A Villains Welcome

Vinea, Fox and Senshi were the first ones back to Splice's office room, waving to Iyu as they sat around. Vinea and Senshi were just idly chatting about music while Fox was sewing up his mask with some supplies he bought on the way back. 

As Mementis, Moria and Vitis walked in, Vinea looked overjoyed to see his grandmother, quickly rushing to hug her. The duo conductors began chatting about what happened as Senshi got Iyu to have Splice have a look at Vitis. 

Finally Ven, Tika and Vex arrived, with the two asking who the robot was, only to let out surprised gasps when they found out it was Vitis. And as Everyone began chatting and catching up, Splice had stepped out from Iyu's body.

"I trust have gotten the three protectors, correct?" They asked with a blank stare. Fox handed over Goat, Mementis handing over Ice Piercer and Ven handing over Sun-Splitter. All three heroes had woken up and stared at Splice with fear in their eyes. But Splice just stuffed the trio inside Iyu for later before turning back to the group with a smile. 

"Now then, let us finish off this little segment of time." They said as they outstretched their claws, jabbing Tika with a syringe, causing her to regrow back to full size in Ven's hands, crushing him under her weight. "Get off... Me... You heavy..." 

"Aw, and here I thought you liked big girls." Moria laughed as Vinea and Fox stared at Tika, causing her to blush. "Splice... My stuff?" She whispered. Splice laughed flatly before pulling Zamtika's stuff from one of Iyu's zippers. She left the room to put her clothes on as Vinea asked the next question; "And Avis?" 

They had almost forgotten about the harpy, motioning to Iyu who quickly unzipped her chest, letting the inky void that was her body spit Avis out, who fell to the floor with a chirp. She stood up, stretching her new robotic wings and flexing her new arm. "Where the hells have you guys been? I've been stuck in that lab for ages!" She squawked before getting a tight hug from Vinea. 

"Did you think I'd die?" She asked flatly with a slight smirk on her beak. Vinea shook his head, wiping a few tears from his eyes. "Shut up, I just didn't want you to die knowing you disappointed me." He laughed. 

Ven gave her a wave before getting a hard punch in the stomach from her. "That's for getting taken!" She then kicked him in the knee, knocking him to the floor. "That's for being dead when I found you!" Avis then finished it off with a hug with Vinea. "And that's for going out of your way to save my life."

Mementis thought it was cute that Ven had made new friends, but Moria just laughed at the sight of Ven getting hurt. "Ha. Thanks bird. I've been meaning to kick his ass for getting us killed." Ven was lying on the floor, letting out an annoyed grunt as he stood up. "Yeah, yeah. I get it. I'm a great friend and terrible leader." He laughed.

While of everyone chatting and introducing themselves, Tid-Bit took control of Ven and approached Splice. "You remember the last part of our deal? You'd tell me who I was."

Splice let out an annoyed sigh, using their claws as a seat as they made Iyu go and interact with their guests. "Fine. But just so you know. I could answer any question you have of this world. Yet you choose to ask about the past. So speak away."

Tid-Bit began thinking over Splice's words, but knew she wanted an answer. "Who am I?" 

"You are the first sub-mind of Eden. I made you to serve the simple purpose of being a limiter to Eden. The person you were based on is... Well. You have already met her kin. Or should I say your kin?" Splice said with a smile. Tid-Bit, however, looked angry over the vagueness of the statement. 

"Tell me my name!"

"As the Rat told me many times; That ruins the story." They sighed. Tid-Bit stormed off in a huff, going outside to breathe. Mementis and Moria soon approached Splice as well. "Oh. The siblings who helped bring about the end. And what do I owe the pleasure."

Moria leaned against her scythe as she put it bluntly. "We wanna know what kind of monster your making. I mean, to use three heroes for it. You must be planning something big." 

Mementis rolled his eyes, instead leaning down to Splice. "Or should we say what kind of monster are you making with your last three projects."

"How did you know?"

"Vitis told us about your plan to make something. And I figured that if Vitis became a hero because of you, I guessed that you had a hand in creating the protectors, correct?" He sighed, scratching his neck.

"So what if I am? Do you care what happens to this city?"

The duo looked at each other before saying with grins; "Nope." 

"Then why ask about my project?" 

"We figured that it'd be a hell of a fight... And we want to die in combat. Give us that, and we'll help however we can."

Splice seemed to enjoy the prospect, accepting it with a nod. "Very well. Keep the sub-minds here for another hour or so. I think I'll have the project done by then." 

The duo nodded and went off to the others and began chatting about. Splice went back inside Iyu to get to work on their perfect project.

Ven and Tid-Bit were sitting outside in the park, staring down at the desert below with a sense of dissatisfaction. "What do they mean I've met my kin before! Who am I?" Tid-Bit groaned as Ven shrugged. "Well. maybe you're Rat's mom or something?" He joked. "Or maybe Panila's child?" She said with a slight snicker. 

"But look. We've been around for like a month. A month. We could be around forever if we wanted to. But let's not focus on our pasts. We'll both be silently sleeping soon, and... And I want us to end our story with our resolutions. I want to get the true ending of the game of life!" 

"Are you comparing life to a video game right now?" Tid-bit said with a snicker.

"Hey, our story would make an amazing game." He laughed. Standing up before noticing something in the distance. "What is that?" He pointed. Tid-Bit used Ven's robotic eye to zoom in, seeing what looked like a gigantic golden gate opening up in the middle of the desert, hundreds of Decaynines walking out of it with weapons at the ready. 

"Oh shit." Ven mumbled. Suddenly a loud, booming voice erupted from the Tower Of Bebel. Everyone else came outside to see an immeasurable sized angelic figure hovering above the city, eclipsing the sun and with a warm, comforting smile. "Dear Citizens of Pandora's Melody. I am here to in form you all that we will be hosting a foreign Diplomat."

Avis and Vinea stared at the figure with a confused look as Fox prepared Red and Blue. Mementis and Moria where excited when they eyed the Decaynines as Tika and Vex where trying to figure out what to do. Iyu stepped out with a smile, saying a sweet voice. "It appears you have brought trouble from The Underbelly. Splice has asked me to inform you that Panila has organised a killing party for your heads. Please leave our premises."

Iyu was about to head inside before getting another message, quickly turning around. "It appears Splice wants me to help... So I shall. Thank you for having me." She said with a smile, though she was clearly annoyed that she was forced to help. 

"Uhm... Can you ask Splice what the plan is? Should we bail or fight?" Vinea asked with a nervous smile. Iyu sighed before responding in a more frustrated tone. "It appears we will have to fight our way to the tower of Babel. Please do try not to die."

Ven turned to Vex asking with a nervous smile; "Hey… Is it cool if I borrow your gun-blade for this?"

She gave him a coy smile before handing it over. "Only if you'll answer a question for me after this."

"Deal." Ven said with a smirk as he grabbed the blade. Everyone gathered together in preperation to charge the Tower on the other side of the city. "You guys know we might die, right? So… Don't die."

"Wow Ven, you are awful at motivational speeches." Tid-Bit said with a giggle.

"Shut up…"