...

......

"MMmmmmm..." I groan.

I slowly push myself up and start rubbing my eyes. Once my eyes adjust, I look around.

I'm in that world with the floating crystals.

(So...you failed.)

I look behind me and see the crystal body from before, sitting at the edge of one crystal floating higher up. I remain silent.

(All that talk about changing your fate in the past. All those false promises of saving others. Lies. All lies.)

"I don't want to hear those words from someone who has never helped in any way."

(I simply plan to observe. I wish to see if helping you is in my best interest. I guess I was wrong. Why fight the cycle? The weak will always lose, even without my power. Especially when the weak have such wavering conviction.)

"Don't call me 'weak' when you've never fought!"

(I exist to only fight one fight. And it isn't to protect those I am meant to defeat.)

"Speak sense!"

...

(You really messed things up this time. Dragging everyone into your personal problems. Not putting enough trust in their strength. You're not some overpowered light novel protagonist. Who do you think you are? Shiba Tatsuya? You should simply be aiding me. You exist only for me. Why put others before yourself when your actions are nothing short of selfish?)

"Enough..."

(Why attempt to overcome when many canno...?)

"I SAID ENOUGH!!!"

The voice stops talking.

"My actions may be reckless, but they aren't driven by selfishness! You're the selfish one! Always leaving me in the dark, saying you can provide aid, but never do so! All you care about is this 'duty' to me being a successor candidate! One last time, what is a successor candidate, or even the successor!? Why should I care!? You said it yourself, I'm nothing special! If being such a candidate is really so important, why hasn't it saved anyone!? Why continue to only ask me questions you know I cannot answer!?"

(...I'm sorry if I hit a nerve...)

"And one more thing... Why act like you know me? Even I don't know who I am! But I can say with all certainty that I know who I am better than anybody else! What gives you the right to say you know me best when we've never met!?"

(...)

I feel tears running down my face. I wipe them away.

(It's because...it's my fault.)

?

(I am...the reason you lost your memory.)

!

(I am...what makes you who you are today. Honestly, you can say that I'm what makes you you.)

"Again...you're speaking in..."

(I...cannot bring myself to tell you the truth. The only truth I can say...is about your destiny. You exist to fight. To fight to become the next successor. But like all the candidates, you cannot get involved with the troubles of others.)

...

(But that knowledge wouldn't stop you, would it?)

I silently shake my head.

Stolen story; please report.

(I thought so. Memories come and go, but your heart remains the same. You were meant to walk a lonely path, but choose to neglect your destiny in exchange for friendship. And...it's this conflict that makes things hard for you.)

The crystal figure points towards a large crystal. In that instant, it glows...

Then shows me fighting Hunter in Terraz, then Hisashi in New Vegas, then Hunter again at the hospital.

(I know you desire to protect others, but the problem lies in your methods. Like I wanted, you fight by yourself, instinctively taking on each battle alone in spite of the odds. Unfortunately, your abilities haven't improved as I desired, putting you at a disadvantage. You believe you want to protect, but fail to realize this flaw. Even your desire to become stronger is my doing, resulting in your instinct making you reckless. You are me, and yet you haven't changed. Two personalities are completely out of balance.)

...

"And...why me? Why help me 'not be you'?"

(As you've said before, I have a one track mind. One purpose that I instinctively follow. But, after being with you, I began to also "recover myself". You defying fate has helped me defy mine. And I want to see how far this defiance will take you. I want to see...if you can break the curse everyone is shackled with.)

"Curse?"

(This isn't you. The Oren I know wouldn't hesitate to help a friend. You normally wouldn't hesitate, in spite of the odds.)

"It's...not that I don't want to help. The problem is...would I make things worse."

(Should you ask it of me, I'll aid you if I can.)

"What?"

(But until then, I wish to see your defiance. Please, free us from the cursed destiny of a successor and successor candidate.)

"But...I...how?"

(You know, Oren. You already know.)

The crystal body falls apart, leaving the light from before. Music begins to be emitted from it, while the light itself causes the crystal around me to glow.

With the vocals of Sydney Forest being replaced by the light voice, I listen to "I'm Gonna Fly".

I look at the crystal I'm standing on...

And see me waking up in Terraz. The first memory I have.

One day, the whole world looks like an open page.

The scene changes, showing another memory...of me showing them what I could do. My yubi style fighting and breakdancing. Seeing Doryoko applaud, making me smile.

And you've been dancing as fast as you can with a smile on your face.

And then the earth and the sky they all fit together.

Then, me learning soul conversion...and jumping too high.

And carry me away as light as a feather.

Skipping ahead to when Sueka trusted me, I see the three of us happily working on chores.

Chase the clouds from the ground

In the big blue sky

Don't wanna watch it all blow by

So I'm gonna fly.

Higher than I ever could.

I see Sueka and me going through town, waving to Tony and Sakura.

Feel the wind blow through my hair.

Feel the sun dance with the moon.

All of us working together on a new barn.

And my feet can't stay on the ground any longer.

With every leap of faith I feel a little stronger.

Tony teaching me a few punches. If I recall, he meant to teach me to defend myself so I could help Sueka practice boxing.

Wanna swing from a star in the big blue sky.

Don't wanna watch it all go by so I'm gonna fly.

Everyone working together to set up my first rebirth festival.

And see for myself what it looks like from up there.

Taste the stardust in my mouth.

Chase the clouds until they disappear.

Jumping ahead, I see Hisashi. I see him and me helping the children at his school.

And if I could make just one life better.

Bring a smile to your face when you're under the weather.

Then, I see him, Yamiso, and me working together to sell the excess papers I had.

Then I'm feeling like I've finally found my home.

I'll plant the seeds and watch them grow.

And I'm gonna fly...

(So many memories of those I care about.)

I'm then shown Katsumi trying to help me train in the arena. Followed by Yamiso and me teaming up to overpower him.

Fly...

Crystal and me working together to beat Hiromu.

Fly..

Ripperu and me teaming up to speed up the sorting process of Hisao's paperwork.

Fly...

Higher than I ever, ever could.

(So many pleasant memories. Happier times when we overcame our obstacles.)

I'm gonna fly.

I'm then shown Sueka, me, and the Keisetsu members overcoming the ambush of thugs on our antitoxin shipment mission.

I'm gonna fly.

(Times when we... When we...)

!

(We...)

Higher than I ever

Ever could.

!!

"I...I get it."

(You've known all along.)

"I...suppose so."

(Better get ready. And remember, I'm right behind you.)

The light shines brighter, blinding me.

"Gracias!" I shout into the void...

Before I get up from the bed I was lying in.

"WHOA!" I hear Yamiso yell in surprise. "Fuck, don't do that!"

"Huh?"

I look around. I'm...in the Keisetsu's medical room. Why am I...oh right. Nomohe.

"You scared the shit out of me!" Yamiso exclaims.

Upon closer inspection, nobody else is in here aside from Mydrea.

"I uh...sorry." I say.

"Don't be. I should be apologizing. Thanks to that antitoxin you got, everyone here is recovering nicely."

"I see. And Sueka?"

"Tending to those she injured. She insisted on staying by your side, but we encouraged her to make amends."

"And Mydrea?"

"Getting better, but still out."

(Glad to see...that I did make a difference after all.)

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm only here to thank you because you saved Mydrea. Don't think this makes us even. You owe me a shit ton of other things for tricking us like that."

"I...sor..."

"Stop apologizing already. It's annoying."

I stop talking, then nod.

"So, what will you do now?" he asks me. "Even though you helped us, your inability to use rhime won't get you back into the Keisetsu."

"I know what I must do. But..."

"But?"

"I'll need your help...defeating Hunter."

...

"You eat meat or something?"

"I'm serious."

"Come on! You don't honestly think you can beat her alone after all those..."

"I said, I'll need YOUR help."

"Oookkaaayyy...but why me?"

"You're one of the very few Keisetsu members who will fight alongside me. All the others, save for Crystal, would try to stop me. And I don't want to get Crystal involved because of the risks. The same goes for Sueka."

"And you think I'm reckless enough to do what Crystal won't?"

"Damn straight." I say, mimicking him. "Besides, since Hunter is responsible for Mydrea-sama's condition, I thought you'd be more interested in revenge than anybody else here."

Yamiso stops, then chuckles.

"Guess you know me fairly well after all. But why the secrecy?"

I look around to make sure nobody else is listening...

"She plans to assassinate Mr. Ken Wave at the upcoming concert."

"You serious!?" Yamiso yells.

"Quiet!" I say in a low voice.

"That bitch! How many more people is she going to fuck over!?"

"So you didn't know of this yet?"

"How'd you learn of this!?"

"Hisao's informant."

"Hisao has an informant!? What the fuck!?!?"

"Quiet!" I hiss.

Yamiso eventually calms down.

"And you want to get to Hunter before the others do?"

"That's the plan. Like you, I want revenge. And I have to set things right, with my own hands."

"While I don't mind helping, and I do want revenge, I don't know if the two of us can..."

"If you help me, I'll pay for a dinner for you and Mydrea-sama."

!

"And...how will you convince her?"

"You know her weakness, right?"

"She has a weakness!? Tell me!"

(Seems he doesn't know. Guess her pride prevents her from showing it.)

"You help me, and I'll help you get that date."

...

"You play dirty."

"Honestly, I've got a score to settle with Mydrea-sama. Two birds with one stone."

Yamiso chuckles.

"I like the way your foul little mind works. So what's the plan?"

I gesture for him to come closer, then whisper it in his ear.

"Not bad, I guess." he says.

"Think it will work?"

"Not quite. How about this."

He whispers into my ear. The two of us then crack evil smiles and shake hands.

"I like the way you think." I say with a sinister smile.

"I'm surprised you're going to go through with it. You're such an evil bastard."

"Flattering, but I still have much to learn. I'm nowhere as evil as you."

As the two of us laugh maniacally, one man listens in outside the room.