CHAPTER I : Ga1ahad and Scientific Witchery
August 3, 2011 (Tuesday)
Manila of the Philippines. The pride and joy of the filipinos. The capital city of the philippines.
Their tagline is "It's more fun in the philippines!"
However, as much as the tourism advertisements would lead you to believe, Manila isn't as pleasant of a place as it would lead you to believe.
The city is overcrowded with overpopulation rampant, as a result, prices are overinflated and job opportunities are scarce, resulting in a high rate of crime and shady illegal businesses.
A young man in his late teenage years look outside the window in silence as his limousine drives along the streets of Manila. The sites of the city are nothing amazing to this man. For him, all he sees is another job simply waiting to be done and over with.
This man goes by the name Joker J. Ogre. Grandson of a powerful and infamous Yakuza leader. Next in line to the throne he is performing duties tasked to him in order to prove himself a worthy successor to the throne.
As he stares in mundanity, he thinks back to why he is all the way here in Manila of the Phillipines instead of in Akibahara of Japan.
"My grandson. It is time for you to face your final trial. This will be my final mission to you, once you complete it, you will return here, not only as my grandson, but as the new leader of the Ogre Yakuza." My grandpops spoke, all too grandiose I say... "Jeez, just get it over with pops. What's my last mission?" I spoke, all too eager to get this meeting over with. "Our influence is wide. Beyond merely Akibahara and Japan. But rather, nearly a quarter of Aisa belongs to the Ogre yakuza. Located in Manila of the Philippines, is an orphanage, owned by the Ogre. However the orphanage is merely a disguise to its real purpose. As a training facility to raise children into super soldiers.
Recently, the maids have reported that a child by the name of Jomi Lijo had suddenly started causing a ruckus, and burned a bully. I suspect something beyond our current understanding is happening. So I want you to go there and investigate that girl... Now go! And do not disappoint."
"Pft." I blow out a stray hair that fell down as I tell myself how stupid of a final trial this is.
Joker was about to let out a yawn, when he is suddenly pulled forward as his car stops.
He looks outside to see a simple structure with a somewhat grandiose door.
So this must be the orphanage... "What a drag... Let's get this over with."
2 men in black step out of the limousine the workers all look in fear because they know no good news is ever brought by the Ogre.
The men open the door and jumping out and landing in a fashionable manner was a tall young man, wearing a fedora with a fancy feather. His eyes covered by the shine of his glasses being reflected by the sun. He sported a fancy black suit and red neck tie. His jacket wore the insignia of the Ogre, a gem with horns and fangs.
The man was none other than Joker. With a look of boredom he casually walked towards the orphanage.
"Hey lady..!" I demand as I slams the counter loudly. Y-yes sir! How can we help you!?" A lady worker quickly comes in and asks. I reply. "I heard you guys were having problems with a certain orphan in this here orphanage." "O-oh no sir! It's nothing you should worry about, please rest assured we have everything under control!" The lady drones on, her speech quick and spastic, her nervousness obvious. "SHUT UP! Calm down you bastard. There's nothing to worry about. I've been sent here to deal with the problem. So? Kindly show me to this person. And tell me everything that you and your fellow maids know."
"U-u-uhh... Yes sir! Right away! Please follow me!"
The lady steps out of the counter and gestures for Joker to follow her, and they begin to walk through the hallway. The sight of such undiciplined children running around the halls with snot in their noses disgusted Joker.
"Her name is Jomi Lijo, but the orphans and even us simply refer to her as 'Jojo', sir Joker sir, I tell you, she has been nothing but kind and compassionate, all be it a bit quirky..." The maid explains.
"Mhm... So you say... And this 'kind and compassionate' child burned one of the orphans in the place 3 days ago?" I retort. "Well uhh..." "Tell me more about this girl, and tell me about the events that transpired that day." "Well... Jomi is an odd girl, when she first learned to speak, she talked about a knight in shining armor and a witch lady, but no one but her was able to see it. Later on we dismissed it as her imaginary friends. When the incident occured, she said her witch lady friend got angry at the bully and casted a fireball at him..." "Hmm... So how was this bully burned?" "Well... We were unable to find anything that could have caused the burn. All we have is Jomi's testimony... She's locked herself in her room ever since while the bully is currently at the hospital."
The lady stops in her tracks in front of a door with a number and a name written in a plaque.
"Well... Here we are, heheh... Can you give me a moment?" The lady knocks on the door and entered. And I wait outside.
A certain child catches Joker's attention as she was beckoning him. A small girl with long brown hair.
"I'm warning you mister. You don't want to get involved with that girl."
Infuriated at her crypticness Joker rushes over to her only to find her gone when he turns to a corner.
"Where did she..?" I say out loud as I search around confused.
"Mister Ogre, you're free to visit Jojo now."
"About time."
I enter her room and the lady bows before rushing away as quickly as she could.
The room was nice and tidy, there were a small shelf that contained books and the room was surrounded with toys. Fantasy themed toys, swords, shields, and magical wands. There are even dice and rulebooks for Fantasy themed board games along with miniatures.
In the center was a table with plastic cups and teapots. Sitting from the other side was a young girl half my size. She had a long flowing white hair that covered one of her green eyes. She wore a witch's outfit, hat and all, but also a small sheathe that was empty.
"Magandang umaga po... Sir Joker... Please... Take a seat."
Jomi spoke in a foreign tongue, Tagalog, the local language of this part of the philippines. A standard formal greeting was simple enough. I studied and am familiar with 6 languages not including my native language. She simply said good morning.
"So then... Are what the staff at the orphanage say here is true? You hurt a child?" I ask. "I-it wasn't me! It was W1tch! My imaginary friend, she suddenly appeared and casted a spell!" She immediately countered, defensively. "Hah! Such a pathetic excuse won't work on anyone." I disregard. "I-i'm not lying!" She returns. Strange I thought... I could tell by her facial expression that she is not lying... "Listen here little lady, your imaginary friends are just that! Imaginary, fictional! They can't just jump into existence and suddenly hurt people physically!" I state. "I know what I saw..." She's still going with that Imaginary Friend thing. "Alright then... Then do you mind if I meet these imaginary friends then and ask them some questions too?" "O-okay but... They're shy, and don't like showing themselves to other people..."
Jomi turns around. "W1tch! Lancel0t! Someone wants to meet you!"
But there was only silence...
"Heheh... They won't even show themselves to me..." Jomi turned and said.
I groan and look down. I took the pot and poured some tea.
Frustrated at how the investigation is going.
Unbeknownst to Joker, A hand has appeared from behind Jomi, and added poison into his tea. Jomi, was able to see this but was unable to speak up in time..!
She was too late! Joker had drank the tea!
Ugh... Why do I suddenly feel nauseaus...
"W-what the fuck did you make me drink you little rascal!"
Furious, I threw my tea to the ground, and the cup shattered, making a loud noise.
I stood up and pulled out my 9mm automatic handgun - pistol and pointed it to Jomi.
"What happened!? I heard a loud noise and-" A lady had appeared outside the door and gasps at the scene she is witnessing.
My handgun is loaded with tranquilizer bullets, courtesy of the Ogre Yakuza. She won't die from this shot.
I fire the gun.
*BANG!
A loud bang echoed through the room. But... Another sound was heard immediately after... The sound of metal clashing with metal.
I was surprised. My shot was blocked by a sword that appeared out of nowhere.
"WHAT THE HECK!?" I scream.
Soon, 2 gauntlets holding the handle of the longsword appeared, followed by the arm, then the body, then it's head and legs. A man, with half a human face and another metal and machinery, it wore a proud full plate armor. It hovered slightly above the floor and stared at me menacingly.
It switches to an overhead guard and spoke.
"I will not let you harm Jomi!" The floating man in armor spoke. "Lancel0t no!" Jomi pleaded. "Th... That's... Lancel0t?" I wondered. Scared and furious, I turn around and ask. "HEY LADY! What's the big idea!? I thought they were just imaginary friends and yet there's one of them standing in front of us!" I shout, but the reply was not what I expected. "I... I don't know what you're talking about sir! I don't see anyone!" The maid replied, she was honest. "H-huh...?"
I turn again towards the man in shining armor. "Brace yourself!" Lancel0t shouts as he rushes towards me.
A quick brawl ensues, I duck out of Lancel0t's swing and took out my swiss knife. I tried to block his attacks but my knife simply phases through him. I take a severe wound in my chest.
I run back and simply begin dodging his attacks instead.
I break a couple of furniture and other various things in the process.
"Urgh! What incredible strength and speed!" I mumble to myself. "Guys, please stop fighting!" Jomi begs as I and this Lancel0t guy keeps his onslaught. "Oh my god! So much collateral damage! Why is Joker moving like he's being attacked!?" The lady outside the room says. Is this girl for real!? She really can't see this maniac who's trying to hack me into pieces!?
"Urgh!" I scream out as I fall to my knees and stop.
My head's spinning... That poison is finally taking its toll on me.
I fall down to the ground unable to stand up.
I watch as Lancel0t raises his blade and swings it down to me.
His movement was slow. Everything was going in slow motion.
This must be the near death experience. As my adrenaline rises, everything goes in to slow motion as I accept my demise...
Yet... For some reason I felt invigorated... It felt as if I could move at my usual speed while everyone else was moving slowly..!
Wasting no time, I roll out of the way and time flows as normal.
"I... I don't feel dizzy... Instead I'm feeling the same anger I was feeling when I was pouring that cup of tea... Like my state was reversed to a previous time..!"
What is this strange sensation..?
Lancel0t was rushing towards me again, but his movements and everyone else was so slow...
I casually walk aside and punch Lancel0t in the face. when I did, my hand changed into a robotic looking thing.
*WHAM!
I land a direct blow to Lancel0t's face. The same damage is seen in Jomi's own face and they both get knocked back in unison.
"W-what!?" Jomi stutters out. Just as confused as I am as she flies back several feet into the air by the tremendous force of my punch.
I turn around to see a creature floating behind me. I recognized its arm... It's the exact same arm from when I punched Lancel0t...
The creature looked like one of the superhero costumes from a cartoon I saw before.
He sported a helmet with a cool visor, a mouth that's stuck in place of the head, his stomach was a giant clock with the numbers in roman numerals. He had shoulder pads as well that also had a clock. His hands were mechanical and gray, the joints clearly visible, and his foot was a metal shoe. Behind him was a holographic wing...
The strange creature disappears and I look around.
A maid looks in confusion at all the collateral damage. Jomi was down on the floor completely knocked out. And I look at myself. I don't feel poisoned and my cut wound and clothes were normal...
Unable to process what was going on I collapse on the floor as well.
...
I couldn't quite put my finger on it... But my gut is telling me something terrible is about to happen... And that I should look out for Jomi...
After regaining consciousness, I report back on my findings to my grandfather.
"Gramps. I'm staying here in the phillippines a little longer. I'm adopting Jomi and making it my duty to protect her. I'll be living in an apartment for a while... I just have a strange feeling that I should be staying here longer."
"But Joker... You finished your task, you're supposed to return so we can crown you as our new leader!"
"No... I'm staying, that's my final answer... I don't feel like this mission proved anything at all... But protecting her... That will be my final trial."
"I understand... You have already proven to everyone that you are going to be a great leader... Everyone but yourself... Now go out there and prove yourself worthy of the title once and for all!"
I don't know why... But my instincts tell me a great evil is upon us... And I'm going to kill it in order to mark my place in history!
TO BE CONTINUED