"You always were so stubborn, Masa. Only problem is... SO AM I!"
Stakes are high as Tari and MD-5 make their way up The Mountain in Tempest. Will they be able to defeat this group of mysterious assailants in time to execute the glitch?
The battle continues between MD-5 and the elite squad - who turns out is led by Belle, who is also at the tournament after Lucks has somehow discovered MD-5's plans. Can MD-5 fight off Belle and her goons and make it to the top of the mountain to execute the Deep Mountain Clip?
Episode 9 contains examples of:
- Boom, Headshot!: Both Theo and Tari land one of these with the Finger Guns spell.
- Cliffhanger: The episode ends with Tari being the only member of the party left, and Belle ignoring Lucks' orders in order to discuss some things with an incapacitated Tari.Belle: No one left to save you now... Let's talk.
- Dwindling Party: As the episode continues, Theo, Lamar, and Masa are each eliminated one by one, with Tari being the only one remaining once Belle had defeated Masa.
- Heroic RRoD: Masa, while defending an incapacitated Tari from Belle, ends up overloading his Meta Runner arm before Belle overpowers him, being eliminated right after.
- Heroic Sacrifice: A non-death variant, as Theo ends up Taking the Bullet for Tari to defend her, though he ends up re-appearing back in the real world. Masa also ends up sacrificing himself to defend Tari, seen above under Heroic RRoD.
- Internal Reveal: The elite group's leader is revealed to be Belle before she reveals herself to MD-5 on top of the mountain.
- Oh, Crap!: Lamar has this reaction when he realizes TAS Corp knows MD-5 is in the arena once Belle reveals herself to them.
- Pre-Mortem One-Liner: Tari delivers one to an opponent on Theo's behalf prior to eliminating them.Tari: Crackerjack.
- The Reveal: Masa used to be one of Lucks’ Meta Runners and the TAS Corp team captain, and was decommissioned after a previous attempt to hack into Lucks’ private servers after suspecting his involvement in the apparent death of Lucinia.
- Shadow Discretion Shot: When Theo and Tari land a Boom, Headshot! kill with the Finger Gun spell, it's shown in white silhouettes with a black background.
- Wham Line: More like Wham Conversation, revealing Masa used to be a part of TAS Corp, and used to be in kahoots with Belle as well prior to being decommissioned.Belle: You don't get to tell me what to do anymore, Masa. You're not TAS Corp team captain anymore!
Tari: Wait, what?
Belle: Oh, you didn't tell her? Why, too ashamed of being decommissioned?
Masa: Ashamed? No. I stand by my choice. I just wish you did the same for me...!
Belle: How dare you! I tried to talk you out of it, dammit! Hacking Lucks' private servers, what did you think would happen?! You're lucky that decommissioning you was all that Lucks did!\\
