#housamo

Don't worry, Boss, we'll see him in a bit. Right now, let's enjoy the market together.

I wonder if I should get something for Nathan or Gabriel while we're here. I think I saw a few scented candles they would like, and some incense.

Just make sure they're not the kind that summon spirits of the dead... Don't let Ganglie know I said that.

I've only heard about that, but I don't really know the whole story. Can you tell me?

Lupin: ... It's complicated. I think you'd have to be there to fully understand.

At that time, it was just you, Kotetsu, Karina, Pao-Lin, Hanuman, Tetsuox, Licho, Green, and Brown. Sanzo, Nezha, and Hotei had to go help Tiazun with his project that would be done later tonight. You all move around the market until you found yourselves at a booth run by Ganglie. He was selling incense and scented candles.

Lupin, good to see you! Ah, and I see you met Pao-Lin.

Lupin: Hey, Ganglie. How are things?

Ganglie: Same as usual. Still unhappy about doing work. Especially since I've been asked, or rather forced, to run this booth. Girimekra is suppose to be doing this, but he says he has work for the Missionaries to do.

Karina: (thinking) Come to think of it, I thought I saw what looked like an elephant guy who said he was from another school.

Ganglie: (sighing) Yup, that's him. I don't know what it is, but I wish he'd hurry up. All I wanted to do was go around the other schools' night markets and see what cool stuff they have.

Hanuman: (unimpressed) Oh, just shut it and do your job. Seriously, you got it easy. You should see what Nezha is doing.

Karina: I'll make it easy on you, I just got a huge bonus at the café and I'm hoping you might have something I can get my friends. I'll even buy a lot of it if it's the right price. Do you have anything for an angel and fire-wielding superhero who's taken up magic?

Ganglie: Well, my fellow Gurus did just make a fresh batch sandalwood candles and palo santo incense.

Karina: That's perfect. I'll take about 20 of both.

Ganglie: That'll be 25,000 Coin in total.

Karina: (shocked) That's more than what my bonus can cover.

Lupin: I have more than enough, I cover the rest.

Do you also have any cinnamon-scented? Being rich, my parents love the smell of something close to money.

Ganglie: I do have cinnamon incense. How much do you need?

Green: How about... however much I get with this?

Green opens his wallet to show...

Pao-Lin: (surprised) Woah...

Green: I've been saving up my allowance.

I'm surprised your folks are still giving you an allowance after you tried to outbid them that time.

Green: Meh, they got over it, especially when they realized how much they liked the chocolate maker.

Kotetsu: Since it's clear we're not going back to Sternbild, especially because we're not the real us, I didn't know what to do with the extra. So, since Green paid half, I gave it to him.

Ganglie: (entranced) So much Coin. Take the whole lot if you want. I'm taking my break.

Hanuman: (still unimpressed) Do that and I'll give you break... in the arm.

Ganglie: (sternly) Should I get Sanzo?

Hanuman: ... Take your break. You've earned it.

Kotetsu: (confused) Am I even going to ask?

Pao-Lin: (signing) You really need to brush up on your Journey to the West, Kotetsu.

After collecting your items and Ganglie running off to enjoy his break, you all continue forward through the market. After a while, you run into three familiar faces.

Ah, we meet again, Lupin.

Lupin: Hey, Arc. Are you shopping hear, too.

We heard about this thing they were going to do here and we were a bit curious.

Arc: Do you know what they're doing?

Hanuman: Your guess is as good as ours. Who knows what Tianzun is up to.

Heh! Knowing your teacher, probably something overly festive. Not that I don't mind.

Babalon: I wonder when they'll start.

Licho: (checking his phone) It should be very soon. We'll head to the stage now and try to get good seats.

Kotetsu: What is this Tianzun guy like?

Lupin: I've met him a few times, he seems like a nice guy. Though, he doesn't always stick around long enough, except when there's some event going on.

Pao-Lin: I'm a student here, too, and even I don't see him that much. Just kind of person is he really?

Tetsuox: You'll know soon enough. Now, it's be off.

Arc: Is it alright if we join you?

Lupin: I don't see why not.

With that, you and the others head to where Tianzun's project was to be revealed...

???: They're headed there now, over. Yes. Roger.

You and your friends arrive at a stage where many marketgoers and students were gathered.

Kotetsu: (smiling) This kinda reminds me of the hero show you guys were doing back in Shinjuku.

Lupin: I wonder if that's what the project is.

Pao-Lin: Yeah, I did hear about one of the participating schools doing a hero show, that's yours?

Lupin: Yes... Though, it may not be my school much longer.

Babalon: (surprised) What do you mean, Lupin? Are you leaving Shinjuku Academy?

Lupin: I'm still unsure. My friends transferred out, but they said they were going to transfer back, so, I'm still thinking about it.

Karina: I hope Nathan and the others at Akihabara Academy won't be disappointed if you decide not to transfer there.

Arc: Why go to Akihabara? You'd be better off transferring to Fujimi Academy.

Lupin: Seriously?

Babalon: You might as well. Unless our dear Azathoth or Kirito return, there's an open spot just waiting to be filled.

Tetsuox: (longing) I'd rather the Boss transfer here, instead. I know most of us would be happy with that.

Lupin: Can you at least still let me think about it. With Shiro and the others returning, I'm not sure if I want to transfer anymore. I just... I just don't know.

Everyone just stare at you, sending you're still a bit upset since the previous night... Then, Kotetsu puts his hand on your shoulder.

Kotetsu: (assuring) I'm sure you'll find the answer to what you want, don't worry.

Lupin: (sighing) ... Thank you, Kotetsu.

Licho: Hey, it's starting!

Everyone turns to the stage as Tianzun comes on stage... You were surprised to see that Boogeyman was with him.

Welcome, everyone! I'm so glad you could join us for tonight.

With permission from my fellow teachers at Shinjuku Academy, we will be doing the same kind of show they were doing at their night market.

Tianzun and Boogeyman: We'll be doing a hero show!

The marketgoers all cheer at this.

Kotetsu: (curious) I wonder if this is going to be like all the other times.

Lupin: I doubt it, we're not in this show.

As the curtains rise...

Hey oh, you happy people! Your funny man, Hotei, is in the house!

Babalon: (confused) I don't know much about hero shows, is this how it goes?

Peo-Lin: It's how it starts. But wait, you'll see.

After several of Hotei's corny, but very adorable, jokes...

Hotei: And now for the kicker. I've been saving this one. If I can't get this one, I'll just lose it. What do you-

CRASH

Pao-Lin: (thrilled) Looks like the real show's begun.

However, you notice something from Tianzan and Boogeyman... They were panicked.

Tianzan: What are they doing? They're too early.

Boogeyman: I don't think this is part of the show.

Tianzan: (speaking into a walkie-talkie) Nezha? Sanzo? What's going on? ... Nezha? Sanzo? Where are you? ... They're not answering.

Then, the Agents start firing rounds everywhere. No one got shot, but they did get scared off.

Lupin: Boogeyman's right, this isn't part of the show. Something is not right!

Kotetsu: (ready for action) We better do someting!

Lupin: We have to get everyone to safety, first. (feeling a bit dizzy) Oh, but I think I might only do that part, I'm still a bit dazed from last night.

Pao-Lin: Then we'll take care of the troublemakers.

Licho: We'll help Lupin evacuate everyone.

Surtr: We'll also help with the evacuation.

Kotetsu: Okay, let's do this. (thinking) Now, how'd it go again? Switchy? Stitchy?

Pao-Lin: (confused) Umm...

Karina: It's a spell that Nathan used to make our hero suits appear. By the way, it's "Stitch switch by a witch."

FLASH

Yeah, I was just about to get it.

This is great! Now, let's show those jerks what real heroes can do!

Hanuman: (excited) Sweet! Green, Brown, care to- (surprised) Umm, where'd they go?

Lupin: I'm sure they went on ahead to help. (whisper to the three heroes) But I get the feeling you'll see them soon.

Dragon Kid: (also whispering) What do you mean?

(also whispering) You'll see. Now let's go.

With that, Blue Rose, Dragon Kid, and Wild Tiger go off to deal with the Agents as you and the rest go to help the marketgoers escape.

Meanwhile, in an already empty part of the market...

Brown: (confused) Green, what is it? Shouldn't we be helping everyone get to safety?

Green: We'll help them, alright, but now by escaping... But by stopping the bad guys.

Brown: Us? What are you talking about?

Green: Brown, you know about the Star Tricksters?

Brown: You mean... you guys.

Green: (shocked) You know? How?

Brown: I... (unsure) I don't know. I just do. Wait, you're not about to say that I'm one, too, are you?

Green: I know it's a bit to take in. (smiling) But Brown, you know what this means? I know you have your own dream of becoming a teacher like Blue does, but what about our shared dream?

Brown: Becoming magical boys, of course. I may want to be a teacher, but I'll never give up that dream. None of us will. It's our dream. Our reeal dream.

Green: Well, that dream is about to come true.

Green reaches into his bag and takes out the brown transformation compact which glowed and floated to Brown's hands... Because it's Brown's compact.

Green: Red told me to bring that to you. Are you ready to be a magical boy and save the day?

Brown: If it means I can help other as not just a teacher... (happy) I'm in.

Green: (taking his own compact) Excellent! Now, to get started, do as I do...

Brown: (excited) Okay!

Meanwhile on stage, Wild Tiger, Blue Rose, and Dragon Kid are dealing with the Agents, but they are outnumbered.

Dragon Kid: These guys are stronger than they look.

Wild Tiger: Me and Bunny fought these guys before, but I don't remember them being this strong.

Blue Rose: Maybe they've been working out since last time.

The Purple Agent begins to make a move on Dragon Kid when she isn't looking.

Blue Rose: (shocked) Kid, look out!

Too late. The Purple Agent is about to attack and Dragon Kid with very little time to move... That is, until...

???: World Prank Attack!

A blast of cosmic energy strikes the Purple Agent and knocks him down.

Blue Rose: (happy) Looks like they've arrived.

???: You darn right we have! You guys have messed with the wrong night market.

???: Heroes shows are suppose to give others, especially kids, hope and happiness in times when their lives are harsh.

We are the Star Tricksters who fight for love and justice. I am the blossom of your heart. The Wood-Blooded Wolf, Green Trickster!

And I am the passion of your heart. The World-Blooded Wolf, Brown Trickster!

Star Tricksters: (charming) Hey now, come on baby! Trickin's what we like!

Dragon Kid: (confused) Are those suppose to be...

Wild Tiger: Magical boys? Yes.

Blue Rose: We'll explain later. Right now, let's accept their help.

Dragon Kid: Well, if you trust them, so do I.

Brown Trickster: (happy) Glad to hear that. Now, let's go!

The battle begins...