Chapter 1: A Fateful Encounter (Synopsis)
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.
