STAND INFO:

Stand name: Cloak's Knavery (Cloakie ACT 2)

Stand user: Taeko Yasuhiro (AKA Celestia Ludenberg)

Destructive Power: C

Speed: D

Range: C

Persistence: A

Precision: C

Developmental Potential: B

Appearance: Cloakie ACT 2's appearance consists of a ghost with feminine traits (Considerably the long streaks of hair and dress-like shape of her lower body). Its body, originally a toned peach hue, is now slightly darker, streaks of light running across its body.

To Celeste, Cloakie ACT 2 resembles a little like her younger self, Taeko...

Stand ability: Cloakie ACT 2 allows everyone, stand users and non-stand users alike, to see, touch, and even damage stands. This effect lasts until the user (Taeko Yasuhiro) loses consciousness or deliberately chooses to diminish the effect.

Stand cry: "Mimimi!" (Unable to form coherent speech)

...

"You want me to get everyone?", Sakura asked, looking at the gambler sitting next to her. "What for?"

"You'll see", Celeste responded, her usual poker face back in effect. "You do trust me, right?"

"...Sure", Sakura finished, standing up towards the office's entrance. "I'll gather everyone to the cafeteria."

"Thanks, dear", Celeste waved off with a polite smile, waving of the martial artist. A few seconds after Sakura's exit, Celeste assumed her emotionless expression once more, Cloakie ACT 1 appearing behind her back.

"Mimi?"

"I figured I should just say it outright, to everyone", Celeste remarked, not facing her stand. "I spent the past week remembering memories about our time at Hope's Peak. To think all these people we're once my friends..."

"Mimi..."

"I'm starting to have doubts about killing them now", the gambler continued, now standing up from the nurse bed. "While my dream of getting a castle does sound nice, I'm starting to think that killing everyone else might not be worth it..."

"Mi..."

What am I even talking about?, the gambler reprimanded herself. I spent the past few years driving people to poverty and 'killing' others in illegal gambling matches. Celeste left the nurse's office, looking at Mondo and Taka laughing. What makes these people different?

"Perhaps its because they're your friends...?"

Celes turned behind her, seeing no one but Cloakie.

"Mimi?"

Celeste recognized that voice. That childish voice she knew all too well.

"Did you say that?", Celeste asked her stand, who simply shook its head.

Suddenly, Cloakie began glowing a bright light, drowning the entire hallway in white. Both Taka and Mondo saw what was happening, both individuals now having panic on their faces.

"Ludenberg!"

"We'll get you out of there, Celeste!"

Streaks of color surrounded the gambler, before reaching yet another phase of white. It all went blank from there...

...

"They're your friends, aren't they?"

Celeste found herself in a never-ending white plane of existence, surrounded by nothing but white. Hearing that same voice again, she turned towards the direction where she heard the voice from.

Next to her was a small girl with short, black hair, wearing a bright red sweater. Her big eyes were also the same shade of red that Celes had.

"So you're the one who said that", Celeste remarked, looking down at the small girl's face. She already knew who this girl was.

"I'm you from the past", the small girl said.

"I know that."

"Then why are you still doubting yourself?"

The gambler was left a few moments to herself, trying to think of a clear answer. She then turned to her past self and responded:

"I don't know why I doubt myself over these other people. Friends or not, I don't feel any attraction to them at all. Not even from Kyoko, who was once my girlfriend."

"I see...", the small girl responded. She then turned to face the infinite expanse of white and asked the gambler, "Do you know where we are?"

"Assuming you're here, probably my consciousness."

"Close enough."

The small girl then faced her future self and continued, "It's all white because your previous consciousness is now in a state of amnesia. Going forward, there's still so much you can do from here. You can continue your goals of getting that castle you always wanted, or you can find warmth towards the people who care about you, forgotten memories or not."

"..."

"At least, that's what you did the past two years."

The small girl was right. When the killing game first started, Celeste didn't think she had the time to bond with others here, yet she did so two years ago during Hope's Peak. She was capable of loving others before.

The question was, was she capable of doing so again?

"...I'm still thinking about my future goals", Celes remarked. She then turned to face the small girl and said, "But right now, I have something else to attend to. Do you know how I can get out of here?"

Staring at her future self for a moment, the small girl then responded, "Just close your eyes and focus on where you were before you came here. That'll pull you back to reality."

"Thanks", the gambler responded, closing her eyes. She then opened them again for a few seconds, asking the small girl, "Will I see you again?"

"Maybe."

"Okay. Thanks, past me."

"You can call me Taeko instead."

"Right. Thanks, Taeko. I'll see you around."

"Same here. Take care of yourself."

...

Celeste opened her eyes, looking at the now-empty nurse's office. Behind her was both Taka and Mondo, confused at what just happened.

I'm back at the Killing Game...

"You okay, Celeste?", asked Mondo, showing an obvious expression of worry.

The gambler stood in silence for a few moments before responding, "I'm fine. I just remembered something, is all."

"You used Cloakie's ability again?"

"Yes."

"Oh, alright. We were just worried, that's all", the bike rider dismissed.

Giving a small smile, Celeste asked, "Also, can you guys go to the cafeteria? I need to tell everyone something before Nighttime."

"What is it?", Taka asked, not understanding about Cloakie and the other stands but still trying anyways.

"Now now, Taka. I'll tell everyone in due time", the gambler dismissed, heading off towards the main section of the first floor.

Being left alone with Mondo, the moral compass asked, "Hey Bro, is it me, or has Celeste changed?"

"What do you mean?"

"I... don't know, to be honest. It's just that she seems more approachable now compared to when the killing game first started."

"..."

"...bro?"

"You do have a point", the bike rider agreed. "But in comparison to how the killing game has gone haywire, with stands and lunatic bears, everything else just pales in comparison."

The moral compass silently nodded his head in agreement, thinking back on all the crazy things that have happened so far.

"...In any case, I think we should listen to what Celeste has to say, Bro", Taka spoke up, pulling Mondo out of his thoughts.

"You're right", the gangster responded, giving a small smile. "Let's get going then."

Author's Note: Chapter 25 done! While I admit that uploads are a little slow on my end, I also want to say that more chapters are in the making! In response to V's comment:

1. The name of the fanfic has indeed changed! I think the new name is better, and I hope you guys think so to!

2. I plan creating a UDG sequel as soon as I finish Stands and Gambles (which I don't exactly know when It'll finish, either), so be on the lookout for Komaru and The Warriors of Hope when this fic is done! (Assuming that I'll still have motivation to do that fic, but hopefully I do).

And with that done, I appreciate everyone's support for this fic! Until the next entry, I'll see everyone later!