1 Quest For the Key
Part 3
Chapter Author: Aino Utena ^.~
(Back again? Wow. I'm surprised! Anyways, where did we leave off? Oh yes. Everyone had split up in search for the sacred handcuff keys, Hana and Nak got in a little cat fight, and everyone went on searching. What will happen now? Read and find out. If you dare. *Insert ominous cackling and a dramatic flash of lightning*) (Oh yeah. I prefer the Pikoro spelling over Piccolo, so the only time you'll see the Piccolo spelling is when I refer to Piccolo Inc.()
It had taken a while for all who were present at Piccolo Inc.( to calm them selves, especially after seeing such a cat fight. After the calm….er…sort of calm composures had been regained by our lovely ladies and our equally hot Namekseijin the search recommenced. The group split up to cover more ground, not unlike the characters of Scooby Doo. Piccolo Raper, Sherri, Sabrina, and Nak headed up to the attic in hopes of finding the object in question, while Mia, Utena, Hana, and an unwilling Pikoro headed to the large, mysterious catacombs. They could all only hope that the keys would be found. Pikoro's hopes held precious freedom, while the others were hopes of a date. ^^
"Tell me again why it is that we didn't get to be in Pikoro's group?" Nak's facial expression could only be described as agitated while she, Sabrina, Piccolo Raper, and Sherri trudged up the long staircase that led to the attic.
"There are a few good reasons. Pikoro didn't want to be sexually attacked by Raper, so he picked Utena because she's too shy to get hug happy. Mia refused to be away from Utena because she has a bag of cookies for her search party, so that knocked me off the list. You and Hana got in that little 'dispute' and we all know that Pikoro *momentary drool* doesn't liked to be jerked around. And, since that group already had four people even, Sabrina was put with us. So here we are." Nak silently sighed, knowing that Sherri was very much right while Raper simply fumed in silence due to the lack of *ahem* action.
"Damn process of elimination…." Sabrina muttered in icy tones.
The atmosphere around them seemed to be getting a little bit hotter, which could only mean that they were nearing the entrance to the attic. Sure enough, only another minute later, they reached the very top of the stairwell and the door that led inside of the attic. Sherri stepped forward, placing her hand on the doorknob, though she did not turn it. She turned towards her three companions, readying her unlit flashlight.
"How long has it been since we've searched this attic, anyway?"
"It's been so long that I can't even remember. We probably haven't searched it since we started Piccolo Inc.( God only knows what's in there. Spiders, killer dust bunnies, ghosts, old school pictures, and old sketches from hell! Damn! And us missing a Great Dane and a few hippies."
Raper and Sherri eyed her as Sabrina chuckled lightly after Nak had concluded her harried rambling. Nak allowed herself an embarrassed chuckle as the pair of eyes stared at her.
"Are you done now?" Raper asked, one eyebrow raised as she folded her arms casually behind her head.
"Uhm…yeah...I'm done."
"All right. Let's find some keys. I just hope you guys know. We're working together now, but as soon as those keys are spotted it's every woman for herself."
"That's fine with us, Raper." The four exchanged devious grins of understanding.
The four armed their flashlights as Sherri slowly turned the doorknob. (Please insert overly dramatic background music here.) The door swung open with a loud creak, revealing the dark attic and it's musty smell. Raper, Sabrina, and Sherri slowly entered, pointing their flashlights in all directions of the large room. Nak entered a few steps behind them, searching the wall for a light switch. Boxes were piled high on all sides of them, covered in gray dust that had accumulated over the years, months, weeks, and days that had past since the last time anyone had been here last.
"God, it's dark in here," Sherri muttered as she lifted a sheet off of some obligatory box, reading the label for it. "Hana's old books. It's a good thing that she and Utena took enough time to label half of this junk."
"Yeah, I guess. Then of coarse you've got to remember that they keys could be in any of these boxes; labeled or not." Raper pulled a small dagger out of her pocket, stabbing a large spider that was crawling across the top of the box she was examining.
"All right. I've got it," rang out Nak's voice.
There was the sound of a loud click just before the room was filled with light. Sabrina and Raper grinned in relief, clicking off their flashlights as Nak joined them amongst the numerous mountains of boxes. They had to pry Raper away from her spider mashing. Each woman grabbed a box and tore it open, scrambling through the contents in silence. The quiet was suddenly disrupted by a joyful squeal from Sherri.
"What is it?" Nak asked quickly, turning in Sherri's direction.
"Did you find the keys?" Raper questioned, looking as if she was ready to pounce at any moment.
"Well, did you?" Sabrina popped her knuckles just in case she needed her fists any time soon.
Sherri's body shook with continuous giggles as she sat hunched over an open box, her back facing her comrades. She turned towards them, hugging a small blanket to her chest. It was light blue and was covered with several SD Pikoros.
"It's my old Pikoro security blanket!! I haven't seen it in ages!" Her face was one of much delight. "Here. I found some boxes with you're names written on them." She pushed two boxes forward and then resumed her blanket cuddling.
Nak and Raper each tore open their boxes, wondering what kind of things they would find. Nak squealed very much like Sherri as she pulled a small Pikoro plushie out of the box, hugging it to her chest.
"My old Pikoro Bath Time Fun doll!! I thought I lost it!" She rocked it back and forth in her arms like a mother would do to her newborn.
Raper grinned widely as she examined several sharp, dangerous objects such as daggers and knifes. Her eyes widened and she shouted gleefully as she pulled an item out of her own box.
"Holy flying crap! It's my Stab the Sailor Slut Doll!!" She held up an old, dirty doll of Sailor Moon that had several sewing needles protruding from it. " Why did I ever put this away? Hours and hours of fun…" She began stabbing it menacingly with her dagger.
Sabrina, not wanting to be left out in all the fun, tore open a box with her name on it and grinned widely as she pulled out her My Life Size Pikoro Dress-up Doll. She swooned happily and hugged it.
The four continued to root through their old belongings, taking a joyous (if not demented) trip down 'Memory Lane.' The keys could wait…. for now…
* * * * *
"God, this place is creepy."
"Don't be such a baby."
Hana and Pikoro exchanged glares towards one another as the two of them, accompanied by Mia and Utena, trekked down a long, dark passage. The sound of their footsteps echoed off of the cave-like walls around them. Somewhere they could hear the sounds of water dripping and bats fluttering. Pikoro seamed relatively unaffected by the dreary, bleak atmosphere. The three young women with him, however, we not so lucky.
" I don't want to be here! It's scary!!" Mia whimpered lightly and grabbed on to Utena's arm in fear.
"There, there, Mia-chan," Utena murmured as she soothingly patted the girl's head.
"I don't understand why we have to look down here. When was the last time you were even down here?" Mia asked Hana, her face set in a light pout.
"I don't even remember." Hana muttered, twitching her wrist as it kept being lightly yanked by Pikoro's. "Damn….we need some Scooby Snacks…" she muttered under her breath.
"Even if that is true, it would probably be best if we searched every where, Hana-san. Otherwise, we may never find the keys."
"I guess you have a point, Utena. I don't like it, though," Mia said as her eyes traveled across the sea of darkness.
The group fell in to silence, praying that they could escape the darkness soon. The sound of bats screeching resounded overhead, causing the three young women to squeal lightly. Pikoro growled in frustration as they each latched on to him. Hana had grabbed the arm that was connected by the handcuffs, Utena had grabbed the opposite one, and Mia had latched on to the back of his billowing cape.
"Gah! Will you three get….OW!!! SHIT!!!" Pikoro stumbled loudly after everyone had heard the sound of a loud crunch.
"Pikoro-san! Are you all right?" Utena knelt down beside him and Mia did the same as Hana clutched at her pained, yanked wrist.
"Yeah. I'm all right. I just stepped on something and it ripped through my boot. What the hell was it?"
Everyone turned around, seeing a pile of something in the darkness. Mia pointed her flashlight at it and everyone's eyes widened considerably. Laying before them in a desecrated clump was what appeared to be a human skeleton. Mia, Hana, and Utena screamed, (Hana more or less cursing loudly in surprise) obviously freaked out, and they all hugged Pikoro's front. The Namekseijin held himself steady as Mia grabbed his neck, Utena grabbed his waist, and Hana grabbed his side. (Poor Pikoro-san. *blush*)
"How the hell did that get down here?!" Hana said in a loud, shaken tone.
"I don't know," Pikoro murmured in a tone that almost sounded like he was trying to sooth them. (Thus hoping that they would calm down and let him go, giving him the chance to breath.)
"I have a bad feeling about this place. Something doesn't feel right," Utena said, holding Pikoro more tightly.
"Can we please get out of here?" Mia asked hopefully.
"That's probably a good idea. You three will have to let me go first."
"Oh!" They said in unison and then released him.
Hana grinned lightly, Mia looked a little disappointed, and Utena blushed in embarrassment. Pikoro's expression changed suddenly. He was looking at the path ahead with confused eyes. The three ladies of Piccolo Inc( turned around to see what he was looking at and they each mirrored his expression. Standing before them was a tall, dark figure, cloaked completely in black.
"Who…. who are you?" Mia asked, blinking twice.
"Do you really wanna know?" The figure asked in a voice that sounded like Daffy Duck if he were a cigarette addict.
"We don't have time for any crap! What do you want and who are you?!" Pikoro asked with a growl that cause a momentary swoon amongst the three ladies.
"I am the evil spirit of stupidity that haunts the catacombs of the Piccolo Inc( building above."
"Spirit of stupidity? There's a threat…" Hana muttered with all sarcasm in her voice.
"Silence! Prepare to see something so horrible that not even the best horror novelists could imagine!" He made a few funny motions with his hands (not unlike something a Power Ranger would do) and an eerie glow surrounded him.
The group of 'key-searchers' looked on silently as a figure formed a few feet before them. After a few moments it began to take a more distinct form. True to the figure's word, there stood something more horrible than any sight any of them had ever seen. Yajirobe stood before them, wearing a tight, pink (dare I say revealing) tutu. His face was covered in make-up and his body was surrounded by and unearthly stench. He batted his long eyelashes at them and gave them a smile that only he himself would describe as cute. He smiled at the four of them, one finger pressed against his cheek in a Sasami-like way.
"I love you," he said in a girlish voice. That was all they needed to set them off.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Utena and Hana each grabbed one of Pikoro's arms while Mia jumped on to his back. The Namekseijin took off at lightning fast speed, leaving the figure in black far behind. They could hear his wheezing cackle over their own screams, obscene curse, and shouts.
* * * * *
Pikoro slumped on to the nearest couch along with Hana, Mia, and Utena. They all dispelled deep, relieved gasps. It felt like they had been down in the catacombs for hours.
"What the hell was that?" Pikoro asked between gasps for air, his brow drenched in sweat.
"I have no clue, but I'm never going in to those catacombs again," Mia said, hugging the nearest pillow.
"You and me both, Kid," Hana said agreeing with her fully on the matter.
"I'd hate to say it, but we may have to. There has to be a reason for that thing or person to be down there. The keys may be down there and he or it might be guarding them," Utena whispered, resting her chin on her folded hands.
"She might be right," Pikoro agreed, gaining a blush from Utena. "In any case, we had better wait a while until we decide to go back down there."
Everyone agreed with nod. Utena stood up, stretching lightly as she headed in to the kitchen.
"I'm going to make everyone some food and prepare some tea, as well as some cold water for you, Pikoro-san."
"Thanks," Hana said in a tired tone. Mia and Pikoro simply nodded in agreement.
"I guess we can't do anything until Raper, Sherri, Nak, and Sabrina get back from their search. I wonder if they found anything…." Mia wondered out loud.
Meanwhile, in the attic…
"Woah!!! It's my old Pikoro cape!!"
"Oh!!! Let me see!!!"
"Back off!!!"
"Give it to me!!!!"
"Over my cold, dead body!!!"
"That can be arranged!!"
"MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
End of Part 3
What will happen next time we meet the characters of Quest for the Key? Will the keys be found? Will Pikoro-san go insane? Who was that figure in the catacombs? And will anyone develop enough common sense to realize that Pikoro-san could just rip his arm off and regenerate a new one?
Pikoro: Good idea.
Hana, Sabrina, Nak, Raper, Mia, Sherri: NO!!!!!!!!!! *Tackles Pikoro to the ground*
Utena: Uhm…. oops…
Part 3
Chapter Author: Aino Utena ^.~
(Back again? Wow. I'm surprised! Anyways, where did we leave off? Oh yes. Everyone had split up in search for the sacred handcuff keys, Hana and Nak got in a little cat fight, and everyone went on searching. What will happen now? Read and find out. If you dare. *Insert ominous cackling and a dramatic flash of lightning*) (Oh yeah. I prefer the Pikoro spelling over Piccolo, so the only time you'll see the Piccolo spelling is when I refer to Piccolo Inc.()
It had taken a while for all who were present at Piccolo Inc.( to calm them selves, especially after seeing such a cat fight. After the calm….er…sort of calm composures had been regained by our lovely ladies and our equally hot Namekseijin the search recommenced. The group split up to cover more ground, not unlike the characters of Scooby Doo. Piccolo Raper, Sherri, Sabrina, and Nak headed up to the attic in hopes of finding the object in question, while Mia, Utena, Hana, and an unwilling Pikoro headed to the large, mysterious catacombs. They could all only hope that the keys would be found. Pikoro's hopes held precious freedom, while the others were hopes of a date. ^^
"Tell me again why it is that we didn't get to be in Pikoro's group?" Nak's facial expression could only be described as agitated while she, Sabrina, Piccolo Raper, and Sherri trudged up the long staircase that led to the attic.
"There are a few good reasons. Pikoro didn't want to be sexually attacked by Raper, so he picked Utena because she's too shy to get hug happy. Mia refused to be away from Utena because she has a bag of cookies for her search party, so that knocked me off the list. You and Hana got in that little 'dispute' and we all know that Pikoro *momentary drool* doesn't liked to be jerked around. And, since that group already had four people even, Sabrina was put with us. So here we are." Nak silently sighed, knowing that Sherri was very much right while Raper simply fumed in silence due to the lack of *ahem* action.
"Damn process of elimination…." Sabrina muttered in icy tones.
The atmosphere around them seemed to be getting a little bit hotter, which could only mean that they were nearing the entrance to the attic. Sure enough, only another minute later, they reached the very top of the stairwell and the door that led inside of the attic. Sherri stepped forward, placing her hand on the doorknob, though she did not turn it. She turned towards her three companions, readying her unlit flashlight.
"How long has it been since we've searched this attic, anyway?"
"It's been so long that I can't even remember. We probably haven't searched it since we started Piccolo Inc.( God only knows what's in there. Spiders, killer dust bunnies, ghosts, old school pictures, and old sketches from hell! Damn! And us missing a Great Dane and a few hippies."
Raper and Sherri eyed her as Sabrina chuckled lightly after Nak had concluded her harried rambling. Nak allowed herself an embarrassed chuckle as the pair of eyes stared at her.
"Are you done now?" Raper asked, one eyebrow raised as she folded her arms casually behind her head.
"Uhm…yeah...I'm done."
"All right. Let's find some keys. I just hope you guys know. We're working together now, but as soon as those keys are spotted it's every woman for herself."
"That's fine with us, Raper." The four exchanged devious grins of understanding.
The four armed their flashlights as Sherri slowly turned the doorknob. (Please insert overly dramatic background music here.) The door swung open with a loud creak, revealing the dark attic and it's musty smell. Raper, Sabrina, and Sherri slowly entered, pointing their flashlights in all directions of the large room. Nak entered a few steps behind them, searching the wall for a light switch. Boxes were piled high on all sides of them, covered in gray dust that had accumulated over the years, months, weeks, and days that had past since the last time anyone had been here last.
"God, it's dark in here," Sherri muttered as she lifted a sheet off of some obligatory box, reading the label for it. "Hana's old books. It's a good thing that she and Utena took enough time to label half of this junk."
"Yeah, I guess. Then of coarse you've got to remember that they keys could be in any of these boxes; labeled or not." Raper pulled a small dagger out of her pocket, stabbing a large spider that was crawling across the top of the box she was examining.
"All right. I've got it," rang out Nak's voice.
There was the sound of a loud click just before the room was filled with light. Sabrina and Raper grinned in relief, clicking off their flashlights as Nak joined them amongst the numerous mountains of boxes. They had to pry Raper away from her spider mashing. Each woman grabbed a box and tore it open, scrambling through the contents in silence. The quiet was suddenly disrupted by a joyful squeal from Sherri.
"What is it?" Nak asked quickly, turning in Sherri's direction.
"Did you find the keys?" Raper questioned, looking as if she was ready to pounce at any moment.
"Well, did you?" Sabrina popped her knuckles just in case she needed her fists any time soon.
Sherri's body shook with continuous giggles as she sat hunched over an open box, her back facing her comrades. She turned towards them, hugging a small blanket to her chest. It was light blue and was covered with several SD Pikoros.
"It's my old Pikoro security blanket!! I haven't seen it in ages!" Her face was one of much delight. "Here. I found some boxes with you're names written on them." She pushed two boxes forward and then resumed her blanket cuddling.
Nak and Raper each tore open their boxes, wondering what kind of things they would find. Nak squealed very much like Sherri as she pulled a small Pikoro plushie out of the box, hugging it to her chest.
"My old Pikoro Bath Time Fun doll!! I thought I lost it!" She rocked it back and forth in her arms like a mother would do to her newborn.
Raper grinned widely as she examined several sharp, dangerous objects such as daggers and knifes. Her eyes widened and she shouted gleefully as she pulled an item out of her own box.
"Holy flying crap! It's my Stab the Sailor Slut Doll!!" She held up an old, dirty doll of Sailor Moon that had several sewing needles protruding from it. " Why did I ever put this away? Hours and hours of fun…" She began stabbing it menacingly with her dagger.
Sabrina, not wanting to be left out in all the fun, tore open a box with her name on it and grinned widely as she pulled out her My Life Size Pikoro Dress-up Doll. She swooned happily and hugged it.
The four continued to root through their old belongings, taking a joyous (if not demented) trip down 'Memory Lane.' The keys could wait…. for now…
* * * * *
"God, this place is creepy."
"Don't be such a baby."
Hana and Pikoro exchanged glares towards one another as the two of them, accompanied by Mia and Utena, trekked down a long, dark passage. The sound of their footsteps echoed off of the cave-like walls around them. Somewhere they could hear the sounds of water dripping and bats fluttering. Pikoro seamed relatively unaffected by the dreary, bleak atmosphere. The three young women with him, however, we not so lucky.
" I don't want to be here! It's scary!!" Mia whimpered lightly and grabbed on to Utena's arm in fear.
"There, there, Mia-chan," Utena murmured as she soothingly patted the girl's head.
"I don't understand why we have to look down here. When was the last time you were even down here?" Mia asked Hana, her face set in a light pout.
"I don't even remember." Hana muttered, twitching her wrist as it kept being lightly yanked by Pikoro's. "Damn….we need some Scooby Snacks…" she muttered under her breath.
"Even if that is true, it would probably be best if we searched every where, Hana-san. Otherwise, we may never find the keys."
"I guess you have a point, Utena. I don't like it, though," Mia said as her eyes traveled across the sea of darkness.
The group fell in to silence, praying that they could escape the darkness soon. The sound of bats screeching resounded overhead, causing the three young women to squeal lightly. Pikoro growled in frustration as they each latched on to him. Hana had grabbed the arm that was connected by the handcuffs, Utena had grabbed the opposite one, and Mia had latched on to the back of his billowing cape.
"Gah! Will you three get….OW!!! SHIT!!!" Pikoro stumbled loudly after everyone had heard the sound of a loud crunch.
"Pikoro-san! Are you all right?" Utena knelt down beside him and Mia did the same as Hana clutched at her pained, yanked wrist.
"Yeah. I'm all right. I just stepped on something and it ripped through my boot. What the hell was it?"
Everyone turned around, seeing a pile of something in the darkness. Mia pointed her flashlight at it and everyone's eyes widened considerably. Laying before them in a desecrated clump was what appeared to be a human skeleton. Mia, Hana, and Utena screamed, (Hana more or less cursing loudly in surprise) obviously freaked out, and they all hugged Pikoro's front. The Namekseijin held himself steady as Mia grabbed his neck, Utena grabbed his waist, and Hana grabbed his side. (Poor Pikoro-san. *blush*)
"How the hell did that get down here?!" Hana said in a loud, shaken tone.
"I don't know," Pikoro murmured in a tone that almost sounded like he was trying to sooth them. (Thus hoping that they would calm down and let him go, giving him the chance to breath.)
"I have a bad feeling about this place. Something doesn't feel right," Utena said, holding Pikoro more tightly.
"Can we please get out of here?" Mia asked hopefully.
"That's probably a good idea. You three will have to let me go first."
"Oh!" They said in unison and then released him.
Hana grinned lightly, Mia looked a little disappointed, and Utena blushed in embarrassment. Pikoro's expression changed suddenly. He was looking at the path ahead with confused eyes. The three ladies of Piccolo Inc( turned around to see what he was looking at and they each mirrored his expression. Standing before them was a tall, dark figure, cloaked completely in black.
"Who…. who are you?" Mia asked, blinking twice.
"Do you really wanna know?" The figure asked in a voice that sounded like Daffy Duck if he were a cigarette addict.
"We don't have time for any crap! What do you want and who are you?!" Pikoro asked with a growl that cause a momentary swoon amongst the three ladies.
"I am the evil spirit of stupidity that haunts the catacombs of the Piccolo Inc( building above."
"Spirit of stupidity? There's a threat…" Hana muttered with all sarcasm in her voice.
"Silence! Prepare to see something so horrible that not even the best horror novelists could imagine!" He made a few funny motions with his hands (not unlike something a Power Ranger would do) and an eerie glow surrounded him.
The group of 'key-searchers' looked on silently as a figure formed a few feet before them. After a few moments it began to take a more distinct form. True to the figure's word, there stood something more horrible than any sight any of them had ever seen. Yajirobe stood before them, wearing a tight, pink (dare I say revealing) tutu. His face was covered in make-up and his body was surrounded by and unearthly stench. He batted his long eyelashes at them and gave them a smile that only he himself would describe as cute. He smiled at the four of them, one finger pressed against his cheek in a Sasami-like way.
"I love you," he said in a girlish voice. That was all they needed to set them off.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Utena and Hana each grabbed one of Pikoro's arms while Mia jumped on to his back. The Namekseijin took off at lightning fast speed, leaving the figure in black far behind. They could hear his wheezing cackle over their own screams, obscene curse, and shouts.
* * * * *
Pikoro slumped on to the nearest couch along with Hana, Mia, and Utena. They all dispelled deep, relieved gasps. It felt like they had been down in the catacombs for hours.
"What the hell was that?" Pikoro asked between gasps for air, his brow drenched in sweat.
"I have no clue, but I'm never going in to those catacombs again," Mia said, hugging the nearest pillow.
"You and me both, Kid," Hana said agreeing with her fully on the matter.
"I'd hate to say it, but we may have to. There has to be a reason for that thing or person to be down there. The keys may be down there and he or it might be guarding them," Utena whispered, resting her chin on her folded hands.
"She might be right," Pikoro agreed, gaining a blush from Utena. "In any case, we had better wait a while until we decide to go back down there."
Everyone agreed with nod. Utena stood up, stretching lightly as she headed in to the kitchen.
"I'm going to make everyone some food and prepare some tea, as well as some cold water for you, Pikoro-san."
"Thanks," Hana said in a tired tone. Mia and Pikoro simply nodded in agreement.
"I guess we can't do anything until Raper, Sherri, Nak, and Sabrina get back from their search. I wonder if they found anything…." Mia wondered out loud.
Meanwhile, in the attic…
"Woah!!! It's my old Pikoro cape!!"
"Oh!!! Let me see!!!"
"Back off!!!"
"Give it to me!!!!"
"Over my cold, dead body!!!"
"That can be arranged!!"
"MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
End of Part 3
What will happen next time we meet the characters of Quest for the Key? Will the keys be found? Will Pikoro-san go insane? Who was that figure in the catacombs? And will anyone develop enough common sense to realize that Pikoro-san could just rip his arm off and regenerate a new one?
Pikoro: Good idea.
Hana, Sabrina, Nak, Raper, Mia, Sherri: NO!!!!!!!!!! *Tackles Pikoro to the ground*
Utena: Uhm…. oops…