The tension in the air could be sliced with a knife as you awkwardly sat across from a gently smiling Makima whose expression seemed capable of drowning you in her barely contained rage. Meanwhile on the table before you licking his leg was... Aspa? Uncanny? A form of Uncanny using your cat to suit his needs of communication... for some reason.

Uncanny: I grow tired of these games devil. This place reeks of your filth.

Makima: You were never invited to begin with. I should have done this world a favor and had you run over~

Makima and Uncanny seemed to not just dislike each other but have a violent hatred for each other that only seemed to be halted by the fact Uncanny was stuck inside the body of a cat and you were nearby. You lifted your glass of juice to your lips to calm your nerves as the two harassed each other before you.

Makima: Despite being a creature with no purpose for existence, you sure like to talk a lot ~ Should I fix that for you~?

Uncanny: You don't know how to stop wagging your tongue either. How about we do this world a favor and fix that by removing it?

(Y/n): Look will you two stop fighting?!

Both of their intense gazes suddenly turned to you sending a chill down your spine as you uncomfortably gulped down some juice. For a moment you seemed to have distracted them from trying to rip out each other's throats so you took this chance to speak.

(Y/n): This day has been super weird and everybody keeps talking about happiness... I am covered in who knows what and I want to go back to sleep... so if you two want to rip each other's heads off can you at least do it after giving me an explanation?

Makima's cold chuckle caused another chill to rush down your spine as she took her cup of tea and simply toyed with it, her gaze shifting from you to watch the liquid inside the cup swirl from one side to the other.

Makima: You're right. We are here for a purpose. Isn't that right?

Uncanny: Unfortunately yes. (Y/n), we need to leave, now.

(Y/n): Leave what?

Makima: He wants you to leave this world. I do love watching your confused face but right now I think we should simply get to the root of this~

Uncanny: We need to leave this world before we fall further into the hands of this temptress. Makima simply wants to lure you in before consuming you and taking your half of the power we share.

(Y/n): I... How am I supposed to just react to this? 

Uncanny: You act like the devil you are supposed to be and comply! If becoming this abomination scrambled your instincts and desire for self-preservation then I will drag your carcass away from here for the sake of mine at the very least since we share one form... Why are you laughing, witch?

Makima: I was simply wondering how long it would take to get to your point~

Uncanny: What are you-

Makima: this pitiful creature is nothing but a common devil. A devil gifted at manipulating the mind through illusions. These creatures revel in the idea of consuming others to increase their power. While you are a fiend, you are rather powerful. So it only makes sense that this weakling would try to convince you to give in so it will be an easier process-

Uncanny: Those are lies! How do you think I'm here now?! This is Makima's world! If I were some common devil then she would have squashed me the second I drew breath yet here I am!

Makima: Yes, in the form of a cat... unfortunately for you I'm a dog person~

Makima's free hand coils around a knife as the hair on the back of Uncanny's neck stand up on end and alert.  You for your part were already used to being confused so this was no different. Uncanny being a devil was already something you had established but Makima does make some good points... Though Uncanny's counter was also feasible...

(Y/n): This world... it's not real, right? Just another illusion...

Makima: You figured it out rather quickly ~ What a good boy~

Uncanny: Makima constructed this world of false bliss and pleasure to corrupt you. I can only guess she planned to give you a wealth of happiness before slowly breaking you down until you could only rely on her... nothing more than a braindead pet for her to command along with her other mongrels.

(Y/n): I'm not someone's dog to be commanded about! Not Makima's or yours! Why can't I just live my life?

Makima: While you are on the right track... you did get something wrong. You are already my pet, (Y/n)~ From the moment my eyes met yours, I knew you were destined to be mine. But I am a good owner~ You were allowed to roam and enjoy yourself. You were allowed to play with others... within reason~ 

A swirl of vision filled your mind. You wanted to say she was wrong or try to prove her wrong but you couldn't. It seemed like a simple reality that Makima always towered over you. Perhaps your human-like mind twisted it to believe it was employer and employee but the slight sting in your chest indicated that you now realized you were nothing more than a dog she could play with when it served her whims. Sure you weren't close to Makima like Power or Kobeni but... this feeling didn't feel good.

Makima: And now I am giving you everything you need to be happy~ Can you say the same about Uncanny? Tell me... you know this world is an illusion but what makes you think I created it~?

Uncanny: Don't listen to-

Makima snapped her fingers and Uncanny's feline mouth was sewn shut, Uncanny lifting his paws to try and sever the thread.

Makima: Now go ahead and answer, (Y/n). Who created this world?

(Y/n): If not you then... Uncanny?

Makima: Mhmm~ And when did he do this?

(Y/n): When he stabbed me in the eye-

Makima: Wroooong~

Makima threw up a playful X symbol as she told you were wrong with a giggle following it. In any other world, this would be rather adorable but this was anything but a normal world. Uncanny thrashed on the table threatening to fall off of it as he was clawing at the last few threads with his clumsy feline claws.

Makima: Kobeni and the jewelry store. That's where you first saw him, right?

(Y/n): Wait...

Makima: He put you in this world then. Cast poor little Kobeni away to do so. Don't worry she's fine! Just a few cuts and bruises~ He has been making you suffer and breakdown since he first arrived. The only reason you arrived in this world was due to blacking out because of my influence in halting the second phase of metamorphosis.

Uncanny: Silence!

Makima: You have something to argue about? 

Uncanny: The process did involve some pain but I never had any intention of killing anyone!

(Y/n): Killing... Who did you kill?

Uncanny: Simply some humans nothing more. Makima probably shifted them into our path and they needed to be removed.

It took a few blissful moments before something clicked in your mind. Humans... kill... The blood at Yukari and Maya's house... you gulped softly before your arm seemed to shoot out for you, gripping around Uncanny's feline neck.

(Y/n): What... did you do?

Uncanny: It's not what you think-

(Y/n): Then what is it?! You killed them! My wife and child you slaughtered them and made me kill Mafuyu you sick son of a bitch!

Makima: Oh no that was me~

(Y/n): W-What?

Makima took a long sip of her drink before finally setting the now-empty cup down onto its saucer. The red-haired woman then took the chance to rest her chin on her knuckles while her cold gaze and warm smile stared you dead in the eyes.

Makima: If you want a dog to convert to a new owner then you don't leave the old owner just running around. She served her purpose and was removed~ Uncanny here just provided an easier way to do it.

Uncanny: What? You can't disrupt my illusions with someone else!

Makima: What am I doing now? You play at being powerful Uncanny but right now you are nothing more than a stubborn speck that will be taken care of soon. Now where were... Aww don't cry~

Makima leaned forward in her seat to let her thumb graze under your right eye which unknowingly allowed a tear to slide down your cheek.

(Y/n): So I... Was it me? Did I...

Makima: Yes... You killed Mafuyu~ Quite brutally too~

Uncanny: (Y/n)! I am many things but I did not manipulate that old human! She is simply trying to break you down more! Don't give in!

Makima: Uncanny killed your that woman and child... and you finished off Mafuyu... 

(Y/n): You made me!

Makima: Did my finger pull the trigger? Did my voice whisper to you to do it~? Or did you allow your paranoia to lull you into killing her? You finally gave into that base devil instinct~

(Y/n): N-No! I didn't! you put her there and... 

A sense of defeat filled you as you tried to scrape together an argument amid the rage-filled venom in your chest. You fucking hated this. This stupid world and the real one. It's nothing but suffering until you die... 

(Y/n): What's the point...

Makima: What's that?

(Y/n): I said what's the point? Why would you do this? Either of you? 

Makima: You know why. You're powerful And the powerful can't escape from prying eyes. You're just rather lucky that only two sets of eyes are on you...

Uncanny: If you could allow yourself to be taken in one go then this wouldn't be needed. but you're not some common fiend. You're me. A fear primal within humans-

Makima: Or so you claim.

Uncanny: Silence! You just need to-

(Y/n): I don't need to do anything.

You unceremoniously dropped Uncanny onto the table and stood up, looking around until you found a decently sharp knife resting on the counter. You snatched it and tossed it on the table in front of Makima and her curious gaze.

(Y/n): Kill me.

Makima: Oh~?

(Y/n): Do it. Kill me!

Uncanny: You are truly not that foolish to think-

(Y/n): Do it! Fucking do it!

Makima: No.

(Y/n): Why not-

Makima: You're a useful dog. I do not discard away useful things. You will not be dying. If you so wish to throw everything away then you can simply give in to me and allow me to care for you. No more thoughts... no more sorrow... no more feeling. It will be bliss until the end of your days. Just like I promised.

Uncanny: Your promises count for nothing. If you give into her you will be nothing but a puppet till the end of your days! Return to me! You know it's right. Reclaim your rightful spot and you can stop Makima and the pain she is causing. Fix this world with your own hands instead of waiting for someone else to! 

Makima: A well-crafted lie seeing as you can't understand him or his emotions~

Your hand drifted forward to grab your glass, staring down at your juice as unknown emotions filtered through your chest. You were losing a grip on them. The names you had grown to learn slipping away. Was this a part of that metamorphosis they were talking about? Or perhaps Makima was numbing you to them to help this conversation along.

(Y/n): I have nothing left... My family is gone... my friends are off somewhere being attacked or worse... I'm miserable! I go to work and I'm miserable! I go home to rest and I'm miserable! I'm miserable until I go to sleep where I pretend to be happy for a few hours until I wake up and remember how fucked my life and this world is! And now I get to pick between being a dog or... just fading away? Why don't I get a happy ending?! I did everything I could and yet... It's not fair...

Makima: I suppose you have been around long enough to know that life isn't fair. And despite your little tantrum you still have a choice to make.

Uncanny: What choice? Once you rid yourself of this world then the metamorphosis will continue on the right track.

Makima: I'm still impressed at how much ego can be developed from so much stupidity~

You... didn't know what to do anymore. You were tired, in pain, and now if your own body didn't try to rip itself apart you were being pulled in two directions by two manipulative liars. Was there a way to describe just being done with everything because you had managed to finally achieve it at this point?

Makima: So what will be...

Makima paused as your wrist acted on your behalf and thrust your glass forward at her splashing the red-haired woman in juice. The whole cafe seemed to pause in disbelief at your actions beside Uncanny who could only muster a chuckle at the display. You opened your mouth to respond but found nothing worth saying... 

Makima: Hah... I'm rather tolerant... but dogs do not bite their owners~ I wanted you to have an easier path to your choice but you decided you wanted to play rough. So let's play~ I suppose it was only natural for a miserable creature to choose the path of misery but I was hopping my training had helped you to see the light~ So enjoy your misery... remember it as you crawl back to my feet you ungrateful mutt~

Uncanny: (Y/n)!

Uncanny called out as Makima smiled at you with a spiteful look in her eye. She lifted her fingers and once more snapped her fingers and in a second you found yourself somewhere else. Your brain is a bit shell-shocked at the sudden change. Your (E/c) eyes widened as you glanced around to find yourself slumped over in your usual work attire, your body dragged up against a wall somewhere like a corpse. You attempted to get up but found a sharp pain in your abdomen. Your shirt was ripped from your earlier injury and while the majority of the wound had healed you were still sore. That was not the only lingering injury as you could see your hand still missing from the earlier injury. What on earth... A sudden rush caused your body to jump like waking up from a dream of a roller coaster, just barely giving you enough turn to twist to your left before you let out a blast of vomit right onto the floor.

???: What the fuck?!

???: That's gross!

Some voices called out from behind you as you coughed out the last of the puke, leaving a terrible taste on your tongue as you shifted your one hand under you to push you up onto your hands and knees... before slowly to your feet with the wall acting as a brace. Another cough escaped from your lips as you turned to look and saw a crowd of familiar faces. It was... the crew? Everyone from earlier when you were supposed to be protecting Denji... Was this a dream? Some of their faces were a bit concerned while others were disgusted by the fact you had projectile vomited onto the floor. 

Denji: That's super gross! why would you just throw up like that?!

Aki: We have bigger things to worry about than vomit!

Angel: (Y/n)... You alright? You passed out in the jewelry store and we had Power carrying you around.

Power: Yeah! I expect you to carry me around for 63 hours!

Denji: Hold on how is that fair? You only carried him for like an hour!

The assorted other agents who you could barely remember started speaking but something felt off. It was... silent. Not for the others talking of course but for the first time in a long time, the inside of your head wasn't rattling with information or other voices trying to get you to do something. You were alone in your head and you weren't sure if that made you happy or worried. You felt strange too. like you had managed to get a full night's rest but you were exhausted at the same time? A sense of vigor filled your body that you had not felt for quite some time. It was this renewed sense of self that let you detect that something was approaching quickly.

Power: It won't be any normal carrying of course Denji! (Y/n): Will carry me like one of those weird female humans with the gold hats-

(Y/n): Aki something is approaching!

Power was cut off as you scooped her up into your arms and jumped back, holding her in your arms as best as you could manage with only one hand. Aki for his part leaped into action and managed to save Angel from suffering the fate of the agent next to him whose head was cleaved cleanly from his shoulders. The figure that had commenced the attack finally paused and stood up straight, turning to your surprised group. It was an attractive woman with cream-colored hair and an eyepatch that reminded you of Himeno. Her athletic build made it easy to understand how she moved so fast and it only took a moment for her chocolate-colored left eye to meet your (E/c) ones. You shifted your body to let Power get down on her own but she was clutching to your shirt, looking at the woman with a  nervous expression. Power was pretty cowardly and honestly, you couldn't fault her for being scared of the woman who decapitated someone faster than you could blink. Still, you shifted Power further down and she finally stood up on her own though her fingers still lightly clung to the back of your shirt. It was a bit comforting... not only for her but for you as well. The woman demonstrated her abilities again as she moved quickly and managed to kick Denji so hard in the jaw that both he and her went up into the air a few feet. Before she could touch the ground, she was already adjusted and kicked Kusakabe and Tamaoki in the jaws. Next, her attention turned to Yoshida but her charted course changed in an instant.

The mysterious woman caught a nasty punch to her jaw, sending her reeling a few feet away as she stared up in surprise at... you. You stood staring at your fist bewildered before you adjusted your tie with a breath.

(Y/n): You started slowing down.

???: Impressive punch.

(Y/n): Thank you.

???: Though now I have to kill you.

A chuckle escaped from your lips as you slowly came to terms with what was happening to your body. the metamorphosis had already been started if what Uncanny and Makima had said was true. the silence... the vigor... this strength and speed... A smile pulled onto your face as the nub that had made up your arm these past few days in an instant exploded and a new hand sprung into place good as new, though covered in a little blood from the process.

(Y/n): I'm already fading away... why not go out in style~? (Y/n).

Quanxi: Quanxi. 

And with that the two of you sprinted at each other, both delivering a devastating punch to the other's face as you began a fight for not just everyone's life... but mostly your own.