Shout out to all those people still following this story, I appreciate y'all, don't forget it.
Also the KHR stageplay is looking hella lit whoo. Amano Akira the magnanimous one, the one most beloved, do proceed to ignore any copyright infringement that may have occurred thank you.
Additionally to get back in the writing groove I went back to go amd re-read fruitpastilles, ourliazo, and little miss bunny like boi those are some real good fic writers. Okay back to sorta fluff enjoy!
Lal huffed back a sigh as the group ventured deeper into the cavern, torches flickering dimly along the stone walls, water steadily dripping to form stalactites and small pools of water.
Colonello, the blond knucklehead, and the one most easily riled up was bickering with Renato once more over some trivial affair like whether zombies and ghosts were related somehow. If she had it her way, she'd just shoot everything in her path and get it over with.
Being sent to investigate the strange disappearances of the village maidens who had ventured into the cavern one after the other, never to be seen again, was a wearisome task but it put food in their bellies so things still had to be done.
Viper and Fon were in the back, just in case anything were to pop out at them, they would be able to respond quickly. Viper had already mapped out the layout for the cavern so they were heading where there was the most life thrumming in place. She could only conclude that they definitely weren't dead yet but might be held hostage for some kind of ransom? People were weird sometimes.
Biting back a groan as Skull followed after Tsu into an area of the cavern away from where they were supposed to be headed, "Hey Skull, keep your beloved mascot in check why don't you?" Holding the map out to the flames and squinting to get a better view and reorient herself? Lal hollered after the pair.
Luce trailing serenely in the middle of the group, Verde mumbling mathematical formula under his breath beside her, humming a soft tune before a sharp yelp came from Skull.
"Uh guys, somehow there's two Tsus now." His shaky voice from a distance away was echoed by twin gleeful chirps.
This time Lal did roll her eyes in utter irritation, stomping over to where Skull was currently panicking.
After that truthfully hilarious stunt with the mermaids and octopus speaking, he really should've been keeping a better eye on the dragon child.
Both dragons were curled up around each of Skull's legs, purring in pleasure. "Uh Tsu? The real Tsu please?"
The draconian counterparts turned their heads upwards and snorted out of curiosity, causing Skull to bury his head into his hands out of utter defeat.
"Oh I know!" Colonello piped up, having firmly settled the debate that since zombies and ghosts both came from already deceased or semi-deceased humans, they were most likely related and you wouldn't be able to convince him otherwise.
Holding out a handful of jewels he had stashed away in his pocket, one of the dragons perked up and leapt forward at him, enticed by the sparkly gems while the other stayed curled lovingly around Skull's booted foot still purring.
"Gotcha you little mimicking scamp." Colonello held up the doppelganger triumphantly, imposter dragon wiggling in protest, as Renato gave a sarcastic round of applause from behind him.
"Wow your brain actually functioned like it should for once. Hope you didn't just burn through a year's supply of thought on this one action."
Privately, Lal was in complete agreement with him, and the conniving mimic transformed into a small boy with the curliest black hair she'd ever seen. Dropping the kid, he ran back into the shadows and Colonello dusted his hands off, still high off his smart decision, picking Tsu up from Skull's feet and rubbing their noses together.
"Those jewels. When did you get those? And why did you keep them for this long without telling me?" Viper demanded of the suddenly fearful Colonello.
"Ah, I can explain?"
"Your share for this mission will be mine."
Colonello gave a moan of despair and hung his head down low, Tsu tilting his head in confusion and nuzzling his hair to provide his way of comfort.
He proceeded to duck behind a non-sympathetic Fon who clucked at him with a fair amount of amusement.
"Can we now please get back to the mission of saving the missing girls? Try not to trigger any other traps if you can help yourselves." Lal threw her hands up in the air out of sheer annoyance.
They finally reached the end of the trail marked on the map within the cavernous space. Where they spotted several girls who were currently giggling amongst themselves, the curly haired boy from earlier boasting arrogantly to them about how he had tricked the scariest adventurers ever.
"Oh have you mighty heroes come to save us? This little boy here was just keeping us company because the village head wanted to sacrifice us to the gods as a plea for good weather." One of the girls explained, patting the boy on the head as the group approached them catiously.
"Lambo was going to keep them all safe!" His chest puffed out, and he nodded.
"Well, a request is a request, so I'm afraid you ladies will have to leave the cavern now. I can reassure you no sacrificing will be happening on my watch." Renato gave them his most charming smile as the girls started to stand up in accordance with the wishes.
"Come on Lambo, we'll keep you safe in the village in return!" The girls chorused their agreements and Lambo cheered up right away scrambling to hold the offered hand from one of the girls.
Tsu took this opportunity to curl up around Lambo's shoulders like a scaly muffler and the little boy squealed in excitement.
Another day, another smooth sailing mission completed for the Arcobaleno.
Okay I'm losing my writing touch help me-
Tbh if anyone wants to take this story and expand on it with their own unique twist feel free to do so lmao, lemme know so I can go binge read your fic as well woohoo.
Next chapter might be bout em getting cursed into cute lil kiddies but we'll see how it goes oho. Or the very clichéd body swapping? The possibilities are endless.
Thank you yet again for reading all my musings hehe. Peace!