JUDGE (Two Encounters and Innumerous Conclusions)

Classification: Canon-to-RESTART, Possibly-Canon-to-Original-OFF

Time Frame: Chapter 2-Chapter 5

Location: Chapter 15

RATED: T

What will you do, Judge, when confronted with an angel and the devil?

He didn't know what to make of the interloper and her picturesque jumping jack.

The first meeting was quite enjoyable. The patricianly puppeteer was quite relaxed, smiling at him as he spoke, as if she had not a care in the world. The pernicious puppet was puffed out, inching his way in front of his Player. The Judge wanted to scoff; like that minuscule movement would impede his advance should he so choose. To mock the fool, the Judge twined himself through the Player's legs, purring as she pet him gently. Out of the corner of his eye he watched the Batter twitch, restraining himself and the Judge smirked when the man snapped at him.

When the Batter informed him of the portentous purpose set to him and her, the Judge had to think. What would a Batter be doing with such a momentous mission? It tickled his whiskers in just the wrong way. Something was very off about the interlocutor, as if his skin was not his skin, but rather a fictitious facsimile of a face. However, the purity of purpose in the puppeteer cleared his doubts, and he offered his services to the puzzling pair. He even grew fond of the Player herself, as she assisted him in getting his lunch. How delightfully generous, he found her! Such a rarity in these times.

The second meeting was what made him truly wonder. In his investigation of the perplexingly peculiar ring, he stumbled across the duo again. The Player was much too pale, looking as if the very smoke around her was pressing in far too tightly. The Batter focused on himself with unwavering precision, and the Judge could feel the intent to crush his cuddly form pour off the tall man. It set his fur on point, not that he would be so undignified as to let that show. Never. It worried him though; what prevented the cruel creature beneath that camouflage of civility from ripping off its cloak? The vulnerably venerable venturer had no defenses of her own. If the toxins seeped through the concealment like a pernicious predator, what could she do? But the Judge hid his concerns in quips and quotes.

When the Add-on—Alpha, as the Player asserted—latched on to the spiritually bereft Batter, the Judge knew. He watched the false flesh of the prophet puppet ripple, barely clinging to the falsehood of humanity. While the Player may be pure in her intent, something very vicious was veiled in the Batter. He made his decision; while he may normally not venture beyond his anatomically amiable abode, he had to investigate. He had to watch. He had to understand what was so terribly and truly toxicant about that athletic anybody. He had to try to contain the beast within the Batter.

He felt it in his whiskers.

Hey everybody!

So, I discovered that finding which chapter I posted an Omake on is really hard to find. So, in order to make it easier for everyone, I am also posting them here. Occasionally I may also post an exclusive Omake related to the RESTART Universe that won't be in RESTART due to length or not being canonical. So enjoy!

Also, I am in search of a Cover for this story. If you have a suggestion (or, if I can dream, your own art!) shoot me a review or PM.