The One and Only, Twisted Way

*yawn*

Something wrong, Premaya? You look sleepy.

No, nothing... I apologize for making you worry. It is a lack of sleep, nothing more.

I was forced out of sleep mode last night due to a glitch from the remnant water-cooling system.

A glitch because of leakage, right? Machines have it tough too.

Okay, let's go to the Gamma District to see if the many shops there can help you with your drowsiness.

Thank you for your concern. Please allow me to take you up on that kind offer, then.

We'll take the elevator...

Huh?

Strange... It's not working.

Unable to detect energy supply. Has the elevator malfunctioned?

I was so surprised when it went dark all of a sudden.

This is bad... We can't work if we can't even turn on the terminal.

Looks like it's not just the elevator.

A power outage in the area? I seem to encounter power outages quite often whenever I am with you, Master.

What? Feels more like I'm the one encountering power outages more often when I'm with you, though.

Hehe... That went well.

Huh?

Relay to main unit. Current round of experiment successfully concluded. Heading back to regroup now.

It won't be so tame the next time around, humans! Hehehe...

That was a Synth Human just now! Was he behind the blackout?!

Synth... Human...

......

Premaya?

We should go after him, Master. In order to catch the mastermind...

And to fulfill my mission.

Premaya's mission...

The Synth Human said he was heading back to regroup. He will definitely need to pass through Route 99 to reach his base.

Y-Yeah... You're right. Let's hurry to Route 99!

There he is!

Humans?! What are you doing here?!

We know you were behind the blackout in Elzion.

You said it wouldn't be so tame the next time around, didn't you? What are you planning?!

Hmph! You know what.

We'll stop the Xeno Prisma itself, cut off the source of your energy, and make you humans fall to the ground!

We will stop you. Letting my original personality awaken on a polluted earth would be setting a bad example.

Yeah... At any rate, we should bring down this guy right here and now!

Phew! Got him good.

Yes, but there is a high chance that main unit he was talking to is located somewhere nearby.

Master, shall we split up and look around the area?

That's true... Since this place is quite near Elzion, it's better to be safe than sorry.

I'll go look around in this direction, then!

And I will go here...

Yay! Tasty treat! Thanks for the meal!

*gasp* Did I lose consciousness again?

I split up with Master in order to look around the area more thoroughly...

Ugh! My head!

Someone is talking in my head... It's... Her voice?

I... I'm...

I didn't find the main unit... Whoa! Premaya?!

You okay?! Your face is so pale!

I am...sorry... For making you worry...

Don't be sorry for that! You need to rest somewhere!

Yes... I will return to Gamma District and rest at the inn there.

The inn? Got it! Here, put your hand around my shoulder. We head back now!

Thank you... Master...

You'll be fine by yourself from here on, right? I'll be outside the room, so just call me whenever you need something.

No, Master...

Huh?

Please...stay with me. Otherwise, I...

H-Hey! Premaya...!

Heehee...!

Aww, that made me laugh! Papa, you're such a worrywart!

That tone of voice... Are you...

Teeheehee! That I am! I'm finally able to wake up properly now!

I can move my body freely too! Basically, I'm capable of doing everything by myself now!

By yourself?

Hmm? Wait...didn't Premaya tell you about this?

When I wake up for real, Premaya becomes unneeded.

Unneeded?! Wh-What do you mean?!

Exactly that! I mean, even you would throw out clothes you don't wear anymore, right Papa?

Throw out... It can't be that...

That's right! My other personality is now marked for deletion!

No...

Ah! That's why she said...

Yes... You have deduced correctly. She is the real Premaya.

How did things turn out like this, anyway?

She was involved in a major accident that seriously damaged her brain and body.

Her body was saved when it was mechanized into a cyborg, but the damage to her brain was too serious. The mental shock she received was even more profound than any physical injuries. Records say she lost most of her memories and her mental age regressed as a result.

That's why an auxiliary brain with a personality was implanted as support until she regains her memories.

Sounds complicated... I'm all sorts of confused now.

You do not have to understand everything.

I am not the real Premaya. Although I dwell in a human body, I am but a program that simulates human behavior.

Therefore, do not become too attached to me...

She said all that knowing she would disappear one day.

Hey! There's no need to just delete her like that, right?

Even if you are the real Premaya...

*chuckle* Did she really believe that right till the end? Even though the personality created by the auxiliary brain was actually me?

Wh-What do you mean?!

I mean that SHE'S the real personality that was already in the body before the accident!

But... Premaya said she's just a surrogate until the real personality wakes up.

Did she? The professor must've done some serious brainwashing for her to believe in that until the end.

I'll tell you the truth, Papa. Premaya's role was to prepare the meals that would help me to grow.

Meals?

Robots, androids, and Synth Humans...

I grow little by little when I ingest their advanced logic circuits.

That's why I've become more mature since the first time you met me, right?

Well, now that you mention it...

Premaya recognized you as Master because she must have determined it was the fastest way to make that happen.

But why would anyone do this?

I don't know about that! The professor's only interested in the latent potential of the human body. He's confusing!

Hey... Could the professor you're talking about be...

Who is this professor you've been talking about, anyway?

Just the professor, you know? The person who birthed me and saved Premaya's life.

He once tried to do research in an orphanage on what children with AI parents would grow up to be like.

But he didn't complete his research because of the fierce opposition by other humans.

Premaya was an extremely convenient guinea pig because the accident destroyed half her brain functions.

......

And I am the result of his research. Oh! I'd better execute the first order I've been given.

Wh-What are you going to do?!

I said the professor was only interested in the limits of the human body, didn't I? Well, just wait and see!

What... Another power outage?!

Th-The ground's shaking?!

Ahh!! It's shaking really hard!

I can't see a thing! What's going on?!

E-Everyone! For your safety, please remain calm and stay where you are until the backup generator kicks in.

What's happening?!

I interfered with the Xeno Prisma and cut off all electrical systems in Elzion. Everyone must be panicking now!

The Xeno Prisma?! That'll cause all of Elzion to crash down to the surface!

Yup! Don't make me repeat myself! The professor is only interested in the latent potential of the human body!

Ugh... What should I do...

That's as far as you can get...!

Ahh?!

Rovella?! What're you doing here?

Who are you?!

No, never mind that! What did you do to Premaya?!

No, never mind that! What did you do to Premaya?!

I forced the auxiliary personality to shut down. But this method will only work once.

I am Rovella. You could say I'm somewhat related to this girl. I forced the auxiliary personality to shut down. But this method will only work once.

It only works once? Why's that?

It isn't something we should be discussing in the open like this. When the girl wakes up, come to the Xeno-Domain. I'll be waiting for you there. If the girl's really so important to you, then you had better show up.

H-Hey! Rovella!

Uh... Master...

Premaya?! Did you just call me Master? Pull yourself together!

And... That's what happened.

I see... I did not know at all...

She is the auxiliary brain and I am the real personality... I still do not quite believe it yet, but...

That idea does ring a bell within me.

When I was in the laboratory, the professor counseled me every day. He certainly had ample opportunity to brainwash me.

I see...

I'm curious about what Rovella said.

Whatever the case, I am curious about this Rovella person.

If she can only be shut down once as he said, then we must hurry.

Yeah. There's no one else we can turn to for this right now...

Then it is decided. Let us head towards the Xeno-Domain.

Well... What took you so long?

Don't mention it. Shall we cut to the chase?

Something like that. She won't fall for the same trick twice.

The auxiliary personality's objective is the same as her creator - to see how far the human body can be pushed. This goes beyond whether your consciousness can return or not. When the auxiliary personality wakes up, you can kiss the Xeno Prisma...

And Elzion itself goodbye.

......

I'm not a researcher. How would I know?

Rovella! This isn't what you said before!

Man, you guys sure are short-tempered. At least let me finish.

Man, you guys sure are hot-headed. At least let me finish.

I may not know how, but I can introduce you to some people who do. Though I guess there's no need for that now.

Hey! How long are you gonna stay silent?

Who, me?

Of course not. I mean the other one!

Are you guys always this dense?

Hey! I've already exposed you. Show your true form!

Hmm... Rovella, is it? You choosing to side with her was an event of very low chance, though.

It talked?!

No, he's not an AI. He may look like this now, but he used to be human.

Right, Loah? Or should I call you Prof?

Prof?!

So this cat-like thing is the Loah of this time layer?!

...Sorry for not telling you. I've actually met him before... The researcher that made you.

That called itself Loah. I thought you'd named it yourself, but it's...

Oh, so you're saying you've met me in the Parallel Time Layer, too?

Yeah. But I can't really say it was like actually meeting you. The way you spoke, your character...it was all different.

That's natural. This body doesn't have a copy of my personality.

This is all I can do for you. With these devices and the Prof around, the rest is up to you.

Well, give it your best shot. We're cyborgs born from the same lab, and we'll meet again if you survive this. ...Win, little girl.

Well, give it your best shot. We're cyborgs born from the same lab, and we'll meet again if you survive this.

Sure... I don't mind.

It's not really a method to stop her, more like a method to delete that AI from the auxiliary brain. I can teach you how, if that will do.

Just a minute! This had better not be a ploy to give her a chance to take over Premaya's body!

Why would I do something like that?

What I want to see is the human body's potential. It would be a terrible waste to ruin this experiment.

Yes, my original purpose was to extend the interaction region of human brain waves using an auxiliary brain boost. But I'll receive valuable intel about whether Premaya or the auxiliary personality will survive in the end. If the original personality can overcome the awakened and matured auxiliary, it adds to the mystique of the human body.

I don't really understand... But you don't seem to be lying.

What would I gain from that? Premaya is the one who has to choose in the end.

Premaya...

Excellent... Let us begin the experiment immediately. Get inside that pod.

I will put your biological brain into demi-sleep mode using an external device. Then I will send just your consciousness into the deep area where the auxiliary brain's core, or personality resides.

I'm glad you're quick on the uptake.

Just what are you going to do to her?

Premaya...

Fine. I trust you and I'll be waiting for your safe return.

That man interrupted just when we were getting to the good part!

Ah, well. It's all gonna be over when I next wake up, anyway.

You! What are you doing in my deep area?!

Huh... Haha! Yes, this does sound like something the Prof would do.

If you're so eager to jump to conclusions, then...

I'm happy to play along with my full strength!

This is the deep part of the auxiliary brain. That means it's my territory!

You can't possibly beat someone with a home ground advantage!

Hehehehe! You think you can beat me like that?

Ahahahaha! I told you! You never had a chance to begin with!

That's all you're capable of?

Hehe... I want you to know I'm grateful to you for bringing me up.

This is the end. I'll completely wipe out your personality data!

Wh-What is this?! Why is Papa...

Grr...!

Heh... Hehe... You think you've already beaten me?

I'm not letting you leave! I refuse to be the only one to disappear!

I'll to erase this entire area along with myself, before anyone can erase me! Then you'll be trapped forever!

I won't let you do that! Everything will be erased!

Hahaha! Burn down and disappear!

Patient's consciousness level is rapidly declining. 70%... 60%...

Hey, something's wrong! What's happening?!

It looks like the auxiliary personality wants to delete the entire deep area with the original still inside.

What?! Then what will happen to Premaya?!

She'll disappear, of course. Both the original and auxiliary personalities will never wake up again.

No way!

20%... 10%...

Consciousness level has dropped to zero. Experiment concluded.

Zero? That means...

This is the end of the experiment. So it was a draw. This is exciting because it was out of my projections.

A draw? No...

Why do you look so heartbroken? The auxiliary personality was stopped and Elzion's destruction was prevented. You humans have gotten out of the worst case scenario.

You're...really the same as that Loah?! The Loah I knew at least cared about Premaya! How could you be so cold...!

As I've said before. I'm just here to observe... I don't have a personality or emotions. In that sense, I am not the same me that you knew before.

Dammit...!

Why you...!

Yeah, we may have saved Elzion...

But peace that's built on the sacrifices of others has no value at all!

Dammit! Premaya...!

Pardon my interruption...

What...? This voice...

Premaya... You were all right?!

You made it back alive from a situation like that? How? The deep area was completely sealed. There was no way you could have made it out alive.

Glitch?

Oh! The remnant of the water-cooling system?!

Having you return alive was completely out of my projections.

Well, that is certainly interesting. Am I right to conclude that you have rescued her?

When she does, aren't you afraid she might try to take over as the dominant personality again?

Premaya...

Interesting. I insist on having a front- row seat to see how this all pans out.

Hm?

You can't be serious... Wait! I have contracts with six other laboratories...

Haha... You've become a lot tougher, Premaya.

My help?

Right, you did say something like that.

Err...

Thanks, Premaya. As a friend, I'm really happy to hear you say that.

Huh?

Without Prof's influence, I'm pretty sure the other Premaya will grow up to be a great kid too.

S-Stop calling me that!