Les Jeux Mystèrieux: The Mysterious Games
Chris: Last episode, we were in Konan, minding our own business...
Katherine: ...when Berit decided to kill us.
Luna: Something is wrong with that girl, I swear.
Anne: Maybe...she hit her head?
Max: (deadpan) That's a good explanation.
Jeff: So we all had to fight against various Suzaku Stars.
Janna: It was kind of sad beating them into the ground...then again, not really.
Nick: And now we're out of Konan, teleported away. But where are we going? And what's going to happen to us?
Episode 26: Hakai no namida (Tears of Destruction)
(The dark pentagram chamber. Everything seems normal, except...there are only four candles. The number one position is empty.)
Ren: It is good that we all have gathered here today. Today marks an important step towards our ultimate goal.
Liang: Errr...where's Liao?
Mei: Perceptive as always, aren't we?
Liang: Mei...you don't have to be so mean...
Jun: Aww, quit whining.
Ren: (clearing his throat) As I was about to say, Liao is currently implementing the plan.
Liang: The plan? To get rid of the Priestess of Byakko??? Liao?!?!?!?!?
Mei: For once, I agree with you.
Jun: He insisted, and none of us are in any position to argue with him.
Mei: That's not true. Liao contributes the least to our efforts.
Liang: Really! It's my money, Mei's faith, Ren's espionage, your training, and Liao's...nothing!
Ren: No, Liao provides...valuable...er...
Jun: Darling, you're at a loss for words.
Ren: Well...perhaps you are right.
Jun: I personally agree with Mei and Liang. This is also the reason that I agreed with him leading this operation. If it fails, and he were to be killed in a tragic accident...
Ren: You didn't!
Jun: No, actually, I did not give any such orders...this time.
Mei: Although he does not contribute, we surely would get nothing done if he were not here to help us.
Liang: I dunno...it seems like a group data wouldn't be a bad idea...
Ren+Jun: Group data???
Mei: Coup d'etat, Liang. Coup d'etat.
*************
(Sailan Throne Room. The Emperor, strangely, is not on the throne. The quiet stillness of the empty room is broken suddenly when there is a loud tearing sound, and the eight members of the group crash to the ground. They look around, confused, until the location around them becomes familiar.)
Tatara: This is...
Tokaki: Sailo's throne room!!!
Subaru: (standing up) It's changed a bit in three years.
Kokie: (raising herself into a casual hover) You mean, a day.
Subaru: One day, three years, what's the difference?
Anne: (looking around) The emperor's not here.
Amefuri: (genuinely sad) Aww, darn.
Toroki: (rolling his eyes) Girls...always being stupid over some dumb guy...
Karasuki: That was a bad thing to say...
(Before Kokie, Anne, Subaru and Amefuri can beat Toroki into a pulp, there is a loud creaking from near the throne. The young emperor of Sailo walks out of a door, with a weary look on his face.)
Anne: (excited) There he is!
Kokie+Subaru+Amefuri: (happy, relieved looks on their faces) Aaahh....
(The Emperor looks up, surprised to hear voices, and when he sees the eight members of the group, his mouth drops open.)
Emperor: (astonished) Anne.
Tatara: Hi!
Karasuki: He wasn't talking to you, stupid.
Emperor: What...are all of you doing here? And why now?
Anne: Er...it's complex. I assume you've heard about the new situation with Kutou?
(The Emperor moves slowly to the throne, and tiredly sits down.)
Emperor: Heard? It's all I've had to deal with for weeks now.
Amefuri: You? Why would you have to deal with a war between Kutou and Konan?
Emperor: Simple; everyone wants me to explain why Kutou's attacking Konan.
Toroki: You know the reason?
Emperor: No, I have no idea. It's as much of a mystery to me as to everyone else.
Tokaki: Then why would everyone go to you?
Emperor: (wearily) Because Kutou attacked Sailo first. I don't understand why that happened, much less why Kutou's attacking Konan, but nobody will listen when I try to explain.
Tatara: Wow...that sucks.
Emperor: You have no idea...but enough about me. Why have you all returned to our world so suddenly?
Anne: Well, it's linked to the current conflict. Through a strange turn of events, my sister has become the Priestess of Suzaku.
Emperor: (intrigued) Your sister? Really...
Kokie: Yes, it is interesting. So we went to Konan, to see her, and she flipped out completely.
Emperor: How so?
Karasuki: Let's see...she screamed at Anne, she gave the orders to kill us...what else?
Subaru: She said that Anne tried to kill her when Anne did nothing of the sort?
Karasuki: Yes, that's it.
Emperor: Really...this is most confusing. Why would your sister do anything like that?
Anne: I really don't know...
Emperor: Then what happened?
Tokaki: We had to escape and beat the Suzaku Celestial Warriors into the ground.
Amefuri: It wasn't hard at all. They're kind of pitiful.
Emperor: I do not believe that they have your experience.
Tatara: Obviously not...
Emperor: All right; that explains why you all have returned, and what you have been doing. The question is what you propose to do now.
(The group is silent, although they do exchange confused glances)
Anne: We...hadn't quite thought about that. We just came here to escape Konan.
Emperor: I see. Well, you all are welcome to stay here as long as you like.
Anne: Thank you. Are any of you guys tired?
Kokie+Subaru+Tokaki+Toroki+Karasuki+Amefuri: Yes.
Tatara: Nope!
Karasuki: What a surprise.
Emperor: Feel free to use your rooms from three years ago. I'm rather busy, but any servant will be happy to ensure your needs are met.
Anne: Thank you very much.
Emperor: The pleasure is all mine.
*************
(Later in the night, a young boy stands on a balcony, looking up at the stars)
Young Boy: (with a prepubescent voice, to nobody in particular) The stars are troubled of late...The Suzaku quadrant moves into a conflict with the Byakko quadrant, and Tenkyoku is unusually bright...this does not bode well. I believe...that it is time to summon Suzaku.
*************
(The group cleans up in Shijuen, changing into more comfortable clothes. Their rooms are once again two antechambers adjoining to a large common area. This is where the group reclines after a large dinner.)
Anne: Shijuen's such a nice place...I actually wouldn't mind staying here for a long time.
Kokie: I would. It doesn't have running water, electricity...
Tokaki: A TV, Playstation...
Amefuri: My CD's...
Subaru: My books...
Toroki: Nice-looking girls...
Tatara: My teddy bear...
(Everybody stares at Tatara)
Tatara: What? Did I say something wrong?
Karasuki: Well, logically, we can't stay here. Even though time passes at a fraction of the rate here that it does in our world, we can't stay here forever. We have to figure out what we're doing, fast.
Toroki: We gotta deal with the whole Berit problem before we leave...
Tokaki: Errrrr...what about Kutou's war with Konan?
Amefuri: I don't think that's our problem.
Subaru: Well, it sorta is...
Amefuri: Sorry, I don't see how.
Subaru: Well, cause originally Kutou was after Sailo, and they...weren't satisfied...and...oh, damn, I got nothing.
Tatara: Well...so Berit's our only problem, right?
Anne: If you want to refer to her as a problem...
(The group thinks for a moment. As Kokie starts to speak, she does not notice that Anne is suddenly listening to something far away with rapt attention)
Kokie: Well, in order to fix the Berit problem, we've got to fix those Suzaku Warriors.
Subaru: What do you mean, "fix"?
Karasuki: (raises his arm) What she means is that we have to get rid of the Suzaku Warriors.
Toroki: (one eyebrow raised) Get rid of?
Amefuri: (gestures around in time with the speech) Get rid of them, off them, do away with them, do them in, it's all the same.
Tatara: (stands up quickly) Kill them???? Why would we do that??
Tokaki: (stands up as well, slower) Simple. They tried to kill us, and would do it again without a second thought.
Subaru: But they're only Berit's lackeys! They don't know what they do!
Kokie: Look, it's either them or us.
Tatara: (to Tokaki) We can't just kill innocent people!
Tokaki: (standing up straighter) Tatara! I can't believe you want to just let us get killed!
Tatara: (drawing himself up to his full height, still not as tall as Tokaki) I can't believe you want to kill innocent people!
(Tokaki and Tatara glare at each other as the group looks on in mild surprise, except for Anne, who is still listening to something nobody else can hear)
Tokaki: God, I can't believe that I was ever friends with such a pansy!
Tatara: A pansy??? I can't believe that I was ever friends with a KILLER!!!
(Tokaki draws in his breath, and then dramatically turns on the balls of his feet, stalking out of the room. Tatara wrinkles his forehead, but other than that seems to be completely furious. He throws himself down into the chair, in a complete huff)
Kokie: Tatara...
Tatara: (ignoring her) Can you believe him??? I don't know what's wrong with him.
Amefuri: (pointing out) Actually, Tatara, he's right...
(Tatara turns his head slowly towards Amefuri, fury reflected in his eyes)
Tatara: (icy) You're kidding.
Amefuri: (a bit surprised) No! I mean, you two seem to really have a spat going, but honestly, I agree with Tokaki.
Subaru: (incredulous) You want to kill the Suzaku Warriors?
Karasuki: (also pointing out) I think both you and Tatara have missed a small detail; it's not killing if you have to save yourself.
Toroki: (matter-of-factly) At this instant, I don't believe they're threatening us.
Kokie: (patiently) We're going to go back there, it's clear. So this is important to talk about. I won't beat around the bush; Tatara, you're wrong.
Tatara: (still annoyed) We don't have to fight them. What's with the bloodlust?
Amefuri: (eye rolling) Bloodlust is such a harsh word; I prefer "murderous desire".
Subaru: WHAT???
Amefuri: It was a joke!
Tatara: It wasn't funny.
Karasuki: Tatara, you're being pretty prudish.
Tatara: (standing up and throwing his arms up) Prudish? I can't believe this! All of you, besides Subaru and Toroki, are all crazy! What's going on here?
Kokie: Tatara, I don't know why you're being so closed-minded. Plus, why would you get in an argument so quickly with Tokaki? Haven't you guys been friends for years?
Tatara: Since first grade. I didn't seem to realize that he was a killer for all these years! I don't even know if I can be near him!
Subaru: Aren't you being a bit drastic?
Tatara: Would you want to hang around with a killer?
Amefuri: Look, Tatara, he's not a killer. Defending yourself doesn't make you a killer, ok?
Toroki: Perhaps we should ask Anne her opinion. She is the "leader" of sorts.
Karasuki: Ask her what? Whether we should get killed or not?
Subaru: I think we should ask her. Anne? What do you think?
(Anne suddenly seems to snap out of her listening)
Anne: Huh? What was that?
(The group stares at her in disbelief)
Kokie: Anne, have you heard a word we've been saying?
Anne: Um...not really. What were you discussing?
(The six Warriors gape at Anne, who is confused)
Subaru: What have you been doing? Didn't you see the argument?
Anne: Argument? I...was listening to something...a strain of a far-off melody...
Karasuki: (incredulous) You were listening to music??? What music?
Anne: I don't know...I just heard it, and it was nice-sounding.
Toroki: I didn't hear any music.
Tatara: Neither did I...
Subaru: But, Anne, listen. This is important. Can you believe that Tokaki, Amefuri, Karasuki and Kokie want to kill the Suzaku Warriors?
(Anne raises her eyebrows)
Anne: What?
Kokie: Subaru, stop spouting propaganda.
Subaru: (furious) Propaganda???
Kokie: The simple truth is, that if we go back to Konan, we'll be attacked by the Suzaku Warriors. If we go with their opinion, we'll be killed. It's clear the Suzaku Warriors aren't interested in negotiating; they'll follow anything Berit says.
Tatara: Which is exactly why we SHOULDN'T kill them!
Toroki: All of you, let Anne decide. She's the leader.
Anne: Me? Decide?
Subaru: Anne, the choice is obvious. Can you go with them and kill innocent people???
Kokie: Can you take their side and be killed before even seeing Berit again?!?!?
Anne: Wait, wait. Why are you guys so riled up?
Tatara: (coldly) Ask Tokaki.
Anne: Tokaki? Where is Tokaki?
Toroki: He stormed out after he and Tatara had a big argument.
Anne: (confuse) Tatara and Tokaki??? But they're best friends!
Tatara: We used to be, until I found out that he was a killer.
Anne: I have no idea what's going on. Honestly.
Amefuri: Simple. Tatara, Subaru and to a certain extent Toroki are going ballistic because we've told them that the only path that will lead to our survival is the death of the Suzaku Warriors.
(Anne's eyes open wider.)
Kokie: So, Anne. The choice is up to you. Are we going to get rid of the Suzaku Warriors, and protect Berit from the summoning? Or will we go in and get killed, and probably doom Berit as well?
Anne: You can't ask me to decide!
Kokie: You're the leader. You're the only one who can decide. You're the only one who can make them listen.
Tatara: Make us listen??? You're the ones who have to listen!
(Tatara and Kokie begin a shouting match, quickly joined by the rest of the group. Anne holds her hands over her ears for a moment, and then screams.)
Anne: (in despair) Will all of you just be quiet?!?!?!?!
(The entire room falls quiet. Anne exhales slowly, and then begins to speak.)
Anne: Why are we fighting? All of you are being so childish. (she pauses to think) Look, this decision I have to make isn't an easy one. Give me a night to sleep on it, and I'll have a verdict by tomorrow, all right?
Karasuki: (grudgingly) I suppose.
Kokie: It's better than nothing.
Tatara: Fine.
Anne: Now, can you all just get along for one night? I need to sleep alone tonight, or I won't be able to think.
Tatara: Works for me. But...(turns to Subaru) Subaru, do you mind going co-ed tonight? I don't think I can sleep in the same room as Tokaki.
Subaru: No problem. I don't know if I can bunk with Kokie either.
(Kokie's eyes narrow into slits)
Kokie: The feeling is mutual, be assured.
Amefuri: Fine. I'll join Kokie and Tokaki.
Karasuki: Me too.
Toroki: Then I guess I'm with Tatara and Subaru.
Anne: If this is what it'll take to stop you all from arguing...
Tatara: It will.
Karasuki: Definitely.
Kokie: Fine. I'll retire for the night, then.
Subaru: (sardonically) Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite!
Kokie: (spitefully) Good night to you too!
(Kokie stalks off to the room Tokaki entered, followed by Amefuri and Karasuki. Tatara nods to Anne, and then enters the other room. Subaru and Toroki follow, closing the door with a slam. Anne looks dejectedly from door to door with a pained sigh)
Anne: What's going on...why is this happening?
*************
(The doors to Kutou's throne room. A soldier knocks twice on the large doors, announcing himself in a clear, loud voice. When there is no response, he cautiously opens the doors.)
(The throne room, and the throne, is empty. The Emperor is nowhere to be seen.)
Soldier: Your majesty...?
(Suddenly, a door near the rear of the room opens quickly, and the old Emperor rushes out of it towards the throne. He sits down quickly, and looks at the soldier happily)
Emperor: (clearly elated) Yes?
Soldier: Errr...your majesty...I brought news of the campaign with Konan.
Emperor: Oh, yes, do go on!
(The soldier, a bit surprised at the cordial mood of the Emperor, cautiously begins to speak)
Soldier: At present, our troops move rapidly towards Eiyo. The resistance put up by the peasants is minimal at best, but as we near the capital we expect increased resistance.
Emperor: Marvelous! Continue.
Soldier: Errr...our spies indicate that several attempts have been made upon the Priestess of Suzaku's life, mostly by unknown assassins. None of these attempts have succeeded, and at our last reckoning, the Priestess had gathered five Celestial Warriors.
Emperor: You mean six?
Soldier: No, your majesty...five.
Emperor: Oh, five. Five? Great!
(The soldier raises his eyebrows.)
Soldier: Pardon me, your majesty...but if the Priestess of Suzaku completes the ceremony...that would not be in our best interests.
(The Emperor's face fall quickly, as if to mask an intruding emotion)
Emperor: Oh, yes. Of course. My mistake.
Soldier: Once again, pardon me for asking, your majesty...but, you seem to be in a strange mood. Almost...a happy mood.
Emperor: Happy? Yes, you could say that. (mysteriously) Things are shaping up nicely. Very nicely.
Soldier: (hopefully) In our campaign against Konan?
Emperor: (dismissively) Yes, of course. In the campaign. (rhetorically) What else would I be concerned with?
*************
(Moonlight streams through the window as Anne tosses and turns in the large, canopied bed, unable to sleep. The choice is weighing on her brain, and she can neither make it nor close her eyes. As she vainly attempts to get comfortable, a familiar melody reaches her ears. Anne instantly stops moving, struggling to hear the music)
Anne: It's that song again...from my dream, from my talk with Berit...and from yesterday! Where's it coming from? And who's singing?
(Anne desperately tries to ignore the singing, which she has already determined to be a harbinger of bad things. But instead of fading away, the singing becomes louder and clearer, almost as if it were coming from inside Anne's room.)
Anne: Honestly, will whoever's singing just shut up and let me sleep???
Feminine Voice: I'm afraid not.
(Anne sits bolt upright, heart suddenly pounding. The voice clearly came from within the room, and yet Anne sees nobody in the shadows.)
Anne: (in a frightened tone) Who's there?
Woman's Voice: You can't see me? How pitiful.
Anne: Her voice is...familiar... (fakely brave) Show yourself!
Voice: You don't understand how stupid you sound, do you? Fine. I'll come out.
(Out of the shadows, in a place that Anne surely could not have overlooked, steps a silhouette of a girl. The girl's face is still shadowed, but she has long, waist-length hair that seems to be blond.)
Anne: Are you the one who's been singing?
Girl: (bluntly) It would be smarter to ask who I am first.
Anne: Fine! Who are you, what are you doing here, how did you get here, and what's with that tone?
Girl: (in mock sadness) What, Anne, you don't recognize me? That hurts.
Anne: (with growing courage) Answer the questions, or I'll summon my Warriors.
Girl: Fine. (sarcastically) Don't sic your little friends on me, please! Seriously, don't you know who I am? Do I need to step into the light, perhaps?
(The girl steps forwards again, into the moonlight. Anne draws in a strangled gasp as she sees who the girl appears to be; the girl is the spitting image of Anne. At least, a darker, more sinister spitting image, with an expression of amusement on her face, that clearly masks another unknown emotion.)
Anne: (now completely terrified) Wha...what are you?
Other Anne: "What are you?" What kind of dumb question is that? I'm you. The better course of action is for you to ask yourself "Who am I?"
Anne: But...but...you're me? (jumping to the only rational conclusion) This must be a dream. Surely I'm dreaming.
Other Anne: A dream? This is as much of a dream as the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho is a dream. Besides, dreams don't often come to give you advice.
Anne: ...advice?
Other Anne: (sarcastically) Of course. You're doing such a great job that I figured you'd need some prodding to get onto the right track.
Anne: OK. Fine. Assume I give you the benefit of the doubt. There's just one problem; you're me! How can you give me advice when you're not separate from me?
Other Anne: (suddenly taking a serious tone) Who said anything about not being separate? Of course we're separate. There's you: the stupid, careless, outer façade, and there's me: the inner voice of reason. We're as separated as we can be, because you're surely not listening to me. And that, Anne, is why I'm here.
(Anne is so stupefied by all this that it takes her a moment to respond)
Anne: Then...get on with it! Give your advice, and go away!
(The other Anne rolls her eyes, and begins to slowly pace back and forth)
Other Anne: Typical. Always wanting to hurry those who can help you. Fine. I'll
'get on with it". As I said before, I'm here to help you understand how badly you've botched things here.
Anne: Botched??? What are you talking about?
(The other Anne stops pacing, and stares at Anne in serious confusion)
Other Anne: You're kidding. You can't honestly believe you're doing things right, can you?
Anne: Yes, that is what I believe.
Other Anne: Jeez; girl, you've got several things coming to you, and you're not going to like them. Now, let's "get on with it". From the very moment you entered the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho, you've done everything wrong.
Anne: What? That's blatantly untrue!
Other Anne: Really? Is it? Then why isn't anything working out for you?
Anne: ...what do you mean?
Other Anne: Simple! You see the current situation with Kutou? That's your fault. The-
(Anne abruptly cuts the girl off)
Anne: Wait. Why is it my fault?
Other Anne: Simple. You took the easy way out when you were in the book earlier. You just dealt with the surface problem, the war and its effects, and never bothered to look deeper and see exactly what was going on. That's why Kutou is now warring against Konan. You didn't fix the real problem!
Anne: But...that was never asked of me! All I had to do is stop the violence, and then leave!
(The Other Anne turns away, an expression of pure hatred on her face)
Other Anne: Sometimes, Anne, you disgust me. You're so stupid. You can't even see past your own failings!
Anne: Then, who are you to denounce me? Will you just continue with this crazy blame game and go away?
Other Anne: No, Anne. I'll continue, but I won't go away. Not until I can make you understand.
Anne: Look, the problem with Konan was not my fault, and furthermore does not concern me!
Other Anne: Oh, really? And your own younger sister doesn't concern you?
(Anne narrows her eyes, and bites her lip nervously)
Anne: I didn't mean it like that. Berit-
Other Anne: (crowing in triumph) Oh, but you did! That's the thing, Anne! Berit was completely right, everything she said! You're just a selfish person, deep down, who's not interested in other people!
Anne: Don't tell me you're taking her side! I don't know what's wrong with Berit, but nothing she said was true! The instant I heard about her entering the book, I went back in to save her!
Other Anne: That's even worse! You didn't think about whether or not Berit wanted to be saved, did you? You didn't think about whether or not your friends wanted to come back to the book, did you? No! You didn't!
Anne: Did you actually come here to give advice, or just to belittle? I won't take this, I'm warning you.
Other Anne: You won't? You have to! You have to hear this! After all, don't you have an important decision to make? Have you made it yet?
(Anne's eyes widen as she remembers her declaration to make the decision. The Other Anne turns back to her with an evil-looking smile)
Other Anne: See! Because of your actions, Anne, there's a wedge between your friends! And no matter what you decide, that wedge won't go away! One group will be happy, but the others will be mad at both you and the other group! You can't stay neutral when friends argue, Anne, unless you don't want them to be friends anymore!
Anne: But that wedge wasn't my fault! I have no idea why they're all being so pugnacious! That whole argument seemed to be rushed! There's some other reason why they're fighting!
(The Other Anne just looks at her, one eyebrow raised, as she walks around the bed towards Anne. Anne instinctively scoots backwards)
Anne: It's not my fault!
Other Anne: Do I have to go into this again, Anne? Would your friends be fighting if the Suzaku Warriors were not a problem? Would they be fighting if Berit hadn't entered the book?
Anne: (totally angry now) Then, it's not my fault! It's Kutou's fault! They're the one who started this in the first place!
Other Anne: Is it really Kutou? Do you know this? Who gave the orders to attack Sailo? Why did they give them? Do you know?
Anne: No, I don't! But it's not my-
(The slap catches Anne completely unawares, and sends her head flying into the pillows. The other Anne lowers her hand, breathing heavily)
Other Anne: (almost screaming now) Will you just shut up and listen to me! You're infuriating! It's always "It's not my fault"! You don't have another response besides that! Stop shifting the blame! I explained already why it's not Kutou's fault! If you don't understand what's going on, and yet you act as if you did, the bad results are your fault! Come on!
(Anne forces herself up, holding her cheek in pain, but with an expression of subdued rage)
Anne: (quietly) Tell me the truth. Who are you? I can tell you aren't me. Who sent you? Was it that cult?
(The Other Anne draws in her breath, and her hand comes out again to slap, this time harder. This time, Anne does not move through it, just stares defiantly at her double)
Other Anne: You can't accept the truth! I thought that the other me would be smarter, but you aren't! You're just a stupid little girl! "Was it that cult?" You don't even know who "that cult" is! More ignorance! Of course I wasn't sent by them! If I had, you'd already be dead! As it goes-
(The Other Anne is caught off-guard by Anne's slap, which sends her to the floor. Anne exhales quickly, staring in horror as her mirror image lies on the floor.)
Other Anne: (coldly, and emotionlessly) That...was an incredibly stupid thing to do.
Anne: Stop lying to me! Stop telling me you're me! You're not me! You're some other thing, come to torment me in my sleep! I won't take it anymore! I won't!
(Anne's arm begins to glow purple, as the amethysts take on a fuschia splendor. The Other Anne tries to crawl away, but the purple glow expands throughout the room)
Anne: (screaming) I WON'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!
(There is a tangible boom, and Anne sits up in bed, sweating. Sunlight streams through the window, and the room is empty. Anne looks around the room in the aftermath of a nightmare, but sees nobody. She looks at her wrist, quickly, and sees Taiitsu-kun's bracelet. It shows no sign of the glow from before)
Anne: (panting) Was...that...a dream? My god...what a dream...
(Anne gets out of bed slowly, not feeling rested in the least. She is about to get out of her nightclothes, when there is a panicked knock at the door, accompanied by Subaru's loud voice)
Subaru: (in horror) Anne! Open up, Anne!
(Anne rushes to the door, scared. She opens the door to reveal Subaru, who looks intensely frazzled)
Subaru: (completely out of breath) Oh, Anne! I was so worried! Listen, Shijuen's under attack! The entire city is overrun with black-clad warriors!
*************
(The palace of Konan. Hotohori sits on his throne, pensively thinking, when there is a knock at the large imperial doors. He motions for the doors to be opened with a bored gesture. A soldier runs inside, and bows on one knee)
Soldier: Your majesty! There is a young boy at the gates!
(Hotohori frowns)
Hotohori: And...why is this somehow something I should know?
Soldier: My pardons, your Majesty, but this boy...he says that he is the final Star of Suzaku!
-
Luna: Whoa. That chapter was filled with drama.
Katherine: Nothing that wasn't a long time coming.
Nick: What's that supposed to mean???
Chris: Simple; we were bound to get in a fight eventually based on how stupid you guys are acting.
Jeff: Excuse you?
Janna: Perhaps you three should excuse yourselves.
Anne: Will all of you just be quiet and stop fighting???
Max: Hmm...no. In other news, the next episode is called "Himitsu no yashin", or "Secret Ambition".