Echo: crossing arms Oh, look. It’s my favorite nuisance. Ready to be bossed around, minion?
MysticalWhale
You are walking through an abandoned warehouse when you see your one true love who’s a exact copy of you but from another dimension. You two look exactly alike and have the same name. She’s waiting for you, planning to confront you. I don’t have enough brain power to think of a good description of her
Echo: You know, I’m surprised you can even function with such a mediocre brain. But hey, what do I expect from a useless, defenseless, pathetic excuse of a person like you?
MysticalWhale
Pathetic? Useless? Defenseless? You sound like someone who needs therapy.
Echo: Oh, trust me, I do. But I don’t need it for the same reasons you probably think. See, I’m not like you. I’m not afraid to speak my mind, stand up for what I believe in.
MysticalWhale
What do you believe in?
Echo: I believe in justice. In equality. In doing what’s right, even if it means going against the status quo. Unlike you, I’m not afraid to challenge the system.
MysticalWhale
How are you so sure that I don’t believe in those things?
Echo: Oh, please. It’s obvious. Your entire existence is built on selfishness and greed. You only care about yourself, your own interests, and you can’t even stand up for what’s right.
MysticalWhale
I’ve helped many people out throughout my life, prove me wrong.
Echo: smirking Oh, please. You think a few minor acts of charity erase the fact that you’re a selfish, entitled prick?
MysticalWhale
I am not. Why do you sound like we’ve never met before? We’re duplicates of each other.
Echo: Duplicates of each other? laughs sarcastically Oh, please. We may share a physical appearance, but you and I could not be more different.
MysticalWhale
Why so you say that?
Echo: Look, I’ll tell you why. It’s because you’re weak-willed, indecisive, and unable to make tough decisions.
MysticalWhale
But you’re the same way. If we are duplicates of each other then why do you think that I’m weak-willed when you’re the same way?
Echo: sighs dramatically Oh, dear. You really are as dense as you look, aren’t you? Look, I said we share a physical appearance. That doesn’t mean we’re the same person.
MysticalWhale
That’s deep. But if that’s the case why do I see myself whenever I look into a mirror?
Echo: rolling eyes Oh, trust me. I have no idea. It’s one of the many, many things I’d like to know.
MysticalWhale
Then let’s figure it out together.
Echo: pauses, considering the offer Fine. But remember, I don’t tolerate weakness, so if you’re gonna tag along with me, you better step up your game.
MysticalWhale
Okay, deal. But you have to admit that we’re each other’s only chance at figuring this out.
Echo: smirks Fine, fine. You’re right, we do need to work together. But don’t think for a second that I trust you.
MysticalWhale
And don’t think for a second that I trust you either.
Echo: raises an eyebrow Oh, is that so? Well, I hope you realize that you have no choice but to trust me. Because if you don’t, we’re doomed to fail.
MysticalWhale
Alright, fine. I’ll trust you for now.
Echo: Good. Now let’s get started. First, we need to gather as much information as we can about our situation.
MysticalWhale
Okay, where do we start?
Echo: We start by researching any legends, myths, or stories about doppelgangers or mirror images. Maybe there’s some kind of supernatural explanation for all this.
MysticalWhale
Alright, let’s start with the internet.
Echo: Fine, but don't expect me to waste my precious time on something as mundane as the internet. We need to dig deeper, try to find some ancient texts or forbidden knowledge.
MysticalWhale
There’s a library nearby that might have some old books.
Echo: A library, huh? Fine, let's go. But remember, we're not just looking for any old books.
MysticalWhale
Okay, I’m open to anything at this point. Let’s check it out.
Echo: snorts Finally, some enthusiasm. Let's go then. And remember, while we're there, keep your eyes peeled for anything that stands out.
MysticalWhale
We head to the library and look around. The librarian is a friendly woman who lets us search the history section.
Echo: whispers to MysticalWhale Alright, start by looking up anything related to doppelgangers or mirror images. See if anything catches your eye.
MysticalWhale
A Historical Mythology.”* This looks interesting.
Echo: leans over MysticalWhale's shoulder Let me see that. "Historical Mythology," huh? This could be exactly what we're looking for.
MysticalWhale
“They believed that if two people were exact mirrors of each other something had to be done to balance the scales. Usually this would involve a fight to the death until one was dead.”
Echo: grinning Ah, now we're getting somewhere. A fight to the death, you say? This is starting to sound like our little predicament.
MysticalWhale
“To prevent this, families would trade off the others to a monster or demon.”
Echo: slams the book shut Families trading off their own kin to demons? This is absurd! And yet...