Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

「 Open the curtains, lights on. Don’t miss a moment of this experiment. 」

The sound of Yuu’s boots was clacking against the floor of one of the many buildings under Limbus Company, used for a variety of purposes. 

They wore a similar uniform to the other LCCA members, carrying the K Corp ampules supplied for the rest of the team.

Walking along the corridor, they passed by a familiar face.

“It’s nice to see you again, Caiman.” Their voice greets the lady. The person in question turns to glance at them.

“Yuu? You’re back already from U Corp? It’s only been… a little over 2 days.” 

“Retrieving the remaining members of the Before Team sent there was quick, there was only one survivor left. K Corp also sent a shipment, so I was told to pick it up along the way back.” They replied. It was quite unfortunate but in this line of work, death was commonplace.

“I see. Well, your efficiency is certainly appreciated. If only the LCB could learn a thing or two…” She muttered. Yuu glanced at her with a disinterested face.

“If you wish to talk shit about the LCB, do it infront of someone else. Maybe even the Department itself.” They started walking off, wanting to put down the K Corp ampules before anything happened.

They swore that Caiman muttered a ‘Maybe I will…’ as they walked away.

【 Ø 】

Yuu was finally leaving the building, heading off to the next destination given by their superiors. 

They were to take a WARP Train that would bring them to District 9. Apparently, there were already some LCCA personnel there who would guide everyone to their task. Yuu was curious but not suicidal enough to question what everyone would be doing.

As they walked down the streets, it gradually became darker. A normal occurrence, or so they thought.

Ah, my most beloved liege!

Yuu halted for a mere moment upon hearing their native language. Almost everyone in the City spoke the Common Language, however Yuu decided that they would learn and remember their own language, as a reminder.

They continued forward, ignoring the words. It could be the start of a distortion and Yuu did not want to be killed by any fixers. Not yet, at least.

A noble and beautiful flower of evil…

Yuu took another step forward, desperately blocking out the voice. It wasn’t like anyone else was on the streets either, so they couldn’t tell whether it was just them hearing the voice or if it was echoing down the street.

‘Ignore the voice and reach the WARP Train.’ They repeated mentally. Another step.

It is you who is the fairest of them all, in our worlds!

Yuu turned back to see whether there was anyone speaking to them but was met with the same deserted street as before. Where was the voice calling out from?

Mirror, mirror on the wall… who is the most…

The voice faded out near the end before it could continue. Yuu finally stopped moving forward, completely confused yet curious about the voice.

It went on and on… until.

Follow thy heart and take the hand that will guide you through the worlds reflected in The Mirror.

The mirror? Yuu heard about the Mirror Technology that apparently was being used for the LCB Department, but that was all they knew about it.

Before they could ponder any further, the voice continued.

And by any means, do not let go of that hand.

Their world became completely enshrouded in darkness as they heard the last words of the voice.

Chapter Text

Grim pawed at the lid of the coffin in front of him. He had to get it open and he’ll do it by any means necessary!

“But the lid is too heavy…” He muttered, before perking up again.

“Fine then! I’ll just use my secret move! Hnyahhh!” He spewed flames at the lid, which surprisingly opened the moment he did so.

However, he didn’t expect a hand to come flying out of the coffin, nor being lifted and held up by his neck so tightly he thought he was gonna suffocate from it!

“Mnyaaah–!” He let out a strangled cry. “Pu’ me down!”

The cry made the person tighten the hold on his neck. He really was gonna pass out at this rate! Frantically, he clawed at the wrist of the person but to no avail, the hand didn’t move an inch.

His vision was getting blurry, dark spots were appearing which usually happened when he wanted to sleep. 

And then, the hand let go. He fell back to the ground, coughing and trying to take in as much air as possible.

He didn’t notice the looming presence over him, too concerned over trying to breathe.

It was only when he was picked up by the back of his neck, this time gentler than before but still rough, that he noticed the one who nearly strangled him to death.

Messy black bed hair that seemed to curve in each direction with two longer strips of hair at the back of their neck. 

What startled him most was instead the piercing gaze of the person. A pair of black eyes, dark as the abyss, stared into his own, as if it was reading his very soul.

He screamed at the sight, trying to get out of the person’s grasp.

“Where… am I?” The person spoke in an unfamiliar language. It wasn’t like Common Tongue or heck, anything he’s ever heard!!

“You don’t even speak Common! Lemme go!!” He twisted and turned but the neck grip was just as strong. He kept kicking and flailing his limbs though, making sure to get some scratches on their arm.

Before the person could respond, they dropped him back onto the ground. He saw that they were clutching their head with the other arm that wasn’t holding him but before he could counter attack and get the uniform he needed–

“FUGYAAA–! THAT STRING HURTS!!”

【 Ø 】

The shrill cry of that cat beast brought Yuu back to their senses temporarily. Their head was spinning and they were on the verge of puking. It was a miracle that they hadn’t vomited yet.

Another person, a man with a crow mask, a strange key-shaped staff and a long whip entered the room of… floating coffins?

They’ve never heard of any Singularity or Corp that could cause objects to float before. Was this possibly part of the Outskirts?

Before Yuu could think further, once again the man spoke after the cry. 

“It’s no mere string, it’s a whip! Of love!” The man declared flamboyantly. It reminded Yuu of certain online Fixers who held the same aura as the man in front of them did.

Wait. The voice of the man.

“You… spoke to me on the streets. How did you do that?”

“Whatever do you mean? Nevertheless, it’s a good thing you didn’t stray far from the coffin. You must be one of the new students, no?”

Student? Yuu didn’t sign up for some school, they dropped out for a reason. The man continued, completely ignoring any potential reply from them.

“You must know that untrained magical familiars are against school rules!” The man declared, with the cat beast still wrapped in the coil… no wait, whip.

“Haah?! I’m not that scary person’s familiar, no way!” The creature replied but the man tutted as if he was a parent. The man used the whip to cover the cat beast’s mouth to prevent it from speaking further.

“Yes, yes, all of you say the same thing. Now then, we must get going to the opening ceremony in the Mirror Chamber!”

Finally having a chance to speak and be heard, Yuu basically yelled out.

“Hold on! Where am I, who are you and what do you mean student? Or magical familiar? Better yet, what the hell are you on about?” Yuu spoke without any pleasantries. Their head was still pounding, they still felt like shit and they were utterly confused and pissed off at the man for kidnapping them and bringing them to some school!

“Hm? Has the teleportation left you disoriented?” The man asked.

“Disoriented and dizzy!” Yuu shot back. They still held their head, the feeling from dizziness changing to a headache. 

“Well, this happens quite often enough. I will explain to you because I am so kind!” Before he could continue however, he noticed the scratches on Yuu’s wrists and the edges of the school robes. The man gasped when he saw it.

“The school robes! Your wrists! Has this familiar of yours scratched you??” He questioned, his hand reaching out to grab Yuu’s wrist. Before he could, Yuu had pulled back from the mere touch.

“You have to take care of your ceremonial robes more!” The man said, before waving his staff. In an instant, Yuu’s robes were back to how they were before the cat beast clawed on them and their wrists had bandages covering the scratches.

“You’ll have to take those off after the entrance ceremony so that it can be disinfected, but this will have to do for now! Come along, I will gladly tell you where you are as we make our way to the Mirror Chamber!” He had already started walking out of the coffin room and Yuu was so done.

They begrudgingly started following after the man, why the hell could he walk so fast?!

【 Ø 】

“Night Raven College, Twisted Wonderland, magic…” Yuu murmured to themself as the man now known to Yuu as the principal Dire Crowley, made his grand entrance.

As the pair and cat creature stepped into the Mirror Chamber, all eyes were on the last student who looked like they just wanted to get this over and done with.

Yuu knows that they don’t have magic and if the Dark Mirror could select people to come to NRC, maybe it could also transport them back to the City. Crowley had said that it picked out every student after all.

…Well, he said that the Ebony Carriage was the one used to pick the students up but it’s close enough to assume that the Dark Mirror can transport the students, right?

“Now then, you are the only one who hasn’t been assigned a dormitory yet. I shall kindly watch over your familiar so step in front of the Dark Mirror.” Crowley spoke to Yuu, who glanced at the said creature. He was still struggling to get out of the whip.

Yuu looked back to the Dark Mirror and walked up to it. The face or mask in the mirror was eery but it didn’t seem to be a threat. The ominous green fire didn’t deter them either. 

“State thy name.” The Dark Mirror spoke.

“My name is Yuu.”

“Yuu… the shape of thy soul is…” The Dark Mirror was seemingly about to answer when the Mirror Chamber started rumbling.

The rumbling turned to full on shaking, causing some small bits of the top of the room to fall.

Alarmed, the other students started yelling. Some said it was an earthquake, others were trying to calm the peace. Crowley himself was holding onto his hat and whip.

Yuu stumbled a bit but managed to remain standing, still glancing at the Dark Mirror.

Crack. 

The sound of the glass cracking alarmed even more students, afraid it was the windows.

But instead, Yuu saw that it was the Dark Mirror. The face has disappeared, leaving only the burning green fire and the large crack right in the middle of it. Between the cracks, Yuu could see a glowing white light.

Then, the glowing light flashed, enveloping and blinding everyone. Screams and shouts were heard yet Yuu ignored it all, keeping their eyes closed until the light faded away.

Yuu expected to see the same Mirror Chamber that they were in. Instead, they were greeted with a black and brown sky, with some areas glowing bright orange. Scattered everywhere were stars but upon closer look, they seemed to resemble glass shards instead. They couldn’t see a proper floor but felt like they were on solid ground.

Two rectangular shaped objects covered by chains greeted them, with a connecting chain to each shape linking the shape to their chest. It strangely didn’t feel heavy at all.

Something was beckoning, pulling them to tug the chains. An irresistible urge overcame them, so they pulled one of the chains connected to their chest.

The rectangular shape on the left moved as they pulled and unravelled. Another voice filled their senses but it wasn’t some stranger like before.

“Pleasure to meet you, Manager. My name is Yuu.” 

Yuu saw themself, wearing the LCB uniform which was normally a white button up, red tie, black waist belt and black slacks and a long black coat. Instead of a white button up, Yuu was wearing a black button up, darker than the rest of the uniform. All of that was paired with black combat boots. They stood in front of a sunset, with the sun’s radiance right behind their head.  

Yuu also noticed that there were two tessens attached to their waist. 

Before Yuu could observe further, the image dissolved and Yuu felt a shiver before the intrusion of some memories entered their head. 

They could finally know what the hell was going on.

This was the Mirror Technology that the Sinners used in the LCB Department. But then, how were they able to harness it here? 

Before they could question further, the other chain was tugged automatically, revealing the other rectangular shape.

“Please wait patiently for your drink of choice. If you are here for a case, please wait until the current shift is over.”

Yuu saw that this time, they wore a black button up with a yellow tie. A dark green apron was thrown on top of the outfit. They were holding a tray of drinks, ranging from tea to coffee. 

Yuu recognised the outfit, the Seven Association fixers would wear that when they were taking barista shifts.

Once again, the image dissolved and the feeling of some memories entered their head. In that world, they were a part of South Section 5.

Yuu was honestly glad that they weren’t absorbing entire life stories, they would start forgetting their own if they did.

Left to their thoughts, Yuu’s head was still reeling from the turn of events. From being taken, to learning about NRC and where they were, to suddenly being able to have Identities…

It was too much all at once. 

Back in the Mirror Chamber, Yuu collapsed.

And panic ensued.

Chapter Text

“If they can’t obey the rules… then there is no reason for them to be around…”

“So what if I try? It’s all worthless in the end…”

“Everything I could never be… It’ll all be mine..!”

Echoes from the future. It’s a dark, endless abyss in the consciousness of one’s mind. 

Tethered to fates that aren’t yours… 

Yuu awoke with a jolt, immediately sitting up from the bed they were resting on. 

The dream they had… it was frankly unusual to say the least. They never had dreams, not even once in the City so why now? 

‘Wait a minute, bed?’

They looked down, seeing that they were in a white bed. Shuffling around the surprisingly soft covers, they turned their body to hang their legs off the bed. Still wearing the fancy robes when they first arrived, they decided to look around the room they were in. Next to their own bed was a whole row of five or more beds, all with similar design to each other. There was also a large cabinet filled with various medicines, Yuu assumed. Or poison and narcotics, who knows.

A small table with a wooden chair was past the large cabinet. The table had some empty bowl on it and nothing else. There was also a strange number of windows and some portraits. ‘The number of windows are concerning… what if they shatter and break?’

As Yuu stopped observing their surroundings any further, they felt something heavier hanging from their outfit. The thin chain that hung from their robes now had some golden object with a window attached to it. Yuu picked up the object. It was lighter than expected and Yuu felt that there was a gap between the sides, which meant that it could be opened. Yuu tried to smell it because well, it could be a bomb! 

Luckily, there wasn’t any gunpowder or sulfur smell, in fact there was no scent emitting from it. 

Holding it as far as their hand could be outstretched, Yuu opened the object. A ‘bzzt’ noise came from the object and there was suddenly a holographic window coming from the object, which was probably a device now. On the window screen was a large section labeled ‘Identities’ and it had the two images that Yuu saw before in the Dark Mirror’s crevices. There was just a simple label with a brief line on the role of the Identities. Yuu then noticed another section available next to the identities, ‘E.G.O’. 

Yuu lightly tapped the window, seeing that it felt solid even though it was really just some floating thing. They decided to shut the device, closing the lid which caused the window to disappear. Yuu looked up to the ceiling and just sighed. 

Sure, the City’s events could never really be predicted and crazy stuff like distortions pop up all the time now and Yuu honestly isn’t fazed by it anymore but being transported to some different world with nothing but the clothes they wore? Being able to use Mirror Technology and receive Identities…

It was just another set of problems in their life, so bad that they wanted to bash their head against it and hope that brute force could get through it all.

Yuu now wishes that this was just some simulation by some deranged researcher and they were kidnapped but it was too realistic to be one. They tried to pinch themself to see whether it was a dream but to no avail. 

Before they could think further about what to do, the door to the room practically barged open.

“Ah, he’s awake! Young Mister, you better explain yourself-” The headmage walked in, accompanied by a flamboyant looking man with dual hair behind. 

“While I understand your concern about questioning what he has done to the Dark Mirror, how about I perform a check-up to ensure the puppy isn’t injured?” The other man cut in and Yuu could tell that while strange, he was better than the crow.

‘And he at least actively acknowledges my presence unlike SOME guy who has ignored every word I said…’ They thought to themself.

Also, they kept referring to Yuu with male pronouns for some reason. Best to bring it up later, though.

As the flamboyant man approached Yuu, they decided to ask questions of their own. “May I ask, where am I?”

“You can’t tell? This is the school’s Nurse’s Office but it can also be referred to as an infirmary. For your knowledge, I am Divus Crewel and I will be your potionology teacher for the year should you be admitted. I also cover the other science curriculums. Now, are you feeling any discomfort anywhere?”

“No, I don’t. I’d also like to ask, which part of the City is this?” Yuu knew that it was futile asking but this was the most direct way they could mention that they aren’t from this world without being seen as a crazy person.

Besides, Yuu doesn’t think they would try experimenting on them since they can use magic and all. What could they even get out of some random person from another world? 

The puzzled look both men gave them was quite amusing, to Yuu at least. “If you’re asking where we are… this is Night Raven College in Twisted Wonderland.” 

“I recall that you asked similar questions when you were first transported here, Mister Yuu.” Crowley spoke up.

Yuu should probably clarify their gender now. They haven’t heard anyone use gendered pronouns for them since they came out. 

“I use gender neutral pronouns, Headmaster Crowley. As to answer your question, I did ask the same thing before. I simply wanted to clarify that I truly was in a different world twice.”

There was a moment of stunned silence before both men questioned out loud.

“You're what?!”

【 ØØ 】

“Let me go over this again. You are Yuu, not from Twisted Wonderland but somewhere called The City?” Crow man– Crowley spoke to Yuu.

Apparently, world travelling wasn’t unheard of but it was a first here at Night Raven College. Yuu would think that it must’ve happened before since they have a magic mirror that transports students but they guessed not.

“Yes. The City is a mass of land split into 26 different districts, like I said earlier.” Yuu explained.

“With the Dark Mirror broken, we can’t exactly send you back there… actually I’m unsure whether the Dark Mirror could send you back at all, considering that it’s a different world than ours.” Crowley muttered. It seemed like his mind has wandered off from the fact that the mirror had broken.

“I for one am still wondering, how did the Dark Mirror break?” Crewel decided to ask.

“It’s not like I could use magic to break it… I’ve already said that I can’t use magic at all.” They pondered the reasons why the Dark Mirror could suddenly give them access to Mirror Technology, because it was only invented a few years ago, at least from their memories.

“And that! The fact that NRC has invited a magicless student… It’s unheard of! Never in my many years of being the headmaster has there ever been a student chosen who couldn’t use magic!!” Crowley had snapped out of his initial thoughts on different worlds and was back to the ‘magicless’ part again.

It made Yuu wonder whether the people who use magic feels superior to those that don’t. Prejudice seems to exist across all worlds. 

“It’s not like we could kick them off school grounds nor send them back home.” Crewel directed his statement to Crowley. 

The room was silent for a moment before the headmaster had decided on an idea.

“Yes, yes! This could work. Alright, Yuu. I believe that since you weren’t assigned a dormitory and the fact that I can’t just send a poor child to fend for themselves off the streets, you can stay in the dormitory on campus!” Crowley declared. “Aren’t I a gracious headmaster?”

Before Yuu could reply, Crewel had already butt in.

“You mean the dusty, worn down dormitory?! Have you lost your mind? How is a child supposed to stay in such a place?!?” He snapped at the man. 

“Well–”

“There’s no excuse for that kind of negligence. I think we should discuss this with the rest of the staff, since technically Yuu would be the school’s responsibility.”

“... Yes, you’re right. Well then, we can discuss what we can do tomorrow. It’s quite late to call the rest of the staff for a meeting.”

So the problem was only delayed. Yuu couldn’t help but sigh at that fact. Before the two left however, Crowley had something else to say.

“By the way, that familiar of yours? Grim, was it? He had fallen asleep after thrashing around so much. I left him beside the bed on a pillow. You both can stay overnight in the infirmary, so have a good rest!” The door closed as the two walked out, leaving Yuu alone again.

Well, not really alone. Yuu peered over the edge of the other side of the bed, where they spotted the same grey cat with blue flaming ears asleep. ‘I didn’t get to tell him that he wasn’t mine…’

Even if Yuu did so, what would they do? Unlike them, Grim would be regarded as a monster if it wasn’t a familiar. They’d throw it out without a care in the world.

They shouldn’t really care what happens to Grim. But…

“Tch. What’s some random child doing here in the Backstreets?”

“Dunno. Let’s just leave ‘em. The Sweepers will come soon.”

It was then that Yuu learnt to stay indoors at night, even if they had to sneak into a home for that.

Unwanted memories resurfaced Yuu’s mind.

Yuu wouldn’t know how hard living on the streets of Twisted Wonderland would be like, but if it was anything like the Backstreets of any district…

They don’t want to wish that upon anyone.