Finally, I get to work on my fave fic! Sorry – I decided to publish a third fic based on a flipnote manga(which I created in the first place, anyways) so I haven't had time to think or work. And it must be so hard to take my story seriously when I write "Bit if I die" instead of "but." God! Oh well. I just gave myself a head-desk – the face-palm wasn't good enough. Anyways, if you couldn't tell, the pink book was a reference to Hetalia. That was a funny scene, so I just had to use it. Back to the Bit-But problem. I'm going to reread it after I have Gamma proofread, so I should catch mistakes. Oh, and not to depress you or anything, this is a filler that one of my IRL friends has been nagging me about for a while. To put it as he said, "What the hell happened to Blaze?" So what did happen to everyone who didn't go on the expedition? This happened. And since I haven't done this in a while: I don't own any characters besides Khlua. Now, back to the series we all know and love. Right? XD
Chapter 10 – Guilt, Regret And The Consequences
Blaze let out a heavy sigh. "Damn..." she muttered, "what's taking that Pokemon so long?"
Ever since her friends – All of them, dammit! as she would constantly remind herself – had left on the expedition, the cat had made it a habit to check with Mewtwo every week to see how they were all doing. Despite his cold reaction to most people and things, he had made a good substitute for the gang while they were gone. Better yet, Master was using the Pokemon's psychic abilities to keep tabs on the group, so Blaze could get info about how they were doing.
Suddenly, the mansion door creaked open. There was Mewtwo, with dark rings under his eyes. Using his power twenty-four seven was sure to exhaust him, even if he did occasionally have a week off for sparring. And sparring alone.
"So," Blaze said, walking up to him, "what's the score?"
"They're good so far. Gone for a month, but after the Primids and the rest of the Subspace Army left, animals and fruits have taken over much of the planet, so they have plenty of food. In addition, it seems that not all is settled in the Rabbit Faction."
The kidnappers of Khlua had earned the nickname "Rabbit Faction" because not only had they sent a viera to do the initial "job," but whenever Mewtwo tried to remotely view – remote-viewing is a psychic technique allowing people to see a different, faraway place – the Faction dug a psychic hole and hid in it, leaving the Pokemon unable to grasp more than a few details about it.
"Damn. They're good. I mean everyone, not the Rabbits."
"No, they're good too. Sure, the expedition has survived on rabbit stew for a while...oh, that sounded like a joke. Well, they've survived on animals and berries, the Faction must have powerful psychics, magicians or something, because the only things I've discovered are the things that Lucario and the others have."
"Like what? And what was that about not being settled?"
"Apparently, the expedition has made an unlikely friend on both ends. Lucario has met with and convinced a woman by the name of Tear to help, and Khlua has met a girl who has only been identified as Sergeant Branford. By Khlua's thoughts, though, I can tell he believes that she isn't rigid about her position in the Faction. Maybe he knows more about her – he always seems to know things about everyone else."
"Actually, Lightning explained that to me. On Prime World, our worlds were simply made when people created these things called 'video games.' Each video game series had gathered enough thought and emotion energies to materialize and they did. Into our worlds."
"Primerian games account for our existence? Imagine the god-complex they must have."
The Smashers had created the term "Primerian," meaning from Prime World.
"I don't know – the only Prime Worldian I know isn't like that."
"What a coincidence – same here."
They shared a short chuckle but then got back to serious.
"So, then," Blaze asked, "they're all okay?"
"Yea. What you should be more worried about is this dance coming up."
"Why? I should go to the Valentine's Day dance just because I'm a girl? Or 'cuz I'm a princess?"
"No, that's not quite what I meant-"
"Yea, I know. Sorry, I just kinda...freak on people."
"It's okay. If you really don't want to go, then I can help you spend your time. Just be sure to meet me outside of the fourth dorm at eight. See ya then."
Before Blaze could respond, Mewtwo had teleported to some place unknown. Cursing him for being so damn vague, she turned and plodded off through the grass, covered in fresh morning dew. The last of the snow was melting off of the top of the roofs of buildings. Spring was coming early this year. The cat's boots were as white as the fading snow, glistening with water droplets. It was kind of strange, walking through the plaza without the crunch of snow and ice. The fountain burbled as it sprayed water out, occasionally splashing a nearby onlooker. Blaze found a seat in the form of a bench.
What should I do to waste time 'til then? Mewtwo poofed, Lyn's probably asleep, Zangoose, Colette and the other girls all came along with Presea and the rest...damn.
"Why didn't I go too?" she yelled, grasping her head. No one could have heard her, they were too far away. She still felt crowded in her mind. Crowded by the emotions that wouldn't leave her alone. She could vividly remember her friends' offer.
"Come on!" Zangoose had insisted, "Forget about all the crap back here – come with us and help the others!"
"I'm sorry," she remembered saying, "but...that wouldn't feel quite...right..."
"Please!" Colette pleaded. Her eyes had been saying more than was necessary. Help.
"But, I...I just..."
"B-Blaze...!" Myrrh had said, "Come on...! We might not have a chance like this again!"
"I know it's right...but I can't. I can't go."
She had been so...so...
"Weak!" she yelled at herself again, dragging her brain out of her memory. "I'm so weak! I can't what? Risk my life for others? I've done it so many times before, though! Why couldn't I help them? Khlua, Lucario, Presea, Charizard, Ammy, Colette, Zangoose...and everyone else. I let them down. I'm a horrible person! How could I have let this chance slip through my fingers? Like...like..."
"Like sand through the hourglass?" a high pitched voice asked from behind.
As Blaze jumped up and whirled to see who it was, she replied, "Tch. How would you know anything?"
Peach offered a weak smile and said, "Well, I know. It doesn't matter how, but if you really want to know, I'll tell you."
"No, I don't want you telling me any princessy fairy tales, you jackass!"
"Look, I know I may have come across as bossy and a real bitch, and I'll admit, I was. I'm always like that in the beginning of my stay here. You know why? It's because I can't stand it. I can't stand having people fight my battles for me. That's all that ever happens when I'm in my world. I get kidnapped, Mario, Luigi and God knows who else come and save me. Even here, when I can put up a good fight against even Ganondorf, Mario, Luigi and Toadsworth, God damn that shroom, insist that I should drop out and let the men battle it out for me. I can never do anything myself. Until I started maturing, I wasn't even allowed to dress myself, much less fight my own battles. I know that's kind of creepy sounding, but it's true. And isn't that how you feel as well? Isn't that how everyone feels? That aside, this behavior of mine leads to me not having too many friends here. All I have are Mario, Luigi, Zelda and Snake. Mario's just in it for me, Luigi's in it because he wants to do the same as Mario, Zelda is kind of my polar opposite and Snake is just my jackass drinking buddy. So please. I beg of you. Don't let me lose this chance at a new friend. Don't let my past self ruin any friendship that we may form. Please."
Blaze didn't know how to react. This was the girl who had hurt many, crushed many in her wake. The girl who, from the moment she first spoke, labeled people. Granted, she was actually quite the good judge of character, it was hard to admit. After all, the two had quarreled for two months now, and suddenly Peach wanted to become friends. Fat chance.
"And before you say 'fat chance' or something like that," Peach said, "you have my word as a princess that I won't try to hurt you anymore. Just let the past go. Please."
As selfish as it sounded, it broke the proverbial camel's back.
"Okay. But only as long as we can treat each other as equals. So, friend, breakfast?"
"It would be my pleasure."
And so, two new friends walked off towards the Dorm One building. A sudden friendship, it seemed sturdy enough. Perhaps they could be friends. Blaze had never thought of that before. And yet now she was walking to go eat with her worst enemy. Or frenemy? Best enemy?
"No, worst friend."
"Blaze, what are you talking to yourself about?"
"Oh, nothing. Just nonsense."
Nah, worst friend was too demeaning. Oh well. It was something she could spend pondering later. The two had spent an hour before they reached the actual dorm. An hour to sit down at the fountain, be surprised by your enemy and transform her into a friend. An acquaintance was closer to the truth.
When they had taken a seat, the room was packed. There was only one table left. They just had old fashioned scrambled eggs. A normal start to a normal day. Or so they thought.
"Hey," Peach said, poking her eggs with a fork, "the eggs are all cooked into heart shapes. Oh, yea! There's a V-Day party goin' on tonight! I should bring Mario. Blaze, who are you going to bring?"
"Tch. Why should I bring anyone? Why should I even go?"
"Okay, okay. No need to get touchy."
"Sorry, I just don't mix well with girly parties and such things."
"Hm. I can sort of understand that – but for the sake of normalcy, I'm gonna go."
"Hm. I already have plans, anyways."
"Like sleeping?"
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, I didn't mean to offend you, but you practiced with Lyndis all night two days in a row, so I thought you might have been tired."
"I suppose. How did you-"
"Know about the practice matches? I handle all of the papers concerning battles for Master, so I know how often people fight and when."
"Cool. Well, talking about sleeping has made me...sleepy." Blaze let out a yawn, "I think I'll go take that nap. Could you do me a favor and wake me up in a few hours?"
"Oh, sure. Your dorm room is like, number three in Dorm One, right? I'll wake you up a little before I leave for the party."
"I said, I'm not going!" Blaze said as she exited the lounge.
"Just something to think about!" Peach yelled back, hoping the cat would hear her.
God, the Mushroom Princess thought to herself, I've been such a bitch to her and everyone else. I hope she'll give me a chance. Then, just maybe, I'll be able to have real friends...not just Mario and the others. Zelda's the closest thing I have to a best friend. Maybe I should talk to her more often.
Blaze lazily stretched out on her bed as she kicked her boots off and finished putting on her pale yellow sleeping t-shirt in replacement of her princess clothing. She let out a sigh and pushed her face into her pillow. Beds felt at least five times as soft as she remembered. She didn't have trouble going to sleep, even though the noon sun shone brightly through the window. The warm sun and the fluffy bed...this was heaven on Mobius. Or whatever the hell this planet was called. The cat succumbed to the abyssal darkness awaiting her. Sweet, blissful darkness. Or so she had hoped for.
The room was bright, so the two strangers had no trouble infiltrating Blaze's room. No darkness to navigate, nothing to trip on. The first man put his hand to his head and spoke.
"I do not wish to do this. It is only your will, not mine."
"Yes," the shadowy figure beside him said, "but this is the only way. After the vampire joined the Ferr, we have lost all hope of defeating them. Unless, of course, we had just a little more insight."
The man stayed silent. His long, wavy, raven-black hair was in sharp contrast to his lighter skin. He had a very memorable face – eyes the color of the summer sky, a red cross tattooed across his forehead. He shuffled to the other side of the room in order to get nearer to the bed. His white clothing was an oddity as well. Purest white everywhere, except for on the back of his coat. There was a crimson insignia not unlike a bat sewn into it. He placed his hand on Blaze's forehead.
"Are you sure this is the only way?" he asked his superior, "After Mari, I don't feel comfortable in another mortal body. What if...what if she turns out the same way as Mari?"
"I know you feel guilty, but it was all the vampire. If he had not desired to drink the blood of humans, Mari would not have been his unfortunate victim. It is only important that you escaped in time. Now, do you have the caul?"
"Yes, in the bag I left on the floor. Ground white caul and a dagger especially designed to kill the bloodsucker."
"Good. Now you may begin. Remember, you need not possess her, only give her instructions. The way you shall instruct her is up to you."
The already shadowy figure dissipated, leaving the man behind.
"I apologize, young girl," he said, "but I'm afraid you...are the collateral damage. Please, make this easy. I do not wish for you to die as well. To suffer the same fate at the same hands."
He pushed hard against her head and the room glowed with a radiant white. When the light subsided, the man was no longer. The girl was all alone. Or was she?
Blaze's sleep had been peaceful thus far. The only dreams had concerned flying. Flying in the sky. A beautiful sky, with beautiful, fluffy clouds. Suddenly, the clouds cleared. All signs of land disappeared. All that was left was the blue. All blue. A voice echoed through the ocean of color.
"H..lo...I..Kre..ik...he.p...ou...friends...dea...kni...po..er...soak..."
The voice was low, so Blaze could hardly hear it. As it spoke, pictures flooded her mind. A short man, with white hair, skin black as charcoal and eyes of a dirty yellow color. Her friends. This man again, smiling. Friends again. Dead. Bloody and dead. No, not even bloody. Their bodies had very visible slashes and cuts, but no blood seeped from the wounds. It was as if they had no blood. A knife. A bag full of white powder. The knife with white powder on it, sticking to it like glue. Stab the bad man. Stab. Stab. The bad man turns to ashes. Blackest of ashes. Gone, forever.
When Blaze woke up, she felt a tingling in her head, like a headache that just went away. She gasped for air.
"What type of sick nightmare was that?" Blaze exclaimed.
"Oh," Peach said, sticking her head through the door, "I guess you woke up without my help. What nightmare?"
Blaze quickly explained the nightmare to the princess.
"Knife? Bag? Like the ones laying on the floor there?"
Blaze's eyes lit up as she spotted those very objects in the corner of the room. She knelt down beside them and held them up.
"What...what...what the hell...? How did these get here? They were in my dream-nightmare thing..."
"I don't know, but this is kind of creepy. Like a Primerian horror flick I saw at auditorium yesterday. It dealt with nightmares mixing with real life, too."
"I'm almost afraid to ask, but how'd it end?"
"Just about everyone died. Supposedly they killed the monster behind it, but he comes back in like, seven more movies, so I'll guess that didn't last long."
"Thanks a lot. Thanks a friggin' lot. That helps."
"Well, you're welcome. Your friggin' welcome. I'm gonna go and get Mario for the party. See ya soon."
Peach left the Mobian all alone, and Blaze let out a heavy sigh.
I know something's in my head. Whatever or whoever you are, you wouldn't mind leaving, would you?
When she got no answer, she decided to ignore the familiar feeling of someone tapping into her brain and followed Peach out the door. The clock had read about seven, so she had only an hour 'til she had to meet with Mewtwo for God knows what. Enough time to meet up with Lyn for a nice dinner. Or maybe not. By now, Lyn might have eaten and Mewtwo might be planning something food-related. What to do then?
Suddenly, a loud banging sound erupted from the back of the dorm. She circled around and was surprised to almost be stabbed by a familiar Chaos Spear. There, behind the dorm, was Shadow and a strange creature which looked like a red starfish with an eye in the center. It deftly dodged every Spear but a few, those of which simply bounced off of it.
What is that thing? Blaze thought, almost exclaiming it aloud.
It's called a Decarabia. It's a type of fire demon, and your friend will get nowhere simply stabbing at it's shell.
Hah! I knew there was some bastard in my head! Who are you and what are you doing there?
That does not matter. Blaze, help him out. If the demon's back is turned, it will expose it's blue underbelly. If he stabs that, then it will die very quickly.
Fine, but you have to explain yourself, whoever the hell you are.
All in good time.
Blaze rushed out into the battle and flung a fireball at the Decarabia.
"Take that, you damn starfish!"
The second it made contact, the starfish began to spin uncontrollably. While doing that, Blaze saw that the front was covered in crimson shell, but the back was covered in fleshy blue. The Decarabia looked straight at Blaze. Her fireball had been cut in fifths and each arm now grasped a piece. The demon launched five beams of fire at Blaze, which she narrowly dodged.
It can reflect fire?
Of course. Many fire demons can.
Sh-shut up!
However, this had given Shadow the perfect opportunity to Spear the Decarabia, which he did. The Chaos Spear had stick straight through the center and right out through the eye. The demon vanished in a blue blur.
"What the hell was that?" Shadow exclaimed.
"Long story." Blaze said, leading Shadow back to his own dorm.
All right, Shadow's safe. Now, let's talk.
Silence.
Hello? Mr. Voice in my head?
More silence.
Fine. Be that way. I can bug you forever.
No, you can't. You only have a few minutes. Check the clock, Blaze. What about your date?
Date? I don't have a date! If you mean Mewtwo, it's only...seven fifty?
Yes. Time passes rather quickly during a battle, doesn't it? One of the horrors of war.
Whatever. How did you know I have a...meeting...with Mewtwo?
Our minds are one. You only have trouble connecting to mine.
I'm not gonna ask. Blaze thought to the stranger as she ran for Dorm Four. It was rather far, but that didn't matter much. Blaze could run fast, so it wasn't a problem. Within a minute or two, she was there. Mewtwo was leaning up against a wall, arms crossed.
"Well," he said with a small grin, "it took you long enough to get here. Not that I mind, of course."
"Thanks. So, what is it we'll be wasting time doing?"
"Well, are you feeling hungry? I decided that we might as well eat if we're going to miss out on a party. I know you don't like all the girly stuff, so I tried to keep it simple. I hope you don't mind."
"No! Of course not!"
"Excellent. Then...shall we start?"
After Blaze gave a nod, Mewtwo gently grabbed her by the arm. After a bright flash of light, they were in a room, dark but lighted by candles.
Hm... the stranger in Blaze's head thought, so it is a date.
No, it's not a firggin' date! It's just a fancy dinner.
Call it what you wish.
Good. Now shut up until I'm done. Despite what you may think, this is my body and I won't have anyone screwing up my life. Especially assholes that like to meld their mind with mine.
You don't seem surprised by the concept.
I'm not. This guy sitting across the table from us – from me – is a psychic. I'm perfectly used to any mumbo-jumbo you can dish out.
Like-
Blaze mentally shut the guy off, something she learned how to do over the last couple of weeks. It wasn't going to last, but jut this nice little peace was something that made her rather happy.
Still, she thought to herself after shutting the stranger off, it's sort of creepy. Someone in my mind. Maybe I should talk to Mewtwo about it. Or maybe not. Why are decisions always so hard? Damn...
END~
Again, a rather sudden ending. Sorry that this wasn't as full as action as I had hoped to make it, but I kept dragging things out. The inevitable result: reaching my 5-7 page limit. Oh well – you'll get more on this later. Anyways: I don't own anyone but Khlua. Even Decarabia and the strangers. I don't own them. I do however, own the name they used when they referred to the faction – Ferr. I don't even own this Mari person. Also, the stranger-mind-infiltrator and Decarabia are from the same game as the kidnapper-vampire-freak. And more shall come from this game. See ya, I'll post the next one as soon as I can – I discovered a way around the laptop problems I've been having, so I can work slightly faster now.