[Joel is half way between school and the city, climbing up the steep incline at what looks like a rapid pace. It's a blustery day with rain and a little sleet, oh and a GIANT GRINNING MOON taking up half the sky.

But more than that... you can hear the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

....that's not normal.]

So, this got-danged moon has managed to bring high tide all the way into the city! There's about three foot of water in the central business district and more'n that down nearer the coast.

[He pans the camera on his phone so that you can see a crowd of people also making their way up the hillside towards the school.]

....looks like we're going t'be housing some guests. I hope that Vault that's been set up under the school can accommodate a few more.

[He looks over his shoulder then back at the camera.]

OK. A Lot More.

[ When Vivian loads the video up, there's a smile that hasn't aged a day. The rest of her, however, is definitely older. Much older. And when she speaks, it's clear time has been kind to her speech development. ]

Hello, friends! Do you remember me?

It's been so long! But I haven't forgotten any of you. Hmmm. I wonder who's still here? [ She hesitates. ] Doctor? ... Taka? Are you still here?

[ It goes without saying that despite the smile on her lips, it's fading fast unless someone answers her. ]

[When the feed crackles to life, Dr. Eggman is sitting up in a hospital bed, wearing one of those backless hospital gowns, tubes coming out of his nose and arm. He does not look to be in a good mood.]

WHERE. IS. THE CHEERLEADER?!

[The video feed turns on and centers on a yellow and white fox sitting in a chair, wearing a red scarf, with maybe something underneath it resembling a necklace. He waves to the camera and grins.]

Hey, Smash Academy! It's been a long time... four and a half years since I've been here, to be exact! Only about two and a half for me personally, but... it's still a blast from the past being here again.

I've already been enrolled and should be getting my classes shortly...

...ah, but for those of you who've never met me before, I should probably introduce myself. I'm Tails! I come from the same place Sonic, Knuckles and Blaze do, if you've met them. [And Eggman. Sigh.] And like I said before, I used to attend the school a few years ago, but I'm back.

Hope to see you guys around sometime. I think I'm gonna go visit the stadium again for a little bit.

[And the video cuts off.]

[The video feed shows Gordon, in his favorite SMASH ACADEMICS t-shirt. Behind him is the technicolor orange, green and white of an athletics track behind him. That's funny. Isn't the field house covered in snow right now? Anyway, he looks like he's just run a marathon, or at least a pretty ambitious 100-meter dash.]

I thought I'd officially announce that I've re-instigated a track and field team here at the Academy. [And breathe, and,] You're looking at the head coach, in fact. [And huff, and,] For those of you who don't know what that is, track and field is a sport that combines small competitions in running, jumping and throwing. Tryouts are after school Monday, for any students who are interested and have the aptitude. All right computer, end simulation!

[The last four words cause the world around him to scatter like a corrupted video file and wink out of existence, revealing one of the arena's holographic platforms.]

Due to the cold, we'll be practicing in the arena. Oh, and anyone interested in cross-country running would also come see me at the same time. I don't know if we'll get enough to make a team, but it's worth a shot.

[Black Shadow does not appear in public without his costume, no matter how much it looks like the school network has been invading by sketchy fetish spam. He sits with his arms folded in front of the camera, like he's sizing up everyone watching it. He clears his throat.]

...Greetings Smash Acadamy. My name is Black Shadow and you may know me as a world famous F-Zero racer and the revered Emperor of Evil! HAHAHAHAHAH!

...I am also your new Drivers Ed teacher.

I am told I can't make the class mandatory, but I strongly urge you to come. Driving is a far more vital skill than you can ever know.

As for my new...colleges: I look forward to working with you.

[He smirks briefly, like there's something about to happen and he can't wait to see how it's going to turn out. Amazing how menacing that can make a normally meaningless pleasantry.]

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.]

[To put it nicely, Hajime's school spirit is at a minimum. But that's no reason not to show his support for his fellow students, is it? The state of this school hardly falls on any of them. For their sake, he's going to give the most spirited pep talk he can muster on camera!

Wow, look at that, he even hung up a huge banner behind him. Did he make that himse—of course he did, look, don't stare too hard at it, please don't mention the smeared paint and ugly colors, he put his all into it, okay, and it's hanging straight which is all you can really ask for, right?]

Smash Academy! We're well into another semester at this school! I assume you're all beginning to settle in to a new schedule with our new classes. Do your best!

[The best you can, in this school. Truly, he hopes you survive. More importantly, though:]

Beyond academics, however, fall means that the sports seasons are starting anew! Let's all remember to show the Flaming Hobos our greatest support! YOU CAN DO IT, TEAM! GIVE IT ALL YOU'VE GOT HOORAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

As an extra reminder to all students, the cheer squad is always accepting new recruits. Show your passion for your peers, unleash your inner spirit for all the world to see! HRRAAH!

( Action options!! )

[Suddenly, a man with a strange seaweed hair style. He looked rather upset, or did he? It was unclear. Because at some degree, Garry was happy about being back; but there was a very big confusion. Garry could've sworn this place seemed far more different than when he last left. Then he saw the calendar, and well.]

I...I don't believe this! How could so much time have passed since I left! I was only gone for a couple weeks and now this place tells me it's been months??

That makes no sense!! I didn't want to have been gone for so long, now the school year is over!

[He took a moment to then calm himself down. Forgetting that this meant there were those who didn't know him, or hadn't seen him for a while. This made for a great impression/return to the school. Garry had to recover, quick. After all, he wanted to come back to the crazy. People he missed and the teaching he missed, let's not screw this up.]

Anyway-! I'm Garry and I'm your old, er, or new Painting teacher. Nice to meet you all, or see you again. Whichever!

Aaaah, I suppose if anyone still needs me before the school year for anything, let me know!

Oh gosh, I'm so embarrassed.

[ After finally learning how to operate technology on a basic level, a young pale-skinned lady can be seen on video. ]

I hope I'm doing this right... this is all so strange.

If only this were a battle, I know exactly what I'd do. But... no, I must press on. Yes, I should introduce myself first.

[ She clears her throat, it's been a couple of months since she said these words. ]

I am the daughter of Lu Bu. It is my duty to lead everyone to victory!

...O-Oh, no!

[ She realizes that she forgot to press what she thinks is the "record" button and corrects herself, not noticing that the camera has in fact been recording this whole time. ]

--I am the daughter of Lu Bu. It is my duty to lead everyone to victory!

[ Much better! ]

This computer is a lot slower than the one I have at home... It's like it's ancient! But at least it works!

Um, it's nice to meet you all..! I'm Rock Light, and I'll be staying here for a while! I'm here to learn about living with hu--uh, stuff! Math, and science, and history, and gym, and stuff...

[It would not do his pride well to let on just how out of touch he actually was in front of all these new people.]

I really hope you'll all make me feel welcome, and if you need any help with anything just let me know! Er, I mean, I hope I can come to you with questions!

While I'm at it, uh... I was wondering if anyone knew where to get E-tanks around here? It's not for me! It's for my dog, Rush! Rush is a robot. A robot dog. Say hello, Rush!

[He turned the camera to point it at the red robotic dog at his side. Rush proceeded to bark at the camera, agitated by something.]

RUSH, NO!

[A moment later, Rush pounced at the camera, knocking it and the monitor off of the desk. The feed cut out there as a crash could be heard coming from the boys dorm...]

You all are no doubt aware that this is finals week. For those of you in my class, you'll find the exam schedule and a nice, detailed outline to study by in your mailbox. I'd also like to add that my office is open should any of you who think you need extra help in covering all the topics.

...On a related note, with the semester ending and graduation and prom upon us, I'd like to stress that those of you of legal drinking age... [and those of you that are't, for that matter] celebrate but do it WISELY. This goes for alcohol, health and stamina potions and anything else that can affect your system if not used in moderation. And as always, if you students need any sort of help or advice, don't hesitate to talk to a teacher or faculty member; that's what we're here for, after all.

[Action]

As promised, Gordon is in his office during scheduled hours. Studious or inquisitive students will happen upon him while reading, or playing a game on his COMP, or sticking pencils in the ceiling...

[ Vivian had seen the mark on the calendar. 'Mother's Day.' What did it celebrate? Was it a day they made mothers? Who knew! She didn't. But after some research and thinking she understood what a mother was through some 1999 angelfire gif-riddled sites with bad poetry and midi music, Vivian was sure she got the idea.

SO VIDEO. ]

Happy Mother's Day to everyone. [ okay close enough] A mother sounds special. I hope they are all happy today.

I care for my mother very much too. [??????? Well she hopes she got the right idea but ]

Happy Mother's Day, Taka!!

Uhm, when is Father's Day? [ and then she leans in and whispers ] I want to give the Doctor something special.

Alright, everyone! There has been a lot of talk about statues beneath the school and this recent infestation, so listen to this! I believe the two are connected!

[That's presumptuous...]

After that small earthquake the other week, Hajime Tanaka and I both fell into underground caverns, and we saw those same strange bugs bring a statue to life! It attacked us, but we made it out in one piece! But now the bugs are up here... they seem harmless on their own, but don't let your guard down!

There you have it. Is that information useful to anybody at all?

[Useful for making it clear who pissed the bugs off enough for them to come to the surface, maybe.]

[ One of Vivian's last network posts that reached to a broader audience was introducing herself for what turned out to be the second time. Since then much had happened and while her compromised memories were a lingering presence in her every day life, right now she was just aiming to piece things back together by acting, er, normal.

So here she is, smiling in front of the camera and looking a little more like the trigger-happy child that first arrived at the academy over a year ago. ]

Hello!

Excuse me. Uhm... I want to make friends. I've been learning how.

[ She looks rather proud for a moment. ]

Friends do things together, right? I like watching the friendship ponies. [ sorry ] I'd like to watch the friendship ponies with everyone. Kiyotaka has been watching with me. We like the purple one!

[ And from the background, a cringe-worthy sound of distress, perhaps absolute embarrassment and dishonor on him and his cow emerged. probably this one

Vivian looked over at Kiyotaka, who happened to be with her, but didn't get WHAT HIS DEAL WAS. Whatever. Back to the camera. ]

Please watch with us. In the TV room.

[ She smiles brightly for her audience. ]

Thank you.



[ Feel free to respond to Vivian's video post or join her in the media room. or look at Ishimaru and just stare

Edit: I also welcome tagging each other and/or threadjacking! +_+ ]

[Not too long after the curious broadcast finally stops playing over the school televisions, the PA crackles to life. It's not the usual voice giving some announcement, but that's odd. Isn't the A/V room supposed to be locked for students?]

A precedent is being set in this school. One of apathy, and derision, and suppression.

The images you saw were designed to devalue one of us, the students, we who are to inherit the earth! It was broadcast from a room locked to all but the teachers who are meant to guide us to greatness!

My peers, now is the time to ask of yourselves: can you truly let the public shaming of another go unaddressed? Are you satisfied with unrepentant criminals as teachers? Is attack by robots, or monsters, or eating cardboard a justifiable punishment for arbitrary rules set by our educators?

You are worthy of so much more than what you are being given! You do not need to wait to be handed respect from your elders, for you are deserving of it as you are! You are strong, and brilliant, and bright, and you should hold your head high!!

If you know this as I do, then join us in front of the school! Let us band together, to take hold of the respect we deserve!

[Then there's some loud fumbling and clicking. Hold on. Hold on he almost has figured out the right button. Dammit--THERE OKAY IT'S OFF]

[ When Vivian couldn't find Eggman around, she resorts to make a video post filtered to him. She lays on as much security to it as possible, but it isn't a priority right now. After she parted ways with Ishimaru, she had a lot to think about. Even thinking about it now, her eyes felt like they were still puffy many days later. ]

Hello, Doctor! [ She tilts her head as she pauses. ] I have a question.

[ It'd been a minute since anyone had seen Vivian around on campus. She had hit her capacity for distress when Wheatley had so generously informed her that he lost a GIANT FUCKING ROBOT at the bottom of the lake. Worse yet, it belonged to Dr. Robotnik, so he absolutely had to get it back! He had been counting on her to do so!

And so... ]

( She did. (Also I won't pretend any of this looks good just go with it.) )

[VIDEO]

[A girl with a long purple ponytail, who seemed to be dressed like some kind of Arabian dancer, poked at her camera when it flicked on. Clearly she had never seen a computer before in her life, and she was none too enthused about it either.]

Great... what am I supposed to do with this thing? Hey, how'd my picture get on there?! [She delivers a few sharp whacks to her computer monitor, making the webcam shake. Suddenly she leans in really close, staring directly into the camera.] Is that like an eyeball for this thing? That better be able to close! What the heck did I press again...

[She starts pressing buttons. Then yanking at cords. Eventually she manages to unplug the computer and the feed cuts out.]

[ACTION]

[Having gotten sick and tired of trying to figure out that computer monstrosity, Shantae decided to go do what she did best. Talk to every NPC. Explore the campus and see who she met along the way. She definitely looked a might out of place, that's for sure. And she had no idea where anything was yet. So this was probably not the best idea she ever had.]