Chapter 8: The Unexpected
Zofeah nodded in acknowledgement. The tournament was progressing smoothly, as he heard the reports given by tourney officers in a meeting. He was also glad to know that all contestants were giving full commitment in making the grand event a success, and he expected everyone to do the same.
"If you don't have anything else to report, you may leave," Zofeah uttered.
"Yes, Master Zofeah," the officers spoke and slowly walked backward, leaving Zofeah after short while.
"Zofeah-sama," Chidori called after the short meeting ended.
"What is it, Chidori?" Zofeah asked.
"Err… I have something to tell you," Chidori spoke. Zofeah turned around and stared at her, much to her embarrassment. Blushing, she frowned and clenched her ninja suit.
"Just speak it out, Chidori. I will not be angry with you," Zofeah said.
"Gomennasai. I forgot what I wanted to say," Chidori spoke and bowed. "I'm sorry for taking your time, Zofeah-sama." Zofeah merely sighed and approached the shinobi and lifted her face. Chidori was struck in awe when his blue eyes stared at her, and blushed very brightly. She shrugged and stepped backward. "Please excuse me, Zofeah-sama. I think my sister is waiting for me," she spoke and quickly left. Zofeah was left in confusion for a while before he shook his head and looked at the sunset.
"Whatever."
x-x-x-x-x
Normandy Port.
"Johnny!" May cried out loud. "Why do I have to share my room with that blonde!? She's been easing me ever since she boarded our ship!"
"Look, May," the American iaijitsu warrior spoke. "Her ship - or submarine - is damaged beyond repair, and she's got nowhere else to stay. Hence, she'll be staying here for a while."
"FOR A WHILE?!" May exclaimed. "Then how come you agreed to let her stay for THREE MONTHS?"
Johnny looked at the Sister Princess-like girl for a while before he sighed and corrected his sunglasses. "May, I know you don't like Jennet in the first place, but can you please give her a chance of two?"
"What did you say?!" May demanded. She roughly stomped flat on Johnny's feet and hit it with the XXXL-sized anchor, causing him to shriek in absolute pain. "Hmph. If she's going to stay here, she'll have to face me first," she declared and walked down the Mayship aisle. Johnny just looked at the Japanese pirate before he shook his head.
"What happened to her?"
Angrily May searched for Jennet, who had been allowed by Johnny to temporarily stay at Mayship, and using her room She had been angry at the blonde Brit because, in her opinion, she had taken the advantage from Johnny's generosity - and of course, his PIMP-ish talent - and always flirted with the Jellyfish Pirate all the time at all places. This provoked May to the most extreme; not only she flirted with Johnny, she was even given the very special position as assistant captain, something that even Mayship crews seldom get the chance to take it. She cursed and blamed and swore inside her heart, disgusted with Jennet and annoyed with Johnny. She just totally hated everything.
Yet she didn't have a reason to expel Jennet from Mayship at all. She would've used the same tactic she and her comrades had used to get rid of Ky from the ship - poisons, traps, assassins, anything - and the tactic had proved a failure. Of course, she would have acted like what any angry Soviet generals would do: send in dozens of Mammoth Tanks and dispatch hundreds of reinforcement to level a betraying village to zero. Yet between her and Jennet, she had no issue. How could she possibly look for a reason to eliminate her from the ship?
"I know."
Quickly she went to the mailbag the ship had accepted three days earlier. Frantically, she scavenged through the bag, as if she was looking for something. "AHA! Found it!" she declared and moved out of the bag. In her hand, there's an envelope with the seal "R". She looked at the envelope before a wicked grin carved upon her face.
"This should do the trick."
x-x-x-x-x
At graveyards.
Ky, Hotaru and Dizzy were standing before two tombstones. There was no response from all four of them, though occasionally Ky coughed and corrected his hair. Rock wasn't present with them; he had business to deal with at South Town. The somber emotion was enveloping all of them. And it came from the tombstones.
Slowly Ky approached one of the tombstones and kneeled in front of it. He reached it and stared down at the inscriptions carved on it.
"Kuradoberi Jam. The Chinese kung-fu chef, sacrificed herself for the sake of Ky Kiske. May her soul rest in peace."
He groaned and closed his eyes. All the memories he had with the cook emerged in his head, from the very first time both met in the PWAB-inflicted chaos to the duel set up by Sho Tsuzuku. Tears dripped down his eyes as he remembered how priceless the sacrifice Jam had done for his sake.
He stood up and stepped backwards, and Dizzy approached the second tombstone and put flower bouquets in front of it. She read the inscription, which said:
"Testament. The ex-Gear who loves children, he died in honor to protect his beloved Dizzy from the onslaught of Fibrizo. He will always be remembered in our heart and soul."
"Testament-sama," she whispered and gave out a weak, unwanted smile before she broke into cries. She owed Testament for everything he had given and contributed, all to protect herself from all kinds of dangers. She was soothed later on by Hotaru and stood up, approaching Ky. Ky embraced her and soothed her as well, softly rubbing her back.
"Mister Ky, why this has to happen to us…?" she asked and cried on his Holy Order uniform. He didn't answer. Or, he couldn't answer. He stayed silent, as Dizzy kept on crying in his arms. "If only we could turn back time… if only we could…"
"Hey, you there."
All three of them looked at the call and saw a green Jeep arriving outside the cathedral. Everyone looked in puzzlement, as its four passenger jumped off the vehicle, which - in amazement - transformed into a mini dragon.
A smoking monk, a cute-looking monkey boy, a red-haired masochist, and a polite driver.
All of them were approaching the cathedral.
"Excuse me," the driver inquired. "But we're kind of lost. Can you help us in showing the direction to the city?"
Ky, intrigued, released Dizzy off his arms and lifted Thunderseal in response. "Who are you?"
"Ah, we're very sorry for not introducing ourselves," the driver spoke. "My name is Cho Hakkai. And these are my partners: Son Goku…"
"Sanzo, haraheta…"
"Genjyo Sanzo…"
"Annoying brat."
"And Sha Gojyo."
"Hello there, ladies. Care to have a date with me tonight?"
"I have never met you before," Ky spoke. "Just who really are you? What has brought you here?"
"Ahem." Sanzo coughed and threw the cigarette. "I don't like to be diplomatic, but I'll explain. Apparently, we've heard rumors of a girl claiming to have the power to control the Holy Sutra and the Demon Sutra. And this girl, according to these rumors, claim herself as a Sanzo."
"So what do you want from us?" Ky demanded.
"I'm wondering," Sanzo spoke and stared at Dizzy. "Whether I could question that girl regarding this matter."
Hotaru suddenly stepped forward and backed Dizzy. "Dizzy-chan's innocent! She doesn't have anything to do with any of you! Now leave us!"
Dizzy?
Immediately, Sanzo, Goku, Gojyo and Hakkai stared at Dizzy. If their judgment was correct, the hybrid Gear might be the Sanzo they were looking for. All in a sudden, flashback of Dizzy Sanzo defeating Orochi Iori with the sutras (plus the Magnum) emerged in their mind. They were certain. She must be the one.
"Anou…" Goku suddenly uttered. "I'm hungry. Can anyone cook something?"
"URUSAI!" Sanzo shouted and slammed his tessen on the boy's head. "You've been saying that for thousands of times! Why don't you go back to meet the Chinese chef, and ask her to cook for you?"
Dizzy was startled. The Chinese chef Sanzo was talking about was none other than Jam. She fell onto her knees and cupped her face, crying bitterly. She didn't want to remember what had happened to the Kuradoberi, and she didn't want to.
"Did we just say something wrong?" Hakkai inquired. Ky could only sigh and lowered Thunderseal.
"It's a long, and rather, sad story."
x-x-x-x-x
Dinnertime, onboard Mayship.
"What? You're requesting a battle with Miss Jennet?" April asked.
May confidently grinned and showed the envelope to everyone. "It's been said here. Anyone accepting this envelope are welcomed - and therefore, qualified - to join the GVS Season 2 tournament. Of course, joining it is one thing. Finding an opponent is another issue."
Jennet merely chuckled and sipped the wine served by Johnny. "Why would you want to fight me, little girl? I don't know anything about the tournament, and I admit I don't have any issues with you," she spoke and slyly grinned.
"But I do," May declared and stood up. Glaring at the blonde pirate, she tossed the envelope at Jennet, in which she caught it. "Or, I can make one if you like."
Almost immediately, all the Mayship crews roared in protest and looked at May. "May! Don't be so rude at Miss Jennet!" August demanded.
"She's been nice at us, you know," June reminded.
"Why would you want to have an issue with her, May?" March asked.
May coughed and folded her arms. "I would not like to tell the reason. However, everyone should be clear that I would challenge Bonne Jennet. And because of that, I will now put the rule."
"Okay, I'll be listening," Jennet spoke and folded her arms, staring at May in interest.
May cleared her throat and began speaking. "If any of us wins, she will be allowed to stay at Mayship permanently and become the crew of this ship." Jennet just nodded and grinned at the first prize. "However, if she loses the match, she will lose her title as the Jellyfish pirate and she must leave Mayship without notice."
"May!" April exclaimed in dismay. "You're risking yourself!"
May looked at her loyal friend and grinned. "Don't worry. As long as I'm a Jellyfish pirate, I will win this match." Then, she glowered deviously at Jennet, half-whispering, "and I will eliminate her out of this ship for good."
"It couldn't be helped," Jennet uttered and stood up. "I gladly accept the challenge. But I must tell you, little girl: whoever wins this match will get the chance to become Johnny's trustworthy assistant. Isn't that right, Mister Johnny?" she spoke and seductively stared at Johnny. May could do nothing but to hiss.
"Alright! Let's have this settled right now!" May announced and cracked her fists.
Soon, everyone left their daily dinner and proceeded to the deck of Mayship, now convertible to a quick arena anytime the pirates wanted. May was the first to lead the way, followed by B. Jennet and Johnny, while April closely followed them from the behind. The two pirate chicks then proceeded to the instant arena and stood at each end of it, staring at each other. None of them was saying a word before May broke the silence.
"I will win this match and drive you out of this ship," May spoke and anchored her anchor on her shoulder. "Prepare yourself, Bonne Jennet!"
Bonne Jennet could only sigh and opened her battle stance. "Let me show you something, little girl," she spoke and immediately executed three rapid The Hind attacks. The hurricane projectile hurled toward May, but she jumped over it and tried to land her special onto Jennet. Jennet jumped as well and counterattacked with her Harrier Bee. Both attacks collided and May got back on the ground.
"SUMMONING GREAT YAMADA!" In less than a second, a pink sperm whale jumped over the Mayship and crash-landed on Jennet. Yet the British pirate was swift and enveloped herself with a Faultless Defense. Yamada harmlessly passed over her and dived back into the sea. "ARGH! I can't believe this! MAY DYNAMIC BLASTER!" Rapidly she spun with the anchor and hurled toward Jennet. The pirate, however, just chuckled.
"I shall cancel this with my AURORA!" she declared and executed an intense, gold-colored The Hind. Both overdrives collided and tried to cancel each other, yet the overdrive of May's managed to get through. It hurled madly and hit Jennet hardly, pounding her everywhere on her body.
"TAKE THIS!" May cried and spun faster her Dynamic Blaster, trying to punish Jennet with the overdrive. For a while, Jennet had to endure the punishing collision before, unexpected to May, a grin carved upon her face.
"I don't think so, little girl," she spoke and made her Psych Burst Counter. May's Dynamic Blaster got cancelled and she was tossed out of her attack range. Jennet quickly took her chance. "I win! MANY, MANY TORPEDOES!"
x-x-x-x-x
(due to unwanted reason, the battle between Lone Wolf SIX and Axl Low, which is supposed to take place, cannot be shown in here. Organizers would like to apologize for all the technical difficulties.
At the background, battles cry of Lone Wolf SIX & Axl could be heard.)
x-x-x-x-x
The battle between May and Bonne Jennet had reached the climax. Both pirates had been running out of energy, and fatigue had conquered their body. Yet May refused to surrender. She already vowed to expel Jennet from the Mayship no matter the risk she would have to face.
"You… you're better than I thought," Jennet spoke. "No wonder why Johnny takes a very great care of you."
"I am his most trustworthy crew!" May declared. "I will do everything he orders, even if I have to sacrifice my life!"
"Really?" Jennet asked and giggled. "Heh, I can't believe I'd still meet this kind of people today."
"DON'T MOCK ME!" she roared and charged toward Jennet. "I won't let anyone to be with Johnny, because they aren't equal to him! He belongs to the Jellyfish Pirates!"
"Oh, does he belong to the Jellyfish Pirates," Jennet spoke, "or to you?"
Almost in an instant all the crews began ad lib. Was Bonne Jennet speaking the truth? Everyone knew that May had a very huge crush toward Johnny, but she never mentioned anything about him belonged to anybody. Not even to her.
"It's a lie! She's lying!" May quickly defended herself. "She's lying because she's jealous!"
"You say what?" Jennet asked in surprise.
"I said you're jealous!" May repeated the word. "And you're jealous of me!"
Jennet unpleasantly smiled to hear the word. "If I'm jealous," she spoke and charged toward May, "then I should've been mean toward you from the very beginning."
"I won't let you!" May shouted and again executed her Dynamic Blaster. The overdrive was blocked, and…
"Victory is mine, kid!" Jennet declared. "AN IO MADEMOISELLE!"
May became the victim of the unexpected Guard Cancel Instant Kill, An Io Mademoiselle. She cried in pain and called out Johnny's name, yet the pirate did not react. April cried in horror and begged Johnny to stop the battle yet he just stood there, watching at the battle.
Jennet stood in victorious pose after successfully landing the OHKO move onto May. She looked at all the crews and Johnny, the latter did not respond. She smiled and brushed away a strand of hair from her face.
"No fair! You used instant kill! That's not fair!" May protested and stomped hard on the floor.
"Why not?" Jennet demanded.
"Because I didn't mention the usage of any Instant Kill!" May answered. "That's it! I'm going to beat you with my own hand!" With that, May charged toward Jennet and desperately tried to hit her with her anchor.
"MISTU FINER!"
May was knocked off and crashed back to the floor. Everyone looked around and saw Johnny putting back his wakizashi into its sheath. "Johnny, what have you done?" all but May asked.
"May had stated it earlier," the Jellyfish Lord spoke. "So, she should obey it."
"Johnny!" April exclaimed. "You mean…"
Johnny glared at May and corrected his eyeglasses. "May, you've heard me, didn't you?"
"Johnny?" May asked.
"You're fired."
You're fired. A horror for every employee, especially those who have dedicated their life in their profession. And for May, this meant a total betrayal. Yes, a betrayal from the one she adored, admired, respected and loved the most. Emotionally weakened, she fell to her knees and cried bitterly.
"Why… why would you do this to me, Johnny? Why?" she begged, streams of hot tears flowing down her cheeks. Johnny didn't say anything; instead he walked away from the arena while Jennet followed him closely by his side. The rest of the crews were looking back at May before Johnny ordered them to return to their posts. April, instead, stayed there.
"Am I not worthy enough to win Johnny's heart?" May asked, still crying. April could only shake her head and approached the Japanese pirate. Rubbing her back, April later embraced May and soothed her. "April…" May whispered and cried on her sailor shirt. "Why? Why? Why it's got to be me? Nande? Nande?"
"May…"
x-x-x-x-x
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have
All of me…
My Immortal, Evanescence