Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Aha looked at the fight between the Nameless and that Penacony leader, the bells ringing, yet the mortals, too busy talking about philosophy things didn't notice, as a small creepy laugh filled the fight quietly. 

THEY then glance to the note in THEIR hand once more. 

'Dear Aha,

My name is Reyz, and I am what you will say from the universe where the real people reside, the one who control all of this as this is only a game. I have come here to personally invited you to use your Aeon powers to teleport everyone I listed into a secluded room I have made a while ago, and inform them that they will be reacting to an alternate universe of them, where Aeons don't exist. 

I'm sure your already interested and wanted to learn more about this entertainment the moment you set your eyes on that sentence. So we'll make a deal. You shall do what I ask you to, and in return, you to, can also join the reaction and earn some elation. If you agree, then you shall simply burn into ashes, and of you don't, then simply rip it to pieces. I'll be waiting. 

Ps: if you actually agree, there is a schedule I made and copies of maps so that the mortals can sleep, eat, read and stuff like that. And don't you dare ignore or made an excuse you forgot, it's indestructible unless you reject the offer. 

The list

• The Nameless 
• The Stellaron Hunters
• Boothill
• Argenti
• Robin
• Sunday
• Aventurine 
• Ratio
• Sparkle 
• JingYuan
• Yanqing
• Fu Xuan 
• Fei Xiao
• Etc...

By, Reyz'

Aha laughed at the note, amused yet curious by the boldness of the mortal, or should THEY say, 'readers'? 

Well no matter, as the only thing that matter now is the Elation that it'll bring THEM. And THEY look forward to it.

THEY burn the letter, a schedule and few copies of maps fell out of it, as THEY use THEIR power to teleport everyone in the list, using THEIR Masked Fools's eyes to see who and where they are. It was quite easy, as the people the girl listed have only resided in Xianzhou or Penacony except a few. In a few seconds, THEY were in a what it's seem to be a control room, seeing as the mortals THEY summoned teleported in another room, as THEY watched through the cameras.

THEY didn't say anything, for you, our readers, perhaps already predicted this but, THEY didn't do anything, but simply laugh. 

Stelle didn't know what happened, the only thing she knew was that she and her friends were simply fighting with Sunday, before she blinked and gone with the surroundings around her and was abruptly greeted by a new environment.

She, naturally, raised her guards up, as with the other members and people (since when did they arrive?) as well. 

She looked around, recognising some people in this odd place, one being Sunday, out of his whatever stuff he's in and Sparkle. 

Sunday looked around, confused and shocked which only mean that Sunday actually didn't plan this.

"This isn't part of the script." a familiar voice rang out. 

Stelle looked at Blade, her hand around her bat grew tighter.

It was then when she also notice Jing Yuan was here, with his adopted son and a few of Xianzhou residents. 

"Trailblazer? Do you know why we're here?" he asked her. 

Stelle simply shakes her head, before searching for March and Dan Heng. Thankfully, they were nearby, March who saw Stelle immediately ran to hug her, while Dan Heng stayed behind.

"Stelle! Are you ok?" March worried expression ached Stelle's heart.

"I'm fine March, it just... Do you know where we are right now...?"

Himeko jump in the conversation "No. I don't think the Astral Express ever enter this place." she glanced at Kafka. 

Kafka simply smiled, like how creepy she usually is. "I'm afraid that this also have nothing to do with us Destiny Slaves, as this is absolutely not part of the script Elio gave us." she said with a heavy wary tone.

Blade glanced at Dan Heng, only giving him a death glare.

"Well if this isn't the work of the Astral Express, or the Stellaron Hunters, especially not the Xianzhou residents, who and why did they bring us here?" Aventurine asked.

"A good question, I myself don't know where this place is, and that's shocking based on my age." Jing Yuan voiced out, before a loud ringing bell was heard from the room.

Sparkle, hearing this, smiled maniacally. "Aha? The Aeon of Elation? To what do we have the pleasure with you here, oh Aeon?"

"The Aeon of Elation... I suppose I'm not surprised Elio didn't predict this in his script, as he can never predict Aha anyway." Kafka put one of her hand on her hips.

A crippling and a loud terrifying laugh ring through the room, some of the people in them getting nervous or unsettled hearing the inhumane laugh.

"My dear, dear follower, Aha hope your happy being a part of Aha new Elation project, that shall be the most entertaining of all!" the Aeon laugh once more.

Sparkle made a face that only made her look more crazy as it is, a feat Stelle didn't think she would accomplish. "Of course my Aeon, it is an honour. However, if you don't mind, could you tell us why did you bring us here? I'm quite curious to see how this shall bring us, or me, the sweet elation?"

"Hmm.... Nah, that would be too boring! But Aha shall at least summarise some of it! You all mortals shall spend time in this place to react to an alternate universe!! One that even Aha don't know what'll happened, and that brings Aha so much Elation! So, Aha dear guests, please sit down, and we shall start the show!" the laugh rang once more in the room.

Sparkle immediately sat down in an empty seat, before looking at Silverwolf and seemingly inviting her to sit next to her, to which, although hesitant, Silverwolf did. 

The other also hesitantly sat at an empty seat, hearing about the rumours of Aha and all, but decided to avoid THEIR wrath. 

In the control room, Aha seem to be reading a letter on how to not mess it up and how to react, which THEY desperately wanted to, but decided against it due to how THEY know it wouldn't be like how the readers want. THEY pressed a button. 

Chapter Text

"Oh my clematis."

The screen showed a young Stelle, presumably around ten-years old, singing. 

March eyes light up seeing her. "Stelle look, it's you!" 

Stelle nod while smiling. "Yes March, I can see that. 

"Singing?" Himeko said in wonder. 

The screen panned from behind Stelle, revealing a heap of pink hair, revealing to belong to March. 

"Oh, your there too March!" Stelle said happily as she looked at said person, who was also smiling.

Dan Heng look at both of them. "Aeons, tell me why I'm third-wheeling." 

Aha who heard the prayers simply laughed. 

"Hope bloomed from the abyss.." 

”Oh my clematis.”

Stelles' eyes widened when another voice collided with hers, as leafs blew alongside her, some were glitching, she turned around and saw Mizi. Her eyes were shut close as she sang alongside Sua.

"You have quite a nice voice March." Aventurine complimented her. 

March nodded with a side eye, still remembering what he did.

Aventurine then felt a death glare, and look at behind March, seeing Stelle giving him a deathly look that said 'how dare you compliment her before me'.

Aventurine decided to not compliment Stelle in futher future.

Kafka tilted her head, while Ratio was in deep thoughts. "The leaf just now, was it my eyes tricking me... Or did it just glitched?"

"Always be by my side…"

March continued singing, the screen switched from behind them. Showing March and Stelle standing together in the fields of grass.

The camera suddenly changed into an older March and Stelle. They were standing side to side in black and white dresses, the sky was dark and littered with stars.

"You bloomed… from the huge black wall…"

"Oh, it transitioned." Yanqing printed out the obvious. 

"They seem to be performing. Perhaps their singer in this alternate universe?" Aventurine speculated. 

"Perhaps, we don't really know." Ratio responded. 

"Oh my, you both look so pretty, wearing dresses like that!" Argenti compliment both of them.

"Such a gorgeous attire, it suits you both." Himeko said.

"Your so... Pretty. You should wear that type of dress more." Stelle blushed. 

March simply smile, flustered. 

"The violin in the background is quite a good piece, no?"

Blade raised one eyebrows. "Sure, I guess."

It showed March next, blush evident on her face. Her pink hair waved around as she sang, her smile wide.

"The galactic starlight,"

"—In your eyes spread out." 

The camera switched to Stelle, her face the same as March's. She was blushing, and a bright smile was evident on her face.

"Ah, young love." Kafka thought. 

March tilted her head. "Are we singers in this universe?" March tried to asked Aha.

Aha didn't respond. 

March sweatdropped, not knowing what to said.

"In the endless darkness," 

The video switched to a younger Stelle and March running around the grass near the river.

It then showed March hopping inside the river and happily shouting as her arms cradled a huge mechanical fish.

"A mechanical fish?" Fu Xuan tilted her head.

"The sky... They have some corners at them.. Is this... A fake environment..?" Welt pointed out. 

The air dropped heavily in the room, most people not liking the indication. 

Stelle was standing near the river, hunched over in laughter.

"I find you with your scent," 

It showed March and Stele resting below a tree as the sky turned orange, the sun setting.

"Even if i sleep in infinity," 

March was giggling as she snatched Stelle's hand, Stelle turned around and met March's gaze. Their hands were stretched out to reveal a (PASS!) floating on their palms.

Stelle happily showed it to March , who ran at her with a big hug, making them both trip.

"Don’t leave my universe."

"What does the Pass mean?" Fei Xiao asked out loud. 

"Maybe it's a test or some sort, perhaps a singing competition since well, their singing." Jing Yuan said. 

"If that's the case... Why are their doing it since they were around 10 years old...?" Jingliu looked at the duo.

The scene of the younger March and Stelle switched into an older Sua, singing her heart out.

After a brief pause, March and Stelle synchronously turned to each other and continued to sing.

It zoomed in into their faces.

"Oh my clematis,"

"Their harmonise each other so well, its quite beautiful." Argenti said. 

The other can't help but agree, they do harmonise well, as if their voice was made for each other.

"They do, don't they? I'm quite jealous." Aventurine popped out. 

"If you wanted to, do you wanted to duet in my songs?" Robin asked. 

March, surprised, waves her hand around. "No I don't think so, my singing is probably not as good as the other me." 

Stelle rest her head on her shoulder. "Well, it's worth the try, no?" 

"Hmm... Well I guess it shouldn't.. Sure! But not as an official stuff though, karaoke?" March suggested. 

"That can be arranged!" 

"Hope bloomed from the abyss,"

The next scene was March, her expression full of happiness. She sung softly as the mic pressed onto her lips, it then moved to Stelle, doing the same notion.

Their voices harmonized.

"Oh my clematis, always be by my side."

The background was plenty filled with beautiful pink lights, the camera started moving upwards.

"A love song huh? I'm not surprised, you both are obviously in love with each other." Robin said excitedly. 

March ans Stelle stutter hearing this, blushing and flustered. "We- we're just friends!" 

"Oh yeah, totally friends." Silverwolf teases them. 

"If your friends then elation is my biggest enemy." Sparkle smiled. 

"And if your friends then I'm in love with Blade." 

Blade's body freeze out of shock, before hiding his face from Dan Heng, although Dan Heng didn't even notice so it was quite pointless for him to do so. 

Kafka look at him with a teasing look. Blade tried to choke her. He was unsuccessful.

"Such a beautiful bond!" Argenti said. 

A bracket slowly started becoming more visible to the eyes, the screen flashed with March's face and Stelle's face next.

“Huh? It’s a competition?” Stelle said.

"A competition!? Can I join!" Yanqing asked Jing Yuan.

"Your not even a great singer.. I'm sure I'll do better than you!" Yunli said proudly.

Yanqing pouted. 

"I don't think it's a fight though, since their having a duet...." Robin whispered to her brother.

"Hmm... I.. Have a bad suspicion, but until we'll get futher information, I don't think ist true. I hope." Sunday whispered back.

Next, the screen showed a planet spinning, slightly blurred.

"Do you believe in gods?" 

March voice was sound in the theatre.

"Well of course we do, it's hard to imagine if we don't." Firefly said. 

"Hm... Is this... A universe where Aeon doesn't exist, oh great Aha?" Ratio looked at the ceiling. 

Terrifying laughter ring through the cinema, bells ringing even more intense than it was before.

"That would be correct, mortals. This is, in fact, a universe where Aeons doesn't exist, or perhaps they do, but simply mortals. That would be an entertaining thing to watch, no?" THEIR inhumane voice fill the room.

Ratio feels sweat drop down from his chin, nodding slowly. 

This seem to satisfy Aha, as next thing he knew, the presence of the Aeon disappeared mostly. 

The screen flashed with flying rubble and debris, bright red lights infiltrating.

In the air were multiple UFO’s, multiple aliens crawled down from the spaceship and started destroying the buildings.

"Once upon a time, mankind believed in God and had religion."

"Oh Aeons...." Firefly and Robin whispered out simultaneously.

"A belief.."

Ratio looked to Aventurine, only to see him looking at the planet with dull eyes, more duller than they have ever been. Ratio, seeing this, placed his hand on Aventurine's own. Aventurine, surprised, look at Ratio, before smiling gently and scoot closer to him.

"They believe that things that cannot be solved by human strength are the will of God." 

The scene switched away and instead focused on a random participant on the big screen performing in the center of many aliens and human pets alike.

"They believed that the entire universe revolved around the ******" 

March's hands stretched to the sky, covering the brightness of the sun.

"Thought that the place that connected with the sky, which they cannot dare to reach,"

A second hand, Stelles' joined in. Stelle playfully grinned and grabbed March's hand in hers, they were both laying down on the grass while laughing.

"—was the place where the Gods lived." 

It showed the planet, dry of resources. The planet was shattered in a million pieces.

"Oh dear...." Fu Xuan whispered out. 

Jingliu stare at it with no emotions, feeling apathetic about it. 

Jing Yuan, who was staring at her can only sigh. 

"This remind me when we watch the stars." Robin looked at Sunday. 

Sunday nodded, agreeing with her. "It does, doesn't it." 

"From the moment humanity left the universe, we all forgot God."

The screen showed humans being transported in a city with a lead attached to the woman on a screen.

Many tensed at the sight, as Aventurine freezes, having a quiet panic attack.

"If this is what I think it is...." Sunday made a concerned face. 

"Calm down, calm down-" 

He felt a hand brushing his, and look to the one who did, seeing Ratio looking at him with a hidden concerned face.

Aventurine didn't say anything, nor does he show any expression, yet his body language says otherwise, as he felt his shoulders calming down and his hand stop shaking, holding Ratio's hand a bit tighter.

Multiple children were lined up, back straight and singing while the aliens watched with pleasure.

"But, if belief in God is human.."

It showed a young March, not singing along. She turned her head to the side and set her eyes on a singing Stelle.

"If all i can do as a human is to believe…"

It zoomed into March's eyes, shining brightly.

"My God."

"My.... God..?" Stelle said quietly, blushing before looking at March. 

March stutters, flustered before hiding her face with her hands. Well, attempted to. 

Stelle didn't say anything but simply smile teasingly as she softly remove March's hand from her face. 

"Don't do that, you look cute."

Unfortunately, after she said that, March have passed away. 

Dan Heng stayed quiet, looking at them with a deadpanned reaction. "I just hope they kiss after this." 

Stelle turned around to meet March eyes, she playfully stuck her tongue out.

It switched to an older Stelle, smiling.

"My Universe."

Both Stelle and March were facing each other and singing, the score sheets appeared from behind them.

"Looks like it is a competition. I wonder who's gonna win. My bets is on March." Sparkle said to the person next to her. 

Said person, Silverwolf, looked at her. "I don't even really know you. Why did you wanted me to sit next to you." 

Sparkle show a sly smile. "Oh I don't know, perhaps it's because I fell in love with you the moment I saw you," Silverwolf choked on her own spit. "—but perhaps it's because your simply, entertaining!"

Silverwolf attempt to cover her face with her hand, to which only made Sparkle laugh teasingly. 

"I guess, I'm debating on Stelle." she finally said. 

72 - 72

80 - 80

85 - 85

86 - 86

They had the same score, but March's went up to 87.

A bright light shined in the audience.

Stelle smiled at March, her eyes seemed stressed but relieved. Sweat trickled down the sides of her forehead, she was clutching the mic.

"Stelle?" March whispered, why did she look so tired?

March was smiling back at her.

Before a large splash of blood appeared on March's face.

It was a brief silence across the room. 

March, obviously, was the first to break the silence. "WHAT THE FUCK!? WHAT DO YOU MEAN STELLE'S DEAD-" 

"So it is what I think it is...." Sunday managed to let out. 

Some were horrified by the outcome while others were simply stunned.

"What kind of performance is this!?" Yanqing yelled. 

Jingliu then opened her mouth. "Isn't it obvious, it's a survival of the fittest. The aliens came to that world and enslave us humans, well, us who were humans in the screen, and then they train us to sing and when we do, whoever lose..." 

"Unfortunately have to die." Jing Yuan finished.

Stelle breath out before laughing nervously, wanting to lift the heavy atmosphere. "So I'm dead..? Dang, did I at least managed to kiss a trash can?" she said jokingly. 

March and Dan Heng only stare at her in sadness, as March felt tears in her eyes. 

The room dropped atmosphere only more, cold air surround them. Sparkle, usually would laugh but seeing Silverwolf serious face, she decided not to. 

Meanwhile Aha is laughing THEIR ass off as if THEIR life depends on it, which it does honestly. 

Oh how Aha wish THEY could just drag Akavili from the grave and let HIM watch this wonderful show. THEIR laughter together would be the most melodic of all! And Aha would most definitely have THEIR ultimate joy with HIM around.

March's eyes widened upon realizing, she fell to her knees and stared down at Stelle's dead body. Her smile disappeared.

"Oh my clematis.."

It was only March's voice now, Stelle's voice has completely faded away.

It showed the aliens, fans of March, cheering happily in the crowd.

"How disrespectful." Dan Heng hissed, his body trembling with anger. "March had just lost Stelle, can’t they read the room?"

"But then again, in their eyes, we're just entertainment. They don't care about our feelings." Welt shakes his head. 

"They look so.... Different." Argenti struggle to hide the disgust in his face. 

"I'm going to be sick..." Yunli made a disgusted face, looking like she's about to throw up.

March, who was crying while hugging Stelle, look at the screen with a hateful glare. "Monsters..." she whispered. 

No one argue her on that.

"Hope withered in the abyss," 

The camera switched to a far viewpoint, the big screen had March's trembling body and destroyed expression on view for everyone to see. 

"Oh my clematis…." 

"Please stay by my side."

March's voice starting sounding more desperate, and more hushed, compared to earlier.

"Her look..." Jingliu glanced at Blade and Dan Heng. 

Meanwhile March sobs only get more louder, no one acting on it, even Sparkle. Though that's only because Silverwolf would hate her but whatever. 

The stage was pooling with Stelle's blood.

It showed March, alone and crying on stage. She was on her knees, tears escaped her eyes.

Someone approached from behind her, they leaned down and pressed March's collar on her neck, the light switched form green to red in an instant.

"How... Cruel..." Robin voice cracks. 

Sunday didn't say anything, agreeing silently with her. 

"This is fudging brutal..." Boothill crossed his arms. 

"My clematis…"

March looked miserable, her eyes were wide open in shock.

The words 'Alien Stage' appeared, before the screen went completely black.

END OF ROUND ONE, WINNER: MARCH

NEXT ROUND, ROUND TWO, ON HOLD

"It's... Over." Yunli warily said.

"So this universe... Include us watching us dying...?" Boothill said. 

Aha stayed quiet, not answering. 

"Right, THEY said that THEY also don't really know about this universe either." Boothill corrected. 

"That's right dear mortal! Although Aha does need to remind you that this is an alternate universe! Your deaths on the screen does not and will not align in this current one!" Aha giggled.

"... That doesn't mean it will changes the fact we see our friends died." Dan Heng said it bitterly, not caring whether Aha would kill him for that.

"Well Space Ranger, according to your question, when I observed the video just now, there were only 8 participants, so no, we won't be watching all of us dying, but we probably will watch some." Ratio responded.

"Can we discuss before going to the next video, oh Aeon?" Herta asked.

Most of the cast jump in surprise seeing her. 

"When did you came here..?" Dan Heng asked. 

"Hm... Good question. Apparently Aha had forgotten to also transport me here so I was here when March started her talk in the screen." she answered. 

"Eh, sure whatever. Make it quick though! Aha need THEIR ELATION."

"Thank you, Aeon of Elation."

"As you already figured out, this universe, the reason it's called Alien Stage is not because their aliens, but because in their eyes, we're the aliens."

"That... Make sense." Stelle said as she pat March's back to comfort her. 

"May I, Madam Herta?" Ratio asked.

"You may." 

"It also seem that their were trained since they were children to sing for the performance, and as it shown, winner live, loser dies. A brutal survival of the fittest."

Herta nodded. 

Himeko raised her hands. "If you observe the emotions of Stelle when she was performing, you can see how her eyes were fill with regrets and it look as if she's scared, with her tired eyes. Not to mention I noticed she cut her notes off short and self sabotage herself more."

"Then it most likely that March didn't knew, meanwhile Stelle did, and in an attempt to save her, she self sabotage herself by underperforming so that March could live... A selfish act." Jing Yuan finished.

March looked at Stelle and hugged her. "I don't care what you do, if you ever actually sacrifice yourself for me in this universe I will kill all the trashcans." she threatens.

Stelle made a comically distraught face, before she begs March not to do so.

Aha meanwhile was trying very hard not to destroy the papers and controls, while reading some controls and how to do it. Geez, if THEY knew it was going to be this annoying, THEY would've at least add a condition. Well, THEY were only going to be here until Reyz actually show up and take lead while THEY sat back in the audience to watch, but she needs to hurry up, THEIR going crazy! (as if THEY aren't crazy in the first place. 

Chapter Text

Instrumental started playing, as the screen show severals planets. Suddenly, Robin's silhouette show up, following by Stelle's and March's own. 

"Robin..?" Sunday said out loud, concerned for her as he gripped her hands tighter. 

Robin squinted her eyes, before widening her eyes in realisation. "The silhouette though, it looks like me when I was a kid... Could it be..? No. I shouldn't tell him this, if I do, who know what brother will do...."

"I'm fine Sunday. After all, this is an alternate universe." she reassured him.

Sunday blinked, before smiling and nodded. 

The screen turn black, then suddenly, they started to flash, showing 6 silhouette of peoples.

"That silhouette...! Dan Heng is in here!?" March shouted in concern.

Dan Heng, looking at it more closely, also realised it was his silhouette. "Me...?"

Himeko, trying to get the atmosphere light, said, "We'll get to see you sing!"

Welt nodded. 

Dan Heng fidgets with his fingers. "I... Guess...?" 

Meanwhile, Jing Yuan can't help but feel worried as soon as he heard Dan Heng's silhouette was there. He was over thinking, before he suddenly felt a cold hand touching his shoulder. 

"Are you ok..?" Sunday asked. 

Jing Yuan stayed quiet, but responded with nodding his head. 

Sunday furrowed his brows. "Don't worry about your friend's death, this is an alternate universe." he tried to reassure him. 

"I- I suppose so. Apologies, it seem I have broken my composer." 

"No, no." he waved his hand around. "You don't need to apologise, it's fine." 

Jing Yuan nodded, smiling. 

"I don’t have any words anymore"

"It has no meaning,"

"Even that blue night in the splendid lighting " 

Robin sang as the screen show a the shattered planet from the previous video, then showing Stelle as a kid in a what it seem to be a spaceship, looking at the said planet before switching to her face, her eyes not seen. 

"Eh? Robin's singing this?" Firefly questions. 

Robin nodded.  "I suppose I am, this looks like songs that I would sing." 

March freeze when seeing Stelle, hugging the real her more tighter. Stelle, noticing this, didn't fight back, even though she feel like suffocating. 

"(White dress dyed red)"

The scene then switch to an older Stelle, singing as she reacher her hand out to the sky.

"The morning probably won't come to me"

"Like a lie, if all this is just a dream"

The scene transitioned into a boy with lilac hair, wings on his place of ears, opening his eyes to reveal a tired one,  before showing the aliens taking dozens of pictures of him, transitioning zoomed into his eyes who could only looked away in tiredness.

"Sunday!?" Firefly shouted accidentally, covering her mouth immediately.

"So I am in this... Competition." Sunday quietly said, taking an interest by how the aliens taking multiple pictures of him. "Well, I was the so proclaimed 'the most handsome man in Penacony' so I'm not quite surprised."

"You look so... Tired." Robin said in concern, worried for his brother, especially since the theory she made herself that she's... Well, dead, it's even fueling even more of that worries.

"I don't blame him for being tired, I too, would hate if the aliens responsible for many death and find entertainment into them took pictures of me like I'm a decoration." Boothill shakes his head as he crossed his arm. 

The scene then change once more to show a hologram of Sunday before a boy, with black hair, wearing a black shirt was revealed. He was wearing a white collar, looking like he's handcuffed as wires surround him. 

"WHY IS DAN HENG LOCKED UP!?" Stelle yelled. 

Dan Heng freeze, his throat feeling tighter and his breathing fasten up. 

"-He's just hu-"

His throat closes up. 

"It's an alt-" 

"-an Heng?" 

Tears started to pour once more. 

"-n He-" 

"DAN HENG!!!!" Blade snapped him out by pulling him to look at him. 

"W-what..?" he let out, tears flowing from his eyes. 

Blade looked conflicted doing this, just sighing before saying, "Just... Keep your eyes of the screen until your crew said so." 

Dan Heng didn't say anything, only nodding before he sat back at his usual spot, looking around to see some concerned, other look conflicted and some look worried, mainly being the Astral Express and Jing Yuan. He apologised to the cast and the crew, before they immediately forgive him, saying not to apologise. 

And as the screen play, like Ren advice, he closes his eyes, leaning to Welt who just let him. 

"(You hug me tight as if nothing happened)"

Dan Heng handcuffed hand let go of petals, showing March, her hair flowing as an alien with red long hair was seen.

"Himeko..?" Welt spoke up. 

Himeko blinked, also surprised. "I'm an alien..? Do I, treat anyone cruelly there?"

"Hm, I don't think so, judging by the white atmosphere and how March was unaware that she can die in the competition, most definitely not." Herta crosses her legs. 

"Their collars... Are probably a sign to show who own them, like a... Pet." Aventurine whispered out. 

"So Dan Heng's owner is just an asshole then?" Yanqing insulted.

"Yes... Although it seem our aliens is someone who's connected to us, so it might be someone who was in his past life." Jing Yuan responded. 

"How unlucky..." Sparkle said in mockery, before getting hit by Silverwolf, who only look at her judgingly, her eyes pointing toward Blade. Sprarkle pouted. 

"It's Just, Sweet Dreams," 

The screen showed a boy with long white hair tied up in a ponytail trying to light up a cigarette.

"Jingyuan.?" Dan Heng looked at said person. 

Said person have an unreadable expression as Yanqing, his adopted son looked worried. 

"It seems I'm in it as well." he simply said. 

"How are you so calm about this? Doesn't the thought that you die in this alternate universe is terrifying?" Fu Xuan question him.

"Well, it is an alternate universe so I don't really mind that much." Jingyuan smiled.

Fu Xuan only sighed, meanwhile Jingliu have an unreadable expression, looking at Jingyuan. Is she worried? Probably, probably not. You readers decide. 

"It's today, wait for me"

"I'll go see you soon" 

Suddenly, a girl with lilac long hair ran behind him, making Jingyuan looked shocked and tried to look at her, only to show an eerily empty hallway.

"Oh would you look at that, the girl who's singing right now just appear, although as a kid..." Boothill laughs. 

"Eh..? Is Jingyuan are related to us in this alternate universe?" Robin asked to Sunday.

"Perhaps...." Sunday whisper as he frowned. Why did it show Jingyuan looking surprised to see Robin, who by the way look like a hallucinations and was still a kid running behind him. He didn't like the implications. Especially the lyrics. 

Jingyuan was also surprised to see him here. Especially with Robin behind him. "Perhaps we're friends in this alternate universe..?" was what he thought.

Robin fake smile. "Yeah this definitely does not help that worries." 

"I'll go see you soon? Well, I and I suppose Robin herself have already suspected that she's dead, but what I'm interested is what relationship does that man have with the siblings." Herta glanced at the trio.

"Lord, Please, when the song is over," 

It show a sky full of stars before showing a microphone, as someone approach it, before revealing it to be a man with black hair, some of it covering his eyes. He opened his eyes and look at the camera with a sharp glare.

"BRO??? REN YOUR THERE??" Silverwolf yelled before laughing her ass up, Sparkle joining since its elation stuff.

Blade only side eye them as he scoffed. He supposed he was shocked to see him singing- (he can't even sing in this universe, trust me, his voice sound like penguin dying)

"I didn't expect this..." Firefly sweatdropped, looking at the laughing hacker. 

"I suppose this is going to be quite entertaining, no?" Kafka asked him, to which he shrugged. 

"Oh fuck no." Yanqing swears, having war flashback. 

"Oh fuck yes." Yunli responded before both of them get hit lightly on the head by Jingyuan. 

"No swearing kids." 

"Save me please"

It then show multiple of the participants eyes before showing the title 'ALIEN STAGE'. 

"My Father, My Universe," 

Then it's change into showing multiple children lining up, March, Stelle, Dan Heng and Blade singing in it, before showing another line up, with Jingyuan and Sunday in it, singing as well. 

"Aww, you look so cute when your little, who's a good boy? Who's a good-" Silverwolf said before Sparkle grabbed her collar and pull toward her, making almost dodge an attack from Blade. 

"Aw..." Firefly said before covering her mouth when she saw Blade glaring at her.

Kafka giggled. "But you are cute when you were a kid. Perhaps I should ask Elio if he have baby pictures of you-"

"Don't you fucking dare." 

Sparkle stuck her tongue out. "Boo! Your no fun!" 

Blade only glare at her. 

"Take away the small and weak me" 

It show March singing hand reaching at the sky before it transition her surrounded by robots as she reach her hand at the camera.

"My Father, My Universe."

It showed March singing as more and more robots surround her.

"Standing on the edge of the cliff"

Seven children were shown, 5 who were not known while Stelle and March stood out amongst the crowd as spotlights shined down on them. The next scene showed multiple kids getting dragged by robots while panicking.

"I don't like seeing that. Just remind me the gloomy aura." Stelle said bitterly. 

They couldn't help but agree. 

"Now I, live in Darkness,"

It show Stelle wearing the dress from the previous video singing, 

"Bring me brightness," 

March appear, also wearing the dress from the previous video.

"Bring me brightness... Guess March is Stelle's light huh." Ratio looked at them. 

"Show me proof you hear my sound,"

Multiple images flash through. The first being Sunday adjusting his earpiece. Then Dan Heng held a guitar pluck. Blade singing with the microphone and Jingyuan reaching both his arms out at the camera with his mouth open, most likely singing.

"I didn't know you were a guitar person." Jingyuan teased Dan Heng. 

Sunday, looking at it, furrowed his brows. "Weird... What's this feeling when he did that to him... And why do I want it to be me instead..." he shakes his head, trying to get the thought off.

"Live in Darkness," 

It then show Dan Heng and Blade dancing, Blade leaning toward him while Dan Heng look in the other direction, looking like he's trying to avoid him.

"Bro why are you so freaky." Silverwolf asked, Firefly nodding. 

"A dance?" Kafka teases, Blade glaring at her again.

Dan Heng felt heat coming up his cheeks. "Why is he... Looking at me like that.?" 

Jingliu sighed. "Even in an another universe, their still freaky and lovey dovey. Gosh it makes me wanna throw up." she smiled. 

"Bring me brightness,"

The colours had switched from a cool blue hue to a mad orange colour. Jingyuan held a dagger in one of his hands and held Sunday's face with the other with an unreadable expression. Sunday was on his knees, grabbing onto Jingyuan's waist for support with his eyes closed. His expression was so relaxed it was as if he was sleeping in his warm 'embrace.' 

Sunday look at it with an unreadable expression, people would think that he's having conflict thoughts, but what he's actually thinking, "Damm, that's hot- WHAT! Holy lord why did I think that-" he covered his face.

"I guess we have a serious problem with each other in that universe." Jingyuan teased Sunday.

This unfortunately, only made Sunday having his bi awakening. 

"Did brother do something bad?" Robin thought worriedly, not noticing how Sunday seem to be exploding right now.

"Show me proof that you're here now Lord"

Many aliens were shown watching the same preview that was being shown on the screen. There were multiple screens of a different angle as all the aliens were gathered. A green room with a holographic screen was shown watching the same preview. As the camera panned, there was an alien sitting over two kids watching. The logo ‘ALIEN STAGE’ reappears before the preview fades out and ends.

"It ended." Boothill said. 

"Well I guess we should get ready for the next video." Welt crossed his arms. 

The other agreed. 

Chapter Text

A bracket popped up, It had Dan Heng's icon and another boy with short brown hair.

"Who's that?" Yunli asked. 

"I think it's just a random person." Jiaoqui answered. 

"Oh." 

Dan Heng and the boy were beside each other, the stage was ascending as an instrumental played in the background.

Dan Heng looked somewhat upset. His bangs covered his eyes, and his eyes were cast down.

"You good?" Stelle looked at Dan Heng.

"I'm fine, the other me is probably tired." Dan Heng reassure her.

Jingliu looked at the screen, her eyes filled with worries.

Jingyuan is also the same, worried for his friend when Sunday put his hand on his shoulder, seemingly trying to comfort him. Jingyuan smiled at him, to which he smiled back, surprising Jingyuan and made him look the other way as he cover his face, heat pricking up in his cheeks. 

"What the heck was that??" 

Unknowingly to Jingyuan, Yanqing and Yunli look at both of them, jaw dropped.

Once the stage completely lifted, not even a second later— Dan Heng lifted his hand, holding his guitar pick. He brought down the guitar pick and aggressively strummed it against his guitar.

His opponent was caught completely off guard, his eyes widened in confusion.

Herta observed the man quietly, judging by the other man's reaction— they never agreed on that action. Or Dan Heng may have caught him off guard.

It explains why Dan Heng had his collar on while the others did not.

His owner secured themselves a rebellious one.

The camera panned from a far-view, showing the large crowd in awe.

"On Dan Heng's neck, why is there a rope attached?" March somberly questioned.

"Probably to keep him in check, we don't know for sure." Ratio begrudgingly replied, keeping in check of Aventurine on his side.

The boy looked at Dan Heng with a shocked expression, Dan Heng stepped forward with an echo his guitar created, the screen emphasising a bracer in one of his ears, while the other have none.

Blade made a shocked expression. "So even in an alternate universe...." his thoughts were cut off before he could finish what he was thinking. 

Dan Heng's neck had a green patch as it zoomed in. It showed Dan Heng's fingers, decorated with multiple green rings, he held his red guitar pick and started playing.

"Bro get those grippers out of my sight." Silverwolf mocked, Sparkle joining as well. 

"What are you, big foot?" Sparkle added. 

Dan Heng only ignore them. 

"Come on!" 

it showed the crowd again, cheering. A large 'Alien Stage' appeared once again.

"Yeah!"

It showed Dan Heng's face, he was frowning. And his brows were furrowed, he turned his neck to side.

The scene presented March, right after her round. She was inside a circular glass and looked wrecked.

"I look... Horrible." March said, to no one surprise. 

Stelle, seeing March despair, hug her arm as a way to comfort her, and while it didn't fully work, it did manage to calm her down.

Sunday noticed Jingyuan shoulder’s tensing, from nervousness, probably. Sunday can practically hear his thoughts rushing. Not blaming him since he just saw his friend's friend died and there's a possibility that he'll also die as well.

Sunday squeezed Jingyuan's hand, "Dan Heng is gonna win." he whispered, Jingyuan sent a weak smile his way.

The scene switch to a young Dan Heng, who was seen alone in the field of grass, before March appeared, and seem to be dragging him to hang out with her, his the screen emphasising how his eyes light up. 

"Aw... You look so cute as a kid!" Jingyuan teased the man.

Dan Heng rolled his eyes, smiling, only to see Sunday looking at him as if he gave birth to a monstrosity.

Herta tilted her head. "Oh? This is quite interesting. Dan Heng, who was lonely and have no friends, before getting dragged by March... So a love triangle? How amusing." a mischievous smile appeared on her face. 

It changed back to Dan Heng strumming his guitar loudly.

It switched into a young Dan Heng, blindfolded and collared. He was thrown against a wall harshly.

"Why are they doing so much bad things to him?" Argenti mumbled.

"It’s because he isn’t well behaved, from what I observed at least, and the aliens don’t like that." Herta answered for him bitterly, and possibly all the other people's questions as well.

Jingliu frowned upon seeing Dan Heng being pushed and shoved, she wanted to stop them from hurting Dan Heng, as in killing them by 1000 slashes in the abdomen-

Dan Heng was shown inside an empty and dark room, his wrists were tied to his back, he was clutching at a destroyed flower crown.

It then showed Dan Heng's face, his back was against the wall, a collar was on both his mouth and neck. His eye was dripping with blood.

Jingyuan and Blade clenched their Jaws, while the crew looked worried. 

March wanted to speak up about the unfair treatment given to Dan Heng, but there's only so much she can do about an alternate universe.

Blade however, having a conflicted of mixed emotions, one being anger and hate toward Dan Heng and the other being love and concern, he didn't do anything, to confused to do so. 

"Nothing was my everything."

It showed Dan Heng in an empty room, practicing alone.

Three cameras were pointed at him, Dan Heng did a motion, pretending like he was holding his guitar.

"The melody that filled the empty me,"

Dan Heng was wearing a loose black shirt, showing his bruised face once again.

"—It’s you, alright." 

"My feelings are error: no better options."

It then show March in multiple ways, a white atmosphere surround him as she smile happily, before it show her reaching a hand out to the camera, seemingly like she did so at Dan Heng.

".... Does this universe version of Dan Heng have a one sided crush on me.?" March said out loud, making everyone attention turn to Dan Heng. 

Blade freeze, before shaking his head, pretending not to care. His attempt to do so was unnoticed by Kafka and Sparkle. 

Jingyuan and Jingliu meanwhile have an appalled expression, looking at each other before to Blade before to Dan Heng, and repeat the action a few seconds before finally looking each other to finally say to each other telepathically 'I'm pretty sure Dan Feng came out as gay, same with Dan Heng.'. 

"Well, seeing as the first flashback March was the one who interact with him and seeing the fact that he was abused, it would actually made sense." Ratio suggested. 

Aventurine made a sly smile. "That could be very well be true, although it could also reflect on the real-"

"I'm gay." was what the man only need to say to shut Aventurine up.

"Shaking paradigm," 

"I don’t care if my world turns upside down." 

Multiple lyric sheets were scattered on the floor, some were crumpled and thrown away.

The screen then show Dan Heng covering his face as he looked up, as if showing he's tired, before showing his eye bags. 

"Are you sleeping well Dan Heng?" Himeko asked him. 

Dan Heng was surprised by the question, but nodded nonetheless. 

"You sure?" Welt added.

"Yes- I'm fine, well, i used to have terrible sleep but it's all right for now." 

Himeko raised an eyebrow. "Very well, but do tell if you having troubles." 

Dan Heng nodded. "I will." he lied.

"I wanna know, all about you!"

The screen zoomed in on Dan Heng singing, a droplet of sweat trickling down his face.

"No more takin’ it slow," 

"The edelweiss of my feelings that blossomed because of you."  

It then show Stelle and March together, March seemingly introducing Dan Heng to Stelle, to which it switch, Stelle, March and Dan Heng making a flower crown together.

"I feel weird seeing this knowing I'm gay...." he blurted out. 

"Yeah your right it does feel weird." Stelle agreed. 

"Don’t wanna stop,"

"Don’t even think this times enough,"

It showed a scene of March singing during round one, and then a scene March hugging Dan Heng, to which he smiled.

Although she dislike seeing Dan Heng having feelings for her girl, Stelle thinks he made some very pretty pictures in his head. Plus he's gay, so she doesn't really feel threatened. 

Blade looked at the screen with mixed feelings. He hate Dan Heng and Dan Feng with every fiber of his being, how he wish he could just torture both of them like what he went through because of him. But at the same time, the Yingxing in him still love him, wanted to to touch him gently, hug him, and he doesn't know if he hates it, or if he simply tolerate it. And right now, he know he's feeling jealousy. 

He shakes his head, trying to get the thoughts out of his head. Whatever.

Unknowingly, Kafka was observing him, a knowing smile on her face. 

"Cause you baby, still it’s not enough, for me, alright?"

Dan Heng's voice softened towards the end.

”Why is it that Dan Heng is the only one singing?” Yanqing asked what everyone was dying to ask.

Jiaoqui nodded along, "This round seems one-sided." It’s not Dan Heng had a bad voice, but he'd like to hear the other one sing too.

"It seems that Dan Heng and his opponent originally agreed on a completely different song, hence the instrumental change when Dan Heng strung his guitar. But Dan Heng sang his own song, hence why his opponent is not singing along." Ratio said, Herta nodding.

"Your observation is quite good doctor, because I'm most definitely sure this is what happening right now." Herta clapped. 

Dan Heng was shown watching March sing inside the glass cubicle, his eyes were shining.

"Don’t leave me, Li li da da da…"

"Cause you baby, still it’s not enough—" 

Dan Heng was singing his heart out, his fingers skillfully strummed the guitar strings.

"How dare you think time’s enough?"

Dan Heng's face looked distressed, his brows furrowed and his eyes were wide. His face suddenly calms down.

"Ain’t nobody but you’re the one i’m feelings, it’s love."

Dan Heng's opponent looked bewildered and fearful of his energy, he hurriedly looked forward and tried to sing.

"Oh yeah, he's fucked." Aventurine simply said, ignoring the glare Ratio gave him.

"Rest in pieces lil bro." Sparkle made a praying motion. 

"He's cooked, roasted, steamed, grilled, baked, bamboozled and dead." Silverwolf added. 

Firefly only sighed as she shakes her head.

"Don’t be afraid—"

Once Dan Heng noticed the slight colliding of his opponent’s voice with his, he immediately turned around with a dark expression on his face.

Dan Heng raised his arms and threw his guitar on the floor, organs flew out of it.

Seeing this, Jingyuan immediately covered Yanqing and Yunli eyes, not wanting them to see this. 

"WHAT THE FUCK, THAT WAS AN ALIEN!!??" Boothill yelled. 

"Holy lord, that's brutal..." Sunday muttered out. 

"Isn't that a bit overkill.?" Robin frowned. 

Dan Heng stayed quiet, not knowing what to feel about this. 

Jingliu stared at the scene, looking at it. It reminds her of Baihe- no. No it does not. 

Herta looked around and shrugged, "Well, rest in peace to the alien?"

"Come on!!"

Dan Heng started doing adlibs, he was shown raising his hands and looking down at his now destroyed guitar with wide eyes and beaming smile.

The scene switched to March, her head was cast down. She was sitting in front of a a television, watching Dan Heng's round.

Dan Heng turned his head around, a gleam in his eyes and smiling.

"He looked over to her with that smile.... I only saw that when he was with Yingxing..." Jingyuan thought. 

Dan Heng fidgets with his finger, not sure what he should feel right now. 

March eyes saddened, knowing full well the fate of Dan Heng's crush on her in that universe. She just hope he moves on. 

"Cause i like it better," 

He mouth out before the camera showed the crowd, they were discussing whether or not that action counted as disqualification. A bright red light started flashing in the whole area.

"Feel like i’m crazy, oh- yeah, yeah." 

"Come on!" 

Dan Heng looked like a maniac, heavy breaths escaping his lips and his chest heaved. His face was painted red by the lights, his eyes darted up-wards with an exhausted smile.

"Well, you look unhinged." Boothill jokingly said 

"Yeah... I do."

"Can’t refuse,"

Dan Heng was shown on the large screen, it was his face, accompanied with a huge 'Dan Heng Win!'. 

It then show robots surround him, probably because of the murder of the alien just now. 

"Overdose."

An alien pushed down Dan Heng's head while he grinned. 

Many flinched, seeing how hard the slam was. 

"They shouldn't treat him like that." Robin frowned. 

"I don't like seeing you getting bruised...." March said to Dan Heng, to which he smile. 

"It all right March, after all, this is a different universe." he tried to reassure her. 

She only look at him in sympathy. 

The screen went black, only to show a collared and unconscious Dan Heng inside a green glass.

March and a familiar face were shown looking at him with mixed expressions. The camera stopped focusing on March, and went to Blade's face.

"Seems like the next singer is going to be Bladie here." Kafka giggled. 

Blade rolled his eyes. "Oh yay, I can't wait." he said bitterly. 

"Psh- your no fun! You should feel elation dear! Maybe, you'll be able to life your lives to fullest!" Sparkle teased. 

"I don't need to hear an opinion on a girl who only sit with our group to court a girl." he glanced at Silverwolf. 

Silverwolf hearing it, blush and only do so more when Sparkle said 'So? What're you gonna do about it?'. 

Firefly sighed, this is going to be a long day.... 

END OF ROUND TWO, WINNER: DAN HENG

!BONUS!

"Eh, a bonus? That's never happened before? Eheheheheh! How entertaining!!!" Aha suddenly said, surprising everyone due to their lack of presence in the previous video.

They then look at the screen, noticing the screen did say bonus. 

"A bonus huh? I wonder if this'll bring more information to this bizarre universe." Herta wondered. 

The scene played, showing Dan Heng in the same scene as it show in the video before.

"Hm? Didn't we already saw this scene in the music video... Unless, there's more in why Dan Heng fell in love with March." Ratio pointed out, the theory interested in a lot of people. 

"It could be..." Herta agreed. 

"Oh, hello there!" a familiar voice was heard, making Dan Heng perked up, who was the revealed to be March. 

March suddenly get close to him, surprising him. "H-hello." he stuttered, his bruises more visible in this camera point of view.

"I don't like being reminded that Dan Heng is abused..." Stelle somberly said. 

"Well, as much as I hated it too, we can't change the video." Himeko replied.

Stelle sighed. "I guess." 

March tilted her head. "What are you doing here, do you not have friends?" 

"Ooooh~ now that's an unintentional roast if I see one." Boothill laughed. 

March made a comically panicked face, apologising to Dan Heng to which he said over and over again it's fine.

Dan Heng, still surprised, shakes his head slowly. 

March frowned before she brightened up, a light bulb appeared next to her. "I know! How about you play with me and Stelle! I'm sure she wouldn't mind!" she said, not letting Dan Heng answer as she's already dragging him to hang out with her and Stelle. 

"You didn't even let Dan Heng answered..." Stelle sweatdropped. 

"Ah! I'm so sorry Dan Heng!" 

"It's fine, plus this is an alternate universe." 

"Still..!"

As they were walking toward Stelle, the camera show Dan Heng's point of view, showing March holding his hand, not surprising anyone before it glitches suddenly to a boy with long white hair, the hairstyle looked like a familiar person's own. 

End.

Many flinched when it started glitching, the loud sound piercing the room. 

They then look closely at the glitch, noticing it look like...

"Yingxing..?" Jingyuan said out loud, enough for everyone to hear it. 

"Who...?" Sunday asked the question everyone also were dying to ask.

Jingyuan hesitated, before shaking his head. "If you didn't know, Vidyadhara is a species in Xianzhou who goes through rebirth everytime they die. Dan Heng is one of them. Dan Heng past life- was Dan Feng, a dear friend of mine, he was in a relationship with a man called Yingxing." 

"Your a Vidyadhara?" Sunday looked at Dan Heng, to which he nodded. 

"I see.... So if this Yingxing person exist in this universe, that means Dan Feng could also too. And it seem that Dan Feng is the same person as Dan Heng in this universe, probably because their humans." Ratio said.

"So that could also be why Dan Heng fell in love with March, since in the screen, they were glitching into Yingxing, meaning that he confuse her with his previous lover." Herta pointed out. 

"I'm not really surprised, his personality and March's is quite similar if you think about it." Jingliu added. 

"That's...." Dan Heng was speechless. 

"If that's the case... What happened? If Dan Feng and Dan Heng is the same person in that universe, he shouldn't be confusing March as Bla- Yingxing, if their are, still lovers in this alternate universe, so what made him actually lose the memory?" Firefly asked the room. 

Blade meanwhile was in deep thoughts, wondering what happened as well. 

"Guys..." Boothill said out loud, everyone perking up, before he pointed at the screen. "Maybe the next video have the answers you guys want."

NEXT IN QUEUE: ROUND THREE, BLACK SORROW.

Chapter Text

"YOUR LATE!!" Aha complained to the author. 

Reyz sighs. "I'm sorry, I was a bit busy-" 

"You were not! You were just too lazy to insert yourself in this book!" 

"Stop breaking the fourth wall-!" 

"NO!" Aha yelled. 

Reyz shakes her head. "I should've expected this. Well, I'm sorry, I was a bit lazy, but like I said in the chapter summary, I need to fucking lock in." 

Aha smile somehow gets a bit bigger. "Ehehehhehe. You do know that sound like your blaming the comment, right?" 

Reyz freeze. "NO- ABSOLUTELY NOT, I JUST- I TOOK IT AS CRITICISM, STOP TWISTING MY WORDS-!" 

"Dandy World mentioned!" Aha laughed. 

"I don't even play or watch that game-" 

Aha didn't do anything, since THEM face is already smiling. Although in Reyz opinion that only made THEM more punchable. 

Blade's icon appeared, along with a boy with a light brown-haired bob.

An instrumental starts playing, it showed the back of Blade's head, he was wearing a full back outfit.

"He's definitely going to start singing about Dan Heng." Firefly thought. Everyone has been singing about whom they love, it’s no surprise if Blade does so too.

The camera changed to a far viewpoint and showed Blade and his opponent on the stage.

Blade slides his fingers up the microphone and begins to sing.

"The soggy darkness crouched down,"

Blade made a shocked face hearing himself in the alternate universe sing. He's self aware that his singing sound like a fucking bird dying but seeing just how good his alternate self is singing, he couldn't help but wonder if his singing technique is just wrong and he can actually sing. Or the alternate him simply work his ass off. Well, seeing he's not immortal in this universe (a dream he wish to be in), he's probably doesn't like dying. Blade sighed, a bit jealous. 

"Why am I not surprised this is an emo song?" Silverwolf asked, cradling Sparkle on her lap.

Blade side eye her. "A what?" 

"An emo you blind dwarf!" Sparkle shouted. 

"Right...."

"You don't know what that mean do you?" 

"No." 

"Boomer." 

The camera zooms into Blade's face, his hair was perfectly set, his eyes were dark and cast down.

"Aw, Blade looks sad." Robin commented with a frown, "I mean- it matches the song title and instrumental really well, though." 

"No, March. That is the look of homosexuality." Stelle thought, glancing at Dan Heng.

The scene switched to a younger Blade, his hair was ruffled and his face was slightly bruised and dirty. An alien's claw held him by the shirt.

Kafka looked at the hand that's holding Blade. "Isn't that... Elio?"

The angle changed to the darkness of the sky, littered with bright stars everywhere. An alien is seen in the corner, having  short white hair and one blue eye, while wearing what it seem to be a formal attire.

"Ah, so it is Elio who's your guardian in this." Kafka stated out. 

Silverwolf tilted her head. "That's Elio? Huh, now that I look at it, he does look similar."

"He looks horrible." Blade simply commented. 

A lot of shooting stars came on the screen.

"I can't reach you, so I imagine alone—"

It showed the young Blade looking up at the shooting stars with a gleam in his red eyes. The brightness of the stars reflected on his eyes, as a black circle also began to form.

Jingliu sighs, for she now has confirmation that those lyrics are definitely for Dan Heng.

Sometimes, she feels bad for them. What if they never.... Nevermind.

Dan Heng squinted his eyes, mixed feelings in his stomach. "Weird... I feel sadness in the song, but who was it for? It can't be for me, right?" 

"You who shine, I stand next to you."

It switched back to the older Blade, his eyes were shut close as he sang. Slowly, his eyes started opening.

A few fireworks or shooting stars were once again shown on the screen as Blade fully opened his eyes.

"So black, black as it can be…" 

The scene shifted, showing a silhouette of Elio giving what it seem to be money to another alien, giving off Blade in exchange. 

Herta made a small realisation face. "Ah, I see. So Blade have two owner, one who probably, right in the screen, just sold off to the other alien, who I'm sure is your leader, isn't that right?" Herta commented, looking at Kafka.

"That would be correct Madam Herta." Kafka comfirmed.

Firefly observed the screen. "Is that why Yingxing is there but changed into Blade?"

She look at Blade, who looked as confused as she was, but she knew that both of them knew that's probably how Yingxing transitioned into Blade. 

"That's so sad...." March frowned. 

"To be honest, this is actually quite normal in the pets world. People often sold pets off to have money and stuff, I'm not surprised." Welt shakes his head.

Unfortunately that made March's frown bigger. 

"The dark sea gets deeper as you approach."

It concentrated on the face of the child Blade, eyes dull as the abbys itself, Elio's hand gently dragged him, although, if you look closely, you can see just sadness in his eyes, also filled with regrets. 

Jingliu frowned. "Hm. They did say if you stare the abbys long enough, the abbys stare back." Jingliu steal a look at Blade. "But what if that abbys is the sadness itself?" she thought bitterly. 

"Like a black, black sorrow-"

It show Blade with white hair-

"ISN'T THAT YINGXING!?" Yanqing shouted. 

Fu Xuan carefully observed it before she gasped. "It is..!" 

"YOUR YINGXING??" Yunli looked at him with a judging eyes. 

Blade sweatdropped. "Yes. Is there a problem with that?" he said in a sharp tone. 

"No- just, that means-" Yunli looked at Dan Heng to Blade, before doing that action repeatedly. 

"Yunli." she freezes. "Stop." Jingyuan spoke up suddenly.

Yunli closed her mouth. 

She looked at the duo, Dan Heng looking uncomfortable at the mention of his past and sins, while Blade look conflicted. "I- apologies. It seem I have lost my composure." she apologised, bowing deeply at both of them, before sitting down next to Yanqing, looking guilty.

Yanqing stayed quiet, yet his hand silently hover to Yunli's hand, trying to give her comfort.

Feixiao observed them, before sighing. 

They were all curious what happened between them, but seeing Dan Heng's reaction, they all think it's best to leave it at that. At least the video will have some information about it. 

"So Yingxing is that man? How amusing. I'm sure there's more to the story but for now, I suppose this shall do. After all, I'm sure the universe will show pararells between them from this current universe as well." Herta smirked. "I haven't felt this excited for a long time." 

The screen continue what it shown earlier. It show Yingxing in the field of grass as he's surrounded by children running around, before showing what seem to be the aftermath of the trade, showing Blade sitting on a slightly big red chair, many alien delicacies were in front of him.

"What is this guy? A fudging favourite of the aliens or something?" Boothill commented. 

Ratio nodded. "He probably is. Perhaps he's one of the children who behaves, and perhaps that's why he's the favourite. Or one, of them at least." 

"But in the introduction video, Sunday is surrounded by cameras, so he might be more popular and more of a favourite for the aliens though." Jiaoqui commented. 

"Hm." 

"Geez, what in the world happened to him with Elio in that universe." Silverwolf looked at the transition between Yingxing and Blade as she cradles Sparkle in her lap.

"Yingxing look so happy.... And now..." Jingliu closed her eyes. 

It then show Blade in a what it seem to be an empty room, a familiar face next to him. 

"Is that.... Stelle?" March muttered out. 

Himeko looked closely. "It is her..!"

"They were friends in that universe?" Dan Heng said quietly. 

Welt simply made an unreadable expression, while Stelle show an apathetic face. 

"I... Didn't expect that." Stelle simply let out. 

"A story of such woe."

Then, it transitioned to Blade in ab environment where some workers building stuff apeeared. It then show Blade next to a line of children, singing with an expressionless face. It changed again to Blade standing alone, watching the other children as they play.

"At the end of this story, there is inly a cold spot."

It focused on Blade's face, his eyes seemed dull. He looked at a flower crown, flying away, not really caring before Dan Heng suddenly appeared, chasing the flower crown, leaving Blade in shock, the screen showing how Blade's eyes light up seeing Dan Heng. 

"—Stained with blood and empty air,"

"Right, Yingxing is Dan Feng's past lover, and Dan Heng past life is Dan Feng.... And Yingxing is the same person as Blade...." Sunday said, letting everyone know of his information from what he gather. 

Dan Heng frowned, not liking how everyone is linking him to Dan Feng. He hates being reminded of his past sins. (and how he still love Blade after all of this.) 

Herta sighs loudly. "Ok, so, from I gave gathered, Dan Heng and Dan Feng is the same person in this alternate universe, and Yingxing was a bright boy before getting sold off to the Stellaron Hunters's leader, which change him into the Blade we know today, and it seem in this universe, he's still in love with Dan Heng. This is simply a theory, but if the Stellaron Hunters's leader-"

"Elio." 

"Elio, when the aftermath of 'trading' Blade, instead enrolling him into the singing school, maybe just brought him to work and left him to observe it, making Blade misses Dan Heng. And when Stelle's owner, who probably is Elio's friend, enroll her to the singing school, Elio follow the same. Which could explain on why Blade is shocked to see him, perhaps he didn't think that Dan Heng would ignore him, especially if their lovers in this." Herta breathe out, before continuing again. 

"But then again, something happened that made Dan Heng lose his memories. We just don't know what happened, but since his owner is quite abusive... You guys are smart enough to figure it out, right?" she shares with the whole room, stunning a few people from how she figure it out with some scenes.

"I- I think you might be right." Feixiao stuttered out in shock. 

"I know." 

Dan Heng chases after the flower crown and runs inside a tunnel, Blade follows after him with a hopeful face.

The screen changes again to the actual competition. Blade's opponent was singing, Blade glared at him quite harshly.

Blade's opponent stops singing, Blade's attention drifts back as he takes his mic.

"Where your eyes reach,"

The scene transitioned into Dan Heng with long hair, in a room, bruised as he struggled to get up.

"Is that..?" Sunday muttered out. 

"Dan Feng." Jingyuan comfirmed. 

Jingliu moves in her seat, uncomfortable at the sight. She never saw Dan Feng this injured, even though he's never a kid, still- it's unsettling.

"Where your fingertips brush,"

It then another familiar face, although as an alien, it is one who made Jingyuan and Jingliu blood boil.

"Fucking Taoran- I'm gonna kill him I swear to Aeons." Jingliu breathe out.

Meanwhile Yanqing observed the general, noticing how he's gripping the armchair more tighter than he ever been, looking like he's about to go on a murder rage right now.

Fu Xuan, oblivious to this, asked the general, "Your awfully quiet."

"No one plans a murder out loud." Jingyuan responded immediately, surprising other by his behaviour change. 

Sunday, seeing this, tried to calm him down, putting his hand on Jingyuan's hand. Jingyuan looked confused and looked at Sunday, his shoulder who were tensed earlier were eased, and he breath in before exhale, calming down.

The Xianzhou only get more shocked and confused with his mood swings with Sunday. 

"I swear to Aeons...." Jiaoqui muttered. "I don't really care but are their speedrunning the relationship or something...?" 

On the other hand, Dan Heng flinches seeing him, before Welt covered his eyes. "I don't know what he did to you, but if your uncomfortable seeing him, we won't force you to look at him, ok?"

Dan Heng nodded. 

March looked at him quietly. "Dan Heng is awfully quiet these past videos." 

Himeko sighs. "To be shown an alternate pararells about his past, must be a traumatic experience where he experienced the same things that happened in the past. I'm not surprised. I'm shocked that he isn't having a mental breakdown right now and still standing. But seeing how bad he flinched...."

The scene show Taoran, angry, his hand raised, as of to hit Dan Feng. 

"Waiting for you endlessly."

The scene turn black a few moments, and before the cast knew it, they saw a bleeding head of Dan Feng, before it transition to Taoran, still angry, cutting his hair forcefully before throwing him onto the ground, this time the impact made him immediately pass out. 

"Turn the red light hourglass,"

Robin covered her mouth. 

"Holy fudge. Oh fudge." Boothill curses.

"That's.... Brutal." Argenti made a distraught face.

Dan Heng, his eyes still covered, confused, as Welt eyes on his face felt like he was trying to force Dan Heng to not see this ever, yet with how he heard the other gasp and voices of horror, he let him be.

March gritted her teeth. "I'm gonna fucking kill him."

"Let me join you dear." Stelle added. 

Jingyuan and Jingliu meanwhile, the other were struggling to hold them back to literally jump the screen, although Jingyuan is fairly easy since he's not mara struck and Sunday were there to calm him down, but Jingliu, absolutely disaster.

Blade too, it took Kafka's Silent Whisper and Firefly to literally stop him from jumping the screen. Out of all three of them though, Blade is the most easiest to contain, surprisingly, but it's due to the emotions mixed within him, one of hatred and resentment for Dan Heng, and one for Taoran. 

"Inside the black darkness."

The camera then change the scene once more, showing Dan Feng Heng getting up, looking confused and dazed.

"So my theory is right, Dan Heng's owner, in a fit of rage, hit Dan Feng so hard, it damage his brain and made him have amnesia." Herta crossed her arms. 

Robin looked distraught hearing this. "How cruel..!"

"—With you, for a long time..." 

It then show Yingxing playing with Dan Feng. 

Dan Heng blinked. He didn't know what to feel. He knew he described it so many times but he genuinely doesn't. What should he feel? Should he embrace the love he had for Blade? Or should he just- ignore it while the feelings eat him inside? He- he doesn't know. 

Blade sighs. "Alright, alright. I already know my tragic doomed love or whatever, no need to shove it in my face." he muttered, only the Stellaron Hunter hearing him.

The screen goes black for a second.

The alien crowd was shown, silently cheering for Blade, captivated and in awe of his performance.

"So black, black as it can be!" 

Blade looked more motivated, he was holding the white mic closer to his face.

"The dark sea gets deeper as you approach,"

The camera was switched to a farther viewpoint, there were multiple planet-like props behind the stage. The spotlight was on Blade.

"This is like- the opposite of an introvert dream." Sparkle giggle. 

"Right???" Silverwolf laughed.

"What are their saying now...." Blade shakes his head. 

Blade was holding the mic by one hand, his stance was steady.

The camera zooms in on Blade smiling as he sang.

"Crazy." Dan Heng simply thought, for how could Blade smile so wide in a matter like this?

The scene switched to the past.

Dan Heng was inside a storage room, tied up and collared. He was being chained by the alien tech.

Dan Heng frowned. "I know that I'm a pitiful person, that I often get locked up in that universe. Stop, reminding me."

"Unfortunately no can do! Aha didn't make this video!" Aha sharp voice pierced the room again.

"Like a black, black sorrow."

Blade was seen crouching in front of Dan Heng.

And then, the scene switches to a bright red sky, there were bright yellow stars fallings. 

Ratio widened his eyes. "They escape...! So it is possible!" 

"There is no fudging way." Boothill said in disbelief.

"It's possible..?" Jiaoqui made a thoughtful face. 

"But if they do escape... Why are they still in this competition..?" Robin question hesitantly. 

The cheers stopped hearing that, and not long after, you can hear Boothill swearing.

Aventurine frowned, worried for the worst. 

"A story of such woe,"

It showed Blade taking Dan Heng's collar off.

The scene changed to Dan Heng happily running, his eyes reflected against the red sky.

"You look so, happy." March said somberly. She have seen Dan Heng smile like that but with this context about the world.? It made her stomach sick. 

"I do, don't I?" Dan Heng smiled bitterly.

What Dan Heng did not know, was— why didn’t Blade and him seize this chance to leave? They were already outside, but they were still here.

Although Dan Heng may have a vague idea of why, he just didn't wanna accept it, because that would mean he would accept Blade's feelings for him.

"At the end of this story,"

Blade was seem smiling, pulling Dan Heng along as they ran happily under the red sky. 

"He look so happy." Dan Heng felt sick, as if he's about to throw up. But he didn't, cuz there was never stuff to throw up about anyway. 

The scenario changed to the future Dan Heng, bleeding and tied up as he started to regain consciousness inside the green glass.

"There is only a cold spot stained with blood and such."

It changed to the stage, the scores were being counted behind Blade.

It switched back to the two children under the meteor shower.

Blade was holding Dan Heng's hand, until Dan Heng suddenly lets go.

Jingliu huff. "I knew it."

Aventurine made a sigh of relief. Although heartbreaking, he was genuinely glad that they didn't manage to get caught by the robots. Who knew what would happen if they did. 

Yanqing looked shocked, before turning to Dan Heng. "I know your not the universe version of you in the screen but- why didn't you take the chance! You can escaped right there and then-!" 

"And leave his precious loved ones behind?" Jiaoqui cut him off. 

Yanqing closed his mouth. "Oh. I'm- sorry. I didn't think about that..." 

"It's fine, I understand." Dan Heng forgives him. 

Unknowingly for everyone in the room, a certain emotions of a man is about to explode and make him have a mental breakdown. 

"Black, black sorrow…" 

Blade stared at the camera, distraught. Dan Heng was a few steps behind him, looking guilty.

"And you,"

Blade turned around, watching Dan Heng as he ran off into the distance.

"—You are always for me…"

Blade stood frozen, before his lips broke into a sad smile. 

Blade, looking at it, smirked. Before sudden sharp and piercing laugh fill the theatre, everyone looking disturbed, whether a bit or more, only Kafka and Sparkle unfazed by it, but even Kafka herself feel it was unexpected. 

Of course, of course he smiled seeing that! He thought, Because why? Because that look fucking say that 'yeah, you would do that.', and that's the fucking reason- he fell for him! It's-

He took a deep breath, before letting it out. "Aha, could you show me the bathroom..?" 

"Sure! But be quick, eheheheheh eheheheheh." THEY gave a map to him.

Blade stand up, before exiting the room. 

A brief silence spread across the room, yet that silence was the most loudest sound they've ever heard.

"..what just happened?" Silverwolf broke it.

Dan Heng blinked, knowing a bit that the reason that Blade just did that odd action was probably because of him. The next was a blur, but before he knew it, in a way to comfort him, Dan Heng supposed that's why he's in front of a bathroom as well, map in hand. 

It showed the present Blade, pointing at the crowd with an equally somber expression on his face.

"To me, you are black sorrow."

"I don’t mean to intrude, but Blade's singing about Dan Heng, no?" Robin asked Herta.

"Yes, you would be correct."

"To me you are…"

"Black sorrow.."

The screen turned black.

It showed Blade looking down, an apathetic look on his face. Behind him were the scores, he had scored a full 90 points, while his opponent scored 68.

A large 'BLADE WIN' appeared on the screen after. 

It concentrated on Blade's eyes, black pupil gone.

The screen went dark.

Dan Heng slowly opened the door, looking at the room, before he set his sight on Blade, who were surprised to see him here. 

"...." 

"....." 

The silence were quite loud. But Dan Heng walk toward him, before he suddenly hold both of his hand together.

Blade didn't flinch, nor react but he did hold it more tightly afterwards. 

It goes on for a few seconds yet for them it felt like more than a millenia.

Before Dan Heng knew it, he opened his mouth. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I hurt you."

Blade stayed quiet, though his eyes change into a conflicted look. "You can't just say that. You can't just fucking say that as if you didn't make me suffer." he let out.

"I know. And I'm sorry."

Blade blinked. "Do you... Do you even return my feelings? Or are you just saying that to make me suffer more?" 

".... I don't know." 

Blade let out a laugh. "That's what I thought." he said before leaving the room, leaving Dan Heng behind. Alone. Once more. 

The screen changed to a man, he was wearing dark pants and holding a rubix cube. His finger were purple.

It zoomed in on the man's face, he looked at the television in front and saw Blade's win.

"Seem like it's your turn, brother." Robin said happily.

"Seems like it is." he said worriedly. 

Jingyuan lips quiver, and not for long, he put his hand and intertwine his fingers to Sunday's. 

This time however, Robin noticed. She gave Jingyuan a devil glare yet Jingyuan payed no mind. "It's ok dove, you got this." 

Sunday wings ruffle. "D-dove?" heat went up to his face. 

Jingyuan noticed and smirked mischievously. "Yes, is there a problem, angel?"

Fu Xuan looked in disgust. "Ew."

Yanqing sighed. Guess he's not gonna be a son of a single father for so long he guess. He's just surprised by how fast their speedrunning the relationship-. 

The screen went black after.

The portrait of Blade's opponent went dark, and Ivan advanced.

END OF ROUND THREE, WINNER: BLADE.

NEXT QUEUE: ROUND FIVE.

"Wait, round five? Where’s round four?" Robin asked, everyone seemed to notice as well.

"I presume round four would be Sunday's round, why won't it be shown?" Aventurine asked too, curious.

!Bonus!

"They didn't even let us process it...." Feixiao frowned.

"Dan Feng?" Blade whispered out, looking at Dan Heng. 

Firefly frowned, a bit sad from this couple. "Why are they doomed in every life?" She thought bitterly. 

The screen show Blade, running toward Dan Heng, immediately touching his hand when he was close enough in the range. "Dan Feng! Are you alright? Do you need-!" he said in concern. 

"Who are you?" Dan Heng looked at him with confusion. 

"Oh Aeons.... Why is there so many angst surrounding this couple....?" Silverwolf said quietly. 

"I swear to Aeons, I'm even running out of tears here," Argenti suddenly spoke, eyes on him to notice how his eyes are puffy and red.

Aha heard this, thinks it's funny, laughed, before Reyz threatened to made THEM witnesses Akavilis' death again to shut THEM up. It worked. 

Reyz spat out her drink, ruining her Jingyuan and Sunday art. "Fuck."

Blade's face was shown to made one of a despair. He looked at Dan Heng with hurtful eyes. "I thought... The rumours aren't true.....!" 

"WHOA, WE CAN HEAR PEOPLE'S THOUGHT IN THIS!? OK THIS IS FREAKY AS FUCK!!!!!" Stelle yelled.

Himeko made a disturbed face. "I-" 

Herta tilted her head. "How... Disturbing."

"They created rumours about them??" March said. 

"Well, if I see a guy who suddenly lost his memories, and his lover is missing but then suddenly he came back but with black hair, I'd made rumours about that too." Aventurine stated. 

"Dan Heng!" March yelled, as she approached him, Dan Heng's eyes lighting up. 

The camera focused on Blade, who look at them in despair, before it slowly turn into an apathetic one, as the noises around him deafened. 

It then show March dragging away Dan Heng once more, who looked at Blade, and waved at him. Blade, although surprised, waved back. 

End

"There's no way that there going to be a love more doomed than this, right?" Feixiao jinxed. 

Jiaoqui shakes his head. "I hope not."

Unfortunately for them, SunYuan is more doomed than Renheng in this alternate universe.

(if the author isn't lazy, she would've add more to the story but she didn't cuz again, she was a bit lazy.) 

Chapter Text

"I'm gonna introduce myself at the beginning of All In, you, stay still." Reyz gave a glare at Aha. 

Aha laughed, but nodded nonetheless. 

Dan Heng and Blade came back from the bathroom, avoiding each other glances, as they sat in their seat once more. 

The cast, although curious, decided it was for the best to not question what happened. 

The screen flickered to a close-up of the stage, you could briefly spot a dead contestant, they were bleeding all over as their arm fell limp.

The contestant’s hand was red, dripping with blood every second.

"One second I'm into this, and I already know that the vocals is gonna be fudging insane." Boothill commented as he chuckles, pointing out the vocaliseing in the background.

Sunday, flustered as he's not used to compliments, nodded slowly. He never really sing that much after all these years... But then again, this universe is forcing people to sing, so he probably doesn't have much of a choice here, hence explain the better vocals.

Unbeknownst to Sunday, as Boothill's on the way to look at the screen once more, he was met by a lethal glare by a certain white hair male. Boothill looked away begrudgingly. 

Jingyuan put his head onto Sunday's shoulder, ignoring the flustered noise as he rest his head on there. 

The Xianzhou cast and Robin looked at this in very much disapproval, and yes, this includes Jingliu.

A hand locks fingers with the limp hand, their finger-tips were purple.

The angle switches to a brief view of the man’s clothes. He was wearing black pants, and a white shirt with a slight chest window.

His blonde hair messily draped over his eyes, he had a sadistic smile. The man brought the bloody hand to his lips and kissed it, the blood getting on his lips.

"Okay, this is totally not creepy…" Stelle off-handedly said, a look of discomfort on her face. Who would kiss the hand of their dead opponent? Only psychos do that. She shivered.

Sunday shifts uncomfortably when he feels a few sets of eyes direct at him. Look, he doesn’t know either, okay? This is a different universe! Is what he wish to say to the cast.

"Alright everyone, remember, this is a universe where all of them is putted in an unhealthy environment. Perhaps it's weird here, but it could be normal over there." Jingyuan defend him. 

The one who stares at him made a noise of understanding and avert their gaze toward the screen. 

Herta made a silent huff. "Pretty sure it's not normal in that universe also but ok I guess."

A picture of a random boy in a low ponytail was shown, his photo went dark next to Sunday's. Sunday's photo darkened as well, but moved forward.

It was March against Sunday.

"Well shit…" Stelle murmurs, her heart felt as if it was about to leap out of her chest. March was going against a super creepy man!! Okay, this was totally not worrying... Not to mention this man is super duper popular!! 

March sighs, "I noticed it toward the end of Blade's round... it just hurts me to watch it live..." She says.

Robin grimace at this, but didn't say a word. She doesn't know which one she want to die here.... Her lips tightened shut.

Blade stare at the screen, wishing that dead man is him. 

It shows March in the distance, dressed in an all white gown. Her short hair was decorated with a white ribbon.

March glances at her shoes, it then slowly starts to show her face. There was a purple jewel on the center of her forehead, her eyes were cast down and distracted.

"March, please... don't be so distracted, it's Sunday you’re up against. The one who seem very popular around the aliens? Please- Don’t let your guard down." Stelle pleaded. 

March shakes her head. "I'll be fine, Stelle..." she squeezes Stelle's hand in an attempt of reassurance.

It zooms in on Sunday's grinning.

Robin faked a smile once more. Yeah this is not going in a way she hoped is going. 

The lights brighten as Sunday approaches the stage with a blank look. There was a large ribbon attached to the back of his shirt.

"The cheers... It's gotten louder...." Argenti pointed out. 

Ratio sighs. "So it seem that our unspoken hypothesis were correct. Sunday here, is quite popular in this alternate universe." 

Himeko furrowed her eyebrows. "This won't be good for March...."

Dan Heng made a worried face, looking at March. "I swear to Aeons if you died, I'm-" 

March held a hand up. "I'll be fine Dan Heng." she lied as she smiled.

Stelle held March's hand tighter. 

Jingyuan observed the clothes Sunday's wearing, as heat appears on his face. "He looks... Pretty." 

March was beside him, walking at the same pace.

It zooms out to show the stage theme. It was dark outside, a large bright moon in the back.

March's eyes widen when Sunday gets in her face and whistles.

"Personal space, please." Stelle was trying her hardest not to lose her crap right now.

Sunday opened his mouth before Stelle interrupted him. "Talking to the screen you, not the real you."

"Ah." 

"You can turn away from the light." 

Sunday begins to sing, his eyes were shut and his hand on his chest while smiling. March visibly looked uncomfortable, she turned around and looked away from Sunday.

"His voice sounds great." was the thought that filled the room when they heard the voice.

"As much as I have a bias for March... I can't deny how beautiful his voice is compared to her.... Fuck." Stelle cursed out slowly.

Herta tilted her head, amused. "Oh? A manipulation tactic? Now this is a cup of tea I'm looking for." she whispered out. 

"She's obviously not ready to perform yet, why are they..." Feixiao angrily trails off, the room agreeing with her. 

Aventurine meets Feixiao's eyes and shakes his head. "They don’t care, they just need their entertainment. And that's what we are." he said bitterly.

Sunday frowned. "I wonder where's Robin." 

"You even outburn the sun, my star."

Sunday was smiling, as always. He leans in from behind March and stretched his hand out. He tucks March's hair behind her ear and whispers closely to her ear.

March flinches, trying to shake Sunday off. Sunday smiles, as if expecting it as he dodges skillfully.

"Now, this is just pissing me off." Stelle's eyes darkened. Sunday's goal must be to make March's as disturbed as possible.

The question is, why?

"He's quite skillful." Herta comments out loud with a nod. It was a tactic that fell under the same umbrella of what Dan Heng did in the few previous videos. Sunday taunted his opponents, while Dan Heng tricked them and did not let them sing.

Sunday... Doesn't what to feel about that compliment. 

March stands shakily trying to grab her mic. Sunday stood straight and perfect next to her, calmly taking his mic with a chuckle.

Sunday brings the mic closer to his lips and kisses it.

"You're the perfect subject, with the whole world in your sad eyes."

"What is with you and the Stellaron Hunter's deal with the microphone? Are you trying to date it or something?" Yanqing genuinely asked.

"I... Think it's to captivated the audience. While I don't really do it, many idols in the entertainment district do this technique to make an impact with the audience. Perhaps that's what my brother and Blade is doing here." Robin answered.

Yanqing made an 'ohh...' sound. 

It concentrates on March next, sweat trickling down her face with unfocused eyes.

March stands still, clutching her mic as Sunday surrounds her.

Sunday glared at March, and March glares back with fear.

"My savior, beautiful soul." 

Sunday leans down and sings, disregarding his own mic and singing into March's mic.

"Fan service." Aventurine says before anyone could ask.

March shifts uncomfortably in her seat, the only comfort she received was Stelle holding her hand. 

"March hasn’t sung yet..." Robin whispers.

March looks to the side with fear in her eyes.

Sunday smiles against her chin.

March startles, pulling her mic closer to her mouth.

"I don't believe, you’re a liar—"

March frantically sings, panic in her face.

It switches to Sunday's hand in the sky, a female voice starts singing along  with him.

March eyes widened, as she covered her mouth as soon as she saw and heard that familiar voice and action. 

Stelle jaw dropped, and before people knew it, she covered March's eyes to avoided letting her see this.

"When our darknesses overlap,"

Sunday's arm was lifted while the other stayed down, the moon was behind him.

Sunday starts to interchange between Stelle.

Sunday face turned into Stelle's, it was the same look she had during the first round.

"You're sick, you're a sick man!!" Stelle yells, her screams making the room shake, although with how she keep looking at the screen and at the real one, they know that she's only projecting her feelings toward the one with the familiar face here. 

Sunday, although knowing the yelling it's not really for him, still flinched. He kinda deserves it, since he's still the same person even if it's a different universe. Even Robin and Jingyuan were quiet, stunned by the action this alternate him made.

"Now this is getting interesting." Sparkle said with a mischievous grin, Silverwolf's eyes on her.

March's eyes widen as her mic started to lower.

"March, please. Don't be distracted by him, you need- you must to win this." Stelle says.

"It's- it'll difficult, Stelle... I-I'm not sure if I can win."

Sunday, as Stelle leans down and grabs March's face. 

"Let me take it all away!" 

It slowly changes back to the smiling face of Sunday. He wraps his arm around March and turns her around.

"She smiled...." Welt pointed out worriedly, noticing how March smiled seeing Stelle but frowned when she realised it's  actually Sunday. 

Dan Heng gritted his teeth, concern filling up his stomach and nothing more. 

They were dancing, more one-sided. Sunday's eyes looked dull. March was fearful. She then tries to punch Sunday, but he quickly dodges it and grabs her wrist.

He turns her around again, so her back was turn against his chest.

"Ruler of my heart, Ruler of my heart, Ruler of my heart." 

"His eyes...." Jingyuan looked at Sunday. Although it isn't present now, he hates imagining seeing that look on his face. And he doesn't even know why. 

"This has surely got to be a crime-! What the fudge?" Boothill said in disgust.

Aventurine sighed. "Again, in their eyes, we're simply expendables, we're for entertainment, not for living. Like a pet. Like a slave." he trails out in the last line, scooting over to Ratio even closer.

The room filled with silence, tension so sharp, you could touch it and it rips apart. 

It zooms in on Sunday's eyes, dark. Then on March's wide and scared.

"You are forever beautiful." 

March collapses on the floor as Luka circles around her, still singing.

"Ruler of My heart, Ruler of My heart, Ruler of My heart..."

It showed their reflections on a puddle.

The screen goes black.

Sunday was in front of a television, a cocky look on his face. He lifts March's chin with his fingers.

"That's Stelle behind Sunday..." Dan Heng mumbled, not quiet, but loud enough for everyones to hear him.

Robin covered her mouth. "I feel sick." 

"The endless walls,"

March was kneeling on the ground, Sunday was sitting on a luxurious red couch.

"A fall with no ground,"

His eyes looked cunning.

March's eyes move around with discomfort.

"In a single moment, breaking down."

March finally sing, yet her volume, unlike Sunday's, is much more lower than needed to be. 

"She's being shallowed by grief right now." Himeko said quietly.

Robin observe the lyrics. "This song... Did Sunday compose it..? And for who?" she then looked at Jingyuan. It seems like she already have her answer.

"This is just.... I'm glad March is fighting back, but I don’t think it’s enough..." Firefly shook her head somberly.

They switch back to the stage.

"I go blind and deaf."

March had a hand on her chest, she was attempting to gather votes as she was singing.

She discreetly looks at Sunday.

"My world, collapsing." 

Sunday was singing with her, he scoffed at March's attempts.

"My savior—"

It shows a large crowd of aliens cheering and holding batons for Sunday to win.

"—Beautiful lady,"

They were holding large signs that said, 'PRINCE!' 

There was no way March was winning, Aventurine shakes his head and sighs. If that crowd alone was only partial of Sunday's supporters, March definitely stood no chance- he hated to admit it, but it was true.

"His fan base..." March muttered with hopelessness in her eyes.

"You- you can still win this." Stelle choked out. 

March only looked at her with a doubt look, yet nodded nonetheless. 

"Prince, huh?" Herta says. "That explains his wide-spread popularity."

His owner definitely hit the jackpot with buying Sunday.

It zooms out to show Sunday's entire fanbase, Sunday spread his arms open and glared at March from behind.

"It's like... He's saying, March doesn’t have a chance against him..." Robin was starting to have a headache, just what in the Aeons happened to Sunday in that universe?

Jingyuan didn't say anything, but looking at how Sunday looked around, a bit uncomfortably that is hidden quite well, he held his hand, just like how Sunday do so to him a few videos ago.

Sunday flinched, but upon realising it's Jingyuan, eases down as he let Jingyuan do so.

Jingyuan may not know what happened in Penacony, as even before watching the collection of videos people were tensed up against him, but Jingyuan didn't know, nor does he wanted to bother learning to, so he doesn't care if he's comforting a criminal now. After all, this criminal did literally comfort him many time in the past minutes, so if an angel criminal can do it, then surely he can as well.

A color purple spreads across the arena, March looks around frantically in fear.

"Make me your God." 

"I can give you everything!" 

March looks down to the side with quivering lips. It was a young Stelle, running beside her.

"When our darknesses overlap,"

The young Stelle stops running and turns around. March looks at her in horror, and in instant, it switched to Stelle's dead body.

March held Stelle close to her, Sunday in that universe was a sick, sick man. She can’t let Stelle die for her in this universe as well though. March can’t live without Stelle. She can’t live without her universe.

"He has amazing tactics to bring his opponent’s guard down." Ratio mumbled somberly to Aventurine, who only nodded as well.

"She's most definitely tweaking out right now." Silverwolf whispers.

"Let me take it all away!"

It was a clearer view of March looking down on Stelle's body. Her entire expression went dark, and only her eyes were seen.

"Ruler of my heart, Ruler of my heart, Ruler of my heart."

March's gaze turned fierce and angry, they were looking everywhere.

March recalls all of her memories of this round, the way Sunday disrespected Stelle and everything.

Ratio made a slight concern face. "She's gonna lose control... " he said worriedly. 

Robin frowned. "The visual... Is quite unsettling." she said to Sunday. 

Sunday nodded. "Your right. It is." 

"This won't go well." Jingliu said quietly.

"You are forever beautiful,"

"Ruler of my heart, Ruler of my heart, Ruler of my heart!—"

March's gaze flickers, her arms stretch put and grab Sunday's neck. Sunday chokes, before March threw him down and started punching him.

Yunli cheered, "Beat his ass! Beat his ass! Beat his ass!" she and Yanqing yelled in unison. 

March felt all of her rage leave and relief washes over her chest. She smiles sadistically. Sunday was finally getting his ass beat, she can finally chill out.

Sunday didn’t like seeing himself get beat up, but he couldn’t deny he earned that.

Jingyuan sweatdropped, before looking at Sunday. "Hope you don't mind them, their only talking about the you in the screen by the way." he reassured him. 

Sunday, although caught of guard, smiled gently as he nodded. "Thank you, general."

Jingyuan chuckled. "Please, call me Jingyuan." 

Sunday blinked, before he nods his head. 

Heat came up in his cheeks, but he pay it no mind as he's only focus for now is to distract Sunday from the violence scene involving his face in the screen. 

Jingliu stare was also unnoticed by Jingyuan, who looked at him with a raised brow. 

Aventurine widened his eyes. "This. Won't end well." he said as familiar memories flash in his eyes. 

Sunday grunts on the floor, March's fists are balled and landing hard on the man’s face.

The lights turned red.

"Oh shit, that means disqualification right?!" Silverwolf yells, and everyone's attention snaps to the screen.

Dan Heng stops cheering internally. "Damn it." he clenched his fist. 

Stelle's heart starts beating impossibly quicker.

"Fuck." Aventurine cursed quietly, only Ratio can heard him.

March was on top of Sunday, he was sprawled on the floor and bleeding.

Soft vocals were heard in the background.

It panned to the robot guards, their eyes were red.

"Oh my gosh, March get out of there!!" Stelle shouted, hugging March as tight as possible, looking at the screen in horror before her eyes were suddenly covered by March herself, Welt's voice barely heard from her ears. 

Himeko looked at the screen in concern. "March...."

A familiar face was shown in the screen, looking at the stage in horror.

Robin and Sunday widened their eyes as they see the man who was an alien across the screen. "Mr. Gopher Wood?" Sunday whisper. 

Sunday looked up at March, unfazed by the beating.

A smile suddenly forms on Sunday's face.

"It was planed...!" Dan Heng said in realisation. 

Stelle slammed her fist into a nearby surface, surprising others. "DAMM YOU!! YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST- HOW DARE YOU!!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. 

Sunday winced, before he looked at the ground in ashamed, the voices around him blurring except the fact that Jingyuan is trying to calm Stelle down. 

Seeing this uncontrollable chaos, Sparkle laughed, elation spreading through her body. Silverwolf and noticeably Firefly, moves uncomfortably.

The aliens pull March off of Sunday, March was screaming and trying to get them to release her.

March growled, yelling. The aliens multiplied and pulled her away successfully, they held her head down on the floor.

The screen goes black.

"Ruler of my heart, Ruler of my heart, Ruler of my heart."

Sunday sings alone. 

An alien pressed a gun on March's head.

Before everyone knew it, Welt knocked Stelle out by hitting her on the neck, as she collapsed near March. 

Welt sighed. "I didn't want to do that. But I'm sure we all agree that it's for the best to not let her be traumatised by a familiar face dying, no?" 

Himeko nodded, March getting her to lay on her lap comfortably. 

Dan Heng meanwhile was breathing fast and heavily, before he felt his eyes get covered by Himeko. He eased a bit but still tensed.

The screen goes black again.

"Ruler of my heart, Ruler of my heart, Ruler of my heart."

It shows a human let in the crowd, beside other aliens. They were shocked.

Dan Heng places a hand against the glass, eyes widened and jaw dropped.

"Seeing how Dan Heng reacted only seeing his friend in an other universe dying, I don't know just how the other him felt seeing it real time." Himeko thought, Dan Heng putting his head on her shoulder as his eyes is still covered by her hand.

March frowned. "I'm just glad Stelle isn't here to see this." she whisper out.

Sunday looked at her, feeling guilty. 

The screen goes dark once again.

There was a load of smoke around, Sunday sits up, his face bloody and bruised.

Multiple hooded figures surround the area, kicking the aliens down. Two hooded figures helped March up.

Aventurine freezes. "What is that? There's no way—" 

March widened her eyes and gasped. "I'm being saved!!" She yells happily.

Many sighs out of relief, glad to see that there won't be anymore death of their friends. 

Himeko removed her hand over Dan Heng eyes. 

Sunday smiled. "I'm quite glad that she got saved. I don't know what to do if she...." he trails off. 

One of the hooded figures take their hood off, looking back at Sunday.

"Jingyuan?"

"General???" 

"DAD!!??"

They all yelled in unison, all eyes turned to a confused Jingyuan. He pointed at herself, equally bewildered.

Jingyuan chuckled. "Guess I'm in a rebellion, huh?" he said in a happy tone. 

Sunday felt heat pricks up in his cheeks, but smiled anyway. "You look good." he complimented him.

Jingyuan blushed, but it was quickly hidden by a gentle smile. "Why thank you, dear dove." he laughed as Sunday got flustered.

Robin looked at them in judging eyes. 

Sunday looked dazed while staring back at him. The fog takes over and Jingyuan disappears.

March's picture flickers before darkening, Sunday's photo moved up. Before the screen was suddenly bombarded with 'March Missing.' signs. 

!Bonus!

"Totally not unsettling...." March whispered. 

"Another bonus..." Welt whispered out loud as he looked at Himeko, who also looked concerned as he is. 

It show a field of grass as a bunch of kids was shown running around, before emphasising a boy who's holding 3 flower crowns, one of it is a different kind, running through the field.

"You look.... Fine as a kid I suppose." Fu Xuan said. 

Jingyuan smiled. 

"Flower crowns.... Huh." Aventurine tilted his head. 

It then transitioned into a young Sunday and a young Robin, who were seen to be playing with each other. 

Robin slowly stopped, before making a pouted face. "Where's Jingyuan? We've been waiting since ages." she asked.

"So you guys know each other since kids in that universe? I see." Ratio crossed his legs.

Sunday hums. "It seems so. I wonder what our relationship was like in that universe. And if you did join a rebellion group, why didn't I join?" 

Jingyuan put a hand on his chin. "I'm not sure." he sighs. "It seem there's more than meets the eye. Again."

Robin frowned. Sunday in the screen looked more drained and pale compared to her, to a concerning level. She wonder what happened there.

Jingliu tilted her head, smiling. "It's been a long time since I last seen Jingyuan as a kid. Ah, where did the time go..." 

Sunday sighs as he smiled. "I'm not sure. Maybe he's-" 

"Sorry I'm late!" a familiar voice yet a young one was heard.

Sunday and Robin turn their head toward the sound, Robin and Sunday's face physically brightened up. 

"Jingyuan!" Robin yells happily.

Stelle felt her eyes opened up slowly, as she groaned. "What... Happened..?"

March eyes light up. "Ah, your awake. I'll explain what happened right now."

Sunday seem to notice something. "Is that... Three flower crowns..?" he tilted his head.

Jingyuan nodded. "These are the flower crown made by my guardians, who said its from humans flowers." he said happily.

Fu Xuan raised one of her brow. "You act different."

Jingyuan chuckled. "Well, every kids act a bit different then their adult self, no?" 

Fu Xuan hums. "I suppose so."

Yanqing squinted his eyes. "I wonder who's the general's guardian?"

Jiaoqui glanced at Jingliu. "I think I have an answer." 

Feixiao raised an eyebrow at him. 

"It's zinnias, which in humans flower language is friends forever." he show the odd one of the flower crowns in colorful flowers.

Robin looked confused. "Why is there only one of it?" she asked.

Jingyuan stutters as his face turned red "Uh- it ran out! So uh- my guardian bought other flower who resemble the same meanings!" he stammer.

Jiaoqui observed the flower. "But isn't that flower- ah. I see." he smiled mischievously.

"The general? Stuttering?" March giggled. 

Jingyuan shook his head as he smiled. 

Robin made an 'oh' mouth. "So that mean the blue ones is also friends forever?"

"Uh- yeah." 

Sunday titled his head before Jingyuan suddenly put the other flower crown which is blue, on his head.

Sunday flinched slightly, but stay put before he examined the flower on his head, smiling a bit. 

Jingliu looked at both of them. "I... Didn't expect them to actually have a thing going on." she whispered to herself as she looked at the flowers, knowing what they truly meant. 

"Baiheng would love to see this. Especially since it involve what she loves most. Flowers." she closed her eyes. 

Herta tilted her head. "Huh, bluebells? It said in the flower language, it means eternal love... I see what's happening now." she said out loud. 

Sunday blushed hearing that, flustered. "W-what..?" 

Jingyuan was also red, although it was more well hidden. 

Yanqing and Robin sighs. 

Jingyuan put the zinnias ones on Robin's head, while put the other one at his own. "See Sunday, we're matching!" 

"Huh..! Oh, yeah, we are." he smiled.

The screen show Robin in a comically judging face, looking at both of them as if she's a third wheel. Which she probably is. 

End

Unfortunately, that only made the duo blushed more, even Jingyuan having a hard time hiding it.

Robin giggled. "I feel a bit bad for myself, being a third wheel for an oblivious couple." she wiped a fake tear.

Sunday stammer. "Robin..!" 

"Tell me about it." Blade and Dan Heng said in unison, who then looked at each other, and then looked at the couple their third wheeling, which is March and Stelle, while on Blade's side is Silverwolf and Sparkle.

"Hey I'm the one who's third wheeling at this point for all of you guys" Stelle broke her silence, looking at Ratio and Aventurine and some others.

Ratio stammer when he noticed she looked at him and Aventurine, while Aventurine pretended to not notice.

BREAK TIME: 23:59:59

"Oh? A break?" Kafka said in a teasing tone.

Blade shook his head. "Seeing when I go to the bathroom, there was multiple doors, I was kinda expecting this." 

"Hm." 

"That's right folks! Aha is such a good Aeon that THEY remembered that humans need rest! So go on have some fun in library, training room, whatever! Although, at a specific time, you need to gather in the room again, so have some elation right now!" Aha giggled threateningly as maps fell from the ceilings suddenly in a dramatic flare, as expected of the Aeon of Elation. 

The cast, although hesitant und untrusting of Aha, grabbed the map and went their own way, whether to rest in dorms, or read certain things.

Aha giggled by THEMSELF. "Hope this chapter enjoy you, dear readers." 

THEY then proceed to get kicked by Reyz for breaking the fourth wall again, to which they still laughed endlessly.