Big Fish, Small Pond

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* GL
* TW

## **Main Background**

Unknown Skies

> *"Heh, isn't it funny. The conflux of matter upon matter, electrons infinitely colliding in a vast material world, presumably of composite matter conjured by tiny binary sequences. All this creation with infinite possibility, and I was denied any part in it."*
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> -Weber, Unknown Skies Apocalypse Episode 6, Prologue 1
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**Big Fish, Small Pond** is the 27th Standard Ultimate Wizard quest released for the Global version of Crash Fever, albeit at Spectre difficulty.

The story starts with an unknown girl musing over the digital world of ALICE, and how she has been unable to be a part of it.

A scene after the events of Apotheosis is shown, with Mead arriving at Frazer's residence and demanding that he open up. When there is no response, she tells her soldiers to break in. Montessori tells them to wait, as she will open it in a moment. Mead remarks that she doesn't have all day. Montessori opens the door, but Mead declares that she knows what her and Frazer have been doing, and that they will go away for a long time for masterminding a coup attempt.

Montessori stutters trying to explain, but Mead explains that they know that Frazer and Montessori are harboring the most dangerous artifact in all of Unknown Skies. Montessori tries to say that it was all Frazer, and that he had threatened her while she tried to reach out to the police to get help. Mead tells her to stop trying to make her pity her, and tells her soldiers to take Montessori away. Montessori states that Gotti said that Mead would let her go, and asks what is going on. Mead asks if Gotti was behind all of this, and warns Montessori that she will be looking at a long sentence in prison if she doesn't cooperate. Montessori gives in, and says that she will explain all of it.

Earlier that same day, before the events of Apotheosis, Gotti meets with Malthus as they discuss their plans. Gotti asks Malthus if he really thinks that Frazer plans to betray them, but Malthus warns that Frazer is not a simple professor. He points out that having himself, Becker, and Malinowski all in one place would be too perfect for Frazer to not do something. Gotti remarks that Frazer would be able to take out all of his enemies at once and become the one in charge. Gotti laughs, and says that Frazer thinks he has it all figured out, but he is only a puppet instead of the puppetmaster.

Malthus remarks that that is how it is with academics, as they are always ambitious but never have their eye on the prize. He asks Rousseau what she thinks, and she agrees, saying that endless proselytizing does not get anyone anywhere. Gotti points out that she uses fancy words to hide her own flaws, but she just responds that she is willing to be a pawn if it means achieving what is the best for everyone. She says that no change can come without sacrifice, and Gotti says that the Chariot will make sure of that. He then says that he knows Becker is weak, but they need to make sure that Malinowski won't interfere in their plans.

Meanwhile, the same girl from before says that she can't wait to see "his" face, and wonders if he has her nose or her hair. She wonders if he will gently hold her, and tell her that she is safe, and that he will be sure that no harm comes to her. She then reveals that she is referring to her brother.

This time, a scene between the events of Zeno Aftermath and Bullet News is shown, as Malinowski trains Durkheim. Durkheim hits every target, but Malinowski tells him to do it again as he is too conceited. Durkheim gets progressively annoyed by Malinowski, and eventually says he's had enough and that he is sure he can do what he needs to. Malinowski tells him to come over, and Durkheim gives a sigh of relief. Malinowski states that he has something that he needs to tell Durkheim, and Durkheim asks if it is about him. Malinowski just says that he has kept this secret away from Durkheim for too long.

Malinowski brings up the rumors of his past, and how he used to mass-produce Astral Warriors. He admits that it is all true, and Durkheim responds that he had assumed it was. Malinowski explains that it was all for a good cause, as it would give some rebels a chance to overthrow those who oppressed them. He then says that his love for his work consumed him, and he did bad things in order to develop his research and create the finest, purest warrior possible. He laments that he had accepted a deal to work for some man and done his bidding, and wasn't strong enough to stop it.

Durkheim asks Malinowski what he did for the man. Malinowski explains that he built the ultimate weapon for the World, and it was a beautiful success. He remarks that it was a bit crude and, fortunately, somewhat unfinished, but he was proud of his work. Durkheim tells him that he can just make another weapon so powerful, but Malinowski says it isn't possible. He explains that the World "was the marble, and I the sculptor"; he built the weapon to literally be a part of the World.

Malinowski says that he eventually came to his senses when he saw the cold, deadly eyes of the World, and how he seemed to revel in the deaths of innocents. He says that he stole the weapon, and tried to destroy it for several months; much to his dismay, however, the weapon was already beginning to obey the World. He explains that the weapon must have alerted the World to where he was, so he had little choice but to sever the core from the weapon and escape, as it would be too much of a risk otherwise. Malinowski begins to say what the core was, but Durkheim cuts him off and says that he must have been a part of the core. Malinowski says that Durkheim now understands the situation.

Durkheim asks what he must do now. Malinowski explains that one part of the core must destroy the other; Durkheim will need to destroy his sister, or else the server might face complete annihilation if the weapon is completed. He says that the World will not be satisfied with merely destroying Unknown Skies, but will use it to devastate other servers as well. Durkheim thinks about Elysium University, and then begins to leave. Malinowski asks where he is going, and Durkheim responds that he is going back to train.

The story then goes to right after the events of Indoctrination, where Malthus, Gotti, and Rousseau arrive to confront Becker. Malthus declares that Becker's reign will end here, though Becker in insulted that Malthus would bring such a lowlife and thug to desecrate his palace. Malthus remarks that Becker sits upon a throne of lies, and that he will declare that Gotti is the rightful ruler of Unknown Skies. Becker scoffs, and remarks that a coup d'etat like that is very unoriginal. He asks where his guards are, and tells Morgan to stand guard so that news of this situation does not get out.

Gotti states that Becker will be a liar to the very end, though Becker retorts that it's not like a man of Gotti's standing has never lied. Gotti says that he doesn't lie to people because he doesn't fear anyone, whereas Becker lies when he is afraid. He threatens Becker, saying that he can just retire now and nobody will find out about his pyramid scheme. Becker asks Gotti if he really thinks this gives him any power over him, but Gotti admits that he doesn't. He then says that he knows what does, and he tells Rousseau to bring in the Chariot.

The unknown girl from before speaks to herself again, saying that she knows the blood that pumps through her veins is the same blood that pumps in her brother's veins. She says that she can feel her brother now, and that she knows he is close to her.

Rousseau brings in the Chariot, and asks Becker if he will stand aside so that they can do what he couldn't - bring about equality. Becker asks her if she really thinks that this is what this is about, and tells her that everyone will end up equal only when they are dead. Gotti states that Becker has thus shown himself to be a tyrant. He then tells the Chariot to awaken, referring to her by name - Weber. Malinowski then steps in with Durkheim and Mimieux, and laughs. Malthus asks why he would be laughing, and Durkheim explains that it is because there is no sane person that would think they could even attempt to control Weber. He says that she has been perfected in ways that they could not even begin to understand.

The girl from before - Weber - asks herself if that is her brother nearby. Gotti remarks that he thinks Durkheim just has a big mouth, prompting Mimieux to angrily say that Gotti wouldn't know. Gotti then says that she ought to be careful, as her boyfriend isn't going to have his bodyguard to protect him this time. Machiavelli then appears from the shadows, prompting Becker to tell him to stop. Machiavelli states that he just needs to kill Malinowski, and then he will have it all, just as Gotti told him. He says that Rousseau will be his if he can just pull the trigger. Gotti tells him to do it, while Malinowski calmly tells him to do what he must. Durkheim tries to stop Machiavelli, but it is too late - with a bang, Malinowski falls down to the ground, dead.

Weber suddenly wonders at the emotions she is filling, all of the agony, all of the guilt, and asks if it would be better if it all just came to an end. Durkheim looks at Malinowski's body in despair, while Gotti wonders why Weber won't come out yet. Angry, Durkheim asks Malthus how he could do this, and says that Malinowski had respected him. Malthus just says that it's not any business of his whether Malinowski did or not. Machiavelli contemplates what he has just done, and then begins to laugh maniacally as he states he feels great. Annoyed, Gotti asks if Weber is broken or something, but Malthus assures him that she will come out, and that there is no rush as they have plenty of time.

Gotti says that they might as well deal with the riff-raff while they wait, and Malthus says that it is his call. Gotti laughs, and says that they can make a game out of it. As he starts to go into more detail, Becker states that he has had enough of this, and that they will tarnish his throne room no more. Machiavelli laughs and calls Becker out on his hypocrisy, stating that this is a throne of blood. Durkheim says that Machiavelli might be right, and admits that he used to be weak and pathetic like him. Gotti mocks Durkheim for thinking he is all grown up now, and remarks that Durkheim has no choice now that he has lost his daddy. Durkheim quietly says to Malinowski that he knows their goals are greater than this, but he can't let Gotti mock Malinowski like this.

Durkheim tells Mimieux to help deal with these goons, and tells Becker to allow him to deal with the insurgents, as they must pay in blood for what they have done. Durkheim first fights against Machiavelli, who keeps talking about his delusions of grandeur. He fights Malthus as well, who talks about how he will bring about a new world order. He lastly fights against Gotti, who declares that this will be the day of his coronation, and that he will be a far better and honest leader than Becker ever was.

While they are distracted by the battle, Benedict and Aleister watch over Malinowski's corpse. Benedict asks why they didn't help him, and why they were even there in the first place if they weren't going to help. Aleister cryptically remarks that things far greater than Malinowski's corporeal body are now in motion, and that there is not puprose to from perpetuating causality. Benedict just stares at him in annoyance, but he says that is what he thought, and tells her to hand him the scalpel. Benedict asks what the point is, considering how Malinowski is still dead. Aleister remarks that they will find out if Malinowski's soul still lingers there.

Elsewhere, Frazer tells the World that the deed is done. The World asks about the girl, and Frazer responds that he believes that she is just beginning to awaken. The World then inquires about Malinowski, and Frazer reports that his death worked as a catalyst to motivate Durkheim into action, just as predicted. Frazer states that the time is almost upon them, and asks the World what he will do once he has the weapon. The World remarks that this is only the beginning, and they will be able to leave this server behind to create something far greater. He offers to let Frazer join him, and Frazer only asks that he can bring Montessori as well. The World asks how he can still love Montessori after she betrayed him, but he says that she is easily impressionable and thus poses no risk to them. The World says that it has been decided, and they will soon see the birth of chaos.

After dealing with the others, Durkheim states that it doesn't make him feel any better. Mimieux calls out to him, but he says that she doesn't need to console him. She points out the Chariot, and notes that it seems to be moving. Durkheim says that she is responding to his agony, prompting Mimieux to ask what he means by "she". Weber then becomes fully active, and remarks that she always wondered what this place looked like. Weber calls out to her brother, and asks how long have they been apart. Durkheim responds that they can never be together. Weber says she will change that, and states that Durkheim is just as beautiful as she had imagined. She asks him to let her touch him just once, to feel his skin. Mimieux angrily tells Weber to not lay a finger on Durkheim, prompting a scowl from Weber.

Morgan apologizes to Becker for having failed him, but Mead suddenly breaks into the room with her squad. She tells everyone to lay down their weapons, and asks what in the world is going on. She requests immediate backup, and then asks where Malinowski is. Becker tells her that he is dead, and she states that it hurts to hear that. She then warns everyone that they must evacuate, as the palace is set to explode. A few clicks are then heard, and there is a large explosion.

The story is continued in Confluence of Matter.

## Counter Units

The Regional Festival counter unit to this quest is Weber.

## Quest Overview

* [Prologue 1]
* [Prologue 2]
* [Spectre]
* [Epilogue]