Welcome to my womb, love and ego's final destination! Oh that was weird to write down, and really not at all relevant to this chapter... oh well. So, I don't think this chapter was as good as it could be, but it did introduce a character that will be fairly integral to a backstory, but whose? Well, let's just get into it! Anyway, let's go!
Super hero time!
Shuujin: Issei, don't mess with the happy doctor! he seems strong...
Issei: And you've got to make a deal with the angel! Without the angel...
Shuujin: Watch yourself. I feel like there's something going on here we don't know about...
Issei: Well, I'm sure it will be fine!
S + I: Break the chains! Phone up the future!
"So the billboards don't exactly show anything particularly special, do they?" Issei commented as he casually sipped at the milkshake he had brought, the soothing strawberry taste making the great wait feel like less of an absolute waste of time. Kunou was quick to drag off Ophis when the news of what they would be doing first reached the young kitsune's ears, a small pay area allowing the blonde to eagerly show off the great world that was the sandbox. The dark dressed girl certainly took to the idea of creating whatever she wanted very well, though when a giggling Kunou told her that it was impossible to make the sand float like Ophis wanted, her enthusiasm was a bit dampened.
"I can understand why you would suggest doing such a thing, but do you truly believe that if you keep watching those boards, something of actual importance would come up?" Onihime sighed as she rapidly flicked out her cards, a game of solitaire rapidly passing before her. Staring too long at the boards was bound to destroy her eyes she said 'and of course that means I wouldn't be able to play to my utmost ability. I'm sure you can understand why I refrain from doing such a thing.' "They've just been flicking through the same different meaningless phrases."
"But don't you think it's a little strange how they're choosing to go through phrases? Wouldn't it be more beneficial and profitable to go for advertisements like anywhere else?" Rider insisted, pink eyes glued to the towering screen before them. Angled perfectly towards the park they had settled themselves in, it meant they were at least able to grab a table and look a slight bit less conspicuous. The screens had a rather strange act, a false parchment rolling out before the swirling ink formed numerous phrases that frankly, Issei was struggling to understand, scratching his head as he spoke aloud.
"Don't look at your past self with a hammer in hand… What's that even meant to mean?" the brunette questioned, a moment spent in silence before the technophile suddenly started with a clap.
"I guess it means don't look to the past and think of the ways you could be better, or think of the nails that you need to hammer down. Basically, don't have regrets about the past!" Rider exuberantly explained, a small hum of still present confusion coming from the boy as he read off the next one.
"Do not prepare if you haven't applied. I assume that means make sure you can actually do what you're preparing for." Issei suggested, a great nod from Rider. "So it's all advice, but it doesn't seem like stuff that could actually mean anything."
"Perhaps it's better to think of them less like pieces of advice, but as… instructions of sort. Orders, maybe." Onihime interrupted, a single metal claw pointing towards where the board was now proudly displaying a new declaration. "After all, that certainly doesn't seem like a normal piece of advice, does it? 'Stray dogs are going to bite, so might as well roll up your sleeves and let it' isn't a very good mentality."
Several more flashed by and upon closer inspection, it was as if the nicer instructions were almost fading away, giving place for seemingly self-destructive ideals that certainly didn't seem as if they were good enough to show to the many residents of Mozaik.
"So they hide their manipulative orders behind vague phrases so they're harder to notice… kind of." Issei concluded. "So that means when bad things happen, you should just let it happen. It explains why the lady would be so easily threatened into giving us the discounted rooms."
"Aw, and here I was thinking it was just my charm, or good luck." Onihime jokingly mused as the cards were gathered up, potentially fierce weapons used as mere toys. "But that would explain ho they're transferring their messages. But the questions is, how?"
"There's also the question of why we're not falling under the same spell. After all, we did spend a good amount of time just looking at that bill board and if it really is the reason why people are being brainwashed, then we should be easily under the effects." Rider added, Issei throwing the remains of his milkshake into a nearby bin as he mused.
"… Tell me, is there any way you can determine if there's any sort of supernatural presence in this place?" the boy suggested, Rider immediately having what appeared to be some sort of tablet in hand as a rhythmic buzzing filled the air.
"Well, it looks pretty much empty save for us. Looks like it's only a weak control then, if it's unable to take us with a bit of focus." Rider stated, throwing the tablet into the air. Issei was about to scold such a careless action, but it would only take a second before a flash of light had it completely deconstructed, the wonders of storage technology having the boy clapping for a small moment. "But we should also check into the entertainment places and book stores. If my theory is correct, then it won't be just a single source, just to make sure they get everyone."
Needless to say, Kunou was far more interested in the idea of going to one of the more recently opened arcades, her supposed skill at rhythm games ready to be shown off to a still rather apathetic Ophis (though if the kitsune was at all bothered, she never let it be shown or voiced). As you would expect, the group was faced with a wide variety of different games, various screens blurting out their own tunes, but it was actually the young kitsune who was the first to pick up the danger sign.
"Hey, did you hear that? It was weird…" Kunou voiced in concern, the others pausing in their search to turn to the girl.
"Well, it is an arcade after all. It would be a little strange if you didn't hear anyone speaking, or the machines around here." Issei reasoned, only for a small hand to slap directly onto the front of his face. "Hey, what the heck was that for?"
"I didn't mean like that! It's something strange, something that hurts…! Don't you hear that?" she urged, but with all of the noise that was blaring out around them, paired with the incredible amount of conversations sprung up between the people, it was a struggle to hear.
"I suppose I can make it out somewhat, but it's too slight even for my ears." Onihime admitted, clearly a struggle if the slight scowl upon her face meant anything. "Can you make out what it's saying?"
"No, but it clearly isn't good…" grasping her ears, Issei was quick to catch the girl when her legs fell weak, a great frown of displeasure upon her face. "I can't make out the words, but they're trying to make me different… I don't like it! Let's get out of here!"
An elderly man decked in purple and gold strolled gently through the castle left abandoned. There were few who were aware of its existence deep in the snows of Russia, for it had no real purpose other than a show of power when it had been created. Stepping through the rusted gates however was more than enough to break that illusion, the lines of torches perfectly functioning.
"I don't see why he would refuse to take care of the outside walls when he so clearly has the options available to him. It's not even as if he has to step outside, the lazy man…" the elderly man grunted as he continued through the hallowed hall, the natural frost that came with the tundra of Russia giving way to a pleasant warmth more welcoming than before. However, with that warmth came the slight buzzing that had plagued the castle ever since its latest resident moved in, the first signs of non-fire light breaking through the door as he gave a great knock, uncaring for the snow that fell from the exposed square.
"Oh? Is that a call for me? Is that a medi-call for me?" a teasoing voice called, light amongst the heavy groans of the door swinging open, the man upon the other side exuberantly throwing his arms wide. "Ah, Cong-fan! What brings you to my lovely abode? I would like to think that Liu-Wei is in good health, yes?"
"My dear doctor, it appears that even in your exile, you show no signs of losing that annoying energy of yours." The now named Cong-Fan replied reluctantly. "Tell me, have you been putting that energy into the project I've given you, or do you continue to waste your time with such frivolous acts?"
Dressed in an European suit of old, done in navy with a great jewel of red upon his heart and frills flowing from his neck, the man certainly looked as if he would reside in the castle he did. When he was framed by such great machinery, half of which Cong-Fan struggled to even believe that the doctor knew the functions of, it was much more intimidating, a particularly cruel piece having a large saw for seemingly no reason, or perhaps that was the reason why his hands were clawed metal gloves of gold coming from the puffed frills of his sleeves.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't call Midas a frivolous act!" the doctor immediately exclaimed, slamming his hand upon the desk at his side, the scattered papers making neither man respond. "Is it not the inner dream of everyone to have happiness after all? If I can find the way to give everyone happiness at once, then don't you think the world would be a better place!?"
"Doctor Beat, I expect you to give a report on what you've achieved towards project Luna immediately. Liu-Wei is exhibiting examples of being unable to control the powers given to him even when the crystal catalysts you created are removed from his being. We cannot afford to waste time." The man demanded carefully, refraining from yelling, but that wasn't enough to hide the inner threat. Whether Doctor Beat noticed it was completely different though as a metallic clap rung out from his hands, a sharp toothed grin bursting upon his face as blues eyes darted about beneath a mop of hair of similar hue, the machinations already in his eyes.
"Well, are you sure that it truly is an issue with my creation? Perhaps it's just his conscious that you swore was sore! After all, it depends on his mind as well and if that's bad, then expect the rest to stress and guess, worthless!" the doctor energetically suggested, though it didn't stop him from darting away, Cong Fan merely moving his eyes to see the man begin to pull various levers and rush his fingers over countless buttons and switches in an apparently chaotic mess. You couldn't make the mistake of taking it for any sort of issue though; despite the man's clear psychosis and obsession with happiness, he was clearly the great genius he called himself.
"No, his personality and mind is stable. It is most likely the four creatures who are proving too strong to be safely contained as you planned." Cong-Fan corrected with fingers to the bridge of his nose. "We will require the powers of the moon maiden in order to calm them, as I said before!"
"Ah yes, you did barge in here rather rudely that time, didn't you? Well, what can I say apart from what I said that day? Rèliè huānyíng? Nǎinai de!" the man cheerfully responded, a particularly large lever requiring all of his weight to push down, a rather comical appearance indeed if it didn't result in a great burst of electricity flying between to pylons. "You know, I once had a dream. Everyone was smiling…"
"What on earth does that have to do with project Luna?" Cong-Fan questioned, though there was no hiding the futileness of the act. When Doctor Beat got into these sorts of conversations about happiness, then there was no pulling him out of them until it was too late.
"Yes, every soul was smiling, what a lying, only dying Delu-show!" the man cackled, knee high boots having the blue doctor slide towards the elderly man with all of agility of a professional acrobat. "I'd say that realm is also called hell, but never mind that, let's get on track, what was it you asked? Oh right, 'where's the answer?'! Why, it's right here!" in a golden grasp, the crystal was a white beacon, glowing with an ethereal power very few could ever hope to dream of, let alone witness. A hesitant hand reached towards the crystal of white, clear respect upon Cong-Fan's face as he moved to take it, at least until the light died as soon as it touched the old man's skin.
"What's wrong with it? What happened to the power?" Cong-Fan asked furiously, stepping forward to the man's back showed to him, a hum escaping the doctor almost absently. "Do not give me that act of yours! Tell me now!"
"Careless? Upset? No sweat! I bet you'll get all set when correct!" the man listed off, his constantly rapid speech a mess to untangle with the mind, though the elderly man struggled less.
"I need no riddles, I need answers! How do you expect Generation to take you back when you prove yourself so inefficient!? When you refuse to properly answer when spoken to!?" Cong-Fan interrogated, the ever present smile upon the doctor's face slowly fading away with every second. "The world isn't fair! You can't act so childishly and expect people to take you so seriously. How do you expect people to react to your little light shows when they so clearly prove to be useless in the end!?"
"…You don't have to tell me, I'm aware the world isn't fair." Doctor Beat solemnly answered, though the sombre mood soon gave way to maniacal laughter as the man clapped his hands together once more, placing the golden gloves upon Cong-Fan's shoulders. "But that's exactly why my projects work! They don't know how to have fun there, how to be happy? Do you not see how much the people working for Generation loved me and my works? It was only those stuffy people upstairs that loathed my style! One vaccine and they'll be happy, happy!"
"Personality is no sickness; a vaccine can't be made to make people happier, only what they find value in. Now tell me straight, what happened to the power contained in this crystal?" Cong-Fan redirected, the doctor giving a hum as he inspected the given crystal before carelessly tossing the crystal over his shoulder, a smirk appearing at the sound of Cong-Fan's complaints.
"Oh, that was no power. It was simply the residual sample used to prepare the vessel for containing the power. Unlike last time, where I had managed to get enough of a sample to fully encapsulate the four great symbols from the very skies, this goes further than that, to the very moon! I can't simply get enough to suck the moon maiden all the way from her home to here! And there's that little lovely rabbit she plays with!" The doctor explained joyfully. "Well, it just means that you'll have to be the one to go and get the power into the capsule, if you want little Liu to use it anyway! Next number, it's now your turn!"
"Don't dismiss me like that! Do you expect me to be able to go to the moon of my power? I have your next order; get the power needed to fill this crystal!" the man threw it towards Beat's back, but an elegant turn had it within the metal gloves once more, a thumb carefully stroking it as he pulled it close to his face.
"Oh, so you're impressed? Well the best is next! Witness the fitness of a great-great-great-great-great genius!" the man hurriedly declared, throwing the crystal upward to the exposed sky outside. Covering his eyes at the sudden pearlescent light that's coated the castle, letting out a small gasp as the crystal flew back into his hand, now aglow with the same energy as before.
"I thought you said we would have to get the moon maiden's power ourselves? How did you do that?" the elderly man asked incredulously, the doctor's smile unending. "What was this magic of yours?"
"Magic!? It's not magic! You see, my protocol is all medical!" The doctor objected indignantly before a cough had him back to his usual manic self. "Well, I suppose it won't mend when the problem is a brainless head. It isn't actually charged, but it pulled more of the residual energy left by the moon to act as a beacon. If you give the crystal now to Liu-Wei, then it will draw the attention of the moon maiden even more than it most likely has up to this point, and she will be more encourage to come closer and allow you to fill it yourself, or maybe she'll do the stupid thing and fill it of her own will!"
"… I see. I suppose that your prowess is still renowned for a reason then Doctor Beat." Cong-Fan reluctantly admitted, a smooth movement having the white crystal held safely for transportation. "I hope you do not end your work for project Luna though. There is still much that needs to be accomplished before we can afford to tackle the powers held within the tower. Who knows what it has evolved into now."
"Oh please, of course! After all, if you can clutch the hand of Midas to unhappiness, then it becomes medicine!" the doctor energetically gushed. "I've managed to get so much data for my own experiments that stopping now would be detrimental to my own work! Don't expect any less from the greatness of a genius! If you want to become happy, then head to the name everyone praises; the eternal doctor Beat!"
And let's put this on hold! So, we've got Doctor Beat in the act! what could he potentially mean for our characters? What will project Luna become? I've got some good ideas with this thing, so please look forward to that!