Amusement Park

Among the panicking masses of the Amusement Park, a being with long, silvery hair stood still. The pale... spirit, gazed upon humanity calmly. Two appendages that seemed akin to ears perked up constantly, listening to the world around him. He didn't even seem human... and man was too lost in the chaos of a city's near-entirety vanishing in the blink of an eye to notice. They now understood the despair Reapers were here to cause, and yet, they understood nothing. They were all idiots, he believed.

Chronos continued observing with those shiny, yellow, and humane eyes. Man truly lacked elegance and intelligence. All of this yelling and screaming, and not of amusement as this place's purpose suggested. They could sit down and think, but mortals are stupid. They don't think, they panic and wail like infants.

Folding his arms, the spirit... kept watching, despite how he looked down on them.

The heroes who needed an answer would find him soon enough, or die. That's all there is to it.

After leaving the hospital, a little bit sore because of a small altercation with someone named Trinity (That was a little one-sided), Carlos decided to make the last days in that country the best of his life despite everything that happened in the last few days. He took a taxi to the nearest or best amusement park in the zone. After a few hours, he asked the driver to stop in front of an interesting amusement park named... Amusement Park. "Well, that's a pretty generic name. I love it". He paid the driver and got off, trying to get a better look of the inside of the park. "It seems nice. And after all that happened, it's still open. And here says they just brought a new Ferris Wheel! ...Wait, I hate those. Anyway, let's go".

Once inside the park, Carlos felt... Like a kid again. Roller coasters, flat rides, water rides, train rides... And a bunch of other rides that made him feel happiness. In his country of origin, most of the amusement parks were in shambles or were really, really bad. "This. Is. Awesome!!!". There was so much to ride and little time to do it... Unless he brought a pass for a week. But that was unlikely, as he wasn't capable of survive one week stretching the money Sera gave him. We're talking about someone that spent all his savings in hard candy. Anyway, there was no time to waste.


"What!? This can't be possible..." He thought in disbelief. He rode all the attractions. Twice, in fact. Yes, even the Ferris Wheel. "I thought this place was big. What the hell? Well, at least I don't need a pass for a week". Not even 2 hours have passed since he came to the park, so he wasn't prepared to leave that early and go look for an hotel or a place to stay. He stopped when he saw what he thought was the coolest thing he's ever seen - The park mascot. He had long white hair and a skin so pale he couldn't believe it didn't reflect the sunlight. He had blade-like protrusions coming out of his arms and a cold look in his eyes. Really cool, indeed. He tried to get near to the mascot and take a photo with him. "Hey! You over there!" He shouted. "Can I take a picture with you? You look really cool. My cousins will love to see how japanese park mascots look like!". He was really far away, like he was trying to avoid people. "Huh, are you on your lunch break?".

Chronos floated around. He was still here, or rather, he made himself still here. The spirit of time had teleported to the Forest and Hospital. Though, the reality was he simply warped time to appear in those places as he traversed through them days prior, then accelerated time back to here. It was a complicated form of teleportation but one that explained his way of doing it. Such an explanation was beyond puny mortals.

... Actually, it wasn't, but Chronos liked to think humans can't comprehend time.

This amusement park was more fun than he intentionally though, frankly. Humans amazed him with how simple they were, being rotations of the same velocity over and over and over and over and people - mainly children - never got sick of it. He didn't either, as the temporal being spent a good day or two riding on a roller coaster and turning back time constantly to re-ride it.

"Hmph", he scoffed to himself quietly.

He is above mere roller coasters.

The not-mascot turned when a human was bothering him. Oh, joy, one finally noticed him. Too bad it's a bit late and Chronos didn't want to deal with anyone. If anything, the spirit was more interested in the riveting contest that is "bumper cars".

"I don't work here", the spirit of time responded.

"Oh..." Carlos was surprised. "But can I take a picture with you? I mean, you look so cool and that floating trick you're doing is awesome. I can't even see the wires. It's that an attraction or...?" He continued, but stopped before making the guy feel uncomfortable. "Sorry, it's just that you look so cool. How did you make that costume by the way? I mean, those blades must be pretty heavy. And you must be sweating with all that black and gray on your suit. Do you want a drink? Or candy?" He asked. Being nice to the guy with the awesome costume is nothing bad.

Chronos looked at this boy as if he was crazy. So many questions, a barrage of useless and mundane inquiries. "You may not capture my essence with a mere camera", the pretentious asshole boasted. "My floating is not an attraction, this is not a costume, these blades are not heavy, and I do not sweat."

Spirits of time don't sweat!

"... I'll take a drink though."

Chronos was oddly fond of human beverages.

"And you talk funny too. That's nice" Said Carlos, unable to understand the slightest word coming from his mouth except for the simple ones. "Come down or whatever you need to do. I'll buy you something". Walking to the nearest soda fountain, he asked the not-costume guy more about himself. "You must like the character you're cosplaying so much. Which character is and from what series? It must be a good one. Are you using magnets to float or a secret jetpack hidden in a secret compartment?". After paying, he gave him the soda. "Hope you like it, it's orange flavor".

"I do not speak humorously!" The offended spirit shouted, immediately annoyed by this human's misunderstanding. Tch, mock him, will he?! Chronos made a note, a note to find out who this boy was, and to travel back in time to punch him during his early days of birth. That'll show him. ... Anyway, being a child aside, Chronos glided downward and nearby Carlos, looking forward to the drink. "Cos... play? Series?" was inquired, not actually knowing what was being referred to here. He knew of humans enjoying dressing up, but never the term "cosplay".

"No jetpack... No magnets, I think", Chronos answered, looking about his personage to be sure. He'd use them for time devices, maybe.

"Ah", the silvery haired agent took his soda with grace. "Thank you", he spoke, beginning to chug down the soda like your average joe.

"Don't worry about it. As I said, your costume is cool. So cool that it deserves an orange soda" Said Carlos, watching the guy drink. "And I don't want to return to my homeland without spending all the money I have with me too. That would be stupid". He then began to see all the park around them. The people having a good time, acting like a city didn't just disappear and was replaced with basically the biggest crater not made by asteroids in this planet. Something that he was sure was difficult to not be worried about. "Isn't it nice? All this people running and having fun. They're like in their own world. Maybe that's for the best. It's much better than be scared all day" He said seriously. "I kinda like that way of thinking..." But then, he noticed he was talking to much to someone that was clearly a complete stranger. "Oh! Sorry, I usually don't talk that much. You must be tired of listening to me... Huh, what was your name again?".

"Costume?" Chronos stopped drinking at this point, and it took a few seconds to realize this human either had no imagination or was clearly insulting him. But he got him a soda... People give out free beverages for asinine pranks like this? Such a waste of money... Then again, he's looking to use all of his money before returning home. Naturally he can't save up foreign cash, the spirit assumed. Instead of assaulting this monkey of a lad for his ignorance, sipping of the soda ceased any movement of judgmental words. Looking off to the distance of the crowds and like, Carlos spoke of how they were all reacting to the Reaper destroying Hoshiko. What a happy place this Amusement Park turned into after awhile, attempting to feign ignorance.

"It is the only way those powerless to stop the Reapers can cope. They wish to live happily, even if it is the final moments of heir life. Of course, they assume your militias and the like to solve the problem for them anyway. Little do they know your armies are also lost sheep."

He got deep really quickly.

"Hmph, do not concern yourself with the amount of your incessant chatter. It is of no bother", the spirit forgave Carlos talking his ear off. Despite how Chronos thinks all of humanity are idiots, it was... intriguing to talk to a regular guy.

"My name is Chronos."

"Then hello there Chronos. My name is Carlos. Nice to meet you. Wow, you even introduce yourself in your character's name. That's some really good dedication" He said while trying to shake his free hand. It was a little bit awkward. He then, resumed his conversation with him. "Now that you mention it, I think you're right. This is most likely a way to cope with the invasions of the Reapers and how powerless they feel to actually stop it. It's a good thing that the don't know that all our armies are powerless too". He then took a sip of his own soda... Only to spit it shortly after analyzing what he just heard.

"Wait... What did you just say!? Is Reaper the name of those monsters!? That means you know about this too!! You must be with Hikari and her Resistance or whatever the hell they call themselves!!" Carlos said, not minding the well-being of his companion's ears. "I wish you the best of luck!! I'll be supporting you from the sidelines, so go kick them hard!! ... Well, unless you're not with them and you just want to watch the world burn like those two" Said Carlos, recalling his last encounters with  them. After facing Trinity (Again, not really a fight) and that other unknown girl (That was a pretty good fight), he just really needed to ask that question.

"... I do not wish to watch the world burn", Chronos began, looking off toward the distance. "... And I have no interest in assisting humanity in their fight either." The temporal agent added, disdain and irritation clear in his tone of voice. He was not associated with those mindless rats who didn't know what they were doing.

"What!? Why not!?" Carlos asked Chronos, clearly angry. "If you don't want to see this world end, then fight with them!! They need all the help they can get to stop those monsters!!". Then he stopped, noticing he dropped his drink on his feet thanks to his shaky grip. "Ugh, my drink..." He said, crouching to lift the now empty cup. "Sorry if I spilled some on you, but come on! ... And why did you say "humanity" like you're above the rest? You're not some kind of god, are you?".

"I have no reason nor care to assist a bunch of monkeys in their fight. If they win, they're still on a path to self-destruction anyway. If they lose. Gear Chronicle will have to deal with the Reapers, that's all." The arrogant agent summarized his reason, and showed that he believed his faction along could destroy the Deletors with minimal effort. Chronos looked down at the fallen soda, comparing its fall to human incompetence. Luckily, none got on the spirit's wardrobe.

"I am the right hand of Chronojet Dragon, the Lord of Time. As far as I'm concerned, I'm one step from being your God."

"One step from being your god. Pffft, and I'm the South America Champion" Said Carlos mockingly. "I don't know who the hell is Timeplane Dragon or what these Cogwheel Chronist are, but you don't have any right to call other people monkeys. And that's the reason you don't want to help? How the hell can you know we are on a path of self-destruction? How the hell can you know that we are hopeless? Nothing is written in stone!" He then attempted to convince Chronos. "Why don't you show me how you know all that? And show me if I'll find true love while you're at it". It could have sounded like a joke, but he was really serious about the last part.

Chronos floated in place, his expression growing more and more irritable with this brat's lack of grace. How dare he get the names of his lord and clan wrong completely?! "Chronojet Dragon and Gear Chronicle you boorish buffoon!" The Spirit of Time yelled at him. Never mind anything else he was saying, that alone was an insult. Calming down for a moment, he silently rewound time in order to hear the entirety of what was being said, and Carlos would never be the wiser. Chronos repeated the names of what he said again, but in a more collected fashion after Carlos was finished speaking.

"I've watched you humans since your birth. You're all idiots. Nothing is written in stone because you all barely learned to write coherently on it yourselves as cavemen. The Reapers are far more powerful and intelligent than the lot of you, and their two assaults were more or less random attacks so far."

Folding his arms, he lightly chuckled to himself.

"I know all that I have read in the Akashic Record. Give finding a real mate about six or seven years."

He was serious.

"W-What!?" Carlos was shocked. "Six or seven years!? I know I'm not that popular but come on!! That whatever record is just garbage!!". He then remembered what Chronos before that. "Wait... What do you mean you watched humanity since its birth? That's impossible. You talk like an old man but you hardly look like one" He said, followed by another late reaction from his part. "And don't call me... That!! You just said strange names and expected me to memorize it right away!! I'm doing my best to talk this country language so don't confuse me!! ... And sorry about my tone".

"They aren't that strange you ignoramus!" Chronos shouted at him. Forget languages, how do you translate Chronojet as Timeplate?! The Spirit of Time gave an irritated sigh, facepalming in response to this boy's attitude and tone. He shook his head, forgiving Carlos' ignorance solely because of the soda. Arrogantly, he scoffed. "I'm not human, I do not follow the concept of your ages. I am the agent of Gear Chronicle - Gear. Chronicle." He repeated his clan's name just to make sure it wouldn't be mispronounced again.

"Gesundheit" He said almost instinctively, but then he noticed he was being insulted because of the similarities between the word ignoramus and ignorant. "Hey! Stop saying strange words! And insulting me! You're a good guy and all, but you need to work on how you treat people. And all that stuff of the calling the others monkeys and acting like an ancient being" Now he was being rude... Or Carlos was just sensitive at the moment. "And I get it... Gear Chronicle and not-human... And what is that Chronicle of the Gears supposed to be, oh agent of time?" Asked with less mocking than the last time.

"... You are testing my patience."

Chronos was getting sick of humoring this conversation. There was expressing gratitude for the soda and returning the favor, then there was this endless stream of mocking. Balling hands into fists, they began to emit a blue aura, threatening to warp time at the command of the agent. The sights of a glowing blue clock could be seen behind him, all arms rested on twelve - not moving forward or backward, entirely frozen. Just before the temporal cogs began to move with people staring about, Carlos asked a question that didn't seem to be flat-out retaliating with an insult.

The clock remained, and did not move.

"Overseers of time are what Gear Chronicle is. We are also the controllers, the pioneers, the guidance, the essence, the recorders. I, Chronos, am the agent of time who appeared to gauge this ungrateful planet with our return."

"What the... It's that a clock behind you?" Carlos said without freaking out, noticing the artifact behind his companion. "That's... Some David Copperfield stuff... If not more real" He added, repeating an old joke. All the things Chronos was saying seemed straight out of a british science fiction series... But Carlos felt that it was all true this time. All of it. It was a feeling in his gut or something similar to what he felt when the Reapers attacked.

"So... You're part of an organization, group or whatever that controls time? That's cool. I mean, really cool. Of all the superpowers in the world, I would like to control time. But there is something bothering me..." He said while walking closer to the agent of time. "... Did you all knew what was going to happen to the shopping district that disappeared?".

"In your terms, you could refer to us as a clan. That aside, yes, I knew what was going to happen with Sovereign's descent."

Chronos held the clock in place, just in case Carlos pissed him off again. It seems the sight of it finally convinced him, and he didn't get the name of anything wrong. He let the David Copperfield remark go, just because of his awed tone.

"So you knew... Your clan knew..." Carlos said, lowering his head. "And yet..." His tone was getting more serious. "... You let it happen!!". All the sacrifices, all the lives lost... They could've helped, but they didn't. Possibly because of the reasons listed by Chronos before. Stupid reasons that costed the lives of many. "Why!? Why the hell you didn't do anything!? Is there any good reason for you to not intervene!? Other besides that we're stupid and that if we don't die today, we'll die tomorrow!?". He didn't care if he was making a scene, or even if the so called agent of time would erase his existence. He wanted to know. "You knew we needed help! We still do!! But you let us fight a battle with no hope of winning!! Because of that, millions are dead!! Why, Chronos!? WHY!?". Tears began to flow from his eyes. Maybe he was exaggerating with the numbers of lives, but he couldn't understand how someone would do nothing to help in that situation.

"Chronojet Dragon has his hands tied. My Lord cannot confront Harbinger, the Reaper leader, due to... certain conditions. As for the clan, they are - or rather - were unable to help until very recently. Finally, as for me, I refuse to help you. If humanity's time to end has finally come, I will raise no hand to stop it", Chronos replied, answering accordingly for the members of Gear Chronicle, then asserting his own abstinence. His expression remained stoic, uncaring for Carlos raising his voice. The boy was on the money about humanity's own stupidity being one of the main reasons for not assisting them.

"You foolish masses are nothing but ungrateful brats who cannot respect what my lord has done for you already. Man was going to kill itself as it is with its own powers through petty arguments, useless political debates as if you are all kings when you have no such right to conquer. The Reapers are absolute compared to you worms, and I have no interest in watching you all band together as one to defeat the impossible foe, then go right back to cannibalistic and asinine violence.

Especially after it was your faults Gear Chronicle fell apart.

We will survive, you will die. I will not help you because of this."

"... I-I see. I don't understand it, but I... Well, that" Carlos calmed down after hearing the whole explanation. "If you put it like that, then it makes sense. It sounds like your boss wants to help, though". He wiped some tears from his face. "But... How is our fault that your clan fell apart? By what you said, I thought you were in a superior level. How could simple monkeys affect you?".