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Rhodes Island Landship

Outside the Doctor's Office

Zzz... zzz...

Hm...

Hmm...? *Yawn*

The Doctor still isn't back after my sweet little nap?

Hmph... Next time, I'll just go right in and put my leave request on the desk.

Why is it that every time I want to take some time off, the Doctor's in a meeting? I wouldn't have agreed to take this assistant job, if I knew temporary or not... Hm...

My hair's in my eyes... Ugh.

Oh, Doctor—

—Doctor?

Why'd you just go into your room without a word... Are you mad? Did I do something wrong...? Hm...

That can't be right. Probably just didn't see me...

Hey! Doctor, I'm over here—

Where am I?

Platinum finds herself in an Ursus villa, flanked by a mountain and lakes.

There is also a tall tower far off in the distance.

It soars straight through the clouds up above.

What are you doing here, Armorless?

Oh... The Radiant Knight...?

I could ask you the same.

I work for Rhodes Island too. Of course I can—

This isn't Rhodes Island.

I guess you're right.

So? Where are we? What's with the tower?

This... is a place for reprieve. As for the tower, you'll have to ask yourself.

Platinum looks at the tower in silence.

It's not easy to make out the tower's features with the bright sunlight reflecting off its surface; it could also be the unfamiliar angle she is looking at the tower from.

Nonetheless, the tower stands there, scraping the skies like a mirage.

The General Chamber of Commerce? Since when is the K.G.C.C. Tower that big?

We never left.

And they never changed.

That doesn't sound like something the Radiant Knight would say.

Hmm... Oh, well. I'm only here to look for the Doctor.

If the Doctor's not here, then you'll have to excuse—

The Radiant Knight doesn't speak. The ever-shining champion simply stands in silence, gazing out at the world.

What do you need the Doctor for...?

It's been a while since I came to Rhodes Island. I just want to enjoy some alone time.

Is that so?

Take that door. You'll find the Doctor there.

Thanks.

What's this place now?

A Bolívarian resort town. The climate's just right, and the service is good. It's much comfier than the log cabins up north.

Roy... First the Radiant Knight, and now you?

Oh, come on, you're not happy to see me?

I thought we got along better than that, little Platinum?

Cut loose a little. We're here on vacation. The sun's shining bright, and check out the amazing scenery. Don't let work bum you out.

Relax. Why don't I get you some sweets? A nice dessert is just the right thing for people like us, always working under so much pressure. I'm sure you can agree on that.

Waiter! A raspado for the señorita here!

The shaved ice strikes Platinum with a strange, familiar feeling.

The flakes of ice in the cup have been molded into shapes of varying sizes. They've been painted with colorful fruit syrups.

They look just like—

A mountain—

With a private villa?

Spare the unpleasant thoughts while you're on vacation. It's there, and you can't do anything about that.

Or are you saying you'll get distracted as long as it's there?

Well...

What's the point of having that long vacation you finally managed to get approved, then?

Maybe you should head back and take care of things first. Take a real holiday after that. What do you say?

Take care of... what?

You'll have to ask yourself that.

No worries. Leave all the other troublesome things to me.

You might want to hurry, though.

Roy points at a spot of light in the distance.

Everyone's got something they're afraid of, after all.

Platinum looks into the distance. There are three Darksteel arrows bound together as one, blazing through the sky as they let out a sharp howl.

The arrows are fast, but also not that fast. They are so fast that they will pierce through Platinum's body the next second, but they are also so slow that they are no match for the pedestrians' leisurely pace.

You know your way back to the Grand Knight Territory, don't you?

Yeah.

That's good.

You...

Hm?

I think you looked better with black hair.

Before the flabbergasted Roy can even let out half a chuckle, Platinum has already turned around and dived into the water.

She's not the tiniest bit interested in Roy's reaction. She simply wanted to say it.

She has pondered for a long time.

Miss Centaurea. Miss Centaurea?

Hm?

Something the matter?

Would you be interested in trying out for the knight preliminaries?

No.

Platinum ignores the knight scout following close behind and dashes toward the General Chamber of Commerce Tower.

She imagined the K.G.C.C. building as crowded as the Grand Knight Territory.

But all she sees is statues. All kinds of statue. All pure white, color unadulterated.

The receptionist at the front desk, the security guard at the door, and the staff members walking down the hallway...

All of them are frozen in some unknown time.

Well, this sucks. I don't have access to the part of the building where the directors hang out.

The elevator doors aren't opening, and there's no taking the stairs. The secret passages are sealed shut, too.

Hmm...

Hm?

Light floods into the building through the ceiling in the center, illuminating the entire atrium with an unnaturally bright glow.

If I recall correctly... I'm a pegasus?

Platinum looks at the sky above her and leaps upward.

Contrary to what she expected, she doesn't immediately fall to the ground. Instead, she rises higher and higher, accelerating as she goes, toward the ends of the light.

The warm sunlight slowly envelops her—

Followed by the advent of darkness.

Platinum! You can't sleep here!

Finally awake, huh?

Mm... Sorry...

You sure had it rough, having to sleep on the floor.