The Sealed Angel

Blessed wings of the divine...!

Hm...?

Celestial blessings...! Benediction of Holy Light...!

Hm, not quite that either, then... How about...

W..Wings?!

...Wait. I already said wings. Oh dear, I must admit I might be a little bit stuck...

What are you doing, Suzette?

Eep!

Aldo! Don't you know it's a mortal sin to peek at a girl when she's transforming?!

A mortal, what?! Er, so you were trying to...transform, just now? Transform into what?

Oh, I...well, I was... Um, if I were to describe it, I...

Alright, then let me try a guess? Since you were going on about blessings and wings, the obvious thing is...

...That's it, an angel!

A-Aldo! Don't shout like that, do you want everyone to hear you?!

Why are you so self-conscious all of a sudden? Aren't you always going on about demons and spirits and stuff?

That's exactly the point! Just imagine the scandal if anyone found out the Netherworld's princess was spending... So much time on anything celestial! That's why I've got to practice all of this in secret.

I'm not sure I follow you, but I guess the Netherworld has its own rules and regulations, huh?

But, anyway, why an angel...?

You were there in the Traitor's Ground, weren't you? You saw them. Those dazzling alabaster wings, shimmering with the light of the divine, unfurling from my back...

I do remember. You had this amazing power when it happened too, what you used to protect everyone.

I wish I understood where it came from or how I was able to use it... And those wings... So shining and white...they remind me of the storybooks I loved as a child. Everything about them was just...so...

...Yeah, they were pretty cool.

Eep! H-How did you know what I was thinking?!

I just figured I had a good idea how you felt, that's all. You were a real lifesaver that time. I don't know if we'd've made it without you, so...thanks.

Hehe, I should be thanking you just as much! You've been so much help!

...Hm?

R-Run! Save yourselves!!!

There's a robot rampaging through the Gamma District!!

What?!

Was it really a robot, though? I didn't get a good look or anything, but I swear I heard a girl's voice...

It was obviously a robot! The guard bots didn't even get close enough to touch the thing before it blasted them to pieces!

...Ghk! Never mind! We can argue about it once we escape the thing!

You there! Don't just stand there staring! You've got to run!!

...Aldo. Did you hear that?

...I heard it.

If any of that's true, there's no way we can just run the other way. If this robot dares to set upon and trample the innocent citizens of this city, then I, as the Princess of the... Netherworld, the solemn shepherd of the spirits which pass unto that dark realm, have a duty to... Raise up my hammer and confront this dire threat!

It's cool you're so committed to helping people despite being a Dark Scion of Chaos and all that, Suzette.

Wh, ?! E-Even a Princess of the Netherworld has her standards! Wanton destruction is an affront to my sense of aesthetic!

(Wanton destruction seems totally in line with the whole Chaos aesthetic...)

L-Let's just hurry, Aldo! We need to get to the Gamma District!

So that's the robot that's gone berserk? Wait, is...is there a person stuck in the middle of that thing?

That's...this is unforgivable!

Yeah. I don't care who or what this thing is, but we can't just let it drag innocent people into this.

Well, yes, that too, but...!!! Look! Isn't that La Vie En Rose's street?! To turn your blade towards such a font of confectionery wisdom such as La Vie En Rose, shining bright in... The annals of sweets connoisseurs everywhere! Why, it's only the basest and most vile of sacrilege! I simply will not stand for it!

H-Hey! Suzette! If you charge ahead like that...

...It stopped when it saw you?

...No, I must be imagining things. I can't let her take that thing on by herself!

Aldo! I knew you'd come to my aid! What else could you do, as a knight bound to the Nether, after all.

I was just worried you'd get yourself into trouble rushing in like that. Nothing to do with being a nether, er

You know what? Never mind. That thing looks pretty tough. Don't let your guard down!

Gah...how is it so strong? Doesn't look like we're going to make any headway with a direct approach. Plus...there's just something off about it. The way it moves makes my skin crawl, like it's testing us...

...Aldo, watch out!

Wh, Sorry!

I don't think we're getting anywhere, like this. Looks like I might have to...

You've got an idea then?

I do. I may have no choice but to call forth the forbidden darkness, and...

Hiiiyaaa!!!

Oh come on, you just beat it up!

Well, I got it to stop, didn't I?

Are we sure that actually worked...?

Whoa...!

......

A girl...?

Manifesting power like that without even using a control module.... I shouldn't have expected any less from you, Suzette. You really are well favored by the Genome.

How do you know my name?!

Hehe...I guess I shouldn't be surprised you don't recognize me. Don't my braids look familiar, at least? It's me, Marfa! We grew up together in the lab, remember?

I, er... Marfa?

What are you doing here? Why were you inside that armor?

That was my auxiliary support exo-frame. I'm afraid my bones aren't quite durable enough to withstand my gene-edited strength. ...Actually, the reason I came was because I hoped we could be friends again, Suzette.

......

Suzette, listen...despite everything that happened with the lab, there were still survivors. Well, only the Professor and I for the moment, but still... We even managed to save a little bit of the data! I think we might really be able to restart the research, and I was wondering... Would you come with me?

Restart the research... Wait, do you mean this had something to do with that robot running rampant just now? Exactly what kind of research are you involved in?!

Geez! Why are you so upset, anyway? After I came all this way just to talk to you... Fine. The goal of our research is to develop an even more powerful genome than yours, Suzette. You must be able to imagine it, right? The possibilities? With power like that, we'll be able to get our hands on any- thing we need, and destroy... Anything that's not useful to us. The world would be ours to do with as we please! That's why I'm here, Suzette. We want you right there by our side!

Wh, You can't...!

You saw how powerful I've become, right? And that's just from the current research! I'm so much stronger than I ever was before, and I want the same for you. If you'll just join me, we can...

......

Suzette? What's wrong?

...I'm sorry.

Huh...?

I don't remember. I don't know who you are. I don't know anything about...any of this...

Suzette...

You don't remember...? How could you have forgotten me?! We were practically inseparable! We spent every day together!

Whoa, calm down. Let me explain. Suzette can't remember anything from before she was about five years old.

Aldo! Don't, just...!

You knew Suzette when you were both little, right? That's probably why she doesn't remember.

......

...No. This can't be... I waited so long to see her again, and when I finally do, she doesn't even remember me?

...... I-I, er...

It's alright, though. It'll all be okay. If you come with me back to the lab, I can show you everything you're missing. All the memories we built together...

Is that true...?

You can't go back there, Suzette.

Aldo...?

Suzette told me she was found in the ruins when she was five. There had to have been some kind of accident or something, right? Something that made her lose her memories. Whatever it was, it was probably traumatic. Don't you think it's cruel to burden her with it again?

...Huh. You seem awful certain about what "must" have happened to Suzette, for how vague you're being.

...You know something, don't you? You know exactly what happened to Suzette.

......

That's why you don't want me getting any closer, isn't it? Do you really think you can stop her from remembering anything? No matter how hard you try, you can't keep the truth from her forever.

...... I still can't just...

...It's from the Professor. I have to get back to the lab.

If you don't want to join me, Suzette, I can take care of things on my own, so don't worry.

...Wait! I...Marfa, wait.

Yes?

Could you at least put your hood down? Maybe if I could see your face, I might remember something...

Oh, um...sorry. I can't do that. When the lab was destroyed I was badly burned, and my face...well, it's not a pretty sight.

...!

Huh...? That expression... I see. So you haven't completely forgotten, have you?

...Suzette. If you change your mind and want to help, then follow these coordinates. As long as you're by my side, I won't care if the whole world is devoured by flames. ...I hope you feel the same way.

......

Suzette...

Aldo, I...

You still don't remember anything, right?

What?

Never mind...don't answer that. At any rate, it looks like you're her target. I'll go alone. It's too dangerous for you. Can you show me those coordinates?

......

...No. I'm coming too, Aldo.

Why would you?!

How can I not?! You saw the kind of power she had, I can't let you go there alone. The two of us can move heaven and earth, remember? I'm going with you, whether you want me to or not.

But...

...I see. It looks we can get there from the Industrial Ruins.

Let's go, Aldo!

Suzette...!

If you keep going like this, you'll...

I destroyed that whole facility. And not just the building, but the people working there, even the children!

I repressed the memories. They were too much for me... And I filled in the gaps with that story about being from the Netherworld.

It wasn't your fault, Suzette! You were a kid yourself, you didn't know any better! You did the only thing you could to keep yourself safe, that's all.

That doesn't change what I've done. These sins of mine, they're unforgiveable.

I...I forgive you! Suzette, you should be forgiven! You can't erase what you've done, but I can help you bear the responsibility!

Aldo... You would do that, for me?

Right! After all... Just forget about it, Suzette. Just like when you were five.

If she keeps going like this, she's going to remember what happened in the lab. If that happens, I don't know if she can withstand the heartbreak again...

...It won't happen. I'll put a stop to this before it comes to that. Before the two of them...

The way Aldo's been acting, it must be because of me. He must still think I don't remember anything about the lab. He's trying to protect me...

You've got it all wrong, Aldo. I remember everything.

...Everything except Marfa.

I can't remember anything about her. It's like she never existed, to me... So, who is she really, then?

...Alright, we should get going then, Suzette.

Indeed! Onwards, then, to the Industrial Ruins!

Testing on the newly developed genome showed some promising results.

Why did you call me back? I was really making progress with her...

If you'd stayed there any longer, then COA and EGPD would have gotten involved. I've no doubt we could have managed them in a fight, but I'd like to keep a low profile for now.

Not to mention...she doesn't exactly seem likely to sympathize with our goals.

Huh...?{lang-nuance}マーファ、研究員のシュゼットは敵という話{/lang-nuance}

We're detecting intruders in the research area... It's Suzette, and... that boy she was with. They're taking down our security machines and snooping through the research equipment. I can't interpret this as anything but hostility. Clearly, she intends to stop us.

......

Professor? What are you going to do when Suzette gets here?

Oh dear, are you afraid of facing her power? There's no need. We'll mobilize the machines we need and put a stop to her long before she reaches us.

You can't!

What's the point of all this, if we just destroy her? Haven't you been trying to create a genome that will surpass even your so-called "Perfect Genome"? Well, I'm the result of all that new research, aren't I? You have to let me fight Suzette!

......

If I can defeat Suzette at her full power, we'll be able to demonstrate beyond any doubt... The superiority of my genome over hers. More importantly, we'll have the data we need to push your research even further, Professor! This will be the proof we need, that we're on the right path. So, please...

I understand. You believe that defeating Suzette will be proof positive of... All we are and all we've accomplished ...something like that?

If she isn't going to join us then at the very least, I want to defeat her with my own hands. My genome should be far superior to hers, at this point, and I want to prove it beyond any doubt. This can be the final stage of our practical experimentation. A true test.

Very well. I'll order the security machines I deployed to withdraw, for now. I don't need to tell you the kinds of trouble she'll cause if you can't manage to defeat her. You'd best make sure you succeed, since you're the one who invited her here in the first place.

No worries. You can trust me with this.

...I'll finally be able to settle things, once and for all. I'm coming, Suzette. You just wait!

The security machines are...retreating?

Of course! They must tremble at our power!

Actually, I'm pretty sure we should probably start expecting a trap...

Trap or no, who could possibly stand against you and I, partners bound by a pact made in our previous lives?!

(The plot continues to thicken, it seems...)

...Still, as far as I can tell from the research data, the girl with the braids seems to be telling the truth. They really do want to take over the world...

Indeed. They have quite lofty ambitions, I'd say. Using genome-editing to craft Marfa into a living weapon of mass destruction... All the while working against both the government and opposition forces. No matter who prevails... They'll be the true power behind the throne, and when that happens, they'll be ideally situated. The support exo-frames will make it possible to greatly increase the rate and acceptance of gene-editing... Allowing them to boost their military power in turn. The cowards who fear progress will have no choice but to confront them directly.

That's the real reason they're doing all this research into it, then?

That's why we have no choice but to put a stop to this right now, before it goes any further.

And I might just be the only one who can do it.

Suzette...?

Back in the Gamma District, we weren't able to even put a scratch on the exo-frame. But if she and I truly are products of the same lab, created with the same genome... There must be a way I can draw out the same power in myself. This is a fight I should be able to win.

......

That's why I needed more information. I needed to know myself more deeply than I had before, to be sure that this was the power I drew on, before. And, more than that, for myself, I needed to know who she was to me in the past.

...I don't see why.

Aldo...?

It's not like you'll be fighting alone, Suzette. You're already just as strong as you need to be. Stronger, even. Of course you couldn't use your full strength in the middle of town last time. Well, La Vie En Rose isn't here this time, so you don't have to worry about that. More importantly, I am here with you. If we fight together we'll be more than enough to beat her. After all...you and I are partners bound by a pact made in our previous lives, remember?

......

Stopping her isn't your responsibility alone. We'll both be fighting...

...Thank you, Aldo.

You've been trying to protect me, haven't you?

Huh...? I...I don't know what you're talking about. I just said we should fight her together, like al...

I'm not talking about just that. Your behavior has been a bit strange ever since we got to this lab area. I can tell you've been worried about what would happen to me, if we kept going further in.

......

And... I already know exactly why.

What does that mean?

Do you remember what you told me?

How you said you'd help me bear the responsibilityof all those unforgivable sins?

....! Then... You never forgot any of that?!

...I couldn't bring myself to say anything. Remembering all of that was just so...

Oh, Suzette...

You wanted so badly to shield me from all of it. You were afraid my heart would be shattered by the weight of remembering all the terrible things I'd done.

Don't tell me this...

So I stayed quiet. Part of me wanted everything to stay just the same as it always had between us... And part of me just wanted it to be true. To just accept your kindness, that sharing of the burden of those eternal sins.

That can't be true!

Say it isn't so!

...I'm so sorry. I've been lying to you this whole time.

That's not it! I'm not mad at you, Suzette! I'm furious with myself!! I told myself I was going to help you face up to everything you went through... But I've been acting like nothing happened this entire time! I basically let you suffer in silence all this time and I never noticed a thing!

Aldo...

Tch. Some partner I turned out to be... I didn't even realize my friend was in pain.

...That's not true, Aldo! You've always done everything you could to try and support me! More than anyone else ever has!

But...!

You know, I've thought back to that so many times since then. About the things I did, and all the lives I took. Each and every one of them.

......

Those sins really were unforgivable. Sometimes I honestly hoped that the guilt really would crush me... That I could give in to it and just... I tried to run away from my sins so many times. I thought giving into the guilt and the despair was the only way out I had left.

But, whenever I started to think like that...I remembered you, Aldo. I remembered how you swore to bear the burden with me, the forgiveness you offered me.

......

And then I knew that I could never do it. I couldn't run away all by myself and leave you here alone to suffer. More than anything else, I could never forgive myself if I did that. You gave me the strength to continue being myself, even when I was faced with the weight of all those memories.

...... But, then... I don't understand. I feel like I was just making you force yourself to suffer even more. Suzette, in those memories, you...

No, Aldo. Even if I feel guilty, even if what I did is unforgivable, that's all the more reason I can't run away. This is a burden I need to carry. That's what I want. It's what I ought to do. I want to move forward and keep living, to find a way to carry these memories. So thank you, Aldo. Thanks for always looking out for me, and for helping me find the strength not to run away.

Suzette...

Although, it seems to me that perhaps I still have some sins that haven't yet been brought to light.

Huh...?{lang-nuance}アルド、シュゼットの罪の話に対して{/lang-nuance}

I thought I had already remembered everything that happened in the lab. But Marfa... I don't remember anything about her. Nothing at all... I don't understand why I wouldn't remember her.

...Could her memories of you be made up somehow?

I can't deny that's possible, but... The way she was looking at me, I can't believe she's lying.

Then...

Then, they must exist. Somewhere buried in the depths of my mind, hidden memories still lurk.

......

So, please, will you help me with this, Aldo? There might be something here that will help us find out. At the very least, there should be some kind of clue to who Marfa really is. Will you help me find it?

...... You want to do this, even if it might uncover even more painful memories?

...I'm prepared to accept that.

As long as you're with me, I know I can face up to anything without running away.

...Alright. Let's search this place together, then. Just promise me you won't push yourself to take on too much.

I won't. Thank you so much... my one and only partner.

...Oh, dear. It seems as if our two guests have veered quite a bit off course. They now appear to be searching around the lab facilities. Perhaps they think they can find out what our weaknesses are?

......

We've already gotten everything we can from these devices. Looks like all we have left is this area here...

...Hm?

That picture book...!

Picture book?

This is it, I know it. We used to read this over and over, back in the lab. "Princess of the Netherworld"....

Why is it here...?

...I don't know. Maybe Marfa left it here to try and tell me something...

What could she possibly be trying to tell you with that...?

...!!! This is...

What is it? Did you find something?

There's a ribbon stuck between the pages. ...... ...Oh. I see. I remember now, Aldo. A person I hoped I'd never forget. And... ...I remember all of my sins, now.

Suzette...

Knowing that, though...now there's one more thing I have to confirm for myself. Will you come with me? It's time for us to actually visit the place marked by these coordinates.

Of course I will!

We're almost to the coordinates that Marfa gave us.

Alright. ...By the way, what is this new thing you need to confirm, Suzette? The picture book helped you remember Marfa, right? Are you trying to find out why you forgot her in the first place?

...No, that's not it. The reason my memories of Marfa were sealed away is... ...I'm certain it's because the guilt was so great I couldn't bear to remember.

Guilt? For what...?

I remember so many horrible things I've done, but this one...it's so much worse than all the rest... Somehow I locked away and hid the memory of a sin that I never should have been able to forget.

What's that supposed to mean?

...How could I have forgotten?

...Aldo. I killed Marfa.

What?!

All the memories that ribbon brought back for me, the way Marfa looked at me as she lay dying... The way she took my hand...

But, wait... If you killed Marfa, then who did we meet back in Elzion? Are you sure you're remembering correctly, Suzette?

I don't know... That's why I have to confirm the truth of what happened for myself.

...I see. We still don't know if they're going to be interested in talking to us, though. I'll buy as much time as I can for you, but if I see you're in trouble, I'm not going to wait.

That's more than enough. Thank you. Shall we?

Suzette...I was waiting for you. I suppose I should give you one last chance, so...will you join us?

......

...I guess not. I'm sorry, then. I really am. You leave me no choice but to defeat you and prove the power of my genome!

Wait...! I don't want to fight you, Marfa. I remembered everything. The picture book, the ribbon. ...Why you braid your hair like that.

......

What do you think you're doing, Marfa?

...Nothing. Sorry, Suzette. This doesn't change anything. I still have to fight you.

This is it...!

Stand back, Aldo!

...There's still so much we need to talk about!

Marfa, I...

I wanted... I wanted us to be friends...again...

......

Because...because if my memories are right, we had a fight over that picture book. We fought and we never had the chance to make up again, after that.

...You really do remember everything.

Yeah, I do. Your hair kept growing because of faults in the genome. You sat there crying with scissors in your hand... And I taught you how to braid your hair...

...I remember. You tied my ribbons for me.

But that day...we had a fight over the picture book.

About whether or not angels really exist.

Angels are real. I still believe that, even today...but you didn't feel the same.

I was older than you. I understood the things the researchers were saying so much better than you did. I understood that the two of us were nothing more than guinea pigs to them. Lab rats, to help them understand exactly how much genome alteration was sustainable. Our suffering was irrelevant. I thought if angels really existed, they'd have come to save us from that hell, wouldn't they?! So I couldn't let it go when you said you believed in angels...and that's why we ended up having that fight.

Even so, I still...

I know. I get it now. I know you wanted to believe that you could be that angel.

You wanted me to believe it, too. You were afraid I was going to lose hope.

...... But, if my memories are correct, then I also did something terrible to you. After our fight, when we ran into each other as the lab was burning down around us...

You didn't do anything wrong, Suzette. It couldn't have been helped.

But, Marfa! I know I... I...I'm so sorry. How did you ever escape...?

Oh, that? I...

Ghk...?!

Marfa?!

...Tch. Looks like she's cottoned on to me...

But I do have...one request... Suzette... M-My...

Hmph. I knew you would try asking Suzette for help behind my back. Did you really think I was that stupid?

What have you done to Marfa?!

...Well, why don't I explain? This is the perfect opportunity, after all! She'd been fitted with a control module, to make her totally incapable of defiance.

What?!

Sadly, it seems she managed to break through the controls. So I took the liberty of replacing the module. It appears she's been going easy on you until now, but you won't find me quite as accommodating, I assure you.

What?!

...Little fool. I wonder if she really thought I wouldn't notice what she was doing? I figured out what she was plotting the minute she said she'd convince you to join us.

Plotting...?

She acted as if she wanted to recruit you, sure... But all she really wanted to do was find a way to tell you our plans. ...She knew you were the only one who she could trust to stop her.

That's awful... Then, what was her last request...?

Who knows? I've no idea whatever it was she wanted to tell you at the end, and I couldn't possibly care less. It doesn't matter what she wanted. All that matters right now is what I want.

...?!

So, why don't we make a deal, Suzette? If you want your friend to live, you'd best turn your body over to me.

My body?! What would you dare do with it...?

After I get you fitted with a control module, you won't get any say in what I do with it anyway, but I'll tell you. I think I'll have the two of you fight until one of you is damaged beyond repair. Most likely that will be Marfa. No matter how hard she may try, your abilities are clearly superior to hers. It's more than likely she'll be destroyed in the process of losing to you.

Coward...! How low can you sink?!

Wh, ?!

Oh my, I must say that's quite the respectable power level for such a rush job. This is classified KMS tech. I doubt you'll know anything about it, no matter how much wandering through time and space you've done. It's unfortunate I was never able to get my hands on the actual data concerning it, but... Well, the important thing is, I managed to recreate the technology, even if it is a bit of a hack job. After all, did you really think I'd keep a dangerous weapon like Marfa around without some insurance?

She's not a weapon! And neither is Suzette!

Hehe, how precious. If something like this isn't a weapon, then what is?

Aaaah!

Suzette!!!

Suzette, indeed. Hurry up and come home to your rightful owner. I can't even remember how many times I've watched through the recordings that survived the lab's destruction. You're a true miracle of science! Compared to you, Marfa's nothing but a piece of obsolete junk. The genome caused such strain on her body she needs that exo-frame to use her power at all!

......

It's unfortunate that my research was never able to surpass the Perfect Genome... But I guess I just had inferior material. I can't tell you how my heart leapt when she told me she'd lured you here.

Your return is another miracle from above, sure as anything. As far as I'm concerned, you really are an angel...

...!!!

Hehe...! Your power is truly amazing. Still, it's hopeless. Haven't you been paying attention?

No...it isn't hopeless.

Huh...?

You let go of your tablet in the blast. ...I'm certain the information I'm looking for is on here somewhere.

Just what do you think you can accomplish?!

...I certainly hope you don't think you'll find the program for Marfa's control module. Because if so, that tablet's not going to help. I've loaded it onto this wearable device, to make sure it can never be stolen.

That's not it... I was looking for the data from the destruction of the lab.

What?!

I've been thinking, this whole time. Thinking there had to be some way to end this without hurting anyone... In order to stop Marfa, I have to find a way to draw out the utmost extent of my power, and control it. The same power that I wasn't able to withstand before. The power that consumed me. I'm afraid of what could happen if I can't control it again. If that happened... That same tragedy would repeat itself and I'd lose the people I care about forever.

That's why...!

Suzette, what are you, ?!

Aldo, I need to go back to that day. I need to unlock the information in these records and dive back into the sea of my memories. I have to analyze them. I need to truly understand what happened that day. How was my power unleashed, and what caused me to lose control like that?

No... Suzette, you can't! I can't let you do that! I get that you need to understand how to control your power... But those memories almost crushed you before! How can you say you're just going to dive into them? You've already suffered enough, Suzette! How can you still...

Thank you, Aldo. Thank you for caring about me. But that's even more reason why I have to do this. Will you watch over me?

......

This power of mine once badly hurt someone I held very dear. Now it might be the only way for me to save her. If there's even the smallest chance that the memories of that day hold the key to controlling my abilities... I can't run away from this chance.

Suzette...

Hmph. Futile nonsense...

......

...Alright. If you're really doing this...

I won't try to stand in your way. I'll stay right here and protect this place until you get back.

...Thank you. Wait for me, alright?

...Snff...hck...WAHHH... ...Ow. Ghh...my head hurts so much... The fire...everyone's burning... Why...? Why is this...

Aahh!!!

Ow! It hurts! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts! Feels like...my head...splitting open...

...Gh...hahhh...hahhh...

Help...me...! Someone...he..lp...

Hck...snff...

...Oh...

A...grown up...

Damn it...! I have to at least save the data...!

Um...

Hm?

Gh...Gaaaahhhh!!!

Eee!!

Please... Please just let me live! I'm sorry about experiments, I'll make it up to you! I'll do anything, just...

Make it...up?

D-Don't play dumb! You're here for revenge, aren't you?!

I haven't done anything wrong! I was only following the research plan... Sorry if the research hurt sometimes, but I'm not the one who brought you here! You have to understand that!

I...I don't understand...this is so scary...

There wasn't any other way! It's not my fault, you've got to let me go! Wait! I-If you let me go, I'll...

Aaaahh!!

Hck...snff..

This power! I knew it! You came here to kill me, didn't you?!

I...I didn't do anything wrong!

Shut up! Fight back, why don't you! Don't just sit there and allow yourself to be killed!!

No, stop!!!

Eeaaagh...!!!

Y-You monster! Monster!!!

Mon...ster... Did I...

The fire...

Waaah...hck...!

Why...?! Stop, please stop...

Hck... Stop it...stop, I don't want this...

...Suzette?

Huh...?

Marfa...

Th-Thank goodness...! I was afraid there was no one left.

W-Wait, Marfa!

Huh...?

...Oh, that's right. We had that fight, didn't we? But, Suzette, I really...

That's not it!

...I wanted to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said angels don't exist. I know how much that picture book means to you, Suzette. I just got caught up in my own troubles, and...

Waaahh...!

...I guess it's silly to worry about something like that when the lab's burning down like this, huh? Hehe...I guess it is, but for some reason, I was more afraid of never making up with you than I am of dying.

I've been praying this whole time. That I'd find you; that the fight we had wouldn't be the last time we ever talked.

And I did find you! I'm sure one of your angels granted that wish for me, Suzette. That we could be friends, again...

Eee?!

Marfa, get out of the way...!

S-Suzette...? What...is this...?

Please...run....

Huh...?

You have to ru, !

Aaaahhh!!

Marfa... Can't move... Why...

I...I can't control my body...!

Just...please...not near Marfa... Don't let her be hurt...!

Aaahhh!!!

Hahh...hahh... Marfa, I...

Gh...!

Ngh...

Suzette? That just now, was that...

Marfa, you have to run!

B-But... I can't just leave you here, Suzette!

You have to...! Please...please...get away...

...Aaahhhhhh!!

......

M-Marfa...?

Wh-Where is she? Where...?

Please...you have to get out... This...I can't...this...

Gaaaaahhhh!!

S...ry...

Huh...? That voice...

...m sorry... I'm...sorry...

...Suzette!!

Are you alright...?

Huh...?! Aldo...?

I was worried about you, you collapsed as soon as you activated the memories. ...But I promised I'd wait for you so I figured I probably shouldn't try to wake you up...

Thank you for watching over me. I'll be fine, really. This is me, after all! I think it might have temporarily taxed my brain too much, integrating all the new memories.

The control module was saying some- thing about that...the perfect genome having enhanced senses and cognition. ...Or something.

Does that mean...

Yeah. I basically relived that day all over again. I now have a few memories from the moments when my consciousness wasn't shut down by the control module.

Now, I can replay everything that happened, down the smallest movement of each finger... Or the feeling of the individual hairs on my head. This should enable me to figure out what exactly interfered with the control module... And how that power was unlocked. I may even find out how to fight it, too.

You were able to find all this out by looking inside your memories...?

Yes. But, before I do any of that, I need to make sure I can grant her last wish. Hey, Marfa?

......

Were you really hiding your face because it was burned? I was able to see for myself, when I revisited my memories. ...You couldn't possibly have lived through that, Marfa.

I don't see any burns!

I thought so. This isn't the Marfa I knew so well. There's no doubt Marfa died at my hand on that day.

I'm certain this isn't Marfa at all.

Wait. Not Marfa...? Then who is it?

The professor probably managed to salvage a backup of Marfa's personality and re-installed it. She likely hoped to make the research easier to control by using a personality that had already been... Subjected to genome manipulation.

Well, aren't you clever, Suzette. You've got me all figured out!

What do you think it gets you, though? Don't try to tell me a bleeding heart like you is fine hurting innocents as long as they're not your friends? Though, I suppose you already have more than enough experience slaughtering innocent people...

You...!!!

Give it up. You won't be able to shake my resolve that easily. I've made up my mind.

Oh? What exactly did you decide?

Hmph. It doesn't matter. Get her, Marfa.

......

Marfa. You were trying to tell me some- thing, before your consciousness lost its hold. ...I think you wanted me to save her, didn't you? That innocent girl being used as a vessel for your personality.

What are you doing, Marfa?! Suzette is right there!!

...If so, then I...

Here and now, I'll become whatever I need to be, to grant you that wish.

Suzette, you...

I've entirely rewritten my former control module, erasing it completely. In order to draw out my power to its utmost, I, myself, must become the new control core.

To do that, I need a deep understanding of how the control module sent signals, ...How those signals were able to control my body... How the energy surge was manipulated, How the power itself was manifested... I need to understand all of it, inside and out, to overcome the memories and achieve a near godlike level of control.

...And now I can. None of that is impossible for me.

After all, I'm an angel, aren't I? Just like the shining illustration on the last page of that book... I've become someone who can grant every hopeless wish of the innocents suffering.

So...you've sealed the memories yourself, deleted the control module, and crafted a new fiction to...

Not at all! I'm no longer reliant on a fairy tale. All the strength I need is in Marfa's wish. I know she's still in there, even now. She's still praying for someone to save her. Knowing that is all the power I need!

Gracious, will you ever stop blathering? I can see I'll need to use all the power I can get to teach you a lesson!

Here she comes!

The professor made it so Marfa wouldn't be able to use her power without that exo-frame... In which case...all I need to do is shut it down, and this fight is over.

...I'm going to save you, Marfa. No matter what! I've kept them all this time, all the wishes that turned to ash. This time I'll grant every one of them!

It's done.

That was a ferocious battle, but the exo-frame is the only thing that's got even a scratch on it... You did it, Suzette...! You gained control over your power!

Ee...Eeeeeee!!!

Marfa...!

Hck...snff...

I'm so glad you're not hurt...!

The exo-suit... it's broken. Suzette, did you do this?

That's...I... I couldn't think of another way to end the fight without hurting you...

Hehe...Thank you so much! You really are amazing, Suzette. I knew you'd understand my wish.

...You would have been the last person in the world to want an innocent girl to be sacrificed. I knew you'd have hated it. That's how I knew you wouldn't have given up on the person they'd installed you into.

You're right. If even my own body couldn't withstand the damage from this power... I knew the girl they'd installed me into would eventually succumb. That's how I knew I had to keep fighting.

But it's alright, now. You don't have to fight anymore, Marfa. We can take the time we need to and find a way for you and her to move on from this.

......

...Marfa?

Thank you, Suzette. I can't even tell you how much you've done to save me. But...I'm sorry. We really don't have that kind of time.

What...?

In truth, the professor intended to delete this body's original personality when she installed my backup. I've been able to prevent that, so far, causing errors in the process so that the deletion could never complete. ...But there are limits to what I can do. And I finally began to reach them only a little while before I reunited with you.

Then...

That's right. I don't know any other way to save this girl than to delete my own personality from her body.

...!

That's why I had to be sure. I secretly installed a self-destruct protocol in my personality before coming here. The shut down of the exo-frame triggered that fail-safe automatically.

That's...No... Marfa, you'll...

Yeah. I'm afraid we'll have to say goodbye very shortly now. ...Aw, don't look at me like that, Suzette. This is only really my ghost.

But, Marfa...

I thought I'd died, only to find myself brought back to life. I thought the only thing I had to look forward to after that was more pain. But then there was you, Suzette. I got to see you again. I got to talk to you just one more time. ...You've even granted my final wish. All in all, it wasn't that bad for a second chance at life.

...Don't go...

...I'm so glad I have this chance to tell you how I feel. I forgive you, Suzette. And, Suzette? I guess I should apologize again, for that fight we had... Angels...really are real... There's one of them...right...here... with...me...

......

Snff...hck...

Wah...snf...?

Huh...? Where am I...? I...was in the Theta District, wasn't I?

Thank goodness, you're awake!

I found you lying here unconscious. Can you tell me your name?

Me? I'm Veronica, but...

...... ...Alright, Veronica. I'm really glad you remember.

It's still dangerous here. Why don't we walk you back to your family?

Let's go...Aldo.

...Alright. They're in the Theta District, right?

Don't ever make us worry like that!

You were missing for months! We even filed a missing persons report! I'm so glad you're home... Thank goodness...

Mom, Dad, I'm so sorry...! I don't...I don't remember anything...

That's alright. The important thing is you're home and safe! Take all the time you need to remember.

Thank you both so much for rescuing our daughter.

We're just glad we found you.

We ought to take our leave, soon...

W-Wait...!

Hm?

I guess this sounds weird, since I've only known you for the time it took to escort me back home, but... ...I just feel so sad, somehow. Having to say goodbye to you. I can't explain it at all...

......

...I feel the same way. I hope we have the chance to meet again someday.

......

Suzette...

I think I finally understand.

Understand what?

The reason I had those angelic wings.

"Her sister gently ran her hands through the girl's hair and smiled, finally breathing her last. "'It's all my fault,' thought the girl. "Tears rolled down her cheeks and fell upon the still face of her sister. "As they did, something began to happen. "...The girl's wings glowed with a shimmering white light, and her sister opened her eyes once more."

Is that...

Yes, it's the last scene of "Princess of the Netherworld." I think those wings have been etched on my heart as a symbol from the moment I read that story...

It's no wonder my strong desire to save someone would manifest the same way.

I'm not exactly an angel, but...

...No. Heh. That's not like me at all, is it? For the girl who believed in me to the very end... For my younger self who adored those wings so much... I'm going to be proud of myself, now. ...That's the most I can do for them.

Yeah. And I'll be here, too. Waiting to see what you can do next.

Simultaneously manifesting my existence as the Princess of the Netherworld and Angel of the Celestial Kingdom... Why, that's simply child's play!

...Maybe you should trim that epithet down, just a little bit?!