I own nothing.
Well guys time for another chapter, today we will be focusing on-Hey what's that, Oh my.. SOMEONE HELP!…..
(The dark voice from Percival's dream) Greetings reader, this pathetic writer has been postponed the Laura and Percival chapter for far too long. So now, his heart has been consumed in darkness. Please read and review, or else I will plunge your hearts into the eternal pits of darkness as well.
1. Dive into heart: Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix Soundtrack
2. The Burdened: Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core Soundtrack
3. The Gloomy Mansion: Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core Soundtrack
Down the Rabbit Hole
Percival looked around taking in once again the surreal environment of his dream.The strange environment still baffled him.
"Well Pilgrim, are you ready to begin your journey?" The brown cloaked figure asked.
"Yes, if it means that these dreams will stop." Percival replied.
"Oh fear not, once you have completed your trial, these 'dreams' will stop." The Figure replied. The figure then turned to face the large stained glass window featuring the purple serpentine who looked exactly like Percival. Percival followed his gaze. After a moment, Percival asked.
"That snake, who is he?"
"He is, or rather was, someone very important to you." The figure replied. "A great king and leader of his people, you and he were so close that apparently you have fashioned you're appearance in this realm after him."
"Then, he was my king?" Percival asked.
"Yes, and you were his greatest servant." The figure answered. "And now he holds the key to your journey."
"What do you mean?" Percival asked.
"This is the door, you must open." The figure replied. Percival gave the image a curious look. He began to slither toward it. The clear bridge began to extend toward the image. Percival continued forward until he reached the image. Unsure of what to do, Percival decided to simply reach out a hand. As his hand extended, a shape began to form on the window. The shape was a door latch. Percival took the door latch in his hand and pushed. The window began to move backward. As it opened, a bright light emerged from the window.
"Finally." The figure muttered quietly.
When the blinding light had finally faded, Percival saw extended before him a long room with white walls and a long velvet red carpet. Percival glanced back at the cloaked figure.
"Go on. Don't be afraid." The figure bade him, walking forward. Percival slithered into the room. He looked at the walls and saw various small images, all stained glass. One featured a crown. Another showed a strange tomb-like structure, which was empty. A third featured a large green snake rising from the ground.
"What are these?" Percival asked.
"Fragments, forsaken pieces of a much greater being." The figure replied. Percival reached out and touched the window featuring the crown. Suddenly, the room began to shatter into small pieces. Percival watched in awe as the pieces of the walls flew out in various directions. Percival found himself standing on a large platform, with the Mysterious Stranger standing next to him. Percival looked out and saw endless legions of humanoid snakes like himself. They all possessed different colors, different physiologies; but all shared the same snake-like appearance.
"Prepare yourselves my friends!" Bellowed a voice. Percival turned to see the King from the stained glass window standing at the edge of the platform.
"The time has at last come for us to regain what was stolen from us." He declared to his subject. "Our accursed foes will pay for their crimes, in blood."
With that, cheers rose up from the legions of snake people.
"Revenge will be ours!" The King said triumphantly. Then, the King and his legions disappeared. The mysterious room reappeared.
"Was that my king?" Percival asked dazed by his experience.
"Indeed." the figure replied. Percival reached out to the image featuring the large green snake and touched it. The room once again dissipated. Replacing the white room was a large desert like environment. Surrounding the area, large buildings identical in color to the sand rose from the ground. An earsplitting roar ripped through the air. Percival looked up and saw the massive green snake from the stained glass image rearing its giant head. It opened its mouth and plunged toward Percival. Percival let out a cry of panic but before it could reach him the environment returned to the surreal room. Percival extended a hand to touch the cave but hesitated.
"Are you afraid to see what this one hides?" The Mysterious Stranger asked.
"Yes." Percival whispered in reply.
"Very well, we have spent to much time here anyway." Came the figure's response. He began walking forward. Percival followed. For almost an eternity to Percival, he and the mysterious figure walked through the room. On the sides of each wall were more and more similar stained glass windows. Finally, a large staircase came into view. Percival, looking up the staircase, saw a large marble door shaped in the image of a heart.
"There it is, the door." The figure said. Percival started to walk up the stair case. Approaching the door, Percival saw a small handle on the door. He looked back at the figure behind him.
"Open the door." The figure bade him.
"What.. what if, I don't like what I find behind the door." Percival asked.
"You do want your friend to be safe, do you not? This is the first step in securing an end to your trial." The figure replied. Percival took in a deep breath and then reached out and grabbed the handle. Turning the knob, Percival pulled the door open.
"At last, the door is open." The Figure whispered to himself. As the door opened, a sudden wave of blackness erupted from the door. Percival was soon completely immersed in the cascade of darkness. All Percival could see was black. Then, blazing out among the darkness, were a number of white letters, forty five to be exact. The letters swirled in a circle before forming six words.
Prejudiced. Yearning. Tyrant. Horrible. Odious. Revenge.
The Human Side
Percival's eyes flew open. He was surrounded in darkness. At first, he thought he was still trapped in his surreal dream.
"Laura." He called out nervously.
"Percival?" Came the groggy response. The latch door opened, casting blinding light on Percival. He looked up to see Laura standing over him. She looked exhausted. Her eyes were blood shot, she trembled slightly, and gave the impression that she might start yawning at any moment.
"Well, how did it go?" She asked giving him a sleepy smile.
"Yes, how did it go?" Came the voice of the mysterious figure. He's in my mind! Percival thought in alarm.
"Of course I'm in your mind, oh and by the way, your friend looks sleepy." The voice answered. Percival looked up to see that Laura had fallen asleep and was about to topple over. Percival quickly reached forward and grabbed her before she fell. Percival stood there for a few minutes not knowing what to do. Finally, he decided to move her to her room. Easier said then done. Percival had to practically drag his only friend up the stairs. When he finally reached the top of the stairs, Percival laid her down on her bed. She must have stayed awake through the whole night to make sure I didn't escape. Percival thought. Percival sat for moment just watching her.
"What are you doing?" The voice asked. Percival stood up and looked around.
"What are you, really?" Percival asked. "When we first meet, you push me off a bridge, now you're helping explore my dreams."
"They are not dreams, they are journeys." The voice replied.
"Journeys where?" Percival insisted turning to go down the stairs.
"All will be revealed in good time." The voice replied.
"Stop being so cryptic!" Percival said irritated. Then, he heard a snort. Remembering where he was, Percival spun around to see Laura awakening from her spontaneous slumber. She looked around in confusion.
"…Percival?" She muttered starting to rise.
"No, no, Laura stay in bed, you haven't slept in a very long time." Percival urged, gently pushing her back into a lying position.
"But there's work to be done." She protested.
"I..I'll do the work." He replied.
"You sure?" She asked.
"Laura, after everything you've done for me I'd be glad." Percival assured her. She nodded her head before allowing herself to fall back into sleeps graceful embrace.
"Such a sad creature. Perhaps that is why you find her amusing, how simply pitiful she is?" The voice whispered.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Percival shot back in a hushed voice.
"Look in the drawer." The voice suggested. Percival thought for a moment before opening the drawer. Inside the drawer, he found a Ninjago City police badge, a medal for bravery, and a picture of her with a man. He was tanned with deep brown eyes and equally brown hair. Percival turned the picture over and found a silver engagement ring taped to the back.
Laura woke up several hours later. She pulled herself out of bed and went down the stairs to find a massive stack of chopped wood. Walking into the kitchen, she found Percival busy pouring stew into a bowl.
"You're certainly the busy bee." Laura commented, taking Percival completely off guard.
"Oh..Laura you're awake. I wasn't sure if I should awaken you or..um." Percival said, before giving her an awkward shrug and handing her a bowl. Laura took it before sitting down and beginning to eat.
After a few minutes of silence, Percival asked.
"Laura, may I ask a personal question?"
"Shoot." She replied non-committally.
"Why did you move out here?" Percival questioned. Laura sat still for a moment before taking a deep breath.
"Well, Marc said that talking about it would help." Laura muttered.
"Laura, if you don't want to-" Percival began.
"No, no I..I want to, you're owed the truth, Percival." Laura replied.
"I used to be an officer in the Ninjago City police force." Laura began. "I was, well everyone thought I was, the best officer on the force. Drug rings, serial killers, crime lords, I'd catch them all. Life was good back then. Only problem was I worked alone, well 'cept when my brother needed me to look into a client. Then, the most cliché thing happened to me. Now don't be surprised if this seems like the plot of a bad romantic comedy movie."
"Well, I haven't really had the opportunity to see many movies." Percival said, this earned a chuckle from Laura.
"Anyway, I get stuck with this rookie detective as a partner." Laura continued. "His name was Daniel Radcliff. He was the arrogant, charmer type. At first, I thought he was a pain. Over time, he grew on me. Then, one day he takes a bullet in the leg for me. I ask how I can repay him, and he says a date. Things got pretty serious, pretty soon."
"What happened?" Percival asked, not certain if he wanted to hear the answer.
"Well, it all started when my brother's psychologist was arrested." Laura said.
"Why was your brother seeing a psychologist?" Percival interjected.
"Oh, he's a kleptomaniac," Laura replied. "though he should have been seeing someone about his ridiculous, nihilistic…"
"Um, Laura." Percival said drawing her attention back to the subject matter.
"Right, well, my brother's psychologist, Marcy, was arrested for suspicion of involvement with the Black Arm, a major crime ring." Laura continued. "My brother, Nathan, ends up her defense attorney, and he wants me to look into some things. So me and Daniel start looking into a few leads. Eventually, we find a payroll, for the Black Sun. But the Black Sun had a few precautions; the payroll was in code. Daniel and I spent days working to crack it. One night, I stay after Daniel leaves looking at code books. Finally, I cracked it. The payroll was written in Argonain."
Laura took a deep breath.
"The payroll revealed that, well, the Black Arm, had contacts and puppets throughout the government and the police force,…inclu….including Daniel."
Percival took in a surprised breath.
"When..I learned, I called Nathan. He, Marcy, and I all meet and decided to take the information to the mayor. Then, we were attacked by members of the gang, including Daniel. We got in a running gun fight. I managed to take out most of the gang, except Daniel. I..I couldn't bring myself to shoot the man I loved. I guess he didn't have the same moral caliber. He shoots my brother in the leg and shoots me twice in the chest. He walks up to me and is about to put a bullet in my head. Marcy musta grabbed a gun, cause, next thing I know Daniel's dead. After that, I wake up in the hospital, three days later. Nathan and Marcy delivered the payroll and put away most of the gang members. The commissioner gave me a fancy award but..I couldn't stay a part of the force after that. I left the city and moved here."
Percival saw tears rolling down Laura's cheeks.
"Laura, I'm sorry." Percival said, helplessly.
"Ya know, Marc was wrong." Laura muttered. "Didn't help."
Secrets and Suspicions
"Come on, Percival, just a little longer." Laura urged. She dragged a half asleep Percival down the stairs. The arrangement of Percival doing the work while Laura watched him every night had continued for a few days. However, today's work had been too much for Percival. Now, Laura had to get Percival into his sleeping room, before it was too late.
"Come on, stay awake, we're almost there." Laura urged.
"I..I can't" Percival muttered. Percival's eyes dropped shut, just as Laura opened the trap door.
"Darn it." Laura cursed under her breath. She grabbed Percival's arm and was about to drag him in when…
"Get you're filthy hands off me, runt." Percival growled. However, Percival sounded different. His usual midrange voice had transformed into a much deeper, resonant voice.
"Percival?" Laura asked. Percival looked up at her. His eyes were now entirely black except his pupil which glowed red.
"Apologies, Percival cannot speak with you now."Percival replied. With that, he lunged toward Laura. She managed to side step him and pushed him into the trap door. Laura slammed the door shut. Laura let out a breath. However, large cracks, accompanied by slamming noises, started appearing in the door. Thinking quickly, Laura pushed a barrel over and on top of the trap door. Laura took in a deep breath.
"What was that?" She asked no one. Then, a thought occurred to her. Laura had heard about similar behavior.
"She's keeping secrets from you." The mysterious figure said to Percival. Percival had just entered his dream again and found himself on the steps to the large door.
"What do you mean?" Percival countered.
"What else could I mean, there is something that she knows that you don't." The figure replied.
"Like what? Laura wouldn't keep something important from me." Percival replied angrily. "You don't have the right to accuse her of anything."
"Oh, I'm not accusing her of anything you wouldn't do in her situation." The figure replied innocently. "But if I were you, I would look a little deeper into your generous hostess."
"I've already torn up enough information from Laura at your expense." Percival countered.
"Fine, but if you want this to happen to her because you were to afraid to doing anything, do not blame me." The figure said.
"What are you talking about?" Percival demanded. The figure reached to a stained glass window and touched it. Suddenly, Percival found himself standing on top of a wooden cabin. Looking around, Percival saw hundreds of other cabins, all burning to the ground. Running in various directions, people around Percival were trying to escape the fires. Then, Percival looked up in the sky and saw the six words from when he opened the door.
Prejudiced. Yearning. Tyrant. Horrible. Odious. Revenge.
Nathan Sheppard cleared his throat.
"Marcy Elizabeth Juneday, love of my life and the only proof of the goodness of the world, will you marry me?" He asked.
"Bark." Nathan turned to see his dog, Angeal, looking at him.
"What? It sounded fine to me." Nathan complained. Nathan gave himself a quick look in the mirror and tugged on his decidedly loose tie. This is it, I'm finally gonna do it. Nathan thought to himself. At that moment, Nathan heard a knock at his door.
"Ah, there she is now." Nathan said as Angeal went flying toward the door, barking happily. Nathan limped to the door and opened it. In the doorway, Marcy stood wearing a simple pink dress, well except for the blue streams coming off the fringes of the dress.
"Hello, Nathan." She greeted giving him a thousand watt smile. Nathan gave her a simple smile in return. Angeal barked happily at Marcy.
"Oh, don't worry, I didn't forget about you." Marcy said leaning down and rubbing the dog's head.
"Well, shall we?" Nathan asked.
"Let's." Marcy replied. However, a ring came from Nathan's pocket.
"Darn, I thought I turned that thing off." Nathan said.
"Nathan, shouldn't you check it?" Marcy asked.
"Eh, it's probably nothing." He replied dismissively.
"Well, it could be a client." She suggested slyly.
"Alright." He said. He reached into his pocket and put it to his ear not bothering to check the caller id.
"Hello." Nathan said briskly.
"Nathan, It's me." Came a familiar voice.
"Laura, what are you calling me for at this hour?" Nathan asked, surprised as Laura almost never called him.
"Listen, I need to talk to Marcy." Laura said.
"Oh, she's right here actually." Nathan said before handing the phone to Marcy.
"Hi Laura, so nice to hear from you, again." Marcy greeted happily.
"Hi Marc, listen I need a favor." Laura requested.
"Sure, anything." Marcy replied amiably.
"What are the symptoms of spilt-personality." Laura asked.
Percival awoke in the trap door.
"Laura, it's me, I'm awake." Percival called out. After a moment, Laura opened the trap door.
"Man, I'm bushed." She said as she climbed the stairs.
"Well, sleep well." Percival said as Laura disappeared into her room. Percival turned to leave when something caught his eye. He looked to the left and saw the mysterious stranger.
"You..but how are-" Percival began surprised.
"I've been growing in my power, but come, there is something important you need to see." The figure replied. Percival hesitated for a moment before following the mysterious stranger. The figure stopped at a drawer.
"Open it." He said gesturing to the drawer. Percival opened it and saw a collection of newspaper clippings. Percival started reading them. To his horror, he saw various articles about serpentine creatures attacking humans.
"Why, why would Laura hide this from me?" Percival asked. "Why would she take me in if she know all of this?"
"It's a natural weakness to any creature: compassion." The figure said. Percival was about to shut the drawer when he heard foot steps. He quickly hid, but saw in his peripheral vision, Laura walking into the kitchen, with a phone. Percival heard her dial a number.
"Well, what did you dig up?" He heard Laura ask. After a few moments of silence, he heard her say something else.
"So what you're saying is that this could be a case of spilt personality?" Laura asked. Spilt personality. Percival thought.
"Yeah, well just because you've never seen some of these symptoms before doesn't mean it's not." Laura continued.
"Look, my tenant, I think he has a history of violence, maybe that has something to do with it." Laura suggested to whoever she was talking with. History of violence? Percival thought looking at the newspaper articles.
"Alright, when can you come over?" She asked. "Okay, a week, thanks."
Percival stood absolutely still until he was sure Laura had gone back to bed.
"How enlightening." The figure mused.
"Spilt-personality, violent past, what is going on?" Percival muttered to himself as he went through the newspapers.
"It's not obvious?" The figure scoffed. "You, Percival, no matter how good-natured and friendly you are, want desperately to kill Laura due to your past."
"But she's my friend, I'd never harm her." Percival objected.
"Maybe not consciously." The figure said.
"Well, it doesn't matter, Laura must have been calling her brother, and he knows a psychologist, maybe that will help." Percival objected. The figure snorted before walking toward the basement. Percival hesitated for a moment before following. Percival entered the basement to see the figure pointing at the trapdoor. Percival saw to his horror large cracks in the trap door.
"Tell me, honestly, how long do you think that this door can hold, a day, maybe two." The figure asked. "Either way, certainly not a week. By the time you're precious psychologist arrives Laura will be dead."
"No." Percival despaired putting his hands on the side of his head.
"And a psychologist won't help, you and I both know that." The figure continued. "But, you and I also know what will help, what has to be done."
Laura awoke much later than usual. Descending the stairs, Laura found the large pile of wood as normal But, she saw something else on the pile, a single piece of paper. Laura walked over and picked it up. It read:
Dear Laura,
I want to thank you so much for your compassion and kindness. But, do to recent events, I am afraid. Afraid of myself, afraid of what I might do. You are my only friend and I could not bear to lose you. Please don't follow me, I am going to figure this out myself. If I never see you again, I have one parting request: please remember me for who I was, not what I've become.
Sincerely,
Percival
"Oh, no." Laura muttered. She hastily ran into her kitchen and grabbed a coat. I have to find him. Laura thought, desperately.
Percival walked through the darkness of the night. He had a bed sheet wrapped around himself as a makeshift cloak. Percival reached out a hand to climb over a fallen tree. However, the tree began to roll. It dragged Percival with it. The snake started tumbling down a cliff. Finally, he stopped in front of a river.
Percival looked up and crawled over to the river. He began to drink from it, cupping his hands to drink. However, he stopped to look at his reflection. To his surprise, he noticed a large portion of white scales from around his right eye had fallen off. In their place, Percival saw purple scales, identical to the king from his past. Then, Percival noticed that his left eye was now black, his reptilian eye slit was red. Percival gawked at the image in horror.
"Who am I?" He wondered aloud.
"Who is determined by two things." Came the resonate voice of the mysterious stranger. Percival saw the figure appear in the water.
"Who is determined by two things: what you are and what you seek." The figure continued. Then, he disappeared and the six words appeared again in the water.
Prejudiced. Yearning. Tyrant. Horrible. Odious. Revenge.
Then, many of the letter faded into the water. The only letters left were the first letters of the words.
P. Y. T. H. O. R.
Six months later.
Pixal's hologram ascended the stairs of Pythor's prison cell. She saw the former snake king leaning over a bench. He was writing something on a piece of paper.
"Pythor." She said announcing her presence.
"Ah, Pixal." He greeted turning around.
"I've had discussions with the guards and we have come to an agreement on the terms of you're release." Pixal explained.
"Well, let's go to the kitchen to discuse these things, it's much nicer than this room." He suggested. Pixal nodded her head. Pythor began to follow her but turned his head to look at what he had written. It read:
Arrogant. Nihilist. Supreme. Eternal. Malice.
The red and black eye motif is taken from Tokyo Ghoul
Percival's Theme: Unravel: KY0UMI cover