Now knowing an end goal and location of the evils across town, the group lead by Natsume lead a pretty strong charge. Cu Sith was guiding the way, using his senses of scent, vision, and sound to lead everyone in the direction of the circus tent
"Something smells fishy..." Cu Sith commented, sniffing in the air. "...and pretty familiar in some places too..."
Cu Sith stopped in his tracks, motioning to tell everyone to stop as well when they got within eyeshot of a nearby lake, a large splash being seen.
"W-What's going on?" Natsume questioned, holding up her hands in shock. Cait Sith furrowed his eyes a bit, having strong vision.
"Aye think tae one to bey causin' such a splash mighta beena human," Cait Sith concluded, still trying to keep up a pace. Thankfully they had arrived to the peaceful lake, the afternoon sun still shining above it...
"Someone's disposing a body in a lake? How awful," Natsume commented, but keeping her head up high. "We have to keep on going, who knows if that body might've been one the Onimaro Circus might have tried to throw out!"
Natsume took off her school jacket and rolled up her sleeves. She tossed it over to Akinori. "Please, hold onto this."
"What do you plan on doing!?" Akinori asked, only to see the girl run into the direction where the splash occurred, jumping into the large body of water. She had to find an answer no matter what at this point.
Like everything in the Amano family, Natsume's swimming ability was well, average. Not fantastic, but not bad either. She kept swimming into the lake, until the felt where she believed the large splash had occurred and then proceeded to dive. There could still be time to see just what happened here…
Through the light of the afternoon sun shining through the lake, Natsume could make out the vaguest shape of a humanoid figure slowly sinking into the water. Their descent seemed to have just started by the looks of it, though with the murkiness of the water, it was hard to tell.
But Natsume kept pursuing after the strange figure, intrigued and wanting to save them.
Fate seemed to have other plans in mind, as the pressure of the water and having held her breath for so long seemed to have start to get to Natsume. Her vision started to get foggier, everything started to blur…
…
Moments later, she came to, feeling a brief wind before realizing she was on her feet again, and someone was with her, being just as soaked as she was.
"T-touma!?" Natsume gasped in shock, still scrambled in the head about everything. Just what was it that saved her and Touma this time? Furthermore, who was responsible for drowning Touma? So many questions, but not enough time for answers.
Touma didn't respond, he barely seemed to move as his breathing was uneasy. For Natsume, it was like carrying a ragdoll of a person, before laying him down on a nearby bench.
Once laid down, it was clear Touma was in a lot of pain, the grip of the Kigan Gear having gotten far worse. The only responses he made were small, infrequent yelps, sounding weakened from being nearly drained from so much pain it seemed like.
"Natsume!" Akinori called out, just now approaching the scene after Natsume's diving act. Thankfully he still had her school blazer, nice and dry.
The brown haired girl took her jacket, using it to dry herself off. Cait Sith took note of Touma.
"Oi ya want us to finnis him off?" Cait Sith asked, bearing out his claws, Cu Sith stopping him.
"No! We don't do that!" Cu Sith protested against Cait Sith's actions, using his fluffy tail to stop the black and white fairy cat.
Shinju observed the situation at hand, closing her eyes for a bit as she focused. Komasan approached and gave a bit of a sniff for her.
"It seems he has less than an hour to live..." Komasan announced, Shinju nodding.
"The source seems to be from that thing on his arm," Shinju pointed out, looking quite serious. "It's dark energy has gotten so strong it's starting to make it's way to his Soul Heart, the very core of his being, and if it reaches there well..."
Shinju adjusted her glasses. "It will completely consume him and erase him, making him no longer Touma, but very much an unrecognizable and destructive monster that uses his body as a physical host..."
"We should do something!" Pixie stated, holding up her hand in a strong desire to save the boy.
"Should we do something?" Junior asked, folding his tiny arms. "I mean, he was a bad kid who tried to cause a lot of trouble..."
"You said it yourself, Junior," Natsume commented back, her eyes full of serious determination. "He was a bad kid, but I think there's some good still left in him."
Natsume looked over to Akinori and Shinju. "You two are yoki magic users, is there anything we can do to save Touma?"
"There is a ritual I remember studying about that can heal a corrupting Soul Heart…" Akinori began, looking a bit doubtful. "But it requires a lot of spiritual energy and steps..."
Shinju stepped up, looking confident. "Hey, we're both yoki magic users! If we can combine the powers of the Airhoshi and Tsukimori styles of sorcery, we can have a good chance!"
"Really?" Akinori stated in response, Shinju nodding. However, there was a bit more dread.
"However, we would need someone to keep things stable, someone with a strong heart..." Shinju added in, seeming to get a bit of doubt back. "And someone to take the risk of going into Touma's conscious themselves..."
"I'll be the one to keep things stable," Mai added in, holding out her hand. Everyone looked over at Natsume.
"And I'm going to be the one who will go into his conscious..." Natsume finished, the others looking a bit cautious.
"But if you go in and there isn't an ounce of good left in Touma...You'll both perish and cease to exist..." Akinori stated, Natsume nodding.
"Even if the stakes are high, that's the risk I'm willing to take," Natsume responded with the most earnest confidence. "I want to reach my heart with his own, and let him know my true feelings."
"I see..." Shinju concluded, before nodding with a determined look. "Alright everyone! Let's do this!"
Akinori and Shinju began to channel powerful spiritual energy, it feeling like the moon and stars themselves from another sky were coming in to help. Shinju took the center, Akinori holding onto Touma's right hand and Mai taking a hold of Touma's left hand. Despite her being a normal woman that happens to have a Yokai Watch, Mai was able to stabilize against the darkness of the Kigan Gear pretty well.
With all the energy in focus, a large magic circle began to form, and a large door made of mystical runes forming in front of Natsume. Without any other word, Natsume knew to trust her instincts and go through the mystical door...
Upon going through, Natsume found herself standing in a playground at an elementary school some years ago, the one she went to all that time ago…
It was puzzling at first as to why Natsume was here, but she soon caught sight of a pretty bad looking scene.
"Give them back, please!" A much younger Touma cried, struggling to fight against some older kids. One of the older kids pushed him down, holding what looked like a little plush rabbit.
"Pssh, do you really want this dumb girly toy back?" One of the bullies sneered, Touma borderlining on crying at this point.
"Lala is important to me, she's a friend!" Touma tried to reason, only for the kids to laugh more.
"Oh you even gave it a little name? And think of it as a friend?" Another bully laughed. "How stupid of you! Don't you think your parents are ashamed of you?"
Despite having dirt kicked in his face, it didn't stop Touma from crying and crying pretty loudly. It seemed all so hopeless, without any sort of good to come out from it.
"Hey!" A younger voice of a familiar girl said, making herself known to the bullies. It was none other than Natsume, though much younger.
"Don't you dummies know anything better than to bully someone!?" Natsume asked in a huff, making herself known.
"What's a girl like you gonna do to us?" The bully holding the plush rabbit asked, Natsume balling her tiny little fists.
"If you don't give him back his toy, I'm going to have to teach you a lesson myself!" Natsume responded, holding up her little fists. Even for slightly older bullies, they were intimidated by Natsume.
Quickly, the bullies gave Touma his plush bunny back, before running away to leave the two alone.
Touma held onto the bunny very close. While he didn't manage to make eye contact, he did give a very gentle "thank you" that could only be heard by Natsume.
"You're welcome! I'm Natsume!" Natsume introduced herself, Touma nodding.
"I'm Touma…!" Touma responded being happy despite not making much eye contact with the girl.
The vision ended, the spiritual projections of Natsume and Touma were floating in a deep black space, feeling like a starless sky. Even now, there was at least one star shining in the darkness.
"Why was I shown such a glum moment?" Touma wondered, Natsume by his side.
"Because I was there to make it just a slight bit better..." Natsume added in. "Even if your memory made you only remember the bad, I'll be here to help you remember the good..."
A new bright vision came around to where Touma and Natsume were floating. "Together we'll make the best of it...Trust me," Natsume assured, the next vision coming into full view.
The next vision Natsume went over to with Touma was the scene of a nice apartment living room. It was absolutely quiet, not much of a sound to be heard, other than the constant ticking of the clock.
Seven o' Clock the clock read.
Looking over to the sofa and coffee table, a much younger Touma was sitting in place, eyes looking down blankly at something. Tears seemed to be streaming down his face, or at least were for a while.
That something was a piece of paper, a note addressed to Touma.
Touma,
Happy Birthday, we have to work today, but we will be home by Five o' clock, we promise.
-Mom and dad
"Is something the matter?" Natsume asked, the younger Touma being a bit startled, but looking away a bit uneasy yet still managing to stay focused.
"They...they didn't come home..." Touma quietly responded after a few moments, sniffling a bit. "They broke their promise...I'm all alone...and nobody cares..."
"Now now, that isn't true at all," Natsume tried to lighten things up. Before Touma could try to respond, there was the ringing of the doorbell. Touma covered his ears and looked away.
"I wonder who that could be..." Natsume pondered, Touma shaking his head.
"It's...It's just the mailman..." Touma responded, still a bit uneasy bu the sudden and sharp loud noise. "He really shouldn't ring the doorbell, it's so annoying..."
"Well, who knows if it's just the mailman this time," Natsume suggested to the child. "After all, it might've been someone else..."
Touma was a bit hesitant, but he slowly made his way over to the door, hoping coming to open the door now would hopefully prevent less of the noisy ringing in the future.
Slowly the door was opened, but standing in the doorway was no mailman or not even a door to door salesman.
It was a much younger Natsume, being around the same age he was. She looked quite happy to see him, with a neatly wrapped gift in her hands.
"Surprise!" The younger Natsume said, Touma being shocked that someone had come over.
"How...How did you know?" Touma questioned, Natsume smiling a bit.
"I heard a teacher bring it up, so I asked about it and took it upon myself to celebrate it with you," Natsume cheerfully gave an honest answer. "But...It took me a while since I had to ask my mom and dad...Turns out we don't live that far away from each other."
"Really?" Touma asked, Natsume nodding.
"Yep, we're even on the same floor!" Natsume answered. "We can hang out more than just outside of recess at school now!"
Touma nodded, letting Natsume in, unaware where the older version of her went. It was more like a voice encouraging him, it seemed.
"I want you to have this," Natsume stated, handing the boy her neatly wrapped present. "I'm not sure if you'd like it, but it reminded me of you..."
Touma was intrigued, opening up the box and grabbing for the contents within. The gift was that of a plush resembling a mint green lamb, it's woolly coating being incredibly soft and fluffy to the touch.
"I got that for you since you seem to like soft things, right?" Natsume asked, Touma giving a nod as he held the lamb very close to him, feeling the soft mint green faux wool of it.
"Mhmm, I love soft things very much..." Touma responded, his voice quiet but very much happy. He gave a gentle smile behind the plush animal he held so close. "T-Thank you…!"
The scene faded out, now the sky having just a few more stars in it. The spiritual images of both Touma and Natsume were floating once again.
"If only you had opened the door that day...You would have been smiling just like that..." Natsume pointed out, being genuine and sincere.
"But, what about my parents..." Touma began to try to oppose, the doubt in him seeming to be strong. "What were they doing that day..."
"I can show you," Natsume responded, another ball of light enveloping Touma's vision.
The vision took the boy to the DNA research facility his parents worked at. It was a pretty busy and chaotic atmosphere, several employees running around. Though a set of two in paricular caught Touma's eye.
"Mafuyu, slow down!" A man, Touma recognizing him as his father, called out to a woman.
"Akira, dear, we promised Touma that we were going to not be late today..." Mafuyu, Touma's mother, responded with hasty yet still gentle tone.
Akira was silent for a moment, only for another researcher to come in to the two.
"Chief! Dr. Tsukinami," The other researcher came in, having dashed as fast as he could to catch up to the two. "We're about to discuss very important and vital research, as our next step after the success of our ten year long research..."
"But...we promised our son we would be home today, and we're already running behind..." Akira responded, being quite torn. The other researcher looked up.
"Hey, this is going to concern your son's future greatly," The researcher chimed in, the two looking confused.
"What do you mean?" Mafuyu asked, a bit concerned for what the researcher was implying.
"We've been thinking about doing DNA research to help cure mental disabilities, you know, ADHD, Down Syndrome, ASD, so and so forth," The researcher spoke up, the two looking absolutely shocked at what he was saying. "It's all a bunch of diseases is it-"
"None of those are diseases that need to be cured," Akira firmly responded, the researcher looking floored.
"W-Why are you shooting me down so fast?" The researcher asked hesitantly. "Doesn't your son have ASD or something? Don't you want him to be...you know...normal?"
The couple were silent for a moment, Mafuyu feeling rather tense by the whole thing.
"Rewriting someone like Touma to where he isn't disabled...he wouldn't be Touma anymore..." Mafuyu began to speak up, keeping her tone soft but firm. "It's no a disease or a burden or anything like that...It's a part of just who he is..."
"And he or any of us didn't choose to have it, nor has any other person with disabilities," Mafuyu finished her reasoning. "So why should we change someone's being by force?"
"Because they aren't fit for society, that's why," The researcher tried to reason as best he could. "It would make your lives easier, would it not?"
"Would you want to erase your child just because they were born with something that made them different?" Akira responded. "However we have the power to try to change society, to make things easier and acceptable for them..."
The other researcher was at a loss for words. Akira looked back firmly at the researcher.
"I'd advise you to halt any and all research on your destructive proposal," Akira suggested. "Or else you may face termination."
The researcher didn't have anything left to say, only leaving bitterly from the two.
"Sorry for being so harsh and making us take even longer..." Akira apologized, Mafuyu putting her hand on his shoulder.
"It's alright, one day Touma will come to understand we have to stand up like that because we wouldn't want people to erase him..." Mafuyu reassured as best she could.
"They...stood up for me?" Touma thought aloud to himself, watching as the light made the theoretical night sky in his heart get a bit brighter. More stars seemed to be twinkling.
But, there was one last, very important thing that needed to be seen for Touma.
The last and final vision took Touma back to the past once more. Outside it was an absolutely beautiful winter day, snow just gently starting to speckle across the earth like fine powdered sugar.
It was confusing as to why Touma was being shown such a vision, until he got his answer upon hearing soft crying in the distance, seeing that now the vision focused more onto a hospital room.
"Isn't he such a dear?" Mafuyu asked very gently, her voice being quite exhausted but very overjoyed. Holding close to her was a newborn baby, gently wrapped and kept close. He seemed to have calmed down from the initial crying, as he was now fast asleep.
"Yes, yes he is," Akira agreed, holding out to the small child. "I can tell that he already has your gentleness."
"And he has your strong heart as well," Mafuyu added in, still smiling gently.
"Did we ever decide on a name for him?" Akira asked, Mafuyu looking outside to see the gentle winter scene outside.
"I think Touma would be a lovely name for him," Mafuyu suggested. "It's like today was extra beautiful to welcome such a wonderful boy into our lives."
Akira gave a gentle smile. "I love that. Touma, we love you very much already."
The family had quite a strong amount of happiness from that vision. Now with that vision from that snippet of time ending, the night sky within Touma's heart was now absolutely glimmering with light. It was like a beautiful and radiant galaxy had made it's home within his heart.
"Mother...Father..." Touma began, feeling plenty of tears starting to form in his eyes. "I'm...I'm sorry..."
His heart couldn't hold back any longer, as Touma was very clearly crying at this point, letting his heart know how sorry he was for all this that had happened. He wanted to reclaim the lightness back into his heart so dearly…
Thankfully, it seemed to have worked. While Natsume's spirit had joined back into the waking would, four darkened souls had broken out of their cursed chains. The four orbs floated in front of Touma, before breaking from their darkened shells to reveal their true colors: absolutely glimmering and vibrant shades of Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow.
"So, it seems the light within your heart has been reclaimed," The green soul spoke in a wise tone. "And in turn, saved us as well..."
"Who are you?" Touma asked, only for the souls to transform into much more humanoid figures, being their true forms.
"I am the one known as Yoshitsune," The green figure spoke, taking the form of a handsome young man with green hair, a red flute and a sword to his side. "While I wield a sword, wisdom is my true blade and greatest weapon."
"The kindness and compassion in your heart, it ended up saving up as well, and we will serve you," Another figure spoke, being a beautiful young woman in yellow and with pink hair, part of her face obscured by a large purple scarf. "My name is Omatsu, I am happy to bring compassion to those who need it."
"We're a special type of yokai called Genma, one that have incredible strength and power, but we have to temporarily 'trade places' with you when you call one of us," Another one of the Genma yokai explained, being the blue one that took the form of a large and imposing monk. "Anyways, call me Benkei."
"However, each of us can only be summoned for five minutes at a time, but don't let that stop you from making me, the great Goemon, from making his debut once again!" The red soul, taking the form of a boisterous swordsman with six arms and flowing purple hair. "Don't be afraid! Just turn the dial, and call with all your heart!"
"Now, rejoin the waking world once more," Yoshitsune finished, the vision starting to fade as Touma finally came to at long last.
The Kigan Gear around his arm transforming with light to become a black watch with a distinct multi-colored dial. It wasn't permanently bound to Touma's wrist, and it gently went to his side.
Slowly but surely, Touma began to sit up before standing, seeming to have been unaffected by nearly drowning in the lake prior. Natsume quickly went up to the boy, absolutely relieved.
"Touma, oh thank goodness! You're alive and okay!" Natsume said with the upmost rejoice, hugging the other. "We were all so worried you were going to be a goner..."
Touma didn't have much else to say, but ended up returning a hug to Natsume. He wasn't the best with words at times, but his heart sometimes did the talking for him.
"Please...understand that you aren't the mistake and burdern you think you are," Natsume added in, a heartfelt tone in her words becoming clear. "And I'm always going to be here for you, because I love you."
"Natsume…!" Touma responded with, still happy to be in the hug of the kind girl.
"What's that?" Akinori asked, trying to walk over to pick up the strange black watch over by Touma, only for an electric shock to jolt to the other boy. "Ouch...Why'd it do that?"
Touma remembered the watch, picking it back up and putting it on his arm. He remembered Goemon's words of to not be afraid and turn the dial...Is this what he meant?
"That's a strange watch, one I sure haven't seen before..." Pixie commented, looking at the black watch.
"Looks like tha ol' kigan gyear's ol' rein or terror is f'nnaly ogre," Cait Sith added in, Touma nodding.
"Yokai...Watch...Ogre..." Touma mouthed to himself, looking determined. "That's what it's going to be called, then!"
"Are yae bloody serious," Cait Sith responded, completely floored at that of all things is what he chose to call the watch.
However, the rejoices and celebrations couldn't last for long, as a dark shadow appeared in front of the group. The shadow soon revealed themselves to be none other than Jibunkageki.
"Fuu...Shame that you pathetic sort had to do as much as survive," Jibunkageki remarked, transforming her microphone into a whip. "Such a waste of my time..."
"Just who are you?" Natsume asked, Jibunkageki stepping back and looking downright offended at what the braided haired girl dared to say at her.
"How dare you not know about me, Jibunkageki, the greatest and most marvelous, beautiful, and intelligent being to ever grace any realm!" Jibunkageki yelled, unhappy with the girl. "Even the sun envies my pure radiance and ability to have people revolve around me!"
The evil opera singer yokai's face got more contorted with disgust and anger, focusing her mask covered eyes over to Touma. "And of course there's you of all people..."
"Broken, foolish people like you who waste such precious time and space will be replaced by natural selection, completely erased," Jibunkageki began, absolutely disgusted. "Why can't mankind just cage up you disgusting animals? You're not the same as actual people!"
She cracked her whip down, earth tearing apart as a large shadowy cage appeared behind her, and then busted on open. An evil yokai let out a mighty roar, joining to the side of Jibunkageki.
The yokai the cursed singer summoned took the form of a large, hideous beast. Their head was like a very angry, hairless rabbit, and instead of ears it had very long fins at the side of their head and some added fangs. Their neck was very, very long, almost like a snake's entire body, and had freakishly large, talon-like claws. On it's back it had large, curly dragon-like wings with a pattern of muted out butterfly wings on either side, as well as a very long and curly tail that had some spikes.
"This is the finest beast within my possession, one that shows true obedience and power, Jabberwocky!" Jibunkageki introduced the large beast to the group.
Touma stood up, making sure the evil yokai could see his watch strapped to his arm. He made sure they both also got a good look at his emotions he was doing his best to display on his face.
"I'm different from a lot of people in this world, that's for certain," Touma began, his voice a bit uneasy as he wasn't exactly used to trying to stand up for himself. But in his heart, he knew he had to do it. "But I'm not broken, I don't need to be fixed..."
Touma held onto his watch, starting to touch the dial on it. "I am not a mistake, I'm not some caged animal that needs to be tamed, and I will not have my identity erased because I don't want to be something other than myself!"
"Jabberwocky! Destroy this stupid pile of flesh at once!" Jibunkageki ordered, before retreating back into the shadows. Jabberwocky understood his master's choices, and started to do a running lunge to the group of kids.
"Summoning, Benkei!" Touma began, turning the dial on the Yokai Watch Ogre to point to the blue section. He pressed a switch, a mysterious voice saying "Nine O' Clock. Benkei".
"Lend me your strength!" Touma yelled with all his heart, pressing down on the popped up watch face that was now glowing with a blue light. Focusing his energy, Touma's eyes glowed a shade of blue like the deep and vast ocean, before within moments, Touma was no longer there.
Standing in place of Touma was the figure of Benkei, being quite huge and imposing compared to everyone else. Everyone else was a bit shocked.
"He...He transformed!?" Akinori commented.
"Or traded places with a powerful yokai?" Natsume added in, before cheering. "Either way, that's Touma, show them!"
With sheer, immovable strength, Jabberwocky crashed right into Benkei with a loud crashing sound. The beast let out a hiss, trying to knock down the large monk with all his might.
But it was to no avail, as with both hands, Benkei sent Jabberwocky crashing into a nearby cliff.
Swiftly Benkei returned to his place in the Ogre Watch, Touma returning just to notice Jabberwocky starting to get back up and try to charge in once again.
The blue haired boy turned the dial once more, saying "Summoning, Goemon!" and pressing the button. "Twelve O'Clock. Goemon" the watch chimed, the watch face popping up and ready for Touma to press it down.
"Lend me your courage!" Touma finished things off, his eyes glowing with a burning red as he quickly switched places with the boisterous Goemon.
"Alright, let's see how you dance!" Goemon taunted at Jabberwocky, the evil yokai starting to charge angrily.
Jabberwocky managed to cling his set of front claws onto one of Goemon's arms, only for the Genma to fling Jabberwocky off and deliver a powerful upper slash.
Using his long neck and tail, Jabberwocky managed to trip up Goemon mid-air, but didn't seem to have enough time to turn his head around to notice the other was getting back up on his feet.
"Oh no you don't! Take this, graceful beheading dance!" Goemon yelled, charging in with all six of his blades ready in a spinning motion. The motions were enough to start bringing Jabberwocky back to the earth once more, finishing things off with a big X-shaped slash.
Jabberwocky crashed into the ground, and while wounded, was still not down and out from the fight. He flew right back up, using his large fangs to deeply bite into Goemon's neck, forcing the Genma to retreat and Touma to return.
The beast began to snarl, looking disgusted at Touma. Why wouldn't this boy just perish? It was what his master wanted!
Noticing the beast was charging in at him once more, Touma quickly started to run a bit, getting to higher ground just to avoid the absolutely feral yokai a bit longer.
"Summoning, Yoshitsune!" Touma yelled, turning the dial over to the green section of the Yokai Watch Ogre, pressing the grey button to have the watch face pop out. "Six O'Clock. Yoshitsune" the watch stated once more.
"Lend me your wisdom!" Touma shouted, his eyes gleaming with a gentle and calming emerald green as the smallest yet wisest genma appeared in his place, gently playing the flute to mark his entrance.
In response to this strange, pretty boy yokai appearing in front of him, Jabberwocky let out another nasty snarl, claws being out and fangs ferociously bared.
While the evil being tried to cut Yoshitsune down to size, the small Genma managed to avoid being slashed with swift movements.
"Interesting..." Yoshitsune commented on the matter, still keeping his focus. He even managed to avoid much of the beast's snips and scratches with his eyes closed, trying to see into the soul of the yokai.
"I think I see it now…!" Yoshitsune concluded, jumping over to the back of the monster. Jabberwocky managed to follow Yoshitsune by turning his long neck, and roared once more and ready to bite his face off.
The two chased for a few more moments, before Yoshitsune reached Jabberwocky's tail. At the absolute last possible moment in time, the green Genma managed to jump out of the way, having Jabberwocky give a hard bite on his tail.
Letting out a howl of the utmost pain, Jabberwocky was immobile, his weak point being exposed. The time with Yoshitsune was up, leaving Touma to return once more. It was now time to finish this off.
"Summoning, Omatsu!" Touma shouted, turning the dial over to the yellow part of the watch. With the click of the side switch, the watch announced "Three O'Clock, Omatsu" as the watch face popped up.
"Lend me your kindness!" Touma let out with his heart, eyes glowing a bright, sunkissed yellow as he clicked down on the watch face.
Finally, the last Genma appeared, the graceful and elegant Omatsu, her fan in hand and folded out.
For Jabberwocky, however, he didn't take well to suddenly some pretty lady. He lunged his massive fangs at the Genma with his long neck, Omatsu's eyes focusing.
"Please...don't!" Omatsu said, her voice graceful and elegant, even after literally kicking the beast's teeth in with a strong kick. The wicked being crashed into the earth once more, Omatsu starting to focus some energy.
"Now!" Omatsu called forth, starting to gracefully dance around the fallen Jabberwocky. It was mesmerizing, flower petals trailing behind the beautiful woman. Soon, the petals became beautiful flowers, surrounding the large creature.
"And good day!" Omatsu finished, the flowers creating an explosive blossoming effect, many flowers starting to bloom all over Jabberwocky until the being was completely enveloped in a powerful light to top it all off, petals scattering everywhere.
The graceful Genma returned to her part in the Yokai Watch Ogre, and Touma returning back once more. Everyone soon ran up to the boy, who looked pretty winded out.
"Are you alright?" Natsume asked, letting the boy lean on him. He simply gave a nod to let Natsume know he was doing alright.
"That was so cool...how did you do all that?" Akinori asked, eyes glimmering from the battle spectacle Touma put on.
"I think it was the power of my heart that called forth the Genma yokai..." Touma pondered, still a bit tired from all the transforming he did as well as nearly being drowned from earlier.
"Genma Yokai huh..." A mysterious voice began, sounding noble and powerful. "I've never think I've witnessed such a power..."
Standing where Jabberwocky once stood was now a majestic looking yokai that had the front body of a mighty eagle and the rest of his body was that of a majestic lion. His mane and tips of wings were like the bright blue daytime sky, and his body a dark red like the rising sun. He had golden ankle bands and a single gold earring, as well as feathers around his mane and gold and silver eyes that were a beaming yellow and scarlet. Around his wings were a set of vivid butterfly wings that were yellow and scarlet as well, shining powerfully.
"Who are you?" Touma asked, the majestic beast giving a small pose and nod, the late afternoon sun starting to gleam across the beast.
"I am Genjuu Gryphon! One of the great guardians of the Fae Yokai with the might of the sun!" Genjuu Gryphon formally introduced himself.
"Ohoho, a Genjuu in our neck of the woods?" Whisper stated, quite intrigued by the majestic beast. "Seeing one is a rarity, and who knew the Fae Yokai had their own guardian beasts!"
"Indeed, I take it you aren't too familiar with the Bestial Guardians of the Fae realm..." Gryphon began, tilting his head a little and scratching behind his ear. "Nor do I really have much of a clue how I got here, but I do know one thing..."
"Oh?" Natsume questioned, Gryphon looking serious.
"The ones running the Onimaro Circus aren't merely some crazy lot trying to revive Nyx..." Gryphon began, his eyes getting more and more intense. "They're actually aspects of Nyx trying to revive their master, so they can cause cease to all that live."
"So there's aspects of a larger entity trying to bring it back?" Touma stated, Gryphon giving a nod to confirm the boy's statement.
"Yes, and they are quite dangerous and powerful, so I'd best try to seek help in strong yokai allies, and use the strength of your bonds," Gryphon prompted. "You're already at a good start, but Jibunkageki and the ringleader, Shiki-Sharu, are very powerful and dangerous..."
"You can be sure to count on us!" Akinori reassured to the majestic beast. Gryphon smiled from his beak.
"There is also another thing...My powers and presence are tied to the light of the sun. Once the sun sets, I will fade away, but I will return with the rising sun..." Gryphon added in, looking hastily at the fastly setting sun. "It wasn't always like this, however..."
"Who cursed you like this?" Natsume asked, Gryphon looking frantically. The sun wasn't getting any higher at this rate…
"The one who cursed me to be bound by the sunlight was none other than..." Gryphon tried to say, only for the lack of sunlight to get to him, causing him to fade out completely. Though, there was at least one thing left behind…
Where Gryphon once stood was a triangular disc, having a pattern resembling a stained glass window with a depiction of Gryphon on it. Natsume was the one to pick up the strange triangular disc.
"This doesn't look like any sort of Arc I've seen before..." Natsume thought to herself, holding the triangular disc intrigued, but very confused. Mai and Shinju looked around.
"Wow, I never realized it was getting this late now..." Mai commented, looking around worriedly. Natsume tiled her head to ask the two women.
"Are you going to help us in trying to defeat the Onimaro Circus? Gryphon said we needed to find powerful allies..." Natsume asked, both women shaking their heads.
"As much as we'd like to help directly, we really can't," Shinju responded with a shrug. "Since if you rely too much on us, very seasoned, experienced folks in the yokai field, what's going to happen if we can't back you up? Since we might be caught up with things like work or our personal lives."
"What's important is one thing, your enemies are your enemies, and you have to face them," Mai added in, looking determined yet sweet. "It's simply part of growing up and becoming stronger."
"But," Mai started to finish, a bright smile on her face. "With the three of you and your yokai friends, you guys can face up against the Onimaro Circus and whatever evil lurks in your path. I can feel the power in your hearts as something strong and truly unique..."
"Akinori, your magic skills will come in handy, even if you don't get a watch yourself," Shinju added in with a bold smile on her face. "Use your sorcery to the best of your abilities, your friends will need it.
"Heh, I'll keep that in mind!" Akinori responded to Shinju's words.
"And you, Touma, the world is very difficult for you, but don't let that taint your gentle heart," Mai spoke up to the student she knew from long ago. "If you need me and need someone to talk to, I've managed to transfer to your school."
"We'll be sure not to let you down, Mrs. Suzuki, Mrs. Tsukimori," Touma stated, keeping his head up high.
"Excellent," Mai sweetly responded, starting to take her leave with Shinju. "Keep true to your heart, and everything will be alright!"
The trio of teens waved goodbye to the older women, before realizing it was getting pretty late after a long and eventful day. Everyone started to head their own ways, something making it into Touma's coat pocket.
"Huh…?" Touma pondered, holding out the strange object that made it into his possession. It was a Yokai Arc, and the one for Cu Sith. Maybe he had slipped it in when he was unconscious? He didn't have the Elder Watch, but maybe it was because the fairy dog saw him as a friend…?
Elsewhere, in a bit of an offbeat part of town, a strange figure was busy sorting around animal food in a re-purposed abandoned animal shelter. A lot of the furniture was old, but the figure was surprised he was able to get a nice television set.
The figure took the form of a biker, with wild teal hair that had part of it dyed bright orange. His eyes were serpentine, and around his neck was a tattered yellow scarf.
His television set was on, and several cats were following him around. A breaking news report was being broadcast.
"Breaking news for tonight," the newscaster began, profile photos showing an older looking man. "Famed creator of popular children's manga Nyanpan Rider 018, Karou Hayashi, has been found dead in his home last night, presumably by murder..."
"Huh…?" The biker figure stated, sitting on the couch to take a further look. One of the cats jumped to join next to him on the ratty old catch.
"...Cases of his death are under investigation, but many suspect his son, Kaira Hayashi, might have had something to do with it," The newscaster reported. "Currently, Kaira is serving a sentence in prison, where he will either remain there or be released upon finding out he is innocent..."
"Typical news, always over dramatic and overblown for the sake of views..." The biker commented, trying to look for the remote to change the channel. Upon finding the remote again, he flipped the channel to something more calm and less dramatic.
Unaware of what was in store for him in the future, the animal loving biker just shut off the television and headed for bed. Unbeknownst to him, there was a small shadow, about the size of a small cat or a puppy, nuzzling next to him.