FINAL TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

FINAL TRIAL


[Once everyone has managed to gather every piece of evidence they can get their hands on, there is, at last, a sense that they can go up to the top on the elevator that works. Granted, with access now granted, they probably could have gone up at any time, but it they would have been ill-prepared for what might be up there.

In any case, they might not have needed to worry.]



[Barbara will no doubt recognize this place as where Marie brought her just the previous week. It is a master control room, filled with buttons and levers that line the walls. However, the dome also allows for a view of what's outside - of the skies, the stars, the planets. The alpine valley the Base is situated, with its bubbling waterfall, and the crystal-clear blue lake it empties into, surrounded by flowers below the Base's base. The lake itself empties into a crystal clear river that looks to be narrow, but deep and rapid.

In the center of the room, near where the elevator rises out of the floor, is a chair, with a giant plush of that cheeky raccoon snuggled into it. Once everyone has come into the room, the elevator melts into the floor with a slurping sound. Now, everyone is here - and there's only one seat, meaning almost everyone will be standing for the duration of this discussion. There's no food or drink here, either - the Titled will have to make do with whatever they brought with them.

There's is a rumble below, as the Titled, together with Bottson and their menagerie of animals - gather together for one last trial. Everyone and everything in this universe may be at stake, and ultimately, either they all go home - or no one will.]


[It's time! The objectives are simple in this trial. It's time to finally answer the questions the Titled have about why they are here - and face the Mastermind of the Base.

Most importantly, though - who's got dibs on that chair? It's the only one in the room!

In any case, good luck, Titled!]

Comments

[theserpentsmiles]

It seems to be pretty powerful stuff,though. It fixed Jonathan's concussion in seconds.

....it'll be good to see him again.

[tiefleaf]

...two years ago.

[He did mention he was two.]

I woke up, no memories, no name, nothing. There was just dirt, and... Well, more dirt. So I clawed my way out, over a couple of days, and that's how the circus found me.

The guy in that grave? That fucker is dead, and he's not me. I'd like to keep borrowing his body without too much trouble.

???

[ichbindereinzelganger]

[It's a long, long silence, before Halley finally speaks.]

...I...I hope they don't kill me. Everyone should strap in.

...

Bottson, vote override.

[Bottson lets out a surprised squeak, but hops onto the throne next to Halley. Hutter and Schneider, meanwhile, flock onto perches that shoot out for them.]

I...I can pilot this out of here, that's no problem, but who's piloting that mecha?

[crouching_sin]

[His mouth presses into a thin line.]

And how did he get a concussion?

[crouching_sin]

You made a new life. It's fine. I, of all people, can't blame you - since that's what I want.

No one's forcing you. It's your decision.

[theserpentsmiles]

[...Naoya hasn't been around to see Nagisa get serious. Serious like the edge of a knife, like a viper's fangs poised to strike. His target isn't here. It's not full-blown. But it's an undeniable thirst for blood from the unlikeliest source imaginable.]

'If they step out of line'... I don't like that kind of thinking.

[vividsins]

...Miss Halley. I am curious what you plan to do about Ivy. ...Though I suppose, given your healing powers... In here, out there... It won't matter where if you do decide to heal her or not. It's not my problem, either way, honestly...

[crouching_sin]

[He recognizes that kind of aura. He grins, matching the feeling with something... well, it's not close to what he's feeling from Nagisa, but it's also razor-sharp.]

Of course. No sane person would, if they knew the truth.

[theserpentsmiles]

Commander-san. She tried to make him take the fall for Passepartout-san's death, after hurting him.

When Finch-san found the two of them, I thought- [He thought the worst. He thought he'd lost his brother.]

[illusionarymelody]

I'm the pilot for the one we brought.

[ichbindereinzelganger]

...The...healing water, as you put it...it can rejuvenate human and human-like organisms. I can reverse the damage done to her.

Cheol-min won't have to come home from school and learn his mama's dead.

[theserpentsmiles]

It sounds exactly like Asano-san...

A system where those labeled 'delinquents and dropouts' are mercilessly crushed and the rest are pushed ever harder. That was his so-called genius education.

[Guess which one Nagisa was.]

[crouching_sin]

... And I hear she's dead, which is unfortunate, since I wanted to give her a piece of my mind.

But he's safe, so it's all right.

[crouching_sin]

Tch. Idiot. He should know that a system like that will only backfire on him.

[ichbindereinzelganger]

All right. Follow me, then, I can lead you to the Twin Planet Observatories. That's the best way to leave, so we're at least still encased in bodily fluids when we exit.

...Anyone who's flying with you should go with you before I re-seal EPCOT up.

[vividsins]

...

[ A nod. ]

All right. That's fine, either way. ...But you're going to be a hero, you know? If you take credit for her recovery.

[crouching_sin]

... Halley. We'll make sure no one hurts you. Given the people there, I think they'll have issues if they even try.

[theserpentsmiles]

It took education at twenty times the speed of sound, but...it did. We killed him.

[Not literally, but we'll. It's an offer.]

...you knew, didn't you? Or at least suspected. At the trial. What I am.

[crouching_sin]

Far be it from me to out anyone of anything unless it's needed. I suspected, but I have secrets, as well.

[illusionarymelody]

Just one thing. There are a few of us who still need to get our memories back. Will there be enough time for that or a means to get them back once we leave?

[theserpentsmiles]

I wouldn't let her get away with killing my brother.

[Didn't let her get away with trying.]

[crouching_sin]

Good. I wouldn't, either. If Kazuya where here... even if we're enemies right now, I wouldn't let her touch him.

[beguiledcard]

[ About that....

This guy sure is taking his time coming out, huh? It's after everyone else has had time to climb out on their own, he finally crawls out, wearing those same robes, daggers tucked away carefully.

He's going to be... hanging back, looking around the room with a sort of stunned kind of calm... though he will offer Jonathan a small wave and somewhat awkward smile. ]

... Soooo, guess watching over you guys wasn't in the cards, after all.

[ Outright rejoining them was. ]

[losergod]

You'll only remember what she took out from the tapes. If it isn't on the tapes, then you won't recall it.

[theserpentsmiles]

Thank you for that.

I don't know much about gods or demons - C-san and Baku-san are my only experiences with either, but....everyone can be killed. Whatever else I am, I'm an assassin.