Pixelate 4: Shining Star

Chapter 13: Flipside

They have arrived at PR HQ.

William: "Going up."

They ascend the elevator.

Andrea: "(thinking) You guys think that what we just saw might have to deal with Code L.A.?"

Emily: "Probably, and maybe the others had a similar experience."

The elevator dings.

Serena: "Next stop, answers."

They step out to find the others already there.

Zack: "Great, so if we fight any boss we're helping the enemy."

Cole: "Say what now?"

Everyone notices the others.

Tori: "Did you guys run into Aegis?"

Asaka: "Yeah, why?"

Isabel: "We had a visit from Austin during the end of our fight."

Walker stands up.

Walker: "And I quickly figured out what they need for Code L.A."

Risa: "They're taking the programs from the bosses when we beat them."

Robert: "So if we beat a boss, we give them what they want?!"

Edo: "And we still don't know what the hell Code L.A. even does."

Caleb holds Echoes tighter.

Caleb: "(darkly) They've... they've been using us since we started."

Yukiko: "Yeah..."

Kyle punches a wall.

Kyle: "And now we can't level up fast enough to get you two caught up or else we're only accepting our fate!"

Moral is getting lower and lower.

Roy: "So are we at a stalemate?"

Micheal: "No, they'll just wait for new Players."

Walker: "(sighing) And I can't shut down public access again or we're going to lose a little more than the game."

Caleb: "Wh-What are you all saying?!"

Anthony: "That we can't win."

Caleb: "Who's saying that we can't?!"

William: "Caleb?"

Caleb has a spark in his eyes never seen before.

Caleb: "Who cares if they're going to get a step closer after every fight? If we don't take what chances we have, we're going to lose anyways!"

Andrea: "Yeah, why are we beating ourselves up over something that hasn't been lost?"

Caleb is bringing back moral.

Caleb: "I'd say that we give them what they want, we're getting closer at the same time!"

Caleb has saved everyone's hope.

Micheal: "We're Shining Hope for a reason!"

The group has found themselves.

Meanwhile...

Austin: "(blankly) Successful?"

Aegis and Austin stand in a familiar realm.

Aegis: "(blankly) Yes."

Code flies out of Aegis's body as it swirls into a pile of more code behind her.

Austin: "(blankly) By now, they're going to be puppets of themselves."

Both: "(blankly) We shall show reality what we are."