The distance, why is it still there?
He always wonder, if there is a end of this circumstances. will it end with bloodshed? or will it end in peace? these were the questions that he kept begging. ever since the deal, his life becomes a living hell to endure. He can hear the sound of swords clashing together in the distance, without seeing it himself.
His name was Kagemitsu Daigo, a man that wanted his land to live forever. His life is like a game, figuring out a way to deal the problems that he kept away from so many years. now that the thing has return to haunt him, he begins an all out war to his neighbors and his curse. before long, he has only fought the simplest army; but this time, he is facing a higher threat than before.
looking at the long distance of the land, he was observing and feeling the dread to come. He was in his home, looking at the grey, gloomy sky. it was like the day before, bland, dull, and nothing more but a dust. He gave out a sigh until his wife, Nui No Kata, came by next to him. she was feeling the same emotion as he is. however, she has much more of a optimistic tone than he is. Surprising enough, he can only bother enough trouble in his life than his wife.
"seem a bit gloomy, doesn't it" She comment "all this war and destruction. it a pity the sky doesn't change".
"it never change", Daigo mutter, having the stone cold in him. There was nothing but war and such. once more, his life was beginning to feel odd; such story of the raging man with sword arm, spread like wild fire. no one was unsure, when he will strike or not; but thing for certain, he will not stop until his desire for something would put an end against his massacre.
Then, with no choice but to stare at the sky, three troops mounted on horses, came to his home. both were in their usually dirt, armor with no sight of rest or tired. He turn to face them, wondering what news they have bring with them. he asked "what is your business here?"
"sir, we have report of a mysterious object crashing down in a field", the soldier report, "We aren't certain if it alive or not. All we know there are sounds coming from it".
"An object?", Daigo mutter, with his wife staring at him, "Where did it came from? You say it came from the sky, right?"
"uhhh...yes, that all we seem to know", the soldier answer, "it kept shouted weird noises. should we investigate this matter, emperor?"
"hmmm...fine then", Daigo replied, "but my son and his team will go and deal with it. for now, we have plans to make for an upcoming attack. go and leave me at peace for now".
"yes sir" after they left, he gave only a sigh and walk away. She knew very well that this is just ordinary event to him since after his meeting with the demons, he would expect this kind of trouble from the outside world.
Tahomaru was the son of the emperor. He consider himself as a worthy savior among his land, with him tracking down ghouls or monsters that has bring terror to the land. His determination to bring glory to this nations is what makes him a skill warrior in some way. He was train at a young age to be a great swordsman and now his future has succeed to his expectation. Daring and headstronge made many cheer for his success and some questioning about his authority. The many victory's that are made by him are known by everyone, but his parents seem to be the judge of that.
Tahomaru is not alone to fight among the terror that brings into his land. His company are his young childhood friends that he consider family. Mutsu and Hyogo were his personal assistant; they were always with him in any dire needs. Both are consider to be his trusted people in the world from a young age; because of their loyalty, they had never question his purpose or motives. mostly, they only did as command.
In the bland and dirt road, the gray, yellow field was filled with nothing, but insects that bite on the leafs that are barely growing. They were riding on horses, looking around to see no farmers attending the need for their food. It seem to be this way because of the war; but nonetheless, they have a order to do from the emperor. Tahomaru wasn't suprise of a mysterious thing crashing down into his land, but Mutsu and Hyogo were a bit suspicous about this. For one, there was no detail if it was a ghoul or not. plus, there was no report if anyone got hurt from the object, but it didn't bother Tahomaru at all to think about it. All he care about is to investigate this matter and that it.
During their trip to the crash site, Mutsu comment on their mission: "I have a strange feeling, this is something more different than we ever encounter".
"hmph? What would make you think that?" Hyogo asked, confuse of what she meant, "It just seem to be another beast we must slay down".
"I know that, but don't you think it strange for an object to just appear out of nowhere" She replied.
"Come on, everything can come and go without explaination", Hyogo said, "This is just the same thing. It probably one of those flying beast eggs that was drop by accident, either from a slip or a storm".
"The report didn't state anything of it being an egg", Mutsu added.
"maybe it a fallen statue from the sky", Hyogo suggest, probably having no clue what to think of it.
"Whatever it is, we must deal with, quickly", Tahomaru told them, clsoing the conversation between each other.
They finally made their way to the site, near a crowd of people. They were back away by the soldier, preventing anyone to go near the object. Most of these citizens were usually old farmers or travelers that saw the mysterious object crashing onto a field. No one knows what it was; Most figure it to be a monster egg, others believe to be an fallen god while some believe to be a sign of the end. whatever it was, this cause an up roar of many people to see this object.
Tahomaru, Hyogo, and Mutsu made their way to the object. The crowd notice the emperor son approaching the object with no fear that many move away and let him passed through, knowing he might figure out this situation. The crowd stare at the emperor son, still not taking an eye off from the object. Before Tahomaru can make his way, he was confronted by the general, who was pleased to see him, "my lord, we have secure the object from everyone".
"good, did the object does anything...odd?" Tahomaru asked, with the general responding, "no, it still doesn't seem to move at all, sir".
"hmm...I see", Tahomaru said, "May I take a look of it?"
"certainly, sir", The general did as command and move away for Tahomaru to observe the object.
The object itself peak Tahomaru interest, similar to the crowd and his loyal partners. It was square looking, having a similar appearence to a structure with somekind opening that is shut by a strong, closed door. The object seem to be made out of metal, and it seem to be in a terrible condition which is indicated by the dent and crack opening. Tanomaru took a close look at it, touching the hard object and feeling it be quite hot, but still warm. Mutsu came to Tahomaru assistant, asking "what is it?"
"This...thing", Tahomaru answer, having difficult to say anything of this object, "I have never feel or seen anything like this".
Just before he can look away and tell order, a sound of wind wind can be heard exiting out of the top structure. Everyone look at their tension core, even Tahomaru step away from it and everyone stand back to see if any bad is coming out of it. Then, a figure jump out of the object, causing everyone eyes to widen and stare at shock. The figure itself stood on the object itself, with what appear to be a flying creature, standing on his shoulder.
"My Mattie's ! Captain Cracker has return from his imprisonment*eeeeeee!" The figure shouted, with a skull flag poping out from the object.
"squawk! prepare the lifeboat! squawk!" the loud mouth bird yelled.
Everyone was suprise and confuse to see a mysterious figure jumping out and yelling random words. Even Tahomaru was suprise by this act, but his baffling remark doesn't store it away that quickly, since now he expect this...thing to attack them. He Got off his horse, pulled out his sword, and shouted, "Who are you!? state your business!?"
The figure known as Captain Cracker, glare at him and replied, "who? me? I have already told you my name, mattie*eeeeee! I am Captain Cracker! the most fear pirate in the galaxy!*eeeeeee!"
"That right! Squawk! That right!" The bird agree, flopping his wings around.
"Fear? Galaxy?" one of the bystander remark. The others were also confuse by the mysterious figure statement.
"What does he mean by galaxy?" another bystander asked, with everyone speaking of the stranger meaning. Tohomaru figure to be just another random gibberish and said to him, "Don't try to fool me, beast!"
"Beast!*eeeeee!" Captain Cracker was offended by that claim, "I am no beast! I am a pirate! a fear one in fact! more better than the beast you believe to be!*eeeee!"
"He looks just like a dusty, old, skinny ghoul", Hyogo believe which caught Captain Cracker attention, who told him, "*eeeee! I wouldn't say that if I were you*eeeeee!"
Tahomaru didn't want to waste time and continue with his saying to the stranger act, "Well, whatever you, explain to us, why you here?"
"I will tell, if you tell me who you are, young lacky*eeeee!" Captain Cracker said, still standing on top of the object.
"Fine then, I am Tahomaru, and these are my-"
"Servents! eeeeee* I know that", Captain Cracker, "For my explanation for crashing down on stinking land, I was sent here because of my escape from the grasp of Mandora, patrol officer of space! eeeeeeee*"
"Patrol officer, what's that?" Mutsu asked to the master, who was confuse like the rest of them; But he still kept his serious tone i place, despite the comedic being acting.
Tahomaru continue, "If what you saying is true, then where is the patrol officer itself?"
"You want to meet *eeeeeeee! Madora herself?!" Captain Cracker was baffle by Tahomaru request.
"Of coarse, is there a problem for me to not meet her?"
"no, no! It just...she's the law of the universe", Captain Cracker explain, "She could arrest anyone for crimes like me commited".
"What kind of crime?"
"Any crime. Such as evil or bullying, she would arrest anyone for those type of crime".
"So wait, what you saying is there someone in the sky getting rid of anyone that is evil?"
"That correct! *eeeeeeeee!" Captain Cracker got off the object and landed on the dirt floor, safety, "Which is why I manage to escape from her grasp. Not that I didn't do anyone crime, yet".
"What should we do, master?" Hyogo asked, along with Mutsu added, "We can't exactly kill him, you know. Plus, it seem to indicate he's somekind of criminal".
Tahomaru think about it, looking down on Captain Cracker who was cleaning his sword with his arm; Checking any rust or dirt that manage to land on it's blade. He wonder how his emperor react of this. Not only his parents, but the entire world itself, knowing he and his bodyguards were the first ones to confront a mysterious like Captain Cracker. After some consideration, his respond was this: "We bring him to the emperor".
"And then what?" Mutsu asked.
"Then after that, we just have to wait until we do something", Tahomaru replied, "I'm not quite certain yet, how to deal with him, right now. It up to my father demand".
"A bit out of place for you to say that, Master", Mutsu comment.
"I know, but we don't have any choice", Tahomaru said, "Beside, there's a lot more things to focus on than this...foundings".
"Understood, master", Mutsu said, with her and Hyogo not questioning any further to his request.
Tahomaru then turn toward Captain Cracker, telling him, "You, get up. You're coming with us, and don't try anything to escape, got it?"
Captain Cracker got up, saluting himself and replying, "Aye, Aye! your majesty *eeeeeeeeee! I will do as your command *eeeeeeeeeee! Come Polly".
At the emperor palace, Captain Cracker stood front door of the emperor and his wife. Mutsu, Tahomaru, and Hyogo were standing there to observe everything what the emperor will do to him. Behind the shut doors, a bunch of civilians crowded near the wall to overlook the new guests that arrive in their world.
Captain Cracker was still tied up, with Polly on his shoulder. Cracker remark, "Seem's to me we aren't on Tigershark anymore, *Eeeeeeee!"
"Son, who is this...thing?" Diago asked his son, demanding some question.
"We found him at the sight, father", Tahomaru replied, looking back at Cracker, "It seems to be harmless, at least for the time being".
"Hmm, I see", Diago turn to face the robot pirate himself, as he wonder if this has any connection to the 18 demons.
"I am Kagemitsu Daigo", he introduce himself, "Emperor of this land, and I demand some explaination from you...creature"
Captain Cracker responded, "*Eeeeeeeee! Of coarse, your emperor".
He bow down to him and stood up, "Like I told to your servents, I am Captain *eeeeeeeeeee! Cracker! A famous pirate of the galaxy! *eeeeeeeeeee!"
"Galaxy?"
"Yes, that's what I was trying to say to your servents of yours", Captain Cracker said.
"I see", Daigo continue asking some questions, "Very well, and what galaxy are you from?"
"None! The only galaxy I roam about is usally the one far from Third Earth! *Eeeeeeeeeeeee! Since that's the world I seek refugee and get my revenge on those Thundercats! *Eeeeeeeeee!"
After his explaination, Diago and others were puzzle by the mention of Third Earth and the Thundercats. What was he talking about? Were they all truth or made up? Who was he and where did he come from? All these question seem to drown in everyone mind.
"What is he referring to Thundercats?" Nui No Kata asked her husband, who seem puzzle by the pirate statement.
His only replied, with mutters, "I don't know".
Then, he continue on asking the Robot, "And what is your reason for landing here?"
"I was trying to escape from *Eeeeeeeeeee! Mandora! *Eeeeeee!"
"Mandora? Who is this Mandora? And what are the Thundercats and Third Earth that you have mention about?"
"Mandora! *Eeeeeeee! It's a patrol officer of the law! *Eeeeeeeee!"
Polly added, by flapping his wings, "It's true! It's true! Quack!"
"Yes! *Eeeeeeeee! And Thundercats themselves are a group of cat like beings, *Eeeeeeeee! That I have try fighting them for revenge, *Eeeeeeeeeeee!"
"This is just getting weirder and weirder", Mutsu remark, "I'm not sure if he's telling the truth or speaking nonsense".
Daigo was a little pleased by Cracker explanation. Still, he wasn't sure to believe him, yet. As he was still dealing with the war, and a troubling monster coming after him, "So these stories you are telling us are truth, Hmm?"
"Of coarse they're the truth! *Eeeeeeee! Captain Cracker replied, "Now can you please untie me? *Eeeeeeeee!"
Diago thought this over, thinking about it. Then, he replied, "Very well then, release him".
After he was untie, Cracker remark, "*Eeeeeeee! Gotta admit, for a emperor, you aren't so bad with dealing with a pirate, *Eeeeeeeeeeee!"
"What is your request, father?" Tahomaru asked him, waitng for a respond. Instead, he ignore him, and kept on glaring at him.
Diago replied to Cracker, looking down at him with a stern look, "Listen you, I will let you go, only if you do something for me".
"Of coarse, *Eeeeeee! What is it, sir?"
"There is a monster coming after this land", Diago requested.
This seem to shock Cracker, as he didn't expect a task that is mostly about killing a beast. Even Polly seem shock, as it was flapping it's wing, "What?! *Eeeeeeeeeeeee!"
"Father, what're you doing?!" Tahomaru demanded, confuse by what he meant.
Diago wanted to save his land, he wanted to get rid of that mistake he made long ago. And since this mysterious being arrive, he assume it could be powerful enough to defeat Hyakkimaru.
"That is my request", Diago continue, "If you do not do what I have told you, then you will be executed, understood?"
"Now, now, my emperor! *Eeeeeeeeee!" Cracker state, "I may be a space pirate *Eeeeeeeeee! but I'm not good at killing for anyone, got it? Only for a price".
Before Diago could say anything, a random soldier came to him, "Sir! We found a amazing discovery!"
Another object has landed in the field, this time it was much huger and much detail. The ship caught the attention of everyone, coming by and seeing what this thing is.
"Another one, already?" One of the farmer remark, having his disbelief be struck again.
"Man, seem's like demons don't like the crops, anymore", Another one added, being very serious abou this without acknowleding his stupidity.
Everyone push, everyone nudge, until the Emperor and his royal men ( Including his son ) arrive. Captain Cracker came along, also.
He pass through Everyone, still puzzle by his appearance. He move danky and clanky, while Polly fly around like a buzzing bee. He isn't drunk, he was just built like this way. He swing and cackle, having some malfunctions that puzzle and perplex many of the citizens.
Diago arrive and demand a answer from one of the general, "You! Explain to me what's going on, now".
The general replied, before bowing down to him "A unidentifiable object has landed here. We expect it to be related with the creature, sir".
"Creature?! *Eeeeeee! I am no dumb creature!" Captain Cracker state, jumping and fist up in the air out of outrage, "I am cap-"
"Yes, Yes, we get it already", Mutsu said, out of pure annoyance already. In fact, it seems Mutsu and Hyogo interest on the Cracker were drop real fast, due to his annoying voice and such.
Suddenly, a close and shut door located at the beneth area of the ship open. A metal walkway bridge slide out of it and onto the ground, as a mysterious stranger comes out of it from the light source.
They all stand back, believing it either to be a threat or something else. Whatever the case, they all remain cautious, even Captain Cracker.
The strange was wearing all blue, wearing a monocle, and has a bull dog like appearance, who is all pale. He fold his arms, looking around and remarking, "Hmmm, that bounty better be worth it because this place look more like a dump than the last place I been to".
He adjust his monocle and notice someone hiding behind the crowd. He recognize it, pointing it out, "Hey you there!"
"Oh no", Captain Cracker mutter.
"Don't try to hide, you moron!" He yelled, "I can still see you poking out from the crowd. Don't think I'm that stupid enough to not notice".
With no luck, Captain Cracker reveal himself to him, walking toward and trying his best to greet him, "Oh, how you do my *Eeeeeee! Dear friend, *Eeeeeeee!"
"Don't call me, friend", Captain Shiner told him, "You still owe me credits".
"Credits? What credits?"
"Stop playing dumb, you know what I'm refering to".
Many of them have no idea what going on. As such, the Emperor decided to stepped in, asking, "What going on here? State tour business?"
"My apologize, sir", Shiner said, "I am Captain Shiner, and I am looking for Captain Cracker, who still hadn't pay me".
Captain Cracker gulp, "Now wait here *Eeeeeeeee! I still haven't pay you because I was busy on...uhh...telling the whole galaxy about some two strangers, one boy and one little girl, arriving on Third Earth".
"Liar! I know your tricks. You are just trying to slip away, thinking you would escape from my grasp".
"No! I'm not lying *Eeeeeee! I am telling the truth! I was busy!"
The mention of the boy and little girl caught both the Emperor and Tahomaru attention as they seem familiar with a specific someone.
"Hold up, what did he mean by a boy and a little girl?" Tahomaru demanded.
"Oh some couple of strangers got caught up by Safari joe and were dropped off on Third Earth", Shiner explain, "The reason the entire galaxy, including Limbo are talking about it was due to them belonging in a different universe, something rarely could happen".
"And what is the boy and girl name?"
"Actually, I'm not certain".
"Oh! I know what the laddies name is *Eeeeeee!" Captain Cracker mention, "It...uhhh...Hyakki something and Dododo, or Dororo. I think I got the first one right".
Thus the mention of Hyakkimaru and Dororo flabbergasted the both of them, wondering what going on? What did these two had gotten themselves into and why?
This is something they cannot allow for good reason. They aren't sure what this might lead to, but it could be beneficial to their land. After all, with countless war and suffering, it only make sense to take the more direct approach into this oddity.
"Hyakkimaru and Dororo? What did they bring themselves into?" Tahomaru asked his father, who is thinking this over.
As they all ponder about this, Captain Shiner decided to just take Captain Cracker with him and try to make him pay, wether it uncivilized or not.
"Now if you excuse me, I need to deal with my old friend here a lesson", Shiner grabbed Cracker by the arm, causing him to scream and flip our, along with Polly.
"Nooo! Get your dirty hands *Eeeeeeee! Off me!" Cracker shouted.
"Wait!" The voice of Diago made both of them stopped. He then aske the two of them, "Do two of you know where the two individuals are located?"
"Uhhh yes", Cracker replied.
"Then I propose a deal".
"A deal?" Both Cracker, Shiner, and Tahomaru asked, wondering what the deal is.
Diago know the risk. He knows letting his son go to another world may sound dangerous, but it was the only option to save his land, even if it meant losing his son to the Unknown.
The deal has been discuss. Both Tahomaru, Mutsu, and Hyogo had join with Shiner and Cracker to blast off into Third Earth. The deal itself was this, allow his own son and lacky to join with them of tracking down Hyakkimaru and Dororo, in return with anything valuable.
Tahomaru wasn't certain what to think of it, along with his adopted friends. He wasn't sure if this seem like a good idea. However, his judgement isn't enough to distract him, as his instinct was more of tracking Hyakkimaru down and defeating him.
Although Shiner has doubts, he agree and they ride off inside the shuttle, where Diago watches outside his home, where the shuttle disappear into the clouds.
His wife came by. After knowing what he did, she felt concern and asked, "Are you sure you did the right thing? Was it worth it?"
"If it meant saving my land, Yes", He replied, as the both of them stare up in the sky, wondering wether they will return or not.
Damn, this took forever to make, but I finally release it. Sorry if this seem short and long to make. I was really busy of doing other things, which sometime hinder my ways of updating certain story. So here it is and I hope everyone enjoy it.
The next chapter will come out very soon, and I am soooo glad I finally updated it. Now we can continue off where the story left off.