And slaps you dead across the face.
The stinging pain and surprise brings you out of your stupor, and you nearly drop your bag. You curse creatively and clutch at the place you were struck with your free left hand.
“Where the hell have you been, you stupid asshole? Gone for literal years and now you show up out of nowhere like nothing ever happened?” Her whole demeanor has quickly changed to completely livid- she's shaking and nearly crying.

Suddenly, you remember her name.
Shelby. She served with you in Ikaruga.
Thank God, she was never romantically involved with you. That would have been awkward. She's the medic, you think.

>”S-Shelby? What are you doing here?”
>”What the hell is wrong with you? I come back and the first thing you do is slap me?”
>”Calm down... It's a lot to explain.”
>”Wait... five years?”
>”I was dead, literally. It is a really long story, and I don't want to get into it at the moment.”
>”C-Can we talk about this later?”
>Write-In

>>40935556
>”Wait... five years?”
>”I was dead, literally. It is a really long story, and I don't want to get into it at the moment.”
Hey man

>>40935556
>>”Wait... five years?”
>”I was dead, literally. It is a really long story, and I don't want to get into it at the moment.”

>>40935556
>>”S-Shelby? What are you doing here?”
>”Wait... five years?”
>”I was dead, literally. It is a really long story, and I don't want to get into it at the moment.”

>>40936002
>>40936191

“Wait... Five YEARS?” You balk. Nearly half a decade, gone? When? How?
Shelby confirms this. “Yes, YEARS! Everyone thought you were dead for good! All this time and you never thought to write or anything?” She's breaking down into tears. “Your mom was nearly destroyed when she found out! Don't you realize how many people you've hurt?”
You try to comfort her, but she shoves your hands off of her shoulders. Either way, you continue speaking to her. ”I was dead, literally. It is a really long story, and I don't want to get into it at the moment.”
“Well, that's not stopping you now, is it?” Her face is still angry, even though she seems to be relieved at your presence.
You have no answer for her.

She stares at the ground for a bit, wiping a few tears from her eyes. “Nobody else came... because they thought it was some sort of sick joke. We... need to go back and show them.”
Noel steps outside. She and Shelby share a bit of a moment, the former being noticably more intimidated than the latter.
Vermillion squirms under the pressure. “Um... Ben...”
“I'm not his girlfriend, before you ask.” Shelby snarls. “Are you?”
Noel doesn't answer, too scared to speak.

“Move aside, Vermillion.” Jin strides down the walk off of the airship and looks at Shelby coldly.
“What business do you have here? This is extremely important.”
“Extremely important?” Shelby fumes. “One of my best friends has been gone and dead for five years! I'd say that's pretty damn important!” She's very close to punching Jin.
“Jin... She's right.” Noel nods. “It's probably been a while since they've seen him... Can't we let them go for a little bit?” She seems a little nervous saying this, but looks at you with trust.
Your turn to speak.

>Jin, Shelby is right. It's been too long since I've been here, and I need to explain some things.
>Shelby, I'd love to go with you, but a lot of things are at stake right now.
>Write-In

>>40936249
Whipser"Jin, Remember the holes in my defense I told you about? This could get them away safely before He could capitalize on them."

Shelby I can go with you, but It has to be quick. For your own safety.

>>40936302
>>40936249
Sure

>>40936302
>>40936349
You recall that Relius Clover and Hazama both have it out for people close to you. This could be bad, if you go with them. However, you need to make apologies and answer some questions.
You turn to Kisaragi and whisper, “Jin. You need to make sure that *they* don't act while I'm meeting back up with my family and friends.”

Turning back to your former medic, you explain.“Shelby, I can go with you, but it has to be quick. For your own safety. “
Shelby looks at you with suspicion. “What do you mean, 'your own safety'? Is the Zero...” She glances behind you and her eyes widen in alarm as she sees Tsubaki. “Oh.”
She grabs your hand and looks at Noel. “Sorry... I need to borrow your boyfriend for a few hours.”
“It's fine...” Noel responds and looks back at what Shelby is scared of, not realizing that it;s Tsubaki she's referencing.

Shelby drags you off to the side and checks to make sure you're not being followed.
When she's sure you two are safe, she draws you close and asks, “When did you get a Zero Squadron member on your tail? What did you do?”

>”Oh, her? She's apparently my sister.”
>”That's Tsubaki Yayoi. She's friendly.”
>”Actually, it's not them we have to worry about at the moment.” (Explain what's going on with Hazama and Relius)
>”Where are we going first?”
>”What's wrong with the Zero Squadron?”
>Write-In

>>40936521
>”Oh, her? She's apparently my sister.”
>”That's Tsubaki Yayoi. She's friendly.”
Again long story
If she and her cohorts were all that was after me or against me I'd be fine.... Probably. If you can gather everyone quickly I can maybe explain.

>>40936521
Wow, uh, that should be
>Not realizing it's Tsubaki she's afraid of.
Ambiguous grammar is ambiguous.

>>40936521
>>”Oh, her? She's apparently my sister.”
>>”That's Tsubaki Yayoi. She's friendly.”

>>40936572
>>40936643
”Oh, her?” You look back, to see no-one following you. “That's Tsubaki Yayoi. She's friendly. And also apparently my sister.”
Shelby grits her teeth. “Are you shitting me? What the hell have you landed yourself into?” She shakes her head. “I swear, if you're lying to me, I'll kick your tail from here to Ikaruga!”
“It's the truth! I said it was a long story!”
“Never mind that, we're taking the rail. Mind explaining how a Duodecim heir is your sister?” She rubs her temples as if having a headache.
You are hesitant to speak. “Well, the Yayois... Are weird when it comes to kids.”
“No shit, incest is the worst. No offense.” She apologizes.
You shrug. “None taken. So apparently I was supposed to be dead, but didn't die and was raised as an orphan.”
“That sounds like something out of a cheap action flick.” You two turn a corner and a rail come into view a few hundred meters away.
“Well, they apparently dug up the birth certificate, and I had a chat with my alleged dad. I was supposed to be married to Tsubaki, you know.” You cringe at that.
“Alright, well, how about explaining why you were DEAD?” Shelby glares at you. “You were killed by the Mad Dog, right? How'd you live?”

>”No, I was killed by Ragna. What story did you get?”
>”I don't really remember how I was killed, only that I wound up in Kagutsuchi about a week and a half ago.”
>”It's something to do with repeating timelines. I'm not sure how, but once after I was killed, I went back to the same spot I remember appearing first in time.”
>”My memories are screwed. That's part of the reason I'm coming with you.”
>”Why were you so afraid of Tsubaki, anyways?”
>Write-In

>>40936867
>>”I don't really remember how I was killed, only that I wound up in Kagutsuchi about a week and a half ago.”
>”My memories are screwed. That's part of the reason I'm coming with you.”

>>40936867
>”I don't really remember how I was killed, only that I wound up in Kagutsuchi about a week and a half ago.”
>>”My memories are screwed. That's part of the reason I'm coming with you.”

File: Ikarugan Ninja Small.png (25 KB, 200x200)

25 KB PNG

>>40936925
>>40937065

Killed by the Mad Dog? That doesn’t make sense.
But when has anything ever made sense here?
You step through a tiny gate and Shelby pulls out her NOL identification to pass through. Hastily, you do the same.
There aren't a lot of people on board- and most of them look tired.
As you two sit down away from the others, you continue. “I don't really remember how I was killed, only that I wound up in Kagutsuchi about a week and a half ago.” You shift nervously and continue. “My memories are screwed. That's part of the reason I'm coming with you.”
“Wh-what? So you basically got lobotomized?” Shelby looks horrified. “When? How much did they take?”
As the tram begins to move, you are about to answer, but a man in traditional Ikarugan ninja garb reading a newspaper catches your glance. His whole face is obscured, but he seems to be watching you.

>”Do you notice him?” (Point out the ninja).
>”I'm not sure how many memories I have and how many were taken. Most of them involving you guys seem to be easy to regain if I see stuff around here.”
>”I'm going to try and see if I can remember this city. Just give me a second.”
>”It wasn't the NOL. It was someone else.”
>”I was sent to do something. I'm not sure what exactly, anymore, but it was originally to kill Ragna the Bloodedge.”
>Write-In

>>40937232
>>”Do you notice him?” (Point out the ninja).
>”It wasn't the NOL. It was someone else.”
>>”I'm not sure how many memories I have and how many were taken. Most of them involving you guys seem to be easy to regain if I see stuff around here.”

>>40937232
>”I'm not sure how many memories I have and how many were taken. Most of them involving you guys seem to be easy to regain if I see stuff around here.”
>”It wasn't the NOL. It was someone else.”
>”Do you notice him?” (Point out the ninja).
Have a sound ars ready for a stun/intercept if he moves. Also keep an eye out for his buddies. He might be a clever boy.

>>40937312
>>40937335

You sigh in defeat. “I'm not sure how many memories I have and how many were taken. Most of them involving you guys seem to be easy to regain if I see stuff around here.” You try not to take your look away from the ninja. “Besides... It wasn't the NOL who took my memories. It was someone else.”
“What? Who?” Shelby is listening intently. “Sector Seven?”
“Can't say, at the moment. It might cause more problems.”

As Shelby is about to respond, you silence her. “Do you notice him? The ninja reading the paper?”
Her eyes slowly slip to the side to follow your glance to the Ikarugan, before dilating in alarm.
You look around for possible allies of his. None seem to be around.
Slowly, the ninja puts the paper down, crosses his arms, and slowly shifts himself towards you two.
He is soon sitting across from you two, but he has not spoken, yet.

Shelby glares at him. “What do you want? Here for Ben?”
“No, not quite.” The man responds gruffly. The voice has a heavy Russian accent, but still seems familiar a bit. You don't know why.
“So what, then?”
“Here for answers. What are you doing here, 'Ben Herald'?”
His mask turns towards you.

>”I'm visiting my home. What are you doing?”
>”And who might you be?”
>”Why do I get the impression you don't think I'm the real deal?”
>”Are you picking a fight? This'll be the second time I won one on a train.”
>Stay silent.
>Write-In

>>40937524
>>”I'm visiting my home. What are you doing?”

>>40937524
>>”I'm visiting my home. What are you doing?”
>”And who might you be?”
If you're going to pick a fight please do so OFF the fucking train. Last one was a mess and I'm not eager to re-enact it.

>>40937577
>>40937604

“And who might you be?” You lean forward towards him. “I'm currently visiting my home. What are YOU doing?”

He does not respond, and does not move. He seems to be sizing you up.
“If you want to pick a fight, please do so off the fucking train.” You sigh. “Last time was a mess, and I don't want to re-enact it.”
Shelby shifts closer to you. “Would you just go? He's nt hurting anyone, and has been a lot more help than you guys have!”
The ninja turns towards Shelby, and she looks back at him with a solid gaze. “Well? Are you gonna leave?”

The tram clatteres as buildings are passed by. There are restaurants, a candy shop, and some stores of various types. It seems as though you are passing through the shopping district.
The ninja looks outside. “It's been so long since I've been here as well... This city is beautiful, just like I remember it.” His tone is nostalgic.
The ninja shifts back over and takes up the newspaper. “You would do well to regain your memories quickly. Things are turning for the worse. I am here to aid my master.”
He opens up the newspaper again and acts like the coversation never happened.

>”So when are we getting off, Shelby?”
>”You know, being mysterious isn't helping your case.”
>”Do you mean Bang Shsihigami?”
>”How do you know about my memories?”
>”whatever. What do you want to talk about, Shelby?”
>Write-In

Slipping, again. Let me get my caffeine for the night.

>>40937796
>”You know, being mysterious isn't helping your case.”
Seriously whenever someone starts that it usually ends up with me ripping their plans up on accident.
and
>”How do you know about my memories?”
My hearing isn't even that good.

>>40937796
>”You know, being mysterious isn't helping your case.”
>”Do you mean Bang Shsihigami?”
>”How do you know about my memories?”
And I made it just in time

>>40937900
>>40937956

”You know, being mysterious isn't helping your case.” You shake your head. “Seriously, whenever someone starts that it usually ends up with me ripping their plans up on accident.”
He looks back up, but still says nothing. The car continues to move down its rails, and passes by a liquor store.
”How do you know about my memories, anyways? Even my hearing isn't even that good.”
He snorts. “*You* haven't undergone the training of an Ikarugan ninja. Our mastery of senses far exceeds the average human's.” He seems quite proud about this, and puts down the newspaper.
“Well, that's fantastic.” Shelby says. “I'm sure your master is very proud of how well you eavesdrop.”
The Ikarugan simply turns his gaze towards Shelby with disdain.

“Speaking of your master, you mean Bang Shishigami, don't you?” You recall the hobo-like ninja master.
This garners a nod. “You are correct. Master Shishigami is an excellent teacher, which is likely why you've heard of him. While Jin Kisaragi had to rely on a Nox Nyctores, Master Bang fights only with his training, his trusty Shiruken, and of course, the Rettenjo, entrusted to him by Lord Tenjo himself.”

He stands up, clenching a fist. “Now, my stop is appearing. I must take my leave. As far as I know, you are an honorable warrior, even to Master Bang. Do not disappoint the standard you have set for yourself.”
Before you or Shelby can react, he flips backwards out of a window and lands safely on his feet before dashing off.

The newspaper remains. Shelby picks it up, and reads the cover.
“Excecution of Ragna the Bloodedge announced.” She raises an eyebrow and hold the paper out to you. “Did you know you were the keynote speaker, or did they take that memory, too?”

>”I do now. I hate politics.”
>”Shelby... You can't come to the execution.”
>”Do you have any idea who that was?”
>”So what's happened while... I was dead?”
>Write-In

>>40938221
>>”I do now. I hate politics.”
Makes sense though, I did catch him.
>”So what's happened while... I was dead?”

>>40938221
>”I do now. I hate politics.”
>”So what's happened while... I was dead?”

>>40938300
>>40938330
”I do now. I hate politics.” you take the paper and growl.
Sure enough, there you are. They even have a photo of you. It's the same as your ID photo.
“Yeah, I didn't see you as the kind of guy to get caught up in speeches.” Shelby laughs.

You watch the cityscape turn a little gloomier, the restaraunts you pass by lowering in quality and liquor stores replacing luxury sellers as you two wait in silence. The city's seemingly glamorous appearance is being replaced with signs of decay and corruption.

After a while, you drop the bombshell question, hesitantly. ”So what's happened while... I was dead?”
Shelby's smile turns back to a frown. “The NOL has gotten more restrictive since the War. Nobody's really willing to speak out about it anymore. Greg nearly got dishonorably discharged after some of the guys in his unit got caught under the charges of suubversion.”

The medic looks outside with weary eyes, scanning the lesser-off areas. “If... If I was afraid of the Zero Squadron, it's because they make anyone who gets loud enough 'disappear'. You can never prove it, but the day before and the day after, those creeps show up and glower at you without saying a word.”
Turning to you, she queries, “Tsubaki... She wouldn't do that, would she?”

>”She wouldn't. Her sense of justice is too strong.”
>”She might. She is still devoted to what she thinks is the NOL's ideals.”
>”She would, sadly. I think they've gotten too far with her.”
>”We would never let it happen.”
>”You said 'subversion? What were they trying to subvert?”
>”Are we getting close?”
>”How's Greg doing?”
>”What about you?”
>Write-In

>>40938585
>”She wouldn't. Her sense of justice is too strong.”
>”We would never let it happen.”
>”You said 'subversion? What were they trying to subvert?”
>”What about you?”

>>40938585
>>”She wouldn't. Her sense of justice is too strong.”
Her compatriots on the other hand,
>”We would never let it happen.”
and I can pull rank
>”You said 'subversion? What were they trying to subvert?”
Probably bullshit charges, right? Or pointing out the blatant idiocy in some of the policies and training.
>”How's Greg doing?”
>”What about you?”

>>40938654
>>40938675
You know Tsubaki. She would never stoop that low. ”She wouldn't. Her sense of justice is too strong.” You tilt your head in deference. “Her compatriots on the other hand, might. And even if she did get close to people like them, we would never let it happen.”
You smirk. “Plus, I can pull rank.”
Shelby smiles. “You really are just like I remember. I thought you might have changed, but you've still got your old do-right attitude and strong spirit.”
You wave attention away from yourself. ”You said 'subversion? What were they trying to subvert? Probably bullshit charges, right? Or pointing out the blatant idiocy in some of the policies and training.” You cough. “Seriously, a lot of the stuff we do is a joke.”
She looks down. “No... It had to do with documents on Sector Seven. Greg told me... That some of them said that Sector Seven instigated the Ikarugan War to create another Black Beast.”
“Another Black Beast?” You blink in surprise. “But the last time that happened, the world was nearly destroyed! Are they crazy?”
“They thought they could control it, I guess.” She leaned back. “For genius scientists, those guys really are stupid.”
You put the thought aside. ”How's Greg doing?”
“Greg does patrols as a regular officer, and managed to snag a spot near the orphanage. He visits from time to time when nobody else is checking in on him.”
“Sounds nice of him. What about you?”
Shelby blushes. “Me? Uh, I just direct bicycle traffic in the shopping district. Nothing big-shot like you or nice like Greg.” She shrugs. “I guess I'm a little selfish.
The tram starts to slow down. “This is our stop.”
There are some children playing with a red rubber ball on a nearby sidewalk, and they stare at you when you step off of the tram.

>Walk up to the children
>”Are those from the orphanage?”
>”What happened to this place?”
>”Which way are we going?”
>”Is Greg around here?”
>Write-In

>>40938912
>”Are they from the orphanage?”
>”What happened to this place?”
>”Is Greg around here?”
>”Which way are we going?”
Too much change and too little memory.

Check for followers.

>>40938912
>”Are those from the orphanage?”
>”What happened to this place?”
>”Is Greg around here?”

>>40938962
>>40938969

”Are they from the orphanage?” You point at the children.
Shelby shakes her head. “No, they must be kids from some family that lives around here.”

As you look around, you see a place from long ago. The paint isn't chipped as much, the sidewalks aren't broken as badly, everything seemed brighter than it is now. And you remember Shelby as a smiling little girl rather than as a somewhat-gloomy soldier.

”What happened to this place?” you look around with anticipation.
The memories are right on the tip of your tongue! You just know it! Places you used to play with your friends! Secret hiding spots! Old toys! Everything!
“The NOL has been holding out on money recently... Says it's about recovering from the war.” She shakes her head. “Who's recovering, I wonder?”

”Is Greg around here?” You look for your darker-skinned friend. You feel the need to talk to him.
“No, he's probably at the orphanage.” She stares at you. “You're a little intense right now.”
“I'm really close to remembering a lot more, Shelby.” You turn to her eagerly. ”Which way are we going?”
She points to your left and you see a white house with a black roof.
That's it. That's it, right there, as you remember it. Even your muscles relax, as if remembering the safety of the orphanage.
It's time to go home.

>Rush to the orphanage.
>>”Sorry, but I've just gotta get back.”
>>”Mom...”
>Wait for Shelby.
>>”Let's go together.”
>>”Can you help me re-introduce myself?”
>Write-In

>>40939163
>>Wait for Shelby.
>>”Can you help me re-introduce myself?”
Prepare for a rush of memories/mental pain

>>40939163
>>”Mom...
>Wait for Shelby.
>>”Let's go together.”
>>”Can you help me re-introduce myself?”

>>40939187
>>40939195

”Mom...”
You wonder what happened to your mother, Trish. You may have been born to the Yayois and aided by Rachel, but in the end, Trish is your real mother.
However, you restrain yourself and turn to Shelby. ”Let's go together.” You draw a tense breath. “Can you help me re-introduce myself?”
She smiles. “Of course I can. I'm sure she and the others will be excited to see you.”
You walk up to the old door. Shelby knocks.
From inside, you can hear scattered scurrying.
“Now knock it off! I didn't order anything! It must be one of the rent men, so just wait.”
The door opens to reveal a petite woman with hair that is almost completely white now. She is a bit miffed.
“I've told you a dozen times, the money is coming, so would you gentlemen-” Her eyes widen when she sees you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSFNl_2N5uo (Appropirate music)
“B...Ben?” She covers her mouth. “I thought... Colonel...” She begins to cry.
“In the flesh.” You take off your beret and hug her. She's a lot more frail than you remember, but her kindness remains.
“I...” She hugs you back, and begins to sob loudly. “I thought... I thought you...”
“I'm back, Mom. I'm back, and I'm not leaving for good anytime soon.” You look over her shoulder to see some of the children lookig at you with curiosity. One of them recognizes you.
“It's Ben! You know, the guy who fought Ragna! He's one of our big brothers!”
Some of them crowd around you. Shelby steps back a bit and covers her mouth, still smiling.

Man, it's getting a bit hard to see.
Huh. You left, and it was raining. And when you finally got back...
It's raining.

>”I kept my promise, Mom.”
>”I'm sorry I made you wait so long.”
>”Need help with dinner?”
>”Do you want to introduce me ot the new ones?”
>”The others have found jobs, I hope?”
>”Those guys asking for money won't be coming back any time soon.”
>Write-In

>>40939446
>”I kept my promise, Mom.”
>”I'm sorry I made you wait so long.”
>”Those guys asking for money won't be coming back any time soon.”
>”Do you want to introduce me ot the new ones?”

>>40939446
>”I kept my promise, Mom.”
>”I'm sorry I made you wait so long.”
>”Those guys asking for money won't be coming back any time soon.”
>”Do you want to introduce me ot the new ones?”
>Hope the one I don't see had a less rocky road than I did.

File: Spoiler Image (16 KB, 500x337)

16 KB JPG

>>40939529
>>40939560

S...Sorry for the slow posting. I must be some sort of softy.

”I kept my promise, Mom.” You let her cry into you. ”I'm sorry I made you wait so long.”
After a little time, she wipes her eyes and looks at you with the most genuine smile you've seen in your life. “I... Do you want dinner? I think we have some leftover salmon Greg left in the fridge.”

At the sound of his name, Greg peeks out from around a creaking door frame.
“What's all the noise about?” It takes him a few seconds to realize who you are, his confusion turning to excitement and then joy. “Ben?” He rushes over, nearly running through some of the orphans to get to you. “Where the hell have you been?”
“Watch your language!” Trish turns to the young man, who is slightly taller than you. “Don't you see the children?”
Greg puts up his hands in defense. “I just thought he was one of the tax guys is all! S-sorry!”
Shelby smirks. “It's alright, Trish. I didn't believe it at first, either.”

”Those guys asking for money won't be coming back any time soon.” You lean down. ”Do you want to introduce me to the new ones?”
“Well, there's Ann and Sable, and Josuha and Charlie, and David.” She points to each of the little children in turn.
Then she turns to you. “...I... I'm not sure what to do, now. The offer for dinner still stands.”
“Yeah, a good solid meal for hi return home!” Greg slaps you on the shoulder, and it actually kinda hurts.

>”I'd love to.”
>”I'd love to, but...”
>”Do you want me to help?”
>”I can play with the little ones while you're cooking, if you want.”
>Write-In

>>40939808
>>”I'd love to.”
The three of us need to talk after this, it's important.
>”I can play with the little ones while you're cooking, if you want."
Greg, Shelby keep a look out ok?

>>40939808
>”I'd love to.”
>”I can play with the little ones while you're cooking, if you want.”

>>40939852
>>40939887

You nod again. “I'd love to.” Screw it, Jin and the others can wait.
In fact, you're kinda saddened you didn't bring Noel to see the little kids here. They're so adorable that you just can't stand it.
“I'd like to talk to you all after this.” you say. “Just the four of us. But until then...”
You pinch Sable's cheek, and he pulls back with a tiny, cute pout, before sticking out his tongue.
“I can play with the little ones while you're cooking, if you want. And...”
You're a bit nervous when saying this. “Greg, Shelby... can you keep a look out?”
They look at each other and nod.
“Uh, sure, but why?” Greg asks. “Nobody's going to be out here tonight.”
“They might...” Shelby says. “With all that's going on... You never know.”
“Well, nobody is going to hurt my children. And I mean nobody.” Trish clenches her jaw. “I may be old, but I'm still a tough old bird where it counts.”
“Let's hope it doesn't come to that.” You shake your head. “What do you all want to play?” You turn to the children.
A small uproar of contradicting requests bustles around you.

…

Later, you're exhausted, somehow. Even fighting Ragna never did this sort of thing to you.
You shake your head and watch as the last of the orphans pours inside.
It's time for dinner.
With your final glance outside, you see the ninja from before, standing like a sentinel atop one of the street signs.
He turns his gaze to you, and nods, and goes back to watching.
You step inside, curious as to what he could be doing here, and who he is.

>Continue as Ben Herald
>Continue as Noel Vermillion
>Continue as Jin Kisaragi
>Continue as Newton
>Continue as Tsubaki
>Continue as... Ben Herald?

>>40940129
>>Continue as... Ben Herald?
Mystery box

>>40940152
Your name is Ben Herald.

You were killed by the Mad Dog Azrael of Sector Seven.
At least, that's what the report said.

You don't read reports any more. There are too many deaths.
Too many people mercilessly slaughtered -and for what?
A massacre led by the NOL? Thet you participated in?
But you've thrown all that away by now. You had to.

Even if it hurts you more than you can bear, you can't tell Trish that you're alive... that her boy never died in Ikaruga.
That he was picked up by the recovering Ikarugan forces after being shot in the chest by an unknown assailiant.
That he spent the last five years studying ninjutsu and repaying his life debt to the great Bang Shishigami.
That he has never been able to afford the time to return to his town until now, when the whole world is on the verge of destruction.

It's better this way, with this replacement. But you have to make sure he's not some sort of fake.
You overlook the scenic town, and realize your loneliness. There are no comrades, no Master here.

>Contemplate how you got here
>Consider the replacement
>Consider Iwatsuchi
>Consider your training
>Try to spy in on the conversation
>Stand guard
>Write-In

>>40940262
>Contemplate how you got here
>Consider the replacement
>Try to spy in on the conversation
>Stand guard
Wow time for a patented BB mindfuck.

>>40940308
>Wow time for a patented BB mindfuck.
I can explain it, too! Isn't it great?

>>40940308
When the Ars Magus artillery fired off, you had collapsed. It had deafened you, but you managed to crawl to your feet. You were picking up the Sergeant's rifle you had dropped when suddenly you were shot, the blast shattering your ribcage outright and nearly killing you.
Another man, with a gun, hovered over you. You weren't able to get a good look at his face before you blacked out.
Later, you woke up in Bang's care and, after you had recovered, trained in the arts of the ninja before doing a few missions to repay him. When you received a letter that an imposter of yours was moving about in America, you heeded the call almost immediately and set out to Iwatsuchi.

The replacement seems nice enough. You can't 'feel' any evil on him, like you were trained to do by Bang, but you're not sure if that 'sensing evil' technique really worked anyways.

You can't just take a chance, however.
Hopping off of the street sign, you make your way around to the back of the house, where you hear the four talking.

You peer around and seek signs of others present before listening in.

“...Like I said, Relius isn't to be trusted. He's willing to use you as leverage against me. I think it would be best if we could somehow get you out of here... But I don't know how.”
“Figures you bring back more trouble than you left with.”
“Shut up, Greg. Keep going, Ben.”
“There's a guy with him called 'Hazama'. Right now he's pretending to be captured, but I figure they're on the same side. I have some friends, and we're working on counteracting whatever sort of plan he's going to try. I think it involves collecting souls.”
“Souls? Why?”
“Wait... In the Ikarugan War, Sector Seven was trying to collect souls to make a Black Beast to use against the NOL. Do you think...”
Suddenly, you hear people approaching.

>Stay and listen
>Confront the newcomers
>Warn the others
>Watch the newcomers covertly
>Write-In

>>40940541
>>Warn the others
But don't let them no it was us.
>Watch the newcomers covertly

>>40940574
You move over in dead silence to where you can see the newcomers better. Then, with the use of your sound-controlling Drive, you take a portion of the sounds you hear, amplify them, and send them to where they can be heard by the others.
Judging by the response, they heard, and are entering the house. Excellent.
Now to judge the field.
There are some men in dark clothing carrying bats here.
“That old hag's never gonna pay up. Let's just get the money now”
“Wait, this is that old woman's house? But Leon said...”
“Screw that. Leon's too damn soft. Not like his dad. His dad knew how to get these stupid bastards to pay up. Now I'm getting that money whether you're coming in or not.”
“Man, fuck you. I'm not beating up an old lady. I'm out.”
The younger-sounding man drops his baseball bat and starts to leave. His former ally readies to swing at the 'deserter'.

Roll 2d6!

>Shiruken! Less accurate, but they won't know you're Ben!
>Sonic Blast! Subtlety isn't important here!
>Close-quarters Combat! You might be able to get to that bat before that bat gets to the not-thug's head!
>Write-In
(We're winding down for the night, I guess.)

Rolled 5, 2 = 7 (2d6)

>>40940721
>>Shiruken! Less accurate, but they won't know you're Ben!
About to fall out myself

>>40940849
>Shiruken (SUCCESS)
You pull out one of your trusty throwing knives and hurl it full-force at one of the hands holding the bat.
It hits him near enough in the wrist to get him to drop the bat entirely and grasp at his hand.
He turns around, but you ease out of sight just in time to hear the other four step outside.
“You... You're one of the thugs that showed up earlier!” Trish recongizes him, and the other three step outside as well.”
“I don't know what you're talking about, you old bitch!”
“Let's just go, man.” The younger one asks.
“Not before I found out who fucking stabbed me in the hand!”
“Stabbed you in the...What? We were in the back when you showed up?”
“It's not that ninja, is it?”
“What? Ninja? Like the stealthy guys?”
“Stealthy or not, I'm gonna crack his skull for this.” The older thug looks around, but can't seem to find you.

>Reveal yourself
>Stay hidden
>Another Shiruken (Roll 2d6)

Next post will be last post. Then, it's open question time.

>>40940968
>>Stay hidden

>>40941027
There's no need to engage such a dishonorable man in combat. You simply stay your course and study him from your position.
“Man, where is he?” The bleeding one is growling, nearly foaming at the mouth.
The younger one sighs. “Just chill, man. He's probably gone.”
The man in black you hit swallows his pain and glares at the others before storming off, followed by his counterpart.

After they leave, Greg breaks the silence. “Man, is there really a ninja here? I thought they were all from Ikaruga.”
“Did he follow us? What's going on?” Shelby looks at the blood and the bats.
“Never mind, just get back inside.” Trish waves the two other non-Majors in. “We'll just have to be wary.”

The counterpart stoops down near the bloody knife you threw, then looks over the area.
Then, concentrating, he scans over the area again, and now, you know that he knows where you are.
His eyes stop at you, but he says nothing to the others and merely picks up the knife.
While Trish, Greg, and Shelby leave, he stares at you for a few seconds before being prompted to follow.

As you fade into the night and search for a hotel in the main city, you start to wonder if the life you lead is really worth it.

…

Open question time. If you want to know why there are two Bens, I will explain.

>>40941178
Please explain also I'm about to sleep so this is my last post. Thanks for running!

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>>40941197
Alright.
What happened is this.

>Ghost Grimoire Enters Current Timeline
>Ghost Grimoire Aids Hiruko Yayoi
>Hiruko is adopted as Ben Herald
>Original Ben Herald Fights in Ikarugan War
>Original Ben Herald is Killed By Ragna
>Ghost Grimoire restores Ben's body and soul to original timeline
>Original Ben is registered as a 'new' person by Master Unit Amaterasu and Takamagahara.
>Original Ben has memories taken away by Ghost Grimoire
>Original Ben stays with Rachel
>Original Ben has memories taken away again, goes to Kagutsuchi
>Original Ben fights and is 'killed' by Hazama, but saved from total destruction by Rachel by use of Tsukiyomi Unit.
>New timeline starts.
>Old Timeline Ben stays with Rachel and Valkenheyn, raised as Rachel's child. His body never ages.
>New Hiruko/Ben is born, and protected by the Ghost Grimoire.
>New Ben enters Ikarugan War.
>Old Ben subdues New Ben under orders from Rachel and drops him off with Bang.
>Old Ben has memories wiped, appears in Kagutsuchi.
>Old Ben carries the gun. New Ben is the ninja.
>Pic related.

>>40941178
Explain it to me, and tell me if it's possible the family, both Bens, and the group will ever know the full truth.

>>40941383
So we are the original. and the ninja is the replacement, but he doesn't know that he is the replacement and the orginal is correct in assuming he is the orginal even though he also died that one time early on in the quest and was brought back. But he still is the original even after that Miss Vampire? lady who "created" us said that we were an artificial creation that only came into being because Noel believed in us so much. That means she lied and we were a real human all along.

Did I get that right?

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>>40941393
If they do, it will only be after Rachel has eliminated Terumi once and for all, and becomes the smuggest of lolis as a result.

>>40941432
Also, do we age or are we stuck with the Immortal's curse of never aging and watching our loved ones(Noel) age and die around us?

>>40941432
She thought you were created because she knew that the Ghost Grimoire was involved, and there was a 'new' Ben resulting from it.
She knew that alternate timeline her was responsible for creating the Ghost Grimoire, and incorrectly assumed you were the Ghost Grimoire in full, when you weren't.
In short, she was wrong, you're the original, and the ninja is the replacement, yes.
Both of you are also actual people as a result.
The Ghost Grimoire is not.
>>40941449
Your body was prevented from aging by the Ghost Grimoire, which has a certain extent of control over your form.
After all of this is over, the Grimoire seeks to determine your final state (human) and assert it, effectively completing what it started when it revived you in the original timeline.
At that time, you will age normally.
Basically, you're kinda deathless at the moment, having certain quirks of aging (your hair grows, you get hungry) but never actually growing old.
Ars Magus and Magic is weird.

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Archived.
Anything else?

>>40941658
Whats going on Noel's and our sisters mind at the moment

>>40941658
So what happens if we touch or other self. Does the fabric of time and space breakdown and how would Noel react to two Ben's if she finds out?

>>40941667
Noel: Man, this hotel is nice. I wonder what Tsubaki's thinking?

Tsubaki: Excellent. Now that Ben is gone I can room with Jin once Noel falls asleep.
...We're engaged, so it's not fornication, right?

Jin: Excellent. Now that Ben is gone I can look over my collection of motorcycle manuals and make the engine noises out loud without anyone finding out.

>>40941683
>Space and time fabric
Nah. You're *technically* two different, if identical, people.
>Noel's reaction:
The 'threesome' suggestion still stands, you know~

>>40941705
Final question, is our Ninja self a better fighter than us?

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>>40941717
>Carrying an (admittedly weak) Azure Grimoire
>Literally one hundred years of combat experience, thousands of years of combat data
>Augmented mind and body
>Ars Magus rifle

Versus
>Two years of combat, five years of training
>Unaugged
>Fights with hands, feet, and Shiruken

Nah.

I just realized I fucked up the OP.
I am blind, apparently.
Dammit.