Truth Hidden in the Leaves

Your village is beautiful, as are all the people in it.

I'm glad you like it.

Although, I was kinda surprised when you said you wanted to go to Baruoki while we were on the Riftbreaker.

When I heard we were traveling to AD 300, well... When you like someone, it's only natural to want to visit their hometown, isn't it?

Maybe I should visit your hometown then.

*sigh* This isn't working. I'll have to try a different approach.

Wh-What are you doing?

I need to let you know quite what I mean by "like."

Um, Shannon?

There. So, Aldo... When your hometown is this perfect, why would you ever want to leave on your world-saving adventures?

World-saving? I wouldn't go that far. I started traveling because I wanted to save someone I care about. Even now, it's that feeling that carries me through my travels.

You don't see the big deal in what you do, do you? How disappointing.

Honestly, Aldo! What do you think you're doing?

Feinne? What's wrong?

Don't you "What's wrong" me, Aldo! I brought you some tea, but you left our guest standing. You should at least offer Shannon a chair.

Ooh, that smells delicious!

Doesn't it? I was making some tea, and I thought you'd like a cup.

Thank you, that's so kind of you!

Well then, Aldo. Where's my chair?

R-Right. Just gimme a minute!

Teehee. You act so different in front of your little sister. You're normally so dependable, yet you're pretty much useless at home. Teeheehee...

Hey, it's not funny!

No? Teehee. Whenever something bad happens, I'll just remember this image of you being so uncool.

Cut it out, Shannon! Argh, it's so hot!

My, my, Aldo. Tea is to be savored, not gulped.

Are you okay? Would you like me to blow on your tea for you?

Don't tease me!

Teehee. You're just so cute.

Besides, I feel almost like a normal person when I'm with you.

Huh?

This tea really is delicious. It has a unique sweetness to it. I've never tasted anything like it in my era. I love it.

It's made by pouring black tea over moonberries. Feinne's always loved this sweet tea, so she often makes it for me.

Is that so? What a nice memory to have of your sister. I don't have such memories. I'm a little jealous.

Oh yeah, you mentioned before that you were suffering from some kind of amnesia?

Yes. I don't have any real memories anymore.

But you can always make new ones. The taste of this tea could always conjure up memories of you and me. Right?

......

There wouldn't happen to be something stronger within this tea, would there?

Hm? Of course not. It's all about the natural sweetness of the fruit.

*sigh* You're worse than me.

What are you talking about?

Oh no!

What was that?

Aldooo! You've gotta help! Synth Hydra's in trouble!

What happened?

We went to see Synth Hydra out in the Nuaru Uplands...

Then these guys in weird, sparkly outfits came outta nowhere and jumped on board!

They hijacked the battleship! Aldo, you've gotta help him! You've gotta help Synth Hydra!

If Synth Hydra needs my help, he's getting it! I'll head to the Nuaru Uplands right this instant!

......

Thank goodness! Synth Hydra's still here! Nothing seems out of place from out here.

Let's board and take a look around.

They must be the guys Mobecha and Pepori mentioned.

Where could they have come from?

We hail from another time. This gateway leads to our world.

Going by your calendar, our era is a thousand years ahead of this one!

A thousand years?!

Although to be more precise, our world exists on a different time axis. It's like another dimension.

I remember now! They're the guys from the garden island!

They chase fugitives from the future. Why would they come to Synth Hydra?

......

Maybe we should withdraw and call on some outside help? If this group could overpower a battleship, there's no way the two of us can challenge them alone.

I know, but I want to rescue Synth Hydra as soon as possible. He's my friend.

Besides, Hydra was originally created by the Synth Humans in order to rewrite history. If these people are here with bad intentions, it could be a disaster.

Bad, huh? Bad for whom?

Oh, they left.

I want to make sure Synth Hydra isn't hurt. Let's sneak past and head to the deck.

It was to be expected, but it looks like they have guards posted.

This is the only way to get up to the deck though.

Then it looks like our game of hide 'n' seek is over.

Right. We'll have to fight our way through!

Hey! Who're you?

What are you doing here? The report said there'd only be the old mechanical humans on board!

Report? What report?

I guess we'll have to bring them out, even if they aren't fully tuned yet.

Phew. He's okay.

Hey! We're not your enemy anymore! Why are you attacking?

I don't think that's gonna work. Perhaps his memory's been tampered with.

Is that what's happened here?

Yes. Altering memories is our specialty. He won't remember you now.

Urgh! Why would you do that?

Why? For the future of humanity, of course. But there's no point in explaining to you. Your feeble, primitive mind couldn't possibly understand our grand ideals.

Hmm...

Go, mechanical humans! Dispose of this caveman!

Oh no! What do we do?

I think maybe surrender is our best course of action. Do you think a little gift would get them on our side?

What are you talking about?

Good question.

This.

Ugh! Shannon!

Sorry, Aldo. I have a role to play, too.

DW-981. You are a stickler for discipline. Why would you cooperate with rule-breakers like us?

All I said was to clear out the people and investigate the spacetime vessel. So long as we report the investigation, I don't think any orders have been broken.

Besides. You acted exactly as I intended.

We did? Are you saying that you intended to capture this ship?

It's only natural to want back that possible past, that future that should have come.

It is. I want to take back the present we should be living in. I thought you had given up on it, but I guess I was wrong. Feigning a lost personality wasn't to escape?

Teehee. It was a mask, so that I wouldn't forget the real Shannon.

Hey, what are you guys even talking about? You're speaking like you're imposters or something.

Our world is one where history has been altered hundreds, if not thousands, of times.

Hundreds of years before our time, there was a huge incident that caused half the world's food to be lost. A massive inter-plate war unfurled over the remaining food, bringing humanity to the brink of extinction. Then came the researchers who wanted to go back in time and change history. They went back in time and stopped the war. So far, so good. However...

One third of the population still succumbed to starvation. So they looked for a better future. They resolved that issue, but then another occurred. And so it continued, in an endless cycle.

Their quest for the perfect world meant that our time was left in chaos. As were we who lived in it.

And so in our time, we enacted a law banning any individual from traveling through time and space.

And yet, I really want to return to our world before it was ever altered. To that erased time as recorded in the data transmitter. I want to live happily ever after, surrounded by my family.

I understand. I also want to return "Shannon" to where she belongs. There seems to have been some misunderstanding, but I'm glad I got to hear how you feel.

......

You have sympathy for us, don't you?

Don't kill the boy, okay?

If we wipe his memory, he won't get in our way.

Got it. We'll leave that to you. We don't want to kill unless we have to anyway. While you're at it, put those mechanical puppets away somewhere suitable.

I will.

Now then...

Aldo, can you stand? I minimized the output of my light sword, so you shouldn't be injured...

Yeah, I'm fine. Just about.

Now, who are you people? And what was that about altering history?

I know your mind must be racing right now, but let's continue this conversation in another room.

Firstly, thank you. You helped us, didn't you?

I could never forgive myself if I used you to draw out the traitors and you got injured as a result. I at least was able to ensure the safety of you and these Synth Human friends of yours.

It sounds as though those people aren't your allies then?

Teehee. Those fools who go against the ideals of the hounds? Never. I just wanted proof that they were planning to rebel against the organization and alter history. Synth Hydra here is like a meal for hungry dogs.

I still don't really know what's going on here. Can you help me understand?

Come to think of it, I never properly introduced myself.

I'm a tracker for Dicé, the keepers of order. I'm what they call a "hound."

A hound? Like that the lady in Acteul was so scared of?

I'm sorry for lying back then. I couldn't let that criminal escape.

But she was just...

Let's leave that for now. We're talking about Dicé, remember?

I think you heard what we were saying earlier anyway... In our time, technology has progressed to the extent that history can be freely altered. Which leads to bad guys like you, who interfere with history. Dicé is responsible for punishing them.

......

Teehee. You should see your face right now. Think hard about what you've done.

But how do you know that history was changed? Amy and the others never realized that their future had disappeared.

To be affected by the alterations, there are two conditions. You must belong to that time layer, and you must never leave the time layer.

So you're not affected if you're not within it?

Bingo! You got it. In order to accurately record the history of the time layer... We installed an observation device outside of the time layer. We can view the changes with that.

It's called Astral. Still, even if I explained it to you, you wouldn't understand.

Besides, what I want you to understand is quite simple really. When history is altered, some lives will be saved, but some will be lost.

I'm sorry.

What are you apologizing for?

I guess...for never apologizing for what I did. Even hearing what you said, I won't stop reaching out to those before me. So...

I wouldn't worry about it. If there's a problem, then the Dicé of your time layer will stop you. If they're not acting, that means the alterations aren't objectionable to our governance.

Reporting to my fellow compatriots on board...

That voice...

I've taken control of the ship's flight functions. Setting course to regain our rightful future.

Charging time layer gate. Launch in 650 seconds. Destination: AD 1900 of our time layer, the start of the terrible alterations in history. We will start the war that was once avoided and take back "ourselves"!

They want to start a war? They can't be serious!

I was just trying to lure out the dangerous traitors. Perhaps I gave them too much hope?

I'll have to make myself a little clearer to them.

I'm coming with you. I may not have the right to interfere with your work here. But I can hardly stand by when these guys are planning to start a whole war!

I thought you'd say that. Okay. So long as you don't mess things up for me, you can come.

I'll be good. But if what you're doing is wrong, I will stop you.

Hmm... I was trying my best to convince you, but I guess I failed.

Never mind. Let's head to the deck. That's where they'll be.

500 seconds until the time layer gate is fully charged. My wish will soon come true.

You're as excited as a little child about to unwrap a present.

Don't you realize that beneath the pretty wrapping paper, it's just an empty box? It's pitiful, really.

I'm sorry, but we can't allow your wish to come true. We will stop you.

DW-981. Why are you working with this man?

You really have to ask? He is not my enemy. The enemy of the hounds is those who would harm our time layer.

In other words, you.

But...but...you said you wanted to regain your former self!

Teehee. She was the cutest.

But it's not possible. Even if the flow of time returned to how it was before, I wouldn't be this me. Nor would I be the old me. I would be a completely new someone, whose whole life, whose memories had been rewritten.

You... You don't know that! That may have been the case before, but we might reach a new possibility now!

I want to live with my family! Like I did in the records.

That's understandable.

There's no need for sympathy. A crime is a crime, whatever the circumstances. And you will be punished.

You cold-blooded woman! Fine! Come at me! I have in my hands the ability to manipulate time!

......

Synth Hydra?

Has he gotten to Synth Hydra the way he did the Synth Humans?

He has. But it's okay, Aldo. His memory can be restored, as long as it wasn't tampered with too badly.

Pfft, you wish! We will regain our rightful happiness, whatever the sacrifice!

Okay, Aldo. I'm afraid we're going to have to put Hydra to sleep.

Time for your punishment. As a hound of Dicé the keepers of order, I will punish the traitor.

Phew! Synth Hydra's stopped.

Yes, he fell right to sleep like a good little boy. And now...

Guh!

You better not cause me any more trouble.

Now...

Are you...going to...wipe my memory?

No way! Why would you do that?

The dead don't speak. There is no guilt in ignorance. The innocent will be freed. This is both punishment and forgiveness delivered by the hounds to the criminals. Besides, if even just one remembers what took place today, it will only cause trouble down the line.

Someday, you will regret this.

I'm fine with that. We are only here because we have taken the place of those who should be. Imposters don't deserve happiness.

......

Are you really okay with this, Shannon? The reason why you hate alterations in history is because it erased the past you, isn't it? Surely this is the exact same thing?

I wouldn't say that. He'll be fine. He'll be deported to his original era and will be treated to help restore his memories. (Just not all of them...)

Oh really? That is a relief to hear. Losing your memory means losing the proof that you are who you are.

It must be terrible. I know you're hurting from it...

My, my, Aldo. You promised not to interfere with my work, remember?

I'm just worried about you. Even when you smile, I can tell that you're sad underneath.

If there's anything I can do for you, I'll do it.

So lean on me. We're friends, aren't we?

You really are kind.

Thank you, Aldo. To be honest, I'm not so good with this sort of thing. But you know... I really did like you.

Shannon?

But "Shannon" wouldn't harbor this feeling. I'll have to put an end to this before the feeling becomes real.

Why?

There's someone you want to save, right? Then don't lose sight of that. You shouldn't have to be burdened with someone like me. Your kindness is more than an imposter like me deserves.

So...forget everything.

Now everyone from today has had their memory wiped. All that's left is to wait for him to wake up.

Hm?

Morning, Aldo. Did you sleep well?

Shan...non?

Why, you must have been exhausted, sleeping in so late.

Why was I sleeping? I remember showing you around the area. I don't remember what happened next though. My head's so fuzzy...

Well of course it is. You collapsed.

I...I did?

I'm sorry. I failed to show you around like I promised.

Oh, I don't mind at all.

At least let me make it up to you.

Wait? Did you get that chair out?

Erm, yes. My legs were tired so I took the chair from the other room.

Hmm...

What's wrong? You're looking kinda funny.

I am? I guess I'm still half-asleep.

I know! I'll get Feinne to make us some more tea. You said you really liked that moonberry tea, right?

Huh?! How did you know that? All your memories from today should have...

How?

Actually, how DID I know that? We've never talked about it. I just had this image in my head, of you smiling as you drank that tea.

Sorry. Maybe I'm thinking of someone else.

......

Honestly! Don't confuse me for other girls, Aldo.

Though since you're offering, I wouldn't mind a cup of this moonberry tea.

Sure thing. I know you're going to love it!

As do I. The sweetness of the tea tickling my taste buds, your awkward smile, your kindness. I remember it all. And I always will.