Vil has finished playing the game Ortho recommended.

Ortho is impressed, "Wow, you're good! You blew through the first boss like it was nothing!"

"Something clicked for me while I was playing. Wasn't there a live-action movie adaptation of this game?" Vil questions. "Ivaguely remember the story from a film I saw with my dad."

India and Ortho are surprised to hear it.

"Dude! You saw the movie?!" Idia asks, surprised.

"I didn't know it was based on a video game," Vil says.

Then Ortho says, "The movie was highly regarded among fans, but it appealed to a widespread, mainstream audience too. That led to Star Rogue hitting the big time.

"Yup. Game sales spiked after the movie's release, and they finally announced a sequel!" Idia says, excited.

But then says, "But right after that, the development team had a falling out."

"It was TRAGIC," Idia says.

"What happened?" Briar asks.

With that, Idia explains, " The narrative writer, character designer, and game designer... all argued so much they ended up leaving the industry and going their separate ways."

And Vil says, "With the original team gone, I suppose any sequel that got made would be an entirely different game."

"Exactly," Idia says, "I mean, props to the company for stickin' to their principles. They didn't just slam together another team to churn out a sequel.

"But alas, the sequel to Star Rogue was left a dream unrealized," Idia says.

And Ortho says, "And because of that, plans for a second movie were also suspended indefinitely."

"I still hold out hope that those top-tier creators will get back together someday... and we'll finally get our miracle the Star Rogue sequel," Idia says, and sniffs a bit. Sad and disappointed.

"So all you do is hope?" Vil questions.

India looks at Vil, confused, "Uh, what?"

"If you love it that much, why not make it happen yourself?" Vil questions.

"WHAT?" Idia asks, shocked.

Leona says, "He's right, y'know. With your family's resources you could just pay the creators and get 'em back together."

Idia yelps in surprise, "BWHAAA?! No! None of you get it! I want the original team to make a sequel to STAR ROGUE... A game that was made with PASSION, by a team that truly believed in it and knew it was going to be AMAZING! What value would there be in a game they made grudgingly just because I threw money at them?"

"Is that how it works?" Jamil asks.

"YES!" Idia shouts.

He then sighs, "Ugh, bunch of casuals. You know nothing of a nerd's heart!"

But Vil says, "Not to burst your bubble, but that's actually not what I meant."

"Oh?" Idia says, confused.

Then Vil says, "For a start, you could go visit each of these creators... and let them know how absurdly passionate you are about this."

"Huh...?" Idia replies, confused.

And Vil says, "Perhaps you'd make a difference by showing them they have an ardent fan eagerly awaiting a sequel.

"I dunno..." Idia says, unsure, "I've seen plenty of superfans doing that before, signing petitions and stuff...

"But that was other people, right?" Have you taken any action yourself?" Vil questions.

But Vil says, "I-I couldn't. I'm just one guy. Nothing I do would make a difference... "

"It will always be a zero-percent chance as long as you believe it impossible and refuse to act," Vil says, "Personally, I wouldn't let it stay that way.

Ortho is shocked to hear it.

"Zero is zero no matter what you multiply it by, right?" Vil responds, "But if you take some form of action, that zero could potentially become 0.001. And 0.001 has a chance of becoming 100. In which case, there's no reason NOT to do it. The main character of Star Rogue starts at zero and becomes a hero, does he not?

Well, sure, but that's just a story. Reality doesn't work that way," Idia responds, "At the end of the day, even super passionate dev teams disband without finishing what they set out to do."

"You're right, of course. Reality is harsh, and we don't always get happy endings wrapped in neat little bows. And that's precisely why there's room to turn our story our future - on its head. We're still young. No need to roll the end credits on our potential yet." Vil says.

"But for me, it's just..." Idia says, still doubtful.

But Ortho says, "It's not impossible, Idia!"

"Buh?!" Idia yelps in response.

And Ortho says, "I never thought there was any chance we'd have friends over and play video games with them. But it happened!"

"Uhh... Again, this is kind of a different scenario..." Idia replies, sounding dumbfounded.

"I think I have a better idea of what I should be doing now," Ortho says.

And turns to Vil and says, "Thank you, Vil Schoenheit!

"Hm? I hardly did anything worth thanking me for. But if you got something positive out of it, so much the better,"

"Mmhm!" Ortho replies.

Idia then asks, "Uh, Ortho? Did you hear what I said?"

Suddenly, Riddle happily says, "YES! I CLEARED IT!"

Everyone turns their heads to see Riddle has been playing the game.

"Looks like Riddle Rosehearts cleared Legend of the Underworld stage one on Easy!" Ortho happily says.

Idia is surprised, "Whoa! Guess he figured out where the Up button was!"

"Don't say that," Briar says.

Just then, Azul says, "All thanks to my patient and humble advice, of course. Wouldn't you agree, Riddle?"

Riddle frowns, "I could've done without the peanut gallery."

"Have you two been playing this whole time?" Vil questions, "I thought I told you to take breaks."

Soon, the five boys begin to talk among themselves.

Ortho remains silent as he stares at the group.

He then says to himself, "Not letting zero stay zero... By taking action... You're able to turn your story on its head..."

Briar turns to Ortho, "What was that, Ortho?"

"It... it's nothing," Orto says.

Just then, the alarm goes off.

And then the PA System says, "Testing of subjects ROS-859A and SUS-3320B is now complete as of 1600. Phantom cages have been frozen and secured. Lifting lockdown status."

Soon, the doors are unsealed.

Idia says, "Oh hey, they're done." then sighs he's relieved, "Whew. Now I can finally get out of this zoo."

"Those three hours certainly flew by," Vil says.

Leona yawns, "Nothin' like a good nap."

"I'm impressed you managed to sleep through all that noise, Leona," Jamil says.

"Ngh... Now I see souls drifting down the river whenever I close my eyes," Riddle replies, feeling tired.

"I understand the entertainment value of game playthroughs much better now," Azul says, "The way Riddle would scream when he got hit right before he was about to clear the stage... Oh, I can hear it now... Heh heh heh!"

Riddle glares at Azul with anger.

Just then, Idia says, "Okay, guys. Time to head back to your rooms. You're scheduled to fly back to school at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Just sit tight until then."

And with that, everyone begins to take their leave.

Bit Idia says, "Oh, right, I almost forgot... Vil, Briar, could you stick around for a sec?

"Um, you mean us?" Briar asks, confused.

Vil and Briar turn to each other.

Then Vil says, "Well, I suppose I don't mind."