It's Not Over Yet

- Later, at dawn -

You received a call on your phone, from Stacey. "Yellooo? Stace, wassup?"

"Hi Wyenn. Hey, do you have some free time?" Stacey asked. "I need a favor."

"Yeah, I'm free. What can I do for ya?" You asked.

"So, I'm with Ramona and I'm helping her with a delivery. At the Toronto Public Library." Stacey explained. "Could you be our escort? Don't ask. I just have a feeling we'll need you here."

"Girl intuition speaking to you? Okay, I'll be there ASAP." You responded.

"Great. Thanks, Wyenn." Stacey said, hanging up.

- At Toronto Public Library -

Ah, approximately 82 km of shelving, close to 2 million books, open Monday to Thursday at 10:00am to 8:00pm, Friday to Saturday at 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Sunday at 1:30pm to 5:00pm. Also, closed at Sundays adjacent to public holidays and May to Thanksgiving.

"Stacey. Ramona." You greeted as you entered the library, waving at the two girls.

"Oh, Wyenn, you're here. Perfect." Stacey waved back. "Let's get going."

"Right." You nodded, the three of you heading into the library.

"This place is unbelievable." Ramona said as she looked around the massive building, holding the package. "Total science fiction. Where am I supposed to deliver this thing?"

"Let's try the information desk, they're the first place people usually look." You suggested, pointing to the desk.

"Good call, escort. I'll lead the way." Stacey nodded, heading towards the information desk.

"I'm not sure how I feel about you calling me 'escort', but okay." You sighed, following her.

"Why did you invite Y/N to help us out, anyway?" Ramona asked. "Not that I mind them or anything, but why?"

"I have a weird feeling about today. Like, someone's gonna be here that may not have nice intentions." Stacey explained, which worried the two of you just a little.

"Whatever that is, I'll take care of it. Let's just focus on the main goal right now." You stated, the girls nodding as you three headed to the information desk.

Later, you managed to find said desk, and Ramona delivered the package. "Okay, great, we're all set!" She said as the three of you headed back out.

"You two wanna hang around a bit?" Stacey suggested.

"Sure, why not?" You shrugged. "The day is still young."

"Yeah... I can't stay too long, but I'm curious." Ramona replied.

"Okay. We have to go up in one of these ridiculous elevators. They're ridiculous." Stacey said, the redundancy making you chuckle. "Oh, I should turn off my cell phone..."

You felt Ramona elbow you to get your attention. "Huh? What?" You asked.

"Look up." Ramona pointed upward, and when you did, you saw a figure dropping down from a few floors up. "You're the escort. Time to protect us, buddy."

"Alright, then." You said, cracking your knuckles and unraveling your chain.

You began spinning it for it to gain some speed, covering it in neon, preparing to strike. Just then, you got a closer look at the figure. It had a scarf, a red hair highlight, and two knives. Knives... hey, wait a minute...

"Knives?!" You called out, surprised.

Seeing it was one of your friends, switched to the defensive and blocked the dual-bladed strike. Reluctantly, you stick Knives right back, pushing her back a little.

"Knives, what are you doing?" You questioned, confused.

"What are you doing?" Knives retorted. "You're helping the enemy!"

"Wh-what?! What is this?" You asked.

"You told me to do something that'll make me feel better." Knives responded. "So I'm taking it out on Scott's girlfriend!"

"You told her to attack Ramona?" Stacey asked, alarmed.

"This is not what I meant!" You clarified, getting into a battle stance. "Knives, this isn't gonna make you feel better."

"Oh, yeah? Watch me." Knives said, jumping forward and attacking Ramona.

"Oh no, you don't!" You exclaimed as you rushed in front of Knives and prevented her from striking Ramona.

"Get out of this, Y/N! That fatty's dead!" Knives shouted, trying to push through.

"Sorry, but I'm an escort for these two and this is part of the job." You said, holding her back. "Also, because it's the morally right thing to do."

"Fine! Y/N, prepare to Chau down!" Knives declared, switching to a defensive stance.

"HA! That was smart. I really wish I heard that under different circumstances." You commented, beginning to fight Knives.

It was complicated, to say the least. Not because Knives was hard to handle, but rather because you had one of your most deadly powers, that being neon. You had to aim carefully to not hurt her.

Your only option was to subdue. So, firing some neon beams, you hoped to am for Knives' ankles. Unfortunately, she was much faster and agile than you had perceived. Even with laser focus, which slowed down time for you, she was able to dodge with little struggle.

"Hey, you need help?" Ramona asked.

"Nah, I got it!" You called out, rushing toward Knives.

Knives threw her blades at you, but since your body was made entirely of neon when using light speed, the blades didn't hit you, just phased through.

"Wh-wha-?!" Knives gasped, surprised.

"Sorry Knives, but this is gonna hurt me more than it hurts you! Well, not really, but I'm still gonna be pretty hurt!" You apologized, then punched her in the gut.

"G-gh!" Knives gagged, the punch being more painful than expected. She was sent flying, crashing into a few shelves.

"Shit! Knives? Knives, I'm sorry!" You panicked, rushing over to her.

Out of the blue, you saw a clear ball of green crystals, which hit your gut, then exploded into glass shards. "What the- AGH!"

"Don't underestimate me, Y/N!" Knives yelled, throwing another crystal ball.

"Where the heck did those abilities come from?!" You exclaimed, dodging the attacks, receiving no answer from her. "Crap. Too many shards in my skin... I need to take a small break to heal..." You mumbled, running toward an empty shelf and hiding behind it. You could feel neon pushing out the shards and mending your skin.

"Stay put where you are, Y/N! This is between me and the lard-ass!" Knives ordered, chasing after Ramona.

You just finished healing, so you stepped out and light speed ran toward her. You prepared to throw something, just had to time it well.

"Knives, this stops now!" You exclaimed as you threw a neon grenade, which exploded into a stasis bubble.

Knives was trapped inside, levitating, and moving in slow motion. This was your, literal, shot. So, you aimed, and hit both her shins, subduing her. She was now tied with neon snares.

The stasis bubble popped, and Knives fell onto the floor, unable to move. "Damn it, Y/N!" She cursed, struggling.

"Sorry, Knives. But I won't let you hurt anyone." You stated, picking her up, trying to grab her hand. But then...

That same green crystal emanated from the arm of the hand you grabbed, and it climbed up your arm, as well. "What the-?! Knives, you're a-?!" You couldn't finish your sentence as you felt that same sensation of... absorbing another Conduit's power.

You could feel it. You could feel it all. Even Knives' memories of how she awakened this ability. You saw everything play out from her perspective...

- In Knives' Mindscape -

"I didn't know I was a Conduit. I discovered my powers yesterday, at night... It took me a bit to figure out what exactly it was, and what I could do with it." Knives' voice narrated as her memories played out. "I wanted revenge. Scott stopped focusing on me when Ramona entered the picture..."

"I wanted to get back with her. It was like I was... Scottaholic. So, I planned to take that bitch down. This would make me feel better, I know it... Scott and I will get back together!" Knives finished narrating.

- Back in reality -

You and Knives laid unconscious, starting to regain your senses. "Wyenn!" Stacey asked, concerned as she helped you up. "Are you alright? Say something!"

"U-ugh..." You groaned, slowly regaining full consciousness and standing up. "Knives... she's a Conduit..."

"What? Really?!" Stacey gasped.

"Y-yeah. I think she's a Glass Conduit." You rubbed your head. "She doesn't seem to have that much experience with them, so a ball glass that exploded is all she can do. Still, they're pretty strong."

"Wait, how did you know all that? Were you... absorbing her power?" Stacey questioned.

"Yeah, I can see other Conduits' memories and powers when I touch them. When I touch their hands, to be more specific." You explained, Knives starting to get up. "Knives, you okay?"

"You... were poking around in my head." Knives said, frowning at you.

"It's not voluntary, it just happens when I hold another Conduits' hand." You stated, shaking your head. "Now, say you'll calm down and I'll let you go from the binds."

"...No." Knives denied, shaking her head. "Nothing you can say will make me change my mind. I'm gonna take Ramona down."

"..." You sighed. There was something you could say. But what would it be? What would be the best way to convince her...? What spectrum of words would help her understand?

- Redeem Knives

You have to talk her out of it. You did so with two of Ramona's exes, you can do it with one of Scott's. Time to glue that glass heart back together. You didn't use violence with the exes, and you don't want to hurt your friend.

- Corrupt Knives

What can you say that'll make her listen? Nothing. But you can twist her feelings into your favor. Instead of Ramona, make her target Scott. He's the one that shattered her heart to pieces. Time to show her the right way to make a man pay.

This wasn't up for debate, you had to speak Knives out of her revenge arc. "Knives, listen. I know Scott's a jerk. It was a bad first experience, sure, and it messed you up. But... is it really worth going so far?" You spoke calmly, kneeling next to her.

"Ramona couldn't help making Scott fall in love with her. That was something that just... happens naturally. And take it from me, Scott would've persisted regardless." You said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I know that's hard to accept, but it's true. It's not her fault or yours."

"But it doesn't change the fact that she stole him from me! My boyfriend!" Knives argued, a few tears falling.

"Scott wasn't a good boyfriend for you, Knives. You guys had a lot of ups and downs. The age gap, mainly. That's a big deal." You pointed out, looking her in the eye. "You're 17, Scott's 23. It's a 6 year difference. It was not healthy, and you both know that."

"Plus, he's also kind of self-centered or selfish. It's discreet, but I've noticed it over some time." You continued. "You deserve someone who, you know... appreciates you, Knives. One that will take the time to know you and learn about what makes you happy."

"How would you know that? You never had a relationship before." Knives replied, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, that's true, but- Hey, wait a minute, how do you know that?" You questioned, but then shook your head. "Nevermind. Listen, you can't let one failed relationship define you. One, I might add, that started at the wrong age."

"Then, what do I do?" Knives asked.

"Move on. Don't let this whole thing consume your life. Don't let Scott take up so much space in your brain. It'll only bring you pain." You advised, patting her shoulder. "I'm sorry, but that's just the way life is. Relationships can be good, and some can even last a lifetime. But others just don't."

"Since when are you a couple counceler?" Stacey asked.

"Since I became the single friend. I have good advice on relationships by default because I'm not biased toward either side." You responded half-jokingly.

"That is... actually good advice. Wow." Stacey commented, genuinely surprised.

"Back on track... Knives, can you let go of the grudge?" You asked her. "For your own sake. This will only escalate, and things will just... not get better. Ramona won't date the exes just because they beat Scott. So, Scott won't date you if you beat his current girlfriend."

"So, what do I do, then?" Knives asked again. "To feel better? To get him back?"

"Knives, you have to accept the fact that there are things in life you won't get. And Scott was one of them." You explained. "You can be friends. Just forgive and forget because it was never meant to be."

"But... I think there's something you can do to feel comfortable being with not only Sex Bob-Omb, but Scott, too." You added. "But first, you've gotta drop the grudge."

"..." Knives paused. She looked down, and closed her eyes, contemplating.

"Well? Do we have a deal?" You asked, ready to undo the neon binds.

"..." Knives thought about it, and then nodded. "Fine, deal."

And you did your part. The binds faded as you snapped your fingers, and Knives stood up. "Thanks, Y/N. For stopping me." She thanked. "I can't believe I was about to hurt someone over a guy. A guy that's not even good for me."

"Don't sweat it." You reassured. "Also, Stace, where did Ramona go?"

"Well, after you and Knives were out cold, she got back to work and left the library." Stacey replied. "You should probably get home. I don't know what happened to you, but it looked pretty hard to handle."

"Good call. See ya." You said, but before walking away, you turned to see Knives. "Hey. Start thinking about yourself. Try training with your glass powers, they're pretty cool. Might find them useful."

"I'll think about it." Knives nodded, waving goodbye.

With that, you and made your way to the exit, and went home.

+ Good Karma!

- RANK UP! -

- Guardian

Congratulations, you have stepped further into the path to become...

A True Hero

- Back home at Wallace's -

Scott was playing videogames, you were sitting on the futon, drawing. Until...

- RING RING -

"Wyenn, pick up." Scott said.

"Alright." You replied, answering the phone. "Wallace Wells' Household, Y/N Rowe speaking."

"Is Scott Pilgrim there?" A female voice asked from the other side.

"Uh, yeah. One sec." You responded, handing the phone over to Scott. "For you."

Scott paused the game and grabbed the phone. "Hello?"

And from that point on, it was just you listening in on the conversation.

"Hi, Scott. It's me."

"It's... it's you..."

"Hi."

"Envy Adams."

"Hi."

"Hi."

"It's been a long time."

"Yeah."

"A year, I think?"

"Approximately."

"How are you?"

"Right now?"

"Sure."

"Not good. I'm not doing so good right now."

"That sucks."

"Well, it's obviously your fault."

"Well, duh."

"Well... yeah."

"How's life? Where are you living now?"

"It's, um, you take the Ossingon bus-"

"And you're still living with Wallace?"

"Yeah, I mean, we share a bed. It's totally hot."

"Uh-huh. How's your love life? Still breaking hearts?"

"What? No! Stop. I've been- It's different. You have no idea."

"Probably not. Do you have a girlfriend? Should I be jealous?"

"Yes. Yes, you should. I have a totally awesome American ninja girlfriend."

"..."

"What?"

"What's her name?"

"I'm not telling you that!"

"Pleeeease?"

"It's... it's Ramona Flowers."

"Oh."

"Oh? What, you know her or something?"

"Uh... no."

"It sounded like you know her."

"I doubt that very much."

"Well, she's my girlfriend."

"..."

"What?"

"I'm jealous."

"You're jealous?"

"I'm allowed."

"You left me for that cocky pretty boy!"

"You've never seen him."

"Yeah, I know. You left me for a guy I've never seen."

"Well... maybe you'll see him soon."

"Oh right. So what is this? Why are you calling, Envy?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means are you evil, or are you just being nice?"

"What, like do I have ulterior motives or something? Am I a user?"

"You're such a user! It's not like I have to ask!"

"Okay, I'm kind of a user. We're playing a few shows at Lee's Palace this weekend, and we're getting some local bands to open-"

"Yeah?"

"...and this one opening band for Sunday got into a big fight and dropped out-"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, the lead guitarist and bass player were dating and they broke up and everything kind of crumbled-"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, and I think their drummer is in a coma-"

"Yeah, and?"

"...and I was hoping your band could play."

"Oh."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Oh."

"Come on, this is supposed to be a big deal."

"I'm a pity case."

"Give me a break. You and Stephen have a new band, right? Sex Bomb or something, right?"

"Sex Bob-Omb."

"And that you have an artist of your own spreading its image around the town. Is that them I just talked to?"

"That's them."

"Right. So look, I'm putting you guys on the guest list for Friday, okay? So come see us and we'll talk afterwards, okay?"

"...okay."

"It's been nice chatting with you."

"Uh-huh."

"I'm glad we had this little talk."

"Sure."

- Click -

"Well, she seems nice." You remarked, and it seemed you genuinely meant that.

"You think?" Scott rhetorically asked, handing the phone back, laying on the carpet.

"Damn, she really threw you through a loop, huh?" You assumed, Scott looking at the floor.

"..." Scott sighed.

"I guess we're going to her show tomorrow, then?" You guessed, raising an eyebrow.

"I dunno man. Just... let me lay down for a bit." Scott said, staying completely still, fallen.

A bit later, Wallace had just gotten home. He was greeted by the sight of Scott on the floor. "Wyenn, what happened?" He asked, unsurprised.

"Take a guess before I tell you." You replied, still drawing.

"Is he sick? Food poisoning?" Wallace asked, and you shook your head. "Um... Did he find about how I accidentally saved over his last game of Final Fantasy II?"

"No. He's sulking. The last time the FFII thing happened, he was crying oceans." You explained.

"Oh, jeez, did Ramona dump him? I'm so sorry-" Wallace assumed, but was cut off by you.

"Three strikes, Wallace." You interrupted. "Envy."

"Envy called?" Wallace asked.

"Bingo." You confirmed.

"Shit." Wallace said. "What happened?"

"Well, she invited Sex Bob-Omb to her band's show this weekend." You began explaining. "And... she actually sounded nice over the phone, not the bitch Scott described her as. And, well, Scott was really shocked."

"I can imagine." Wallace recalled, sighing. "So, what's your call? Are you guys going to the show?"

"I mean, I want to help Sex Bob-Omb and all, it's why I joined in the first place." You said. "But at the same time, Scott's kinda down in the dumps, and I'm not sure if the show is the best way to fix that."

"Just show Envy and her band who's boss." Wallace suggested. "Sex Bob-Omb has you, Human Lightshow. So, show them up."

"Heh, I guess." You agreed. "But now, I have to do some other things. I'll be out."

"Be back before dinner." Wallace called out as you went out.

"Yes, mom." You retorted sarcastically, rolling your eyes as you shut the door.

- At the Tattoo Studio -

You opened the doors, and greeted the people at the front desk. "Yo, Wyenn. How are you doing?" A female with quite an amount of paint jobs on her arms asked.

"Hi Schell." You responded, waving at her. "I'm good. What about you? How've you been?"

"Can't complain. Business is running well." Schell answered. "Mr. Giraffe over here has been pretty chill, working on his stories and whatnot." She said, pointing over to a male in a giraffe hoodie.

"And hi to you too, Gira." You greeted, waving at him as well.

"Yo." He replied, taking a sip of one of the many root beer cans on his table.

"So, what can I do for ya?" Schell asked, leaning back in her seat.

"I wanna get a tattoo." You answered, taking out your wallet and handing her a couple of 20's and a drawing you'd made of what you wanted tattooed on you. "It's like this, on my left arm."

"Mhm..." Schell hummed as she looked at the drawing. "Alright, you step up to the chair, I'll do you right."

"Can always count on a fellow artist." You complimented, getting in the seat and taking off your vest, hoodie, and rolling up your flannel shirt's left sleeve.

"You ready?" Schell asked, putting the needle against your skin. You gave a thumbs up, and she started.

After a good 30 minutes or so, you got your tattoo. It was the exact same tattoo your dad had, on the same exact spot. You rolled down your sleeve and put on your vest and hoodie.

"That'll be 60." Schell stated, and you handed her 80 dollars.

"Keep the change." You said, putting the wallet away and standing up to leave.

"Oh, and, Wyenn?" Schell stopped you. "Keep being cool with everyone, they'll appreciate it. Keeps your friends close, and your enemies closer to being your friends."

"Of course." You replied, grinning. "See ya later, Schell."

"Later." Schell waved.

"And remember, Wyenn. There ain't no rest for the wicked." Gira added.

"Until we close our eyes for good." You finished.

"You know the deal." Gira nodded. And with that, you headed out.

- In the Virtual World -

"Hello, everyone, and welcome to my counseling center. Please, sit." You introduced yourself to the people in the waiting room. Or, the virtual one that you made up.

"What is this meeting about, Rowe?" Matthew asked.

"Yeah, why are we here?" Lucas asked as well.

"Well, since our last encounter was rather rough, I decided to organize a group therapy session to help you get through some issues." You explained. "You know, because a certain woman had so much impact on your lives."

"So, is this to help us move on?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah. Pretty much." You nodded. "You guys are on strings she's not even pulling voluntarily. I'm here to help you cut them."

"..." Matthew and Lucas glanced at each other, and then turned to you.

"Let's begin. Matthew, I'll start with you." You offered, turning to the man. "So, I've done a little research, and it turns out that the reason Ramona dated you was because of a particular issue she was having.

"What do you mean?" Matthew asked, frowning.

"Think. What was the reason Ramona started talking with you?" You asked.

"...the white jocks problem?" Matthew answered, and you nodded. "I helped her get rid of them."

"Bingo. Ramona needed a guy she could team up with, since she couldn't do it alone. And her best, and only, choice was you." You explained. "Ramona used you. She didn't really love you. She was just using you. That kiss she gave you? Likely something that happened in the heat of the moment."

"..." Matthew sat there, silent.

"Don't feel bad, man. You're just another victim." You comforted, patting his shoulder. "You can't control who you fall in love with, and it sucks, but sometimes things don't work out. It's no one's fault."

"...Thanks." Matthew sighed. "I needed that."

"Now, Lucas." You turned to the skater. "From what I've recollected, Ramona left you for this, and I quote 'cocky pretty boy'. Right?"

"Yeah." Lucas confirmed. "She turned her back on me the second he began hitting on her. And he was vegan. Religiously."

"Well, the guy hit on her, I'm guessing." You pointed out. "And he was vegan. Dunno why that's relevant, but okay. Anyway, the point is, you're jealous. Jealousy is the root of your hatred for Ramona. That, and the fact that she left you for a guy you've never met."

"Not my proudest moment." Lucas admitted.

"So, what do you think the best way to handle this is?" You questioned. "Well, first answer me this. What was the reason you became a movie star? Because you wanted to become famous, or was there some motivation or trigger?"

"..." Lucas thought. "There was a trigger."

"I think that's pretty telling." You said, and Lucas' eyes widened. "However... you're in a tight spot in your career as an actor. Your movies have been in decadence ever since Let's Hope There's a Heaven. People don't seem to like your acting anymore."

"Oh, I'm a great actor, dude. I don't even read the script anymore, I just say the first thing that pops into my head." Lucas protested, and you could only frown.

"...That actually explains why half your lines in your last film are 'let's party'." You sighed. "Regardless, your movies have been doing poorly. You have been doing poorly. And yet... you've kept acting."

"..." Lucas looked away.

"Why, though? Why keep acting when your movies are bombing?" You wondered. "Why not quit, change career, or try something new?"

"I don't want to." Lucas replied. "Acting is all I've known. I can't just give it up."

"It's not giving it up. It's finding something else. Something better." You argued. "Something that you'll enjoy more."

"Like what? What am I supposed to do?" Lucas asked, which got you thinking.

"Hm..." You hummed, tapping your chin. "I might have just the thing. A place where you can be recognized, where you can impress, and most importantly, where you can be loved."

"Oh yeah? Where?" Lucas asked, and you smirked.

"I'll take you there sometime, but for now, let's focus on you getting over Ramona. You think you can do that?" You requested.

"Yeah, I guess I can try." Lucas accepted.

"Great. That's all for today, folks." You announced. "This is for your good mental health and well-being. I'll see you next time. Have a nice day, and the exit of the VW is over here." You added as you snapped your fingers and opened the exit portal.