Satoshi Onzai wasn't having a good time. Ever since Ed disappeared his group dynamic has been set on fire, metaphorically speaking. Ruto was folding in on himself. Yami was pissed off at Ruto's insistence on secrecy. And he, of course, was stuck being the mediator between the other heads of the Hydra. And it was because of this mediation, that he ended up in the crowded waiting room of the Emergency wing in Substation 3. Soaked to the marrow, and by himself even though Yami knew full well about his problems with crowds.
After a brief message of his temples, he combed his fingers through his drenched coral-pink hair. Dropping more water on his already soggy school uniform. Letting out a sharp exhale, he began a quick search of the waiting room. What he saw made him tremble internally, all the women (and a few men) were reacting to his presence. The reactions were on the spectrum between shy glances and as close to lust they could get in a public setting. Yami you butt, did you sign us up for Dating Service again? Satoshi thought. Shuddering as he crossed the threshold to the desk at the end of the crowded room. The nurse in attendance looked up from her screens and immediately started to blush when her eyes met his.
"G-good afternoon sir," The nurse stuttered regaining her composure. "How may I help you?"
"Hello, my name is Onzai Satoshi, I'm looking for a friend," Satoshi explained keeping with the script he rehearsed internally. "He disappeared a few days ago, and I'm worried he might be here."
A flash of guilt appeared on the woman's face which was quickly suppressed by professionalism. "I'll do a quick check, does your friend have a RMIN?"
"He's not registered," Satoshi slumped his head. "His name's Ed Winters."
"Ok, just a moment," The nurse closed her eyes and a blue translucent screen appeared in front of her. A few moments passed with the man watching a small pinwheel swirl in the middle of the screen. The nurse's look didn't give Satoshi solace when she opened her eyes again. "There is a record of an "Ed Winters" that was treated here, but it's from over a year ago. There's been no recent admissions I'm afraid."
"I see," Satoshi said looking downward.
"Do you want to create a Task? We can send out an announcement to the Advisory Board," The nurse offered.
To this Satoshi rubbed his face. A show of frustration after being reminded of his predicament. "As much as I would like that, I- I have to keep it SNE-only."
The meaning behind his words had a horrible connotation. Satoshi knew, the nurse knew, and anyone that was privy to anything about the problems of Palisade Town living knew. SNE also known as "Say no Evil" or "See no Evil" tended to be only invoked in matters that usually entailed two things.
"Going to the next town crying" and the 99s.
Neither of which ended well for the victim involved. Not helped at all by time.
"We'll let you know if he turns up," The nurse said softly, reaching forward and enveloping Satoshi's hand with hers. The man reacted by tensing up almost every muscle in his body when he felt a small card form in his held palm. He rose his head again to the nurse with a look of confusion. He then noticed the nurse's eyes seemed to glow with an ethereal golden light. He also noticed how strangely thin and pale she was. The woman smiled lightly. Satoshi pulled away his gaze to the card she gave him. On it was printed coordinates, a small picture of a torri, and a simple command. "Throw me into the lit brazier."
The woman's voice came out soft and warm. "Don't lose hope. We can help you if you allow us to."
With the strange vibes this conversation was giving him, Satoshi thanked the woman and bid her farewell. When he started feeling the rain again a chime called him to attention. In his peripheral vision a small sky blue box appeared.
Task Discovered: [?: The Thicket, The Ticket, and the Oddly Specific]
Rank ?
Description: For some reason, a woman gave you a card with coordinates. Follow the coordinates and set the card on fire. There is nothing but good that can come from this.
Reward: ?
Add to Manifest?
Y/N
With a very good amount of skepticism, Satoshi decided to decline the Task and focused his attention back to his current problem. He ducked into a nearby convenience store and pulled out his phone. It only took three rings before a gruff voice picked up. "What did you find out?"
"He isn't there Suichiro," Satoshi reported sadly. He heard a sigh in response. "Where are you guys now?"
The man on the other end grumbled. "Yami decided to take me to a maid cafe."
This made the bodybuilder start to sweat. "And- where is Yami?"
"In a maid," The man answered curtly. "You even have to ask?"
Satoshi didn't feel anger in the Suichiro's voice and frankly he didn't have any ill will either. They have been friends with Yami Matsumoto since they were children. They knew his modus operandi, and thus knew it wasn't worth the trouble to steer him away from his impulsive natures. However it didn't stop Satoshi from the feeling of disappointment that clouded over the conversation transpiring now. He sighed and gave an out. "I'm at the Good Man Mart down the street, you want to meet up and wait for him?"
He then heard a series of quick gulps of liquid followed by the man's response. "Yeah, just give me a few minutes."
…
Two cans hissed under an overhang near the store as Satoshi and a shorter teen with long pink hair, pink eyes, and a bitter disposition, began trying to create a new plan of attack. "Ichi-ni," Satoshi began. "I know you don't like it. But we really need to consider getting other people involved now."
"Not happening," The pink man said quickly.
"We're only three guys, we need to get more eyes on this."
"Sherbet more eyes caused this mess. It ain't gonna happen," Suichiro barked glaring into his spicy-flavored coffee. He then rose an eyebrow when he noticed silence. He turned and immediately felt guilt watching Satoshi wipe away stray tears. The shorter man cooled down his anger and placed a free hand on his brother's shoulder. "It'll be alright. We just need to keep looking."
"It's been 4 days Ichi-ni," Satoshi said somberly. Suichiro didn't have anything to deny that sentiment. Unfortunately he didn't have time to attempt to.
"Hey!" A voice rang out under the hum of the rain. The two men looked to the source and found their leader, a tall indigo-haired man in a disheveled school uniform and a bright grin saunter over. Once he was under the awning he made a quick spin with a laugh.
"You're in a good mood," grumbled Suichiro with a scowl.
"And soon you will be too," The man said simply. He pulled out a small card and handed it to his hot-tempered inquisitor.
Satoshi turned his attention to the card and his eyes widened. It was the same coordinate card he was given. "Yami? Where'd you get that?" He asked looking back to the grape-eyed opportunist.
"While I was getting done "providing my civil duty", the lady running the place gave it to me," Yami detailed. "There is even a Task for it."
"Oh, that's good," Ruto commented, before ripping the card in half. Causing the card to instantly burn up and a buzzer to sound off, scaring everyone in attendance.
Task [?: The Thicket, The Ticket, and the Oddly Specific] failed
"Ruto what the fuck?!" Yami roared before anyone else could get their composure back.
"I should be asking that! Who told you to sign us up for Tasks!?" came Ruto response rising up from his seat.
"That was a mystery rank you prick! A once in a lifetime opportunity!" If the rain could have been turned to steam by Yami's head it would of.
Suichiro responded by grabbing his upperclassman's collar and shook him violently. "Oh I'm sorry, I just don't see it. I'm in the middle of a fucking search party now!"
"And that's going so well isn't it?!" Yami asked angrily shoving Ruto back.
Satoshi immediately inserted himself between them before things got more violent. "Guys stop! This isn't helping!"
"Yeah you stupid crow you're not helping!" Ruto shouted struggling futilely against Satoshi's grip.
"At least I'm doing something while we're doing nothing!" Yami retorted trying and failing to push back against the grip on him.
"Boinking maids is not doing something!"
"It's a Reputation gainer! Higher rep, more people giving a shit! Something you know nothing about!"
"The fuck that mean?!"
"What do you think I mean? If you gave a shit about Ed when it counted we wouldn't be in this mess!"
"Eat shit Crow!"
"Get some Bubblegum! Get some!"
"Enough!" Satoshi exclaimed doing an impression of a cymbal-clashing monkey with his friends. Yami and Ruto's heads struck against each other creating the sound of a wooden block being struck.
...
After a solid half-hour of verbal accosting from Satoshi, the trio ended up sitting together on the ground with their backs against the wall. Both Yami and Ruto with their heads tilted down nursing their respective headaches and bruised egos with their drinks of choice. And Satoshi in between them trying to control his breathing with his eyes closed. At the risk of setting off the emotionally-taxed cinnamon roll again, an unspoken truce was formed.
It was Yami who broke the tenuous silence. "Hey Toshi-kun," He slurred, removing the can of faux-beer from the side of his head. "Did anyone ever tell you- you could be a club president?"
"Yeah, no kidding," Ruto mumbled. He then looked down at himself. "When did I get six arms?"
"You're still concussed. Don't worry it'll go away in a hour or so," Yami replied, opening his can and taking a swig. He then noticed Satoshi wake himself out of his stupor with a serious expression on his face. Then without saying anything he rose to his feet and ducked out of the awning bak into the rain. Feeling the tension in the air Yami took on a more friendlier, (and fearful) demeanor. "Hey, w-what are we doing now buddy?"
"There's an urgent care in the Eastern Strand," Satoshi answered coldly. "If Ed isn't there I'm getting others involved."
Ruto rose his head to respond but was immediately silenced with a dark glare. A glare he usually attributed to the one his not-adopted brother gave him when it was clear he was in trouble. It always made him shiver, so it was kind of a nice feeling knowing it still did. Even though it was coming from a much gentler face this time.
"Non-negotiable," Satoshi finished curtly. Ruto sweated a little bit and tilted his head in submission. Satoshi then began his trek. Each stride filled with purpose.
After a few moments of watching the man walk away, Ruto turned to his rival and saw him rise back to his feet and give a sheepish smile to him. "Well- now we can definitely say Ino had a greater effect on Toshi-kun than we thought."
To this Ruto looked down, and shook his head lightly with a smile. "We should probably stay close. I have no idea where that place is."
"Can you even walk?" Yami asked with a smirk. Ruto looked at him in confusion. Yami added. "I mean- I can carry you, but if I feel a boner I'm body-slamming you immediately. Just saying."
Ruto stifled a laugh. "As much as I'm sure you'd like slamming your body against my boner, I think I can manage walking on my own."
Yami laughed as Ruto wobbled back onto his feet. He was still seeing three road markers and five blind side mirrors, but it wasn't too problematic for him move forward. Then, with a confirming nod from Ruto, the two men started walking back out into the street. They had a lot of ground to cover and little time to do so.
Home – Act 2
Astigmatism: "Get ready Human! Ocular Doughnut Barrage!"
Final Froggit: "(Beezlebub.)"
I dodged quickly through the initial wave of red rings flying from the small slits in the facial lid of a red eyeball the size of a beach-ball. Only to then stare down the massive swarm of flies sent from the bottom side of a golden horn toad that was twice my size. I swung my stick through the swarm causing the bugs to scatter. The shimmering aura that surrounded the flying eye disappeared. I didn't expect the frog to still have his.
Final Froggit: "(Great Leap.)"
Frisk: "Ah!"
As soon as the call was given I forced myself to the floor backwards. No less than a second later I was seeing the belly of the frog barrel through the fragmented insect swarm above me. He then latched onto the barrier wall nearby. I froze quickly when the final froggit aimed his head at me. A squeak of fear came out of my mouth as I rolled left. The frog quickly landed from his second leap right where I was and slid a few centimeters. I was able to get back on my feet as the aura dropped from the amphibian.
Now was my chance to ACT.
Frisk: "You're pretty strong, I didn't know non-Boss monsters could attack twice."
The frog turned to me. He then gave me a smile to match my own.
FF: "(I've been told I'm a prodigy.)"
Frisk: "I can see it."
The frog blushed slightly and gave a quick thank you.
Final Froggit's desire to fight you has dropped.
This earned a growl from his corneal comrade. Who had already opened its lid to reveal a massive glowing cobalt iris that encompassed its entire body.
Astigmatism: "Remember why we're here Mattia!"
The frog, now named, bolted upright out of his unexpected praise.
Mattia: "(Ah, r-right.)"
The little hovering crown-like emblem above him swirled and the shimmer reappeared along side his partner's.
Mattia: "(Great Leap.)"
Astigmatism: "Eye-sight Echoes!"
I prepared myself for the onslaught only to immediately feel the heat in the dimension increase drastically. 1 minute and 15 seconds. A new record!
Toriel: "True Flame Veil!"
The Astigmatism's magic didn't make it through Toriel's fire and Mattia was the type who knew better than to touch it.
Mattia: "(The jig is up.)"
Astigmatism: "Bail! Bail!"
I watched the Fight dimension crumble as the monsters fled in opposite directions. I then felt my body start to stiffen up. Before I could brace myself I fell immediately on my face. This was the fifth time this week. I didn't like it the other times either, for anyone willing to ask.
You won.
You gained 0 xp and 12 g.
Dust-up complete.
You gained 45stp and 25cred.
You gained a Standard level.
Due to unregistered procedures, gained Stats are automatically allocated.
To register, please contact the Rumor Mill Advisory Board.
(Update) Meta: For the Fallen(Palisade Run): Encounters complete(10/12)
Make more friends with the Vallencia Family (95%)
Cool down the Eyewalker Clan (75%)
Help the Migo Hivemind settle their debts (Already Completed)
Something involving the Moldd Collective? (Already Completed)
Unidentified Malady detected in Address. (5:00)
I mumbled frustrated into the stone floor for a few moments. I then felt Toriel's paw rub circles on my back. I turned my head to meet her concerned expression and gave a small smile.
Frisk: "The floor tastes different today."
My attempt to lighten my predicament was met with a sympathetic chuckle. Toriel then glanced back to the patches of grass and flowers that grew wildly from the nearby creek behind us.
Toriel: "Were you trying to catch bugs my child?"
Frisk: "Yeah, I was trying to see if I could find more Bot Flies before dinner."
I started to feel my legs by that time, so I grabbed Toriel's offered hand. It took a few moments for me to return to my feet. I barely made it a few steps before I started to fall again. Toriel yelped and supported me.
Toriel: "Do you want me to carry you?"
I felt heat building up in my face when I nodded.
Krk-krk
Krk-krk-krk
"I'm sorry this keeps happening to you," Toriel said warmly to the human bundle in her arms. Not really noticing the sound of cracking glass nearby while picking Frisk up. She then began walking out of the dilapidated building that housed the marshland.
"Don't be," Frisk shook her head. "It doesn't hurt or anything. It's just annoying."
Toriel muttered something under her breath. Frisk was able to pick up the name "Asriel" but didn't get the chance to follow thorough with asking what her caretaker meant. The glass sound erupted with a loud clatter that immediately sent Toriel and Frisk on edge.
"Mage! Hunter! Get a wall up!" A voice eerily similar to Toriel's roared out.
"Ok!" Two voices followed up, one of them belonging to Ed and the other belonging to a woman Frisk never heard before.
Toriel hitched her breath with wide eyes. What?! It was here?!
All this was then followed by the sound of tons of glass breaking all at once. A flash of white appeared to Toriel's left and thinking quickly she jumped through it. She made it across a second before the white barrier flashed into existence and kept running.
"What's going on?!" Frisk screamed out before a guttural ear-shattering roar echoed through the fallen city. Toriel held her close as the echo shook the ground.
"Forgive me Frisk!" Toriel pleaded softly. "This will be over soon!"
"W-wha-" Frisk didn't get through her response before she fell limp in Toriel's glowing paws.
Seeing her child asleep, Toriel was able to take a long look at the large barrier that had taken up four city blocks of Home. Her soul thumped rapidly as memories started coming to her in waves. Memories from long before her time in the underground. It wasn't long before tears started falling from her eyes as she started feeling the heat from the box along with the sound of guns and magic being fired off. She then saw a flick of metal and ducked away behind nearby cover.
It was here that Toriel saw the last figure she thought she would ever see again. The figure was exactly her height, clad head to toe in black iron armor with a flowing indigo cape across the back. The figure's long white hair bellowed under a helmet adorned with two large curved ram horns and a visor concealing the face. Toriel didn't even look at the white swords the figure had in both their hands. She didn't need to.
As fast as the figure appeared it disappeared through a storefront. "I should of known," Toriel said to herself after a moment of silent reflection. "I thought Ed seemed familiar, but I didn't know why."
As much as she wanted to watch history unfold again, she had someone she wanted to protect this time.
So, with a sniff and a smile she turned away from the glowing box and raced off for her house.
Human magic never ceases to amaze me. She thought as the sounds of battle became further and further away.
…
The first thing I hear is the wind.
That same wind the I felt as the soul inside me broke apart so many times before.
What happened? Did- did I die? I- I don't feel dead.
?: "You're not dead. Don't get over-dramatic. You wouldn't even be able to question it if you were."
Frisk: "Oh great it's you."
I hear a giggle in many places at once.
?: "Is that anyway to treat your partner? It's been so long since we last had a "heart to heart". I thought you would of wanted to hear from me again."
Reluctantly, I open my eyes. Complete and unsurprising darkness around me. What is surprising is the lack of my "partner." Usually they are peering through me by now.
?: "Just a moment, I have to get things prepared. There's always a delay on these things out here."
I don't like this already.
*quack!
I bolt to the side as a giant yellow duck toy enters my peripheral vision, quacks, then disappears into vapor.
?: "Damn it Old Lady that wasn't the Party-Time spell! That was Happy-Ducky again!"
Frisk: "What the heck are you trying to do C?"
C: "Kill my own good mood apparently. Sorry Frisk. I wasn't able to contact you for a week, so I wanted to make my congratulations special for when I could."
Frisk: "Congrats for what?"
At this Chara finally appears out of the void in a shower of tiny squares. They are smiling.
C: "I want to congratulate you on becoming a second class citizen."
They then rose their hands.
C: "You're a file-less Frisk!"
They then shook their hands in the air. A moment later they hang their head in embarrassment.
C: "Party balloons and streamers were supposed to come out after I said that."
I just look at them as they end their theatrics. This causes Chara to look at me with a confused expression.
C: "You don't seem surprised."
Frisk: "I probably would be, if I knew what a file-less is."
Instead of saying anything, C saunters over to me with a curious look. Then they began their peering thing they usually do when we meet up. I never have any idea what they're looking for but it kind of freaks me out every time they do it. Makes me feel like they're staring at something inside me rather than at me. After a few moments of intense leering their eyes widened.
C: "Damn. You didn't connect with this timeline right did you?"
C is much like Sans. They know a lot about a timeline and what basically amounts to its backstory, but don't ever give details. Unlike Sans, C doesn't do it to see if I would fall for the Trap. C just likes being difficult.
Frisk: "Is that why I can only remember bits and pieces of this timeline's rules?"
C scratches their neck. Something's definitely different this timeline. They were never nervous before. Something's fishy.
C: "I- uh- I think it might be too soon to say. I only have some memories of how this timeline works as well. And the only information I have is before I died. And as much as it hurts to say, the Old Lady has actually decided to be helpful for once. But even so, it doesn't really help me get a bearing on what this timeline even is."
I feel the need to point it out since I have the chance to.
Frisk: "Who is The Old Lady?"
C looks off into the distance with a mixture of frustration and pity.
C: "She's a Void Isolate. Like me and Gas-can. That's all you need to know."
A victim of their own ambitions. Doomed to wander the Void eternal. Usually lonely, broken or both.
Noted.
Task discovered: [Meta: The Lady Who Knows Everything]
Rank: SSS
Description: You discovered that [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] are not the only beings trapped in ?. Press [REDACTED] or [REDACTED] for more information and find out more about her. Who knows? Maybe, (if she isn't nuttier then a fruitcake) she might be a helpful ally.
Rewards: Audience with [REDACTED], Insight into the results of your Adventure, ?
Due to unregistered procedures, the Task was already added to your Task Manifest.
To register, please contact the Rumor Mill Advisory Board.
Frisk: "Sorry for getting off-track. Is there anything pressing I need to know about being a file-less?"
C turns back to me. Are- they trembling?
C: "Not much more than what you are experiencing now. 1 Hp, can't reset, all that stuff. The only thing you really need to know is- eh- you'll get rewritten into another person by the powers that be if you die."
Frisk: "Re- rewritten? What does that mean?"
That bad feeling in my stomach is back again. C looks at me with an uncomfortable frown, still scratching the back of their neck. Until finally C removes their hand and sighs.
C: "I think the powers that be led us into a trap Frisk. I-If you die here they will remove you, your identity, your memories, everyone's memories of you, everything. It- would be like you were never born."
C clenches their hands.
C: "And- if they remove you, I'll- be removed too."
C was trembling during their explanation. And at the end so am I.
B-but a-at least they gave me someone to go through this run with.
Y-yeah.
If it wasn't for Ed I would of died as soon as Flowey's pellets struck. I may not know how the Fight dimension works with the both of us yet, but if I continue my plan I formed a few days ago for all I know this doom-and-gloom might just be a nothing-burger just like managing pocket space is now.
C: "Partner."
C's voice pulls me out of my rationalizing. They stare at me darkly.
C: "It's Ed's fault you got hit in the first place."
Frisk: "Well- yes that's true but that's fine, he didn't know. I did the same thing too when I started."
C: "Yes, yes, just like how you learned how to get past Mom, how to get past Undyne, how to survive the robot's quiz show without being barbecued-"
Frisk: "Your point Spoiler-sport?"
C shook their head slowly. I glance at their trembling hands balled into white-knuckled fists. C then sighs and I see an unfamiliar sight. C almost looks unsure with themselves as they walk up to me. They look at me with another sigh. Their eyes beginning to shine.
C: "My point is, I'm sorry Partner. But I need to take over now before you get us both killed."
Frisk: "W-wait- I-"
My voice dies in my mouth as I feel my body go limp.
No, no not like this.
C: "There is no way pacifism will work here. I thought about it for days. We need to be stronger to survive now."
I- I don't want to be strong.
I- I have a guest.
C: "I'll take care of him Partner. Don't worry and just rest for now. This will be over soon."
They're- giggling again.
…
…
D- darn it.
Ed-
I'm sorry.
…
…
Error detected in Address. Illegal override detected. Deploying Third Eye defensive protocol.