Catch-22: The Hole in Time
By: M14Mouse
Summary: Some familiar and unfamiliar faces show up.
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
At first, it's unfamiliar, then it strikes root. -Fernando Pessoa
"Oh, my goodness…my sister is going to kill me," A voice said behind him.
He turned around to see a little girl in a blue dress with a huge book in her arms.
"Hello," He said.
"Uhh….Oh, dear. What to do? I can't put you back. The portal is gone. Maybe? Call my sister then she is going to kill me. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. I know!" The girl said as she rushed into the Velvet Room.
Does the lass know that you can follow her?
Probably not and I won't. I can imagine that she would panic. She reminds me a lot of Theo.
They are definitely related.
He glanced back over to the service counter.
Maybe, he can check out these forms while he waits. This place is worth exploring.
"Master Narukami, my master wishes to see you," The girl in the blue dress said behind him.
He turned around to see the girl playing with the pages of her book. She refused to make eye contact with him. He walked over and gently put his hands on her shoulders.
"It is okay. None of this is your fault. From my experience, it will work itself out," He said.
She looked up with a look of awe.
He smiled gently as he took a blank card out of his pocket. He hummed a little as he fashioned it into a little butterfly. He leaned over and gently put it into her hair.
"There. For a thoughtful attendant."
"Tha-Thank you," She said with a flushed face.
He patted her shoulder again before he entered the Velvet Room.
He paused and made note of his surroundings. By appearances, it was the same but the air felt different. Not as suppressed.
Hmmm….
His eyes finally reached the center of the room where a familiar face sat with a grin on his face.
"Ah, welcome, my young friend. Why don't you take a seat?" Igor said as he opened his arms.
"Igor, it is good to see you," He said with a smile as he walked over and took a seat across him.
"You as well."
He looked over Igor carefully. To anyone else, it looked normal. Same pale skin, big nose, and gray hair but he has known Igor for years.
Hmm….
You aren't going to say it, are you?
Of course, I am.
"You look like crap."
Igor laughed.
"Ah, my young friend. You haven't changed. I must say that I'm recovering from my capture."
"So, he was using some of your power. Just like Veles and I talked about," He said.
Igor tilted his head slightly.
Hey, Iggy. The lad is right. You look like crap.
Igor chuckled.
"Ah, Veles, my old friend. What trouble did you get into this time?" Igor said.
Me? Nothing. It was damn Yabby's fault.
I thought that you made a bet.
Okay…mostly, Yabby's fault.
"Ah, a troubling habit of yours."
And look who's talking?
"Guilty as change. He proposed a game like none that I have played before. I found it to be interesting."
"Interesting? Sound vaguely familiar," He said with the tilt of his head
Igor just grinned. He fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"I'm sure that you are curious why you are here."
"Portal…someone was messing with time again. Veles tells me that this happens a lot more than I realize. At least, it wasn't a world with shrimp."
"Ah, yes, that one. Rather interesting world indeed but you are right and wrong. Two forces collided and you are here."
"And how do I get back?"
"Until that the force here is gone."
Why am I not surprised?
"So, are my students here?"
"Yes and no. You know them but they don't know you. In this universe, you never met. I believe that you are in the States right now," Igor said.
"Let me guess…trying to get home but can't," He said.
"While this hasn't spread outside of Japan yet, it prevents outside forces from coming in," Igor said with a nod.
"Not surprising. So, I take it that they are at the end game, sort of speak," He said as he leaned back in the chair.
"Oh?"
"You know that we talk, right? My fellow Wild Cards and I notice things. History tends to repeat itself."
"So, you notice."
"I notice."
Igor chuckled softly.
"Although, I couldn't never figure out why you forced us out of countries with another Wild Card. Aegis and I never get there until after the fact."
"The Fool must go on their own journey. You know as well as I that Wild Cards are drawn together. Your presence would interrupt the journey."
"Interrupt? So, that is what you call helping now?" He said.
"Please, you must understand my young friend that "helping" could cause great damage."
"To you? Or to them?" He said angrily.
Igor's shoulders dripped down slightly.
He sighed.
"This has been a point of contention between us for a while now."
"So, you remember?"
"Some things. My fight with Izanami causes me to remember what happened with Chronos. Veles showed me others. I know that you folded time a few times for me…for the others. Your help is headache inducing but thankful. I'm…." He said with a pause.
"I'm graceful. Truly I am. You need to understand something. Being a persona user is a lonely existence. Yes, we have our friends and allies. We are alone. I heard that many times from other users. They are always surprised that they realize that they aren't alone. I'm not asking to fight their battles, Igor. I don't even do that for my own students. I'm asking…no, show them that no one is alone."
"And your handling of Shido? It seems to protect your students from him. Fighting their battles, sort of speaking…"
He felt his jaws tightened and his hands tightened at the chair's handles.
"Trying to prevent this. I'm preventing a power vacuum. I know what will happen with Shido once he is defeated. The same with Yaldaboath. I'm preventing my students from fighting to the death or reliving the loss of a friend or whatever this world has put them through. Protecting them? I will. From the same fate. Even if I have to go through you do it, I will."
He heard a loud crash behind him but he didn't bother to turn around. Igor didn't say anything at first.
"You remind me of myself in many ways," Igor said with a smile.
"I'm not that crypted, Igor."
Igor laughed.
"No, my young friend. You care. Perhaps, too much but you care deeply for those under your care. And…I thank you for it."
He blinked in surprise.
"You're right. Persona user has a lonely experience but your presence has made it better. I haven't met your students in your universe yet. I'm sure that they are delightful."
He smiled a little.
"They are teenagers. It is payback."
Igor let out another laugh.
"Anything that I should worry about or make aware of?"
"No, your students are the same but different. Of course, new faces."
"Wonderful. And Yaldaboath?"
"Gone."
He could feel the smugness and happiness from his persona.
Did they rip out his tongue?
Cut off his head.
Please, cut off…
He coughed a little.
If I know my student, a bullet to the head.
There was a moment of silence. Igor tilted his head.
"Oh?" Igor asked.
"Ren is charismatic in battle and much more of a show off than I am. He has learned a bit to keep from getting in the way. He definitely showed off a bit before putting a bullet in his head. I do hope that I'm around for that."
Veles laughed.
Me too.
It was glorious. You better not die before we can see it.
I don't plan too, Isis.
"So, am I free to move around or should I stay here and traumatize your attendant?"
He heard a huff behind him.
"You're free to move about. I can imagine that you will find this world interesting."
"Anything else?"
Igor smiled.
"Do you enjoy yourself."
He shook his head and chuckled.
In other words, go out and cause chaos.
I'm not that bad.
Laddie, you just told Igor where to shove it.
He shrugged.
Do you think that I would do nothing?
Izzy, come and collect your kid before he destroyed the damn universe with his damn give no fucks energy.
He felt Izanagi become thoughtful.
No.
Of course, you would say that. If I remember, you are just as bad.
Izanagi just shrugged.
"I like to look around for a bit. Maybe, see what my students are like in this universe. Don't worry. I won't do anything that you wouldn't do."
Igor just grinned at him as he stood up. He turned to see the nervous attendant behind him. Slowly, he got up from his chair and walked over to her. Gently, he put his hand on her head.
"Thank you."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"W-What?" She said.
"It doesn't matter that they aren't my students in this world. It is good to know that they had you on their side," He said.
"But…but….I was…I mean…I…thank you for your kind words but I made it worse. I…I was so foolish. I thought….I could have killed him. I…."
"Oh?"
"I was split apart. I…I am a bad attendant!" She said as she shook her head.
"Caroline and Justine."
"Yes…My name is Lavenza but…"
So, this is their younger sister. He smiled softly at her.
"I have been pulled apart by gods before. It isn't easy but, in the end, you helped him, didn't you?"
She nodded.
"Then thank you."
Lavenza's face flushed at his words.
"My sister is right. You are a man whore."
He laughed softly.
"Only for Margaret. For you, my dear, I'm a perfect gentleman," He said with a wink as he took her hand and gently kissed the back of it.
Her face turned a deep shade of red.
Half of the personas inside of his head were laughing.
-P4P5P4-
"It reminded me of a hospital," He said as he exited the room.
Fancy hospital. It almost looked normal.
Except for the shadows. They don't seem to be nice doctors either.
High Pixie did have a point.
"No, they seem to be questioning and herding these people…souls…thoughts somewhere. The ruler of this palace is pulling from Mementos and from the outside world. So, I can imagine once we step outside…we are in for a surprise."
Probably.
Aye. This entire place feels like her dominion.
That is what he was afraid of.
"Shall we?"
This is going to be so much fun!
He chuckled softly as he started walking down the halls. The shadows didn't seem to mess with him. Probably because he wasn't thought of as a threat.
Their mistake.
The ruler hasn't met me either.
Oh, he or she will and they will regret everything.
Everyone always makes me out to be scary and I'm not seeing it.
Laddie, you are terrifying and I'm here for it.
Yup.
I'm eager to watch.
Hee Ho!
Aye.
Lucifer chuckled softly.
He sighed and shook his head. Sometimes, his personas were strange.
Veles snorted.
He continued his journey down the hallways. He peeked inside some of the rooms. Some were empty and some were people talking to the strange shadow doctors.
He stopped and looked at a colorful poster of a happy family with the words, "Happiness is Only A Word Away."
Hmm….
He nearly jumped when he heard a girl's scream. He turned around and started running down the hallway. A moment later, he ran into a semi-large room with a red-haired girl on her knees. She was screaming, crying, and clutching her head. He stopped and slowly approached her.
"Hello? Are you okay?" He said softly.
She just shook her head. Slowly, he kneed down next to her.
"Hello, I'm here to help you. What is your name?"
"My…My name?"
He smiled softly.
"My students like to call me Sensei. When my back is turned, they like to call me terrifying but I don't see it."
She let go of her head and stared at him.
"Name is…Kasumi…no… Sumire Yoshizawa…no! No! My name is Kasumi Yoshizawa!" She said as she shook her head violently.
"Both of them are pretty names. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Yoshizawa," He said with a smile.
You don't seem too surprised.
Not really. I have seen it a few times. Multiple personalities were one case. Another was a dead twin. Third case was a father and a son.
What happened?
Hmm…the dead twin tried to take the place of the living twin but we were able to put that shadow to rest. Father's soul becomes his son's persona and the third….
It sounds vaguely familiar.
While other times, gods, goddesses and other important figures from lore called among the sea of souls, some cultures are tied more deeply with their ancestral roots. So, it isn't uncommon to see someone call out their grandfather's name as their persona. It is a great honor for them to carry them into battle. In fact, I believe that I confused them when I called out Izanagi.
Veles laughed.
"Than…Thank you. I….I….It is nice to meet you?"
"The same to you. Do you need help, miss?"
"I…yes…no…maybe?"
"Take your time. I don't plan to go anywhere."
"Are you…helping the doctor?"
Well, we know who the ruler is now.
"No."
She looked slightly confused at him then looked him over.
"But…you aren't a Phantom Thief either?"
He hummed softly.
"Do I look like one?"
"N…No…but how…?"
"Merely curious."
She looked very confused by his words.
"For my curiosity is satisfied for now, would you like to head to the exit with me? I'm sure that others are worried about you," He said kindly.
"Yes…No…I don't want to go back then…then…I…" She started sobbing.
Gently, he placed his hand on her shoulder. She jumped for a moment then rammed her head into his chest…sobbing.
"Then you can stay."
She cried for a moment before she lifted her head. She wiped the tears from her face.
"But I don't think you want to either."
Slowly, her face morphed into shock.
"I do! I don't! I don't want to be her again. If I am her again, it will be all my fault! I just want to be happy! I'm happy when I'm her."
"That is a lie."
She jolted back if he slapped her.
"Did you point a gun at her?"
"No…no," She said.
"Did you give her drugs? Did you poison her?"
"NO!"
"Did you stab her?"
"No…what?"
"Did you bury her alive?"
"NO! Why are you asking me these things? I KILLED HER! She saved me and…and she…and I…"
"Surviving, guilt and grief are natural during a lost but all three has been weighing on you for some time."
She sobbed into his chest.
"It is my fault. And…and she is so much better than me. The world should have her, not me. If…If I become her…then….Everyone will be happy."
"Even you?" He said softly.
"YES!" She shouted into his chest.
He hummed softly.
"Would you like to hear a story?"
She shook her head.
"Have you ever heard of Castor and Pollux?"
She shook her head again.
"They were twins. One born from a moral father. One born from a god, Zeus…."
You want an egoistic asshole? Zeus is your man but always had the best wine.
"….. Despite those differences and interests, they did everything together. They played sports together. Rode horses together and fought wars together. Ultimately, one died because one was mortal and the other wasn't…."
You skip the part about idiotic men and their cattle.
That wouldn't help with the story, Isis.
What about our favorite detective?
Which one?
Master!
He smiled a little at Leana's voice.
"The immortal one begged his father, Zeus. Zeus gave Pollux the choice to save his brother by giving away half of his immortality and he accepted. He then spent half his time in Hades and half on Mount Olympus, as his twin did."
She looked up in confusion.
"I don't…get it."
"I'm not sure what happened. Your guilt eats at you. You survived and she didn't. Your last words or thoughts may be unkind. It hurts that you can't take that back."
She nodded.
"Most of all, you still grieve for her."
"No…if I become her then….Then everyone will be happy and no one will grieve anymore."
"And what about you?"
She shook her head.
"No…No…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"That is utter bullshit."
She jolted and looked at him.
He has gotten better over the years with his bluntness. He is slightly nicer about it.
But she was running herself into circles. She wasn't doing herself any favors.
"You mattered because you existed. You and not your sister."
"But…but…"
She stared at him in confusion.
"I don't know you. I'm glad that I have met you. Your existence changed me. Just by being here. At the moment, I see a young woman who is depressed and misses her sister. I don't know your story. Not yet. Maybe she is better than you. Maybe, she wasn't. Maybe, you were jealous of her. Maybe she was jealous of you. What I do know is…. you miss her by your side. Maybe, to laugh at some joke you made or something she did in the kitchen. You cling that so much."
"I….I do miss her. She was always so good and perfect at everything. I…I…"
She started sobbing again.
"That doesn't matter."
"Yes, it does."
"No, it doesn't because I don't know your sister. I know you. You have more strength than you know. Most hide their grief. You show it freely. You have more courage to say that you are weak and need help. You are strong and brave. And thank you for showing me that."
She opened her mouth then failed to speak.
Awww…look at you. You made an inspirational speech. Rean would be so proud.
It is better than punching her.
You wouldn't punch a lady.
….
Well…
"I do have the point of the story. You loved her very much but she is still there. Right there. Every moment that you sing, dance, or even doing homework. Little moments and big moments. She meets you half every time like the twins did. Only when you are ready, I'm sure that your sister won't mind waiting for you," He said as he pointed to her chest.
She stared at him before throwing herself at him and started to cry into his chest.
"I'm so sorry….So sorry, Kasumi. So sorry."
He just sat there and allowed her to cry herself out. She seemed to need it. After a time, her sobs slowly died down, she pulled away from him.
"OH…OH! I am so sorry about your jacket. I cried all over it."
He smiled softly.
"No worries. That is what dry cleaning is for."
She giggled then she stared over his shoulder.
He glanced around to see a man in a white jacket and quickly, he got to his feet.
"Doctor…."
End of The Hole In Time
Next Chapter: The Doctor
A/N: I call this the Igor and Yu Conversation Part 1 in my notes. As a lot of my readers pointed out to me, Yu is very much like Igor but he swing in a different direction in thoughts on how things should be handled. He believes that persona users shouldn't know that they are alone. They are going through something unimaginable and difficult. Yes, they have allies and friends. They don't really get it like another persona user would. Now, The conversation between Yu and Sumire was interesting to write because Yu had little to no idea what was going on. He was wing it. Of course, I pay a little nod to Sumire's showtime as well. Anyway, read and review if you wish. And again, thank you for the support.