To Break the Cycle

Doobee Doobee Dooooo♪

That doobee dooing sounds a lot like Ilulu...

...Something about this seems eerily familiar...

Oh no.

She's not here to...

Phew. Everyone seems to be okay.

Allo Al! What brings you here?

Oh! H-Hey Ilulu! I was, uh, just walkin' along this path here!

Really? You're such a goofball, Al.

Hey, so, uh, I heard you singing on the way over, what put you in such a good mood?

So you noticed?! Teehee! I'm in such a good mood becaaauuuse Clara is on her way! ...I think! ......Probably!

Clara? Ahhhh the girl whose soul you saved! She's turned into a purgatorian, right? That would make you her...boss?

Why the I thinks and probablys, though?

I've been aksing Boss evvvvvery day about it! "Is she here yet?" "Is she here yet?" "IS SHE HERE YET?"

...You did that every day?!

Well yeah! If I don't ask every day how else would I find out if today is the day?! Anysways, Boss used to get really, really, mad and be all "Furgur it out yourself Ilulu!" But now she doesn't get mad! Which means Clara is coming! Right? That's whats it means! ...Probably.

You are really excited, huh.

Yeah! Cause when she get here I'm gonna teach her how important life is and how beautiful flowers are... What the greenest leaf is, and where the good bees hang out, and who makes their bed the best and--

Hello there, my children.

What brings you two here today?

Hello Misses! Oh and yeah, I'm gonna show Clara how good Misses's cooking is!

Mm? That was all of a sudden.

But yes, I'm the best chef in town, so tell your friend to stop on by and I'll cook something!

Oh?

*meeooooww*

Meow Meorning to meow too, little kitty!

Is this your cat?

Yes. and it looks like it has taken quite the liking to Ilulu here.

Yayyy! Aren't you just a cutest! But sorry, four-legged souls are kinda sorta not my thing...

Four-legged...souls?!

Just pretend you didn't hear that part.

It's just souls and flowers are just about all Ilulu cares about. Right, Ilulu?

Haha that tickles, kitty! Stop it, you silly-billy!

Kitty? Kitty... Hmmm...

You okay, Ilulu?

OOOOOOOOPPSSSSSS!

What?! First you're laughing, now you're screaming, what's the deal?!

AL! Boss wanted to see me and I totally forgot!

O-Oh, okay?

Maybe you should go do that then?

Where are you supposed to meet them?

The Charol Plains! If I don't go now she'll yell at me again!

Wait! Ilulu!

See you later, ma'am!

In and out like the wind as always...

*Meoowwwwww...*

I knew it! Boss is already here! What should I do?!

Maybe start with apologizing?

That would help if it wasn't for the fact I've done this a few times already...

But I'll try it anyways!

Sorry I'm late, Boss!

Purrhaps you'd like to tell meow why you were so late?

I was just so focused on getting more soulzies and I totally lost track of time! You won't even believe how many soulzies I got!

I see, then why does your power seem so low?

You gotta look closer! I was working super-duper hard!

You sure you're not just saying that to get out of being late?

Ack...

Hah! Boss, you're so funny. Of course I wasn't! I would never do something like that!

But...I guess I did spend a little too much time talking to Al and Misses...

You were late because you were chatting, is it?

GAH!

Ilulu...

Sorry! I'm sorry! Sorrysorrysorry sorrysorrysorrysorrysorry!

...... Fine. I'm meowver it.

You're not mad at me?! Wooooooooohooooooooo!

Aaand she didn't learn a thing.

Anyway, in case you hadn't heard, Meo...Meeeo... *ahem* Mia will be arriving soon.

Mia?

You know her as Clara. You were known as Lully or something when you were human, right? Same thing. We purrrrgies live outside of the world of the living and the world of the dead. Meeo...Mia comes from Clara's soul, yes, but that being is different from Clara. Hence the mew name.

I seee! Okayyy!

Are you ready to see her meow?

YES!

Are you pawsitively sure?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYES! Stop being such a worry wart, Boss! I'm super-duper ready for this! And besides, you'll be here if something happens!

......

Whats wrong? You sure are acting funny, Boss.

The thing is...

I'm about to perform the act of reincarnation.

THE act of reincartation? The act of reincarnation... The...act...

YOU'RE WHAT?!

What's the act of reincarnation?

It's exactly as it sounds. It's when we bring someone out of purgatory, and back to life. You know how we purgies gather souls to earn power, right?

Yeah. So then you got enough to come back to life, then?

Purrcisely.

I don't remember Zevrio doing such a ritual when he brought a purgatorian back, though.

He didn't? Interesting...

He helped this beast boy whose soul couldn't be harvested.

I see... Then it wasn't a proper reincarnation. It must have been an emergency measure Zevrio took to save the boy.

Huh.

We were in a bit of a hurry, so that adds up.

Guys?! Hello?! Why are we talking about Zevvy?!

Whats I want to know is...

Does this mean I won't get to see you anymore? Cause if it is, I dun wanna.

The goal of a purgatorian is to grow a soul into maturity. And reincarnation is proof that soul has matured. Or have you furrgotten?

Noooooooooooo? But you shoulda told me you were gonna do this!

I didn't tell you because... I forgot.

.......

Anyway, meow that I have the power I need, I must meowve on. We are just delaying the inevitable by talking about it.

Can't we just wait a teeny tiny bit longer?

NO! It must be done MEOW!

Eep!

To be reincarnated is one of the greatest honors we can experience as purgatorians. It is unfathomable you would try to rob me of that honor!

But Boss...

No buts! You're a purgatorian, so you better start acting like one! You are the one that guides lost souls to their new lives.

......

Besides, you are...

Just shutup already!

...Meow?

Go have fun with your stupid reincarnation!

I don't care!

Maybe we should calm down a bit, eh?

You shutup too, AL!

......

Boss...

Goodbye, Ilulu.

Boss always does this! Always treats me like a little kid!

Come on, Ilulu, relax. I get that this is a lot to take in...

I get whats going on, okay! I'm just so flip floppin' MAD!

All of a sudden she's like "bye" and I'm supposed to just be all "Send a postcard!"?

UGGGH!! I just can't right now!

Ilulu, wait! Where are you going?!

Wait for me!!

There you are.

Hey Al...

This is your favorite place, right?

Mmhmm...

When Boss mentioned reincarnation, I just got so sad... My head got all fuzzy and I couldn't think straight...

Why's that?

I thought Boss was gonna be my boss forever...

My brain just refuses to believe this is really happening.

But I'm wrong, right? It's not my place to tell Boss what they can do with their life.

I just don't know what to do, Al.

You sure you don't want to be there for the reincarnation?

I don't care about Boss anymore, so yes I'm sure.

If you don't care, then why is it so hard for you to accept?

Because we've been together forever and ever and ever and ever, that's why!

90% of the time Boss was mad at me about something, but 10% of the time Boss was super nice! I'd even get compliments sometimes!

I guess... I guess I just thought Boss would tell me about something like this before doing it.

Right, but put yourself in Boss's shoes. Would you do the same?

In Boss's shoes?

Yeah, if this was your reincarnation, would you tell Boss about it right away, or would you wait?

...... I dunno...I guess it'd be really hard for me to say something. Reincarnation is good! It's a good thing. But it's hard. My chest gets all tight just thinking about what Boss must be going through...

Wait, you think maybe Boss feels the same way?

I bet she does.

Oh poop... I shouldn't have said all those things, huh.

I should go back and give her a proper send off.

Sounds like a plan. I'm sure it's not too late. Let's start by heading to Ratle and asking for an astral projection from Onodera.

Wait, you're gonna help me find her?

Why wouldn't I?

I told you, you're like a little sister to me. If Feinne was in a similar position, I'd back her all the way.

Same goes for you.

Hey Al...

You're the best, Al! Off to Ratle-tattle-ho we go!

...And that's why we need you to send us to Purgatory.

......

Why isn't the straw guy saying anything?

I, Onodera, by the ax lodged in my chest, am honored to hear your cry for help. So it is with the utmost respect I shall send a vision of you to Purgatory.

Does it need to be that dramatic, though?

Have you prepared yourselves for the most important venture you will henceforth endeavor?

...Yes?

Don't think I'll ever get used to this whole existing just as a soul thing.

Feels weird.

So, where do they do the ritual?

I can feel Boss's soulzie from over there!

We should hurry! Before Boss reincarnates!

......

Wait up Boss!

What are you doing here, Ilulu?

To find you, duh! Remember when you said that thing about me being a purgatorian and that I should start thinking like one? I want to prove to you I'm ready!

Oh?

Yeah! Check this out!

Mrow...

Convinced now, Boss?

Ilulu...

That's the reincarnation dress...

Do you have any idea what you've done?

Ye...wait, what?

Only those qualified for reincarnation are allowed to wear that outfit! Wearing that dress is an insult to all purrgatorians!

I had a feeling you might say that...

But I'm keeping it on! This is how I'll prove to you I'm serious!

Have you lost your mind? If you don't have enough power, your soul will be doomed!

What kinda doom?

The kind of doom that drags your soul away from the cycle of time!

They should have told you this when you got the outfit!

They did. That's the whole reason I'm doing this.

It pains me to see our relationship end this way, but I must go now. Farewell Ilulu, we shall never meet again.

O' light of reincarnation...

WAIT! I wasn't done!

Ilulu! Back off or you'll be sucked in!

What happened?

That voice...

A phantom! How did you get here?!

So this is the doom...

Not without a fight you wont!

Did I win?

There's more than one?!

They just keep coming!

No... I can't lose... Not like this...

Urgh...

Ilulu!

We better get a handle on this situation quick...

There's just too many of them to fend off! We need to take care of Ilulu, but how?!

I have the purrfect idea.

What are you doing?!

Huh?

Where am I? What was I doing? I remember trying to stop Boss from reincarnating...

There you are!

......

I'm not giving up yet, Boss!

......

I'll prove to you that I can really do this!

......

Boss! Can you hear me?! Why don't you say anything?!

Ilulu...

Me..ow....

Just tell me you will be fine on your own...

What? Why? Why would you say that?

Boss! Wait! Don't go!

Boss!

...Huh? How did I? Nevermind! Where's Boss?!

Boss? You didn't... You...

She did it to save you.

Save me? Right...I was fighting the phantoms, and then...

She did what?!

NO.

I WILL NOT LET YOU TAKE HER!

This is my mistake, and I take full responsibility. So I have to be the one that fixes that mistake! If I don't, Boss won't get the reincarnation she deserves!

He's the last of 'em, Ilulu. I've got your back, so let's get 'em!

It isss a hollowww victoryyy... We havvve herrr powerrr... Sssheee can no longer reincarnateee... May the guilt haunt youuu foreverrr...

Ilu...lu...

This is all my fault, Boss...

It's fine, Ilulu...

No it's not! I thought, if I could defeat the power from beyond the cycle...

And then I'd prove to you I was worthy of being a purgatorian! But I messed up, and you paid for it...

It's fine, Ilulu, truly. I was happy to purrrtect you.

Why? Why would you protect someone as stupid as me? All I ever did was disappoint you.

Simple. A boss must always purrtect their apprentices.

Boss...

It was my fault as well. I should have told you about my reincarnation plans sooner.. Please...forgive me...

Boss! Your body!!

I do not have much power left in me... The phantoms were right about that, at least...

No! You can't give up now!

Just let me go, Ilulu. There's nothing you can do to save me from my destiny...

Yeah there is! You can go inside of me, like what I did with Clara!

That might actually work!

Impossible... Ilulu is two-legged, I'm four-legged. Our souls are incompatible.

Four-legged, eh...

Boss! We can't give up now!

......

Hey Ilulu. I got a crazy idea, but I'm not sure if it'll work or not.

Well, what is it?!

Maybe I can try absorbing her soul?

Silly Al, you've only got two legs.

Yeah, about that. There's not time to explain, but I'm asking you to trust me on this. Will you trust me?

...Okay. But I've never heard of souls passing through a medium like this...

But it's worth a shot.

I'm gonna save you, Boss! Just hold on a little while longer!

Prrr... So warm....

Boss?

Did it work?

It's a meowracle... Ilulu. You've prrroven to me that you've grown since I took your soul back in Sarupa.

I was ready to give it all up... But here I am, ready to reincarnate again.

...... Do you really have to?

I'm gonna miss my Bossy...

What did I just say?!

I know! It's just... I couldn't have made it this far without you, Boss.

It's okay, Ilulu. I understand your gratitude, there is no need for words.

Boss...

I still can't believe you risked donning the reincarnation garb just to prove a point... You never fail to suprrrise me, Ilulu.

You think you're surprised? You didn't even give me enough time to get a farewell gift!

That's where you're wrong. Your love and thoughtfulness was the best gift I could ever receive... You'll make a wonderful Boss. Just keep being you, Ilulu.

It's time. I'll always be watching over you. Now take care of Mia for me, will nya?

Boss! Wait!

......

Ilulu...

I'll try my best! I'll be a super good boss and teach Mia everything you taught me, okay?!

I still have such a long way to go... All my fuzzy-wuzzy and icky-sticky feelings got all bumbled and jumbled and now it's all just pouring out...

It's okay. Let it all out...

Al...

You're going to be Mia's boss! That doesn't mean you have to be some emotionless zombie. You should be able feel all those feelings you're having, especially now. And when you've got it all out, you'll be ready to move forward again.

*sniffle*...

WWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

Feel better?

Sorry you had to see that.

No, it's fine! I totally understand how you feel.

Have you ever lost someone important to you, Al?

It was a different kind of situation, but... I have someone I respect just as much as you respect Boss. They've been trapped in darkness and I've been unable to save them...

I hope you do, someday...

Yeah. Someday.

Hey Al... I want to go to Sarupa. Will you come with me?

Why Sarupa?

It's where I met Boss for the first time...

I see, okay then, let's go.

I can't believe I'm about to become someone's boss. I'm kinda freaking out about it, actually.

Just remember what YOUR boss said.

Be yourself.

It sounds so easy, but it feels so difficult...

You're gonna be fine!

You must be...

CLARA!

...Clara?

Oh, my bad. MIA! You must have lost your memory, huh.

Most of it...yes... I remember being a lost soul... And I remember you...sis.

Really?!

It's all a bit hazy though... Probably why when I woke up I just started heading in this direction... Something was guiding me to you.

To me?!

It's strange, isn't it? You saved me, right?

How do you remember that?! Reborn purgatorians are supposed to forget all that kind of stuff!

It's hard to explain, but when I'm near you... I feel like I can hear a voice...

What voice?!

A voice that keeps me from giving up. A voice that keeps telling me to fight, no matter how hard the road ahead might be...

......

But don't worry! Soon you'll have a whole new life! Just leave it to this here reaper! Then you can have another chance to be happy!

You remembered...

Remembered what?

Oh, nothing...

Yeah?

Without you, sis, I wouldn't be here.

So I just want to say, thank you for saving me.

Mia...

Yayyy, I finally got to thank you!

I think I'm going to cry again...

You've gone this far, what's one more cry gonna do?

Stupid Al!

Ah, right. I should properly introduce myself!

I'm Ilulu. I'll be your boss from here on out. Got it?

I think so, sis...er... Hmmm...

What's the matter?

I probably shouldn't call you sis if you're my boss, huh?

Yeah! So from now on I'm gonna call you Boss, Boss!

I dunno if I like that...

But I definitely don't hate it!

Someone's feeling better, huh?

Am I? It's so hard to tell...

But a boss has to prrrotect her apprentice, right?! That's what my boss woulda wanted, I bet!

Yeah. You've grown a whole lot in such a short period of time... I think you're ready for this whole "Boss" thing, Ilulu.

Ya think?! I sure hope so! But I still got a long ways to go before I prove I'm fit to wear this outfit!

I was actually about to ask about that. You sure you should be wearing that? I thought your boss said it was only for reincarnation.

It's fiiiiiiine. Besides, look how cute it is?! It's...to die for! Boss DID say I should always be myself, right?

I...don't know if she meant it this way though...

HEY!

We got a soulzie on the run, Mia, do you copy?

...Yes! I copy! Wait! Wait for me!

Maybe she's right about having able long way to go after all...

There...you are.... Finally...

You okay?!

Is there an emergency or something?

My...cat! Just gave birth...to kittens!

Congratulations!

...Wait.

Heh. Seems like Boss couldn't leave her on her own after all, huh?