The true masterplan

Following a lengthy explanation of his actions, Mimoko decided to let him go free with just a warning.

"So that scientist guy is actually bad," Carol frowned as she stared off at the barrier encasing Theresa.

"I guess you three weren't present when we all encountered him at the airports, so you wouldn't know what he's like. I didn't know he'd be bringing Agatha along with him, or the Broadstone matriarch."

"So they're both colluders responsible for killing your mom. I get why you'd be be so antsy, but trust me, impulse in those situations ain't good," Iori frowned.

Both Carol and Mimoko were a bit surprised at Iori's words of wisdom, yet for Okisato, he already knew exactly where her words were coming from.

"I get it. But in regards to Agatha, I feel there was more to her visit. Carol, you mentioned she's wanted to become Broadstone head, how powerful exactly is the position?"

"Powerful. I mean, Mother Salem is the mind and master behind dozens of American politicians. You think she wanted to become head to get its power for something."

"Yes, but I don't know what it could be."

...

In London, Heather glared as Agatha stood before her. "And why should I hand my bargaining chip over to you?"

"Well, I am the head of the Broadstone family now, not to mention, I'm a certified Deep Blue affiliate," Agatha smiled. 

"Prove it." 

"Well, that's not so easy to do. I'm an affiliate, not a member, so my eyes don't turn blue. But, if you want me to call over a grandmastermind, I've got Olavi Hellkinnen in my phone book." 

Heather bit her lip in frustration. "What do I get out of this?"

"Eh? Marriage into the Broadstone family?"

"No."

"A hostage from the Broadstone family?"

"No."

"Seven hundred billion... dollars?" 

"..."

"I'll throw in a hostage you can train up to be a follower."

"... 10 trillion."

"DEAL!" 

"That was quick. Why so willing?"

"I mean, it's just 10 trillion, we can print back the difference in a day."

"But wouldn't that-"

"I'm head of the Broadstone family. I can print money and spend it without anyone finding out, and even if they do, the problem goes away in an instant. I do know magic after all."

"Necromancy!? Do you know-"

"No, sorry. Even if I did, there's no separating her soul from the Ultima-master."

Heather dejectedly shook her head as she motioned for Agatha to follow her.

...

At Kuon's place, Kuon scowled as Jester lounged on the couch, snoring loudly, with Nyoan curled up comfortably on the adjacent couch. "At least he's getting along better with Nyoan, but he's still a lousy house guest. I hate that I share blood with him," she thought as she called Agatha.

"Hello?"

"Agatha, have you-"

"Yup! Your precious kitty cat has been sent to the proper parties as agreed. Now you just gotta save her."

Kuon began to smile. "And that is the easy part. Given my rating, I'll make the national team with ease. I'll 

...

Hagemi groggily opened her eyes to find herself restrained to a chair and gagged, yet still fully clothed. "Mmph... Ngh... Mmph?" she moaned as she recognized the figure before her. 

"Hagemi! We found you," Kuon happily whispered as she removed Hagemi's gag. 

"Kuon? Where are we?"

"Ah, shh. Be quiet little kitty,"

"'Kitty'? What are you- ...!?" 

Hagemi's jaw dropped as Kuon flashed a mirror before her. Now sporting a cat ear headband and drawn on whiskers, Hagemi certainly looked more like a cat now." 

"Oi, how long were you here for!?" Hagemi angrily whispered. 

"Long enough to doll you up," Kuon giggled as she planted a kiss on Hagemi's lips. 

And that right there was checkmate as Hagemi was instantly lulled into a false sense of security as she closed her eyes and embraced the kiss. 

"And now the true plan begins," Kuon thought as she suddenly threw herself to the ground before screaming in pain. 

"KUON!? What's- ...!?"

Before Hagemi could react, a DESPER suddenly activated. The dark room instantly changed to that of a light one filled with pink clouds as Hagemi found herself before a chessboard with Kuon standing off to the side and a masked and hooded individual before her.

"And now, we shall begin the match. But first, the condition," Phantom nodded as he turned to Kuon. 

"Yes. When Hagemi loses..."

Hagemi's eyes bulged as she heard what Kuon said. "Kuon... D- Did they get you?"

"What? I've always been like this, Hagemi. See I've always wanted to beat you, but now with Mimoko being a thing, I'm just getting pushed down the ladder further. But thanks to your capture, now I finally have the chance to beat you and make you my precious prized kitty cat!" Kuon gushed. 

"The fuck... Kuon..." 

"What's with the shock? Were you that oblivious this whole time? I've always hated how better than me you are and that despite your flirting, you refuse to submit yourself to me as a kitty cat."

"Huh!? Is that why you're so bent out of shape, because I don't want to roleplay with you!?"

"It's NOT roleplay! You'd really become a catgirl, one I could cuddle with and dote on for the rest of my days! But every time I raised the proposal with you, Yuuusuke! Yuusuke, Yuusuke, YUUSUKE! 'If I'm gonna be in a relationship, Yuusuke's part of the package. I may be harsh on him, but he's all I got as family. So if I'm gonna marry, bein' a good second mommy to Yuusuke's a requirement' is what you always say! I could live with never beating you if you became my submissive little kitty, but NO! Well now, I'm gonna get it all, AND become a national hero!" 

Hagemi was left shocked and unable to process things properly. "Maybe this is just a bad dream... I'm not feeling like myself," she thought. 

As if he could read her mind, Phantom let out a grumble. "No, it's reality."

"That's right! Following her capture by the notorious Fairy League, Hagemi Shousen was lost to the world, or so the world thought! In reality, she was brainwashed by a vile villain and forced to compete under their team at the Chess Olympics, where she soullessly crushed her opponents, aiding her team's conquest to victory. Yet despite all that, she was still crying for help! "Save me, Kuon..." Yes, for as fate would have it, our protagonist, Kuon Nanya, was also competing at the Chess Olympics and leading team Japan to victory. Naturally, this set up a clash between her team and Hagemi's. Despite being soulless, Hagemi played at her absolute best, but by the blessing of Caïssa, Kuon finally got her first win off her, breaking the curse. And as a little reward for a job well done, she kissed her on the lips, telling her, "You've finally surpassed me. I'm so proud of you! Now make me your precious Kitty cat!" And thus begins Kuon Nanya's tale to become world champion, surpassing all the legends, Hagemi, Kasparov, and even Magnus Carlsen. None shall question the chess goddess on earth, Kuon Nanya's reign! In fact, all shall-"

"Yeah shut up. First off, even if you somehow do all that, you think I'd just kiss and praise you? I'd slug and report your ass to the officials!" Hagemi fumed.

"No you won't, for you're going to forget I'm the instigator of this," Kuon sneered. 

"Now, shall we begin the game?" Phantom asked.

"And why are you facing me instead of Kuon?" Hagemi snarled as she opened by moving her pawn to e4.

"I refuse to register with a DESPER, and wouldn't want to beat you when you're nothing but a groggy mess. Therefore, this individual will make sure your chess prowess continues post brainwashing so that I'll be able to beat you at your best," Kuon giggled as Phantom moved his pawn to g6.

"And what if someone beats me before you, or you fail to beat me?" Hagemi glared as she moved her pawn to d4.

Kuon clicked her tongue. "That won't happen. You won't see any action until round 1 of the Chess Olympics, and there, you'll play at your best." 

Phantom wasn't so convinced as he shook his head and moved his pawn to c5. "If someone else other than Kuon beats Hagemi Shousen in her brainwashed state, Hagemi Shousen will enter a comatose state, only being freed from it when whoever beats her is able to beat Kuon. Then, Hagemi Shousen would return to the state she was in before this match with me begins," he whispered into the DESPER.