Forging Another Path

✧₊⁺

“What—wait, no, we can’t do that!” I protested. “What about the people here!? The lives they’ve finally re-built for themselves, we can’t just…”

“Do you have another suggestion perhaps?” The Songbird’s eyes pleaded for me to come up with something, anything to oppose her, but my mouth slowly closed as my gaze fell to the floor.

Autumn’s eyes mirrored my own disappointment, and for a brief second, in her face, I saw Aki’s as well.

“I’m sorry to say, Nagai-san, but Autumn-san is correct.” Thresh looked somewhat conflicted, but his words were resolute. “There may be close to a million Eternals, but they’ve lived their lives already. I know you’ve grown close to some of them, and I don’t mean to sound cold, but the choice is clear when we consider the alternative. You realize that, don't you?”

“But we shouldn’t have to choose. I know what they are, I ain’t denying that, but… I just…”

What am I trying to say here? I know they’re right. My own personal feelings aside, the stakes here couldn’t be more clear.

It wasn’t rocket science. Billions of real, living people would be snuffed out in less than seventy-two hours if we did nothing. Not to mention, there was a real possibility of Blackheart breaking through the vanguard to finish the job for us, even if we couldn’t.

And yet…

“You’re a good man, Jiro-bo.”

I couldn’t just give up on them, not after I had come to know them as people. I was deep in thought when I felt a hand on my shoulder, and then another opposite of them.

“I’m not going to sit here and pretend that I have all the answers either, but I know that Cowboy here once stood by my side when I ran headfirst into danger. I didn’t know what the heck I was doing… I just wanted to seem heroic to make up for my failures as a person.” Kururu spoke. “But he didn’t hesitate, nor did Tǒng to rally behind me. Something tells me if I don’t do the same here, I’ll regret it forever.”

“Jiro is… good friend.” Tǒng, gripping my other shoulder, added in astonishingly competent Japanese.

“You guys…” I smiled. After taking a deep breath, I looked into Autumn’s eyes. “I’ve decided.”

“On what, Jiro?” A smile returned to the Songbird’s face as I remembered her words from before.

“Remember, Jiro. A single man has the power to turn the tides of despair.”

“To forge a different path, that’s what I’ve decided on.” I declared. “We've been put between a rock and a hard place, but that’s all it is. I’m going to stand right here if I have to until we come to a solution that will save everyone. You see, I’m done doing what’s easy. It’s time I did what’s right.”

“Now that’s my pal!” Kururu slapped me on the back, grinning widely. “You sure you’re not a magical girl fan, Cowboy? I could swear that last line came from an anime I watched. I just got chills.”

“You’re imagining things.”

“That sentiment is all well and good, Nagai-san, but we’re running out of time here.” Thresh crossed his arms. “The test data and assets need to be destroyed, and his plan exposed publicly before Barnes’ party guests give the order to start carrying out executions. And it’s not like we can destroy the Digiscape without destroying the Eternals. Why, we’d have to remove their data and put them somewhere else first to do that.”

“Wait a minute, say that again!” I exclaimed.

“That sentiment is—“

“—The last sentence, partner!”

“We would have to put them somewhere else?”

That’s exactly it.

“Miss, what do you know about the prototype Barnes is going to use to house the next wave of new residents?” I asked Autumn whose eyes widened in surprise.

“Ueda Aki actually did most of the work to have it rendered. It’s a fully actualized version of the Digiscape several times larger than where we find ourselves now. It was created in case your ex-wife ever cracked the mystery of importing the human soul, and so she could keep her grandfather’s dream alive. Why?”

“Well, why don’t we just send all the Eternals there before we shut this place down? And then take the prototype and run?” I suggested. “Unless it’s a pie in the sky?”

“No, actually… I think it could work.” After tapping his cheek in thought, Thresh came around quickly to my idea. “But we’d have to locate the assets first. Before Aki passed, she gave me the bypass code in confidence, but never mentioned the prototype.”

“That’s easy.” The Songbird said, pointing her index finger upward. “In Ueda Aki’s personal archives, you will find a folder labeled as her and Jiro’s wedding album, but it actually contains the assets for the prototype ‘Genesis’, the spiritual successor to Project Memoria. Not only that, it should also contain the kill code to deactivate the Digiscape.”

“That’s mighty convenient, but if all this is hidden away in Aki’s files, how does Barnes know about it?”

“The Director is sharper than one would think, despite playing the eccentric,” Thresh said. “He cracked the bypass code in a matter of months following Ueda-san’s passing, shortly before that summit took place. The timing of it all fits. Let’s just hope he didn’t move the assets elsewhere.”

“I guess this means I’ve got more snooping around to do. Just hope someone can keep him distracted this time.” I chuckled dryly.

Thresh shrugged.

“While I am glad this discussion has come to a satisfactory conclusion, I must be the one to remind you all that we have a very big problem to worry about at the present moment.” Archie chimed in.

“Right, Blackheart, what are we going to do about her?” I rubbed my chin. “When I met her on the road she was overwhelmingly strong, too much for any one Hunter to take on by themselves.”

“I had an idea for that particular dilemma, a remedy if you will, but I’m going to have to ask for all of your assistance.” The Songbird said. “Can I count on the strength of you four in the coming battle?”

“Just tell us what needs doing.” Kururu punched her palm. The rest of us nodded along. “I was getting tired of standing around while everyone else is out there, protecting the place.”

“No doubt you heard my associate mention Plan J, but I have kept the details rather close to my chest until now.” The Songbird began to explain. “Ueda Aki, in her final days, made a bet on the person she trusts most in the world to carry out her last wish posthumously. That person was you, Jiro.”

“She bet on me?”

“Yes, and after hearing your plea to save the Eternals, I now understand why Ueda Aki believed in you so. Your conviction is stronger than expected, and though I still hold the opinion that we should pull the plug as soon as possible, I will choose to trust in her, and in you.” She gave me a nod before holding out her palm. “Hold out your hand like so, and I will bestow the gift she left for you.”

I did as the Songbird asked and a blue crystal key appeared in the palm of my hand. I turned it over a few times, scanning its glistening surface before I looked up at Autumn with a curious expression.

“What is this?”

“When the Digiscape was created, only the former Director, Ueda Aki, and Connor Barnes were given administrative access to key functions related to the operation of Project Memoria, or so she told Barnes...” She continued. “When she created Blackheart and I, her access was split in two.”

A similar crystal appeared in the Songbird’s hands, but it was different somehow, incomplete.

“These keys are the digital manifestation of one’s administrative power. Unbeknownst to Director Barnes, Ueda Aki made a separate, full key for you as well, expecting that you would one day come to this place and succeed where she could not. That you would find another path forward.”

“Incredible foresight on the part of Ueda-san, but what does this mean, exactly?” Thresh asked.

“For one to forcibly shut down the Digiscape, all they would need is one full key to do so. I originally thought Ueda Aki had given Blackheart and me each half of everything, her administrative power, her memories, with the hopes that we would come together as one. One key, and one decision to make for the future of this place. But I was wrong…” The Songbird looked up at the sky. “She had always intended for you to make the decision, Jiro.”

“Was she sure I could make that call?”

“Not without yours truly to give you a little nudge in the right direction,” Archie said proudly. “Even as a mere AI, I am impressed with the human ability to grow and evolve in such a short time. The truth is, you have done well, Jiro. The former Director’s hopes were well placed… but do not let that go to your head.”

And here I was thinking that she had no faith that I could amount to anything. In the end, after the kind of person I had become, I thought myself irredeemable in her eyes.

But your belief in me never wavered. Did it, Aki?

“However, the battle is only beginning. You all have determined to fight until the bitter end, and I will devote my energy towards that cause.” The Songbird said. “By giving you the power necessary to confront Blackheart in the nest she’s built over yonder in that cloud of darkness.”

We all turned to the blackened sky, scattered purple lightning continuing in the distance.

“What is our plan of action, then, Songbird?” Kururu asked.

“The vanguard has already been overwhelmed with polymorphic monstrosities, and the barrier shows signs of weakening.” The Songbird said. “Rather than delay the inevitable, I will withdraw all my power at once and use it to cover you four. It will be similar to the strengthening effects you experienced in the ByteCoin mine, but far more potent.”

“But Autumn-san, won’t all the Hunters be sitting ducks out there, along with the barrier going down?” Thresh noted, causing my worry to spike.

“Yes, this will leave Director Barnes’ drones as the city’s only line of protection.” The Songbird said. “That’s why I suggest you split into teams of two. One pair will take on Blackheart in her lair, while the others protect the city from anything that gets past the drones. Jiro, you will experience the biggest raise in ability since your key will also empower you. I suggest you fight Blackheart for the greatest chance of success.”

“A magical girl's place is with the people she wants to protect. Tǒng and I can take care of cleaning up the city, no problem.” Kururu beamed. “But Cowboy’s got something he’s worried about, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I checked Yuna and Shizuka’s room a while ago, and they weren’t there. So I can only assume they went to see their friend in the city,” I said. “Sorry if it’s selfish, but I’d like to make sure they’re safe somehow before I go off to fight elsewhere.”

“I thought you might say that.” Autumn smiled. “The hairpin I gave little Shizuka doubles as a tracking device and beacon that will cast a glowing light in the sky when a threat is present. They are both taking shelter in the residential quarter, currently, but—in truth—it is near the south gate where the conflict is at its most dangerous.”

“Don’t you dare worry, Cowboy? I won’t let any harm come to your friends or the other fine folks of Memoria City, you have my word.” Kururu placed her hand over her heart with a fierce look. “And I’ll have the big guy here to watch my back, 我的盾牌兄弟!”

“I like it, 我的粉红妹妹!” Tǒng couldn’t have gathered much from our discussion, but he answered with so much enthusiasm that I had a hard time doubting the two of them.

“I’ll be counting on you two again, please keep them safe,” I said as they flashed a thumbs up.

“That means you’re with me, Nagai-san,” Thresh said. “But that leaves the question of how we will be getting to where Blackheart is…”

“By air travel, of course.” The Songbird answered enthusiastically. “You two will take my airship into the heart of darkness, and confront Blackheart. Send me word when you arrive via the ship’s radio, and I will divert my power accordingly.”

“Got it. We’ll give it all we have.” I said.

“We have come too far not to, Jiro,” Archie said. “I will be joining you two, naturally.”

“Good, we’re all on the same page. But trust me on this one piece of advice… Though it may seem impossible, Blackheart may yet be a boon to our side if she can be convinced to hold off her attack. Her death only stands to benefit Director Barnes and his ends.” Autumn warned. “Appeal to her more empathetic side, if possible, and you may find common ground. There is, after all, a part of her too that was once Ueda Aki.”

I don’t know if that will be easy, but I guess it’s worth a try.

After learning about the depth of Director Barnes’ depravity and greed, Blackheart’s issues almost seemed like a distant second place. Despite her homicidal tendencies.

“When this threat has passed, we will turn our attention to obtaining the prototype before finally confronting Barnes. Are you all prepared for this?”

We all exchanged confident looks and nodded.

“Good luck. The fate of the Digiscape rests in your hands.”