Chapter 28: Formulating Oath

Note: I don't not own Steins;Gate. Only this fanfiction story.

This story follows the events that happened after the following Steins;Gate titles. Steins;Gate, Steins;Gate OVA, and Steins;Gate 0. Also, there are situations from other Steins;Gate titles that inspired multiple events in this story.

Check out my profile for upcoming dates for new chapters on Steins Gate: Epsilon. That is where you can expect the release dates for new chapters to this story. I plan to commit to this story to the very end.

I also want to apologies for this chapter being released later than normal. I have been recently needing to cover work shifts at my job and will have to still after this chapter is released for the coming week. I hope you all will understand. I will still post chapters of course, just make sure to keep updated on the release dates on my profile page.

December 23rd, 2021

Another day rises in the city of Akihabara. Christmas closes in and everyone is preparing for all the gifts and events that will take hold very soon. Not just for the people that live in the city, but especially for the lab members who are a part of the Future Gadget Laboratory.

Over at the old lab, Mayuri is currently writing down a very large list. This list contains materials that are needed to use as crafts for the upcoming party on Christmas day. But, she is not the only one there currently. Faris, Luka, Yuki, and young Suzuha are all there currently as well, having a conversation.

"So, we are going to get crafting supplies for the party today?" Luka asks.

"Mhm." responds Mayuri with happiness. "However, since Mayushii has a job of making cosplay outfits, We don't need to worry about a lot of materials."

Yuki grabs little Suzuha and holds her while responding back. "That is good to hear. However, since we are having a huge party at the Future Gadget Laboratory, we need to mainly get materials that are large enough for huge decorations and huge signs. We need to decorate the lab to make it feel like a party unlike any other."

"That right-nyan! No one is allowed to go easy on these decorations-nyan!"

Everyone gets a bit startled by Faris suddenly speaking up. However, she was just finishing a call and responding to Yuki in agreement for the upcoming party.

"So, did you finish speaking with Maho-san?" Mayuri asks.

"Yep. She said she will be joining us in the evening to help with the decorations-nyan."

Luka however wonders one thing. "But, why are we creating decorations in the evening? Can't we just start on them after preparing all the materials?"

"That is because we need a big place to lay out all of the decorations." says Mayuri.

Faris suddenly steps in. "The only big place with the space we need is Kyouma's lab-nyan. So, I called Maho-nyan to allow the lab members inside the lab after it closes for today-nyan. Today should be the last day for the lab to be open-nyan."

"I mean it is convenient with Maho-san being a supervisor for the Future Gadget Laboratory." says Yuki. "She should be joining us anyways to help with the party since she agreed a few days ago. So this situation came in perfectly."

"Mhm." Mayuri agrees. "Especially since we need to hide everything we are doing from Okarin. This party is a surprise for him after we couldn't celebrate his birthday too."

"Yea, after what happened with that American Organization, it really stopped us from having a great birthday party with all the lab members here for once."

Mayuri smiles. "But, Mayushii wanted to see what Kuris-chan was going to give for Okarin's birthday."

"Oh, well don't worry about that." There is a pause. "Lets just say me and Faris had a long chat with Kurisu about her present yesterday, and it seems she has something in mind."

"Yes." says Faris as she begins imagining something with a smile. "I wonder what gift Kunnyan will give to Kyouma, and if it will be the gift that will bond them forever-nyan. There love must reach new levels so they can express their…...naughty intentions."

This makes Luka blush. "Y-Y-You mean like that process p-people must go through t-to make-"

"That right-nyan. And besides, with Kaga-nyan from the future, maybe that is what will happen at some point very soon -nyan. Oh I want to see this happen-nyan."

The conversation about Kurisu with Okabe and Kagari then makes Yuki think about something she finally notices from memory. "Now that I think about it, doesn't Kagari have very similar facial features to Kurisu?"

"Yea, and she also acts just like Kyouma-san at times too." implies Luka.

"However, the most interesting thing about her is she has a strange mental problem with two personalities," says Mayuri. "One personality is playful and acts very similar to Okarin. Then, the other side of her personality makes her sound similar to Kuris-chan."

"What is also very strange is when she displays her other personality, her eyes turn yellow."

This then makes Faris realize something theoretical. "Just like Kyouma's eye color…." There is a pause. With everything about her being way too similar to Kyouma and Kunnyan, then could that really mean she is their biological daughter in the future-nyan?!

Everyone sits in shock for a moment as they believe this to be the case. However they cannot get ahead of themselves currently. "W-Well, let's not get ahead of this right now. There are still many questions unanswered right now." says Yuki. "Lets not worry about that right now and we should focus on getting ready to buy the materials for decorations. Besides, I think we will find out soon enough everything we need to know."

The scene gradually changes, as Akihabara is busy today as usual. People walking around getting to their destinations and heading for another day of work and daily routines. Then, the place stops at the rooftop of the Radio Building. The place seems to be the same as usual, with the time machine which brought the future Suzuha and Kagari still resides, and currently invisible.

Inside, monitors are on and machinery are currently functioning. They are revealed to be working to keep Kagari's health stable after she has been unable to wake up in over a day. There, Suzuha also sits on the other side of the machine, monitoring the amount of resources being used.

Then, the concern finally begins to disappear. Kagari's eyes begin to slowly open up, as her vision comes back. She makes some noises as if she was in pain a bit, but it is fortunately nothing to be worried about. She then slowly gets up, as this surprises Suzuha and she quickly gets up from her seat. "Kagari?! Are you ok?"

"Y-Yea….." she responds with a soft tone. "W-Where…...am I?"

"You are inside the time machine currently. You haven't woken up in over a day, so I had to bring you here to keep you in a healthy state." She then sighs. "Fortunately, it seems everything is alright." There is a pause. "Do you know your name?"

"Yes….Kagari Oka-" Suddenly, so many memories begin rushing forth in her brain as she finally remembers everything, and why she is currently inside the time machine, and what the purpose is. "W-Wait….. What year are we in?!"

Suzuha is startled by her raising tone, but she responds. "2-2021. To be precise, December 23, 2021."

Kagari eyes widen. "W-Where is Papa?!"

"He is at the Future Gadget Laboratory, currently trying to get through another day at work. He has a par-"

With the year 2021 mentioned, this makes Kagari realize she is in the past thanks to the time machine. She joined along because she had too. She remembers she didn't want to at all at first, but then she decided to help change the past that will take hold; a past that leads to the tragic future. With this in mind, she interrupts Suzuha and gets up from where she was lying down and uses a monitor to open the doors of the time machine. This causes the time machine to lose it's invisibility. Kagari then begins panicking as she wishes to help immediately with what she knows.

"W-Wait Kagari?! What are you doing?!"

Kagari begins running outside. "I need to help Papa!"

Suzuha eyes widen, but she doesn't allow it as she runs faster to grab Kagari by her right arm. "What do you mean to help Uncle Okarin?" Then, the thought quickly came to her. "Wait, do you finally remember everything?"

"I do." she responds. "We need to tell Papa everything!"

However, as Kagari tries to move, Suzuha doesn't allow it as she still holds onto Kagari's arm. "Unfortunately, we cannot do that…"

Kagari gets upset as she remembers this occurring multiple times as well. "Why?! Why are you still holding me back?! Don't you know how many times we tried to help Papa?!"

Kagari's response confirms for Suzuha that she remembers everything. However, this means now the plan must take hold, and things cannot currently work out the way as intended. "Unfortunately you cannot interfere with the past currently, not until a couple of things occur first. These events that will arrive very soon are the reason why….." Suzuha then hesitates for a moment to respond.

This makes Kagari more upset. "Why…." She begins to shed some tears. Then having a rush of sadness makes her eyes change color as her Beta Version suddenly manifests. "Why are you preventing us from helping?! You have been saying the same thing over and over for the last few time travels we had in order to stop the events in the past from occurring! However, every time you tried to help, you come back in shock from the events that end in tragedy! That means every plan you try ends in failure. The events…...that change Papa and Mama…"

Suzuha then gets upset as she knows clearly what it means to fail. "I am trying everything I can to change the past as well…." There is a long pause, as Suzuha begins remember everything that occurred in time traveling up to this point. "This was a mission bestowed by your Mama and my Papa. I've been taking everything they wanted to do into heart, and I try my best every time to change the past to prevent the tragic future." She then begins to shed some tears. "I want the same thing as much as you do. I have seen how the lab members of the Future Gadget Laboratory are when Uncle Okarin is around, and they are so active and lively. They are like nothing could ever stop them from caring for each other. They seem...so happy."

Kagari eyes widen with some tears left. "Big Sis….."

"Because I see that every time, I am determined to find a way to change the past that will forever change the future. However…." Suzuha remembers quick memories of her, failing every time to change the past. This is due to the laws of convergence, and universal law that cannot be broken, and it can occur at any event at any time. "I failed, failed, failed, failed, failed, failed…" Suzuha suddenly falls to one knee and lets go of Kagari's arm. "I failed so many times..."

"Big Sis?! Are you ok?"

She takes a long moment to regain her composure. "I'm…..ok." Suzuha recovers from a PTSD effect that is due to her trying to change the past over and over again, and seeing unfortunately the same result. This had gradually built up in her brain for every failure that occurred. "I failed so many times trying to change the past." There is a long pause again, as Suzuha picks herself up and regains her focus to shed some light. "However, since arriving here, things have been different. And it is all thanks to you."

Kagari becomes curious. "What do you mean?"

"Well...thanks to you, history has already changed."

Her eyes widen. "Really?! Like what?!"

Suzuha smiles as since she finally remembers everything, she decides that answer should be answered by someone else before she can reveal it herself. "Well, lets just say your involvement with the lab members already changed a few outcomes. This gives up hope that the future can change."

This response gives Kagari a bit of happiness. However, that won't be enough for everything to be alright. She becomes sad again, as this means it is not over. "But…..this is not over…...is it?"

Suzuha sighs in sadness. "No, it's not."

"T-Then…..let me tell Papa everything!"

"Kagari." Suzuha grabs her by the shoulders and speaks to her at the same height. "I understand how much you want to help your Papa and Mama. However right now, we need to wait and let certain events take hold."

"But…..why?"

Suzuha smiles again at it is something important. "Two things. One, the divergence meter is not finished yet, and we need to make sure Uncle Okarin fixes it so we can move on to the next phase of our mission." There is a pause. "The second reason is something that will occur very soon, and we must not interfere with it until it happens. Although, it may be a convergence point, I cannot say for sure in the end. So, we must make sure we don't do anything until then."

"Then…...when will this thing occur?"

"You will find out soon. For now, please do me a favor, and stay inside the time machine. I will bring stuff so your body recovers. But promise me you will stay here."

Kagari didn't like the idea at all, and she wonders why Suzuha is taking it easy to allow certain events to happen. She just couldn't understand what was so important that needed to occur. However, since she cannot do much currently, she has no choice really but to stay put. She gets upset a bit and responds. "O-Ok…." She heads back inside the time machine and decides to rest.

Suzuha feels sad for putting Kagari like this, but messing with events and time is a very delicate thing. It is something that Kagari cannot fully understand yet at her age. She then looks up to the sky, and thinks to herself. "I see hope in this mission. Some events have changed, and it has changed the way Uncle Okarin thinks." There is a pause. "Well, this mission must work….otherwise..." Suzuha looks down on the city and sees Mayuri, Luka, Faris, Yuki and her younger self walking around with bags of items. "The future is unavoidable."

As the evening soon approaches, the scene zooms on the Future Gadget Laboratory. Some Interns at the lab have taken their leave as their day comes to an end. The other remaining Interns are preparing to head home and are finishing up last minute projects with future gadgets and other science related stuff.

Then, the scene approaches Daru and Maho, who are finishing up research papers relating to the teleportation research they have been conducting for some time now. They currently sitting in a conference room meant for staff. Moments later, a surprise guest arrives at the lab.

"Oh! Daru, and Maho!"

Daru and Maho turn to see who just said that, and they are shocked to see someone unexpected. It is Alexis Leskinen. "P-Professor?!" they say.

"Hey guys! What's up!" Leskinen gives them a quick hug of friendship and shakes their hands.

"What are you doing here?" Maho asks.

He sits down on a chair and responds. "I am here to visit japan again. I was invited surprisingly by your friends for a Christmas party you're having in a couple of days."

Daru and Maho are shocked. "Really?!" Daru asks. "That is rather interesting to hear."

"Well, we are having two parties on that day." implies Maho. "The Christmas party because Christmas is near, and then the birthday party for Okabe-san because we couldn't celebrate it after that day."

Daru sighs. "Yea, after that day with the American Organization."

Leskinen suddenly realizes what they meant. He was informed of everything that occurred. This makes him feel guilty. So he stands up and bows in sadness. "I'm sorry!"

His sudden bow startles both Daru and Maho. "That enemy organization was a part of Stratfor. They targeted you after they found out about what I did with the teleportation research."

"So, what Okabe-san said is true. They got angry after you allowed us to work on the teleportation research instead of Judy's group." says Maho.

"Yes. That is correct." Leskinen explains. "After you guys helped me with recovering the teleportation research of the enemy organization, I decided in return to allow your lab to help me and my group to find ways to achieve a full working teleporter, so we ca achieve the knowledge unlike any other the human race has ever heard of!" Leskinen calms down a bit after he was getting a bit excited. "However, what I forgot at one point was that I had already cut off another group from the research. That group was also a part of Stratfor, however they are more like the shadow of our organization."

"Why did you cut them off?" Daru asks.

Leskinen at first hesitates to respond, but because of what the Future Gadget Laboratory went through, they have the right to know. "This is because of what I was told." There is a pause. "There were rumors that the shadow of Stratfor apparently were working with other science labs from other countries. This was proven when I found out myself, that Judy Reyes had contact with someone not from America. The more concerning part was that the person she knew was also someone who works for part of a group that one day offered me to work on a project with them."

Maho gets a bit scared. "D-Don't tell me that…."

Leskinen nods in agreement. "Yea….it was that same group who asked me to help them in there mind control experiments."

Daru is shocked by everything he is being told. "Wow….. So no wonder you cut them off from the teleportation research."

"They had contact with other groups. They could have potentially have given these groups knowledge on the teleportation research. So, we had to cut them off from everything. They violated the laws which keep all research that is part of Stratfor classified." He then sighs. "I guess a nerve snapped afterwards and targeted the next group who became part of our research."

Maho sighs. "They thought we would be an easier target."

Daru gets upset by this, but still staying strong. "How dare they. Do they not know who we are?! We aren't just some lowly organization who can easily be targeted by anyone!"

Hearing Daru still saying positive makes Leskinen happy that his former students are still going strong even after the situation that could have ended in death. "I'm glad to see you guys still going strong. It builds up my confidence that you guys have grown up to be strong scientists ready to tackle any situation."

"Well of course Professor. We learned from the best around. We also have Okarin to help us lead the Future Gadget Laboratory to a level beyond our imagination. By the way, don't tell him that."

Leskinen laughs. "Don't worry." There is a pause. "Because of everything you guys went through, I have an offer." There is a pause. "If your lab is in need of anything, do not hesitate to ask me."

"W-Wait, you're say that..."

"Yes. You guys now have my full support. We are allies, and I wish to make up for everything you all have been through. if you guys are in trouble, don't be afraid to contact me."

Maho and Daru couldn't believe it. However, it is very reassuring that having another organization as their ally, and someone trustworthy who could provide greater safety and success in the long run. "T-Thank you Professor!" says Maho. "We will forever appreciate your alliance with us!"

Leskinen smiles. "Your weclome." Now that the topic is over, Leskinen mind is set on something more important to him. "Now, tell me about Kurisu and Lintahlo. What are they going to do for the upcoming party? Will they get engaged, do naughty stuff?! I brought my camera for anything they do together!"

Maho and Daru get weirded out by what Leskinen is asking. However this is just like him when it is about Kurisu and Okabe. Maho then responds. "Well right now, we are going to help our friends prepare decorations. Will you want you to join us?"

Leskinen smiles. "Sure. I will want to take more pictures of the Shaman Girls!"

Daru gets weirded out by his response. "That would so have been me in the past….."

As the evening sets, the lab members in charge of the decorations arrive at the lab, with everything needed to create all the nice items and signs.

However, over at the old lab, Okabe is currently sitting on the couch. He is having a bit of a hard time, deciding something he wants to do. However, it is then revealed that it instead thinks about something else. He is bothered by what he should do to show this gift.

He speaks to himself. "Damn it! Why is this so hard to think about! It is just a gift I want to give, but yet, it is so complicated! Hououin Kyouma cannot comprehend human emotions!" He then takes a deep breath and calms down. "However, I cannot back down. This is the decision I made. When Hououin Kyouma makes a decision and goes with it, he cannot back down! But, is this really his decision, or is it the decision of Rintaro Okabe?"

While this occurs, over at the luxurious apartments, Kurisu is currently sitting at her table, with a lot of tools and a computer. She is currently trying to make something. She is working so hard that she is sweating a bit. She is not wearing her lab coat though.

She then stops for a moment and speaks to herself. "Fail." There is a pause. "This is hard work doing this alone. However, I must complete this. It is the gift I want to give to him. It may not be the best gift like the one from July, but since it is an old thing of the past, I believe it can be a great gift. This gift brings back memories."

Then, something interesting occurs. While Okabe and Kurisu think, they speak like they are having a conversation to each other of some sort, even though they are in two completely different locations.

"Hey Kurisu? Will you love the gift I will give you?" says Okabe.

"Hey Okabe? Will you love the gift I will give you?" says Kurisu.

"This gift may be unexpected."

"This gift may be unexpected."

"However," Okabe then smiles. "I wish to bond our relationship further."

"I wish our bond was closer than ever." Kurisu then smiles. "I hope this gift will remind you Okabe, that no matter where you are-"

"And no matter what you do-"

Both Okabe and Kurisu then say the same thing. "I will always love you. That is our oath after all."

Back at the Future Gadget Laboratory, most of the other lab members are currently working on decorations. They all are having a good time, and even Professor Leskinen is having a good time helping around. He also takes some pictures while at it.

While they do so, Mayuri decides to go outside for a bit to get some fresh air. There she takes a moment to feel the cold climate. It would be normally unpleasant for any general person, but was rather pleasing to her. She then smiles and looks at the sky and thinks to herself. "Mayushii is getting a feeling….A feeling that everything that will happen in the party will be the greatest thing all the lab members will ever see. I wonder… if it will be a convergence, just like what Okarin would say."