>>3325>Silent for a moment, Mosaic then watches as Paladin considers the meaning behind his words."If you never became Mosaic, then all those people you saved would've-"
>Mosaic finishes his statement."Died. Along with countless others. I'm not proud of the guy that I was in the past. But I do know now that by making up for that? I've helped out a lot of people - like you."
>Moving himself up from the wall, Mosaic begins walking forward towards the edge of the balcony - now grabbing onto the railing and leaning forward."If you never became Paladin, then you never would've helped those people on that other Earth. If I didn't spare Ryozo's life and help him out - then he would've ended up either dead, or severely punished by the Hoyokazis."
>Mosaic continues speaking."If I never became Mosaic, then I never would've been able to help Arachnid learn how to master his powers. I never would have been able to give him the equipment he needed to properly succeed in this role as a vigilante 'hero'. If he never became Arachnid, then Arachne would still be under Chiral's thumb as his lab rat."
>Mosaic makes another gesture with his hand as he continues speaking."So on and so forth. Ad infinitum. The point is, sometimes it takes a change to see where the positives can arise."
>He then looks out at the city again, saying:"I didn't want to remove Akito's powers, nor kill him. Both would've been easy solutions. But both weren't necessary with you. I was more powerful than you, so I knew that I could keep you in check, at least until you proved that you were ready to change."
>Paladin sighs as he crosses his arms."Fair enough, I suppose."
>Mosaic then states:"I'll leave his personal life to him. What he chooses to do with his own time, is his own business. But the Pact ensures that he cannot impose himself on my family or my friends - and the magic itself knows who they are, even if he doesn't."
>Paladin then walks up to the railing beside Mosaic and leans forward himself - looking at the city skyline alongside Mosaic."So, what do you think he's going to do now?"
>Mosaic looks on, casually."I suspect that he'll keep doing what he's been doing. Keep to the shadows and try to grow his family in both influence and number. He's barred from international expansion of his influence - but I bet that won't stop him from growing the Tasogare family however he can."
>Nodding, Paladin then replies:"Then we'll just have to keep an eye on him."
>Mosaic nods as well, before both men fall silent."….So, you doing anything this weekend? Rafael and I were thinking of visiting."
>Thinking for a moment, Mosaic then replies:"Not really, no. I'll be home with Stella."
"Alright then. Well, wanna go stop some crime while we're here? We've got all night."
>Mosaic thinks for a moment before saying:"Sure, why not? Night's still young I suppose."
>Mosaic and Paladin then both fly off into the sky, moving at hypersonic speeds as they casually fly across the city - ready to fight crime.