Time for the Curtain Call

<Central City - After the invasion>

It had been a bit since their invasion and battle at Central City. Ren sat down on one of the tower's benches and ran her hands through her hair. She looked up at the ceiling, still trying to process that the blonde bastard returned for a second time...now with the biggest evil she and her friends have ever encountered. Ren heard someone sit next to her, which she then turned to out of curiosity.

Ren: Pseudo. How was the trip? You okay? Pseudo chuckles lightly, laying her hands behind her head with a smile.

Pseudo: You told me about fighting that son of a bitch alone...and you're asking me if I'm okay? What the fuck, Red?

Ren chuckles a little herself while rolling her eyes, then looks back up. Her eyes narrowed a little, letting her mind wander over all the new information she's been given. From what she picked up from the context clues, she's now confident that Gabriel has aligned with Xehanort for whatever reason. She also knows that, suspiciously, he didn't end up dying in the Underworld as she initially thought.

Pseudo: Red? Red? She gently waves her hand over Ren's eyes. Earth to ex-host?

Ren blinks a few times before turning to Pseudo with a puzzled look. Zoning out over here, girl. But hey, I've been thinking about something. How the fuck did that bastard not die?

Ren: chuckles Same wavelengths as me, eh? Pseudo...we did end him in the Underworld...right?

Pseudo: I thought we did too, but that's what I was thinking about on the way here. We used our ultimate on him, next thing we know, we see everyone being logged out almost immediately after. That timing seems strange, right? Ren nods, now sitting up to listen to Pseudo's theory more intently.

Pseudo: What if we didn't? What if, and this might be a long shot, he ended up being forced out like how the others were logged out? That would explain the beaten-up frame with metal you described to me, but also explain how he's still here. We damaged him good-

Ren: But weren't able to deal the final blow. Ren cuts off Pseudo, finishing her thoughts for her. Pseudo nods, pursing her lips, and Ren shakes her head. No, that's not a long shot. That actually explains a lot. But what I'm still trying to wrap my mind around is...why? Why would he align with Xehanort? The guy has a bigger ego than fucking Jupiter on steroids! Ren throws her hands out in front of her, showing how exasperated she is about it.

Pseudo crosses her arms, now thinking as well. She then perks up a little.

Pseudo: A means to an end. Why else? He might see Xehanort as a way to get to you. The guy probably plans on back-stabbing him. Ren scoffs, smiling.

Ren: Like he'd be able to. That bald fuck-wad would see that coming while he's dead-ass asleep and knock him into last century's continent. She laughs lightly at the thought of Gabriel getting the shit kicked out of him by an unbothered Xehanort. Pseudo chuckles lightly along with Ren, then leans back in her chair again.

Pseudo: Hey, uh...Red? Do you remember what happened after we used that ultimate? Or even what the ultimate was called? Ren furrows a brow, then shakes her head. Pseudo scoffs lightly, smiling. Didn't think you would.

Ren: Actually, wait no, I lied. I remember what the ultimate was cause I've used it before: Moonlit Death. Sadly, it's weaker when I do it alone. It's just...everything after that. All of that is a blur to me. Ren tilts her head a little. I'm guessing you do? Pseudo nods, clearly hesitant to answer.

Ren: Well, if how I was feeling when I first woke up here…she gestures to their surroundings...I'm guessing you had good reasons for keeping that out of my mind. I know we used a lot of magic, and I have it on good authority that's why I was so weak at first. But…she shrugs… I don't mind.

Pseudo smiles softly, nodding as a silent 'thank you' to Ren, then stands up to stretch.

Pseudo: Well, I'm gonna go get a drink. You want anything? Ren: You know my answer. Pseudo clicks her tongue with a wink, then walks towards a nearby shop that carries "bottled sustenance," as she would call it.

Ren rolls her eyes and leans her head back again, thinking about how to deal with Gabriel. Given everything that's about to occur, she has to deal with him as soon as possible...before he gets any wise ideas. 

Written 10/03/2021