King Bowser Koopa - The exact date which marked the war between the Koopas and the denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom is uncertain. However, the date at which this one-sided war flipped over is certain; when Mario Mario and Luigi Mario first appeared. Bowser has made these two his mortal enemies...though Luigi, well, not so much. This big guy has a soft side, but it's usually hidden behind his attempts at being villianous. He WILL go down in history, however, as the most tenacious and unrelenting video game villian of them all! He first started breathing fire (mostly just hot air, though) in Super Mario Bros. (N.E.S.)
Kite - An ordinary teenager was invited to 'The World' by his friend, who was already famous in the game. However, the new player soon became entangled in a long, arduous journey to save him, as well as others, when the game became much more real. Kite first Data Drained our free time in the first four-part series of .hack games, beginning with .hack/INFECTION. (PS2)
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"I've been told you wish to see more interesting things around the castle." His host stated, once again wearing the strange white baboon pelt. "Understandable. But I thought you would be more interested in taking a role in our plans by now..."
"Let's just say I'm bored... and Glyde was starting to annoy me." The Digimon Emperor explained.
The figure chuckled. "I repeat; understandable."
The man opened an old, wooden door to the side that the Emperor hadn't seen before, (although, in retrospect, it might not have been visible before,) and led him inside. Seeing the new heat signatures within from his glasses, and recognizing the interior structure of the room, the cruel youth grinned.
"A hidden dungeon? Nice touch."
"A dungeon? Hardly." The man laughed again, surprising the younger one. "Dungeons imply the detainment of dangerous individuals. This is more of a... gallery."
Re-checking his readings, the tyrant frowned, unconvinced. "You keep prisoners as trophies?"
The disguised one sighed. "A 'prisoner,' on the other hand, implies a sentient being, one capable of making intelligent decisions, and able to use reason..."
Exactly what the brainwave patterns suggested... for the most part. As he followed his leader down a stank, dirty hallway, the Emperor heard another dark chuckle. "This is where we keep interesting animals we encounter, before destroying their worlds."
"Animals? More than half of these signatures are humanoid!"
Beneath his mask, the dark man smirked. "Allow me to teach you the difference, then, between what you consider 'human,' and what we keep in here..."
The hallway branched into several rooms which were all blocked by a series of strange, glowing bars. As the Emperor moved close to one, which was so heavily barred he could only see a small hole, a howl came from within, and he leapt back to avoid what came out.
It was a human arm, save for the crooked, clawlike fingers, covered in a tattered orange sleeve. His glasses picked up a staggering amount of energy surrounding the arm alone, while the room within was practically coated with it. If he hadn't evaded it, he felt sure his own arm would've peen pulled back in.
"W...what was THAT!"
"A gigantic, multi-tailed fox." The baboon said, his voice restraining another laugh. "It only looks human on the outside due to certain circumstances."
The arm retreated, and slow, feral growls began within, the sound of a short figure pacing around on all fours echoing from the cell. The Emperor shivered; it was much different to see that amount of force in something smaller than the Digimon he once commanded."
"He isn't the only one in here, either... many are animals, like him, but more obvious externally. For example, we have a disgusting cat-like beast halfway down the hall, and at the very end is a group of seemingly normal wolves. Three cells down from here on the right is another like him, although I must say that he's much more intimidating in both his true form and human appearance, but you'd expect that from dragons..."
"...what about the others, then?" The blue-haired one asked, sounding calm as was possible as he tracked indisputably human outlines. "Are they actually beasts, as well? I can't pick up anything unusual from a few of them."
The man smirked yet again, and turned around to reveal the only cell with normal bars, the sides of his cloak gesturing for the other to look. The Emperor only saw (even with his incredible eyewear) a human, slightly older than him, thin and covered with a ragged cloak. He felt another chill across his back as the prisoner glared at him, dark, fierce brown eyes evidant even at a distance.
"He is likely the most dangerous being in here, for he resides of his own free will. He has his goals, he has reason, he has more than enough intelligence, and he is a great deal more composed and self-controlled than most of the others... but I doubt these walls ever hold anyone capable of being a greater beast."
The man moved to stand beside the Emperor, looking into the cell himself. "I believe we'll have to let him out for exercise if the Keybearer ever reaches this castle... and I have a feeling he will. But don't fear him when that time comes; he will only harm those I tell him to... his reward depends on it. Care to see some of the others?"
He followed his leader towards more of the glowing bars, still feeling the glare from the boy behind him.
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The return trip to Traverse Town was a great deal shorter than the long flight to 'The World', considering Kaiba held the special accelerator the entire time. It also ended in a far harsher manner than Yoh would have liked, given the fact that instead of seeing Bowser trying to fit his full appearance into the cockpit he was suddenly face-down in the street, surrounded by gummi blocks. Painfully standing up, he turned around to see a large pile of white and blue blocks surrounding himself and his friends, as well as the Gummi Harbor they had 'landed' in. "What happened?"
Two new faces suddenly burst out of the pile, gasping for breath. One was dark-haired, wearing black and red, sporting a sheathed katana at his side, and the ther was blond, wearing white and blue, sporting a surprised but altogether unconcerned look. "See, Kuro-chu? I told you we should've told someone we'd be docking there. How will Mokona react when he hears the Gummi Ship designed after him is in a thousand pieces?"
Kuro-chu, as he was apparantly called, didn't seem to be quite so calm. "You were the one flying the damn thing! YOU were the one I told to do that flight plan thing! YOU WERE-"
"MY SHIP!" Kaiba had just pulled his foot out of the steering controls. He turned to the two, a highly insane look in his eyes. "I'LL KILL YOU!"
Still shaken, Yoh had to dodge as the two ran toward him, an enraged genius chasing after them. Joey sighed as shook his jacket out, dropping a few dozen gummis, and joined him. "It's not that big of a deal, actually... the guys in the harbor can rebuild it from his design in a few hours. Still, ya gotta pity those two when he catches them..."
"Yeah..." Yoh agreed. He looked around at the vaguely familiar town square. "So, what now?"
"Kaiba's brothers have the supplies, so we can leave those up to him... and we have an hour or two for the ship to get fixed..."
"So, basically just chill out? I haven't had a normal nap in the last few days... maybe I'll meet with Regal and the others first, though."
Suddenly seeming to remember something, Joey frowned. "Well, I got someone I need to check on.. so I guess I'll seeya later."
As he started walking away, Yoh sighed. A quick look around proved it yet again; the eternally night-shrouded city was nothing like his island. And in the three short days he'd been on this adventure there hadn't been a single clue to Anna's location, or Ren's, or anyone else from his home. Not only that, be added to it was the confusion of the abilities he'd suddenly developed, the fact that he was supposedly destined to try and save the universe from the Heartless, and the recent implications that something was wrong with his memory...
"Don't worry; it'll all work out!"
Instead of surprise as he heard those words, instead of turning to face some new mysterious thing, instead of even wondering where they had came from, Yoh suddenly felt... calm. No, more than that... it was the feeling he'd had his whole life until his world was destroyed; a sense of peace and carefree assurance that would be alright.
And then, he grinned. Because he somehow knew that it would. He headed for the inn Regal had taken him to on that first night, not concerned in the least that he didn't know how to get there.
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Mokuba Kaiba sighed deeply as he brushed the dust-covered floor of his co-owned shop. Noah had, once again, managed to evade the responsibility for the month, and (though Mokuba was more thankful than grieved because of it,) Rebecca had her other part-time job to deal with at this unholy hour. Tempted though he was to wonder how a child genius like her was working in a small, rundown shop like this, he remembered how much more pathetic it was to be richer than most continents and do the same thing, and left the subject alone.
Something out of the ordinary DID happen just then, though. A gruff voice outside yelled "Split up!" and a blonde-haired man in white clothing was literally thrown inside the shop, bouncing (yes, bouncing) from the railing of the stairs and getting caught in the fan above him. The greatly spiny-haired kid only had enough time to widen his eyes before someone else came in, though... someone recognizable. "SETO!"
The crazed look in his brother's eyes vanished, replaced by the normal, stoic expression he usually took. Descending the stairs, he looked around the otherwise empty place. "Buisiness same as usual?"
Mokuba grinned widely, running to his brother's side in time to avoid the falling stranger and fan. "Pretty much... in both our company and this dump. Miss Winry's accessory/Gummi shop is doing great, though."
Nodding, Kaiba took out a small list. "I'll need these in a few hours, and tell the Gummi mechanics not to mix up the angles on the wings this time. I also want you investigate a person named 'Hao' while I'm away." Mokuba nodded back, taking the list and leaving for the store's back rooms, and Kaiba directed his now heated glare to the one on the floor. Or at least, he would have, if the surprisingly unharmed stranger hadn't sprang to his feet and dashed out the door during the brief moment he wasn't being watched. Resisting the urge to growl, Kaiba ran after him.
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Rebecca Hawkings enjoyed her other part-time job, as dull as it was and as over-qualified as she was to be a receptionist. Due to the building being adjacent to her favorite stores, and the interesting files of its inhabitants, it beat studying and attempts at inventions any day. And, on some rare workdays, like today, she would even get to hold things over her friends' heads. "Welcome to the Traverse Remnant Hospital, rejuvenation center capitol of any world! How can I help you...Joey?"
Grimacing at her evil grin, Joey sighed. "Come on Rebecca, you know what I'm gonna ask... is Serenity in today?"
Straightening a few loose files on her desk, Rebecca continued her smirk. "I'm afraid Ms. Wheeler isn't here right now. She's spending some time at home, getting used to having a ward, etc."
Joey's eyebrows rose at that comment. "So, she finally 'adopted' a Remnant? I thought she said she wasn't going to..."
"Well, regardless of how truthful Serenity is with you -interests, boyfriends (Joey: WHAT!), choices- she met a certain Remnant whose case really seemed to affect her. The one in question is a nearly complete amnesiac, and has very... peculiar life signs."
Joey grinned. "Thanks, Rebecca... I'll just-"
"Work a few of my shifts at the Item Shop." She finished for him, re-straightening the papers. "Or I'll inform a few people of how you keep limiting efficiency by visiting one of our nurses all the time."
His grin died, and a glare took its place. "Kaiba creates enough excuses to mock me without using his buisinesses. Besides, he isn't even a real sponsor for the place, he just donates frequently!"
"I was actually referring to the Public Relations director."
Oh, crap. "F-fine! Once we find the King, I'll take a few days off and do your work, just don't get Mai angry at me again."
Rebecca giggled in fake innocence. "Thanks for visiting. Now scram."
"Kids..." The knight mumbled on his way out.
00000
Yoh's journey across Traverse Town was largely unsuccessful, as he had searched for the inn for roughly half an hour, and kept finding himself back in the town square. Exhausted, but still unconcerned, he went into the accessory shop, thinking Winry would be able to help... but the store was mostly empty. Although the register was unmanned, there was a single customer, or perhaps resident, on the couch in the back.
He had short blond hair, with a long, thin braid over his shoulder, and was wearing a simple white tunic, his eyes closed, legs crossed. From his face Yoh imagined they were around the same age, but judging from his physique he was several inches taller. His eyes opened as Yoh approached. "Welcome to the Accessory/Gummi Shop. Winry isn't in right now, so-"
"That's okay; I'm not here as a customer." Yoh said. "I just came to see if she could tell me where the inn is... I'm kinda lost."
The boy's eyes widened, and he stood to his feet. (Yoh was right; he had to tilt his head to see eye-to-eye with him) "Are you Yoh, the Keybearer?"
"That's what they've been calling me the past few days." He shook the taller one's hand.
"My name's Alphonse, Al for short." He introduced himself. "I'm usually here when I'm not training, or working in the Synthesis shop upstairs. Nice to meet you!"
Yoh grinned. "Same here! Are you Winry's brother? You two kinda look alike." Remembering his earlier mixup between Anna and Winry, he shivered at the thought, but noticed a sudden sad look on Al's face.
"N, Not really... though I DO think of her like an older sister, at times... actually, I was wondering if you could do something for me, since you're going to different worlds."
"Um...okay... what?"
Al suddenly looked determined. "I want you to look for someone named Edward Elric, who might be accompanied by a group of people following a man named Roy Mustang. Ed wears a long red coat, white gloves, has a braided ponytail..and, well..he's kinda...short." He mumbled the last word. "I don't have any munny, so I can't pay you beforehand, but I can make something really useful in exchange."
"No problem; I'll keep a look out for him. And I don't really need-"
"Equivalent exchange." Yoh stopped, staring at the serious expression. "You have to lose something to get something. That's how the world works."
"Uh...okay. I'll be sure to look hard for him, then." The shaman said, still slightly reluctant. "By the way, are you meditating? I've had to do that a few times, but it somehow...feels different."
Al smiled, looking calm again. "Sort of... and not really. It's kind of complicated, but I guess you could call it homework. And as for the 'feeling' of it... I can't tell you."
"Equivalent Exchange?" Yoh asked. Al nodded.
"Well, that and one other thing... it's dangerous for my master and I to reveal what we are. I'm sure you'll hear about it, eventually, but I can't trust you yet... sorry."
"It's alright." Yoh sighed. "To tell the truth, I'm starting to feel that way about myself..."
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The Emperor read quietly in the library, careful of the girl still reading dutifully on the opposite side of the table, the morning's experience still fresh in his mind. He had seen several other specimens after the brown-haired boy, but as gruesome and truly powerful as they seemed, the feeling of dread from the seemingly normal one overpowered them. He remembered from his days as Ken that he had given others that sensation before, but he himself had never experienced it...
"Ah, so the youngest among us is a scholar?" A new voice asked. The Emperor closed his book and turned to face the newcomer, whose voice was dramatic in ways that made Glyde seem normal. He had to narrow his eyes apon seeing him, as well.
It was a man, judging by his lack of a shirt and muscular, nearly anorexically thin build, with a dark purple, trenchcoat that matched his hair, long black pants, and what looked like two slits in the jacket, likely for wings, if Yggdrasil had been any indication. The youth's overall impression was one of slight distrubance. "Who are you?"
"Ah, but of course, please pardon my lack of introduction." The man bowed flamboyantly. "I am Vyers, an aristocrat of the Netherworld, with both great power and beauty! They call moi the Dark Adonis!"
The Emperor's right eye twitched involuntarily. "Is that so?" His used his glasses to scan his new aquaintance, then, stunned, turned them off to avoid an explosion; he WAS powerful, with energy readings that dwarfed even their mysterious leader.
Grinning widely, revealing slightly over-large canines, Vyers moved to sit beside the girl. "Do not be concerned of my power, for I assure you I mean no harm to you, or any of our allies. I assume, as we have never met, you are the Digimon Emperor, no?"
"Yes.." He shifted uneasily. He wondered why he seemed unable to find the man untruthful. He could certainly find him disturbing, though.
"Good, good! It is always nice to meet new faces, even if they are untalkative. Take this lovely mademoiselle here; she lightens the mood of this dreary library by a great extent, yet has not uttered a word since she entered. And she looks simply adorable reading, as well! Though I wonder how she is still alive... it's been a month and she hasn't eaten or slept..."
He cleared his throat, stood up, and moved to leave. "By the way, young Emperor... I was wondering if you could bear to have a new name? I myself am frequently referred as something other than 'Vyers' or the 'Dark Adonis'... a dreadful name that disgusts me even to think about... but calling you the 'Digimon Emperor' at all times is a bit wordy, wouldn't you say?"
He had a point. "Fine... I suppose you could call me Kaiser, or something like that.."
"Really? Strange... after hearing your story from our rather distasteful host, I thought that something along the lines of 'Yami Ken' would work better."
The annoyance that 'Yami Ken' had felt earlier returned a hundredfold. "Fine. By the way, what is that other name you are called?"
"Mid-Boss." Was the answer, accompanied with a gag.
"Alright then. Nice meeting you, Mid-Boss."
Growling, Mid-Boss left, trying to ignore Yami Ken's smirk.
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Chapter originally posted: October 15th, 2005.
Next time:An Empty World of Life.