Chapter 36: The Tournament's End and a Tsundere's Feelings
Here we are, the next chapter! Well Army, if that's how you feel, I hate to lose a reader. But there's not a whole hell of a lot I can do other than change my story's entire anatomy. Believe me, that's what would happen if I stopped, or even just cut down on references. I'm glad you enjoyed some of it however, and I hope maybe you'll stay for the eventual Konami. Though you can't expect people to not assume you meant I wrote a bad story based on the fact that most of the things you said were negative. *Shrug* Thank you very much for you compliments and your time, though I disagree that the relationship will never develop. I'm not gonna take up as much time on one review as I did last time, it was over a thousand words as a response last time :P HolyRiot, I laughed when I saw your review. I don't know if the line at the end was intentional, seeing as how this story isn't going to end anywhere in the REMOTELY near future. Ulti, I'm so glad you said what you did how you did. About other author referencing and the speed of Konami. You see, I was feeling the exact same way about referencing other authors, however I was unsure how to articulate it. You put it into words exactly though, thank you. And about the action, I can write it much better, but I have to cut something short so that the chapters don't get way the hell too long! I even had to cut the fights in this chapter as well :P As for the amount of parodies I write, I must once again agree. I'll even admit that when I'm reading it through these days, there are a few songs I wrote that I skip. However, I didn't pay as much attention to getting those perfect as I did some of the other ones. The ones I feel stand out from the rest have a LOT of work put into them. Hell, I have to listen to the actual song at least fifty times so that I can memorize the meter, the rhyme scheme, and then begin to apply it to the characters. And fifty times is when I pick it up exceptionally quick :P VampZard (By the way, is your name a shout out to Adventure Quest?) I am in no way a weekly updater, I wish I could claim such a solid schedule lol. Sometimes I'll take a month to type one chapter, and others I'll release two at once. Hell, the festival and the preparations before were more than 20,500 words and they took me ten days, not to mention I also wrote my OVA in that same span of time! So it all depends on if I get in a good writing mood, I hit a block with this particular chapter for several days before I used an old trick I learned to get around them! RU771AN... Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but did you change your name? And if so, how? I could have sworn your name was sebzz... In any case, thank you very much, glad to hear Chuck is liking it lol Ah Sqweebs, your question intrigued me. You questioned Konata's response, called it odd because she seemed like she wanted to forgive Kagami, but doesn't. Here's a scenario for you, one of your closest friends accidentally breaks your computer. You're gonna be mad, correct? That same friend, by the next day, has apologized and promised to give you money for a new computer. This friend is trustworthy, you know they're good for their word, but you're still going to be irked. You'd probably want to forgive them because you know they want to fix the problem and that they're sorry, but perhaps not quite yet since the damage has not yet been repaired. Perhaps that wasn't the best way to explain it, but it makes sense to me! Meh, who knows what works for me and what doesn't work for everyone else, I have some pretty hard dyslexia that makes my mind work in weird ways sometimes... Mavrick, you should forge yourself a sword exactly like Tony's. Hell, if I had the time and, for lack of a better word, ingredients, I'd make one myself! By the way, Konata is, in fact, not using the switchblade-wannabe butterfly knives, she's using the Wing Chun Butterfly Knives. While I'm sure a good portion of you got that, if not all, I just wanted to make sure. Any who, this has dragged out entirely too long again. One last thing before I let you read this chapter. As I've said before, I had to cut the last chapter's fights horribly to make sure it wasn't long. If you all don't mind, I think I'll nix that little limitation for this chapter, and not worry about length. So here it is, an almost completely unrestrained chapter! Enjoy!
POV Tony
"It looks like we're up." Tony said. Dart turned to him.
"Good luck." He clapped Tony on the arm. Tony smiled and returned the gesture.
"Good luck buddy." He said as the two walked out.
Tony Vs. Dart
Tony and Dart walked out into the arena.
"You ready?" Tony asked, pulling his obsidian sword from it's sheath. Dart drew his own blade.
"When you are!" He shouted. He ran up and slashed. Tony guarded with his own blade, causing Dart's blade to go off near the ground. Tony was about to counter, but he found the sword coming back up lightning fast. He guarded once more and again the blade pursued him. It was obvious that Dart had had long hours with this blade and done a great deal of fighting with it from the ease he wielded his weapon. It was six times in total before the blade finally ceased it's assault. "Madness Hero!" Dart shouted as he leaped back. Tony ran up and slashed to have Dart guard as Tony had before. His assault blocked, he ducked under the blade and arm, appearing behind his opponent.
"Behind you Dart!" Tony heard a girl shout from the audience. He looked up for an instant as he brought the sword around the same path, cutting Dart's arm in the process. He saw a young girl, probably early twenties, who looked very concerned. Tony felt an impact as Dart used the momentary lapse in attention to thrust his sword under his arm and hit Tony in the stomach. Tony probably would have been impaled if it hadn't been for the metal plates weighing his clothes down. He kicked Dart in the back, sending him across the arena. Though the boy was clearly injured by Tony's blade, it didn't seem to affect his swordsmanship at all. He ran up and struck twice, Tony parrying them both. Tony tried to find a place to counterattack through two more strike, but still found nothing. Dart stabbed, Tony parried. Dart stabbed again, and Tony let the blade slide down his with the intention to let Dart in close. One advantage he had was that his sword only needed one hand to use. Tony drew back his left hand to punch Dart, but the man kicked Tony back.
"Moon Strike!" He shouted.
Did he name all of his attacks? Tony wondered. He ran up and swung his blade vertically. Dart put his own up at a slant, causing his opponent's blade to veer off. He swung at Tony vertically, but Tony used his momentum to turn and strike the sword away. The two started trading off blows, though neither hit the other when Dart jumped and kicked Tony in the face, back flipping. Damn! That not only hurt, but how strong is this guy? He just back flipped off me in a full set of armor! Tony thought. He came back only to see Dart halfway through a front flip and bringing his sword down. Tony crouched and held his sword up as Dart's strike rang out.
"Blazing Dynamo!" Dart shouted. Tony noticed a few seconds of hesitation as a vibration ran through his opponent.
Time for MY named attack! He thought. He moved their swords away with his own and struck Dart in the face, sending him back across the arena on his back. "Fist of the Fighting Sage." He smiled. Dart got up and had his sword on the ground behind him as one would to drag something. Hurt him with that one. Tony smirked. Dart breathed deeply. He reached into his pack and tossed something into the air. Glitter seemed to descend around him as he picked up his sword and resumed his previous stance. Did he just heal himself? Tony wondered. Well that's not very fair… Dart ran up and jabbed at Tony once again. Tony allowed the sword to collide with his and let the blade slide down his. He swung the pummel of his sword and hit Dart in the chest, sending him onto his back. Tony swung down slantedly to hit the warrior across the shoulder, but Dart put his sword into the ground above his shoulder, halting Tony's own blade. Dart used his free hand to push himself off the ground and used his grip on his sword to flip over it. On the way, he tried to kick Tony, but missed when Tony dodged back. Dart jumped back, but Tony dashed forward and swung horizontally across Dart's stomach. Dart arced his stomach inward to try and dodge, but Tony's blade still cut through his armor. It didn't, however, actually hit Dart himself. Tony raised his sword up and swung down at a slant again. Dart raised his sword to guard, but Tony didn't relent. Grabbing the hilt of his weapon with both hands, Tony swung again against Dart's sword. Again and again, Tony hit Dart's sword, forcing him down to a knee. Dart let one of his legs swing out from under him and kick Tony's leg. Tony was sent to a knee himself, bringing him onto equal level with Dart. Both pushed on their respective blades, attempting to overtake the other. Tony shot one of his elbows forward, hitting Dart in the chest. It hurt Tony's elbow a bit, but he was use to such things. Dart got the breath knocked out of him, forcing him to lose a considerable amount of strength for a second. Tony used the lapse in concentration to knock Dart's sword aside and swing again. Dart bent backwards, surprisingly dexterous for someone in medium armor, and got away with Tony cutting another piece of the armor that covered his stomach. Tony got to his feet and jumped back just in time for him to dodge a kick. Dart got back up and started running for his blade. Oh no you don't! Tony shouted in his head. He threw his sword like a spear, fully knowing it wasn't going to hit or cause damage. Dart turned in time to see it and moved to the side. What he didn't see coming was Tony sprinting forward. He threw a powerful punch directly into the area he had been cutting away, denting the metal in. Dart bent over just low enough for Tony to bring his knee up and hit him in the face. Dart hit the ground on his back, again kicking at Tony with enough strength that Tony had to disengage. He jumped over to his sword and picked it up to see Dart straightening out and rubbing his nose, having gotten to his sword.
"You're strong, didn't think I'd have to use this." He held a fist out as one would to flex as a light surrounded it.
Damn it, I knew SOMETHING mystic was gonna happen here! Tony cursed in his head. I can never just have a normal tournament, can I? I've done my best to not use my powers, why can't they! He sighed as Dart raised his fist to the air. The light enveloped his entire body for an instant.
"Dart!" Tony heard the girl again and looked up at her. The entire audience was whispering and gasping. Light separated into six short paths behind Dart. The light faded to reveal entirely new and bulky armor and a bit of light behind him almost in the shape of wings. It looked somewhat more... Divine... His sword had transformed dramatically and one arm looked like the barrel of a gun.
"What's that?" Konata muttered. Haschel chuckled.
"It's complicated." He said.
"Can you do that?" Konata asked.
"You could say that." Haschel chuckled again.
"I'm gonna have to fight that, aren't I?" Konata asked.
"Nah. I'd prefer not use it, our little gang actually agreed not to use it during the tournament. We were afraid it would cause an uproar." Haschel said. "We're lucky it didn't."
He's gotten huge. That means he'll only be stronger. That means he won't be as fas- Dart drew back his new sword and dashed at Tony much quicker than before. OH GOD HE'S STILL AS FAST! Tony brought up his sword to defend and almost found himself being cut as it was pushed back. Another push sent it out of his grasp as Dart flew into the air. He came back down, forcing Tony to duck onto his rear to dodge as he flew back into the air. He came back and struck again as Tony rolled to the side. One last time, Dart struck out and impaled the ground as energy seemed to radiate and almost explode around the warrior. Luckily, Tony had once again rolled away. He rolled off his shoulder and popped up onto his feet. He began thinking of how to beat this transformed man.
A frontal attack seems like suicide, his strength has increased ten fold... Tony thought. Meanwhile, Dart stomped on the ground as a blue light surrounded him. The light turned red as he jumped into the air. Okay, I get it, you can fly. Tony couldn't help but think. Suddenly, Dart thrust his shoulder forward as a sort of compartment opened in his armor to reveal holes. Whoa! Didn't see that coming... Tony thought in surprise.
"BWAAAAH!" He shouted as pure energy gathered around his shoulder. "Divine Dragon Ball!" He shouted as the holes started shooting small energy blasts at Tony. He took a step back and jumped as one of the balls exploded where he had been.
"You're gonna make me use my Sage Mode up in here! Up in here!" Tony shouted as he ran to dodge the blasts. "You're gonna make me engage Sage Mode up in here! Up in here!" Tony shouted as the blasts stopped. I should be able to use Sage Mode if he can use... Whatever that is...Tony thought to himself. He stopped himself and looked to see Dart was on the ground again. However, light was gathering above them in the sky... "Great, what cosmic blast is he sending my way THIS time?" Tony wondered aloud. Dart held his arm to the sky as the light shot down and practically exploded on him. He impaled the ground next to him with his sword to keep it from falling and moved that hand onto the arm that looked like the gun barrel. He pointed it at Tony. Why am I just standing here like an idiot? Tony wondered as he saw light similar to earlier gather around the opening. Wait, why are there no people behind me? Tony wondered, looked behind him. He sighed and started running towards Dart.
"Kan-kan!" Konata shouted.
"Divine Dragon Canon." Dart shouted. "BWAAAAH!" He shouted once more as a beam of pure energy shot towards Tony. Tony stopped and crossed his arms, forming a sort of cone of energy in front of him. The blast hit the cone, exhausting half of Tony's energy, and shot off into the sky and into the stands behind him.
"It's a good thing the area behind me was apparently empty, or that might have been kind of dangerous..." Tony commented. His energy supply was at about half now. He breathed deeply. Seeing Dart pull his sword from the ground, Tony flashstepped over to his own and picked it up. How to win? How to win... Tony thought, looked at everything. Dart dashed forward and struck again. Tony, instead of blocking however, apparated behind the warrior. From back here, he swung his sword across Dart's back. The blade ricocheted without causing a scratch. Damn! This thing is useless in this fight! Tony cursed in his head as he tried to come up with a counter strategy. His first thought was Howling Voice, but that would probably hurt the audience too, not to mention wreck Miki's camera. His next thought was Hachiman, but he dismissed the idea. He wanted to win the tournament on his own strength. He wasn't leaving many options for himself... He ducked to avoid another swing that led to Tony dodging a combo exactly like earlier. Damn! This guy isn't giving me much time to think! Tony thought. He let his hands touch the ground and pushed off of them to kick Dart in the stomach with both feet. Dart was thrown back, giving Tony another few moments to think. From his position, he could see the sky turning light again. Crap! He thought as another beam of energy was sent his way. Covering his hand with a thick layer of energy, he smack the beam off into the air. 25%. He thought, his energy dipping even lower. He looked up with a coat of sweat on his brow. Suddenly, the light that had enveloped Dart returned and obscured him from view. It faded with a snap to reveal him in his red armor again, sword on the ground.
"I give..." He panted. Tony raised his eyebrows in surprise as he let himself ease.
"Man, you almost had me!" Tony shouted.
"Out of energy." Dart simply replied back.
It's no wonder... He chuckled to himself. "Another blast like that and I would have been a goner." Tony said as he walked over and propped Dart on his shoulder. There was a small red light that seemed to float away from Dart, but Tony paid little mind to it as he helped his friend out of the arena.
"That was awesome, but what was that, and what was that red light?" Konata asked.
"It's complicated." Haschel responded again. "Dart, how did you get the red spirit back in the first place?" Haschel asked the warrior. Dart shrugged.
"I thought it was lost with my father." He said.
"Maybe- Oh, they're calling us next." Haschel interrupted himself as he and Konata were called. The two walked out.
"This is gonna be interesting..." Tony smiled.
Konata vs. Haschel
Konata and Haschel walked into the arena to the cheers of the audience. Haschel took his stance.
"You ready?" He asked. Konata paused and looked at her butterfly knives.
"Not quite." She walked back to the entrance.
"Are you giving up?" An attendant asked.
"No, I just want to put these away is all." Konata said. "Kan-kan, could you come get these?" Konata shouted. Tony walked up.
"You sure Kon-kon?" Tony asked.
"Hey, don't underestimate me just because I'm old!" Haschel shouted. Konata smiled to him from her place at the entrance.
"I'm not underestimating you, but I want to fight my martial arts against yours! No weapons!" Konata called back. He seemed to think.
"Fair enough." Haschel nodded. Tony took the knives and left the arena. Konata walked back to her place. "Ready now?" Haschel asked with a smile. Konata smiled as well. She put a fist in her hand and put it in front of her. Haschel, having seen this before, returned the gesture. That surprised Konata, who smiled wider.
"Quite." She took her own stance. Haschel ran up and threw a punch, but Konata tapped it on the outside of the wrist to send him off balance, since a good amount of his weight was put into it. It seemed to work until he used the momentum to kick at Konata's head. The move surprised Konata, who was luckily shorter than Haschel's average opponent. The kick, though Konata moved to block it and would have been successful, sailed over her head. As he spun, Haschel saw the problem and continued his momentum so that he used it to jump. He brought down his fists as if they were hammers.
"Fist of four gods!" He shouted. Konata put her hands above her head in a kind of triangle, forcing Haschel's arms to slide to the side. Konata brought her hands down to his head and put her thumbs in his closed eyes to cut off his assault, which he hit off quickly enough. This maneuver, however, left him open. Konata made to unleashed a rapid fire of punches, but Haschel cut her off with a kick that sent her across the arena. She landed on her feet and saw him retaking his stance. Konata did the same for a second, but stopped.
At some point, I'll have to come up with a named attack of my own... Konata thought. She looked over at Miki to see her recording. I get it. No holding back. She smiled, winked, and rolled her sleeves up to just above the wrists. She retook her stance. He ran up again and punched again. Konata hit him on the wrist again, but she found the punch was deflected much easier this time. That, and that he didn't go off balance. Konata's instinct twitched her head to the left as Haschel barely missed her cranium. She sent an open palm to the side of the master's face, but he blocked it. He used the position to strike back, but she blocked that. They made similar exchanges for a few minutes, both quite happy. Konata finally found someone she could fight and have a great amount of fun with. Haschel had found someone he could battle without holding back. Well, relatively speaking. Haschel punched, but it was blocked by Konata. He roundhouse kicked several times, staying on the same foot for the entire time. He slid around to the end of his assault and was on his knee facing backwards. Konata smiled and started to attack, but her opponent stood up and threw a hand up in an offhand backhand. Konata took the hit to her face and backed up. Haschel smiled.
"Ouch..." Konata muttered.
"Omni-sweep." Haschel said as he spun and retook his stance. Konata took her hands away from her nose. She retook her own stance. She decided she wasn't going to restrain herself at all anymore. She shifted her stance. Haschel ran up and started attacking, but Konata deflected it. She returned the attack and had it deflected. The two continued the cycle. Konata saw this wasn't going to do it and began getting faster. Oddly, so did Haschel. The crowd gasped as the two got faster and faster. Eventually, their arms seemed to blend into a wall of flashing flesh. Konata raised her foot and kicked at almost the exact same time as Haschel, causing their kicks to intercept each other and spin them both around. Konata punched in unison with her opponent, matching it. Starting to get a bit irritated with their constant mirroring, Konata started a flurry of strikes. Haschel did as well. Each punch slid onto it's twin's wrist and knocked it off target. The two stood resolute, neither giving up any ground, arms indistinguishable from the other. It was a full minute of this, both of their arms were in searing pain by now, even as conditioned to exertions as they were. It had been a long time since either had truly fought with their full strength. Suddenly, a break in the monotony as Haschel spun and put what power he could into a back hand. Konata made to block it, but wasn't fast enough as his strike found her cheek, turning her backward. Konata's instinct took a split instant to evaluate the situation.
Point of impact: cheek. Impact: strong. Energy transfer: neck. This wasn't spoken in her mind in actual words, but more like something she just knew. Konata could feel the kinetic energy from the strike moving through her body. The strike sent her off balance as she spun. She saw caught an image of Miki with the camera. Waist. Her instinct told her. She spun and saw Haschel in slow motion, going in for the final punch. She continued to spin. Foot. NOW! She raised her foot and caught Haschel across the chin, not only her own power behind the hit, but Haschel's own energy fortifying the strike. The kick sent him off his feet and onto his back. Konata finished spinning and ended up on her knee, gasping for air. There was a moment of silence before a massive uproar started within the crowd, everyone cheering for the two fighters. She smiled widely and got to her feet to see Haschel standing up himself, rubbing his jaw.
"Hot damn! I was out for a minute there!" Haschel smiled through the pain. Konata chuckled.
"That was so much fun! I haven't gotten to go full force against a single person in so long, I didn't think I'd get to fight so hard in this tournament! Thank you so much for such an enjoyable fight." Konata bowed. Haschel returned the gesture. With that, the two left the arena.
"THAT WAS FREAKIN' AWESOME!" Tony shouted. Konata giggled and ran over, hugging him.
"We won the tournament!" She cheered.
"We dominated!" Tony cheered as well.
"Hey." Dart said.
"We are undefeatable!" Konata cheered.
"We are BEAST!" Tony laughed.
"Hey!" Dart shouted.
"We-!... Dart?" Tony turned to his fellow swords master.
"You do know that wasn't the end, right?" He asked. Tony and Konata blinked.
"What?" They both asked in unison.
"There's still the finals." He said. Tony and Konata took a moment and looked at each other.
I..I had never thought about having to fight Kon-kon... Tony thought.
What? Fighting Kan-kan? Konata thought.
"Oh~..." They both said.
"Kan-kan, I'm exhausted. I think I'll forfeit, I had my fun." Konata smiled. Tony shook his head.
"But this is the fight the fans want most." Tony smirked as he motioned to the audience. As if by cue, the crowd started chanting both their names.
"I have no energy! I put it all into that last kick!" Konata said. Tony smiled again. He let his mind broach his ring.
"I have energy stored away that could bring us both back up to full power. However, I'm not going to insist to fight you if you don't want to. I don't want you to think that I WANT to hurt you Kon-kon. Quite the opposite. But if you don't mind, I think this would be a rather fun fight." Tony smiled.
"Right, the fight with the sorcerer." Konata deadpanned.
"Actually, I'm not gonna use Sage Mode or my magic, if that's okay. I only want to use my trained physical abilities versus yours if you want to." Tony smiled. "In either case..." He took the energy from the ring and flooded it into Konata until he sensed she was back at full. He looked into the ring again to see there was about as much as he thought there would be left. That wasn't particularly a lot though. Konata stepped back and moved around a bit, astounded as she felt amazing.
"Whoa, that was crazy..." Konata rolled her arms. Tony refilled his own energy and felt satisfied that there was still a bit left.
"So Kon-kon, what do you wanna do? No matter what you want to do, I'll support it." Tony nodded. Konata thought.
"Well we can't disappoint the fans, can we now?" Konata smiled as she drew her knives. Tony smiled as he drew his own blade.
"No we can't." He agreed.
"No magic?" Konata asked.
"Only the one that keeps us from dying. And I'll weave that through the energy stored in my ring so that it won't tax my energy during out fight. It'll just be me against you." Tony smiled.
"Alrighty." Konata smiled. "Let's agree that if your spell has to save one of us, that person will forfeit." Konata said.
"Agreed." Tony smiled. "Hey Kon-Kon." Tony chuckled.
"Hm?" Konata hummed at her brother.
"500 Yen says we get interrupted by some huge villain." Tony said. Konata laughed loudly.
"Yeah! Let's give 'em a show, shall we?" Konata smiled.
"Let's." He and she turned and started walking into the arena.
Konata vs. Tony
Konata and Tony walked out and faced each other. Konata put her knives on the ground, and put her fist in her hand.
"Please." She said. Tony, still not knowing what the gesture meant, decided to return it. He sheathed his sword and put his fist in his hand.
"Please." He smiled. Konata picked up her knives and took her stance. Tony unsheathed his sword and took his own. "Are you ready sis?" He asked.
"When you are." She smiled. Tony waited a moment while he waited for Konata to attack, but she remained stationary. Tony ran up and swung. Konata brought the flat of her blade across his and smacked it off, using her other blade to swing at Tony. Tony made to dodge, but the knife cut across his shirt, exposing the weights beneath it. Tony disengaged from the fight for an instant by jumping back about ten meters. Konata retook her stance, but Tony sheathed his sword again. Konata relaxed. "Kan-kan?" She asked. Tony smiled and took off his shirt. He tossed it to the ground, cracking it. Konata's jaw dropped. "Well then." She put her knives down again and rolled her sleeves back up to above her wrists.
"Getting right down to it, are we?" Tony smiled.
"Damn right Kan-kan. If I have any chance of winning this fight, I'm gonna need to go full force from the start." She said.
"I'm honored." Tony drew his sword yet again. Konata picked up her knives.
"Shall we continue?" She asked.
"Certainly!" Tony crossed the distance between them in less than a couple seconds. Konata raised her knives to guard as Tony swung his sword in surprisingly faster slashes than earlier. She let one knife carve around Tony's blade the second he impacted, letting her arm wrap above Tony's. In one fluid motion, she slid her knives up the blade and managed to make a small cut on Tony's hand before he let go of the blade. He slipped his hand out of her grasp and brought his other to strike her neck on the side, hoping for a quick knockout. She cocked her head to the side and brought her shoulder up to her head, guarding her from his chop. He punched her in the back quickly, avoiding the kidney and sending her a few feet away. She turned and retook her stance, happy to have disarmed her brother so seemingly easily. Tony inched towards Konata and started observing intensely. He faked a punch to her head to see her reaction. She made none. His eyes switched from her to his blade behind her. His focus returned to her. I suppose I'll have to beat her in speed. That's gonna suck... He cracked his neck, hoping to get Konata to drop her guard. She didn't. Man, I should have expected this much from someone as highly trained as her. She has so much training, it would take an average person more time than she's been alive to get to her level of skill. Tony thought. He inched forward a little bit. He brought his leg up and made a side kick towards her head. Konata moved one of her arms to the side, directly beneath Tony's leg as she sidestepped it. She sent a kick to the side of his knee, causing him to drop to the ground. He rolled off his shoulder and popped back up to see Konata coming in to swing. Tony sent both hands to the joint that connected her arm to her shoulder, stalling out her arm long enough for him to use his grip to flip over her. He grabbed his sword and spun around to see Konata retaking her stance. She was smiling.
"Nice move." She complimented.
"Hey, you're the one who disarmed me." Tony chuckled. Konata shrugged.
"I saw an opening. I took advantage of it." Konata said.
"I rarely leave openings." Tony said.
"It's 'cause you're not use to armed combat with someone with as much martial arts experience as I have and my weapons of choice." Konata smiled. "You're use to fighting people a lot slower than you, so you're use to being able to take bigger chances that are proving to be your undoing in this fight." Konata explained.
"That sounds about right." Tony smiled, impressed and a little scared to see Konata pick out his weaknesses so easily. He jumped forward and struck again. Konata raised one blade to block and swung with her other. Tony slid his blade in a way that the ruby at the edge of the hilt blocked the blade. He kicked her in the stomach, causing her to arms to weaken for a moment. He pushed harder, but Konata sidestepped and moved her knives to the side, allowing Tony to go past her towards the floor. He let his momentum carry him into a roll, avoiding the counterattack from behind he knew was bound to come. He popped up again and spun to see Konata coming again. He swung his blade, catching one of Konata's knives. It flipped, but Konata grabbed it again. Tony looked at the weapon closer to see a small metal bit on the back of the hilt that allowed for the blade to be flipped, the actual blade of the knife facing out from the forearm. She swung from there, causing Tony to have to jump back a little. Konata flipped the blade back to its original position and went in for a cross chop with them. Tony intercepted it with a strike of his own to the middle. At this point, Tony was finding it extraordinarily difficult to keep from using Sage Mode, it was something he was always use to using whenever he needed it. The two's hands were trembling as they matched each other's strength. Konata moved the blades to either side to allow Tony's sword through. Quick as a flash, she twisted her blades to stop the sword halfway through the swing, halting the attack. She twisted again, sending the blade from his hand once again. He jumped back, sighing. The crowd was cheering loudly at the action. She's got me beat... Tony chuckled in his head. Once he had stopped, he looked at Konata. One thing he had noticed was that while they fought, Konata's expression never changed. It would change during the small breaks they would take, where she would smile or shrug or something, but during the fight, when the action was actually taking place, it was as if her face was rock. No happiness, no anger, no frustration, no emotion. Tony thought a moment. He decided to test her resolve. He would sprint up to within striking distance of her, flash off to the side after intimidating her, then flash back behind her to grab his sword and swing to catch her neck. His spell would save her, and he would claim victory. He smiled and nodded to himself. He ran forward, fist drawn back. Through it, Konata's face remained impressively passive. Once he was within his intended distance, he started to flash off to the side. His instinct forced him to jump back, however, as Konata's knife drew across his stomach. He landed and held his hand over his stomach, which now hurt. A lot. He removed his hand and looked down, satisfied to see he had jumped away before the counterattack could deal him a serious injury. He sighed and looked at Konata.
"That didn't do it, huh?" Konata asked.
"Nope." Tony growled a bit.
"Well then, let's continue." Konata smiled. Tony brought himself to full height and cracked his neck the other way.
"Let's." He said. That tears it... He thought. Perhaps it's time I used an entirely new technique, one she won't be expecting... Tony smiled. He put both arms in front of his face, as if to hide them. He peered out to her to see her same, expressionless face on. "End game." He said. He sprinted at his fullest speed up to a safe distance from Konata, then started sprinting around her in a circle. As dust rose from his constant circling, Konata stayed resolute. She didn't even look around try and follow his moves. In fact, she seemed relaxed. Tony flashed beneath her and threw a kick up towards her chin. Konata cocked her head to the side unexpectedly, the speed Tony having gain now transferring into momentum. He shot up past her, but caught her under her chin as he was sent up. She was thus brought up with him, but he was forced to let go when Konata swung at his arms. Tony had half hoped she would have swung at his hands, but that would be too amateur a mistake for her to make and he knew it. Once he let go, be moved one hand to behind the knife, where the piece of metal that Konata had caught onto had been, and grabbed it. With that, he wretched the blade from her hand before letting himself land. He hit the ground and spun around. Konata had landed on her back and was getting back up. She spun around and faced him. Suddenly, she smiled and giggled a bit.
"Primary Lotus?" Konata asked.
"An attempt, at least. So that's how you avoided it so easily." Tony chuckled.
"Yeah. I saw it coming the second you started running around me." She commented. "You still did manage to get one of my knives though. I feel so violated." Konata giggled with a hint of sarcasm.
"Well then, shall we?" Tony smiled.
"We shall." Konata shifted her stance to compensate. Tony smiled and flash stepped forward. He swung, knowing full well it would be blocked, with enough force to cramp Konata's arm, but the action left his arm hurt as well. He used the forward momentum to fly over Konata and over to his own blade. He spun and, picking up his blade, let the knife fly straight at Konata. Knowing that even that would probably be blocked, he followed it with just enough speed it match it, the knife staying about ten feet in front of him. Konata seemed passive as always. Suddenly, she spun oddly. Tony's mouth gaped open when he saw her hook the metal bit from behind the blade through the hole that was the hilt of the knife. Spinning, she had both knives back in her hands. Tony came in and swung at the neck. He felt a decrease in his ring's energy. As he smiled a bit, he looked over to see his sword on the ground, directly below his hand. One of the metal bits from Konata's knives was jarred into that arm's pit, and the other knife was halted about an inch from Tony's neck. He blinked as he realized what happened. "Gotcha~." Konata chimed. He smiled a bit wider.
"Yes you did." He chuckled. The two disengaged. "I forfeit. You are the better fighter." Tony knelt. Konata smiled and giggled, giddy that she had just beaten Tony. A man ran out.
"Here are the results of the annual Japan Hero Competition! The victor is Konata Izumi, Sigung of Wing Chun! The toughest and strongest person in all Japan!" Konata waved to the crowd, who all cheered. "Second is Tatakai no Kenja, the Fighting Sage!" He shouted as the crowd cheered. The two waved to the crowd and left the stadium.
POV Kagami
A couple of hours. Dad will be home in a couple of hours. Kagami sighed in anticipation. She hadn't done anything since she had gotten home. All she had done was sit in her living room and play every possible scenario in her head. Only three had a good outcome, and they couldn't happen. If Tony made him understand, but that would be an abuse of his powers. If Konata was here, then maybe Dad could see that I love her. No, she doesn't want to see me right now. Maybe Dad will just understand? Yeah, keep talking like that Kagami. The most religious man you know who owns a shrine is going to understand that you're a lesbian in love with an Otaku. I'm sure that's going to happen. Kagami sighed. However, she knew she still had to do this.
POV Tony
Tony and Konata were sitting and resting down beneath the main grounds, in the ready room for the arena. Konata had already received the prize money, something Tony was a bit sad about since he wouldn't be able to give said money to Miki, but he was happy Konata had won. They had talked with Dart and Haschel for a few moments before the two had departed.
"So Kon-kon, mind telling me how you were able to beat me so easily?" Tony chuckled. "It looked like it took much less effort to beat me than it did Haschel." He said.
"Don't mistake composure for ease Kan-kan." Konata chuckled. "It's actually really simple. I've seen you fight a lot, I know your style. Not only that, but I know how you act in everyday situations too. If I'm right, you've only ever really fight a group of people at once one time when you saved Sanjo. Every other time you fought them one at a time. Like I said, you're use to fighting people who are much slower than you. Thus you can take bigger risks, which you're also use to doing. So, first I know you. I know how you fight, how you move normally, your strengths and your weaknesses, just about everything that could really play a factor in honorable fighting. I've also never seen you lose a fight, though you did get pretty banged up against Hachiman. Even subconsciously, that would play a role in your getting more confident. Another weakness. Basically, I just knew what you were going to do, when you were going to do it based on what I know of you and based on the fact that I knew you'd get confident. Besides that fact, you were also struggling to suppress your innate ability to enhance your attributes. That helped provide a distraction as well. In the end, the reason it looked so much easier is because I know you much, much better than I know Haschel. Plus, I was kind of using a secret trick I've taught myself over the years." Konata smiled. While he was curious, Tony looked at the time and realized they had kept Miki waiting for a long time.
"I'll have to hear that later, maybe I can learn it." Tony smiled.
"Any time Kan-kan." Konata smiled. And so, Tony and Konata walked up the stairs to see Miki standing and smiling.
"That was an amazing fight you two." Miki smiled.
"Thanks Mom." Tony smiled.
"May I give you something?" Konata asked. Miki raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Well that's a tad random. Of course!" Miki smiled. Konata held out the check she had gotten for the tournament.
"This should be enough for a new car, shouldn't it?" She asked. Miki looked in disbelief at the paper and back at Konata.
"I can't accept this!" She said, handing it back.
"Sure you can, I insist. It's not like I have much use for it, I'd just blow it on games and anime." Konata smiled. Miki blinked and retracted her arms.
"Right. Thank you." She said, truly touched. Tony laughed.
"Kan-kan?" Konata asked.
"Konata, I was gonna do that!" He laughed.
"Do what?" She asked, cocking her head to the side.
"I was gonna give her the money for a car if I won!" Tony continued to laugh. Konata joined him.
"We're getting more alike all the time!" She laughed. Miki smiled a smile that could melt the icecaps.
"I'm so glad to be welcoming such generous people into my family..." She commented, wiping a tear away from her eye. "I just know you'll both make my daughters happy..." She smiled. Tony and Konata calmed down and smiled.
"We'll do anything to make sure they stay happy." Konata said.
"Absolutely, with us they'll never cry in sorrow again." Tony promised.
"It's our pleasure to help out our new family." They both said simultaneously, bowing over dramatically. Miki sighed contently.
There's no better feeling than to know your child will be happy and taken care of... She thought to herself. "I'm glad." She simply said. The trio walked a bit, letting the fuzzy moment pass. It gave Tony a bit of time to think. Suddenly, a wild idea appeared. It was a hilarious thought he had never pictured before, something he MUST share with Tsukasa the very next chance he got.
She was an ordinary girl, cooking aside. Then she got captured by thugs. Then I (kinda) poisoned her, and now she's found her True Love... She's a walking Disney movie! Tony laughed extremely loudly at this. Didn't she wish she was in a Disney movie? Not only all of that, but we'll randomly burst into song about the most random things, we sang about shopping for Haruhi's sake! I have to admit, the very best part of all of this is that I get to be her Prince Charming...Tony smiled to himself. He didn't care that he was in public and that people were giving him looks. He found the whole notion that the Gods had seen it fit to turn Tsukasa's life into a Disney movie merely from a wish to be astounding. Now, he simply HAD to make her exit from the hospital something special. As he was walking, he started to formulate a plan. It was going to take quite a bit of luck to find what he required for it, but if he could pull it off, it would be the most epic thing he had ever done. He smirked.
"Um... Kan-kan? What's so funny?" Konata asked. Tony gave a smirk towards his sister.
"Kon-kon. I just had the most perfect idea that I have ever had in the history of ideas." Tony said.
"What's that?" Konata asked. Tony shared his discovery with her. She burst into laughter. "That's amazing! I never thought about that!" She laughed. Tony then communicated his idea with her regarding Tsukasa's imminent exit from the hospital. Konata blinked. "Yes. Oh dear gods, yes. That is epic. There are no other words I can think of to describe that." She said seriously. "But where are you going to get it?" She asked.
"I dunno, I was hoping you would have an idea." Tony said questioningly. Konata hummed.
"Nope, sorry. I can't say I do." She shrugged. "That was an amazing idea though." Konata sighed.
"Yeah... So what's around here? It looks like some games! Wanna play Kon-kon?" Tony asked his sister. Konata smiled and nodded. "Wanna come Mom? You're welcome to play." Tony smiled to Miki. She nodded as well.
"Sure thing." She smiled.
"Then onward to adventure!" Konata posed. Suddenly, a wave of nostalgia took over her as she remembered this being the exact thing that Kagami had said before they went to the cafe. In the exact same pose she was in. Better times... She sighed as the three walked towards a random game.
"This game costs one ticket." The person at the stand said.
"Tickets? Where do you buy them?" Tony asked. The man pointed over at another stand. Sighing, Tony led the three over to the stand. Behind the desk, they saw two people shaking hands along with a girl in a cloth hat, who was waiting on whatever transaction that was occurring to end. Konata lit up.
"Lawrence? Kraft Lawrence?" She asked. A gray haired man with a bit of a stubble turned and looked at her.
"Konata, what are you doing here?" He asked with a smile.
"I was in the tournament that was going just now! I got first place!" Konata smiled.
"Good for you!" He said. "Shall we find a place to eat?"
"Sure!" Konata smiled as the lot of them all walked outside the ring of stands to a table. They ordered food and sat down.
"Hey Kon-kon, aren't you gonna introduce me to your friends?" Tony asked, eying the girl cautiously. She seemed to have taken notice as well, eying him back in the same way. Konata looked between the two and smacked Tony on the chest.
"Kan-kan, it's impolite to stare! And don't you have a girlfriend?" Konata teased the last sentence. Tony lowered his voice to a whisper.
"Konata, doesn't she fit the description of Amaterasu almost perfectly?" Tony whispered to her.
"Who, Holo? She couldn't be, I've known her and Lawrence for a couple years, since they started selling to the Cafe!" Konata whispered back.
"If you say so..." Tony whispered back.
"Why are you staring? Is there something on my face?" Holo asked, looking quite amused. Tony thought for a moment.
"No, I apologize. I thought you were someone else." Tony said.
"It's not a problem." She said. "Although, who could be mistaken for me?" She asked with the same tone she had asked her previous question.
"A goddess?" Tony chuckled. Holo's entire aura changed for an instant, which Tony took notice of. "Perhaps a sun goddess?" He said a bit more forcefully. Holo seemed relieved and laughed.
"Oh, I assure you, I am no sun goddess." She laughed.
"I am!" Konata shouted cheerfully. Tony laughed, but noticed something. Oddly, the hat seemed to shuffle. Tony looked around the girl and saw fangs in her mouth, not unlike the one he saw in the mouth of Misao and Kuroi. Except this girl had four in the places one would expect to be on an animal. They all calmed down.
"So those fangs of yours are interesting." Tony commented. Holo glanced at Lawrence, who glanced back. Before they could comment, however, a young boy ran up.
"Lawrence!" He shouted. He handed Lawrence a letter. Tony used the distraction to pull Konata to the side.
"Konata, what's going on here?" He asked.
"What do you mean Kan-kan?" Konata asked.
"Fangs, her hat shuffled without reason, if I've learned anything from the gods, it's that there's some mystic crap out in the world. Is there something up with her?" Tony asked.
"If she wants to tell you-" Konata started, but they were interrupted by Lawrence bumped over his chair, having stood up abruptly. They looked over and saw him with his face in one of his hands. "Lawrence?" Konata asked.
"We're in debt again, I'm guessing." Holo sighed. "Who betrayed us this time?" She asked impatiently.
"I'm glad you find this so amusing." Lawrence said to Holo.
"Honestly, we're in debt every month. It gets a tad old." Holo sighed. "How much?" She asked.
"It's the biggest hole we've ever been in, I'll tell you that." He said. "You are right though. Every time we get a big deal, something happens like this." He looked the letter over again. "How are we gonna get out of this one?" He asked.
"How much is it?" Tony asked. Lawrence and Holo turned towards him. Lawrence handed the letter to Tony, who proceeded to read it. He gasped sharply. Konata looked over.
"Kan-kan?" She asked.
"Konata, are these guys your friends? Good friends?" Tony asked in a whisper. Konata nodded.
"I'd say very good." She said. "As good as a traveling merchant can be." She giggled a bit. Tony sighed.
"Really Konata. I think your cafe is the only place that has not betrayed us at some point or another." Holo sighed.
"I'll cover it." Tony said. Everyone around Tony turned towards him.
"What?" Lawrence asked, looking bewildered.
"I'll cover your debt. You seem to be good people. Everyone gets one sometime." Tony smiled. Konata could see something off about it though. He wasn't entirely happy about something.
"Thanks, but don't worry about it. We have a way of getting out of these things." Lawrence held up his hands.
"Well, this is how you're getting out of this one." Tony said.
"This is a very large amount of money. I couldn't ask you to give so much. We'd probably never be able to pay you back." Lawrence dismissed.
"Don't worry about payback. And you're not asking me, I'm telling you. I'll cover it." Tony said. Lawrence looked at Holo, who looked back.
"Well then..." Lawrence held his hand out. "I happily accept your charity." Tony clasped his hand. Tony looked over to see Holo wearing a look of disbelief, mouth slightly open. "If there's ever anything we can do for you, just name it." Lawrence smiled. Tony smiled back.
"I have a request if you don't mind." Tony said.
"Anything, I am in your debt." Lawrence bowed while sitting down. Tony turned to Holo.
"You don't talk much. I find they're the ones with some of the most interesting stories. I'd like to know yours." Tony said.
"Er, perhaps this could wait until we get back to the cafe. After all, this is extremely personal to Holo, I'd rather tell you in private." Lawrence requested. Tony thought a moment.
"I guess I understand. Very well, should we meet at the café, you'll tell me about her." Tony nodded to Lawrence. The man smiled.
"Thank you." He said.
"However, if you should find yourself in trouble, find us." Holo said. Tony turned and blinked at her, slightly surprised that she had spoken.
"Well thank you very much. I'll remember that." Tony smiled. Konata suddenly gasped.
"Lawrence, don't you have a horse?" She asked. Lawrence looked at her.
"Why, yes. Why?" Lawrence asked.
"White, right? Golden mane?" Konata asked excitedly.
"Yes, yes." Lawrence nodded. Tony understood what was going on.
"May I borrow it?" He asked. Lawrence turned towards Tony. "I'll consider your debt repaid in full."
"I suppose, when do you need it?" Lawrence asked.
"Could you get it to Saitama by this afternoon?" Tony asked. Lawrence looked a little taken aback.
"I might... I'd have to leave very soon though." He put a hand to his chin. "Sure. Where do you need it?" Lawrence asked.
"Dude, you're a life saver. Can you have it at 3-14-17 Kita-Satte?" Tony asked.
"Sure thing." Lawrence smiled. Before more could be said though, a small red light came down in front of Tony. He grabbed it and opened his hand to see a solid red marble.
"Hey, that looks like the same stone that Tsukasa had, only it's red!" Miki said.
"Wait, didn't that fly away from Dart after your fight?" Konata asked.
"Yeah... Wish I knew what the hell it was..." Tony held it up to the light.
"Lawrence, have you ever seen anything like it?" Konata asked.
"Hmmm..." He put a hand to his chin in thought. "I believe I saw a golden one for sale in this town several years ago for 77,000 yen..." He said. "But that's the only other one I've seen that I can recall." He said. He turned to his companion. "Holo?" He asked. She looked as though she had been thinking as well.
"I do not recall any more than you do." She said.
"Hm. Well, I'd make you an offer, but I don't have much money at the moment." Lawrence shrugged. "I'll have to catch you again another time. Maybe I'll have some by the time we get back to Saitama."
"Perhaps, but now I have one to match my girlfriend's." Tony smiled. "I might not sell it even if you paid me twice what it sold for those years ago." Tony smiled. "Maybe I'll have some new trinket with mystic powers to sell by then though." Tony looked at the time and realized it was probably time to go. He stood up, along with everyone else.
"And I hope you make use of my services when you do." Lawrence bowed.
"It's been nice meeting you Lawrence." Tony held out his hand.
"Same with you." Lawrence shook it. "We had better be going as well." He said.
"Yeah, we have a few hours drive home ourselves." Miki smiled.
"Then we shall take our leave. The horse shall be at the address soon, I just need to have a friend pick it up and meet me half way." Lawrence smiled and bowed.
"As shall we." Tony returned the gesture. With that, the two groups parted ways. Tony, Konata and Miki were walking down the dirt road towards their car.
"Hey Kan-kan?" Konata asked. Tony looked over at her.
"What's up?" He asked.
"What was wrong? Something seemed... off during your conversation." Konata said. Tony chuckled.
"That was almost the rest of my money, even with the half from Hachiman. They were in debt massively." He said. Most of the rest of his money was to be tied up in helping Miyuki's family get out of debt. Konata's mouth fell open a bit as she looked over at him.
"That's a lot of money!" Konata said.
"That's why I asked if they were good friends. No worries, I just have to win another tournament." Tony chuckled. He turned to Miki. "And before you try, don't. I'm not taking that money." He said. Konata was in such a shock from Tony's generosity, she stumbled for a moment and knocked something over. She heard a man sigh.
"I'm sorry, I'm really tired, I just fought in the tournament!" Konata apologized as she picked up the fallen article and replaced it. The man looking at the item glanced over at Konata.
"Lesbian." He mumbled as he turned back at his item.
"What?" Konata asked, having not heard him. The man turned to Konata for another instant.
"Hm? Pedestrian." He said before turning back to the item.
"Kanarazu..." Another, shorter man sighed next to him.
"Kon-kon, Mom, could you go on, I would like to talk with this person." Tony said. Konata and Miki glanced at each other.
"We'll be in the car." Miki said as the two walked off. Tony returned his gaze to the man.
"How did you know?" Tony asked.
"The level of personal grooming." Kanarazu said distractedly. "All of this is boring!" He shouted impatiently.
"What do you mean? What level?" Tony asked. Kanarazu turned around.
"Her nails. Cut short, probably subconsciously since she's not in a relationship right now. Yes, she keeps her nails very trim." Kanarazu began, talking very quickly. "She stumbled, she said she had just taken part in the tournament, but she didn't appear tired. No, she's use to heavy exertions, she's athletic, a martial artist. Physical "gruffness" is another trait common among lesbians, however her physique suggests Lolita. That's a turn on for quite a few lesbians. Yes, small breasts, small body, she'd attract a dominant girl, one who feels she needs to protect her though she knows it's not necessary. There's also the fact that her mother is gone, maybe dead, maybe divorced, I'd go with the latter based on how clingy she was to that woman." Kanarazu said.
"Wait... How do you know she wasn't Konata's mother?" Tony asked. Kanarazu rolled his eyes.
"Oh please, look at the features, all wrong. Just look at their shoes." He said as if Tony should have known, or even understood, all of this. "I can go on." He said. Tony blinked a few times. This man's logic was crazy. Correct, but crazy.
"So hang on, you saw her for a split second and you knew all of this?" Tony asked.
"He's always like that." The other man said.
"That... was amazing." Tony admitted.
"Do you think so?" Kanarazu asked.
"Of course it was, it was extraordinary. It was quite... extraordinary." Tony said.
"That's not what people normally say." Kanarazu said.
"What do people normally say?" Tony asked.
"Piss off." Kanarazu answered. "So what was it?"
"What was what?" Tony asked.
"Wrong, what did I get wrong?" Kanarazu asked. "There's always something."
"Konata's mom. She's dead. Not divorced." Tony said. Kanarazu scowled.
"Always something." He sighed. "Dead! Damn it, it's always something..." He sighed. Tony turned to the other man.
"You're his friend?" He asked.
"Wattono Musuko, yes. And he is always like this." He sighed and held out his hand, which Tony shook.
"Nice to meet you. I had better get going." Tony said. "Just one thing."
"You want to know my name." Kanarazu stated. Tony blinked once.
"Yes, how did you know?" Tony asked, but thought better a moment later. "Never mind, yes, that's what I wanted."
"The name's Kanarazu Joumae." He said.
"You should come to Saitama some time, I have a friend who I'm sure wouldn't mind meeting you." Tony smiled, thinking of Miyuki. After all, she was quite the perceptive one herself, maybe Kanarazu and she could have a talk about such things.
"Mm." He hummed distractedly. Wattono looked between the two.
"We'll see if we can some time." He said.
"I look forward to seeing you again. Kinda..." Tony mumbled as he left to meet up with Konata and Miki. "He was kind of a prick..." Tony commented to himself, sighing. He got to the car to see them already inside and talking to each other.
"And... just one more thing. Kagami has always been kind of a hardcore realist. Is there any real reason or is it just how she is?" Konata asked as Tony got in.
"Are you ready?" Miki asked Tony before answering Konata.
"Yep yep." Tony nodded.
"Well, there is a reason." Miki said as she began driving home.
"And what's that?" Konata asked.
"When Kagami was really little, she used to be a lot like Tsukasa when it came to Disney movies and magic and such. However, at around three years old, she started having horrible night terrors. We would wake up and find her standing in our room, crying. And it always involved the same kinds of things, all of the fantasies that those old movies use to create. It got to the point where I had to sing her back to sleep for her to rest peacefully, and even then, she would have more night terrors if she wasn't close to me and her father." Miki said.
"What did you sing?" Konata asked.
"A song my mother taught me when I was a little girl. It's called "Bushel and a Peck"." Miki said.
"Could you maybe teach it to me some time?" Konata asked hopefully. Miki smiled.
"I don't think that would be a problem." She said. "But to continue with my story. She continued to have these terrible night terrors for a couple years. Eventually, she found the best way to combat these terrors was to convince herself that none of it existed, or ever could exist. Along with all of that, she convinced herself that the only real things were what she could see and what we taught her was real. She had to stay in reality. After that, she never really talked about Prince Charming coming to her, or about happily ever afters, or any of it. It must have been weird for her when she saw that you can perform magic." Miki directed the statement to Tony.
"I guess so." He smiled.
"So that's the main reason. I hope it was the kind of thing you were hoping for." Miki said.
"It was. Thanks." Konata smiled.
"Kon-kon, would you mind if I asked you something?" Tony asked.
"I don't mind, ask away!" Konata turned to him. He thought of how to phrase his question and, finding there was no soft way of asking, came out with it.
"What did you and Kagami do last night? Where were you? What was going on? Everything, I want to try and figure out what got into her." Tony asked. Konata sighed.
"Well..." She started going over the events as they had transpired, from Misao to Kagami wanting to spend more time with her. She told of the playfulness the two went through, Otaku hell, the owning of the cop. She paid quite a bit of attention and had a bit of a blush on her cheeks when she told of the flirting the two had engaged in. Then she told of how cute Kagami was as she struck her pose. "And then we went to this cake buffet, that one about a mile from our house." Konata paused for breath, but stayed stopped as Tony stiffened considerably.
"One more time." He muttered.
"What?" Konata asked.
"That last part. Which buffet, exactly?" Tony asked.
"Club Harie, why?" Konata asked. Tony breathed deeply.
"I'm so sorry Konata, this is all my fault." He said. Konata looked confused.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Kagami didn't want to tell you about this, but I think it's necessary now." Tony sighed, scared. Konata blinked.
"Tony, what is it?" Konata asked seriously. When Tony didn't immediately respond, Konata began thinking. Then it hit her. "It was that wedding thing, wasn't it?" She asked.
"Yeah. That." Tony sighed. "Tsukasa isn't the first Hiiragi I tried to date." He said, avoiding eye contact with Konata. In fact, he was attempting to preoccupy himself with anything out the window in the opposite direction of the girl.
So he DID want Kagami... Konata muttered in her head. "So you two went on a date..." Konata muttered.
"Yes." Tony answered.
"And what does that have to do with the buffet?" Konata asked. She had a feeling she knew, but she wanted to hear it.
"That's where I took her." Tony said. "That very buffet."
"How far did it go?" Konata asked. Tony felt relieved from the answer he could give.
"Basically, I told her I really liked her. There are two things you should really know though Konata." Tony said, looking Konata in the eyes.
"And they are...?" Konata urged.
"First of all, she was thinking of you the entire time. The whole time we were on the date, she had this distant look in her eyes, as if she wasn't really there. Truth is that she was distracted the whole date." Tony said. Konata blinked a time or two, not really sure how she felt at the moment. On one hand, her brother just told her that he had dated the girl she loved. On the other, said girl was thinking of her the whole time. And yet on the first, they had kept it from Konata for a long while.
"And number two?" Konata asked, doing her best to keep calm. Tony smiled.
"Number two is that her lips are still pure. I didn't kiss her, and quite frankly I'm glad." Tony smiled. "That's an honor you should have yourself." Tony said. Konata eased a little bit.
"Well I'm glad about that." She sighed. "So, do you still have feelings for Kagami?" Konata asked.
"Actually, do you remember after the first time you guys saw me fight at full power with those crooks, I was bedridden for a day?" Tony asked. Konata put a finger to her lips in thought for a moment.
"Yeah, what about it?" Konata asked.
"When you came in to see what I was laughing about?" Tony said.
"Yeah, yeah?" Konata urged.
"I was laughing because I realized my true feelings regarding Kagami. She was my friend. She was the first person in the group to be so friendly to me, I confused it with romantic interest." Tony said. Konata thought back.
"Oh really? Then what were you laughing at?" Konata asked, catgrin prominent.
"My own stupidity!"
The thought rang in her head.
"So... that's what you were talking about..." She mumbled.
"Boy did I feel like an idiot." Tony chuckled.
"I remember." Konata smiled. They fell into a silence.
Say something... Say something... Tony wished in his head. He wanted to know how angry Konata was going to be with him. His wish was granted as, after a few moments of silence, Konata sighed.
"Well..." She started. "I guess I can't be too angry." She sighed. "Kagamin's pretty easy to fall in love with, isn't she?" Konata looked at Tony, a sort of tired smile on her face. Tony felt relief wash over him.
"I hadn't expected you to forgive me so easily Konata..." Tony exhaled in relief. Suddenly, there was a butterfly knife at his throat.
"Just don't go trying for her in future." Konata growled menacingly. She started cracking up. "You should see the look on your face!" She shouted, laughing and bringing the knife back to it's resting place. "But seriously Kan-kan, I can't really be too angry. I can get mad that you didn't tell me, but I think I kind of understand why you didn't. After all..." She paused for a moment. "You knew, didn't you?" Konata asked.
"About?" Tony asked, though having a feeling he knew what she was asking.
"About me and Kagami. Even before we knew, you could tell I was going to fall for her, couldn't you?" Konata asked.
"As a matter of fact, yes. That's what your illness was." Tony said.
"Illness?" Konata asked.
"How you fell sick once I was introduced into the group. For the longest time, you had Kagami to yourself. She was undoubtedly yours, the biggest competition was Misao. However, add a new boy in to the equation, one with feelings for Kagami, and you're suddenly at war with your own head. You had competition. Then you had to decide. Accept this new boy, or realize your feelings for Kagami?" Tony said. "Remember how when you started to accept me, your illness began lessening?" Tony asked. Konata thought back.
"Yeah... Yeah! That was the night of the slumber party! I also started realizing that I had feelings for Kagami back then too! She almost kissed me then too..." Konata reminisced. Konata began giggling. Tony chuckled.
"Man Kon-kon, I'm glad you decided on coming with me to the tournament instead of trying to convince me to turn back time!" Tony said. Konata sighed contently.
"Yeah, my head was playing the worst possible scenario at that point... I thought Kagami was going to tell Tsukasa, then Tsukasa would tell Miyuki, and it would spread to the rest of the school. Then it'd just be you being my friend." Konata looked over at Tony. "What would you do if you thought your loved one left you forever and everyone you knew except your brother scorned and ridiculed you?" Konata asked.
"I'd kill myself." Tony said.
"Come on, use a bit of imagination." Konata urged, seeing what he would come up with since he was the one who had powers. Tony looked into Konata's eyes with a very serious stare.
"I don't have to." He said. Konata suddenly remembered who she was talking to. She was about to respond, but she was cut off by a ringing. Miki picked up her phone.
POV Kagami
I think Dad's on his way home now. I better call Mom and ask her now. Kagami sighed. She took out her phone and dialed the number of her mother.
"Hello?" Miki picked up.
"Hey Mom..." Kagami said.
"Kagami?" Miki asked. "How are you dear?" She asked in a gentle voice.
"Um... Have you by any chance... talked to Dad about my... you know. My feelings for Konata." Kagami asked.
"No. I haven't Kagami, why-..." Miki was about to ask, the aura around Miki tangibly changing into one of fear and panic.
"Oh well. I guess I'll just have to see what happens then." Kagami mumbled.
"Kagami, no! Don't tell-" Kagami hung up and sighed.
Ten minutes. It's only ten more minutes. Kagami sat back, turning off her phone to avoid calls.
POV Konata
Konata and Tony noticed the car seemed to be gaining speed.
"What's going on? What happened?" Konata asked in a hurry.
"Kagami's gonna tell her father about her feelings for you when he gets home! And if I'm right, Ta-kun's going to be home in about ten minutes!" Miki shouted as she tried to call Kagami for the third time. Again, it failed. She scowled as she figured Kagami must have shut her phone off to prevent Miki from doing exactly what she was trying to do. Tony's eyes widened as he began to think of some way home quicker.
"What?" Konata shouted. " There's no way! He can't find out, not yet! Why would she do something like this?"
"I don't know, but we're not going to make it home nearly quick enough!" Miki said, now truly despairing. If she wasn't there, she wouldn't be able to interject on any punishment that her husband saw fit. Even if she was there, she wouldn't be able to really stop it, but at least she would be able to plea with him. If he did disown Kagami, however, it wasn't something that could be taken back. If he made that decision, it was all over.
"Quiet, everyone quiet!" Tony said, silencing the two other girls. Konata looked over at him while Miki glanced at him through the mirror. His eyes were closed and his hands on his temples. "There has to be some way to get home. How do we do it... How?" He asked himself. Konata continued staring at him.
"What do you think he's-" Miki started. She was swiftly interrupted.
"Quiet! Both of you be quiet! Don't move, don't speak, don't breathe, I'm trying to think, Konata face the other way, you're putting me off!" Tony said quickly, sounding entirely panicked. Miki and Konata didn't speak another word. Konata looked at her brother another second. "Back! Now please!" Tony insisted. Konata turned and looked out the window. Through glances through the mirror, Miki could see Tony occasionally move a hand as if to bat away a fly. They were driving another couple minutes before Tony finally reopened his eyes. "Pull over!" He shouted.
"We're still hours away, why would I-" Miki started.
"Pull over!" Tony shouted again. Miki flinched and pulled slightly into a field on the side of the road without further questioning. Tony breathed and put his hands on the car door and seat. He groaned as if he were attempting to lift a boulder several tons in weight. He breathed in and out sharply through his teeth as he gritted them. He groaned again as he funneled his energy into his apparition spell. As he predicted, he hadn't nearly enough energy to complete it. In panic, he reached out into the grass around the car and siphoned what he could from it. The spell still taking from him as well, his body trembled with involuntary tremors. He extended his thoughts to the entire field. Konata looked out around the field to see the grass began to turn brown and wilt.
What's... She wondered as she noticed a tremendous heat inside the car. She looked back over at Tony to see he looked as if every vein in his body were bulging. He roared once as a familiar sensation took over Konata's senses.
POV Kagami
Kagami heard a car door. Oddly, she could recognize the sound of that particular car. It was her father.
Here it comes. Since the hospital is close, it won't take Matsuri and Inori long to get here. Kagami thought. As her father entered the room, he looked up to see Kagami. He looked quite surprised.
"Kagami? What are you doing here? I thought you'd be with your sisters visiting Tsukasa." Tadao said.
"Dad... I need you to call Matsuri and Inori and tell them to come home. I need to tell you all something." Kagami said. She wanted so much to simply say never mind, but she wouldn't let herself make such a decision. If she truly loved Konata, she would have to tell her family now.
"... Okay Kagami..." Tadao eyed his daughter suspiciously as he called his daughters and told them to come home.
"Thanks Dad..." Kagami mumbled.
POV Konata
As the sensation faded, Konata had to take a few moments to steady herself, having never gone so far a distance before. She shook her head and looked outside to see they were outside the Hiiragi house. She smiled and looked to Tony, opening her mouth to thank him. When she saw him, he looked completely wrecked. His eyes were almost glazed over and his mouth hung open. It was almost as if...
No, he can't be! Konata shouted in her head. She was about to ask if he were okay when she felt a presence of a consciousness press against her mind. As it forced it's way in, she could feel so extreme a lethargy, the colors she saw seemed to lose some of their luster. And, in a slow and deep voice, as if speaking were a struggle of almost unbearable proportions, she heard Tony's voice in her head.
"Go... Now..." He seemed barely able to speak. Konata was torn between stopping Kagami and checking on Tony. "Fine... Tired... Go..." He said, attempting to sound reassuring. Then the presence vanished, leaving behind a bit of emptiness.
"Thank you so much Tony!" Konata cried as she opened the car door to see two other cars there. She looked over to see Miki outside the car, using it for support as she was more than likely losing her lunch. Konata ran inside.
"-love with Konata!" Kagami shouted as Konata tore open the door. She saw the back of Kagami. In front of her was Tadao, Matsuri, and Inori. Matsuri and Inori turned their attention to Konata, causing Kagami to turn. She looked tired. Konata could feel tears in her eyes.
"It's all a joke! A prank! Don't worry about what she ju-" Konata started to say before she was cut off. Kagami brought her into a hug, silencing the Otaku.
"Thank you Konata, I know what you were trying to do. But it isn't necessary. I love you." Kagami said softly, though loudly enough for the room to hear.
"Kagamin you dummy..." Konata muttered. The two looked over at the three across the room. It seemed as if miles separated them. Matsuri was the first to comment. She smiled.
"Good for you Imoto." She said. Inori gave a slightly panicked look to Matsuri. Then, with a sigh, she made her comment.
"I'm happy for you Kagami." She smiled. Kagami, in spite of the situation, smiled at the support she was getting. It made her feel a little bit stronger.
"Dad, I just want you to know that no matter what you say tonight, I love Konata." She reiterated.
"And I love Kagami." Konata stepped beside her love. The two of them looked each other in the eyes for a moment and grasped each other's hand, intertwining their fingers, and bracing for what was to come. Whatever was to come, they would take it together. At that point, everyone in the room turned to Tadao. He was sitting cross-legged, arms folded, and eyes closed, his expression completely unreadable.
Luckier Channel
The screen opens on an empty stage.
"What?" The director shouted. "They got the day off again? What the hell? Why don't I get a damn day off every once in a while! That little shi-"
*End*
Aftersection
I feel evil. Oh, so evil. So evil and wicked and vile~! I want to wrap this up quick, it feels like forever since I updated and I don't want to hurt anybodies soul any more than is necessary. Or until it gets boring... Of course, I don't foresee THAT happening any time soon XD So I wonder if anyone actually took my OVA challenge seriously and looked? I'll give you guys a hint, there's one in chapter 14. Like I said, it's probably gonna be very hard to find, you'd probably have to run it through with a fine toothed comb :P Anyway, review! By the power of the Millennium Rod, I command you! ...Wait what? Oh, that only works on people named Steve?... Er... Review please... Hang on a second, someone's at the door... I open it to see Tony.
"Well hello Ac. I wanted to have a little talk about Tadao." He says. Damn, he knew where to find me because I had to call on him to defend from HolyRiot's threats. "Look, I can tell he loves his daughter, but I think he'll still need a little... persuasion."
What will happen will happen as I see fit.
"You see, it's like this..." Tony starts.
"There's, a, danger their love's thwarted,
And dried like a Harmattan,
For the father of the courted,
is thick as Tien Shan!
So the time has come for my master plan,
For which, I'll turn to a Peter Pan,
To find such a man,
Who better than~?
Acsuperman." Tony continued, hoping to garner my favor despite calling me a Peter Pan, and thus immature.
"She, would, love this girl all over,
She wants for them to be clan,
She would take a bullet for her,
Even leave Japan!
So quite amazing to relate,
She'll be rejected as a mate!
Which forces me to contemplate~...
Acsuperman."
I'd say it's time for your curt Adieu.
For I don't see what you want me to do.
For this is MY story, it is all my decision!
I care not for your vision,
Nor for your derision.
"Imprison!" Tony shouts. I stop, though his powers don't work here.
"It's Tadao who is your quarry,
I can tell from a quick scan,
He's approached this deal with chary,"
He'll muck up your plan?
"He'll be Kagami's new best man,
Or I'll act as a hit man!
You can do this all in short span~!"
Acsuperman?
"Do I make myself entirely clear?
It's the simplest deal of your writing career,
Put Tadao in place or he'll be here in moments,
in, a, dreadful state,
He'll capitulate to ME~!
I'll~, be~, putting down an asshole!"
Oh, but can you?
"Yes I can!"
Just wait for the next update,
And see what's my plan!
"So wave bachelorette goodbye!
Their time is nigh!"
He'd rather die... Tony glares at me.
Than have his daughter ossify.
"Alone by his ban~!"
"So book a shrine, raise glasses high~!
To Acsuperman~~!" I sing with him. Tony turns to leave.
By the way dude?
"What?" He asks as he turns around.
I've already written what happens. I just played along for the sake of getting to write another one of these parodies.
"You mean all of that was for nothing?" Tony deadpans.
Yep. Absolutely pointless.
"... Well that was a waste of a good parody..." Tony mumbles as he walks away. I snicker.