Les Jeux Mystèrieux: The Mysterious Games
Anne: Last episode, Senri-E broke into Mt. Taikyoku.
Katherine: Berit was back to normal, but we had bigger problems; Senri-E was pissed off.
Luna: Berit tried to expel Senri-E from Mt. Taikyoku with her final wish, but Senri-E possessed her before she could get the wish in.
Nick: Luckily, Subaru was able to stop time and give Taiitsu-kun opportunity to get Senri-E out of there.
Chris: And then Taiitsu-kun spilled the whole story; apparently, Taiitsu-kun was the First Priestess in the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho.
Janna: She explained about the Void, about Kyoku and her sins.
Max: But Taiitsu-kun doesn't want us involved any more! And Anne is still catatonic!
Jeff: Are we ever going home?
Episode 34: Mezameranai yumemi (The unawakening dreamer)
(Anne lies on the bed, silently sleeping. Berit anxiously paces back and forth between the beds, taking care not to walk into the never-ending whiteness dubbed "the walls". Kokie, Amefuri and Subaru watch Berit patiently)
Berit: So let me get this straight. I pretended that Anne tried to kill me so I could kill her.
Subaru: Correct.
Berit: And then...I sent my Warriors to kill you guys.
Amefuri: (nodding) Mmm-hmm.
Berit: Ok...so I only have one question: WHO THE HECK IS SENRI-E???
(Kokie closes her eyes in mock pain, turning away slightly as Berit screams)
Kokie: (cautiously opening her eyes) Weren't you listening at all??? Taiitsu-kun just explained the whole thing!
Berit: Well, I get who she is. But why is she interested in us? Didn't she just randomly appear in Mt. Taikyoku?
Amefuri: Oh...Berit's never actually seen Senri-E before.
Subaru: And she wasn't with us on our journey, so she hasn't seen the effects of her meddling.
Berit: Did you just realize this? OF COURSE I WASN'T WITH YOU GUYS!
Kokie: Jeez, I had hoped that when Taiitsu-kun broke the spell you'd become quiet and amiable. I might have to slap you again at this rate.
(Berit's eyes widen in anger, but they suddenly soften)
Berit: (realization dawning) Was I...really being that bad?
(Kokie thinks for a brief second, and then nods vigorously)
Berit: Well...um...I guess, what I'm trying to say is...
Amefuri: (hinting blandly) You're sorry and you won't do it again?
Berit: Yeah. So, could you guys...explain stuff to me? Even if I don't really deserve it?
Kokie: If you stop all the depressed talk, we have a deal. So where should we start?
Berit: Maybe at the beginning?
Subaru: (sardonically) Thanks. (softening tone) Well, I guess we can start at the beginning. As you know, about a month ago, we went to the Institute of Art.
Amefuri: Actually, it wasn't really a month ago. In real terms it was...um...
Kokie: Screw the alternate timeframe! We went to the museum, right?
Berit: Yeah, I remember. I was really annoyed that Anne blew me off to go to the museum.
Subaru: So at the museum, there was this spiffy Chinese exhibit. We went in, and of course there was the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho on display.
Kokie: The exhibit said that it had washed ashore in California, in basically perfect condition, right?
Amefuri: Yup. It was in Traditional Chinese, so none of us could read it, but then suddenly Anne started reading the book.
Kokie: And then there was a flash of white light...
Berit: Oh, I remember this part.
Subaru: I don't know what happened for everybody else, but I found myself in a grassy field. The nearest town was an Asian-looking village...
Amefuri: Same deal for me.
Kokie: Yeah, well...I met some soldiers, but...that'll wait for a while.
Subaru: From what I heard from Anne, she found herself just outside of Shijuen.
Berit: Shijuen?
Amefuri: (off-handedly) Capital of Sailo. (back to business) Anne found Chris there, or Tokaki; apparently he had stolen something. Not altogether surprising...
Kokie: The pair met the Emperor of Sailo, who gave them the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho...by the way, the Emperor of Sailo is REALLY hot.
(Berit raises one eyebrow in interest)
Subaru: He's too old for you; don't even think about it. Now, Tokaki and Anne got into a fight with some soldiers; that's when I met them. I healed Anne and we were on our way. But that's apparently when Senri-E made her first contact with us.
(Subaru thinks back to the fight with the lake demon, trying to remember exactly what happened)
Subaru: Tokaki made us go boating...it wasn't a good idea, because the lake had a sea monster in it. Neither Tokaki nor I were a match for it, but there was a huge flash of white light and the serpent disappeared. Anne thought that Byakko had saved us...
Kokie: In reality, it was just Senri-E.
Amefuri: That wasn't the first time that Senri-E affected us! Have you guys forgotten???
Kokie: Uh...yeah?
Amefuri: Idiots! Remember the reason that we entered the book in the first place???
Subaru: The war with...(suddenly understanding) Oh!
Berit: Huh?
Subaru: Of course! Senri-E's the one that caused both of Kutou's wars!
Berit: What?? How???
Kokie: She possessed the Emperor of Kutou and declared war. You were possessed, right? You remember it?
(Berit closes her eyes and stops pacing abruptly, remembering the horrible feeling of invasion)
Berit: Yeah...I do.
(Berit shakes her head, getting control of her emotions and resumes pacing)
Berit: OK, so hold up a second. Why would Senri-E possess the Emperor of Kutou?
Amefuri: She wanted a Priestess. By starting a war, she ensured that a Priestess would be summoned.
Berit: That's horrible...but why did she want a Priestess?
Subaru: You don't remember your second wish?
Berit: (a bit surprised) I made my second wish???
(Subaru, Amefuri and Kokie look at each other in surprise as Berit stops pacing again, slowly turning towards the three girls)
Subaru: My god...no wonder you were so quick to try to wish Senri-E away...
Berit: What do you mean? I didn't make a second wish!!!
Kokie: When Senri-E possessed you...you obviously must not remember. You did make a wish...to give Senri-E a body.
(Berit's eyes widen)
Berit: A body? I did? No way. I'd never do that.
Amefuri: Well, it's possible that's not what you wished for...but seeing as you made your wish after being possessed by Senri-E and she took form directly after it's the only logical conclusion.
Berit: No way...
Kokie: Sorry. This also means that you shouldn't make your final wish.
Berit: Why not?
Subaru: Didn't anybody tell you? Suzaku consumes you with each wish, until after the final wish you are completely absorbed.
Berit: (shocked) Absorbed?
Amefuri: (patronizingly) Yes, that's what she said. Absorbed. Do you know what that word means?
Berit: (angrily) Shut up! (turning to look at Anne) H...how many wishes...has Anne made?
Kokie: She made her third one, but her will was strong enough to keep her from being consumed. I doubt you're that strong, seeing your reaction to your first wish.
Subaru: By the way...what was your first wish? I've been wondering for a while.
Berit: (absentmindedly, while staring at Anne) I wished that my Warriors could get stronger so they could kill you.
(Kokie, Amefuri and Subaru stare at Berit in astonishment. Berit looks at them, completely nonplussed)
Berit: Well, it's true! I regret it now, but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time! (changing the subject, still looking at Anne) Um...what did Anne wish for?
Amefuri: Anne's first wish was to protect Sailo from Kutou, stop the invasion of Kutou, and send us home to our world. Her second wish sent us back to this world, and her third wish saved you from being consumed by Suzaku.
Berit: Her third wish...saved me? She made a wish for my sake?
Kokie: If you think about, her second wish was technically for your sake as well. So yes -on two accounts.
Berit: She...she...
(Berit gulps loudly and tries to look away from Anne's body. Try as she might, she cannot stop looking at Anne)
Subaru: Um...Berit? Are you all right?
(Without warning, Berit suddenly bursts into tears, her body wracked by choking sobs. Kokie, Amefuri and Subaru stare as Berit stops pacing and covers her face with her hands, as if to stem the flow of tears from her eyes)
Berit: (barely intelligible through the tears) It's my fault...it's all my fault!!! If I hadn't opened the book...or done those terrible things...Anne wouldn't be like this right now!!!
Subaru: Berit...it's not...
Kokie: (matter-of-factly) She's right, you know.
Amefuri: Kokie!
Kokie: She's hit the nail right on the head. You disagree?
Amefuri: No, but...this isn't the time to agree with her!
(Amefuri stands up, moving in front of Berit. Gently, Amefuri pries Berit's hands away from her face and sits her down on the bed)
Amefuri: (firmly holding Berit's hands) Berit. Calm down.
Berit: (trying to cover her face again but failing) Stop it...stop it! You know I'm right, you know it's my fault...leave me alone!!!
(Amefuri closes her eyes and sighs, still holding Berit's hands. Slowly, she reopens her eyes)
Amefuri: (calmly) Berit, whether or not Anne's current condition is your fault or not, acting like this won't help anything.
Berit: It'll make me feel better!!! Why don't you understand???
Amefuri: No, it actually won't. What will help is controlling your emotions.
Berit: (beginning to cease crying) But...but...it's still my fault...
Amefuri: Look, at this point, it doesn't matter. We can discuss all of this later; suffice to say that I blame Senri-E right now, not you.
Berit: (sniffling a bit) But...it wasn't all Senri-E! You see...I was jealous of Anne! Senri-E might have just capitalized on what was there before! That's why I entered the boo-
Amefuri: Berit, stop! This won't help anything!
Subaru: (standing up) No, Amefuri, I disagree. Berit, continue with what you were saying about you being jealous of Anne.
Amefuri: But...
Subaru: This isn't just curiosity, Amefuri; I am curious, but I think this will help Berit to help Anne.
Kokie: She has a point. Go on, Berit.
(Amefuri reluctantly releases Berit's hands, which instantly move to Berit's cheeks to wipe away her tears. After drying her face enough, Berit resumes where she left off, now a bit more composed)
Berit: As I was saying...I actually was jealous of Anne. You see, I don't know if you know this, but Anne promised to study with me the afternoon you guys went to the museum. I was annoyed with her, and felt left out, irrationally. When she blew me off again to go to the library with you again, that was the last straw.
Kokie: The proverbial breaker of the camel's back?
Berit: You could say that. I don't really know what came over me; I was completely angry. I'm not sure why I went into Anne's room, I just needed something to establish my superiority over her. And that's when I found the book, just lying on her bed.
Subaru: So you opened it???
Berit: No, of course not. I ignored it completely at first; a book wouldn't really help me. But that's when I heard the singing.
Amefuri: Singing? What singing?
Berit: It was a woman's voice...she was singing beautifully, but sadly. It sounded like it was coming from the book, so I opened it.
Kokie: Hey...now that I think about it, Anne mentioned hearing singing when we went to the library to research the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho.
Subaru: That's true...
Berit: Hmm...it actually sounded kind of like Senri-E's singing did.
Amefuri: That makes a strange sort of sense...considering that Senri-E did cause you to enter the book.
Berit: If that's true...then I've heard that singing a few other times. The most important one was when I first met Anne in this world...
Subaru: When you went mental! It's all starting to make sense! Senri-E's singing must have caused that spell that Taiitsu-kun took off.
Amefuri: See, I told you it wasn't your fault, really.
Berit: Yeah...I guess I can blame it on Senri-E...(she looks over at Anne) although it doesn't make me feel much better.
Kokie: So then...what are we going to do about Anne?
Subaru: It would make sense to figure out what's wrong with her.
Berit: Genius! Now it would make sense to figure out exactly how to do that!
Subaru: I don't see you coming up with any ideas.
Kokie: Amefuri, I know your specialty is shielding...but can you enter Anne's mind? It might give us some perspective, if not plain answers.
Amefuri: I guess I could try...if she's in a coma, though, then I won't be able to do anything.
Subaru: We'll have to worry about that wh- (stopping in midsentance) if it happens.
Amefuri: OK...I'll try that right now. It's too bad I don't have my orb here anymore.
Kokie: Oh, yeah...it broke. Subaru, didn't you break your hourglass too?
Subaru: (looking at her hand) Yeah...I've still got remnants of it embedded in my palm.
Berit: No way! Why didn't you tell us before this???
Subaru: I guess...it wasn't too important?
Amefuri: Subaru, you have GLASS stuck IN YOUR HAND. How is that not important?
Subaru: OK, I get it. Here, I'll take care of it.
(Subaru clasps her hands together with a wince, and focuses her chi. Both hands are surrounded by a white glow, which disappates quickly)
Subaru: There. Done. Jeez, Amefuri, you're right; it's much harder to use my powers without my hourglass.
Berit: What are you guys talking about? Orb? Hourglass?
Amefuri: They were gifts given to us by Taiitsu-kun...they aren't really important right now; I have a job to do.
(Berit raises her eyebrows)
Berit: Wait...I can do that far better than you can. I have one wish remaining, after all...
(Subaru, Amefuri and Kokie stare at Berit in shock as her affirmation registers in their heads)
Amefuri: You're going to use your last wish???
Berit: It's only fair...Anne did it for me...
Subaru: Berit, no! Anne's condition isn't the same as yours was! Hers isn't caused by Byakko's consumption of her!
Berit: It isn't?
AmefuriKokie: It isn't????
Subaru: No! It can't possibly be! Think about it; Anne's finished with Byakko now. She made her third wish; Byakko didn't consume her for some reason, so logically he can't anymore. Get it?
Amefuri: Um...I guess?
Subaru: Besides, Anne's clearly not in a coma. She responded to Tatara taking her to Taiitsu-kun...sort of. As far as I recall, Berit, I don't remember you reacting to anything when you were in your coma.
Berit: But does any of that matter??? Anne's still in trouble, and I have the means to help her!
Kokie: (quietly, almost to herself) Idiot...you idiot...
Berit: Excuse me?
(Without warning, Kokie stands up over Berit, eyes blazing)
Kokie: You idiot! Do you understand what would happen to you if you made your third wish??? Suzaku would consume you completely! There wouldn't be any of you left! Caput! Finito! Do you have any idea...of what that would do to Anne???
Berit: But...I...(taking a breath) Anne made her third wish, didn't she? And Byakko didn't consume her!
Kokie: (shouting) Your will isn't as strong as Anne's! It's not even close! That's why you went into a coma after making your first wish! Even Anne's third wish can't protect you from being consumed completely! And Anne...wouldn't want you to do that for her sake. She'd never be able to cope after that...don't you get it?????
Amefuri: Kokie. Stop yelling and sit down.
(Kokie stares at Amefuri with smouldering, confused eyes)
Amefuri: Look, I agree with you completely. But you don't have to yell. Berit's in a fragile state as it is; we don't need her going berserk. Let's just calm down, and go from there.
(Kokie reluctantly returns to her bed, still a little riled up. Berit audibly exhales)
Berit: But then...what are we supposed to do? By we...I mean me.
Amefuri: You guys can just sit tight. My job now is to find out what's wrong with Anne; once I do that we can figure things out.
Berit: So...we're just supposed to wait???
Subaru: Amefuri's very good at what she does; it won't be long.
Berit: Well...I suppose...but it's only because I don't have a choice!
Amefuri: Better than nothing, I suppose. In that case...I'm going in.
(Amefuri stands up from the bed, leaving Berit and walking to Anne's bed. She cautiously sits down next to Anne, looking down at Anne's face)
Amefuri: You saved me before...now it's time to return the favor.
(Amefuri closes her eyes, placing her hand over Anne's face. In a moment, the center of her chest flares into white light as her Celestial Symbol appears)
(Amefuri's view brightens from blackness into almost incandescence. Amefuri tries to close her eyes against the light, but she quickly realizes that her eyes are already closed, and the light is mental. Nevertheless, it still hurts, and Amefuri grits her teeth and pushes forwards)
(Berit's eyes widen as Amefuri's body stiffens, the muscles in her arms stretching to their limits)
Berit: What's happening???
Kokie: (slightly worried) I'm not sure...but I've never seen her do this.
Berit: She's never done this before?!?!??!!?
Subaru: Well, no...but I don't think that's going to be a hindrance to her.
Berit: (disbelieving) Not going to be a hindrace? You're kidding...
(Amefuri bursts through the burning light into a field of green grass, stopping in surprise as the light abruptly vanishes, taking the pain with it. Amefuri looks around in a mix of confusion and surprise, surveying the endless expanse of vibrant green grass and clear blue sky)
Amefuri: Where am I? Is this where Anne's mind is imprisoned?
(Amefuri turns around, hoping to see something besides grass, but the perfect prairie is unbroken)
Amefuri: Jeez...how am I supposed to help if I'm stuck in this place? Come on, Anne...give me something to work with.
(Amefuri closes her eyes, searching for Anne's mind with her chi. In an instant, Amefuri finds it. The realization forces her eyes open in astonishment)
Amefuri: Her chi...it's everywhere! Could this be...Anne's mind?
(Amefuri turns around again, seeing the grassy field in a new light)
Amefuri: I get it...Anne's not imprisoned in this field. On the contrary...her awareness isn't here at all. All right...let's start this over.
(Amefuri searches with her chi again for Anne. However, this time, she seeks Anne's chi rather than her mind. Not surprisingly, the endless veldt does not currently contain Anne's chi)
Amefuri: Well, ok...so I've ruled out this infinite area of land. So where is she? (pausing to draw in her breath to scream) Anne? ANNNNE?
(Surprisingly, there is an answer to Amefuri's calls. Astounded, Amefuri feels her mental form being tugged to another place. Amefuri fights against the summons for a moment, but quickly acquiesces and allows herself to be lead away)
(The grassy field disappears into white light. Amefuri frowns mentally, inwardly questioning her destination's fidelity when a scream pierces her mind)
(Amefuri explodes out of the white light into a darkened area. A spotlight highlights a circle on a black surface; outside the spotlight is pure darkness. Inside the spotlight sits a young, blonde girl, watching something in the blackness intently)
Amefuri: Um...hello?
Young girl: (without turning around) Who are you? What are you doing here?
Amefuri: Is that you? Anne?
(The little girl turns her face towards Amefuri. While it is a young face, it is clearly Anne)
Young Anne: I don't know who you are...but as long as you're here, you can watch it with me.
Amefuri: Watch what?
Young Anne: (turning away again) Ssh. It's about to begin.
(All of a sudden, the spotlight vanishes, leaving Amefuri and Young Anne in darkness. Amefuri quickly looks around, trying to see something, but there is nothing but darkness. After a few moments, the darkness becomes the throne room of Konan)
(Amefuri watches in astonishment as the Suzaku and Byakko Warriors face off against Senri-E. The five cultists look up at Senri-E in confusion as she opens her mouth to sing. Amefuri gasps, and jumps for Senri-E)
Young Anne: (impassively) It's no use. You can't stop it from happening.
(Amefuri passes completely through Senri-E, her eyes turning unbidden to watch in horror as the resonation takes hold of the five cultists. The young girl simply sits and stares, but when the explosion occurs she screams)
(As quickly as it appeared, the scenery vanishes to return to the spotlight. Amefuri looks around in confusion)
Amefuri: What...was that???
Young Anne: It's a memory. My memory. I don't have any choice but to watch it over and over again.
Amefuri: But...doesn't it frighten you?
Young Anne: Of course. It's very scary. But I can't stop it from happening.
Amefuri: What are you talking about? It's your mind, isn't it? Why can't you stop it?
(The little girl turns around again to face Amefuri. This time, her body seems to flicker, and where the little girl sat a moment ago, the present Anne now sits)
Anne: I can't control the memories anymore...I can't do anything. I'm helpless, all over again.
(Anne's body flickers again, returning to her younger self)
Young Anne: It's about to start again. If you'd like to stay, we could watch it together.
Amefuri: (shaking away the confusion) No, I don't! Anne, get a hold of yourself! You can control your mind; it's yours!
Young Anne: I'm afraid that that's impossible. (turning around again) Look; here it comes.
(The spotlight vanishes, to be replaced again by Konan's throne room. Amefuri grits her teeth as the memory begins to replay itself)
Amefuri: No! Stop the memory! Stop this at once!
Young Anne: I'm sorry, but I've told you already. There's nothing I can do.
(Amefuri exhales loudly in annoyance, ignoring Senri-E's phantom song. Amefuri marches over to the young girl and grabs her forcefully by the arms)
Amefuri: Stop this right now!!!
(Surprisingly, the memory does stop. The little girl stares at Amefuri with a mix of shock and surprise)
Young Anne: You...let go of me. Cease and desist.
Amefuri: I can't talk to you. Bring out the real Anne.
Young Anne: Let...GO OF ME!!!!!!
(The girl's hair blows backwards as she releases a mental chi blast, stunning Amefuri and almost causing her to lose her grip)
(Subaru, Kokie and Berit watch in confusion as Amefuri's body suddenly grips Anne's face in a powerful grasp)
Kokie: Oh, god. What's happening in there?
(Amefuri only grips the little girl tighter)
Amefuri: Bring her out here! Now!!!
(The girl closes her eyes, and her body flickers into Anne's. Anne's eyes widen in surprise as Amefuri grips Anne's arms tightly)
Amefuri: Anne, you have to take control of your memories! You need to get control of your mind!
Anne: I can't...I'm sorry...
Amefuri: Why can't you?? Have you given up???
Anne: I can't control my own mind...that's how bad it's gotten.
(The spotlight disappears again, and Konan's throne room reappears)
Amefuri: Anne, I can't let you continue to watch this over and over again! You're going to go mad at this rate!
Anne: No...it's better this way. It's better that I just wait here, watching this over and over again...it's better than going back out there.
Amefuri: What are you talking about???
Anne: (calmly) It's fine...all I'd do is screw something up again. It's better this way.
(Amefuri stares in astonishment at Anne as the five bodies of the cultists explode in the background)
Amefuri: Screw something up again??? What the hell did you screw up before this???
Anne: Haven't you noticed? Everything I've tried to do has come out wrong.
Amefuri: Of course I haven't noticed! I don't know where you're getting this stuff, Anne. Have you already forgotten that you saved Sailo from Kutou's invasion?
Anne: (eyes downcast) That only led to Kutou invading Konan.
Amefuri: But...you saved me! And Kokie, and Karasuki...heck, you've saved all of us at one point or another!
Anne: Saved? Is that what you call it? It seems to me that I only got you all into more trouble and more pain.
(Amefuri shakes her head to calm the feelings of rage rapidly gaining control of her body. The memory disappears in the background, and is replaced with the spotlight)
Anne: See? I'd rather stay here than hurt anybody else again.
Amefuri: You haven't hurt us! Think about Berit! You saved her! She's practically going crazy out there worrying about you!
(Anne's eyes widen a bit, but then her face droops)
Anne: But Berit went through so much pain before I could help her...
Amefuri: Anne, listen to me. What's important right now is not the mistakes you've made in the past.
Anne: What do you mean? I've made so many mistakes, so many errors that spawned pain and anguish...how can that not be important?
Amefuri: Listen. We all make mistakes, Anne. The important thing is not to dwell on the past, but on the future. Your mistakes already happened; there's no point in beating yourself up further about them. We need you in the real world, Anne.
Anne: But I can't go out there again! All I'd do is hurt others...and be hurt myself...
Amefuri: You can't run from pain! It's a part of life! If you're afraid of being hurt, deal with your fears. Don't just isolate yourself to stop the pain. If you could see Berit right now...you'd know.
Anne: (looking up, finally) Know what?
Amefuri: You'd know...that by doing this, you only create more pain. All of us...Berit, Kokie, Subaru, everybody...we're all so worried about you. This pain won't go away if you do. It'll only get worse. But that's what we're all here for, Anne. To make your pain a little less!
Anne: But I don't want you all to be pained...
Amefuri: We'd rather be pained than watch you suffer. Hasn't this whole journey taught you anything?
Anne: (halfheartedly) But...I...
Amefuri: So listen to me! You don't have to be afraid of going back, Anne! If you accept that there is no life without pain...then it becomes easier to bear that pain! If you can just look past it-
(Amefuri stops talking as pain wracks her mental body, surprising Anne)
Anne: What's wrong?
Amefuri: I think I might have overdone it a bit...I can't stay here much longer. Just...heed my words...and come back to us.
(Amefuri lets go of Anne's arms, falling forwards. Anne's eyes widen as Amefuri's body disappears as she falls, leaving Anne alone in her spotlight. Surprisingly, the memory has not shown itself again)
Anne: I...I...
(Berit gasps as Amefuri teeters a bit and then falls off the bed with a loud crash)
Berit: What happened??? What happened???
Subaru: Calm down, I'm sure...she's...all right?
Kokie: Idiot, stop trying to reassure her if you can't even reassure yourself!
Subaru: Calling me an idiot sure helps!
Anne: A...me...fu...ri?
(Subaru and Kokie stop their squabbling in surprise, to turn and stare at Anne. Anne's eyes are open, and she is slowly pushing herself up into a sitting position)
(Before Anne can fully sit up, Berit tears an anguished sob out of her throat and flings her arms around Anne's bedridden shoulders)
Anne: (still not fully awake) Berit?
Berit: (sobbing uncontrollably) Oh, Anne, oh, god...I'm so sorry! For trying to kill you, for trying to kill your friends, for everything, for me! I'm so sorry!!!
(Anne gets over her surprise enough to put her arms tentatively around Berit)
Anne: Berit...welcome back.
Berit: (still in tears, but her tears are now those of joy) Anne, Anne...I was so worried! Worried that you'd never wake up, worried I'd never be able to apologize for all the horrible things I've done...
Anne: Berit...I forgive you. I can...I can get over the past now. It's behind us...and I don't care about it anymore.
(Berit lifts her tear-stained face, looking into Anne's eyes for the first time in over a month. Anne's eyes radiate confidence, a surprising emotion to Berit)
Kokie: (just to break the moment) Well, now that our group hug is over with...
Subaru: Kokie! Did your heart turn to stone since I last looked at you???
Anne: No, Subaru...it's just her way of saying "I'm glad you're ok."
Subaru: Well...uh...I guess that's ok...
Kokie: See? I'm in the right, as usual.
Subaru: (ignoring Kokie) Anne, what happened? Why were you unconscious...or whatever...for so long?
Anne: I did it on purpose.
(Berit, Subaru and Kokie stare at Anne in confused astonishment)
Anne: I felt like it was all too much to bear...and all I'd ever be able to do was mess things up and hurt other people, not to mention hurting myself...so I shut myself up in a private place. Luckily, I had Amefuri to talk me out of it.
Berit: You did what?!?!?!?!?!?
Anne: Look, it's not important why I did it. What is important is what I do now.
Kokie: Jeez...is this the Anne I know? What happened to you in there???
Anne: I guess I just realized something important. That's all.
(Anne sits up to a full sitting position, prompting Berit to let go and stand up. Anne takes a big breath and completely gets out of bed. She teeters a bit on her feet, but altogether stands up rather well)
Kokie: A perfect 10! What style!
Subaru: Kokie, shut up. Anne, do you know what's wrong with Amefuri?
(Anne's eyes narrow, and she looks down at the floor. When she sees Amefuri's still body her eyes widen)
Anne: Well, that makes sense.
Berit: What makes sense??? What are you talking about?
Anne: She said she might have pushed herself too hard in my mind...that makes sense. In any case, I'm not worried about her.
Subaru: (incredulous) You're not?
Kokie: Whoa...something big must have happened to you. I can't ever remember you saying that before.
Anne: (rolling her eyes) Can we lose the whole "whoa, you've changed, you would never say something like that" bit?
Berit: Now that's something I'd never expected out of you.
Anne: Did you hear what I just said???
(On the floor below them, Amefuri groans. At once, four pairs of eyes look downwards as Amefuri cautiously opens her eyes)
Amefuri: (still pretty bashed) ...anne?
Anne: See, I told you she'd wake up.
(Amefuri's eyes widen, and she gets to her feet as quickly as she can. Upon seeing Anne more or less fine, she gasps)
Amefuri: It worked...my god, it worked...
Anne: Did I ever tell you that you could make a good living as a psychologist?
(Amefuri moves to fling her arms around Anne, but before she can, the door opens quickly. The sound of the door hitting the "wall" startles the five girls, and all five turn towards the door, where Tatara stands, panting)
Tatara: Listen, all of you! We have a bad situa- Anne?
Anne: Is this the reaction I'm going to get from everybody???
Tatara: (shocked) You...you're ok! We were all so worried!
Anne: Yeah, yeah, I got that from Berit and Subaru and you just interrupted Amefuri. What were you saying before that?
(Tatara stares in confusion at Anne's initiative)
Kokie: She's changed a bit, if you couldn't tell.
(Tatara swallows loudly, and then quickly begins to talk)
Tatara: Uh...as I was saying, we have a really bad situation on our hands. Taiitsu-kun says that Senri-E has vanished from this world!
(All five girls stare at Tatara without much expression on their faces)
Subaru: Um...ok?
Kokie: How is that a bad thing???
(Tatara stares back for a moment, then he slaps his forehead)
Tatara: (genuinely apologetically) Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot the rest of the message for a moment. You see...Senri-E has vanished from this world, but Taiitsu-kun can still detect her chi!
Anne: What???
(Berit inhales loudly in surprise, stopping just short of gasping)
Berit: Oh no...you don't mean...
Tatara: (seriously) Yes! Senri-E is now in our world!!!!
-
Chris: What??? I wasn't in this chapter at all!!!
Nick: (elated) I was!
Jeff: You had five lines.
Nick: Well...yeah...but...
Anne: All of you, stop bickering! We have to deal with this problem!
Luna: Yeah, things look pretty bad at this point for us.
Max: Anyways, stay tuned for Les Jeux Mystèrieux: The Finale!
Janna: "Mochitsudzuketai mono", or "The things I want to keep holding on to."
AN: Well, that chapter took long enough to write, didn't it? I'm not going to make any guarantees on the final chapter, as I don't want to rush it, but you can rest assured it won't take as long as this one (it's approaching a month now...wow). I'll save a longwinded Author's Note for next chapter, but I'll point out one thing before I go. Technically, the next chapter's title means "The thing(s) that I want to be able to keep holding on to," but I figured that the translation was getting long as it is, and that sounds kind of awkward (even more than the translation I gave ..). There's something else to look forwards to; for those who haven't guessed it yet, I'll reveal the naming scheme of the chapters in the next AN! I know, don't sound so excited.
Also, just for the record, I did NOT steal Amefuri's scene in Anne's mind from X. Really. And just one more tidbit; if you want to get some insight into the way Anne's mind works, try to explain what the grassy field represents in contrast to the spotlight-darkness. Yes, it's the grassy field from the earlier chapters.