Chapter Text
A flash of white and Ren Amamiya's mind was wracked with memories and sensations of a life he partly didn't live, where fate played out events just so but slightly off from what he thought he knew.
When the white faded the first sensation that came to him was falling and the impact of cold metal upon his clenched fists.
"Young man? Are you alright?"
Ren could not see nor hear the elderly mans panicked inquiry nor feel his hands upon his back attempting to lift his convulsing form, all that filled his mind was pain as he felt his skin stretch rapidly to accommodate new growing muscle, bones contorting to accept the new mass; what overshadowed even this agony was the empty void from which he knew but not understood was where his wild card once resided. The power granted by the god of control, who used it to play him as a puppet in his game, was no more.
Just as quickly as the pain wracked his body, it ceased but the emptiness remained at the core of his heart, knowable even as his senses slowly returned to him ; first was sight, the white metal walls, the muddled windows and cramped spaces, the numerous uninterested people pushed together.
"..the underground, he was on the underground" ren thought to himself
As he lifted his head and found he was curled in on himself, clutching at his chest in an attempt to fill the void there. What surprised him most was the face of someone he knew he should recognize staring out to the crowd in bewilderment and concern and what didn't were all the ones that were completely unfazed.
" -omone! Please wont someone help this young man!"
Then the sound came rushing back to him, he could hear the older man crying out for assistance but it seemed all he got was a concerned young woman pointing him to a first aid kit on the wall.
With a croak ren managed to call out and tried to raise himself but found his limbs exhausted and strained.
"Im okay!, just had a, a bad panic attack"
With that it seemed the looks of concern vanished into the masses of neutral expressions as people that had gotten up to see the commotion hurried to reclaim their seats.
Strangely the hands on his back had yet to move. And he heard the old mans voice again from above him
"Nonsense you're not alright that was clearly terrible! Come on now i'll help you sit up"
As Ren tried to stand on shaking legs he felt the older mans hands grasp his shoulders to guide him back to the seat from he'd fallen.
It was only then that Ren could get a good look at the him; thinning slicked back black hair, numerous wrinkles that spoke of a life orating and flashing wide grins, he at once saw him as a complete stranger but also knew him innately.
A voice rippled through Rens mind low and mirthful
"Toranosuke yoshida, a fine man and even finer speaker"
As if reading his thoughts his expression faltered into one of grim acceptance before he broke out into a wide grin and gave a low chuckle before speaking
"Based on your expression i see you recognize me though I didn't expect it in one so young, yes i am "No-good-Tora" as I'm sure you've heard but that doesn't mean i wont help someone who is clearly in trouble"
As Tora continued his gaze towards Ren became firm
"And i assure you that even with my past failings i intend to best represent the youth of today in the upcomi-"
"No..."
Ren spoke cutting off Old man Tora
From his speech before he could self deprecate anymore and memories flew to the forefront of his mind as he looked at this man that at one point was his mentor, his speech coach and later friend and comrade against corruption. Ren even knew where in his bag rested the extravagant fountain pen he had gifted him to commemorate their friendship.
"No, you're Toranosuke Yoshida, a good man who has been wronged and falsely accused. And im looking forward to supporting you in your next campaign"
Yoshida seemed staggered by this what his wide eyes and stymied grin , even Ren was surprised at the firmness of his words.
A heartbeat more passed between them before Yoshida gathered himself and straightened his stance, a new small fire in eyes as he stood.
"Well, while I assure you i am not falsely accused I do still look forward to your continued support Mr.."
Yoshida held his hand out to him and he couldn't stop the memory that he had done this all once before
"Amamiya Ren"
Ren took his hand with a confident grip and gave Old man Tora a similar smile.
Yoshida nodded once and opened his mouth to speak again but perked up when he heard the train announcer alerting they were coming into the station, and then his expression of concern appeared once more.
"Where are you headed to Amamiya-san?
Are you sure you'll be able to get there on your own?"
Ren responded with a soft smile and an affirmative nod
"Im headed to yongen-jaya but dont worry, i know these streets like the back of my hand"
Rens confidant smile and assuredness seemed to placate the jovial but downtrodden politician, who responded with a hearty chuckle and small grin
"Alright then i wish you the best of luck Amamiya-san. My stop is coming up here but I'm glad we could meet, and if you really do want to support me or just want to learn more about politics you can find me in the Shibuya square every Sunday evening, take care."
Yoshida swiftly returned back to his seat to gather his things giving one last look of concern to Ren before he departed as the train came rolling to a stop.
As Yoshida and many others bustled past Ren he felt a growing sense of paranoia as he checked the date and realized with shocking clarity that he was back where he had started the year of his probation.
"Did, he go back in time? Did they fail to stop the ruin? What happened to-"
As the questions began to race through his mind and panic began to overtake him he heard that smooth confidant timbre echo throughout his heart and soul as it let out a low amused laugh
"You failed no one my trickster. Though your victory was pyrrhic, it was inevitable in the game which you had been forced to play. And instead and cowering or accepting the a deal to retread the same roads you channeled your wrath and fury to smite a would be god and take from them the victory they so desired, and in doing so forged a new path for you to walk. This new path is similar to the one you tread before but the god of controls strings do not twist around you, meaning you have reclaimed your free will from that which sought to bind your spirt. I could not be more proud for you to wear my mask.
As the voice spoke Rens mind was filled with a sense of clarity; he recalled the great divine machine Yaldabaoth and its terrible machinations, how his allies fell one after another to is aspects of sin, holding his best friend Ryuji in his arms trying and failing to heal the great bullet hole in his chest he took to save Rens life, he recalled the look of uncontrolled fury and then sorrow on Makoto’s face, tears streaming beneath her mask as she drove her bladed gauntlet into his side, how when she fought back against its control and was unable to harm those she loved anymore, Yaldabaoth flung her from the clouds that was their battleground. He could see even now as the others rallied around him, desperate to protect those left and fight back, and he saw as a pitiless and empty void swallowed them and all was lost. In that moment he felt no sadness, or loss but the rage of all those fallen, of all those who had their free will robbed by this thing playing god, and the silence of those they fought for.
He had felt Arsene’s wings envelop him as he reached up and broke the very chains that bound him and his other self to this rotten game.
A six-winged figure descended from heaven on high, gun in hand raised to end the falsehoods of this god, and fired it's one deafening shot.
A name spoken only once before came unbidden to his lips
"Satanael"
He spoke it in a whisper, as if saying it too loudly might rob him of its knowledge.
His other self roared a mighty victory cry
"Yes! You could never forget the true power that slumbers within you, the power of the bonds you forged to shatter your very shackles and free yourself from the Demiurges vile will!"
Rens vision of the train began to darken and narrow until he truly opened his eyes and found he stood upon a lake that reflected the light of the cosmos as motes of starlight and cosmic dust whirled together beneath him in a harmonious dance. Where he stood small waves rippled out into the endless horizon until they faded into the stillness beyond.
A crack of thunder drew his eyes upward as lighting rolled through a churning sea of dark storm clouds, the forks of light spreading throughout the heavens.
As he gazed in wonder, he bore witness to the being he had called to in his fury; Satanael descended with their six wings unfurled and golden horns shining in the night, in his right hand he raised a long slender rifle ready to smite even the gods from their thrones, his left was upturned and extended as if to uplift those that had fallen.
As Ren Amamiya gazed upon the majesty of this once divine being a new fire burned within the hollowness in his heart, and he felt not so much as heard his partners declaration.
"For i am thou, and thou art i.
With will alone you cast off the yoke of those who would oppress you, discarded their gifts which bound the rebels soul they sought to quiet.. i will lend you the strength to break the chains of the world and spread your justice to punish those unworthy for thou shall wield the might and heaven and hell themself!"
A devilish grin spread across Ren's features as he met Satanael's gaze and removed his glasses, dropping them into the shimmering sea below.
"Lets get to work partner"