Chapter 20: Paradoxical Recollection Part 2

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.

After a long day in the Future Gadget Laboratory, all the Interns call it a day and head home. They were also told by the supervisors that they will have a few days off and to not come by to the lab for any means. Unfortunately, this is not a time for rest.

Okabe and everyone else who heard about Mayuri and Luka being captured are still shocked about what is happening, as the situation is becoming very concerning. Daru and Maho were on a video chat with the rest of the lab members as they were being filled in on the situation. They are all in shock and with sadness as with everything that has reached this point.

Moments later, over at the Amadeus room, everyone but Okabe who heard the news from phone are sitting around in shock. "This has to be the worst day ever." says Daru.

"Not only that, but on Okabe-san's birthday too. We had most of the stuff ready." says Maho

"Yea..." says Kurisu. She thinks how Okabe just left the room without saying anything, as he had the face of terror. She is really concern for him since he has PTSD and how he mentioned a similar story of what happened to Mayuri back in the Alpha Worldline.

"Do you think Okarin will follow what the enemy wants to give us our lab members back?" Daru asks.

Maho thinks for a moment, but nothing can really come up. "I don't know. This situation is already a choice between life and death. We don't even know who we are dealing with. After finding those files from that organization, I would rather not honestly."

"You're have a point... Seeing what they can do to humans makes me wonder how far anyone can go to be so evil. Like one of those real Sci-Fi movies!"

However, Maho then thinks of something. "Didn't Okabe-san mention this happening somewhere in another worldline before? Mayuri getting captured by another organization and she got killed?"

"Well, he did say that, but that was with Mr. Braun and The Rounders in the Alpha Worldline." says Kurisu. "However, we are not in the worldline. we are in the Steins Gate Worldline. It is suppose to be a future of the unknown based on Okabe's theory."

"Not only that, but Okarin said he used the time leap machine to alter the actions of the enemy organization to save Mayushii." says Daru

"That is true. But now, we don't have that machine." says Maho.

There is a long silence in the air. No one knows what to do and no one knows what Okabe will do the save Mayuri and Luka. This is the first time they are experiencing this type of situation with lab members involved in life and death, and an enemy organization that can really be deadly whenever they want.

Suddenly Kurisu realizes something that is revealed now. "Wait, Hashida? Didn't Okabe also deal with enemy organization even after his story in 2010?"

Daru thinks for a moment before responding. "That is correct. He has dealt with a couple of unknown enemy organizations because Professor Leskinen needed help against a group who threatened the school with a bomb. Okarin was hired for a certain time by the government to do so. He even told me at one point, he had to go against SERN face to face for reasons I could never find out why."

"Huh?! He never told us about that story before!" says Maho.

"That is because back then, SERN was one of the reasons Okarin always had PTSD. Since he used to hide it from us, he never mentioned what he did."

"I see."

"Well is that all?" Kurisu asks.

"Nope. He was also hired for 3 more organization missions. Then, he had the situation with Braun in 2016, and then the situation with the enemy organization last year. Not to mention the one we also had to deal with during the World Science Festival. Strangest thing is how he always kept going with his delusional chuunibyou act even against disaster."

"You mean he always acted like a crazy mad scientist in about every situation he was in."

Hearing that makes Kurisu think of something important. Something that can actually work in this situation. She clenches her fists into thinking this situation is already very bad, but there is no other choice, and they cannot involve authorities due to how far they are in the trap. "I figured out what we need to do." There is a pause. "I'm going to head over to where Okabe is."

Inside an office, Okabe and Kagari are together, trying to figure out about anything currently happening. However, Okabe just sits with sadness while looking down.

Because of this, Kagari decides to walk up to him. "Okarin-san?"

Okabe looks up to her as he notices he has been spacing out. He also notices her eyes are currently yellow. "O-Oh Kagari. What's up?"

"Are you ok?"

Okabe smiles. "I'm fine. Don't worry."

"You are lying again." she says. "You were thinking about the situation that happened in the Alpha Worldline, right?"

Okabe is shocked. "H-How do you know about that?"

"Did you forget, it is because of my memory ability."

Okabe realizes that Kagari in fact has the ability to read his mind only when they are memories from other worldlines, since she has already proven that she can. "I forgot, sorry." He then smiles. "You seem to have learned to use your memory ability more."

Kagari nods in disagreement. "No, I so far cannot control it. It only activates when something bad happens. Then, I also can't control when I can view your memories. Only when you remember certain things is when I can view what you remember as well."

Okabe is shocked about her response. "It is really interesting how you developed such an ability. Who would've thought Reading Steiner would evolve to an unusual state." He then looks down again with sadness.

Kagari looks at Okabe with a sad face. She knows he is worried about what he must do to rescue Mayuri and Luka. Although it seems easy, at any moment, they could be killed, or Okabe could be fooled and die. "You know Okarin-san, since I am from the future, I can tell you that Big Sis Mayu and Big Bro Ruka are still alive where I am from. They won't die, trust me."

"I don't know." he responds. "The Steins Gate Worldline is a worldline of the unknown. The future is unknown. You may be from the future, but that can always change. Since this worldline is set apart from the laws of convergence in the Alpha and Beta Worldlines, it is theoretically possible that this worldline isn't bound by convergence at all. This means anything can happen, as the future is unknown."

Hearing Okabe say that begins to jog another memory for Kagari. She begins to remember talking to a man who said almost the same thing. Then she also remembers another thing where she spoke to a woman about the differences between the worldlines that exist to the Steins Gate Worldline. "I don't know about your theory."

Okabe looks up to Kagari. "In the future, I heard the theory that although the future of the Steins Gate Worldline is unknown, for some reason, this worldline we are currently in is not the same."

"How would that be possible? You and I would have been able to detect the divergence in worldlines and our Reading Steiner would have activated. Although your Reading Steiner activates from time to time, that is due to your mental condition."

Kagari takes a deep breath and responds.. "I think our Reading Steiner has already been activated."

Okabe's eyes widened as Kagari explains. "You see, I still don't know how, but for me, when something very bad happens to the world, my brain begins to get glitchy and puts me in The Realm of Steiner momentarily, before sending back to reality, in another worldline."

Okabe then remembers that same situation kagari just explained, but it happened to him twice. "B-But how is that even possible?!" he asks as this is beginning to worry him.

"I don't know. I don't if that is even true, but that is just a theory from the future said by someone who I knew, but I don't know exactly who they are. My memories haven't fully returned, so I can't say much more. But, all I know is that it has happened even in the future for me"

Okabe calms down as he is not going to be able to get much information from Kagari since her memories aren't fully back yet. Also, it is very strange how a girl like her knows so much already that is related to science. The theory of Reading Steiner could be true, but it also could just be something else. Either way, they can't get nowhere for now.

Moments later, Kurisu enters the office to find Okabe and Kagari. "Hello."

Kagari quickly snaps out of her Reading Steiner and her eyes revert back to blue. She then decides to take her leave to find Daru. "I will go find Uncle Daru for now."

Okabe nods. "Ok."

Kagari leaves Okabe's office. Then Okabe responds to Kurisu. "What's up, Kurisutina?" Okabe asks.

Kurisu gets a bit annoyed. "There is no tina in my name."

"Well then assistant, what's up?"

Kurisu sighs as she can't stop Okabe with his nicknames. "How are you doing?"

There is a pause. "To be honest, I don't know. This situation is already getting out of hand. I know what I must do, but will the American Organization comply with their terms. Okabe clenches his right hand with anger. Why is this happening to her again!"

She then becomes very curious. "What do you mean?"

Okabe realizes what he said, but he won't hide it. "In the Alpha Worldline, Mayuri would always get into a problem that would result in her death. Now in this worldline, she is captured by an enemy organization, and she is being used as a hostage to lure me in to hand over the research they want. If I don't, she will die. However, now it is even worse since they have Rukako as well. This situation is beginning to repeat all over again."

Kurisu is concerned as well. Not only they can kill Mayuri but they could also kill Luka. Her close friends, dying in the hands of an enemy organization just for research papers. "Then, are you going to give them the research papers to save Mayuri and Urushibara?"

Okabe sighs. "I don't have a choice if I want to save them both. They are precious lab members. I will do what I must to save them. After all, I wouldn't be able to be myself ever again if I didn't." Okabe sighs. "That is why I decided to go alone."

Kurisu is shocked. "W-What? You can't! What if you die?!"

Okabe sighs. "As much as I tried to find other solutions, I don't want to risk anyone in the lab dying because of something like this. I will do my best to get them out of the situation and hope the enemy will not pull anything terrible."

Hearing all of Okabe's words makes her really concerned to lose the man she loves. Not only that, but she remembers the dream she had about him dying back in July. This only wants to make her cry, as is it already possibly going to happen. However, she then remembers some things Okabe has said about everything it took for him to reach the Steins Gate Worldline in the first place. She remembers how he mentioned that with all the lab members' efforts to sacrifice what they wanted the most, he was able to prevent both herself from dying, and Mayuri's death. She also considered everything she talk about with Maho and Daru before coming here.

She then gets the idea of something that can help prevent a tragedy from happening. She decides to help him with this situation by making him remember who he is. "Just who are you?"

"Huh?" Okabe wonders.

"Who are you? Rintaro Okabe? Hououin Kyouma, The Mad Scientist? I never would have thought that person would be worried about an outcome like this. I understand you are concerned and I am as well for what can happen, but you always claim to be the person to overcome even the impossible. Even I, as your girlfriend and assistant, can see he is not here. Where is he? Where did he go?"

"I-I-I am the same person I was years ago!"

"No, you are not! You claim that everyone who is part of the Future Gadget Laboratory is your ally, and the rest of the world is your enemy! What does that mean?"

Okabe stands in confusion.

"See?! You can't even answer that question!" She then sighs as there is a pause. "It means you are not alone. If we all are your precious allies, then you will include us to help you overcome this situation." Kurisu then walks up to Okabe and puts her hand on his right cheek. "Everyone around you will help you in any way possible. After all, every lab member is like family, right? Let me help you. Let all of your friends help you. That way, this can be a group effort to either achieve or to fail. Although this situation, we must achieve the safety of everyone and never consider the option of failure."

Okabe eyes widened to hear Kurisu say all of that. He then takes a moment to realize what Kurisu meant. He has always been known as Rintaro Okabe, also known as Hououin Kyouma, The Insane Mad Scientist, the one who can overcome even time itself. He has already been through things that would have caused him his death but he always found a way through. This is mainly thanks to all of his friends who stayed by his side, the lab members of the Future Gadget Laboratory. Like his issue with last year and the unknown organization, if he can go against an organization himself, then with his friends helping, they can avoid more tragedies at a higher chance. He also remembers from the Alpha Worldline how his friends even sacrificed there dreams to revert Mayuri's death, and then giving him the support to save Kurisu from her death in the Beta Worldline. Okabe then smiles, as the more important thing about thinking all of this, is that the person who is reminding him, is his assistant, who is his girlfriend and the woman who he loves more than anything. Kurisu Makise.

With this in mind, Okabe begins to slowly laugh. He laughs louder and louder as he has gotten his motivation up again with his persona. "Fffffffwwwwaaaaahahahaha! I am the insane mmmaaaddd scientist! The one who will be the only one who plunges this world into chaos! That me!" Okabe strikes his pose. "Hououin Kyouma! All allies that are part of the lab are my allies, and the world is my enemy! You really know the true Hououin Kyouma, assistant!"

Kurisu smiles. "That is much better."

Okabe then stands up and kisses Kurisu on the lips of a huge thanks to hear his girlfriend to remind him of who he is. Kurisu gets startled by this sudden action, but she nonetheless enjoys the moment of having each other's lips together as they hug each other. Then, they let go, and Okabe speaks. "Thank you, Kurisu. It is really great to have my assistant remind me of who I really am."

"Your welcome." she says with a pleased tone.

"Then, gather every lab member immediately. We are holding a round table meeting!"

As day turns into night, all the present lab members have arrived at the Future Gadget Laboratory inside one of the large conference rooms. Who is also gathered is Mr. Braun, as he will be needed for this mission.

Okabe begins the meeting with his persona. "Today, we are holding round table meeting number 2023!" He then clears his throat. "Mayuri and Rukako are currently in the hands of the American Organization. We so far don't know who they really are or what their true intentions are other than what we found from their files. However, they want the teleportation research from us in exchange to set free our precious lab members!"

"Then, will you do what they tell you-nyan?" Faris asks.

"I will cooperate with them to make sure Mayuri and Rukako are safe. However, I must find out who this enemy organization is!" Okabe turns to his supervisors. "Assistant, My Favorite Right Arm, and Hiyajo-Safina! You will stay in the lab and use Amadeus to find out any information about the American Organization. Then Daru! On the day I head over to the organization's location. I want you to use Future Gadget Number 75 to secretly move into the building and find out any additional information about them. Also guide me and along with Mayuri and Rukako out of the building if anything bad happens."

"Leave that part to me!" Daru replies.

Okabe then turns to Faris. "Faris! I need your help to prepare an armored truck for everything I will bring in there and along with the capacity to bring in men. I ask you this since I know you usually surprised me with how you gain access to high end vehicles. Make sure also the truck can withstand heavy amounts of damage if possible."

"Leave it to me-nyan!" Faris reponds.

"With that now set…" Okabe then turns to Mr. Braun and Moeka. "Mr. Braun, and Shining Finger! With the armored truck on the way, you both will step in. Prepare a small group of soldiers and necessary weapons to prepare for the possibility of an attack if it occurs. Since we are dealing with an enemy organization, they will have a good chance to not let me and the hostages out of their grasp easily. However the insane mad scientist will surprise them if they pull anything dirty on me!"

"Well that is not hard." Mr. Braun responds. "However, if they expect you to come alone, how will we be able to enter without being noticed?"

Okabe smiles and pulls out the device he has been working with Kagari that looks like a bracelet. "All soldiers will be using my newest creation. Future Gadget Number 132: (No Name). Thanks to the Interns, they have finished creating multiple copies of this gadget in one whole day! This gadget is still in it's prototype stage, but it has a working function." Okabe demonstrates. He puts on the bracelet and turns it on. This makes him turn invisible for only a brief moment, before turning it off and reappear once again.

Everyone is shocked by his newest creation as it is really out of some fantasy world. "This will help conceal anything the person is wearing and including themselves. However, I am telling you now, this device is still in it's prototype stage, so it will short circuit if it reaches beyond 5 minutes of use." Okabe then turns to Moeka. "Shining Finger! You will join the Special Forces for this mission, but as a spy! You will head to the location I tell you one hour before me, to confirm any unusual movement or if anything stranger occurs. You will be given 3 bracelets as you will be there trying to hide yourself for a much longer time than the rest of us. Use it only when it is necessary"

Moeka nods in agreement and says nothing more.

"Lastly." Okabe turns to Yuki and Suzuha. "Yuki, and Suzuha. You both will provide the nourishment needed for all the lab members to continue having lots of energy. This is very important since no one can focus without having the efficient energy to move forward."

"You can leave it to us, Okabe-san." says Yuki, as Suzuha does a salute in agreement.

"Well, then that is the entire plan to save Mayuri and Rukako and concludes our round table meeting! I expect all of you to work hard to the core and get a good night sleep for tomorrow's mission! There will be no excuse for not doing your part! Does everyone understand?!"

Everyone responds with determination. "Yes!"

December 15th, 2021

Another day rises in Akihabara. However, it is snowing quite heavily, which is making the ground turn white quicker than normal. Today is also a day of no joke. It is a day of a very important mission, to save Mayuri and Rukako, and having the necessary preparations in case something terrible happens.

Unfortunately, due to the current situation, Okabe did not have a birthday party, and nothing special was done for him yesterday.

Over at the Future Gadget Laboratory, Kurisu, Daru, Maho, Yuki, and Suzuha are all there with Amadeus to their part in the mission. While they do so they speak about something important.

"This situation was very unexpected." Says Kurisu with a sad tone. "Not only that, but we never celebrated Okabe's birthday...… I was looking forward to a party for him."

Yuki walks up to Kurisu and puts a hand on her right shoulder. "It's ok, Kurisu. Even if his birthday passes, we can just have a party another day. The most important thing is to never forget, right?"

She nods in agreement. "You're right."

"Now, let's prepare the program for Future Gadget Number 75. Make sure the drones are all in working condition." Daru implies.

The scene changes to a long road way, where a huge truck looks normal from a general point of view. However, it is in reality reinforced to withstand bullets and certain explosions. Inside, there is Okabe, who is driving the truck, and behind him in the back of the truck, is the special forces with Mr. Braun, all ready for the upcoming mission.

"We should be arriving there in about two more hours." says Mr. Braun

"Alright. Then, we will also need to be ready for Shining Finger's call. And then my agent has already informed me on what I must do." says Okabe.

Okabe then turns to speak to the person next to him. "Are you sure this is the map of the place, Kagari?"

The person next to him is surprisingly Kagari. "Yep. I'm sure this is how it looked liked."

(Flashback) 12 Hours Ago, Midnight

Okabe was standing on the roof of the old lab. He was getting everything out of his mind to prepare for the mission. It began to snow quite heavily, but he didn't mind it as it was a way to make him feel that this is reality, and he uses it as a coping solution to calm his PTSD. Then, the door to the roof opens, and who comes through is the Future Suzuha and Kagari.

"Oh? Suzuha, and Kagari." says Okabe with a surprised tone.

"Rintaro Okabe." says Suzuha. "So you are going on a mission tomorrow to save Big Sis Mayuri and Big Bro Luka."

"That is right."

"Then, I want you to take Kagari tomorrow with you to your mission."

Okabe becomes shocked. "Huh?! Sending a young girl like her to a mission that may cause death?! You are absolutely insane!"

"Say the man who is insane with his mad scientist persona." Okabe gets upset, but then Suzuha continues. "However, I will let Kagari explain to you why."

Kagar takes a moment before responding. "It is because, I know the place I believe you have to go too."

Okabe eyes widen. "You know where it is?"

Kagari nods. "Yep. I don't know why, and I don't know how, but I envisioned it once."

His face turns curious. "Is it because of your Reading Steiner?"

"Well I believe so." Kagari explains. "I had a dream once, that I was in the Realm of Steiner. I didn't know what I was doing there, and I don't know how I managed to get there. However, I was one day able to recall a memory that I never remember making. All I know was that in another worldline, I was a young girl, who also traveled back in time. But suddenly, Suzuha left me without a trace, and I was alone. I wandered the city for a long time, until I met someone who helped me seek shelter in a place with the same location you were given. However, I felt like I was not myself whenever I was there, and I felt insane, like I was being forced to do something against my own will. Like mind-" Kagari realizes she is going deeper into the memory than she needs to. "Well anyways, I believe I know the building and how it looks inside, because of a memory thanks to my Reading Steiner."

Okabe is shocked to hear a memory Kagari can recall without actually experiencing it. He is surprised about her more than ever, that he wants to get her to know her more about who she really is, and hopes she will recover her memories soon enough. "That is how the power of Reading Steiner works. So, you have proven to me you indeed have that capability." Okabe then sighs. "I don't mind if you come along. Especially, if you know how the structure is, you will be of use for this mission. However, are you sure you want to do this? It is very dangerous and you can't remember much yet. You're just a little girl too."

Kagari nods with a smile. "I do." There is a pause. "I don't know why yet, but I feel like for some reason, helping you makes me feel like it is what I am supposed to do. As if this is my mission as for who I am."

Okabe smiles and puts on his persona. "Well then, if that is the choice of Steins Gate, then I can't stop you. Tomorrow I will prepare some stuff for your protection. You will be the guidance of the mad scientist!"

"Yay!" she says with excitement.

Suzuha sighs with relief that Okabe is listening. However she then puts on a face as if she is glad there was something that wasn't revealed to him, and also concerned for something. Then, Okabe speaks again. "Well then Suzuha, I would like to get your help if I can. However, for this mission and to conceal your identity, you will be regarded as my agent."

(End of Flashback)

After thinking about what led Kagari to joining Okabe and the special forces, Okabe gets a call from someone, and puts them on the speaker of the truck. Who speaks up is his agent, he refers to who is really Future Suzuha. "Okarin? How much more till you arrive at the site?"

"We should be there within a couple of hours." he responds.

"Ok. Then, I will head over there with Kiryu-san to scout out the area right now."

"Are you sure?" Okabe asks. "Do you have anyway to conceal yourself from being detected?"

"I do. Remember, since you already know where I am from, I have a future version of your bracelet gadget. It can last an hour before shorting out of power."

Okabe is amazed. "Eh? That is surprising here. So that gadget gets worked on in the future." There is a pause. "But, weren't you afraid to interfere with events that involve any lab members?"

"I am when you don't know the information of what happens in the future. However, now you know what will happen here, no matter what I do, there will be a convergence to always save Mayuri and Luka from the organization. So it is ok for me to interfere without worry."

"You also know about convergence, huh?" Okabe implies.

"Yes, I do." There is another pause. "Well, I will hang up now. Be prepared to do your best possible with that is to come next." Suzuha hangs up.

Okabe thinks about everything that is going on, this situation is like trying to deal with the organization he went against months ago. However, now this other organization has his lab members as hostages, and are luring him to just hand over teleportation research.

Okabe thinks to himself. "If saving Mayuri and Rukako is a worldline convergence, then nothing bad will happen in the end. However, in the Steins Gate worldline, anything can happen. This situation is starting to confuse me, if this is really the Steins Gate Worldline. Well, I won't think about that right now, because whatever occurs, I must make this mission a success. Otherwise, everything I know of will fall into chaos."

Finally after two hours, Okabe finally arrives at the front entrance of the building, the building which Kagari described as it is supposed to be. "Well then, lets begin. Commence Operation Valhalla."