[Scene 1 – Path 6: A Sudden Encounter]
The Crystal Brawlers are making their way through Path 6, a winding trail lined with dense trees and steep hills. The air is thick with tension, as the group approaches a new stretch of their journey. But suddenly, they hear the sound of footsteps behind them. Before they can react, a group of Marukas—the notorious thieves who have been causing trouble in the area—emerge from the woods. They are led by none other than Marcy, Kouchu’s rival and member of the Menace Five.
Marcy (smirking):
“Well, well, if it isn’t the famous Crystal Brawlers. You’re just in time for a little… business deal I have in mind.”
Kouchu, not one to trust Marcy, immediately asks what’s going on.
Kouchu (bluntly):
“What’s the deal, Marcy? We’re not in the mood for any games.”
Marcy (with a sly grin):
“Oh, it’s not a game, Kouchu. It’s a business opportunity for you and your friends. You’ll want to listen.”
Marcy gestures to her Marukas to drag the brawlers into her shelter nearby. The group hesitantly follows, unsure of Marcy’s intentions. Once inside the small, dimly lit building, Marcy explains her plan.
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[Scene 2 – The Tempting Deal]
Marcy (with enthusiasm):
“Alright, listen up! I’ve just won the lottery, a huge fortune, and I need some help getting it to the right places. All you need to do is a little work for me, and in return, you’ll be handsomely rewarded. What do you say?”
Kouchu immediately grows suspicious, his instincts telling him that something isn’t right. But before he can voice his concerns, the rest of the brawlers look at each other, intrigued by the possibility of easy money.
Sakuro (raising an eyebrow):
“Money? What’s the catch, Marcy?”
Marcy (laughing):
“No catch, just a simple job. All you have to do is run a few errands, help me set things up, and I’ll take care of the rest. It’s all part of the plan. You’re doing me a favor, and I’m doing you a favor.”
The rest of the brawlers—Shauna, Sakuro, and even Elliott—seem convinced by her smooth talking, with Shauna being particularly drawn to the idea of easy riches. They agree to help Marcy, eager to see what kind of fortune awaits them.
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[Scene 3 – Kouchu’s Doubts]
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Kouchu, however, remains uneasy. As the others start working with Marcy, Kouchu becomes more and more suspicious of her true intentions. He observes her actions closely—how she keeps taking charge and sending them to do more and more tasks without ever explaining the full plan. The others seem happy enough, but Kouchu can’t shake the feeling that they’re being used.
Kouchu (to himself):
“This doesn’t feel right… I don’t trust her. Marcy’s just using us to make herself richer, isn’t she?”
As the brawlers carry out Marcy’s bidding, Kouchu grows more convinced that he’s right. He decides to confront the others.
Kouchu (firmly):
“Everyone, listen up! Marcy’s just using us to get her hands on more money. She doesn’t care about any of us; she’s only interested in her own fortune!”
The brawlers look at him in surprise, especially Shauna, who shakes her head in disbelief.
Shauna (shocked):
“Kouchu, you’re wrong! We’re just helping her out. She’s going to reward us when this is all over.”
Sakuro (frowning):
“I don’t know, Kouchu. She seems like she’s being honest. Maybe you’re overthinking this.”
Kouchu’s frustration builds as he watches his friends continue to follow Marcy without question. He feels alone in his suspicions but refuses to back down.
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[Scene 4 – The Government Strikes]
As the brawlers continue working for Marcy, the government—who has been investigating the Marukas for illegal activities—finally catches wind of her and her operation. The government agents quickly surround the area and raid Marcy’s shelter. The brawlers are caught in the middle, unsure of what’s going on.
Government Officer (sternly):
“Marcy, you’re under arrest for tax evasion, illegal dealings, and more. All of your assets are being confiscated.”
Marcy (furious):
“What?! No, this is my money! You can’t take it! It’s mine!”
The government proceeds to seize all of Marcy’s winnings, including the fortune she had been flaunting in front of the brawlers. All the money, as well as her ill-gotten gains, are taken away. The officers also confiscate the Marukas’ stolen goods, leaving Marcy with nothing.
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[Scene 5 – A Hard Lesson]
The brawlers stand by, watching the government agents take Marcy’s fortune. Kouchu, still upset about how his friends were so easily swayed by Marcy’s lies, looks at them with frustration.
Kouchu (shaking his head):
“I told you, didn’t I? This was all a scam. She used us to get what she wanted, and now we’re left with nothing.”
Shauna, looking disappointed and a little ashamed, finally admits that Kouchu was right.
Shauna (sighing):
“I should’ve listened to you, Kouchu. You saw it coming, and I… I didn’t want to believe it.”
Sakuro (nodding quietly):
“Sometimes, we get too caught up in the moment. But Kouchu was just trying to protect us.”
With Marcy’s fortune now gone, the brawlers are left to deal with the aftermath of their involvement. As the government agents begin to leave, they turn to Kouchu, who stands tall despite the disappointment in his heart.
Kouchu (resolutely):
“Next time, we’ll be smarter. No more falling for tricks like this.”
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[Scene 6 – Moving Forward]
As the brawlers continue their journey down Path 6, they’re left with a hard-earned lesson: not everything that glitters is gold, and some people will go to great lengths for personal gain. They learn to trust each other more and to never let themselves be swayed by empty promises again.
Kouchu walks ahead, his mind set on the next challenge. The brawlers, now more united than ever, follow him as they continue their quest, determined to take the next step forward, no matter what obstacles may lie ahead.
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TO BE CONTINUED…
