The wind slapped Gabriel across her tear streaked face, as if the czar had commanded it to do so. The powerful force reminded her of Jeda and how his presence was known to everyone when he entered a room. The doors would bust open as a whirlwind blew through the room and specifically blew up her dress and whipped at her hair. When the nightmare was over, Jeda would be standing in the doorway, cackling like an old man. Gabriel hated him but she did miss the old days, before she became imperfect. Now the czar was twice as mad at her. She remembered the first time he had gotten mad at her. When she came back to the castle, the czar was pacing back and forth, complaining about an attack on the kingdom. He had blurted out that it was all her fault, for disobeying him and visiting his enemy. Gabriel remembered how she was so upset that she ran into the courtyard and bumped into Wild Wister, who cheered her up with flowers. That's when she started falling for him. The second time she had committed an imperfection, but as before, it felt just right to fall in love. And then that man with the playful smile who was put into her block with the candy creature. He was so handsome. But Gabriel feared that the czar would get mad again if he found out how she felt. That's when he commanded everyone be put in those cyrogenic chambers. Because Shigeki was coming to get her and he was much too powerful for the czar. She laughed at the thought. Her czar? Afraid? But it was true. She always looked up to him, feared him, loved him and to think that he was afraid of another man because he was stronger. How...imperfect.
"My czar." Wild Wister said respectfully. "Might you tell us where we are going?"
"Since I cannot get Bobobo's hair ball, I shall find it elsewhere. His brother, Bibibi, is the king here and I sense that he has just been beaten by Bobobo, therefore he is weak."
"Weak enough to take the hair ball. Like taking candy from a baby." Combat Blues said, still looking at his magazine.
Gabriel wasn't about to let Bobobo go. She started it and now she was going to end it. "Oh czar, if we run into Bobobo, may I battle him?" She asked sweetly.
He gazed at the emptiness ahead, his future conquest, the Hair Kingdom Castle. "I'll consider it." He finally said, breaking from his day dream.
"Don't forget about me, Gabriel." Wild Wister said from behind. She turned to him and nodded. "Where ever you go, I shall follow. I will be at your side until the end."
"Oh Wild Wister." Gabriel was close to tears, she had to turn away.
"Don't forget about us." A familiar voice said. Everyone, including the czar spun around to see who it was.
The man flashed Gabriel a playful smile and waved at the group. A small, gum-drop like creature flew at Gabriel and hugged her. She smiled and hugged him back. The man with the torn clothing walked up to her.
"Did you miss us?" He asked with a smirk.
"Did I ever!" She hugged him also. Gabriel was so happy to see them both. The man was surprised at her actions but gave her a quick embrace before the czar interrupted.
"So it was you two who were following us around. Glad you made it, Hikaru. Cookie." The czar nodded at both of them and they bowed in respect.
"Sorry we didn't come to save you, Gabriel." The man, Hikaru, said. "We wanted to try out for the New Emperor Play-offs."
"Oh, well, that's alright. Wild Wister kind of helped out. Wow your name is Hikaru? Why didn't you tell us?" Gabriel kept switching the topic.
"I just never thought it was that important." He rubbed the back of his head, smiling jokingly.
"So, how far did you get in the play-offs?" Wild Wister asked as they followed the czar.
"Up to the last round and then these guys came in and finished us all off." He said, depressed. "Czar Baldy Bald the fourth ran off like a chicken." A grin soon appeared on his face.
"Chickens get fried on Fridays." Cookie said randomly. The Lost Block laughed together.
They found themselves on a winding stairway in the hair castle, heading up to the roof where they saw the half-conscious Bibibi, the almighty king of the Hair Kingdom. Czar Baldy Bald III laughed maniacally as he walked up to him, the others, save Gabriel stayed by the staircase.
"You? King Bibibi? Look at you, you're half-awake while your kingdom lays in ruin." The czar said.
"Don't touch our father!" A little girl cried out. Two little twin girls sat by their father's side. Gabriel knelt down and held out her arms.
"Come here little ones." She called to them with a sweet voice like a mother's.
The little girls looked at each other, deciding what to do. The czar walked up and grabbed Bibibi by his neck, holding him up above his own head. What strength! The girls tugged at the czar's coat, pleading to leave their father alone.
"Girls, please stay away. I don't want you to get hurt." Bibibi commanded them.
"But dad! We're not going to leave you!" One of the girls shouted.
"I said GO!!" He shouted loudly and they retreated, away from Gabriel and the battle. Gabriel stood back up and watched as the czar punched fiercely through Bibibi's torso and pulling out his hair ball.
"Finally! I can reveal my true form!" The czar fused the ball into him and his body started to emit a bright light that soon engulfed him.
Gabriel fell back in surprise as the transformation took place. The roof started to break up beneath the czar's feet and his body took a different shape.
"Now the czar will be stronger than ever." Hikaru said as the group watched the glorious light in awe. This was once in a lifetime to see Czar Baldy Bald III transform into his true being.
Gabriel began to wonder if she would still love the czar after his transformation. Of course she would! Looks can be deceiving and besides, he'd still be the same czar. No matter how imperfect he would look, she would still respect him as she always had. But she would miss the old czar. His thick red hair, deep blue eyes and calm face. Nothing would sway him. Maybe this transformation won't make him ugly but more handsome? He was already handsome enough in Gabriel's opinion. Her imperfect opinion.
She smiled as she felt a warm hand reach out and take her's. She was blinded by the light but could feel the mithril ring being removed. The czar must want her to go find Bobobo! Finally, her quest was going to be fulfilled and she could prove herself to the czar.
To be continued in Chapter 14!