...did you hear what I asked or-
What's it to ya? I'm just a dumb wretch, so beat it.
Well, if you're gonna call yourself that, then something must be up.
Okay, fine, sheesh.
Shakeup happened where I live, found something I figured would gimme power when nobody was lookin', power messed with my head, a bratty vampire blew me up...
And I got a whole region dead-eyein' me even before that - living with folks who say might makes right does that to ya - and the lady who dumped the li'l devil on me wants to make a deal.
I try to grab other deals before sayin' yes to hers, n' all I get is two folks with 3 horror stories total 'bout her.
...so, you're changing your mind?
Ain't that easy, legless. She's one problem, dealin' with the mob in n' outta my main spot is another. I'm picking a poison at this point.
...what was that about "might makes right"?
That's how they roll in the Animal Realm. You join an alliance or you're dead meat. Unless you're with me, 'cause the Gouyoku Alliance...well, it ain't really an "alliance", it's just I do what I want and everyone who "joins" me does what they want. When you don't get the job done by rushin' in, you get dirty looks from rival gangs. "You" meanin' "me".
Not sayin' I was some sorta misunderstood innocent lookin' fer buddies, but if that one plan didn't go south, I'd be singin' a whole 'notha song.
If you don't like them and they don't like you, why are you there?
...
...yer questions ain't makin' this any easier, stringtail.
Well, it's not like that's the only place in the world. Honestly, you don't sound like the best person to be around right now, but...I dunno, maybe it's what you've been sticking to?
Like, even if you have to move somewhere else for a while or more, wouldn't cutting ties with those other groups help? You barely put up with each other now.
I dunno, maybe you can find a fresh start or something. Find a place where you can do what you want without doing...whatever the heck got you in this mess.
Then you don't have to deal with that freaky mafia-sounding place, or that lady you have problems with...
...
...Y'know what? Worst thing about your idea is I ain't got anything to lose.
If I ain't back tomorrow, assume I'm either dead, or dead to you.
Boy, y'got yer words mixed up. See, our brother Wave just used a buff.
That was a debuff.
Good morning, Toutetsu.
...
Well, I gave you more than enough time to think this over...I'm glad we can agree-
I'm not taking your deal.
...pardon?
You heard me. I ain't takin' your orders watchin' the "black water" pools. Doesn't matter what you were gonna give me.
...
...Have you already forgotten the risk that would bring?
What risk? It took flooding Former Hell for anyone to get to me when I snuck down there, and we both know anyone who still thinks that stuff's worth it by then is gonna get what's comin' to 'em.
And given your track record, I ain't ready to say you're all that worried about the "risk". Not if it gives you attention.
And what exactly do you mean by that?
People didn't keep their mouths as shut about you as you probably wanted. Between the seasons, the fairies, and the firework show, I'd believe it if you were why the black water got to the surface, so you could get people back on your "good" side...
...and either way, I don't care how many riches a goddess like you would give the alliance if joining you meant giving me more enemies.
So you'd rather live with being loathed for your past here in Gensokyo, and below in the Animal Realm?
Quit playin' dumb. Even if I never recover from what I did back then, there's more to this world than Gensokyo.
So you'd rather test the trust of others in a world you don't belong in than-
Don't even bother finishing that. I'd rather I find a fresh start by my own choice than leech off you. Let alone you leeching off me.
Four days ago, you were talkin' to someone who didn't give half a damn what happened to those around them, and sat around doing nothing 'til they could treat themselves to power they didn't earn.
If you wanna talk to someone like that today, go find a mirror.
...What were Battlewing's final moments? Before she was erased?
...
...we, uh...we didn't stay to see that if it happened...would make sense, though...
...but either way, she was in top shape. If she's gone now, she left as herself.
A-and if she isn't, she's still the person she wants to be.
...
...I will say it is done, then.
...?
The Seekers...we were meant to impede people, and yet with all that's happened it feels like neither your side or ours holds any enmity.
I see no reason to fight for what the leader allegedly wanted. None of us truly stand for it...not you, and not us.
...so now your leader is the only one left in this goal of conquest.
I would say-

holes would at least buy me more than TWO DAYS. Let alone actually kill any morons who didn't agree with me.
Stop treating her like she was just your "look at me, I'm so cool" sign!
She walked, she talked, she was a-



With your attitude so far, I feel like you'd insult us whichever answer we gave.



So you saw yourself under someone's command and-









What, you're saying not being a jerk means being a-



Don't call them-

You know what? We ain't the wrong ones here, buzz-

Suddenly, you don't seem nearly as confident anymore. Has reality finally set in? Perhaps you at last realize that you were out of your depth?
....Like hell. If you think I'll give up simple as that, you're mistaken.
Ugh. Your type are ridiculous. The ones that persist after a 0% likelihood... and for what? Stoicism? Hope?
Staking your being on such superficial concepts is a fool's errand. The only constant in this world is facts. Here's one: "You stand no chance."
Pride cometh before the fall.
Does pride also cometh before scanning all data on you and not only acquiring the limits of your operating systems but personal information relating you?
Y-you're bluffing! There's no way that you could--!
133.41.664.235.589.81
I've contacted your estate owner. I own the block you live on... and I've also scheduled dinner and a movie with your sister. Fine woman.
!!?!?!?!???!
Filth like you disgust me. How dare trash like you try to compete with me when you're not even worthy of saying my name. With this pitiful display, you're nowhere near worth my time.
N-no! Don't--!
So in return... I'll take a generous six weeks of your time, in return for the six seconds it takes to dismantle you. Now, then... get out of my sight.
BASTAAAAAAAAAARD!
Such a disappointment. An unrivaled mind with nothing to test it...



First of all, watch your frickin' language.
Second, it's because we wanted to give her a chance. Some people have lost more than you have.
Kid... I was gonna go easy on you, but now you've gone and pissed me the hell off. I'll take my time giving you the ass whooping you deserve.
I'd die sooner than accept mercy from the likes of you! Tramp!
Hrk...!
That can easily be arranged.
Tch. They're at again?... and with no concern for collateral, to boot. I've had enough.
Let me take 'em, boss man. Ain't neither of them up to snuff when they're so focused on one another.
No. I have to be the one to do this, anyway. This is personal. And preparations have been complete.
...
Pshhht. Figures ya say that. Well, Whutever. Do what ya gotta do.
I'm glad you understand, Arpegionne... this time I have no choice but to take the initiative.
Huh? What just-
...Nevermind that. Bigger priorities to worry about.
You two are not paying attention, aren’t you? You guys lost already! So why don’t you guys split while we take care of the bigger problem?
(Heh. We’ll see how confident you all are once it dawns on you who your REAL opponent is.)
...There. That should keep her alive until we find a way to solve all of this...
...Which leads to our next problem... What DO we do to try and fix this?
Well, I don't know about you, but I think we should try to do something about those "others" Cyber Lucina keeps mentioning. I don't like the idea of this energy spreading any further and causing more chaos like this.
I dunno... I'm not sure I entirely trust WHY Cyber-Lucina's mind is telling her to find the others. And even then... What do we do? We can't destroy it, and we don't have any way of containing it.
Hey, I'm sure we'll find some way to do it!
And if we do, we might just be able to use it to figure out a way to help Lucina without having to kill Cyber Lucina.
...Well, I suppose it's better than no plan...
...You guys go ahead and try to look for the next Agony Creature to hunt down. I'll catch up.
(...Of course, the next course of action was obvious; Getting more samples of Agony is the only way for us to learn more, and we can't just let these Agony Creatures roam free and cause chaos. I just needed to use the conversation to buy me some time for investigation.)
("Protocol 2037173490493591401009"... This course of action is FAR too extreme. No wonder Beta Shadow doesn't know about it.)
(...But regardless, I have other obligations to worry about. Things will sort themselves out eventually, I'm sure. I don't know anything about this "Take the Crown" universe... But I'm sure they'll be able to handle this.)
...Right. Cyber Lucina, since you clearly have some form of connection with these creatures, you may be the only one capable of locating them. So, if you're ok with it... We'll need you to lead the way.

I'd call this ripping off the bandage...if it actually hurt.
What to wear, what to wear... which one do you think fits me better?
Da one on the left!
I see.... I believe I may try that one, then.
You surprised me! I never knew you were mean and strong like Soul!
I can be, but I would rather not. Not all situations should be solved with the same barbarian methods... and yet, my sister seems bent on such.
Which one of you is stronger?
. . .
I... am not sure. We will never fight, anyway, so it matters little in the long run.
....Okie.
Your path is yours to choose... but you should not take interest in the type of thing she does. It is a dangerous thing. You do not need to be strong to be "cool"
But I wanna be tough! Tough like her! Everyone keeps calling me a babby. I'm not!
(Pft.)
Everywhere Soul goes, people is nice to her. And if they're not nice, she makes them nice. I wanna have people be nice to me too!
.......
Sometimes you act kinda starn on her.
...
Stern. And I must be. It is precisely because I care that I am so critical of her activities.
Is that why you also act mean around Scale?
N-no! That is different! I refuse to let that man string me along so I can become a t-trophy of his!
If... he f-feels the way he acts he does, he can prove it. I will not allow myself be strung along by anyone.
That had better not be him. We should stay away from that for our own g--
Wowie!
Oh...
I can't feel my arms...
How many times am I to remind you about stranger danger before you listen to those reminders?
B-but you said not all strangers are dangers!!
That does not mean you are to trust everything and everyone...
I'm just curious.... cuz Soul always whacks people out before they can say or do stuff at me.
.... (...Perhaps I should give her methods more credit.)
Well, then... so it would seem the girl was a level above her previous performance... perhaps I should have gave her more credit. This will be an entertaining scuffle after all.
Is this all you've got to show, fireface? I've seen hotter stuff from the North Pole!
When I'm through with you, woman... you'll find the flames of Hell relaxing!!
Hell, huh..?
Don't be so sure you're not going there first.
Shut your filthy mouth.
(How inept... I'm not so foolish that I'll fall for any more of your surprise ambushes. I've seen through your childish strategy before.)
You'll suffer the price for attempting something so trite!
! (No...! She's not in that direction!?... she goaded me into making this one empty swing! Now I'll never know where she'll come from!)
(I should have wondered why she had used the same failed strategy twice... and I lack time to defend myself! I was played for a fiddle...! All I can do is endure!)
Gh!
Eesh! Even I felt that one... that boy left himself far too open against such a heavy hitter...!
OH, YEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!! THAT ONE GOT ME FIRED UP!!! You still alive, kiddo!? You got me in the mood for some FUN!
...Wait. Do you think reapers are farmers?
Credit where credit is due... you're a little different than the last times. I don't think you'd have been able to get up after that before... but you're still nothing to me. Get it, runt?
.......Don't be pretentious, disgraceful punk. You could not hope to harm me sufficiently.
Now that's a cute bluff... useless, but cute. Then again, it wouldn't be any fun if you keeled over, either... not that I'd let you off easy after that rear end comment.
Since you care about asses so much, How about I hand you YOURS!?
Drgh!
Awww, did widdle doggy wose his bite!? Fight back before I get bored!
(The boy is in trouble now... if he continues at this rate, he'll be fighting a losing battle. Though, even still... I cannot help but feel a wave of nostalgia pass over me as I watch.)
You had better not lose, child. Win, and win and at all costs... for the sake of our clan's honor.
Hrnnnn....!
....
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