The Bronya and I walked through the winter wonderland revealing more area. I had a journal with me and writing in it.

Personal Journal: This actually feels nice... Being sucked into a video game like in fiction is beginning to feel like a good experience to me... The first time I saw the subject of getting sucked into a video game was in the third Spy Kids movie. My other most memorable one is the Anime Sword Art Online. Experiencing getting sucked into a game and win-to-exit is becoming a fond experience. I'm hoping for some great memories in this RPG Game. Right now I am with my friend Bronya Zaychik. I'm hoping to find the rest of our friends and see if we can find a way out of this game and go home. I don't know if time stopped or if time is still going on back in the real world. I'm only hoping to get back on time so everyone including my family doesn't think that we went missing-

"What are you doing?" "AH!" I got startled by Bronya asking me a question snapping me out of my train of thoughts. "I was just keeping a journal Incase. I was just writing in it." "Why would you be writing an entry while in the situation we're in?" "To keep track of our progress. Most adventurers write in journals to keep track and so they can tell their stories of their travels. I did that once while hiking in Philmont in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and New Mexico. If we ever could go home back to the real world, I need to have a story to tell if we ever get back." "Very well storyteller Patrick. Do as you please." "Thank you Mad Hatter Bronya."

We stopped at a sign to read it. "Talk to drunks. Great things will happen." "Hmm... perhaps we should explore all dialog options with drunks." I said.

A while later: We walked around in the snow for a while. There was nothing but more snow. I was used to the snow landscape and I was sued to walking in the snow. Walking in the snow actually brought back memories of my childhood days with playing in the snow with my brother, our friends, and my dog. Too bad that Bronya never did have any memories of playing in the snow. She unfortunately didn't have a normal childhood like I did because she was from Siberia and Russia while I was from North America a free country.

A delicious looking candy house suddenly appeared before I succumbed to lethal exposure. "The Bronya knew that a scripted event will happen." "Good... let's go inside..." "The Bronya can travel for at least 3 more hours, subject Patrick." "Good... because subject me is knee deep in the snow and the mighty Bronya is riding Project Bunny. I would of used Drago's powers but I'm not sure if they still work even without a battle suit. Try walking and we'll see..." "The Bronya shall reject subject Patrick's useless and vapid advice." "Useless? Vapid? You cannot say that I'm useless and vapid... Ugh forget it. Don't want to get jealous and start an argument."

All of a sudden I remembered something. "Drago? Drago! Where are you?!" I held my hand out then the Dragon Gem appeared in my hand. "Drago is gone. I can't sense Drago anywhere." "Subject Dragon must have been separated from subject Patrick when The Bronya and subject Patrick were brought here." "The Gem hasn't lost any of it's power and is still glowing. The only difference is that I can only use elemental DMG attacks and can't use any of Drago's Herrscher powers. I hope we can find him soon." I said before the gem went back into my body.

The frivolous banter continued as we walked towards the house. I smelled cakes and muffins through cracks in the door panel. Bronya nodded at me and then pushed open the door. "Welcome to Mikazuki Dessert Shoppe, outworlders, I've been waiting..." *SLAM* Bronya immediately closed the door before the mystery lady finished her lines. "...why did you do that?" "The Bronya is shocked to find a talking Bunny Girl. They don't talk in most Japanese variety shows." "Do they not talk in those types of shows? Because I've never really watched those types of shows before. Bunny Girls are not really my thing either." "How come?" "Because I'm not used to Bunny Girls in Anime and real life. Didn't expect them to place an early-game Bunny Girl. But since I'm in an awesome RPG world. Now I have to get used to this." I quickly pushed open the door.

"Welcome to Mikazuki Dessert Shoppe, outworlders..." *SLAM* "That's definitely not a Bunny Girl. She's wearing more clothes than the two of us put together." 'And she looks exactly like Yae Sakura and has fox ears not bunny ears. Is that Yae Sakura or a different character?' "Subject Patrick's claim is baseless, but the Bronya recommends entering the room regardless." "Let's try that again."

We tried one last time and opened the door. "Ahem. Welcome to Mikazuki Dessert Shoppe, outworlders, I've been waiting for a while..." "The NPC shall be commanded for sticking to the script. The Bronya shall repeat the "door opening" action 19 more time." "You shouldn't say that out loud." 'This is like in "Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle" where the NPCs repeat the same lines in the script. Now I must stick to the program and interact with the NPC like in normal RPGs.' "Greetings Bunny Girl. Why are you waiting here?" "I am no Bunny Girl. I'm the March Hare. I am the master of this Dessert Shoppe." The March Hare felt insulted. "Sorry. Sorry. No offense. I should of asked for your name first." I apologized which she nodded in acceptance and forgiveness.

"I've very good reasons for waiting here..." 'This will probably take a long time but I can wait when I hear new dialogue. And we may get a main quest in the end.' "Ah, I guess my companion and I will just grab some food and leave..." "Subject Patrick shall sit." 'Ok. I can get by long dialogue.' "We are now in Dirac, the Land of Everwinter, the demesne of the Red Queen. But Dirac wasn't always like this. Though the Red Queen ruled as a tyrant, Dirac was once blessed with four seasons. A powerful White Wytch then appeared without warning. She is cataclysm made of human and wielded powers capable of altering reality as we know it. As the monarch of Dirac, the Red Queen cannot tolerate anything that awakens her power. She used her royal heirloom, the Moment of Truth, to seal the White Wytch in a Time Rift." "Amazing. Good job. I'm so impressed. So I guess this has nothing to do with us." "The Bronya guesses that the White Wytch is about to break her seal."

"Wow. How do you know this?" "Subject Bunny Girl said Dirac *had* Four Seasons, but it is now the Land of Everwinter. The logical connections are obvious. Such retro storylines remind the Bronya of classical titles." The dialog probably stroked some memories. Bronya seemed to be reminiscing about things. And so was I. "The dialog reminded me of "Frozen" and "The Chronicles of Narnia." "Indeed. The furious White Wytch swore that she would entomb Direc in eternal snow when she returns. The Red Queen used the Moment of Truth to keep her castle safe, but the rest of Direc must endure this endless snow. If the White Wytch returns, Direc will be permanently buried by this snow and perish. The snow is cold and full of dangers. Please save us adventurers!"

'Maybe now would be a good time to say a good heroic line. Now think... What would Kirito say?... Oh, I got it.' I stood up and spoke out. "Fear not March Hare. For we will save you all from the White Wytch. Because we are here to fight!" "Ah..." March Hare was now in awestruck as a dramatic background was behind me. 'Guess that impressed her. Not that I want her to be impressed but still I wanted to say a good heroic line like one of my favorite Anime characters.' I sat down and asked March Hare a question. "Good. But why would a dessert vender know all this? It's not like anyone like you would know a lot about problems and conflicts." "Can you stop complaining about the dialog scripts?" "Sorry. But still... Characters like you don't last 3 episodes in 21st century TV drama (HOMU) Game of Thrones."

"I..." "The background story should be impacted by someone... ...who's a mature red-haired hot fiery magic user and a counselor of some mighty queen who speaks a strange accent..." "......" The March Hare seemed to be getting annoyed and angered by me. "Patrick..." "A dessert seller like Ho-ho-hot Pies should be telling us about discounts on the Salty Tuna Roll or the Donut of Fat not about situations and conflicts and what's going on in RPGs." "Patrick..." "What?" "The Bunny Girl NPC has been triggered by your crude cultural insensitivity." Bronya's statement made me turn white and shocked without realizing what I just did. "You think I want to say these lines?" She prepared to draw out her sword. 'Oh how stupid of me! I should never have said those lines!' "No one insults a bushi's honor! I demand satisfaction!" "Hey, wait! We can settle this by more dialog, right?" "NO!" "Awe man. Why do I have to be so stupid!? This feels like school when I've always talked so rude without realizing it. But now I have to fight!" 'I really don't want to fight but talking won't work. I'm gonna have to beat her and then apologize to her.'

(Outside).

I drew out the Cleaver of Shamash and held the large sword. "You want me? Come get me!" I charged right in like Kirito. "Bring it on!" Our swords met. 'At least I can still fight in this game world. I better beat the March Hare.' I slashed at the March Hare again but she blocked my slash with her sword. And there were more slashes.

"Project Bunny, Fire!" Bronya fired missiles from her Project Bunny and made the March Hare jump back and dodge. Then she floated next to me. "But Bronya, this is my fight. I provoked her and I must be the one to beat her. And this is my mess to clean up." I said. "The Bronya wants to help subject Patrick." "Ok Bronya. I could use some help bringing her down."

Some fighting later: The March Hare was still standing and Bronya was still fighting. I was thinking inside of my head trying to think of how to beat the March Hare. 'Come on think. Calm down... What would Kirito do?... I got it!' I put the Cleaver of Shamash away then I drew out two swords. 'I still have my weapons with me. That's lucky.' They began to glow with energy. 'I remember watching Kirito use this move on Gleam Eyes. Now it's time to mimic this move!'

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(Skip to 2:11).
I charged in faster than before. 'Let's do this!' I went past Bronya and straight at the March Hare.

"STARBURST STREAM!"

I unleashed a fast and powerful combo of slashes on the March Hare. 'I'm doing it! I'm doing Kirito's move! I'm doing the Starburst Stream!' I kept slashing with all my might with everything I had.

With one final X slash, The March Hare was beaten down and defeated.

(Back to being inside).

"Impossible... I've lost..." Said March Hare. I Anime jumped up and bowed down to apologize. "I am so sorry! Gomen Nasai! I didn't realize that I was talking so rudely. I made a big mistake and I am so stupid and ignorant. I should never have said those things to you out loud. I take back everything I said."

I waited for a slap but instead I received a pat on the head. "Calm down. I understand you now. You are forgiven." Said March Hare. I stood up and bowed again. "Thank you." "So Subject Patrick has been rude before." "I used to have a second aid and I got into arguments with her about what's right and what's wrong, having different opinions, agreements and disagreements, and arguing about the difference between just someone that works in school, a student aid, and an assistant. Obviously she wouldn't admit that she was an aid and when I finally snapped at her she almost gave me a detention. I never did get her to stop blaming me for everything. In my old school days before coming to St. Freya's I've been getting blamed on too much. But enough about my past rudeness. We better continue on with the dialogue."

"Subject Patrick managed to predict her next move." "Oh? Oh right. I did manage to predict her next move. And I did Kirito's Starburst Stream like in "Sword Art Online." And I still have my weapons with me." I looked at Bronya and hinted her to continue. "The Bronya had an assumption. Said assumption proved to be a fact. "The dessert house bunny drew her blade. Physical damage doth the forest sage made. The tea party Hatter seems insane, while the Cheshire Cat played the Rogue again. While the White Wytch gloats in her rift, secrets in her castle doth the Red Queen keep.""

"I can't believe that you remembered those lines from the TV screen. I still remember it too. Now it all makes sense. March Hare, have you heard of anything else about the Forest Sage?" "At least you know to say my name. Never heard about the Sage, but people talk about a Diviner Demonss living in the Prankster's Woods." "Next destination set." Said Bronya. "The Sage and the Demoness... perhaps they're not so different after all. I can sense a tough journey ahead." "Allow me to join your party. I am an official accredited Champion. Confectioner (self-styled) of these lands." "Subject Patrick, a constant supply of carbohydrates is essential for any long-distance trek."

"The Bronya is leaking saliva from her mouth. Hmm... having a Bunny Girl. Uh, I mean another companion will help maintain party morale." "I shall serve this party it's my blade and honor. Gentle reminder: I am no Bunny Girl. I'm the March Hare." "Don't worry, I'll remember that March Hare." "Da, Bunny Girl." "Bronya is still gonna call the March Hare a Bunny Girl. Well, can't stop her from doing that." "[Bunny Girl] the officially accredited Champion Confectioner has joined your party." The system spoke out. 'Well at least we have another companion. Considering that the March Hare looks exactly like Yae Sakura. But she will have to do.'

Now we had to talk to drunks. "! Subject Patrick, the Bronya has located a stash of desserts." Said Bronya. "Welcome to Mikazuki Desserts. I am NOT Himek... I mean, I'm Nohimeko. I see we have some lovely visitors today." Said the person known as Nohimeko. "We are good, heroic, and honorable adventurers who volunteered to rescue this stricken land..." "Subject Patrick should drop the pretense." Bronya interrupted me. "Don't worry about it, sweet heart. Anything I can help you with?" Asked Nohimeko.

"Can you tell us more about Dirac?" I asked. "This land is Dirac, the demesne of the Red Queen. The land is permanently buried in snow. The Queen used the Moment of Truth and sealed the White Wytch in a Time Rift. The latter vowed to bury Dirac in snow. The snow is pretty amazing but the lack of patrons is worrisome." Explained Nohimeko. "Second question. What can you tell us about the Red Queen?" "the Red Queen? I'll tell you a little secret... she's a very nice person... Alright, that's a big fat lie. Yes? I'm drunk? I am NEVER drunk... Ask me another question. I'll show you that I'm NOT drunk." "Third question. Do you anything about the White Wytch?" "the White Wytch? She is the argent demoness! Cataclysm incarnate! I am not exaggerating! I'm totally cereal! Yes? I'm drunk? I am NEVER drunk... Ask me another question. I'll show you that I'm NOT drunk." "Last question. Is there anything we need to know about the Prankster's Woods?" "Prankster's Woods? ...head out the door, then make a left." "Thats all we needed to hear. Thanks for the important information." "You're welcome sweet heart. Glad to tell you everything I know.

We went to another drunk. "Do you like the tea served in this establishment?" The person known as Chacha the Patron. "The Bronya is only looking for useful items." Said Bronya. "(Chuckle) A mysterious power governs this world." Said Chacha. "A mysterious power in an RPG? What can it be?" I asked. "I'm talking about camaraderie. You will meet plenty of people in your adventures. Fulfill their wishes and bond with them. These bonds of friendship will empower you." Said Chacha. "......" "......" Bronya and I said nothing. But then I broke the silence. "I guess we can do that. We'll make bonds of friendship with people we meet in Dirac. It's not like we can give romance and babies like in that game, HOMU-Dur Gate II." I said. "Romance options? Babies?" Asked Bronya. "Huh? What was I saying? HOMU-Dur agate II is from another era. A time when games were actually..." "The Bronya needs clarification about the "Bonds of Friendship"." Bronya interrupted me once again. "Complete side quests to expand your party. NPCs with the special icon are part of the "HONKAI Eggspert" mini-game. Defeat them and force them to join you." Explained Chacha. "Said bond-building process is hardcore. What are the benefits of having a bigger party?" Asked Bronya. "A bigger party means more DMG in "HONKAI Eggspert"."

"You should've said this from the start. Let's stick to the program and start mashing buttons." I said. "Good. I shall gladly entice you and your gaming hours in some deadly beats." Said Chacha.

After mashing buttons: "Chacha has been defeated." Said Bronya. "Is this where it all ends?" Asked Chacha. "No. We're still at the starter's village." I said. "[Chacha] the tea house patron has joined your party." Said the system.

Once we were done, we left the Desert Shoppe to start our journey and guest to go home back to the real world. This was gonna feel like "Sword Art Online" and "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over." And like other pop-cultures involved with getting sucked into a game. Bronya and I have to find our friends in Dirac so we can bring everyone home. With the March Hare with us we had a party of 3. The other NPC's were with us but not walking with us like the March Hare. We will complete this game and go home.

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