I don't own digimon.

Story 80

Ripple Effect Pt 2: Center Ripple

Heading for the table proper, Lorence carefully reached out to Mervamon's hand. Grabbing hold, he felt his partner give his appendage a squeeze. He and Juvia were very much out of their element. There was doubt here. Yet, everyone at least seemed ni-

Lorence didn't get a chance to finish that thought, a butter knife slamming into a nearby wall. Piercing in, it hangs there in defiance. Looking in the direction of where it looked to have been thrown from, we find the timekeeper proudly laying on the table. Appearance unchanged from when Chaos blasted him, a shit-eating grin hung proudly on his face. The sort that should be punched out for the sake of everyone.

"Who to start with? She, who has defied me at every turn?" the timekeeper announced as he focused on Elena. The gale corsair stared back for a second. Pulling her head back right after, the gears began to turn into her mind. Whispering something in the direction of her fiancee, Alice nodded. "Or, should I go for the dear old black cat? We don't need a hag like her around!"

Victoria rolled her eyes and flipped the timekeeper off. While this person felt familiar to her, something still felt off. Like a memory that had been purposefully locked away.

"None of those will do. I think I'll go with the accountant." the timekeeper announced, his grin growing even wider as he charged for Lorence. Attempting to get out of the way, that's kind of hard to do when your pursuer is in control of the flow of time. Sorry about that. "Do you really think that you can get away?"

Lorence shook his head.

"I thought I would at least try." Lorence answered, only to be met with the sharp end of a dao broadsword. Absolute overkill here.

"Well, you were never going to get away. So why even bother?" the timekeeper countered, but Lorence remained silent. A response that our dear asshat decided wasn't good enough. Judging by the way the dao blade inching ever closer to the accountant's throat. "Answer me and maybe I won't end your pathetic life. Ok-"

The timekeeper didn't get a chance to finish that sentence, Mervamon taking the opportunity to slam her greatsword into him. Knocking the timekeeper away, that allowed the warrioress digimon to scoop her partner up and put Juvia behind her. Staring her opponent down, all that accomplished was laughter from the timekeeper.

"Fine then. I'll let you all live. But my friends very much won't. Toodles!" the timekeeper announced as he teleported away, throwing one more knife for good measure. Flying through the air, it lands on the floor. Thankfully, it didn't pierce through the floor.

"Lorence, are you alright?" Mervamon announced as she set down Lorence. Getting a nod, that was Juvia's cue to pull her spouse in for a hug.

"Yeah. Just… confused." Lorence answered and felt a sharp pain echo across his head. Bringing his free hand up, all it accomplished was making it feel worse for a couple seconds. Then it was back to normal. Letting that hand come down right after, the accountant scanned the room for a doctor or something similar. They had to have someone along those lines… right? Would be an odd exclusion to have at a meeting like this. Considering the nature of injuries most of the time, this is just normal stuff for them. To average joes like Lorence here, this is the worst thing they have ever felt. If anything, the dear old timekeeper let him off easy. Considering how close Elena was too taking him on one more time, it's for the best. Bot that I'm excusing his actions in the slightest. They'll need to deal with him eventually. But not right now.

"I'm trained in first aid." Bruce announced as he looked around for a first aid kit. Finding one nearby, he headed over. Scooping the kit up, the bodybuilder walked over to Lorence. Towering over the accountant, Lorence held still. "Beyond your head, does anything else hurt?"

Lorence looked at his body. While he couldn't see anything in the way of cuts and/or scrapes, there was always the chance that 'timekeeper' had done something and they would be none the wiser. Shoving that thought away for now, he watched Bruce finish up his examination.

"You look alright. If you feel any additional pain. Please tell someone, okay?" Bruce answered and Lorence nodded. While that no doubt went without saying, it was nice to have reiterated.

"I will." Lorence answered as he squeezed Juvia's hand. In turn, she squeezed back. Afterwards, his gaze turned to the rest of the group. While everyone looked to be accounted for, Elena and Alice were off to the side.

"I… don't know how to feel about this." Elena whispered, her body on the verge of changing. Tears rolled down her face, the result of yet another thing that is my fault. Okay, that one is a stretch. The point still stands. Closing her eyes, images of the Mochizuki Facility flash across her mind. Faceless doctors and nurses go about, bringing with it a variety of instruments and tests. Mixed in, is the vision of a place. While reminiscent of part of Japan, the gale corsair doesn't recognize where exactly it is. Not that it matters. Instead, it's on the human boy and skeletal figure who are trying their hardest to pull an equally strange bird away from a large draconic creature. In the process, an egg appeared. Her egg. Try as Elena might to get more information, her eyelids opened once more.

"That's a perfectly valid way to feel about this." Alice answered, cradling her fiancee's hands. Relatively warm, it took everything in her power to not cry as well. Easier said than done here, but the spirit gambler managed quite well. "We'll take this as it comes. Should the fucker come back, we'll kick his ass. Okay?"

Elena nodded.

"Yeah. Shouldn't be that much harder than the last time… I think." Elena answered as she led Alice back to the main group. Taking a moment to calm the emotions in her mind, that was enough to get a smile to form on her face.

"Anything else of note wish to drop in before we begin this meeting proper?" Pins announced, only to be met with the sound of a chair being set down. Staring in the direction of the sound, we find one Cora Redsana. Dressed in her maid business attire, it feels surreal seeing her here. There's something different and yet, I can't seem to figure out what it is.

"I would like to apologize for the appearance of 'him'. If I had known that he would show up, I would've appeared sooner." Cora announced as all eyes focused on her here. Meeting them all with ease, a chuckle escaped her lips. "But, everyone looks to be good."

Elena raised an eyebrow. Lasting only a second, she was joined by Lara, Luke and their digimon.

"Have we met before?" Lara announced and was met with a look from Cora. Staring for just a moment, the maid's eyes turned a shade of violet. Lasting mere milliseconds, that's what is throwing me off. Good to know.

"Perhaps, perhaps not." Cora cooed, only to get a look from Luke. Right on the tip of a realization, all it accomplished was a glare. For now, his girlfriend reached out and squeezed his hand. While it felt nice, it did little to actually soothe the frustrations bubbling to the service by the former youth pastor. "In the grand scheme of things, it is an issue for later down the road."

For that response, Cora was met with raised eyebrows.

"Okay. So what's your deal then?" Alva announced as she headed over to what one could only assume to be her spot. Laura followed right behind, taking care to not accidentally break the chair as they sat down.

"I'm here on behalf of the Jester of Dreams." Cora explained as the rest of the group headed over to the table. Taking their seat to the best of their ability, that didn't stop Elena and Alice from gazing in the maid's direction. Joining that of the Alpha crew, a sense of frustration hung over both groups.

"Why does that feel so familiar?" Elena whispered as she looked over to her fiancee. Currently lost in thought, Alice was very much thinking the same thing. Right on the tip of their tongues, but so far away. I can think of no worse feeling than that to feel here. Actually, I probably could. But those are the sort you really don't want to be thinking about at a time such as this.

"I don't know, but it's absolutely annoying." Alice whispered and scanned the group for anyone else who might be suffering from a case of deja vu here. Outside of Alpha, the only one else who came to mind was that of Victoria. Yet, it was less of a look of confusion and more of frustration. Did she somehow know something that they didn't? Absolutely. But she wasn't quite giving it away right now.

"And the Jester of Dreams wants what… exactly?" Taichi announced and Cora's gaze swiveled over. A sigh escaped her lips, bringing with it a less than pleasant comment under her breath. By no means necessary, I imagine it gets tiring having to tell everyone.

"Justice for the repeated genocide by way of Koushiro Izumi and in turn, the Timekeeper." Cora answered as met the chosen of courage's gaze.

"Is that why he fled and isn't answering my texts?" Taichi answered, but was met with silence from his audience. Rolling his eyes, the temptation to mutter something sarcastic bounced about his mind. But he decided against it. Wasn't worth it.

"We'll get to that, Mr Yagami." Cora answered and shifted her focus to the table. Just in time for a server to arrive with the menus. Setting them down on the table, they step back to allow the participants to look it over and decide on what exactly they wanted for dinner tonight.

"Anything else that needs to be brought up before we go over the events from a couple days ago?" Pins announced, waiting a moment for anyone to open their mouths and voice some kind of objection. Instead, he was met with silence. "Okay, we will start with what DA03 believes to be the source of the incident - Ogudomon."

Taichi and Hiakri raised an eyebrow. While this was news to them, it just raised further questions in regards to Ogudomon. With only the information in regards to the incident related to Ordinemon, one would assume that she was behind that.

"All the evils of the digital world in digimon form. Never thought I would see such a digimon." Lilithmon announced and Mervamon looked up from her menu. Very much in agreement, that didn't change the irony of the statement in the slightest.

"You saw her?" Aegiochusmon announced and the demon lord of lust digimon nodded. By no means the best phrasing she could've used here

"No, but one of the few satellites that were not damaged upon the ISS's reentry managed to snap a picture" Lilithmon explained and pulled a picture out. Setting it down on the table, one can clearly make out Ogudomon in all her disgusting glory. Passing it to her left, care is taken to get the picture to everyone at the table.

"Has there been confirmation of Ogudomon's deletion?" Kazemon inquired as she squeezed Hayden's hand. Getting a squeeze back, she was met with a look from Elena. Shooting the gale corsair a look back, it wasn't particularly successful.

"Quite the opposite in fact." Elena announced and felt all eyes lock onto her. Waiting a moment for any comments from someone like Rasielmon, she cleared her throat. "Ophani (the digimon in question) defeated her and then spared the demon lord of wrath's life."

Raiselmon chuckled.

"That's Ophani for you." the archangel of secrets digimon announced and met Lilithmon's gaze of all digimon. "I should probably go and talk to her after this. Though, she also deserves some rest while I choose the next generation of celestials. Decisions, decisions."

Lilithmon rolled her eyes. There were so many things she wanted to say here, but only so little time to say it.

"Good to know you're still as much of an asshole then as you are now." Lilithmon muttered and ignored the daggers glared her way.

"And I would've thought that you would hate for someone else to steal the spotlight from you." Rasielmon countered as she puffed her chest out. Even as the gaze of a couple pokemon focused on her.

"I get that you like keeping secrets and stuff, but could it kill you to actually coordinate with the royal knights for once?" Alva announced, only to catch a look from Taichi of all people.

"That's incredibly rich coming from the digimon who tore Odiaba apart on multiple occasions over a cat." Taichi countered and Alva stood up. Picking up her chair, she threw it in the chosen of courage's direction. Not even coming close, it certainly sent a message of the royal knight's feelings in regards to the Odiaba destined.

"Perhaps if you had the decency to at least let us stop this mess before it spiraled out of hand, false holder of Omegamon, then maybe I wouldn't have needed to do that. But no, you had to be stubborn asses time after time. Why the fuck should I be sociable when you all only respond with hellfire? Answer me!" Alva countered, rage flooding her eyes. This idiot knew nothing of what she had gone through.

"Why should I? You just threw a chair at me!" Taichi announced, trying his hardest to look like the biggest person here. Even in the face of the fact that he had knowingly withheld information in regards to his own teammate having the data for all the digidestined in the world and the murder of a good number of people because of that.

"What my beloved is trying to articulate is that she did try too communicate with you people. But all it accomplished was getting beaten up. Of course Alva is going to stop trying. Just because everyone thinks we're stereotypical meatheads doesn't mean we're completely stupid. Unlike your friend." Laura announced in her cheerful voice, not quite having the desired effect in the slightest. If anything, it perhaps made things worse. But that's judging by the way that Hikari has her D3 out.

Tailmon warp evolve too… Holydramon!

In place of our cat is a massive pink noodle dragon. I'm with my boss on this one, it's… alright. Ophanimon is still better. Yet, the Falldown Mode is best. But that doesn't matter here.

"Oh right. You exist." Rasielmon announced and Holydramon rolled her eyes. Biting down into Alva's arm, she attempted to hang on for dear life. Easier said than done here.

"Oh. Are we a mistake in your eyes?" Holydramon announced, their question falling on deaf ears at the moment. Not that they could see the faces being made here. Even if she somehow could, it wouldn't particularly change anything.

"Enough!" Pins announced and got up onto the table. Changing to Queen Chessmon, she casually walked over to the pair. Pulling Holydramon off, she set the noodle dragon down right beside Hikari. Then it was just a matter of jumping down and grabbing Alva's chair. Bringing it back over to the royal knight, care was taken to get her to sit down within. "I will not have any of this tomfoolery. We are here to discuss our next moves in the grand scheme of things. Not bicker about events that have already occurred. Do I make myself clear?"

Alva and Taichi nodded, sneaking in a glare at each other for good measure. While Pins didn't see it, that was the last we'll hopefully see of that. If not, then the head of DA03 would make her/their message clear.

Reverting back to Pins, they took a seat in their chair once more. Looking over the menu, they set it down right after.

"Looking past that incident, it is believed that Ogudomon let forth legions of digimon from not just our digital world, but the digital worlds of parallel universes." Pins continued, the gazes of everyone shifting to them. Lasting only a moment, the sound of murmuring echoing about the room.

"As in alternate earths similar to ours?" Luke announced and stared down at the table. While the prospect of a version of Nora being out there was tempting to hang onto, that was the discounting the leads they had on this version of him.

"We ran into an alternate version of me. Gave him some love advice and he returned to his universe." Alice announced and squeezed her girlfriend's hand. In comparison to some of their earlier adventures, that interaction had been pretty normal. Which by the standards of everyone else, means it would be considered pretty weird.

"Arf!" Hailey added and shifted her head forward. Sitting in the lap of GamblerNekomon, their other partner was standing beside them. While she could've grabbed a chair as well, that would prevent her from looking sexy. As the vessel for a demon lord of lust, can't have that now.

"What my lady is trying to say is that a cat attempted to take its place. But it did such a horrible job that she dealt with it." the nun wolf digimon announced, only to be met with a look from Chouko of all people. Trying her best to remain professional in the face of looking out of place here, she wasn't doing particularly well. "Yes, you may pet Hailey. But only once, okay?"

Chouko nodded. Walking around the table, she carefully petted the pug. While the temptation to pet her twice was there, the child decided against it. Instead, she headed back over to her mothers. Taking a seat between them, Chouko began working on the coloring book nicely provided by the restaurant.

"You do realize this is a touch hard to wrap our heads around… right?" Juvia announced, getting met with a nod from her husband and Bruce here.

"Let me put it this way: Imagine a line." Cora explained as a small white board appeared in her hands. A marker appeared right after, the maid grabbing hold right after. Doing something with both, she flipped the board around. A single horizontal going from one end of the board to another was proudly displayed. "This is our timeline. Nice and simple."

Nods all around.

"Every choice not made, every outcome averted is just one possibility that might have occurred in one of these parallel universes." Cora continued as she flipped the board back to face her. Marker moving about, one could only wonder how many additions she's making. Hopefully, not too many. Flipping the board back around, a couple branches had been added. A few of which had branches of their own.

"Question. How do we know that this timeline is not an offshoot of another, more developed timeline?" Juvia inquired and silence fell over the room. Fuck. I was afraid of this. Leave it to the average person to bring up the fact that this is in fact an alternate timeline.

"Wouldn't surprise me if that were the case." Lara announced, all eyes shifting over to her. Cracking a smile, it only served to confuse everyone here. Not a very high bar at the moment. "Would be a half-decent explanation how I managed to make Varia my partner."

Varia rolled her eyes. Opening her mouth up to make a comment, she closed it right after. Wasn't worth the effort, I assure you. Just a little bit longer and then I go and have dinner with my family. Of course, that occurs after a meeting with the other narrators. That should hopefully be short. If not, I can make it work. Simple as that. Beyond the point.

"I know something that you all don't know!" a voice announced, bringing with it the timekeeper once more. Thankfully, a look from Alice is enough to get him to think twice about doing anything. Or perhaps it's just the grenade she's waving about. Probably both. Disappearing seconds later, that brought the arrival of a waiter. A redhead, he chose to pair the clothes provided by the restaurant with a pair of sunglasses. That doesn't change the fact that he looks remarkably similar to known criminal Koushiro Izumi. But that would be dumb. What kind of criminal masquerades as a restaurant employee. Let alone at the biggest meeting of powerful people this world has likely seen.

"What the fuck, Koushiro?" Taichi announced and glared at his friend. There were so many things that he wanted to say here. Feelings of anger bubble to the surface, bringing with it his fist smashing into the chosen of knowledge's face. Knocking Koushiro back, that got him a look from Cora.

"You had no problems with me giving Menoa the data at the time." Koushiro countered, Taichi glaring literal daggers his way. I do hope they both realize the severity of that claim. Airtight as information was supposed to be, that was going to need to be acted upon. Scorched earth if I've ever seen in my life.

"I thought you were joking!" Taichi countered and was met with looks of confusion and frustration from his fellow tablemates. To be fair, that's to be expected in the face of a bombshell like this.

"Sucks to be you then. Perhaps they'll let us be cellmates. Probably not." Koushiro announced as he dug out what looked to be a prototype of some kind. Reminiscent of that of a digivice, I feel like I've seen this thing bef-

Before any of our heroes had a chance to react, the chosen of knowledge was gone. Good fucking riddance to him. Not that it'll be the last time I'm going to be treated to such a sight. That's for certain.

"By any chance does someone have a pair of handcuffs that I could borrow?" Pins announced and looked around the table. Trying to hold in the feelings that he had hoped would never come to pass.

"So you're putting me under arrest?" Taichi announced and Pins nodded. What did he think this looked like here? A bit of bdsm with some humiliation play on the side? Actually, pretend that you didn't read the previous sentence.

"Yes. You had one job and yet you somehow managed to fuck it up. Unbelievable." Pins countered, trying to hold the tears in as GamblerNekomon pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Tossing them and the key in the Augumon's direction, Pins caught them with ease. Heading over to Taichi, their gazes met. "This hurts me as much as it hurts y-"

Pins doesn't get to finish the sentence, Taichi attempting to make a run for it. Only managing to get a couple feet on account of the multiple armed fighters here. Switching to Queen Chessmon, she took care in attaching the handcuffs to Taichi's wrists.

"To think that the very person who stopped Eosmon was also indirectly responsible for the kidnappings and deaths of so many people." Aegiochusmon muttered as he reached out to Bruce's hand. Squeezing it tight, little in the way of anxiety faded from his mind. That could be worked through at the moment.

"Guess I'll need to add him to the list of people that need to be sued." Cora added and wrote Taichi's name down on the whiteboard. That's… certainly an interesting place to put it down. I would think she have paper on her, but sadly not. Oh well. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

"Sue?" Hayden announced, helping Kazemon look in the direction of Cora. While the legendary warrior of wind did eventually look in that direction, that didn't make this any less of a struggle.

"Yes, the jester of dreams wishes to sue the pants off Koushiro Izumi for the damages done to her and everyone affected when he handed over the data to Menoa. Who in turn, let that monster in."

Glares bounced across the room, all of which made their way to Cora here. Letting out a deep breath, the maid's gaze shifted to that of Hikari. Currently flipping off Cora, it was taking quite a lot of self restraint to not jump onto the table and begin kicking her ass. Because you know, that's a thing that adults do when faced with a reality where you're seen not as a hero but rather a clown. A crass thing to note, considering who one of my mother's is.

"Do you know how many times my beloved thought that this nightmare would finally end? That the people who were left behind in this mess would finally get a chance to actually live? All to have something go wrong. Do you really think that your dear friend Koushiro wasn't using that data when you were dealing with Meicoomon?" Cora announced and Hikari rolled her eyes. Leaping over the table, she charged head-on for her supposed opponent. Yet, all that got her was an eye roll. Holding a hand out, Cora touched Hikari's chest. The chosen of light froze in place, attempting to glare right at the maid. "Now, now, this is your one and only warning."

Hikari gritted her teeth and flipped Cora off. One would think the part about this being her one and only warning would get through loud and clear here, but no. That's asking a touch too much from the sister of the man who willingly withheld information that would jeopardize his career should it get out.

"Let her go, Miss Desaet." Kuro announced and Cora looked her way. Met by Victoria's gaze as well, she picked Hikari up and set her back down in her seat. Once she had done so, motor functions for the chosen of light were returned.

"Both of you, do not do that again." Pins instructed and let out a sigh. Looking down at his menu one more time for good measure, a variety of feelings echoed forth across his mind. A perfectly valid way to feel here. Especially with all the shit that's likely to result from the stuff that still needs to be talked about. "Moving on, we now have the topic of 'god' being dead and Ordinemon."

All eyes shifted over to Hikari and Holydramon. Why was the expectation now to divulge information? I don't know, because it's the single most important thing to come out of this mess. The fact that someone managed to kill something that sets to be invincible is bad news for you chucklenuts.

"I have no clue what you're talking about." Hikari answered as was met with Alva's gaze. Expression shifting ever so slightly, out came the ouryuken. You would think that one of these conversations would not result in violence, but no. You're obviously asking a touch too much from these people.

"Don't lie to me. I know for certain that you were there. Why lie now?" the royal knight announced and Hikari rolled her eyes.

"Release my brother then." Hikari countered as Holydramon floated forward. More than ready to strike, that didn't make it any less pathetic. If anything, it was yet another reminder of the changing world and the chosen of odiaba's inability to change with the times. I digress, of course.

"No and don't even try it. I will kick both of you out." Pins announced and Holydramon reverted back to Tailmon. Glaring in the direction of Pins, he chose to ignore the aggression. Wasn't worth reacting to in the grand scheme of things. "Good to see that we have an understanding."

Victoria leaned forward.

"From what information Jo Kido divulged after Ordinemon, he found the body parts of a black cat and the cat's notebook. A notebook capable of creating temporary clones of people and warned him that 'god' was dead." Victoria announced, Hikari glaring daggers her way. Said daggers ignored at the moment.

"Okay. Did this clone say what was heading our way or was that left up to interpretation?" Bruce inquired and Kuro shook her head.

"It's the timekeeper, and likely whoever else the fucker has chosen to ally himself with." Varia announced, getting nods from Elena and Alice. That goes without saying. Of course the fucker is that hungry for power he would forsake his duties. "Wait. Why do I already know that?"

Bringing a hand to her chin, the answer eludes the bitch here. For once, I feel the tiniest amount of pity for her. I know the answer why and yet, I cannot give it. Ironic, isn't it. The jester, the literal symbol of the fool, being one of the select few to remember it all. Couldn't even make that up, even if I tried.

"That feels like something you people would probably do, so that's probably why." Lilithmon remarked and was met with a look from Rasielmon. Currently trying to contain her laughter, that got the archangel of secrets digimon a stern look. Not that this really stopped the laughter in the slightest. If anything, it only served to make it pick up. Because of course it did. Can't have nice things around here, that's for certain.

"Uh… what's so funny?" Lorence inquired, that of all questions bringing a swift end to Rasielmon's laughter. Meeting her gaze, she brought her hands down.

"Oh. Just adventurers and their need to save everyone." Rasielmon answered and got treated to a look from the various adventurers sitting around the table. Maybe it would've been better to keep that thought to yourself here. Just a suggestion.

"That's the least they can do." Aegiochusmon announced, his partner, Mervamon and Kazemon nodding in agreement. Good to know they're all on the same page. As for the actual 'adventurers', they all shrugged. The only people who actually saved anyone Ai and her companions, but they don't exist in this uni-

Oh. I understand now. Then why do I feel so much worse? God. There's so many things I want to put down here and yet, this isn't the time for it. I don't know when, but I'll just hold onto this until an opportunity presents itself.

"Is there anything else that needs to be covered?" Mervamon inquired and Pins brought a claw to their neck. Taking a moment to think it over, a head shake followed. That was pretty much the gist of it. He honestly expected it to take longer. Mostly on account of people causing trouble and the like. Yet, the head of DA03 had a feeling that more trouble was on the horizon. How and in what form, remained to be seen. For now, they would all just wait for an actual server to

.

Narrator Switch: Harlequin to Trinity

Queen's Gardens, Branaka; Neo Digia

A woman waits patiently under the branches of a blue jacaranda tree. The tree, a centerpiece of a place in a story better left untold, is surrounded by a variety of plants either given to her majesty as gifts (a complete joke, everyone knows her majesty would prefer a good bout) or were donations after a fight got out of hand to repair those that accidentally destroyed. All of which were connected by a bunch of cobblestone paths, some of which lead to proper arenas. The perfect spot to solve disagreements and/or train. Sometimes both.

Clutching a dark blue tote bag, she can only hope that the words she has to say would be understood by the one person who mattered here. The person who defined her and those she had gathered as a result of those decisions (for better or worse).

Adorned in a yellow and blue ballgown for this momentous occasion, layers of protective petticoats serve to poof the dress out and give the appearance of a gentlewoman. Doesn't stop the tips of her heeled ankle boots poke out at the moment. Holsters hang at her side, keeping what looks to be pistols in. Four wedding rings hang on her left hand, a reminder of the bonds she made and the challenges faced. The actual skin is obscured by yellow silk opera gloves decorated with stretching up the entire length of her arms. Decorated with a metallic cyan tree pattern running along the sides, it did wonders leading into the cyan puff sleeves on her shoulders. A choker proudly displaying a black cat proudly hung against grayish white skin. Immortality might have many perks, but being able to look like something other than a zombie on your off days was not one of them. Today was very much one of those off-days. What little makeup she had managed to apply before getting that fateful call had been smudged by tears. Thankfully, that did little to cloud her sparkling blue eyes. Thankfully, she had just managed to get her sand blonde hair done up in a bun before her day was thrown off. Normally something to apologize for, but this is a whole different ball game and apologies can be overlooked.

"I guess I should've known that you of all people would know. Let me guess, you're not going to let me go? Go on and give me the whole speech of why I need to go home and take care of the kids. Take me down a peg with a hail of bullets. I dare you." a voice calls out, bringing with it a man. Dressed in a blue flame jacket with a pale yellow shirt and a pair of green pants, it felt so bizarre to see that getup after so long. The finishing touch is a pair of orange tennis shoes, the footwear clearly not fitting with the image cultivated after so many years.

Set against a body that had spent the last couple millenia in a feminine form, it very much shined through. Spiky red (far closer to a shade of burgundy than the desired color) locks had given way to something far smoother, touching down at the top of their chest. Of course, one couldn't forget the wedding rings. Hanging to her right hand, an attempt was made to match a bygone look, but it was a lost cause. Hard to replicate something that was wiped away by outside forces wielding your very powers against you.

"Of course I would know. I'm the backup, after all." the woman announces, still taking the time to curtsey. Getting met with an attempt by the man, she held in a chuckle. "You look ridiculous, by the way."

All that got her is an eye roll. Even after all they went through in their previous lives, he still wouldn't admit how stupid he looked. It's no secret, that's for certain. We all thought that.

"You were no better. This is the first time in our lives that you aren't dressing like a complete slut."

The woman rolls her eyes back. Claims of her wild days were absolutely unsubstantiated and in no way involving getting drunk with furries at the local Plush Cafe. Nor did she get recognized by said furries and in turn come awfully close to causing an international issue.

"If you're going to pretend that you're not retired in the slightest, at least dress in something comfortable." the woman announces and throws the bag over to the man. Accepting the gift, she was met with a chuckle.

"Says the person who the queen had to personally drag back to her home in order to take a day off." the man counters, holding off her curiosity at looking into the bag. No, she could wait until she got there. Better there in the company of those she hadn't seen in millenia.

"Hey. I had quite a nice conversation with Victoria. She can use the opportunities not having to deal with the illusion that she doesn't want to go fight someone an/or something." the woman countered and was met with a look from the man.

"Hmph. Can't bring yourself to call her by her proper title. Pathetic." the man jokes, meeting her spouse's look with a chuckle. Normally enough to set the woman off, she's holding it together quite well. All things considered.

"I have earned that right as her royal advisor, rival and opponent." the woman counters, following it up with a chuckle of her own. Even as the man took a moment to look over his pocket watch. "But I've wasted enough of your time, haven't I? Go forth, my beloved timekeeper."

Watching the man's cheeks turn pink, that was her cue to teleport away. But not before getting a wave. So beautiful when thrown off like that.

With that out of the way, the woman lets out a sigh. Putting her hands together, she pulls them away right after. A journal appears in front of her, floating in place. Done up in a pale shade of yellow, what looked to be an orange pig of sorts is proudly displayed on the cover. For all the things that changed, it's fun to know when they stubbornly cling onto

"Permission to narrate, Chaos?" the woman inquires as she opened the journal up. Permission granted… Talia.

For giving the surprise away, Talia shoots the sky a look. Overcast at the moment, there was still a chance at it clearing up on this fine Advent morning. Turning her attention back to the journal, a mix of diary entries, news articles and other helpful information flash on by. For now, she stops upon a page with a picture of the way she used to look. Faded by hundreds of years, you can still see the idiot of the boy who thought he knew best. Moving past it, she came upon an empty page. Pulling out a pen, the gunner got to work.

Narrator Switch: Trinity to Seraph

Harlequin's Note:
Phew. A break. Not a long break, but more than enough time to get my space cleaned up.

Trinity's Note:
No rest for the wicked, that's for certain.

Seraph's Note:
*Sigh* You two. See you in a bit then.

.

Author's Note:

For those wondering, the end sequence was written before the chapter proper. I don't normally do it that way, but it works here.