Chapter 18

Shirogane Luna:

Luna is bored. It's Sunday and her house is completely empty, devoid even of staff. She has no homework left to do. She's given Gonta and Kizamaro a break as thanks for all their hard work in the past few weeks. And to top it off, it's raining. The cold, windy, wet, and drizzly kind of rain that makes her want to stay in the house, wrap in a blanket, and read a book while nursing a warm cup of tea. Which she tries to do and fails.

She's too antsy, she supposes. There's a nervous, jubilant energy running through her veins and disrupting her focus. She's tried reading, watching TV, playing piano, and even debated finding a new hobby, like crocheting or starting a YouTube channel for makeup tutorials. But it's pointless. She's pacing her bedroom floor instead, creating a furrow in the freshly vacuumed shag rug. Her mind paces as well.

What to do? Bake, no, I don't want to make a mess where my parents can see...

Her parents.

Luna swallows the sour taste in her mouth and tries not to think about the conversation (read: argument) from the other night. Actively trying not to think about it, surprisingly, doesn't work. She thinks about it.

The election results came out on Friday. Luna had won student body president. And despite being seventy percent confident in that outcome, it still felt unreal to Luna. Her friends had patted her on the back, their smiles wide and brilliant (save for Subaru's, who's smile was more like a forty watt desk lamp), and congratulated her.

"I knew you could do it!" Kizamaro said, definitely wiping at his eyes with a handkerchief in a distinctly unsubtle manner.

"Then why are you crying?"

"I'm just so happy!"

"Relieved?"

"Ummm… no? We should celebrate! Let's go to…"

Gonta was the exact opposite. Exuberant. Cheerful. And forcefully starting chants of 'Prez! Prez! Prez!' among their fellow classmates through sheer intimidation alone.

"Long live the Prez!" Gonta yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Gonta, you do realize that I will only serve in this position for a year before the next election cycle, right? I'm sure I'll live until next year."

Gonta was not to be deterred, "Long live the Prez! Long live..."

Subaru, after receiving the news over the school intercom, had laid his head down on his desk and closed his eyes. The motion knocked his Visualizer askew, but he didn't seem to care. Luna wasn't sure what was going through his stupid head, so she didn't know what to say.

"Congrats, Prez." Subaru was the first to say.

"Thanks." Luna smiled, "And thank you for your support."

Subaru scoffed, eyes still closed, and muttered, "You keep saying that, as if you didn't do all the hard work."

"It matters that my constituents feel appreciated." Luna can't help herself.

"Ah, there it is."

Tsukasa seemed to share Luna's smugness.

"We didn't even need the election." He'd stated, matter of fact.

"You do realize there has only been three sophmore level student body presidents in the history of this school, right, Tsukasa-kun?" Luna countered, "There were plenty of other candidates among the upper-classmen."

Tsukasa had shrugged, "Doesn't really matter when it's you they were up against."

"With that kind of confidence, you should have been the one to run, Tsukasa-kun."

"Nah," Tsukasa smiled, "I'd rather watch you do all the amazing stuff."

Luna was getting some sort of signal from Tsukasa-kun, but she couldn't quite name it. Subaru made a face like he'd rather be anywhere else. Gonta started another chant of 'Prez! Prez! Prez!'. And Kizamaro pulled up a website for a local karaoke bar on his transer, suggesting they go there to celebrate. Luna, high on her victory, felt it all whirl by, in sounds and colors and emotions she didn't care to identify. She was enjoying herself, stress free, for the first time in weeks.

Then she went home, and the moment shattered.

Her parents were waiting for her, seated in plush couches in the overly large and opulent, western-style living room. In tandem, they looked up from their transers, matching frowns on their faces. They didn't say anything, forcing Luna to be the one to break the frigid silence.

"I thought you had a… function tonight."

"We'll be late." Luna's father says, barely blinking.

"Well, don't let me keep you." Luna had said, taking a step to cross the living room and head up the stairs, "I'm quite tired myself, so I think I'll be turning in for the night."

"You'll be going nowhere," Luna's father raises his voice only rarely, "until we're done with this conversation."

"What conversation?" Luna says. Toneless. Don't let them know you know. Make them say it.

Luna's mother turns her transer screen around so Luna can see it.

"I didn't know you regularly read the Kodoma High Newsletter, mother."

"I don't." Luna's mother says.

"But your principle made sure to personally email us the newsletter this week. Why? She said we ought to be very proud of our daughter, the youngest student body president at Kodoma High." Luna's father says.

Luna blinked, "Huh. I didn't know that." She knew she'd be one of the youngest. But to be the youngest. Awesome! She was making history!

"Don't play stupid." Luna's father snapped, "A week ago we told you that you were to choose another school to attend. And instead of taking your future seriously, you screw around and waste your time running for class president at a shitty public school!"

"I'm already class president, father." Luna corrects, "I won student body president."

"Where is our answer, Luna?" Luna's father roars.

"I don't have one." Luna tries, she tries so hard, to stay composed. But she can feel the anger rising, like heat spilling off a stove, boiling over, burning, smoking, filling the room with its awful stench, "Because I'm not going."

"Luna." Luna's mother's eyes are cold when she meets them. There is no room for dispute, "You are our daughter and you will do as we say. You do not have a choice. You will be going to a proper school next year and we will choose it for you." Luna's mother stands and without looking at Luna's father, she says, "Dear, let's go. We're terribly late already."

Luna wasn't done though. The heat sparked and roared into an inferno, "You can't do this!" Luna screamed, "I am not your doll!"

Luna's mother had already whirled out of the room, not hearing a word of it. Luna's father, nailed Luna's coffin shut with his remorseless, parting words.

"You are our daughter. You may as well be."

The frustration returned in full force. In the present, Luna felt her eyes grow hot and itch with unshed tears. But she'd already cried enough. She was so tired of feeling sorry for herself. So tired of feeling angry and powerless. So tired of her parents tearing down everything she had built up for herself. What kind of parents did that?

Kizamaro's parents, although sometimes exasperated by their son's antics, would encourage him to pursue his interests and become proficient in them. Gonta's parents, let their son be himself and loved every bit of him for it. Subaru's mom, well she didn't support his self-destructive tendencies, but anyone could tell Akane loved her son more than life itself.

Luna sighs into her bed, loud and dramatic even though there is no one around to hear her. She brainstorms, trying to think of anything to distract herself. And that's when the light goes on in her head. Akane!

Granted, Luna was just at the Hoshikawa residence yesterday for a cooking lesson. But she'd spent all that time with Akane. Now Subaru, on the other hand, Subaru doesn't do anything but laze around and read on the weekends. He might even be grateful for her company (highly unlikely, but still a possibility). Luna jumped up from her bed, suddenly energized. This was perfect! He wouldn't even be able to escape, like he still sometimes does, because of the weather.

Luna hastily throws on a blue, plastic raincoat and a pair of matching galoshes. As she stomps out the front door into the rain, she finds herself smiling - the distraction already a success. Subaru's house is surprisingly close to hers, only a few blocks away, but her anticipation makes it feel much longer.

It's not until she arrives on the front doorstep of the Hoshikawa residence that she starts to have her doubts. What if Subaru just tells her to go away? Luna can't exclude the possibility. She's still not sure how much their tenuous friendship encompasses. Visiting each other? Just the two of them? That's fine right? It happened the night he walked her home?

Luna shakes herself. As long as Akane is home, Subaru can't be too rude. It'll be fine.

She's not sure how long she stands on the front doorstep, weighing the possibilities. The constant sound of rain provides a calming white-nose as she debates how to explain herself. What reason does she have for coming over? Cooking lessons were yesterday. Say she forgot something? They'd never buy that, Luna never forgets anything.

She's startled by the sound of footsteps. She freezes, listening closely.

"I'm heading out now, mom!" Subaru's voice is muffled by the door.

"Alright, Su!" Akane's voice sounds overly cheerful to Luna's ear. Almost like she's… teasing, "Have fun on your…"

"Mom!" Subaru yells, and Luna is surprised by how loud he is, "It's not a date!"

Not a what-now?

"Whatever you say, Su!"

The door handle jiggles as Subaru probably unlocks it from the other side. Luna squeaks in surprise (read: embarrassment), before leaping off the front doorstep to dart around the side of the house to hide. Her heart beats wildly, suddenly terrified (read: embarrassed) at the idea of being discovered eavesdropping on Subaru. But despite her paranoia (read: embarrassment), she finds herself very, very, painfully, curious.

Subaru is going out? With whom? How? And especially… WHAT?!

And a sudden spike of something warm flares in her chest and her face. It's an unfamiliar feeling that might just be… jealousy. Because, Luna reasons, Subaru doesn't just 'hang out' with people. It's not jealousy, Luna reasons further, it's just suspiciously out of character for Luna's least social classmate.

But, Luna's memory reminds her, what about his 'secret friend'?

Now Luna is intrigued. This particular subject has been eating her alive since very early in Luna's acquaintance with Subaru. Someone he's close with. Someone he's determined not to talk about. And now matter how much she's prodded, Subaru's never let any hints slip. Luna can't continue on like this. If Subaru won't tell her of his own free will, then Luna will have to find out for herself.

Just like your parents.

Haha, Luna thinks, shut up.

She isn't stalking. She's investigating.

Peeking around the corner of the house, she sees Subaru regard the rain with distaste from the shelter of the front doorstep. He is dressed in his usual attire: red jacket, jeans, and Visualizer. It doesn't lend any credence to the 'date' idea. Although, if Subaru doesn't think it's a date when it actually is, then he'd not dress up anyway.

He steps out into the rain, apparently unconcerned by the fact he has no umbrella. He is going to get wet, and Luna swears if he catches a cold and misses any more school, she's going to give him hell for this. She doesn't follow until he's trudged through puddles, down the street, and a block in the direction of the nearest waveliner.

Luna has never followed anyone, discreetly, before. And she finds it more difficult than she expected. Every time Subaru turns around, she's afraid he's seen her. Her heart pounds wildly, working much harder than it needs to for this level of activity. She ducks behind buildings, shop stands, and whatever else she can find. Bushes. Mostly bushes. It doesn't seem as stealthy as it usually looks in the movies. But Luna refuses to lose sight of him, even at the cost of kneeling in puddles or hiding places that allow water to drip into her galoshes. All her hard work will amount to nothing if she loses Subaru in a crowded place.

Subaru arrives at the waveliner station within a few minutes. And, as creepy as it may sound, he's not as wet as Luna would expect him to be. It's strange, because even with her raincoat, she feels uncomfortably damp due to the wind blowing the rain every which way. Luna makes a resolution to never stalk anyone ever again (after this). It does weird things to people. In other news, Subaru has boarded the train headed to Spica Mall.

Luna can't believe what she's seeing. She wants to roll her eyes at the unoriginality and the injustice of it all. Subaru is going to the mall to hang out. Cliché. Every time she had suggested they go to the mall to hang out he acted as if it was an alternate form of toture. And when there, he would complain every second along the way. Every. Damn. Time.

And yet, here she is, riding the same railcar to Spica Mall, hiding her face behind a newspaper like a stalker. She's too afraid to even check if he's still there and didn't somehow disappear like Rockman. The last thing she wants is for their eyes to meet in the enclosed space of the railcar. She resolutely decides that she will not explain herself, even if she's discovered.

Ugh. This is the worst.

Luna couldn't be more relieved when the excruciating ride ends, the chime sounding for passengers to disembark. It takes quite a bit of self-control for her to wait to be the last person to step off the railcar, still spying for Subaru's telltale spiky brown hair and green glasses. She follows him to the indoor courtyard of the mall, rejoicing at her discovery of a large synthetic plant that has an excellent vantage point.

Subaru stops. He seems to be waiting. His eyes scan the crowded mall, looking for someone. Luna prays he won't notice her behind the fake plant.

From her position, Luna spots another person making an intentional bee-line for Subaru before Subaru does. Not that Subaru could have noticed when said person was coming up behind him and covering his eyes with her hands. There's a mischievous smile on her face, matching the playful way her bubblegum pink hair catches the light.

Luna can only briefly think, she looks awfully familiar, before she thinks, I need to get closer!

"Guess who!" The girl chirps.

Luna can't see Subaru roll his eyes, but she knows he's doing so by the tone of his voice, "Misora, we planned to meet here. Why would I be surprised?"

Misora removes her hands, puts them on her hips, and pouts, "You are absolutely no fun."

"What did you expect from this bum." Another, familiar, voice says. Subaru scowls, and Luna feels herself move into more familiar territory.

"Well." Subaru says, "What's the plan, Misora?"

Misora holds up a finger, "First. Don't call me 'Misora' unless you want a mob of paparazzi and my manager on our behinds all day." Subaru pales a little at that, "It's going to have to be 'Miho' today."

"I'm not going to remember that." Subaru says.

"Blatantly honest. Awesome. Just call me anything but you-know-what."

"HN?"

"Vetoed."

Subaru sighs, "I'll try to remember Miho then."

"Attaboy."

A muffled giggle comes from Misora's pocket. Misora pats her pocket and punches Subaru lightly on the shoulder, "Are you ready to have some fun?"

"You still haven't told me what we're doing." Subaru points out, "And also, 'fun' is subjective."

"Oh my gosh," Misora, or Miho or whatever, groans, "You are literally so boring, Subaru. I cannot stress that enough." Luna can relate. But also, it's awfully familiar of this person to refer to Subaru by his first name. Luna feels like she's on the edge of an epiphany, she just needs the last puzzle piece of information to slide into place and then she'll have the whole picture.

"I've been told." Subaru admits.

Yes, Luna thinks, by me.

"Well." Misora/Miho spreads her arms. She's wearing a mint green hoodie and a pair of athletic shorts. Not particularly dressed up either. And definitely not dressed for the weather. "I've incorporated everything into the plan for the day: shopping, action movies, caffeine, and science! There's a really cool exhibit on rainforest wildlife upstairs right now that I thought might be inspirational somehow!"

Subaru folds his arms over his chest, "Some of that sounds fun. But why does it also sound like you're still working?"

"My sweet summer child," Misora/Miho tuts, "An artist is always at work." She taps her head, pink hair ruffling at the motion, "We need stimulation to gain ideas to manipulate and mold into masterpieces."

"Okay." Subaru draws out the word, sounding unsure, "I think I get it."

Misora/Miho sticks her tongue out at him, "I doubt it." She says, "but I guess I shouldn't expect someone like you to understand music. Still not a fan?"

Subaru shrugs in a way that says he's more than just uncomfortable. He's very uncomfortable. Luna can tell. She's just that good. He says, "I did listen to some of your music, Miii... Miho. But I'd rather just get to know you, if that's okay."

"We're friends, dummy. So yeah, it's okay." Misora/Miho takes a deep breath, "Now, enough of the heavy talk. Let's get this show on the road." She looks around uneasily. "I just really hope no one recognizes me."

"We could go literally anywhere, but you were the one who suggested we go to the mall."

"It's raining, Subaru. Raining, dreary, and uninspiring."

"You know the rain doesn't make a difference." Subaru says in his annoying 'I'm only being logical' tone of voice, "And the waveroads are high enough it wouldn't matter…"

His logic doesn't go over well.

"You can't shop if you can't carry things!"

"True." Subaru admits.

Misora/Miho takes his admission as a win and drags Subaru off to the first store.

But Luna doesn't follow them right away because she's tipped on the edge of an epiphany and fallen straight into a canyon of realization. Hoshikawa Subaru is hanging out at the mall with the Hibiki Misora. How is this possible?

Luna ticks off the signs of… friendship? Flirting? Calling each other by first and last names, no honorifics. Talking, chatting, teasing, smiling, like this was totally normal interaction for them. Even inside jokes. Inside jokes! Besides the thing about Misora's music, Subaru seemed one hundred percent comfortable around one of the most famous pop idols in the nation.

Luna had thought she was making progress with Subaru, but apparently she had nothing on Hibiki Misora.

It's like all her accomplishments, wound in tight, neat little bundles are being unravelled. Her hard work cast off like wrapping paper that's thrown in the garbage, no one ever bothering to remember it used to hold something of value. She feels like she's fought for every inch of her accomplishments only for others to be given miles without merit.

It doesn't matter any more. It doesn't matter that her and Subaru are friends. It doesn't matter that Hibiki Misora is a pop idol. It doesn't matter that she won student body president. None of it matters. Luna is just angry. Invalidated. Nothing more than a pretty doll for others to use as they please and then ignore.

Luna is just angry.

There's a slithering feeling in her chest, like her ribs are filling up with snakes. Writhing. Envious. Poisonous. It's tight and it hurts, but it feels so good. Luna grits her teeth, fighting the feeling all the while clutching at it like a life raft and she's currently drowning. She blinks and she can't feel her body any more.

My my my, A honeyed voice says, what do we have here?

Just me, Luna thinks.

Your misery is justified, child. You should take back what you deserve. Let me help you.

Why?

Because, child, I know what it's like to fight. To win. And to still be written off. We are so alike. I am powerful. You are powerful. And we can be powerful and feared. Together.

Who are you?

Oh, a chuckle, I suppose I forgot to introduce myself. I am Ophiuchus. A kindred spirit.

Luna's vision goes black. Or more accurately, she is staring out into a vast expanse of black. Nothing. Space perhaps? Stars twinkle like diamond dust in the distance. And in front of her stands a woman. Beautiful. Her face is composed of inhumanly sharp edges - cheekbones, eyes, ears. Her mouth is covered by a veil and her body is covered in jewelry that glints with ambient light but doesn't make a sound.

This is wrong, Luna thinks, but she's not sure why. Something is off, and she can't pinpoint what.

What is wrong, child? Ophiuchus asks, spreading her hands in a placating gesture, You can tell me anything.

The lower half of Ophiuchus's body is wrapped in a long skirt. Luna's vision blurs. Her thoughts smear together like wet paint. But there's no masterpiece being made. Just a mess. A mess like the end results of all of Luna's efforts.

Child, Ophiuchus says, I can see you are very upset. Why don't you let me handle things for a while. Rest. And I will set things right.

Okay. Luna thinks. Rest sounds wonderful right now. Her head is throbbing something awful. She wants to vomit, but can't seem to do even that past the snakes writhing in her throat. Snakes in her chest, her throat, her hair. Snakes dragging her by the wrists, closer to Ophiuchus.

Simply repeat this phrase for me. Ophiuchus whispers in her ear. Her breath is hot and scalding. Luna wants to pull away, but her body is frozen. Unresponsive.

Just make this feeling go away! Luna thinks desperately. She can't move. Feels disembodied. Maybe she really is a doll after all. Whatever it is, I'll do it.

Perfect. Ophiuchus purrs, Now say: Denpa Henkan, Ophiuchus Queen, on air.

Denpa Henkan. Luna garbles. And the second it leaves her lips, she recognizes it. She grasps at the clarity. FMians! An attack! People will get hurt! She can't!

But she can't help herself anymore.

Her lips move without her consent and finish the phrase. All Ophiuchus needed was the first little bit, apparently. And Luna is metaphorically dropped from her body like a moldy fruit, landing with a mushy splat at the bottom of her consciousness. Her view of Spica Mall is distorted by a distance she can't compute and blurred by wavelengths of every frequency. Luna feels as if she's donned Subaru's Visualizer with the output set to max.

This is bad, Luna thinks.

No child, Ophiuchus says. Her voice is still melodic, but Luna doesn't feel an enchantment this time. Just pity. This is exactly what they deserve.

Ophiuchus blitzes her way into a meeting room Luna doesn't recognize. But Luna does recognize her parents, dressed in sharp business suits. Luna doesn't remember what her parents were doing today. Doesn't care. But they don't even register Ophiuchus's presence. The meeting carries on. Luna can feel the FMian's disdain.

Opportunistic leeches, she hisses, They use money and favors to take anything they can, just for the sake of having it. A proper ruler would seek that every subject could thrive under their care. Not suppress and oppress simply to feel superior. Be superior and therefore you are. You know that very well, don't you, child?

Don't hurt them! Luna begs.

Why?

Luna knows, but she doesn't really know. Just don't. How would she convince a powerful extraterrestrial being of anything when she can't even do a simple thing like make friends with a lonely, depressed boy?

Don't be so down, child. Ophiuchus reaches out a hand. Two red snakes materialize from the ether of a realm composed of gamma energy. They swirl around her parents who shout with surprise and finally see the snake-woman standing in the conference room. The snakes tighten around her parents, and like a veil is being drawn up, disappear back into gamma energy.

Where did they go? Luna asks.

Nowhere, child. At least for now. I will kill them when the time is right.

Luna doesn't get a chance to say anything before Ophiuchus is on the move again. Faster than a blink, Ophiuchus now hovers in a jungle. Distantly, Luna can feel humidity, sticky and sweet on her skin. The smell of tropical flowers is there too, and the taste of it mingles with the buzz of ozone. But the ozone is just the energy Ophiuchus is radiating wholesale. The sound of rain on a forest canopy is merely a recording emanating from a speaker in the corner.

The rainforest wildlife exhibit. Luna realizes.

Yes. Clever child. Ophiuchus purrs with a smile in place, I think I want to arrange my nest before engaging the traitors.

Traitors?

The one known as Warrock, primarily. Ophiuchus explains patiently, manipulating data across multiple wavelengths. Luna's parents reappear, wriggling in their bonds. They're shouting… something. Luna can't make it out because Ophiuchus doesn't appear to be listening very closely.

Rockman will stop you. Luna states, noting that she's parroting lines from the school play.

Whom?

Rockman.

I don't know who that is and I doubt they will have the ability to stop me. I wasn't lying when I said we would be powerful and feared when we work together.

This isn't working together! Luna fumes.

Admittedly, we could be more cohesive. But I have what I need from you. Give it enough time and you will see things my way.

Luna shivers. They're not the same words, but they might as well be. 'I am not your doll!' 'You may as well be.' Luna feels tears well up in her eyes, obscuring her distorted vision even further. She closes her eyes because it's useless anyway. In her mental space, She curls up in a ball and cries.

Hush, child. I'm working, Ophiuchus admonishes. And like putting a lid on a pot of her subconscious, Ophiuchus closes Luna off.

Luna doesn't know how much time has passed. Her body is a mental construct and therefore feels no fatigue from laying tense and unmoving. Her eyes don't burn. Her head doesn't ache from excessive crying. She knows that what is happening is not right, but she doesn't know how to fix it.

Okay, so crying isn't going to fix it. Luna thinks. She pauses. There is no response from Ophiuchus. She's not listening to me right now. What is she doing?

Luna closes her eyes. She couldn't see anything in the black space anyway. There are voices. More than one. Distinct, but distant. Luna reaches out. Her hands brush empty space, but she feels a press all around her.

The pot lid. She realizes. Just push. It's my body, my consciousness. I should have some control. Utagai said he heard Subaru's voice. Gonta heard mine. They wouldn't be able to do that if they were completely closed off!

She doesn't sweat, she doesn't strain. But Luna feels like she's pulled two consecutive all-nighters and took all her school finals in thirty minutes. She's huffing and puffing, but she can hear, see, and feel again. And it's not good.

Ophiuchus has Rockman wrapped in her tail, tight. A deathgrip. Luna can feel it squeezing energy from him by the megajoule. And how does she know that? Right. Because Luna is, in part, doing it. The overlay of swirling iridescent wavelengths burn off him like a furnace. Wasted.

"You don't need to be alive for me to get what I want, Warrock." Ophiuchus hums in Rockman's ear. Gross. "And this pitiful host can die too, for all I care."

"Let him go!" Another voice says. A pink silhouette blurs past them, smashing them over the head with a… guitar. Luna doesn't even feel it. Ophiuchus doesn't even budge. The attack is weak, clearly made out of desperation. Harp Note, Luna's fused mind supplies, drops to a knee. She's gasping and shaking.

Ophiuchus turns on her, "What happened to Shock Note and Pulse Song, Harp. If those weak attacks can't touch me, what good do you think that would do. Pathetic."

Luna's vision goes scarlet, and the next thing she sees is Harp Note falling off the glowing yellow strip of… road (waveroad) she'd been occupying before. But the distraction is enough for Rockman. A teeth-shattering frequency travels up Ophiuchus's tail, scrambling her signals enough for Rockman to wiggle free. Not that he escapes unscathed. Luna can see spasms shaking his shoulders, similar to Ophiuchus.

"Stupid." Ophiuchus hisses. She strikes. Fast. Luna can't believe how fast she is. If she needed to breathe, she wouldn't be able to catch her breath. The air molecules break and snap around her head. The snakes near her ears hiss and strike as well.

Luna, as much as she respects Rockman, is surprised he manages to dodge at all. He rolls over the first strike, pulling a sword from thin air to swipe at the snake on Luna's right, removing it's head. The data particles start to heal right away. And the snake on Luna's left bites a chunk of data from his transer arm.

"Shit." Rockman's transer says.

Rockman leaps back. A chime fills the air and the bite wound heals. Luna can't remember if she's seen him do that before. He's already moving again. He charges forward. Ophiuchus smirks. Luna wants to shout a warning, but she doesn't have enough control for that.

When Rockman is close enough, Ophiuchus sends out a Quick Serpent. It hits it's target with an ugly crunch, but Rockman evaporates into mist. Ophiuchus pauses, confused, before a heavy freezing blow hits right between her shoulder blades and knocks her down. Her long nails dig into the yellow waveroad causing a shriek of interference. Through the translucent surface, Luna sees Harp Note get to her feet and leap up to Rockman's side.

A wave of envy rises up in her throat unexpectedly.

It's not me. Luna thinks, trying to block out the feeling.

It's both of us, child. Ophiuchus growls.

"Fine." Ophiuchus says out loud. "You win."

Rockman blinks, but he doesn't relax his stance. Harp Note shifts uneasily beside him.

"I'm done playing on your turf. I wanted to end this quickly, but it seems you would rather suffer." Ophiuchus scoffs, "So be it."

Faster than either Rockman or Harp Note can move, Ophiuchus and Luna streak away, diving for Spica Mall. Or more accurately, the exhibit where Ophiuchus had set up her nest.

Why did you run? Luna asks, genuinely curious.

Ophiuchus seems content to field Luna's questions.

I strategically retreated.

Why fight them outside at all?

Ophiuchus pushes her injured snake behind her shoulder. Luna tries not to shudder. It's head is halfway regenerated, but she can see parts of it's venom sack and eye in grotesque detail.

Admittedly, I thought I could win in a straightforward battle. I can't even count the number of times I've brought that pebble within an inch of his life.

Who?

Warrock.

Luna's still unsure as to who Ophiuchus is referring to. Rockman, maybe. But Ophiuchus didn't know who Rockman was previously.

So what changed?

His host is strong.

But you said…

Of course I said that! Luna could feel Ophiuchus's exasperation, I'm not an idiot like Taurus. I will not praise my enemy even if they deserve it. It's unbecoming of a Queen.

Are you a queen?

Ophiuchus was silent for a time, before saying softly, I was.

Luna felt a shiver of sympathy pass through her. She quashed the feeling back down. Not before Ophiuchus could sense it.

I don't want your pity, child. I want your cooperation.

I'm not going to help you hurt Rockman!

Clearly.

Or my parents!

That I understand less, Ophiuchus says with a sigh. No matter. "Rockman, and Harp Note for what it's worth, you have thirty minutes to save the humans in this maze and defeat me before my snake's poison takes effect. Good luck."

Why bother?

Why not? Wear them down with panic and exhaustion. They'll be easy to pick off when I've recovered some strength as well. Ophiuchus huffs, This is the magic of preparation, child. Ophiuchus relaxes, wound around a fake tree in the microwave frequency. There are also plenty of poison traps along the way. They may very well die before reaching me. You won't even have to waste your minute energy fighting me off. Serendipity.

So I was hindering you?

Ophiuchus doesn't grace Luna's question with an answer. But her silence is answer enough. Luna decides to also conserve her energy and think of a way to help Rockman even more. Rockman. Not Harp Note, whoever the heck she is.

At Luna's rankled thought, Ophiuchus chuckles.

Who is she? Luna dares to ask.

Harp or Harp Note? They are two separate entities. Just like my Warrock and your Rockman.

Huh?

If I were fighting Harp and Warrock, this wouldn't even be called a battle.

The hosts are giving you a hard time?

Child, Harp and Warrock I have fought hundreds of times. I know their tactics. Shall I explain the difference?

Luna's intrigue is enough to keep Ophiuchus talking.

Warrock's host is horribly slippery. He rarely holds his ground to defend, rather dodging, moving constantly, and slipping into frequencies Warrock rarely visited. But each attack is calculated for maximal damage according to the opening.

The ice fist?

Exactly. Warrock would have tried something like that after barreling straight on. More acceleration and more damage, yes, but easier to predict. Also, he likes his swords. Ophiuchus checks on her snake. It is fully intact once more. She sniffs, annoyed.

Harp Note? Luna presses.

Arguably more straightforward, but completely unlike Harp. She takes whatever chance she has to unleash her biggest attack, whether it's guaranteed to land or not. Not one for stamina, that host. Harp would rather circle her prey until it's exhausted, and then slit its throat at the first chance she got.

So… Harp and Warrock aren't in control?

Maybe to a mild degree, but it's practically infinitesimal.

Why?

Hmmm? Ophiuchus is scanning the exhibit, tracking Rockman and Harp Note through various frequencies. Luna notes that Rockman has freed Luna's mother from her snake prison. She feels a little relief. But not much.

Why aren't they in control? I thought they were supposed to be, like what's happening to me right now.

Child, Ophiuchus's voice drips with honey, you could be in control too.

How?

If the stars align, so much stronger is their light.

What is that supposed to mean? Luna rages.

Let your will align with mine. I will make you happy.

I doubt it.

Ophiuchus's attention is gone the second she hums, Then sit there and rot.

Sirens sound off in the exhibit. Whirling red lights splash color across the fake rainforest. Calls to evacuate fill the frequency of human hearing, but to Luna it sounds quiet. What can she do? She's been pushed from the metaphorical driver's seat in favor of a homicidal snake-woman. Not ideal. But past experience and Ophiuchus herself confirmed that Luna can do something.

Luna follows Rockman through Ophiuchus's sight. He's freeing the humans trapped in denpa-space that had been in the exhibit then Ophiuchus made her nest. Harp Note frees Luna's father from another snake prison. But Luna also notices another mass of humans clogging the stairwells of the exhibit. The Satellite Police.

"Weaklings." Ophiuchus says, holding out a hand, "Snake Legion!"

"Hold formation, men!" Inspector Goyouda yells, "Incoming attack!"

The men close their ranks, and the heat of dozens of machines prickles against Ophiuchus's skin. Vibrations split the air, deconstructing snake constructs. Only in the nick of time. One snake does slip through the barrage, slapping an officer in the face like a wet fish. Goyouda himself switches his machine on to finish it off. The red-faced officer mumbles his thanks as the inspector steps through the ranks and looks in Ophiuchus's direction. He doesn't meet her gaze, obviously ignorant as to where that is, but he is able to approximate by the bright lights on his screen.

"FMian!" He shouts, "Leave your host and this planet or we will be forced to disarm you."

Ophiuchus laughs. Luna can tell it's frequency resides mainly in the supersonic, but to the officers, it no doubt seems as if it is echoing from all corners of the exhibit like an unholy caphony.

"Your toys are not powerful enough to stop me." She says, "I'd advise you leave this to your planet's hero." The word 'hero' is distorted by a sneer.

Inspector Goyouda doesn't budge, "I have the right to defend my home."

"So you do." Ophiuchus purrs, "You have the right to die for your home as well. Gorgon Eye!"

Luna's vision goes scarlet. She blinks tendrils of red away as fast as she can, hoping the first thing she sees is not Goyouda's smoking corpse. It's not. It's a shield composed of neon atoms charged to glow green.

"Inspector." Rockman says, tone level even as he looks exhausted, "I'd advise you reserve your weapons for the final part of the battle."

"Noted." The man replies, "But I will intervene as I see fit."

Rockman looks resigned. Luna is surprised at how easy it is to read his expression. It seems to say 'if you vacuum a single joule of my energy I'm going to go ape-shit.' Okay, weird. And oddly specific. She feels like she's seen that expression before. But she doesn't have time to dwell on it as Rockman leaps forward and switches to Ophiuchus's frequency. Luna notices that he's slower than before. Ophiuchus notices too.

"How did you like my puzzles?" Ophiuchus purrs.

Rockman ducks under another beam of red light and lunges to the side, trying to get behind Ophiuchus. But he does answer Ophiuchus's question. Surprisingly enough.

"On any other day, I would've thought it a fun mental exercise." Rockman materializes a break saber and strikes with deadly efficiency. If only Ophiuchus wasn't so fast. "But, it's the weekend and I came here to have fun, not narrowly avoid death and destruction."

"Oh you poor thing."

Rockman shrugs and loads some type of gun that shoots in every direction. Ophiuchus doesn't escape unscathed, but it doesn't do much damage overall.

"Where's your partner?" Ophiuchus hums, "Worn out?"

"We both are."

Rockman lays a time bomb and then sends a wave to block the escape route. Ophiuchus has to choose the lesser of two evils. Her armor protects her from the worst of the wave, but not from the plasma bolt that follows.

"You fight dirty." Ophiuchus growls, her arms and her snakes spasm intermittently.

Rockman doesn't bother to reply. He loads two swords with wicked jagged edges and Luna almost forgets that it's Ophiuchus he's fighting and not her.

He's dangerous.

So am I, child.

Ophiuchus wraps her tail around one blade. It cuts deep, but she yanks Rockman off balance. He can't release his swords after all. It leaves him open to both snakes which wrap around his throat and lift him off the ground. The swords disappear in a swirl of green light and he grips at the snakes instead.

"Well." Rockman says, "This sucks."

He doesn't need to breathe?

He's a Denpa Human, child. Same as you. From now on, you don't need anything but me to live.

Luna hadn't thought that far ahead. And suddenly she's terrified. Ophiuchus can keep her indefinitely if Rockman doesn't undo the Denpa Henkan the way he usually does.

Win Rockman.

"You've lost, human." Ophiuchus hums.

Somehow Rockman finds it in himself to smile. It's just a tug at the corner of his lips, but Luna can see it, clear as day. "Yeah, I lost." He says, "But they didn't."

"Quick Strings!"

Harp Note's voice rings out and wires sing through the air. They wrap around Ophiuchus with startling accuracy, never even touching Rockman. But they don't do anything about Ophiuchus's snakes around his throat.

The wires tighten and sink into Ophiuchus's armor. Data spills from the cuts. It's not much, but that wasn't the point.

"Full throttle, men!" Inspector Goyouda shouts.

The machines prickle against Ophiuchus's skin, but now there's no snakes to soak up the vibration splitting the air. It rattles. It tugs. It pulls. Her energy is flooding to… somewhere. Not where it's supposed to be, that's for sure. Ophiuchus growls and tries to move. The wires holding her down rip further into her armor and the energy drain quickens. She's gasping. Choking. Luna too.

Rockman doesn't look much better. If Denpa Humans could sweat bullets, he would be. As it is, his mouth is set in a grimace, eyes squeezed shut tight behind his visor.

Bad, Luna thinks, This is bad.

If she can feel it, and her senses are dampened, then… this is horrible.

I can do this.

Luna reaches out, as if her hands were the snakes. Every coil of muscle and sinew is tense. Closer to the surface, she can feel the rift between Ophiuchus and her. Quantums of energy melting off her skin like plasma, dripping, and evaporating instantaneously. But she needs to reach him first. Luna reaches out. And relaxes.

The snakes uncoil, droop, molt, and vanish into the ether.

Rockman collapses to the ground.

Luna knows he doesn't need it, but he sucks in a breath anyway. Steeling himself to switch frequencies and snap out of the way. The moment he does, his flickering form resolves. Ah, so that's how they did it. The SP arranged themselves so their beams all converged on the same spot: Ophiuchus. Rockman was the distraction. And the bait.

"Rockman!" Harp Note shouts from her position, unable to move if she means to hold Ophiuchus in place, "Are you alright?"

Rockman, from his dignified position flat on the plastic tile floor, gives her a thumbs up.

Goodbye, child, Ophiuchus says, Please be sure to fight for yourself in the future.

And Ophiuchus Queen is gone.

Every inch of skin in contact with the floor is cold, alight with pins and needles. Gravity feels like it's attempting to make her two-dimensional and her lungs refuse to expand. But it doesn't seem to matter because consciousness has decided to take a holiday. Her vision is grey. Garbled shouts sound from the end of a tunnel. And then everything is black.

Again.

"Hey, so, do you know this girl?"

No response.

"Oh, I see. This is the girl you didn't want to tell me about. What, embarrassed? You got a crush?"

No response.

"Hey, don't push me. That's rude. And childish."

"It would help if I didn't feel like I was dealing with a child." A familiar voice snaps.

"You're one to talk."

A pause.

"I was actually going to ask you something today."

Another pause.

"About her?

"Yeah."

"What?"

"I'm not sure." The familiar voice admits, "It was just something she said that didn't make sense to me."

"Well that's not at all surprising. Hey!"

"Don't be mean then."

"What do you want to ask then?"

The familiar voice was quiet, "I think I figured it out."

"Glad I could help. Now do you wanna clue me in?"

A pause.

"FMians prey on people with vulnerable emotions."

"That's been established."

"And her parents were trapped in the maze."

"Yep."

"She wanted them dead. Well, maybe she didn't, but the FMian certainly thought she did."

A gasp, "Oh."

"Yeah. 'Oh.'" A sigh.

"She was right. My mom definitely knows."

"Heh, well you didn't get your mom's social acumen. Hey!"

"I'm exhausted and you keep teasing me. Knock it off."

Luna had to agree. The familiar voice sounded tired.

"Right, sorry. You almost got…" She made a fwip sound followed by a pop and snap. "Anyway, you didn't answer me. Is she your girlfriend?"

"You're insufferable."

"No, actually, I'm adorable. Everybody loves me."

"Whatever. Time to disappear. I'll message you later so we can reschedule."

"Okie dokie! Bye!"

Luna feels a shiver run down her spine. But she isn't alone. The familiar voice sighs again, "I'm sorry." he mumbles. Luna thinks the familiar voice is talking to her.

"It's not your fault, kid." Another voice says, quiet and throaty, and not exactly unfamiliar either.

"I can still do better."

Luna feels another shiver run down her spine. And now she is alone. She drifts in and out of consciousness until the whole thing feels like a dream.

But the thing about dreams is, you can still remember bits and pieces when you wake up.

Luna wakes up.

She doesn't waste any time before flipping open her transer and starting to write.

How much does Luna remember?! Because denpa henkan amnesia still applies when the human is not in control! AHHH! I can't wait for you to find out and for me to write it! As for how 'conscious' Luna remains during her denpa henkan experience, that because I wanted to and also because Ophiuchus wanted to. Headcanon time: Imagine King Cepheus is conquering entire planets, committing mass genocide along the way, and then taking a choice few back to planet FM to make them his subjects. Imagine one is a good queen who surrendered to save her people and then got juked - I really liked her character in the anime after she split away from Luna. Okay. Headcanon time over. For those who asked for a good anime+game combo, I hope you liked it! This has been the plan from the get go. It was really fun to write the fight scene from a different point of view! Oh, and how I do love Luna inadvertently helping out Rockman. I live for it. Also, that boy's fighting style keeps getting more self-destructive. Wassup?

To the people who said Tsukasa was acting strange last chapter, here's my take. Tsukasa doesn't really know what he's doing, hence the mixed signals. I have some headcanons for certain characters. Subaru obviously struggles with depression. But I've headcanoned Tsukasa as struggling with schizophrenia after a long internal debate. I strongly dislike split personality disorder because a. it's very uncommon b. it's overused in writing and frequently overused in villainous roles (thanks no thanks Dr Jekyll) c. I really don't think of Tsukasa as a villain. He's a victim of his own mind, head injury (something like this can trigger schizophrenia in the young and predisposed, which Tsukasa is), abysmal formative years, and genetics. Having homicidal auditory hallucinations is not beyond the realm of possible, and is in fact, common. The poor boy simply didn't get the chance to have his treatment titrated properly before being possessed by a homicidal alien. Obviously, this has nothing to do with Gemini's plans so I'm not spoiling anything by revealing this here.

Final note: I'm glad you all liked the teenage drama, but it's not what you think it is! :DDDD HAHAHAHA!