Disclaimer: None of the authors own any of the referenced properties.
[Devil Survivor 1]
The Edit – Skheys Hmsim Brane
Author: me (HelenTheMoon aka Lermis)
There was nothing more foreign than sleeping in his own bed. Nothing more uncomfortable than it. It was too hot and too soft, and the stale air indoors was choking him. He tried opening the window to let the cool night breeze come in, but then the harsh light from the cars, the street lights and the billboards would assault his eyes forcing them shut.
Atsuro was simply too used to sleeping outdoors.
The nights he had to sleep in his bed, he would instead spend them on his computer, doing different things every time.
Some nights he would spread rumours on the net that he heard something a crime ring, or some railway incident or whatever. Sometimes he would tell everyone online that the Shomonkai was in the area and that they should stay well away from them cause there was definitely something fishy about those guys. Sometimes he would spend hours on end trying to convince Haru that she should try having her shows in other areas of Tokyo, she would definitely draw a crowd there.
Once he tried urging people to open their microwaves and check for any "odd-looking hardware". That one did not go so well.
Some other nights he would Ping and wait for any answers. If he got them, he would spend all night texting them and sending emails.
Some nights he just felt so tired.
It wasn't even physical. Every new loop was practically a refresh for his body. All the strength, none of the scars. But he just felt so exhausted. Every single night was as if he stayed up chasing after the deadline of a project; a bone-deep weariness that left you robotic, barely managing to do the motions to carry out the task at hand.
Most of the time, the task was figuring out Abel.
Abel was so different each and every time; different name, different beliefs, different behaviour and methods, sometimes with a goal, sometimes without one. Him looping had brought a whole other level of craziness; due to the Bel demons all being pieces of Abel's soul, they were all looping, and Atsuro got the feeling that his friend was experimenting.
Solutions. People. Problems. Variants.
They never got to save Honda's son though.
Or stop the lockdown for that matter.
…
"I was thinking explosives."
"You always think explosives."
"Why, do you have a better idea?"
"Where would we even find the explosives?"
"Megidolaon is practically an explosive."
"Fine, but we're getting ice cream after this."
A few hours later, they went to an ice-cream parlor at the other side of the city and got ice-cream.
If they smelled of smoke and dirt too strongly, nobody commented on it.
…
At some point during the loops, Atsuro managed to struggle a gun out of the hands of those corrupt officers.
…
"So, what do you think we should do about the Shomonkai?"
"Why should we do anything about the Shomonkai?"
"If we don't, Amane will die!"
"Fine."
…
When his friends asked about it, he reasoned that they never knew what the loops could throw at them. It was partially true too.
Just partially.
…
This loop, Abel decided to take over the Shomonkai from the inside.
Halfway through the lockdown, he tossed the corpse of the Shomokai leader to the ground of the main shelter and declared himself in charge.
Atsuro and Yuzu only found out later what had happened.
A few hours before the lockdown, he forced Loki to reveal all he knew about the other Bels's locations.
He made a rope out of all the mistletoe charms he collected over the loops and tied them with actual mistletoe. He cornered Beldr before the demon even knew what was going on and tied him to a pole near the graveyard. The Devil's Fudge rope cut into the silver demon's skin and armor, and Abel just watched as it left behind ugly rushes, and eventually blood.
With Beldr out of the way, he went after Belial next. He waited until the demon had cornered Haru at the stadium before freezing him rock solid. Then he undid that ice, and instead he pinned the weakened demon down on a seat in the concert hall before carefully impaling him with new shards.
Then he used his other demons to carry them both to the headquarters of the Shomonkai, when right before their leader's eyes he crushed both their skulls and let them dissolve into dust, drawing their power in himself.
Jezebel came out on her own, after that.
Well. That was one way to save Amane.
…
There was this one time when he did have to use the gun – hold Commander Fushimi at gunpoint.
Damn. He was literally the most reasonable guy in this mess.
…
This loop, Atsuro decided that he'd rather try sleeping in a bed for once – never mind how unused he was to that – and therefore crushed at Naoya's place.
Turns out Loki was also hanging out there. Who knew.
Actually he knew, but playing clueless was kind of fun.
…
"Do you think we should get weapons too? I mean, we're pretty good at punching now…"
"And Kazuya's got those force things..."
"Yeah. Wait. Is it force or The Force?"
"…I have no idea."
…
In this loop, Kazuya – or rather, Abel – was already a cult leader. Atsuro was not entirely sure how that happened, but he found Naoya and Loki at Gin's bar getting drunk about it, so it probably wasn't part of their plans.
…
"Wait. YOU challenged LOKI into a drinking competition!?"
"Yep! It was fun!"
"Atsuro! We're fifteen!"
"C'mon, Yoo-hoo! We're like, centuries old! I think."
"Still, Loki is a known alcoholic! Haven't you heard Naoki?"
"All I've heard from Naoki lately was screaming."
That sobered them both up.
…
Even if he always had the gun in his Pocket, Atsuro felt like he could always feel it. It was heavy, and either too hot or too cold – no in-betweens.
He could almost feel the weight of each individual bullet. Was that just his imagination? Who knew.
…
Naoki's visit was… memorable for several reasons. The screaming being the least of it all.
His appearance was so sudden and the bodycount so high that the Laplace mail actually crashed. He may have caused a skyscraper to collapse.
His marking were glowing brighter than ever, and his eyes were a bloody red. His teeth were more like fangs and his voice was raw and horse, like he had dried from inside – like he had not stopped screaming for a second.
He was strong. But his mind had left him. His demons had left him.
And Abel was awake.
They could take him.
That was the second time Atsuro had to pull the gun.
…
Sometimes, it was easy to forget just how many people they got involved with over the course of the lockdown.
Honda and Kaido somehow always seemed to team up, which was weird as one was a gang leader and the other a plain old salary man.
But Honda also had a good degree of desperation in him, and Kaido was the one offering an immediate solution to his problems, so it made sense to some degree.
In some of the loops, Atsuro had attempted to keep Honda away from the lockdown, but…
That surgery never went well.
…
When he saw Mari with her blood completely drained just laying on the ground, his first thought was "oh".
He had completely forgotten about her.
…
"I wish Abel would just stick to a schedule for once…"
It was not often that Atsuro whined to Yuzu – usually, it was the other way around – but she took it in stride and nodded sagely.
"I knooooow. He just keeps doing those weird experiments – remember the time he directed Kudlak against the soldiers at the station? How did he even manage to do that?"
He remembered that, alright. The demonic vampire had nearly gone through fifty men before he and Yuzu realized what was happening.
"Well, it didn't work. Mari and Kresnik showed up."
But what if he gets them out of the way the next time?
…
They also kept finding Keisuke and Midori dead. Abel was oddly dismissive.
Didn't you execute civilians in the last loop to save them, Atsuro wanted to ask, but he didn't. Who knew what was going in Abel's head half the time.
…
There was something about the gun. The glint of metal. The slight hint of rust. The thin scratches at the barrel.
Atsuro could stare at it for hours.
…
It was one of these loops. Things had gone down and now Abel was face-to-face against Yuzu. Compared to some of the more interesting ones, this was downright mundane. Normally now he'd start begging her to come along…
"She's in the way."
What?
"Uh, dude? That's Yuzu."
Abel did not answer. Instead he kept staring straight at her, eyes dark with intent, while she had prepared her COMP; sweating bullets yet not backing down.
Atsuro had a very bad feeling about this.
"Dude. No. Please. I don't like this."
"Then leave."
"…"
Leave? Leave?
Atsuro never left. No matter what Abel chose, he never left. No matter how many were saved or killed, he never left. No matter how Abel treated him, how Naoya – Cain – kept toying with him, he never left.
This was why he was the Anchor. This was why Masakado bestowed this crazy duty on him; because he was the only stable thing, the only steady one in the crazy rollercoaster that was Abel, and his ever-changing moods, his ever-changing plans and choices, the dozens unpredictable results that became hundreds that became thousands – a saint one second, a demon the next, and everything in-between and all of that at once.
Atsuro never left.
In the end, Atsuro thought idly, it did not really matter that Abel was looping. Things were always heading this way anyways.
He took out the gun.
"'Right, man. I'm leaving."
bang
[Nocturne], [Star Wars]
Tentative Trust
Author: Venku
He was C-3P0, Protocol Droid built to help facilitate human-cyborg communications. Programmed by Anakin Skywalker, he was fluent in over six million forms of communication. With the understanding of time's temporal issues, he was also a bartender. Working the Galactoplex bar, he provided another service, a place for beings to enjoy a refreshment and to unwind.
Like other bartenders, C-3P0 was able to stay abreast of current gossip. Said gossip included a list of MLE's or Malicious Looping Entities. These MLE's were loopers who chose to cause damage to Yggdrasil as a whole. Some, like the Tick and Billy, did so out of ignorance. Others, like DIO, did so out of maliciousness. Whatever the situation, an MLE gets put on a list shared with all the branches with a simple order: terminate on site.
Some MLE's get removed from the list. While this happens, they have to live with the consequence of their actions.
One such former MLE was Naoki Kashima.
…
Naoki Kashima is the Anchor for the Conception sub-branch of the Amala Branch. His duty was to keep his branch from suffering damage. He was to guide others who awoke. So far, those who awoke were a Pixie and a Jack Frost known as "Hee-Ho" and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Of those who awoke, Jack Frost and Pixie were Naoki's travel companions.
Naoki had tried and hoped others would loop. Chiaki, Isamu, and Hikawa he hoped would have looped. He'd even take Jyoji. On a separate issue, as he spoke with the Mainline branch anchor Steven about his concern, Steven had shown surprise when he referenced Jyoji.
The one thing about Yggdrasil? It chooses who loops. Unfortunately, it places people on solo loops without being aware of the potential damage done to that person's psyche. Sometimes the results are catastrophic.
Naoki had a loop on Equestria, the Sanctuary branch. Sadly, the tranquility of the Sanctuary loop did not have a positive effect on Naoki. Possessed by a hidden shadow who wanted to assert dominance, it forced Naoki to attack the branch. The attack, due to the brutal nature, labeled Naoki as an MLE. Nyx, the daughter of the Equestria anchor, tried to explain what happened. It did not help.
Eventually, his MLE status changed. While it changed, the consequences of his actions remained. Leman Russ, the Warhammer Anchor, still wanted to exact his pound of flesh from Naoki. Anakin Skywalker, one of the Star Wars Anchors, banned Naoki from the Galactoplex.
Anakin eventually revoked his ban from the Galactoplex. He did not pass the message on to Naoki.
…
Naoki Awoke. There was the standard Ping, as well as a note check of his pocket. Noting nothing out of the ordinary, he accessed his memories, then swore.
"Hee-Ho. What's going on, Naoki? You're cursing a lot-ho."
He turned to look at the voice that spoke. The dialect let him know that it was Hee-Ho. A short creature that his loop memories told him was a Talz with snow-white fur, Hee-ho was looking at Naoki in curiosity.
"We're in this branch with Anakin and C-3P0, and we have a meeting with a client at his bar!" Naoki clarified.
"Aren't you banned?" a feminine voice asked. Naoki turned to spot the speaker. A short woman with gossamer wings, her haircut seemed familiar. "Pixie?"
"Yes. The question remains." Pixie was about two heads shorter than her, though still an adult in form. She wore casual attire for this loop, which consisted of a tunic, and slacks. One hand remained on her hips.
"I am." Naoki's identity this loop was a smuggler who moved contraband. Hee-Ho was his muscle while Pixie was his ship navigator.
"Then you're screwed-ho!" Hee-Ho replied.
Naoki scowled. "Might as well see what we can do," he replied before leading them to the Galactoplex entrance.
…
The Galactoplex was a converted Death Star. C-3PO with the funding of the Equestria branch was able to convert it into a gigantic tourist mecca with floors catering to every desire a Looper might need. One of the main draws of the Galactoplex is the fact it is staffed by droids. Servers, maintenance, entertainers were all cybernetic beings.
A recent addition was security.
Naoki, Pixie, and Hee-Ho debarked from the shuttle that carried passengers to the bar. As they were walking through a security checkpoint, a loud klaxon went off.
"Hee-uh oh. I think Anakin still is angry." Hee-ho muttered. Pixie was looking around in curiosity as Naoki held his hands above his head.
"Follow my lead," Naoki replied as two repurposed SB1 Battle Droids approached.
"Warning. You are on a no authorization list. Proceed to terminate!" one droid replied as he started to charge his arm blaster.
Naoki began to curse as Pixie started to weave her hands together to cast a Zio spell.
"WAIT!" a loud mechanical voice called. "Wait just a moment. I am the owner of this establishment. Escort them to my office!" Naoki turned his gaze to spot a golden protocol droid approach.
"And now the boss comes..." he muttered. When the security droids powered down their blasters, two others showed up behind the trio. "Let's move!" one spoke in a loud voice.
…
Naoki, Pixie, and Hee-Ho arrived at a separate office. Though there were some trinkets as being a looper, the office was spartan in design with desks and chairs for non-droids.
"My most sincere apologies," C-3P0 began as he walked in. "I had to get off the comms with Masters Anakin and Luke."
"Are we still banned due to my actions when I was a MLE?" Naoki asked, a bit irritated.
"No, Master Kashima." C3P0 began. "When Master Anakin received word from Mistress Nut of your updated status, Master Anakin removed the ban." The proprietor droid thought it was not prudent to add that it was only after Masters Obi-Wan and Luke, as well as Mistresses Leia and Padme, continually harassed Master Anakin about revoking his ban.
"So what's with the security-ho?" Hee-ho asked.
"That was Master Anakin's suggestion, really," C3P0 commented. "For everyone's safety, unless classified as a threat, they are to stun any who have imbibed excessive spirits or are otherwise disruptive. Those who are on the banned list are to be liquidated with.." and his vocal modulator changed to reflect Darth Vader's voice. "Extreme prejudice."
Pixie shivered with what was said. "I see," she murmured.
Naoki cleared his throat. "So I can do business as a freelance entrepreneur?" he asked for clarification.
"As long as you behave and are not overt with any protocols broken," C3P0 confirmed.
Naoki nodded. "I can live with that," he replied, rising. As the meeting was over, they were allowed to leave C3P0's office.
"Huh. This trust thing...is kind of nice," Naoki muttered as they disappeared to one of the seedier levels.
[Persona 5], [Doki Doki Literature Club]
April Fools!
Author: smxsonic
Status: NON-CANON (no April Fools snip is canon)
The three members of the literature club sat attentively in their seats. Normally, club activities would be more freeform, but Monika was insistent on some kind of decorum in this meeting.
Speaking of, Monika entered the room slowly and deliberately, Her gaze was down as she carried her books to the front desk. She was eerily silent as her bangs covered her eyes. The three other club members exchanged glances with each other, paying no mind to a black-haired boy sitting right beside them with his blonde companion.
"I am aware that this is very unusual for our meetings," Monika started, "But I needed to get a few things off my chest. This isn't something that's recent either, It's gone on since we started Looping"
Monika took a deep breath, "I've done… things that are unbecoming of not only the President of the Literature Club, but also Anchor of your branch."
Tears fell from Monika's eyes as she continued, "In your pursuit of attending to me, I've treated you like slaves, like children, and also as my pets. I've violated your privacy just for the sake of my own comfort and for that… I… I…
She couldn't finish her sentence as she broke down in tears, leaving the other Club members glancing at each other, waiting for one another to make the next statement.
"This… This is sort of extreme" Sayori finally said.
"The most self assured person I know is Incoherently blubbering in front of me," Yuri stated.
"That kind of Mind Control is… Unreal," Natsuki said.
"Hey!" The blonde teenager, Ryuji, shouted, "We don't mind control anyone, alright!?"
Yuri turned to the Blonde, she quickly spied the boy with messy black hair casually reading a volume of Magic Kaito. Her gaze gained a little coldness.
"Oh? Our club president is here confessing to things she'd never confess to, and you presume to tell a vampire that it's not mind control?"
"She's not confessing to anything she hasn't already done" The boy reading Manga said. He had many names but for the sake of consistency he calls himself Joker.
"Whether or not she actually did it isn't the point!", Natsuki yelled, "Look at her! Does this look like she's being helped."
Joker smirked, "Oftentimes, when one is helping one's self, this does happen."
"I see where you're coming from but still… This isn't right..." Sayori said, her eyes not leaving the club president.
"The situation is different from most of our usual targets for sure" Joker admitted, "Most of the people we steal from are the worst of the worst. They all had their reasons for doing what they did, but in the end they chose to be assholes."
Joker closed up the manga and stuffed it into his bag, while picking up another package from his bag.
"Another difference from our usual targets: They didn't have a support system once they confessed. Public opinion turned on them the moment we did what we do and they had no one to help them through it. They know they're bad people, but they have no desire to become better people. They're just content to wallow in their guilt, atoning for what they've done in only the most superficial ways."
He moved and gave the wrapped package to Sayori.
"Monika still has you, she'll not only move past this but she will be stronger for it with all three of you by her side, I think this will be proof of that."
Sayori opened the package to reveal a framed photo of the Literature Club, all of them smiling at the camera while writing in their notebooks. The Player Character and Sayori one side of the frame, Natsuki and Yuri on the other side, With Monika in the middle flashing her sincerest smile. A smile that Sayori hadn't seen in a long time.
"That was what we ended up taking from the Palace, but I think her real treasure is her friendship with all of you. And that's something that The Phantom Thieves could and would never steal."
He and Ryuji walked out of the classroom, with the three girls too awestruck to respond.
Yuri was the first one to shake her head, "Wait, that still doesn't change the fact that it's mentally invasive!"
They all looked around and saw no one in the room but themselves.
"Did he just Schmaltz us out of a debate?" Natuski asked.
Sayori sighed and wiped a tear from her eye, " Damn Persona loopers…"
[Persona], [Doki Doki Literature Club]
Velvet Kitchen
Author: Venku
Time is a gift to be treasured by all. When time is stuck on repeat, most view this opportunity to learn as they can.
Igor was one such being. Though he was aware of the ebb and flow of time, he also held a special responsibility. As an Anchor, it was his task to guide, if possible, Loopers. These Loopers would either be native to his branch or visitors.
He took this task as he did others. Philemon, his master, was aware of the Loops even though he was not Looping himself. As a part of Philemon's wager with Nyarlatoteph, Igor utilized the Velvet Room to guide their guest to their ultimate purpose.
These purposes ranged from a remarkable young man who was the barrier between a primordial desire to end things and humanity; to another young man who proved to a vengeful goddess how children of man do accept truths they'd rather ignore.
While he wished he could claim a guiding hand concerning a trickster and false hope and desires, he had to admit that his attendant bore the lion's charge for that miracle.
The Velvet Room, Igor's domain, served a purpose to Loopers and non-Loopers, guide them on their path. As a genius loci, it took on the shape of what the guest most needed.
Even if what the guest needed was a kitchen.
…
Natsuki Awoke. With millennia of understanding time's fickle nature, she thought she was immune to what the Tree sent her way.
The tree thought that she didn't spend enough time in this location.
The woman singing soprano in the background was the first thing she noted after accessing her Loop Memories and sending a Ping. She received quite a few responses in return. A small frown formed on her face. Before she could say something, a clear voice spoke.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room. Should you find yourself adrift in the sea of souls, know we provide a steady anchor for what's to come."
She turned her gaze to the other man. Noticing his enormous nose, Natsuki paused.
"You're the Anchor, right?" she asked
"Indeed. This is the Vel.."
He paused, holding up his hand as he issued a deep sigh. "Young Lady. Might I ask you not to touch the stove behind us?"
Natsuki paused as she turned to look over his shoulder. The setup was similar to the Looping Literature Clubroom, even down to the stove. There were three people in front of it. A tall, blonde man, a woman with curly hair, and a woman with short hair. A glance indicated they were related.
"Why?" she asked.
At that time a loud BOOOOOM could be heard as the shock wave reverberated through the Velvet Room.
The stove itself was destroyed. Black smoke rose from it while a black gelatinous blob oozed from the opening and began to run. The short-haired woman gave chase while the curly-haired woman used a fire extinguisher to smother out the flame on the blonde man.
Igor had a deadpan stare while surveying the damage, while Natsuki's left eye started to twitch.
"Can I...give them cooking lessons?" she asked, the urge to repeat what she did to Chie and others rising to the forefront.
"Be my guest" Igor responded. "They destroyed the method used on how to fuse Persona. And caused massive damage here."
The way his tone cut through the Velvet Room as a disappointed father caused the others, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Theodore, to turn their gaze to the duo. Igor just sighed and shook his head as Natsuki let loose a loud cackle.
Elizabeth paled. Her only thought? This might be a rough loop.
…
Meanwhile, in Inaba, Chie Satonaka and Yukiko Amagi were talking in the Amagi Inn. Both were awake and both were just catching up on gossip.
Suddenly Yukiko's spine stiffened. "Chie!" she gasped.
"I feel it too, Yukiko. It's as if some poor schlub managed to piss off that pink-haired girl." Chie responded.
Yukiko sighed. "Well. This loop may be interesting after all."
[SMT I], [Disney]
Small World
Author: Venku
Mickey Awoke. That was nothing new. He'd been doing this for far too long to be surprised by anything.
Well, he thought he would be surprised.
He first sent out a Ping and received four responses in return. Satisfied there'd be others here, he accessed his Loop memories. He was one of the rarely seen inhabitants of Tokyo Destiny Land. A spot where inhabitants murdered the surviving populace who did not prove strong enough.
Of course, Mickey shuddered. Murdering inhabitants went against everything he thought of and believed. The twin scimitars were placed in his Pocket as he heard a familiar voice.
"Mickey!" Donald rasped out. "Is that you?"
Mickey turned to look at Donald for a moment and visibly recoiled. "Donald, why do you have a chainsaw?" he asked.
"No idea. Do you know where we are?" Donald asked his friend.
"No. But we need to explore. Be careful. Do you have access to anything which might be able to help?"
"I can access my Kingdom Hearts Magic if you can access your Keyblade," Donald confirmed. "But they have strange names like Agi and Agidyne for Fire spells."
Mickey cleared his mind and held out his hand, attempting to summon his Keyblade. A warm, familiar weight appeared in his hand as he smiled. "Good. Let's go exploring, shall we?"
…
While Mickey and Donald discovered the horror of Tokyo Destiny Land, Futsuo and Aoi were trying to navigate the building.
Futsuo was, for the longest time, one of the only other Loopers in the main branch. Able to summon and use demons, he was suffering from a symptom that infected everything. A Virus had infected his home and others with a similar setup.
This Virus had produced an event known as 'the Edit.' While unclear as to what others had done, Futsuo knew he both had to face a harsh truth and come to grips with a powerful daemon. A benefit from realizing harsh truths was that his partner, Aoi, had started Looping.
"Have we decided what path?" Aoi asked as they stood outside Tokyo Destiny Land.
Futsuo nodded. "We did Law last time and Chaos prior. I'm not in the mood to put up with Yoshio and Waruo being condescending."
"Fair enough. Did we discover who the two other Loopers were?" Aoi asked.
"No. And Steven has no memory either."
Aoi shrugged. Being sure that their party was ok, both Aoi and Futsuo entered Tokyo Destiny Land.
…
"Agilao!"
Donald pointed his staff at two beings clad in Bronze that took a swipe at Mickey. After discovering both did not wish to work for this 'Echidna,' the Giants decided they needed to die.
A giant wall of fire shot forth, singing the twin Giants, distracting them. They did not see Mickey dart forward, slashing with his Keyblade. Both Giants turned into dust.
"How many floors is this place?" Mickey asked.
"I do not know," Donald replied. At the end of the battle, he held out his staff and shouted, "Media!".
"You're getting a better feel of this branch's spells," Mickey responded.
"Mmhm! Mickey! Look out!" Donald cried.
Approaching them were two gigantic purple beings with masks over their face. "Join Mother Echidna!" one called out.
Mickey and Donald rushed forward, giving them their answer.
…
Meanwhile, Aoi and Futsuo had bypassed one trainer who preferred to challenge others. Cerberus, Futsuo's preferred partner, had dispatched the trainer's daemons and was currently cleaning his paws.
"Strange," Aoi murmured. "I know you can not sense the feel of mana around us. There seems to be a buildup of energy like someone is about to release a big spell."
"Who is it?" Futsuo asked, concerned.
Before Aoi could reply, a loud shout echoed through the room.
"MEGIDO!"
Futsuo could only go "Oh shi.." before being enveloped in white light.
…
That white light? Aoi had an ability known as Traesto, which allowed for anyone with her to exit a dungeon.
Aoi and Futsuo were taking stock as they heard twin voices speak.
"I..I'm sorry," a raspy voice spoke. "I didn't realize that it would cause this much damage."
"We're out at least," another, slightly higher voice squeaked. "I just hope that blast didn't harm anyone else."
Futsuo approached and saw what he first thought were daemons. Preparing to attack, he was surprised as the mouse with the twin daggers spoke. "Nor harm the Loopers here."
"Excuse me!" Futsuo responded, identifying himself. Both the duck with the chainsaw and the mouse with the blades face him. "If I told you about a gigantic tree..."
"I'd be asking you if you felt moments of funniness. Oh, golly goodness! I'm so glad to meet a native Looper," the mouse replied. Approaching, his hand out, he spoke. "I'm Mickey Mouse. The duck behind me is Donald."
…
A few hours have passed as both the Amala Loopers and the Disney Loopers traded stories and information.
"Let me get this straight," Mickey spoke. "You're forced into this apocalyptic nightmare, and you have to choose which side you'll fight for?"
"Roughly yes," Aoi replied. "Though we had our fair share of problems."
"I'd say!" Donald exclaimed. Amala did have a reputation in other branches.
"It's not bad, though," Futsuo remarked. "Our Anchor is a swell guy and very intelligent. We're also starting to receive visitors from other Branches as well."
Donald could only make noises in agreement. Mickey, meanwhile, was reviewing the information. "You say that you carry Daemons in your arm terminal?" he asked. "And they exist in your Party via Magentite?"
"That's right," Futsuo responded. "Magnetite is a part of human essence here. Daemons need Magnetite like a Branch needs an Anchor. Without it, Daemons get sent back to their homeworld." He pulled out a small pouch with the black and purple rocks. "Why?"
Mickey grinned. "Just wondering if you could use our help. Especially since you did say you were fighting to stop both sides here."
Futsuo smirked. "Well. I'd say let us negotiate first."
In the end, Mickey and Donald joined Futsuo's party for an Arm Comp to review later and a steady supply of Magnetite and herbs from Aoi.
This iteration of their Loop proved to be easier in the long run with Donald and Mickey joining. It didn't hurt that with Donald's casting of Megido, both Mother Echidna and the Law Forces present perished. Law feared Futsuo's party and aggressively attacked them, while Chaos wanted to prove they were more powerful.
[Persona 5]
A Wolf Awakens – Zenkichi's Awakening
Author: Venku
Zenkichi Hasegawa was many things: Public Security Intelligence Agency officer, Kyoto Prefecture Police officer, widower, and father. The last two would play a part in his life, though all four would be tied together.
When his wife died, Zenkichi received a warning to cease looking into the person who ran her over. After some gentle persuasion, the person who gave him said warning threatened his daughter, Akane. With his daughter threatened, it caused him to cease any further investigations, to the dismay of his daughter. Realizing he needed help, he moved to Kyoto so Akane could be near her maternal grandparents.
As he focused primarily on his work, his boss Commissioner Miyako Kaburagi promised she would help him arrest the person who killed his wife. A part of his assignment was to investigate the current 'Changes of Heart.' Aware of what the self-styled Phantom Thieves did during the dubbed 'Antisocial Force' movement, the Public Security officers believed that the Phantom Thieves were responsible. Zenkichi was assigned to follow and obtain proof.
Although he initially gave information to indicate that they were under police scrutiny, Zenkichi realized that the Phantom Thieves were not the culprits Public Security made them out to be. At the most, as he thought, they were a bunch of High School students seeking their way in life. After a brief trip into what they called the 'Metaverse', he saw that the Phantom Thieves were telling the truth.
Under the guise of a summer trip through Japan, Zenkichi followed the Phantom Thieves during each stop. At each location, he was on hand to witness their interaction with a local 'hero' who was controlling the populace. Examples were Ango Natsume, the sub-par writer to the murdered director Shuzo Ubukata. His daughter, Akane, was not exempt from those seeking to 'control' others.
Realizing, as he confronted a cognition of Akane's anguish and anger, that he had lost sight of what it meant to be a cop, Zenkichi experienced an Awakening. This Awakening was where his cognition, his spirit of rebellion, reminded him of what was important. Accepting that truth and his code of Justice was what was important, Zenkichi obtained his Persona.
Adopting the code name of Wolf, Zenkichi joined the Phantom Thieves as they discovered the truth behind the new Change of Heart cases. Realizing that the new app EMMA had gained sentience and sought to provide humanity with the answers they seek, the Phantom Thieves were horrified that the end goal of the app was to eradicate human free will. Having dealt with this situation before with the False God, Zenkichi joined the Phantom Thieves for one final assault.
Showing EMMA the power of human perseverance, the Phantom Thieves went their separate ways. Zenkichi had his plans to pursue, including being a better father to his daughter. Going to bed later that night, he felt content.
…
He awoke the following morning and checked the alarm. Nothing startled him there. When he checked his phone, he was surprised. Instead of reading 2017, the year was 2016.
"Just how much did I have to drink last night?" he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
Getting dressed, he turned on the TV as he was preparing breakfast for Akane. Turning on the radio, he was lost in thought and wasn't paying attention. That is until he heard a news report that made him pause.
"This just in. The Phantom Thieves have struck again. This time, noted mobster Junya Kaneshiro surrendered himself to police..."
Zenkichi paused. "What just happened?"
…
It was not a fluke, that radio report.
Going through the motions of the day, Zenkichi realized that somehow he had gone back in time. Unable to have stopped his wife's death, he was able to move about and interact during the height of the Phantom Thieves case.
Realizing he had a chance to change some things, he went to Yongen-Jaya and made his way into Cafe Leblanc.
"Help you?" Sojiro asked. Though the man seemed to be a bit cold toward him, Zenkichi had to admit that Sojiro might have a reason to mistrust people.
"Oh. Just heard about the awesome coffee here, Boss" he replied as he moved to sit down. "Give me a house special, please."
"Fine. Here you go."
Sojiro, meanwhile, was what was known as Awake for this Loop. Having already met with the long-nosed Anchor and his ward, called Ren for this loop, they both were out looking for what Igor had referred to as a "potential new looper."
It was with this in mind that Sojiro paid closer attention to Zenkichi's words. The brief utterance of "Do right this time" seemed to signal something might have happened. "Why don't you come back later?" he asked the other man. "I'll get a fresh shipment of beans in and you can have the first taste."
"Really? Awesome! Thank you, Boss!" Zenkichi replied. He paid for the cup as he left. As he did, Sojiro sent Ren a text.
…
Later that evening, Zenkichi entered Cafe LeBlanc.
Inside, he was surprised. The young man whom he spent most of his summer with was inside and cooking over a stove. Sojiro was reading the paper and smoking a cigarette. There were no other customers in the store.
"Bad time?" Zenkichi asked. "And did you get the shipment?"
"Hate to tell you this," Sojiro began. "But I asked you to return for a different reason."
"Go on..." Zenkichi commented.
Surprisingly, Ren took the next question. "What do you know about Norse Mythology?" he asked, the pot of curry put to the side to cool.
…
"So you mean to tell me that our life is nothing but a simulation?" Zenkichi asked a few hours later. "And that we're stuck in some sort of cosmic rewind?"
"Pretty much," Sojiro responded. The cat, Morgana, came downstairs and was on the counter. After confirming that he too was a Looper, Morgana had chimed in during the discussion.
"Yeah. And there are other places you can go besides here. Go on, Joker! Show him the cloak!" Morgana chirped.
"Cloak?" Zenkichi asked.
Ren sighed and pulled out a rather intricate cloak and draped it over his body. Zenkichi spat out the remaining coffee at that, causing Sojiro to frown. "You wasted that cup of Blue Mountain!" he exclaimed.
"Well, I'm sorry Boss, but when Ren here disappeared..." Zenkichi began.
Ren removed the cloak and smirked. "As I said, sometimes you wake up in other locations."
"I see that! Alright. Say I believe you. What all do I need to know?" Zenkichi asked.
Ren and Sojiro gave each other a brief look. "Follow us. There's someone else you need to meet," Sojiro explained.
"Um..ok," Zenkici remarked. Morgana hopped into Ren's bag. "Anything I should know?" he asked.
"There's a couple of tricks," Morgana explained. "Primarily, a way for us to identify each other and how to access storage space. You need to know both. Also, not all of us are Awake at one time, but this Anchor is."
"Anchor?" Zenkichi asked.
"Think of it as a person who acts as Chief of Police, Quartermaster, and team cook," Ren elaborated.
"Ah"
…
"Ok wow. Just wow." Zenkichi replied as they took him to meet the Anchor. "Morgana, the Jails, and Persona are one thing to understand. Now you're telling me this long nose..." Zenkichi sighed. "Get it together, Zenkichi!" He might be just like some of the PubSec members.
"Not really, no" Igor replied, amusement in his voice. "Each of my assistance, if Awake, make a nose remark once a loop"
"All of them? Even Lavenza?" Joker asked in confusion. Seeing Igor's nod, Morgana finished the question. "Where is she?"
"She had some things to discuss with Elizab..." at that, there was the sound of a loud explosion and two women shouting.
"Lavenza! I can explain!" one called out.
With the sound of a chainsaw being turned on, the other one spoke. "Do you recall the dog food loop?!"
Igor sighed and rose. "Pardon me. I need to step in" he replied. "Zenkichi? Welcome to the Looping Velvet Room. You have the potential to be one of the amazing guests here."
As Sojiro, Ren, and Morgana escorted a confused Zenkichi out of the room, Sojiro took the time to laugh. "Hoo boy! I thought babysitting Ryuji and Morgana was something!"
There were sounds of laughter as Morgana complained about Ryuji and Zenkichi kept on looking about in confusion.
[Persona 5]
Rebirth – Akechi's Awakening
Author: Venku
Goro Akechi. Detective Prince, Student, an ally of the Tokyo District of the Special Investigation Department.
All of these titles describe the man. Yet, with all who wear a mask, they hide something else.
Akechi never knew his mother. When he was younger, she committed suicide due to having a child out of wedlock. Culturally speaking, the fact that his mother was a worker in Tokyo's 'Red Light' district; erased any other strides she may have made being a single mother. As a result, she took her own life. He was bounced around orphanages as a child, with nobody to provide a stable home.
During this time, presumably at the hand of the False God Demiurge, Akechi was given the power of the Wild Card. His two Persona, Robin Hood and Loki, were two different facets that he showed to everyone. One was the charming, elegant young man. The other was the raw, unbridled level of internal anger.
Through sheer determination, he had found out that his father was no other than Masayoshi Shido. Shido, leader of the Antisocial Force, was a rising politician. His goal was to steer Japan in a vision he had foreseen. Akechi's offer to the cause? The ability to induce 'Mental Shutdowns' or cause the person to suffer symptoms similar to a heart attack. He viewed himself as a hero in these situations.
Shido knew that this would be a valuable asset. He could discredit those who sought to block his purpose and then have them mysteriously die. Akechi, having already proven his skill in this regard, could fabricate evidence pointing to their corruption. Of course, Shido did his research and had realized Akechi wished to blackmail him. Considering that Shido always viewed himself as the consummate Chessmaster, he had contingency plans in place.
Overall, it was a darkly beneficial setup. Akechi took care of problems, while Shido capitalized on the situation. It would have run unopposed, save for one problem.
Shido had affected another person's life. A person placed on probation.
This young man, given access to the Velvet Room, was given a warning. Ruin was coming, and it was on him to change the path. Codenamed 'Joker,' he had discovered the mental shutdowns and the metaverse by accident as a member of the Antisocial Force chose to get rid of him and another student.
Suguru Kamoshida ran unopposed in Shujin Academy. A former Olympian, teachers, and staff looked the other way as he slaked his urges. When Joker and another man with the codename Skull challenged him about a student's attempt at suicide, he threatened them both with expulsion. Discovering the Metaverse by accident, Skull and Joker were given guidance by another being, codenamed Mona. When a victim of Kamoshida discovered the Metaverse by accident, she assisted them in taking down Kamoshida. With the codename of Panther, she joined Joker, Skull, and Mona in creating the 'Phantom Thieves of Heart.'
The goal of the Phantom Thieves? To counteract what they saw as shitty adults abusing their power unchecked.
Later joined by those with the code name of Oracle, Queen, Fox, and Noir, the Phantom Thieves took out other members of the Antisocial Force. Ichiryusai Madarame and Junya Kaneshiro, financial backers of the Antisocial Force, publically confessed to their mismanagement. Putting on a mask and claiming to be Medjed, another loss was suffered as Oracle, the true Medjed, took offense. Deciding to do a false flag operation, the Antisocial Force manipulated public opinion to have Kunikazu Okumura, father of Noir, declared a target.
Akechi, while silencing Principal Kobayakawa for his failure to find out the identity of the Phantom Thieves, killed Okumura after his confession. These murders caused the public opinion, always fickle, to sway against the Thieves.
Finally, Akechi was assigned the task of bringing the Phantom Thieves to justice. Integrating himself as another Persona user, he gave them an ultimatum: one final heist to change the heart of Sae Nijima, Queen's sister, after which they would have to disband. Feeling as if they were proverbially trapped, the Phantom Thieves agreed.
Befitting their namesake, the Phantom Thieves suspected something was amiss. Oracle, under the direction of Joker, utilized the surveillance of various phones, and cameras. Confirming that Akechi was a double-agent, they planned a reverse sting.
As planned, Akechi betrayed Joker, leading to his capture. During his interrogation, Joker had managed to convince Nijima, who had come to interrogate him, to listen to his story. Akechi, wishing to tie up loose ends, entered the room to kill Joker, thus ending the Phantom Thieves.
He failed in his attempt. Akechi killed a duplicate, false version of Joker.
Akechi learned of his failure as the Phantom Thieves challenged Shido. During the 'heist' to change Shido's heart, Akechi cornered his former colleagues. Ignoring their pleas to surrender, he openly challenged the party.
Blades drawn, replicants of guns fired, and the mysterious Power of Persona was used in this battle. During this time, Akechi removed his mask and revealed himself as the culprit of the mental shutdowns. His true Persona, his 'true self,' was known as Loki. Even with the fact that he killed Noir's father, the Phantom Thieves still tried to stop Akechi's rampage.
As Akechi lay defeated, he discovered that Shido knew of his betrayal. A cognitive version of Akechi, a version Shido always saw him as approached. Gun wielded, Akechi realized that Shido knew of his and took the first step.
Viewing Joker as a rival, Akechi managed to save the Phantom Thieves by shoving them through the door. Barricading it, he made one final request for the Thieves to change Shido's heart. He faced the cognition and chose to act as he always claimed, a hero.
Akechi was assumed to have died and was at peace. Even when the world experienced the illusions placed by Maruki, former Shujin Counselor, Akechi was the only one who did not buy the illusion. While the other Phantom Thieves did not treat him as a close ally, they worked with him to stop Maruki's attempt to place humanity under illusions.
Though assuming Akechi might be alive, but either out of respect or a wish to not pursue the situation, Joker did not confront him when he returned home at the end of the year.
…
Instead of the peace of death, Akechi awoke.
"Where am I?" he asked. "What bullshit is this?!"
Growling, he turned to face a digital clock in his room. That, and the calendar indicated that it was April of 2016. A quick search of his laptop let him know Shujin was due a new transfer student.
He growled. Though his rival might be alive, he was still not entirely happy with Joker. Wondering if the other Persona user knew what was going on, he prepared himself.
…
He went through his day, assisting the police and attending classes. As a part of his job as Shido's pet assassin, he knew who all was in the Antisocial Force. Irritable about the similarities between Kamoshida and Shido, he decided to lash out in his own way. Remove one person, one weak link, of the whole conspiracy. He hoped it would potentially alter things as well.
Under the guise of police investigation, Akechi went through the school and interrogated select groups of students. Recalling the situation with Shiho and Panther, Akechi had her placed under police custody under a trumped up charge. Firing off a text to have the police take her to Special Victims, he put his phone in his pocket. "Can use Shiho's safety as blackmail" he muttered.
He didn't realize that Queen was waiting outside, and had heard that. Queen had sent off a text to the others who were awake. She also left her phone on silent record and sent the information to the group chat.
"Why are the police suddenly interested in reports?" she asked Akechi as she sat down.
Akechi shrugged. "There are certain crimes, even if they are late in being brought to life, Nijima-san," he began. "That are vile. Abuse of power and assault are two of them. And sometimes rogue animals need to be corralled." He didn't state that were he to have been abused like Shiho and Panther, he would have killed the person who did it.
As she left, Queen sent the recording to the group chat.
A call of the Phantom Thieves who were awake was issued. Meeting with the group, it was determined that Noir, Queen, and Joker would find out the truth and speak with him.
"What about Kamoshida?" Fox texted.
"Beat him up but don't push the change yet. Leave his Treasure alone. We need to use his Palace to bait Akechi" Joker responded.
…
Akechi accessed the Metaverse by using Kamoshida's passphrases: Suguro Kamoshida, Castle, Shujin Academy. He stepped through the shimmering portal and into Kamoshida's Cognition.
Dressed in black, as befitting his true nature, he navigated through the Castle. As explained in the Cognitive research, everyone had a secret desire. Those desires, if left unchecked, manifested in how that person viewed their surroundings. Some, like Kaneshiro, saw their homes as ATMs. Others, like Kamoshida, viewed their jobs as a castle, and they as the ruler.
Kamoshida's cognition, dressed in the kingly robes and nothing else, was asleep in his chair. Akechi approached, gun drawn, intending to silence Kamoshida as his one good deed.
The image of Kamoshida faded, replaced by a young man with a dark trenchcoat. Joker looked at Akechi and smirked. "Miss me?" he asked.
"What? What is going on?" Akechi almost shouted. As he did so, the lights disappeared for a moment. "How cute, Joker! Using lights for your illusions."
"It's not illusions!" a female voice called out. Refined and cultured, Akechi paused. "Noir?" he called out.
The lights flickered. Facing Akechi were Joker, Noir, and Queen.
"We already took care of Kamoshida, though I have to wonder," Queen began. Her biker leather and spiked knuckles gave Akechi pause. "Why you would even come here."
"What business is it of yours? Come, Loki!" Akechi shouted, summoning his Persona.
"Akechi!" Noir responded in concern. "Understand that while I still have my issues with you, this is a good sign!" Though Haru spoke, she pulled off her mask. "Milady! Psiodyne!"
As Haru's Persona sent giant balls of psychedelic energy to Akechi, Queen slid to the right of Joker. "We're not your enemy!" she all but shouted. "Johanna! Flash Bomb!" The manifestation of Queen's rebellion had shown itself as a motorcycle. The motorcycle charged toward Akechi before making a sharp bank. With the bank, it unleashed small explosives from its side.
"Enngh!" Akechi grunted as he growled. "Laevatinn!" The Norse god of Tricks spun his hands around and pointed at the trio, causing a flamethrower of fire to arc their way. Joker stepped forward and pulled off his mask. "Arahabaki!" As he spoke, a gigantic stone idol appeared and his eyes flashed. With the flash of eyes, a shield enveloped Joker, Haru, and Queen. Though the fire disappeared, each suffered some minor damage.
"Enough of this!" Joker all but shouted. "Akechi! While we can't forgive you, do you mean to tell me the man who called bull on Maruki's machinations is a weakling?"
This got Akechi's attention. "What are you talking about?"
"Your Persona is Loki," Noir spoke. "Tell me. What do you know about Norse Mythology?"
…
"Gods are screwing with things again?" Akechi asked. While he did not charge at them, he kept his blade drawn.
"Nobody knows," Joker corrected. "All we know is that we are repeating events."
"Besides," Queen interjected. "You're familiar with the Metaverse and Cognitive Psience. Is this so hard to believe?"
Akechi snorted. "What of it?" he asked. "Am I to behave and do as you all sa...what was that?" he snarled. Joker had surreptitiously pulled out a stick from his Pocket, his wand, and cast a silent disarming spell at Akechi.
"Proof we speak the truth," Joker replied idly. "Personally I want to continue our rivalry. And if you're Awake..we might ask you to forego some of your antics. Otherwise?" he asked. A small shrug. "Otherwise you're 'not' the only reformed crook who was given the gift of Looping."
"Gift?" Akechi asked, growling for a moment.
Noir nodded. "A gift. A chance to grow. I'm...while I have issues and still cannot forgive you, I truly wish you'd reconsider, Crow-kun." It was Noir's hope that using a familiar honorific might breakthrough.
It did. Akechi visibly softened. "Rivalry. I could use that. But how will I know who is and who isn't Awake?"
"Come with us," Joker commented. A slight pause. "We'll take care of Kamoshida after you meet a few people and learn a few things."
"It changes nothing, so you know" Akechi replied. Though he was willing to hear them out.
"We know," Joker replied. He was a bit happy with this development. While he had his issues with Akechi's betrayal, Joker hoped that with Akechi Looping that they might be able to work out a peaceful coexistence.
Queen whispered in Joker's ear. "This will cause problems, you know" she murmured. "Skull and Panther, even if he is Looping, will give him grief."
"We can always argue that it's a part of his penance. And if he's Awake and too stubborn, Igor mentioned that the Investigation Team would love to talk to him" Joker replied.
"The original Detective Prince might wish to educate her successor. I see." Queen replied. "A hard sell but it can be sold to the others."
[Persona 5]
"Trickster…" – Lavenza's Awakening
Author: Venku
Lavenza, like her other siblings, is a resident of the Velvet Room. This Velvet Room is a place in the subconscious, near the Sea of Souls. Users invited by the Proprietor Philemon or his servant Igor are those who have had the hand of fate on them. They are involved either in the war-by-proxy between Philemon and Nyaralyhoteph; or when some ancient entity wishes to challenge humanity.
Unlike her siblings, Lavenza had a bit of a difficult journey ahead of her. The False God, Demiurge, had somehow managed to circumvent and enter the Velvet Room, banishing Igor. To compound matter, Demiurge split Lavenza into two separate beings. Demiurge had settled himself down and pretended to be the new ruler of the Velvet Room, with his assistants Caroline and Justice, otherwise known as Lavenza.
Every Wild Card entered the Velvet Room for an explanation of their power. They would sign a contract with Igor, basically stating they took responsibility for their actions. Through their journey and the relationships they forged with people, romantic or platonic, they learned how to master their ability.
Caroline and Justine, or Lavenza, was one such forging. They carried the time-honored tradition of forging a bond with the Wild Card, as Theodore Elizabeth and Margaret did before.
This bond forged with Caroline and Justine proved to be of benefit. When the Trickster, otherwise known with the codename of Joker, fought against the False God, he had ordered them to subdue Joker. Both Caroline and Justine were unable to complete their task, allowing for a small faint trickle of their true personality to be revealed. Imploring Joker to fuse them as if they were two Persona, Lavenza was reborn.
The False God, aware of the cards stacked against him, offered Joker a deal. Rule with him, and be a god among the populace. Joker refused, forcing the False God to disappear and for the Proprietor of the Velvet Room to resume command.
Reuniting with his allies, Lavenza explained that she helped make Mona to take her place. As a last act of defiance, before she was split in two, Lavenza helped to create Mona to take on the role of 'Guide' similar to her and her siblings. Mona's revelation did not change how Joker and his allies felt about Mona. They viewed him as a Phantom Thief, one of the original creators.
The Phantom Thieves challenged the False God. Even though it appeared that they would perish, salvation came from an unlikely source. The fickle people of Tokyo, encouraged by those Joker had befriended, shouted praise and encouragement to the Phantom Thieves. As perception shapes reality in our world, so too does it affect those in Mementos.
Revitalized, the spirit and energy gathered by the masses of Tokyo allowed for Joker to summon his ultimate Persona. Toppling the False God, the Phantom Thieves sent a strong message, as did S.E.E.S. and the Investigation Team before. That message? Mankind's fate is in their own hands.
Of course, like any other message, that message had to be forcefully repeated. The first message was to Maruki and his wish to give man their inner wish and desire. EMMA, another version of the False God Demiurge, was another who needed that lesson enforced.
With man's fate in their own hands, Lavenza disappeared with Igor, the contract with Joker fulfilled.
…
Lavenza awoke, surprised to feel the urge of being needed. She was even more surprised when she checked on the date.
"April 2016?" she asked. "But that means...NO!"
She ran out of the room before the False God could take control. While it could be considered as her abandoning her position, she viewed it more as protecting the sanctity of the Velvet Room and its goals.
With her, she took the Persona Compendium, a registry of Persona that a Wild Card achieved. She also took Margaret's bookmark, Theodore's Butler Cap, and Elizabeth's Ominipetent Orb. Those she viewed as mementos of her siblings.
As she ran past the door to the outside, she was not paying attention to the person she bumped. If she had, she would have noted that Theodore was standing there.
"Why is Lavenza running?" he asked. Awake this Loop, he had detected an anomaly from Shibuya. At the request of his Master and the local Anchor, he had gone to investigate.
He wondered, idly, if Lavenza was aware of time's flow. A part of him hoped so, as they were a family. As a family, he believed, they could face anything together.
Marveling at the technology of a recent loop, he pulled out a small communication device. A message was sent to others Awake, also asking for assistance. Surprisingly, Margaret, Yu, and Joker replied they would be near Big Bang Burger.
Theodore left, seeking to track down his sister.
…
Lavenza, naturally, was a bit concerned about everything. She knew what was in fate for her Trickster. What was coming to challenge the world. She felt powerless due to the no interference clause all attendants of the Velvet Room had to follow.
Recalling a challenge that her Trickster faced at a fast food location, she had hoped to meet him there. Entering Big Bang Burger, she made it to the counter before placing her order.
"Hello! I would like..."
"A kid's meal?" the employee asked. "500 yen please."
"Pardon! I'm not a kid!" Lavenza's tone started to take on an annoyed lilt. Opening her mouth to say something else, she kept quiet as a hand touched her shoulder. Turning around to smack the person who touched her, she was shocked to see her big brother Theodore.
He winked at her before nodding to the cashier. "One kid's meal. One Captain's Delight. Four sodas." Lavenza thought that it was unique that Theodore was ordering so much food.
Taking the order, Theodore led her to a side booth where sat Margaret, a man with grey hair, and her Trickster! Lavenza turned to look at Theodore in curiosity.
"All will be explained, I promise. Including the sense of strangeness, you feel," Theodore promised.
…
They had taken their meal to a quiet booth before looking around. Lavenza, after a few hours had passed, asked a question. "If I understand, time is set in reverse but not by a calamity...?"
"You can describe it as one," the grey-haired man known as Yu Narukami explained. "It's something that is higher than the challenges like Izanami or the False God."
"Is there anything that we must do?" Lavenza asked.
At that, Margaret shook her head. "Go through the day. Assist our Wild Cards" as she gave Yu's shoulder an affectionate squeeze, Margaret nodded to Joker. Joker, Lavenza noted with affection, was devouring the Captain's Burger.
"Must you?" Margaret asked in annoyance.
"It's like his Big Beef Bowl," Joker replied. At that, Yu Narukami nodded in understanding.
"Anyway..." Joker elaborated. "We just go through things. Sometimes we handle deviant variations. Rarely we will be given an order from a being higher than Philemon. Our Anchor usually relays that request."
Lavenza lifted her eyebrows at that. She knew of Philemon. "Who's higher than that? And who is our.." she paused. "Anchor?" It was a foreign word to her.
Margaret smiled. "Come, little sister," she replied. "Let us take point and let's see if you paid attention to Elizabeth's song."
The order paid, Theodore Yu and Joker followed behind Margaret and Lavenza. As they left, Margaret sang in a very low-key voice. "Vel vel vel, Velvet Room. My Master has a very long nose!"
Lavenza gasped, then smiled. "Truly?"
"Truly" Margaret confirmed. "He will say it again, but.." she cleared her throat. "Welcome to the Looping Velvet Room, Lavenza. Dear sister. You have such amazing potential."