W.I.T.C.H. Dreams of Lusteria
By Galistar07water
Chapter 08: A Mermaid's Tear pt. I
Irma grumbled all the way to school, kicking a can along the way. She's been venting for several days and couldn't help it. Of all the Guardians, Irma was the one who relished in being magical the most. She loved her powers over water, kicking bad guys' butts, and occasionally using her powers for her own personal advantages. At times, her role in saving the universe isn't easy, but she never thought of ever giving it up. But since coming back from Lusteria, not even the smooth and calming water that is her element could cool down her frustration.
Irma hissed. Her life has been full of annoyances and it all started with Kimi. The Guardian of Light made it very clear that she didn't want anything to do with them or their planet when they first met and had constantly been a pain in the neck to work with. All Kimi ever did was condescend them, bossing them around. It was hard not to take it personally. But when Kimi's father was brutally killed by Xuan Wu, something in Kimi changed and Irma had believed she was suffering. How wrong she was when Kimi attacked them in her delusion.
Irma seethed, just thinking about it. Even when they tried to chase her down and prevent her from going after Xuan Wu, Kimi was crazy enough to attack them, treating them as if they were her enemies. Then after their final battle with Xuan Wu and Kimi suddenly had a change of heart? Irma didn't buy it.
During Kimi's absence, Sondra and Venus had risen to the top of the social ladder in school and they loved it. Venus constantly reminded people how superior she was compared to them due to her strong athletic body and a little help of the latest fragrances from her mother's perfume and cosmetic shop. Cornelia shared Irma's distaste in Venus, since she and Venus are on the same ice-skating class.
As for Sondra…well, she still annoys the hell out of them all with her Swiss accent and flirting habits. Will wanted to zap her so badly with her new powers and Cornelia had played around with the idea of putting mud in her chocolate pudding. To them, it was personal ever since Sondra tried to steal their boyfriends' attention. Peter insisted that he doesn't like the girl, and that he was merely being polite. But Will was having a hard time believing Matt since he's still sour about them leaving him out of their Lusterian missions. Knowing that Will is prone to jealousy, Matt was being more than polite and friendly to Sondra.
Seeing how upset Will was, Kimi quietly read Matt's aura. She calmly walked up to Matt, whispered something in his ears and the next thing they knew, Matt stopped hanging out with Sondra.
"What did you say to him?" Will asked, curiously.
Kimi gave Will a sly smile. "I threatened to castrate him if he doesn't stop trying to punish you for not involving him in our missions."
Will blinked and Kimi laughed. "Apologies, Will. I was merely teasing you. As you can see, I have been learning Earth humors."
Will and the others couldn't tell if Kimi really was kidding, but whatever she said to Matt, Will couldn't be happier because yesterday she came back from a date with him. They had gone out to the movies, and although Matt was still sour about the girls leaving him out of their Lusterian mission, he did manage to enjoy his time with her.
Unfortunately, Sondra found a new boy to attach herself to and Irma found out who when she walked into study period.
Study period was one of the few times of the day where Irma's class can mingle with the older students in the same room and they have one as the last class of the day. She was really surprised when Stephen showed up. Her boyfriend goes to a different school, but sometimes he volunteer here for extra credit and a chance to see Irma. He must have volunteered to help tutor a few students in study period today.
Unfortunately, he was not the only one there. The Grumper sisters, Sondra, and Kimi were all presented. Kimi steered clear away from the other students as she pretends to review her calculus textbook. Irma couldn't help noticing Sondra constantly raising her hand up and asking Stephen…her Stephen for help!
"Ooh, Stephen! I need help on deez problem!" she purred sweetly in her Swiss accent.
Irma seethed her teeth, gripping her pencil tightly.
Irma, calm down! Taranee's voice rang in her head. You don't want to make a scene.
Tell me if she's really that dumb, Taranee! Irma said. Read her mind and tell me if that girl really needed Stephen's help.
Taranee gave her an annoyed look. This was not the first time one of her friends had asked her to read someone else's mind to find out what they're up to. Before she could, Kimi mentally replied.
Yes, she is, Irma. This Sondra is merely feigning ignorance to receive Stephen's attention. Why do you ask?
Hey, get out of my head!
Irma, stop it. Kimi was only trying to help. Taranee's voice rang.
I don't need her help to deal with Sondra the snake, who's trying to steal my boy—
"Ooh, looks like someone is green with envy and red with temper!" Bess and Courtney giggled from the next table. "Careful, Lair! We know the winter's cold right now, but the last thing we need is for you to blow us some hot air in here!"
Irma shot them a poisonous look.
Irma, calm down! Hay Lin's voice rang. They're just messing with you. Don't react. It's just what they want.
Irma hissed under her breath. Quietly, she glared at the two sisters' water bottles. The next thing they knew, Courtney and Bess were rushing to the girls' restroom for a quick change in clothes. A few seconds later, they were screaming their heads off as the restroom spontaneously flooded. As Mr. Collins ushered students back into the class, he quickly made a call to the janitor and had him mop up the watery mess.
Four Guardians eyed Irma accusingly. Stephen glanced at Irma but said nothing as he went back to help another student with their chemistry homework.
Wow, Irma. As much as I would love to see them suffer, that was overkill, said Cornelia.
Why can't you be more responsible with your powers? Will thought.
The bell rang, signaling everyone for their next class in ten minutes.
"Alright, everyone, don't forget your assignment due next week," said Mr. Collins as he picked up his things and headed over to the teachers' lounge.
One by one, all the other students filed out, leaving the Guardians and Sondra behind. Sondra quickly took her chance and threw her favorite antique pen under the teacher's desk.
"Oh, Stephen! Take you so much for helping me with those difficult math problems," Sondra cried.
"It was nothing, Sondra," Stephen said. He was about to leave and join up with Irma, but Sondra wrapped her arms around his, pulling him to the table.
"Could you do me one more favor and help me retrieve my pen? It's under that table—"
"Can't you get another pen?" Irma glared. "And besides, my Stephen is busy. He doesn't have time to help you get your—"
"Oh, but he must!" Sondra insisted, giving Irma a sly smile. "It's an antique! A family heirloom! My grandpapa gave it to me!"
At this point, Stephen feels uncomfortable. He glanced at his girlfriend, knowing very well that Irma's daring him to do it. Looking back at Sondra, he sighed. "Well…if it's really that important to you…"
Will and the others realized that there was an invisible spark of magical energy encircling Irma's fists, indicating that she was ready to do away with Sondra the same way she did with the Grumpers. It was bad enough that Stephen knew about Irma's magical ability, but if Irma was stupid enough to try something on Sondra, the latter would be very suspicious.
"Irma!" Cornelia hissed, grabbing for Irma's hand to stop her. To their surprise, Kimi calmly walked up to intervene.
"Excuse me, Sondra, but might I ask what is wrong with you?"
"Pardon me?" Sondra asked.
Sondra glanced at Kimi. She had never noticed this Japanese girl in the room before. But based on the Grumpers' description of her cold and intimidating manner, Sondra guessed it was the iniquitous Kimi Watsuki, captain of the school's Martial Arts Club. A part of her immediately went into reserve as if expecting this girl to do something terrible to her.
Kimi kept her demeanor calm and collected. "Well, you appeared to be in good health, yet you're asking this boy to lift that table for you. Surely, you can do it yourself? Or is there something wrong with you?"
"Well, can you blame me for asking a gentleman to do it?" Sondra smiled sweetly, but underneath that smile, Kimi sensed her real motive. Sondra was insulted.
"It's no trouble, I can do it," said Stephen sheepishly.
But before he could, Kimi walked up to the table and used her Lusterian superhuman strength to lift it up with one arm with ease, causing Sondra and Stephen to gape in surprise. With her other free hand, Kimi swiftly retrieved the fancy looking pen and gently placed the table down.
"I believe this is what you were looking for," Kimi said stoically, handing Sondra her pen.
"How…did you do that?!" Stephen asked.
Kimi turned to him and said, "Years of a very strict diet and rigorous exercise."
And with that, the other four girls exited the door behind Kimi, struggling to keep their laughter in. However, Irma was in no laughing mood. Sondra huffed and left, glaring daggers at Kimi for embarrassing her.
"Wow. That was impressive. Maybe with her around, Sheffield will no doubt win first place this weekend for sure! Don't tell me Kimi's magical like you, Irma!" Stephen laughed, but then noticed Irma was turning her back towards him. "Hey, are you okay?"
Irma crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Am I okay? Really? Is that all you have to say to me? Why don't you ask Sondra?"
Stephen frowned. "What does Sondra have to do with this?"
"Urgh! You have some nerve! Why do you have to fall for that skunk-bag like all the other boys here?!"
"I am not falling for her, Irma!" Stephen protested, getting defensive. "You know I love you more. You're my girlfriend. She's just like any other students that I have to help tutor for extra credit here."
Irma rolled her eyes. "Could have fooled me! What, with you bending to her will just now with her pen? Or when she's practically faking everything to get your attention away from me?!"
"Irma, stop it! I was just being friendly," Stephen insisted. "What's with you recently? You're taking your anger out on me for something as petty as this! This is hardly anything to get upset over!"
"I'm not angry!"
"Oh, really? Like soaking and blasting the Grumper sisters with your magic earlier wasn't you being upset?"
Irma stopped, too surprised.
"What? You think I didn't notice it was you? Hey, you're the one who told me about your magical secret. Who else in this school has the power over water?"
Irma clenched her fists. "So what are you going to do? Tell them who did it? Tell the Grumpers that I blasted them with water and have them write an exposé on me?"
"See? You're doing it again!" Stephen pointed out. "You're overreacting! Of course I would never reveal your secret. I was trying to point out how you were going overboard for nothing earlier, and then you're turning it into something else and trying to pin the blame on me." Stephen sighed as he grabbed his backpack. "You know what? I don't want to do this anymore…"
Irma looked at him, too surprised at this. "What are you saying? Are you breaking up with me?"
Stephen shook his head, but he gave her a disappointed look. "I would be a complete fool to dump you as insignificant as this. But right now, I don't think I want to see you for a while, at least until you've work through whatever funk you're in. Irma, face it. You're moody, distant, and you're overreacting. I hardly recognize you! You're carrying too much anger around you and it's a burden. I think I should go."
Irma wanted to say something, to protest and convince him he was right. But something within her was pulling her back, wanting to be mad at him still. In the end she said nothing and Stephen took that as a sign for him to leave. Tears swelled up in her eyes as she furiously kicked a desk over before storming out of the room.
Kenji drummed his fingers on the table as he poured over his maps and documents before him, trying to plot his next moves. After that debacle in Joseon, he'll need another plan to become one of the most powerful persons on Lusteria.
Curse Kimi and her Earthling friends! Kenji seethed under his breath.
Everything was going so well back in Joseon. He had managed to trick Queen Sŏndŏk into surrendering her crown and was nearly rewarded until Zhu Que had appeared, breaking the sleeping spell Kenji had put on the queen's real counselor. His plot was nearly exposed in front of his future bride and her sister, forcing them to flee.
When they arrived in Nihon, news spread of Xuan Wu's death at the hands of Zhu Que and Queen Sŏndŏk's return to power. What's frustrating is without Xuan Wu, Kenji had lost her powerful enthralling magic over the twin sisters. Eventually, they'll be able to realize his lies and betrayal. Luckily, Kenji was clever. He told them the news, purposely leaving out the part where it was the Guardians who saved the world again. Quickly, he ordered them to Annam before the detailed truth reaches their ears. With his gift of twisting the truth and validation, Kenji convinced the clan's Elders they should send him as the representative of their powerful family to the nobilities of the south in time for the Tri-Ceremony. Since the Kinomoto clansmen are currently too busy trying to mobilize against Seiryuu in their homeland, it would make sense to send at least one member who volunteered.
Foolish old bats! Kenji smirked. Perhaps I should have studied to be an attorney than a politician.
Quickly, Kenji and the two sisters were able to secure an estate for important foreign diplomats in Annam. With great fortune, Kenji didn't have to impersonate anyone this time.
However, Kenji had learned how to always take failures into account. Since his scheme has failed in Joseon, he'll do better here and in Annam. The Guardians, his adopted family, and even his foster father had underestimated him for he always has at least two plans for contingencies such as this. Since Xuan Wu is dead, he'll have to take a chance with the remaining three Celestial Warriors.
Appealing to Zhu Que is too dangerous and risky, Kenji thought. After what happened in Joseon, he doesn't trust the Lord of Wrath. As calm and collected as he is, Zhu Que is also know to be one of the most unstable and unpredictable of all the Warriors. His best chance right now is to go before the other two: Seiryuu, the Lady of Sloth and Lord Hwang-Ryong himself.
But before he could petition his services to them, he must find another way to control the twin sisters and empower his own magic. Using dark magic is too risky and would make him looked more suspicious. Looking at the map of the southern Fire Kingdom, Kenji spotted something: It was a small coastal island, filled with dangerous cliffs and fogs called "Mermaid Cove".
Ideas clicked in his head and soon, Kenji knew exactly what to do as a wicked smile curled upon his lips. Quickly, he got up and left in the cover of darkness. All he needs is a mermaid's tear.
"Ready your position," Kimi ordered. "Go!"
Takuya and Zoë sparred with flurries of kicks, punches, and blocks. Takuya was improving greatly, but in the end, Zoë still beats him.
"Now who says a girl has to be weaker than the guys?" Zoë cheered. Her boyfriend rolled his eyes.
"Your arms are still too far apart," Kimi said. "Try keeping them closer so you can protect your center from her punches and kicks."
Will and her friends just finished their dance routine and came in to watch Kimi training with her friends. They were glad to see that Kimi was changing. Rather than treating her fellow teammates like soldiers, she focused on their weak points and improved their skills. Despite a few minor bumps, Takuya and his friends were having fun.
"Kimi's doing really well training them," Taranee noted as they watched her helping Troy. Kimi gently criticized him for gawking at her too much and that he should focus on the battle more.
"Yeah, and I think Kimi's enjoying herself more, too," said Hay Lin. "After all she's been through, I'm glad she's starting to feel better. For one thing, she's already called us by our first names."
Irma scoffed, rolling her eyes. Urgh, it's always Kimi this! Kimi that! What makes her so special?! She's all everyone talks about!
"Irma, what is it?" Will asked, glaring at her. "You've been moody all week. What happened with Stephen back there?"
Irma turned to glare at her, "Oh, so now you're interested in my life instead of Kimi's? Well, that's just dandy! You think asking me how I'm doing would make everything better?"
"Irma, chill! What's your problem?"
"What's my problem? I believe you mean problems. For one thing, why are we still here? We have to meet up with Orube later at headquarters, you know."
"Irma, we're here to show some support to Kimi and her friends," Taranee pointed out. "Our school's team hasn't won any medals in years."
Irma scoffed in disgust. Sarcastically, she retorted, "Oh, right. We're all here to support Kimi in her times of need. It's all about Kimi right now because she's just soooooo special!"
"Irma, drop it," Will warned her, but Irma doesn't pay her any attention.
"Funny how the last time I showed her some support, Kimi tried to kill me and us for trying to help her!"
"Irma, Kimi has changed," Hay Lin insisted.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten what she did to us, Hay-Hey! How could you forgive her for treating you like dirt? Don't you girls see? It's in her blood! The first time we met Kimi, she accused us of being imposters and tried to kill us! When we met her cousins, they tried to get rid of us, too!"
"Of course not!" Will snapped. "We haven't forgotten any of those days of being bullied by her! But you forget that we had a similar situation with Orube when she first came to Earth. Orube never liked us to begin with, and she blamed us for Luba's death, remember? We didn't get along at first, but then Orube changed for the better. Kimi has changed, too."
Irma glanced at Kimi and shook her head. "You're wrong on both accounts. For one thing, Orube didn't try to maul us back then. And I don't believe Kimi has changed."
Hay Lin sighed at Irma with disappointment in her eyes. "She has changed, Irma. And the sooner you accept it, the better."
Tired and angry, Irma grabbed her backpack and headed for the door. "I don't have to accept her and I'm not interested. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll head over to the headquarters first."
The other Guardians gave each other worried looks.
"I'm worried about Irma," Taranee said. "I've never seen her like this before. She's not being herself."
"She's carrying a lot of anger and frustrations, more than usual," Hay Lin added. "I can feel it from the air around her. I think something happened between her and Stephen at school, but she doesn't want to talk about it."
"And that gives her the right to take it out on us? What she did earlier in school today was definitely overkill," Cornelia nodded. "Girls, we can't just sit here and do nothing."
"But you've heard what Jade said," Will reminded her. "We can't make Irma feel or do what she doesn't want. This may be a test for Irma. I'm starting to think she might be the next one who will earn her new transformation."
Hay Lin looked alarmed. "You don't think Irma's grudge against Kimi's past is going to prevent her new power from awakening? Should we tell her?"
Will and Cornelia shook their heads. Glancing up, they noticed Kimi ending her team's training session.
"If we tell Irma, then she wouldn't really be the one to discover her own Heart and Virtue," Will said.
Cornelia nodded in agreement. "Will and I had to realize the truth for ourselves when the time came. It wouldn't really be the same if one of you guys had told us how to do it, right?"
Taranee and Hay Lin gave each other looks of uncertainty. "I supposed," Hay Lin said. "But I'm really worried about Irma. Kimi's not the only person who has changed in this group."
"Maybe we should give Irma a little more time and a nudge in the right direction," Taranee suggested.
Hay Lin shook her head. "But we may not have a lot of time. Who knows when Zhu Que will strike? Today? Tomorrow? Next week?"
Will sighed because she's frustrated, too. They'll need to prepare for the unexpected. "You're right. We need to find out when Zhu Que might strike again. Maybe our caretaker will know more about her husband's plan. If Ngọc Long can tell us when the siege may take place, we'll be able to estimate how much more time Irma may need help."
Let's go over to headquarters right now," Cornelia suggested as the four of them left Kimi's a telepathic message of their departure.
In the Eastern Sea, Kenji Kinomoto paced back and forth calmly before stopping to watch the light of the setting sun paint the sky. His clothes were wet after his swim, his right hand bloodied, holding a knife.
Shrugging, he went back into the cave. Several nets dangling from the ceiling, one was occupied, holding a mermaid. The cave was once illegally used to catch dolphins for their meat a few years ago before the mermaids and the locals shut it down. Now abandoned, Kenji decided to put it to good use without prying eyes.
The mermaid had fallen into his trap after trying to find her missing sister. He had been torturing her for hours, staining her kelp dress red with her blood, but still she wouldn't talk.
"This is getting tedious," Kenji said, turning to her. "Give me the pearls now!"
"Really? I'm having a great time!" the mermaid said sarcastically. "And as if I would really shed any of my tears for a sadistic human such as yourself!"
Her lips were split and one of her eyes was swollen shut after all the torture. She glared venomously at Kenji and spat a mouthful of blood at his feet.
Kenji slapped her viciously and pulled her hair, bringing his knife closer to her throat.
"Do you think I'm joking, mermaid?! I'll cut off your ears and throw them to the sharks!"
"Well, so be it! At least I won't have to listen to you!"
"Luckily for me, there are all kinds of pain to use on slimy creatures like you!" Kenji hissed into her ears as he pulled her hair even harder. "You see, there's the kind that you're feeling right now, but physical pains on the body can heal. The pain of heart, however…" he pointed his knife to another mermaid she hasn't noticed before and used his magic to bring it out into the light of the setting sun. The older mermaid gasped, for it was her little sister, pale and dying.
"Linh!" the mermaid cried out. To her horror, she realized her torturer had been using her little sister as bait!
"I'd like to kill you. I'd like that very much. Unfortunately, I can't," Kenji grinned wickedly. He walked over to the mermaid child. She was unconscious and since she's not trained in the art of transformation, she won't be able to get rid of her gills and breathe air. "You're valuable to me and you know it! If you're not going to shed any tears from pain, then you'll start shedding them for your sister! From the looks of things, she might die from dehydration very soon."
"You're a monster!" the older mermaid whispered, her lips trembling.
Linh gasped shallow breathes, trying to breathe air in the water but there were none. There's only dry air for humans.
"Linh!" her older sister cried out. And cry she did.
Kenji smirked and wielded her tears into a glass vial. At first nothing, but then the droplets magically hardened into perfect, shiny pearls.
"Finally!" he cried.
The sun has already set, and the early full moon rose over the hole in the roof of the cave. The moonlight filed the entire place and the pool before them bubbled with magic.
"No…" the mermaid whispered.
"Oh, yes, my dear," Kenji nodded.
He threw the pearls into the water, causing it to bubble more fiercely as mist poured out. Once the full moon is at its peak, Kenji jumped into the water. A strange blue aura emitted from the pool, blinding the mermaid and causing her to look away.
The fog cleared and the bubbling died down as Kenji stepped out of the pool. He looked down at himself, basking in the glow of the power from the sea. He walked to the cave entrance and with a wave of his hand, a tsunami wave rose, whipping out the tiny fishing village in the distance.
"Now I am more powerful than ever! More powerful than Kimi and Kyochi…more powerful than my father…powerful enough to even challenge the Prince of Darkness himself!" Kenji smiled wickedly. "Thank you for your contribution. But now I have no more use for either of you."
He cut them both loose with ice shards.
"MURDERER!" The mermaid cried. She picked up Kenji's knife and lashed out at him. Before she even had time to transform her tail into legs, he used his magic to freeze them both in a block of ice and calmly walked out of the cave.
"At least they won't dehydrate anymore," he chuckled.
Now let's pay a visit to the Celestial Warriors.
As Kimi headed for home, she passed the Heatherfield Musical Hall. She paused, remembering the mysterious dark portal and their last trip to her planet. Without thinking, Kimi closed her eyes and tried to feel any presence of it. Nothing. No signs of dark magic.
Whoever or whatever created that portal must be very powerful, Kimi thought. The skill level required to create such a thing that sealed away the majority of our magic is frightening. It's almost as if the Prince of Darkness was here…but that's impossible.
Suddenly, a faint melodic sound reached her ears. Curiously, Kimi followed it around the corner on the other side of the building. A boy was sitting close to his motorcycle in the parking lot, strumming a few notes on his guitar. It was Koji Kishimoto and to Kimi's surprised, he was humming and singing under his breath. The melody was very pleasing to her, accompanied by lyrics about counting the stars in the sky. The music was like a spell, transfixing Kimi to the spot.
Suddenly, as if by magic, Koji turned around and noticed her, despite the fact she hasn't made a sound.
"Oh, hi. So how long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough," Kimi nodded. "I didn't know you could sing."
"Well, when you're lead singer in a band, it's your job."
"I've never heard that kind of melody before," Kimi said, remembering the song and the concert last week. "I thought you'd be the one who's more interested in the classics."
"The classics are fine," Koji shrugged nonchalantly. "Truthfully, my brother liked them a lot more than I do. I do enjoy Mozart, Vivaldi, or Beethoven myself, but most of the time I prefer the modern pop and rock."
"And you play it on that guitar?" Kimi asked, pointing to the music case.
"This? It's just something I used for practice. If you really liked what you just heard, trust me, it sounds better on an air guitar," Koji smirked.
"You play it in the air?" Kimi blinked.
Koji gave her a look before bursting into laughter. "You're a strange girl! Is your family really that conservative and traditional?"
Kimi blushed and she didn't know why. The boy had no idea how conservative and tradition her family is. "In many ways."
"I see," Koji said. "So, how was training?"
Kimi glanced at him, "How did you know I was training?"
"Your hair is slightly out of place and there are small signs of dampness on your skin and clothes which tell me that you were exercising," Koji replied, pointing out her loosed hair strands flying against the breeze.
"How very perceptive of you," Kimi said cautiously.
Koji rolled his eyes. "You didn't answer my question."
"I don't think it's wise to tell you, as you are a competitor," Kimi noted. "Why aren't you training? Instead, I find you loitering around this place."
"I'm not loitering," Koji huffed. "I just came here to drop off my brother's things and it's the only quiet place for me to practice my music."
Koji sat there and drummed up a few more notes, pausing only once to retune the strings. Without knowing it, Kimi found herself sitting down a few inches away from him to listen.
"So," Koji asked, glancing at her, "Do you play any music? From the looks of your fingers, I'd guessed you play a string instrument as well."
Kimi scrutinized him carefully, determining whether or not she should be divulging any more information about herself. She hasn't forgotten the last time she did. After what felt like seconds, Kimi nodded hesitantly.
"I write songs and I can play on the koto," Kimi replied.
"Hmph, so you're into classical Japanese?" Koji smiled.
"I was, but recently Will and the others have been trying to introduce me to other varieties of musical genre. While I did find some alluring, others I have no love for."
"Such as?" Koji raised an eyebrow, a little bit curious.
"It doesn't matter," Kimi said. "What matters is that I'm trying to change myself for the better, and if that means I must humor their requests to listen to this atrocious Karmilla, I share endure it."
Kimi suddenly glanced at him and saw that he was staring at her intently, making her more guarded. Feeling uncomfortable, she was about to ask Koji why until he spoke, indicating that he was only scrutinizing her.
"You do seem different than before," Koji said, analyzing. He got up to put his guitar away in its holding case. "Tell me, are you enjoying Heatherfield?"
Kimi was confused. This college boy is noticing her attempt to change herself and she wasn't sure if that's really a good thing. Not that she minds, but he's a little bit too perceptive for his own good and the last thing she wanted was for him to poke his nose in her business further. She'll have to be careful in answering his questions.
"I'm afraid I don't have time to explore this city," Kimi said. "I am currently too busy with schoolwork and training, as I'm sure you'll understand."
Koji paused and glanced back at Kimi, unsatisfied with her answer. "How long have you been here?"
Kimi blinked, unsure where this was going. "Several lunar cycles."
Now it was Koji's turn to blink in confusion. Kimi suddenly remembered that telling time is a little bit different here, so she said, "Three months."
"You've been here since late August and you still haven't explored all of its wonder?" Koji blinked.
"As I've said, I'm currently occupied with studies and training. I don't have time to explore this city," Kimi replied.
Koji was about to say something, when suddenly they heard voices. Looking over their shoulders, the two of them saw a group of girls dressed very strangely. It appeared they were searching for something with great anticipation. Koji recognized them and scowled.
"Crap!" He quickly turned the ignition on and hopped on his motorcycle.
Confused, Kimi asked, "What's wrong?"
Quickly putting on his helmet, he tossed her a spare. "Get on quickly! I'd rather not be here right now if I were you."
Before Kimi could asked, those girls behind them shrieked like mad wood nymphs.
"LOOK THERE HE IS, GIRLS!" one girl cried with glee.
The others looked up with excitement, but frowned when they spotted Kimi.
"Who the hell is SHE?!"
"C'mon, princess!" Koji shouted. "It's now or never!"
The next thing Kimi knew, she was sitting on Kishimoto's bike again, cruising down the streets and leaving those girls chasing the dust they left behind.
After a few turns around the corners, Koji glanced back at her and smirked. "Looks like my annoying fans have decided to put you on their hit list. I'm sorry for that."
"Pardon me, but none of them were carrying any fans that I could see."
This comment made Koji burst into laughter, amused by her cultural ignorance. Kimi, however, didn't appreciate being laughed at and decided to punish him by staying silent for the rest of the trip. Once they slowed down and reached her house, she quickly got off and tried to make it for the door.
"You're going to leave me here again without saying goodbye?"
Kimi paused when she reached the stoned-steps and glanced behind her.
"Jokes aside, you haven't explore the city since you've been here? Hmph, for a girl who's trying to change, you're not really doing a good job at it."
"Pardon me?" Kimi glared, challenging him.
Koji shrugged. "All I'm saying is that I don't think you're having any fun here."
"I'm not here to indulge, Kishimoto," Kimi sighed. "I'm here to—"
She suddenly stopped herself. She nearly told him that she's here as a cover for her mission!
"To what?" the older boy asked.
"Nothing," Kimi replied quickly. "I must focus entirely on training for the tournament this weekend."
"Is that all you ever think about? Life's a little more important than those things, you know. Do you think I play music and study all the time? Look, being more open to your friends is fine, but maybe you should also consider opening your minds to this place, too."
Kimi was unsure what to say.
"I've been living here for a while and discovered a few places that might interest you," Koji said. "Why don't you let me show you around town? Perhaps you'll change your mind once you see some of its features?"
Kimi blushed furiously and she doesn't know why. "This is highly inappropriate! We hardly know each other and you're offering to take me to strange places I know nothing of?!"
"How will you ever know about those places if you never go? Don't you ever wonder what's beyond that horizon when you look out of your window every morning?" Koji pointed out. "If you want to stay hole up in your 'busy' life, be my guest. But if you're ever interested in seeing the world, I'll be—"
"The day I accompany you on this silly excursion of yours is the day that I lose to you in a match!" Kimi interrupted him.
Koji blinked at those words and soon, a playful smile curled upon his lips. "Is that so? How about this then? If I defeat you this weekend in the Winter Tournament, you'll allow me to be your guide and show you around my city."
Kimi scoffed at him, slightly disgusted at the idea that he would offer a wager to decide her fate. "And if I win? There is nothing from you that I want!"
"Well, if you win…" Koji paused for a moment and finally said, "…then you can tell me your dream. And if it's within my power, I might be able to help you make it come true."
His answer stunned her and before she could say anything, Kishimoto winked before driving off, leaving her alone on the doorsteps. Except she wasn't alone.
"Woah…that guy is really something," Taranee chirped, giving Kimi a big grin.
"How romantic!" Cornelia sighed, batting her eyes.
"Kimi and Koji? I like the sound of that!" Hay Lin squealed with excitement as she wrote their names down onto her palm.
Kimi sighed and pushed past them. Will, however, elbowed her and teased. "Looks like someone has an admirer!"
Seiryuu glanced into her magical mirrors, somewhat bored. A few were showing tribal chiefs and rulers of smaller nations falling under her Deadly Sin. At first, watching them lusting for money, power, and harlots (who were actually evil spirits disguised as beautiful women working for Seiryuu) and surrendering their realms to her was fun. But now it was getting boring since it's too easy.
The prize is Nihon, but laying siege to it will not be easy. Not only does her force have to go up against the Imperial Army, but they're being joined by various samurai clans. Amongst them were the Kinomoto and the Watsuki clans. Their kinsmen are some of the best fighters and wielders in the world. Worse, they're led by Chancellor Komei Kinomoto himself, a very brilliant tactician with magic and wits so impressive even Seiryuu respected him.
I'll need to find another way around the Chancellor, Seiryuu thought.
"My lady, it appears you have a guest," said her first lieutenant, the nine-tailed White Fox spirit. "Shall I kill him?"
Before Seiryuu could respond, magical water covered the door before freezing and shattered into a thousand pieces. Instantly, the White Fox manifested her chakrams and flung it at the intruder. Amused, Kenji knocked them back at her with a flick of a wrist. The White Fox growled and her white hair flared up and reached out like nine long tails.
"What's this? A Kinomoto?" the White Fox smiled sadistically, tightening her grip on him even further. "Killing you would be so much fun."
She barely squeezed the life out of him when Kenji gave her a condescending smirk and instantly froze into a solid block of ice. The White Fox gasped, too surprised and angrily flung the ice sculpture against the wall, smashing it to pieces. Before she could recover, Kenji appeared behind her, a knife manifested to her throat. The White Fox seemed somewhat amused.
"I haven't had a prey like you in a while," she whispered. "Killing you would be all the more fun for me."
"Enough, Lady Kitsune," Seiryuu said lazily, slouching back on her fainting couch. "Let the boy go. He has earned the right to seek an audience with me."
Kitsune growled and glared at Kenji, clearly disappointed. Kenji gave her a smirk and released her before bowing deeply before the Lady of Sloth.
"So, you're Kenji Kinomoto," Seiryuu mused. "I've heard very little about you from Xuan Wu and practically nothing from Zhu Que." Kenji held his emotion in check. It was obvious that Seiryuu was mocking him. "Consider yourself fortunately that I didn't order Kitsune here to kill you where you stand. You may have surprised her with your newfound powers, but she is still one of the most ferocious warriors on this world. Now tell me why you are here?"
Kenji bowed. "I'm here to offer my services to you and your brothers, my lady. I shall assist you in conquering this world and Kandrakar. In return, I asked to be made your sole Guardian and be used to enforce your rules upon all other worlds."
Seiryuu laughed. "And what makes you so certain that I would want your help? And why betray your family and your kingdom?"
"Because I am only a Kinomoto in name, never by blood!" Kenji stated. "I'll never be worthy for the likes of their pomposity! I bore no love for my parents, my siblings, much less my cousins, especially Kimi and Kyochi! Use me, my lady. As a Kinomoto, I have ties to the clan and can expose their weaknesses! As an adopted son of Chancellor Komei, I can infiltrate the Royal Court for you!"
"Hmm…so you're Komei's brat, huh?" Seiryuu mused. "Well, that changes everything. I love nothing more than seeing a son betraying his father. Perhaps we could have great uses for you after all."
"Right, so let's get down to business," Orube started once they were all seated in the living room. Orube asked the girls to recount their last and unexpected journey to Annam. They began to pour new information and compare notes, and they all came to one conclusion on when their next mission will be: The Tri-Ceremony.
"The entire kingdom is celebrating the wedding, coronation, and birthday of Princess Huyền Trân, the Emperor's younger sister," Orube said.
"All in one day? Seriously, don't these Lusterians know anything about throwing a proper party?" Cornelia rolled her eyes. "A royal princess deserves better and should have three events celebrated separately. Talk about being cheap."
"Normally yes, Cornelia, but my people are doing this out of desperation," said Ngọc Long. "The princess is being married off to the King of Champa, a smaller kingdom to the south of Annam. My husband had already laid siege to our other neighbors, and one by one, they had already fallen. Only Champa and Annam are last, the former being quite easy to take."
"Champa is desperate for Annam's protection from Zhu Que's army. Their king hoped that by marrying the Princess of Annam, her brother will be able to secure their safety with his larger army," Orube added.
"What does Annam get in return, since they're already more powerful than Champa and all?" Hay Lin asked curiously.
"The Annamite Emperor agreed to the arrange marriage in exchange for two more of Champa's northern provinces," Kimi replied.
"Which would make Annam all the more powerful than it already is in the southern hemisphere," Orube said solemnly. "The royal oracles chose her birthday as the most auspicious date, thus the entire kingdom shall celebrate the princess' marriage then. Her coronation as a new Queen of Champa will logically take place after that."
"There is one more small detail you must know," Ngọc Long said solemnly, pointing to an image on the holographic interface. "King Jaya Sinhavarman III of Champa already has a queen, not to mention several other wives."
The Guardians stared at her in shock.
"Wait, what?!"
"Polygamy is a common practice in Annam and in several other kingdoms on my world," Ngọc Long pointed out. "It's more so for royalties in order to increase their chances of having suitable heirs."
"As weird as that sound, how is this information helpful to our mission?" Irma objected.
"We don't believe Queen Tapasi will be too eager to have her husband replace her with a new queen once he marries the Annamite princess," Orube pointed out. "Both women came from powerful royal bloodline, but Princess Huyền Trân outranked Tapasi since the former is from one of the five great Elemental Kingdoms."
Will nodded as she understood the situation. "So Tapasi is threatened by this upcoming marriage and would do anything to stop it, including…" she trailed off.
Orube nodded. "Tapasi already has a son, but if her husband replaced her role as queen with his new bride, her son will be considered a bastard and unfit to succeed the Champa throne."
"A weakness my husband will no doubt exploit," Ngọc Long said solemnly.
"So what do we do?" Taranee asked.
"The wedding is set in two days," Ngọc Long said. "The Champa emissary will have already arrived in Annam by now for the ceremony."
"We have to make sure the Tri-Ceremony goes well," Orube stated. "That means ensuring both Champa and Annam are going to be on good terms."
"So let me get this straight," Cornelia added. "We have to make sure that an arranged marriage between two people has to go smoothly? I don't like this one bit."
The others glanced at Cornelia because she was the one who found her first true love in Caleb years ago. After what Phobos and Nerissa did to him, Cornelia never stopped until she saved Caleb from their wraths.
"What ever happened to true love?" Cornelia objected. "Đạo and Đức told us about the princess in love with another man, her brother's general, right? Why can't they be together?!"
"Love is not that easy for nobilities," Ngọc Long shook her head sadly.
Kimi scoffed at the idea. "Hmph, marriage is nothing more than a contract between clans and nations seeking power and alliances as well as keeping the peace. Love is often irrelevant on my world, I fear."
"Not even for demi-gods? Not even for you, Jade? Was your marriage to Zhu Que arranged like theirs?" Cornelia challenged.
"Cornelia, that's enough!" Orube warned.
"No…I married Zhu Que because we were both in love," said the Jade Dragon.
There was an air of silence as the Guardians could see how sad their caretaker is. After months of her training them, and deploying them on missions, they never realized how little attention they actually paid to her.
"Forgive us for asking but…" Hay Lin began, "how did you end up marrying someone like Zhu Que?"
"Yeah, I mean, what did you ever see in him?" Taranee asked. The thought of their caretaker ever falling in love with someone as evil and dangerous as Zue Que is beyond their understanding.
Ngọc Long looked at them and sighed in defeat. After so many years, perhaps it was time to tell them the entire truth. Orube poured her a cup of tea and offered it to her politely.
"I understand you may find my marriage to him a shock, but you must also understand that the Zhu Que you came to know is not the same as the one I fell in love with."
She blew fire into her tea, creating steam that played images of her memories for the girls to see. Orube and the Guardians are in awe as they watched a younger version of their caretaker meeting Zhu Que for the first time. They met during a battle against an evil demon from another world in the Bay of the Descending Dragon. Impressed by each other, Zhu Que became more fascinated with the Jade Dragon as he considered her his equal. Despite still being difficult and intimidating to approach, Zhu Que was much kinder back then, even borderline romantic as he often recite quotes from dead philosophers as well as creating his own poetry.
Zhu Que and Ngọc Long were rarely apart. He showed her realms beyond Annam as well as other worlds beyond Lusteria. In return, Ngọc Long showed him more to his life than just the role he was created for. It wasn't long until they wed and would protect their people together. As the only Celestial Warriors to have a spouse, Zhu Que was perhaps the only Lusterian demi-god who experienced true love. Through joy and misery, through pain and happiness, they endured life together and sacrificed for each other.
"So what happened?" Will asked. She didn't realize she and her friends were all holding their breaths, eager to hear more.
The mist died and the memories disappeared. Ngọc Long shook her head, not wanting to remember the details. In the end, she said, "He was summoned one day for a mission and he never came back. I waited and searched for him for years and soon gave up hope of ever seeing him again when all traces of him were lost. After my search, I devoted myself to protecting my people. Eventually, Kandrakar took noticed and summoned me to become one of its members of the Gemini Council."
"Why didn't you mention any of this with us before?" Kimi asked.
"It made no difference. In truth, I've never met Zhu Que's siblings before as he never told them of our marriage. I never told any of the Gemini Councilmen either when I joined Kandrakar," Ngọc Long replied. "Based from all your battles with the Celestial Warriors, I surmised the Deadly Sin of Wrath has consumed my husband so deeply, I began to doubt if he had remembered me at all."
"But he did remember you!" Hay Lin pointed out and she stood up quickly. "We all saw it with our eyes when you came to save us! If I recall correctly, he still wanted to be with you!"
"Hay Lin's right!" Cornelia nodded. "He could have killed you or any one of us then! But he spared us."
"Is it possible that we could somehow save Zhu Que without killing him?" Hay Lin asked.
They all blinked, too surprised at her suggestion but Hay Lin pressed on.
"What if we somehow find a way to bring Zhu Que back to our side? Free him from the corruption of his Deadly Sin? Surely there must be some hope left in him."
Orube pondered at this for a moment. "Hmm…it would be extremely beneficial to have a Celestial Warrior on our side. If we could purify Zhu Que without killing him, he may help us against Hwang-Ryong and Seiryuu."
"He may even know where my brother is!" Kimi exclaimed. "We could finally get Kyochi back!"
"And if Zhu Que helped us, we could even find the Prince of Darkness and save Lusteria and the universe!" Will added.
Ngọc Long didn't know what to say. All of their suggestions sounded too good to be true. Could she have her husband back? Could they finally be together? "Hay Lin…"
"Don't tell me that you're giving up on your own husband!" Hay Lin insisted. "You even said so yourself! Maybe there's still hope left in him for us to fight for."
"If there's even an ounce of love left in him for you, it's worth fighting for, Jade Dragon," Cornelia argued. "You may be an Elder of Kandrakar, but take it from me when I say that true love is worth the fight."
Ngọc Long did not react at first, but she was touched by their words of encouragement. Before she could reply, Irma angrily stood up.
"You're crazy!" said Irma. Hay Lin glanced back at her. Usually, she wouldn't be surprised by Irma's disagreement, but this time the air around her was full of anger. "You're all crazy! Zhu Que is a biblical, hot-headed, psychopath who's been trying to kill us for months! What makes you think he has any goodness left in that black heart of his?"
"Enough, Irma!" Orube ordered. "We've been too patient with your recent behaviors lately."
"My recent behaviors? I could say the same thing about you guys!" Irma glared at Kimi and pointed an accusing finger at her. "How can you forgive her for what she's done to us? Have you forgotten that she tried to kill us when we attempted to reason and help her? Let's not forget the first time we met that she tried to kill us then, too! Now all of a sudden, she spills tears and a sob story that you guys are her friends?!"
"My name isn't she, it is Kimi Watsuki," Kimi said firmly. "And if you must know the truth, I never intended to kill any of you before since we've met. If I had, you wouldn't be here right now. My selfish goal was to frighten you enough to leave me be on my previous missions, Irma. It would take a lot more than manifested light constructs to kill any of you."
"You are such a pathetic liar!" Irma cried. "You're nothing more than a selfish, rotten, vindictive, and cruel bully! Why my friends and the school suddenly takes pity on you and treats you as if you're something special after your sob story is beyond me! But you can't fool me! So stop trying to win me over like you did earlier today! I didn't need your help with that tramp Sondra trying to steal my boyfriend! You and Zhu Que are no different! You're both loose cannons and you can't be controlled or trusted!"
"Irma, stop it! Please!" Hay Lin pleaded. "You're not being yourself!"
"Irma, what's wrong with you?" Taranee questioned. "Ever since Joseon, you've been carrying too much anger around you that it's a burden to us, too!"
Kimi stood her ground, her demeanor calm and collected as she takes in Irma's harsh words. Before, she would have lashed back, but now she replied in a steady, calm, but stern voice.
"I won't argue with you about my past actions. I did bully you and your friends, Irma, and I sincerely apologize for that. But you are wrong on many things. I am not the cause of your spat with Stephen earlier today, and neither did I try to persuade your judgment on me when it came to that Sondra girl. If you have any problems with my presence here on your world, that is fine by me, but don't take any of your frustration and your anger on your friends and our caretaker. They don't deserve to be treated like this by you.
"I am not as perfect as you think, Irma. I've made many mistakes in the past, but never doubt that I would never give my life for you and for this team. If there's one thing I've learned from your friends is to have an open mind and my mind is opened right now. If Hay Lin says there is an ounce of hope left for us to bring Zhu Que to our side, we have to take it. So I would advise you to stop and think more about the mission and less on your rage with our past."
Irma swallowed hard and blinked back tears. She knew in her heart that what Kimi said is true, but something else is gripping her heart tighter, refusing to let her anger go.
"YOU'RE ALL IMPOSSIBLE!" Irma cried. Without thinking, she shoved Kimi to the ground, grabbed her backpack and ran out the door.
"IRMA, COME BACK!" Will shouted. "WE WERE ONLY TRYING TO HELP YOU!"
But Irma didn't want to come back. She doesn't want to be in that house anymore. Why are all her friends against her?! Can't they see that people like Kimi and Zhu Que can't be trusted? Why can't they understand? Stephen practically dumped her and her friends would rather hang out with that horrible Kimi!
Once she got home, Irma went straight to bed and locked her room. Irma developed a splitting headache from all the crying and the angry thoughts, but she didn't bother getting up to go a pill for it. Not when Kimi's words rang in her head and so did the recent memories of Stephen arguing with her and of her friends enjoying Kimi's company, leaving Irma behind…Irma felt as if she was sinking…
…Sinking into the depth of an abyss in the sea, away from the light on the surface where her friends are…
…something heavy was pulling her under…
…it felt as if she was too far gone to catch up to them…
Irma was surrounded by darkness as she slipped away into a dreamless sleep. Or at least she thought it was dreamless until she realized that she really is underwater!
Panicked, Irma swam for the surface. But it looked too far. Suddenly, she saw something…a string? A life-line? Whatever it was, Irma grabbed it and it pulled her straight up to the surface. When she broke through, she found herself in a very shallow koi pond. The dark abyss of the sea was gone. Instead, she's in someone's garden! There was a beautiful Japanese styled house and a gorgeous cherry blossom trees with pastel-colored ethereal petals!
What the hell? Irma thought.
"What is this place?" Irma asked. "This is one weird dream."
"Surely it's not as bizarre as catching a fish as big as you?" said a voice behind her.
Sitting on the elevated porch of the house was a mysterious figure in black holding a fishing rod. His face was mostly covered by a mask, leaving part of the bottom open to reveal a mouth as it curled up into a gentle smile. Apparently, he's amused by his catch of the day.
"Welcome to my dream, Irma-san," he greeted. "Would you care to come out of the water and join me for some tea?"
Yep, definitely weird, Irma thought.
To be continued…
Apologies for being late with this chapter. I'm currently very stressed out and am busy with life, but I will continue this story until it's done.
If you don't remember, Stephen is Irma's official boyfriend and yes, he does know about Irma being magical because she told him the truth in the comics.
Story Trivia: Originally, it was supposed to be Sondra flirting with Matt when she tried to get him to lift that heavy table for her. I decided to change it to Stephen because this is supposed to be Irma's story.