[Disclaimer.]

I do not own any of the properties used in this fanfiction.

Mirror of a Certain Pharmaceutical Company

Prologue 3 - Welcome Home,

Dante Notes 1:

Operator Ranks

-So it took a moment for me to understand it. But, if I were to translate them with Identity ranks, one to three stars are considered Ains or 0s, four and five are Ain Sophs or 00s and six stars are Ain Soph Aurs or 000s. at least that is what it seems to tell me on the operator list and... wow that's a lot of people... I hope to try out these Elite Ops, if I ever meet them that is…

While Dante is checking his tablet and writing some notes on his tablet Amiya walks over to the Operators who were resting together after the fight having set up a small resting area and sharing snacks or water they brought along, alongside the recently resurrected Guard and Sniper.

"So… how does it feel to be alive again? The two of you." Defender asked as he sipped out his water canteen to Guard and Sniper. "It didn't look painless coming back to life, though maybe the pain is subdued a little." Defender added on.

"It…It felt like I had my organs rearranged to fit back where they belonged… it still feels weird in there…" Guard answered while he held his abdomen still feeling the aftermath of the resurrection.

"I have this splitting headache but… it's subsiding, to say the least…" Sniper answered holding his head. "May I have some water?" he asked Defender who nodded and held out the canteen for him. "Thank you." Sniper took the canteen off Defender's hand and drank.

"I am glad you two are still alive, I thought you two were real goners if it weren't for the Doctor's power." Vanguard scratched the back of his head his radio on one hand.

"Still… it's rather scary… that the Doctor has that kind of power…" the other operators nod in agreement as Vanguard continues to try and communicate with Rhodes Island.

"Heh… the Doctor might just put me out of my job if dying was simply easier than healing…" Medic joked with a slight hint of worry that she wouldn't be that useful to the Doctor, especially for the other medic operators.

"He won't" Amiya answered Medic having heard her as she went over to them.

"The Doctor isn't joining us?" Guard asked Amiya as he looked behind her to see Dante fiddled with his tablet before looking back at Amiya.

"He said he'll join us later after doing something on his tablet." She answered Guard joining the rest proper, she turned to Medic. "I doubt Dante wouldn't like the support of a Medic" She reassured Medic which appeared to cheer her up.

"And besides that, I believe Dante wouldn't want any of you to 'intentionally' get yourselves killed to recover injuries right?" She closed her eyes with a rather foreboding aura Defender slowly looking away.

Amiya sighs "Dante feels the pain of your deaths when he resurrects you guys, it shouldn't need to be explained why you guys shouldn't intentionally get yourselves killed." She reprimanded them to which they nodded awkwardly in response.

[I wouldn't exactly like you guys to intentionally die but…] Dante came up to Amiya and the other operators overheard some of their conversation, they turned to him as he joined the gathering.

[That doesn't mean I wouldn't use you guys to test an enemy's capabilities if I needed to… now that you guys know my ability that is…] Dante added on, which sparked a reaction from Sniper and Guard.

[Though, I wasn't expecting such an encounter… and ended up making some mistakes and some unlucky decisions that led to each of your deaths… blame me if you want to.] he spoke looking towards the two resurrected operators, scratching the back of his head.

Guard sighed "I guess we shouldn't blame you all that harshly… I wasn't expecting Reunion to have such strong forces either." he leaned back on the makeshift seat making himself comfortable.

"I am not all that skilled in CQC… so I wasn't doing well out on the front…" Sniper sweatdropped scratching his cheek, "I am better off in the rear supplying range support," Sniper suggested.

Dante nods [I noticed that you and Amiya weren't exactly used to being on the frontline so I understand that, Though… Amiya,] Dante turned to her. [ you did look like you got the hang of it quickly,] he continued,

[Are you fine with fighting out on the field?] he asked Amiya who gave him a nod before speaking up.

"It was a little strange at first… but, I got a hang of it and I can put in less power in my arts fighting close up," Amiya commented about her experience. "So I'll gladly be on the field, Dante."

Dante nodded, [So, any news on the situation?] he asked as he placed his tablet into his coat and put his hands in his coat's pockets.

"Ah! Uh… we haven't… talked about what's going on." Amiya answered Dante as she turned to Vanguard "Can you contact Kal'tsit?" she asked him as he was working on his radio in the background.

"No… haven't been able to for the past while… they've likely cut off communications to anywhere outside of Chernobog," Vanguard answered as he continued to fiddle with his radio and Amiya nodded in understanding.

"This is bad… The other squads might be worried since we haven't gotten out of here yet." Amiya responded being rather concerned about the situation.

[Then why don't we-] Before Dante could finish his sentence the entrance to the Sarcophagus room slams open causing Dante, Amiya, and the operators to go on alert.

"Amiya! We're… here…" Dobermann and her squad arrive… to see the mess left from the earlier encounter… and Amiya and co. just to the side in a group looking at her.

"In-instructor Dobermann, please wait!" a familiar voice came through as he entered the room, "W-what the hell happened here!?" the young man spoke with fear as he witnessed the mess of a battle that happened in the room… Blonde… short… has… hair wings? And wields a long halberd…

[S-sinclair?] the fact that Sinclair… of all sinners was the first one he met in this mirror world wasn't on his list of events for the day as Amiya led Dante and the group over to Dobermann's squad.

Amiya's expression appeared to brighten as Dobermann rushed in "Instructor Dobermann! It's good to see you!" Amiya greeted the instructor as Amiya rushed over with the group shortly following her.

"We had a… messy fight happen here but we pulled through!" Amiya scratched the back of her head.

Dobermann sighed "It's good to know why your squad hadn't reached the designated meeting point but it's good to see you all are alright." the rest of Doberman's squad came over with some of them guarding the entrance.

"We were also attacked by Reunion all of a sudden," Dobermann mentions as she looks over the messy room from the battle. "Though it looks like we were the luckier ones with our encounter,"

Dobermann sighs "Reunion always felt a little extreme for a group of Infected, but to resort to violence, especially in a Ursus City…" She grits her teeth "It's a death wish." Dobermann continued.

To Dante, everything he was hearing was completely unfamiliar to him and would need explanations but that would have to be dealt with later after all, it seems everyone has their mind set on one thing.

"We need to leave Chernobog immediately Amiya, who knows how much worse the chaos will be if we stay any longer." Dobermann finishes speaking,

Amiya nods "I agree, and with the Doctor rescued we can retreat as planned." Amiya spoke as she looked over at Dante who was spectating them.

Dobermann looks over at Dante, "So… this is ?" She questions to which Amiya nods,

Dobermann scans him from top to bottom as if judging him. [The way she's eyeing me… it's like she's Outis…] Dante thought hopefully it wasn't the case.

"You look different from what I expected, especially that clockhead." Dobermann comments about Dante, " you probably don't know me but, you know Amiya so your safety-"

"No, no… wait" Amiya interrupts Dobermann.

[I shouldn't compare… but it almost felt like I was talking with another Outis…] Dante thought after his experiences with Outis which while wasn't problematic, the boot-licking was getting to him.

"Dante… isn't exactly doing well, Dobermann…" Amiya started, Dobermann waiting to hear what she wanted to say. "D-Dante… he has memory loss…" shuttered a little.

"Memory loss?" Dobermann her eyes widened as she took a step back. "Didn't you say you were planning to transfer leadership to him?" she appeared flabbergasted having heard Dante had memory loss and now waiting for what Amiya had to say next.

Amiya sighed, "Dante's commanding capabilities… while aren't as sharp he still got us through] She looked back at the mess that fight ended with before looking back at Dobermann.

"But he's also regained a little bit of his memory so it shouldn't be a worry either… and besides… his power… er…" Amiya halted for a moment hesitating to reveal Dante's ability.

"Besides his power? Is it related to those chains me and my squad were struck by earlier?" Dobermann questioned Amiya again crossing her arms.

Amiya nods. "Yes, those chains… bind us to Dante, and as long as he's alive he can resurrect us no matter the condition." Amiya revealed which caused Dobermann and the operators listening in to be rather surprised some a little horrified even.

Guard steps up "The fight was rather messy and caught us off guard, Me and Sniper died but we got resurrected after so we're able to confirm," Guard added on with Sniper nodding as well which caused some of the other operators to discuss amongst themselves.

While this was going on Dante eyed the rest of Dobermann's squad and specifically… a certain blonde-haired Halberd carrying Rhodes operator, though it seems he noticed Dante was looking at him as he appeared to look away from Dante to Dobermann.

Dobermann was quiet for a moment thinking before looking at Amiya again sighing. "I can't put my trust in someone who is a stranger now… But I'll trust you Amiya." Dobermann placed a hand on Amiya's shoulder.

"I understand…" Amiya half-heartedly smiled as Dobermann put her hand away.

"And if what you said is true then his ability…" Dobermann crosses her arms again, "We shouldn't have as much difficulty getting out of here if it means resurrecting a few operators along the way" Dobermann concludes.

Amiya nods "Though it best we still keep resurrections at a minimum… when Dante resurrects he feels the pain the operators go through." Amiya informs Dobermann and her group.

[If I may add.] the group turns to Dante, [I've told them earlier before your squad came in but…] Dante paused for a moment…

[From now on I may test an enemy's capabilities if I don't have information on them, you might die but I'll resurrect you after the fight, Are you all fine with that?] he finished, the group and murmured amongst themselves but slowly they nodded in agreement.

Dobermann turns over to Dante. " I am Dobermann Captain of Op Team E1, we'll be escorting you out of Chernobog, the Ursus city we are currently in, back to Rhodes Island." she began to detail where we are and our route out of Chernobog.

"But… because we're cut off from Kal'tsit, we'll need to lead our separate teams to our rendezvous points before confirming our signal to retreat." chimed in, "If everything goes according to plan that is…" Amiya added.

Dobermann nods "It'd be nice if things went that smoothly." she continued before turning to Dante again. "This is our last opportunity to get you out of Chernobog, …"

"But I have a bad feeling about this…" Dobermann feels a light tap on her shoulder and turns to look at who it is. "What is it, Sinclair?" she asked.

"Umm… may I speak with ?" Sinclair asked Dobermann nodded and he walked over to Dante, having been seen wanting to say something for a while now… " … I've had dreams." Sinclair began to speak up about.

"Dreams, Sinclair we-" Dobermann is interrupted as Dante stops Dobermann.

[It's okay,] Dante assured Dobermann as she relents, [What did you see in those dreams?] Dante asked Sinclair [Sorry Dobermann… but I believe this is important.]

"I… I've had dreams… where I've seen… you" Sinclair began, "One time in a bus with some recognizable faces… another causing a mess in a casino…" Sinclair continued to talk about the various dreams he had that Dante appeared in.

"One recent one was… ugh…" Sinclair appeared to have difficulties trying to describe it before Dante put a hand on his shoulder.

[I think… I know what you're referring to… and I understand you can stop now.] Dante spoke relieving Sinclair of the need to describe the events that took place in 'his' hometown.

"Apart from those dreams… I've had dreams that felt similar, though without you… That's all I wanted to speak with you for, Thanks for giving me your time …" Sinclair thanked as he returned to his position.

[That's fine, I'll always be free to talk with you especially when we get out of here.] Dante ended Sinclair stopping in his tracks for a moment and nodding back before continuing forward.

Dante began to contemplate once more. [Seems like… he has dreams of my Sinclair and the other Identities… wait… is it possible to?] Dante pulls out his tablet and looks over at the squad selection screen, tapping an empty slot he sees several operators,

Dobermann and Sinclair both of them labeled as 00s or 4-stars as their rank. Dante began to edit Sinclair, [Ah, seems my theory is correct…] Apart from all the extracted Sinclair Identities he had, Dante could select LCB Sinner Sinclair.

[hmm… then does that mean I could use 'RI Operator Sinclair back in my world?] If anything, another 00 Identity for Sinclair wasn't a bad thing plus he was a rather good one.

[that's… a rather good amount of Rupture count and Potency… I guess I won't need to use an Identity any time soon.] Dante continued to contemplate a little more.

[I'll rely on my current operators… and until I've hit a brick wall… or up against something much more threatening I'll use an Identity.] Dante concluded before putting his tablet away.

Having finished up he hears a quick rush of footsteps as Medic and Vanguard come up to Amiya. "Amiya! We've got a call from Rhodes Island!" Medic informs Amiya causing her to go over to her quickly.

"A-a call from Rhodes Island, then our communications must have come back on! Who is it, Kal'tsit?" Amiya hastily asked Medic and Vanguard which appeared to bring the mood up.

[Amiya slow down, take deep breaths, calm down.] Dante came over to her side. [We might get cut off again…]

"Y-yeah you're right…" Amiya calms down a little after her hasty reaction to getting a call from Rhodes Island.

"Sorry, but communications are not back up." a cold female robotic voice spoke through the call's device.

"PRTS?" Amiya spoke with confusion as the group gathered up to hear it.

"The Emergency Neural Network Request System was activated, due to interference on Rhodes Island's end, so partial-neural network connection could only be possible." PRTS began informing.

"Currently unable to communicate with Kal'tsit who hasn't returned to Rhodes Island yet. However, an additional team had requested participation in the extraction." PRTS continued.

"Who is leading the additional team?" Amiya questioned PRTS.

"Faust, Rhodes Island Chief Officer of the Research Department" PRTS answered Amiya.

"Faust?" Amiya repeated in confusion, "Why would she need to…" Amiya contemplates why Faust would need to get herself involved.

[Faust…? I expected her to be involved at some point but… so soon…?] Dante thought after hearing Faust's involvement, but then came to an immediate conclusion.

[Wait… she must be coming because of me… that's the only reason why….] Whatever Dante was thinking at that moment… it wasn't looking well for Faust.

On a Hovercraft heading for Chernobog.

Faust sneezes "Are you alright Faust?" the Hovercraft Operator asked with concern to Faust.

"Yes, must have just been some dust." She answered the operator who gave her a nod. "Dante probably has concluded that I am coming just for him… I… I am at his mercy now it looks like…" Faust thought with a little worry…

Back in Chernobog.

"Though otherwise, with your safety confirmed; therefore my mission is complete." PRTS continued, Dobermann cursing under her breath hearing PRTS's statement.

"If you do not need to connect to Rhodes Island, Communications will be severed momentarily, I am sorry for having interrupted your party." which appeared to have brought the mood down a little.

"W-wait PRTS don't hang up yet!" Amiya quickly told PRTS.

"Alright… Dante" Amiya turned over to Dante. "PRTS is… one of our partners, it'll show you what to do next, I am going to reconnect you to Rhodes Island's backup systems, It'll give us an edge in battle,"

[Are you sure? I mean do I need PRTS?] Dante questioned scratching the back of his head Dante was still rather confident in his command all he needed to was adjust to the new features on his tablet.

"Trust me… It'll give us an advantage and besides… I think… it won't be all that different from how you command." Amiya turned to the device.

"PRTS… let's start," She says as she holds the device up to Dante.

"Identity Verification needed. Select verification method." PRTS asks Dante.

"Uh… Dante, you should speak." Amiya asks Dante to as she selects the voice recognition option.

[Uh… Start?] Dante speaks to the device.

"Unable to Detect Voice," PRTS speaks back to Dante.

"W…what did you hear PRTS?" Amiya questioned PRTS after the failed Voice Recognition

"The sound of a clock tick-tocking," PRTS answered.

Dante sighs [Oh of course it had to be that reason…] It seemed that PRTS was unable to recognize his tick-tocking as a voice as he placed his hand on the device.

The screen reacts to Dante's finger touching the screen. "I am unsure why you didn't speak, but finger recognition is sufficient…" Dante appears to feel a little irate at PRTS.

"Fingerprint Match found, Verification Complete, Security Clearance: 8…"

"Welcome Home, "

The device's screen began to change to what appeared to be a menu screen like his tablet. Dante sighs [I guess you aren't wrong on that part Amiya.] Dante compliments.

[Now-] Before Dante can speak PRTS speaks up again.

"I detected a pairable device nearby under the name 'Dante's Personal PDA' however due to the archaic software used to run the device I am unable to, I suggest upgrading to the latest-" Dante skips the notification feeling a little more irate, but sighs.

[Now then… Let's get out of this place, shall we?] The group nods as Dobermann, Amiya, and Sinclair lead the way out. As they do so Dante holds the device up and begins to go through it as he did his tablet.

Finally embarking on his journey through this Mirror World.

Afterword.

Greetings, thanks for reading this crossfic as always, I am thankful for it! sorry it's been a while I've been caught up with some other games lately and didn't exactly have time to write so sorry about that. Anyway as always leave criticisms if you want to and sorry if this one felt messy, I'll need to clean up somewhere along the line.