Two Hearts

Campaign: Android Anguish

Chapter 11 / 6-3

Two Hearts

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Elimination Protocol

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The Path She Believed In

Summary

When Mascula sacrifices his heart to stop Laxi's rampage, he ceases to function. Afterward, the prince offers his hand in friendship. Laxi tries to forestall the decision, but Mascula's heart within her gives ready consent to a continuing relationship.

Dialogue

Aaaaaa... Laxi's stopped! Now is my time to act! You can't mean to attack her, Mascula. That would go against all that you are! Right, there's no need for that. It's not my strength that will stop her, but my heart! What?!

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LAXI! I GIVE YOU MY HEART! GRAAAAAAAAGH! Mascula, what are you doing?! He's tearing something from his body!

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This is the apparatus by which I may judge good and evil. The one Maestro gifted me. It is...my heart. That's your HEART?! Take it, Laxi. Take...my heart.

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Aaar...gh... Mascula, stop! This is crazy! I'm sorry, Luca. This is the only choice. Laxi's rampage is a result of her malfunctioning heart. If I grant her a working one, the violence will cease. If we stop Laxi, we stop every android. This is the best way to ensure no one else has to be hurt. Except for YOU, idiot! I mean, you're going to lose your HEART! What even happens to you at that point? Don't worry. I won't go berserk like Laxi. As my heart also serves as my core, I will cease functioning once it is gone. That AIN'T any better, Mascula! Rrrrrr! You may have a big heart, but you don't understand a damn thing about mine! I...I don't want ya to go, all right?! I'm sorry, Luca. I truly am. But I have made my decision. I am going to fight—for everyone. Wait. You're gonna FIGHT? I will fight to protect what is important to me, just like all of you. And this is the best way for me to do so! No, wait!

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Now, Laxi! Take my heart! He...he did it. He actually put his heart into Laxi. H-heart... M-Mascula...

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That should do it. Once I cease to function, my heart will activate inside Laxi. Does that mean you're gonna...die? Hmm... You could call it that. Aw, man! No! I'm sorry we got you and the other androids caught up in our fight, Mascula. It's because of us that you're going to— Do not apologize. We androids were created to fight. It may be our destiny to awaken in times of strife. And in a world beset by war, there was simply no place for a pacifist like me. Then I'll MAKE a place for ya! Luca? I'll make a world where folks like you aren't forced to fight! Just hold on, Mascula! Gimme time! I promise I'll make it happen! I am happy to hear that... But time...is something I no longer have. Dammit! Hold on, Mascula! Thank you, Luca...my friend... Mascula, no! MASCULA! ...... NOOOOOO! Checking condition. Condition clear. Look at Laxi! Laxi activating in standard mode. ...Laxi? Affirmative. My designation is Laxi. I am the android commander. Look, I know you've been through a lot, but could I maybe ask you to... Um... I know what you require. I have already changed the status of all androids from active operation to standby mode. Thank you. That should help the soldiers who are still fighting on the other front. Your thanks are unnecessary. I am responsible for needless combat, therefore I must rectify the situation. Man, she's kinda... Yes, how should I put it...? Incomprehensible. Please clarify your query. We were just thinking about how different you are from Mascula. Mascula is the fail-safe. He is the end. He is the one who eliminates all conflict. I am his opposite—I initiate conflict. I make my fellow androids fight. Our essential qualities differ. That is all. I see. Er, so what will you and all of your fellow androids do now? We will seek that which Maestro sought. That is my purpose now. And what did he seek? A world without conflict. A world of peace. You are not unlike Mascula in that regard. If that's your ultimate goal, why don't you come with us? Why? So we can take you to a world without conflict or strife. Your proposal makes no sense. You and your people are engaged in war. If we travel together, I would become embroiled in this conflict. I know. That's why we'll protect you. Incomprehensible. Androids need no protection. We have the power to fight. Right, but having the power to fight and NEEDING to fight are two different things. I don't want you to be forced to fight. To what end would you have us come with you, then? What advantage is there in it? So you can finally experience peace. ...Maestro said the same once. He wanted us to experience peace, despite being born into a world of constant war and strife. However, I will withhold judgment as to whether you are the same as Maestro. ▷No, take us with you.◁ Sorry, what? Error. There is a glitch in my linguistic faculties. Those were not my words. ▷Let's go with them, Laxi.◁ I am...very confused right now. It is as if two people are talking at once. There are excess thoughts within me. ▷Not EXCESS thoughts. Important ones.◁ Shut up. My poor braaaaain! Nooooo! No way... It is likely that Mascula's heart merged with my own and caused this glitch. ▷Laxi, listen to me!◁ ▷Think of these people as Maestro. Like him, they can help teach us how to live.◁ Your heart has judged this to be so? ▷Yes. We can trust them.◁ ▷Isn't that right, Luca?◁ Mascula! It IS you! ▷Yes, Luca. It is. And now I can see for myself the place you would make for us.◁ Right on! That's what I promised, and that's what I'm gonna deliver! Stop. I am Laxi. I do not care for being referred to by a different designation. Sorry! Couldn't help it. Anyway, nice to have you aboard, MascuLaxi! You combined our names. Chelle, it would ap-purr the androids have fallen into the hands of the seventh heir. Eee hee hee hee! Oh, what a lovely dance that was, Emile. He danced into the palm of your hand, just as you expurr-cted. However, the androids have now bolstered the military might of New Alberia. This is a dangerous game you play, purr-incess. Oh, it's fine! Even with reinforcements, they're still no match for the Other. They'll need to build up their strength even more for that to happen. I need those twins to play with each other for a while longer. When the time comes, I'll have them leave the stage. Meowr hawr hawr! Always so confident. Don't blame me if the Empress finds out about this. But goodness, I am the VICTIM here! Emile is the one who took the androids and immediately lost them to the enemy. Mmm, purr-haps. Still, didn't this gambit carry rather unfavorable odds for you? A lady is modest and graceful, but at times, she must be bold. It is because we overcome great obstacles that the fires of love are stoked, mmm? And so once again someone will be burned by your flame. Leonidas will be up next, won't he? I hear he's been mobilizing his forces. My, but your ears hear everything! That being said, my dear brother's flame is more the rough, conquering type than my own delicate fire. Is it not a fool's errand to pit one flame against another to see which burns hotter? Then what will you do? Why, join hands and hold a passionate, wild, and brilliant PARTY, of course! Oh, it will be SO grand. Isn't that right...Leonidas?