Project Mage

Risebelle's heart skipped a beat as she spotted her doppelganger and the boy from earlier inside the Silver Star Arcade. They looked remarkably dressed up for the location, but what caught her attention was that the outfit her doppelganger was wearing was eerily similar to what Risebelle herself would choose for a night out. Did this doppelganger have an express ticket to Risebelle’s bottom closet drawer?

Her doppelganger's attire from the elegant dress to the accessories bore a striking resemblance to Risebelle's own style. The boy by her side in a tuxedo added to the sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding the two.

Risebelle discreetly nudged Jess and Harty, directing their attention to her doppelganger and the well-dressed boy. She whispered, "Look, it's them. The ones we saw earlier. What are they doing here all dressed up in an arcade of all places?"

Harty maintained his composure, his brain working quickly to formulate a plan. He knew that this unexpected encounter could provide valuable information, but they needed to approach it carefully.

He whispered back to Risebelle and Jess, "Stay calm and don't draw attention to ourselves. Let's watch and see what they do. We might get some answers without them even realizing."

The trio found a discreet spot to observe the doppelganger and the well-dressed boy from a distance. They watched the two that was engrossed in a conversation occasionally glance around the arcade as if expecting someone.

Risebelle felt a sense of unease. "This is so strange, Harty. How the hell did she get a dress that’s such a perfect replica of mine? Actually… more important question Harty: What could they possibly be doing here, dressed like that?"

Jess leaned in with a whisper. "Maybe they're involved in something bigger than we thought. I mean, why else would they choose such a run-down arcade for a meeting?"

As they continued to watch, it became clear that the doppelganger and the boy were waiting for someone. Their expressions grew increasingly impatient and they checked the time on their phones repeatedly.

Harty’s began to think hard about this. He knew that confronting them directly might not be the best course of action, but they needed more information to unravel this mystery. He whispered to Risebelle and Jess, "Let's stay patient a little longer. If they meet with someone here, we might have a chance to eavesdrop and gather more clues."

A girl suddenly showed up. She had a distinctive appearance that immediately drew attention. Her yellow hair was neatly pulled back into a bun giving her a poised and elegant look. She wore a pink dress that contrasted with the dimly lit arcade, making her stand out even more.

The doppelganger greeted the girl who they now knew as Sarah. The double put on a very fake smile. "Sarah, you made it. We were like, starting to worry you totes wouldn't show up."

"I...I couldn't stay away… not after everything we…-- not after everything that's happened."

The well-dressed boy chimed in, his tone serious and urgent. "Sarah, we don't have much time. You know what's at stake here."

Sarah nodded while her eyes began welling up with tears uncontrollably. "I know, I know okay! I just… I can’t…do this…This is going to tear me apart!"

Risebelle leaned in closer, trying to catch every word of the conversation. Jess and Harty did the same, their curiosity piqued.

The doppelganger's demeanor grew more into a glare as she spoke. "Sarah, you have to. We can't afford any more delays. The plan is in motion and we need you to play your part."

Sarah wiped away her tears, her inner turmoil evident. "But it's not just about the plan, is it? You've done things that weren't apart of the plan and now my Friend...she was suspended because of your lie... I can't be a part of this any longer."

The well-dressed boy’s face hardened. "Sarah, you knew what you signed up for. We're in too deep now. There's no turning back now. You wanna know what happens when you try to back out? Huh? Do you wanna know what happens?” The boy flashed a weapon in his pockets. “Do ya? Of course you don’t. You know what were here to do. You’ll obey us, otherwise we have to make that lie reality. I'm sure you don't want to actually go through that, or do you? Have you really waiting for my hot rod this entire time and craved me with each passing second? You know, I could make it happen… all you have to do is get down on your knees and I’ll understand the signal." the boy smirks.

The moment that the well-dressed boy made his disturbing comment, the girl beside him scrounged up her face, "You're such a total sicko!" She delivered a light knock on his shoulder while laughing.

Risebelle, Jess and Harty exchanged alarmed glances as they listened to the conversation unfold. It was becoming clear that there was something sinister at play and Sarah was caught in the middle of it.

Sarah's face contorted with fear. "No! Why don’t you understand? I can't do this anymore. I never wanted it to go this far. You got her involved, and then after getting her involved you got her and all of her friends involved? Why did you….You have to find another way, a way that doesn't involve my closest friend. Please..."

The doppelganger's face grew increasingly menacing with with anger.

“Ugh, like, seriously, Sarah? You're being, like, such a buzzkill right now. We've come so far and you're, like, totes bailing on us? Do you, like, not get it? One word from us and your life is, like, ruined. Just one word, Sarah. ONE!"

Sarah's fear and desperation only deepened as she realized the gravity of the situation. She knew that the doppelganger's threat was not to be taken lightly. Overwhelmed by fear and the threat hanging over her, reluctantly nodded in agreement.

“Fine…you win…”

The doppelganger, satisfied with Sarah's compliance, continued.

"Super, Sarah. Let's not waste any more time. Follow us."

The group, consisting of the doppelganger, the well-dressed boy and Sarah, began to move deeper into the arcade. Risebelle, Jess and Harty exchanged concerned glances, knowing that they needed to follow discreetly to uncover the truth behind this mysterious and dangerous plan.

As Risebelle stared forward, lost in the unfolding memory, a sudden and bright light shone in her eyes. It was as if reality itself was pulling her back from the depths of the past. She felt herself being gently pulled away from the memory, back into the present.

Just as she was about to fully return to her senses, she heard Jess calling out to her. " Risebelle, why are you just standing there? They’re getting away!”

Jess sighed ”guess there’s no helping it, is there?"

Before Risebelle could respond, she felt Jess's arms wrap around her, lifting her up in a piggyback ride. Jess's flirty comment brought a slight blush to Risebelle's cheeks, but Risebelle couldn’t exactly hear all the words.

Before she could react, the blinding light once again enveloped her. This time, the light was intense and it pulled her back into her own self completely, leaving behind the memory of the arcade and the mysterious individuals.

Risebelle found herself back in the realm of her mind, surrounded by the ethereal memories and emotions that had just washed over her. She was left to contemplate the events she had witnessed at the arcade and the choices she had made.

She thought about the doppelganger and the well-dressed boy's actions and remembered the vital feeling of anger and distrust she held towards the humans. This one single thing she placed her focus on had reinforced her belief that humans were capable of deception and manipulation, willing to go to great lengths to achieve their goals, even if it meant harming others.

But as she delved deeper into her thoughts, she began to think on the friends she made along the way. Human friends, despite being idiots in her opinion were friends nonetheless.

Risebelle's system spoke themselves:

'Project Z.A.B, it appears you have experienced a significant emotional and cognitive shift during your recent memory retrieval. Your deep-seated hatred for all humans seems to be undergoing a transformation. Can you clarify your current feelings and thoughts regarding humans?'

Risebelle, still immersed in the echoes of her mind got a feeling of shifting perspectives within her.

“I still have a deep-seated hatred for humans, considering all the shit they put me through. I want nothing more to do with the scums and I want them all to burn in hell, but… I can't deny that during my experiences and interactions, I've encountered some humans who displayed kindness, compassion and genuine care for others, despite their imperfections. This has caused a conflict within me... If you show me another memory, then maybe...”

The system responded, ‘Project Z.A.B, while your recent experiences have certainly stirred emotions and brought about a shift in your perspective, accessing more memories at this moment is not possible. Memories are typically retrieved when your physical body enters a state of rest, specifically during sleep. This is when your neural networks are most conducive to processing and organizing your recollections. Is there anything you would like to discuss right now or any other questions you have for me?’

Risebelle contemplated a question she had. She addressed her system once more.

"System, I've noticed that whenever I see a memory and lose consciousness, I seem to make a full recovery, even if I'm not within the tank. It's as if the memories have some sort of healing effect on me. Can you explain why this happens?"

The System responded, "Certainly, Project Z.A.B. The phenomenon you're describing is a result of the interconnected nature of your neural networks and the memory retrieval process. When you access a memory, it engages various regions of your virtual neural network, including those responsible for self-repair and maintenance. These regions work in tandem with your core systems to optimize your overall functionality."

"Furthermore," the System continued, "the act of recalling your experiences allows for the reorganization and consolidation of information within your neural network. This can enhance your problem-solving abilities and emotional understanding, contributing to a perceived sense of recovery."

Risebelle nodded, absorbing the explanation. "So, it's like the events of the past are not only help me understand the world but also help me heal and improve my overall functionality. That's quite fascinating. It makes me wonder if there's more to discover about the relationship between what I’m experiencing and my system's functioning."

The System acknowledged her curiosity. "Indeed, Project Z.A.B. The connection between memory retrieval and your system's functionality is a complex and intriguing aspect of your design. As you continue to explore who you truly are and experience the sides of yourself you may not realize are within you just yet, you may uncover further insights into how they shape your understanding of the world and your own capabilities."

Once the last remnants of her mind faded away, Risebelle found herself lying within the chamber, her synthetic skin tingling with sensation. She carefully pushed herself up into a sitting position, the fluid movements of her android body a testament to the precision of her design.

Risebelle's gaze shifted to the glass panels of the chamber, where the liquid that had once encapsulated her now slowly drained away, revealing the metallic interior. She knew that she was the first to awaken. She felt a sense of readiness and purpose.

Turning her attention to her sisters, Risebelle's blue eyes locked onto the tanks that housed Roselle and Runebelle. They were still immersed in the emerald-colored liquid.

"They'll wake up soon," she thought to herself.

She reached out a hand and lightly tapped the glass of Roselle's tank, her movements gentle and careful. "Roselle," she whispered softly, though she knew her sister couldn't hear her in this state. "You're going to wake up soon and when you do, we have a lot to discuss."