Ch. 28 Princess Visitation
"I'm summoning my Avatar! Summon!" A student cried out.
Today is a full day of Avatar training for Year 1 students.
The gymnasium was packed with both male and female participants dressed in PE uniforms. All boys wore the white shirt with blue gym pants while the girls had the red shorts. The building was surrounded by a dark grid with green graph lines running across the walls. However, there were five students resting as the others were training. The three sitting on the ground was Yuji Sakamoto, the red spiky haired boy, Akihisa Yoshii, the sailor suit guy from before, and Bryan Ortega, the "foreign" exchange student. The boy (supposedly) with the short brown hair and pink hair clips standing against the wall was Hideyoshi Kinoshita. The last student with the blue hair was Kouta Tsuchiya; groveling at the ground.
"Aw man," Akihisa sighed, "We've had nothing but bad luck, lately."
"Crap!" Yuji added. "I just bought that mp3 player!"
"I know, right?" Hideyoshi looked down at the group. "He confiscated my props and costumes too."
"Yeah, you got off easy," Akihisa started counting his fingers at all the things taken from him. "He took my cellphone, my game console, video games, DVDs, CDs, trading cards, manga…"
"What didn't he take from you?" Bryan asked.
"Hey, just be grateful you hardly had anything precious taken from you!"
"Although, he didn't have much to begin with," Hideyoshi emphasized. "I'm impressed by how you picked up the language so quickly."
"Yep, I didn't know what was going on until I started going to school," Bryan explained.
"I can't believe that Yuji actually talked his mom into letting you stay at his place," Akihisa turned to Yuji. "That was pretty cool of you."
"Don't sweat it," Yuji continued relaxing, "As long as she thinks you're just one of my friends staying over, she won't mind." Bryan suddenly noticed the next student preparing for the Avatar practice.
"Hey, check it out," Bryan pointed to the girl walking toward the Remedial Teacher. She had long, fluffy, pink hair and blue eyes. On the right side of her head, she wore a small, white bunny hair clip.
"It looks like its Himeji's turn," Yuji confirmed.
"Dude, are you passing up the chance to take a picture of her?" Akihisa asked Kouta.
"My camera got confiscated," he sniveled.
"Oh man, that sucks. It's gonna be tough to get another picture of her in her gym clothes since she's in a different class." Mizuki took her position.
"I'm summoning my Avatar!" she declared. A bright blue energy surrounded her body. "Summon!" In a flash of yellow light, a miniature version of herself appeared in a school uniform.
"How can anyone not like a girl that cute, and that smart?" Akihisa rambled on.
"Don't you know her or something?" Yuji questioned him.
"You knew her back in elementary school, right?" Bryan added.
"Yeah," Akihisa responded. "We were in the same class together, but we haven't talked all this time, so…"
"Next!" The teacher called out. "Akihisa Yoshii and Bryan Ortega!"
"We're coming, sir," Yoshii and Bryan both rose and made their way over to the teacher.
"Ortega will fight Himeji!" The teacher declared. "Yoshii will be fighting Shimada!" Bryan stood in front of his opponent.
"Hi Ortega!" Himeji greeted him.
"Hey," Bryan waved to her. He positioned himself and took ready. "Avatar! Summon!" In a burst of bright light, Bryan's miniature form appeared in its gym clothes. "Let's go!" The two went to training. Not too far away was Minami Shimada with her red hair tied into a ponytail by a large yellow bow. For some reason, her green eyes didn't flinch as though she were distracted.
"You okay, Shimada?" Akihisa noticed. She snapped out of her trance. "You eat anything today?"
"Humph!" Minami pouted. "I don't need to stuff my face like you." Bryan turned to see the two having a quarrel.
"They're doing it again," he stated.
"Are they always like that?" Mizuki asked curiously.
"Sometimes…maybe all the time."
"Wait!" Akihisa panicked. "It's our Avatars who are supposed to beat each other up, not us!" His Avatar was quaking with fear.
"That's true." Her Avatar was cracking its fists. "The two of us aren't going to beat each other up."
"Ah, thank you." Akihisa sighed in relief, but his Avatar didn't like that idea {!}.
"It's just me; not the two of us." Minami gave off an innocent smile. "I'll be doing the beating up!" Akihisa squealed in terror {Aahh!}.
"Ahem," the teacher cleared his throat. "Shimada…"
"See!" Akihisa explained in a fit. "There; it's against the rules!"
"…Just this once."
"Sure!" Minami and her Avatar answered.
"For real!?" Akihisa and his Avatar cried.
"Socket wrench," said Rai. Jolt was digging around the box of tools for the needed equipment. In the front yard, the two were busy making some adjustments on the mansion's new, ideal structure. Rai was kneeling in a small patch of grass while Jolt searched for the metal rotating device.
"Pika pi," Jolt handed it to him. Rai twisted the device until it ticked with each turn. Once he could no longer turn it, he held out his hand.
"Pliers." Jolt handed him the small pincers.
"Pi." Rai tugged out some of the wiring and reached for his wire cutters. He snipped apart the red, white and green plastics and tied together the copper with the matching colors.
"Electric Tape." Jolt tossed the black roll of super adhesive. Rai stretched the tape and shredded it with his teeth. He coiled the bonding agent until there was no copper showing. Kurumu exited the mansion from the front and walked over to Rai and Jolt. She wondered if it was best to tell him about what happened the other day.
"I'm from the same race as Reiri…Do you catch my drift?"
"We got a call from Reiri you guys were horsing around."
Whose side is she on, anyway? Kurumu thought. She stopped near Rai as he focused on the finishing touches. "Hey, Rai!" He turned to her.
"Oh hey," Rai responded. "What's up?"
"Nothing…just came outside for some air."
"That's nice…" Rai went back to his work. Kurumu looked over his shoulder at what he was doing. He remained undistracted. Jolt looked over at Kurumu; curious to why she might be hiding something. She decided to ease in on the subject.
"So, about Reiri, did you know she's—?"
"I got it," said Rai.
"Y-You do?" Kurumu was surprised Rai jumped to the conclusion instantly.
"Looks like it's ready." Rai gathered the materials and placed it inside the box carrier. He grabbed it by the large handle and started walking back around the house. Kurumu followed behind him.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I completely finished installing the high tech security system throughout the entire mansion, and let me tell you; ADT got nothing on this."
"Security? From what?"
"Just about anything: robbers, intruders, unwelcomed house guests; Hime asked me to put it up." He looked down at the tools inside the box. He started digging for the most efficient and placed it in his belt. Kurumu cocked an eyebrow at Rai's actions. "Come on, who else is gonna use this besides me?" Jolt shrugged in agreement. From the nearby bushes, a trio of boys was spying on the mansion. They had the same white buttoned shirt and blue jeans that Hiro wore.
"This is his home," the boy with square glasses clarified. He took snapshots of the manor with his old-fashion shutter camera. "Hiro Hiyorimi, I've followed him and traced him here."
"Those hotties live here?" the boy with the bowl haircut asked.
"I'm certain of it."
"But," the flat top boy pondered, "Why do we have to sneak in?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Bucchi held up his camera. "There's no point in solving the mystery unless we do it ourselves!" Hime and Flandre were on top of the second story balcony. Hime drank her tea as she watched the three suspicious kids hiding on her mini television monitor.
"Fuga," said Flandre.
"I'm aware," Hime replied, "Intruders, huh? What do they think they're doing? I can see their every move." She detected Rai, Kurumu, and Jolt walking below them. "Raimundo," Rai looked up to her.
"Yeah?" he yelled back.
"Is the new security system installed?"
"Yea, I just finished setting it up."
"Begin the operation!" Bucchi shouted. He started running for the entrance.
"Okay!" the other two chased after him.
Hime pressed a square white button on her remote control sitting on the table.
As they dashed for the building, a trap hole opened underneath them. They fell in.
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
[Oh, what a shame! They won't be moving on to the third round.]
"Hm?" Sawawa thought she heard a noise.
The three boys kept their strength against the dirt walls. Even a single slip could have them landing on a collection of sharpened bamboo shoots.
"Hey," Hiro's voice came from above. "Aren't you guys…?"
"You know them?" Rai asked. The boys looked to see Hiro and Rai poke their heads over the hole.
"H-Hiro?" Bucchi asked.
"Who's the other guy?" Maruyama (bowl boy) examined.
"That's not a hottie!" Yushida (flat top) confirmed.
"Ha!" Rai chuckled. "Keep dreaming."
"Well, the traps seem to work," Hime looked over as well.
"Fuga," Flandre joined in. After her were Kurumu, Sawawa, Jolt, and Riza.
"Hotties spotted!" the boys cried with joy.
"A Photo Op!" Bucchi went nuts with the camera as he took at least ten shots a second.
"What the heck?" Riza asked.
"Don't forget my good side!" Kurumu was posing for the pictures.
"Pikachu," Jolt sighed. Bucchi's foot slipped and Maruyama lost his grip; forcing them to drop.
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
Crash!
"Pretty loud guys, huh?" Hime asked. Hiro only laughed cowardly at this mishap. Rai felt a chill go down his spine. He looked over to the trees.
"…" Rai turned away. The bushes rustled for a bit.
The crew was standing on the second platform of the stairs discussing the matter. "Who were those guys, anyway?" Riza asked.
"I'm gonna say their friends of Hiro," Rai assumed.
"They're not just here to play with him, are they?" Kurumu asked.
"You know us guys…they probably just want to hang out." Hiro came out from the kitchen and took a tray of sliced cakes and cups of tea down the next hallway.
"So, when did you have those death traps installed?" Riza asked.
"This merchant from the Royal Kingdom was so persistent," Hime responded. "I said I didn't need them, but he gave them to me anyway." She held up the grey remote controlling the traps in the mansion. "Thanks to Raimundo's assistance, I now have a good way to kill time, and plenty more to use. Just be careful not to get caught in them, dear."
"Ha!" Riza laughed. "Don't group me in with those weak boys." Riza turned to Rai. "…What kind of traps did you put in exactly?"
"Man," Rai scratched his head. "What didn't I put in?"
The broken down church house stood next to the gloomy cemetery. The windows were shattered, broken lumber was scattered over the dusty red carpet, and a black coffin rested at the front of the room. Reiri stretched her arms and yawned as she sat atop her bed. She removed her ascot from her uniform.
"All right, guess I'll rest until nightfall," she suggested. A bat swooped in from a broken glass window and landed on her shoulder.
"Squeak Squeak!" the bat cried.
"Oh," she translated. "Hiro has friends over?" She began to smile. "Intriguing, isn't it? I wonder who it could be…"
"Wh-Why am I here?" Hiro asked. The four of them were staying in Hiro's room with his bed, TV, game console, and desk where he placed the tray of snacks. Hiro and his 'friends' were talking about how he ended up living in this luxurious mansion. "My big sister is a live-in maid here, so I tagged along." The boys listened to his story. "And Riza is friends with Hime along with Raimundo and Kurumu."
"That squishy-squishy maid is your sister?" Bucchi asked.
"She's working for the princess?" Yushida added.
"And you live with that muscle-bound girl, too?" Maruyama implied. The boys thought it over a moment…then sighed with joy.
(Bucchi's Dream)
"For dinner tonight, I'm going to make all of your favorite things, Bucchi!" Sawawa giggled as she strolled down the sidewalk. Bucchi only blushed at her playful nature.
"You made me so happy, big sis!" he said. She looked back to him.
"Let's race to the pickle store! On your mark…" She took off running.
"Wait for me!" he cried while taking more photos. "Wait for me, big sis!"
"Catch me if you can!"
(Maruyama's Dream)
The two were lifting in Riza's room. Actually, Riza was benching the large dumbbells while Maruyama only lifted a ten pound weight in his hand.
"I need to take a break, Riza," Maruyama said drained.
"How pathetic," Riza responded. She didn't stop her work-out. "And you call yourself a man?"
"That's so cold." Maruyama's pride was wounded.
"Come on, cheer up," Riza rested the dumbbell and made her way towards him. "I'll train you every day." Her arms wrapped around his neck. She softly whispered into his ear. "So hurry…"
"Riza…"
"Hurry up…and become a strong man who'll be able to protect me…"
(Yushida's Dream)
Yushida kneeled in front of Hime. She looked down at her despicable slave.
"I'm you mistress from this day forward," Hime declared. "Does that please you?"
"Yes, ma'am," Yushida obeyed.
"Does that please you?" She repeated herself. Hime pressed a black high-heeled shoe against his face.
"Yes, ma'am."
"I don't know of any pets that says, 'yes, ma'am'."
"Bark Bark!" Shinto woofed like a mutt with his tongue out.
"I don't need a dog…I need a little piggy!" Hime's expression grew more menacing. Yushida was pushed to the ground with sweet bliss on his face.
"Yeah, okay, oink oink." Hime laughed at his shameful display.
The three boys hugged each other as they remained in their own fantasy worlds.
"Squishy-squishy big sis, shopping with you makes me so happy!" Bucchi cheered.
"The feminine heart of a muscle-bound girl is worth its weight in gold!" Maruyama blushed.
"Scowl at me, belittle me, walk all over me!" Yushida grinned. As for Hiro…he was becoming very disturbed by their actions.
I don't know what's going on, Hiro thought, but I think I should get the heck out of here. Hiro tiptoed for the door. His leg was suddenly grabbed by all three boys.
"Do you really think we'll let you keep that amazing lifestyle all to yourself, you jerk?" Maruyama stated.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Hiro replied.
"You don't?" Bucchi interrupted. "You're living the reality that makes all men envious!"
"There's nothing good about it!" Hiro explained. "I feel like I can die at any moment!" He quickly covered his mouth. "No, I mean…I'm just not freeloading here." The boys rose from the ground. "I'm like their bodyguards of sorts. It's actually a lot of work."
"How could a pathetic, little weakling like you ever be a bodyguard!?" Maruyama yelled out.
"You've gotten a big head from all this!" Bucchi assumed.
"From all the men across the globe," Yushida raised his leg. "Kick!" The three tackled Hiro and beat the snot out of him. They left the room after finishing. Hiro lay on the ground confused as to why this happened.
"What's gotten into those guys?" he asked. "What did they come here for?" He passed out. From behind the opened door, a black creature with red eyes peeked into the room. It stared down at Hiro.
"…You're kidding, right?" Kurumu asked.
"Doesn't look like they are," said Rai. Hime and the others looked down to Yushida, Bucchi, and Maruyama who were kneeling before them at the bottom of the stairs.
"You wish to work for me?" asked Hime.
"Yes, Your Highness," Yushida answered. "We'd like to be your new bodyguards in this mansion."
"I'd like to work out with Riza!" Maruyama assured.
"And me too," Bucchi finished. "And might I suggest I stay in the room next to your live-in maid?" The three huffed with determination.
"Pika?" Jolt didn't really understand why.
"What do you think, Your Highness?" Riza asked. "Doesn't look like they'll be leaving anytime soon."
"Doesn't sound like a bad deal to me," a young voice came from the front door.
"Sherwood…" Hime welcomed her. She was a young girl with red slit eyes and golden hair like Hime, but tied back into a ponytail by her silver crown. Her black dress went to her knees while her belt contained red roses going about her waist. The sleeveless dress had white ruffles at the ends of her shoulders and the bottom of the skirt. She wore black dress shoes, white leggings, and a pink clip to keep the bangs out of her face. Standing beside Sherwood was a tall maid with short, dark green hair and oval glasses. Her outfit was just like Flandre's, but she had two large bolts on top of her head.
"Oh baby!" the boys ogled them with amazement. "More hotties incoming!"
"A maid with glasses; incredible!" Bucchi snapped a few shots.
"Who's the kid?" Rai asked.
"That would be my younger sister," Hime replied.
"Your sister!?" Kurumu was shocked at the resemblance. Sherwood looked in their direction.
"It seems you have more guests staying at your mansion," she stared at the three. However, her biggest distraction was Rai's comrade viewing back at her.
"Pi?" Jolt tilted his head. Sherwood walked over and picked him up.
"Where did you find this cute little rabbit?" Jolt popped a vein.
"He's…one of a kind," Rai answered.
"So cute!" Sherwood squeezed him tight. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I held on to him for a while."
"Knock yourself out."
"Pifafu,"Jolt muffled.
"We don't have any entertainment like this at my place," Sherwood yawned. "It's always so boring."
"Who are you calling entertainment?" Riza disagreed.
"Aren't having all these subjects here troublesome?" Sherwood held Jolt close. "I'd be glad to take them off your hands." Hime looked down at the boys.
"…Very well then, boys," Hime approved. "Since you're so insistent, I'll allow you a trial. If you pass, you will be at my beck and call as my servant." The boys grew enthusiastic. She turned to Hiro who was just arriving from the hallway. "Hiro, you should join them, too."
"Yes, ma'am." He answered.
"You'll be fired in an instant if you lose." Hiro kneeled to her.
"Very well, Your Highness."
"Hiro looks more mature, doesn't he?" Kurumu asked.
"He's creeping me out," Riza added. Hiro stood and looked over to Sherwood.
"Princess Sherwood, you're looking lovely today," Hiro greeted her. She began to blush wildly.
"What?" Sherwood clenched Jolt in her arms. "Hiro's an even greater man than he usually is today!"
"Fuga," said Francesca.
"We will not lose!" all three boys declared.
Jolt pulled the red cart as he drew the starting line in chalk. Hiro stood ready for the competition, Bucchi checked over his camera, Maruyama snapped his neck back and forth to relieve any stress, and Yushida cracked his knuckles. Jolt moved the chalk cart to the side as the boys kneeled into the starting position. Sherwood stood next to him with a red flag in her right hand.
"All right…" Sherwood announced. "The first one to reach my sister wins, but you had better watch out because there are plenty of booby-traps planted." She raised the flag. "On your marks, get set…" The boys were ready. "Go!" They took off. Yushida started taking the lead. Maruyama noticed him making his way to the side window.
"Wait!" he yelled. "There might be traps if you go in directly!" Yushida slid the window open.
"There's other ways besides going in directly," Yushida confirmed. "Okay…"
Bonk!
A large tree trunk bashed Yushida upside the head. The others ran past him. From inside, Flandre held the lumber in place.
"Fuga." Hime continued to sip her tea. She tapped her finger on the remote.
"There are plenty of traps left," she assured.
Hiro and the remaining contestants raced past the tree in the front yard. Little did they know that Sherwood and Jolt made their way onto a tree branch. She held a radio communicator in her hand.
"Hiro's in the lead," she called in. "Please stop him, Francesca."
"Pikachu?" Jolt asked.
Hiro opened the doors to the mansion. Standing in front of him was Francesca holding a small silver marble in her hand. Her thumb was placed just behind it; ready to flick it at any second.
"This looks like a Photo Op!" Bucchi appeared with a camera in his hand.
"Fuga."
Pew!
The ball shot at high speed. It clashed into Hiro enough to force him to the ground.
"I'm terribly sorry about that." Sherwood looked through her yellow binoculars. "If Hiro wins, he'll belong to my sister once again, and that's not in my future romantic plans for the poor boy." Jolt started sweating from Sherwood's dedication in the competition.
"Pika…" Jolt sweat dropped.
"Fuga," Francesca readied the next ball in her hand. Maruyama grabbed onto her.
"I really love strong women," he complimented. "How about it? Let's go out for coffee sometime?"
"…Fuga."
Pew!
The marble shot past Maruyama and plastered into the wall. His hair was grazed just centimeter from his face. Haruyama dropped to the ground and started retreating. Bucchi didn't mind, so he started taking pictures of Francesca.
"A battle maid!" He snapped the photos. "A battle maid!" She turned in his direction. "Eh?"
"Fuga."
Pew!
Bucchi skidded across the floor. Hiro stood back up and raced toward Francesca.
"Fuga," Francesca fired rapid rounds of marbles one after another. Hiro ducked and dodged every shot until he was close enough. "Fuga." In a single leap, Hiro hopped above Francesca's head with one hand. He made a dash for the east hall.
"Pikachu!" Jolt was surprised to see Hiro take the lead.
"You're so cool, Hiro!" Sherwood praised him. "But I can't let you reach the goal first before the others. But then again, I don't want to stop watching Hiro looking so cool, either." She had a conflict. "Whatever should I do, huh?" Jolt heard someone giggle behind the two.
"It's always so lively whenever I come here," a familiar voice entered.
"We're not letting you live in this mansion with those hotties alone!" Yushida yelled out. He was back in the game after recovering from Flandre's sneak attack. He and Maruyama chased after Hiro who managed to reach the top of the stairs. They were coming from behind, until a cloud of bats surrounded them.
"AAAHHH!" They screamed in terror.
"It's nice to see you, Princess Sherwood," Reiri rested on the tree branch above them.
"Don't interfere, you vampire!" Sherwood demanded. Jolt rose from his seat and glared at the trespasser.
"Pi…" Sparks began flying from his cheeks.
"How adorable, it's acting as if it's a guard dog," Reiri smiled. "But, I have no interest in such an idiotic competition." Jolt eased off on the static. "Pardon my bluntness, but they said 'hotties'? Seems to me those boys need to be shown the error of their ways."
The two boys tried desperately to shoo away the bats. One took a bite at Yushida's neck.
"It's sucking my blood!" he cried.
Snap! Snap!
The light from Bucchi's camera scared some away.
"Oh man, this is awesome," he said. "It's not often you get to photograph a bloodsucking scene." He continued snapping pics. "If only you were maids, it would be the best!" Yushida and Maruyama looked at one another, and then nodded in agreement. They quickly made their way out of the bats and grabbed a hold on Bucchi.
"Here goes!" the boys tossed him into the swarm as they started feasting on his flesh.
"Farewell, Bucchi," Yushida saluted.
"We won't let your death be in vain," Maruyama added. They ran past Bucchi as his blood was being drained.
"Th-they're sucking my blood…" he groveled. "…down to the very last drop." Rest in Peace.
Hiro continued to take the lead. The hallway had a few trophies of animal heads mounted on the wall. They were arranged starting with a buck, ram, moose, panda, grizzly…? The panda slowly turn its head. The wall began to crack and fall apart.
"AAAAHHH!" the boys cried. The panda came bursting out in their path.
"Rawr!" it growled. The beast lashed out its claws straight into Hiro. He dived down and slid underneath the bear. The boys continued screaming as they ran while holding each other. They passed the confused beast. "Raw?" From the ceiling, two pandas came swaying in on a tire swing. Hiro avoided the assault, but the two boys had the back of their pants swiped off. Suddenly, a guillotine came falling down from the ceiling.
Slice!
The blade nearly grazed their rears and they took off running.
"Do you think we're close?" Maruyama asked.
"I say you guys got a long way to go," Rai spoke out. The three noticed Rai standing at the end of the hall and the next foyer to the right.
"What are you supposed to be?" asked Yushida. "The butler?"
"Pretty much," Rai lifted his scythe from his belt. "As for you, I'd say you're on a roll." Rai stabbed the staff to the ground. A pressure pad lowered as trap doors opened from the side walls. A barrage of rolling logs with spikes connected in the center. Metal tracks shot out from the wall; aligning straight down the corridor. The logs rolled off into the three. Hiro jumped over the continuing obstacles. Maruyama and Yushida hit the floor as the spikes flew over their heads and trimmed a few inches from the top. Hiro quickly curved to the right hallway followed by the remaining contestants. "Well, my work here is done."
As Hiro continued running, numerous amounts of holes opened up from the walls. Large black spears jutted out toward the middle trying to trap the prey in its sharp points. Hiro swerved away from the spikes until he was free from danger.
Jab!
A large barb pierced Hiro's skin. He pulled the spear from his shoulder and shrugged it off. He walked down the hall.
"Well, well," Hime watched Hiro's actions from the monitor. "Not too shabby at all."
"Who would have ever thought that our little Hiro would be in the lead?" Reiri watched from the tree branch.
"Pika pika," Jolt saw the action from the binoculars.
"That's my Hiro," Sherwood smiled romantically.
"Fuga," said Francesca.
Maruyama caught his breath after nearly escaping the death traps. "It's…no good," he huffed. "We'll never make it out of here, Yushida!" His comrade huffed as he started rising to his feet.
"The rest of you can go home," Yushida disagreed. "As for me, I'm going—going on."
"Wait—why? Why are you doing that?"
"Because I can see it...I can see the gorgeous princess waiting for me." Yushida continued to push himself forward. He could see his princess waiting for him in the tower. "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair. She's my Rapunzel. I found someone I'm willing to give my life to be with; she's my everything." Maruyama realized his resolve.
"You're right, man!" he agreed. "I'm going too! For my princess, Riza!"
"That's the spirit! All men, worldwide, have a princess within their hearts!" Thus, they moved on. Hiro was already making his way over to the last hallway. He noticed his next rival approaching from the front.
"My name is Riza Wildman," she folded her arms in declaration. "I am the daughter of the mighty warrior, Volg Wildman! If you wish to see Hime, you'll have to defeat me first!" Her arms grew into massive beast fists. "So give it all you got, Hiro!" He stood unmoved by her speech.
Bucchi remained in Sawawa's care in her bedroom. She placed another Band-Aid on his cheek.
"There," she said.
"A Photo Op," Bucchi whispered while snapping a photo.
"Okay," Sawawa clapped her hands together. "Pain, Pain, go away, come again another day!" Bucchi sat up and well-rested.
"It's all gone." Sawawa was glad, but she still needed to look him over.
"Hold on," she felt his forehead. "Here too." Bucchi could see the fruits of his labor coming closer.
It's like Shangri-La! He fantasized. Squish-Squish! Squish-Squish! Squish-Squish! Squish-Squish! He made fell back with his face red as a tomato.
"Huh?" Sawawa asked. "What happened? Hello?" Bucchi was down for the count. "Oh dear, what should I do now?"
"Come on; bring it on, tough guy!" Riza demanded. She and Hiro were at a standoff waiting for the first move.
"Wow, it's Riza!" Maruyama was apparently the one to make it. He jumped at her only to have his face grabbed by her paw.
"What's this?" Riza asked. "You're training methods are all wrong! You need to eat more meat; meat I say!" Maruyama didn't pay any attention because he was busy snuggling in Riza's soft hand.
"Riza…" he blushed. "Riza's meaty paw…it's incredible!" Riza felt somewhat disturbed.
"Eh?" she had the chills. "You're sick!" She tossed Maruyama into the wall. His head plastered a hole.
"Maruyama!" Yushida shouted.
"Riza's bark," Maruyama started sliding down to the ground.
"What gives, kid?" Riza asked. "What the hell are you thinking? Hiro, you need to do a better job at picking your friends." She turned to see Hiro standing no more than a few feet away. "Hiro?" He stood in a combat position. "Y-you—b-but…that's unusual." Riza agreed to his conditions. "Whatever." she urged him to come closer. "Bring it." Hiro grabbed her arm. "Huh!?" He started swinging her over his head in circles. "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" After the third spin, Hiro tossed her at the wall.
Crash!
Riza formed a crater in the wall. "Hiro…" she ached in pain. "You—what on earth…?" Hiro took no pity and took a left turn. Yushida was the only one who managed to keep up with him thus far.
"You're not gonna get the best of me, Hiro!" Yushida declared. The next hallway had a right turn in the center going to the glass doors. The two had finally come to the last turn when a girl with bat wings floated before them. "Hey there, boys," Kurumu greeted them.
"Hey, you're that one girl we saw earlier," Yushida remembered.
"That's right," Kurumu reached out for a red-chained lever hanging from the ceiling. "It's time for you guys to drink or slim!"
"Uh, don't you mean sink or swim?" Yushida corrected. Kurumu pulled the lever. A trap door opened from the ceiling behind her. A blast of rushing water began falling and spreading across the hallway. The rapid flood came straight at the two.
"AAAAAAAHHH!" Yushida was swept away by the current. Hiro, on the other hand, began wall jumping back and forth until he was within range. He grabbed onto Kurumu's tail and swung for the hallway.
"Hey!" Kurumu pulled down her skirt. "Be careful with that!" Hiro jumped to the soaked floor and marched toward the glass doors.
Hime rested in her seat while drinking the last of her tea. The doors opened.
"Is that you, Hiro?" Hime asked. Hiro walked through to the balcony.
"I finished in first," he answered.
"…You did well," Hime rose from her seat. Hiro kneeled in front of her and prepared to kiss her hand. "That's strange; since when did your body stop healing its injuries?" Hiro stopped. He gazed up at her with his red eyes.
"Hime…DIE!" Hime simply smiled. "AAAARGHHH!" Hiro charged in at her. She pressed a button on the remote.
Click!
The awning separated from the pedestals. The pillars aimed inward and fired at Hiro; covering his entire body in piercing needles. "Aahh!" Hiro's body shifted into a black shadow. The needles were absorbed into its skin.
"A race that's skilled at transformation," Hime concluded. The shadow reached out to her. "Flandre!"
"Fuga!" Flandre ran in with a giant blue capsule on her back and a spray gun in her hands. She quickly fired off a white cloud at the creature. In a matter of seconds, it was frozen solid.
"Liquid nitrogen…" Hime explained. "I'll have to commend you before you freeze. "You're transformation skills are impressive. I mean, you made yourself better than the original."
Slice!
Rai hacked his scythe at the creature. It split in two and disintegrated.
"But they're a pain in the ass," said Rai.
"You know of these creatures?" Hime asked.
"It's not the first time I've seen them. The first one made tried to kill me, and then there were those things in Inaba, and now they're here too." Rai watched as it vanished.
"Any idea where they might have come from?" Rai started thinking for a moment.
"…It didn't stop by just to say hi." Rai stared at Hime as he made his view to the discreet string around her neck.
"Hm?" Hime looked down at her foot. It was being rubbed by Yushido who was still dripping wet.
"My Rapunzel…" he chanted. "Please, please wrap me in your golden locks." He looked up to her. "Or you can step on me. Please, please…" Hime raised her left leg.
Stomp!
A red footprint was left on Yushida's face.
"Flandre, bring me a new pair of shoes," Hime requested.
"I'll go get the broom," Rai sighed.
"Fuga!" Flandre replied.
The sun had started setting over the mansion. Hiro was in his room just emerging from his long nap. He went looking for Hime and where everyone else might be. As he walked about the mansion, there were holes in the walls, rubble scattered across the floor, and water leaking in from the second floor. He eventually met up with Rai.
"Hey, Hiro," Rai greeted him.
"Oh, hey," he replied. "By any chance, have you seen Hime?"
"She's sitting on the balcony," Rai pointed his thumb to the second floor. "How you feeling?"
"I'm fine, why are you asking?"
"Uh, no reason." Hiro scratched his head and went looking for the princess. Rai heard the girl's laughing in the dining room. Sherwood, Sawawa, Reiri, Jolt, and Francesca sat and stood around the table. "So, the guys bailed, huh?"
"Oh, don't worry about them," Sherwood guaranteed. "They've been already taken care of."
"I'm glad Hiro had a chance to play with his new friends," Sawawa smiled.
"Not to mention we had fun too," Kurumu winked.
"That was rather amusing to watch," Reiri added. Rai decided to pull up a chair and join the ladies in their conversation.
"Oh my," Sawawa rose from her seat. "I should get you a drink as well, Mr. Ortega."
"Oh no, it's fine. Don't worry about it."
"You wait right there." Sawawa exited the room. Reiri and Sherwood looked over to Rai inspecting his appearance.
"Hmm, I find it hard to believe that someone like you is a Celestial Reaper," Sherwood drank her tea. "Though, it is the first time met one."
"I take that Hime brought you up to speed with my alter ego?" Rai asked.
"Fuga," said Francesca.
"How fascinating," Reiri added. "To think someone like you is actually from another world. It's as if you're an alien not from earth."
"Pika pi," Jolt nibbled on his cookie.
"He does fit the bill of being the odd ball out," Kurumu joked.
"Thanks," Rai sweat dropped. "Hopefully, Hime will see my skills and let us go with the sou—" Kurumu covered his mouth. "Mmmffffmm."
"Hehe," Kurumu laughed cowardly. Reiri raised an eyebrow. She leaned in to Rai. "We can't trust Reiri, she's a vampire," she whispered.
"Wait—what?" Rai looked over to her. "You're a vampire?" Reiri smiled.
"Guilty as charged," she sipped her tea. Jolt nodded his head.
"Here you go," Sawawa entered the room with a cup in her hand. She sat it in front of Rai.
"Thanks," Rai took a large drink. Kurumu looked over to Reiri with suspicion, while Sherwood looked to Jolt with cute affection. This can't be good.
"Listen closely," the remedial teacher announced. "There was an incident yesterday. Someone stole all of the confiscated material and my own personal books out of my locker." The class remained silent, except for Akihisa who was whistling nonchalantly and Bryan who was drawing a picture of the teacher being eaten by a T-Rex. "These individuals were so shameless and cocky, that they openly presented their student IDs when they pond off my old books and their video games!" He stood between the students desks, while Yuji looked away having not being involved whatsoever. "Well boys, what do you think of that?"
"Yeah, that is a cocky move," Akihisa smiled.
"…What?" Bryan just noticed him.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha…" the three laughed together.
"Ortega! Yoshii!" the teacher yelled. "Prepare yourselves for doom!"
"I'm sorry!" Akihisa pleaded. "I had a good reason!"
"I didn't know they were your books!" Bryan explained.
"The two of you have finally earned the title this institution reserves for true idiots," the teacher handed them an envelope. Bryan opened the letter, but he couldn't read the bold black writing and red stamp.
"What does it say?" Bryan asked.
"Akihisa Yoshii, Bryan Ortega; the both of you are now…Probationary Students!"
-To Be Continued-
Flandre: Fuga!
Hime: Why is the refrigerator door open?
Riza looks like she's been down in the dumps lately. So, I thought I'd whip up some home-style pancakes for her.
Hime: I had no idea you can cook.
Well, I can pretty much cook for myself during breakfast, but dinner is a whole different issue.
Hime: For a moment, I thought you were going inside the fridge.
No, I don't think that's possible. All rights reserved and materials used in this story belong to their respectable owners. Leave a comment and Review on your opinions and ideas.
Flandre: Fuga, Fuga!
Next Time: Princess Succession
Looks like there's gonna be a storm tonight.
Hime: Why would you think that?
Flandre: Fuga!