Scenario:Mugen - Confused Journey

Confused Journey

Ever since the Magasin incident, Mugen has been traveling around various islands helping people in need, hopeful that he'll learn something fun enough to eventually awaken the resting Nehan once more. When the crew bumps into him one day and sees how lonely he is, they invite him on a trip back to Stardust Town.

---

Two figures huddle around a lonely bonfire. It's the only light for as far as the eye can see in this island's deserted wilderness.

One can say both persons have grown to maturity, but even in the flickering flames it's easy to tell one is much larger than the other.

Caravanner: Everyone's fallen asleep 'cept for you. You've been starin' at that fire for a while now.

Mugen: ...

Caravanner: Thanks for bustin' your hump earlier this afternoon. Really made it smooth travels for us.

Caravanner: I still can't believe our luck that you showed up when you did. We were right about to leave too.

Mugen: Mugen help? For instance, have work for Mugen?

Caravanner: We could use some hands to help haul our goods, but I can't guarantee ya it's the safest job around...

Mugen: Mugen do! Teach Mugen how.

Mugen: Oops... Please teach Mugen how!

And so Mugen gets the caravan job, traveling with them from town to town. He's able to haul as much cargo as the caravan wagon itself.

Mountain bandits who had their eyes on an easy score are tossed aside like rag dolls, but then a different obstacle emerges.

Caravanner: Whoa! Whoooa!

Caravanner: We can't continue on this mess of a road. No choice but to take a detour.

While the section of road ahead can be traversed on foot, it's in no condition for a wagon to cross.

Mugen: Wait. Mugen carry!

Caravanner: Carry what exactly?

Mugen hefts a horse under his arm without a word and carries it through the damaged part of the road.

Caravanner: Holy—

Caravanner: I'm pretty sure you're the only guy in all the skies who can lug a horse and wagon with his bare hands. Got my work done in record time thanks to you.

Caravanner: So you hop from island to island doin' this stuff, huh? That's gotta be tough.

People have been gossiping about an especially large Draph who's recently appeared on random islands offering his help.

Mugen: Not tough. Fun.

Mugen speaks from the heart. He genuinely enjoys seeing the smiles of others, which to him is proof that his physical abilities have helped them.

Caravanner: You're a unique fella all right. Can't help but wonder what kinda past ya carry on those broad shoulders.

Mugen: ...

Stardust Town was once embroiled in a conflict involving four major players: the Eternals, the Crew of Enforcers, the Magasin, and the Suo family.

A young man named Nehan acted as the catalyst of this turbulent clash. He was the one who taught Mugen how to speak.

Unfortunately a mafia attack left him in a coma. His physical wounds have since healed, but it seems as if he's lost the will to open his eyes again.

Feower: Nehan was the spark behind the Magasin family's dismantling. He betrayed them. There's no telling how much resentment he's bought himself.

Tien: Mm. For the Magasin members who escaped arrest, there's a loose end they must tie up before they can rebuild.

Rei: A family without respect is no family at all. And that means getting revenge on Nehan.

Asha: It is difficult to conduct business when other factions cannot take your organization seriously. That's the hard truth.

Mugen: Nehan in danger?

Tien: We will protect Stardust Town and Nehan. Don't worry.

Feower: Yep. We got this. So don't go bonkers on us again over some misunderstanding.

Tien: Easy, Feower.

Asha: Conflict breeds hatred. Conflict is simply a part of our world. Danger never truly leaves us be.

Tien: Asha, please. What good does it do to scare Mugen?

Rei: You can't argue against facts. With that said, Stardust Town is under new management.

Rei: We, the Suo family, have our pride too. Nehan is safe with us. Please see to the arrangements, Asha.

Asha: Yes, Mama.

Mugen: Nehan safe? Nehan be okay?

Rei: Yes, he will. So let's give him some peace and quiet.

Pride. Control. Hatred.

Mugen more or less understands that Nehan will be taken care of, but everything else being discussed flies over his head.

Mugen: Nehan...

Nehan: ...

Mugen gazes down at Nehan's sleeping face. He hears little footsteps sound behind him.

Playful Boy: Muuugen! Let's play!

Mugen: Mugen not play now. Stay with Nehan.

Mature Mia: Ah! Did he wake up? Then let's all go for a walk—

Mugen: Nehan not wake up.

Playful Boy: Oh...

Mature Mia: Most of the buildings in town are fixed now, but you've hardly left this room.

Playful Boy: Getting no sunlight is bad for you. Um, Nehan could use some sun too, but...

Mature Mia: And also it's easy to get a headache if you sleep too much. Maybe Nehan's wondering what we can do to help wake him up.

Mugen: Mugen not know.

Playful Boy: He's not hurt anymore, but he still stays in bed. He must really love to sleep or something.

Mugen: No. If Nehan wake up... Um, for instance... Nehan be sad. Much angry.

Playful Boy: Huh? So it's not because he likes to sleep that he won't wake up?

Mature Mia: Okay, how about we show him how much fun you can have out of bed. Then he has to wake up.

Mugen: If fun, Nehan wake up?

Mature Mia: Like, I can't even fall asleep if I know there's a fun day planned for tomorrow! I bet Nehan's the same too!

Playful Boy: What's a guy like him find fun anyway? Any idea, Mugen?

Mugen: Hm...

Mugen: Hmmm...

Mugen: Mugen not know...

Playful Boy: Rats. Is he the type of guy who doesn't really play?

Mugen: Nehan maybe not play...

Mugen: ...

Playful Boy: Weeell... What if we write down every fun thing we see and tell him about it?

Playful Boy: Out of all the fun stuff we find, he's gotta like at least one of 'em.

Mugen: ...!

Mugen: Okay! Mugen look for fun! All the fun!

Mugen and the children run around town, keeping an eye out for anything that can be enjoyed in some capacity.

Playful Boy: Everyone likes snacks, right? Or neat store decorations, or even the pretty trees along the streets.

Mature Mia: Hide-and-seek, tag, cards, marbles... Hm, cat's cradle is kind of hard though.

Mugen: All fun! But...

Playful Boy: It's probably not enough, huh? Maybe Stardust Town is too small.

Mugen: Ngh... Nehan...

Mugen: ...

Mugen: More fun outside. Must be.

Mugen: Mugen go outside!

Mature Mia: Outside? You mean... to another town or island?

Mugen: Yes. Can Mugen go?

Playful Boy: Sounds good to me! It's pretty important to you, so why not?

Mature Mia: Yep, yep. We'll take good care of Nehan while you're away!

Mugen: Thanks! Everyone!

Playful Boy: Good luck, Mugen! Let's play lots and lots with Nehan when you get back!

Mature Mia: Promise!

Mugen: Okay! Mugen dee... dee-par... depart now!

The children help Mugen gain passage on a merchant ship that trades with Stardust Town.

Feower: ...

Mugen has no idea that someone else has been watching him this entire time.

Caravanner: Mornin'. Have a good snooze?

Mugen: Yes! Good sleep! Where going today?

Caravanner: Sit tight. I hired some guards, and they're supposed to meet us here.

Caravanner: Ah, that's gotta be them over there!

A few figures push through the grass as they get closer to the caravan's camp site.

Vyrn: Are you the caravan that hired us for escort duty?

Caravanner: Thanks for comin' all the way out here. Er, I hate to say this, but I kinda filled your positions by accident.

Vyrn: Oof. You mean we got here a step too late?

Caravanner: It was, um, a spur of the moment thing. He caught me right as I was leaving town.

Mugen: Ah!

Lyria: M-Mugen!

Vyrn: What are you doin' here!

Mugen: Uh...

Caravanner: Acquaintances? Ain't that a coincidence! I gotta tell ya, this guy really helped me out.

The caravanner tells (Captain) and company about all the good deeds Mugen has been doing in this part of the skydom.

Vyrn: That's what you've been up to, Mugen? Hey, good for you! You're awesome!

Mugen: Mugen awesome?

Vyrn: Yeah! When someone pays you a compliment, you should be proud of yourself.

Mugen: Mm...

Lyria: ...?

1. What is it, Lyria?
2. How's Nehan?

Choose: What is it, Lyria?

Lyria: Hm... Mugen doesn't seem very happy to me...

Vyrn: Now that you mention it, yeah, he seems kinda down. Did something happen to you?

Mugen: Nothing... Nothing...

Mugen: Nehan not wake up. Much pain. Much angry.

Mugen: But Nehan wake up if fun. Maybe...

Mugen: Mugen look for fun thing. Lots and lots.

Lyria: You've been traveling from island to island searching for things that are fun?

Mugen: Yes...

Mugen: Mugen think much thing fun. What Nehan think fun? Mugen not know.

Mugen: Mugen not learn what Nehan like.

Go to "Continue 1"

Choose: How's Nehan?

Vyrn: I'm curious too. Are you by yourself right now, Mugen? I thought Nehan was still in Stardust Town.

Mugen: Yes. Nehan in Stardust Town.

Lyria: Hmm... You don't seem very happy, Mugen...

Mugen: Nehan not wake up. Much pain. Much angry.

Mugen: But Nehan wake up if fun. Maybe...

Mugen: Mugen look for fun thing. Lots and lots.

Lyria: You've been traveling from island to island searching for things that are fun?

Mugen: Yes...

Mugen: Mugen think much thing fun. What Nehan think fun? Mugen not know.

Mugen: Mugen not learn what Nehan like.

Continue 1

Vyrn: Uh, right. Everyone has their own hobbies and such.

Mugen: Not enough fun, Nehan not wake up.

Mugen: Nehan...

Lyria: Mugen...

Lyria: Say, why don't we stop by Stardust Town for a little bit?

Mugen: Stop? Mugen look for fun...

Lyria: Well, the thing is, I think you're feeling lonely instead of having fun right now.

Lyria: But if you go back to Stardust Town and recharge, I think you'll have an easier time looking for fun stuff!

Vyrn: Yep. Even the funnest thing ever can be boring if your heart's not into it.

Mugen: Really?

Lyria: Yes! Let's go check in on Nehan!

Mugen: Check in?

Lyria: When someone's sick or hurt and they're feeling down, you pay them a visit to cheer them up.

Lyria: Right, (Captain)?

(Captain) nods and tries to persuade Mugen to board the Grandcypher in order to return to Stardust Town.

Mugen: Okay. Mugen go check Nehan.

Mugen: Want see Nehan.

Vyrn: Cool! Set a course for Stardust Town, (Captain)!

Mugen: Mm! Thanks.

Mugen is convinced that searching for things that bring Nehan joy will encourage him to open his eyes. But loneliness is born in Mugen's heart in the process.

Perhaps the cure to his loneliness lies in Stardust Town.