Fictions Mentioned:
Episode 36
OP Song:
【Yumi Hara】 In the rain 【Corpse Party Blood Drive】 【Eng Lyrics】
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Fantasy Maiden Wars I - Watatsuki no Yorihime's theme: Lunatic Guardian
PART 1
Flashback
DCMK Universe-Prime
It was sometime in the past. Long before the events of the Corpse Party Incident, an event that was shaking the fabric of many universes.
This spoke of a time from long ago, somewhere in the grassfields of the urban area of the Greater Tokyo Area. There was a red-colored bridge just nearby. There was a young woman somewhere in her early twenties. She had long brown-purplish hair and deep blue eyes. She wears a shrine maiden outfit consisting of a white kosode and red hakama, white tabi socks, and okobo sandals with red straps.
Her name is Hinoe Shinozaki, the older sister of Ayumi Shinozaki.
She was known at this time to be a master psychic who can communicate with spirits, was capable of listening to nature, and had a keen sense that notices any slight variation of the atmosphere. Due to her mysterious ability and soothing presence, she is consulted by people in various social positions, be they politicians or ordinary housewives, law enforcement or private detective agencies. She was also a prominent member of the Wicca Institute, an organization dedicated to the worship of spirits and live as one with nature.
"...Agggghhhhhhhh."
As of now, she had multiple talismans on the ready as she is currently in a formal battle stance against multiple spiritual beings that were gathering around her. The beings were evil spirits from a volatile dimension that were trying to make their way and entering into this dimension in order to haunt it with their presence. Purplish balls of flame with angry-looking expressions with hands raised in defiance.
"Talisman of Wind, come to my aid!" she said clearly and unhurriedly. She threw a talisman into the air above him and made a graceful handsign. Then she exclaims in the language that reminded one of an omniyoji. ''Divine Winds of the East!"
There was a strong gust of wind that would come forth from the east in an unexpected fashion, swooshing the spirits away as they evaporated into nothing. Many spirits fell, but there were still more that were gathering in the area. About a hundred or so that were coming from all directions.
As Hinoe makes herself ready, she notices something flying overhead, and she sees the spirits notice it too, only a little late as flashes of light were suddenly being dispersed in a few locations.
Something made landing as a singular punch attack on the ground made a shockwave of positive energy that would disperse many spirits. A figure was seen from the ground standing as the cape from his back swayed a bit in the eastern direction. It was a person, a young man from what Hinoe can detect from his natural spiritual presence, somewhere around...twelve or thirteen she supposed, somewhere in the age level of her younger sister. He wore a dark blue top hat and suit, with the cape being a part of its overcoat, with a pair of white magician gloves that were glowing dimly in the dark, and of course, there were a pair of non-reflective glasses that he wears to shroud himself of his true identity.
Hinoe smiled softly and brightly. Recognition entered her heart as she sees the appearance of someone that she knew. Not only was he well known on the news and through the daily conversations that she tends to hear from many people that she either passed by or met up with.
The Night Baron. The second one to be more accurate. He was, shall we say, her savior. How so? At some point long before this, she was cornered in an alleyway by a gang of thugs that wanted to do some...questionable things with her. It would have happened had it not for Night Baron to show up so suddenly, landing on the ground.
Even when the thugs dared to interfere, still they try to attack Night Baron, arrogant that they could take him. Night Baron only responded with a few simple attacks, striking them through the various pressure points of the body. And one by one, they were knocked out of commission. She remembered being very grateful to the person who saved her, reassuring him that she was alright after being asked if she was. Night Baron offered to personally escort her home in consideration of the night hours of the time. She was hesitant for a bit before she slowly accepted the offer.
After managing to tie up all of the thugs and let the police handle taking them into custody, as Night Baron had called them in while ago, he carries Hinoe gently and flies out into the night skies, activating the hang glider on his back that allowed him to control his body movements while in flight mode. It was considered the most wonderful, peaceful, and cool night of Hinoe's life. The very first time she met The Dark Knight of the World. From what she sensed about him at the time while of course careful to respect his identity, he was someone who seem to be somewhere around her sister's age, and yet feels...a bit more older than that. She suspected of the latter's true identity for quite some time, but of course wouldn't tell or disclose such information out of respect for her savior and everything that relates to what Night Baron does, both first and second.
She found that quite intriguing. Nature seems to be blessing him as well oddly enough, for with every misfortune of crime and corruption that he fights, and in many cases, stopping it and saving lives, there would be an aftereffect of a passive quality. The fate and destiny of many people were overturned and changed for the better due to his influence. With every action that he does, the decrease of potential casualties was more likely as he was like a sponge soaking up all of those timelines and evaporating them from the other end of the squeezing. And then, there's the strangeness of his aura that makes him attractable, including the nature of time. Perhaps and more than probable of course, the same things that can be said of this young man could be said for the original Night Baron.
Now, she focuses on the present as she hears Night Baron's voice asking. ''Are you alright?''
Hinoe smiled as she responded. ''Yes, I'm fine. I was actually about to take care of this myself so you never needed to intervene this time.''
''I know,'' Night Baron spoke with a reassuring tone. He had no doubt of her power or of her ability to handle this one by herself. ''But I cannot help but step in as it is my job after all.''
''The normal and human side of affairs of course are more than enough problems for you to deal with. Adding in the supernatural would probably exceed your purview,'' Hinoe joked lightly as she throws two talismans at the groups of spirits from the left and the right, at least 3 meters away from Night Baron, dissipating into nothing in flashes of light.
''Everything is a part of my purview, including the supernatural,'' Night Baron said in a serious tone as he walks fast. With each step, he makes calculated punches and kicks that managed to dissipate the spirits that were trying to attack him. His cape waves and swerves due to his movement. ''The problem with the darkness is that it is like an umbrella with many sides and the lengths and the widths that all spread out like an interconnected web of shapes and patterns. No matter what shape or pattern the darkness takes, whether of the human element or the elements that lay beyond such things, it is my job to defend people, human or otherwise, from the monsters and keep them at bay, and maybe...''
He performs a double roundhouse kick that dissipates five spirits that try to converge on him.
''...Give them the hope that they need that while they acknowledge the fears, the evils of their time, it wouldn't mean that they wouldn't be able to fight them back.''
A quote to remember by for Hinoe as she rolls toward Night Baron's position and would stand up as she places herself on his back. Now they were in a back-to-back position. Hinoe begins to throw a talisman into the air as she chanted while making a handsign.
''Talisman of Fire, come to my aid! Fire Storm!''
And then, a controlled conflagration appears and a ring of fire engulfs the spirits and formed a dome-like shield, annihilating the opposition.
''If I were to make a counterpoint, by your argument, it would as a consequence however make you find yourself have more enemies from all of the sides. The more you involved and entrench yourself deeply into each and every part, the more you may attract the ire of many,'' Hinoe smiled sadly, inspired and touched, but concerned for the young man behind the glasses.
''Nevertheless, each umbrella has a line, and I act as the dividing boundary between all of them,'' Night Baron holds the tip of his hat. ''With every line, there is a set of progress and setbacks. But that is a part of life as much as anything else.''
''...I see,'' Hinoe smiled sadly but contently. A sigh escaped her lips.
And thus, as more spirits tried to encircle around them, both Night Baron and Hinoe made short work of them. With gadgets and spiritual powers, they were able to drive the menace off little by little, and with Night Baron's timely assistance, t was more than enough for Hinoe to make a counter spell that would leave a permanent blow upon their enemies, sealing the little cracks that lead from their plane of reality and the alternate dimension of these spirits. She draws out a symbol of a sophisticated pentagram star through her handsigns, all of the lines of which were drawn and connected to the air as the symbol can be seen and with her talisman, announced.
''As I implore the guardian spirits of nature, by my authority as the Shrine Maiden of the Gods, I asked thee to banish the evil spirits that plagued upon the air. Let the dawn of light that came forth from the celestial sun goddess be upon you!''
Rays of light peered upon the lines of the star that was in the air and sent a wave of permeating energy that would drive the spirits back and seal all of the cracks that were bringing the spiritual hordes to this plane of reality.
Then as the exorcism begins to be completed, only two people stood on the grass as the winds blew on a cool night.
...Now, it was over.
Hinoe sighed as she turn to her back and sees...Night Baron. The shining knight, with the wardrobe of the finest gentleman, and the integrity of the knight, seeing the cape accompanying the sways of the wind. The moon shines slightly from the cover of the clouds, almost like the moon goddess highly favors this soul that felt both young and old.
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Max Payne 2 - Main Theme
''...And that was the story of how Night Baron and I had managed to work together and defeat the evil spirits that tried to enter our world, exorcising them from our plane of existence,'' Hinoe explained as she was sitting down on the side of the bed.
''...Wow.''
There was a very young Ayumi Shinozaki, somewhere in her middle school years of age, who was wearing casual clothing. She was sitting beside Hinoe as the latter discussed to her about one of her latest adventures, one that had her encounter her savior, Night Baron II, once again. Ayumi is very aware of how Night Baron II had saved her older sister from a group of thugs that wanted to have her way with her, stepping in and taking them out of commission. It made her quite a fan.
''Night Baron is so very cool...I know that I've once repeated these comments of mine some time ago, but I just love the way he does what he does, even more than Kaitou KID's, because he's always somewhere where the fighting intensifies or where people needed a hand or simply do acts of kindness. He handles both big and small problems with ease, and is pretty intelligent and resourceful considering all of the vast knowledge that he has. The fact that back in the day, he was once a fictional villain character that turns real almost feels like someone like an actual superhero is quite interesting.''
''Yes, interesting,'' Hinoe smiled but was saddened a bit inwardly because she was thinking of the young man who felt was of the same age as her younger sister before him.
It wasn't obvious but Night Baron felt like someone who is a man of many secrets. Because one knows one secret from him, there would be another set of secrets. It's like a complicated jigsaw puzzle where you have to think critically and out of the box in order to try to get to know him. What made her curious was the thread lines, the conceptual lines where various people's destinies are all linked together in a common thread that the hitch point of originated from Night Baron, having influenced so much, saved so much.
She was of course surprised of such a phenomenon, one that stretches all the way back to the first Night Baron. It was like several personal histories have changed for the better. The potential of death would decrease by much whenever Night Baron shows his face. He was an ordinary human, and yet his influence made a mark on the throes of history.
''(''Who are you, Night Baron?'')'' Hinoe thought, at this time and at other times. Not because she didn't know the true identity of the men behind the glasses, but because they were a mystery even in spite of their public identity.
Over the years, in between her time, whenever she had free time on her hands, Hinoe Shinozaki had dedicated a part of her time to study on the character of The Night Baron, The Dark Knight Who Shook the World. And of course, knowing the identities of one (Shinichi Kudo) or the other (Yusaku Kudo), and the time she encountered them for one reason or another, provided a good enough analysis for her to work on.
She searched and found several interesting details that all started sometime back in the very late 80s up to the present times of 2014-2018, Night Baron had been involved in many incidents, large and small. From the low-life criminals of the urban and local grounds that dealt with several cases of murder, homicide, theft, police corruption, and others, even cases that turned up cold, to organizations and societies built up in the tone of conspiracies, many of whom are shrouded in mystery such as Martuba's Tomb,o r had multiple conspiracies under their thumb to dance to their dune such as SPECTRE, to known dangerous terrorists such as the White Masks, to interdimensional threats such as the incident at Ginza, to many, many others. Detailing them all may be considered quite an exhausting and nearly impossible task.
Night Baron, both father and son, had dealt with evil and darkness that accompanied many shapes and forms, from the realms of humans and beyond.
And of course, she finds an intriguing fact that the original Night Baron and the Night Baron that came before him had been trained by perhaps who is now well known as one of, if not the greatest hero of their time, and also the world's greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes. From a simple consulting detective, he rose through prominence for his accomplishments in solving mysteries and bringing the criminal element of late 19th Century London to its knees. Of course, with that, one could not forget the turbulent times he battled against his dreaded adversary and profound criminal mastermind, Professor James Moriarty.
Then as the years pass, by 1899, a woman by the name of Mina Murray, under the directive of the British Intelligence, would visit Holmes and inform him about a gathering of people with a uniquely given set of skills and backstories. Intrigued by this invitation, after much deliberation, Holmes decided to take up on that offer. Unbeknownst to him at the time, it would eventually turn into a gathering of heroes, more of a family, as they fight the battles that no one could ever accomplish on their own.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was born in that very same year.
Yes, the same League whose legacy and leadership would now fall into the hands of the original Night Baron, Yusaku Kudo, the man trained by the Great Sherlock Holmes himself.
And yet, oddly enough, in spite of Night Baron's reputation being well-known throughout the world since the late 80s, this particular connection between him and Holmes was kept under a shroud of secrecy.
The only reason she even manages to find out any information about this was that the SCP Foundation, the organization that monitors the entire universe and beyond from threats that could upset the balance, to protect the rights of the normalcy of humanity and of other races, to fight in the dark so that everyone can live free in the light, through someone by the name of Councilman Max Walker, had given her a preview of what she had been looking for. Her job as a consultant to many peoples would eventually one day lead to her encounter with the SCP Foundation which had been keeping an eye on her as a Person of Interest (POI) that popped up on their radar.
The rest shall we say would be history for her.
Present Time
The year was 2018.
Hinoe Shinozaki, now twenty-seven years old and with that plenty of memories and experiences, has her hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a V-neck pale yellow blouse with light green frills, a pink camisole, blue pants, large teardrop-shaped earrings, an aquamarine pendant, and light brown flat shoes.
Like everyone else, she was informed of the following incidents that have been happening lately throughout not just Japan, but all over the world. And now, she was escorted by two SCP Foundation MIB Division Agents to a particular meeting that was taking place in the secret underground base from the heart of Tokyo. What she found from there was quite a surprise. Aside from the hovering holographic screens that showcase the following incidents that were taking place in the world that were being dealt with one way or another by either Mobile Task Forces (MTFs), another group of heroes, and others, there was a gathering of people in this large hall that ranged from law enforcement, superheroes, and other types of individuals, many of whom she would recognize as she either had heard of them or had encounters with throughout the years, and were presently chattering and muttering in low voices. There was a large table located from around the center, showcasing the screens and a map of the world.
For example, she recognizes Ranma Saotome - Kamen Rider Kuuga and Ryoga Hibiki - Kamen Rider Agito, young men trained in the ways of martial arts to their fullest potential, the best when it comes down to it, and were the well-known heroes of Nerima, a ward well known for its...troubles to put it mildly. And then, there was Ronin (Kazuya Kinoshita), another hero (young man) that patrols the streets of the Greater Metropolitan Area, wearing what appeared to be a black spandex ninja suit with black armor and two katanas on his back. They and a few were looking toward her with curiosity, hesitance, and concern, recognizing her.
Strange, she thought. Why were they all looking at her like that?
Among the heroes, she recognizes one significant figure among them who was making his way toward her.
He was very tall and intimidating. His mere presence commanded the entire room to hush their voices. Everyone knew who this person was by now. He was a hero whose origin was unknown. In this world at least. But from what the general public knew, he was a close ally to the famous Night Baron, the original, the second, and the other one who was a child of seven years of age (who Hinoe knows to be the same person as the second).
She would know this person to be the Batman. She never met him in person but she has heard of him, either through Shinichi Kudo - Conan Edogawa or through a few others. The fact that he of all people was calling her told of the situation that was happening throughout the world. And she can sense these anomalies, these subtle violations against the laws of nature.
''Shinozaki Hinoe, it's good that you are here at this moment. We have much that needs worth discussing, especially since it relates to you personally,'' Batman spoke with a serious tone. His Japanese, accent and tone, were down to a tea. As expected of someone that was told that could rival the skills of the original Night Baron.
''Yes, the agents who escorted me had mentioned something like that. What is the issue that personally relates to me?'' Hinoe asked.
''Two to be precise. One is Night Baron Kid and the other is your younger sister, Shinozaki Ayumi,'' Batman revealed.
Hinoe widened her eyes. Now she was worried. ''My sister? Night Baron Kid? What's happened to them?''
''Not good I'm afraid. They are safe for the time being, that much I can confirm from other trusted sources, but we must act quickly. The more we've been finding out what we've been dealing with, the more serious this situation is.''
There was a man that spoke beside Batman, speaking in a grim tone. Hinoe would instantly recognize the man as they had met a few times in the past. An old man in his senior years, grey hair and hazel brown eyes, wearing a black business suit.
He was Councilman Max Walker—O5-12, one of the thirteen prime overseer council members of the SCP Foundation.
Another person was accompanying him. Another person she would recognize A young man in his early twenties, with medium-length orange hair with two long strands covering his face and light purple eyes. He was wearing the same black business suit as Walker.
His name was Agent Tsukasa Mikuni.
''Hinoe-chan, this is both personal for us. The person I care for the most, Shishido Yui, along with your sister, and at least seven other classmates of hers had ended up in some kind of hostile dimension due to attempting a mystical ritual,'' Mikuni explained.
''A ritual?'' Hinoe asked, concerned.
''Sachiko Ever After.''
The one who spoke was someone that Hinoe would also recognize. A young girl of about six or seven years of age, carrying a serious expression that was interlaced with a subtle sense of worry and urgency, with naturally auburn hair at mid neck length and blue-green eyes. She was wearing a white scientist lab coat, with a pink shirt, grey shorts, pink socks, and brown shoes. There were also a few people that were with her, all of whom she would recognize, those who were just as worried as everyone else on the room.
''Haibara-san,'' Hinoe muttered softly, looking a the girl, or rather the young woman that spoke. Then she addressed the other people that were with the girl. ''Hanako-san, Koizumi-san, Mouri-san, Professor Agasa.''
''It's been a while, Shinozaki-san,'' Ran Mouri addressed Hinoe with a smile, one tinged in worry. She was a young woman with big bluish-purple eyes and dark brown hair. She was wearing casual clothing consisting of a pink jacket, white shirt, blue jeans, black socks, and brown shoes.
''...Everyone, please tell me anything that you all know,'' Hinoe asked with a worried expression, for since it seems that her sister and an old friend is now involved at the center of these events, she needed every bit of information that she can analyze, for she had a bad feeling about all of this.
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Mikkyou no Kubikazari - [ English - Lyrics ]
PART 2
ACMI Universe-Prime
There was the sound of multiple gunshots from one of the alleyways of District 7 that were thankfully devoid of any civilians. There were young men and women, wearing school uniforms and other casual clothing, commonly wearing the Judgment armband from their right arm, that were pulling the trigger and firing rounds upon the slow-moving and fast-moving horde of undead creatures that were being picked off one after another.
Once, many of the younger and rookie Judgment Officers were shooting from the wrong body parts before eventually and quickly being corrected by their more knowledgeable seniors to fire straight on the head. These younger and rookie Judgment Officers weren't exactly ready for this kind of crisis, not only because of lack of experience, but also because they were shaken by what they were actually seeing with their own eyes. And they were still disbelieving of what it is.
In a word, they were afraid. The one comfort that they had was that the senior officers in Judgment were helping them out in this crisis.
The weapons that they were generally carrying were a bunch of Smith and Wesson Model 10 revolvers with .38 Special Ammo and speed loaders, M1911A1s with .45 ACPs, a few Beretta 92Fs, and a few Remington 870 Hunting Shotguns with their barrels modified at riot length, a few loose., and other weapons that they got from all of the evidence lockers.
They all had some training with it, but this wouldn't really be enough in this situation.
Aside from the guns, many were of course using their esper powers, so there was at least an edge for the Judgment Officers' side.
One of the zombies tried to make a snack on a Judgment Officer, a young woman in a blue sailor uniform, carrying a riot shield and opening fire rapidly which didn't hurt the zombie much because it wasn't shot in the head.
''KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!'' the young woman screamed while raising her shield to block the zombie who was trying to take a bite out of her.
But fortunately, the zombie's head got shot clean by someone nearby as the young woman fell to the wall and to the ground with her bloodied riot shield. The one who shot the zombie was a young woman with short black hair, blue eyes, and wears glasses. She wears a casual set of clothing, along with her trademark red jacket. She was carrying a Remington 870 Hunting Shotgun. She made her way toward the young woman and kneeled down, asking.
''Are you alright?'' the one who shot the zombie, Mii Konori asked the young woman, slightly shaking her shoulder which brought her attention, instantly recognizing Konori.
''C-C-Chief?'' the young woman was teary-eyed and trembling, not knowing what to answer.
Konori only made an empathetic expression, touching the young woman on her shoulder. ''It's alright, stay here for the time being.''
She turned to two Judgment Officers wearing gas masks, black uniforms, and tactical gear. They were both carrying Heckler & Koch MP5s. She ordered the two. ''You two, take care of her.''
''Yes, ma'am,'' they said, saluting with their guns in tow. Then they would head towards the young woman in order to check up on her.
Satisfied that the girl would be fine, Konori would make a dash in a straight line and turn left. She found a few zombies that were walking slowly. She fired a couple of shots before reloading, and at that time, she picked off at least seven zombies in total. When she had reloaded, she shot two other zombies, clearing the area.
Then she moved forward and turned right, shooting two fast-moving zombies in pinpoint accuracy. Then she moved forward and turn left, seeing the zombies there being taken care of by a few Judgment Officers that were using M1911A1s.
Everywhere she goes, there were gunshots being fired. There were no casualties so far under her watch fortunately enough, but she prayed in some sense that there were no casualties at all as far as Judgment is concerned.
From what she heard on the comms, there were multiple incidents like this that were occurring in random directions throughout the city. Fortunately, these incidents are contained and isolated for the most part, meaning that most of the public has no absolute idea of what is now taking place. She supposed that it is for the best as the law enforcement of the city would rather not have to deal with a mass panic.
But she worries...because her old friend, Touma Kamijou, is directly involved in this mess somehow, and it had something to do with that new urban legend that was spreading throughout the city. Based on the reports, no one in the city has ever been attempting the ritual, thank goodness for that, she thought. But, reports also confirmed that there were students getting sent to whatever hellish nightmare awaits them on the other side either due to the anomalous cracks that had been popping up, or the random ripples that seem to carry them away.
She runs and runs, shooting and reloading as she fights against multiple zombies that were converging on her position. Counterfire was instantly provided by multiple Judgment Officers wearing gas masks, black uniforms, and tactical gear.
''Ma'am, we got this, go!'' one of them said.
Konori nodded as she begins to keep moving. Eventually, after more than a few walks, she manages to meet up with her fellow Judgment Officer, Aomi Yanagisako, who was carrying a Remington 870 Hunting Shotgun, managed to shoot three feral zombies that were coming at her, being shot in the head.
''Aomi!'' Konori exclaimed, relieved to see her colleague in one piece.
''Mii!'' Yanagisako responded, her expression looking both relieved and worried. ''You took quite a while to get here.''
''Sorry about that, I was currently helping Gabriel and Matsui-san out with something,'' Konori smiled a bit.
''Like keeping a similar incident like this contained,'' Yanagisako said with a soft understanding smile.
''Yes, but only a bit worse though as there were more than just zombies that were coming out of there. Some were walking lizards, some were vengeful ghosts, and if I list them off one by one, we'd be here all day,'' Konori explained.
''...Haah,'' Yanagisako sighed heavily. ''And to think that this was a month where most students wouldn't have to worry about monsters coming out of the woodwork and only prepare for the next semester, and for those who just graduated, thought that dealing with this now would be a bit of a pain on their backsides.''
''Namikaze-san has said something similar,'' Konori smiled a bit.
''And I don't blame him,'' Yanagisako said in exasperation. Then she turned serious. ''In any case, we should keep moving and contain this mess until the Foundation seals the breaches here too.''
''Right,'' Konori noded.
Then they both begin to walk north, with determined expressions.
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Corpse Party: Book of Shadows ~ Deciding Fate D (Extended)
PART 3
Heavenly Host
Somewhere in an abandoned classroom...
''Oh! So your older sister has told you stories of the second Night Baron I see, and having worked with him in the past at that,'' the Eighth Doctor spoke with a smile with interest, having a simple with Ayumi Shinozaki. The other Kisaragi Academy students and Yui Shishido were part of the conversation, showing curious and interested expressions.
Meanwhile, the Twelfth Doctor has managed to unlock another chest and get another soul fragment in their possession, putting it to his pocket. He managed to answer a question that was related to a specific history trivia relating to Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, an old friend of his, whether if it was in his native universe, or in Night Baron's universe, or others. Dhruv Varma, the Indian Friendly Ghost, was right beside the Twelfth Doctor.
While the Twelfth Doctor was busy, he couldn't help but smile as he heard the conversations just nearby.
''Oh yeah, you've been talking about that non-stop if I remember all of those times at school. Whenever you hit the part about Night Baron, you tend to go fan girl a lot. Which reminds me...we've just met him as Night Baron Kid a while ago before we separated, and yet I'm surprised that you haven't asked him a ton of questions lately that you would want to ask him,'' Yoshiki Kishinuma smiled in slight amusement and spoke with interest.
''...Well, I just thought it would be quite a bother for him considering everything that's happened,'' Ayumi made a hesitant expression.
''Oh, I doubt that it would bother Night Baron at all,'' the Twelfth Doctor explained as he walks towards them with a smile. ''I would say that Night Baron is used to such things. I should know.''
''So we've at least managed to find another soul fragment, even after more than half of us got split up into several dimensions at once,'' Satoshi Mochida spoke with a grim expression.
''And we can only hope that they manage to do the same on their end,'' the Eighth Doctor spoke grimly.
In consideration of the separations that had just happened not too long ago, it was decided that both Doctors should take over the lead for now while Reimu Hakurei is in charge of manning the monitors of the TARDIS for whatever happens in the complexified dimensions of Heavenly Host and the boundaries that lay in between. As much as both Doctors were concerned, Rika Kamijou and Satoko Hojo were here with them as well, the latter two giving the following reasons.
''My husband is out there, Doctor, fighting the good fight. I have experienced quite an exceeding amount of misfortunes in my long life alongside my husband, so I refuse to simply cower here in the TARDIS, even more when I and Satoko both know that the rest of our friends are still out there, having yet to be found,'' Rika Kamijou spoke with a solemn expression.
''And I understand that, Rika, I do,'' the Twelfth Doctor replied. ''But all I want to say now is that based on the current information that we have now, Shinozaki Sachiko has reserved a special kind of hatred for you, for Satoko, and for the rest of the Club, more especially for you and Satoko, most especially to you.''
The Twelfth Doctor couldn't place emphasis enough. And he knew that Rika would understand what he was trying to tell her because she was most connected to Touma Kamijou, the one woman that he chose, the only woman that he loved, which makes her target number one.
''Once you are outside of the TARDIS, you will be in the range of Sachiko and whatever kind of evil nestles within this place. Ever since our encounter with the Lamias, I had a great and terrible feeling that Shinozaki Sachiko wouldn't be the only 'main' threat that we would encounter here. And considering that anyone from the past, present, and future may end up here, no matter what zone in the meta-chronological scale, then...''
The Twelfth Doctor trailed off on his explanations immediately and showed a hesitant expression, which made the Kisaragi Academy survivors curious. Castiel, being present, noted the grim expression on his old friend's face.
''There's something that you're not telling everyone or the JOATs as of this time, is there, Doctor?'' Castiel said, understanding the situation immediately.
''Hm? What do you mean by that, Castiel-sensei?'' Satoko Hojo asked, concerned.
The Twelfth Doctor only glances sideways at the Eighth Doctor before turning straight to Castiel, then he spoke. ''No, I haven't, and you would know exactly what I'm referring too so long as I'm not divulging too much information towards my past self here.''
''Me?'' the Eighth Doctor raised an eyebrow.
''This entire dimension is a nexus point that could lead to any reality, any timeline, in meta-time, which is much different than any ordinary form of time travel. Now, supposedly, my past self's TARDIS had managed to pick up on the signals of this cluster of dimensions, all of which stacked together like interchangeable rooms in a building. If my past self can end up here, as a consequence, what do you think would be the logical outcome?'' the Twelfth Doctor asked.
''Any of our old enemies could end up here as well,'' Castiel answered immediately.
''Wait? Are you saying that we might be dealing with even more problems aside from Sachiko?'' Yui Shishido asked.
''That, and worst than Sachiko. This may only be hypothetical however so I didn't tell this information immediately in order for my companions to primarily focus on the task at hand, even though some part of me knows that they also may have come to the same conclusion in their own way,'' the Twelfth Doctor said.
''However, there is the situation with Kizami, meaning that it wouldn't be out of place to say that the past timelines that either the students of Shishido-sensei or Touma have experienced could be encountered by us,'' Castiel explained.
''Wait, are you saying that...we could be encountering other versions of ourselves, past selves, past lives that are running around in Heavenly Host the same as us?'' Yoshiki Kishinuma asked. All of his fellow classmates and Yui Shishido were looking at him in surprise once again due to immediately understanding the situation.
''Yes,'' the Twelfth Doctor nodded. ''The alternate future Kizami, the one that we currently have locked up and contained in my TARDIS, is one particular example. And then there are the few rifts that seem to showcase past events, especially one casual loop detailing all eight students and one teacher performing one ritual.''
''Which lead to this mess, unfortunately,'' Satoshi Mochida grimly surmised.
''Nevertheless, I would want to come with all of you for the time being. This battle is as much of a personal matter for me as it is for my husband,'' Rika Kamijou answered swiftly.
''You can count on me to be in this as well,'' Satoko Hojo nodded in turn. ''Like Rika, I'm not the type of person that just turn tails and run while our friends are out there trying to survive through this mess.''
''And I have a feeling that you were going to say that as I thought to take the liberty of preparing a few things in mind,'' the Twelfth Doctor smiled proudly with a jolly old grin.
And so, it was decided that Rika Kamijou and Satoko Hojo would come along. But of course, Castiel would be coming along as well, for the sake of extra protection, not for the Doctors in particular as they never needed much protection, but for the sake of the Kisaragi survivors, Rika, and Satoko.
Finally managing to obtain another soul fragment, they all decided to keep moving forward, exiting the classroom.
''Hmm?'' The Twelfth Doctor noticed something, along with the others who are with him.
There appeared to be something being shown from the wall. A bluish portal that leads to some place...another time...
They all decided to have a look at it and see what they can find.
''Kyaaaaah!''
''...!'' Ayumi Shinozaki was in shock. Every one of the Kisaragi Academy students was widening their eyes as well.
''Doctor,'' Castiel narrowed his eyes.
''I know,'' the Twelfth Doctor replied.
They were witnessing a ritual of some kind being attempted in...a basement of sorts. They would see Ayumi Shinozaki and Naomi Nakashima kneeling on the wooden floor. There was what appeared to be a set of items placed on the wooden floor. A pentagram symbol was etched onto the floor, probably because of a knife or other sharp object. There were a couple of items such as a beetle carapace, part of an animal's body, and many others. There were five candles placed at the sides of the pentagram.
''Go out, dammit! GO OUT! GO OUT! GO OUT ALREADY, GODDAMMIT!'' Naomi tried to shoo the fire that was consuming a paper doll.
''What the?! Naomi?!'' Satoshi Mochida exclaimed in shock.
''...I...I remember this,'' Ayumi raised her right hand to her forehead, shaking with tears.
''...Shinozaki,'' Yoshiki Kishinuma softly muttered as she touched Ayumi's shoulders and embraced her.
''Í was...I was so stupid. I was attempting to make a resurrection spell that I found in the Book of Shadows,'' Ayumi explained.
''Eh? A resurrection spell? Why would you do something like that?'' Satoko Hojo asked.
''I can take an educated guess, Satoko,'' Rika Kamijou grimly muttered as she observed the portal with narrowed eyes. ''The portal showcases some point of time that takes place sometime after Heavenly Host, at least for Shinozaki-san and for her friend.''
''Y-Yes,'' Ayumi was slightly surprised at the accurate guess.
''What was the resurrection spell called, Shinozaki-san?'' Rika asked.
''...The...The Land of Corpses,'' Ayumi explained slowly as her head was slightly feeling a bit of a hangover because of past memories relating to this specific event. ''It was a spell to open the door to the dead. I thought at the time that this was the spell that actually created Heavenly Host, the entirety of its realm. There were even all of these notes and procedures that were inscribed.''
''And it is one that you should never attempt to do again, young lady,'' the Twelfth Doctor gave a look that was likened to that of a concerned teacher that found his students playing with fire in a deadly way. ''A grimoire by its nature is dangerous to even those with magical training, even more so for you who haven't even started learning the basics.''
''I know...'' Ayumi agreed heavily and sees...something from the portal...that made her teary-eyed. ''And I paid a heavy price for that.''
What did she mean?
''Ayumi-chan!''
From the portal, everyone would see the older sister of Hinoe Shinozaki, like an angel sent down from on high, like a savior suddenly appearing. She scrambled down the stairs, calling out Ayumi's name. She leaped over the railing and practically dove toward the burning paper dolls. Then she sprayed what appeared to be holy water upon the items and the pentagram. Then she uttered.
''By the power of the guardian spirits, I cast out that which would do us harm. ...Dai-ito-kuju...on...aku...UN!''
Then it was over. At least, that's what it appears to be.
''...!''
Everyone, in varying degrees, was shocked when they see an invisible force decapitating Hinoe who was embracing Ayumi. Did she know? Many thought. Did she know that she would die at that particular moment when she tried to shield Ayumi? Nevertheless, the portal would close slowly as the last voice that they can hear was...
''NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!''
...The despairing scream of a past Ayumi Shinozaki of that time.
Most of everyone was shaken by what they had all seen. Yuka Mochida was embracing her older brother Satoshi, trembling and in tears. Yui Shishido had one of her hands placed on her mouth, her expression showing horror.
Ayumi was...most affected. Her eyes were leaking tears of sorrow and regret as the guilt of that time came back to haunt her. She placed both of her hands to her face as she cried.
The Twelfth Doctor and the Eighth Doctor, Castiel, Rika Kamijou, and Satoko Hojo were all looking at Ayumi with sympathetic expressions.
For the time being, everyone would let Ayumi cry for a few minutes at most, with Yoshiki comforting her.
And so, they kept moving.
Nothing of hostile intent has ever been encountered yet. All they could find were the ruins of abandoned classrooms, the rotten smells of decayed corpses, and other littered material that were scattered throughout the dilapidated floor.
...But then...
''Hold on?'' the Twelfth Doctor would begin to check his sonic screwdriver for anything that he could find. From the thought-map, there was a blue point. There was someone coming this way. ''Everyone, wait for a moment,'' he said as he tried to verify the source. Then...he smiled.
But why?
From the right, a young woman would be seen walking in bewilderment and trepidation. Both Rika Kamijou and Satoko Hojo would be surprised as they recognize this person.
''Mion!'' both Rika and Satoko exclaim with bright smiles as they both begin to dash toward the young woman.
''Eh!'' the young woman uttered in shock as she was suddenly tackled into a warm embrace by two young middle school girls.
Mion Shinozaki. She was considered the leader of the Hinamizawa Afterschool Gaming Club. A very tall and busty figure with teal eyes. Her hair is long and light green in color, tied in a ponytail, with bangs parted at the center of her face. She wears a school uniform consisting of a white short-sleeved shirt with pink stripes on her collar and the ends of her sleeves, as well as a long pink pleated skirt. Her shirt is covered by a yellow vest and the uniform is completed with a red tie.
She was blinking in shock and in confusion due to her knowledge of these two young women who were currently embracing her, and yet, their appearances look a bit different. ''Rika-chan? Satoko-chan?''
Everyone would begin to follow suit, with the Twelfth Doctor muttering in relief. ''Thank goodness we found one of them.''
''Thank goodness,'' Satoko slightly teared up. ''Thank goodness we found you...''
''Oi, oi, just...just what is going on here, you two? And why...why do you look so...'' Mion spoke with a curious tone
''Big? Well, not really that big, but still...'' Rika smiled a bit in empathy.
''Yeah, that,'' Mion nodded.
''Well then, allow us to explain everything that we can as we move along,'' the Eighth Doctor smiled.
''Eh?'' Mion made a surprised expression, looking at the Eighth Doctor and somewhat recognizing him but not the Twelfth Doctor. She also recognized Castiel as well. ''...Doctor? Castiel-sensei? And...who are you?''
Thus began the explanations.
While the group continue trekking through the dark corridors, Mion Shinozaki was currently being informed of everything, everything that all related back to The Test, and the experiences specific to this place. Heavenly Host Elementary School, or Nirvana, or whatever you want to call it.
''...Touma-chan's Test!'' Mion muttered in shock. She looks at the Kisaragi Academy students and Yui Shishido. ''...And all of you know Touma-chan that time?!''
''...Well, bits and pieces really,'' Satoshi Mochida informed Mion. ''We still only have a fraction of what actually happened back then.''
''Maybe for the better, man,'' Yoshiki Kishinuma said grimly. ''...I...I don't think any of us would like to remember all of what happened here. I mean...considering some of us...died here...''
The rest of the Kisaragi survivors made hesitant expressions.
''...Yeah,'' Satoshi nodded. ''Any one of us had at some point died here...Which reminds me...We need to find the others, fast.''
''And this damn place is not really helping the matter, is it?'' Yoshiki made an exasperated expression.
''And you must be the Dhruv Varma that Touma-chan sometimes talked about whenever he brings up his adventures. I'm Shinozaki Mion by the way, nice to finally meet you,'' she said to the Indian Ghost who smiled at her.
''Well, technically this isn't the first time I met you but it's more than appreciated,'' Dhruv Varma smiled and nodded.
''Shinozaki Mion...right? The Doctor, well, the one with the grey hair, said a lot of things about you,'' Ayumi Shinozaki made a curious expression.
''Really? What did he say about me?'' Mion asked with a smile.
''Oh, more positive and less negative,'' the Twelfth Doctor smiled in response. He was leading the group from the front alongside the Eighth Doctor. ''The latter of which refers to your old man habit that seems to never change even with the prospects of time.''
''Geh!'' Mion felt like an invisible arrow struck into her heart a bit. It made both Rika Kamijou and Sachiko Hojo giggle a bit. ''Now that's just playing mean, Doctor.''
''Not that if it is true at least,'' the Twelfth Doctor said. His smile however turned grim when he begins to utter. ''Wait.''
Everyone stopped. They were all close somewhat to the exit by about thirty meters. There was something coming from one side of the corridor, about twenty meters to the right. The Twelfth Doctor, the Eighth Doctor, Castiel, and Dhruv Varma narrowed their eyes at the malevolent presence. It was...
...Something frightening.
''...!'' most of everyone gasped in shock, except for Rika Kamijou who only narrowed her eyes, for both Satoko Hojo and Mion Shinozaki to show grim expressions.
It was a pale-looking woman. A vengeful ghost. She wore a white dress and is staring at all of them with a terrible glare that would make most people shudder. She is someone that is known as an onryō. A type of ghost (yūrei) believed to be capable of causing harm in the world of the living, injuring or killing enemies, or even causing natural disasters to exact vengeance to "redress" the wrongs it received while alive, then taking their spirits from their dying bodies.
''...Well, that's not good,'' Dhruv Varma muttered in annoyance, raising an eyebrow.
''Saeki Kayako,'' the Eighth Doctor muttered, his eyes narrowing with an icy glare. He has met this particular ghost, or rather ghosts, before in his travels throughout the Multiverse. ''And so we meet again.''
''Wait, you know this woman?'' Yoshiki Kishinuma eyed the Eighth Doctor in bewilderment while still not taking another eye off from the vengeful ghost.
''Well, when you travel through time, dimensions, and universes, you tend to bump into a couple of versions of the ghost that carries the same name but with different backstories,'' the Eighth Doctor explained a bit while carrying a breath of exasperation.
''RAAAGGGGGGGH!''
Saeko screamed as she instantly tried to teleport and grab the Twelfth Doctor...
''AAAAAAAAAAAAH!''
...Only to be instantly denied as she was suddenly hurled back and burning. Orange flames were now slowly spreading throughout her body as it was slowly being reduced to mere embers.
''...What the hell?'' Yoshiki muttered in shock. The Kisaragi Academy students and Yui Shishido were in shock as well.
The Twelfth Doctor simply plucked out a circular-shaped object that has an etched sophisticated symbol that was glowing dimly. The symbol looked like it resembled an hourglass with spiral interiors. There was a presence of the sacred that everyone felt when they see this symbol. It was of a mystery of profoundness, a delicate touch upon how reality conformed to the one ideal, the goal of rationality built upon order.
''The Great Seal of Rassilon,'' he said with a solemn tone, which in turn makes this a discussion about the sacred. It was more apparent from the tone of his voice that separates the demonic entity that was howling with curses and pain. ''In my cosmos, during the era of the Dark Times, when the universe was one founded in chaos, magick, blood, and the infinitude of contradiction, one without laws or order, one that had yet to firmly established Time itself, my People, the Time Lords of Gallifrey, had used this symbol to drive off all manner of evil, noteworthy of those who came from an alien universe such as the Great Vampires who had drained the blood of a billion galaxies as we, with our mightiest of bowships under the command of one of our greatest founders, Rassilon, waged a Great War in Heaven against them...one that lasted for thousands of years...until we pushed all of them back, drove them to nothing, and their leadership crippled.''
As he explains, the ghost woman would suddenly evaporate, leaving no trace of her presence behind. The area was now clear for them to walk safely.
''...Woah,'' the Kisaragi Academy students and Yui Shishido muttered in shock.
''Alright everyone, we should keep moving,'' the Twelfth Doctor said as he takes the lead. Then the Eighth Doctor followed. Then Rika Kamijou and Satoko Hojo followed. Then Dhruv Varma followed.
...Mion Shinozaki slightly turned back as she walked forward for a few meters, smiling at the surprised expressions on their faces.
''...That's Touma's teacher,'' Yoshiki asked in shock.
''Hmm,'' Mion nodded as she begins to walk forward.
''...That was just so badass,'' Yoshiki muttered.
Insert Song: End
ED Song:
【ARTERY VEIN】Confutatis no Inori (Full Version)【CP Blood Covered】【Eng Lyrics】
Incarnation(s)/Regeneration(s) of the Doctor:
The Twelfth Doctor - A: Peter Capaldi
The Eighth Doctor - A: Paul McGann
12 Core Members:
Castiel - A: Misha Collins
Main Companion Protagonists:
Shinichi Kudo/Conan Edogawa/Night Baron II - VAs: Kappei Yamaguchi; Minami Takayama
Main Love Interests:
Rika Kamijou (née Furude) (Past) - VA: Yukari Tamura
Shiho Miyano/Ai Haibara - VA: Megumi Hayashibara
The Club Characters:
Satoko Hojo (Past) - VA: Mika Kanai
Mion Shinozaki (Past) - VA: Satsuki Yukino
The Nine Characters:
Satoshi Mochida - VA: Hiro Shimono
Yuka Mochida - VA: Eri Kitamura
Yoshiki Kishinuma - VA: Yūichi Nakamura
Ayumi Shinozaki - VA: Asami Imai
Yui Shishido - VA: Miyuki Sawashiro
New Characters:
Hinoe Shinozaki - VA: Rei Matsuzaki
Ran Mouri - VA: Wakana Yamazaki
Professor Hiroshi Agasa - VA: Kenichi Ogata
Mii Konori - VA: Kana Ueda
Aomi Yanagisako - VA: Ryoka Yuzuki
Ranma Saotome/Kamen Rider Kuuga - VA: Kappei Yamaguchi
Ryoga Hibiki/Kamen Rider Agito - VA: Koichi Yamadera
Kazuya Kinoshita/Ronin - VA: Shun Horie
Kayako Saeki (Ju-on/The Grudge)
Mission Objectives:
Number of Soul Fragments of Seiji Shinozaki Collected: 6/24
The Doctor's Group: 1/24
Night Baron's Group: 1/24
Sota Mizushino's Group: 1/24