Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hi! I am YoshimuraK, and welcome to Xenoblade Chronicles 3: What if!

This fanfic is about Xenoblade 3 and the various what-if scenarios of the game. The main theme of the chapters will be...

Crack.

Not just crack.

Crystal meth

Kidding.

Anyway, yeah, this fic is a crack fic. There could be exceptions like a slight NSFW chapter or a chapter for fluff, but there would be crack there too.

And since this fic is all about ideas, I accept requests or fan ideas in the comments. If I find some good ones, I might actually make a chapter out of it. So, if you have some good ideas to share, feel free to leave comments! I read every comment, and I usually reply to every comment!

So, enough of the introduction, let's go to the chapter index!

What if: Lanz jumped the wrong way (Spoilers for chapter 2)

What if: Ghondor messed up her throw (Spoilers for chapter 6)

What if: The Flute was actually icky (Spoilers for chapter 4)

What if: D's aim was accurate (Spoilers for chapter 6)

What if: Eunie was Melia's daughter (Spoilers for chapter 7)

What if: N hit the wrong place (Spoilers for chapter 5)

What if: Mio actually acted like a cat (No spoilers)

What if: Eunie acted like a bird (No spoilers)

What if: They actually got sex ed (Spoilers for chapter 5) (Slight NSFW)

What if: Mio took catnip (No spoilers)

What if: Eunie's wings acted like a fan (Spoilers for chapter 2)

What if: They got curious of Mio's ears (No spoilers)

What if: Mio had earwax problems (No spoilers)

What if: Ethel's body wasn't that durable (Spoilers for chapter 2)

What if: The off-seers used a different instrument (Entire game spoiler)

What if: Noah preferred dogs over cats (Spoilers?)

What if: Juniper ate chocolate (Spoilers?)

What if: Accents were suddenly a thing (Final boss spoiler)

What if: They completely switched clothes (No spoilers)

What if: Manana's food did nothing (No spoilers)

What if: Xenophones existed (Spoilers for chapter 6)

What if: Eunie tried to put the hoodie on (No spoilers)

What if: They got swimsuits (No spoilers)

What if: They were mentally healthy (Entire game spoilers)

What if: Nia kept her blade outfit (Endgame spoiler)

What if: Melia had bad cramps (Endgame spoilers)

What if: Mio took catnip 2 (Spoilers for chapter 6) (Slight NSFW)

What if: The Queens used antivirus - Aionios ver. (Entire game spoiler)

What if: The Queens used antivirus - Outside ver. (Entire game spoiler)

What if: Ghondor was polite (Spoilers for chapter 5)

What if: Mio actually acted like a cat 2 (Spoilers for chapter 5)

What if: They got the Monado (Endgame spoilers)

What if: It was Mwambin' time (Spoilers...?)

What if: They acted like siblings (Spoilers for chapter 5)

What if: They took their last mixed bath (Spoilers for chapter 2)

What if: Mio actually acted like a cat 3 (Spoilers for chapter 6)

What if: Flame Clocks did other things (Entire game spoilers)

What if: Mio kept M's outfit (Spoilers for chapter 5)

What if: They ordered special edition (No spoilers)

What if: They wore Yumsmith outfit every time

What if: Ino had unique functions

What if: Physics were a thing

What if: Moebius recruitments went wrong

What if: Alvis promised a bright future

Future Redeemed!

What If: They took Shulk to Melia

What If: Shulk and Rex said their goodbyes too

What If: Alpha told his true motives

What if: Melia flied

Omake collection

Chapter Text

“Fi…nally….WATER!!!!” Mio shouted, as she arrived first at the oasis with her swift legs.

“Hah…hah…Oh my god, Mimi…the oasis was real!!!” Sena said, as she staggered behind Mio.

“Then…there is only one thing to do then!”

“Yeah? Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Mimi?”

“Yup! Let’s jump right in!!!” After a small war cry, Mio threw herself into the water. Sena followed her too.

“Yippee!”

After three or so minutes since Mio and Sena threw themselves into the water, the rest of the party arrived at the oasis. Just like Mio and Sena, they gasped at the vast oasis.

“Queen’s pitch black dress…This place is huge!!! Oh god…my adrenaline’s rushing by just looking at this sparkling thing!” Eunie shouted, already taking off her jacket. And after taking off her jacket and throwing it away, she rushed off to jump right in.

“Woohoo!!!!”

“Whoa! Easy there, Eunie! You almost bumped into us!” Sena said, gently floating away.

“Just couldn’t help it, you know. It is indeed sparking hot.” Eunie chuckled.

But no one knew.

That the real disaster was coming soon.

“All right then…”

“My turn!!!” Lanz had already taken off his jacket, and he was ready for a good swim.

“You too, Lanz?”

“Yup! Nothing like cold water on a hot day! Then…here I go!” Leaving his last words, Lanz did a short run-up, and jumped down.

“Wait wait wait wait wait!!! Lanz!!!! Don’t do it!!!” Eunie shouted, but it was too late. Lanz already jumped.

And he crash-landed into Eunie.

“Whoa!!!! Eunie, you okay??” Lanz exclaimed in panic, as he felt himself smashing into Eunie’s body.

Eunie didn’t reply.

Or exactly, she couldn’t reply.

“Holy sparks, Eunie, are you still alive?” Mio shouted as she swam towards Lanz and Eunie.

“Did something happen down there?” Noah asked Taion, hearing the noises down the oasis.

“Don’t know, looks like…Uh…Noah?”

“Huh?”

“It seems like…Eunie’s dead.”

“YOU WHAT??”

“Then what’s that?”

“Let me see…WHAT THE SPARK??? LANZ!!! WHAT THE SPARK DID YOU JUST DO?!?!?” Noah shouted down.

“I…just dived down….?”

“For the love of…dammit! Taion, you’re coming with me!” Noah almost abandoned his jacket and grabbed Taion.

“Wait, what? Noah, I never agreed for THIIIIISSSS!!!!”

After that, a loud splash was heard.

“Eunie! You alive?” Noah asked.

“Why are you guys thinking she’s already dead….?” Sena mumbled out, but it was heard.

“Uh…do we need to pick up our flutes…?” Said Mio.

“Hah…hah…what the…Noah? Mio?” Taion said in panic as he surfaced up after Noah hauled him in.

“You…Ar…” Eunie choked out some words with coughing.

“Good sparks, she’s alive!”

“Uh, of course she’s alive?” Sena said, but of course, it was ignored.

“So…no flutes then?”

“Why do you guys sound disappointed??”

“Eunie, can you see what number I’m making?” Lanz said, making a number three with his fingers. Eunie replied, but it wasn’t the way he expected. To be exact, Eunie coughed right on his face.

“What? Come on, Eunie, that’s rude!!”

“Rude…my arse…I’m sad that I don’t have three hands to give you three middle fingers……Ugh…my head still hurts…” Eunie murmured, lifting two middle fingers.

“Well…guess she’s alive then?”

“Uh…yay?”

“You guys are all arseholes….”

Eunie fainted.

Chapter Text

 (After Mio’s long talk about M’s life on the cliff)

 “Yes…He can’t get away with this.” Taion said, this time without adjusting his glasses.

 “I’m not feeling…very forgiving, either.” Lanz agreed.

 “But guys, now we know there’s an even bigger bad behind that snuffer.” Eunie said, with a face of determination.

 “Z…Making someone choose the impossible…? It’s so cruel!” Sena was angry now.

 Noah looked around to see Mio, and his comrades. They weren’t the same as before they were trapped in jail. They were no longer weak or afraid. They were full of strength, determination. Yes, with them, Noah felt that he could do anything. Even defeating Z and the entire Moebius.

 “Thanks, everyone.” Noah thanked the party, with a nod.

 “Looks like yer minds’re made up.” A small female figure appeared inside the rain. But since it was not the first encounter they had with her, the party noticed her in first glance.

 “Ghondor!”

 “Heh, finished talking? Took you long enough, especially in this bloody weather. Like, don’t you guys have the term ‘cold’?” Ghondor said with a smirk.

 “Says the lady who’s also in the rain with her belly exposed.” Lanz returned the statement.

 “Oh yeah? Then how about your fiery partner? She’s more exposed than I am!” But Ghondor did not lose.

 “Come to think of it…Sena, aren’t you…actually cold when you’re dressed like that in the rain?” Lanz asked.

 “A…hahaha…! Nope! All that muscle training really helps here! Hahaha…” Sena replied, rubbing the back of her neck.

 “Anyway, back to our talk. Ghondor, why are you here?” Taion asked.

 “Oh, yeah, that. I have something to return to you.” Ghondor said as she put her hand into her pocket.

 “And that is…?”

 “This! The key to cloudkeep! Come on, you have to visit the true cat queen, eh?” Ghondor shook the key in front of her.

 “Yeah, that’s our new goal.” Noah said.

 “Then ‘Ere! This is yours!” Ghondor threw the key to the party.

 And THAT’s.

 When she realized.

 She fucked up.

 Not just fucked up.

 A MAJOR fuck-up.

 ‘Wait, my hand slipped….’

 Ghondor fought with her strong fists. So of course she had a great throwing arm. And plus, the weather was rainy.

 Everything came together, and it resulted in the key flying towards Mio…

 And flying past Mio…

 And…

 Falling to its doom.

 “Mio!! The key! It’s falli…!” Noah said, in a most desperate look he had ever made, but nope. He was sparking late. The key was already dropping down to the sea.

 “GHONDOR!! WHAT THE SNUFF ARE YOU DOING!!!” Eunie exploded.

 “Hang on, guys! I’ll try to catch it with my Mond…” Taion unleashed his Mondo and sent them in full speed. But…

 Gravity won.

 “Aaaand…. There goes the key.” Sena mumbled.

 “And our hopes and dreams.” Lanz added. After seeing the key falling to its doom, the couple looked behind to see Ghondor. And yes, she was in trouble. Their party’s most aggressive member, known as the birdie Eunie, was actually going crazy right now.

 “DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT YOU’VE DONE?” Eunie shouted with her fists curled up.

 “I…I…My…hand…slipped…because of the rain…” Ghondor’s usual bitchy attitude was no more. She was trembling at the terrifying sight known as the angry Eunie.

 “WHY CAN’T YOU JUST GIVE THE SPARKING KEY THE NORMAL WAY?! YOU HAVE THE KEY TO THE SPARKING CLOUDKEEP, WHERE QUEEN BIG-EARS IS SLEEPING, AND YOU TOSS THE FUCKING THING AWAY?”

 “Hold on, Eunie. You look like you’re gonna punch her.” Noah grabbed Eunie from the back.

 “Yeah, Eunie, calm down. And…do you know what that word actually means…?” Mio said.

 “What snuffing word?” Eunie turned around.

 “Uh…fuck…?” Mio said, blushing a bit.

 “I don’t know! It just came out of my mouth!” Eunie said, also blushing.

 “Then…why are you blushing?”

 “….I don’t care! All I want to do is just give this bitch a slugger!”

 “Uh…I do know that word’s meani…” Ghondor murmured out, but…

 “Shut up.” Mio stopped her.

 “Mio…?”

 “Ugh…fine… I won’t beat this bitch to death! Then what do we do now, eh? Just wait and die?” Eunie turned around.

 “Well…we could try to find it. By using a metal detector or something…” Taion said.

 “Finding it…Finding it…Can’t we make it quicker?” Eunie groaned.

 “Well…we could use a salvager…”

 “Salvage…Salvager…?”

 “Oh! I get it! Taion! Come with me!” Eunie said, grabbing Taion’s scarf.

 “What? Wait, where are you taking…”

 “Let’s go…salvaging!!!”

 “WHAT???? HOW????”

 “Like….THIS!!!!!” Eunie shouted out all of her might and jumped off the cliff.

 “Wait!! Eunie!!!” Mio screamed as she saw Eunie and Taion getting far and far away.

 “Has she finally gone mad?” Lanz said.

 “But look! They’re interlinking!” Sena pointed out as the couple glowed in the air.

 “And looks like…Eunie took control.” Mio said.

 “Manana cannot understand! How could friend jump off cliff without thinking?”

 “But Eunie have point. If become Ouroboros, salvaging could be easier than swimming naked.” Riku said.

 “Uh…Mio…what should we do now then…?” Noah asked.

 “Welp! Looks like we have no choice!” Lanz said, starting to do some pushups. Sena joined him, too.

 “Lanz…?”

 “What? You can’t enter the water without warming up! Ain’t it, Sena?”

 “Right! Can’t have our bodies being paralyzed!”

 “All right then, you ready?”

 “I’m the girl with gall! I’m always ready!”

 “Let’s…”

 “GOOOOO!!!!!”

 Like that, Lanz and Sena left.

 Only Mio and Noah remained.

 “So…”

 “I know what you’re thinking, Mio.”

 “Interlinking, eh? Now you’re reading my thoughts.”

 “Can’t help though, especially when you told me all that crazy stuff.”

 “Well then…Let’s go?”

 “Got it! Together!”

 With that, the six Ouroboros all left.

 “What a healthy bunch, isn’t it, girl?” A voice said, behind Ghondor.

 “Fuck…Bitchqueen, were you listening to all this shit?”

 “Nope, just came here for my daily NoahMio.”

 “Come on, stop shipping real people, goddammit!”

 “Well…I’ll think about it…But don’t you have some other thing to say…?”

 “I…uh…”

 “The word that starts with an S and ends with a Y.”

 “Sor…Sorry….?”

 “Correct! And follow me.”

 “Huh…? Why….?”

 “We’re gonna be diving, too. You gotta wipe your own arse, now get up!”

 “Ugh….Fine…..”

 And that, ladies and gents, and also fellow nopons.

 Is how salvaging culture started in Aionios.

Chapter Text

 (That particular flute exchange scene)

 “Say, wanna…exchange flutes?” Mio said, coming one step closer to Noah.

 “What? But isn’t that…”

 “I guess it’s a little too…icky?” Mio looked a bit disappointed with her little ears down.

 “No no, I-I don’t care about that! I’m just trying to say-“

 “I’d just like it…to be used a little longer. To make up for the time Miyabi lost… You’ll still be around after me.”

 “Mio…”

 “I get it, all right, it’s a trade!”

 “You should know, mine’s seen better days too,” Noah said, showing her Crys’ flute.

 “Don’t worry, I don’t really mind either.”

 And with the dramatic scenery of sunrise, the two off-seers exchange flutes.

 But little did they know…

 About hygiene.

 And about the chat the two healers had, watching the scene.

 “So Taion,” Eunie asked, sipping some tea.

 “Hmm?”

 “Have ever read about…viruses or something…?”

 “Well, of course, hygiene is one of the soldier’s priorities. But why?”

 “Uh…dunno, but I have a feeling that…ugh, never mind, let’s just pack up and leave for today,” Eunie said, drinking all of her tea in one gulp.

 “What the spark…?”

 (After some day)

 (Probably after smashing the castle)

 “Mio…you okay…?” Noah asked with a concerned tone.

 “Don’t mind…just a bit tired today…” Mio replied, with a feverish blush on her face.

 “Nope, love, you look absolutely horrible right now,” Eunie said, kneeling down to Mio.

 “I’m okay, Eunie… Don’t worr…” Before Mio could finish her line, a raspy cough interrupted her.

 “Oh great, you’re coughing. So how are you gonna explain this, huh? And Noah, look at you, too. You look horrible.” Eunie pointed at Noah, whose face was totally pale.

 “What? No, Eunie, I’m totally fi…”

 “Stand up.”

 “What?”

 “Just sparking stand up and you’ll see what I’m saying.”

 “Okay…fi…wait…ugh…why do I…” Noah groaned as he felt some bizarre headache and dizziness as he stood up.

 “Okay then! Time for Doctor Eunie to make a sentence! Noah, Mio, and we’re gonna rest today.”

 “But the time…?” Noah complained.

 “Do you want Mio to die of sickness before she actually homecomes away?” After her speech, Noah went silent.

 “Get it? Doctor’s orders. And get some rest!” Eunie pinned Noah to the ground next to Mio, and returned to the party.

 “Welp, guess we’re gonna spend our time getting some resources for them.” Lanz shrugged.

 “Poor Mimi…”

 “Then we have no time to lose. The quicker they get better, the better our journey.” Taion said.

 “Right.” And the party agreed.

 But little they knew…

 That their precious off-seers were…

 Contagious.

 (The night of the next day)

 (Somewhere outside their camp)

 “Bollocks…they’re not getting any better… Taion, any ideas?” Eunie sighed.

 “Well…my major wasn’t actually medical stuff… And we have limited resources, so…” Taion shrugged.

 “Sparks…but wait, where’s the muscle couple? They usually work out before they go to sleep…”

 “I have a bad feeling about this…”

 The healer couple turned around, and returned to their camp, just to see the muscle couple lying on the ground.

 “Lanz…Sena…? What are you doing right now…? Isn’t now for you guys to do some push-ups…?” Eunie said, imitating their little workout routine.

 “Ugh…sparks…guess today isn’t my day…my aches have aches…” Lanz said, arm on his eyes.

 “What…?”

 “Then how about Sena? Are you telling me that you are…?” Taion’s eyes trembled.

 “So…cold…” Sena said, curled into a ball. The flames on her hair became weaker, too.

 “Taion, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

 “Yes. Eunie, I know.”

 “We’re screwed.”

 (After a few days of dealing with sick people)

 Taion and Eunie sat down at the tea table they always make. But today, they weren’t at their usual mood. Bags drooped far down their eyes, and they didn’t have the vitality they used to have. Eunie was strangely quiet, and Taion’s eyes were gazing at the sky.

 “Is this…the end of us…? Noah and Mio are basically dying right now…And the muscle couple isn’t doing that good either…” Eunie groaned.

 “How ironic. The Ouroboros, coming to an end because of some unknown disease…” Taion said, sipping some tea.

 “Yeah, ‘The Mighty Ouroboros’, eh? By the way, Taion, you feeling great?”

 “Yes, at least we have us.”

 “Heh, great. Let’s go check on Noah and Mio to see if they’re not dead before we get to sleep.”

 “That’s rude, Eunie.”

 “I know, I know, sorry. But really, who’s gonna send them off if they d….”

 “Eunie!”

 “Okay, okay!!”

 Then the two remaining healthy guys went on to check on those who have fallen. The healers really have grown a bond with each other during this crisis, being the ones who were healthy enough to take care of the party. Taion was actually glad that Eunie, the medic, was still up and healthy. He could really count on her in a situation like this.

Only to wake up to the horrible noise of Eunie vomiting.

 “Eunie! What’s wrong!?!?” Taion shouted as he found Eunie vomiting into a bush near their camp.

 “Ugh….oh, it’s…you…good…morning…I guess…?” Eunie said with a raspy voice.

 “What’s happening right now? Why are you suddenly….?”

 “You see…I…wait…sparks…I think it’s coming again…” Eunie choked out, covering her mouth and doubling up.

 “Oh no…”

 After Eunie’s ordeal, Taion carried Eunie back to base as she struggled to walk back. He laid Eunie down, who was now pale and limp. Plus she was suddenly burning up. Taion could feel her heat just by carrying her.

 “Hah…hah…sorry ‘bout that… My stomach’s been a mess since last night…” Eunie muttered in a raspy voice. Her breathing became really rough, too.

 “But…you did say you were okay last night…?”

 “Yes I did…but my sparking stomach woke me up at midnight….I couldn’t go back to sleep since then…”

 “Oh no…”

 “Taion…are we…gonna die out here…?” Eunie choked out with teary eyes. Taion could feel her pain, since she was the one who tried to fight this crisis with him.

 “No, I’m gonna find a way, I promise!”

 “Heh…good luck...Then…can I go to sleep right now…? My stomach really drained all my stamina…” Eunie said, her eyes slowly closing. It's not been long since she had her vomiting attack, but she looked really exhausted.

 “Yes, you should. Get some rest and don’t you ever die.”

 “Can’t die when our off-seers are bedridden right now. Who’s gonna send me off when I die?”

 “Eunie, that’s…”

 “Joking…”

 “Hah….”

 (After another chunk of days)

 Taion woke up at the noise of some large mechs moving around. All he wanted was to rest, but it seemed like the world did not want him to rest.

 ‘What on Aionios is this noise…? Come on…we’re all sick people around here…!’ Taion grumbled rubbing his sore throat. But what was upon his sight was a surprise.

 “Heh, guess ‘The Mighty Ouroboros’ was actually a group of fools, eh?” A woman with an eyepatch said.

 “Hey, watch your mouth. And who are you?”

 “Oh, where are my manners? The name’s Monica Vandham. Daughter of Guernica Vandham, and also the leader of the City.”

 “Guerni…Daughter…? You what??” Taion was more than confused.

 “Ah, I’ll explain it to you later. But since you guys fell when you were this close to the city, we’ll carry you patients there. Talk can come later.”

 “Uh…thanks…? But are you sure that you’re not our enemy?”

 “Are you in a situation to be picky, Mr. Glasses?”

 “Okay…we’ll follow you…”

 “That’s the spirit. Guys! We’re taking these kids home!!”

 “Home…home…ah, forget it. Better than this piece of Volf's shit…”

 (Omake)

 (Colony Omega)

 “Uh…that flute…”

 “Huh?”

 “You can have it!” Miyabi carefully said.

 “Oh, if you’re worried about hygiene, do not worry! We’re thoroughly disinfecting it every day and night!” Noah said with a proud smile.

 “Dummy, that’s not what she meant! Buuut….yeah, we keep our flute extra clean, Miyabi.”

 “Oh….?”

 “Yeah….we did have…some issues about this….”

Chapter Text

 (After the battle with DJ)

 (Cloudkeep)

 “That was…Joran.” Lanz said, looking at the massive hole in the clouds the explosion made.

 “Yeah, sure was. I swear, he hadn’t changed one bit.” Eunie added.

 “But this…isn’t okay…People shouldn’t have to make such heartbreaking choices.” Noah choked out.

 “Yeah, That’s exactly why…we gotta move forward,” Lanz said, with burning eyes.

 “Yeah, well…” Eunie still looked uncomfortable. Even though D, the origin of her trauma has died. She wasn’t quite satisfied with the fact that it was Joran who finished him off with his sacrifice.

 “Then…to make a step further….we should go see the queen. Or…is the queen still alive, anyway?” Lanz said as he turned around and returned to the Agnus team.

 “Uh…yeah…about that…” Mio mumbled.

 (Upstairs)

 “Wh…what…? The queen’s body…is…gone…?”

 “No…nonononono! This can’t be the sparking truth!!! Then what now!?!? What about our real queen??” Eunie screamed.

 “I really hate to admit…but…it looks like the Moebius D really did the queen… Hah…if he missed at least two ceteris to the side….” Taion said, his face full of agony and frustration.

 “D….? D....you say….? Arrrghhh!!!! D!!! You…sparking….little….Urgghhh!!!!” After hearing Taion’s words, Eunie’s trauma about D immediately turned into unlimited fury. She repeatedly punched the empty pod stained with the queen’s blood, and finally, she banged her head into it.

 “Eunie, stop. The queen’s not gonna come back even if you do that. And you’re gonna hurt yourself!” Noah grabbed her from behind to stop Eunie from causing brain damage.

 “But…but…Noah…I…you…urrgh…!!” Feeling the rush of mixed emotion inside her, Eunie was in the verge of tears. And after clenching her trembling bloody fists, she finally broke down and started to cry into Noah.

 “Why…why does it have to end like this…For all we’ve done so far…For all we’ve lost…Stopped by a single claw….” Eunie sobbed.

 “I feel you, Eunie. I feel you.” Noah comforted Eunie, patting her back. He turned around to see the rest of the party. Sena also broke down to tears and was crying inside Mio’s embrace, Lanz and Taion were filled with agony and disappointment.

 “But…it looks like….She’s…gone… She’s really gone…” Noah mumbled.

 “Out of our life…” Lanz sighed.

 “I…was wrong… I’m to blame… I…was…so untrue to myself…” Mio said, swallowing a sob.

 “Mio….you’re not…You didn’t do anything wrong.” Noah said.

 “I am…half Moebius… I should’ve noticed that they would find me with their tracking system…I…hah…I know I can’t do it without her majesty’s power…”

 “Guess…there’s only an empty space left in our lives….” Lanz said.

 “All of our dreams lost…All we could do is just wasting away…” Taion added.

 “At least…we can…send her off. I think…that’s the most we could do right now.” Mio said, as Sena wiped her tears and parted away.

 “Agreed. We could think about our next act later. Now, let’s send her in peace.” Noah picked up Miyabi’s flute. Mio also picked up Noah’s flute. And then, they started to play a farewell song for their queen.

 “Forgive me, your majesty…” Mio muttered before she put her lips on the instrument, and after that, she reached the highest note she could even reach with the flute.

 “Wow…I’ve never seen Mimi reaching this high…” Sena said in awe.

 “It may be the manifestation of her emotion right now. Although my ears are getting a little bit pierced, I feel her heart blasting through that little instrument.” Taion said.

 “Yeah…surely do…” Lanz added.

 The party watched as Nia’s particles vanished towards the sky.

 (At the particular cliff where they received the key)

 (This time Ghondor properly gave them the key)

 The cliff was very silent. Only the sound of waves was heard. And in the silence, a couple was there.

 “The breeze feels so good…Isn’t it, Noah?” Mio said, playing with her new long hair.

 “You don’t sound like the same Mio at the cloudkeep who hit the highest note in off-seeing history. You rather sound like…a certain blonde though….” Noah chuckled, also playing with Mio’s new long hair. Her new hair was indeed stupidly long.

 “Blonde?”

 “Uh…no, no, It’s nothing. It just popped inside my head.” Noah said.

 “Well…that was that…Then…what do we do now? Our queen’s dead now… We…lost our sense of direction…” Mio sighed.

 “Yeah…and our guys haven’t recovered since that day…Eunie and Sena are depressed… And Taion and Lanz won’t move. Well…Taion might be thinking some other plans…but I’ve never seen him that undermotivated…”

 “That’s true…hah…but you know…I don’t think what we’ve done was meaningless.” Mio said, lying down.

 “Oh? Why then?” Noah asked, lying down next to her.

 “You know…the fact that I’m still alive and kicking is all thanks to you guys, and we wouldn’t have even reached cloudkeep if we didn’t come here. Although our plan got really messed up in the end…but I think we can do it. If we do it together.” Mio grabbed Noah’s hand.

 “Yeah, together. We’re always interlinked, you know.” Noah said, with a bitter smile.

 “That’s my Noah.” Mio smiled, and stood up, looking at the Moon. She pulled her diary out of her jacket and opened it.

 “This…page is supposed to be the last page of my diary. I…never imagined I’ll complete this diary and be able to read it after the big day…I still can’t believe it right now. And this diary…is one of the most valuable things I’ve ever had. Our journeys…the emotions I’ve felt during it…are all inside this little book.” Mio said, putting the diary close to her chest.

 “Indeed. I always looked up to you about keeping diaries. Keeping one can be really troublesome, you know.”

 “Heh, you can get used to it if you keep it for long.” Mio laughed.

 “You know, Noah…I thought of a name of this diary, or our entire journey so far.” Mio said, facing Noah.

 “Oh, what is it?”

 “Noah…I think our adventure really has been…the Xenoblade Chronic….”

 Mio’s words were blocked by Noah’s kiss.

 “Wh…where did that come from….?” Mio said, gasping for air.

 “I sensed something dangerous coming out of your mouth, so I stopped it,” Noah said, with a blush.

 “Oh, with YOUR mouth?” Mio giggled. “Where did you learn that? That…was…actually…pretty…good.”

 “From…I don’t know…another me from generations ago…?” Noah shrugged.

 “Heh, you know…he was way better in my memories,” Mio said, with a smug face.

 “Oh yeah?”

 “So…Noah.”

 “Yeah?”

 “Satisfy me. And by this, you can start to surpass N,” Mio said, opening her arms wide.

 “What’re you saying, don’t you remember I beat that guy in the castle?”

 “Hey, when did you become so smug? Shut up and come here.” Mio said, as she pulled Noah into her embrace.

 “Heh….you know…”

 “Hmm?”

 “Love you, Mio.”

 “Love you too, Noah.”

 (Omake)

 “Oh look at that…our mighty Ouroboros found love…”

 “Oi!! Bitchqueen!! Where have you been?? The guys need you right now!!!” Ghondor shouted from behind.

 “All right, I’ll go, I’ll go.”

 “Wait…why are you here again…?”

 “Just for my daily dose of…”

 “For spark’s sake…I said stop doing that!!”

Chapter Text

 (After they freed Melly)

 “I shall return to the Castle, and free the soldiers from the Flame Clock’s bondage. Otherwise, their lives will only feed Z’s power.” Melia said.

 “Nice thinking, Your Majesty! Countin’ on ya!” Lanz smiled, proud at their real queen.

 “Oh, uh, will you need an escort…?” Sena asked. The queen did look pretty frail.

 “I would think not. Might you have forgotten who I am?” Melia said, there was a confident expression on her face.

 “Uh…our queen?” Eunie said, playing with her feathers.

 “Hmm…That’s right, but I am indeed capable of dealing with the enemies myself. May I tell you a story?” Melia said, smiling at her people.

 “Ooh, story! Manana love stories!”

 ‘Oh my god...Nopon…It’s been so long since I’ve seen those…Nonono, calm down, Melia…’

 “Yes, and it’s called Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition.”

 “What…?” Eunie was now scratching her wings.

 “Don’t question the title. And this story starts when the world was nothing but an endless sea…” Melia was now all nursery mode.

 “Seems interesting!”

 “Two great titans came into existence….”

 (After some storytelling)

 “And so…Zanza died, and we gained freedom.” Melia ended her story like a nursery teacher finishing a picture book.

 “Whoa…that’s insane…so you guys killed a god?” Lanz said in awe, the way he looked at Melia changed.

 “Here! I have a question!!” Eunie raised her hands.

 “Accepted.”

 “So…this whole ‘Homs’, ‘Machina’, ‘High Entia’ thing…is this thing….still a thing till now? Sorry that I used the word thing so much.”

 “Hmm? Of course. Your species data are all stored in the Origin.”

 “Cool…Then, are we the same species? Like, the wings and stuff?” Eunie asked, flapping her little wings.

 “Of course, Eunie.”

 “And especially when you’re my daughter.”

 “…….”

 “…..I’m sorry, what??”

 “Did I hear it right?”

 “Uh…boys? Hit me.”

 “Will sure do!”

 “Ow! That hurt like hell…”

 “Back to the point, WHAT???”

 “Now if you’ll excuse me…I will return to the castle, and prepare for the final battle with the queen of Agnus….” Melia said, as she slowly backstepped to get away from the party.

 “Oh, NO you’re not getting away. I have MORE questions.” Eunie stepped forward.

 “Eunie…you’re making the queen awkwar…” Noah tried to stop her, but no, she was no other than Eunie.

 ‘Please don’t ask the father, please don’t ask the father…’

 “If I, am your daughter…thing…”

 “Yes?”

 “Does that mean you had s*x?” Eunie said, with an enthusiastic face.

 “EUNIE!!!” The party shouted in unison.

 “Uh…about that…?”

 “How did it feel?” Eunie’s eyes were now wide.

 “EUNIE!!!!!!!”

 “Uh…eh…ah…” Melia was frozen.

 “I was always curious about that ever since I saw that little baby and learned about it. But the doctor taught me so little!!! I need experience!!! Eunie’s curiosity never stops!!”

 “Wha…eh…how about asking Queen Nia…?”

 “WHAAAATTTTTTT????” The party screamed in unison.

 “Gotta go now! It was nice meeting you, NoahLanzEunieMioTaionSenaRikuManana! So long!” After her speedy goodbye, Melia disappeared.

 “Aw!! At least you have to tell me!!! Bitchqueen!!!!” Eunie shouted.

 “Come on, Eunie, calling our queen that is rude.” Said Noah.

 “Why? I heard that daughters use that word.”

 “Said who?” Mio said.

 “Ghon…dor…?”

 “Oh my god…”

 “Anyway, Eunie, where did that question come from?” Taion asked.

 “Why? You’re not curious?”

 “Sparks sake…that’s why you were obsessed at a certain corner in the City library…” Taion facepalmed.

 “That’s that…! Let’s go forth, Z is waiting for us.” Noah calmed the party down.

 “Well…that’s kinda underwhelming but…’kay, let’s go.”

 So the party went on.

 And Z had some unusual fun watching the scene.

 (Omake)

 “Hello there, Nia. Queen of Agnus.” Melia greeted Nia through the screen.

 “Greetings, Melia, Queen of Keves.” Nia answered.

 “Are you still using that way of speaking?”

 “Oh, does it not suit me well?”

 “Well…you can be comfortable around me, you know.”

 “Phew…thank god…So, how was it??”

 “Hmm?”

 “The kids! How was it?”

 “Oh…them…yeah…”

 “Oh, had some issues…?”

 “I…learned that teenagers are…pretty scary.”

 “Huh?”

 “Nia…they might visit you after the battle.”

 “Why?”

 “For Sex Ed.”

 “WHAAAAATTTTT?????”

 “That’s the word. Now let’s get to fighting!”

 “Wait, no, no, no! Don’t cut the ca….”

Chapter Text

(Agnus Jail)

 “What a magnificent sideshow it will be! Muhahahahaha!!!!!!” N laughed like a madman…wait, he is already mad. Anyway, like a madman as he explained his almighty plan to Noah. A dirty smile was on his wretched face. Noah stuck close to the cell bars in fury.

“Oh, yes…I almost forgot to tell you something. You are now aware of the cycle of rebirth, yes? There is an exception.” N said as he approached Noah.

 “Huh…?”

 “Those whose flame is snuffed out during a Homecoming…”

 “Will not return,” N whispered.

 That alone made everybody in the cell snap. The rest of the party, who was all scattered around the cell in fatigue and despair, all woke up at the speech of N.

 “What….? Did…you…just say…?”

 “I said, they never return. Do I have to interpret for you? No. More. Mio. For you. Period.” N said, with a crueler smile on his face.

 “You…you…MONSTER!!!!” Noah shoved his hand out to grab N, but it failed miserably. Instead of Noah grabbing N, N used the handle of his sword to give Noah a prod.

 But looks like he mistook the location to attack.

 “Guaaghh!!?? Arrgh…Gahh….Uaaagh!!!!!!!!” Noah collapsed down, screaming as loud as he can.

 “Noah!!!!!” Lanz and Taion shouted in unison running towards Noah.

 “Hmph, weak. Down with one bl…wait…what?” N tried to laugh at Noah, but something seemed strange.

 Where exactly was Noah grabbing…?

 Oh shit.

 “YOU MONSTER!!!!! HOW WOULD YOU EVEN DARE TO STAB HIM ON THE BALLS!!!!” Lanz raged.

 “What…?” N was more flabbergasted than he would be at the start of chapter 6.

 “You are a disgrace to mankind! And you have no right to stand there with that sword! You just lost your every right to exist!” Taion said as he calmed Noah down.

 “H..hahahah…! Your word does nothing to me! I don’t care if I made him like that in some improper way!! All that matters is that you will die, and your friend will be no more!!!” N shouted, sweating a bit.

 “You’re a piece of trash!” Sena joined forces.

 “Agreed, do you have any idea how much that sparker hurts, eh? And what bitch of a man uses his handle to handle his opponent? Come to look at it…your hair is messy and long…and you have shady bangs. You’re just a bitchy emo, innit?” Eunie said.

 “Wait…Eunie…why do you know about how much that hurts…?” Sena asked in disbelief.

 “Did that when I was young. The victim was…”

 “Me. You were a total dick when that happened, you know.” Lanz said.

 “Hey! I never knew that would happen before I kicked!”

 “Oh really, even though we always bathed together?”

 “No one taught me what that was!”

 “Oh then, do you know now?”

 “Of course! And I’m glad that I don’t have them.”

 “……How am I supposed to react after that?” Lanz groaned.

 “Do you have to really react to that??” Sena interrupted.

 But it was useless.

 “Sena, how do you think?” Eunie turned to Sena.

 And Sena’s only one brain cell, which was shared with Lanz, died.

 So Sena.exe stopped working.

 “Hellooo? Aionios to Sena?”  

 “And what exactly did you expect from Sena??” Lanz exclaimed.

 “Oh for spark’s sake, Eunie…”

 N lost his words.

 He thought they would just sit quietly in despair, or make vain attempts to get out of jail, or…do anything but this. Was this what ‘this’ Noah was experiencing every day?

 Was this reality?

 He prayed that this nonsense would end soon, but no. It won’t.

 “What’s wrong over there?”

 Great, Mio’s joining.

 “Oh, Mio! Uh…you see, this ‘N’ bastard hit Noah at his balls!” Lanz shouted.

 “Pretty wild, huh?” Eunie added.

 “What…? What do you mean by…?” Mio stuttered.

 “You know…there…? I…believe you know…”

 “Pffft, Lanz is embarrassed.”

 “What???? N! You monster!! Noah, you alright?” Mio asked, banging the wall.

 “M…Mio…?”

 “Noah! You’re alive!” Taion exclaimed.

 “Noah! Are you alright??” Mio asked again.

 “M…Mio…! You…you…called me by my name…!!!” Noah choked out, with tears in his eyes.

 “That’s not the point!!!” Sena.exe started working again.

 “Ooh, Sena! You’re alive!” Said Eunie, assaulting Sena with a hug from behind.

 “Anyway, N! How could you do this to him? Don’t you feel any sympathy??” Mio shouted.

 “Give it up, Mio. When a man gets hit, his fellow men can feel his pain. But as I observe…he seems like he doesn’t feel pain. So, my conclusion. He doesn’t have it!” Lanz burst into laughter after he finished his sentence.

 “HA! Nice one, Lanz.” Eunie gave Lanz a five.

 “Uh…sorry to interrupt…but…guys?” Sena said.

 “Huh?”

 “Looks like he’s gone.” Sena pointed outside. Truly, there was no N.

 “He teleported away. What an arsehole.” Mio said in her cell.

 “Whoa! Never knew you adopted my way of words, Mio!”

 “Well, he IS an arsehole though…”

 “Agreed. Do you, Noah?”

 “No buts….”

 (Omake)

 “I’m back.”

 ‘Wait, why is he back so early?’ M, no Mio thought as she heard N’s voice.

 “Uh…hello! Is there a reason for you to return this early…?”

 “Hah….” N sighed.

 ‘Huh…? What happened while he went there…? Wait…is it because…?’

 “Why the long face? Didn’t you go there to have some entertainment?”

 “You seem enthusiastic today.”

 ‘Not at all, you mudder. Die in a flame.’ Mio thought.

 “Hah…M, why don’t we kill them off early?”

 “Huh? Why? Wasn’t you the one who made the plan to finish them off in the Eclipse Homecoming?”

 “Yes…but…for the spark’s sake…their existence itself causes stress to me…”

 “Oh…sorry to hear that…Hm? Sorry, I think I have stuff to do, gotta get going.”

 “Go…I’m gonna rest today…”

 Like that, N limped on some chair, and M left somewhere. And there, M, no, Mio started to giggle, and it soon developed into a laugh.

 ‘Oh, guys…I don’t know what in Aionios you did, but you did a terrific job….’

Chapter Text

 Dear Diary.

 Wait, is this the way to start it?

 Dunno, Mio never thought us how to do it.

 Anyway, this is about Mio. An Agnian girl we met on the battlefield. We became Ouroboros after we had a big fight, and we started to travel together. And….yes, this was new, but we’re getting used to it.

 My interlink partner is Mio. She’s one term older than me, and she’s so kind…and she smiles a lot even though she has like…3 months left to live. And one thing. She…has cat ears.

 I don’t know why, but some Agnians have cat ears. And she has them, too. And I actually like those. They sometimes twitch as real cats do, and she actually has a great sense of hearing.

 …….

 And I thought that this was the end of her cat-like traits.

 Hah…I never expected this to happen, but there was more.

 There was once when we had to cross a giant desert to…you know, get to the city. And yes, it was very sparking hot. We had a really tough time crossing the vast desert, but…Mio had the worst. She took her jacket off like 5 minutes into the desert, and she emptied her water canteen like 10 minutes in, and she started to stagger, like after 15 minutes in. So Sena almost carried her.

 And after several moments, Mio started to wither away. She was moaning she couldn’t go on, but something happened. They found an oasis far away. We hoped that thing wouldn’t be a mirage, but they didn’t think a second. They just dashed away to the oasis only to feel the water first. We weren’t that desperate, so we walked there.

 After 5 minutes of walking or so, we also arrived at the oasis. We expected them to swim there to enjoy the water, but…they were not. To be exact, only Sena was swimming. Mio…yeah. She was…

 Licking.

 Licking…her limbs.

 Near the water, squatting down, she was delicately licking her arms, wrists, and hands. And she was giggling happily while doing that.

 Of course we were surprised looking at that.

 So I asked.

 No, actually Eunie went headfirst.

 “Uh, love? What’re you doing?”

 “Me? Mmm…just…cleaning. It removes the smell and dirt from my body.” Mio said, smiling.

 “Really…? How does licking your body with your tongue help you do that…?”

 “My tongue has these little things on them, and my saliva has some special chemicals for cleaning my body, so yes! It’s effective!” Mio said, showing Eunie her tongue. And it was true. Her tongue was…rather unique. It looked pretty rough, like sandpaper.

 “Ooh…then…did you have some water? You did almost thirst to death, love.”

 “Oh, water? Yeah! Sena helped me drink it.”

 “What…?”

 “Mimi, you need some?” Sena said, cupping some water with her hands.

 “Thanks, Sena!” Mio said. And she started to lower her head, and started licking the water to drink it.

 “Whoa…? This is unexpected…Oh well, guess it’s water time for me! Woohoo!” After her battlecry, Eunie jumped into the water with a big splash.

 And another thing happened.

 Mio ran towards us, frightened, as the water touched her skin.

 “M…Mio…?” I said.

 “Ah….hahahaha….sorry….just a bit surprised from the water…”

 “Really? Didn’t you desperately want water before?” Lanz said.

 “I did, but…” Mio sighed, with her ears down.

 “Then what’re you waiting? Mio, you’re coming with me!” Lanz said, as he lifted Mio up.

 “Wait, Lanz, I think that’s not a good id…” I tried to stop him, but it was too late.

 “ALLEYOOP!!!!” Lanz jumped in.

 With Mio.

 “AAAAAAAAAGHHH!!!!!!”

 With the loudest scream I’ve heard in years, she jumped out of the water, violently shaking.

 “Uh…Mio, you okay?” I asked, looking at Mio, who was shaking off the water off her body. I don’t know why she decided to ‘shake’ off the water from her body.

 “You see…Mimi and water are…how can I explain…?” Sena muttered.

 “I knew this would happen…” Taion said.

 Well.

 That happened.

 So, that’s when I first suspected that this girl was secretly a cat.

 And this was not the end!

 Damn!

 One day…or one night…we made camp. In some kind of ruins kind of place. The floor was all rock, so we heard some complaints from Eunie about how much her back hurts from sleeping on the stone-cold surface. And soon, she started bickering with Lanz. It was a lovely night, as usual.

 But Mio was gone. And we can’t lose her at dinner, so I tried to find her. And after some minutes, I eventually found her somewhere in the ruins, where she was digging on the stone floor with her…nails.

 I…actually lost my words then.

 Because…you know, when your interlink partner is digging the stone floor with her hands…you get curious. And by the way…her nails were pretty sharp…almost dangerously sharp.

 Back to the topic.

 So I asked.

 “Uh…Mio, what’re you doing…? The guys are waiting for you.”

 And she replied.

 “Oh, yeah, sorry, just a moment. I was planning…to…you know…take…a…leak…?” Mio said, slightly blushing.

 “What….? Well…if you wanted that, you could always go to the woods…you know…?” Yeah, that was unexpected.

 “But…you know…I don’t want to get too far from this territory…”

 ‘Territory?”

 “Okay, then, that’s that, why are you digging, no, scratching the stone floor with your nails? I mean…you could use your bl…No, change of my question. Why are you even trying to dig?” The situation was getting more awkward and awkward as I spoke, but I went on.

 “Uh…because there is no sand here…?”

 “Sand?”

 “You know…you need sand when you go…you get it…?”

 ‘No…? Do we….?’ At this moment, I almost went crazy with questions barraging inside my head.

 But Mio’s face got redder and redder, so I decided to leave.

 “O…kay… I get it…Then…take…your….time? I guess…? Need anything?”

 “Uh…no. Thanks, I’ll be there soon!” Mio said.

 And I had no words to spare, so I left.

 “Hey, Noah. Found Mio?” Eunie asked.

 “Uh…yeah.”

 “What is she even doing right now?”

 “Um…digging holes….?”

 “What…? Is she…Isurd or something?”

 “Or friend Mio find gemstones? Riku can help.” Riku interrupted.

 “Nonononono!! No need to interrupt….Just…she needed…sand…? I guess…?”

 “Sand?? What in Aionios is going…? Ah, forget it, I’m gonna get some tea. Taion, you got some?”

 “Always ready.”

 But Sena seemed to be thinking different.

 “Wait, Noah, did you say sand?”

 “Uh, yes?”

 “Oh my god, Mimi… Where is she?”

 “Around…there…” I pointed, and Sena ran.

 For the spark’s sake, my brain was seriously starting to overload with new knowledge.

 But I had a nice sleep, honestly.

 Anyways, morning came. And Mio was missing again.

 This time, I found her pretty easily.

 You see, there was a strange place with pillars and weirdly placed walls to make a small, tight, cramped place.

 And I never expected to find her sleeping there.

 “How the spark….did she even fit there?” Lanz said, with an expression of wonder on his face.

 “……….” I’ve never seen Eunie giving up her will to think like that before.

 “Anyway, time to wake up. Mimi!!!! Wake uuuuup!!!!!” Sena shouted. She takes this rather easily.

 “Mmmm….It’s already morning?” Mio said, opening her eyes slightly.

 “Yep! Time to go now! Get out!”

 “Got it….Ugh…so…tired…” Mio purred, and she somehow got out of that strange place. Everyone except Sena lost their words.

 “……..” Looks like Eunie.exe has stopped working.

 “Okay, one question. How the spark did you get in, Mio? Like…do you even have bones?” Lanz said.

 “Oh, that? You know….I just like…cramped places. That’s all.”

 “That doesn’t…actually explain this situation, Mio,” I said.

 “Ah, forget it! Let’s have something to eat and leave!” Mio said as she walked headfirst. Ears twitching. Sena followed her.

 “This is getting stranger and stranger…Innit, Eunie?” Lanz turned his gaze to Eunie, but…

 “…….”

 “Uh…Eunie….? You all right…?”

 “Lanz….?”

 “What?”

 “Nothing…”

 “Well, you’re not behaving very not ‘Eunie’ today, Eunie, anyway, let’s go have breakfast.”

 “Agreed,” Taion replied.

 It felt indeed strange, but I also agreed and left to have breakfast.

 And that’s what happened, Diary.

 What do you think about my obviously-not-a-cat-partner?......

 (Omake)

 Diary, a lot of shit happened recently. Mio died.

 And she came back to life.

 And the Mio who died was not Mio.

 Confused? Me too.

 And we found the queen in the sky.

 And Joran died.

 Confused? Me too!!!

 Aaaandd….we found out about true human nature, and about love. The city was more than a surprise. Plus, they even gave us places to stay! No more camping!

 So now I’m here.

 With long-haired Mio rubbing her head alongside me.

 Mio…changed a bit after she received M’s life. She…turned a bit more…aggressive? I guess?

 When I wake up, I can find Mio. Curled up in a ball. And she does that rubbing head thing to me when she sleeps, too.

 One day, I touched her ears when she slept. I was always curious how they felt…so…I did that. After some touches, she started to purr. Okay, gotta admit, that felt great, but I shouldn’t have done that. Because…after that…she demanded more touches. Especially on the behind of her ears. I didn’t know why at first, but now I know. After she rubbed her ears on me, I could sense a unique smell on me and her. It seemed that the behind of her ears had some special substance emitting to make a special smell. And she seemed to be really obsessed with getting her smell all over me.

 And you know what?

 I actually like it.

 She's so soft, and the smell she tries to get all over me is really nice. Heck, I once just sat near her when she was asleep, just to feel her pheromones.

 So, here I am now, skimming through my diary as Mio rubs her head against me again…

 Diary, I…was a soldier, but became Ouroboros. And we smashed some flame clocks, killed Moebius, and we met the real Agnus queen. And now we have to smash Origin and Z.

 But here I am now, petting my cat.

 What do you think, diary? Not bad, huh?

Chapter Text

 “What’s that you say?” Eunie said, with a blank expression,

 “I said, go get some berries!” Lanz was at his limit.

 “Oh…got it.”

 “Finally…”

 “So…what do I have to do?” Eunie’s expression turned blank again.

 “Go get some…for spark’s sake, Eunie. So, you’re doing this to me?”

 “You said to try to act like a bird.” Eunie flapped her wings.

 “So what the snuff of this is a bird?”

 “Uh…bird brain? Or do I need to chirp like one?” She scratched her wings.

 “Oh my god, I sometimes don’t understand my partner.” Taion sighed, as he trolled Sena for the 96^th time with his Mondo.

 “Nyaaa!!!!”

 “Wha….” By the time Taion realized it, it was too late. The Mondo was snatched by Mio, who was now impersonating a cat.

 “Come on, Mio! Not you too!!”

 “Whoa!! Mimi! That was so cool!!” Sena applauded.

 “Nya!” Mio held the Mondo like a trophy.

 “Guys, I got some foo…” Noah came back from the food expedition with Riku and Manana. And the scenery in front of him was…

 This sparking thing.

 “What…the spark...is happening here…?”

 “Friends got all kinds of crazy while starving!” Manana exclaimed.

 “Riku think friends were always like this. No exception.”

 “Looks like Riku’s right today… Come on, what’s this, animal kingdom?”

 “Whop! That's Noah over here!” Lanz said, greeting him.

 “Nyaaa!!!” Mio waved her hands. Her ears also twitched.

 “Noah who?”

 “Eunie, I said stop!!”

 “Haha, put a sock in it.”

Chapter Text

 (At the City hospital)

 The thing…notion? Term? Known as babies…was a wonder to the party. Taion was on the verge of tears, Sena’s eyes had stars on them, Eunie and Lanz were out of words to say, and Noah and Mio were silently looking at each other. The ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’ were looking at them as if they were their kids. They did look like a grown teenager. But to them, they were still 9 year-olds. Heck, the oldest one at the party was Mio, who was a 10-year-old.

 “Enjoying your new discovery?” Monica appeared behind them with an ‘old’ man next to her.

 The party all nodded.

 “Heh, good, now it’s all yours, doctor,” Monica said.

 “All right then, lads and lasses, who want to know how babies are made?” He said the mighty word. And after that, he was amused at the sight.

 The mighty Ouroboros, were raising hands. All six of them, eyes sparkling.

 “Haha, I knew it, but it’s getting a bit late today, so come here tomorrow morning. Then I’ll give you a brief lecture. You guys have a lot of things to cover today about the City and humans, eh? It’s gon’ be busy.” Said the doctor.

 “Oh, then you’re not gonna do it here?”

 “Can’t disturb the baby here, so let’s go out folks! The family needs rest.” As the doctor commanded, the party slowly treaded out of the room. The parents waved their hands to say goodbye.

 (That night…)

 (At the dorm)

 “Bed!!! Holy sparks, bed!!!!” Eunie screamed as she dived to the first floor of the bunk bed in front of her.

 “Yippee!!!!” Sena followed her into the bed. She bumped into Eunie, but they didn’t care. It wasn’t the best bed in town, but it was the best place they’ve slept on.

 “Hah…..! It feels so good….!” Eunie said, rolling around with Sena.

 “Eunie, I know you’re very excited, but at least dry your hair after your shower!” Noah said.

 “Heeeeeyyyy, don’t spoil the fun! I can do it by flapping my wings! Feathers galoreeeee!!!!” Eunie exclaimed, flapping her wings.

 “Let her enjoy it, she looked really tired in the shower,” Mio said to Noah.

 “Well…if you say so then…” Noah shrugged.

 “Anyway, let’s relax here! My aches have aches…” Lanz stretched his shoulders.

 “Agreed. The city provided us with this facility. So let’s make the most of it.” Taion said.

 So…they unpacked their belongings and settled down. The room was filled with sighs of exhaustion for a moment. Until Eunie set the topic.

 “So guys…”

 “Was waiting for someone would break this silence,” Lanz said.

 “So…the doctor said he’ll gonna teach us how babies are made, innit?”

 “Yeah.”

 “Then, what are your…expectations…? Or theories? About it?”

 “Theories?” Mio said.

 “Well…got no idea. How am I supposed to react to that when we’re born in a pod?” Lanz said.

 “Me too! My head hurts just by thinking of it… Anyway, wasn’t the baby so cute…?” Sena added.

 “That’s…true.” Noah agreed.

 “I really want to feel that sensation again…when she grasped my finger…I can’t forget it…” Mio said, looking at her pinky.

 “Then how about Taion? I’m sure you have something in your mind.”

 “I do…….”

 “Oh!! What is it?? Spill!!!” Eunie burst up.

 “Not have one.”

 “Heh, look, our tactician learned how to joke,” Eunie smirked.

 “You know…my head was empty that time… The…moment….my….fingers…” Taion’s voice was trembling.

 “Aw, Taion…” Sena said, hands on her mouth.

 “Well, that’s that, everybody. Why don’t we get to sleep now? It’s pretty late you know, look at the clock.” Mio said, pointing at it.

 “The clock…similar to the one Nimue gave me… Looks like in the City, it’s a norm here…”

 “Well…seeing that thing makes me sleepy…I’m gonna go to sleep then…night…” Lanz yawned.

 “Nighty, Lanz! I’m gonna go to sleep too…” Sena slowly closed her eyes.

 Starting with the muscle couple, the party drifted into sleep.

 Totally unaware of what would happen the next morning…

 (Aaaaaannnddd…..)

 (Next morning)

 “So…now we’re here…in this little…classroom…” Eunie said to herself.

 “Feels like old times…but…why are there only three desks…? And why are they all small…?” Lanz complained.

 “Now, now, kids, don’t just stand there, sit down wherever you like!” Monica said, following through.

 “Then I’ll take the center!!” Sena said, yippeeing her way in.

 “Hey, that’s my seat!” Lanz said as he shoved his way through.

 “Same old days...” Mio sighed.

 “Uh…Mio?”

 “Huh?”

 “Wanna sit with me?” Noah said, scratching her head.

 “Well…sure! Always a pleasure!” Mio smiled.

 “Aw, come on, why am I always stuck with this guy?” Eunie complained.

 “Just deal with it, Eunie….”

 So, they were all seated. Lanz with Sena, Noah with Mio, Eunie with Taion. Fortunately(?) by the Ouroboros pair.

 “Damn, this desk is so small!” Lanz groaned, sitting with Sena.

 “Is it? It’s perfect for me!” Sena chirped.

 “Oh yeah, it’ll perfectly fit your small size.”

 “You mocking me?”

 “Okay guys, guys, calm down, let the lesson start,” Monica said, standing in the back.

 “Haha, Monica, you look like a parent in an open class. Anyway, ready, lads?” The doctor said.

 Everyone nodded, eyes glistening.

 “Ha! How long has it been, seeing the enthusiastic faces of students! Anyway, let’s start the lecture!” He activated the projector.

 “Whoa! Something showed up on the screen!”

 “Easy, Sena. Nothing’s new.”

 “So lads, how much you know about your body?” The doctor said.

 “Our…bodies…? Well…enough? We don’t have any difficulties living with it.” Eunie shrugged.

 “Okay…then…right, from the basics…So, Miss birdie, what are you?”

 “Uh, the name’s Eunie, sorry.”

 “Right, right, right. Eunie. What are you?”

 “Me? Hmm….our party’s indispensable, charming, No.1 medic specialist. Also known as the boss.”

 “You joking?” Lanz snorted.

 “Yus! Eunie’s the boss!”

 “Okay, okay, besides that.”

 “Besides that…? Huh…..dunno?”

 “You’re a girl.”

 “Oh……yeah…I’m a girl…but why?”

 “Then you, glasses guy,”

 “Taion.”

 “Okay, Taion. What are you then?”

 “I guess this would be the answer you want, I’m a boy.”

 “You learn fast! Finally, we’re on the point. Today’s lesson starts with that!” After saying that, he pressed a button on his remote.

 “So…what are those?”

 “This. Is the human anatomy. Or part of human anatomy. Can you guess what part it is?”

 “Anatomy? Eunie’s gotta know, then.”

 “Uh…nope, no. First seeing that.” Eunie shook her head.

 “This is…the human reproductive system.”

 “Repro…repro…duc…uh…” Sena muttered.

 “So where is that system?” Mio asked.

 “Ah, that. So what do you think is the most different thing between boys and girls?”

 “Hmm…I couldn’t think anything but that…Like…boys have something between their legs and we don’t?” Eunie answered.

 “Correct. Then rethink about the reproductive system.”

 “Ooh….”

 “That’s right. Those are the organs located between your legs.”

 “Hmm…really? I don’t remember having that thing between my legs. Where did that go? You know…that…something looks like a slit on a flat surface?” Eunie asked.

 “Okay…uh…Eunie,”

 “Yeah?”

 “You’re a medic, right?”

 “Yeah.”

 “What… do exactly the colonies teach you guys, I’m genuinely curious right now.”

 “Well…basic anatomies…excluding that, and mostly ether. I think we didn’t spend a lot of time learning our bodies.” Eunie shrugged.

 “Yeah, and we rather learn them to actually kill enemies effectively. Like where to hit or stab them.” Lanz added.

 “Did your colonies do the same, Mio?” Noah asked.

 “Yeah…pretty much the same…”

 “Sounds like the two nations were more than we expected…Anyway, back to the point. About the external genitalia, we’ll cover it later.”

 “Gen…what?”

 “Sena, you don’t have to force yourself on a word you don’t know,” Taion said.

 “Hehe…..”

 “So, starting with the male reproductive one. One characteristic, they protrude towards the outside. So they’re usually more visible than the female one.”

 “As I expected.” Taion nodded.

 “Yeah, saw a lot of them in the bath,” Eunie said.

 “Wait, girls and boys bath together in the colo…? Okay, we can have questions later. Anyway, we can start with the testicles here, the organ where the sperm, the male reproductive cell, is made.”

 “Oh, that’s what they were?”

 “Heard that they hurt like hell…when kicked…?” Sena mumbled.

 “More than hell. You can see the stars!”

 “Yes, yes. They’re technically internal organs. So they can really hurt if damaged.”

 “Question here, what is a reproductive cell…?” Taion asked.

 “To explain that…I have to explain biology 101 though… Okay, let’s do it later.”

 “Okay I guess…”

 “And these are the epididymis. Where the sperms grow and mature.”

 “Epi…di…?”

 “Sena, stop.”

 “And when the sperm grows…they go to the prostate, along with some fluids from the seminal vesicle over here. And when the time of ejaculation comes…”

 “Ejaculation?”

 “Oh yeah, that. I had to explain that too, do I?”

 “Having a hard time teaching these kids, eh, doctor?” Monica laughed.

 “Never knew starting from 0 was this hard…. Anyway, back to the point. Ejaculation is the activity when the sperm exits the body. And as you see…there is only one way to get out. Using the urethra. They slide through the urethra and exit out of the penis. One of the most prominent features of the male reproductive system.”

 “So they use the same way where they pee from? What happens if they wanna pee when doing that?” Eunie asked.

 “The urethra connected to the bladder actually closes during the process, so they don’t have to worry.”

 “Ooh….convenient.”

 “How about that penis? What are its functions?” Taion asked.

 “It has many. It is a passageway, and it is a means to enter the female body during intercourse.”

 And silence. The boys and girls started to stare at each other, only to look away after 5 seconds.

 “Sorry, what?”

 “Oh, right, right. That. I’ll explain it later.” The doctor was now sweating.

 “Too much to explain, eh?” Monica snorted.

 “I hate to agree, but yes. I’m having a life crisis over here…”

 “So doctor…what was that about entering the female body…?” Mio asked.

 “To explain that…let’s get over to the female body. We need to talk about two things there, so gotta hurry.”

 “Two things?”

 “The external one, and the internal one. Let’s go on the external, first.” The doctor pressed a button, and the slide changed.

 “Well, there’s nothing but a slit there,” Sena said.

 “Nah, there’s probably more,” Eunie said, leaning back on the chair.

 “Yes. The female genitals are covered with these. The labia. And they’re located a bit lower compared to the male one. So, they’re usually invisible unless the woman decides to show them and presents them.”

 “Ooh… So that’s why I couldn’t see a snuffing thing when I looked down…” Eunie gave an a-ha.

 “But didn’t you say you knew it had that…slit thing…? Eunie…?” Sena asked her.

 “Oh, that. Yeah, you know, by touch. Don’t you guys feel that when you wipe after pissin’?

 “Wait, now we’re talking that?”

 “Well…since you’ve asked.”

 “Okay, okay. Stop. So Eunie, what do you know more then?” The doctor asked.

 “Hmm…actually…no more. That’s the end of my knowledge.”

 “Okay. Then I’ll explain. You see, the slit can be spread.”

 “Really? Damn, should’ve tried it.”

 “Looks like she got the most ideas in our team,” Lanz said.

 “So…if you spread it…it looks like this.” The doctor turned the slide.

 “Whoa…so much was hidden inside…” Mio said as she gazed at the slide. Noah kept silent.

 “Pretty complex than you imagined, eh? So, let’s start from the upper regions. This is the mons pubis. If you look at your genitals from your perspective. This is the only thing you might see.”

 “Oh…that was that…?” Sena and Mio exchanged gazes.

 “And this is the clitoris. It varies its size between females, and it’s usually covered with skin, the clitoral hood. Oh, and I forgot to explain. Males have this hood on their penises, too.”

 “What’s its functions…?” Mio asked.

 “Surprisingly, it has almost nothing.”

 “What? That’s kinda…disappointing…” Sena said.

 “But it has one. A very important one. It has many nerve endings packed up, so it’s very sensitive. It’s probably the most sensitive part of a female’s body.”

 “So…what’s good about being sensitive?” Eunie asked.

 “I’ll explain later. And there’s the urethral opening, where the urine comes out.”

 “Finally, a mystery solved! I was always curious about where my piss came out of.” Eunie put her palms together.

 "You were really curious about that...?" Sena said.

 "Well...Isn't it strange to not be curious? Like...piss just mysteriously comes out when you squat or sit somewhere, making a sparking mess. And I can't see a snuffing thing! And if I tried it standing... Queen's snow-white wings...I...don't want to think about that." Eunie sighed, mixed with a laugh.

 "Wait, you tried it standing?" Sena asked, eyes becoming big.

 “Okay, okay, let's talk about it later. Anyway, to continue...the hole beneath this is the vagina. People usually call the whole female genitals the vagina, too. And its functions? Various. First, it is the passageway for the penis to enter during the intercourse. And second, it is the passageway for the period blood to exit. And third, there are nerve endings there, too. So it can be sensitive, too.”

 “Blood?” Sena gasped.

 “And of course you didn’t know that, yeah….” The doctor sighed.

 “So we’re supposed to bleed down there??” Mio said.

 “Can we talk about this when we get to…Monica, why are you sleeping?”

 “Your…lectures…are…so…boring…” Monica groaned.

 “Then what should I do, play porn?”

 “What’s porn, then?” Noah asked.

 “Forget that. Now to the internals!” Another slide.

 “The female’s internal systems look like this, and they are located near the bladder, down the lower abdomen.”

 “So that was why the drill instructor taught us to punch their lower bellies when we met Agnian girls?” Lanz said.

 “What?” Sena gasped at Lanz.

 “That’s…what they taught…us…though…?”

 “You guys really lived a tough life, eh?”

 “Yeah, this was our life. Oh, come to think of it, I remember Guernica punching Mio in the belly back then. Is Mio’s repro..ductive? systems gonna be alright?” Eunie asked, looking at Mio.

 “What? My dad did that?” Monica was startled.

 “We…had…issues…so…” Mio stuttered, looking at Monica.

 “Anyway, this main thing here is the uterus. Where…babies grow.”

 “Woohoo!! Finally!! Babies!!” Eunie shouted, shaking her chair.

 “Eunie, calm down.” Taion grabbed her.

 “And the tubes on the side are the fallopian tubes, connecting the uterus with the ovaries. And the ovaries! Are where the eggs are made.”

 “Eggs? So you mean we have eggs inside our bellies?”

 “That’s the popular name for the reproductive cell of females. And they have a cycle of the eggs coming out of the ovaries. So, the egg has to meet the sperm to become a full cell and evolve into a human being. But not always the sperm is inside the uterus. So, the egg is thrown away once a month. This is called periods, or menstruations.”

 “So…then…we bleed because of it?” Mio asked.

 “The body prepares for the baby by thickening the uterus walls. But if the sperm don’t come… The walls don’t need to exist. So they come out through the cervix, which is the uterus’ entrance, and through the vagina. And yes, it’s like blood.”

 “Does…that hurt…?” Eunie asked.

 “You suddenly afraid of the pain, Eunie?” Lanz asked, with a smug face.

 “Easy, Lanz. Let her learn.” Noah said.

 “Come on, I’m told that I’ll bleed between my legs! How am I not afraid?”

 “Yes, many girls are really nervous before their first period. And they use hygiene products to cope with it.”

 “True, I don’t want blood on my underwear or anything…” Sena silently said.

 “Then…are we gonna go through that, too?” Mio asked, her eyes really nervous.

 “Hmm…I’m not sure about that…Since pod-birthers are a bit different…But if you girls happen to go through that, the city can help. So, how are you feeling, after learning about your body?”

 “Quite unexpected, and I never knew I would learn about a girl’s body,” Noah replied. He was pretty silent during the lecture.

 “Well, sparking spark. One mystery solved, and one mystery’s here. Now I have to worry about periods and snuff.” Said Eunie.

 “It’s too early to be surprised. ‘Cause now we’re here. The Intercourse.”

 “Inter…what…?”

 “Sena, I’m starting to worry that you have no sense of vocabulary…” Taion sighed.

 “Come on!! Don’t be too mean!”

 “Anyway, in short, intercourse, the sexual intercourse, is this. The male’s penis enters the female’s vagina, and the male ejaculates inside the female, giving her his sperm. And if sperm meets the egg, fertilization occurs, and if the fertilized egg gets attached to the uterus walls, pregnancy happens. And pregnancy is…”

 “Babies!!” Eunie exclaimed.

 “Eunie does love babies….” Sena sighed.

 “Yes, and the baby grows inside the uterus for 10 months, and comes out through the vagina.”

 “What??? Through that small hole??? Wouldn’t it hurt??” Sena exclaimed.

 “Yeah, it hurts like a bitch, if you ask.” Monica interfered.

 “Oh yeah, Monica was a ‘mother’, too!” Mio gave an a-ha.

 “Yes, and she became one at the age of 15. Which is…5^th term in your language.”

 “5^th term???? That early????” Lanz shouted.

 “Is that normal?” Mio asked.

 “Normally…people start having sexual intercourse…let’s call it sex from now. From the age of 20. Which is the 10^th term. So she’s…kinda special. So, I guess my role ends here…Any questions?”

 “Me! Uh…how does that sex…thing….feel?” Eunie asked with enthusiasm.

 “Ah, that. Remember the nerve endings? If they are stimulated with sex by the right way, the male and the female can feel pleasure. The male can feel pleasure with his penis, and the female can feel pleasure with her vagina or the clitoris. And if they’re rightly aroused, a phenomenon called erection happens.”

 “Erection?”

 “Yes, the penis, or the clitoris, besides there the nipples or somewhere, hardens and reddens when they get aroused. That’s the implication of pleasure or arousal. Especially with the male’s penis. It enables it to get into the female’s vagina. And by the response, the female’s vagina emits fluids to lubricate the movement.”

 “Movement”

 “Yes, they move to stimulate themselves. By that, they can generate immense pleasure.”

 “Really? Pleasure… Immense…pleasure… it does feel intriguing…”

 “And there is a way to feel the pleasure just by oneself.”

 “Ooh…How?” Mio asked.

 “It’s called masturbation, and there are a lot of methods. And there are so a lot of them…I can’t list them all here.”

 “Aww…no fair!” Sena said.

 “Do we have to know that…?” Taion sighed.

 “We do!! Isn’t pleasure important?” Eunie said to Taion.

 “Oh, my sparks….”

 “Then Monica, do you know anything?” Eunie asked, turning to Monica.

 “Whoa, calm down, girl. You asking me?”

 “Yeah, you look like a veteran,” Eunie replied.

 “Well, I could…then…come at me at night, will you? Then I can tell you the rest.”

 “Monica!”

 “Hahaha, priceless.” Lanz chuckled.

 “I have a question,” Noah asked.

 “Oh, what is it?”

 “Is there…people who don’t want babies? Then what do they do?”

 “Great question. Forgot to tell you. There is a method to avoid pregnancies. One of the ways is to use a condom, a thing made of rubber that blocks semen, and one is to use pills. Pills to change the ovary cycles to avoid pregnancies.”

 “Man, exactly how do they even feel to do that only to avoid pregnancies and feel the…feels?” Lanz said, laughing.

 “This is getting me curious, too,” Mio said. And Noah nodded.

 “Aren’t you making those kids too curious?” Monica said with a smug look.

 “That’s on them, though. No more questions?”

 The crew fell silent, just looking at their palms. But while looking at her palms, Eunie had an idea. Something in front of her eyes bothered her.

 “Here! Eunie has one!” She raised her hands.

 “Okay, what is it?”

 “Why are our chests bigger?” Eunie asked, pointing at her breasts.

 “Not everyone has your size, Eunie,” Sena complained, looking down at her rather small breasts.

 “Ah, about that. As girls get older, their chests get bigger, because their lacteal glands develop.”

 “Lac…t…”

 “Sena…”

 “Then what is it for? You know, these sometimes really bother me.” Eunie said, fondling around with her breasts.

 “They were originally evolved to feed babies when they’re born.”

 “What…?”

 “Yes. You see, uh…milk, comes out from the breasts.”

 “Say what????” Sena exclaimed.

 “Holy sparks! Is that true?” Eunie screamed.

 “It’s not exactly the same as animal milk. But the function is the same.”

 “So…can I make milk out of my chest if I want?”

 “Not always, depending on hormones.”

 “Ohhh…. But cool! I can make milk out of my chest! Never knew these were used to do that… Man…maybe being a girl isn’t that bad after all!” Eunie giggled.

 “Then, no more questions?”

 The party nodded.

 “Finally! Okay, then…I’ll get going, so…Monica, will you?” The doctor said as he packed up. He looked really tired after teaching 6 kids with empty brains.

 “Okay, so, Ouroboros? Class is over, and you officially finished City 101. Congratulations, and you can have your free time. It’s almost lunchtime, so go get some city food! Oh, and if you want some additional information, you can visit the city library.”

 “Oh yes! Finally! My legs’ been aching!!” Lanz happily rose from the seat.

 “Because you had some ‘education’ in a while?” Eunie teased.

 “Eunie!!”

 “Ha…ha…I…do have a headache...after hearing some…rather…difficult…words…” Sena said, leaning to Mio. Usually, Mio strokes Sena’s head when she does that, but she was different today. She…was just staring. At Noah.

 “Mimi…?”

 “Oh, yeah, right. Lunch! Where should we go?” Mio said, a little bit startled.

 “Mi…mi…?”

 “Yeah, we should…go… Taion, have any ideas?” Noah asked.

 “Oh, yeah, me? Uh…well…I don’t know about the city yet…so…”

 “Let’s…just go…this is getting awkward…” Sena suggested.

 And finally, they left.

 (At the city’s some restaurant)

 “So,” Eunie started. Mouth full of food.

 “Hmm?” Noah responded.

 “You guys…gonna go to the library?”

 “Library? For what?” Lanz asked.

 “For…you know, that?” Eunie said, swallowing the food.

 “I think I’ll go. But I suggest you not speak with your mouth full of food.” Taion said.

 “Come on, don’t spoil the fun, four-eyes,” Eunie said, digging into the food.

 “Well, I’m not going. Too much education for today.”

 “Um…I’m with Lanz…” Sena added.

 “How about Noah and Mio?” Eunie turned to them, who were silently eating their food.

 “Uh…we could follow, too.”

 “Yeah, can’t leave Eunie alone, couldn’t we?” Noah agreed to Mio.

 “Sweet!”

 (That night)

 “Hah……can’t read anymore…Never I’ve read this much book before…” Eunie groaned, collapsing on the desk.

 “I never knew you were into academics, Eunie,” Taion said, drinking tea.

 “Me? Academic? Oh, no, love.”

 “Then what?”

 “You know, just…I can’t stand my curiosity. I want to know if I am curious.”

 “So, got the knowledge?” Taion said, giving Eunie a cup of tea.

 “Smells good…thanks…Anyway, yeah, got the biology knowledge in the morning, and got the cultural knowledge in the afternoon.” Eunie said, slurping the tea.

 “Then, what’s your resolution?”

 “You know…after thinking and reading…The books commonly say about romance…and love…”

 “Not the ‘love’ you call people, huh?”

 “Not that, silly. That’s just…habit. Anyway, yeah, and at the end of that, there was…that. Sex.”

 “Yeah, I’ve seen novels like that here. Fictions are sure interesting.”

 “And the depictions were…Phew, they were waaaaaaay more than I expected. Sparks, I felt tingles all over my body just by reading that…”

 “I get it, but what are your thoughts now?”

 “Oh, yeah. So I thought if I could experience all that…It would…feel good….I mean…really good…Like…good in places I’ve never known that existed. So…if I…got to experience that with another man… I want that person to be…like…for the sparks sake, why am I a snuffing mess…?” Eunie said, shaking her wings.

 “So you got nothing out of it?” Taion looked at Eunie. And Eunie looked at Taion.

 “Hmmph, no.”

 “Then?”

 “…….Oh, nothing. But I know one thing for sure.”

 “Oh, what’s that?”

 “Spending time with you like this in the library… Actually felt really good…”

 “Oh? That was sorta…unexpected…. Well, was that feeling what you wanted to know about?”

 “No, but…If that feeling continues, and gradually ends with the feeling I read and studied about…I’ll be…you know…happy…”

 Silence followed. Taion kept drinking tea, and Eunie softly flapped her wings while her head was on the desk. Her wings sometimes traced along his hands, leaving a soft sensation. As her wings ticked his hands, his eyes tended to gaze Eunie. Usually to his eyes, Eunie looked like a yellow/green gremlin from Keves. But not today, his eyes treaded around her entire body. The curves he usually missed with his eyes because he only looked at her face or her wings. And her face, hidden with a book and a cup, had a soft tint of red on it. Plus, her eyes. The strong eyes, always shining with…wait, are they closing…?

 “Eunie,”

 “…….”

 “Eunie,”

 “……..”

 “Eunie,” Taion called, touching Eunie at the side.

 “Uagh!!” Eunie jumped, startled.

 “You were almost asleep. Tired? Then let’s go back.” Taion said, putting down his book.

 “Okay…okay…wait for a second…” Eunie said, covering her face.

 “Got…it, then, I’ll wait for you outside.” Taion stood up from the desk and started to walk outside. Eunie stayed for a while and stood up.

 With a blush on her face.

 “That…was…strange… Why did his touch…feel…so…strange? And the short dream I had…I….What am I thinking…Am I turning…weird…?” Eunie shook her head violently, and slapped herself.

 “Nope! Let’s go outside! But before…where’s the bathroom…?”

 (While in the dorm)

 “Hey…Lanz!” Sena, still wet from the shower, came inside the dorm. Lanz showered early, so he was dry and clean.

 “Yo! How was the shower? All alone?” Lanz waved his hand. He was managing his belongings.

 “Ah…that…It was actually…pretty lonely! No Mimi, no Eunie! I actually wanted to talk with them together!” Sena said, her flames getting stronger.

 “Whoa, easy there, your flames are burning up!”

 “Oh, really? Sorry….” Sena apologized. Sitting next to Lanz, who was squatting on the floor. There was a public mirror there, so it was good to fix her hair there. As Sena sat there, Lanz stood up.

 “Hey, Sena.”

 “Why?”

 “Can I touch your hair?”

 Sena froze.

 “What….what??? Why…? All…of a sudden…?” A blush formed, and her flames grew.

 “Just…I wanted to know how those flames felt. It always intrigued me, those flames.” Lanz pointed at them.

 “Oh, these…? I…sorta always had them…They…don’t actually burn, you know.”

 “I know, but that’s more interesting! A fire that does not feel hot? Sparks! How cool is that?” Lanz burned with enthusiasm. Sena giggled at the scene.

 “Okay, okay, I’ll let you touch it. By the way, can you do my hair when you do that?” Sena said looking at Lanz.

 “Hmm…Wait, you trusting me with your hair?”

 “Uh…yeah. You…did live with Noah, you know? And…”

 “And?”

 “I just…thought I could trust you. That’s that.” Sena murmured.

 “Well, if you insist…” Lanz said, putting his hand on Sena’s head. And his eyes widened. It was a split second, but to Lanz, Sena seemed so small. Her little head fit perfectly with his big two hands.

 “Hey…”

 “What…?”

 “Your head…does feel a bit warm, you know.”

 “Really…? Wait, why are you feeling my head, not my hair?”

 “Oh, yeah, right, your…hair. Just you wait, I do have experience doing Noah’s hair when we were young.”

 “So you do have experience!!”

 “Yep, so now…done! How’s it?”

 “Whoa! It’s…It’s…?”

 “Yeah? You surprised?”

 “Uh…it’s really not what I expected though….” Sena said, looking at her new ponytail.

 “Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention. The only hairstyle I can manage is…Noah’s. So sorry if I ruined your usual side ponytail…?”

 “No! Actually…I like it! Thank you…Lanz…” Sena said, looking at the mirror.

 “Glad you liked it! Haha…you know, you’re the first person except for Noah I’ve done hair for.”

 “Really? How about Eunie, then?”

 “She has feathers to trim, too. And that’s extra hard for us non-featherers to take care of.”

 “Oh….yeah…Glad I’m the second one then! Hahaha….” Sena smiled awkwardly, looking at Lanz. A weird silence filled the dorm, before Lanz put his hand over Sena’s head again.

 “Uh…Lanz…?”

 “Ah, sorry, just…that came out of nowhere…”

 “Oh, it’s okay…You can…do that, you know…It feels…pretty comforting.” Sena said, leaning her head against Lanz.

 “Sena, You…”

 “Just…stay quiet, will you? And just stroke my hair...? I…like that feeling.” Sena whispered. Lanz followed. They really stayed quiet. Only Sena’s breathing was heard. And after some moments of stroking, Lanz opened his mouth.

 “You know, Sena…”

 “Hmmm?” Sena said, with a small smile on her face.

 “If I have a baby…you know…will it feel like this?”

 “Heh, you think I’m your baby?”

 “What? No, no, you’re too big of a baby, you know.”

 “You said I was small back then…?”

 “I was…joking! Yeah, joking.”

 “I know, I know. But…yeah…how would it feel when I have a baby?”

 “Even if it hurts you, like really bad? You know, Monica said it really hurts, having or giving birth.”

 “Yeah…that’s pretty scary, and that period thing, you know… I never knew we were supposed to go through that… But…if it’s…with a person I really love, I…would do that.”

 “Makes sense.”

 “And…you know, I…don’t have an exact idea about love, but if that ‘love’ thingy comes to me and my partner…making babies with him…might be the greatest thing of all!”

 “Damn, it’s pretty deep.”

 “Is it…?”

 “Then, do you have someone you love, now?”

 “Now? Hmm…if you say so…But honestly, I don’t exactly know what love is. And if I say love as a special feeling I feel towards…I could include Mimi…or…you…?”

 “Me? Man, that’s a surprise. Maybe our interlinking helped?”

 “Maybe…hah…but I don’t know…! Just…right now…? I just want to stay like this, you touching my hair like this…”

 “You really like this, don’t you?”

 “Hehe….”

 (Somewhere outside)

 “Ow!”

 “Oh, sorry, did that hurt?” Mio said after pinching Noah’s side.

 “You could always…call me, you know.”

 “You were so into something, so it was hard to call your attention.”

 “All right…”

 “Hehe….anyway, I have something to ask.”

 “What?”

 “You seemed…awfully silent during that lecture…”

 “You were pretty silent, too.”

 “I did?”

 “You did.”

 “Okay, anyway, why were you so silent?”

 “Ah, you know…That…having a baby thing? That didn’t seem unfamiliar to me. It felt like…I’ve experienced that before…”

 “Wait, you felt that too?” Mio said.

 “Wait, you too?”

 “Yeah…since I’ve seen that baby in that hospital…I…felt something tingling…inside my body…”

 “I feel you…but how? Why?”

 “I don’t get it, though….But…do you remember from the lecture…that…uterus thing?”

 “Yeah, the female organ where the baby grows?”

 “Mmhm, I felt something hot inside my stomach that time…But now I know that, I think it was inside my…”

 “Uterus?”

 “Yeah, there. Sounds strange, huh?”

 “Nono, I don’t think that’s strange. Many things can happen, isn’t it?”

 Mio nodded.

 “Hey!! Ourokids?”

 “Monica?”

 “What are you doing here, at this late night?”

 “Just…talking with Mio…”

 “Oh, so you were not waiting for me?”

 “Waiting for you?”

 “Didn’t I say I would tell you my story if you came and found me?”

 “Oh, that! Yeah, about that. I have a question!” Mio asked.

 “You said you have a child, yes?”

 “Certainly.”

 “Then, how did you make it happen?”

 “Well, as the doctor told you we had….”

 “Not that! Like…you need to have a partner to do…that, huh?”

 “Yes, can’t have a baby with your finger.”

 “What’s that you say?”

 “Well, ask your friends in the library to figure it out.”

 “What?”

 “Anyway, so you’re curious about how I met my husband?”

 “Husband?”

 “Yes, you call your male partner a husband, and your female partner a wife.”

 “Oh….”

 “Then do you want to hear about it?”

 “Yes! I…want to know! About that story! Isn’t it?” Mio said, poking Noah.

 “Oh, yeah, yeah! We’re really curious about that!”

 “Sweet! You know, I have a lot of things to say when it comes to that. You see, it started when I…”

 Monica started the story, Noah and Mio listened.

 Sena went to sleep as Lanz stroked her into her sleep.

 Taion and Eunie walked back to the dorm, with Eunie walking a bit awkwardly.

 The second night in the city ended, as the three pairs spent their time in their own ways.

 (Omake)

 But where is the fourth pair?

 They’re…here.

 “Manana. Riku suggest going back to the dorm before it gets too late.”

 “But Riku don’t know about the new delicacies in the city! It Manana duty to check what’s here!!”

 “But Manana need no spin to go through the streets…Oh,” Riku sighed, as Manana bumped into a person.

 “……..” The person just stared at Manana.

 “Oh, Riku sorry! Manana tends to do strange things like this when go new places.”

 “It’s okay, a little nopon wouldn’t hurt a bit.” A woman next to the person said.

 “Riku say thanks. Now Manana come here! No more wandering today!”

 “Aww!! Riku so heartless!”

 “No is no. Let’s go back to the dorms!” Riku said, snatching Manana. As Riku snatched her with his strong arms. Manana had no option but to follow.

 “Look at that, Gray. They look like a married couple. Just like us! Wonder the rest of the Ouroboros is like that?”

 “…….”

 “Come on, Gray. You said you met them! And you like to speak about them!”

 “…….”

Chapter Text

 “Hey!! Ouroboros! What’s…Holy shit, what happened here?!?!?” Monica shouted as she entered the dorm. The beds were all broken and ripped, and the walls were all torn off.

 “Monica, run!!!” Taion shouted, as he tried to escape.

 “Huh? Why?”

 “Taion put catnip in Mio’s drink, and she’s insane!!!” Lanz said.

 “Don’t block the door!!” Eunie shouted, shaking Monica’s shoulders.

 “N…ya….”

 “Did…I hear purring?” Noah said.

 “Oh my god, she’s waking up!!!” Said Taion.

 “Nya!!!!!!”

 “Sparks!!!! Get out of the way!!!”

 “Nya!!!!!!”

 “Mimi!! No!!!!”

Chapter Text

 “So…hot…” Mio moaned.

 “Wait, Mio, again? I thought we got used to the heat!” Eunie said.

 “I…was like this…for…10 years…people…usually…don’t…change…Ugh…I think I’m gonna be sick…” Mio groaned. Staggering.

 “Mimi, are you having…a…heatstroke???” Sena exclaimed with a worried look on her face.

 “Noah, do we have some water?” Taion asked. Noah showed him his almost-empty water canteen.

 “Uh, if you want to ask me, I’m the same.” Lanz said, showing his also half-empty water canteen.

 “Then let’s find shades!! Quick!! Mimi’s gonna die!!” Sena shouted in desperation.

 “Guess our sidequest’s gonna be delayed… Got it, let’s find one!” Noah said.

 “If you say so…”

 (A few minutes later)

 “Oh no…Mimi’s temperature isn’t dropping…”

 “How is she built, anyway? Did you guys live in ice, or something?” Lanz said.

 “We…need…wind! Taion, do you know when the wind would come?”

 “Wind? In the desert? The only thing here is the sandstorm.”

 “Oh no…” Sena sighed, looking at Mio’s chest rise and fall.

 “Then what should I…” Sena looked around to see something to cast a wind.

 And there was a thing, that caught her eyes.

 It was white.

 It was big enough.

 It was soft.

 And mostly, it moved.

 “Eunie!!!!!” Sena shouted, sticking to Eunie. She was icky with sweat, but Sena didn’t care.

 “Hey!! Don’t mix your sweat with mine, love!” Eunie said, shaking off Sena.

 “Sorry, can I ask you something?”

 “What? Me? Why me all of a sudden?”

 “You see….” Sena started to whisper.

 “……..wha….?” Eunie lost her words.

 “Please….? Eunie….love….?”

 “Don’t copy my words!”

 “Sorry…but…please….?”

 “Ugh……”

 (After a few minutes)

 “Mimi, how do you feel?”

 “Much…better….my dizziness is now all gone…” Mio said, gradually waking up.

 “All thanks to Eunie!”

 “My…back….my….thighs…my…butt…Sena…when do I stop??? I have cramps everywhere….” Eunie said, flapping her wings while bending back in a squatting position.

 “Uh…a minute more?”

 “You…little…sparker….” Eunie moaned, as she patted her back.

 “Thanks…Eunie…I’ll repay you when we get back…” Mio muttered.

 “Ugh…..”

 (Omake)

 “Hey, Eunie, sup?” Lanz said, greeting Eunie after her shower.

 “Hey….Lanz….”

 “What’s wrong? You look tired. Oh, yeah, how did the girls repay you?”

 “They…gave me…a massage….in the showers….”

 “And how was it?”

 “Do you know that Agnians with crystals in their chest are stupid strong?”

 Lanz nodded.

 “And do you remember that Mio and Sena have crystals on their flat chests?” Eunie said, pointing at her chest.

 “Yes, but why use the word flat?...”

 “Don’t question it, anyway…they were the case… They gave a massage to my neck, back, shoulders, thighs, and my butt.”

 “Yeah.”

 “And they completely destroyed me! Especially on my butt… My god…do they think my butt doesn’t have senses…? Just because they're big doesn't mean I can't feel them.” Eunie groaned, rubbing her butt.

 “They are actually pretty big, you know…” Lanz smirked, nodding.

 "What's that you say?"

 "Oh, nope, nope. Continue."

 “And they didn’t cover one place.”

 “Where?”

 “Lanz…have you ever heard of…wing cramps?”

 “Pffft…”

 “Don’t laugh!!”

 “So your wings hurt? You little birdie???” Lanz teased.

 “You never understand!!” Eunie raged.

 “What’s up guys?” Noah walked in.

 “Noah…..hear me oouuutt……” Eunie ran over to him. Limping.

 “He’s…not your…nurser…you know….”

Chapter Text

 “Hmmm….”

 “Hmmm…..”

 “Hmmm….” Noah groaned, playing with his ponytail.

 “What’s wrong, Noah? You seem concerned…” Eunie said, sitting next to him.

 “Something bothers me…”

 “What?”

 “Mio…” Noah said, with a serious face.

 “Mio? What, about her lifespan? If you mean that, everyone is worried about it, love.”

 “Not that…”

 “Huh? Then what?”

 “About…her…ears…”

 “Oh, her ears? You still not used to her cat ears? If you’re not used to that, how are you used to my wings?” Eunie said, flapping her wings.

 “No, not that.”

 “Then…what is it?” Eunie now looked irritated.

 “Okay, I’ll explain. You know that we have ears around here, around our temples?” Noah said, pointing his ears.

 “Yeah, here.” Eunie said, twitching her ears.

 “Whoa, you can move ears?”

 “Yeah, never told you?”

 “Yeah… Anyway, we have ears around our temples… But Mio has ears up there…And she covers her temples with her hair…Then….”

 “Ooh, now I get it, love.”

 “What would happen if we moved her hair up?” After saying that, Noah looked at Eunie.

 Eunie stared at Noah.

 “So, how do you think, Eunie?”

 “Mate.”

 “What?”

 “That. Was the best thing. That ever came out of your mouth. Like…holy sparks! My brain is literally getting filled with theories!!! What would it be?? Would…planes of skin appear?? Or a new pair of ears??” Eunie said with her eyes wide.

 “Come to think of it…Hadn’t you seen her when you showered together?”

 “Yeah, but think, Noah. Would you approach her from the back just to lift her hair when she’s naked?”

 “Well…You’re Eunie, so…”

 “Come on, Noah, had I pranked with you when we showered together?”

 “……”

 “Come to think of it…”

 “Yep, you did.”

 “Bollocks…Anyway, back to the point.”

 “What are you guys talking about? Let me join!” Lanz said, as he returned from his workout.

 “Oh, great timing! You see…”

 (After some explanation)

 “Yooooooo…..!”

 “Great idea, innit?”

 “Yup! Can’t think of a better one. So, when are we going to do it?” Lanz seemed thrilled.

 “How about next morning? It’s getting late, so we can’t run around like maniacs.” Eunie said.

 “Tomorrow morning?”

 “Tomorrow morning.”

 So, the operation of lifting Mio’s hair was decided between the Keves trio.

 And…the sun rose.

 Time to start.

 “Time to leave now!” Mio said, putting her hands together.

 “But before we leave…don’t we have something to deal with, love?” Eunie said, squatting down. It was her signature pose now.

 “Hmm? What is it?”

 “Mio,” The Keves trio said in unison.

 “Ye..yes…?”

 “You have ears on top of your head, innit?” Eunie said, leading the team.

 “Yes…?”

 “So…what happens when you lift your hair…covering your temples? Where our ears are…Mio…?” Before Eunie could even finish her sentence…Mio started to run.

 “She’s…running…but why…?” Noah said.

 “Why? Of course, dummy! She found out our thing!” Eunie said.

 “Looks like there’s only one thing to do….”

 “Catch that cat!!!!!!” Eunie shouted.

 “Catch that…what…? Guys?” Sena said, as she came back from somewhere. And it seemed Taion was absent, too.

 “Sena…? Where have you been?” Lanz asked.

 “Uh…you know…since it’s morning…you know…toilet…?” Sena said, scratching her flaming head.

 “Then how about Taion?” Eunie asked.

 “He went to fetch some water.”

 “Oh yeah…we needed water…” Noah said to himself.

 “Lanz,” Eunie said.

 “I know, I know. Sena, sorry but…I need you to be still.” Lanz said, approaching Sena.

 “What? Why?”

 “We need to do…something. So…”

 “Uh…Lanz? Why are you approaching me like…”

 “Come here!!!”

 “AAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!”

 “Thanks Lanz!! Come on, Noah, let’s go.” Eunie said, grabbing his hand.

 “On it!”

 (After some running)

 “Hah…hah…hah…why is she…so sparking fast….?” Eunie panted.

 “She…did say…she did 100 meteris in 7 seconds….” Noah also panted.

 “Why are you guys here?” Oops, there was Taion.

 “Oh, Taion….?”

 “Oh shoot… Four eyes…”

 “You look tired, what’s up?”

 “Taion, do you know where Mio is?” Noah asked.

 “Mio? I did see her running somewhere…but why?”

 “You see, Taion, we’re doing…some kind of…project…” Eunie said between pants.

 “Project?”

 “It’s this, we first started as….”

 (After some explanation)

 “So…you’re curious about her ears…but she just ran?” Taion said.

 “Exactly. You interested?” Eunie said.

 “Then…where’s Sena?”

 “Her? Hmm…she went to the latrine.” Eunie replied.

 “Why can’t I trust you…?”

 “It’s your choice, but I think you’re gonna be interested in this…”

 “Hmmm….her ears…they seem interesting indeed…”

 “So you’re in?”

 “But…is it alright to force this?”

 “We can decide that after we catch her. How’s that?”

 “Ugh…Okay, got it. I’m in. I’ll assist with all of my might.”

 “Sweet! Noah, let’s get going!”

 “Got it!”

 (After some running)

 “Hah…hah…hah…my…heart…is…about to…” Mio moaned, collapsing down.

 “Give up, Mio. There’s nowhere to escape when my Mondo got you.” Taion said, slowly walking towards her.

 “Whoa, four-eyes, you caught her quick!” Eunie exclaimed.

 “Mio, you alright?” Noah said.

 “Why…why are you chasing me…?”

 “Then why are you running? We didn’t chase you from the start.” Eunie said.

 “Where’s Sena…? Sena!! Help!!!” Mio shouted.

 “Oh, Sena? Lanz tied her up.” Eunie casually said.

 “What? You said she was in the…”

 “She ‘was’, love. She’s probably having a good time with Lanz.”

 (Sena side)

 “Come on, Sena, be a good girl,” Lanz said, stroking Sena’s hair.

 “MMmmmMmmmMMmmMmMM!!” (Why are you doing this!!!)

 “Relax, girl, we’re just curious about something.”

 “MMmmMMMMmmMMM?” (About what?)

 “Have you ever been curious about Mio’s ears?”

 “MMM?” (Ears?)

 (After some explanation)

 “MMMMmmmMMMmmMm!!!” (So what the spark does that thing get to do with me!!!)

 “Thought you’d stop us, so Eunie signaled me.”

 “MmMMmmMMMmMMM!!” (Untie me!!!!)

 “No,”

 “MmmmMMMmmMMMmmM…..” (I swear I won’t…ah….)

 “Hmm? What’s the matter?”

 “Mmmm…..” (Toilet….)

 “Again?”

 “MMmMmMMMmMmmmm?!?!?” (Can’t a girl can manage her business?!?!?)

 “Okay, okay, I’ll send you free, but don’t cause trouble.”

 “Mmmmm…” (Finally….)

 (Mio side)

 “Yeah, that happened.”

 “The sparks sake…” Taion facepalmed.

 “Anyway, Mio, love. Time for the dramatic reveal! Drum roll, Noah.” Eunie said, as she slowly approached Mio.

 “Ah…ah…aaaah…please…no…Eunie…” Mio almost sobbed, as she slowly stepped back.

 “Come on, love. It’s not like I’ll strip you off here.”

 “But…but…”

 “Now come here, you little kitty!!!”

 “Aaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!”

 (Omake)

 “Man, what a reveal!” Lanz said, as he walked with Eunie.

 “Yup, didn’t imagine our curiosity would end like that.” Eunie said.

 “But that….was pretty unexpected though…” Said Noah.

 “I can’t believe I did this thing for that….” Taion sighed.

 “But wasn’t that worth it? Man, I feel like we’ve already reached the City!” Lanz said.

 “Yeah, one mystery solved,” Eunie smirked.

 “But that…still can’t believe it,” Noah said.

 As the four horsemen of cat-ears trod off, there walked Mio and Sena.

 “Mimi…you alright…?” Sena said, patting Mio’s back.

 “*Sniff* I…feel…like…I’ve been…spoiled….*Sob*” Mio said between sobs.

 “It’s okay, Mimi. You have me! So don’t cry….”

 “Sena….Senaaaaaaaa…….” Mio said, crying into Sena’s small chest.

 “It’s okay, it’s okay….” Sena stroked Mio’s hair.

 ‘But this is indeed intriguing…What would happen when I lift…Nono, focus on Mimi.’

 And behind Mio and Sena…

 Let there be Nopon.

 “Why friends say that all the time? What does that mean?” Manana said.

 “Manana,”

 “Yes?”

 “There is things in the world, that is never meant to be revealed. That is one of those.”

 “But why hide?”

 “Because, readers must not know.”

 “Readers?”

 “Manana need not know.”

 “Rikuuuu!! Manana want to know!”

 “Riku smart nopon, Riku never do something stupid. Riku never reveal that.”

 “Manana can’t understand what Riku saying….”

Chapter Text

 (At the City dorm)

“Ugh…” Mio groaned, wrapping her head with her hands.

 “Hmm? Something wrong, Mio?” Noah asked as he walked past her.

 “I…um…Noah? Would you run circles around me? Saying ‘Ah’?” Mio said, shaking her head.

 “Eh? Well…I don’t have a reason to reject…”

 “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh…….There!”

 “Ugh…now I get it…”

 “Get what?”

 “My ears are acting strange…I can’t hear well from the left side…” Mio frowned, covering her ears.

 “Ooh…”

 “Do you have an idea…?” Mio asked Noah, with desperate eyes.

 “Hmm…Mio, have you ever heard of ear wax?” Noah said. Mio froze for a second.

 “Ear…wax…?”

 “My god, you…never heard of it?? In your life???” Noah exclaimed.

 “Sorry…?” Mio shrunk.

 “Nonono, you don’t need to be sorry. You just…need help, wait just a minute, I’ll call Eunie.”

 “Someone called the boss???” Eunie appeared.

 “Man, Eunie, you always appear from nowhere.”

 “Because Eunie’s the boss!”

 “Eunie, do you have that thing?”

 “That thing?”

 “That ear rod thing?”

 “Oh….that? Wait…whop! Here it is!” Eunie chirped, as she pulled out a rod with a soft part on the end. She threw it to Noah, and started walking away.

 “Eunie? Where are you going?”

 “Me? Oh, I just…felt that my role for today was over. Oh, and Mio? Noah’s really good at this, so don’t panic!” Eunie said with a massive smirk on her face.

 “Huh….?”

 “Toodles!”

 “Well…she’s gone…Anyway, Mio, with this! I can help you.” Noah said, presenting ‘the rod’.

 “What…?”

 “Okay, now…where should I…here! Lay down here, with your head on my lap.” Noah said, patting his lap. He was sitting in a second.

 “On…your…lap…?” Mio blushed.

 “I won’t bite…? Besides, the one with fangs is y…”

 “Okay, okay, got it… If I do it like….this……is….it alright….?” Mio said, as she laid down on Noah’s lap. A bigger blush formed on her face.

 “Well…ready? This may feel weird if you’re first receiving it…”

 “What do you mean by…nngh….!” Mio shuddered, as the rod entered her left ear.

 “You alright? Sorry if I startled you. It’s my first time dealing with Agnian ears…so…” Noah frowned, as he was confused about the anatomy of cat ears.

 “Nngh….! Yeah…I’m…aagh….!” Mio answered, between moans. This sensation was new. It was not pain, but it was not just a regular touch. Something came into her and dug inside her.

 “Okay….if I do…this…I…”

 “Aaaagh!!!” Mio screamed. This time it was pain.

 “Oh!! Sorry, sorry, sorry….! Did it hurt?”

 Mio nodded a bit.

 “Sorry… your insides are bit…complex,” Noah said.

 “I understand…since my ears are a bit…different…” Mio said.

 “I’ll do my best.”

 “Thanks, I…nngh….! Oh…Noah….” Mio began groaning again.

 “What is it?”

 “No, it’s just…the sound just came out of me…”

 “Oh, okay…I think I’m getting to my goal…yes! I caught it!”

 “Caught what? Did you….nnngh….!!!!!!!” Mio moaned louder as she shook violently.

 “Be still! Or your ears might get damaged…!”

 “Okay…hnngh….! Ah….Haagh….” Mio’s breathing got rough.

 “Almost there….!”

 “Please…Noah….I…”

 “It’s coming…and…”

 “Hnngh……! Ah!” Mio exclaimed, as she felt something big coming out of her ear.

 “Yes!!!! Damn, this is a big one! How do you feel now, Mio?” Noah said with the face of a miner finding gold.

 “Hah…hah…hah…the world feels….different….” Mio said, blushing.

 “Eunie was right, isn’t it?” Noah said. He had the proudest smile on his face.

 “Mmm….” Mio nodded. Now she felt all hot.

 “Noah….?”

 “Yeah?”

 “I have…a request…”

 “Anything, Mio.”

 “Could you…do it…to my right ear…too?” Mio said, voice trembling.

 “Sure thing! Turn over, then I’ll do it!”

 “Thank you…”

 (After some time)

 “Looks like our catgirl’s here? How was it?” Eunie asked Mio.

 “It…was…wonderful…And…Eunie…can you speak a little bit smaller…? You’re too loud…” Mio said, still with a scarlet face.

 “Sure thing, sure thing, looks like Noah totally had you, didn’t he?” Eunie smirked.

 “Hmm….?” Mio murmured, getting up.

 “Huh? Where are you going, love?” Eunie asked, watching Mio getting up.

 “Latrine…” Mio said, slowly walking away. She was slightly limping.

 “Oh…take care of your business! I’m gonna go to Noah…”

 “Noah…?” Mio said, slowly getting out of the room.

 “Seems like he’s in the mood today, I’m gonna make him clean my ears, too. Sparkling clean!” Eunie said while giggling. “Innit, Mio?”

 As Eunie tried to make Mio agree, she was gone.

 “Well….”

 “Guess we found our cat’s weakness….”

Chapter Text

 “Hah…hah…hah…guess…we…got out of that sparking thing…?” Lanz said between panting.

 “We must not be careless, though. They can appear at any second, any pla… Oh no.” Taion said to the party to give them some caution, but it was too late. An army of Ferronises and Levnises rumbled the land and on the top of the main ferronis…

 Stood Ethel.

 Silvercoat Ethel, one of the strongest commanders of Keves. Also the one who saved Noah, Lanz, and Eunie’s lives when they were young.

 And she stood tall on the top of the ferronis.

 “There you are! You monsters!” Ethel shouted, gleaming her red eye. Her right eye glowed red in the sandstorm of the desert. It was the influence of the Moebius. The consul brainwashed her, and was now controlling her.

 “Ethel!! Why are you doing this?!?! Please, stop!! I’m Noah!! Don’t you remember!?!?” Noah shouted.

 “I said, I have no memory of saving you!!” Ethel shouted, commanding some turrets to shoot the party.

 “Noah! Stand back! We can’t afford talking with her right now!” Lanz said, engaging his ether shield.

 “Sparks…what happened to her…? She wasn’t like this before…” Noah groaned.

 “Must be the Moebius’ stuff. But right now, we focus on surviving!!” Eunie said, shooting at the levnises.

 “At least she’s not moving on her own. If she did, we’re dead meat. We’re gonna be sliced cheese if she uses her swords.” Lanz said.

 “Silvercoat Ethel…she is indeed famous around Agnus, too…” Taion said, engaging his Mondo.

 “Really? She is?” Sena asked with her eyes big.

 “Did we really live in the same colony…?” Taion sighed.

 “Everyone, look!” Mio said, pointing her finger to the top of the Ferronis.

 “What’s happening, Mio?” Noah said, coming next to her.

 “She’s…trying to do something…Wait…Oh no.”

 “What is she doing?”

 “I think she’s…gonna start moving…! She’s gonna hunt us herself!!!”

 “What?!?!? Sparks, Noah, what are we gonna do?” Eunie said, with a concerned face.

 “We…sparks…my head’s all…” Noah tried to make some plans out of this deadly situation, but it was not easy. In his head, there was only one thought.

 He was doomed.

 But…

 Things started to change after a loud scream was heard across the desert.

 “AAAAAAAAGGGHHHH!!!!!”

 “Ack! That…surprised…me….” Eunie said, a bit shuddering.

 “What in Aionios was that?” Lanz said, drawing his sword.

 “I think…that was…Ethel’s…?” Noah muttered.

 “Ethel??? You serious, Noah?”

 “There’s no mistake. That was Ethel. I know.” Noah said.

 “Then what should we do…? Looks like the firing stopped, too…” Mio said.

 “Let’s go see her," Noah said.

 “Go see her?? Are you crazy??”

 “What made you think that, love?” Eunie asked.

 “Just…out of instinct.”

 “Come on, again? Your instincts are correct most of the time…but…now…?” Lanz said.

 “If you don’t want to, I’ll go alone.”

 “What? You crazy?”

 “I’ll go with him, too,” Mio added.

 “If Mimi goes…me too!” Sena said.

 “Wait, are we all going??” Eunie exclaimed.

 “For spark’s sake…Taion, how about you?”

 “Hah…I’ll guess I’ll go…Those three need protection…” Taion sighed.

 “Eunie…?”

 “Okay, okay, I’ll go!!”

 “Sparks…”

 (After a minute)

 “Ethel! Ethel! You alright?” Noah shouted as he ran through the sandstorm.

 “*Cough* *Cough* Mimi…I can’t see a thing…” Sena said while coughing.

 “Stick to me, Sena… He must have some plan…” Mio said, also coughing her lungs out.

 “Ethel!! Oh, there you…are…?” Noah said, as he stopped mid-running.

 “Ugh….agh….who…are…aaagh!!” Ethel screamed, wrapping her head with her hands. She was collapsed on the ground, bleeding out.

 “Ethel…? Why are you…Oh my spark…! You jumped from the Ferronis, didn’t you??” Noah said, as he kneeled down.

 “Who…are…you…?” Ethel said, still experiencing headaches and pain from her bloody legs.

 “Hah…hah…Noah…! Where is… Bloody hell!” Eunie shouted as she approached Noah through the sand.

 “Eunie!! Taion!! I need your help!!! Ethel needs help!!!”

 “Help? Exactly how is she…. Oh spark…Ethel? What did you even…”

 “Eunie, I’ll explain later.”

 “I think there’s no need to explain. You need me to start healing, do you?”

 “Yes. She needs one, right now.”

 “Hah…okay…” Eunie then stomped the ground with her staff, casting a healing spell. A green circle surrounded them, causing a healing reaction.

 “Ugh…hah…hah…hah…..” Ethel moaned and panted as her wounds slowly healed.

 “Noah! Eunie! You alright! Lanz and Taion shouted as they arrived.

 “They’re alright, the one hurt is Ethel. Hey, four-eyes, I need help.” Eunie said, calling Taion. Taion nodded, engaging his Mondo in a healing circle.

 “Hah…hah…hah….” Ethel’s breathing soon stabilized.

 “Ethel…? You alright…?” Noah said, reaching Ethel.

 “Hah…hah…Noah…? Are…you…Noah…?” Ethel said between heavy breaths.

 “Yes! You finally remembered! It’s me, Noah! And here’s Lanz and Eunie, too!” Noah said, smiling wide.

 “Whoa! She remembered us!” Eunie exclaimed, making her staff disappear.

 “You…grew so much…you were so small when I first saw you…” Ethel said, as she slowly got up. Noah helped her during the process.

 “That’s right! We…it’s been so long ever since we’ve met each other…” Noah said.

 “Hey Ethel!” Eunie greeted her. Ethel gave Eunie a smile.

 “And here are?” Ethel asked, turning to the Agnian squad.

 “Ah! We are…uh…how should we explain…” Mio got startled.

 “This is Mio, an Agnian off-seer. And this is Sena, her partner, and I’m Taion, the strategist.” Taion introduced themselves.

 “I see…but why are you guys acting together?” Ethel asked.

 “There’s a long…story about this…”

 “Then we’ll need a place to talk. How about I lead you guys into our colo…”

 “Commander!” A man’s voice was heard from behind.

 “Bolearis! Don’t worry, I’m okay.” Ethel said, giving a smile to him.

 “Thank the flames!! What did I say about jumping off Ferronises? I said it was danger….Wait, you monsters!” Bolearis shouted, as he engaged his weapon.

 “What? Ethel, why is he…”

 “Looks like I’m the only one sober here, he’s still under control. Along with everyone in the colony.”

 “Then what should we do now?”

 “We fight.”

 “What?”

 “But don’t kill them. From my experience, a proper amount of pain makes them out of control of the consul.”

 “So a fight it is?”

 “Let’s give ‘em hell!” Eunie smirked.

 “She did…say…don’t kill…them….though….”

 So like that…

 Hero: Silvercoat Ethel has joined the party!

Chapter Text

 (Keves Castle)

 (In front of the Xenoblade Lore mural)

 Young Noah stood alone in front of the big mural in the Keves castle. It depicted a fight between two great titans. He never knew whether it was true or not, but he did like gazing at it since it stimulated his creativity. While he was in the mural, as usual, a blonde man approached him.

 “You’re Noah, right?”

 Noah turned around. The man had a soft voice he never heard of, but he knew him. One of the lead off-seers in his colony, Crys.

 Noah smiled at him and nodded.

 “I see, I’m Crys, and I’ll be your instructor in your off-seer training. And to start your training…You’re gonna be needing an instrument.”

 Noah enthusiastically nodded.

 “Follow me, and be ready to get surprised.”

 (Present)

 (After the first Moebius battle and Vandham’s death)

 The party just stares in silence as Vandham’s body turns into particles and vanishes to the sky. And as that happened, the two off-seers couldn’t stand still.

 “Noah, what are you…” Eunie said, as Noah pulls out his case. Noah just silently nods at her, and pulls out his instrument.

 A black electric guitar.

 Noah summons an amp, and connects the guitar to it.

 And after that, the tune of the traditional off-seeing played on the vast plains. It was the tune he usually played when the fight for today was over. But today, he felt something empty in his tune. His tune felt rather…incomplete. But he continued to play on to fulfill his off-seeing duty. He had to let those poor souls rest.

 Until a certain off-seer decided to help him.

 It was Mio who started playing her instrument. A white bass guitar. As a veteran off-seer, she managed to complement Noah’s tune perfectly. She added depth, and variety to Noah’s solo, making it a beautiful unison. The rest of the party just stared at the particles fly away, listening to the collaboration between Keves and Agnus.

 “Hackt…” Sena mumbled, hands folded together.

 “Mwamba…dammit…he was so close to making it…” Lanz said, with his fists tightly closed.

 Until the particles fully disappeared, the off-seers continued their unison. And after a minute or so, the souls fully left the world of the living.

 And the off-seeing music stopped.

 Mio and Noah now just held their instruments, vacantly staring at each other.

 Mio first opened her mouth.

 “Thank you, for doing this with me.”

 “Well, this is what we’re meant to do. To send on the voices of the departed, is an off-seer’s purpose…” Noah said.

 ‘To send on the voices of the departed…?’ A certain off-seer’s words went through Mio’s head. Why was he saying the same thing?

 “Right.” Mio nodded.

 “And that’s why we carry these stupidly massive instruments to the battlefield,” Noah said, snorting.

 “Haha, yeah.” The off-seers exchanged some awkward looks with each other.

 Until their party members suggested that they should go report. So, the off-seers pledged goodbye, and they soon departed.

 And little did they know that they became Ouroboros, a team sharing a common destiny.

 (That certain scene in chapter 4)

 Mio and Noah stood still, watching the sunrise. They had a small fight last night, but as Noah apologized and Mio accepted that sincere apology, their relationship returned back to normal.

 Silence flowed between the two off-seers.

 Until Mio showed him her instrument.

 “Mio?”

 “This, uh…belonged to a friend.”

 “A friend?”

 “Yes, we served in the same colony. She was my first off-seer partner.”

 “Partner?”

 “Yes. In Agnus…off-seers usually work in partners. One plays the bass, and one plays the electric.” Mio said, facing Noah.

 “Ooh…never knew that before. I should’ve known that when I heard the tune was pretty different from ours… Wait, then if that instrument belonged to a partner…”

 “Yeah, she’s…gone now…”

 “What happened? Or…is it something sensitive, you don’t need to share the details.”

 “No, I…think I have to tell you this. There…once was an experiment in a colony where we were in. And it…failed. Miserably. The facility started to collapse, and we were about to all die. That time…I…couldn’t move my legs.”

 “Your legs?”

 “The experiment this something to my body, so it left me and Sena paralyzed from the waist down. It took some time to recover…” Mio sighed, looking at Sena, who was in a training session with Lanz.

 “Sena too? It…must've been hard…”

 “Yes…Anyway, since I was paralyzed back then…I couldn’t move and escape…I just…waited for death to come and take me. At the verge of despair…she came and saved me.”

 Noah stayed silent.

 “She carried me all the way to the pod…And she carried Sena, too… But when she tried to enter the pod with us…It was too late. So…she gave me her instrument…And…she let us go. Leaving herself behind.”

 Noah lost his words. As an off-seer, he always heard about stories of loss, but hearing the story face to face was always hard for him.

 “And…she…was…a year…younger than me…But…the one who survived…was me…” Mio started to shed tears. Survivor’s guilt. Noah wasn’t a stranger in this domain. But he couldn’t just say he knows how she feels. Everyone has different pains. All he could do was comfort her. He pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Mio.

 “Thanks…where did you hide that thing…?” Mio said, between sobs.

 “I’m just a well-prepared guy.” Noah shrugged. Mio giggled. After wiping the small amount of tears she shed, she picked her instrument up.

 “Say…wanna exchange instruments?” Mio said, lifting her white guitar to Noah.

 “Huh?”

 “I guess…it’s too old to give it to someone…? I did bring this everywhere I go…” Mio sighed, her little ears going down.

 “No, no, it’s just….our instruments are different…and all…so…”

 “I’m okay about using an electric! I used one before Miyabi died...so…”

 “Oh, so her name is Miyabi?”

 “Yes…so…I…wanted her memories…her life…to live longer… The life I and her made…I don’t want it to vanish… Plus, when I die…I don’t want to be alone… If your life is next to me when I meet my end…I’ll die happily.” Mio said, with a sad smile.

 “Mio…you…you’ll live…! I…won’t let you die.”

 “Thanks…but that’s gonna happen one day… So…would you?”

 “…….”

 They stayed silent.

 Until Noah broke it with his case.

 “Right then! It’s a deal!”

 “Really? Thank you!”

 “I…liked that idea of yours…Mio. The instrument itself can be a manifestation of our lives and memories… And it’ll be an honor if my life would be the one to accompany you to death. Plus, mine has some histories, too.” Noah said, holding his black guitar.

 “Oh, really?”

 “Uh huh, Oh, and Mio. One thing.”

 “Hmmm?”

 “I…do know the basics to play a bass…but…I’m not a professional.”

 “Oh….”

 “So…would you teach me?” As Noah said those words, Mio’s ears perched up.

 “Of…of…of course!! Yes! I’ll…gladly teach you! Always!” Mio nodded and nodded, as she held Noah’s hands.

 “You seem really enthusiastic.”

 “Ahaha…do I really look like that?”

 “Yeah, you do.” Noah nodded.

 “Anyway, I’ll teach you how to play it! How about…I give you a lesson every night?”

 “Sounds good!”

 Like that, the two off-seers traded guitars. Miyabi’s white bass to Noah, and Crys’ black electric to Mio’s.

 “Mio,”

 “Yeah?”

 “Thanks,”

 “Me too.”

 (Eclipse Homecoming)

 The day has come.

 The day when Mio disappears from this world.

 Surrounded by a full band of Agnus off-seers, and with the queen’s blessings, she will die.

 It was a rare sight, seeing a full band of off-seers, but unlike when he was young, Noah was in the range of despair. His fists were all bloody from the damage, and he was getting all skinny from malnourishment from the cells. Not only him, his friends, too. Lanz lost all of his energy, Eunie was biting her lips in anger and sadness, Sena looked like she would faint at any second, and Taion’s face was full of despair and anger.

 And in the atmosphere of hopelessness and glory, Mio appeared.

 All hope,

 Was lost.

 Mio walked up the stairs, and she got kneeled by the soldiers. Her knees bled because of it. Seeing her knees bleed broke Noah’s heart.

 And the Moon,

 Finally hid the sun.

 Noah couldn’t handle it. With the sun’s light, he felt like his reason to live would disappear.

 “Mio…Mio…MIO!!!!!!” Noah shouted, as he tried to run towards her. But a man with golden armor stopped him.

 N.

 The golden Moebius slowly approached him, and summoned something.

 Noah’s guitar.

 “Pick it up.”

 “……?”

 “Aren’t you an off-seer…? Send her off.”

 “What….?”

 “Isn’t her *your* Mio…? Send her off…!” N said, with a devilish grin on his face.

 “You…you…monster….! You….” Noah said, touching his instrument.

 “What’s wrong? Isn’t it yours?”

 “You…you…AT LEAST GIVE ME AN AMP!!!!!! YOU M…” Noah tried to shout in fury, but…

 Mio,

 Started to glow.

 And she started to disappear.

 “M…io…? Mio…! MIO…!!!!”

 “Noah…” Mio choked out, as she disappeared.

 “M…io….”

 “Our guitar lesson…”

 “It’s been fun…Noah…”

 It was her last words.

 Only her white clothes remained at the place she disappeared.

 Noah couldn’t believe his eyes.

 “Mi…o…Mio….”

 “It’s the end…Noah…my long shadow…” N said, as he pulled out his sword.

 Noah,

 Gave up.

 (Chapter 6)

 N swung his sword down to Noah’s neck.

 Only to stop right before it hit him.

 “What…?” N turned his head. And he saw M.

 She slowly, but gracefully approached Mio’s clothes. She closed her eyes and put the clothes to her chest, and stood up.

 “M….?”

 M didn’t speak any words.

 She just came down the stairs, one step by step.

 And…

 She stood in front of Noah, and she kneeled.

 She opened her palms, and like a Moebius’s teleportation…

 Mio’s bass appeared in front of him.

 “Noah…”

 “Huh……? M…Mio…?”

 “Sorry for missing your night lessons for a month…”

 “Mio…? It’s…you…! It’s really you..!!!” Noah started to shed tears.

 “Yes…! Noah…a lot of things happened…but….”

 “It’s still yours….”

 “Mio….!!”

 “Oh my god, what is happening?” Eunie said with tears in her eyes.

 “I think I’m hallucinating…” Lanz said.

 The party started to whisper about what was happening, but they didn’t see something important.

 N.

 “Wha…wha…what….?”

 “Im…possible…you’re….!!!!”

 “Nope.”

 (‘N’TR happens)

 (After all that BS)

 (Chapter 6, where they visit Colony Omega)

 “Ugh…what the spark is even happening??” Lanz groaned, as he engaged his ether shields.

 “First an Agnian girl comes out, and an Agnian soldier. Now Mwamba and Cammuravi’s here. And for spark’s sake, why do they all have an instrument?” Eunie said, reloading her ether gun.

 “Noah, any ideas?” Taion turned to Noah.

 Who was pulling his instrument out.

 “Mio…?”

 She was doing that, too.

 “Mio, let’s do this.”

 “Right!” Mio said, as she held the black guitar.

 Noah put his Lucky Seven to the ground.

 “This sword will act as an amp!”

 “Hey, Noah, aren’t you skipping some shits?” Eunie said.

 “The writer wants to end writing this quickly.” Moebius Y said.

 “What???”

 “Let’s….go!!!!”

 So it started.

 The greatest music battle of Aionios.

 Mwamba had the keyboard.

 Hackt had the drums.

 Miyabi had the guitar.

 Cammuravi had the bass.

 Holy shit.

 “Guess…we’re gonna watch this thing happen?” Eunie said, as she backed off.

 “Hey, look! Hackt’s killing it!!” Sena said, as she pointed Hackt.

 “No, I think the Keves soldier named Mwamba would be the MVP in this.”

 “Heh, that’s Mwamba for you.” Lanz shrugged.

 “I can’t expect who would win in this shit… Oh my god…why are we doing this…” Eunie sighed.

 “Mio!” Noah signaled.

 “Got it!” Mio said, as she started to kill her guitar solo.

 But Miyabi didn’t lose.

 “Yes…this is what I wanted!! The flame of life…burning in a form of music!!!” Y laughed.

 “I think I’m going crazy. Lanz, slap me.”

 “You slap me.”

 “Sparks sake….”

 “HAHH!!!!!!” Mio screamed as she started to reach her climax.

 “MIYABI!!! WAKE UP!!!!”

 “Okay, the guitar is talking,” Lanz said.

 “Lanz, I’m gonna faint now. Hold me.” Eunie said.

 “Do it later….”

 “Hah…hah…” Mio panted as she stopped her solo. The Omega band also stopped.

 “Ah….” Miyabi put her head over her eyes.

 “Miyabi! Please! It’s Mio!! Your partner!!”

 “Lanz, is this the timing we shout their names?”

 “Looks like it’s…yeah, it’s time…hah…!!!” Lanz inhaled.

 “You will know our names!!!! Mwamba!!! Hackt!!! Cammuravi!!! Miyabi!!!” Lanz shouted.

 “Whoa, Lanz memorized their names!” Sena said.

 “I’m not an idiot! Sena, lend me a hand!!”

 “Got it!!”

 And with the power of shouting, friendship…and….

 A killing guitar solo…

 Problem got solved.

 (Some minutes later)

 “Miyabi…it’s me…do you remember….?” Mio said, walking towards her.

 “Yes…Mio…that…was the best solo I’ve ever heard…” Miyabi said, tears in her eyes.

 “And this is?” Miyabi turned to Noah.

 “I…I’m…Noah…Uh…I’m currently using your bass…uh…Yeah! I can return it to you!”

 “No, you can have it.”

 “If you’re worried about the strings…I could…”

 “She’s not talking about that, dummy,” Mio said, as she smashed Noah with her guitar.

 “Oh, mistake….Noah!!!!!” Mio shouted.

 “Ah…gah…uagh….”

 “Noah!!!!”

 “Sena, I’m gonna puke at the sight of this idiocrasy. Pat my back when I do that.” Eunie said.

 “Do that later….”

 (Omake)

 (City dorm)

 “So, what happened after that?” Eunie asked Miyabi, sitting on the dorm bed.

 “Oh, yeah, she was….”

 Yes, Miyabi was being used as a story vending machine after she entered the party. Eunie and Lanz never stopped talking to her until she got tired.

 “Guys…let’s…take a break. Miyabi’s exhausted now.” Sena interrupted.

 “Awww! But it was getting fun!” Eunie whined.

 “Anyway, where’s Noah and Mio? Where did they go?” Taion asked.

 “Oh, them? They…sorta left.”

 “On their own? Just…them?” Eunie said.

 “Uh…yeah, that’s what I saw.” Lanz shrugged.

 “Maybe…they went off to test what the city doctor told us? You know…they’ve been really…yeah, got it?” Eunie said, as she gestured a finger going inside a ring.

 “Eunie, what’s wrong with you?” Taion sighed.

 “Why? Can’t a girl have her assumptions?”

 “Hey!! Little Ourokids, what’s up?” Monica said, as she entered the room.

 “Monica!! Great to see you!! Straight to the point, do you know where Mio and Noah are?” Eunie asked.

 “They actually visited me.”

 “What??”

 “To find them a room that’s private enough with soundproof walls. Why?”

 “See, Taion? I’m right!!”

 “For spark’s sake…”

 So…

 Was Eunie right…?

 Let’s head straight to the scene.

 “Mio…”

 “Noah….”

 “Please…some more…! Mio….! It’s…coming…!”

 “I’m…getting close…!”

 “Let’s go at once…! At the rhythm!!”

 “Three…”

 “Two…”

 “One!!!”

 (Loud guitar sounds)

 “Yes!!! That was awesome!!!” Noah cheered.

 “You really learn fast, Noah! Now you play the bass better than me!!” Mio smiled.

 “And your guitar solo? That was the best sparking thing I’ve ever seen.”

 “Hah…thank you…Ugh…so…tired….” Mio yawned.

 “Yeah, I’m drenched in sweat….”

 “Shall we go back?”

 “Yeah, let’s hit the showers when we head back.”

 “Sweet!”

 But little did they know…That…

 Alright, I’m ending today’s BS here.

Chapter Text

 “Hey, Noah,” Eunie called Noah in her signature squatting pose as Noah returned from his expedition for food with the Nopons.

 “Hmm? What’s up, Eunie? And why are you guys all circled up here?” Noah asked since the group was all circled up near the fireplace. This was a rare occasion, since the party usually split up into small groups, having their little interactions.

 “We were talking about preference,” Eunie said.

 “Preference? About what?”

 “About…Cats and Dogs.”

 “Well, that’s pretty typical. But why cats and dogs?”

 “You know…we were just chatting…and the topic suddenly came out, so Noah.”

 “Yeah?”

 “I have a question.”

 “Go on,”

 “Which do you prefer, cats or dogs? We’re currently on a scale of 2 to 3. Dogs are losing!!” Eunie said.

 “Of course they’re gonna lose! Cats are the best!” Sena exclaimed. Mio nodded, too.

 “You what? Sena, I thought we were a team! Of course team dogs rocks! You guys don’t know the charms of dogs!” Lanz said.

 “Yup, Lanz is right. Like, have you ever had a dog? You never know until you have one!” Eunie said.

 “What, you ever had one? In this time of war?” Taion asked.

 “Our squad, actually. But Eunie was the one who take care of it. And for real, I’ve never seen her smile that much before in my life.” Lanz nodded.

 “Yeah…he…was…a spark in my life…” Eunie said with an innocent grin.

 “Hmm…I’ve never seen you making that face before, Eunie.” Taion said as he saw Eunie’s face.

 “Shut up, four-eyes! You cat people can’t understand!”

 “So what happened to that dog?” Sena asked.

 “He…died…in…an accident…” Eunie’s head dropped.

 “Yeah, and Eunie cried like a little girl when that happened.” Lanz said, looking at Eunie.

 “Hey, I was a little girl that time, sorry. Anyway, enough talking about the past. Noah, your opinions?” Eunie turned to Noah.

 “Oh, me? Let me see…” As Noah closed his eyes and went into thinking mode, everyone’s eyes surrounded him.

 “Mimi, what would he say?” Sena whispered.

 “…….” Mio stayed silent, with an anticipating look on her face.

 “I trust my mate. Ain’t it, Eunie?”

 “Yup. We have 9 years of friendship behind our backs.”

 “I….hmm…”

 “Soooo…..?”

 “I made my mind.”

 “And that’s….???”

 “I think I’ll go with dogs. Because of the memories shared with Eunie and Lanz, and I do love their traits, you know.” Noah said, smiling at Eunie and Lanz.

 But there was one person,

 Who was extra unhappy at the decision.

 “Hah….” Mio sighed, as her ears turned limp.

 “What wrong, Mimi? You look……Oh,”

 “Come on, Mio, love, you don’t have to be that sad that you didn’t win! I mean, it’s a tie….? ……Oh,”

 “Hah…..” Mio was now dropping her head down, curling up in a ball.

 “Uh…Noah?” Eunie turned to him.

 “What?”

 “I think you messed up.”

 “Why?”

 “Oh my god…how do I explain this…” Eunie facepalmed. But soon, Lanz interrupted.

 “Hey, enough of that, we have a match to make! Remember, we have 7 people. If including Nopon, it makes 9.”

 “7….? Oh, yeah! We had one more! Hey, Valdi?” Eunie turned her head towards Valdi, who was casually tinkering his gadgets.

 “……..”

 “Valdi???”

 “……”

 “Spark, Valdi! Do you copy?”

 “…..Oh! Yeah, right! Sorry. What was that again?” Valdi stuttered, dropping his tools.

 “Okay, which one do you prefer, Valdi. Cats or dogs?” Eunie asked.

 “We’re on a 3 to 3 scale, so you’re the one who’s gonna decide our fate,” Lanz added.

 “I’m sure Valdi will make a wise decision,” Taion smirked.

 “Shut up, Four-eyes, Valdi is what Valdi does.”

 “Hmm….interesting question….would you give me a minute?”

 “A minute? That’s pretty long, but…okay. Take your time.”

 “Thanks!”

 (And, of course, a minute later)

 “Made your mind?”

 “Oh…yeah! I made my decision. Gosh, it was a hard one!”

 “So…what’s your answer?”

 “Hmm…..uh….eh….”

 “Come on, spill.”

 “Okay….uh….”

 “Do mechanical dogs count?”

 “Yus!! Dogs win!!” Eunie cheered.

 “No, it was mechanical. It counts as a separate directory!” Taion said.

 “Oh yeah? But I’m sure it’s not a cat?” Eunie smirked.

 “But it is technically not a dog.”

 “Nor a cat. It’s closer to a dog than to a cat.”

 “Oh my spark…why are you like this?” Taion sighed.

 “Because dogs rule, moron.” Eunie said, tongue out her mouth.

 “What’s that you say?”

 The bickering continued, since the almighty engineer’s controversial words.

 But little did they know…

 The one with the most damage was next to them.

 “Cheer up, Mimi… Although I don’t know why you’re sad…” Sena said, patting Mio’s back.

 “Hah….” Another deep sigh.

 ‘What did I exactly do wrong….?’

 Noah…

 You muppet.

 (Omake)

 (At the Grand Theater inside the Origin)

 “Hey, N!” D said, approaching the golden Moebius.

 “Yes, Dick?”

 “Hey, that’s rude! I’m Dirk, not dick!”

 “Doesn’t matter when you’re a dick.”

 “Heh, whatever, you edgy prick. Anyway, I have a question.”

 “What?”

 “Which do you prefer, cats or dogs? I asked O and P about this, too. O picked cats, and P picked dogs.”

 “And why are you asking?”

 “Because it’s fun!! Come on!! Our master Z’s grand motto! Fun!!”

 “Do I have to answer this?”

 “Of course!”

 “For fun?”

 “Yep!!”

 “Okay….hah…dogs. Now go away.”

 “Sweet!! Now it’s time for J. Where did he go…?” D muttered as he walked away.

 “Hmph, wasted my time,” N complained, as he teleported away.

 But little did he know….

 That he upset someone,

 Really, really, really important.

 “Grrr…..” There was someone purring in fury and agony, who was watching N from the dark.

 And the person’s name was…

 M.

 “Hah….” M’s purr of anger soon turned into a sigh of sadness and disappointment. She put her hand on her armored chest, feeling something breaking.

 “Guess….I’ll die then…Why didn’t I ask him sooner…? Hah…” M let out a deep sigh, teleporting away.

 And this, ladies and gentlemen and fellow nopon.

 Was the reason M planned….

 Operation: Eclipse Homecoming.

Chapter Text

 The city.

 A…city, literally, located inside the great sword piercing through the vast lands of Aionios.

 A place where humans live as they were supposed to.

 And…a place with almost no variety of color.

 A metallic tone of brown, black, and gray.

 It was pretty boring.

 But, today, there was a small spot of green in the city. It was not the color of some trees or grass.

 It was the color of Juniper, the commander of Colony Tau, known for her calm and cool attitude. On a bench of the city, she sat there, looking at the scenery of the city. She was mesmerized at the sight. Although the color scheme was indeed boring, the sight of little humans called children running around, a woman and a man forming a couple showing affection to each other, and an old woman walking around the city with a young man, called ‘son’. Everything was new to her, and her head still spun around when she thought about the new things Noah and friends taught her. But she liked it. This was the reason she decided to leave the colony and see the world around. Her life was completely different from her life in the forests.

 As she hummed some tunes of Colony Tau, she heard some voices.

 “Juniper!!!”

 It was Noah. And his friends, too. Actually, she wasn’t alone in the city. Noah and his fellow Kevesi friends decided to give her a tour of the city while they did some shopping for necessities. While that, she said she would stay on a bench located in a park she liked. Noah and his friends accepted it, and went shopping.

 “Heyyy! Juniper, love! We’re back!!” Eunie waved her hands.

 “Welcome back, Eunie, Noah, Lanz. I was waiting for you. What did you bring?” Juniper calmly asked, standing up from the bench.

 “We…bought some new clothes…some new plates since we broke some…and some food.” Said Lanz.

 “Yeah, we actually brought some snacks, too! Want some?” Eunie said, opening the shopping bag,

 “Oh, my pleasure! What do you have?” Juniper asked with enthusiasm.

 “Um…we have some bread…tasty sausage rolls for Sena and Lanz…Two cups of Milk tea and the milk tea kit for me and Taion… Some bars of city chocolate…” Eunie listed the inventory.

 “Hmmm…Eunie, may I ask you a question?”

 “What is it?”

 “What is a ‘chocolate’?” Juniper asked with pure eyes.

 “………?” The trio stared at Juniper, mouth agape.

 “Mate…you serious right now?” Lanz said, looking at the seven-termer in front of him.

 “Juniper…like…don’t you know this?? A bar of brown, sweet, happiness?” Eunie said, shaking the bar in front of her.

 “Um…yes, I…don’t have memories of having it.” Juniper shook her head.

 “Is it because of Colony Tau being isolated from the outer worlds…?” Noah mumbled.

 “I lived in the Colony ever since I was a first-termer, so I don’t have any knowledge about the outside world. We just made a farm and fed ourselves with it.” Juniper explained.

 “Ooh……” The trio scratched their heads, avoiding Juniper’s eyes.

 “Uh…so…anyway, if you hadn’t ever tasted this… Would you want some?” Eunie said, with her hands trembling.

 “Yes! I would love to!” Juniper said, with a bright smile.

 “Do…I feel light coming out from her…?” Eunie whispered, lifting a hand up.

 “It’s…too…bright…!” Lanz said, narrowing his eyes.

 “Is…this…the power…of…” Noah said.

 “Hmm? What is it?” Juniper innocently asked.

 “Ah…nononono!! Nothing…hehe…here, have this one! It’s a mildly sweet one for starters!” Eunie said, handing Juniper a chocolate bar.

 “Thank you, Eunie. You have my gratitude.” Juniper said, accepting the bar.

 “My…my…pleasure…?”

 “Anyway, mate. You gotta taste that one right now. If you’re first trying it, you’re gonna love it.” Lanz said.

 “Really? Then I’ll gladly try.” Juniper smiled as she slowly unwrapped the chocolate bar’s package.

 “Hmm, a unique kind of smell!” Juniper said, putting her nose close to it. She savored the smell, and took a bite.

 “So, so! How is it?” Eunie asked. She seemed pretty enthusiastic.

 “Mmmmm….” Juniper hummed with her eyes closed.

 “Why are we nervous?” Lanz whispered to Noah.

 “Beats me…?” Noah shrugged.

 “Mmm….Hmm!!” Juniper exclaimed.

 “Well??”

 “It’s…the best thing I’ve had in my entire life!! It…melts heavenly on my tongue…And the sweet and unique taste…! Mmm….I love it!” Juniper said with her eyes glowing.

 “See! I told you it would taste great!” Eunie cheered.

 “Looks like we made Juniper enter a new realm,” Lanz said.

 “It’s always good when you discover new food and it tastes great. Good for you, Juniper.” Noah said.

 “Thank you, Noah. Every new thing that I discover while traveling with you never fails to amaze me.”

 “Our pleasure!” Eunie boasted.

 Juniper smiled at Eunie, and continued to savor the chocolate. Juniper’s smile never vanished during she ate the little snack, and the trio had their smiles on their faces, looking at the precious seventh-termer commander enjoying her new experience.

 Everything seemed fine.

 Yes,

 It seemed….fine…

 Until something happened later.

 (Outside of the great sword)

 “……..”

 “Down….”

 “…….”

 “Up…..”

 “……..”

 “Now!”

 With the sound of the arrow sweeping through the air, Eunie’s arrow of light shot bullseye in the middle of the makeshift target.

 “Nice, Eunie!” Sena said, giving Eunie a high five.

 “What did I say? I’m good at shooting things.” Eunie boasted.

 So…what were they doing?

 The answer is simple. They were practicing using Juniper’s class. Eunie, the party’s shooter, and Sena, who was just simply interested in Juniper’s class, were out with Juniper to practice their bows.

 “How about you try, Sena? You were indeed interested in using ranged weapons.”

 “Me? Hehe…could I get the accuracy of you and Juniper…?”

 “No one knows unless you try.” Eunie shrugged.

 “Well…okay! I’ll try! It’s good to be good at various weapons…so…. Oh! I have an idea!”

 “What?”

 “How about we ask Juniper for a demonstration? It’s her class, you know.”

 “Hmm…that’s actually a good idea! Hey, Juniper, love, would you come here?” Eunie called Juniper, who was supposed to practice on her own away from the two girls. Hearing Eunie’s call with her superb hearing, Juniper turned around.

 “Oh? Yes? Do you need me??”

 “Yeah, Sena said she needs some demonstration from the master.”

 “Ah…hahaha!! Yeah!! Master?? Okay!! Uh…just a minute!!” Juniper stuttered, grabbing her bottle of water. She started rapidly drinking it, almost half-emptying it.

 “Whoa, slow down there! Why are you in such a hurry?”

 “Me? Nonono, I’m just…thirsty! Yeah, thirsty! It’s…a bit hot out here…” Juniper awkwardly laughed, fanning herself with trembling hands.

 “Hot…? Uh…Juniper, I believe…the forest you lived in was hotter and way more humid than here…” Eunie said.

 “Really? I…do feel pretty hot right now…” Juniper said, drinking another sip. And now she was panting, her face slightly red.

 “O…kay…I got it….then….” Eunie scratched her wings.

 “Oh, anyway, you needed some demonstration?? I can do it!! Uh…what should I do?” Juniper asked, running towards Eunie in a hurry.

 ‘She’s acting strange…? Or is it just me…?’ Eunie tilted her head.

 “Uh…yeah! Demonstration! That’s it! Hmm…how about doing that technique? That…’Liberation Arrow’! You do like that technique, don’t you?” Sena chirped.

 “Yes! I sure do! Uh…uh…so…Liberation! Arrow!! That’s what I have to do?” Juniper got heated up. Not the usual Juniper they used to know. After answering Sena, she took another sip.

 “Uh…yeah! I’d love to see….eh…?”

 “LIBERATION ARROW!!! HIYAAA!!!!!!” Juniper did a 360 faster than the speed of her arrow, and shot three arrows in a row. The arrows soon landed on the target, completely obliterating it.

 “Woohoo!!! One more!! LIBERATION ARROW!!” She did another 360, this time in the air. Her arrows landed on a random tree this time, again completely destroying it.

 “Whoa!!! That was awesome!!” Sena shouted.

 “Uh…yeah…that was pretty outstanding…” Eunie said. But she felt that something was off. The ever-so-calm Juniper, shooting dozens of arrows in a row, doing loads of 360s? Especially doing the ‘Liberation Arrow’. Usually when she did this technique, she took some time spinning, and she only shot one arrow for accuracy. But today she was different. She was a machine gun. To be specific, a machine gun on steroids.

 “Ha…ha…ha…should I do more?” Juniper panted, drinking more water.

 “Uh….about that…”

 “What, Eunie?” Juniper said, her face now flushed red.

 “Juniper…are you…alright…?”

 “Me? I’m totally fine! Hahahah!!! The weather’s great, isn’t it? Wait…my water’s all gone…”

 “No, Juniper…you’re…acting all weird all of a sudden… Where did…your chill, and calm attitude go? You’re all pumped up right now, all sweating and panting. And…your hands are all trembling….” Eunie said, with a worried tone in her voice.

 “Huh? I’m totally calm right now! Look! My hands aren’t….trembling…?” Juniper froze, looking at her hands violently trembling.

 “And you’re…drinking like crazy, you know. Do you know…that we don’t have any latrines, or…additional water supply when you’re out of water…?”

 “Huh? We don’t?”

 “Come to think of it… Yeah…Juniper, you’re acting all weird now….” Sena added, giving a worried look to Juniper.

 “Plus, your face is all red, do you have a fever?” Eunie asked, putting her forehead against Juniper’s. As she did it, Juniper’s face turned into a brighter shade of red. Like a surprised cat, she jumped back and banged into a tree.

 And the tree broke.

 “Whoa!!! Juniper, love, you alright?” Eunie said, running towards the tree. She found Juniper sprawled out near the stump of the tree.

 But something was wrong.

 Juniper was clenching her chest, with a painful expression on her face.

 “Juni…per…?”

 “Hah…hah…Eunie…?”

 “Are you…No, snuff this. No more asking. I’m gonna initiate doctor’s orders. Spark this training, and we’re returning up. You need some medical attention.” Eunie declared.

 “Juniper…are you alright…? You were all red and aroused back then…but now you look like you’re in pain…” Sena said as she kneeled down to Juniper.

 “I’m…ugh! All…agh…hah….hah…” Juniper, who was giving accent from syllable to syllable a few minutes ago, couldn’t form a full sentence without wincing or panting.

 “Juniper, give me your hand,” Eunie demanded. Juniper nodded, giving her trembling hand.

 “Mmmm…. Oh? Wait….Juniper…why are….”

 “Something wrong, Eunie?”

 “Her heart pulse is…irregular. She’s…suffering arrhythmia…I think.”

 “A…r…what?”

 “Sparks, Sena, I did read the word out loud! Anyway, we gotta carry her back. Sena, would you use your strength for this?”

 “Definitely. Finally, some muscle training! Juniper, I’ll help you get up, grab my hand!”

 “Thank…you…ugh…” Juniper moaned as she got up. She was clenching her chest with one hand, and grabbing her head with the other.

 “Can…you walk…?” Sena asked.

 “I…can…mana…. Urp…” Juniper covered her mouth.

 “Juniper? Are you…” Sena tried to check Juniper’s state, but she was soon interrupted by Juniper vomiting.

 “Holy sparks….Sena, just carry her, don’t let her walk. We have no time to lose.” Eunie said, changing back to her original class, medic gunner.

 “Got it, Juniper, hold on…we’ll save you…”

 (At The City hospital’s emergency room)

 The Ouroboros party were surrounding one bed.

 Where Juniper lay almost unconscious.

 “So….what the spark happened?” Lanz asked.

 “She was acting all strange, doing some weird things, like drinking a liter of water in a minute or shooting arrows like a madman or hyperventilating. And…she banged into a tree.” Eunie said.

 “What?? Why….? Why? Why would that even happen??? Aren’t you skipping some stuff, Eunie?”

 “And she collapsed there, expressing some chest pain. I measured her heartbeat, and her heartbeat was very irregular. So I called it an emergency, and tried to make her get up. And after that….she…puked.”

 “She…threw up….?” Taion interrupted.

 “It was mostly water, but yeah. She did. And now this shit.” Eunie said.

 “Do you have any ideas for this, Eunie? As a medic.” Noah asked.

 “Actually…no. I assume poisoning, but she didn’t eat something strange….”

 “Actually you’re wrong, miss wings.” A doctor, different from the one who taught them about human nature, interrupted their conversation.

 “Uh, the name’s Eunie, old man.”

 “Okay, Eunie, what I’m trying to say is…”

 “I brought Mimi, guys!!!” Sena ran in, carrying Mio on a piggyback ride.

 “Oh my god, Sena, when did you become so fast?” Mio said, getting off from Sena’s small back.

 “I learned from the best!” Sena boasted.

 “Oh, Sena….” Mio sighed, patting Sena’s head.

 “Anyway, I heard that Juniper was in serious trouble. What happened to her?” Mio asked the party.

 “Uh…we were going to explain that.” The doctor said.

 “Oh, right, so…uh…please continue…?”

 “Okay, so, Miss Eunie, what did the patient, Juniper, eat today?”

 “Hmmm…let me see….Manana’s potato dish for breakfast…An armu sausage roll for lunch…And a chocolate bar for a snack between meals.”

 “YOU WHAT???” Mio suddenly shouted.

 “Whoa, whoa, Mio, what was that out of the blue…?” Lanz said, waving his hands in front of her.

 “No, Lanz, this is serious. Eunie, did you really let her eat it?” Mio said, furiously looking at Eunie. Eunie, as known as the boss, shrunk down at the sight of the big sister of the party glaring at her.

 “Uh…yeah…she did…enjoyed it after all…” Eunie mumbled out, fiddling with her wings.

 “Bloody sparks…Eunie, you almost killed her.”

 “What????”

 “Wait, Mio, what the spark are you saying?” Lanz blurted out.

 “You see… Us, I mean….Agnians with these…ears…on their heads… Must not eat chocolate or anything related to it.” Mio said, pointing her cat ears.

 “Wait, what???”

 “We’re still experiencing cultural differences, aren’t we?” Taion sighed.

 “So…then….how do you know it, Mio?”

 “We’re taught not to eat them at all costs. We’re taught that if we eat them…we will experience…”

 “Hyperventilation, superexcitation, high blood pressure, fever, trembling, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, and…heart attacks. Eventually leading to death.” The doctor added.

 “Okay, enough of that talk. We have to sum up here for now for her treatment. How much did she eat?”

 “A…bar…?” Eunie choked out.

 “Not bad, but also not good at all. So, I’ll have to take her for emergency treatment, so I need you guys to wait outside.” The doctor said.

 “Uh…so…how are you gonna treat her then?” Noah, who stayed silent for a while, asked the doctor.

 “Well, antidotes could be a solution. But most of all, we have to get the poisonous substance out of her.”

 “By…?” Eunie carefully opened her mouth.

 “To be simple, we’re gonna make her vomit the thing all out.” The doctor declared.

 “Spark….” They all frowned in slight shock.

 “So…yeah, got the essence? Now, we’re gonna actually do it, so… I’ll gonna be using simple words from now on.”

 “Out.”

 As the doctor said the simple word with a firm expression, the party rushed out of the emergency room in a hurry. They wandered a bit, and soon found a bench to sit on. The party all had worried looks on their faces, each with a different kind of tone. Noah and Taion were talking with each other. Taion telling the bodily characteristics of some Agnian people, and Noah listening to it. Lanz was listening to Sena’s expressive talk, about what happened when she went training with Juniper. And about Eunie…. She was just downright depressed right now. Her head dropped down, and her wings were all drooped down.

 “Eunie…are you alright…?” Mio asked, touching Eunie’s wings.

 “Hah……I….still have no idea why I did this to Juniper…” Eunie sighed, her face filled with guilt.

 “Eunie…you don’t need to feel like that…” Mio said, stroking Eunie’s wings. They soon perched up as Mio touched them.

 “But I…I…sparking messed up the entire thing! I almost poisoned her to death!!”

 “Yes, you did. But it wasn’t on purpose.” Taion said, adjusting his glasses.

 “You’re not helping…Taion…” Eunie sighed, her wings drooped again.

 “What I am trying to say is this. The thing you committed was indeed dangerous. But that’s all. You did not have the purpose to actually poison her. You just…didn’t know about the consequences. We…we should’ve sent one Agnian to accompany you in the morning.” Taion said, his voice getting soft.

 “And you’re not the only one who gave her that. We were there too, you know.” Noah added.

 “Heh…Strange, isn’t it?” Lanz blurted out.

 “What now, Lanz?” Eunie complained.

 “We thought we now know each other really well after all that interlinking and traveling. But we still have things we don’t know about each other. Heck, who thought that a simple food would be a lethal poison to Agnians similar to Mio? You know, I think what we needed was a lecture about the differences between Kevesi people and Agnians, not about how to make a baby or something.” Lanz said, with his hands behind his head.

 “Whoa, Lanz, since when you were so thoughtful?” Eunie said, giggling a bit.

 “Hey, who do you think I am? I do have a brain, too.”

 “Really? I never….”

 “Now you come here, Eunie!!” Lanz said, standing up.

 “Hehe, looks like the Eunie we know.” Mio chuckled.

 “Yeah… Hope Juniper recovers well…” Noah said, leaning back to the wall.

 “She’ll…be alright… If she gets everything out of her body… Although that process could be extremely painful…” Mio sighed.

 “Let’s hope for the best…”

 (After some time)

 “Okay then… Ouroboros?” The doctor called the party, who was dozing off on the hospital chair.

 “Oh, is everything done?” Mio asked, bolting up from the chair.

 “Thankfully, yes. She successfully avoided death, and she is now recovering.”

 “Thank the queen….. Sparks…I was almost getting crazy waiting for this…” Eunie said, her wings slightly trembling.

 “How can we visit her?” Noah asked.

 “I can lead you guys there. Follow me.” As the doctor signaled, the party all got up from the bench, and started to follow the old doctor. The walk didn’t take so long. After walking for a few minutes, they arrived at a small room for patients to stay.

 “She’s here, and she’s probably regaining consciousness by now. Don’t irritate her too much, though. Her heart did experience some strains.”

 “Of course we will!” Sena nodded.

 “Then go in, she’ll be waiting for you.” And that was the last word the doctor left before he went off for other work. The party stood in front of the door, watching him go off.

 “So then…shall we head in?” Lanz suggested. The party all nodded. Noah led the party by silently opening the door, as not to disturb Juniper.

 “Ju…niper…? Love…? Are you awake…?” Eunie whispered.

 “Oh….Eunie….? And…Noah…Lanz…Mio…Sena…Taion… You’re all here…?” Juniper choked out with a raspy voice.

 “Yeah…it’s us… Um…Juniper…?” Eunie mumbled.

 “Yes…?”

 “Sorry… I…didn’t know…this…would happen when I…” Eunie slowly talked, syllable after syllable. But Juniper interrupted.

 “No need for apologizing…Eunie…I didn’t know this would happen too! Hehe…” Juniper let out a weak laugh.

 “Oh, you poor thing…” Eunie said, kneeling down to hold Juniper’s hand. “How do you feel right now?”

 “Bit more…relaxed than before… My heartbeat started to stabilize… And I don’t feel the intense thirst of heat now… Probably the effect of the drug they put in me…”

 “That’s…good news. Wasn’t the treatment hard for you?” Eunie said, gently handling Juniper’s hand.

 “I was unconscious during the whole process… So, I don’t know what happened. All I got is a sore throat, I guess…?”

 “I see…Anything I can help with?”

 “Um…I think I’ll be okay with just me… But thank you for worrying, Eunie.” Juniper said, giving Eunie a smile. Eunie nodded, and patted Juniper’s head.

 “Well then, love, get well soon. We’ll be waiting for you.” After a gentle pat on Juniper’s head, Eunie stood up, and returned to the party, who was just watching Eunie talk with Juniper.

 “Juniper, is it okay if we went back?” Noah asked.

 “I’ll be okay. I don’t want to disturb you guys because of me being sick.” Juniper said.

 “You don’t have to consider yourself a burden, Juniper. Anyway, then we’ll get going, if you need us, you can always call us with your iris.” Mio said, approaching Juniper.

 “I’ll keep that in mind, Mio.” Juniper nodded.

 “Thank you, please focus on relaxing and recovering, Juniper. I’m sorry that you have to go through this because your colony was so isolated from the outside…”

 “You don’t have to be sorry, Mio. But thank you.”

 “You’re strong, Juniper. Hah…then…bye, Juniper. We’ll see you when you get released, then.” Mio said and Juniper nodded.

 The party soon left the room, and after minutes, they left the hospital.

 “So….guys.” Eunie initiated a conversation.

 “Why?” Lanz received it.

 “Why did you guys all stay silent when I talked to Juniper? You know, you could always join me.”

 “Well…uh…Noah? Why did we stay silent?”

 “If you ask me… Uh…you know, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you talk with sick people on the bed. So I thought it would be better not to disturb you. Plus, it brought back memories, seeing you talk with her with such a soft voice.” Noah said.

 “Wait, did my voice change back then?”

 “Totally, the brashness of your usual voice was totally go….”

 “Now you come here, four-eyes!!”

 “What??? Why me????”

 “Why you?!? Uh….I’ll figure it out later!! Just come here!!!”

 “Spark’s sake…what did I do wrong???”

 (Omake)

 “So you’re planning to spread agriculture across colonies?” Juniper asked Zeon, the commander of Colony 9, also known as the potato lover.

 “Yes, and we’re making new kinds of food products with our produces. It’ll be better just to make raw potatoes.” Zeon said, looking around the potato farm.

 “Hmm….what kind of product?” Juniper asked.

 “Well, it could vary, but the things we’re focusing on are the preservation methods for produces, and…”

 “Commander! It’s done!! Our first prototype!!” Kite, Zeon’s lieutenant, zoomed through the colony towards Zeon and Juniper, holding something in his hands.

 “Oh? I never expected it to be done this early.”

 “Yes! And since commander Juniper’s here, it’ll be a great opportunity to advertise our product! Commander Juniper!!”

 “Yes, Kite?”

 “I present you…. Colony 9’s special….!”

 “9 Chocolate!!”

 “UAAAAGH???!?!?!?!” Juniper screamed and jumped as she saw the devil’s creation. She summoned her blade, and aimed it towards the product Kite was holding.

 “Huh? What are you doing, Juniper? Why are you suddenly…” Zeon calmly asked, but it didn’t work.

 “PUT THAT THING AWAY FROM ME!!!” She shouted, her bow still aiming at the product in Kite’s hand.

 “Uh…Kite…? I think it’ll be better if we did this presentation after she leaves…”

 “What’s wrong with….?”

 “Just withdraw now, before things get complicated, okay?”

 “I can see why… Then…I’ll tell the developers that the presentation of this prototype would be delayed….”

 “Yeah, that’ll be the best. See you then.” Zeon said as Kite zoomed away. Seeing Kite run away, Juniper withdrew her blade.

 “Hah….hah….hah….” She was panting, with her hands on her chest.

 “Juniper…are you…”

 “PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!” Juniper shouted, losing her calm attitude again. She bowed her head towards Zeon, her face scarlet with embarrassment.

 “Hmm…..? Okay, Juniper, I get it. But…can you explain why that happened…?”

 “Uh….it’s a long story. And…quite an unpleasant one…. Would you like to hear it…?”

 “If it’s unpleasant for you, you don’t have to do it. Just…give me the essentials.”

 “Okay….So…to summarize….”

 “I had some…issues…regarding that particular food…”

Chapter Text

 The party stood in front of the door of the Amphitheater, where the Moebius mastermind Z dwelled. After beating Moebius X and Y, he was the only one left in Aionios. The final battle was waiting for them.

 “So…this is where it ends…” Lanz said, breaking the silence between the party.

 “Yeah, can’t believe we’re fighting the ultimate boss inside a theater, though,” Eunie said.

 “Ugh….I’m getting nervous right now…” Sena said, jumping up and down and pounding her chest.

 “Easy, Sena, we can do this. We’ve come this far, and we also freed the queen. There’s nothing to fear.” Mio tried to comfort Sena, patting her back. But she also looked nervous. And of course she was nervous. After inheriting N’s memory, her journey to finish Z felt like an eternity. Rubbing her chest to calm herself, she took a bottle of water out. She opened the lid and started drinking it.

 “Ah…” Mio let out an ecstatic sigh, feeling the cold water flowing into her throat.

 “Oh, Mimi! Can I have some water, too? I think it’ll help calm me down…” Sena asked Mio.

 And little did she know.

 That something would go wrong.

 “Huh? Give you what, Sena? Something to calm you down?” Mio said with an innocent look on her face.

 “Uh…yeah, you know… Water…?”

 “Huh…..? I’ve never heard of that word before. Have you, Noah?”

 “No…… Where did you hear that word, Sena? What does that mean?” Noah asked.

 “Duh, water, Noah. Water!”

 “I have no idea what you’re saying now, partner,” Lanz said to his small flaming partner.

 “Yeah, love, care to elaborate?” Eunie said.

 “What are you guys talking about?? Water! The thing you drink when you’re thirsty!! Hydration!!” Sena’s voice got louder in agony.

 “Oh, you mean water?” Mio said, showing Sena the bottle.

 “Yeah!! Water!!”

 “Strange… Since when you called it that?” Lanz said.

 “Like…always, duh.” Sena shrugged, drinking the bottle down. After taking a sip, she gave the bottle back to Mio.

 “Had your dose of water, Sena?” Mio asked, taking another sip.

 “Uh…yeah, the water was pretty cool, thanks, Mimi.”

 “Hey, Mio, love, how much are you gonna drink that water? This place doesn’t have any latrines, you know. What are you gonna do if you have to take a leak during the fight?” Eunie asked, touching her wings.

 “Oh, yeah, I forgot. You know how much I love drinking water.” Mio giggled, lowering the bottle.

 ‘What’s the difference…? Water and water….?” Sena thought, grabbing her head.

 “Well…Mio, did you have your dose of water?” Noah asked, smiling at the catgirl.

 “Yeah, fully hydrated now. Thank the flames that the interior of the Origin was cool enough to keep the water cool.” Mio said.

 “Uh….guys?” Sena muttered out, scratching the back of her head.

 “Why, love?” Eunie received.

 “Why are we acting all strange….?”

 “Strange? About what?”

 “I mean…about that water thing?”

 “Oh, that? Like…Sena, I’m terribly sorry, but we’ve never heard of that word before.” Taion said.

 “What…? I…. Then…what’s the difference between water and water….? Ugh…my tongue is getting all twisted….” Sena said, flicking her tongue.

 “Uh, sorry, mate but this is not the time to have an identity crisis.”

 “Come on, Lanz, I’m totally sane!!”

 “Uh, no, love. You’re…acting pretty strange.”

 “Not you too, Eunie…”

 “Okay, guys, calm down,” Noah said.

 “Noah…thank you…”

 “We never know it till we figure it out. Sena, what’s this?” Noah said, showing Sena a bottle of water.

 “Agh….!!!!!! Water!! Water!!! WATER!!!!!!” Sena exploded. The flames on her head getting stronger.

 “She’s definitely strange, innit?” Eunie whispered to her partner, Taion.

 “She is….” Taion nodded.

 “Guys…..?” Sena’s eyes started to tremble.

 “Uh…mate, are you sure that you’re alright? Do you have a fever or something?” Lanz said, putting his hand on her head. She blushed a bit.

 “No…I’m…ugh….” Sena sighed, facepalming.

 “She doesn’t have a fever….” Lanz whispered to Noah.

 “Yeah, then what’s….?” Noah replied with a whisper.

 “Uh…guys…?” Mio interrupted.

 “What is it, Mio?” Noah said, turning her head to Mio.

 “Uh……I’m terribly sorry… But….may I take a latrine break…?” Mio mumbled out, fondling her white skirt.

 “Ugh, I knew this would happen… What did I tell you when you were gobbling up all that water?” Eunie groaned.

 “Sorry…Eunie…” Mio blushed.

 ‘Again, again, again!! That water!!! What the spark is different with my water!!!’ Sena screamed internally. She pounded her chest in fury, too.

 “Well…if you really need to go, Mio… I can’t stop you…” Noah shrugged.

 “Haha, what are we now, a bunch of jokers? What are we doing in front of the enemy base? All that water, goddammit.” Lanz snorted.

 “Well spark, if Mio’s going, I’ll accompany her,” Eunie said.

 “Wait, you too?” Taion said.

 “Yeah, to make sure, you know. And Mio would like some company going there, innit, love?” Eunie said, slightly hitting Mio with her elbow. Mio slightly chuckled.

 “Okay, if you say so… But come back as soon as possible, this place is dangerous.”

 “Got it! Be back later!” Mio said, getting away from the party with Eunie. She soon disappeared from their sight, leaving the party behind.

 “Well then… What are we going to do, while waiting?” Lanz asked.

 “Beats me…” Sena shrugged.

 “Well…how about taking some rest? Sena does look tired today…” Noah suggested.

 “Come on, Noah!!! I’m alright!!!” Sena shouted.

 The bickering started as Sena started to burn up, her blue flames engulfing her entire head. Well, it was simply Sena shouting to them and the boys trying to calm her down. But her voice was high and loud.

 Enough to disturb a person.

 “Hmm…someone’s noisy outside…” Z sighed, playing with his last popcorn. After putting the popcorn in his mouth, he stood up from his seat, and started to walk towards the exit.

 “So what the spark’s different? Between water and water!!!” Sena raged.

 “Now, Sena, calm down. We have a fight to do.” Lanz said, patting Sena’s back.

 “That’s not the… Ugh, forget it, yeah, you’re right, Lanz. We have a fight to do when Eunie and Mio come back, the fight against Z.” Sena said, shrinking next to Lanz.

 “Z? What are you talking about, Sena? We already defeated G, you know. All we have to defeat is Z.”  Said Lanz, with a startled face.

 “Wha…..?” Sena’s brain just froze.

 “He’s right. The only Moebius left is Z,” Taion added.

 “Yes, you’re right.” A low voice said, along with the sound of the theater’s gate opening.

 “What???”

 “Who are you!!” Lanz lifted his weapon.

 “Is he….Z?” Sena said, backing up.

 “Yes, I am. I am Z.”

 ‘Him too?????’

 “So, Ouroboros, I was watching you defeating N, X and Y. But….where’s the Winged girl and the Catgirl? Weren’t you supposed to be 6 people?” Z asked.

 “Uh…yeah, about that… They…went out to go to the latrine….” Noah explained.

 “Oh? Then you should hurry.”

 “What, did you place traps or something?” Lanz said with a threatening tone.

 “No. What I am trying to say is…”

 “We don’t have latrines in the Origin. There is only one inside my theater.”

 “What?????” Taion blurted out.

 “So…if you want them to relieve themselves out in the open… You’ll have to hurry.” Z advised.

 “What are you talking about?”

 “You know, I could borrow you a latrine if you want to. Can’t have a fun fight with Ouroboros who’s not in full condition.” Z shrugged.

 “Ugh…Noah, what should we do?” Lanz asked.

 “Lanz, let’s go find them! They must not be far.”

 “How about Noah? And Sena?”

 “They need to mark Z here. No one knows what would happen.”

 “Hah…got it. Is it okay, Noah?” Lanz looked at Noah, who was nodding.

 “Right, be right back!!” Lanz shouted, as he grabbed Taion and Zoomed away.

 Only Noah and Sena remained.

 “So…what do we do now, Z? Play rock paper scissors?” Sena asked.

 “Rock paper scissors… Not bad for a sideshow… Also, it’s Z.”

 “You’re…kinda strange, you know? The man I saw in N’s memories wasn’t like this…” Noah said, with a look of doubt on his face.

 “I lived a long life. People can change. By the way, is your fiery girl okay? She’s trembling.”

 “Hmm? Sena? Wait…Sena…????” Noah exclaimed in shock, as he saw Sena’s entire body engulfed in flames.

 “Z…or…Z…. Water…or…water…. AAAAAAGHH!!!!!! CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE OF THIS PIECE OF ARMU’S CRAP!!!!” Sena shouted with all of her might.

 “Sena….?”

 “Well, she’s burning. Try to pour some….”

 “Water on her, wouldn’t you?” Z said with a big smirk on his face.

 “GAAAAAHHH!!!! Z!!!! YOU PIECE OF SHII…” Sena blew up, summoning her hammer. She tried to swing it to the grand Moebius, but…

 She fainted.

 “It’s Z, girl.” Z whispered as he hit Sena on her neck to make her faint.

 “Spark…you….”

 And that were Sena’s last words before fainting.

 “Z!!! What are you doing!!!” Noah shouted, pulling out his lucky seven.

 “Calming the girl down. She needed to cool down, you know.”

 “But why?? Why are you doing this?”

 “Because…”

 “It’s fun.”

 “You maniac!!!” Noah shouted as he swung his sword. But Z avoided it by teleportation.

 “Now, now, calm down, young one. Can’t have a fight right now here, don’t we?”

 “The spark….?”

 “And you’re alone now. Ouroboros is a team, and I want to have fun by smashing down that team. But look at you, your little fiery girl fainted in fury, your tank and your tactician are gone, and your healer and your cat went off to take a sparking leak. What a team.” Z started to laugh.

 “What…what are you trying to say??”

 “Oh, yes, where are my manners? So, what I am trying to say here is…”

 “Come here tomorrow.”

 “WHAT?”

 “Come here with your perfect team, perfect condition, and a sane girl. Look, she’s gritting her teeth while sleeping.”

 “What? Wait, she’s really doing that…. No, back to the point, why???”

 “I said before, it won’t be a good sideshow with your team in this condition. I want a perfect show to be on my stage.”

 “I…I….uh….eh….ah…?” Noah now lost his ability to think.

 “So, goodbye. Z’s theater is closed today.” Z said, closing the theater’s gate.

 “Wait!! Z!!! Get back here!!!”

 “No.”

 “Z!!!!” Noah shouted, slamming the door with the lucky seven.

 The door didn’t even flinch.

 “Spark!! Why did it become like this?” Noah was on the verge of getting crazy. But he couldn’t afford it. He had to look after Sena on the floor.

 “Sena….? You alright….?”

 “Mmmph…. Mimi…what the spark’s wrong with water…..?” Sena mumbled in her sleep.

 “She’s…saying weird things again….”

 Yes, ladies and gentlemen and fellow nopon.

 The goddamn Ouroboros.

 (Omake)

 The fierce battle between the Origin itself and Aionios was now reaching its climax. And to top that, the queens started to take action.

 “It has been a while, Nia, Queen of Agnus. I am in your debt, across the centuries.” Melia greeted Nia through the screen.

 “Nonsense, don’t mention it. I simply did what needed doing, and entrusted the rest to the right people.” Nia replied with a polite nod.

 “I see that you’re still….affecting that elocution,” Melia said with a smug face.

 “Oh my, it befits me not?” Nia said, with a slight laugh.

 “Do not hide your stripes.”

 “Hmmph. Then….all right….”

 “Then let’s thrash those goons, Melia!! “ Nia shouted, returning to her original, Gormotti self.

 “Wait.”

 “Now what? “

 “Uh…actually…would you return to that elocution before?”

 “What????”

 “We do need to communicate though,” Melia said, barely holding her laugh.

 “Titan’s foot, Melia, are we doing this again? Come on, more than a millennium has passed since our first meeting!!!”

 “Pfft…..”

 “What??

 “No no, sorry, just… Pffft…..”

 “Why are you laughing????”

 “You’re still the same, Nia. I love seeing your reaction….” Melia said, with a big smile on her face.

 “Hah……Where did you become such an arsehole, Melia?”

 “I learned from a certain girl, who has wings like me.”

 “Why did you even learn that?”

 “Learning new things never hurts.”

 “Titan’s…. Ugh….” Nia facepalmed.

 “Haha, so cute.”

 “What???”

 “No, no, never mind. Anyway…”

 “Let’s thrash those goons, Nia!!”

 “Now you’re copying me?!?!?!?!?!”

 “Nyaha!!!” Melia let out a battle cry, flapping her wings.

 “Ugh…. never mind…..Let’s go!!!!!”

 “Yeah!!! Melia time!!!”

 ‘What did she even do during her sleep…..?’

 Like that, Melia and Nia, the queens of both nations, transformed the castles into their battle mode.

 The people of both nations cheered at the sight of their queens in action.

 But little did they know….

 About what their queens were doing.

 “What a bunch of jokers!!”

 “What’s that now??”

 “Nia, this is our last battle, stay calm, stay focused.”

 “I think I’m going crazy….”

Chapter Text

 (At a campsite in Millick Meadows)

 Noah, Mio, Lanz, Sena, Eunie, Taion. The Ouroboros. The dreaded beings that both nations want to get rid of, were tidying the campsite down to start their walk of today. Eunie was managing her wings since she always had bedwings like when she woke up in the morning. Lanz was checking out of his weapon’s state, Sena was stretching to get prepared, Mio and Taion were organizing their tables and chairs, and the Nopon were also managing supplies.

 And there was Noah. Who was just isolated from the rest of the group. He was focusing on something on his iris. Mio, the party’s big sister and Noah’s interlink partner, found Noah’s actions peculiar. So she made a move.

 “Looking at something?” Mio asked as she approached Noah.

 “Oh, nothing in particular, really. It’s just kind of a habit. Checking our status, the war… Watching for info updates… Silly… I don’t know why I still bother to check it anymore. Not like there’d be updates…” Noah chuckled, his hand still on his temples. He slightly turned his head around to face Mio.

 And he found something new.

 “Huh…?”

 “What is it?”