Test 8: The Dungeon
Moka and Koko walked along the wall that outlined Yokai Academy. Batty flew overhead, watching them with that cute, chibi smile on his face. Koko twirled happily as she walked ahead.
"I feel so much better," she said. "I finally got you away from those bad influences. You better be careful, Moka. Hanging around with losers will turn you into a
loser!"
"Koko," Moka gasped. "Don't say that! You're talking about my friends!"
Koko looked back at her sister and smiled. It was gonna be easier than Koko thought.
They kept walking along the wall until they came to the ruin.
"So this is the entrance to the underground dungeon, huh?" Koko said, fiddling with the chains on the door.
"It is pretty creepy..." Moka mumbled.
"Listen, Sis. There's no way you can be friends with them. Vampires like us live in a different world. For example, finding this place. The phantom hasn't been committing these crimes at random. And he's got an escape route. If you connect all possible escape routes, they have to come out here. Easy to figure out if you think like a killer. Come on, you had that 'Aha' look on your face too."
Koko turned turned and faced her sister.
"It was easy for you to connect the dots because you're just like me! Born to a family of villains."
"Koko..."
"But you can't go on like this, only being powerful sometimes."
Koko finally unlocked the chain and opened the steal door. Moka turned on the lanturn and held it out for light.
"C'mon," Koko said. "Let's go deeper...into the darkness."
They walked deeper into the dungeon. Somewhere, deep in the ruin, a man stood with a knife close to his face. He smiled, showing razor sharp teeth, then disappeared.
"What? That band of scoundrels...?"
"Something the matter, boss?"
Ruby Tojo stared at her boss, the headmaster, while holding a book and clipboard in her hand. The headmaster's features were always hard to read, but Ruby could read him like any old book. He seemed restless and bothered, even with that permenet smile on his face.
"This is an emergancy. Gather all the students inside the school."
The headmaster turned and faced Ruby, a cell phone in his hand.
"A gang of bandits has infilltrated the academy grounds. They were on a rampage through the human world, took a misstep, and apparently decided to hole up here."
"Could they be the phantom Attackers?" Ruby asked.
"If those ne'er-do-wells are involved, things could get dicey. Do you think you can handle them, Ruby?"
Tenmei walked past Ruby and headed towards a window.
"All you have to do is ask," Ruby said, tightening her grip on the book and clipboard.
Batty flew ahead of Moka and Koko, using his echolocation to try and locate any living beings. He flew to Koko and chirped.
"Batty's echolocation found a body - and it's alive!" Koko whispered. "Turn the lights off, Sis. It's the Phantom, I know it!" They hid inside an open cell and peeked around the corner. Koko grabbed Batty and threw him up. He instantly weaponized into a bat with spikes. Koko handed the bat to Moka.
"Koko wait. What's that-"
"Your weapon," Koko giggled. "Hit him! I'll cover you."
"What?"
"C'mon, hurry! I hear the Phantom's footsteps. If we don't slay him first, he'll slay us!"
Slay him? Moka thought. With this?
Her hands shook as she held the bat tightly. The footsteps came closer and closer to them. Koko pushed Moka as soon as they say a shadowy figure.
"Now! Go!" Koko yelled.
"Aaaahhh!"
Moka swung the bat and smashed the figure in the face.
"Gaaahh!"
Moka looked at the person she hit. There stood Tsukune, the bat in his face and blood oozing out of his head.
"Gak... M... M... Moka...?"
Tsukune fell to the ground as Batty deweaponized.
"Tsu-Tsukune!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Moka kneeled next to Tsukune, who was laying on the ground bleeding. She sobbed as tears ran down her face.
"Ahaha... I'm ok-k-kay..."
Tsukune smiled as tiny bats danced in front of his eyes. His head was pounding from that hit.
"I'm sorry too," he said sitting up. "I got worried, so I came after you on my own. I'm glad you're okay. Both of you."
Koko clenched her teeth.
"Why," she growled. "Why did you come here? We were just having fun..."
Moka and Tsukune looked at Koko.
"I almost finished bringing her back into the darkness! But then, the second she saw you - she turned right back into wimpy girl! I knew it! This is all you're fault!You're ruining my sister!"
"Koko," Moka yelled. "Stop that-"
"I loved her..."
Koko looked down as she spoke.
"All I ever wanted was to be like her. As powerful as her, as beautiful as her. I use to be proud of her... And now she's just a stupid weakling! I won't accept it! I won't!"
Moka and Tsukune stared at her in shock, then Moka said,"Koko, listen, it's not like I-"
A horrible feeling passed through Tsukune, a deadly chill up his spine. He ran forward and pushed Koko.
"Watch out!"
"Ow! What was that for?"
A giant fist came out of no where and smashed into Tsukune. He went flying past Koko and crashed into a wall. Koko stood there, frozen.
Moka looked left and saw a minotaur standing tall and proud. Then she ran to Tsukune and held him in her arms, calling his name.
Koko looked at the minotaur then at her sister. W-What just happened, she thought. She knew that her guard was down, but how could a giant like a minotaur get so close to her without her even noticing? And not to mention that Tsukune saved her. Her, a vampire. Saved by a wormy little drip like him.
"It's all over," Koko mumbled. "I'm pathetic. Not worthy of my own fangs..."
"Koko!" Moka shouted. "Behind you!"
Koko didn't have the chance to turn. The minotaur's fist slammed into her side, pushing her up, then sent her crashing into the cement floor.
"Koko!"
Moka stood up and took a step forward before stopping. She felt a cold chill run up her body.
"Well, aren't you sweet," a man with a knife said. "Let's have some fun."
He swung his knife hand around and hit Moka's back, knocking her out instantly. He lifted Moka up and threw her over his shoulder, then he grabbed Tsukune's collar.
"The girl's a nice catch. And this guy will make a nice present for the Boss. But the kid's useless. You can have her."
The minotaur smiled and grunted. He pulled out a sword and walked towards Koko. She reached for Moka.
"Why? Why is this happening?" she mumbled, tears spilling from her eyes. "I just wanted Moka to be her old self. That's all I ever wanted. That's all..."
Koko sobbed as she struggled to stand. This might be it for her.
"See? What'd I tell you? Vampire or not, little kids shouldn't go poking their noses where they don't belong."
Koko's head snapped up as she saw Kurumu and Mizore step in front of the minotaur.
"N-No!" Koko yelled. "Don't you get it? He's not just another monster! A weakling like you doesn't have a chance!"
The two girls didn't listen. Instead, they stepped forward.
"You don't have the power! Stop! Come back! You'll get killed!"
The minotaur raised it's sword and slashed.
"Noooo!"
Kurumu ducked and pushed her foot against the ground, causing a small crater to form. Kurumu swung her arm around as Mizore did the same. Together, they forced the minotaur back. He skitted like a rock across the floor until he finally came to a stop. He was knocked out cold. Koko couldn't believe her eyes.
"Who you calling weak?" Kurumu said. "We've been training hard for months. So that someday, we can defeat your sister."
"We call it training our own 'Inner Moka,'" Mizore said. "It's been fun."
"If you go on thinking Vampires are the only tough monsters, you're setting yourself up for a fall," Kurumu said.
"She's right, you know."
Koko turned and saw Zen standing behind her, Draco perched on her shoulder.
"Even though us Vampires are the strongest of all monsters, you must understand that we're not the only tough monsters out there."
"Us Vampires...?" Zen didn't reply. She just simply smiled as Kurumu and Mizore started bickering again.
