To be honest, I didn't think I'd get time to write for this story until later, but here we are! Also I'm back. Yay.

Lots of emotion in this chapter, much more than the one called "Being Emotional. I chose a more direct word for the feelings felt here. Be prepared for yelling. See you at the bottom of the page.


Chapter 6: Being Furious

The Vet wasn't sure what the Oni dimension would look like, but she certainly didn't imagine it to be this… maintained, for lack of a better word.

The cult and countries appeared in a small stone room that was dark, save for the dim light coming through the holes that were probably supposed to be windows and a door. Everyone clambered out of the trapdoor quickly, which was just as well since it closed as soon as the last person stepped onto solid ground. It was cool and damp, like a rainy fall day. There was no furniture in the room, but The Vet was close enough to the "door" that she could peak outside. The "house" was sitting along a cobblestone road. There were buildings across the street and presumably next to where they were. Everything was quiet.

"…Where are the Onis?" The Artist asked after a second.

"I'm… not sure." Brittany made to go towards the doorway, but then stopped and pulled out her book. "Just in case…" She muttered, flipping to a certain page and placing a hand on one of the stone walls. There was a flash of white, and a symbol of a white flag crossed under a fork appeared on the wall, pulsing with a faint light. "I have a feeling we'll be doing a lot of exploring," Brittany clarified to everyone. "This place feels very… big. So, I've placed a beacon on this building, since it's where we came from and everyone will be able to sense it with their instinctual magic." She slowly exited the building, looking all around her as she did. "It's safe… I think. You lot can come out now."

Casey strode out of the building first, followed by Damien and the countries, then followed by everyone else. Vet looked around. All of the buildings were made of the same stone material, with holes where doors and windows should have been. There was the slightest variation on their color; some buildings had a slight earthy red tinge while others were a pale gray. Most were at least two stories tall, though the one they came out of and a few others were only one story tall. The buildings were all crammed together, almost touching each other on the sides of the road. The road seemed to stretch out for miles in a straight line, though if The Vet squinted enough, she could make out a branching path in the mist. The sky was gray.

"Like I said. Exploring." Brittany refastened her tie. "Okay, countries? Partner up in a pair of six, then go down both ways of this street. Everyone else, follow either pair, then split off as you look through the buildings."

"What will you do, love?" Casey asked in concern.

Brittany hesitated. "I… want to try something," she said. "Maybe they'll listen this time…"

"Whaddaya mean?" Casey cocked her head to the side. Brittany was staring up at the sky, deep in thought. "Brittany?"

Brittany blinked and looked down at her, before gingerly setting a hand on Casey's shoulder. "Don't worry, this shouldn't take long. Run along now, I'll find you as soon as I've finished my… business."

Vet raised an eyebrow. Casey didn't look convinced, but seemed to sense this was not an argument she could win. Something crossed Vet's mind. She tossed her gun as quietly as she could through one of the windows of the building they were in and acted like nothing was wrong. The gun didn't go off, thankfully.

"Okay, love," Casey finally said. "Don't lollygag for too long, alright?"

"I won't… love." Casey grinned as Brittany's face flushed.

"Vamonos, chica!" Antonio called, waving at Casey from further down the street to the left. "You can partner with us!" Brittany squeezed Casey's shoulder gently, then gave her a slight push in the direction of the left group. Casey looked back a few times, but followed Antonio, Lovino, Feliciano, Gilbert, Francis, and Matthew down the street, followed by a slightly larger crowd of cult members.

Brittany watched her go, then turned back to the house, stopping short when she saw The Vet was still standing there. Brittany blinked a bit, then gestured to where Casey had gone. "I'd like you to stay with her while I'm away, Vet. You seem to have a decent knack for keeping her safe."

"Gee, thanks." Vet rolled her eyes. "…You sure you want to be alone?" She asked after a bit.

"I have to be," Brittany said tensely.

"Ooookaaay…" The Vet was definitely going to come back, but Brittany probably wouldn't do anything until she thought she was alone. She'd have to be sneaky, hence the idea of tossing her gun into the building. "Catch you later, then."

"Yes… later." Brittany didn't seem to be focusing on her, but she'd definitely notice if The Vet didn't move.

The Vet began to walk after the left group, looking back a few times as she went. Brittany was watching her go. After a bit of walking, Brittany and the building disappeared in the mist. Vet began to hurry. She should set up something of an alibi so Brittany wouldn't hear that she hadn't met with her group like she promised. After a little more walking, she saw the short round figure of Casey standing in front of a three-story building. It seemed everyone else has already gone inside.

Casey turned and waved at her. She had probably been waiting for her. "'ello, Vet!" She sounded cheery, but not nearly as much as The Vet was used to.

"Hey," she waved back. "Did you guys find anything yet?"

"Well, we only just started, so no, not really. Some a the cult members split off into smaller groups and are looking through the buildings we passed. The countries an I are lookin through this one next."

"Okay, I'll join you then." Vet casually set her hand on her hip… then looked dramatically down at where her hand was and lightly smacked herself in the head. "I think I dropped my gun on the way over," she told Casey.

"Wha—why did ya drop your gun?"

"I dunno!" Vet shrugged dramatically. "Maybe my gun holster thing got loose?"

"…Maybe." Casey was giving her a look. "Well, come on, then. I'll 'elp ya find it—"

"No-it's-okay!" Vet said quickly. "We only walked so far, and there's no one else here. I'll be able to find it, and then I'll come back. You go help the countries with searching the building, I'll be right back!"

"…Mm-hm." Casey didn't look convinced, but sighed and made her way through the doorway. "'urry back, alright?"

"Will do!" Vet gave a casual smile and started meandering back the way she came. "Who knows? Maybe someone else in our group found it and we'll meet half way." Casey didn't respond; she had gone into the "house". Still, Vet acted as casual as she could until the building faded into the mist. Then, she hurried past the other buildings. It seemed that the other group members were still searching their respective buildings, which worked fine for her.

True to Brittany's word, she could sense which house was the right one, despite them looking so similar to each other. She slowed and crouched under the windows until she was on the side of the doorway. She peeked into the room.

Brittany was facing away from her—at the wall, to be specific. Luckily, it was quiet enough for The Vet to hear her muttering to herself. "Confound it all," she was saying, "where are you?"

Is she searching for The Author with some sort of magic? Vet wondered.

Brittany looked at her book again, then raised her hand and whispered a spell. Nothing happened. She growled and smacked her fist into the wall. "Why won't you answer me, you—"

Suddenly, there was a flash of silver, making Brittany stumble back. A large oval appeared on the wall, like a mirror bordered with silver sparkles. There was no reflection, though, and Vet couldn't see whatever was in it that made Brittany gasp. She did, however, hear their voice.

"I believe in your dimension it is considered rude to 'pester' someone repeatedly." Vet couldn't tell if it was a man or woman speaking, but that probably was the least of her concerns.

"I-I-I'm sorry," Brittany said quickly, "but I need to talk to you; so please, friend—"

"Acquaintance," she was corrected coldly. "We are not friends."

"…Of course." Brittany bowed slightly, then straightened. "I need to talk to you about The Author." There was a pause, so she went on. "She's been missing for two weeks, and I think it has something to do with the Onis. There was a clock with her magic in it, and now this portal to the Oni dimension—"

"I am aware."

"Well—do you know where she is?"

"No," they replied.

Vet tightened her grip on the edge of the door frame. If this person already knew her sister was missing, and about the clocks and the mansion and the dimensions, how could they not know where she was? Brittany seemed to be thinking the same thing.

"Wh—HOW?!" She yelled. "You're the one who gave us all of these powers, and I know that message Gilbert found was from you, and you're the one who put the toilet vending machine in the mansion to help the countries in the first place! So HOW-?"

"SILENCE!" They yelled, and Vet quickly backed out of the doorway, just noticing the cracks forming in the stone around the mirror thing. Slowly, she peeked back into the room. Brittany had stumbled back in fear, though The Vet still couldn't see who or what she was talking to. "Listen to me for once in your life, you insolent brat," they growled. "I recall telling you that I do not necessarily know everything, even with my unbeatable power. That is why I have had to investigate her actions more personally, to see what she is planning."

"…Did you learn anything?" Brittany asked in hesitation.

"…I have some leads."

"Maybe you could tell us—"

"No."

"Why not?!"

"BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE TO GIVE OUT FAULTY INFORMATION! ALSO, IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS WHY I AM NOT TELLING YOU!"

"But—but this is important!" Brittany protested. "The Author means a lot to many of these cult members, including me! And there are people I care about I want to protect! And—"

"I. Do. Not. Care," they snapped, "about your pitiful human relationships. And why should I offer you any more help than I already have if you cannot follow instructions?"

"Wh—I have been following your instructions! I made the camp, I trained the members, I saved the countries—"

"Then why, pray tell, is Italy Veneziano still not the leader of the cult?"

Brittany froze. "I—It's just—there hasn't been a good time to discuss it…"

"YOU HAVE HAD OVER A YEAR!"

"Look, there are more pressing matters at hand! Can't you just—"

"No. That is my final answer. If you will excuse me, there are things I need to investigate."

The mirror thing started to shrink. "No! Wait!" Brittany cried desperately.

"…I will see you in person, in time. I am still not sure when or where, exactly, but we will meet. That is all I am telling you. Goodbye, Brittany Davis." The mirror disappeared.

…What the actual heck was that? Vet thought, pulling herself out of the doorway again and leaning against the wall of the building. Oh, Brittany, what kind of deal with the devil did you make? She peeked back into the room. Brittany was still staring at the wall, but she was shaking. The Vet glanced down at her hip, where her pistol was supposed to be. She probably would need it at some point, and Brittany didn't seem like she'd move on her own unless something made her. Vet hated to intrude on… whatever Brittany was dealing with, but she knew she had to act.

Squatting, she crept to the end of the building before standing up. Taking a deep breath and putting on a smile, The Vet called, "Brittany! You still in here?" She walked casually to the doorway. "I think I dropped my gun in here—Brittany?" Brittany had whipped around and was staring at her, the irises in her eyes shaking like in a real horror anime. "Uh… you okay? Did you finish your thing?"

"…" Brittany's mouth moved, but no sound came out.

Trying to act casual, The Vet strode into the room, looking around until she spotted her gun on the floor near the window. "There it is!" She quickly picked up her pistol and stuck it in its holster.

"…Why was your gun in here?" Brittany asked quietly.

Vet shrugged nonchalantly. "I noticed I had dropped it when I was with Casey, and thought I dropped it in the street somewhere, but I couldn't find it. It must have fallen off when we first got here."

"I see." Brittany looked wary. "I would like to be with Casey… if you don't mind."

"Of course," Vet gestured for her to follow. "You don't need my permission to be with her."

"I know," Brittany said quickly. "…Let's go." They walked out of the building together. Vet didn't say anything, but kept an eye on Brittany. Brittany had a far away look on her face, and she was hugging herself. She wasn't sure if this was the first time she felt genuine concern for Brittany, but she was definitely feeling it now.

As they walked along, they suddenly heard an excited chittering coming from one of the buildings. The one Casey had gone into, Vet realized. The two hurried over and leaned into the doorway. Casey, the countries, and a few cult members were talking excitedly to one another. Casey turned when she heard them get close. "There you are!" She said cheerily. "Guess what? We found a—Brittany?"

Brittany had hurried over to her and pulled her into a hug. Casey hugged back, glancing at the Vet with a questioning look on her face. Vet shrugged, a little more genuinely. She honestly didn't know what just happened.

Brittany slowly pulled away. "Sorry, just… happy to see you."

"I know, love," Casey replied kindly. "Do ya want to see what we found? Oh, and Vet, did ya find your gun?" Vet patted the pistol in its holster. "Brilliant! Now come take a look…"

Vet walked up to the group. Feliciano had a bit of a nervous look on his face. Casey held the object out flat. It was a clock.

"I should bring everyone together," Brittany said. She pulled out her book and flipped to a certain page. She put a finger to her temple, and everyone jumped as her voice rang through their heads. Attention, everyone. Please converge to one of the houses on the left of our starting place. Two stories tall, dark gray, three windows on the ground floor. Er, that's three floors for you Americans. I'll be outside, you can't miss it. She lowered her finger and put her book back in her pocket. She hurried outside, Casey following after handing the clock to Antonio. He held it like a dead thing.

"It's the exact same as the one at the mansion," Vet said quietly.

"Oui," said Francis. "But why is it here?"

"It probably means The Author is definitely in this world," Matthew replied.

"I feel like we're being watched…" Feliciano was looking out the window into the street, concern on his face. Lovino patted him on the shoulder.

"I felt it again," Gilbert said suddenly.

"What?" Vet looked at him.

"Ja, as we were going to the site of the mansion. I didn't bring it up because I still couldn't tell where it was, but now that we're here…" Gilbert pointed at one of the walls. "I think she's in that direction."

"Okay, then we'll go that way as soon as we break this clock," Vet said firmly.

Just then, Brittany, Casey, the other countries, and the rest of the cult poured into the room. Luckily, the room was just large enough to fit everyone comfortably. "Alright, you lot," Brittany called. "Casey and her group have found another clock." Everyone began whispering to each other in a mix of emotions. "Mr. Carriedo, if I may?" Antonio quickly handed Brittany the clock.

She turned it over to the dark blue plastic back and pulled at the rectangle covering the batteries. It took a little oomph, but she managed to pull it off and take out the battery. Another cloud of green sparkles rose into the air. "What exactly is this doing?" The Artist asked after a second.

"Something," Brittany said. Vet gave her a half-eyed look, but she didn't see it. The group watched the cloud of green hover for a few seconds before they realized something. "…Why hasn't the magic faded yet?" Brittany asked aloud.

Suddenly, the sparkles swirled together into a tight ball. Everyone backed up at the light spun more and more quickly.

"Congratulations," a strange woman's voice echoed from the ball.

Gilbert froze. "Dass Stimme…" he said quietly.

Brittany stepped forward. "Who are you?" She asked as firmly as she could.

There was a pause before the voice spoke again: "I don't share my name with just anyone, my dear Brittany. Only the special ones."

Brittany's brow furrowed. "Okay then… why do the clocks have The Author's magic in them?"

"…I suppose I can tell you. The magic has been put in there for… nothing."

"…What?" Brittany said.

"A distraction, dear. A 'goose chase', if you will. The magic you've been finding is merely excess from my… project."

"YOU!" Vet yelled, running to the ball and being restrained by Brittany and Casey. "YOU have my sister, don't you?! WHERE IS SHE?!"

A laugh echoed around them, something akin to the bad Alice Angel from Bendy and the Ink Machine. "Ah, yes, The Vet. As headstrong as ever. You needn't worry, she is well… for now. Her fate could go either way, at this point. She may live… or she may die. It's not up to me."

The Artist growled. "As soon as I get my hands on you…!"

"Oh, I don't expect you to get that far, but you are welcome to try. I must go now, it's time for the next phase. Break the clock if you wish, it concerns me not. Farewell." The sparkles dissipated.

The Vet broke free from Brittany and Casey's restraint. "NO! No, no, NO!"

Brittany was pacing back and forth. "This is why I was asking for help…" She muttered to herself.

"That voice," Gilbert repeated. "That was the voice I heard in the mansion!"

Casey was giving the clock in her hands with a death glare. Suddenly, it was snatched away from her by The Artist. "Artist?" She asked. "What are you—"

Yelling, The Artist threw the clock onto the ground as hard as she could and slammed her heel into the center. The cracking sound was heard by all. "…What." The Artist returned the glares of those she could see. "It's not like the clocks even do anything—" There was an inhuman roar from outside, and everyone turned to the doorway. Mochi America hopped through the door. "Where the heck have you been?" The Artist snapped.

"Help, dudes!" It cried cheerfully; the ever-present smile plastered on its face. There was a loud thump. Then another. And another. And—

A short(ish) gray Oni with no arms and a hunched back scurried into the room, leering hungrily at everyone. Everyone pulled out their weapons. "Dibs." The Vet and Artist said simultaneously as they began firing their weapons: a pistol for The Vet and an assault rifle for The Artist. The monster stumbled out of the building and everyone swarmed after it. Some yelling, slashing, and shooting later, the Oni was down. No one cheered.

"It would seem," Brittany said sternly to The Artist, "that breaking the clocks does indeed do 'something'."

The Artist huffed and looked at the ground, her arms crossed and her weapon on her back.

"I feel we should regroup," Ludwig suggested. "Let's go back to the base and try to cool off. Nothing good comes of angry actions. Believe me, I know."

"…Right," Brittany pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "Come on, you lot. Back to square one."


Oh, dip! Who is this mysterious woman? If you've read the previous books, you'll know. I would recommend reading the first three books first when you have time; a lot of characters and events won't make sense. Like, when I call a certain group "the countries", do you know who I'm talking about? I want The Reader (that's you) to enjoy this series thoroughly. Also reviews are nice, so there's that. I'm honestly still a little vague on the exact way to get there, but there's a certain part that I am simply dying to get to. I've thought about it for a long time; boy, is it going to be intense.

Anyway, what did you think? Leave a review, tell me what you thought, and I'll try to come back soon. Until then!