Ch. 30 Princess Ocean
It was a warm, sunny day in Sasanaki Town. The sun was shining and the insects buzzed under the blanket of heat; the perfect time to sit around and relax from the hardships of everyday life.
"Has anyone seen my shorts?" Rai yelled out. Everyone in the mansion moved about making necessary preparations for today. Kurumu was in the bedroom searching her small bag on the bed for her bathing suit and sunblock. Jolt was looking through the dressers.
"Ya-hoo-hoo!" Kurumu cheered. "We're finally gonna take a break from this dump!"
"Pika!" Jolt popped out of the small cabinet with a yellow bikini bottom hanging from his ear.
"Hey, you found it!" Kurumu removed the piece from his head. "Good wok, little guy." She patted him.
"Cha!" Jolt felt happy. The door swung open as Rai rushed in. He lifted the sheets and looked underneath the bed.
"Oralé!" said Rai. He dashed to the dresser and pulled the drawers open. He searched the clothes as he threw them across the room. Jot and Kurumu only watched at his overwhelming antics. "Where the hell are they?" He paused for a second. "…Did I leave them in the bathroom?" Kurumu and Jolt sweat dropped.
"And what exactly are you looking for?" Kurumu asked.
"My swim trunks! I can't find them!" Jolt jumped out from the top cabinet. When he landed, a pair of blue swim shorts dangled around his feet. Rai stared…unsurprised. "Of course." He lifted his mouse and removed the trunks. He stuffed them in Kurumu's bag. "Alright, is that everything?"
"I think so." The team inspected the room one last time. Clothes were scattered across the room.
"…I'll clean it up when we get back." Jolt jumped onto Kurumu's shoulders as she grabbed her bag. She followed Rai out. Kurumu's maid attire slid off the couch; revealing Rai's scythe.
"It's amazing that we're even getting time off to go to the beach!"
"Considering all we've been doing is run into some weird fairy tale creatures lately," Rai added.
"You mean last week when that badger came by?"
1 Week Earlier…
Hime and Sherwood were both resting on the second story balcony. With Francesca and Flandre by their side, they enjoyed a nice tray of tea and muffins. Hiro was being cuddled by Ryu, the large panda, in a somewhat 'cheerful' bear hug.
"It's loud tonight," Hime noticed.
"The moon is beautiful," replied Sherwood, "and a tea party makes for a lovely eve, sister."
"It'd be nice if every night was like this." While the two continued to chat the night away, Hiro tried desperately to escape Ryu's grasp. He suddenly detected a dark figure hiding over the edge of the terrace. Sherwood was next to see him.
"Someone's there!" she shouted. The culprit knew his cover was blown. He leapt onto the veranda and kneeled; ready to pounce. He bared a black cape and dark hat. He wore a red, sleek, long-sleeve shirt with gray wrist guards. His bottom half had red matching pants with black boots. His gear included a strapped sword to his back and a brown belt slinking around his waist and right shoulder. This man, or rather raccoon, was after Hime's life.
"Easy now," the 'killer' stated.
"An assassin!?" Sherwood cried. Francesca stood in her combat pose. Hime wasn't fazed by his actions.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Hime smiled. The assassin pulled a dagger from his right pocket.
"I've found you," he declared. "Die!" He went running at Hime. "Prepare thyself!"
Crash!
A metallic crutch broke through the window.
"Eh?"
Whack!
The raccoon assassin went flying off into the night. "Curses!" A twinkle glittered in the sky. Rai came bursting through the glass doors. He had a large first-aid strap around his chest.
"I said I don't want to stay in bed!" he yelled. Kurumu came running outside.
"I already told you!" she yelled. "You need to let your wounds heal!" Jolt came out with a bowl of chicken soup.
"Pikachu," he sipped it with a metal spoon. His tongue quickly burned. Everyone stared at the three who saved the princess's life.
"Even when injured, my bodyguard can still perform well," Hime drank her tea. The three looked at her dumbfounded.
Now…
"And before that there was the Wicked Witch of the West." Rai added. The three made their way downstairs. "We went through all that just to give her what; a box of lotions?"
"Hey, don't even joke about that!" Kurumu pouted. "You don't know how important that kind of stuff is to a girl."
"Yeah, that's more your department." Rai stood in front of the door.
"Don't start complaining if you pull something."
"You know, you worry too much." Rai turned the knob. "Trust me; all we need is a nice break with no more interruptions blowing up in our face."
"WE'RE READY!" The three boys yelled out. Rai, Kurumu, and Jolt jumped back at the sudden surprise. It wasn't until they noticed the boys with their ideal traits; one with glasses, the other with a flat top, and the last one having freckles.
"Hold up," Rai remembered, "It's the three amigos from before!"
"Pika?" Jolt tilted his head.
"That's right!" Bucchi smiled.
"We've prepared for this special day!" Maruyama added.
"The three of us are going to have some fun in the sun!" Yushida asserted. They each carried a bag with their swim trunks as well as sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera.
"Who invited them?" Kurumu asked.
"Well, they sort of just decided to come on their own," Hiro sighed. Riza, Hime, Sawawa, and Flandre made their way down the steps.
"Oh look, Hiro's friends are here!" Sawawa smiled.
"It seems that everyone is ready," Hime assumed.
"I guess we are," Kurumu and Rai sweat dropped.
The Beach
The sun reflected off the blue water and the sand was glazed with soft, brown dirt. Everyone had just returned from the changing rooms to have their swimwear fitted for this occasion. Rai had on his blue swim trunks and baseball tee. Kurumu wore her yellow two piece bathing suit with frills near her cleavage and a small orange bow tie just below her bust line. Jolt had nothing but blue water goggles on top of his head. Hiro had his light blue trunks like Rai's, but wore a small orange and yellow life jacket. Riza had the same white swimwear when training with the fish men. Sawawa had her pink bikini that could hardly keep herself in her suit (Kurumu stared daggers at her). Bucchi had on gray trunks, Yushida had his green, and Maruyama kept his navy blue. The only ones who weren't dressed were Hime and Flandre.
"Fuga," Flandre pointed to the ocean.
"The sun feels great!" Kurumu cheered.
"Pika!" Jolt cried out. Kurumu, Jolt, and Sawawa ran for the water and splashed around with joy. Rai looked over to Hime.
"You're not getting in?" Rai asked.
"Actually, I'll be relaxing on the water," she answered. Rai and Hiro viewed the shore to witness a large white boat resting nearby. "It will be nice to catch up on my reading." Hime pulled out a book from her dress pocket.
"…Was that boat always there?"
"Hiro's friends do seem useful on some occasions." The three noticed Bucchi, Maruyama, and Yushida exhausted and panting in the sand.
"Anything…*gasp*…for the princess…" Yushida gasped.
"…Can't *gasp*…breathe…!" Maruyama wheezed. Bucchi remained motionless.
"Oh," Hiro stated. Hime walked to the boat and climbed aboard.
"Will anyone else be joining me?" she asked.
"Ha!" Riza smirked. "You don't have to ask me twice!" Riza made a large jump for the deck. Hiro climbed the back ladder up to Hime's position. Rai grabbed on and looked back.
"Hey, you guy's coming?" Rai yelled back. Jolt jumped from Rai's head to the boat's awning.
"Pika Pika!" Sawawa arranged the towel in the sand while Kurumu planted the umbrella. Flandre walked over to their spot and sat down. She sunk into the sand.
"Forget that," Kurumu replied. "I'm gonna be working on my tan so I can really get my body going." She pulled out a yellow bottle of lotion and squeezed it into her hand. The three boys started regaining consciousness. That is, until they saw Kurumu smearing sunscreen over her shoulder in front of the glittering blue ocean. They passed out with bloody noses.
"I'll stay here and keep our spot open!" Sawawa waved.
"Alright, but you don't know what you're missing." Rai pulled himself aboard. Riza drove the vehicle further out to sea.
"Do you think it was a good idea to leave them behind?" Hiro asked.
"Dude, we're going out like fifty feet away. Seriously, what's the worst that could happen?"
10 minutes later…
A large cargo ship drifted through the fog while holding three shining headlights above the control room. A crew of two men operated the ship in their gray uniforms; complete with a long sleeve shirt, pants, and a square cap. According to the green radar, there was no signal or frequency for miles. The captain in charge with a thin moustache stood behind the two operators.
"The distress signal came from near here," the left maintenance man checked. "I don't see anything that looks like a vessel."
"There's nothing on the radar," the right maintenance man assured. The captain leaned over to the control panel.
"Could the vessel have sunk already?" the captain asked. His expression turned to shock when he saw a massive ocean liner cruising in front of their tiny tug boat. The ship stretched as far as three football fields and as tall as a skyscraper. The metal and outer exterior looked tarnished and aged for decades. "My God…where did that come from!?" The control operator looked through the binoculars.
"It's not being picked up on the radar, either!"
"What!?" The cargo boat didn't slow down. The ship was prepared to crash into the ocean liner.
"We're gonna hit it!"
"Full speed to port!"
"It's no good! We won't make it in time!"
Crash! Crackle! Ka-chink!
Their ship rammed into the side. The metal and construction tore apart and completely dismantled to rigid pieces. From the top of the liner, Hiro, Riza, Rai, Jolt, and Hime watched the cargo ship sink to the bottom of the sea. There were no signs of survivors.
"They're gonna sink," Hiro pointed out.
"What was your first clue?" Rai said. "They probably picked up the signal and noticed the ship at the last second."
"Yeah, just like us," added Riza.
"It suddenly appeared out of nowhere at sea and caused us to sink," Hime explained.
"So, what now?" Hiro wondered. Jolt listened to a strange noise. Both his and Riza's ears rose.
"Pika?"
"What's wrong, Jolt?" Rai asked.
"A flute," Riza listened to the silent sound. "I hear a flute playing."
"A flute?" Rai and Hiro cupped their ears.
"I don't hear anything," Hiro stated.
"They say that a dog's hearing ability is many times stronger than a human," Hime lectured.
"I'm a wolf!" Riza declared angrily.
"And Jolt's a mouse," added Rai, "It's not gonna make a difference." The five turned over to the compass bridge just below the radio antenna.
"I wonder if someone's in there." Hiro asked.
"We won't know until we look." Rai stepped forward.
"Let's go," Riza followed him.
"What?" Hiro became nervous. "We're going to look in there?"
"Of course," Hime twiddled her hair. "We have no other means of going home, so let's just look around." Riza and Rai led the group around the quarter deck. Everything seemed old and demolished; metal rusting, paint fading, and the sound of crashing waves reverberating through the empty walkways. Rai opened the double doors to a large lobby. The ceiling was a glass dome revealing the heavy storm clouds in the sky. The red carpet was unclean and sprinkled with broken wood. The wallpaper looked torn apart and the pillars supporting the structure were weakening.
"Doesn't look like anyone's here," Hiro noted. "Is this a luxury liner?"
"I'd say it used to be one," Rai corrected. Jolt looked to the floor to find a toy doll. It had yellow string for hair and round blue eyes. It wore a frilly blue dress, a frilly cap, and white pearls around its neck. He inspected it closer to see it become tattered and worn out.
"Pikachu."
"It looks like it's been here for a long time," Riza assumed. The doll's head came off. Jolt's face turned blue. Hime walked over to a small counter where a small thin vase, a large yellow vase, and a three pronged candleholder rested. She looked over the blue vase.
"Yet, not all of its fittings have gone bad," said Hime. Rai gazed over the creaking and distorted hall.
"Hey guys…" Rai spoke. "This looks like something I saw in a movie once."
"W-What kind of movie," Hiro got the chills.
"Something about a ship full of ghosts. Gabriel Byrne played a woman who searched the place with a crew and everyone ended up dying." Everyone stared at him. "Relax; she made it out okay." A ghastly blue light radiated behind Riza. She quickly turned to see a gruesome corpse with empty eye sockets, dried skin, and rotten teeth wearing a ragged suit. The dead body hurdled at her.
"Graaaarghh!" the corpse growled.
Punch!
The body went flying with one blow. Riza looked to her savior as a large wolfman with gray fur and yellow eyes. He had red scars across his eyes while wearing blue pants and a brown belt.
"What the hell?" Rai looked to the beast.
"A werewolf!?" Riza cried. The wolfman covered his chest with his arms.
"I'll explain later," the wolfman said. "Look behind you!" The group turned to an army of undead cadavers. They were all aged adults with tarnished outfits fit for the high class. The army started to walk closer. A man in front charged at Riza.
POW!
"Take that!" Riza kicked the corpse with a forward strike. The man crashed into a small group behind him. Another corpse came running in with a lead pipe in his hand. Hime grabbed the candleholder and deflected his attack. Jolt was suddenly surrounded by the dead.
"Jolt!" Rai shouted. "Give 'em a Thunderbolt!" Jolt lit his cheeks.
"Pika…" The cadavers reached to grab him. "CHU!"
BBBZZZZTTT!
Waves of bodies dropped to the ground by the electric attack. Unfortunately, the sizzled corpses rose again. Their bones snapped back into place. They walked closer.
"But he knocked them out," Hiro said.
"Are these guys undead or something?" Riza asked.
"If they are, how do you kill them twice?" Rai asked. The wolfman cleared a path to the other side of the room. He found a chamber leading to the interior.
"This way!" he yelled. The group ran for the room. Jolt, Hiro, and Hime were the first to enter. Riza came next after Rai tried to close the door behind them. A corpse began to pry his way through.
"God, you're annoying!" Riza shouted.
Punch!
Riza socked him as Rai twisted the wheel; locking the door. When they turned around, the wolfman had now changed into his human form. He had dark skin and short gray hair. He stood tall with a tone set of muscles. "Damn it, what the hell are those guys?"
"Are we safe?" Hiro asked.
"It should hold for now, at least," Hime clarified.
"Young lady," the man asserted. "Remember that a true werewolf warrior should never retreat from an enemy. You won't be able to protect your master like that."
"I…Look pal, I'm nobody's servant!" Riza declared in a fit of rage. "You got that!"
"Easy Riza," Rai stepped in. "This guy just saved our ass." Riza calmed down and regained her composer.
"Excuse me." She crossed her arms. "I'm Riza Wildman, daughter of the mighty warrior, Volg Wildman."
"Volg?" the man said surprised.
"Did you know my father?"
"We fought together in battle on Gagalph Hill. He was quite the soldier." He folded his arms over his chest. "I'm Keziah Bold, son of the mighty warrior, Kedaria Bold." He was astonished to see the child of his old ally. "I see, you're Volg's daughter. I had heard he had taken a human spouse."
"I hate to interrupt this little chat," Hime interjected, "but can you tell us what's going on here?" Keziah kneeled down before royalty.
"My sincere apologies. I see I'm in the presence of a princess." Hime stared curiously at the honorable werewolf.
"Alright, Ese, we get the idea." Rai butted in. The well-toned man looked down on the young man.
"And you are…?" Rai folded his arm.
"Raimundo Ortega, son of the mighty worker, Richard Ortega Sr." They stood silent. "…What? I thought everyone was doing it."
The team made their way back through to the bow of the ship. They built a fire by gathering some of the wood laying around. Rai leaned against the awning while the rest gathered around the warm flame with canned beans to feast on.
"I'm guessing you came here like we did, right?" Rai asked.
"Yes, our boat sank three days ago, after the collision," Keziah answered. "I am the sole survivor." Hiro picked at the can with the strange sense of ancient protein.
"Is this really safe to eat?" Hiro asked. Jolt stuck his tongue inside the can only to recoil in extreme distaste.
"I found it in the galley. Don't eat it if you don' want to, human." Keziah ate the canned beans. Rai slowly poured the disturbing meal over the edge of the deck.
"So, there's no one on board?" Hime asked.
"I've only encountered ghosts so far," Keziah assured. "But, there's one oddity, however…"
"The flute?"
"Yes." Riza's and Jolt's ears perked above their heads.
"Pika!" Jolt looked back at the ship's front.
"Can you guys hear it?" Riza spoke. "The flute's playing again." Keziah's ears rose. The three listened closely to the noise echoing inside.
"…I can hear it," Keziah added. "Perhaps there's a survivor left on board."
Honk!
A horn bellowed beyond the water. Hiro quickly rushed to the awning. Rai turned around and looked in the same direction.
"Guys, over there!" Hiro shouted. From a distance, a large ship shined its four headlights. Everyone ran to see it move in their path. "It's a ship! We should yell for help!"
"It wouldn't matter," Keziah declared. "They can't see the ship from here."
"It'll probably end up sinking just like the last one," Rai deduced.
"Then, what do we do?" Riza asked.
"Isn't it obvious" Hime smiled. "We're going to look for a mermaid."
"A mermaid?" Riza questioned.
"A mermaid," Rai cocked an eyebrow. "You mean a half girl-half fish mermaid that sings with other fish?"
"The mermaids I'm referring to are known for calling ships with flutes," Hime explained. "If we follow the flute, we can find them. Though they're the root of all this evil, they're also the angels who can rescue us from this ship."
Deep inside the ship's haul, a pleasant sound passed through the halls. The gentle noise escaped the musical instrument played by a young girl. Her hair was light pink with only a white skirt to suit as her clothing. The song escaped the young girl's flute.
The group followed Keziah back into the ship. Rai noticed the blue balls of flames passing over their heads as they ran.
"Check it out," Rai inspected.
"What are those?" Hiro asked.
"They are the souls of those taken by the ship," she answered. "They're excited because they have new recruits."
"Then," Riza looked to her, "those guys from before…"
"They're most likely the evil undead."
"So, are they undead or ghosts?" Rai asked. "Because I'm having a hard time following this."
"Whatever they are, they're not gonna die." Riza responded. "They're already dead." They immediately came to a steel door. Keziah ran forward and rammed it open.
Bam!
Waiting on the stairs was an entire fleet of undead enemies.
"Hey there, I take it you were you waiting for us?" Keziah cracked his knuckles. "I'll see you off." The cadavers started approaching.
"You should be able to take them if you charge in, if you're a real werewolf warrior," Hime ridiculed her bodyguards. Keziah pounded his fists together. He instantly transformed into a werewolf.
"You got that right, Your Highness." He went in and attacked the dead. "Follow my lead, Riza and Raimundo!" Riza followed behind him.
"Okay!" she yelled out.
"Charge!" Rai added. Keziah went for the corpse in front. He grabbed its head and threw him over the stairwell. He fell until he was no longer visible. Riza held up her end as she blocked off a woman corpse trying to plunge a knife in her arm. Riza pulled her around and kicked the body over the railing.
"Clear a path!" Rai yelled. Riza and Keziah stepped back. "Use Wild Charge!"
"Pika pikapikapikapikapikapikapika!" Jolt went ramming in like an electric torpedo. "PIKA!" He plowed right through the wave of enemies, causing them to fall and scatter over the stairs.
"Strike!" Jolt came to a complete stop, only to be greeted by more enemies crouching around him. Jolt leapt onto a head and started hoping off one enemy after another. He managed to dodge the hands trying to grasp him. One corpse went running straight for the princess. Hiro stood in front as her shield. The enemy grabbed him about to bite his flesh. Rai pulled the cadaver by the shoulder and bent his arm behind his back.
"Don't make me break your arm off!" Rai demanded.
Snap!
The corpse's arm broke off.
"…I warned you." Rai side kicked the enemy over to Riza. She then grabbed him and tossed the body over.
"I thought he was a soldier of the Royal Family?" Keziah argued. "Pretty weak for a soldier." Riza stood back to back with Keziah.
"This isn't the time for insults," Riza pointed out.
"What? Complaining already?" Jolt made his way onto Rai's shoulder.
"You kidding?" Rai asked. He pulled a cadaver down and smacked the broken arm across its face. "This is just a warm up!" Keziah grinned.
"All right, let's go!" The three went running in with fangs, claws, and flailing arm appendages.
The Beach
Sawawa and Flandre made some changes to their small sand castle. With just another bucket full, they would have the center tower ready for construction. Kurumu, on the other hand, was relaxing underneath the umbrella. She rested in the shade with a cold can of green tea in her hand. She drank down the last of the pungent juice in one gulp.
"Oh boys," Kurumu called out. "I could sure use another drink." Bucchi rushed to her with another can ready. "Why thank you~!" She winked to him. Bucchi's face grew red with excitement.
"Hey, you can't just hog her all to yourself!" Yushida shouted.
"Back off!" Bucchi replied. "She asked me to get her another one!"
"Why should you be the one who waits on her hand and foot?" Maruyama inserted. The three glared at each other. Kurumu popped the can open and started drinking.
These guys are way too easy, Kurumu sighed in relief.
"Fuga!" said Flandre.
"Hmm?" Sawawa answered. "Oh, right. Hiro and the others aren't back yet." She looked out toward the ocean. "Maybe they ended up in another country."
"Fuga." Flandre followed Sawawa's gaze toward the ocean. "Fuga."
"Hey Flan, want to build an even bigger sand castle?"
"Fuga." Flandre nodded. Sawawa looked over to the boys who were getting into a tussle.
"We could use some more sand." Yushida stopped tugging Maruyama's hair while Maruyama released the tension on biting Bucchi's leg as to Bucchi twisting Yushida's right arm. "Can you take care of that, please?"
"Coming right up!" In a split second, they ended their quarrel and worked together to gather more sand. Maruyama ran up to them and collected their buckets.
"Kurumu, would you like to join us?" Sawawa offered.
"Thanks, but I think I'll kick back for a while longer," she said. Kurumu looked out to sea.
They have been gone a long time.
Ghost Ship
The soft sound of the flute continued resonating within the ship.
"I can hear the flute now, too," said Hiro.
"Yeah, it's quite close," Keziah added.
"It kind of puts you in a trance, doesn't it?" Rai asked. He noticed Riza holding on to her right arm. "Hey Riza, you okay?"
"Shut up," Riza answered coldly.
"Whoa, what's with the attitude?" Riza didn't reply.
I hate to admit, but it's true. His strength is the real deal. I'd expect nothing less from a comrade of my father. The group had finally arrived to a steel door with an iron wheel locked in. A brace kept the door from opening.
"So, this is it," Keziah inspected the door. Rai grabbed the wheel and tugged. It wouldn't budge.
"Damn, no good," Rai confirmed. "It's sealed shut."
"It's locked from the outside, huh?" said Hiro.
"...I think I see what's going on here," Hime spoke.
"Pika?" Jolt stared over to Keziah. He brought out his wolf form and stepped toward the door. He latched onto the lock and stripped it apart. He changed back into a human and pulled the door open.
"So, where's this mythical mermaid of yours?" Keziah asked. Within the wrecked room was a small bed on the right and an old dresser to the left. Small debris scattered across the floor. A small teddy bear sat on a rocking chair near the corner. Standing next to the window was a small girl with a silver flute to her lips. "Your Highness, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this kid has legs." Rai walked into the bedroom. He kneeled down to her level.
"Hey kiddo," Rai smiled. "Was that you playing?" The small child ran up to him and gave him a squeeze around his neck. Tears started pouring down her face. The only noise she made was like the sound of a whimpering puppy. Hime walked up beside them.
"No," Hime explained. "I understand what happened. She's a mermaid who traded her voice for a curse that doomed her to a human body."
"Shhh, mija." Rai whispered. "Es bien." He comforted the crying girl by rubbing her head.
"She can't swim away, nor scream, either. She was stuck in here, playing that flute, calling ships here to rescue her."
"You mean that curse that says she'll die if she speaks?" Keziah asked. "Makes sense she'd be locked in this sad room." Rai picked her up from the ground and carried her in his arms. Jolt jumped to Rai's other shoulder and patted her head. Keziah moved towards her. "It's okay. I'll get her out of here."
"No, you won't." Keziah stood shocked. "I need you to do something for me. This ship is using that mermaid's power to summon boats to cause disasters; trapping vessels in the sea in order eat people's souls. We have to sink it." Keziah took a minute to rationalize her plan. He nodded and ran out the room to the left hall. "We have to get off this ship right away."
"Don't tell me what to do!" Riza fired back. Hime, Hiro, and Riza took the opposite path from Keziah. Rai was the last to leave with the girl on his back.
"Don't worry," Rai assured. "Just hang on and you'll be okay." Everyone continued running down the hallway back to the upper deck.
"We have to hurry, he's coming," Hime stated.
"He?" Hiro asked.
"That mermaid has been allowing him to prosper." Further down the hall was a glowing entity being produced by a shroud of purple souls. They assembled to form one single deity. "He won't just let us take her away. He'll come after her."
"Pikachu?" They came to a sudden stop before the demonic creature.
"The leader of the evil spirits." Floating in the air was a humungous great-white shark with razor teeth and a glowing purple aura. Its body was shaded dark with pure blood-thirsty eyes. "In other words, our main foe." The small child held on tighter to Rai's neck. "Rai, follow me." Everyone quickly turned around and hurried away from the large shark. It went swimming after Rai and the child.
"If we make it out alive," Rai yelled. "I'm never eating seafood again!" The shark started approaching from behind. "Riza, catch her!" Rai pulled the girl over his shoulders and tossed her in the air. Riza's arm transformed and stretched to clasp her. She held the child in her arms and took off. Rai ran as fast as he could from the carnivorous predator. "And me without my knife." Jolt sprung to action.
"Pika…CHU!" Jolt released a Thunderbolt.
BBBZZZTTT!
The electricity shrouded the shark in a static veil.
"RAAAAAAWWWRRRR!" The creature howled. The two made their escape.
Dozens of propane tanks rolled onto the floor. Keziah pulled out a lighter from his pocket. He flipped the switch and ignited the spark.
"Sink the ship, eh?" he said to himself.
"You know where the room is where they kept the canned goods, right?"
"Well, Your Highness, it sounds like a plan to me. I want to see what you're capable of. I need to know if you pose any real threat to my master." He tossed the lighter over the tank. "The rest is up to you."
KABOOM!
A large explosion shook the left side of the ship.
"It's starting to sink," Hime presumed. The feeling began to overtake them as the cruise ship began tilting. Rai and Jolt hurried to catch up with Riza and Hiro who were waiting in the lobby. The picture frames and architects fell to the floor.
"Rai, in here!" Hiro ushered them. He noticed a piano rolling back and forth across the lflor. He quickly tackled the instrument and sent it skidding. Rai and Jolt came running in.
"WHOA!" Rai cried. He slid underneath while Jolt jumped in between the top lid and piano strings. The large shark made the turn inside. It took a mouthful of Beethoven.
Crack!
Rai stood and witnessed Hiro's actions.
"Not bad," Rai complimented.
"Did that stop him?" Riza asked.
"I don't know," Hiro replied. The shark bit down harder on the piano base. Its jaw started cracking the wood.
CHOMP!
The piano shattered to pieces.
"Ah crap!" Rai shouted.
"What's with this thing!?" Riza demanded. The shark began swimming closer.
"He's coming!" Jolt and Rai stood ready.
"Where's a break when you need one?" Rai asked.
"Right here," Hime replied. Rai and the others looked up to see Hime standing atop a round chandelier with hundreds of sharpened crystals. She held onto the weakened chain as she suspended above the shark.
Clunk!
Hime tapped her foot against the rim.
Clank!
The chain broke. Hime remained composed as the chandelier began falling.
BOOM!
The crystals pierced the body of the great white demon. The weight tore at its skin; creating wounds large enough for the spirits to escape. Once all the souls were free, the shark evaporated into a smoldering, blue flame. Hundreds of spirits floated around the lobby as they searched for the light to pass on. Riza sat the young girl to watch the scene.
"What's happening?" Riza asked.
"Looks like the souls it kept are free now," Rai replied. There was one pink ball of light that drifted slowly near the young girl. It drifted around her head and swooped back up with the other souls in the air. It evaporated. The girl slowly released her tears. Hime held onto her shoulders. "Say Hime, how did that legend of the mermaid go?"
"In the legend, they say she made a deal to become human in order to be with her lover," Hime answered. "The sound of her flute may have given solace to the soul of her lover." It wasn't long until the final souls vanished from this world. "It's all so romantic when you think about it."
"…That's a new perspective." Keziah came running into the room.
"What are you doing!" he shouted. "Don't just stand there! The ship's about to sink!"
"Not a problem," Hime responded.
"But, we'll be dragged to the bottom of the ocean."
"It doesn't matter."
"…Pika?" Jolt started sweating.
"Even if we sink, this mermaid will call someone to rescue us." The little girl smiled.
"Oh…" Keziah remembered.
From the outside, rescue ships started coming from different directions.
"Instead of that, how about you be honest with us?" Hime ordered. Rai looked back over to Keziah. "You originally came to this ship to protect the mermaid, did you not?"
"Come to think of it," Rai pondered. "Why would a werewolf be doing on a ghost ship in the first place?" One of the columns started cracking from the second floor. The young child noticed it.
"Who sent you?" The column broke off and fell over Keziah.
"It was…" he tried to answer.
"WATCH OUT!" The girl spoke.
Crash!
Keziah moved out of the way just in time.
"She spoke!" Riza cried.
"Pika pi!"
"Fuck," Rai yelled out. "If she talks, she'll…!"
"…Die." Hiro added. The girl dropped to the floor. Her motionless body collapsed with no life left. She began sliding out through the door.
"What on earth!?" Keziah stuttered.
"No!" Rai chased after the girl.
"Raimundo, it's too late!" Hime warned. Rai quickly dove for the girl. Her body tumbled over the edge. Rai watched helplessly as she fell into the water. Hime and everyone else ran outside.
"Goddamn it!" Keziah shouted. "I'm such a werewolf idiot!" Rai clenched his fist at the result.
"Pika!" Jolt nudged at Rai's arm.
"Huh?" Rai looked down at the water. From the fumes, a large metallic hand surfaced above the ocean with two people riding it. The girl lay in the arms of a mature man no older that Rai's age. He had short blonde hair with dagger red eyes. He wore a charming, white, long-sleeved shirt tucked into his smooth black pants. The large, metallic hand he stood on was joined to a massive arm of a monstrous machine. The head was shaped like a gentleman with hair cut like a flat top. Large red ovals served as the eyes and large tubes connected around its head to its shoulders. The rest of the body remained submerged underwater.
"Royalty has the ability to grant half-immortality to the dead," the man spoke. A small blue flame floated just above his index finger. "I shall grant her my Flame of Life." He lightly pressed the fire into her forehead. It sunk in as the wave of energy began to overtake her. "Serve me for all eternity." The power soon escaped within the child. The energy faded. She began to awake.
"Master…" Keziah smiled. Riza suddenly leapt off of the ship. She summoned her wolf arms and attacked the man.
"You bastard!" Riza shouted. "You're Royalty!?"
"Riza, stop!" Hime warned her. The man looked back to Riza. A sudden force bolted from his eyes. Rai felt a rapid power coming from the mysterious man. Riza was sent flying away from him. She dropped into the water.
"Riza!" Rai yelled.
"Its fine, she's not dead." Riza's body floated to the surface. "He went easy on her." Keziah jumped over to his master on the metal platform. He kneeled down before him. The small girl stood up and held the man's hand.
"Riza, daughter of Volg," Keziah said, "Next time I see you in battle; I will not take pity on you." The man looked over to Hime aboard the ship. Hime glanced back at him. The two hardly shared any words.
"…Brother," Hime stated.
"Pika?" The sound of the flute echoed around them. The small child played the flute beside her new master.
"You're calling ships for your older sister?" the man asked. "…What a good girl." From the distance, ships began coming in.
"Hey Pancho Blanco," Rai shouted to the man. He turned over to Rai. "You better take care of her; you got that?" The man smiled.
"For the sake of my little soldier here, I'll allow you to escape today," he replied.
"Are you implying you can kill me whenever you want to?" Hime asked.
"Yes."
"Emile, my older brother, let me say this…I have no interest in the throne." Rai and Hiro looked at her. "However, I have no interest in dying, either. So, in order to survive, we may have to cross swords someday." Rai had a stern expression on his face.
"You haven't changed a bit. All we were after today was protecting the mermaid. Let's go, Flanders."
"Fuga," the machine responded.
"Fuga?" Hiro spoke. The mechanism started walking out to the ocean. Riza regained consciousness and looked out to sea.
"A rescue ship?" Riza noticed.
"Come on," Rai patted Hiro on the shoulder. "We better get going." The three made their way back to the deck for the rescue team to arrive.
Royal Manor
The front doors flew open as everyone went inside.
"Man, that was awesome!" Kurumu stretched her arms. "We should do this more often!" Sawawa and Flandre followed after her.
"It sure was fun, wasn't it Flan?" Sawawa asked.
"Fuga!" Flandre replied. Riza and Hiro walked inside as Rai and Jolt entered last.
"Alright," Riza added. "I'm gonna shower and hit the sack." She went off toward her room. Everyone else dispatched to their own duties. Kurumu and Jolt stayed with Rai.
"Hime," Rai called out. She turned around. "We need to talk."
"About what?" Kurumu asked.
"Pika?"
"Sorry guys," Rai apologized. "This is Reaper business." He took Jolt off his shoulders and handed it him to Kurumu. "Take Jolt upstairs; I'll be there in a bit." She looked at Rai. He nodded.
"…Alright." She started heading upstairs. Once they were gone, Rai and Hime were the only ones standing in the lobby.
"What the hell was that about?" Rai asked.
"That was my brother," Hime explained.
"That's not what I'm talking about." Rai's voice grew serious. "How the fuck did a little girl drop dead and suddenly come back to life?" Hime remained unmoved. "What was with that fire in his hand?"
"It was the Flame of Life. Only members of the Royal Family have this kind of power to bring people back from their grave." Rai scratched his chin.
"What's the catch?"
"Catch…?"
"You don't just come back to life and walk off Scott Free. Your brother said she'll serve him for all eternity." Hime remained silent. "So, now she's his servant for the rest of her life?"
"To sum it all up; yes."
"I wasn't hired to be a soldier of your Damn Army! You brought us into this battle! Now if one of us drops dead, you're just gonna make us work for you forever?"
"Unless you prefer a proper burial." Rai became pissed.
"I'm not letting you kill us because of your families little game!" Hime started walking towards him.
"Then I suggest that you don't lose. Like I said before, I have no interest in obtaining the throne. If you want them to survive, you will have to show your strength when fighting against enemies who are willing to take your life." She pulled the soul from her shirt. "Until you've proven yourself to be a true Celestial Reaper, I will not hand the soul over to you." Hime kept her view focused on him. Rai turned and started walking up the steps.
"…I get it." He stopped halfway. "But, if anything happens to them because of your family…" Rai glared at her. "I'm going after you first...and that's a promise." He eventually arrived at his bedroom. Rai cracked the door open. Kurumu hid under the sheets while Jolt nuzzled underneath her chest. He removed his swimwear and headed for the shower. Kurumu and Jolt remained quiet throughout the night.
The cashier read through his sports magazine at the register. The store was filled with customers as they flocked over the movies and merchandise arranged on display. F.Y.E was having a sale where the purchase of any product over sixty dollars will allow a purchase for a second product for only half price. There were rows of DVD boxes all categorized by genre from Action to Drama to Family to Sci-Fi, etc. They even sold small goods like backpacks or key chains for the latest trends or retro style favorites. A woman with a short pink shirt came up to the register. She held a small container in the shape of a red mushroom with white dots.
"How much for the Mario Cherry Sweets?" she asked.
"That'll be $1.50," he answered.
"Cool, I'll take it with this," she placed a DVD of Fairy Tail: Part 4 next to the candy.
"Alright," the man scanned the item and was about to ring the total.
"Hey, is this the new one that just came out?"
"Huh? No, this one's been around for some time already."
"Really, cause people say they did a remix where they brought in this new guy."
"I wasn't really aware of that." The cashier examined the contents of the box. Everything about it seemed normal. The box art, the description, even the rating and general detail looked the same. A boy with a blue sweater came walking into the store.
"Hey, can you help me out," he asked.
"What's wrong?" the cashier responded.
"I bought the Rosario Vampire collection a while ago, but I'm not sure if it's the right one."
"Is something wrong with it?"
"It works fine, but I don't remember it being crossed over with Pokémon."
"You saw that too?" the girl asked.
"Yeah, and the weird thing is this new guy just came out of nowhere." The cashier was becoming even more confused as to what the situation was about.
Ring! Ring!
The store phone started going off. The cashier picked up the phone.
"Hello, this is F.Y.E. How can I-"
"WHAT KIND OF STORE ARE YOU RUNNING!?" the angry mother yelled through the phone. "My son bought your Pokémonster movie from your store and I just noticed him watching it. What kind of person would let my child watch a TV show with such language!?" The cashier became hesitant.
-To Be Continued-
Flandre: Fuga.
Hiro: This is bad!
What, what's wrong!?
Hiro: There some weirdo with a whip!
A whip? You sure he's not from the circus?
Hiro: No way! He's lashing the heck out of me!
Hime: You mean like this? *Crack* Or that? *Crack*
Hiro: That hurts, Hime! Don't hit me for real! *Crack* I said that hurts! *Crack* Oh, hit me more…more…!
Flandre: Fuga.
Hiro: Eww, no Flandre, I was just joking.
…Uh, All rights reserved and materials used belong to their respective owner's.
Hiro: Don't give me that cold look! Leave a comment and review on your thoughts and opinion!
Next Time: Princess Connection
Hime: Were you really joking?
I really don't want to know…
Flandre: Fuga Fuga.