Arle entered her home with a satisfied yawn. She made the most of the night.
"Zzzz. Gu. Zzzzz. Gu."
"Sweets dreams of curry, Carby." Arle chuckled. She got to her bathroom to shower.
This Prom was the best yet. And that was a good thing. This was very likely her very last, best to go out with a bang. She had to thank Accord later with something for the wonderful time she had.
All of which was soured when she got reminded of a condition she had kept secret that slowly worsened as time went on. She undid her dress' neck strap.
"Oh, no." She lost some strength in the knees. "It's begun rotating… What am I gonna do?" She shivered as she poked it. It was really sensitive, and she felt it through her entire body. She was in no hurry to get hit there. One punch and she'd think you might as well have broken her leg. Her new protective chest plate couldn't arrive fast enough.
"Stay strong, Arle. Good night, Carby."
Chapter 57?: Time/Space Blot
It was your average Friday. Amitie had both a free school day and a free circus day. And she chose to spend the time to play outside with Sig. The boy her sister usually hogged for herself.
"So, anything new on Silvie?"
"No… I haven't seen her since her graduation party yesterday."
"Oh, poor her… And she got it for how long now?"
"I didn't keep count. But she seems happier for it."
"I know. It's nice to see her smile so much~"
"Hey, let's chase that butterfly."
But in doing so they found something lying in down near Nahe Forest's outskirts.
It was highly noticeable. It was a light-blue glow amongst the forest green and shades of the trees.
Amitie and Sig peeked behind from a tree to marvel at it. It looked really odd. The best way to describe it was a four-point zigzaggy star. It was light-blue in color with a white shine. It was just floating and being twirly there.
"Shiny."
"It looks familiar."
"Think it's a bug?"
"Let's check for its legs."
They edged closer. Its glow wasn't as painful close up as they thought. The thing unnerved them regardless. Neither of them could sense magic. But they could feel the electricity of off that. Except it didn't feel like electricity. But it was the closest descriptor.
"Zzzzzzzzz… Zzzzzzz…"
"Ammy?"
"Sig."
"Is that bug snoring?"
"I see a face on it too…"
…
"WAIT A SEC! This is no bug! This is Ecolo!"
"Ecolo… Isn't that… Who exactly was that again?" Sig scratched his head.
"Remember that thing he did Ringo's world?"
"I think so. What's he doing here?"
"I don't know…"
They kept staring.
"What should we do?"
"I don't wanna touch it."
"Me neither…" Amitie picked her net back up. "Let's take'm back to Grandpa's Museum. He'll know what to do." They gently swept the floating core.
*Later, At Precise Museum, the Primp Town Library wing*
"So what you're saying these anomeowlies. Meowke no sense…" Popoi surmised to Accord, Lemres, and Akuma.
"Seems like it, yeah." Lemres replied, chuckling at the uselessness of it all. "But given what we know. But that's all we have to go off. How else do we explain these missing posters of this girl, her titles and the legitimate employee of the month records at the Post Office."
"It would seem strange that the festival's champion was just plain forgotten." Akuma said. They've been circling around this topic. "You would've been there to grant her wish, wouldn't you, Accord."
"We've been over this. I would've remembered it…"
"We're going nowhere on this mysterious: Ar-lee…" Lemres deflated as he spoke out his opinion on the matter.
"I still think it's a single syllable."
"With a silent 'R', meow."
"I'D SAY IT'S PRONOUNCED AS EARL, KUMAKUMAKUMA!"
"There he is!" They heard in the museum hall. "Hehehehe. Grandpa is shouting in the library." Amitie giggled. Akuma sunk in his seat.
"Yes, I'm here… Ma ma." He grumbled.
Amitie walked around the corner with the net and Sig. "Grandpa, Grandpa! Oh, Hiya, Professor, Lemres. Grandpa!"
"What is it, Amitie?"
"Sig and I were out bug hunting in Nahe, and we found Ecolo sleeping." She pushed her finding onto the middle of the table. The geniuses all had curious reactions.
"zzzzzzzmmmmmzzzzzzz"
"Ecolo, you say?" Lemres asked.
"Yep." Amitie chirped. "It has to be him, I was there with Ringo when we beat that guy and saved her world~~" She said proudly. "And he's back… Can you keep an eye on him, Grandpa? He was tough."
"Hm. He doesn't seem to be a demon or magical in nature… But if everything is true about it… I'm getting a jar, ma ma!"
"Say, Akuma… Ecolo is a creature with some control over space and ti- No nevermind. That doesn't explain the mass amnesia concerning Ar-lee Naadja. Nevermind."
"Oh, everyone still has amnesia?" Amitie mood was soured.
"I'm afraid so, Amitie." Accord confirmed. "We know how much you don't wanna forget things."
Akuma came back with a jar with holes, he gently grabbed Ecolo with disposable paw gloves and closed the lid.
*That night Akuma's study*
Akuma was a restless poltergeist, he doesn't sleep. That's why he shouts I think. Despite that, he always found something productive to do.
The Ecolo wasn't a high priority. Akuma was about town making sure the town's demon detectors were operational.
The Time/Space Blob was being held in a jar on a shelf for Akuma to examine later.
The core from Space was sleeping like it has been for a while. It was in quite the deep sleep. It was dreaming about happy things. Even if it didn't understand it.
In its sleep, it shifted slightly. It pushed the jar it was in off the shelf. It felt the force of gravity. And it hurt.
A primal scream of pain was heard throughout the streets of Primp Town as the form of a dragon raged.
The town was in a panic. A hard to see shadow dragon wrecked a few buildings. It did just whatever to keep its mind off of the pain of those glass cuts it gained. Akuma was quick up to speed.
"This… I should've examined it sooner… Even if it isn't a demon, I shall vanquish it. Kumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakumakuma" Etc. Akuma let out his battle cry! He shortsightedly forgot physical combat wasn't his strong suit.
Regardless, this worked in its favor. The shadow morphed from a Dragon to a Draco Centauros, but the core remained. But unlike the Draco the town's known. This one acted like an animal. Evidenced by fiery girly roar it let out. The fire was an imitation, just like the creature itself, it was black with light blue highlights.
Akuma being resourceful. Threw a Puyo at the core. Another painful scream came out of it as shifted in between several forms of most of which Akuma didn't recognize. An Owlbear, a Cockatrice, Mamono(!), Schezo, Sig, a Honey Bee, a Succubus, Satan, Schezo. Until it settled on a Samurai Mole waving its sword around like a child as it came closer at the teddy bear.
Akuma's smarts took the reign. He tried to lure it. To where he hadn't figured out yet.
'Attacking its weak spot only makes worse. It seems cognitive like an animal. Not like the Ecolo described to me. That's something to figure out later. I need to sooth it… But how? Let's review the facts. Time and space powers, if that's to be believed… if one or both bent are bent, it might awaken a personality?' Akuma had literally nothing to work off of. 'Time travel is out of the question unless it does it itself… Now, where am I going to find someone who can naturally bend space at her leisure…?' Halfway through that sentence became rhetorical. He knew a person who could transcend space, and her home was a space anomaly as well. This thing will be calmed in no time.
Assuming his theory was right of course.
*Later, Circus Square, Puyo Puyo Circus…*
Silvana cleaned her circus by her lonesome again. She didn't get the memo today's cleaner just… left.
She didn't mind, she wanted an excuse to wear her maid outfit again anyway. She hummed a sweeping tune as she polished the benches. She wants it spik and span when she takes Sig for a movie date here. A client brought film reels and projector. The Circus was gonna be a cinema for the time being.
It already has been for two days. And the reviews for the first day were glowing. Thanks to the mighty team effort of making it work. And none of them were carpenters too! She was a proud ringmaster.
"Silvana! Silvana, ma ma ma!"
"Gramps?" She raised an eyebrow at her grandparental figure frantically ran through the entrance.
Akuma was chased by a silhouette of the Dark Prince. This jumped her a bit. What's more… He seemed off…
"I beg of you! Get in close and tear the fabric of space, kuma! It'll destroy wreck the town!"
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Silvana with her bravery didn't mind standing up the Dark Prince in this weird state.
"Don't lure it in, Kuma!"
"Gimme a good reason not to do that, Gramps?"
"I have reason to believe it doesn't know any better, Kumakumakuma!"
"Oh, the Dark Prince knows excac-"
"KUMA! That's not the Dark Prince, it's a shape shi…"
The two were too busy shouting at each other that they didn't notice the shadow being dazed.
Akuma theory seemed to work. The shade retreated into the core. It did feel soothed somewhat. Or at least, gained a sense of self. It observed its surroundings. It recognized the tent. It looked at a ceiling, in a way a neck shouldn't.
"EEE!" That got the attention of the two demons, the talking core freaking out. "What am I doing at the Circus? Where are my legs!? Is that you Akuma."
"You know my name?"
"Yeah! Don't you reconi-" It tried to look at its body, but it found nothing blow a glow. "It's me [blank!]"
Sil and Akuma looked at each other quizzically.
"It's [blank]! [blank]! [blank][blank][blank][blank][blaaaaank]!" It breathed in and out, despite the lack of lungs. "[Bla-] [redacted]! Why won't it come out! My name's [Bl] [a]- ARGH! I can't even spell it!?" It suddenly grew a familiarly shaped half-demon claw to stomp the ground.
Needless to say, all three were startled. "S-Sorry! D-Didn't know I could do that… You gotta help me! I am a… I… used to be a human girl!"
"Really? What happened?"
"That's what I wanna know Ms. Maid. Say…" She floated closer to Silvana's maskless face. Making the current maid feel very uncomfortable. She didn't wanna touch it. "You look a lot like me. Actually, it's kinda creepy how much you look like me. Looked like me, I guess."
"Looked like me… Gramps."
"Yes?"
"Ask it what it remem-"
"Hey! Who're you calling an it?!" She angrily hopped up and down. "I am a person! I'm a her! Female!"
Sil didn't miss a beat. "Ask her…" *wink* "…what she…" *wink 2: still creeped out* "remembered last before… Whatever this is…"
"Why do I have to?... Alright. What's the last thing remember before you became… this?"
"Uh… I went to bed after touched check my out this weird thing on my chest that I couldn't remove. It began rotating…"
Sil did some thinking. She pulled out her beloved powder compact styled after her mask and opened it up. "Did that weird thing look like this?" Sil showed the core her reflection. Her mouth quivered, her eyes shook.
"Nooooooooooooooo!" She grew a body to act out her sorrow and tantrum. The silhouette rung a bell to Akuma.
"CALM YOURSELF, LADY, MAMAMAMAMAKUUMA!" The shadow girl did. "Good! Did this happen roughly after prom night?"
"Yeah! It happened yesterday."
…
"What did I say?"
"The prom was three months ago."
"Uh… Come again… Did I hear that right? Th-Three months?"
"Say, Gramps… Do you think that's she's…" *Whisper whisper*
"It's possible, it does add up."
"Shall we guess her name?"
"PLEASE DO!" The shadow begged, her mind was clouded with questions. "PLEASE SAY [blank]! (What is happening to me?)"
Akuma cleared his throat. "Well… I regret to inform you this, Ms. Earl Nadj-" *Smack* "KUMA!"
"We've been over this, Gramps! No girl's called Earl! Gah. It's gotta be Ah-Rehll or something."
"It's neither! You two should know it by now! It's [blank]! Why are you getting wrong?" The name havers felt like they should stop pushing her so much. "I am an Ecolo now… Am I in the wrong dimension?"
"No." Akuma stated matter of factly. "You're in the same dimension. But for some unexplained reason, all memory of you has been eradicated from everyone's mind, kuma!"
Akuma went on to loudly explain to [blank] some examples. Like how all records of her won tournaments, and still was in the payroll on the post office for a week and held the record for the most consecutive times one got awarded Employee of the month.
"Everyone? Even Carby?"
"Carby? Oh, gosh… Was he yours?"
"Yes, Ms. Maid." [blank] subconsciously morphed into Carbuncle's likeness. The core obscured the face. "We were inseparable… What's he doing now?"
Sil looked at [blank] sympathetically as she put on long rubber cleaning gloves on. She got closer to comfort the weird thing. "Poor, Ah-Rehll." She patted her. Well tried to.
"Don't touch… Huh, I don't feel as sensitive…"
"Perhaps some of your nerves, shifted into your body?" Akuma doesn't freaking know.
"Lemme try shifting back to my original shape. I don't want my core touched." And so she became [blank] shaped again.
"Trust me, I don't even wanna touch it." Sil said patting her back. [blank] could do without the hint of disgust in the maid's voice, but she did like the feeling of not being shunned.
"Thanks…"
They finally filled in the things [blank] wanted to know. [blank] went missing a day after prom, completely forgotten about approximately two weeks later. Not even a trace of memory. No phantom memory. No nothing. How she was found, the rampage… [blank] chose to ignore that for the time being.
[blank] needed a moment. "Even the Dark Prince has forgotten me?" Silvana held her cosmic hands tight.
"So he chased you too, huh?" The clown's voice was a mixture of annoyed and sorry. "Now he's chasing me."
"No… I'm sorry… Wait! You're Carby's new partner, right! What's your name? I don't remember you… You do sound familiar…"
Silvana giggled. "Well, how could you remember me dressed as I am? I only showed my face after you disappeared." She stood up did a mock maid-sy curtsey. "I'm Silvana Pierr-"
"Silvana Pierrot!?"
"So you do know me."
"Sure do! You unnecessarily made my life difficult that time you wrecked Smile Curry!"
"Huh. How did you? I just wrecked it… myself? That doesn't make any sense. There is a gap there again… If didn't look deadly to the touch I'd give you an "I'm sorry." hug. Why would we do that?"
"We!?" [blank] grabbed Sil by the apron, subconsciously changing to Sig's form. "Why would you!?"
"I-I don't know!"
"KUMAAAAA!" Akuma shut the ladies up. "I'd like you two to pay attention to the tear."
"Whad'ya mean, Gramps? It mended. As it should."
"And Earl is still as-"
"It's [blank]!" She snarled. "It rhymes with snarl!"
"So… Arle?" Sil got speed tackled in hug form. "Ewww… So icky!"
"Silvana~~ I'd never thought I'd love ya as much as do now. Please say '[blank]' again."
Silvana was repulsed by the odd non-existant, yet solid texture. Almost ghostly. She didn't like it. "A-A-Arle."
*Plush throat clear* "The tear is gone, and Ea-, Arle. Hasn't gone back to being mindless."
"…" She didn't wanna be mindless. "What does that mean for me? Will I be stuck like this?"
"I HAVE NO CLUE-MAMAMAMA!" [blank] and Sil winced at the harshness. "But seeing how my guesses have been correct so far. Let's say, Silvana, is a space anomaly herself. For all I know she's keeping you stay stable."
The core shifted back into its former shape. And frightfully hugged Silvana. "DON'T TOUCH ME LIKE THAT!"
"S-S-Sorry, didn't mean it like that…" She genuinely apologized. But she didn't let go. "Please! Help me, Akuma!"
"For now it's best you stay in Silvana's caravan and go wherever she goes."
"What? Why?"
"Because your caravan bends the laws of space, kumama! Arle should be herself there."
(How much damage did I cause?)
"What? Why?"
"Because this girl is a victim."
"True, but-"
"No buts! Listen to your elder, Silvana Kumakumama! You don't have to share a room, but please house her. And let me know if something goes awry, kumakuma!"
"…Yes, Grandpa…"
"Good."
Akuma turned to [blank]. "Take care, Arle. I must go now. I have gained a headache trying to comprehend. I shall see what I can do. I know this must be confusing for you, but please make the most of it."
"…Okay…"
"I shall see what I can do. Be nice, Silvana."
"Yes, Gramps…" Sil looked as he left. "C'mon, Arle, I'll give you everything to make your room. Make yourself at home while I'll spend whatever time is left for cleaning."
"Okay… Why are you maskless now?"
"Please, spare your questions for a later time. Gramps' yelling left me annoyed."
Sil brought [blank] to one of her guest rooms. The room's barely used. Because if her employees were fatigued they a have an employee caravan. And her close friends just wiggled their way sleeping in her bedroom room anyway.
"The room's have only been used by Hohow Bird (a bird), and the circus' mischievous prankster boy, Vento. So, be careful."
"Yeah… Can you take me to my house tomorrow?"
"Uh… Sure. I don't have a lot to do. Want your stuff back?"
"I just wanna have reminders of who I am… I feel like I would forget myself if I don't."
"I don't think that's an issue."
"You were there when you saw- Oh, never mind. Thing is I was already a recovering amnesiac."
"Oh! You too? I so sorry."
"You too? Since when?"
"A few months ago… Wait!"
Sil sat on the guest bed eyes clearly in anticipation. Gesturing for [blank] to sit next to her. It was so surreal for [blank] it was surreal seeing her rival from Primp like this. Sure, she looked like she had frowned for most of her life and her face had trouble deviating from that. That didn't come as too much of a surprise. She knew she was a street urchin as a kid.
Seeing the real her with like that. She was showing no animosity toward [blank] without it being provoked. Dressed like a maid too. Come to think of it, she's never seen her with bare arms. Like it's nothing. [blank] was under the impression this would embarrass the clown to death, despite being a clown. Even with the modest maid dress she's wearing.
"Please Arle, please tell me whatever you know about me. I think you're immune to whatever spell I'm under that make me and literally everyone else forget aspects about me."
"Like what?" [blank] tilted herself.
"Most of my life for starters."
"I'm so sorry…" [blank] finally took Sil up to the offer floated toward on the bed. And set down in her former form. Silvana had still no intention of touching [blank] though.
"It's not that bad. People like Klug and Raffine remember everything they should. Most of my life in Primp is intact. Which surprisingly short… I haven't been a Primper for long as I figured. I do remember training to be Pierrot. That's my clown persona, as well as my legal name."
"I know."
"Okay. I remember that before I came to Primp. But I know I am not a real Pierrot... I am adopted by the Roses. Amitie Rose is my sister now, I don't remember how that happened. She's the other Pierrot. Do you know her?"
"Sure do. She the first Primper I met. One of my best friends."
"Really? Huh…"
"Sorry to tell you this, Silvana. But…"
"Call me Silvie. All my friends do."
"Silvie?" [blank] hadn't heard that one before. "Friends?"
"Sure. I can't relate to you, but you're gonna be lonely if I won't, right?" She shrugged. "Common sense."
"You're perceptive."
"I am a clown. I have to spot sad folks and cheer them up."
"Then why were you such a jerk to me?"
"You mentioned that… Can you tell me about that?"
And [blank] did.
"…AND THAT'S THE LEAST OF IT!"
"Stop! I've heard enough." Sil's heart felt pierced. "I don't know why I would do that to you. Can please accept my apology? A fresh new start?" She put on a glove to shake hands.
"Mmmm. I'll try not to hold it against you."
"Thank you, Arle." She smiled. [blank] had to admit Silvana's smile was way cuter due to never really seeing one.
"Where were we?" Sil asked.
"Uh… I don't think I can help you. I don't know much about you. I know you're from the same world as me but that's about it."
"I'm not from this world? This is quite the bombshell… Why is my memory wiped? Wiped… I. I STILL GOTTA CLEAN THE CIRCUS! Make yourself at home, Arle. Gotta go."
"Silvana!"
"What? Make it quick."
"Sorry, for your memory loss."
"Nah, don't sweat it. It's not all bad. I was secretly depressed all the time, and then and one day. Poof! Reason for it gone. I'm no longer depressed."
"Really?"
"Yeah. People were there when it happened. I became way more giddy, less inhibited in a sec. Weight off my shoulders."
"I noticed." [blank] looked at the Clown's balloons.
"It was weird. Bye. Curry's in the fridge if that's what you like. Don't eat it all."
Silvana left in a hurry.
[blank] felt like eating her favorite dish. But she didn't feel hungry. "Can I even get hungry? I've been sleeping for a long while. I hafta try."
She morphed back into just the core and retraced her steps to the caravan's kitchen. 'This place is huge.'
The fridge has something. 'Lost of health freak stuffs.' Proteins smoothies, fruits, milk, curry.
The curry looked mighty tasty… But she had to start small. She picked up a bowl of grapes and put it on the table.
She wanted to morph into the shape of the fattest and the most gluttonest person she knew. She needed to stretch her shapeshifting muscles. It's the only fun she had so far.
She couldn't think of anyone like that… So she morphed into Rulue's shape. She saw her being fed grapes once.
She giggled. "This is fun~" She imitated and lovingly mock her blunette friend to herself. "Ohohoho... " She sighed. "She's probably forgotten me too… Where ever she is." Her current state allowed her to tear up, to her surprise. It was very similar to Ecolo's cosmic drool, just less thick. It grossed her out a bit…
She didn't seem as blobby as Ecolo though. She sure didn't have any bones but didn't leave any slimy mess behind. Yet…
'Will whatever happened to him, happen to me?' She didn't wanna think about it.
She just swallowed a grape. She was disappointed. She just felt the cold grape, not the grape. 'I hope it was sour.' She sighed. She assumed she had no need to eat too. She hoped she could still sleep. They said they found her slee-
"Gu…?"
[blank] jumped. "G-Gu?" She turned around and shifted into her olden shape. "Carby?"
"Guuu?" Carbuncle a bit surprised she knew his name. [blank] floated to the ground to his neutral face.
"Please tell me you remember [blank]?"
"Guuuuuuuuuuuu."
"Urrr. Take the word snarl. And take the 'Snuh' sound away."
"Gu? Guu guu, gu?"
[blank] gave off a weak smile. "Close enough. But do you remember a girl like that?" Carbuncle shook his head. It made [blank]'s core feel about to burst. He black body turned to mist that drooped and spread to the ground… The yellow rabbit-y thing jumped back a bit. No way he saw that coming.
[blank]'s seemingly disembodied voice gave a distraught descriptor of what she used to look like. "Guu." Carbuncle shook again.
[blank] just wanted to evaporate. Her sensitive core made the sadness hit much, much worse. She hated it.
Carbuncle took the plate of cold curry from the fridge and ate it whole. He then left [blank].
"Wait, Carby!"
"Gu."
"I'm gonna be living with you. Wanna be friends?"
She said as she morphed into Carbuncle again. Her own core obscured her shifted eyes. She changed into a singular Cait Sith to see better.
"Gu."
[blank] was rejected… She chased Carbuncle around for the rest of the night with a broken heart. She never related more to the Dark Prince. She assumed his form subconsciously.
She eventually gave up and went to her bed. At least she learned she could pass through walls when Carbuncle cut sharp corners. But all that did was that the cosmic core didn't bother to materialize a limb to open her room's door after failing to catch Carbuncle.
She was very likely too lightweight to feel the comfort of the mattress. She floated in a circle. Trying find a comfortable position to lie in the air.
"I' tove still not recovered my memory! Everyone's forgotten me! I lost Carby! I'm dependent on Silvana! I have become a freak! I'm still away from my homeworld. I can't taste!" She kept on ranting upon her situation. Cursing out that enigmatic jerk who left a core in her body that had slowly grown.
[blank]'s days as Dark Arle had haunted her nightmares long before she discovered she had the core, and they sure as heck didn't stop. It was her voice, but it was clearly Ecolo mocking her. Only there was no real Ecolo. Just the possessed version of herself doing, anti-social, cheeky, indecent and/or doing evil things in her name while drooling.
If there's one thing she learned to fear, it's losing control of herself. And that's not getting into possession imprinting. She had a crush a rescuer turned friend she barely knew at the time despite being asexual thanks to the experience.
"C-Can… I… Possess now…?" She looked at her hands. "No! No one should be possessed. EVER!"
The door opened. "Um… Arle?"
"Y-Yes, Silvana?"
"I quit cleaning. I'm gonna go to sleep soon. Can you please keep it down?"
"Sorry…"
*Door closed*
'Silvana looks like me. Maybe we can make a deal?' "No…" 'Don't think about it [blank].'
…
"Has Ecolo forgotten me too?"
[blank] went on to let it all quietly out. Cursing out of Ecolo, and everything that happened because of him. And each time she did, her constantly shifting body retreated back into the core more and more as her consciousness dozed off.
[blank] woke up early. She had a nightmare. It involved Dark Arle again… And her increased sensitivity didn't help. She missed the days she still was heavily under the memory suppression hex…
But just for the icky possession part…
Despite everything that happened. The sleep did refresh her a bit. Ecolo was a curious thing that could effortlessly cross any boundaries the universe had to offer.
And presumably… Now she could too…
"No." She didn't lose everything. It's just altered, she can start over. If she used these powers than she will. Not that she knows how to activate them. And she had no intention of making her situation any worse.
She dazed off, looked around the room. She saw a chest. She looked inside. Deflated balls… "Why should I have any fun? Fun." Casting magic was fun. There was a training mannequin in the room with her.
"Dipping my toe in my abilities won't hurt to try right?" She grinned. "Fire! Ice Sto- Crud." Her spells were as black as her. Mere imitations. There's no magic in her. "Good! Better not I cast anything anyway..." She looked at her alarm clock. "Still early." *Cosmic yawn*
She slept a bit more.
The alarm clock woke [blank], she wasted no time to get to Silvana's room in a roundabout way. Through the walls. She'd found it to be fun. Her core tingled with joy even if it let her be lost in dark rooms dimly lit by her presence.
"Heeheehee~" It reminded her of her many dungeon-crawling trips. No reason she couldn't do that anymore. She just had to go with fellow dungeon crawl-ee, Silvana. "Hmm… I'll guess I'll surprise her~ Clowns like their surprises, right?~"
What [blank] didn't expect was to be surprised by the clown when she entered the viewing Sil from the side.
Silvana, whose body was always covered up, was in a hair down bikini and an open Hawaiian shirt. And sure, she saw her arms and face yesterday. But this is something else, she's seeing what Sig, Amitie and maybe a small handful of others would ever get to see. [blank] floated a little more behind the show-woman to stay out of sight.
It was like looking into a weird mirror. She looked exactly like her, besides the color differences, hair length, the cosmetics, and the slimmer and toned body. [blank] couldn't look away at the fantasizing harlequin. Made [blank] green with envy actually.
On closer inspection… Maybe not fantasizing, but reliving as she is holding a bronze trophy.
"And I like to thank my Sister for suggesting to open my- " Sil turned around seeing the should-be-sweating-guilty core. "EEEEEEEE!" Sil quickly grabbed a bed sheet and wrapped it around her shoulders. "What the heck, ARLE!?" Silvana called out. "Have you forgotten the concept of privacy along with your name!?" She snarled.
"I didn't forget either of them!" [blank] yelled back.
"How did you even get in here?"
"I can go through walls." She sheepishly shrugged off, though a bit hurt by the implicating name of forgetting her name. 'Seems like she's not that different.'
"Well, aren't lucky. Knock next time! If Carby's here you would've woken him up!" She grumbled as she took slowly took off the sheet.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"What is it?"
"I miss my body…"
"Ah… Is it because I look like you?"
[blank] nodded. "I think you know now what you hid your cute face."
Silvana giggled, threw her hair thanks to the compliment. "Thanks. Got that a lot. That means you had a cute one too, right?"
"I miss it so much... " She looked in the mirror. She had her former form again. She hadn't noticed.
"…Arle."
"Yeah?"
""Laughter is the best medicine." That what any good clown worth their salt knows. (That and actual medicine.) If I can cheer you up in any way. Just lemme do that."
"Well. I do still wanna go to my home and get some stuff."
"Yeah, I think we need the Mayor's permission to enter you may have to wait a day or two for that."
"AAAAaaaaaaaaaw."
"C'mon, li'l guy."
Sil put the sheets back on.
"What's something fun you wanna do? We can watch movies all day."
"Maybe…" [blank] looked around the room. It's surprising how little clown stuff Sil had in her room. Something to amuse.
"How about a joke?" Ms. Pierrot giggled, failing to hold it in.
"Eeh. Sure why not?"
"What do you call the nicest bird?" 'Must not laugh.'
"Iunno, what do you call the nicest bird?"
"A behavian."
"Eh… I don't think…" *snrk* "BWAAAAAHAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The laughter was just a strong as her laughter. She busted out laughing due to her core's strong reaction. She thought she'd die from laughter if she had to worry about needing air to breath. And she's not stopping anytime soon.
"Keep on laughing… I need breakfast and some juice. Are you coming?"
"Hahaha! I would but I'm laughing too hard~ Haha~"
"Aren't you hungry?"
"No~ Weeee!~"
[blank] hugged.
"E-e-e-e-eew…"
"Thanks, Silvie~ I feel fantastic~"
"You're welcome. Pl-Please, stay here. And don't touch anything that looks important or old. Also not Army over there, he hates everyone and everything."
"'Kay~ See ya soon. Behavian. Hahahahaha~"
Silvana looked on at her guest with as she left. 'It wasn't that funny.'
"Bwahahaha~ Meow~ Meow~"
"Hey! Get out of my catsuit!"
"But it's so cute!"
[blank] hopped around with her weightless "It's really fun~"
"I hope you don't leave stains."
"Nope~ I'm not as gooey as I look. I found this between your Santa Pierrot suit and Cowgirl outfit. You like dressing up, don'cha, Silvie?" She said in a teased in good fun.
"Yes. So what?" Silvana gave a straight-faced answer. "You better not have touched my doll outfit."
"Aw… You're such a drag."
'I liked you better depressed.'
"Can I try on your show bunny outfit?"
"No! That one's mine."
"Can I wear something else?"
"Why? Everything you'd wear wouldn't look good on you."
"What? Is it because I'm dark? Haha!"
"Yes." Se said straight-faced. "It would clash."
"Pretty pleeeeeeaaaaaaase~ It makes me feel happiness~ My core's really sensitive emotions, please lemme have this."
Silvana gritted her teeth. [blank] didn't seem to be lying. She's acting like a less destructive Vento but drunk. Our more aptly Silvana the ghost pre-realization without the soles or Yu the ghost without the death threats. She does seem happier, and if her joke made her like this… That was the easiest and most effective job she's achieved in her career.
"It makes me feel human again~" She said while jumping around being light as a feather. "We can dress up together~"
The ringmaster caved in. It sounded fun, even if it was with a freaky thing that probably shouldn't exist. "Okay. But lemme find a folding screen first… Has to be somewhere upstairs. And be careful, those clothes are expensive."
[blank] held Silvana's bronze trophy. "3rd Place, Primp Swimsuit competition." She cackled.
Silvana groaned at the laughter. "The only way this could be worse is my past self berating me for doing it… We've established I am not the same as you knew me… Stop comparing me with myself…"
"I wish I was there~ How was it?" Sil took the trophy out of her hand and put it back.
"A little embarrassing, but in an exciting way. I was happy to get 3rd out of 21." She smiled. [blank] was visually impressed. "I've hid my face for so long, and people gave me compliments~ It was so liberating. And than Ammy signed me up for that competition and I was so happy to know I beat Raffine and Draco~ They were so mad~ You have no idea what's it is like to be one of the prettiest girls in town when most know you as a silly clown, or a sarcastic clown who hid behind her mask~ I am so gonna participate next week too."
"Huh." [blank]'s emotions died down.
"Say, are you alright, Arle?"
"Is that why you were mad at me?"
"What do you mean?"
"You look like me. I MEAN, I look like you! I… used to look like you. Were you jealous?"
"I can't say?"
…
"Is that eyeshadow?"
"Sure is."
"…Bwahahahahaahahaa…"
*Sigh* "What is it?"
"…hahahahah it's just, FWA! It's just good to see you're more in touch with your feminine side after all."
She repeated a joke Raffine told her. Sil just took it gracefully and made the loudest noise her accordion could make near wherever [blank]'s ear holes are.
"Can you help me to reintroduce me to our friends too? I like you more than I'd thought. But you'll get kinda boring fast." [blank] said as they wrapped up the costumes and outfits.
Sil wore a white tube top with her mask's features on it, underneath her red plaid jacket, a dark green, horizontally striped red and white kneesocks, and a pair of red & white sneakers. Her hair was done in pigtails as [blank] knew her. And her mask was resting on her head ready for use. She applied some extended eyelashes as well. And her sapphire friendship necklace was proudly on display.
"Um… Sure. Who're your friends?"
"We share a ton."
"Alright."
Silvana looked at [blank] imitating her form in mid-air. She ascended as well. "I can float too."
"I know that."
*Drops unamused* "I'm gonna check if the circus is cleaned. Please amuse yourself. Get out of my room."
"Booooorrrrreeeeeeed!" [blank] yelled at no one in particular. She should've gone with Silvana when she had the chance. She was probably having fun like, overseeing things, and chewing out lazy employees.
[blank] wanted to be unshackled from Silvana and her caravan. She'd kill to have her job back to curb her boredom. And the idea of being the circus freak didn't sit well with her.
"What if I ask Silvana for a rock from another dimension. Oh, something to encase my stupid sensitive core. A rubber band maybe?"
*Knock knock jingle* "I'm coming!" [blank] got lost on her way to the door going through walls. She opened the door. She found "Sig! Amitie!" She hugged them. Akuma was there. He had informed them what he knew.
You can guess what happened. Amitie and Sig had lost all chemistry they had with [blank]. Which saddened her. Sig was hesitant to make friends despite the empathy of what happened to her. And hasn't, yet. That hurt [blank] a lot. Sig went to search for Sil in the Circus
"Don't sweat it. He's feeling guilty that he can't remember how he and Silvie met. Only bug hunting can keep his thoughts of off that."
"Oh." The core couldn't help but feel guilty. "At least they seem to be still together."
"Heartwarming innit?" Amitie gave a weak smile. "I'll gladly be your friend again, Arle." She smiled a bit stronger. Thankfully, Amitie didn't seem to mind. Unlike Sig, they made quick friends again. She found her cool. "I'm so sorry for what happened to you, Arle. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."
[blank] hug tackled Amitie copying her form. "Thankyouthankyou-!"
*Plush throat clearing* "Amitie go see your sister. Arle and I have to talk."
"'Kay, Grandpa. See ya later, Arle!"
"Quick, back inside, Arle! I have questions."
"And I have ideas! I need something to keep my core safe and it needs to be from another world."
*Meanwhile, Sig joining Sil in cleaning inspection…*
"This guy's good." Sil said in an approving manner. No popcorn and you could eat off the seats.
"Are you sure Arle isn't making things difficult for you, Silvie?" Sig asked for the third time.
"Baby." Sil replied in a patient tone. She put her hand on his cheek. "I barely know her. I'll let you know when she is. Now please shut up and let us watch the romance film later tonight as I melt into your arm like promised, okay?" *Kiss on cheek*
"Are you sure?"
"Yes!" *Groan*
She patted his back. "I don't care you've forgotten. I've forgotten a lot too. But I think I can live without knowing what happened to my family in the circus." 'If I even had any.' She told him for the fifth time. "Just make this Circus girl happy by not worrying as much, 'kay?"
"…"
"Pleeeeeaaaaase?"
"…I'll try…"
"Thanks." *'nother peck* "I just hope she respects our privacy for our quality time."
Amitie ran up to them. "Hi, Sis! How's our graduate?"
*Later that day… When Akuma and [blank] were discussing…*
"We shall put it test than. I shall search my study, mamama!"
"Yippee!"
"Something to celebrate?" Sil commented as her, Sig and Amitie walked up.
"Yeah! Akuma's gonna look into me taking stuff from my house."
"Cool."
"Gugu!" Carbuncle skipped and climbed onto Silvana's shoulder.
"Fufufufu. Hi, Carby."
"That face…" [blank] muttered. She got some attention. "Carby… I wanna battle you in Puyo Puyo, Silvana! To get my Carby back!"
"You can't freak!" A backstage hand yelled. "The boss has banned Puy-"
"I NEVER BANNED PUYO PUYO ON MY PROPERTY! You're on! Let's play…"
[blank] admittedly was surprised how gung ho the clown was. "Puyo Puyo!"
"Gu Gu-Gu!"
"WAIT KUMA KUMA!"
"Silvie, your fear!"
"Uhm… I'll cheer for you, Sisss!"
* 2-minute long struggle later…*
"Fufufwuuuaah…"
"I did it, Carby!"
[blank] went and hugged Carbuncle.
*Plop*
"Wait, Carby! Wait!"
"Silvie!" The clown's friend instinctively trying digging her out. But she dug herself out like it was nothing. "Geez, you're powerful!" She complimented. "You truly were the champ, weren't you, Arle?!"
"Huh?" [blank] got distracted from her former pet. Though she did still feel the betrayal. "Uh, yeah…" She put her attention back on Carbuncle, who was out of sight. "CAAAAAARBYYYYY!" She started crying. Amitie got to her side to coddle. Simply doing her job.
"Not to be rude, Arle. But if Carby truly was your pet than you should know he does whatever he wants."
"…carby…"
Amitie felt really bad that she forgot [blank], she's felt bad that she lost her pet, and she felt bad she became an Ecolo. Whatever that might entail. She had a desire to cheer her up. This is her duty as a clown.
She won Silvana over for a sleepover like the good ol' days. That included Sig.
"…Thanks, Amitie. I'll be happy to join. Means a lot."
They planned a few days in the future.
"Wow…" Silvana said annoyed leaving her theater still ranting. "She dumped him for his clone! I'd ask for my money back, but I'm making money off of it. Fufufu~" She just realized what she said. "Still… You shouldn't date clones, they're nothing but bad news."
"I think we must've missed the subtext." Sig commented.
"Pfft… Baby, what subtext?"
"Iunno."
The day finally came. After days of hyperactive joy Sil had to deal with while [blank] wasn't down. She was taking her along with Amitie and Akuma for supervision. Anything they took with them had to be preserved for investigation sake.
[blank] didn't listen, Akuma guilted her for all the destruction she caused as a dragon. Simultaneously teaching Silvana and [blank] the importance of staying close for now.
"Stop it, Gramps. She clearly doesn't remember your battle."
"Hmph." Akuma unlocked the abandoned house. [blank] dashed inside dragging Sil with her.
"Sil wait!" Amitie dashed after them.
[blank] didn't grab that much. Mostly mementos of what she used to be. Some clothes, photographs. Amitie looked at some. She was in a lot of them herself. "Wow. We were really chummy." Amitie felt even more guilty. She'd look at many of these previously, shortly after it was discovered that this was the forgotten champ's house, so this was just a reminder. She's never wanted to forget anything ever.
"Yup." The black ghost-like entity sighed. She opened up a box. It was her fancy new armour. "Don't need its protection now…" She stared at her glowy core.
"Say, can I have it?" Silvana asked politely. "It looks like my size."
"Sure." [blank] said defeated.
"Thanks." She immediately tried it on. "I'm painting it red." She smiled.
"Looks good on you, Sis. You really look like Arle's missing posters."
"I wish people would stop saying that. (Too many have tried to cash me in... )" She did have to thank them to try and experiment with her looks.
"?" [blank] looked at Silvana looking a bit silly in the armour along with her usual fashion sense.
Something happened in her head. It's almost like a memory trying to resurface, but it just didn't. She shook her head and tried to focus. "I want my old clothes to hang on the wall." 'As a reminder of how I failed…'
"Silvie?"
"Yeah?"
"That's Carby's pillow."
"…I getcha."
"Do you have everything you need?" Akuma asked.
"Scrapbook. A few clothes. Employee of the month pictures. Etc… Yeah, I think so… Akuma? If I don't have to stay with Silvana anymore, can I live here again?"
"That's in the cards." The teddy said. "So be patient, kumakuma!"
[blank] smiled. Until she realizes she'd be pretty lonely without Carby. Without friends replaced by strangers. She wants her friends back.
Silvana can stay as she is now though. They'd be neutral acquaintances now if [blank] was still human.
Sleepover at Silvana's! She and her guests were on her bed planning.
On the list were:
- Silvana was maskless. But it was ready whenever, and the same went for her accordion. Provided games and snacks. All around being a decent, if an informal host.
- Sig. He brought nothing but eye candy and dopey-ness with his presence.
- Amitie. Because the only people who don't like her are not her friends. Her boyfriend didn't wanna come to a girl's sleepover. Especially since his date was the sister of his boss. She brought her big wolf plush.
- Lidelle. Amitie had to really coax her into coming. She's borrowing a mask to lessen her shyness, after a little encouragement from the Pierrots. It did help, just not with the spooky blot in a sheet within eyesight. She hid behind the clowns. Surprisingly, she turned down the personality switch. Perhaps because she knew Vento would ruin Silvana's fun and anger the creepy shadow.
- [blank] had to admit. This was all rather nice. They all looked at her funny, especially because of how she looked and her exaggerated reactions. But they were sympathetic. They'll get used to her.
- Carbuncle was there to do as he pleased.
- And Arms. He was there to heckle everyone.
"So what should we do first?" Amitie was excited.
"I don't know… I'm just following along." [blank] said unsure. Not feeling comfortable being a un-person. Sort of in more ways than one.
"I know, Ammy!" Sil went on to proclaim as she slowly pulled down her mask. "How about a staring contest~" She stuck her tongue out to the right before it was obscured.
"Hehehehe. Not falling for that a third time. How about we do another pun-off!"
"Not after last time..." *Deadpan unmasking*
"I don't get them."
"Miss Ammy. Please no…"
"What?"
"Gu."
*Monkey pleading for literally anything else*
"I wasn't bad it. Sil just had a bigger word pool. Can we play truth or dare then?"
"Seriously? I am seventeen. Uh, alright alright, you win. If everyone is okay with it. Raise your hand."
*Raises non-claw*
*Eagerly raises hand*
*Timidly raises sleeves*
*Desperately raised shadow*
"Gu… Gugugu."
*Monkey's better than thoust children*
"Carby said N-"
"Carby said N-"
Silvana and [blank] said at the same time. They stared.
…
This somehow turned into something else. "Will you stop looking at me like that?"
"S-Sorry? I've missed three months, but you've changed like a year. It doesn't help that you look like that you could be my doppelgänger, wearing stuff I wouldn't. Makeup…"
"Soooooorry. I miss the days when people stopped caring about it."
"We never stopped caring about you, Sis." The group's ditz replied. "It's always a treat to see you're healthy~"
"Yeah."
"I agree, Ms. Silvie."
*Monkey pervert*
"You've all pushed my patience too much, even you, sorry to say, Baby." *Don't take it too hard hug* "My turn. I told a truth my turn." No one objected. "Eeny miney…" "…you! Arle."
"S-So soon?"
"Yes. Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Any tricks to keep the Dark Prince himself off my butt? I gave him the wrong time and address so he wouldn't be here."
"Pffffffffwhahahahahaaaaaa! Priceless hahaha~ Eh, just never stop practicing Puyo Puyo and you'll do just fine."
"You scared me with that laugh, Arle." Amitie said, hugging her Wolf tight. "It reminds me of Ecolo."
"Oh. Oooh. Ooooooooh…" She kinda became a formless sagging blob.
"Are you okay?" Amitie reached out.
"I will be. (I hope...) Silvie, truth or da-"
"I'm stopping you there, you can't pick me after I just picked you."
"S-Sorry. Amitie, truth or dare."
"I'll try dare."
"Okay, I dare you… Lemme think… To show Silvana I'm not gross to touch?" Amitie did it for her new friend.
It was Lidelle's turn. "Um. Silvana. Tuh-Truth or dare?" She fidgeted after admitting something.
"Not risking dare again…" Silvana was still shivering from that pizza slice with the gross toppings. And the ickiness of kissing Amitie on the lips. (It's the principle of the thing. It doesn't matter if they're biologically related or not.)
"A-Are you actually human? I forgot if I asked this, already." Lidelle didn't seem to realize this was like asking a woman 'Are you capable of having babies?'. "Nobody as strong as you could be human."
Sil flinched. Frowned, gritted her teeth and calmed down. She chose to pretend she was complimented. "Yes… And no…" She looked at everything everywhere but at everyone. Nervously scratching a few body parts. "I thought I told you this already, Liddy. I'd like to say that I am one. But I know I am a creation at least. Maybe my mother didn't wanna be out of commission for nine months and accidentally used some super potent essence craft me?" She shrugged. "I wish wasn't an Artifical Human. It has this annoying stigma, made even worse considering I'm made of amethyst essence. I wish mom and dad just bothered to make a 'real' kid instead." Silvana gave Carbuncle a squeeze. "Whoever they are. I haven't finished reading the histor… Wait a sec, that doesn't make any sense. I am not from this Circus, that's right… But I feel like I've been here my whole life… Where did I leave that book?"
Everyone was silent to let their redheaded, red-eyed friend think.
"Life's a blur." She gave up. She turned to her boyfriend. "Truth or dare, Babe?" She was anticipating.
"Dare."
Silvana grinned. She grabbed a sheet and threw it over her shoulders. "I dare you to keep me warm." She raised her arm inviting him in.
"Okay." He smiled as he scooted over next to Silvana. Both wrapped in the same sheet. Sig's human arm around her waist and Sil returned the favour. They muzzled.
Both Amitie and Lidelle were envious. "I wish he was here to dare him to hug me." Amitie lamented. Lidelle patted her blonde friend's back.
"Your turn, Babe."
"Truth or dare, Silvie."
"B-Babe. You can't."
"Please…"
Everyone enabled Sig.
"Fine. Truth. Not like there are not much more secrets between us. As far as we can remember, anyway."
"Are you sure you're not bothered by everyone and yourself forgetting things about you?"
"To tell you the truth, Miss Silvie." Lidelle gently interjected. "I never bought that." The whole room sans [blank] agreed.
Sil mouth frumpled. She has the worst luck with truth or dare. "Okay." She closed "You caught me. I'll stop pretending. I am very angry at everyone, including myself, that nobody remembers my past. I know I've told most of you too!" And they knew that too. "Felt like you guys knew more about me than I did for a while. I was just white lying to you guys… Didn't want you guys to catch on. I remembered you guys being big worrywarts about me. So when this all happened and I got over the shock I tried to refresh my life as a happy clown. So I took the chance for you guys to stop… Sorry."
"I forgive you." Sig said bluntly.
Everyone forgave her, honestly and sincerely. Well, [blank] felt a little left out. She made herself small.
"Amnesia sucks."
"Amen, Sister!"
"Amen, to that…"
Amnesiacs, currently, formerly, or under the weird influence of whatever happened to Silvana and [blank] unite!
Sig alternated eyeing his girlfriend's cheek and [blank]. 'If having similar faces, both have similar other issues of forgottenness. Maybe the two are related in some way? That blue thing's completely lost her identity. Silvie's lost most of her identity. Happened around the same time… Doesn't make sense. Unless Silvie, without knowing it is a… No, blue thing would know, right?'
"But I'm doing okay." The ringmaster gave a metaphorically wink and nudge. "And I'm sure you will be too." Her face made a shocked expression. "I just remembered something." She got out of bed. And jumped back on the bed with non-inflated balloons and a pump. Some yellows one red.
"Gugugu~"
*Monkey cheering!*
"Balloon animals! Yaay!"
"You know, Arle. You're gross to me." *Pump pump pump*
"Whaaaaat." She sarcastically replied.
"Fufufu~ Funny. You're freaky in a cool way. And you obviously got it worse than me." *Puuuuump*
"But I'm doing fine regardless. So can you."
Silvana handed over to Arle a balloon animal of Carbuncle.
'But our friends still remembered you. I am nobody to them… Knowing my luck as soon as we all become friends again you all forget me again and I get amnesia again for good measure. Can I even get that like this?' [blank] took the balloon and hide her core inside it in the hope of hiding her emotions.
"Hey." Silvana spoke. "How about we take advantage of my position and watch play a film reel?"
"Zzzzz. Huh? Arle. Your covers fell off again. You're too bright."
"S-Sorry."
A week later, [blank] adjusted to life. Waiting from a solution from Lemres. Still living with Silvana who treated her as a friend she recently made. Carbuncle's still not willing to be friends with her. That gave her something bond over with the Dark Prince whenever he got outwitted by the slithery Silvana.
He didn't believe her that she was the one he pursued romantic endeavors in.
She still wanted her job back. But with her current body, mass, and reliance of otherworldly people stay safe. It ain't happening. Amitie sometimes came by to babysit and to clown but it was so boring after a while. Thing's can only be so funny for so long.
…
Possession. [blank] had her eyes set on it. Or at least was very much tempted. Ecolo's possession left the smallest room for control. Maybe she coul- "No, [blank]! Don't even think about it!" Though, it would be beneficial. The two looked like they could be twins. [blank] would feel somewhat at home. She would have to waste time with makeup every day, be a bit more girly and be the third wheel.
But Silvana would have to waste her time not being fully in control of her body, be as tomboyish as she used to be three months ago, and deal with [blank] all of the time.
It's a fair trade. [blank]'s aching for that burning feeling on her muscles after hours of exercise working at Puyo Puyo Circus would provide. Sweating, bathing and not having your weak point exposed for all to see is an essential part of the person experience.
*Siiiiiiiiigh* "Carby…" Or maybe she needed a pet from a different dimension. She wouldn't be she restricted if Carbuncle still liked her. He's from her and Silvana's world. He'd keep her safe from potentially becoming mindless again.
She grabbed a writing quill, put it on her core and applied in pressure.
You could hear the scream from Circus.
It attracted Pierrot and Pierrose.
The clown sisters rushed inside unhooded and unmasked. "Are you okay, Arle?!" Silvana beat Amitie to the punch.
"Oow~OOOOoooOWOowOWOoooow." Etc. Silvana noticed the quill next to [blank].
"Geez… Stop touching that… Lemres' working on it."
"It's gonna be alright, Arle." Amitie tried consoling her. "Maybe this is all a bad dream you're having."
*Pain pant* "I wanna believe that..." *Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin*
"I'm going back to perfect tightrope running."
"Don't be heartless, Sis. You said you had something planned to help her."
"Won't do her much good when she can't relax, Ammy."
"Is it?"
"Yes. Keep'r calm. Hang in there, Arle. Stop poking yourself. Reminding yourself how certain pains feel… Well. It's just idiotic and won't stand for it. See ya after I'm done."
What Silvana said spoke to her more than it did to [blank]. But as déjà vu. This was too distracting for her. She was gonna brush up on ball balancing instead.
*Knock Knock*
"Come in." [blank] said.
Silvana opened the door and leaned against the doorway with her arm. "Feel better?" She asked nicely but her permafrown made her look like she had bedroom eyes.
That made [blank] hesitate for a sec. She noticed Amitie and Sig were behind the ringmaster.
"Arle. Lemme tell you something. Or remind you, even. Who knows… But first. Are you still amnesiac?"
"Yes."
"Okay." Silvana took out her shiny pocket watch out of her inside pocket. "I just remembered I am a hypnotist."
"I didn't know that. Why are you telling me this?"
"Because under (self-)hypnosis you can resurface lost or repressed memories. (No promises.)"
"R-Really?! You can help me?"
"Assuming your mind's works on the average person and is susceptible to trance."
"Oh… I can slee-"
"But you should since you can sleep." *Optimistical Shrug*
"Oh, thank goodness~~"
Sig tapped his love on the shoulders. "Silvie. Have you tried it on yourself?"
"Yeah." She closed her eyes and nodded. "Did it as soon as possible, Baby." Her lips curled as she let out some morbid chuckles. "I'm beyond hope. Fufufu."
"Aw, Sil… We'll remember someday, I'm sure of it."
"Stop sweating it, guys. Seriously." She looked both ways. "This just between the four of us. After my failure, I took the liberty of hypnotizing myself so I'm not being ashamed of my feminity and curb my concern clashing with my clown persona and aesthetics to go with my unmasking relief."
She was patted on the back. She took it. "So proud of you, Sis~ So when is it our turn under?"
"Never." Rootbeer couldn't be this flat. "Sooooooooo…" She turned to the floating core. Dropping the watch while holding its chain. "Are. You. Ready?" She said like her announcer voice but subdued and relaxed like her hypnotist voice.
"Yes! Yes! YEEEES!" [blank] got pumped. "But do they have to watch?"
"No. But they thoroughly, THOROUGHLY, insist. In the corner, you two, and be quiet." She said as she turned off the light. Leaving only the unnatural light of [blank]'s core.
*Back* *Forth* *Back* *Forth* Etc. "The thing about hypnosis is that's it's important to relax."
*Skipping to the memory recovering*
"Deeper and deeper. Have you found the dusty attic?"
"Yes."
"Search for your forgotten memories. If not for me, for yourself, okay?"
"Yes, Silvana."
…
"Where could it be? Is it in a box? A chest? A locked safe?"
"A chest. It's not locked."
"Why not have a peek inside?"
"Sure."
"What's inside?"
"A Skeleton-T drinking tea."
"…" *Tongue click* "Defeat it. It'll drop your memories."
…
"Have you defeated him?"
"Yes. I got memories. Are they mine?"
"Try and examine them thoroughly. You have all the time in the world. What do you see?"
"I see, the Puyo Puyo Circus…"
"You might have the wrong set of memories."
"No… I see… Dark Prince kidnapping Carby."
"Huh? He doesn't work here… Were you a patron in the past?"
"Yes. It was a frustrating and confusing day."
"How so?"
"That's the day I discovered one of my doppelgangers was still on the loose."
"Really? Wow."
"And she was Pi-"
[blank]'s eyes shot open. "I remember everything now!"
"Y-You're welcome. Why'd you sound so angry?" She said unnerved.
"That's because… You won. Doppelganger [blank]! Congratu-frigging-lations!"
"Doppelganger?"
"Silvie's Arle's doppelganger?"
"I-I am?"
"Yes! You are! I was always a bit scared of you! Your shield was scary. You are that one, right?"
"How should I know? But if you're right, it does make sense."
"I'm gonna put your body to good use!"
"WHAT! It's mine!"
"No! It's mine~"
"Silvie!"
"Siiiiis!"
The room was dark. There no longer was any light in the room. It's been snuffed out.
"Hehehehe… I can feel my legs! Well, Doppel. I'm glad you were still around after all. I mean, I gotta get used to your voice, but that's no biggie.." They stretched and waved their limbs. "I feel magic coursing through me." She lit a small flame with one hand. In the other one, she felt the cooling if an incoming Ice Storm. "I am truly [bla- Gyaaa!"
"Fufufufu. That's where you're wrong, Arle." The very same voice spoke back in monotone. "The fact you were forgotten made me forget me feel… Like myself. Now I know I've been a perversion of myself… But my purpose… It was a curse! BLESSING! I mean Blurse." You could hear the face slaps.
[blank] realized she made a huge mistake in her haste. Because she reawakened the one that caused her a lot of paranoia pre her memory hexes…
The conversation halted Amitie and Sig. They needed to process this.
"Well. I'll never leave now… Doppel."
"My name's ARLE! Get out. You're corrupting me with your icky core!"
"Don't touch it! And hey, if anybody's corrupting us it's you. You're made out of evil essence made for evil purposes."
"You're my doppelganger, you're pure corruption!"
"I don't care about corruption, and no, I'm not!"
"What's happening?" Amitie asked Sig, trying to the light switch.
"I-I think it's obvious…" Sig answered. Unbeknownst to everyone, he shed a tear.
"Sig will be my Mr. Pierr- Nadj- my husband someday and I'm sure as hellfire not gonna share him with you, Doppelganger!"
"Tough luck, Doppel! We'll have to share him in the virtue of taking over your body! I'll be very amicable to him as usual!"
"Oh, no you won't he's mine!"
"Not into romance!"
The light switch was flicked on. What Amitie and Sig saw was what comic fan Amitie would describe as a Dark Silvana. Based on the clothes.
"Ah!" The body screamed. "Feeling… Woozy~ My head hurts."
"Muhahahahaha!" Doppelganger Arle laughed as she suffered the same pain. She loosened control. Making [blank] flail around in her body. "You fool. Us Doppelganger get the muscle memory down the moment we exist. Just leaving us to relearn right and left."
"So admit it"
"No, YES! I mean Nnnnnnyyyy… Babe! Puyo Puyo us please to exercise her from me! I'll take care of my clone later! I'll explain everything! YOU TOO, AMMY! Don't hold back!"
"Who's talking?!"
"I don't wanna hurt you…"
"Not me!"
"What did I tell you about being a circus performer, Sweetie? Being hurt is inevitable. Just battle us 2-on-1 while she still can't tell left from right!"
"Please don't! I need this body!"
"If we win will we'll calmly work this out like normal people." Amitie proclaimed. "Let's…!"
"Puyo Puyo."
"Puyo Puyo!/Puyo Puyo!"
Doppelganger Arle's body flopped spectacularly. [blank] had trouble using a mirrored body. But that's not the least of it. When they heard Amitie and Sig being on their 6th and 5th chain respectively. They reawakened the clone's fear. That fear was stronger than [blank] was. Their voice was shaky and so was their body. [blank] couldn't cast a spell to save them... Doppel shrunk into a fetal position, letting them get buried.
"Oh no!"
"Baby…"
"Silvie!" Sig wasted no time reaching Silvana before it fell. Jumping on top of her.
The cosmic being was exorcised from the clown. In a form that's not identical to the one who's the cause of what she is now, but it is close.
Sig dug himself and Silvana out without any effort. Silvana's breathing was erratic. She clung on tight onto his torso. Her eyes were closed, and she was so scared. "S-Sig. Don't h-hold it aga-against me. I remember everything, I've done so many bad, awful, immoral things. But I bring joy to everyone. My head hurts. I feel violated. I deserve that but's so awful I-I. I don't even know who I am anymore…" Her tears stained her boyfriend's jacket.
Sig comforted her. As he turned his back to [blank], giving a big frown. "How could you?" He mumbled. "There, Silvie. I still love you."
"Don't be too hard on her." Amitie defended [blank] to Sig's chagrin. "She doesn't have it easy either…" "C'mon, Arle. Let's try and figure this out without doing to people what you did to my Sister."
"What's the point?"
"Huh?" Amitie replied.
"I don't wanna live like this. Nobody really wanna be friends with me."
"That's not true."
"Don't lie to me, Amitie. Look at me! I look exactly like Ecolo now. Soon I'll be just like him…"
"Arle!"
[blank] puffed out her chest. "Just cast your deadliest spell on me… And tell Carbuncle I'll see him soon."
Amitie hesitated. She slowly raised her arm for such a spell, but she chickened. "NO! Gosh darn it, Arle! We will work it this out! I'm not gonna kill you."
"Please, Amitie! If your best ex-best friend asks you to kill them, you do it! Kill me!"
"Never. I will make you happy again. I'll even lend you my body sometimes. Come on. Fiddlesticks, Arle. Don't be so stubborn. I don't think Sis and Sig, will ever forgive you, and if I'm honest, I'm angry at you too. But this is-"
Amitie stopped talking. She saw her sister walk past her with a creepy and dissonant smile.
"Silvie?"
"Fufufufu. Muhuhu~ Ice storm." It was a small ice storm that produced an icicle the length of a dagger.
"E-ee-e-e-e-e-e-eeeh!"
"S-Silvie."
"Bring it, Doppel."
"With pleasure~" Doppelganger Arle said a depraved look on her face and sounded just as maniacal. Just before she stabbed. Finally having succeeded.
You could hear [blank] scream from all the way to Zeri.
Sig knocked at the door. "I'm coming~" Sig found the voice behind the door to sound just a bit off. The door opened to a space-y, smile-y girl. "Siiiiiiig!~ How you doing, buddy?" The girl hugged him.
"Hi, Arle. Came by to say thanks for teaching me how to dance. I made Sil very happy last night."
"Hehehehehe~ Aaaaaaaaw. I can tell." She giggled looking at the boy's cheek. "You're welcome, lover boy~ Hee hee~"
"Uh… Are you okay, Arle?"
"Ha ha~ Hopefully soon. Long story short: I had a gruesome nightmare I can't remember, and I woke up with like… The worst pain ever. My scream woke up my neighbours. It's like four root canals IN MY CHHEEEEST. HAHA!"
"Yikes."
"Hah! No kidding, I'm now the strongest of painkillers right now. And it's like…" The adventurer widened her arms. "Thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis strong. Heeheehee. Am so out of it~"
"Sounds like you need to go to the doctor."
"You know what… Ya might be right."
"Need me to take you?"
"Hehehe~ There's that kindness I remember. Silvana's truly is a lucky girl." She smiled. Truly happy for them. "But I think I want a few new boxes of painkillers first."
"I'll take you there too."
"My hero~" So was she easily charmed in this state.
"Gu-gu!"
"Carby~" Arle gave him such an overladen hug. "Of course you can come. Why do you even ask? Hey Sig, what do you think of my new chest plate? Just came in the morning. Came in a day late, though. Weehee~~"
The satisfaction still stayed with Silvana after last night's dance. Even with Sig going and visiting Arle, and Sil having to warn Raffine of the consequences.
She's taking her training break from cleaning the Circus to look behind her unbuttoned shirt in the mirror.
"Since when are zits light-blue and glowy?"
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
*POP*
"Yowchie!" She yelped. It was one sensitive zit. She lost her balance when she saw an otherworldly intangible substance float out of her and disappear right in front of her. "Do I have to deal with ghosts again?"
Author's Notes:
Sonic 06'd. And good, I wanna stop describing a seventeen's year old girls' clothes so much. Also, this chapter was a drag.
Anyway, both Arle and Silvana are fine. Arle's will subside by itself and will be tolerable in a day or so.
The decision to make Arle an Ecolo came late. Though Ecolo always had his slimy hands to do with it. And no, Arle being the Ecolo wasn't supposed to be a surprise. I also took heavy use of the fact we don't know how babies are born. Ecolo babies.
If Ecolo ever shows up you'll know I needed a deus ex machina.
Also, this is to show that Arle wasn't also a Doppelganger, herself. I considered that not having real Arle alive. Honestly, it's been so long, I forgot how it is supposed to do that.
Based on what has to be the scariest episode of 'Kirby: Right Back at Ya'. 'Escar-Gone'
Heads up. Three good games I play have and will come out. 'Bloodstainded: Ritual of the Night', 'Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled', and I'll be someone's partner in 'Super Mario Maker 2'.
Also, you can thank me for 'Bloodstained' btw. I backed it. And not an insignificant amount either. I'm glad I did. I needed a game like this again.
I also have started a tumblr blog called 'Game Boy X Stitching' or 'gameboyxstitching'. Look it off if you want and participate if you please.
Point is, I will have less time.
Next up: Because none of you asked for it. Amitie gets a meaningless romantic subplot.
