(GS3) Special Field: PSY Shop

[Azuki Frappé]

Ighanna nodded in agreement with Yukino, who exactly is her.

"Neu Edelweiss, so thats her name, seeing from how she has managed to play the forbidden clans, will there be a consequence or something if we lose to her? Like our clan disappearing or something because during my battle with her, the air was quite heavy and I felt like I would lose something precious if I lost." Ighanna suggested as she was a mysterious figure, quite insidious indeed. She then drank a little bit of the "Love Nectar" which tasted quite sweet and refreshing but didn't quite fufill her for some reason.

"During the battle between Master Yukino and Master Jellal, the rift had took the opportunity and sealed the two Paladin clans, this could very well be the reason why both of you can't use the clans. Could Neu Edelweiss possibly be used by void to seal other clans?" Metatron thought as she shared her knowledge and opinions to anyone.

Edelweiss, Edelweiss, the name ringed a bell in Ighanna's thought but she couldn't think properly. Its a German name like Colberg, maybe her father would know something about it, maybe Ighanna could finally help by locating her, she thought but that'll have to come later.

[Hope]

FUKI answered, "Neu Edelweiss, America's National Champion, a powerful fighter and also a strange phenomenon. Usually when you fight someone, you feel their intensity." FUKI clenches her fist, a sign to convey that the central theme to her message at the current moment is "power." She continues on, "you understand how strong someone is just by how you feel when you fight them, how serious they are yet..." FUKI relaxes her hands, all signs of strength are gone. "When Neu fights, its as if she isn't even taking your strength seriously, she shows a smile, she claps, she's happy, she's having fun, but that's all there is to it. You can't sense her power as a fighter nor desire to actually fight. As for her connection to clans, it's completely different. We feel our clans presence, we love them, cherish them, and we work together with them as if we were born to play them. Neu throws clans around, uses whatever she wishes and has no feelings whatsoever for what she uses, its as if she has no place of her own."

FUKI breathed deeply, "Please, tell me you remember. If you fight someone like that, you MUST remember, you can't possibly have forgotten the feeling!"

[Jello]

Now we're getting somewhere. But who is... New E-dell Vice?

"You mean to tell me that we should remember everything, but we don't because the rift took some of our memories, along with our avatars?" Haruka was pretty sure he got it on the nail, but he had to ask to confirm whatever lingering suspicions he still had.

Hana seemed to have forgotten what had happened as well. Haruka was well aware he had forgotten, and had assumed that Yukino did too considering she didn't bother bringing that night up again, other than the dream she had.

Speaking of Yukino, she was shaking like a broken machine doll, key-motor and all. Seeing her like this made Haruka almost feel bad for how he acted earlier when she had been dealing with so much. Everyone around him was facing hardships that he wasn't completely aware of and dismissed them as less important than his own.

It made him grind his teeth and clench his fists in frustration at how useless he felt at the moment.

Haruka was mostly at a loss for words. All he could do was sit and listen, until he found himself able to assist them. That was the most help he could offer for now.

[Cherry]

"I fought her once, yesterday... The air about her was as you described, but she fought with me as if I was a target..." Yugure remembers how it felt like Neu's aim was toppling a queen. Unfortunately, Neu had succeeded, adding salt to the wound by having taunted the woman by drawing constant triggers, and stating Dictator turned his sword to its former master. The thought that she was defeated by someone who barely cared at all about the clans or your own strength... To be toyed with... Anger born from humiliation overwhelmed that fear for only a moment.

Yukino was still scared to death by the situation, but the violent fury she felt for this woman was something else entirely. Neu was strong... but to "casually" throw Royal Paladin and Shadow Paladin around, while also making a fool out of people like the queen...

No, no... Calm down, she mentally settled. That malice was born from a queen high off her ego back in the day, a persona in which she wanted to forget. Twenty years of it was sort of hard to push out of mind, though. Neu was a person who enjoyed Vanguard, which was fantastic. Enjoying the game was something Yukino wished she had learned to do years ago.

"I only remember this feeling from yesterday, though", adding this tidbit was necessary. As the woman started to believe FUKI was hinting that they had all felt this before.

[Beryl]

"If I may?"

Seph sat cross-legged on the floor. "From how you all describe it...this Neu Edelweiss sounds like a champion of the Rift. If all of your memories are gone...but she uses the sealed clans..." His brow furrowed. "Then there's a chance she and that general of the Rift have had contact with one another."

Satoshi was silent. While he was let down, he was less bothered by it than the fact that his memory gap still seemed quite off. <Why can't I...>

[Hope]

FUKI groaned and turned away, her face showing that she obviously was distressed and in disbelief. She, along with the rest of her sisters had sincerely thought that they had remembered what had happened.

"Let me reveal to you, the events of that night as we saw it."

From the corner of the shop, a screen turned on. F CHOPPER KOGA was on a device, pressing buttons, causing an image to prop up. It was a view from where they all sat, causing the shop to now be a makeshift movie theater. Yet, from what they were about to witness, it may as well be a viewing of a crime scene.

Yukino and Jellal had just finished their fight. Due to Jellal having agreed to end the civil war with Yukino, the rift was not granted the power to take the Royal Paladin. With this same decision, Jellal had also just rejected the Dragon of Hell, causing its power to substantially weaken. Haruka and Satoshi were there, spectators of the fight. Yukino and Jellal shook hands, signaling the end of the conflict. Satoshi and Haruka joined in, in this point, Jellal had finished the initiation to become one of their friends and close comrades. It was peaceful, it was happy...but suddenly.

She entered the area, the rift being her gateway.

Words were being spoken, though not able to hear through the video. A fight began, first it was Haruka. A passionate fight, he showed his strength, his full power, and all his love and loyalty for the queen. All these emotions were manifested in Dragon Overlord The End. She didn't flinch, The End hit, she was laughing. He used the skill to re-stand Dragonic Overlord, and she didn't seem to care, not a single bit. She attacked, with her clan, shrouded by the clouds of the rift, it was hard to tell what it was. In an instant, Dragonic Overlord The End fell. The rift surrounded the dragon as it vanished into dust, the cards vanishing along with it, and Haruka falling to her.

Yukino came next. Riding Blaster Blade and managing to activate Majesty Lord Blaster, the game was all in her favor. Suddenly, the Royal Paladins had lost what they needed most, their rearguards. Without any of their comardes, the Queen was unable to create much of an offensive push. Her last hope was in riding her most powerful unit, Exculpate the Blaster. He stood alone on the field and did battle with six of the enemy units at once, but even this was not enough. Nothing but laughter, and mocking acts from her opponent. In an instant, Blaster Blade, being the one on the Vanguard Circle, stood alone and defeated.

Jellal was gripping his deck tightly, challenged her, Blaster Dark was unable to cut through the smoke which shrouded the woman's clan. Eventually he was pushed to a corner. He still kept on fighting, using Phantom Blaster Dragon to lead his charge. Despite all his efforts, he came no closer than the other two did. The wind blew for Jellal, as in the distance the ruins began to morph into beautiful buildings, the empty ocean, turning into a beautiful habitat full of life. Upon his loss, Aqua Force had seemingly returned.

It continued on....

[Cherry]

Yugure recognized one of the units cloaked by the fog, she knew that hissing roar in the back. There was no way to confirm it, but they had to be linked seeing the girl walk in through the rift. That... was Neu's real power, her real weapon. The queen's shock matched her horror on the screen, her mind desperately trying to decipher how she was left alone on the battlefield. The Royal Paladins were not retired, the rearguards never touched the Drop Zone unless they were intercepting. No, something horrifying happened that her brain just couldn't make out.

It was difficult to describe, and more difficult to look at. Despite glaring straight at the screen, this memory did not come back to her. It was nothing more than a video through her perspective. The past did not re-spark in mind... If this video was the truth, the rift had very well stolen away her memories. As if Neu was specifically mocking Yukino's efforts entirely, Aqua Force was revived, which was the promise Yukino gave to Jellal. The destiny they were to fulfill together was achieved through a bitter exchange...

How... did this happen...

That was the main thought crossing through mind. This unknown fighter appeared out of nowhere and took down the trio one by one, giving their clans to the rift - the mist that enveloped what must've been her true might While enraged by this sight, Yukino also experienced sadness thrice what she felt before. The queen... failed, and would've failed regardless, seeing that Neu's existence made sure of that.

TOMO-ZO was well aware of everyone's shock, but even more aware of the Sanctuary's queen struggling with a growing depression. The princess can't have felt any better, seeing as Bermuda Triangle was sacrificed in vain thanks to this. With a sigh and another drink, there was nothing for her to say that FUKI wouldn't explain. The hostesses could help fight a war, but not with any emotions that arose by this.

[Kisaragi Zane]

"What is this...?" Jellal stood in shock as he witnessed the final moments of everything that transpired after the fight with Yukino. When he saw himself throw down Phantom Blaster Overlord and shook Yukino's hand, it gave him a confirmation.

 "That's right... this happened accordingly." he said while looking over to Yukino with a curious expression.

Then he turned back to see the forgotten memories. He witnessed himself and the other two fighters getting brushed down like defenseless children. Seeing the mighty Dragonic Overlord fall, and Exculpate and Blaster Blade fall next had Jellal in completely and utter shock. What's even worse was when he saw Phantom Blaster Dragon, a unit that poured fear and terror into him, get taken down and blown away by this invader. Jellal's hand began to shake violently as he tried desperately to process what on earth was going on.

"Unbelievable..." was the only word that came out of his mouth after witnessing everything. He took a few steps back, only to feel something pulse from his pocket. He took a breath and reached into it. Maelstrom and the rest of his armada was in Jellal's hand, glowing. Their divine light sent a small breeze of clarity into Jellal, his hair flicking to the side for a bit, his eyes growing from pale and scared to focused, and his composure being absolute. It was as if, they calmed him down, a connection that only a fighter could have with their true clan. He took a deep breath and smiled back at Maelstrom and continued watching with the others.

[Jello]

Haruka was ultimately horrified of what was taking place on the screen. He saw himself, fighting with The End. It all felt as though it was some actors playing a movie, not having memory of any of it. Except for one small bit.

"This isn't the End." Haruka saw the instant. The one final moment he had with Overlord. He hadn't realized it was during a fight, much less the one that had taken him away from Haruka at all.

The pieces started to line up, but Haruka still wasn't sure who Neu EdelWeiss really was. He never encountered the girl and he wasn't exactly wanting to either. In his current state, there was probably no way to beat her, and even if he did win, what would that solve?

"I'm going to get you back... Overlord." Haruka promised.

He breathed in deep, clasping his hands together in what looked like a prayer. He had needed something to keep him going. This was it.

His famous last words. 

Overlord's spirit hadn't left. Not entirely. He could feel the fire in his chest that had laid dormant for two months start to rise. His hands grew warm, and the blood began to rush all over. The innocent, airhead of a Haruka flipped the switch and hit the gas.

His inner fire was ready to burn. The Seraphim was in control.

[Beryl]

Satoshi stared at the images. Yes, this battle had occurred, it was clear. He remembered all of them being so happy that such a decision was possible...they thwarted the Rift's plan accordingly at that time. Everything was going to be fine.

And then, this girl...Neu Edelweiss, was that her name? She showed up. He didn't remember her particularly well, and yet she was responsible? He was going to rack his brain more to see if he could bring those memories back. But then...he saw the ominous figure that the others had. The figure that crushed all of their units and sealed them away. And suddenly, he cried out in pain.

The headaches he had felt, the pain that let him questioning himself in the forest, had returned, but stronger than they were before. Each time he tried to look at the figure, his brain unleashed another incredible wave of pain. He cringed, gnashing his teeth in suffering. "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts..."

But through the headaches, he realized he knew this figure. It had a name, a name that was on the tip of his tongue. And yet, when he wanted to say it, his mind lashed out and made him suffer even more. He fell out of his seat, writhing. "Nnagh...please...I just want to..."

[Hope]

The video had ended, the screen turned pitch black, and the audio became silent.

Hana was shivering and in tears, "I want them back, I want them back!"  Nociel was silent, unable to say much to her to comfort her. She was hitting her fists towards the ground, her face was on the floor, her head mushed onto the floor and her tears soaking the floor.

"I want them back! Come back!" She hit the ground harder and harder.
"Pacifica! Rio! Flute! Sedna!" She swallowed her own saliva and paused for a moment, "I'm so scared, I don't know what to do, help me! Please help me be brave like you did during nationals, like you guys did during the summer festival, like you guys did when my sister was gone, please...."

She laid on the ground silent, a whole world lost to her, feeling detached and empty.
"I'm so worthless...." she uttered in a broken voice, her sadness interrupting the tone.

[Cherry]

"I knew this would happen", TOMO-ZO spoke up as some writhed in despair while others looked like they were already prepared to do their best in facing the problem. The scarlet woman placed a hand on Satoshi's shoulder: "Trying to remember isn't going to do you any good", she addressed his headaches. Then... a glance at the sisters.

Yugure truly believed in the miracle of failure - the one that gave her real friends and real enjoyment out of life. In an instant, it was shown that failure only begets more failure. Everything she did was a wasted effort - the destiny of the Chosen Sword was one that could never be fulfilled by the woman who can't achieve her goals. Let alone... protect all of the friends lost in the battle against this cloaked enemy.

A tear. More tears. Dripping on the floor in rhythm.

The queen remained silent, there was nothing to say. Everything being her own fault for not being able to stop the horrors of the civil war and this invasion was accepted. If she had been stronger... getting to Nationals, or stopping Jellal beforehand... If she figured out what to say to him sooner, this all could've been prevented.

Yet, it wasn't. She couldn't do anything.

Hearing Hana cry like this only drove the point home. Yukino got out of her seat, and approached the princess. The big sister pulled up the little one in a comforting, but quiet embrace. This was all she could do - all she was good at. Consoling after it was too late... The queen choked back her sobs.

She had no right to be crying like Hana did.

[Crystalia]

Miyuki was speechless. Yes, now she knew the full story. Four clans had indeed vanished, and people had their memories changed. The feelings that she got weren't wrong. Yet that hardly made her feel better. The images themselves were shocking, seeing all the fighters being taken out. Royal Paladin without allies. Even thought Bermuda Triangle was just casually mentioned earlier, she felt something when she heard that name. She remembered an idle question that Hana had asked her beforehand. 'Do you remember the clan that we used to use?' Or something along those lines.

'I guess it was Bermuda Triangle' she whispered, feeling empty. What made her feel even worse though, was how she hadn't helped. Even though Hana was suffering, she had done nothing. Sure she hadn't known what was going on, but she didn't even help her best friend. This feeling ate away at her. Still, it all made sense to her at least. The truth was ugly, but it couldn't be helped. All they could do now was get the clans back somehow, perhaps from this Neu person.

Then, just as she was coming to terms with it, something broke within Hana. The talk of her clan, Bermuda Triangle had dragged on her. She collapsed silently on the ground, sounding defeated. Miyuki rushed over to her, trying to soothe her. The girl who hadn't even been involved trying to comfort one who had all taken from her. It was almost ridiculous. Yet it was all Miyuki could do for now.

Still trying to cheer up Hana, she felt something within her. A burning anger, which she hadn't felt before. She was almost worried by how swiftly her emotions had flipped. In her heart, she vowed to get Bermuda Triangle back, to make the person who forced suffering onto Hana pay. If it was possible of course. Despite her heavy emotion, part of her still thought rationally. 'What can you possibly do' raced through her head many times. All she could do was fight, or cheer her friends up. That was all she was capable of. She just prayed that it'd be enough.

Yukino was over there as well. She must have been suffering as well, but held it in to try and support her sister. Miyuki sighed, knowing that all she could do was hold Hana's hand for now, and try and comfort her.

[Jello]

With everyone's obtaining their Answer, Haruka fell out of his heated trance. He saw the writing Satoshi, in agony. Haruka reached over to help him, only to hear the sobs and wailing of Hana nearby as well.

These answers were breaking people left and right. Haruka felt his resolve only harden, but others had completely shattered at the news.

"What... What happened.." He grinded his teeth again, shaking Satoshi.

"Hey, Satoshi! Are you okay? Satoshi!!!" Haruka was shaking the boy, trying to get his attention. His mind seemed to be splintering in a darker direction. Haruka wouldn't let his friends suddenly be pulled away by the mere truth of the past.

Yukino and Hana were both in a state of mental breakdown. Haruka turned to Jellal, the only other one who hadn't given up altogether.

"Jellal, help me." Haruka had never really asked people for favors. Not usually. And definitely not people he didn't know. This was nearly begging. He was asking for the assistance of somebody he only knew as a comrade, but not as a true friend.

Haruka rushed over to Yukino as well, trying his best to comfort her, as well as speak words of courage into Hana. He had no idea if he was helping at all. But this was all he could do.

He took Yukino's hand, and squeezed tight. "Its not all over." He spoke.

"Its not the end." To quote a special someone. Haruka needed to instill confidence. This was his last option.

"You can't give up before you tried!!" Haruka didn't mean to, but his voice raised to that of a hoarse yell. He was choking on anger and tears.

[Beryl]

Something clicked in Seph's mind after observing the images and mulling them over. All of the people that were present...Jellal, Haruka, Yukino...all of them remembered their units and most of the events that had happened last night. But Satoshi, his champion, had also been there. How was it that his memory was altered when he was present for the events that happened in Magallanica?

On top of that, these headaches, becoming more violent upon observing the figure...could it be that...

"Miss FUKI, was it?" Seph asked calmly. "Something about these events seems unclear. All four of the people present that night should remember their units. Yet, Satoshi here..." He drifted off as he remembered something about that night himself.

For a brief moment, he had lost the ability to contact Satoshi. There had been darkness, as though something held him away. When the connection was renewed, nothing seemed too out of the ordinary, and Seph had been informed of what had happened in terms of fighting the Rift. But...

"Satoshi remembers nothing, and for some odd reason...I remember not being able to feel him for a brief moment in Magallanica, following the success of Yugure and Jellal. Is there perhaps more to this story?"