Here is chapter three of The Kukai Director, our glorious Xenosaga/Lion King crossover 'fic! Apologies for the delay, it was really my (Eliza's) fault, as Ally wrote her portion of this chapter promptly. (Rewriting the song was not an easy task) Both of us are really glad that you all are enjoying the story; please keep the reviews coming, as we love to hear them! (in reply to one—Allen would have made a great Zazu, but don't worry, the part we gave him is one we think he fits extremely nicely.) Now sit back, relax, and enjoy this chapter, filled with the goodness of head volleyball, "father"-"son" love, and a Kirschwasser named Ed.
--Eliza (writing this note) and Ally
p.s.: once again, I can't get the formatting right. One of these days, I will actually go through the story and make it look pretty on fanfiction.net. Please accept apologies for any weird formatting/italicizing in the lyrical sections.
Jr. and MOMO ran towards the Song of Nephilim, MOMO giggling the whole way.
"Yeah, we lost her!" Jr. said, with glee.
MOMO nodded her head and laughed again. "I'm glad my idea worked!"
Jr. shot MOMO a confused looked, but then a slow grin began to spread across his face.
"Your idea?" Jr. began, "Even if it was yours, I was the one to pull off all the right moves."
MOMO frowned, "But I helped too, Jr.!"
He just grinned again, "Yeah... right!" And then proceeded to burst into laughter from the look on MOMO's face.
MOMO proceeded to reach into a pocket that she didn't even know existed, and pulled out a big wand with a star on top. She smiled innocently at Jr., then began swacking at him with the wand.
"Hey!" Jr. yelled.
The two began to fight playfully, and before Jr. knew it MOMO had him moving backwards, away from the wand.
"Take this!" MOMO shouted and gave Jr. a final whack upside the head. "Dark Scepter!" A flock of bats appeared out of nowhere, and flew away.
Taking a step backwards, Jr. tripped over a rock, but before beginning his fall, he grabbed MOMO's hand and took her with him. The two rolled down a sloped hallway, and when they finally came to a stop, MOMO had Jr. pinned to the ground with her mystical wand.
Jr. looked at her pretending to be annoyed, "Arg, lemme up, MOMO!"
MOMO got off of him, and then realized the position they had been in. She blushed a little, but Jr. didn't seem to notice. He had taken in their surroundings. They had made it into the secret lab!
"Wow, this place is really neat!" MOMO said with excitement. "I bet Daddy is here!"
"Yeah, of course! Heh..." Jr. lied, averting his eyes.
The two continued to walk further into the lab, and soon discovered a large test tube of some sort. Jr. leaned forward to examine the tube when a Gnosis popped up in his face.
"AH!" MOMO shrieked. "That's really creepy!"
She ran behind Jr., using him as a shield of sorts. Jr. performed a quick Moonlit Serenade, and the Gnosis disappeared. Suddenly, everything seemed a lot quieter; every little shuffle either of them made echoed in the strange hallways.
"Jr., we could get big trouble for being in here." She said the words slowly, unsure of how Jr. would react.
Jr. turned to face her and grinned. "Yeah, isn't it great? Come on, let's check out this place even more!"
Before the two could venture any further, Nephilim materialized in front of them.
"The only way you could keep checking it out would be if you accepted your memories, which you haven't. We are leaving right this minute, Little Master!" Nephilim was extremely annoyed.
Jr. smirked at Nephilim. "What, you're done playing with Feb already?"
Nephilim scowled at his response, "She's Febronia to you, Jr.! You are not in the Kukai Lands anymore, and therefore you both are in great danger! The Song of Nephilim is no place for you or MOMO to be."
MOMO watched as Jr. strolled back towards the large test tube. He knocked on the glass and laughed. "What's so dangerous about this?"
Jr. began laughing again, but this time more laughter joined in, and it wasn't MOMO or Nephilim. Three Kirschwasser Realians appeared from underneath a table behind the test tube. MOMO's eyes grew wide. Those were her sisters!
'Daddy really must be here!' MOMO thought.
"#02, what is it that we have here?" said the first Kirschwasser, her voice curiously soft and flat.
"I don't know #01," stated the second one. "It looks like Daddy's favorite. Right... Ed?"
Ed, the last of the little Kirschwassers, nodded and laughed quietly.
"That is what I thought. We have trespassers in the Song of Nephilim," said #01. Nephilim nervously grabbed at Jr. and MOMO's hands, trying to lead them out of the lab. "Oh, no it was just a simple accident! We shall leave now."
The trio attempted to leave, but #02 got in the way, "Please hold. I know you," she said looking at Nephilim, "You're Gaignun Kukai's creepy little girl."
Nephilim simply scowled, "I am Master Gaignun's…" Nephilim paused, trying to find a good word. "... majordomo."
Ed giggled and pointed to MOMO as #01 stared at Jr. "That would then make you Rubedo—", but before she continue #02 approached Jr., and began to put her fingers around his neck.
"I want the me," she whispered, "that's inside of you."
Jr. backed away. "You can't do anything to me!"
"Technically they can. You are in their lab..." Nephilim said.
"Hey," Jr. began, somewhat protesting, "But I thought you said they were nothing, only useless Realians that Mizrahi—"
MOMO interrupted. "Jr.!"
"Well, we must leave now before I fade away again." Nephilim said, while attempting to drag Jr. away.
#02 just smiled, scarily. "But we'd love for you to stay. Don't you agree Ed?"
The little girl next to her nodded and giggled again.
"I know," #01 said, "Let us become one with them." She pointed towards MOMO.
"I've always wanted Daddy to look at me." said #02, obviously relishing the idea behind her emotionless mask.
While the two Kirschwassers were talking, Jr., MOMO, and Nephilim snuck past them. Ed noticed what they were doing. She jumped in front of her sisters, and began to wave her arms, and point.
#01 turned to look at her, "What is it Ed?"
"They are getting away. We must hurry after them," #02 said, watching the escaping trio.
The three Kirschwassers started off after their fleeing guests, not positive where they'd gone, but figuring they'd headed back to the entrance.
Jr. stopped and turned around, noticing something. "Huh? Where did Nephilim go?"
"Do you think she faded away again?" MOMO asked.
"I'm not sure, MOMO..."
Meanwhile, Nephilim found herself in space, floating around aimlessly.
She groaned, "I knew this was a bad idea. I have to find Master Gaignun!"
She faded away again, leaving KOS-MOS to float by.
"She has a 95.6832% chance of getting to Gaignun before the Kirschwassers find Jr. and MOMO," stated the android, blankly. "Their chances of survival are high, but this is not a certainty."
Though they hated to go back into the horrible place, Jr. and MOMO turned around to look for Nephilim, in fear that the Kirschwassers had taken her. They ran into a side room, and found Nephilim nowhere in sight.
Suddenly, #01 and #02 leaped out of a couple of concealed test tubes, and landed neatly in front of the frightened URTV and Realian. "Boo," they whispered.
MOMO squealed in fright from the sight of her very scary sisters, and Jr. grabbed her by the hand, running away. The two soon found themselves falling down a flight of stairs; they'd been so scared that they hadn't been watching where they were going. Jr. hit the bottom, while MOMO landed a few steps above.
"Hehe..." Giggled #02, "Here MOMO, MOMO. Daddy's little Sakura..."
Jr. gave out a shout, and shot at #02 before she could reach MOMO. The Kirschwasser frowned at Jr., looking at her half detached arm.
"Only Master can do that," said #02 with a confused look.
The chase began again, and continued until MOMO and Jr. found themselves running towards a dead end.
"Now, for the me that is inside of you..." #01 whispered, as the rest circled around MOMO and Jr.
"Don't get cocky!" Jr. said while attempting to release some of his URTV power. To his disappointment, his pitiful aura didn't even reach halfway to the Kirschwassers.
Giggling #02 said, "Is that all you have?"
Jr. was about to try again when a flash of black light smacked the Kirschwassers down by surprise.
"What is this?" #01 whispered while in mid-air.
Gaignun ran in with Nephilim and unleashed another attack on the three Kirschwassers, knocking them all over.
He stood before them with an angry look upon his face. He growled, "If you ever come near Jr. again, I will kill you."
"That is Jr.? I thought he was Rubedo." Said #01 confused, once again.
#01 nodded in agreement, "That's what I thought.... Ed?"
Ed just giggled and held up a sign that said "Same!"
Gaignun glared at the trio, before they squirmed out of his grasp and ran off. Nephilim approached Gaignun with a small smile, but it soon faded away when she saw his angry countenance.
Jr. slowly turned his gaze towards Gaignun, "Gaignun, I..."
"Jr.," Gaignun said, interrupting, "You've disobeyed me once again. How many times do I have to tell you to act your age?" He sighed, then continued. "Let's go home."
MOMO and Jr. walked a few steps away from Gaignun, MOMO feeling ashamed for what she had done, while Jr. felt more annoyed at having been caught.
MOMO noticed his agitation. "I thought you were very brave," she said with a small smile.
As the group was leaving, an object began to roll down the hallway. When it finally stopped, the white-haired head didn't look too happy; in fact, Albedo was quite upset at the sight of Jr. and Gaignun walking away from the Song of Nephilim, unharmed.
The group finally reached the edge of the Durandal Plains, where Kukai Rock could be seen in the distance.
Gaignun stood still for a moment, then spoke, "Nephilim. Take MOMO home." His voice was as stern as before. "Ziggy is very concerned for her safety."
Nephilim nodded, and started off with MOMO, but stopped briefly by Jr.. "Good luck, Little Master," she whispered.
Jr. watched as the two disappeared into the darkness and felt an overwhelming sense of guilt wash over him.
"Jr.!" Gaignun's voice was wavering between talking and yelling.
Jr. walked up to Gaignun, his eyes on the ground.
He then took notice, mentally, that Gaignun's feet were really damn huge.
Sad music drifted into the air; at first Gaignun looked around confused, but decided to ignore it, and turned to his 'son'.
"Jr., I'm very disappointed with you. Your actions tonight could have lead to something far worse than what happened. And you even put MOMO in danger!"
Jr. looked up, his eyes watering, "I was," he paused taking a deep breath, "Just trying to be brave… and a pimp… like you..."
Gaignun shook his head gravely. "I'm only brave when I need to be. And being a pimp isn't everything you know..." he coughed.
Jr.'s eyes were still teary, and Gaignun spoke again, reproachfully. "Don't cry, Jr.—"
He was cut off by a burst of laughter. Jr. grinned. "GOT YOU!"
Gaignun did not find this funny. He shot an irritated look at Jr., and continued with his speech, "I was scared, you know."
"You were... scared?" Jr. blinked, not exactly sure if he was hearing everything right. The smile faded from his face
"I was scared," Gaignun affirmed, and paused to place his hands upon Jr.'s small shoulders. "I was scared of losing you."
"Oh," Jr. began, not quite sure what to make of it all. "I guess even Directors get scared, huh?" He shot a serious look up at Gaignun. However, his face quickly broke into a smile. "But I bet those Kirschwassers were even scareder!"
Gaignun smiled, and laughed lightly. "Jr..."
Gaignun thought back to how Jr. had fooled him earlier, and decided on his revenge. Grabbing Jr. by the collar of his trenchcoat, he pulled Jr. into a headlock, and began doing the one thing Jr. hated.
"HEY!" Jr. shouted, "Stop messing up my hair, dammit!"
Jr. attempted to wriggle out of his grasp, but it only served to muss up his hair even more. Finally, Jr. tripped Gaignun with his foot, and the two fell onto the ground. They looked at each other and grinned slightly.
Jr. turned his head towards Gaignun and said, "We'll always be together right?"
"Jr.," Gaignun said softly, "Let me tell you something. Look up there." He gestured towards the stars, "The great Directors of the past watch over us from those stars… So if you ever feel alone, look up there and I will be with you."
Jr. nodded, and the two stood up. "Okay," Jr. said with a grin. "Now let's go home."
"That horrible Gaignun," #01 said, emotionlessly. She prodded her leg. "He's damaged my artificial muscles. I'll be limping for a week."
Ed, who had come out of the ordeal miraculously unharmed, tittered.
#01 shot a cold look at her stupid sister. "It isn't funny, Ed."
Ed's laughter did not cease; rather, it became stronger.
#01 considered the consequences of her actions only a split-second before punching Ed in the face.
#02 approached her sisters calmly, and pushed them apart. "Stop it," she said. "Look at you. No wonder Daddy loves her so much."
"If it weren't for those URTVs, we could have become her," #01 complained.
#02 nodded. "I so despise them."
"They're such good shots—"
"Color coordinated—"
"Numbered as well—"
"And," #02 added, "they are exceedingly—" (#01 added her voice to her sister's) "—uuuuugly!"
"Oh?" a white-haired head rolled onto the scene, and grinned at the Kirschwassers. Moments later, the body had arrived. Albedo stepped on his head and a new one grew in its place atop his shoulders. "Surely not all the URTVs are so bad."
"Master," #01 said, "it is a pleasure to see you."
"Certainly much better than seeing Gaignun again," #02 agreed.
"He caused damage to my nervous system," #01 told her sister. "Now I just hear his name and twitch."
"Gaignun," #02 offered, and #01 shuddered.
After a spell, #01 looked back at her sister. "Do it again," she said.
"Gaignun."
#01 twitched again.
"Gaignun, Gaignun, Gaignun!" #01 fell to the floor (she looked as though she might be having a seizure), and Ed dissolved into peals of laughter.
"I can see why Mizrahi preferred ma peche over the likes of them," Albedo muttered. He pulled #02 into his lap and caressed her hair. "I don't think you really deserve this, sweetling," he told her.
"We apologize, Master," she said. "the children were not alone. Did you expect us to do such a thing as kill Gaignun?"
Albedo grinned maliciously, and twisted her hair. The Kirschwasser did not cry out in pain, though she certainly must have felt a great deal of it. "Exactly," he whispered.
Albedo stood up, dumping #02 unceremoniously to the floor. He began to sing.
I know that your powers of retention Are better than your sisters' who've died So boring as you are, pay attentionMy words are a matter of pride.
The three Kirschwassers gathered, watching him with reverence. A few of their sisters began to approach as well, crawling out of the shadows of Albedo's throne room.
It's clear from your vacant expressions The lights are not all on upstairsBut we're talking directors and successions,
Even you've got something behind those blank stares
The Kirschwassers, growing excited, began to sing backup for Albedo as he strutted around his throne room, continuing his song.
So prepare for the mission of a lifetime Be prepared for sensational funAlbedo tore off his arm and threw it into the crowd of Kirschwassers.
A painful reality Is tiptoeing nearer"Shall we kill the bastard?" suggested a Kirschwasser.
"Just listen to Master," Albedo told her.
I'm sure it sounds precious,
It's you I'll caress as At last I am taking my due With pain so deliciously bared Be prepared!Albedo produced a knife and sliced off one of his legs, and threw it to a Kirschwasser, giggling.
"We shall prepare, Master," #02 said. "What shall we prepare for?"
"For the death," Albedo snickered, "of a director."
"Has Gaignun fallen sick?" asked #02.
"No, you stupid girl," Albedo said, twisting her arm. "We're going to kill him—and Rubedo, too."
#01 smiled slightly. "It is a perfect idea. Anarchy is wholly preferable over the rule of a Director.
"No Director!" #02 and #01 cried, while Ed clapped her hands in delight.
"You truly are more thick than you look," Albedo said. "The director will be me. Stay by me; you shall never be neglected again."
"Long live Director Albedo," chorused a monotone of Kirschwasser voices. They all began to sing.
It's great that we'll soon be connected With a director we dearly adoreAlbedo grinned at them. "Of course, quid pro quo," he said, "you're expected to take certain duties on board."
The cosmos are littered with peches,
And though I'm the main addressee The point that I must emphasize is No one will love you without me!The Kirschwassers grew excited, and all stood up. Albedo grinned, and sliced his head off neatly. He threw it into the crowd, and the little Realians began hitting it back and forth, just like a game of volleyball. Albedo considered to sing, and the Kirschwassers threw in their own lines where it suited his wonderful song.
So prepare for the coup of the century!(oooh)
Be prepared for the most delightful scam!
(oooh, la la la,)
Meticulous planning(We'll have love)
Insanity spanning(Lots of love)
Decades of infection(We repeat)
Is why Gaignun's rejection(Such a treat!)
Albedo climbed up top his throne, gazing down upon the Kirschwassers, who were still batting his head back and forth. He came to the climax of his song, a glorious look on his face.
Will make me Director
The sooner, the better,
They'll see what a miracle I am… Yes my life and my secrets are bared… Be prepared!The Kirschwassers turned to face their leader in his most glorious moment, and chorused in agreement with him.
Yes, our lives and our secrets are bared… Be prepared!"AAAAAahahahahahahaha!!!" Albedo laughed, and for once, all the Kirschwassers—not just Ed—laughed with him. The Song of Nephilim echoed eerily in the background.