Pandemonium

Stage Five Part I

A loud cackling laugh wakes me up. I groggily stand, searching for the noise, but it isn't anyone around me. It must be on the new floor. I try to grab the wall, bracing myself for the movement, but I still end up falling on my butt when the elevator shifts. I don't know how Faust manages to stay standing so flawlessly. Is that a secret talent? Can I have it please? Just look at that pose. How? 

The cackling gets louder the longer we move. Gilbert has taken it upon himself to protect Pandora's sanity. The twins are supporting each other. Rose is leaning up against the wall, glaring at Claude still lying down. I mean, same though, I would be glaring at him too if it wasn't for the noise. 

We stop and the elevator's door creaks open. In the center of the room is a square cage with an individual that reminds me of Faust. Black hair with the tips painted blue. A suit that's a royal shade of blue with the vest holding multiple shades of blue in a striped fashion. The laughter ceases. "Faust? Darling? Is that you?" 

Everyone looks to Faust for an explanation but all they do is smile. "Allow me to introduce you to my wonderfully good-looking friend, Hyde," Faust gestures to the doorway. "Have no fear, they will not do you a shred of harm...so long as you don't enter the cage," Faust mumbles the last bit. I stare at them. They briefly make eye contact with me and smile but I sense that smile is hiding something. Faust is always hiding something... is it me that they don't trust? Or the people around me? 

Faust doesn't hesitate to enter the floor any longer. They walk straight to the cage and wave at Hyde. "Long time no see, sweetie. Is this cage to protect us from you or to protect you from us?" 

"Now, now, I think we both know the answer to that question, darling, why don't you get a bit closer to the bars and I'll show you," Hyde smirks and reaches out their arm to grab Faust's vest. Faust, however, is just far enough away that Hyde can barely touch them. 

"Just what we need, two of Faust," Lucien grumbles, exiting the elevator. 

"You say that like it is a bad thing," Odette laughs. "I kind of like Faust..." 

"How'd you get yourself trapped in that box?" Faust inquires. 

Hyde places their hands on their hips and shrugs. "Maybe I'll tell you if you find a way to get me out of here. From the looks of things, you're down a couple of people, no? I'll help you if you help me, as they say," they pause and place a finger on their chin. "Who is 'they' anyway? Why do 'they' say anything? Do you know, darling?" 

"'They' is me," Faust places a hand on their chest. "'They' is you," Faust outstretches their hand to Hyde. "Obviously, 'as they say' just means we are the rightful rulers of all, no? Nothing can happen unless we say so." Rightful rulers? I stare at Faust, wondering if it was some type of hint, but I don't get so much as a glance from them. 

"Ah, my heart," Hyde holds their chest. "You've done it again, darling, I've fallen for you. My heart can't take it anymore. Let me leave this wretched cage and join you on your adventures. Please, sweet Jekyll, set me free from this curse!" 

"Who are you calling 'Jekyll'?" Faust crosses their arms. "I'm Faust, Hyde, Faust." 

"Oops, my mistake," Hyde snickers, completely unapologetic. 

"Well, Hyde, do you have any clues as to how to free yourself from this cage?" Faust asks. 

"The only way to get me out of this box is if Pandora opens it," Hyde shrugs. "So, tell me, did Pandora make it this far?" 

"W-what?" Pandora adjusts his glasses and hides behind Gilbert. 

"Dear me, Pandora was real?" Hyde snickers and holds their stomach. "Imagine that!" They laugh and they laugh, cackling inside the cage as if they were some hyena. Slowly sinking to the floor, holding themselves and rolling around, their hair growing in length and their appearance changing to be more feminine in nature. They've completely swapped traditional gender roles and their clothes shifted with them.