Once a NEET always a NEET 18
Disclaimers I don't own KonoSuba or Isekai Quartet, or any of the other anime properties, the only thing I do own is How I Saved Satan's Daughter in Another World, which speaking of this whole chapter will depict our B team in their own adventure and to put up a statement for one persistent follower.
I will not remove my own characters from the story, say what you will or think about them, but the bottom line is that I'm the one writing this story, and I can chose whatever direction I like so long as I continue to write, you don't like fine by me if you want to hop on the band wagon, and before you even think about requesting or looking for someone to commandeer and write an alternative take on this, well I got news for you since the last guy who tried to remake one of my own work literally destroyed it by adding way to many more unnecessary references and changed the characters to the point that they weren't even the same, and that's before when you realize that the vast majority of his written reviews were all done by him on separate ghost accounts just for him to use as a ploy to boost viewership and followers.
Now to all those who are able to tolerate and were willing to pick up and read a copy of my 2 current novels and came to love and appreciate the characters, I humbly thank you guys for your support and wanted to let you guys know that book 3 is in the works as we speak.
Foot note to that, to those who want to know more about these characters without having to fork up the money at the moment, you can actually go on either google or amazon and look up for my book, with google letting you read the first 60 pages free, excluding the prologue, and those 60 pages are more than enough for you to know and learn about these characters and world I made.
Now with that being out the way to the story.
It was not what they expected, by all accounts and definition.
When the band of misfits set a course out to California, they all expected sunny beaches alongside the coast of either L.A. to Santa Cruz, metropolis cities hustling and bustling with life and different subcultures, and many more.
Instead what they found was a lifeless wasteland, deprived of life or any sort of infrastructure for the most part, much to Art's sorrow.
Still the group had finally made it to their goal and chose to drop anchor and just a few miles off the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk, where they row their way up unto the sandy beaches.
"Is it normally like this here in California" asked Jibril as they all got off and started making their way onto the boardwalk.
"No, this isn't right, we're in still in the late summer season, it should be busy and even crowded with people lounging on the beach, or standing in line for either the carnival games or food" said Art as he looked around their surrounding and saw that everything was intact and in place for the most part.
"This place gives me the creeps" said Hisako as she carried an assault rifle in her hand, "Agreed, though in a way I think it's a clear sign that we're on the right track trying to figure out how and why we're here" said Iwasawa as she carried a shotgun in her hands.
"You think walking through this creepy weather and creepy beach is a good sign" Irie as she held a handgun in her hands, "Just trying to stay optimistic here" said Iwasawa.
Reaching towards one of the ends of the boardwalk, the group made their way through an arcade that contained any to every game since the golden age of arcade games.
"Anyone up for a game of Mortal Kombat" asked Sekine as she held an assault rifle in her hands, "Now's not the time, for now let's have Art here get us to San Francisco, as soon as possible so we could leave this place" said Minori as she turned to face Art who looked back at her to share everyone's thoughts.
"Everyone feels a bit uneasy about being here" explained Minori, "Trust me, the feeling is mutual, but right now let's focus on getting us to the City" said Art as they made it to the streets to find a few misplaced cars here and there which was more than enough.
Repurposing and reshaping them based on their original designs, Art had been able to manufacture them a vehicle to carry all of them and get them to San Francisco in record time.
The road out the once populated beach town was not a pleasant one, since Art usually has memories of leaving here smelling like salt and covered in sand, but now, now it felt like they were leaving the no point return part in a horror film.
And it didn't help that many of the houses had looked destroyed and locations left in ruin as if this was what an after mess to a Michael Bay action scene looked like.
Still they kept driving their way out the mountains until they made it to more familiar roads and sights that Art chose to make an important stop on their journey.
"Wonder where Art is taking us" asked Sekine as they got off the highway about 5 minutes ago and were traveling on the historic El Camino Real street, "You're quite right as San Francisco is still but many miles up north" explained Jibril.
"Guys remember, we're in his home country and state right now" explained Minori as those words are enough of a realization for the group to understand that Art was worried about his old home and possibly his family no less.
After driving around through main roads and backroads, they eventually pulled up to a house where parked in front of it was a Falcon Ford GT that was black and black.
Once they had parked Art had walked his way towards the vehicle and ran his hands across it and had a warm smile on his face, before looking at the house in front of him.
"You alright there Art" asked Minori snapping him from his silent stupor, "Yeah, just it's been so long since I've seen my baby, even longer since I've seen this house" said Art as his smile fell as he looked at the house.
"Hey, let him know that we're here for him if he needs anything" said Iwasawa, "Art the girls and I-" began Jibril as she was cut in midsentence to see that Art had already made his way towards the front door and enter inside.
For the most part it was exactly how it was last time he was here except for many major key differences.
Family photos and portraits were left blank, some bits of furniture were missing, and more importantly it looked like his family hadn't been here in a while.
"Mom!, Dad!, Nano!" shouted Art as he began to run around and checked everyone room and location around the house in hoping to find his family, but all he found was nothing for the most part.
Following him shortly behind, the group saw how frantic Art was looking for any sign that his family was, and blamed themselves for those who don't speak English knew how to get his attention, or at the very least he learned how to speak Japanese.
Eventually Art came into a halt in the hallway as he stood and rested against the wall as he began to shed a few tears in sorrow.
"Art is everything alright" asked Jibril, "I… don't know how to answer that question" said Art as he began to wipe his tears away.
"I take it that this was your home" asked Minori as he turned to face the group with his red puffy eyes, "Yeah, it was" said Art as he began to take a deep breath and let the reality sink in that no one is home, the place he once called home was in ruin, and that he maybe alone in this world for who knows how long.
Later
After having a minute to himself, Art emerged out the house carrying with him a small backpack and an extra set of keys as he tossed the keys to the junk truck towards Minori.
"Alright, you guys take that car and follow me" said Art as he began to walk towards his car, "I call dibs riding with the big lug" said Iwasawa as she began to hop in the passenger seat next to Art.
Starting his car, Art only smiled upon hearing the sound of his beloved car purring from the engine.
Looking through his backpack, Art began to pull out a CD and inserted in the cars CD player.
"What are you playing" asked Iwasawa as she nearly forgot that there's now an obvious language barrier between the 2 of them now, "No worries, it's my favorite band" said Art as the intro to LINKIN PARK's papercut was being played.
Bobbing their heads to the tune of the song seemed to brighten the mood a little as Art began to lead them back to El Camino only for something to be waiting for them.
While initially Art had to worry about were the constant attacks by the cyber shadows back in Japan, a new threat stood in their way that left Art uneasy as they all came to a skidding halt.
Marching towards them in endless numbers were the undead Art had to face during his trials trying to free himself from the Immortan Amare, and just like before they were carrying O-iron made weapons.
"What the hell are those things approaching us" asked Hisako as she and the other girls began to exit out the truck ready to fight off whatever it is that's approaching them.
Worried for their wellbeing, Art began to honk the horn to his car like a mad man getting the girls attention before Jibril made her way over.
"Everything alright Art" asked Jibril, "No, we're in danger by exposing ourselves by standing out here, tell everyone to get back into the car and follow me" said Art as Jibril nodded and passed the message along to the other.
Without wasting any time the group began to race back and follow Art as he began to lead them throughout the backroads to safety as more of the undead began to emerge and attempted to enclose the group.
"Art, what the hell are these things" asked Iwasawa as an arrow had been lodged into the roof of the car.
"I don't know what you're saying Iwasawa, just hang tight and keep you head down low" said Art as Iwasawa was frustrated how this arrangement was terrible and began to think of the words she knows that make sense to communicate with Art.
"Watt…" said Iwasawa, "Watt" asked a confused Art as he looked at her funny as she began to think hard over what to say next.
"Watt… those, watt those" said Iwasawa as she pointed at the undead as Art took a minute to figure out what she was trying to say before answering.
"Those are undead, or zombies, you know what a zombie is right" asked Art, "Zombie" repeated Iwasawa as Art nodded, "Yeah you know brains and all that".
Eventually after driving around and evading any collision against the dead, Art head lead the group onto the expressway and realized that the more south they drove the less presence the dead has.
Pulling up to the side of the vehicle both drivers began to slow down and eventually parked on the middle of the empty expressway before talking about what had happened.
"Art, mind filling us in why you had us retreat back and got you so worried" asked Minori, "Those things waiting for us back on El Camino were undead" explained Art.
"Undead, you mean like zombies" asked Jibril, "No, they're to smart to be zombies, and yet to stupid and have more perseverance than deadites, and yet their just as dangerous and deadly" explained Art.
"What do you mean" asked Minori, "When I first faced off against them, I learned very quick that the weapons they carry are the only kind that's lethal to any immortal" said Art.
"Do such weapons exist" asked Jibril, "They do, and if it wasn't for Mother Ophelia and the members of the Immortan Amare helping me prepare against them, I would for sure stayed dead by now" said Art.
"Hey, what's going on here" asked Hisako, "Art was just explaining to us that those things that were attacking us were a type of undead that carried special type of weapons to permanently harm or even kill any immortal" explained Minori as Girls DeMo were left speechless.
"Do such weapons even exist" asked Iwasawa as she can recollect all the times where from either personal experience or that of her friends being killed for either the most stupidest, noble, and at times, hilarious reasons and that they always wake up fully recovered as if nothing happened.
So hearing that there is a way for them to be put down really made their situation more serious.
"According from Art's personal experience it could be assume such weapons exist" said Jibril, "Ok that's settles it, let's go back to that scary beach where we came from and sail our asses back to Japan" said Sekine.
"Agreed, I don't want to die for good again, I don't want any of us to die" said Irie before the girls began to talk amongst themselves in a panic as Art could figure out that their situation was more dire than expected.
Damn it, knew I should have came alone, thought Art as he was left with the responsibility of keeping everyone safe, and had an uneasy feeling that he was going to have to make a tough choice.
"Look we can't stay here, we're exposing ourselves for an attack by those undead bastards, let's continue driving back down south and figure things once we're there" said Art.
"Alright Art, lead the way" said Minori as they all hopped back in their respected vehicles and continued to drive on the expressway into the interstate and freeway where something unusual began to happen to Art.
Anytime he drove past road signs leading to San Jose he heard and earie voice telling him to drive there.
Trying to ignore it in favor of getting his friends to safety, Art would eventually cave in and start driving them towards a part of San Jose that he himself has never visited before.
Listening to the voices inside his head and ignoring the questions asked by Jibril and Iwasawa, Art had eventually did lead them all to a Church of Satanism as the voices ceased calling his name once they arrived at their destination.
"I guess we've reached our end goal in the end" said Minori as they all hopped out the vehicle and started to regroup.
"Yeah, who'd had thought they'd have a church a lot closer to home" said Art, "Wait you didn't know there was a church here in San Jose" asked Jibril.
"No" answered Art calmly, "But you're married to Satan's daughter" said Minori, "Hey just cause we're 'married' doesn't mean we're together, like how her being Satan's daughter means either us or to that extent me, having to go to church".
Before they could further discuss the group notice the impending hoard of undead suddenly closing in on them.
"Shit, they caught up with us" said Hisako as she began to take point over the junk truck, followed by the rest of Girls DeMo.
"Art, whatever business you think you have go on and be quick about it, I really don't want us to be testing our luck now" said Minori as she began to take out a handgun as Jibril began to get combat ready as well.
"Alright, if you guys plan to buy me some time, we're gonna do it right" said Art has his hand began to glow a garnet red aura before he started lifting and waving it around.
With large walls made of earth fully erected, with human sized pillars scattered around the closer they got, the girls were left better prepared than most armies in modern war.
"Much appreciated Art, but you are wasting time" said Jibril with a smile, "Noted" said Art as he began to run into the church at long last in hopes to find some answers.
Once inside the dark church, Art felt a warm feeling inside him that eventually burned and literally set him on fire the more he ventured into the church.
Once the flames had died, Art found himself kneeling before Satan in his human form patiently waiting for Art.
"I must say, I am indeed proud of you for coming this far in order to reach out and find me" said Satan as he gave Art a hand back up.
"Satan, you've no idea how glad I am to see you again, I've got so many questions" said Art, "I'm sure you do, though I must ask, how did you figure to contact me here" asked Satan.
"Well Sam did mention that her generation of Satanism falls between that of the post-world of Anton LaVey, and so I asked her and Sam a little about it remembered the importance of it all hailing back home here in California, and so I figured that my best bet to get back to her or know where she's at is by first coming here" said Art as Satan smiled at him.
"My daughter would be proud to know of this" said Satan, "Speaking of, where is she, how is she doing" asked Art, "Samantha is fine, a little lonely without her Generals and her hero, but overall fine" explained Satan.
"Wait, what do you mean without her Generals, what happened to Echo and the others" asked Art, "I'm not quite sure, all I know is that when you somehow opened a portal here to this world, you and Samantha's Generals were the only ones to be sent here, and yet I can't detect their location" said Satan.
"Really? That's great" said Art as he now has another problem to add on his long list of things to do.
"Regardless, I do know something, in order for you to get back, you must first get my daughter over to where you're at first, so that we may make a proper link or connection to return you back" explained Satan.
"Ok, but how do I do that" asked Art, "You must first head on towards San Francisco like how you originally planned, and find the Black House" said Satan.
"Ok, so where do I find this Black House" asked Art as Satan was about to tell him but a part of Art exploded into flames surprising them both.
Before any of them could get another word out of each other, Art continued to blow up in small clusters of flames before combusting.
In reality, the church Art had been in was destroyed as he began to wake up and crawl his way out of the ruble and saw that his friends were facing on against a new threat.
The new threat in question were 5 human like figures with their bodies moving around like those strange cyber shadows that attacked Art back in Japan, except they were different.
They were fast, strong, and wield modern weapons to combat the group as they had been fighting a 2 front battle this whole time.
"Back off you freaks" shouted Iwasawa as she tried shooting at one of them, but they were able to dodge her attacks, before they had enough and pulled out a handgun and filled her with lead.
"Iwasawa!" shouted Irie, "You bastard" shouted Hisako as she began to run and gun her way towards her best friend, but her attacks were also useless as eventually one of these new enemies appeared before her and not only snatched her weapon but back handed her into Minori.
"Oh shit" said Art as he began to pull out his double barrel and fire a shot mixed with ice magic in hopes of freezing them in place, but as they had proven they quick.
He did however get their attention as all 5 of them turned their heads towards Art with one of them pointing at him.
"Art Legend" it shrieked as Art himself knew that reality he was their target in all of this.
Before any of them could make a move, Jibril swooped in and picked him up off the grounds.
"Ah, put me down, put me down, put me down" cried Art as he was wiggling to get free, "Calm down and listen, we got to retreat, there's to many undead enemies plus these new ones are just as if not even more deadly" said Jibril.
"Agreed, now please put me down" said Art before they heard Irie scream and saw that the undead were breaking through as it was just her and Sekine holding them off at this point.
To make matters worse, one of these new enemies grabbed a spear from the undead and was fixing to put it in between the duo in distress.
"Jibril get me down now and gather the others" ordered Art as Jibril began to nosedive down and landed Art just in time as the new enemy began to drive the spear down.
Putting his hands up, Art took the blow as evident by the O-Iron tipped spear through his hands as he managed to save Irie and Sekine from getting killed for good.
"Art Legend" shrieked the enemy, "Yeah… that's me… and I'm pissed" said Art as his body began to glow in the same aura as before and used his newfound strength to snap the spear in 2 before back kicking the enemy away from them.
Looking at the girls, they gave him a look of appreciation and concern as they looked at his hand, before Art smiled.
"No worries, I'm getting us all out of here alive" said Art as he erected a small earth wall to help remove the spear from his hands, and began to construct himself a new weapon made up of everyone else's.
In his hands were best described as long finger metal glove hands that shoot a lot of bullets, and boy they did as he got the new enemies running in circles and the undead to drop dead.
As this went on, Jibril managed to get everyone back in the junk truck, before honking the horn repeatedly to get Art's attention.
Seeing everyone safe, Art rushed his way to the truck, and continued to drive them back towards Santa Cruz in the hopes to be finally out of danger.
Later
To the groups dismay, when they arrived back towards the beach boardwalk, they saw that their ship they had came here had sunk it's way into the ocean, and their dinghy was missing to boot.
But it wasn't completely hopeless as the boardwalk itself had plenty of food and means to provide shelter as the group gathered around and enjoyed a late night barbeque on the beach, something that is on every young Californian kids bucket list, well that and going to Anaheim for Disney Land.
"Funnel cakes and beer on a beach, gotta admit this is pretty awesome" said Sekine as she was drinking her beer out of a coconut.
"Not the most healthiest thing to eat for our health, but definitely for the soul" said Minori as she was eating cotton candy.
"After the day we had, we deserve this" said Hisako as they all lifted their drinks and shouted cheers.
"So we're stuck here, that sucks" said Irie, "At least until we finally make it to San Francisco, that is if what Art is saying is true, we need to go there and locate this Black House that Satan had mentioned to him" said Jibril.
"This Black House, any idea what or it is" asked Iwasawa, "No, I unfortunately did not get the chance to study world maps and locations at it's entirely when I had the chance" said Jibril.
"We'll figure it out, if Art got us here by instinct and voices in his head alone, I think it's a safe bet to say that it's probably our best and only way so far to find this Black House" said Minori as the group looked at their fearless leader for the time being as he was chewing on some saltwater taffy.
"What" asked Art innocently, "Nothing, we're just saying that you're our only chance to get us home hero" said Minori as the way she said it got Art thinking about how Abby use to call him that, before he thought about what Satan said of her and the other Generals being missing and he has no idea why.
"Everything alright Art" asked Jibril, "Yeah, um just wished I hadn't left my backpack filled with all my LINKIN PARK CD's back at my car" said Art as he let out a whimper fearing that his car might be destroyed back at the church.
Hearing Art said LINKIN PARK, got Iwasawa's attention, as she began to search through her person and pulled out both the One More Light and Minutes to Midnight CD's.
"Oh my god, did you grabbed these before we left" asked Art as Minori translated for Art to which Iwasawa nodded with a smile.
"Iwasawa I fricken love you right now" said Art as those were one of the few words everyone knew in English as Iwasawa started to blush and got some friendly teasing from the group.
"I'll be back, I'm gonna try to make a makeshift CD player" said Art as he began to run towards the main boardwalk.
"You hear that Iwasawa, Art likes you" said Sekine, "Shut up, I'm pretty sure he only said that in the heat of the moment or something" said a still blushing Iwasawa.
"So you understand English now, huh" asked Minori, "I don't, I just… I don't know, besides he has a wife" said Iwasawa, "A wife who's openly dating in front of him, honestly if he's cool with that, I think it's fair to say that she's gotta be cool with it too, if not to bad it's only fair game" said Hisako.
"Also we've come to notice since our forming of our little group, you've been really close to him no" said Jibril, "That's because he's a music lover and knows great rock bands" said Iwasawa.
"Well I think you guys would make a cute couple, besides it's not everyday you meet an American boy who not only loves rock music, but especially your music" said Sekine as Iwasawa was finally left speechless since she has no way of arguing to that fact.
Thankfully Art finally came back and was ready to turn their late night beach barbeque into a party, a perfect distraction to put the topic on hold, for good.
"Alright, let's break it down" said Art as he began to insert the One More Light CD and play Talking to Myself for the group to enjoy, which could only go better with their barbeque and drinking.
Speaking of, Sekine had handed Art a fresh coconut as Art happily accepted it hoping to enjoy some beer and coconut water.
Instead, he found himself chocking and spitting out the contents as he began to cough furiously as Sekine fell back and rolled on the floor laughing.
"Sekine, what did you do" asked Hisako, "I filled his coconut with sand" said Sekine in between her laughs, which got everyone else to laugh since that was actually hilarious.
Once he cleared his throat, Art decided to laugh it off and just enjoyed the rest of the night, cause he knows that their journey is far from over.
Alright another chapter down guys, and it's all for your guys amusement, well those who appreciate the characters I add that is.
So yeah, let me just say again, I will not remove Art or any of the other characters I plan to add later on, cause in order to change things up a little, since I did spoil the ending to what I had for you guys when I originally cancelled, these characters are now necessary to continue the plot and you know what that is as far as I'll give away in terms of spoilers in how I'm going to end this fic.
But until then, be safe, be good people, and please support your local fandom communities, which speaking of, how would you guys feel about me creating a Discord of my work in the near future, leave me your thoughts in the review section please.
This has been your Humble Narrator and official author Tobi Yaza. =3
