#artificialinterference 001

“The only way to put a stop this is to stop me. So, if you’re really tired of running these circles then do something about it.” He said it so casually, almost as if death wouldn’t be the outcome. “Everyone is counting on you after all…” His self included, Playmaker just hadn’t realized it yet… 

It wasn’t the reaction he had wanted to get and for a short moment it was clearly visible on his face, before Playmaker got a hold of his expression again.  But while it totally wasn’t what he wanted to hear, it totally was what he had expected. Ai had already made clear that he was set on the path he had chosen. And yet Playmaker wasn’t really ready to accept it just like that. They had been partners. Even if he never really had showed it like that he came to enjoy the others presence around and had missed it greatly after Ai had vanished a few weeks ago. That he would return as enemy.... it still hurt. 

And of course everyone was counting on him. They always did and Playmaker still was tired of all the responsibility he never had asked for in the first place. 

“There still has to be another way.” he replied again, voice stubborn. He was rather well aware of the fact that not all of his allies would be okay with this but still... he wouldn’t give up on his friend as easy as that. 

“And?” The AI questioned then stopped to cast Soulburner a glance over his shoulder. “Is that surprising? You and I are enemies now, you said yourself that I’d gone too far. So it wouldn’t make much sense for me to stick around… Ah, or were you simply expressing concern over what I’ve been doing in my absence? If that’s the case you shouldn’t trouble yourself with worrying about the possibilities too much because you’ll be finding out very soon.”

It was right that he had said that a while ago, but just because the other one had gone to far... had crossed a line... it didn’t meant he had accepted that they were enemies. He knew they were. But still... for Yusaku’s sake he had hoped for things to find a better end than this. 

“I...” he started in the end, before shaking his head a rapidly, his hands turning to fists. “Doesn’t this matter to you at all? I see that you’re hurt.  I might not be able to understand your pain or your grieve but I understand why you feel like that. But is this really enough for you to throw away the last friend that actually was on your side?!”

He clearly was talking about Playmaker here, no doubt left but still... Soulburner just couldn’t understand how Ai could do something like that to their common friend. Betraying him or Kusanagi or even Revolver was one thing, but Playmaker? Yusaku ? 

“oh?”

Ai cocked his head to the side in amusement at Revolver’s riddle. “I never took you as such a poet, I guess you really are full of surprises, hm? Either way, that’s quite the diagnosis. Care to tell me what truth I’m playing hide and seek with?”

Whether the other one was actually aware of it or not, Ai played a big role in how and why his view about the Ignis had changed over the last few months. There was no doubt anymore and maybe that was why him actually choosing this path had also hurt him as well, even though Revolver was ready to deny this till his death. 

And yet, the truth was still standing there. Unchangeable, no matter how much both of them might had hoped for it to change. 

“Tell me Ignis, how many times did you assert you’re not humanities enemy? And yet we’re standing here. We both know your existence alone is the threat. So why are you acting like this now?”