Coruscant; Atlas
Atlas was a city set on a floating artificial island, using Gravity Nature Crystals to keep it stabilized. Diagonal elevators connected the island to the town below, and was the main means of travel there without a ship. Of course, when you were a member of the Schnee Family, you were given access to a more exclusive elevator, and a team of armed guards protecting it, wearing white, blue, and black tech armor with helmets.
"Hm?" The guards perked up at seeing a familiar face. "It's Lady Weiss!"
"Really? She almost never comes home, but she was here only a few days ago. Er, hello, Lady Weiss! You look… different! Have you lost weight?"
Miyuki was usually shorter than Weiss, even with high-heels, and she was an ounce more husky. Even so, she managed to wear the disguise well, and she braided her own hair into a ponytail while cutting off the Schnee Mask's ponytail. Beside her, with a polite smile, was Sebastian. "I have business with my family. I've also brought the butler from my KND sector."
"Of course. Please, go right in."
Miyuki and Sebastian stepped onto the elevator and patiently enjoyed the ride.
"When you wear someone's MMask," Majora said, "it emits a MMild hypnotic affect that deceives people into thinking you're the actual person. However, if people are already aware or if they aren't convinced by the disguise, it won't work. I would advise wearing her outfit along with it."
Miyuki put on Ciel's mask. "Sebastian, I want you to make a copy of Weiss's outfit that fits my proportions. Ah, and before I forget… during this operation, you have to obey my every command, even if I won't be wearing Ciel's mask. Just as well, you won't try to communicate our plan to anyone in any way, shape, or form."
"Ah, you crafty girl." Sebastian smirked. "Well, what kind of butler would I be to betray my master's captor?"
The elevator rose through the island and let off before the gates to Schnee Manor. The mansion was very wide with an expansive pavilion, its main landmark a fountain with a large, glowing snowflake symbol above its tip. There were two towers on either side of the manor's center. The structure overall was white with blue roofs and gray accents, columns and pine trees lining the front.
It was located in a peaceful mountain area, overlooking Atlas. There were no other buildings or clouds to obscure from the clear night sky, attributing to the mansion's aesthetic. With no one else around, Miyuki swapped Weiss's for Verglora's Mask. "…I'm not sensing any auras."
"Don't throw in the towel just yet." Verglora mimicked Ciel's voice. "The mansion's structure is obscuring my vision. We may have to go in after all." They switched to Jinta's tone, "Yeah, so let's bust in on these rich boys!"
"That is what we anticipated."
Miyuki and Sebastian approached the entrance calmly, the former knocking on the door. A butler with brown hair around a bald scalp and a matching mustache answered. He was slightly heavyset. "Oh, Miss Schnee! It's always a delight to have you visit us. Ah, and I see you've brought your friend's butler!"
"A pleasure to see you as well, Mister… pardon me, I seem to have forgotten your name~" Sebastian said. "What was it, Miss Schnee?"
"Uhh…"
"Klein, who's at the door?" The butler moved aside as the man of the house approached. Jacques Schnee wore a white suit that complimented his hair and mustache. His cold blue eyes focused on his "daughter." "Ah…Weiss. It's quite a rarity to see you home nowadays. Taking a break from playing hero with those unruly friends of yours?"
"Hello, Father. Is Mother home?"
"Hmph! That woman hasn't lived in this house for ages. All that exists is a shell. You should know that by now."
"I was only wondering…"
"You know, I've been wondering something myself." Jacques turned and paced reflectively. "The last time you paid us a visit, not but days prior, I've found that a certain 'treasure' has gone missing from my vault. I wouldn't suppose you had any clue about that?"
"No, Father. I don't."
Jacques' eyes narrowed. "Then what is the nature of your visit?"
"I just thought I should visit home for a bit. Is that a problem?"
"I should be asking you that. …But since you are here, let's have a little talk. Would the two of you excuse us?"
"I shall go prepare some tea for you, Miss Schnee!" Klein eagerly pranced off.
"Sebastian, you may go. Find the security camera room and have them turned off."
"Yes, My Lady." Sebastian walked away.
The snowflake symbol took up the majority of the foyer floor. Knights' armor stood beside the stairs, and an icicle chandelier hung overhead. Candles of "ice fire" lit the interior. "Weiss, it's come to my attention that public opinion hasn't exactly weighed in favor of the KND."
"…What do you mean by that?" Miyuki asked with genuine interest.
"Simply put, they're assuming too much power. I know they operate under the guise of heroes and protectors, but their intentions are questionable at best. Some believe they have made allies out of the Four Emperors… some believe they are instigating some of these events just so they can resolve them. And let's not forget the fact that they command the Firstborn. At the pace they're going, they may end up controlling the whole universe… and their good intentions can flip in a heartbeat."
"Where's your proof of that, Father?"
"Hah! Look no further than that Cherry boy's demeanor during our meeting. Not to mention the actions of that filthy Faunus. They're arrogant and think they're above us. Of course, with the incident taking place with that foolish Kayaba's game, it's not shaping up our image any better. His time as a Corporate President may be short-lived. What I'm saying is, as potential heiress to the Schnee Family, it may not benefit you to associate with them. You'll be damaging your own and our family's reputation."
"Those people are ungrateful for the KND."
"Now, see here, young lady-" But Jacques was interrupted by a phone call. "King Mickey? Ugh, we'll talk later, Weiss." He answered the call, "Hello, Your Majesty?"
As Jacques walked away, Miyuki left up the stairs and explored the manor halls. There were paintings of landscapes and ancestors, and the colors mostly followed those of the mansion. "Shouldn't wear the mask with the cameras still active. …Not that it even matters. I'm fully expecting to be caught. Especially if the Winter Maiden refuses to cooperate."
The menagerie was the only area that seemed to break away from the mansion's color scheme. There were caged animals such as bears, exotic birds, and tigers. "Nice of you to visit us, darling…"
A woman was lain on a sofa under an orange, furred blanket. She held a bottle of vodka and had bags under her blue eyes. Her hair was naturally white. Based on what Miyuki could see of Weiss's memories, their relationship was tense at best. "…Hello, Mother. I see the animals are doing well."
"Yes… nice and natural, unlike those 'filthy' Mobians. Jacques only keeps them here to satisfy his ego. Something the matter, dear? You seem a little pale."
"Just have a lot on my mind. Been kinda stressful at the KND, so I thought I'd visit home. …Not that this place is any better."
"You sure you aren't here to investigate him, for that reason? He's obviously plotting something with those buddies of his."
"I see… well, whatever darkness they bring us, the KND will make it. Sadly, it seems your darkness isn't going away any time soon."
"Hmph…" The woman closed her eyes and chugged down her vodka.
Miyuki glanced up at the garden's camera. It wriggled a bit before hanging down, indicating it was shut off. While Willow Schnee was drinking, Miyuki quickly slipped on Verglora's Mask and scanned her. Willow only possessed a basic aura. She went back to Weiss's mask by the time Willow looked back down. "Well, if you wanted to fix that darkness, you could visit a bit more often. Especially for Whitley. Jacques and I are a little too toxic for him…"
"Where is Whitley now?"
"I'm sure he's around…"
"Fine then. I'll look for him myself." Miyuki rolled her eyes in a manner that Weiss would and left.
Sebastian had KO'ed the guard inside the camera room and shut them off as instructed. Though before he did, he noticed someone else arriving at the front gate. "I'm only attempting to stop her for my master's sake… but I wonder if stopping her is even wise. Though we've come to detest them, perhaps securing these Newborn is necessary. Even so… we can't just let this naughty child do as she pleases."
Miyuki found the library, but no one was inside. She walked by a room with a black piano, sitting quietly. "Is there only the one butler in this mansion? Talk about dead."
"Even the Phantomhive Manor was more lively than this." Sebastian said, rejoining the girl. "I guess the reviews aren't as acceptable."
"I don't suppose you saw where Whitley was on those cameras?"
"No. I presume he is in a room where the camera does not reach. His own room, perhaps?"
"There you are, Miss Schnee!" They looked as Klein approached with a cup of tea on a plate. "Hoo, you gave me quite the workout searching for you. Are you looking for something?"
"Where's my brother?"
"I haven't seen him in a while. That rapscallion is always running off. Shall I help you find him?"
"That won't be necessary. You can return to what you were doing before."
Klein's eyes curved in sadness. "Something is troubling you, Miss Schnee. I would love to be of assistance…"
"It's alright, Klein." Miyuki kindly took the tea. "It'll all work out soon. …But, I think I would like something sweet."
"Ho hoo!" He perked back up. "I'll get right on it!" And he zipped off.
"You could have at least asked where the rooms are." Sebastian said.
"Yeah, 'cause that wouldn't be suspicious."
The two quietly searched the hallways. Willow's room was naturally empty. They found a locked room, but when Miyuki investigated with her Past Sight, she learned it was the old room of Weiss's sister. She then found Whitley's room, but he wasn't in there either. The only ones she didn't check were her father's and Weiss's rooms. But when she checked the latter… someone was laying on Weiss's bed. "Ah, pardon me, Sister." A thin, white-haired boy faced Miyuki with a beaming smile. "My own bed gets so stiff sometimes, while yours is always so comfy! It's not like you have much use for it, anyway."
"You certainly act your age."
"At least I'm not playing around in a treehouse all the time."
"What's that outside the window?"
"Hm?" Whitley turned.
Miyuki immediately froze him in time. She pulled out Verglora and examined him. "…!" Whitley possessed a strong, white aura. "It's you…" Miyuki moved back to close the door.
"Hm?" Whitley unfroze and faced her again. "? Weiss, what is that mask? W…WHUH?!" The brother was bound against his will, an entangling sensation compressing his body. Whitley turned into a mask of his frightening self.
Miyuki lay on the bed and put him on. As with the others, Whitley floated inside a dark space. "YOU! You're not my sister! Who are you?! What've you done to me?!"
"She's here for me."
Whitley gaped as an ice-blue maiden in a glittery dress of snow appeared. She had big, snowflake eyes. "I am Araea, the Winter Maiden, and the ancestor of the Schnee Family."
"A-Araea? THE Araea?! Is this the afterlife or something?!"
"Relax, boy. I reincarnated inside you. Since we Maidens can only be reborn in members of our own race, my own descendants were the only Frosolites available. But to better hide from the Masked Demon, I chose to reincarnate inside the men, who would be born without icebending as a result. My previous incarnation was your grandfather, Nicholas Schnee."
"So, my theories about the Maidens were right." Miyuki affirmed. "I was able to track the Summer Maiden down the same way."
"And who are you, girl?"
"Miyuki Crystal. I'm the one Majora chose to be Verglora's Guardian. And I need you to break their seal."
"And why would I do that?"
"The Summer Maiden told me that you guys shouldn't break the seal until we've found the one who can melt the demon's cold heart."
"Is that what she was told? Then, who is it? Who's the one who will melt its heart?"
"Who else could it be but Link's reincarnation? The very boy who pacified Majora before. Cheren Uno."
Araea's eyes lit up. "Cheren… Somehow, that name is familiar. I feel like… I've already met him before."
"Then you must know just as well, right? Even the Mask Salesman was highly fond of him. The one he was talking about has to be Cheren."
"Hm…very well. Take us to this boy. If his potential holds true, then the Maidens and I will consider breaking the seal."
"Then we'd better go."
"Wait, what about me?!" Whitley panicked. "You're going to-"
Miyuki took him off and put Weiss's mask back on. Sebastian waited outside as she stepped out. "So, the mission is accomplished then?"
"For this phase."
"I hope to see the release of my Young Master and Miss Schnee soon."
"Then let's get back to Earth."
"There you are, Weiss!"
They faced left. Jacques stood with a tall, strong woman in a military uniform. Her eyes and bunned hair, with bangs hanging over the right side, distinguished her as a fellow Schnee. "F-Father! And… Winter?"
"Weiss, you emailed me about a family emergency. I was able to find time to make it over here."
"I…I didn't…" Miyuki glanced back at Sebastian, his smile wry and innocent.
"Ugh, just what is this about Weiss?"
"I never sent an email. I'm sorry, Sis, but I really don't know."
"Wait…" Jacques looked up suspiciously. "It was Whitley, wasn't it?! Why, that little…"
"And why would Whitley have tried to call me over?" Winter asked.
"Ergh, we had an 'argument' this morning, and clearly he is still upset about it. He must've called you here as some sort of prank."
"I think I would like to speak with Whitley in that case."
"Oh, and why do you? You've already decided that you're through with us."
"I've been concerned about how you might be treating my brother."
"How I 'treat' him isn't your concern."
"Ahem, I should probably go." Miyuki turned to leave.
"Now wait there, young lady!" Jacques grabbed her arm. "You had something to do with this too, didn't you?"
"Hey, let her go!" Winter pulled him off. "Weiss, what are you doing here, anyway?"
"I… only came here to see how things were going."
"Whitley called you as well, didn't he?!" Jacques smacked the girl in a fit. "You-…!"
Weiss's mask flew off and bounced along the ground. Miyuki looked up at them nervously. Jacques' and Winter's eyes grew wide. "You…you're not my daughter."
Miyuki threw on the Earl's Mask, "Sebastian, knock them out!"
Winter slashed at the butler, but Sebastian dodged and grabbed her arm, attempting to slam her against the wall, but Winter sprouted icicles against his legs. This halted him enough for her to escape and slash his forehead, but Sebastian survived and drew a grappling hook, launching it at a chandelier to pull himself free. He dropped away from Winter while evading her icicles.
Miyuki used this chance to flee, but since Weiss's heels weren't suiting her, she left the footwear to better move. Jacques chased, but Sebastian saw this. The butler grappled him, launched over, and kicked Jacques in the head. "?!"
Jacques' head came off… and dissolved into blue dust. Miyuki looked back and stopped at seeing this. Absorbing the sight in shock, Sebastian was unprepared when Jacques punched him with an arm of red dust, burning the butler's head. "You're a Logia bender?!" Sebastian asked, dodging Winter's sword and kicking up against her arm, only to suffer an erected icicle.
"Father, you were never a bender!" Winter said, creating a large hornet of snow that tried to "sting" Sebastian.
"Gruntilda gave me a magic fruit that allows me to amass our own Nature Dust into my being! She called it the Dust-Dust Fruit." Jacques ran at Miyuki and swung a leg of brown dust, which Miyuki promptly cut through, only for Jacques to blast some at Miyuki's stomach and send her up the hall. "The different elemental forms make it hard to bend, but it's handy to have in a pinch!"
He had to have gotten that after Sheila punched him at the party. Miyuki thought. I wonder if that was the reason…
"Where is my sister?!" Winter slid past Sebastian and her father, shooting icicles, which Miyuki deflected back by twirling her scythe.
"Ah, Miss Schnee!" Klein came around the hall with a plate of small cake. "I've brought you some-" Miyuki flipped her scythe up, expertly caught the cake on the tip, whirled it down to her mouth, and downed it in one gulp. She then slipped behind and held her blade around the butler's neck, prompting Winter to stop. Miyuki began to skid backward with Klein anxiously mimicking so the blade didn't touch. She had just reached the foyer, but Jacques ultimately decided to fly after them; his left leg had become white, Wind Dust that helped carry his semisolid body.
"Father, wait!" Winter yelled. "She might hurt-" but Sebastian kicked her in the head, and when he followed up with a karate chop, Winter grabbed his arm and froze it. She tried to snap the arm off, but Sebastian kicked her back. He returned to evading her attacks while throwing kicks, hoping to wait for the ice to wear off on his arm.
Seeing the hostage threat didn't work, Miyuki bashed Klein in the head with the back of the blade, knocking him out. Jacques dropped down and grabbed Miyuki's leg in his left arm, using Ice Dust to freeze it, but Miyuki used her bending to Rewind the effect and Jacques. She jumped off the foyer walkway while kicking down the suit of armor beside it, the armor crumbling to pieces. Miyuki stood where it did, looking up as Jacques flew down in his dust-made form. She immediately used Stop on the mass of dust, then dedicated some chi to Rewinding the armor back into place. The knight ended up reforming over Jacques, trapping the Logia inside.
"What?! How did I get in here?! You wretched girl!"
Miyuki dashed out of the manor entrance. Hatches opened on the pavilion as mechs rose on lifts. They shot laser guns, Miyuki dealing Rewind Deflects at some, while otherwise dodging their fire and slicing the robots' limbs. "SISTER-CHAN! Hurry!" Suki Crystal was waiting on an ice-made kart outside the gate. "Zanny sent me to get you!"
"'Guess he saw that going wrong a mile away." Miyuki cleaved through the gate and jumped on the back of Suki's kart, the sister driving them down the mountain. "But I was able to get the Winter Maiden."
"Where's the butler?"
"He's keeping the family busy."
"Um, doesn't that mean he's gonna get in trouble, too?"
"He lured Weiss's sister to the manor before I could order otherwise, so he doomed himself. So, does this mean Zanifr prepared an exit for us?"
"Uh-huh. It's over here!"
There was a dark portal at the base of the hill. Suki stopped and dispelled her kart. "But since I don't need Weiss, anymore, I'll be a little generous." Miyuki placed Weiss's mask at her feet before wearing Verglora. "At least I've given them something to bond over." Miyuki mustered Verglora's magic. "…Huh? Why isn't it working?"
"What, you didn't know?" Verglora asked. "Even though my Faceless have a time limit, I can't change people back from masks. Seems only that wretched song can do that, hehehehe!"
"Well, that's a shame."
"YEAH, IT IS!" Suki shouted. "You coulda told us that before!"
"Relax, Suki. We're going to see Cheren, anyway. Let's go." Miyuki stepped into the portal, Suki worriedly following.
In the manor, Sebastian swiftly hit icicles away while tossing shuriken cards at Winter. The general evaded and dealt two more cuts to the butler, and she sent some ice from her foot along the floor to freeze Sebastian's leg. "I should've known not to underestimate the Schnee Sword Style. Even your sister was a formidable opponent."
"How do you know my sister?"
"Your sister is actually a friend of my true master. You see, I-!"
An axe of ice SLICED Sebastian's head clean off. The butler's mouth was left agape, his head fading into darkness before it hit the ground. As his body disappeared, Winter was provided a view of her half-drunk mother. "I don't appreciate outsiders judging us."
Jacques was able to leak his dust out of the knight's armor, reforming back to normal. "Grrrr! I'm canceling all my appointments until I see you behind bars!" He grabbed his phone and called his secretary. "Jonas, it's me! A strange girl just attacked our mansion. I can't say for sure, but I suspect she's a KND operative. Look up Earth's operatives and tell me if any of them match this description…"
Mushroom Castle
Romeo took a bath to wash the fatigue from his system, but he still made time for a relaxing footbath on the castle balcony. He stared absentmindedly at the stars, the last ounces of twilight fading. "Boy, I bet this feels nice after that!" Wendy cheered, kicking the water around. "Losing your shoes on that scorching ground must've been awful. We'll have to get you a new pair tomorrow."
"Yeah…" Romeo stared down at Victini's Spirit Ball and began to lazily bounce it.
"Uh…I hope that doesn't make Victini sick. I always assumed those balls had little Pocket Dimensions, so maybe not."
"Hopefully…"
Wendy was saddened by the dull look in his eyes. "…I wonder how Pokémon feel about being in those things? I hope they feel warm and cozy in their trainers' pockets! I bet your pocket is really cozy!"
"What's the point of this conversation?"
"J-Just trying to make fun! You seem… bummed out."
"I just… don't feel like I earned anything." He stopped bouncing it. "I mean… they were the Mario Bros.. And now they're crippled because of me. And all I got was a Newborn I don't know what to do with."
"…" Wendy wanted to say that they would find the answer and he shouldn't worry… but it probably wouldn't help. She decided to scoot closer to him. "Well, we were thinking that we should stay here for a little while. Help the town rebuild and stuff. So, if you feel responsible, then maybe that'll help."
"I guess. I don't think the Mushroomians are gonna like me if they find out why-"
"Romeo, just-…" He was startled by her brief outburst. Wendy's expression faded. "Just… stop it. You're starting to remind me of myself. Always whining and thinking I'm a burden to everybody."
Romeo shrank a bit in guilt. Internally, he didn't feel like he was whining that much, but he shouldn't try to argue that. "Well… even you worked harder than I did. You had something to live for, and you found it: your family. Heh, even I'm tired of my own family."
"How could you say that?"
"'Cause my dad is a useless flirt who hits on every girl he sees. He's the reason Mom left us. She doesn't even care to visit me. And sometimes… I'm afraid of ending up like him."
One time, Romeo had a nightmare where he was in a bathhouse… but he was in the girls' tub. He was surrounded by several cute, naked, big-chested girls. A blonde girl, a scarlet-haired girl, a couple with short light-blue hair… and, of course, Wendy. Even Wendy was there. She was scooted up to him in the steaming water, her body dripping and skin wet…
"!" He scooted away with a start. Even sitting by her in this footbath felt undeserving. She may have been otherwise fully clothed, but all Romeo had were shorts. His muscles were bare for all the girls to see… but no, he didn't go shirtless just to look attractive. He did it because he thought it looked cool. "Romeo, what's wrong?"
"I-I just… My toes were poking you, so I thought I'd give you space."
"Romeo, you're poking me!" Wendy said in his dream with a flush.
"HUFF!" Romeo felt his head swell and eyes compress.
"Romeo!"
"I-I'm sorry. I just…I don't feel like I deserve anything!"
"Then… do you not deserve me?"
"Huh?" Romeo faced her. The sadness in her choco eyes made his heart wrench. "…No, I don't. You're amazing, talented, and beautiful. No matter what you say… I'm just pathetic."
"…" Wendy narrowed her eyes and stood. She walked directly in front and looked down on the muscular mage. "No matter how 'pathetic' you are… it won't change how I feel about you. You are kind. You are strong. And no matter how you compare to people like Bowser or the Marios… you'll just keep getting stronger. Not just to flaunt your power, but to be useful to those around you. In the beginning, all I wanted was to be useful to people. And under all this talent, that's still all I want. So, if that's what you mean by being pathetic… then let's be pathetic together."
"Wendy…" He was only reminded how admirable she was. Her experience and maturity… the reason he looked up to her… but he could hardly believe what she said next.
"Romeo… I love you. No matter how pathetic you say you are… you're always training. Always moving, always toughing things out, because you're so dependable. Everything I said was true… but also, I love that soft voice of yours." She sported a blush with her smile. "Heh, you're not just some muscular guy with an aggressive, manly voice. It shows a soft and sensitive side to you. It highlights a warm heart."
Wendy put a hand to his chest, the boy blushing. "That colorful fire of yours… it comes from your heart. It's a beautiful rainbow."
"Wendy…" Romeo thought back to that nightmare… or, was it more like a dream? Being beside Wendy, in that tub… it felt so warm. He felt so nice around her. He loved to look at her… not because she was cute, but because she was a lovely person. She was kind… reliable… fun… energetic… and an absolute delight to be around. He still feared that he didn't deserve her… that she should be with a guy that would treat her well. But… he wanted to be that type of guy. He didn't want to end up like his dad… He wanted to meet the perfect girl and treat her with respect. And Wendy… was a perfect girl. And he wanted to be with her. He couldn't deny it. He… "I love you, too!"
"Hehe…I thought you did. Or at least… I hoped. You're always saying such nice things about me. Like a schoolboy obviously in love."
"Ehh…hehe, yeah, it's true. I… love being around you. I love hearing your voice, seeing you fight, and… just everything. But it's 'cause you're so nice that… I wondered if you felt the same."
"Well… I do. So… come stand with me."
"…" Romeo stretched himself up, rising a few inches taller than her. She curved her head back and welcomed him into a kiss. Her breath stirred within his mouth like a mini whirlwind… and his breath bore the warmth of a summer day. Perhaps this was what being kissed by benders was like. The flame at Romeo's chest flared even brighter, and though it couldn't actually burn them, they strongly felt its warmth. Wendy and Romeo let go, but still held each other. "…Heheh…I kissed a girl."
"Did you liiiiike it?"
"Heh heh heh! …Thank you, Wendy. I'll… try to stop being a complainer. I'll try to be worthy… for Mushroom, and for you."
"You don't have to be any more worthy to me."
"Hehe. I can't just let you stay ahead of me!"
"Then you better join the track team! 'Cause I run crazy fast!"
"Ha ha ha! Well, you can stay ahead of me there!"
"Tee hee!"
…
Inside the castle, Maria had told Louise what happened, showing her the state of their dad and uncle. Despite her previous feelings for her father, Louise was clearly distraught over their state, holding the plumbers' hands. "I know Mushroom has its own KND, but… this world needs the Mario Bros. to give them hope." Maria said. "So, I… Do you think I should stay here, Louise?"
"…Well, you're the one who wanted to drag us home before."
"Th-that was different! I…I love my new friends. And Romeo's going through a hard time, so I would hate to leave him, too, but…"
"So, don't leave them. If our parents wanted us to be Mushroom's hope, they should've kept us around. If you're more used to your life on Earth, that's only natural. So, just stay with them."
"It's not that easy. I feel like… the people here will feel abandoned. Their heroes can't fight, anymore… and I'd rather fight for Earth. …And I don't suppose you'd want to…"
"My only mission in life is crushing bad guys. No matter if I bring people 'hope' or not. But even if you did decide to stay… does it really have to be now? Sounds like you Earthlings have a lot of shit on your plates."
"Ew. But, you're right… I shouldn't leave them. Not until we figure everything out. Not until… we capture all the Newborn. After that… I'll be confident enough to return home. …Sigh, but even saying it out loud… it just feels selfish."
"What's a little selfishness? Do what your heart tells you, that's what I've always done. But, until you decide to come home… I'll do what I can to fulfill the Marios' role. I've already got my eye on that little bird brat, trying to set up his own piece of land in the Origami Kingdom. I'll be nicking him before he tries anything!"
"Just… don't kill anyone." Maria smiled awkwardly. "But thanks, Louise."
"Sure thing, sis." The girls shared a hug.
Sector IC Treehouse
The four operatives had been keeping tabs on both the Aincrad situation and Miyuki's whereabouts… but their research only led to frustration. "More than a day and no sightings of Miyuki!" Terry complained.
"Yeah, Bro, we kinda already GET that." Lola retorted.
"Still don't get why she kidnapped Jinta." MaKayla said. "I mean… can the Maidens be reborn into males?"
"Who fucking cares? If she ends up getting in over her head, I swear-"
"Shh, Bro! I hear something!" Lola perked up.
"What?"
"I hear a kind of shivery, whoosh sound… it's coming from the hangar!"
The team hurried into the hangar. "!" They immediately halted with a start, seeing Suki and Miyuki slide in via an Ice Road. "Hi, guys!" the younger sister cheered.
"MIYUKI?!"
"Where were you?!" George demanded. "How did you get around without your ship?!"
"I got a new ship. Listen, I was able to find all the Maidens."
"Oh, whoop-de-effing-do!" Terry exclaimed. "So, is the mission over? Are you a Guardian now?"
"No. They still need to break the seals."
"Ah, and what does THAT entail? We gotta hunt down world leaders and learn their Sacred Melodies or whatever?"
"I just need you to call Cheren down here."
"Why?" asked Kayla.
"Because the Maidens will only break the seals before someone who can melt Verglora's darkness. Link fought and pacified both Verglora and Majora before, so I'm certain Cheren can do the same."
"But shouldn't it be you?" George wondered. "Since… you're the Guardian?"
"Yeah, Sissy." Suki said. "Didn't you say you would teach them to be good?"
"I…I think I said… something like that." Miyuki stared at Verglora confusedly. "My head's a little fuzzy…"
"Wow, you really didn't." Terry had already deduced. "You really just became that thing's puppet, didn't you?"
"I made sure to restrain myself. But I… can't deny that I kind of… enjoyed it. Being the villain… spreading misery… feeling their despair… Things will only be sweeter once their problems are resolved."
"I used to think Suki was annoying, but you're seriously pushing my buttons."
"M-m-me?" Suki whimpered.
"Yeah, but at least you made us happy! How do you think following your sister's ideals will make anyone happy?! I feel like all that junk from the festival was a lie!"
"I-I-I…I'm sorry, Terry."
"Look, can we just call Cheren down? Not just for Verglora, but only the Song of Healing can change these people back to normal. You want to fix all these guys, right?"
George fixed his glare. "…Fine. I'll get Cheren down here. He's probably tired out of his mind, but-"
"Warning! Several unidentified ships approaching!"
"Ugh, what now?!" Lola became a bat and flapped outside. The others joined at the edge of the balcony. "!"
A small fleet of ships with the SDC label were descending from the clouded night. "Attention, KND Sector IC!" Jacques' voice called. He was accompanied by Winter. "I demand to see the one called Miyuki Crystal! I have some questions I'd like to ask her."
"Did you say Miyuki?!" a Hispanic voice called. The Marzipan Pirates' ship was coming in as well. "I had some questions for her myself!"
"Not without us, Big Bro!" A squad of Big Mom Pirate ships were arriving. "The Kiddie Corn will avenge Captain Pea!"
". . . . . . ." The four operatives and Suki stared with hanging mouths. "You might wanna call backup on top of that." Miyuki said neutrally.