Disgaea Jewel of the gods Chapter 35: Shinra Tower
Laharl flew down to Adell's house and opened the door. He saw everybody eating and sat down without saying a word.
"Done with blowing stuff up prince?" Etna asked.
"I'll get back to it later." Etna looked at Laharl's face and saw that he was serious. "Are you really that upset that Flonne knew you'd miss her?"
"I wouldn't miss her." Laharl lied. He then decided to change the subject. "Where the hell are we going to next anyway?"
"We're going to Shinra Tower." Adell answered. "An old man lives there with herbs and spices that have mystical effects. With any luck we could learn more about that jewel, and get our levels back."
"Didn't I attack that place, and stole all the herbs there a few months ago?" Laharl asked. "Wouldn't he hold a grudge against me?"
"You attacked that place?" Mao asked. "That could be our only lead!"
"I was hungry! So I raided the place for food, so what?"
"That's going to make things more difficult for us zam." Yukimaru said. "Hopefully he'll forgive you, or didn't get a clear look at you zam."
Mao was pissed "Why do you have to screw up everything!?"
"Bite me." Laharl began to eat.
Everybody was about to go to sleep, and head for Shinra tower in the morning. Adell saw Rozalin, who was staring glumly out the window. "You should get some rest. We might see Baal or Seedle tomorrow."
"I tried to kill you." Rozalin said. "I tried to kill Taro and Hanako. I tried to kill everybody." She was tearing up.
"It wasn't your fault!" Adell protested. "Zenon was the one who tried to kill us. You had nothing to do with it."
"I AM Zenon, remember?" She pointed out. "I wanted to kill you! I nearly did!" She began to cry.
"Rozalin, you weren't in control of yourself." Adell said. "None of us blame you."
"Why are you forgiving me!? I would have killed you if that man didn't knock me out! I can't live with myself after what I did!" Adell hugged Rozalin to calm her down. "I told you, I don't blame you. The fact that you feel bad about what you did shows that you never wanted to do it in the first place."
"Adell…" They stood in silence for several minutes. Laharl, Etna, Flonne, Taro, Hanako, Mao and Raspberyl were spying at the scene like little kids. "I'm in pain." Laharl said. "I am literally in physical pain because of these two idiots. I'm going to be sick."
"Be quiet Laharl." Flonne said. "This is getting interesting."
"I can't believe they still try to deny their feelings for each other even after all of this." Hanako said.
"My heart's rushing." Raspberyl said. "Love between a human and a demon! I'm witnessing the 'forbidden love' as we speak!"
Mao was huffing and drooling. "This 'love'. It looks like it can both weaken and strengthen your mind depending on the situation. This is incredible! I need to take notes on this!" Mao got a notepad, and began jotting down notes with a pencil.
Eventually Adell let go of Rozalin. "Don't blame yourself for what happened. You didn't mean it. Besides, you saved our lives against Baal's minions. Just try to get some sleep."
"I don't need your comfort. I'm fully aware of what I was, and wasn't in control of. My crying was only a brief moment where I couldn't control myself." Yup, Rozalin still denies that she cares for Adell. Eventually both Adell and Rozalin went to bed.
"Maybe next time they're going to go full out if we give them a little nudge." Etna said.
"You're so cool Etna!" Hanako said. "When I become a demon lord, I'm going to be just like you."
"Great idea! We guardians of love will try our hardest to make sure Adell and Rozalin admit their feelings for each other!" Flonne said.
"I have the T-shirts right here!" Taro tossed shirts with a heart on it that said 'Love Brigade.' Around it had himself, Hanako, Laharl, Mao, Raspberyl, Etna, and Flonne standing in a group, the latter ready to fire a cupid's arrow.
"What the… how did you make these so fast!?" Laharl asked.
"I started making them by the time Adell hugged the princess. I worked faster than I thought."
"I'll put up posters all around the universe to let people know about us!" Raspberyl claimed.
"I don't want any part in this!" Laharl yelled.
"I'll keep track on all data we collected, and progress that we made." Mao said.
"The prince and I will be the ones working the field, getting any clients of ours together and alone." Etna said.
"I told you I don't want to be in this stupid group!" Laharl shouted.
"Alright, after defeating Baal, the love brigade will be known!" Flonne exclaimed.
"…You know what, screw this I'm going to sleep." He burned the t-shirt Taro tossed to him, and left. Eventually everybody went to sleep.
Everybody woke up the next day. "Alright, we're off to Shinra tower." Adell said.
"Hold on. What about Baal?" Jennifer asked. "He might target another planet."
"Zetta's has it taken care of." Pram teleported to Holt.
"When did you get here!?" Almaz asked.
"I just want to make sure you don't wander around hopelessly around the universe." Pram said. "Zetta's tracking down Baal as we speak. And I can tell if he's made his move thanks to the sacred tome. So far Baal hasn't, but he isn't anywhere to be found."
"Why should we trust ANYTHING you have to say?" Gordon asked. "You're the reason so many lives were lost! You put the whole universe in jeopardy!"
"Hey, I don't want my netherworld to blow up either." Pram answered. "Besides, I led Zetta, Laharl, Adell, and Mao to the human world in the first place. If it wasn't for me, you would have all been dead by now."
"She does make a good point." Master BigSter said.
"Ohohoho! Young lady, you look like you have a lot of spare time." Tink said turning red. "Perhaps I could ask some questions about you inside? With the doors closed? And under the covers?"
Pram froze Tink, kicked him in the air, and hammered him into the ground. "That was just a warning. Annoy me next time, and you'll die." She turned to the group. "By the way, don't think I'm on any sides. You guys and Baal are pretty much toys for me. And you know what happens when a child gets bored of their toys?" She snapped her fingers, and an army of demons appeared. "They throw them away. Don't bore me, or you'll die like the millions of people who died on Earth."
"You don't even care about all the people who died because of you!" Gordon yelled. "As a defender of earth, and all that is right, I can't allow you to be unpunished for your actions!" Gordon was about to attack Pram, but Thursday and Jennifer held him back. "Gordon, we can't fight her. She has us outnumbered, and she's our only hope to knowing where Baal is."
"I don't see what the big deal is." Etna said. "Flonne and I beat her once, and with everybody here, we can do it again."
"And how would you know where to go?" Pram asked. "What would you do if Baal came, and you still weren't prepared? Would you think it was worth beating me if all of Earth was destroyed? Oops, did I forget to tell you that? Yeah, some of my vassals are at close range to the human world, and will destroy it at my orders."
"You unbelievable bastard." Kurtis said.
"Anyway, I'm just here to tell you how Baal hasn't made a move, and that you better not bore me. Also, better be on your toes 2 days from now. According to those EDF soldiers, one of you might die by then. Even I'm not sure who. Isn't this exciting? Well, have a nice day." Pram and all of her minions' teleported away.
"Who else wants to temporarily stop our current plans so we can kill her?" Sapphire asked. Laharl, Mao, Etna, Rozalin, Hanako, Gordon, Master BigSter, and Salvatore all raised their hands.
"Right now we can't do anything to her." Almaz said. "She has us outnumbered, and if we even try to fight her, she'll destroy Earth."
"She serves no threat to us right now zam." Yukimaru said. "We can only make a move against Baal and Seedle."
"Fine, but when I get my level back, she's dead." Mao said. The group went to the dimensional gate, and entered to the entrance of Shinra Tower, a place made my people who built it so that they could see god. They eventually gave up on it though.
"It's been a while since I've been here. Brings back memories, right red hair?" Laharl smirked, and Adell, Rozalin, and Etna got pissed. During the events of the second game, Laharl fought, and easily beat all the main characters of Disgaea 2, until Rozalin defeated him as Zenon.
"I've gotten stronger since then kid. And even so, we're on equal grounds right now. I could beat you right now."
"We never did finish our brawl in the human world." Mao pointed out. "We could finish it now."
"Guys, now isn't the time for a fight." Almaz said. "How about you settle this after the universe isn't in peril?"
"Yeah, gather information about each other, and use it against them when you finally fight. That's the sure way to win." Sapphire said.
"That isn't what I…"
"Brilliant!" Mao yelled. "I already know that the brats weak to woman with sexy bodies. I'll have to form my team with about 3 succubus's or nekomatas!"
"I learned how to counter those already. I just have to close my eyes, and fight by scent!" Laharl retorted.
"Don't you mean sound?" Kurtis asked.
"No. When we fought Maderas he covered his ears because…" Flonne began to say until Laharl covered her mouth. "Don't give them any more information on me!" Eventually they all went inside Shinra tower. They killed demons, and solved geo puzzles for every floor on the way. They eventually made it to near the top.
"We're almost at Old Man Geo." Adell said. "Hopefully he's here, or this would all be for nothing."
"Haaahahaha!" A voice laughed. "I'm sorry to have interrupted, but it was only necessary for me!" Vyers appeared. "Ahaha! Are you in awe of my appearance?"
"Who the hell is this moron?" Mao asked.
"I am an aristocrat with both strength and beauty! A wandering soul who watches over others. You may call moi, the Dark Adonis."
"I told you, your names Mid-Boss." Laharl said. Mid-Boss twitched.
"You know this guy?" Raspberyl asked.
"He was some idiot in my game who I had to beat up 5 times. He calls himself Vyers, but I gave him the name Mid-boss."
"That's the perfect name for a guy like him." Hanako said.
"I'm not a mid-boss! My skills and strength are far too superior for that name!"
"How about 'Breather Boss'?" Raspberyl suggested. "We could definitely use a break after facing all those demons."
"No! That's it, I'll have to show you my strength if I ever want to hear an end to these horrible nicknames!" Vyers flew up in the air, and charged down with sword in hand. "Die!"
Mao parried Mid-Boss's sword, with his own, allowing Adell to punch him in the face. Mid-Boss shot a blast of energy at them, but Raspberyl countered with her own magic, before using 'D-Rule 2: Volunteer' on him.
"Damnit. Time for me to show you my ultimate attack!" Mid Boss generated flames from his hand. "Flame Dance!" Some sparks rained around Laharl, Etna, Adell, and Mao before he set their bodies on fire. "THIS is your ultimate attack?" Etna asked.
"That wasn't really impressive." Sapphire said.
"It didn't even do that much damage." Adell said.
"That was just a… I was holding back on that! I mean, I figured, if I went all out it would be too much for you to handle!" Mid Boss was sweating in nervousness while he replied.
"Let's just get this over with." Rozalin said. She got out a multi turret gun, and repeatedly shot Mid-Boss. Tink then rolled up into a ball, and charged into Mid-Boss like the sonic spin dash. Thursday grabbed Mid Boss, hovered up into the air, and dunked him into the ground. Laharl finished it with an 'overlord's wrath.'
Mid Boss got up. "Argh! I think I sprained my ankle before we fought! That must be why I couldn't move as well!"
"…You're joking right?" Adell asked.
"Some fools will never admit defeat." Rozalin said.
"And most of us didn't even have to do anything." Jennifer added.
"Well, I must be going. Next time, my body will be in tip top condition when we fight! You won't be as lucky. Au revoir!" Mid Boss teleported away.
"You really had to fight that idiot 5 times?" Sapphire asked.
"Yup. Chapters 1, 4, 6, 10, and 14. With the exception of the last battle, he always makes some idiotic excuse for losing." Laharl answered.
"We're almost at the top. Let's go see Old man Geo." Adell said. Everybody left, except Mao, who was thinking. 'I could feel it. He wasn't even trying to win in that battle. Despite the way he acts, that Mid Boss guy is more powerful than everybody else thinks. The main question is, why?'
Eventually they reached the top, and saw a geomancer there. "Oh, it's you again." Old Man Geo said. "What brings you here?"
"We need to ask you a question. Do you have anything to make a remedy that brings people back to their original levels?" Adell asked.
"I used to, but since many of the ingredients were stolen months ago, I've been travelling around the world looking for more. I don't even have half the amount I used to, and I'm down about 5 of the specific herbs needed to make even one remedy for that."
"So coming here was a complete waste of time?" Etna asked.
"Not really." Mao grabbed Laharl, and walked to Old Man Geo, dragging Laharl there to. "Hey! What the hell are you doing?" Mao let go of Laharl. "Do you know anything about something called the 'jewel of the gods'?" Mao asked.
"So that's what they call them. Actually, I do. But 'jewel of the gods' is a bit of an overstatement. You can make it if you have the ingredients, and there are multiple of these scattered across the universe. What about it?"
Mao pointed at Laharl's stomach. "This idiot ATE the thing nearly 10 days ago. There are times he can activate it, but we don't know how to control it, and we don't know what the thing is made of."
"Heh. Never knew demons could be so reckless." He got a good look at Laharl. "Wait a minute, you're the one who attacked my tower, and stole the herbs aren't you?"
"This is bad! He remembers him." Taro said.
"Do we have to get the information out of him by force then?" Sapphire asked.
"Don't worry." Old Man Geo said. "I know I couldn't win a fight against you, even if I was young. I'll tell you about it, but I'll give it to you by notes."
"That doesn't seem too bad." Almaz said. Old man Geo got out multiple sheets of paper. "Here you go. The ingredients to the jewel you ate." He passed the notes to Laharl, who frowned. "The fuck is this?! 'Add a dash of water to a tablespoon of sugar?' Meat, 300 grams? Squab? This is a goddamn cookbook!"
"Is this some kind of puzzle?" Kurtis asked.
"Hehheh. I couldn't help myself. I need to see if you have the brains to crack the code after all. By the time you find out what the jewels are made of, report to me, and I'll teach the boy over there how to control the fear energy inside it."
Raspberyl took a look at the notes. "These notes have some relation to Alchemy. I can get on it as soon as we get back."
"I think I can help to." Jennifer said. "I am a super genius after all."
"Please, I bet your E.Q doesn't even come close to mine." Mao said.
"But wouldn't that mean 'evil quotient?' I'm pretty sure she's not evil." Almaz said.
"I'm a master at ingredients. I can definitely help solve the code." Hanako said.
"Thanks for everything Old Man Geo." Adell said. The group was about to walk back to Holt, until they heard a woman's voice. "Stay put. Give me those notes." A woman with short brown hair appeared, with several rifle demons, zombies, mystic beasts, and orcs appeared. Laharl and Etna paled.
"Another distraction? We can't afford any more of these." Rozalin said.
"What's your motive?" Gordon asked.
"I work for under lord Seedle. Under his orders I'm to bring Rozalin and Laharl to him. I also have a feeling that the notes would be useful to him as well."
"Seedle huh? Tell your master a message from me." Kurtis said. "I'm going to kill you, wipe out your whole army, and tear down whatever castle you're hiding in brick by brick! And you know why? You didn't remember my wife and daughter!"
"It won't be necessary if you plan to fight me. Then I'll have to kill you. If you simply hand over what I asked for though, I'll be sure to let him know."
"Like hell that's going to happen!" Adell yelled. "We aren't letting Baal or Seedle get anything from us."
"Fine. If you oppose me, only death will allow you to learn." She fired a shot of mana energy at the group, who jumped out of the way. "Alright then, get ready to die!" Mao yelled. "Vaesa Aer-!"
"Wait!" Etna yelled. "Don't do anything to her yet."
"What's wrong Etna?" Flonne asked.
"You don't want us to fight her, even though she's clearly an enemy of ours?" Gordon asked.
Etna turned to the woman. "Do you remember me and the prince?" The woman nodded. "So why are you doing this?"
"I'm only acting under my orders. I have no saying in them."
"You were always saying how demons can care for their families too. You would never shut up about trying to teach love to me and the prince."
"I told you before. My own thoughts have no effect on my orders." The woman said. By this time it became obvious to everybody who the woman was, but Laharl said it out loud.
"Mom?"
Next episode intro done by Etna
"After a failed attack on Shibuya, Laharl finds himself killed by Yoshiya Kiryu! But you can call him Joshua."
Laharl: Who the hell is Joshua? And how would he kill me!?
"During his attack, his vassals killed several residents of Shibuya, including a 15 year old boy by the name of Neku Sakuraba."
Adell: Are you talking about the video game 'The wor-'?
"Both have to participate in the reaper games if they ever have to a chance to get a second shot at life, or face erasure from existence!"
Sapphire: This actually sounds kind of interesting.
Raspberyl: Teaming up with somebody he caused to die in the first place. Can you imagine the tension that would cause?
"The game master Mao, working under Conductor Zetta, and the unknown composer of Shibuya gives them out tasks for 6 days, before he has to be beaten on the 7th day, if they want to beat the game. (whispers* the composers Joshua)"
Mao: Why am I roped into this?
"With the aid of Mr. Hanekoma, a mysterious man knowing a lot about the game, and Marona, a young girl who can see players similar to how she can see phantoms, the duo must put aside their differences, and form a pact against the reapers and the noise to survive!"
Laharl: I wouldn't need his help! I'd beat the game all on my own.
Hanako: Not under the rules of the reaper game.
"Despite the events, Neku trusts Laharl, though his hatred for him burns. And Laharl has zero trust in Neku, and would kill him if he didn't need him. But they clearly show that they're the best team around."
Laharl: Again, why would I need him?
"New series, the Demon games, episode 1! 'Waken up, shaken up, plastered on the asphalt.' Don't miss it!"
Flonne: This sounds so exciting!
Taro: When do you think this'll come out?"
Laharl: I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually interested in this thing.
"Ha! I knew you couldn't block off against my marketing genius forever!"
This was a tiring chapter for me to write. And the chapter seems a bit rushed. Even so, more mysteries are being found, and Seedle has made his next move. What's going to happen? Find out… I don't know, maybe April I've got no clue. Also, in case there's any confusion, Laharl's mom was never given a name in the games, though she has been given one in the light novels of Disgaea. So I'll be using her name from there, but the backstory from the games. Anyway I hope you enjoyed the chapter.