AN: So here's that extra little fic I was talking about at the end of the last one. I figured with Litchi's role being different, there'd be differences to the Arcade mode as well! Naturally, this means it takes place in the same AU as A Twist in Time.

Keeping with the arcade mode style, I'll be using script format for this fic (which I'm not overly fond of) until the final scene which will be in the usual style.

Also as a note, Arakune's speech will be written out normally because it's a pain to get the doc editor to work with me when it's all broken up.

Stage 3 - Tager

Litchi: Tager!

Tager: Litchi? You came to Ikaruga?

Litchi: Yes. I haven't been able to find Roy in Kagutsuchi. I thought he'd head here following the Azure Grimoire.

Tager: That's not much to go on Litchi. You really left your clinic based on this?

Litchi: …

Tager: I'm worried about what this is doing to you. How many times are you going to uproot your life to chase after him?

Litchi: … As soon as I'm done, I'll head back to Kagutsuchi. Can you contact the professor? I'd like to speak with her.

Kokonoe: *sigh* Remember when you promised me you wouldn't do anything stupid? Way to make me look like an idiot for believing you. Tager, bring her in so we can send her back.

Litchi: Professor!

Tager: I'm sorry Litchi but I have to agree with Kokonoe. You need to stop this.

FIGHT

Tager: Stand down, Litchi, I know you can't keep tapping into the Boundary like this.

Litchi: If you won't help, I'll carry on alone. *Litchi leaves*

Tager: Litchi! *sigh* She should be fine on her own for a while at least. Still, if Arakune is around, he could cause trouble. I'd better keep track of any readings related to him.

Stage 6 - Azrael

Litchi: That's-! The Deathbringer! Why is he here? What are Sector Seven hoping to achieve with him?

Azrael: Hm? My ears are burning. You got something to say?

Litchi: Ah!

Azrael: Hey, you look kinda familiar. Kokonoe's assistant or somethin' right?

Litchi: No, not anymore. I'm no longer affiliated with Sector Seven.

Azrael: Tch, useless. You don't even look like your worth eating either… although…

Litchi: Huh?

Azrael: No, there is something about you. A power I've never tasted before.

Litchi: You can't mean…

Azrael: Heh, well I've got some time to kill. Try to make this fun for me.

FIGHT

Litchi: Guh! I-I can't… He's too strong.

Azrael: So that's it for the Boundary's power, huh? Fortunately for you, I've got bigger meals waiting so I'll let you go for now.

Litchi: Letting me go?

Azrael: You've got some potential but I shouldn't have to pull any punches against the full force of the Boundary. Just make sure you go all out next time. *Azrael leaves*

Litchi: That was almost everything I had and he was still holding back. I don't think I could handle drawing on much more power without risking losing myself. Wait, what's this feeling?

Stage 7 - Arakune

Litchi: Where is this? What drew me here?

Arakune: Igi, kihihaha!

Litchi: Roy…

Arakune: Who are you? Don't know. Seems familiar but no recollection.

Litchi: So you did lose yourself… I know you can remember me again. You've done it before, you're still in there Roy!

Arakune: You, woman, stop talking. Don't know what you are talking about. Not what I'm looking for. Not part of the mission.

Litchi: …Mission? Roy, what are you talking about?

Arakune: The Lynchpin! Where is it?! If you don't know, you are useless! Useless beings must be devoured!

Litchi: Something's wrong. He was never like this before. Hang on Roy, I'll help you find yourself again. We can solve this together!

FIGHT

Arakune: Kihihehehe! Pointless to struggle. You waste my time!

Litchi: Ngh, what's this power? Roy, tell me what's happened?! Please come back to me!

Arakune: Kukuku, annoying voice. Be silent! Be devoured!

?: That's enough. I must have the Lynchpin's location before the Day of Reckoning.

Arakune: Understood Professor Relius. Kihihihi. *Arakune burrows into the ground*

Litchi: Roy!

Stage 8 - Relius

Relius: Now this is a surprise. What brings you to Ikaruga, doctor?

Litchi: What have you done to Roy?!

Relius: There's no need for alarm, I simply made my own modifications to it. I'm quite busy as I'm sure you can imagine and, given the right incentive, it makes for a passable extra pair of hands.

Litchi: He's just another experiment to you… His mind is still in there and you've turned him into a tool.

Relius: What I've done has had no effect on it's mind. It still acts purely on instinct alone.

Litchi: So you're just going to throw him at anything you want dealt with until he can't even hold himself together anymore?

Relius: Oh there's no need to worry about that, not while there I have Kokonoe observing it for me.

Litchi: What do you mean 'observing'? Explain yourself!

Relius: And if I were to decline?

Litchi: Then I'll get the answers from you by force!

FIGHT

Relius: Tenacious aren't we?

Litchi: I'm not giving up. Not until you bring him back!

Relius: As interesting as this was, we're unfortunately out of time. If you retain any of memory of this encounter, consider speaking to Kokonoe about who she's observing.

*static*

Litchi: What's… happening? This is-!

Relius: I do hope to see how you fare in future. I would like to see how far this ambition takes you.

*static*

AD2200/02/01

Out of Place

Still finding her bearings, Litchi made her way through Kazamotsu. She needed to find information about any places Arakune might be found. As she continued, she suddenly staggered when a wave of dizziness hit her. She held her head with one hand and steadied herself against a wall with the other.

"Ngh, what is this?" she groaned. She cracked one eye open as the sudden pain continued. "I've been fine since Kagutsuchi and now this-" Heavy footsteps approached, interrupting her thoughts.

"Litchi?" Tager said, incredulous. "Are you alright? What are you doing here in Ikaruga?"

"I'll be fine." She straightened up and let go of the wall. "I haven't been able to find Roy in Kagutsuchi. I thought-" Litchi stopped herself as something registered in her mind.

"You thought what?"

"This has happened before," Litchi muttered to herself. "We've had this conversation already." Tager's brow furrowed in concern.

"Litchi, what are you talking about?"

"Roy… he was there and then- Relius-!" Litchi held her head again as brief flashes of events she hadn't yet experienced entered her mind. "He said… observing?"

As Litchi looked to be losing herself to the Boundary, Tager reached for his radio only for Kokonoe to chime in before he could speak. "Tager, bring her back here. Her mind's falling apart." Tager nodded and sighed.

"Professor, wait!" Litchi suddenly yelled.

"I'm not waiting for you to throw yourself further into the Boundary, Litchi," Kokonoe scoffed. "Get this through your thick skull: he's a lost cause. Now you're coming back here so I can pull you out of the Boundary before you really mess something up."

"If that's what you think, then why are you observing him?" Litchi let go of her head and glared in Tager's direction. She knew she didn't know anything about observation but if what she could recall from Relius was true, then Kokonoe had some part in keeping Roy alive.

She felt slight satisfaction when Kokonoe seemed to be stunned by her words.

"Kokonoe?" Tager asked, also taken aback. Kokonoe didn't respond, considering her answer. Eventually, she sighed.

"Alright Litchi, let's talk about observation."

AN: Also in keeping with the arcade mode style, it ends when things get kinda interesting! Consider this to be kinda like a precursor to the upcoming fic, though remember since this is a Blazblue arcade story, not everything that happens here will be the same in the main story!