Author's Notes: Hello, eveyone. This is a new series I hope to continue. I'm back after very extensive workshopping and training to become a writer. In any case, this series of snippets is about multiple characters having alternate versions dropped into Rhodes Island. When I say alternate versions, it's like FGO's style of introducing the Alters. However, this is MUCH more plot heavy than that. At least, I hope. These are operators who chose a different path in life, or chose another option in a critical decision. Some reacted differently in a situation, or pure chance allowed a fateful meeting that changed their lives forever. One way or another, this is another road to them. Another path.
Another Destiny.
DD Shining had quite the startling difference from RI's own Shining. There was a 'blanket' of gloom and death surrounding her, an aura that fills anyone caught in it with dread. Further enhancing this was the strange, hate-filled sword she was always carrying in one hand.
Yet, despite the pervasiveness of this negativity, the operators who went to field with her always speak of feeling safe whenever they stare at her back. It seems that this Shining has decided to take up her sword once more but only to protect those under her command, her blade never shedding blood more than it needs to.
It is unknown when the divergence occurred, but what she said in her conversation with Dr. Kal'tsit hints a far bloodier past than our own's…along with her reaction to seeing one of the classified mission's survivors.
"Doctor, I may not be proud of the things I have done, but I shall continue to atone and preserve life by protecting all those I hold dear. Command me, my blade is yours. " - DD Shining
Amiya gently set the papers on her desk, her gaze resting upon the profile of Shining.
'That other Shining…there is so much still that we don't know. How did she get here? Well, that's obvious, but how did a hole in reality even form, and in here of all places?'
-0-0-0-0-
That day was hectic. She was on her break, having gone to the Columbian café on the second floor for some much needed caffeine. All of a sudden however, an alarm blared throughout the facility. It had a low warbling whine, cutting off every 3 seconds and resuming 2 seconds later. As the leader of Rhodes Island who wrote most of the alarm codes, she instantly knew what it meant.
'Intruder alert, unknown anomaly..!?' Amiya stood up and ran, fishing out a tablet from her coat.
"PRTS, sitrep and location please!
Unknown anomaly meant that it was a situation or scenario that Doctor, Kal'tsit, or herself hadn't prepared a contingency for. Considering that one is a tactical genius/paranoid ("Was I really that bad?" "Unfortunately.") and that they have something prepared for a zombie apocalypse of all things, it was a terrifying thought.
"An unknown female individual has been spotted in the unused third depot on the first floor. The individual in question is laying down on the ground, presumably unconscious. The anomaly seems to be a two dimensional oval with glowing particles. Shall I contact the Medics and the Guards to accompany you?"
"Yes, please do so." 'Oval..?'
"Affirmative. Operators Shining and Blaze are on their way."
Once she arrived in front of the unused depot, she saw the aforementioned operators waiting. The alarms had been halted a while ago by Kal'tsit who oversaw the lockdown of facilities, leaving a silent hallway devoid of any signs of life.
Amiya stared at the door. She prepared her Arts, black aura engulfing her hands.
"Blaze, take point. Shining and I will support you from the back in case the person is hostile. On my mark."
"Aye, aye boss!" Shining merely nodded.
One mississippi , two mississippi, three…
"Now!"
Blaze wrenched the gate open, the chainsaw's buzzing echoing throughout the room. Experienced eyes scanned the room for the individual and anomaly.
The depot's interior was bare of any equipment, though the dust-free floor and smudge-less walls indicated that it was regularly cleaned. The fluorescent lights were turned off to preserve electricity. Despite that, light still filled the room, and its source was the…thing at the back.
The sight made Amiya's eyes itch. It was an oval that looked like it was even blacker than vantablack. The only way she was able to determine the shape was due to the purple outline. It floated from the floor, maybe a foot or so, and glowing a kaleidoscope of colors, akin to lava lamps that she had seen before.
She slowly strafed to the other side of the oval, gesturing to the other operators to check on their intruder. Amiya flinched when the moment she moved to a perpendicular position to the oval, it disappeared. A cursory glance from another angle proved that it was still there. PRTS's info about it being two dimensional was entirely accurate it seems.
She cautiously approached the oval. 'Hole' seems to be more appropriate than 'oval' since it had an indescribable depth to it. It was like staring at infinity, going backwards while running forward, multipleTimElinesPaRRallelWOrlds.
EVeryThingnOthingBEGInningOrIGinFaBriCofSPACETIME—
"What the hell!?" Blaze's exclamation knocked Amiya out of her thoughts spiraling downwards to madness. Her legs lost strength, making her fall on her backside.
'That…was weird.' Shaking her head, she turned to Blaze, wondering what the problem was. Blaze had her finger pointed at Shining, occasionally switching targets to the intruder. Shining herself was in shock, apparently very confused at what they found.
Amiya got up and walked over. As soon as she saw the intruder's face, she gasped.
Lying on the ground, eyes closed, numerous injuries across her body and covered with a familiar black cloak, was the face of none other than Shining herself.
-0-0-0-0-
That was three days ago, and the person in question hasn't woken up. Despite her initial misgivings, Shining still healed her lookalike. The person in question had the same cloak as Shining, although with a slight reddish tint to it. She also had a sword and scabbard attached to her hip. When they pulled it out, there were some stains of reddish fluid("What happened..?") along its edge. Contrary to what they expected, the weapon was still sharp and shiny as if it was fresh off the forge.
Strangely, Shining had a look of disgust and sympathy upon sighting the blade.
The technical experts in Rhodes Island went to examine the hole in the depot, and their findings were disturbing. According to Closure, it was "the closest we'll ever get to an actual hollow singularity rotating at high velocity." Mayer, seeing the leaders' blank faces, sighed and gave a dumbed-down explanation.
"Simply put, it's a portal. We haven't focused much on quantum mechanics, so I can't give any accurate info, but I'm pretty sure that this accesses places throughout time, space, and in-between."
While the uproarious laughter from the Doctor was unwarranted and unfitting of the situation at all, seeing him so happy since his recent revival uplifted her mood and brought a smile.
And if her smile became a bit wider when Kal'tsit slapped the back of Hiero's head who himself had an unrepentant grin, well, no one was there to witness it.
Still, the implications were disturbing. All signs point towards the person they recovered as an alternate version of Shining. The only hole left would be what the intruder would say her name was. If she recognized them…
'It will prove those theories, as well as leave us with more problems.' Amiya sighed.
Her tablet buzzed on the desk. Activating her device, she saw a message from Warfarin.
"Our guest is awake."
-0-0-0-0-
"Amiya? Kal'tsit? What brings you here? I don't think I've done anything to warrant a visit from you two." The bedridden woman chuckled good-naturedly. Unbeknownst to her, the words she uttered solidified the ongoing theory that she WAS Shining.
Their accent was identical and, according to Warfarin, their DNA is exactly the same. There were some differences, however, in their bearings. The Shining that they were used to had her guilt used as fuel for the fire that was her determination to save lives whenever possible.
This one wore hers like a cloak, the sadness permeating throughout the room and easily felt by its occupants. Despite that, there was a resolve in her eyes and surety in her actions, more so than their own Shining. That her presence was eerily similar to Hellagur's did not help.
"Erm, what was the last thing you remembered?" Amiya asked.
"Doctor Hiero had me, Projekt Red, and a few other non-infected personnel to escort a sensitive cargo." She said in a clipped, military tone. "There was a Reunion ambush along the way. The other units defended the cargo while Red and I dealt with their casters. Speaking of which, have you seen my sword?"
"It's been cleaned, don't worry. We'll return it you after your rest." Kal'tsit replied.
"Wait a moment, you personally went after the casters and killed them?"
"Yes?" A tone of confusion colored her voice. "It's what you have always done, haven't you? It's well within my capabilities."
Concerned azure eyes met stoic emerald ones. A moment later, they turned back to the bedridden operator.
"What happened next?"
"There was one caster left after the others rounded up the ones who attacked the cargo. The caster produced an originite prime from their cloak. Due to my previous…experience…I recognize the technique she was using. A desperate attack by someone with nothing left to lose." She gripped her blanket tightly.
"I tried to get to the caster, but I was too late. The most I could do was put up a shield between me and the originite, then leaping away so the others won't get caught in it. The explosion knocked me out. The next memory I had was waking up here; I guess the other people survived. I'm glad." She sighed softly, but with a smile that gave away her relief.
"That's all you can remember? No glowing holes or anything floating around?"
"I'm afraid that's all I recall. What's the problem?"
Doctor Hiero, who had, up to this point, held his silence, spoke up.
"I believe you are not in the place you knew anymore, Shining." The operator looked at him, and chuckled softly.
"You are getting better, Doctor, though your jokes need improvement." At that, he deflated and looked crestfallen. Only Kal'tsit's intervention prevented any case of it being treated as a joke.
"I'm afraid he is telling the truth, Shining. As unfortunate as it may be." Shining simply raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Where is your proof, then?" Her tone broke no arguments. Be truthful, or be treated like a lunatic.
"Here." Shining stepped out from behind the curtains used to give privacy to patients. The Shining on the bed looked stunned at the sight of her.
"I am your proof."
-0-0-0-0-
It had taken some time for explanation to conclude. Doctor Hiero summed it up in the end.
"In short, that explosion, somehow, knocked you off your world and landed in ours."
Succinct, to the point, dramatic, and makes the recipient gape is the Doctor's bread and butter, at the expense of his colleagues.
The other Shining requested some time alone, to take everything in and think things through. Amiya reassured her that whatever she decides, Rhodes Island would still take care of her like they always had.
After that was the meeting. The three most important people of R.I. argued and debated on what should they do with her going forward. They agreed that having Closure and some select physicists study the portal is a top priority, for there to be a chance of sending her home. The three probably wouldn't be able to stop Closure from inspecting "the greatest find of the century", anyway.
Then came the naming for her. Kal'tsit proposed that they just call her Shining Alter, although Hiero shot that down saying that it was demeaning her experiences which was obviously different from their own Shining. That, and he said "it would infringe on copyright agreements!"
Whatever that meant.
Personally, Amiya thought that it was too mechanical and didn't sound good. In her opinion, names need to be memorable and has meaning.
It seems that Doctor shares the same opinion, since he immediately proposed "Distorted Destiny Shining", or DD Shining for short. The acronym was catchy, she mused.
Outnumbered, Kal'tsit groaned and penned down "Different Destiny Shining/DD Shining". She reasoned out that "distorted" was too heavy of a word and this is much more accurate. She glared at the two of them, not that the celebrating Hiero noticed. She just chuckled nervously; Kal'tsit might be a bit rougher next check-up they had.
The tactician gave an interesting question, though. "If she chooses to stay with us, will we be able to use her as an Operator?"
"Probably. She'll go public anyway, due to Mayer's involvement with the portal. However, we need to fabricate some of the story ourselves."
"I think it would be better if DD Shining's existence only made public among our staff and operators. The actual public doesn't need to know." Kal'tsit nodded.
"All of that is dependent on DD Shining accepting being under our command. You two should know about my stance on free will." Amiya pointed out. While it would be amazing for her to join their operators again, it is understandable if she has any reservations about it, considering the fact that they weren't HER Rhodes Island.
"Alright, any more pressing concerns?" The other two shook their heads.
Amiya closed her eyes and sighed.
"Meeting adjourned."
-0-0-0-0-
The day after, they visited DD Shining. She was still hooked up to an IV bag, although she was visibly much brighter and stronger.
"Good afternoon Amiya, Doctor." Only the two were available at the time due to the green-eyed woman having to handle the debriefing of all personnel about the sudden alarm four days before.
Surprisingly, Shining was there as well, holding the previously recovered sword and sheathe.
"Good afternoon to you too, DD Shine." At her questioning look, he laughed. "It's the call sign we made for you. Can't exactly confuse you two in the midst of a battle. Heads would roll, literally."
"What Doctor means is that, should you choose to join us again, that will be your call sign. The full version is 'Different Destiny Shining'." That brought a smile to the two's faces.
"I assume that it was the Doctor who came up with that?"
"Yes, unfortunately." Her upturned lips betrayed her disapproving tone.
"Wha-even my leader is turning against me! Ah, woe betide me, for my precious bunny girl has been revealed a traitor." Everyone laughed, even as Amiya blushed a bright red.
It took them a while to calm down, fighting down giggles that threatened to surface.
"So, what are you doing here Shining?" The smile on her face was replaced with a somber frown.
"I…wanted to know at what point did she decide to take up her sword again. I was angry at first," the white-haired woman admitted. "That she broke our promise to ourselves, to never cause death as we had done before."
"What happened then?" Amiya took a sit on one of the chairs littering the room, pulling a second one next to her for Hiero.
DD Shining smiled sadly.
"When I was still part of the Followers, we were on our way to Rhodes Island to secure treatment for Nightingale. Along the way, we encountered some of your people in a firefight against some rogue Reunion forces."
'So far, the timeline matches up. I still remember those three charging into the fray, healing wounded operators and providing cover for them to retreat.' Amiya thought fondly.
"We were doing just fine at first. We were pushing them back, while the people we healed covered our rear. But, their leader gave a horrifying order." She growled.
""Kill them all! These traitors must die for their sins against the Infected!" he screamed, rushing forward with a grenade to a nearby guard. Fortunately, Nearl managed to tackle the guard far enough that he only lost an arm." She began to clutch herself, shaking uncontrollably.
"Every single one of the enemy rushed forward with desperate screams and grenades clutched at their hands. Body parts flew everywhere, and we couldn't be at many places at once to save everyone." Her breath hitched.
Shining had stone-cold face on, looking for all the world as if she wasn't hearing anything. Amiya know her though, and she can see all the signs that she was being affected deeply.
The Doctor himself gripped his pants with a white-knuckled grip. It was a nightmare scenario, one that he hoped he wouldn't get to experience through his alleged brilliance.
"Another crazed Reunion member ran at me. I was healing a person at the time, and we had no time to run. He threw me aside and told me to run while he holds off the suicidal rush. I…" DD Shining took a deep breath. "I couldn't let that happen. I took up the staff to help stave off death and protect what life remains, but what use is that if the enemy conspires to extinguish the flame I worked so hard to grow and heal?" She took the sword and sheathe from Shining's unresponsive hands.
"I drew my sword and slew the crazed bomber. He was not the only to fall from my blade at that battle. For every life I took, I saved another. For every light that grew dim, two more stood resolutely at my back to combat the darkness. That's why I made a new promise to myself."
She stared at all of them with bright eyes. Resolve burned within them; what was once an ember surged into a blazing inferno. The gloom and guilt that surrounded her like armor dispersed, replaced with determination and the pure fervor to bring salvation.
"No longer will I stand by as others die around me, my sword shall make sure of it. My blade shall only taste blood in defense of the ones I cherish. Thus, I preserve and protect life." Shining suddenly stood up, but Amiya and Hiero were too stunned to react.
"Y-You invoked our Creed!?" DD Shining nodded.
"I did. It might serve a different purpose than yours, but the tenet still remains the same. Preserve and protect life." Her last words were accompanied by a soft glow. Amiya felt safe in this aura, as if she was back in the presence of her parents.
Shining sat down, slack jawed and eyes wide. It took a while before they regained their wits.
"So…" The Doctor began, "will you join us? Frankly, we could use the firepower you can bring on the field." DD Shining nodded.
"I don't know if I can serve as one of the heavy-hitters," Shining smiled gently, "but I'm sure I can reduce the damage incurred by my fellow Operators."
"Then we have a deal then, Operator DD Shining."
"Glad to be back on board, Doctor. My blade is yours." Doctor Hiero and Amiya looked at each other, and smiled. That was a lot of information, and they finally knew the divergence point.
Recruiting a Support Guard was a nice bonus too. Hiero wondered about the numerous risky strategies that he can now implement with her help.
As they turned to leave, DD Shining shouted, "Wait!"
Her hand was outstretched, lips quivering.
"I have mentioned Nightingale, but none of you reacted visibly. I…My Nightingale fell into a coma a few months after the fight while in the Ark." Shining's eyes widened at this, and turned around fully.
"They said that her body was somehow in deep sleep mode all the time. However, the brain damage she had before was just gone. There were still Originium particles floating in her system, but she just won't wake up." She didn't notice Shining moving closer to her.
"I-Is she the same here? Is she still in a coma?"
"She's awake here. However, she still has the brain damage that causes her problems." DD Shining breath hitched, tears began dripping from her eyes.
"So she's still…" She wiped at her eyes. "I'm glad. It's been so long without her support. I, just, miss her. " Shining hugged the other woman.
"I miss her too, when she was complete and free. We must not lose hope." Tears began to fall from her eyes as well. "Eventually, she'll be back." DD Shining's arms hesitated, but moved to engulf the other in her arms.
Amiya tried to move closer, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. She peered up at the Doctor, who shook his head. Quietly, they left the room.
The two Sarkaz medics held each other in the silence of the ward. One kills to protect, while the other heals to save.
No matter the difference of their paths, they'll still hold hope, for it is the basis of their Creed. Save and protect as many lives as they can, so that the future will shine bright with their fire.
Preserve and protect life.
Post Notes: Well, what do you think? Ah, before I forget, here is the format I'm hoping to do for this. 3 chapters of 3 same grade/theme DD Operators. 1 chapter dealing with their hypothetical Skills and Talents. 1 chapter to see how they interact with the other operators and staff in Rhodes Island. Rinse and repeat. If you have any suggestions on who to make a chapter out of, please do try to cite a reason why. Thank you!
List of planned DD Operators:
1. DD Siege (Support Guard) *current set
2. DD Ifrit (AOE Medic) *current set
3. DD Skyfire (Summoner Supporter)
4. DD Nightmare (ST Medic) *same unusual theme of skillset as og
5. DD Texas (Arts Guard)
6. DD Jessica (Summoner/Sp Regen Specialist)
7. DD Shaw (Sora-type Supporter) *VERY memey
8. 4* Operator (None yet)
9. Mephisto (AOE Medic)
10. Faust (Nuker Sniper)
11. Frostnova (Ranged Arts Guard)
Bonus Omake: I can feel my wallet crying...
Doctor Hiero was observing Mayer and Closure fiddle with their equipment at the not-so-empty depot. He had nothing else to do for his break, so he visited the portal to observe the two work.
'My, how are they so bold when a man is standing in the back looking at them?' Yep, he was definitely observing their 'work' all right. Although, he felt like a creep sometimes, he is too much embarrassed to say a word.
"Doctor! We found something weird." Mayer waved for him to come.
"Hmm?" He walked over.
"They seem to have a reaction to Originite Prime. The portal's getting more active, see?" She held the lump of Originite closer to the portal. The kaleidoscope of colors pulsated more frequently, and it seemed like it was spinning.
"Unfortunately, as much as I want to test it, Originite Primes are an extremely valuable resource, so I'm loathe to waste this on a relatively useless experiment."
"What would it do, anyway?" Mayer and Closure looked at each other. "Mayer and I thinks that since it connects to all points in space, time, and in-between, it would probably pull someone from another reality just like DD Shining."
Now he was curious. If he could bolster his squad with new operators, that would increase the amount of tactics he could use on the field!
"We just need Originite Prime, correct?"
"Yes, but for the power needed to pull someone like that, it would require at least five crystals worth of Originite Prime."
"That'll be expensive, huh..."
"Don't worry, Doctor! I could get our Human Resources Department to get some sweet deals for ya!" She grinned widely. "I'll be able to supply all your Originite Prime needs." Mayer facepalmed, slowly dragging it down, muttering all the while about 'stupid, opportunistic merchants...'
A voice suddenly echoed at the back of his head. In his mind's eye, he saw a tall figure with his usual ensemble on, radiating a cold deep emptiness.
"Hey. That's hell you're walking into."
He shook his head. That was strange.
"Sure, I'll contact you later." He reached out a hand to Closure's own. There was a slight tremble in his hands though. What's happening to him?
"Well, I'll get back to work. See ya boss!"
"Goodbye."
As he walked back to his office, he couldn't help but shiver at the cold dread he feels at the depth of his being.