Why Is the World So Colorful?

The Trailblazer had a tiny little problem.

--Not a tiny little one. More like one light-year-sized.

The Trailblazer was dragged by Herta into testing that still-unnamed “Cross-Universe Simulation Device”--yes, the one that constantly makes her run data, test bugs, and occasionally crash. Then one parameter threw an error, and she was tossed straight into another world.

Good news: Herta said she could “theoretically” return, as long as she raised the device’s “synchronization rate” to 100%.

Bad news: The way to raise it was to play characters already unlocked in the simulated universe and complete “Trailblaze Events.”

[Helpful tip: Playing familiar characters can greatly improve synchronization-rate gains.]

[Another helpful tip: The universe you’re in includes Gotham, Metropolis, MI6, and Vought International.]

The Trailblazer: “Why are these the only options? Where’s my Trash King?”

Herta (communications pop-up): “Because you overwrote the trash-can data during your last test. Now be quiet and go explore.”

The Trailblazer: “...Can I refuse?”

Herta: “Sure. Then stay there until I finish writing this paper, about three hundred years.”

The Trailblazer: “I’m going now.”

[Gotham Arc: Masked Fool]

Sparkle (the Trailblazer) livestreams “Who’s the Real Batman?” The prize is a “bomb with a handwritten signature.”

“She’s more dangerous than the Joker.”

When Sparkle holds up a “photo revealing Batman’s true identity”--a picture of Commissioner Gordon eating a burger--Batman falls silent.

Three days later, a second “Sparkle” appears.

“I’m Firefly,” the girl says, tilting her head, her sweet smile chilling to the bone. “Sparkle is my ex. Obviously, I’m more interesting.”

Batman’s blood pressure doubles.

(Afterward, Herta messages: “You’re running two secret identities at once? Do you have enough memory?” The Trailblazer: “...You call that a secret identity? It’s dissociative identity disorder.” Herta: “Interesting. I’ll try it next time.” The Trailblazer: “Don’t!!”)

[MI6 Arc: Galaxy Ranger]

Boothill (the Trailblazer) kicks open the doors to MI6. “Goddamn, this dump doesn’t even have a warp engine!”

Bond swirls his martini. “...Shaken, not stirred. And who is that?”

Bond suddenly makes his move, catches the gun with his bare hands, and disarms Boothill’s revolver.

“MI6 training. The weight distribution of this gun is off, and the recoil hurts your wrist.”

Boothill: “...Goddamn, you caught me off guard?”

(Herta messages: “Your synchronization rate went up 3%.” The Trailblazer: “Only 3%?!” Herta: “You didn’t complete the mission objective. You spent the whole time arguing.” The Trailblazer: “...”)

[All-Star Superman: Blade]

Superman has only a year left to live.

Blade (the Trailblazer) comes to Earth in search of death. “I’m here to seek death!”

Blade joins him and completes twelve challenges.

“He has unlimited time, yet longs for a finite end. He teaches a young man how to face death, but learns how to live when they say goodbye.”

(Herta messages: “Synchronization rate +15%. Good performance.” The Trailblazer: “...I don’t want to play this role again. It hurts too much.” Herta: “Hurt? It’s simulated data.” The Trailblazer: “Why don’t you try it?” Herta: “I refuse.”)

[Vought International Arc: Elation Park]

Feixiao (the Trailblazer) drops from the sky, ruler blade in hand. “Congratulations on finding the treasure! I’m Feixiao. Nice to meet you, leading-little-raccoon!”

Homelander’s heat vision sweeps toward her. Feixiao raises her ruler blade and pulls out her phone. “The latest chapter of Fuzzy Voyage is out. I don’t have time to play with you!”

Three days later, flames engulf Vought Tower.

Phainon (the Trailblazer) walks out of the flames. “Praise the sun! Your power comes from false divinity--”

He pauses, then flashes a bright, cheerful smile. “--and your cape really is uglier than Batman’s.”

Homelander breaks down. “Can you at least get your stories straight?!”

Feixiao (pulling out a comic): “Forget that for now. Have you read the latest Fuzzy Voyage?”

Phainon: “...My friend, I haven’t caught up yet!”

(Herta messages: “You have three secret identities running at once, and one of them is reading comics. Remarkably efficient.” The Trailblazer: “It’s called balancing work and rest!” Herta: “Synchronization rate +2%.” The Trailblazer: “...Madam Herta, are you skimming my data?” Herta: “Your accusation has no logical basis.”)

[Justice League Arc: Harmony and the Xianzhou]

Jing Yuan (the Trailblazer) cuts a Parademon in half with one slash. “I am the general of the Xianzhou Luofu. I hear this world suffers from mara-struck--”

Batman steps out of the shadows. “Don’t trust him. His energy signature is the same as that Sparkle’s.”

Jing Yuan sighs. “You’re always so wary. Still...” He turns to Robin (the Trailblazer). “Perhaps that young lady’s singing could help you relax.”

Robin’s (the Trailblazer’s) ear feathers twitch. “Our goal is to gather the power of belief and restart synchronization. Please come support our performance!”

Batman: “...A performance?”

The Trailblazer: “Life is a play, after all. Mr. Batman, aren’t you Gotham’s finest actor?”

Jing Yuan (visiting the Batcave): “I’ve seen many kinds of armor, but one so easy for enemies to grab, like your cape, is quite rare.”

Batman: “...Alfred, make coffee. Strong coffee.”

(Screwllum, an outside helper brought in by Herta, occasionally appears in a pop-up: “Logical analysis: Batman’s wariness exceeds the simulated-universe average threshold by 87%. Strategy change recommended.” The Trailblazer: “Mr. Screwllum! You’re finally here! Herta’s bullying me!” Screwllum: “...That isn’t within my range of calculations.” Herta: “Screwllum, don’t help her.”)

[Reading Guide]

0.

Every fanfic needs one of these, right? Sorry for the OOC. I’m sorry if anything I wrote makes you uncomfortable or confused. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!!!

1.

Single protagonist: the Trailblazer. No pairing. Occasionally she’ll complain over comms with Herta, Screwllum, and Ruan Mei (if Herta is willing to bring her along).

2.

Playable characters: Sparkle/Firefly (chaotic twins), Screwllum (logic genius), Phainon (Praise the sun!), Feixiao (treasure girl), Boothill (hot-tempered cowboy), Blade (death seeker), Acheron (wanderer of Nihility), Aventurine (gambler), Jing Yuan (Xianzhou general), Robin (Harmony songstress).

3.

DC, James Bond, and The Boys crossover. The timeline is a mess, and there’s a mountain of personal headcanons.

4.

Lighthearted and comedic, with the characteristic Star Rail humor. Feixiao might suddenly pull out a comic, Phainon might suddenly shout “Praise the sun,” and Sparkle and Firefly’s “who’s more interesting” debate is a daily occurrence.

5.

Sparkle vs. Firefly: Sparkle (the Trailblazer) pursues fun, while Firefly (the Trailblazer) pursues a purer form of elation. System warning: Firefly has a tendency to take over the original self--though the original self is also the Trailblazer.

6.

Occasional unexpected events: Herta nagging about progress, Screwllum offering remote analysis, Ruan Mei suddenly joining the call to ask, “Do you have any interesting biological specimens over there?”

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“May this journey lead us to the stars.”

--Though the stars are a little far away.

--And Batman has no intention of letting the Trailblazer leave.

--And Feixiao says, “There are more comic shops here than in Elation Park. I don’t want to go back.”

--Herta says, “There’s still 40% synchronization left. We’ll discuss your return later.”

--...Help.

Theme: Even if you lose your way among the stars, keep smiling and see the journey through.