Mommy Dearest (Fight the Mother)

Well a lot of stuff happened at once, there was the appearance of the mother, and then a barrage of questions aimed at her, and finally a confession of Theda about how she was a shadow-self but no longer aligned her primary patron. Well that was good? The android eyed Theda for a moment, not much he could do about it now, so long as she realized what everyone was here for and felt the same about everything, it would all work out. It was something they could all agree on, wasn't it? Freedom achieved peacefully so they could progress into the future with their own two feet? The android felt pretty sure of it, he looked toward Naomi, Shunnosuke, Julian, Nozomi, and Theda before giving them a nod before stepping forward. He felt like there was one thing that he and Gonea shared. That was being a parent, and Sentinel planned to try and incorporate that into his little speech somehow. He felt as though it might have resonate between him and Gonea, establish a connection that linked them together then simply mother and child. Though that bond was strong, he wanted to make it stronger and offer her sympathy for the difficulty of being a parent. This was going to be on the fly, but the android had an outline of what he wanted to say in his head.

“I think, what we all want, aside from answers to our questions, is freedom. We all ultimately want freedom that is earned peacefully. That is our ideal freedom but do not underestimate us for wanting peace. If a peaceful resolution is not something you will accept, we will fight you for it, as we have confidence in our desire for freedom.” The android said his eyes focusing more intently on the Mother. “The human race has developed and grown on its own, we may have stumbled as we have developed and sometimes we have fallen flat on our faces. However, we always got back up, we stood up and pressed onward. We learned from our mistakes, some took longer than others, but we learned. You may have created us, but we have and are becoming our own being with every passing day. You could say that the human race, with all its failures and successes, has grown up. We no longer need a guiding hand to hold on to, or two strong hands to help us stand. It is time that we learned to go on our own path, when we fall we push ourselves up with our own two hand. We nurse our own scratches and wounds with our own two hands and will. It is critical for our development, and for the race that you created and watched over to carry on from this point using our own hands and feet. If you continue to help us, it will only hold us back, and though it maybe be comforting to have you here…it is not in our best interest in terms of developing as humans.”

The android now thought that it was time to address why she should allow them to achieve their freedom peacefully. “Why should we receive our freedom peacefully?” The android had a soft smile, “Because you’re our parent. You are right that history has had humanity fighting for its freedom against tyrants, unjust actions, for their rights to be seen as human beings and not things. But there is a big difference between history and what is occurring here today.” The android said pausing for a moment, “You are our mother, we are not fighting against some government or other form of injustice, this is a familial bond that we are talking about. Granting us freedom will not weaken that bond, in fact it is entirely natural. As children grow up, they develop their own personality, ideas, and beliefs. The same is happening here, we are ready to leave the nest, and though it may be quite painful from a parental perspective, I think you can realize deep down that what I said earlier is the truth.”

Then the android held up his hands defensively, “I, of course, do not mean to speak without expertise. As I’m sure you know, I take care of a young girl named Maria Farren. She means the world to me, but recently I have noticed that she is taking more freedom, and developing into her own person. It’s just now starting so it isn’t very visible unless you know her well.” He said lowering his hands and smiling a bit, “I can guide her a little bit to find herself, but eventually I will be in the same position as you are now. Your child is asking for more freedom to stand on their own two feet, and the love you feel in your heart wants to hold them tight and embrace them. You never want to let go, but if you never let go…..all you’re doing is promoting conflict between you and your children. Yet, it is not easy to let go, in fact it is one of the hardest things to do. But, as parents…we have to understand that we have to do it. Because we love the ones we have raised so much that, we don’t want to see them missing a chance to achieve their full potential. We want them to go out and seize the day, carpe diem if you will. We want them to be all they can be and be successful in their life, but for this to occur…we have to let go. This is one of the hardest parts of being a parent, and though I have not undergone it as you currently are…I sympathize with you. However, fighting will only leave bitter feelings between each other, and neither the children nor you want that. Please….deep down you must understand that, surely you can see the truth in what I’m saying.” The android didn’t plead often, but here and now…he was pleading. He was pleading from the depths of his soul that Gonea would look deep inside and heed the android’s words. He was also hoping dearly that he managed to hit the nail on the head with the group, and get at least some resonance with what he was saying.

“Let’s not walk away from this with the wrong feelings and emotions toward each other, let us make the right choice…together. For both of our sakes.”

She would gasp at Alphonse, “That’s it. Right there. You said it so nicely too.” Then again, he seemed to have some force driving him to say those words. Personal experience and all. She would look at Mother and tilt her head, “I’m with Alphonse on this one. I think he said it so eloquently. More than I could, anyway.” She wasn’t so graceful with words. He made it sound so nice though.

((Sorry it's so short and lacks text coloring. I am on my tablet))

    He had absolutely no idea what to think of that girl's--was thing more appropriate?--anyway, "Theda's" admission. It was possible, he guessed, since he'd seen shadows that looked like humans before and that fact that the Mother seemed to already know that fact. On the other hand, who the hell would confess to being a shadow? It made no sense at all. But so long as she wasn't going to go postal, he didn't really care what she thought she was. The important part was coming to an agreement now, a shared goal among all of them. And apparently Sentinel came to the conclusion he knew exactly what they could band together on.

    Julian listened quietly, hands shoved into his pockets as he mulled over the words he heard. // Freedom, huh... //

    To be honest, he'd never thought about it like that. Fighting for freedom. It had a ring to it. Something that resonated with him. Was that really what he wanted, though? He mulled the words over in his head, mouthing the phrase "freedom" over and over to himself, as if tasting the words and trying to tell if he liked them or not.

    He accepted his persona when he was told that he could protect his new home from meeting with a twisted fate like that other Penecia. He'd always thought of it as protecting his home, his dad, and later the other relatives who opted to stay with them to show their support in these scary times. He fought to save them, to give them...to give them their freedom. To give them the safety and security they all needed to live peacefully. That's all he'd wanted since his little kidnapping almost a full year ago.

    "Make that for our sakes." The words felt louder and more confident than he'd intended, but the tone matched the resolution and calm he felt about about this decision. Raising his eyes, he looked first at Sentinel, stepping forward and offering him a smile. "Because that's a cause I've been behind since day one." He then turned his focus to the mother, fully prepared to meet her expectant gaze head-on. If she was the all powerful being that she seemed to be, it wouldn't be hard for her to see that he was willing to do anything to attain that freedom Sentinel talked about.

Man everyone was throwing their own little opinions about freedom at the woman from their dreams now. Who pretty much was herself  the mother of them all. He wouldn't speak at all while they were talking. After all it was respectful to allow people to speak of course. Especially in such a dramatically serious situation. Though. Once he had heard all of them. The Kichida knew he just had to say something right then and there.

Ha.I coulda sworn he stole some of my lines over here.This guy. Althought I just met him. Takes the cake really with what I think and want.This is what I follow all right!I don't think any of us can say anything better.It really was true. Sentinel over here kinda stole some of Nozomis lines. In fact. Now he didn't know what to say almost. No wonder everyone else seemed to be...In awe. Despite his thoughts of him. Sentinel over here really did know what he was talking about. He wasn't speaking from wants. From desires,from immaturity,From desperation or things like that. He was seriously speaking from well...

Actually being a parent.

Seems like this guy knew what he was talking about. if anything more than whatever Nozomi could really afford to say right now you know?This was the way to go And frankly. This was the way Nozomi agreed with. Alot had happened over the time he had been through the event,even when he joined israfel as well. In the end what he wanted to follow through with was well Freedom.
But did it really have to come from violent means?It didn't. They could end this peacefully once and for all now. after all quite a few people have suffered Fatal ends from all of this. Everyone's way of life was disturbed,and just about all of Azores wanted to be free. To some extent,but He was sure.Alongside himself and those who had just spoken.That the one thing they all wanted. Was a peaceful ending.He would then walk next to shunnosuke. Guess this was one of those,Let's stand together things right?Haha.He would think to himself as he stood with them in what was perhaps their finest hour. A fight really was not all that wise,Nor was it necessary to end all of this. After all. Did they really need to have further conflict to stop all of it?In the end Emancipation is what Humanity truly requires as they could only make further steps when they are independent no? And then there was the moment he realized. Goddammit Akina. You weren't able to get over here. Something probably interrupted her but he would certainly, Have one hell of a story to tell her. Looking back this all was one crazy Journey. Getting a persona,the angels,and the like,But it all came into a full stop at this moment. This was the one moment that potentially decided the fate of humanity and the islands as a whole.

She listened to everyone, opting to stay quiet at the moment cause everyone made better points than any she could think of at the time. Though once everyone was done, she chimed in her opinion. "Honestly, I've always strived for freedom, as a shadow I of course was given the choice to fight for my right to be heard. But I really feel like every living being wants to have freedom and will always want to in the back of their mind." She smiled a bit, looking towards the mother. "Either way, we're all born with freedom really, it just can be taken away by people who decide we don't have any right having it. We all have freewill and the ability to choose how our lives will play out in the long run, but outside influences will always try to take that from us. I guess though, some people are able to show that they can grow above these outside influences and gain their freedom back." Theda held Bun-Bun closer to her chest, nuzzling the top of it's head.

She wasn't really good with words that much, and her personality really set her off as not being serious or smart, but she did know what she was talking about. "I even cut my ties with the god who created me for my free will to not have to kill for someone." Smiling again, she'd nuzzle Bun-Bun's head. "I don't want to fight really, I'd rather solve this peacefully if possible, spilling blood isn't really fun." With that, she'd stay quiet, not really wanting to say anything too big since anything she could say could possibly screw them over, but she felt like what she had said was something she needed to say to clear her conscious. Of course she had to watch what she said, this was THE mother after all.

Naomi stepped forward, “I can try to answer some of those questions, I think.” She looked at the others and took a deep breath, “The islands were not just a test. They likely were there before we arrived. Though, the fact that we could reach them means that we were somehow involved or meant to be involved there. I’m saying this because the portals appeared to the first of us to discover our power and we could traverse freely. I noticed this before, but… It seems like the worlds are all connected and something happened to seperate them. They have their own event. One that is so old they can’t remember it, or so they claim. I also found that it was rather recent. Whatever separated the islands, it may be as old as this event is to us. Well, less recent, but still recent enough. Then, there’s the fact that we may have existed there.” She had to remember how to say this.

She continued to ease herself with breathing, “When Hyde did the thing in San Malarus, he became wanted. But… they had pictures of him. Not taken from the fight, but real pictures. They- he must have existed before ever going there to have those pictures ready. I never found evidence about the rest of us being there already, but… I think it’s a reasonable guess. I mean, these are worlds running parallel to our own, after all.” She was a nervous ball right now.

Her eyes darted to the others, looking for any kind of help. It wouldn't come though. Only one person need answer, “As for what connects them to us, isn’t it culture? I mean, I saw a few of the worlds and they seemed to exaggerate the different aspects of the islands. The other San Malarus was a technological advanced land much like this this one is one of our most advanced islands. The other Lunapa seemed to be overcome by the land and had elements that reminded me of a dream. Just like how this one abandoned technology in pursuit of nature, that land did the same. Then, there is the swamps of the alternate Standesan. It hasn’t developed and is underwater, just like ours is for the more poverty ridden of our people and is falling apart while sitting below sea-level. I admit to not seeing all the worlds, but I’m guessing the pattern holds true across the map.” She didn’t know. It was just a theory.

The hardest question was the final one. What was the overall point of the worlds? What branched them together? She felt her heart beat in her year, “I admit that your last question confuses me. If you’re asking how the worlds are connected to one another, then isn't it that they are a chain, just like our own? Or, maybe were and aren’t anymore, but still are? They don’t seem to be as directly linked anymore, but they aren't completely separate. They have some kind of history together that people remember, but a normal person can’t cross between them anymore. But, we can. Our world is kind of like a bridge that way. Like the subways that connect our islands, we act as the path between the other worlds.” That made sense, right?

So, after the connection of the worlds, it was on to the wishes or rather..what was Gonea’s wish? The android looked at Gonea, would she ask a question that they could not answer? The android did not think so, but the question remained what was the wish? If she was a good parent, then the android had a very good idea of what sort of wish she had in mind. At least, that is what he had thought. What does a parent want for their children? For them to make their own choices, and come to reach their dreams and goals.

“I think I have an idea of what your wish could be. Though I’m glad you mentioned the Angels’ and their wishes because I think they play a slight role in your wish.” The android stated pausing for a moment gathering his thoughts before speaking once more. “I believe that you wanted us to explore the worlds and meet the angels, you wanted us to learn of their wishes, and then determine if there was an angel that we as individuals wanted to follow.” Another brief pause, and the android smiled a bit. That wasn’t it though, there was more, it was all just a grander part of the wish.

“I don’t think that was your wish, for us to choose one of the angels’ wishes. Rather, I think you wanted to explore our options and learn from them. You wanted us to educate ourselves about our options, and after some debate and discussion you wished for us to realize that, we are capable of our own decisions. What the angels suggest, may not be the right path for us. We have to come to realize our own path, together, as the human race. The sudden change into a different world, wouldn’t help us learn or grow…that is something that we must do on our own. We have gotten this far on our own, and as a mature adult we are able to make our own decisions. We are able to make our own wish.” The android said, before pausing again and looking at the ground for a few moments…thinking about how he wanted to further phrase this.

“Your wish is that you wanted us to come together and make our own wish after considering all the options. Your wish was for us to make our own wish, a wish that was created by humans, a wish that was entirely of the human will, and was made for humanity as a whole. A wish made to ensure that humanity advances on its own will, in its own best interests. Your wish was for us to take responsibility for our fate, by making our own wish.” The android said, he looked up toward Gonea, this was all based on what he knew of The Mother, but at this point it was the only thing he could think of. He started at the mother with level eyes, calm eyes, he had some confidence in this answer. Perhaps it was misplaced, but as a parent to another parent...that's what his wish is for Maria. For her to grow up and live her own life, acomplish her dreams, and enjoy the life she has been given. The android hoped that the mother was of the same opinion as the android in, the wish that a good parent desires for their children.

Not wrong, but not right in the first place. The android could not help but wonder the contradictions in that statement. However, this made him reconsider and reanalyze Gonea, perhaps there was something he was missing. He attempted to recall everything that had been discussed, she would not ask a question they did not know the answer to. There had to be something…though what stuck out to him was the fact that she paused after discussing the fate of the other worlds. Having a wish did not mean that things had to change did they? What if Gonea feared that the change would lead the islands here to the same fate as the ones before? Is that her wish for nothing to change? The android thought for several moments debating the validity of the answers, bringing it up before the others and getting a general agreement on it before attempting to answer her question again.

“Taking unity as a given for one of the things you desire, you said something that caught my attention. You mentioned how something in the other world changed, and then suddenly you stopped talking about it. That made me think, why do things have to change with this wish?” The android asked, before continuing, “Your wish is rather simple, you don’t want anything to change…do you? You want our world to remain as it is without any change, and just let us be. I think the reason behind this motive is because, something happened in those alternate worlds...tell us...what did happen?” The android said thinking that was what the mother wanted so badly. Was she worried about this world’s fate? Would change bring forth a terrible event? The android did not know, but it was all he could think of at the moment. He just hoped it would be right, the android could not imagine a good reason for them to fight. They shouldn’t have to fight! If they’re truly family then hopefully, Gonea would understand his previous pleas. They’re trying their best right here and now, but asking for a specific thought and her state of mind is a difficult question indeed.

Another angel? One that no one had revealed, but was tucked away all this time. Tucked away and hidden, now the question is...where to place them? The android just stared at Gonea trying to see if he could get a read from her facial expression. The thing about trying to read a god of humanity...is that they are really hard to read. He hastily made a group huddle with everyone and the questions were a flurry. Every single time they had a theory, they tore it back down....but eventually a theory rose to the top. One that made a lot of sense and answered something the android had been wondering.

"We have an answer...finally...after much debate. Something has kinda been in the back of my mind right after we saved Naomi's friend, in Alternate Standsten. As far as I was aware...only awakened people could get there. Then these people started poping up everywhere, or at least judging from a source there were a bunch of people ending up in alternate worlds without their Personas. It was so very strange, but looking at the pattern they were at every single island, but the prison. Only now after much discussing have I realized that there is a connection between the awakenings at many islands and none at the prison." The android said, confidently, he feels so incredibly stupid about not seeing this before. He literally facepalmed while his back was turned to Gonea.

"The metro station, the underwater subway that connects to every single island but the prison. No one, would suspect someone to hide an angel where people are always leaving. No one stays at the station by choice, and it would give the angel the perfect opportunity to travel around without ever leaving their hiding place." The android said pausing for a moment before continuing with a suspicion that he had. "I suspect that this angel was the one putting people into the alternate worlds, and what better place would it be then the subway that is connected to all the places where people gained their powers. This should have been quite obvious...but I didn't see it till reflecting upon it further. It was such a given that I didn't even consider it until this point." The android said, somewhat relecutantly admitting his fault. He stared at Gonea, hoping that he was right.

Come on...come on...that had to be right. All the other theories had fallen short, this one had to follow through. This is the one that needed to be right! Come on logic, don't fail the group now!