Fictions Mentioned:

Episode 3

OP Song:

Tomorrow Never Dies · Sheryl Crow

Insert Song: Start

Max Payne - Main Theme

A bond reforged.

Slowly but surely.

After the admittedly delicious meal, Touma Kamijou was being lead by Othinus toward a specific place in her home located somewhere further down the basement. To Kamijou's curiosity and surprise, even though he had already seen something like this could not help but be awed, the library was quite large and extensive in length, width, height, depth, and diameter. It in fact reminded him of the Library of Congress, but wider in space that would practically fit three of its majorly known buildings (Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison).

"Othinus," Kamijou said.

"Yes?" Othinus smiled.

"I never thought that you would have something like this in your basement," he said, indicating the large library that seem to stretch out for miles.

"Oh, I simply took a page out of Lord Doctor. Since then, I have become quite an avid collector of books that I would read at my leisure and discretion. Even if I am retired from the world at large, I am still a god of wisdom," she explained.

"Oh right, I forgot that you were technically a bookworm among many other titles that you hold...from a certain point of view," Kamijou mused.

Othinus smiled. "Well, in spite of these interior sturdy walls and perfect geometrical architecture that would be pleasing to the aesthetic eye, I would have to admit that it is not worth much compared to the Walking Library of Grimoires that I had been acquainted with in my future."

Kamijou's expression turned serious and concerned as he glanced at Othinus, showing a knowing expression and smile that was tinged with sadness. He recognized the term "Walking Library of Grimoires" and can somehow relate it to a girl with silver hair and wearing a unique type of habit that is worn by a religious nun. He can recall some of the flashes that relate to her.

"...Um, about that, I've...actually been seeing flashes of someone who can be considered to be a Walking Library of Grimoires," he muttered.

"Yes, I thought you might. And, if I were to take a guess, you were also having flashes of two other girls, one with brown hair and one with blonde hair with a unique set of eyes showing the stars of space," Othinus said with a sad smile.

"...Yes," Kamijou said. "They seem...quite important to me for some reason. I don't know why...but I just feel sad whenever I tend to recall those flashes."

"You will meet them again...in time that is. Now is not yet the time," Othinus said in enigmatic terms.

"Walk through the present moment, right?" Kamijou said grimly.

Othinus nodded. But she added a warning that she deemed useful for her understander to know.

"Although, I can perhaps tell you this with regards to the Walking Library of Grimoires herself, perhaps in the current reality that you may know and the one that I'm living, she may in fact be very different in terms of behavior and demeanor. But in the world that I came forth from and remember, she was a religious nun from one of the largest Christian denominations of your world, known for her role as the Library of Forbidden Books. When I knew her most of the time, she acts like a simple child, and yet seem to carry rare hints of maturity. Do take care as to when you were to encounter her one day, human, for I can tell you that danger would come for her in simple and complicated ways."

Kamijou decided to take the warning to heart, not understanding some of it for now, but he would understand it in the days to come.

After the conversation, Othinus decided to give him a personal tour of her own sacred library which took quite a bit of work for it to be as it is today. From what she told him along the way, this library may perhaps be the safest place on Earth in case something cataclysmic was to happen, having advanced anti-magical defenses in store in case of bombardment of several different kinds which ranged from thermonuclear radiation to world affecting magic.

There were various books of magic and science all stacked on the shelves in proper order. There were many to choose from. But there was one thing that caught Kamijou's eye and that would have to be the books surrounding the study of Thelema. He looked at the shelve closely. And Othinus noticed it but she didn't say anything. She only smiled sadly as she sees the twelve-year-old boy walking slowly to the shelf and pulling out a book.

The book that he hold was quite large and heavy to hold. The genre was a biography of Aleister Crowley himself. And the one who wrote it didn't have a picture that can be found anywhere on the book cover as it was the norm for books, only a name and one filled with a question mark that acts like a personal signature, all of which were very familiar to him.

The Life, Works, and Times of Edward Alexander Crowley. Critical Edition. By John Smith.

"Othinus, can I borrow this book for a second?" Kamijou said, looking at her with serious eyes.

Othinus nodded. "Of course."

And so, Kamijou decided to read a very informative book that speaks of the life of a man who was known for many things.

Othinus was currently upstairs in the kitchen preparing a set of green herbal tea for her understander to drink as he tries to study the life of the man that would become his greatest enemy.

She could not deny the fact that she was understandably worried for her understander. Why could she not be? She can already tell that her understander had some idea as to who Aleister Crowley truly was based on the flashes that he had been receiving from his mind, a consequence of his thousands of years of endeavor across many worlds.

Vworp Vworp Vworp

And yet, in spite of her worry, she could not help but smile out of relief as she closely hears the distinctive grinding and whirring sound of a familiar box that sets sail throughout the stars, and through the ocean of space and time. At the same time, she had already managed to prepare the tea sets placed on the circular plate. She carries the plate and walks towards the living room, finding the blue box with the words "POLICE PUBLIC CALL BOX" on the heading.

"Tea, my Lord Doctor?" Othinus asked, raising the plate.

The Doctor, standing just outside the doors of the ship and still wearing his medical lab coat, smiled as he begins to take the cup. "Don't mind if I do, Lady Othinus." He takes a zip, making a pleased expression. "Ah, green herbal tea, quite the exquisite taste, exceptionally high in flavonoids that can help boost your heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and reducing blood clotting. I can only assume that you're bringing this to Touma."

"Of course, I would," Othinus smiled sadly. "He is in fact downstairs to the library where he is reading your book about Aleister Crowley."

"...Oh," the Doctor smiled sadly, knowing just what this meant. "Is it the one with the critical edition?"

"Yes," Othinus confirmed. "But I believe that you had foreseen this already so you must not be surprised."

"No," the Doctor shakes his head. "I'm less surprised and more concerned if anything."

At that moment, they were walking downstairs to the library.

"I knew that Touma would eventually find out about Aleister someday. But I didn't think that it would have to resort to an infinite years' worth of hell whose consequences still make Touma have flashes sometimes. Nightmares even," the Doctor said.

"It cannot be helped, my Lord Doctor. One cannot keep my understander from finding out more about his potential destiny," Othinus said.

"Maybe. But I was merely trying to delay it somewhat, give him a normal childhood for once in his life, as normal as it can be anyway," the Doctor said.

"And I am more grateful for that than anything," Othinus smiled. "You gave him the best childhood there is, unlike the time where I to remember."

"And speaking of that," the Doctor looked towards the god with concern. "How are you holding up so far?"

"Better than normal. I can finally see him again after so very long. I've missed too many of his birthdays, including his twelfth one which was the more recent in several months," Othinus said with a sad smile.

"There's always next year," the Doctor spoke with a reassuring smile. "I'd say that it's about time that you can finally attend his birthday as you are an inseparable part of his life."

"And I for one am all the more eager to prepare for that eventual day and the days ahead," Othinus smiled. But then, her smile turns to one of concern. "However, I may need to confide to you of my worries."

"Justified worries," the Doctor smiled grimly. "Touma is slowly finding out about his future past. Not all of them, just bit by bit. But I once told him to always be mindful of the present moment and walk forward with his head held high."

"So did I not too long ago," Othinus smiled.

"Great minds think alike I should say," the Doctor said.

A few steps later, they enter the Main Reading Room. Eight giant marble columns each support 10-foot-high allegorical female figures in plaster representing characteristic features of civilized life and thought: Religion, Commerce, History, Art, Philosophy, Poetry, Law, and Science. The 16 bronze statues set upon the balustrades of the galleries pay homage to men whose lives symbolized the thought and activity represented by the plaster statues.

From there, they bore witness to one twelve-year-old Touma Kamijou who was sitting on a chair, currently busy jotting down important notes from his journal—A Certain Multi-Subject Notebook, the cover was blue and resembled the exterior of the Doctor's TARDIS, the same blue police box that was just parked upstairs to the second-floor living room. The book detailing the biography of Aleister Crowley was seen placed on the right side, opened from several pages which speak of the Ethics of Thelema.

Notes:

A.) Your Duty to Self: describes the self as the center of the universe, with a call to learn about one's inner nature. Admonishes the reader to develop every faculty in a balanced way, establish one's autonomy, and to devote oneself to the service of one's own True Will.

B.) Your Duty to Others: An admonishment to eliminate the illusion of separateness between oneself and all others, to fight when necessary, to avoid interfering with the Wills of others, to enlighten others when needed, and to worship the divine nature of all other beings.

C.) Your Duty to Mankind: States that the Law of Thelema should be the sole basis of conduct. That the laws of the land should have the aim of securing the greatest liberty for all individuals. Crime is described as being a violation of one's True Will.

D.) Your Duty to All Other Beings and Things: States that the Law of Thelema should be applied to all problems and used to decide every ethical question. It is a violation of the Law of Thelema to use any animal or object for a purpose for which it is unfit, or to ruin things so that they are useless for their purpose. Natural resources can be used by man, but this should not be done wantonly, or the breach of the law will be avenged.

The Doctor and Othinus smiled as they see the studious expression of one Touma Kamijou.

"Quite fascinating," Othinus said in a whisper. "Back in my time, he was rarely this serious in terms of his studies."

"Not like the lad can be blamed for it considering his tendency to hop from one problem to the next," the Doctor whispered.

"There's that, but there's also the annoyingly comedic tendencies tending to get in the way," Othinus reminded.

"The constant biting from the walking library whose stomach is quite the mystery even to myself, or the electroshock from the girl who isn't really honest about her feelings too much for more than half of the time, or the not-so-subtle flirtations from the girl with stars for her eyes, or your godly threats that are too distasteful for a pixie fairy of your size before getting chased by the calico cat as it is rather inevitable?" the Doctor subtly makes reference to the four main girls of the Imagine Breaker, last but not least referring to Othinus.

"Very funny, Lord Doctor," Othinus made an annoyed expression, making the Doctor raise his hands in mocking surrender with a smile plastered on his face. Othinus turns towards her understander and smiles. She decided to call for him, drawing his attention that had been absorbed in studying Thelema for quite some time. "Would you care for some tea, human?"

"Thank you, Othinus," Kamijou said, grabbing a glass and starting to sip the contents. He smiled. "It's good."

"Really? I'm glad," Othinus made a bright smile.

At the same time, Kamijou noticed his father figure flashing a paternal smile, his hands placed on the pockets of his medical coat. He made a surprised expression. "Doctor, I didn't see you there?"

"Well, I just got back from whatever it is that I'm supposed to do," the Doctor walks towards Kamijou and sits down to his left. Othinus was placing the plate on the table and decided to sit down. "It seems that you have been busy with your studies on the subject of Thelema," the Doctor pointed out with a smile, placing his hand towards the boy's back.

"I'd figure that it was best to prepare since another TARDIS Class session would be coming soon. I think that was the next history lesson that you were going to cover up eventually," Kamijou smiled.

"But there's more to this than just TARDIS Class isn't there?" the Doctor pointed out.

Kamijou only remained silent, showing a hesitant expression.

"Come now, Touma, did you really think that I have forgotten about the part where you told me of having flashes regarding Aleister?" the Doctor asked in concern.

Kamijou shakes his head. "Of course not. I'm just..."

"Worried about your family?" the Doctor meant Touma Kamijou's parents and the few relatives that he has in this world such as Otohime Tatsugami. There would also be his best friend who carries the World Rejector Ability and other friends and acquaintances that he had made in this world.

"Yes," Kamijou nodded. He glances at the book. "It's...It's quite a lot to think about...You know, about Aleister Crowley."

From what Touma Kamijou had learned so far regarding Aleister Crowley and his works from the well-informative book that he was currently studying, he couldn't help but worry greatly about what he had found out regarding the man, if only because he could not help but find the eerie comparisons that he can find from one other best friend in his life if only a bit more extreme and dead set on his goals, Lelouch vi Britannia.

But there was more to it than just mere comparisons...

Aleister Crowley hated God.

He hated Christianity.

Actually, he hated everything that had to do with God and the origin started from his very own childhood. His Christian parents, who held belief in God and influential positions in the town, their Christian faith being low church and the non-conformist Christian movement known as the Plymouth Brethren or Assemblies of Brethren, refused to listen or understand him and considered him stupid for his lack of belief.

Rather than protecting or caring for the boy as a parent should, they were more focused on ensuring that he acted "proper". They sent him to a strict boarding school, believing that it would place in him the strict spirit and understanding of God's teaching they desired. Not fitting in there, he was repeatedly mocked, criticized, and persecuted by both his teachers and the other children at the school. Finding the town a horrible place, the logical consequence followed.

The young Aleister Crowley grew bitter and frustrated, scornful of the people around him who proclaimed themselves believers and righteous yet acted so foolish and disgracefully.

As a result of his experiences, he developed a strong contempt for the God who was believed to have created the world, one that was easily fooled and could not punish liars, such as the adults responsible for his suffering, who despite their true natures appeared nice on the surface and as such held influential positions in the town, being treated like perfect role models. He concluded that reading the Bible would not lead to the truth and that when one cast aside their own thoughts and blindly believed the teachings of those who came before, they would only gain the disgraceful behavior exhibited by his tormentors. He decided to find the proper rules and answers that God could not in order to make the world a better place. To that end, he sought to reclaim the true path that he considered lost due to foolish blind belief. This desire would eventually lead him down the path of magic.

And eventually, take the magic name:

Beast666.

And Touma Kamijou can just tell from the magic name, deciphering the meaning clearly with sharp eyes, and was left profoundly disturbed by the implications, which made him quite reflective.

Having a magic name, to Kamijou's knowledge, meant something to the true magician with no talents as it defines his or her entire personality and goal in life. Meaning that a magic name isn't something that is chosen willy-nilly. Each magic name is different and that depends on the one who carries it.

Meaning...

Even if it destroys the universe itself and themselves, no magician with a magic name would give up on their dreams.

And what was Aleister Crowley's dream...?

He wants the phases and magic itself to simply disappear off the face of existence.

It was the more extreme ideal that reminded Touma Kamijou of his best friend, Lelouch vi Britannia, whose goal to destroy his corrupted nation, the Holy Britannian Empire, sometimes made him worry for a bit as he does not take things in face value and tries to decipher their meaning carefully, with almost no one or even Lelouch himself to worry.

Touma Kamijou can be one crafty bastard according to some people and they would be right.

"Yes...him," the Doctor smiled empathetically. "Every descent into darkness has to start somewhere. I believe that you could already see the comparison between him and Lelouch."

"I do...and I don't like it," Kamijou said sadly.

"Neither do I," the Doctor muttered with narrowed eyes. "But then, it's probably one of the reasons why I decided to adopt the lad. Do you remember that talk that I gave you and Shinichi a while back?"

"The part where Lelouch is destined for something in the future...but that doesn't necessarily mean it's all that great, right?" Kamijou said.

"Yes, there's that. His world is now experiencing the upheaval that I've known since observing its entire history. The conflict between nations is imminent and it's merely all but a matter of time before Lelouch is going to have to make himself known by a different name. The number where everything starts, positive or negative," the Doctor said.

"...Zero," Kamijou said softly. "He's using it right now though."

"But not in his world, not now," the Doctor reminded. "We all made the plan, didn't we?"

"Right...that plan," Kamijou said softly. "But...a lot of people are going to die though...aren't they?"

"...I suppose so," the Doctor sadly before turning serious. "Nevertheless, his world needs to be ready and unite as one. Other threats from beyond, some of them who were my oldest of enemies, have now set their eyes on Lelouch's Earth and the possible interest in Geass as a potential weapon of war by a few unmentionable parties concerns me greatly."

"With that kind of power, depending on what you get based on the person's inner desire and personality, you'd practically decimate entire armies without even having to put in the effort," Kamijou grimly replied as he begins to drink his tea in order to feel a bit better.

"And for a brilliant mind like Lelouch, it would be so simple as lifting a finger. But of course, there are grave consequences to such a thing and it tends to bite him in very terrible ways, and little by little, would eventually lead to his predestined death, which is why I asked him to hold off receiving Geass at that point for now as he needs to master himself with discipline and training before he is worthy to use such great power at his disposal," the Doctor sadly explained.

"...Teaching him the good old "great power, great responsibility" shtick?" Kamijou smiled somewhat.

"Well, if it works, it works," the Doctor said with a practical tone.

Out of everyone, only the Doctor, Touma Kamijou, and Shinichi Kudo (who was not here and is back on his Earth) were the only ones who truly know of the deeper part of history concerning Lelouch vi Britannia's homeworld—CG Earth-Prime.

And yes...that would also have to include the death of Lelouch vi Britannia.

Contingency plans had already been made by the three just in case but they still worried about the probable outcomes.

"It seems that you have so many worries that you have been keeping close to your heart, human," Othinus finally spoke after listening to the two talking. She was smiling, but it was one full of concern. "Even now in this timeline, you aren't free from such concerns. I had hope once that you'd at least be able to keep a normal life as much as possible."

"But even people with normal lives tend to have problems," Kamijou pointed out.

"Not the same as the problems that you face daily. From what I've heard from Lord Doctor, you're quite the famous superhero going by a name for your own country," Othinus looked rather amused if a bit disheartened as she can understand more of the differences between the Touma Kamijou of then (alternate future) and now (present time).

"Captain Nippon," the Doctor smiled cheerfully. "Yes, Touma actually chose the name for himself. He even has that classic uniform that is very similar to Steve Rogers, only with the national flag of Japan instead, and that accompanies your mighty shield."

"To be completely fair, that set costume is the ultimate form of my suit as my suit basically has a dragon motif for the regular uniform, and besides that, that's not really the only title I've been called by. More to the point, I don't really care as much for titles," Kamijou replied with embarrassment.

"Nevertheless, I feel like there is a reason why you chose the name "Captain Nippon" to be your official codename in light of your superheroics," Othinus muttered softly.

"There is," Kamijou became serious. "And that's basically due to atone."

"Atone?" Othinus noted the serious tone from her understander's voice.

"If there's one thing that people often tend to forget is that...well...to start from the most basic issue, I'm Japanese, and by that, I mean that in light of the turbulent history of my own nation, and the undeniable war crimes that had been committed most especially during the Second World War, I thought it best to wear the flag of my own people and represent them, if only because I wanted to fight to protect, not to harm, to atone for all of the damages and build peace as the primary objective."

"Ah, I see, simple patriotism, then?" Othinus smiled.

"Every nation isn't perfect. We all made mistakes, including the nation of Japan, which is why I wear it as a reminder of our own past in order not to repeat it again, meaning that historical revisionism and historical negationism are not the solutions to building peace," Kamijou simply said.

"Still, that flag better not be the one with the Rising Sun used by Imperial Japan as that would prove to have an opposite effect from what you're intending," Othinus pointed out wisely, thinking of other countries that may not seem to take that well.

"Oh, no, not that flag. I'm using the other one, the Hinomaru," Kamijou explained.

"Well, that's rather reassuring," Othinus smiled before giggling in amusement. "Did the Captain Nippon jokes already started by the time the name took note of the general public?"

"...Uh oh," Kamijou made an expression of dread.

"When Captain Nippon throws his mighty shield," the Doctor sings with a cheerful tone.

"Oh come on, Doctor!" Kamijou exclaims in exasperation.

"All those who chose to oppose his shield must yield," Othinus was the next to sing with a smile of amusement on her face.

"Othinus, not you too!" Kamijou again exclaims in exasperation.

"If he's led to a fight and a duel is due," the Doctor sings.

"Then the red and the white will come through and through," Othinus sings.

"When Captain Nippon throws his mighty shield," both the Doctor and Othinus joined together with one voice.

"...(Sigh). Somehow, I feel like you two are going to enjoy double-teaming against me from now on...and I blame Kyon for even bringing up that song in the first place as a prank and editing a few minor details just for the tune to surprisingly fit. I wouldn't be surprised if I get a violation of copyright for that based on my misfortune," Kamijou puts his right hand to his face, muttering in a surrendered tone.

Insert Song: End

ED Song:

Thunderball (Main Title) · Tom Jones · John Barry

Incarnation(s)/Regeneration(s) of the Doctor:

The Tenth Doctor - A: David Tennant

Main Companion Protagonists:

Touma Kamijou - VA: Atsushi Abe