Esper Story: Freddy

Bro, back me up later, alright? And don't spill anything!

Okay...

What are you two whispering about in the hallway?

Freddy!!! Wow, you look amazing today! Going somewhere fun?

Save it. I know I look good. Now spill, what are you two up to?

There's a fashion mag holding a "Smooth and Shiny Hair" model contest.

We're probably not cut out for it... but you? You'd be a total sensation!

Sensation? Pah. That's kid stuff. What do I get out of it? Be specific.

You get a pair of limited-edition sunglasses just for showing up to the shoot.

Wait, seriously?

Heh. Well then... Guess it's time to show the world what real fashion looks like!

Welcome back, my VIP customer! We just got new arrivals in!

Chloe! I've got a major mission for you today. The mighty Freddy... is going to be in a magazine!

Magazine? Then I better glam you up properly!

Forget the price tags. Give me your best stuff!

You got it! Feast your eyes on this!

This is our latest silk headscarf, top-tier material, perfect match for your fur. Thoughts?

This thing makes me look like a witch trying to scam kids! I need something bold. Something cool!

Alright, these looks are wild enough... but we're missing one crucial element.

What is it?

Duh. Sunglasses!

...Knew it.

I just so happen to have a limited-edition pair. Most people can't pull them off, but you? Perfect match!

Isn't this just my...

(quietly) Shhh!

Now that's style!

Next, your fur. Needs to be extra fluffy, got it?

You got it!

This the place? Not bad. Looks legit.

Wait... why are there so many... dogs?!

Mr. Freddy, what an honor! We're thrilled you agreed to do a shoot for our pet magazine!

Pet magazine?!

Why didn't you two tell me this was for a pet shoot?!

Hahaha! We didn't say it... but you never asked either!

Yuzhi, wipe that smug grin off your face.

You think this is funny? Messing with me like that? You're asking for trouble!

Mr. Freddy, even though we're a pet magazine, we can still skyrocket you into fashion fame!

Your fur... I mean, hair... you just had it groomed, right?

Hmph...

And that outfit... No one else could pull it off like you. Absolutely stunning!

Are you really gonna walk away? It'd be such a waste.

I don't need your flattery. I'm not posing for a pet magazine!

But posing with animals shows your softer side! Gap moe is all the rage these days!

You're cool and fierce in public, but secretly a softie for animals? Your fans will eat it up!!!

...You think so?

I even overheard two people asking for your autograph, and they loved your sunglasses.

...No way. For real?

He can keep the sunglasses on during the shoot, right, Editor?

Of course! Mr. Freddy, do you have confidence in your looks?

But of course!

The moment you're on that cover, the fashion world will tremble. You really wanna give that up?

...Not a chance!

I can't say no to the fans!

I knew it! A true fashion icon! Everyone, places! Let's shoot!

Please move a little closer to Afu, the Shiba Inu on your right!

......

(What the heck? Why did everyone buy it?!)

Freddy! You're officially our Shadows celeb now!

Congrats, your issue just hit number one in sales!

Hmph. Of course.

A mad dog... and a regular dog.

You must have a death wish!

People are calling you a "sweet marshmallow."

Hey, you...

There you are!! Can I snag a lock of your fur? I saw someone bidding for it online!

Can I? Please?

WHAT?!

No! Absolutely not! You people are impossible!

Hahaha!

*Whimper*?!

Phew, that wrapped up way faster than I expected. I knew heading out when luck's on my side was the right call!

Hmph. Maybe it's just because I'm really good at fighting?

What was that?! A monster?!

That's just roller coaster riders screaming their lungs out!

Ah... a roller coaster...

Isn't it dangerous, spinning around at that speed? People don't fall off?

You've never been on one? It's really not that big of a deal.

I was more into planetariums as a kid... And then work got in the way...

......

Have you ever been on one?

...No. Why would I waste time on something so childish?

No time like the present! It's still early. Let's give it a shot!

No, you go without...

Hmm? Don't tell me you're scared...

Hmph! Nothing scares me!

Then come with me!

......

Come on! I mean, it's Freddy! Nothing scares you, right?

You're incorrigible...

F-fine! You wanna ride? Let's ride!

Welcome aboard the Scream Express! For the best view, take the front row. For the ultimate weightless thrill, try the back!

It's such a tiny ride. What difference does it make? Let's just sit in the midd...

If we're doing this, we're doing it right! Front row's got the best view! You agree, right Freddy?

...Yeah. Totally.

This is perfect! Freddy, look! You can see the whole track laid out in front of you!

...Yeah. Crystal clear.

Front row guest, I'll take your sunglasses for safekeeping!

Hehe.

What's so funny?

All riders, get ready. Three! Two! One!

This isn't so bad...

Here it comes!

What?

Whoa!!!

Aaaaah!

Freddy, open your eyes! This is insane!

WHOOO!! This is totally awesome!!!

Heh... heh-heh... HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Sir, judging by those screams, you must've had a blast!

It's just a kiddie ride...

That was awesome, Freddy! I'm officially addicted to roller coasters!

Yeah, yeah. Only kids get excited over stuff like this.

Mommy look! That doggy's hair went kaboom!

Shh! It's rude to talk about people right in front of them.

How dare you, kid?! Ugh... this wind ruined my whole look!

Wait... you're wagging your tail! You LOVED it!

No, I'm not! I did not wag anything!

Then let's go again!!!

Noooo!

It's too quiet. Gives me a bad feeling.

Why so tense all of a sudden?

The Union's main force is over at the Withering Miracle. Security's pretty loose here now.

Which makes this the perfect chance to explore the Shackled Miracle!

These things just don't let up!

Look out! That platform's about to give!

The tremors are getting worse. Forget the fight. We need to find the Miracle Nexus!

Ugh, my fur's a total mess!

Hiss! And I'm hurt? No way Poker Face's seeing me like this.

Leon?

...Wait... this is... Estero Harbor?

...How long has it been since I was last here...

Tch... Weren't we just inside the Miracle? What kind of twisted trick is this now?

Hey! You stray dog over there, get lost! Know whose turf this is?

But hey, if you wanna be a loyal pup, bark twice and I'll make you my underling, hahaha!

You talk too much!

You know me? Doesn't matter. Just another nameless piece of trash.

What?

Freddy! Always out messing around, never bringing back a damn thing! Worthless mutt!

Weren't you supposed to be an Esper? Where were you when the Cube Miracle hit, huh? Why didn't you save us?

Shut up!

You really thought I gave a damn about you?

(Djoser? He's here too?!)

Bro! Don't tell me Hyde sent you too?

That's great! Feels like ages since we last fought side by side, back when we first joined the Shadows.

Freddy, the Union's onto us. We're wanted all over Hazlitt.

The gang's whole supply chain is cut. Our deal with the Shadows is falling apart.

Perfect! I was getting bored anyway. Now the Union's bringing the fun to me!

Bunch of nosy losers! Don't worry, bro, I'll deal with them myself!

Yeah, there's a lot to settle... but let's start with yours.

Wait, me?

Gang rules, every last cent gets paid back. So how many dumb moves you wanna confess to this time?

!!!

You're saying... this is all on me?!

I thought the world would've knocked some sense into you by now, but you're still out there causing trouble!

At this point, even a bat with broken wings could track you down!

You're blaming me instead of going after the Union? I thought you had my back!

Freddy, all this mess? You brought it on yourself. Time to own up.

You're not my brother!

I was reckless when I was younger, sure, but my real brother never tried to tame me. He knew Freddy doesn't follow rules!

All I wanted was revenge on the Union. He was the one who held me back.

We ran from the Union together. He's the one who brought me into the Shadow Decree.

Power's the only thing I answer to!

Huh? You're... Big guy! Are you stuck here too?

Stuck? Here?

I remember you. That Union girl... Didn't you... die?

Huh? Took you long enough to find me. I look pretty alive to you, don't I?

After our last journey, I blacked out for a while... and when I came to, I was here. No idea how.

And there's no exit. I've searched everywhere. I've been stuck here way too long...

You survived...? But how...

Oh! Your arm! Hold still, I can fix that. Healing's kinda my specialty.

It's nothing. Just a scratch, I don't, ah!

Don't move! Even big guys like you can be killed by a tiny infected cut!

How many times do I gotta tell you? It's Freddy!

So what are you doing wandering around the Miracle alone?

I told you... I've been stuck here. Couldn't find an exit...

And the monsters never stop coming. After a while, I started thinking... maybe this is it. Maybe I'm never getting out.

Then just now, I find that red‑haired guy passed out on a stone platform. You two work together, right?

Leon? Hmph. Always acting like he's above everyone else...

Anyway, if he's here, you're never far behind. I knew I'd run into you sooner or later.

Good thing I did! With both of you here, I'm sure we can finally get out!

......

Hmph. Of course we will.

What is this place?

It's the orphanage I grew up in... Wonder if anyone's still around.

Miss Tang Na!!!

???

Sachiko! I've been looking everywhere for you. You snuck out again, didn't you?

Out of all the kids here, you're the one who never listens! Maybe it's time someone taught you a lesson!

Get over here! You're grounded for a week!

Big guy... please help me... I don't wanna get locked up again...

......

!!!

Wow! That was amazing, big guy!

I just tore your teacher to pieces... and you're not even scared?

Why would I be? Miss Tang Na's the scariest person I know... She always locks me up for no reason. I never stood a chance against her...

But now you're here... and just like that, you chased her away!

Hmph... fine.

This way, this way... The exit's over here!

Where are we now? Is this still the same place?

This is the Union's training ground. It's where their recruits usually run drills.

Training ground?

No wonder the Union's so weak. Can't get proper training in a dump like this.

Hold on... is that...

It's you...

!!!

Long time no see.

He's the reason I'm still stuck here! He's been guarding the door all this time!

I don't know why... he keeps coming after me. I'm not strong enough to fight him...

I just don't get it... We promised we'd always be partners. So why is he hurting me?

Partners? Look at you. You've sunk so low you're hanging out with trash like this?

Huh?

You've got some nerve talking down to me when you ditched your own partner! I hate you Union bastards!

We stopped being partners a long time ago.

!

Well too bad, 'cause now you're in my way! Move it!

She stays.

Back off. No one gives me orders!

Get out of my sight!!!

Argh!

You? Think you're worthy of being my opponent? Heh... not even close.

Pathetic.

Let's keep moving, Sachiko.

Wait a sec, this looks like the orphanage again. How'd we end up back here?

Yep! This is my room!

See that bunny? Doesn't it look like me? My best friend gave it to me before he left.

Before he left the orphanage, he said I was the one he trusted most... so he gave me his favorite bunny to take care of!

......

This girl was my best friend back when I lived here!

......

Why are you showing me all this?

Because you're my best friend now! I just wanna share everything with you!

So let me get this straight... You think I tore those people apart because we're "friends"?

You don't seriously think I did it for you, do you?

You... didn't?

The Sachiko I knew... yeah, she was that naive.

But she would never use me.

So? You done playing pretend yet? That little act of yours has run its course.

I was gonna play along... see if you'd actually lead me to the end.

The real Sachiko's been dead for a long time!

...But I'm... not dead...

Hahaha...

If this is the gods' idea of a trial, then here's my damn answer.

I knew it...

Why did you tear me apart? Why wouldn't you save me?

Sachiko is dead. You're just a shadow wearing her face.

What about all the others you've lost? Don't you wish you could save them too?

I didn't save them then. I won't now.

...So you came here for power? That's all this is to you?

Of course! You think I'd waste my time playing some divine escape room for fun?

Big guy, do you really think tearing everything apart will get you what you want?

Hasn't failed me so far.

Spare me the lecture. You're not even real.

Back off! Or are you begging for another round?

Why are you... so cruel...

You're all the same... every one of you...

The teacher... the Union boy... even you... none of you can be trusted...

I've spent so long drifting in the void. I finally found you... and now you're leaving me too...

Please... it's so dark here... don't leave me alone...

Damn ghost!

Get out of my sight!

Rest in peace, kid.

Hmph...

This... is my answer.

...Ugh...

Finally awake? You were out cold. Slept like a baby.

Maybe I imagined it... but outside the Sanctum, I thought I saw Sachiko's silhouette...

Just a mirage. She's long gone. These Miramons mess with your head. They dig into your memories and wear the faces of the people you know.

The Union, the Espers... all just pawns in some god's twisted game.

They've got all the power, and they use it to force us into trial after trial. Makes us follow rules we never agreed to, playing a game that never ends.

!

Hmph. That look of surprise on your poker face, didn't expect that. Maybe you don't know me as well as you thought.

I've gone further than anyone else in the pursuit of power. And if one day I get defeated by someone stronger... so be it. I'll die with no regrets.

......

Just don't let your ego grow as fast as your power does...