Dangan Reborn [CW]

[Amethyst]

Prologue- A

So you wish the life you lived to end?
...Then so the world begins again.

My dream was interrupted by the horn of a loud train, followed by a deafening explosion. I woke up on the ground somewhere with a gasp, tears still in my eyes. I don't remember why I was crying, but the dark spots on the grimy rainbow stone assured me that I had been. Nostra wasn't with me. Even worse, neither was Noel. No wonder I was crying. At least I still had father's necklace.

???: About time you woke up.

I spun around to see who else was there. It was a boy, dressed in a black coat with a red collar, and sleek black hair. There didn't seem to be anything unusual about him, except maybe his haphazard position sitting over the bridge rail. I'm surprised he didn't fall like that... Did he even care if he did?

???: That's good. I was getting tired of baby-sitting you anyway.

The boy huffed and spun around from his outlook over the murky water and train tracks, and walked off down the way. He didn't even bother to look at me once! I picked myself up and trotted after him at once.

ANNA: Hey, wait! Where are you going? And what's your name? And where are we? And how did we get here... And where's Nostra? What about Noel? Do you know Noel? Do you know who I am-- Wait! I know who I am, I'm Anna! What's your name?

Of course, instead of answering me at all, he just sighed.

???: We have better things to worry about right now.

ANNA: Huh? What do you mean?

???: ...How have you not noticed?

At first I didn't know what he meant... but then I did! I looked over the edge, and then up, and all around, and there was some sort of barrier-dome encasing the entire area!

ANNA: Wow, what is that?! It's so big! Can we touch it?! It looks cool!

The click of the boy's footsteps on the stairway told me he wasn't nearly as amused as I was... but that's okay! I began to follow him down to what I decided must be the front of the Opal Warda still trying to make heads or tails of the situation.

ANNA: It's kind of like we're trapped in a giant Patrat ball or something!

???: Yeah. Emphasis on the trapped.

As we descended, I could see more and more of the crowd spread out around Grand View Avenue... there were a lot of people! But where did we all come from, and why?

...And were we really trapped?

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# SURVIVING PLAYERS: 18

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[Amethyst]

Prologue- B

It was just like the Opal Ward, except without all the energy, spirit and feeling of the Opal Ward. Aside from that boy and I, Opal Bridge was totally empty. Even though a bunch of people were gathered at the front, the whole city just felt hollow, or wrong somehow... kind of like plastic fruit. I looked around to try and find the difference. There were a lot more security cameras than I remembered-- it's like they were trying to cover every corner of the place! And most of them had monitors beneath them, too. That's weird, why would they need those? And when did they put them up?

I guess it didn't have to be any time recently. After all, it had been a while since I'd been outside of the orphanage. I mean, sometimes the orderlies will take us out for ice cream or something-- Blue Moon is totally the best flavor!-- but lately Noel and I stay home instead. Laura's been really nervous with her birthday coming up and we're really excited for her to be free! But she's been too anxious to go on the outings, so we stay with her. That's what any friend would do, right?

I wondered if Noel and Laura were here somewhere too. I scanned the crowd for any sign of them, hoping-- wait! Pink pigtails! Charlotte! I had planned on just skipping over to her with gleeful abandon, but I couldn't help running when I saw what she held against her chest-- A certain familiar-looking Cleffa!

ANNA: You're here! And with Nomos!

Charlotte was practically pulled up from her sitting position by Nomos, as he jumped from her arms to mine. She stumbled a bit, obviously surprised by the little thing's energy, but brushed it off with her usual coy smile. I've always admired how someone like her can smile, despite her scars and everything she's been through. I mean, not that she shouldn't smile because of that! I just think she's really strong.

CHARLOTTE: Hey there, girly. Glad to see a friendly face around here.

ANNA: Totally! Although, you had Nomos! His face is totally the friendliest!

CHARLOTTE: ...Yeah, about that.

Charlotte bit her lip and looked down at the little guy, clearly hesitating as he snuggled into my chest.

ANNA: Huh? You're not gonna say he's not friendly, are you? Nomos! You haven't been mean to Charlotte, have you?

I held the Pokemon out in front of me with a stern look in my eye-- or, as stern of a look as one can manage when looking at something so adorable and cuddly... so not very! Anyway, Nomos got the point, and timidly shook his head in response.

ANNA: So what's the problem?

CHARLOTTE: Well, there's the fact that Nomos is a doll...

ANNA: You're still on about that? How can you say that when he's right here in front of you? Look! You hurt his feelings!

I spun him around in my hands emphatically to show Charlotte his teary face. People could be so ridiculous sometimes!

ANNA: He's so obviously alive, okay?

CHARLOTTE: ...Yeah, that's the thing. This Cleffa is real. So it can't be your brother's doll.

ANNA: You're so weird, Charlotte! This is definitely Nomos! I'm super duper one-hundred-and-forty-nine-point-eight percent sure of it! Just look at him!

Charlotte rolled her eyes. I think that's how she admits defeat.

ANNA: Anyway, where's Noel? I'm sure he'll confirm it!

CHARLOTTE: I haven't seen him. The little one woke me up on its own. In fact, the only other person I've seen here from the orphanage is--

Just then, she was cut off by a sudden deafening screech blaring across the ward. It sounded like a huge pane of glass sliding against a metal rail, and then crashing into a concrete wall! Everyone's head turned to the screens as a single high-pitched voice filled the air.

???: Attention, puh-lease! Could everyone please gather in the Grand Hall immediately? Everyone, to the Grand Hall. Thank you!

The screens stayed blank. The voice was feminine and sort of familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. As soon as it finished speaking, a clatter boomed from the front of the Grand Hall. Then, as if on their own, the doors swung open! A few of the others muttered to each other as they began to trickle in towards the hall. Charlotte and I looked at each other, and with her signal, we joined them.

The inside of the Grand Hall was mostly like I remembered, except for the sliiight detail of the service desk in the back being entirely gone. Instead, attached to the big computer, there was a super huge giant screen! It seemed to be turned off, but it was totally out of place. A few people gathered around it, and then a few more, until soon almost the whole group was standing there, puzzling on if it needed to be turned on, or otherwise how to proceed.

???: So what's the point of this stupid thing anyway? Does it even turn on?

???: SWEET. MOTHER. OF JYNX. THINK OF THE PORN YOU COULD WATCH ON THIS THING!!!

???: Oh, my. But... I do not suspect that we were brought here for that... At least, I should certainly hope not.

CHARLOTTE: So what are we supposed to do? There's nothing else even here. Look, the stairways to the other levels have been blocked.

Charlotte gestured to the two exits apart from the door. Sure enough, each one had been blocked off by a gate of iron bars, thick and thorough enough that even I couldn't slip through them! Suddenly, a person with a white ponytail near the front of the group turned to address us.

???: Ah, if we have a moment before we continue, maybe we should introduce ourselves? We do seem to be in quite a predicament, so I think it's the least we can do.

ANNA: Ooh! I'll start, introductions are fun! My name is Anna, and this is Nomos! We don't get out very often, so I'm super exited to meet everyone!

CHARLOTTE: ...You really aren't going to mention your--

ANNA: Enough about me! Your turn, Charlotte!

Charlotte rolled her eyes again and stepped up towards the group with a sigh.

CHARLOTTE: Not that there's much point since she just said my name, but yeah. Charlotte Belrose. Fire Gym Leader by inheritance and bitter irony. Nice to meet you all, or something.

The person with the white hair spoke up again then, addressing the boy next to Charlotte.

???: Since we've got it started that way, why don't we just go around the room?

HARDY: Sure thing. Yo! Hardy's the name. I rock the the gym up in Agate City, and my type's just that. Pleased to meetcha'll!

He stepped forward and spoke confidently, but there seemed to be some kind of a second voice behind his words, echoing them. It almost sounded like a young child's... How weird, I thought! But nobody else seemed to notice or react, so I didn't say anything. Next up was a girl in super pretty flowy white and black robes with a yin-yang symbol on them.

VICTORIA: Oh, my name is Victoria. I'm not a gym leader like the other two, but I am an apprentice to Kiki at the Apophyll Academy.

???: So basically you're just a hippie. Right.

A snotty boy with green hair had spoken up from the other side of the room. Strangely, just after he did, the symbol on her robe changed! It almost looked like the black fish ate part of the white fish! That's so cool-- I want morphing clothes too!

VICTORIA: Living in tune with nature does not mean one is just a hippie. It's a way to promote positive changes for ourselves and the world.

???: Now, now, there's really no need for bickering before the show even starts!

The woman next in line chimed in, gallantly prancing towards the center of the group. When she arrived, she spun around in a dramatic bow, and snapped back up to a prim stance. Her outfit was also really cool- a very light dress with a dark spot that bled a pretty pink out over her heart! Who makes these things?!

CIEL: So that being the case, I shan't keep my audience waiting any longer! Ciel, the spotlit starlet of the Agate Ace Doublet, at your service! The air is my canvas, and my body, the brush! Allow me to paint you a masterpiece you shall never forget!

???: I sure painted y0 body last night Ciel! Ecks-Dee LELELELEL!!!

Across the circle, an energetic girl with rainbow hair shouted, before breaking into a genuine fit of laughter, clutching her hands across her stomach and falling over and kicking her legs in the air violently. The couple people on either side of her looked down at her with concern for just a second before apparently deciding she was just fine and turning their attention to the next person in line.

ARC: Uh, yeah. DJ Arclight here. What's up. I recognize a few of you from the Nightclub, but those who I haven't met might've heard me on the Reborn Radio.

His profession seemed obvious enough what with the headphones around his neck, but along with his spike accessories and super awesome hair-- half of it dyed and spiked up and the other half in corn-rows-- he looked totally cool! Speaking of which, why are they called corn-rows? Can you grow corn in them? What does hair-corn taste like? I wanted to think about that more but the boy next to Arc chimed in right away.

???: Okayyyy, so, I know the whole 'a face for radio' thing is usually an insult, but damn. If everyone on the air looks half as good as you do, I'm gonna have to go down on that station sometime.

???: Um, I think the phrase you're looking for is "down to the station"...

???: I know what I said~

The boy retorted with a grin. He was wearing all purple, with tall platform boots, cross-themed jewellery and a plaid jacket on a fishnet shirt. Talk about style! I would've thought he was a girl if not for his voice!

CAIN: Anyway, yeaaah, name's Cain! I'm not exactly a super-famous gym leader or anything like the rest of you all... but I do have a thing for Poison types... and DJs apparently.

ARC: Yo, I'm not about that life. Sorry, bro.

Cain laughed, although it was hardly even audible over the still-giggling girl twitching on the floor across the room.

CAIN: Well, looks like it's your turn, uhhh... Mister? Leader. Miss? I'm sorry, are you--

ADRIENN: That's all right. My name is Adrienn. I'm not so sure about the "Leader" bit, unless you just mean Gym Leader, but to your other confusion, I'm not really a man or a woman. Please use xe/xyr/xem pronouns for me.

HARDY: Uh, you... what, mate?

ADRIENN: It's not all that complicated. For instance, you know that Pokemon can be either male, female or genderless, right? Just think of me as a genderless person.

???: In other words, you're in the closet still.

The boy in the green hair snarked. A woman standing nearby snapped at him.

???: You're going to stop talking now.

???: Calm your tits, it was just a joke.

CHARLOTTE: No one's laughing.

The boy to Adrienn spoke up next. I thought he was going to introduce himself, but instead--

???: Ah, I do have a question though. Forgive me, because this is somewhat fascinating, but biologically speaking, what does that mean for you exactly?

???: That's a naive question.

A taciturn girl with a double-button coat and long purple hair standing near me finally spoke up. Her voice was quiet, but firm, and somehow she almost seemed like someone I knew. She continued talking before I could think about it.

???: "Biology" has nothing to do with gender.

???: But, when it comes to one's body, surely there's a difference.

???: Bennett, I do believe she has a point. That is, your asking a question like that may appear to be invasive. You wouldn't want to be rude, would you?

The girl standing next to him chimed in, speaking in a very gentle tone, but no matter how I looked at her, I could only think that she didn't really seem to belong here. Still, he seemed to listen to her, so that's good!

BENNETT: Uh, right, sorry. Then, the introductions. Like Luna said, I'm Bennett. Honestly, I'm better with Bugs than people-- specifically lepids-- that is, moths, butterflies and that sort of thing? They are so amazing with how dramatically they can transform and how widely they vary! I do hope to be able to uncover all of their secrets one day and become a true Bug-type Master.

The girl next to him nodded in satisfaction, and took a breath to begin her own introduction, but--

BENNETT: And the beautiful girl next to me is Luna. She lives with me-- n-not like that, but not as siblings, really. I mean, it's, ah, kind of like that-- it's-- complicated.

LUNA: Bennett.

BENNETT: S-sorry. Um, go ahead.

The boy shrunk back into a corner against the screen as she curtsied lightly and began, finally.

LUNA: I am, indeed, Luna, and it is a true pleasure to meet you all. My speciality is Darkness, and all things associated to the wonderful infinity therein. How do you all do?

The rude green-haired boy next to her wasted no time in stepping forward and puffing his chest out.

FERN: Right. So, my turn. Name's Fern. Most of y'all should know me as the top dog of the Onyx Trainer's School. I'm not gonna expect half of you to have the class to recognize greatness, but, hey. That's on you.

He stepped back and crossed his arms confidently as an awkward silence ensued. It didn't take long for the girl next to him to pick up on the hint and hop forward with her turn.

AMARIA: Hi there! So my name is Amaria! I'm Reborn's Water Gym Leader, and... Well, um, I don't really know why I'm here. But for whatever it is, I hope we all get along and do great!

HARDY: Yea, I donno if any of us know why we're here. I was thinkin' that'd be explained to us once we got inside, but, here we are...

ARCLIGHT: ...And yet, nothing.

The girl who had managed to quiet Fern earlier stepped forward. She wore what looked like medieval armor all along one arm and leg-- almost like she was a knight! Cool!

TITANIA: I'm Titania. Steel Leader. That's about all you need to know.

That totally wasn't all we needed to know, but as soon as it became clear that she wasn't going to say any more, the group looked to the next in line... at the rainbow-haired girl still laid out flat and rolling around, snorting laughter. Titania turned and gently kicked her, at which point the girl launched herself to her feet and began her introduction in the same half-second!

???: SORRYWHATLIKEHIWHATSUP.

???: Your introduction.

???: INTRODUCTION. RIGHT. OKAY. SO THIS IS A STORY ALL ABOUT HOW MY LIFE GOT FLIPPED TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. AND ID JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE- JUST SIT RIGHT THERE- AND ILL TELL YOU ALL A TALE ABOUT HOW I BECAME THE SUPER HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL HAC--

CIEL: Her name's Terra, and she'll drive you barking mad in a matter of minutes. Next!

TERRA: cile pls

The girl next to Terra stood up, lightly giggling, and began speaking quietly. Oh! That must have been who Charlotte meant earlier. She was wearing a dirty grey gown and her hair was ratted and messy. I didn't even notice her before, because she had been sitting on the ground and criss-cross apple-sauce behind other people. But, I didn't expect it to be her...

LIN: Hehe, my name's Lin. It's really, really nice to meet everyone like this...

Charlotte folded her arms and turned away with a huff.

LIN: Oh... Hey, Charlotte... Hey, how's your sister? Ahaha~

ANNA: Hey! Don't be mean! Charlotte didn't do anything to you!

LIN: I was just asking a question... You two are bullies as always!

AMARIA: Oh no, no, girls, don't fight. It's okay, little Lin. I'm sure they didn't mean to be rude.

LIN: Awh, thank you, Miss Amaria. You seem like a good person, haha...

After she said that, she ran over and hugged herself tightly around Amaria's waist. She responded with a reassuring pat, but Titania seemed to be glaring at the girl-- not that she wasn't right to do so. I remembered her from the orphanage a couple of years ago and let's just say Charlotte and I didn't miss her one bit!

Only two girls were left to speak in the group. They were both very quiet, and both stood very near to each other. The older one, who had spoke up in Adrienn's defense, took the floor.

EVELYNN: I don't have much to say either. My name is Evelynn. This is my sister, Lumina. We're from Ametrine City.

LUMINA: It's nice to meet everyone...

EVELYNN: She can be very timid, so please be kind to her. That's all

ADRIENN: So, that's it for introductions.

Wait a second, weren't we forgetting someone...?

FERN: So can someone tell me what's going on here already?

TERRA: ORGY TIME!

TITANIA: Stop.

CAIN: Hey, I mean if I can get a private session with Mr. DJ...

ARCLIGHT: I'm gonna agree with Titania here-- stop.

ADRIENN: Okay, everyone settle down. Let's start with this. Do any of you remember coming here?

Of course, no one said they could.

CAIN: Hold on. What's the last thing everyone remembers before waking up here?

I racked my brain to think of anything as an answer! But the others beat me to it.

LUNA: Ah, I do believe I went to sleep last night as normal.

BENNETT: Oh, yes. That's right, you seemed to sleep very well last night.

CHARLOTTE: ...Okay, you're a creep.

VICTORIA: But, it's the same for me. Kiki had me prepare to leave for the city and start a new journey in the morning... but instead I woke up here.

AMARIA: Oh! We all woke up outside, right? So who was the first one to wake up? Maybe they know something.

ANNA: Wait, that boy!

That was who we forgot! We forgot the boy who had been there when I came to! Where did he get to, anyway...? I immediately sprinted towards the exit of the Grand Hall to find him!

CHARLOTTE: Anna, where are you going!?

Charlotte shouted after me and I came to a grinding halt before reaching the door-- not because of Charlotte, but because I had already found him! He'd been right there the whole time, leaning against a wall just behind one of the partitions!

ANNA: Hey! Why are you standing around here? Come say hi!

ADRIENN: Is there someone else there?

ARCLIGHT: What, just listening to us?

His eyes flicked open and he glared at me.

ANNA: Uh... Hey, won't you come join us?

???: No.

ANNA: Huh?

???: I said 'No.' I'm not joining your group.

ANNA: Wait, why--

???: I'm not interested.

Before I could protest any more, the boy pulled himself forward and made a beeline for the exit.

ANNA: Hey, but why aren't you?!

Even if he had intended to answer, he never would. Any chance of response was cut short, just as he reached the exit of the Grand Hall, by the doors slamming shut all on their own.





Across the room, the large monitor suddenly lit up, displaying only one single, giant eye.

[Amethyst]

Prologue- C

???: Hello! And welcome to Reborn City!

The room's focus snapped to the monitor at the front. The only thing on it was a gigantic wide eye. The pupilly-bit was tiny, but it skittered around the screen quickly, tilting the greater part of the eye to look at everyone!

FERN: The hell? Is this some kind of joke?

THIRD: Who's laughing? But please, allow me to introduce myself! Please, call me Third!

BENNETT: Third... what exactly?

THIRD: Just Third!

VICTORIA: Was there a First, or maybe a Second?

THIRD: Nope! Just a Third! And before you ask, there won't be a Fourth!

Its voice seemed to project from a set of hidden speakers. Maybe they were a part of the monitor itself? Nomos squirmed a bit against my arms. Was it making him uncomfortable too? I held him tighter to try and comfort him.

ARC: Okay, so you're 'Third,' but that doesn't tell us who-- or what-- you are.

THIRD: I am just Third! There's nobody else I could be! And I am the administrator here!

CHARLOTTE: Administrator for what, exactly?

THIRD: For your stay in Reborn City, of course!

HARDY: Oi, about that. What's up with all of this? Waking up here and not remembering why, or that giant bubble thing outside?

THIRD: Huh? Don't blame me if you can't remember something! That's your fault!

BENNETT: Ahm, Mr. Third-- or Ms.? That's actually not a logical conclusion given the conditions we've already established. None of us remember anything about coming here, so it's only reasonable to conclude that there must be an outside factor correlated there-to...

THIRD: Mister or Miss, or anything else you wish to call me will be just fine!

TERRA: i can think of a couple things i'd like to call you, winkwink

CIEL: Terra! It's an animated eye-- or something! Do you have no regard for what you're saying?

TERRA: i have no regard for what your mom said lol

TITANIA: Don't avoid the issue. We're all here for a reason, right? Tell us what it is.

THIRD: Feisty, aren't you? Okay! Everyone is here to stay together and have lots of fun for a very long time!

ANNA: If that were true you could have at least brought Noel... Or Nostra for that mattered.

Nomos cried in agreement. Several of the others whispered to each other-- but if everyone was supposed to have fun, why didn't anyone seem happy about it?

LUNA: Um... If you will, Third, exactly how long is a "a very long time?"

THIRD: Ah! About that, yes! It is approximately forever!

LUNA: Ah, come again? That is, perhaps, too long of a time.

THIRD: Not at all! You are all going to stay here forever!

As if struck with a curse, a spell of silence fell over the room immediately. I glanced over to Charlotte. Her eyes were narrowed in thought, darting between the iron bars, the monitor, and sealed exit. Nomos squirmed in my arms, pulling away from the direction of the rainbow-haired girl, who suddenly started shouting unintelligently-- something about missing a raid? But she wasn't the only one who was upset.

CIEL: ...I beg your pardon? We couldn't possibly stay here forever! A few days at most might make a nice vacation, but some of us have careers to attend to.

CHARLOTTE: Or family.

ANNA: Yeah! Noel's going to be totally helpless without me! He's like a lost sheep! And what about poor Nostra?

TITANIA: This is probably a test of some kind. Don't lose your heads.

BENNETT: Interesting... But would this really be an ethical set up?

ARC: Tch, there's nothing ethical about it, that's for sure.

VICTORA: I agree with Titania! We should all do our best to stay calm! After all, there's no guarantee that it's true, anyway.

THIRD: Isn't there? By a show of hands, who saw the dome outside?

No one even needed to raise a hand. We all knew about it already.

CAIN: Soooo you're saying that we can't go anywhere because of that dome thing.

EVELYNN: Is that your doing?

THIRD: Correct, and correct!

???: So you're the one that's locked us in here.

THRID: Triple-correct!

FERN: Stupid machine. Where's the power supply? Someone unplug this thing.

THIRD: Ah-ah-ah! I wouldn't do that if I were you~

FERN: Yeah? Why not?

THIRD: Tampering with the equipment is strictly against the rules! Anyone who breaks the rules will be punished!

TERRA: AWWWH BBY PUNISH ME SO GOOD

CIEL: Terra, for the last time, it is a God-forsaken eye... machine... thing! Do not flirt with it!

TERRA: ciel jelly

CIEL: Terra!

AMARIA: Um, I hate to ask, but what does the punishment consist of, exactly?

ANNA: Is it just a time-out? Or is it more like the Circuit?

THIRD: About that! The only punishment here... is death!

HARDY: Woahwoahwoah, what? What kind of system is this?

CIEL: Death? Third, darling, you can't just joke around about this sort of thing!

THIRD: This is not a joke! Anyone in violation of the rules will be strictly punished!

ADRIENN: Okay, so what other "rules" do we need to know about?

THIRD: Everyone will find a copy of the Electronic Handbook in their private room! The Electronic Handbook will detail all of the rules!

ANNA: We have our own rooms? That's actually awesome! I've never had one to call my own before!

CAIN: Wait, why do we have rooms set up?

TITANIA: Because that thing wants us to think we're staying here "forever."

THIRD: That's right!

ANNA: It'll be like a never-ending slumber party!

CHARLOTTE: I don't think this is the kind of slumber party we want to have.

LIN: Awwh, what, Charlotte, are you still too good for us?

CHARLOTTE: Too good for you. Got that right.

???: All right, well you all can play this game if you want. I'm getting out of here.

AMARIA: Can you really do that?

???: I'll figure it out.

CAIN: I don't suppose Third would accept exile as an alternative to death in punishments... I mean, I usually don't mind being punished~ But that's a bit much...

THIRD: No exile! Only rule-breakers must be executed!

LUMINA: Eep! That sounds scary!

EVELYNN: No one's going to get executed, Lumi, don't worry.

THIRD: Buuuut, if you really really really want to leave, there is one way!

FERN: And you didn't you mention that sooner, why?

ARC: Are you gonna tell us what it is, or what?

THIRD: Very well! If you wish to leave this place, then all you have to do... is kill somebody else here!

...Huh?

That's not... right...

Something's wrong... Something's really wrong... Why would Third have us kill anyone...? Why...

Suddenly a thousand pictures I'd never seen flooded into my head. A building burning-- the ground collapsing-- a flash of light-- and-- no!

Stop!

Stop it!

I don't want this!

Please don't die!

Please don't die!

I love you!

Why?

Why?!

Why?!

Why?!

Why?!

Why?!

Why!!!

Why...

...

...That was the last thing I remembered before everything went dark...