Chapter 19: Mystery Beyond Powers
PII: From Darkness Into Light
"The darkness can only succumb to the light that reigns."
Disclaimer: No I don't own anyone!!
Misao Seta: ^__* Thanx 4 reading my fic and reviewing! I look forward to more reviews from you!
Forevermore: Thanx! I appreciate your review!!! Oh, I have a picture of Razan that I drew. I'll send it to you when I scan it!
Lacrease: I'm glad you liked that chapter, I may have more chapters like that, maybe...if it fits in well. Thank you for your kind words! I feel loved!!
Kazzy: I think everyone knew Akuma was Steve! Yes, I know that Jessica and Hinotama are an odd pairing, but it kind of makes sense. They both need to be loved. -_-! *sigh* that's just a bad excuse!
Opside: Nope...no one captured yet!
Jupiter's moon Europa: He, I think you are psychic! It's quite odd that you would think of that line before it was said. Oh well. Hey! You like sailor Jupiter, right? Well, I drew this KAWAII picture of Europa in a sailor uniform! She does kind of look like Jupiter. Don't ask, I was bored. I'll scan it and send it to you soon!
Whisperz: I'm glad you enjoy this! Keep reading! Go on, don't be shy!!! ^__*
Kazuya shook Zenrei's shoulders, trying to wake her up. Slowly, she opened one eye, and then the other.
"Grampa?" She asked. "Is that you?" Kazuya smiled and swept her bangs to the side of her head.
"Yeah, it's me." He said. Panda, Kuma, and Yuki ran by their side. They had sensed a presence long before any one else could. Kazuya now sensed it too. Hinotama and Jessica crept up from behind their sanctuary and approached them. Kazuya had immediately recognized Hinotama, as well as for Razan and Zenrei. Zenrei had also seen Jessica alongside Hinotama.
" Hey, what are you doing with her?" Zenrei asked Hinotama. "Leave her alone, she is my friend!" Zenrei snapped. She escaped Kazuya's grasp and headed straight towards him. Razan tried to stop her, but Zenrei was too elusive.
"Zenrei! Get over here!" She called out. Zenrei charged at Hinotama and dug her teeth into his arm. Hinotama shouted and swung his arm, letting Zenrei fall to the ground. She jumped back up, but Razan had finally taken hold of her. "What do you think you're doing? You could get yourself killed!" Razan shouted. Zenrei looked up at her with a serious face.
"Razan! Jessica isn't a bad person, she's my friend." Jessica had overheard that conversation and suddenly felt bad. Taking Zenrei would be a piece of cake from here on out. She didn't even really have to try. She truly understood how naïve Zenrei was.
Jessica leaped up and tried to snatch Zenrei from Razan. Razan tried hard to get a good grip on little Zenrei.
"What are you doing?" Zenrei asked. "Why are you hurting me?" Razan kicked Jessica as hard as she could in the chest. Hinotama had come after Razan, but Kazuya stood in his way.
"Get away!" He commanded. "Leave now!" Hinotama punched Kazuya hard in the stomach, making him fall to the ground.
"Grampa!" Zenrei cried again. Razan looked back at the injured Kazuya.
"Kazuya!" She shouted. She ran after him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Get Zenrei out of here!" Kazuya commanded. Razan shook her head.
"But what about you? I won't leave you! You are a part of this family also, and I won't let you stand here and get killed." Kazuya rolled over on his back and smiled.
"Don't worry about me. Zenrei is our main concern." He said quietly. "Just make sure that you two leave safely. Also, take good care of Jin and Ling. I want them to be completely safe, just like I once promised." Razan could feel his words tearing at her heart.
"No...come with us." She pleaded. "Please come with us! You took care of me when I was little, I looked up to you, and Zenrei does too. Please...Kazuya." He slowly pushed her away from him.
"Now, get going." He said, finally getting up to his feet. Razan nodded her head and took Zenrei with her.
"Hey! Wait! What about Grampa?" Zenrei asked. "We can't just leave him here!" She pulled Razan's hand and asked to go back for him.
"No. He wants you to get home safely." She said.
"I don't want to go without him!" She snapped. She let go of her hand and ran towards Kazuya. Razan chased back after her and grabbed her by the waist. "What are you doing?! Let me go! I want to go help him!" She yelled. Tears ran down her face.
"Stop it! I know, I want to go help him too, but we can't. This is what he wants; he wants you to be safe." Razan wiped the tears from Zenrei's eyes.
"I know, but I love my Grampa. I don't want to say goodbye to him just yet." Razan understood what Zenrei had just said. She nodded and put her down on the ground.
"Kuma, Panda, and Yuki. Make sure that you take care of Zenrei. Take her home, and don't make any stops for anything." They nodded.
"What? What are you doing?" Zenrei asked.
"I'm going to make sure that you get home safely, and I am going to fight by Kazuya's side. I am going to make sure that he comes home safely with us." Zenrei wiped her cheek and smiled.
"Thank you." She said quietly. She hopped up on Panda as they rode her home.
Razan ran back towards Kazuya and smiled.
"Surprised?" She asked. Kazuya looked around for Zenrei. "Don't worry, I had Kuma, Panda, and Yuki take her home." She stood in her fighting stance and stared directly towards Hinotama and Jessica. "So you two, are you going to fight, or just gawk at me all day!?" She said in a smug tone.
~*~*~*~*
Akuma was sitting at his desk, he was very curious to the actions of Hinotama and Jessica. He did not know what to make of it. Something was awfully peculiar about them. First they were blood enemies, now they were walking hand in hand to go and carry out their plans.
"I don't like this feeling. I think that someone just got smart." He said, rising from his desk. "I'm going to make sure that none of them pull anything on me." He looked towards his window. A broad smile appeared on his face. "And if they do...I will also have something in store for them." With that, he gave out a howl and leaped out of his window.
~*~*~*~*~*
Zenrei ran by the house, huffing and puffing. Miharu and Europa had just arrived. Europa could see the suffering of her friend in her eyes.
"Are you ok Zenni?" Europa asked. Zenrei fell to her knees. She tried to catch her breath.
"Europa! Aunt Miharu! Grampa...and Razan are fighting Jessica and Hitmontopia!" She exclaimed. Europa and Miharu weren't sure of what she had just said.
"Hitmontopia? Who's that?" Miharu asked. Then it hit her. Hitmontopia sounded quite similar to...Hinotama! It had to be! Her brother was here! "Do you mean...Hinotama?" She asked worriedly. Zenrei nodded her head.
"I guess so! He's evil I know it! He tried to...to..." She couldn't say it. She couldn't tell them that Hinotama was the one who tried to turn her into a devil. Miharu was frightened. She remembered her brother quite well. He was the one who killed her husband, Europa's father.
"Mama, Hinotama...isn't that the gut who-who killed daddy?" Europa asked softly. Miharu wiped a tear from her own cheek and silently nodded her head.
"Yes. But that's not all. Hinotama is...he is...my brother." She said. Europa and Zenrei's eyes widened.
"You mean...he's related to you?" Zenrei asked.
"And me too?" Europa asked with sadness in her voice. Someone who she was related to killed her father that she never knew.
There was a brushing sound coming from the bushes nearby. Panda and Kuma stood poised as they guarded their family. Yuki snuck her way in between both of them. Out of the dark bushes came four shadows. Miharu grabbed both Europa and Zenrei in her arms, protecting them from potential danger.
"It's ok. We talked everything out." Said a familiar voice.
"Razan?" Europa asked.
"Hey, I think it is her." Zenni added. The two of them stepped into the light. "Hey it is!" She looked over to Kazuya who was standing next to her. "And Grampa too!" She exclaimed. Kazuya and Razan approached Miharu.
"It's alright. We have everything situated." Razan said. "Come on, let's go in." She said as she guided everyone in. Zenrei and Europa were holding on tightly to Miharu.
"What are you doing!?!!" Called out a voice. Kazuya and Razan looked behind them.
"Hey, isn't that Jin's voice?" Asked Jessica. Kazuya nodded.
"Yeah, you're right, it is." He answered.
"What's he doing?" She asked, a little confused. They all shrugged their shoulders.
"He's getting beat up because he was gadged to you!" Zenrei said with a smile. Europa and Miharu laughed at the thought. Ling came out of the room with her hair messed up and her clothes were tattered. She grabbed Jin by his shirt and threw him to the couch.
"You knew what you were doing this whole time! I hoped you learned your lesson!" She said with a smirk. Jin didn't say anything. He looked just as beaten up as anything. She gave him a bold smile and looked to see the gawking audience. "What?" She asked, wondering why everyone had their eyes on her. Then she saw Jessica, the whole reason that she had that 'fight' with Jin about. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. Next to Jessica, she saw Hinotama. Her eyes widened as she saw how different he had become. He was dark and evil, and most likely working for devil. "What are they doing here?" She asked, approaching Jessica. "Especially this one!"
"It's alright Ling, she and Hinotama just want to see Zenrei for a second, that's all." Razan said calmly. Ling sneered at her.
"Yeah, I bet they want to see Zenni! They want to kidnap her and take her to Devil, I'm not stupid!" She retorted.
"No Ling, I really think that they have good intentions. I think that they really want to change." Miharu said with a kind smile. Ling couldn't believe what she had just heard. "If my brother wants to change, by all means we should help him." Ling was very skeptical about all of this.
"How do I know that all of you aren't under some kind of hypnotic trance? You guys are probably playing some sneaky trick on us! Well, I won't fall for it!" Zenrei crawled down from Miharu and walked up to her mother.
"Mama, I know this may seem weird, but I trust them! Come on, let me help!" She said cheerfully.
"But Zenni, how do you know if..."
"I don't. But I must trust in myself. I know I can do it, I just know I can!" She said. Ling had to learn to trust in her daughter, and in her special abilities. She looked over at Jin who hadn't said a word, and he did not intend to. She looked back at Jessica and Hinotama.
"Fine. But I am going along." She said. Zenrei smiled and took their hands.
"Come on! This way!" She said gleefully. Jessica and Hinotama were led to another place far away from the house. Little did they know, another follower was approaching them.
"I wonder where they plan on going." Said JiEun. She followed right behind them, not too close, but not too far. "It looks like the little Kazama has something up her sleeve. And I'm just the one to find out!!" She chuckled.
Zenrei had led them to an open field where the sky had seemed to open up to them. She placed Hinotama and Jessica in the center of the field and combined their hands. She knelt down in front of them and clasped her hands together, placing them right under her chin.
Miharu was shaking. She was nervous to find out if her brother was coming back to her or not. She held onto Europa's hands tightly. The young girl could tell that this was important to her mother. Somehow, this would piece her family back together.
"Come on Zenni! I'm cheering for ya!" Europa shouted. Zenrei smiled back at her friend. She was glad to see that she was supporting her.
"Uh, I hope you guys are really serious about this. This is after all my first time doing this!" Jessica now felt uneasy about this task. She was putting her life in a five-year-old's hands. She took a deep breath and looked towards Hinotama.
"In just a moment, the two of us will be free." She said. He nodded his head in agreement. Zenrei closed her eyes and silently prayed to her angel. Her mouth moved, but no one could hear the words coming out of it.
"Why did you agree to this?" Jin whispered to his wife. She looked over to him, a little unsure on how to answer that.
"Zenrei told me to trust in her. So I did." She looked out at Zenrei who looked so calm and peaceful. "Also, I think this is good training for her angel powers."
"I agree." Said Razan. "That is also why I decided that it was a good idea."
"You thought of that?" Ling asked. Razan nodded her head.
"Yeah, and this way she will have two less enemies after her." Kazuya added. Ling was shocked to hear that everyone was in on this. She looked back out at her little girl. A swarm of white lights surrounded the three of them. The wind blew rapidly, swaying the tree branches along with them. Zenrei slowly opened her eyes and somehow, she was beginning to change. She grew white wings and her eyes shined bright. She flew high into the sky with her wings far apart, keeping her balance. Her feathers grew longer as some of them fell. Both Jessica and Hinotama were in a deep trance, turning away from darkness. Ling's eyes widened. Zenrei had changed into an angel.
"This is it! This is her angel like form that Jun was talking about!" Ling said happily. "I can't believe it!"
'Release your soul, take in the light presented to you.' Came a heavenly voice. Zenrei just stayed up in the air, not moving. She was a lifeless puppet being used by the angels. Both Hinotama and Jessica gave up their evil intentions, giving into the light.
"Zenni." Jin mumbled. He had seen the way his daughter looked. She was pure, without a trace of darkness embedded in her.
'No! It can't be!' Akuma said from where he was standing. 'She has changed into her angel form! This isn't good. We must have her now!' He thought. He glared over to her, waiting for her to take action. He then looked at the two figures under her. "Those traitors!" He yelled. "I knew they were on to me! That's quite alright, they'll learn their lesson for betraying me!" He said with a smug look on his face.
After a while, the light around them died down. Hinotama and Jessica fell to their knees. Zenrei had lost a lot of energy and fell all the way down to the ground. She tried standing up, to regain her composure. She got up to her feet and shook off a bit. Her wings were still very bright and spread across the width of her body. She panted and slowly made her way towards her parents. She fell safely into their arms and yawned.
"I'm so tired." She said softly. Jin looked at his beautiful child lying in his arms. Miharu ran up to Hinotama and collapsed next to him.
"Brother, are you alright? Can you hear me?" She wrapped her arms tightly around him. Hinotama had opened one eye, and then the other. He saw his lonely little sister crying on his chest.
"M-Miharu? Is that you sis?" Miharu's teary eyes widened as she heard her brother call her name.
"Oh Hinotama! I've missed you so much!" She cried. He sat up and embraced his little sister.
"I've also missed you...little sister." He looked up at Jin and Ling, his former best friends. "Thank you my friends. Thank you for opening my eyes." They smiled and nodded.
"Don't thank us, thank her." Ling said, pointing to Zenrei. Zenrei walked up to Hinotama and sat down next to him. Hinotama patted her head and gently touched her heavenly wings.
"Thank you. We owe you everything." He said. Zenrei gave him a cute little angelic smile.
"Eh, don't mention it. I owe all of my thanks to Razan and my mommy and daddy! They helped me a lot, along with my friend Europa." Jessica got up to her feet and walked up to Ling.
"Look, I'm sorry for everything I put you through. Now, Hinotama and I are free. We can do whatever we want." Ling looked at the happy expression on both of their faces.
"It's alright, I'm just glad that you have another chance." JiEun saw the white wings on her friend's back.
"I knew it! I knew you weren't normal!" Said JiEun as she ran up to Zenrei. Everyone watched the girl who abruptly came out of nowhere. "Ha! My intuition never failed meeee!!!!!!" Akuma had swept down from out of nowhere and grabbed JiEun. Everyone gasped as they saw the dark being. Zenrei had watched as Akuma had taken one of her friends.
"Let her go!" Zenrei yelled. This is what Akuma had feared the most. She was capable of destroying him, but he would never let her know that. He kept a short distance from her, but yet close enough to give a signal that he was not intimidated by her, yet deep down, he was frightened to death of this threat.
"You want her? Well, come and get her!" Zenrei didn't know how to fight him. She didn't want to fight him. She wanted to spare any bloodshed possible. She backed away from him.
"Zenrei you chicken! Come and save me!" JiEun yelled. Zenrei stood helpless.
"Akuma, let her go now!" She said sternly. He smirked and walked towards her.
"He's afraid! He knows he can't touch her because she could kill him!" Razan shouted. Akuma turned back and cocked his head.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He said calmly. Razan fearlessly walked up to him.
"Oh no? I think you know damn well what I'm talking about! Why else would such a powerful being produce his own minions to do his dirty work if he's so strong? I'll tell you why!" She kicked Akuma in his stomach with her lightning fist attack, sending him crashing to the ground. Then she stomped on his back, trying to break his bones. Akuma groaned in pain, but he got back up.
"Razan!" Zenrei called. Razan was too into her battle with Akuma.
"Come on you! Fight me!" She commanded. Akuma wiped the blood off of his face.
"Wow, I completely underestimated how strong you are. And I have to admit that I paid for that. But now, it's time to have a little fun! I am not leaving without the child, but before I part with all of you, I am going to have a little 'pies de résistance'." He cracked his knuckles and looked dead at Miharu. His glare sent chills down her spine.
"Mama, why's he looking at you?" Europa asked.
"I don't know Europa, but I wish I did." Akuma swept his arm to the side.
"I would like you all to meet my new partner. He's probably the most loyal partner that I have ever had. I trust that he will finish the job that my so called 'servants' never finished!"
"We aren't servants Akuma! We live to serve no one!" Jessica shouted angrily. "We are free now!" Akuma shook his head in disappointment. He had kept a level head this whole time.
"Hmmm...so be it. You will all die together than." Behind Akuma came a young man with raven black hair and icy blue eyes. Miharu gasped. Everyone had looked at the amazing man who was now serving Akuma.
Miharu's blood rushed through her body. "Lastat? Is that...it can't be!" She cried. Everyone turned to Miharu who was simply chocking on her words.
Kotou: Well, that's it! Kind of lame, I know. But from here on out, it's going to get a bit more serious, as you can tell by the context. Anyways, next chapter, we find out who Lastat is and we also find out what Akuma and Lastat plan to do with Zenrei. Next chapter is called... 'Akuma's Trump card!' I hope you'll like it!!
PII: From Darkness Into Light
"The darkness can only succumb to the light that reigns."
Disclaimer: No I don't own anyone!!
Misao Seta: ^__* Thanx 4 reading my fic and reviewing! I look forward to more reviews from you!
Forevermore: Thanx! I appreciate your review!!! Oh, I have a picture of Razan that I drew. I'll send it to you when I scan it!
Lacrease: I'm glad you liked that chapter, I may have more chapters like that, maybe...if it fits in well. Thank you for your kind words! I feel loved!!
Kazzy: I think everyone knew Akuma was Steve! Yes, I know that Jessica and Hinotama are an odd pairing, but it kind of makes sense. They both need to be loved. -_-! *sigh* that's just a bad excuse!
Opside: Nope...no one captured yet!
Jupiter's moon Europa: He, I think you are psychic! It's quite odd that you would think of that line before it was said. Oh well. Hey! You like sailor Jupiter, right? Well, I drew this KAWAII picture of Europa in a sailor uniform! She does kind of look like Jupiter. Don't ask, I was bored. I'll scan it and send it to you soon!
Whisperz: I'm glad you enjoy this! Keep reading! Go on, don't be shy!!! ^__*
Kazuya shook Zenrei's shoulders, trying to wake her up. Slowly, she opened one eye, and then the other.
"Grampa?" She asked. "Is that you?" Kazuya smiled and swept her bangs to the side of her head.
"Yeah, it's me." He said. Panda, Kuma, and Yuki ran by their side. They had sensed a presence long before any one else could. Kazuya now sensed it too. Hinotama and Jessica crept up from behind their sanctuary and approached them. Kazuya had immediately recognized Hinotama, as well as for Razan and Zenrei. Zenrei had also seen Jessica alongside Hinotama.
" Hey, what are you doing with her?" Zenrei asked Hinotama. "Leave her alone, she is my friend!" Zenrei snapped. She escaped Kazuya's grasp and headed straight towards him. Razan tried to stop her, but Zenrei was too elusive.
"Zenrei! Get over here!" She called out. Zenrei charged at Hinotama and dug her teeth into his arm. Hinotama shouted and swung his arm, letting Zenrei fall to the ground. She jumped back up, but Razan had finally taken hold of her. "What do you think you're doing? You could get yourself killed!" Razan shouted. Zenrei looked up at her with a serious face.
"Razan! Jessica isn't a bad person, she's my friend." Jessica had overheard that conversation and suddenly felt bad. Taking Zenrei would be a piece of cake from here on out. She didn't even really have to try. She truly understood how naïve Zenrei was.
Jessica leaped up and tried to snatch Zenrei from Razan. Razan tried hard to get a good grip on little Zenrei.
"What are you doing?" Zenrei asked. "Why are you hurting me?" Razan kicked Jessica as hard as she could in the chest. Hinotama had come after Razan, but Kazuya stood in his way.
"Get away!" He commanded. "Leave now!" Hinotama punched Kazuya hard in the stomach, making him fall to the ground.
"Grampa!" Zenrei cried again. Razan looked back at the injured Kazuya.
"Kazuya!" She shouted. She ran after him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Get Zenrei out of here!" Kazuya commanded. Razan shook her head.
"But what about you? I won't leave you! You are a part of this family also, and I won't let you stand here and get killed." Kazuya rolled over on his back and smiled.
"Don't worry about me. Zenrei is our main concern." He said quietly. "Just make sure that you two leave safely. Also, take good care of Jin and Ling. I want them to be completely safe, just like I once promised." Razan could feel his words tearing at her heart.
"No...come with us." She pleaded. "Please come with us! You took care of me when I was little, I looked up to you, and Zenrei does too. Please...Kazuya." He slowly pushed her away from him.
"Now, get going." He said, finally getting up to his feet. Razan nodded her head and took Zenrei with her.
"Hey! Wait! What about Grampa?" Zenrei asked. "We can't just leave him here!" She pulled Razan's hand and asked to go back for him.
"No. He wants you to get home safely." She said.
"I don't want to go without him!" She snapped. She let go of her hand and ran towards Kazuya. Razan chased back after her and grabbed her by the waist. "What are you doing?! Let me go! I want to go help him!" She yelled. Tears ran down her face.
"Stop it! I know, I want to go help him too, but we can't. This is what he wants; he wants you to be safe." Razan wiped the tears from Zenrei's eyes.
"I know, but I love my Grampa. I don't want to say goodbye to him just yet." Razan understood what Zenrei had just said. She nodded and put her down on the ground.
"Kuma, Panda, and Yuki. Make sure that you take care of Zenrei. Take her home, and don't make any stops for anything." They nodded.
"What? What are you doing?" Zenrei asked.
"I'm going to make sure that you get home safely, and I am going to fight by Kazuya's side. I am going to make sure that he comes home safely with us." Zenrei wiped her cheek and smiled.
"Thank you." She said quietly. She hopped up on Panda as they rode her home.
Razan ran back towards Kazuya and smiled.
"Surprised?" She asked. Kazuya looked around for Zenrei. "Don't worry, I had Kuma, Panda, and Yuki take her home." She stood in her fighting stance and stared directly towards Hinotama and Jessica. "So you two, are you going to fight, or just gawk at me all day!?" She said in a smug tone.
~*~*~*~*
Akuma was sitting at his desk, he was very curious to the actions of Hinotama and Jessica. He did not know what to make of it. Something was awfully peculiar about them. First they were blood enemies, now they were walking hand in hand to go and carry out their plans.
"I don't like this feeling. I think that someone just got smart." He said, rising from his desk. "I'm going to make sure that none of them pull anything on me." He looked towards his window. A broad smile appeared on his face. "And if they do...I will also have something in store for them." With that, he gave out a howl and leaped out of his window.
~*~*~*~*~*
Zenrei ran by the house, huffing and puffing. Miharu and Europa had just arrived. Europa could see the suffering of her friend in her eyes.
"Are you ok Zenni?" Europa asked. Zenrei fell to her knees. She tried to catch her breath.
"Europa! Aunt Miharu! Grampa...and Razan are fighting Jessica and Hitmontopia!" She exclaimed. Europa and Miharu weren't sure of what she had just said.
"Hitmontopia? Who's that?" Miharu asked. Then it hit her. Hitmontopia sounded quite similar to...Hinotama! It had to be! Her brother was here! "Do you mean...Hinotama?" She asked worriedly. Zenrei nodded her head.
"I guess so! He's evil I know it! He tried to...to..." She couldn't say it. She couldn't tell them that Hinotama was the one who tried to turn her into a devil. Miharu was frightened. She remembered her brother quite well. He was the one who killed her husband, Europa's father.
"Mama, Hinotama...isn't that the gut who-who killed daddy?" Europa asked softly. Miharu wiped a tear from her own cheek and silently nodded her head.
"Yes. But that's not all. Hinotama is...he is...my brother." She said. Europa and Zenrei's eyes widened.
"You mean...he's related to you?" Zenrei asked.
"And me too?" Europa asked with sadness in her voice. Someone who she was related to killed her father that she never knew.
There was a brushing sound coming from the bushes nearby. Panda and Kuma stood poised as they guarded their family. Yuki snuck her way in between both of them. Out of the dark bushes came four shadows. Miharu grabbed both Europa and Zenrei in her arms, protecting them from potential danger.
"It's ok. We talked everything out." Said a familiar voice.
"Razan?" Europa asked.
"Hey, I think it is her." Zenni added. The two of them stepped into the light. "Hey it is!" She looked over to Kazuya who was standing next to her. "And Grampa too!" She exclaimed. Kazuya and Razan approached Miharu.
"It's alright. We have everything situated." Razan said. "Come on, let's go in." She said as she guided everyone in. Zenrei and Europa were holding on tightly to Miharu.
"What are you doing!?!!" Called out a voice. Kazuya and Razan looked behind them.
"Hey, isn't that Jin's voice?" Asked Jessica. Kazuya nodded.
"Yeah, you're right, it is." He answered.
"What's he doing?" She asked, a little confused. They all shrugged their shoulders.
"He's getting beat up because he was gadged to you!" Zenrei said with a smile. Europa and Miharu laughed at the thought. Ling came out of the room with her hair messed up and her clothes were tattered. She grabbed Jin by his shirt and threw him to the couch.
"You knew what you were doing this whole time! I hoped you learned your lesson!" She said with a smirk. Jin didn't say anything. He looked just as beaten up as anything. She gave him a bold smile and looked to see the gawking audience. "What?" She asked, wondering why everyone had their eyes on her. Then she saw Jessica, the whole reason that she had that 'fight' with Jin about. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. Next to Jessica, she saw Hinotama. Her eyes widened as she saw how different he had become. He was dark and evil, and most likely working for devil. "What are they doing here?" She asked, approaching Jessica. "Especially this one!"
"It's alright Ling, she and Hinotama just want to see Zenrei for a second, that's all." Razan said calmly. Ling sneered at her.
"Yeah, I bet they want to see Zenni! They want to kidnap her and take her to Devil, I'm not stupid!" She retorted.
"No Ling, I really think that they have good intentions. I think that they really want to change." Miharu said with a kind smile. Ling couldn't believe what she had just heard. "If my brother wants to change, by all means we should help him." Ling was very skeptical about all of this.
"How do I know that all of you aren't under some kind of hypnotic trance? You guys are probably playing some sneaky trick on us! Well, I won't fall for it!" Zenrei crawled down from Miharu and walked up to her mother.
"Mama, I know this may seem weird, but I trust them! Come on, let me help!" She said cheerfully.
"But Zenni, how do you know if..."
"I don't. But I must trust in myself. I know I can do it, I just know I can!" She said. Ling had to learn to trust in her daughter, and in her special abilities. She looked over at Jin who hadn't said a word, and he did not intend to. She looked back at Jessica and Hinotama.
"Fine. But I am going along." She said. Zenrei smiled and took their hands.
"Come on! This way!" She said gleefully. Jessica and Hinotama were led to another place far away from the house. Little did they know, another follower was approaching them.
"I wonder where they plan on going." Said JiEun. She followed right behind them, not too close, but not too far. "It looks like the little Kazama has something up her sleeve. And I'm just the one to find out!!" She chuckled.
Zenrei had led them to an open field where the sky had seemed to open up to them. She placed Hinotama and Jessica in the center of the field and combined their hands. She knelt down in front of them and clasped her hands together, placing them right under her chin.
Miharu was shaking. She was nervous to find out if her brother was coming back to her or not. She held onto Europa's hands tightly. The young girl could tell that this was important to her mother. Somehow, this would piece her family back together.
"Come on Zenni! I'm cheering for ya!" Europa shouted. Zenrei smiled back at her friend. She was glad to see that she was supporting her.
"Uh, I hope you guys are really serious about this. This is after all my first time doing this!" Jessica now felt uneasy about this task. She was putting her life in a five-year-old's hands. She took a deep breath and looked towards Hinotama.
"In just a moment, the two of us will be free." She said. He nodded his head in agreement. Zenrei closed her eyes and silently prayed to her angel. Her mouth moved, but no one could hear the words coming out of it.
"Why did you agree to this?" Jin whispered to his wife. She looked over to him, a little unsure on how to answer that.
"Zenrei told me to trust in her. So I did." She looked out at Zenrei who looked so calm and peaceful. "Also, I think this is good training for her angel powers."
"I agree." Said Razan. "That is also why I decided that it was a good idea."
"You thought of that?" Ling asked. Razan nodded her head.
"Yeah, and this way she will have two less enemies after her." Kazuya added. Ling was shocked to hear that everyone was in on this. She looked back out at her little girl. A swarm of white lights surrounded the three of them. The wind blew rapidly, swaying the tree branches along with them. Zenrei slowly opened her eyes and somehow, she was beginning to change. She grew white wings and her eyes shined bright. She flew high into the sky with her wings far apart, keeping her balance. Her feathers grew longer as some of them fell. Both Jessica and Hinotama were in a deep trance, turning away from darkness. Ling's eyes widened. Zenrei had changed into an angel.
"This is it! This is her angel like form that Jun was talking about!" Ling said happily. "I can't believe it!"
'Release your soul, take in the light presented to you.' Came a heavenly voice. Zenrei just stayed up in the air, not moving. She was a lifeless puppet being used by the angels. Both Hinotama and Jessica gave up their evil intentions, giving into the light.
"Zenni." Jin mumbled. He had seen the way his daughter looked. She was pure, without a trace of darkness embedded in her.
'No! It can't be!' Akuma said from where he was standing. 'She has changed into her angel form! This isn't good. We must have her now!' He thought. He glared over to her, waiting for her to take action. He then looked at the two figures under her. "Those traitors!" He yelled. "I knew they were on to me! That's quite alright, they'll learn their lesson for betraying me!" He said with a smug look on his face.
After a while, the light around them died down. Hinotama and Jessica fell to their knees. Zenrei had lost a lot of energy and fell all the way down to the ground. She tried standing up, to regain her composure. She got up to her feet and shook off a bit. Her wings were still very bright and spread across the width of her body. She panted and slowly made her way towards her parents. She fell safely into their arms and yawned.
"I'm so tired." She said softly. Jin looked at his beautiful child lying in his arms. Miharu ran up to Hinotama and collapsed next to him.
"Brother, are you alright? Can you hear me?" She wrapped her arms tightly around him. Hinotama had opened one eye, and then the other. He saw his lonely little sister crying on his chest.
"M-Miharu? Is that you sis?" Miharu's teary eyes widened as she heard her brother call her name.
"Oh Hinotama! I've missed you so much!" She cried. He sat up and embraced his little sister.
"I've also missed you...little sister." He looked up at Jin and Ling, his former best friends. "Thank you my friends. Thank you for opening my eyes." They smiled and nodded.
"Don't thank us, thank her." Ling said, pointing to Zenrei. Zenrei walked up to Hinotama and sat down next to him. Hinotama patted her head and gently touched her heavenly wings.
"Thank you. We owe you everything." He said. Zenrei gave him a cute little angelic smile.
"Eh, don't mention it. I owe all of my thanks to Razan and my mommy and daddy! They helped me a lot, along with my friend Europa." Jessica got up to her feet and walked up to Ling.
"Look, I'm sorry for everything I put you through. Now, Hinotama and I are free. We can do whatever we want." Ling looked at the happy expression on both of their faces.
"It's alright, I'm just glad that you have another chance." JiEun saw the white wings on her friend's back.
"I knew it! I knew you weren't normal!" Said JiEun as she ran up to Zenrei. Everyone watched the girl who abruptly came out of nowhere. "Ha! My intuition never failed meeee!!!!!!" Akuma had swept down from out of nowhere and grabbed JiEun. Everyone gasped as they saw the dark being. Zenrei had watched as Akuma had taken one of her friends.
"Let her go!" Zenrei yelled. This is what Akuma had feared the most. She was capable of destroying him, but he would never let her know that. He kept a short distance from her, but yet close enough to give a signal that he was not intimidated by her, yet deep down, he was frightened to death of this threat.
"You want her? Well, come and get her!" Zenrei didn't know how to fight him. She didn't want to fight him. She wanted to spare any bloodshed possible. She backed away from him.
"Zenrei you chicken! Come and save me!" JiEun yelled. Zenrei stood helpless.
"Akuma, let her go now!" She said sternly. He smirked and walked towards her.
"He's afraid! He knows he can't touch her because she could kill him!" Razan shouted. Akuma turned back and cocked his head.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He said calmly. Razan fearlessly walked up to him.
"Oh no? I think you know damn well what I'm talking about! Why else would such a powerful being produce his own minions to do his dirty work if he's so strong? I'll tell you why!" She kicked Akuma in his stomach with her lightning fist attack, sending him crashing to the ground. Then she stomped on his back, trying to break his bones. Akuma groaned in pain, but he got back up.
"Razan!" Zenrei called. Razan was too into her battle with Akuma.
"Come on you! Fight me!" She commanded. Akuma wiped the blood off of his face.
"Wow, I completely underestimated how strong you are. And I have to admit that I paid for that. But now, it's time to have a little fun! I am not leaving without the child, but before I part with all of you, I am going to have a little 'pies de résistance'." He cracked his knuckles and looked dead at Miharu. His glare sent chills down her spine.
"Mama, why's he looking at you?" Europa asked.
"I don't know Europa, but I wish I did." Akuma swept his arm to the side.
"I would like you all to meet my new partner. He's probably the most loyal partner that I have ever had. I trust that he will finish the job that my so called 'servants' never finished!"
"We aren't servants Akuma! We live to serve no one!" Jessica shouted angrily. "We are free now!" Akuma shook his head in disappointment. He had kept a level head this whole time.
"Hmmm...so be it. You will all die together than." Behind Akuma came a young man with raven black hair and icy blue eyes. Miharu gasped. Everyone had looked at the amazing man who was now serving Akuma.
Miharu's blood rushed through her body. "Lastat? Is that...it can't be!" She cried. Everyone turned to Miharu who was simply chocking on her words.
Kotou: Well, that's it! Kind of lame, I know. But from here on out, it's going to get a bit more serious, as you can tell by the context. Anyways, next chapter, we find out who Lastat is and we also find out what Akuma and Lastat plan to do with Zenrei. Next chapter is called... 'Akuma's Trump card!' I hope you'll like it!!