It didn’t take Yui long to find herself back in the Library in the center of the Dreamscape. She could have looked in one book or another, but the last time she did, she got frustrated by more gibberish regarding The Path. Not in the mood and on limited time, she tried once more to leave, to find a domain aside her own— any domain, at this point— and get answers in her own way, only to find herself back amongst the sea of bookshelves. With a resigned sigh, she looks around from the table in the ‘center’.

Yui: Okay, Niko, I get the fucking point, you’re doing shit down here to fuck with me or slow me down, now come on out so I can find Mei and move on, already.

Niko: She doesn’t wanna talk to you, Arashi. Least you could do is respect that? Now get the fuck out, it’s not your bed time yet.

Yui: That’s kinda a problem, though, ain’t it? You know damn good and well that even for you, there’s only one way to evict someone for the night. And since you’re not strong enough to kill me, we’re at an impasse, aren’t we?

Niko: Or maybe you could just respect Mei-Mei’s wishes? (she scoffs) Some friend you are! (four bookshelves surround enclose Yui, cutting off any possible escape route for the unwanted visitor)

Yui: Oh, let’s talk about respect, Queen Bee. Goin’ around telling everyone and their goddamn mother what a monster I am, right? Gettin’ your girlfriend to dig up information, twist it through your dumbass filter and spread it all over? You know you’re not gonna be in high school forever, right? How that shit’s not gonna fly forever? (She steps closer to the bookshelf where she hears Niko’s voice coming from, eyes flashing) Not even Shinju’s gonna wanna stick around your shit-talking, drama queen ass forever if you don’t get out of the clique bullshit mentality that, oh right… got your sorry ass killed the first time. Now get out of my fucking way.

Niko: … Fine. Do whatever you want. (the bookshelves vanish, revealing only the Diva, standing amidst the pink fog, taking off her mask to reveal the tears welling up in her eyes) … Who’s gonna tell you no anyway?

Yui: (She steps closer, but more slowly) …God damn. For someone who can dish it out, you sure as shit can’t take it back. Look… (Her voice drops and softens just a little) I don’t give a shit if you don’t like me. That’s fine. You don’t have to like me. But you do know that talking shit comes back on you, right? I’m a hypocrite, sure. I’m doing shady shit. But you’re not helping by doing this… ‘Mean Girls’ bullshit either. ‘Specially since you’re still wearing the Masque.

Niko: … What does it matter to you what I think or say about you? You have no reason to care about me. Don’t act like you do. You don’t need to mind me. Sure, I have the Masque, but what does that make me? Basically just… if everyone’s a bug to you, I’m, like, maybe a rhinoceros beetle. Doesn’t make a difference in the end.

Yui: You know nothing about me. All the knowledge in the world, all those pedestals you stand on to look down on me, and you don’t even got a clue. Maybe I struck a nerve. But like, what did you think was gonna happen with you telling anyone that’d listen that I’m some kinda fuckin’ monster? I don’t look down on anyone. I build ‘em up, even if I gotta tear ‘em down first. But I don’t look down on anyone. ‘Sides, you know why I’m here, so I don’t get why you’re trying to stop me in the first place.

Niko: Because she doesn’t. Fucking. Want. To see you.

Yui: And that means more to you than bringing her back to life?! What if it was Shinju down here, and I was trying to bring her back?! You’d have come up to my office that same day and begged me to bring the Lantern down here!

Niko: Not if that isn’t what she wants!

Yui: (She steps closer, about a couple inches away now) …Look me in the eyes and tell me you wouldn’t move heaven and earth to bring Shinju back if she died, and you knew a surefire way of saving her. Do that, and I’ll turn around and leave right now. I’ll give you the fucking Lantern and never bring this up again. Go on, Niko.

Niko: (she scoffs) Why would I tell you? I don’t want your shitty Lantern, or your approval. No what-ifs or you-woulds can change the fact that Mei-Mei is an honored guest of the Dreamscape. She is under my protection. That is the oath I swore — and if it means having to let a god swat me away like a goddamn fly… at least I’ll know I did everything I could for the people I am responsible for… (she glares at Yui, still teary-eyed) So swat.

Yui: If my goal was a fight with you, I wouldn’t have bothered speaking in the first place. ‘Case you forgot, Malefica still can influence this place. I’m not a monster. I’m not a god. I’m not some higher being, or a leader, or fucking anything. I’m just a person trying to make something right. That’s all. I’m just resolved enough to see it through.

Niko: You think you’re so cool, don’t you? “Oh, I talk to my enemies to make them see how righteous I am!” Screw you!

Yui: Not my fault that everyone else around me wants to shoot first and ask questions never. Your problem is you’re looking at me like an enemy, instead of figuring out why I’m doing what I’m doing. Hell, based on how you talk, you don’t even know what I’m doing in the first place. But hey, if this conversation’s pointless to you, you can just let me go be on my way.

Niko: … I’m gonna say it one more time. I don’t care what you’re doing. Mei doesn’t want to see you. That’s all that matters.

Yui: (A heavy, resigned sigh) …Then why do I see her right over there?

Niko: Buzz off.

Yui: That’s the plan. But you’re still blocking my way.

Niko: I’m not moving.

Yui: …Then stay as long as you like. (The world around them shifts as lightning surges through Yui’s eyes, and after a moment, when the world settles, she’s now standing behind where Niko remained, giving a little salute before beginning to walk away) Still an Angel, by the way.

Niko: (bowing her head, she stares at the swirling mists at her feet) … Guess I don’t even deserve being swatted like a bug, huh? (she wipes the tears from her eyes before putting on the mask again)

Yui: …I don’t care what you believe about me, Niko. But I don’t kill people. I don’t fight unless I have to. S’not to do with your self worth. I just don’t plan to change who I am. Again… you don’t have to like me. But you keep your facts right, or keep my name out of your mouth. Got it? (She walks out from the library)

Free from the Diva’s presence, the Forte found herself in her gym. Not New Eden, of course, but Yui’s gym of old. The domain of the Cadenza – Paradise Hall. Yui took in the sights, something she didn’t seem inclined to do, but the attention to detail was impressive, up to and including the damaged ceiling and torn carpet.. Eventually, Yui couldn’t find herself able to stall any longer. She set the Soul Lantern on the steel steps leading into the boxing ring in the center. As she entered the ring herself, she looked around once more. The gym was empty, silent. Devoid of life. But Yui knew better.

Yui: Come on out, Mei. If you really weren’t here, the gym wouldn’t be either.

Mei: (A sigh as Mei appears from seemingly nowhere and stands across from her mentor in the opposite corner) Someday, Master. …Someday I’ll get the drop on you.

Yui: …Call me that again and I’ll knock you on your ass, Mei.

Mei: Right, right… force of habit. So… (She motions her head towards the Soul Lantern, obscured from Mei’s angle, yet as if she could see it clearly.) …You’ve been busy.

Yui: …No reason to waste time about it. Yeah, I’m bringing you home, Mei. That’s been the thing I’ve been working on for the last month or so. Just needed to find a good time, right circumstances, the—

Mei: The right body to put me in?

Yui: (Unfazed) …No sense hiding it.

Mei: Did you… become a Balancer when I wasn’t looking or something, Yui? I mean, look at what you’re doing, what you want to do from the perspective of who you are. Or I guess… who you used to be.

Yui: That’s—

Mei: Because I’m keeping score, you know. Keeping tabs on all the shit you’re doing up there. The training of those new girls, your plan, what you’re trying to do, what you want to do… all of it. …Even what you’re doing down here.

Yui: (This time, her eyes go wide) …Wait, hold up—

Mei: (The volume of her voice climbs) I know you’ve been sneaking off to go train with that fucking Balancer, Yui! The same fucking Balancer that took out Kotori, Chiemi, and god knows how many others! How many Puella has she killed? And you two are all buddy-buddy now? What the fuck for?

Yui: …I didn’t join them, okay? And Punisher isn’t one anymore, technically. I just… I need to get stronger. I need to, in order to—

Mei: Prevent another me, right? Master? (Yui’s eyes meet Mei’s, the former’s wide and the latter’s narrowed. Mei took a step forward, clearly struggling to control her breathing. Yui took a step forward, and Mei did the same.) No… I know you better than that. That’s just what you tell yourself and everyone else around you. My death was the means to an end for you.

A clap of thunder, impossible otherwise in this domain, yet in immediate response to Mei’s taunt. Yui took another step forward, then another. Mei matched step for step until they were in the middle of the ring, inches apart.

Yui: You know damn well what happens now, I hope.

Mei: …I knew what was gonna happen the second you got caught, regardless. Just glad it was me, and not the Diva. Or her girlfriend.

Yui: (She scoffs as the two begin circling one another) Why not Niko or Shinju, hm?

Mei: Because… I know you better than anyone. It’s better for me to be the one fighting you here. I gotta take responsibility for what I did by dying the way I did.

Yui: …

Mei: …I can’t rest easy down here until I do this.

Yui: …And I thought I had a hard time letting go.

Mei: You do, Yui. And you’re going around making it everyone else’s problem. 

Yui: What do you know, Mei? What do you know about anything I’ve been through since you died?

Mei: If we’re being technical, I’m only mostly dead. I still exist down here. And I spent ages trying to find you, to catch up. But you always run from me. That’s how I know, Yui. That you’re only using my death to fuel this self-destructive bullshit you’re on right now.

Yui: Mm. Nice story. Missing a piece, though. Big fuckin’ plot hole you’re ignoring in the corner behind you.

Mei doesn’t fall for the bluff. Instead, a figure about her size emerges from her being, clad in bronze armor and a matching winged headband, standing between them with a spear in its hand, pointed up at the ceiling, right under a flickering fluorescent light. 

Mei: The Virtuoso’s Soul Lantern? Yeah, I know. That’s part of it. You’re out there playing God or whatever, moping about my death while ducking me down here. But at the same time, you plan on pulling me back. As if me being alive again would fix anything. Just ask the Oracle how that turned out.

Yui lunged mid sentence, but Mei was ready. The Valkyrie met her mid lunge, bronze spear clashing with golden staff. Mei brought a megaphone to her lips, and though the sound was amplified, it wasn’t overwhelming. At least, in terms of volume.

Mei: What, that got under your skin, Forte? Did I press the Cecilia button? Should I have not done that?!

With each passing phrase, the attacks between Mei’s Valkyrie and Yui only intensified. They continued to circle the ring, with Mei staying behind her soul’s construct.

Mei: Well, news flash, Master! I’m not fucking going back! 

This time Mei sent out a shockwave from her megaphone, dropping Yui to her knees to cover her ears. But rather than taking a lethal attack, one Mei knew all too well would only wake Yui up, the Valkyrie only swung with the dull end of its spear. And then again, and again, in a flurry of swinging attacks, a pattern Yui recognized only too late as she saw that the spear no longer had a point on either end. As Yui’s eyes locked on the construct from her position, thrown into the corner of the ring, they widened in horror.

Yui: No… no you fucking didn’t—

Mei: Vox Memoria! Look, Yui! Look into your own fucking soul, see the figure who is most important to you in this exact moment in time!

The Valkyrie assumed a much more theatrical pose, bowing as it held its bronze staff upright. A deep voice Yui knew only too well came from the closed helmet.

Maestro: Ah, and what a show you’ve put on for us today, Cadenza. If only we had an audience… Perhaps you should take Yui up on her offer? If for no other reason than to give her the show she craves so dearly. Ah, but I’m afraid that might break the poor girl.

Yui: You… you fucking didn’t… No you fucking DON’T! 

The Forte and Maestro matched one another blow for blow, with Yui finding surprising difficulty in getting the upper hand. After all these years, all her growth, and so long after his death, the shadow of the Maestro still held the high ground. She couldn’t beat him, not like this. Even when Yui finally managed to find a tiny advantage, Mei was there to catch Yui off guard, one simple blow before jumping back out of harm’s way, letting the Valkyrie-clad Maestro take back over.

Maestro: Ah, glorious, simply glorious, my dear Forte! You truly grew into the weapon we all knew you could become. Even now, you continue to sharpen yourself into a fine point! Now, do us a favor and keep that point aimed at our foe, will you? The Incubator will not eradicate itself, and I feel you are more than ready to do the job now.

After a while, however, Yui snapped and lunged with a primal fury, breaking through the Maestro’s calculated technique and pummeling the Valkyrie, still wearing Velare’s demeanor. Blood began to spray out of Mei’s mouth, and one punch sent the bronze figure into one corner, with Mei falling back against the other. But she only chuckled, slumped back against the ring.

Mei: Do it, Forte… kill him again. Kill me again! Make an honest fucking woman out of yourself! Make that pain real! (When Yui stood, pale and shaken in the middle of the ring, Mei pulled herself up.) …Or shut the fuck up, pull your head out of your ass and deal with the reality in front of you.

Yui: (Yui was silent for what felt like eternity, aside the heavy breaths that came from the fight. The weight of Mei’s gaze— one Yui didn’t meet— was bearing down on her.) …God damn it, you were so close.

Mei: …What?

Yui: …I can feel it in your soul, Mei. You’re just like… almost there. Almost at the point where you could beat something into me. Bringing Vel in was a nice touch. God… damn it. 

Mei: (This time, Mei’s the one silent for far too long, Yui still muttering to herself under her breath the entire time.) …It’s my victory either way, Yui. So I get a prize.

Yui: (Cutting her sentence off before it even begins, she turns her gaze expectantly towards her former pupil)

Mei: …You have to tell me the truth. Were you planning on using one of those students you have now? Y’know… kill them, or send their Soul Gem to Australia or whatever and put me in her body?

Yui: No. (Yui’s answer is immediate, clear, but most importantly, honest. It was clear from the look in Yui’s eyes that she wasn’t lying.) I was gonna grab one of those homeless fuckers that keep turning up dead. One of ‘em that bit it the other day probably matches your description close enough.

Mei: (She blinks a few times, then brings her head into her palms with an audible groan) Jeez, what the fuck, Master?

Yui: I don’t care what Niko says. I still don’t kill people, Mei. That hasn’t changed. Y’know… I didn’t kill to bring Cecilia back, either. Same principle applies here. What, you really think that just because Tomomi’s a pain in my ass and trying to strongarm my gym from me that I’d kill her? I’ll just keep kicking her ass until she gives up. If she doesn’t, I’ll turn her soul off for a couple days, like I did with Chiemi.

Mei: …Wait, so… what really happened with that girl that went missing? The one the trainees up there are all riled up about?

Yui: Evelyn Adams? Fuck if I know. Kinda hoped she would’ve come back, though. Only got a glimpse at her soul in that clusterfuck, but she probably could’ve knocked my Witch down like a dozen pegs in a minute flat.

Mei: (Mei slaps her palm to her forehead with a dramatic sigh) …Of course. Burn that bridge when we get to it, I guess. (The Valkyrie disappears in a bronze, wispy smoke— with another theatrical bow, and Mei just leans back against the corner of the ring, staring at the cracked and water-damaged ceiling) …So then, last question, what the fuck are you doing training with one of the fuckers that killed like half a dozen of us?

Yui: I… I need to find Magia again. S’the only thing that kept us from losing the city. Shinju still has it. But I don’t. And I wanna find it, in case our resident Pale Warden decides to get his fuzzy cat ass up out of bed and find a few more psychopaths, sooner rather than later.

Mei: Have you considered therapy?

Yui: …Mei. You know my soul better than anyone else on the planet, besides Alice and maybe Cecilia. Do you honestly think I can just talk this shit out? I know I’m not being rational. I know I’m being a self-destructive asshole. I know, okay? But…

Mei: So take the fucking wheel out of Sabrina’s hands, go find Shinju and figure out the Magia shit without consorting with a fucking Balancer, Yui.

Yui: (Before Yui can respond, her eyes light up with dawning comprehension) …That’ll work. Yeah… yeah, that might just work. If I give her a reason… huh, maybe I went about this all wrong from the start. Hm, and she’s digging into my actions. Heh… thanks, Niko. …Yeah.

Before Mei can inquire or decipher Yui’s inane rambling, however, Yui disappears in her own plume of violet mist.

Mei: Did she just… wake herself up by sheer force of will? …Wait… what was she saying? Oh shit… I gotta find Niko.