A Hero's Beginning Event/Burning
Nate and Themis trade blows while questioning each other's motives, but after Themis ignores orders from the Unification AI, she is unable to move. Nate gives her a piece of her mind before rushing off to stop the rampaging machines.
Nate: Do you remember your master?
Themis: Obviously.
Themis: He foolishly gave into his emotions and lost his life for it... In the end, he too was only human.
Nate: So that's how you feel...
Nate: Fine. Guess I'll have to knock some sense into you!
Themis: I see your power output has increased.
Themis: But you're still a fool!
Nate: Look who's talking!
Nate: Now fall, dammit!
Themis: Don't you DARE look down on me!
Themis: Give up. Even if you are able to take me down, it won't mean anything.
Themis: The heroes' pain, their suffering, their anxieties... None of them have any meaning!
Themis: They do nothing to change the world!
Newscaster: The former troubleshooters continue their attack on the city...
Commentator: It's hard to believe that we once considered these people heroes. Clearly these brutes only know how to speak with their fists.
Social Media: Heroes, huh? Sounds like just another problem left to us by the previous generation.
Themis: Time to face reality, you little wannabe... Surely you see who is in the wrong here.
Nate: Heh... yeah, people sure are stupid.
Themis: What are you laughing about?
Nate: I mean, it's pretty funny, right?
Nate: No matter how bad they come off, everyone's just fighting for their version of justice.
Nate: No matter how ordinary someone is, they've still got justice in their hearts. Isn't that right?
Themis: No. What you saw is the definition of mob mentality! These people are nothing but sheep!
Themis: Enough of your idealistic drivel. I'll blow it all away!
Nate: Like I'd let you!
Girl: Eek!
Nate: You okay?
Boy: Y-yeah! Thank you!
Alk: Nate!
Alk: How could you?! She was trying to save someone!
Themis: Ah...
Themis: No... I...
Nate: That does it!
Nate: Look, I KNOW you didn't become strong just to cut down people you think deserve it!
Nate: The Themis I knew fought to SAVE people!
Nate: So what about you?! Why are you a hero?!
Themis: I... Why...
Unification AI: Hostile activity detected. Themis, initiate termination.
Unification AI: Initiate termination.
Themis: ...No.
Unification AI: Subject unable to continue combat. Removing admin status and forcing shut down of subject ID: LCP001
Unification AI: Third-party operation disabled. Assuming independent operations... Commencing arrest of hostiles.
Themis: What are you doing?
Nate: I don't know why you're so mad at me...
Nate: But I hate you. I used to look up to you... You were so strong, so steadfast... The kind of hero I wanted to be.
Nate: Yet despite all that, you let yourself go all grimdark, and now you're blinded by those feelings. I hate you for that.
Nate: You clawed your way to the top, but now what?! Sure, being the best of the best comes with its fair share of burdens...
Nate: But that just proves how strong those at the top are! How prepared they are to face any and all adversity! I KNOW you have what it takes.
Nate: Now get up, hero... I won't let you throw it all away like this!
Themis: Is this... how you felt all along?
Regis: Are you two unharmed? Everything going according to plan?
Alk: Regis? Something wrong?
Regis: Bad news, kids. The machines are starting to run wild. They can no longer distinguish friend from foe.
Regis: Dismantling the AI is proceeding as planned, but it may try to escape into a local server in your area!
Alk: Ready, Nate?
Nate: Yeah, let's go.
???: If it isn't the town hero. Well? Still feeling down in the dumps? Or are you ready to leave your despair behind?
Themis: You...
King Johnson: If you are, perhaps a chat with our engineer is in order?