PLDF Chapter 26

> Chapter 26: "In the Not-So-Distant Future..." (Sub-Entries 251-260)
>
>

## Sub-Entry 251: "Some Time In the Near Future, As I Unexpectedly Narrate This..."

Greetings.

I presume I am...not who you expected to write this log.

It is of no consequence.

Well then.  To those who remember, I need not summarize.  To those who do not, let me refresh you memories.

Konichiwa.  As you've gathered, I am Grand Master Bunnie Meiru Rabbotou.  I am the second in command of Ultra Crew Action Team Institute.  I run a temple/dojo in town and hold down important status for the honor of our Queen, Brooke Canciaris and the good of all sentient beings.

If you are reading this then and recall when we were last in the spotlight...yes...it has been...a long time.  I need not prologue what...and who this is about.

Some years ago...more than three decades by now...a lone, broken soul came to our world to be given a second chance when he narrow escaped the chance that was stolen from him by Lady Destiny and Madam Fate's game of ultimate good and evil.  Cumbersome name for an...how did Violet put it...?  An over glorified Dungeons and Dragons session tacked onto a game of chess with a table-top app duct-taped to it.  Right.  No matter.

Our commander spearheaded his recovery, recouperation and his new life.  He took a personal interest, in spite of acting against his superiors on the Council of Space, Time, and Dimensions.  He risked his own existence for that poor child's sake.  He fought to cultivate a timeline where this child could return to and live out the life he was always meant to...to find if he really belonged with us...or his own people.  In spite of us, his loyal crew, being forced to shun, abandon, and ostracize him for his own protection...he still forgave us and remained loyal to us.

When his enemies came out of the woodwork and brought OUR enemies with them?  We all fought tooth and nail in a crossover war to decide the fate of not only our lost goat child...but reality itself.  Existence as we knew it...as EVERYONE knew it.

In the end...the darkness...the chaos was sealed away and peace was established.  And our child, who had grown into a fine adult...gave up his fame, his memories, and his knowledge of his grand destiny so he could live life as a normal Hybrid.

Seven years later...the time came for him to take his memories back...and decide his place.

We...worked to take him back off world...to the family that he was from.  To the people who were his.  To his home of birth.

It was the last time we would see him.  And since then...we've...had no choice...but to move on.

How much time has passed since then?

I cannot say for certain.

But...life goes on.  I will explain in detail how each of us dealt with the...aftermath.  With the long, long, long, long etcetera goodbye.  Most of us...landed on our feet and were okay in the end.

There is a "but" or a "yet" coming.  I will address that in time.

For now...let me go down the list and tell of each of us and where we are now and how we've been.

I have...continued at my dojo, working in tandem with my Half-Sister, Bunnette Von Rabbotte who runs the Westhaven branch.  Classes come and go.  Generations of students join...learn...master...and then graduate.  Wash, rinse and repeat.  Many times now.

My nanotomic system continues to be refined and upgraded by Dr. Nikita Katherine Lynx.  I just get stronger, faster, and more capable.  And yet I ask myself why I continue to grow this power that I don't want.  But I need this power for the greater good.  I always have and I probably always will.  As long as this world spawns injustice...this power is a responsibility...often a curse...but it's my curse to bear.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.

For the times I can just be...normal-ish...in flesh and fur.  In this white training gi with my favorite pink one-sie unitard/one-piece bathing suit underneath, my pink sandals on my feet, and my pink headband around my head, ends trailing behind me with my top-knot waist-length ponytail...then all is right for me in the world.  This is my normal state being and the point I can be Zen.  I can be in balance.

I partake in my usual activities.  Obviously martial arts.  Koto or shakuhachi flute practice.  Horse-riding; Hinohoshiko is still as vibrant as ever and still canters and gallops at top speed when I need her to.

I take interests in my fellow friends and teammates' activities...some more readily than other.  I will get to them in detail as I go down these...sub-entries, I think the Commander called them?

Yes.  All things in time.

I am not alone at this spacious place I call my home away from my beloved Musubime in Midori no Oka, Jang.

"Sensei."

A bow.

My assistant, top advanced class student and my temple's head shrine maiden and my whole temple mansion's caretaker, Megami Akane Kobayashi; looking a lot like Kikio of Inuyasha lore or Hino Rei of the Sailor Scouts.  That is an adequate comparison.  Her appearance hits pretty much most if not all of the anime tropes of those black-haired girls in the white and red Miko priestess attire.

She has since taken on a ward.  An intern.  A trainee, if you will.  A wanderer from another world who...left it all behind when they abandoned their unhappy life of being a villain's lacky.  One of three such poor feline souls who'd been...lost causes until...

Until our own lost child had appealed to her conscience and turned her life around.

"The water buckets have been filled, sensei Rabbotou."  She kowtowed before me.  I smiled and dismissed her.

Siamese cat hybrid.  Very nasally voice.  Used to wear loud, fluorescent 80's attire with tan, big poofy jacket, short tan pants and blue sandals.  And have a single earring in her right ear.

Once known by the name "She-Lion".  Said to be a counterpart of the rival of my friend, Sally A. Acorn, in fact.  A rival named Susan Silo.  Or maybe it was Susan Blu?  I will...have to get confirmation from Sally on that.

No matter.  Of no consequence, it is.  Heh.  A little Yoda humor.  Yes, we still drop references when we can't help but be unable to use our own words.

She now identifies as Fukushineko Shishiko-chan.  A...transparent translation of her name...but it sounds unique enough to her to be a different.  Enough for a new life.

Shishiko has...made tremendous progress.  She still...has a bit of a spicy, snippy edge to her and has similar short-temper tendencies and piercing bluntness from time to time.  Not unlike Hino Rei-chan.  Or...another child that has...frequented our town in the past.  Both as villain once...and as friend some time afterward.

And...not unlike myself...she...had to deal with our lost orphan's eventual departure in her own way.

Frustration.  Confusion.  Denial.  Sadness.  Eventually acceptance.  But...I fear that if she ever saw him again, she'd...give him a piece of her mind for just leaving without giving her a better goodbye.

This amuses me that she still hasn't quite let it sink in after many times of him saying so...he was never looking for a commitment or even so much a date.  Just a friendship.  He hadn't quite matured into that territory, yet.

"CHUUUU!!!"

I smiled.

"Oh you three..."

They had matured fully by now...but I'd still always see them as my Rabite Trio...my little ones...my...babies.

Houjicha.  The white rabite.  Boundless energy.  Loud when he vocalized...loud like excited loud.  Everything was constantly new to him as if his attention span and/or memory was just that short.  Completely fearless but mostly because he was happy-go-lucky and oblivious to danger.  Much like that Monkey D. Luffy...subtract the rudeness and blunt temper.  Just always exploring and getting into trouble without knowing it.

"Chu."

Bancha.  The black/ebon rabite.  Cross at your own risk.  He had powers that the informed knew very well to fear.  Fear that power and never anger him.  Quite the study of Marie, he's become.  That's a story for later.  Serious.  Stoic.  Without sense of humor.  A regular Sasuke Uchiha, in terms of persona.  He had no chill.  He didn't like his time wasted.  And he was constantly having to deal with the foil that was his brother, Houjicha.  And often...inadvertently getting undercut or made a fool of by Houji-kun.  Completely by accident.  Completely unaware of Ban-kun's plight.  And yet, despite being driven crazy...Bancha would never abandon his sibling.

Which left their sister, Kukuicha.  Kuki-chan.  The sweet one.  The demure one.  A dire rabite; green in fur color.  And often completely a strange take on the hanami dango--the rice balls on a stick.  Usually a pink, white, and green one in that order.  In lieu of pink, Bancha kind of broke the pattern.  But I digress.  I didn't have an exact match for her personality but...I guess maybe a good few examples were Patty of the Thompson Twins from Soul Eater...Hinata from Naruto Shippuden...maybe a little bit of Ricco from Made in Abyss?  But really...I'd have to go with Mimosa from Black Clover.  All of them had bubbly, air-headed personalities that...you just adored.

Kuki-chan was the sweet one.  The demure one.  It didn't matter who you were, she was always nice.  Always affectionate.  Always had kissy-licks for you.  She was just that much of ball of love.  And I couldn't feel greater warmth from it.  Kukuicha was also one who Bancha was often protective of.  Overprotective sometimes.  And yet it was often, completely by chance, that Houjikun's antics would somehow save the day and snatch his sister from harm.  How did that work?  By luck.  Complete.  Luck.  And maybe...good karma.

"You three make my life so much better."  I petted them three of them and fed them their treats and let them go on their way.

So.  I'm en route to a place that's near and dear to me.

The epicenter of the area through the Fire Torii Gate.  A place where my most sacred of purifying bonfires were held.

It was there...I met him for the first time.  Yes...you know who I am speaking of.

Why do I not just say his name out loud.

His name...is Asriel Dreemurr.  But in our realm...he became known as Asriel Tobias Dreemurr-Arcade.  Shortened to just Asriel Arcade.  He was our grand experiment.  Our pride and joy.  Our seed to be planted for a greater future.  And blossom, did he ever.

"It seems you have much on you mind, young one."

I smiled as I saw my own sensei, seated in lotus position, popping out of his meditation.

"Grand Master.  Splinter-sensei."

"You need not concern yourself with titles.  Much like your own student...all three of us are equals.  We have taught each other everything we know collectively."

"Yes.  You are right, my friend."

Master Splinter.  Formerly Hamato Yoshi.  Yoshi Hamato for western-speaking who were used to addressing first name first, last name last.

Cross-mutated with a sewer rat after being wrongfully disgraced and dismissed from his birthright, the Foot Clan ninja school; a treacherous plot orchestrated by his most untrustworthy student, Oroku Saki...my sensei found fatherhood in the form of four turtles, mutated by the same mutagen compound.  He taught them his entire repertoire of the martial arts and of the art of ninjutsu.  The same arts he taught me.

And yes...Splinter was just as connected to Asriel as I was.  As we all were.

To see him here...at this place...at this time.  This was no mere coincidence.

We were both thinking of Asriel.

When I first laid eyes on that poor goat...something awoke in me I thought dead and buried for some time.

The Commander probably would say I...didn't skip a beat and remained unflappable.  Sagely.

But I was affected from the start.  I remembered what it felt like to be orphaned.  Orphaned and broken.

What a wretched existence that was.  And it was necessary for both of us to lose so much and be destroyed so thoroughly...to grow...to forge that part of yourself that would sooner die than watch another innocent child go through what we did.

If you had to narrow down what my soul alignment was?  I'd go with justice.  I had many of the seven virtues in balance but I gravitated toward being unable to stand by while crimes...injustices...while bad things happened before me.

I never questioned why I didn't awaken that part of Asriel first.  No.  He was aligned more toward kindness.  Which was why the next person he met was the true catalyst.  I just ignited the wick during that martial arts class that saw him...awaken his virtue and summon the heads-up-display...the H.U.D.

I think it only fair that  I wrap up and tell about her, next...

## Sub-Entry 252: "Mitzi Mozzarella. A Girl-Next-Door known as the Sweetheart of the Pizza Pie":

Prior to Asriel...I had another promising student.  And she did not disappoint.  As it was...she would be the one to inherit the Rabbotou Clan's teachings and title of grand master sensei, some day.  I had chosen her.  And she would have, in turn, chosen Asriel as her successor some day.

"Order up!  You're most certainly welcome!"

And still channeling a bit of what she picked up from Soma at Totsuki Academy.

Green-eyed, like me.  Blond hair...also like me.  But she was a mouse hybrid.  Silvery grey fur.  Black nose.  Yes, she had a tail.  Don't know why people thing Hybrids don't have tails.  We're very human-like, yes.  But don't forget.  We're also half animal.  And we tend to have most of our defining features; albeit evolved to be more homo sapien in structure and appearance.

How careless of me to go off topic.

Mitzi chose, as her work uniform, her favorite white and green cheerleader's outfit.  Long, white sleeve with sweatshirt cuffs.  And that big green capital M on the front.

With it she wore green sandals, which she had switched too after feeling like her old bobbysocks and saddle shoes were a bit...dated.

Lastly...her special gear--a pair of poly-morphic hard light constructs that took the form of hair ribbons.  Much like mages needed wands or staffs as a focusing conduit, Mitzi had pure, solidified light photons --in an elastic form--as her focusing items.  So yes.  She weaponized her hair accessories.

And to supplement them...her jet anklet adaptors which let her hover and fly around like Tony Stark in his Iron Man persona.

Which left her Varia Belt, reverse engineered from Samus Aran's Varia suit to give her a thermodynamic shield against extreme temperatures.  And I mean EXTREME.  The kind which required her to go into sub-zero zones or into volcanic regions without danger of freezing or overheat.  I'd even seen her go into battle while still wearing her work uniform and sandals.  You never quite get over seeing someone walk around an iceberg or a volcano in a cheerleader dress and sandals and not suffer from hypothermia or heatstroke.

Mitzi was our first extended crew recruit, back at a time when our budget had carried only five of us field agents and core members of the Miranda UCIAT.  It had been that way for 20 years until Violet's recruitment drive during 2008, in between brackets of the Raxis Fighting Tournament.  And not exactly the kind of person we expected but...she turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

For a year, she coordinated with Violet to set up shop in town while also training herself to be presentable and of some use to us out in the field.  We needed someone who could keep composed in actual battle conditions and...she fit the bill.  On top of that...she had just the personality I'd been looking for.

Demure.  But bold.  Kind.  But fearless.  Older in actual age, but still teenage in appearance; though that wasn't a requirement.  Of course...I was won over by her strong dislike of bullies.  Something I knew ALL TOO well back in Ecotropia.  I was the one who stood up to bullies much like she would.

Mitzi Minerva Mozzarella.  She had a cute story to tell me about a mix-up that happened at the hospital that ended up mis-naming her older sister and thus she got the name meant for her.  Apparently, her sister, Molly was to be named some variation of Minerva (first or middle name) but instead...was accidentally given the name Madeleine.  Leaving Mitzi to inherit the middle name, Minerva.  Which ended up making Mitzi's nickname for her sister, "Mini" to not make sense.  It still makes me smile thinking of an inside joke that was denied because of a mix-up.

Mitzi started her singing career at the age of 11 and eventually replaced her older sister as the lone female vocalist of what was then called Wolf Pack 5...rebranded to the Rock-Afire Explosion.   Mini dropped of the map but I'm told still has a good life out of the spotlight and a healthy relationship with Mitzi.  It is what it is.  Though if I had to be honest...I'm still playing catch-up with the whole sibling thing after not even knowing I had a half-sister in Bunnette.  But that's another story.

\*sigh\*  Mitzi looked at her framed photos on a the wall.  Each one a look into her past...a great rock n' roll career...derailed by a bad choice in boyfriend and worse choice in high school bestie.  Lesser success with a shorter-lived all-mouse hybrid band called Toxic Audio.  Then years of dropping off the map like her sister.  Until Violet found her.  And then a year later...she was part of the team and gained the title of "Photon Combat Specialist".

"Hmm."  Mitzi concentrated and formed a wine glass out of green hard-light energy...yes, yes.  Like a Green Lantern.

"I still got it."  She smiled.  "But business before pleasure."  She looked at the sake I'd sent her to try afterhours.

She stopped, though when she got to the more recent photo...the last one taken before...

"Ohhh..."

A moment of reflection.

"I hope you found a happy life.  Hey.  Have a slice of pizza on me.  I'll toast to your continued success and happiness."  She raised the wine glass before dispelling it.

She stopped a moment before looking down and frowning.

"Chu-Chu..."  She scolded at her Fleaser rabite.  Once again her little thief stole something shiny and horded it with other things in his nest.

"Mamma appreciates the gifts, but you're going to get me doing a few nights in jail if you keep this up.

I guess I got to hang posters on telephone poles to see who comes in to claim this stuff.  Better get my apologies ready.  Oh you.  You're going to put your mommy in Sing-Sing, you little Sly Cooper you."

I suppose make the memories were a bit much for her as she was trying not to let on that it had put her a little down in the dumps, missing our special friend.

So it was only right that the two greatest sources of hope and light would come in the door as patrons.

I speak, of course, of the next two people to meet Asriel in his early life...

"Welcome to Rock-Afire Pizzeria!  How may I serve you?  Oh!  It's you!"

## Sub-Entry 253  "The Archer-Scout and the Tinker Mouse.  An Angel and a Big, Little Sister":

"Mitzi!!! I'm so happy to see you!"

And incoming tackle hug while standing on one-leg like a flamingo in that kawaii way she does.

Sporting her favorite purple cover-alls, matching purple sandals with the gear emblem buckles, and that backpack crammed to the brim with her makeshift inventions and recycled parts and electronics; much of which was wired up for functional modifications on the fly.

And that conspicuous high-tech silvery Reduction Belt she wore with the converted "G" icon that was said to once be the logo of Dr. K's ranger team in Corinth, codenamed R.P.M.  But in this case...rather than "Go-Onger" as it was called in Jang...it just stood for the name of our Makeshift Technologist and the adopted little sister of our leader and commander.

Peach-furred.  Blue-eyed.  Big, blond hair.  Pink nose.  In her early adulthood as it seemed like she'd been teenage for ages.  Or maybe it was just our imagination.

I speak...of Gadget Tress Hackwrench.

"Hey, bestie!"

It is heartwarming how deep their friendship is, in spite of the large age gap.

To be honest?  Mitzi had at least two generations worth of years up on Gadget.  Possibly three, as she was old enough to be our Commander's mother or aunt.

Yet when you saw these two together?  You'd swear they both pledged the same sorority.  You'd swear they both got out of high school only days ago.

I probably need not explain Hybrid longevity.  On average our lifespan, and subsequently, our youth is at least double a human being's.  In fact our youthened appearance lasted so long, it wasn't until the last five to ten years of our lifespans when we started showing our ages.  And then it just goes all in one quick swoop from there.  Morbid...but a fact of life.  It was the way our ancestors were engineered and that trait was hereditary in every generation.

It's what made our true ages...ambiguous.  It may just be a number...but it wasn't something we Hybrids spread around out of culture and habit.

So with cases like Mitzi and Gadget?  Friendships that bridged wide generation gaps are far more common and considered far more appropriate than for many of the other races.  Including human.  Despite me having to remind...certain people...who shall remain nameless, currently, to get their minds out of the gutter.

This is how I get my reputation for being "very clean".  Not just in body, but in mind, heart, and soul.

Ahem.

I digress.

"You didn't come alone, did you?"

"Umm...hello!"

Mitzi's smile only widened as she saw him in the doorway.

"Oh my!  I think you've actually grown a little!"

"Y-you think so?"

If his cheeks blushed any deeper, he could be mistaken for his other universe counterpart.  Okay, not really.

With spiky, anime hair reminiscent of Sora, Chris Thorndyke and half a dozen other anime characters...usually in that Final Fantasy universe...I could only be speaking of our loyal archer-scout and fledgling archangel, Pit.

And sometimes...we still referred to him by that nickname of his--Kid Icarus.  He remains confused about the reference.  We'll explain it to him some day.  It's kind of a favorite but tragic tale among many of us in the know; as it is a warning against arrogance and hubris.  Flying too close to the sun, metaphorically speaking, is what doomed Ancient Arkadia and convinced our ancestors to rethink their priorities about magic and science collaboration for the sake of progress.

Still looking like he was maybe 16 or 17 at the absolute most, his voice hadn't deepened much yet.  But you'd recognize our favorite cherub anywhere in those white toga robes over that black body suit, the leather leg greaves, the sandals, and the gold arm bands.  The golden olive wreath around his head and such.

It was easy to confuse our Pit for his prime counterpart, last recorded in that "Uprising" and "Smash Ultimate" log of the Commander's...but when you looked closer, you'd notice our Pit's eyes were green instead of blue.  Much like his VideoLand counterpart in that Alternate N-Team we once met.

"I think so."  Mitzi nodded.

"So.  The usual, you two?"

"A Greek Gyro with a side of angel hair pasta.  And some angel food cake for dessert!"

"I actually had an early lunch so I'm just here for dessert."

"Ahhh.  I know what you like, Gadget."

And soon Mitzi was cooking up a storm while reminding us why she was the Sweetheart of the Pizza Pie...and one of the best vocalists in town.

Her old Rock-Afire Explosion days of being the only girl member of a rock-and-roll band served her well in "retirement".  And it set an amazing atmosphere in her little pizzeria.  I remain very proud of my student.

For Gadget?  Well, Gadget was once a laboratory mouse that was altered by an accident in the UCIAT lab in the Neo Arcadia City branch.  However, unlike the stereotype, Gadget wasn't that much into cheese.  Her favorite food?  More along the lines of peanut butter.  And no favorite greater than...

"Chocolate and Peanut-Butter swirl ice scream sundae with drizzled chocolate fudge and peanut butter and topped with mini peanut-butter cups, whipped cream, and sprinkles."

As sweet a dessert as her personality.

"Yay!  My favorite!"

So.  The food was eaten and conversation was had.

While it was mostly joyous...

...it was inevitably brought up.

"So...about...?"

Gadget set her spoon down and her ears drooped a little.

"I don't think he's going to show up today.  I...think he just wants to sleep in."

"It...hit him harder than all of us.  Didn't it?'

Pit just sort of nodded.

And then the conversation kind of ground to a stop.

"He just seem so sad."

"We're all sad when we think about it.  But yeah...the boss is a special case."  Mitzi wiped down the counter.

"Would it not solve the problem if--"

"...it probably could but..."

A long pause.

"It just got harder to attempt as time went by.  And...we all just figured..."

"He decided where it is that he belongs."  Gadget said, rather uncharacteristically to the point.

"And...big brother just accepted that.  We all did after a while."

Hearing Gadget melancholic was so out of character.  But it reminded us that she was smarter and more aware than her normally bubbly, air-headed personality let on.  In fact she'd been compared to that girl in the sky blue from Townsville.  Bubbles, wasn't it?

"And then the Commander started thinking maybe our little lost one had grown to believe that he abandoned their friendship and that's why we haven't visited.  The point when our boss started second-guessing his self-control..."

"But he'd never think that way about big brother!  He's not like that!"

"I know, Gadget.  I know.  And yet there was a point where he would have felt like it would have...evened the score when he and we were forced to abandon our Commander.  What a twisted plan Adonis had..."  Mitzi growled, gripping the drying towel.  "Driving a wedge between all of us.  What saved his life broke his trust in all of us."

"Have we...earned that trust back?"

"We'll never be able to say for sure, Pit.  But...I want to believe we have."  Mitzi collected their dishes after the finished.

"This is...sad to think about."  Pit stated the obvious.

"Yeah."

"Hey...isn't...Sally and Team Acorn due back in today?"

Well.  Spoilers.

"Want to go check and wait for their arrival?"  Gadget offered.  "She'll be in...that...place."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world."  Mitzi flipped the sign over to read "Closed." and the clock under it to "Will Return at 3PM.

A quick change out of the apron but still leaving the "work uniform" and sandals...

"Lead on."  Mitzi headed out to Gadget's "Ranger Mobile"...version 15, third revision.

"You sure you don't want to fly there with the Jet Anklets?"

"And miss out on my bestie's latest vehicle?  No way."

She was such a good friend and everyone's "girl next door".

Speaking of good friends...it was time to check in on an old friend...

## Sub-Entry 254:  "The Speed Demoness and the Faucet-Fixer":

It only took them a short time to get to the train station and out to the switcher tracks and the depot where we kept the E.L.B. "Jules-Verne" train.  It had been sitting there for ages since...well...I'm pretty sure anyone who's read the Project Lost Dreemurr logs knows when it was last used.  Let us...speak of that another time.

I decided to head there as well, using a...faster method of travel.

"Sensei!  You showed up, too!"

"But of course."  I said as I folded up the Shoudouphone and let the Mojikara-generated Senkaimon gateway dissolve away.

"For those fast-travels when you actually teleport?"  Gadget giggled.

I smirked in response.  I won't say how many and which of my ninja techniques...my "jutsus" were actual teleportation, which were variations of shinobi dash, and which were just slight of hand showmanship.  But I'd been a little out of practice for a bit.  It felt right to dust off old tricks.

"Remember this place?"

"Probably more avidly than you do, my student.  I was there when he returned from--"

"Yeah.  There."

"And where two more of our crew showed up at this day.  Do you think she'll--?"  Gadget started.

"It would be a nice-throw-back.  I am certain she remembers, too."

"But what about--"  Pit started.

"Well...it's not exactly a plumbing call.  It's really up to him whether he wants to drop by and if he's not on a call."  Mitzi explained.

"True, true."  Gadget nodded.

The trainyard was quiet.  Very quite, in fact.

A step away from being abandoned.  But no.  Just...a slow day for mass transit.

All this talk of nostalgia was cumulative.  It felt like it was building far more readily than it should have been.  Maybe a few passing thoughts.  A few memories here and there.  A "you remember this or that" moment.

All temporary.

The vibe was....not that.  The vibe felt like it was lasting...like it was reverberating with one another.  Like...it was foreshadowing.

When my Sixth Sense gave me that impression...I knew to start awaiting visions or some form of clairvoyance.  Some sign that something was lying ahead...something was inevitable.

A well-spring of hope?  Or a resurgence of our enemies, bringing our nightmares with them?

"Is it strange than I kind of want someone else to be here--"

I sighed and bowed my head.

"Give her time."

I spoke of the one name I'm sure the Commander wouldn't want us evoking so frivolously.  Most certainly the source of many of our headaches.  And yet the truest of our friends and allies.  We owed so much to her.  To her funding, to her resources, to her contributions.  To her risking her life on many a mission.  Yeah...I'll...get to MY best friend...well, my other one...soon enough.

"She okay with the OGPX season being put on hold so soon?"  Pit asked.

"Ahh, it's just competition.  She'll get no shortage of it in years to come."  Mitzi waved it off.

"Besides..."  Mitzi started.

"There will be more opportunity for field work.  She has to maintain that reputation after all."

It was hard for me to say that without my grin being too obvious.

"That's right!  You've known the both of them for longer than any of us."  Gadget pointed out.

"I know you have more stories to tell than what you have shared with us, sensei."

"Would you please share your anecdotes with us some time, Major?"

"I would be delighted.  For now..."

"Yeeeees?"  Mitzi's own sly smirk was obvious.

I had to say it.

"Do not blink."  My slyness was greater.

And we listened...and waited.

At first it was just silence, save for the usual ambiance.

But then...

Then came the high-pitched whir of those micro-turbines and that miniaturized and highly futuristic jet engine sound.  The subtle harmonics of the constant air-flow hiss and the almost silent and low thrum of the gravity components.

"Get a bird's eye view, Pit!  Tell us what you see!"

"Yes, Miss Gadget."

Pit flew higher until he could see the whole city's traffic grid.

If we could hear those sounds from that far away...the quantum technology that drove them certainly defied the laws of physics.

Kind of the point.

Overdrive Grand Prix OverTech and BioWare.  The machinery combined with the trademarked Overdrive Sandals that made super-overclocking a person's native abilities possible.  It adapted Power Ranger technology from several generations--primarily Dr. K's when she worked inside of the domed city of Corinth.  It had been decommissioned by the government following the destruction of VENJIX during the Vorostov Conflict...and declassified but ultimately the research was scooped up by a lone engineer in Technopolis named Dr. Nikita Katherine Lynx.

And Dr. Lynx was the pit crew chief and head technician for our friend who was about to make her triumphant return with her crew.

"I see something!"

"Yeah?"

"Three lights!  Blue, yellow, and red.  Like...uh...neon, I think you call it?"

"Are they making sharp, boxy turns or smooth curves, or mixes of both?  Like light contrails, I mean?"  Mitzi asked.

"Yes.  And in choreographed unison."

"It's them!"  Gadget squealed.

Pit dug out the Farsight Staff and used its scope to zoom in.

"I see all three of them.  Lightrunner is in the lead.  Windshear is on the right and Flametrail is on the left...and...riding on top of an oversized speeding children's top?"

I shook my head as I rolled my eyes.

"Always showing off, isn't she?'

I believe there was a song track that she listened to whenever she was into these childish antics.  I believe it was "Can't Stop the Top" by the Megas.

But for time constraints and probably copyright reasons, I'll hold off on the lyrics, as fitting as they might be.

Actually...the songs that were USUALLY associated with Team Acorn were in order: "Turbo Lover" by Judas Priest, "I Ran" by a Flock of Seagulls", "Free" by Crush 40, and "Where's the Fire" by Time Feehan.  Just something...the Commander would want me to make a note of.

Yeah...it was harder to make references as naturally as we did when he was....

...I'm getting ahead of myself.  All things in time.

"Here they come!"  Mitzi had already taken to the air with her Jet Anklet adaptors that she strapped to her favorite pair of green sandals--with the gold star-themed buckles.

Violet will probably end up having me explain our personalize sandal emblems another time.  Because she's Violet.  I'll get to her soon enough.  You know she's coming in these logs sooner or later.  And Amaterasu's Grace help us...that will be its own insanity to get into.

Sure enough...Team Acorn was blazing across the whole city traffic grid in complicated, choreographed patterns, exhibiting their array of tricks, feats, and stunts.

And not just on the X and Z axis, if you understand three-dimensional coordinates.  No...they also took it very vertical.

Up and around skyscrapers, over buildings, under obstacles...just all kinds of tricks that bent their personalized light contrails into light patterns not unlike the 3D Pipe screensaver; a maze of lasers to even the quickest of eyes.  Catching an actual glimpse of each of them and not their after-images and blurrs took even my nano-assisted vision effort to pin down.  I can only imagine how it was for untrained eyes on the street.

The tailwinds alone certainly stirred up excitement, trouble, and...a few newspapers and magazines.

"Miranda City!  Are you ready to receeeeeeive!?!"

His first role-models were about to make their grand entrance.

In triangle formation they raced, they showed off, they let the speed mend it...mend it...mend it...

There's your reference, old friend.  No Secret Rings here, yes?

I am in a jubilant mood for someone nostalgically missing a common friend of all of ours in the moment.  A unique time for one whose humor is described as "very dry".  But maybe I have more in common with one of my old sensei’s than I cared to admit.  Wax on...wax off.

In blue, she landed on the center rail of the long concrete staircase first with her partners landing on the rails to the right and to the left.  And the sparks sprayed out from where their metal Overdrive Sandals made contact with the handrails.

Yeah.  Grinding down rails was practically like breathing to them.

Like a tornado, Windshear made a series of spin-jump hops, causing her spark spray to occur in intermittent pulses while definitely putting a "spin" on her own entrance.  Her hybrid ability of wind control certainly made the air currents around her visible, giving the aforementioned tornado appearance.

At the same time, Flametrail launched into alternating flips into hand-stand grinds and foot-stand grinds in such rapid succession, it was like she had become a burning wheel on the rails...part of that due to her Hybrid Ability of fire control.

And finally, Lightrunner took center stage as she got the bottom of the rails first before launching into a Rising Hawk jump into the air...then fired up her Jet Suit conversion; the neon hard-light "moth" burner wings lighting up behind her and giving her a massive flight boost.

An aeoleron roll or more of an "M. Bison Psycho Crusher" in the air. Followed up by a series of tumbling rolls and gymnastic flips...and topped off with a momentary hover; and Lightrunner went into a heel drop that she turned into a  spinning drill.  Upon landing, she twist-flipped into a number of assisted somersaults before she let an Afterburner Burst shoot her into a horizontal run straight to our position!

"Uh...easy there, Terrain Master!  You're getting a little close for--!  OH GOLLY!"  Gadget suddenly ducked behind Mitzi and crouched down.

"Cutting it a bit close...!"  Mitzi grit her teeth, about ready to grab Gadget by the hand and pull her to safety.

I on the other hand...didn't flinch.  Didn't budge.  I had nothing to worry about.

And then came the landing in a sweeping 1080 degree spinout before standing straight up as she stopped on a dime...and shook my hand before pulling it into a bro-grip and then segueing into a complicated handshake that ended with several high and low five variations.  It's a thing.  You know.  A personal thing.

A final fist-bump and Sally stepped back to salute.

"Sally Alecia Acorn, callsign: Lightrunner, reporting for duty.  Glad to have me back, old friend?"

"Never happier."  I smiled practically ear to ear and that's saying something coming from a rabbit.

"Yikes."  Mitzi let the sweat drip down her forehead.

"I...is it safe...?"  Gadget peaked out from behind.

"You worry too much.  Sally-chan has this calculated out to the very micrometer.  And she has PLENTY of redundant safeguards and failsafe’s just in case."

That's my oldest and dearest friend for you.  She can paint the illusion of being reckless when in truth she's planned everything out far in advance and with far more intricate detail than something probably needs.  In her profession as Pro Overdrive Grand Prix Racer?  Yeah.  She needs it.

One upon a time, Sally A. Acorn was a princess of the very kingdom my father swore his loyalty to as one of the Generals of King Acorn--her father.  But alas, she was not destined to inherit the throne, yet her life was to be pressed into a mold for the next 15 years of her life, completely like clockwork.  This was the royalty I had trained to serve.

What I wasn't prepared for was her tomboy streak.  While it was true she was a teacher's pet, a bookworm, and an natural schooler and near-perfect student at the time...she didn’t' do so well with convention and often broke said convention with her ways.  The bottom line was...she didn't want a lady-in-waiting, nursemaid, or servant...she wanted a friend.

Why she was those things, she was still a straight arrow and a goody-two-shoes; who refused to admit she was those other things.  And...it was up to our mutual friend...to try to appeal to that side.  Who better than a true free spirit?  A natural speed demon who drove Sally crazy with how often he broke the rules, talked back, and goofed off in his studies...and most of all, gorged himself on chili dogs.  Yeah.

So...it was ironic that now all these years after the fall of Ecotropia?  Sally now lived her life as he would.  To honor him...to make amends for never apologizing...to come to terms with a lot of things.  But mostly...to walk a mile or two thousand in his shoes.  Even if it was in very cushioned, yet very metal Overdrive Sandals.

"Sorry to scare you all.  Some of us insisted on a bigger and better entrance than last time."

Level-headed Willamina "Willie"/"Billie" Mongoose.  Callsign: Windshear.  We called her one of the two nicknames as not to confuse her with Mina Scalinstro in town.  Two Mina's would get confusing.

In her day job outside of the OGPX, Willie was a pop star.  Like this generation's Mitzi Mozzarella.  And she had gone triple platinum only recently.  She had a set of pipes that were to be envied.

While she was said to be like the wind...if Sally was the leader, she was the straight man....woman.

In a way...she was like me.  That had to be why she and Sally synergized so well.  Their friendship was like Sally's friendship with me and mine with Sally's.

"You make it sound like going bigger is a bad thing!"

Honey T. Cat.  Callsign: Flametrail.    The team's firecracker...and so much like Violet it was like living with her in stereo.  Much to my chagrin.  Yet, Sally never seemed to mind her antics or Vi's.  Not to the degree most of us did.  I think it was because...well...let's just go ahead and name drop him, already...because Sonic drove her nuts.

I think we're past the point we can refer to him as "that guy".  Now that we all know he's alive and well and being more like the wind than Honey...that's another story for later, isn't it?  Another time it is.

As for Honey?  Yeah.  A spicy one, she is.  She enjoys trouble.  And yes, she's always stirring the pot.  But in all honesty...I find her easier to put up with than Violet.  And that's me talking about MY best friend.  My best EDOROPIAN friend, mind you.

Honey was a fashion mogul in Technopolis.  She had her own line with the tagline...something about "If it's not sweet, you're not wearing Honey".  Or the like.  Some variation of that.

I'd seen her clothing designs.  She has real talent.  She had her cat clawed finger on the pulse of what was trending.  She knew how to catch the eye and how to sell the product.

She even took a commission to design a custom yukata kimono for me, once.  It was the most beautiful garment I'd ever worn.

Yes, indeed.  This was Team Acorn.  Our speed demoness trio and Terrain Masters.  The quickest, hardest working agents in our crew.

"We're all on the same wavelength, it would seem."

"Resonant, Buns.  Totally resonant."  Sally gave a thumbs-up.

"Then we were all thinking of it. The...before times."

"Yeah...he did us proud didn't he?"

"Despite some of our efforts to make him a mega-star in the discotechs..."  Willie glared at Honey.

"Hey, he had his 15 moments of fame!  I did him a favor, making sure he could dance with a girl, y'know?"

WIllie just shook her head and sighed.

"So...the G to the E to the K. W.  in the place to be?"  Sally asked.

I let my gaze droop.

"For real?"

I nodded.

"Still!?"

I looked away.

"He...might need our help."

"Only thing is...I don't know what we can do, Gadget.  We know this lesson don't we?"  Mitzi asked.

"Yeah.  Can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped."  Sally crossed her arms.

"Hasn't he grieved long enough--"  Honey started before she was thwapped.

"Not cool.  The dude's in pain, you know."

"Yeah, we all kind of were but--"

"Honey.  We're talking about his best friend."

I didn't want to agree with Honey but...this was a reversal.  The lesson he spent so much time trying to teach our little lost orphan...and now the sandal was on the other foot.   Now he had unlearned what he taught.

I guess I'm not leaving much room for the imagination.  A lot of spoiler commentary on someone I said I'd explain about in due time.

Gadget finally changed the subject.

"Gee wilikers!  Aren't we forgetting that someone else was s supposed to arrive?"

Sally grinned wide.

"It takes a bit longer for him to get here.  But he will get here."

"I don't know, Sal.  You ever try to get a plumber on the weekend?  Otherwise you'd know they were tough."

"Yeah.  But I've known him as a friend longer than you."  Sally mused while booping Honey's snoot playfully.

"Well brag about it."  Honey said with a smug shrug.

Sure enough we were greeted by the sound of a plumbing van...and the sound of its muffler backfiring.

"Ohhh...I guess I need to work on his exhaust system, don't I?"  Gadget decompressed her toolbox from her backpack of holding.  Is it redundant to have a backpack of tools...only to pack a toolbox into the backpack of tools and recycled parts?

She fiddled with a switchbox on a cable she pulled out before of all things...a miniature satellite dish unfolded from the pack and rotated around while beeping.

"Oops...not that one.  Um...which was it again?"  She packed up the antenna before an omnidirectional microphone popped out.

"Hey, maybe you could replace Prisma and Wrench as a camera operator if you got a Vid-Cam in there, too."  Honey joked.

"Oh I actually do but--"

Gadget remembered the ask at hand.

"Oh right.  The muffler."

It was then the Walrus Brothers Plumbing Service & Supply van pulled up and out came my other oldest and dearest friend...well...another of them, I should say.  I still had...one other person from back in the old Ecotropia Days to speak of...but...he...can and should wait.  Until we're all in a mood to talk about him.

"Uh...hey.  Am I late?"

"A plumber is always on time, old friend."  I bowed before extending my hand for a handshake.

"Good to hear."  Rotor accepted the grip with his gloved hand.  "Don't worry.  It's clean set of gloves.  I haven't had any work all day."

"But wouldn't it have been hilarious if she shook hands after you'd been handing a toilet, bro?"

And that would be his feisty younger brother, Skeeter.  By now the age difference was no longer noticeable.

"Skeeter!"  Rotor protested.  "Let's not gross them out with work talk."

"My man that would be HILARIOUS!"  Honey giggled.

"Don't encourage her, Honey."  Willie protested.

I believe this is where Violet would suggest we start shipping Honey and Skeeter together.

Amaterasu's Light help us.

"Bring it in, 'Rote!"  Sally pulled Rotor into a one-armed hug.  And that's something to see as Rotor was the biggest of our group.   A little heavy-set, yes, but also taller than most of us when you took measurements.

In lieu of the cliche plumber overalls and suspenders, he had designed his own "Hazard Suit".  The commander used to comment it reminded him of an actual Professor Hazard, a scientist in the field of cryptozoology he spoke of from the...other dimension that he called "N-Fans".  The yellow and black hazard stripes were unique, to say the least.  And it was effective of keeping him clean in a job that was...rather dirt and NSFW to describe in detail what he often fished out and flushed down.

"Before you ask, Rotor.  Not happening."

"Oh.  Gee.  That sucks.  He at least answer the door?"

"On occasion.  But..."  Mitzi turned away.

I shook my head.  I really need to get used to narrating these log entries.  But with any luck...maybe I can return the responsibility back to its rightful writer some day.

"So...this has turned out to be a real walk down memory lane."  Mitzi commented.

"Sure has.  Where's next on the list?"  Sally mused.

"Well...of course there's the Clocktower.  We know who's probably waiting there."  Mitzi smiled.  "He's likely enjoying the steaks and meat that Violet sent up for the lunar cycle."

"And...he's been okay hosting them either with only a few of the lycans in town or completely alone?"  Rotor asked.

"He's gotten used to it.  It's not the same but...I guess he wouldn't be his loveable, gluttonous self if he let something like solitude kill his appetite."  Mitzi crossed her arms and leaned up against a pole while wearing a smile.

"I could go for a bit of vittles tonight, myself."  Honey licked her lips.

"Are non-werewolves even invited?"  Rotor scratched his head after taking off his backwards ball-cap.

"Of course.  Anyone's welcome."  I clarified.

"Rock on.  It's a date."  Honey fist-pumped.

"So...the clocktower's obvious a later stop, all things considered..."  Pit reasoned.  "But if that's not our next stop.  What is?"

A moment of silence.

I think we all knew.

Like that...we turned in the direction of that place.

## Sub-Entry 255: "Nature's Humble Servant":

It took her a long time to come up with a name.

But she finally settled on Gaia's Navel Nature Preserve.

Befitting.  And Violet would point out quite the Secret of Mana reference.  Even more fitting.

It was still a ways off before it would close its doors for winter.  But for now...if the pre-mature end of the OGPX season was any indication...we'd be able to spend a lot more down time together.

She was of the same people as Sally's kingdom. But they had migrated away, having embarked on a mass exodus to find a natural land that could be their own.

As people of nature, her tribe had lived domesticated lives within the city.  But it was time they returned to their roots as druids.  As people of the land.  People of the green (plants).  People of the red (animals).  And of course, people of the earth (geomancers and elemental summoners).

But their lives would find terrible strife as no sooner did they find their land and settled for a generation or two...the mother country that our Ecotropia Kingdom was smack dab in the middle of...wanted a piece of it.  A very big piece.

If you are versed in the history of a planet our Commander researched called "Earth"...then stop me if you've heard this one before.

An indigenous people live in peace for some time.  Then...foreigners (or in this case the majority of the continent's population) show up, proposing an alliance and to coexist for generations.

But in time...the truth gradually turns into a lie as more and more people settle.  As the government (in this case, Vorostov) grows more...entitled to the land and pushes the tribe further and further from its roots, asking only for the secrets to their prosperity in return (at first).

But then the relationship sours as the mother country does not heed the advice of those who know the land and what is needed to sustain it properly.

The pushing turns to shoving.  And before long...it leads to violence...and military enforcement.  Eventually...the tribe, in light of the violent murder of their chief, is forced onto an illegal reservation at the dawn of war with another country...specifically our allies to the north known as Neo Arcadia.

Rather than let us fall into Neo Arcadia's hand...steps are taken to hide her peoples'  prison away from the world.  To allow the Allied Nations to become aware of the plight would surely be considered a war crime go against basic decency toward intelligent life.  And that would lead to cries of racially motivated hate crimes intermixed with those war crimes.  Mother Vorostov would not survive the backlash.

Fast forward to the disastrous superweapon that Vorostov created...that left their OWN capital ravaged and the whole country in shambles...forcing them to reluctantly surrender to Neo Arcadia.

The infrastructure was dismantled and the land divided up into ruined states and wasteland.  A long burning grudge between Vorostov and Neo Arcadia sizzled into a lukewarm cold war that continues to cool down to this day.  But what of this lone tribe?

Modern times.  At least 20 years after Miranda's Ekris War rebuild efforts, thanks to our own Miranda branch UCIAT.  I made the discovery of this Reservation, still in operation today and covered up by the remains of the system.

During the Raxis Fighting Tournament's intermission, I took a couple days with some volunteers to begin the migration of the Wolf Tribe off their reservation and into more prosperous lands.  Their leader...joins us as our newly created position of Eco-Science Administrator as well as our action team's Mana-channeling Warrior Druid.  Her triadic powers over fauna, flora, and elemental summons (geomancy, in general terms) would serve well.

And with her acquired wealth she would found this place.  Gaia's Navel Nature preserve.  A haven for all manner of plant and animal and learning about them as its own science center.

Her name?

Lupe Ayla Lycans.  She became fast friends with Sally and myself.  And we formed the first Team Acorn.  Before the OGPX restructured into a team sport.

The gates opened as the grey-furred wolf hybrid in the pale blue-green onesie, crisscrossing leather greaves and sandals, and other tribal accessories and trinkets appeared.  Her very black hair had been done up into its lengthy rope ponytail; sectioned off with heavy jade glass beads.  Strapped to her back was her Ecomancer's Druid Staff.  Hanging around her neck was her three-colored triangular prism--an artifact which granted her the power of spirt melding; much like Mari McCabe alias Vixen of the Justice League.

"My friends.  I welcome you with open arms to partake in nature's bounty.  Come.  We one with the breath of life and observe nature in its many forms."

Lupe was softspoken.  Often bordering on melancholic.  But she had her times when she could be joyous as well.

There was something profound and dainty about her.  She was exactly what you'd expect a druid to be like in terms of personality.  She was gentle.  She was kind.

But overall...she was patient.

"Delighted, my friend."  I bowed.

"So many of you have joined together.  A reunion of sorts?"

"And impromptu one...but somehow we all channeled the same thing.  We all just had to be here."  Mitzi shrugged.

"There is definitely something in the stars that seems to be guiding us."  I agreed.

"You don't think Madam Fate and Lady Destiny are picking up their game again!?"  Willie gasped.

That made us all grim.

"It disturbs me that our lives are being scripted again."

"Not directly...more like the net of destiny and the web of fate are influencing things around us."

"Yeah, well...coincidences snowball until it becomes obvious they're screwing with us."  Honey crossed her arms with a huff that actually blew a small puff of flame out her nostrils.  Before you ask...pretty sure none of us knew she could do that with her hybrid powers.  But then again. she did use her powers to light her footprints up on the dance-floor despite wearing high-heel sandals that should have absorbed her flames and melted off her feet.  Yeah, Violet's description.  In far more detail than she had to make it, mind you.

I'll get back to you on Vi.

Anyway...as if we needed a tour of the place.  We'd all been here off and on.  Though...it did host other memories.

"So...this was where...?"  I asked.

Lupe nodded.

"Yeah.  I'm sure he hasn't forgotten them either.  Gone back to their own Undertale AU, I'd think."

I'd file this memory under Seed of Flowey, later.  For the Commander's benefit.  He'd...probably want to remember, too.  I wonder if Goat Son had thought about Rance and Dianne recently?

How much time probably passed relative to their world?  Minutes?  Hours?  Days?  Weeks?  Months?  Years?  Decades.  Maybe...their civilization had come and gone?  Maybe we'd never meet again.  Or maybe...

No.  Don't try to see the future, Bunnie.  It's best to not know too much about what lies ahead.  You might be surprised...or disappointed.  More likely...you'd jeopardize your own future as well as others, too.

Yes...I was already grooming myself for the role that I'd eventually be asked to take on...as Daimyou, High Empress of Space, Time, and Dimension.  The check and balance to ensure the Council did not destroy our timelines as well as others with their incompetence and hubris.

"It was also where Antoine shouldn't have pushed his luck."  Sally crossed her arms with a smug grin.

"You know if he were here, he'd remind you that heroes shouldn't gloat, Miss Sally."  Gadget spoke up.

"Right right.  Let me have a moment for old times sake.  Really.  He and I have buried the hatchet.  For real, yo.  And I promise I'm not going to make it a thing.  But he has to promise to never show any romantic interest in me.  Just friends.  That's a deal-breaker, you know."

"We know, old friend.  We know.  And I will most certainly avoid punching him in the abdomen to get him in line."  I smirked briefly.

A rare dark bit of humor.  But yes...I did do that once upon a time.  It was for his own good.  I assure you.  Would I deceive?

"Such nostalgic times."  Lupe closed her eyes and bowed her head a little.

"Admittedly...it does bring me a bit of joy but..."

Lupe looked off toward her still prized field of buttercups.

"...some moments that were exceptionally painful.  And...we had to bear them.  All of us.  None of us would be able to move on."

"Yeah.  Especially the one of us who needed to the most."

"He's forgiven me for such an experience."

"Have you forgiven yourself, my friend?"

"I have...but...I still think back and feel the regret."

"As you should.  If you start to become numb to it...that is far more disturbing."

"Deep, Buns."

"Indeed."

We spent our time sight-seeing.

"Hey...isn't this where...?"

Lupe nodded, her expression saddening.

Sure enough...there was a sleeping alpha male lion.

"He...is not as active as he used to be.  I think...a little of him left when--"

We knew where this was going.

"Yeah.  I get it."  Sally knelt down to get a better look.

"Hey.  Remember us?"

Shi-Shi opened one eye.

"How long does he have?"

"I...do not wish to answer.  It is...not something I have come to terms with."

"You have my deepest sympathies, Lupe."  I offered.

"That means a lot, Bunnie.  It is...just the Circle of Life.

"He...has a pride, yes?"  Gadget asked.

Sure enough we noticed the crowd of lion cubs nearby.  They'd gotten a little older since those days.

"It would have been nice if he could be here for..."  Mitzi stopped abruptly.

"We're...all having trouble finishing sentences today, aren't we?"  Rotor casually said.

"Yeah...like the nostalgia is weighing heavy on us."  Willie admitted.

"So...it won't be long until nightfall.  We up for a cookout?"  Mitzi asked.

"Yeah.  Hope no one's ears are too sensitive to the innerworkings of a clocktower."  Sally mused.

"Some of us can turn theirs off."  Honey wrinkled her nose.

"I'll let that slide."  I was in too good a mood to take it personally.

"So.  We are in agreement?  To the clocktower next?"

It was looking like our trip down memory lane was following the path he treaded once before.

Though many years ahead elapsed...

...it was like his sandal prints were still fresh.

Perhaps it was time for a traditional celebration to strengthen our bonds as friends and as a team.

Back to the favorite place of the lycans on those special nights of the full moon.

## Sub-Entry 256: "The Darkstalker who still Plays the Cowardly Fool to Hide a Warrior's Pain":

We looked up and up and up at the towering building.

I could almost hear Violet try to shoehorn in the song lyric "Rock onto Electric Avenue.  And then we take it higher".

Mitzi might find it endearing, considering where in Neon City she lived before we recruited her.

Ah for that lone night, parked on the hillside...seeing those millions of lights come on as night fell.

All to the sounds of "The Night Begins to Shine" by B.E.R.

It's amazing how well I remember all the fine details, when it always seemed like it was more precious to our commander.

I...just internalized it better.

It was always precious to me.

I just always made it seem like I had nothing to say.

"You know big brother was always afraid of heights.  So...I was always surprised he'd go up to some place so high up."

"Yeah.  But...he always had it in him to face his fears. As did someone else we know."

"Well, Jon will be glad to hear--"  Honey started.

"Not him, you goof."  Willie scolded.

I let out a laugh.

"She knows who you mean.  We all do."

Not once had we brought up his name.

Maybe...we were just saving it to the very end.  When we could speak the name...of...who we were missing.

But...that would be almost like a cliche.  Almost like a convenient story device.

...was it?

Maybe we all wanted it. The same motivation as to why we never spoke Sonic's name in so many years since Ecotropia fell.

Respect for those who weren't with us.

Well.  I had the access keys to the place and authorization from Brooke-domou. Yeah, I don't need to do a complete review of our kingdom and its ruler...rulers.  Yeah, I should probably explain how we brought King Jacob back.

Some other time.

I suppose the palace was on the list but...circumstances would have us make a detour or two.  And of course...our trek would stretch more than a day, despite how much we tried to cram it all in.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?

"Hmm."

The door swung upon.

I could see two lawn chairs out.  But only one of them was occupied.  The sound of loud snoring could be heard.

"Are you serious?" Sally scoffed.  "Man, Sarge hasn't busted him for this kind of laziness, yet?"

"Not everybody has your work ethic, Sally."  Willie smirked.

"Careful there. You don't want to sound like our old rival, Kool Kitty."

Ugh.  Bringing up Team Kopy Kat?  Tread carefully.  I should be glad that Shishiko isn't here with us.

Although, Honey wasn't talking about her world's Kool Kitty.  She was talking about Rob Towers of the OGPX Team...now disbanded and likely serving community service for...matters.

Shishiko hadn't run into her counterpart, Sue Blu/Sue Silo...whichever it was.  I could hardly picture her as the type who'd gotten married but...y'know.  You should not speak of someone you know nothing about so frivolously.

Maybe it was for the best. Considering Fukushineko Shishiko-chan left her unconscious on the battlefield of the final battle of the Crossover Wars only for her to be arrested and deported back to our world.

Which left us with question marks about Fat Cat/Marshal Effron.

You know Violet used to joke that on some Earth realm, their counterparts were likely human voice actors. I worried when Violet got theoretically meta.  One of those things we'd never prove but...it always felt like it was true.

I think I'm developing that habit Volt had with going off on tangents.  I would wager our lost orphan probably does the same now.

It's contagious.  Just the nature of our UltraVerse makes us name-drop, geek out over nostalgic references, quote multimedia, and draw some kind of comparison to something said before.  And if we wanted to be challenged...see how many connections we can make from one reference to another to another until we had a web of people, places, and things all related through nerd culture.

Yup.  That's our universe.  That's what made our worlds unique from other takes...other AU's. Why our Undertale was different from the next in the string of them in the Axis of Realities.

Oh.

Slip of the tongue. This soon, even.  I...name-dropped that place before I was ready to talk in detail about him.

Maybe we all just a bunch of big nerds down here.  Aren't we, Undyne?

"You're doing that thing the Commander used to do when he was distracted, sensei."

'Spinning my wheels? Yes.  Yes I am."

"Can't blame you. It's on all our minds."

"Cor blimey...could you lot keep it down?"

That voice.  That accent.  I believe Earth beings called it "British" or "English".

Yeah...Jon's country of origin wasn't widely spread around.  But yeah...it was often compared to Earth's own England in Volt's research.

"Apologize, Jon-san."

"Remember when he used to say it sounded like that internet personality?  JonTr--"

I gave a blank look.

"Right.  Enough geeking out.  But you have to admit.  After seeing those videos Violet posted on Movie Night?  Yeah, he's a really funny guy."

"I take it you're rested up to start grilling?"  Mitzi folded his arms.

"Who do you take me for?"

Jonathan Lawrence Talbain. Our muscle.  Our archivist.  Our local tailor.  And a few other things around town.  But mostly those things.

He was...our Commander's son-in-law.  He married his eldest daughter, Elektra.

"I'll get started. The sooner I do the sooner happy days can be here again."

He always used that phrase when he primarily meant a full stomach.  For him...filling his belly was a task.  He always had room for more.

Our group had remained quite large and it was getting larger with each stop.

So...it finally got to be nightfall.

The sun went down.

The moon came out.

A full moon. Unfortunately he was the only werewolf who could be present.  Too many of the others had other engagements but...I'm sure they celebrated at least in some way.

The Commander...had been absent for many moons now.

I'll get to it. Promise.

For now...we feast and we listen to Jon bay at the moon.

"It is an unconventional reunion.   Just think...a lunar celebration where Violet hasn't offered to give the werewolves foot massages."  Honey joked.

She was kidding but...yeah. That's something my best friend did. We'll never understand her fetish. A princess who had a thing for werewolf paws.  I'm her best friend and I didn't get it.

"And din-din for the win!"  Jon held up the plate of steaks like he was Link hoisting a newly discovered item from a treasure chest.

"Getting into the spirit of the "nerdiness", Jon-san?"  I mused.

"Hey, Violet isn't the only one who can make a geek-out reference."  Jon started serving up the food.

"To...whatever chapter of our lives we're in now."  I tried to be my profound self but...I think I only reminded us of the previous chapter that had ended those years ago.

The next place to visit was technically the Palace...and the O'Conner residence.

But...

"I guess we go to the next place on the list."  Gadget shrugged.

"Do we...have to?" Willie complained.

I knew where our journey was going to take us.

Amaterasu help us.

It was time to go back to that place...

Why be secretive when we've already mentioned it before.

We were going back to Computer Valhalla in town.

There...his other teacher awaited.

The rabbit I called my best friend.

## Sub-Entry 257 "Back Down the Rabbit's Hole Again..."

So very little changes despite so very much changing.

Still with that obnoxious partly-animated neon tube sign out front depicting her likeness in her most smug, internet-trolling iteration conveyed in media.

Resist the urge to facepalm.

"Draw straws?"

It ended up being the only fair way to choose who..."awakens the beast".

In the end...

In a rare instance of bad luck..

"The gods have spoken."  I grimaced at the short straw.  Then I took a deep breath and sighed.

I hesitated...then rang the doorbell.

And I was greeted with another Skrillex upload to her electronic doorbell.  Specifically "Rock n' Roll (Will Take You Over the Mountain)".

"Her fascination with dub-step continues to intrigue...and annoy.  I folded my arms and knitted my eyebrows.

"It's...an acquired taste...?"  Sally shrugged.  Even she wasn't going to bail Vi out of this one.

The doors opened with a fwoosh of steam once Vi's camera system ID'ed us by facial recognition.

"Let's go--" I started before  I heard the moaning whimper.

We all looked up to see.

"........."

"What did you do this time?"  Mitzi asked coldly.

"You have to stop acting up, Mr. Dente."  Gadget also seemed lukewarm at best.

Honey just grinned and shook her head.  "The Town Pariah just can't take a break from being an A-hole.  Can he?'

Al's crocodile tears weren't fooling anyone.  Sure he was dangling from Violet's flag pole by his underpants as his arms and legs were bound by multiple zip-ties while he was gagged and hanging mostly upside-down.

We weren't exaggerating about him being the town pariah.  In short order, he had gotten himself deported back to Little Tokyo...and subsequently kicked back out of the country to our city kingdom all over again...in a rapid-succession take on diplomatic pinball.  As to WHAT he did to deserve it?  Best.  Left. UNSAID.  Period.  He was that awful.  That's ME saying this, mind you so you know I'm not sugar-coating it, I'm not pulling punches.  I'm just not having it.

"Whatever you did to tick her off...suffer on your own time.  Don't get us involved."  Rotor growled as we all headed in and ignored his pleas.

Granted, two wrongs don't make a right.  We shouldn't be so terrible to him just because he was terrible but...if we didn't do that...he'd only get worse in his behavior.  It was bad enough we could only keep him from getting worse.  Making sure he understood there WERE consequences to his actions just barely curbed his behaviors.

But I suppose that's the price we all paid after Little Tokyo's prime minister was permanently disposed of following his acts of high treason, grand theft of the royal treasury, megalomania, and attempting to wipe the whole city off the map with a super-weapon that pulled a comet out of orbit.  In short?  Yeah...trying to be  supervillain was bad.  Trying to be a supervillain and failing miserably REALLY put you in the dumpster. A dumpster fire of flaming body waste...

Without Seymore Cheese to be a lightning rod for everyone's contempt...Dente found himself trying to curb the lesser crimes of the city and started instating unpopular security policies to ensure another "Big Cheese" and his "Gorgonzola Gang of Ninja Crow Yakuza" wouldn't rise again.

He overdid it.

Violet became less and less amused and the people's complaints snowballed until they were overwhelming.  And this came at a time when Violet was not in a good place...especially with us and her threat of seceding from Neo Arcadia.

Garfield Arcade seized a rare opportunity to kill three birds with one stone.  First quell the unrest of Little Tokyo, Edoropia.  A pacified Vi was an easier to handle Vi.  Then recruit her to our team.  She was too valuable an asset to just keep on the throne as an unwilling figurehead.  Finally...get her away from Al Dente before she snapped.

When he fainted from seeing her sign that contract?  Garfield had her hooked and reeled in for life.

Since then Alfred Matthew Dente spent all his effort traveling to our city to try and drag Violet back home...while getting EXTREMELY passive-aggressive with us over our security measures and law enforcement practices.

I think it was the first time our friend, the border patrol cop, Hyperion was actually pushed to assault someone.

Only in recent years did Brooke-domou decide she had enough and start instilling the fear of Gehenna into him...when that stopped being effective?  She started deporting him.  One time this was accomplished by physically throwing him clear across the ocean and to the next continent.  Yes. As the fiendish daughter of an all powerful demon-lord, Omnitaru?  Her true power was immeasurable.

Well.  Enough about Violet's constant pain-in-her-tush. Let's brace for ours...

"Still hasn't changed the music track on the foyer?"  Mitzi asked.

"Aww come on. Tron Legacy closing credits is a classic."

"I take it Daft Punk is considered classical music in Technopolis?"

"Don't knock the old school, Honey."

Violet definitely knew the art of presentation, showmanship, and atmosphere.  The audio cues fit hand in hand with the abundance of 1980's neon and display.  Blacklight-lit poster and other staples of the Reaganomics era flooded the inside of the so-infamous-it's-famous (And vice-versa) combination of video arcade, cosplay cafe, comic-and-manga-shop, video rental, and absolute brothel of materialism spanning at LEAST four decades of nerd culture.

And all of it littered with actual props stolen off of movie sets after she had gotten herself repeatedly banned from various movie studios and filming locations.

As if that could keep her out let alone keep her from hot-fingering items.

I facepalmed as I saw the 1/10th scale, working Gundam in the center of it all.  Jang was going to want this back.

"She stole Wing Zero?"  Rotor's jaw dropped.

"She stole Wing Zero."  I deadpanned.

"We're going to have a talk with Marcel, aren't we?"  he asked.

"Who else could help her steal something like this?"

"Well...the grandson of Arsene Lupin or Carmen Sandiego--"  Rotor started before he realized Mitzi was being rhetorical.

"She probably bribed him with another theft of Dente's place.  Especially after he blew his paycheck on some expensive crap...on a whim to prove that he's not a tightwad and that he could be "coooool". Sally shrugged.

"Failed on both accounts."  Honey crossed her arms.   "Marcel probably sold his stuff online before he knew it was gone."

"Enough comedy." I reigned in the insanity. "Let's just sign in and get it over with."

We each signed in with the "Red Quill".  Violet couldn't get enough Matrix references.  And somehow she mixed them with references to Captain N, Soul Eater, and the Wizard.  If you read the first Project Lost Dreemurr report...you probably know exactly how.

"My my..." Violet did her best attempt at sounding like Bureaucratic Model 3rd Class, Megaman Juno of Cattalox Island on Terra.

"Think very carefully before you make an error you'll regret."  I warned.

An amused chuckle.

"Aren't we pre-maturely pre-emptive and hostile?"

"You know why, best friend."  I remained deadpanned.

There she was seated at that Dr. Claw-inspired swivel chair behind that desk that she probably stole from Johnny Arcade's Video Power show back when it was on the air.  I know she already had the cartoonishly big light switch from his old set.

That massive wall of 8K LED TV's forming a bank of monitors wrapped around the back of the desk as she leaned back in her chair, back to us.

"Will you please let us change our passwords already.  Some of those are really personal and embarrassing."  Rotor cringed.

"And some we might have to hit you for..."  Willie cracked her knuckles.

Our pleas feel on deaf ears.

"So.  I take it you're not here for Super Saturday Resurrection?"

So Violet's actually bringing back that old Putt-Putt Golf and Games arcade special?  Five GP gets you three hours of unlimited tokens and a slice of pizza.  That's a really good deal.  Especially to parents who want to keep their kids out of trouble.

...or adults who just want to show these rookie gamers how it's done, as Honey and Willie would agree was the case.

"Violet."  I stated.  Not angry.  Not annoyed. Just that certain way that she understood what the score was.

"It was a good run of subtle trolling."

Violet whirled around in the chair, tenting her hands.

"Well now. I had a Morpheus speech prepared from Matrix Resurrections...but eh.  Let's just get right down to it.  You guys want to game or what?"

"Maybe later, Vi. We're here--"

"Because something has drawn us all together.  Yeah, yea, yeah.  I can follow the signs too, Buns."

I wasn't able to explain it but...I could tell that Violet was still in denial about...yeah.

Vi...Vi didn't take losing friends well.  Whether to death...or by moving away...or in his case......just letting them go back home.

She took it the second hardest of us all.  It was a genuine surprise to her of all people.  Smartest person in our operation save for Dr. Lynx.

So yeah.  Violet.  Crass. Self-indulgent to the point of peacock-ing.  A special kind of arrogant.  Constantly finding something to be amused of.  Someone who loved to screw the rules because she had money.  And of course...the ultimate internet troll. And she was our global internet administrator.  I couldn't list the ways she abused her power just for the "LULZ".

Violet was impossibly intelligent.  A level which could be downright intimidating when it set in who and what you were up against.  Her hybrid ability of organic number super-computing only amplified this.

Violet was brilliant but often twisted.  A self-proclaimed firecracker.  An anti-hero at times.  How could I best sum her up?

She played a fool to downplay her staggering level of talent and brilliance.  She had learned early on how to lure her enemies into a false sense of security and superiority before she sprung her trap and left them looking quite foolish and frustrated before she drove the metaphorical knife in through the heart.

Things to know about Violet. She was a princess.  She was rich...like...stupid rich (Her words, exactly).  She was eccentric.  Vi was CONSTANTLY looking for ways to amuse herself.  She kept you off balance with never knowing if everything is a joke to her.  Her degree in psychology made it easy for her to manipulate and influence just to get the reaction she wants.  And not even for materialistic gain or anything.  Just to know that she can...and did.

Violet's fetishes and kinks were numerous.  Mostly centering around an obsession with feet.  Especially anthro feet and paws.  And especially revealing footwear--namely sandals.  Always with the sandals.  So much so she had more sandals in her wardrobe than both a factory AND a warehouse of women's shoes combined.

For all her weaknesses, though...she had just as many redeeming traits.

While it was true she considered rivalries and trolling the path to making new friends...her rules about making friends and keeping friends were pretty solid.  And surprisingly noble.

So many clues--both subtle and not--would tip you off that Violet Tokugawa's soul alignment was integrity. Sure she could manipulate the truth or flat out lie when it served her......there was an honesty to her philosophies and her own self-expression that made her one of the truest people in existence.  All the smokescreens and acts she could put on?  When all was said and done...someone like me could see down to the real her. And what I saw was more honest in one moment then most people could be in their entire lives.

Maybe Weird Al Yankovic's "Perform This Way" could summarize her mentality in a way.  She wasn't really crazy.  She just performs this way because it's her expression of who she feels she is inside.

It was as they say: artists create lies to tell the truth while politicians create lies to cover it up. Violet lived by this credo more than any of us.  And she was a princess who despised politics as much as our commander.

"So, you done monologuing about that journal entry you're writing, Buns?"

Did I mention she comes from a VERY "meta" land?  Edoropia was often called the kingdom where EVERYONE drank from the poisoned well.  ESPECIALLY its emperor, empress and princess.

In a way...in a city where everyone came across as completely mad...someone like Violet had the power of super-sanity.  I can't even begin to explain that...define it...describe it...give an example of it. It's just...complicated.

"Eh.  You don't have to answer.  Well, the tokens are on me for the next hour for whoever wants to rot their brains with good old nostalgia.  You will have to pay for your own redemption games, though.  I'm not giving prizes out for totally free!"

As rich as she was? She still gouged you with her prices.

Doesn't she have much in common with Muffet?  And yet Muffet identified more with Mitzi when it came to the cooking aspect. Yet...only a few citizens of Miranda really has much to say when it came to not stopping until you get enough. Was it so difficult to believe that greed could actually be a good thing at times?

Well.  Leave it to Marcel and others to exemplify that.  And then rob you blind.  As long as...someone was coming out on top?

Yeah, I'm not making it work this time.  But oh well...wisdom gained, yes?

"So.  Here for the show?"

"What show--"

"Rotor, NO!" Sally warned too late.

"Here we go..." I deadpanned.

And out went the lights and down came the spotlight.  I swear Violet mastered the art of quick-change showmanship.

And we were treated to Violet performing a full re-creation of Cindi Lauper's "Good Enough" video that tied into the Goonies movie; complete with actual appearances from certain WWF Superstars we knew from the world of Hulk Hogan's Rock N' Wrestling.

She went all out.

Even down to the bone pipe organ that conveniently dropped Al Dente into...probably parts unknown that we probably shouldn't ask about.  But more likely we probably shouldn't ask how he got down from his punishment from outside and made it into the building.

That man is shameless and relentless.  He's been trying to drag Violet back to Little Tokyo for ages, now.  All while intent on leaving us with a very big...I believe Violet referred to it as the "double deuce".  You know which rude gesture she means, right?  If not, I refuse to clarify.

How she got the pirate ship inside is another matter I'd probably end up addressing later.  I at least knew where it came from this time.  Perks of owning that museum that the Golden Condor was stored at, yes?

Though you can't see it? I am smirking.

So yeah...rather than give the specifics and the lyrics to the show, I'm just going to hope you know the song in question or can look it up on the internet at your leisure.  Violet would joke that we don't have the budget to afford the license or Cindi Lauper's royalties.  Which is a blatant lie.  She means anyone who isn't HER can't afford the rights and the royalties.

Anyway...enough humoring her meta-jokes.

"Very impressive.  I thought I was the only one who nailed Cindi's trademark hiccup-yelps." Mitzi crossed her arms but with a smile.

"I'm a woman of many talents, Triple-M."

A prod at her initials. Violet used to say you know it's Mitzi Minerva Mozzarella's cooking when you go "MMM...!!!" Surprisingly cute and more surprisingly high-brow from the likes of Vi.

So I guess with that bit of strangely pleasant...of course she'd do her usual bit.  A bit she normally saved for her personal laboratory at the UCIAT building.

Led off of course by some WWE superstar's entrance which had some of the older school wrestlers scratching their heads.

At least I convinced her not to scare people with Bray Wyatt's even creepier return after a long absence.  Violet mused that we didn't know what kind of man we'd be dealing with...but we were going to...

Foreboding.

Ahem.  So of course she went with...let me see if I've read her notes right........the first instrumental part of Elias' new song--accompanied by Matt Riddle on bongos--before it was interrupted by Seth 'Freakin' Rollins.

Never let it be said Vi's finger isn't on the pulse of what's new and what's recent in her pro-wrestling shows.

"Vi, this is impressive and all but--"  Rotor started before she started distracting herself with various things around Computer Valhalla.

From the golden Easter Egg from Ready Player One (ironic since Vi HATES Festival of the Rabbit/Easter with a passion...but she loves her video game references, so it balances).

"Violet, come on. We don't have time for this." Mitzi scolded.

"Now, now.  Let's see what she's got."  Sally grinned.

"Oh?  You mean like how I insist that you...got to get SCHWIFTYYYYYY...?"

I facepalmed.  The Commander would blow his top over her so casually referencing Rick Sanchez again.

"I LIKE WHAT YOU GOOOOOT!"  Sally finished the quote.

"Sally-chan!"

"This is getting us nowhere." Willie groaned.

"I'm loving this!" Honey giggled as she and Jon joined in on the stupidity.  The baka quartet strikes again.

"Ohhh brother." Willamina joined Mitzi, Rotor and I in the head-shaking and face-palming.

Everyone else...just kind of stayed out of it.

"You done yet?" I asked.

And no sooner had I, Violet was already rolling a large pipe organ out of a secret wall panel.

And before any of us could protest she belted out Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor." All.  Ten.  Minutes. Worth.

"She's showing off, right?"  Gadget asked. No, genuinely asked.

"Oh how I wish she weren't."  I replied.

Her skill with ANY kind of keyboard was off the charts.

"I'm going to stop you here, Vi before you even think of putting us through a simulation like you used to do with the Commander and--"

That...actually made Vi clam up a bit.

"Spoilsports."

The truth was she was out of ammo, if she was following simulations based on Mega Man games. She's been through essentially all seven universes--classic, X, Zero (Z), ZX, Battle Network, Star Force, and Legends.  She had nothing really left to raid except Mega Man X-Over.  And...I don't think she was desperate enough to tap the game with the Rock variant with the "overcoat armor" that literally plays itself on a tablet.  I can see now why Flash games are dead.

"Vi I think we all know what this is about, so--"

"Let's just get to the point."  Vi cut in, actually deflating a lot.  It sounded like I had inadvertently hit a nerve. And...she did just quote Sans the Skeleton.

Not going to lie.  She was in denial.

Well.  Got my wish.  Silence for quite a bit.  Dead silence.

Until finally...

"Why didn't anyone stop him from staying behind?"

I think...she finally decided to skip the other steps of grieving and go straight to acceptance.

"You know we couldn't do that, Vi."  I replied.

"But...it's not fair..."

"To whom?" I followed up.

Violet had nothing to say to that.

"I know...it sucks losing friends."  Mitzi started.

"And...let's face it. You've always acted like you don't have that may to lose.  But you have all of us.  And more."  Willie followed up.

"Is it arrogant to remind that we're your world, best friend?"

Vi sighed and then pouted for a bit before begrudgingly muttering.  "The world is not enough..."

I don't know if she was genuine saying that or just referencing the James Bond movie of the same name.  Admittedly...it was a song that Asriel liked, as well.  He did wonder why the group that sang it was named "Garbage" though.  Just another quirk of those of  Undertale...somehow or another someone's going to make a reference to "trash" or "being trash".

I do not think I 'll understand why Undertale residents don't consider being called "trash" as insulting as it should be.

After a what seemed to be an impasse with Vi.....it was Gadget who said something surprisingly poignant.  And of all things...it had to be a movie quote.

"The needs of the many..."

"...outweigh the needs of the few."  Violet finished, with a sob...before suddenly hugging me out of nowhere.  And from there...just let the tears flow.

I spent a while...comforting her while everyone else gave us our space.

In time...I calmed my best friend down.

"Vi...you're at least in better shape than...!"

"Yeah...I know the whole sad story.  So.  We made up our minds?"

We nodded.

"I guess we pay a call of the boss before they day is over."

Nods all around.

"As long as we're all in agreement..."  Violet gave her best Chris Hemsworth impression.  Specifically Thor.

"...let's drill him properly this time."  She cracked her knuckles.

Pleasure before business, Vi.  Wait a minute...did I actually just say that?

No matter.

We had another few stops to make.

## Sub-Entry 258: "Vanishing Psychic Painter and Colonel Super-Weapon..."

Things were technically...out of order.  Pretty sure we should have visited here before Violet.  But...at least we visited here before the Royal Palace.

There was no other way to put this but...meet the parents.

\*knock knock knock\*

It was actually Scott who answered the door first.

"Hey."

Honestly, I don't know what I was expecting but...actually I was expecting him to answer the door in his old combat fatigues.

I suppose he finally overcame his PTSD.  He was finally leaving his army days behind him.  He'd finally forgiven his home country of Vorostov.

"Colonel O'Conner."  I saluted.

It actually took him a moment to remember to return the salute.  This was a huge change.

In the past...he ate, slept, and breathed military protocol.

Now...I guess he was happy just being....well...."just being".  Pardon my incomplete grammar.

"I know this can't be an intervention.  I've long since recovered from Vorostov and the post-Conflict days."

"No, no.  Nothing of the sort.  Nothing like that.  It actually concerns..."

I stopped short.

"Oh yes.  By all means.  Please.  Come in."

And our sizeable group were now guests inside Casa de O'Conner.

Scott and Callista had been married for some time now.  But she still kept the maiden name on her business cards and in casual conversation. It was rare anyone called her "Mrs. O'Conner" or "Dr. O'Conner".

It was and still is "Dr. Brighton".

"If you are waiting for Callie, she'll be along.  She just has--"

The sound of several violins playing an outright concerto interrupted.

"...to finish up her daily practice."  Scott finished.

"How many strings this time?"  Violet mused.

"Um...pretty much a quarter of an entire orchestra.  I think she's trying to push to a full orchestra.  Really intent on making her already amazing psychic powers even stronger and more in control."

That sounded like Callista Brighton.  As much of an overachiever as any of us.

"You know, under any circumstance, this many people visiting would be completely unexpected but...as if by a vision or a dream from last night...Callie was practically expecting you all.  Though...talk is cheap.  I guess her actions really hammer it home.  Who would believe she knew there'd be enough people to partake in..."

Scott come back from the kitchen with a pie...a pie of intimidating size and familiar scent.

"Surely this is Lady Destiny at work."  I observed.

"Yeah the good one knows how to spice up her life."  Violet then paused.  "And don't call the Colonel Shirley."

I walked RIGHT into a Leslie Nielson joke.

"If things had been different..."

Scott set down the pie and started dividing it up after taking a moment to put on a "Kiss the Cook" apron.  It was actually Callie's and she actually did the baking but...

"I'd be a five-star general in Vorostov's high command...Neo Arcadia would probably be burned to the ground...who can say.

And..."

Scott's gaze lowered. "Knowing that now leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.  Chances are...I'd never met Callie and I would probably never become a father. Even if somehow Asriel did find his way into my life...I now know he'd be the son of...the bad guy."

Scott never really did forgive himself for his old prejudices.  But we all assured him that it was the military and all the nationalist propaganda talking.  He was practically brainwashed from birth to hate us and...now he didn't.  And he regretted that everything he knew was wrong. It took him so much of his life to turn it all around.

That's why he fit into Miranda perfectly.

This was his second chance.

Much as Callista fled Neo Arcadia as she nearly collapsed under the weight of her own fame.

When you advance research into the brain, cure as many ailments of the nervous system, and quantum leap the applied science of psionics and practical telekinetic and telepathic research...when the whole country appreciates you so much that they found a city named in your honor...when privacy is a disappearing commodity?  Yeah...it's time for a fresh start.

It's time for a second chance to live humbly.

Two very different souls that somehow found common ground.  A soldier.  And a doctor.

One had a reputation to live down after being disgraced.  One lost her way after having to live up to so many expectations for a reputation that was out of control from the fame and fortune.

We each took a slice of pie.

Mitzi and I were the first to notice, though Jon smelled the scent before ANY of us could.  He was...just stunned that much more than us.

"This was...his favorite...wasn't it?"

"It was." Scott looked off to the side. "Every so often...Callie is inclined to bake one.  And...she sensed that she should make an extra large one for company that would show up today."

"The Doctor is...defying her age, it seems."  Lupe spoke up.

It was...kind of a surprise she would say this so casually.  But...a life force empath would know.  She...had her own reservations to deal with when it came to her old friend, Shi-Shi the Lion.

"You...remember when Violet showed the Fantastic Four sequel and that scene with Sue Storm having to make a pimple invisible for the next eight hours?"  Scott was getting better at making references.  He was fitting in just fine with us, it would seem.

"I see where this is going."  Violet rolled her eyes.  I glared at Vi before I realized what the implication was.

"How is she?"

"Still vibrant but..."

Just go ahead and say it.

"It's more than one grey hair now."  Scott spoke as the music stopped.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting."

Yeah...Callista's youth was starting to fade as all humans' did eventually.

But I could tell she was holding back the dam, so to speak.  She was psychically keeping her looks in what I could only describe as a...slow, and painful bleed out.

It would probably be another couple of decades before...even that would give up the ghost.

"You don't have to pretend like the walls are lead-lined.  Which they're not.  I know the conversation for the last ten minutes."

Callista entered.  The doctor was...still dressed the same in the usual variation of a white blouse, peach skirt, crystal-clear stiletto-heel strappy sandals, and wearing her red hair in a Princess 'Peach' Toadstool style. Honestly...she looked more like the brunette version of her from the old Super Mario Bros. Super Show and Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3.

Only...now it was greying.

"Well to borrow a quote...do not grieve.  For I shall soon be one with--"

"Callie.  Don't joke about that."  Scott was noticeably rattled, thinking about it.  "We should discuss this when we don't have company."

"What is to discuss? I have already given my blessing that when it's my time, you may move on and find someone else.  Just as long as she makes you happy as I have."

This was...somewhat dark conversation.  But...I could tell Callista-hakase had long since come to terms with it ages ago. She foresaw these days coming.

"Well.  Aren't we going to talk about our son?"  Callista sat down as her entourage of stringed instruments had followed her into the room by her own telekinesis.  They drifted past several easils of completed oil and acrylic paintings and large numbers of paints and supplies. She then lowered each instrument back into its respective stand or case.

I slapped Violet hand before she reached for the cello.  I didn't have to be psychic to know she was going to try to reenact Peter Venkman in Dana Barrett’s apartment during the second Ghostbusters case; the Vigo the Carpathian one.

As funky as an ice-breaker that would have made...it just felt rude and inappropriate.

I digress.  Callie already knew what this was about.

I sighed for a moment.

"How are you...feeling, Callista-hakase?"

"I think the question you want to ask, Master Bunnie is...how am I holding up after Asriel left our humble abode?"

".............."

I was speechless.  All of us were.

"You needn't worry about us.  A father's and a mother's role in raising their child is temporary.  He will always be our son and we will always be our parents. However, he has been old enough to be his own man for a while.  We gave him exactly what you said to, Master Rabbotou.

Roots.  And wings."

Ever the callback...yeah. This conversation was hitting all the familiar bells and chimes.  It was stirring up a vibe that was making it hard to remain unflappable.

"You're handling it better than some of us."

Callista took a slice of pie for herself.

"This one was my masterpiece...it would have been something else to hear him tell me I outdid myself.  But...I'm giving myself too much credit.  I don't think I can ever hope to match Toriel's.  But...I guess Mitzi and I came the closest.   Rather...we would have if Toriel's son hadn't surpassed her.

Asriel...Asriel made the best version out of all of us.  He'd deny it. But we both knew."

It was weird that Callie was speaking of Toriel as if they'd only seen each other yesterday.

Well.  Now we were talking about Asriel's real parents.  His birth parents.  And they technically weren't even his; they were another Asriel's...another timeline's.  That Asriel was now a soulless murderflower named Flowey.  And Flowey was now like a pet in our Asriel's care.

"It's okay to have a good cry about missing one ones you love.  But...also...you have to have faith that they're doing well...that they're happy where they are."

"Your wisdom rivals my own.  I am relieved that you both have kept a healthy perspective on this."

"Callista is a rock in all this...I have...moments that I'm...not as fine with things." Scott admitted.

I was certain that Callista did as well...but she was similar to me.  She took it upon herself to maintain the illusion that she was unbreakable.  She kept that brave face up practically 24/7.  That ability to internalize everything.

That was what our Commander certainly lacked.  And...now it was about to be obvious how much he probably wished he could hide it.

"So...you...are going to try again?"

"And again.  And again.  And again."  Mitzi was direct.  "We're not letting him go that easily."

"If you'll excuse me borrowing a phrase...he has to...face the music."

For Sally to bring up the two Great Ones of San Dimas so casually?  And without a lighthearted tone...?  Yes.

They were fully intent on stuff getting real if it had to.

Now the question is...would we all have the heart to follow through with it?

"Well then.  Let us get dressed proper and we will meet you at the palace."

"Indeed, Callista-hakase.  I have made the arrangements and Brooke-domou will be expecting us."

Well.   Last stop before the end.

## Sub-Entry 259: "No One Calls Her Brookie-Cookie (And Lives)":

I know Violet tampered with my log by this point.  And likely she brought up that nickname that our Queen has explicitly forbidden.  No one says it, writes it, or conveys it in any shape or form...and lives.  The last to do so was flayed alive.  At least that's the rumor.

Thing is, you might think I am exaggerating and blowing it all out of proportion.

I only wish I were.

Brooke-domou grants no such mercy.  Just ask Chameleon, that fateful night he attempted to prove she wasn't...er.............all natural, let's just say.

How undignified.

I was told after he managed to get himself out of the dumpster clear across town that she thew him into...with intense physical therapy, Chameleon was able to walk again.

I should probably explain Miranda's surliest independent bounty hunter and exiled prince of the Septus.

But not this time around. Soon.  Just not yet.

Right now?  The one who made our lost orphan a citizen of our fine country.

Our own Queen Brooke Canciaris.  Like Rachel "Raven" Roth (Triple-R.  Such a coincidence.)...she had her own paternal shadow looming over...or rather under her.

Omnitaru...the less I explain the better...and the safer that you, the reader, can consider yourself. Just know...that if you ever met this almost all-powerful super mega demon...you will pray to be out of your misery once he gets hold of you.  Brooke's father is a piece of work and then some.  And as far as we knew...still banished from our dimension....or he just had no interest in returning.  Yet.

The guards stepped aside as I presented the document with the royal seal and Brooke's on signature.

We were expected.  I had my ways of arranging in advance.  But just as a backup...I made sure to bring the sake and takioni.

It...technically wasn't a formal meeting like...the last time this went down but...

...I could sense it.

She was nostalgic, too.

"Ultra Crew Institute. This is unprecedented."

"Well.  You know us.  Just have to drop by to say hi to--"  Sally covered Vi's mouth.

"Let us dispense with the pretense."  I cut in.

"I believe we both are on the same page, my friend."

Queen Brooke rose from her throne.  King Jacob was not present as he had diplomatic affairs to tend to in Augustgrad. Nothing I need concern myself with.

I had dropped into my most formal of kowtows.

"Bunnie.  That is unnecessary."  Brooke pulled me up.  I think I heard Gadget actually gasp.

"I think we know why we're all here."

"Yes.  The past is indeed like a boomerang as you have said before.  It will return to you.   And yet...one piece of it remains, yes?"

"A piece that shaped all our lives.  We might as well admit that our great project, the Lost Dreemurr is on our minds."

Brooke had passed by some of the lavish paintings and display pieces of the throne room.

"I made this same walk...when I granted a favor and took a chance on a great unknown.  I spoke of Ekris.  I spoke of war.  I spoke of a time when Miranda...when our kingdom sadly could not deny that allies were a rare commodity.  We intimidated the world.  We had also made enemies with the world.

My reputation alone contributed to much of what motivated outsiders to ostracize us.  And yet...

Neo Arcadia offered the olive branch without conditions.  You were but five core members when you began in our town, decades ago.  You redesigned our power grid and rebuilt it from the ground up.  You brought with you this new thing called the "Internet". You did so much.  You established a place to call your own.

When the time came, you started volunteering to be my...unconventional, and often unofficially sanctioned problem-solvers for those...touchy situations.  Situations that could potentially become and international incident.  You proved to be covert.  You proved to be loyal.  You proved to be efficient.  And you brought a comfortable, luxurious peace to our doorstep.  You made your stance clear to the world.

And most of all...you helped us solidify our reputation as the City of Second Chances.

Many of you...know this pain...this redemption as well as we do."

My memories of my own past stirred.  I was sure my friends experienced similar.

Brooke-domou had described us in a similar context as </Scorpion>...as the Phoenix Foundation (formerly the Department of Xternal Services)...as F.L.A.G. through the Knight Foundation.   Organizations that operated for the express purposes of anti-terrorism, unconventional problem-solving, black ops missions that remained off the books, and diffusing touch-and-go situations.

We, like Chameleon and others in town, were contracted...essentially free-lance. While the payment was unnecessary...sometimes it did serve its own purpose.  Really...we were just in it to make the world a better place.

"We live to serve the greater good, Brooke-doumou."

Brooke stared out the glass stained window.  Why the decorative one and not one of the ones that could be easily seen through? I could not explain.

"In the name of peace and sanity?"

I stopped short at that. She remembered such a quote...a reference from long ago.  The War Doctor, yes?  I would have to confirm that but...

...the conversation was with another.  With him. Our Commander."

"Has there been any change?"

"Regretfully...no. And...legally we can't do anything about it, yet.  It's a complicated matter with STC even up in arms about how they want to proceed.  We are...struggling to reach a diplomatic understanding how to proceed with their...\*scoff\*...asset."

Retirement with our Commander was a complicated affair.  A complicated...and routinely repeated one.

We pull him out or something or someone else does.  And they drag him back in sooner or later.

His research goes on.

At least...

It did.

Now?

This had long since started feeling different.  Now...we just wanted to know how we could change it back to the way it was.

Brooke frowned. "Certainly your ally...Daimyou can guide them to a proper voice of reason?"

"Promises will not be made if they cannot be made."

"I see."

"It has hit him...harder than all of us.  And while we can't blame him...we can't excuse his downward spiral. Only...understand it.  Alas...he has stopped listening to us."

"Self-pity.   A state he's put himself in before."

By now it had become obvious our Commander was...indisposed.  And he should have been with us since this resurgence of our old comrade had started.

It's time to let go.

But how do we convince him?

## Sub-Entry 260: "Best Friend...Broken":

So here it was.  The Commander's day job.

His shop.

On Earth, it would be equated to a business once known as "Radio Shack" while also being similar to a business once known as "Circuit City".

Components. Appliances.  Smart Devices.  Repair service.  Free-lance engineering.  A bit of everything.

What a grand place it was when it first opened.  By his hand, even.

However...the upkeep has...suffered.

"Anyone know how to rewire that sign over the awning?"

"I got a spool of solder and a few knickknacks in the van."  Rotor offered.

"I don't think patching the place up outside is going to help what's going on inside."

Not an inaccurate assessment.  But how could one tell when there was only dead silence.

The blinds had been pulled down on the windows.  The closed sign was hanging by one suction cup, off kilter.

The residential outside was sparking from where he shorted across the transformer windings for...personal projects.  It was okay. He was with the Miranda Power Company. At least part time.  He had authorization...somehow.

Though he probably was voiding a warrantee.

\*knock knock knock\*

Hmm.  No answer.

This no longer surprises me.

"Commander."

Silence.

"Commander!" I raised my voice, sterner.

"Hey!  Rise and shine, daylight in the swamp."  Vi cut in.

"This isn't good for you, you know.  Nermal would scold you for this behavior."  Mitzi put her knuckles to her hips.

"Dude.  You are disappointing me with your idleness." Sally crossed her arms.  "Not cool, man.  Not coooooool."

"You're scaring me, big brother.  I...I care about you...I don't want you to........"  Gadget stopped herself.  "...I don't want to you to get sick."

Yeah sometimes she forgot about the Commander's immortality.

"Give me an excuse not to break the door down, father-in-law."

That was how you KNEW Jon was serious.  He never made reference to the fact he married Elektra Coleman, Volt's eldest.

"Do I have to call you by your birth name, Commander?"  I tired playing hardball.

A moan inside.

To the untrained, it might sound like he was inebriated or dealing with a hangover.

But even as he was...our Commander could never bring himself to taste even a drop of alcohol.  The day THAT happened, I'd consider the possibility he was beyond help.

I didn't want to think about what Volt Arcade was like drunk out of his mind.  Especially after how much he condemned Rick Sanchez for his excessively excessive drinking and belching and vomiting.

I must be desperate if I risked invoking the name of the man who invented the Portal Gun and was constantly on our Ethics Committee's radar as someone to severely sanction if not have thrown in Wario Galaxy Prison.  The Sanchez-Smith family was never to be brought up in Volt's presence as the ethics violations would probably give him a temporary stroke.

"Gadget?  If you would, please?"

"I don't like going against Big Brother.  But I don't like letting him hurt himself like this, either."

Gadget adjusted the Reduction Belt and shrunk down small enough to walk under the crack under the door frame.  If necessary, between the space between atoms.

On the other side...

Gadget resized herself and unlocked the door.

"It's technically not breaking though we are entering."  Violet mused.

Cobwebs.  Dust.

I knew he kept his place cluttered but he never left it filthy.  Clean but disorganized.  That was how he always rolled.

Jon sniffed around.

"As if I have to point out where he is..."  Jon wrinkled his snoot.

We all headed toward the back.

And there...underneath mounds and mounds of schematics and unfinished circuit boards...

"Commander."

There was no mistaking the black hair and the gold fur with white sections.

I cybermorphed an arm, extended it like I was Reg from Made in Abyss and yanked him out.  Hard.

"UNGH!!!" He crashed into the floor with a pained grunt...but otherwise...that was about it.

Still in his silver karate gi.  He wore a white button-up shirt with a collar underneath the jacket.  It was a faded pale blue one this time and not buttoned completely up like it normally was.

Missing...was his signature solid color necktie.  It wasn't like the time in the first Lost Dreemurr era when he took it off and threw it to the wind; that was just his retirement.

And it wasn't like the "Next" era when he left it on a tree-branch on a whim, after we finished camping.

This was different. This was him being...incomplete.

"We have to talk." I bent down over him until our noses were practically touching.

"There's nothing to talk about."  He replied.

This was so awkward. He should be writing this log from his point of view.  He should be telling his side of the story...not letting me assume I know it. And besides...our side of the story should be harsher.  Even though we didn't have the heart to come down on him like he needed.

It was just as bad if we force fed him the bitter medicine as it was for him to continue to refuse it.

"Oh gods save the Queen..."  Jon pinched his nose shut.  "When did you shower last!?"

Volt did not respond.

I could still see the tear stains from where he cried himself to sleep the previous night.

"You know this is far more disappointing than it has to be.  At least when you were last broken, Adonis did it to you.  What this is?  You did to yourself.  And it is far worse than anything he ever did.  Do you want his legacy to be that he won in the end without lifting a finger?"

"...don't...take it there....Major."

His voice was so weak.

"You know, you're right, boss.  She doesn't have the guts to take it where it REALLY needs to go."  Violet shoved me aside.  I'd let that slide.

"I was saving this as psychological ammo for if we ever had to snap Goat Son out of it before the whole thing with Stanley Ipkiss...but...

This isn't. What.  He.  Would. Want."  Violet spelled it out.

Holy smokes what a place to go.  You'd need a submarine for a blow that low.

"God...DAMMIT!" Volt actually bared his fangs.

He attempted to claw a hand out toward Vi's neck...but he came up short...his claws actually extended...and sparking weakly.

"You finished?" Vi asked, un-phased. "Okay."

"You're not yourself, big brother."  Gadget grabbed his wrist.  The current died down immediately.  Even Volt wouldn't risk shocking his sister.

"Why don't we get to the point of what this is about."  Sally leaned up against the shelf, crossing her arms.

"If this is payback for us abandoning you back then, none of us have any right to complain. But...it's just not warranted as it is."  Sally shook her head.  "If you're lashing out because you want to settle the score for what we were forced to do, I won't stop you from decking me one.  It's a debt I've let fester for long enough.  I would not blame you for giving me a black eye.  You know that.

But come on.  Just because you miss him?

That's not a fair deal to us or him."

Sally was unusually straight about this.  None of her Technopolis lingo.  None of her cocky brand of being a little arrogant that always got Volt's attention with how much he disliked peacock-ing.

"Is this a pre-emptive rebellion against the Council should they try to serve you another Burn Notice?"  I asked, even though I could clearly tell it wasn't.

I knew better. Also...for me to reference an old USA TV series like that?  That had to at least make him do a double take.  I remember when it used to be easy...for me to bring up the likes of Lorenzo Lamas in Renegade or Adrian Paul in Highlander for him to practically lose his composure in the 90's.  Because it was so out of character for me to reference television so readily.  And I think he actually kind of liked both of those shows.

I am so not used to going outside my comfort zone like this with geek culture and fandoms.

But right now I was trying to drag him out of the comfort zone he decided on.

"Retirement's supposed to be the golden years, y'know."  Willie figured making a jab at his fur color might do something. Clearly she should have let Honey make the wisecracks.

"Commander...you know it's only a matter of time before Brooke-domou has us take official action...or before she does so personally."

"Then--"

"Going to stop you there.  You saw how effective Photoshop Flowey's attempts to end you were.  Even though she could send you careening down to the depths of Gehenna, it still wouldn't kill you."  Violet shook her head.

"Is it so much to let me be forgotten."

"Yes.  Yes it is."

"Volt.  You've become like Asriel was when you first found him."

Oh gods.  That was a savage one, Lupe.  I didn't know you had it in you.

"Now it's my turn to ask...are you...all...finished...?"

It looked like a standoff. He wasn't budging.

"Yes.  Yes, I believe we are."  I stood up and closed my eyes.

"Come, my friends. He is not ready."  Bunnie lead the way out.

"Come back to us, will ya?"  Sally scoffed.  "You're being a real kill-joy."

"You are surviving. But you are not living." Lupe followed, staying by Sally's side.

"Nermal taught you better than this."  Mitzi shook her head.

"Hmmph. Coward."  Antoine retorted.  "I spit on you!  Ptooie!"

He didn't actually spit but...would that have made much difference?

"Big brother...Volt..."  Gadget just turned and left in tears.

"Even I have more pride than this."  Rotor walked away.

Once we were all out.

"You were pushed to the border of giving up on us.  You never really did even when laying in that hospital bed.  I let you hit me with that metal tray and draw blood that moment you gave me an ultimatum to leave your hospital room."

I decided to let him have it.

"Consider the debt paid."  I nailed him in the back of the head as he turned to get back in bad.

"Oooph!"

"I do not believe in revenge.  But if I have to get vindictive then I have no other options to bring you back to us."

The blood trickle didn't last long as his regeneration did the rest.

I hard Gadget gasp. I'd apologize later.

"What would he say if he came back the next day and saw you like this.  Do not tarnish his memory.  Not him.  Not Asriel Arcade."

The name was dropped.

The next thing I heard...was him sobbing...and I saw him bury his eyes in ins sleeve.

That was a distinct behavior.  One that Asriel's whole family had shown before.

What goes around comes around.

"You know where to find us."

I closed the door behind.

From there...I had no idea that Volt took one last action before he climbed back into bed.

He took the framed portrait of Asriel Tobias Dreemurr-Arcade off his wall...and clutched it close to his chest....hugging it tightly before crying himself to sleep one last time.

This is not how his legacy should end.

Something has to give.

Something...has to happen.

He needs his best friend back.

It should be so simple for him just...step off world.  To visit.

Why is it no longer?

When did it become impossible for him to help himself in this one way?  It would have kept him sane.

I see it now.

This is Madam Fate's spite at work again.

Would you really work THIS hard to deny the White Night his happiness?

Just because you were..."butt-hurt" I believe Violet would put it...you had to ruin it for him...and that reflects on us.  That hurts us, too.

"The Goddesses still paying their games?"

"Not in the capacity we're familiar with.  But I suspect Fate is at least pulling his strings."

"Why don't we just pop on over to Undertale and tell him the big "You got to come back with me" speech off of Back to the Future?"  Vi asked.

"It would be the smart thing to do.  The practical thing to do.  It would probably solve everything...except...would we really want him to return to Undertale in THIS state?

Right now we haven't even figured out how to begin his healing process.

Should that even happen...how long will it take for him to come back fully?"

Yes...you can't hurry love and friendship.  It took ages to get Asriel's mind put back together.  And he was only a child.

For an adult who's had a mid-life crisis in the midst of an immortal existence?  That I had no idea how difficult it would be.

Something had to give. Especially with this impeding feeling that something was on the horizon.

Oh well.

Perhaps tomorrow will be better day.

Perhaps.

Perhaps....

Perhaps........

To Be Continued...

## Sub-Entry XXX: "Despite Everything, Halloween Continues":

It's strange.

As grim as the situation with the Commander is...

It still doesn't stop us from celebrating when opportunity presents itself.

But...I'm getting ahead of myself.

I know interfering with future events carries greater if not normally unacceptable risk.

However...

I was going to try...key word being 'try'...to nip this in the bud early.  At the very least...make our collective intensions clear.

"Guard Post Omega 99 reporting in.  All normal.  Over."

"Copy that.  Your check-in is logged.  Continue your duties.  Do not contact us unless it is an emergency.  Our time is precious and not to be wasted by the likes of low-end pawns.  Out."

The guard scoffed as his com went silent.

"Council jerks..."

The guard didn't even notice the slight "zephyr" drift.  Had he been alert even something as trivial as a slight breeze should have at least made him look around.

But such is to be expected from the level of...discipline that the Council has instilled in their sentries.  Is it no wonder the Commander managed to breach their forces last time he was here?

Inside...

"Frustrated, dear sister?"

"I do not know what you think you are accomplishing.  This should be a clear violation of the rules--"

"And yet it is not."

"If that is all that I can cite on the record...then let me speak off the record.  I do not like what you are doing to him."

"Your white knight will survive.  Be thankful he's at least in some capacity."

"How very like you to be vindictive over the events just before you lost the last game."

"Tread lightly."  Madam Fate nearly crumpled the card in her hand.

Lady Destiny looked over her hand before sighing and drawing another from the lot.

"Hmm?"  Destiny barely uttered before she caught herself.

"A valiant effort to put on a poker face.  You've improved since the last time.  I find it...vexing I am unable to read you."

By the narrowest of margins she had evaded giving herself away.

"Well then?"

"On three."

"Three."  Fate didn't wait and spread her cards out.

Destiny's expression was grim.  "I'd expect no more."

But then her scowl turned to a sly smirk before revealing her cards.

A moment of silence.

Fate was stunned but for only  moment before...

"And to think I was worried.  Desperate gambits only get you so far.  Do you think lightning strikes this often?"

"..."

"Do as you may.  His bishop may intervene in this but any action on the playing field will still be inadequate."

"The round is over.  We will break for an intermission."

"Such an attempt to save face."

"Look who's talking."  Destiny stood up and left the room.

"Dear sister.  Will you ever learn?  It matters not what sly gambit you enact.  She cannot help her Commander no matter what she does on that little speck she calls a home planet--"

Suddenly Fate stopped short as the blade grazed the front of her neck.

"You misread the cards.  It was not an indirect gambit.  More of a direct one."

"Ohohoho...what a twist.  How delightfully interesting this just got."  Fate slid her gaze to the side...enough to see me out of the corner of her vision.

"Does this not go against your family code?  Did Shiroshi not made it clear the Rabbotou do not assassinate?  And still...even if you attempted.  Do you know how feeble an effort it would be?"

"I am aware.  A mortal has no chance felling a goddess.  This isn't an assassination.  Surely you must understand that."

"Oh?  Then this is...?"

"Just a message."

"Well then.  You must have no fear risking your future self...do you not, Bunnie Rabbotou?  Or shall I call you...Daimyou?  The White Knight's saving grace.  His prize Bishop in his tree of chosen pieces to serve under him."

"You of all people understand the value of risk.  Without risk there is no reward.  And you plan on rewarding yourself without accomplishment.  You've been doing so for months now with the tears and suffering of our Commander."

"Quite an accusation."

"One with basis now that I have heard it straight from the horse's mouth."

"Oh my.  I guess you've been eavesdropping for longer than I had anticipated."

"Let us do away with this pretense.  How did he put it?  Oh yes.  Let's just get straight to be point."

"My, my.  Sans has rubbed off on you.  I still would have liked to know...which of you is the better teleporter--"

The katana blade actually made contact with her neck. But not enough pressure to cut.  Not that I was sure it could even cut her.

"Well then...is it going to be a singing telegram?"

"I never thought I'd meet someone with a sense of humor less appropriate than Violet's."

"The intermission doesn't end until you vacate.  You know that you're keeping your world's timeline hostage the longer we delay this, yes?"

"We have time to...kill."

"And they say you don't have a dark sense of humor."

I only narrowed my eyes for a moment before I made it very clear.

"This is merely your prelude.  Which suggests you're stalling.  Anticipating.  Waiting for an opportunity."

"Heh.  You must know that those two foolish ones has broken their game irreparably."

"As much as I detest sugaring my best friend with such a reference.  Did the players not re-enter the game despite the Jumanji console being smashed in the previous movie?  The Next Level was quite corrupted.  That seems...far too delicious an opportunity for you not to be inspired...or more likely rip off directly."

Fate laughed obscenely.

"Oh my dear...you have more imagination than I would have credited.  Am I so transparent to use something that even Violet could figure out?"

"What say we call it a flip of the coin.  Chaos doesn't give a yes or no answer...it just waits until it can surprise you in light of the probability."

"Bravo."

"That was neither admission nor denial."

"Haven't we dragged this on long enough?"

"Why the hurry?  You do not fear your sister returning and walking in on this.  After all...you've already figured it out."

"This was her gambit.  Because she knew I wouldn't listen to her."

"Now.  This comes not from her...but from all of us.  Relent on your torture of our commander.  While we will continue to hold him accountable for his part of this as I would not let Asriel reunite with him in such a sorry state...I know he's been influenced ever since we let our Lost Dreemurr return home.  Ever since we returned home."

"Amazing.  Your Sixth Sense is truly amazing.  So amazing it even sees through the veil of all the chaos I use as a smokescreen...to hide the true chaos waiting in the works.  You already know."

"And I will not spoil."

"I see now why he made you the first of his contingency plans...High Empress of Space, Time, and Dimension.  You have neutered my unsuspecting Council of Time rather well."

"They haven't suspected they've been your puppets for entire timelines now.  They think they're fighting against you, despite how easily they were tricked into making sure Adonis received your Black Knight Contract."

The sickest of sadistic grins.

I added a little pressure she knew I meant business.

"Let's be real.  At any point you could have overpowered me and ended things right here.  And yet you are content with being threatened.  You are...intrigued by my ultimatum."

"Would you also not be intrigued by the mouse that manages to inflict a fatal wound on the cat that has cornered him?"

I sneered.

"Last chance.  My terms, which are all over our collective terms in Miranda City...are non-negotiable.  Rest assured.  Whatever you think you can gain from this.  We, your lowly chess pieces will defy our roles and spoil your ending.  Have I made myself clear?"

"Clear as sake you serve to that fiend you call a Queen.  But she, too, is my plaything--"

I tightened my grip, actually threatening to crush her wrist.

"Touchy."

"Resume the game as you may.  But even a deity is not above the consequences.  I have spoken.  You have been warned.  Volt...will rise from this.  And you cannot stop their reunion."

And like that I was gone.

Fate was silent before uttering a dark chuckle just as Destiny returned.

"You seem to be in a good mood."

"I was entertained with a passing thought.  Now.  I believe it was your next move.  And...their reprieve is granted.  Let them enjoy their celebration..."

And that brings us to now as I suddenly found myself...actually no longer frustrated that I had lost the annual draw and thus Violet chose my costume.

"Colonel would be so up in arms if he saw me in this cosplay of his sister..."

I muttered taking a moment to choke down how indecently Zinogre Iris was in her Monster Hunter Rise form during the Mega Man X DiVE collab with MHR.

"Alright, Vi.  Enjoy your moment of seeing your best friend like this."

"Coming, Miss Bunnie?"  Gadget was already in costume, having chosen Riri Williams/Ironheart from the Wakanda Forever movie.

"You look great!"

"Thank you.  It's...not my first choice but...I'm sure Violet will appreciate that I honored my word."

"You'd never break your word, Miss Bunnie.  You're the most honorable person we know!"

"You are too kind, Gadget-chan."

Oh if only she knew the not-so-honorable thing I had to do to ease the pressure off her brother.

Speaking of which...

"C'mon!  Don't be shy!  This is just what you need."

"..."

I bowed my head and smiled briefly.  It was a start.

"Welcome back to the world of the living, Commander."

"I...still don't know if I'm up to this but...I'm...better than I was.  I can't explain it."

"No need to.  We're just glad you've decided to join us.....and..I'm sure Pit will appreciate your Ulysses 31 costume."

"It...actually feels easier to go out in human form for once."

"Come now.  They're all waiting for us."

En route, even Chameleon took notice.

"Guess I'm going to have to cancel that casket for you, eh, Sparks?"

I could tell Volt was making an effort but that joke was certainly trying his patience.

Violet of course decided to draw from Asriel's lot and play upon Chameleon's sense of humor.

"Shame on you for not springing for the glass coffin, lizard man."

"Glass coffin, Vi?  They really make those?  Would such a thing actually work--"  Chameleon realized it too late.

"Remains...to be seen."  Vi grinned with a giggle.

Chameleon let out a brief laugh.  "Walked into that one, didn't I?"  He admitted, showing a toothy grin.  The kind he used to have when he and Vi had their...savage but still friendly rivalry.

I wanted to say Asriel would have appreciated it but...you know.  Best not to invoke his name this soon.

"So...I really dig your Hot  Head costume.  TMNT '87 for the win."  Violet prodded.

"Oh you're cute."  Chameleon narrowed his eyes but kept his grin.  "But not as cute as you trying to pass off an older Trinity cosplay.  You think you got the figure for that much black leather?  Just like the glass coffin, your assets remain to be seen."

Annnd out come the snipes.

I cleared my throat before Violet could ready her next retort.

"Guess I get the last word in edgewise--"

I cleared my throat louder and Chameleon got the message, too.  I wasn't playing favorites.

"Right, right.  Don't get your topknot in a bind."

Truth be told, I had undone my top-knot, waist-length ponytail that even Maverick Hunter, Zero would be impressed by.  I had settled more for a hairstyle like the late Iris of Repliforce.  If anything Lupe probably would have had an easier time pulling it off than me.  But...I definitely pulled off the more-convincing hazy turquoise electric glow.  Plus the hair pieces disguised my ears rather well.

Okay, am I actually starting to defend this costume when Violet clearly chose it for its jailbait appearance?

Well, there was Sally waiting for us...rocking Equestrian Rainbow Dash cosplay.  Chameleon always joked the two of them were too similar in too many ways to be coincidence.  Asriel-kun would have appreciated the multiple colors.

Pit as Jayce from the Wheeled Warriors?  Mitzi as Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk?

I do believe this was going to be a really good Halloween.

And it wouldn't be so without the guest of honor.

Am I right, Jonathan-san?

Sure enough, Jon L. Talbain was living it up and enjoying his double birthday/Halloween party.  All while doing his best Dolph Lundgren as Ivan Drago cosplay.

"I...must break you."  He said before he bent the large piece of pumpkin bread in half and then devoured each half one after the other.

There were so many others to name, but I'd be writing the entry all night if I went into detail.

I'll at least summarize it that Antoine managed to take grand prize despite Asriel not being around to help him with his costume.

And as usual...Scott O'Conner was in his yearly Inuyasha cosplay.  It was tradition by this point.

Which left...Al Dente to get the booby prize for Worst in Show...moments before being banished from the party and deported the next morning.  I won't go into details.

For such celebration in a time when we were worried about our leader...

"You sure you can get him to take the reigns again?"  Miles asked me, sporting his 'Grown-up Shippou fox demon' cosplay, also from Inuyasha.

"Positive.  But you should give yourself credit for being able to go these lengthy periods as de facto leader of the UCIAT."

"I know...but I'm just starting to realize maybe leadership isn't my thing.  Even though it was a really long time ago...I mean...I was just a baby back then, y'know...

...but...

...I just wanted to roll around, following...him....Sonic.  My big brother figure.  He was my dad and my mom for the short amount of time I knew him..."

Miles' gaze fell, as he remembered that his parents were among the earliest casualties of Ecotropia's final day.

"We know.  We understand.  And.  We appreciate all you've done to pick up the slack while the Commander isn't at his best.  You follow your heart, young Prowler Miles-san."

Hard to believe that our AU version of Tails had that curious one extra letter in his last name that changed Prower to Prowler.  Aside from the OBVIOUS ways our variant differed from the others throughout the Axis of Realities...this was the minor quirk that kept drawing our attention?

"He'll get through this, Aunt Bunnie.  He's got all of us."

"Yes.  But I think the one person that would give him the push he needs is...a rather large question mark if..."

That might as well been a straight-out lie.  I knew what was coming but...I couldn't tell anyone what...where...and when.

"We'll just have to have faith he's strong enough without our little lost goat son."

I nodded.

"Domou arigato, Prowler-san."  I bowed before rejoining the festivities.

From there...the night went on until the early morning and we all went home.  Some of us stayed up long enough to see Al Dente escorted by Royal Guard to the harbor and be shipped off back to Little Tokyo, Edoropia.

I knew things were going to be okay.

I just...didn't feel like it, yet.

Chapter 27

Reload Part 1

Reload Part 2

Continue to Part 3

Back to Project Lost Dreemurr Final