Scenario:Nehan - Lost No More

Lost No More

Nehan awakens to find the left side of his body in especially poor condition. With the help of Mugen and Mia, a local girl, he takes a walk around town and realizes there are still children suffering from the effects of Serenity Heaven, a drug he created.

---

After a long battle with a gunshot wound and a bitter pessimism for life, Nehan is finally awake again.

Tien asked Fif to check up on him, revealing that his injuries are still eating away at Nehan.

Tien: Mm. There you go. It's not too tight, is it?

Nehan: No, it's fine. Turns out it's actually easier to see with only my right eye.

Mugen: Nehan left eye no see?

Nehan: It's not that my left eye can't see, but the color and shape of everything gets terribly distorted.

Nehan: For instance, I'd easily get you and the shelf mixed up.

Mugen: Same as no see...

Nehan: I'd say there's a pretty big distinction between reduced vision and blindness.

Feower: If only that were the end of your problems... Looks like other parts of your body are affected as well.

Nehan: Moving my left arm and leg feels like a chore... But at least my joints aren't completely useless.

Tien: So you should be okay if you just take it easy, huh... Does it hurt though?

Nehan: No.

Tien: Mm... That's fortunate. Right, Mugen?

Mugen: Yes... Move lots and get better. Fif said so.

Feower: Your body's just weak from all that sleep. Time to make up for it by getting back in shape.

Mature Mia: Mugen, how's Nehan doing? I finished doing the laundry, so we can go take a walk anytime!

Mugen: Nehan say okay to move!

Mugen: Nehan join Mugen for walk?

Nehan: Would it really be okay for an outsider like me to be seen prowling around?

Feower: You certainly wouldn't be the first. People from outside the town stop by pretty often.

Tien: Just be careful not to drag Nehan around too much. We wouldn't want his condition to worsen. Best not to stray too far.

Mugen: Okay! Mugen guide Nehan through town. Make Nehan comfy.

Mature Mia: Okay then, let's get a move on!

With Mia on one side and Mugen on the other, Nehan finds himself half-dragged into town.

Feower: Considering his speech isn't impacted, it doesn't seem like the entire left side of his body is paralyzed.

Feower: Though I would've expected greater recovery with Fif's healing magic.

Tien: Mm... At first I thought it might be because the bullet stuck in his body was specially made, but that doesn't seem to be the case either.

Tien: Do you remember Fif explaining to us how her healing magic works?

Feower: Yeah, didn't make a lick of sense to me... She likened it to a puzzle.

Fif: A body is healthy when all the pieces fit perfectly.

Fif: But when hurt, the pieces come apart. That's where I add in my magic power.

Fif: It helps the person's body think it can get better, so then it actually does get better.

Feower: At the time, Seox's recovery was blocked by Walfrid's magic.

Tien: Mm... In Nehan's case, Fif believes he might be the one blocking his own recovery.

Tien: As in his soul's forgotten how the pieces are supposed to fit and doesn't even care to put them back together.

Tien: Applying healing magic under such circumstances only worsens the symptoms.

Feower: Heh, what a handful. I'm almost jealous that he has the luxury to waste away his miraculous recovery and everything we've done for him.

Tien: Rei said it was best to leave Nehan in bed until he himself decided to wake up.

Tien: But he might not have gotten up today of his own free will...

Feower: Heck, first we're worried that he's asleep, now we're worried that he's awake.

Feower: Between those two options, I say he's better off being up and about—at least it keeps Mugen from worrying about the guy.

Mature Mia: Construction around here finished up recently! That's why the buildings are so pretty!

Mugen: Yes, road clean too. Make Nehan walk easier.

Nehan: Sure does...

Mature Mia: The building with the chimney is the bathhouse! We make sure to heat up the bath every night, so feel free to use it whenever you'd like.

Mature Mia: Some of us have our own private bathing facilities, but we generally try to use the public bath since gas is in limited supply.

Mugen: Nehan okay to bathe alone? Need Mugen help?

Nehan: Er—

Mature Mia: If your schedules don't align, feel free to ask one of the other boys to help you.

Mature Mia: Every now and then, we get children who are actually afraid of baths. But I take it you don't mind?

Nehan: I don't hate baths, but I'm not fond of them either.

Mature Mia: Oh yeah?

Mugen: Mugen love bath. Hot water, very nice!

Mature Mia: Ahaha, I can hear you singing when I pass by the bathhouse sometimes.

Mugen: Ehehe... Bath and song very fun.

Mature Mia: I know what you mean! Oh, and your voice isn't loud enough to reach the treatment center, just in case you were worried.

With those words, the girl turns to a building in the distance with closed windows.

Mugen: Mugen be quiet there. Noisy bad.

Mature Mia: Yeah. Some of the kids don't take loud noises or strong lights very well.

Nehan: Hypersensitivity... A side effect from Serenity Heaven, I take it?

Mature Mia: Yeah... Fortunately they seem to be recovering slightly faster than they used to.

Nehan: ...

Mature Mia: Ah! I was just thinking, maybe you'd be better off going up and down slopes rather than taking the stairs, Nehan? Though that'd mean taking the long way to the plaza...

Mature Mia: Because if you were to fall down the stairs, your body might slam against all the corners on the way down...

Mugen: Mugen carry Nehan on stair!

Mature Mia: Okay, I suppose we can go with the stairs today. What do you say, Nehan?

Nehan: ...

Mugen: Nehan?

Nehan: Yeah, I'm fine with stairs... And you don't need to carry me either.

Mugen: Oh?

Mature Mia: Sure. A bit of movement's good for rehabilitation, as long as you can handle it. Let's go!

Lost No More: Scene 2

Nehan spends the day touring Stardust Town with the children guiding him. While no one blames him for creating the Serenity Heaven drug, he finds it hard to forgive himself.

---

Mature Mia: Here we are! The central plaza of Stardust Town!

Mugen: Nehan tired? Maybe sit on bench, good.

Nehan: Sure...

Sunny Scott: Ah! Mia, Mugen! And... Nehan, was it?

Sunny Scott: We're playing freeze tag! Wanna join us?

Mugen: Um...

Nehan: Go on, Mugen.

Mugen: But...

Nehan: I'll be resting here. Wouldn't be much of a game if I played anyway.

Mature Mia: Are there any rules concerning height?

Sunny Scott: You can only freeze someone who's at the same height, and there's no unfreezing!

Sunny Scott: And you two can be "it" since you're the last ones to join!

Mugen: Okay!

Mature Mia: Hey! You asked us to play just so you could have us be "it," didn't you!

Sunny Scott: Ahaha, turn around and count to ten!

Mature Mia: Grr! I'm gonna get you all in one go! One!

Mugen: Two!

Nehan: ...

Nehan watches from the bench as the children run around in the sun.

Mature Mia: Using the flower bed bricks to adjust your height is just cheating!

Sunny Scott: Heheh! Catch me if you can!

Mugen: Mugen and Mia corner Scott!

Sunny Scott: Hah, you wish—

Sunny Scott: Whoa!

Nehan: !

The boy loses balance on the bricks surrounding the flower bed. Fortunately, Feower is there to save him before he can fall.

Sunny Scott: Ah! Feower!

Feower: Sigh... This is why I always tell you kids to be careful.

Feower: You can't expect me to be here to save you all the time.

Sunny Scott: Sorry...

Mugen: Scott okay? No hurt?

Sunny Scott: I'm all good!

Nehan: ...

Feower: Food should be ready soon. Head back whenever you guys are done.

Children: Okay!

As the children resume their game of freeze tag, Feower walks over to Nehan by the bench.

Feower: You do anything to these children I consider my little brothers and sisters, and I'll kill you.

Nehan: I think I've already crossed that line.

Nehan: For instance...

Nehan motions to the treatment center with a tilt of his head.

Nehan: It was I who led the creation and mass production of Serenity Heaven. Yet you let me live.

Feower: I'm not so charitable as to kill off those who wish for an early end.

Feower: Besides, a tool is defined by how it's used. Just as a knife is good for cutting both vegetables and people.

Nehan: That building exists because of what I've done.

Feower: It's not like you personally administered the drug to everyone. But I'll admit the fact that you created that junk and let it spread does piss me off though.

Nehan: My, aren't you the merciful one...

Feower: Stop with the cringe already, would you?

Mugen: Mugen catch Scott!

Sunny Scott: Aw! You got me...

Mature Mia: Teehee. Me and Mugen froze everyone, so we win!

Sunny Scott: Pssh, I was sure we had it in the bag with the height rule...

The children, having finished their game of freeze tag, gather by Feower and Nehan before heading back for food.

Mugen: Mugen carry Nehan?

Nehan: It's okay; I can walk.

Mugen: Oh...

Mugen stays with Nehan even as they fall behind the other kids. The pair are the last to enter the dining hall.

Tien: Mm, this porridge and soup are for you, Nehan. It's best you start with easy-to-digest foods.

Nehan: Thanks...

Tien: Oh, and don't worry—they weren't much trouble to make. I just hope they suit your tastes.

Nehan: Ah... Well, I...

Mugen: Bowl hard to hold? Mugen hold for Nehan!

Noticing his friend struggling with only one hand, Mugen grabs the bowl and spoon.

Mugen: Phwoo... Phwoo...

Mugen: Okay! Here, Nehan. Open mouth!

Nehan: Er, I can do this alone...

Mugen: "Aaah."

Nehan: ...
Aaah...

Tien: Haha...

Silence fills the dining hall as the children have finished their meal. Tien looks up from her sewing when she notices footsteps.

Tien: Nehan? If you're thirsty, feel free to take that jug.

Nehan: ...

Nehan: This might be a strange thing to hear coming from me, but I wanted to thank you for taking in Mugen as one of your own.

Nehan: From the way he speaks to the way he handles things, Mugen's matured so much while I was asleep. It's thanks to everyone in this town.

Tien: Mugen was the one who put in all the work. We were just being ourselves the whole time.

Nehan: Oh yeah?

Nehan: Were you also just being yourselves in nursing me back to health?

Nehan: The ideal method of treatment for the Serenity Heaven addiction should have already reached you from the Crew of Enforcers.

Nehan: You had no incentive to provide me with room and board. Too much compassion can work against you, you know.

Tien: Believe me when I say we're careful who we show kindness too.

Nehan: Care to elaborate?

Tien: You're no different from us.

Tien: The children of Stardust Town have all, in one way or another, lost something precious.

Tien: Some barely avoided being kidnapped while others ran away from their place of capture.

Tien: There's more children who don't make it to Stardust Town than those who do. You're one of the former.

Nehan: You would forgive my transgressions for that reason alone?

Tien: That's not all. You said it yourself: you're the one who taught the Crew of Enforcers how Serenity Heaven addiction is treated.

Nehan: It was just a way of getting my revenge.

Tien: So you say.

Tien: The recovery process is by no means easy. But I've never heard of a drug that included an exact method for rehabilitation.

Tien: You specifically created Serenity Heaven that way, didn't you?

Nehan: You're giving me too much credit.

Tien: Mm-hm, I can tell you're a kind person at heart.

Tien: After all, the Magasin had no incentive at all to make the drug's effects treatable.

Nehan: ...

Nehan: I...

Lost No More: Scene 3

Nehan, seeing that Mugen no longer needs him, tries to distance himself, but the giant wishes to pay Nehan back for all the kindness he has shown him. When a child named Noah runs in alerting everyone about his brother's condition, caused by Serenity Heaven, Nehan goes with Tien, Feower, and Mugen to check on the boy.

---

Nehan: Mugen... Come in.

Mugen: Okay. Nehan go sleep?

Nehan: Uh-huh.

Mugen: Mugen watch Nehan sleep. Yes?

Nehan: I'll be up again in the morning. There's no need to keep watch over me.

Mugen: Yes, but...

Nehan: Mugen. Whether I'm awake or asleep has nothing to do with you.

Nehan: Spend your time as you see fit. Better yet, see if everyone else in Stardust Town could use your help with anything.

Nehan: As someone who tossed you to the wayside, I don't deserve all this attention from you.

Mugen: Hm...

Mugen: Mugen here... because Mugen want to be with Nehan.

Mugen: Only Mugen can be Mugen. Other people... cannot change Mugen.

Mugen: Nehan cannot change Mugen.

Nehan: Mugen...

Nehan: Your attachment to me is no different from a baby chick's to its mother hen. But you no longer need me.

Mugen: Mugen decide that.

Nehan: You know nothing. You lack the experience, knowledge, and so much more to even make such a decision.

Mugen: But...

Mugen: Mugen think a lot, all while Nehan sleep.

Mugen: Nehan said hate Mugen. Nehan different, so Mugen cannot change Nehan thought.

Mugen: Nehan was good to Mugen, made Mugen happy.

Mugen: Mugen want return favor. Nehan cannot change that.

Nehan: I got on your good side hoping to use you. But you proved worthless.

Nehan: Can't we just leave it at that?

Mugen: If true, then Nehan not tell Mugen come to Stardust Town.

Mugen: Nehan hate Seox. But, for instance, Nehan not tell Mugen to fight Seox.

Mugen: Nehan maybe hate Mugen too. But Mugen know Nehan kind to Mugen from heart.

Nehan: ...

Mugen: Nehan feel pain somewhere?

Nehan: No...

Nehan: That's not it...

Boy's Voice: Tien, Feower... Help!

Mugen: !

Mugen steps out of the room.

Neighborly Noah: It's my brother! Please help!

Tien: Mm, he's having a seizure. Thanks for calling us. Let's get him to the treatment center.

Mugen: Mugen help! Go together!

Feower: Their convulsions get pretty bad sometimes. It'd definitely be safer to have you with us, Mugen.

Mugen: Leave to Mugen!

Nehan: Wait.

Feower: Why? We're in a rush, you know...

Nehan: Depending on the symptoms, it might be better to change his treatment. Bring me along too.

Mugen: ...!
Mugen carry Nehan! Thank you, Nehan!

Neighborly Noah: ...

Tien: Let's go.

Neighborly Noah: Okay...

Lost No More: Scene 4

Nehan nurses Noah's brother back to health and has a heated exchange with Noah, making him realize that he's always left his life in the hands of others. This revelation convinces him to decide for himself that he wants to continue living in Stardust Town, and to make amends with Mugen.

---

After receiving treatment from Nehan at the medical center, the afflicted boy becomes stable.

Neighborly Noah: Brother! You're okay! Phew...

Nehan: The lump in his throat is of particular concern. Has he ever fallen sick from eating certain foods or touching certain objects?

Neighborly Noah: ...

Tien: Noah's brother has never been fond of apples. Makes him itchy, he says.

Nehan: Sounds like an abnormal immune response to the rose family of plants, possibly a side effect of cough medicine.

Feower: Is there any way you can look into it more closely?

Nehan: There's a special blood test we can administer, but the necessary equipment can be pricey.

Tien: Let me try asking Rei. Stardust Town isn't the only place where people are suffering from harmful substances.

Feower: I hate asking a favor of that old crone, but if it helps the children of this town...

Tien: Is there anything you need immediately, Nehan? We store all the medication in a room upstairs.

Nehan: First we want to cool his body. If you don't have any ice packs, a bag filled with water will do. Dragon bone would be even better.

Feower: Dragon bone? Is that the name of the medication? We might've had something like that. I'll go take a look.

Tien: Mm, I'll come with.

Mugen: Mugen make ice pack! Bring water too!

Nehan: Good, I'm counting on you.

Nehan stands beside the bed to confirm the boy's condition once more.

Nehan: ...

Neighborly Noah: ...

Neighborly Noah: My brother...

Neighborly Noah: Always complained about how sickly his body was...

Neighborly Noah: They said it'd make him stronger... He got tricked into... into taking that stuff...

Nehan: ...

Nehan: I'm the one who created Serenity Heaven for the Magasin family.

Neighborly Noah: ...!
I know...

Nehan: If you want to kill me, I won't fight back. I—

Neighborly Noah: Screw you!

Neighborly Noah: Of course I hate you! Same goes for the Magasin and your blasted drugs!

Neighborly Noah: Why would I make things easy for you by killing you!

Nehan: !

Neighborly Noah: You deserve to suffer for all you've done! If you wanna die that bad, at least cure everyone suffering from drugs in Stardust Town first!

Mugen: Ah!

Mugen: Something happen?

Nehan: Yeah... Feh...

Nehan: Heh...

Nehan: Ha... Haha...

Mugen: Why Nehan, for instance, laugh?

Nehan: I realized something so absurd I couldn't help but laugh.

Nehan: What a servile mindset I've fallen into. I've grown too accustomed to leaving my life in the hands of others, pretending it's none of my responsibility...

Nehan: How feckless I truly am!

Nehan: ...

Mugen: Nehan? Everything okay?

Feower: You want to continue living in Stardust Town?

Nehan: Mm-hm.

Tien: That'd be a big help. It's true that the Magasin no longer pose a threat, and we occasionally get help from the Suo...

Tien: But because doctors and pharmacists are in short supply everywhere, getting one to stay in our town permanently has proven impossible.

Feower: Well, it's not like we had any intention of kicking you out.

Feower: Since you've got valuable inside knowledge on the Magasin, we've been detaining you in lieu of the Suo family.

Feower: We'll be glad to oblige you and work you to the bone as our resident pharmacist.

Tien: Feower...

Feower: We'll cover all clothing, food, and shelter. In return, we forbid any contact with the Crew of Enforcers. Sound good to you?

Nehan: Are you referring to my formal inquiry into the Karm Clan massacre? That investigation should have fallen apart when I fell into a coma.

Nehan: And I have no intention of asking for that case to be reopened. Sound fair to you?

Feower: You've gotta be kidding if you expect me to trust what you're saying.

Feower: We need to agree on something more concrete if we want this to work.

Tien: Sorry. Feower's always been a bit of a prickly pear...

Feower: Sis!

Tien: A lot's happened, but I hope we'll get along going forward, Nehan.

Nehan: Right... Likewise.

Mugen: Haha!

Nehan: Why, you're in a good mood, Mugen.

Mugen: Yes! Nehan decide live here. Mugen happy.

Mugen: Stardust Town nice place. Everyone kind, warm. Happy to live together!

Nehan: You never change, do you...

Mugen: Hehe...

Nehan: I asked you to go to Stardust Town because the Magasin seemed to be catching on to your existence.

Mugen: Magasin... mafia. Do bad things to you and everyone?

Nehan: Mm-hm. In terms of brute force, I doubt you'd lose to them...

Nehan: Though it'd be a different story if they came with a more technologically advanced group that specializes in capture, like the Jorha.

Mugen: Jorha?

Nehan: Yes, that's the general term for those who've been conducting inhumane experiments since the time of the War.

Nehan: The Karm Clan also traces its genealogical roots to the Jorha, who were shunned after the War.

Mugen: Jorha... Not all bad? Like Suo, mafia not all bad.

Nehan: Depends on where you stand, I guess... I wasn't the only Jorha member to join hands with the Magasin.

Nehan: One Jorha group held a particular part...

Nehan: A part cut off from someone whose hair can magically turn blue like yours...

Mugen: Blue hair...

Mugen: Lyria captured before too. And researched.

Nehan: With the Eternals and Suo family watching your back, there aren't many who'd go after you...

Nehan: But evil always lurks in the skies. It wouldn't hurt to be conscious of how valuable your power is perceived to be.

Mugen: Valuable... Um, for instance, special?

Nehan: Uh-huh.

Mugen: Yes, Mugen special. Very strong, big muscle.

Mugen: Mugen use power to protect everyone.

Mugen: Nehan, Tien, Feower, Stardust children, (Captain) and crew... Mugen protect all.

Mugen: And not do bad. Mugen careful mafia, Jorha.

Nehan: ...

Nehan: I said you haven't changed, but I was wrong.

Mugen: Hm?

Nehan: You're no longer the child who must look to me for every little thing.

Nehan: You're now capable of deciding your own path in life and how to use your power.

Mugen: Nehan...

Mugen: Nehan hate different Mugen?

Nehan: ...

Nehan: No.

Nehan: I...

Nehan: I don't hate you, Mugen.

Nehan: In fact, I never have.

Mugen: ...!

Mugen: Aah! Mugen knew it!

Nehan: ...!

Mugen dances a little jig of joy with Nehan tight in his arms.

Mugen: Mugen thought so, but happy to hear it!

Nehan: Heh, that's definitely a part of you that's stayed the same.

Though a bit uneasy, Nehan chooses to let Mugen enjoy the moment.

Just like the way he chose life over death or endless slumber, coming to terms with the rage that once filled his heart.