mysteria Academy.

Ladiva: (Mysteria Academy! This must be the kid that Elmott was talking about.)

Ladiva: (What a small world.)

Young Man: I was sure that if I became a duelist, I'd be this cool hero!

Young Man: That's why I came here in the first place... And now they tell me that I'm going to be booked as a heel.

Young Man: They say I have to spit mist on the opponents and smack them with weapons when their guard's down...

Young Man: There's nothing heroic about that! I can't take it... Why would Lady Christy even...

Ladiva: I see... It really hurts when other people try to force some sort of contradicting image onto you, doesn't it?

Young Man: Yeah...

Ladiva: If you're trying to be a hero, though, you have to act like one in your daily life.

Young Man: Huh?

Ladiva: Someone kicking a waste basket down a hall doesn't exactly look like a hero.

Young Man: Uh...

Ladiva: And, sure, this time I was the only one who saw you do that.

Ladiva: But heroes don't take good care of their home or rescue people just because of who's looking. Do they?

Young Man: You got me there...

Ladiva: Christy only ever makes other people do things she sees they're capable of.

Ladiva: So you've got to show her you have the makings of a hero.

Young Man: Y-yes, ma'am...

Ladiva: You don't have anything to stress about. You know how to apologize when you think you've done something wrong after all.

Ladiva: Good luck—I'll be rooting for you! Be the hero you want to see!

Ladiva gently rests a hand on the young man's shoulder and winks.

Young Man: Ladiva... Thanks...

As the day of the hundred-man melee draws near, Ladiva is absorbed in training.

Despite how busy her schedule is, she always acts considerate of the people around her.

Ladiva: Oh my! It's dangerous to carry that much luggage by yourself. Let me help you out.

Bunny Girl: Aaaah! Thank you so much, Ladiva!

Ladiva: Don't worry about it. This fits right in to my training regimen.

When she's not formally training, Ladiva lends a hand to the harried employees.

Ladiva Fan: Oh gosh, Ladiva? I haven't seen you in ages! Mind if I shake your hand?

Ladiva: It's so kind of you to remember me! How about I give you a big ol' hug?

Ladiva Fan: Wooow! You've really bulked up. I can't wait for the big melee!

Ladiva: Thank you! Muwah!

Each time she meets fans on the floor, she puts smiles on their faces.

Ladiva: Next order of business...

Young Man: (Wow... Ladiva's really amazing!)

Young Man: (She has to be exhausted from training, but she's still helping out other people and being so nice to her fans.)

Young Man: (It only makes sense that she'd be a babyface when she always acts like that!)

Young Man: (I have to start being a babyface like Ladiva if I want to be a hero!)

Young Man: All right, I'm going to do this!

After watching Ladiva, something seems to change in the young man's eyes.

Christina: Heehee... Looks like there's a chance my bet might pay off.

Christina selects the young would-be hero to be an assistant for the hundred-man melee.

On the day of the contest, he welcomes another ship's duelist who was invited to take part.

Young Man: Welcome to the Jewel Resort! Allow me to show you the way to your dressing room!

Guest Duelist: Huh? I got better stuff to do!

Young Man: Um...

Guest Duelist: Gimme some hooch, you little puke! Skyway's got me thirsty as all get-out.

Young Man: M-my apologies! I'll bring you a drink to your...

Guest Duelist: How'm I supposed to wait! My smokes are gonna taste like turds! Eeugh...

Guest Duelist: Tsk... Forget it. Ashtray!

Young Man: Y-you'd like an ashtray, sir? Just one momen—

Guest Duelist: I'm talkin' 'bout them paws of yours! Show me a hand!

The haughty duelist grabs the youth's wrist and attempts to extinguish a cigarette on his palm.

But just before he does, the duelist's arm is pulled away from the side.

Ladiva: Watch it. You might hurt someone. There's nothing classy about taking your gimmick too far.

Guest Duelist: Hell... if it ain't Ladiva!

Ladiva: How do you do. Here, I brought you a beverage. And the ashtray—see—it's right over there.

Guest Duelist: Tsk... You're the same ol' Goody Two-shoes you always was. I don't care for you much...

Ladiva: Then let's settle things in the arena—in the hundred-man melee, fair and square.

Guest Duelist: Yeah, fair and square, sure. I'll be there with bells on.

Guest Duelist: C'mon, rocks-for-brains! Show me my damn room!

Young Man: Ah... Y-yes, sir! I beg your pardon!

The young man bows his head to Ladiva and guides the duelist.

Ladiva: ...

Ladiva watches with a stern expression as the two walk down the passageway.

Path of Glory: Scene 3

(Captain) and company cheer Ladiva on when the hundred-man melee begins; however as Ladiva's footing grows progressively more shaky it becomes clear that she was drugged by the guest duelist. Determined to give the audience the show they've come for, Ladiva holds steady all the same. She defeats the guest duelist with a single blow and continues on.

---

Right before the hundred-man melee, (Captain) and the others visit Ladiva's dressing room to provide some encouragement.

Ladiva: Captain! Lyria! Vyrn! Thanks for stopping in!

Vyrn: Heehee! This is your time in the spotlight! There's nowhere else we'd rather be.

Lyria: This is your last match, isn't it?

Ladiva: That's why I'm pouring all my strength into this. You don't need to make that face, Captain and Lyria.

Ladiva: I want to keep adventuring with you.

Ladiva: And I'm so grateful that you all want me with you.

Lyria: Ladiva...

Lyria: We're rooting for you with every bit of strength too. So fight with all your heart!

Ladiva: Thank you. You've given me so much love.

Ladiva: That's why I'll have to fill the arena with love too.

Ladiva: Hee-hee, I'll sweep you all off your feet.

Vyrn: Sure! We can't wait!

Bunny Girl: Ladiva, you're up! Go break a leg!

Ladiva: You got it!

Ladiva: All right... I am pumped up and ready to go!

Ladiva: Ta-ta now!

Ladiva takes a cup from the table, quaffs down the contents in one gulp, and then leaves the dressing room.

Lyria: Take care, Ladiva!

Vyrn: We should head to our seats, (Captain)!

(Captain) nods and exits the room.

Meanwhile...

Young Man: Groooan... Huh? I didn't... How come I fell asleep here...

In a corner of the Jewel Resort, the young man comes to and rubs his head.

Young Man: Ow... Is this a bump on my head? Why would...

Young Man: I was delivering a drink to Ladiva, when...

Guest Duelist: Raaah!

Young Man: Gaaah!

Guest Duelist: Heh, sleep tight. Ladiva'll get her drink soon as I mix my special spice in.

Young Man: That's right! He knocked me out and took the drink!

Young Man: This is bad, this is bad, this is bad! If I don't hurry—

Christina: Hey, what's the big rush? Think about how you look to the guests.

Young Man: L-Lady Christy! As a matter of fact—

Commentator: Today's main event—a hundred-man melee with the ship's star duelist, Ladiva—begins now!

Young Man: Oh no, it's already started! It's all over! It's through!

Christina: Hm?

Christina listens to the pale young man's story.

Ladiva: Maximum Love Bomb!

Three Duelists: Gwaaah!

Ladiva: It's looove!

Guest Duelist: Tsk, big ol' psycho! Won't be much longer...

Ladiva: Phew, next is...

Ladiva: ...!

Commentator: Uh-oh, is Ladiva slipping? Were three opponents just too much? What's going on, Ladiva?

Ladiva: (Teehee, thanks for covering for me...)

Ladiva: (But why do I feel like this? I didn't bang my head or get punched too hard.)

Guest Duelist: Hahaha! Looks like you ain't feelin good!

Ladiva: Oh, so you're my next opponent.

Commentator: And now the next man—the ogre who hails from a ship of unparalleled strength—is up against Ladiva!

Guest Duelist: Your face's awful pale... Lunch give you a tummy ache?

Ladiva: You seem awfully confident in how this fight's going to end!

Guest Duelist: I dunno, maybe you oughta give up! Wouldn't wanna hurt yourself!

Ladiva: Teehee... Don't be a dummy!

Ladiva looks around the arena.

Lyria: You can do it, Ladiva!

Ladiva Fan: You're doing great, Ladiva!

Young Man: Aaah, Ladiva!

Ladiva sees the crew, her fans, the young man, and Christina cheering her on.

Christina: Heh...

Ladiva: Teehee...

Guest Duelist: Heh! Fakin' like you're fine? Damn smile on your face...

Ladiva: Why wouldn't I be smiling? All of a sudden I feel amazing!

Ladiva: Now come at me!

Guest Duelist: Humph, you wanna act tough? Don't come whinin' to me later.

The guest duelist from another ship charges at Ladiva forcefully, landing blow after powerful blow.

Unable to block the attacks, Ladiva can do little but absorb the damage. She struggles to maintain her footing.

Ladiva: Agh...

Guest Duelist: What's wrong? I'd think you was a punchin' bag if I didn't know no better! Why don'tcha fight back a—

Ladiva: Oooooo!

Guest Duelist: Wha—

Ladiva: Hurnph!

Seeing an opening, Ladiva hits the duelist's jaw with a sharp elbow smash.

Guest Duelist: Gweh...

Commentator: She nailed him—he is down and writhing! It looks like all his blows just rolled off her!

Ladiva: Phew...

Ladiva: Now, who's next!

Young Man: W-wow, Ladiva!

Young Man: What a relief! I guess she didn't touch that drink after all...

Christina: No, she definitely drank it. She wouldn't waste anything she thought was provided by the Jewel Resort.

Christina: And there's no question she would drink any beverage that she thought a promising young man got for her.

Young Man: H-huh! Then how come she can still do all that?

Christina: Because she's Ladiva.

Young Man: Because she's Ladiva?

Christina: She wouldn't disappoint an audience. She wouldn't let them go home without showing them what they came for.

Christina: What matters isn't whether she wins or loses. It's about whether the fans get to see the Ladiva they came for...

Christina: She knows that's what makes a professional—that it's about how you show your fans love.

Young Man: That's so... Sob...

Young Man: That's so cool! She's a true duelist!

The young man wipes away a tear and steps forward.

Commentator: The ogre's down, but this battle is far from over. Keep on fighting, Ladiva!

Ladiva: Of course... I can go forever—just as long as everyone's rooting for me!

Path of Glory: Scene 4

When Ladiva completes the hundred-man melee victorious, Christina announces that the duelist has been inducted into the Hall of Fame, and the crowd goes wild. As the swell of support and enthusiasm brings tears to Ladiva's eyes, she promises that she'll someday return to the Jewel Resort Casino liner with more love than ever.

---

Therese: Eeek!

Ladiva: Huff... huff... Tough love administered!

Commentator: And Therese is down! The one person left standing is—that's right, folks—this woman!

Commentator: Ladiva!

Ladiva: It's looove!

Ladiva: It's over then...

The crowd goes wild as Ladiva calls out to them.

Ladiva: Thank you so much for coming today, everyone!

Ladiva: I wouldn't have been able to get through a hundred ferocious fighters without all of your love!

Ladiva: Thank you so, so much!

Ladiva Fan: Ladiva! The pleasure was all ours! Thank you!

Ladiva Fan: Thank you for all the love!

Ladiva: Everyone...

Ladiva: All the love I sent reached you. That's such a relief.

Ladiva: Now I won't... have any regrets when I...

Ladiva: ...!

Tears of gratitude and sadness interrupt Ladiva's speech, so someone else covers for her.

Christina: All of you witnesses in the crowd: are Ladiva's exploits burned into your eternal memory?

Ladiva Fan: Of course!

Vyrn: Ladiva was super cool!

Christina: Hah! That incredible cheer! That roaring applause! And your victory over a hundred fighters!

Christina: Ladiva, you're a true Hall of Famer!

Ladiva: Huh?

Ladiva Fan: Hall of Famer?

Bunny Girl: Huh? Do we even have a Hall of Fame to begin with?

As confusion spreads throughout the crowd, Christina speaks up.

Christina: We do now! Ladiva will get the honor of being the first inductee!

Christina: Hall of Famers are the duelists who compete at the very highest levels. And Ladiva's on a level all her own. Any objections?

The arena falls silent for a moment.

It soon erupts with shouts and applause that are even louder than before.

Ladiva Fan: No objections! Ladiva, you're number one!

Bunny Girl: No one... No one deserves this honor more than her!

Lyria: Wow, you're amazing, Ladiva!

Vyrn: Ladiva!

Lyria: Ladiva!

Ladiva Fan: Ladiva!

Young Man: Ladiva!

Bunny Girl: Ladiva!

Hearing the cheers consume that arena, Ladiva is unable to hold back her tears.

Ladiva: Everyone!

Ladiva: I don't have any idea how to express my gratitude. Nothing I could say would be enough. But... please allow me to thank you!

Ladiva: I'm going on a journey to spread love all through the sky!

Ladiva: It's going to be a long, long trip... I hope you're not too lonely while I'm away.

Ladiva: But still!

Ladiva: Still, some day I'll come back with more love than ever.

Ladiva Fan: We can wait forever! You're going to be a household name throughout the skies!

Ladiva: Thank you!

Ladiva: Thank you so very, very much!

Ladiva gushes with gratitude and returns to the dressing room with a wistful heart.

Christina: Hey, here's your towel!

Ladiva: Thank you. This is the first I've heard about being a Hall of Famer.

Christina: I knew you had it in you, so why bother chatting about it in advance?

Ladiva: Oh, you!

Christina: You'll have some real name power as a Hall of Famer. The less you duel, the more excited people will get for every match.

Christina: I've done a lot of work to bring you this far. You'll have to let me keep cashing in.

Ladiva: Teehee... You're just as clever as ever.

Young Man: Sniff... Sniff... Ladiva...

Ladiva: You did a great job helping out! Thank you for seeing the event through to the end!

Young Man: Of course, I was watching the whole time! It was amazing! Just wow!

Ladiva: Teehee... Thank you. But why don't you wipe away those tears?

Ladiva: Next time it'll be your turn to go out there and please the crowd!

Young Man: Y-yeah...

Ladiva: Take good care of the Jewel Resort. You'll be the hero of tomorrow!

Bunny Girl: This is getting out of hand! They won't stop cheering for Ladiva!

Ladiva: Oh my!

Christina: That doesn't come as a surprise. Get out there, Ladiva!

Ladiva: All right! I'm going to send them all some love one last time.

Ladiva: It's looove!

After saying a tearful goodbye, the smiling Ladiva returns to the stage.

This is the end of the prologue of her grand journey to spread love.

Perhaps someday, just as she says, she will return to the Jewel Resort with more love than ever.