A/N: This is the longest OVA I've ever made compared to my other stories. But you all are used to reading lengthy fan fictions anyway. I like my stories short but sweet (this is one exception). Don't sit too close to your monitors and give your eyes some rest if they feel like drying up like a prune. This has been an LSFFP public advisory.
Thousands of years ago, the world of Pokemon was engulfed in meaningless and bloody wars—a quest for power, glory, or territory. Armies waving different colors marched onto the ravaged farmlands to battle; wearing armor and wielding weapons of steel. The blood of the fallen, as the royal sages suggested that it contained the power to restore lands ravaged by war, proved to be nothing more but an insane fantasy. The Johto Empire continued to expand its borders through the years—the Kanto Kingdom, the Principality of Orre, the Nakurei Kingdom, and now its atrocious eyes were now looking down on the Hoenn Kingdom. Much of the Hoenn Kingdom's lands have fallen into the hands of the power-hungry Emperor Sasabi (Giovanni) using enslaved Pokemon as tools of war.
"Your Highness, the Johto Empire has just taken Kaina City!" One of the Hoenn Kingdom's captains reported before the king. "Without the port city, we're totally cut off from our Sinnoh allies."
"I sensed this day would come." King Senri (Norman Maple) replied. "What about Minamo City?"
"Minamo City has fallen as well…they've got us surrounded."
"Ready my Windy (Arcanine)! Concentrate on the defense of Kanazumi City (Rustboro City). It's the only city still under our control. I'll lead what's left of our forces to war."
"B-But Your Highness, you can't! At least let me sacrifice my life for your family to seek refuge—"
"I don't run away from a fight, captain. Now ready my noble Pokemon for war! Make haste!"
The captain could not defy his king's final decision. He bowed down before leaving the presence of the king.
King Senri had a beautiful daughter who testified against her father's decision to ride to war. "Father please, you can't do this! You'll die out there!"
"I already thought of that possibility before I was made king, Haruka. Don't stop me."
"I don't want you to die! Because of this foolish war I've lost Masato!"
"Haruka, if ever the Hoenn Kingdom falls, seek refuge in the southern islands. Start a new life there as an ordinary peasant so you won't be recognized and slaughtered by Sasabi's soldiers."
"I won't go! I won't leave without you—"
"I have my responsibility, Haruka! You have yours! Don't make me raise this sword of mine against you to change your mind!"
King Senri marched outside the throne room; leaving her daughter to cry for the inevitable demise of the only living member of her—
---0---0---0---0---0---
"CUT!" Kanata, the acting director of the entire drama, yelled. "Haruka, I know you're not a good actress but try to put some effort in your crying. I can't feel the drama…the agony…THE PAIN!"
"But I'm crying as best as I can kamo." Haruka, playing the role of the beautiful Hoenn princess, replied. "Anything more and my eyes will dry up like raisins."
"Your crying is okay. Just make it damn real!"
"Isn't it already real?"
"Make me feel that you're really hurt. I want your sorrow to overflow! CRY, HARUKA, CRY! BWAHAHAHAHA…!"
"(Y-You're scaring me, kamo.)" Surprisingly, the brunette girl began to jerk some tears. This time, they weren't cheap eye drop effects.
Lightning and Sword Fan Fiction Productions proudly present…
"Kamo!" ("The Haruka Show") Halftime Show
The longest OVA chapter ever made in LSFFP history
---0---0---0---0---0---
For generations, the East Touka City Academy Theater Club has put up awe-inspiring shows not only for the students of the said institution but also to people from outside the campus grounds. This year was another first from them: a medieval-setting melodramatic play scheduled for performance tomorrow morning. The students who would be watching were expecting the play to be a blast like the other past skits. However the original actor and actress for the main characters, Kirei Asakura and Konomi Mizuhara, have resigned from the club after fighting with each other. The reason for their fighting remains unknown to the others.
The fate of the theater club's reputation rests on two non-members: Satoshi Masara and Kumano Haruka. If ever they fail to impress the audience, they might as well expect a bombardment of tomatoes after the performance.
No wonder Kanata was so worked up on getting to convince her brunette friend to take Konomi's place. It turned out that she wrote the story herself…and a member of the theater club to boot.
"Satoshi…Haruka…" Kanata called the stars of the play. "I need to go to the auditorium to oversee the setup. I want you two to practice your lines so we can resume proper rehearsals after I get back. Any questions…?"
"I do!" Satoshi said. "Do I need to do this romance scene right here?"
"It's part of the play, Satoshi. Get used to it."
"But this is just—ugh!"
Haruka's imaginative half of her brain triggered another creative scenario. Anything that involved the love of her life was bound to have at least a few seconds or minutes of imagination running amok inside her head. She didn't even bother reading the romance scene in her copy of the script because her imaginative side already had complete control.
---0---0---Stage Kamo! Haruka's Fantasy Theater---0---0---
The two were all alone in a closed room under the cover of darkness—the moon illuminating their pleasurable night. Everything was set on the bed. All they needed to spice things up were their consents to each other.
"Haruka…" Satoshi said.
"W-What is it? You seem different." Haruka replied.
"I…I can't bear it anymore. Let's do it right now."
"B-But I'm not sure, kamo. We're not even married yet."
"There's no need to wait. I'm sure you want to do it too."
"Oh Satoshi…"
They lied down on top of the soft, bouncy mattress and created love out of the immaterial. Constant shrieks echoed throughout the entire room—all of them coming from the brunette girl as she continued to feel very fulfilled with the love of her life on top of her.
"Satoshi…aaaahh…come on, more!"
"I'll give you more than more."
"A-A-A-Aaaaahh…! T-This is…aaaaaahhh!"
"How does it feel, Haruka?"
"Ha, ha, ha, ha…is that the best you can do?"
"I'm just getting warmed up."
"Aaah…then make it warmer!"
The rest is plain history.
---0---0---Curtains Down---0---0---
Afterwards, she was shaking like a massage chair and sweating like an open faucet of sweat. Unfortunately, she collapsed before intense pressure before saying anything.
"Haruka…!" The trainer cried.
"Don't worry about her. She'll wake up eventually." Kanata replied calmly.
"So…what's up with her?"
"Too much brainstorming, that's what."
---0---0---0---0---0---
It didn't take long for the brunette girl to pop her eyes open and wake up. As usual, her face held the same cluelessness as a person waking up from something he or she can't remember. This wasn't the first time she collapsed after imagining of something like several minutes ago.
"You're finally awake. Thirsty…?" Satoshi offered her a can of ice cold juice.
"Oh…well, I love to kamo." Haruka humbly accepted the can of ice cold juice and didn't hesitate to open the can for a refreshing drink.
"It's almost sundown. Let's practice our lines after our break."
There was a moment of silence as the two of them drank their can of ice cold juice until the last drop. They haven't made any progress since this morning. With only at least half-a-day left before the red carpet premiere of their play, they were starting to worry but neither made it obvious to one another. Haruka had something else in mind aside from the upcoming play.
"Satoshi…" Haruka made the first move. "I was wondering why…you know…"
"You mean why am I doing this?" Satoshi replied. "Believe it or not, Kirei came to me asking for help. So here I am; taking his place."
"Funny…Konomi did the same thing to me as well. Maybe if Kanata told me about this earlier I wouldn't have been so stubborn to keep on refusing."
"Haruka…"
"Yes?"
"Konomi wouldn't bother asking you for this if she couldn't see anything in you. I'm sure you'll make her proud."
"Satoshi…I…I…I don't know what to say, kamo." Haruka's face suddenly turned red like her bandana. "But I still feel doubtful, kamo."
"Haruka…"
"I've always thought of myself to be no-good at anything. I don't know if I can even become a top coordinator at my state."
"That's not true! Everybody's good at something! You just need a little help."
"I'm not even sure if we can master the script in just half-a-day." The brunette girl's eyes filled up with tears. "I'm so stupid, kamo. Can't I get anything right for once?"
"Haruka…"
All of a sudden, they heard a loud sound of a sliding door being opened forcibly. It was Haruka's classmate and ex-actress Konomi. She was panting after running so hard from the auditorium to the theater club room…which raises the question: what was she doing in the auditorium after classes?
"Haruka-san, thank goodness you're here. It's horrible!" Konomi cried; gasping heavily.
"What is it? What's horrible?" Haruka replied worryingly.
"It's Kanata-san! She's badly hurt!"
---0---0---0---0---0---
Having heard of her friend being badly injured, the three of them hurried to the auditorium where a bunch of steel scaffoldings were piled up on the stage floor. Some students who were present in the pileup couldn't do anything but watch helplessly. Any shift in the position of the scaffoldings could instantly crush Kanata underneath the pileup. Haruka saw the carnage before her. Her best friend was bleeding and couldn't move. Even though it wasn't Haruka under several pounds of steel, she could feel the pain pressing onto her.
"Kanata!" Haruka cried as she rushed towards her injured friend and took a monster ball out. "Hang in there, Kanata! I'll get you out of there. Agehanto, help me out here—"
"Haruka-san, don't do it!" Konomi cut her off. "Any slight movement in the pileup and the scaffolding could come crashing down on her completely!"
That possibility triggered an image inside the brunette girl's head. She saw her friend crying out in total agony as the scaffolding completely crushed her fragile body. The end result became lethal…at least it was if she failed to come up with a plan.
"Huh? But I have to do something! Kanata's badly hurt!"
A tragic accident was all it needed to turn a day of panic to a day of terror. Some of the steel frames shifted their position. As a result, the pressure weighing down on Kanata's body doubled. Haruka could hear her friend scream in agony as the bleeding worsened.
"Kanata!" Haruka cried. "Please hang in there; I'll get you out of there!"
"Haruka-san…"
"If I only knew what to do…if I only knew…I'm nothing but a worthless, insignificant person! I can't even get Kanata out of danger. I'm so stupid—"
Eventually, Konomi had enough of Haruka's constant self-insults. "Haruka-san, would you even be here right now if you were such?!"
"I know, Konomi! I shouldn't even be here—"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!!!"
Haruka fell into an abrupt silence—as if time had completely stopped right after Konomi snapped.
"What do you think Kanata and I have been putting up all this time?" The ex-actress continued; crying a river. "I picked you for a reason; just like Kirei picked Satoshi-san!"
"Konomi…"
"Haruka-san, please try to understand…you're not insignificant."
The brunette girl cried even more. Not only she failed to think of a plan to get her friend out of danger but she also failed to see her inner self: her true self—probably the reason why she kept on failing at captivating Satoshi from the very beginning.
At last, a sign of life…
"Haruka…" Kanata managed to open her eyes and speak with her remaining strength. "I'm glad…that you came…"
"Kanata! I'm so glad that you're still with me, kamo." Haruka replied; still crying. "Don't worry; I'll get you out of there—"
"I'm afraid it's…too late…I'm bleeding…from the inside."
"N-No…Kanata…don't say that! Don't leave me!"
"Haruka, promise me one thing…"
"Anything…!"
"Please…make tomorrow's play…a success…"
"Kanata, I don't know if I can make it a success kamo. I'm not as good as Konomi—"
"I believe in you, Haruka. You can do…it…"
…and with her last breath in the world of the living, she slowly closed her eyes and accepted her demise.
"No…KANATAAAAAAAAAA…!"
---0---0---0---0---0---
Well, it was supposed to be a bad ending if this story wasn't a comedy. Heck, Haruka was set up a second time.
"Now that's what I call 'acting'!" Kanata opened her eyes again and smiled.
"Kanata? Huh? What's going on, kamo?" A confused Haruka asked.
"Welcome to the theater club, Haruka." The purple-haired girl gave her brunette friend a cute wink.
"What the…" Haruka quickly grabbed a piece of the steel scaffolding…only to realize that it wasn't really made out of steel. "Wait a minute, this is Styrofoam kamo! That last message of yours was only…a mere act?"
"Did you like it? It's how we initiate new members into the club." Kanata crawled out of the Styrofoam pileup; wiping the "blood" off her forehead which was actually ketchup.
Eventually, the brunette girl found out that every student present in the auditorium was an accomplice to probably the greatest setup in East Touka City Academy history. Of course, the victim demanded and was offered a complete explanation on everything. As the stage crew fixed up the mess they made with their "steel scaffoldings" (some gag show they put up here), Kanata explained everything without stopping for a catch of breath.
"Why would you do that? I almost gave up on hope because of that act of yours, kamo." At least now, Haruka let out a sigh of relief knowing that everything was only an act. "…and since when did I decide to join the theater club anyway?"
"Sorry, but it's how we do things here. Besides, your acting was better than I had anticipated." Kanata replied.
"You did that just to get me all worked up for the play? You could've killed me back there, kamo!"
"Haruka, there's another reason…"
"Another reason…?"
"It was to clear your mind of your doubts."
"Doubts…?"
"Haruka, I don't just pick and go. I picked you because I saw some potential in you. You only failed to recognize that yourself."
"Kanata…"
"I know you can do it. The question is: will you do it?"
It was a short question demanding a great answer from the brunette girl. She didn't want to disappoint her friend but she didn't know if she has what it takes to make the play a total success. So if the going gets tough, go for broke.
"Come on, Kanata. We've got a reputation to save, kamo!"
---0---0---0---0---0---
At long last, they were able to start with rehearsing their lines. With the sun going down, they called their families first; letting them know that they will be coming home late because of theater practice. There's really nothing wrong with that as long as they don't use the excuse as an alibi to have a blast at the disco bar. However, they wasted so much time out of the three-day period they were given; the whole night wouldn't suffice to even practice the fifty-page-thick script. Luckily, the director had an idea.
"We're not using the script anymore. Keep it." Kanata said.
"Huh? But then what are we supposed to say on stage?" Satoshi asked.
"He's right, kamo." Haruka agreed with her beloved (because it made sense).
"We'll make our own scripts—on the spot."
"You mean…anything goes?"
"EH? Now you just made this harder for the both of us, kamo!"
"Don't worry, you guys." Kanata placed her clenched fist on where her heart is. "You have this!"
"Uh…our chests…? You want us to use our chests?"
"I think she means our heart, Satoshi."
"Exactly…master the story by heart and you won't need a script."
"That's easier said than done."
"Are you sure about this, Kanata? It's kind of risky, kamo. Does it even work?"
"Nope, just wanted to try this one out…"
Satoshi and Haruka exclaimed simultaneously. "EH?"
Certainly, the odds were now stacked against them and they felt like their backs were already against the wall. Nevertheless, Haruka had promised that she would make her friend proud. Even better, with Satoshi beside her she felt very secure. With Kanata guiding them to the entire story, Satoshi and Haruka rehearsed every scene and gave it their all even though it was only practice. Nightfall came and the practice continued.
"I…I can't believe you're the heir to the throne of Johto." Even without a script, Haruka was able to deliver wonderful lines while playing her role as the Hoenn princess. "Those barbarians killed my beloved family! My father the king…my mother the queen…my brother Masato…"
So did Satoshi, playing the role of the Johto prince. "It's not what you think, Haruka—"
"No, stay away from me…!" The princess pushed the prince away from her.
"Haruka, I didn't kill your brother. Please believe me!"
"Do you think your petty explanations will bring Masato back?!" There was no need for cheap eye drops since Haruka's tears were the real deal. "I lost my family because of the Empire!"
"I'll stab myself with this sword later! Just listen to me, Haruka!"
"NO! Your blood won't change anything!" Even at running away, the brunette girl gave her all.
"Haruka…!"
The brunette girl made her fleeing so realistic; she slid the door open and, strangely enough, bumped into her brother Masato (who was live and alive by the way).
"Masato…!" Haruka gave her brother a snug hug as if she was ever glad to see him. "I'm so glad that you're still breathing!"
"Onee-chan, if you don't let me go right now I'll really stop breathing!" Masato replied; choking.
"Ah, sorry Masato…I guess I got a little bit carried away, kamo." The older sister rubbed her eyes off of tears.
Kanata gave her friend a whack from; you guessed it, Kasumi's wooden mallet—right in the head.
"OW! What did you do that for, kamo?" Haruka said.
"There's a thick line dividing fantasy from reality, Haruka." Kanata replied. "I hope you do remember that."
"Geez, that mallet hurts kamo."
---0---0---0---0---0---
"By the way, Masato, what are you still doing here?" The older sister asked. "I thought you might have gone home by now."
"I did. Then you called and Mom asked me to bring this packed lunch to you." The younger brother answered. "We figured that you won't be coming home for dinner so I brought you this."
"Oh Masato…I didn't know you cared, kamo."
"I'm doing this only as an errand. Don't get used to it, ka-mo!" The walking Pokemon zukan laughed as hard as he could.
Haruka's reply was a headlock; strangling her annoying younger brother between her arms. "Masato, don't you ever use my catch phrase! Get your own!"
After handing the packed lunch over to his bossy older sister, Masato hurriedly left the school and returned home. Meanwhile, the three feasted on a several-course dinner courtesy of Haruka's caring mother.
"Wow, it looks delicious kamo!" The brunette girl smiled. "Itadakimasu…!"
There were a variety of viands for the three of them to feast on. Surely it felt like their last supper before the big day tomorrow morning. It looked delicious because as soon as it touched their taste buds, their souls drifted away on top of cloud nine.
"Haruka, you never told me that your mom is one heck of a cook!" Kanata cried.
"Well, maybe I don't really pay attention in the kitchen kamo." Haruka replied; laughing.
"This is good stuff. I would like to try some of your cooking next time, Haruka." Satoshi said.
"That's a good idea! Maybe you should."
"Well I…I, uh…oh fine! I'll do my best, kamo."
"That's the spirit, Haruka! You remind me of somebody…in a way."
They resumed practice half-an-hour later after every crumb was consumed. They stopped somewhere near the romance scene—one scene in the play that Satoshi was complaining about several hours ago and the one where Haruka's imagination went to work. Of course, it was different from what she imagined before (like that's going to happen).
"Haruka, I'm no longer a prince." Satoshi started. "I've been marked as a traitor to the Empire. I'm no longer one of them."
"I'm sorry but it's too late now." Haruka replied. "I've lost my family. I've lost my home. I've lost everything. I want to join them in the afterlife."
"Haruka, you can't be serious!"
"I'm sorry if it has to end this way. But there's no reason for me to live anymore." She raised a phony dagger up in mid-air; getting in a self-slitting position.
Fortunately, Satoshi got in the way and stole the dagger away. He even hugged her tight just to keep her from doing anything crazy. "No! It doesn't have to be this way! I'm here for you!"
Disregarding the fact that it was only a play, Haruka felt shocked to be hugged by the love of her life. It was a first from the trainer. She was supposed to say something after the sudden action but instead she fell eerily silent. Kanata gave Satoshi the signal to carry on.
"I love you, Haruka. Nothing else matters." He started patting the brunette girl's head.
Sure, it was only an act. But for the brunette girl; there was not even a fine line dividing reality and fantasy. As a result, fantasy invaded reality; making her think that the tight hug was the real deal.
"S-Satoshi…I…" She forced herself to stay focus but shock completely overwhelmed her; rendering her speechless.
"…and CUT; okay that's a wrap!" Kanata marked the end of practice (finally!).
"Huh? I know there are a few more scenes left." Satoshi said.
"Well, we're way past school curfew already. Besides…" Kanata pointed at his partner whose face was red all over and was steaming like a steamer. "You can't expect your partner to continue if she's steaming like a steamer."
"Well, if you put it that way…"
"I guess your realistic hugging was too much for her, eh?"
---0---0---0---0---0---
They were so busy with practice; they didn't notice that it was already nine in the evening. Tomorrow was the red carpet premiere; they were going to need all the rest they could get in approximately six hours. Kanata bid goodbye to them as she went her way home on a separate route from Satoshi and Haruka. The trainer had to give her partner a ride in the back since she suddenly fell asleep. Knowing Haruka, a lot has happened today: being set up as an initiation to the club, overacting to the extent that she thought that Masato was dead, and the fact that she felt the warm snug hug of the love of her life for the first time.
"We're almost there, Haruka." Satoshi said; although his passenger was sound asleep. "You sure are one strange girl."
"Mmmmm…no, Mom; I don't want any more pancakes, kamo…" Haruka muttered in her sleep.
"I'll put my faith in you, Haruka. Let's do this one for Kirei and Konomi."
"You got it…zzzzzzzzz…"
"The moon sure is bright tonight, eh?"
No more practice…no more reruns…more importantly, no more turning back. The die has been cast.
END OF HALFTIME
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This has been a presentation of Lightning and Sword Fan Fiction Productions. All the characters, places, events, and other materials used here in this story are being disclaimed by the production team and are property of their respective creators and licensing companies. Any occurrences stated in the story that are somewhat similar to other works created by other writers are purely coincidental and the production team has absolutely no intention of plagiarism. Under any circumstances this fan fiction should not be duplicated or modified without the consent of the production team. Failure to comply is punishable up to the fullest extent of the law. The law applies to all; otherwise none at all.
Thank you for reading and reviewing this story. Your comments and suggestions are very welcome for the improvement of future stories and for your viewing pleasure.
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Kamo! Trivial Trivia #12: The word "itadakimasu" is traditionally said before eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's a word that gives thanks for the food that is present in the table for the people to eat or as majority of the subbing groups would translate: "Let's eat!" After the hearty meal, they also give thanks for the food but by using another word different from "itadakimasu".