THE FOURTH TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE FOURTH TRIAL
(~SK. 24-25)




[There's no announcement informing the Strangers to come into the theater. There is only the sound of the doors opening, beckoning those left to come inside. It's best not to tarry-really, do you want to know what happens if they refuse to go to the trial?

When they enter the theater, it's...different. Sort of. Maybe it's because the area where the podiums are covered in donuts (and yes, Roland will see the little white animals pop over and pinch a few off the top). Maybe it's the fact that more spaces are draped in black. Maybe it's the fact that Zack's podium is also missing from where it sat, leaving nothing but donuts-in fact, that's where the primary pile of donuts are. Digging through that pile will only yield donuts, and nothing more.

(Some of the animals try to approach Akane. They disintegrate before they get two steps. Apparently they're better off eating the donuts.)

But-most of all-it's the fact that Zero is not on the screens that pop out through the theater. There's nothing but static. And while the curtains are closed, you know you are being watched regardless.




Uh. So. Maybe it's not worth waiting for Zero on this.


The trial for the murder of Zack Prince, the One, has begun.]

Comments

[jinglebros]

Not exactly.

Yes, I've been planning something all along. But it's been for the sake of everyone that Hubert and I have been leading double lives.

You would never understand the full implications of any of it.

[godspiousjasper]

...Is that part of the reason why you met up with Alastor earlier this morning?

[ Just laying this out now. ]

[jinglebros]

Because I wanted to make sure that you all read my final letter and are in the least possible danger.

I won't be around to explain myself.

It will be.

[superstylishsquid]

I'll make sure everyone reads it.

Just remember the promise you made to me: don't let this be as much of a waste as all the other deaths so far.

[jinglebros]

It won't be, if you do your job.

But notice how nobody's actually confessed.

[superstylishsquid]

I know. We still need to find where that blood came from, right? Prove you were holding the sword at some point.

[godspiousjasper]

Damn it, Aoi!!

[ Of course there'd been things he didn't know regarding the full extent of their conversation. ]

What is it the two of you are even trying to accomplish here?

[exequte]

[And there it is.

She's already on the ground, so she doesn't have far to fall, but fall she does. Her fever is burning bright once more.]

[jinglebros]

Someone get her an ice pack when we get out of here.

[yesorwoof]

I am apparently rather handicapped in this regard by the loss of my memories, yes.

[She has a lot more she can say, but might as well wait for more of their story to come out]

cw: suicide

[jinglebros]

I used to hate you, Makima. Then I lived through multiple time loops with you, and I'm kind of fond.

But I've lived through this more than Hubert. I can't count how many times I've gone around.

It goes right back to the start. The original loop, the original Aoi, he couldn't handle what was happening, so he killed himself. Every single one of us have had to pretend to do so since then, to preserve things the way they are.

[superstylishsquid]

[Alastor's eyes go wide for a moment...and then he moves to put a hand on Aoi's shoulder. Not quite pulling him into a hug, but...definitely an attempt at a comforting gesture.]

Sounds...miserable. So you've been constantly SHIFTing back in time, trying and failing to make things go differently?

[jinglebros]

Exactly. Which is impossible, because I'm not a SHIFTer.

So someone is doing it to me.

[superstylishsquid]

Then we need to figure out who is SHIFTing you, and why. If they're trying to give you another chance to succeed...

Or if this is just the answer to how the tree is bearing fruit so quickly with so few sacrifices.

[somuchshipping]

[Hermes looks at himself for a bit.]

...And I'm not real. Or a Devil Arm.

Re: cw: suicide

[pegasinister]

...!

[Hubert looks actually genuinely shocked. He... didn't know this.]

...w-what?

[jinglebros]

I never knew how to tell you. I didn't remember most of it until recently. I just had those letters from my previous selves.

But eventually, I gained my memories back, too.

[pegasinister]

Damn you...

[He just looks more anguished than anything.]

[voidseeing]

How long ago was that vision I saw, then? With Nero and the tree.

[jinglebros]

I don't even know what you're talking about.

[voidseeing]

You were in the vision. You and Akane, and someone called 'The Intercessor.'

[autonomousthought]

[...is this why? Is this why he adopted her, without even knowing her very well? Because they were closer in previous iterations?]

I'm...trying to understand. ...I don't even know what to ask...

[jinglebros]

You'll understand more later.

[yesorwoof]

Why...? Why the exact same thing, over and over? You were preserving things for our own good, and now you've come up with a new plan that is also for our own good? What's the difference? Is it that Hubert-kun finally developed memories for the first time?

[jinglebros]

Yeah.

I don't know who did that, I don't know why it happened, but it spurred me into action.