A Push in the Right Direction
Mystery 53: Sibling Rivalry
When Troy was returned to the office, Yako wasn't there, she was late, very late, and Neuro didn't like it. He might have to turn her into a chair for a while, or use his new favorite method of punishment, though she didn't seem to be particularly distressed by it. He would think of something to do, as soon as Yako came through that door, Neuro was certain his sadistic inspiration would kick in the second he saw her face. Yet time passed and Yako did not arrive.
Akane searched the internet for mysteries quietly and Godai was out promoting the office. There was suddenly a knock on the door and Neuro could feel his allergy starting. "You don't have to knock, Angie darling, just open it," Yukari opened the door, entering the office followed by Angelus, who brought forth a sneezing fit from Neuro.
"Please forgive me for the inconvenience," Angelus apologized.
Before Neuro could recover from his sneezes, Yukari spoke again, "it's not your fault Angie." Then she looked at Neuro and held up a flier, "look at this!"
Neuro examined the flier with moderate curiosity. It was an advertisement for a pet show, which would feature three main events, though the flier did not specify what the events would be. It mentioned that each contestant could enter up to two pets, each one participating in the elimination rounds, the first two events, with the top contestants making it to the final round where the winner would be decided. "Are you going to enter the feather duster as your pet? Did you come here to borrow slave number one as your second pet?"
"That might not be too far from the truth," Yukari grinned, making a pause to allow the information to sink in, occupying herself in twisting her long blond hair between her fingers, brown eyes shining in anticipation of the amusement the situation may bring her.
Neuro sneezed, then came to a realization, "it's a clandestine pet show and the feather duster was given the mission to stop it if there are humans involved since enslaving humans has been declared illegal."
"Correct, unless they are enslaved of their own free will, which rarely happens, but is not impossible, even if it may sound like a contradiction. I was sent to investigate and stop the event if there are humans being held captive or if humans come too close to discovering the truth of the competition, that no one is wearing a costume. Other than that, the show will be ignored if it doesn't cause too much trouble, we have no express laws about the capture of creatures not from the surface of the Earth," Angelus explained.
"Where's Yako?" Yukari asked, "I thought we might all go watch the show together, Angie is technically working, but maybe he won't have to interfere so we can all enjoy the show. Besides, even if he has to go to work, it will all be done behind the scenes so the human audience doesn't stop thinking of it as more than an odd carnival show."
With another sneeze Neuro replied, "you might just be holding the answer to your own question."
xoxox xox xoxox
"Neuro!" Yako ran to him, arms open for a hug, recognizing him immediately despite his appearance as a big purple bird. Then the chain of her collar ran out and she could go no further.
Nera smiled and waved at her brother, holding the other end of the chain, "you don't mind if I borrow your mate for a while, do you? Oh and I have your pet here too." She was in her true form, covered in red feathers, her dull gray eyes even more ominous like black holes that threatened to absorb one's very soul. Her hair was still the same, long with blond and dark purple-black stripes.
Godai was in the same condition as Yako, being held captive in the large circus tent, while the audience waited outside. He had seen a variety of creatures he thought only existed in mythology and with so many strange beings, it was hard to tell which were the masters at times. There were not only birds, but creatures similar to other animals as well.
"Slaves number one and number two, your master is very disappointed that you have gotten yourselves kidnapped so easily," Neuro glared at Nera.
Nera grinned, she had a beak full of sharp pointy teeth, though her fangs didn't stick out and it was still much smaller than Neuro's. "If you take them back now, I'm waking mom and dad and telling them all about you and your human mate!"
"See if I care, tattle tell!" Neuro countered.
"It might make a mess of history..." The warning came from a man in a black hooded coat, his face covered in shadows. He stood next to a human woman.
Nera identified the human as the same woman who was with that angel before, though she didn't feel her feathers getting itchy so the angel couldn't be near by. "Who are you?"
"Nobody..." the man replied.
Nera decided to ignore the unknown man and taunted her brother, "you're just a afraid to lose!"
"That's my property on your team, if they win, I win!" Neuro argued.
"That's not the point!" Nera pouted, "it's all about the master, not the pets and for today, I'm their master. Will you face me in this pet show or will you chicken out?"
An indignant, "hey!" was heard from a chicken creature who found the old phrase offensive, though the chicken as ignored.
"I'll take your challenge with these two humans as my pets," Neuro agreed, "Yukari and Stinky."
Godai began to protest, going on and on about ungrateful parrots, who didn't rescue those who needed to be rescued, until Yako placed a hand on his shoulder and he stopped, giving her room to tell Neuro off, since he expected her to do so. Instead Yako smiled, "if that's the way you want it, then I'll give my all and I will claim victory for myself!"
"Are you insane?!" Godai protested.
"It's alright Godai; Neuro is here so we're safe. Let's play along; it might be fun, just like a picnic game, only it's not as good without the picnic." Yako only hoped that the competition didn't last too long, she was hungry.
"Then it's settled, you just wait Neuro, I'll finally beat you at something!" Nera declared.
"The only thing you can win is a competition for smallest beak," Neuro mocked.
Nera was fuming, "laugh while you can, but that price is as good as mine. It's a magic bottle; imagine bottling up a mystery to snack on later."
"I like to eat my mysteries right away, but I wouldn't mind keeping that bottle," Neuro thought of the possibilities, if Yako was properly trained he could send her out to bottle up a mystery on her own, while he investigated another, claiming sensei was guiding him over the phone. Then he could get twice as much food.
To be Continued
Disclaimer, I don't own Majin Tantei Nogami Neuro. 'Stinky' made a reference to Kingdom Hearts, calling himself nobody, while wearing something similar. I'm sure you can all guess who he really is; more about it will be explained later. The magic bottle is a reference to Legend of Zelda; this item is found on many of the games.
