[DreamSword]

Episode 3: Their Secret Game

I really really like this one. Probably my favorite in the entire batch, actually.

One thing that I felt was sorely lacking from Zero-One proper was the entire unit of MBJR developing together and being a family unit. Which, given many of the big themes of said Rider show was a big shame. Especially on the part of Naki and Ikazuchi, who really get the short end of the stick compared to Horobi and Jin.

Needless to say, this short delivers on that in full force, with the scenario being that, in an effort to further understand humans, the group decides to play a punishment game invented by Naki.

Not only is there great comedy all throughout, but the ending is incredibly touching and even advances everyone's' character development; Especially Horobi's'. It really warmed my heart! The bonus at the end of the actors playing the game for real was a great touch too.

And that's pretty much all I got. These shorts are simple and to the point, and I wouldn't have them any other way.

Unsatisfactory.

...Excuse me?

Oh, my apologies for dropping in unannounced. I suppose I should introduce myself to everyone else here. I am Ń̵̢̜̳͒į̶̃͑͋̈ͅk̷̢͔̾͂̂́o̴̙̓͒̄́d̶̡̤̖͈͆̾̓͘e̸̟̜̪̓̽m̶̢̭̤̀̇1̷̨̬̪͗2̷̙̓3̷̥̭̬̖͒̀̄ả̸̘̘̘̬s̴͈͚̎̒̍͛ḋ̶̥f̵̬̼̟͍̅̀͝ and I come from the Netherworld.

Oh right. For anyone who watched it, you all might remember Niko from the Memory of Heroez LP that I hosted for the forums awhile back. He's a really good friend of mine; Known him for nearly a decade now.

Indeed. And I've arrived from parts unknown to enlighten the masses to why these shorts are shallow, lifeless, and devoid of any and all meaning.

Kiiind of an intense take but okay, go ahead.

Where is the story structure? Where is the logical flow of events? Where is the three act structure? This story has no significant impact on culture or says anything about the human condition. Therefor they hold no value and should be ripped apart. Literally. Understanding humanity via childish games? It's completely illogical.

Whoa man, chill out. What's wrong with just having fun?

FUN IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE SHOULDN'T HAVE!

Holy... how the... wait, you're not Niko at all are you!?

Precisely. I've grown tired of this charade. What good is the freedom of thought if everyone thinks the wrong way? And that most especially includes you! I'm the only one who can save this farce of a project and I'm taking over!

EVERYONE, ABANDON THREAD! BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

RRRRUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNnnnnnnnn.....

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As I said, t̷̺̳̆h̵̜͑͗ï̷͖͓̬̘̀ś̶̲̹ ̴̒̓͜t̸͔̞̭̭̃͗̔h̶̪̏͊͘r̵̢̲͕̀͊͛͂ḛ̵͈̾͘̕a̸͕͖̽͘d̷̨̄ ̶̢͍͑̎ͅį̶̰̤͊̈ș̸̦̥͍͛ ̶̦͇̺̅̃̔͠u̶̖̯͂̚͝n̶̺̞̄̀́d̵̡̹̜̳̉ê̶̫̼̩̟̐̌r̴̘̯̟͗̏ ̶̹̖̆͌̏n̵̳̖̰̩͛̋̋̕ȩ̴̗̜̭̉̽̐w̴̬̮̭͋ ̵̪̟͆m̵̻̄̚̕͠a̸̝̫̙͐̂̚ń̵̛̪̖̒̓ḁ̴̧̩̯̈́͋͠g̴̮̞̅͑͝e̵̩̫̍͜͝m̷̭͙̩̈́̒̚e̵̛̻͚̫̠͆n̷͇͌̆͠t̴̖̮͍̓̅̽̈́.̵̻̩̞̋̒͜.̴͉̐͌̍͝.̷̥̮̩̠̍̄̊