4.0 - All Over the World

Timeline Alpha

Japan

Tokyo

2000.01.01

00:21:13 Japan Standard Time

“What do you mean ‘in fire’?” questioned Shirona.

“Just as I said,” explained Kurono, “in every iteration, the distant sky turned to fire in one second, and I was obliterated in the next.”

“Do you have any clue what could have caused it?” asked Rei.

“Maybe it is something from here... but I don't think the cause is of this world,” answered Kurono.

“Do you have something in mind?” questioned Rei.

“Well, we were six Heroes in total. All of them got reincarnated somewhere around the world, and most of them might be capable of such a feat. Then there is the possibility that some or all of the demons of the other realm have been invading,” said Kurono.

“If a hero is responsible, we have four candidates,” said Kurono. “We can rule out the Hero of Body. The Hero of Mind could have used their powers of mind reading, telepathy, and mind control to cause some of this world's leaders to use a doomsday weapon, but she would need to be driven into a corner to resort to something like this.”

“The Hero of Space could have teleported a large asteroid or something similar and made it fall on the planet,” said Kurono. “The Hero of Energy could have changed the fusion and fission Energy properties and ignited the atmosphere, and the Hero of Matter could have done something similar by transmuting stable elements into radioactive elements or transmuting parts of the atmosphere into a highly reactive substance.”

“So, which of them do you judge to be most likely to be the origin of this disaster?” questioned Rei.

“I think the Hero of Energy or the Hero of Matter are the most likely origins,” said Kurono.

“Both were quick to anger. The Hero of Matter left a more stable impression on me. As for the Hero of Space and the Hero of Mind... the former would likely only resort to doing something like this if they are driven into a corner, and the later might be responsible for cornering them.”

“Depending on who is responsible for this,” Kurono said, “the Hero of Mind might be our best option to stop them. And if the Hero of Space is not the one at fault, their ability to travel would be a great boon to our efforts."

“Fine with me,” said Rei.

“There is just one problem,” said Kurono.

“That being?” asked Rei.

“The Hero of Mind has a crush on the Hero of Space.” said Kurono, “But it is not mutual. The Hero of Space hates their guts.”

“So, change in plans?” asked Rei.

“No, I still think tracking those two first is our best option to solve this whole mess,” said Kurono.

“So, where do we start?” asked Shirona.

“The Hero of Mind was reincarnated in the USA, in Los Angeles,” said Kurono, “and the Hero of Space in Paris, France. The Hero of Mind always departed towards Paris.”

“That leaves us with the question of how we can get there in time and find them,” said Rei.

“Now that is the real question,” said Kurono.

"Regular last minute airline tickets might be our only real option." said Rei "But I don't think we will be able to get 3 of them for multiple desired destinations in series."

“I might have a solution for that,” said Shirona. “But I would really prefer it if we wouldn't have to resort to this.”

“Why?” asked Rei. “What do you have in mind?”

“It's more of a whom, not a what,” said Shiron and sighed.

“Remember that rich junior of mine from way back?” asked Shirona.

“The stalker from your old private girls school?” asked Rei.

“Yes.” said Shirona, “As far as I know, Yuki’s family has access to a number of private jets. But I am sure that asking her for a favor will come with a hefty price.”

“I once told her I wouldn't even consider her if we were the last two people on the planet.” said Shirona, “But certain death is a bit of a different incentive.”

“And if we make our intentions clear to her and invite her to my following?” asked Kurono.

“That might not be the best idea.” said Shirona “But we should keep it as an option if she doesn't cooperate or things go south. Normally I'd say 'Only over my dead body.' But depending on the mechanism behind your time shenanigans, we might have bitten the dust three times already, and I'd prefer not to add to that number.”

“Fine with me,” said Kurono. “So... how do we contact her and get her to join us?”

“Oh, believe me, that is the easy part.” said Shirona. “The hard part will be getting rid of her once this is all over.”