PLDF Chapter 27

> Chapter 27: "The Rest of the Town Goes On Without Him" (Sub-Entries 261-270)
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## Sub-Entry 261: "Our Home.  Miranda.  The City of Second Chances.  Our Town Goes On Without Asriel":

It was a day or two and we all got over being mad at the Commander for the time being.

It wasn’t that we were all that mad...just disappointed.

And yet, those of us in the know...realized this was part of Madam Fate's infernal script again.

She was manipulating him one more time.  One more time in a vast sea of times she had done so.

Normally...Volt Alessandro Arcade was stronger-willed than this.  Normally he could even defy their script.  Normally...he could go off script by sheer determination.

But Madam Fate...know just when he was at his most vulnerable.

Madam Fate...knew when to twist the knife after it had been left in...and gone unnoticed.

What a metaphor, no?

I wasn't sure HOW she was doing it.  Just that she WAS doing it.

Volt should have listened to us.  He really should have listened to us.  We should have been able to keep him in the light...in the sane...in...a state that certainly wasn't...THIS.

Per my request...those in town had been asked to give Volt his space.

It wasn't always an easy one to abide by...but his daughter, Penelope-Anne...or just Penny as a nickname...had been minding the shop when we were able to get him dragged out of there by Lisa.

Rest assured, no one better than an ice/water/steam elemental to make sure he had a decent shower and cleansing.

She was a peach for sticking by his side.  I couldn't imagine how many women would have divorced Volt long ago.  But...I'd like to think--and this is coming from someone who swore a vow of celibacy, mind you--that the words 'til death do us part'  mean EXACTLY that.

I think we both knew that somehow, there were better days ahead for him.  We just didn't yet see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We both just knew it was there.

My class had let out for the day and Shishiko and Megami had taken a moment to get changed out of their Miko priestess attire and into actual casual clothes.  The latest fashion from Jang, based on pop culture.

I made sure to burn Violet's contribution of shirts that read "Hello Kinky".  I might appreciate the Gorillaz reference, but I was not about to wear the same garment that Noodle-Chan wore in the Humility video.

"Vi's shameless."  Shishiko rolled her eyes.

"Very."  I muttered.

Megami didn't say anything.

Well...to town we go and see who we'll bump into that's familiar.

One thing I can count on...as I toss down this Deku Nut and vanish in a flash...

\*BAMF\*

"Gaaah!"

Cid Padesh nearly fell in the fountain, surprised by my sudden reappearance.

"Must you do that!?"

"If I do not.  I will become rusty."

"But HERE IN THS SQUARE!?"

"One must learn to expect the unexpected.  Such is the way of the ninja."

"I'm not a ninja!"

"And that changes what?"

I was being a little coy.  A little playful.  I figured the way to stave off frustration was to banter like I was actually in a good mood.  Maybe if I put on an act long enough, I'll believe it myself.

"You have a way with making an entrance, lady boss."  Drew White crossed his arms.

"Practice makes perfect."

"So.  Our other boss?"

I shook my head.

"I'd explain how it came to this but I don't think you want to sit through the head-scratching meta commentary about the nature of our universe and the two forces that fight for control of it."

"Don't ask, don't tell.  I'm pretty sure life was simpler before I knew about this game of ultimate destiny and fate.  Makes my head spin."

I nodded.

"I will leave you to your duties.  Do you have any requests for your ships at the harbor?"

"Nah, I'm good."

I waved and strolled around.

I could see Chameleon watching me like a hawk.

"Oh!  Metal Rabbit is here!"

And that would be Tithius, his right-shoulder-riding familiar.  As a wyrmling dragon, he was good intentioned though he still got away with sneaking snacks and such now and then.  I think mostly at Chameleon's request to get a reaction out of Jon.

That werewolf could get so bent out of shape over someone swiping a candy bar or two.  The same young man who brought an 18-wheeler trailer full of popcorn to movie night...and he gets upset over a missing chocolate bar.

Over yonder I could see Hestia in a pleasant conversation with Mitzi.  And giving Ripper the occasional stink-eye.  You don't blow up her bakery in a motorcycle accident and be awarded forgiveness so easily.  She was still holding a grudge.

Vanessa, Brooke-domou's sister was out and about with Gadget on some scrap recycling project.  She, like Brooke's son, James, was quite mechanically inclined.  While their scientific and inventive skills were the same; their methods to it were notably different.  Vanessa assembled a rail rifle out of throw-aways; it was arguably the invention Gadget was most envious up and always aspired to match in building skill.  Plus I'd seen the weapon punch a hole in a tank from an record-breaking distance away.  James, on the other hand relied more on a well-stocked lab and designed things from the ground up.  While he took after his Aunt Vanessa, clearly he followed the Commander's...blueprint for success.

Heh.  I made a funny.

Rainbow Wing was out and about.  I remember in his younger years, the leader of the five wyrmlings, Tiemtiaran aka the Black Wing, took it upon himself to impart lessons on our goat son, Asriel.  No doubt some of us were dubious; Vi in particular, but after a while he proved to be on the up and up.

"Tell Violet I continue to suffer the indignity of her lessons under my own protest but...I gave my word I'd give her the benefit of the doubt to get me versed in this...computer technology of hers.

"You need not worry.  I will reign in her...jovial antics."

"Appreciated."

Why Tiem was taking computer lessons from Vi is...quite a story.

Out of the five, Tiem was the only one who spoke fluent common so...of course the leadership position was pretty de facto.

I could tell...he wanted to ask about...Asriel.  But...he always felt like that was a trigger for Violet.  He...all five of them missed our goat son, too.  Asriel-kun was...a friend to everybody and Rainbow Wing was no exception.  Though...I did have to make sure the blue one kept its mind out of the gutter.  Volt gave him too much slack simply because of their mutual electric element.  I suspect the blue often lulled the Commander in a dopamine fueled state with constant electric charges.  Had it been Violet who was being lewd, Volt would have shown no mercy.

I looked over the horizon.  Out in the distance was Nikita's other pet project...if you can call building a flying domed city a pet project.

It was know by a couple different names.  The cumbersome, more literal version was Noborutaiyou no Kuni.  While officially its name became Hiizurukuni.  Either translation amounted to "Land of the Rising Sun".

Correct me if I'm wrong but was that not the nickname for Japan on Earth?  How befitting.

It was built to quell the overcrowding of Jang refugees following the attack of Orochi.  A hostile takeover of the land that left its ecosystem vastly ravaged and its people fleeing in droves.

It broke my heart to see my beloved country fall on heart times.

Fortunately...the threat was neutralized after falling back, regrouping and assembling a new team to deal with Orochi and his recruitment of black fox spirits known as Nogitsune.

One of them remains still on the loose to this day but I vow we will bring her to justice.

I exchanged bows with Hiroko and Yukiko before going on my way.

Most recently, Sir Alistair had received an addition from the Church of Eatos.  Alexandria Karamazova; a single woman standing at about 5'9, dressed in a full habit, yet covered in tactical straps and other kind of pouches. Her hair peeked out from the sides of her habit as she lit a cigarette. Putting it into her mouth as she lifted up two large duffle bags filled with her belongings.

Stepping out from the APC her spurs on her boots clinked , the wind blowing her habits cloth in the wind, the sunlight reflecting off of her duel revolvers packed on each hip.

I spotted, Wrench nearby, with his camera gear.  The presence of the "camera rabite"  must mean Prisma must be on scene to get the scoop.  Our town's most respectable journalist, ladies and gentlemen.

I still caught glances of Brooke-domou's daughter, Princess Ivy; out and about with Lagunov and Vidian.  Nightwatch was still patrolling the shadows; keeping the peace on their own terms.  They may not be officially sanctioned by the Mirandian government; but I'd gladly take the services of an outside mercenary outfit that does their job than a government sponsored group that doesn't.

Besides...I could remember Ivy's childhood when Brooke-domou entrusted me with her protection and well-being.  If it hadn't been for me and Sarina, Ivy might still be in the clutches of her kidnappers so long ago.

I think that was how I solidified my mutual respect with Brooke-domou.  You never forget a debt when family is involved.  Ivy had long since...had her royal status stripped away due to...reasons.  She did what she had to so.  It was hard looking upon her and no longer seeing the young innocent girl prior to her captors beating her to an inch of her life.  Ivy still called me sensei even though that role had long since ended as she was now out on her own in spite of going against my teachings.  While I couldn't abide by what she did as the nightmare known as the Phantom of Rygard...I also understood what pushed her to it.

There were so many other people I wanted to speak of.  But not only would I have too much to say, I would not be able to properly express in words what I wanted to say about them all.

I need not pad this entry any longer than it has to be.

The fact is our town...just felt like it stepped back in time.  Back to before we even met Asriel.  Back...and then we went on without him.  That's what our minds were telling us.  Yet, our hearts would not be lied to.  Not even by our own selves.

We couldn't escape how Asriel touched us all.  He brought us together like no one had.

There was no way that Destiny's grand experiment was going to stay off the table.  Somehow...I had a premonition that he'd come off the shelf and things around here would change again.  Which meant Fate would have some way to spin a possible reunion into a long period of adversity.

Still...the days went by and not a peep out of either goddess.  You'd think threatening the Goddess of Fate, Chaos, and Discord would have "earned" a quicker response.   I was beginning to suspect...revenge was a dish best served ice cold.  Cold like you'd expect the dish to be after it sat out long enough.

She should be wary about letting her plots sit like a slow-cooked stew in a crock-pot.  Let it sit and simmer long enough?  And even the heat won't keep it from going bad and spoiling.  And spoil the fun we intended; the moment Fate took action...we'd pounce and retaliate however we could.

"Hmm."

That would be the sound of me spinning my wheels.

It was easy to put the Game of Ultimate Good and Evil on blast with determined bluster...at least in thought.  It was a whole other matter enforcing it.  Especially as we were presently...when we were without our Commander.

And that was the caveat, wasn't it?  That was what Fate was waiting on.  The perfect moment to strike while Volt was vulnerable.  Though...I had considered...maybe she was actually waiting...on her sister, Destiny.

Which begs the question: what WAS Destiny waiting on?

Patience is most certainly one of the seven virtues.  And it had been guiding me for quite a while.  But even I can recognize...while Destiny may keep the peace by keeping things serene and sedate...

...even she knows the pendulum will swing back and the status quo will interrupted.  I wonder if it was hard for either sister to admit...even for a goddess there were forces that superseded the rules of their games.  And one of those...was the very nature of the universe.

It was fickle.  It was flip-floppity.  It went from one equilibrium to the other.  From peace and quiet, property and utopia...to war, discord, ruin, and dystopia.  And the transition from one to the other in between.  History was comprised of this inconsistent sinewave.

"Maybe what I should be asking myself is...what is Undertale waiting on...?"

My insight was accurate though I had no idea by how much.  Realistically, I should have thought of a number of reasons why a reunion hadn't happened sooner...that is...happened at all.  Asriel had the seed of knowledge we planted in him.  He had everything he needed to change his world.  To be the Prince of His World's Future.  Yes.  He no doubt took measures to earn and maintain that title.  To what ends?  Even my sixth sense can't know everything.

"You look like you've been having a conversation with yourself."

That voice belonged to...

"Sarina."

"Hello, Bunnie.  You've been thinking about him, too, haven't you?"

"You were...the one we called in to understand what we were dealing with...that poor child seated at the table next to the Commander in Rock-Afire Pizzeria.  It was odd...even though we turned to you first, you...didn't have that much correspondence afterward.  On just the Commander's notes along...it was up in the air what your relation with Asriel-kun was."

"Even though he turned out to be magically inert, he was still a fascinating case for some of the elder mages.  To date...we still haven't deciphered the nature of his world's magic.  Much less if it's at all possible to restore his magic."

"At this point, it's not an option, Sarina-chan.  He's evolved into a Hybrid like us.  His capacity for magic is most assuredly zero."

"But he is a good student and a good student is willing to learn at least something about what he or she can't grasp let alone master."

I nodded.

"That answers a lot of potential questions, but it doesn't answer the one I wanted to ask you."

"What was Asriel to me, in relation to everyone else?   Dr. Arcade should understand that better than all of us."

"A best friend to everyone...and everyone was his best friend."

"How do you admit to something like that when there are people you've know much longer who should fit the bill better?"

"I don't think it's a contest.  It's...just the way it is."

"Yeah.  Best friend is kind of an oxymoron for someone like him.  That implies that he values one of us more than the rest of us.  But clearly we are all equal, in spite of him having the closest relationship with Volt Arcade."

"And he takes the clash of the dichotomy out of it and makes it all synergize."

"Cumbersome way to put it, Bunnie.  But you're right.  By being an unknown, he somehow took the unknown's out of the unknown.  How that statement even remotely makes sense is beyond me but...that's just the only way I can put it."

"It makes perfect sense to me."

"Well.  After everything you all did to snap Tina out of her depression...maybe it's time we banded together to return the favor.  See if we can get him back to his happy place."

"I was thinking the same.  Halloween Night certainly helped...and...Thanksgiving is coming up.  Maybe...maybe we can all try our best to match Goat Son's epic giving of thanks...those miraculous speeches he would give at each one.  That has to uplift the vibe, yes?"

"It is worth a shot.  Talk to me when you have some ideas to throw out.  I'll see what I can do, old friend."

I nodded.

"I wonder how many of us are even aware of our friendship going back so far as our mission together to rescue Ivy when she was kidnapped as a child?"

"Since we're rarely seen together?  Probably not many."  Sarina eyed her corrupted clawed hand.  Some day I'd have to explain that.  But not today.

"It seemed like only yesterday Ivianna learned the hard way to leave Mandragora plants alone."

"Indeed.  Jon was...glad he wasn't present for that.  I am certain his sensitive ears would be streaming blood."

A bit more conversation and we were on our separate ways.

I think it was about time I considered the lunch bell rung...

## Sub-Entry 262: "Hestia and Mitzi, Friends For Life":

Don't meet your heroes.

That's what they tell you.

There are bound to be exceptions.

Mitzi didn't take long to learn of Hestia's reputation.  She was quick to try food and desserts from her bakery.  She was sold instantly.

From there, Mitzi had an admiration for someone she believed dwarfed her own cooking abilities by a landslide.

Mitzi grew quite humble around her.  But she hadn't quite worked up the never to meet her hero...I mean REALLY meet her.

For the longest time, Miss Mozzarella considered herself unworthy to stand in Hestia's shadow.

At some point, Hestia became aware of Mitzi's admiration so she decided to nip this in the bud and invite her number one fan over for a cooking experience.  And...maybe to set the record straight a little.

How do you react when you find out the person you admire might actually be a little jealous of you in return?

We all knew.

We all could tell that both of them had equal cooking skill and their wares were the best you could get in town.

It was...kind of an irony that they should clear the air over something that was...actually an overly positive note.  Usually when misunderstandings occur...they tend to be more negative and upsetting.

This was just...a moment of...'Huh.  I never knew...'

From that moment on?  They were besties.

"Oh my gosh!  I can't thank you enough!  I wouldn't have had enough flour for the rest of the week.  Thank-you!"

"Anything to help you out, Mitzi.  I overordered so...it works out perfectly."

"I could kiss you, but then I'd be giving too much fuel for Violet's lewd imaginations."

"She would take it there."  Hestia shook her head.

"She would if she could keep her eyes above your neckline long enough."

Hestia scoffed.  "I've met men with less libido then her."

I waited until they noticed me.

"Oh!  Master Rabbotou!"

"S-sensei!  How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to appreciate the conversation.  And agree with it whole-heartedly.  Violet is shameful.  Yet we put up with her because there could always be far worse."

"Yeah.  At least she has no love for Al Dente, either."

"Dente-baka is a thorn in all of our sides, Mitzi."

"Did you know I had to threaten him at meat cleaver point just to get him to understand that I banned him from my bakery?"

"Kusotare..." I cursed.  "For someone who is obsessed with security, he sure does believe he has some kind of badge or authority to intrude wherever he wants."

"Violet has to work triple time just to keep him suppressed to THIS degree all over town.  Did you hear what he did yesterday--"

"Nnnnnnnnnnnot safe for work."  I warned Mitzi.

"So I guess you already know.  If he keeps this up, he'll face a firing squad instead of being dropped down one of Queen Brooke's fiery gateways to wherever."

"Apparently even Gehenna doesn't want him.  Whether he draws breath or not."  I rolled my eyes.

Violet once explained his downward spiral after the execution of Prime Minister Seymore Cheese.  It should have put him on the road to an easy life.  But little by little...he just started tightening security standards.  Started calling upon the Samurai Pizza Cats for more and more mundane missions until they finally disconnected the video phone.

Then he started driving everyone in the palace crazy.

It wasn't until he finally crossed a line with security measures and surveillance that Vi had enough.  And it wasn't during a good time in her life.  Over the years; counting Ecotropia's destruction and the Vorostov Conflict...Violet was pushed to her breaking point and about to break her own vow not to ACTUALLY have anyone else executed.  Seymore was made an example of...but for her to make a habit of this?  Yeah...even she didn't REALLY want to be a tyrant.

By the time Violet finally found a way out of Edoropia and into Ultra Crew Institute?  Al Dente was incorrigible.  He'd degraded as a person and he became pretty much the deviant he fought against while Cheese was in power and his Yakuza were tearing everything up.  The Yakuza slowly disbanded as Dente tightened the grip on the city...and waited until opportunity was right to rise again.  It was by that point Dente was full-time trying to bring Violet back to her kingdom.

"Is there any stronger curse than 'may he sit on a tack'?  I mean without having to pay into Asriel's swear jar?"

Hestia was joking but yeah...I appreciated it.

"Pleeeeease, Hestia.  You'll scar children for life."  Mitzi mused while crossing her arms and grinning ear to ear.

"Well.  I don't want to take up your work time with conversation...at least not without being a paying customer."

"What will you have, Master Rabbotou?"

"You know...I've been wanting to try the Tiramisu.  For a dessert that sounds like it's from Jang...people don't usually realize it came from Valendia."

"Coming right up."

I smiled and had  seat at the bar.

Our conversations continued and my confectionary was ready quickly.

And it was truly amazing.

"You outdo yourself every time you serve up an order.  Both of you."

"Yeah...as soon as we formed a joint alliance, things just skyrocketed for both our places."  Hestia admitted.

"As has our friendship."

And like that they giggled in unity.  I could tell this was genuine.  This was real.

And...in this moment...they'd forgotten about what I was working up the nerve to bring up.

Asriel.

But...eventually the name was dropped...for real this time and...the conversation practically tripled.

We just couldn't stop talking about him.

"...it seemed like only yesterday that I was buried in a lunch crowd.  And like that...he walked in, put on an apron and got right down to work.  I probably wouldn't have made it through the day if he hadn't come fresh from the university."

"Actually he stopped at home for a bit after another...incident with a crowd of ladies a little too interested in him.  The Commander did have to replace his industrial trash can, though.  It's complicated."

We had no shortage of anecdotes.

But eventually all good things...

"Well.  It seems I've overstayed.  It was good conversation.  Good company.  And even better food."

"We aim to please, sensei."

"You're one of our best customers.  I wouldn't dream of falling below standards."

"Appreciated.   Well.  I am off.  I will see you all again."

"Good day to you!"

"It will be."  I nodded and headed out.

This moment of pleasant would soon having me encountering something or someone a little more...abrasive.

## Sub-Entry 263: "The Surliest Mercenary In Town Won't Cry Crocodile Tears For Any Price":

"You've been holding your tongue all morning, Chameleon."

"Hmmph.  You know I still don't fully trust the psychic."

"Duly noted.  I've reminded that I don't actively probe into people's minds.  I do not find it mere coincidence that Violet chose a theme song for Callista called "(Permission to Be) In My Head" by Pale 3; off the Matrix Revolutions Soundtrack.  While the song is completely Violet's style...yes.  I believe it fits Callista and myself in a rather transparent way."

"I don't care about your Ultra Crew's nerd culture references.  I just want you to--"

"Know the score?"

Chameleon's scowl intensified.

"Sorry."  I apologized for the moment of clairvoyance.

"That said..."

I knew what was coming.

"You're still the easiest person to deal with.  Rather...you are the least annoying."

I smirked.

"I would not have it any other way."

I turned dour again.

"You seem restless.  While I can tell you appreciate a day where someone doesn't come bill-collecting or knocking down your door to complain about something...

...it's been too sedate, lately, hasn't it?"

"A merc gets paid by contract, you know.  And peaceful times don't produce a plethora of work orders if you follow."

"Understood.  It's business.  Not personal."  I waved it off.  "Unrest that cannot be helped."

"I will admit there was a time I would have considered.....stirring things up just to be able to afford cheap takeout."

"There is no shame in asking your fellow Mirandians--"

"A hand-out is still a debt.  It's basically an I.O.U. to someone and it also nicks my pride a little."

"You should understand the difference between a gift and a case of quid-pro-ro.  Your real friends will not expect to be compensated."

"Perhaps.  But it's still--"

"Not something you're used to doing."

"You're doing it again..."  Chameleon bared some fang.

"I did mention that I don't always have control over my moments of insight.  Reading minds?  Yes.  Full control.  Future events?  Still working on."

Chameleon rolled his eyes.

"I can tell Violet's still leaving you alone.  Do you find that unnerving."

"Would you expect me to admit to something like that?"

"Point."

"Then perhaps it would do you good to know she still considers you a worthy rival."

"I'm touched."  Chameleon crossed his arms.

A moment of silence.

"You know...the moments you seemed...in the best moods were when Asriel was around."

That earned a pause.  A moment of silence.  And if he could have made it more obvious his gears were turning...!

"Don't think I'm going to cry that the kid isn't around anymore."

"The two of you would spend hours in a pun war when you could."

"So we did."

"Isn't it good to have something in Common?"

"Personally...I would prefer to have something in Draconic."  There was that sly grin.

I let a chuckle slip out.

"There's that sly sense of humor."

"So.  What do you want me to say?  That things were marginally more tolerable with Asriel around?"

"You don't have to admit what's obvious to all of us.  What's mutual among us.  He changed us all.  Many for the better."

Chameleon seemed to agree with me.

"I guess those times were As-riel as they got."

I could not hold back my smile if I tried.  He would have loved to hear that.

"You are one of the good ones, Chameleon.  I'm more than proud to have your back."

"I must admit...you're one of the most competent of your crew to be on mission with."

"I'll take what I can get."  I mused at the acknowledgement.

So where had Tithius disappeared to all this time?

Well...

"GAH!  How did you...!?"  Hestia freaked out as Tithius suddenly popped out from inside one of the cherry pies she had sitting out to cool.

"Pie is wonderful!  Crazy cook make delicious!"

"Tithius!  Those were to go out on a special order!  They were very clear to bring no less than two!"

"I can't wait to find out what magic spell or potion he used to pull that off."  I mused.

And Chameleon's grin wasn't hidden that effectively.  At least not from me.

"Well, since the order is ruined...I guess I might as well take the remainder off your hands."  Chameleon had scooped up the other one.  "Do be sure to bill the rabbit for this one.  The other rabbit, I mean.

That is to say, bill her AFTER you've remade the order for your client."

And once again Chameleon takes a moment to "rebalance" his rivalry with Violet.  While also not making things any easier on Hestia.  Does he not know she's no less forgiving toward him than toward his partner, Robert "Ripper" Traveston?

Hestia just scoffed.   When her temper cooled down, she'd remind Chameleon how she showed Ripper her appreciation for destroying her pastry shop.  Whether flesh and fur...or scales...she was willing to find out how sharp her clever could really be.

"Apologies, Hestia-chan.  I will make sure--"

"Already way ahead of you, sensei."  Mitzi was pushing a cart full of ingredients and fresh cherries from Lupe's nature preserve.

"You're a life-saver, Mitzi."

"What are friends for?"

You've led by such a great example, Asriel.  You would love what you see now."

## Sub-Entry 264: "Not-So-Metal Alchemist and Wife.  Cid Padesh and Tina and Mina":

I made sure to make my entrance in Tina's alchemy shop more subtle and probably a good thing as the stack of boiling flasks and beakers that Cid was carrying would have gotten expensive.

"I just wanted to apologize for the sudden teleport."

"Apology accepted.  But I know you too well that you're not going to stop any time soon."

"Well...as Violet would put it...I got to be me."

"I suppose you must."  Cid waddled over and set the glassware down.

Moments before Tina entered, came up behind him and knelt down to hug her husband from behind.

There was something very reassuring about a mixed marriage.  She was human.  He was a nu mou. They hit it off pretty well in the time after Tina had gotten over her mourning for her first late husband.

His assassination at the opera still haunted the Commander to this day.  It was the most contact he had with a vampire.  As a werewolf, he knew surprisingly little about the vampire race and...it turned out his first contact ended in a traumatizing experience.

An experience which lead to conspiracy and an investigation pointing at a derelict asylum.  One I had a strong, psychic vision that I would not have survived had I gone instead of Violet.

It still haunted me that I hung back because of such an intense psychic vision.  But even now...many of us in UCIAT still are hesitant to speak of Fell's Point.

"So.  I suppose you have not come as a customer?"

"I fear I have little need for anything of the alchemic nature.  I am, after all, reliant of my own brand of "not-magic".  I had unfolded the shoudouphone almost by reflex...before folding it back up and putting it away.

Cid had been our anchor in battle long ago...but not as a fighter, more as support.  More in the analysis category.

One thing I knew he wouldn't discuss as willingly was his tenure, assisting of all people...Aurelis.

Being of the Septus race and being royalty, she had many of Violet's checkmarks.  Privileged.  Irate temple.  Very persnickety, like Violet used to be in her youth.  Plus she still hadn't forgotten that Chameleon had spurned her in favor of his true love, Jennifer "Valkyrie" Rivera.  But...by now it seemed pretty water under the bridge.  I wouldn't want to put it to the test by bringing this up, however...

Either way...it was forbidden subject matter for Cid.  In many ways...it was just as degrading and frustrating, and worthy of a face-palm every 15 minutes.  In his words he had never come across anyone with NEGATIVE alchemic talent before.  As he put it...even Antoine showed SOME kind of proficiency and he used to call 12 car pile-ups just by walking down the street.  But...that was years ago.  Certainly she improved since then?

Though in truth...I haven't actually seen much of Aurelis lately.

"Good day to you, Tina."

"And to you as well, Bunnie."

"Admittedly I'm only here to be social.  I hope that does not get me dismissed if I have no intention to buy."

"No, it is fine.  It's a slow day so..."

A moment of silence.

"I think...I do know why you came over though."

I nodded.

"It's about that incident years ago.  When...Asriel was young and...I wasn't in a good place."

I glanced at the chemical shower in the back.

"Yes.  It was not something I would have wanted to expose Asriel to but...he had gone out of his way for little Mina."

Tina smiled upon mention of her daughter.

"A lot of people thought she and Asriel would be childhood sweethearts but...it was clear after a while they had no chemistry.  Pun intended."

"I could clearly see Asriel wouldn't be ready for girls; at least in a romantic sense, for some time to come.  And this is from a rabbit who swore a vow of celibacy ages ago.  What would I know of romance?""

"More than you give credit for, Master Rabbotou.  You understand it better than most people who are dating or married."

"I do not see much of Mina lately.  She...doing okay?"

"She's fine.  Out on her own but...I wish she'd call or write or come home and visit.  I don't know what she does out there but I'm sure it makes her happy.  And I'm sure she's good at whatever it is she does."

You know...I'd have to look her up some time.  A vampire of her nature should have a discernable pattern to follow up on and track down.  Just the police woman and detective in me tempted to follow a lead, really.  Last I had seen of her, Violet wouldn't stop joking about how she did the world's best Carmen Sandiego or Cyber 6 cosplay.

I spent just a little bit more time talking it out with the Padesh family before going on my way.

This trip down memory lane...

It was ongoing for me.  It was ongoing for everyone.

What was it building toward?

It seemed obvious.  It seemed like I already had the premonition, thus I had the answer.

No doubt what whatever goal Asriel set for himself in his new life, his purpose and intent was likely just as obvious.

If I was half as hesitant to say outright what all of us wanted to say as Azzy probably was to admit to his own end game...

Then yes.  His return was inevitable.

Yet...history has proven fluid.  Even though I expected Volt to arrive in my garden with that poor orphan all those years ago...even I couldn't have foreseen who, what, where and why.  I even asked him about the poor goat.

If Sixth Sense were perfect, I would have always known about Asriel, right?  But I didn't have all the answers.  Volt had changed the course of our timeline with his decision.  What resulted, even I couldn't foresee in my wildest dreams.

So....when that day comes that I would become Daimyou...I would have to acknowledge even my powers would still have their limits.

And even then...I had a feeling my future self still wouldn't have all the answers despite our present behind their past.  We were filling in the blanks now so they would have the answers later on.  Truly, Volt is incredible to have an even better grasp of the Ripple Effect than I do.  And I am not scientist; merely descendant of shinobi and samurai with a psychic ability and completely modified with nanomorphic machinery...nanites, that is.

What I'm saying is...maybe...maybe something could still happen to make our hope, our dream, our wish...not 100% inevitable.  Maybe...maybe we could be, theoretically...a timeline where he never comes back.

"Admit it, to yourself, Bunnie."  I actually muttered to myself.

What I wanted to admit was...I was dragging this out...but not so good at keeping the foreshadowing subtle.  Not so good at keeping a potential spoiler under wraps until the moment it actually comes to pass.  At least to myself.  Likely...no one else around me suspected.  And they should.  They should feel like I knew something or at least believed something they were unaware of.

Was  I just that good at keeping secrets?

"Something does have to give."

Well.

I'd gone all this time in between interactions with people in town.

Maybe it was time to check in on the next set of UCIAT's allies and acquaintances.

And after Violet had replayed Skrillex's music video, "Breaking a Sweat" for the 7th Movie Night in a row...I took the hint.

Let's focus on our favorite family of shark-toothed regenerating, humanoid bio-weapons--the R-Series.

## Sub-Entry 265: "Not R-Type.  R-Series.  A Shark-Toothed Family That Vi Made a Viral Sensation"

I don't know how Vi talked Red into it.  But for some reason, she actually got Red and his family and friends their own reality show.

And boy oh boy...things got interesting ever since the arrival of Sedona.

I'm not sure if Red wants to thank Vi for the fame and fortune...or strangle her for the occasional abuse and humiliation certain parties had in store for him.

But for the most part...yeah.  A temporary retirement from his job with the War Dogs.

It's a thing.

Where to begin with the family, Stokes?

It began on a mission to what is now know as the Red Zone Facility.

Transparent name, I know.

The remains of a heavily-fortified structure. Despite the breached front doors and demolished buildings in the general area, the main structure itself appeared to be holding up fine back then...weather and blast damage aside. There were a few skeletons in the area.

It really set the mood for the mission when the first thing our group saw was a decapitated corpse.  Moderately decayed. The body armor and gear was definitely from Tal's group.  Yeah...when trouble comes looking FOR trouble.  Trouble is likely what the found.  Or vice versa.  Either way...it was trouble that Destiny's Call couldn't handle.

It was Marcel, Ripper, Alistair, Cima, Voyrn, Atalaya, Velaska, and myself.

Once inside...we came across the failed trials of the R-Series organisms.

Much as the E-Series or "echidna" biologically engineered organisms...there was unfathomable regeneration and other familiar factors.

Stop me if you've heard this one before.  A new kind of living, sentient biological organism...practically a living weapon; created by an engineered virus.  Before you start mentioning the T-Virus or Umbrella...I can assure you the similarities make it seem a lot more than coincidence.

Our original mission was to seek out an E-Series; in living condition or at least a viable tissue sample for a transplant.  It was complicated but...suffice to say we were saving a life.

It was in that lab, after dealing with...the abominations spawned from the virus contaminating the "incubation tanks", according to our unknown benefactor...

...that we met Dr. Vladimir Stokes.  A scientist stationed at this facility.  He had been working on bio-weapons, bio-constructs, and what I can only describe as homunculi on a vastly questionable interpretation of all I had glossed over in the Mage Academy library while with Sarina during my lunch break at one time.

His work, of course, was of course for one of Mainland's various research cells.  However he had also taken the time to work on his own pet project.

If you know the story of Pinocchio or Astro Boy or Mega Man...you know where this is going.  The world gave him no son...so he created one in a breeding tank.

That's where we met Red.  A bio-engineered offshoot of the E-series.  And it was also there we learned that his regeneration was dependent on nourishment...and he got his nourishment from cannibalizing his victims.

Nightmare fuel?  Very yes.

Even from a distance it was easy to catch that very red hair and those massive shark-teeth.  Violet had once described him as live-action take on Viral from Tenga Toppa Gurren Lagaan.  I could also picture him as that kid from Fire Force.

There were many miscommunications and even threatens of bodily harm to convince both the doctor and Red to behave...much more so Red.  But long story short...we rescued them from the facility moments before the whole place was leveled by an airstrike.

During that time, as Stokes was remanded to Mirandian custody, pending an investigation; his son, Red was allowed to walk and interact around town.  One condition.

A restraining collar of sorts had to be worn during his period of...probation, let's call it.  Either way...we all wanted to confirm his reliability before even thinking about citizenship.

Red would have...quite the interesting career unfold over time.  But of course the first thing was acclimation to the civilized world among other things.

In time, Vlad would find full-time employment in UCIAT's main lab and establish his own science division for not just his biological and viral research but all walks of science.

Red would find his way, initially, into a Raxis military career before eventually commanding his own specialized team now known as the War Dogs.

Despite a clean break from what I presumed was a defunct Mainland science lab cell...Vlad and Red would attract a lot of questionable intention.

It would be the appearance of Jack Hanos, a colleague of Vlad-hakase and old friend that would turn us all on our ears...and lead to a serious breach of UCIAT's security, theft of materials we had appropriated on mission...and destruction of a portion of our core systems; leaving the lab partially off-line and a couple of kidnappings which led us straight into the belly of the beast and an encounter with nightmares beyond our imagination...nightmare controlled by a powerful hive-mind.

On top of that...it led to a traumatizing surgery for Red as he was being dissected and studied by the villain in charge.   To this day, Red Stokes remembers the name "Dr. Kirk" with unfathomable infamy and rage.  Honestly...the director of this little operation didn't do much for the rest of us either.

It was...a horrid experience in which some of us almost didn't make it out alive.

And that was just the first chapter of his life.  As time went on, Red would discover he was most certainly not alone.

The first came in the form of the initially mysterious and seemingly brutish Davise.

I guess you could now call him Red's older brother. There would be other ups and downs that led us to Mainland.

There was a time Red and Violet seemed like best friends.  So much that Vi collaborated to make a new kind of battle armor for Red.  But let's be real.  She stole most of her ideas from Tony Stark.  And she got her inspiration for deploying an armored Red after ripping off her friends in  Little Tokyo, Edoropia; the Samurai Pizza Cats.

And things continued to get stranger and more extreme with Violet recommissioning a failed Support Unit, BSW-Null.  Who became Red's partner for a time....but then more complicated stuff happened and...Red had to give him his freedom.

Pity.  Violet really liked deploying Red out of her own take on the Samurai Pizza Cats giant six-shooter cannon.  Fun times.

But all things change as time goes by...moving on to bigger and better things, and not quite knowing why.

The day Red had started his own family.  The days of the Null Armor?  Those days were behind him; much to Vi's disappointment.

These days...Violet spent less time in the field and more couped up in her personal lab or in Computer Valhalla...in denial.

Granted, Asriel went home...but with Red now having to take on responsibilities and no longer able to hang out like old times?  It was like Violet lost two friends.

I guess if anyone wanted to be cruel, they could ask why Violet still refuses to grow up.

Of all the people Violet befriended (some...still works in progress) ...Red Stokes was the first that Vi didn't resort to trolling, getting into a rivalry, and/or giving a hard time.

Vi always believed rivalries were the only way to even make friends, having had so few if any in the front half of her life.  Even I wasn't exactly a conventional case for her and our friendship sure didn't start peacefully.  I'm sure if I had meant business back then...Vi would be limping.  Even after all this time had passed.

For Violet to accept someone so readily and consider them "instantly cool" without busting their chops like she STILL does with Chameleon...

That was rare.

And that's what made her friendship with Red unique.  Even compared to her friendship with me.  I was...a little jealous.

Why was he the only one she never hassled before earning her friendship?  Why were the rest of us all teased, trolled, and even pranked before she decided we were "cool"?  Even myself, being Jangese...the otaku she was...I should have been a shoe-in.

But...no.  I earned my stripes like the rest of us.  Even Volt.  Even Jon had to go through a bit of trial, even in spite of Violet recommending him for our then newly-commissioned Miranda branch UCIAT faction.

I suppose...there's no sense in bellyaching about it.  It is what it is and only Violet can explain why.  Much like she reminds me over and over that Stanley Kubrick could film a scene 127 times and then after production wrapped he'd DESTROY every piece of the film's production--sets, costumes, props, the works.  Why?  Asriel would say the same reason Brainiac would download every bit of information there was to a world...before outright erasing it from existence.  The knowledge, like the final product had value.  The physical form?  Worthless.

I certainly went off on a tangent there, did I not?  I suppose...the Commander and I have more in common than I let on.  Perhaps...being scatterbrained like this is a commonality for each of us.  I know it is for Violet, the way she multitasks.  Rotor has shown that he can't focus exclusively on any one thing or he'll try to hard and make mistakes along the way.  And do not get me started on Gadget; which I mean no disrespect or implied insult.   It's just our mutual, quirky thought processes that somehow binds us as UCIAT.  A collective think tank of people with unique variation on autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder.  Each of us deals.  Each of us overcomes.  Each of us often finds ways of making that our strength.

Oh.  Right.  Back to the topic of the Stokes family.

Well.  Modern Frankenstein allusions aside, I've come to know the elder Stokes to be...not necessarily unhinged but definitely strange if not eccentric.  Like most of us UCIAT's science staff, Commander included.  He turned out to be quite the perfect fit.  And...it seems quirkiness runs in his family, despite being the lone human member of clan Stokes.

His brother, I've mentioned is...well...undead so...you no doubt put together he makes his career in De Midian; under the shadow.  I should go into detail about that another time.

Back to Red.

It was the recent years with dealings in Mainland that Red's family truly began to expand.

Red's first stint in Mainland began with tracking down Hanos' thefts after he defected and left several of the labs in UCIAT in shambles.  It was on this mission, Sally nearly lost an arm.  This forced Nikita to redesign her old mission gear into the current Tengu Suit model such that it had massively improved defense again blades...especially powered scissor weapons.

Violet had equipped him well with the complete redesign of Null and the development of the Null Armor.  Plus, Red had added at least one HEAT (thermal induction) Blade to his arsenal by then if I recall.

Oh yes...of significant importance, before I forget, was Red's biological mother.  Though you'd never believe it once you saw her inside her stasis tank.  For a time she was stored at our UCIAT lab in Miranda.  There's...so much complication to the story I don't know where to start and where to transition on.

Asriel never once encountered her in all the time he was on our world.   Just one of those things.  Though in all fairness the grand majority of significant events centering around her was before his time.

The first evidence of Mainland continuing Vlad Stokes' research was in the Verdiana Prairie, where we first encountered Davise; then a powerful opponent who revealed himself to be Red's "brother".  Eventually down the road he defected to our side.  He became a powerful ally.

As time went on, it became clear that Mainland had used Vlad's research to go ahead with Gen One R-Series.

The fruits of those labors became the pride of a mega conglomerate in Renalia.  Back when we were in the middle of a corporate cross-war.  War between Mainland, Vision, Royal, Draco, and Shield; the five most powerful super-corporations across the continent.

I recall a particularly fierce one named Tabitha; as Colonel O'Conner and Dr. Brighton had reported way back when.  A failed project of Dr. Kirk according to the mission report.  By that time Red had risen through the ranks and was assigned as Unit Leader of Unit Echo Sierra Twelve.  As I recall, he first met his team in Renalia.  He, along wing Scott, Angelika and others were hired by Angelica Smythe for an ongoing op.  In fact I remember dropping by to deliver an update to Scott.  I was...in the neighborhood.  Not buying it, huh?  Well.  I guess the real explanation is that I wanted to be sure our own were well taken-care-of.

So.  Red's family?

Well, I've mentioned before, he's married Monique, a harpy.  The two of them are still very happily wed.

So...stop me once you recognize a theme...ha-ha.  Even writing this, I remember to have a sense of humor about it.

When introduced to other R-Series in Renalia, Red took it upon himself to name them.  And what names did he choose?

Scarlet, Vermillion, Crimson, Aka-iro (somehow...my contribution though I don't know how he picked it up from me), Sanguine, Cherry, Garnet, Puce, Fuscia, Ruby......and Tabitha, though that one breaks the pattern.  It's a thing.

Well. Is the pattern obvious, yet?

So yeah...quite the extended genetic family.  All based on a common color and its variants.

Suffice to say, that Igor fellow who served under Count Duckula would approve.  He did appreciate...the color of blood.  Murder?  Savor the thought indeed, M'lord.  Savor the thought.

Amaterasu help me.

Or course in recent times, Red settled down and had an offspring of his own...who he named Rouge.

For some reason...that name triggers me.  I think in another lifetime it had something to do with getting into a fight with a bat.  A jewel thief bat.  I wouldn't put it past an AU variant of mine clashing with someone like that.

Lately I don't see a lot of most of the extended family.  But I've noticed Vermillion and Scarlet to show up from time to time.  For the most part it's Red trying to be a good dad to Rouge.

But that represents more distant past.

More recent past?   Red's had an...interesting new friendly rival to play with in the form of Sedona.

Ooo-wee.

Described as big.  Really big.  And a...broken grasp of the Common language.  I often ask whether she or Tithius is more coherent?

Started as a gun for hire by Draco industries.  As I recall she had had an altercation which involved kidnapping VARS unit, Sophia. Then a while later as Asriel was starting to break in his new NXS modification, news came back to us that Sedona had gone rogue, smashed her way out of Draco, killed a bunch of Draco units then disappeared.  A change of heart, perhaps, after biting the hand that fed her?

So.  Things happened.  Many a tussle between them occurred.

And well?  Here we are.

When the two of them are around together?  Things are interesting.  And it brings to mind other duos that I might draw comparisons to.

Goku and Vegeta.  Yugi Motou and Seto Kaiba.  Abbott and Costello.  Cubot and Orbot.  Rough and Tumble.  Sleet and Dingo. Laurel and Hardy.  Cut Man and Guts Man.  The Odd Couple.  Perfect Strangers.  Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak.  Mega Man and Bass.

Yeah...each of those is a unique friendship/rivalry or a bitter rivalry.  At times their relationship seems like it drifts between the two extremes.

Just two people who are just as similar as they are different.  And often...rocky relationship filled with back and forth banter and frustrating facepalms for at least one of them.

Well I guess that takes care of family.

But what about friendships?

I guess...he and Violet are still "cool".  Though...with Red actually growing up, as a parent and Violet refusing to grow up at all...I rarely see them hang out any more.  It...it has to be depressing for her.

Then...there's Null.

After becoming a full AI, certain...legal restrictions kicked in.  One thing led to another.  There was a clash between BSW-Null and his pirated copy which had resulted from Hanos delivering his blueprints and spreadsheets to somewhere in Renalia.  Then the copy went rogue and...things happened.  Things got resolved.  Null was given his freedom.

Since then Red has...moved on since using the Null armors.

It...was kind of a loss for Violet who invested so much time, effort, and her...uniqueness into the project; a project that Nikita had scrapped after drawing up the blueprints for LBK-Alpha and the later support units.  She's...really had to say goodbye to a lot in recent years.  Poor Vi.

Such is the way of life.

Since then...

I guess in a way the Stokes family have all gone pretty low key and dropped off our radar in a way.  But it's not like they've disappeared.  They...just don't have as much to do in peace time.

Vlad continues to work at UCIAT.

His brother, Draco (no relation to the Renalia corporation, remains the finest of the mad stitchers in Renalia (You need an undead put back together with more than glue and duct tape?  He's your man.).

At this moment...all I could really do was wave to Red.

I think...even I felt out of touch nowadays.

I...just didn’t know how to connect with a lot of people we used to.  Our...common binding ties came through during the climax of the Crossover Wars.  Now that the wars were over...now that peace had caused things to settle...I guess we were all still friends for life...still comrades but...

...I was at a loss for a good comparison.  Violet would suggest it was like that five years after the Manhattan Crossrift of 1984, when no longer did New York want to give an answer to "sometimes weird stuff happens, somebody has to deal with it, and who ya' gonna call?'.

It just felt like...it was very possible to suddenly stop being famous.

I think...without Asriel...

...that statement made too much sense.

You know what?  I think it's time I moved on.  There's...more in town to speak about.

## Sub-Entry 266: "New Faces in Town, Starting With the Gun Nun":

I wish I could go into further detail about the "Gun Nun".  I mentioned her before.

Unfortunately...she's so new in town, I've barely collected enough information to even report on her.

What's to say?

She's a nun.

She's well-armed.  Violet would say to the teeth but that is an exaggeration.

Even now, I hope to get more information about her.  At least put together some semblance of a personality profile; in a manner that doesn't seem like eavesdropping.

I suppose I could relate the story of her arrival in town.

Well.  It was shortly after the Commander, in a better place then than he is now...returned from the frontlines of Jang where we finally put an end to Orochi.

I keep seeing visions of a parallel timeline where Asriel was still just a child and waiting for his best friend to return to.  Maybe conversing with Volt about Antoine.

But that's not what happened.  He was gone for a while then.  However, I will tell you what I remember...

It was a Thursday.

Our kitsune friend, Yukiko was beside herself.  Inebriated.  Taking a drag from her kiseru.  And she was lamenting how her sister had strayed so far...even having...an inappropriate relationship with Orochi.  That's the G-rated way of putting it.  I can't imagine how hard it must've been on her to wrap her head around the fact that her own family--of celestial descent--could bring herself to...er...consummate with the most vile Oni in existence.

There goes my G-rating.

Hiroko and Marcel talked it out with her...tried to console.

The Commander and I were discussing how Nikita's launch of Hiizurukuni.  A bit unfortunate timing; as she intended it to be ready long before Orochi's demise.  It would have alleviated Miranda's overcrowding a lot sooner but...

...well, we'll get go that.

Anyway...Hiroko had just inquired about Yukiko's husband; who had been doing cleanup, still in Jang, with the Order of the Black Lotus.  He had...things to work out after being possessed, temporarily by Orochi.  Not a tale I want to get into.  Just understand it was a thing.  An unfortunate thing.

Well.  Nearby,  Alistair sat outside of his forge, while looking at a large pocket watch of his with care and patience. The elder was clearly waiting on something, even as the sun started to set and the street lamps come on.

"...A tad late.... hrm."

"Seems early enough for whatever to me."  Marcel responded.

"I was actually expecting a small convoy today, Marcel. Some transfers from the Western Branch to assist here in Miranda and help temper their expectations."  Alistair replied.

"More church folk.  Want me to mess with them a bit to help with the whole expectation thing?" Marcel offered, mostly kidding...I think.

"...Marcel, please. Western Branchers are more volatile than mine. I'd rather not have a gunfight started."

"Wasn't gonna raise that many undead."  Marcel seemed disappointed.

"Marcel, please."

"Fiiiiine."

I cocked an ear slightly at the whir of Alistair's bionic eye.  A replacement he had since...a nasty injury.

Teri had entered from Alistair's forge at that moment.

"Teri! Just in time, I got word that our guests are en route!"

No sooner than did Alistair say that, a fairly sized APC emblazoned with the Church's iconography rolled up the street, making its way towards the central square... It reached the forge, as the side doors opened up...

I had a sixth sense premotion at the time.  This confirmed it.

"Are they?"  Teri asked, smiling. "I wonder who they sent first." She looked up to Alistair, before the vehicle rolled up.  "Ask of Eatos' servants and they provide, it seems."

That's when she made her appearance.

With the doors opened up, inside was a single woman.

About 5'9, dressed in a full habit, yet covered in tactical straps and other kind of pouches. Her hair peeked out from the sides of her habit as she lit a cigarette.

Putting it into her mouth as she lifts up two large duffle bags filled with her belongings, she was told this was gonna be a long trip and should pack as if she was moving for good.

She stepped out from the APC,  her spurs on her boots clinked, the wind blowing her habits cloth in the wind, the sunlight reflecting off of her duel revolvers packed on each hip.

Alexandria Karamazova.

"That would be the new presence in town I sensed." I said to the Commander, casually.

"Remind me to increase Dr. Brighton's psionic research budget, Major."  Volt commented on my psychic vision coming to pass.

Sir Alistair bowed respectfully, folding his thumb into his palm and pressing it against his breast. The sign of Eatos.

"Welcome Sisters and Brothers, to the capitol city of Miranda. Eatos Protects."

Her eyes cut to Alistair, watching the salute before doing her own. She made a fist and thumped it against their breast, sound of all the metal on her slightly clinging when she did the motion.

"I see. My name is Alexandria Karamazova. Sister of the west branch of Eatos, I have been sent here to bolster our relationships."

"A pleasure to meet you, Sister Karamazova. I am Alistair DeRosan. This is my apprentice, Teri Brandenburg." he gestured to Teri.

Teri was a young woman in a cleric's robe, with a pale complexion. She looked mostly human, save that she had hooved feet and short horns from her brow. She had white hair and blue eyes.

Then he pointed out Marcel

"Marcel Gilneas is also a friend of the church."

And then the Commander and myself.

"And then there's our friends from the UCI over there as well. All of them are allies here in this city. I understand it's very different here from the Hume and Elven centric lands of Paramis, but I assure you, it's not as what you've been told, I assure you."

"It is good to meet you, sister. I am Sister Teri Brandenburg."

"Always good to meet another ally of Sir Alistair.  I'm Dr. Volt Alessandro Arcade, Commander of the Ultra Crew Institute organization.  That's my second in command, Grand Master Bunnie Rabbotou."

I gave a formal Jangese bow.

Marcel gave a casual two-fingered wave. Short, red-headed, bit of a babyface, dressed pretty casually.

"Not exactly the most formal person. But good to meet you anyway."

Sister Karamazova eyed some of the demonic citizens.

"Yes, there are demon folk here, but they are far from the fiends we banish to the under realms. Do not be shocked if you see any."

"Not to mention elemental lycans and genetic anthro-hybrids like the Major."  Volt followed up.

Almost on cue, at the same time Alistair mentioned the demons...

Suddenly as if to interrupt the conversation, a hellish gate opened up and out flew what seemed to be the very maimed corpse of some sort of abyssal creature that landed with a very loud and a very wet thud. And the source of it promptly pulled himself free with a grumbling yawn.

"Hey old man, I killed the thing you wanted, bit more maimed than usual but here ya go. Ruined my hair day a bit though...you owe me money for that by Israkan the way."

"Alright, its nice to meet you too, sister Teri. Your City is very.....different lets say. I'm not accustomed to see demon-folk in a civilized manor. Anyways, Brother where may I place my belonging- "

As soon as the portal opened the Nun drops her bags, and with a hand of lighting drew both of her revolvers, pulling the hammer back, one aimed at the being that came out from the portal and one at the body on the ground.

"WAIT WAIT, HOLD YOUR ARMS!" Alistair protested.

"Your...timing is......rough, Israkan."  Volt stated the obvious.

Teri was momentarily started as a certain someone emerged from a portal, grabbing the mace from her belt before realizing who it is.

"....Sir Isra, your timing, as ever, remains terrible."

"You say terrible, I say absolutely perfect. I'm always on time."  As nonchalant as always.

"Terrible is the word."  Volt complained.    "...and you haven't gotten any less humble than my third in command.  And that's saying something. "

Probably should have foreseen that Marcel would step in at that point.   He made a move to combat-disarm one of Alexandria's guns. He moved with... incredible dexterity to say the least.  I expected no less.  But...not exactly a wise move.

"Marcel, I wouldn't advise--"  Volt was too slow on the draw...or word of mouth in this case.

There was the sound of cycling bolts as the OTHER Western Branch members on the APC aimed at Israkan.

"...Everyone, PUT YOUR ARMS DOWN!"

For Marcel upon reaching for her firearms, he got an elbow right too his face, but then she  lowered her arms once Alistair spoke up.

Marcel ducked swiftly, but his mission was accomplished in that Alexandria's attention was off Isra.

"Let's just... really should be for the best that we don't have firearms in arm's reach here, eh?"

"Major, it's my turn to give advice.  In regards to us adults here...  ...just because we grow old doesn't mean we grow up."

The other Noviates lowered their weapons.

"I hope they realize that this'll go poorly for them."  Israkan mused smugly.

"...Please, if you'll allow me an explanation."  Alistair tried to get control of the situation.

"Forgive me the reaction, not keen for surprises. Though for you, don't touch my revolvers ever again."

"Marcel, I know you were aiming to disarm...but you REALLY got to do something about that kleptomaniacal streak of yours."

"To be fair I've known sir Isra for years and I still sometimes reach that way."  Teri shrugged.

"...That wasn't me trying to steal, y'know."

"I know.  But chances are she didn't know."

"...If you know, then why even bring up my thieving?"

"Enough, the lot of you."

" ...goddammit I am not having good luck with moderating the situation."

"Marcel, for goodness sake, I'd rather you not get shot. You may dodge elbows to the face, but you can't dodge a bullet."

"Yeah....there's that too."

"AS FOR YOU, NOVIATES!  What in Eatos were you all thinking!? There are civilians here, you all put your guns away right now, else your superiors will hear about this!"

I believe the vernacular goes...Alistair was taking no crap.

"But moving on.... yeah, let's probably stick the guns somewhere out of reach for the time being?"

The nun took  the cigarettes out of her mouth before blowing smoke and then placed it right back in.

"Brother Alistair, I apologies for the weapon draw. It was reaction, I'm not use to that sort of way of people getting around."

Sighing before buttoning the hostler lock on her revolvers.

"And no, I will not hand them over, I will keep them locked."

Reminds me of one of Sarge's old subordinates.  He used to say "The only time we drop our weapons is when we can't fight anymore".

"The whole locked thing is more what I was going for."

"I'm going to try again, Where should I set up my things. I don't want to lug my life on my shoulders even more then I have to."

"At the very least, I do hope we can avoid incident. The Parish is down the road, so the Noviates may head that way, but sister Alexandria, I'd like to give you a tour at the least. And please, allow me to carry your bags!" The towering, 8 foot tall giant of a man said as he effortlessly picked up her bags.

"Just be carful. One of those is very....Volatile to say the least."  She said with a smile.

"Volatile?   I'd better not ask for clarification... ...for my own sanity. .\_.

"Freaking Western church, man, I swear."

I pat Volt on the shoulder.  "What is life without risk?" I asked him.

Alistair pulled marcel aside and fiercely whispers to him.

"Safe."  Volt retorted.

Teri 's tail swayed seeing this, a little concerned

"A girl has her secrets"

"...Hrm."

Alistair squeezed the bag gently. "...Huh, M4 Holyfire Grenades. I do hope their pins are secured."

"I like her." Israkan mused.

"A-Anyway, it is good to have you here. We've been a little shorthanded recently, so it is good to have some additional help."

"I'm skilled in most forms of Gun smiting and other sorts of metal working. As for the pins, yes they are locked in place."

"Major.  By every means...possible or not...keep Violet in her lab. I really think someone like her needs to be introduced in very small doses."

"Ah, a fellow smith. Though my skills are more of the blade and metal."

"I'm good at... well, a lot of things.  I'm sure they'll come up in due time."

"I will do what I can to curb my precocious "best friend"..."

I finished sipping my tea...and that was essentially that.  The rest was history.

To date...I haven't much else to go on about who our new ally was, on a personal level.

Hopefully that will change.

## Sub-Entry 267: "Reflecting on the Recent Goings-On in Jang.  Orochi's Fall.  Hiizurukuni's Rise":

So.

Real quick.

Jang was conquered by evil forces not long ago.

And just as though it seemed that dark days lay ahead for years to come in my beloved homeland...

...our forces after reciprocating, regrouping, and retaliating...

...put an end to the threat that was Orochi.

His generals remain; one likely badly wounded.  The other definitely on the run.

Jang's fall certainly gave me a lot of insight on the black (as in malevolent not color or race) fox spirits known as the nogitsune.  One in particular has a very strong connection to one of our allies in town.

I mentioned this before.

Yes.  The sister of our ally, Yukiko.

Anyway...

What happened with Orochi?

Well...it began with a desperate call from Jang.  From the Order of the Black Lotus.

As it turned out...an ancient evil known as Yamata-No-Orochi had risen and assembled quite a plethora of followers.  It was here we were introduced to the dangers of the dark fox spirits known as nogitsune; the counterpart of the kitsune, in so many words.

Orochi's forces began by corrupting the lifeline of Jang--a network of Ley Lines that interconnected our world's own take on the Mana Tree.  Only it wasn't just one tree.  It was several saplings that were bolstered by a mother tree of sorts; functioning as a divine barrier in each of the sacred locations.  These flora, having been tainted with evil and malice became the center of the Curse Zones; places inhospitable for life itself; the equivalent of red zones--Renalia's scorched earth locations that were the site of many hazardous, radioactive, and biological nightmares.

We made it our goal to protect these saplings and reverse the curse that was spreading throughout the land.  We had a good chance at succeeding.  It could have turned out differently.  It was our duty to make sure that our enemy's prophesied resurrection was stopped before it could begin.  It would begin when the sun was swallowed up in a solar eclipse.  Yet one wasn't actually slated to happen according to astronomy charts.  Which could only mean a secret rite our foes were likely going to use.  It was a race against time and we nearly succeeded at putting an end to this.  Had we only done so sooner...

However... with that infernal solar eclipse, the prophecy came to pass and he rose from his confines.  Isn't that how many a prelude to dark times begins?  CastleVania reappeared in the mid 21st century; some time after Dracula's total destruction in 1999.  The Nostradamus of that world predicted that in the far future that Demon Castle Dracula would return from the great beyond and a new lord would arrive to claim Dracula's power for his own.  And what happened?  In the Japan of that world a transfer student named Soma Cruz ascended a long staircase to a temple beyond a Torii gate in the hopes of watching a rare Solar Eclipse.  But instead...at the top, he and the shrine maiden in his company found themselves INSIDE the eclipse, at the gates of CastleVania.  Dracula's castle had indeed returned and a new era of dark times lay ahead.

Similarly, Orochi's  revival was to be marked with the coming of a Solar Eclipse.  We attempted to intervene and stop our enemies from weaving their dark magic.

Try as we might...our enemies succeeded at undoing the bindings which kept Orochi imprisoned.  And we found ourselves up against a wall and facing an all-powerful being that none of us had an answer for.

We were...soundly beaten and had no choice to retreat back to Miranda...along with droves and droves of Jang's population, leaving the country under the spreading cursed zones.

Some of us felt we should have stayed and continued to fight.  But let us be realistic.  Our only option was to retreat as the Empress of Jang called for a mass evacuation of the whole country.  Jang had fallen.  Though, we vowed we'd return once we were better equipped and more knowledgeable of the circumstances in which Orochi had been beaten and sealed away originally.

Despite everything...I found my hands tied when the follow-up mission was announced.  Dr. Lynx and Dr. Benikov ordered an extended vacation as I had been severely overtaxed with many a mission leading up to Jang.  Sally would probably joke that I was hording the field work.  On a less humorous note...Miyamoto Usagi had been my partner on this mission.

And he had fulfilled his duties wonderfully at tremendous price.  In the escape from Yamato no Orochi?  He had about broken every bone in his body.  He found himself laid up in Miranda's intensive care ward for months upon months.

But yes...I was not up to me to return home.   And with Usagi's well-being hanging over my head?  I could only make one logical decision--trust this mission to my Commander.  And he chose Lupe as his backup.  A wise decision what with the corruption running through the divine trees and saplings.  What better choice than a druid?

It was one of the highlights of Volt's post-Asriel days.  And it reminded me why I deferred to him as Team Leader.  Even with Madam Fate eroding him over time...he was still pretty close to his prime.

As I write this, I am attempting to take in all of this recently declassified dossier of reports the Commander submitted; detailing their eventual success.  Afterward...everyone came home in one piece.

Empress Kumiko gave her thanks to us in not only stopping Orochi but also facilitating a ceasefire in the cold war that had grinded between Jang and Yonkou for years.  It mirrored the tensions between China and Japan on Earth.  Peace might follow soon.

Since then...the Jangese refugees divided up; those that would sail back home...

...and the others that would take up Nikita's invite to the floating domed city in the sky.

Some time I'll have to take up Dr. Lynx's offer to visit and see for myself.

For now...my attention is focused on the Commander.

Perhaps...maybe some levity is order.  After all...I can see Tuesday is coming up on the calendar.

And Tuesday means one thing...

## Sub-Entry 268:  "Still Doing Movie Night...But Without a Member or Two Present...":

"...another 18-wheeler of popcorn, Jon?  Really?" Mitzi crossed her arms.

"I am trying to cut back, so it's only half full this time."

I shook my head.

"So.  Everyone sent their uploads to Vi?"

"You know it, Buns.  I can't wait to hear what C-64 chiptunes Chameleon found on the old network systems.  Would you ever believe he's into retro?"

I chuckled.

"The ties that bind come in unexpected forms."

Movie Night hadn't changed much in the years that followed since Asriel last took part.

But...now the night had more structure to it.

Oh it was still a random-as-anything Mystery Science Theater 3000 wanna-be, as Violet put it...

...but now we knew how to divide up our videos.

And it started like this.

We'd all gather at a decommissioned VARS Lab; now recommissioned to host Movie Night and access the old network's vast collective of archived video data.  Why the VARS laboratories collected data from the outside world on popular television media and various trivia and odds and ends I'm sure anyone could speculate on and get a theory just as plausible as the next man, woman or child's.

That said. What ancient media we found, we'd augment with plenty of modern media.  As administrator of the Miranda Global Internet, Violet was able to index every one of our contributions.  And believe me, we all had something to add to the pool.

A sample of them would be arranged in a playlist and Vi would set them up to play on the largest of the lab's monitors while also simulcasting to any of us who couldn't be there in person; thanks to the app she designed.

I digress.

The format.

Sally spearheaded this part.  Movie Night now started with a pre-show music exhibition.  And we all had our favorites to suggest.

Before going downhill, the Commander would always find saxophone music.  From as far back as Boots Randolph (known for his rendition of the Benny Hill theme) to more modern Kenny G.

I rarely contributed to the music pool but when I did...it was usually something profound.  Something that meant something to me...something deeply personal.   My best example?  "Great Southern Land" by Icehouse.  Also significant was "Queen of Hearts" by Juice Newton.  They were...reminders that while I didn't embrace my Southern heritage...I respected everything about it and would always consider it part of who I am.  I was not my mother. But I didn't reject her culture or lifestyle.  I just had to learn and understand why I needed it to be part of me.

"Never pegged you for a cowgirl type, Bunnie."  Chameleon smirked.

"It would make sense if you could have met my mother."

Jonathan, recently discovered one of his favorite "English/British" groups was still around making music.  A group called Manheim Steamroller.  Their first album, "Fresh Aire I" had been released in 1975 or so.  Since then...seven more albums and a couple of Christmas album had been added to their discography.  And Jon picked out the very best and his very favorites.

For example, Fresh Aire VII was all about the number 7 and its presence in many forms.  The Seven Metals of Alchemy, the Seven Colours of the Rainbow, and the Seven Chakras of the Body to name a few--the last one being a seven suite concerto, with each track being vastly different than the last.

Then there was Fresh Aire VI; which delt mainly with Greek Mythology.  From the song of Dolphins in "Come Home to the Sea" to the three-song concerto that outlined Orpheus descent into the Underworld, dialogue with the Devil, and escape from Hell.

"Mmm...good popcorn."

Volt, normally would have some retort in response to that or would chastise him for gluttony.  But...

Nothing comes from a member who is absence.

And I counted two who were not here.  Volt...and...Asriel.

Ahem...back to the music.

There were still more.

Violet...of course she had a wide mix of things.  From the black metal of Ozzy Osborn with his latest "Patient Number 9" or his classics like "Crazy Train" and "Paranoid"...to her more contemporary love of techno as only Daft Punk could do.

"ALLLLL ABOAAAAAAAAAAAARD! HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHH!"

"Crazy rabbit is exited!"  Tithius noted.

"And that is different than how she normally is?"  Tiem deadpanned.

Chameleon and Sally had in common, a taste for the chip-tune.  In the former's case it was usually arrangements based around the old Commodore 64 computer system.  It had a plethora of iconic 2nd and 3rd generation games in both of their opinions.   And it didn't just stop with that.  From Big Giant Circles to the various artists of Overclocked Remix...this was their common ground.  Well...that and facepalming over how reckless Ripper could be with his stunts.  At some point even Chameleon admitted that while Sally was showy...she at least planned out her death-defying abilities and adhered to a strict safety regimen and ruleset to prevent disaster.  And her safety record was spotless compared to Ripper...how did Vi put it?  Oh yes.  Watering the palace garden with falling helicopter parts.

"Respect."

"Yeah."

And every so often one of us would have something special to contribute.  Recently Mitzi dug into her old discography from her Toxic Audio days.  Little known fact, to break away from her time with Rock-Afire Explosion and make a fresh start, she performed under her mother's name, "Shalisa Sloan-James"...actually Shalisa Sloan-James the Second, just to distinguish that she was her mother's daughter.  That said...she never really clarified that Toxic Audio was a mostly acapella group.  But it suited her.  And honestly her discography was kind of amazing.

"Another from my Toxic Audio discography.  And it's true.  When you got a song that's catchy enough, you can't stop the beat."

True that, my student.  True that.

In the past...Jon and Violet shared a common music interest with Asriel.  And that interest...was rock and roll and heavy metal.  Jon had been a fabulous teacher when it came to the electric guitar.  And Asriel-kun surpassed him.

So course...anything that went hard.  From the guitarwork of those that set the bar like Jimi Hendrix, pushed the envelop like Eddie Van Halen, or just did their own thing in the form or internet shredders like Viking Guitar and Sixto Sounds.  Azzy had to learn it forward and backwards.  And he's show off what he could do by playing along to whatever music contribution he gave.

To honor him in memory, Jon, at the suggestion of one of his internet friends chose a metal remix of Chrono Trigger's Undersea Palace as performed by Lame Genie.

"Here's to you, Goat Son."  Jon raised his giant 72 ounce soda before slurping it down.

Okay, all that music out of the way?  Then came the main playlists of our odds and ends.

In the past, Chameleon would show off these sessions of some guy he was subscribed to who had these impressive sessions of a game called Minion Masters.  And between himself and Tiemtiaren; they'd instruct Asriel on a number of lessons in strategy and warfare.  Wisdom that Chameleon had collected in his years as a freelance mercenary.

"You better not have forgotten what I taught you."  Chameleon downed his drink and continued watching his contribution.

"I see this Cobra person continues to update."

"Still keeps my interest, Bunnie.  The guy certainly has proven he knows what he's doing."

"Indeed."

Violet would continue with her bevy of inappropriate videos, memes, and all around trolling.  Or whatever kept her from being bored.

Take the video of Mirko from MHA, tearing herself apart as she killed many Nomu prototypes in the Villainous lab of the Doctor...

"In case you need a reminder, we rabbits are FRIGGIN BADASSES.  Mirko is best half-bunny."

"She's reckless and impulsive..........doesn't she remind you of Sonic?"  I asked Sally.

"Yeah, kinda."

Or the video of Carrot from One Piece...

"The thing about rabbits is...we can go from cute to bloodthirsty at the drop of a hat."  Violet mused.

"Or in Carrot's case...a  full moon."   I muttered.

"As if we didn't have ENOUGH crazy rabbits in town...no offense, Bunnie and Lulu.  Offense INTENDED, for you,  Violet."  Volt smoldered.  First comment out of him most of the night.

Jon recently discovered Helluvaboss.  One character in particular.  In his words, she reminded him of what Vidian might be like as a cynical goth with a heart of gold...despite the fact she was the receptionist for I.M.P.  Oh well...

His video of choice was the moment Loona met Octavia and had...actually pretty good advice to give about fathers.

"So...I don't know who this Loona person is...but she reminds me of Vidian somehow.  I wonder if an Alternate Universe Vidian would be something like this?"

That was probably the most profound, most intelligent thought I'd heard out of Jon in a while.  Jonathan wasn't know as a heavy thinker but...he had his moments.  It distracted him from lamenting his past.

In the old days, Violet would slip something in place of Volt's contribution...which would annoy the Commander to no end.  Specifically?  Anything having to do with the infamous Rick Sanchez...

"Sanchez is making it personal when he starts sending the Science Ministry videos to troll us.  Apparently he's turning evolution on its ear this time."

Who knew dinosaurs were master skateboarders?

And then there were Violet's contributions regarding around these two high school idiots attending Highland High...I believe they were a big thing in the 90's and recently made their return in a straight-to-streaming movie.

I'll just say their newest video was reviewing an incredibly vile movie...and glorifying it.  I don't think I can say which one or describe any details without this digital copy of my journal being redacted or outright banned.  So...not even a peep out of Violet or Jon.  Also...I don't want to risk Mitzi having to lose her last meal to the porcelain throne.

And we'd find ones that would resonate with Pit and myself...a generation apart but still united by the common ground of the N-Division.  Videos would be tributes or parodies such as...the misadventures of the Smash House; recently on an arc involving trying to revive a lot of heroes after being poisoned by Sephiroth.  Or sometimes fan-mad e projects like that 3DSen thing, remakes of classic things (before their parent company would issue C&D in all likelihood) such as the recent Star Fox Event Horizon.

Also, yes.  Video clips of the Mario Bros. or other N-Division members.

Which left the miscellaneous stuff like education videos like raising certain insects in a terrarium, videos on the fundamentals of electronics, and of all things...those marble races.

And weird exposes and humorous videos that only the legendary JonTron could host or Count Dankula telling of very real, very insane situations real people got into.

Which lastly left Sally and Violet's common ground of the "dis raps" known as Epic Rap Battles of History.  Yeah.  Still a thing.  I don't question it anymore.  And the production values have only gotten better and better since John Lennon vs. Bill O'Reilly.

With all that out of the way...came the feature presentations.  Half hour things like animated series based on Volt's mentors in New York; Saturday Morning cartoons based around our real allies like the Lightning League of Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors or the crew commanded by Ulysses 31.

Black and white treasures in the form of the Three Stooges.

And even then bat-guano crazy stuff like that weird family of vampire hunters in the woods...the patriarch certainly was...larger than life...and possibly insane.

And then there would be our feature presentation.  This time I believe we would be watching the most 1990-ish comedy we'd seen since the Mask...

I speak of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

If this goes down how think it will...I'll know for sure how well it did or didn't age.

You don't know what you're missing, Asriel.

But really...I was hoping this movie might actually jumpstart the Commander's upswing.  Or  at least distract him from his depression.

Anyway...

The show is about to begin so I'll leave off here.

See you at the movies!

## Sub-Entry 269:  "He Unlocked the Graveyard Again..."

I could only look upon the lone building and sigh.  The door was open.

It seemed so long ago, he locked this mausoleum of his failures behind.

Now he was drowning his sorrows and wallowing in the bad times again.

I walked in.  I could spy no less then 20 to 25 different artifacts I recognized.

Whether it was something embarrassing like the New Year's Shimmer Ball that blacked out town...twice in a row...

...to something profound like the exploded remains of the propane take that put one of his daughters in the hospital, it was all here.

The one artifact I didn't recognized was half of what appeared to be some kind of crystal heart.  I could sense the slowly dying latent energies within it.  It..didn't seem of our universe.  In fact...if I had to guess, it likely belonged to someone else's universe.  If my hunch was right...it was probably the one that Adonis bragged about completely wiping from existence.

That...that was probably the most painful memory Volt Arcade had.  His most profound, most magnanimous failure.

I didn't quite get, at first, what Asriel meant when opened up about our universe being restarted as many times as Undertale...but then it just sort of clicked.  I was definitely open to the idea that I was the current version of an AU variant of Bunnie Rabbot that had run her course in several interpretations; just as manipulated by Destiny and Fate then as I was now.  I wonder how different I was in those theoretical pre-boots?   Were my eyes blue?  Did I not have long blond hair?  Was I shorter?  Did I use actual Maverick weapons and Master Weapons as opposed to Nikita's designs which...resembled them in ways.  Really...how could you not see the similarities between Boson Burn Ball and Atomic Fire?

Ahem.

Back on topic...

"Commander, would you consider this a healthy use of your time?  At the very least...do you consider it helping your mental state?"

A long silence before...

"I used to criticize people in town for smoking...drinking...other disgusting bad habits.  Until I realized falling back on this was no different an addiction.  This is where I empty out my self-pity."

"In the state you are in now, it seems more like bailing water out of a boat with a leak in the bottom."

"Yeah.  I get the metaphor.  Water goes out, but what does it matter if it keeps coming back in, in endless supply?"

"I would recommend you find a more constructive way to cope."

"As you have been.  For the last several years."

I rubbed my eyelids, actually smudging my eyeshadow a bit.

"You are...at least in a talkative mood.  This time."

"And yet, prepared to talk about nothing if it avoids what I know you want to talk about."

"Painfully aware."

My expression softened.

"You know very well.  Fate's pulling your strings again."

"You don't think I haven't been aware of that? "

"Then why are you not fighting it?"

"Because...I HAVE been fighting it...and losing.  Losing badly."

I furrowed my brow.

"So...she'd take it that far..."  I looked off to the side with that trademark low-key "Bunnie Glare" that Vi described when I was deep in thought and frustration.

"This doesn't let you off the hook, though, Commander.  You are still being--"

"A kill-joy.  No other advice to give me other than suck it up?"

"Why say what you already know?"

"Then that leaves us with a lot more nothing to talk about."

"I am saying you've at least earned leniency...to some degree...as well as apology for assaulting you--"

"You went all your life without retaliating or seeking revenge.  I'll allow you this loophole.  I left you bleeding when I did the same from my hospital bed."

"We are...truly terrible sugaring Madam Fate's addiction to drama and discord."

"And yet she knows just how to make us do exactly what we swear we would never do at a point when we're most vulnerable."

"So.  In the name of peace and sanity...what will you do?"

"I still don't know."

"Well.  I hate to be the bearer of bad...or...at least concerning news...Brooke-domou wanted me to pass a message on from the Mage Academy.  Recently...something was...detected or rather noticed."

"You know I have no comprehension of magic--"

"Hear me out.  It seems there's a curious anomaly that's caused some kind of harmonic or echo within the natural energies of the Paling."

"The magical barrier around Miranda that keeps beings like Omnitaru from coming and going as they please?"

"Yes, but...also Violet has considered it somewhat of a secondary...dimensional VPN if that makes sense?"

"A way of encrypting our dimensional coordinates to keep folks like the defunct Chaopolis out?  That's...actually brilliant.  But...you said...an anomaly?  Describe it?"

I had him intrigued now.

Volt's duty as a scientist had been smoldering for some time now.  But perhaps whatever this was...might get him back in the saddle.

"Are they requesting I start up an investigation."

"Not formally, no.  But...the hint was dropped by Brooke herself."

Volt sighed and paced.  I could tell he'd been pacing for a while and only paused long enough to speak to me.

"I don't know what use I can be without STC's resources.  When I retired this time, they put a hold on all of my access so...it's kinda like using a credit card that's been declined."

I frowned at that.

"At least consider it."

"Even if I did, I don't know what I'd have to work with.  Any assets I had are now woefully out of date."

Assets...could he be talking about that sub-lab he kept off the books?

"It's not like you to give up."

"I know..."

I said what he was thinking next.

"So this is how she does it.  She drains away your determination, right?"

Volt's ears drooped.

"Insidious."  I growled.  "But...not something that should get the best of you that easily."

"I appreciate the pep talk but--"

"I cannot believe things have gotten so bad for you that there's no way back..."

Volt's ears perked up a little.  These weren't my words, per se, but the were ones he knew well.

"Sure, Fate has tortured you, humiliated you, and leave you in many an instance where your surroundings and inhabitants would step on your face as soon as look at you.

By Amaterasu's Light...there has to be at least some sparks of hope left in this burned out canis before me.  You just need to mobilize it."

He definitely recognized the great speech of Dr. Raymond Stantz from the eve of Vigo the Carpathian's rebirth; December 31st, 1989 in New York City.

"You're not going to find a symbol adequate enough, Bunnie."

"So...is that a refusal to do what needs to be done?"

"Not an outright no...just......I need more time."

I pinched the bridge of my nose and furrowed my brow.

"I suppose it is the best I can hope for now...but..."

"Major, I know.  Just...don't try to force me to break this dependency.  I have...I have to do it on my own."

"As you wish."

I turned and headed out.

"Don't spend too much time in here.  You chain yourself to the past long enough and it WILL drag you down.  I speak from experience."

"Yes.  Yes, you do."

His eyes were so sullen.  Broken...but not lifeless.  Just...struggling to get a grip and not sure if he can hold on once he has that grip.

He understood.

Well...I guess this was the best I could do.

And yet I did not accept that.

I needed to accelerate this process.  I needed those assets restored.  But I knew...the Commander was in no shape or mood to do so.

Therefore...

I'd have to take matters into my own hands.

## Sub-Entry 270: "Entering What Was Expressly Forbidden.  The Old Dimensional Lab":

This would be considered out of character for me.

I was about to break and enter the most sacred of the sacred.  A place very dear and very personal and very close to Volt's heart.

A place he hadn't opened in ages.

I debated whether to come here...or go to his old Cemetery repository of failures.

He had...padlocked it and not returned to it.

Yet he did not burn it down.  Which meant he knew he would never truly move on until these old memories were gone.

Likewise...there was somewhere else he had locked out of his mind.

It was the nerve center for where he compiled everything for Project Lost Dreemurr.

It was where he amassed all the knowledge he'd ever gathered in his vast number of lifetimes within the S.T.C. Agency.  Every world, every time period, every dimension.  Recorded and organized in a master database...no...series of databases.

And one database had grown well beyond its confines. So much so that the number of AU's it housed was unfathomable.

I figured...if there was one place that might have the coordinates to UTPR-3235...it would be here.

Volt had...redacted them everywhere else.

Violet and  I had a talk with him about this.  That at a certain point he didn't need to prove anything.  To us.  To himself.  To Asriel.  Yes, we had no doubt he could exercise self-control and give Goat Son his space...his freedom.  His chance at his own life without riding our coat tails.

This was a chance for him to be his own hometown hero.

But...

Volt...somewhere along the way took it too far.

He'd proven his self-control, his will to not be clingy to his old friend.  To not be "that guy" who drops in, unannounced and sponges off of his friend because he can't let go.

Volt tried so hard to not be a hypocrite after teaching Asriel to let go of the past...that he did so to a fault.  He over-succeeded.

And now...he broke himself facing his own abandonment issues.  The fact that he...believed he had done to Asriel what Adonis had forced us all to do to him.

There was no one being held hostage.  There was no obvious scheme about.  There was no Evil-Chara messing with us.

Yet...

I refused to believe the Goddesses of Destiny and Fate were leaving us alone.  I refused to believe Fate wasn't acting out of spite for her magnum opus--the Crossover Wars to end in such a disappointing defeat for the forces of evil and chaos.

I would have to believe this was the case if I was going to become Destiny's future Bishop piece.

The sisters had long since re-written the rules of chess so...which piece now outranked which was up for debate; especially with there only being two knights and several rooks and bishops and countless pawns.

And they had tied it all to that infernal Dungeons and Dragons metaphor that Violet kept bringing up.  Granted I had nothing against DnD...it was just how Violet over-geeked over every facet of it all.  To the point of perpetuating a stereotype.

If she brings up Magic Missile one more time, she's going to be crowned with a whole case of Mountain Dew.

"So.  It was right here all this time."  I looked at the security door.  Completely pasted over with cobwebs.  The power was almost non-existent, flickering in and out in sporadic bursts.

I took a deep breath and readied the genjutsu of my choice.

"Chidori."  I poked my fingers into the electronics of the lock.

A massive electric burst erupted within the machinery.

I wasn't as good at this as a true electric element.  This was just a Mojikara technique.

If I really had to face the Commander in a duel?  I would not survive if he didn't hold back.  My nanites would likely amplify the electrocution a good 500 to 1000 fold.

What a way to go out.

May I never end up in this scenario, for ANY reason.  Sixth Sense, keep me well on my toes.  I do not wish to be caught off guard by one of Fate's ironic scripts.  No doubt she's considered my future destiny and scheming to...interrupt the path toward it.

This obviously...was the prelude to it, if such were true.  Gaslighting my commander?  Making him lose his nerve?  Washing him up so thoroughly?  Definitely her calling card.

The door eventually did open with groans, hisses of steam, sparks, and a nasty cacophony of unhealthy mechanical sounds.  This is what happens when you don't maintenance the equipment.

I was ready to pry open the doors but they eventually opened fully.

Dust, cobwebs...and a few bats living in here?

I had an experience with a bat, once.  Quite the jewel thief.  She left me with a nasty boot print on my cheek.

I won't say what scars I left on her.  Suffice to say...it was one set of gemstones she didn't abscond.  Never saw her again afterward.  But she did name drop someone Sally knew in her past.  A real...knuckle-head, if you will?

Hahah.  I made a funny.

Right.  Not a time to be candid.

"Hmm.  The science that time forgot."  I looked around.  Of course the thing to view was...the computer named for the Autobot mainframe.  Teletran-1.

It was just a code-name as its real designation was something the Commander hadn't even disclosed to himself.  If that makes sense.  Just bear with me that there was a sealed manilla envelop containing a schematic and a spreadsheet as well as an owner's manual for said supercomputer system.

I was certain it wouldn't be easy, but I had to find out for myself once I had the machine powered.  I followed Violet's advice on how to properly...hotwire it and bypass the security check for the hardware.

The software?  That I'd need the luck of the gods for.

"Access Denied?  Insufficient authorization."

Well drat.

You know what?

No.

No, this was not the end.  I was not giving up here.

I could go all the way to Computer Valhalla and get Violet...which would only make things worse when I confessed my sin to Volt, eventually...or I could drag Sally away from a gig and see if CIPHER could break the firewall...which would accomplish the same inevitable scorn...

...or I could just act alone and do something riskier.

I did not like to apply Mojikara to modern technology.  Even though the medium I was focusing it with was a form of modern technology.

No...using ninja jutsus could have unpredictable results.  But...they were my best and pretty much only available resource or tool for cracking access to this behemoth of a computer.

I had several which might do the job.

Everything from the illusion dispelling "Curtain Stripping" jutsu on the chance that fooling the machine's own sense of virtual reality might trick it into giving up the info...to Revelations of the Cardinal Direction.  Possibly Minor Binding Removal.  Puppeteer's Strings was a possibility.

I was searching any Bakudou that didn't have an offense or destructive attribute to it.  Something passive or manipulative that wouldn't damage the circuitry.

I started at the very lowest end and worked from there.  Slowly.  Carefully.

Granted I was using these on a machine and not a lifeform.  From a scientific point of view, the results were probably more finite and mathematically predictable.  However...realistically, and pardon my saying so, the reality was that it was just as unpredictable as anything.  Even with Sixth Sense warning me...if it decided to do so given the nature of this unique situation.

Several attempts failed but without repercussions.

Nothing gained.  Nothing ventured.

I spent an inordinate amount of time before a combination finally bore fruit.

"Access granted."

I decided to keep this method to myself, lest this cause a bigger security breach than I was already making.

"Now.  Let us see what you've learned in the last several years..."

And behold a deluge of information.

Volt's entire dimensional research database before my eyes.

In that moment...I realized just how...no...any method I use to put this into words will cheapen it.

There is no degree of quantification that can properly evaluate just how infinitesimal this research had grown.  There were too many AU's to even begin to make sense of.  And Volt had only succeeded at indexing...maybe a few thousand out of the whole pool.

If Undertale had spawned THIS many variants in the time since Undertale Prime's conception...what could be said about other worlds?   Cybertron?  The Spider-Verse?  The Super Smash Brothers Nexus?  Toon Town?    And...whatever...Multi-Versus was.  Perhaps something like that Space Jam thing that popped up twice in the Commander's notes?

I was just a humble servant.  Begrudgingly taking up a position of authority; thankfully deferring to our Commander (which was a compromise as he always wanted me to be full commander)...  And yet here I was trying to do his job and make sense of his research.

I wasn't the same level as scholarly smart as Sally or gifted with prodigal intelligence as Violet.  I could read and speak at least a couple different languages.  I had a decent grasp on higher order mathematics, formulae, and calculations.  I understood at least most of the science division's jargon.  And usually when I didn't, I could read the context and extrapolate word definitions.  In short...I held me own in a room full of 100 million watt light bulbs.  And not in the fake-it-to-make-it method that some of Volt's colleagues...Dr. Venkman, in particular...employed.  I genuinely adapted.   I think...in a way...I had things in common with X.  And Son Goku.  And Naruto Uzumaki.  And Ichigo Kurosaki  And several other beings I'd met who...had an unexpectedly ridiculous learning curve.

That was a requirement of being a ninja of my caliber, after all.  A ninja's power comes not of the body, but of the mind.  Isn't that right, Splinter-sensei?

"Stay on task."  I reminded myself.

What I really needed was...the last known coordinates of Undertale.  Specifically UTPR-3235.

I ended up gathering a list of potentials but...none I could confirm were the right one.

Just as readily, I ruled out just as many more.  Far more that I wanted to count in both cases.

In the end...

...I just couldn't find that specific timeline.

Volt had...prepared better than I thought.  He took no chances that anyone could discover Asriel's home world and exploit it for unknown intentions.

I was however also looking at some of the numeric data and the various measurements and long range scans.

While most of it wasn't making sense...I did identify a few things that looked...similar to what the Mage Academy described.

Something...

...something was definitely happening in the Axis of Realities.

But I wasn't sure what.

I could however tell...whatever it was...it was very, very gradually amplifying over time.  It was building...but to what?

As it was now...it wasn't really impacting our present.  But...if these numbers held consistent?  Then it could become a problem in the future.

As it was...I sensed nothing in our immediate future.  And that wad disconcerting...but also reassuring.

I guess...nothing to do but wait it out and consider this further...in the future.

There was no choice but to admit it.  I needed Volt to analyze this...make sense of it.  Tell us...what was going on.

Little did we know...things would stir in the near future.  Change was coming.  And something would finally snap  Volt out of it.

It would have to.

What lay ahead would need us to be back to our full capacity.  But before that...we'd have to brace ourselves for how our world...worlds were about to expand...

## Sub-Entry XXX: "Giving Thanks Despite the Goat-Shaped Hole in Our Hearts"

Well.  The title explains it all.

I need not clarify why Jon's second favorite holiday hasn't been the same for years.

Many of us would try to replicate Asriel's knack for giving the best speech before eating.  But every one fell short.  There was always something just lacking...missing...something just didn't grab us the way he could.  Asriel-kun was a natural orator.  We...were just riding his coat tails if we thought we could match that.

Not that most of us shouldn't at least get some kind of credit for effort but...I suppose it is true.

You want to earn the title?  You have to get results.

That said...

Jon was doing the cooking per usual.  While Mitzi excelled in all-around culinary arts...

...only Jonathan could master a Thanksgiving dinner.  No turkey was plumper, juicier, more flavorful.  No mashed potatoes could hold a candle to his creamy, fluffy delight.  No stuffing was on his level; and he made at least four different variations.  And one of them substituted raisins in place of celery.  It was incredible.

And then there was everything from the cranberries to the various other side dishes.

As a specialty chef?  This was his signature dish.  This was what would put him on the map at Totsuki Academy...

...that is if he wouldn't get expelled for flunking every other subject.  No offense but the truth would probably hurt.  At least...it would if he had any interest in competing at that level.

He was just the guy known as Mr. Thanksgiving in our town.

The usual bevy of activities ensued leading up to the big feast.

Conversations with those of us who still had immediate or extended family to welcome to town.

Watching sports games on a big screen TV.

Just whatever comes to mind when you think of what you do on Thanksgiving that ISN'T related to cooking, preparing, reflecting on the story of why we celebrate (and it still isn't very clear why we do so on our world compared to the many Earths which tell the story of the pilgrims of the Mayflower and the native Americans that welcomed them to the land)...and of course giving thanks for our good fortune.

"Come, Commander.  You're not getting out of even one of our holidays this year.  Neither rain, shine, drought, hurricane, or the end of the world are getting you out of this one."

I laid down the law.  It was one of the few times I pulled rank and relieved the Commander of his authority, temporarily.

To this day I still get no momentary pleasure out of it.

The average person likely would find enjoyment.  I am not average.  I know that.  I embrace that.

I got a sigh for my firm stance.  But it was better than the groanings he had at other holidays this year.  Even New Years.

"Man you're taking it like this is 2020 over again."

Granted, our world had its own ugly year for different reasons than Earth but...any implication that she meant Earth's timeline was...kind of still in bad taste.  Those of us in the know about other worlds knew the harsh realties that we didn't live through.  We sympathized but...STC was firm in its stance.  Don't reach out or you'll corrupt timelines.

The one time the Council actually remembered our policy of not being magic faeries, genies in the bottle, or magic wands to wave away peoples' problems.  We don't facilitate perfect worlds even though we want to see certain wants get do-overs on various events in their history.

"Too soon, Vi?"  Sally gave her a look.

"Too late for some of us."  Rotor shook his head.

"Let's..not take it there.  Azzy wouldn't want us discussing such depressing topics."  Gadget pleaded.

Invoking his name caused an ominous silence among us.

We all avoided it.  But Gadget dared to namedrop.

"You're right."  Volt's ears drooped as he accepted the situation for what it was.

I eyed the Commander while he wasn't looking.

Should I ask him about my findings?

I didn't understand the computer's analysis entirely.  My sixth sense wasn't giving me a straight answer but it was leaning toward something coming in the future.  How far off?  I couldn't say.

I needed his expertise.  I need him to explain what this was.  However...I don't know that he was ready.

And that prolonged how long I would keep secrets from him.  I was walking on thin ice withholding this after the conversation not long ago when Pit reminded that...we all had a long trial of rebuilding Volt's trust in us.  It was Adonis' influence, yes.  But we still abandoned him until it was safe to let him back into our lives.  How do you cope with the guilt of abandoning someone who's being held hostage in an...unconventional way?  Someone you couldn't even warn or you'd seal his fate?

And I was still at odds with him over how he was behaving as of late.  Partly his fault.  Partly Madam Fate's.

"Everyone.  It's not going to change the fact that we have to keep on facing this time and time again."  Mitzi reminded.

"It has...gotten easier each year but..."  Lupe started.

"But...it hasn't stopped hurting has it?"  Violet was unusually straight.

She finally quit holding this over our heads.   Why we all went along with leaving Asriel in Undertale...why everyone was on board but her with letting him...go back home.  Forever.

When Violet reaches the stage of acceptance?  I think that's the sign.

That's the sign that the Commander could do no less.

"So."  Honey broke the silence.

"Yeah..."  Willamina was at a loss for a follow up.

"I guess we might as well do what needs to be done."  I stood up and clinked on my glass with a spoon to get everyone's attention.

"Well.  There is no time like the present so...let's all go down the list and...do what we've done every year before feasting."

"I hear ya, Buns."  Violet was next to stand.  Eventually we all were doing so.  Volt was the last up.  And he was...about propping himself up with his hands on the table as shaky as he was.  Until he finally got a grip on himself and managed to suck it up.

Mitzi started first.

"I give thanks for opportunities and success.  As you know me, I've...learned to appreciate what it means to put hard work into a dream and...cultivate it until you make it big or...at least until you reach a level you're comfortable with.  Stardom may be behind me but...I lived the dream.  I danced among the stars.  I had my moment of fame.  It was great and...while I still long for the spotlight I'm grateful the little place I've started here is a success.  A small business with that personal touch.  And that's all the success I could ask for.  Thank you all for giving me a chance as UCIAT's first recruit since the Miranda branch's founding.  Here's hoping for more continued success.  I thank whatever powers that be for granting me this much and look forward to where it takes me."

Good speech.  Much shorter than Azzy's but...it came from the heart.

"I give thanks for hope and dreams and wishes and light...all the good in the world; granted either by the will of the gods or an even higher power than that.  As their messenger...I will continue to spread the message...even if I don't quite understand my role in the grand scheme of things.  I've found a purpose since the N-Division and I couldn't be happier that I still l have many years of service left and with all likelihood I'll be able to serve more generations beyond this one; as an archangel time...time will be much different for me.  But I will treasure each and everyone who came into my life.  I thank you all for letting me do some real good in the world and I pledge to continue my unwavering loyalty."

Nice, Pit.  Very nice.

"I give thanks for all the joy we've had and all the joy yet to come!  It's going to be so amazing what's to come!  I'm just so excited to see what I invent for everyone here and all the friends I just know I'm going to make!  The friends we're all going to make!  I love you all so much and I can't wait for the happy times to roll on!"

Gadget was so sweet just now.

"Well.  You all know me.  Nothing like a challenge to light our fires, right team?"

Honey and Willie nodded.

"Man, it's been one long and winding career.  We've been on top, we've been knocked down a few pegs, we've sat a couple out.  Heck, there was a time we were all competing against each other before it became a three-person team sport.  And man were those fast times!    I mean...what can I say but I crave action and I really want to see us all tested and overcome it all in the end.  The journey's gonna be supernova.  Count on it.  And it's going to be wild, free, and we're gonna break through barriers, set some records, and put some criminals and villains in their place.  My friends...let the challenges come full throttle.  I can't wait to just SMASH them all and raise my fist in victory along side each and every one of you."

As only Sally could put it.

"Well...you know.  Stability.  A place where a walrus zoanthro-sapien can raise his kid brother and continue the family business.  If I can get that much and have a stable income and not a lot of world-ending events, then I can say...it may not be the dream I though I wanted for us...but it's a dream I'm comfortable with us both living.  We're in a good place.  And I'd like to keep it that way.  That said...if that's how things remain, then I promise to stay "old reliable".  You can count on me for whatever the mission asks of a humble plumber with an education handcrafted by the late Ecotropian Minister of Science."

Humble indeed, Rotor.  Humble and admirable.

"I celebrate life in all its forms.  As much as I aspire for peaceful, serene times I am willing to ride out the waves of chaotic times.  I will endure as long as it takes to return to our oasis of momentary bliss where I may serve mother nature to the fullest of my capacity.  As the hours, the days, the weeks, the months, and the years pass by I remain vigilant and wait for opportunity to renew my vows as nature's humble servant.  To one and all I wish you longevity and prosperity."

Lupe's softspoken tone only made it resonate that much more with us.  It was all the more heartfelt.

"Well obviously thankful for the food.  You all know me.  But even I know that's superficial in the grand scheme.  When I really think about it...and I'm not one who likes deep thought.  I always end up getting confused and befuddled when I try to go outside my comfort zone...the limits of my intellect.  But I do know what it is that I wanted more than anything when I finally left the age of the Darkstalkers behind and...secluded into my safe place.  I wanted to be able to have that same feeling without also feeling like I've put myself in a prison.  That's...that the promise that Miranda made to me when I came here.  I...I don't feel like I have to look over my shoulder and expect B. B. Hood or Donovan Bane...or a swarm of Q-Bee's...or worse Pyron or Jeddah Doma looming over me.  I was reluctant to trust Felicia when she said...this would be a much better life.  Now...now I couldn't imagine any place to be.  It's a place I can be with the love of my life..."

Elektra raised her glass with a smirk.

"...and some day raise a family of our own.  I don't have to be afraid of becoming an endangered or extinct species because of some foolish, racist hunters.  No N.S. or Anthrocide knocking down my door.  I can finally be at peace and let go of the Vash the Stampede act and be the real me again.  So...yeah...thanks for all that."

Jonathan had just now reminded me of all of what he lost in his distant past.  It had escaped my attention that he may have come from a wealthy family.  Maybe not Violet rich but...yeah...he understood Vi's material world and lifestyle of excess.

Speaking of...

"C'mooooon.  You guys really gonna make me say it?  I see fun times ahead. Days where I don't have to bash my head against the wall over boredom.  The memes yet to be made, the practical joke wars just waiting for me to stand atop the mountain in victory, all the latest sandal fashions to try on."

Amaterasu help me.  Darn it all, Violet.

"Now that's what you WANT me to say, isn't it?  All the nice and shallow things that define your firecracker of a sexy rabbit pervert.  You know you enjoy me when I'm at my woooooorst, right."

Chameleon would be rolling his eyes if he had any interest in setting foot in this shindig with Vi being Vi.  But he opted for his own celebration.  As had most of the town.  Without Asriel to unite us there...just didn't seem much point to large get-togethers.

"But really...you know I really value my friendships.  With as few as I got that will outright admit it without rolling your eyes..."

I think I heard Volt actually cough or try to.  There's a good sign that Violet's annoyance was getting to him again.  He's at least...a step or two above rock bottom now...

...but he still can't seem to find any of his neckties.  Oh well.  Formal dress wasn't a requirement for today.  It is what it is.

"So yeah, thank you all for making sure my life isn't a mound of empty, lonely suck.  It's been ages since I was 18 and I'm glad I have people in my life that I'm not going to be exiling to Prisoner Island any time soon."

Lopsided...but I'd expect no less...and no more from her.

"We give thanks for each other."  Scott and Callie said in unison.

"For clean slates..."

"...and new beginnings."

"And the chance to raise the best son we could have asked for."

Okay twice in a row?  They had had been finishing each others' sentences a lot in recent times.  Nothing to be concerned over.  It just meant their marriage was as strong as ever.

So far the shortest of speeches but...it was warranted.

"I give zee' mercy boucoup for all zee improvement I 'ave made since zee coming of our se magnifique friend.  I cannot be thanking him enough for 'elping me turn my life the around and around."

Broken common as always.  But he had a point.  Antoine had come so far.

"I give thanks for all of your acceptance."

It was a surprise to see Nikita here.  After years of not seeing any need to celebrate...since the fall of Chaopolis...something had changed in her.  Something...warm had blossomed.

Oh she was still stoic and dour but...now there were moments you could see that she had true happiness underneath it all.

"I need not clarify more.  I am...who and what I am.  And I will fulfill my duty as this world sees fit for me to do so.  I am Dr. Nikita Katherine Lynx.  And I pledge my science for the betterment of all life on this world."

The most emotion I'd heard from her in a while.

One by one each of us said his or her peace.

Then it came down to me and the Commander.

"There is no greater asset in my life than the gift of heritage.  To actually have a legacy.  A long and winding one and the opportunity to inherit and continue it.  Even bolster it.  I have always been a humble servant for those I serve.  But I have also learned to be a friend as well.  I have...gained, for lack of better word, my humanity.  My...sense of self and the appreciation that I continue to let my moral core by my guide.  Let Amaterasu light my way so that I never fall from grace.  My sixth sense may not always be able to foretell the future.  But I believe that it will continue to be a great one.  I pledge my sword to the service of this country that I may serve my roll as an officer of justice and a sage for all to be imparted with my wisdom.  Thank you all for your support, your friendship and the chance to be part of my continuing heritage."

It was the best I could manage.

Then all eyes were on Volt.

I...would be lying if I didn't admit that I feared he might not have it in him to attempt any words...any interaction at all.

But after a long period of hesitating...

"You all know me.  You know my reputation.  You know what I've done.  The good.  The bad.  The strange.  The weird.  The great.  The horrid.  And everything interconnected.  I've done so much...in the name of what I believed was right.  I've endangered many while I've sat behind a desk.  I've sent many to their doom as part of STC...and lived with the guilt of my mistakes all this time.

I've entered and reentered this world of Miranda in countless cyclical time-loops just so I can continue to live out my life and times in the place I've always called home.  My point of origin and the only world that I know like an old song, forward and backward.

I've done so much with my life, even after becoming immortal...a choice I admit I've gone back and forth between regretting...and reflecting on with confidence.  That confidence sprang forth from all the lives I've touched.

As many companions and allies as I've made...one big regret remained.  The regret was born from my greatest failure.  It made me so ashamed that I vowed I would never take on another protegee.  No one would ever be my student.  Not as long as I risked endangering them.

That regret tore me apart, knowing that someone else's universe was dead...buried...erased because of my failure.  It would have been one thing if I doomed our UltraVerse...but knowing that Universal City was on my head and all those people that trusted me to be in their corner?  That...there isn't a way to describe that pain.

Then...all of a sudden...in an empty void between worlds...alone and crying his eyes out...

He changed everything.

So...I doubled back on my vow...and I raised him.  We all raised him.  We gave him a future.  And then we turned him loose.

I was...not prepared to let go.  I thought I came to grips with it.  But here I am.  Wallowing in my own self-pity and my broken pride.  Missing my best friend.  And as much as I know he wouldn't want me to be this way...he wouldn't want to see me like this...

I just can't be anything but this.  So...please forgive this old, sentimental fool.

I know this is supposed to be giving thanks but...it's...well...

Less of a thanks and more of a request to bear with me.  To hopefully be one board with helping me when I stumble.  And right now I'm pretty weak in the knees trying to hold back the well-spring of emotions.

I want to move on...but all I feel is this goat-shaped hole in my heart.

I guess when it comes down to it...the thing to be thankful for is the memories.  The chance to even meet him in the first place...and of course...the fact that I was his best friend for a short while."

He was quoting Asriel Dreemurr at the ending of the True Pacifist run.  His plea to Frisk to leave him behind and forget about him.  To let his family forget about him.

"All I can promise is that I'll do my best all things considering.  I will try.  I will defy Fate with whatever I have left.  I can only hope Destiny has some way of turning this around.

When that day comes...I'll be able to honestly say...I am thankful for everything again."

With that...the Commander got a pretty sizeable round of applause.

"Well said, Commander."

"Now that we've got that out of the way?  Whoever eats the fast-est gets the most-est."  Jon licked his lips as he proceeded to carve the turkey.

"Smile, Commander.  It may not be as good as it gets but I think you've been through the worst of it all.  You are ready for the good times to return."

"I've been ready...but...I'm just not motivated.  I just lack--"

"The Determination.  Yes.  I know."

"We all do.  So...for what it's worth, boss?"  Sally offered.

"Lean on me.  (On all of us.)  When you're not strong and--"

"No song cues, Vi."  He warned.

"There ya go."  Vi smiled.  She totally baited me in to that just for the reaction.

Volt attempted a smile.

"Keep up the good fight, Commander.  For peace and sanity."

"As you wish, Major."

After all that...I got him to be submission while I was the one pulling rank.

How ironic your script is, Lady Destiny.

I'll take what I can get.

I think we all will.

On that note...

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Chapter 28

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