Les Jeux Mystèrieux: The Mysterious Games
Janna: Last episode, the group finally got to Kutou to save Katherine.
Jeff: After barging into the jail, we found her, beaten and scarred, in a cold, dark cell.
Katherine: I just love your adjectives.
Max: As they were about to leave, a huge chi shield materialized over the Imperial City, blocking everybody's chi except for Katherine's!
Chris: It was a struggle to get out, but with Katherine-the Byakko Celestial Warrior Kokie- and her powers, it wasn't as hard.
Anne: So now we're headed to Mt. Taikyoku, to get instructions for the summoning ceremony from Taiitsu-kun.
Nick: I wonder what's going to happen! The suspense is killing me!
Luna: Actually, we're just going to stop at Mt. Taikyoku and then go to Shijuen and summon Byakko. And then we'll return home.
Nick: Nooo!!! You're ruining the plot!!!!
Episode 20: Todokanai Nozomi (Unreachable Wishes)
(Taiitsu-kun sits on her large, ornate chair, watching the large mirror in front of her. The mirror is clouded, and dark to boot. She wears a concerned expression.)
Taiitsu-kun: That chi…is unmistakable. She didn't even take pains to hide it this time. And the strength…if anything, it's grown since then. How she could have…it is a mystery. What could her plans be? This certainly complicates things. Will the Priestess be sucked into this conflict?
(There are three distinct pops, and three Nyan-Nyans appear out of thin air.)
Nyan-Nyans: HI!!!!
(Taiitsu-kun sweatdrops.)
Taiitsu-kun: Isn't it enough to know that a person is thinking about important things to know that bothering them is a bad thing?
(The Nyan-Nyans look at each other)
Nyan-Nyan 1: Umm…
Nyan-Nyans: Nope!
(Taiitsu-kun frowns deeper, clearly annoyed. But the Nyan-Nyans are spared a gruesome fate, as there is a loud white flash that momentarily blinds both Taiitsu-kun and the Nyan-Nyans. When they are able to see and hear again, a strange sight greets their vision. The Byakko group lies sprawled on the floor, once again tangled up as if after a heated game of Twister™.)
Taiitsu-kun: …
Tatara: Um…hi?
(Suddenly, Karasuki, Amefuri, Tokaki and Kokie jump up in fright)
Ka+A+T+Ko: AHHHHHH!!!! UGLY!!!!
Taiitsu-kun: (muttering) Why did you have to get new Warriors that have horrible taste?
Tokaki: Hey, I'm not new!
Taiitsu-kun: I would have hoped that you had learned SOMETHING since I saw you last…apparently I was wrong.
Nyan-Nyans: HI!!!!
(Tatara's eyes turn all sparkly)
Tatara: CUTE!!!! AAAH!!!!
Subaru: Oh, god. Not again.
Taiitsu-kun: If I may ask you…why are you here?
Anne: (Standing up) Actually, I came to get instructions for the summoning ceremony.
(Taiitsu-kun's eyebrows raise a fraction of an inch as she counts the people in the tangled pile as they struggle to untangle themselves. As she counts seven, her eyebrows raise a bit higher, until her entire face breaks out into a smile. Tokaki falls over as he begins foaming at the eyes.)
Taiitsu-kun: You have successfully gathered all seven Stars of Byakko! Congratulations!
Toroki: Let me guess…we get profuse thanks but no real reward?
Taiitsu-kun: Not quite; Anne gets three wishes to use however she wants.)
Tokaki: (grumbling) Oh, yeah. ANNE gets three wishes.
Anne: Well, you try being the Priestess for a change.
Taiitsu-kun: The four gods prefer pure maidens to be their Priestesses…Tokaki, you most definitely are NOT pure.
Tokaki: What's that supposed to mean? (under his breath) ugly old hag…
Taiitsu-kun: I heard that.
Nyan-Nyans: You all have to stay here the night! We'll fix you up, fix you up!
Kokie: (looking at her soldier's uniform with distaste) Yeah, some new clothes would be great.
Nyan-Nyan 1: We can make you clothes!
Nyan-Nyan 2: And heal you completely!
Kokie: Um…Subaru handled that pretty well.
Nyan-Nyan 3: No, we'll heal your stupidity!
(Kokie's eyes widen, and then glow white with fury. The view zooms out of the mountain pavilion, to three small, blue shapes flying through the ceiling and into the sky)
Subaru: (holding her hand above her eyes) Looks like Team Nyan-Nyan's blasting off again…
Tatara: (fake crying eyes) Nooo!!! How could you????…they were so cute…
Taiitsu-kun: (bitterly) They don't actually die…much to my chagrin.
Anne: Ooookay…so when can I get instructions on how to summon Byakko?
Taiitsu-kun: Oh, I'd be happy to give you those immediately. I'd have to make the others leave, though.
Amefuri: Why? Aren't we equally part of this?
Taiitsu-kun: Not quite…the Priestess…I'd rather not say. The Nyan-Nyans will escort you to a proper waiting area.
(With three pops, the Nyan-Nyans reappear, apparently unhurt)
Nyan-Nyan 1: Follow, follow!
Nyan-Nyan 2: Heal, heal!
Nyan-Nyan 3: Comfy, comfy!
(Everybody sighs, except Tatara, but they reluctantly follow the Nyan-Nyans out of the door. After they leave, Taiitsu-kun motions for the door to close. Anne turns back to Taiitsu-kun, a bit confused)
Anne: OK…why did you need to see me?
Taiitsu-kun: To give you the instructions for summoning Byakko, of course.
Anne: But why alone?
Taiitsu-kun: Why not? All the other Stars would do is talk and bother us. This way, we can get it done quickly.
Anne: You have a point. Then…tell me what I need to do.
Taiitsu-kun: All right. You have the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho, right?
Anne: Oh, yes. I almost forgot about that! I left it with the Emperor in Shijuen.
Taiitsu-kun: Smart choice. The Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho is the key to summoning a god.
Anne: I thought the Celestial Warriors were.
Taiitsu-kun: They only enable the summoning by lending their chi to the Priestess. The scroll is the key. In order to summon the god, the scroll must be burned in a representation of the god's element. For you, that element is metal, so you need something to burn in that is metal.
Anne: OK…that makes sense. So what else?
Taiitsu-kun: There is an incantation that I will teach to you later. It must be said as the scroll is burning; you only get one chance at this, so don't screw up.
Anne: Won't. When will you teach me it?
Taiitsu-kun: Later! Actually, I have to find the incantation. When I do, I'll give it to a Nyan-Nyan, who will give it to you.
Anne: I suppose that works…
Taiitsu-kun: Before I forget, you have to go through the proper purification rituals before the ceremony. There is the proper bath, but also the proper clothing.
Anne: OK…so how should I bathe?
Taiitsu-kun: There should be a bathing room already in Shijuen; it's been used before.
Anne: Oh, right. And the clothes?
Taiitsu-kun: Those, as well, will be in Shijuen.
Anne: I see. Then, is there anything else I need to know?
(Taiitsu-kun frowns, seemingly debating something in her head. After a moment, she blinks and resumes talking)
Taiitsu-kun: No, there's nothing else you need to know. You get three wishes, and that's it.
Anne: Um…ok. Then, can I go?
Taiitsu-kun: Yes. Stay with your friends tonight; tomorrow, you can summon Byakko.
Anne: Ok! Thanks for helping me!
(Anne leaves the room, closing the door on the way out. Taiitsu-kun's face falls after she leaves)
Taiitsu-kun: Poor girl…I didn't have the heart to tell her what will happen to her after she summons Byakko…
(Anne rushes back down the hallway to find her friends. Of course, she has no idea where she is going, nor where her friends are staying. Before too long, she's quite lost)
Anne: Oh, great…I probably should have asked Taiitsu-kun where the others are staying…
(There is a cute-sounding pop, and a helpful Nyan-Nyan appears)
Nyan-Nyan: Come, come!
Anne: Um…OK.
(The Nyan-Nyan runs down the hallway, with Anne close on her heels. After seriously tiring Anne out, the Nyan-Nyan arrives at a door. Anne leans against it, panting, and knocks twice.)
(The door opens, causing Anne to sprawl forwards onto the ground. Toroki stands over her, sheepishly holding the doorknob)
Toroki: Um…oops.
Amefuri: Nice to see you again.
(Anne gets up, quickly, as gracefully as she can manage from her current position. The various members of the group are lying on many couches and chairs in the lavishly decorated room.)
Nyan-Nyan: OK! Bye-Bye!
(The Nyan-Nyan disappears with a puff of smoke. Toroki closes the door, and returns to a cross-legged position on the carpet. Anne takes a comfy-looking chair.)
Tokaki: So, what'd she tell you?
Anne: Well, before we even start, I have to take a purification bath and dress in special clothes.
Kokie: Hey, this summoning thing sounds pretty good. What do we get out of it?
Anne: We get to go home…and I get two more wishes.
Tatara: Ooooh…can I have one?
Anne: No! I'm probably not even going to use them for us! I was thinking…bring peace to Sailo, protect Sailo from Kutou, and send us home.
Tokaki: Those wishes suck.
Anne: Well, then you think of better ones!
Tokaki: OK; make me the richest, best-looking and most powerful person in the world.
Karasuki: Well, we know that wish isn't gonna come true; no god is that powerful.
Tokaki: Shut up!
Toroki: Those wishes are very benevolent…
Karasuki: Wait, so that's it? You just have a bath and change clothes and BOOM, instant Byakko?
Anne: No, apparently I have to burn the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho and say this incantation.
Amefuri: Wait…burn it? Why would you need to do that?
Anne: No idea…apparently it's the key to summoning the god.
Kokie: Strange…so how are the Warriors needed?
Anne: You guys have to lend me your chi…not sure how that works.
Tokaki: OK, so what's the incantation?
Anne: Um…she didn't tell me.
(The group stares at her for a second)
Karasuki: We are going to botch this. I can just see it.
Anne: No! Don't be so negative!
Toroki: You disagree?
Anne: Well…not really…
Tatara: Arrgh…is anybody else hungry and tired…
Kokie: Way to change the subject randomly!
Tatara: You of all people must be.
Kokie: I guess…but that's beside the point!
Tokaki: Maybe…they have food here.
Subaru: Of course they have food! We ate here last time we were here!
Kokie: Wait…you guys were here before this?
Karasuki: Oh, whoops. We haven't filled you in on anything that's happened in the past few weeks.
Kokie: Thanks for remembering me!
Amefuri: Well, then, we'll fill you in over dinner.
Anne: Dinner? Is it that late in the day?
(The group slowly nods, and there is a knock on the door)
Tokaki: Yes, Anne, it IS dinnertime.
(Anne frowns, and moves to the door. She cautiously opens it, and a Nyan-Nyan floats in the air at her eye-level.)
Nyan-Nyan: (loudly and happily) DINNER IS SERVED!!!
Anne: AAAAH!!!!!
*************
(The cult headquarters. The five have been summoned rather quickly)
Jun: What is it now? I thought we wouldn't have to meet until tomorrow.
Liang: Yeah, what's with the urgency?
Ren: And why haven't I heard about it?
(Liao closes his eyes, not speaking)
Mei: Tell us, Liao. We have a right to know.
(Slowly, Liao begins to speak)
Liao: The Imperial City is in an uproar. Everything is basically chaos, as their plans, and ours have been thwarted.
Liang: You're not making sense at all.
Liao: Our worst fears have borne fruit; the Priestess of Byakko has somehow rescued the imprisoned Star.
(There is a moment of shocked silence, and then the other four burst into loud talking)
Ren: What? How? How could they have gotten to the capital and past the guards?
Liang: What are we going to do now?
Mei: This fault is all yours! With your stupid plans, just waiting to fail!
Jun: I didn't see you coming up with many bright ideas while we schemed! It's as much your fault as ours; no, it's MORE your fault than ours!
Liao: QUIET!!!!!!!!!!!
(The other four stop yelling, suddenly. Liao has his arms raised, and he slowly lowers them)
Liao: If you all would please let me talk. I don't know the answers to most of your questions, but I do know what path we are to take now.
Jun: How can we take a path? We've failed, completely and utterly.
Liao: No! We're losing sight of the true goal! Just because we failed with this Priestess doesn't mean we've failed altogether! We can't lose sight of our true goal!
Liang: True…goal?
Mei: SUMMONING SENRI-E YOU IDIOT!!!!
Liang: (cowering) Mei…
Liao: Now, listen. We can still salvage this situation. Mei, you must pray to Senri-e for guidance as soon as you can. She will tell us what to do. Ren, go to the Emperor, and try to win some favor from him. Liang, as always you must keep charge of our funds. And Jun…begin training more assassins in the correct style. I highly doubt that we, as the sole believers, are finished yet.
*************
(Dinner was very good, as it was in the group's previous visit, and the eight retire to their gender-specific rooms after finishing their meal.)
(Anne returns to her room after receiving the incantation from Taiitsu-kun. In the girl's room…)
Kokie: (getting ready for bed) Wow…that's quite a trip you guys had.
Subaru: (getting bed ready for her) I know. It was pretty fun, at times.
Anne: (sitting down on bed) Except for the whole "ooh, let's kidnap the Priestess" thing. That got really old, really fast.
Amefuri: (bed-sitting on down) Oh, don't forget, "Let's poison Amefuri so she has to put herself into a coma".
Subaru: And the assassins…
Kokie: Wait…you guys had to travel with Nick the whole time, didn't you?
(The three girls stare at her, mirroring their intense suffering)
Kokie: God…what I had to go through seems tame compared to that.
Subaru: Maybe…I don't really want to find out. At least we're going home now.
Anne: …we hope we are.
Amefuri: What do you mean by that?
Anne: Well…I'm just hoping Byakko exists.
(The other three blink)
Kokie: You're gonna have to explain that a bit more.
Anne: Let me put it this way. If you had came up to me the day before we went to the MIA and told me that I would become the main believer in a religion whose god is a tiger…I would have pointed and laughed.
Amefuri: You still would.
Anne: That's beside the point.
Subaru: …so what you're saying is that you're not sure if you believe in Byakko.
Anne: Right!
(The other three girls look at each other, a bit confused)
Kokie: Um…Anne. You HAVE seen us use our powers, haven't you?
Subaru: How can you not believe in Byakko if you've witnessed all this stuff?!?!?
Anne: Hey, hey, don't load on the peer pressure here.
Amefuri: No…I get what she's saying. Despite our chi powers, which we've accepted because they're real for us…Anne doesn't have any of those powers.
Subaru: But…
Kokie: Anne, do you want to believe in Byakko?
(Anne bites her lip, but doesn't say anything)
Subaru: Ooohhhhhhh. I get it now! Anne's having a crisis of faith!
Amefuri: And why are you so happy about this?
Subaru: I'm happy I understand! Nothing else!
Kokie: Both of you, hush. Anne? Are you?
Anne: Well…yeah…
Subaru: …ok, say more.
Anne: (sighing) I dunno…I feel really stupid, being the Priestess of Byakko and all…and I don't believe in it! I don't know if it's because I don't have your guy's powers, or…
Amefuri: If believing might screw up your faith in God.
Anne: God, huh? Which one?
Subaru: I think she meant-
Kokie: (ignoring Subaru)No, Anne! It's not like that! I mean, we're not seeing Amefuri or me having these issues, and we're both Christians!
Anne: So how is it possible? To believe in both gods at the same time?
Subaru: Well…it's like-
Amefuri: (ignoring Subaru) For me, it's not a compromise. I mean, I believe in God, but I believe in Byakko too. There's no way I can't, cause I'm using my chi.
Kokie: Yeah! They aren't mutually exclusive.
Anne: Actually, they are, seeing as Christianity is a monotheistic religion.
Kokie: Maybe…
Subaru: (annoyed now) It's like this; we-
Anne: (ignoring Subaru) I just keep thinking that maybe if I just concentrate, I'll wake up and won't need to believe in Byakko anymore.
Subaru: WILL YOU THREE LET ME TALK????
(They all shut up, quickly)
Subaru: It's like this! You don't HAVE to believe in Byakko! Nobody's forcing you to! If Byakko's gonna get us home, then that's a good thing. But you don't have to believe in him…it? Who knows? Who cares? For all we know, this world could just be…in a book, for instance! It may not exist. Byakko may not exist. We may not exist right now! So you don't have to split your beliefs. But, on the other hand, if you DO believe in Byakko, then like Kokie and Amefuri; it doesn't mean you don't believe in God still. I mean, honestly. We're in a different world right now. Belief can change. So…stop worrying! OK?
(Anne frowns, in an unreadable emotion. Amefuri and Kokie watch her expectantly, and their eyes brighten as she smiles)
Anne: All right! I get it! And…I've made my belief decision.
Amefuri: Oh. OK…
Anne: That is…I'll decide whether I believe in Byakko tomorrow!
(The other three girls fall off their beds)
*************
(The guy's room. Everybody's in bed.)
Tatara: (snuggling into pillow) Mmm…soft…
Tokaki: That's so disgustingly ironic it's not even funny.
Toroki: Ironic? Why?
Karasuki: Never mind. I think Tokaki and Tatara will be better at home in the real world.
Tatara: (eyes widening) Oh! That's right! Tomorrow we go home!
Toroki: Have you not been listening for the entire time we've been in the book?
Tokaki: It would explain a lot…
Karasuki: Home, huh? How long has it been?
Tokaki: Almost…three weeks, now.
Tatara: Wow…time flies, huh?
Toroki: At least we're not staying any longer. I'm sure all of our parents are worried sick.
Tokaki: Yeah, really. How can they explain that? "Eight kids disappear from MIA."
Karasuki: What are we going to tell them when we get back?
Tatara: Simple: we tell the truth. "Well, Mom and Dad, we were sucked into this book for three weeks."
Tokaki: Have fun with that. I…dunno what I'm gonna tell my Mom. I guess I'll just have to make something up.
Toroki: So weird…they'll never believe the real story.
Karasuki: What's gonna be weirder is to even be home! Without our powers!
Tatara: Who says we won't have our powers when we get back? I can't wait!
Toroki: Tatara has a point…but that'll make things really hard for us.
Tokaki: But it would be fun…if anybody talks back to me…Zip! Pow!
Karasuki: I would guess that our powers only exist in the book; nothing like this could happen anywhere besides a made-up world.
Tatara: Maybe…not leaving would be pretty fun.
Toroki: You're kidding, right?
Tatara: Not entirely. I mean, we'd get to run around in this world with our powers, having fun all the time! What's not to like?
Karasuki: News flash: we'd never go back to the real world. To our families!
Tokaki: And I would bet that Kokie would be completely against staying in this world.
Toroki: That's true; her experience in this world has been anything but positive.
Tatara: Maybe it wasn't such a good idea…
Karasuki: That would be a pleasant surprise; Tatara having a good idea.
Tatara: Hey! I have good ideas!
Karasuki: Really? Name one.
Tatara: Um…uh…
Toroki: Oh, both of you, just go to bed.
*************
(Morning comes, with the Nyan-Nyans waking everybody up in their usual loudly cute fashion. Everybody staggers out of bed, still not quite rested from yesterday's stresses. Breakfast is a rather sober affair, with only Tatara being truly awake, and doing a horrible job of lightening the mood. Anne finishes her food before anybody else, and is promptly summoned from the dinner table to Taiitsu-kun's quarters.)
(When she arrives, Taiitsu-kun is peering intently into a mirror. As Anne walks in, the old woman hurriedly sends the mirror off to the side, as it winks out of existence. Anne's eyebrows crinkle, but she does not inquire)
Anne: You…sent for me?
Taiitsu-kun: Yes, I did. I will soon be sending you and your Warriors on your way to Shijuen for the summoning ceremony…but I have a few questions to ask you before that.
Anne: All right…
Taiitsu-kun: First. Do you remember what I told you before you left the last time you came? The warning I gave?
(Anne racks her brain, and eventually remembers. A bright red blush suffuses her cheeks)
Anne: (embarrassed) Yeah…I do remember.
Taiitsu-kun: You did heed my words?
Anne: Yes! Of course! I'd never do…that! That's disgusting!
Taiitsu-kun: I'm just checking; I didn't believe you would, but…the last Miko…never mind. The gods like their Mikos pure, and if they are not the summoning will not be able to happen.
Anne: Ok, good…as long as you weren't insinuating anything…never mind. It's not important. What are the other questions?
Taiitsu-kun: Oh, yes. A long time ago in your journey, a certain…event happened. The last time you came here, I did not feel the need to interrogate you about it. But now, I need to know the details.
Anne: Um…ok. What was it?
Taiitsu-kun: I believe it was after you found Subaru…the encounter with the lake monster.
(Anne thinks for a moment, and then quickly remembers)
Anne: Oh, yes! I remember that quite well. What about it?
Taiitsu-kun: I just need to know how you three managed to defeat it.
Anne: (matter-of-factly) Well…there was this white light…and
it came from the sky…and then I saw a tiger…it hit the serpent…and then it
died.
Taiitsu-kun: It died…really. Then…did you summon the light?
Anne: Me? I don't think so. I can't remember what exactly I was thinking at the time, but I know that I didn't use any chi powers.
Taiitsu-kun: All right…is that all you know?
Anne: I think so…there's not much else to tell. I don't know what the light was, but I can only guess that it was Byakko who sent it.
Taiitsu-kun: All right…that is all, then.
Anne: May I ask…why you asked me about that?
Taiitsu-kun: It…is not your problem. Besides, you're going to leave this world soon, and it won't concern you after this.
Anne: All right…are there any more questions?
Taiitsu-kun: No…I do want to wish you good luck, though. I hope that the summoning goes well for you.
Anne: Oh…thank you!
Taiitsu-kun: Don't mention it…really, don't. Just bring your friends here and I'll send you all to Shijuen.
Anne: I'll be back in a moment!
(Anne leaves the room, almost forgetting to close the door)
Taiitsu-kun: Poor girl…she's been through a lot. I didn't want to burden her with the troubles of an old woman…At least she'll soon be out of this world…even when it might need peace the most, knowing her.
(Eventually, Anne returns to Taiitsu-kun's place, with the other seven Warriors in tow.)
Tokaki: Ok…do I have to do this?
Taiitsu-kun: No! I wouldn't want you to miscalculate and end up in Hokkan!
Tokaki: (flaming eyes) Why…you…
Kokie: I like her! She stays.
Taiitsu-kun: Quit yapping and concentrate! I'm going to send you eight to Shijuen, and believe me, it's not easy. So just try to make yourselves lighter or something.
Anne: Taiitsu-kun…
Taiitsu-kun: What?
Anne: Thank you. For everything.
(The old woman's face hardens a bit)
Taiitsu-kun: Just concentrate, and you'll be going.
(Taiitsu-kun closes her eyes, and holds her hands together, index fingers touching. The eight exchange skeptical glances, but close their eyes as well, gathering their chi. Taiitsu-kun's body begins to glow with a swirling black aura, slowly expanding outwards from her body. Suddenly, she opens her eyes and thrusts her hands forwards with a loud cry. Even through the group's closed eyes, they see the black flash…and then they see nothing more.)
*************
(The Emperor sits on his throne, now worried sick. All his attendants have been driven away, not eager to face him in his current foul mood. Suddenly, in front of his throne, a small black dot appears in the air. He lifts his head, confused, and is thus subjected to the full blast of air that flies out at him as the dot expands rapidly to become a huge black portal. The wind forces his eyes closed, and severely messes up his perfect hair. When the blowing stops, he opens his eyes, and sees Anne and the seven Warriors of Byakko standing in front of him)
Anne: Hi.
(The Emperor brushes his hair out of his eyes, not quite believing that he is really seeing Anne. When he finally realizes that she is here, his eyes brighten, and open widely as he counts the amount of people behind her.)
Emperor: Anne! You're back! And…
Anne: I've found the seventh Warrior of Byakko.
Emperor: You have! Wonderful!
(The Emperor stands up, and takes Anne's hands)
Emperor: Anne, thank you so much. You've done so much for Sailo.
(Anne blushes at the close contact between her and the Emperor. The seven behind her stare at the Emperor, the boys with a mix of disgust and boredom and the girls with a mix of desire and envy)
Anne: (embarrassed) Oh, no…it was nothing, really.
(The Emperor suddenly realizes that he is embarrassing her and lets go, moving backwards gracefully)
Emperor: I'm sorry; I completely forgot what must be done. I will prepare the purification bath and the ceremonial outfit, as well as bringing the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho to the summoning enclave.
Anne: Oh…thank you.
Emperor: Compared to what you have done for Sailo, it is nothing. (The Emperor thinks for a moment) You can follow my handmaidens; they will escort you to the bath. Your Warriors can wait in the courtyard until the preparations are complete.
(Anne turns back to her friends, who, each in their own way, gesture for her to go ahead. Anne smiles at them, and then turns back to the Emperor)
Anne: All right. I'll go and purify myself, and then we'll commence the ceremony.
*************
(The group retires to the courtyard, a very lush but peaceful area. Everyone besides Tatara sits on one of the many marble benches, talking about meaningless things in a vain effort to dispel their nervousness.)
Tokaki: Anne's sure taking her sweet time.
Amefuri: She's taking a bath!
Karasuki: Yeah, don't you know how long it takes girls to take baths?
Kokie: I think I resent that…
Subaru: Plus, she has to think about her wishes.
Tatara: Didn't she already determine what they'd be?
Toroki: That doesn't mean she doesn't need to think them over; she only has three.
(Suddenly, there is a fanfare from the end of the courtyard. The seven turn their heads to see Anne, flanked by two handmaidens dressed in colorful Sailan clothes. She wears a long white dress made of gauzy white silk, embroidered with complex gold patterns. On her head she wears a golden tiara that sparkles in the sunlight, and her hair has been combed and conditioned to fall down her back robustly. Altogether it is a simple but elegant outfit. Everybody sucks their breath in, and Anne blushes a deep crimson)
Toroki: Wow…Anne…
Subaru: That is a nice dress!
Amefuri: I want it!
Tokaki: Damn…
Tatara: Ooooh…sparkly.
(Karasuki hits Tatara over the head, attempting to knock some sense into him)
Anne: Well? Shall we go?
(The group nods resolutely, and they all stand up. Anne turns, and walks through an archway. Through the arch is a white-paved path leading up to a large white building. Regularly spaced statues of reclining tigers border the path. Anne and her Warriors reach the building at the end, which has golden doors. They open to reveal the Emperor, holding the white scroll of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. Behind him is what appears to be a huge sandbox with eight flat, white stones spaced equally around the center. In the center is a metal apparatus that looks like a shallow bowl of black liquid mounted on four thin metal legs. The room itself is, rather unsurprisingly, white with many white pillars. However, on the walls are many golden murals depicting scenes of what appears to be the summoning ceremony. The Emperor speaks, jarring the group out of their trance induced by the room.)
Emperor: It is time. The eight of you are to stand on the stones, and direct your chi to the Priestess. She will light the oil, and then burn the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho in it.
Anne: And then I will summon Byakko.
Emperor: Correct. I wish you the best of luck.
Amefuri: Here…I'll shield this building.
Emperor: That will not be necessary. Byakko himself has sanctified this temple, and none but his chosen can enter while the ceremony is in progress.
Anne: All right…let's do this.
(The group walks around the sandbox, hesitantly standing on the white rocks. The Emperor presents Anne with the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho and a burning torch. Anne steps onto the last stone, and lights the oil in the metal basin. The group closes their eyes, summoning their chi for the last time. Anne is suffused with white light as she stands before the burning bowl. She throws the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho into the fire, and closes her eyes)
Anne: (incanting) "The four palaces of heaven…"
(The symbol for "stride" appears on her cheek, glowing brightly white)
Anne: "The four directions of the earth…"
(A white symbol shines through her dress on her stomach; it is "stomach.")
Anne: "With deep faith, virtue, and truth…"
(The symbol for "lasso" appears on her outstretched hand)
Anne: "Byakko, protector of the West, grant us our wishes. Now, I speak these words."
(The symbol for "rise" shines through her dress.)
Anne: "The seven constellations are revealed to earth from the heavens, the cause for all life that worships you."
(The symbol for "rain net" appears in the center of her chest, higher than her dress)
Anne: "Destroy our enemies; rescue us with your holy power."
(The symbol for "investigator" appears on the back of her neck)
Anne: "I only wish you heed this…"
(The symbol for "turtle snout" appears on her forehead, and Anne opens her eyes. With the seven symbols on her body, she begins to glow completely white. She raises her hands to the sky)
Anne: "Come down from the heavens and honor us with your presence!"
(There is a huge white flash, and the burning beacon in front of Anne glows with pure bright light. It shoots up, expanding outwards until it becomes a huge white pillar. The pillar envelops the eight that circle it, and Anne's vision fades to white. A loud growling sound is heard…)
*************
(The emperor sits on his throne in Kutou's throneroom. He raises his head, and smiles)
Emperor: The summoning of Byakko begins…finally, I can realize my goal. I shall wait until she makes her first wish…and then…I will finally have that which I deserve.
*************
(Anne opens her eyes. She is standing in a field of white flowers, that extends out into the distance as far as she can see. She looks around, but sees nobody)
Anne: Um…hello?
Voice: Art thou the Priestess that hath summoned me?
(Anne turns around abruptly, to see an amazing sight. A beautiful man stands before her, almost ethereal in his beauty. He has completely white hair, but he is not old. He wears a robe made of the same fabric Anne's dress is made of, but his looks a thousand times newer and cleaner. Anne's eyes open wide as she sees the glowing white character on his forehead, and though she cannot make it out she knows who this man is.)
Anne: …are you…Byakko?
Byakko: I am the protector of the West…Byakko is my name. Hast thou summoned me?
Anne: …yes, I did.
Byakko: Good. I am obliged to grant thee three wishes; three opportunities to merge with me and use my divine power. Thou must simply speak the holy work "Kai-jin", and thy desires shall become reality.
Anne: …all right.
(Byakko turns to go, and Anne breaks out of her stupor.)
Anne: Wait!
(Byakko turns backwards)
Anne: Are you…in my world, there is one god. And…I…are you…
(Byakko realizes what she is alluding to, and smiles beautifully)
Byakko: Innocent child. Hast thou not realized that we gods are all simply reflections of the same divine presence?
(Anne crinkles her forehead, and then smiles. Byakko turns towards her, and abruptly jumps forwards at Anne. Anne's eyes open, and then there is a bright flash of light. Anne screams as something jumps through her body…)
(Anne opens her eyes, and realizes she is standing on the white stone, screaming. The other Warriors and the Emperor stare at her in worried fear. She stops screaming, and realizes something more frightening; there is a power residing within her body.)
Emperor: Anne…are you all right?
Anne: Yes…I'm fine. The ceremony worked…I'm going to make my wishes now. Kai…jin!
(Suddenly, a wind blows through the building, blowing Anne's hair backwards. A white glow surrounds her body, brighter and purer than any of the other Warriors' glows. The same complex symbol appears on Anne's forehead, and everything around her fades to white. Byakko's voice reaches her.)
Byakko: What is thine wish?
Anne: First: Bring peace to Sailo. Second: Protect Sailo from Kutou. And Third: Send all eight of us home!
(Byakko pauses for a moment)
Byakko: It shall be as thee wish.
(Around Anne, the white glow spreads outwards, swallowing up the floor. The sandbox, the Emperor and the building disappear, leaving only Anne and the other seven floating in whiteness)
Tatara: Anne! What's happening?
Anne: …we're going home.
(The whiteness brightens even more, blinding the group until they must force their eyes closed. The white intensifies through their closed eyes, and they know no more.)
*************
(Taiitsu-kun watches through her mirror as the white glow spreads through the entire room with a smile. The Nyan-Nyans hover above her head, pleased as always)
Taiitsu-kun: By the gods…it worked. She summoned Byakko.
Nyan-nyans: Yay!
(Suddenly, Taiitsu-kun looks at her mirror in horror.)
Taiitsu-kun: No…not now! I can't let her interfere!
(Taiitsu-kun closes her eyes, and presses her hands together. The Nyan-Nyans watch, confused, as Taiitsu-kun sends a black wall of chi through the mirror to the Byakko sanctum.)
*************
(The Emperor's limp body lies in the chair, devoid of life. There is a sudden black flash, and his body stiffens as hard as a board. There is a brief convusion, and he seems to get control of himself. But it is not him, as evident by the bi-gendered voice)
Emperor: (feminine/masculine voice) That…fool! Taiitsu-kun! Not her…not now! How could she have spoiled my plans so easily! All that work…for nothing. And now the Priestess has left this world! Fool…I was a fool!!!!
(The Emperor bangs his hand on the throne's armrest)
Emperor: Fine…I will have to start over again. And next time…I won't fail.
*************
(The white light takes a long time to fade from the eyes of the group. As their vision begins to clear, they realize where they are; in the MIA's China exhibition room. As everybody is lying on the floor, they all get up and look around in wonder. It's almost exactly as they left it three weeks ago. And, in fact, they are now dressed in the same clothes that they were dressed in then.)
Luna: Oh….
Nick: Are we back? Really?
Jeff: I think so…and look at our clothes!
Chris: Where did all the other clothes go?
Max: Maybe…none of that really happened?
Katherine: Yeah…but it seemed so real. And we all remember, right?
(The group nods)
Janna: Look! It's almost six!
(The group looks at the clock. It is about quarter to six)
Anne: But what day is it? How long have we-urrgh!
(Anne suddenly doubles over in pain. The group stares at her in confusion)
Chris: Anne!
Katherine: What's wrong?
Anne: …i…I'm fine. (Anne stands up, laboriously) I just…hurt all over.
Max: Why? Did you fall on the way here?
Anne: I'm not sure…(Anne thinks for a moment, and then her eyes widen) No way…
Luna: You're gonna have to say more than that.
Anne: Can you all use your chi right now?!?!?
(The group members look at each other, surprised by Anne's emotion. They each try to use their chi…)
Nick: Nope. Doesn't work.
Anne: But then…why do I still have Byakko's consciousness within me? I made my three wishes!
Jeff: What are you talking about?
Anne: When I summoned Byakko, a part of him entered my body to grant my wishes. When I said the holy word, his power merged with mine. But…I don't know. It's hard to explain…or understand. But he's still with me. I thought…I made all my wishes.
Chris: Well, what did you wish for?
Anne: To bring peace to Sailo, to protect Sailo from Kutou, and to send us home.
Janna: That works, I guess…but we can't use our chi. Are you saying…that you could still make a wish?
Anne: I don't know…I don't want to try until I know what's going on…why I'm in pain.
Max: Let's check the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho, then.
Anne: I burned it, Max.
Max: No. The OTHER Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho.
(Max moves over to the book on display, and opens it, turning pages until it stops.)
Max: "And so, the Priestess of Byakko and her Stars returned to her own world, after bringing peace to Sailo." That's all it says.
Luna: Wait…how can you read that?
Max: …good question. But I can.
Katherine: This is REALLY confusing. I think we need to find out more about this book.
Nick: Um…good luck.
Jeff: No, look. There are references in the book's description on the wall.
(The group crowds around the wall. Sure enough, there is a book and several names and keywords listed as reference material.)
Anne: Here; let me write this down.
(Anne pulls a notebook out of her backpack and copies down all the references)
Janna: So how can we get this stuff?
Chris: Some of you guys could go to the library.
Max: "Some of you guys"?
Chris: Sorry. I'm allergic to reading and learning.
Luna: Um…I'm not doing anything tomorrow afternoon. I could say that we need to research a school project.
Katherine: Good idea. I'll come too.
Anne: There's no way I'm not coming.
Nick: Can I come?????
(Katherine just stares at Nick blankly)
Nick: Pllllleeeeeeaaasssee????
Anne: No. All you'd do is distract us.
Nick: (pouting) Fine. I'll find more stuff than you three will, without going to some stuffy old library.
Jeff: Um…you guys, it's six-o-clock.
Janna: …and?
Jeff: We were supposed to be picked up at six.
Max: But on what day? For all we know, it could be three weeks later than when we left!
Anne: Well, only one way to find out.
(The group casually leaves the Chinese room, and meanders their way down to the exit. Everybody is nervous that perhaps they really had spent three weeks in the book…but then when they get to the exit, all their parent's cars are waiting for them.)
Chris: Whoa…it really DID take three hours.
Max: That's crazy…
Nick: Well…it's been fun, guys. But now we have to go home, don't we?
Katherine: I wouldn't really say fun…at least it's finally over.
Luna: We all have to get together after we three go to the library…just to discuss the info we've found.
Jeff: Good idea. In that case, I'll see you all soon.
All: Bye!
(Everybody enters their respective cars, and drive off into the sunset.)
(Later in the Chinese room, the security guard ropes off the area for the night after checking that everything is in good condition and still there. As he leaves, the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho begins to glow a deep crimson, complete with little red sparkly bits…and disappears.)
Jeff: (singsong voice) We're done, we're done!
Chris: (singsong voice) We did it, we did it!
Nick: Yay!!! Yay!!!
Janna: You three deserve each other. Seriously.
Max: Aw, come on. We saved Sailo; the least we can do is celebrate.
Anne: Are you kidding? My head hurts, my whole body aches, and these crying children certainly aren't helping!
Luna: Maybe…you should have thought more before you made that wish.
Katherine: Now is really not the time to spout obscure theatre references!
Anne: Aww…but it's true. I do hurt. That's not natural, is it?
Jeff: Well…you're not quite natural yourself.
Anne: Hey! I'll call down Byakko and smite you!
Chris: Well, our adventure is finally done.
Nick: The next episode is called…uh…
Luna: There's a next episode?
Nick: Is there? I don't know the name.
Janna: If there's a pattern you should be able to figure the next one out.
Katherine: Actually, I don't think there IS a next episode.
Max: Whatever; it doesn't matter right now. We're done! We did it! Yay!
Anne: Isn't that what really matters, in the end?
LJM: Season 1…Complete!
AN: Happy New Years, everybody! I said I'd get this done by New Years, and darn it, I did. In truth, I finished this yesterday…but I didn't post it. Really. I have a witness!
Now, my moment of exultation. Yes! I can't believe it's actually finished. I gotta say, I truly never believed that I would get this far in this story. There was a time when I just stopped writing cause I was bored…but it was worth it.
You all have surely got to be hungering for more; that ending wasn't epic at all, and left an incredible amount of loose ends. Don't worry…I will soon sate your hunger with LJM: Season 2. There is a next episode; you should know by now not to listen to the characters' ramblings.
And now, the "Director's Comments." Now that the first season is over, I can spill some random thoughts. Originally, I had planned to use an opening and ending theme at the beginning of each episode. It would consist of some translated anime lyrics, along with descriptions of what's happening while the music plays. This idea was soon ditched, as I realized how stupid this would look to people who don't have the music I'm writing about. For the trivia buff, I was planning to use Shuffle from Yu-Gi-Oh for the opening theme and Hikari to Kage o Dakishimeta Mama from Magic Knight Rayearth…but never mind that.
About the many Japanese bits…as I'm sure you're aware, Fushigi Yuugi depicts China in…Japanese. So of course all the names are Japanese pronounced. When I began this story, I had to decide how much Japanese to use and how much Chinese. I wanted to use as much Chinese as I could, as that makes it more authentic, but…I know Japanese rather well and know next to nothing about Chinese. The many place names that I made up are either Chinese or (in the case of Shijuen) Japanese that I tried to make sound like Chinese (and in hindsight failed miserably at). I couldn't use the Chinese names for the seishi (I don't know them, and wouldn't want to use them anyways), but I still didn't want to use Japanese too much. Thus, I used Celestial Warrior instead of seishi…even though I personally think seishi sounds better and works better. Oh well. I couldn't use the Chinese names for the countries; I would have died typing Qu-Dong instead of Konan, Bei-Jia instead of Hokkan, etc. Plus, Sailo's Chinese name is stupid and obscure (in fact, I don't know it off the top of my head). So I stuck with Japanese for the country names. And of course, you're wondering about the names of the chapters, aren't you. I would be. Although the Japanese sounds rather foreign and cool, there isn't a real reason that I use the Japanese titles. I just sort of felt like it. But there is a pattern in the names; I'm not going to tell you what it is because you can thus deduce how many chapters there'd be ^_^ And I want that to be a secret! Are wa himitsu desu!
So between now and Season 2 I'm gonna take a short, short break; I want to get writing too! I might write a short story as a challenge from a friend, I might not. It all depends on what I feel like. But expect Episode 21 to be up at very latest by the middle of January; I doubt it will take that long, but you never know. At least I didn't make a cliffhanger, or evil plot twist like Fushigi Yuugi. Oh, and speaking of evil plot twists…there is one at the beginning of Season 2. And trust me, there's only one person in the world (besides me) who's gonna see this one coming…and for the large majority of you readers…it's not you. So wait with baited breath for Season 2!