Monday, March 29, 2021

Valentine Colosseo Epilogue

Once there was a wise king who crossed many worlds, was served by 72 demons, and established a hierarchy. This successor of David was said to know everything in the world and could easily explain all manner of difficult problems. His most famous story of this wisdom is the story of two women claiming to be the mother of the same child, and he checked the veracity of their claims by suggesting they pull on the child from both ends. It's as if he were a System that judges good and evil, and who ranks above others. To him, a hierarchy is obvious. What takes precedence was never a question for him, they say.
 
Is that actually true though? Can such a perfect being exist in this world? Did this king's heart never waver and fail to delineate between good and evil? Was he never torn up by his emotions and fail to come up with an answer even once in his lifetime? Was he truly never lost between his thoughts and beliefs? If he did, he likely cut that part of himself away so that he could stay a peerless and automatic System of impartiality.
 
Suppose the wise king had those humanlike emotions cut off from himself just like He (I assume Fergus) did. Where would those fragments have gone then? Which world would his feelings about wanting an answer that is not black and white have gone to? This king's name is Solomon, and it has also become a noun or symbol for other wise men to aspire to be like, as if they were succeeding after him. What if the children of Solomon who inherited his fragments are also here in Tokyo...?
 
Scene shifts back to the Ikebukuro guild as Duo starts talking to himself for some reason about how the Hongou Wisemen based their guild name on the Three Magi, and he declares as guildmaster that all the planned for data has been obtained so the project will be closed. He interrupts his monologue to welcome Shuuichi back, and Shuuichi laughs and says he's returned before asking how things went.
 
Duo thinks for a moment before saying it was worth it to come out here. He got all of the data he wanted, so all that's left is to take action. He already knows that the math formula is 24×3=72, which he explains is the formula that shows the stability of the repeating game that involves the 23 other worlds plus this one. This game is built upon said formula, which is patterned after That Man's perfect magic circle and his 72 Pillars. A triangle is the most stable shape in this world, so that's why 'the 24 worlds have been mixed with three.' By setting things into sets of three (ex. men, women, and Other or love, friendship, and Other), this world is stabilized. Duo then repeats the Other part a few more times for emphasis.
 
Shuuichi gets concerned over Duo making a face and asks if he's not feeling well, but Duo says he's fine and asks him to stop sticking so closely to him, then continues on with what he's talking about. Narration takes over to do so, mentioning that Duo has in fact chosen to ignore a faint bit of pain in his chest before it does that. But anyways, its construction is done through the vessel that holds 72 and forms the stability of the hexagon star, bearing the endless repetitions like the crossings of the twelve zodiac constellations. Even that World Pillar Fergus stabilized his existence through gaining a Third Choice and returning to Tokyo from that overworld shift. You could call it a miracle, and at the same time, you could say he brought back stability to Tokyo.
 
Duo concludes his findings by saying that shaking up the game in Tokyo would mean destroying the triangle. He thinks to himself about those fearsome children who forced even a genius kid like him into being an other (re: spare parts). The solid triangle formed by the three geniuses assembled here in Tokyo will one day crumble. He can't allow himself to be the spare for one of the three should they cease to function, and he must become a Fourth equal to the three children there. There is no equilibrium with a group of four as opposed to three. For example, they could split into a two on two situation, which means a majority decision is impossible. But for Duo to do this, he has to be someone who can Stand on their Own. It would be impossible to achieve if he were depending on someone else.
 
Duo quietly says to Shuuichi that he'll soon go on his own, but Shuuichi doesn't quite hear this and offers to do anything for him. Duo nods at this after a moment and says that because of this he'd like for them to stay together a little longer. He then changes the subject by asking about what's happening outside, noting that it's pretty loud for an event that's supposed to be over already. Shuuichi then proceeds to answer, which transition cuts him off on to bring up the title card. The title for the epilogue is just Epilogue.
 
Over at the arena area, the audience is cooing over how cute Alp and Cait Sith are and some guys are yelling about how sexy Bathym's outfit is. The audience has lined up for something with Team Sideshow, and Bathym says Valentine's is still going on and that the finale stage is this way. Alp says they'll be making marshmallows, chocolate, and cakes. Cait Sith greets everyone and says that the traffic buildup is only at the entrance. There's more space inside, so he asks people to stay calm and go in.
 
Narration says this is the day after the final battle on stage for the Valentine Colosseo has been concluded, and there is a long line of people in the lobby entrance to the underground arena hoping to participate in what's happening now. Claude asks Snow for an update on what's happening, so Snow explains that they're publishing photos of people who have agreed to have their pictures sold. These are photos of everyone who has fought yesterday and their presents. He also says that the event has done well in drawing in strong warriors that they haven't seen before. Claude approves, saying the pictures look wonderful and comments on how great turning emotions into strength turned out. He figures there must be other new strong people among everyone here today too, and he tells Snow that he'll join in on the confection making as well. Snow nods and hands him an apron he got prepared for him.
 
Nomad is unenthused about the event being a two parter and comments on the second day being a cooking aid open to the public. Garm on the other hand is excited that there's a lot of people around and cheers about the cakes and sweets around. He decides to make special marshmallows and cookies, then asks if people will make them together with him. As he runs around the place, the people in line give him bite sized candies, and narration mentions that today the colosseo is now a confection making area.
 
Elsewhere in the area, Kengo is struggling to measure out his ingredients like milk and sugar, but he eventually throws a tantrum in frustration and says it should be fine to just eyeball it. He then questions why he's even wearing an apron and making chocolate like this as he demands to see the manager. Claude shows up on cue, and you are either mildly surprised he did, ask about the candy making, or flip out a little and say this all seems crazy. C gets an extra line where Claude is amused and comments on you having a savage, intelligent wit.
 
In any case, Claude dramatically says he'll tell you guys the real intention of the candy making corner here today. Since yesterday everyone fought hard during the event battles, it's logical that the audience members would want to come up and talk with the fighters. That's what this sweets making workshop is about, since it's not often that people can bake together with strong warriors. Snow adds that there is a hidden scoreboard for the candy making portion of the event and says he expects great things from everyone. Kengo is shocked at this and asks if he's just some dancing bear for him, but Claude laughs and suggests that you two could stand to have fun like everyone else participating is.
 
Snow asks Claude if he's sure about not telling the others about the real motive behind the two events in total. Claude says they've learned it all firsthand through the Colosseo. He talks about how all of creation in this world and everyone's desires has a front and a hidden side to them. When you have to make a choice out, people everywhere believe you'll have regrets about what you didn't pick. Claude then comments that after the earlier battle, the warriors here won't be living their lives by being tripped up by their regrets. If a war breaks out in front of them, they'll probably be able to handle it. Claude however says it's not a war coming up, but a revolution that changes what everyone believes in. He suggests that what happened here was a test run for all that and for his warriors to learn about their hidden sides. Claude then decides it's time to stop talking about inelegant plans and suggests walking around the candy making space with Snow, so Snow agrees.
 
Some time later Seth comments on making so much chocolate that he can do it with his eyes closed now. He declares his bite size chocolates are done now and says it's okay to eat them if you want. Sitri is impressed that Seth can make store quality chocolates, and Seth is happy but conflicted about this going against his image. Shuten advises that Seth not think too hard about it, because no matter what kind of bad boy he may be it feels good to see people happy. Shuten then jokingly asks to see Seth in all his bad boy glory, but Seth decides to decline and says this is like him well enough. Sitri tells Seth he admires him for being a punk who can make sweets and calls him a total badass. Seth is flattered and thanks Sitri.
 
Over to the side, Ikutoshi sighs about how well everyone else is doing and says he's not interested in this sort of thing. Kamui tells Ikutoshi to not underestimate making sweets since few other things demand such a sense of refinement and delicacy. Ikutoshi is unconvinced and tries to suggest it doesn't mean much, but Kamui prompts him to look at what someone who's been careful about their methods and measurements has accomplished. Ikutoshi looks and can't believe he's looking at chocolate.
 
Said chocolate was made by Duo, who sighs and comments that he's just about done. Pollux is shocked at how super elaborate it is since Duo has made a chocolate astroglobe that looks much like a complex machine. Duo says he's used to complicated machinery, though he's not sure what to do with the chocolate now. Shuuichi is fidgeting in place, which Duo notices. Duo is quiet for a moment, then decides to give the thing to Moritaka and Garm as thanks for all they've done. Shuuichi bursts into tears of shock at how cold this treatment of him is, saying he actually made eye contact with Duo and is now crying so hard he can't see. Moritaka thanks Duo but says accepting the chocolate feels really awkward right now. Shuuichi takes offense at Moritaka trying to turn down Duo's chocolate, prompting Moritaka to say he can't win.
 
Elsewhere in the area, Kyuuma has finished up making some cookies and asks David what he thinks of them. Some of them are patterned after black and white baseball uniforms, and some of them are patterned after rugby and sumo wrestling. He was on the phone earlier with Kyuuma and Ashigara earlier, and now he has stuff to bring to their redo of the Valentine's gift exchange party. Daisuke says that cookies are hard because they're simple, which is something he's heard from Snow. These ones are good though, and he's sure the other guys would cry happily over them. He offers to help Kyuuma make more, and Kyuuma accepts. Kyuuma also asks Daisuke why he's there, so Daisuke quickly claims he just passes by sometimes.
 
A voice starts bragging that he can go up to 8000℃ as opposed to using the oven at 180-200℃. This turns out to be Cthugha trying out some new line that he hopes is going to get people interested in him, and he talks to himself about how this is totally going to work. Leanan Sidhe walks by saying she heard something lyrical, sad in its isolation, and mentally weak. Itzamna asks her what's up and comments that her facial expression looks creative as always. Leanan says it's nothing, she just thought she heard a scream of sorrow. Itzamna changes the subject to say the sponsor's payment came in, and Leanan is surprised at the lovely afternoon tea set he shows her. Itzamna suggests inviting the other Creators here and his students from the Iguana Room to a tea party, so Leanan agrees to go get Arachne, Benten, and the others.
 
Elsewhere Fergus is thinking to himself and mumbling, so you tell that you understand being excited over his chocolate but making noises in front of the fridge won't make it go any faster. Fergus concedes the point, but he says that waiting in itself is fun and asks if you've given any thought to cutting it before melting it down. He starts concentrating hard on something, so you tell him he can stop working himself up about it so much, comment on him looking forward to the chocolate, or comment on how hard it must be for him to make chocolate.
 
Team Sideshow plus Sitri comes by and announces their presence. Fergus comments that they seem to be having fun and says that this must be a part of youth too. He talks some more about making today an important day and brings up that people are working hard on something or other. Fergus refers to this as youth itself, and he is one of the people working hard at it too. But anyways, if Fergus has to wait then he figures he might as well work up the nerve to do something and asks you to come with him somewhere. You agree, ask where he's taking you, or say you need to get back by the evening. C gets an extra line where Fergus says that's the plan, and in any case Fergus just smiles instead of answering the question of where he's taking you.
 
Time skips as you guys take an elevator up, which announces that you guys have reached the observation area on the highest floor. There's a special facility set up there for Valentine's, though the announcement informs you it's for private functions only. It's a fancy ass glass walled chapel which Fergus takes you to , and you ask about the place. Fergus explains that it's one of the prizes of the event, a special rooftop facility. It's a chapel that you can see the sky from, and the sort of situation that comes to mind when he thinks of talking about feelings. But anyways the winner will be able to use the place however they want for a bit of time later.
 
Fergus pulls out some chocolate out of his chest and hands it to you, so you thank him or ask if it's okay to take it. Fergus talks about how he had already decided to give you this chocolate when he first saw you at the kendo matches at Bukuro and then when he saw you again at the underground arena. You can chalk it up to him feeling it was destiny if you want. You ask him if the chocolate is for friends or something else, but Fergus admits he can't answer that yet. He says it feels sad to call it love, but calling it friendship makes him feel bad in a different way. Calling it Something Else feels cowardly to him.
 
Whatever it is, Fergus feels it's too rough and sad, which is why he wants to figure it out. Once he does figure it out, he says he feels he'll finally understand for the first time what this Other Thing is. Fergus says figuring it out is youth, so he refers to the chocolate as part of his youth as well. He wants to give you this chocolate, feeling some of his genuine emotions are in there somewhere, and he asks if you'll take it. You accept and wish him a happy Valentine's. When Fergus gives you the chocolate he suddenly looks up into the sky. He can see you standing underneath the big blue sky, some sort of scene of the future. He talks to himself about understanding something, saying his prediction was meant for this. He decides to swear a new geas to you, but whatever it is isn't revealed.
 
Eventually you and Fergus get back to the underground arena. Kengo greets you two back by asking where you guys went and prompts you guys to join the party that started without you guys. Seth is relieved you are back because he was panicking at the idea you had already left. Kyuuma says everyone has been looking forward to you guys and points you in the direction of the food. A finale party is underway, and Claude laughs about you two being fashionably late before deciding to raise a toast again because it's a party.
 
Among the cheers and applause, people start throwing(?) white bags of marshmallows and cookies, which reflect light in such a way that makes them look like illumination. Fergus laughs and comments that his adolescence still has a lot more ahead of it. He inwardly asks if his Shadow and the people who have passed on ahead of him are watching all this, promising to carry on all their memories until the day he's done with his do over here in Tokyo. Kengo tells Fergus to stop spacing out and staring at the ceiling, asking if he's not going to yell something now. Kyuuma also requests that Fergus yell one more time for the road, and Seth shyly says he'll shout with him and tells him to get on with it.
 
You prompt Fergus to get on with it too, and you comment that everything started with that one word so it may as well end on that word too. Fergus obliges, and he yells about how this feeling of impatience is also youth. The yell echoes through the party area, and everyone hearing it laughs. And thus did Fergus mac Roich's springtime of youth only begin. The End.
 

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