Not Very Final - Temporal Camellia

October 25, 2016

Prologue
-----
One of the Amano classrooms. A capeless and re-bandanna'd Travis has brought along an un-Izayoi'd Tsubaki for a show-and-tell hosted by a teacher other than Wendy.

Travis: This lovely young lady is Tsubaki Yayoi. As you might have seen lately, she's recently become one of my women.

Tsubaki, taking Travis' hand: It's true. (kisses it) It all began when Bradford Akabrero and one of ~his~ women, who is none other than ~your~ school police's Noel Vermillion, decided that Travis and I should date each other despite who else is with him. (^_^) It should be noted that I happen to have been ~friends~ with Officer Vermillion quite before either of us met Bradford or Travis.

The environs suddenly begin to shake.

Male Teacher: What is this? An earthquake?

Travis: It would certainly be better than a ~Gigas or two~*.

(*See Season 6, Episode 4)

Tsubaki: Confound it! (to Travis) You don't suppose that...?

The classroom door suddenly shatters into splinters, revealing a very angry, no-longer-in-her-Devout-Felix-uniform Tewi.

Tewi, angry eye-bulge: TRI~~~~~~~~~~CLO~~~~~~~~~~PS!!!!!!!!!!

Cue a pastel still of Tewi screaming at Tsubaki as Travis exhibits both a shut-eye state and tearstreams.
-----
The Whole Marcos Show presents...

An honest-to-Cosmos subseries outside the main story...

NOT VERY FINAL
Anecdotes of the Third Eye

Izayoi Diary 1
TEMPORAL CAMELLIA
-----
Scene 1
-----
The classroom Tewi just barged into. The aforementioned Rabbitoid stares at Tsubaki, huffing with rage.

Tsubaki: Confound this madness. To think that even ~Dark Mode~ has failed to perform adequate subjugation.

Tewi: The only one being subjugated is (pointing to Travis) HIM! And you know that, FULL WELL!

Tsubaki, as Izayoi materializes: Fortunately, I ~have~ managed to halt your advances on multiple occasions. (Izayoi activates) And right now should be no exception.

The two then duke it out for a bit, only for Tsubaki to roll across Tewi to dodge a double-hand downward swing, leaving the classroom.

Tsubaki, left eye in shadow: (pointing dagger) That teacher and his students are perfectly innocent. None of them should be stuck in the mess that ~you~ have wrought.

Tewi: You actually have a point, there. (leaping toward Tsubaki) BUT NOT ABOUT THE (punches hole in a wall from missing her) MESS!

Tsubaki then proceeds to lure Tewi away from the classroom. Some time in, the former's phone rings.

Tsubaki, having picked up: Hello?

Celes, on other end: She's back, Tsubaki! The mother[FF1 hit x2] is back!

Tsubaki: As a matter of fact, I have seen for myself just recently.

Celes: Are you ~positive~ that you put Izayoi's little ~secret weapon~ to work, last time?

Tsubaki: Very. It would seem that she's simply ~that~ tenacious.

Celes: Now that you mention it, of course, she's that [FF1 hit] tenacious! Up until Noel brought you over here, the little [FF1 hit]ball would get me and Judith ~tied the [FF1 hit] up into a knot~! Needless to say, the least we can do ~right now~ is tie ~her~ into a knot.

Tsubaki: Where do you wish for me to meet you?

Celes: Right the [FF1 hit] outside the school. How better to get ~even fewer~ people in the crossfire, after all?

Tsubaki: Indeed.

Tsubaki then manages to get Tewi outside the school building. Out there, already, is Celes in her teacher garb; she ~was~ busy teaching, after all.

Tewi, noticing Celes: Well now! You've got some big-time guts showing up to aid Triclops, knowing said aid won't last very long!

Judith, offscreen: That's where you're wrong! (kicks Tewi in the back)

Tewi: So, all three of the ~golddiggers~ have come!

Celes, sweat drop: You even ~know~ what that word means?

Judith: Right now, (swinging right of cape across) that doesn't really matter. Giant Boxing Glove Scroll!

Judith then throws back her cape, launching, obviously, a giant boxing glove. It knocks Tewi into a tree.

Tewi: It'll take MORE than an overgrown fist to score yourselves a ~T.K.O~!!!

Judith, swinging left of cape across: We're betting on it! (throwing cape back, yielding a floating scroll in front of her) Monk Kick Scroll!

The scroll then turns into a humanoid-shaped projection that executes a flying kick upon Tewi twice - once into her face, once from behind, returning into Judith's cape like a boomerang. Afterwards, Celes gives her several Pearl Fist punches.

Celes, immediately after kicking Tewi in the back of her head: Your move, Tsubaki!

Tsubaki: Izayoi, Angel Form!

Tsubaki then changes accordingly and raises her right hand upward. Once Tewi tumbles close to her, she swings her hand down, causing the Angel Form beam to land a direct hit onto the yandere delinquent. After the dust settles, Tsubaki is shown with Izayoi already deactivated while Tewi lays on the ground face-down.

Tewi: I can't help but admit... that you three excel at impromptu teamwork.

Celes: How'd you know we pulled all that out of our [FF1 hit]es on the spot?

Tewi: Lucky guess.

Tsubaki: At any rate, ~that~ ought to calm you down.

All three of Travis' women then leave the fray.
-----
Scene 1a
-----
One of the school hallways. Tsubaki is in the middle of returning to Travis' class, only for Travis himself to appear behind her.

Travis: Tsubaki, (Tsubaki turns around) over here.

Tsubaki then follows Travis into a vacant corner.

Tsubaki: What happened to your class, Travis?

Travis: Once the coast was clear, the teacher issued an emergency class dismissal.

Travis then puts his hand on Tsubaki's chin and lip-touches her.

Travis, whispering: you were wise to lure tewi away. allow me to reward that.

Tsubaki, ditto: (taking Travis' hand off her chin) in that case, allow ~me~ to be at my most beautiful.

Tsubaki then activates Izayoi - cape up front and the Lover Moment Form present - removes her hat, holds the right of her cape across to her shoulder, then lands a few lip-touches on her lover.

Tsubaki: simply tug on my cape once you're ready to go in.

Travis: duly noted.

Cue several more lip-touches. During the last, Travis tugs on Tsubaki's cape, prompting her to have him swallowed in - all the while landing even more lip-touches. The kiss-trading stops just in time for the bell to ring.

Tsubaki: don't forget to kiss your other two women once school is over.

Travis: but, of course.

Immediately after one last lip-touch, Izayoi deactivates and Tsubaki lets go of Travis.

Tsubaki, no longer whispering: See you back at the apartment.

Travis, ditto: Same to you. (leaves for his next class)

Tsubaki then watches Travis leave the hallway before making her own departure.
-----
Scene 2
-----
The Cidopolis National Museum. A news reporter makes a broadcast with the Cidopo Knights* surrounding him.

(*If you've seen the last two episodes of NVF Season 5: Vermillion Paradise, then you'll know who they are)

Reporter: We are reporting ~live~ at Cidopolis National Museum, and even as we speak, I am being graced with none other than the Cidopo Knights. (to Reimu) Miss Hakurei, I understand you wish to say something?

Reimu: The reason we have come here is to stand guard for a recently acquired artifact known as the Chronodian*. (as a metallic, blue and purple glove is in depiction) Rumor has it that the Chronodian is capable to jettison anyone its user touches through a set of select moments from the past. (back in depiction herself) It goes without saying that a catastrophe is bound to happen should such an object fall into the wrong hands. Provided, of course, that the rumor turns out to be legitimate fact.

(*The name is based on Chronodia, a Final Fantasy I boss exclusive to the PSP version)

Reporter: Well said, Miss Hakurei.

A crowd member suddenly flails an open notebook about.

Crowd Member: Mind if I get your autographs?

Reimu: I'm afraid that we don't bother with any autographs.

Marisa, suddenly leaping in front of Reimu: (XD) But ~I~ do. (signs the notebook) (to fellow Knights) You guys ~sure~ you'll pass?

Cloud, approaching notebook: I suppose it (signs) wouldn't hurt.

Tifa, while signing herself: I'm right the heck there with you.

Reimu: Excuse me. Are you not aware of the saying, "Business before pleasure"?

Marisa, thin-eyed grin: (handing back notebook) Your loss, Reimu. (as all four Knights leave) It didn't even takes us very long.

Reporter, sweat drop: (^_^) There you have it, folks. Back to you.
-----
Scene 2a
-----
Inside the museum that night. Tewi reveals to be in there with the Knights and proceeds to approach Cloud.

Tewi: Looks pretty nice out there, doesn't it?

Cloud: Yes, it does, actually. (pause; anger-face) Wait a minute! This place is closed! How did you get in here?!

Tewi: After I saw you four on the news, I went and dashed ~straight~ into the place just before it closed.

Cloud, normal: Listen, how I about I escort you out, and we both pretend this never happened?

Tewi: I'd like to present a ~counter-proposal~.

Cue a depiction of Tifa having just did up a house of cards, only for a melee strike to sound with Cloud crashing into the table, knocking over Tifa's cards.

Tifa: Cloud! (runs to him) What happened to you?!

Tewi, offscreen: You forgot something.

The Buster Sword then flies past Cloud and Tifa with enough force for the blade to impale a wall all the way.

Cloud, pupilless eyes: How the heck is THAT possible?!

Tifa: Whoever you just befriended, (getting up to turn around) the punk is ~lucky~ that they missed.

Tewi, approaching Tifa: Me? Kill a Cidopo Knight, all willy-nilly? What do you think I am? Some florist murderer with a Japanese sword?

Tifa: (fist into palm) That's not funny, little girl.

Tewi: I suppose I'll have to knock ~you~ out of the way as well.

Tifa, cocking back fist: Let's see you try, then.

Tewi, ditto: Let's see ~you~ regret underestimating ~me~.

Tewi and Tifa's fists then ram into one another.

Tifa: (pause; grinning) You'd make an awesome sparring partner, already.

Tewi, grinning: Nonetheless, you may be a Knight, but without any ~shining armor~ to protect you...

Cue an x-ray depiction of Tifa's hand breaking, followed by Tifa herself expressing cartoonish-sized pupilless eyes with her mouth yielding an equally exaggerated gape. Tewi then walks past the "Wai-Fu" master, leaving her frozen in her immediate position.

Tifa, during the last sentence: We should still... do some sparring some time. Ah!

As Tewi gets closer to the Chronodian, a star-shaped projectile suddenly whizzes past her.

Marisa, anger-eyes: Oh my god! She's just a little kid! Only a Cosmos-forsaken weakling would ever let a flipping ~elementary schooler~ get the better of them!

Tewi, thin-eyed grin: Don't you know not to judge a book by its cover? Why do I think I've proven to wield the Buster Sword more proficiently than your own comrade?

Marisa, approaching Tewi: Yeah. If you think you'll get me with some sort of psychological ~crap~, you've got another thing coming.

Tewi, approaching a thousand-year-old Gigas skull: That's where you're wrong. (lifting said skull with only one hand) It's ~you~ who has another thing coming. (throws skull)

Marisa, angry eye-bulge: (as the skull closes in on her) WHAT THE HECK?!?!?

Cue zero depiction with a crushing sound. Afterwards, Tewi approaches the Chronodian once more, only for a maroon card to fly toward the Rabbitoid, who manages to catch it.

Tewi: I was beginning to think that I miscounted you people.

Reimu, approaching Tewi: Tewi Inaba, I presume. I have looked into your recent grudge with the otherdimensional Tsubaki Yayoi. Whatever you're planning with the Chronodian, I know that ~she~ has something to do with it.

Tewi: It's true. That glove has the potential to finally become Triclops McHatEye's unadulterated undoing.

Reimu: You don't even know whether it can actually make that happen.

Tewi: And I never will unless I actually bother.

Reimu then leaps in between Tewi and the Chronodian and spreads out her arms.

Reimu: We are protecting this artifact ~for a reason~!

Tewi: Move aside. If it can make Travis' life ~whole~, then it ~must~.

Reimu: You aren't trying to make his life whole; you're trying to make his ~suffering~ whole, just as Tantalina Tier used to for Bradford Akabrero.

Cue eye-bars on Tewi's angry eye-bulge.

Tewi, as Reimu takes the Chronodian: HOW DARE YOU!

Tewi then smashes the Chronodian's pedestal from missing Reimu, who leapt away to dodge.

Reimu: Why would I ~not~ dare?! It's the ~truth~!

Tewi, leaping towards Reimu: My LOVE FOR TRAVIS is the truth!

Reimu then dodges another slam attack. Tewi then resorts to trying to swat the former away, still missing. Unfortunately, Reimu trips over a stray object, enabling Tewi to smack her into a wall.

Reimu: Darn it! I let myself get distracted.

Tewi: Cough up the glove!

Reimu: I refuse.

Tewi, grabbing Reimu by the chest of her clothes: Cough up the glove, (throwing her near a dinosaur exhibit) NOW!

The impact of Reimu's landing is such that she drops the Chronodian.

Reimu: The Chronodian, (reaching for it) no.

Tewi then runs towards Reimu and kicks her in the gut, knocking her into the dinosaur exhibit itself.

Tewi: At last, (picks up the Chronodian; equips it with eyes in shadow) Triclops McHatEye shall never again obstruct the radiant aura of Travis' handsomeness.
-----
Scene 3
-----
Judith's apartment the next morning. Celes, wearing pajamas patterned with the Super Famicom* logo, sits down with a mushroom omelette and turns on the TV.

(*AKA the Japanese version of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System)

Reporter, on the TV: Tragic, tragic, most tragic news - last night, the Cidopo Knights were attacked, and they somehow sustained a humiliating defeat. Even worse, the Chronodian has been stolen, presumably by the attacker.

The reporter is then in depiction, along with the Cidopo Knights themselves. Tifa is still making her "I can't believe she broke my hand" face, Cloud has a comical, black-and-white look of fright on ~his~ face, Marisa is bearing of cartoonish bruises, and Reimu is peppered with more realistic bruises.

Reporter: According to Miss Reimu Hakurei here, their only assailant was Tewi Inaba, adopted sister of ~Reisen Udongein~ Inaba.

Celes, shut-eye state: [FF1 hit] me sideways. (angry shut-eye state) Tsubaki!!!
-----
Scene 3a
-----
Lufein Communion Park. Tsubaki, Izayoi activated, and Celes, in her caped apparel, approach Tewi.

Tewi: By almighty Cosmos. How did you know I wanted you to meet me here, Triclops?

Tsubaki: My gut was rather adamant that you happened to be here.

Celes, to Tewi: I saw on the news that you were fixing to ~play with power~, if you get my [FF1 hit] drift.

Tewi: Oh, I have a glove of power, all right. (brandishing the Chronodian) And it has the POWER to banish Triclops into the past!

Tsubaki: We have yet to know that.

Tewi, leaping towards Tsubaki: Until now!

Tsubaki then manages to dodge every single attempt to grab her with the Chronodian.

Tewi, still trying to grab Tsubaki: I hope you realize that you're only delaying the inevitable.

Celes then sneaks up behind Tewi, and does a Pearl Fist chop onto her head.

Tewi: Well... played. (faints)

Tsubaki, to Celes: You were wise to seize that opportunity, Celes.

Celes: It was now or never.

Tsubaki, proceeding to remove the Chronodian from Tewi: And now, to return that glove to where it rightfully belongs.

Tewi's Chronodian-clad hand suddenly grabs Tsubaki's wrist.

Tsubaki: Confound it!

Celes, to Tewi: (anger-face) You possum-playing mother[FF1 hit]!

Tewi: Rest assured, Celes; your blow to the head really ~is~ too much at the moment. (facing Tsubaki) There's simply a difference between unconsciousness and ~dizziness~.

Tsubaki: You've played us both for fools!

Tewi: Indeed, I have. (Tsubaki starts to fade) So, have fun with the most realistic history lessen you'll ever receive, ~Triclops McHatEye~!

Tsubaki then fully disappears.

Celes, pupilless eyes: Whoa. (blinks twice) The Chronodian actually works. (anger-face; to Tewi) But that just means you've gotten Tsubaki eaten the [FF1 hit] up by ~dinosaurs~!

Tewi: Not really. The idea is to ~make her suffer~, not have some extinct creature see her as a ~midnight snack~.

Celes, angry shut-eye state: So what? You're instead putting her at the mother[FF1 hit] mercy o' ~Pompeii~?

Tewi: Nope.

Celes: Slowly [FF1 hit] her up from the inside with the ~Black Plague~?

Tewi: Sounds interesting, but no.

Celes: Have Puritans chase her all over Salem, cuz they think she's a witch?

Tewi: As a matter of fact, I don't plan ~any~ physical harm.

Celes: Then what the [FF1 hit] the point of lobbing her in the past?

Tewi: The idea is to subject her to ~psychological~ harm, by way of the guilt she'll no doubt develop from altering the timeline! (angry eye-bulge on Celes) One itty-bitty change to what happened before is all it takes, in theory, to make the culprit's present ultimately strike her as a Cosmos-forsaken mess! (thin-eyed grin on Tewi herself) And she'll think it's all her fault. We're all gonna believe that different things have happened, (mouth close-up) because different things... (toothy grin) ~have~ happened.
-----
Scene 4
-----
A kitchen-like room. Tsubaki materializes within.

Tsubaki: What in blazes happened? Where in blazes am I?

???: The time has now come for today's boneless rib recipe to have one more ingredient than usual.

Tantalina, as "???" reveals to be Undead Chemist: I could not have said that better myself.

Tsubaki, thinking: Tantalina Tier? What is ~she~ doing here? (eye bar) But of course. Tewi managed to use the Chronodian on me, and it worked. That means my immediate surroundings are actually a matter of ~when~, rather than where. And unless I am much mistaken, what I see here has happened before Travis ever met Celes in the first place. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to spare my lover the awkwardness of having abducted someone else's dear woman and have no memory of it until the damage is done, so to speak.

Tsubaki then lands a grab projection on Undead Chemist.

Undead Chemist, during the above: What the?!

Tantalina, turning to see Tsubaki: How peculiar. For how long were ~you~ here?

Tsubaki: I don't expect you to believe me, but I have only appeared here, just now, from the future.

Tantalina: Really? In that case, would I be correct to assume that you've come to prevent my latest attempt to free Handsome Akabrero of those Mahoublanca and Moon Rabbit temptresses?

Tsubaki: Uh, yes. That, I have.

Tantalina: Bloodbird?

Bloodbird Scythe, having poofed into Tantalina's hand: I'll indeed see to it that your acquaintance here regrets her interference.

Tsubaki, immediately after blocking Bloodbird's blow: (thinking) The only thing I will ever regret is underestimating the kind of ruffian Tewi happens to be, lest I would have remained in my own time.

Tantalina makes another swing with Bloodbird, only for Tsubaki's dagger to clash with Bloodbird's beak with enough force to knock him out of Tantalina's hands and get him stuck to the ceiling.

Bloodbird: Ugh. You have strength most profound, stranger. You're as if Mahoublanca brandished a completely different weapon than that colossal ~mallet~ she manages to never knock anything over with.

Tsubaki, left eye in shadow: It just so happens that Izayoi has ~entire generations~ of combat experience, whereas Wendy Mahoublanca only encompasses ~one~.

Undead Chemist, offscreen: I need only reach, (Tsubaki looks in his direction) and the ~deed is done~!

Tsubaki, as Undead Chemist is seen reaching his flask for the boneless rib sauce: I beg to differ.

A Requiem Maledictus sword then shatters the flash, spilling its contents onto the floor.

Undead Chemist: The potion. The plan. BUTCHERED BY A MEDDLING TIME TRAVELER!

Tsubaki: And now, Travis Ducard will not be under its influence.

Tantalina: Mr. Ducard? Do you have some sort of ~tie~ with him?

Tsubaki: After getting a girlfriend at his own will, he would go on to make me one of his women.

Tantalina: Wait. That sub-commoner actually gets a ~girlfriend~?

Undead Chemist: ~Two~ girlfriends?

Tsubaki: Three. And indeed, you're looking at the third.

Undead Chemist, pupilless eyes: ~Three~ girlfriends. Wow. (one-handed "mind blown" gesture) KA-BLOOEY!

Tantalina, ditto: My thoughts exactly, to be honest. (normal) Better ~him~ than Handsome, though.

Tsubaki then starts flashing a transparent state.

Tsubaki: What in blazes?

Tantalina: I suppose that whoever sent you to this time knows that you've completed your mission.

Tsubaki, sweat drop: Yes. My mission ~is~ complete, and my superiors know it. So it makes perfect sense that they would return me to my time. (thinking) Heaven forbid that last sentence is a lie. (disappears from the area for good)

As a result of the above, the grab projection disappears, freeing Undead Chemist.

Undead Chemist: We'd do well to flee, Lady Tantalina; I hear company coming this way.

Tantalina: Indeed, that's the least we can do.

She and Undead Chemist then retreat.
-----
Scene 5
-----
Tsubaki then materializes into what you may or may not recognize as the Gilmeister's lair.

Tsubaki: Confound it. I'm still marooned in the past, aren't I?

Gilmeister, offscreen: There. I am now all set for some pristinely delectable albino broccoli.

Tsubaki, sweat drop: (thinking) What in blazes is albino broccoli? (eye bars) But of course! That must be the Gilmeister. I've heard that he's pretty much to cauliflower, as Tewi is to Travis.

Tsubaki then approaches the Gilmeister from behind and puts her hand on his shoulder.

Gilmeister: AH! Burglar!

Tsubaki: You're not exactly entitled to say that sort of thing about others.

Gilmeister: Oh, yes I am! I am SO calling the cops!

Tsubaki: So be it. My abrupt presence in your abode (picking up the Gilmeister's duffel bag) simply won't be the only thing they'll know of.

Gilmeister: Ugh. You got me, there. Why choose ~my~ place to barge into, anyway?

Tsubaki: I have come from the future to inform you that there are more... legitimate ways... to obtain your so-called "albino broccoli". You need not mint counterfeit money.

Gilmeister: First of all, lady, if you think I'll fall for your time-travel baloney, (approaching duffel bag) you've got another thing---! (Tsubaki switches to Angel Form) Sweet Jeezum Crow!

Tsubaki: Izayoi ~will~ wreak judgment, if need be. (raising hand) Consider ~this~ a warning shot. (beams duffel bag to ash)

Gilmeister: All that hard work - DESTROYED!

Tsubaki, reverting to the Default Form: Buy your ~own~ confounded cauliflower! With ~real~ money! (pointing finger) It shouldn't be difficult to find a supermarket that sells it.

Gilmeister, comical expression of fright: V-v-v-very well, Miss Time Angel! I will ~gladly~ seek out a job beforehand! I know that's what it is you have in mind!

Tsubaki: Indeed, you do. (starts to fade) With that said, I must go now. Remember, it's not too late to make yourself a better person. (fades all away)

Gilmeister: That, I will, personification of Cosmos' will. (fist onto chest) You have my word!
-----
Scene 6
-----
Part of the events of Season 4 - Enter the Screamer. The eponymous villain has just finished transforming Reggie Ducard into Dracud.

Reggie, as Dracud: I am now ready to take back what is mine.

Screamed: Magnificent news, Mr...

Reggie: Dracud.

Screamer: Very well. ~Dracud~. Settling for your surname spelled in reverse, I see.

Reggie: That's the idea.

Tsubaki then materializes before the two.

Screamer: Well now. This is ~quite~ an interesting development.

Reggie, to Tsubaki: Who might you be?

Tsubaki, thinking: The Screamer. And with him must be Travis' brother Reggie - or rather, his "Dracud" persona. (pointing dagger to Reggie; aloud) Leave Judith Eblan alone! (thinking) After saving Travis from an embarrassing situation, it's only fair that I do the same for ~one with whom I share him~.

Screamer: So, you're a friend of Miss Eblan.

Tsubaki: Exactly - from the future!

Reggie: You? From the future? A massive laugh riot if you ask me!

Screamer: Then again, I have lived a century. Yet, one could swear I ~haven't~.

Tsubaki, to Reggie: Listen to me, Reginald Ducard. Judith is not worth this particular spectacle, one bit.

Reggie: Lemme guess, you say that because ~you're from the future~?

Tsubaki: Indeed.

Reggie: And how, pray tell, do you actually know.

Tsubaki: Judith would not be the last female your brother would date.

Screamer: What's ~that~ supposed to mean?

Tsubaki: I would go on to become one of his women. And yes, Judith would still date him at that point.

Reggie, approaching Tsubaki: You know what, I'm gonna shut you up.

Tsubaki switches to the Kenpo Form just in time to grab Reggie's fist.

Reggie: What the heck kind of mage are you?!

Tsubaki: Eyah! (presses index and middle onto Reggie's neck) The pressure point I just pressed will cause you to lose consciousness and then return to your normal personality upon coming to.

Reggie then collapses over Tsubaki's shoulder. Then Tsubaki herself switches to the Angel Form.

Tsubaki, to Screamer: You shan't use this gentleman as your pawn, Screamer.

Tsubaki then flies away to the nearest hospital, where she drops Reggie off and reverts to the Default Form. She then starts to fade.

Tsubaki: It would seem that I'm right on time. I could have worded that differently, though. (fades completely)
-----
Scene 7
-----
Lufein Communion Park. Tsubaki materializes right in front of Celes.

Celes: Dude, where have you been?!

Tsubaki: Celes? What day of the week is it right now?

Celes, angry eye-bulge: Saturday. Duh!

Tsubaki, grinning: Excellent. (Izayoi deactivates) I'm finally in the present.

Celes: What the [FF1 hit] are you talking about? Noel's worried the [FF1 hit] sick about you, you know. She and Reisen invited you to Stir Fry Crazy, yet, here you are, in the [FF1 hit] park!

Tsubaki, thinking: Reisen and Noel invited me to the Chinese restaurant? It must be the alterations I made to the past. (aloud) I see. I'll contact them right away.

Tsubaki then gets out her phone and dials Noel's number.

Noel, on other end: Tsubaki! How can we celebrate the school police's newest member if you never show up for it at all?!

Tsubaki: Gracious. It's no longer just you and Reisen?

Noel: Of course not! I recruited you myself, remember?!

Tsubaki, ^_^: Oh, yes! I remember. (thinking) Apparently, that's my ~new~ reason for being in Cidopolis.
-----
Scene 7a
-----
Stir Fry Crazy. Tsubaki approaches Reisen and Noel's table.

Tsubaki, getting seated: A thousand apologies for keeping you two waiting.

Reisen: Well, the important thing is, you're here.

Travis, offscreen: Reisen! Noel! What a coincidence that you're here!

Tsubaki, getting up: Travis! (approaching Travis) I'm so (hugging him) glad to see you here! (kisses his cheek)

Travis, sweat drop: Yeah. Same to you.

Tsubaki: You're here for a date, aren't you?

Travis: You bet like the dickens!

Tewi, approaching Travis: Wanna try some of my Bourbon Chicken when it shows up, handsome?

Tsubaki, eyes bars: (thinking) Tewi?! I should have known she'd be close by!

Travis, to Tewi: Cosmos knows I don't see why not. (lip-touches her)

Tsubaki, eyes in shadow: (still thinking) She's got him. She's got my lover. She's got ~Celes and Judith's~ lover. But why? Was Bradford not the reason he made all three of us his women? Maybe Tewi ~wanted~ me to tinker with that which already transpired. She was banking on the repercussions thereof, all along!

Noel, to Reisen: You know, Reisen, (^_^) your sister and Travis make an even cuter couple than Bradford with either of us or Wendy.

Tsubaki: Feel free to proceed without me. I'm not hungry.

Reisen: We've been waiting all this time for you.

Tsubaki: And I said I was sorry for that. Just... order without me.

Tsubaki then leaves the restaurant.
-----
Scene 7b
-----
Hansworth's lab. Tsubaki approaches the man himself.

Hansworth: Wunderbar. Ze new cop. Uh, vhy ze long face, fräulein?

Tsubaki: I wish to return to my original dimension.

Hansworth, activating portal machine: Very vell, but vhat for?

Tsubaki: She's won, Hansworth. Tewi Inaba has won. I do not expect you to understand what I'm talking about, but I know that to vent is the least I can do.

Hansworth, sweat drop: Okay, then. (blinks twice)

Reimu, offscreen: (as Tsubaki approaches the portal machine) Not one more step, Miss Tsubaki Yayoi.

Reimu then appears behind Tsubaki.

Hansworth, as Reimu approaches Tsubaki: (thinking) By almighty Cosmos! Vhat's vun of ze Cidopo Knights doing here?!

Reimu, to Tsubaki: I know what has happened. I know what has ~really~ happened. I have come to help you negate this alternate reality. Meet me at the museum, and I'll explain how I happen to know your immediate dilemma.

Tsubaki, turning to face Reimu: Very well, Miss Hakurei.
-----
Scene 7c
-----
The Cidopolis National Museum. Tsubaki approaches Reimu within, just as the latter said.

Tsubaki: So, how ~do~ you know this isn't how things were at first?

Reimu: After Tewi trounced me, I set a time barrier upon myself just in case. That way, I'd be able to retain my memories from before she used the Chronodian on you. Now that you're here, however, the Chronodian will ultimately put an end to her scheme - by bringing ~you~ to just before Tewi stole it. We Cidopo Knights weren't able to stand a chance against Tewi Inaba, but the so-called "Triclops McHatEye" ~can~.

Tsubaki, crossing arms: I see.

Reimu, taking the Chronodian: I will now enhance the Chronodian so that it will take you to a specific timeline, rather than a specific ~time~.

Reimu then causes the Chronodian to glow with a white aura.

Reimu: It's up to you, Tsubaki Yayoi. At this time, you are an honorary Cidopo Knight. And you are on an official Cidopo Knight ~mission~. It is impeccably possible to take back your boyfriend, and this is how it'll be done. Are you prepared?

Tsubaki, left eye in shadow: I am. (Izayoi materializes) As is Izayoi.

Reimu: Very good. (puts Chronodian-clad hand on Tsubaki's shoulder, making Tsubaki herself disappear) Cosmos-speed. You will thank yourself.
-----
Scene 8
-----
The point in the original timeline in which Tewi has just defeated Marisa. Things play out as before.

Tewi: I was beginning to think that I miscounted you people.

Reimu, approaching Tewi: Tewi Inaba, I presume. I have looked into your recent grudge with the otherdimensional Tsubaki Yayoi. Whatever you're planning with the Chronodian, I know that ~she~ has something to do with it.

Tewi: It's true. That glove has the potential to finally become Triclops McHatEye's unadulterated undoing.

Reimu: You don't even know whether it can actually make that happen.

Tewi: And I never will unless I actually bother.

Reimu then leaps in between Tewi and the Chronodian and spreads out her arms.

Reimu: We are protecting this artifact ~for a reason~!

Tewi: Move aside. If it can make Travis' life ~whole~, then it ~must~.

Reimu: You aren't trying to make his life whole; you're trying to make his ~suffering~ whole, just as Tantalina Tier used to for Bradford Akabrero.

Cue eye-bars on Tewi's angry eye-bulge.

Tewi, as Reimu takes the Chronodian: HOW DARE YOU!

Reimu still leaps away from Tewi's attack, only for her eyes to light up afterwards.

Reimu: What in the world?

Tsubaki, Izayoi activated, reveals to have blocked her nemesis.

Tewi: Triclops! (grinning) And here I was, thinking you were above breaking and entering.

Tsubaki: Reimu Hakurei of the Cidopo Knights, (facing her) I have come from the future to prevent Tewi from stealing the Chronodian, and ~you~ were the one who sent me.

Reimu: I'll take your word for it, so long as you fend her off.

Tsubaki: As per your intention. (pushes Tewi away)

Tewi: This time, I'M GONNA BE A BANE TO YOUR BACKBONE!

Tsubaki: You're welcome to attempt that.

The two then duke it out for some time. Unfortunately, Tewi winds up roundhousing Tsubaki's shield out of her hand.

Tewi, charging toward Tsubaki: End of the line, Triclops!

Tewi's fist then lands on Tsubaki's cheek, only for her head to easily turn to Tewi, her eyes glowing solid pink.

Tsubaki: Slipped your pretty little mind about this, didn't you?

Cue a burst of energy that knocks Tewi back.

Tewi, thinking: Darn it all! I actually DID!

Tsubaki is then shown, standing imposingly as Dark Mode is once more initiated.

Tsubaki: Lookee down below. (charging) No Shoes of Hermes, this time! (punches Tewi in ~her~ cheek)

Tsubaki then lands some rapid-fire punching on Tewi.

Tsubaki, during the above: That means you're an absolute ~slowpoke~! So, whooping your butt should be a complete (knocks Tewi through the museum roof) cakewalk!

Reimu: Now, that you've thwarted her designs---.

Tsubaki then gives Reimu the "one moment" hand gesture. Soon enough, Tewi crashes through the other side of the roof and Tsubaki makes her land on the palm of her hand, stunning the Rabbitoid with blinding pain.

Tsubaki, dropping Tewi onto the floor: You were saying?

Reimu, holding up the Chronodian: Destroy the glove.

Tsubaki: Why the heck would you wanna let ~that~ happen?

Reimu: How better to stop Tewi from misusing its power?

Tsubaki: Whatever. Throw it here.

Reimu then throws the Chronodian to Tsubaki, who crushes it to pieces with a clap.

Tsubaki, having reverted to Normal Mode: (getting out an Eye Drop) How better, indeed. (uses Eye Drop)

Tsubaki then starts to fade.

Tsubaki: I am now returning to your future.

Reimu: Thank you for assisting with our guard duty.

Tsubaki: Thank ~you~ for my would-be reunion with my lover. (fades completely)
-----
Scene 8a
-----
The present. Tsubaki reappears before Reimu, the Chronodian now in pieces due to what the latter's past self resorted to.

Tsubaki: What exact changes have come about?

Reimu: The time barrier is still on me. You'll have to see for yourself.

Tsubaki, whipping out phone: Very well, then. (calls Noel)

Noel, on other end: What's up, Tsubaki?

Tsubaki: Would you mind if I asked you a question?

Noel: Of course not! Ask away.

Tsubaki: Have you and Reisen taken in any new members of the school police since the founding thereof?

Noel: No, not at all. It's still just Reisen and me, and the principal's perfectly satisfied with that.

Tsubaki: I see. That's all I wanted to know. Thank you. (hangs up; to Reimu) Well, I'm not in the school police, anymore. One thing now remains to be confirmed.
-----
Scene 9
-----
Judith's apartment. Travis comes home to see Tsubaki waiting for him.

Travis: Tsubaki.

Tsubaki: Travis.

Travis: Has something come up, dear woman?

Tsubaki then switches to the Lover Moment Form.

Travis, grinning: I see. (approaching Tsubaki) Something ~has~ come up. (whispering) my lips (pulling her cape forward) mingling with yours. (lip-touches her)

Tsubaki, holding right of cape across to shoulder: (whispering) i've missed you so much, lover. (lip-touch)

Travis: how strange of you to say that, seeing how it's only been a day. (quick lip-touch)

Tsubaki, covering Travis in cape: you could say i've been through an interesting experience. (lip-touch)

Travis: well, i'm now soaking in the cape of an interesting ~woman~. (lip-touch x3) to think that i started off ~against~ dating you. (lip-touch)

Tsubaki: indeed. (quick lip-touch) you could have missed out on a third cape to drench yourself in as you and the wearer remind each other of their love. (lip-touch x3) Be it through kissing, whispering, or leg-stroking. (lip-touch)

Izayoi then deactivates, and Tsubaki places her hand on Travis' cheek.

Tsubaki: i'm in the mood for stir fry crazy's bourbon chicken. (sliding hand to Travis' chin) how would you like to try some when we get there? (lip-touch)

Travis: i plan to try their salmon-avocado roll. i'll give you a piece of ~that~. (lip-touch)

Tsubaki: it's settled, then. (lip-touch) stir fry crazy... (lip-touch) just you and me. (lip-touch)

Travis, no longer whispering: Let's head there ASAP, before it closes. (lip-touch)

Tsubaki, ditto: Duly noted. (quick lip-touch)

The two then leave for Stir Fry Crazy.

END

Not Very Final and all original characters copyright 2016 The Whole Marcos Show. All rights reserved. Tsubaki Yayoi and Noel Vermillion copyright 2009, 2016 Arc System Works. Celes Chere copyright 1994, 2016 Square Enix. Tewi Inaba copyright 2005, 2016 Team Shanghai Alice. Reisen Udongein Inaba copyright 2005, 2016 Team Shanghai Alice. Reimu Hakurei copyright 1996, 2016 Team Shanghai Alice. Marisa Kirisame copyright 1997, 2016 Team Shanghai Alice. Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockhart copyright 1997, 2016 Square Enix. All rights reserved.