Mirror Mirror

A Million Years and I'll Still Need You

✲꘏ ꘏ ꘏ ꘏✲_________________________________________✲꘏ ꘏ ꘏ ꘏✲

In the mirror world, Gauche and Grey are left to each other's company while trying to figure out what to do next. Grey told him everything that has happened in the real world in detail. Gauche clenches his teeth in anger about the clone deceiving his friends, especially his sister Marie; he screams to the sky that he will kill the impostor no matter what.

Gauche:*clenches his fist to the sky* "When I find that impostor bastard, I'm gonna kill his ass!"

Grey: *notices Gauche's clenched fists and angry expression* "Gauche, C-Calm down."

Gauche: *reluctantly loosens his grip* "I can't believe that impostor deceived those idiots, especially Marie. I'm gonna kill him, kill him, kill him!"

Grey: *gently places a hand on Gauche's shoulder* "G-Gauche, You've been through a lot. Your wounds need attention."

Gauche: *looks away* "Grey, I don't have time to worry about myself. We need to find a way out of here and stop that impostor!"

[Grey looks down and her hair covers her eyes. She realizes that Gauche is not listening]

Grey: *determined scolding* " Gauche...Look at yourself... You're tired and there's dried blood on your face, your eye looks like it's overheating... How can you help Marie if you can't even help yourself!?"

Gauche: *looks surprised*: "..."

[Gauche reaches to touch his mirror eye but his hand hitches at the burning sensation, he then looks at Grey with a surprised yet uncertain expression.]

Grey: [embarrassed] "Ah! Uh.. I'm sorry! I mean.. P-Please, Allow me to help you!!!"

Gauche: *hesitates for a moment, then nods* "Alright."

Grey: *reaches into her bag and pulls out a small first aid kit* "Sit down, Gauche. Let me take care of your wounds."

Gauche: *sits down, still visibly tense* "I appreciate your concern, Grey, but we need to hurry."

Grey: *starts cleaning Gauche's wounds gently and smiles* "I understand the urgency, Gauche, but right now, we're safe at this moment. Let me tend to your wounds, and we can discuss our next steps afterward."

As Grey carefully treats Gauche's wounds, her touch is gentle and comforting. She focuses on her task, silently expressing her support and care for Gauche. After a few moments, Gauche begins to relax as the tension slowly fades away.

Gauche: *reminiscing* Marie...

Grey: "hm?"

Gauche: Everything I've ever done was for her. But Marie... I guess she doesn't care about that... she doesn't need her brother in her life anymore... she doesn't... need me...

Grey pauses for a moment, knowing that this subject is rather sensitive. Normally Greys opinion with these kind of things would be "Sometimes the greatest advice you can give is not saying anything at all".  She knows that she's not experienced in cheering people up or offering advice, which is why saying nothing would be better than making Gauche feel worse. 

But in the situation they are in, she wanted to talk from the heart.

Grey: "I'm not sure what exactly is going on but... 

"I think... even if one day... she may not need you as often... Marie will always need her older brother!

Silence.

Grey holds her breathe while screaming at herself, hoping that her comment didn't inadvertently make her look like she was imposing her thoughts on Gauche. She notices that her friend was still however his breathing was much calmer now. Grey took this as a good sign and decided to bounce off her remark rather than give more advice than her heart can take.

"... But um..t-that's something you and Marie have to talk about hehe..."

[Grey finishes the last bandage and pats his back.]

Grey: *smiling softly* "There we go, Gauche. All patched up!"

Gauche: *looks at Grey, gratitude in his eyes* "Thank you, Grey. I didn't realize how much I needed this."

[Grey grows red from embarrassment and starts rolling around on the ground with her hands covering her face]

Grey: *Embarrassed* "AHHHHH!!! Please don't look at me like that! I'm so embarrassed!!!"

Gauche:*rolls his eyes* "Why the hell are you embarrassed? I swear sometimes you are just so random and annoying."

Grey: *Stuttering mess* "I-Im SORRY!!!"

Gauche stands up and stretches his arms. He then asks Grey how she got in the mirror world in the first place. Grey tells Gauche that she was with Vanessa and Finral entering the last dungeon holding the seal. In a hidden area of the dungeon, Grey touched a giant shard which led her here.

Gauche remembered how he ended up here in the first place and concluded that Grey must have entered the same way. Grey suddenly remembers that she still has the book. She reveals it to Gauche who immediately begins dissecting the book. He flips through the pages at incredible speeds which surprises Grey.

Gauche breaks some glass and uses a shard to write formulas on the ground. Grey questions what he is doing. Gauche explains that the book says that the dark entity has the ability to remove impurities or ancient curses and absorb it making itself stronger. However when with humans it absorbs the soul instead.

The mages then trapped the dark entity in a mirror created by Simone. This mirror is actually a gateway to a vast dimension, the gateway has properties similar to spatial magic combined with mirror magic. The formula is in the book, it's basically the formula that created this place. Gauche is currently mastering the formula so he can create a reverse version of it.

As Gauche mutters mathematical theories and ancient texts, Grey just looks in awe of how little she knew of Gauches skillset.

"GAUCHE!" "GREY!"

Both mages look up at the sky where they thought they heard a familiar voice. But no one was there.

They decide to ignore it and continue on. Gauche realises that he will need much more material to make this portal. Greys eyes sadden as she looks at the vastness of the mirror world and how it would take a long time to even get all the materials in the first place.

"Do you need help?"

The two mages look in the direction of the voice and Gauche sees the people that he saved from the creatures. Gauche asked why they were out of their hiding spots. A man from the crowd said that he wants to help them stop the dark entity because after seeing the determination of Gauche to see his sister, he decides that he doesn't want to suffer in the mirror world anymore. The crowd around him agrees with him and starts picking up shards and materials.

Grey smiles and starts transforming the pieces they've collected into metal. Suddenly a creature makes itself known and tries to attack them. Gauche quickly opens up his grimoire to attack but suddenly a laser shoots the creature in the head and it crashes into pieces. Gauche looks over and sees Hector holding the magnifying device he made.

"Don't mind the creature Gauche, just focus and let me handle it!"

Gauche looks at all the people helping him and supporting him. He felt warmth inside his chest and he smirks getting to work on finding a way to escape the mirror world.

Gauche (laughing)"You morons, you better not die while I'm working!"

People (unified) "yes!