Are any of you familiar with the legend of the Dragon's Gate? They say that there exists a huge waterfall running off a great mountain. Fish swim upstream against the harsh current, but most tire out and are swept away. But those who have the courage to persist and make it to the top of the waterfall are transformed into a beautiful, powerful dragon.

It's a good lesson, isn't it?

That's right! Even though this school has countless obstacles and hurdles and dangers looming quite literally right over our heads, if we give up, we too will be pushed back and will make no progress! We must press on through the unforgiving current, and when we make it, we will come out stronger than ever! All right! Let's do our best to reach the top!!

[What brought this up? Is someone trying to keep himself from going nuts at the idea of one last year here... probably.]

On another note... There are many Pokemon and trainers here, so if anybody has any advice on raising a Magikarp, I'm all ears!

[Ah. Ah. That's it.

ACTION TIMES: Kiyotaka can be found bonding with an ugly fish he lets swim in a kiddie pool out in the stadium some days. Most of the time he can be found studying. Livin' on the edge. Although whatever he's doing, he seems to be favouring his left arm a little.]

Good afternoon, Smash Academy!

In spite of the chaotic events of this year's graduation, the school and even the rest of the city seems at peace! [He said, jinxing the entire school.] Truly, these carefree, idyllic, lazy days of summer...

[He suddenly points at the camera, his brow furrowing into SERIOUS BUSINESS MODE.]

Should be anything but! Summer break here is too long to waste on doing nothing!!

[Whoops, he has to check himself here. Deep breath, Kiyotaka. He's trying to prove to a certain someone that he's not just a stick in the mud.]

However, while it certainly is important to refresh one's memory when it comes to schoolwork, all of this free time is also a perfect opportunity to have fun and enjoy ourselves! Even I know that one cannot just spend each and every hour cooped up studying.

[But if you listen closely you can hear the tortured screaming of his soul.]

So tell me: what does everybody do for fun at times like these? There's a whole world of hobbies and recreation that I have yet to experience, but I am looking to change that! Let's work together to make the summer enjoyable, shall we?

.. .. .. .. ..

[A new face shows up on the feed with a cool countenance and a pair of blocky shades obscuring his eyes. He tips his head just enough for the sunglasses to catch the light from the laptop screen and glint, but he says nothing for a good, long moment.

And while it might go unnoticed, he swallows. He begins to mumble to himself. (Hover over the text for translation.)]

...... ... ...

[Struggling to find the words to introduce himself, Machi grips onto his arm. Nobody here would understand Borginian, but that was the only way he was used to introducing himself. He angles his head downward for a moment.]

... ...This language, I understand little. I try learn... learning it. I must. Excuse my poor speaking.

My name is Machi Tobaye. Here, I am s-student... Never do school, before. No big school. Me, I do piano, like piano. ... ...

Sorry. ... I not speak well, yet. I want improve. I want practice. So, please talk with me.

[There's nothing quite like being pushed along and having your shrieks be ignored.

'This will be your room,' they said.
'Classes aren't in session right now, but they will be in a few months,' they said.
'Take the time to enjoy the summer and get to know everyone first, they said.

But no one's explained what exactly is going on, where Lord Chrom is, or the other Shepherds. In fact, no one's really explained much of anything that truly makes sense.

She stares at her computer and the video feed, mostly clueless. She doesn't really know how to use anything she's looking at. Finally seating herself, she's still for many moments before her head suddenly turns and there's the audible sound of her chair rapidly scooting across the floor. A mess of limbs flies up and she introduces herself by way of a screech.]

EEK!
Stay back! I'll—I—I have a sword and I know how to use it!

[It could be a bug. A pikmin. It could be nothing at all. The world may never know.]

Are there any other psychics at school? Am I the only one having weird splintering-of-reality headaches?

Normally I get, like, three or four random psychic flashes a day, but I've been having three or four an hour for the last two days and it's starting to get confusing and painful, dude. Like, it's just... like reality is fragmenting into little splinters and then reforming itself back into the world, but the crack-marks are still there and I can feel them grating on the tip of my tongue when I drink things.

Sometimes I think I have a beard, but then I don't have a beard.

Am I the only one? Is anyone else getting phantom beards or needles mouth or fragments of reality tearing at the corners of your eyes?

[ text ]
Good afternoon! I finally figured out how to use this just now, so I thought I'd try to properly introduce myself.

My name's Makoto Naegi. According to the records, I'm a third-year student who transferred here from Hope's Peak Academy. My title wasn't anything amazing though. As for clubs, I didn't join any back at my previous school, so I guess you could say I'm sort of in the Going Home Club? (Unless you count robot construction as a club activity...)

Frankly, I have no idea how I got shipped all the way here or why I'm in my third-year! [ Or why all this is even happening to him. Sob. ] So if anyone could point me in the right direction about that, I'd really appreciate it.

Anyway, it's still nice to meet you all. I hope we can get along! (^o^)/

P.S. This might sound weird, but I have another question for everyone: Did anyone see someone carry a black and white box with pink masking tape into the school today?


[ action ]
[ Fresh air! Even in this super weird predicament, he can't help but enjoy walking around outside. After fifty days stuck inside a building, Naegi certainly had a newfound appreciation for the outdoors. The wind was particularly welcome after all the time he spent in the rather sweltering garden.

...Unfortunately, he might have gotten himself lost in the process. But hey, at least the weather feels nice today! ]

[For those who might remember him, Eikichi's beautiful face gracefully showed up in the halls of Smash Academy last year in February before disappearing for no reason. Yet now he is back, looking all the more confused.]

Hey uh...babes? [He's distressed, by the sound of his voice, but most of his facial reactions display complete and total confusion.] Michel's kinda confused that his clock says it's March 2014. Sure he's not that great with electronics but he's sure that's a year and month later than what the time's supposed to be!

Did the Hands pull a prank on everyone? Cause I don't see my roommate anywhere either...

[Dude had just stepped out to buy melons, what the hell had happened. If only he knew...]

So, uh... Hi, everyone? My name's Yarne, and... you know, I'm sure that most of the people that would come to a school that teaches fighting would probably be like, bloodthirsty bandits or something, so uh... I'm totally uh, a giant tough monster!! So don't even think of messing with me, got it?? Because uh, I'll totally beat you up! And stuff!

Oh gods, maybe coming here was a bad idea...