Chapter 1: A Star is Born

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Chapter 1: A Star is born

Fortuna Office

>The scene is at an office within a tall building, with the words "Fortuna Entertainment" etched on some of the windows. The office looks relatively casual, with sofas, vending machines, and a TV mounted on the wall.

Touma: Welp, here we are!

Itsuki: Looks more like an office than some kind of secret base...

Touma: Well, yeah. It is an office. Ever heard of Fortuna Entertainment?

Tsubasa: Oh, I know! That's the production company that Kiria belongs to!

Touma: Should've figured you'd know it, Tsubasa. But yeah, this is the Fortuna Entertainment office.

Tsubasa: Wh-Whaaat!? Really!? Wh-Why was I brought to a place like this!?

Touma: Just a regular production company on the surface... but secretly a team of Mirage specialists and investigators. That's Fortuna Entertainment. Oh, and I haven't told you guys yet, but this is the production company I've been working with.

Tsubasa: Why didn't you tell us about it!?

Itsuki: Yeah. You don't have to worry about telling us where you work.

Tsubasa: If I knew you were working at the same company as Kiria, I could've asked you to get me an autograph!

Itsuki: That's what you're angry about!?

Touma: Tsubasa, I kept my mouth shut because I knew this is how you'd react...

Tsubasa: Never mind all that, Touma! So... wh-wh-where's Kiria!?

Touma: Oh, she's not here.

Tsubasa: Why not!?

Touma: G-Geez, Tsubasa, chill out. Kiria's pretty busy with work right now. Not only does she have a ton of work, she's gotta get ready for that live performance too. She's got her schedule worked out down to the minute--even I haven't seen her in a while.

Tsubasa: ...

Touma: Tsubasa...? You okay?

Tsubasa: Phew... haahh.. phew... haahh...

Itsuki: What are you doing?

Tsubasa: Right now... I'm breathing air that Kiria was breathing... Oh, I can die happy...!

Touma: *Sigh* ... Oh, right. There was someone I wanted you two to meet.

Itsuki: Who's that?

Touma: Eh, you'll see. They're waiting for you just past that door.

>There is a blue door leading to somewhere in the room.

Touma: C'mon, Tsubasa. Back to reality.

Tsubasa: W-Wait! I'm not done enjoying the atmosphere yet!

>Game transitions to gameplay. The trio go through the door.

Bloom Palace

The trio find themselves at a shrine-like place, covered by greenery. There is a large tree behind an stone altar.

Tsubasa: Wh-Wh- What is this place!?

Itsuki: How is a place like this... in an office building?

Touma: Mind blown, right? This place is for Mirage Masters and those with strong Perfoma--those chosen by fate!

>Chrom and Caeda suddenly appear.

Chrom: This place... There's something about it that feels oddly nostalgic.

Caeda: Yes, for me as well. I wonder why that is.

Tsubasa: Caeda! Where are you been all this time!?

Touma: She's been with you since we left the Idolasphere. You just couldn't see her, that's all. As long as they're in the Bloom Palace though, they can go back to these physical forms. Heeey! Tiki!

>The mysterious, green-haired woman Itsuki saw in Illusory Daitama is sitting on the altar.

Tiki: Oh, big brother!

>She disappears, the reappears in front of the group.

Chrom: Huh...? Why do I feel as though I've met her before?

Tsubasa: I can't believe it... I can't believe you're making this little girl call you her big broth- Wait a minute... I think I've seen her somewhere before. Oh my gosh! It's Tiki! The Uta-loid! The virtual singer, Tiki! ... A-A real live Uta-loid!?

Touma: There's the reaction I was waiting for! And don't accuse me of the creepy stuff. ... You noticed that first? Look, let me introduce you. The Uta-loid you two know is a cover. Tiki's true identity... is a Mirage.

Tiki: Welcome to the Bloom Palace! I was waiting for you, big brother!

Itsuki: ... Big brother? Wait, me too?

Tiki: Mhm! If I'm not supposed to call Touma that, can you be my big brother instead?

The player is given two options on how to reply:

• I don't mind
• Well, uh...

>If the player chooses option 1:

???

>If the player chooses option 2:

Itsuki: Well, uh...

Tiki: ... I can't?

Itsuki: Oh, uh, I guess I don't mind if that's what you want to call me...

Tiki: Yay! Thank you, big brother.

Itsuki: You might be overdoing it a little. Oh--thanks for telling me that Tsubasa was in danger back there.

Tiki: I didn't do anything worth thanks... That's all I could really do. I wish I could've gone to help... but all I can do is stay here and pray that everyone comes back safely...

Itsuki: What do you mean by that?

Tiki: I'm a little different from the others... I'm bound to this place. Wait, um... big brother, do Chrom and Caeda still have their memories?

Itsuki: ... They both said they have no idea why they're here. It sounded like they couldn't remember much...

Tiki: I knew it...

Itsuki: Wait a minute... Tiki, are you missing your memories too?

Tiki: Mhm... I don't know why, but all Mirages have lost their memories of the past.

Itsuki: That... must be scary for you...

Tiki: ... Yeah...

Itsuki: ...

Tiki: ... Thanks for worrying about me, big brother, but I'm okay. We found Chrom and Caeda... And you and Tsubasa seem like nice people... so I'm really happy!

Tsubasa: Aww, Tiki... You're such a sweet girl! I'll be sure to come visit you every day!

Tiki: Thanks, Tsubasa.

Touma: Well, I think that about does it for introductions... Tiki, you wanna give them an explanation on Unity?

Itsuki: Unity?

Tiki: You know you have Perfoma, right? Well... Perfoma is like the power of the human soul to express itself. We fuse Perfoma with people and Mirages to awaken new power within them. That ritual is called Unity.

Itsuki: Awaken... new power?

Tiki: Hmm... Well, I guess you could just say it makes you stronger. I can't really fight like the other Mirages can... but I can perform Unity rituals for you here. So... let's perform Unity right now, okay?

The player is shown how to perform a Unity.

Tiki: This is all I can really do... but I'm happy as long as I can help you all, even if it's just a little bit.

Itsuki: We're more than grateful for the help, Tiki.

Tiki: Great! I'll make sure to do my best!

>Game transitions to gameplay. Itsuki can speak to Chrom, Caeda, and Cain for one-time dialogue.

Cain: Sir Itsuki! Touma seems pleased indeed at the prospect of fighting as your comrade-in-arms. I will be counting on you to help Touma. He can be a bit senseless at times, but he has a good heart.

Itsuki: Sure. By the way... Cain, are your memories gone as well?

Cain: Yes. I have lost all the memories of my time before meeting Touma... And as of now, their return seems unlikely.

Itsuki: I see...

Cain: But I confess, I have gotten quite used to my life alongside Touma and the others. However, that doesn't mean that I have lost my desire to find out who I really am.

Itsuki: Cain... If you need anything, I'll always be happy to help.

Cain: Thank you, Sir Itsuki.

Chrom: A strange place indeed... If we can manifest here, this sanctuary must function similarly to the Idolapshere.

Itsuki: Yeah.

Chrom: Taking form in your world consumes quite a bit of energy... We'll stay here in the meantime, barring emergencies. By the way, Itsuki... you'll be fighting alongside Touma from now on, right?

Itsuki: Yeah. To be honest, though, I have almost no idea what I should be doing...

Chrom: ... In truth, I could say the same. My memories are still all a haze... I know I am a Mirage, but... I can't even say for sure what a Mirage is, let alone who I am. Or what I'm supposed to do now...

Itsuki: Chrom...

Chrom: But if I stand by you... something tells me I'll find the answer. So... I ope you can put with me remaining at your side for just a little bit longer.

Itsuki: Of course it's all right. Besides, I wouldn't have a chance against the Mirages without you. Here's to a long and prosperous relationship, Chrom.

Chrom: Thank you, Itsuki. It'll be a privilege to fight at your side. You can usually find us here when things are quiet, but if you ever need us, we'll appear to help you.

Caeda: Oh, Itsuki. Hello.

'Itsuki: Hello. So you can materialize when you're in this room as well, then, huh?

Caeda: Yes, it would seem that way. Itsuki, I would appreciate it if you would look after Tsubasa. Sometimes, I believe she can be a bit... you know. Oblivious, perhaps.

Itsuki: Haha... Well, you're not wrong.

Caeda: And besides, it looked as though Tsubasa trusts you quite a lot. I'm sure she will need your support.

Itsuki: Well, she's been my friend since we were kids. I'll do what I can.

Caeda: *Giggle* Thank you.

>Itsuki and co. head to the entrance of Bloom Palace.

Touma: Hm? Looks like Ms. Maiko's back. She's said there's something she wants to talk to us about, so we'd better head back to the office.

Tiki: You're... going already?

Itsuki: Sorry. I promise I'll come visit soon.

Tsubasa: Me too! I'll definitely be back soon.

Tiki: Okay! I'll be waiting! Bye-bye!

>The team arrives back at Fortuna Office. Maiko is in the room.

Maiko: Hey there.

Tsubasa: Ms. Maiko! Your're so mean... Why didn't you tell me about the production company before?

Maiko: Oh, relax. I didn't want to overload you guys. Too much information at once can be a bad thing. Anyway, I just booked a lesson for you, Tsubasa.

Tsubasa: A lesson...?

Maiko: That's right. Dancing and voice training. I've decided we;re going to debut you as an idol. I think we're gonna go with the pure and innocent image for you.

Tsubasa: Wha... Whaaat!? B-But this is all so sudden! I... I-I...

Touma: Better get used to it, Tsubasa. This is how Ms. Maiko likes to run this place.

Itsuki: What about the Mirage attacks?

Maiko: Unfortunately, we have no idea when the next attack might be. So in the meantime, let's start your training! Trust me, you'll make a great idol, Tsubasa. My radar is never wrong about someone's star potential.

Tsubasa: Uhh.

Maiko: You know... if you work as an idol for Fortuna, it'd probably be a lot easier for you to meet with Kiria.

Tsubasa: Where do I sign!?

Touma: That was quick...

Itsuki: Sure was...

Maiko: By the way, you'll be going through singing and dancing training too, Itsuki.

Itsuki: Huh, me?

Maiko: Yes, you. Training as a performer will help your abilities as a Mirage Master as well, so it's worth your time.

Itsuki: What... exactly does that mean?

Maiko: Your power as a Mirage Master is dependent on your abilities as a performer.

Tsubasa: What do you mean "as a performer"...?

Maiko: Some of the earliest records of the performing arts come from dance as a part of religious rituals. The idea was to call the power of the gods into the performer--an invocation of spirits, if you like.

Itsuki: Call upon the power of spirits... Kind of like a Mirage Master's power?

Maiko: There's a dance in Noh theater called Kamioroshi, where the performer calls upon a god. It's a little like that. Muscical ability, acting, artistry... Honing these skills also increases your power of spiritual invocation.

Touma: Basically, if you're good performers, you'll be strong Masters.

Maiko: I'm not running this agency as just an empty front, you know. In any case, I've already booked your two for training. Life is about overcoming challenges, you know! Good luck on your first lesson!

Itsuki: Ummm...

Touma: Itsuki, Tsubasa... it's been nice knowing you. I'll make sure to say something real nice at your funerals.

Tsubasa: Huh?

Itsuki: Wh-Why exactly are you talking like you're sending us to our deaths...?

Maiko: You'll see when you get to the studio in Shibuya tomorrow. I've ordered the full course, so have fu-un. That'll be all for today. Dismissed!

>Game transitions to gameplay. Itsuki can speak to Maiko, Tsubasa, and Touma.

Maiko: Good luck with your first lesson! The studio is in Shibuya. I'll send you the details on Topic!

Tsubasa: Agh, I'm so nervous... How am I supposed to train...?

Touma: It's your first step in the industry. Lessons are the basics of everything, so pay good attention and learn what you can, okay?

>The player is given free rein to explore.

To be added...