GALANT'S POV

It's been at least two days since the last incident. Seeing how stressed I've been lately, I don't know how much more I can take from this whole situation.

Ever since there was a discord created in our group, I've been taking notes on everyone's expressions and reactions.

Loki has been a little bit quiet lately; Grace seems to worry that she can't express her emotions without fear.

Leon has been incredibly transparent with his thoughts—which is a good thing, but also dangerous for him.

Inu isn't as aggressive anymore, but she still has a short temper.

Luster has been guarding the living room at night like a hawk. The first murder took place overnight, so I wouldn't blame him...but that alone makes him a target. If someone wanted to murder overnight, they'd have to get rid of Luster first.

"Hey..!" Grace's voice chirped from below me.

I was leaning over the kitchen counter, my eyes gazing at nowhere in particular. Whenever I heard the Eevee's voice, I quickly locked eyes with the little fox—who hopped up on the stool.

"You. I need your help." She muttered.

"Huh..? With what?" I titled my head at her.

Grace cautiously eyed her surroundings before leaping onto the counter in front of me. "I've made a plan..."

"A plan?"

"Here." The Eevee huffed before disappearing behind the counter and returning with a folded-up paper.

Whenever she unfolded the piece I was greeted with a small map of what seemed to be the mansion and a list of ideas.

"What's this for?" I narrowed my eyes to focus on each detail.

The mapping of the house was perfect, although the line art could've used some work—at least to my knowledge.

"I've managed to map out the entire mansion as a reference. If we ever needed this during a trial it could be useful." She pawed at certain sections of the paper to inform me of the named sections.

Looking at it from that perspective...this is actually a lot more useful than I thought. Everything is properly bulleted and organized...it also looks like she got some help with the handwriting.

"This is great, Grace. Thank you..." I nodded down at the proud-looking Eevee.

After my response, Zantai had quickly made his way past the counter and into the walk-in pantry. I carefully watched him, making sure that he made it out of the room.

Whenever he left, the Blaziken offered me a concerned look.

"What?" He seemed to dip his head down and back up to warn me.

"Just wondering what you were doing..." I huffed and turned away to analyze the map once more.

"Man...can't go anywhere without bein' mean mugged." Zantai scoffed and took a bite out of whatever he brought with him.

"He's just making sure, Zantai..." Grace reasoned with the bird.

"Better get used to that." Vince casually made his way across us to scavenge in the cabinets for something. "You're a big lad, no wonder people look at'cha."

"Yeah? And what're you up to?" Zantai sneered at the blue frog, who paid no mind to his aggressive tone.

"Nothin', stop being a jackass." The Greninja muttered under his breath and pulled out a glass cup.

"I'm the jackass? After how many stunts you've pulled?" The Blaziken rolled his eyes. "Fuck outta here with that."

"Stunts? Ya mean people make mistakes when they're about to die?" Vince placed the cup on the counter to fake a loud gasp. "Oh, Arceus! How cruel!"

"Don't give me sass, froggy." Zantai hissed as he stepped closer to the Greninja. "I'll fuck your shit up."

"Go right ahead." Vince leaned against the counter in a relaxed manner. "Right in front of everyone."

This doesn't look good...I should probably step in before anybody gets hurt.

"Guys, we shouldn't be—" Right as I was going to object, Zantai seemed to have already thrown himself at the Greninja. Whatever I was going to say was already useless, now I'd have to split them up myself.

However, right before the Blaziken could touch him, Vince effortlessly slid across the countertop to evade his attack. The Greninja spun around to quickly slam his foot against Zantai's forehead, sending him halfway across the room.

"Did'ja really think I was jus' gonna stand there and take it?" The frog spat before cackling at the bird. "Arceus...you're all muscle, no brain."

Ignoring the Greninja's comments, I was quick to make my way next to the fallen Blaziken.

"Zantai, you oka—"

"Fuck out my way, punk." He rubbed his talons against his forehead before rising to his feet. "You's a dead man, Vince."

"Guys, not right now, please..." I pleaded and tried to place my blade between them. "Of all the times to fight, it can't be now."

"Of course it can." Zantai grumbled and stepped closer to the blue frog.

"What are you gonna do? Hit me?" Vince grinned as he readied his stance for combat.

It seems as if I can't do anything unless I want to get hurt trying to stop them.

Before I could even say anything else, Zantai had already leaped forward to swing at the Greninja once again. His attack just barely missed as the frog hopped into the air to land behind him.

"No worries, bud. I'll lead him outside." Vince waved at me and proceeded to dash out of the room. The Blaziken was quick to follow him out with a gaze filled with fury.

Then...it was finally silent. I turned to look at the counter and focus on Grace.

"Uhm...wow..." She seemed rather disappointed, but I wouldn't blame her.

"Some things never change." I heaved a stressed sigh. "I don't know how people like them will ever get along."

"Vince is...a bit nicer than he lets on." Grace frowned at my statement, her gaze tearing from mine.

"You think so?" My eyes turned to focus on the long hallways past the doorway.

"Yup...he's someone that opens up when you're alone with him. But it also seems like he can never drop the facade in public." The little fox sighed before leaping off the stool and disappearing from my sight. "I'll see you later..!"

"Right..."

THIRD PERSON

Things haven't gotten any prettier once the two went outdoors. Zantai—who threw the first punch—seemed to have his stomach covered in cuts and bruises. Vince was surprisingly unscathed, the only punch the Blaziken could have managed was on the frog's left arm.

"You tired yet?" Zantai growled as his eyes trained on the frog.

Vince could only manage a small chuckle as he readied his stance.

"You can only dodge for so long." The Blaziken snarled before leaping forward once again.

Just as the two were about to trade attacks, a sudden dark energy clasped around their throats.

"That's enough from you two." Vanta stepped forward to reveal he owned the attack. Behind him was Grace, who seemingly warned the Umbreon about the altercation. "We were ordered to be friends, were we not?"

"Yeah, right...like I could be friends with this fucker." Zantai scoffed at the dark type.

"I don't care." Vanta stated and withdrew his imprisoning attack. "It's either you two man the fuck up, or we all die."

Those words were more than enough for the two to drop their stances. Zantai shot an angered glare at the frog before turning away and stomping into the mansion.

At this point, it seemed as if fighting would be more effort than the two were willing to have.

"Are you...okay?" Grace muttered to try and catch the Greninja's attention.

"Yeah...I'm fine." Vince heaved a tired sigh and rubbed his arm in pain. "It just stings, no worries."

"I see...if only someone had medical experience." The Eevee shook her head at the thought. "Why would Sam set this up without any sort of medical help?"

"She wants us to die." The blue frog shrugged and stepped away from the fox. "I wouldn't be surprised if she sent someone to kill us."

"Wrong! I'd do the opposite!" Sam—who had just materialized behind the Greninja—called with a proud tone.

Vince slowly turned to face her with a disgusted grimace. "What?"

"It means that I'm bringing someone over with medical experience!" The Braixen giggled and placed a thoughtful paw on her chin. "Think of it...as a nurse!"

"...why are you doing this now?" Grace questioned before tilting her head at the vixen.

"It's all been in motion beforehand..." Sam huffed, shaking her head at the Eevee. "But my dear brother is always so difficult to get in touch with."

"Your brother?" Her words seemed to catch the interest of the Greninja.

"Of course! He's one of the best doctors I know!" The Braixen placed a proudly fisted paw against her chest. "One who served in many wars!"

"Uhuh..." Grace narrowed her eyes at the vixen before backing away. "And when is he coming?"

"I have no idea!" Sam giggled. "But that's even better! I love surprises!"

"You don't suppose I can get my hands on some surgical tape?" Vince crossed his arms.

"Of course!" The fire fox snapped her paws in response, leaving a roll to materialize above the Greninja.

The medical tape knocked against his forehead before landing in his webbed palms. The frog blankly stared at it for a few seconds. "You know, that was a little fast..."

"I know!" She snickered. "I'd do anything to keep you all here! If that means accommodating you, then so be it!"

"The only thing I can admire is your dedication." Grace rolled her eyes and trudged her way back inside.

Once Vince tore his gaze from the Eevee to look at Sam, she had already disappeared.

"Great..." He mumbled under his breath.

LOKI'S POV

Apparently, I had missed some big fight between Zantai and Vince. Although it would have been entertaining to see how that would have turned out, it's still really bad that we've stooped down to fighting each other now. There's got to be some healthier way to get along with each other.

"You guys can't be serious." Rayne scoffed. "If you think fighting each other will help then I'd be happy to have you die next."

"Is that a threat?" Vince grinned at the Manectric.

"No." She answered flatly.

"She has her heart in the right place, though." Luster stepped forward to add. "You guys can't go around doing whatever you want, there are special rules that Sam puts forward, otherwise she'll figure out another way to make us—"

"Kill each other!" A familiar raspy voice cheered from the chandelier. At that point, it was obvious that Sam was the one cheering. "Speaking of which!"

"You be quiet! We didn't do anything to you!" Inu blurted.

"Heheh, that's exactly why!" Sam flashed the group a devilish grin. "Because you all decided to make enemies instead of friends, I have to rush my work!"

"Your work?" Leon humored.

"Yeppers! My beautiful, amazing, and awesome work!" The Braixen called. She seemed to make very exaggerated movements with her words; she was excited about something. "Now, since you all wanted it so early, I'll let someone try it!"

"What is it?" Sherwood crossed his arms. "'cause if it's another memory you can keep it."

"Nope! It's something even better." Sam leaped off the chandelier and landed in one of her ordered Gengar's arms. "I just need one test subject."

A worldwide silence washed over us. It looks like she isn't ready to tell any of us yet, but no one is ready to be the next victim in this game. If it's anything like the last memory I received...then I don't want it.

"C'mon! Or someone dies!" She warned with a sense of urgency in her voice.

Now things were getting dire. Would she break her own rules over this? Wasn't she so adamant about not participating in the game herself?

"I'll do it."

Without thinking, I stepped forward and offered myself. Almost as if I answered her prayers, Sam stimmed around in happiness.

"Nice! This is so exciting..!" The Braixen giggled loudly and wrapped her paw around my wrist. For some reason, I froze at her touch. The only thing I could move were my legs, but they were only used to follow her to the center of the living room. "Now...just be yourself."

"What do you mean?" I felt my body respond to me once she let go.

"I said, just be yourself!" Sam echoed as she hooked a metal device on the ground.

Before I could even question her plan, I was immediately blinded by a white light. I thought I was entering a memory...but it was nothing like that. Once I was able to see, things were exactly the same...except for one thing.

A hologram of a Ninetales stood in front of me. Her gorgeous gaze was tracking every move of my body as if it were real. When I opened my maw to speak, she interrupted me.

"Loki..." Her voice was silky smooth—save for the metallic echo the machine was providing.

"W-What...who...are you?" I tried to look at my surroundings. Everything was pitch black as if I was trapped in a void with this girl.

"You don't remember me?" She sighed in disappointment. Did I know her? How?

"I'm sorry but...I don't know you." I apologized, but it didn't seem to give her any solace.

"Loki, please, try your best to remember. I'm Alice..."

"Alice?" I exhaled and held my head. "Alice, Alice...I can't. You seem familiar but...I can't wrap my head around it."

"I'm your girlfriend." Alice flashed me a gentle smile. After focusing on her features for just a little longer, it's like it all came back to me.

"W-Wait, Alice!?" I stepped forward to touch her, but my paws phased through the rays. I was quickly reminded that she wasn't real...yet she looked so real. How is she having this conversation with me if she wasn't?

"Ah...there it is, honey..." Her voice weakened at my expression changing. She still had that same soft smile as always. "Do you remember now?"

"Y-Yeah..." I kneeled to look her dead in the eyes. "How is this happening? Why are you a hologram?"

"I can't say too much. I've been programmed with my memories but...I'm not exactly here to see you right now." She frowned.

"Right now?" I echoed.

"Uhm...or ever..."

The realization hit me just then. Alice is dead, isn't she?

"I'm sorry..." The Ninetales sniffled, almost as if she could read what I was thinking.

"No...no..." My heart was racing. I was given the motivation to want to escape this mansion...and it was torn right in front of me? "How?"

"I'm not allowed to know the name of my maker...but I know my memories can be extracted for scienc—"

"How did you die!?" I hissed.

Her eyes widened at my aggression. I felt horrible...but I'm still processing whether I should feel anything at all. Is this actually Alice? Or am I just talking to an experiment?

"In our home." For the first time ever, she tore her gaze from me. "I was murdered by someone who promised they knew where you were."

"So people know I'm missing?"

"Of course, it's already been a year."

A year? I should've known we'd have been kept longer.

"Don't cry, sweetheart..." Alice sighed.

"Huh..?" Only now had I realized that I was crying the entire time. I was so distracted in my thoughts that I didn't realize the tears streaming down my face. "Oh..."

"I don't have much more time." She warned. "Can you do me a favor?"

I nodded.

"Don't forget me...but you should also move on in your life." The Ninetales weakly smiled.

"How the hell am I supposed to do that?"

"It's a lot easier said than done, I know." She sighed. "But you can't be stuck in the past forever, you know. I love you."

"I-I..." My body shuddered. "I love you too..."

Just as my sentence ended, her body evaporated.