Crossover Together ~クロスオーバ 一緒に~

Gakuho Asano continued on with his work in his office. It had been a pretty mundane sort of time since many of the students of his had left his school for one reason or another: much of Team Harmony and even plenty of the 3-E students respectively. During a typical time of going over grades and classes, one of his assistants came in.

"Uh, sir, were you expecting anyone else coming into our system?" she asked. Gakuho stayed quiet, working his memory. so far, the only one he managed to figure out so far was Heine, so he shook his head.

"Who is it this time? Another Overworld teacher?"

"Well ... actually no. He's not even interested in enrolling into your school."

"Is that so?" Gakuho said, thinking more intently. Well, one part of him did feel at fault for that, and another part of him felt a bit annoyed. In the end, he just looked to the door.

"Send him in."

And the employee gave a nod, and stepped aside to the newcomer, and so the newcomer walked on inside. Gakuho took a moment to look over this man, and for a start, he looked rather ... standard. If not a bit handsome in appearance: brown eyes with glasses over them, short black hair neatly kept, a professional host suit of lavender. Gakuho examined him head to toe, and the newcoming man stepped into the office fairly not intimidated by him. The look on his face told Gakuho that whoever this was, was either rather cocky, or actually knew a thing or two.

"Morning. You must be Gakuho Asano. Principal of Orora high, I believe."

"Yes it is. And what brings you to my school?" Gakuho asked. The man took a seat himself, looking to Gakuho eye to eye.

"I am Kyoya Ootori. And I'll just get right to the point." Kyoya paused and brought out what actually looked like a good amount of money to present to Gakuho. A closer look to the cash, and it appeared easily over a thousand dollars, made up of hundred dollar bills. Gakuho could probably guess where this was going, and got to it first.

"If you're asking to buy the school from me, Ootori, you have another thing coming," Gakuho made clear his glare edging into Kyoya's soul. However, Kyoya raised his hand and smiled.

"Oh, no no, not for Orora High. I was actually thinking about that 3-E building you have about a mile off from here."

"You want to buy the building from me?" Gakuho asked, a little caught off guard on the request.

"Indeed. It's a simple proposition, but as it stands, I'd like to make that building into something more operational. It would be better than to tear it down, wouldn't it?" Kyoya pointed out. Gakuho paused for a minute or two. He actually did consider tearing down that old building in recent, since Heine moved the E class over to the main building. Still, he might as well hear him out.

"... And what did you have in mind for the E building?" Gakuho questioned, though given the luck his school have had, he could guess already. And it only became more apparent when Kyoya got out some papers in regards to some of the demonic activity going on over the years, one especially including the Tengu incident.

"I trust you can figure it out for yourself," Kyoya figured, and he wasn't wrong. Gakuho looked at the Tengu paper extensively.

"You want to make it a training class? That would be my first guess."

"I wouldn't call it a training class, if not more of a optional after-school training course."

"And this is deeply involving the E class too, is that right?"

"Not exclusively, anyone from Orora High can take part if they want to. They just need a permission slip for the after school courses first."
Well, it wasn't as strict or precise as Gakuho had figured, and it actually didn't sound too bad. That, and he would be getting a good amount of money off of it as well if he did agree to terms.

"So is it a deal?" Kyoya asked. Gakuho took it into proper consideration, but not in a good one.

"It's rather precarious. You're not the first to make this offer to me and, let's just say, it didn't turn out so well."

"Ah. you must be referring to a sir Tataoka. Yes, now I can reassure you, I care far more over safety than that brute ever did. ... Oh, and in case you're wondering how I know Tataoka, let's just say that I have my sources." His last remark was met with a knowing smirk on his face, him taking a moment to adjust his glasses. Gakuho kept himself quiet for a moment or two, and his mind power started to work out what this could exactly entail for the school, or for Tokyo for that matter.

"So another trainer," Gakuho thought. "So much of Team Harmony is under my school system, so any act upon them will be an effect on the school as well. ... If he is going to be starting the training course again, I can't leave anymore to chance. The slightest mistake now could lose everything."

On that decision, Gakuho Asano got up, and looked down to Kyoya.

"If you do wish to buy the building from me to do this training course, then so be it. ... however, I want to see what "training" you've had in mind. If it's exceeds the safety limits I have, then I suggest you take your business elsewhere, am I clear?"

Kyoya stayed quiet at first, but then got up himself.

"Assuredly. I'll have to set things up, so just stop by tomorrow morning and everything should be prepared for the course."

"... Fair enough. So, I'll be seeing you tomorrow morning then," Gakuho inquired. Kyoya got up, gave him a smile, and went off on his way, leaving the payment for said building on the table for Gakuho to look over. There was some silence at first, Gakuho stuck pondering.

"... That voice ... where have I heard that before? ..."

~~

Well, Nagisa felt pretty good with himself as he was heading to school. Typically his run in with Demons don't usually end up too good, but to say that Nagisa wasn't feeling too chirpy with himself after his own little escapade would really be a lie honestly. The smile he had on his face was one of confidence, a feeling someone like Nagisa Shiota really didn't had too often of, but when one goes into exactly what had happened and what he did, it really wouldn't be too surprising. Still, he wasn't really Pinkie Pie levels of giddy either: there's still Sebastian's death that happened, Ed was still crippled up from his own little experience as well, and that wasn't the overall trouble of what Sombra might try next. Sure they were things to think about, but Nagisa was still glad that his friends were not only alive, but back at home where they belong more or less, be it from the original Team Harmony or the new team that came with him. He still was pleased that none of them were killed during the rescue mission.
Almost before Nagisa realized it, he found the Orora High school not too far away. A sight for sore eyes this place, and Nagisa was ready to head on back there. It did make him feel good when he saw Karma and Twilight outside waiting for him, them and Envy too as it turned out. Pretty nice to see them all here, and it was Twilight who went up to him first.

"Looks like someone's in a good mood this morning," Karma joked with a smirk. Nagisa really couldn't help it.

"Well, yeah. I'm just glad everyone's okay," Nagisa replied.

"After all that bullshit and you're still so modest," Karma said, playfully fluffing his head.

"I guess asking you if you're alright is out of the question then," Twilight assumed, Nagisa nodding his head.

"I feel great, thanks. Speaking of which, anyone hear from Ed and Al yet?" Nagisa asked. Envy answered him here.

"They're not here, at least Ed's not. He's still getting his new automail put in since he got his stolen. You ask me, we're not gonna see him for a while until he at least gets his leg back in," Envy replied. Nagisa could imagine just how frustrated he must be going through that kind of process, laying in bed not able to do anything as Winry was busy at work making brand new automail.

"Hope he gets back together soon. And what about Ciel?"

"What about Ciel?"

And right on cue: Ciel Phantomhive showed up not too far away, walking on over towards them. It was a little bit different seeing Ciel without his eyepatch, and he seemed pretty monotone as well with what had happened already.

"Oh, so you did show up. Feeling okay?" Envy asked.

"Don't trouble yourself over it, I'm fine. ... A bit shaken perhaps," Ciel admitted. That was mainly sugar-coating it though, but none of them wanted to push it any further. He lost his butler, and had to live through trauma again, so the group began to head off inside the school from there, but were still talking as they were going to class.

"Well, ok. How're things around the manor?" Nagisa then asked.

"Nothing too special honesty: with Sebastian around or not it's still as bothersome as ever. Then again, Mey-Rin and Bardroy had been showing improvement since the funeral, though I guess it was them trying to make up from Sebastian's absence," Ciel explained, not acting too heart-broken over it, as per usual.

"I understand. Well, hope they're not giving you too much trouble," Karma said.

"Well, no, but they still have a ways to go. As you say, it's better than nothing," Ciel sighed. Envy though had been thinking about that.

"I'm still shocked that Sebastian would do that. I'm no Phantomhive, but I know that won't be something he would just do."

"He did it because Sombra gave him a way out, simple as that," Ciel stated. Envy couldn't help but agree, shrugging.

"Yeah, Sombra's good at that. If he can find a loophole in the rules, he'll milk it for all its worth."

"I thought Sombra was pretty strong with all these rules," Twilight said.

"He is, but here's the thing: Sombra wouldn't attack Sebastian because he's a fellow demon. But at the same time, he's still an enemy to him since he's working with us, so if he could find a way to not kill him directly, he wouldn't violate his own rules but still would get him out of the picture. Get it?"

"So you're saying Sombra convinced him to take my soul because he knew Sebastian would kill himself, and as such Sombra wouldn't be blamed for his death because it wasn't him who did it."

"Pretty much it," Envy answered. Ciel still found this a bit confusing, as Sombra still would be held responsible for making him do this.

"Well, regardless, Sebastian's still dead. That means we're all going to have to work a little harder now without our demonic ally, wouldn't you think so?" Ciel concluded.

"And that means you're gonna have to do some training yourself, kid," Karma brought up. Ciel felt a shiver run through him, but he knew he was right. Sebastian was his major trump card, and without him to back him up, he needed to be a bit more ready than this.

"I would say you're right though I'd hate to admit it," Ciel concluded.

"It's not that bad," Nagisa said, remembering his own experience, "Yeah, it's hard at first, but you'll get the hang of it after a while. How'd you think I felt when I started with Gaara?"

"True. While we're on that subject, had any of you seen Gaara? I haven't seen him as of late."

"Now that you say that, he did kinda disappear since we got back. I'm sure he's around somewhere," Nagisa figured. Eventually, they ended up over by the 3-E class, Envy and Ciel ready to head on in for the day. Karma was about ready to go in himself, but before he could, someone else caught them there. Gakuho.

"Ah, Shiota. Kagayaki, Akabane. I see you've returned," said Gakuho Asano.

"Morning, sir. Yeah, we're back, sorry for being gone for so long. I promise I'll -"

"No, no, let's not start with that. You've been gone, yes, but you've gone through more than enough trouble so I'm not counting any of it," Gakuho said, as surprising as it may be to hear that from him.

"Oh ... Well, thank you."

"Yes. In fact, I've noticed a bit of improvement in your work, and considering you weren't around for the start of the course this year, then here's your classes," Gakuho said, giving them their classes for the new semester. They've gone through this a while back while they were going through their missions in demon hunting, so no better time than now with all of them back. Twilight, Karma, and Nagisa were given theirs, and once that was done Gakuho went off on his way. Well, with class starting in just a little bit, they might as well see what they got and get moving. Twilight looked to her classes, and she ended up with 3-B. As for Karma, he actually went up in class, and from 3-E to 3-D.

"Looks like I'm going up," Karma smirked.

"What about you Nagisa?" Twilight asked. Well, Nagisa went on to check his classes, and ... well, he needed a minute, him simply staring at the paper for a minute or two, and eventually Karma and Twilight looked over passed his shoulders to see what Nagisa had ended up with.

Class. Three. A.

... This year's gonna be a bit more interesting.

.......

"What're the odds I would end up here?"

That was the main thought Nagisa had when he was heading off to class 3-A. Sure, if he was going up in grades, 3-B would be next, but to be hit all the way to the top so quickly left him completely at a loss of words. He wasn't sure how to handle this: 3-A was the top of the elite, and full of students who's completely above everyone else. That wasn't him in school terms, not at all. Be that as it may, Nagisa might as well give it some chance, and soon he found himself over at the front of the 3-A door. A place he really never would've though he would end up being stuck in, but then again, he never thought he would be fighting demons and working with angels, so, why put it into question at this point?
So, Nagisa went on into class, and it didn't take very long until the students of the 3-A class took notice of him. Class didn't start just yet, though with it so close, he ended up being the last to arrive, and seeing so many of them basically staring him down made a shiver run through him, and there wasn't even any demons nearby!

"Seriously?! Sure I saved the world, but why the hell would I be here?" Nagisa thought. They all knew Nagisa Shiota, long before this whole demon/angel involvement even got started, but with recent events over the last year, their opinions were kinda mixed to put it lightly. Nagisa took a look to the paper Gakuho had given him, and with that, he went over to his seat. At least he could say he was over in the middle of the class rather than up front, but that didn't mean he was feeling anymore comfortable. Sure, he recognized a number of kids, but none of them he would consider a friend. Nagisa could hear the opinions being passed around him, either surprise or interest being brought around a lot, and all with him being center of conversation. Nagisa simply stayed quiet, his eyes going around the classroom and him simply waiting for that bell to ring so class could start.

"Class 3-A. The highest rank of our school. And now I'm one of them. ... Well, maybe they're not as arrogant as they've been before? ..." He was hoping for too much. Of course they wouldn't bother him since he was one of the 3-A pack now. His mind began to wonder though about the others in the lower classes, 3-E especially. What's to become of them now that he was basically too high to be in contact with? He didn't have to wait very long for the bell to ring and for class to start, and to his surprise, the class almost ... turned off. They all quieted down the second they heard the bell, and looked forward to the teacher. Impressive.

"At least they won't talk about me during class," he thought.

It took a while for the class to get started, and Nagisa quickly realized that the class of 3-A had a lot more going for it than he thought. Not a inch of conversation was made during the work hours, and Nagisa could barely keep up with them as they went (for a change). They all were given their papers, and Nagisa ended up finishing about seventh place when it came to the time of finishing. Sure, it may not be the first time Nagisa was behind in this, but this just reminded him on what kind of quarry he would be up against now. Even with him simply going up and turning his paper in, he can sense the eyes looking over to him. It could be from his reputation as a demon killer, or it could be the basic fact he was 3-C before this, but either or, he surely felt like the center of attention. As he went back to his seat, his eyes started to drift around the place, seeing who he was up against. They didn't bother talking to him, though that was probably because it was in the middle of class. But then the next hour began, almost before Nagisa could realize it.
And wouldn't you know it would be study hour? If anyone's going to talk to him, it would be now, and Nagisa waited for it. Eventually, one kid finally did perk up, and he was over by him.

"So, Shiota. Looks like my dad finally got you up to the high ranks."

"My dad? ... Oh, don't tell me," Nagisa thought. His eyes looked up, and sure enough there was ... well, he looked like Karma. A lot. In fact, he could probably be mistaken for his cousin or something. Of course, there was some notable differences: his hair was a strawberry blonde, and his eyes were instead matching Twilight's violet eyes. Nagisa couldn't believe who he was seeing.

"Gakushu," Nagisa noted.

"I'd never would've guessed someone like you would end up in the 3-A class. Did you bribe him or something?" Gakushu joked, though Nagisa could guess that he would already know.

"Eh. No. I'm surprised myself," Nagisa admitted, not looking to his face. He didn't need to look up to notice that other students were heading over to him:
One student seemingly looked plain in appearance, glasses over his eyes and short, dark-green hair.
Another had fair skin, almond-shaped eyes, and dark brown hair that was flipped to the side in a kariage hairstyle.
Another had shaggy, messy black hair with black framed glasses, squinted eyes and crooked teeth.
The last one also looked fairly normal in appearance with flat, brown hair and almond-shaped eyes.
They all seemed like just a few of 3-A students, but Nagisa knew immediately who these kids were, and he didn't even had to look up to know they were there. When he did finally look up, he saw his quarry, and his suspicions were correct.

"Looks like they're all here," Nagisa thought.

"Well look at that, a 3-C runt's managed to crawl his way up to our level," one of the kids mocked.

"Hey now, don't be too hard on him. You're talking to a Team Harmony member, don't forget," Gakuhsu reminded, but that didn't seem to make it any better. The crooked toothed kid went on over to him next, just seeing him making Nagisa shiver.

"Team Harmony, eh? And you think that's gonna keep you up here?" he noted. Nagisa tried to not look at him directly in the face. He preferred Korosensei's creepy smile over his any day.

"W-Well, not really, actually. I-I don't know why Gakuho got me up this high," Nagisa said meekly.

"You'll have to try and keep up then. Because if you do want to keep up with us, the 3-A class won't take slackers," advised one of the kids, standing on the opposite side. The kariage kid then went over to them both and got them to move away.

"Alright, alright, give him some space. Apparently he's already been to hell and back, so how's about cutting him some slack?" he advised. Guess it was impossible for that to not pass word around the school.

"Seriously? Yeah, he did that, but in the end, he's still a dunce," mocked another kid. However, Gakushu got him quiet with a flick to the head.

"Credit where credit's due. ... But all the same, you will fall back if you can't keep up. So watch yourself, alright?" Gakushu advised to Nagisa. Something that could go unsaid really, but he nodded anyway, namely so they could go. The group of five did just that, and went off back to their seats, but Nagisa's mind began to wonder about them again.

"I can't believe the Big Five would even bother with me. Out of all the students in Orora High, they're the highest ranking students of the main campus. Gakushu Asano: the student council president, and son of Gakuho Asano. Teppei Araki: head of the school's broadcasting club. Ren Sakakibara: The school's top secretary. Natsuhiko Koyama: head of the Biology club, and the sharpest memory. Tomoya Seo: the chairmen of the student assembly. All of them are infamous for being the most intelligent students in the school, and all are leaders in their own right. ... I don't know what kind of world I'm gonna be in if they're taking an interest in someone like me." Nagisa's inner monologue was accompanied by the images of each of the big five showing up in his head. As if being put in 3-A was rough enough, now he had to deal with the Big Five themselves. Just what kinds of indication would this bring up?

.......

Meanwhile, as the students were dealing with their own brand of change, Gakuho Asano took the time to head from the main building and off to the 3-E building. He may have had a bit to do, but he did reassure Kyoya that he will go and check him out, to see what it was all about over at the 3-E building.

"Kyoya, for your sake and mine, you better not have done anything drastic," Gakuho thought. The school had enough questionable history as is, with demons appearing by his school, the involvement of Tataoka, and especially with his breakdown thanks to Heine Wittgenstein. One more bad report, and he will lose his job, among other things. Then again, the building technically didn't belong to Orora high anymore since Kyoya bought it from him, so maybe he shouldn't be too strung up over it. At least he had a quiet walk on the way to the building.
Soon, Gakuho arrived over to the building's main yard, just in time to see Kyoya starting to set up a few things off outside, which included some of the targets they've used for assassination practice. Kyoya got up the fifth target when he stopped and noticed Gakuho coming over.

"And what're you doing?" Gakuho questioned.

"Gakuho, glad to see you. Considering this place was a area known for practicing combat, I've decided to incorporate that," Kyoya said, setting up the next target. Gakuho was a little bit concerned over this.

"I thought you said you'll have everything prepared for this morning," Gakuho reminded. Kyoya though smiled.

"Well, I have to figure out what works and what doesn't. Oh, and by the way, do expect a few representatives over the next few weeks. I'm sure you wouldn't mind them being here," Kyoya stated.

"What. Representatives?" Gakuho questioned.

"Oh, just a few notable figures as all. I'll be sure they won't do too much damage to the students, and will keep them away from the main building if it makes you feel any better," Kyoya said, as he began to head off into the building itself.

Gakuho would have to watch for this one.

~~

Well, before any of them knew it, lunch time came. At least that was one point in their little day that was the same, though perhaps even that wasn't the right word. Ed and Al weren't there of course, and Ciel was basically alone and had to deal with what the school had without Sebastian's support or his little perks. Even with the class switches, they still met up at the same table once they got the chance, though it was rather apparent that Nagisa was simply out of it ... as in laying his face on the table in stress.

"3-A not suiting you, Nagisa?" Karma figured.

"It's ... a lot harder than I thought," Nagisa managed to get out.

"You were placed in the highest class, what did you expect?" Envy commented.

"I know, but it's not the work. Everyone's been watching me since I came in that class. Doesn't help that the Big Five's taking an interest in me now," Nagisa explained.

"Pardon?" Ciel asked.

"Oh, the big five's 3-A's big shots. You know, the highest grades? Anyone taking their interest must be damn special," Karma summed up. Nagisa didn't find the situation any better, but Envy picked him up by the head so he was looking his way.

"I wouldn't freak out if I were you, Nagisa, you got a lot more to worry about than some group of students. Besides, what's the point anyway?"

"What do you mean?" Twilight questioned.

"You kidding? Guys, you're Team Harmony: a group of humans who're stuck in a war with Demons and Angels for a year straight. Even if school goes bad, you think you'll actually have time to live a normal life constantly jumping at whatever's coming up? As far as I'm concerned, you all already got a future set with or without this school," Envy explained. This may be coming from someone who once was a Homunculus, but he did had a point. It would be a very hard time trying to live a normal life with how much they've been doing so far.

"I don't know ... maybe ... but I don't want to drop everything just to fight the Underworld," Nagisa stated.

"Says the kid who nearly killed himself by disguising as me," Envy bluntly stated, cutting Nagisa down.

"W-Well, yes but that's a mistake I'm not doing twice. I acted too desperate, and I didn't trust in any of you to help me. I know you all can help, and I'm not forgetting that," Nagisa replied. Still, he didn't consider his future at all during this process, and not including the future visions. If this kind of thing was to continue on, then what was he going to do for himself? Just drop it all to become a guardian? Before he could continue this though, a shiver ran through him.

"Here comes Korosensei."

"GUYS!" And sure enough, Korosensei popped in right by them, his eyes streaming tears of joy.

"Oh thank the heavens above, you're all alive! I was so worried about all of you, being taken by Sombra and everything, you all are okay are you? He didn't do anything permanent to any of you did he?!" And he was saying all this probably as fast as he was moving, unable to stay still in one place for more than a second he was so glad to see em.

"Do stop worrying, we're fine. Far better than you apparently," Ciel stated, continuing to eat and waiting for Korosensei to chill out for a minute. Eventually the demon king did, but all the same he still wasn't too calmed down to keep himself still for long.

"Well can you blame me?! The heroes all getting captured in one clean swoop and it was up to one brave soul to venture into hell and get them all back, it's a story of so much suspense!" Korosensei said, right by Nagisa with a tentacle on his head.

"Hey, he wasn't alone!" Envy snapped. But perhaps it was something he shouldn't have said, as he was suddenly getting hugged himself, rather tightly might I add.

"I know, and you all put yourselves in so much danger to save your friends too!"

"Me and my big mouth," Envy groaned.

"Ok, Korosensei, you can chill out. Mind catching us up on what we're missing?" Twilight asked. Korosensei's head turned orange with a circle on it, but this wasn't exactly a correct answer, if not a lightbulb moment, as he quickly disappeared, and popped back with a slip of paper. This paper was given to Ciel in particular, and it turned out to be a permission slip for Kyoya's after school training course. It wasn't exactly anything too special, just a standard slip, though the new addition of a training course was a bit intriguing.

"Wait a minute, so this attempt to assassinate you is becoming public all of a sudden?" Envy questioned.

"Nah, I thought they gave up on it months ago," Karma shrugged.

"No, no, a newcomer has bought the 3-E building and is offering those from the school to go under demon courses. And he's asked yours truly to pass em out to potential candidates, and since you all have the most experience of any human, he asked me to give these to you personally," Korosensei explained.

"We don't need anymore training, teach. In case you haven't noticed, we've been facing demons left and right and came out alright. Though, how about you give a seat to our aristocrat here?" Karma offered, hand on Ciel's head. Ciel was not amused at all by this.

"Well, we can still check it out. If it is involving demon hunting, maybe whoever this Kyoya is would want us to come by. You know, to give a few starting pointers?" Twilight figured.

"Why would he do that?" Ciel asked.

"Why wouldn't he do that?" That was a blunt answer, but it was straightforward anyway. They took a look to the paper some more, and basically all came to the similar conclusion ...

.......

After school was over for the day, Team Harmony got together, and began to head off to the 3-E building themselves. It wasn't their first time there by any means, but it was a long while since they've went there for a training course of any sort, not to mention having the building apart of the Orora High School again. Since they were students of the building once upon a time, and visiting so many other times, they didn't hesitate going right on inside the building. It didn't look very different from prior visits, a bit dusty perhaps from maintenance lack but that was a given really. They got to the main classroom of the building, and sure enough, they found their "instructor" for the afternoon, Kyoya just finishing up his cleanup work on the chalkboard.

"Afternoon, everyone. I would presume you're all Team Harmony," Kyoya said.

"Well, not everyone, but yes. And you are Kyoya Ootori?" Ciel asked.

"Indeed. My pleasure," Kyoya said, shaking hands with Ciel. Immediately something was different bout him the moment he started talking.

"That voice ... no, that can't be right, could it? He sounds so familiar though ..." Nagisa thought, thinking hard on the voice itself. This person looked very different to him, but the voice held a strong resemblance to him. The others were feeling a bit of a deja vu in the voice as well.

"So, you're doing a training thing here?"

"I thought it would be beneficial. I mean, with all the demon attacks appearing here and there, some protection would be a nice addition. I'm sure no one wants to get torn to shreds by a rogue demon, no?"

"No." they all said blankly. Well, normally they'd let this go, but this just seemed far too coincidental to just happen. The first one to bring this up was Karma, going right up to Kyoya.

"Ok buddy, the voice."

"My voice? what about it?"

"I'm just gonna say it: it's WAY too familiar. Let's start off with question one: how'd you know about demons?"

"Well that's a silly question: didn't a giant demon attack Amestris last fall?"

"That is a dumb question," Nagisa thought.

"And what about asking us to come personally? Korosensei mentioned that while giving the slips to us. All of this is too coincidental for you to greenlight this. And just after our trip to Abaddon as well," Ciel brought up. Kyoya paused for a minute and looked over everyone else for just a moment or two. He didn't get anyone else in there yet, and he did call them in personally after all. So, Kyoya then smiled, adjusting his glasses.

"Close your eyes."

"Pardon me?"

"Only for a moment. And do try to use some imagination," Kyoya insisted. Ciel found the request a little bit silly to do, but he decided to humor him.

"Fine," Ciel said, and right there he closed his eyes. The others played along and did the same thing, and soon Kyoya was in a room with blind kids. Kyoya smiled, and decided to work his little revelation in the bluntest way possible, clearing his throat. Well, at least in his own way.

"Good morning, young master. Your schedule for this afternoon's like a fresh field of virgin snow, blank as a unlined page. Today, everything will be as you wish it. My lord."

A shiver ran through most of them, and Ciel had to open his eyes. and for a brief moment ...

"S-SEBASTIAN, IS THAT YOU?!"

.......

"Sebastian, you better have a damn good reason for that stunt you've pulled back on the Campania, or so help me."

It took a while for them to calm down, but eventually it was back to conversation again. Ciel hadn't forgotten about what had happened, not by a long shot, and neither did "Kyoya". Karma stayed leaning on the wall over by the door, and Nagisa sat down on the teacher's desk, as Twilight stood next to him, Kyoya over by the center of the room, turning to them all.

"I guarantee you, Phantomhive, I have an all good reason for it."

"Sounds like a crazy ass one: pulling a homunculi act on us to come back from the dead like that," Twilight said.

"Oh, he didn't. you can still find him in that graveyard ... well, him there AND here."

"Don't start us with riddles and start explaining," Ciel demanded.

Kyoya smiled, and the flashback played over the screen like an old movie black and white movie, including the footage rolling to begin and showing similar images to the audience as he explained.

"During my time as Sombra's little assistant, I managed to discover some intriguing information about our king, yet he unfortunately had me in a bit of a bind. He placed what one could call a tracker on me, just to be sure that I didn't truly betray him as a backup measure, so even after I did return to you, the tracker was there to keep a further eye on us, to keep track of our progress. I'd remove it myself if it wasn't known by Sombra of course, and if I did share this information with any of you, he'd cut the game short per say. Rather bothersome for me that the only way to remove it from my person would be to remove my physical body, and I knew Sombra would dare kill his own kind if he could help it. So, I took it on myself and broke our own deal. Upon my "death", the tracker on me would finally deactivate, and as such nothing will hold me back anymore. Without Sombra knowing, at least."

"That still doesn't explain this Kyoya disguise of yours," Ciel cut in. Kyoya was willing to explain though.

"Well, just before you and I confronted Aleistor Chamber on the Campania, I made my own little deal with him, and lucky for me there was a body available for my own soul to be transmuted into, and make my own. I had to give him some proper instructions on soul extraction and transmutation, of course, and as you all went off out of the room, he managed to get my soul out before my body was taken away. One thing promptly lead to another, and sure enough I was back from the dead. I didn't have my identity as Sebastian anymore, and I even have some memories of Kyoya Ootori as well. So you could say that his memories and mine are linked in a way."

The footage ended its rolling, and the flashback ended there, the others pondering on what Kyoya told them.

"So in other words: you had Aleistor give you a new body because it didn't have the tracker on it," Twilight summed up.

"It was a precarious plan. In fact, I was unsure if Aleistor could even pull it off, yet -" he paused for a moment and pulled down on his collar, the group taking a look at the transmutation symbol on the side of his neck. It wasn't an Oroboros symbol like Envy had, but more like the one Alphonse had on him. "- I'd say he did a fair job for his first try."

"I didn't know you can do that with a flesh body," Envy said.

"Eh, neither did I."

They didn't bother to comment on that.

"Well, you said you found something intriguing about Sombra? what is it?" Nagisa asked.

"I've actually planned on sharing it with the president in a few days. Seitenshi, Victoria, Miss. Bradley, Celestia, they're all gonna be there. You can stop by if you want, though unless you wanna play messenger, I'd get everyone else together."

"Wait, you're not gonna tell us? You just said nothing's holding you back."

"There's not. I just makes this feel a lot more impacting."

Since when was Sebastian this cheeky? Guess that was more Kyoya and not Sebastian, but how were they to know?

"Well, when exactly then?"

"This weekend give or take, if it goes without a hitch. Just head over to the Presidential building Saturday, and it'll all be explained there, alright?"

"Oh, sure. Eh, one more thing," Twilight said, before giving him the slip Korosensei gave em. "Eh, these slips. They're only for a selected few, right?"

"Not at all: anyone from Orora High is free to take part. No point in keeping a secret that's all out there, am I right?"

"Stop acting so cheeky. Now come on, you got work to catch up on back at the manor," Ciel instructed, starting to head out. However, Kyoya didn't follow him.

"I don't think so."

"What? That's an order, Sebastian!"

"I'm not Sebastian anymore. I am Kyoya Ootori. In other words: I don't work for you. ... In fact, you'll be working with me in future if getting stronger is what you want," Kyoya said. Ciel almost felt like he was shot by a gun, with the reality of the situation. He no longer had a demon to control, whether Sebastian was alive or not, and whether he wanted it or not. Ciel was upset, but he tried to keep it under a stern face, though Kyoya could tell that Ciel was pissed off.

"... We shall see, you cheeky creature." and with that remark, the others began to leave. Sure they didn't see the initial sight of Kyoya's course, but figuring out what happened to Sebastian was a thumbs up ... sort of. As they went back home, their attention was directed right at the young earl.

"Well ... I-It may not be how you want it, but look on the bright side: we know he's alive ... kinda," Twilight said, trying to cheer him up.

"He's was never dead. ... He just wanted a new job," Ciel groaned. So much for that.

~~

Well, as Nagisa and company were at school, some of the others were taking this time to check in on some of their friends. At least that was what most of them were up to. Aladdin, Blair, and Morgiana were arriving at Ed's place, Edward Elric still stuck and waiting for his arm and leg to be completed. If it wasn't long enough just getting it fixed, now he had to wait for it to be done from scratch. He surely felt weak without his arm and leg, and he literally couldn't do anything for himself.

"Hey Ed, how're you doing?" Aladdin asked coming in, only to find Edward sitting down nearby, looking a bit more dead than alive.

"Hey guys ... dying of boredom over here," Ed said in a sigh. Aladdin went right over to him, sitting by his side.

"Still not fixed yet?" Blair asked.

"No, they're not. Winry's still working hard to remake them in there," Ed replied, a thumb aiming over to the door where Winry was busy herself. The three could even hear the tool whirrs and the occasional hammering Winry was doing.

"Sorry about your automail, Ed. Don't worry, you'll be back to kicking butt before you know it," Blair reassured him, but that didn't make Ed feel much better. Morgiana took a look around, but notice something else as well.

"Isn't Alphonse with you?" Morgiana asked. Ed checked to be sure the other door didn't open, and the work didn't stop, telling him that she didn't hear them.

"Keep it down. Look, Winry doesn't know Al left, he went to get Alex and Olivier so we can talk with them," Ed whispered.

"Why is it such a secret?" Aladdin whispered back.

"Because A.) she wouldn't do it herself if she knew right away, and B.) she's the most effected here. She was raised by them, remember?" Ed reminded. They may have gotten some pep talk before being captured, but with that said, they never really had time to talk to Alex and Olivier face to face.

"How long has he been out?" asked Blair. But before Ed could even answer, they began to hear the door open up, and sure enough, there was Alphonse Elric coming in. He tried to be as quiet as a suit of armor could be.

"She still working?" Al quietly asked. They all nodded yes, and Al looked back to the hallway before going inside. As Ed had said, Olivier and Alex weren't too far behind, both looking a bit humble for being there, Olivier mainly. Olivier knew better than to start snapping at them, especially after what happened.

"So ... where is she?" Alex asked.

"In there," Ed answered, looking to the room.

"Sounds busy," Olivier noted.

"She's been working on the automail since we got back. Almost non-stop," Edward said. There was a bit of silence at first.

"Look, I just wanna take this to say I'm dreadfully sorry. If I could fully revive you, I would, but -"

"We get it already," Ed cut in. Alex and Olivier looked over to him, Edward looking away.

"Yeah, it's not how we wanted it. But hell, you could only do so much. Besides, it's not going to get our bodies back by yelling at you two," Ed stated, looking to his missing arm and leg as he said so. Even if he was mad at them and wanted to clock em, how could he with no way to even walk, let alone fight? Olivier sat down.

"So you're still trying to bring Alphonse back?"

"... Damn right I am. I may not be the one to use transmutation on him, but I vowed to revive our bodies. And I'm not giving up on it, not by a long shot," Ed said. Olivier stayed quiet but then smiled to him.

"Still stubborn. Like how I taught you both," Olivier noted. None of them realized it yet, but Morgiana tapped Ed on the shoulder.

"What?"

"Sshh. Listen," she instructed.

"... What, I don't hear anything," Blair said. However, suddenly it all came to them what was actually going on. There wasn't any noise, not a word, not a sound. No noise from the other room. ... And then she opened the door. Winry stayed quiet at first, her gaze down to her feet. Alex and Olivier didn't had much time to talk to her, but it seemed that she wasn't willing as of yet. She took a long breath.

"... Armstrong. ..."

"W-Winry, I -" Alex didn't speak when she raised her hand. When she looked to them though, she didn't look as filled with rage, but a bit humble herself. She hadn't forgotten what the team told her about this, the words echoing in her head.

"I shouldn't have left like that. I know there was just so much you could do for me, and I was too heart-broken to think clearly. I'm still mad at you, but ... I'm sorry," Winry got out. Alex and Olivier were quiet, but it was Alex who had tears come out. Before they knew it, Winry was hugging Alex Armstrong. It'll still take some time before this fact would be accepted, but it was a start. However, this talk of transmutation though did come across as a bit of a gear-turner for Morgiana, Aladdin, and Blair, and suddenly the witch got an idea.

"Wait a minute. ... Yeah. Yeah, I think I got it!"

"Got what?" Al asked.

"A way to get your bodies back!" now THAT got their attention, Ed spinning around best he could to see her.

"You do? What?" Al asked in surprise. All eyes were on the witch as she thought it over quick.

"Well let's think. Alex, what exactly happened to their bodies after Undertaker altered their time? You know?" Blair asked. Alex tried to figure it out.

"He had to take them away, I think. He didn't detail it. Why?"

"Well this is simple then: all we gotta do is find your bodies wherever Undertaker took them, do a few transmutation magic, and bingo! you both get your bodies back to normal in no time!" Blair declared.

"Transmutation doesn't work like that, you can't put a soul into a flesh body. Especially one that's just died."

"Well, has anyone tried to do that before?" Ed asked. Olivier opened her mouth to say, but she tried to think, and her mind came up blank.

"Hmm ... no, I don't think so."

"Well then we're going to try!" Ed announced. There wasn't a way before, but now that they got the facts down pact, they finally had a lead in getting their bodies back. Ed, in the spur of the moment, jumped up to his foot ... only to fall back onto the floor.

"I should really finish up that automail," Winry said.

"Ow."

.......

Off just outside of Tokyo, as the city was very busy with its own work, there was another who was on her own corner of the world. There was a good view of the city from the road she was on, and she parked on a parking lot overhang, taking a moment to look out to the city herself. A middle-aged women with short, navy-blue hair, looking out to the city with a sort of mission in mind.

"Mom's here, honey."