General World Context

The sun burnt out a millennia ago - leaving everything dark and cold, only illuminated by the moon which now hangs fixed in place. The moon, un-suppressed by the sun, granted wondrous powers/abilities or “Sparks” to the world's inhabitants, heightening people’s abilities and making it easier to survive.

Because of the dark, the cities of the world started centering around light sources, causing them to be spread out and develop their own distinct regional differences. 

A.C.E. C.A.R.D. was able to create a glowing fragment remnant core and, with a vision of C.O.C.A. H.E.A.R.T., founded the city of Ark Light.

C.O.C.A. took on the leading role in the town's development and set up the Capitol the Citadel to oversee the town's growth and well being. She broke the standard necessary rolls into 4 Factions, each with their own focus, leader, and staff:

Hearts: Finance/Revenue and HR 

Diamonds: Defense 

Spades: Legal systems 

Clubs: Resource Acquisitions

Chapter 1: A Fateful Encounter

Chapter 1: A Fateful Encounter 4/24/25

A quiet moment in the town of Ark Light is interpreted by C.O.C.A.  H.E.A.R.T. yelling from the Capitol- the Citadel- high above. C.O.C.A. is introduced alongside A.C.E. C.A.R.D. as he casually interjects to defend his actions, saying it was ultimately the other boy’s fault for getting hurt because he “got in the way” as the civilian lay knocked unconscious in an infirmary bed in the middle of the room.

C.O.C.A. rhetorically questions him on a deeper explanation of what happened, but as A.C.E. starts to explain to her she cuts him off – saying that she doesn’t, actually, want to know and that she doesn’t have time for this.  She signs and tells him that he is going to have to get himself out of this mess and make up with the Boy on his own without her help to smooth things over on his behalf.  With that she leaves to be on time for her next meeting, leaving A.C.E. Alone sitting on the guest chair by the door with just his thoughts. 

He looks over at the boy who is not that much older than he is and has a flashback memory of the other throwing himself In Front of a frilled lizard shaped Shadow-Stitches energy blast attack. A.C.E. huffs and calls the other recklessly and says that he didn’t need saving. The other boy then stirs with a groan. He rubs his eyes and asks where he is as he is disoriented and tries to wake up. A.C.E. explains that after he got knocked out, he had transported him to a recovery room in the Citadel to rest it off. 

Dicer says he didn't really believe A.C.E. Was who he claimed to be before but now that he’s here he is convinced. Dicer mumbles about his prior behavior to himself but thanks A.C.E. and remarks that he didn’t have to go through all that trouble because he actually lives right near where A.C.E. had found him.

A.C.E. said he wouldn’t have just left him there even if he had known and then asks the boy what his name was.  the Boy replies as he sits up that he goes by Dicer, and he is introduced to the reader. A.C.E. nods and addresses Dicer and asks him what he wants. Dicer is confused by this and asks for clarification. A.C.E. says that he didn’t mean for Dicer to get hurt and should have been more careful and wants to take responsibility, he states that if there is a wish Dicer wanted granted, within his ability, he will get it for him. 

Dicer thinks about this briefly and then boldly states that there isn’t anything that he needs. A.C.E. is taken back by this, and tries again – he offers him money, property, and favors but Dicer turns down all of it saying he doesn’t need any of that and that it’s ok. A.C.E. offers one more time just to be sure and Dicer gets an idea. Dicer then expresses that if A.C.E. could find him a good job that would make him happy. A.C.E. questions this and asks why a job and Dicer cites his mom saying that to be happy, he should find something he enjoys doing to fill his time, but he hasn’t found what that is yet. He justifies that even if his mom didn’t mean a job, that it wouldn’t be a bad place to start. A.C.E., having seen Dicers point of view, agrees and vows that he will find him a good job placement and they shake hands on it.

A.C.E. and Dicer go through a montage of different jobs and Dicer's failure to complete any of them without running into some incident. He is introduced to a baker but sets the oven on fire. He tries to be a librarian but drops all the books loudly as he was carrying too many. He attempts to garden but attracts too much attention from the wildlife who come over to him like some sort of Disney prince and they eat all the newly planted shrubs.

A slightly exasperated A.C.E. asks Dicer what his ability was again, and he replies that he’s Lucky. A.C.E. makes a comment about him not seeming very lucky but Dicer says assuredly that he is, it just works in his best interest. He adds that he’s never been sick, not even once but A.C.E. finds this a weak piece of evidence. A.C.E. shakes his head and apologies for not being able to find him any suitable work today, but that they can try again tomorrow.

A.C.E. goes to head back to the Citadel, but Dicer grabs his arm and asks him if he wants to get dinner together. A.C.E. is surprised by this but declines – stating he has to oversee a monthly group training. Dicer accepts this but asks more about the training and wonders if he can go along too. A.C.E. says that it’s open to everyone, but if he’s talking about dinner he should probably go and get something to eat first. Dicer's tummy rumbles and he embarrassingly says that A.C.E. is right. He lets go of A.C.E. and after getting the event details runs off promising that he will show up. A.C.E. is left feeling that the other boy has a lot of energy as he looks at his wrist where Dicer's hand was.

Chapter end.

Chapter 2: Trial and Error

Chapter 2: Trial and Error 4/26/25

It’s later that night and Dicer is on the phone with his mom telling her that he is alright, got some dinner, but might be staying out late with a new friend he’s made Even if he’s now running late. His mom asks him to be careful and he promises her he will be as he approaches the port up to the Citadel. He ascends and thinks about how he’s never been there before these events and wonders what it’s like inside. He navigates the lifts on the instructions that A.C.E. gave him and he comes face to face with a large round door. 

The door opens to a large white training room made up of convertible square tiles that have formed and morph into different environments for people to immerse themselves into and many different people are working hard to train their abilities. Dicer walks around observing them as he looks for A.C.E.. 

Dicer finds him in an argument with a bigger older civilian. A.C.E. Is telling the man that he doesn't have to take his advice, but if he wants to go into defensive work he’s going to need more than raw strength. The guy flippantly asks “what does he know” about any of that and A.C.E. Says he knows enough. The man huffs and walks away revealing a young girl (Shade) behind him who hesitantly asks A.C.E. For help with her ability like he had helped her last time. A.C.E. Agrees and the girl runs back to her section. 

A.C.E. Sighs and as he turns around he sees Dicer. He acknowledges the other boy made it and tells him to give him a minute. A.C.E. Follows after the girl and Dicer trailed after him in curiosity. He makes it to her station which is dark and bare except for a single spotlight casting a spotlight on the back wall. She is standing there by the light and signals A.C.E. With a thumbs up which he returns and she puts her hands in front of the light. A.C.E. And Dicer watches as she creates shadow puppet and the silhouette cast tore away from the wall. It morphed and formed into a giant shadow monster. The creature's eyes light up as the girl's eyes glow white too and form starts charging towards A.C.E.

A.C.E. Takes a defensive stance as raises a hand. Small glow lights sprout out of the ground and around their glow the monster starts to wisp away but they do little to stop the shadows rampage. As it comes closer, A.C.E.  Shoots out his hand and he creates a void star. It expands rapidly, creating a shield  but inside of reflecting anything, the monster runs into it. Half of the creature is absorbed, but it shifts forms as the girl's hand signs change. 

The part of the shadow that was not absorbed morphs into a rabbit and jumps off the void as if it is now a solid surface. The rabbit leaps over the top of the void and bounces off several smaller voids on the way down. It runs around A.C.E.s legs before leaping up his back, leaving a tag in his hand before it runs back to the girl. she catches the bunny in her arms and sight returns to one of her eyes as the light in one of the shadows eyes fades out. 

She smiles and laughs as she triumphs and holds up the other end of the tracker. A.C.E. Remarks that the control over smaller creations is still better even if the constitution of the bigger shadows is better then it was last time. Dicer watches from a distance as A.C.E. Offers more advice to the girl and she writes down notes intensely. Diver looks at his own hands wondering about his own ability. He looks up again as A.C.E. Sends the girl to pack up the light from her space and moves back over to him.

Dicer expresses his amazement in the girls spark, but then hesitatingly asks if it’s really ok for them to try to make an ability like hers stronger, and A.C.E, defends the girl by saying that someone who fears her just because of what she’s capable of is more dangerous then she will ever be. He explains that no matter what ability a person has they shouldn't be afraid of it - before it is ultimately an extension of themselves. Dicer takes this statement to heart and watches as the small black shadow rabbit runs through space, up and over A.C.E.s arms and leaps back into space before disappearing as it dissolves in the light revealing the girl waving goodbye to them as the training time comes to an end.

Dicer and A.C.E. Are left alone and A.C.E. starts to move to collapse the workspaces. Dicer asks if he hosts these training sessions often, and A.C.E. Tells him that he oversees the training time once every two weeks and it’s just for people to come get help with their abilities if they need it or just stretch with their sparks in ways they can’t normally. 

Dicer thinks back to the man A.C.E. Was arguing with earlier and asked what type of job that guy was talking about . A.C.E. Says the man was inquiring about working for him, but he turned him down even though that guy had been coming to these training sessions for a while. Dicer perks up and asks him if he was hiring. A.C.E.s replies not really, he will contract people with exceptional talent, but works alone for the most part.  

Dicer tries to mention that A.C.E. Said he would help him find a job, but A.C.E. Counters that even if he said that it doesn’t mean he can just offer a Job to Dicer that he’s not suited for. A.C.E. Then questions if Dicer even knows how to use his ability citing earlier at his failed job applications. Dicer admits he doesn't have any training but insists his ability doesn’t work like that and is more passive. Dicer begs A.C.E. To give him a chance to show him. And A.C.E. Sighs but agrees to humor him.

A.C.E. Pulls out a control pad and hits a few buttons on it and the space transforms into an obstacle course. A.C.E. Gestures to the new area and encourages Dicer to prove himself. Dicer fumbles a bit, asking if he really means right now and with confirmation that A.C.E. Does indeed mean right now, he climbs up the structure.

Dicer displays less than stellar climbing and navigating skills and A.C.E. Does his best not say anything about it. Dicer hangs onto one of the rope nets for dear life and argues loudly that this is not showcasing his skill. A.C.E. Hollers across the field what he thinks would be better then. 

Dicer says to just throw things at him. A.C.E. Is very confused by this but after some insistence from Dicer he turns a dile on the control panel and the room begins to flip as the course collapses into the floor. The room morphs again, leaving Dicer now standing surrounded by launch panels. A.C.E. Questions if this is a good idea but Dicer reassures him that he will be fine. A.C.E. Concedes and turns on launchers. 

They send out projectiles and Dicer dodges them with ease even as they start firing faster. The projectiles launch at greater and greater increasing speeds but even if it’s not elegant, Dicer is somehow still dodging them all much to A.C.E.s surprise. That is until he trips over his untied shoelace, causing him not to be able to get out of the way fast enough for an arrow headed straight for him. 

Dicer is struck square in the chest by the arrow and is knocked to the floor from the impact. A.C.E. Stops the simulation and the room retracts as he kneels to check Dicer over for injuries. He checks the impact spot but Dicer has not sustained any sign he was hit - rather it looks like one of the buttons on his jacket saved Dicer from any harm. A.C.E. Can’t tell if this was coincidence or proof of Dicer's luck he kept claiming but he is intrigued.

Dicer asks as he’s helped up off the floor if he proved himself and if he can be considered for a position now. A.C.E. Snorts a bit at the boldness and reiterates that he works alone but says that if he really is interested in working with him to meet up with him tomorrow. He has a mission he is going on and if Dicer can prove himself useful then A.C.E. Will consider offering him something.

Dicer expresses that he will surely prove himself and leaves excitedly to get a good night's sleep. He waves goodbye as he runs off. A.C.E. Is left standing alone again and shakes his head a bit at the others excitement before turning out the lights of the training room.

Chapter end.

Chapter 3: Gearing Up, Shipping Out

Gearing Up, Shipping Out 4/27/25

A.C.E. Is waiting for Dicer to arrive and pulls up a void with a clock in it to check the time. Dicer appears, trotting up to A.C.E. and asks what they are doing today for his trial. A.C.E. Says they are potentially going on a trip but before Dicer can ask any questions A.C.E. Holds up his hand and produces a liability waiver. A.C.E. Explains that where they are going is potentially hazardous and because his colleagues say so, Dicer will have to sign the waiver before getting started (less A.C.E. will be buried in paperwork forever should something happen.)

Diver skims the paperwork, and balks a bit at words like “incase of death and/or dismemberment” he questions A.C.E. on this and he says he can’t assure anything for legal reasons and already got in trouble last night for the training incident. Dicer stares a bit longer at the sheet but ultimately thinks he will be fine probably and signs the paper.  A.C.E. Take the waiver and put it away for safekeeping in a void. He then waves Dicer along to follow him as he heads up to the Citadel.

They get in an elevator and Dicer asks again where they are going and A.C.E. says Ark Light received a request to retrieve a left-behind egg from an abandoned lab in the Ameritol Islands. Dicer says that that sounds like a fun adventure and wonders if a lot of A.C.E.’s job involves finding things. A.C.E. replies that he does sometimes, but he and the other Faction leaders help share the responsibility depending on who is more suited for the situation. He goes on to mention that this would normally be the job of the Clubs Faction, but that seat is currently empty so they try and make do. 

Dicer hints at the job spot availability and A.C.E. tells him nice try but that position is actually filled by a majority faction leader vote. Dicer embarrassingly says he was just joking and changes the subject as to how they will get to the Ameritol Islands for this quest - since he remembers it being pretty far away on the map. A.C.E. replies that they are going to take Airship as the elevator makes a sudden turn and starts traveling horizontally away from the Citadel. Dicer looks out to see they are approaching a separate floating building that he can't say he noticed before. He asks what that building is called to which A.C.E. says it is home to the Citadels R&D department - but is also known as the “Junk Pit” as the doors open to a large instral type room that is filled ceiling high with scrapped metal parts and lit pretty poorly with edison lights. 

They get out of the elevator and Dicer follows A.C.E. though the virtual maze and he wonders how anyone can find anything in there and how much different it is compared to the rest of the Citadel. They eventually reach what seems to be the center of the room where a man with purple hair and a lab coat (Rin)  is having a tea break while a bigger man with wild orange hair (Kalib) toiles away at a workbench. 

Rin spots them and stands up to greet Dicer, mentioning that he is glad to see Dicer is feeling better. Dicer shakes his hand but is questioning this and Rin explains that he's not surprised Dicer doesn't remember him. Through a flashback we see that A.C.E. had brought Dicer to him first when he was knocked out during their first encounter that Rin was the one to get him set up in the infirmary and make sure that he was on the road to recovery. Dicer gets embarrassed and thanks him for his help, but Rin lets him know it’s no trouble since he saw what was going to happen in advance due to his ability Future Site.  

Diver imagines all sorts of cool things he could do with that ability, but Rin laughs him off because he doesn't want that much responsibility and is happy just being a simple scientist and the R in the R&D department. Speaking of - he guesses they are there to see Kalib about a vehicle and goes and snaps the other man out of his creative tunnel vision. The man looks up from his work and greets the two, asking if A.C.E. finally took on a partner. A.C.E. denies, but replies that they are on a trial period right now while Rin just says to give them time as he sports a sly smile. 

A.C.E. tries to get them back on track and explains to Kalib they need to borrow an airship. Kalib says it's not a problem to give him a little time to check it over since it hasn't flown in a while. A.C.E. looks a bit betrayed and questions Rin that if he knew they were coming could he have advocated for the maintenance to have been done in advance and Rin simply replies that Kalib was busy prior and it is useless trying to pull him away from a task once he's “in the flow”. Something about this statement doesn't make sense to A.C.E. and he senses that Rin has an ulterior motive but lets it go with a huff just assuming the man is dodging work again and says he can help Kalib with the vehicle check. 

The four of them head to the far end of the Junk Pit where the piles give way to an air hangar where the airship sits among other larger air crafts of Kalibs making. A.C.E. splits off with Kalib while Rin hangs back to talk to Dicer a bit. 

He asks Dicer a series of easy questions as if he doesn't already know the answers to them all, but Dicer kindly answers them all as he gets distracted looking at the junk piles since he has some time to focus on them. Rin follows the other around as he skirts the mountains of parts and explains to Dicer that the piles over here are for bits and pieces that Kalib collected from who knows where. Dicer however, is fascinated and expresses that he finds a lot of the broken bits cool and interesting. Rin picks up an old style broken coo-coo clock and humors the other by saying that the other is right and that it “IS pretty interesting”. 

Dicer is immediately fascinated with the clock Rin is holding and asks about it, but Rin just says that he hasn't seen many of them and doesn't know about them, but guesses that such a thing can't be fixed - yet he hands it over to Dicer and asks his opinion. 

Dicer gets a concentrated and determined look on his face as he looks at it and then announces he thinks he saw some of the missing parts that go to it in one of the other piles. Diver hands back the clock and starts rooting around in the refuse of parts. After a few minutes and a lot of clanging sounds Dicer re-emerges with his arms filled with odds and ends that Rin can immediately see do NOT go to the clock but says nothing about that. 

Dicer sits on the ground with his amended pile and the clock and starts crudely trying to piece it back together. Rin leans against one of the bigger piles as he watches the boy and winces a little every time Dicer tries to shove a gear in place that Rin could have sworn was entirely too big for the delicate inner workings of coo-coo only for it to somehow fit like a glove. After a bit, and some trial and error on Dicer's part, a big smile broke across his face as he held up the clock triumphantly as it began to tick again. Rin concealed his surprise well and was about to ask a follow up question about it but he was interrupted by Kalib yelling for them to come back over to the airship just as he was about to do so. 

Kalib announced loudly that everything looks good and that the ship is good to go and Dicer and Rin abandon what they are doing to head back to where the other two are. Kalib re-assures everyone that the Ship will make it there and back without any issues but to send Dicer back if there is an issue. A.C.E. nods and asks Dicer if he's ready to go. Dicer confirms he is and the two thank the R&D department for the help and promise to bring them back a souvenir before climbing into the ship.

Rin and Kalib wave them off as the ship takes off and disappears out of sight. The two start making their way back to their previous stations but Rin takes a small detour before catching back up to Kalib. Rin had scooped up the clock Dicer was working on and gives it a once over. He explains on their walk that he did not foresee it ever becoming fixed before asking Kalib to check it out. 

Kalib opens it to find the insides all messed up and states that it’s a miracle that it is running at all and  passes it back to Rin. Kalib supposes that Rin might not have seen it be fixed because it is not really “fixed” at all - and that whatever magic is holding it together won't last. The clock itself seemingly confirms that as one of the gears pops out. 

Rin chuckles a bit and assumes that Kalib is right. He then expresses that it is a nice clock and it would be a waste if it were to stop working now since Dicer had seemed so proud of it. He holds it back out to Kalib and asks if the other could fix it properly for him. 

Kalib remarks that Rin was always the thoughtful one between them two and agrees to fix the clock. As they start moving again Kalib muses that even if it was not  truly fixed, it was nice to see it working again and that it was fortunate that Dicer had focused on it because otherwise it might never have been truly looked at otherwise. 

Rin pauses for a moment realizing something, but simply remarks with a smile that “ it certainty is lucky - very lucky indeed.” before seemingly dropping the matter entirely and suggesting they should get some lunch together.

Chapter end (part 1)

Chapter 4: D is for Dinosaurs

D is for Dinosaurs 5/31/25

Cruising along at a nauseating high speed just above the clouds and lit by the moonlight, A.C.E. and Dicer's aircraft makes its way to its destination. A.C.E. is seen putting the ship on cruise control as he sets his attention on Dicer as the boy asks them more about the egg they were looking for and what the plan was. A.C.E. shows him an image of the target and tells Dicer that they are just retrieving it for C.O.C.A. who made a deal with a collector from Volterra and tasked him with bringing it back safely - but beyond that he didn't know the details of the transaction and tended not to ask anyway but suspects the man had something to do with the egg to even know it existed in the first place. 

Dicer, ignoring all the thoughts he has about the egg for the moment, decides to voice that he thought that the Ameritol islands were off limits. To which A.C.E. looks at him in confusion and wonders where he heard that from and asks him what he knows about the area. Dicer, who was not a very good student at all and must have slept through that history lesson, tries to back track and says that he’s forgotten. A.C.E. mercifully doesn't bring more attention to Dicer's fumble and simply says that the Ameritol Islands used to be the biggest science center for flora and fauna research until some scientists got too greedy with their hybrid fusion experimentation and caused an explosion big enough to blow the island apart. That fact that the islands are now, for the most part, uninhabited by people and have been taken over by the creatures that were let loose in the aftermath was probably why Dicer had thought the area was prohibited. 

With that cleared up, Dicer tries to ask about the Egg but is interrupted by a beeping sound and A.C.E. telling him to hold his thought as the ship came to an abrupt landing signalling their arrival to the area. The ship gives them the OK to disembark and as the two climb out of the ship, A.C.E. lets Dicer know he has not forgotten that this is a trial for him and reminds Dicer that if he can keep up and prove himself useful that he was serious about offering him a job. A.C.E. further shows his intent by producing the Diamond Faction’s contract from a void. He says that at the end, Dicer will either be given the opportunity to sign it or they will go back to trying to place him elsewhere. Dicer says he will prove himself and A.C.E. then tells him if he’s so confident in himself that he can hold onto it - but not to try anything funny as there is a Hex cast on it. Dicer smiles cheerfully, unconcerned about the Hex, and pockets it in his jacket before stepping out of the ship behind A.C.E..

Looking around at their location, Dicer sees that they have landed in an open space that is surrounded by dense trees and underbrush from plants he’s never seen before, and he also notes that it is very hot. A.C.E. says that that's because the area is still an active volcano, and to watch his step as there lava pools are common here. A.C.E. pulls out a small locator device, noting they have a way to go on foot since they couldn't have parked the airship any closer. Dicer suggests they use a sky hoverboard to get where they are going, but A.C.E.'s response is interrupted by a loud screeching sound above them, and as they both look up they are eclipsed in the shadow of an enormous pterodactyl hybrid chasing a flock of smaller bird like creatures. 

A.C.E. comments that it's best that they do what they can to avoid drawing attention and becoming a meal and Dicer agrees and says that the scenic route is probably better anyway. Dicer summons some courage and heads straight into the surrounding brushline, relying on the glimpse of the locator he saw earlier and his own luck to get him where they need to go, attempting to lead the way. 

As Dicer pushes through a particularly stubborn bush, he hears A.C.E. ask him what he is doing. Dicer says he's trying to get them to the Egg and to rely on him. A.C.E. tells him that he's being kind of loud and is probably scaring the wild life, to which Dicer thinks that that's not such a bad idea, given how inhospitable everything seems around them. A.C.E. huffs at his blind ambition, but sees that the other is trying- and probably scared. A.C.E. says that he doesn't need to rely solely on his ability for this and hands Dicer the tracer. He says that he will scout up ahead and make sure that there isn't too threatening in their path. 

During his trip though the forest, Dicer is seen narrowly dodging dangers as A.C.E. watches him from above seeing if he will need to pull him out of harm's way. A.C.E. continues to scout around around, knowing that they should be running into bigger creatures too, but even as he sees some flying dinosaurs in the distance and as Dicer is fortunately knocked out of the way of a lava pool by a friendly herd of dino hybrids, he sees nothing - finding it oddly quiet and wonders if the other boy has anything to do with it.

After a while, Dicer slumps down at the base of a tree A.C.E. is keeping watch from, taking a rest as he is feeling uncomfortable from the climate, but isn't outwardly complaining. A.C.E. takes the moment to talk with Dicer and asks him more about his Ability and how it works. Dicer says he doesn't really know because he hasn't had a reason to look into it - he just knows it's there. Dicer asks why A.C.E. is asking, and if it's because he did something interesting, and A.C.E. confirms that while watching him, Dicer managed to avoid every poisonous plant in his path and the predatory animals he expected that they run into have been giving them a wide berth. 

Dicer looks around and sees what A.C.E. is talking about. He says it might be his ability, but can't tell, and wishes there was a way for him to know. A.C.E. gives him a thoughtful look and tells them that they better get going if they want to keep this excursion to a day trip. Dicer agrees and takes A.C.E.’s help getting up from the ground so they can continue on. 

The second leg of the trip goes faster than the first as A.C.E. starts to use his ability to help them move easier through the forest. They even had some time to look around at some clearing on the way, seeing some herds of hybrids roaming around. Dicer was able to snap some pictures of them for his family and they found a nice, vibrant plant and a piece of old machinery Dicer wanted to take back to Rin and Kalib as souvenirs that A.C.E. stored for him. 

Soon enough, they found themselves in front of the ruins of an old lab where the locator said the Egg should be. The place was overgrown and heavily damaged, but that made it easier just to walk straight in. They split up and had a look around but everything looked heavily picked over, so when they converged again in the back of a storage room neither of them had any leads on where the target could be. They decided to look over the storage room together since everything there seemed to still be locked up. 

Dicer was looking at one of the abandoned desks when he heard a metal groaning sound. He went to see the cause of the noise and found A.C.E. creating voids on the floor - effectively causing entire cabinets to slip out of space. Dicer wonders what he was doing and A.C.E. says that even if it its not what they came for, there could be some good information in them since they were still locked up, and that Kalib could probably open them when they get back. Dicer sees the logic as A.C.E. systematically goes though the room, dropping everything through the floor until they come to two shelves in the back that seem to be bolted to the wall as they refuse to drop into the void below them. 

The two gave the shelves a harder look. When the room was full, they just blended right in, but now that the room was practically empty, the shelves stuck out and were looking more and more like secret doors. They looked at the shelves contents and with a bit of trial and error, Dicer found a hidden button and keypad that seemed to be the key to get the door to open. A.C.E. was about to bring out the forensic dust to try and deduce the code the old fashioned way, but Dicer offered to take a crack at it and guessed the number code correctly on the first try. With a satisfying creaking sound the safe doors opened, revealing a way further down into the labs. 

Descending the stairs, the boys saw a lab that, while dusty, seemed to be just the same as the day it was abandoned. Tests and projects were seemingly left in stasis, telling of the rushed nature and panic that the island-wild emergency must have induced before the island split apart. A.C.E. let Dicer poke around as he took in the space, wondering how much of it he should take back to Ark Light, but before he could give it any deeper thought there was a whirring sound as something in the room shifted and podiums started to rise out of the floor.

The contents of these new arrivals were pristine, some had test tubes, others had plant hybrids, and A.C.E. supposed that these must have been the most important experiments the lab was working on. Several more columns came up, but there was one in the middle that seemed more important than the others. A.C.E. and Dicer watch it open up and to no one's surprise, in the center was an egg suspended in a cylindrical jar of fluid. Dicer said that there is no way that that's not the egg they came for and A.C.E. agreed, but just as he reached out to take it from the column, it was swiped out of its perch by a red blur. 

They are both taken by surprise and look over next to them only to see a red kitsune kemonomimi (Kouen) holding the egg triumphantly. Dicer asks who she is at the same time A.C.E. asks her what she’s doing here. The fox girl explains that she was out on a vacation just wandering around when she caught sight of them and decided to follow along to see what they were up to. She balances and tosses the egg with her tail which concerns both of the boys. 

A.C.E. creates a void in the eggs path, effectively swallowing it up to keep it safe only for Kouen to look upset over the loss of her new toy. Dicer whispers and asks A.C.E. who she is and if they can just leave and A.C.E. says they're probably not going to get out of this easily, but also, that despite how she seemed, Kouen was actually someone important to Volterra upper class, not to mention powerful. 

Kouen looks over at Dicer and asks A.C.E. if he’s training a new underling and that he has his work cut out for him if he doesn't even know who she is. Dicer unhelpfully supplies that she shouldn't be too offended because he didn't even know who A.C.E. was when he met him for the first time. Kouen is not impressed and wishes A.C.E. luck. Kouen narrows her eyes at them and then proposes a game. One was if they keep the egg out of a void and let her win it back fairly, she will make sure they’ll both make it home in one piece. Seeing the threat for what it is, A.C.E. drops Dicer through a void to keep him out of harm's way.

Dicer, from inside A.C.E.s Void watches as the opening closes behind him as he is suspended in space. He tries to move his arms and finds he can with little resistance and looks around him. He observes the star speckled inside of the subspace and notices that there are a lot of random items held in stasis both above and below him. He is able to flap his arms a bit to turn around and notes it’s kind of like swimming in space. As he turns he sees the Egg in its container and he makes his way over to it and tucks it under his arm. A bit farther in front of him he spots what looks like a pinhole of light and out of curiosity he swims over to it. He peeks through the hole and sees A.C.E. and Kouen negotiating over the Egg. 

 He puts his ear up to the rip and hears A.C.E. asks her why Kouen wants the egg anyway. She replies that it's obviously rare and that it probably tastes amazing. This catches A.C.E. and Dicer off guard and A.C.E. asks if she really intends to eat it, and indeed she really does. At that moment, whatever pressure that was keeping Dicer held up in the void gives way as the rip opens up and he falls out of space by the door - surprising both A.C.E. and Kouen. 

Dicer picks himself up and protests telling A.C.E. he can't let her eat it and that it probably wouldn't taste delicious anyway as he grips the cylinder tighter. A.C.E. quickly looks between Kouen and Dicer and seeing that she's about to move he tells Dicer to run. Dicer makes a break for it just as Kouen spits a ball of lava at him, narrowly missing him but effectively melting the stairs behind him. Dicer keeps running as A.C.E. takes a more defensive stance between the exit and Kouen, stating that if she wants to go after him she's going to have to get through him first. 

Upstairs Dicer makes his way out of the lab. He makes it a distance away and turns back to see the lab erupt like a volcano. He turns and keeps going as he closes his eyes and puts his hands together hoping for a miracle. He feels himself being picked up and opens his eyes in surprise to see that he’s in the grasp of the huge pterodactyl hybrid he had seen earlier. He would normally squirm to keep from being carried off like he was but below he can rapidly see the ground being enveloped by a lava flow and thinks better of it. 

A.C.E. watches the creature carry Dicer off as he emerges from one of his voids into one of the surrounding trees and thinks to himself that he’ll have to find him later before turning back to Kouen who stands atop the lava that’s encasing the old research lab, having just saw the dino take Dicer is now scanning the area for A.C.E... He thinks that this is all a little extreme for them having essentially just taken away her lunch.

The perspective splits back and forth between Dicer being brought to the hybrid's nest high on the top of a perch and being placed among their hatchlings that take a liking to him while A.C.E. plays a very dangerous game of tag with Kouen in the forest as he tries to halt her lava attacks with waterspouts from his voids. Dicer gets along with the hybrid and the babies and he is seen wrapping some paper and nesting around the egg vial to try and conceal it as A.C.E. is able to break away from Kouen and goes to look for Dicer. Kouen, having lost sight of A.C.E., thinks, and then turns to go in another direction. 

A little while later Dicer is seen talking to the big Dinosaur and he tells it that he can look after the nestlings while they go look for food. He waves it off but as soon as it is out of sight he turns around and comes face to face with Kouen. She says that he’s given her quite the chase and as she stalks towards him the nest under her heel burns. She states that she's worked up quite the appetite and if he doesn't want to see the hatchlings that are all huddled behind him get fried he should hand over the egg. Not seeing a lot of options, being so high up, and not waiting to leave the babies by abandoning them he sadly hands her the Egg container. 

Kouen snatches it up and says that at least he's a lot smarter than A.C.E. is. She pauses a moment at the decorated exterior with the paper and hay and looks at Dicer who said he didn't want it to get too cold. She rolls her eyes and shoves her hand through it and the glass in one swift motion. Kouen goes to extract the Egg, but the action causes the paper to light up violently and black text shoots out of it. Kouen tries to drop the item, but the black text expands, rapidly crawling up her arm and wrapping her up, effectively bindering her in place and suppressing her abilities. Dicer hesitates, but after a moment of looking at the bindings and seeing that Kouen is well and truly incapacitated he reaches for the egg, effectively pulling it out of the broken container avoiding the text and bringing it close to his chest. 

He sighs and falls back only to startle a bit when heavy boots land next to him. He looks up and is relieved to find that this time it’s A.C.E. who is surveying the scene around him - everything from the hatchlings peeking out from around Dicer to Kouen to is all wrapped up and cursing to Dicer holding the egg. He drops Kouen into a void before laying down on his back in the nest and covering his face as he laughs at everything that happened that day. 

He continues on for a while as Dicer comes to sit next to him and laughs too. After settling down a bit A.C.E. sits up and asks Dicer if he's ok and Dicer says he is. He then asks if that was their contract he used and Dicer confirms it was even if he didn’t mean for it to get destroyed like that. A.C.E. runs a hand through his hair and says today was supposed to be easy and Dicer reassures him that even if it wasn't easy, he still had fun and was happy everything turned out well. 

A.C.E. huffs and says that Dicer is one lucky duck. Dicer laughs and asks him if he got the job and A.C.E. says that he's probably the only one suited for it and if he wants it, the job is his. The hatchlings watch as Dicer happily accepts and hugs A.C.E. who gets surprised by the contact. Dicer then mentions if he can still have it even if he can’t sign the contract. A.C.E. reassures him that he can get another one made up when they get back to Ark Light. A.C.E. then drops a shining diamond shaped pin out of the sky into his hand and says that even without the contract, if Dicer shows the pin to people they will know where his alliance is. Dicer pins it to himself as A.C.E. catches his attention with a small genuine smile and in the light of the moon sitting in that nest in a foreign land, A.C.E. Welcomes Dicer to the Diamond Faction. 

Chapter end

In a short afterward - A.C.E. says to dicer that it's about time they get back to the ship but Dicer says he told the parent hybrid that he would watch over the babies till they got back. A.C.E says that he’s sure Dicer did promise the creature that and says he’ll stay with him till they return. While sitting on the edge of the nest, Dicer asks A.C.E. if they are going to be in trouble with how things went with Kouen. A.C.E. replies they probably will be but he’ll figure something out

Chapter 5: Tours and Tools

Chapter 5: Tours and Tools

6/16/25

Back in Ark Light, a nervous Dicer follows A.C.E. up the stairs and down the hall on their way to C.O.C.A. H.E.A.R.T.’s Office in the Citadel. He asks A.C.E. if it was really OK for him to meet her being that she just seemed so important and that he wasn't all that special. A.C.E. says C.O.C.A. was the one who requested the meeting and attempted to reassure him by saying if anything C.O.C.A. will probably like him and that she's just a person like anyone else so he shouldn't be too nervous. This doesn't seem to settle Dicer much but he follows A.C.E. into what turns out to be a nicely furnished room in black and white with heart accents worked into every detail.

Sadly, he did not get to fully appreciate the layout before the room exploded in a burst of confetti and a booming welcome that nearly knocked him off his feet. C.O.C.A. Introduced herself loudly, with all the flair and excitement in the world while A.C.E. blew bits of paper out of his bangs while telling her she was probably scaring him. She argued that such an occasion of him finally taking on a department member after years and years of waiting deserved nothing less, but relented. The Hearts leader then looked at Dicer to get confirmation that he was fine but stopped as she got a proper look at his face for the first time. 

She gets up close to him and confirms for herself that she wasn’t seeing things as she recognizes him as the civilian A.C.E. had brought home in a panic just earlier that week. She takes a look between the two and smiles to herself. She then goes on to tease A.C.E. saying that if she knew that making him responsible for cleaning up his incidents would make him more social then she should have started handing things over to him years ago. A.C.E. tries to argue that that was not true, but C.O.C.A. has already turned her attention back to Dicer. 

C.O.C.A. welcomes Dicer again to the Citadel while slipping a little bit of her ability into her voice to amplify his feelings in an attempt to see if anything amiss, but he just seemed more nervous then normal. A.C.E. gives her a sharp look and she lets her sound return to normal. She watched Dicer continue to fumble a bit even without her manipulation and though she might have wondered briefly if he had somehow manipulated A.C.E. into giving him a position, she decides that that was not the case. 

With her general curiosity satiated, she asks him about himself and seems to find his lucky ability interesting. She muses that he would probably be well suited to run the Clubs division specializing in resource acquisitions with such a power and wonders about how that would work. A.C.E. moves to say something about that but she dispels any anxiety around it by saying that it’s a matter for later and that he’ll probably enjoy being part of A.C.E.’s team as it comes with less responsibility. 

She changes the topic to ask about how his trial went as all A.C.E. had said about it was: Dicers’ contract was lost in self defense (whatever THAT meant) and that she shouldn't meet with Lady Kouen for a while (concerning). Dicer only gets as far as his fortunate lava dodging before C.O.C.A. looks shocked and says that even the Rainbow-Armor uniform he wore would have trouble standing up to such heat exposure but at least it must have kept him cool in the climate. She reaches for Dicer‘s coat to check how the material held up, but what she feels is not the normal texture of the uniform fabric. She asks him if he was just not wearing his uniform now and if he could get it to her for testing later.

A.C.E. makes a sound at that and Dicer says that during his trial he was just wearing whatever he put on that morning - causing C.O.C.A. to become horrified. She turns to A.C.E. and asks him if Dicer was really out there, dodging lava in an active volcano zone without any protective gear, and A.C.E. had the decency to look guilty as he tells her that he had forgotten about the uniform. C.O.C.A. is speechless as A.C.E. says that he at least got Dicer to sign the liability waiver like he was advised, which did not improve the situation. C.O.C.A. aggressively whispers that it would have been meaningless due to the blatant gross negligence on his part and that he is SO lucky Dicer had his ability to deliver him back in one piece. She asks if he had just missed picking up a uniform while showing the other around and Dicer and A.C.E. just look at each other, confirming to C.O.C.A. that they, indeed, had not even gone on a tour of the Citadel. 

Dicer tries to help by saying he had seen the Junk Pit and training rooms but C.O.C.A. decides that she has heard enough. She claps her hands together and says that she is giving him a non-optional tour starting right that moment. A.C.E. asks if he can skip the tour and if C.O.C.A. could let him know when she's done. C.O.C.A. finds this a little strange but allows it in order to spend some time getting to know Dicer one-on-one. A.C.E. then wishes Dicer luck and slips through a void out of sight before C.O.C.A. could change her mind. 

Left in the Hearts Faction Leader’s capable hands, Dicer seems ready to see what he had been missing out on. C.O.C.A. starts with a flourish and guides Dicer though the maze-like halls back to the central elevator. 

They get in, and from the elevator, the doors open up to numerous, grand floors that C.O.C.A. gives an overview too. She shows him the indoor gardens, a broadcasting room, the mess hall, and more.

They then come to a stop at a floor that looks a lot like a dressing room, and C.O.C.A. ushers them off the elevator. He asks her what this one is for, and C.O.C.A. says she uses the room for prototype production and storage. She explains one of her hobbies is material production, and she was able to use this space for fabrication. In the middle of the room is a large circular dressing stand, and she motions for Dicer to stand on it while she lulls him into polite conversation. 

As they talk, she grabs a tablet off the table, and with the push of a few buttons, the platform turns on and it scans him for his dimensions. C.O.C.A. looks at the screen and makes some adjustments and starts to draw some ideas down as Dicer tries to learn more about A.C.E. since C.O.C.A. opened herself up to questions. She tells him a bit about his leader's history but encourages him to try and get more details directly from the boy himself.

Seemingly satisfied with her work, Dicer watches as she put the handheld tablet into the docking station attached to the platform he is standing on. She shoos him off it as the machine gets to work, and before his very eyes, an outfit is woven from gray shifting threads in a record time; the shirt and pants finished first, and then the jacket materializes over top even though they look wildly different from the design C.O.C.A. had worked to make. The outfit collapses into the Heart Leader’s hands as soon as she touched it, appraising the fabric.

She holds it out to Dicer to try on and even if he thinks it’s a little plain, he’s not one to argue over such things. He goes into a dressing room and finds the all-gray material is comfortable and fits well. He goes back out with the outfit he came in and puts them on the table as C.O.C.A, appraises him. She deems the fit acceptable and asks Dicer to get back on the stand. He complies, and once he gets situated, the machine boots up again. This time, it morphs to become more like a cylindrical tank and a series of nozzles appear from the sides; spraying the clothes with a solution.

Everywhere the mist hits transforms the clothes into the original design that C.O.C.A. had sketched. Dicer watches in awe as the details like functional pockets and hardware seem to form out of thin air and solidify in reality. Once the gray material had been completely altered into the primarily green attire of the uniform, the tank splits open, and C.O.C.A. is able to see the full effect of her handiwork. She seems exceptionally pleased with it and tells Dicer that it suits him better than she had imagined. She goes on to say that it should withstand any environment he could find himself in as it works fine for A.C.E. and all he gets up to.

She says the material will keep this form but if it ever got damaged or he ever wanted to change it, he could come back here with a different design and the machine would be able to restitch itself as long as the new idea was similar enough to its structure. She does mention that the fabricator can’t make accessories like gloves and footwear so he will have to get those separately.

Dicer thanks her, and C.O.C.A. says that it’s no problem and that everyone in the Citadel wears these kinds of clothes too, but without all the protective properties. He asks her a bit about it, and she says she designed it first for the convenience for quick changes for her shows, but then found more applications for it and had it modified as A.C.E. needed his to act more like armor. She says that this modified fabric is what she used to make Dicer clothes since he will probably be following A.C.E. around for the foreseeable future. 

C.O.C.A. motions for Dicer to follow her as they are done here and that there is just one more stop on the tour before she’ll let him go. Dicer walks with her back to the elevator, and they are brought to a floor that looks more like an apartment. Dicer asks about it and C.O.C.A. explains that each faction has their own dorm floors to provide a place to stay for their members if they don’t already have one. She apologies that the place is plain, but that A.C.E. never thought it necessary to decorate despite living here full time.  

She brings him through the space and shows him all the amenities, and Dicer thinks it’s all really nice. Lastly, she points out A.C.E.’s door in the back and opens the door directly to the left to reveal a decent sized bedroom with basic furnishings. She says it might be a little dusty, but if he decides he would like to stay here, that this would be his room. Dicer is excited by the prospect and says that he would like that even if he might not stay full time because he still wants to stay with his family sometimes so he won’t miss them so much. 

A flash of sadness crosses C.O.C.A. face on hearing about his family before it is quickly concealed as she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small device. She says even if he only stays part-time, he should still have a nice place to stay and that he should have fun customizing it so it feels like home.She hand him the device and explains it’s a holographic imager and demonstrates what it can do by pointing it at the table, where a holograph of a vase of flowers appears. She clicks the up button, and the flowers in the vase change. C.O.C.A. says he’s free to bring whatever he wants from home,bbut he can use this to get a sense of where everything could go. With this being the end of the tour, she says she'll leave him here to experiment with the room design. She hopes he will be happy working at the Citadel and if he ever needs anything or even just someone to talk to that her door is always open.

After saying their goodbyes and leaving Dicer to play with his room setup, C.O.C.A. looks at her watch and finds she has some extra time before her next obligation and she decides to go and try to find A.C.E., and after a bit of poking around, she finds him on the roof looking out at the moon deep in thought.

He sees her climb over to him, and even though there is plenty of space, he makes room for her. She looks him over and sees that he seems to be thinking and settles on asking what's troubling him. She waits in comfortable silence and eventually A.C.E. says that he wonders if he made the right choice taking Dicer on. 

He says that C.O.C.A. is right and that he is not very social at all like she said and worries a bit that he's out of his element trying to manage someone full time. 

C.O.C.A. understands him but says that it’s not the first time he's led people, pointing out the contracts he has and the relationships he's built through them, even if they weren’t particularly close relationships like what she expects he will form with Dicer. 

C.O.C.A. softens up, and says that she's glad he's taking the chance on Dicer and that when they had started up Ark Light, she broke it up into factions so they could be surrounded by like minded people and grow closer to them, but the fact that A.C.E. never took on anyone beyond general contracting worried her. She hopes that now that he has someone who would be around all the time, he would find himself making those deeper bonds.

She then jokes that if it doesn’t work out, it will be ok and she might just promote Dicer herself because his power seems like it could be very useful. A.C.E. huffs and says she’ll have to fight him for the opportunity. C.O.C.A. laughs and assures him that everything will turn out as it should and that if he’s ever having doubts he could always talk to Dicer about them as he seems to be amenable to anything A.C.E. has to say. 

A.C.E. says that beyond Dicers persistence he is, at least, positive and agreeable. C.O.C.A. says she’s glad he found such a nice person to spend time with.  A.C.E. starts to get up from his seating place and says he will give it his best shot to make it work and that fate will ultimately decide. C.O.C.A. agrees to let fate decide as she stands up too and they head back inside.

Chapter End 

After the chapter ends we see Dicer talking to A.C.E. Once he’s gotten all settled in On the Diamond dorm room floor. He says that even if he will still stay at his house on the weekends sometimes it will be fun living together. A thought then comes to him and he asks if this made them roommates. A.C.E. wants to argue that they are more like neighbors but Dicer hopeful expression has him saying Dicer can call it what he wants. 

Chapter 6: Luck in Spades

Luck in Spades  4/20/25

Dicer is staring at the group emblem one day and notices that the Symbol for the Spades Faction is actually filled in. He questions A.C.E. About this and it is confirmed that the legal department does indeed have a leader, T.O.M.O. D.A.C.H.I.  he has just not met him yet because the faction head has been out working in the field.  Dicer keeps wondering about what kind of person that leader is after he is unable to get any info about the man from A.C.E. Other than: “you’d know if you had met him” and “you’ll find out for yourself soon enough”.

About a week later, Dicer notices the landing floor lobby is abuzz with activity. People he hasn't seen before are running and shouting, trying to get in order while whispers of “his majesty arrival” fill the halls. A whistle blows from somewhere and the people line up on either side of the entrance in a deep bow. Dicer is standing at the end of the line in curiosity as the doors fly open and in walks T.O.M.O.  With a title announcement and a grand flourish. The man slings off his cape passing it to one of the assistants and he is handed a cup of tea. He takes a sip and looks to criticize it but locks eyes with Dicer before he’s able to do so. 

With a less then pleasant “who the fuck’re you?” T.O.M.O. Hands back the drink and moves to approach Dicer. Dicer explains that he is the newest member to the Diamond Faction to which T.O.M.O. Laughs and expresses his dis-belief, all while saying a few disparaging things about A.C.E. In the process. Dicer is unhappy with the man’s jabs at his friend and questions T.O.M.O. As to what he does and where he’s been.

 T.O.M.O. Proceeds to humor him, stating that he serves as the leading judicial figure for Ark Light - that he is the judge, jury, and executioner of the law and that Dicer better behave well less he gets in trouble. T.O.M.O. Watches Dicers expressions through it all and lights up with a sly expression as an idea strikes him. He talked in a feigned concerned/ mocking tone as he explains that he’s been out doing business inspections and had found a hole-in-the-wall restaurant on the west side that shouldn't even be operating due to the amount of code violations they had. He states that he had to return early in order to start filing the paperwork to shut down the place within three days.

Dicer recognises this shop as one near his home that he frequents on occasion and tries to appeal to T.O.M.O. On their behalf. T.O.M.O. states that the law is the law and 

that he simply does not care about Dicer's personal sentiments. He then taunts Dicer by stating if he wants to try his hand at playing the hero he can but he’s going to need more than luck and doubts that Dicer could make the 3 day deadline of fixing all of the shops issues. 

T.O.M.O. Sneers a bit but says if he can beat the odds,  he will admit Dicer was a good addition to A.C.E.s team, and also that he will be generous - stating that if there is any permit work that needs to be filed that he will get his faction to expedite the paperwork to give Dicer a fighting chance. T.O.M.O. Wraps up his speech by saying he doesn't think it’s worth his time and the Dicer probably wouldn't make it anyway, but would love to see him try.

The conversation is over and with a snap of his fingers,  his faction members follow T.O.M.O. Out  as he leaves for his department's floor.  Dicer is left in the now empty entrance filled with the feeling of loathing and determination. 

Dicer goes to the shop and looks for the owners - he is determined to help but as he takes a look around waiting for them to come to the front he sees just how bad of a shape the place is in - he hasn't noticed it before, but even he can admit that the place couldn't possibly be suitable to continue running as it is. 

The older couple comes down and apologizes to them, saying they got their food license suspended and can not offer him anything. Dicer explains that he heard of their troubles with T.O.M.O. And has come to help. They have their doubts but accept the help in light of Dicers confidence. Dicer reassures them but says they will probably need some extra hands to help and will start getting the word out. 

A montage of Dicer and the couple calling people ensues and members of  the community are seen coming in and out of the shop to lend aid. A checklist of things to do is made and he does his best to communicate and direct people to cover the tasks at hand. Dicer and another boy try to move the stove but it is a mess underneath and a mouse runs out. A tearful Dicer is seen calling some pest control. He is seen scrubbing and deep cleaning and animal control is seen catching the mice for transportation away from the shop and sealing the holes in the wall. They clean the fryers, fix some wiring to keep the food heaters and coolers at the right temperature  and take out the trash. 

At a break on the second day Dicer calls A.C.E. On the phone but it sounds like A.C.E. Is busy in a battle somewhere else as there are clashing and yelling sounds around his leader's normal cool tone. A.C.E. Apologizes and says that he does not think we will be able to make it back in time to help but tells Dicer  it sounds like he has everything handled and that he has faith in him.

Dicer is a bit disappointed but he is undeterred. He wipes his brow and gets back to work. There is another montage of him trying to get the couples permits renewed, repainting the walls, and cleaning out and restocking the fridge and supply closet with the help of some other town people as the owners providing snacks. The place is transformed and looks better than ever before.

The end of the 3 day timeline ends as he puts the finishing touches out and looks at the checklist that has all been completed. He shares the news with the owners but is still worried about the inspection. The couple comfort him, expressing their appreciation for everyone’s support and states that even if they do not pass, that Dicer did all he could and that whichever way it goes they are grateful and that they would always have a meal ready for him. He thanks them for their kindness and the bell rings signally  T.O.M.O.s. Arrival. 

Dicer watches in anticipation as T.O.M.O. Takes his time going around the shop, checking everything, even swiping his gloves on surfaces looking for grease. T.O.M.O. Comes up empty on all accounts. He goes and talks to the owners, telling them if they keep everything maintained they can continue for many years into the future without issue and to not let the place fall into dis-repair again. He stamps their papers with the permission to operate again and the couple promise to keep things up to date. The couple gifts T.O.M.O. And Dicer food as they are leaving and the two walk out with each other.

 T.O.M.O. Pulls Dicer Aside away from the door and gives him a series of backhanded compliments for the work he’s done as well as the advice that he can not possibly save everyone, even if he wanted to, and that Dicer should be more selfish. Before Dicer had a chance to disagree T.O.M.O. Turns and walks away. Dicer grumbles a bit to himself that T.O.M.O. Is wrong and that he will prove it to him one day. He looks at the bag in his hand as a symbol of the fact that he is able to help people, even if it’s in a small way. His phone then buzzes with a text from A.C.E. Saying that he’s done with his mission and will see Dicer when he gets back to the Citadel. Dicer emailed a bit and lights up a bit as he is struck by an idea. He turns around and heads back inside the shop for more food. 

Afterward Dicer meets up with A.C.E. And while they share the take out, vents to him about T.O.M.O.s awful personality and about the adventure he’s had saving the restaurant from T.O.M.O.’s unfair scrutiny. A.C.E. Praises him for a job well done but explains to Dicer that not once had T.O.M.O. Actually shut down a business, and instead had arranged for them to get assistance until they could be brought up to code. Dicer is shocked to realize that he has been duped into community service and, even though he did the right thing and didn't mind having helped the store, vows to be more careful around T.O.M.O. And his manipulations again.

Chapter end. 

Chapter ???: Amaretto

Chapter ???: Amaretto

Originally created May 2024 - rewritten 5/9/25

A.C.E. is looking far more annoyed than normal this morning as he faces a nervous Dicer. He asks Dicer to walk him though what happened again - as if he didn't hear him the first time - and Dicer bashfully recounts the event.

It turns out that earlier that morning, on the way to meet up with A.C.E. he runs into C.O.C.A. who is poised to knock on his leader's door. She locks eyes with Dicer and smiles, waving him over enthusiastically. She greets him good morning and says that he is just the person she wanted to see (despite being seen trying to get A.C.E.’s attention just moments prior). Dicer responds in kind and asks her what she needs from them. C.O.C.A. sing-songs that she is hosting a surprise pop-up cafe downstairs and just happens to be a few staff short. Turning up the dramatics, she further explains her plight and states that surely he and A.C.E. would be able to lend her a hand. 

Dicer tries to explain that he would have to check with A.C.E. first, but he fumbles his words, giving C.O.C.A. the opportunity to cut him off and loudly declare to the closed door next to them that she is grateful they agreed to help and to report to the cafe as soon as possible. 

From the commotion, A.C.E. opens the door and raises an eyebrow as he assesses the two people outside his door. He starts to ask them what they are doing, but C.O.C.A. interrupts him as well. She quickly thanks him for agreeing to assist and that she expects to see him shortly for his fitting. Before anything else can be uttered, she skips away, leaving the two boys alone in the hall - seemingly run over from the conversation - completing the flashback loop.

—-time skip—-

A.C.E. is seen standing in one of the makeshift backrooms of the cafe as he adjusts his cuffs and asks C.O.C.A. why she needed them (A.C.E. And Dicer) specifically for this event.

She responds as she’s rummaging through a clothing bag that it’s sound logic in that Dicer has a sunny personality that would be perfect for drawing in a crowd and that his luck might help them generate greater than average attendance. She turns back to A.C.E. with a more mischievous smile and says that more importantly, she would not miss this opportunity for anything as she triumphantly holds up a maid outfit ensemble that is puffy enough to obscure most of her. A.C.E. eyes the dress wearily, as he recalls being in this exact situation before and thinking he really shouldn’t be surprised at all (he has an additional side thought to this that he’s glad that the dress is not nearly as short as it could be and is internally grateful for this small blessing).

C.O.C.A. sizes up the others’ reaction to the costume and bargains with him that if he keeps it on for the whole event and doesn’t try to sneak out early, she’ll owe him a “favor” he can trade to have her fix things the next time he inevitably breaks something in town. A.C.E. thinks back to a series of similar deals they had made in the past and quickly agrees to the deal.

—time passes—

A.C.E. is putting on the final pieces of his costume as Dicer comes over to him. Dicer compliments him and A.C.E. sides steps it by asking why Dicer isn't wearing a maid outfit as well. Dicer explains that he was going to, but he was told it wouldn't fit him right because of his height and that he dug these clothes out of the wardrobe C.O.C.A. had brought in. A.C.E. is about to call BS on this but sees that Dicer seems happy enough and that it wasn't worth stressing the other over. A bell rings In the distance, interrupting them and someone shouts that they are opening the cafe. Dicer wishes A.C.E. luck for the day and walks them out to start their shift. 

The day plays out in a series of montages showing the success of the event. The place was constantly packed. A.C.E. is seen expertly delivering treats to customers,and Dicer draws people over and directs them to open seating. There are only two mishaps - one where A.C.E. is confessed to by a zellous customer and Dicer has them leave for “making the staff uncomfortable” and one where T.O.M.O. turns up just to jeer at him and A.C.E. dumps a bucket of water on him from a void to get him to quit it. C.O.C.A. lightly reprimands both of them and assigns them to teardown cleaning duty. They both get a cake break, and the day progresses with other snippets until the event is over and A.C.E. And Dicer are left together to clean up.

A.C.E., now freed from his uniform, is seen using his voids to store the furniture Dicer has finished cleaning the surfaces of, and in the moment of quiet after their busy day, Dicer gets to speak to A.C.E. casually. He remarks on the day and gets around to asking about A.C.E.’s maid outfit. A.C.E. tells him he made a deal with C.O.C.A. and explains a bit about the “favors” they gain from each other and how C.O.C.A, likes to use hers to get A.C.E. to dress up as if he’s a living doll. He huffs, but there is no real heat behind it. He goes on to say that he suspects C.O.C.A. does this in an effort to get him to take a break from his normally busy schedule and as a way for them to bond in a way that makes sense for her. 

Dicer thinks that is really kind of C.O.C.A., despite how busy she is, to keep making sure they have that time together and to look after him in her own way. He says offhandedly that they remind him of siblings. A.C.E. thinks on this as Dicer tells him about his older sister and some of the fun they would have together growing up and about how his younger sister had made him laugh the other week by trying to apply hexes to inanimate objects to no avail. Dicer laughs at the memory as A.C.E. watches him.

He hadn’t ever really thought about it before so explicitly, but A.C.E. sees that C.O.C.A. has acted as a sister to him ever since they met and that she is the closest thing he has to family after all this time. The thought warms his heart as they finalize getting everything put away. Dicer pulls A.C.E. back out of his thoughts by saying that he should come over sometime and meet his sisters, and A.C.E. pauses. He thinks at that moment if this is what it is like to have family and a friend and is surprised a bit to find that he might have both. The thought brings a small smile to his face as he agrees to meet Dicer's family. Dicer hadn’t really expected A.C.E. to agree and lights up at the prospect. As they head back upstairs together, he starts talking about how A.C.E. could come over for dinner later that week while the lights turn out in the cafe. 

Chapter end.

Chapter ???: If You Were a Worm…

Chapter ???: If You Were a Worm…🪱

A later on - side story  6/17/25

A.C.E. looked down at the worm in his hand with a difficult expression on his face. The worm, who was apparently Dicer, seemed a little apologetic as it wrapped itself in a coil to attempt to stand itself up. A.C.E. asks Dicer what happened and the worm murmurs back something only he can hear as A.C.E. holds him up to his ear. 

The nurse, Yuki, interrupts them with a whisper and says that it seems like the spell cast on him shouldn't last more than a day or so, but till it wears off there is nothing to be done about it. 

A.C.E. looked back down at Dicer and asked the nurse if  because he's a worm should he treat him like one. Yuki lets A.C.E. know that even though Dicer will probably have to stick to worm food, he can still hear him and is aware of what's happening, so treating him like normal might be best. 

A.C.E. thanks her and, after a little squirming on Dicers end, holds his partner up to wave their tail goodbye. 

A.C.E. proceeds down the hall back to his room and has a seemingly 1 sided conversation with Dicer about being more careful when out on missions. This catches T.O.M.O.s attention on the way back to his own floor and he comes over to them to see what was going on. 

A.C.E. sees T.O.M.O. coming and places Dicer on his shoulder for safe keeping. That motion draws T.O.M.O.s attention and he questions what A.C.E. is doing with a worm - asking if it's part of a new, weird hobby. A.C.E. says that the worm is Dicer and T.O.M.O. laughs and questions if this was one of C.O.C.A.s  convoluted love tests for that ridiculous -“would you still love me if I were a worm?” - Meme going around online. He then says that it's fitting since Dicer was already a worm and reaches for him. A.C.E. grabs Dicer off his shoulder and pushes T.O.M.O. away by the face, causing T.O.M.O. to stumble back allowing  A.C.E. to slip through a void in the floor.

A.C.E. and worm Dicer pop out again near A.C.E.s room and A.C.E. checks on Dicer who curls around his finger in lieu of a hug. A.C.E. finds this rather cute as he opens the door and precedes to place Dicer on his desk. Dicer pokes his head up and looks around the room while A.C.E. seems deep in thought as he seems to be trying to locate an item in his voids. Dicer notes that everything looks so different from his new perspective while A.C.E. finds what he was looking for.

A.C.E. places a small terrarium as well as a bag of soil next to Dicer. Dicer looks at it a little warily but A.C.E. says that because of his Worm-ness he would be safer in there and that even if he's lucky normally he still doesn't want Dicer to get stepped on when they are out. 

Dicer, who thought A.C.E. might opt to just leave him in the room, agrees and climbs into the tank with a little help once A.C.E. dumps the soil inside. 

With Dicer’s terrarium in tow, A.C.E. goes about his day as normal. Everyone he visits asks about the worm but he just tells them it's Dicer and moves on with their conversations like nothing's amiss. He lets Dicer out of the terrarium for lunch and looks up what he should feed Dicer - settling on some fruit after vetoing the majority of other options. He talks with Dicer much like he normally does and when they are done he packs Dicer up again. The second half of the day sees A.C.E. battling some Shadow Stitches all while holding the terrarium which Dicer finds both exhilarating and scary at his current size.

Later that night, A.C.E. and Dicer are found back in A.C.E.s room. He takes Dicer out of the terrarium and places him in a makeshift bath in his bathroom sink to clean up while he takes a shower himself and puts on his jammies. When Dicer finished getting the dirt off himself, A.C.E. picked him up again, but instead of placing him back in the terrarium he keeps him in his hand as he climbs into bed. 

A.C.E. and Dicer continue to talk about random things but after a while Dicers makes a sound and A.C.E not really understanding him, holds him close to his ear and he hears Dicer half joking ask “do you like me still even if I'm a worm?”

A.C.E. laughs a bit and asks him what he thinks. Worm Dicer blushes as A.C.E. says it doesn't matter to him because Dicer is still himself, and he always liked who Dicer was/is.  

A.C.E. then says it's late and turns out the lights. He closes his eyes and Dicer curls up in his hand  and they both fall asleep. 

♦️♦️♦️

In the morning, Dicer wakes up to find he's back to his normal body. He looks over to see A.C.E. sleeping soundly next to him and he regards him warmly, remembering how A.C.E. had cared for him even as a worm. He brushes the bangs out of A.C.E.s face and thinks that he has always liked who A.C.E. was as a person too. He then closes his eyes again and lets himself fall back asleep while holding A.C.E.s hand. 

Chapter end.

Shortly afterwards:

After a rain, A.C.E. finds Dicer downstairs on the garden level. He asks what the other is doing and Dicer replies that he is picking up the worms just in case they are someone else's loved ones and asks for A.C.E.s help. A.C.E. doesn't know what to think of that logic, but kneels down to help save the worms anyway.

Happy Birthday Messages

A.C.E.

"It's your birthday? Then it's best to celebrate it with the people who care about you. Such moments are fleeting, so enjoy them while you can."

Dicer

"Hey, I heard it was your birthday, so Happy Birthday!! I hope you get everything you wished for and do something fun today! I'll try to have a present waiting for you when you get back, so go have a great time!"

C.O.C.A.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! To celebrate, I've ordered a cake and prepared a song just for you, so I hope you like it!"

T.O.M.O.

"Why should I care if it's YOUR birthday? Hah, you brought cake? Fine then, happy birthday. Here's a coin from me, go get yourself something nice. Haha."

Writers note:

T.O.M.O. should make the reader think they would have been better off not talking to them.

My sister liked A.C.E.s message.