"Finally, we're here." Climber said, happily as they reached the Castle of Nations.
"Hmph. Looks like I'm back where I started." Karl sighed as he got off the stone dragon.
"But this time you're a human." Climber added.
Karl glared at him, angrily. "I still have the capacity to kill you."
Climber hid behind Jack, somewhat expecting him to protecting him. They entered silently into the park when Karl stopped unexpectedly.
"Karl...?" Jack turned to him. "What's wrong...?"
Karl didn't answer and stare blankly out into the park, his eye twitching a bit. Jack and Climber followed his stare to see a tall dark figure standing on a hill. It's glowing, red eyes staring at Karl. It suddenly jumped up and landed on it's hands and feet in front of them, staying in the shadows. It stood up slowly, it was about 6'5, the same height as Karl.
"Why, hello again, Karl." A female voice greeted Karl.
"That voice..." Karl said. "It sounds like..."
She stepped out of the shadows into the light slowly, revealing her appearance. When Karl saw her, old memories flashback into his mind.
"Arma...?" He managed to choke out.
She chuckled softly. "It's good to see you again, Karl."
Arma, a female pirate similar to Karl in appearance and personality. She wore a tight white cutout pirate blouse, brown tight pants, a brown belt with a large gold buckle, orange and white striped socks, heel pirate boots, a shorter version of Karl's orange and brown trench coat, orange strap purse and a yellow and black bandana. There were very little differences to tell them apart. Arma has a scar on her left eye and her entire right hand was gray while Karl had a scar on his right eye and his entire left hand was gray. Arma had longer, blonder hair and kept it down while Karl kept his in a ponytail. Other than that, very similar.
"Arma... you've been gone for years..." Karl said, shocked to see his old friend. "Where have you been all those years?"
"Oh, I've been... around." She said, chuckling at her own joke. "But enough about me, tell me how've you been."
She raised an eyebrow and examined Karl, messing with his hair, clothes and body.
She stepped back and gasped. "You're... human.."
Karl cocked his head a bit to the right and raised his eyebrow, then chuckled. "And you're not?"
"How did you-"
"Arma, I can tell you were human the minute I noticed you're eyes were brighter than usual."
"Guys, you guys could catch up later. Right now, we should get you two back where you belong." Climber said.
"Yes... you two need to get back to the cove..." Jack said, beginning to hop away. "Since you two are now human... you'll need a place to rest and gain more energy."
"Like a house?" Climber asked.
"Somewhat. There's a small abandoned building... close to the cove. Come... I'll show you."
Arma grabbed Karl's hand as they followed Jack past all the rubble and junk piles of the park.
"Here we are..."Jack said.
He led Karl, Arma and Climber to a small, broke down, ugly, square building. Walking into the building, there was two large empty rooms, spaces for a living room and kitchen, two smaller rooms and attic.
"Well, it's not a five-star hotel," Karl said, carefully examining the dusty walls. "but it's something."
"Plus, it's really close to the park so I can easily come here and check on you guys."
"Now, why do you need to check up on us? Do you not trust us?" Arma asked Climber.
Climber stared at her, she chuckled and went into one of the rooms. Karl went in with her while Climber and Jack talked.
"Now, Arma..." Karl started. "I know in the past we've had our... differences." Remembering the time they fought and she cut his hand off. "But I think that's behind us now."
"I've forgotten about that moment a long time ago, Karl." She wiped some dust off the window. "To be honest, you were the only thing that was on my mind the years I was gone."
Karl raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "By the way, you never answered my question earlier."
She looked at him and chuckled. "Well, you'd be surprised if I told you I never actually left the park."
"What do you mean you never left the park? Jackie had people searching all over for you and you were nowhere to be found."
"That's because they never thought of looking underground." She walked around the room, remembering exactly what happened. "I was walking around the park, looking for some inspiration for me to paint when that random earthquake hit the park. It caused a giant hole to open up in the ground and I fell into it, trying to dodge giant piles of junk falling on top of me. Anyway, the hole closed up, leaving me trapped underground, walking around in the dark for a few years.
That's when I found an underground metallic city and several flyers, announcing a fighting tournament and the prize was a wish and an unlimited energy source. Of course, I took this opportunity to get some killing done, but I what I really wanted was that wish... So, I went a joined the tournament which was held by some dark shadow wolf figure who calls herself, The Lone Wolf and found myself fighting at least twelve other competitors. There was 36 total, so I thought it was a fair percentage. So, after fighting and killing each opponent, I went two go receive my reward. That's when the younger sibling of one of the competitors I killed came in and tackled me as I was making my wish. She ruined my wish by turning me into a human and leaving me trapped in that wrenched city for a couple more years...
But, obviously I managed to find my way back to the surface and coming back to the back to mysteriously find you, Jackie and the cloth guy gone. Not having much to do, I simply wanted for my dearest to come back which leads us to this moment here."
"You mean to tell me that there was an underground fighting tournament in a metal city underneath this park?" Karl said in amazement.
"Apparently so, my dear, but it's probably in ruins now." She check her fingernails for dust or dirt. "I destroyed at least half of it while I was fighting. I also met a nice, young demon child who was my partner for the tournament until I betrayed him and stabbed him through his heart." She looked at Karl, who was staring at her. "You have to realize that there only had to be one winner and I intended on getting that wish."
"And what were you going to use that wish for?" Karl asked her.
She chuckled politely. "Now, I don't really need to tell you..." She began to blush.
Karl began to move closer to her. "You seem to be blushing, so it must be something dear and personal... which means you must tell me."
"You're going to have to make me first." Arma wiped dust all over Karl's shirt before running off.
Karl smirked and ran after her. Jack and Climber watched as Karl chased Arma in and out of each room over and over when Karl began to tire. He got an idea and jumped up on one of the beams and waited for Arma to run past.
Arma stopped right in the middle of the hallway, underneath where Karl was hanging and looked around for him. "Now, where could he have gone?"
That's when she looked up to see Karl dropping in on her where she quickly moved a step to the side leaving him to fall on his stomach to the floor.
She bent down. "Fail." She stuck her tongue out at Karl and got up.
Karl grabbed her leg and caused her to trip, then he sat on top of her.
"Get off of me! You weigh a ton!" She told him.
"Maybe. If you tell me what you wanted to wish for."
"No."
"Hmmm." He rubbed his chin. "Maybe I should get Jackie to stand on you..."
Her eyes widened. "Okay, okay! I'll tell you. Man, you drive a hard bargain."
He laughed his creepy laugh. "So, what did you want to wish for?"
"I was gonna use my wish... to try and be with you again." She covered her face with her arms, so that Karl wouldn't see her blush.
Karl began to blush as well. "Well..." He coughed. "you're with me now aren't you?"
Jack cleared his throat. "If you two lovebirds..." They both raised an eyebrow. "... are done now. I'll be letting you two get settled... while I get back to Horrorville... Climber, you should get back to The Mines."
Climber nodded, then walked with Jack out the building. Karl and Arma looked at each other, nodded, then got to work on the house.
Author's Notes: Okay, I actually think I got carried away, but I just love to write. Anyway, Arma is a character based off the crow Karl has with him, the crow is not in here because after the tournament and Karl's death, it disappeared due to it's completed mission. The crow was with Karl to steal energy from him. If you have any questions, feel free to post it in your review and I'll answer it as soon as possible.