Sooo I have had the last three days off from school, along with work and have no homework to do when I have to go back so I have been doing this to bide my time until I have to face reality and go back to both.
Once Again MementoMori115 helped with this chapter with the production of a new character.
NOW! I am still allowing PMing as long as it is RESPECTFUL! If you guys do anything like what those assholes did to me in the previous story, immediate block. No warning, nothing. Immediate block is what you get when you decide to be an asshole. Ahem, don't be afraid of lengthy comments, I tend to enjoy those the most and I do hope you all enjoy this story.
David watched as the jet bringing in the Chaldean Personal drew closer and closer to the Island of creators, he felt annoyance and anger bubble up inside of him as he continued to watch.
If they weren't so stingy he might have been able to help Toshi even more with their tech. He might have even been able to heal his missing organs and give him new ones! He'd seen the state some of them had been in when they fought, some nearly losing limbs or having a vital organ missing….
Only for them to show back up a month later fresh faced and good as new.
They had tech that could save lives and careers...and they didn't give a damn about their fellow heroes losing either.
"Stingy bastards," he ground out, taking in a deep breath to calm his nerves. His eyes flicked down and he felt a warmth go through him seeing his daughter walking through the plaza. He understood her apprehension of being close to so...many chaldean heroes.
The ones that were the vice directors personal protection made no sense though.
By studies and theories...they were the strongest and most dangerous that Chaldea had to offer...so wouldn't they be with the Director and not the Vice?
David shook his head and moved back from the window to grab his watch before heading out to leave for the loading dock.
He needed to be there the moment they arrived.
He had too.
"Hey! David!"
He turned only to smile at the sight of one of his scientist friends who was rushing up to him.
"Alexei," he smiled at the Russain man who grinned back with his hands on his hips. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to meet the Chaldean heroes obviously! Did you forget I worked with two Chaldean scientists a while back," he cocked his head to the side as the other jolted.
"That's right," he murmured, hand on his chin as they resumed their walk. "The Four Handed Earthshifter Avicebron and the Alchemist Paracelsus correct?"
"Yeah! They were crazy! But apparently Samuel worked with two other Chaldean Scientists during the whole potential bombing incident on London Bridge...umm….Tesla and Edison," Alexei hummed as they walked down the stairs. "Apparently those two where just at one anothers throats the whole time. Each trying to sabotage the other while they tried to disable the electrical current keeping the bomb...unstable?"
"They could have killed thousands," David gasped as Alexei nodded.
"Apparently they knew what to do, but they wanted to prove to people that they were better than the other. Before they would sabotage the others' work they made sure the current was stable," he sighed. "Sam said he was never going to help with an electrical bomb again if there was even a mention of those two coming down."
"That bad?"
"He has a special sound proof lab because he said that their booming voices were way too much," Alexei laughed as David chuckled.
"It seems they are a colorful bunch," he breathed as Alexei looked at him.
"Are you sure you should be here," he sighed, David stopped in his stride to look at the other man.
'"What?"
"David...they are secretive on a good day and hostile on a bad day," he began, rubbing the back of his head. "Paracelsus and Aviceborn were alright men...but they made it clear that if you try and intimidate them...bad things will happen."
"I...I can report them-"
"You know as well as anyone else that won't do anything," his protest was shut down by a sullen Alexei. "Not with the support they have."
"I still don't get the whole riot," David snapped, placing a hand on his waist as a bell signaled the jet about to land. "I don't see how anyone can support or defend that agency!"
"They are good people," Alexei protested. "They are people who take the extreme route but they care-"
"NO THEY DIDN'T!"
"David," Alexei gasped. "The hell has gotten into you," he demanded as he stepped back away from his fuming friend.
"If they cared about people then they would offer up their life saving technology to save heroes lives and careers," he ground out, hands in fists before he slammed one into the glass window beside them. "But they don't! They allow the others...they allow my friend to suffer," he sniffed.
"Have you considered the strain they are under," Alexei shot back, looking equally upset. "David they are literally either attacked verbally on the streets or on the internet! They have tried to change but all you people see are the bad-"
"Because they are selfish-"
"NO THEY AREN'T! IT'S THE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO SEE THE GOOD FOR ALL INSTEAD OF THE FEW WHO NEED IT DAVID," Alexei yelled, panting as he glared at the man. "You don't know what Chaldean heroes go through to keep that tech for themselves!"
"Bullshit!"
"I saw Chaldean heroes get pierced multiple times, cut off the remaining bits to leave enough in them to stem the bleeding before going back out to fight. I've seen them on the cusp of death singing a lullaby to crying children during a missile attack, assuring them that the lullaby will lead them to happier lands. I've seen them spit on by angry protesters and merely wipe it off and leave! Leave David," Alexei choked. "They didn't go after anyone like the media says they do!"
"How do you explain the American situation then," David scoffed. "The Hero Called Calamity Jane punched a man who spat on her!"
"She was defending a fellow hero from his lecherous words before he tried to grab her chest and she pushed him. He then spat on her, David," Alexei explained. "He called her and everyone in Chaldea a whore and then she punched him. A lot of people think he deserved it and I agree."
"They let heroes who work with die on the battlefields," David shot back. "One nearly became paralyzed!
"I've seen them take bullets and wounds for other heroes unequipped for the battles they entered when they damned well knew what was going to happen!" Alexei seemed to have a rebuttal for everything David was throwing at him.
"That's on them for not explaining it to their teams."
"No, it's our heroes! Not the Chaldean heroes who defend the ones who don't prepare for raids," Alexei looked ready to cry. "They are amazing people, but all you people care about is how they kill their villains...you don't care about how many heroes they saved during those attacks and raids."
"We would have known-"
"You know how jealous hero agencies can be," Alexei grunted, moving to head forward to the loading dock. "If they can get rid of someone like Chaldea that hogs the popularity charts then they have a chance at ascending...Chaldea is more focused on saving people like real heroes should be," he glowered at the man from the doorframe. "Then they care about ratings. That's why heroes are perfectly fine with pushing the destruction of property onto them and forcing them to take care of 'their corpses' and gush about how they tried to stop the monsters."
"But-"
"Not to mention that they are having the UN force their help away from them. Taking electricity and vital resources that I know Chaldea needs. I've seen them suffer David. They need those resources David!"
"Alexei…"
"I'll see you at the dinner tonight," the man sighed as he left, leaving David alone in the hall.
"So what if they did all of that…'' David growled, taking off his glasses to rub his eyes. "Doesn't make them any less stingy. And the UN is right to punish them..."
With his head held high he placed his glasses back on before marching down the hall onto the second floor railing where he saw the last of the Chaldean personnel get off the jet. Alexei was conversing with one of them, Sherlock it looked like, as they began motioning with their hands.
"Heya David," Ban, a man from Denmark, smiled as he clapped the other on the back. "Let's go down there huh?"
'Right," he smiled, nodding to his fellow scientist before descending the stairs to meet the Chaldeans.
"David Shield, correct," a woman-no, this was the Sly Vitch Koyanskaya, asked as she approached.
"Yes."
"Good," she nodded before walking away.
"What the…" David asked before shaking his head.
"Oh yes," he heard Alexei gasping. "I meant to give this to your Vice Director, but here is one of the copies of the SYSTEM-MNEMOSYNE,' he handed over the flash drive that was distributed to all the top scientists! What the hell?!
"Thank you Mr. Petrov," Sherlock nodded as he pocketed the precious thing. "You have worked extensively with us in the past so we were hoping you were open to handing it back to us."
"Of course," Alexei smiled, waving it off like it was nothing to him. "How is Anastasia? She got seriously hurt when she tried to defend a small village a few weeks back, at least I heard."
"She is fine. On her way back to the front lines with Rasputin," Sherlock assured him. "She also wanted me to ask if you could come and look at the Russain outpost that heroes stay in? No one in chaldea is able to come at the moment and we have worked with you many times."
"Of course! I'll head out right after the meetings this week..unless it's serious," he asked.
"No, no," Sherlock shook his head. "Nothing more than some minor problems and some static that won't go away."
'Easy enough fix then," he nodded as David took in a deep breath.
When had Alexei gotten so close to them?
"I see that two people are missing," Ban spoke, eyeing them all. "Where is your Vice Director and Voyager?"
"They decided to take a walk around the pavilion for a bit before dinner tonight. They haven't the patience nor the mood for a meeting," Kingu brushed off. "My brother can be quite...angry, if he is thrust into a meeting without a period of rest."
"Kingu, why didn't you go with him," one of the Dioscuri twins, Castor, the most violent, demanded. "I thought you would so I didn't go!"
"I thought you were going," Kingu yelled.
"So all he has is Voyager," Castor yelled as his sister tried to calm him down.
The two began to squabble with one another as the others sighed in resignation. The two of them got closer and closer until they were practically face to face as they pushed one another, accusing the other of...something.
Static began to form around the two and the heroes stepped back as it looked like they were actually going to fight one another until...
"Silence," that was not a voice that was ever recorded.
All of them whipped around to see Goetia sitting on luggage, pulling his robes closer to him as he stared at Kingu. "He wants to be alone with Voyager for the day."
"Tch."
This was not going to be a fun month.
Melissa sighed as she looked to the hanger bay where the Chaldean heroes were no doubt assembling.
She couldn't help but feel as if something bad was going to happen between her father and the Vice Director...but she could only hope it was a feeling.
"Don't run in a place like this! You could accidentally run into another and plow them down," a voice yelled and Melissa could only giggle as she heard the father yelling at his child. "I am serious!"
"But it's so pretty here," the boy sounded sweet.
Melissa turned to leave, to allow them their fund before she felt someone ram into her side and she began to fall.
"OH FOR THE LOVE OF-" the father yelled before her wrist was grabbed and she was pulled up back onto her feet.
"Thank you,' she gasped, a bit jolted for the experience. She shook her head, taking note of the expensive shoes and slack pants. An executive?
"It's no problem, sorry. But Voyager is a bit excitable right now," the man sighed as she registered the other person.
Voyager? As in the….the Traveler of the Stars?
"Sorry," the boy murmured, his blonde hair windswept as he stared sadly at her. "It's fun to explore new places."
"But you don't need to run all the time! I have good stamina but I'm not like you," the man...no, the Vice Director sighed as he looked at the boy. "Sorry again about him. I hope you're not hurt," he smiled, offering a gloved hand to the girl. "Fujimaru Ritsuka."
"Me...Melissa Shield," she spoke up, accepting the hand.
"A pleasure, so...how about you help us get out of the pavilion," he clasped his hands together in a prayer movement. "I really want something to eat that's not plane food," he gave a shaky laugh as Voyager's stomach grumbled, the boy merely looking down before poking it.
"Hungry."
"What do you think I am trying to do," Fujimaru deflated as his stomach rumbled. "Ahahah…" he laughed awkwardly despite his rather formal attire.
His hair was slicked back, drawing attention to his rather youthful face and mesmerizing eyes that she was sure would glow in the darkness. His suit was a classic three piece with a white shirt, black vest and black jacket. His tie was a deep navy blue with a can on either end of the collar connecting to a Chaldean Symbol in the middle. He wore a trench coat over it with his black leather gloves.
He looked like a Salaryman father.
"I know a good cafe here that has great food and treats, as well as coffee," she offered.
"Ah, no coffee for me I'm afraid. I'm trying to detox," he coughed as Melissa laughed.
"They have some classic teas as well," she added on. "This Island is rife with coffee addicts so finding a place with good tea is a bit hard!"
"Thank you. I will buy you a drink as well, as thanks," he smiled, holding up a hand as she began to protest. "Please?"
"I….okay."
"Well then-Voyager," he snapped and Melissa looked down to see him beginning to rip out a rose bush. "Can you not do that?"
"But the roses…"
"I will buy you one...please don't get us in trouble," he sighed, placing a hand on his head as he looked at his…
"Is he your son," Melissa found herself asking out loud.
Both of them froze before they looked to one another and then back at her.
"I...I guess you could say so," Ritsuka nodded, smiling as he brought Voyager closer. "I have been closest to him since he came into Chaldea's care."
"Yes," Voyager nodded as Melissa smiled, she giggled as the boy latched onto Fujimaru's side, much to the others annoyance.
"Well then, let's head to that cafe," Melissa motioned them to follow as they began their trek to the cafe. "Is there anything you're curious about here on I-Island? I like to think I know almost everything about this place," she turned to smile at them.
"Well Voyager here was wondering if he would be allowed to observe the Space Exploration Unit," Ritsuka smiled as the boy vigorously nodded. "The robot went so far out into space and I'm afraid he's positively itching to get to that camera."
"Yeah," his eyes sparkled as Melissa jolted.
"Oh…" she quite as they turned to the street. "Umm...well...It was made public but not many people really cared so it wasn't given much thought. But that Space Exploration program was shut down a few years ago actually," she began.
"What,' Ritsuka asked as Voyager's face fell.
"Well...there wasn't much interest in it and quirks began to mutate and become more complex. So the focus and funding shifted from the exploration program to the genetics division," she shrugged, by that point they were outside the cafe. "The Exploration Leader fought long and hard to keep his funding, but my father had explained it to him that space held nothing for us as a whole right now," she shrugged. "Maybe in a few decades it might be picked up, but for now it was best to end it."
"I see," Ritsuka nodded, but his face showed nothing. "Now, let's all get out treats, no?"
It was silent as the trio went about ordering their desired items, Voyager oddly silent throughout the entire process as he got a milk drink and some ice cream.
"Master," he spoke, in a different language as Melissa turned to speak to a friend who had called her. "This is bad."
"What, you mean that the desire to know more about the cosmos is gone or that they are focusing on the betterment of themselves," he asked, placing his crepe down. "One could say that the study of genetics and mutations is a sign of progression for this humanity," he sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "So it's not all lost…"
"No...it's wrong," Voyager whimpered. "The hopes and dreams of those who created my technology...the hopes and dreams they passed onto me and the others who were to continue on the dream...crushed because it meant nothing to them!"
"Voyager," Ritsuka sighed. "I know it's sad...that humanity no longer reaches for the stars and the impossible...no longer wants to...but-"
"They deserve to be a lostbelt," Voyager spat, Ritsuka jolting back at his tone. "They study in the pursuit of perfection in a human...all the chaos in the beginning of quirks, the evolution of man? For what? Just to study their bodies even more to find the optimal limit and not reach beyond anything else?"
"You can't fault this world...we are here to defeat whoever brought us here. Reestablishing mana and the moral grey would be a bonus," Ritsuka hissed. "I agree, this world is stagnating in terms of progression in how it's allowing a cycle of heroes and villains. But we have no true say in how this Gaia works."
"All Might promotes a fake peace, a mortal symbol never works," he snapped, eyes glowing as he glowered at the thought of the man.
"I know."
"Once he dies, no one will live up to him-"
"I am well aware of what awaits when he dies and what awaits those that try and fill the role," Ritsuka glowered at the boy who silenced himself. "Not here and not now...And if you dare to say such a thing about the people here deserving such a horrific fate...I will not spare you my ire Voyager. No matter what you mean to me."
"Understood," he nodded as Melissa came back with a smile.
"Sorry! And thank you for the drink Mr. Fujimaru."
"It's no problem," he nodded. "You remind me of someone and...it feels nice to have a relaxing afternoon."
"Oh, you have a stressful job," she asked.
"My girl," he gave her a knowing look to which she gave a sheepish laugh. "Thank you for not being afraid...too much," he winked.
"I...I have a question about Chaldea," Melissa spoke up, Ritsuka stopping his cup right at his lips before sighing.
"Depending on what it is, I might not be able to answer," he informed her.
"I know...but...Is it true that Prince of Lanling and Mandricardio are a couple,' she yelled out before clamping her mouth shut. "Sorry!"
"Ummm…" Ritsuka was not expecting that. "That is...a surprising question...but not wrong," he finished off. "They have a complicated relationship that makes it seem abusive...but they are simply incompatible to the point they really want to make it work."
"Then it's true that the Dragon Hero Siegfried and the Hero of Charity Karna are in a relationship," she breathed.
"Yes, they are. Much to Arjuna's, Karna's brother, chagrin,' he laughed. "He tried to sabotage their dates so often that it's actually funny.
"Wow! So lots of love trouble in Chaldea?"
"You have no idea…"
CHALDEAN BRANCH, GREAT BRITAIN
"No, no, no," Merlin yelled as he caught sight of the Caster of Camlann. "I will not tolerate this," he yelped as Fran shocked him.
"Uggh," she groaned out, pointing to the man beside her. "Ugghg!"
"I will admit that I planned my appearance to be during a time without either of them is a bit of a low move, per say," the man began, pushing the woman behind him. "But I needed them both gone so I would be able to have a civil conversation," he coughed as the others rolled their eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. You also didn't want to have to explain why you're a Foreigner huh," Merlin grunted as he slammed his staff back into the ground. He was on edge since he was aware of what was inside of him.
"That as well," he nodded. "But I am afraid me and my companion are in desperate need of mana at the moment and our spirits forms aren't doing much to allow us to stay in this plane."
"You're in luck," Gawain smiled. "We finally managed to restock our mana supply so it's nearly full."
"Yes...I have to speak to them about the problem of Mana creation. Why are you all insisting on using humans to do it? You have the UN offering resources, and Moon Cell," he asked as he took the crystal. "And then...the Homunculi…"
"Huhhh," Merlin sighed. "The UN is stretching resources between our various outposts thin enough as it is," he began his explanation. "We have enough in that for emergency uses as they have to share electricity with other hero agencies."
"Of course…" The man murmured, hand on his chin as he thought about the situation at hand.
"As for Moon Cell...well it's in a bit of turmoil as of right now due to a mole so Human mana Crystals is the best we can do at the moment….And the Homunculi….well, we don't have enough resources to create perfect homunculi to last even as long as we need to have them be mana factories. Barely have enough to have them be of use for ourselves. The Ley Lines are pretty much dead and the UN is feeling the pressure from the HC and riots due to our behavior."
"I don't see why," the man huffed, smoothing his black hair back. "You don't kill nearly as many villains as the public assumes."
"But we still kill," Merlin shrugged as Gawain slumped. "And that's all they focus on."
"So they are forcing people to cut off your resources in the end," he asked.
'Pretty much," Merlin shrugged. "We did use electricity and Homunculi a few months ago, but then people started protesting and we lost quite a bit of funding. So we've had to resort to less than morally...sound ways to get mana. Which led to Master's mental breakdown when he spoke of it to Sherlock."
"This world wants Chaldea gone."
"And were used to it...but we can't afford it at the moment."
"I see...Well no use in-"
"We know," Merlin snapped, making the Foreigner silent. "That paying attention isn't' going to help us, but we can't help it when they are right on our doorsteps!"
"Indeed," Foreigner nodded. "Though I am here to help and I want to run things by you, Candidate," Merlin glowered at him before nodding. "Before we go any further."
'I'm obligated to show anything you give me to my master."
"I am well aware….and I am well aware that our newest Lancer friend has made contact with our master."
"I sensed someone powerful form a contract….I assume it's someone of great notoriety?"
"You could say that."
"Well, nothing to worry about now," Merlin shook his head. "What is it you wanted to speak of?"
"The Mnemosyne papers," he began. "It's the same as before, it's targeting your master."
"We figured that."
"And they seem to have a few nasties latched onto them without the Systems knowledge," he said as he held up a small piece of paper.
"No way…"
"Indeed."
LATER THAT DAY, I-ISLAND
"You must be David Shield," a clack and a smug voice had the man turning around and repressing a grimace.
Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"Vice Director," he inclined his head, moving to close the file in his hand as the other walked up to him with a swagger of someone who knew something they shouldn't.
"Have you found SYSTEM-MNEMOSYNE interesting," he smiled as David grinded his teeth together. "I would assume so since you are holding onto it liek a bag of money."
'Indeed. I am trying to figure out it's functions," he smiled. "It's a very complex machine."
"Don't bother," he brushed off with a self satisfied smile. "It's meant to work with other Chaldean Specifics tech. So most of its functions won't make a lick of sense," he shrugged, not seemingly caring about the anger he was giving David.
"Then I guess you're here to allow us access finally?"
"No, we're getting our tech back," he turned, smiling as the moonlight shone behind him. "Why would we ever share Chaldean tech with you people?"
"Do you realize how much your tech could help heroes? Save their lives and their careers," David pressed, hands balled up into fists as the vice director leaned on his cane. "The amount of good it could do-"
"What tech are you talking about," Ritsuka demanded, eyes sharp as he assessed the scientist.
"You know what I'm speaking of! Self teleportation devices that allow your heroes to get out of tough situations! Organ regeneration and super healing tech that does not rely on quirk," he explained.
"Oh," Ritsuka hummed before he shook his head. "I see. That's the tech you want." He laughed.
Laughed.
"Is this a joke to you," David accused. "People's lives?"
"No it's not, of that I can assure you," Ritsuka snorted, standing up. "But I will let you in on one thing."
"And what is that," he demanded.
"To you, you can be the hero's hero," Ritsuka spread his hands like he was explaining something magnificent. "Creating tech that saves them and civilians….you are the one that wants to be a hero."
"What are you going on about?"
"Then there are the ones that just want to make money," Ritsuka pressed. "You're the one that chooses to see the good and only the good. To some, this is their cash cow. I-Island is as much a business as another. You are just choosing to ignore it, on surface level. But deep down you know that to others this is a gold mine for them."
"The people here aren't like that!"
"Really? You're a millionaire if I'm not wrong," Ritsuka smiled. "After all, all those creations-"
"Shut your mouth! I do what I do for the betterment of humanity!"
Ritsuka turned silent as he looked at the man, hands falling back down to his side as he mulled over that sentence. Finally he turned to lock eyes with David, a deadly glint only seem in predators as they caught their prey, was in his eyes.
"What would you know about what's good for Humanity or not? What have you faced to decide that?"
"A lot more than you think. I know a man who is ten times the person you are-"
"I don't doubt that," Ritsuka snorted. "I'm not trying to be a good person. I'm simply trying to run my organization to the best of my abilities. Even then I don't expect to be the most ethical person...but I pride myself on being fair."
"You're only the Vice Director, you should know your place and not usurp power," David yelled, smiling as he saw he managed to make the other shut up.
"You want to know the reason that chaldea came to I-Island after months of being asked," Ritsuka suddenly asked, making David more annoyed.
"You mean after you forced nearly all top scientists and staff to sign ND's," he growled. "What do you have to hide? What could you possibly hide."
"Oh nothing. Were not here to offer you anything or even speak on our tech," he brushed his hair back. "It's more of a precaution to make sure you don't spill the identity of the Director."
"He's not even here," David snarled. "Too much of a coward to go up against his Vice."
"You called me an usurper," Ritsuka ignored the jab as he sauntered up to the man. "But you're wrong," he whispered. "The Director is no coward, because if he is not a coward. In fact he hates when people assume that the Vice Director tries to nab power...so...TV movie villain….so that's why there is no Vice Director."
David was silent as it sunk in.
"No...no way...YOU," he yelled, stepping back as the smirking face of the Vice...no or the Director of Chaldea faced him.
"You have to love Non-Disclosures. And I know you're too much of an honorable man to disclose the information anywhere..that and you break it you lose your place here on the Island and you can't help All Might anymore," he shrugged. "Best keep that in mind."
"Why even reveal it," David demanded. "Why tell me this in the first place"
"Didn't you hear what I said," Ritsuka sighed. "You," he pointed to David as his face turned to horror. "Reveal it. You lose your place here and then...you're not a thorn in my side."
"This whole thing was about forcing me into silence and submission isn't it," David accused. "Get your tech back and chain me down."
"That's one way to look at it," Ritsuka nodded. "I really just want that tech back...forcing you into silence is just a bonus I guess."
"You're a monster."
"I guess," he shrugged. 'But the world is all about business," he smiled. "And I know how to play that game. Do you?"
He gave a chuckle before he left, cane and shoes tapping on the floor as he entered the elevator and smiled once more. He locked eyes with David who felt his whole world shift in that moment.
This wasn't someone to mess with, but his gaze was just making David want to go against him. Prove him wrong.
Only when the doors closed and he no longer felt locked by those eyes did the scientist begin to curse the world.
"Come out," Ritsuka murmured as his Shadow began to morph into another being. "Hello Cursed Arm."
'Master," he inclined his head, Ritsuka moving to hit the emergency stop andfully turn to him. "I have an interesting Report from Captain Nemo."
"What is the basis of this report?"
"Galahad and his current master."
"Is he who I think he is," his voice shook and Cursed Arm knew that his master was in a hight vulnerable state at the moment. "Is he?"
'Master...did you perhaps have some sort of feelings for him...despite never knowing him," Cursed Arm decided to ask instead of answering.
"Archiemdes told me once...that had I not loved Doctor...I would have loved him. That possibility allowed for me to feel things for a man who I was sure was my enemy…" he sighed, leaning against the wall of the elevator.
"Master…"
"I don't know why he continues to hide. But no longer impede what he intends to do. If its to help us then so be it," he commanded. "Leave me be for the moment."
"Understood. Me and my Kin shall go back to preparing a distraction to get the flashdrives back," he bowed again.
"Make sure no one is hurt or killed in the chaos. I don't want this to be a major event. Bug the computers or make an accident happen," he warned.
"Understood. We will ensure that no one is harmed or killed in our efforts to obtain the flashdrives back."
"Good, now go," he sighed, straightening himself up as the man vanished. With a swallow of the lump in his throat he switched the emergency stop off and murmured a single word.
"Crypter…."
LOCATION UNKNOWN
"Your getting a bit ahead of yourself you know," a sugary voice greeted Alter Ego who merely smiled in response.
"Foreigner," he giggled, moving away from the spying orb he was using to turn to her. "I see that you are a bit bored as of late."
"Well, collecting those damned papers can only create so much entrainment," she scoffed, rolling her eyes as she looked from the small table he occupied to the shikigami around him. "What are you doing?'
"Merely spying on the one I wish to speak to," he grinned, turning back tot he now clear orb before sighing. "Though he seems to be aware that someone is tailing him at the moment."
"The Master of Chaldea is not a fool," she hummed, picking up a small dragon piece he made in his free time. "He's not going back to UA after the Expo."
"The pressure of the International Commissions and the UN have become too much I presume?"
"Oh...it's practically crushing them darling," she smiled. "That man in...oh...what country was it again? Oh yes, the man in Germany is particularly making traction against the Norse and German branches of Chaldea."
"Really," he hummed.
"I have a video," she pulled the tablet they used to communicate with All For One closer. "Here we go," she giggled after logging in to her browser.
"Quite the crowd…"
"Tell me, for how long must society suffer and live in fear of the horrid organization known as Chaldea? They are little more than a congregation of rouges, renegades, and ruffians who take advantage of the enormous clout that their humanitarian efforts afford them. It is plain to see that these so-called 'heroes' will continue to abuse the position they have strategically maneuvered themselves into, wholly confidant that they are all but untouchable!" The man was obviously passionate as he turned his head from side to side, his arms making so many movement's it might have looked like he was making secret symbols had he not been a regular human.
"Well...he's quite uninformed," Alter Ego hummed. "Chaldea is untouchable. We're the only real threats to them in the end, but I chalk that up to their simply quirk oriented minds."
"Oh your giving them too much credit," Foreigner rolled her eyes. "All For One and All Might might...MIGHT...have a chance of hurting Servants. But they won't last past one of them. Especially Chaldea's brood, they say an old dog can't learn new tricks...unless the master is the puppy then they can."
"I agree. They are resourceful, because they want to get back to their master...and the warmth he gives."
"It makes sense. Which is why only the really battle crazy servants are out doing 'real hero work'," she gagged at the phrase she said. "While the others are off on missions and helping the misfortunate."
"I also must say, those people where suffering..it was painful to see them so. So much so I was prepared to go out myself and help them," Alter Ego commented, moving to make his orb show the people Chaldea was currently helping. "They where all going to die without aide...but then again Politicians don't help those who are simply a 3rd world country without any real power."
"No need to get all political," Foreigner rolled her eyes before playing the video again.
"Among you are those who would turn a blind eye to the wretched acts they perform on a daily basis, but that does not change the fact that these atrocities are being committed!" the man yelled as he slammed his fist against the podium. "When I gaze upon our current administration, all I see is corruption, and collusion with those who would seek the destruction of society! Chaldea has forced us into a state of dependence, where when there comes a time that they will cut-off all support, our civilization will be bleeding from the wounds they quietly inflicted against us! Now is not the time to remain indecisive! Now is not the time to defend them for the good they have done! Now is not the time to allow them free-reign over our governments!"
"Ho...he seems to be trying to raise them up against Chaldea and strike when they are weakest,' he observed.
"All Fujimaru would need to do is release Kingprotea and Paul Bunyon to defend Chaldea and the population would be severely deprived of heroes," Foreigner rolled her eyes. "And honestly, what is this? A conspiracy theory? Fujimaru, as much as he is intelligent and powerful? He has no interest in creating a unified nation. He's more at home being a shut in than in the public eye."
"Which is both good and bad for us. Good he'd rather be a shut in, meaning his predictable in his habits when he's able to get home...bad because he's always protected," Alter Ego sighed.
"Ah! My favorite part," she crooned, turning up the volume as the man began spitting out his last leg of his speech.
"NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO STAND IDLY BY, WHILE THESE ANARCHISTS STAND BACK AND WATCH AS OUR WORLD BURNS BECAUSE OF THEIR ACTIONS! Chaldea is a nest of monsters masquerading as man! So I ask you, good people, what are we to do about this?!" Throwing out his arms in a grand display, the man cried ever louder. "We must do what humanity has always done when faced with monsters who wish us dead! Like Beowulf who slew the savage kin of Grendel, Perseus who beheaded the dreadful Medusa, and Minamoto-no-Raikou who stormed Mount Ooe with his fearsome retainers, and brought an end to the tyranny of the demons who called that place home, we must do as they once did!"
"WE MUST RID OUR WORLD OF THE MONSTERS IN OUR MIDST!"
"Idiot," Alter Ego sighed. 'Doesn't he realize that the very people he said that slew monsters are the very people who are helping them now?"
"I doubt it," Foreigner smirked, placing the tablet to the side. "This hasn't reached Fujimaru's ears yet, but I am sure he will be fuming when it does."
"That detective, Fujiwara? He's done good to throw Fujimaru off his footing only slightly, but not enough," Ego admitted, leaning back into the cushion of his chair with a smile. "Have you noticed though...our master? He knows something?"
"You think he's figured out our true names," Foreigner blinked in surprised, turning to Alter Ego who shrugged.
"He's wary around the Borgia siblings and Barca for good reason," he began. "The Borgia sibling aren't known for loyalty to anything other than themselves and they only decided to join us because he was interesting," he scoffed, pushing his white hair back. "Barca..well he's an old man but he still craves adventure and plotting. Those three work a little too well together in my opinion."
"Oh, I don't trust them in the slightest," Foreigner shrugged sitting down as the shikigami began to float around them preparing tea. "It's that caster I am afraid of...even with my extra little friend…"
"She's been too silent for my comfort," Alter Ego admitted as he grabbed the pot. "She hasn't done anything and according to the Borgia's who where with her when we first materialized in this world...she has a penchant for going off the rails when she decides it time…"
"It's been over 6 months since we teamed up...she hasn't done a damned thing!"
"That's why I'm worried. Not only that, but the independent group? The one searching for the grail fragments?" He scoffed, biting his lip.
"What about them," Foreigner slammed her cup down as she growled out the question.
"I fear they are getting close at the moment...I'm trying to put cloaking magic over all of Japan but finding the fragment will cause us many problems," he admitted. "It seems their determined to create as little problems for Chaldea as possible and have been doing a damn good job of it."
"Damn it!"
"Then the problem with Galahad and his master…"
"The former crypter?"
"Yes...they seem intent on helping Chaldea and I fear that it will cause us more trouble. Reports show that they are trying to meet up with Ritsuka's pest recently…"
"And he'll come whining to All For one when they do meet…"
"Indeed…"
The two servants sat in silence in the dark room, stewwing over the information that they shared with one another. Unsure of what they should plan next.
It was raining as a man with a very familiar charred suitcase rushed to a bar at the edge of a lonely alleyway. With a sigh and a shake of his person, he grabbed the handle to the bar.
Walking into the privately-owned bar, the detective set down the remains of his charred briefcase next to the entrance before making his way over to the bar. It was still early in the day, so he was currently the one of only two customers, not that the place got many visitors to begin with.
"So, how'd it go?" the person sitting at the bar asked before taking a sip of their drink. "Looks like they roughed you up a bit." He motioned to the wrapped up finger and the charred suitcase the man held on him, Arata could only sigh.
The detective let out a small huff of exhaustion. "About as well as I thought it would go." he answered as he sat down and waved the bartender over. "Shot of whiskey please."
"I take it that you didn't get your evidence?"
He shook his head. "No, but I never really expected to succeed in that endeavor regardless. I went there with a much more subtle objective in mind." He accepted the drink with a nod of his head and quickly took a sip, allowing it's burning amber to scorch his throat.
"That being?"
Taking a breath, Arata thought back on his interactions with Ritsuka Fujimuru. "That brat has no real concern for the rest of the world. It's not that he is ignorant to all the problems his organization is causing, he just couldn't care less, because none of those problems have any effect against them. He's comfortable in the fact that Chaldea is untouchable, and it is so damn infuriating."
Noticing the faint growl of anger in the detective's voice, the man chuckled. "That bad?" He grabbed a towel and began to wipe down the glasses from the night before.
"He didn't own up to a single accusation. Forget about taking responsibility for their actions, they simply treat it as if they are the ones in the right and give us irrelevant excuses. Ritsuka is the sin of Pride personified... And I will utilize that pride against him." He slammed his glass down onto the counter, ingoing the tinkling of ice and the shape breath of the other person.
"You have a plan in mind?"
"There is a fine line between arrogance and confidence. People who are arrogant are often delusional, and can't even fathom the idea that they may be in the wrong. That kind of thing is hard to deal with, often requiring one to resort to force to knock some sense into them. Confidence is a different beast altogether, as it is much easier to mess with. The kid is confident, but masks it as arrogance. When I talked with him, I was fully intent on shaking that confidence he has. It may have only been for a brief moment, but his confidence wavered. All it took was that single moment of weakness for doubt to creep into his mind; 'Am I in the wrong?'. Naturally he recovered, but the damage was done." Arata allowed himself a small smile, but deep down he was worried.
Would it stick? Or had he wasted his time.
"You planted a seed of doubt in his mind? Hoping that enough stress will cause him to slip-up?"
Taking a sip of his own drink, the detective grinned. "'A planted seed will grow'. Keep putting pressure on them, and eventually he will screw up enough that I can take advantage of it."
"Give a man enough rope, and he might just hang himself with it."
The second man, clothes in the shadows of the bar, looked up from his wine to see the two speaking. He looked back down before grabbing his phone, shaking his head as the man spoke of taking Fujimaru Ritsuka down.
A seed of doubt he may have planted, but it will never stick; it's simply not his nature anymore.
It's human nature.
And Fujimaru Ritsuka is anything but human anymore.
The door jangled again, Galahad making his way over to him as the detective and bar man continued to converse.
"It's funny what you can learn from people so...determined to bring others down," he murmured as the Shielder sat down.
"How so?"
"He called Ritsuka the sin of Pride...I say he's simply someone who's been a victim of it," he whispered, taking his wine and sipping it with a thoughtful face. "A victim of the pride of many, of Goetia and the Crypters...of the Association and many, many more."
'It doesn't change the fact that he's become a right ass," Galahad grunted as he motioned for a drink. "Allowed something to get into his head."
"Are you saying that because he refused to acknowledge you a few weeks ago when he spotted you," his master hummed. "You should know his behavior towards you is not without past history."
"Whatever," Galahad grumbled, taking the drink with a slight nod before the man went back to the other. "What else did they say?"
"Perhaps if a rope is thrown to the boy he might fashion himself a noose," he hummed.
"I'd say he already has one around his neck ready to go," Galahad shrugged, staring down into his drink before sighing. "I scouted Seraphix. Everyone is gone or in the residential area. They're expecting us. And they already know what we're doing."
"Of course," his master smiled. "I wouldn't expect anything less from the one I hoped would surpass me."
"He already knows who you are by this point," Galahad sighed, leaning back. "It makes sense when I said that I was temporarily contracted to you….Why continue to hide and keep up this farce?"
"I guess it is something I've always wanted to do...though I am bad about hiding my identity," he laughed, pushing his long blonde hair back. "Thinking back...I do remember seeing him that first day, scared as Olga slapped him…"
"He was a human back then. He's a mage now,' Galahad sniffed.
"He's still better than a mage. He wants to go home, Galahad. Do not mistake his coldness of these people as something akin to a mage. He has no confidence, no matter what you think sir," they turned to look at Arata who was glowering at them.
'So you work with Fujimaru," he demanded.
"Contrary. I tried to kill him not too long ago," Galahad could only sigh as his master spoke.
"Master-"
"Your master is Fujimaru Ritsuka. I'm only a proxy for now," he shushed the Shielder.
"If you are here to finish the job. I can pay you well-"
"I'm here to help him actually. You're nothing more than a child that doesn't understand. And yes, Chaldea doesn't explain everything and yes it is annoying. Understand it is for the benefit of you and the world."
"That's arrogance."
'That's common sense," he scoffed. "I'll let you in on a secret out of courtesy that I show all my opponents and adversaries when they go up against something truly...special.."
"And what's that," Arata demanded, eyes narrowing as he went to use his quirk but a look from the other had him stopping.
"You have this idea that you where able to shake Fujimaru up...make him question himself...but you couldn't be further from the truth. You don't know the dangers he's faced, and true manipulators he's had to fight and work with," the man explained. "He's constantly doubting himself and is always sure of himself. So your words did little more than be a passing comment that he's heard before. You hold the idea that you are special, being able to go into Chaldea and speak powerful words to shake the powerful director...but you're not special. You're not a threat. To Fujimaru or even me."
"Your all the same, underestimating us all-"
"You don not know what we have faced. What we have done," the man ground out, eyes wide as he glowered down at the detective.
"Weren't you his enemy? Why the change of heart now? What makes him so good?"
"Trying to turn me against Ritsuka is not going to work, because in the end we are one in the same. If he fell during Grand Order and I did not then our roles would simply have been switched I feel," he stood up. "No...I know it."
"If you're so buddy buddy with him now how come you're hiding?"
'Oh...I won't be for long," he smiled. "I feel as if you should know my name. If we are to butt heads, then again Ritsuka and I are far above such things."
"Arata Fujiwara."
The blonde man smiled as he swept past, his white cloak following him as Galahad trailed behind.
"Krischtaria Wodime," the man smiled. "Keep that in mind when I am the one saving you from your arrogance and your pride."
"I'd say no, saving you wouldn't be worth it...but having a favor from you might be useful," Galahad commented before the door closed.
Arata could only curse when his leg finally stopped shaking.
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