Do I own Rave Master? No, no I do not.
Half Way Point of No Turning Back End Part
Bzz! Bzz! Bzz!
Let's alarm clock blared loudly in his ears. He cracked open his eyes and reached over to the source of the sleep disrupting sound. With a slam of his right hand, he turned the annoying device off. As he normally did every day at 6:30 Am on a Tuesday, he sat up, stretched, and wished that he could just go back to sleep.
This morning was different however. He didn't get much sleep last night because he was so worried about his friend, Elie. Poor Haru, he thought, if I'm having trouble sleeping, I can't imagine what he is going through.
Just then he heard a tap on his window, jolting him out of his thoughts. Then another tap came, this time he was able to see for himself the little pebble that flew into the glass, only for it to fall back down without making a scratch.
Let got out of bed and curiously made his way to the window. He looked down only to find his friend Haru standing on his front lawn staring up at him, backpack on his back, and a fist full of small pebbles.
"Haru, what do you think you are doing?" Let asked quietly, as to make sure he did not draw any attention from his neighbors.
"Come on, Let! We gotta get to Springfeild!" Haru answered back with a volume that clearly showed he was not so concerned about the neighbors.
Let gave his friend a bewildered and annoyed look. "Haru, it is 6:30 on a Tuesday morning! We both have to go to school. I have an English test today, and we can't go around playing detective with a story we heard from a man jacked up on morphine about how to go though the wardrobe to Narnia!"
"I promise if you come with me I'll explain to your dad, your teachers, anyone you want that you missed your test because of me, and if that doesn't work then you can just beat me up so bad, people will say 'Hey, now Haru is one too'!" The teenage boy pleaded to his friend.
"Why don't you just leave this to the authorities?" Let yelled back, no longer caring about the neighbors.
"Because if what Seig said was right, then it's up to us now. Now I got up at 4:00 AM, to pack, leave a note for my sister and uncle not to worry about me, and ran all the way over here! I will go with, or without you! Now the question is, will you let me go alone and run the possibility of having your other friend disappear because there was no one there to supervise him, or will you just take a simple bus ride with me to the next county over and just check out a simple public restroom that would have either have wasted your whole day, or lead us to rescuing our friend!" Haru yelled in one breath.
Let looked down at the boy from his second story window. Haru had the most determined look on his face that Let had ever seen from anybody. It was clear his mind was made up. "Hold on. Just let me get ready."
After four hours of sitting on an uncomfortable bus, Haru and Let were beginning to get a little restless.
"I hate to be that kind of person, but are we there yet?" Let asked, agitation clear in his voice.
"Do ya see any train station?" Haru snapped. They were both very tired, Haru especially because he had gotten up so early that morning. He thought he could catch some shut-eye on the ride over there, but he had no idea that the seats were going to be this uncomfortable.
So basically, both teenage boys sat in the back seat of a bus for four hours with nothing to do but try and fail at taking a nap. Haru didn't really care. Every time he thought about complaining, he'd just remember why he was doing this. If he was uncomfortable, then what was Elie feeling in the hands of those kidnappers/ possible murderers if Seig's story was true. He hoped that wherever she was, she was in a cozier place than him.
Haru was snapped out of his thoughts as he felt the bus come to a slow stop. His head jolted up. They were supposed to get out on the seventh stop. Quickly he added up the number of times they had stopped so far in his head.
"Let! Let! Get up! This is it!" Haru yelled like an excited child.
"Well it's about time. Haru, I Think- Hey!" Let never got the chance to finish his sentence. As soon as the door opened Haru was off like a rocket, leaving a trail of unhappy people that he pushed away in the dust.
Let released an aggravated grumble. How could that kid be so energetic after sitting around for four hours? Couldn't they at least stop to stretch their legs?
Let grabbed his bag out from under his seat, and proceeded to follow his friend. At least he tried to. Haru had run off so fast, Let lost sight of him within a few seconds. Let wasn't worried though. The older teenage boy just kept quiet and listened for the boy.
It was one of let's special talents. His sense of sight, hearing, and smell, was stronger than the average person. Some of the people that knew about these abilities thought they were just downright superhuman. Let didn't think much of it though. It wasn't that much above average. So he could do some things better than others. Big deal! Many people were naturally better at some things than others, that didn't make them super heroes.
After a few seconds Let picked up the sound of Haru's heavy pants from sprinting off the bus so fast, and the sight of his spiky silver hair amongst the crowd of people. He did his best to follow after him, but it was truly hard to navigate through the crowds. Let was constantly muttering words of 'excuse me', 'pardon me', 'sorry',(ect.) as he brushed past strangers.
Eventually, he lost sight of Haru again. Let was getting frustrated, but he still wasn't too worried. He knew where the 16 year old was headed. Just keep going until you smell a rest room, Let told himself.
After about ten minutes of wondering through the crowds, the stench of public lavatory hit his nose. He'd smelled worse, but these places were never a field of daisies for him no matter what.
Luckily He found something else that he was looking for besides the rest room. Haru stood right next to the door, arms crossed like he was waiting for something.
Let walked right up to him. "The door locked?" The older teenager asked.
"Some one's in there." The younger one simply responded.
As if on queue, a large man stepped out of the door, a small line of toilet paper still clinging to his foot. The man paid no attention to Haru or Let as he passed them both and walked away.
"Okay, now!" Haru said as he grabbed his friend's arm and pulled him into the rest room with him.
Let looked around. The place had three stalls, three urinals, and three, sinks, all of them empty. "Why were you waiting for that man to leave, if there are plenty of open stalls to choose from?"
"You heard what Seig said. Make sure no one sees us do this. Now stand watch while I go looking for this keyhole." Haru explained as he looked over all of the tiles on the wall.
This rest room wasn't in the best of shape. The floor had pieces of toilet paper scattered all over the place. Many of the tiles were chipped and some were even completely torn off, and the grime that covered the toilet seats? Let didn't even want to guess what that was all about.
"So we're really doing this?" Let asked dryly. He supposed it would make sense to do it, since they came all this way, but now that they were actually here, looking for magic portals, the whole thing felt even more ridiculous than ever. Still Haru was seriously going at it like a trooper, examining every nook and cranny.
"Aha! I think I've found something!" The younger teenage boy exclaimed as he towered over one tile in particular that just barley resembled a keyhole if one squinted at it the right way.
"Please tell me your not- Hey! Don't do that!" Let yelled as he watched Haru bite down on the tip of his finger hard enough to draw a little blood.
Without listening to a word his friend was saying, Haru looked down at his finger determinedly. This was it. The way to save Elie! With all the hope he had within him, Haru put his bloodied finger on the missing tile piece and bellowed out with all the confidence inside of him. "INNER WORLD!"
They stood in silence, not even daring to move or even breathe loudly for a few seconds.
And then another few seconds.
And a few more.
Finally Haru's determined look began to soften, and then fall into a look of disappointment. His shoulders slumped and his head fell slightly as he slowly removed his finger from the wall. Despair began to set in. So there really was nothing he could do to save Elie.
Let's face softened as well. For him though it was because of his concern for his friend. As big a hassle as this whole trip was, he was only doing it because he just wanted there to be something he could do for Elie.
Let was about to say something when he suddenly became distracted by a light. It started out small at the point where Haru's finger was and then began to spread out. Soon the entire rest room wall was glowing with this bright light. The boys needed to shield their eyes from it for a moment.
When the light died down, they looked up only to see what appeared to be some sort of black hole. They could feel a small breeze sucking them in somewhat, but it was clearly not strong enough of a pull to force them in.
Haru's determined expression quickly returned to him. He turned back to his friend. You coming or what?"
Let stared wide-eyed at the portal in front of him, mouth slightly ajar. Finally after a few seconds, he could comprehend what was happening and just like Let to think ahead, he whipped out his cell phone. After dialing his home number, knowing full well that no one was home, he left a message for the machine.
"D-dad? I don't think I'll be home tonight…" He spoke into his phone, eyes never leaving the portal.
Very slowly the sleep pollen that put Elie under was beginning to wear off. First her senses came back, then the cobwebs in her head started to clear away. Finally, she regained the ability to move her body. Despite this, she still didn't want to open her eyes.
Waking up from a sleep-induced state usually caused many more headaches than just waking up from a normal sleep. That's why it took her so long to finally get her awareness back. Currently, the headache she was experiencing made her just want to fall back asleep until it was gone.
She let out a small groan and rolled her head to the side to ease her own discomfort.
"SSSHHHH." Someone cooed in her ear.
Elie couldn't make out who it was exactly but only seconds later she felt a hand gently running its fingers through her hair. It was very comforting and it eased her headache a little.
A content smile played on her lips as she guessed who this mystery person was. "Haru…" She whispered.
The response she received however, was not the one she was expecting.
"Heh heh heh. Not exactly, my dear." Answered a stranger's voice, sending chills up her spine.
Immediately Elie's eyes shot open and she sat up so fast, it almost made her dizzy. Eyes wide in shock, she stared into the face of a shaggy blond haired man. His tanned skin contrasted with his bright golden hair. He wore very expensive looking armor, like that of a dictator. His yellow, soulless eyes bore into her as well, and a sinister smirk played on his lips.
"My dear it is so lovely to have you here. There is an important matter in which I must discuss with you." The stranger answered in the most raspy, yet smooth voice.
A thousand alarms were going off in Elie's head. Who was this man? What's going on? Where was she?
Upon taking her eyes off the man for only a moment, she was able to answer that last question herself. She gasped as she looked around the familiar room. The high ceiling, the shelves filled with adorable bobbles and toys, even the large, silk sheet bed she was laying on at that very moment. This was her old bedroom, exactly the same as she left it the night she and Seig fled six years ago!
She looked down at herself as well. She was not wearing the same clothes she fell asleep in, and that greatly disturbed her. She was now wearing a poufy, long, silky, pale blue gown with lace donning all of the hemlines. It was like something Queen Marie Antoinette would wear.
What in the world was happening?
"I understand you must have many questions, my pet. May I call you pet? Grand Duchess Elie Valentine is quite the mouth full." The strange man sitting on the bed with her said in a light hearted manor, but Elie saw no light heartedness anywhere in the situation.
The noble woman gulped but put on her brave face. "And what should I address you as, sir?"
The man only chuckled slightly, sending her a wave of uneasiness. "What manors. Then again what else should I expect of a lady of your stature, Madame. It is the reason I've summoned you here."
He scooped up Elie's hand and placed a respectful kiss on it. Elie never liked it when people kissed her hand like that. She didn't care if it was out of respect, it just made her so uncomfortable.
"My name is Lucia. That is all you need to know about me for now." He answered.
"Lucia." Elie said. "You have summoned me here? In my home's sleeping quarters just because I am the Grand Duchess here?" She was almost afraid of the answer.
"Why not?" He put simply as he leaned toward her. "Tell me, you do love your title, correct? The power that comes with being born into this particular family and class? There are so few women in this entire nation who are above you."
With each word Lucia got closer to her. Elie backed away, but it seemed like for every inch she receded, he advanced two inches more, and with the most seductive grin plastered on his face. The girl was getting more nervous by the second.
Eventually Elie had gone too far backwards, and she fell off the bed, landing on her back. Lucia showed no concern and his lustful demeanor did not soften, he only got off of the bed himself and advanced toward her even more.
Quickly Elie got up off the floor, taking a few more steps back in the process, wary eyes never leaving him, but Lucia did not give up and he continued to stock her all around the room until her back hit her dresser and she was cornered.
"I can relate to that. Being born with the divine right to rule, with power." He seethed as he came so close he pinned her against the dresser. His hands snaked up around her back so that he was holding her in his arms. Elie tried to push him away, but it was no use, Lucia was too strong.
Their eyes never parted from each other and as Elie's eyes grew more and more fearful, his became increasingly seductive and lustful. Finally, in one swift movement he roughly twisted her around so that she was facing the dresser and looking directly into the mirror hanging above it. She was sickened by the reflection of the two of them so close and his hands wrapped around her abdomen, He smirked at the sight.
"Then again, you could always be of higher status. You could be queen of this entire country, this entire world, and maybe even the outer world as well." He cooed evilly.
Unwrapping one arm from her, he reached over, across the dresser to a beautifully decorated wooden jewelry box. Opening it he took out a gorgeous diamond studded necklace and draped it around her neck. All the while Elie was trying to pry Lucia's hand off of her abdomen with no success. Lucia looked at the two of them standing in the mirror with a grin of satisfaction. Clearly he was very pleased with what he saw.
After fastening the necklace around her neck, Lucia brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear then roughly grabbed her face by her chin. "It suits you. Truly you look divine. From now on you'll only get the best of everything just like this. I mean my arms around you, of coarse. Heh heh." Elie didn't see what was so funny. Not at all.
"I'll give you everything. Power, status, riches beyond your wildest dreams, my queen." Slowly his face advanced upon the pinned down girl in his arms, until his lips were less than an inch above her neck. As his mouth hovered over her flesh he whispered. "And all you have to do is promise unconditional devotion and obedience…well?"
With that final word he went in, pressing his lips against her skin and kissing her neck passionately. Elie shuttered against him, she closed her eyes and her attempts to pull away became more desperate, but Lucia's hold on her was much too strong.
Eventually she was able to get one arm free, and in one quick motion, she used it to smack him upside the head as hard as she could. The sudden attack surprised him and caused him to slacken his grip just enough for Elie to slip out of his hold and step away.
It only momentarily stunned him however, because only a few seconds later, Lucia was going back to setting his sights on Elie. This time however, instead of lust in his eyes, they were filled will unadulterated furry towards her.
"You little witch!" He seethed as he raised a hand to backhand her. "I'll teach you to respect me!"
Elie's eyes grew wide at the oncoming attack. She tried to take a step back, only to trip on her own gown and land on her butt. Lucia was about to follow through with his violence until her fearful eyes met his. That terror. Exactly what he wanted from her. She knew who was in control here. He had power over her and he loved that.
His expression softened and he lowered his hand, confusing Elie. The smile returned to his face as turned to the room's exit. "I see that you need time to think about it. That's just fine. I have important matters to deal with in the meantime."
Lucia opened the bedroom door and just as he was leaving, he turned back to take one last glance at Elie and say. "Until next time, pet. You mow it over."
Then he slammed the door behind him. Elie could hear his loud cackles as he walked down the hall, leaving her alone.
Elie stared at the door for a few seconds longer in stunned silence before she shook herself off and ran to the door. No way was she staying here for a minute longer with that creep around.
She jiggled the doorknob. It didn't budge. She tried again, this time with both hands, using all the strength she could muster. Elie was getting more nervous by the second as the gravity of the situation began to seep in. "Please don't let this be happening!" She whispered to herself in her own frustration.
She let go of the doorknob and began to pound on the smooth wooden door franticly. "Hey! You can't do this! Don't you know who I am? You can't treat me this way! I run this state!"
The trapped Grand Duchess yelled angrily though the door until her throat began to feel sore. She stepped back furious eyes burning into the door as if just her anger alone could cause the wooden blockage separating her and freedom to just burn down, allowing her to leave.
A few moments latter, the door was still very much in tact. The only thing that was starting to ware away was her hope. She turned about face to the door and dashed over to the window. Desperate times call for desperate measures. If she couldn't leave through the door, then she would find a way to clime down the -NO!
The lock on the out side of the door wasn't the only new feature that was added to her bedroom while she was gone. She drew the silk curtains back, revealing iron bars crossing the outside of her large window. She really was trapped. Trapped in this castle with Lucia who could just waltz right in at any time to do as he wanted with her.
The thought of that horrible man made the girls knees buckle. Slowly she slumped down on to her pillowed window seat.
A sick feeling settled in on her. So she did as she always did whenever she was feeling down, she gazed out the window, just as she had done so many other times in outer world. This time however, instead of the bright blue sky that she had come accustomed to for six years, her eyes laid upon a soft, gentle lavender. The one that she yearned to see again for so long. Unfortunately she couldn't enjoy it like she thought she would when she finally got home.
Strangely enough a new sadness hit her as she gazed out at the sweet purple. It seemed as though the sky had the opposite affect as it did in Indiana. It reminded her of Haru.
A tear came to her eye. To think that the worst-case scenario was coming true right before her very eyes and she was just wishing he was here. She'd probably never see him again, the rest of the people she cared about too.
The devastated noblewoman folded her arms on the windowsill and began to sob quietly as she rest her head on them. All of her nightmares were becoming reality. What was she going to do?
I choose the name of the town to be Springfeild because it is the most common name for a town in America. That's why no one knows what state the Simpsons live in.
I wanted this chapter to be longer, but I just thought that that would be the perfect place to end this arc.
But guess what, this is the first chapter that I have ever wrote on my brand new laptop. It's the first one that has ever been all mine, just for my use. I got it as a high school graduation gift. It's suppose to be for collage, but I won't tell if you don't.
Any way, that my friend is the end of the second story arc. We've got big things coming up. Including the arrivals of some familiar faces. And Haru and Let's ascension into inner world! Your just going to have to stay tuned to read what happens next exactly.
Next time: "Deep in the white rabbit's hole"
Remember, reviews= Happy gangsta of love!
