Authors Notes: So I have one person that hasn't played Disgaea 2 yet, and two who haven't played La Pucelle. Truthly you don't really need to play D2 to understand this story, since Adell really is the only one from that game that has a big role(atleast right now, may change). I gave away Pucelle some years ago because I was stupid-now I can't go back to make sure I get character persona and other things right(Its a Really rare game now atleast where I live, good luck finding it). Once again thanks for the reviews, I'm glad some people are having fun with this. To Happy Mask, as for Noir appearing? I'm not sure just yet, but with the After Life among other things out of whack you never know but I'm kinda nervous because he was a favorite character of mine and I'd hate to mess his character up(Side note to Happy Mask girl, I'm a fan of your own crossover and your review made my day) Ok I'm done geeking out, here we go. Another side note, for some reason It won't let me have the it the exact way I had it on wordpad, I'll figure out a way around it though.
"You sure your grand parents won't mind me coming?" Adell had been following the little girl known as Alouette, promising to escort her safely home; a wise decision on his part in his opinion espically after seeing those stupid thugs. If he hadn't been their then the situation could have been alot worse, he liked to think they wouldn't go to far but he didn't know, some people really were just that heartless. For the most part the little girl was silent; only talking when needed usually.
"No. No one visits us because they don't like us." The blonde child voice was a bit down but perked up, "But your nice and you helped me so they'll like you I'm sure!"
"I think so to." Adell coudn't help but slowly smile, kids were usually alot more cheerful then adults were. It was one reason and a little-known fact that the fist fighter had a soft spot for little kids somewhere. It was that unbeat attitude and cheerfulness. It never lasted long enough. Eventually that innoncence would be snuffed out once they were exposed to the outside world and the cruelty of it. A very sad thing he realized, the moment you were born, was the moment your innoncence started to slowly die.
These tree's look Exactly the same as the other ones. Shouldn't their be an opening or something by now? It's not like Alouette could wander to far, after all she's probably around four or five. Adell was about to ask how much further they had to go before, much to his releif, a small settlment came to view. Good. He was tired of that forest and was anxious to get out of it..something about it gave him a bad feeling and the sooner they both got out of their, the better.
It wasn't terribly bad, nor was it good in terms of apperance-the village that is and Adell had seen worse. Men worked outside during the afternoon heat, old men and women chatted with one another reliving the days of their youth, children played often get warnings from their parents from roughing around to much.
All and all, it seemed fine so far.
That was until Alouette and Adell actually became noticed. The friendly atmosphere instantly changed and the despite the warm wheather, it seemed to have went down a few degree's. Not only did the whole warm feeling disspear, but the peoples warmth as well. Men stopped working to look at her, frowning, mothers kept their children from going any closer-the older men and women made no effort to hide their disdain for the girl. It was more like some type of digusting-looking abomonation had just walked into the village, rather then a cute gifted but harmless little girl.
Just what the hell is wrong with these people? Adell had never felt such digust in a long time, he noticed the little girl keeping her head down as if ashamed. The martial artist simply said, "Keep your head up." Slowly she lifted her head back up and focused ahead, not before one of the villagers, a man in his twenties tried to throw a rock at her. Not even stopping his walk and much to peoples shocked he caught the rock, calmly crushing it to a fine powder with his super human strength, making sure they saw. He released the now pulverized rock which was basically dust now, the offender nearly lost control of his bladder and the rest backed away.
Adell couldn't help but think to himself, their were much better ways then dealing with people then just fighting them, something he picked up from Etna and Rozalin. Not that he would admit that openly though. Besides, it wasn't really in his nature to get into scuffles with people he could beat or even accidentally kill if he wasn't careful.
"Granpa, Grandma! I'm home!"
Alouette's voice made the young man focus on the house in front of them. Unlike the rest of the homes, it was somewhat isolated away from the rest of the village, on a lone hill some feet away. Now, after seeing how the rest of the other population acted he had a good guess on why they lived somewhat away's from the rest. To be honest, the house wasn't all that big and it didn't really stand out at all compared to the other ones at first glance. Adell crossed his arms lightly standing behind her as they both waited for the door to open, he was feeling kind of nervous if they got on the wrong foot with her folks.
A small creak sound was heard as the door slowly opened, revealing an old woman with grey hair. Her clothes looked like she had made them herself rather then buying them. Her best feature was her smile which formed the moment she opened the door and saw Alouette. "Where have you been? I was so worried about you.." She began to fuss over her and didn't even notice Adell at first who remained tactfully silent for now. But once she did she looked at him. "Your not one of the villagers here to accuse here of something again are you?"
"Don't worry Adell's nice, he helped me."
This in turn caused the old woman to look at Adell, it looked like she was trying to look into him. It was enough even to make him feel a bit nervous, for what seemed like forever but it was probably only a minute, she backed off. "Is this true young man? You helped my grandaughter?"
He slowly shook his head. "It's nothing. I just did what came natural to me thats all, some thugs came but I took care of theml. Your grandaughter kept me from getting lost, I come from some ways from here." Try Another demension far away. "I'm Adell, its nice to meet you."
"No need to be so modest, but thats a good trait to have. My name is Alison, please come in its already getting dark." It wasn't like he got a chance to protest even if he wanted to because she ushered both of them in the home rather quickly, closing the door behind them. Inside was pretty small, actually that was being generous. It had a kitichen, a small living room with a fire place snuggled in between and an upstairs he hadn't seen yet.
"My husband is asleep like usual but he'll come around, I swear that's all the man does all day but have a seat." Alison already had something boiling on the pot and went to go check on it. Adell made himself comfortable in a chair and Alouette went by the fire place, not to soon after a white kitten mewed gently, trying to get some attention from its master.
"I heard that woman, I ain't been sleep all day." A male voice said tiredly, an man around his fifites or so came slowly walking in, like his wife his clothes weren't really all that fancy eithe, he had to walk with a cane though. From his body langauge and the way he walked, it looked like he wasn't to happy that he couldn't walk but his wife could. "Who's this?"
"Bernard! Don't be so rude to our guest." Alison looked slightly agitated, more of his grammar then his manners. "And ain't isn't a word."
"I've been using it just fine, thank you." He smirked slightly when his wife gave him one of those looks when she would throw a pillow at him when they were younger, instead he simply sat down by the table, with some obvious difficulty. "So like I said who's the kid?"
"His name is Adell, and he helped Alouette earleir. Adell, this is my husband Bernard. Benard, Adell." The slight distraction caused her to almost forget about the food she was making, and rather hurriedly went back to the stove.
"That so kid? I guess I owe you one. Were ya from?" He asked rather gruffly, trying to pretend the stranger didn't interest him at all.
"I come from a place called Veldime. Its really far away, you wouldn't have heard of it." Adell still Hated lying, however he knew their was a time and place for everything..we'll he was learning that now anyway. Besides, that was the truth he just hadn't gone into details about where his "home" really was located and the other little details.
The old man studied him, "Humph. You defiantly ain't from around here with those clothes of yours, or that accent. Your none of the Lior Empire's dogs are you? "
"Bernard.." His wife said warningly.
"Uh..what empire?" Adell's expression was completely clueless on even what they were talking about. That look really was a good acor, that or he was an geuine but it was of course the later.
Both grandparents looked at each other before back to the red-head, he really must of been from a far off land.
Alison sighed before saying anything, still concentrating on her cooking. "The Lior Empire is one that started appearing around four years ago, it was around but it never started to get this powerful until now. We live in on the continent of Ziya, its a bit aways from Parprica, one of the few places that doesn't have their influence. It's..hard living under their rule. If you have a diffrent relegion then the main one, then you can get in trouble, same if your diffrent-like Alouette. Then they'll have what they call 'cleansing', to people thought to be demons, heretics or witches among other things.."
A grunt was heard from her husband as he added his own two cents. "Those rat bas-"
"Bernard, langauge." Alison cut him off since the child was still in the room.
"..As I was saying they pretty much are the law here so you'd best be careful. Doesn't help with all these monsters and strange things happening.."
Given the situation was a bit diffrent, but in some ways it reminded him of Zenon's rule, but only vaguely. The diffrence was he had pretty much retreated and made no real outside contact or anything of that sort, here they were active. Surprised at himself, he found this interesting so he had to prompt, "If Parparcia is safer then here, why haven't you guys moved then? And what strange things?"
"It's not that easy." The wife continued queitly, "It cost alot for just one single person to ride on a ship across, let alone three. Another thing you have to realize is that Lior keeps a tight lock on transportation on who leaves and who comes here. Some people have tried fleeing by boat and had sailors noble enough to smuggle them so they could escape persecution, but they usually get caught by the navy. If you try to do it by land your just as bad shape, since you have to travel through a large area to finally leave this one."
Alison sat down some plates in front of Adell and Bernard, some chicken along with other supplment foods. She glanced at Alouette before speaking in a much softer tone. "We really don't have to much time left before the second cleansing a week from now. When that happens, we won't be able to protect her from their rage. But if we try to flee then it would rise suspicion, already enough people are wary of her but we can't just sit. As for your other question, lately the wheather has been acting rather odd, people claiming they see dozens of ghost walk in a straight line in a march, but no one knows where they go."
The savior of Veldime looked at his food then back at Alouette who had fallen asleep with the kitten in her lap. He suddenly didn't feel to hungry anymore. He didn't know the little girl well or her grandparents but they all seemed like good people, which mad him a bit sad they would be driven from their home, but after describing things maybe it was better that way..
"Your not a fist fighter are you? Just noticed your gloves. Did someone teach you?"
Adell was embarrassed he had gotten side tracked like that, he seemed to be doing that alot lately but answered Bernard's question. "Basically. I'm a Martial Artist, I was taught by someone named Kane, it wasn't something I learned on my own." He hadn't learned fighting on his own, during his younger years of demon-fighting he was taught by an old man; far past his prime but still strong in their own right. Kane was tight lipped about his past-the only information he got from his was that he was one of the best hand to hand fighter of an Over Lords. Though his eyes almost always had a sad expression on his face. It was as if teaching him would make up for somethings he had done in his past.
Interested, or nosy the old man prodded. "Hmm, what happened to your teacher then?"
"He died of old age." Adell answered a bit more stiffly then he intended to. Calm down Adell, chill its not like you. He was just asking a question, their's really no need to get upset about it espically since he didn't know...
Having a gene her husband lacked which was called tact and sensing it was a touchy subject; Alison wisely choose to change the subject. "You probably should be heading to bed soon Bernard." The only reply was a grunt but she knew him long enough to where strangely she understood him anyway. "Could you help me take Alouette to bed?"
"Sure." Not seeing a problem with it, he scooted out of his seat and picked up Alouette, with out waking her up that is. It looked like Alison had a hard time even picking up basic things from the looks of it, maybe thats why she didn't want to pick her up herself. Adell hoped he didn't get that old, no offense meant. Alison lead him to a tiny room, relatively plain. Just a bed and a few worn out dolls. Gently he layed the growing young lady down and tucked her, it reminded him when Hanako and Taro were younger..
"You have younger brother or sister? Looks like you've done this before."
Freaky concidence? Adell nodded. "I have a brother and sister back at home. This is something I just used to do for them. I really should be going though, it's getting late."
She insisted though, "Are you sure? It's really dangerous to wander around these parts at night. We wouldn't mind you sleeping here until the morning, then you can go out on your own, we're going to town anyway tomorrow. Sound fair?"
"We'll..." He rubbed the back of his neck. I hate just staying at someones place like this, it feels like I'm free loading. Finally he came to a decision. "Ok. I'll stay. But in return, I'm going to work for the free meal and rest you gave me. That sound fair?"
She chuckled. "Of course. We have an extra room down the hall. Get some sleep. If you need me I'll be downstairs." Adell watched her leave and glanced back at the sleeping child one more time before leaving himself, closing the door behind him. He found that his own room had nothing but a bed, either they moved everything or no one really used this room.
Not that he was complaining, but he found it kind of strange Alouette's mother trusted him so easily into their home. She didn't seem stupid, and most people normally didn't let strangers in like this. To an extent he could understand, after all he did save her grandchild but allowing him to sleep over was a bit much. Mom said their's certain people that can feel auras or something, maybe she's one of them? It could be anything though.. Adell put both hands behind his head staring at the ceiling. I wonder how ever one else is doing. Their has to be some way out of here, right..? No answers came to him, but the darkness eventually did.
"Stupid wheather, stupid hu-" Prier didn't finish as she sneezed, probably around the second or more times since the whole ordeal started. It had started simple enough. Their had been a demon raiding a town, sometimes killing people but most of the time it simply ate the food at the local bakery, making the owner not to happy to put it lightly. It only came out at night for what ever reason, and it was attracted to the human food; so they had set up a 'clever' trap and were waiting for it. The bad news they were at night time in the rain miserable, waiting for this demon to show up. The other bad news? Her and Culotte had to work with the most annoying free lance demon hunter she ever had the displeasure of working with.
They didn't know what church he worked for, but at this point Prier would have sent the man in a streacher back home, if Culotte wasn't here anyway. The only thing they knew was his name, Zarim. He was older then both the female and male member of La Pucelle though most likely middle-aged. Apperance wise, he was ok, he just had an odd uniform made of white-almost like a tunic with blonde hair and black eyes. Not that that female hunteress noticed such things, she was using her training not say or do anything to him. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself a bit just why did it have to be so cold tonight?
"If your going to catch a cold La Pucelle, then you should go inside and let the calm rational people handle this. After all, should be inside, thats more of your place." Zarim said cooly, his back turned not even looking at her.
Bastard..! She was about to commit an act of unrestrained violence on the upstart by bashing his head in; preferbaly with her weapon of choice the baton. Her younger brother stopped her though to keep her from doing anything, not by physical force alone, even after all these years she was still stronger in terms of strength. It was just a back part of Prier's brain wanted to stop herself from beating the newcomer silly, but he was pushing it and had been pushing it the moment he joined earlier today.
"I know he's not the easiest to get along with," Culotte whispered in his sisters ear, "But we do need his help for now to catch the demon. ..If after he keeps acting up and gets your temper going again I won't stop you." He wasn't to fond of Zarim either, his views and manners really didn't agree with him at all, and worse it was like he was trying to convert him, but he wasn't that bad. Getting something out of always handy back pack(He hadn't really had the heart to give it away) he got a small blanket and drapped it on his sister's shoulders to keep the wind from making her to cold. "Deal?"
"Deal! ..And thanks." She said the last part more queitly.
Culotte could barely hear the last part, but he smiled already knowing what it was she said. Zarim had turned to him wondering what they were talking about but dimissed it as children goofing off. Culotte couldn't beleive sometimes how his sister changed slightly, as well as everyone else. They were older now true, he was now sixteen while his sister was twenty and both looked more mature-looking. Strangely they still dressed the same, when going demon hunting anyway, it was an unspoken security blanket between the two. Prier looked more like a woman now, becoming slightly taller with a bit change of in voice, nothing really changed besides that.(That a brother would notice on a sister anyway) He had grown much taller, much like a delayed growth spurt and now towered over his older sister-something she wasn't to happy with. While he looked older, people still said he had a 'clueless' expression; he didn't think that was a compliment.
I guess somethings really don't change all that much. I'm not sure if Prier still misses 'him' since its a touchy subject I don't really bring it up, just like she doesn't bring up Alouette in front of me. I've grown to accept her death, I think it was around the second year that I decided to just let it go, she wouldn't want me to be sad all the time. Prier on the other hand, I can't tell. She certainly Acts normal...
"Culotte! Stop spacing out day dreaming, we've got company!"
Like I said, Prier hasn't changed that much in some ways..
It looked like he was about to make a snappy come back and the two would engage in a word spar like usual when the ground began to shake lightly, it must have been big. Prier twirled her Baton in her hand expertly, body at the ready. Zarim pulled out a whip of all things and what looked like a jug or something along those lines. Culotte had no weapon though, years ago he had been learning elemental magic from a retired wizard, he still wasn't the best at sometimes it messed up, but it was much more convient. Let Prier handle the up close fighting while he attacked from a distance, this way they stayed to their strengths.
The demon/monster what ever it was was pretty tall, easily thirteen foot even. Muscles were apart of of its powerful black-colored body that was vaguely humanoid in some ways. It's predator, crocodile-like shaped head and long tail was a clear sign it wasn't human though, as were the red eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. The three held their breath as it came closer to the bait...
..And closer. Then it stopped. Sniffing the air once, a low growl came from it's throat before the demonic head snapped in another direction and took off south of the city, specefically right towards one of the cities orphanages.
Prier gave a frusterated grunt. "Ugh! It almost worked to! C'mon before that thing causes to much trouble." She tightened her grip around her weapon before giving chase. Zarim sighed before putting the small jug of water away, Culotte had followed soon after the female Pucelle so he was actually the last one to come after them, muttering something under his breath.
"Hiyaah!" Using a new trick she had learned, Prier actually tossed her Baton at the creatures head since she wasn't in striking distance, the weapon hit the demon with enough force to kill a man or knock a lesser demon out, the weapon came back like a boom-o-rang. It however only made the thing pause on contact, which was really all she wanted. If the thing went any further it would have hit the Orphanage for sure.
"You fool!" Zarim said catching up, slightly out of breath he was missing his youth. "You should have let it get distracted first, then we could have done a full on assault and possibly ended it. Now it knows where a threat. Don't you use your head?!"
"Hey! That thing was about attack the building, I did what I had to do!" Prier replied defensively, knowing it wasn't the time for her infamous temper just yet.
"Guys, we have bigger problems right now!" Culotte's voice of reason let the two come back into the reality of the situation.
Which, of course was a powerful and very big demon about steam roll over the three and turn them into fleshy pancakes.
Everyone moved out of the way, either by rolling or jumping to the side as the angry monster came through, half second later not moving and they all would of had an unfourtnate quick end to their careers to their short lives, we'll maybe not Zarim. Prier was the first to make the intial attack by dodging a meaty fist which struck the ground she had been, making cracks in the concrete. Running along is arm, she brought her baton down hard over it's head..only to have it shrugg the attack off as well as her. Zarim moved with surprising speed for his age and pulled out that strange jug again, removing a cork before tossing the watery-substance in the things face. It roared in pain as the sound of sizzling was heard like someone frying eggs, not only that but steam came from its face, stumbling backwards blindly.
However, that was the last thing Zarim had, and he wasn't sure what else would phase the demon, who had recovered by this time with its face messed up. Snarling, it focused its rage on the oldest member of the trio but even so he wasn't defenseless. The whip proved to be quite the effective weapon under his hands, and he avoided the angry blows as best as he could, but he made a mistake which cost him dearly. It grabbed him by its head before plunging its other clawed hand into his chest, making him cry out in pain.
"Leave him alone!" The insults and everything temporarily forgotten, Prier rushed forward and delviered a drop kick right to the things head, it was strong enough to destroy doors easily and had only gotten stronger through the years. But, like all the other physical attacks it shrugged them off, though it did drop Zarim. It caught the red-head by her foot, and then tossed into a building or tried to but she regained her balance in mid-air, landed on the ground and used the monetum of her landing like a spring to launch herself at the demon, hitting it between its legs. It actually effected it somewhat and caused it to stumble slightly backwards.
Please work. If it doesn't..Culotte could only pray his high-level fire spell would work and not tap out on him since he had been charging it up the moment the fight begun. Newer magic users, his teacher had said take a longer time to use the more powerful spells but as you grew more powerful in magic and more expereince, you would be able to do it faster. "Prier! fall back to me!" It was the only cue she needed, as she back flipped away from the thing's angry swipe, picking up Zarim's body and rushing towards her brother with her opponent giving chase. He needed to get this perfect..Twenty meters.
"Ash, to ashes..." He began, saying words, it was a crutch new magic users had as well-it wasn't needed to use a spell but it helped them concentrate their energy.
Fifteen meters, Prier was almost to him as was the creature..
"Dust to Dust.."
Five meters and counting, he had to get this right, he could hear his sisters heavy breathing and Zarim's unmoving limp form in her arms.
"Fair well. Giga fire!" It opened it's mouth to try to take Prier's head off, but what it didn't know was that was the Exact opportunity Culotte had been waiting for, the creature was probably more vunerable on the inside. The mid-level fire spell was actually swallowed by the demon, it's body turning into a living bone fire; its death howl cracked any nearby windows and almost made his ears bleed. It soon stopped moving and just turned to ashes, just like he mentioned in the first part of the spell.
"You've gotten really good Culotte." Prier admitted between panting, the rush from battle was now slowly leaving her body and she was starting to feel tired now again. She checked up on Zarim, he was bleeding pretty heavily and she tried to stop the blood by putting pressure on it with his own shirt but it wasn't working.
"..You..should..just..leave me..I won't make it." Zarim wheezed, waking up coughing a bit of blood.
"Shut up! Were going to fix you up and take you back." Prier said the comment a bit forcefully but it was more like she was worried.
"Let me do it. I'm sorry, this might hurt a little bit Zarim." Moving aside, she allowed her little brother to close his eyes, a hand over the older man's body. A soft red glow came from it as he used a low-level fire spell, but he had to be careful; it just had to be enough to mend the flesh back together and that was it. After that was done he backed up allowed Prier to do the lifting.
"Let's go back home." It was amazing how quickly Prier's attitude towards him changed, the moment he was in danger of dying she had pretty much forgotten that she wanted to wring his neck or bash him with her baton. The trip went in relative silence as they headed back to the city they had called home for so long.
Culotte looked up at the stars. Sister Alouette. I wonder if your up their watching us? Don't worry though, I'll keep Prier out of trouble for you..
Authors Notes: I feel this might have been a slightly slow chapter, we'll on Adell's POV anyway. But sometimes you have to have slow parts to set things up, and I Really don't want to rush things to much. That said I once again thank my few reviwers and hopefully you stay with me on this trip a bit longer. Send C&C on your review or simply E-mail me on my profile, remember to R&R. The next chapter might take a bit longer, since I'll have to think on it a bit more. I hope people don't mind me making Culotte a magic user on this one, but it just seems to fit his personality more then a sword or anything else. See you guys next chapter.