Chapter 26

Earlier in City R

Script day.

Amai was dreading it in a sense, after all. He got wind that Yuuma helped write it all. As he sat at the table with the other cast members they began to read it over, when the Director was speaking aloud to the premise of this Beauty and the Beast movie. "Okay, here's our main story. The Royal Family is rather bad and rude people. Generations ago, they offended their royal court magician for his abilities despite being the best in the land, he came from a common birth. Sick of the ridicule, he decided to curse the family. 'Once a generation, your will birth a Child that you yourselves would never consider let alone care for. However if anything happens to this child, the curse will spread to all within the family forever! Until the day occurs where they are accepted for who they are, and they themselves are better human beings than the family they came from' Since then, the Royal family was plagued with this curse. And we come to the story" he said.

Amai began to read it over, and was rather stunned to how detailed it was as well the story flow.

It starts off with the crown Princess who just gave birth. Her daughter, born blind but became unwanted, for she didn't share the same eye color as her mother. She was petty about it and ordered the child to be discarded. It was also a scandal for the Princess is unwed. So she ordered her court to send the child away. "Not to a orphanage, or monstrosity, if this comes back to me, it will ruin my image. Just get rid of it!"

So her most loyal of the court took the child to the forbidden woods, and left her in the middle of it.

The baby cries when the camera shifts perspective, something comes out of the woods, and peers over the child. A monstrous hand appears as the baby vanishes in darkness, the screen goes black.

"This… is remarkable thus far…" Amai muttered.

"It's getting better, I can't put this script down!" said Isabella. Her hands were skimming over the pages faster than anyone could read. She appeared tickled pink as she jumped in her chair with great excitement. "OOoo, I love this! I love this!" she proclaimed.

It made Amai want to read faster.

The movie jumps to 6 years later. A little girl walks down the halls of a castle with a stick in her hand. She comes to a table where she is waited on by servants, who serve breakfast. "Isn't Jasper come?" she asked.

"He will in a moment, he just has some work to finish,"

Amai paused as he got to the description of his character. Jasper. Better known as Prince Jasper of the royal family. Affected by the magician's curse, he was forced to live in isolation by his father and the family for being too hideous. However, despite this, he still helps run the kingdom. He is the main one responsible for trade and prosperity of his people. He was so good and proficient at it, that the whole kingdom benefited. He has even gained some admirers from other lands. Some even teased a unification of their kingdoms. He wasn't ever rude or disrespectful to those who have tended to his needs. The servants themselves have proclaimed that they rather serve him than the crown princess herself due to her attitude. However, all his work is done without his sister's knowledge, she has merely assumed the nobles of her court take care of it.

He is busy with not just that, but raising the little girl he found that he has since named Felicia.

The story goes on as Felicia explores the world, thanks to the servants who take her out to the town for supplies, and manners she has learned thanks to Jasper. He taught her many things and found a way for her to read using brail. Blind people were not common in the time, but thanks to his connections to other nations, they had ways to allow those without sight to still read.

There came a part of the story when Felicia accidently touches Jasper's arm. Instantly she recoils in shock as he suddenly puts himself in seclusion. It took a few days for her to find him again, when Felicia found him, he tried to apologize for scaring her. When in reality, she wasn't. "I didn't know you looked like that… but… I want to see what you really look like."

With careful hands, he allowed her to feel his face for the first time. Her little hands gently came over his brow as she began to 'see' him for the first time. When finished, she was silent.

"If you wish to live elsewhere…"

"Why would I?" she asked. "I don't see anything wrong."

He was stunned to her degree. She saw nothing wrong with him? She accepted him for who he is? It brought him such joy to know another who can look beyond his appearance… even one who is blind can see the goodness within him.

The climax of the book occurs when the Princess sees Felicia out in public, thinking this little girl was familiar she calls for a ball where all who are noble are invited.

Despite his appearance, Jasper attends as well but is kept out of sight. He has to appear due to his royal duties, but the last time he was exposed it took the newer court magician to erase the memory from the minds of the people. When Felicia appeared, the princess was quick to get to her and demand and explanation. After all, she looks just like her, and the people were starting to notice.

Felicia displayed her manners worthy of a royal. Which amazed the court, how could a blind child learn such a thing without being shown how?

"You… are a witch!" the princess announced.

The room turned on her. Instantly calling for her blood for the princess decreed it. Jasper is forced to step in and demand a stop to it all, stunning the room silent.

His sister smirked. "Dear brother… came out from your rock?"

Jasper confronts his sister and demands she act properly towards her guests and company. When people questioned this monster, Jasper confessed he is the Prince of the Kingdom, first in line to the throne however due to his appearance he was forced to step down and allow his sister to rule in his place.

Questions began to be asked, there were royals from other nations, wondering about him, for all their correspondents came from Prince Jasper and not the princess or anyone in her court.

Jasper turns to her and states. "The reason for our prosperity dear sister is because of the trade we have made with our allies. I have taken care of the people, even those who are poor. Live better than before. I ensure they have means of getting work by having them train in a trade to benefit our country and yet ensure they make more than enough to take care of their families. You… you have not considered their needs."

When his grand speech ends, his sister merely smirked. "Dear brother, be that as it may. Who here would want you as their King?" she demanded with a smug look on her face.

No one said a word, no one but Felicia. "I would!" she called.

Then, the course echoed from the other kingdoms. One Princess even stepped forward and bowed. "I… came to seek a unification of our Kingdoms. I would be more than happy to call him my King… if he would take me as his Queen…"

Jasper, moved to tears accepts. He goes to kiss the princess when he began to glow.

When the glowing stopped. He appears as Amai's handsome persona, much to the amazement of the people. They instantly change their minds and vow to follow their soon to be king.

The prince however refuses the noble's call. "You judged me by my appearance, I do not care for your approval, in fact. I do not care what you think at all. I will tend to all our people as equals, for all have a right to live in comfort!"

He turned to Felicia and smiled. Scooping her up into his arms he vows to be there for her. "You, my dear are a princess…" he said.

But she laughed. "I've always been one," and embraced him tightly.

The script finished.

Amai sighed as he stared at it, but smiles. "This… this is doable." He said aloud.

The table agreed. "But, who do we have kiss you… in that form?" the director asked nervously.

"Latina Toru." He said without pause.

The table froze. "You know she is the top actress right now?" the director stated.

He nodded. Many people at the table didn't believe she would do that scene with him, after learning the truth. But the director promised to give it a try.

Isabella however was bouncing with glee. "Can we get started now!" she asked with great excitement.

Amai laughed. "We have to get the sets ready, but I agree, this is going to be great fun!"

He has never felt this way about a movie before. The excitement of something new, the story he gets to help bring to life. All the other ones besides the one he did as a serpent, they are just a blur in his mind, this one, sticks with him.

Amai stood to leave when his phone went off. "Multiple monster attacks…" he said. "Please excuse me I need to go,"

No one stopped him as he rushed out of the room. By the time he hit the streets. Monsters were everywhere. Rolling up his sleeves, Amai wasted little time in getting to work. The threats were minor, however when he cleared the streets, he got a report of a possible demon level threat on the outskirts of the city. "I better take care of this one quickly…"

#

Tempest kept to the woods and off the city streets as best he could. He senselessly wondered about, hunting whatever he came across. A few level wolf threats here, a demon there. But so far nothing has filled him. "Guess dad was right about this. I was growing but not getting enough food…" As he continued to slither through the woods, his phone went off.

There were multiple monster attacks!

"Damn, I better help… Let's see…" checking the phone once more, he found he was closest to City R. With a nod, he rushed in to stop the monsters. Along the way though, one came out of the woods!

A high demon level threat. A massive bird of some sort shouting aloud. "You all mocked me for my bird watching! Now you are all going to be worms to me!"

"Huh… kinda looks like chicken…" Tempest thought with a lick of his lips. He was in quick pursuit of it. Just as the monster reached the city limits, Tempest snapped off the ground and managed to knock the monster down. From there it was a simple coil.

He stopped to admire how much bigger he was. Had Snek caught this monster, he could probably coil it half way. But Tempest… he bounded the whole monster within his body. It struggled, and it was strong, but he was stronger. "What?! A mere worm like you is going to stop me!?" the monster demanded as the air was slowly knocked out of it.

"Worm, no. Snake, yes. Snakes eat birds, it's just the natural cycle… now, be still and make this quick. I am rather hungry!" The coil grew tighter, the bones began to break as the monster soon choked for air until…

SNAP

The neck was the first to give way, and then the heart stopped. Tempest licked his lips as he was quick to indulge in his meal. It was a lot bigger than what he ate this morning, and he began to feel full the moment it coxed its way down his stomach, yet as he savored the fullness. He heard them coming.

Their skates were hard not to hear.

Ten Neo Heroes appeared, the rough and rather savage looking ones to say the least. When they took one look at Tempest, their eyes widened in shock. "No way, we get to take down one of these bastards?" one asked with great excitement.

"Take me down? Why? I am not harming the city,"

"Who said we are after the monsters that do? Nah, we're here to take down at least one bastard child of Garou!"

They brandished their poisonous spears, and took aim at him. "You are attacking me when the city is in need of help!?" Tempest demanded.

"Who are they going to believe? You are still just a monster… and we get to take you down!" They didn't care… these Neo Heroes only wanted to make a name for themselves by taking out a child of Garou.

He braced himself for the worst. Has hasn't fought in serpent form in a while and knows the battle could go either way. Was his skin tough enough to repel the spears? Will the poison affect him? How can he stop these Neo Heroes on a full stomach?

They were smiling with wicked intent. Needless to say, Tempest was on his own and will have to fend for himself…

They charged at him, their spears drawn and near striking distance until…

The heads were severed off.

Off the spears that is.

The metal dropped to the ground as the Neo Heroes froze. "Our… how!? What did you do freak!?"

"Nothing!"

"That… would be me."

He stood leaning against a lamppost rather casually.

"I just came from a script reading to do patrols. You gentlemen are quite vexing to say the least. The city was full of monsters and you are here acting like children to someone who is of no threat to the people!"

"Amai Mask… alright, another to take down!"

He rolled his eyes to it all. "Son of Garou… you can leave if you wish, let me take things from here." Amai said.

Tempest was stunned, why didn't he call him by name? Or perhaps… he shook his head of the thought. "I already called for a drone pick up. It will be here soon, I can't quite move on a full stomach."

"Ah yes, that's right, very well. I will remain here until your ride comes. Now… Gentlemen. If you are looking for a fight, go find a monster that is harming the civilians, not the ones saving them. City R is still in danger, so go and take care of it." He decreed.

"Screw you asshole! Get him boys!"

Tempest could only watch as the Neo Heroes turned their suits on full power. Amai wasn't the least bit startled as they came charging at him, what happened next amazed Tempest himself.

He moved so gracefully, and yet he avoided every strike they threw. Yet he saw something. Each time a Neo Hero went for a strike against him, Amai not only dodged it, but he nicked the armor in such a way.

He managed to do that to all of them.

When it was over, Amai didn't have a scratch on him. The Neo Heroes appeared flustered to their own action.

But they weren't going to give up.

Before they could even come at him for a second round, their suits acted up. Sparks were flying as warning systems began to go off. "Shit, our suits!"

"We got to retreat!"

"You win this time, monsters!" they made a hasty withdrawal.

Amai sighed aloud as he peered down at the poisoned tip spears he severed from their weapons. "Huh, Alley maybe interested in this. What kind a poison is it?" he muttered.

Tempest however was a little speechless. "I'm shocked you didn't kill them," he said.

Sweet Mask smiled. "I've grown…" he paused. "What… made you think I would kill them?" he asked.

"I get a sense of your menacing aura to say the least… but these strikes were precise. How did you know about the weak points?"

"From what Alley was saying, these suits were once made by Metal Knight, he created a prototype to them, Alley just found the blue prints from discovered their suits were relatively the same as what he was creating." He explained. "I asked her about it before and she explained it rather well to me and the others in case they got too hostile."

He didn't know what to say. Amai was growing as a human being and becoming more aware of his power and position in this world. It made Tempest smile for a moment, he was impressed to say the least.

Amai then paused and looked at Tempest rather oddly, but he gave a smile and nod of approval. "You have grown so much since I last saw you." He said proudly. "You have been raised well…"

Tempest nodded, but sighed. "I suppose that is thanks to you after all…"

"But I did nothing!"

"No… you abandoned us to Garou and our mother… best thing that could ever happen to us. We were able to find what makes US special. Dad let us explore, learn, discover and try things we may have never considered before…"

"I have to agree with you on that. You are an amazing Sumo wrestler, your brother Yuki is a genius, Yuuma a talent to be reckoned with, he sings, dances, acts and writes remarkably. Athena is able to create great clothing, Titan too, his knitting is remarkable. Rimuru… I hear is very skilled as a warrior."

"Damn right," Tempest stated proudly.

His stomach then rumbled.

The monster he ate was already nearly digested. "Oh? Hungry already?" Amai asked.

Tempest was a little startled. "That was a demon threat monster… massive to say the least… how could it have…"

"It doesn't matter, you are still hungry. Come, let's find something else for you…"

"Wait, you're going to help me hunt?"

Amai smiled. "I am on patrol now, no harm if you come along or if I follow you. Either way, we run into a monster and deal with it. You get fed. People are protected. I don't see a downside to this"

Tempest has never spent time with Amai before, but given his situation now and how his hunger keeps returning rather abruptly, he agreed. "Alright them,"

"Good…" Amai's phone went off. "There are still more within City R on the other side of town. Let's go, your drone just arrived!"