Chapter 10
Mitrea
Deep under the ocean, in a sunken building, a force was stirring. It was powerful, and angry. It opened its eyes, taking in its surroundings.
"Termina..." The being muttered, remembering. "The sunken prison." It sighed, and sat up. Looking at itself, it grimaced. "I've taken this form in my sleep? Why would I do that?" Shaking its head, it morphed its shape into that of a female elf. "Much better." She had flowing red hair, soft green eyes, and gentle features. "Oh, I keep forgetting to morph myself clothes!" She hissed. This was quickly rectified. She gave herself a leather skirt, boots, and a short top. "How long have I been here?" She asked herself, getting to her feet. "Is Master looking for me? Is that why I'm awake?" She thought back, to the last time she had seen her master.
-
"Mitrea!" Her master yelled. They stood in the middle of a battlefield. The shapeshifter quickly took her elfish form, having been in the form of a tiger-like creature, and dashed to him.
"Yes, Master?" She asked.
"Our defeat is imminent." Her master sighed. "I don't know how, but they have managed to become stronger than my current power. We cannot win."
"But, Master! We can't give up!"
"No, Mitrea. We are not giving up. This is merely a tactical retreat. They will imprison us both. One day, I will escape, and return for you. Then, we will have our revenge. Worry not. Soon all shall be ours."
"As... as you say, Master." She sighed.
"Mitrea..." Her master placed a hand on her shoulder. "Trust in me. We will have our day. I swear it." Mitrea felt tears forming in her eyes.
"I... I do trust in you, Master." She whimpered. A moment later, their enemies descended upon them.
"Scholars." Her master greeted them. "Are you here to witness my moment of triumph?" He refused to admit defeat.
"We will seal you away, Eo." One of the Scholars said. "For the good of the worlds."
"You believe you have the power?"
"We do. Both you and your minion will be sealed away." The Scholars behind him started drawing runes.
"Ah, runes." Eo sighed. "This is not the end, Scholars. I will return."
"Not from this prison." The Scholar said. A portal opened, and Eo was quickly sucked inside.
"I will come back for you, Mitrea!" He called as the portal closed.
"And now the shapeshifter." The Scholar grinned. "Mitrea, was it? What an odd name."
"St-stay back!" Mitrea gasped, backing away. The Scholar advanced on her. "Please, stay back!"
"You will be sealed, Mitrea. For the good of the worlds."
"Please, don't!" She wailed. The Scholars started drawing the runes again.
"Your imprisonment will be in a sunken prison on Termina. You will sleep for eternity."
"No! No, please, no!" Mitrea fell to her knees in sobs. "Please..." Then, everything went black.
-
Mitrea hugged herself tightly. Those evil Scholars had sent her to sleep, despite her begging. At least her master used his powers so he could unite the worlds, and eliminate the need for war and power struggles. The Scholars simply removed anyone they thought to be a threat.
"But he'll come for me soon." Mitrea told herself. "I'm awake now, so his power must have woken me up." A smile spread across her face. "I'll be with my precious Eo again soon." She stood upright, and looked around the sunken prison. "But first, I must escape from here. I will prepare this world for Masters' takeover, as a gift for his return." However, she saw no door through which she could escape. Luckily, there was a drain of some variety in a corner. She turned into a tiny fish, slipped the bars of the drain, then into a larger fish, and swam through the tunnel.
I wonder what this world Termina is like? She wondered to herself.
Luigi
Luigi stood by the shore of Great Bay. He looked out across the ocean. From what he could gather, this evil force was out there, somewhere. He thought to ask some local people if anything strange had happened recently. Luigi had learned of only two people living in this region; the Zora and Bay Pirates. The Zora were a fish-like people, with a very humanoid appearance, but blue, with many similarities to fish, such as fins and gills. The Bay Pirates were a band of all-female pirates, who all had red hair. They also hated men. Luigi felt his best bet would be the Zoras, but they lived somewhere underwater, where he couldn't reach them. He sighed.
"How am I supposed to do this?" He grumbled. Then, he noticed a girl laying on the beach. She was face-down by the waters' edge, the tide pushing gently at her body. Luigi jogged over. "Hey, you okay?" He asked her. She had long red hair, he noticed. "A pirate?" The girl shuddered, then slowly got to her feet. "Hey..." Luigi said quietly, holding a hand ready to support her if she stumbled.
"Who are you?" The girl asked.
"I'm... Luigi."
"Luigi." She replied, somewhat cautiously. "You don't look like an elf. What are you?"
"I'm a human. I was sent to this world a while ago."
"What for?"
"Something about an evil person." Luigi shrugged. "But that doesn't matter. Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for asking. Tell me, is there a town near here?"
"Yeah. I work at the inn there. Do you want me to take you there?"
"Please."
"Um... w-what's your name?"
"Oh, didn't I tell you?" The girl gasped. "I'm sorry. My name is Mitrea."
"That's an interesting name." Luigi noted.
"Well... so's Luigi."
"Hey, no offense. I was just saying."
"Alright. I'm sorry."
"Me, too. Shall we go?"
"Yes, let's." The two walked toward Clock Town.
I can't believe I passed out. Mitrea thought to herself. I must have been asleep a long time. Boy, I'm hungry.
--
"Yes, she'll be staying as my guest." Luigi told Anju.
"I see. Then, you'll be paying for her?" Anju asked.
"Of course."
"Your room?"
"It's the only room with a spare bed."
"Alright." Anju agreed, then walked back up the stairs.
"I'm staying in your room?" Mitrea asked, sounding concerned.
"Yeah. Guests share rooms here. There's only two, see. One room used to be like a kind of en-suite for one person, but I've changed it. There's four beds in each room. Most people who stay here are only here for a few days or so."
"Oh. Well... can I see our room?"
"Sure. I'll introduce you to Okami."
"Who?"
"My friend." Luigi started walking toward the stairs, and Mitrea followed him closely.
It could be me that Luigi was sent here for. After all, I'm Eo's partner. But, how did those Scholars know I was going to wake up?
Lakitu
"Giants." Lakitu addressed the Four Giants. He stood in the same area as all the other times he had spoken to them.
"What brings you, Cloud-rider?" One of them asked. Though they spoke to Lakitu in his language often, Lakitu still felt excited by this.
"The shapeshifter, who was imprisoned in the sunken prison." Lakitu told them.
"She has awoken, yes?"
"She has. My student sensed her dark aura, and informed me."
"The White Witch seems sensitive to auras."
"White Witch?" Lakitu mused. "How perfect for her. How do you know she is sensitive to auras?"
"The worlds inform us. How they know, we could not say."
"Very well."
"How are we to deal with this shapeshifter?"
"Luigi will handle her." Lakitu assured the Giants.
"How will he do this?"
"I am unsure. It is Luigi's decision. I have hopes that he will defeat her. Without her master, the shapeshifter will be at an extreme disadvantage. He always co-ordinated her when they were together."
"I see." The Giants rumbled among themselves for a while.
"It seems that the shapeshifter is with Luigi now." Another said. Lakitu's face fell.
"Wh...what are they doing?" He asked.
"Luigi is allowing her to stay at the inn. He is befriending her."
"He... what?!"
"He does not know that she is the shapeshifter. Her appearance is similar to that of the Bay Pirates. He may have mistaken her for one."
"I... I see." Lakitu sighed. "For now, that will be fine. Perhaps he can persuade her to join us."
"It is doubtful, but we can hope."
"Will you not tell Luigi of this?" A third Giant asked.
"Perhaps, later. I will observe them for now. See how they interact with each other. With some luck, the shapeshifter will prefer Luigi's company to Eo's. Then, perhaps we can convince her to turn against him. Or at least, not help him."
"I will be difficult." The first Giant told him. "She reveres Eo highly. One would go as far to say that she loves him."
"Perhaps." Lakitu admitted. "However, I still wish to watch her for a while. May I ask you to do the same?"
"We shall. We will inform you of her actions."
"My thanks, mighty Giants. I take my leave."
--
"It won't work, Lakitu." Majora warned Lakitu later on. The two sat in their room. Lakitu had just returned from Termina, having watched Luigi and Mitrea for a while.
"Why not?"
"I was there when Mitrea was imprisoned, Lakitu."
"Mitrea?"
"The shapeshifter."
"Right. So, why won't it work?"
"She hates Scholars. At least, if she didn't then, she will now."
"Why?"
"You weren't among us back then, so you wouldn't know. We Scholars were very different several thousand years ago. We removed all potential threats to existence. Eo and Mitrea were two such threats. Eo was imprisoned, as you know. Mitrea was put into an eternal sleep."
"Yes, I know this." Lakitu said, wondering what Majora's point was.
"I wasn't one of the people who sealed Eo, by the way. I simply watched from nearby. I saw Mitrea fall to her knees, in tears, begging them not to put her to sleep."
"What? No, she was as evil as Eo. Heartless, cruel. Someone like that wouldn't break down in tears like that. Unless they were acting."
"It was no act." Majora sighed. "She was truly terrified. She followed Eo blindly, yes, but she wasn't cruel. Far from it. If Eo sent her to destroy a village, she would. But, she would always try to send the villagers to safety."
"Didn't the Scholars know that?"
"Yes, but they perceived it differently. I was in charge of monitoring her actions. I would always see her send the villagers away, to prevent harm to them. However, the others didn't see it that way."
"How did they see it?"
"Fear. She wanted to scare the villagers, and leave as many as possible homeless. The Scholars believed that she did this so Eo could use these people in some form of army."
"Didn't you tell them the real reason?"
"I was almost as ignorant as they were back then. I told them that Mitrea sent the villagers away, but nothing more. Even though I heard her reasons, and everything she said, I didn't tell the Scholars." Majora sighed. "Perhaps, if I had told them, I could have convinced them to try and turn her to our side."
"You musn't blame yourself, Majora." Lakitu told him. "I'm guessing everyone was too scared of Eo, and what he was doing, to spare a thought for mercy to his supporters."
"Yes, I suppose you are right."
"Master?" Adia's voice said from the door.
"Come in, Adia." Lakitu said to her. Adia entered, closing the door behind her. She walked forward, then stood a few paces in front of Lakitu, swaying side to side as she usually did.
"Why did you summon me, Master?" Adia asked.
"I want you to watch Mitrea, the shapeshifter, and Luigi for a while."
"What about Link?"
"I'll watch him for now. I need you to watch Mitrea."
"Alright. Anything I should know?"
"She's currently in the company of Luigi. The two of them are staying at the Stock Pott Inn, with Sereng the Moblin."
"Luigi?" Adia asked. Lakitu knew exactly what she was asking.
"He thinks she's a Bay Pirate."
"I see. Mitrea?"
"I assume she's either staying with Luigi for company until her master returns, staying with Luigi because she wants to, or she's going to prepare Termina for Eo's takeover."
"Right. Sereng?"
"Clueless. Keep him that way for as long as possible."
"Okay. And me?"
"Watch her. Do not attack her, or imprison her, unless she commits evil deeds. Even if she does, inform me first."
"Right. Again, me?"
"How you watch her is your decision. Watch the world, or spend time with Mitrea. I leave it to you. If you choose to spend time with her, then try to be her friend. Try to convince her to fight on our side. Don't mention the Scholars."
"Alright. Will that be all?"
"Yes, Adia. Thank you."
"Thank you, Master." Adia turned to leave.
"Adia, one more thing."
"Yes, Master?"
"Are you aware of your title?"
"White Witch, Master. I'm surprised you didn't know before now." With that, she waved and left. Majora started laughing.
"She's catching right up to you, Lakitu." He chuckled. Lakitu frowned.
"She's already up to speed." He sighed. "She'd be the perfect work partner for me."
"She is quick and concise, understands instructions quickly. She even knew her title before you."
"One of the Chaos Emerald's guardian creatures probably told her."
"She still knew it before you."
"Oh, don't rub it in." Lakitu groaned.
"Why not? Your apprentice, knowing something before you? I find it hilarious."
"I'm sure you do."
"So, what didn't you tell her?" Majora asked, suddenly serious.
"Mitrea's apparent affection for Eo, her frailty. Oh, and something rather serious regarding Luigi."
"And what would that be?"
"He's got a crush on her."
"No way!" Majora gasped "I thought he was devoted to Daisy."
"He is, he is. But, it's perfectly normal to be attracted to people other than a partner."
"So... who are you attracted to?"
"Majora, please!"
"Spill it, Lakitu. Tell me yours, I'll tell you mine."
Adia
Adia decided, after listening to the rather amusing conversation her master and Majora had after she left, to befriend Mitrea. It would make everything easier.
"I knew something before Master!" She giggled to herself. "Wow, maybe I'm catching up to him. I might be as good as he is someday!" With a happy sigh, she teleported to Termina.
But it's strange. Adia thought to herself. I always seem so.. I dunno, professional, around him. Well, at least he and Majora appreciate it. And it'd be so awesome if I became Masters' work partner! He said I could be! Wow, I'm so happy!
"You!" Luigi's voice snapped her back to reality. Turning, Adia realised she had transported directly into the Stock Pott Inn. Luigi had just come down from upstairs.
Oooh, watch where you're teleporting! She scolded herself.
"What d'you want now?" Luigi asked, standing in front of her.
"I'd like to stay here, please." She replied.
"Why?" Luigi seemed surprised by that. Adia shrugged.
"I like this place. I want to explore it a little."
"Yeah, sure." Luigi scoffed. "First, you tell me I'm gonna be a hero. Next, you're asking me to be an agent for you on Earth. Now you show up asking for a room? Just because you like it here? I don't believe you."
"Hey, I can have vacations too, you know." Adia huffed.
"Vacation?"
"Yes, that's right. I want to take a holiday here, and I'd like to stay in this inn. Is that alright?"
"I... I guess so. Sure." He hopped over the counter, and picked up the guest list. "So, uh... let's have your name."
"Adia Limena." Adia replied, walking over to the desk.
"Right. It's fourty rupees a night."
"Sure." Adia made some rupees in her pocket, and handed them to him.
"Okay... here's your keys."
"You lock the front door at nine, right?"
"Y-yeah. How'd you know?"
"I just do." Adia replied with a shrug. "Room 3, right?"
"Yeah. With me, Mitrea and Sereng."
"Sereng?"
"I-I I mean Okami! Okami. Dammit." He tutted, and thrust two keys at her. "Just take the keys."
"Okay." Adia said happily, taking them. "I'll go check out the room, 'kay?" She stepped away from the counter, then stopped and turned back to face Luigi. "Be nice to me, please?" She asked sweetly. "I really like you, and I don't want to fight with you."
"Sure." Luigi sighed. "Hope you like the room."
"I'm sure I will." She smiled, then skipped up the stairs.
-
Adia opened the door, to see Mitrea and Sereng, as Okami, talking.
"Hiiii, everyone!" She said excitedly. "I'm your new room-mate!" She waved enthusiastically.
"You?" Sereng asked. "Why?"
"I'm on vacation." Adia replied, walking inside. "I decided I wanted to stay here."
"Right." Sereng nodded.
"So..." Adia took a deep breath. "I'm sharing a room with... Luigi, who's downstairs. You, Okami, and..." She pointed at Mitrea. "Mitrea, right?"
"That's right." Mitrea replied. "And you are?"
"I'm Adia. Nice to meet you." She bowed to them. "I hope we'll all be good friends."
Wow, it feels weird acting like this again. Adia thought to herself. I used to be such a spunky, excitable girl. These days, I'm all serious and stuff.
"You seem different to when I saw you last." Sereng pointed out.
"Ooh, you noticed?" Adia grinned. "It's because I'm on vacation." She started swaying side to side. "I get to be me for once."
"Oh, okay." Sereng accepted this. "Well, tomorrow we're all going to the beach."
"Ooh, ooh! Beach? Cool! Can I come?"
"It's up to Luigi, really." Sereng told her.
"Aww... I don't think he likes me very much. After what I asked him, I mean... I can't really blame him."
"He'll warm up to you, I'm sure." Mitrea assured her. "D'you want to sit down?" She patted the bed she was sat on.
"Can I? Thanks!" Adia trotted to the bed, and sat next to Mitrea. "So, what were you guys talking about?"
"Just what we were going to do tomorrow." Sereng replied. "Mitrea suggested a picnic, but I don't think Luigi will like it."
"Why not?"
"Because he's going to the beach for a different reason. So am I, but Mitrea wants to have a picnic."
"Me, too!" Adia clapped her hands. "I haven't been on a picnic in years. Please can we have one, Okami?"
"I... I'd like to, but... it's Luigi's decision."
"Mitrea, let's go bug him!" Adia said to the red-headed elf, grabbing her hand.
"Wha-? But..." Mitrea tried to protest.
"C'mon, c'mon!" Adia pulled her to her feet, then dragged her from the room.
"O-Okami!" Mitrea gasped, trying to reach for him. With a sigh, Sereng got to his feet, and followed the two.
--
Some time later, Adia stood a distance from Clock Town, on a hill. Lakitu was next to her.
"Well?" He asked her.
"She's acting like a normal girl." Adia replied with shrug. "I'm not sure what to make of it. Either it's a ploy, to get close to them, or she's actually enjoying herself here. It's hard to tell."
"What does her aura say?"
"It's kinda fifty-fifty. One part wants to do Eo's work, the other wants to enjoy the company of the people she's with. After all, Luigi can be a real nice guy when he wants to be."
"Yes, he can. How is Sereng affecting her?"
"She seems to like him, too. Not as much as Luigi, though. I think Sereng, as Okami, is more of a brother figure. Luigi is kinda a friend she's never had."
"And you?"
"The spare part." Adia shrugged. "Luigi is suspicious of me, Sereng has accepted me, but only just. Mitrea doesn't seem to be able to make heads or tails of me." She grinned, and started swaying.
"Adia, why do you sway like that?" Lakitu asked. "It's been bugging me for a while, and I can't figure out why."
"Huh? I sway?" Adia asked, stopping. "Sorry. D'you want me to stop?"
"No, it's fine. I just wondered why."
"Oh. I never noticed." She shrugged. "I dunno why I do it."
"Alright. Do you think you can make friends with Mitrea?"
"She's open enough, right now. And I'm sure she wants some female company. Anju, as proprietess, doesn't really fit the bill. I should be able to be close friends with her."
"Good. Keep it going, then."
"Does Eo know that Mitrea is awake?" She started swaying again.
"He doesn't, no. From what I hear, he doesn't even know who she is. Let's hope it stays that way."
"Yeah. I think she's had a rough time in her past, or something. Maybe Eo was the only one who accepted her. Maybe that's why she followed him."
"Maybe." Lakitu agreed. "If you can get to see her transform, then stay friends with her, that may sway her. Luigi might want to find out too, at some point."
"But he's supposed to fight and kill her. He might freak."
"I'll have to think of something." Lakitu sighed. "For now, just work on being good friends with her."
"Sure! I really like her. She's so cute sometimes." Adia giggled. "Like, when I took her to ask Luigi if we could have a picnic at the beach, she blushed sooo much! It was adorable!"
"She blushed?"
"Yeah! It was amazing! You should've seen it! She barely said a word, she was so shy!"
"Shy?" Lakitu frowned.
"Uh... y-yeah. Sorry, should've mentioned that."
"Yes, you should have. No worries. You're still kinda new to this. Would it be fair to say that Mitrea is harbouring some feelings for Luigi?"
"I think so, yes. Whenever he's around, her auras switch to seventy-thirty, in favour of enjoying our company."
"Good." Lakitu said, with surprising force. "Try and encourage that. Luigi likes her, too, so it should be easy enough."
"Yeah, no duh."
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, um!" Adia gasped, eyes widening. "I-I mean, uhm... I could tell that Luigi likes her. He couldn't keep his eyes off her."
"Yes, well. Try and get the two closer, and try to get closer to her yourself."
"But, what about Daisy?"
"Ah, yes. That could present a problem. Yes, don't let it go too far. Just far enough."
"Got it." Adia sighed, almost in relief. "Can I go back now?"
"Yes, Adia, you can. Just don't forget that this is work, not a holiday."
"I know." Adia smiled, waved, then walked away. Lakitu sighed, then teleported away.