Tails of Time

I have to say, I wasn't expecting that boy's parents to be beastfolk in disguise...

Just glad it's mostly taken care of. Even if we're leaving the whole finding the boy's parents part in the hands of the knights.

Now it's a question of whether we can all get back home or not.

Alas, all we have to go on is a single glowing cat...

Wouldn't it be great if it just somehow magically appeared? But I'm guessing it's probably not going to be that easy. Where do we even start?

Sir Aldo! Good. You're still here.

What's the matter?

I have a message from King Miglance. He says, "I've rented several rooms at the inn for you and your friends to use. So, please get some rest." End message.

Woohooo! Hot AND helpful. What a king!

Hah! Indeed. But it's not like we have any other leads we could be chasing. So might as well take this chance to get some R&R!

Well, if you guys are taking the night off, I suppose I'll do the same!

Sounds good to me. Let's all talk in the morning. And with that said, Repede, let's hit the hay.

*AROOOOOOOOOOOO!*

Hngghh.... Stop...Cyrus. It won't heal any quicker if you lick it...

ER, WHAT THE?!

Ow... Was I dreaming?

...Been a while since I fell out of bed...

Wait. Where's Cyrus? Cress, Yuri, and Repede are gone too... Where did everyone go?

Hey that's-- That must be the glowing cat everyone was talking about!

Wait!

If I don't chase it now, I might lose it!

Gotcha now kitty. Now, stay there while I...

Woah! A wormhole?!

What could be on the other side?

Nevermind that, gotta follow that cat!

A true comedy of errors, I say.

Completely lost it.

Ah, Aldo! So nice of you to join us.

Cyrus! Amy! We're...

In the Theta District?

Indeed. I was fast asleep and then the glowing cat came to me. So I LEAPED out of bed and followed the feline here.

Same thing happened to me. One moment I'm in Unigan, then poof, back at home.

No sign of Cress and the others, then? Why it was just us, I wonder?

This whole thing just keeps getting weirder and weirder, but...

Why don't we start by going to my place? Will be easier to talk that way.

Ishar's, then? A splendid idea.

Okay. Let's head over to the Gamma District!

M? Why aren't I moving. This thing broken or something?

INVALID?! Why? How?!

Eyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Havin' trouble riding the lift, eh? A kindred spirit, innit.

You mean you two can't ride 'em either?

The two of us aren't from this world. We kind just of found ourselves here. Since we don't have citizen numbers, we can't go anywhere, or do anything.

From another world... and you just found yourselves here... Sounds like what happened to Cress.

This is gonna sound strange, but do you know anything about a glowing cat, by any chance?

You know about the glowing cat?!

FREEZE.

We're here to investigate an invalid citizen number. As you are well aware, using an invalid CN is against the law. Mind coming with us?

Now you hold on a second. There's no way I could have an invalid citizen number!

Any attempts at talking back to an officer of the law will be considered obstruction of justice. Wanna add anything else to your rap sheet? Keep talkin'.

Uhh...

Hey, "officer." Why don't you try listening to what the man has to say for a change?

Hey, you're the two from the other day! Your little friend isn't around to protect you, so I suggest you watch what you say.

I'm not gonna let you guys take our one source of information.

You tell 'em, Velvet!

I GIVE YOU THREE CHOICES! ・ＡＴＴＡＣＫ ・ＧＩＶＥ ＵＰ ・ＲＵＮ Vich will you pitch? Which vill you ditch? Maybe make a switch? Just be sure to tell the vvitch.

You want ME to choose?!

Okay, fine. Just so happens I know someone who can help. So, let's run for it and find them!

Fine with me. We have no other leads.

Three suspects confirmed with intent to evade arrest. Requesting backup!

I'm not here to play. Get in my way and I will cut you down.

Sebastia here. Sorry, kinda busy right now. Could you... Wait...ALDO? Come on in!

Hmmmm... So you're on the run from the EGPD cause you took a lift with an invalid citizen number...

And you got a couple more IDless outlaws with you to boot? That is SO Aldo.

Outlaw? Non, non ma petite chérie. Je suis Magilou. It sounds like magic. A thing witches do.

I really don't care. You've really done it this time, Aldo.

Sorry to get you involved, Sebastia...

But I've never had this problem before...

Please, Sebastia. Is there anything you can do to clear this up for us?

You say it like it's that easy. I'm already being watched. If I do this I risk drawing even more attention.

I see...

Sometimes a girl has to get her hands dirty to get what she wants.

Gufufu! Our pigtailed prodigy here reminds me of a certain someone, eh Velvet?

I don't care how you do it.

Hey, haven't I seen you two before? Weren't you two the ones causing all that commotion a the other day?

Now that you mention it, it was around here! How did you know?

I just remember seeing you on one of my security drone feeds. But there was something about the whole thing that didn't sit right with me.

And what's that?

That guy that came to help you. He's an old friend of my grandpa's. But lately he's been acting really, really, freaky.

He used to be just a nice old man, now he's all weird. And brooding.

Sudden personality change? Getting a little deja vu here...

He's a big shot at the intelligence agency, so it was weird for him to just be out on a walk like that. That's basically it though. Just something I found kinda odd.

Okay. I'll help you with your number. THIS TIME.

Aw thanks, Sebastia! I owe you one!

Hey now. I'm just doing this cause I had other business at the agency. Don't give me those Aldo eyes!

Stay here while I go have a chat with the administrator.

Welcome back. How'd it go?

Fine, of course. Who do you think I am? Anyway, the answer is... Your ID had been put on probation for some kind of bureaucratic reason.

Probation?!

Don't worry, I got the administrator to fix it for me. Velvet, Magilou. I got yours fixed too.

Great work, Sebastia!

Thanks.

Time to go out and see the sights, without fear of the man tryin' to bring a witch down!

But here's the thing. I know who got your number put on probation. It was the guy that saved Velvet and Magilou.

Why would he...

Now things are getting interesting!

I'd like you guys to go and look into it for me.

Us?!

Uh, yeah? You said you owed me a favor riiiiiiiiight? You wouldn't go back on your word would youuuu?

Well, heh, I mean, I was going to look into it anyway... I guess...

Then it's settled! I'll let you know if I get any info. You're meeting up with Amy later, right?

That's the plan, anyway.

You guys coming with?

Yeah. Might find some clues as to how we get back home.

I mean, I AM new here, and would need a guide anyway...

Okay. Then let's head over to Ishar's over in the Gamma District.

Sorry for being late, guys!

Aldo! Took you long enough!

We were quite worried! Who are your two new friends?

Oh. My. Frog. Velvet!! Would you look at that?! The toad is standing up straight! Like, human straight!

When we get back to our world, I'm so putting you in a frog suit, Velvet.

Try it and I'll make sure it's the only clothes you have left.

Wait, did you say "our world?" Isn't that like...

Yeah, about that... Let me explain.

So Miss Velvet and Miss Magilou followed the glowing cat as well... I see...

And then a bunch of stuff happened which ended with the three of you getting involved with Sebastia.

I honestly thought we were the only ones...

And it's definitely too weird to be a coincidence.

It would seem like the glowing cat is trying to bring us all together.

But why?

And why did that man put Aldo's ID on probation?

I'm curious about the whole planetary defense thing he mentioned, too.

Hold on, let me take this. Sebastia? What's up?

Hey, sorry to call you on an open line.

Is this about the guy?

Bingo. I found out where he's hanging out. Just sent you the coordinates. Can you check 'em out for me Amy?

Wait, this says Route 99. Is that right?

Why would a man of his stature be hiding in a place like that?

Why don't we go and ask him?

He DID say he prayed he'd never see us again...

You guys okay with this? He did save you, after all.

It's fine. He seemed suspicious from the jump.

One good deed does not absolve evil. And besides, I have revenge to get back to. So let's find him. Find him and make him tell us everything he knows.

Oh yeah, scary Velvet time! She can be pretty relentless when she gets going.

I get it. Let's head over to Route 99 and have a "talk."

Okay then! Off we go to find our man of mystery.

I see a mere prayer was insufficient in stopping you.

This means that this planet's defenses are indeed moving against me.

Yeah, about that. What do you mean by "planet's defenses" anyway?

It means what it means. The planet is trying to stop me from completing my plan.

I had a feeling it would involve Aldo, the so-called "hero" of Miglance.

You know who I am?

Know you? You're the reason I'm doing this at all.

I am Jeremis. And I intend to carry out the will of the Beast King.

Jeremis? Wait...

Lord Jeremis... I leave the rest in your capable hands...

So you're the guy those beasts were talking about!

But, how did you end up in this era?

So you plan on becoming the new king of the beasts, eh?

The new king? I'm afraid you are mistaken. There is only one Beast King. Now and forever.

Then what is it you are trying to do?

To restore the Beast King as the rightful ruler of this planet, and reject this future of man.

The Beast King is already dead. How would you...

Yes, when the King was "defeated" the world he envisioned disappeared with him.

And with his defeat, do you even understand the terror you have wrought? Can you even begin to fathom the disaster you have brought upon this world?

No, I doubt you do. But all you need is to look out and see it with your own two eyes.

The future created by man has turned our world into THIS. Look at it. LOOK! Not a single sign of life. The soil, ravaged.

But that's...

Save your excuses! Humans were never meant to inherit this world! It belongs to beastfolk!

So you're saying is the beastfolk were in charge, everything would be sunshine and happiness?

Make no mistake. A world run by beastfolk would be an eden to all.

We inherit the will of the spirits. We love and cherish the land we live on, and would never turn it into THIS!

And that's what you meant when you talked of revenge.

I will stop at nothing to save this planet. Even if it takes deceiving the planet itself. Are you not the same?

So what is it? Do you want revenge, or do you want to save the planet?

To me, they are one in the same.

Then we aren't alike at all. Revenge is revenge. Don't pretend like you're doing us all a favor by saving the world or whatever.

My revenge is just that. Mine. I don't wrap it up all pretty with a bow like you.

If there was anyone that would understand, I had thought it would be you.

Oh well. I have won regardless. You gave me just the amount of time I needed. I have no more use for this era.

I see, the coward wishes to run while his machine does the dirty work!

I'm going to need you all to stay here for a little while longer. Don't want any interference as I proceed to the next part of my plan.

How did he...

We can find out after we take care of this thing!

Hurry up so we don't lose him!

Where'd he go?

Disappeared without a trace...

If he entered a wormhole, it must mean he's off to another era. It looked like he made one himself. But...that can't be...

Him morphing into a cat is a bit suspicious as well.

He's a cat, for sure. A bit lacking in the glowing department, though.

Hey, isn't that...

The glowing cat!

Speak of the devil! Perhaps there's a spell we say to bring it out from hiding away?

Who cares! We can't let it get go!

It made another wormhole!

Where does it want us to go next?!

Who cares. Where it goes, I go.

Follow Velvet, everyone!

What will it be... Beauty or the beast?

Meh, doesn't make a difference to me...

We're...

In a place that looks nothing like the city we were just in.

Ah yes, the Derismo Highroads! It appears we have gone back in time. To my time that is!

Your time? PLEASE tell me we just entered the land of the frog people!

The Magilou Menagerie needs a mascot, you think if we took one back, anyone would notice?

Stop being stupid for a second and help us find that glowing cat. It should still be around here.

Glowing cat, you say?

You've heard of it? Tell us all you know. Now.

Hohoho... Well aren't we impatient. I'd love to tell you all I know, but I'm afraid we're still looking for clues ourselves.

You're looking for the glowing cat? Then you guys must also be...

Apologies. I am Rowen.

I'm Milla. Who are you?

WE are in a hurry. So let's share whatever info we have and get a move on.

So all of you got led here by that glowing cat. What are the odds?

I had a feeling it wasn't just a coincidence, and meeting the two of you confirmed that suspicion.

Yes, but by chance, have either of you seen the other cat, the one that is as black as shadow?

No. Haven't seen anything like it.

In fact, we haven't seen the glowing cat since the first time we saw it.

Aaand now we're stuck again.

And what kind of problem would that be?

The local spirits are being brainwashed by someone or some thing.

It would appear as if they are being forced to make something. And if you interfere with their work, they attack.

And so we've been searching for whoever is responsible.

Any suspects?

Yes. We've got our eye on someone who has suspiciously been going in and out of Palsifal Palace.

We were here waiting for him, until we got word he had been spotted around the Keruri Highroads.

Keruri Highroads, eh... Guys, what should we do? I get the feeling we should probably help them out.

Hard pass.

There's the warmth I expect from my Velvet!

It's about efficiency. It makes more sense for us to spread out.

She's not wrong. Put me on team Velvet.

Oo! Me too! Velvet can't do anything without her bestest friend in the whole world!

You've got it backwards, Magilou.

Then we shall join you in your quest to the Keruri Highroads!

Great. Thanks, all.

Excellent. Everything seems to be on schedule. I would like to know more about how some of you escaped my control, however.

Jeremis!

So you're the guy that's been brainwashing spirits, eh?

Well, well... The planet's defenses brought over some more guests it would seem.

I did not expect to find someone else who could control the spirits. Different world or no.

Wait, you can control spirits, too?

Not just that, Milla here, is the Lord of Spirits on our world.

A lord, you say?!

A lord of spirits from another world... My powers are not quite at that level, I'm afraid. But we beastfolk are imbued with the power of prisma. In a way, we are an evolution of spirits. So it's only appropriate we use our power to control LESSER spirits.

We care not for your boasts. Tell us what it is you are after!

It's simple.

I plan on changing history so that the Beast King rules over all.

Change history?!

I'm afraid what is done is done. There's no way to undo your king's fate.

What if I said there was? Butcher of Miglance, do you remember why this place is important?

It's...

Wait a second. You're not thinking of bringing back the Tower of Time, are you?

Tower of time?

It was built to allow people to change history.

Exactly. History CAN be changed. I just have to rewrite history. Change a loss, to a win. Simple.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Riica deleted the system that made it all work.

I'm well aware, which is why...

An earthquake?

Look! The sky!

I created the Citadel of Time!

Citadel?

I used the spirits to decode the original Tower of Time, and then had them make me another!

But the Tower of Time was made from technology from the future! How can beings from this far in the past decipher it?

It was that future technology that made this all possible, in fact. Xeno prisma allowed me to boost the energy from spirit fossils. And if the energy came from spirits, who better than the spirits themselves to decode it?

How could you...

So you did all this, built your citadel, to do what, change history?

I did all this to give me enough time to build the citadel without you meddling. All the hoops you had to jump through were all my doing. It was easy too. You're so easily manipulated. Just dangle a helpless idiot in front of you, and you come running.

Alas. I'm quite done talking to the likes of you. I have work to do.

Not on my watch!

Urgh...

You might as well give up. I've thought of everything.

To keep my work from being found, I hid it in a dimension outside of view of the planet's defenses.

Not so fast!

I still have Ogre Rancorem!

How? It bounced right off?!

You might as well give up. I've thought of everything. To keep my work from being found, I hid it in a dimension outside of view of the planet's defenses.

I told you. I've thought of everything. Your Ogre Rancorem and your Another Force have already been taken into account.

The Beast King told me everything. When you saved your sister, you revealed your hand. Quite the mistake.

What...did you say?!

Oh, Beast King. Just a little while more... I will bring you victory, and with it, the future.

Damn. I couldn't even use my Another Force!

It would be nice if we could give chase, but...

Aside from sneaking into that other dimension, is there any other way we can get to him?

If I can't use Ogre Rancorem, what other way could there be?

Damn, looks like this is the wrong way!

Amy's waiting for us. We should head to Ishar's.