Bunnyloverforever: I do not own Disgaea Hour of Darkness. Enjoy, R&R!
Chapter 2: Guardians of the Netherworld
"Laharl, weren't you eyeing a swordsman earlier?" Jennifer placed her palm on top of Laharl's head and pointed her index finger in the direction of the coy swordsman.
"Him, Laharl?" Pleinair pointed to the swordsman standing first in line.
Laharl swatted Jennifer's hand away and stepped closer to Pleinair, knowing she wouldn't dare do anything like that. "Yes, that one," he confirmed with an assertive tone.
"Okay, Nickolas, please step forward." Pleinair ordered, nodding her head.
'Oh gosh… the great Overlord himself handpicked me! I must do as Lady Flonne says and tell him about my friends!' Nick's legs faltered suddenly as they seemingly turned to stone and wobbled as he took the two excruciatingly long steps. Laharl, Pleinair, Etna, Jennifer, and Flonne all raised a brow at Nickolas's apprehensive state. The comic hero, Nickolas, noticed this and could only give back a sheepish smile.
"Nickolas, can you step any further?" Laharl lowered his hands and slightly leaned forward to examine the size of the baby steps he had taken.
"Uh, yes, my Lord!" Nickolas stuttered the four words timorously and stepped out once more.
Pleinair, Laharl, Etna, Jennifer, and Flonne raised a brow again. "Laharl, why don't we come to him?" Flonne offered.
"That seems like our only option," Etna mumbled under her breath.
Laharl sighed and glanced up at the ceiling. Did he make people that insecure? He rarely did anything with the kingdom anyways. The Overlord reluctantly made his way in front of Nickolas. "All right, I've chosen you to-"
The cosmic hero's body swayed back and forth until it met the ground when he fainted. Etna snorted while Flonne and Jennifer began to giggle. Pleinair's gaze rested on the hero while Laharl wiped his face with the palm of his head.
"Are you sure you're going to pick him, Laharl?" Pleinair inquired and scratched the back of her head.
"Just drag him off to the side somewhere while I pick the rest of our… new gang." Laharl paused, for he wasn't quite sure what to call the pack of guardians that he would soon share the living room with him.
The Overlord, Etna, Jennifer, Flonne, and Pleinair stepped back to get a better view at everyone else. They proceeded. "Him, him! He looks cool!" Flonne pulled on Laharl's elbow and started jumping up and down excitedly.
"Calm down, girl. Who are talking about? There are a lot of guys and they all look…" Etna stopped herself before she continued, remembering that readers of all ages would read her inappropriate comment.
"Flonne, which one?" Laharl asked flatly and reclaimed his entire arm.
"That one!" Flonne pointed to the third person in the far right line.
"Haha, another blonde!" Jennifer pointed out happily.
"Just what we needed…" Laharl sarcastically added. He decided to make his way to the sheer, blonde-haired boy that looked much like Flonne's, minus the length.
Etna, Jennifer, and Flonne took another step back while Pleinair followed Laharl towards the space marine. "Devin, please step out," she ordered in her mono toned voice.
"O-Okay!" he called out, but couldn't help but stutter. He wiggled his way through the lines of other classes glaring down and scoffing at him. His aquamarine, blue eyes finally were set on the Overlord himself. Never before would he even think about seeing the Overlord standing just two feet away from him! "Hi…" he greeted dumbly, weakly waving his hand, and smiling in awe.
"Hello, Devin. It seems as though Flonne has chosen you. Sit next to the fainted swordsman," Laharl pointed his thumb back at Nickolas. The Overlord couldn't help, but notice how oddly the space marine was dressed. A simple pair of partially bleached, washed denim shorts that were rolled up to the middle of his thighs, and a fitted plain red-orange, pull-over hoodie with slippers. He was dressed awfully casual.
"Oh, um, I would like to recommend someone, your highness." Devin nodded his head and nervously watched to see the Overlord's reaction.
"Well?" Laharl folded his arms and attempted to stand to his fullest height. It's not like he had the answer, so why the hell was Devin looking at him expectantly?
"Uh! Yeah, he's space pirate, Eric!" Devin nodded his head again and glanced at Pleinair.
"Do you accept his recommendation, Laharl?" Pleinair inquired before directing the space pirate to step out.
"Yeah, why not?" Laharl gave a smug look and turned towards the line of space pirates at his left. This was easier for him. He didn't have to waste time looking at everyone and then handpicking them one at a time. They was so many to choose from.
"Space pirate Eric, please step out!" Pleinair yelled out.
About fifteen seconds later, a body finally emerged through the lines. He stood in front of Laharl, but his eyes stayed on his boots. Devin sheepishly smiled at Laharl, more or so because of the fact that Eric had already threatened to 'kill' him if he recommended him to the Overlord. Devin was dreading Eric's death glare while Laharl appeared to be looking forward to it.
"Hello?" he mocked a greeting to the red headed, space pirate. The pirate was dressed only an open black vest and fitted black jeans, with a white bandana under his black classic pirate hat.
"Devin, what the hell? I told you not to recommend me!" Eric shouted out, completely ignoring Laharl and launching his body at the space marine.
Laharl watched with folded arms and didn't even give a care about either of them. It was actually quite fulfilling to him to watch others battle it out. Although, Pleinair stepped in front of Eric and shoved him back before he even got a shot at Devin, who looked like a weakling compared to the pirate.
"Can you two stand in the corner with the fainted swordsman until I'm done picking out everyone else without killing each other?" Laharl's eyelids drooped, he lowered his hands, and slightly bent his knees. He was getting exhausted easily. He hadn't had this much excitement since the day he took in Gordon, Jennifer, and Thursday to be his slaves.
"Overlord, I-I'm awake now…" Nickolas's meek voice interrupted what Pleinair was about to say. Laharl swiveled around to face Nickolas with his heavy eyelids and flaming eyes. "I have recommendations to make!" the cosmic hero announced suddenly.
"Take it easy, I'm right in front of you…" Laharl pretended to flick wax from his ear. He waited for Nick to continue, and then remembered about the cosmic hero's insecure nature and expected nothing less.
"Okay, boys. Eric, if you try anything one more time, I'm going to have to-"
"Don't worry about it, Pleinair. Guys, just stand near Nick and his recommendations." Laharl interrupted Pleinair once again and she visibly began to fume. Devin noticeably started to tremble when he had to stand next to Eric, who was muttering curses under his breath. Laharl, Pleinair, Etna, Jennifer, and Flonne stared at Nickolas with anticipation for almost a straight minute. "Nickolas! I plan on sleeping today!" Laharl roared furiously.
Nickolas squeaked and almost jumped a straight foot into the air from freight. "Right, they're Robin, Kim, and Sasha!" he hurriedly spilled out the names and tensed up, inching towards Eric and stepping behind him.
"Please step out, Robin, Kim, and Sasha…" Pleinair's voice was filled with uncertainty, for the three girls weren't exactly the nicest. "Please line up next to Devin, Eric, and Nick," she added.
Robin, the shogun, Sasha, the red headed galaxy mage, and Kim, the Freischutz, stood shoulder-to-shoulder next to the boys. Laharl looked over at Etna, Jennifer, and Flonne. They all gave giddy thumbs-ups. The Overlord sighed and then realized that he obviously had to partake in the decisions. Why wouldn't they just dismiss his opinion like earlier? 'Wait a second… what is my opinion?'
"Laharl, will this be all?" Pleinair exhaled deeply and wished she had picked the number one instead of nine. Then again, maybe Laharl would have picked her anyways.
Laharl was still continuing to glare down all of his new guardians. Devin didn't look too strong at all, but he had no doubt that he was an excellent sharpshooter. What was his relationship with Eric though? Eric appeared strong enough to last a match with himself for quite a while. Nick was still trembling in fear and nearing being completely hidden behind Eric. Laharl simply had no thoughts on the boy, but since he was a cosmic hero with a badass sword, he would let him slide. Robin definitely looked worthy with the axe she held in her hands. Having a mage was always good on the team. Laharl decided to keep Kim since she appeared to be friends of Sasha, Robin, and Nick, and he might as well have another ranger.
"Yeah… that'll be all. Take away the rest. So, you're all hired to protect the Netherworld!" Laharl planted his hands on his hips and turned his head from left to right to glance at everyone lined up.
"Well, Prince?" Etna walked up to him along with Flonne and Jennifer.
"What?" he snapped back, secretly wondering if there was another task to be done.
"What do you think of everyone, Laharl?" Flonne spoke Etna's implied question.
"I don't think you've even properly greeted them!" Jennifer somewhat scolded him, crossing her arms.
Laharl lowered his head and closed his eyes tightly to calm himself down before he blew up on everyone. "All right, are you sure you want to know what I think of everyone?" Laharl was surprised to see the new guardians shake their heads vigorously, all except for Eric who stared mindlessly.
"Let a rip, Prince!" Etna sarcastically yelled out and rested her head back in her hands.
Laharl pretended as if he wasn't going to tell the guardians what he thought of them because Etna encouraged him to. "Devin's first. You look really weak, but I guess you're better in range than hand to hand combat. Eric looks pretty dangerous, and I'm going with Nickolas is just nervous, right?" Laharl raised his brows and slightly nodded when he watched the hero nod vigorously in return. "Robin will be a good addition, and so will Sasha. I guess it's good to have another long distance hitter."
Devin's face turned as red as tomato while Eric's triumphant smile came back. Nick was taking a sigh of relief and Robin and Sasha were giggling and whispering in each other's ears. Kim's hands were also planted on her hips and she looked as though she was going to blow a gasket. Flonne regretted the inquiry of Laharl's thoughts. She should have known they weren't going to be the nicest. Etna and Jennifer could barely keep themselves from laughing, but managed somehow.
"Smile everyone!" Jennifer held up a camera she seemingly pulled out from her back pocket, but she didn't wait for anyone to smile. She took the picture as soon as she held up her camera, catching everyone's faces.
Laharl lowered his crossed hands and turned his glare back to the guardians after Jennifer. "Well, it looks like you'll all be defending the Netherworld alongside me." He gave a small, confident smile. It was enough for the rest of the guardians to beam back at the Overlord.