Trouble in Xanderland 2 - Eito Strikes Back: Prologue
H-huh...? What...?
What the what?! What happened?!
Okay, thank heavens. You're finally back.
Cerenovus came out and was even more disruptive than last time.
Nnnn... again? How come I can never keep Gaap under control!? Gosh, this is just so ngaaaaah! Come out now, let's duke it out!!
Mitsuru, let's focus now. The situation is serious.
Long story short, it made Akane Kurashiki mad that she was the Vortox. She'd almost convinced us that it'd been her behind them this whole time, our team was at a brink of a massive rupture.
Luckily, Sans was able to see through Cerenovus' powers and set things straight before something bad happened.
Urrrk... I'm so sorry, Big Sis Eleanor...
Mitsuru. How come it feels like it is getting stronger? I thought our training was helping.
I'unno! I've been pumping up, and working really hard to keep it sealed in. Really. You trust me, right, Big Sis Eleanor?
It is not a matter of whether I trust you or not. Either way...
I think something might be triggering it to come back... When I think to the last moment I'm confident you were still you, you were complaining about a migraine, and then you got all... unruly. It was a while before you settled.
I hate headaches! I hate anythin' that hurts so I hafta dash dash~ around to distract myself, yanno~!
So, you remember that, don't you? What exactly can you recall from that time?
Hmmmmm, the pain! My vision filled up with dots. And then, gggaaaah! I couldn't see anythin' 'cuz of a really strong flash... and then black, and then nothin' after that, yanno.
...Therefore, it took over around that time, most likely. Either the migraine caused it or its attempts to control you caused your headache. Mmm... well, to be sincere, I've been at a complete loss why your exorcisism didn't work.
Big Sis Eleanor...
What is it?
I'm a bad boy, ain't I?
What are you talking about?
I'm always causin' trouble for everyone. Whenever anyone looks at me, they're all red from anger or green sick.
Since before all this happened too. It’s 'cuz I’m used to only doin' things I like. Ever since I was a kid….
If there’s something I don’t like, I’m not able to deal with it, so I mean…. I’d run away from it, and cause trouble for everyone all the time.
But things are more serious now. And it's my fault. I'll always be stuck being a bad boy.
Mitsuru, look... it is true that, normally, Cerenovus should be gone, and that is exactly the problem: it is not gone. The one causing all this trouble is this otherworldly entity, not you.
Nuh-uh... After all, Big Sis Eleanor kicked Po in the butt. Why can't I also protect Big Sis Eleanor and kick Gaap in the butt? It must be 'cuz I'm a bad boy. I've always known that.
You're not a bad boy... You're just ordinary. In fact, that's indeed why Cerenovus' hold on you has been stronger. Comparing the gap in strength between Po and I, and Cerenovus and you, it is evident why this happened.
But I'm not weak, yanno! The only thing I've got goin' for me is that I'm strong and energetic, yanno!
You may be right, but what I mean is that you didn't have any prowess and experience with daemons prior to this. This whole thing would be hard on anybody like you.
Right, but mental strength should've been one of my qualities, too... just like Niibucko says. I'm cheery, even when things are bad. You're supposed to trust me to be cheery, yanno.
It's hard after everythin', yanno. I can't... umm, what is the word Big Sis uses... 'Repent'. I can't repent from inside this cage. I think that's why Gaap is stronger! But I can figure this out!
First step is telling Xanxan I'm sorry. I needja to help me, Big Sis!
They wouldn't let me take you anywhere near Xander Matthews.
From our readings, he's still recovering from that mind hijacking, and who knows what kind of memories that will bring out for either of you.
Ya want me to be a good boy, I'll be a good boy! Let me make up for what I did, Big Sis!
Eleanor places her index finger at the tip of her lips, her gaze deep in thought. Meanwhile, Mitsuru keeps talking and talking and talking, not realizing she was not paying attention to him.
It's really confusin' in my head, yanno-- I just know, inside my heart-- that try to think back, and then my head goes kachow!-- and then Boom!-- and then I'm all nnngghhh, and my heart is urrrrk-- and-- and I--
Um... Big Sis Eleanor?
Give me a second, Mitsuru. I'm considering my options...
...Mitsuru, I need you to do me a favor. Call me Eleanor, not 'big sis'.
I'm just sayin'... I metcha as 'Big Sis'. Now, Big Sis is 'Big Sis'. Even though my brain is not good, I can understand that.
Look, I know what's really the problem-- ya don't like little old me anymore, I get that... But, but...
I-It's not that I don't like you... It's that...
I'm trying to help you out here. I really am! Mitsuru, they're not going to let you out of here if you don't--
I can't forget what we went through. Big Sis saved me many times, and I'll always be grateful for that. And, and, I still see the three of us going into stores to look for some deli~sh bread, just for me, and then I would get sooo stuffed, and then Big Sis Mari would get mad 'cuz we were supposed to share, and then you would scold us for bickering...
I know Niibucko and the others prob' miss me... but... I'm gonna be really sad if I have to go and pretend I don't miss having fun with Big Sis Eleanor and Big Sis Mari. Did... did Big Sis forget it all?
But... I getcha. I'll stop. You ain't happy when you hear me calling you big sis.
I'm sorry, Miss Eleanor. I'll try my best to be a good boy, and then everyone will see and let me apologize to Xanxan.
At that time, Sho Minamimoto enters the room where Mitsuru Tenma's cage is kept.
Eleanor, I'm going to assume you didn't finish the job.
Sho, I have a theory for why this is happening, and I know just what I can do to fix this. I need to work this out, but the gist is--
In other words, you're still wasting our precious time with this. We've gotta go with what Sans said at this point. Mitsuru is a liability, at best.
I need more time, Sho. I'm getting closer...
Listen, Mitsuru is an ordinary boy who has no place in a world of otherworldly demons and meta-beings. You can't hold him responsible for being dragged into it.
We don't choose the cards that are dealt to us, girl. His days were numbered the moment he was put into that game. You were stronger and got rid of what bound you. He's weaker and dumb and, well, annoying. Nothing you can do about it.
He has a good heart. I can't just treat him like... nothing. I won't discard him like you want to.
Not a lady that keeps her word, huh? Seems like I miscalculated you.
What are ya going to do to me?! I'm gon' fight back, yanno?!
It's a trivial question. Little quiz for you, zeptogram. What do you do with rounding errors?
For someone on the 'Good' side, you seem particularly intent on getting rid of an innocent kid.
'Good' side? I'm on Sho's and Sho's side only. I wouldn't give a digit if this wasn't disrupting my own plans.
I have no intent of listening to someone who says things like that.
(I know what is right in my heart... I don't know why I'm hesitating.)
Eleanor looks at Mitsuru for a moment, then fishes for something out of her pockets and throws it to Mitsuru. The movement is rapid, not giving Sho a chance to react.
Mitsuru catches it and eyes it curiously. Ah, what is--
...Eleanor, what in the actual fractal. You--
Mitsuru, you must be the most stubborn boy I've ever met. Who else would keep asking for bread after being told 'no' over four thousand times? Of course I remember.
You do?! I-- I knew it...
Mitsuru, careful. That is a self destruction device; do NOT click that button. Hand it over so I can dispose of it.
...Self destruction...device?
DO NOT CLICK THE BUTTON!! IF YOU CLICK IT, YOU. WILL. DIE!
... I'm not that much of a dummy, yanno, Scary Man?
There's only one thing this can be... and this is a gift from Miss Eleanor, saying 'I trust ya, Mitsuru!'. And I trust her too!
Bah, it was worth a shot.
Goodbye, Miss Eleanor! I won't disappoint you, and I'll show everyone I can be a good boy too!
Mitsuru presses his digit on the device, and his figure disappears from the plane, leaving only Eleanor and Sho behind, staring at each other in contempt.
..So irrational. You've doomed your chances of trust within this group to save a nobody. You're the zeptaest zeptogram I've ever met. Zeptaer than that zepta idiot you just let escape. How could you do that?!
And I let him escape right under your nose too. You must be an even bigger fool, after all.
... Gggh.
Bah, let's just tell the others that kid pulled one on ya, instead of ya pulling one on me. Deal?
What? How low...
Hmph. So be it.
Posted Aug 5, 2025, 10:17 PM UTC