Chapter Text
Azul woke up with a splitting headache blessing his presence. He slowly started to sit up, wincing as he did. Only stopped once he felt the familiar gloved hand of an individual grasp him on the shoulder.
“Azul, you shouldn’t force yourself to sit up so quickly. You could easily break a bone or two from the motion of it alone.” Recognizing the voice, Azul tilted his head towards the direction of where it came from, and he found himself staring into the eyes of his Vice-Housewarden Jade who smiled wider when Azul frowned.
“I dunno know Jade…. I mean Azul isssss the last one here to wake up. Shouldn’t we urge him to get up faster? Kinda embarrassing to be sleeping at a time like this when the rest of us awake~ Not that it’s not a cute sight though~!”
Azul groaned. He merely spared Floyd a glare when he snapped his head around at the eel, ignoring him until further notice. Azul then used Jade as a stepping stool, attempting to get his legs to work as the latter lifted him upright. It took a bit of time, and patience to get them both standing but it worked in their favor.
As Azul brushed himself off, he hummed curiously at the setting he and the tweels were placed in. As it was… quite dark to tell.
“Stating the obvious here.” He started, pushing his glasses up. Not looking at Jade or Floyd. His eyes were set on what looked like a set of bleachers. But, he knew that wasn’t possible. They looked quite too comfy, and he didn’t get traumatized just by looking at them.
“But do either of you know exactly where we happen to be? Because I certainly do not recognize it.” Azul squinted as he observed a giant screen that sat in front of large array of seats. Lack of response worrying him.
“According to our surroundings, everyone here found themselves in agreement about how we have gotten transported somehow into a movie theater. It’s quite strange, isn’t it?”
Expecting one of the twins to answer in their tweel-like fashion, you could imagine the look on Azul’s face when another person spoke up to answer for them.
Azul tore his gaze away from the room, his eyes landed onto the face he could certainly recognize the sound of the voice from. Riddle, and the crowd of people that surrounded the boy…. How did he not notice before?
Like Riddle was expecting Azul’s display of confusion as response from his input, he continued.
“I was reluctant to answer on the behalf of Jade or Floyd’s.” Riddle’s attentive outlook grew annoyed. “It was only necessary as I am sure neither of them would’ve provided you with an helpful answer until it was too late. Or we had to correct them for you.” Riddle tore his gaze away, as he focused his attention onto the people closest to him.
Azul blinked, he didn’t think Riddle enough to offer his two cents rather than letting the scene play out instead and give either of the brothers a chance to see how’d they explain to him. Out of the corner of his eye, Azul could spot the disappointment from the lock on Jade and Floyd’s faces in both directions. He would’ve laughed if not for the fact that he still felt dazed enough to not do so.
“Goldfishieee that’s not true! We would’ve totally told Azul!!! Or atleast Jade woulda…hehe.” Floyd giggled and Riddle scoffed.
Jade nodded, and his hand rested on his chest. He had a false expression of solemn written all over his face.
“Floyd is correct, Riddle-san. We are hurt that you would think neither of us are capable of being honest.” Jade shook his head.
“We would’ve been delighted to explain to Azul about our findings. If only you hadn’t interrupted us.”
Azul narrowed his eyes at that answer.
‘Would you have really?’
“I acknowledge very well that you both are capable, however most of us know by now that you two have the tendency to defer to the truth more than you tell it. Courtesy of working aside Azul, most likely.” Azul held back the urge to pout, as he felt slightly offended by Riddle’s words.
“And how would you know that we’re not telling the truth if you don’t give us the chance to? You cannot criticize us without setting your facts straight, Riddle.”
Riddle’s face begun to redden as he stepped forward to argue against Jade’s claims, pausing as his vice Trey put a hand on his shoulder, whispering words into his ear that calmed Riddle instantly. How disappointing. Azul would’ve loved to see how things would proceed extensively if the Heartslabyul vice hadn’t intervened in letting Riddle suffer as a target of Jade’s ire.
Jade grinned, serving to enrage Riddle further. That’s when Azul decided to step in, putting a hand out in front of the eel.
“Pardon my intrusion- Thank you Riddle for explaining, it was by all means helpful. Apologies for their behavior, Jade isn’t normally provocative-inducing.” Azul says lying out of his ass, eyeing the eel who was now staring at him with eerily-wide grin. Riddle just narrowed his eyes at them.
“Now you’re just bullshitting.” Leona commented, clicking his tongue. Ruggie who stood quietly beside him, chuckled. Azul’s eye twitched.
“Moving on, could someone inform me on who exactly else was summoned here to this ‘Movie Theatre?’ It'll be much obliged.”
“Oh! I totes could!” Cater happily volunteered, waving his phone around. Swaying his hip, Cater lifted his hand and thrusted it into Ace’s direction. The first year looked annoyed. Trey sighed at his actions.
”When you were asleep, Riddle thought it would be a great idea to do roll-call or something to take in account of who and who isn’t with us. So’ we did that, and it came to a total of…” Cater counted with his finger still in the air, before doing a peace sign.
“Twenty-five NRC students, and four RSA students! Oh, also Grim I guess.”
“HEY!” Cater clearly did that on purpose to the tanuki’s dismay. Azul stifled a giggle.
Ace scratched his head as his eyes roamed around the room. “Yeah, Loosey-Deucey here and I were the first ones to wake up so we thought it would be best for us to split up and make sure the others weren’t dead on the ground or anything.”
“You musta been one of the ones that fell victim to the heavy hitters! Talking about a yikes… you were passed out for a real long time, Azul-senpai. Butttt you should be happy we were awake to help, and everything. You’re welcome~!” Ace wiggled his eyebrows at him, and gasped when Deuce slapped him on the arm. The two became tangled up into an argument, Azul just stared.
“You didn’t even do anything remotely helpful. Your ways of attempting to wake up people is staring closely at their faces. At least Deuce was effective with his yelling and hitting.”
Ace paused his arguing with Deuce as he swiveled his head around to point.
”Shut up, Jack! I don’t want to hear that from you!”
”Deflecting much?” Beside Jack, was Epel standing closely. The purple haired boy chuckled, and now the argument between Ace and Deuce was extended, Jack being pulled in.
As the first years argument continued as background noise to Azul’s discretion, he nodded to himself. As conversation began to buzz once more with the others that stood around in the theater.
Azul decided to put his wits to use, and observe and jot down everyone that was present.
Starting with the Heartslabyul dorm, the most obvious one being Housewarden Riddle Rosehearts, second year. Then his Vice-Housewarden Trey Clover. Third year, as with his classmate, and friend. Cater Diamond, third year. And the troublesome first year duo, Ace Trappola and Deuce Spade.
Moving on towards Savanaclaw, Housewarden Leona Kingscholar, third year. Technically should be fourth year, but wouldn’t count against it. His loyal associate, Ruggie Bucchi, second year. And the first year, Jack Howl.
Skipping past his dorm, Scarabia. Housewarden Kalim-Al-Asim. Second year. And his Vice Jamil Viper. Also a second year.
Pomefiore. Housewarden Vil Schoenheit, third year. Vice-Housewarden Rook Hunt, third year. And Epel Felmier, first year.
Ignihyde. Housewarden Idia Shroud, somehow a third year. His younger brother, Ortho Shroud. First year.
Diasomnia. Housewarden Malleus Draconia, third year. His vice, Lilia Vanrouge, third year. Silver, second year. And Sebek Zigvolt, first year.
And from Royal Sword Academy…
Minajael Tealrajah, third year. Housewarden of Dunasmina. Neige Leblanche, second year. Housewarden of Charblanche. Artemiy Artemiyevich Pinker, Che’nya for short, third year. And last but not least…. Prince Rielle Corallia, second year and Housewarden of Marinafinne.
Okay, that should be everyone.
Azul looked to the side, he noted himself, Jade, and Floyd being the only one’s present for the entirety of Octavinelle.
“…And so that leaves Jade, Floyd, and I for Octavinelle. That seem’s right….” Azul caressed his chin in thought.
“Disappointed?” Jade asked, intrigued. His head tilting to get a better view of Azul’s face, in return Azul lifted his head up and smiled at him.
“Far from it. The less members there are, the less I need to care about their safety for whoever knows how long we’ll be stuck here.”
”Hm. If you say so, Azul. Perhaps you should relax yourself? You wouldn’t want to look so tense in front of so many profound individuals. Would you now?” Azul’s hand at his side shook before stilling. Instead he huffed and didn’t bother answering Jade. His new interest was found in the group he didn’t take accounted for.
Grim. And four magic-less beings. The bane of his existence’s prefects. In which he’d recognized the names of all four….of…them? That can’t be right.
Azul definitely could identify Yuuta, that was for certain. But, Yuuken, Yuuka, and Yuuna too. What was happening? In a sudden burst of flashing, Azul hunched over slightly resting his forehead into his hand. He grit his teeth as pain surged over.
“I see the weight of the situation has hit you as it did the others. Interested in the multiple prefects strange appearances as well?” Jade hummed, unnerved.
”Come again?” Azul straightened himself and forced his expression to neutralize as the pain vanished. What did Jade know that he didn’t?
“Well, everyone here recognizes each and every individual that belongs in the Ramshackle down, but not in the way we’ve remembered it exactly. Though, thinking too hard about it causes an interference, by extension a ‘shock’ to the mind.”
”And you couldn’t have informed me of that tip a few minutes ago, Jade?” Azul grew irritated at Jade’s lack of urgency.
Jade kept his eyes closed as he chuckled quietly. “Well, Azul. You are smart enough to figure it out on your own yes? You didn’t need me of all people to tell you.”
“Are you making fun of me.”
”I would never poke fun at my dear beloved Housewarden. How could you assume such a thing? I’m quite hurt.” Azul could sense the crocodile tears returning.
”I’m ignoring you for the next hour.”
“Would you rather endure the company of Floyd?”
”…Not exactly.”
”Then you wouldn’t be able to ignore me for the next hour.”
”I know I could not. I wasn’t going to anyway, Jade.” Azul sighed, he felt as though this conversation went nowhere.
Chatter died down during the next few minutes, and silence persevered.
“So’ now that Octopunk’s awake how exactly are we going to get out of here? Looking at you, Redhead. Since you wanna play leader.”
Well. Until Leona spoke again. Silence exploded into disagreements and shouts of suggestions.
“Atleast Riddle is offering to help. What’s your role in this endeavor? Being the jester that people rely on for emergency entertainment? Surely that won’t get us nowhere.” Vil commented.
”You’d want to see that, huh?” Vil and Leona glared at each other. Riddle in the background can be seen acting defensive, face reddening from Leona’s previous comment. Cater and Trey were trying to calm him down.
Idia hid behind his tablet, looking over at Ortho who was watching the first years minus Sebek plus Jamil for some reason trying to get out of Floyd’s reach as he suggested a “ fun simple game of tag” right after Leona spoke. He didn’t envy them.
“This sucks…. How the heck did I get stuck into an ultra nightmare ssr level situation like this!? Sounds like an intro to an isekai anime or a Reaction fic you’d find online... ughhh…. I wanna be in my room.” Ortho looked at his brother, and placed his hand on the older’s shoulder.
“Cheer up, big brother! We can think of something! Everyone here’s smart!” Ortho looked to the side as he pondered.
“So closely after the Styx incident too….I wonder if it’s all a huge coincidence….” That statement caused Idia to sink further by the tablet covering it with his face, groaning excessively.
“Oh come now, this situation surely isn’t as dire as one should think! Don’t you find this outre occurrence rather riveting? I in fact do!” Lilia popped up behind Idia unexpectedly, causing him to jump up and Ortho’s eyes to widen.
”Eek! Ohsevens I am being pulledintoachatlikeonewouldinloversparadise by a super duper highschool level extrovert- Lilia-shi! This is the worst!!!”
Kalim was still giving out suggestions, as Floyd kept chasing Jamil behind him.
”Maybe this is a surprise party? I don’t know why we’d have to get kidnapped for those though….”
“Why are you going after me!? You have a perfectly good and vulnerable group over there!”
”But sea snake~ you’re much more fun to go after!”
Kalim kept going, half oblivious to the commotion behind him.
”OOH! Or what if we’re getting indoctrinated! Y’know… like into a high-society cult or something!”
”How did that idea of all things form into your imagination…?” Minajael asked Kalim, with a raised eyebrow. A little bit concerned for his cousins thought process.
Kalim shrugged.
“Baba says I can be real creative at times. Do you think he’s right…?” Minajael’s face soured before covering it up with his resting face. He could only nod, and smile awkwardly as Kalim giggled.
Neige watched them, and turned to Che’nya and Rielle. Pressing his fingers together nervously.
“Do you think our Headmage and school are aware that we’re missing? I’d hope they didn’t forget about saving us…”
Che’nya made his way to Neige smoothly patting the other on the back. “It’ll be near mya’possible if they forgot to bring back a huge celebrity like you to the school~ same goes for royalty like Minajael and Rielle! Don’t worry Neige~! We’ll be save and sound here for sure!” Che’nya put his hands up and positioned them to look like a cat hovering its paws. Rielle beside him shook his head, affirming his statement.
“Yep! Plus if the people or whoever’s in charge of this place wanted to hurt us I’m sure they would’ve by down! But for the last half of an hour we’ve been here they haven’t done anything!”
Neige contemplated, nodding hesitantly. He smiled at them.
“O-Okay, I believe you both!” All three of them high-fived and cheered.
Minajael listened in onto the conversation, feeling indifferent to their opinions. He has his on thoughts on the matter but wouldn’t make a formidable argument about it until he learns more of the place they’ve landed in. He then noticed the words slowly forming on the screen.
Right as he did, Azul also locked his own eyes onto the bold letters that appeared. He could tell Jade noticed at the same time as him.
“Stop talking and pay attention-“
”Hey everyone I think you want to see this-“
The chatter died down once more, Azul paused just as Minajael did when they spoke in just about perfect unison. Annoyed by the harmonization, Azul simply gestured Minajael to continue.
“Apologies, Tealrajah-san I wasn’t aware you had an announcement to make. You may proceed.” He bowed politely.
Minajael looked Azul up and down.
“…Right. Thank you. Continuing what I was saying. The screen.” He pointed directly at the words planted in bold black neon letters.
Everyone turned to the screen synchronously.
The ominous lit-up screen read:
[Hello everyone. Before we get into the explanation, I suggest for you to be seated.]
”Huh.” Was all what Silver said, in amidst to the noise of all other individuals that expressed their concern on the matter.
“WAS THAT ALWAYS THERE!?!?” Sebek flailed his pointer finger around as he gaped at the screen.
Silver raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms, giving Sebek a stern, but confused look.
“The first thing you see when you wake up is this big screen that’s displayed in front of us. You’re telling me you didn’t notice during all this time? We’re in a movie theater.”
”I KNEW THAT ALREADY SILVER! I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE WORDS!” Sebek roared at him, Silver tilted his head away from the others direction. Shushing him after.
”Inside voices-“
“YOU- You don’t get to scold me about inside voices!”
Malleus blinked in awe. “Fascinating, does this commonly happen to humans that have run ins with anonymous sources?” He asked Lilia, who shared the same sentiment of excitement.
“Not that I know of, no. But, perhaps I may have to research this sort of special case to understand more about it….hm…”
“Don’t need to tell me twice.”
Leona didn’t even need to finish the sentence to know what it’s trying to tell him. Ruggie followed after him, yelling.
“Leona-sannnnn! Wait up!” People began to follow after Leona’s show of actions.
And so after a bit of shuffling, and a few issues with the seating arrangements chosen (looks at Floyd who sat two seats too close behind Riddle) one everything has settled, they became comfortable.
And so the screen glitched out, and loaded once more. Transitioning into another phrase of words.
[Before I get into the true explanation as to why you subjects were summoned here, it would be rude of me not to introduce myself. And reinstate the rules of the theater during your stay here.
My name is EESMA. An authorized machine that transmits information and data with clear instructions in the form of visuals of anything kind. I only mean well. Forgive me for causing a scare. I cannot help with how I perceive my plans.]
Azul mouthed the name to himself. EESMA? What kind of name was that?
Riddle immediately noticed how sentimental the machine seemed at the start, finding it suspicious enough as the whole entire situation was. But, its insistence on providing the rules eased his thoughts as far as concerns possibly go.
Ace’s reaction switched from curious to weirded out and annoyed in a matter of seconds. It’s only been two minutes since the screen became alive and decided to speak to tje audience and him, and it’s already stating the rules? He could only hope this entire thing gets more entertaining as time goes on. At least he knows Riddle would be satisfied.
Idia looked around, was no one else worried about this ‘EESMA’ becoming evil and starting a fallout war against people or something while they’re trapped in a closed space?? This was totally an A-grade horror game cliche!
[The rules:
- You cannot use your UM to cause harm to yourself or others (No violence allowed)
- You can ask EESMA for any necessities such as food, water, or comfort items for as long as viewing proceeds
- You’re not allowed to break property that belongs strictly to the theatre, which is the screen. Feel free to use the items that you requested for as a result of wanting to throw during a fit of rage.
- Lastly, the most important rule. DO NOT TAKE PICTURES OR VIDEOS AT ANY MOMENT OF WHEN CLIPS ARE SHOWN. I will know if you do so.]
’Viewing?’ Leona, Jamil, Minajael, and Azul questioned internally.
Vil hummed, “These rules are not overly restrictive, and they’re easy to follow.” Rook smiled as Vil spoke.
“Precisely.” Riddle added on, “It looks to me that EESMA has a knack for getting people to also follow the rules. It shouldn’t be hard to respect.” He looked towards Ace and Deuce.
”You two better be on your best behavior.”
”Yes, Housewarden Riddle!”
”Really, Housewarden…?” Deuce lifted his fist to bonk Ace on the head but Grim got to him before he could. Yuuken grabbed the creature by the scuff of his neck pulling him back into Yuuka’s lap.
“Did you really have to do that?”
”He was asking for it!”
“Hey! What the hell was that for furball-“ Deuce gave Ace a look of warning, causing him to sweat.
”I mean, haha… yes Housewarden!”
Riddle nodded, he turned to Cater.
“That means you too, Cater. That last rule applies solely to you.”
Cater twirled his hair, flinching when he got called out by his Housewarden. He eyed Trey who sat in between them before sighing. Pocketing his phone.
”Yes…housewarden…” This EESMA machine was out for him.
[Now to get to what you all were waiting for. The explanation:
Simply, you are here to react to scenes of canon events that happened in your current timeline ]
Riddle squinted at the wording. Canon events?
Jade deterred his focus away from the screen to take in Azul’s and Floyd’s expressions. Floyd looked bored for one moment, he perked up the next. Azul on the other hand stiffened. He was delighted in the octomer’s discomfort. Turning to the screen again.
Lilia’s smile stretched wider, “So that’s your game…” Silver noted the change in tone.
Idia sunk further into his seat. ‘NO!!! NOT THE SPIDER-MAN EFFECT!!!’
[But with a twist. The way your memories are built, and how you remember them will be altered for the sake of exploring alternate versions to the actual events that took place. So they will not go exactly how you remembered it went down.]
‘Uh, what?’ Idia couldn’t believe what he was hearing. So this intelligence based system has a hold of all their memories and what not and they have false versions of them too? How does that even work? It doesn’t even sound legal! He calls bull.
Floyd grinned, He couldn’t wait any longer to see what gets shown for the time being.
The other overblotters minus Malleus the only one who hasn’t overblotted yet.. hehe.. in particular grew even warier of what this screen will present, if any ‘canon events’ mean to go by. If they get exposed to their rival school….
The school in question made up of four members at the moment murmur to each other about the words presented on the screen. Minajael excluded.
[Now that the explanations seemed sufficient enough to cut off, would anyone like to ask any questions before we continue on to the first scene?]
Many people had questions, but none spoke up to ask as they would wait till they got demonstration of EESMA’s attributes, to determine whether it’s fake or real.
[None at all? Really? Wonderful! One more thing before I start the first scene.
Since this a more than one day process you all will be viewing about a couple scenes per day, don’t worry clothing and rooms will be available.
At the latest, your stay would extend to proximately about a week.]
[And there will be little to no context as to what the scenes may be about. :)]
Wait. What-
[Now! Without further ado.]
[Loading scene…. in
3.
2.
1.
Now playing: “Azul’s Worst Nightmare.”]
Azul could only stare at the screen as he spluttered out whatever became audible at the moment.
“Huh..?”