Ch. 29 Princess Succession
Crash!
Rai, Kurumu and Jolt were eating dinner when they heard a glass window shatter.
"We've got company," Rai pointed with his fork. The three made a run for the entrance where they met with Riza and Hiro. "What's going on?"
"Damn it, we dropped our guard!" Riza yelled. The five rushed outside the mansion.
"You heard it too?" Kurumu asked.
"Pikachu!?" Jolt cried. Hiro started falling behind.
"Hey, wait up!" he huffed.
"We can't!" Riza explained. "Hime's being attacked!" Kurumu's wings shot out from her back as she took to the sky. She viewed the scene with Hime struggling against a dark figure for a long trident. The assassin had a blue vest and a black ski mask shrouding her face. Her arms were covered with black sleeves separating from her shirt and brown boots.
"They're over by the pond!" Kurumu shouted.
"We're on it!" Rai called back.
The two continued their duel. Hime managed to take back the trident and swat the assassin away. The dark figure remained in a ready stance. Hime brought her weapon downward on the attacker. The assassin performed a backflip and dove into the pond. Hime watched the shimmering pool of water; a clear reflection of the moon in the night sky.
"…" she stared…waiting.
Splash!
The assassin leapt out from the water. Two large blades darted from her forearms. She dived straight at Hime.
BZZZZTTT!
"CHU!" Jolt released a Thunderbolt. The assassin stepped away from the electricity that shielded the princess. She turned around to see Rai block her path from behind.
"You're not going anywhere," he smiled. Kurumu landed to the right as Riza blocked her left exit. All four of them had her surrounded.
"You're late," said Hime.
"Shut up!" Riza barked. "I'm not one of your servants."
"…Riza," the assassin whispered.
"I got her!" Kurumu flew at the target. The assassin jumped away as Kurumu flew by her. She grabbed Kurumu's leg and tossed her to the ground. "Ow!" Kurumu landed on her back. She sprung up and started clawing at the enemy with her extended nails. Each swipe tried to land a hit, but the assassin only evaded as she drew Kurumu to the pond. "Hold still, will ya!?" Kurumu hurdled in. The assassin quickly moved behind her and elbowed her between her wings.
Splash!
Kurumu fell in the water.
"Pika!" Jolt went rushing forward. The assassin crossed her arms and pushed against his tackle. Jolt flied away from the enemy and charged again, but started building his attack. "Pika pikapikapikapikapika…!" He readied for a Wild Charge. Kurumu popped out of the water.
"What the hell was that?" Kurumu yelled. The assassin front flipped over Jolt. "Eh?"
"Pika!?" Jolt rammed into Kurumu.
Kaboom!
The static caused a massive explosion. A dust cloud surrounded them. Kurumu floated on her back; completely paralyzed. Jolt held onto Kurumu's right wing as a floatation device.
"Pika pi…"
"So that's…what it feels like," Kurumu mumbled with static in her hair.
"Wow, she's good," Rai said in astonishment.
"That's the enemy!" Riza reminded him.
"Yeah…but still." Rai equipped his scythe. He stood against his opponent; the two circled one another in a standoff. "Think fast!" Rai tossed his scythe like a boomerang. The spinning blade went right at the assassin. She quickly ducked for the dirt as it spun overhead. When she looked up, Rai had come running in with his fist ready to strike. The assassin leapt back and drew out her blades. She rushed in with her scissor arms.
Clank!
Rai had his drivers blocking the blades. The tips of the razors were close enough to graze the small hairs from his arms. "Anytime would be nice!"
"I hear ya!" Riza shouted. She summoned her wolf claws to crush the killer. "Sleep tight!" The assassin pulled apart her blades and grabbed Rai's arm.
"Huh?" She threw him into Riza.
Splash!
The two fell into the pond with Jolt and Kurumu. The assassin made a quick getaway and vanished into the woods.
"Damn it; she escaped!" Riza yelled. Her anger fueled after her humiliating defeat.
"Riza?" Hiro said curiously.
"I hope nobody saw that," Rai suggested. He turned to Hime who was starring bluntly at the four now washed up. "…oh yeah…"
Morning
Punch! Punch! Punch!
Riza kept beating the punching bag tied to a tree branch. Her brutal punches and sidekicks continued on for another hour of training. From the balcony, Hiro and the others were watching her at a safe distance.
"Riza's been so gloomy," Hiro assumed. "I wonder why?" Jolt stood next to Rai and Kurumu leaning against the awning.
"She's probably still pissed from last night," Kurumu assumed. "We outnumbered the killer four to one and barely made a scratch."
"There's no need to be in such a rush, either," Hime assured. She sat on her chair while drinking her tea. "As long as Riza's with me, there's a chance we'll encounter them. Riza's enemy will come after me. She needs to sharpen her claws and wait for that day to come."
"You say that like everyone's out to kill you," Rai turned to Hime.
"Isn't it obvious?" Hime informed them. "We are at war."
"Pika?" Jolt asked.
Kapow!
Riza launched a final blow onto the bag. Sand seeped out of a large hole.
"This piece of crap bag won't do," Riza figured. "Hiro!"
"Riza's calling for you," Hime said to him. Hiro rose from his loitering.
"Huh?" he asked.
Smack!
Hiro fell across the grass.
"Don't let yourself be beaten so easily!" Riza yelled.
"You say that, but…" Hiro moaned in the dirt. Riza wasn't satisfied.
"I need a new sparring partner." She folded her arms. "Isn't there someone around here that's tougher than you?!"
"Tougher?" Hiro pondered.
"Someone skilled, with lots of power."
"Hmm…what about Flandre?"
"She's strong, but she's not able to spar." Hiro looked to the awning and saw the others watching them.
"What about Raimundo and Kurumu?" Riza thought it over, and realized it was a good idea.
"Yeah, that'll work!" Riza looked over to the others. "Hey!"
"What's up?" Rai asked.
"Come on, let's get some practice going!" Rai looked over to Hime. She simply shrugged her shoulders.
"Alright, you're on!" He replied. Rai jumped onto the awning. Kurumu flew over Rai and grabbed him by the arms. She quickly lifted him to the ground below. "You ready, Riza? It's three against one just so you know."
"Huh? Riza didn't understand. "What are you talking about?" It wasn't until Rai turned around and saw Kurumu and Jolt waving to him from the balcony.
"Hey, what gives!?"
"Sorry, but I need to go practice my cooking~," Kurumu winked. She quickly shifted into the mansion.
"Okay then; Jolt!" Rai turned to see him resting on Hime's lap. She stroked his striped back as he snoozed. "I feel betrayed…"
"Are we gonna fight or what?" Riza grew impatient. Rai took his stance. He reached for his belt and unclipped the buckle. He tossed his belt to the side and stood like a boxer for a match. "You're not arming yourself?"
"Nope," Rai answered. "I'll fight you on even ground." Riza smiled at her advantage.
"Have it your way!" Riza came running at Rai. Her right fist transformed and came crashing down.
Bam!
Riza's fist missed Rai as he jumped to the right. He rolled over and returned to standing.
"You'll have to be faster than that," Rai suggested.
"How did you dodge that?"
"I've had my share of fights before I got here." Rai went on the offensive. He ran straight at Riza.
"Nice try!" Riza shielded herself with her arms. Instead, Rai slid underneath her and swept her feet. She fell forward to the ground. "Damn it, quit moving!" Riza bared her fangs as she got up.
"The guy from last night didn't hold back, so I can't do that either." Riza charged in at Rai. She slashed at him hoping to get a hit. "Try to stay focused!" Rai stepped back and forth evading each hit. Riza was furious.
"WILL YOU SHUT UP!?" Riza drew back her arm and came in with a full-throttle fist.
Pow!
Rai ducked to the ground. Riza's arm crashed into one of the support beams for the balcony. The marble cracked and shook the second floor. Jolt slipped off Hime's lap and fell over.
"Pika!?" Jolt suddenly stumbled between the pillars of the awning. He landed on Riza's head.
"Grrr," she growled. Jolt sweat dropped. Hime stepped over to the edge and looked down on everyone.
"Perhaps it's best to find a more suited place for your training," Hime offered.
"Really?" Rai asked. "Where?"
"Welcome, welcome, princess!" a crowd of green, fish monsters cheered ahead of Riza and Rai. The creatures greeting them had green scaly skin and fins for hands and feet. Their fish faces had beady yellow eyes and small fangs on the upper jaws of their swollen lips. A banner hung above them reading: WELCOME RIZA. The small group had arrived to a lake with blue waters in front of them and dry land with a dense forest behind them. In the center of the lake, there was a small island with a red arch showing a stairway to the top.
"Are those talking frogs?" Rai asked. Instead of his butler attire, he wore his casual baseball tee, but had on blue swimming trunks. Riza carried her helmet under her arm with her motorcycle close by. From the brown station wagon, Hiro, Hime, Flandre, and Jolt stepped out to accompany the others.
"Their actually fish men," Hime cleared up.
"Riza!" A giant fish head appeared before them.
"That's a big fish!" Rai examined the monstrous fish man who stood taller than the mansion itself.
"You can't tell how much I missed you!" the giant blushed.
"I hate you!" Riza answered with her fist. Rai watched Riza pummel the large tuna.
"We might be here a while," Rai confirmed. "We'll meet up with you guys."
"Pikachu," Jolt nodded.
"Welcome back, Princess," A short, elder fish man welcomed them. He bared a small moustache and small beard and carried a small wooden cane in his hand for his old age. Hime stared up at a small cabin resting at the very top of the landslide. The four started following the chief up the mountain. "We fish men polished our scales and waited with bated breath for your return. It's the truth…I'm not lying to you. That's exactly what we did."
"Looks like you managed to rebuild the villa that collapsed," Hime noticed.
"Chu?" Jolt tilted his head.
"Yes, we completed the construction quite magnificently." The small team approached the shadowed building. The chief was very anxious to show them their completed work.
Meanwhile...
"Graaaaaaargh!" Riza launched her fists at the sea monster.
Punch!
"Ow, that hurts!" the fish said with…joy? Riza punched him again.
Punch!
"That hurts a lot!" The monster blushed. Riza just continued socking him until he would retaliate, but it didn't seem likely.
"Why won't you fight me for real?" Riza asked.
"Oh, but I am!" The monster nearly tapped Riza on the shoulder. "Ay, Ay!"
"What the hell is 'Ay', you useless fish!?"
"Ok, I think I had enough fun watching," Rai sat on the sideline seeing her training go on long enough. "It's time to finish where we left off."
"Sounds good to me," Riza turned to Rai and prepared for combat.
"But Riza," the monster interrupted, "What about me?"
"Forget it; I can't train with someone weak like you!" The monster's heart was crushed. As for Rai and Riza, they went on with their physical activity. Rai rolled up his sleeves and kept his guard against Riza's fists. He leaned right and left to avoid being hit. The sand slowed his movements, so he kept a close eye on any openings available. Riza brought her left fist down on Rai. He quickly moved forward and grabbed her right arm. He pulled her over his shoulder and flipped her near the shore.
"Ha!" Riza laughed. "Beginner's luck."
"Well, I wouldn't say that," Rai replied.
"Where'd you learn to fight like that?" Riza jumped back in and blocked Rai's punches with her paws.
"You know: Sinnoh, Magnolia, Yokai Academy; you pick up a few things when you're up against shadow monsters and vampires."
"You mean Reiri?" Riza was surprised. "Man, I hate her." Rai became interested.
"You have a problem with vampires?" Rai guarded against Riza's kicks.
"Werewolves and vampires are enemies." She started kicking harder. "They wiped out more than half our species and you can't trust them for a second!" Rai blocked her final kick. "Eh?"
"You know, they might not all be the same," Rai retaliated by pulling on her leg and forcing her to the ground. "I knew a vampire who almost gave her life to save a human."
"Yeah, right," Riza pushed him and pinned him to the sand. "She probably just wanted his blood."
"Um…she did have a habit of that." Rai shoved Riza overhead. The two were now lying in the sand. "My point; everyone's different, so don't be easily fooled."
"Pssh, whatever," Riza stood up and wiped the sand from her clothes. She could see a purple jet ski resting on the other side of the beach. "So, how good are you on the water?"
"I know how to swim…why?"
Hime, Jolt, Hiro, and Flandre had arrived at the 'improved' villa. It was a small wooden cabin built on a sturdy platform. A staircase rose from the ground to the front door. However, the roof was now the shape of a gold fish facing towards the lake. Inside the house were different decorations consisting of Aquarian lifestyle. There were small statues of clams and bushels of sea creatures arranged in a small bouquet. Ceiling hangars like red jellyfish and sea shells hung above their heads. Flandre and Hiro gazed at the amazing display. Jolt leapt on the table to find small statues of the sea creatures in different poses.
"Pika?" Jolt picked up a fish that held a gold coin and acted like a sitting cat. Hime walked over and offered her hand to see it. Jolt gave it to her.
"What is this thing?" Hime inspected the figurine.
"Do you like it?" the elder asked tastefully. "It's a premium item which I put every essence of my being into making—" Hime tossed it out the window. The elder thought he should change the subject. "Eh—perhaps you would allow me to show you the cellar next?"
"Cellar?" Hime picked up the next figurine that had a fish man posed as 'The Thinker'.
"Yes, I'm certain you will find it to your liking. It's kept at a humidity of eighty percent, so as to stay soggy and comfortable for—" Hime tossed it out the window…again. "Uh, Princess?" Hime looked down at him with cold eyes.
"What?"
"…Never mind."
VRRRRMMM!
Rai rode the jet ski across the lake.
"Wooo!" Rai screamed with excitement. "I gotta get one of these!" He jumped along the waves while Riza viewed from the shoreline.
"Stay alert and keep your balance!" Riza shouted. As for the large fish man, he sat by himself while drawing him and Riza under an umbrella.
"Rain for me, Riza," he pleaded to himself. Rai made a sharp turn to the left near the center of the lake.
"Alright, one more lap around and I'll head in." He prepared to go back, until he heard another motor approaching from behind. He looked over to see a woman riding a red jet ski just next to him. She had wavy blue hair, sharp pointed ears, and sharp markings on her cheeks. Her eyes were purple with a small fin on her forehead. She wore a purple vest and black sleeves with black, tight shorts. The woman looked at him. "What's up?" Riza saw the woman riding next to Rai.
"Someone from the shark race?" she realized. "What's an assassin from the shark race doing here?" The woman plowed right past. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at Rai. He knew it was time for a race.
"I always get the blue haired girls," he smirked. "Let's go!" Rai twisted the throttle and caught up to her. The two were neck and neck as they ran their boats at high-speed. The shark woman took the lead. Rai followed behind. She instantly pulled her jet ski upward performing an aerial loop over his head. Her dog tag chimed against the breeze as she landed back beside him. "Damn, she's good." Rai twisted the clutch until his boat started flying out of the water. He forced his weight on the back of the boat and performed a backward summersault; landing just behind her. "How's that?" The woman quickly turned right creating a massive wave. When the water cleared, Rai was heading straight into a large rock. "…Shit!"
"D-Don't you find this wonderful humidity to your liking?" the elder fish man asked. "So humid and so comfortable!" He presented the new remodeling of the cellar to Hime. The boxes and storage barrels were stacked in holes and crevices inside an underground cavern. Hime didn't change the distasteful look on her face. The elder started to sweat from worry. Hiro and Jolt stepped away from the frightening princess. Hime's eyes grew menacing; the fish man's face grew panicking.
"Fuga," said Flandre. The hour of doom came closer.
Boom!
A crash came from outside. Jolt's ears twitched.
"Pika!" Jolt cried.
"W-What was that!?" Hiro asked.
A small cloud of smoke rose from the center of the lake. The giant fish monster looked over the mountainside and observed the scene.
"Th-This is bad!" he gulped. "Really bad!"
"Hey!" Riza shouted to the beast. "Hurry up and get help!" She changed into her white bathing suit and started swimming to the other side of the island.
"Awww," the monster moaned.
Rai felt the cold water entering his lungs. He began sinking to the bottom of the lake.
Now I know why I should wear a life jacket, he thought. His left eye opened trying to keep the last of his consciousness. Rai looked to the shimmering surface of the water. A dark figure was swimming at him. Is that…a mermaid? His vision faded.
"Riza!" Hiro called out. "Rai! Riza!"
"Pika pi!" Jolt shouted along. While Jolt and Hiro searched the coast, a group of fish men were tugging on a long rope leading into the water.
"Heave-ho!" They repeated. "Heave-ho! Heave-ho!" A jet ski started came pulling out from the water. The color was tinted and the exterior was dented and burned. A swarm of fish men had gone to perform a search and rescue underwater.
"Riza!" the giant yelled. "Where are you?" On the balcony of the villa, the elder called out to his people.
"All of you!" he proclaimed. "Hurry and find the princess' friends!"
"Yes, sir!" they replied. Flandre looked up to Hime as the fish men took off.
"Fuga," she noticed Hime staring off into the ocean.
*Cough* *Cough* Rai spat out water. He resumed breathing and cleared his throat. "Ack! I think I swallowed a fish." A shadow appeared from the bushes. It was the woman riding beside Rai on the lake. "…" The two stared at one another; observing each other's move. The woman came closer and held on to Rai's jaw. She looked closely as they met face-to-face. "Uh…" The woman smiled.
"You're not hurt," she answered. "You're a tough man."
"Yeah," The woman sat near the fire. "You saved my ass back there, didn't you?"
"There's no need for thanks. It was my fault for having you crash in the first place."
"Well, I should have been driving instead of showing off." The woman was flattered.
"I will admit I was impressed, but I'm afraid you not my type." Rai scratched his head.
"Yeah, I didn't think so. You're probably more into the strong and athletic type of…"
"Married woman."
"Definitely married wo…women?"
"Is there a problem?" she brushed her hair.
"Hey, I don't judge." The two started laughing. The woman reached out for a fish roasting by the fire.
"Here, eat this." Rai grabbed the cooked salmon on a stick.
"Nice." Rai chomped on the fish. "Needs tartar sauce." The two enjoyed their dinner. "So, what's your name?"
"My name's Aron," she offered her hand, "Nice to meet you." Rai happily shook it.
"I'm Rai." The two continued to talk.
In the luxurious manor, Sawawa and Kurumu prepared a full-course buffet for Princess Sherwood and her large panda.
"Okay, eat as much as you like, Sherwood," Sawawa offered. Sherwood stared at the buffet lined accordingly on the table. There was turkey, sashimi, sausage and garlic pizza, cooked turkey, roasted ribs, and much more delicacies.
"I was called over for a dinner party, but it's just me," Sherwood noted there was no one else around; just the five of them. "What the hell is up with that?"
"Oh, but Ryu is here, too!" Kurumu lifted the heavy bowl of leaves to the hungry bear.
"Good grief, isn't Hiro around here?" Sherwood was disappointed. "I've never had a more worthless and useless servant in my life."
"Sorry kid," Kurumu dropped the heavy container. "The boys are out of the house until tomorrow. Until then, you can be the first to try our new menu!"
"But, I don't need all this!" Sherwood couldn't imagine eating everything in front of her.
Growl…
Sherwood's stomach said otherwise. "…But all right. Since you went to the trouble of making all this, I'll partake of it." Sherwood took her knife and fork and ate a small piece of well-done steak. As she savored the juicy meat, her taste buds enjoyed the tender flavor. "It's delicious!"
"Don't forget about dessert!" Sawawa added. Sherwood dug in.
"Fuga," Francesca adjusted her glasses.
The crescent moon radiated throughout the night. Riza made her way around the dense trees in search of Rai.
"Where the hell is that guy?" she wondered. Just up ahead, there was a shimmering light being casted by a fire. "There he is." Riza sneaked behind the bushes to see Rai and Aron talking amongst themselves.
"That's when Natsu tied me up and gagged me with a fish," Rai explained. Aron was amazed by his story.
"My, you have met such amazing people," Aron complimented. Riza listened in on their conversation.
"Yeah, I've been around some cool places. Not only that but I met a talking bear, a snow woman, a werewolf…"
"Are you referring to Riza?"
"There's her, but this one guy took pictures of women's—" Rai stopped. "Wait, you know Riza?"
"Riza Wildman, She looks just like him."
"Who?"
"Her brother." Riza was shocked. This woman from the shark race knew something about her family.
"Riza had a brother?"
"My brother, Lobo Wildman," Riza inserted. She stepped out from the bushes.
"Riza!" Rai hailed her. "Where were you?"
"Looking for you." She looked over to the shark woman. "Where did you meet my brother?" The two stared at one another for a short time. Rai thought this might get ugly.
"Uh, why don't you take a seat and hear what she has to say?" Riza sat beside Rai. They listened to Aron's story.
"I met your brother in the army," Aron lectured.
"The army?" Riza became fascinated.
"Exactly. Even though I was from the hated race and despised shark race, he didn't discriminate against me. He was a kind soul."
"Did you happen to ask him about me, too?"
"…Yeah. You two were close, huh?"
"Yeah, but we fought all the time, though." Rai smiled.
"It's not always easy being the younger sibling," he added. "You argue and you try to prove you're just as strong and dependable as the other. But, that's the kind of thing that makes you closer."
"You have an older sibling?" Aron asked.
"There's my older brother, Richard. He usually takes charge like a leader. He puts up with me and my younger brothers; Hell, he's the one who broke our fights when we were kids." Rai looked back to Riza. "It's cool that you have a brother, Riza."
"I was drafted to be in the Royal Guard of another king, so I haven't seen him in a long time," Aron mentioned. "Is he doing well?" Riza lowered her head. Her face turned to sadness.
"What's wrong, Riza?" Rai asked.
"…My brother…" she whispered.
"Riza?" said Aron.
"My brother…he was…" Rai suddenly understood her. Riza's brother…was gone.
"I see," Aron understood as well.
"I don't know which member of the Royal Family did it," Riza explained, "but someone kidnapped me and used me as bait to lure him out."
"Did Lobo bare his fangs at his master?" Riza grew more depressed. "But I'm sure he didn't intend to kill the princess. He planned all along on being defeated by her. A soldier treasures his master's life over all others. Your brother was…a true knight." Rai remembered the words Hime told him before.
"Isn't it obvious? We are at war."
That's what she meant, Rai thought. This is a battle between royalty; using monsters to try and kill each other off. An idea just came to him. …And we're in the crossfire. Tears escaped for Riza's eyes.
"He died because of me…" she sobbed. Rai and Aron took each side of her shoulder.
"Don't cry, Riza," Aron offered. "He truly cared about you. It's just like him."
"Sounds pretty awesome for someone who fought in the army," Rai comforted her. "He's a brother you should be proud of." Riza looked up to him. Rai patted her on the back. Aron smiled at the comfort she received.
*Rustle*
A noise came from the bushes. The three stood cautious at the sudden intruder.
"Riza!" The large fish man separated the trees. He wept with joy at the sight of Riza.
"Poseidon!?" Riza yelled.
"I'm so glad you're okay!"
"Dude, I was the one that crashed," Rai emphasized.
"Knock it off!" Riza summoned her claws and began pounding Poseidon into a bloody pulp. Aron was glad to see Riza more energetic.
Villa
Hime looked out the window to see the lake.
"Hime, Riza found Rai," Hiro alerted her.
"He wasn't hurt," the fish man reported.
"Well, that's just wonderful," the elder said pleased.
"Isn't that great, Hime?"
"Pika Pika!" Jolt cheered. Hime returned to staring out the window.
"Fuga," said Flandre.
"Where are they, then?" the elder asked.
"They're with Poseidon," the fish man answered.
"I think Riza was trying to cheer herself up," Hiro explained.
Lakeside
"I can't take it anymore," Poseidon dropped to the ground in defeat. "Why did it have to end this way?" Rai stood nearby as Riza and Aron continued their training. Riza rose from the ground with bruises over her body. Aron stared over her with a serious look.
"What's wrong?" Aron asked. "Done already?"
"No friggin' way!" Riza replied. She ran at Aron with her fist. Aron caught her arm and pulled Riza past her. She stumbled to the ground. "Damn it!" Riza got up and charged again.
"Don't do it!" Rai yelled out.
Punch!
"I warned her."
Aron bashed her in the stomach. Riza fell to the sand.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that," said Aron. "You probably learned that from your brother." Riza looked up to her. "You can still get stronger, just like Lobo."
"Like my brother?" Riza asked. "That's right." Her spirits lifted. "That's right! Okay!" Riza jumped up and went back to fighting hand to hand combat with Aron. Rai continued to watch the two training the whole night.
Morning
The sun came rising over the hilltops. As the gang started packing, Riza and Rai offered their token of appreciation by saying goodbye to Aron.
"I'm glad we met," Riza shook Aron's hand.
"Riza, for Lobo as well…" Aron added. "Nah…"
"Thanks for not letting me drown," Rai offered his hand as they shook next. Aron moved over to kiss his cheek. She kissed Riza's next.
"W-What the hell was that!?" Riza flustered.
"I was just saying goodbye," Aron clarified.
"Whatever it was, I'm okay with it," Rai approved. Riza got on her motorcycle and started the engine. Rai walked over and entered the vehicle with Hime and the others. Riza strapped on her helmet and looked back over her shoulder.
"Will I see you again?" Riza asked.
"We'll see" Aron answered.
"You can see me again!" Poseidon interrupted.
"Not likely!" Riza crushed his heart…again.
"Oh, we'll meet again." Aron started walking away. Riza smiled as her new friend went off toward the lake.
"I'm sure." The crowd of fish men waved goodbye to their friends as they drove beyond the beach pass.
Royal Manor
The car came to a complete stop in front of the mansion. Waiting at the front door were the maids; Kurumu and Sawawa.
"How was the trip?" Kurumu asked.
"Not bad," Rai replied. "Got some training going, and we managed to get Riza back on her feet." Riza got off her motorcycle and removed her helmet.
"Alright, time to get serious!" she cried out. "Hiro, let's get to work!" She pulled Hiro from the car and dragged him to the backyard.
"Wait, Riza!" he retaliated. Hime exited the vehicle and made her way past the others.
"Welcome back, mistress!" Sawawa greeted her.
"Sawawa, have the tea ready," she requested.
"Right away, Mistress." Flandre followed Hime and Sawawa inside. Jolt leapt onto Rai's shoulder as he walked back in with Kurumu. Rai went for the bathroom and grabbed a small razor by the sink. He began shaving some of the hairs off his chin. Jolt jumped off and inspected his fur.
"Well, what do you think?" Kurumu asked.
"I think I need a new razor," Rai analyzed his razor. Jolt found a rock in his bandana.
"I meant about Reiri." Rai rinsed the shaver. He also washed the trickles from his face.
"Reiri…she's the least of my worries."
"What!?" Kurumu was shocked. "Are you serious?"
"Moka was a vampire, right?" Kurumu remembered her friends back at Yokai. "So far, Reiri has helped us out. She's the one who found you guys after the headless horseman incident." Jolt leapt back onto his shoulder. Rai exited the bathroom and walked with Kurumu. "But, it sounds like werewolves don't really play well with them either."
"Really? Does that mean Reiri and Riza are enemies?" The two turned into the next hallway.
"Not sure. How did you know she was a vampire?"
"Duh, I followed Hiro to the hospital. This guy said he was on 'good turns' with her. He's the same race as her and he admitted to stealing the helmet."
"Pikachu?" Rai pondered this for a moment. They now entered the kitchen.
"…Until we find out more, we'll have to be on our guard. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." Jolt and Kurumu nodded in agreement. "Bien, so now let's get to the important matter at hand." Rai went over to the fridge.
"Lunch?" Kurumu asked.
"Hey, I never finished my meal because of that assassin breaking in—" Rai opened the door to see a complete stack of food on every shelf inside. "Whoa, where did we get all this food?" Kurumu sweat dropped.
"Well, we didn't know you guys were leaving and I was trying some new ingredients…" Rai eyed everything from the delicious turkey to the exquisite two-tier cake. He licked his lips.
"Jolt, get me a fork," Rai requested.
"Pika?"
"You're not really gonna eat all this, are you?" Kurumu asked.
"That's a chance I'm willing to take." Rai quickly grabbed a plate and started filling his tray.
"Here you go, Mistress," Sawawa placed the tea cup in front of Hime. The princess took a sip. She was relaxing in her dining room after her stay at the lake.
"As always, it's delectable," she complimented.
"Thank you so very much." Rai came through the doors with a mountain of food stacked on his plate. "Oh my, that sure is a lot!"
"Nothing like a large meal after a hard day of working out," Rai announced. He placed the plate on the table and pulled up a chair. Kurumu stood behind him as Jolt snagged some sushi on the side. Hime stared at him. "Sorry, you want some?"
"I'll pass," she went on to drinking her tea. Rai grabbed the cooked fish at the top of the dish.
"Chow time!" Rai was about to eat. Noise started coming from outside.
"Quite the ruckus," Hime noticed.
"I wonder what's going on." Sawawa wondered.
"I'd wager a sizeable bet that Reiri's here." Kurumu listened intensively.
"Oh, how wonderful; Reiri's here! I'll go make her some English tea, then." Sawawa exited the room.
"I'll go with you," Kurumu followed her. However, Rai grabbed onto her hand. "Hey, what are you doing?"
"Listen, we have bigger problems," Rai asserted. "The assassin…is coming here tonight."
"Pika!?" Jolt cried with fish in his mouth.
"The one from last night?" Kurumu asked. "That bitch fried me! She is so going down!"
"Is that so?" Hime smiled. "Do tell."
Evening
The evening came in a matter of hours. The dark mansion was peaceful with the sound of crickets chirping the night away. In the back of the manor, two purple eyes elevated from the pond without disrupting the flow of water. The assassin made her way from the outside into the building. She crept quickly and quietly down the hallway until she reached the end of the foyer. She stood behind the double doors going into the den. Across the room were the glass doors that lead to the balcony. She opened the right door slightly to see Hime staring out the window.
"It's the same assassin as the other day," she said. The assassin stepped into the room.
"You should prepare yourself, princess," the assassin declared.
"You should be worried yourself," Rai inserted. He leaned against the wall as he shut the door. The assassin stepped away from him. She drew out the fins from her forearms.
Crash!
Riza awoke up from her sleep. Her ears stood straight up.
Slash!
The assassin slashed at Rai repeatedly only to miss. She hacked away until she split the staff in two. Rai pointed the trident-end at the enemy.
"I must say, you're pretty skilled," Hime complimented.
"You'd expect that from someone in the army," Rai added.
"The Royal Army, huh?" Hime turned to her. "Which one of my siblings sent you?" The assassin didn't answer. She drew out her blades ready to strike.
"Looks like she won't talk," Rai gripped the trident tighter.
"I suppose I shouldn't expect an answer to that." The assassin stepped forward.
"Hime!" Riza busted through the doors. The assassin stopped.
"You're late, Riza." Hime stated.
"I told you that I'm not one of your stupid servants!" She summoned her wolf fists. "Come on! You've gotta get through me!" The assassin turned her head toward Riza. As the moon shined through the window, her identity was revealed. Riza stood frozen in fear.
"…Aron?" Aron didn't flinch. She charged at Rai. He quickly moved to the right as she struck the wall. "Stop it!" Riza rushed at Aron. She grabbed Riza by her arm and tossed her out the window.
Crash!
Riza fell onto the balcony. She rolled backwards and pushed off to the front yard. Aron leapt off the balcony and chased after Riza into the forest. From the sky, the scythe started descending. Rai caught it with his right hand and placed it on his belt. Kurumu flew closer with Jolt in her arms.
"She's getting away," Kurumu advised.
"Pikachu," Jolt said worriedly. Rai looked out into the deep woods.
"…You guys stay with Hime. I'll call if I need you." Rai stood on top of the awning. "This isn't gonna end with just a fight." Rai leapt to the ground below and ran after them. Hiro came in from the crashed doorway.
"Hime!" Hiro cried.
"You're a little late, Hiro," Kurumu sighed.
"How vexing," Hime added.
The battle ensued between Riza and Aron. Riza continued to evade Aron's hacks by jumping away. Aron kept her technique quick and steady as she tried to get closer. Aron would alternate with her blades as she attacked using her fists, while Riza would try not to get cut. After the next swing, Aron sent her knee into Riza's stomach.
POW!
Riza gave off a gasp of air as she hurdled to the ground.
"That's all you got?" Aron asked. "So, you're trying to protect royalty, is that it? And then you try to defeat your enemies at that level?"
"But, why would you…?" Riza stood up.
"I told you why, I'm in the Royal Guard. I was ordered to kill Hime." Aron came swinging in at Riza. She jumped away at the last second. "Why won't you fight back?" Riza turned to her.
"Stop this, Aron!"
"Orders from my master are ultimate. I won't disobey." She raised her blade. "If you won't fight me, then I'll be forced to just kill you!"
Clank!
The scythe landed with the blade sticking into the grass. It rested in between the two fighters.
"If you won't fight her, then I will," Rai demanded. Aron and Riza looked over to him.
"You're going to fight me?" Aron asked. She looked over to the mysterious weapon lying in front of her. "…I see…a reaper." Rai went over and picked up his weapon. "It's unlikely someone from the Royal Family would have such a powerful bodyguard."
"I guess you can say it's a part-time job." Rai took his battle stance. The two circled one another in a standoff. Aron came charging in. Rai blocked her razor fins with the staff of his scythe. Rai pulled away and swung at her. Aron back flipped from a distance. Riza watched as Rai and Aron fought with each other.
"Aron…" Riza whispered.
"Do you even know what you're fighting for?" Aron asked.
Kurumu and Hiro searched the forest. "I hope we're not too late," said Kurumu.
"Pika!" Jolt cried.
"Riza!" yelled Hiro.
"Answer me, Riza!" Aron demanded. Rai tripped Aron from her legs and jabbed the bottom end at her feet. She quickly rolled over and elbowed him in the back. Rai fell forward on all fours. He kneeled facing a silver, inscribed plaque in a large dirt pile.
LOBO WILDMAN
Aron swung out at Rai. He quickly turned over and shielded himself.
Clash!
Her blades met with his rod. She continued to press more force as Rai started to choke on his own weapon.
"Why won't you use your true power?" Aron asked.
"I like to use it…" He pushed against her, "as a last resort!" Riza remained in thought as she tried to answer her question.
"I fight because…" Riza remembered her brother's words.
"Be proud, Riza."
"I fight because…because…I want to get vengeance for my brother!" Riza went running after Aron. She released Rai from her grip and jumped away from Riza. As she fell to earth, Aron brought out her foot and landed a blow onto Riza's back. She wailed in pain as her spine ached. When she turned around, Aron rushed in with her blades. Rai quickly ran at Aron with a full swing.
Slice!
Rai and Aron stood frozen in the moonlight. Both had landed a serious strike against each other. The question was who took the direct hit. The two remained motionless. Rai dropped his scythe and fell to his knees. Aron gave off a faint smile.
"…!" Aron fell forward.
"Riza!" Hiro came rushing in with Jolt and Kurumu behind him. The two saw Riza helping the winner.
"Rai!" Kurumu rushed over to check on him.
"Pikapi!" Jolt ran to the huddle. Hime and Flandre walked next to Hiro. Kurumu inspected Rai. His side was cut with red expanding over his uniform.
"Are you alright?" Riza asked. Kurumu and Riza lifted him over their shoulders.
"I'm fine…" he flinched. "It's just a scratch." Rai almost toppled over. He then raised his head over at Aron. Her hip was giving off excessive blood as it poured over the grass. Riza walked over to Aron and knelt beside her.
"Aron…" Riza held her upward.
"…Don't forget…" Aron spoke softly, "…that thought…"
"Aron, why? How come…?"
"Orders from my master…are ultimate."
"Aron…" Kurumu helped Rai over to the girls.
"This is fine." Aron looked over to Lobo's grave.
"…It didn't have to be this way," Rai answered.
"This is fate. It's the destiny of one who serves the Royal Family." Aron unhinged the chain from her neck and handed it to Riza. "Here…take this." Riza received the dog tag.
"What is it?" Riza asked. Aron smiled with her memory from the army.
The twilight reflected over the glistening, orange lake before them. Aron was wearing her blue military jacket with beige lining and a white shirt underneath. She had brown pants and black cadet boots to complete the mandatory outfit. Standing beside her was a taller man wearing the same uniform with gray hair covering his eyes.
"So, you've been elected to join the Royal Guard," Aron detailed. "Very impressive. Your younger sister must be delighted."
"Maybe now I've become a big brother that she can be proud to have," Lobo replied. The two continued staring at the water.
"So, I guess we're going to be apart for a while."
"…I'll miss you, Aron." Lobo offered his hand with a silver dog tag. "I want you to take this. I don't have any use for it now. I want you to have it and treasure it." Aron took the chain from his hand.
"Lobo…"
"Please…"
"…okay."
The chained glistened with inscriptions.
NAME: LOBO WILDMAN
RANK: COLONEL
BEARING: THE FIRST FORCE
"Get his vengeance for me as well," Aron requested. Riza held her hand. "You can still get…much…much stronger." Her skin turned pale. The two looked over to his grave one last time. "Lobo…" Blood slowly dripped from her lips. Her eyes became cold and empty.
"Hey, Aron…Aron!" Kurumu buried her head in Rai's shoulder. Jolt's ears slumped in sorrow. "ARON!" Riza stood over her corpse. "…Damn it…" She gripped the chain in her fist. "Screw this fight for the throne. THEY CAN ALL GO TO HELL!" She cried out in tears. Her voice echoed through the forest. Hime had seen enough. She turned around and started walking back to the mansion with Flandre following behind. Rai, Kurumu, and Jolt nudged Hiro to leave.
"…Rai," Kurumu whispered.
"Chu," Jolt patted his head.
"…Guys…" Rai spoke, "…This is just the beginning."
-To Be Continued-
Flandre: Fuga!
Hiro: Blue water goes on for as far as the eye can see! White clouds float across the sky like pearls! Oh, life-giving ocean, you grant us abundant water.
Ugh…I can't take much more *Burp*.
Hiro: Huh? What's wrong?
I didn't want to mention this, but I have a bad case of seasickness. That's why I don't *Burp* like riding on boats.
Hiro: Uh, I guess I'll end it off then. All rights reserved and material used in this story belongs to their respective owner's.
Leave a comment and…oh boy.
Next Time: Princess Ocean
Hime: I suppose it doesn't help that we're on a ghost ship.
Someone find me a bucket!
Flandre: Fuga Fuga.