Chapter Text
Knocking on a room door was a young mii. His messy black hair was covered by a small beanie and goggles, and on his belt was his trusty dagger. He straightened his sunglasses and knocked again.
"You done in there, Bayo?" he asked. "You can't leave ol' Joker hanging!"
The door opened to reveal a black-haired girl in a set of vestments. She looked like Joker except her hair was better kept and she wore evenly rounded glasses. She also held a staff in her hand. "I'm not wearing that outfit, Ren, and I'm not Bayo."
"Aww come on, sis," said Joker. "At least call me Joker. We're protectors now. Who's gonna remember being saved by someone named Ren or Erica?"
"But I'm not Bayonetta anymore." Erica walked out of the room, leaving the outfit Joker gave her on the bed. "We may still fight monsters in this world, but that doesn't mean I'm still an ultra-hottie with demon powers."
"Erica-" Joker tried to say.
"Thank you," said Erica. "Now let's get on with the mission." She knocked on the doors of the other team members. "WAKE UP!" Then she waited by the entrance. They were approaching the top of Nightmare Tower, and Erica wasn't sure her team would make it, but she had to try for her dear brother Ren, or Joker, as he called himself. She felt responsible for him, since he was no different from her jerky new teammates, save the fact that Joker gives her a little more compassion and tries to help her lead. As Erica pondered, Joker walked up beside her.
"Your teammates are ready… Erica," he said.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Erica asked. "Let's move." They walked through the halls until they found Joji unconscious on the ground next to their foe: General Etce. The prince's expressionless face stood out on his impressive figure as he flexed over his latest victory.
"Okay guys," said Erica. "This looks like it'll be a tough-"
"Gangway!" One of her teammates pushed past her and ran at the monster. He blocked the attack and launched that teammate toward the others.
"Ow!" they cried. "Erica, heal me up!"
Erica did so. "Guys, we have to be strategic-"
"You have to hit harder!" The other teammate charged in, but met the same fate as the first and called for healing.
"Would you stop running in, you are the chef!" Before Erica could heal her cornered teammate, Etce advanced and threw his fist into the ground, flattening the chef beyond revival.
"It's gonna kill us!" Joker dodged an attack. "You were right, Erica! We're not enough of a team for this fight!"
"We have to retreat!" Erica responded.
"No retreating! You can still save that guy!" They were also easily killed before General Etce turned to Erica. Joker noticed this and tackled her out of the way.
"You can't stay here, Erica," said Joker. "You have to get back to the inn and save yourself!"
"No," said Erica. "I'm not leaving you behind. Not when you're the only reason I'm still on this quest!"
"Don't worry," said Joker. "That gorilla can't lay a hand on me, but our teammates are gone, finished! We can't save the prince on our own. I'll meet you at the inn after I-" He was interrupted by Etce's punch, separating the two. "RUN, ERICA!" Erica instinctively took off before looking back and seeing Joker trying to fight Etce alone.
"REN!" Erica called out and tried running back, but soon she found herself in the spirit dimension.
"Erica…" said the guardian.
"What do you want?" Erica started to cry. "Don't you see I'm trying to save my brother!?"
"Your brother was right," said Kronkui. "Your team has failed, Erica. I'm sorry."
"No! He needs my help! Take me back, now!" Erica was breaking down. "Please!"
"I'll do you one better, yeah?" said Kronkui. "I can take you to a new timeline. I'll give you a second chance at a team until you find one that won't let you down. And I promise you; One day, you will find your brother again."
Erica pondered this and dried her tears. "...Okay. If I get to see my brother alive, I'll play your game as many times as it takes."
"Good luck, Erica." The dimension around Erica was engulfed in white light. "Remember, always stay determined…" The voice of the guardian spirit faded away.