Chapter 40: The Strange Man
AN: Hey everyone! So, the next chapter is going to be delayed for a bit. I'm currently working on this and now I'm pretty much all caught up with all my chapters. But I'd like to thank everyone for reading! Anyway, here's the next chapter and, like always, I hope you enjoy it!
***I don't own anything in this story, so please don't sue me.***
Ten minutes of falling, Virginia stopped screaming and instead, began looking for a way to turn herself around.
'Gotta find a way…turn around…' Virginia tried to brace herself against the walls, but she couldn't get a grip against the walls and there wasn't enough space for her to spin herself around; All she could do is wait until she arrived. With no other option, she closed her eyes and waited for her arrival. This time, she dreamt of the first time she came home to speak with Lilly about moving from Kanto to Alola.
"Are you sure this is what you want to do? Virginia, you could stay and-"
"Lilly, I feel like this is the right choice. I feel like this is my calling." Virginia explained to the senior maid. "Does that make sense?" She questioned with a timid tone; like she was hoping to find some approval.
"I think you'd be wonderful wherever you end up. You have twice the heart of any soul in Hyrule. Virginia, whatever you choose…I will support you. Just as your parents support you." Virginia hugged the woman, but before the dream could continue, she felt her body suddenly get cold and she opened her eyes to see a white light. She was rushing towards it and she was shot out of the pipe; crashing onto the ground and groaning from the pain. She felt around her head, but didn't feel any blood. She checked her arms and legs, but again, no blood. All she had were sore spots on her elbows and her kneecaps. She looked around and the town was quite busy with the hustle and bustle of the town.
'Another town where no one knows me…' Virginia smiled. 'I can work with being an unknown.'
"Hello beautiful." Virginia turned around to see an older gentleman smiling at her and five women in tow. He had luscious red hair and his features seemed like they were chiseled by Hylia herself. She lightly blushed just being in his presence.
"Master Zelos!" One woman whined.
"Master Zelos!" A woman called out. "Why are you paying attention to that hussy?"
"Hussy?!" Virginia puffed out her cheeks.
"Now, now, settle down my darling hunnies." Zelos reassured the woman. "There's plenty of me to go around." He turned his attention back to Virginia. "You know, how about you come back to my house for dinner? I'd love to get to know you a little better?" He winked at her and she smiled. He was incredibly attractive and it was as if he could suggest anything and she'd go with it just to see his smile.
"I'd like that." She took his hand and he led her to a mansion near the main town square. He was such a gentleman around her and once she entered, she admired everything within the house.
"Master Zelos…welcome home." An older man said. "Who is this young woman?" He pondered.
"I'm about to find that out." Zelos took a seat in a chair.
"If it's alright with you, I'd like to buy something more comfortable. These clothes are a little tight." Virginia began tugging on the skirt that she was loaned.
"Oh dear, where are my manners?" He asked as he stood up and turned to the older man. "Sebastian, keep this fine young woman company. Give her whatever she asks for."
"As you wish." He bowed as Zelos raced upstairs and left the two alone.
"May I ask your name, miss?" Sebastian questioned her.
"Virginia." She replied with the hope that she could still be incognito.
"Miss Virginia." He smiled at the young woman. "A beautiful name if I do say so myself."
"Thank you." She smiled and bowed her head as Zelos returned with a skimpy pink bikini that barely contained any cover for her body.
"What do you think?" He gestured to the outfit.
"Um…it's…well…a bit…revealing, do you think?"
"I think you'd look great." He smiled. Though Virginia appreciated his smile, there was no way she'd put that on.
"Isn't there a shop or a designer or something?" She questioned him.
"I…suppose. But the outfits…they're so expensive. You'd have to be a queen to afford it."
"That's fine, thank you. I'll be right back." Virginia quickly slipped out before he could object. She looked around and went back to the area in which she was before. "Excuse me…" She asked a guard. "I'm looking for a clothing store. Could you please point me in the direction of it?"
"Keep heading east. Just before you cross the bridge to the castle is a little shop that makes and sells clothing."
"Thank you." She smiled and quickly found the building the guard referred to. She entered and the shop reminded her of Mable and Sable's little shop.
"Good afternoon! What can I do for you?" The shopkeeper asked the princess.
"I'd like to find a dress that compliments my shirt." She pulled her shirt to show off the triforce design and gasped as she realized what she was wearing.
"The design? Of the triforce? You must be a big fan of Hyrule." He noted as he wrapped a tape measure around her waist and wrote down numbers.
"Um…yes…a fan." She shifted her eyes back and forth.
"Hold this." He placed the tape measure against her waist. She spent the next few minutes getting measured.
"I think I have something for you." He walked into the back and she waited for him to return. He finally came back with a gorgeous dress.
"I have a few options. First is brocade silk, second is chiffon, third is fuji, and last is georgette. All in black, of course." Virginia thought for a moment.
"What is the cost difference?"
"Each will run you about two thousand gold."
"Do you have anything cheaper? Maybe in the…oh, I don't know…two hundred range?" The man guffawed at her statement.
"You wish to look like a peasant?" He questioned, but noted the sincerity on her face. "Very well. I do believe I have some…poor people dresses." He took what he had to the back and brought out a pair of denim jeans in her size.
"I will charge you two gold of these…" He gagged in disgust. "Jeans."
"Sold." Virginia handed him two dollars and took the pair of jeans into the dressing room. She quickly changed and turned her shirt inside out as to hide the logo. She walked out carrying her dress and returned to Zelos' home. He was still sitting in the same position when she left. He turned and smiled as she entered.
"You came back!" He exclaimed. "I was going to cry. But you're back! I'm so happy." He smiled.
"Thank you, Mr. Zelos…but, I really need to find Raine Sage. Could you please point me in the right direction?"
"You still haven't told me your name." He reminded the princess.
"My…my name. Oh…well…um…my name…it's…ah…" Suddenly, the door opened and a woman with jet black hair entered the house.
"Sheena, do you mind? I'm in the middle of seducing another hunnie."
"I wouldn't really say seducing…" Virginia muttered under her breath.
"Really?" She laughed. "You're seducing her?"
"Is it so hard to believe that I am able to seduce women?" He gasped with sarcasm. "Do I detect jealousy? Or perhaps you secretly wish to be my lawfully wedded wife?" Sheena turned and examined the princess. She knelt down in front of the princess to get a closer look at her.
"I feel like I know you from somewhere…" Sheena narrowed her eyes and her expression intimidated Virginia.
"N-Nope." She looked away from her. "I-I've never met you before in my life. You're…ah…a stranger." Sheena closed her eyes and sighed.
"Yeah…you're probably right." She sighed and looked back at Zelos. "I've got plenty of warp powder. Enough for three more trips. I'm going to find a doctor. Where the hell did they all go?"
"They've been busy trying to fix…whatever is happening with those purple weirdos or whatever." He waved his hand and smiled at Virginia. "I just want to get to know this beautiful woman a bit more."
"You're such a pervert!" She kicked him and grabbed Virginia's wrist. "I've got enough for two trips. You want to find me, you know where to meet me." She exited in a huff and she focused her energy. "Stand here." She sprinkled some powder onto Virginia and then onto herself. "Alright, we're going to a town that kind of far away. I'm going to search the town while you…ah…don't get into trouble, alright?" Virginia nodded and she closed her eyes and focused. The two of them disappeared and suddenly reappeared in a different town. There were buildings and she could see the ocean.
"This is Palmacosta. I'm going to take a look around. We'll meet back here in two hours or so. Don't get into trouble and feel free to look around or whatever." She nodded and accidently bumped into a young man with a blue outfit, blonde hair, and stunning green eyes.
"I'm sorry." He quickly apologized and looked at the ground with embarrassment.
"No, it's…accidents happen. It is I who should apologize to you."
"Emil! Perfect!" Sheena exclaimed and rushed towards the man. "Emil, this is Virginia. She's from…um…where are you from?" To hide herself, Virginia quickly thought of an excuse to avoid answering that question.
"I'd…ah…I'd rather not say."
"Oh…kay…" Sheena spoke with an uneasy tone. "Well, Emil, I'm looking for a doctor. Hana is sick and I'm running out of options."
"I'm sorry to hear that." He spoke with concern.
"While I'm looking, do you think you and Marta could show her around? I doubt she's ever been to Sylvarant. Do this one favor for me please? We…" Sheena paused and then looked down. "…damn it, I need to stop that."
"It's not like you can forget about Lucina. We'll find a way to-"
"Lucina? The princess? You know her?" Virginia exclaimed in surprise.
"She's my wife. She…lost her life defending her kingdom." She pressed her lips together and closed her eyes. "And now, my little girl's sick."
"Go. I hope you find a doctor." Virginia weakly smiled as Sheena ran in hopes to find a doctor.
"So, um…are you hungry? Marta and I are about to have a shellfish dinner. I think we might have enough food for three." She looked in the distance and saw a pretty woman walking towards him. She had light red-ish orange hair split into two long strands, her eyes a light blue color and her hair had two white flowers on each side of her head.
"Emil!" Her voice rang out with a cute smile on her face. "I managed to convince a sailor to-" She paused as she noticed Virginia standing next to the young man. "What do you think you're doing?!" She rushed towards Emil and pulled him away from Virginia. "I'll have you know, my name is Marta Castagnier. This is my husband and I won't let you have him." She glared at the princess.
"I…I'm not interested in him." Virginia softly informed the woman.
"How could you not be?" She hugged her husband and his face turned light pink. "He's so cute, and amazing, and he's also my husband."
"Yes…you established that already. Look, I have…well, had an ex-girlfriend." Virginia began rubbing her arm and looking away with her cheeks blushing. "But, I mean…you know, maybe we can work things out or something. I just…I just need to find her and we need to talk about us."
"…but you're not here steal away my husband?" She questioned with worry in her eyes.
"I am not trying to steal anyone. But…" Her stomach growled and Emil chuckled.
"Are you hungry? I think we can manage to-"
"No. It's our food. We can't just split it six ways. We already have guests you know."
"We'll make room. Marta, you can't expect me to turn away a guest…we'd embarrass Palmacosta and Slyvarant."
"You're right." She kissed Emil and giggled. "That's why you're the sweetest, most perfect husband."
"But seriously…I need to meet someone."
"Who are you looking for?" A smooth voice spoke out. Virginia looked around and gasped.
"Was…d-did you hear that?" she looked around in fear.
"Oh, that's just Tenebie." Marta informed her.
"Who?" She questioned as a cat-like creature appeared from smoke next to Marta.
"How do you do? I am Centurion-"
"Are you a pokémon?" She exclaimed with surprise.
"I am not a pokémon. I am Centurion-"
"You appeared from smoke. So that could mean ghost…but, maybe poison? I'd have to study you and-"
"I…am not a pokémon!" He yelled. "I am Centurion Tenebrae!"
"...sorry." She quietly uttered. "Do…do you want to meet mine?"
"Your…pokémon?" Tenebrae questioned the young woman. Virginia nodded and brought out her friends. Torch, Aqua, and Zap all began to stretch while K-9 ran up to Virginia and began licking her face.
"K-9…" Virginia laughed and hugged her pokémon friend.
"What kind of centurions are they?" Tenebrae inquired about the four friends Virginia brought out.
"These…" she gestured towards her pokémon. "…are pokémon. These are some of my dearest friends."
"I see." Tenebrae noted.
"Can we go eat, Emil? I'm starving." She whined as she tugged his arms.
"Yeah…I…" He gulped hard. "I can't wait…" He spoke with an uneasy feeling in his throat.
"What's wrong?" Virginia questioned.
"She's cooking." Emil pointed to his wife. Marta nudged Emil in the gut.
"You're so mean…" Marta pouted and folded her arms.
"S-sorry." Emil apologized and his wife's demeanor completely changed.
"I forgive you, my dear, sweet husband." She kissed his cheek and Emil blushed once more.
"…I could…you know, try cooking." Virginia volunteered. "But…" She began dwelling on what she needed and she shook her head. "I-I'm sorry…but I need to find someone. And I'm getting frustrated because I need answers to questions that seem impossible, answers to problems that hurt my heart, I just…" Her eyes started watered and she covered her eyes with her hands. "I want to find the only person who can help me."
"Who is that?" Emil asked as Virginia clenched her teeth.
"Raine. Raine Sage. Raine…Raine…Raine FUCKING Sage!" She screamed with anger and angst.
"Virginia, I'm very disappointed in you." Virginia rubbed her eyes and turned around to see an older woman with white hair and an orange robe over a white shirt to go with her black pants and white boots. Next to her was a younger boy with the same white hair, blue clothes with some kind of matching white design and matching boots.
"R-Raine? Is it really you? And…and Genis?"
"Yup. That's us!" Genis smiled while the older sibling stepped forward.
"It is. And might I ask why you are out here…cursing?" She glared at the young princess.
"Your name is Virginia?" Emil paused. "That's a pretty name."
"It is not!" Marta protested and her words cut deep against Virginia's heart. "I…that's not what I meant. It's not an ugly name or anything, but I wouldn't want it. Not…Not that's it's a bad name, but-"
"Marta, please stop talking." Raine insisted. "Emil, do you need assistance with dinner?"
"You're not helping." Genis stated.
"Why not?"
"You can't cook!"
Smack!
"I'm telling the truth! Stop hitting me!" Genis whined as the back of his head was hit again.
I can cook. I want to cook. Please? I can cook quite well." Virginia begged.
"You? I don't know…" Marta murmured.
"I can vouch for her cooking." Raine informed the other two. "I've had a few meals from her and her cooking skills are quite remarkable."
"Alright. I suppose you can cook…with my help." Marta insisted. Though the group lightly groaned with disagreement.
"We should probably get the food prepped." Emil nervously laughed. "Your father is awaiting our return and-" Sheena walked towards Virginia.
"I don't know where everyone is. Seriously, I need a fucking doctor." She shook her head with frustration just as she felt a smack against the back of her head. "Ow!"
"Sheena, you know better than to curse." Raine shook her head.
"Raine! Oh thank Martel! You have to come with me."
"Virginia volunteered to cook us a meal and we already have dinner reservations with Marta and Emil."
"What?! But my daughter is seriously ill. And there isn't a doctor anywhere."
"They're preoccupied with this pandemic that is spreading across the land. I volunteered to treat those who cannot make it to the clinics in Luin and Meltokio. I instructed all the doctors here to head to run clinics in the countries that need help the most. Ylisstol, Hoshido, Nohr, Daein, and Crimea."
"They've all been hit?" Marta exclaimed. "But…where are they now?"
"Altamira. Robin and Chrom requested a place that was safe for all the royal families to meet. Regal offered his hotel and they've been discussing what their next move should be."
"Meltokio? But…I was just there. We didn't see-"
"Did you check the commoner's quarter?" Sheena's silence made it clear she did not check that area. "Sheena, your daughter. Is she been watched over right now?"
"Well, yes, but-"
"Have you eaten?" Her stomach also growled and gave Raine her answer. "If she is being watched by Mizuho's finest, then I believe you should retain one meal. In exchange, I will accompany you to-"
"Me too!" Virginia raised her hand.
"Virginia-"
"I want to come. Please?" Virginia begged and Raine sighed.
"Alright. She comes with us." Virginia stated while Virginia cheered with excitement. "As long as she cooks for us, now." Raine emphasized the 'now' part of her statement. Sheena nodded before freezing in place while the color from her face drained.
"You ok, Sheena?" Genis inquired. "You don't look too well."
"…Lu…Luci…Lucina?" She questioned and the group quickly turned around to see the Ylissean princess standing with her sword at the ready. Eight unknown monsters stood nearby; two were bomb-like creatures, two more were some kind of one wheeled demons complete with spikes and mechanical pieces, the next two were adorable sleeping rams, and the last two were some kind of battery powered clouds of sorts.
"…they look cute." Genis pointed out. Lucina turned her head and kicked one and then the other hard . They woke up and their faces were red with large green eyes. It began growling and barking at the group and waited for the command to attack.
"Not cute! Not cute!" Genis panicked before Raine placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Genis, stay calm." She instructed her younger brother and after a few deep breaths, he was ready to fight. Virginia clicked her tongue and all four of her allies ran in front of her; waiting to attack if she gave them the cue.
"Lucina, what are you doing? This is so unlike you. Besides, you're dead…that's what I heard…what happened to you?" She didn't answer, she merely pointed her sword and her new allies attacked.
"Genis-" Raine began to say before her younger brother raised his weapon.
"On it!" Genis raised his kendama and glared at the giant ram. "Icicle!" He yelled out and spikes formed heading in the direction of one of the two rams. It hit, but it wasn't enough to stop it. It charged straight for Raine and, out of desperation, he attacked once more. "Icicle!" He yelled louder. His attack was almost double in strength and it did kill the beast.
"Thank you." Raine smiled at her younger brother.
"Now you owe me. You're in my debt and the first thing I want you to do is-WAAAHHH!" He ducked before Raine's staff pierced the bomb man behind him. It was lying on the ground, motionless with Raine's staff slightly tilted , but still standing up in the ground and sitting through his skull.
"I believe that makes us even." Raine stated as she pulled her staff from the creature's skull. Emil and Marta began attacking the wheeled demons with their weapons. Emil swung his blade and it connected with the wheel and the demon fell to the ground. Marta quickly swung her spinners against the neck of the demon and separated it from the main body.
"We did it. We're such a good team!" She hugged her husband who immediately grabbed her and pushed her aside before falling on top of her. Marta looked up at him and blushed a deep red.
"Emil…right here? You're so bad…" She smiled and bit her lip with a smile. "…I like bad boys."
"Marta, n-not now." He stood up and blocked an attack from the other demon. Marta snapped back to her senses and crawled back before regain her composure. Virginia and Sheena were left facing Lucina and the clouds.
"Lucina…what are you doing? Please…stop this…" Sheena begged. "I can't attack you…our daughter is sick. I need you right now." Lucina didn't respond; she merely stared at the ninja with her gold colored eyes.
"If she attacks you, I'm attacking her." Virginia glared at the princess.
"Stop!" Sheena held out a hand and took a step towards her. "Lucina, please…lower your weapon. I won't attack you…let's talk. Like civilized women." Sheena insisted. Her words seemed to be getting to Lucina as her weapon lowered and Sheena began smiling. But Lucina groaned in pain as she dropped her blade to hold her head.
"Lucina, please! I need you! Fight it! Fight it!" She took a step back as the princess grabbed her blade and swung at the ninja. She missed, but Virginia took that as a signal. She clicked her tongue once more and her allies attacked. K-9 and Torch breathed an extra hot flamethrower, Aqua began using her bubble beam, and Zap created a strong thunder shock. Lucina managed to dodge them all and quickly rushed towards the Hylian princess.
"No!" Raine called out, but Lucina was moving too quickly towards her. "Genis!"
"I can't!" Genis shook his head and they could only watch in horror. Her allies ran back towards her, but they would never make it in time. Virginia curled up into a ball and screamed as her life was about to end in a bloody, painful way.
Clang!
The sound of two swords clashing against one another echoed through the area. Virginia looked up with tears in her eyes and saw a man with red hair and a purple outfit holding a shiny silver sword.
"Wh-who are you?" Virginia whimpered, but the man didn't even glance at her.
"Holy…" Genis quietly uttered and Raine was speechless.
"Who is he?" Marta asked while standing behind Emil.
"…I don't know, but I feel like I've seen him before." He replied. Lucina took another swipe at him and he knocked her back. Though they were both excelled with the sword, he seemed to be leagues ahead of her when it came to ability. The other enemies rushed him in an attempt to help their commander, but they were nothing more than a pushover for him; he finished them off in about the same time it took to blink. His attention turned back to Lucina and she tried to best him once more. He knocked her back and his blade was inches from her face.
"Leave now." He spoke with a smooth, stern tone. Lucina backed away before getting up and running from the group.
"Kratos, what did you do that for?"
"I save this girl's life." He turned towards the princess and she sniffled before rubbing her eyes. Her pokémon rushed her and K-9 rested his head on her shoulder.
"Thank you…mister." She then kissed each of her friends. "K-9, Zap, Aqua, Torch…you're all so sweet. I love you all."
"Are you hurt?" Kratos knelt down in front of her and reached out. K-9 growled at him, but Torch barked at the dog to indicate he wasn't going to hurt Virginia. She nodded and gulped hard. He stood up and turned to face Raine.
"Where is he?"
"What are you doing here?" Raine folded her arms.
"I won't ask again."
"Answer my question and I'll answer yours." There was silence for a moment before he nodded.
"There were unknown monsters. I fended them off and found what looked like a door. I appeared just outside Tethe'alla and I saw her walking this way. I tailed and killed them."
"Thank you. I can't imagine the rage that would ensue if Hyrule knew of their princess' demise."
"I answered your question, now answer mine. Where is he?"
"He's in Altamira. He's keeping a close eye on the royal families."
"Alright, thank you." He said as he turned around.
"He got married. There's a lot you've missed out on."
"I'll be sure to congratulate him."
"He's not the only one who's missed you." Raine looked like she was holding back tears. In her entire life, Virginia had never seen Raine fawn over anyone like she was swooning for this guy.
"It's good to see you, too Raine."
"That's it?" She narrowed her eyes and her tone became angry, but she sighed with disappointment.
"Raine, my heart will forever belong to Anna."
"If there was a chance…if there was a way…would it be possible?" Tears streamed down her face. He walked towards her and kissed her cheek.
"I'm sorry." He said and walked away. Raine wiped her tears and nodded.
"I shouldn't behave like this. I'm sorry, Kratos. It's childish of me to fawn over you. I…I need to move on." She quietly began laughing. "But there has never been anyone quite like you. And there may well never be." She looked down and he tilted her head up.
"Let's catch up in Altamira. Properly." Kratos suggested.
"I'd like that." Raine sniffled and wiped her eyes. "I have a few responsibilities I need to attend to first, but I'd like that very much." He nodded and left the group alone.
"Raine, is that your boyfriend?" Marta gasped and her expression turned back to regular.
"Let's get dinner. I'm starving." Raine changed the topic and began walking back towards Palmacosta. Though Virginia had questions about Raine and this Kratos fellow, she knew it was best to focus on cooking an incredible meal for her friends and even if she did ask, Raine probably didn't feel like talking about it. She kept walking and keeping stride with the group while Sheena was falling behind.
"Sheena…" Virginia held her hand and she looked up.
"I can't stay…I've got to go." Sheena rubbed her arm. "Hana needs me, I'm an awful mother. I'm eating when I should be-"
"Look, Raine is the only one who can help you, right?" Sheena nodded. "You're staying with the only person who can save her. We'll go right away and I'll make something special for her when we go see her."
"We?" Sheena questioned before shaking her head. "uh-uh. You're not coming to Mizuho. I can't bring in outsiders."
"Can we make an exception? Just this once." Virginia insisted. "I need Raine's help with something too." Sheena thought for a moment before sighing.
"I'll see what I can do." She said and the two caught up with the group. Virginia was right where she wanted to be, all she needed was a little luck and a bit of hope.