Title: The Three Witches
Genre: Mystery/Humor
Ratings: T
Fandom: Suikoden
Crossover Characters: xxxHolic—Yuko Ichihara, Jigoku Shoujo—Ai Emma.
Summary: Halloween is coming to Suiko World. While the Dawn Army wanted to celebrate it, shocking news came to Zerase. The prisoners of Hell Girl's Hell escaped and now hiding in Suiko World. Yuko Ichihara and Ai Emma came to aid Zerase capturing those sinful souls back to Ai's domain. R & R to find out more.
Disclaimer: I'm not own Suikoden or Konami, xxxHolic or CLAMP, Jigoku Shoujo or its project company, and everything I wrote here just for entertainment.
Part 2: Climax of Nightmare
It was bizarre.
Only seconds upon their arrival, Yuko Ichihara and Ai Emma had made a big commotion around the castle. Partly because their unusual appearances—Yuko was wearing a super-sexy red colored long dress, whilst Ai wearing black-white with red butterfly patterns yukata. Their fashion was unusual for Falenans or other nations on Suiko World, so yeah, they are very eye-catching. The other part was because their pretty overbearing. Men stunned when saw those females walked before them, almost like when Jeane strolled down on the castle white her Charm Rune activated.
Zerase had informed that Yuko and Ai, whom disguised to be Zerase's distant relatives, would come to spend their holiday here. Prince Freyjadour, as generous as ever, allowed them to stay in Marina's inn for a week, even allowed them to participate in the Halloween party. As promised, Yuko didn't bring anything except spare clothes for a week there (and costumes she planned to wear in the party) and Kuro-Mokona, the black version of Mokona which appeared in front of Zerase in the previous chapter. Ai, on the contrary, brought nothing at all.
Worse yet, whenever Zerase trying to ask when they will start searching for exorcise, Yuko always dragged Ai along to enjoy the beauty of Sun Castle or having a pleasant bath time in Miroon's bath. In result, the Halloween party will commence tomorrow and the three never had the chance to search for those sinners.
Zerase had enough with it. Therefore, she waiting in the guest room for Yuko and Ai come back from their fishing tournament with the Raftfleet fishermen.
"Ah…that feels so good, don't you think, Ai-chan, Mokona?" asked the older woman as she entered their room.
"It is. Mokona had his fun with the fishes too," agreed the black bunny, identical with the previous thing that had visited Zerase at the previous days.
Ai nodded as an approval. She then noticed that Zerase was there, sat on Yuko's bed, folding arms and stared icily at both females. "…Yuko-nee, it seems Zerase want to say something to you, and she's in foul mood."
"Ah yes! How if you joining the dinner with us, Hoshi-chan? Hm?" invited Yuko, pushed the light switch of that room.
Zerase wasn't answering. She kept staring coldly, especially to the moon sorceress. Yuko chuckled nervously. "Oh well, okay. I'll hear your complaint."
"It is almost Halloween, Yuko," started the star bearer. "You know more than others about it. If Halloween comes, monsters will receive more power, without any exception. Even it in legends or myths, they would tell the same. Halloween day have a strange effect to give strength to any monsters, evil spirits, and even those Sinners will gained more power during the day. If they attack us tomorrow, we'll dead for sure."
Surprisingly, Yuko let out a hearty laughter. Both Zerase and Ai lifted an eyebrow. "Maa…you're worrying too much, Hoshi-chan. You know, there was once a great man saying, 'where three gather, you have a sentai team!'" she explained between her laughs.
"Yuko-nee, I never heard such idioms in whole of my life," commented the Hell Girl.
"…And here people say that the sentai team consist me, Eresh and Jeane," added Zerase so not helpful, but in a matter-of-factly manner nonetheless.
"Ahem, well…but it's true, right?" the dimensional witch smirked funnily. "You don't need to worry. Why do you think we're associated with the darkness, Hoshi-chan? Because, no matter what happens, anytime, anywhere, we can handle anything related to evil deeds easily. That's the meaning of our existences."
Zerase stunned. Yuko was right there. The reason why they became close like this was that they have the same power. Power associated with darkness. Yuko was blessed with not only dimensional teleportation, but also the power of moon—darkness. Ai granted the power to send people to her domain, Hell, part of working with vengeance—darkness. While Zerase…well, you know how things works with her, what's with she being the Bearer of Stars and Traveler of Night, just like a great Seer once said. Their appearance was also similar with each other—long black hair, sexy in their special way, and shrouded in mysteries. No wonder sometimes Yuko consider that they were family, with her being the eldest sister, Zerase the second, and Ai was the youngest of the three.
"Fine. I'll go with your plan. But if things get worse…you must handle it yourself," concluded Zerase with defeated sigh.
"You're most kind, Hoshi-chan, tee hee," the older woman giggled. It was almost scary how she was remarkably similar with a certain rune mistress in the castle, whom coincidentally happened to be one of the three sentais too. "So, speaking of Halloween…have you prepared your costume, Hoshi-chan, Ai-chan?"
The unexpected topic made the dark wizard startled. She looked down depressed. "No…not yet."
Yuko grew a wicked smirk all of sudden. "As expected from my two dear sisters…well, you must feel grateful; I brought more than one costume. C'mon, let's see which one that fit you well. Ai-chan, which one do you want? Ah, kitten will be most suitable for your cuteness! And Hoshi-chan... How about a different fashion for a change, out of your ordinary style? Then, white is the best, eh? Yes, I definitely have one here…"
Zerase and Ai traded glances. It would seem like having a sexy, modest sorceress for a persistent and passionate sister was a bad idea…though they were not formally bound to be blood sister yet. Even still, the pitiful little sisters couldn't escape their fate in this one moment…
Finally, the day was come. Several worshippers were busy wandering around; even it was just for adding last-minute extensions and touch-ups for the decorations, or simple running about to make sure everything was set in their place. Most people spent their day preparing their respective costumes, or helping Retso and Shun Min cooking for the party's delicacies in the restaurant below. Whatever they do, the inhabitants of Sun Castle definitely happy to welcome the party anytime by now. Never once they ever became this busy, beside when they need to clean the castle from the lake's water.
Finally, the sun sunk and gone behind the horizon, and night fell to Falena. The castle was became dimmer thanks to Lady Miakis' command, as she reasoned to make the situation more 'mystic'. When the sun fully disappeared along with its light and stars could be seen in the night sky accompanied by the beautiful full moon, Jeane unleashed a spark of light into the sky, made a signal. Soon after the spark lit up in the sky, the castle's lamps were lit up as well. People shot their party crackers, blown the colorful streamers and confetti into the air. In unison and singsong voice, everyone cheered.
"HAPPY HALLOWEEN DAY!"
Followed with loud clasps from every corner of the castle. Everyone was really happy in this party. After hearing a simple and short speech from Prince Freyjadour about the fun of Halloween party, people started to scramble around, found mate to talk with. As for Zerase, she grouped with Yuko and Ai. Jeane was enjoying herself as she wearing a Egypt queen-like costume and really behave like a queen, what's with those drolly men offering party cookies and pumpkin juices to her. Eresh at the other side, wearing a normal librarian costume though still covering her mouth with a cover, went into a serious conversation with both Levi and Alhazred. Now the three witches were stood in a corner, each holding pumpkin juice in their hand.
"What now?" Zerase asked. She was donned in a white halter neck dress, and her usually loosened hair was braided down thanks to a certain woman. And her usually unadorned face has a thin make up thanks to that certain woman as well. To be honest, Zerase has threatened Yuko to stop the make over. But the moon witch threatened her back so the star sorceress has no choice but to oblige.
"Ai-chan, did you feel their presence?" asked Yuko. Tonight, she looks beautiful in a green nightgown. Her long hair braided up high fashionably and she had a cat eyes make up type. She did the make-over all by herself, of course.
The Hell Girl, now disguised as a butterfly queen (because forced by Yuko to) wear a red long dress and a fake butterfly wings on her back. She looked up to her two sisters and shook her head. "No…I can feel the presence, but only a little…"
"Hmm…well, then…how about you, Mokona?"
No answer. The three looked at each other. Black Mokona, the black version of Mokona-Modoki, was gone from their sight. It became harder to find him because the hall's light was dimmer to merry the event. However, it seems our cute-things-lover Oracle was very helping tonight. Zerase looked around and eventually found Haswar, wearing a furfur costume, hugging a black bunny in her embrace. Stood around the Oracle were the Prince and his knights. The dark sorceress tugged at her sisters' sleeves and pointed at the royal group.
"Ah, there you are, Mokona…" Yuko approached her assistant. "Naughty boy. Why did you wander off without telling me?"
"Oh, so this is your pet, Miss…Yuko, was it?" Haswar looked up to the taller woman.
"Mokona is not a pet! Mokona is Mokona!" protested the black bunny.
Zerase and Ai let out a heavy sigh. However, just as they stopped sighing, they felt a strange sensation, tingled their spines. The three witches looked at different directions. Their eyes and ears were sharp, ready to detect if anything dangerous coming. Prince Freyjadour lifted an eyebrow to see his Table Guardian was grim like that. Of course, she was unfriendly, never smiling, and very cold to everyone without any exception. But this was different. It was almost the same whenever she sensed that the Twilight Rune would be used. She looks very serious, and…dangerous.
"Prince," the Tenkan started. "Command your knights to lead this people to safe place. Get anyone that have affinity in holy power gather and ready with his or her magic. An ambush attack will come…and only people like us that could handle this."
The Royal Highness still stared unbelieving at the sorceress. "An ambush? But, why--"
He couldn't finish his words. All of sudden, dark shadows were appeared, entered the castle through the wall. Seeing the unearthly being, everyone was panicked and started to scream in fear. The Prince was immediately reacting at this, barking orders to his soldiers to calm down his people. Meanwhile, Zerase, Yuko, Ai, and Mokona stayed calm in this chaotic situation.
"I'm sure this is not the only place the sinners appear," said the butterfly cosplayer. "Only three in sight…I'm sure there are seven others, scaring people around this castle. Please find them, and if you find them…" she handed over a roll of red string, one for each, "…bind them with this."
"Oh…looks similar with the red bind of destiny!" the emerald queen guffawed. Mokona, who was stood on her shoulder, took over the roll and kept it safe.
"I'll handle these three. Mokona, if you and Yuko-nee find any of them, absorb them and sent them immediately to Hell. I'll be after Zerase once I'm finished with these one."
"Sure. Let's go," and the white gowned woman disappeared in darkness, as did her older sister.
Ai, walked to the middle of the hall, prepared with a bell. She was waiting until the people became fewer so she had some spaces to do the ritual. However, Queen's Knight Kyle found and approached her. He tapped her shoulder, earned the attention of that young girl.
"Hey, little miss, you should run too," the blonde knight said. "We'll handle the situation here, so you don't need to worry and--"
"No. You back off," commanded the girl. "It is my specialization. You better don't intrude the rite, or else I'm forced to bring you to Hell as well as these poor souls."
Well, this girl is definitely similar with Zerase… Kyle thought briefly. He let out a deep sigh. "You sure? I don't want to get killed by Zerase if she find out you're wounded at this…"
"Don't worry. You better go help your comrades now."
The man shrugged and went away. The hall finally became emptier than before. The three souls still busy scaring people with their horrible appearances. The girl raised her bell and rang it three times. At that, the souls startled and looked at Ai. They gasped to see the hell girl was there, ready to send them back to the place where they supposed to live. When the sinners started to fly away, she had finished her chant.
"The homeless souls who have broken the chain of fate, thou shalt not wander and thou shalt not live. Shalt thou hath a choice…it is to sink in the deepest river of vengeance. Return now!"
The bell glowed and opened a big, dark hole before the girl. In seconds, the three formless souls were absorbed in it. Ai rang the bell on her bracelet, and the gate closed. She let out a deep sigh.
"Seven to go. I hope Yuko-nee and Mokona working seriously tonight…"
Author Note: Gosh. Fast-update. This is only three-parter so the next chapter is the last. Thanks for Insense for the favorite and Lady-von-Strife for the alerts. Glad you like it :) I hope this one is good too. Well, send your comments. I'll update in...Halloween. See ya!