Chapter Text
A ray of light encompasses the entirety of her vision. Rover stands in front of a large rock surrounded by water. His vision slowly adjusts to the new environment he was teleported to. Making her way to the rock; the singular person who had awoken became two. Both Rovers walk to the opposite end of the rock. One sitting down on the right, and the other standing on the left.
A mysterious voice calls forth towards the two.
What is your name?
The light from the room is blinding. Outrider Yangyang rubs her eyes in bewilderment. She was just finishing a patrol on the outskirts of the Central Plains with Chixia. Yet in the next moment. She blinks and wakes up in this…room?
The space seemingly spanned miles. Her head bobs and weaves throughout the room. There was no ceiling, no floor, no end. Clearly spitting in the face of logic itself. It was only until she rubbed her eyes a second time in which she spotted the others who were transported with her. Including herself, those stuck in the room were Chixia, Bazhi, Jianxin, Yinlin, Zhezhi, and General Jiyan. Yet there were others she had a harder time recognizing. It was only until she took a moment to realize that the Magistrate of Jinzhou and her bodyguard Sanhua; along with the former Secretary General Changli were there as well. There was only one singular man she did not recognize at all. He had a long ponytail adorned with a green band; along with a bamboo sword laid at his side. Although she could tell he was from Jinzhou thanks to the sentinel’s emblem attached to his garb.
“What is going on..?” Was the only words she could muster in her confusion. To her surprise, the others weren’t too far behind from awakening in this foreign dimension. “Yangyang…Where are we?” The redhaired patroller rubs the back of her head as she awakens from her slumber. Baizhi, General Jiyan, Zhezhi, and Jianxin follow suit.
“We’re in a dream. Or at the very least; something eerily similar to one.” Changli stands before them all. In truth she had woken up before everyone else. She had just pretended to be asleep in case the ones she was surrounded by were fakes. Changli had experience before with dreams thanks to the Somnium Labyrinth. Thankfully there was no need for her skepticism just yet.
General Jiyan is next to question their predicament. “How can you tell this is a dream?”
Before Changli can respond. Sanhua answers his question in one fell swoop. “I cannot see any of your frequencies…Whoever trapped us seems to have a quite vile ability.”
Yinlin, who had finally gotten her bearings notices that singular person who has not conscious . “Why hasn’t the Magistrate woken?” Jiyan who had only just now noticed rushes to her side, Sanhua using what little senses she had in order to pinpoint where he had stopped; rushing to be by her ladies side. “Madam Magistrate? Are you hurt? Can you hear me?” His calls however fall on deaf ears.
She is fine. No harm has come to Jinshi.
Qiuyuan, who had been sitting in silence, slings his sword toward the mysterious figure that teleported in front of them. Chixia summons her guns and Changli her sword in order to take down the shadowy figure.
*SNAP*
Sorry. I can’t allow you to do that.
Their weapons were gone in an instant. Jianxin, who hadn’t participated in the assault, questions the figure. “Why are we here? Who are you?”
You are here to bare witness. And who I am is not relevant.
Sanhua gets up from Jinshi’s side and faces the direction of the voice. “Do you understand the magnitude of your actions? Harming my lady is punishable only by death. You will not get away with such a transgression.”
Calm yourself Asura of Calamity. I am well aware your threat has weight behind it. She is simply knocked out. The sentinel resonators were already a hassle to get in here. I couldn’t risk letting her wake up and wrecking the place. Aemeath and Fleurdelys have already done enough of that.
“Bare witness..What do you mean by such a thing?” Qiuyuan asks.
That's a good question. How about I show you.
The bright white of the infinite space warps into a theatre of sizable magnitude. Yangyang counts around 20 rows of red and black seats. The lights buzz with a warm hue while everyone adjusts to the new environments they’ve been transported to.
“My my. It seems the fun hasn’t quite stopped just yet~” A white and black haired girl says while sitting in the middle row of the theatre. The theatre is full of people. Yangyang spots a woman in a tight fitting suit sitting next to a smaller one with long pink sleeves and a large bow. Her eyes then darted to a fiery haired woman with a large sword sitting in the middle of the row. An abundance of others can be seen as well. There is seemingly no one she recognizes once more until.. “Rover!” Yangyang rushes to the front row of the theatre at the sign of the man she has feelings for. Yet to her dismay, a forcefield shocks the girl away from the modulator. Holding her shocked hand she questions everything once again. “What is going on..”
I’m glad you asked Yangyang. Apart from one person. Everyone should be here.
“You still haven’t explained why we’re here.” A blue twintailed woman complains while staring up at the figure near the screen.
“Indeed. I tire of this game you are playing. Send me back at once.” A girl with a bandage over her eye demands.
I understand your frustration. Your answers will come in due time. However, someone is deciding to be difficult.
A giant mech lands in the front row of the theatre. A tired and beaten Aemeath slowly emerges from the digital ashes of the machine. “Damn you…I’LL KILL YOU! TAKE ME BACK TO HER NOW!!”
She is right there Amy. Since you’re technically not alive. I can’t prevent you from touching them. SO. For now I’ll just have to deal with your insubordination. You’ve already done enough to the outside of this realm. What a pain you are.
Aemeath rushes over to Rover’s sleeping body. It slowly flickers between the look of a male and female. Aemeath is unable to determine which is the one she is used to. It doesn’t matter however. The synchronist hugs the warm body of the resonator. Glaring at the shadowy figure as she does so.
“I don’t know what you did to voidspace. But I will stop you.”
Well you’ve certainly been trying.
Aemeath finally looks up to see the entire theatre staring in either bewilderment or envy as she clings to Rover. She takes in the room as her eyes dart from person to person.
“You all must be the 'friends' Rover has told me about.” A particular lacquer emanates from her words. She takes a good look around the room. Absorbing all the resonators from many different regions. “What do you mean? Who exactly are you to him anyways?” Chixia asks, glaring at the girl who can suspiciously touch Rover.
“Im her dau-”
Sorry Amy. No spoilers are allowed in here.
She once again glares at the figure. “That's not my name. And what do you mean by spoilers?”
WELL; if the cast of Hunglong would take a seat. I would gladly get to explaining.
The figure seemed annoyed that they were more or less standing in front of the screen. Yangyang, Zhezhi, and Chixia attempt to sit close to Rover. To their disappointment, a treasure trove of girls have all taken the closest spots next to her that wouldn’t activate the barrier. Apart from Aemeath who had taken a seat to the left of him. Changli and Jiyan lead the blind duo to their seats that were near the comatose Jinshi, who was seemingly teleported into the theatre by the figure. Jinshi was sitting next to a smaller blonde haired girl who was also asleep. A fiery redhead was seen sitting in the seat just behind the blonde in the row behind her. Jianxin had spotted an old friend in the Black Shore section. Before she could make her way there herself, a loud voice called out first.
"JIANXIN, OVER HERE!! COME SIT NEXT TO ME!!" The monk shyly walks towards the fortune teller and sits down next to her. Buling whispers to the girl. "Come on la, don't tell me you didn't see me!"
"I did!! Just don't yell so loudly next time. Now everyone is looking at me.."
As you can see. There are many individuals from all walks of life within this room. Some from Huanglong, some from Rinscita, and a handful from Lahai-Roi and the Black Shores.
Yangyang notes that she recognizes a certain white haired man and pink haired child sitting a few rows away from Rover.
Most of you would never interact with each other in your long lifetimes. However, there is one thing. Well I should say, person, that has brought you all here.
A small spotlight shines on Rover.
This woman has been brought to Solaris for reasons beyond even my current abilities. As an entity from his homeland, I cannot fathom the reason why I was created. My only purpose is to reveal to you the truth behind the one you call “Rover”.
“His homeland?” Surprisingly, tired looking woman in a suit is first to question the claim on Rover’s origins.
It is far too early to speak on such matters any further. For now, talk amongst yourselves. Preparing the program is taking more time than I’d like thanks to the blessed maiden and Aemeath being far too stubborn. Sit tight everyone.
Within the blink of an eye, the figure disappears from sight. Everyone in the theatre are flummoxed on what to do. Without their abilities, the chances of escape are zero to none. And with two of the strongest resonators among them fast asleep. Hope was slowly dwindling.
“Everyone. Listen up.” A strong commanding voice booms from the back row. Ephor Augusta stands tall, with every resonator in the room directing their attention to her.
“For those among us who aren’t aware. My name is Augusta. I am the current Ephor of Septimont. I cannot fathom the reason for why we’ve been brought here, other than knowledge that Rover is the center of it all. But I can say for certain that if Rover considers you and friends and trusts you, then I shall trust you as well. For the time being, it seems we will all be in each others company. So I hope we get along for his sake.”
The room grows silent with respect and admiration for the woman who decided to step up. “You’re always so serious Augusta, you’re going to scare everyone.” Iuno teases the Ephor for her innate desire to lead.
"It has always been in her nature to lead. Pay her no mind." Galbrena speaks towards the audience.
"Angel..." Augusta could be seen staring back at the TD hunters face with small smile.
The only other person who decides to speak is a blonde haired girl with a white hat. “My name is Phoebe, I'm an Acolyte of The Order. I think I can speak for all the Ragunnesi in here, that Rover has been instrumental in Rinascita’s survival. And that we will be forever in debt for her help in stopping the Dark Tide.”
“The Dark Tide? What’s that?” A school girl with blotches of color adorning her shirt questions the Acolyte. “Well-“
Ah ah ah. What did I say about spoilers. You all can introduce yourselves without the need of including events from your past. We will get to them in due time.
“I see—-I apologize.” Phoebe’s voice transforms to a faint whisper.
Don’t be sorry. They aren’t my rules after all. I only enforce them.
Only Changli and Carlotta catch the bit at the end. “If even they have restrictions set upon them—then this game is more complex than we thought.” The two of them store this piece of info in the back of their heads for later.
“Well then! If no one else will go. Then I shall deliver an extravagant introduction!” Brant stands up from his seat with Roccia in tow. An assortment of spotlights cover the two as they bow and introduce themselves. Brant’s captains hat lifts from the top of his head, as both he and Roccia bow.
“My name is Brant. The charming, cunning, courageous captain of the Troupe of Fools!! This here is my right hand and best mate Roccia!”
Roccia rises from her bow, grabbing her box. “And this here is Pero.” Pero emerges from the pink box, making his way around the room till he spots a specific someone.
“Pero Pero?”
Aalto is seen being overwhelmed by the presence of the echo.
“Hey!? Knock it off would ya!!” Encore laughs at Aalto’s antics “Awww don’t be like that Uncle Aalto, he just wants to play!”
Roccia takes a few steps towards them. “When Pero first met Rover he took a liking to him as well. You two must be similar.” Roccia dawns a slight smile.
“I don’t know how!! Hey! Give me that back!” Pero steals the terminal from Aalto’s chest.
Most of the Ragunnesi can be seen giggling at this sight. Chixia lips upturn only slightly towards the karma he’s getting. Since he literally left her in the dust the last she saw him.
The Lahai-Roi section of the theatre has mostly stayed silent all this time. Both Chisa and Lynae were taking in the vast amount of culture swarming the room currently. While Professor Mornye and Dr. Herssen were wondering about all the allies and friends Rover had made while away from Lahai-Roi.
Professor Mornye decides to get up from her seat in order to get a better look around the theatre. There might potentially be a way to escape if she finds a hole in their captors defenses. She steps closer to the bright screen illuminating the room. Slowly she reaches her fingers out towards it.
I wouldn’t recommend that if I were you.
The professor perks up in surprise. “Why not?”
This place is quite sensitive. This screen is special, any attempt to touch it will result in multiple errors occurring within this realm. Sadly I cannot risk having to grab another 'you'.
”Another…me?" Aemeath steps up from her seat. Overhearing the conversation being had by the two.
“Don’t listen to them professor. They’re just trying to get in your head.”
Mornye looks at the girl in confusion. She never said her name nor introduced herself when everyone else was. Despite this, she felt she had see the girl somewhere before all this.
“I appreciate your concern—Aemeath, was it?” The synchronist shakes her head in confirmation. “But since we’re stuck in this place. We should at the very least find out where we are. Our abilities are gone, and there is supposedly no way out. And this entity seemingly doesn’t mean to harm us.”
Aemeath’s glare makes the professor step back a bit. The girl realizes her anger was misplaced. “I’m sorry professor. I know where we are. We’re in voidspace. This ‘thing’, whatever it is took all of us from different points in time and trapped us here. Due to—certain reasons. I was able to fight back against it.” Aemeath’s hand bawls into a fist. “—but, I couldn’t.”
I wouldn’t have had to show you those things if you had simply came willingly.
Aemeath summons her sword and throws it towards the figure. It goes right through him and the screen.
Mornye looks softly at the pink haired girl who can barely keep herself together. “What did it show you Aemeath?”
Aemeath’s gaze shifts towards the unconscious Rover for only a moment; her golden eyes casting upon the ground with guilt afterwards. Instead of responding, the Exosrider’s resonator makes her way to the seat next to Rover. She wraps her arms around his back and sinks her teary eyed face into her chest.
Go and take your seat professor. We’re going to begin soon. And don't fret about your legs dying. In here you won't have to worry about such things.
"Thank you...?" After the reassurance; Mornye reluctantly complies and makes her way back to the Lahai-Roi section of the theatre.
Meanwhile, in Black Shores section…
“I’m so boreeeeeeed.” Camellya could be seen poking Rover’s barrier. It was the closet thing to a fight she’d get right now, and it was driving her mad. “I’d be overclocking from sheer boredom if I could.”
"Camellya. Please stop trying to overclock using the barrier." The Shorekeeper remains unamused by actions of the Bloom Bearer.
"Fineeeee." Camellya crosses her arms while sinking down into her seat.
Shorekeeper is seen staring at Rover's peaceful demeanor. "When was the last time you looked so content I wonder? I hope that your dreams are at least peaceful, my star."
Aemeath is seen walking back from her chat with Mornye. As she slinks into Rover's chest, Shorekeeper feels a pang of emotion. "Is this--Jealousy..?"
Both of the girls recognize the grown up Aemeath. Although their captor seemingly is preventing them from speaking to each other entirely.
Shorekeeper then proceeds to attempt and connect herself to the Tethys system to no avail. Wherever this place was, it was truly cut off from the rest of Solaris.
Her star was right in front of her. Yet she couldn’t even touch him. This new emotion of hers couldn’t be mistaken for anything other than “annoyance”.
“Come on la!” Buling has been refreshing her Wavesline messages for the past 5 minutes. The theatre lacks any wifi, so being away from her chatrooms and message boards have been driving her crazy.
"I'm sure you aren't missing out on anything Buling." Jianxin is seen comforting the distraught Taoist. "I was going OFF on a forum though...If I take too long to respond, they'll totally flame me! AHH, and if I get ratio'd??" Buling sinks to the ground. "MY ACCOUNT WOULD BE OVERRRRR." Jianxin could only chuckle awkwardly. She could barely understand her terminal, let alone all the words Buling just spewed from her mouth. Despite this, she placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
The room was oddly lively. The Montelli’s and co. (Carlotta, Zani, Phoebe, Ciaconna) have been discussing amongst themselves. Taking this opportunity to go over the repairs of Rinascita, and how things were left before they were teleported to this place.
"How well equipped is everyone Zani?" Carlotta questions. "I was mostly observing for the most part. Repairs should run smoothly for a while. Thanks to the Fisalias and the Order."
I cannot divulge where exactly we are to you all just yet. But time both exists and does not exist. At the end of these viewings; you will be transported back to the time you were taken from.
Zani feigns a grateful tone. "Well, that's seemingly less work for me!"
"It may not be what you wished for, but maybe you can finally get some rest!" The blonde acolyte cheerfully looks towards her.
"The only way I would get rest is if it was in my own bed. And even then I'd still wake up on time." Phoebe laughs at Zani, only to be taken aback by her lack of her own. "Wait, is she not joking??"
The Septimontians except for Lupa had been reminiscing. Specifically Galbrena and Augusta. Since Galbrena was stuck here, and Chimera was nowhere to be seen. She assumed her need to devour TD’s was also cut off in this alternate dimension. Finally, she took this opportunity to speak with her long lost childhood friend.
Sanhua had been sitting by her ladies' side the entire time. Paying no mind to the babble happening around her. Both Qiuyuan and Yinlin had remained silent. Observing every detail from every person in the room. While Zhezhi mostly remained in her seat, nervously fiddling around.
"Hey, you alright Zhezhi?" The painter looks up to see Chixia's comforting smile. "Ah yes. I'm fine, just a little overwhelmed is all."
"That makes sense. I am too!! This is all so crazy!! Rover really is something huh?" The two of them look around the room at the vast amount of resonators filling it. "Yea, he really is."
"Patroller Chixia, a word please?" Jiyan calls out towards the girl. "Coming! I'll come check on you in a bit okay?" Zhezhi shakes her head and watches as Chixia goes to speak with the general.
Her eyes wander towards Rover's sleeping body. Apart from the pink haired girl snuggled within him. He exudes a tranquil aura, a look on her that she had never seen before.
"I wish I had my supplies, maybe then I could finish that painting of her..."
Here.
A cascade of art supplies fill the seats next to Zhezhi, along with her paintbrush and the unfinished portrait of Rover.
We'll have breaks during our sessions. You may work on this if you truly wish.
As fast as the figure appeared, it was gone. Zhezhi could barely process why or even how they did it. But she was thankful nonetheless. She unwraps the scroll containing the unfinished piece, and begins to draw what she sees.
General Jiyan was speaking with both Chixa and Yangyang about what they remembered before they awoke. Yangyang could only partly pay attention. Her vision stuck directly on Rover and the pink haired girl nestled so closely in his chest. Aemeath opens her eyes, coincidentally opening them directly on Yangyang. The outrider quickly looked elsewhere to avoid suspicion.
Aemeath, feeling irritated from all the stares cast upon her and Rover, calls out towards the figure. “Hey shadowy figure? Are you done yet?” Aemeath yells at the ceiling.
Yes, we are about to begin. I’ve recovered enough of my power in order to recall the events of the past. Everyone take your seats.
“Wait one moment please.” Chisa stands firm her chair to speak up. “How come only she can touch Rover?”
Chisa seemingly spoke for most of the girls in the theatre who envied the proximity in which Aemeath had towards Rover. Or who simply was confused by her ability to seemingly fight back against their captor.
The forcefield is made of void matter. Anyone who attempts to touch it will have their frequency drained faster than you can say..well, anything. The only reason Aemeath can touch him is because she technically isn’t even here. But that’s getting into spoiler territory.
“But why put one up in the first place?” Chisa asks again
I’ve seen the future that happens in which every woman in this room is allowed to be near Rover. It does not end well. Too many of you have extreme feelings for her. So much so that I can’t keep your abilities in check, and all hell breaks loose. Especially yours Chisa.
Chisa scoffs at the notion. While Iuno sneers at the mention of “seeing the future.” Many of the girls internally sour at the prospect of not being able to sit next to Rover.
Fear not. During important story moments, or prolonged appearances. I’ll allow some of you to be closer to him. I’m only a presenter after all.
The younger women in the room feel a pang of excitement. While the older ones like Cantarella and Changli simply smirk at the notion.
“Hey! I didn’t allow any of that.” Aemeath proclaims.
You’re already a pain as is. Anymore from you and you’ll be joining your predecessors in their coma over there.
Aemeath simply sticks her tongue out at the ceiling. All of a sudden the room grows blisteringly cold. The source coming from one red eyed woman who begins to overclock at the mention of her lady.
“When will my lady wake up.” Despite its nature. This was more of a demand than a question.
The sentinel resonators will awaken once I can contain their power. Jinhsi will wake soon I assure you. Although please calm yourself Sanhua. I wouldn’t recommend overclocking in an area as confined as this. I can only limit your forte's, not nullify them completely. So please stop trying to overclock. Reversing the symptoms is beyond my current means. That goes for you too Camellya and Phrolova. So please stop attempting to.
“How mean. Maybe just let me fight you and I’ll stop trying to overclock.” Camellya’s conniving smile pierces through a few of the others in the theatre.
How exactly do you think you got here?
Camellya sits back down at the implications of their words. While Phrolova pays no mind to their threats. Only just relenting at how fruitless her attempt to escape was.
“And what about Cartethiya?” Lupa asks, her tail wagging in a delayed motion.
I had to split Fleurderlys from her. Which is way easier said than done. She will wake up. The “when” just depends on how stubborn her other half plans to be.
The cast remains silent after the figures answers. So they continue talking.
It seems you all are ready. If you still don’t know one another, then fear not. You’ll come to know each other quite well soon enough. Do note, throughout these viewings, others will join you as well. I will inform you of when those moments happen.
The screen shines bright. A soft piano can be heard as the screen shifts to a scene of the two Rover’s sitting on a rock. "Wuthering Waves" could be seen above the two Rovers. The screen begins to zoom into both their golden eyes.
The Lustrous Theatre of Solaris begins….
Now.