Okage Densetsu - Lookit the Fancy Japanese
Chapter 18 – Time to Consider
By now, the party had all been invited in the house, which was a somber, quiet environment. Mom had gotten Ari all set up in the den in a big chair (Dad had recently purchased it from a flea market, apparently) with a huge quilt and a mug of hot chocolate. The Marlene-doll had been moved to the basement by Dad, for at this moment out of sight and out of mind was the best option- out of pity, however, he had put it in a chair down there and also tucked into that chair with a blanket. Grandma and Grandpa were in the den on either side of Ari's chair for the longest time, speaking kind words of support. Annie, like a typical sister, felt bad but never dared venture into the den nor spoke a word of the event. Rather, she kept herself closed up in her bedroom. After the family had their turn in comforting him, his teammates took theirs.
"Aww, don't sad wittle Ari-wariy!" Linda cooed, right beside him, sitting on the left armrest of the chair. She had one arm wrapped around his forehead in a makeshift hug, trying to rest her head against his. She continued to speak cutely, "It'll be all better-wetter in a wittle bitty bit, okay?"
"Ow!" He pushed her away slightly, "Your horn is digging into my head!"
"Aww, it's just a wittle lovey-nuzzle..."
"Ow!"
"Don't kill him, Linda!" Rosalyn frowned, "When he says 'ow', leave him the hell alone!"
"Awww..." She let him go, looking sad, "Nobody wuvs a little Linda snuggle anymore."
"Perhaps Brother needs more than a Little Linda snuggle! Perhaps he needs... A FRIENDLY ENERGY TRANSFER! YEAH!"
"And HOW do you do that?" Rosalyn looked at Big Bull from the corner of her eye, "You're going to hug him, too?"
"No, err... Ahaha, I forgot how to transfer friend-energy!"
"...I believe..." Fayth spoke up from her corner, looking timidly about at everyone, "We should, instead of feeling bad... try to focus our thoughts on how to make things better once more."
"Ah, yes!" Kisling grinned, "We need to make a plan! Instead of dwelling on that what we cannot change, we must 'fix the image' of the painting, so to speak. That madman Beloune must be stopped- who else is going to do it than a band of us deviants? Plus there is a good chance we can either restore or find the REAL Marlene while we're at it!"
"...really?" Ari pushed Linda away again, trying to pay attention to Kisling.
"Of course- where there's a will, there's a way! Haha! We've already seen and done the impossible- we've become aware of the 'classifications', something determined itself to be impossible. So, therefore, we can figure this mess out. Hah! Impossible's got nothing on me anymore!" He threw a determined fist in the air, "Take that, improbability factor!"
"...Right..." Rosalyn shook her head, "To first make a plan we must consider all the facts first."
"Right, Rosalyn," Kisling flipped open his book- he had kept extensive notes on Beloune's conversation, of course- "First, let us consider this world, what he said..."
"It is a faerie tale," Fayth spoke up, "Or... like a stage. It was all meant to focus around the 'main character', a Princess... Marlene, his daughter. Everything was then put in AROUND that character base... which is why we have people like the Ordinary Boy, the Brilliant Scientist..." She sighed deeply, "The beautiful bride..."
"Anybody who didn't follow classifications..." Ari took a sip from his hot cocoa, "...was excluded from the 'cast' of this 'play', right? Like me and Fayth were."
"Exactly... But now according to my computations we are all listed as 'deviants', but it no longer matters. He said he needed to rewrite everything- he seems to infer he will erase the 'characters' in this play, fix the 'stage' and then 'hire' new actors. Which leads us to another thing to consider: Beloune himself!"
"..." Fayth nervously wrung her hands, and then sighed, "I know a bit from word spread... At first this was all a harmless playground for Marlene... but he became obsessed with how perfect it needed to be. She had to have a prince, who was to save her from the greatest evil..."
"..." Stan suddenly appeared, "You mean I'm just here to provide as a crappy major storyline?"
"Sounds that way," Ari sighed, "But then why is Rosalyn the 'Hero'?"
"!" Rosalyn blinked, "I never... never even noticed..."
"It was because you were a free-thinker from the start," Fayth explained, "He kept an eye on you and had to make a last-minute change, it seems. But... unlike 'my character'... he couldn't entirely erase you without having some consequence on the world. You had to be LED to your disappearance by course of the story... This changed the storyline so drastically that even 'Marlene' began falling out of her own classification as Princess."
"...You
were changing the storyline by merely existing!" Linda suddenly
giggled, "That's totally awesome!"
"Then what
about me? What does this mean about ME? ME, THE GREAT EVIL
KING?" Stan was almost, as it seemed, panicking.
"Who knows and who cares?" Rosalyn smirked, "You were a pathetic 'great evil' anyhow. Oooh, like -I'M- scared of a big stretchy shadow, oooh!"
"And as if I looked forward to a HIPPO rescuing the world!" Stan screamed, "HIPPO!"
"Stop it!" Fayth frowned, "This isn't the time to bicker and argue!"
"Let's not worry about our own character statuses," Kisling was nodding at Fayth's comment, "There's a world of people who are completely unaware that very soon they could be erased. But before this... let us consider the start of everything, it seems: Marlene."
"He said... she was the third," Rosalyn scratched the side of her head, "That means..."
"Two other PRETTY ONES! Dude! So paradoxial!" Big Bull jumped up and down for no good reason, "What happened to the second?"
"Maybe the world went under rewrite and we're the next gen?" Linda giggled cutely.
"Very possible, Linda," Kisling sighed, then took up a pose looking as if he was thinking deeply, "So the ORIGINAL Marlene is lost somewhere in this world... he became so distraught he sought the next option- he simply made new ones from dolls. This, of course, tells us this man is entirely insane and will take extreme actions and pull things out of left field, so to speak..."
"We'll have to watch closely, Brothers and Sisters!"
"It also means we don't have a timeframe," Rosalyn grumbled, "It could be anywhere from a minute from now to two years."
"Grr..." Stan growled to himself, thinking, "Ah! Did he not say he was going to first destroy only us with other Evil Kings?"
"Yes! Great, Stan!" Kisling grinned. "We'll have to keep an eye on how many are left on the map- when we see the last one, we'll either have to ignore it and head straight for Beloune or take it out and then move very quickly. We have considered the major points and look now- we have a plan!"
"Wipe out the fake Evil Kings," Linda giggled.
"Keep an eye out for Pretty One, yeah!" Big Bull bounced about again.
"Keep a count of those kings just in case," Rosalyn moved out of the way, avoiding Big Bull.
"Then find Beloune..." Fayth gave a small, yet weak smile.
"And, as my books would say, 'Totally open a can of whoopass' on him." Kisling snapped his book shut.
"Yeah..." Ari finished off his hot cocoa, and then licked his lips, "But first I need permission."
"From who?" Rosalyn blinked.
"Stan, of course."
"By all means!" He shouted, "We MUST destroy that pathetic man and RECLAIM the fact I -AM- the Great Evil King, the ONE AND ONLY! BWAHAHA!"
"But first..." Fayth stepped forward, "I believe we know who to go after first."
"The floating guy?" Stan laughed darkly, "This will be easy."
"...Let me talk with my family again and we can head out." Ari smiled a bit, looking at everyone, "Thanks, guys. Now, let's get ready to kick some classified ass!"
After saying goodbye, a third time, to his family, Ari was ready to head out. The party gathered together, then went marching off through the woods. Through Madril, across the fields, through the tunnel, and over the snow they marched, it being the usual routine of ghost-slaying and dodging. However, when they reached the gates of Triste…
"K.T., dear, it's us!" Fayth called, looking up.
"…Fayth? …Alright, come in."
The gates inched open, enough for all to slip in.
"…They opened by themselves?" Rosalyn stared up and down at the gates.
"Oh, this is where people that are overshadowed- like I was- live." Ari explained. "It'll look empty to you, but there's really not much here to note otherwise. Don't worry, we'll just quickly pass through. I don't know if you can see anyone at Chantal, though."
"Alright, so we pass through the twilight zone!" Linda giggled, skipping in, "As if I haven't been there before!"
"True, the Devildom is quite like that!" Kisling followed close behind, trying to measure Linda as she twirled into town.
"…" Rosalyn silently walked in, followed by Big Bull, then Fayth and Ari. K.T. closed the gates behind them, and waved to Ari and Fayth. Rosalyn walked in further, then paused, staring around. "It looks like an empty stage… all these buildings just props… awaiting the actors."
"Interesting, Sister Rosalyn! What a poetic way to put it, yeah!"
"And what's this?" Stan was looking at buildings- he suddenly let out a yelp, "HERO HPOKIN'S HOUSE? AHA! THIS IS WHERE HE WENT OFF TO!"
"Stanley, let it go," Fayth moved in front of the door, staring up at Stan, "The house has as much in it as an empty bowl. There is no point in interacting with it."
"Grr… fine. But I hope he's suffering something terrible!"
"…He probably is."
The door suddenly snapped open- a chain prevented it from opening too much, however. One red eye stared out, a female, harsh voice hissing, "He no longer exists here. Do as the girl says and leave."
"Eh? And who are YOU?" Stan crossed his arms, "Relative, maybe?"
"No…" The red eye narrowed, "Now go."
"Michelle…" Fayth blinked, "Is that you?"
"…What is it to you?" The eye focused on Fayth.
"Hey…" Rosalyn looked over, "Now this person I can hear."
"Yes… Michelle, why are you in there?"
"This world…" The eye grew an insane glint, "It took it away from me… now I must live indoors forever… if I would come out it would destroy me!"
"…What ARE you talking about?" Fayth blinked.
"I'll destroy the world when it is safe for me to come out…" The eye narrowed again, "For what it did to me… mark my words…"
"Hmph. As if." Stan sneered as best he could, "I'll destroy it before you do."
"Not if my name is Michelle Ruby-Tangerine Umi," She hissed, "And it is!"
"…" Fayth sighed, "Michelle, please…"
The door slammed shut, the lock clicking.
"Who… WAS that?" Ari looked over at Fayth.
"Well… she is an 'Animatier', a person who can make inanimate objects move by themselves. She was probably a prime target for Beloune… I assume she came here and hid. But… there's something different about her…"
"Besides the fact she's psychotic and evil?" Linda grinned.
"…She was that before… but she never shut herself away…"
"Whatever, nobody cares." Stan laughed, "We have bigger fish to fry!"
"Yeah, you do!" A little voice cried from behind. The whole party whipped around to see none other than little Rin, smirking terribly, holding Sampson to her back. She had a pair of angel wings taped on her back and a plastic halo bobbing up and down over her head. "That is unless those fish fry YOU!"
"Rin!" Ari suddenly frowned, "You… you traitor! Why did you lead me into this mess?"
"Rin? Who is Rin?" The girl laughed darkly, "You speak to none other than the Little Angel Evil King! Hehehe!"
"Oh HELL…" Ari stepped back, "Rin, you've got to be kidding me!"
"No, Slave! Her dark magic is off the roof!" Stan suddenly pointed at Rin, "Alright, Little Angel Evil King, this means I will mercilessly beat you into a pulp and strip you of your powers! I do not show mercy to anyone, including children!"
"Go ahead and try," She smiled cutely, "There is more evil- look for me in the auditorium for a fun, fun, fun time! Hehe! Try to get in if you dare, Shadow, but you'll find it easier said than done!"
"Rin, snap out of it!" Ari begged, "Please!"
"Hehehe!" She spun around and suddenly disappeared in a puff of what looked like miniature thunderclouds complete with tiny bolts of lightning. All that was left was a heart-shaped valentine drenched in a dark fluid that looked quite a lot like blood.
"…" Rosalyn stared in disbelief, "He went and…"
"…classified a child as an Evil King to stop us." Kisling also stared, quietly.
"Whatever!" Stan bellowed, "This will be a piece of cake! Who ever heard of a Little Angel Evil King anyhow? Bahahaha! Come, Slave, to where ever she went!"
"…Right." Ari headed off through the town, "…come on, guys."
They all followed along willing and able to the rear of the town. However, Ari ground to a halt near the back gates, hearing once again that sobbing voice. It continued to cry painfully, its voice calling, "Ari… I want… I want Ari…"
"…M…Marlene?" Ari paused, looking at the buildings all around him. "I'm right here- please, tell me where you are!"
"Poor Ari…." It sobbed. "Poor Ari… My Ari…"
"…Ari," Fayth looked at Ari, "Please… come."
"…" He slowly followed the party out, listening to the weary sobs on the way out. "I'll fix this for you, Marlene."
The party all walked into the center of Chantal, gasping. Clearly, they enjoyed the serene surroundings- nobody was out, however. The entire town was silent as a ghost except for the stale winds and churning water. The door to the school was left ajar, as if calling them inside.
"…Well, come on guys, the auditorium's in here." Ari headed in, keeping an eye out- he was, admittedly, hoping against hope that Corona could be found within. "Keep close, I don't trust this place. They do weird things with classifications."
"Hmm? Do tell," Kisling whipped out his book, "I wish to add this to my archives."
"Well," Fayth spoke quietly, walking in, trying to hide behind the party, "This was thought to be the only option for those who were overshadowed to be seen again. They come here and are trained how to act in a new classification- when they 'graduate', they have their classifications changed and their minds wiped. Therefore, a perfect doctor for example would wind up something like the perfect town drunk. See?"
"Intriguingly evil…" Kisling wrote this down, "Though it seems deserted now…"
"Dark too…" Rosalyn swallowed a shiver, "They did this on purpose."
"Nothing too scary, eh, Sister Rosalyn? Haha- EEEEEEEEEEEE!" Big Bull suddenly latched onto her leg, "SAVE ME!"
She whipped around, sword extended, the blade pointing directly at a massive class hamster. "Oh good god, who forgot to feed Hammy?"
The hamster roared loudly, then snapped at Rosalyn who barely ducked out of the way- suddenly the hamster shrieked as it was set ablaze, running away down the hall. Rosalyn stumbled upright, panting, "Oh, thank you… Was that you, Ari?"
"Uh… no…"
"…" Rosalyn looked over at his shadow- Stan wasn't visible. She smirked, then began walking again, "Must have been my angel, protecting me again."
"Oooh," Linda giggled, "I got that on tape!"
"WHAT?"
"Hey, everyone, quiet!" Ari paused, listening. "There's giggling. The auditorium is this way- come on!"
Everyone ran behind Ari, suddenly turning into the auditorium. The giggling had stopped- the curtain was shut and the lights were dim. Slowly, everyone drew his or her weapons, as the giggling started again. Out of the blue, the lights shot on, focusing on the center of the stage. Slowly, from above, Rin, in angel costume, came down suspended on a rope. She cried, "Hark! The storm comes, the angel descends from above… She comes with grace and care, full of the deepest of love. But black are her wings that speak so true- she's come down from heaven to punish all you!"
"Bah, save the show for later, you stupid girl!" Stan threw a fist down, "Prepare to get mauled!"
The curtains shot open and she suddenly 'flew' across the stage and landed on top of a prop- it was a starlit cityscape, complete with buildings. It looked as if they were on the roof- everyone quickly jumped on the stage, but was suddenly startled as the sounds of a real city echoed around them. A breeze shot past, as well.
"She's gone and classified the playing field! Astounding!" Kisling recorded this quickly. He kept an eye on the Little Angel Evil King, though, just in case.
"Whatever!" Stan suddenly arched up, the moon barely showing through him, "See if the angel can dodge a little of hell's flames! Hah!"
The building where she stood suddenly shot up in flames- she gracefully swept down, then pointed at the crowd- in a flash, a huge bolt of lightning shot down and hit everyone, causing them to shriek. She gracefully curved upwards, the Little Angel landing on another building. "She flies with grace and ease, and uses magic if you do so please!"
"I've got it!" Linda suddenly pulled Fayth over, "Come on, help me!"
"Help you what?"
"Change the stage!" Linda suddenly struck a dramatic pose- the lights refocused on her, then the scene suddenly faded into a stadium full of screaming fans. Raising her microphone to her mouth, Linda began singing to a heavy pop beat: "Now give it to me straight or don't give it at all – Little Angels worldwide take a fall, from the heavenly blue to the ground above- give it to me straight, give me the love! Yeah! Heavenly Blue Mix!"
Fayth suddenly shot into action, on the opposite side of the stage, doing graceful twirls and suddenly coming to a near halt, growing a slightly-crouched over dance, "Give it to us straight or don't give it to us all- Little Angels worldwide must take the fall. Penetrate the shields and bring the walls down- Keep your head level and the feet on the ground!"
"AIEEE!" Rin suddenly dropped down from her perch onto the stage, growling. She shot upright, then screamed out more lines: "She brings us the flood of red and gray- She puts the night in place of the day, the angel of death who sings at the dawn coming to purge those that have done wrong!"
Huge dark, red-tinged waves suddenly shot up around the stage, causing the non-dancers to band together in fear that they would get swept away. But suddenly the two singers started dancing in time, moving quickly to the beat, both singing away: "So take these words straight, or don't take them at all: Even Little Angels must once take a fall, the waves of the sea may groan and rise, but they do not prevent me from taking the prize. Blue heavenly, yes! Give it to me straight! Blue heavenly, no! Don't give it at all!"
The water was suddenly gone, the girl collapsed against the ground. She growled, then with the last of her classification power rose back upright, "So the demons of hell and fury within come a-calling for those who have sinned, the world, it destroys those chosen by fate, those who will drown in anger and hate!"
"Take the fall!" Both of the girls shouted at Rin. "Take it to the floor!"
SMACK! Rin was plastered against the floor.
"Then take it to the left side," Linda sung, "The voices crying more!"
Rin suddenly shot and hit a left wall that had randomly appeared on the stage.
"Take it to the right and hit the beat," Fayth ducked as Rin shot past and hit another randomly-appearing door, "Then those of hate admit defeat!"
"…" Rin shuddered, unable to move. Her wings and halo were battered, her limp, but trembling figure lying across the stage.
"Blue Heavenly mix, yeah!" The two singers struck a pose, the audience suddenly going wild- in an instant, it all turned back into a normal stage, the two panting, but smiling.
"…" Everyone stared, then suddenly applauded. The girls took a bow.
"BAH! Now give me back my powers, Little Angel Evil King!" Stan suddenly drew the powers from the little girl, bellowing, "Yes, yes! I even FEEL stronger! Ahaha!"
She trembled, trying to get upright, whimpering. "Ari…"
"…Rin!" He suddenly ran over and kneeled down beside her, slowly sitting her upright. Digging around in his pockets, he found his hankerchief and wiped off her face, finding her nose was unhappily bleeding. "Rin, are you okay?"
"…It was terrible…" She took the hankerchief and used it, pinching her nose closed with it, soft tears rolling off her face, "I only wanted to hurt everybuddy…"
"Rin," He put his hands on her shoulders and stared her straight in the eyes, "Tell me… Why did you trick me? Why did you lead me to the sewers like that? I know you did that before you became the Little Angel Evil King. Why?"
"…" She sniffled, "…the mister-man… with a funny name… he said he'd (sniff) give me my Ma and Da back if I did. I'm sorry, Ari!" She suddenly latched onto him in a hug, sobbing, "I'm so sorry!"
"… It's okay, Rin. Welcome back." He hugged her back, sighing deeply.
