Meta Runner Season 4 (Fan-made)

Episode 2: Return

Sofia: Alright guys, I've made a new match that Tari will hopefully be able to connect to. Masa's already in here, so we're waiting on you.

Tari: Alright guys, I'll be right back! 

Tari then disappears from Pocket Gakusei. Sofia immediately starts pacing around, clearly worried. Lucinia looks at her, concerned.

Lucinia: Hey, Sof, you okay? 

Sofia: Yeah... perfectly fine... what makes you ask?

Lucinia: I know that Tari meant a lot to me... to all of us... and we're all very shocked that she's still alive, but I didn't know that she meant so much to you, so much so that you'd try to completely rebuild her code from scratch.

Sofia: I just... really missed her and thought I'd be able to fix her...

Lucinia walks over to Sofia and hugs her.

Lucinia: It's all right now, Tari's fine and we'll be able to bring her back.

Sofia: Yeah... thanks Luce.

Sofia stops pacing around and connects Tari's Meta Runner arm to her computer. Right after she is done, Tari appears in the match with Masa.

Sofia: Tari!

Tari: Hey Sofia! Sorry if I took too long.

Sofia: No no, it's fine, Tari, let's get started!

Tari: All right!

Sofia checks Tari's code, and then she suddenly feels glad that Tari didn't immediately try to come back. Sofia can see where the fragments of Lucinia's mind used to be, since those parts of code were torn up and missing pieces crucial for stability. She immediately gets to work fixing it up, throwing in a bit of the code she made from scratch. After fixing Tari, she fixes Theo, which was considerably easier, considering that he was meant to be a video game character.

Sofia: All done! Tari, you should be able to come back now.

Tari: Alright, here I go!

Tari disappears from the game, along with Theo. Everyone silently prays that they will safely come back. Sofia looks at Tari's physical body, and suddenly it moves.

Sofia: Tari?!

Tari's eyes open, and Theo materializes next to her.

Sofia: TARI!

Sofia quickly wraps her in a tight embrace, crying a bit, since she never thought she would be able to see and talk to Tari again. Tari is a bit shocked, but returns the hug.

Tari: Thanks for bringing us back, Sofia.

Sofia: It was nothing, Tari. *sniffs* I'm just glad you're safe and back.

Lamar and Masa are smiling, while Lucinia and Belle are standing in mild shock.

Lamar: Good to have you guys back.

Masa: Nice to see you again, Tari.

Belle: Hey, kiddo.

Theo: Hey, angry lady!

Belle: *chuckles* Glad to have you back.

Lucinia slowly walks over to Tari, who is still hugging Sofia.

Lucinia: Hey... Tari.

Tari: Hey... so you're Lucinia, right?

Lucinia: Yeah... I just wanted to say thank you...

Tari is kind of surprised, since she wasn't expecting Lucinia to thank her. Sofia is still hugging Tari, but she is now looking up at Lucinia, slightly surprised.

Tari: Oh, um, it was no problem! I would do anything to make Sofia happy.

Sofia's expression suddenly becomes even more surprised, and she blushes a little bit.

Sofia: Oh, uh, thanks Tari! But I wanted to thank you too, for bringing Luce back.

Tari smiles, feeling happy that she was able to make everyone happy.

Tari: It was no problem, I'm glad I was able to make everyone happy.

Everyone is talking with each other, reuniting and asking Tari and Theo what it was like in cyberspace, with Sofia being the most curious.

At ???????

???: Tari... you will pay for what you have done to me...

To be continued