(An Interquel of the AKB0048 Saga taking place CHRONOLOGICALLY after Darksiders II: The Frozen Assets and before the Glimpses of Humanity. Featuring LoveLive! School Idol Project and Darksiders Cast.)
(Stormrex Lancer Note: I do not own anything from Love Live, Sunrise, EA, NFS HP (2010 Edition), Audi, Darksiders, Vigil Games, THQ!)
Note 2: This happens after Quattro: The Ascension of the Icy Maiden and Darksiders II: The Frozen Assets, BUT you do not have to read those two to understand this story's plot!
Note 3:This version of Love Live will take place in my OC's A, meaning in Chris's Alternate Universe - where Adventurers Agency exists, political wars are a thing of the past, and a Post-Scarcity society reigned supreme.
The plot for Love Live, however, will still remain mostly same; there will be alterations, but not enough to make characters go OOC or affect main canon of story.
Note 4: The format and aim of this story will only cover the individual character's main feelings while they - together with my OCs Chris and Alito - tackled Season One of Love Live. It will also cover what they think is the element of Humanity, since Chris and Alito were learning what 'Humanity' is'.
Since Season 2 has not been released and it being an AU, I will go on and assume that Love Live will win their second Love Live competition, and even eliminated the idol culture misconception because...
Well, common sense really. Many of us Love Live fans will knoe that Muse will win Love Live SOMEHOW. XD
I will not include anything from Season 2 since it has not been released yet. I might add a Part II detailing Season 2's main events. For now, please enjoy!
Lastly, I will base off the driving physics in this AU from Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2010!
Love Live: Muse - The Voices of Balance
Chapter 1: Fight on, Muse!
This Part is written by Honoka.
Chris 'Quattro' Fuschia…
When you first arrived at Otonokizaka you were shocked to know that the Chains of Balance have been eroded no thanks to a sentient creature formed by the combination of natural dark magic and hatred.
Chris and Alito-sempai, you traced the dark energy to Otonokizaka Academy, where the school on the verge of closing down.
You were supposed to find out about the mysterious gooey chemical that made snobbish people aggressive against any people who embraced the idol culture.
Knowing that the substance would erode the Balance, you agreed on the Adventurer Agency's request in eliminating the common misconception with Idol Culture in Nikon by joining and managing our idol group - Muse.
When Umi, Kotori, Maki, Nico, Hanayo, Rin, and I met you, we were blown away...
Yes, in our world where adventurers were common, arcane magic was possible, mechanical augmentation were accepted as a choice, where political and inter-dimensional diplomatic peace was ensured, and where post-scarcity existed, you would have expected us to not be surprised...
Still...wow! I mean...HUGE WOW!
You spoke to the Chairwoman of the school that you wished to expand our idol group and to eliminate any misconception regarding the idol culture. You even said that you had seen the potential in us too!
I felt a huge wave of relief and, most of all, excitement that one of the most influential adventurers was helping us in expanding the school idol group!
Could you have imagined our shock and awe at that? Maybe that was the difference between hearing adventurers' stories and actually experiencing it!
At first, you did not seem to care when we asked you question about your origins and you told us - especially me - that it was best not to know about your past.
We were, of course, hoping that you would tell us but Umi told me to respect your decision, so...eheheh...
This next section is written by Nozomi...
The first few weeks after Team Honoka's formation went well and of course, Eri - the friend that I had made since my childhood - become sort of...jealous, you could say.
I was surprised, though, when you appeared right in front of me and gently asked me...
"Nozomi...I know you and Eri are friends and it will be unwise to jump to conclusion that she is an egotistical person. Eri told me and Umi that she thought idols are amateurs, but based on her psychological profile her speech was filled with guilt and envy. I figure that she must be a victim of misconception. It will be so kind if you can aid me in ridding the darkness that plagued this world, please?"
I could still feel it to this day - your voice firm but hopeful, gentle yet just, determined and yet you have some sort of...guilt that was hidden inside every word you spoke.
With a wistful smile upon my face, I told you and Alito about Eri's past.
I confessed that Eri dreamt of becoming a professional ballet dancer and that she was very good at it. However, constant failures at being bottom of the list in ballet and not being able to pass the auditions made her distant from the world.
I was surprised, truth be told, when I saw the glowing runes upon your face. You told me, "We are going to make things right...and we need you to help us...
When you confronted Eri, I was shocked...
"You know it...we know it...Honoka's School Idol Project is on the rise. Yet you...you are caught in your own small world...why? You can't force people to change and ask them to give up, right?"
"It's not! I know it's tragic...but you just can't accept it, even for a Director like you! No one has the will to do what I have done! They need to understand that we are at a critical moment and that any kind of amateurish acts from Honoka and company will only result in them getting screwed!"
"You know clearly that Honoka's idol team are rising up the rankings now and you are still stuck in your starting line, believing that your methods of tearing down 'amateurish' acts can save the school. Eri, it's time to wake up! Nozomi, Alito, and I can help you understand that the idol culture isn't what you have come to expect - all about amateurism, cheap sex thrills, or marketing tools!"
You continued, "Nozomi told us about what happened when you're young and based on the photographs…I was right. You distanced yourself from your dream and wanted to pull other people down by saying it's for amateur. In other words, you're afraid of failure! You followed what people tell you to do because you know that you will succeed, but have you ever think for a second that given your age…it's not too late to follow your dream?"
Eri looked at you, then Alito, and then me…
"What makes you think...I can?"
You sighed, your ventilation systems let out steam, as you grabbed Eri by her hand.
"Honoka and the rest want to help you...I can take you to where they are now and decide for yourself."
After told you told us about your past ventures, Eri and I realised that you were, after all, just like us in the beginning.
Even a skilled driver like you had its share of bad days. Days where you thought your dreams were shattered in the blink of an eye or blunders.
Chris-sempai...we seemed to understand you as the days go by since convincing Eri to join Team Muse.
There were times where haters showed up to terrorize the city heartlessly, and even parts of the world, in trying to eliminate entertainment through their snobbish attempt of 'I am right and you are wrong' approach.
Yet wherever they go, you, Alito, Commander Leona, would always lead the Adventurers Agency's adventurers to protect us and other idol groups from inherent harm, spreading the message about good entertainment and brightening people's day in a post-scarcity society.
Despite the temporary disappointment of having Muse on hiatus due to the members falling out on one another, you and Alito had never gave up on us; you still believed that we were the ones that could lead idol groups into the golden age of post-scarcity.
Call me optimistic, but seeing the amount of dedication as you and Alito worked your butts off; leading the adventurers to end the increasing amount of Hatred Blobs, inspired me to think about Muse as 'Adventurers Idols'.
Adventurers Idols, they were idols that held adventurers license and the permit to go around the world simply to expand their group.
In other words, people would get to know about the good side of idol culture in a diverse manner!
When our perseverance allowed us the chance to pip A-RISE to the title, we felt confident about executing the plan - expanding our name through the dimensions that the Agency had diplomacy with.
Of course, though you and Alito agreed with our plans to do that, you both expressed your wish to depart temporarily as Muse's Director and Vice-Director.
It was simple though...both of you needed time to sort out and continue finding the meaning of Humanity; one did not simply stay at Otonokizaka Academy and expect to find it, right?
We understood, Chris and Alito.
Go on forth, you two maidens!
The Idol Culture industry would be waiting for your return on the day that the both of you find the meaning of humanity!
Because the truth of the matter is...
It's all a matter of time...
This part is written by Eri
I was wondering to myself; why?
Why weren't you giving up on your dream? You should, right?
I mean…it was impossible for you to achieve your dream if everything you stumbled upon was failure after failure after failure; what was the point?
Besides even if you were persistent, you were a prodigy at technology, right? I mean…you were the Fuschias, the last of 'em, for god sake!
"Just because I am a prodigy, doesn't mean I get a free lunch through every single thing…no…In fact, I suffered way more setbacks than you, and yet I trudged on…You could have been worse."
As we reached school through minutes of silent walking, you showed me one of your symbols of accomplishments in the school's carpark…
The Le Mans Quattro Concept – the precursor to the Audi R8
You began telling me your recounts about how this supercar is a symbolism to the three consecutive victory at the most fearsome racing series ever.
I knew it…everyone knew about it. Who would not have known Audi's three consecutive racing wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2000, 2001, and 2002 at the Circuit de la Sarthe? Who would not have known that you drove Audi to victory during the 2001 and 2002 seasons?
Yet you didn't seem conceited…in fact, you sighed…
You told me that racing was one of your dreams besides being the best in the automotive industry. After your seventeenth birthday, you took part in intense driving lessons as a form of catharsis treatment.
However…you failed your professional driving license for the first time and other drivers had to take the race in the June 2000 season.
Shouldn't you give up then? I asked.
You told me that you had harbored similar thoughts. Your depression, because of the failure, coupled with the infamous near-extinction of the Fuschias (Who wouldn't have known? Nozomi and I were seven years old when we heard the worldwide news.), nearly caused you to commit suicide in January 2000.
I swore my spine was tingling with shock…
You disclaim that your recollection of your past was a sob story meant to garner sympathy for me. Instead, you told me your past because of what happened - you continued with your dream after reading the Fuschia's last Will.
That and you have to juggle between meetings, honing your singing, dancing, helping people, fighting skills, developing new technology, and even establishing – along with the Governmental Agencies - the Post-Scarcity society we are well-known for now…
Despite this busy schedule, you managed to barge your way through and scored a professional driving license on your next selection test in January 2001...
"Eri...I am telling you now - you could have been worse." you said.
That was when it struck me…
I could have been worse…much, MUCH worse…
You told me that all I had to do was just speak my mind with my parents and grandmother; after all...weren't they fully supporting me when my dream of being good at ballet was still alive?
I still have my parents that loved me...and that was saying a lot considering the amount of spoiled brats despite the increment of adventurers.
Nozomi had even told me to follow what I love...rather than what people expect of me. Because that's simply human, right?
Even you agreed with what Nozomi was saying while expressing that you had experienced the same thing during your last adventure. (Which I heard is with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Really? Wow...You must be honored to garner their respect!)
I found myself smiling...for real; genuinely, for the first time since...I don't know, but I felt like saying 'Ever'.
You told me that you would continue finding the meaning of Humanity as a whole, while balancing what you love to do, until the end...
Wasn't that what you want, Chris-sempai?
Part of what Humanity is - The ability to make choices, right?
Thank you...Chris and Alito.
Even as we might be raising the trophy that signified the tough times we've been had, we at Muse would never forget the impact you have brought forth towards the idol community and Muse!
This part is written by Umi
When I slapped Honoka...I must have felt bad...really bad...
It was like a part of me died; a part of our dreams, passion, and our promise of being friends...eroded away...
As the days went on, I could feel as if all was lost as well...
Adventurers called upon 24/7, attempting to rid the world off the darkness that had begun spreading from Otonokizaka Town...
The infection had even begun to spread through continents, forcing military groups to act upon the arcane darkness that threatened to tear the world apart if not stopped early.
Then the infection found me...
Standing in front of me as my Dark Soul, it mocked me...It mocked me about how I could never have any real friends because I simply gave up Honoka by just a matter of a single slap...
Her noxious darkness wrapped around my lungs as she began convincing me that the idol culture would never do me well, that I should completely embrace the entity of hate itself...and to give in that which was the sorrow upon my heart...
I began to lose slip with reality, I really thought that with Honoka's depression, Kotori leaving Nikon, and Muse's disbandment causing the Chains of Balance's erosion, that all was lost...
I thought even you could not make it...
But you proved me wrong; you never gave up on us...
Without any hesitation, I felt a familiar chilling sensation rippling through my spines and mustered up enough strength to tear through the remaining goo that was slayed seconds ago...
"Are you alright, Umi? I just tracked down the darkness blob through the Agency's Computer and found out you're in trouble..."
"Are you the Umi that my sworn sister told me about?"
I saw a tanned silver-hair female angel with silver and gold armor and two majestic and mechanical wings...
"I sent for help, Umi...She goes by the name of Uriel - Commander of the Hellguards, from the dimension I visited earlier in the year."
So...she was the 'Sworn Sister' that you and Alito had made before. Meeting a real angel feels...surreal. Sure, adventurers in our world met them, but meeting them was definitely an entirely different story. I was temporary speechless.
"Have no fear, Umi of Team Muse. We Hellguards will force our blade through the Heart of Evil, until they go back to where they belong!"
Back then...Though comforted by your words and Uriel's, I was wondering why you want to save me. I mean, I was nearly convinced by the blob that everything was hopeless...
"I'm not going to let anyone die, you hear me? I can't let Humanity's honor die with its champion! Not now, not ever!"
I remembered you giving me a spear made out of ice. You extended your hand as you gave it with a determined look upon your face.
"Either we strive to see Muse get back together...or we die trying! Why? Because there are people who support you, I included!"
We agreed to talk about it after we slayed the darkness, which took its form as a golem, that threatened to consume the both of us.
"HELLGUARDS, FOR THE VOICE OF BALANCE!"
To this day, I could still hear the Hellguards' angelic war cry ringing through my head when I took a walk at the neighbourhood park, but I digress...
Everyone of you were putting your very best to conquer the adversities ahead; to allow humans, especially Team Muse, to see the light of day.
In the end, despite our injuries, I managed to impale the abominable golem through his back as you and Uriel threw your Arcana Lifebane and Justice upon the keeling golem, leapt over the Golem as I got out of the way, ripped its arm off, and we forcefully impaled the golem's core together...
The environmental damage, fortunately, was not that great since the dark blob seemed interested in coercing me before commencing with mass destruction. Only several buildings had some structures chipped off, and the main battlefield - the neighborhood park - was charred.
"Thanks, Uriel..."
This moment was when I saw a side of you and Alito that the both of you did not show, normally, except around kids; a soft, gentle, yet mature side.
I knew I was right; underneath that cold exterior of yours laid a wounded soul that was still struggling to find the meaning of Humanity.
With our area safe for now, you took me for a ride around the Green Hell - Nurburgring Nordschleife - via the Warp Transporter. You told me that you have practiced around here and other racetracks, while juggling your duties, since you obtained your license in January 2001...
"As I drive around this Green Hell...I will like you to think, what does a driver, his or her favourite car, Kotori, Honoka, and you have in common...You might think it doesn't make sense, but it actual fact...it does."
I thought to myself, "This doesn't make sense; how does driving and making friends have ANYTHING in common?"
That was, until the way you pushed your Audi Le Mans Quattro to the limit; to clock in a time of just six minutes and three seconds...caused me to have an epiphany...
The way you drove beautifully; the way you weaved in and out of corners; the way you changed gear; the way you feed in the power, and the way you interacted with the machine even when you might slip up a bit at some corners...
It was as if the car and you were taking each other to places previously unknown; to places where either the car or you alone dared not venture.
Clocking in the best times, exploring horizons that you had never explored before, and the satisfaction that you and your car had done a wonderful job regardless of the results...
It was as if...the car is your friend and still is; it's giving you the courage to venture into places never seen by just both you and Alito...
It was like Honoka had taken Kotori and me, through a long ride of friendship, to places that we never imagined ourselves to go while expanding our limits and our dreams to limitless potentials...
I always thought that the Art of Driving and the Art of Friendship never make any sense but now, looking back...
It made a lot of sense...a WHOLE lot of sense...
Without any words, Chris-sempai, you had shown me that Honoka might be a nuisance, but deep within she had a heart that was eager for adventure...
A heart that wants people to be happy...and comfort...
Yes, she might overexert herself...but if I approached her nicely, that didn't mean I could not try again, right?
With warm feeling upon my chest, I asked you...
"Just wondering...why are you doing this? You know that Muse is breaking down, at least it used to be, but why?"
You answered me with, "Because I made a promise..."
You held out an emblem with the cravings of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - a symbol of alliance with their world after your previous major mission...
"I made a promise to myself, to the Fuschias, and to the Four...that I will find the meaning of Humanity and save them in the process. No more sorrow...Umi...No. More. Sorrow. Our world, Umi, could have been worse compared to what the Four's world experienced before the premature apocalypse."
Humanity...that's what it is right? The ability to accept one another's difference as we go on forth - regardless of the troubles ahead - as friends, right?
As Kotori, Honoka, and I embraced one another in the airport and cried in relief; trudged through the journey as one team' forging our own paths; taking care of one another while remembering your actions that had taught us lessons, and eventually pipping A-RISE for the second Love Live School Idol Project in our senior years, all I wanted to say was...
Thank you...Thank you...for believing in us; for believing in the possibilities that different cultures could merge and flourish in a post-scarcity environment.
If I were to tell you one thing, Chris and Alito-sempai...
You actually have the elements of Humanity upon your hearts; you thought you have lost it but the truth is, you have not.
You just need time...
After all, don't they say - 'Time heals a broken soul'?
I'm sure music will come to play, music that can stir your soul...
Music that can provide that very essential element that you want to find all along...
Hope!