S2fE03

KEMONO FRIENDS

Season 2f

by ProjectS2f

Episode 3 - Outpost Seven

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The reunited members of PPP, Masked Booby and Atlantic Puffin stand together at the side of the Japari Bus, Kaban and Serval sitting behind the wheel.

GEN - We'll stay here in case any others come to the light.
KOUTEI - I hope you find Rockhopper and Princess !
BOOBY - Have a nice trip, you two !
KABAN - Thanks, Masked Booby-san !

The Japari Bus' engine starts. The birds wave Kaban and Serval goodbye as they drive off. They respond in kind. Serval then throws her arms up in the air.

SERVAL - I missed the Bus ! We're back to normal, aren't we, Kaban-chan ?
KABAN - Yes ! I hope we can meet many new Friends !

They drive. The scenery changes from a rocky prairie to a dirt road in a temperate, well lit forest. Serval leans out of the bus, smiling.

SERVAL - What a peaceful forest ! Do you think there's another lounge around there ?
KABAN - It would be nice, wouldn't it ? And who knows, maybe this Outpost Seven place is another lounge !
SERVAL - Why do we want to find it again ? So we can have Boss back, right ?
KABAN - Yes. The problem is, how do we find it ?
SERVAL - I have no idea, Kaban-chan, but this road has to lead somewhere !
KABAN - You're right, let's just drive and be on the lookout.
SERVAL - Leave the lookout to me !

They drive through the mellow underbrush for a while. Butterflies fly around, the sun shines through the broadleaf trees, and there isn't a Cerulean in sight. Kaban and Serval laugh about something as the bus is seen approaching something odd. A large mound, covered in ivy. It catches the attention of Serval, who looks back as they drive past it. On the other side of the mound, something man-made can be seen, hidden beneath the clinging vine.

SERVAL - Kaban-chan, here !

They brake, and get off the bus. A small flight of wooden stairs lead to a hut of sorts, also made of wood. Just beneath the overgrown roof, the Japari Park symbol can be seen. The front wall's top half is open, and carved wooden chairs can be seen facing the bottom half. Behind the counter, the hut goes all the way to the back of the mound, a good ten meters away.

SERVAL - Waaah ! What is it ?!
KABAN - This building looks more like the ones we saw in Japari Park than the tower. Maybe this is Outpost Seven ?
SERVAL - Let's go inside ! Let's go inside !

They open a door to the right of the counter and go through it. The interior has no light sources, but the sunlight outside is enough to see. There is some metallic equipment inside, but none seem Lucky-beast related. There are stovetops, oven and cupboards, as well as coffee machines. Serval runs up to them.

SERVAL - Kaban-chan, I know what this is ! Alpaca-chan had the same ! It's another Japari Café !
KABAN - It looks quite different, but you're right, Serval-chan ! Too bad Alpaca-chan isn't here to see this...
SERVAL - You're right...I could sure go for tea, too.

Kaban keeps exploring the quaint little café, and finds another living space in the back. While she looks around for anything useful, she hears the very soft voice of someone babbling in their sleep.

KABAN - He-hello ?

She looks around but doesn't see anyone in the darkness. She quietly calls to Serval.

KABAN - I think I'm hearing someone sleeping !
SERVAL - Really ? Let me listen !

Serval comes into the living space and swivels her ears around. With a smile, she points to the ceiling.

SERVAL - There ! ...Heeh ?

The two are shocked to see a Friend dangling upside down, her feet somehow sticking to the ceiling. They cannot see her clearly, except for the fact she has huge ears, easily twice as big as Serval's. Incredulous, the latter reaches to touch them.

FOREST FRIEND N°1 - Kyaaaaaaah !

The long-eared Friend suddenly unfurls wings - placed on her back, not on her head - and starts flying erratically all over the place, bouncing off walls.

FOREST FRIEND N°1 - Aaaaaah what's happening ? Oh god ! Oh god ! I'm sorry ! Aaaaah !
KABAN - Aaaaaah !
SERVAL - Aaaaaaah !
FOREST FRIEND N°1 - AAAAAAAAAAH !

------

Cut to a bit later. The three Friends are in the kitchen, all sitting in the floor, bowing in apologies.

SERVAL - I-I'm sorry I woke you up like this...
KABAN - You looked so different, I was about to wake you up too...

The strange Friend smiles wide, two fangs visible. Her irises are a striking red, her hair is a brown bob that goes slightly lighter at the bottom. Her ears are twice as tall as her head. She wears a dark brown sailor uniform with a lighter, warmer brown skirt and fluffy muffler. Her shoes and stockings are also dark brown. Behind her back are small feathery wings and a cape colored in a dark-brown to light brown gradient.

Order : Chiroptera
Family : Vespertilionidae
Genus : Piecotus
Brown Long-eared Bat

BAT - No, no, I shouldn't have panicked ! It's just that new Friends never come into this comfy little hideout. I'm happy to see new faces though ! I'm Brown Long-eared Bat !

Kaban and Serval greet her in turn.

SERVAL - Those sure are long ears ! And I thought mine were big !
KABAN - I bet you can hear very well with those, Bat-san !
BAT - I sure do ! When I shriek, I hear where all the trees are even in complete darkness !
SERVAL - Really ? That sounds just like Dolphin-chan's skill !
BAT - Waah, someone else can do it ? Come to think of it, your ears aren't too shabby either, Serval ! Maybe you could learn this skill too !
SERVAL - Really ? I hear really well and I'm amazing at playing hunter and prey in the tall grass, but hearing where things are when they don't make noise ? It sounds really hard...
BAT - It's not ! You have to make sounds sharp enough so they echo well, but that's about it !

Kaban smiles and turns to Serval.

KABAN - Maybe you should practice it, Serval-chan ? I'm sure you can learn this Friend skill !
SERVAL - Yes ! I'll try !
KABAN - Anyway, Bat-san. We're in this area because we're looking for a building. We're not sure how it looks like, but it's probably fairly big, with lots of strange devices inside.

Bat puts her finger on her chin and lifts her head, trying to think.

BAT - Hmmh...
KABAN - Doesn't ring any bells, Bat-san ?
BAT - Hm ? Oh, no, no ! I know the place ! I love to sleep in darkness during the day, and all those strange buildings lying around are perfect, so I check them all. But there's this big one I could never sleep in. It's probably the one you're after but I only went in once, a long time ago. I don't remember where it is. It's definitely somewhere in this forest though.
SERVAL - Yay ! We're in the right place ! Why couldn't you sleep in, though, Bat ?
BAT - There is...something in there.

The music cuts to silence.

SERVAL - S-something ? Like a Cerulean ?
BAT - No, no, the Ceruleans are big oafs, they could never catch us Forest Friends. The thing in that big building...It's different. It's not big, but it didn't sound like anything I've heard before. It's very fast, too. I flew out of here the instant I heard it coming toward me, and even then I escaped just in the nick of time !

Kaban and Serval are shown with scared expressions.

BAT - It was scary, to be honest. Do you really need to go in there ?
SERVAL - D-do we, Kaban-chan ?!
KABAN - Y-yes, we have to, for Lucky-san.

Serval hangs her head down for a moment, then holds her fists up in determination.

SERVAL - Yes, Boss needs our help ! We have to find this place, even if something scary is inside !
BAT - Wow ! What courage ! I'd love to help you but...I can't deal with the sunlight. It's too hot and it hurts my eyes bad.
SERVAL - Oh, that sounds tough...
BAT - It can't be helped. However ! I know a Friend who would definitely know where that place is !
KABAN - Really ? Where do we find her ?
BAT - She wanders around a lot but her favorite glade is not too far from here. Follow the road and go right when it separates. You should be able to see the glade along the way !

------

Kaban and Serval are in the bus again, waving Brown Long-eared Bat goodbye. She responds in kind behind the hut's counter, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand. They then drive off, following the dirt path.

SERVAL - The Gokoku area sure has interesting friends, right, Kaban-chan ? Bat can fly even though she isn't a bird !
KABAN - Yes, animals have lots of surprises, don't they ? I know you can learn Dolphin and Bat's trick if you try !SERVAL - Really ? You think so ?
KABAN - I do !
SERVAL - Okay, then I will do my best !

A fork in a road appears and Kaban turns right as Serval leans out of the Bus.

SERVAL - UuuuMYA !

Her ears swivel around. She tries again. Cut to later, when the Bus arrives near a sunny glade.

SERVAL - UuuuMY- Hey, here it is, Kaban-chan !

Kaban stops the bus, and the duo steps out. They make their way through the trees and step inside the clearing. Tall grass and white flowers cover the area, a single rock standing over them in the center of the glade. On top of it stands a Friend, enjoying a Japari Bun.

KABAN - He-hello ?

The Friend jumps a bit, startled, but calms down when she lays eyes on the pair. She jumps down the rock and walks to them. She's holding a antler staff like other horned Friends, but her antlers are smaller and rounder. Similarly, her build is thinner and daintier than most Friends. Her hair is cut in a bob, light brown with a grey T pattern above her forehead. Her clothes are a white fluffy muffler, light brown sweatshirt, red skirt with whitish dots, and white stockings. With a slightly wary disposition, she says...

Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Cervidae
Genus : Capreolus
Roe Deer

DEER -  Are you new Friends ? I'm Roe Deer.
SERVAL - I'm Serval ! We came from another island !
DEER - R-really ? I didn't know there were other islands. You don't look scary, though.
KABAN - Don't worry, Roe Deer-san, we're just passing through. We just need to find a large, dark building. Brown Long-eared Bat-san said you might know where it is ?
DEER - Ah, Bat-chan sent you ? She's right, I know the whole forest. But, huh, the largest building...

Roe Deer leans forward, hand covering the side of her mouth.

DEER - Do you mean the one that's haunted ?

Kaban and Serval gulp.

SERVAL - Eeeh ? Haunted ? Bat told us there was someone fast in there, but...haunted is even scarier, Kaban-chan !
KABAN - It's true this doesn't sound good, but...What did you see in here, Deer-san ?
DEER - Nothing ! I can see Ceruleans from far away, but the ghost attacked me before I had any idea anything was inside !
SERVAL - Attacked you ? Oh no ! Did it hurt you ?
DEER - N-not really, it cut my fur, but it was so scary ! I ran out of there so fast, before I knew it I was out of the forest ! Way scarier than a Cerulean ! Uuu, my fur..
SERVAL - You mean your clothes ?

Serval points at her own dress. Deer nods, a small teardrop in the corner of her eye. Serval turns to Kaban, who has blue streaks across her forehead.

SERVAL - If it's just clothes we should be okay...They come back to normal eventually.
KABAN - No, it's absolutely no good if our clothes get cut, Serval-chan ! What's in there is definitely dangerous ! Yet...

She takes a deep breath and curls her fingers into a fist.

KABAN - This is for Lucky-san ! We'll manage for sure !
DEER - Wow, you're really serious about this !
SERVAL - Yes ! We've been through worse!
DEER - Amazing...Courageous Friends like you could even defeat the ghost ! Uuu..

Gathering her courage, Deer looks up.

DEER - It's decided ! I'll take you to the big building !
SERVAL - Alright ! Let's take the Bus !
DEER - The Bus ?

Cut to the group of three standing beside the Japari Bus. Deer leans forward.

DEER - What an impressive thing...
SERVAL - It's an amazing vehicle in which you can go super fast !
KABAN - Why don't you sit on the front with me, Deer-san ! This way you can tell me where to go.
DEER - Eeh ? I'm going to go inside it ? Scary...

Cut to Kaban and a nervous Deer sitting in front. Serval hangs in the back, her arms up.

SERVAL - I'm in the back of the Bus again !
KABAN - Ready, Deer-san ?
DEER - Y-yes, I think.
KABAN - Let's go then !

Kaban starts the engine, immediately, Roe Deer is startled and jumps through the front window. She is seen running away, screaming down the road, leaping left and right.

KABAN - Deer-san, waaait !

-------

Cut to the zookeeper interviews. First is an aviary with an opaque ceiling. Brown Long-eared Bat hangs from it, napping.

ZOOKEEPER N°1 - The Brown Long-eared Bat is one of the small European bats. During the day, they typically sleep inside tree cavities, or inside buildings. During the night, they go catch small insects such as moths and grasshoppers. They don't fly as quickly as other bats, but with their very large ears, they can detect even a moth in flight. When they hibernate in winter, they fold those big ears under their wings to keep warm.

Then Roe Deer can be seen inside a large enclosure, hiding behind one of the numerous trees planted inside.

ZOOKEEPER N°2 - Roe Deers are very graceful and agile, but they are so discreet they are very difficult to spot even though they're common. They can run as fast as a car for a short time and outrun all their predators. The males are actually quite territorial and competitive, and can damage young trees when they rub themselves against them to leave their scent. They feed on fresh leaves with lots of moisture. They are quite picky and won't feed on dry grasses.

------

The Japari bus rides through the forest. Roe Deer is back in the passenger seat, but fidgets heavily as she looks around. As the Bus takes a turn, she points forward.

DEER - Here ! It's just ahead !

The Bus does arrive at a clearing, at the end of which stands a three-story building overgrown by ivy and moss. The Friends disembark and approach the site cautiously. The main entrance is open, but the inside is completely dark.

SERVAL - Is this it ? It is pretty big.
KABAN - Maybe there's a sign under the overgrowth...
DEER - B-be careful !

Kaban starts clearing the vines to the sides of the main entrance. Deer looks all around her, clutching her antler staff tightly. Serval exposes her claws, trying to be menacing. Kaban does find an inscription, engraved in the cement.

KABAN  - "Outpost Seven". Yes, this is the place ! Thank you so much, Roe Deer-san !
SERVAL - Yay ! We can bring Boss back to normal !
DEER - Was I helpful ? I'm glad, but...

Deer jumps behind a tree and peeks.

DEER - I'm way too scared to go inside.
KABAN - That's alright, Deer-san. We shouldn't involve you any more than we have to if it's dangerous.
DEER - Th-thank you...I wish I could be more helpful...
KABAN - Hmm...Maybe you can stand watch over the Bus, then ? That would really be a big help !
SERVAL - Yeah, we'd be in big trouble if anything happened to it !
DEER - I...I'll do my best !

Cut to later. Kaban has prepared a torch and heads inside, Serval in tow. Deer waves in the background.

DEER - Good luck ! Please don't get eaten !

The duo steps further into the darkness, holding her torch high. They stand in a large room that leads to a couple of hallways at the end. To their right is a counter, behind which various crumbling equipment can be seen. To the right is a spiral staircase that leads up. Moss covers parts of the wall, and mushrooms grow out of cracks in the floor. Kaban looks around, then says in a hushed voice...

KABAN - Do you hear anything, Serval-chan ?
SERVAL - No, not yet. This is our chance to find a new body for Boss !
KABAN - You're right, let's investigate  !

They walk to the back of the entrance hall and are about to pick a hallway to explore, when a sudden gust of wind blows, making their hair wave and the flame flicker.

KABAN - ...Wind ? But...we're indoors...

Serval looks around, and gasps in horror when she lays her eyes on Kaban.

KABAN - Eeh ? Wh-what's wrong ?!
SERVAL - Kaban-chan, your shoulder !

The human friend takes a look, and gasps in turn. There is a sizable notch in the red fabric of her shirt. She reflexively covers it, hunching.

KABAN - Uwaaah ! No way ! I didn't see anything !
SERVAL - Me neither ! It's like Bat and Deer said ! There IS a ghost !

Both start shivering, their backs against a wall.

SERVAL - Umyamyamya...
KABAN - W-we have to calm down, Serval-chan. Find a body for Lucky-san quickly, and...

Another gust of wind blows. The camera directly shows the notch on Kaban's shoulder being made worse by two new incisions, forming a perfect triangle. The patch of fabric gently falls off to the floor. The two Friends look terrified.

KABAN - Noooo !
SERVAL - It's the ghost ! The ghost is here !
KABAN - Ruuun !

They start running down the hallway. When they look behind them, they see dust being blown around by another gust of wind. They scream and run even faster, but the wind catches up. Serval's bowtie falls off.

SERVAL - Umyaaaaa !
KABAN - Through that door ! Quick !

The duo takes a hard left, through a doorway. Kaban slams the door behind her. Serval picks up on the plan and keeps the door closed, digging her heels against the force of the wind. Kaban finds the latch and fastens it. The door stops moving and Serval steps back. A few bangs against the door startle the two Friends and they shiver, holding one another. Thankfully, the bangs stop. Kaban and Serval stay silent for a few moments.

SERVAL - Is...Is it gone ?
KABAN - For now...I think we're safe in this room...

Kaban falls on her knees.

KABAN - This was so scary...
SERVAL - There was something in the wind ! I couldn't see it, but I caught a smell !
KABAN - Did it smell like a Cerulean ?
SERVAL - I'm not sure what it was, but it definitely wasn't a Cerulean ! Besides, why would a Cerulean be after our clothes ?
KABAN - It is strange...I'm glad we didn't get eaten, but...

She looks at the triangle cut in her shirt's shoulder and covers it.

KABAN - This is so embarrassing...
SERVAL - My tie is gone, too...
KABAN - No wonder the forest Friends don't want to come inside...How are we going to find a body for Boss ?

The two Friends stop to think about it, discouraged. Then Serval picks up on a smell.

SERVAL - Wait...There's something in this room !
KABAN - I-i-is it the ghost ?
SERVAL - No...It's familiar somehow.

They stand up and look around the room they're in. It's a small, rectangle-shaped room with benches and a row of  metallic lockers.

SERVAL - What are those ? I think the smell comes from one of them...

Kaban steps to the lockers, curious. She opens one, only to find it empty. After thinking for a moment, she goes over the whole row. About halfway through, she opens a locker only to see a Friend inside. A moment of silence passes.

LOCKER FRIEND - AAAAAAAAAH !
SERVAL - UYAAAAAH !
KABAN - UWAAAAAAH !

The three Friends run around the room. Peeking from behind the farthest locker, the new Friend then says...

LOCKER FRIEND - Wh-wh-wh-who are y...

The camera closes up to her, revealing she is none other than Tsuchinoko.

TSUCHINOKO - Wait, Kaban ? Serval ? Tcheh !

She steps out of her flimsy hideout, hands in her pockets.

TSUCHINOKO - I'm glad to see you two are okay after that storm, but why do you seem intent on scaring me half to death ?!
KABAN - Tsuchinoko-san ! We're sorry, we just ran in there to escape from the ghost !

The cryptid's hood is sliced to hell and back, revealing parts of her blue hair.

TSUCHINOKO - Tell me about it ! This is one dark place that doesn't calm me at all ! Grr...Just my luck...Anyway, how did you get here ?
KABAN - Well, you see...

-----

TSUCHINOKO - That storm has been rough for everyone, huh...
SERVAL - Yes, but we're about to get Boss back to normal ! If it wasn't for the ghost, anyway...
TSUCHINOKO - Yes, that thing is a problem, isn't it ? Kaban, do you have an idea ?
KABAN - Well...Actually, I don't. I don't even have any idea what we're up against, and it attacked before I could get a picture of this building. I'm sorry...
TSUCHINOKO - I guess it can't be helped. I've been holed up here for a whole day, so I did come up with a plan, but...
SERVAL - Do you give the ghost Japari Coins so it stops attacking us ?
TSUCHINOKO - Aaaah, no way ! Besides, shut up, you !
SERVAL - I-I'm sorry !
KABAN - So, what's your plan ?

Tsuchinoko sits on a bench, kicking her feet.

TSUCHINOKO - Any way you think about it, that clothes-cutter behaves strangely. The moment you enter this building, it attacks immediately to steal some clothes. We three went further inside because we had our reasons, but the Friends native to this area, as you told me, just fled and never looked back.
KABAN - Yes, that's right.
TSUCHINOKO - If it wants clothes that much, why the hell isn't it leaving the building ? Is it solely after making my life hell ?! Huh?! There are many more Friends outside than inside, what's wrong with you ?!

The snake takes a deep breath.

TSUCHINOKO - So anyway, I figure it must hate light at least as much as I do.
SERVAL - But then, wouldn't it leave during the night ?
TSUCHINOKO - The night is still too bright. There is nothing like a cave or a human-made building to relax.
KABAN - So, you think the ghost has the same tastes as you ?
TSUCHINOKO - That's about right. And I think I have an idea how to turn the tables.
SERVAL - What is it, what is it ?

Tsuchinoko turns to the ground.

TSUCHINOKO - It's faint, but there's a heat source below the earth. There was one under the labyrinth too, and after the day you two came by, I found out there was a device that made all the lights work. Humans managed to make power with underground heat sources. If there is another device like this here, maybe we can light up the entire place and make the entity flee !
KABAN - That's worth a shot, I think...
SERVAL - How do we find the device, though ?
TSUCHINOKO - No two ways about it, I'm afraid...We have to explore the building and look for a way down.
KABAN - But then the ghost would attack us !
TSUCHINOKO - It sure would.

After a moment of silence, Serval throws her fists down, resolute.

SERVAL - I'll go first and distract the ghost for you !
KABAN - Heeh ? But you would be in danger, Serval-chan !
SERVAL - I can run very fast if I really want to ! Not for long, though...
TSUCHINOKO - The building isn't that big, a short distraction might be all we need...Tcht ! Seems like we'll have to rely on you !
SERVAL - I'll do my best !

-----

The door slowly opens. Serval peeks into the hallway, then steps out, closing the door behind her. She then looks around her, nervous.

SERVAL - I know I can outrun that wind, but this is still scary...Umya...But ! M-maybe I can find it first and take it by surprise !

She tiptoes down the hallway, checking every corner.

SERVAL - Maybe I should try that bouncing sound thing ! UuuMYA !

Her ears swivel around, trying to catch on echoes.

SERVAL - Umya...I do hear something, but it's too jumbled...

Suddenly, she hears wind blowing behind her.

SERVAL - Oh no ! It heard me !

She quickly starts running as fast as she can, the wind hot on her heels. A short while later, Kaban and Tsuchinoko emerge from the room.

TSUCHINOKO - Quickly ! Let's find the underground before that stupid cat gets shredded naked !
KABAN - Y-yes !

They quickly run to the back of the hallway and check behind the doors, but all they find is a derelict office and a storage space strangely cluttered with all kinds of man-made objects.

TSUCHINOKO - Tcheh ! No good ! Let's check the other hallway !

They run back to the lobby. Serval is running in circles, intermittently dashing straight to escape the wind. Tsuchinoko and Kaban quickly go into the other hallway. As Serval cries in the distance, Kaban spots a sign displaying stairs and a down-facing arrow.

KABAN - Tsuchinoko-san, here !
TSUCHINOKO - Got it !

They quickly go down the stairs together. Serval's voice can be heard from the distance.

SERVAL - Kaban-chan ! Tsuchinoko ! Watch out !

They both shriek and pick up the pace. They arrive in a basement, and find large machines.

TSUCHINOKO - The heat source is right below ! I'll hold the entity off, go and figure out how to reactivate the power !
KABAN - I'll do my best !

Kaban rushes between the machines, holding the straps of her bag. She looks around frantically for any signs. Tsuchinoko is assaulted by the wind.

TSUCHINOKO - Aaaaaaah ! What do you think you're doing ! Stop iiiit !

Kaban continues to search, and comes across a sign next to a lever.

KABAN - "Emergency backup power" ...This must be it !

She tries to pull the lever, but it's rusty and moves slowly, with a dry creak. Kaban hears the wind come for her and redoubles her efforts, shrieking. Finally, the lever gives way and Kaban falls back. The machines whir to life. The lights on the ceiling flicker a bit, then snap on. In an instant, the entity riding the wind is revealed right before it reaches Kaban. It's a Friend.

MYSTERIOUS FRIEND - ...Huh ?

The wears a grey ninja getup, and wields a huge kusarigama. Her hair is short and dark, her ears round, and her tail thick and fluffy. She is frozen mid-strike.

Yôkai
Kamaitachi

She drops her weapon and sinks into prostration.

KAMAITACHI - I-I-I-I'm sorryyyyy !

Kaban stands up, dumbfounded, while Tsuchinoko and Serval come from the stairs, both a bit of cloth poorer.

SERVAL - Heeeh ? A Friend ? It was a Friend ?!
TSUCHINOKO - I thought it could be the case...Stranger things than my book got hit by the sandstar. Still, what the hell were you thinking attacking Friends, huuuh ?!

The ninja weasel bows her head repeatedly.

KAMAITACHI - I'm Kamaitachi. I was sent here to defeat the Ceruleans but I lack skill and confidence...I had to train, but I'm only confident in complete darkness. So I could only lurk here and find ways to practice my strikes. I completely lost myself in my training and attacked Friends ! I am ashamed.

Serval holds her fists down.

SERVAL - Lack confidence ? What do you mean, Kamaitachi ? You're super fast, precise, and you can make yourself invisible ! Ceruleans have no chance against you !
KAMAITACHI - ...Really ? You think so ?
SERVAL - Of course I do !
KABAN - I think so too. Just you training scared everyone. Ceruleans wouldn't stand a chance if you got serious !
KAMAITACHI - You're too kind...
SERVAL - Just don't attack Friends anymore, okay ? It was just clothes, but you really scared Bat and Deer !
KAMAITACHI - Yes...I let my fighting spirit run wild and hurt who I'm supposed to protect. I dishonor Yatagarasu-sama !

Kaban reaches forward and holds Kamaitachi's hands.

KABAN - As long as you don't do it again and protect the Friends from the Ceruleans, it should be good.
KAMAITACHI - Yes, I understand.
KABAN - And I do have a favor to ask. You must know this building inside out, right ?
KAMAITACHI - Indeed, I do.
KABAN - We're looking for inactive Bosses. Did you see any ?
KAMAITACHI - Of course ! There's lots of those upstairs ! I'll take you to them, follow me !

She climbs up the stairs. Kaban and Serval follow her. Tsuchinoko stays behind for a bit.

TSUCHINOKO - Yatagarasu, is it...?

--------

The group finds itself with a large room with large machines all around. One of them has an incomplete Lucky Beast standing on a conveyor belt. On the left of that contraption is a stack of Lucky Beasts with a hole in their abdomen.

KABAN - So it was true !

Kaban steps forward, takes her watch off, picks one of the Lucky Beasts  and inserts the core unit into the hole. The robot emits beeping sounds.

KAMAITACHI - What's happening ?
TSUCHINOKO - The activation of a Lucky Beast ! Uwaah, this is so interesting I can almost forget my hood is in tatters !

Lucky Beast displays a loading icon, which turns into the Japari Park icon.

LUCKY - Everyone, please don't panic and hold on to the Bus, the storm will...

It stops, and turns to look at his surroundings. Its eyes turn white and it starts shaking.

LUCKY - The...The storm...St...E...Eme...E...Emerg...
KABAN - Lucky-san, calm down !

Cut to later.

LUCKY - I understand, Kaban. I was deactivated due to shock and you went through all that trouble to get me a new body.
KABAN - That's right, we would never abandon you, Lucky-san !
LUCKY - You have my thanks, Kaban.

Kamaitachi looks at the situation, arms crossed. Tsuchinoko keeps a curious eye on her.

KAMAITACHI - So she is the one those things were meant for...

Lucky Beast emits some more beeps, and turns to a console with a screen on it.

LUCKY - This device has map data for the Gokoku area. This should be useful.

It steps toward it, and its eyes flicker. The screen turns on. It has a crack in its lower left and anything below it is random lines of color, but the rest is visible. All the Friends gather to look at it. It displays a map.

LUCKY - ...Kaban. The Gokoku area is very different from Japari Park. It was not meant to welcome visitors. It is a reservation and research base. All the humans here were looking for ways to protect Friends.
SERVAL - Like Mirai-san did !
KABAN - This makes me want to find my species even more...Lucky-san, does it say where the humans are ?
LUCKY - I'm afraid not, but there is a powerful communications system in Gokoku. It should reach anywhere on the planet, but it needs the central power system to work.
TSUCHINOKO - The heat generator isn't enough ?
LUCKY - That's just a local backup system. If we want to use the communications system, we have to restart the central power system. And for that, we have to go to the Arctic area.

Serval's ears twitch.

SERVAL - Wasn't that the area Masked Booby said was full of Ceruleans ?
KABAN - Yes...Lucky-san, are you sure about this ?
LUCKY - Yes. The Arctic facility is the only way.
KABAN - But the Ceruleans...
LUCKY - Are a problem, yes.

The map on the screen displays flashing points on the map. There's only a few dozens of them, which are denser near the north.

LUCKY - This outpost was meant to detect Cerulean presence.
TSUCHINOKO - Is that all the Ceruleans over this island ?
LUCKY - No, it only displays special or large Ceruleans.
KABAN - Then...The Friends are in danger in every area this points to !
LUCKY - That's correct.
KABAN - We can't stand for this ! Everyone ! Let's help the Gokoku area Friends, defeat the Ceruleans, then reactivate the power !
SERVAL - I'm with you, Kaban-chan !
TSUCHINOKO - Grrr...I want to help but I'm no good in a fight...
KABAN - There might be useful information in this building. You could help by leaving no stone unturned.
TSUCHINOKO - Mmmh, yes, you might just be right.

The snake turns to the weasel.

TSUCHINOKO - You ! You've trained enough ! Go to the Arctic area ! Gather some information and take out a few Ceruleans out while you're at it !
KAMAITACHI - ...Yes, I guess it is time I put my skills on the line to protect the Friends.
KABAN - Where's the closest special Cerulean, Lucky-san ?
LUCKY - Just northeast of here, in Gokoku's Savannah area.
SERVAL - Umya ?!

The cat steps forward, eyes glowing.

SERVAL - It might not be my savannah, but it's still my territory. We have to go, Kaban-chan !
KABAN - Yes, let's !

-----

Cut to outside. Kaban, Serval, Tsuchinoko, Kamaitachi and Deer stand besdes the Japari Bus.

DEER - So the ghost was just you ? Jeez...
KAMAITACHI - I am truly ashamed I could let myself scare you for the sake of training, Deer-san. But I have a mission now, I will trouble your forest no longer.
DEER - I'll tell Bat-chan know she'll be able to sleep in the big building !
TSUCHINOKO - A bat, huh...She could help me with hard to reach places...Okay, I guess she can be my roommate !

Lucky Beast takes his place in front of the Bus, along with Kaban and Serval. The other Friends wave them goodbye as they start driving. When they hit cruise speed, the camera focuses on Serval's concerned expression.

SERVAL - I hope the Cerulean hasn't eaten any Friends yet...

Cut to a scene in complete darkness, with the faint sound of bubbling lava. A few seconds pass, then the eye of a Cerulean snaps open. Its iris is glowing with Sandstar.

Cut to credits.

------

Raccoon, Fennec and Iriomote Cat are in a plain covered with yellow grass. They're speaking to a new Friend. Her hair is black with white stripes on top, but plain brown on the bottom. She has a thin tail that ends in a fluffy brush. She wears a brown dress and jacket, as well as two red bowties, one on her chest, one in her hair. Her eyes are dull.

Order:Perissodactyla
Family:Equidae
Genus:Equus
Quagga

IRIOMOTE CAT - They are both very colorful. One fiery red, one azure blue.
QUAGGA - Oh, yes, I saw them a few days ago ! They said they were headed for the Arctic area.
RACCOON - The Arctic area ? Is it close ?
QUAGGA - No, it's the place farther north, where it's very cold.
RACCOON - Uguu...Then I better get started. Here I come nanodaaaa !

Raccoon runs off into the distance, much to the dismay of Iriomote Cat. Fennec puts her hand on her shoulder.

FENNEC - Don't worry. Arai-san tires easily when she's fired up like that. We'll catch up to her if we just walk.
IRIOMOTE CAT - I-I see. Anyways, thanks, Quagga-san ! I was really glad to hear my friends were alright !
QUAGGA - I'm glad I could be helpful. Safe travels~
RACCOON (in the distance) - Huf...Huff...It doesn't feel colder at all, nanoda !

-----

PEPAPU YOKOKU !

GEN - Next time, we're going back to the savannah !
HULULU - Did we forget a Japari bun there ?
KOUTEI - There are Japari buns everywhere.
GEN - Yes, even where Iwobi and Princess ended up.
KOUTEI - No long faces ! They are definitely alright !
HULULU - When did we lose them, anyway...?
GEN - Did you forget about the storm ?!
PPP TOGETHER - Papapipupepepepapapepapu !
HULULU - Next time - Savannah Trouble !

------

Current episode list :
https://pastebin.com/VZMenHAm : Episode 1 - Ocean
https://pastebin.com/9qd6cTYW : Episode 2 - Windy Cliffs
https://pastebin.com/rE2TLgWN : Episode 3 - Outpost Seven
https://pastebin.com/QS4GhUZw : Episode 4 - Savannah Trouble !
https://pastebin.com/As1VaaD9 : Episode 5 - Jungle Treetops
https://pastebin.com/x1AXHDvu : Episode 6 - Dry Lakes