...
...
6 days have passed as I didn't do anything with my sister. I didn't go with my plan of fixing our bond since ... I don't even know where to begin. And to be honest, I don't want to overthink myself into developing one. Sometimes I want to avoid it and sometimes I don't. Besides that stressful thought, I'm working hard with Grunkle Ford on creating that communicator device so that Grunkle Stan can use it. He says that it'll probably take a month for us to get it working. If we have to wait a month, then so be it. I can wait that long and I'm sure he can.
During the days when my soul pulled me back into that realm, the lessons of learning about the realm have been slow lately. I'm not learning much from the demon, which is fine, but ... it's a bit strange. I would like to bury myself in the interest of the realm, however, that governor keeps following us. I have no idea what's his deal is with me. Surely leaving him with the demon didn't cause that much of a punishment, right?
I stepped out of the terminal, glancing around the surroundings. Luckily, we haven't seen that blue-eyed starry human around and I hope we don't see them. That's mainly the problem since he keeps finding us immediately. I was led in the center of the pathway, glancing around at the weirdly positioned dummies. An idea popped into my head. "Welcome to the Spar Sphere. Where you can train to your heart wishes." I heard the demon say with a bland tone.
"Spar Sphere... nice," I muttered, trying my best to sound interested.
"... You don't have to pretend, Pinetree." He said, halting and turning towards me.
I glanced away from him before saying, "Nah, it's better for me like this. You wouldn't understand."
"... If you say that, then you don't have questions at all, right?" He said.
"... For what?" I asked, slowly looking at him.
"Wow. You really don't. What happened to the question missionary in you?" He asked, raising a brow.
"There's ..." I trailed off, glancing down at the ground. I lifted up my head and turned to look around again. I caught sight of some starry humans training each in the area. Though something grasps my attention as I widened my eyes at two superior starry battlings it out. One of them used some sort of power... elemental power to be specific. I tilted my head slightly before glancing back at the demon.
"So. Is there anything you need to ask?" He said.
"... How...- uh ..." I trailed off, trying to sort this question in my head. "... How do powers work?" I don't know if that is a good enough question. The lord did say we get powers once we transform into our forms.
"Powers, after a superior starry has transformed, comes over time. It may take up about 15 years for them to be there, or it can take longer." He answered. "Each superior starry's abilities may be different from one another. Some may be enchanted physical strength, some might have mind abilities and others can have those type of powers." He added on before pointing at the same two superior starries from before.
"Can they have the same power?" I asked.
"Yes they can." He answered. "Some abilities may vary in ratio of its rarity, but I don't think we need to worry about that with you."
I blinked before becoming nervous. "... Y-yeah," I mumbled, glancing away.
"Where was that confidence in you in the first place we met?" He asked as I spotted him approaching me in the corner of my eyes.
"... None of your concern," I said, looking back at him.
"I'm not asking about that part, I just like to know where this brave attitude went. Did it disappear? Did I actually scared it off?" He asked, giving me a smug look. He halted his footing.
"... I don't know," I answered, giving him a blank stare.
"You should know, it's how you meat bags function." He said.
"Why ask me these questions out of the blue?" I asked, emptying myself from feeling any emotions.
"Well, I've been curious and watching how you changed over these past years. It's like you actually changed within a year in your world." He answered.
"I guess it seemed that way. Though I try not to have it that way." I said.
"It's not bothering me, kid. Just wondering about this whole new attitude. Maybe I'm asking myself some questions if it's gonna bother me." He said.
"Probably not," I muttered.
"Not? It might when I do something out of fun." He said, narrowing his eyes.
"Are we done with this place?" I asked, switching topics.
"... Yes ... we are ... I just need to show you another sphere. However, we are returning here in the future." He said looking disappointed before walking past me. I turned and followed behind, keeping my head low. "So, as you once said, did you say something happening within this realm?"
I lifted up my head and over at him. "... It's just a guess. I don't know if something suspicious is really going on."
"What about Claws?" He asked. "Doesn't he give off a vibe?"
"... He does ... a wary vibe that I need to stay away," I said, pushing back the nervousness within me. "I'm starting to think he took that starry human as a puppet."
"That sounds familiar." He said, letting out a small snicker.
"Not that kind of puppet!" I hissed.
"Watch it, Pinetree. With your flaws, you might get tricked into being a puppet again." He said, looking over his shoulder at me.
I blinked at him before looking away. "... If I'm not careful and put PRESSURE ON." I said, turning to glare at him.
He snickered and looked away. "You were needed for a plan. I needed to destroy the journal, it was just simple as that."
"... At least, in the end, you were defeated by our functions in the way we work," I said, displaying a small smile. I heard him grunt before covering my mouth to hold back a snicker. "Bet you never wanted to take control of a human body again."
"Don't push it." He hissed.
"Alright demon, I won't." I snickered before looking up at the transparent shield. "... We're traveling on the hover bus to the other sphere?"
"Yes, we are." He answered.
"... Let's hope we can make it quick," I said, feeling the nervousness and fear creep up my back.
"Why? Need to go somewhere?" He asked, halting in front of the terminal.
"... I don't want to see Gidlax," I answered, staring down at the ground.
"If his minions don't spot us, we might get the chance to not see him." He said.
"Alright," I said, nodding before looking back up to him. We walked over to the panel and input the destination before loading onto the hover bus. We were on the move as I had a cold feeling in my stomach. I shivered before hugging myself tightly on the seat. So many bad feelings I'm sensing. I wish I can stop feeling them.
"At least your feeling the same pain as I do whenever I see him," Bill said. "Or are you not?"
I stared at him with slight fear in my expression. "... I think he's mad at me."
"Mad at you?" He smirked. "For what? Leaving his ass?"
"That's... the only reason that I came up with," I said. "Though... he mentioned about... knowing who I was."
"You're true identity?" He asked.
"I'm guessing he meant that," I said. "... I didn't tell him who I was."
"Did he had allies from where you are from?" He asked.
"I would have known if I knew who he was in my world. Well, not known but cautious of them." I answered.
"Well, I have a guess that he was well known in your town once before." He said.
I blinked at him, my mind trailed over to a person. Gideon? Him? I don't ... think it's him ... wait. I looked down at the floor. A few years back, whenever my sister would visit for the summer, she became friends with Gideon again. Not sure of her reason since she never told me what she was doing. Every single time I get a free break from doing studies with Grunkle Ford, she would be out hanging out with him. Maybe ... just maybe ... My thoughts trailed off as I rubbed my chin slightly, thinking silently. "... None of it make sense," I mumbled quietly. He promised us that he would change for the better or so I remember his promise being that. Why would he be after me?
"Did you get an idea of who it is?" The demon asked.
"... None of it make sense ... none of it does," I said, holding my head as I felt a little stressed out.
"Claws might be putting up a facade so you won't know the real him." He said.
"... Yeah... that might be true ... maybe he ..." I paused as I flinched from the door opening.
"Oh we're here, never even noticed it." He said, looking over at the entrance. "Come on, let's make this quick."
I nodded quickly, getting up and following after him. We entered into another sphere that seems to have a huge stadium. Once we got in, he explained it to be a Coliseum Sphere, where beings can watch fights happen here. I heard of this before from Grunkle Stan. This is where you can earn tokens ... fighting tokens in each match I think. I don't quite remember what he said about it. But at least I know where bored superior starries show off whatever they have to the audience. We decided to sit through one as it distracted me off of my thoughts. Yes, more distracting, that is good for this mind. No more stress, please.
I sighed, sitting underneath a tree. The fight was over as we left to the living sphere again. It was entertaining, seeing which superior starry's powers. They also allow the starry creatures to fight too. Interesting... so it's for everyone if they are strong enough to enter into the Coliseum. Seems fair. I also realize about this sphere. For some reason, my mind has been at ease whenever we enter it. Maybe it's just how it's displayed for everyone, not just me. At least it's a good place at that. Now I can think properly.
I was sitting close to the Terminal in case that demon came back. No idea where he ran off to, but it's not my place to wonder where he went. I turned around and checked again, only to be met with a blue glowy stare from the same starry human as before. I jumped from my seat, moving six feet away from them. My back slammed against another tree as my heart began to race swiftly against my chest. What is it doing here? Is Gidlax here already?
I stared at them, standing so stiff beside the tree with an emotionless expression. They stared at me before turning and walking out from underneath the trees. I watched them walk up to someone who I quickly recognized to be Gidlax. Why? Why now?! I moved backward and sideways away from the tree, trying to get away from his sight, even if he didn't spot me yet. [[ You're in there, aren't you? ]] The voice chined in my head, making my legs halt. No, don't listen to him! Move! [[ Come out of hiding! I want to get a better introduction with you. Properly. ]] I shook my head no, snapping out of my frozen state.
I turned and ran deeper into the forest. No thank you, crazy governor! I jumped over some roots and dodged some bushes. Soon I was panting, losing my senses already. You are kidding me? What else does this realm carry over?! I fell forward as I caught myself with my hands. I coughed slightly before glancing up, freezing up instantly. Gidlax was there, standing there with a smug expression. "The more you run, the more I catch up to you. Maybe we should play that childish game instead of my original plan." He said, smirking widely.
"... Why are you doing this...?" I asked, slowly getting to my feet.
"Guess." He responded, giving me a disgusting look.
"... Abandoning you at the living sphere?" I asked, taking a step backward.
I flinched from the laughter he gave. "You think I'm doing this because of that? Oh, how stupid you sound." He stops himself and crossed his arms. I eyed the huge claws on each of them, gulping. "You know what you did, but you choose to ignore it." I stared at him confused, widening my eyes slightly. ... This sounds familiar... Gideon? Wait ... did my sister told you what's been happening between us? Is that why you're after me?
"... What will you gain out of this?" I asked.
"You're suffering." He answered, glaring daggers at me.
"Does Mabel knows?" I asked. Don't tell me she told him to get revenge or something on me.
"Why would she know? Oh- I WAS RIGHT ABOUT YOU BEING DIPPER." He said, appearing happy for a second before going back to his hostile behavior. I gave him a dull look, still keeping my guard up for a second to recover my strength.
"... So you're doing this behind her back?" I asked. "What happens if she finds out?"
"Well, even if she did find out, she would side with me. I've developed a perfect friendship with her, there will be in no way chance she will side with you. You damaged your guys' sibling bond and now it's my chance to take something from you." He said, glaring at me. "I will make sure you never get the chance to think freely on your own behalf."
I kept my mind from being bombed with thoughts, pushing that the chilling fear that decided to creep up my back again. I had a nervous facial expression, wary of his actions. "To take me as your puppet?" I guessed.
"Yes. I cannot mind control superior starries unfortunately." He said, looking disappointing. "So, I'd rather have you under my control before you transform."
I begin to back away, feeling my limbs shake a bit. Even if I try to run away, he'll just suddenly appear right beside me. What am I suppose to do? Give up and let him take me? No. I don't want to get slam down. I already did that to myself, I don't need anyone doing it to me. I halted my footing, staring at him warily. "... I don't think she would have approved of this," I responded.
"She doesn't approve of your existence. Don't you see that? She wants nothing to do with you." He said. I frowned slightly, looking away from him. Don't shove the words in my mind, please. "Do you get it now? Or do I need to show you that?" I stayed silence, turning away from him. "Fine, so be it." I heard him hiss before appearing right in front of me.
I attempted to jump away from him, only for my wrist to be snatched. I didn't expect to be dragged away, nor did I expected that we appeared right in the Imperial Sphere. I blinked in confusion, looking over at the demon who had an irritated expression. "Guess the star fell from the treetop greatly." He said.
"Not you too," I said, covering my ears.
"That's what I observed." He said, walking forward. "Come on, let's take you back to your world." I watched him get ahead of me as I uncover my ears. I frowned deeply as I didn't want to move. I shook my head and pushed back my thoughts, ignoring them. I forced myself to move forward, following the demon.
I blinked, looking around at my surroundings quickly. I was sitting in a chair in the basement of the shack. I looked down as I stared down at the tool in my hands. I noticed little blood on my fingers as I quickly got up. I put the tool down and search for a clean napkin. I did and placed it on my finger, putting pressure on the wound. Did my body do something while I was gone? I wrapped the napkin around my finger, turning towards the figure who showed up in the safety room. "There you are! And ... it seems your back." Grunkle Ford said.
"Did my body do something?" I asked, looking worried.
"Your body was not responding to any of my calls, it wasn't responding to any of us. That's very unusual since your body would function normally as you would be in the same form. Now it's ... non-responsive. Did something happen in that realm to cause it?" He asked, giving me a concerned look.
"I don't think it was the realm ..." I begin. "... I've been stressing out lately over future ideas and what to do with them in our projects." I lied, looking guilty to convince him.
"Ah. That's probably the main source of it. Stress can cause a lot of damage to your body and mind. I will allow you to take a long break from this." He said, nodding. "A week should be good?"
"Y-Yeah!" I stuttered, nodding with a fake smile.
"Alrighty then, tell me if you guys need anything." He said, giving me a small smile before turning and walking off to his business. I nodded quietly before navigating my way over to the elevator. I waited until I was at the staircase level, soon leaving the elevator and climbing up them. I opened the door of the vending machine and closed it afterward. I walked out of the room, freezing the sight of my sister. I glanced away quickly, avoiding her as I made my way to my room. "Hey."
I stopped and turned slowly to the voice. I stared at my sister who was staring at me with a mix of worry and irritation by the staircase. We stood in silence, wondering what we should say to each other. I don't want to say anything to trigger her, I already don't want to make it worse. "... You, you didn't ...- You don't have to keep avoiding me..." She said warily.
"... But ... you don't ... want me around you," I said quietly, holding myself back from looking hurt. I'm not going down that pathway of playing the victim card.
"... Yeah but ... I don't want to see you afraid of me because of that last argument." She said, slowly approaching me. "That was a mistake that I shouldn't have done." I stayed quiet, unsure of what to do. "... Can we talk in your room?" She asked. I thought about it for a moment before nodding my head afterward. I turned and led her the way. I opened the door and stood out of the way for her to enter. Once she did, I closed the door. "Wow, you keep your room clean." She commented.
"... Y-yeah," I muttered quietly, walking quietly over to my bed to sit on it. I scooted over as my sister came over and sat next to me. I glanced away as I heard her gasp. She grabbed my hands and stared at the napkin that was still wrapped around my finger.
"Got hurt down there?" She asked, examining it like a nurse.
"... Would you believe me if I tell you?" I asked, frowning slightly.
She slowly looked at me, giving me a distrustful expression. "... Not really, it's not what you did in your guys' work?"
"... No. It's not." I said, looking away from her. "Actually, never mind, I lied, it was." I lied, pulling my hands away from her. Nevermind about explaining it, I know my answers won't get through her-
"No, tell me!" She said, shaking me. I glanced back at her with a surprised expression. "I won't get mad at it and ... I actually want to know the answers towards your behavior lately."
"... Oh. Right. Well, the reason why I wasn't acting the way I should be is ... my soul was in another world. Remember that realm I told you before? Well, it has a habit of pulling your soul from your body and into that realm." I answered truthfully. "Thought ... it shouldn't really have a negative effect when the body is ... left soulless."
"I think it does because you acted so dull and avoidance- which is my fault. But you behaved so ... strangely like ... very cold and empty. You also didn't respond when I called you multiple times. Same with Soos ..." She said, having a worried expression. "but that was all today, what made you become that way or ... how did your body become that way...? Actually shouldn't the soul be still connected to your body? So, if anything happened to your soul ... some of that effect will appear in your body."
"... Never thought it that way... I thought the soul would be disconnected since ... Grunkle Stan's body is dead," I said curiosity sparked within me.
"Maybe they disconnect whenever the other form is gone." She guessed. She soon shrugged. "I don't know, did anything happened to you from the days up until this day?"
"... Nothing ever happened to make me feel distressed in the past like it did today," I answered. I widened my eyes slightly. "Wait, maybe the soul and physical body are connected!"
"What happened today?" She asked.
"Uh... I don't want to talk about that." I said quickly, feeling super uncomfortable.
"... I won't know about everything until you tell me." She said softly.
"... Do you really want to get involved in my mess?" I asked. Crap, that was my chance to fix everything, why did I say that?
"Why not? I don't want us to be distant anymore." She said, glancing at me.
"... Did you realize I wasn't tricking you before?" I asked, looking a bit surprised.
"No... I realized now. I was so jealous and stupid that I thought you were gaining the most attention. But in the end, I wasn't thinking correctly and I allowed my feelings to control what I wanted to do. I apologize for that." She said, frowning.
"I should be the one apologizing in this matter," I muttered quietly.
"Well, we're both wrong. But we can always make it up." She said, giving a small smile. "If we both try hard enough."
"Sounds like a good idea." I nodded.
"Good!" She chirped before stopping at the ring of a phone. She turned and pulled out her phone, staring at the phone call. I glanced at it before looking away quickly. Gideon... of course. The ringing stop as I looked back at her, wondering what she was doing. She placed it on the bed and looked at me. "He can wait, fixing this sibling bond is more important."
I smiled softly, feeling some stress getting lifted off of me. Good, after several attempts, I'm finally fixing this relationship between us. Let's hope nothing gets in the way of it.
End of Chapter 5
I'm not so sure if Mabel will stay true to her word.
Anyway, I'm updating this every two weeks since it's catching up to where I am at in the story.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
See you in the next note. ^^