Misuna's Choice

Shien and Mivangeline regrouped with the party in Tetrachrome, telling them the unfortunate news of Phoenicia and Ampyria's capture. Mivangeline told them everything she and Shien learned about the Dynastiotron faction.

"If we board the wartram, we'll find the Dynastiotron Village, face the boss, and save our android friends," Mivangeline briefed.

The friends then decided to use the Saberdome Arena's teleportation bay to head for Zinthesia City. Naivern suggested asking her weaponsmith android guide, Zirconessa, for help in their counterattack.

***

Meanwhile, in the grassy outskirts of Tetrachrome, Thalamoid entered the Syanic Earth. Her magenta lightning-shaped eyes glowed as she foliage and the sunset above the colorful city of Tetrachrome. Finally, the gas-masked droid woman checked on the hacked profile the Federation provided her.

Thalamoid held her tuning fork scythe, looking around to make sure nobody else was present. After deciding it was clear, she swiped tabs to make contact.

"Cyroid," Thalamoid called. "I have arrived without a hitch."

"Very good, Thalamoid," Cyroid's hologram appeared.

With neatly layered purple hair, Cyroid wore red cybernetic goggles along with a dark blue suit. "Your entrance into the Syanic Earth with Project Zeruqkchiyion was 100% successful. Don't you think, High Visionary?"

"Indeed! Maika's project is a go!" Joltiarre's hologram appeared beside him.

"Thalamoid, you should have the program Zeruqkchiyion and a target list in your profile," Cyroid informed as Thalamoid checked.

"Once Zeruqkchiyion is given to the players, it will send them back into the real world with amnesia," Joltiarre stroked her scepter. "Maika's reformation centers will then assimilate them into Reaper Squad commandos for the Global Federation."

Thalamoid opened the target list from her item storage and analyzed her map of Syanic Earth. The map contained moving red and blue dots with player names on top.

"The list contains all players within the Syanic Earth. Blue targets are those you will program Zeruqkchiyion with. Red ones are hostiles you may kill on sight," Cyroid instructed. "Your main target is UICA Commander Mivangeline Shuruuko, who plans to lead her party to beat the game. If the players are free, we will lose control of the American public. Understood?"

"Yes, Cyroid," Thalamoid then noticed a familiar name among the millions of players. "Well, Shien Niang is in the Syanic Earth! Oh, Isrina, that tiny chickadee is going to find his head out of place!"

Joltiarre lifted her index finger. "No, Thalamoid. You may not kill Shien."

"What? Why? Only if I kill him, Isrina will realize I'm her true child!"

"Shien is a vital piece of the Revelation Concerto. The prophecy will force all Vulpi to die in their war with the demons," Cyroid warned. "This is Fanghui's endgame that you will not deviate from. Are we clear?"

Thalamoid grumbled through her gas mask. "Fine."

"I'll notify Colonel Maika of Zeruqkchiyion's success. Now, I must return to my duty of overseeing the Samsara Crinoid. Hail, Fanghui!"

Thalamoid and Joltiarre saluted as Cyroid's hologram faded.

"Oh, Thalamoid, do you remember my meager request? Yes?" Joltiarre grinned.

"Yes, High Visionary," Thalamoid swiped away the target list. "If I find Mivangeline, I shall kneel her to you before I kill her."

"Perfect," Joltiarre tipped her glasses. "Keep me in touch. Hail, Fanghui!"

***

"Master Fermato, it was about time you arrived," The red-haired soldier clutched his rifle. "So, these are the two girls you kept on blabbering about in your report. You got some explaining to do."

In the dark mall, the other SHRIKE rebels surrounded Misuna and Calice.

"Oh, come on, Fujima! Ahem, Sergeant Misshia. These two young ladies needed my help, and I simply thought they could have refuge here. Common sense, right?" Fermato smiled until his back spasmed, making his cello horse snort in laughter. "Ouch! My back! Shut up, Echelus!"

"Oh, brother," Fujima looked at Calice. "So, what's your story?"

"Uh, we escaped from Hernamidos' lab," Calice mumbled. "It's a long story."

Fujima blinked in confusion, then looked at Misuna. "Okay, how about you?"

Misuna looked around her, intimidated by the gun-wielding soldiers surrounding her.

"She's been through a lot," Calice covered for Misuna.

"I want to hear it from her," Fujima said.

"Why is she dressed in black- wait. She has the Kneapexist Emblem!" A SHRIKE rebel shouted. "She's a spy!"

The soldiers raised their guns at Misuna.

"Woah! Hold on!" Master Fermato ran next to Misuna.

"Why in the world would you bring a Reaper Squad commando here?" Sergeant Misshia asked. "Do you want us to die?"

"Of course not, Mr. Fujima! Hernamidos gave her the boot. She's not part of the Federation anymore and is looking for a new life!"

"That's a lame story."

"But it's true," Calice stood next to Misuna.

"Psst, did I remember the story well?" Fermato whispered to Calice.

Calice nodded, trying not to roll her eyes.

Fujima sighed, signaling the men to lower their weapons.

"Okay, how about this? She can stay alive until I tell the General. We let him decide what to do with her. In the meantime, you watch her. If she tries anything, we'll-"

"Fair enough!" Fermato grabbed Calice and Misuna's arms. "Let's go, my ladies!"

In the dark subway, soldiers cleaned their weapons as Vulpi kids chased each other across the walkway, playing tag.

"Here, Misuna," Fermato gave her a spare jacket. "You may want to put this on for now."

"T-thanks," Misuna placed the jacket over her commando outfit.

"Master Fermato," Oreic walked out of the medical room with Seniel. "Where have you been?"

"Ah, you see. It's quite a tale," Fermato hugged Oreic. "And Master Seniel! How are you?"

"Your long absence soaked our minds with worry," Seniel bowed. "We have much to catch up on."

"Oreic!" Calice jumped to hug him.

"Hey, Calice!" Oreic gave Shien's friend a bear hug. "I'm so glad you're alright!"

"Is the rest of the squad okay?"

"Well, Shien and Nashura are there in the medical-"

"Yay!" Calice jolted towards the room with her electrical super speed only to bonk her head onto the rocky wall. "Aiya! I can't aim!"

Oreic gasped. "She has ZNA powers?"

"Calice was experimented on by Hernamidos," Fermato explained. "That's why."

"Is that you, Calice?" Nashura ran out to hug Calice. "Hullo, Boba Girl!"

"Nash! I missed you! Where's the shortie?" Calice jumped into the medical room squeezing Shien's face. "Aw, there he is! Too bad he can't fight back!"

"Uh, who are you?" Isrina walked up behind Calice. "Why are you touching my Little Chickadee?"

"Hi, ow!" Calice tripped over the bed's feet. "You're, Isrina, right? It's nice to meet you! I'm Calice."

"Calice? I think Shien mentioned you're a social worker."

"Yes!" Calice shook hands with Isrina.

"Nice to meet you in person. I'm glad Shien has so many good friends."

Oreic noticed Misuna hiding behind Fermato's back. "Who's that?"

"Calice escaped with this young girl," Fermato placed his hand on Misuna's shoulder. "Masters, this is Misuna. Misuna, meet Masters Oreic and Seniel."

"Pleasure to meet you!" Oreic wanted to shake her hand but Misuna hesitated.

"It's alright," Fermato elbowed her. "Oreic is a friendly chap."

Misuna slowly shook the Vulpi's hand, surprised to see Oreic smile at her.

"Now, if you'll excuse us, we have something to show Misuna!" Fermato then grabbed Misuna and Calice and zoomed off with Echelus.

"What the? Now? We need to catch up!" Oreic shouted.

"Later!"

"What? Come on, seriously?"

"Hey, Oreic!" Niode ran out of the medical room, waving the map in his hand. "I did it! I found Choro Emplexion!"

***

Master Fermato led Misuna and Calice in a dome-shaped room surrounded by rocky walls with beds encircled around the center. People with visors lay on the beds as the SHRIKE soldiers watched over their unconscious family members. Three Vulpi children sat in the center of the circular room, making origami figures.

"Master Fermato!" A Vulpi girl with purple hair jumped up.

"Hello, young Myia! Making some musical creations with Verdun and your sister, I see?" Fermato sat down with the kids.

"Look! I made a swan!"

"Amazing work, Myia! Such beauty in small art!" Fermato held the swan, showing it to Calice and Misuna. "Come, you two! Look at this beautiful swan!"

"Aw! So cute!" Calice joined. "Myia, right? I'm Calice! Nice to meet you!"

Misuna watched from afar as Calice introduced herself to the kids.

"This is Echelus!" The little Verdun showed Fermato an orange origami horse. "I thought he would like it."

Echelus looked at the figure and nodded with a neigh.

"It seems that my humble steed enjoys your wondrous creation, Verdun!" Fermato rubbed Echelus on the back. "Misuna! What are you doing? Get over here!"

"Eh? Me?" Misuna hid behind a wall.

"Yes, for Makiyu's sake!"

"Come on, Misuna!" Calice dragged her to the center. "It'll be fun!"

"But they're Vulpi."

"Time for you to socialize with Vulpi for the first time!"

Calice plopped her down in front of the three Vulpi children.

"This is Misuna!" Fermato introduced her to the kids. "She would like to see your creations too!"

Misuna gasped. "Wait, what?"

"Hello, Misuna," Myia scooted over to her. "My name is Myia. Can I sit next to you?"

Misuna scooched away until Calice elbowed her. "Relax, Misuna! She wants to show you something!"

"Want to look at my paper lotus?" Myia asked Misuna.

The purple-haired Vulpi girl held up an origami lotus flower made with different paper colors. With a yellow center, the flower budded with pink petals surrounded by green paper leaves.

"Look at that, Misuna!" Calice held the lotus. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"It's lovely, I guess," Misuna adjusted her glasses.

"Yay!" Myia wagged her purple tail. "She likes it!"

"Sis," The other girl gave Myia a hairpin. "For her hair."

"Good idea," Myia nodded. "Misuna, this is my little sister, Dyiva!"

"H-hello," The small Vulpi girl with ruffled purple hair waved sheepishly.

Misuna also awkwardly waved. These Vulpi kids are sweet. They're nothing like how the Academy taught us!

"Here, Misuna. This is for you," Myia attached the flower to the hairpin.

Myia leaned over Misuna to place the origami accessory on her orange hair. Startled, Misuna moved away.

"What's wrong?" Myia's Vulpi ears drooped. "You don't like it?"

"Oh, it's not that," Calice took the hairpin. "She's never been with cute kids like you! I'll give it to her."

Calice turned to Misuna. "Hey, it's okay. It's just a hairpiece."

"It's not a detonator of some sort?"

"What? No, Misuna. Don't be ridiculous. Here."

Calice attached the lotus hairpin to Misuna's hair.

"Aw! You look so cute with that!" Calice clapped her hands.

"Misuna looks pretty," Verdun nodded. "Right, Master Fermato?"

"Oh, my, indeed!" Fermato chuckled as Echelus nodded with a huff. "You think so too, Echelus? Our musical minds think alike!"

"Misuna," Myia held a small pink mirror. "You look like an angel!"

Why are these kids treating me like a friend? Misuna looked in the mirror. These kids are just as adorable as human kids!

"Master Fermato!" Verdun tugged his sleeve. "We also gave flowers to Elysia too!"

"Did you?" Fermato checked on Elysia's unconscious body surrounded by origami flowers. "You kids are too kind. Elysia will love this!"

Misuna then remembered something and asked to go to the bathroom.

***

The night before, Fermato and Calice slept beside Echelus and their campfire in a ruined deli. Misuna's wrist gear picked up a call from Kumiciel.

"Hey, babe," Kumiciel's hologram smiled. "I know I'm probably the last person you want to see, and I don't blame you. I want to apologize for everything."

Misuna crept outside so the others wouldn't hear their conversation.

"Kumiciel, why?" Misuna asked. "Why didn't you help me?"

"Look, Misuna. The General was in a bad mood, and you know how he is. But after he cooled off, I talked to him. So, I convinced Hernamidos to give you another chance! It wasn't easy, but we came up with a compromise."

Misuna looked at Fermato and Calice to make sure they weren't awake. "What sort of compromise?"

"The General is willing to take you back as long as you prove yourself to him."

"How do I do that?"

"Every time we chat, we're able to pinpoint your location. According to the droid scouts, you're with the fugitive Calice and a Vultau master, correct?"

Misuna nodded.

"Good, Hernamidos suspects that the master could lead us to the SHRIKE base. Once that master takes you there, contact me. We'll strike our enemies down and take you and Calice back."

"So all I have to do is help find the SHRIKE base," Misuna scratched her hair. "Then, I can go home?"

"Yeah! We can finally be together again! Isn't that great?"

"Yes, but do you care about me?"

"Of course I do! And I am deeply sorry about forcing you into that simulation capsule, I should've compromised with you just like I did with Hernamidos."

"Thank you for telling Hernamidos to give me another chance," Misuna cried.

"Of course. Now get some rest, babe. Hail Fanghui!"

***

Misuna closed herself in the rugged makeshift stall. She stared at her wrist gear, debating whether to contact Kumiciel or not.

Fermato welcomed me and those Vulpi kids gave me this hairpin. They treated me like a friend. They weren't savages as the Academy told us. But if I press it, I'll finally be reunited with Kumiciel. I won't be alone anymore, right? I can't imagine a life without his love!