{Prelude Arc}

What came after Christmas of 2031 was everything we all anticipated. Mio and Shinji moving into a Ratatoskr property on the edge of Tengu City, putting Shido under Tatsuo and Haruko's care and me steeling myself for the decade ahead.

31st of December, 2031.

11:55 PM.

I was standing on top of a hill with Nia, as we were going to watch the New Year's firework display together. This would be the final time I'd see Nia for a while, unbeknownst to her.

"It's crazy how time has flown by, huh?" Nia mentioned.

"I suppose, though.. it was expected, in my eyes." I replied, knowing full well the time of struggle was nearly upon us.

"You don't find it to be surprising Scara?" Nia asked, a little confused as to why I saw it that way.

"No. Time... isn't something I find to be interesting. It's just something I know exists for a reason." I answered.

"I see. Although I like the simplicity of your thinking, I do wish you'd be a bit more... y'know, energetic or charismatic." Nia uttered.

"Is that a demand or a recommendation?" I asked, teasing her.

"It can be both." Nia replied. It was clear she wanted the best for my mental health... such an angel.

"Fine.. though, if I'm going to be honest, there's no telling if I can even become more than what I am." I commented, knowing how it'd end if I let my emotions run loose.

"I know you can. It may take a while, but i can see you becoming the best version of yourself at some point." Nia retorted, a smile appearing on her face.

I couldn't tell if she was just being nice, or if something else was in play, but at that moment, I felt... light. Like some of the weight on my shoulders had been lifted.

As I was about to speak up...

*BANG, BANG, BANG*

The fireworks had started going off, which only meant one thing.

Me and Nia turned to look at the fireworks, taking in the beautiful sight.

"Happy new year, Scara." Nia said softly.

"Happy new year, Nia." I replied with confidence.

It truely felt serene to be able to be able to close out the peaceful era of this life with a fireworks display while Nia was by my side. However... I knew it was time to get into gear. Westcott and DEM will be returning and I need to ensure they don't lay a finger on Mio and Shinji.

1st of April, 2032.

Hint: This section is best read while listening to "The Hunted" by David Buckley.

DEM were now back in Japan in full force. It had been 3 months since I said my goodbyes to everyone, for I was alone once more. Shinji and Mio were now in hiding, Shido had been relocated to be with Hatsuo and Haruko, Nia was doing her manga in peace, meanwhile I was being an annoyance to the very company that threatened the existence of everyone involved.

I was currently tackling a stealth operation near enemy territory, silently taking out as many DEM contractors as I possibly could without being spotted.

"You heard about Balladeer?" An agent asked.

"No? Who is 'Balladeer' and why is everyone shook whenever the name is mentioned?" Another agent countered, obviously making out to be a recruit.

"He's basically a 'terrorist' to us and is a massive threat to Mr. Westcott's goals. Legends say he took on 800 or more of us on his own years ago and won."

"So basically what you mean is, he's more merciless than Osama Bin Laden was back in the day?"

"Yeah."

Damn. I didn't know they was making me out to be this big bad terror who was worse than that guy. But, in a way, they were right.

I silently took down one of them while the other wasn't looking, then eliminating the other agent shortly after.

"More ruthless than Osama Bin Laden.. an interesting debate. Though.. I have more empathy than him by a long mile." I whispered to myself as I kept trenching through the forest.

I'd then reach the shoreline, seeing that DEM had occupied a small island just off the coast, telling by the artificial lighting and warships close by.

"It looks like they're building something over there... but what though..?" I pondered to myself before suddenly..

*WHOOOOOAAAAAAAAAM*

"Shit, spacialquake alarm. Better watch out.." I said to myself, knowing full well who this'll be.

Kurumi Tokisaki.

"Mio must have given Kurumi the sephira crystal if this is happening now. What other reason could there possibly be?" I whispered to myself, knowing things are about to get interesting.

I then heard the spacialquake go off in the distance behind me, knowing that'll catch some attention from DEM.

"Should distract some of the guys on the outer ring of this area.. might as well make use of the opening.." I muttered, now flying over the shores of the occupied island.

I wasn't there to cause havoc or go on a killing spree. Oh no. I was only there to survey the area to see what they was doing on the island.

I got to a very nice vantage point overlooking what appeared to be a construction site for a future facility. I eyed up entry points, vantage points, area weaknesses and more to get an idea of how hard it'll be to come back here in the future in a quiet fashion.

"A facility on an unoccupied island, with tons of personnel for security... something tells me this'll be a place for ugly experiments or some shit.." I quietly pondered.

I made sure to take photographs of the place for reference should I need to remind myself if I ever come back in the future.

"My work here is done.. better get out of here quiet and clean.." I said before flying off while maintaining low altitude as to avoid detection.

3rd of April, 2032.

It's been 2 days since I did reconnaissance on the DEM facility being built on the island and since Kurumi became a spirit.

I haven't seen any sign of Kurumi around nearby yet but I'm sure she'll come to me soon enough. Infact.. I had an idea.

"What if I purposely leaked my reiryoku to lure her here..? Would that even work?" I pondered to myself, before actually letting some of my reiryoku leak out of my body.

"If this works, she'll be here any second." I thought as I had my eyes closed and focused on hearing anything strange.

After a while...

*BANG*

*RICOCHET*

"How the-" A female voice said in surprise.

I opened my eyes, turning to where the shot had come from. I had reflexively deflected a bullet from hitting my shoulder by using Excelsus.

I then saw the very tease herself, dawned in her astral dress with Zaphkiel in her hands looking visibly surprised.

"So, the one and only Kurumi Tokisaki has shown up. A pleasure meeting you." I stated.

"How do you even know my name? More over, how did you even deflect a bullet from Zaphkiel?" Kurumi asked with a hint of suspicion.

"I have my sources as to knowing people. As for how I deflected your bullet.. I just have ultra-hearing. Being a spirit helps with that and all." I replied with a straight face.

"Figures.." Kurumi muttered before coming down to greet me, face to face.

"I wonder if you was trying to test my strength with that shot at my blindspot." I asked with curiosity.

"Why yes, I was and you definitely did not disappoint." Kurumi replied with a smug look.

Oh boy. The very look that captivated over the majority of the Date A Live fanbase. A good thing I'm resistant to a woman's charms right now.

"What's your name, male spirit?" Kurumi asked.

"Scara. Scara Tojo." I replied.

"A pleasure to meet you Scara. Seeming as we're both spirits, we'll be allies, so let's get along." Kurumi stated with a smirk.

"Likewise." I stated with a blank expression.

"I wonder if that'll work for every spirit. Probably not.. Miku hates men at first, Natsumi is insecure at first and Mukuro hates people as a whole at first." I thought to myself before I then spotted what appeared to be a... DEM Airship?

"Hey, look up." I said to Kurumi, pointing to the airship.

"What the... never seen one of those before.. wait, does that thing belong to DEM?" Kurumi asked after realising it had the DEM emblem on the side.

"Yeah. The very enemy that we spirits should be paying attention to." I replied with a serious tone.

"I think.. I remember the Spirit of Origin telling me something like that." Kurumi muttered, clearly having trouble remembering.

"So Mio did create a doppelganger... good move." I thought to myself.

"Well Scara, as much as I'd like to chat some more, I have things to do. The Spirit of Origin is making me do these... 'missions' that involve killing off mini-spirits that inverted." Kurumi declared.

"Alright, you probably won't see me for a while. I got wetwork to be doing and it doesn't wait. Take care of yourself, Kurumi." I replied, walking in the opposite direction.

"Wait... by 'mini-spirits' does she mean the things we see during season 4 in the original timeline..?" I thought to myself as I walked into the distance, knowing that the ball was now rolling with Kurumi now being in the picture.

A/N: Damn. It's been a while huh? I'm incredibly sorry for the long absence.

Streaming on twitch and college work really got in the way of writing. Honestly, I don't even know if my writing is any good now.

Nevertheless, I'll try and get more chapters ASAP.

Next time: Fiery Complications.