Fen: Heya! It's CoM time! And you're telling them what this chapter is, since it's your idea.
TWF: Uh… what's my idea again? I think I got too many bumps on my head, courtesy of that blundering plumber… T_T
Fen: Hehhhhh… you know, the one with Serena and Kuro going head-to-head in CQC to determine whether or not she's ready to have an adventure of her own…? -_-
TWF: Really? Is that what we're going to do today? o.o
Fen: …I give up.
TWF: *beeps on GO* Oh, look, I caught a Raticate! :D
Fen: STARTING CHAPTER NOW!
Kiva Gaiden 12: My Path, My Way
"I said no Serena!"
"Why not?!"
"Because you're not ready!"
"You can't be serious, Daddy! I've trained my butt for this day!"
"And I still say you're not ready! You're a princess of Plegia, remember that!"
"But I'm also a Kiva at heart! That also came first!"
"Oh dear… what is all the ruckus?" Cordelia sighed.
"Mom, Dad's not letting me go on an adventure!" Serena tattle-tailed.
"Anata, what is it this time?" Cordelia sighed a bit. "Why can't you let our baby girl go on of her own? She's already reached her adolescence and not in her teens."
"I still say she's not ready!"
"UGH! DADDY, YOU EGGHEAD!" Serena snapped before she stampeded out of the room, leaving me and Cordelia on our own.
"Kurogasa, you're arguing with her constantly over the last few days…" Cordelia sighed. "Ever since Yukihana followed her husband back to his village and Shiro is leading the troops with his wife, Serena seems to be quite stressed. And you two would always bicker like how you and Severa did in the past."
I sat down on my throne with a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry… it's just… ever since I left Morgan on her own on her birthday before she was poisoned… things weren't the same… we almost lost her… and sometimes I blamed myself for letting that happen…"
"Yes, I remember, but that doesn't mean you have to put the restraint on Serena. She can take care of herself." Cordelia informed.
"I know that and yet…"
"Okay, enough out of you." Cordelia said before she sat on my lap. "I get it. You don't want the same thing to happen to Serena, Morgana or any of our children and grandchildren."
"I wouldn't forgive myself if something like that happened again…"
"But do remember what we told them when the current ones are just young children." Cordelia sighed. "We told them that we let them decide what they want to do with their lives if they wished to be independent once they grew up. Even if they do not want to become Kiva themselves, we'll always assure them that we'll be supporting their goals for whatever they wanted to pursue."
"I guess you're right…" I said.
"Morgana is currently learning more tactics from Saigo and swordsmanship from Ursor while she learns magic from Emmeryn." Cordelia recalled. "Kyoshiro is training with Gaius to become a great spy and his lesson is being reinforced with Shiro's espionage missions. With this, he would also use this chance to learn about the hearts of people before he ascends the throne someday. And Yukina is learning more ice magic from Yukihana whenever we, Severa and Mother visits them. We can't forget that Louise is currently learning to become a proper lady from Maribelle, as she's currently staying at Ylisse while she continues on with her studies with Miriel. And of course, while Valka is learning tactics from Morgan, Masao is learning swordsmanship and… still flirts with Chon'sin girls whenever he has time…"
"That's not surprising, considering how his great-great-grandfather was…" I deadpanned. Damn you Otoya…
"All I'm saying is you should give Serena a chance to prove herself." she explained further. "Yes, she is the true first heir to the throne and the Princess of Plegia, but she is still the bearer of Kiva when you passed it down to her someday. Plus, first and foremost, she is still a girl with a dream of her own. We cannot stop her for letting her achieve her dreams and blessed her with whatever goal she decided to achieve. Do you get what I'm saying, my love?"
I sighed heavily again. "Yeah, I get it… but she's still my baby girl."
"Oh, so that's what this is all about?" Cordelia teased.
"Mmmmmmmmmmmmm…" I pouted.
"You're starting your old antics again, anata. We're already in our 50s, and you still act like an overprotective father to Serena, just as how you did the same when it comes to Yukihana's marriage proposals."
"Hidoi yo…"
"Oh, c'mere you old sensitive bat." Cordelia said before pulling me in for a hug.
"What do you mean you can't go?" Azure asked, gasped.
"We've been planning for this for nearly a year, cousin dearest!" Owen exclaimed dramatically.
"Ugh, seriously, Daddy! What's up with him being an overbearing bat?" Severa growled in annoyance, shaking her head heavily.
"Exactly! See? You know how I feel!" Serena added.
"Of course I know! I've seen through his antics through and through and he's still the same bat as he always was!"
"Come now, Severa dearest! Let us not put the blame yet on him!" Owain defended.
"And you're taking Daddy's side because why?" Severa deadpanned.
"After what happened to Morgan years ago, I do believe it might have affected him heavily." Matilda assured them. "I, too, was in fear of seeing your younger sister's life in danger and if it weren't for your determination to find the Escaflowne, I don't think Morgan would be with us today and she wouldn't get all of her memories back."
"Ugh… look, I get that, but that doesn't mean he has to be such a… such a…"
"An egghead?" Severa summed up.
"Exactly!"
"Still, what are we going to do? All that gold we paid for the boat is not refundable." Azure pointed out.
"And your dad allowed us to stay until the time for departure." Owen added. "Our parents would come around this afternoon so they can see us depart as well."
Serena grumbled a bit, still thinking about her next course of action. As she gets up from her seat, she said, "I'm going."
"Huh?" the group said in unison.
"I'm going to make Daddy accept my way!"
"And how exactly are you going to do that?" Azure asked.
"By beating him on what he's best for." Serena said, smiled confidently.
"Oh boy. I know that smile anywhere." Owen noticed.
"And there's no changing her mind about it." Azure noted.
"And sorry for this Grandma, but I'm gonna beat Daddy up so much, he'll be bedridden for weeks!"
"Oh dear me…" Matilda giggled a bit. "Stay true to your heart, my child. You have your grandmother's blessing, but please do not put my son to be bedridden for weeks. We still need him to rule the kingdom, after all."
"I can't make any promises."
"Gee, what's with this letter anyways?" I grumbled, as I walked along the hallway.
"S-Sounds mysterious…" Olivia muttered, sticking close to Virion.
"Yes, quite indeed." Virion nodded. "An unknown assailant challenges the King of Kings. Do you know who might wrote that challenge, my friend?"
"Not a clue." I shook my head. "It says he'll meet me at the courtyard so I'll know by then."
"Wow, you really are a trouble magnet, Kurogasa." Lissa commented. "Even at your age, people are still after you."
"No kidding…" I sighed. "It just makes my life as King that much harder…"
"Look on the upside, Bubbles. At least the only war you have are papers." Gaius commented.
We soon arrived at the courtyard and we saw… Serena? Wait, did she send the letter?!
"You're late, Daddy!" Serena said. "I told you to come here sharp!"
"Serena, what's all this about?" I frowned.
"It's about our adventure, Uncle Kurogasa." Azure said, as he was at the seat, along with Owen, Kaa-san, Severa, Owain and a couple of few empty chairs.
"One that you detested her to not to go." Owen added.
"I'm gonna beat you up so bad, you'll be bedridden for weeks!" Serena said, as she gets into her fighting stance. "C'mon, Daddy! I ain't gonna wait here all day!"
…
…
…
…
"So that's how it is, huh?" I muttered darkly.
"Uh-oh…" Olivia shivered.
"That young lady truly wishes a death wish." Virion muttered as I stepped up to the plate and took off my cape, unbuttoned a few buttons on my shirt and already gets into my stance.
"I'm gonna need some caramel popcorn for this one." Gaius said, taking out a stash of his goodies to enjoy the battle.
"Oh, looks like I'm in time." Cordelia said, joining the crowd.
"Oh, Cordy! Just in time! Those two are gonna butt heads with each other!" Lissa perked up.
"No Kivat or Kibat, no swords. Just plain ol' fists and kicks!" Serena added. "I hope you're ready for a beatdown, Daddy, because I've been trained by the best!"
"Say that after you beat me. That is… if you can." I said before I suddenly charged in at her.
"Hah! I can see that from a mile away!" Serena exclaimed, quickly doing a few back flips while extending her feet, to kick me if I'm within her range. And as soon as she got back on her feet, my volleys of fists met with her quick defense.
"Whoa, look at him go!" Lissa gawked. "It's only within the first few seconds and he's already full on the offensive!"
"Not bad, Bubbles." Gaius smirked. "For an old bat, you can still keep fighting like your old days."
"EI! HAH! SORYAH!" I yelled as I did punch for punch, kick for kick, keeping Severa on the defense. "What's wrong, Serena?! Is that all you can do?! I thought you're gonna beat me black and blue"
"Daddy, you'd just put yourself to a disadvantage!" she kept her confident smile, as I continue to push her against the walls.
"Serena, you'd be leaning against the wall soon!" Azure added.
"That's what I'm intending to do!" Serena got out, leaving me confused a bit.
"I don't know what you're up to, but I'm not falling for your tricks!" I said as I backed up a bit.
"Now's my turn!" she added, as she… ran towards the wall? And as she ran up high, she propelled her kick against it, sending her flying towards me?! "Kivatte Ikuze!"
She kept flying towards me… until I smirked. I pivoted my body to dodge out of the way.
"Hah! I knew you'd dodged it!" she smirked again, as her arms are holding my neck?! "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" She shouted with all of her might, making a strong judo front flip as she fell down, now making me tumble along with her. As I landed on my back, she propelled to push herself back up, landing back on her feet.
"Anata!" Cordelia gasped, feared for my safety.
"He'll be fine." Kaa-san assured.
"C'mon, Daddy!" Severa cheered. "Get up and fight!"
"Is that what the King of Kings do?" Serena mocked, as I slowly pushed myself up. "Lay down and do nothing? Where's the Daddy I know who kept on fighting to the end?! The one that I admired!"
"He's still here…" I said. "And I still got a few tricks up my sleeve."
"Come on, then!" she challenged, getting back to her stance. "And I'll be sure to put you where you should be doing: paperwork!"
"Not today!" I shouted as I charged towards her and pulled my arm back for a punch.
"Hah, that's going to be a fake one, isn't it?" she said, charging at me as well.
*POW!*
"Offt!" Serena got winded out, as the front fist that wasn't reared up ended up landing on her stomach, really caught her off-guard.
"You were saying?" I smirked. "ORYAH!"
*POW! BAM! SMACK! WHAM!*
"Gaaah!" Serena exclaimed, rolling on the grassy yard before she quickly rolled herself back up, standing on one knee while she catches her breath. "You're not pulling any more punches, huh, Daddy?"
"No, because you asked for it." I smiled.
"Fine, I'll use this move as a finisher, then!" Serena snapped before charging at me, with her right fist reared up for a punch. But then, something unexpected happened, as I… hugged her. "H-Huh? Daddy?"
"That's enough." I whispered fatherly to her. "I've seen your determination, honey."
"W-What?" she blinked, backing off quickly while she gets into her stance, while I'm not. "Is this a trick, Daddy?"
"No. You win." I smiled a bit.
"Wait… I don't get it. How come you can just submit defeat without going all out?" Serena blinked in confusion.
"Sometimes, you don't have to." I said. "And I get it now. You're a strong girl- no. You're a strong woman. You can take care of yourself, no problem."
"So… you're saying that…? Serena trailed off, as her face slowly changed to a happy smile.
"Yeah… you can go."
And just like that, she hugged me dearly, exclaiming, "OHHHHHHH, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" and just like that, after she broke the hug, she quickly ran inside the castle, probably heading towards her room.
"Father?" Morgana blinked, as she, Shiro, Kyoshiro and Amelia just arrived. "What's going on?"
"Oh nothing." I replied.
"Why's Serena so happy?" Kyoshiro asked. "It's been awhile since I've seen Nee-san that happy."
"She's going on a trip with Azure and Owen."
"Oh, cool!" Morgana beamed happily. "Does that mean I'll be able to go too, once I'm ready, Father?!"
"Settle down, Morgana." I told the young Kiva fatherly. "Finish your studies first, then we'll talk about your own adventure."
"Yes!" Morgana cheered. "I will, Father!" and just like that, my second current daughter also left towards the castle, probably being eager to learn again.
"Seems like everyone within the Kiva family isn't like any normal days, isn't it, beloved?" Amelia asked.
"Yeah, typical." Shiro added.
As Azure's and Owen's family headed towards Serena's room to help her pack, Owain, Severa and Cordelia approached me, as Severa took first blood. "The only reason you stopped is because you're out of stamina already, isn't it, Daddy?"
"Nope."
"You know you can't lie to me, Daddy." Severa deadpanned. "Look, your legs are shaking already."
"What are you talking about? I feel fine." I said with a smile. Just then…
*POP!*
"See? N-Nothing to worry about," I said trying to hold in pain.
"For an old bat, you still got some energy, Father-in-law!" Owain laughed dramatically, patting my back a few times… hard. I can already see Cordelia trying her best to suppress her giggle, seeing me keeping up with my act.
"C'mon, let's check up on my younger self." Severa gestured her husband before the two left.
"Anata." Cordelia giggled. "You can drop the act now."
Eventually…
"ITEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
I rolled around the ground in pain. "Itai, itai, ita~i!"
She kneeled in front of me, still trying to keep her giggle down. "That's what you get for acting way beyond your age, anata. You can still fight, but your old bones and muscles doesn't seem to cooperate with you." she giggled a bit more. "Oh, what am I going to do with you? My lovable bat."
Fen: Yeesh…
TWF: Well… he reaped what he sowed. He keeps that act up and it's gonna bite him in the butt anyways. o.o
*DING!*
TWF: Oh! A high CP Pinsir! I'll call you Snappy! Because you love to snap! :D
Fen: We'll see you next chapter… -_-