FINAL INVESTIGATION

[whimsicalism]

No one is dead today. Why would they when the end is so close? You can practically taste it (or is that your stomach?) as the final Friday dawns. It's time to get some answers.

The Storyteller isn't talking to anyone but it's a good guess to see where she went. There's one final door that hasn't been checked, after all.

Comments

[battlestations]

I don't think Alice is incomplete. She's just... really, really sick.

[After listening to Mizuki, though, he's got a new determination.]

We still need her.

[xxxx_me]

She was supposed to die, though. Years and years ago.

[battlestations]

Mmgh.

[He heard about that, but it sounded like things were different than expected if Allen is suddenly able to pull a plug or whatever.]

Look, I don't know the situation over there. Is she actually a ghost? What do you mean when you say you'll kill her?

[xxxx_me]

She's... [Gosh, how to even begin?] She's in really, really bad shape. She's hooked up to all kinds of IVs and things.

She asked me to pull the plug.

[battlestations]

It sounds like she's been kept alive, and she's trying to save us. Maybe that seems strange after Neku and Oriko already died for that. But they were her friends too, from the sound of things. Perhaps she's accepted death because she didn't want those to be in vain, and she thinks she can't stop the Storyteller... but it's hard to imagine her wishes would have changed that completely.

[xxxx_me]

...

She asked me to do it as a favor to her. So... whatever she asks for in the end...

I'll do it.

[battlestations]

Maybe I'm a fool, and this is that so-called soul of the Storyteller's that we're meant to destroy. But if we must believe...

[He'd rather it be in a happy ending.

Still, he trusts Allen.]

... I leave it to you.

[xxxx_me]

[He nods, even though Nigel can't see him.]

Mm. I'll... see what she says.

[whimsicalism]

Allen - what - if - there - was - something - else?

[xxxx_me]

[Turning to her.]

...Something else?

[whimsicalism]

I - think - I'll - have - to - go - but - I'm - afraid - of - her -- maybe - if - I - help - then - I - can - go?

[It's really hard to talk but she tries again.]

Number - One - was - right - I'm - really - really - scared - not - of - dying - but - of - her - maybe - we - can - make - her - Alice - again?

[xxxx_me]

[His head dips in acknowledgement.]

...Okay. It's a favor to you, so... I'll do whatever you ask.

[whimsicalism]

[She forces her hand to close around his. It's painful but she's really, really trying.]

Alice - made - me - happy - and - so - did - you - I - believe - in - you - Allen

[xxxx_me]

[He's definitely crying by now. Some of the tears may just splatter on her in spite of his best attempts not to.]

...It was fun playing with you. And- and you're not the only bad one here, either.

I don't want to kill you. [He never did, not really.] So--

All of that's why... I want you to be able to make the choice this time.

[whimsicalism]

You - were - a - friend - even - if - you - didn't - like - her

[She pauses.]

Don't - cry - okay - I'll - believe - in - you

[xxxx_me]

[There's a pause and a grimace, like he's trying to smile but has completely forgotten how, resulting in something pained instead.]

...I hurt a lot of people in the Dream. The most evil person there was probably...

[...

No. Now's not the time. He shakes his head.]

...We'll figure something out. I believe in us, too.

[whimsicalism]

You - didn't -

[She stops herself.]

We - will - get - through - this

[xxxx_me]

[Quietly, practically a whisper:]

I'm... the reason everyone broke. I trampled over their hearts for my own selfish reasons, even though I was warned not to.

[Truly, he was the most evil one in the Dream. And... he'll have to deal with that, if they ever escape.

His grip on her hand tightens ever so slightly.]

...We'll get through this, though. Together.

[whimsicalism]

[She doesn't have the energy to squeeze his hand but:]

If - we - can - save - her - we - can - save - you

[xxxx_me]

[All he can do is give her a sad smile and settle down as the others speak their minds, too.]