Fop: I'm back! I think it's been years since I last wrote a fanfic. I just had this idea the other day and was itching to write it down. I want to see if this idea is popular or not. Please review and comment; they really help motivate me in my writing. It's like reading fan mail. Please, thank you, and enjoy!
Chapter 1: Zared
A long, deep ring sounded across Makai. It traveled over the forests, mountains, and even the sea that went on for eternity. The sky rippled a faint rainbow hue at the second ring, and the grass bent at its will as if the sound became wind. The third and final ring was the longest, its echo caring its message to the world. It was coming from the Bell Kingdom that sat on the edge of a high mountain top. Electrical surges were surrounding the Kingdom to signify who was in control and what element he wielded. The Bell's echo stopped. The air was still. Everyone knew what those rings signified.
"A Prince!" Mamodo were spilling out of their homes and taking the most convenient transportation to the Kingdom. Some were flying, some were teleporting, and some were emerging from the eternal sea and landing on the shore. They were shouting amongst themselves, "A new Prince is born!"
The once still, quiet air was now covered in gossip. It went from King Zatch's success at succeeding his father to Prince Zeno being an overprotective older twin brother who strikes fear in any momodo who much less looks at Zatch the wrong way. Legendary fighters and other large mamodo that were bulking in size and strength were beside themselves with Zeno; one look at his dark puple eyes, and fighters would shake as if his gaze electrocuted them. They didn't know whether to cower and run with the inferior mamodo, or challenge him and risk dying or staying in prison for hundreds of years.
"I'm in the King's class at school and doing a project with him," a boy mamodo said to his traveling companion. "If i mess up, Zeno will kill me."
That didn't stop the females though. Whenever the prince would return to shore after visiting the water tribe mamodo, fleets of girls would welcome him back to land and exalt his beauty. His wet, silver hair and pale skin shone in the sunlight, and he would flick bits of sand from his bangs as the wind blew his white cloak. He was both frightening and gorgeous. Males feared him, and females adored him. Girls would try and get his attention, but he wouldn't give them as much as a sideways glace and would teleport back to the Kingdom to report to Zatch.
"The nerve of him," one girl said to her friend as they were coming out of the swamp area. "Who does he think he is?"
"Well, he is the Prince."
The girl sighed and put her hand on her cheek. "He's so cute though. I can't wait until he gets older."
Mamodo gathered at the castle gates since it was forbidden to trek on royal ground without permission. Tribes who normally wouldn't mingle with each other were talking as if they were long lost friends or comrades in a previous war they both survived. The dwarf tribe brought alcohol, and the Dragon Brothers were entertaining the masses with fire tricks and praising the newborn prince.
"Praises to our King," they shouted, "praises to our King and his newborn baby brother!"
King Zatch Bell observed from his bedroom window. He couldn't help but smile. He achieved his goal at becoming the King and bringing peace to the world; his world. The mamodo at the castle gates were smiling and celebrating. It was a long, gruesome fight for the throne. Much blood and many tears were shed, but once he remembered the reason why he started fighting, he realized the results were worth it despite all the royal learning he must endure. The proof was right outside his window.
There was a slight knock on his door, but that wasn't needed since he can feel the faint presence of his brother. He turned, still smiling, "Zeno," he said excitedly.
Zeno grinned, fangs slightly showing. "Mother wants us to see him before she reveals his existence to the rest of the world."
Zatch stepped out of his room and walked down the halls with his brother. He asked, "Who would have thought that mother was having another baby while we were away during the mamodo battles?"
Zeno grinned mischievously. "Well, when the children are away, the adults play."
"Huh? What do you mean, Zeno?"
He frowned, realizing that Zatch was still very young, and that he himself knew more than he was supposed to at his age. "Never mind."
They stopped in front of a large bronze double door with the mamodo symbol engraved on it. Since they were both too short to reach the knobs, Zeno knocked on the door three times and said, "Mother, Zatch is here."
One side of the door opened, and an old doctor bowed before letting them inside. Their mother's bed was surrounded by a large dark red carpet with golden embroidery. Four pillars were mounted on each corner of her bed and touching the ceiling. There were veils on all sides of the bed, making it easy to see her silhouette.
Zeno pushed one of the veils aside as he made his way towards her. "Mother, Zatch is here."
She was laying on her back and turned her gaze from the window to face them. Her face was beautiful, and Zatch understood where he and his brother got their looks. Her hair was blond and reached her tailbone. Her eyes were gold with orange tints. She had no markings running down her eyes as that trait was more dominant in male mamodo. Zatch resembled her more. "My boys," she said.
"Mother," Zatch went to her side. Zeno stood next to him. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm doing well," she smiled. "I only pushed one baby this time, so it wasn't as bad." She tapped both of her sons' noses and giggled. The boys laughed with her and leaned over her to give her a hug. She sat up and wrapped both of her arms around them.
"I'm glad," Zatch said.
"Where is he?" asked Zeno.
There was quiet crying from a small cradle on the other side of the bed. The twins looked at each other and raced to the other side. The crying stopped when they looked in the cradle and saw what looked to be a miniature version of themselves.
The baby was wrapped in a light blue blanket. He had a tuft of hair the color of brass, a pale golden color lighter than Zatch's, but darker than Zeno's. His eyes were the color of copper and wide with wonderment as he stared back and forth between his two elder brothers. The baby smiled at them.
The boys smiled back, relieved that he was responsive and healthy and just plain happy to see him. Zatch was the first one to speak. "Hi, my name is Zatch Bell, and this is my brother, Zeno Bell." He pointed his thumb at Zeno. "What's your name?"
"Zatch, he can't talk yet. You know that," Zeno said.
"I know," he said as he looked at Zeno. "I just thought it was polite to ask."
Zeno rolled his eyes. "You're so dumb."
Zatch went to his mom's bedside. "What's his name, mother?"
She paused for a bit and stared at the ceiling, obviously showing that she hasn't taken enough time to think of a name for her newborn. "Well, I think I call him Zared."
"Zared?" Zatch raised a brow.
"It's like Jared," Zeno said as he stood by Zatch. "Dufort told me how there is a jewelry store in the human world called Jared."
"Dufort was into jewelry?" asked Zatch.
"No, stupid, we saw it on TV. His name rhymes with Jared. Just replace the 'J' with a 'Z' in his name."
"Exactly." Their mother confirmed.
"Zared," Zatch repeated. "I like it!"
"I guess it's alright," said Zeno.
"Then, it's official," their mother continued. "Zeno, Zatch, and Zared. You know what this means, don't you, Zatch?"
"Huh?"
She gave a wide grin. She couldn't contain her excitement at the thought. "You're a big brother now."
Zatch smiled, his eyes glowing with happiness. "Really?" He ran back to the cradle. "Did you hear that, Zared? I'm your big brother now."
Zared laughed and kicked the edge of his cradle.
Zatch couldn't help himself. He reached down and held his brother in his arms. He heard his mother say, "mind his head," as he picked him up from the cradle. "I've always wanted a big brother, and now, I get to become one."
"Always wanted?" Zeno repeated.
His mother looked at him. "What's wrong, Zeno?"
Zeno looked at her, then at Zatch who was holding Zared close to him. He turned away. "Nothing. I'm going to my room. I'm glad you're okay, mother."
"Likewise, my son. Thank you."
He pushed the veil aside and was making his way to the door when doctors and nurses were running in and out of the room with trays in their hands and boxes of medicine levitating beside them. The old doctor that let them in the room was nowhere to be found.
He managed to get one of the nurses, "What's going on?"
"I'm sorry, your highness," she said, "It's your father."
