Juna opened her eyes.

"What?"

Where was she? The last thing she remembered was... Juna gasped when she recalled her memories. Ernest Reis! Which meant that she was now captured by the cult survivor, Joachim.

"Damn it. That fraud doctor!" Juna spat to the side. Finding herself not restrained by anything, Juna looked around. She sighed when she realized that Joachim put her inside a prison with no weapon inside. So that ruled out Joachim being the careless type of boss. No, in fact, with how ridiculous the setup at the hospital was, Juna was sure that he was the calculating type.

She should have never trusted the glasses.

Juna heard footsteps and looked up.

The footsteps came from a nondescript Revache goon. But Juna had a feeling that he wasn't just some goon. He stood in front of the bar and smiled.

"Good evening, Juna."

Juna needed no time to process everything. "Joachim Guenter."

"Correct. Man, I was worried that you'd be overwhelmed by everything. But thankfully, you're a sharp one," the goon nodded to himself. "Make sense. After all, you were able to get an internship at what? Thirteen years old? That's amazing."

"Spare me the drivel," Juna spat. "I heard from Ernest. You considered me a thorn in your side."

"Indeed. Your sharp mind is hindering me. After all, wasn't it you who informed Bannings that KeA is important? I could've gotten my hand back on the Divine Child, but somehow, you know about her. I wonder what else do you know?"

Juna was in a predicament. She didn't want to engage him because she was powerless here. But the heck, what was that exposition about Divine Child? She wanted to know more, damn it. Okay, it was time to play the clueless girl.

"Divine Child?" Juna asked in confusion. In the meantime, she noted the specific wording from Joachim because she realized this was the gloating moment from the typical JRPG final boss.

The goon frowned. "...So you don't know, after all. I wonder where you got the information from in the first place. Could it be... the one taking her away from me?"

So Joachim was also prodding her. This was definitely a psywar. Okay, she'd gonna do her best.

"Wait. Are you talking about KeA? Wait, did you just say that you know it from Lloyd?!"

"Took you long enough," the goon scoffed. "That's right. Your trust in your ally betrayed you."

No. She was confident that Lloyd didn't lie to her. But the fact that Joachim knew about her... there had to be an information leak that Lloyd didn't know. It'd be too hard to trace it alone, so Juna had to put the thought aside for now and focus on the mind games with the final boss.

"No. Your words won't shake me. You must have known it from somewhere else. Joachim Guenter, what is your plan?!"

Juna tried the classic approach of directly asking the enemy. Her expectation was low. She was sure Joachim was smart enough to avoid saying his plan. But Juna wanted to offer bait so Joachim would think that she was straightforward enough to ask him directly.

After all, that was the usual persona she showed when she was at the hospital.

"You don't think I'd answer it, do you? Ridiculous," he scoffed. "Or maybe you're putting up a mask to fool me?"

Juna feigned ignorance. "Just you wait, Joachim! The SSS will definitely come and arrest you!"

"The SSS is busy running away from my mind-controlled mooks," Joachim took the bait. So Joachim attacked the SSS after successfully kidnapping her. Could it be because Joachim wanted KeA? Big chance.

"They'll definitely get here and save me," Juna said with confidence.

"Such confidence after they outright betrayed you. I don't know if you're foolish or just in denial," the goon chuckled. "Anyway, I'll save you for later. I want to see the reaction of Gnosis from Garcia Rossi first. Enjoy your last day in a gilded cage, and please look forward to your freedom."

Juna was honestly stumped as she watched Joachim leave her alone. Gilded cage? Freedom? Did he just imply that he'd release her soon? No, that wasn't right. He said something about Gnosis. The drug that made the people angry, strong, and apparently good at gambling. What did consuming it have to do with freedom and cage?

In the end, while she at least got new info about KeA being originally under Joachim before she was taken away and put on the Schwarze Auction for unknown purpose by the culprit, she felt like Joachim won their psywar by getting info that Juna was not involved in anything and there possibly exist a fourth faction that knew more than Joachim thought. Juna clicked her tongue when she realized something. She could've misled Joachim by mentioning Ouroboros and seeing his reaction. But it was too late to do anything.

Juna looked around the inside of her cell. There was nothing she could use as a makeshift weapon. Damn it. Joachim mentioned Garcia Rossi from Revache, but Juna didn't hear anyone near her. She was completely alone in this cell.

"Damn it..."

Juna sighed as she accepted her place in the narrative.

"I hate being the damsel. Can I really not escape my fate?"

Juna was the kouhai character. Getting to her to get at the SSS should've been expected. She didn't think much about it because, well, she wasn't technically with the SSS. But they still kidnapped her anyway.

"I guess I can't really change anything in the end."

No, she wasn't angsting. She was just lamenting the limitation of a video game narrative. Even if this world was real, plots needed to happen, and she was just in the perfect position as the SSS's junior, official or not. She really shouldn't involved herself with Lloyd.

But...

It wasn't like she regretted getting close to the SSS or anything. She enjoyed talking with Lloyd about the cases he solved. She liked Randy's bro-ness and wished she had someone like that back in her previous life. She asked for lessons on girly things that she had never experienced before to Elie and Tio. She loved the soft and fluffy fur of Zeit. And most importantly, she had another little sister in KeA. So yes. She would never regret knowing them.

"Oh well..." She looked at the bar preventing her from escaping. Arios might have trained her in the Eighth Form, but it wasn't like her arm could withstand steel or concrete, so using her Eighth Form to hack away the prison bar was out.

...

Juna looked at the prison bar again.

"Or is it?"

She turned her attention to her small, delicate arms before shaking her head. "No, bad, Juna! It's a bad idea!"

Needless to say, Juna considered using her arms to break metal and concrete as stupid.

In the end, Juna plopped down on the ground with a big sigh.

"Lloyd..."

She had to be satisfied with waiting to be rescued.

Once they arrived at the IBC, Lloyd and Elie tucked KeA for the night in Mariabell's room. At least KeA would be safe here.

"Let's go, Elie."

Elie nodded. They were now ready to explain the situation to Dieter and Mariabell.

On the corner of his eyes, Lloyd saw a collection of Rosenberg Dolls. They really were of a high quality.

"Those were Bell's collection," Elie, who noticed him, explained. She then approached one of them. "Hmm... this one is cute."

Elie giggled before coming back to Lloyd.

"You've been inside Mariabell's room before, Elie?" Lloyd asked after they closed the door and left the room.

"Yes," Elie nodded. "We have been friends since childhood, so I'm familiar with her room."

"I see," Lloyd hummed. "Then what was that last part about the doll?"

Lloyd casually asked his teammate.

"Hm? Oh, that doll," Elie smiled. "Bell has been collecting the Rosenberg Doll since forever, so I knew the one she has. That blonde one, I think, is new. It's the first time I've seen it."

Startled, Lloyd froze in his steps.

"Lloyd?" Elie turned her head when she didn't hear Lloyd's reply.

"A-Ah. It's nothing, Elie. So that doll is new, huh?" Lloyd gave her a reassuring smile.

"Mmhm," Elie nodded. "I always wondered why Bell spent so much money on them, but every time I see a new one, I think I understand. They're so life-like. The quality is top-notch."

Lloyd nodded.

"By the way, Elie. Where is Randy and Tio?" Lloyd changed the subject.

"They're already in Uncle Dieter's office, I think. Let's go."

Lloyd nodded. The two then entered Dieter's office to brief him about the situation. Inside the room, everyone had already gathered. So, it was time for Lloyd to explain the situation to Dieter and Mariabell.

"..." Dieter had no words after Lloyd explained the situation with the CGF, Revache, and the rise of the cult.

"Father..." Mariabell was the same.

Lloyd sighed. "We don't have evidence decisive enough to have an arrest warrant right now. It's all just words. We'll have to prioritize evidence collection at some point."

They did have the black and white files, but it couldn't be proof of Joachim's work because his name was not attached anywhere. If anything, that was proof against Hartmann because his name was clearly there in the document.

"You're right... From your perspective, that's the long and short of it. However, I feel overwhelmingly disappointed in myself. Of course, the remaining cult members are partially to blame. However... I'm dumbfounded at the fools who've associated with them and allowed this to happen," Dieter ended with an exhale before he continued. "I'm more than aware of the sheer complexity of Crossbell's state of affairs. I understand that the very existence of Revache and the rampant corruption of our politicians are, to some extent, unavoidable... However, it seems I was a complete and utter fool."

"Uncle..."

"Right you are. IBC is a mammoth of a business and holds considerable influence over Crossbellan politics. However, Father has intentionally remained neutral to this point," Mariabell elaborated.

"My naive laziness is the cause of our current predicament. I apologize. I doubt there's much I could do to make up for it."

Lloyd shook his head. "No need to apologize, Mr. Crois. None of us truly saw the sign until it was all too late."

None of them except for Juna. But she has her weird ability, so she didn't count.

"You're right. Lamenting will get us nowhere. I, Dieter Crois, with the entirety of the IBC backing me, will give you my full support to help put an end to this crisis."

"Thank you, Uncle," Elie gave her gratitude.

After that, they discussed the next thing they had to do. The result was that Tio would help the IBC engineer fix the connection to Tangram Gate and CPD Headquarters. About KeA and her protection, Dieter told them that he prepared some service for the SSS down on the first floor, so they were free to prepare themselves.

Now that Lloyd was alone, he had several things to do. First and foremost, getting everyone's equipment. He went back to the first floor and talked to everyone there. After that, he approached Guillaume (who was there to talk with Chief Roberts) and used the sepiths to make some new quartzes. Then he checked the lineup of weapons and equipment from Receptionist Lanfei before buying new ones and selling the old ones.

After that, Elie contacted him saying that she wanted a private talk, so she went to the 16th floor and saw her waiting for him. Without waiting for a signal, Lloyd approached her.

"Elie, so this is where you've been."

The two spent the next fifteen minutes talking privately.

A/N: The private talk is the Final Bond Event between Elie and Lloyd. I didn't include it because nothing changes from canon.

Juna misunderstood her role in Zero as SSS's kouhai. I wish Juna's role in Zero is being the SSS's kouhai... sigh. And of course Juna's Juna-ness had her consider breaking the bar using her own arms. Thankfully she stopped herself. The next part is my favorite! Lloyd after being exposed so much to Juna and has been shown to be able to get into her headspace, realized something weird in Elie's statement. But he put it off because it wasn't important that time and the situation is an emergency. It's not canon, but I want to put a foreshadowing after all the talk about where the real doll is previously (which also didn't happen in canon by the way, thanks, Juna.)