Damn! This chapter sure is long. But a lot needed to be done to progress the story so enjoy.
Astarte looked briefly at the dorm her students stayed at momentarily. As she looked, she realised that really, she knew very little about her students. She had no idea what they liked and disliked, what they enjoyed doing in their free time, things like that. What really bothered her though was the nagging feeling that her students all feared her. She let out a long sigh before going and knocking on the door of the dorm. It was answered by Amixtri.
"Oh, it's you." She said. "Why are you here? I thought we got today off."
"You do. However, in order to build better trust with each other, I thought we could...well go to the beach." Astarte said. She heard all movement inside the building cease before suddenly, every student was trying to get to the door.
"The beach?!" They cried in unison. When Astarte nodded, they cheered for joy and all ran off. "I need to get my swimsuit! I can't wait to sunbathe! This is gonna be great!" Multiple cries echoed through the building making her smile.
"I will meet you at entrance to the academy." She said before turning and walking away. As she did, she heard the cheers of the group. She shook her head and went back to the home she shared with Mephisto to go change when she spotted him on the phone with someone.
"I understand. Yes, I will tell her." He said. He hung up and turned, spotting her watching him. Her look said it all. "That was one of the exorcists from America. Meiko's mother was found dead the other day. It seemed she died of a broken heart." He said, answering her unasked question.
"Meiko is going to be heartbroken, poor girl." Astarte said. "Well, we'll just have to help her through it." She muttered to herself before following Mephisto into the mansion. She quickly ran to her chambers and opened her wardrobe to reveal the masses of clothes she had been treated to. She quickly pulled out a bikini. As she slipped it on then pulled her shorts over it, she glanced at her reflection. She now wore a purple bikini top with a green bow in the middle as well as black bottom with a violet flame pattern across the posterior. She smiled and grabbed the violet sarong before heading out. She stood at the entrance of the academy and waited. Before long, the others began to appear, each carrying towels and such.
"So, what's the plan?" Ron asked. Everyone turned to her.
"Right, in order to build trust, we need to work on some exercises together. However, to build a better trust, it needs to be done in a non stressful environment. So, we're going to do the exercises at the beach." She paused and ducked as a volley ball came flying at her head. "Yuki-san! I know you don't like my father but for Satan's sake get over it!" She yelled. Yuki merely glared at her. "Alright everyone into the vehicle." The vehicle was a long black limo. They looked from it to her. "What? I'm a queen. I don't do minibuses."
As they began to pile in, Mephisto pulled Meiko to one side. "Meiko, I need you to listen carefully."
"What is it papa?" She asked through a mouthful of bubblegum.
"I was contacted by the American Branch just now. It's about your mother." Meiko looked at him confused. "She's dead." She looked shocked and confused. Almost like she couldn't believe it. "Arrangements are being made for a funeral. If you want to go, I will accompany you and Astarte has agreed to give you time off from training if you wish." Meiko shook her head rapidly, her face turned towards the ground.
"Perhaps, you would prefer to continue the training for it to serve as a distraction?" Astarte asked the young girl. Meiko just looked at her sadly. "I know what you're going through Meiko. I can help. All you need do is ask." She turned and walked back to the limo. "We need to go, this lot are starting to get rowdy." As Mephisto walked past Meiko, he handed her a small polka-dot hankerchief.
"Just in case." He said before walking towards the limo. At which point, he hit heads with Astarte who was climbing back out. As they held their heads, laughter echoed from the back. "What are you doing?"
"There isn't enough room for everyone. I thought there was but I didn't realise there was going to be extra company with Shura and all them." Astarte said. Mephisto looked around her to see the former exwire class sitting in the back. "We're going to have to travel in our animal forms to fit." Astarte explained. Mephisto nodded and with two clouds of smoke, a dark furred fox and a white dog appeared in their places. Meiko quickly clambered in and was followed by them. "Let's go."
On the way to the beach, music blasted through stereos placed in the vehicle. All of them appeared to have been strategically placed right next to one of the former exwire class or Shura and Yukio. Yet, even as a fox, Astarte still sought to start a karaoke with the class. The only problem was, no one could agree upon a song.
"Don't want to hear about it Every single one's got a story to tell Everyone knows about it From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell And if I catch it coming back my way I'm gonna serve it to you
And that ain't what you want to hear But that's what I'll do And the feeling coming from my bones Says find a home" At least part of "Seven Nation Army" got sang before suddenly, Meiko leaned across and flicked through the iPod that was playing and put on a different song, singing along happily despite the glare from Cassandra. Leon glanced at Cassandra before singing along as well when he realised what song it was.
"'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars And live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap We'll all stay skinny 'cause we just won't eat And we'll hang out in the coolest bars In the VIP with the movie stars Every good gold digger's Gonna wind up there Every Playboy bunny With her bleach blond hair And we'll hide out in the private rooms With the latest dictionary and today's who's who They'll get you anything with that evil smile Everybody's got a drug dealer on speed dial Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar" As the two sang happily, managing to get a few of the others to join in, Jenna lent forward and flicked through the songs on the iPod before selecting a song called "Credens Justitiam". As it played, the three demons glanced at each other.
"Did you put that on?" Astarte asked Mephisto.
"I haven't touched that iPod. Only you and Amaimon have had access to it." He answered. When they both looked at him, Amaimon shook his head.
"Well, I didn't either. Must have come with another song." She murmured. It was at that moment that the limo pulled to a stop. As the door opened, everyone quickly fell out. Groaning and complaining as a dark furred fox and a white dog hopped down over them and to the ground. "What are you doing on the floor? Get up, we're here to have some fun." With two clouds of smoke, both Mephisto and Astarte stood leaning over them. "Go get changed and meet us at the beach. Girls, I'll send Shabriri to ensure none of the boys can watch you getting changed." The girls of her class glanced at each other as the boys walked off to their changing room, Amaimon leading the way. "Don't worry. Shabriri is blind. He can't see you. But he'll be able to smell and hear the boys." They nodded and walked off. As they did, Mephisto wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Do I have time to have some fun with you?" He whispered, nibbling the tip of her ear. She sighed and leant back against him.
"I doubt it. I need to get the exercises set up." She pulled herself out of his grip and walked down to the beach. "However, if you set up a towel for me to lie on, I'll let you rub suntan lotion on my back." She said. He chuckled and followed her.
About fifteen minutes later, everyone walked down to the beach, with the exception of Shima who was being carried in the jaws of a large bat demon, looking rather bloodied and clawed. Astarte glanced at him. "Shabriri, go dump him in the ocean. Maybe the water will clear his head." She commanded. The great bat nodded and flew over the ocean before dropping Shima and disappearing. As Shima squealed about how cold it was, Astarte turned to the class. But before she could explain her plans, Mephisto interrupted by dragging Meiko off to one side.
"What the hell are you wearing?" He snapped. She looked down at her outfit, a pink bikini with white polka dots.
"What's wrong with it? I thought you'd like it." She asked.
"It's far to revealing. Put this on." He held a white t-shirt that was several sizes too big up.
"That thing won't fit! I'm going to wear this." Meiko retorted. Before Mephisto could say anything else, she pointed towards Astarte who was waiting with the others. "Her outfit is similar but you don't make her wear something like that." She said. Mephisto glanced at Astarte briefly before looking back at Meiko. "No one will dare try to touch me whilst you're here. Please papa." He looked up at Astarte who looked back, indifferent before letting out a sigh and making the shirt disappear.
"Fine." Meiko cheered and moved back to the group where Astarte began her explanation.
"Now, for this exercise I thought I'd try something different." Her tail moved from behind her to show two volley balls. "You lot are going to work in teams and play volleyball. This will build communication between you and teamwork as well as overall fitness." She threw a ball at Cassandra and one at Leon.
"Teams are as follows; Team one is captained by Cassandra and consists of Drake, Hotomi, Megumi, Eda and Kaito. You are on the left court on the side furthest from me. You are playing against team 3, captained by Nao and consists of Jenna, Ron, Yuki, Saturn and Autumn. You are on the opposite side. Your referee is Bon and Yukio." As the groups moved off, she turned to the remainder.
"Team two, is captained by Sachi and your fellow teammates are Takao, Ame, Eve, Hikaru and Meiko. You will be playing against Leon who captains Team four. Leon, your teammates are Emiko, Noel, Kasai, Amixtri and Gen. Your referees are Izumo and Rin." She waved her hand to let them go. They took their places on the courts. "Begin" With that, the games began.
The members of team one huddled in together. "Right, Megumi, you should be at the back as you're quite strong. Eda, you join her but stay on the right side whilst Megumi goes on the left." Cassandra said.
"What about me?" Hotomi asked. Cassandra nodded.
"You and Drake will take the centre back whilst Kaito and I stay towards the front." She said.
"So, we strike fast and we strike hard?" Megumi asked. Another nod was the answer. They all nodded and broke the huddle before taking their positions. On the other side of the court, they had arranged themselves so that Nao, Ron, Yuki and Saturn were at the back whilst Jenna and Autumn took up positions near the front. Cassandra held the ball ready to serve as Yukio blew the whistle he had. She threw the ball in the air and smashed it over the net towards the space just beside Yuki. Nao dived to the side and hit the ball back up into the air.
"Autumn!" He yelled as he hit the ground. Autumn nodded and leapt up, smacking the ball with an open palm.
"Megumi!" Drake yelled at to the muscular girl who struck it back over the net. It was hit back by Jenna who jumped up high enough to catch it by standing on Nao as he got up. The ball came spinning back towards Kaito who hit it back with such force that it created a small crater where it landed just out of the reach of Yuki.
"Point One goes to Cassandra's team." Yukio stated. As the group cheered, Nao called his team into a quick huddle.
"They're aiming to strike at us hard and fast." Ron said. Everyone looked at him briefly.
"So, we should strike fast as well but aim to grind away their defense and create openings." Yuki added. Ron nodded in agreement as did everyone else and they broke the huddle. Autumn took the ball and served the next round. This time, the point went the way of Nao's team after sent it rocketing skywards then acted as a spring board for Yuki who smashed it into the ground behind Hotomi. As they ran worked, hitting the ball back and forward, small cheers and shouts of encouragement began to echo from each of them. From her spot on the beach, Astarte watched and grinned.
"It seems you were right to suggest this." Amaimon said, glancing at her from his spot under the sun umbrella. She nodded in agreement before turning to look at the second game underway.
Already, Leon's team was three points ahead. He had arranged it that Emiko was at the front with Amixtri whilst Gen, Kasai, Noel and himself took positions at the back. Due to the height of their two front players, there was little getting past their defenses and with the combined strength of the back row, the ball was being knocked back with such strength and speed, it was a wonder it hadn't bury its way into the earth. On the other side, Sachi had placed herself and Takao at the back with Eve and Ame whilst Hikaru and Meiko took the front.
"Let's keep this up guys." Leon said, encouraging his teammates. They cheered in response and got ready as he smashed the ball over the net with his serve. Meiko ran to the spot she thought it was going for, Takao taking a position behind her in case she missed it. But as Meiko leapt to hit it back, the ball went straight through her stomach, as if she wasn't there at all. Everyone froze in shock, not even registering that the ball had hit the ground.
"Did...did that ball just go through you?" Gen asked, just as stunned as the others. Meiko nodded slowly as she looked at her hands.
"Why have you lot stopped?" Astarte said, walking over to them.
"The ball just went through Meiko." Kasai stated. Astarte looked straight at her.
"Straight through you? Like you weren't there?" She asked. Meiko nodded. Astarte turned. "Aniue, you seem to know most abilities demons have, what can this one be?" She asked him as he walked towards them.
"Intangibility is the only thing I can think of." He said. Seeing the blank responses the students gave. "Phasing, in simple terms. She can pass through solid objects and they can pass through her with ease." Meiko continued to stare at her hands before shaking her head.
"Let's get on with the game." She said, picking the ball up and serving it. They quickly got back into the state of play when Emiko hit the ball back towards her. Meiko focused and went to hit it when everything around her seemed to slow down. She paused momentarily, watching the ball's slow descent before quickly seizing the advantage being provided and running to the ball. As she hit it, time resumed its normal flow leaving the opposition stunned as the ball that had just been sent back was hit into the sand at their feet. As her team cheered her, Mephisto watched from where the three demons sat.
"So she has the ability to control time like you Aniue." Astarte stated. Mephisto glanced at her to see her tail holding a bottle. "I did promise you could." She purred as the tip went to the back fastening of her bikini top and undid it. As he stared, Sora and Chikyuu both laughed. To them, their mother could make their fathers react in the silliest of ways. Jen smiled softly from atop her familiar as she watched them make a sand castle. She was glad that she got the chance to look after more of those she considered family especially considering that these were royalty. She looked to see Amaimon trying to take the bottle from Mephisto whilst Astarte watched, her tail swaying near her hips innocently. When she spotted her looking, Jen looked away briefly only to look back and see Astarte wink at her.
As the group continued to play and relax, with even Ben and Eric taking the time to rest a little, Mikzuki watched from the nearby rocks. Now was the perfect time to catch her off guard. So, she quickly assumed the giant black wolf with demonic wings that was her beast form. She let out a low snarl before running at them. Noel, was the first to spot her, letting out a surprised cry and warning the others. In an instant, the class was pushed back and surrounded by familiars as Astarte got to her feet and summoned her blade. Jen pulled both Sora and Chikyuu onto her spider familiar and summoned smaller ones whilst Rin and the others moved to protect the class.
"I was wondering if you were actually ever going to show up." Astarte said, watching the wolf as it growled at her. "I thought revenge wasn't your thing Mikzuki. I always thought Lilith trained you to be "better than that"." Mikzuki growled at her, showing the fangs that filled her jaws. "Bare your fangs at me all you want, if you know what happened, you would know Lilith deserved her fate."
"For trying to save your sons from the monster you truly are?!" Mikzuki demanded. Astarte's eyes narrowed. "I know you murdered my mother in cold blood false queen."
"Why do you keep calling her that?" Eric suddenly asked, surprising everyone. "Even we exorcists know that Satan chose her as his heir. She is the rightful queen. Why can't you accept that?"
"My mother has bore several of Satan's children. Yes, they may not have been the eldest or the strongest, but because she held his favor, we believed that when he was choosing an heir it would be one of her sons. But because she." She pointed at Astarte. "Was born before the heir was chosen and looks so much like the one who bore her, she was chosen. She stole it from my brethren." She snapped. She let out a roar and ran towards Astarte. As she opened her jaws to bite her, Astarte slipped between the legs of the beast and ran towards the rocks and a series of cliffs that stood there. As she scrambled up the cliff, the great beast snapping at her everytime, the class ran forward. Ben and Eric took aim and began firing shots at Mikzuki but they simply deflected off the great wolf's form.
Mikzuki aimed and bit into Astarte's left leg, shredding the muscles in the calf. She let out a yelp but forced herself up, over the top of the cliff. She stood and pulled her blade out as Mikzuki landed on the cliff top and went back to her Assiah form. "I didn't kill your mother in cold blood. She went after my sons and wanted to kill me. She wouldn't listen to reason and performed treason. That is the only reason why I performed that punishment and killed her. Because she was a traitor against the crown and was determined to kill me and then my sons. I only acted as a mother should." She said. Mikzuki paused momentarily.
"But you still killed her. And for that, I will kill you." Mikzuki yelled as she ran at her. Astarte dodged quickly to one side before spinning just as Mikzuki slipped and fell from the edge after gaining too much momentum. Astarte ran forward and dived to grab the screaming girl's hand. "What are you doing?!" Mikzuki yelled.
"I will not have another's blood stain my hands. You don't deserve to die because someone lied to you." Astarte snapped back. She gasped as she felt herself slipping over the edge, her injured leg unable to get a grip. But before they both fell, arms wrapped around her and Mephisto and Amaimon both pulled them back. As Mephisto pulled her back, Amaimon pinned Mikzuki to the ground.
"That injury is enough evidence for an act of treason. You will be punished." He snarled. He grabbed Rin's blade and unsheathed it before holding it at Mikzuki's neck. Everyone waited with baited breath as Rin stormed forward.
"You can't do this! She deserves a second chance." He yelled.
"We cannot allow her to be a risk to Astarte. Sora and Chikyuu are too young to rule should Astarte perish and no one else can take the throne. Gehenna will tear itself apart without a ruler." Mephisto snapped.
"But Mephisto!" Rin began to say when Mikzuki laughed.
"Is that the name you're going by now? I so prefer your real name." Mikzuki looked up at them. "Samael." Everyone froze and stared as Cassandra stiffened and turned to look at Astarte and Mephisto. In the shadows, Daniel chuckled.
"So, the child of Zarathos now knows who Samael is. This has certainly made things more interesting."
Phew, what a chapter.
Astarte: I can't feel my butt anymore.
Now is that from reading the chapter or something else?
Astarte: Probably something else but still, that's a long chapter.
Yeah, nine pages worth of writing. But I listened to everyone's opinions and tried to include the characters more. So although some of them didn't get a chance to speak, they still got to appear more than they have in some of the previous chapters.
Astarte: And now Cassandra knows Aniue is Samael.
That's gonna be interesting. So, I only own Astarte, Sora, Chikyuu and the familiars of Astarte. I do not own the characters from Blue Exorcist nor the other own characters. I also don't own the music mentioned in this chapter. So, until next time guys this is sayonara from me the psychotic author
Astarte: And me the demonic angel