"The only things that can stop me are the [Flame of Corruption] and the [Scales of Juno]. And they're long gone."
Aria finds herself standing in a vision of an unfamiliar environment. Her clothing shows signs of damage – dirt on her shirt and pants, scuffs on her boots, and the pouch strapped to her thigh is missing. The last part isn't much of a problem as what she kept inside, she currently has a firm grip on it. Dangerous wind speeds draw her attention to the slowly closing gash on her left hip – where did that come from? She spots the bruise on her shoulder – the blue-black mark grows and leaves the area numb.
Suspended thousands of feet in the air, she can't make out the finer details of the battlefield. A muddy, muted palette of grey and green, with blocks of white for contrast. She believes it's a historical landmark by the obelisk in the courtyard's center – somehow, it's in the form of a massive airship. No, wait. That can't be right. Why would a building like that double as transport of this caliber? Where is she, and how did she get here?
It's all a blur.
Is this a nightmare?
A premonition?
The moon is dangerously nearby. How is everyone unaffected by this…? She reaches out, trying to touch the lunar surface. So close, yet so far away.
A pile of broken metal and a fastening band lay at her feet. She notices letters etched on the surface – the piece facing up reads the fractured words of "-OC- Y-." It's not the first time she's seen the suppressor destroyed.
She puts two and two together, causing her heart to skip a beat. Looking behind her, she hoped to find someone.
Where is –?
Her train of thought abruptly stops from a severe headache. "Nnngh, not again…!" Dreamscape pain doesn't last as long as in reality, leaving after a few seconds. Once she regained sight, she saw a body lying on the ground a few feet away. It's a mannequin of light, yet dread washes over as she believes she knows who it is.
A second skips to change her perspective. She then found herself alongside a ragtag group, leading them against the negative image of a god (or is it a goddess?) These other fighters also appear as blank, white silhouettes of various body types and features – all blending in together. The vague definition of clothing articles and weaponry are all she's able to discern. The only one she can identify is her haloed ally. Their combined voices are a warped, garbled mess of sound against the winds.
One exchange is clear.
"It's all of us versus one. You can't take us all out!"
"That's adorable. You think banding together can save the goddamn world? In case you forgot, I am the world!"
"The world…" she quietly mutters. "I have the power to save or destroy it."
A mechanical voice she swears she's heard before speaks in reverse. [".ouy ot pu lla s'tI .ydob ruoy ni [onuJ fo selacS] eht evah llits uoY .pu evig t'nod tub ,mih evas t'ndluoc ouY. ?won ti ezilaer ouy oD"]
Her grip tightens around the metal staff. "I do."
[December 13. Kiske Residence – Aria's room. Early morning.]
If I told you that I knew about the sun and the moon
I'd be untrue
The only thing I know for sure
Is what I wanna do
Anytime, anywhere, and I said
The phonograph remained playing throughout the night, resulting in her waking up to a soft, loving melody. With fire magic she has control over running through her body, the addition of the comforter and heat from another fire user nearly makes the sensation unbearable to an average human. It's soon deemed necessary as they forgot to completely shut the window after coming back in. Feeling weighed down by the plush blanket, she looks to her side to see her fiancé waking up. Her heart nearly skipped two beats when she saw the suppressor missing; this worry soon left as she recalls he's been taking it off before sleeping lately. "Morning, sleepyhead."
Still dressed in half of the loungewear he changed into last night, the hoodie he had on lay on the floor. His waist-length hair undone from the tie and eyes half open, he slightly turned to face her to reply, "…morning." He can't recall the last time he had such a good night's sleep. Those past three nights have nothing on that. "You feeling any better?"
"Mhm," she scoots closer and lazily traces circles on his torso. "Can we ask Axl to freeze time for us? I want to stay like this a little longer." She repositions herself to straddle his lap, feeling hands placed on her hips, then leans down for a good morning kiss. "Unless you don't mind me napping the whole way to the States."
"Heh, if only." Sol smiles and glances over to the clock placed above the door. "7:45am? Huh." Thinking of a way to spend time together before departing for the US, he asked the first thing that came to mind. "Hey, do you wanna go back to that coastal town before we leave?"
"Sounds good to me." She plants another on his cheek before getting up. After a couple of stretches – some of which may have been suggestive on purpose since she knows he's watching – she walks towards the bathroom to freshen up.
Watching her close the door and hearing the shower start, he lay there with his smile fading. Somehow, he knew she wouldn't tell him about how she restlessly squirmed around in her sleep again – nor should he bring it up. He briefly woke up to see her face scrunched in discomfort before reverting to neutral. He quietly muttered to himself, redirecting his gaze to the comforter covering him. "I know you're capable of handling your own problems, but I hate it when I can't do anything to help you. Did you have another nightmare…?"
"Ahaha! You guys, stop it! I'm up, I'm up! ~" Muffled laughter from Jack-O and her minions snap him out of his thoughts – she spent the night outside of her host. They both placed their respective devices in a nightstand drawer – asking her if she knew anything about it is pointless.
"Best not to bring it up to either then." He stands up, readying his clothes and belongings for today. Looking at the Outrage leaning against the dresser, he ponders for a few moments. "To think I once built this to stop you. With this and your gamma ray, who we face wouldn't know what hit them."
"Aria! No!"
"Don't. If you charge up any further, you're going to be met with resistance from me. You and I both know neither of us wants that."
"Wh-what was I about to do…."
"I don't believe it. Of all things, this is what reawakened the gamma ray."
"Turns out, you do still have that power."
"Gamma… Ray…?"
Yesterday's near tragedy reared itself back in. She still can't fully control her powers, let alone that one. If the cost of her using it is her life, it isn't worth it. Styling his hair back into the usual, he shakes his head. "Nevermind. Might as well leave the heavy work to me."
Hidden in his jacket's inner pocket was a small box. This contained his creation from three nights ago when they spent the night at a motel: a sapphire crescent moon necklace with a chain capable of suppressing excessive magical energy. "I couldn't find a headband like yours, so I got these (goggles) instead." The charm has a small sun shape attached to a tiny metal ring near the top. Hearing the shower water stop, he waited with the accessory in his hand – chain laced between his fingers, loosely curled to conceal.
As she exited the bathroom, Aria noticed he held something in front of him. "What 'cha got there?"
"Something I made." Revealing the crescent, her reaction – pleasantly surprised with hitched breath and a genuine smile – was just as he'd hoped. "I don't think I can craft a ring, but I thought you could use a limiter too. Something that represents both of us."
[Living room]
After entering through the manor's front doors, Elphelt tossed her duffel bag to the side. Ramlethal trailed a step behind, carrying three paper bags. After speaking with Ariels for the first time since her defeat, returning from their overnight stay, the Valentine sisters held a conversation over breakfast.
"I knew she was evil, but my God. She really dumped all that info on us." Elphelt takes her beret off and runs a hand through her hair. "Thanks for coming with me, Ram."
"Emotions are a weird thing but expressing them in front of her felt… great." Ramlethal takes a bite out of the sausage and egg breakfast sandwich she bought from the nearest Danny Missiles. "No problem. What kind of big sister would I be if I didn't?"
"I just hope Aria's okay." She watches as Aria leaves her room, walking into the hallway. "Speak of the angel." She walks up to her, lightly hugging. "Glad to see you're alright!"
"Eh?" It takes Hale a second to figure out what she referred to. "Oh, right. Yesterday. It's going to take a lot more than that to take me out."
Elphelt loosens her embrace, unwrapping her arms from her oldest sibling. "Are you sure?"
"It could've been worse."
"Jack-O told us everything." Ram stopped herself before she almost added, "and so did Ariels." She points towards the table. "We bought enough for everyone. I think."
"Thanks, but I'll pass for now."
"Morning, girls." Sol held the Outrage over his shoulder, cracking his neck to relieve remaining muscle tension from the sleep. "Ready to go?"
"That was quick." Aria takes in the spring water scent of the body wash he used. "Yeah, almost. Just let me get my stuff, and we'll head out. Hold on a second, where's Ky?"
"He departed an hour ago for the castle," Dizzy walks into the conversation. "He said something about confirming with President Vernon that you're able to attend the conference."
"The more security, the better? ~" Jack-O adds in. "I was going to ask something, and I think now's the best time. In dire situations, would you want me to take over until you're ready to fight again?"
"Alright, you can. Good to have a backup plan."
"Yeah," Sol puts a hand on Aria's shoulder, slightly bringing her towards him. "And you can truly put your skills to the test."
"You can do it, Mom," Dizzy put on an encouraging look. Her smile lifted her spirits. "You and Dad make an unstoppable team! It'll be just like Leo said. You're our newest defender."
"I'm grateful I have such a supporting family."
The surroundings stop to a standstill. Her vision goes grey, static noise buzzing through. She feels a presence standing behind her. It's as if whoever it is has their back turned, looking over their shoulder. A tail that isn't Dizzy's wraps around her calf.
[".esoprup ruoy tegrof t'noD."]
That mechanical voice is back….
[Unknown highway, Illyrian countryside]
Stretching for miles on end, the asphalt pathway ran farther than the eye could see. Numerous shades and hues of green and brown decorate the scenery. In the middle of it all is a vehicle cruising at high speeds.
Leaning on the side with her right hand supporting her jaw, the black-haired witch listed off what she saw. "Tree. Tree. Tree. Oh, look." She lifted her left to point something out. "Another tree."
"Keep that up for the whole ride, and you'll lose your mind."
I-No continued pointing her fingers up one by one as she kept going. "More trees. Livestock. And… more damn trees. Are we in Illyria or the Pacific Northwest?" Giving her driver the side-eye, her vocal tone effectively conveyed how she currently felt. "I should've guessed you'd bore me with the scenic route. This might be news to you, but I can teleport. Instantaneously."
Chaos takes his eyes off the road to turn to his right. "People these days. It's about the journey, not the destination."
"Uh-huh. Boring shit."
"You've confused your goals for your duties, and it's stressing you all out." His attention redirects forward. "You see, and forgive me if I'm being indelicate here... You're cursed. You were born without something that humans need: Desire." Continuing with his subtle bodily motions, he turns his right hand to face palm up. "And unlike the common cold, it's not something you can fix with some ginger tea and a nice bath, oh no. Yet, miraculously, you still awakened to your emotions. Society granted them to you."
"So, what, you want me to start singing culture's praises? In a convertible? Once you confuse cost for class, you lose sight of yourself, y'know."
He leans forward, leaving inches between his face and the steering wheel – holding it for a second before sitting back upward. "Spare the philosophy. I don't even have a self to lose sight of."
"Oh, come on. Are you telling me your pointy head's empty?
"Not exactly. The problem is, there's too much in here."
"Isn't it about time you tell me where we're headed anyway?"
"Oh, right. Let's start at the very beginning." He creates a projection of the Tome of Origin in his palm. The image itself floats and rotates upon the lower-left corner's axis. "We need a particular book. That's how we can get you your power back." It disappears, and with his free hand, he holds up three fingers near the passenger. "But we've got three problems to deal with. First: one of my old students that I trusted with two more powerful items. Asuka." A figure of the person mentioned manifests. "The idiot assumed my old moniker."
"You're also 'That Man?'"
Chaos lowers his sunglasses a centimeter, tilting his head to the side, flashing a smirk in her direction. "The Original. He's the owner of said book, is in the White House, and I don't have a clue what's going on in there. Second," the figure dematerializes, and he holds two fingers up. "If G4 gets canceled because of us, our boy Asuka might run away. I can take care of the first problem on my own. I'll let you deal with the second. The real issue is the third one. Any guesses what it might be?"
"Sol Badguy, the [Flame of Corruption]. If he shows up, our plans are shot to shit."
"Bingo. Which is why we're headed where we're headed. We're gonna pick up somethin' we need. Manpower." He repositions his sunglasses to rest atop his head. "There's another seed I trusted Asuka with. Assuming you know what it is."
"Uhh, the [Scales of Juno]?"
His mouth curves upward at her response. "Ding ding ding. Correct answer."
She folds her arms at the mention of her former acquaintance. "That brat he created to bring Sol's dead girlfriend back to life is who he planted it in."
"And her name is?"
"Jack-O. Because of her, a strange 'friend' and I learned something about who we are. Haven't seen or heard about either of those false heroes since last month. I ignore the news. Unless it's about me, of course." She pinches the bridge of her nose. "If we run into her, and she still has it, she needs to be taken out."
[Illyria Castle – Ky's office]
"I apologize for calling at such an hour."
"Not a problem. I couldn't sleep anyway."
"I'm sending you the file regarding Sol's new partner. This is all you need to know about her."
Multiple holo-screens opened to display Aria's information. Aside from her photo, basic details included her physical traits and a brief biography populated the board. Another panel with a padlock icon and two chain links flashed off to the far right of Vernon's line of sight.
"Interested in the latest addition? Director Rage wouldn't let me hear the end of it, but I believe she'll make an exception for you." Ky typed in his override passcode. An unlocking animation played before the updates regarding the past three days' worth of "discoveries" appeared.
POST-WAR ADMINISTRATION BUREAU
RECORD NO. 101083 – ARIA HALE
UPDATED: DECEMBER 12, 2187
MAGICAL ABILITY: fire, lightning, gamma energy
FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS:
PRIOR IDENTITY: Justice
DAUGHTER: Dizzy Kiske
SON-IN-LAW: Ky Kiske
GRANDSON: Sin Kiske
GENETIC CLONES ("SISTERS"): Elphelt, Jack-O, and Ramlethal Valentine*
SIGNIFICANT OTHER: Sol Badguy**
RISK RATING:
INITIAL (12.09): B+
CURRENT (12.12): S++
NOTES/COMMENTS:
* Confirmed by R. Valentine. Information was allegedly obtained from S. Badguy and ex-Sanctus Maximus Populi Ariels. From what E. Valentine told us, the apparition accompanying K. Kiske and S. Badguy during the incident is J. Valentine, created by the Gear Maker. The extent of Jack-O and Aria's relationship is unknown to us.
** The two began a partnership. As long as he's still active, she now has the occupation of bounty hunter.
Today's unfortunate events led to discovering that she retained her former self's powers. We immediately reviewed the surveillance footage alongside the medical report when word reached our office. Ms. Hale's miraculously alive, and last we heard was she's currently recovering at the royal residence. Her updated risk rating reflects these.
This information is highly sensitive. All who read are tracked and logged immediately.
(Positioned at the bottom of the screen was the read and edit log. The box populated itself.)
Last edited by:
Rage, Millia. 22:25:19 (CIST) – 12.12.87
Viewed by:
Kiske, Ky. 08:15:10 (CIST) – 12.13.87
Vernon, Colin. 00:15:10 (US-EST) – 12.13.87
Once he finished reading the classified section, Vernon redirected his attention to Ky's video screen. "So, this is who the Gear Maker revealed the identity of?"
"He told you?"
"He seemed hesitant, but yes."
"How many know?"
"Four, including myself. The other three are Vice President Bartholomew, Secretary Dickinson, and one of our elite Service agents named Giovanna. Gathering together for an impromptu meeting with him was Gio's idea." Vernon removed his glasses to clean them with the pocket-sized microfiber cloth he kept in the case. "I was aware the three of them had a history, but I didn't anticipate learning that she's Sol's significant other." Placing the frames back on his face, he sipped from the glass of the ice water on his desk. "This Aria sounds like quite the woman. Given the supplied information, relay to her she's welcome to come along as a secondary knight."
"Can do. They'll arrive in a couple of hours."
"Can't hardly wait. I'll see them, and hopefully you, then."
Once the call ended, and both screens closed, Ky exhaled in relief. The latest addition to his desk's décor included a photo he, Aria, and Leo took the morning of December 9th – to the right of that was the group photo which included (almost) everyone. Seeing her confident smile alongside them gave him a sliver of hope. "Now, if only everything else could be that easy…."
[L'oro di Illyria — Marketplace. Midday]
One of the merchants checks the quality of the displayed items. He notices Axl pacing for a few steps before stopping to face right at the town across the water. Axl focuses on his wristwatch, holding his arm in place before the vendor snaps him out of thought. "Still haven't found it yet?"
"Eh?"
"People come here to shop. It's hard not to notice the same guy showing up every day without even one bag in his hands. I remember you met a couple here a few days ago."
"And you were the one who gave the lady free fruits and a soda.'
"Didn't know she was the one in the papers." The older man takes out a rolled-up newspaper from his apron's pocket, unfolding it to show the front page's photo. "To think she chose my stand out of everyone here."
"She's a real treasure."
"You don't say. From what I saw, she's with Sol of all people." He rolls It back up, holding it in his hand. "Are you looking for something?"
"You could say that. Name's Axl."
"Well, hello, Axl."
"So, the truth is..." Low walks towards him with an unreadable expression. "I've got superpowers." The vendor's smile quickly fades, eyes widened, and left hand instinctively placed to hold his head – eyes darting from left to right. "I know something bad's gonna happen soon. Here, I mean. I can feel it. So, Mister Observant... You see anyone suspicious around here lately?" As if he's able to tell what he's said is unbelievable, Axl laughs. "Heh. I'm kidding!" He raises his arms in a friendly, joking manner. "Haha... Can't even bend a spoon."
"Hah... Hahaha! Phew, you really had me going there. Haha..."
"Sorry, mate..." He turned around and placed his hands in his jacket's pockets. "This place is my go-to date spot, y'see."
"Did you get separated from your girlfriend?"
Axl remains quiet and walks towards the iron safety fencing. "Yeah. A few decades ago."
"Ah. So that's how it is." The man returns to his produce boxes. "Plenty of people come here in search of their past. They can't find a new path for themselves, so they just gaze down the one that got cut off somewhere along the way. But, really, it's not that their path went away. They just can't see it anymore. They've forgotten how to look for it.
Both turn back to face each other again. "...Do you think we could remember how?"
"Sure, it's not so complicated." Tossing an apple into the air and catching it, the kind old man holds the fruit in his customer's direction. "This one's on the house. Just don't get so stuck on the past that you miss out on all there is to see in the present."
"Thanks, mate..."
The apple stops. The same presence from yesterday returns.
His smile fades upon feeling the déjà vu. "This again…?"
No longer in the marketplace, the surroundings go greyscale, changing to a hallway-like corridor. Somehow, the ominous figure creeps up from behind, standing on the ceiling. Space between the two distorts in a haze.
"Scales... A well-calibrated scale uses counterweights to keep itself from breaking. Order, systems, stability. A scale that doesn't move is no scale at all. That's not allowed. The world as we see it is shaped by mankind's emotions. Your conclusion is meaningless."
Axl turns himself around. "Who are you?"
This figure remains a solid black silhouette. Gravity doesn't apply here as it's squatting with its feet touching the nearest door. Anti-gravity is further evidenced by the glass of liquid remaining unaffected. "Axl Low... Haven't seen you since 2192."
"Yeah, I think I'd remember if we'd met before. Where're you from?"
"Somewhere very deep."
Surroundings change back into the marketplace. "Something... Something's going to happen, isn't it? This is bad, Chief..." He vanishes before time resumes.
Apple dropping to the stone walkway, the unaware merchant wonders where Axl went. "Er... What...? Where'd he go? Huh. I guess he does have powers."
[Bridge to L'oro di Illyria]
Break out! (Hey) I'm wide awake (Ho)
Not gonna turn back to whom I was before
Break out! (Hey) Won't escape (Ho)
Light up the skills I'll be stronger even more
Limits are bye-bye
My heart's on standby
Until the fate is on my side
I don't stop beatin'
Don't stop beatin'
Don't stop beating 'em up!
As with the wasteland highway around this time yesterday, Sol and Luna drive their cycles along the bridge. Unlike their date four days ago, they aren't dressed in casual clothing. "Now that I'm fighting for the side of humanity, who would you say poses the greatest threat?"
"Aside from us?"
"I didn't mean it like that, but yeah."
"I dunno, probably Axl? You know that he can stop and reverse time. Science and magic don't got shit on that."
She lifts her protective goggles from her eyes to rest atop her head. "He could become a god if he wanted. Do you think I-No has the same potential?"
"You haven't met her as you. Is this coming from those mixed memories you share?"
"Probably. Something about incompleteness."
"Ariels warned us about I-No, not Axl."
Almost on command at the mere mention of his name, Axl appeared before them. How he's standing on the front three-fourths of the Firewheel Mk.2 with impossibly perfect balance is beyond questions and answers. "Did ya summon me?"
Sol slightly flinched. Thankfully it's just the two cycles on the bridge. "What the fuck!?"
"Hey, Boss. Ari. Loving the new look and the bike. Listen." Axl pointed behind him, indicating the town at the bridge's end. "Something bad's gonna happen over there real soon. Hurry up and meet me so we can stop it."
[L'oro di Illyria – Metropolitan Center]
Stepping out of the convertible, Chaos takes in the city's sights. Nearby civilians sparsely populate the center, where individuals walk along the pavement, and families play together in the park quadrants. He and I-No casually and unassumingly stroll down the city. "Oh, wow, this place sure has changed. Back during the Crusades, it was wasteland all the way up to that mountain."
"Is there something special here?" One couple seated at one of the bistro-style tables leave once they spot the menacing pair. She glances in their direction, smiling to herself. "At least two people here are smart."
"An old friend of mine."
"We're going up against the [Flame of Corruption], y'know. Can they really help?"
"He's more or less immortal, and his weapon works on Sol. I can copy it, too. Anything else?"
"I think that covers all the bases."
"Thought so."
They continue before stopping, looking up towards the top of a luxury, high-rise residential and business complex. "Is your friend a celebrity?"
"Heh. The price he's paid makes top-floor rent look like peanuts. For more than half a century..." He snaps his fingers, triggering a massive explosion from above. "He's been stuck underground."
(From the bridge, the cycles screech to a halt. The duo exchange looks with one another before speeding towards their destination.)
Complex reduced to scattered debris, Chaos and I-No walk towards the crater's center along the dirt. Before them lies a shrine-like area, where a samurai encased in stone rests. Casing cracking and peeling off, details of a white mask emerge – soon, the whole figure becomes visible. "Yo, Nago. Rise and shine."
Amidst the smoke, the large, muscular body shows signs of life. He slowly moves, starting with turning his head towards the disruptors. "I'll kill you."
"Not exactly a morning person, is he?"
Chaos steps forward, placing his right foot against the makeshift platform. He leans forward, placing his left hand near his gun's holster. "Perhaps you mean to say you'll "erase" me. You can't kill someone who's already dead."
Lifting his head upward, Nagoriyuki fights against his statuesque state. Streaks of lightning crackle around his body to setback the struggle. "Die!"
"Oh, yeah, gotta do a check. Raise your right hand."
"I... re... fuse...!" His limb raises against his will; an inky black cloud with a light blue chain forms around his wrist. His body raises into the air like a ragdoll.
"Okay. Now..."
Snap.
He releases his hold, dropping the other to the ground with a loud thump. Nago's mask undoes itself, revealing his youthful appearance and ice-blue eyes. He feels sensations returning to his body, and the first test was closing and opening his hands. "Rgh..."
"Let's work that rust off."
He rushed forward and unsheathed his blade to attack – before it's intercepted by the neck of a guitar. Red sparks crackle against the two weapons, their wielders locking eye contact. "I don't know who you are. I have no business with you."
"Oh," she responds. "But I do."
"Business with an undertaker? What an unusual woman." He lifts his weapon upward, knocking the witch back a few feet.
"I am your boss, you know. Assuming you make it through the interview, that is."
Nagoriyuki readies himself for a duel. "You fiend!" He disappears in a flash, reappearing to I-No's left before slashing the air between them. She effortlessly dodges as he tries for another, kicking through the dust cloud – her kick doesn't connect as he avoids again. One more clash between the katana and Marlene, he maintains distance with three more warps as she lazily kicks in front of her. Once he stops, he readies himself back into stance, concentrating his energy for a final attack. His power surrounds him in a dome-like cover, but the beam's reflected as she shields herself – energy further damaging the earth beneath them.
Once the smoke cloud dissipates itself, she slyly grins. "Not bad."
"What a tepid interview. I've yet to show you what I can do." He closes his eyes, revealing the change to red pupils against the black sclera. Through his enraged vision, three weak points appear, indicated by white circles. One on her left hand, the second on her chest, and the final in the midpoint between her head and hat. "And what a mediocre show of your true power."
"Hm?" Resuming his position, the snarl he displays uncovers his fangs extending. "So, you're a Nightless."
A snap halts the attack and lifts him into the air. Control restraints reappear around his wrists and ankles.
"Look at that. Rust's off."
"You plan to make me an accomplice to your evil deeds yet again."
"You could say that, I guess. Heehee. All right, that's one down. Do you remember the next step?"
"I do, thanks to that long-ass car ride." She senses something, scanning the surroundings past the whirlwinds. "...Hm? Mind if I take a little detour?"
"We don't have much time."
"I just want to say hello. There's an acquaintance of mine around these parts."
"I suppose this will be the last time. But let me warn you now. Soon you'll be so bored that you'll long for our road trip. But after this is all over... You might start longing for that boredom again."
"Only if I have any feelings left by then."
Watching as she warps out of the vicinity, he has a clue as to who she's referring to. "An acquaintance? Oh, I think I get it..."
Along the coastline, Axl gently lays the unconscious girl in his arms down. He breathes a sigh of relief as he singlehandedly saved all of the residential complex's inhabitants before the explosion killed them. "That was too close…."
As he watches the smoke clouds, he recalls his tedious heroic effort. Warping in on one of the office floors, he quickly assessed the surroundings, with people reacting to the sudden explosion. Building debris and furnishings launched upward as the humans scrambled in mass panic. Grabbing the nearest two bodies and running towards the floor's edge to make the first escape, he stops to look down. The presences on the ground level felt all too familiar as he knows both of them – frozen by the time stop, the woman looks upward as if she's making eye contact. "I-No?" Next to her is who he dreaded meeting. "It's really him… He's not human."
His eyes defy the freeze to look in his direction.
Startled, Axl steps back before shaking his head to clear his mind. It must've been a mind trick as the other's eyes return to their prior position. He swallows in nervousness as a drop of sweat runs down his face. "What is he…?"
His odd friend takes a seat on a tree branch. She casually strums her guitar as her legs swing back and forth. "You've gotten better. You learn fast, I see."
"You could say I've finally learned how to stand. What about you? Trying to run before you can walk?"
"I've seen the Roman Empire fall three times now." She jumps down and walks towards him, avoiding the unconscious bodies between them. "I'm in no rush."
"I'm sure you realize, then, that the West fell because they lost sight of themselves..."
"But you haven't seen my face in your textbooks, have you?"
"Books erase the finer details."
"Well," she places her right hand upon his left shoulder. "If you want to erase me from the future, too, go ahead. If you can do anything other than eat, sleep, and stress, that is."
He turns about his left to see her; the back of his left pushing her away. "That's not who I am anymore. I could bring her here, to this era, right now."
"Oh?"
"Our very existences are the axes of time. If I swapped my place for hers, I could bring her here."
Closing the distance between them, she raises her sight to see how close he is now. "I don't know what you're on about. Wouldn't that just make you disappear?"
"Heh. Can't say you're wrong. But still... If I could tell her how much she means to me, even once... Problem is, I've been looking down a cut-off path this whole time. But that's changed."
"Good for you. If you have that much power, I suppose you could erase me."
"Just... stop working with that freaky thing. Keep that up, and you'll never remember how to see your path." Axl locks eye contact with I-No, sharing a thought that's been on his mind since they first met in this world all those years ago. "You look exactly like someone I once knew. I have a feeling we were together once, but that might just be the false memories applying to me too?" With that parting statement, he vanished along with the citizens, leaving her alone on the ledge.
A squad of knights arrive on the scene and run towards her. "Don't move!"
I-No willingly turns and puts her hands up. "Okay, okay..."
Arriving after the destruction, the pair stopped at the bridge's end, taking in the sight of smoke enveloping the city's center. Miraculously, the surroundings remained largely unscathed while all citizens have evacuated the area. "So much for some time together…."
"That's the nature of this job. Things always go to shit regardless."
A conversation between a couple around their age and a first responder catches his ear.
"Can you tell us what you remember?"
"I couldn't get a clear look at her face, but a red-clad witch was with the man who set off the explosion. She had a guitar, and her black hair was in a fringe bob style."
"That other person had grey skin and a strange emblem on his chest. I think he also had firearms?"
"Sounds like they've left." Sol kicks the ground in frustration. "Let's check the coast."
Minutes later, they arrived where the soldiers apprehended one of the public offenders. Remaining on the road level, they looked up to see several police carriages around the perimeter and the armored crew cleaning. Dismounting their vehicles, the two walked up from the rocks to the scene. "The hell happened here?"
"Ah, Sol and Aria!" One of the larger men greets them. "Just in time. We've arrested I-No."
"Arrested?" He doesn't believe that these soldiers were able to handle her. "You sure you got the real one?"
"See for yourself." A smaller, average-sized soldier pointed to the nearby cabin – inside and sitting on the bench, she crossed her legs and arms.
Knowing that her existence isn't a secret anymore, Jack-O activates her screen to speak to Aria. "Huh. See who's in there? That woman is I-No."
Aria studies the outfit and appearance – a witch hat, sunglasses, a black top, a red jacket, and thigh-high boots. The goddess from her nightmare this morning matches the figure. "I think she was in my vision."
"Your vision?" Valentine tilts her head to the left and raises an eyebrow. "I spent the night in these, so I didn't see it."
"You were there too."
"I was?"
"Yes. You don't sleep, do you?"
"I do. Can't confirm I've got any share-worthy dreams. ~"
Both of their comm units went active. "Hey, can you two hear me?"
"Ky?" Sol answers first. "What is it?"
"It's I-No. She's been arrested."
"Yeah, we know. We're at the scene."
"You don't understand. She willingly went with it. Something's up. Stay alert and be careful."
"Uh, guys. Who's that?" Luna's the first to spot a crimson red convertible barreling down the highway across the gap. "Fleeing the scene. There's our real target."
"But I-No's right here?"
Sol takes her hand in his and jumps back down to their cycles. "The actual culprit using a diversion while they make their escape. Typical."
Both back in their respective drivers' seats, Luna lowers her goggles to her eyes and revs the bike. "Let's go after them!"
Atop a cliff, a pair of men observe the beginning stage of a chase. One had spiky, white hair and wore a ninja-like outfit. This costume consisted of a black leather vest, white harem pants with a sizeable obi-like rope, and a red sash. His black-haired companion donned an ornate, blue ensemble – a pair of pince-nez glasses, long kimono sleeves connected to a divided hakama, and a brown ribbon-like belt.
"That him?"
"Yep. Yeah. Just as you predicted, boss. Honestly, I never expected him to get out of the castle."
"He's a true anomaly. Ariels may have been a shithead, but we were better off when he was trapped inside her. Now that he's free..."
"He's that bad?"
"Bad? No. The problem is, he's too pure. Once you know everything, good and evil cease to exist. This world isn't fit for anything so complete."
"...And he's the target of Baiken and Delilah's ire. Hey, don't get any funny ideas. I told you, we're just taking a look."
"Yeah. So, I'm having a look." The white-haired man zips up his facial covering before leaping down. "Just a look!"
"Dammit, Chipp!"
Nobody gonna take my car
I'm gonna race it to the ground
Nobody gonna beat my car
It's gonna break the speed of sound
Oooh, it's a killing machine
It's got everything
Like a driving power big fat tires
And everything
Chaos notices a pair of motorcycles pursuing him from the side view mirror – one red, the other blue. "Oh, good. I figured you'd notice me." He repositions his shades above his hair, reaching to shift gears to accelerate; two zeal canisters on the rear fender retract into the car. Off to the left, the ruins of a colossal skull obstructs the horizon. As they'd all soon find out, the highway canyon had more bones littered throughout.
The chase continues, racing around the bends and rapidly accelerating upon hitting straight paths. "That's who she's working with, huh?"
"Doesn't seem right that she's the one to discard." Closing the gap between the Firewheel Mk.2, Starchaser, and the convertible, a long chain from a tertiary source flies through and latches onto the rear bumper. Who's holding onto the metal drops in between them all. As he's hanging on, dust clouds block their sight, and sparks fly from the mysterious man's feet, skidding along the ground. "What the –…!?"
Glancing over his shoulder, Chaos comments, "huh. I'm popular today."
"I remember you from the victory celebration. Though this is the first time I've seen your face."
"Someone's got sharp senses."
"I'm puttin' you back in your box. Hold on... Those eyes...!"
He reaches to remove one of his guns from the holster with his free left hand. The volley of bullets fired immediately parried by a blade attached to his enemy's gauntlet; he smiles, looking up to call his unwilling pawn to back him up. "Nagoriyuki!"
He drops in to land on the car's trunk – his weight and impact briefly tilt it back. Standing up and taking three steps forward, he assumes stance, bringing his katana out of the sheath. Nago's eyes quickly change to red and black – he analyzes Chipp for his weak points. Highlighted areas are the ankles, forehead, jawline, and the middle of his torso. "Run." Holding the weapon behind him, red energy begins to concentrate and charge.
Chipp's eyes widen as he realizes what the oncoming attack is. "! Ganma blade!? How do you –!?" He slides off to the side, avoiding the burst by a wide margin. He looks back to see where the attack's headed.
"Son of a…!" Sol narrowly dodged by abruptly steering off to the left. His eyes dart to the right to see Aria also avoided, currently driving a few feet higher as she steered onto a dirt ramp.
"I'm okay!" She yells out before her cycle drops back down to the same elevation. "Just had to take a detour."
The samurai slashes the chain Chipp's holding onto. As the cut metal whips backward onto the road, he loses his balance before sliding. A blurry blue-clad figure zips by Sol's left on a platform of light blue butterflies. This sixth person zigzags through to come to his friend's aid, grabbing his hand to lift him up to his feet. Chipp starts running while Anji remains in mid-air; both men maintain the same speed despite the difference in their modes of transport. "It's just one thing after another."
"Let me handle this. Think you can give me a boost?"
"Worth a shot!" As with the goggles, Jack-O temporarily possesses the Starchaser. She finds the hidden turbo function, turning up the output on the power source. "Good to go! Floor it!"
Watching as the blue bike sped up and gained distance, Sol reached behind him to grip the Outrage. He leans to the right to maintain his balance as the superweapon scrapes the ground.
Amused at the turn of events, the convertible's driver remarks, "this is turning into a real party!"
Chipp and Anji increase their speed to minimize the space between themselves, Chaos, and Nagoriyuki; Sol and Aria trailing close behind. Focused on Chipp sprinting faster while Anji places himself in front of the car, Nagoriyuki readies himself to slash in the ninja's direction. The slice is intercepted by Sol's Outrage parrying, allowing Zanuff to run off to the left. The front end of the Firewheel Mk.2 collides with the convertible, knocking it back, its driver slowing down as an instinctive reaction. This does nothing to deter the pursuit as he readies the weapon and speeds up again. "With one hand?" Nagoriyuki scans Sol for a weak spot, unable to find one anywhere on the prototype Gear's body. "…Such incredible strength. So, you're a monster too, are you?"
At the front of it all, Anji focuses on Chaos and slows down his platform. With the Zessen in hand, he falls victim to the paralyzing eye contact.
"Hey! Look away from him!"
He points his firearm towards Chipp, noticing another blue-clad pursuer right behind him. He doesn't fire, instead menacingly smiling before aiming for Anji.
"Dammit, no!" Chipp leaps to his companion as the gun fires. He deflects the bullet at the cost of causing both of them to lose balance and begin tumbling forward. Chipp quickly regains his footing while Anji continues to roll, then senses the immediate danger they're headed for. As they slide off the sharp shoulder, he grabs Mito by the back of his clothes, hurling him in the opposite direction to land roughly on his back.
Aria sharply turns, tires screeching to stop her bike. "Jack-O! Call your servants!"
"Already on it!" A ghostly arm sprouts off to her side. She summons four and orders them to fly off the edge. They grab onto Chipp's arms, effectively rescuing him. "And gotcha! ~"
"Sentient plushies!? What the hell?" He looks up to see a woman with an apparition's limb right next to her. "She must've sent these to save me. I'm alright, but thanks." The servants lift him up back to Aria and Anji's level before releasing their hold and dematerializing. In the middle of catching his breath, Zanuff coughs as he stands back up. "Just let him go. He's not someone any ordinary person can kill."
"Even if we can't defeat him here," she hears the Firewheel Mk.2 zoom by. "I gotta catch up to my partner." Hale speeds off away from Mito and Zanuff, returning to the chase.
Once the Starchaser escapes his line of sight, Chipp sees Anji regain consciousness. He helps his comrade back to his feet, checking for any significant injury. Mito winces as brief stings of pain leave his body. "Who was she?"
"No idea, but she said she's working with Sol."
Across two vehicles, only three people remain in this chase. Outrage remaining in his hold, Sol keeps his trail on the villainous team steady. From the side mirror, Chaos immediately recognizes him. "Sol Badguy. The god-killing [Flame of Corruption]." Nagoriyuki's katana within an arm's reach, he slides a finger across the surface to collect the magical energy before transforming it into a bullet. "I'd better make sure this works. You're good to go." Nagoriyuki acknowledges the command, leaping off the vehicle's trunk above Sol and landing on the road. While he was in mid-air, Sol attempted to attack, causing his bike to swerve around in a complete circle when he realized it wasn't for an assault.
Briefly glancing back before redirecting focus to who's in front of him, he's greeted with the sight of the convertible's driver standing where the vampire was. "Nice to meet 'cha. So, you're the famous hero."
"Nah. I'm just a freelancer that was trying to enjoy his date!"
A baseball-sized fireball hits him directly on his left temple. Then, another one at a faster speed grazed the dirty crème hair. Both turn their heads to see the Starchaser on autopilot while Aria stands up, placing one foot on the front and the other on the seat. With her staff in her right hand, she generates a noticeably larger elemental sphere – a mix of fire and lightning. Tossing it in the air, she swings to launch it right at Chaos.
Nobody gonna take my girl
I'm gonna keep her to the end
Nobody gonna have my girl
She stays close on every bend
He deflects it before getting a good look at her. "Oho, that's your woman? She's a lovely one. Out of you poor saps, I'll leave her alive." He takes out his other firearm, shooting it towards her bike's tires. "Or not."
Sol sees her swerving to avoid before stopping entirely out of the corner of his eyes. "You goddamn bastard! Leave her out of this!" He places both hands to fire the Outrage, blast vaporizing the left side of Chaos' torso and arm. "Huh!?"
Chaos laughs as his body regenerates instantly. "This one's for you."
The special ammunition lodges itself into his shoulder. "A little bullet wound? Is that all you got?"
"What keeps you alive?"
Sol feels something wrong. His eyes drift off back to the injury. "This should be healing by now… What the hell are you?"
"Happy Chaos. That's my name, but a name's all it is. I'm whatever you see or feel me to be. Ah, except… 'Which came first: the chicken, or the egg?' You know the question, but do you know the answer?"
"What?"
"The omelet. The omelet came first. It's the reason the chicken and the egg exist. I could be anything you like or nothing at all. But… I do exist." He manipulates the surroundings to create a warped vision of a pitch-black cloud with beady, white eyes. Sol feels his heart skip before snapping back to reality. "Anyway, later!" Chaos fires a volley at the large cycle's tires, causing his last pursuer to abruptly stop after swerving while he makes his getaway.
Seconds pass before someone catches up to him. "Shit…!" Aria pulls over to the side, parking her cycle before standing up. Stepping towards Sol, she commented, "well, so much for that... Are you… okay?" The open gunshot wound catches her eye. "I thought you could regenerate."
"So did I, but whatever that samurai's blade is made of works against me." He points towards her bike. "Can she possess vehicles too?"
"Yeah. I wasn't sure if it was possible, but here we are." She notices the others who were in the chase approach. "Why were you two after them?"
"Introductions first." Unzipping the black facial covering, the white-haired man put on a friendly face. "I'm Chipp Zanuff, and this is Anji Mito. Thank you for saving me, but you should've stayed with him."
Anji politely bowed after closing the Zessen fans. "We know who he is, but what about you? Never seen you around before." His sights focused on the shape on her necklace. "A crescent? Lu—?"
"Aria. My name is Aria. If you were going to say 'Luna,' that works too."
"Huh. 'Sun and Moon.' That's kinda cute," Anji comments.
"Anyway," Sol cuts in. "You two were going to tell us why you were after the car too?"
Anji answers for himself and Chipp. "A close friend of mine's been on a mission to find That Man. I went to America to track him down, but who I found there isn't the real one. The first is our target. He's the source of her lifelong misery."
"Seems we found him, but…." Chipp adds. "There's no way we could defeat him as is. You two, on the other hand, might stand a chance."
"Might?"
"Good luck. Not like you'd need it, though." Zanuff and Mito depart, leaving the duo by themselves.
"What a strange morning… I didn't expect to deal with a ninja, a dancer, a samurai, and a psychotic gunslinger so early…." Aria reverts the Starchaser back to its sidecar state. She takes her seat, leaning forward, and rubs her temples. "Let's go back to the castle. We may get something out of I-No."
[Illyria Castle – Interrogation room]
Preparations for today's international conference were under way several floors above. From the operator crew increasing their watch to the decisions on who'd stay in Illyria while others went en route to the United States, all were aware that an interrogation was happening below.
Through the glass pane separating the room, a knight stands by as Ky attempts to press I-No for information. The door violently swings open, with Sol disregarding the warning. "W-Wait, hold it! You can't just barge into the middle of —"
The same force applied to the next door leaves a fracture running down. "Hey, I-No! Who the hell is this Chaos bastard?!"
"Long time no see, shithead." She slyly smirks, leaning back in her chair. "Should I be looking for a good lawyer?"
He kicks the table, sending it flying towards the wall. She turns to see the furnishing mostly intact while he motions to mimic a shrug. "Better find one who can take a beating."
"What do you want to know?"
"Oh? Since when are you so generous?"
"I'm hurt." Her sarcastic tone pairs with her gesture – slightly shrugging with both hands palm up. "Have I ever lied to you?"
"I don't think you've ever told me the truth."
She folds her arms and looks away. "If you don't wanna talk, you're welcome to leave."
"Fine, then. What'd you take from Ariels?"
"Her pride. I had my tongue nice and sharp. Gave her a verbal beatdown. Must have left her down in the dumps."
Sol turns his attention to Ky, briefly holding his arms upward before dropping them down when the latter replies, "don't give me that 'told you so' look. She let herself get captured. We're not getting the truth until we bring in that Chaos fellow."
"You think? I bet I could get it out of her sooner."
"Oh my, were you looking to make some renovations to the castle?" The shadow cast by her hat clashed with the light reflecting off of her sunglasses. The room begins quaking with blue smoke and sparks generating around them.
"Enough property damage, both of you!" Ky motions for them to break it up; I-No complies, dispelling the destructive energy. "This isn't a question I ask lightly, but... Do you plan on becoming a god?"
She wasn't expecting that question to come out of him. Her facial expression tells all – eyes suddenly widening and her smirk dropping. She turns to her left, noticing a familiar face through the glass. The second woman had her arms crossed, face unreadable as to what she was thinking watching all of this. At this point, she's still under the impression that it's the same person she was asked to wake up earlier than planned. "And here I thought you brought me in just for the destruction of property."
"Don't dodge the question. Do you intend to destroy the world?"
"Hah. Is the destruction of the world all you ever think about? Would it kill you to get a bit more creative?"
"We'll work on that." Sol cuts in, walking forward a few steps to stand in front of her. "Maybe that Chaos guy could give us some ideas. Call him over."
"You want a ticket, you're gonna have to wait in line. You gotta put in the effort to get something worthwhile."
"This is an interrogation room. Didn't you see the sign? It says, 'sorry, I can cut the line whenever I want.'"
"Sounds like you'd be better off taking that sign with you to the White House, then. I bet the Gear Maker's got a hell of a story to tell you."
"Excuse me?" Ky cuts in. "Are you suggesting the Gear Maker's up to something?"
"You think he's not? Really? What was it again? The 'Accumulation of Goodwill?' Well, it's not like I know much about it myself. I'm not going to be the one setting off the fireworks."
"I-No's never needed a reason to cause trouble." Leaving her alone in the main room, Sol and Ky returned to the observation area. Sol stands close to the glass with his arms crossed, with Ky standing by and Aria seated at the table. Her device was positioned on the surface with the assistant panel open by this time. "This is the first time I've ever felt intent behind her actions."
"That's tripping us up, as well. If only we knew what's motivating her... Could her past be the key?"
"J," Aria begins to ask. "Do you know anything related to this?"
"There were two of me."
"What?" All three focus on her.
"Now's a good time as ever to share." Jack-O utilizes her secondary home to illustrate her explanation. "When I was created," two photos of her appear next to each other. "There was a backup in case I failed – my contingency plan. However," the second greys out, and a red x gets drawn upon it. "That spare was never completed. In my case, I carried out my purpose, bringing Aria back to life. The, uh, other me was to 'save' I-No."
"Save her? From what?"
"Herself. She's currently incomplete, and he tried to stop her from awakening. Anything other than that, I have no idea what Asuka planned."
"He always was the secretive type. Or at least the one out of the three of us to withhold vital information." Sol's memories of escaping the crumbling project complex and surviving a gunshot to the face before surviving a fall that would've otherwise killed him returned. "When he let his intentions show, that mop-top can't fool anyone."
"I do remember the name we gave them: Happy Chaos."
"You're saying he created that thing?" Aria becomes visibly disgusted at the thought of the adversary from earlier turning out to be created from her. "There's a man with my DNA running around too?"
"Though I don't think the getaway driver from earlier is the same person. Probably picked up the name, and God knows how he heard of it."
"What a relief." She looks to her right, noting I-No hasn't moved at all. "It doesn't look like she's going anywhere. Can we continue this upstairs?"
[Ky's office]
"Feels great to be in this form again. I didn't want to give myself away earlier." Assuming her phantom state, Jack-O leaned against a pillar close to Ky's desk; her shoulder in contact with the marble acted as a resting point. "Time for a little history lesson. The world in which we live is governed by a programmatic space that controls all of creation."
"The Backyard?" Aria looked right at her as she asked.
"Yeah. However, one day, the Backyard got sick."
"How can a program get sick?" Ky questioned.
"You know how they say dolls can get possessed by spirits?"
"Are you calling me a doll?"
"Ehehe, sorta. It's like that. Though in this case, ~" she clears her throat. "The world became possessed by humanity's emotions during the Crusades. So, the source of illness was removed." She holds her right index up for a few seconds. "That was the first mistake. That part was given tremendous authority and became all-powerful."
"And that's I-No?" Sol joins the conversation with that quip.
"Axl too. Asuka's teacher was the first to discover her, deeming her a threat, and confiscated her power and sense of self."
"That's why she's incomplete? If she's not trying to return to a human, but her old self…."
Aria and Ky piece it together. "She'd need the other half she lost, and that's manifested itself as Chaos?"
"Kinda like how I was needed. Returning to Justice, and together we made Aria a complete human again. It's likely, but there's something else that can do the same. The Tome." Jack-O spins the globe near the desk, putting a finger on where Washington D.C.'s located. "And that's with Asuka at the White House. …I think."
"I remember what I was going to mention earlier. I spoke to Vernon this morning. He's given the okay for you to go." Ky signals a thumbs up to his mother-in-law. "I thought it'd take more effort, but I'm not questioning his judgment."
Slouching back in his chair, Sol sighs in exasperation. "This is not how I intended to spend time with you."
"Seconded." Aria crosses her legs with the right atop the left. "The chase was exhilarating, but I hope the people in that building weren't severely injured."
"Betcha a grand Axl's the one who saved them all. He's a bit of a weirdo, but he's got a heart of gold." He sees her typing something on a holo-screen, with multiple images appearing in quick succession. "What are you looking up now?"
"Is this it?" Aria sets the display to landscape mode. The image she found of Iseo matched Frederick's description from last night. "You're right. It is something I wouldn't take my eyes off of. I have to say the whole isolation zone thing is a dealbreaker." She lowly giggles to herself upon seeing his reaction. "This list of stuff to do after we save the world is getting long."
"Are you sure you two were working instead of running off to secretly get married?"
"Ky!" Heat rises to Aria's face as she attempts to brush it off.
"Sorry," he laughs and defensively puts his hands up. "Just thought I'd lighten the room." He looks over the displayed scenery. "I was thinking maybe the eight of us could go there on a family vacation someday."
"Eight?"
"You two, myself, Dizzy, Sin, Elphelt, Jack-O, and Ramlethal. Ten if you count the dog and Lucifero."
"If I can get a body that's my own by then," the phantom replies. "I do appreciate you counted me in. ~" She watches her sister stand up and begin to walk towards the door. "Where are you going?"
"Back downstairs. Ky, you've got surveillance access, right?"
"I do," he answers, pulling up a panel. "But –…"
"Just watch from here." She unbuckles the pouch from her belt, placing it on the desk. "We won't be long."
Reaching out for her before she went any further, the younger sister asks, "are you sure that's a good idea?"
"I said 'we.' You're coming with me. Before we get down there," she tapped the side of her head. "Please get back in here."
"Oh. Okay."
As the two exited, Ky typed in the live feed code for the interrogation room – I-No's remained in her seat since they left while two guards stood by. He opens what Aria removed from her outfit, instantly recognizing the item inside. "If she left this here with us, she's going the peaceful way."
"We didn't get anything from her, but maybe she can."
[Interrogation room]
"Hm. This doesn't seem right. The I-No I know wouldn't let herself get captured so easily."
I-No turned her head to see the figure standing on the other side of the glass wall. The face stayed the same, where her appearance drastically changed. She followed the other with her eyes, watching as she entered the room and took the other seat. "Is that supposed to be some sort of disguise? Ditched the old look for this getup, didn't you, Jack-O?"
"As I figured. She still thinks you're me. That can't be good."
"I'm not going to lie to her. I'll just tell her she's mistaken. I'm not her."
"Bullshit."
"It's the truth. She hasn't been in control of this body since late November."
"If she's gone, then…."
Following Ariels' defeat, I-No was there as former friends Sol and That Man spoke to each other one last time. Her back was turned to them, with Raven standing to her right and Sin nearby. The latter's words rang through her head.
"Take good care of Aria."
"Interesting." Her lips curved into a wicked grin. "If you're not Jack-O, then you must be this Aria he mentioned."
"Uh oh. Do you think you can let me take over for a bit?"
"You mean like ventriloquism? How are we going to pull that off?"
"Kinda! ~ Let me talk to her. Take a sip and let me work something out. I'll try to make this painless."
"Something up?" Obscured by her hat, I-No raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not sure how else to say this, but she'd like to speak to you?" Aria picked up the mug in front of her and took a drink. Clearing her throat, her voice changed.
"Hey, I-Noes! Been a while. We're not trying to bullshit you. Who you just spoke to is Aria. I can tell it's hard to believe, but really I've been," she had complete control over their shared body's limbs and poked her left cheek. "In here. ~"
"What. The. Fuck."
"I hope you haven't previously said anything to piss her off…." Aria regained control of her body, taking Jack-O out of the pilot's seat. "Well, that was unpleasant. But now you know our little secret."
"I've seen my fair share of shit, but this takes more than a cake. It took the entire bakery. Why are you in here?"
"Asuka wanted to save you."
"Did 'you' forget already?" She scoffs before half-heartedly smiling. "You're the one who changed me. The one who can change me back to a plain human at the cost of her life. Wanna see if you can still do that? Ideally before the end of G4?"
"No way in hell." Had she not gained altered personality traits compared to her original self, that wouldn't have come out.
"Now that's an answer Jack-O wouldn't give me. If you wanna talk salvation and that shit, I got bored of waiting on him. He promised me something, never followed up, and I doubt he will from his voluntary detainment."
"And that would be?"
"Something all of us want. A future. But how can I look forward to that if I don't even have a past to begin with? I don't even know where I came from or if I had anything worth living for." She swirls the spoon in her cup around. "My memories are all events I can't even trust, yet there's one thing that keeps haunting me."
"Something?"
"Why should I tell you?" I-No rose from her seat, slamming her hands on the table between them. "You work with that asshole, don't you?"
Aria took a deep breath and responded calmly. "It's just us here. I'm not looking for confrontation. What's said here stays in this room." That alone was enough to get her to sit back down. "I experienced something just like what you said when I came back."
"...I'm listening."
"You first," she firmly stated. "You're after something, aren't you? A wish? What exactly is it?"
"…It was around the 20th century, I'd guess. There was a man in the slums named Will. The son of some rich guy and his wife. I can't even remember his face, but I recall he had beautiful blond hair, like a woman's. He was a weird one. He'd always get into fights, but he'd cry after he hit someone."
"A weirdo with long blond hair? Doesn't that kinda sound like –…?"
"Shh."
"Told me that after he'd lost the strength to throw a punch, he couldn't get anything out but tears. And I couldn't say why, but everyone always ended up on his side in the end. That included me." A faint smile shows through. "Well, our relationship was a little... closer than that. We swore our futures to one another, throwing away our old lives and names. I'd like to say... we were happy."
("If mine didn't come to an end, we could've been the same.")
"Until one day, Will suddenly disappeared. Didn't say a word to anyone. And he never came back. No cop or journalist could ever tell me why. I didn't plan on giving up on him, but I made myself a promise anyway. No matter what happened, I would never forget my memories with Will. And yet, all those memories... are fuzzy. Any guesses why?" I-No watches Aria slightly shake her head. "Because they never happened. Not in the second version of the 20th century. I have no past. Which means I have no future." She holds her hands in front of her, pretending to grasp at iron bars, pulling them apart. "I just want to get out of this empty cage. Now it's your turn. I'm all ears."
"…I don't have any suggestions. Just tell her your 'memories' from me."
"I'll try to. When I woke up, I had memories that were and weren't my own. I thought I was hallucinating, but you were there as one of the people chasing me around. It's more unbelievable to recall two highly different situations with the same person. Recently, Sol insisted I take off the mask to show 'my' face. Believe it if you want, but I've died at his hands before. Just not in the body you see seated across from you." She sipped from the mug again, continuing without carefully choosing her words. "I'm out of my own time as well, but this new era doesn't feel all that alien to me. I didn't have anything growing up, just sticking my nose in textbooks, working towards something that doesn't have the same value today as it did back then. I told myself it was so I wouldn't get left behind. Eventually, I met my two close friends, one of which I fell in love with. Now? In three weeks, I'm not the same person I was before. I'm learning about the world I had a hand in creating. There are two different legacies I have to my name, with another if that's countable."
Combining what she shared and her knowledge of Asuka's plan with Jack-O, I-No doesn't show she picked up on Aria's true prior identity. "You've said enough."
"Have I?"
"Yes. But tell me this," she shot her a nasty glare. "Do 'you' also recall calling me a mistake?"
"Crap! Of all the things to remember, that's what she brings up!?"
The scene between Jack-O, I-No, and Axl at Heaven's Edge when both time vagabonds corner her returned. A memory that wasn't her own felt surreal to recall.
"I-Noes doesn't know everything... I bet she doesn't even really understand herself. 'He' is pretty mean, so he probably didn't bother to tell her, either. ~"
"What the hell are you talkin' about...?!"
"Aw, you're so clueless. ~"
"What the –…?! What the hell was THAT?! That vision made no sense... I was the world itself?"
"Yup. That's the real you. ~ You're both a necessity to the world as well as a horrible mistake. Axl Low... The same goes for you."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"You don't belong in this world. You're merely a tenuous lifeform, a 'possibility' spun out of a broken future. That's your existence in a nutshell, Axl Low. I-No's individual ID, which was created outside the understandings of this world, and yours somehow overlapped through a freak miracle. That's why all of the irregular laws that were applied to her are also being applied to you. Yes, let's see... it's like a Shogi piece that managed to wander onto a chess board. You have the potential to seriously disrupt this world. Heck, you could destroy everything if you really wanted to. That's why the Universal Will fears you."
"What a tragic turn of events for you to be killed by the one you love. If we do find ourselves in an era of everlasting peace…." I-No removes her sunglasses, placing them on the table. "Will there be any place for you in it as a person or just a memory? Will his feelings remain the same, even after you're gone again?" She takes her hat off to brush along the brim. "All because you tried to play the hero and stop the inevitable end."
Back in the First King's office, Ky notes Aria's body language. She's still holding the mug, tightening her grip on the handle. He also caught onto what slipped out of I-No's mouth. "Before G4 ends…?" What followed immediately was a fist pounding the desk's surface. He turns to see the stoic face of his father-in-law still focused on the screen, sensing the seething rage under the façade. "Probably for the best she asked us to stay up here…."
[Castle botanical gardens]
Recounting the whirlwind events that transpired in the span of a few hours, Aria spent time in one of the castle gardens to clear her fogged mind. She stares into the cloudy sky, seeing a lone eagle soaring above, along with numerous other avian species, and the airship she and Frederick will board to the conference.
She closes her eyes to recall the last scene from her vision. I-No's colorless image replaced the goddess that towered above her allies. Jack-O's figure became clear amidst the light, and one of the taller party members morphed into the samurai from earlier. Identities of the other four remain a mystery. She rules out that he's purely evil if this revelation comes about. Still, she can't believe everything she sees.
"Jack-O."
"Yeah?"
"Come on out." She complies, sitting next to her host on the stone bench. Aria stands up, taking steps forward, before suddenly turning around. "What is wrong with you!"
"H-huh!?" Unsure of what she's referring to, she asks, "what do you mean?"
"I-No! Calling her and Axl mistakes like that! Even if what you told them at Heaven's Edge is true, why did you say it so casually if you knew of her power!"
"In my defense, Asuka telling her to wake me up earlier than planned was a desperate decision!" She points at the other's head. "Hell, even after sticking around in that hollow skull of yours after everything, I'm still unstable! I was released because he didn't account for Ariels capturing and escaping with you and Elphelt so soon!"
Words currently escape her; however, the sight of her glowing eyes acts as an immediate warning sign. Her fists radiate with incredible heat. She feels her forehead grow warmer from using her fire magic – part of the exchange on the way back to the city brought it up. Sharing the same face is one thing, but seeing the humanoid phantom with a horrified expression and matching body language is another. Before her sat a frightened mirror image of herself trying to keep distance between them, akin to a slasher film killer and their victim. Once Aria sees the situation beyond her rage, she stops and regains her composure. "…Sorry."
Jack-O notices the outline of an emblem – the Gear mark – illuminating under Aria's bangs. "She's coming out, isn't she? Your body is the prison, and Justice is the inmate. She's clawing at the bars, the lock is loosening, and yet it's useless as the cell door keeps its hold. What reinforces it is your denial that you aren't her anymore."
Aria sits down again, slouching forward, and holds her face in her hands. "I still can't control my magic. Even with this limiter, my true power bypasses and renders it useless…." She takes it off – lacing the chain between her fingers, allowing the crescent moon and sun charm to dangle in front of her. "Maybe I should just stay here."
"If you did, you wouldn't be there to settle things with Asuka." Jack-O rises from the bench to stand behind Aria. She takes the necklace out of her hand, undoes the clasp, and places the chain back around her neck. "When we went into Ky's office that day, I said that if I returned to you, Justice would revive as a human. If I didn't vanish after all of it, neither did she. Your powers are proof of that." She summons a servant into her arms, stepping around to stand in front of her sister, then mimics what Aria did with the Sol bear when she cheered Ramlethal up. While she kneeled down, the servant held up to her face level tapped one of the other woman's knees with its stubby, little hands. "Don't let what I-No said before we left the interrogation room get to you. Power through it. I know you can. I don't understand what it is – nor do I have a full understanding of many things – but you and Frederick still love each other regardless, right?"
"There are multiple points to prove it."
"And those are?"
"Proposing to me on my birthday, ensuring I was okay whenever I was sick, urging I go into cryosleep when he found out about my infection and making an uneasy truce with Asuka to bring me back." She picks one of the flowers off of a nearby vine, gently cradling it. "There's also this past month. Comforting me when I started crying the day I woke up. Spending the day with me, making a surprise appearance after my exhibition, then taking me out for a romantic date night to make up for his absence. And…." The flower's centermost petals bloom. "Asking me to be his co-bounty hunter."
"Not the same as asking you to be his wife, but it's close?"
"Put it that way, yeah." Aria places the detached flora in her hair – the stem slotted to the curve of her ear's outer shell. "Breaking down and pleading I wake up after the 'accident.' Last night when we conversed on the manor's roof. Iseo's lovely, but it'll be worth the wait. And finally," she runs her index finger along the charm's curve. "Making this necklace for me."
"Exactly." Jack-O tapped the side of the magi-tech goggles' surface. "Remember what I quoted when I figured out I can go in these?"
"'You're alive for a reason, and I am here to help you?'"
Valentine dematerialized to reenter the device, opening her screen. "I did some thinking while you were out yesterday. Turns out I have another purpose past my initial one. I'm here to protect you and serve as support too." Before Aria could respond or ask what she meant, Jack-O continued. "I'm the one who activated the emergency signal and alerted the operators once we realized you were unresponsive." That instance of rapid action ended up saving her life. "Sounds like you need to clear your mind, so I'll be in here if you need anything."
"Thanks. We've got an airship to board and a long flight ahead of us, so let's get going."
Aria placed her accessory in her backpack and headed towards the main entryway. She stops at the halfway point before hearing the mechanical voice return. This time, the tailed figure stands in front of her. She remains lacking fine definition, still communicating in reverse.
["?flesruoy yned llits uoy oD"]
("You were the voice in my nightmare, weren't you?")
[".emoc ot sgniht fo gninraw a sa erom ti fo knihT .eramthgin a t'nsi tI"]
("Then tell me who I couldn't save!")
[".eulc eht saw latem nekorb ehT .erawa ydaerla er'uoY .taht od tonnac I"]
("Broken metal? That's not right. It can't be him…!")
"Of the three of us, Leo's staying behind to monitor events on this end," Ky informed his in-laws before their departure. "Daryl's going with his own transport, so this airship's all yours. Took the liberty of storing your motorcycles in the cargo bay, and there should be enough food and drinks to last the way there. Be safe and stay on top of your game."
"Same to you," Aria returned. "Be sure to book it over there if you're needed too."
"I'll keep that in mind." He watched as they boarded, walking up the ramp before it closed behind them. "Good luck, you two…." The airship started, steadily rising into the air before beginning its course for America.
"It'll be a few hours before we land in Washington. Make yourselves comfortable."
Aria sat at the table alone in their private cabin, peering out of the window. Aside from the engines running, the other sounds that fill the room are the record and the jangle from her playing with her necklace. Frederick seats himself directly across from her. Before he could ask how she was doing, they were politely interrupted.
One of the airship's pilots speaks to them over the intercom. "Pardon the interruption. You have an incoming call."
The Presidential Seal of the United States appears on the screen before transitioning to a live feed from the Oval Office. Vernon's seated at his desk, hands clasped in front of him, scanning the image of the other side before greeting the pair. "Good afternoon, Sol."
"Likewise, Vernon."
He shifts his sight to the blue-clad woman. "And to you as well, Ms. Hale."
Hiding the surprise as to how he knows her name, she gives him a kind and welcoming smile. Briefly nodding, she responds, "it's an honor that the President knows who I am. There's no need for formalities. You can just call me Aria."
"At least in a positive light, you've made quite the name for yourself." He drinks from the ice water glass within arm's reach. "Anywho, let's get right to it, shall we? If all goes well, your combined presence should be enough until the end of the conference. Ideally, you two wouldn't need to lift a finger. The event ends, and you return to Illyria unscathed."
"Sounds easier said than done… We're ready in case anything happens."
"Heh. I like your enthusiasm. That's all I planned to say, so I'll leave you two be. I'll see the both of you soon." The transmission ended, leaving the video call screen a blank, black rectangle. Ambient music resumed, refilling the airspace.
"Aria?"
"Yes?"
He thinks of an unassuming question to ask. "You're nervous about returning to the States, aren't you?"
She knows it was forced out. "That isn't what you were going to ask me, was it?"
"Perceptive as ever. I'll come out and say it. Did you have a nightmare this morning?"
Oh, so he does know about it. Just waiting for the right time to bring it up. "…I don't think that's the correct term. A vision, maybe? It felt so real. Like… like it's a premonition. I couldn't see where I was, but I wasn't alone. There were others."
"Others? Like who?"
"Don't remember, except J. Everyone else aside from the two of us were featureless, and we all fought against I-No."
"The old you would've internally been a wreck after the last thing she said." He takes her hands in his. "You have something she doesn't. Are you feeling alright?"
"Y-yeah." Their contact eased her nervousness. "I also saw… you, but not as you."
"I wasn't me?"
Whoops. That shouldn't have been shared. "Forget I said anything."
"Just tell me." He slightly leans forward, encouraging her to come out with it. "If it helps, don't speak to me as Sol. Talk to me as Frederick."
"You couldn't have worded that any other way?" What he said didn't sit well, causing her stomach to turn. "Don't freak out, okay?"
"Uh, okay?" He straightened back up in the seat. "What are you so hesitant in telling me about?"
They locked eye contact for a moment before she deeply sighed. "I truly hope it's just a bad dream. The 'you' I saw wasn't a Gear. You…." His image changed from how he currently was with the suppressor to something entirely different – unlike what she thought was in the vision. This alternate version lasted for a split second – lacking the device, had shorter hair, glasses, and a black-blue shirt under a white button-up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows – before reverting to his present appearance. "You were human."